My husband reminded me a hundred times to truly and wholeheartedly try and unplug myself from technology this week, which is proving to be much easier said than done!! I call at least 5 times a day to make sure all is ok at home, though I know from the bottom of my heart that it is and will be; I’m just a nervous Nellie when it comes to the boys. I text a few times a day, and Brian’s response is always, “Stop!” He really wants me to enjoy this time and relax; if anything ever went wrong he would, of course, call ME! (Thank you Brian, I can promise you a FabULyss Father’s Day  This Sunday, we’re going to a Mets game with the boys! I also hope to be able to go see Man of Steel as a family, too; after all, Brian is my boys’ real superhero, always has been, and always will be

Ok, so here’s the “skinny;” I have been down here for three days thus far. On Sunday when I checked in, we had a long orientation and a tour of the beautiful grounds. When I learned about the green juice that I’d be drinking twice a day, the wheat grass shots and the raw food, I was, of course, unavoidably nervous! But, I knew I could do it. The part I had my trepidations about was the no-coffee rule. For me, that’s a lot. I know it would be a lot for anyone on the DivaMoms team; work days are filled with trays after trays of Pax iced coffee!

I had my first true, raw dinner (no, ladies, Candle Cafe on the Upper East Side totally doesn’t count after this; believe me!) Over dinner, I met some new amazing people, including, of course, two great women from NYC. There are so many people from all parts of the country and even world, and it is beyond amazing to here everyone’s story and journey…what led them down to Hippocrates? I slept like a total baby my first night here, and woke up early and well-rested to have my blood taken and blood pressure taken. I had such a terrible coffee-withdrawl headache, so the lovely nurse gave me a natural remedy in my water (unknown to me, still, but it worked!) I then had a more in-depth wheat grass introductory session and a Qigong session, which helped me with my breathing, awareness, and body alignment. It was truly relaxing but, like anything, will take some getting used to! The benefits of wheatgrass are slowly beginning to amaze me; they are seriously mind-blowingly endless.

Some of the superior qualities of wheatgrass and the juice that can be extracted from its blades include the following:

• Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body.

• Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

• Restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice’s abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has been used successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants.

• Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

• Contains beneficial enzymes. Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds…enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. Don’t cook it. We can only get the benefits of the many enzymes found in grass by eating it uncooked. Cooking destroys 100 percent of the enzymes in food.

• Has remarkable similarity to our own blood. The second important nutritional aspect of chlorophyll is its remarkable similarity to hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen in the blood. Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, president of the Hagiwara Institute of Health in Japan, is a leading advocate for the use of grass as food and medicine. He reasons that since chlorophyll is soluble in fat particles, and fat particles are absorbed directly into the blood via the lymphatic system, that chlorophyll can also be absorbed in this way. In other words, when the “blood” of plants is absorbed in humans it is transformed into human blood, which transports nutrients to every cell of the body.

• When used as a rectal implant, reverses damage from inside the lower bowel. An implant is a small amount of juice held in the lower bowel for about 20 minutes. In the case of illness, wheatgrass implants stimulate a rapid cleansing of the lower bowel and draw out accumulations of debris.

• Externally applied to the skin can help eliminate itching almost immediately.

• Will soothe sunburned skin and act as a disinfectant. Rubbed into the scalp before a shampoo, it will help mend damaged hair and alleviate itchy, scaly, scalp conditions.

• Is soothing and healing for cuts, burns, scrapes, rashes, poison ivy, athlete’s foot, insect bites, boils, sores, open ulcers, tumors, and so on. Use as a poultice and replace every two to four hours.

• Works as a sleep aide. Merely place a tray of living wheatgrass near the head of your bed. It will enhance the oxygen in the air and generate healthful negative ions to help you sleep more soundly.

• Enhances your bath. Add some to your bath water and settle in for a nice, long soak.

• Sweetens the breath and firms up and tightens gums. Just gargle with the juice.

• Neutralizes toxic substances like cadmium, nicotine, strontium, mercury, and polyvinyl chloride.

• Offers the benefits of a liquid oxygen transfusion since the juice contains liquid oxygen. Oxygen is vital to many body processes: it stimulates digestion (the oxidation of food), promotes clearer thinking (the brain utilizes 25% of the body’s oxygen supply), and protects the blood against anaerobic bacteria. Cancer cells cannot exist in the presence of oxygen.

• Turns gray hair to its natural color again and greatly increases energy levels when consumed daily.

• Is a beauty treatment that slows down the aging process when the juice is consumed. Wheatgrass will cleanse your blood and help rejuvenate aging cells, slowing the aging process way down, making you feel more alive right away. It will help tighten loose and sagging skin.

• Lessens the effects of radiation. One enzyme found in wheatgrass, SOD, lessens the effects of radiation and acts as an anti-inflammatory compound that may prevent cellular damage following heart attacks or exposure to irritants.

• Restores fertility and promotes youthfulness.

• Can double your red blood cell count just by soaking in it. Renowned nutritionist Dr. Bernard Jensen found that no other blood builders are superior to green juices and wheatgrass. In his book “Health Magic Through Chlorophyll” he mentions several cases where he was able to double the red blood cell count in a matter of days merely by having patients soak in a chlorophyll-water bath. Blood building results occur even more rapidly when patients drink green juices and wheatgrass regularly. #DELYSSCIOUS!

Did I mention that I had two full hours all to myself at the pool? Well, I should say pools; there is a hot detox pool and a cold pool. I managed to sit under a palm tree and finish my advanced copy of Suzanne Corso‘s book The Suite Life, which is beyond amazing!!! So proud of her; can’t wait for her book launch in the fall! After my time at the pool, I was in bed by 9 PM and genuinely had the sweetest of dreams. Such a beautiful night for me!! I woke up yesterday morning and had water with lemon and then went right off the gym to do some strength-training exercised and stretching, swam in the pool, met with the doctor to go over my blood test results (all is well, thank goodness! My blood sugar is just a little high, so I will have to begin thoroughly monitoring my sugar intake), went for a Swedish massage and got all of the knots out of my back, and did a beginner’s yoga class! I can’t wait for next week’s blog post so I can give you guys a taste of the week’s experience as a whole, and hopefully encourage some of you to take this incredible journey yourselves in the future!! So far, I can say without a doubt that I have more energy and feel great. I am looking forward to Thursday’s “fruit day,” and today is “silence day.” I can’t talk for 24 hours. I wish I knew sign language; this will be almost as hard as the coffee…

Have an amazing, peaceful week, and Happy Father’s Day!!!

XOXO,

Lyss

Speaking of the end of the school year, I would LOVE to share a message with you from my wonderful friends at SouvenarteBooks:

The end of the school year is here and every parent knows what that means –  lots and lots of art will be coming home!  What to do?     Let SouvenarteBooks make a beautiful coffee table book preserving your child’s artwork for you to enjoy, share and treasure for many years.     Instead of stuffing all the work in a bag or box and putting it in the closet or under the bed…call us! Give us your favorite paintings, drawings, poems, stories and a few photos – in a few weeks, you’ll have a stunning book reflecting your child’s thoughts, ideas and growth over the past year.

