Diamond Candle - Enchanted Forest Giveaway

One very exciting day, my best friend Mint told me about Diamond Candles. They're magical candles with a ring hidden inside them. Since learning about their powers, I ordered the Vanilla Cream scent and quickly became obsessed with it.

I wrote to Diamond Candles and asked if I could do a giveaway with them! Josh, the Vice President of Community over at D.C. agreed and sent me their new scent to review: Enchanted Forest. At first I was skeptical, but then I smelled it.

It's hard to describe exactly what this candle smells like, other than purple deliciousness, but I can assure you that it's glorious. My husband says it smells like lavender. I would agree, but it also seems to be mixed with something else, magical lavender perhaps?

I'm excited to find out what ring I get. I'll keep you guys posted on that. In the mean time, enter to win an Enchanted Forest candle below!

Enter Here

Yo! Look at the ring that was inside:

Full Disclosure: I received a Diamond Candle for review in the mail from the Diamond Candle Company. It was awesome. 

Back To School Giveaway With a Crocodile Creek Lunch Box!

Ari is starting Pre-K in September. I can hardly believe it. I was thinking about the supplies he might need, and one that crossed my mind was a lunch box. I happen to love the Crocodile Creek lunch boxes. They're well made, and they have awesome designs that kids love!

I wrote to Bill over at Crocodile Creek and asked if we could do a back to school giveaway here on OS/NS mom, he graciously accepted!

Ari loves his new Crocodile Creek lunch box!

I mean, what's not to love, right? it's got a race car on it.

Want to see what's inside? I thought you did.

If you're curious to know what Ari's having for lunch, here's the breakdown: a peanut butter and honey sandwich on organic whole wheat bread. The peanut butter has no sodium and is organic and so is the honey, grape tomatoes, water and an organic string cheese.

Want to win a Crocodile Creek lunch box?

If you're child prefers lady bugs to race cars, you could opt to win this one instead!

What are you waiting for! Enter to win!

Please post a comment telling which of these you did; each of them counts as an entry:

1. Like Crocodile Creek on Facebook

2. Follow Crocodile Creek on Twitter

3. Follow my blog on GFC

4 Follow OS/NS Mom on Twitter

5. Like OS/NS Mom on Facebook

6. Tweet this giveaway and link to it in a comment here on my blog.

7. Post on Facebook about the giveaway and mention Crocodile Creek and OS/NS Mom.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday August 28th 2012! Good luck everyone!

Sex in Mommyville

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a reading of a unique and hilarious play reading, Sex in Mommyville.*

I chose to take my amazing friend Donna with me to the reading,  I love you girl!

The reading of Sex and Mommyville was at The Snapple Theater. When we first arrived at the theater, we headed straight for the ladies room. I must say, this theater had the cutest bathroom I've ever seen. The sinks were wearing skirts!

They made me feel a little underdressed for the show!

Our next stop was a wine and cheese display, which we naturally indulged in.

The show commenced, and we sat back and enjoyed our girl's night out!

Sex in Mommyville is about what it feels like to be a mother and cope with one's desire to remain sexual. The protagonist, Artemis, played by Anna Fishbeyn (who is also the writer of the show) struggles between the role of mother, and sexual being. Not only is Artemis a mother and a wife, but she is also a writer. Her inner writer's voice is characterized by Greek muses who speak for Artemis' desires. 

Other characters who play a part in the story are Artemis' Russian immigrant parents, Poseidon and Athena, her daughter, Aphrodite, her infant son, and her husband Zeus. 

Sex in Mommyville is brutally honest, raw, and hilarious! I deeply related to the character of Artemis with regard to her want to feel wanted by her husband, and having tremendous difficulty balancing those wants with the wants of her children. 

Though Donna doesn't have children yet, she remarked that she related to the dynamic between the Artemis and her husband. It seemed like the two were trying so desperately to be understood by each other. This theme can be a challenge in any marriage, and I, too, felt like I related to these characters. 

Sex in Mommyville was a literary, engaging, thoughtful, and hilarious show. I can't wait to see where it goes from here!

For more information on Sex in Mommyville click here. 

*Tickets to the reading of Sex in Mommyville were provided by the lovely and amazing Holly from Mamadrama

Old Jews Telling Jokes- With Jeff Fader's Review

Yesterday I had the opportunity through Playtime! to see Old Jews Telling Jokes.* Playtime! is a fantastic program that allows parents (of children ages 4-12) to go to the theater while their children are engaged in an artistic projects led by artist sitters!

