Archives for May 2019

‘Dog Man’ Book Series is Being Developed into a Musical

May 31, 2019

Ever heard of a half-dog, half-policeman? I hadn’t neither. That’s until my 9-year-old daughter became obsessed with the Dog Man comic book last year.

Now, the best-selling series about a part-dog, part-policeman is being developed into a stage production. “Dog Man: The Musical” is slated to open this summer in partnership with TheaterWorks USA.

Created by Dav Pilkey, the mind behind Captain Underpants, the book centers around a crime-fighting dog who enjoys taking a bite out of furniture in his spare time. Pretty wacky, right? Well, the series has sold more than 23 million copies and children and critics alike are major fans. The musical adaptation will be just as fascinating as the series and take theatergoers on an adventurous ride sure to satisfy their wacky fervor for the crime-fighting canine. It beings performances at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City June 28^th and runs through August 4, 2019.

The show is written by Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander, veteran children’s programming collaborators who’ve worked on PBS’s “Peg + Cat” and the upcoming “Clifford The Big Read Dog” on PBS and Amazon.

If your kids are Dog Man fans, they’re in for a treat when the heroic character comes to life on stage. And, even if they’re not, they will be after this TheaterWorks USA production.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Are you kids familiar with the “Dog Man” book series?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 1 Comment

Palmer’s Purifying Sheet Mask is My Skin’s New Best Friend

May 30, 2019

Who doesn’t want smooth, flawless skin?

For me, it’s the ultimate beauty goal. Clear, blemish-free skin gives me the confidence to face the day. When my skin isn’t up to par, it dims my mood and hardly anything can turn it around. That’s why I do my best to keep my face in tip-top shape.

However, despite my diligent skincare regimen, breakouts seem to be the new norm for me. Thankfully, Palmer’s Purifying Sheet Mask has been a lifesaver. It soothes my temperamental skin giving it an undeniable glow. Not only does it make my skin shine (in a good way), it shrinks my large pores, which prevents clogging and excess oil buildup, a breeding ground for acne. When visible pores vanish, it creates a vibrant, even complexion.

Infused with a botanical-based blend of natural charcoal, willowbark, and marshmallow, this calming mask packs a major bang for your buck. Plus, it’s just so relaxing! Pampering yourself is key to a healthy, balanced life, especially in this always-on culture. Throwing on a mask is the perfect way to unwind while taking care of yourself at the same time.

While Palmer’s Purifying Sheet Mask is available at several mass retailers, we found one at Walmart for the best deal!

Do you use sheet masks to keep your skin in check? If so, what are some of your favorites and why?

Category: Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Say Goodbye to Shiny Skin with this Mattifying Moisturizer

May 23, 2019

With the unofficial start of summer underway, now’s the time to switch up our beauty routines.

For us with oily skin, that means lighter moisturizers are key to keeping our faces glowy, not greasy. Lately, I’ve been suffering from cystic acne and large pores. That means I have to be even more mindful about the products I use on my skin.

Thankfully, I’ve been using Arbonne RE9 Advanced Prepwork Hydrating Dew Cream to moisturize without the dreaded shine. While it doesn’t treat my excess oil production, it does keep it in check. Formulated with lentil seed and apple extracts, it provides a flawless matte finish that works well with my foundation and concealer. Unlike most moisturizers, this unique cream-to-gel formula is perfect for summer. Plus, it keeps skin soft, supple and dewy.

Arbonne RE9 Advanced Prepwork Hydrating Dew Cream
available here, $46.

Contrary to popular belief, moisturizing oily skin is necessary. Don’t skimp hydrating shine-prone skin because if you do, it’ll backfire and cause even more oil and possibly breakouts. Whether dry or oily, skin needs moisture regardless. Just be sure to find a lightweight hydrating cream or gel that won’t clog pores, especially during the warmer months.

I’ve been using it for a month now and I’ve been able to put my best face forward, shine free!

What are your favorite products to keep your skin moisturized during the summer?

Category: Beauty | Leave a Comment

Dashing Diva’s Nail Polish Strips are a Godsend for Impatient Beauty Buffs

May 16, 2019

I’m a fairly patient person. However, when it comes to waiting for my nails to dry after a nice manicure, all my patience goes out the window! As a working mom of two, I always feel like I’m wasting so much time sitting in a salon literally watching paint dry. Sure, some might make a mad dash after the first or second UV fan cycle stops, but not me. Since I always manage to smudge or chip my fresh manicure before stepping foot outside, I wait at least 30-40 minutes before leaving to ensure my polish stays perfectly in place. But not anymore.