   Go to our website, www.souvenartebooks.com,  to learn how simple it is to make a book. You’ll find our order form and ways you can send your art to us easily and quickly. You’ll see more images that will inspire you to start thinking about what your book will look like.      About our books… We offer books in two sizes: 10 x 8 inches or 13 x 11 inches.  Each hard cover book comes with 40 pages that can hold approximately 50 images, but you can expand your book to include up to 100 pages!  Each book comes with a dust jacket – a perfect place for that photograph and artist’s biography.  . How it works…  After SouvenarteBooks designs your book, we’ll e-mail you an on-line proof to review the general design and images. When we have your approval, your book will be sent to our printers. You can order one or more copies – each additional copy is discounted, if ordered at the time of printing. We’ll keep your finished book design in our files for six months, should you decide to order more copies at another time.    We design your book with beautiful, contemporary layouts that will make it look like a museum monograph. We guarantee that you will enjoy your child’s SouvenarteBook for many years.

The heat that is sure to come on strong soon means one thing: DeLysssssscious and refreshing summer cocktails! One of my all-time favorites is the Aviation. This recipe is from Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City. For this classic cocktail, essentially a gin sour with a cherry garnish, Freeman believes that the quality of the ingredients is paramount. He prefers Maraska maraschino liqueur, which has a cleaner and less funky flavor than other brands, and he replaces the traditional, artificially flavored maraschino cherry with a homemade version.

• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) gin
• 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) Maraska maraschino liqueur
• 1/4 teaspoon simple syrup
• 1 cup ice cubes

Garnish:

• homemade maraschino cherry

In cocktail shaker, combine lemon juice, gin, maraschino liqueur, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled coupe glass and drop in cherry.

To make homemade maraschino cherries: Fill a mason jar or sealable crock with pitted Bing cherries, add Maraska maraschino liqueur to cover, seal the jar, and let stand at least 3 months and up to 1 year.

Tweet me @DivaMoms pictures of your homemade Aviations!! I will RT the best ones!

I hope everyone who attended the Baby Buggy Bedtime Bash at Victorian Gardens Yesterday had as amazing a time as I did!!! I couldn’t stop saying how we truly got the PERFECT weather for the event. My boys had such a FabULyss time running around to all of the rides and munching on all of the DeLysscious snacks. As always, this annual event was one to remember and for a cause so close to my heart I cannot wait to see how Camp DivaLysscious for Super Saturday comes together! Between the face painters, glitter tattoo artists, and entertainers, I hope my “camp counselors” are preparing themselves for a day full of action and fun in the sun. Make sure to come cool off under our Camp DivaLysscious tent!

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and nothing says, “I love you, dad!” like a hand-made gift from the little one! Here are some of my favorites from Spoonful; they even have a craft for each “type” of dad: the working dad, the dad who loves to cook, etc! My boys will definitely be making one for Brian– I’m curious to see which kind of dad they classify him under!

“If you’re having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up — to know that there’s life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way. Creativity exists in the present moment. You can’t find it anywhere else.”
–Natalie Goldberg

XOXO and happy summer,

Lyss

We went out to our beach club on Sunday and Monday to begin setting up and gearing up for summer and, of course, the boys had a phenomenal time. Despite the chilly weather, Ollie–after FIVE ice creams–braved the cold and dove into the freezing cold pool…with no complaints!! I would have been screaming! Jackson spent all of Sunday and Monday on the beach playing baseball and getting two summer teams together. He’s the team captain and we’ve been calling him “Coach Jax” all week!

I bundled up with a million towels and layers of sweatshirts and started reading Maggie Shipstead’s Seating Arrangements (so far so good)! My reading was pleasantly interrupted a couple of times to talk to wonderful friends that I have not seen all year. One of the things I love and appreciate the most about our beach club is that we make FabULyss friends that we have the best times with in the summer and, even though we do not see or speak to them much during the year, every summer feels like a natural reunion–like we never left! Even though I spent the majority of my time in the shade, I still got a bad sunburn on my nose! Can anyone recommend a good sunscreen? I used La Roche Posay SPF 30, but apparently it did no good for my fair skin! Let me know what sunscreens work the best for your face!

Brian and I went to a wonderful movie Saturday night called Frances Ha, a story that follows a New York woman (who doesn’t really have an apartment), apprentices for a dance company (though she’s not really a dancer), and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Greta Gerwig was beyond phenomenal– she’s a complete STAR! Everyone needs to see this one; definitely on my “must-see Lysst.”

What did everyone think of Liberace on HBO? I have to say I came away with some mixed feelings; I thought Matt Damon was completely brilliant (as always), and learned a lot about Liberace that I did not know. But, there were some things that I didn’t necessarily want or need to know…and, yes, for those of your wondering: I was indeed wearing a sequin headband while taking a front row seat on my living room couch I really loved this little blurb, taken from a New Yorker piece about the film: The subject of the movie is marriage that couldn’t speak its name or take its form, because a marriage is precisely the creation of a new family—which brings with it a range of legally defined rights and responsibilities. The relationship of Liberace and Thorson is seen foundering on the sort of obstacles that drive many married couples apart: unresolved sexual issues, the mere desire for novelty, the social dissatisfaction of seeing the same face every day, and the alienations of drug addiction. The two also have issues particular to a couple with a nearly forty-year age difference and unequal amounts of money, experience, and power. Marriage is an equalizer of sorts, and “Behind the Candelabra” dramatizes Thorson’s experience as a double dose of inequality—the inequality of his circumstances alongside Liberace’s being reinforced by the lack of protection afforded by the law.

It’s so hard to fathom just how quickly this week has flown by!! It’s always so hard for me to get back to work after a long holiday weekend Yesterday, I spent the day at Jackson’s “Field Day” in Central Park. Luckily, the rain held out and it turned out to be a gorgeous day! The field was all dried up from the rainy day before and we were able to do lots of tug-of-war (kids beat the parents), relay races, baseball, soccer, you name it! It was really nice to spend some time talking with other moms and dads from school and actually have the time to talk with them instead of just quick hellos and goodbyes at pickup and drop off. With the school year coming to a close, we have something special going on almost every day at school! Someone remind me to pick up an extra calendar to keep everything in order until the last day of school (which my boys are ecstatic about). The craziness and business does NOT stop but I guess, in some ways, that’s a blessing!

Is anyone with me when I say, “WHERE’S SPRING?!” I can’t believe this weekend is Memorial Day; we seriously went straight from winter to summer! While I love the summer sun, I am a little disappointed in the lack of spring; I love the flowers, the smell, the light rain… But, it’s getting HOT, and the boys and I are getting all packed up to leave for our beach club in Atlantic Beach for the weekend! The boys’ favorite pastimes are swimming in the ocean (ONLY up their hips– that’s my RULE!), playing catch under the sun, and building mish-moshes of things out of sand (they call them “castles,” but they rarely ever remotely resemble castles…  I cannot WAIT to curl up with my big hat under the umbrella and dive into my Summer Reading “Lysst,” recently published on SheKnows.com!  Here, I share my best pics for moms and kids– the books that, come fall, everyone will be talking about!

When I think of Memorial Day Weekend, I think of DeLysscious barbecues, FabULyss family gatherings, and the long, busy school year coming to a much-anticipated end for the kids and, of course, great warm-weather food and drinks! Here is one of my favorite (and most healthy!) grilling recipes, followed by an indulgent summer drink:

NEED:

2 small zucchini, thinly sliced

2 small summer squash, thinly sliced

1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped

1/4 cup pitted ripe olives

2 tablespoons chopped green onion

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Place the yellow squash, zucchini, tomato, olives and onion on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 17 in. x 18 in.). Combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic salt, oregano and pepper; pour over vegetables. Fold foil around mixture and seal tightly.
Grill, covered, over medium heat for 30-35 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape.
Transfer vegetables to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 4 servings.
Nutritional Facts: 3/4 cup equals 80 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 2 mg cholesterol, 479 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1/2 fat.

