Escape to Vallarta-Nayarit, Mexico with #FunjetVacations

Disclosure: This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Funjet Vacations blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.


This morning I faced one of the worst winter commutes ever in Chicago: think snow, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and a chilled-to-the-bones me as I waited for the heater to kick in at full blast in my car. It's most definitely time to plan a winter escape!

One of the destinations on my radar is the Vallarta-Nayarit area of Mexico: I visited pre-kids, and I'm looking forward to returning, this time with my kids in tow. Named one of Frommer's Top Destinations for 2014, Vallarta-Nayarit is the perfect blend of old world charm, traditional experiences, family fun and beautiful beaches. 

Dreaming of a sunset in Mexico on a cold winter's day in Chicago 

For this Chicago mom, it all boils down to the sunny stretch of lush beaches of the Riviera Nayarit, but I also adore the quaint beach towns and pretty Puerto Vallarta. I have fond memories of strolling through this splendid Mexican coastal city and soaking in the art - there are over 30 art galleries! - and culture. The cuisine of Vallarta-Nayarit also makes a visit to this destination worth its while on its own: award-winning and unique restaurants abound, all of them featuring the freshest, finest seafood and locally-sourced ingredients. Perhaps best of all,  families can book a Vallarta-Nayarit vacation with Funjet for as little as $50 down and non-stop flights from so many origins make for an easy-breeze flight to warmth and sunshine. 

Vallarta-Nayarit is a great family destination because there is something for everyone in your family. While I'm looking forward to cuddling up with a strawberry margarita under a beach umbrella, I know that there are plenty of activities to keep my adventuresome family busy, too. Scuba diving, snorkeling, jungle tours, kayaking, cruises - there is endless adventure on the menu. My 12-year-old is looking forward to a snorkeling excursion, while my 4-year-old daughter will love simply building sandcastles on the beach.  Both of my kids will love diving into the ocean and playing endlessly at the resort pool. 

El caballito, symbol of Puerto Vallarta

  

Looking to escape the winter, too? Check out the many Funjet deals on vacations to Vallarta-Nayarit. And here's another cool tip to save you some money: Use the exclusive SocialMoms promo code ULTRAPVR3 and you'll save up to $300 on all air + hotel and hotel only packages! (The booking window is 12/3/13 – 12/31/13 and you'll have to travel between 12/3/13 – 5/31/14; some blackout dates apply and there is a minimum stay of three nights). 

Have a margarita on me with the money you've saved!   

Also be sure to "Like" Funjet on Facebook for more great deals and getaway ideas!

An Italian Teacher's 7 Stages of Love for Eataly

This article of mine originally appeared on ChooseChicago.com - check out our blog!


A week since it's wildly successful opening, Eataly is still a Chicago hotspot. Many people may not know that I'm a mom, a blogger and an Italian teacher for Chicago public schools.  So you can imagine that this Chicago Italian teacher's delight to check out Eataly, which opened to much fanfare last week. Finally I can find my cherished Italian treats right here in Chicago! Here are seven Italian delights I recommend at Chicago's newest emporium of all things Italian.

1. Italian hot cocoa with fresh panna.

Available at Eataly's coffee bar, you must give Italian hot cocoa a try. Rich and pudding-like in consistency, it has a dark chocolate flavor that is guaranteed to warm your heart and your soul. Topped with fresh panna - whipping cream without the cloying sweetness - this Italian treat makes for the perfect winter afternoon pick-me-up.

2. Pizza baked in a wood-burning oven.

As far as I'm concerned, you haven't lived until you've eaten a *real* Italian pizza margherita, topped with fresh, creamy mozzarella and sweet San Marzano tomatoes, and baked in a wood-fired oven. Eataly has the real deal - even the bakers have a Neapolitan accent!

3. Fresh mozzarella.

One of the things I miss most about Italy is the fresh mozzarella. Until Eataly, I had never been able to find quality, tasty fresh mozzarella here in the U.S. Eataly makes its fresh mozzarella on site, right before your eyes. On my first visit to Eataly Chicago, I pretty much filled my belly to the brim with fresh mozzarella - it's that good.

4. A truly grand cheese selection.

Eataly's cheese counter has it all. Wheels upon wheels of Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano set my heart fluttering. Then again, when I was three years old I got my finger stuck in a parmigiano cheese dispenser, so I may be a bit biased. But trust me, you'll want to spend some time perusing the cheeses here.

5. Foccaccia, fresh from the oven.

The bakery department at Eataly churns out freshly baked foccacias that are both airy and robust with olive oil. The beautiful selection of carefully crafted breads and foccaccias is a feast for the eyes and the belly. 

6. Panettone and Pandoro.

Looking for a unique hostess gift that doubles as dessert or a breakfast treat with coffee and comes beautifully wrapped? Eataly has a huge selection of Pannettone and Pandoro, traditional Italian Christmas cakes.