Enter Dashing Diva’s Ultra-Shine Gel Strips.

Dashing Diva Gloss Gel Nail Strips are available here, $8 and up

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a press preview of the popular nail brand’s newest offerings and was blown away with these gel strips. Available in a wide range of shades, prints and fun decals, these polish alternatives are a game-changer for me. Thanks to the easy, mess-free application, I can get a pretty manicure without the painstaking wait. Plus, I can say good-bye to those pesky smudges that always find a way to ruin my mani. Oh and the best part of all is that these gel color, high-shine and wrinkle-free strips last up to 14 days! I’m going on three weeks of wear and they’re still looking good. I love them so much that I haven’t taken them off yet, which will be as easy as 1-2-3. To remove, all I’ll have to do is simply apply cuticle oil or coconut oil to my cuticles, lift and peel – leaving my nails damage-free! Seriously, can these strips get any better?

dashing-diva-nail-gel-strips

dashing-diva-gel-nail-strips

If you’re like me and get impatient at the nail salon and freak out at the thought of messing up your mani, these gel strips might be your answer. Get a beautiful manicure minus the hassle.

Have you ever used gel strips? If so, describe your experience.

Category: Beauty | 1 Comment

‘History of Memory’ Documentary Celebrates the Power of Printed Photos

May 8, 2019

In today’s digital-first world, some of our best memories are stored on our phones.

From birthday parties to graduations to random everyday events, photographs capture a moment in time. And with quality-grade cameras in the palm of our hands, we’re creating those memories at lightning speed. However, whether momentous or mundane, many of those images never leave the digital realm. In the new documentary, “History of Memory,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last week, shows viewers that printed photographs can be a vital key to our history and more.

Through four intriguing real-life stories, the 23-minute short documentary takes viewers on a journey of how a printed photograph changed their lives. From love at first sight to a remarkable discovery that uncovers a deep family secret, “History of Memory,” shares in great detail the power and impact a printed photo can have on a person.

Directed by filmmaking duo Sarah Klein and Tom Mason, the four stories are incredibly emotional and enlightening. In ‘The Secret Album,’ a woman learns about falsehoods surrounding her family’s identity. This account proves just how important photographs can be to preserving our history and past. In ‘At First Sight,’ love is centerstage as a photograph ignites an unrelenting passion between two strangers across continents. Who says love at first sight only applies to in-person encounters?

Courtesy of HP

In ‘China Lost and Found,’ one man’s trash becomes a treasure for thousands. A French archivist finds a treasure trove of film in the trash in China and turns the photos into a fascinating global exhibit for all to see. ‘It’s a Boy,’ is a sentimental nod to the beauty and impact of baby photos – especially for families who adopt children beyond that stage.

Courtesy of HP

Watch a clip from the film’s second chapter, ‘The Secret Album’:

Each of the clips beautifully reminds us how printed photographs can impact lives in ways unimaginable. As someone who has thousands of photos on my phone, this documentary inspired me to print some of the special ones. First, I have to find the right printer that makes it easy to print them from my phone.

Me with my husband Marcus during the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of “History of Memory,” in New York City on May 3, 2019.

HP has a few that might be the answer to my phone-trapped photos. The company, which sponsored the film offers a variety of pocket-size printers that are ideal for people like me who take tons of photos daily, but never get them printed. With a portable printer, you can print swoon-worthy selfies or snaps from unforgettable fête at your fingertips.

HP Sprocket Plus Portable Printer available here, $149.

Do you print photos taken from your cell phone? If so, how often?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 1 Comment

Review: Our Night at the American Museum of Natural History Sleepover

May 1, 2019

In a city as large as New York, parents are never at a loss for finding fun stuff to do with their children. As a mom of two, I’ve definitely done my fair share of cool kid outings in the Big Apple. From Broadway shows to historic sites to sporting events, we’ve attended and visited countless interesting, entertaining and culturally-rich places the city has to offer. But nothing compares to our epic “Night at the Museum,” this past weekend.

To say it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience would be an understatement. Our excitement and anticipation of having a sleepover at the American Museum of Natural History, the largest natural history museum in the world, was palpable leading up to the big night.