And for the DeLysscious Watermelon Slush Cocktail….

NEED:

4 cups of watermelon, seeds removed

2 fluid ounces of simple syrup

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

1 cup of vodka

2 fluid ounces of melon liqueur

4 twists of lemon zest, garnish

1. In a food processor, puree the watermelon flesh. Pour the pureed watermelon into empty ice cube trays and freeze for at least 4 hours. Also, freeze 4 martini glasses.
2. In a blender combine the frozen watermelon cubes, simple syrup, lemon juice, vodka, and melon liqueur; blend until smooth. Pour into 4 frozen martini glasses and garnish each with a lemon twist.

No barbecue is complete, of course, without a great playlist! Try making a playlist full of songs that cater to everyone’s taste in music! Mix some top 100 songs– Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore, Just Give Me a Reason by P!nk, Stay by Rihanna– with some country classics, indie rock like Mumford and Sons and Bon Iver. I’m also going to need a special birthday playlist for tonight: May 23rd is the birthday of THREE of my best friends! What are the odds?! I’m really looking forward to celebrating with them.

Those of you who have attended in previous years know that the Baby Buggy Bedtime Bash at the Victorian Gardens in Central Park is one of our most FabULyss warm-weather events. It’s going to be Wednesday, June 5th at the Victorian Gardens (Wollman Rink). Jackson and Oliver are beside themselves; they can’t wait to this fun-filled carnival for adults and children of all ages for a great cause. We also have a fantastic event coming up in Roslyn Heights, Long Island on the 18th!

Our Truth + Beauty event is going to be an absolute treat, full of pampering and an informational Q & A session. Treat your face  and body to this fab event to kick of summer glamorously… the Diva way I am also already preparing heavily for the Camp DivaLysscious Hamptons events this Summer, which I look forward to more than any other event every year.

Camp DivaLysscious is a series of three outdoor, philanthropic events/carnivals that attract countless families each summer. Annually, celebrity moms come from all over to attend Camp DivaLysscious. Regular attendees include Kelly Ripa, Kyle Richardson, Brooke Shields, Christie Turlington, Bridget Moynahan, Donna Karan,Rachel Zoe, the Kardashian sisters, Tiffani Thiessen, Jill Zarin, June Ambrose, Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss, Mark Feuerstein, Christie Brinkley, Kelly Bensimon, and Kelly Rutherford just to name a few. I am especially proud to support the Max Cure Foundation through the Roar for a Cure Event every year, which is a public charity dedicated to advancing cures for pediatric cancers, funding the development of less toxic treatments for children, including the funding of an immune cell therapy lab at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center dedicated to alternative treatments for children battling the disease. MCF provides low-income families emotional and financial assistance and seeks to inspire children afflicted with cancer to face the disease with bravery.

The other day, my mom asked me what I am most looking forward to about Summer. My response was simply: Recharging my batteries!!!! I am trying something I have never tried before; I am going to the Hippocrates Health Institute. Resting amongst 50 acres of tropical woodlands in Southern Florida, Hippocrates offers a serene setting in which to heal, nurture and develop into one’s fullest potential. The Institute’s signature Life Transformation Program provides the fundamental training and a definitive blueprint for transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. The Life Transformation Program is a three-week residential program that runs weekly every Sunday through Saturday year-round. A literal life-change program, the holistic approach to health and wellness taught at Hippocrates includes transformation of the mind, body and spirit. The team at Hippocrates writes, “The goal of the Institute is to assist people in taking responsibility for their lives and to help them internalize and actualize an existence free from premature aging, disease and needless pain. Good health is our most prized possession, generating a positive mindset of confidence, enthusiasm, strength and joyfulness that can trigger a life of optimum achievement. Such vibrant health does not thrive by luck or by chance. Like all things of great value, it must be tended and nurtured with care. This process can be insurmountable and intimidating without the proper guidance. At Hippocrates, our team of caregivers strives to give each and every guest the tools they need to learn how to help them help themselves.” I cannot wait to experience this beautiful place and write a FULL blog post upon my return. I know many of my mom friends are anxious to hear about my experience, because they feel that it is something they may want to try for themselves. I am hoping that the retreat will allow me to do more things for myself and my family; for example, I am taking off from work Friday to spend the day at Ollie’s “field day” in Central Park, and doing the same next week for Jackson. They were so excited to hear that I was coming and, honestly, I CAN’T WAIT! I hope I don’t embarrass them TOO much when I get competitive playing flag football…..

I am absolutely honored to have been featured on the cover of this issue of Millennium Magazine!!! It never fails to amaze me how people are so interested in my story, life and business! I am truly flattered and so glad I can be the voice of so many incredible moms. Speaking of fantastic magazines, if you’re headed out east soon, don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Memorial Day issue of Social Life Magazine! I am the Mom-tributor for this fab Summertime magazine, and share a variety of my favorite summer “Lyssts” for every issue! But this is only my LIGHT writing; my book editor/agent FINALLY has a copy of my book– yes, my BOOK!– in her hands! I cannot give too much away, but let’s just say this: the next few months are going to be exciting… AND sexy! Make sure to stay tuned with all things DivaLysscious to get your hands on one…

Also: I wanted to talk a little bit more about Countess Luann DeLesseps’ line of tableware that launched on QVC on May 6th! We had a FabULyss celebration of the collection, and I think this line is something that every DivaLysscious mom should want to get her hands on! Luann and moms everywhere are so excited about her first tableware collection inspired by her love of entertaining and her passion for travel! Luann, like myself, loves to have lots of people around having grown up in a big family so whether you’re having friends or family over this collection makes entertaining easy. Designed with families in mind and colors reminiscent of Portofino, Capri on the Amalfi Coast corals. It’s unique, chic and UNDER $40!!! Check out the RidicULyssly beautiful 12-piece outdoor dinnerware set here!!

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Ruth Zukerman: “It’s so much about being passionate about what you want to do. I got divorced when my children were 6 years old…I had to start all over again. I was like a fish out of water. I had found spinning and it had actually helped me through my divorce. I got hooked and knew it was something I wanted to build a career in…I started out carrying my spin shoes from gym-to-gym just teaching spin classes…I believed in it…and it happened.”

This hit so close to home for me and, as I’m sure some of you remember, got me a little bit teary-eyed. FlyWheel Sports changed…my…life. Just like spinning helped Ruth through her divorce– a detrimental event that caused her so much stress– it has helped me through work stress, hard times, anxiety over my ridiculous fear of not being able to be in 12 places at one time, and more. For her to speak to such feelings of passion, stress-release, and turning around the horrible feeling of not belonging was so honest and real…and I will always remember it. I’m sure everyone else in the room– guests, panelists, and, hey, maybe even waiters alike– will, too.

Jennifer Fisher: “I had a different experience. My business started because I was told I would never have children…I ended up getting pregnant naturally, and I decided to keep the baby. That’s my son Shane. And, he’s the reason the company started. When he was born, it was such a big deal. I wanted something to represent him…something that felt really, really important and special. And, that’s how my company started.”

I felt such a connection to this beautiful, moving image because my first son, 9-year-old Jackson, is the reason my company began. To this day, DivaLysscious Moms represents the lives of both of my sons. My boys continue to inspire new events, projects, and more, and I am so grateful for their existence giving me another baby I cherish: my company.

