About Audrey McClelland
Audrey left the fashion world of Donna Karan International in NYC to raise her brood of boys in her home state of Rhode Island. She’s learned that you can take the girl out of the Fashion District, but you can’t take the Fashion District out of the girl. Audrey brings her fashion expertise and mom experience to Mom Generations.
Mom Blogging – Audrey Confidential
Mom Blogger. It’s what I’ve “officially” been doing for the last 20 months. My area of focus has been in the Fashion/Style realm… if you know my blog, you know I happen to love me some fashion and style. It’s my passion.
But… the one thing I’ve been missing in this “Mom Blogging” world is actually – well, MOM BLOGGING. I never really blog about me or my kids or my life… and it’s ironic because I read about 100 blogs per week, religiously. The only way I really share information about my own life is through Facebook and Twitter… it’s not that easy sharing too much information in a short status update or in 140 characters or less. It never ceases to amaze me, though, how much you can connect with people in those short amounts of spaces. It’s the beauty of this social media world… and I love it. I love it.
As you can tell – I’ve given Mom Generations a must-needed makeover! Within this makeover, I wanted to make room for a blog for myself. A place to share, a place to engage, a place to laugh and vent, a place to blog. I’m very excited about this. My sons are the reason I started all of this, they’re my inspiration – yes, even for my fashion blog. Oh, the irony… a fashionista with all boys! I’ve made so many fabulous friends throughout the last 2 years in the blogosphere… and I’ve gotten to know them more and more personally through their words. It’s something I envy and love about them all… so I’m looking forward to expressing more of my own self through my words. And so… here I go!!
Oh, a couple of other additions – JANE’S BACK!! I’m so excited to have Janie joining the Mom Generations team again!! And… Kid Fashion!! This is exciting for me because Kid Fashion is something I’ve been wanting to blog about for the longest time… and now, I have my space! (Yes, girls’ fashions, too!)
Barnes & Noble’s NOOK and GIVEAWAY!
Barnes & Noble’s NOOK is amazing. For someone like me, an avid reader, it’s actually like a dream come true. I got to experience the beauty and awe of the NOOK a few days ago while taking the train to NYC. I devour Danielle Steel (yes, Danielle Steel… she’s my romance goddess) books like Cookie Monster devours cookies. As soon as I have one in my hand, it’s read-done-kaput in about 2 hours.
If you’re a Danielle Steel girl, you know that Big Girl just came out. Recently at the airport, I bought Big Girl, along with 2 other paperback Danielle Steel books. I’m not kidding, my pocketbook weighed a ton. I knew I needed reading materials for my 6 hour plane ride, so I really didn’t have a choice.
Enter my Nook.
I took it with me on the train – easy-peasy. Popped it right into my pocketbook. Lightweight. I had already decided what I wanted to read, had everything set. And seriously – navigating Nook is simple, fast and SO easy. If you can check email, you can navigate nook. The best past is that there are over 1 million titles that you can shop for… you literally have your own virtual library. You get your desired books in seconds. You can read clearly. I felt all “Jetson” cool on the train with my Nook.
If you want to see for yourself, head over to a Barnes & Noble store and check out the “In-Store Experience.” You can look. You can try. You can experiment. You can see how cool it is first-hand.
And for the fashionista in me… there are so very stylish back-covers to protect your Nook.
AND!!… Drum roll, please! I’m giving one away!
In keeping with STYLE… because you want to be in-style with your Nook… let’s have some FUN! Barnes & Noble has recently partnered with designers like Kate Spade, Jack Spade and Jonathan Adler to help users read in style.
Of these nook cover options, submit a comment below letting me know your favorite designer cover.
At the end of the giveaway I will randomly select one lucky reader to receive their very own nook! I will pick a winner on March Friday, March 20th at 5PM(EST).
Quaker Chewy Afterschool Rocks with iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove
Quaker Chewy and Afterschool Alliance, along with Miranda Cosgrove, have partnered up to create Quaker Chewy Afterschool Rocks! It absolutely floored me to find out that 15 million children are unsupervised after school. 15 million! I never realized the number is that high. Quaker, Afterschool Alliance and Miranda Cosgrove are joining forces to spread the word on the importance and value of afters chool programs.