7. Cappuccino art.

There is something ever so sweet about having your cappuccino topped with a heart. It's the little things - and Italians excel at making the little things in life a little more out of this world.

#makesmesmilemondays Letter from the Past

When I look at the date on this letter, I'm amazed at how much time has passed. 

1989!?!?!!!

It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in Mr. Riberdy's class, in my itchy wool Catholic high school uniform, joking around with my classmates and sharing stories we'd written, reading classic novels or just listening to Mr. Riberdy go off on a tangent and talk about one of his adventures in parenting or the funny experiences he had while working odd side jobs in the summer. 

Back then, Mr. Riberdy was about my age now, and had two little kids at home, too, so when I think of him today it's bittersweet: I'm the one who is teacher now, the working parent of little ones, the teacher going off on tangents and just hoping my students will aspire to just a little bit more in life. 

Once Mr. Riberdy actually packed up a group of students into a minivan and off we went to O'Hare airport late at night, to pass out personal care kits to the many homeless people that slept in the terminals for the night. I remember how exciting and fun it was to be of service with my friends, and to this day, I always try to plan two or three service projects with my students each year, hoping that my students will gain something from the contagious spirit of giving as I did while wandering the late-night terminals of O'Hare with my classmates and teachers. 

Mr. Riberdy died too young, of cancer, leaving behind his young family, soon after my class graduated in 1991. 

I am thankful for his good wishes and words of advice, advice that I will try to follow this Christmas and every one that follows. 


The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Isaiah 9:2 ESV

Blu-ray Movie Magic Giveaway! #MovieMagic

Disclosure: Special thanks to PartnersHub for sponsoring this post. 

Update 12/11/13: A winner has been chosen! Congrats to Alicia S.!


You Haven’t Seen Your Favorite Movie Until You’ve Seen the Special Features!

This Holiday rediscover the #MovieMagic behind your favorite films. Blu-ray offers exclusive special features that put you in the filmmaker’s chair, with a behind-the-scenes access to all of the magic: Special effects, talent interviews, alternative endings, unreleased scenes, bloopers, and more.

With a Blu-ray combo pack, you can enjoy your favorite films in high-definition whenever and wherever you want. You can keep the Blu-ray disc in the living room, DVD in the car, and the digital copy on your phone for when you’re on the move!.

 I'm exited to host a giveaway for one of the following titles (chosen at random from the list below) to award one lucky reader!

Bump Club and Beyond to host the shopping event of the season on December 12th!

Have you ever attended a Bump Club and Beyond event? Always fab, these events are the place to be for moms with bumps or moms with babies. This holiday season, Bump Club and Beyond is partnering with the best local retail vendors and hosting the holiday shopping event of the season! And perhaps best of all, you'll be shopping for a good cause, because 100% of the proceeds from admission fees for this event will benefit More Than Milk, Share Our Spare and New Moms Inc. as well as the American Red Cross for tornado and typhoon relief. 

Join your fellow moms at The Land of Nod on Thursday, December 12, 2013 for the second annual Holiday BCBazaar and you'll not only enjoy 15% off all Land of Nod merchandise but also exclusive discounts from on-site local retail partners. Attendees will have the opportunity to shop items from the huge BCB 2013 Holiday Gift Guide going live on December 6th at bumpclubandbeyond.com. Local retail partners include Psychobaby, Preggers, Argo Tea, Galt Toys + Galt Baby, Sprout San Francisco, Urban Sitter, Monica + Andy, Petit Organics, Baby Mantra and more.

Visit the Bump Club and Beyond website to purchase tickets or make a donation to support the local charity partners:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-2013-bcbazaar-at-the-land-of-nod-tickets-9290465031

What my 4-Year-Old Wants for Christmas: Magic Grow Capsules and Calico Critters

This Christmas, my daughter, age 4, has one thing on her list: she wants those little capsules, that when immersed in water, turn into sponges (Grow Magic Capsule Safari Animals). They are about $1 at the dollar store. This is one of the benefits of not having a tv in our home: my daughter is not bombarded with commercials telling her what she should want for Christmas. But of course, I want to give her a few new toys that she will enjoy throughout the year, and I'm looking for quality and toys that encourage the imagination.

#GivingTuesday - Two Easy Ways to Give Today! @ShotAtLife

• Head over to Diapers.com and stock up on diapers and other baby needs, and Diapers.com will donate one life-saving vaccine through the Shot@Life campaign with every $50 purchase when you use code SHOTATLIFE50. (Don’t need baby products? No problem! You can still use the code on any of the Quidsi Brands' websites)

• Visit the UN Foundation's Holiday Shopping Guide. You'll find so many beautiful gifts that give back including these beautiful Pearls Against Polio necklaces, bracelets and earrings - all proceeds will be donated to Shot@Life! I love this delicate 10-pearl bracelet.