The adventure got underway as soon as we packed our slumber bags, hopped on the subway and made our way to the iconic museum for an unforgettable evening. In case you’re unfamiliar with the concept of sleeping in a nature-filled museum, the idea stems from the hit movie franchise, “Night at the Museum,” starring Ben Stiller. In the original movie, the animals and historical artifacts come to life at night. Thankfully, that didn’t happen during our visit.

Upon our arrival, we participated in the informative orientation, which detailed the night’s order of events. I was pleasantly surprised that the itinerary wasn’t overwhelming and allotted for a lot of free exploration. As we walked through the halls to our sleeping quarters, my 9-year-old daughter was a bit apprehensive, but quickly got used to her surroundings. I mean, I can’t blame her. Being surrounded by stuffed lions, tigers and bears can be a bit frightening at first. Luckily, after the initial fear and shock wore off, she was fine.

A whale of a time
As we proceeded to the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life (our home for the night), our enthusiasm hit the roof once we saw the massive, 94-foot-long, 21,000-pound blue whale model suspended from the ceiling. The majestic room was filled with ocean creatures like polar bears, walruses and beautiful coral reefs lining the walls. We unpacked our sleeping bags and made our space comfortable with the cots provided. The realization that we’d be sleeping in one of the most revered rooms in the museum started to sink in, causing our elation to escalate. After we happily unloaded, we were off to snack time where we were treated to cookies, chips, fresh fruit and drinks. Fueling up on healthy bites was a smart move because we needed sustenance to fully enjoy our fun-filled night.

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!
Next, we made our way to the live animal show. My son was super excited to see living creatures up close and personal. And the 45-minute show’s main attractions didn’t disappoint. Kids were able to learn fun and interesting facts about several animals including an owl, snake, eagle and a crocodile. At one point the eagle spread its wings to the audience’s amazement and delight. After feeding our live critter curiosity, we were off to explore some much older elements.

Finding fossil facts
I didn’t tell my kids much about our sleepover prior to our visit, but I did tell them that we had to bring flashlights! For kids, there’s something about turning on a flashlight that instantly sparks joy and lights up excitement. They were so thrilled when we whipped out our flashlights in hopes of finding some hidden fossil facts. While not exactly a scavenger hunt, the kids were able to learn some pretty awesome tidbits about prehistoric creatures like which dinosaur groups have duckbills and more. Armed with flashlights and scurrying around in search of uncovering dino facts was a huge highlight of the night. My daughter was obsessed with answering all the questions on her fossil-finding quest.

Movie magic
Following our prehistoric creature lesson, we were invited to watch the museum’s latest 3D feature film, Backyard Wilderness in the LeFrak Theater. Decked out in 3D glasses, we settled into our seats and enjoyed the super entertaining, awe-inspiring and highly-educational film about the beauty of nature and the importance of respecting it at all costs. I especially enjoyed the modern twist that was woven throughout the narrative via a social media lens. The 45-minute movie provided kids and adults alike with fascinating facts about the cycle of life and how we all play a role in our environment and ecosystem.

A story for the books
After being fully engrossed in an exhilarating film that heightened our senses, it was time to wind down. Dressed in their pajamas, the kids convened on the lower level of the Milstein Hall to hear a bedtime story that inspired the entire event, “The Night at the Museum.” Since my kids had never seen the movie, they were intrigued and enjoyed every minute of the book. Plus, it was the perfect substitute for their nightly bedtime story that they have at home. It was a great way to mellow the kids out so they’d be ready to turn in at midnight.

An enchanted experience
After a surprisingly restful yet chilly night (be sure to pack warm blankets), we woke up to a healthy continental breakfast. Later, we finally made our way to the gift shop for a private shopping experience. My son was over-the-moon walking up and down the aisles on the hunt for a new stuffed toy to join his cherished animal kingdom.

Even though we’d spent the night in the museum, there was still so much more to see. With more than 30 million specimen on display, we knew we hadn’t even scratched the surface. At any rate, we proceeded to venture into the Hall of the Universe where the kids learned about the solar system, volcanoes and other planet-centric stuff.

Before the museum re-opened for the public at 10:00 a.m., we made our last rounds and took in everything we could before we headed home. We had a fantastic time that my kids, husband and I won’t soon forget. My expectations were high, but the experience exceeded them. If you ever get the opportunity to participate in the American Museum of Natural History sleepover program, do it. It’s an incredible, wild adventure!

Here are the remaining sleepover dates: