Head to the Montgomery Mall location of Madewell (one of my favorite stores for casual chic clothes that last forever) for an evening of shopping tomorrow, May 10. Not only will there be drinks and nibbles, you can also receive assistance from a professional stylist (just like the celebs).

Bring in an item of your clothing that stumps you and experts from DC Style Factory will show you how to wear it using touch with Madewell clothing and accessories. Because space is limited for this free service, please RSVP to dcstylefactory@gmail.com with “Shop Your Closet–Madewell” in subject line. Include your name and the piece of clothing you’d like styled. (The style counsel is free, any shopping you do is on you.)

Hope everyone has a great night out and happy spring shopping!

Madewell at Montgomery Mall
7101 Democracy Blvd
Space # 2036
Bethesda, MD 20817

About Madewell — Everything at Madewell starts with a great pair of jeans. Next, mix in all the timelessly cool pieces you’ll want to wear with your denim: from perfect-fitting tees to old-school chambray shirts to cardigans, scarves, boots and bags. We’ve also got you covered with covet-worthy dresses, artfully designed jewelry and swimwear. If you had to sum up Madewell as a person, she’d be your best friend and personal stylist, all rolled into one.

About DC Style Factory — DC Style Factory is the place to unleash your individual style with professional know-how and expert advice on clothes, style, and fashion for men and women. As the former owner of and buyer for an award-winning contemporary boutique for men and women, Rosana Hemakom Vollmerhausen has had over a decade of fashion retail experience. Her expertise also includes styling local fashion events, writing expert fashion tips for several publications, and personal styling for individuals. Learn more.

Listen to Your Mother makes its Washington, DC debut on May 6, 2012 from 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Listen to Your Mother DC is live readings by local writers on the beauty, the beast and the barely-rested life of mothers. In celebration of Mothers Day, 14 women will read their personal stories about the humor and the heartbreak that go hand in hand with motherhood.

This production is dear to my heart, not only because it features so many of close personal friends, but a portion of proceeds from theticket sales will benefit our beloved late friend Susan Niebur‘s personally-designated charity, the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Produced by Kate Coveny Hood and directed by Stephanie Stearns Dulli, the cast includes hilarious and poignant pieces by DC’s most accomplished writing mothers:

Chrissy Boylan
Sarah Braesch
Nicole Crowley
Anna Whiston-Donaldson
Stephanie Stearns Dulli
Lindsay Felix
Lis Fogt
Devra Gordon
Cindy Green
Kate Coveny Hood
Monica Sakala
Elena Sonnino
Sue Wagner
Jean Winegardner

May 6, 2012

2-3:30 PM

The Synetic Theater at Crysal City

1800 South Bell Street

Arlington, VA 22202

(click here for driving directions)

Tickets are $18 and available for purchase online.

Children welcome, but please be advised that a small amount of subject matter or language may be unsuitable for all ages. Please email us listentoyourmotherdc@gmail.com with questions or concerns.

FYI, GNO = Girls’ Night Out, no “y”. Although as my friend K. has remarked, often an annual women’s exam can be relaxing as it a guaranteed hour or so without children.

Except for those times when we do have to take the kids to our pap smears and pregnancy check-ups with the kids in tow. (“Sweetie, stay behind the screen, ‘k? Look at your Leapster. No really, look at your Leapster, now!!”)

Sorry. Digression.

This women’s night out event at St. Raphael’s school in Rockville is a good time. It is free, for all women in the area and has been providing a fabulous annual night off for local moms for the last five years.  On Wednesday night, grab your keys, grab your girls, and get out of the house for drinks, luxe prizes and Mother’s Day shopping.

April 16th at 7:00 PM • BARNES & NOBLE • 4801 Bethesda Avenue • Bethesda, MD

April 18th at 7:30 PM Scary Mommy Night Out!• JCC OF WASHINGTON • 6125 Montrose Road • Rockville, MD • Register for the event

 You really need your own personally autographed and enscribed copy of this scary good read. Pick up one at the readings,  or win one of two copies on my new non-local blog A Parent in America!

