Monthly Archives: August 2013

Win a Hip Hop Nutrition Facts Tee From Local Celebrity

Posted on August 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped this guy on the C train. He was wearing the dopest tee-shirt ever. It looked like this:

After some expert internet research, I found out that this awesome shirt is made by Local Celebrity! I wrote to the company and asked if I could do a review and giveaway of the Hip Hop Nutrition Facts shirt on my blog. Jordan over at Local Celebrity graciously said yes!

Check me out yo! You know you want this shirt too!

Want to win the Hip Hop Nutrition Facts shirt from Local Celebrity? Enter below! Word!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Posted in Uncategorized

Ari Writes Stories at Night

Posted on August 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

Ari is five years old. Every night for the past week, Ari and I have started a new tradition. Together, we write a story.

Ari dictates the story to me, and I transcribe it in a black and white composition notebook. So far, the stories have been about cats, an octopus child, watching TV and eating dinner. Those are some of the things that have been included.

Every story ends the same way: “And then the whole village went to sleep.”

I didn’t intend for this to become a tradition (oral storytelling that is) it just sort of happened. It’s fun, but I don’t want it to replace the act of reading stories.

My mom read to me every night. It started with picture books, and then (as I got older) we moved on to chapter books. I want to continue that tradition (of reading aloud) to my kids just as my mom did for me.

With regard to Ari’s stories, after he’s done reciting them, and I record them in the notebook, the most fun part of this activity is reading them aloud. I read him his masterpiece and he hears what he created out loud.

You never know, this could help him learn to read!

Do you read to your kids every night? Would you try oral story telling with them too?

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Posted in Uncategorized

Anxiety Impacts My Business Decisions

Posted on August 20, 2013 | 2 Comments

I manage chronic anxiety every day.

I see a therapist and I’m currently taking medication for it. In addition to these “Western” measures, I also meditate daily and keep a journal. However, anxiety continues to impact my daily life, regardless of my diligent attempts to address it.

Once of the ways in which it affects me is with regard to business and employment.

For example, if a company seems interested in hiring me or working with me, I have difficulty “playing it cool.”
I might receive an email that says:

“We’ll contact you if we’re interested in working with you.”

For someone like me (who manages chronic anxiety) that statement is difficult to comprehend or deal with. In my mind I’m left wondering if the company will ever be back in touch. Here are some thoughts that may go through my head while I’m waiting to hear back from a company:

Will they ever reach out to me?
Is my blog good enough?
I wonder if I should check in with them again?
If I check in with them too much they’ll think I’m crazy, even though I’m not crazy I’m just anxious.

I literally have to force myself from checking in with companies or people that are interested in working with me, because I know that my anxiety will scare them off.

It’s sad really. Being anxious doesn’t define me. It’s just something that challenges me. In some ways, it has strengthened me as a person. I have to deal with physical and emotional symptoms that impact my daily functioning. But I don’t stop. I don’t let it stop me. I still work hard to obtain my goals in life.

I want to be a published writer.
I want to work to promote brands that mean something to me.
I want to be recognized for my work.

The funny thing is despite struggling with anxiety, I still have managed to work successfully with major companies on my blog over the years. The evidence indicates that I am competent at what I do.

Writing this piece is brave.
I am brave.

So if I have obsessively contacted you, don’t be scared. I’m just anxious. Nothing more, nothing less.

I am also a writer, an actress, a mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter and someone who loves her life.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Win a Robot Backpack From Crocodile Creek

Posted on August 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

It’s back to school time y’all! I wrote to Bill over at Crocodile Creek and asked if he’d be willing to do a backpack giveaway. He graciously said yes!

Today I am giving away this totally awesome robot backpack!

Your kids want this.

What I love about this backpack:

It’s large enough to fit a standard sized folder
It has a designed water bottle slot on the side
It’s sturdy and well constructed
It’s colorful and awesome!

Ari is obsessed with robots, so this is pretty much the perfect backpack for him.

If your child likes flowers more than robots (and you win this giveaway) this beautiful backpack goes to you:

Enter to win below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Giveaway open to U.S. residents only

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Posted in Uncategorized

Why I’m “Always” On Facebook

Posted on August 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

“You’re on Facebook a lot.”
“You’re funny on Facebook.”
“I see your posts on Facebook.”
“You = Facebook.”

I’ve heard all of those things. The people that said them are right, I am on Facebook a lot. Some of the people saying that they see my on Facebook all the time are being judgmental. Perhaps they think that I have no life and spend my entire day posting random shit on Facebook.

I’ve also heard passive aggressive remarks that go like this:
“Facebook is such a time suck. I never go on there.”
“I don’t have time for that.”

Translation, “you’re a loser because you’re on Facebook all the time and I am superior to you because I have an important life and I’m too good for the Internet.”

