Craft Alliance Makers Ball

Just a few days ago, there was a wonderful event held in St. Louis called Makers Ball. This was an evening from Craft Alliance Center for Art + Design that celebrated makers and the power of craft. One reason I’m such a huge advocate of Craft Alliance is because they support the arts … which is too quickly disappearing in the educational world our children are raised in today. The proceeds from this event helped support the exhibition series and education programs at Craft Alliance and in turn, helps give new life to the crafters and arts in the communities around us.

Craft Alliance’s mission is to provide education and inspiration to a community of artists, student, collectors and overall art enthusiasts, nationally. They do so by offering free classes for both children and parents, supporting and showcasing artists’ work and encouraging those who collect art.

I’m lucky enough to be a few blocks away from one of Craft Alliance’s locations on the Delmar Loop in STL and think it’s a great opportunity for those anywhere, but especially in the STL area, to get involved creatively.

Makers Ball was just one event–there are so many other fun and crafty ways to ignite your creative juices with Craft Alliance. Here are some of the awesome highlights and best dressed from Makers Ball.

Best Dressed

Abida Farooqui & Yasmin Hakim

Grace Kubilius, Craft Alliance Fiber Artist-in-Residence posing in front of her interactive panel weaving for auction at Makers Ball.

Jackie Chambers, Craft Alliance Director of Development and Communications

Makers Ball Highlights

I was able to take on Grace Kubilius’s interactive weaving up for auction.

Featuring handmade art, glass blowing.

Craft Alliance featured artist, creating pottery.

Shots of a packed house at #MakersBallSTL this year

Bartender displaying Makers Mark, an event sponsor

From her collection, “Oh How I Love You,” Grace Kubilius showcases her wearable arts of love at Makers Ball

If you were unable to attend Makers Ball, you can donate here or sign up for a class here!

Afterwards, the husband and I were able to enjoy one of our favorites in STL, Central Table in the central west end. We got to enjoy their outside patio this time in the perfect, evening weather! A few foodie shots from our dinner as well:

Central Table

We started off with the Clover Sushi Roll

Lamb Tortellini

Ginger Crusted Pork

Visit Central Table on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at @CentralTableSTL

#HE is proud to team up with ALIVE Magazine to promote Craft Alliance Makers Ball and Central Table.

Wine, Spring and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, I’ll Toast to That

The weather hasn’t dropped below 30º in a few weeks and I’ve taken the little ones to the park for more than a couple consecutive days over the past two weeks, so I’ve decided it’s safe to say it’s finally Spring again!

Toast to Spring Wine Tasting in honor of St. Louis Jaycees’ 100th Anniversary

In honor of Spring, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. Louis Jaycees and to raise money for their organization–which provides training, experience and leadership to St. Louis’ youth–Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Hyatt Hotel Downtown are co-hosting the “Toast to Spring” event this Friday from 6-9pm.

Because of this awesome event, the hubby and I are heading out on a date night to Ruth’s Chris “Toast to Spring” and look forward to enjoying a wine tasting with over 30 wines provided by Glazers, a plethora of signature food specialities like Kobe beef slides, shrimp voodoo, crab cakes, chicken skewers and–my absolute favorite–an assortment of desserts.

Here’s just a taste of the delicious food Ruth’s Chris has to offer…

As an added bonus, there’s a silent auction guests are able to participate in during the event, and if you’re in the St. Louis area this weekend, “Toast to Spring” is a great night out! Tickets are $50 and a portion of all proceeds will go to St. Louis Jaycees, and in turn, will help support St. Louis’ youth. For more information or for reservations, contact 314.259.3200.

I hope to see you there! Comment and let me know your favorite type of wine and/or favorite date-night out!

This post is sponsored by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Midwest Influencer Network.
All opinions and experiences are my own. 

23 Tax Day Deals and Freebies in STL

Today, tax season is finally over, and to celebrate all the monies and stress relief that (hopefully) comes your way, grab a free bite or service in STL!

