Illuminations: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum by the numbers
One of my favorite holiday family events in Chicagoland is a relatively new one. Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum began in 2013 and this year we were excited to head back for our fourth time. It’s a family favorite and we wouldn’t miss it. Illumination is a one-of-a-kind light display. It goes way beyond the […]
New videos build anticipation for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
The anticipation is building for the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars. The movie arrives in theaters everywhere on December 16th in 3D, Real D 3D and IMAX 3D! It’s release was a big topic of discussion at the holiday gathering I attended this weekend. Both parents and kids alike talked about how they were all looking […]
Winter Survival Guide: Tips for making the most of the colder months
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I was not compensated for writing this, but I did receive a pair of Rhea booties. All opinions are solely (see what I did there?) my own. The first big snowfall of the season is coming. It’s supposed to snow a few inches here outside Chicago, which means that winter will definitely […]
Review of Stowe Mountain Lodge
I was so excited to visit Vermont for the first time with my daughter and husband. We weren’t there long before we declared that we never wanted to leave. On our 10-state road trip, we stayed overnight in six different places. At the end of the trip, my teen and my husband both said that the Stowe Mountain Lodge was their favorite stay of […]
Favorite Holiday Items at Trader Joe’s
I’m a huge Trader Joe’s fan, and heading there over the holidays is particularly delightful. They have a little bit of everything to make the busy season a bit less stressful and a little more festive, without breaking the bank. Here are my favorite holiday items at Trader Joe’s. (And surprise – they aren’t all […]
3 Favorite nonprofits to support this Giving Tuesday
We’ve recently set aside one day to focus on giving thanks. We’ve had two days with a focus on getting deals. Today, we have #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving back. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to […]
Teen and tween gift guide: Fun & easy ideas for older kids
Scratching your head about what to get the older kids on your holiday gift list? Check out the tween and teen gift guide! These tried and true items will bring smiles to the faces of both the kids receiving the gifts and their parents. Mophie Phone Case Kids will love the colors and the longer battery […]
Forget leftovers, must see TV this Thanksgiving weekend
If you need me this Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll be parked firmly in front of our television. Well, first I’ll make a feast, fear not, but starting Thanksgiving night, it’s game on with great shows. It’s like Christmas has come early this Thanksgiving weekend with all there is to watch. Here are the shows I’m most […]
Fun facts about my favorite parts of Moana
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate posts. Moana, Disney’s latest animated film, has a lot of elements that appealed to both me and my daughter. A strong female protagonist? Check! New and beautiful setting for a Disney film? It’s set in Oceania, so check! Adorable sidekicks? Check! Appreciation of the environment? Check! A story about the […]
5 fun facts about Anna Kendrick
Tonight my family went to see a talk by Anna Kendrick. She visited our hometown of Naperville as part of the book tour for Scrappy Little Nobody, her recently released memoir. Anna is a family favorite. (Yup, I’m going with just “Anna” because I’m pretty sure she’d want me to, given that we’ve been in the same […]