And don’t forget to enter to win a laptop computer before the giveaway on A Parent in America closes this week!

The book contains short essays of motherhood full of humor and reality by my friend Jill Smokler of the insanely popular blog Scary Mommy. Whether she is admitting that she wants to “kick your ass hard” in the birthday party wars or considers the community pool “hell on earth”, Jill is a mom to whom all of us can relate and adore. She is hilarious and refreshingly honest about what really is going through mothers’ heads and lives while parenting young children.

But as they said on Reading Rainbow, “you don’t have to take my word for it”:

“Get ready to ditch those Prada shoes (and anything else nice you own) and face reality–you haven’t had a brutal boss until you’ve had a baby. Confessions of a Scary Mommyis hilariously, outrageously truthful about the hardest job I know. Put this book at the top of your diaper bag!” —Lauren Weisberger, New York Times bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada

“Hilarious, brutal honesty about parenting.” — New York Times bestselling author Michael Ian Black

“Any mother who doesn’t stifle a million knowing laughs while reading Confessions of a Scary Mommy needs to make sure her funny bone wasn’t accidentally sucked into the diaper genie.” —Julie Klam, New York Times bestselling author of You Had Me at Woof

The book’s chapters all begin with the most outrageous anonymous confessions from the confessional and message boards populated by Scary Mommy’s followers: real parents like us.

Get more Scary Mommy daily at Jill Smokler’s award-winning blog, Scary Mommy.

Win a copy of Confessions of a Scary Mommy: An Honest and Irreverent Look at Motherhood: The Good, The Bad, and the Scary on A Parent in America.

Buy the book – hard copy or Kindle.

And I’ll see you at the Scary Mommy book signing events!

Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links are used.

You can sign up for both days Friday April 13 – Saturday April 14, 2012, with overnight stay or a daytime-only options, or choose a single day option on either Friday or Saturday.

The event will be at the luxurious Landsdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia — right in our “backyard” and close to home, but with a getaway feeling of miles away from the chaos. If you choose the overnight two-day option you will also receive a 15 percent discount to all services at Landsdowne’s award-winning Spa Minerale on Friday, April 13, 2012.

Saturday and full conference attendees will also enjoy a morning yoga and self care workshop with Kelly Newsome of Higher Ground Yoga, and other speakers include Aviva Goldfarb of The Six O’Clock Scramble, author Devra Gordon Renner of Mommy Guilt: Learn to Worry Less, Focus on What Matters Most, & Raise Happier Kids,  Stacy Morrison Editor-In-Chief, BlogHer.com, Kacy Paide of The Inspired Office, Dr. Nicole Cutts, Cutts Consulting & Vision Quest Retreats and more.

This event is brought to us by my fantabulous friend and event planner extraoridaire Stacey Ferguson. You probably know Stacy as “Justice Fergie” who blogs at  Life IS the Party and is curator of the Be Blogalicious conferences and community. Stacey’s {re}Treat philosophy is to infuse our daily lives with memory-worthy experiences.

A Parent in Silver Spring readers receive 10 percent off all three {re}Treat registration options! Enter discount code APISS when making your purchase.

Getaway: $550.00 (includes 1-night deluxe guest room accommodations, 2 days of sanity-saving sessions, lunch on Friday and Saturday, breakfast on Saturday, wine soiree and book signing, 15% discount on services at Spa Minerale on Friday, and gift bag)

2-Day Daytime-Only: $299.00 (includes 2 days of sanity-saving sessions, lunch on Friday and Saturday, breakfast on Saturday, and gift bag)

1-Day Daytime-Only: $175.00 (includes 1 day of your choice of sanity-saving sessions, lunch on that day, breakfast, if applicable, and gift bag)

Enjoy!