Photo credit of Tax Credits

1. You know that stress relief I mentioned? Well, fast track it with a free massage at Hydro Massage.

2. Fellow mamas, or papas, can get $8 off a value box of Huggies or Pampers at Babies R’ Us.

3. Now that you’re done reading through all the meticulous tax information, grab a book to read from Barnes and Noble website at 20% off. [coupon code X8W8L3A]

4. Shred your annoying paperwork away at Office Depot for free.

5. Let it out with a song and a free meal at Hard Rock Cafe’s “Sing for your Supper” event.

6. Don’t even get out of your car. Just drive through a McDonald’s or Burger King for a buy-one, get-one on Big Macs, Quarter Pounders or Whoppers.

7. Grab a bite at Outback Steakhouse for 15% off.

8. Get $6 off a dinner for two at Oliver Garden

9. Another buy-one, get-one deal is available at Boston Market.

10. Along with getting your taxes back, get a chance to win a pizza back with Pizza Hut’s “Pizza Return.”

11. Indulge in a warm, gooey sugar cookie from Great American Cookies for free.

12. With the phrase “mid-week buddy pass” enjoy a buy-one, get-one Bacon Jalapeno Queso Burrito at Qdoba.

13. White Castle is offering a 15% discount on all orders.

14. Kona Ice will be at Western County St. Charles Chamber of Commerce with free cups of tropical shaved ice and Hawaiian leis until 1:30pm.

15. With the purchase of a 32-ounce drink and bag of chips, get a free, small “The Original” sandwich at Schlotzsky’s.

16. Tell the cashier, “Taxes Schmaxes” at California Tortilla for a free helping of queso and chips!

17. If you dine at Tony Roma’s today, you can get a coupon for a free red velvet cake dessert next time you head in during April.

18. Free potato cakes and curly fries all day via an Arby’s near you in STL!

19. Two free Cinnabon bites today from 6–8pm at Cinnabon.

20. All-night happy hour specials and reduced prices on appetizers at McCormick & Schmick’s!

21. All day happy hour at Sonic–woot, woot!

22. Head over to Sweet Tomatoes for a buy-one, get-one meal deal.

23. At Mr. Goodcents, grab a complete meal (sandwich, drink and chips or cookies) for $4 and some change.

 

 

 

Help Me Become The Official #ExploreStLouis Ambassador

EDIT: The winners have been announced and although Homemade Experience is not one of them this year, I’m so happy for the 5 who’ve qualified to move forward! Congratulations to…

People’s Choice Winner
Jillian Pye, ALittleSliceofPye.com

Judge’s Choice Winners
Carmen Boeser, TheRubyZipper.com
Jill Firns, StilettosOnSundayMorning.com
Amy Latta, AmyLatta.com
Denise Bertacchi, STLMotherhood.com
__________________________________________

Calling all the lovely St. Louisians and beyond! I need your help becoming the next St. Louis Ambassador of 2015 with Explore St. Louis!

As a part of a new and exciting year, Explore St. Louis is hosting an awesome event on April 30. During the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission’s annual Be A Tourist In Your Own Town event, you can come and see why St. Louis is such an amazing city to live and enjoy. From 10am–2pm at Ballpark Village, come enjoy refreshments, prizes, music and so much more!

How can you participate? Well, this year Explore Saint Louis–along with KDSK, ALIVE Magazine and the Midwest Influencer Network–has put together a cool competition that allows a select amount of people to try their best to show what St. Louis is all about. The “Official Explore St. Louis Summer Ambassador Search,” as it’s called, is a competition that will allow you and select others to decide who best represents St. Louis and the idea of being a tourist in your own city. Some of the applicants videos are available for the people’s choice vote, and . . .

You can vote for me by clicking here and scrolling to the “Official Ballot” at the bottom!

You can also share the word about the next St. Louis Ambassador and check out Explore St. Louis to find out more about this lovely city.

