2013
Review of The Benjamin in Midtown Manhattan
Staying at The Benjamin in Midtown NYC was a fantastic place for our family. We began our Thanksgiving family trip in Manhattan. Selecting a hotel from the over 100 spread across Manhattan can be difficult. Knowing I was going to be traveling with our family of 4 – kids ages 7 & 2 1/2, I […]
It’s Time to Spa
Marriott International has over 3,800 properties in over 74 countries and territories around the world – 441 are spa hotels! In checking out the Marriott website I saw that there are over 35 “spa hotels” in Florida – either Marriott or one of it’s 16 brands. Have you enjoyed a hotel spa before? Spa Services Spa’s […]
Break Apart Gifts, Why They Work
A big package of 4 decorative candles might be too much to give your son’s teacher, but break apart the gift box and now you have something for the teacher, the principal, the secretary and even the music teacher! During a recent media visit to a nearby BJ’s Wholesale, I was in awe with the […]
Santa Truffles Recipe
Santa truffles, why yes! We make dozens of Christmas cookies in this house. My husband has his favorites, as do cousins that come to our home every Christmas Day. I spend hours and hours in the kitchen, with my apron and flour all over the place. I make nut ball, struffuli, crescent cookies, lemon bars, […]
Royal Caribbean Vision of the Sea Review, Revitalization Updates
It was a media event with a date night thrown in! Our one-night trip aboard the newly revitalized Vision of the Seas brought about great fun, fantastic food and impressive note taking. This Vision of the Seas review provides my unbiased insights. As media guests of Royal Caribbean, we were provided with a Junior Suite […]
Collection Obsession. Join Me?
Tis the season for finding exactly what the kids, spouse and you want! If you are interested in what I love, check out some of the collections I have made as part of my collaboration with ebay this year. Collections to Design, Organize or Map You see, I have spent countless hours browsing through all the […]
How to Use Leftover Ham or Turkey
You spent hours at the table devouring every last bite of turkey and ham. The meats were delicious and the leftovers must be used. I’ve shared with you our Ham Croquetas recipe that is perfect for the leftover ham like Hormel® Cure 81®. That same recipe can be easily be tweaked to make turkey croquetas. […]
Soccer Team, Dance Team Fundraising with Shopping!
Like to shop? Like to give to organizations in need? How about doing them both simultaneously? I’m thrilled to partner with FlipGive to showcase how easy it is to begin or support a fundraising program by simply shopping! What greater time of the year than now to find ways to connect shopping with giving! […]
Just Dance Kids 2014 Review
Yes, dancing is a great form of exercise. Whether it’s jamming to the radio, a download or a video game teaching you all sorts of dance moves, dancing is a great way for kids to bump up the hear rate and use up some kid energy! The Just Dance Kids 2014 game for XBOX 360 […]
2014 Gold Star Toy Award List & Gift Guide
Click here to receive the Smarty Pants Mama Newsletter for weekly FREE crafts, recipes, travel tips and home experiences! 2014 Gold Star Toy Awards Scholastic and Parent Child Magazine have released the 2014 Gold Star Toy Awards just in time for the holidays. This well-rounded list includes gift ideas for all sorts of ages, interests and […]
Parenting in Public, Eek!