Read more about Playtime! here.

When I first heard the title of the show, I knew exactly who to take with me to see it, my dad.

For those of you that know Jeff Fader, you're aware that he is always telling a corny joke, and he's Jewish. I just knew that this was the show for him!

I was positive that my dad would like Old Jews, because that's his style of humor. But I wasn't sure how I would feel about it.

After seeing it, I can report that "Old Jews Telling Jokes" was hilarious. There are all kinds of jokes in the show, religious jokes, birth jokes, sex jokes and old age jokes.

You might be wondering how actors telling jokes could hold your attention for an hour and a half. The jokes are told in various ways, some are told like stories and some jokes are acted out in little vignettes complete with scenery and props. This I can promise you, you won't be bored. The show is fast paced, and your attention is always held.

Here's what the joke connoisseur, Jeff Fader (and a surprise guest) had to say about the show:

Jewish, gentile, whatever you are, if you love to laugh this is the show for you!

For more information on Old Jews Telling Jokes click here.

*Full disclosure, tickets to the show were provided to me courtesy of the amazing ladies over at MamaDrama.

For more information on my experience with playtime, click here.

This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies), A Review and a Giveaway!

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview Michelle Au, MD and author of This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies). The book is a candid memoir of Au's medical training and entrance into motherhood. She recounts her trials and tribulations as a medical student, a pediatrics resident, an anesthesiology resident and a new mother. The book has an injured monkey on the cover.

In addition to being a doctor, Michelle is also a mother of two boys, Cal, 5 (almost 6) and Mack, 2. In fact, she gave birth to Cal while she was an anesthesiology resident!

This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies) is hilarious and profound all at once. One of the things I liked best about the book is Michelle's honest inner-monologue. There are priceless humorous touches like this one:

"I suddenly remember an embarrassing mark on the back of my white coat--earlier, I accidentally sat in a puddle of spilled coffee that has since dried into an unsightly yellow-ish stain, making it look like I peed on myself--and angle myself slightly away from the family before anyone can see that." This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies) Au, P. 224

She touches on the struggle of balancing a rigorous full-time career, in medicine, and being a mother. One of her attending physicians suggests that she find a "mommy job" when she's done with residency, meaning a job where she will be able to spend more time with her family. Au does not hesitate to shoot back at him:

"Well, why is that a mommy job?" I respond snappishly, my feminist guard dog springing reflexively into action. "Don't fathers want to spend time with their kids too? Don't fathers in medicine ever consider taking part-time or no-call jobs in order to smooth out issues with childcare or family life?" This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies) Au, P. 293

The book brings the reader into the raw, sometimes laughable (in a black humor sort of way) world of the hospital system. The reader sees the world through the eyes of an impressionable, anxious, but charming, medical student (that would be Michelle Au) who is just getting her bearings.

Au has a dramatic streak in her as well. There are short plays interspersed in the book that are downright hilarious. This is my personal favorite:

How to Find a Job in Anesthesia, Theater of The Mind Edition

MICHELLE: I am graduating from Anesthesia residency, and I need a job.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR: And why should we give you a job?

MICHELLE: Because I need one. And also, I'm awesome.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR: Excellent, Doctor. You can start in July, with full benefits and a parking space in the physicians' lot. Would this giant wad of cash be sufficient to seal the deal?

MICHELLE: Yes, please.

This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies) Au, P. 294

This play is followed by the reality-based edition, but you'll have to read the book to find out how that ends!

Now remember, folks, I have two kids, so it is always a challenge for me to read, let alone finish a book; however, I found Au's book to be a quick read, and I was able to read it when the kids agreed to sleep.

Now for the fun part! Want to win this book? Dude, I'm giving away two of them! Each of the following counts as one entry:

1. Post a comment about why you want to read This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies)
Please include your email address in the comment!

2. Like This Won't Hurt a Bit (And Other White Lies) on Facebook

3. Follow Michelle Au on Twitter

4. Follow Old School/New School Mom on Google Friend Connect

5. Follow Old School/New School Mom on Facebook

6. Follow Old School/New School Mom on Twitter

The winners will be announced on Tuesday June 7, 2011 on my blog. YAY!