I believe Homemade Experience represents so many aspects of St. Louis. I, personally, am a creator and writer who strives to tap into the creative flow of the city by checking out local crafts, artists and music at places like COCA, The Pageant and the Peabody Opera House–just to name a few. My husband and I love to eat, drink and have a good time with friends around the city; some of our favorite places include Blueberry Hill, Bailey’s Range, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Ballpark Village/Busch Stadium. Beyond that, I have a family with two young children, so we’re constantly parading around STL checking out the best kid-friendly and family-loving attractions like the Saint Louis Zoo, museums, Forest Park and so much more. While enjoying my city, I love to share my experiences and write about them here, which is why I would be so honored and overjoyed to represent St. Louis!

I have to be honest, though–there is absolutely NO way I can fit everything that I love about my beautiful city in the 20 second video above. So, here are just a few more reasons I’m a huge advocate for STL along with some of the attractions and reasons you can enjoy it too!

Of course, St. Louis wouldn’t be complete without the Gateway Arch.

 

The Midwest Influencer Network is a seriously great network to be a part of as a St. Louis–or any area–blogger looking to learn and connect. Check it out!

All the local crafts and beautiful makers that are part of St. Louis. This is from Plowsharing Crafts on The Loop.

The GORGEOUS architecture, buildings and photo opportunities throughout this wonderful city.

The captivating animals at the well-known and free Saint Louis Zoo.

Eckert’s Country Store and Farms just outside of St. Louis, and their lovely Easter Egg-citement event each year.

Click any of the photos above to visit the attraction’s website. And don’t forget to share, like and chat about my post!

 

 

Little Eyes Are Watching

Note: I advise you to scroll down a bit and press play on the YouTube song before you start reading– listening and reading, it’s the way to go.

When I was a little girl, I used to race out of the double doors of my elementary school and onto the playground to grab one of the six swings before anyone else. I’d swing as high as I possibly could with not a thing to worry about in life–it was pure bliss. Each time I was swinging in the sunlight, higher and higher, smiling from ear to ear, I would long for the people I cared for most to be watching. I had this urge for the people that I loved to one day just be at the fence of my playground watching me in all of my glory, content and proud. It was just a simple, childhood wish that I never shared with anyone.

Years later, I was a teenager, hanging out with my cool friends in my cool clothes talking about cool stuff. Sometimes I would say or do something I thought was so grown up or intelligent, and in those moments, I wished that any of the people I cared for most would have been there to see me, basking in all my grown-up coolness.

When I had my first heartbreak, it was monumental. I wished the person I most respected were alive to help me, to see me, to witness it–my grandma. I talked to her everyday and never expected or received a response.

When my husband and I had our first child, there were moments when something beautiful happened to strengthen the motherly bond between myself and my daughter. Each time, I wished my mother or my husband could be there to witness it. To be proud. To smile.

After graduating from college, I had put my career on hold to start my family. Eventually, I began taking steps towards my dreams again–doing it all. There was a professor during my college years who had scooped me up and nurtured my talent into something I could never thank him for enough. I received a competitive position in my field and wished he’d been there to see it, to be proud of what he’d helped me accomplish.

Yesterday, while listening to Priscilla Ahn’s “Dream,” I had flashbacks to all of these times in my life when I wished that one of the people I cared for most had been there to witness me, in all my glory, doing something that I know would make them, simply, happy.

As I turned around–reminiscing, singing, cooking, content–I saw my son … watching me bask in all my glory. My unspoken wish finally came true and I realized, as a mother, that will continue to happen for the rest of my life: little eyes watching me, learning, taking me in, smiling.

Little eyes are watching.

It makes me beyond happy and proud to catch a surreal glimpse of that. And to reciprocate what I’d repeatedly felt throughout my life during simple everyday occurrences or monumental moments.

Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.

Go Blog Social: Three Things I Learned

1. I’m a true awkward loner when not accompanied by a comrade, and nothing brings it out like networking. I think Zooey Deschanel “Jess” in this clip encompasses me fairly well…

http://www.hulu.com/watch/774347#i1,p4,d1

I just do not possess the personality or vibe that draws people in. I’ve got to try–really hard, and that’s okay. I like a challenge, and as one of our awesome speakers pointed out, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

2. I need to invest in a jean jack. Seriously. I think at least half of the people I saw had some sort of jean jacket on during the two day event.