When it comes to raising children, it is not easy. Parenting in public can be a challenge since you might not want to show your Mommy Dearest moment in front of all. Finding creative ways to teach them how to behave in public, and keeping them safe can be daunting. Here are a few tips that […]
Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn Review
My 7 year old is ready for an afternoon snack the moment I pick her up from school. Lunchtime is before 11 AM so when 2:20 dismissal rolls around she’s hungry! Afternoon snack is typically in the car as we’re on our way to soccer right from pick-up some afternoons. We were recently provided with […]
Educational M&M Math Activities
Educational M&M Math Activities M&M Math Activities are a great ways to have tasty fun while learning! You come across a great deal on a big bag of M&Ms. You must purchase it, but what will you do with all of that candy since eating it isn’t the healthiest of options. Luckily, if you have a […]
Pepperoni Dip Recipe
An easy dip recipe for football season, get-togethers or any type of informal gathering is essential. You’ll want to pull out the bag of tortilla chips and pull up a chair after you make this dip. This Pepperoni Dip Recipe uses just 3 ingredients and can be made in a small crockpot or a small […]
Project Home Office Organize Underway
I have that bug. The de-clutter bug. I spend loads of time in this 12×12 office. It’s been just over a year in our home and I’m ready to make my home office more functional, organized and stylish. I’ve been inspired by other bloggers and friends. I see their photos and walk in their homes […]
Halloween Ghost Cupcake Recipe for Kids
Ready for a SIMPLE Halloween cupcake? Yes, Halloween cupcake ideas are everywhere. They are all so cute and often fun to make, but some can be very time consuming and a bit fancy for busy moms. We’re getting festive over here with ghost Halloween cupcakes that use pre-made ingredients! Using store bought cookie dough and whipped […]
How to Play the Ghosted Halloween Game
The Ghosted Halloween Game is a fun Halloween activity for families! Tis the season for spookiness, trickery and silliness! Getting the entire family involved from family Halloween costumes, to baking Halloween desserts to partaking in the Ghosted tradition you can keep Halloween safe and fun! A cousin called me a few October’s ago to see if […]
Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Recipe
Are you a whoppie pie lover? A whoppie pie is a deliciously, sinful treat. Typically two cake-like cookies are sandwiched together with frosting in the middle. They’ve been called moon pies, too. This take, perfect for the autumn, adds pumpkin and pumpkin spice to the ingredient list to make a Pumpkin Whoppie Pie! My love for pumpkin […]
Bonefish Grill’s #TripleBangDare: Secret Handshake Might Win Us Shrimp
It’s Football Sunday so we’ve got a Triple Bang Dare to take on today! Throughout football season Bonefish Grill is challenging us with the #TripleBangDare. Complete the dare and you’re entered to win a month’s worth of their delicious Bang Bang Shrimp! That’s bang-a-licious, as my 7 year old would say! Today’s (Sunday, Oct 13) dare from […]
Halloween Dessert: Eyeball Cookie Pops Recipe
Receive the Smarty Pants Mama Newsletter for more FREE recipes, travel tips and home experiences! Spooky! This Eyeball Cookie Pops recipe is sure to spook the guests and satisfy the tummy! Although we’re not big into the scary component of Halloween, we do love to dress up! And I LOVE to get crafty in the […]
Spanish Disney Website for Bilingual Exposure
My kids – like your kids, I’m sure – appreciate computer/iPad time. As a former educator and educational technology specialist, I really encourage applications and programs that provide learning opportunities. The new Spanish Disney website, Disney Ajá, makes a debut during Hispanic Heritage Month to provide kids with additional exposure to a second language, in a […]
Cubans Don’t Know Tacos & Other Misconceptions in Hispanic Food
One of the most important components of culture is food. When we think of Italians, we think of pizza and pasta. When we think of Greeks, we think of gyros or hummus. What food comes to mind when you think of Cubans? Please don’t say tacos. There are misconceptions in Hispanic food. Hispanics may all […]
Love Your Cereal and a Healthy Breakfast
It’s 6:30 AM on a Monday and we’re half way done getting ready for school. My almost 7 year old is hungry. Her breakfast of choice is a big bowl of cereal. She loves her cereal. She’s inherited that love from me. She can serve her cereal and sort of pour her milk. When I […]
Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch
It’s tough to experience autumn in Miami when it’s still 85 degrees outside. Once again the Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival is ready to bring autumn to South Florida! Ignore the temperature and revel in the thousands of pumpkins, a thrilling kids hay maze, scarecrow village and more! This year your festival pass provides UNLIMITED […]
Moms Benefitting from Soybean Oil Recipes
Open your pantry. Pull out the oil. What do you see? Your bottle of vegetable oil – the best oil for frying and the base to many Hispanic foods – is likely 100% soybean oil! This oil provides a hearty dose of vitamin E and omega-3s, which may help reduce blood pressure and prevent heart disease. […]
Our Driving Experience in the 2014 Kia Sorento
There are many aspects of the 2014 Kia Sorento that we fell in love with during our complimentary test drive last month. We spent 7 days cruising around in a the Sorento and the girls were rather upset when we had to return it. Tom loved the way it drove. He described it as […]