10 fun facts about past presidential inaugurations
Friday will be the 58th Presidential inauguration our nation’s history. As Ronald Reagan said in his inaugural address in 1981, “To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion; and yet, in the history of our Nation, it is a commonplace occurrence.” Here are some fun facts about past presidential […]
All-new sing-along version of Moana hits theaters on January 27
The mid-winter gloominess has descended over the Midwest, and while I’m all about finding the sunshine, it’s tricky when permacloud covers my house and those as far as I can see. We’re over the cold and gray weather, and I’m dreaming of the South Pacific. Luckily, the good folks at Disney timed the release of an all-new sing–along version […]
Lin-Manuel Miranda reads Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beyond Vietnam”
Lin-Manuel Miranda has brought historical figures to life and made them relevant in a new and exciting way with Hamilton: An American Musical. His skills are not limited just to Revolutionary War figures. Last year, Miranda read Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beyond Vietnam” at the very same church it was orginally given on April 4, 1967, exactly one […]
What I’ve been reading lately
Reading has moved up higher on my priority list this year and I was inspired by Modern Mrs. Darcy to share the books I’ve been reading lately. These books all came out last year, and to be honest, I’m not aways on the cutting edge of publishing. I’ve made my peace with the fact that […]
10 Reasons to be excited for “Beauty and The Beast”
There is much to look forward to in 2017. Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is at the top of the list for both me and my daughter. It’s a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience. I’m eager to see […]
My favorites of 2016, from trips to tunes and everything in between
Looking back at the year reminds me that, while it wasn’t perfect, my family and I were incredibly fortunate and experienced a lot of joy together. Here are some of my favorites of 2016. Favorite hotel: Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort Staying here had been high on my bucket list. Speaking of […]
Favorite features of Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
When I met my husband, he lived in Los Angeles and I lived in Chicago. It made more sense for him to move here to Chicago, but he travels to sunny Southern California twice a year for work, going for a week at a time. I didn’t pay much mind to his travel. That is, until […]
A tale of charitable giving gone wrong, or how NOT to donate
Have you ever had really, really good intentions but implementing them didn’t play out the way you envisioned? Perhaps the most embarrassing and entertaining instance of that happen to me came at Christmastime when I tried to teach my daughter, then a preschooler, about the importance of giving back and helping others. I wanted her to […]
Best kept secret at Midway Airport: The Yoga Room
Airports can be hectic places and travel can be stressful. To combat that stress, I love the yoga room at Midway Airport in Chicago. It is perhaps the best kept secret in the airport, and worth checking out the next time you are on your way through MDW. (Yes, even if you don’t do yoga, you […]
8 Experiences that make great gifts for kids
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School. All opinions and gift giving tendencies are my own, as always! Ever feel like you’re drowning in stuff? More specifically, your kids’ stuff? Their toys, games, sports equipment, clothes slowly start to take over. Christmas giving can compound that problem. But I have a solution: giving experiences, […]