On May 22, 2010, yours truly will be co-hosting (along with some amazing NYC and Philly-based bloggers) The Official Kick-Off “Hebrew National’s Better-Than-A-Picnic” Picnic at Randall’s Island. It’s a fun-filled, free event (You MUST RSVP) where you and your whole family will have a fantastic time.

There will be free food (delicious Hebrew National hot dogs, of course!), drinks, activities for all, games, music and we’ll also be helping out a local charity (details to come).  Bring your chairs, blankets, sunscreen or whatever you like to the picnic.  If you’re a vegetarian, you’re more than welcome to bring your own food for your own family.

So, how does that sound?

If this something you would like to do, please send me an RSVP email to Lisa [at] NewYorkChica [dot] com with “Hebrew National” at the “Re” area, your name, phone number (just in case) and the # of people who are attending.

Please note: Although this event is a free-for-all, in order for Hebrew National to feed everyone, it would be nice to get a head count so that no one is without food and/or drinks! So please make sure you RSVP!

The event will start at 11:30 am and go on until 3:30 pm.  It will be held at Central Fields by Scylla Park.

(Click on the photo to enlarge to see exact location at Randall's Island)

Please check out and visit the list of amazing bloggers I will be co-hosting the event with:

Isabel, Alpha Mom http://alphamom.com

Jen, Next Kid Thing http://nextkidthing.com/

Suzanne , Mom Confessionals http://momconfessionals.com/

Amy O., Selfish Mom http://selfishmom.com/

Anna, Mommy Poppins http://www.mommypoppins.com

Carol, NY City Mama http://nycitymama.com/

Amy P., Long Island Parent Source http://www.liparentsource.com/

Kimberly, Mom in the City http://mominthecity.com/

Kelsey, Naptime Chef http://www.thenaptimechef.com/

Jo-Lynne, Musings of a Housewife http://www.musingsofahousewife.com/

Whitney, Mommies with Style http://www.mommieswithstyle.com/

Melissa, GirlyMama http://www.girlymama.typepad.com/

Emily, TheMotherhood.com http://www.themotherhood.com

If you are not in the NYC area and therefore cannot attend, don’t worry; Hebrew National will be at 8 other cities!  Each picnic with have their own unique theme and flavor so you won’t be missing out on any of the festivities.

May 31, 2010 – Boston

June 5, 2010 – Pittsburgh

June 11, 2010 – Raleigh

June 13, 2010 – Charlotte

June 19, 2010 – Atlanta

June 26, 2010 – Tampa

June 27, 2010 – Orlando

July 3, 2010 – Cleveland

If you would like to attend any of these events, please email cooper [at] themotherhood [dot] com for details.

For more information, you can visit TheMotherhood to get all the updates about the picnic.

For all you Facebookers out there, check out Hebrew National and “Like” their page. You can also check out photos from previous picnics and get updates on all the picnics from all 9 cities!

You can also follow the picnic on Twitter with the hashtag #Hebrewnational.

Directions to Randall’s Island: Click HERE to get directions from your area (any of the five boroughs) to Randall’s Island by entering your address. If you are arriving by car, click HERE to enter your address to get directions from Google.

Don’t forget to RSVP! See you there!!!

Disclosure: I am a sponsored co-host for this event.

Where can you get in a chocolate coma and drink unlimited, delicious Gallo wine?

Can’t think of anywhere, huh? Me neither!

I was so thankful and excited to be invited to an afternoon of indulgent moments hosted by DOVE and iVillage last month.  I wrote about the event a few days before the festivities and was happy a few of the people that commented enjoyed their time there as well.

Once I got to Chelsea market, I found a few friends (Ofelia, Tracey & Issa) that were there already.  It was my first time in Chelsea market so I was amazed but since I had my 5 year old with me and a goodie bag from another event, I didn’t remember to take any pictures.

When we got inside, I saw many people lounging on comfortable sofas, drinking wine, eating chocolate, laughing, talking and just having a good ol’ time.

The first thing I noticed was the hand massage station.

(photo credit: Facebook.com/dovechocolate)

I immediately decided to get that done first.  After the lovely massage, I went downstairs to try some of the chocolates and taste some fine wine.

(photo credit: Facebook.com/dovechocolate)

They had different types of wine. From Merlot to Pinot Grigio and a few others.  The wine I tasted was the Merlot. It tasted wonderfully with the dark chocolate.  Dove really knows how to pair wine with the different types of chocolate.  I had no idea that it was something people did. You see, I’m not a wine drinker. I’m more of a water/soda person.  I don’t drink alcohol so this event was a special treat for me.

They also had a beauty station where they were giving women free mini-makeovers. I didn’t take advantage of that because my daughter was getting tired.

After a taste of great wine, I went over to try out the Dove hot chocolate that was right by the wine.  I was in heaven.  It tasted so rich and creamy; kind of like melted chocolate pudding but with a much better flavor.  After I drank the hot choclate, I mingled a little bit, took some pictures with my friends and left with a cute goodie bag with Dove chocolates inside (of course!).