June Ambrose: “I wake before the quake.” (I love this. June described how she gets up an hour before her two children, ages 11 and 9, so she can center herself, meditate, and get herself ready for the day ahead.)

What mother– whether she has 10 kids or 1– wouldn’t understand and crack up at this!? Even if it means waking up at 3 AM, I am going to have a “calm before the storm.” Bring on the green tea, erotic novel, and dog-cuddles before the “where’s my orange juice?”s and “do I HAVE to go to school?”s!

Sharon also recorded something I said during the Q & A, and I am so grateful for this. I have read it a few times since the event, during moments in which my confidence is a little down. “I started my business 9 1/2 years ago, and I remember people saying things like ‘Why are you doing this?’ My answer was, I believe in this. I was passionate. I felt there was a real need for what I was doing. So, if you believe in something do not listen to the naysayers. Stay focused. Stay down that road. It will happen. Don’t let people tell you you can’t do it, because you can do it.”

I will always remind myself that I said this, and that I “CAN do it!”

Here’s Sharon Lippmann and myself

From L to R: The talented and creative mom mogul of the fashion world Rebecca Minkoff, the sweet and smart mom mogul of the jewelry industry Jennifer Fisher, the honest and lovely fashion and style mom mogul Mary Alice Stephenson, founder of every girl’s guilty pleasure (Gilt Groupe) Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, stunning mom mogul of the acting and modeling world Veronica Webb, hilarious and incredible celebrity stylist June Ambrose, founder of my #1 addiction FlyWheel Sports the ambitious Ruth Zukerman, my amazing co-host Sabina Feldman of the successful MORE Magazine, and moi! Such a great & telling step & repeat capture…we all couldn’t stop giggling! Such phenomenal, genuine smiles that lasted throughout the entire morning…even when there were tears

Zimbio put together an awesome display of Mom Mogul Breakfast VIPs, which you can check out here, and Heidi Green put together an incredible slideshow of the event as well, which you NEED to see here!

Lyss

Wait until they’re older. Until around age 7, Dr. Coleman suggests only addressing the tough stuff if kids bring it up first. “They might see it on TV or hear about it at school (or heaven forbid even witness it), and then you have to deal with it. But younger children might not be able to handle it well,” says Dr. Coleman.

Keep it black and white. Yes, the world can be a cruel place, but little kids, well, can’t handle the truth.”Younger kids need to be reassured that this isn’t happening to them and won’t happen to them,” says Dr. Coleman. Parents may feel like they’re lying, since no one can ever be 100% sure of what the future holds, but probability estimates are not something small kids can grasp, and won’t comfort them.

Ask questions. Don’t assume you know how they feel. Instead, get at their understanding of what happened. “They might be afraid — or just curious. You have to ascertain that by asking things like ‘What did you hear? What do you think?’” says Dr. Coleman. “If they are scared, ask what they’re afraid of – don’t assume you know. They could be using twisted logic, like they see a building collapse on TV and think it’s Mommy’s office building. Correct any misconceptions, and then offer assurance.”

Don’t label feelings as wrong. Let them know that their feelings make sense, and that it’s ok to feel whatever they’re feeling. Never make them feel bad about being scared.

Use it as a teaching moment. Talking about bad things can lead to discussions about how to help others, and gives parents an opportunity to model compassion. Talk about donating to a relief organization, or make the message even more personal. “You can say, ‘It makes me think of Mrs. Smith in a wheelchair down the road – maybe we should make her a pot roast,’” says Dr. Coleman.

When tragedy affects someone your kids know

Sometimes tragedy strikes closer to home, and there’s no way to shield your kids. If you’re dealing with the death of a friend or family member, be truthful about it, but offer some separation between what happened and what they fear might happen. “Say ‘Grandma was very old and very sick, but I’m not,’” says Dr. Coleman. “Distinguish yourself clearly from that person so your child can rest comfortably knowing Mommy’s not going anywhere.”

On a bit of a lighter, brighter note, did you know that MacKenzie-Childs now has a whimsical and gorgeous children’s collection! As a Mom-Ambassador for MacKenzie-Childs, I wanted to share some photos with you taken in the beautiful store last week!

I need this chair!!!!!

We are also THRILLED to announce that we are giving away a $500.00 gift card to MacKenzie-Childs!!! The winner will be announced next Tuesday on the DivaBlog. Here’s all you have to do: be sure to like DivaLysscious Moms on Facebook!!!! That’s all! One lucky Diva will be notified via both the blog and Facebook! I absolutely love, love, LOVE MacKenzie-Childs; my entire kitchen is composed of MacKenzie-Childs, and my beautiful work desk that I’ve had since college–yes, it has lasted that long and still looks new–is also from the brand. I am so happy that they have launched a children’s line– I want that black-and-white-checkered beanbag chair for myself– and and line for dogs!! My puppy, Jedi, will be so stylish!! Time-honored crafts—producing ceramics and home furnishings—thrive in the 21st century here on a small farm in rural, central New York. From plates to planters, teapots to tureens, MacKenzie-Childs designs are alive with individuality. Since 1983, MacKenzie-Childs has made handcrafted ceramics, each piece a one-of-a-kind collectible. The company also designs and hand-decorates furniture and other home furnishings.  Individuality is what makes each piece a one-of-a kind work of beauty and grace. Stains and glazes are painted on by hand, not by machine. You may notice variations in the density and depth of the color. This evidence of the artisan’s hand is highly valued by collectors: No two pieces are identical. Set a table with MacKenzie-Childs plates and their variations are sure to please and delight your guests. In the 21st century, where standardization and uniformity are hard to escape, we hope you delight, as I personally do, in the unique personality and individuality of their timeless craft!!

Speaking of amazing brands, I hope too see all of you DivaMoms in New Jersey (126 Central Avenue in Westfield) this Saturday from 12pm-2pm at Coldwater Creek!

We also have an incredible luncheon coming up with the beautiful Luann De Lesseps! Join us for light lunch and great wine as we celebrate her new tabletop collection! We know you have a lot on your own plate, but this is one event you do NOT want to miss!!

I went out to the amazing Harlow on Saturday night, a new beautiful restaurant not too far from my apartment. I went out with my husband, my friend and her husband and, luckily for us, we ran into the BEAUTIFUL Amy Adams!! Now, there is beautiful, and then there is beautiful, and she is what I call out-of-this-world beautiful. Her skin is absolutely flawless and her eyes perfect; I was in awe! And she was so, so sweet on top of it all. Our dinner conversation started to get extremely heated when we were talking about being a mother in the 1950s compared to 2013; with the demand on women so much greater than ever before– being successful in business, being a tiger in bed, being Betty Crocker in the kitchen, and being the most amazing mom available for your children 24-7– something’s gotta give. But, not according to my husband and his friend! We were all hysterically laughing the more heated the discussion got.

Speaking of children.. Those that have kids in the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grades.. Good luck with the tests!!! We are on “lockdown” in our apartment this week; we started off with a big healthy breakfast that also included a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal (not that Jax needs “the luck”)… But, I wanted to do something cute for him and he loves the marshmallows!

I also wanted to wish a Happy Israeli Independence Day to many of my friends who I know are celebrating!

In honor of National Stress Awareness Day, I want to leave everyone with a little reminder…a personal favorite of mine: The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.

XOXOXO,

Lyss

While on this perfect weather topic: is there a better time to take outdoor family photos in Central Park?! Heidi Green DEFINITELY has you covered in that department!