I had the pleasure and delight to be the Mom Correspondent for the Quaker Chewy Afterschool Rocks Program with Miranda Cosgrove as she took to NYC to spread the amazing message. Miranda is the most down-to-earth, sweet, hard-working 15-yr old I have ever met. It warms my heart to know that my nieces look up to Miranda because she’s the exact kind of girl you want your daughter to look up to. Here is my day with Miranda… (and it was wonderful to interview Miranda along with Isabel from Alpha Mom who was there with her beautiful son):
I also had the privilege to interview 3 amazing people – Bill Fiely of Quaker; Jodi Grant, Executive Director Afterschool Alliance; and Maleka Covington, Director of Development at Harlem RBI, as they shared with me their passions, love and drive for working on Quaker Chewy Afterschool Rocks! What a pleasure it was to meet these wonderful people. They invigorated me and inspired me!
**This is a sponsored post by Quaker.
Sylvania – Earth Day 40 for the Future
Sylvania’s “green” campaign to celebrate Earth Day’s 40th anniversary kicks off today! It will run through the next 40 days… ending on Earth Day, April 22nd.
Before I was a mother, I wasn’t the “greenest” woman in the world. I’ve tried to make some progress since becoming a mother – making conscious “green” decisions in our household as much, and as best as I can. I love it when a company makes it easy for me to make “green” decisions. With Earth Day right around the corner, I’ve become very involved and passionate about spreading the “green” message as best as I can to mothers everywhere. I love that my kids know the importance of recycling at such a young age, that is something that truly amazes me. It’s such a different world than it was when I was a young kid.
So when Sylvania reached out to me to help then spread their “green” message, I was very excited and happy to do so!
Sylvania is challenging people everywhere to re-consider their everyday choices to be more “green.” Sylvania’s mission over the next 40 days is to save 40 million kilowatt hours (in honor of Earth Days 40th anniversary). The challenge is being called, 40 for the Future.
It’s mind-boggling to think this… but if you took 1/3 of the homes in Massachusetts…
… and changed one incandescent to a Sylvania Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulb, that would be the end-goal of 40 million kilowatt’s right there! In our house, we’ve learned… even just turning the heat down a couple degrees can save so much.
How amazing is that?
*This is a sponsored post.
Quaker Chewy Afterschool Rocks with Miranda Cosgrove
There are 2 things my sons absolutely love… and if you know me in real life, you know just how much they love them:
1. iCarly
2. Quaker Chewy Bars – Smores!
iCarly is one show on Nick Jr. that we don’t miss – EVER. It’s funny, I have completely become addicted to the show, even being able to belt out all the opening lyrics with my sons (never outside my home b/c my voice is horrible!).
Quaker Chewy Bars is the ONE thing all 4 of my sons will eat without a fuss. If you’re a mom of more than one child, you know what it’s like to find that ONE food item that will make every child in your family happy (and you happy, too, because it’s wholesome and good)… and in my family, it’s Quaker Chewy Bars.
So… when I heard about Quaker Chewy and the Afterschool Alliance partnering with Miranda Cosgrove with their Afterschool Rocks Program, I was hooked. As a child, I had to spend from 2-4PM in afterschool programs because my parents both worked. It was the best time of my life. I took cooking classes and art classes at my afterschool program and am actually still friends with some of the kids I was there with. Seeing Quaker Chewy and Miranda Cosgrove stand behind the importance of afterschool programs was something that really impressed me, and I was honored to be the Mom Correspondent for the day.
I got to spend the day with some really amazing people… I met the wonderful and gracious folks from the Quaker team, the ultra-inspiring women from Afterschool Alliance, the always-amazing Edelman team, the dedicated team at Harlem RBI and the beyond-incredible Miranda Cosgrove. It’s always daunting going into a project not knowing anyone, but I left feeling like true friends. It was that kind of day for me. From the Rachael Ray Show… then up to meet the kids at Harlem RBI with Miranda… and to witness the excitement and utter-joy of the impact Miranda has on the lives of these kids. They were truly moved to see her (some to tears). It was heart-warming and amazing to see what happened when Quaker Chewy, Afterschool Alliance and Miranda Cosgrove brought their passions to this program – they got kids (and their parents) excited and ready to ROCK! I am proud to be involved.
I wanted to share my day with you while I finish up my video, and to show you the graciousness and kindness of Miranda Cosgrove. The question I kept getting the most from people was, “What was she like?” She was like a 15-yr old. She was sweet, kind, patient, funny and just genuinely a “real” kid. What did it for me was when I told her my son William couldn’t make it last minute because he wasn’t feeling well and how upset he was to have missed her. She recorded this for him:
Morning Routines with 4 boys, 5 and under (help me)
BlissTV- Morning Routines from Blissful Media Group on Vimeo.
You know how they say, “You’re a great mom until you have kids?” Yeah… that was me. I’ll never forget being at my girlfriend’s apartment in NYC one morning and seeing her try and (literally) wrangle 2 kids out of bed, to the counter to eat breakfast, get them dressed and then out the door for school. I actually remember saying to her, “Oh… come on, it can’t be that hard,” when she looked at me out of breath as the door shut. I definitely did a little eye-rolling. Ahh… what I didn’t know back then.
