Month: February 2018

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Three reasons to visit Curvaceous Lingerie in Old Town

In a 2008 study, it was reported that 80% of women wear the wrong bra size, which seems crazy and yet not surprising at the same time. There have been plenty of times that I’ve gone into a Target dressing room with a handful of bras in different sizes and bought whichever one appears to work the best. Women’s bodies are constantly changing, but so often, we stick with that old faithful bra.

Yet when it comes to something I wear every single day, it seems that I should invest some time and money into making sure I’m wearing something that is the correct size and doing its job.

I came to my senses after having Margot last year. Around the same time that I realized I was annoyed with the ratty nursing bras I kept after having Stella, Curvaceous Lingerie in Old Town posted a photo of the prettiest nursing bras I had ever seen:

Photo credit: Curvaceous Lingerie

It’s hard enough to be a new mom and feeling worse for wear. You might as well be wearing something pretty to make the whole process of being a human milk truck slightly more tolerable. Just days after seeing that photo posted, I zipped over to Old Town to get fitted and buy nursing bras.

Continue reading “Three reasons to visit Curvaceous Lingerie in Old Town”

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Love a cappella? Check out Varsity Vocals

In the last decade, the art of a cappella has reached new heights in pop culture thanks to TV shows like “Glee” and “The Sing Off,” as well as the “Pitch Perfect” films. I was first exposed to a cappella thanks to the amazing and informative 90s game show, “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?”

Well, and Boyz II Men, obviously. And in high school, I loved watching our MasterSingers and Madrigals perform.

Then, at Michigan State, I remember when the Spartan Dischords visited the sixth floor of Holmes Hall my freshman year and sang us a song in the hallway. My friends and I followed their roaming concert down each floor until they did a final performance in the lobby.

Another group at MSU, Capital Green, holds a special place in my heart. My sister-in-law, Lynn, was a member when she was at MSU; she and the group performed a song at my brother and Lynn’s wedding in 2012, and she also arranged a performance with the group at our baby shower for Stella in 2013. I have other friends who were members of Capital Green, including my friend Andrea Poole.

Andrea is an incredible singer (she sang Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” for karaoke on Mackinac Island and I’m still shook) and self-proclaimed lover of “organized nerd singing.” She walks the walk as well as sings the song, so to speak, thanks to her involvement with Varsity Vocals. Continue reading “Love a cappella? Check out Varsity Vocals”

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I vaccinate to protect my winter babies

An F-bomb was dropped in our house last month. No, not that one. I’m talking about the dreaded FLU.

Growing up, I only remember thinking that the flu was no fun. As a parent, the flu is downright fearful. What if I get it and can’t take care of my girls? And worse, what if they get it? I’ve seen the conversations in the various mommy groups I belong to on Facebook; moms are scared. Every visit to a public place is wrought with fear of germs. My throat feels scratchy just thinking about grocery carts.

It feels like this flu season has been particularly scary. According to recent reports, the flu is killing up to 4,000 Americans a week. That is staggering. My news feed has been filled with stories about the flu, and it makes me want to stay home and hibernate until the coast is clear.

Despite our entire family getting flu shots at the beginning of the season, Zack was diagnosed with Influenza B a few weeks ago. This kind of thing can happen, even when vaccinated, because of the many different types of flu viruses. After we got the news, he barricaded himself in the basement and the girls and I kept away as much as possible. Thankfully — knock on wood — the girls and I escaped relatively unscathed and Zack was back on his feet a few days later.

Children under the age of five are among those who have a higher risk of developing serious flu complications, which is one of the reasons why making sure the girls both got the flu vaccine this season was very important to me. I can’t imagine how I might have felt about Zack having the flu if Margot was too young to get the vaccine this year. Continue reading “I vaccinate to protect my winter babies”

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Yes way, José: An interview with Jason Martinez of ‘On Your Feet!’

Forget all of this gloomy ice and snow and get ready to conga. The Wharton Center will be heating up this week with the arrival of “On Your Feet!,” the jukebox musical based on the music and history of Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The Broadway musical, currently on its first national tour, arrives just in time for Valentine’s Day; the show runs February 13-18.

Jason Martinez plays José Fajardo, Gloria’s father, in “On Your Feet.” Martinez has previously appeared on television and film (“General Hospital,” “Boston Legal,” “The Other Guys”), on stage with Paul Simon, Marc Anthony, and Frankie Valli, as well as performed on Broadway (“Million Dollar Quartet,” “Jersey Boys”).

I spoke with Jason about his family’s history of performing, his role as a father both on stage and off, and the timeliness of the message of acceptance in “On Your Feet!”

Continue reading “Yes way, José: An interview with Jason Martinez of ‘On Your Feet!’”

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Let me tell you why I love Red Haven

I think that everyone has their own Cheers bar, and without a doubt, Red Haven Farm to Table is ours.

Red Haven is not only one of the most inventive places to eat in mid-Michigan, it is also the finest and most welcoming. When we visit, we feel like members of the family.

Photo credit: Red Haven

And I dare say that their current menu is one of the best they’ve had in their five-plus years of being open. I’ve been trying to tell everyone I know about it.

Here’s a peek at some of their current dishes, including a duck dish that is now in my All-Time Top 5 Favorite Red Haven Dishes. All photos shared with permission of Red Haven.

For those who are unfamiliar, Red Haven employs a farm to table concept that supports and promotes local farmers and products. The small plates-style menu changes every few weeks to reflect the changing seasons and availability of ingredients. Menu items consist of shareable sides and appetizers, as well as entrees appropriately sized for individual diners.

Continue reading “Let me tell you why I love Red Haven”

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Obviously the NFL’s ‘Dirty Dancing’ Super Bowl ad is the only one that matters

I enjoy football well enough, but last night I mostly watched the Super Bowl for Pink, the Patriots’ demise, and then Jack Pearson’s demise.

Then, in the middle of all of that, this happened:

I love, love, love “Dirty Dancing” so much and every detail of this was spot on. Not just the lift of course, but the dance steps, the Johnny Castle leap, the Baby laugh, the come hither finger.

This ad is perfection and everything I want in a Super Bowl commercial: a perfect pop culture reference, humor, and heart.

What was your favorite Super Bowl ad?

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