You know what, good for you! If you don’t go on Facebook that’s wonderful. I’m glad you’re enjoying your life. I’m happy for you! But don’t make me feel badly about the fact that I am enjoying posting random shit on Facebook.

Things I like to post on Facebook:

Pictures of my kids being silly
Pictures of my kids being adorable
Pictures of my kids period
Pictures of cats
Pictures of weird things I see on the street including strange street signs and street performers
Funny articles
Informative articles
More cat pictures
Pictures of myself when I feel attractive or (what the Internet calls “selfies”.)
Links to my blog
And the most frequent thing I post - Random thoughts that I have in my head that I’m afraid I’m going to forget unless I type them out.

Yes, I am on Facebook a lot. But remember this, I have two kids. I am with my children 24 hours a day. Sometimes, I need a break. That break includes Facebook. I can skim my newsfeed and read funny articles that other people have posted. I can look at cute pictures of my friends’ kids. I can read funny blog posts. I can take a break.

I want to make something clear, just because I’m on Facebook frequently doesn’t mean that:

I’m ignoring my kids.
I don’t go outside

Half the time I’m posting shit on Facebook I’m walking with the kids in the stroller, or I’m at the playground sitting down for a moment. This is the joy of having Facebook mobile.

My kids are loved and I spent time with them, Facebook posting or not.

I’m also not “addicted to Facebook.” If it disappeared tomorrow I would be just fine. I didn’t have a Facebook account for 27 years of my life, and I was a fully functional human.

The point is, it’s just a place for me to take a break. And hopefully I make you laugh every once in a while with my random head thoughts.

End of Facebook rant.

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Posted in Uncategorized

The Girl on The N Train Who Could Have Been Me

Posted on August 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

I met a girl on the N train. She had shaggy blue hair. She wore a navy dress with polka dots and clunky black platform boots. She had a septum ring. She was beautiful.

“Hey, where did you get your boots?” I asked her.
I didn’t care where she got them. I just wanted an excuse to talk to her. I wanted to know more about her life.
“Oh these? Trash and Vaudeville,” she said. “But you could probably find them online.”
“Cool.” I said “I can’t wear heels because my feet are sensitive. I love platforms.”
“Where are you from?” I asked.
“Australia.”
“Really? You have no accent.”
“Yeah, I’ve been here since high school.”
“Oh, where did you go to high school?”
“LaGuardia.”
“Oh! Me too.”
“Oh yeah, what was your major?”
“Drama. Yours?”
“Art.”
“Yeah, you look like an art major.”
We laughed.
“All of my friends were art majors.” I said.
“I hated LaGuardia.” She confessed.
“Me too!” I said. “I felt like everyone was just as talented as I was. There was so much competition. But the administration stood behind people they believed could make it. I wasn’t one of those people.”
“Yeah, totally.” She agreed.
“Where did you go to college?”
“I didn’t.”
“What are you up to now?”
“Well…” she began.

She was 21. She was homeless. She didn’t know where she was going to sleep that night. She wasn’t a drug addict. She was a normal girl who had no place to go. I asked if she could stay with a friend. She said she was waiting to hear back from someone. She hadn’t eaten in three days. She’d been picking up random bar tending gigs to try to stay afloat. My heart ached for her.

I suggested she try to work at the Union Square Farmer’s Market.
I told her to apply for a job at a local comic shop I knew was hiring.
I wanted to save her.

She was 21.
I was 21 once.
I was lost.

I floated from one friend’s couch to another’s.
I knew this life.
I know this girl.
She is me 12 years ago.

My hair wasn’t blue, but I was aching inside.
I didn’t know who I was or where I was going. I was completely alone.

When she got up to exit the train in the village I stared at her stockings. Through the holes I could see red scratch marks. I wondered if she was hurting herself.

“It was wonderful to meet you, lovely.” She said as she danced off the train.

I will think of her tonight as I go to sleep. I hope she has a place to rest her head.

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Posted in Writing

“You’ve Heard of Peter, Paul and Mary?” “I’m Not So Much Familiar WithThe New Testament.” - Soul Doctor on Broadway!

Posted on August 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

Thanks to the lovely Holly at Culture Mom Media, my soul sister Donna and I went to see Soul Doctor on Broadway

Soul Doctor is based on the true story of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.

It’s a musical journey that begins in Vienna. We follow Shlomo from the time he’s a small child in Europe all the way to the United States where he transforms from a Rabbi into a rock star.

Along the way, Shlomo meets countless women who change the course of his life. One of them is the one and only jazz singer Nina Simone. Simone and Shlomo form a musical bond from the moment they meet. Their connection transcends the lines of religion as Shlomo visits Simone’s church and performs his music to her congregation.