Fast forward 6 1/2 years. 4 boys, 5 and under.
And imagine a morning in my house. Or… imagine me trying to get down a morning routine (don’t laugh).
Like clock-work every morning, I’m woken to my 21-month old son yelling, “MOMMY!” Funny how it’s always “Mommy” and not “Daddy”, right? His “yelling” usually alarms and wakes up his (almost) 3-yr old brother… and once he’s up, he’s UP. I try my best to tip-tie down the steps so my 4 and 5 yr old sons won’t wake up… after all, it is around 6:15AM, not even time for the Today Show. Coffee is a must at that point… and I usually told to “follow” my little guys around the house as they point to everything and want me to play with them. Then the “big” guys come down.
And that’s usually when the tornado begins for the day…
Then there’s milk requests, juice requests, Nick Jr requests, Disney requests, certain food requests (because we all can’t eat the “same” thing for breakfast, that’s too easy for me). Then there’s the “time to get dressed” time – where inevitably, my 2 oldest sons love to pick out exactly what they’re wearing that day, usually both wanting the uber-cool Superman tee. And – of course, the “where are my shoes?”
Each day it’s something new and exciting and crazy and chaotic. By the time we get out the door (I always hope it’s at least by 8:50AM) we’re all out of breath… it’s just the way it is right now in our lives. With 4 boys, 5 and under… nobody is really able to do everything on their own yet… so I’m in the one (along with my incredible husband) who has to do everything.
There are the days when I totally think I have it all together… and am actually patting myself on the back – only to be asked, “Mom… did I brush my teeth this morning?” To which I then think, tomorrow’s a new day!
Ahh… the joys of trying to get a morning routine. If anyone knows the secret, please let me know!
**This article about making mornings easier is part of the Kraft Bagel-fuls “Break up with your Breakfast Routine” sweepstakes. Visit BlissfullyDomestic.com for all the fabulous details.**
Verizon Palm Pre Plus “Test Drive” and GIVEAWAY!!
Revised: 10:23PM (EST) – Congrats to Patricia Price!! You won the phone!! COMMENTS DISABLED DUE TO CONTEXT BEING OVER.
“Test driving” the Verizon Palm Pre Plus for the last 4 weeks has been incredible. It was really cool to be able to try out the Verizon Palm Pre Plus and really sink my teeth into the various applications. It’s funny because I’ve had various smartphones on the past, but I had never (ever) really given myself the opportunity to play around, have some fun and try out some new and exciting features.
For me… it’s all about trying to make my life the easiest it can possibly be. It’s not that simple working from home with 4 boys and not having outside help. It’s all me, just me. And then you toss in running a business from home. Trying to remain and be (stay) organized is an understatement.
I’ve been asked what were my favorite features that really (really) made my life easier over the last 4 weeks. It really came down to a few things for me…
1. Email – I have a mac account, a gmail account and a Mom Generations email account… Each account represents something different to me – one is personal, one is business and one is for my Twitter emails. I love that I can have all my emails coming into one place… I don’t have to literally go from my mac.com mail, to my gmail.com account, back to my Mom Generations mail. It cuts down on the “missing” anything factor and it really allows me to have a good idea of what is “priority” and what isn’t.
2. Calendar Syncing – This has been TREMENDOUS! I have 4 sons and my husband travels for work. Actually, ironically enough… I’ve been traveling more than him in the last 8 weeks. It has been essential and a lifesaver to have my calendar and my husband’s and my sons all synced to one spot. What would always through us off would be… I’d have something planned for us – a playdate, dinner with friends or family – and then I would discover my husband wouldn’t be home or he had a meeting during that particular time. It has been wonderful having everything (quite literally) at my fingertips.
3. Video Capabilities – As a vlogger – I have come to depend and love anything that shoots good video. The Palm Pre Plus creates incredible and crisp videos and photos! As bloggers we are always looking for rich and original content, it is amazing that I am able to get added and professional content right from the Palm Pre Plus. Truly amazing!
4. Easy Web Browsing – Before this test drive I never would have thought of “easy web browsing” as a feature I needed and really saw as a tool to make my life easier – well, it was and it is. I remember when I first started off the test drive I remembered some of the other test driving moms mentioning this… it didn’t “hit” me until I started using my phone everyday and needing it to be fast, easy and user-friendly.