In complete contrast to the amazing weather, the city-wide tests are next week, and one Long Island mom has a lot to say about it. How many of you have heard about the Hauppauge mother who decided she does not want her children taking the tests…and is within her legal right? I want to share with you this well-written and thorough letter, that touches upon unbelievably bold and valid points and will undoubtedly leave you with some questions and concerns:

Dear Principal, Superintendent, and Members of the Board,

I am writing today to formally inform the district of my decision to opt out my child_________________ from all state mandated standardized assessments in the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year, this includes the state exams given in April/May, the pre-assessments that are now required for the teacher evaluation system, and field tests: any assessments not designed by our children’s teachers and any assessment for the use of State institutions. Under my guardianship and advice, my child will be scored as a “REFUSAL” with a final score of “999” and a standard achieved code of “96” on all State testing including ELA, Math and Science as described in the NYS Student Information Repository System (SIRS) Manual on page 63.  Please note that a “refusal” is not the same as an “absence” as they are defined differently and scored with different standard achieved codes on page 63 of the SIRS Manual.  Also, note that on page 20 of the 2012 Edition School Administrator’s Manual it is explained that “The makeup dates are to be used for administering makeup tests to students who were “ABSENT” during the designated administration dates.”  My child will specifically be scored as a “REFUSAL”, not an “absent”  and therefore my child will continue to receive a free and appropriate public education in his regular classroom environment during the administration of all makeup test periods as this letter will provides written verification of a “REFUAL” for “ALL”  tests

I request that my child be given alternative educational opportunities during exam times, such as reading in the library or helping out in a lower grade class with younger students.   If you are unable to provide an alternative activity for my child, I would ask that you please utilize the provision of the NYS Testing Program Educator Guide to the 2013 Common Core which on page 9 explains, “When Students Have Completed Their Tests…that the student may be permitted to read silently.”

I am reserving the option of removing my child from school during test administration sessions depending on whether or not the school will provide an alternative activity for my child.  This will not count as an “ABSENCE”.

This decision was not an easy one to make, nor did I arrive at it quickly.  I have determined through my own research that the present testing system is grossly excessive, poorly designed, punitive to students, teachers and our schools.  In some cases it can be perceived as cruel to our most vulnerable children.  Among the negatives of the current state mandated testing system, we would highlight the following:

1)     Excessive testing has introduced the concept of stress to younger and younger children. We assert that “stress” is not something that schools should be creating for our children.

2)     Excessive testing has overtaken the entire educational project, as most of the school day is now given over to “teaching to the test”.  Many of the key functions that schools traditionally served have been reduced or eliminated in the mad rush to improve test scores.

3)     Excessive testing has already robbed our teachers of the freedom to innovate and teach creatively;  little is under their control.

4)     Excessive testing is cruel to students with learning disabilities and other special needs students who are not likely to do well, and for whom the high-pressure tests are likely to cause anxiety.

5)     State mandated high stakes testing is upheld by NYSED as a catchall solution for all our educational issues. Who exactly are they testing? Students? Teachers? School districts? All three, yet the burden fall on our students to represent everyone and do well.  That’s a lot of pressure for young children to carry on their shoulders.

As you are well aware, the rapid pace and constantly changing nature of testing and curricular mandates from the State are strangling our students, teachers and schools.  How can our children exit the school system with creativity, curiosity and a love of learning for its own sake after the meat-grinder of 13 years of constant testing and measurement?

I see my action as a last-ditch effort to stop the testing madness before it destroys our schools.  I want our teachers to be able to teach again.  I want our children to be able to learn again, in all ways, I want the schools to be places children can grow and socialize in a calm and supportive environment.  I am fighting against excessive testing, but also for something that has so much potential—-vibrant public schools that offer a variety of approaches to educate different learning styles of learners.

I  and some other parents  intend on informing as many parents as we can about excessive testing, and we hope to start a dialogue in our community about how we might effectively communicate our resistance but also our visions for schools as learning communities .  We have undertaken this effort in the same spirit as the many other parents who also have chosen to  “opt out” for our children; having  a sense of solidarity with the schools in spite of how the State may try to pit us against one another.  We invite and look forward to your participation in this dialogue.

Thank you very much and I look forward to a great end of the school year.

What are your thoughts on this? I think it is absolutely ridiculous that these exams have hindered our children’s teachers’ abilities to actually teach; when I went into education, I did it so I could enjoy being curious and creative with children. Today, teachers have been stripped of their rights and are inevitably focusing on prepping their young, vulnerable and impressionable students for a bogus test because, ultimately, it they are a reflection of her! #Unfair #CRUEL!

I was similarly impressed with Kristin van Ogtrop’s article in the Huffington Post today; read this article and be prepared to be nodding your head the entire time, ladies. Her views are spot-on and she has a wonderful gift of expressing them!!

So excited for my date night with Jackson tonight! We’re going to an advanced screening of 42, the Jackie Robinson Movie. I am having him write out a little list of things he hopes to learn about Jackie Robinson during the movie and what he hopes to take away from him; I think it’d be nice for him to have a bit of a history lesson. My husband got very jealous of my taking Jackson on a date Jackson and I have been looking forward to seeing this one together– just him and mommy– for so long! I hope the movie is as good as our top four fav baseball movies: Moneyball, Field of Dreams, A League of Their Own, and Eight Men Out! We are such a baseball family it’s unreal; Jax had his first game of the season on Sunday (a double header), and he hit a double! So proud of my little man.

And now onto my OTHER little man… Oliver had his early birthday celebration on Friday evening at Red Carpet Kids! His birthday isn’t until July but, since all his school friends will be at their camps this summer, he wanted a special early celebration just for them! It was such a blast and he was absolutely hilarious and adorable dressed up as a wild West cowboy! The kids made their own Western movie together which, I must say, came out very well and professionally! All the boys and girls looked beyond adorable– handsome and beautiful– and had the best food, lots of laughter and so much fun!!

For all of those Reed Krakoff fans out there (so ALL DivaMoms!), we have an exciting event coming off centered around the brand!

My boys learned the “ya-win-some-ya-lose-some” lesson firsthand this weekend with Syracuse’s loss I had an amazingly fun night anyway with a group of amazing women and my “Little” in my sorority at ‘Cuse! I did, however, feel so old at The Ainsworth watching the game; everyone there was under 30!

“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Enjoy the gorgeous day and have a beautiful week DivaMoms!!!

XOXO,

Lyss

]]> http://divamoms.com/?feed=rss2&p=7035 0 http://divamoms.com/?p=6664 http://divamoms.com/?p=6664#comments Sun, 07 Apr 2013 17:49:49 +0000 divamoms http://divamoms.com/?p=6664

In honor of Earth Day every year, my boys and I take a big garbage bag and go door-to-door in our apartment building asking everyone for at least one glass, plastic, or cardboard thing to contribute to our “recycling project;” at the end of our rounds, we take our full bag to the nearest recycling center. We know it’s our little way to make a difference, and it’s a great way to instill in my boys the importance of caring for the Earth. We also make sure to take a trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and learn about new plants and my sons’ favorite, veggies! We even buy some seeds there before we go and grow them in a little pot in our window. Did you know we DivaMoms and Dads can even take a class there? It is so important that we teach our little ones the importance of being knowledgeable about and caring for the Earth; we want it to always be a healthy, clean place for them and for there to always be big, beautiful trees giving them fresh, clean air. Doing their parts caring for the Earth always teaches children responsibility, confidence and extra sense of purpose; there is nothing like walking with your little one and passing someone on the street who throws a wrapper on the ground, and having your child acknowledge the wrongdoing and picking it up and throwing it out. It also instills an awareness of personal health in a child that, if nurtured, will carry him throughout his or her life.