3. There are some amazing bloggers and experts out there and so many of them shared their success tidbits in Kansas City this weekend. I learned more than I could have ever imagined from being able to attend Go Blog Social. Keep scrolling to learn all about it!

“Go Blog Social ahead”

This past weekend, I had the awesome opportunity to attend the Go Blog Social conference in Kansas City via Visit KC and the Midwest Influencer Network.

Creators and inspirers behind Go Blog Social. Pictured above (from left to right) are Katelyn Herlein, Samantha McClelland, Sarah Ruhlman and Kathryn Snellen.

Go Blog Social is a conference created and put into action by six lovely ladies–four of whom are pictured above–who’ve designed the conference to “inform, educate and inspire” by bringing together bloggers and brands along with social media and business experts to share their expertise.

Day one speakers included Alissa Circle of Diary of an Addict (top left), Andra Barkey and Kelly Zugay of With Grace and Gold (bottom left), Alea Bębenek of Alea Lovely (bottom middle), Kilee Nickels of One Little Momma and Nickel & Suede (bottom right) and Laurie Davis of eFlirt Expert (top right).

Day one included five wonderful presentations from Alissa Circle, Andra Barkey & Kelly Zugay, Alea Bębenek, Kilee Nickels and Laurie Davis. Each one of these women talked about their personal story in the blogging/career world and what it takes to be noticed. Mostly, be authentic. There may be thousands of bloggers and creatives out there, but there’s only one you. People can appreciate that.

Day two speakers included Mandy Beveler of Sugar Bee Crafts (top left), Enza Ketcham of Enza’s Bargains (bottom left), Landon & Meggan Wood of Lily Jade (bottom right) and Callie England of Rawxies (top right).

Day two included more amazing tips but with an emphasis on personal businesses. Speakers included Mandy Beveler, Enza Ketcham, Landon & Meggan Wood and Callie England sharing their inspiring stories on persistence and passion.

Socializing at Go Blog Social

I left this conference feeling empowered and happy to be on the right track. So many people think blogging is simple–like we sign on whenever we feel like it and spend five minutes throwing together a post–but the truth is it takes a lot of time and a ton of effort. Whether that time and effort be from taking photos, talking to people, researching, linking, social media-ing, being consistent, interacting, the list goes on and on. Blogging is a full time job for many. I hear you non-bloggers snickering and rolling your eyes, but really, it’s an investment to create something–truly–and do it well, whether it be writing, designing, taking photos or having an online presence, and blogging encompasses them all.

Stay connected at #GBS2015 #goblogsocial #MWINetwork or @VisitKC

During and after the two-day Go Blog Social event, I was able to bask in the wonder that is my home town. Yes, that’s right, I’m a KC lady at heart. Here are some of the LOVEly places I was able to enjoy while at home:

Lunch at Bar Louie with Stilettos on Sunday Morning and Windy City Wardrobe.

Always a little too much fun had at Kansas City’s Power & Light District.

A gorgeous and relaxing place to rest my head at night with Ambassador Hotel–courtesy of Visit KC.

Seated at Kauffman Stadium watching my boys in blue [Royals] win, yet again.

 #HE is proud to team up with MWIN in promotion of Go Blog Social!

No, my husband is not a hero because he took our children to the store

A while back, my husband took both of our children to the store with him because I was cleaning like a mad woman to get the house ready for guests and working diligently to meet business deadlines.

On this trip to the store, a man saw my husband in the checkout line and made a comment that was something like, “You’re one helluva father to take both kids and grocery shop.”

Now, to many of you, this may mean nothing–and maybe it was nothing–but it rubbed me the wrong way. For weeks, I debated on whether or not I should write about it and have obviously come to the conclusion that it’s important I do. Because even if this particular instance wasn’t a backhanded compliment and insult towards the mother and wife on the other end of this man’s words, there have been plenty that are.

