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Mariah Las Vegas Concert Review

Have you ever been to a concert and there was that ONE ANNOYING PERSON?

You know, the one that stood up the ENTIRE concert, was dancing around with strangers, singing all the words out loud, and had his/her hands up clapping and waving the whole time so you could never get a good photo op?

Well, if you were at The Palms September 12, 2009 to see Mariah Carey, I feel compelled to apologize. That person was ME!!!!!!!!

Mariah is a goddess. A legend. A musical trailblazer.

You’re probably wondering what this has to do with motherhood (since this is a mom blog, right?). Absolutely nothing, but I LOVE MARIAH, and it’s my blog, so you will benefit greatly from my vast adoration and love for the greatest female singer of all time. Read on…

I took Morris with me to the concert. Since he is my son, he has no choice but to love Mariah, I mean, he was genetically implanted with the same great musical taste as me.

She was nothing short of FABULOUS!!!!! Her voice sounded better than ever. She hit all the high notes, runs, adlibs, and everything else in between. There are very few female artists that can touch her vocal range and strength (if any).

The Pearl is an intimate venue inside The Palms hotel in Las Vegas. We had great seats on the floor about 8 rows back and directly in the center. In fact, my seats were sooooo good, her hubbie, Nick Canon was standing behind me and Mo for the entire show. He was also a good sport when we got his attention to show off Mo’s shirt. He actually read it and busted out laughing then gave Mo the “thumbs up”. Thanks Nick!

My favorite thing about the show is that Mariah is a singer, and that’s what she did. Although she gracefully cascaded down on a trapeze, that was the extent of the fancy stuff. There were no fireworks, big dance numbers, extensive costumes/props, or high tech theatrics. It wasn’t necessary. Just good ole singing, because let’s face it, she can sing.

I would see her a zillion times if I could. There is no other talent in the music industry with her charm, talent, and appreciation for her fans. I’m glad I could share it with my 5 year old son. 

And for the record, it was a good thing that I was that annoying concert goer standing up the whole time. Otherwise, where would Morris have slept? Poor kid, just couldn’t hang. Or maybe he was just hiding from the embarrassment caused by his crazy mama. What can I say, I love Mimi!!!!!

Oh, and Mariah, please don’t be mad at me for sneaking in my Sony Cybershot. It was all for the sake of the blog, and I made sure to get all your best angles! I got you, Mimi.


This is why I had to stand the whole show. It wasn’t my fault.

Booty shot

Here’s proof Nick was behind us. He’s the one in the pink tie.


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Big Sugar Mama

When I was a little girl I LOVED going to the dentist.

But, it wasn’t just for the “happy gas” I got every time I got a filling.

Nope, after every dentist visit, I got to go the the bakery next door, Willie’s German Bakery.

As a parent, I have somewhat mastered the art of “creative negotiation” with the the kids. So, I can appreciate my parent’s efforts of rewarding me with a trip to the bakery after enduring the dentist.

Although now, I’m wondering about the possible correlation of my having a cavity upon EVERY dental visit and my frequenting the bakery next door.

So, when I found Big Sugar Bakeshop, a great bakery in my neighborhood, it brought back so many of those joyous memories.

I take Morris and Bronson there far too often, but it’s usually more for my own culinary pleasure.

I’m a cupcake fiend, so I am head over heels for the Hummingbird cupcake. It’s an old Southern classic with bananas, nuts, pineapple, and cream cheese icing. YUM. The double coconut is dripping with moist sweet coconut, and the Boston Cream Pie has just the right amount of everything.

Another guilty pleasure are their bars. Pecan pie, lemon, and 7 layers are all regulars in my stomach. Morris loves their cookies. They always taste fresh out of the oven, and the ice cream cone shaped sugar cookies are almost too cute to eat. ALMOST!

The Big Sugar fun doesn’t stop at their excellent sweets. Their prices are soooooo reasonable. I never feel guilty for eating or spending money there.

BUT, here’s the kicker: The main factor that brings me back again and again and again and again is their SERVICE!!!!! Yes, they have great customer service.

They are always happy to see me, even with Morris and Bronson in tow about to tear the door off the hinges with my over sized B.O.B stroller. They greet me and the boys with a smile each time and never get an attitude as we curiously (and slowly) look over every dessert on display as if we have never been in there. They treat me the same when I’m wearing my sweats as they do when I’m wearing my Chanel. And that says a lot for an eatery in Los Angeles.

If you’re ever in my hood, stop by Big Sugar. Your tummy and dentist will thank you.

Oh, P.S- They always have free samples. I know you guys are like me, and I would have had you hooked at free samples!!!!!!


 

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Boom Boom Pow (Remix)

Is there a kid on Earth that doesn’t love the song “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas? 

That song is like musical crack to kids.

Of course, Morris LOVES it and even little Bronson gets in on the action when he hears it. 

Here’s Morris’s version. And if you know me, you will definitely see a lot of my personality in my sweet Mo. :-)

 

***DISCLAIMER**

Please excuse the messy playroom. Who has time to clean up?

 

 

And check out me and Morris goofing off. His rendition of “Teen Titans”. I love my silly clone!!!!

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Morris Is Cool

Sometimes I just sit back and watch my boys. I try and calculate their next move. But, especially Morris because he is such a wild child.

Like, could I really guess he was gonna climb to the top of the granite fountain and jump down just before all 8 feet of the cascading waterfall came crashing on the pavement?

But, in watching Morris, I have made a few conclusions.

He’s a pretty cool  kid. Very laid back.

He even matches his tattoos with his gear. Usually superhero of some sort.

He also has a really silly and sweet side.

