Interview Chat at Snazl today, preview for ELF Blogher Party

July 2, 2009

While in New York for the 140 Conference recently, I had the chance to hang out with my girls Audrey McClelland, Beth Feldman, and Katja Presnal at the ELF (Eyes Lips Face) offices, play with some makeup, and get interviewed by the lovely creator of a new social communications tool, Ameeda Chowdhury.

Ameeda’s created a virtual living room called a “SnazL”, where folks can interact around content in real time- a sort of www campfire where you can chat, draw, and see what your friends are doing, all in synchronicity.

My interview (part of a series leading up to the ELF Blogher party) goes live at 2 pm EST today at Snazl, as well as whatever other sites have chosen to host it. (Please see Mr. Linky below if you’d like to host!) We’ll be chatting about moms and music, as well as whatever else y’all come up with. Anyone can watch, (no registration needed) but if you’d like to chat and possibly win one of 3 $25 ELF gift cards, sign up at www.snazL.com prior to the chat!

If you’d like to host on your site, please leave your name in the Mr. Linky widget below, and grab the preview code! You’ll be entered to win one of 2 $25 ELF cards.

At 2 pm, the SnazL will automatically go live on your site. (if you’ve posted the code.) At 2:15 in the SnazL chat, we’ll do the host giveaways, followed shortly by chances to win 3 more $25 ELF gift cards. If you’re like me and have a makeup addiction, love good product but don’t love going broke on it, then ELF is for you.

Here’s what you’ll need to know to win during the chat: (all info readily available on this site:)
1. What’s my favorite venue in the world? (hint: it starts with a number)
2. What’s my husband’s band called?
3. Where can you likely find me dropping $3.50 a few times a day?

Recap: To host, grab the “Share” code from the above widget, post it on your site, and add your link below. To only watch, just show up here or at any of the sites listed below- To chat, register at SnazL and show up here, or at any of the below sites at 2 EST!

I hope to “see” you this afternoon, and any help spreading the word via Twitter or Facebook is greatly appreciated! You rock.

While we’re in the SnazL, (and before, if you’re there early!) please jump in and share some of your favorite songs and video by clicking the gray square+ icon “Add Media” button- I always love hearing about new music from you!

Category Posted in Fangirl, Miscellaneous, Rock and Roll Mama 2 Comments »

Great, just what I needed. One more reason to go to Starbucks.

July 1, 2009

: Image via Wikipedia

I’ll tell you something you already know if you’ve ever met me in real life…I’m a Starbucks Addict. As in, It’s one of my kid’s first words, and the baristas know me by name (and I them!) . They’re surprised if I order a different drink, (doppio espresso macchiato with cinnamon, year-round). I should give myself a Starbucks allowance but then I would admit how much I spend- THAT kind of addict.

My Sbux dependence has many benefits, but some problems. For me, the benefits (HUGE, constant caffeine buzz, allowing me to navigate the murky waters of Suburbia- my own Mother’s Little Helper) outweigh the cons- (chunks of cash disappearing every month because I can’t admit how much a thrice a day Starbucks habit costs, having to build in an extra 10 minutes to go ANYWHERE- oh yeah, and the crash.,,)

But one sticky wicket has always been what my kids are allowed to eat there. You see, we have a weird food thing in my house. For the past seven years, we haven’t consumed any artificial dyes (like Red Dye #40, Yellow Dye #5, or Blue Lake) or High Fructose Corn Syrup. Maybe at a birthday party by accident, and believe me, we paid dearly- my kids freak out. The only time they tantrum, hit, bite, kick, or generally act like crazed circus performers with a mean streak is if they’ve had dyes or HFCS.

I have a similar reaction myself, and have been a lot happier since we eliminated them. This isn’t to say that NO ONE should eat them, I’m sure for some people they’re not an issue. But for us, they are. BIG TIME. So when my kids cry for a Toffee Almond Bar, or a Glazed Donut at Starbucks, I re-direct them towards the Madelines, or other things I know are safe for them. So imagine my joy when I read this last night in my inbox (Yeah, I’m on the mailing list- you’re not REALLY surprised.:)

“You’ll be happy to know that your favorite Starbucks foods not only taste better, they are better. We’ve taken out artificial ingredients to leave room for more real goodness.

Our new recipes contain:

No artificial flavors
No artificial trans fats
No artificial dyes
No high-fructose corn syrup

(End Quote)

It’s like the food sensitivity Santa came six months early. I know it’s sad, but it changed my life a little bit. One more place where my kids don’t have to feel weird, or say (with beagle eyes , “I guess we can’t have THAT, right mom?” A place where the choices will be a little bit simpler, and the friction reduced. If the proclomation goes for the Frappucinos as well, my joy will be complete.

These dyes have already been banned in the European Union. American manufacturers make dye-free versions of their products that for that market- but not here.

So American Companies, listen up: the more of you that send me emails like that one? The more of my money you’ll be getting. Otherwise, we’ll be chilling at Whole Foods (which sells NO dye or HFCS products), Trader Joe’s (which has some dyes, but far less than a “normal” grocery store) or buying organic store brands. Oh yeah, and stopping at Starbucks on the way.