No compensation of any kind was received for promoting this event.

tART at Strathmore on Thursday October 27

A night of “Art with zing, music with spark and tangy treats. “

Beginning at 6:30 p.m in the Music Center at Strathmore, this fall arts fundraiser celebrates the power of the small, but sassy—the adventurous, the new, the offbeat and cheeky. Guests will be immersed in art as it’s being made and will incite real-time music creations by Strathmore’s Artists in Residence and local artists.

Electronica musician Yoko K. will create the soundtrack of the evening, looping guest soundbites into a continually evolving, organic music score. A large scale, site-specific installation will take shape at the hands of Wilmer Wilson IV as guests mingle. Additionally the live music performances will be top-notch: a mashup of live music from blues rock outfit The Daryl Davis Band, Gypsy jazz queen Mary Alouette and R&B crooner Jay Hayden.

Here’s one of my favorite features of the night: Stephanie Potter Corwin will capture the energy of the evening with guest glamour shots in her photo booth, projected live onto large screens throughout the party and e-mailed to revelers as mementos.

The food and drinks menu is really incredible. Dinner, hors d’oeuvres and open bar drinks are completely included in the reasonable ticket price. In case you are as food and beverage obsessed as I am, here is the run-down of the menu and signature cocktails.

The passed special cocktail will be a St. Germain, made with champagne and St. Germain liqueur, “the first liqueur in the world created in the artisanal French manner from freshly handpicked elderflower blossoms.”

Dinner will include

• mini foie gras-stuffed hamburgers with charred tomato catsup
• seared salmon with mushroom risotto
• stuffed chicken breast with red pepper and goat cheese
• pumpkin ravioli in a sage cream sauce topped with shaved parmesan
• roasted tomato, baby artichoke and gorgonzola cheese tart with gourmet greens and light vinaigrette
• braised short ribs with Yukon gold mashed potatoes

I don’t know about you, but I personally will not eat that well probably the rest of the year…and that is counting Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I will still have to find room to save for the dessert of chocolate ganache tartlettes, lemon tarts, passion fruit cupcakes with caramel buttercream and mini whoopie pies.

There will also be a fun martini raffle: you throw in $25 for a signature tART Appletini plus a costume piece of jewelry you wear all night and keep, and then you are entered for a chance to win the real thing — an oxidized silver diamond and pearl macramé bracelet valued at $750 from contemporary jeweler Amethyst..

You can also score some great deals on indulgent delights during the live and silent auctions, with Rolex watches, spa treatments, getaways to New York, chic shopping and more.

DISCOUNT – Just $75 for dinner, drinks, entertainment and a sparkling night to remember

Tickets for tART are $100 for most people, but special A Parent in Silver Spring readers can score all of the evening’s amazing delights for a discounted $75! 

And this is a night out you can feel GREAT about, as all the proceeds support Strathmore’s cultivation of young and future artists, from the 20,000 second and fifth graders who are introduced to orchestral music each year during the Strathmore Student Concerts to the rising stars of the Strathmore Artists in Residence program.

Here are the 3 Easy Steps to get your special ticket price of $75:

1.    Go to Strathmore’s website and register here, making sure to punch in Source Code 2193

2.    Then go to the tART event page on the calendar

3.    Tickets will be available to you at the special discounted rate of just $75.

4.    Add tickets to your cart and check out!

 

GIVEAWAYS

Giveaway #1:

I so believe this is the BEST Moms’ Night Out event of the year that I personally purchased two tickets and would love to give one away to YOU!

Leave a comment below if you would like my extra ticket for yourself.

Organize a GNO (girls’ night out, BTW) and if you win, share your winning ticket with a friend.

Giveaway #2:

If you attend tART, find me at the event and I will personally purchase you a $25 signature tART Appletini and entry in the martini raffle!

Yup, even if your entire moms’ group attends, I’ll hook you all up with your snazzy bracelet and drink combo, as well as a chance to win the $750 grand prize bracelet.

So send this post and link to your friends, tell your dudes to watch the kids or call your sitter, and join me for a fabulous (and very reasonable!) night out.