Ari's 3rd Birthday Party at Power Play

A couple of months ago, my friend Barbara introduced me to an awesome indoor play space and gymnastics center in Park Slope, Brooklyn called Power Play. Since that time, Ari and I have been back to Power Play for a gymnastics class, and Power Play agreed to be one of my blog sponsors, which I'm thrilled about. It means I'm going to be covering events happening at Power Play, and giving you all the inside scoop about what's happening there.

We had the opportunity to have Ari's 3rd birthday party at Power Play, and I was so excited. Initially, I was nervous, because the party started at 1:30pm on Saturday, and he generally naps around that time. He was cranky when we arrived, and kept asking for cupcakes. I realized that the constant asking for cupcakes had more to do with the fact that he was hungry for lunch. His mood turned around when he ate a bagel with Grandpa and he started to play!

Ari and Nelson bouncing around!

Ari wasn't the only one getting in on the action. His cousin Francesca tried out the zip line. Look at her go!

Even the adults were having fun. Check out my friend Cordy bouncing in the bounce house with her daughter Lyla, age 2.

Here's Wil bouncing too!

My brother, Jonathan, and my mom, Liz, chilling in the ball pit!

The kids hung out in indoor play space area too, which looks like this:



Of course, Ari spent some quality time in his favorite spot, the sand box!

After all the playing, it was time for bagels for the adults, pizza for the kids and cupcakes for all! YAY!



The party seemed to go by really quickly. I think it was because not only was Ari having fun, but so was I! Also, I didn't have to clean up! And that, in itself, was worth it for me.

So, what did you do for your child's latest birthday? I want to hear!

Nosefrida is Awesome- ENTER TO WIN ONE!

Samara has yet another cold. All I can say is oy gavolt! It's her third one since birth, and she is only four months old! I was just about at my wits' end, when I found a really awesome, helpful product that's helping her and providing both of us (mother and daughter) with relief. It's called Nosefrida. This is what Nosefrida looks like:

Ari was very interested in Nosefrida the minute I opened the box

Here's what the box looks like:

Nosefrida comes with disposable filters that are replaced after each use. They look like this:

Here's how Nosefrida works: place the blue part of the tube against, but not inside, the child's nose:

Then suck the red part of the tube:

The mucus is suctioned into the blue tube, and absorbed by the filter. That's it! Here's a picture of the whole process:

Samara feels much better after a few Nosefrida treatments. In fact, I'm so pleased with Nosefrida, that I want to give you the opportunity to try it. Here's how you can enter to WIN a Nosefrida of you own:

Each counts as one entry
1. Post a comment saying why you'd like to try Nosefrida

2. Like Nosefrida on Facebook

3. Follow Nosefrida on Twitter

4. Follow Old School/New School Mom on Google Friend Connect

5. Follow Old School/New School Mom on Facebook

6. Follow Old School/New School Mom on Twitter

The winner will be selected by a random number generator, and announced on

Wednesday June 1st, 2011. Good luck!

Flying High With Recess Monkey

It's a constant challenge trying to find children's music that both Ari and I like. One fateful day in 2009, Ari and I found our favorite band, Recess Monkey! We've been in love ever since. Recess Monkey consists of three teachers, who also happen to be amazing musicians, from Seattle.

Jack Forman (who plays Bass and does vocals) and I kept in touch over time. I even made some silly videos of Ari with Recess Monkey playing in the background.

Mr. Forman even let me interview him for OS/NS Mom.

Here's Ari dancing to "My Favorite Book" one of the new tracks on their new album "Flying."

I was psyched when I got an email from Elizabeth, Recess Monkey's PR manager, with the news that "Flying" was available for review. I knew Ari would be pleased too.

Recess Monkey's "Flying" is a lot of fun, just like the rest of their albums. One of my favorite tracks from "Flying" is called "Invisible Friend." The song is a dialogue between a child and his imaginary friend. It's such a common childhood theme, and is so well illustrated in this track.

One of the best things about Recess Monkey's music is how danceable it is. You put their music on and you (and your kids for that matter) want to bust a move. Check out Ari (when he was 18 months old) dancing to their song "Fort."

The tracks on "Flying" are so much fun! They make you want to move your body. Another one of my favorites is "Bunk Bed." It's a doo-wop 50's-esque tune about sharing a bunk bed with a sibling; another common childhood theme, and brilliantly done musically.

Today is a particularly exciting day, because we are off to see Recess Monkey live! Stay tuned for pictures of the event.