Kristin Chenoweth kicked off Earth Month yesterday at an event in LA hosted by JĀSÖN^®, a leader in natural personal care, to kick off the brand’s partnership with the Earth Day Network’s Canopy Project – an organization dedicated to planting trees in areas of need across the world.

Beginning today through 30^th, JĀSÖN^® will host a program through its Facebook page allowing consumers to do their part for the environment in celebration of Earth Day. For every new “like” on the JĀSÖN^® page during this time frame, one tree will be planted via the Canopy Project.

Visit the program at http://bit.ly/JASONcares.

All JĀSÖN products are free of Parabens, Phthalates, Artificial Colors, Petrolatum, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Myreth Sulfate. www.JASON-PersonalCare.com

Here’s a little bit of Earth Day history I found! Share with your kids! Responding to widespread environmental degradation, Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries.  Senator Nelson, an environmental activist, took a leading role in organizing the celebration, hoping to demonstrate popular political support for an environmental agenda. Senator Nelson selected Denis Hayes, a Harvard University graduate student, as the national coordinator of activities. One of the organizers of the event said: “We’re going to be focusing an enormous amount of public interest on a whole, wide range of environmental events, hopefully in such a manner that it’s going to be drawing the interrelationships between them and, and getting people to look at the whole thing as one consistent kind of picture, a picture of a society that’s rapidly going in the wrong direction that has to be stopped and turned around. Senator Nelson stated that Earth Day “worked” because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. Twenty-million demonstrators and thousands of schools and local communities participated. He directly credited the first Earth Day with persuading U.S. politicians that environmental legislation had a substantial, lasting constituency. Many important laws were passed by the Congress in the wake of the 1970 Earth Day, including the Clean Air Act, wild lands and the ocean, and the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

I plan on doing this Earth Day craft with my boys this weekend! Make your own globe of the Earth from a balloon covered with newspaper, flour-water glue, and paint. Although this is a messy project that takes days to complete, the results are very nice and teach a tremendous amount about geography.

Supplies needed: A round balloon. Lots of newspaper. Flour and water glue (instructions below). A container for mixing the glue (old plastic containers work well). A spoon or stick to stir the glue. A printer. Pencil. Blue and green tempera paint. Paint brushes. A dark marker.

Send me pictures of how yours turn out so I can post them on my next blog! “Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures.” Gaylord Nelson

XOXO,

Lyss

]]> http://divamoms.com/?feed=rss2&p=7008 0 http://divamoms.com/?p=7061 http://divamoms.com/?p=7061#comments Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:28:28 +0000 divamoms http://divamoms.com/?p=7061

This is apparently a huge week for sports for us! Jackson has his first practice with his travel baseball team on Friday and a game on Sunday (can’t wait), and my alma mater, Syracuse, made it to the final four (seems like just yesterday that I was at Syracuse when we also made it to the final four!). My boys were watching with me all decked out in Syracuse gear and yelling, “We won! We made it to the final four!” I can’t wait to watch them game with them on Saturday.

I had a delysscious dinner last night with my beautiful friend Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations; she is so incredible and we always laugh SO much when we get together. I am so excited for her and her husband; they have four amazing boys and are pregnant with a little princess due in July!! As an April Fool’s Day joke, I told my 9-year-old that he didn’t have to do his reading homework. Ha! April is a huge month for Jackson and his friends; they have big third-grade tests coming up! There is so much reading material and so many math skills they have to master– so different than when I was a third-grader! I have been so, so exhausted lately; I feel like a high schooler with mono (“the kissing disease”)! I’ll need to go to the doctor for a “‘lil check up” as my Olliepop would call it to see why I’ve been feeling so tired and off; pretty sure there’s NO need for a pregnancy test! It’s possibly that I am just completely run down from Spring “Break;” as much as I loved having the boys with me for the Passover/East holiday, I must admit I am thrilled to have them going back to school tomorrow… where they belong!! Oliver has taken me on one too many dates to Barnes and Noble this break where I’ve been the one to pick up the check! I will admit we did buy some pretty cool craft sets there. My favorite was the sock puppets!! Loved making them as a family. I also got to do some shopping over the break and bought a delysscious-smelling new perfume; Jackson noticed it right away and told me loved the way it smelled and, in response, I told him he’d be an amazing husband one day! I wonder how long it will take my husband, Brian to notice the new scent. If I had to guess, I’d give it 2 or 3 months… Lol I also got a manicure using my absolute favorite Tom Ford nail polish yesterday to make me feel more in the Spring mood! Did Easter get everyone in a hoppy Spring mood?

I am getting so, so excited for the Mom Mogul event in May!!! After nine and a half years of putting together incredible and unique events, it never fails to amaze me how much work has to go into an event to make it special and perfect. Gift bags, raffle prizes, venue, and more all have to be up to DivaLysscious standards… nothing less will do. This event is going to be especially amazing because we truly have a group of inspirational and wonderful women attending and ready to share their knowledge with us. Not to mention the 21 Club is totally breathtaking!!

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon DivaMoms; it’s still light and beautiful out! Oh, and for all those already starting their Summer bikini-body workouts….

If we would only give, just once, the same amount of reflection to what we want to get out of life that we give to the question of what to do with a two weeks’ vacation, we would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days.  ~Dorothy Canfield Fisher

XOXO,

Lyss

]]> http://divamoms.com/?feed=rss2&p=6983 0 http://divamoms.com/?p=6963 http://divamoms.com/?p=6963#comments Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:07:35 +0000 divamoms http://divamoms.com/?p=6963 Hi DivaMoms!! It is such a delysscious day outside and it truly smells like Spring! I definitely have to make my way over to the park later for a walk or jog. Happy Passover to everyone and anyone who celebrates! Do you guys love carmel-chocolate covered matzo as much as I do? I found this amazing recipe and the boys and I are surprising my mother with some homemade matzo tonight! Try it out:

4-6 unsalted matzohs

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or Passover margarine

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips, bittersweet, semisweet, milk and/or white (Marcy calls for 1/4 cup but I needed WAY more!)

Optional toppings:

toasted pecans, walnuts or almonds

sweetened coconut flakes

toasted sesame seeds (to toast the sesame seeds: place them in a pan over medium heat and stir until they turn a golden brown color)

Line a baking sheet with foil. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a sauce pot cook the butter and sugar over medium high heat for about 3 to 5 minutes, whisking constantly. The caramel may melt and be transparent or it may look more crystallized looking as in this batch. It doesn’t seem to matter once you bake it.

Spread it evenly over the matzohs.

Bake for about 15 minutes. Check half way through to make sure it is not browning too quickly. Rotate pan.

Remove from oven.

…and add the chocolate.

Let the chocolate sit for 5 minutes and then spread evenly over the matzos.

If you want to jazz up your caramel covered matzo, add toasted nuts or sesame seeds or coconut flakes to the melted chocolate. If the chocolate is not setting up at room temperature, place the matzo in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

Break into strips or bite sized pieces and ENJOY!!!