Let me preface any further argument with this: My husband is an outstanding person and father. He works hard but he devotes just as much time at home and even more time into our children’s lives. In my mind, he is the unwavering picture of a good man, and that’s why I chose to marry him.

My husband Matthew holding our daughter’s hand.

I firmly believe that devoting equal time and effort as parents and as professionals should be the norm whether you’re a man, woman, mother or father. I also believe that if a parent wants to devote their entirety to working as a stay-at-home parent, that should be accepted as well and whether they’re a father or mother shouldn’t matter.

That being said, I don’t think any father deserves a pat a on the back for taking his children to the store. The majority of mothers take one, two, three, six, eight+ children to the store every week–and to school and to that dance recital and Billy’s basketball game yesterday and so on. Yet I don’t recall anyone ever calling me one ‘helluva’ mother for doing that because that’s what’s expected as a woman and mother.

For so long in our society, the norm was that men worked to provide for the family and women had children and stayed home to take care of them. It’s an ideal ingrained in several generations and it’s been a struggle to turn the corner. But, people, it’s time.

Today, women fight to have an equal salary while working twice as hard to get there, and we’re not there yet. Women hold only 4.8% of the CEO positions at large, multi-million-dollar companies, meaning men hold the other 95.2%.

On the other hand, only 3.5% of men are stay-at-home dads.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a woman who takes her children to the store and keeps up the home, but there’s absolutely no reason that a man can’t do the same. Men are not at a disadvantage as parents just like women should not be any less capable as CEOs.

There’s a reason that when a woman obtains a powerful career or position, the first question people want to ask is in reference to her motherhood–“How do you balance being a mother and having a career?” or “Do you regret not having any children?”–but as a father, the questions in reference to parenting are few and far between.

There’s also a reason that when my husband took our two children to the store, a stranger was proud to let him know how spectacular he is for doing something 96.5% of women do day in and day out. I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds more offensive than it does complimentary.

It will continue to take people like my husband who work full time yet STILL come home to be a father to ingrain a societal norm. It will continue to take women who strive to climb the career ladder while STILL being a mother every single day. It will take men who like to cook dinner and women who don’t mind fixing cars. It will take a society who is willing to open their eyes to equality much like we, as humans and as a country, have had to do repeatedly throughout history. It will take time, it will take effort, it will take more blog posts…

…but to the man who thinks my husband is one ‘helluva’ father, you’re right, but it’s not because his wife didn’t take our two children to the store that day. It’s because that’s what a real father does: he parents, just like mothers.

Cloth Diapering in St. Louis + A Genius Giveaway

Before Women’s History Month is up, I wanted to take a minute to talk about an inspiring lady from St. Louis who most definitely has made history and will continue making an impact.

About a month ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jennifer Labit (pronounced la-bee, not labbit, as she might have you know). I’m sure many of you, especially those of you who are part of ‘the mob‘ know exactly who she is, but for those of you who don’t, Jenn is the creator and CEO mom behind Cotton Babies and several cloth diaper brands–her most famous being bumGenius. She began all of this on $100 and the struggle of choosing between feeding her family or diapering her children. Now, Jenn strives to create a world where women don’t have to choose–where women can affordably diaper their babies.

Jennifer Labit [left] and myself at MommyCon Chicago.

I want to share two important aspects of her movement in this area, and nationally.

One:

Jenn is a serious advocate for women in business. She gathers up statistics and speaks repeatedly about the obvious inequality in the workplace between men and women. One statistic that sticks with me: Between 4-5% of women are CEOs of large businesses, meaning 95-96% of them are men. And in an interview I recently had with Jenn, she went on to say, “We are seen as mothers and caretakers before we are seen as contributors to business leadership, and you saw that with Marissa Mayer, who was hired by Yahoo! when she was five months pregnant. Of course the public is going to comment on her fitness as the CEO of Yahoo!, but their first comments were not about her education; they were not about her work experience. They were about the fact she had a baby growing in her belly. Does that disqualify her from being a leader of a large company? Heck no. Our brains don’t stop because we’re pregnant or lactating. There’s a reason we’re not there, and it’s not because we’re moms.”