"Flying" will be released on June 21, 2011. Buy it here on CD Baby!

The Mazel Tov Giveaway From Little One Books: Win a $15 Gift Certificate!

Mazel Tov, in Hebrew, means congratulations. As many of you know, I recently had a baby girl named Samara.


After Samara was born, I've received many "Mazel Tovs."

In honor of my new baby girl, I'm co-hosting a $15 gift certificate giveaway with Little One Books.

Little One Books sent me two baby books to review. After all, I have a target audience here to test them out on.

The first one is called "I Went Walking." Samara seemed to like it.

I Went Walking is a great book for babies. It's simple, but introduces a variety of animal words and colors, including a green duck, a red horse, a black cat and a yellow dog. The book's words are rhythmic and catches one's attention with it's rhyming couplets.

The second book I received was Sandra Boynton's The Going to Bed Book.

I read this to Samara when she was sleepy. This book features silly looking cartoon animals getting ready for bed. They're doing all the routines associated with bedtime, like putting on their pajamas, taking a bath, and brushing their teeth. However, there is a page in the book that is questionable:

The animals are exercising before they go to bed, which is nonsensical. But it's cute and funny to see cartoon elephants, moose and other animals working out. I'll give Ms. Boynton a pass on that one.

After we finished reading The Going To Bed Book this happened:

Now for the fun part. Enter here to win a $15 gift certificate to Little One Books. Here's what you have to do to enter.

1. Post a comment with what product(s) you like from the Little One Books website
2. Follow my blog (either with feed reader, or Google Friend Connect)
3. Like Little One Books on Facebook here.
4. Like Old School/New School Mom on Facebook here
5. Follow Little One Books on Twitter here.
6. Finally, sign up for The Little One Books newsletter. The sign up is on the upper right hand corner of their site.

Good luck! The winner will be selected randomly and be announced on Wednesday April 6th!

Naot Beyond: A Comfortable Clog

As my pregnancy progresses, it's become increasingly harder to tie my shoes. I've been on the lookout for a shoe that I could just slip on. Thankfully, Naot came to the rescue when they allowed me the chance to try out one of their clogs: The Beyond.

I immediately liked the look of the shoe, and though I was hesitant about the heel (because I generally avoid heels as they tend to make my feet hurt) I decided to give the Beyond a try.

First I tried it with no socks:


I took a long stroller walk to the library with Ari like this, and when I came back home, my feet didn't hurt at all.

The next day I wore The Beyond with jeans and socks:

I took an extended stroller walk around the neighborhood with Ari, and once again, my feet felt great at the end of the day.

So I decided to really put the The Beyond to the test. I wore it with stockings and a dress today for a full day of teaching 2nd graders.

After walking up and down three flights of stairs and chasing after energetic seven and eight year-olds, I can say that my feet feel great. My mind, however is another story.

A side benefit for me personally is that The Beyond adds a couple of inches to my height. Contrary to popular belief, I'm only 5'3''. I know, I have a tall personality. But at least I can pretend to be taller than I am in this shoe.

If you're looking for a comfortable slip-on shoe, I would highly recommend The Beyond. For more information about The Beyond, click here.

"I'm a Big Brother" Review - From Little One Books

As my birth approaches (well, let's not get too hasty I have a few more months to go being "preg-neat-o") I've looked around for books to read to Ari about becoming a big brother. I took a book out from the library that was all about introducing the idea of pregnancy to toddlers, i.e. a"what's in mommy's belly" sort of thing, but he was totally uninterested.

That's why when Little One Books allowed me the opportunity to review a couple of their products, one of the key items on the list for me was a book about Ari's impending big brother role. I wanted the book in question to be age appropriate, so I searched the 2 year old section on their site.

In the process of my search I found this book:

I decided to read it to him first thing in the morning. I figured he would be too out of it to protest. I was right. He agreed to listen to the book, and actually became excited about it.


The author of this book is quite clever, because she mixes in pictures of things that 2 year old books care for, like trucks for example.

Ari was also happy to point out many random facts about the book, including (not not limited to) the fact that the baby was wearing a seat belt.

I know he enjoyed the book, because after it was over he said "again!" and made me read it at least two more times. I hope the book will sink in and get him acclimated to his role as "big brother" which is fast approaching.

By the way, I am currently running a $25 gift certificate giveaway to Little One Books.

For more information on the Little One Books giveaway click here.