Before Passover on Sunday, I had my Last (bread) Supper; a bagel with Lox from Russ and Daughters. It was so amazing and made for the perfect Passover kick-off. Mark Russ Federman’s book, Reflections and Recipes from the House that Herring Built, was absolutely lovely and so nostalgic; it brought me back to when my grandfather had a candy store on Ludlow Street as I was growing up. My dad used to drive me into the city on Sundays to help behind the counter and I got paid in candy. What could have made mini-Lyss happier? I ended up with the nickname Candy Girl at school because I would always bring in a gigantic bag of candy on Monday mornings …When Joel Russ started peddling herring from a barrel shortly after his arrival in America from Poland, he could not have imagined that he was giving birth to a gastronomic legend. Here is the story of this “Louvre of lox” (The Sunday Times, London): its humble beginnings, the struggle to keep it going during the Great Depression, the food rationing of World War II, the passing of the torch to the next generation as the flight from the Lower East Side was beginning, the heartbreaking years of neighborhood blight, and the almost miraculous renaissance of an area from which hundreds of other family-owned stores had fled.
Filled with delightful anecdotes about how a ferociously hardworking family turned a passion for selling perfectly smoked and pickled fish into an institution with a devoted national clientele, Mark Russ Federman’s reminiscences combine a heartwarming and triumphant immigrant saga with a panoramic history of twentieth-century New York, a meditation on the creation and selling of gourmet food by a family that has mastered this art, and an enchanting behind-the-scenes look at four generations of people who are just a little bit crazy on the subject of fish.

I was so proud of Oliver last night for stating the four questions at our Seder!! He stated them so accurately and proudly and I was completely kvelling! The boys are getting so big; sometimes I stare at photos of them in disbelief that they were ever so small! Brian took them to the Knicks game on Saturday and I had a #MomsNightIn…a very much-need one. The night before was a loud and crazy one for Ollie and I at Madison Square Garden; I took him to see Mickey’s Music Festival, which was so cute and fun and surprisingly modern! Oliver couldn’t stop singing at the top of his lungs and dancing his heart out, but that is nothing new for him; if he wasn’t so cute and such a good singer/dancer, he’d have been kicked out of maaaany theaters by now! I recommend taking your lil ones to this show! Abracadabra! It’s Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show! Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and a host of Disney friends come together with world-class illusionists to perform magic from legendary Disney films right before your eyes. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown in a split second; the spectacular levitation of Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine; and the enchanted dancing brooms of Fantasia. Join Donald Duck and Goofy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and many more for a one-of-a-kind stage show you’ll never forget. Mickey’s Magic Show is a whole new way to experience Disney magic with your family!

We also saw Piggy Nation Off Broadway on Sunday and Oliver it’s his absolute favorite show ever… and it was only an hour! Piggy Nation is a delightful new musical featuring an original score with blues, rock, rap and gospel influences. Full of lessons in thoughtfulness and consideration, it’s an hour-long musical perfect for kids ages 3 and up (and their parents and grandparents too)! Sammy Hamhock, a little pig, is excited to be on summer vacation and follow his Dad to work on Piggy Patrol, giving tickets for piggy behavior. But is his Dad being a piggy too? Will Sammy lose the girl of his dreams, the lovely Lacey Leppard, because of his Dad’s piggy behavior? Can Sammy teach his Dad not to be a piggy? During the design process of the children’s book Piggy Nation: A Day At Work With Dad, author Richard Rosser began reading his book to elementary school classes, which led to performing assemblies for large groups of students. The kids responded so positively that it inspired Rosser to adapt the story into a full-length musical. Expanding on the children’s book, he added elements of romance and intrigue. With composer Alec Wells (theoutsidejoke.com), the two crafted a musical richly layered with Blues, Rock, Rap and Gospel influences. So fun, funny and creative! After the show we took a trip to the M&M factory, truly making us look and feel like tourists in our own city!

It was our incredible puppy Jedi’s second birthday on Sunday and we celebrated with a play date with some of his puppyfriends and a long walk through Central Park. We get stopped wherever we go; everyone wants to know what kind of dog he is (Coton de Tulear) and if he’s “friendly” enough to pet. I have never met a friendlier dog in my life! He is truly the sweetest, most good-natured dog in the world and we are so blessed to have him in our family. He makes friends wherever he goes and is just happy to alive and next to the people he loves. We WOOF you Jedi!!!

Who’s coming to the Forever Dusty Singalong this Thursday night? I hope to see everyone there! A little birdie told me that all DivaMoms are invited to have drinks with the drag queens after the show in celebration of my mom’s (Nanadoll’s) birthday! The whole family is going to Peter Luger’s on Friday to celebrate my mom and dad’s birthday; they’re one day apart and it’s a family tradition! I can’t believe next Monday is opening game for the METS!!! We will be there with the boys at 1 PM!

Have a great holiday, DivaMoms!!! XOXO

Lyss

P.S. – I want to be back in Jamaica!!!

I’ve already been home for an entire week, but it still hasn’t set in that I’m not in Jamaica anymore; I still feel like I am at Round Hill in my mind, floating in the pool with no idea where my cell phone is….

Originally opened in 1953, Round Hill was conceived by well-connected, Jamaican-born entrepreneur John Pringle, whose mother was a social fixture and owned the former Sunset Lodge Hotel in Montego Bay. The 100-acre peninsula was part of Lord Monson’s huge Round Hill Estate, which was first a sugar plantation and later grew coconuts, pimento, and allspice. The peninsular bluff was also home to pineapple groves, which are now represented in the signature logo of this prominent Montego Bay resort. Pringle’s vision was to take the ’boutique’ concept both onto another level and into a new domain. The plan comprised the design and development of a luxury cottage complex in Montego Bay, Jamaica – an early boutique hotel – which, based on John’s own revolutionary business model, would offer those who purchased a cottage a share in hotel profits. In other words, he had the idea of creating a Montego Bay resort that would appeal to the very rich who wanted to have a cottage in the West Indies without the problem of absentee ownership. As John was dedicated to his dreams and worked tirelessly to turn them into reality, in 1953 the ever-renowned and celebrated Round Hill was to open its doors to the world of fame, wealth, and creative talent with Noel Coward as its first shareholder. Prominent American and European socialites, literati, and artists were invited to build ‘cottages’ and to invest in the hotel. Shareholders then included Adele Astaire, Bill and Babe Paley, Lord and Lady Ednam, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hammerstein, Clive Brook, Jack and Natasha Wilson, the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tiarks, and Viscount and Viscountess Rothermere. The wood-paneled bar is lined today with black and white photographs of the owners and their stylish guests enjoying Round Hill’s beach and nightlife, which was so fun and interesting for Brian to look at while enjoying our much-needed array of tropical “grown-up drinks.”

There is truly nothing I failed to do on this trip; I took advantage of all the amazing things Round Hill had to offer and was transformed into the most relaxed version of myself for my entire stay. I sat on the beach and read for pleasure—no business decks, business proposals, or school letters—, snorkeled in clear blue water, did outdoor yoga multiple times a day (the instructor told me I have to do yoga every from now on because, strangely enough, I hold all my tension in my legs. He’d never seen anything like it!), ate cleanly, healthily, and delyssciously, dined on the beach, and enjoyed our absolutely gorgeous private villa. Could I have asked for anything more from a vacation (besides another month or two)?

“A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” ― Dave Meurer

Marriage is not easy; it can be messy and tense and there are a lot of things to remember and consider when trying for a happy, healthy marriage. I realized on this trip with my husband that 17 years together—12 married—is something to be really proud of. Someone asked me yesterday how to cope with being too hard on oneself when it comes to parenting, and I responded by saying how important the little things are, from making dinner once a week with your kids to making time for an after-school-after-work ice cream run. Well, I think the same goes for being a good wife or husband. Brian and I had a laugh to ourselves while walking on the beach; “we’re actually holding hands,” he said to me. “When’s the last time we held hands?” We laughed at the sweet and awkward first-date nature of our handholding and I really felt so happy and close to him. Right then and there, we made a pact to hold hands at least once a day when we got back to NYC; yesterday we totally forgot but, right before our heads hit our pillows, he squeezed my hand. We laughed and called it a successful day. We are trying and accepting and laughing when we can and that’s what matters. Back in August, I told the New York Times why I thought a childless vacation was therapeutic, and necessary and, to this day, I stand by it. I’m living proof; Brian and I had such a gorgeous vacation and got along so beautifully.