That’s powerful, and it’s true.

Jennifer Labit pictured with her adorable son. Photo courtesy of Cotton Babies.

Two:

Jenn also works tirelessly to insure she can help make diapering affordable and available to mothers around the world. In her words, “Every baby needs diapers. Moms have to have diapers to send their baby to daycare so they can have a job. Daycare requires you provide diapers. If they can’t afford to buy the diapers they need for their baby to go to daycare, Mom can’t work. If Mom can’t work, we remain in poverty. It’s a self-perpetuating problem. I just decided that we were going to do whatever it was going to take to fix it. So, we did, and we’re doing it, and it’s continuing to grow.” [check out the full interview with ALIVE Magazine]

Out of this, Jenn created Share the Love, which allows families–who are done with their cloth diapers–to pass them along to a local host who can give them to families in need.

So, for those of you looking to frugally (or fashionably) cloth diaper, head to Cotton Babies if you’re in the St. Louis area or check them out online if you’re not!

And Finally:

In honor of cloth diapering, St. Louis, being a mama and the month of women … and madness (coincidence? it better be), I present to you a genius giveaway:

Alicia bumGenius Stay-Dry 4.0

Click the photo to enter the giveaway!

Click here to enter the giveaway!

Psst! If you click the banner below and tell me in your comment, I’ll include an extra gift if you’re the winner!

 

 

This giveaway is only available to those in the US. The Alicia cloth diaper up for grabs was purchased at MommyCon and has been worn twice, washed twice.

Midwest Influencer Network’s VIP Blogger Lounge…

…took place over the weekend and it was a seriously exciting gathering of St. Louis bloggers, local vendors, free massages, booze, food and an awesome goody bag. What more could a blogger ask for?

#MWINetwork displayed at this weekend’s VIP blogger lounge.

There were so many brands, opportunities and networking possibilities available along with a chance for a local blogger to win $1000 and become the next St. Louis Ambassador via Explore St. Louis in collaboration with the Midwest Influencer Network, ALIVE Magazine and KSDK. Bloggers were able to present themselves in a 20 second video clip, filmed onsite, in which they could express why they love being a tourist in their own town. These clips will be displayed on the KSDK site soon for St. Louisans to vote!

Allison Apprill of Warm Up Sunshine giving a wonderful 20 second video during the VIP blogger lounge.

If you want to become a part of the Midwest Influencer Network and enjoy free membership and member resources, you can join here.

The official entrant agreement and requirements for the St. Louis Ambassador search–for those who participated–are here:

Click the Midwest Influencer Network information desk above for more info on the St. Louis’ Ambassador entrant agreement and terms.

 

 

Kid-Friendly On The Loop

It’s no secret that there’s plenty to do on The Loop on Delmar–you can enjoy some bites, smoke hookah, try on some trendy threads, grab a beer, see an art exhibit–but what about for the mamas and the papas of St. Louis? Well, I have good news: there are kid-friendly places to enjoy on The Loop too. Here’s a list of some places you can pop-in with kiddos:

1. Plowsharing Crafts

This artistic, handmade wonder has tons of colorful items kids can play with along with some trendy threads for babes.

2. Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop

Soda pop and candy shop–do I really need to say more? No, but there is more–there are tons of fun toys and cut-outs for kids to play and take pictures with as well.

3. Street Performers

Kids thrive listening to music and watching people express themselves, musically. When it’s nice out, there are street performers on every block. If you find the right ones, your little ones may even get to play the drums for a while.

 

4. Insomnia Cookies, Ben & Jerry’s and FroYo

Because what kid doesn’t love the occasional treat?

 

5. United Provisions

Mostly because mom needs groceries, but also because the have great food options for full or meals or snacks for the little ones. Their food selection is also vast and unique–great to widen the mini-foodie horizons.

 

6. The Park

Just three blocks down from The Loop, off Westgate Ave. there’s a wonderful outside area and park. Tons of swings, three slides and play equipment galore for the little ones to get all their energy out before heading home.