August 2012 - The Culture Mom

31Aug

Dreaming of NYC

I spent some of my pivotal years living and working in NYC on the Upper West Side. I moved to NYC at the age of 24 and vowed never to leave. I loved walking out of my building into city life. I loved everything about it and rarely complained about the high price of living, particularly when I was making a mere 23K in my first job as an assistant. I thought I would never leave. I was home. Fast forward to now. I've been living in the suburbs for the last 10 years. Don't ask me how that is possible. Granted, I live only 15 miles from the city and Read More

29Aug

My Bad Pitch Rant and Easy Practices for a Better One

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Hi Holly, for any baby product stories that you are currently working on, please consider the NEW line of eco-friendly reusable baby wipes, burp cloths and bibs that have just launched by Bambooee. Holly, I love these do-it-yourself wall murals from Elephants on the Wall!! Decorating a kids room will never be the same when you use Elephants on the Wall! Take a look at the release below and let me know if you are interested in samples, images or additional info. Greetings, Imagine newborns falling asleep or waking up cradled in incredible Read More

28Aug

Chaplin, the Musical: All the World Loves a Tramp

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I have long had an obsession with Charlie Chaplin. As the daughter of a mother with a fetish for old movies, I was raised on films like "Modern Times" and "The Kid". I continued following his life and career as a film minor in University and wrote a paper or two on his movies. Coming to live in NY as a young girl, I used to flee to the Film Forum or wherever they were showing a retrospective on his life an career. Needless to say, when the film came out in 1992 about his life, with Robert Downey, Jr. playing the lead, I was memorized by the truth Read More

26Aug

Balance. My Daily Struggle.

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Balance. That's a word I've struggled with since the kids were born. It's not easy to have as a mom, it definitely takes work. It's a skill that I've developed over time but I'm still perfecting. I'm definitely a mom that loves being with my kids and one that needs my own time, as well. The kids take up a lot of energy and just slipping away to read a book, catch a film or play in the city, taking a long, hot shower and belting out 80s tunes gives me the power I need to march on and be a better mom. But I also see the value of spending time alone Read More

25Aug

Reduce Infant Mortality with Save the Children

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Did you know that every year, more than 7 million newborns and children die before their 5th birthday—mostly from preventable and treatable causes, such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria? Wondering what you can do so that more children survive? How can we make basic life-saving health care available to children around the world and improve children’s health in the world’s poorest and most remote communities? To discuss this and more, come to the next MamaDrama (my alter ego) Twitter Party. We’ll have several members on hand who are passionate Read More

24Aug

Exploring Greater Williamsburg with Kids

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Colonial Williamsburg is a place I've been wanting to take my family for some time. I have vivid memories of traveling to the historical town as a child and have been waiting for them to be of a certain age to appreciate it. My kids are 7 and 9, maybe a little bit younger than needed to understand about the American Revolution, but its an education in its own rite and gave them a basic understanding of how life in America evolved over two hundred years ago. But I also didn't remember it being so big and diverse in its history, as this was the first Read More

24Aug

Experiencing Nostalgia on Our Summer Vacation

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When I was younger, summer vacations were really special. My grandparents and uncle would fly down to my home in Atlanta from Philadelphia and we'd all cram into a large station wagon and drive places. Often it would be Florida, which is the source of most of my childhood vacation memories. But we also spent several summers visiting Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. My dad used to wake us up early to leave - around 4am - getting us on the road well before rush hour. We'd always be ready the night before and sleep for a few hours before departure. Read More

23Aug

Conversations with Coca-Cola: Celebrating Women

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PWP Studio photographers specialize in corporate event photography, decor, details, incentive travel, conventions, and on-location photography in Atlanta, Georgia

When I was invited to the Conversations with Coca-Cola conference in Atlanta, GA, I was torn. It was set to take place during my family's summer vacation in Atlanta, GA. We were heading there anyway, but I was hesitant to leave my family while on holiday. On the other hand, I was intrigued. Coca-Cola is a brand that I have known all my life and one that I highly respect. Here they were inviting me to a conference, along with other bloggers who I know and value. However, as you know, here on the Culture Mom, I don't often push products, Read More

21Aug

When Your Child’s Words Are Like Daggers

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Before I had kids, I began to make sacrifices. I suffered through morning sickness, nausea, back pain, a fluctuation in weight and exhaustion. Then they came along, and I endured late nights, leakages through my shirt during meetings at work and even more exhaustion. Life changed dramatically and quickly. Then there were decisions about work. I let my job go, one I assumed I would be at forever more, to stay home with my children. It was a total upheaval, as it is for all of us moms and dads. I'm not sorry for any of it. I've witnessed all of Read More

20Aug

Charleston Place: Elegant and Cozy Family Travel in Charleston

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On our recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, we had the most perfect visit at the Charleston Place Hotel. It was our first visit to the city as a family and we could not have asked for a better location to make as our base. Built in 1840, the hotel is very elegant yet comfortable, cozy, and the service defines southern hospitality to a tee. As soon as we walked though the door into the refined lobby with a grand staircase and chandelier shining down from the ceiling, we were enchanted. We knew we were in for something special. Something Read More