Ofelia, me, Tracey, Issa and my daughter. (Note to self: Must buy a new camera!)

All and all, it was a fabulous and relaxing time.  Thanks Dove, Gallo Wines and iVillage for a great time!

Full Disclosure: I was invited by iVillage to cover this event. No monetary compensation was given and all opinions are mine.

I just received an email about a great event that is happening this weekend on March 20, 2010.  The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will be offering free entry to everyone all day this Saturday from 10am to 5pm.  It’s an all day event to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

The museum is located at 212 W. 83rd. St. by the 1 and 9 train.  For those of you who have strollers (for the little ones), please keep in mind there will be limited space so come early or let your kids roam around and leave the strollers at home .

They will have different activities for everyone such as Yoga for kids presented by Olay, Pampers will be sponsoring a Kid’s Zone, Story Circle from 12-12:30pm, Baby Loves Salsa from 1-2pm and lots more!

For more information, visit www.cmom.org.

Yesterday, iVillage sent me an invitation to spend an afternoon of indulgent moments.  It’s a Dove Chocolates and Wine Tasting event that will be held at Chelsea Market on March 9th.  The invite was not only for me but also for any of my readers that would like to attend as well!

Yes, that means YOU!

You’ll get to eat decadent Dove chocolates, drink some fine Gallo Wine, receive beauty and relaxation treatments, freebies and lots more.

Are you in?  I hope so because I am!

Here’s the information:

RSVP to Indulgentmoments@nbcuni.com with iVILLAGE GUEST in the subject line.

I hope to see you there!! Tell them Lisa @ New York Chica sent you!

Disclosure: We were given two tickets to see Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up by Madison Square Garden. No other compensation was given.

Thanks to Madison Square Garden, my daughter and I were able to meet and greet Cookie Monster and Elmo along with other bloggers before their first show last Thursday. My four year old was ecstatic that she was going to see her favorite characters (Elmo & Cookie Monster) on stage.   This was a huge surprise for her because she didn’t know anything until we were in The Garden.  What a day!

Meet & Greet before the show. Thanks MSG!

Baby V was a tad upset because she wasn't "close enough" but she was happy. Trust me. . lol

In the beginning of December, I was invited to an event with Julie Mulligan, Jim McCann, the CEO and Founder of 1-800-Flowers.com and several people from the 1-800-Flowers.com team.  The event was meant to teach a few bloggers how to create a holiday flower tree centerpiece using different types of flowers and decorations. 

Instructions on how to begin to decorate the tree.

I’ve always been a 1-800-Flowers.com fan ever since I can remember.  I’ve sent my mother, a few aunts and my grandmother bouquets for Mother’s Day almost every year and I’ve never got a complaint from any of them.  1-800-Flowers.com really takes the time in treating every flower and every customer with the greatest care and respect.

The workshop was a lot of fun and very informative.  I learned a lot.  My four year daughter even joined us in decorating a few centerpieces.  The best part of the event was the intimacy of the workshop.  I got to know Julie personally as we talked about her childhood with her brother Jim. We shared stories and had a great time talking.  She even taught me how to make ornaments out of pictures that you can scan on your computer (so you don’t destroy the orignal photo).  It was also a pleasure to finally meet Tracy & Vilma from Ascending Butterfly and meet up with some “old” friends and fellow bloggers, Nikki and Katja.

Click HERE for no shipping/no service fees for all their Valentines Day specials.

The Giveaway Read the rest of this entry →

Now that I’ve got your attention, Juicebox Jungle is trying out a”Deal of the Day”. They are giving you a chance to buy a spa treatment that would normally cost $105 for just $50 bucks!

How awesome is that?

The Manhattan based offer is $50 for $105 French Lavender Manicure AND Pedicure at Great Jones Spa – That is a discount of 52% off.  This treatment includes manicure – pedicure with Organic Sugar Scrub. It’s made with 70% certified organic ingredients and French Lavender essential oil.  The organic sugar-crystals that are used is certified and it’s used to loosen and lift dead cells while detoxifying the skin and drawing moisture from the environment to keep skin naturally hydrated. French Lavender deeply soothes and restores dry skin.  Skin is left soft, renewed and glowing. No synthetic dyes, PEG-free, biodegradable, and paraben free (this is not a French manicure).

You can also use their lovely facilities, famous Water Lounge, hot tub, relaxation room, etc for up to TWO hours.

If you’re interested in buying a spa treatment for 52% off, click on the link: http://www.juiceboxjungle.com/deals?ref=NYspa.

For more information on the Spa and other wonderful treatments, click HERE.

Woo hoo! I am blogging live from inside the studios of the Martha Stewart Show.  There are so many bloggers here from all over the country, it’s crazy!

So tune in to channel 4 (NBC) to see all of us!! More to come!!