Stay In The Know With Notify NYC! #NotifyNYC @NotifyNYC #Ad

It's unbelievable how much can happen in a "New York Minute!" Those of us who have lived in the Big Apple for years know how important it is to stay in the know when it comes to all up-to-date information that impacts all New Yorkers. As part of New York City's Emergency Management (NYCEM), Notify NYC is New York City's official source for information about emergency alerts and important city services. Notify NYC staff operate 24/7 out of Watch Command where they constantly monitor emergency activity in New York City and the metropolitan area. Since I am a mom and a full-time educator I rely on Notify NYC to alert me when there is an emergency in my area. After all, being able to make informed decisions in those critical moments are crucial to the well-being of my family as well as my students. Here is what you need to know about Notify NYC to stay in the know for you and your loved ones: • Whether it’s a storm, a mass transit delay, or an unexpected event, be … [Read more...]

Traveling To NYC For A Sports Tournament @hotelsforteams #Hotels4Teams #Ad

    Many of the sports parents that I am friends with around the country reach out to me when they find out that their child's team is scheduled to travel to my native New York City for a tournament. After all, most of them have never visited the Big Apple and coming here for the first time can be a little intimidating. One of their major concerns is usually how they are going to be able to afford a trip to a major city on their team budget.     My experience has been that not only do they all end up having a great time while they are here, but that they also are able to take advantage of visiting some of our attractions as well during their stay. When it comes to planning their stay and needing some downtime activities, I always recommend that they use the City Guide that Hotels4Teams offers parents and coaches. They've compiled some great places for teams to relax and bond before or after the game.     The best part about NYC is that it is that it is full of fun things for … [Read more...]

First-Ever On-Demand Bathroom Service in NYC! #EnjoyTheGo @Charmin #Ad

    As a longtime resident of New York City, I often head to Manhattan to attend special events or view shows.  Us local peeps refer to it as "Downtown" and we love bragging about how we have the coolest city on the planet.  The only problem is that, when you gotta go, you gotta go.  There is nothing worse than not being able to find a bathroom in the city!     Many businesses post signs stating that their bathrooms are only for paying customers.  After all, who could blame them when thousands of people pass by their storefronts every single day and opening their bathrooms up to the public could quite possibly send them down the proverbial creek without a paddle or some Charmin toilet paper!  So, when visiting New York City for the day you sometimes have to get creative when it comes to copping a squat.     Most people will just bite the bullet and purchase something at whatever store they are close to in order to gain access to their bathroom facilities.  Other people will take … [Read more...]

Celebrate Dad At The Crosstown Diner In The Bronx! @CrosstownDiner #Ad

    My husband has always been a pillar in our community.  Not only is he a wonderful father, but he also gives his time selflessly to support young people at my sons' school and in the neighborhood.  Since our boys were little, he has volunteered to coach their basketball and little league teams and just about everyone knows him.  We like to honor him every single day of the year but, on Father's Day, we try to make him feel a little more special than usual.     One of Hubby's favorite things to do with our family is go out to eat.  This is a time when we can spend quality time as a family enjoying great food and just focusing on one another.  When it comes to his go-to restaurants, he likes to dine locally and one of his absolute favorite places to eat is the Crosstown Diner.  We have been going there for years, since even before we started our family.  He always says that eating there on Sunday reminds him of every good thing that he has done in his life.     This Father's … [Read more...]

Lysol Back To School Science Fair Challenges Students To Expose Germs! #Lysol #Ad

    I can't even begin to describe how many of my students are currently sick with colds.  Along with the change of seasons and the spread of germs, most of them are really feeling miserable.  It's the perfect opportunity to teach them how important it is to wash their hands regularly and to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze.  Believe it or not, millions of school days are missed each year due to student absences that are caused by illnesses like the common cold or the flu.     Lysol® has partnered with Madison Square Boys and Girls Club of America in New York City to teach students about the presence of millions of germs that invade their classrooms every single day!  The best part is that fourth-graders will be able to quantify these germs through interactive science experiments.  They are learning how germs can flourish on desks, light switches, doorknobs, and school supplies and how they can protect their classroom … [Read more...]