I think any DivaMom would agree, however, that it’s a lot easier to work on anything—especially your marriage—after a good ol’ spa day The Spa at Round Hill is an oasis of relaxation and pampering, set admist 10 acres of beautiful oceanfront property. They offer a vast array of treatments, sure to soothe away your stress and leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated.  Many treatments feature the exclusive Elemis line of products, while others infuse local Jamaican ingredients to provide you with a truly authentic spa experience. The spa experience was something I just truly would not have been able to find anywhere in NYC; they really know how to get you relaxed down there. What are the actual ingredients in that stuff and can I have some to use on my kids at bedtime??!!

I had only been in Jamaica for 30 hours when I emailed my assistant telling her I was undoubtedly “moving down here with the boys ASAP!” I completely understood, upon arrival, why people choose or highly consider moving somewhere tropical and totally stress-free. They get the common responses: “It’s unrealistic.” “You’re running away.” But why not?! You only have one life to live, and Bob says you should live the life you love and love the life you live, right?

Brian and I are going to try and touch base a couple times a day– whether it be a text, phone call, or email– about something other than our businesses or children. I’m thinking of sending him a little “meet me at the pool” or “order me a pina colada, be there in second” text while he’s at work today. What do you think? A marriage without inside jokes and a little dry humor is bound to be hard; if you can’t poke fun at your husband for all his grey hairs coming in before yours, and if he can’t respond by jokingly pointing out your multiple trips to the hair salon a month to make that so, then what are you doing?

]]> http://divamoms.com/?feed=rss2&p=6955 0 http://divamoms.com/?p=6932 http://divamoms.com/?p=6932#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:15:36 +0000 divamoms http://divamoms.com/?p=6932 Hi DivaMoms!! It feels like forever since I’ve written! This gloomy, freezing weather is hitting me especially hard; I just returned to NYC after a few days in absolute paradise. My husband and I, in honor of our twelfth anniversary, took a much-needed trip to Jamaica and stayed at the absolutely breathtaking Round Hill Resort. I want to use this blog post to let all of my fabulyss DivaMoms know about all of our amazing upcoming events and what has been going on here in NYC, BUT– later this week– I plan on dedicating an entire blog post to my long-awaited Jamaican retreat. Stay tuned!!

I hope everyone who celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day had a very happy, fun and safe holiday! I did not wear an ounce of green and, next year, I am taking a space ship from the East Side to the West Side and staying there until March is over!!! The streets and subways were crazy yesterday; I was a little nervous sending my boys off to school with all the madness happening in our neighborhood.

While I was relaxing in the sand “digital-detoxing” in Jamaica, I read, from cover to cover, Lisa Renee Jones’ If I Were You. I absolutely loved it!! It’s definitely one of those “can’t-put-it-down” books. What a hot, steamy and well-written book. I truly cannot wait for book two of the series! A little birdie told me that DivaLysscious Moms will be doing the book launch on Tuesday, June fourth… Don’t wait to buy your copy!

Speaking of fantastic books, those of you who attended the book launch for Emily Bazelon’s Sticks and Stones know that the night was a huge success and many important topics were discussed. Emily was so wonderful and we seriously could have spent hours talking about bullying, especially with us all being parents. This is another must-read and is such an important and groundbreaking book!!

On Saturday, I took Oliver to see a wonderful and creative children’s musical called A (Tooth) Fairy Tale. Coincidentally, I had a dentist appointment scheduled for him right after the show (he thinks it was a coincidence . All throughout his check-up, Ollie was telling the dentist about the show and, inevitably, had a million very valid and thoughtful questions about the tooth fairy’s activities. I mean, come on, it is Oliver we’re talking about here! We are all anxiously awaiting the loss of his first tooth; Jackson is so sweet and such a great older brother, always telling Oliver he has nothing to worry about and that, if it hurts when it falls out, he’ll help him by “holding an ice pack on it all night.” I say the longer the teeth stay in the better; I do NOT want to think about Oliver growing up yet!

I attended a gorgeous wedding shower at Beauty and Essex this weekend and was so impressed by the venue and the company! There is no greater sight than seeing two people in love, who are truly right for each other, celebrate their decision to marry. And the food was delysscious!

Anyone notice that Hollywood, over the past few years, has been very into bromances? Well, it’s time for the revolutionary momance! I am beyond excited for my book, If You Give a Mom a Martini, to hit the big screen! The script is almost done and it makes it all feel so much more real; it’s already being described as “Big Chill meets Bridesmaids for moms!” Perfection! Moms and movies just go together, and the Times seems to agree. #WomenAreHilarious

Did anyone read the cover story of this week’s NY Magazine? I thought it was an absolutely great article. It affirms that as long as your children are the priority, whatever works, works!

Easter Sunday is almost here and we had so much fun getting in the spirit at the MSKCC Bunny Hop! I couldn’t pull Ollie away from Sammie and Tudie… he already booked them for his 6th birthday party!! Jackson played sports with other older kids and I got a luxurious ring made for me by my fav jeweler Wendy the Pipe Cleaner Lady! It is such a fabulyss event that all attendees look forward to every year and is for such a good cause: supporting the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I love seeing familiar faces year after year with their beautiful children.

I had so much fun with my Syracuse friends at the Max Cure event at FlyWheel!! So many of my college friends came out to support Dave Plotkin and his beautiful cause. He is raising money for pediatric cancer research all over the country in honor of his gorgeous little boy and we are all so proud of him.

I want to end today’s blog by sharing with you the information for two very exciting upcoming events and introducing a company I’m so excited about!!

Don’t miss an exclusive Broadway opportunity!!! Forever Dusty tells the compelling and moving story of Dusty Springfield’s journey from awkward Catholic schoolgirl to rock legend, in a musical filled with some of the ’60s most recognizable pop songs, including “Son of a Preacher Man,” “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” “The Look of Love” and many others.

I am so excited for the most amazing Mother’s Day event in history!! Amazing mompreneurs will be answering ALL your questions and sharing their incredible success stories at the most amazing venue, 21 Club!

I was sent two very special personalized books for my little ones, Oliver and Jackson, when I got back from Jamaica! Birthday Keepsakes, aka B Keepsakes, is a great company that has two amazing new personalized books out for your little ones! My favorite is called Sonny the Stork’s Special Delivery and tells the story of how YOUR child was brought to the hospital. The story is written especially for your child, his name, weight, family members’ names, and more appearing throughout the story! My kids were beaming, and couldn’t believe someone wrote a book JUST for them!

They are offering a DivaDiscount for all DivaMoms members using a special code, so don’t miss out!! Get your incredible story books before the offer expires. These books make fabulyss gifts, as well. I am ordering some for my niece and nephew!

Stay tuned for my Jamaica post, DivaMoms! Hope you’re as excited bout all that DivaLysscious Moms has in store this month!!!

XOXO,

Lyss

PS!!! Check out my campaign for Carolee Jewelry filmed by PowerWomenTv!! XOXO