Disclosure: Strathmore is an advertising partner of A Parent in Silver Spring. However, I purchased the event tickets myself at full price and have offered my services as a member of the event host committee. Strathmore is a performing arts non-profit which I wholly support.

That is why this month’s Baby Bash and Bling Expo & Show on Saturday October 22nd is a must-attend event for those of you rocking a baby bump, decorating a nursery or dreaming of your blessed arrival.

The Baby Bash and Bling Expo & Show is an interactive lifestyle expo celebrating all things for expectant moms. This first-class event will help you discover new and interesting parenting tools, essential health and safety products, pregnancy and baby fashion trends, nutrition tips, and baby furnishings. There will also be an incredible “Bump the Runway” maternity fashion show, showcasing the latest in styles to showcase your belly bump and maintain your pre-pregnancy style.

And the organizers know moms-to-be well: there will be loads of great food and even “Bumptini” mocktails. There will be delicious hors d’ oeuvres, “Pregginista Punch,” a “Pickles & Ice Cream” station and a healthy snack bar.

Oh, and you will also receive your official first baby presents, for attendees receive a deluxe swag bag chock full of fabulous maternity and baby goodies.

What a fabulous way to spend a day, it is like a big group baby shower! If you have a baby on the way, you cannot miss this.

When: Saturday, October, 22, 2011 from 1p.m. to 4p.m. 

Where: The Crowne Plaza Hotel, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Tickets are available now at special early bird prices of$45 for one or $75 for two.  And for just ten dollars more, you can “bump” your ticket up to a VIP ticket at $55 and you will receive a luxe swag bag and access to the VIP lounge where you will receive a mini-makeover, hand massage and an express manicure. Nice!

To purchase tickets online visit http://babybashandblingtickets.eventbrite.com.

For more information on this great event, visit www.babybashandbling.com

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, all opinions expressed are my own. 

You’ll be there on opening night!

UPDATE: Megan H. and Judi R. are the randomly-drawn winners!

The show is suitable for ages 10 and up. I think it will be an awesome (and if you’re lucky – FREE) girls’ night out, special big kid and parent outing or a date night.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that Blue Man Group’s show is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous experience that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state.

With no spoken language, Blue Man Group is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. Blue Man Group is coming to DC and playing at The Warner Theatre March 23-April 3. This unique theatrical experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else, guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget!

Tickets are available by phone at 800-551-7328 or online at ticketmaster.com

MARCH 23 – APRIL 3, 2011

Dates and Times

Wed, March 23 at 7:30pm
Thurs, March 24 at 8:00pm
Fri, March 25 at 8:00pm
Sat, March 26 at 1:00pm, 5:00pm, & 9:00pm
Sun, March 27 at 1:00pm & 5:00pm
Wed, March 30 at 7:30pm
Thurs, March 31 at 8:00pm
Fri, April 1 at 8:00pm
Sat, April 2 at 1:00pm, 5:00pm, & 9:00pm
Sun, April 3 at 1:00pm & 5:00pm

Ticket Prices
Gold Circle: $92.00
Orchestra: $82.00
Mid-Balcony and Upper Balcony : $72.00
Last 4 Rows: $32.00

TO WIN THIS GIVEAWAY:

TWO lucky readers will each win two tickets that must be used for the Wednesday March 23rd show. Bring ID, because your name will be awaiting at the Will Call window. The tickets are non-transferable.

You can get your name tossed in the virtual hat by

• Leaving a comment on this post – either leave your email address or login via Facebook so I can contact you if you win. If you don’t want to leave your straight-up email addy and for fear of being spammed by the bots (sounds like a science fiction movie, I know), do some fancy typing like Hottie [dot] McPhee [at] gmail and I’ll totally get it.
• Share this link on Facebook or Twitter for additional entries. Leave a comment here if you FBed or Tweeted, and friend me and follow me so I can see your lovely sharing and follow your feeds too.

I will randomly draw the two winners on MONDAY night at 9pm. Winners will be contacted directly and then posted here as well.

Good luck!

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