I wonder where he gets these wonderful traits…


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Repeat

I love listening to music. 

It gets me through the day, passes the time, puts me in a good mood.

Lately I’ve noticed I do this really annoying thing when I like a song. I put it on repeat and play it over and over all day.

I play it so much that in a week I’m so sick of it I can’t stand to hear 10 bars of the song.

So, here’s my latest guilty pleasure: “My Love” by Mariah Carey and The Dream.

And of course it’s been playing the whole time I’ve been typing!!!!!!

Favorite line from the song: “you’re on my back like a shirt, get off me baby”.

I was gonna embed a copy of the video for you, but Mariah’s camp has youtube on lock. There are no bootleg copies of her videos floating around. Only the one put out by her label.

Gotta love Mimi….

Oh well, mommy’s song is playing…

 

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Get This Bra!

 

Shopping is fun. Shopping and spending money for a great cause is even better.

Frederick’s is offering a great deal on one of my favorite bras.

From now-October 31st, Frederick’s is offering their best-selling bra in a Limited Edition Pink Ribbon style. 20% of the sales will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. 

The Hollywood Exxtreme cleavage bras is an amazing bra. Here’s why you need to get it:

1. It pushes the girls up and in for amazing cleavage.

2. It’s not that expenseive ($24.50 each if you buy 2 bras in this collection).

3. Part of the proceeds benefit a good cause.

4. Morris will co-sign the appeal of this beauty.

For the record, he did this all on his own.

Work it Naomi!

He’s gonna kill me when he gets older.

 


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Pay to Play

I bought tickets to a concert (MARIAH!) the other day.

I was thrilled that I could print them on my computer and have them in my hand within 5 minutes.

I was not happy that I had to pay $2.50 to do this. It makes no sense. I’m doing the work. Why do I have to pay someone else when I’m using my electricity, time, and printer ink?

Maybe that’s petty, but it’s just the principle.

It made me think about mommy and me class. Something else that I think produces a great end result, but question the process.

Don’t get me wrong, when Morris was 5 months old I was the first mom banging down The Gymboree door for entry. I didn’t want his Ivy League dreams crushed because I hesitated in his infant years.

It was a good experience and something I definitely recommend for first time parents. I really benefited from the bonding with Morris, and it was great to be around other first time parents for the socialization. The discussions helped to ease a lot of my first time parenting concerns.

Now, the second child is a whole nother avenue.

5 months came for Bronson and i sat him in his Boppy pillow in the playroom with Morris. There’s your bonding and stimulation, kid, enjoy.

I logged on facebook daily and chatted with friends-hello socialization.

Didn’t really have many parenting concerns this go round. I’m an old pro now.

But, around 10 months, the guilt started kicking in. Morris had been to 3 different mommy and me classes by this age, and poor Bronson had barely seen the world outside of his house and whatever his brother was doing.

I caved.

I took him to a local class and HATED IT.

Why was I such a scrooge? I was annoyed by all predictable questions of the parents, the silly songs gave me a headache, the “nutritional snack” was the same stuff I gave at home, and I was the one doing all the work during free play.

I can do all this (and more) from the comfort of my home for FREE!

So, I have chilled out on the mommy and me experience. Bronson gets all his daily experience organically and I am a much happier mom.

I am happily blowing bubbles and singing “Twinkle Twinkle” in mi casa for FREE!

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My Milkshake

 

I must really love you guys.

I went deep into the trenches for ya’ll.

Got Milk? hosted a great event at bld, a great hip LA restaurant.

I was forced into sampling over 10 different milkshakes and an onslaught of homemade pastries.

The theme was “What a Milkshake Says About Your Personality.”

This was up Mo’s alley, so I figured I’d earn some cool points and take him.

I had more fun than he did.

He ended up playing with a slinky the whole time.

What on Earth was my kid doing???!!!

So much for my trusty assistant.

It was my mission to try all the milkshake flavors so I could report accurately to you guys.

The result of my milkshake/personality test:

Salted Caramel: For a person who is sassy and sweet.

Really? ME, sassy? Obviously, sweet, but sassy? NEVER!

Ironically, this is the absolute last one I tasted. I avoided it because I hate salt and thought it would be gross. It wasn’t. It was much better than gross. It was great.

I want one now.


 

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Pass the Torch

The torch has officially been passed…there is a positive side to hand-me-downs.

 




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Trader Joe’s Pear Sauce

It is very rare that I come across something edible that can be enjoyed by me, Bronson, AND Mo.

But recently I found something that can be eaten with pleasure by baby, preschooler, mom, and grandma.

Trader Joe’s Pear Sauce.

It has only 6 ingredients: Bartlett pears, water, pear juice concentrate, lime juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, natural flavor. I’m not a label nut (who has time to read that crap?) but it makes me feel somewhat like a responsible mom when I’m giving the kids (and myself) something with a little nutritional substance.

The best thing about this stuff is the the texture. You know how applesauce is so mushy and slimy? The pear sauce has texture and tiny bits of pear, so there is no confusion as to if you’re drinking it or eating it.

When I worked in a nursing home, I would get so grossed out whenever I saw applesauce. The patients ate it like they were drinking soup. It was so watery and gross. I developed an aversion to it. 

My only complaint about the pear sauce is that there are only 4 containers per pack. Seriously, this stuff is so good, I ate 2 cups without even blinking, and even dipped into the cup the boys were sharing. Me and Mo were were fighting over the last cup. Poor little Bronson didn’t even stand a chance. We just ignored his grunts and grimes for more like he were asking for a diaper change.

Yes, Trader Joe’s pear sauce is definitely a winner. Go get it before I beat you to it.

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