The Perfect Last Minute Stocking Stuffer At Dunkin’ Donuts! @DunkinDonuts #Giveaway #Ad

    If you are a procrastinator like I am, you are scrambling at the last minute trying to get everything ready for the holidays.  This year, I think I've done a little better than previous years because I've actually purchased most of the gifts for the kids.  However, I still have to finish up shopping for my husband's gift because he is more difficult to shop for than most.     He has to get up very early every morning and he always enjoys a cup of coffee to get him going and to start his day.  This made me realize that the perfect gift and last minute stocking stuffer for him is right in front of my face at Dunkin' Donuts.  After all, he practically spends half of his life there anyway so, why not?     Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout the Metro NY area are selling The Dunkin' Donuts Holiday Coffee Card. This card provides guests with 10 large hot coffees or teas for $15.99. This is the perfect last minute gift or stocking … [Read more...]

Experience New York City And Its People On The Ride NYC! @The_Ride_NYC #Giveaway #Ad

    I have a confession to make, although I have lived in New York City most of my life, I have never really attempted to go sightseeing in Manhattan.  This is because most New Yorkers will tell you that these are just tourist attractions and locals have no time to visit these attractions.  Over the past couple of years, however, I have really enjoyed going to see iconic New York landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.     Last month, I attended a blogging conference in Chelsea Piers and one of the scheduled events was an excursion on The Ride NYC.  Unfortunately, I was unable to take advantage of this opportunity because I had scheduled another event during the time slot that this experience was being offered.  Once I saw the photos that fellow bloggers took on this ride, I immediately regretted not having participated in going.     Fast forward to last week, my friend CouponMamacita was visiting from out of town … [Read more...]

A Mom’s Guide To Parking In NYC! @ParkWhiz #Giveaway #Partner

        Have you ever been to New York City?  Chances are, if you have, you know that it is nearly next to impossible to find parking downtown.  We live in one of the outer boroughs of NYC so we don't have to deal with the hassle of getting parking in the city.  However, there are many exciting things to experience in Manhattan so the kids like to head over there as often as possible to enjoy all the sights and events.     Most New Yorkers will tell you that taking public transportation is the most convenient and affordable way to get around the city.  They are right.  Unfortunately, moms sometimes have special reasons for needing to drive places.  In our family, my younger son and I have health issues that make traveling through the Subway difficult for us.  Likewise, there are many moms with babies and strollers that find it extremely hard to get around on the buses and trains.     Thankfully, I have found the solution to all of our parking problems in NYC!  A great … [Read more...]

Grocery Shopping In NYC Has Just Gotten Easier! @PeapodDelivers #Giveaway #Ad

    I'm going to get right to the point, I am an extremely busy mom.  Not only do I have a full-time career as a New York City public school teacher, but I am also the mom of two active boys, I publish a successful blog, and I am married to a wonderful man.  All of these roles are wonderful but they keep me on my toes and often wondering why there aren't more hours in a day.     I just don't have a lot of time and I am always looking for ways to simplify my life.  That is why I was so excited when I found out that Peapod’s recent expansion in NYC means that every zip code in all 5 boroughs is now able to experience the time and money savings Peapod has to offer!     Let's be honest, grocery shopping can be a very time consuming task and it's a necessary evil because we all need to stock food in the house and feed our families.  Unfortunately, it can sometimes be very difficult to squeeze the time in to go food shopping.  In NY, Peapod offers the best of the suburban grocery store … [Read more...]

The Circus Is In Town! #RinglingBros #CircusXtreme @FeldEnt @RinglingBros #Partner

    Ever since my boys were little, they have loved the circus.  I can still remember their bright, shining faces the first time that my husband and I took them to see it.  I'm not sure who had more fun, us or them.  Now that they are older, I was very excited to have the opportunity to take them to see the new Ringling Bros. Circus Xtreme at the Barclay's Center in New York City.  I couldn't wait to see how they would react to the show now that they are older.     This new show features some unexpected spectacles that have never been seen before in the with unique circus artists and amazing animals.  That is why I think it is appealing to children and adults of all ages, it has attractions that appeal to everyone universally.  The best part was that, this time, I had the chance to take my nephews with us to the show so I enjoyed seeing their looks of wonder and amazement as each star put on their act.     My younger son's favorite star was Gemma Querida Kirby, also known as The … [Read more...]