If you’ve been reading my series, you know that I have fallen in love with the Palm Pre Plus… who would have thought a simple phone could truly make your life – well, easier and better. Thank you so much for this amazing 4-week “ride” Emily and Cooper… it’s been wonderful and I highly (highly!) recommend anyone looking into a Palm Pre Plus for their next smartphone.
**And so… drum roll please… I’m announcing my (3) $25 Gift Card Winners:
- Linda S (1st week)
- AudreyPeters (2nd week)
- Lisa Book (3rd week)
AND GIVING AWAY A VERIZON PALM PRE PLUS!!
Leave me a comment below and you’re entered!! I will be picking a winner tomorrow evening at 10PM EST! Enter as many time as you’d like!!**
Support the R Baby Foundation
On Friday afternoon, I went to a beautiful, powerful and inspiring event hosted by my friend Julia Beck in honor of R Baby Foundation. I got to listen to some wonderful women speak about their lives, their passions and their purposes… Phyllis Rabinowitz, Brenda Berg, Kimberly Allers, Nicole Feliciano and Lauren Parisier… and it was moderated by 2 of my favorite bloggers out there, Emily McKhann of The Motherhood and Beth Feldman of Role Mommy. To say the event was amazing is an understatement.
But what I loved more than anything… was walking away with a sense to spread the word about R Baby Foundation.
R Baby Foundation is the first and only not-for-profit foundation uniquely focused on saving babies lives through improving pediatric emergency care. R Baby Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that babies, including those in the first month of life suffering from viral infections and other infectious diseases, receive the highest quality of care and service through supporting life-saving pediatric training, education, research, treatment and equipment.
It is at this event where I got to meet and listen to the amazing Phyllis Rabinowitz… the woman behind R Baby Foundation. This is her story…
Verizon Palm Pre Plus “Test Drive”
I’m into my third week in my Verizon Palm Pre Plus “Test Drive.” Emily and Cooper from the amazing The Motherhood have asked me to join in, and I’ll tell you what… I have loved the Palm Pre Plus so much! What a fabulous options for everyone… especially moms.
You know, I can write and write about some of the stuff I love, but I thought it would be cool to video capture my Palm Pre Plus in use!
I’m also giving away another $25 VERIZON GIFT CARD! I will be announcing my (3) winners of the Gift Cards next week – where I will also be giving away an actual Verizon Palm Pre Plus PHONE! Amazing, right?
Leave me a comment telling me what I should check out (still) with the Palm Pre Plus!
To my Mom, with LOVE
Because she’s a running the bases kind of mom (and grandma)…
BlissTV – Thanks Mom from Blissful Media Group on Vimeo.
I was a competitive swimmer for 14 years of my life. My dream was to always be an Olympian… I used to hang photos of Jenny Thompson and Summer Sanders on my wall and just dare to dream. As every athlete knows… not everyone is actually an Olympian. The farthest I made it in my “career” was the Junior Nationals – 3 seconds off qualifying for the Olympic Trials.
One thing that I know… I never would have made it that “far” without the help of my mom and dad. It’s true. You can’t commit to something by yourself, especially as a child… and it was the beauty, love and dedication of my mom and dad who helped me reach for my dreams.
Mom and Me - 1983
My mother – oh, my mom – she would wake me up every morning (at my request) at 4AM so I could go to swim practice before school. Then, after school… she would drive me to swim practice again. Swimming was my life and my passion as a child and teenager, and it was my mom who understood that and was there for me – every. single. second. My (her) weekends? They were full of swim meets. As a mother now, I wonder… how did she do it? Every weekend, a new pool – a new town or city – and we’d be there for hours and hours. Never once… not once did I ever see anything but a huge smile on my mom’s face. She sat there – cheering me on, cheering on my teammates, helping out with timing duties. She was my force. And I never would have made it that far in swimming without her help in dedicating her time to me. She loved it just as much as I did.
Jane, Mom and Me
Watching the Olympic Games was an amazing highlight over the past 2 weeks. Watching the awesomeness and talent of the athletes just gave me goosebumps – but I couldn’t help but think how proud their moms (and dads) must be because they have been along for the WHOLE journey. To see your “baby” up there doing something that inspires the world, I can only imagine the absolute pride.
I’m honored to be featured in BlissTV’s 1st episode highlighting the P&G Thank You Mom Campaign and Contest. I was able to talk about the most important woman in my life who is living the core values of the Olympic Movement, Excellence, Respect and Friendship.
Who is this woman in your life?
Nominate a mom you know living the Core Values of the US Olympic Movement: Excellence, Respect and Friendship. By nominating her, she will have a chance to win 4-day, 3 night all-expense paid trip to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to cheer on Team USA!
**I am closing comments so you can head over and nominate the special woman in your life!**