As Shlomo finds his way in the world his family doesn’t quite understand his path. It takes Shlomo’s father dying for his mother to realize who Shlomo is inside.

Soul Doctor is about identity. It’s about finding out who you are through music. As I watched Shlomo struggle with his inner self, I felt deeply connected to him. I know what it’s like to question your life’s path. That is the essence of this musical.

In the end, Shlomo finds himself in Israel and the audience feels a sense of relief.

I couldn’t help clapping and smiling all through this show. The music is infectious and it makes you want to dance! Ultimately Donna and I left the theater with smiles on our faces and a good feeling in our hearts.

For more information on Soul Doctor click here!

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Win a Flexi Leash For Your Dog! Woof Woof!

Posted on August 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

My niece has a beautiful Portuguese Water Dog named Lucky.

Lucky is the kind of dog that loves freedom. One day, Francesca (my niece) and I were talking, and he suggested that we write to the Flexi USA company to see they would let us try out one of their leashes on Lucky. Look at my little entrepreneur in the making.

So together, Francesca and I wrote an email to Flexi USA, and I got a lovely response from Tori in the marketing department! She agreed to let us try out the leash and give one leash away!

But first we took lucky for a walk on his new leash. He loved his new found freedom.

Lucky enjoyed his freedom on the Flexi leash and Francesca remarked (on our walk) that it would be a great leash to use when she takes him to the park!

Tori was nice enough to throw in some poop bags!

And a super cool Flexi leash key chain!

Do you want to win a Flexi leash for your doggy? Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Bloganizer- Organize Your Blog World

Posted on August 15, 2013 | 4 Comments

I’ve been blogging since 2009, and I have a confession to make. I’m disorganized. Yes, I write frequently. Yes, I read other blogs. Yes, I post on Facebook and Twitter.

But I also do these things:

Forget to read blogs that I love
Forget to comment on those loved blogs

Enter Bloganizer!

Liza created Bloganizer in order to help Bloggers organize their blogging life.

Trey is Bloganizer’s V.P. of Connections.

I met Liza at BlogHer13′ in Chicago and we instantly hit it off. She’s a Sagittarius!

We literally spent an hour in the hotel lobby of the Sheraton talking about our theater backgrounds, blogging, our mutual appreciation for curse words, and our crazy children.

When I got home to New York I decided to do something that people (especially those in social media) don’t often do. I picked up the phone and called Liza. In this day and age where people mostly communicate through computers, I decided to kick it old school and speak to her on the phone like the humans that we are.

Liza showed me about Bloganizer and how it works through a Google + Hangout. Let me tell you something, do not underestimate the power of Googe +. I was super impressed. She could see my computer screen and guide me on exactly how to use Bloganizer. It was awesome!

These are some things that Bloganizer is good for:

1. Keeping up with your favorite blogs:

When you sign up for Bloganizer (which is free) you can create a list of the blogs you love and read them all in one place!

2. Listing your giveaways

If you do product giveaways, Bloganizer is an excellent place to list them! As far as I know, there isn’t a central location online to list blog giveaways. There are groups on Facebook but nothing like this:

Look! Here’s my giveaway for Honest Kids Juice Boxes! Awesome!

3. Stay organized and on top of your social media tasks.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed as a Blogger. However, Bloganizer is designed to quell that feeling.

If you blog, I encourage you to try it out!

Guess what? Liza didn’t ask me to post this. I just love Bloganizer! So check it out yo!

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Posted in Bloganizer, Organization, Social Media

My Mother’s Smell- A Memory

Posted on August 14, 2013 | Leave a comment

I remember the smell of my mother’s coat when she came in from outside in the cold New York City winter. It was mixed with cool air and her distinctive perfume. I loved that smell because it meant that she was home for good. I didn’t have to worry. I was safe.

Before I smelled that smell I would sit on the black leather couch and watch cartoons while I waited for her. Animaniacs, Batman the Animated Series, and Tiny Toons were some of my favorites. I would zero in on the television in order to escape the fact that she wasn’t there. My mother was in a mysterious place called “work.”

I remember her old work phone number 644-8100. There was a receptionist named Nydia who worked there. I would call and say “Can I speak to Liz Fader please?” It was comforting to know that I could reach her at any time if I needed to. I would call her multiple times after I got home from school just to make sure she was still alive.

My mother worked in public relations. She wrote press releases. She was great at what she did.

The hours I spent anticipating her return home as a nine year-old were palpable. I missed her.

But I was content to sit on my couch and watch cartoons because I knew that at some point that door would open and I would get to smell her and embrace her black down coat. That hug (that embrace) was wonderful.

The cool sensation of her coat and her smell made me feel whole again. If I close my eyes, I can still smell her.