Barely Domestic Mama


Archive for September, 2009

Just when you think Oprah could not be surprised…

How cool would it be to be a part of a 21,000 member flash-mob dancing?! On Thursday, September 10, the audience of Oprah’s Kickoff show became the biggest flash-mob dancing since Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It’s kinda cool because you can see Oprah come out from the side when The Black-Eyed Peas start, but then no one is dancing except the one lone girl, so Oprah seems to slink back to the corner until the some more people in the crowd start to dance. Oprah looked genuinely shocked to see the crowd dancing in sync.

Watch the making behind the flash mob (tip: pause the video as soon as it starts let it upload completely then press play to minimize the break up) The Making of Oprah’s Flash Mob Video

I’ll admit it. I cried watching the video this morning…whatever, I am a big baby, but it was one of the coolest things I’d seen.

Jsiggytransp Just when you think Oprah could not be surprised...


MDMB’s GNO in Baltimore

Have I mentioned that I am a part of the Maryland Mom Bloggers (MDMB)? It is all still pretty new and downright awesome. There are these fabulous bloggers that got together to form a group not only forming our own blogging community, but putting in face time with those bloggers. It is amazing to meet these bloggers in real life. I don’t feel worthy of scraping the gum off of these group of bloggers’ feet but I am so honored that I was able to be a part of the first MDMB Girls Night Out (GNO) in Baltimore.

I must admit I tried on at least 6-7 outfits…yes…I am pretty sure women dress to impress other women. I didn’t want to look like the bum of the group resorting to showing up in baggy jeans and a too tight top which in most cases is what I might attempt to wear to sort of dress up. Unfortunately for me and my misshapen body (thanks to Little Monkey trying to create his own planet in my womb) I no longer fit in my fashionable pre-pregnancy clothes, so most of those clothing items went to my local Goodwill once I gave up the dream of ever fitting them again and looking hot in them. Fitting in them I could somewhat do…looking hot in them is a whole other story. The last outfit I tried on was not complete until I added my camisole top shapewear to hide the lumpies around my mid-section. Always a confidence booster to know you need support sucking it in. I’ve got an excuse though I had a c-section and a 9lb. 11oz. baby…what’s yours?

For our first MDMB GNO we met up at La Tasca in Baltimore. We ate outdoors which for those of you who have had the experience of wearing one of those shapewear camisoles you know that it can get EXTREMELY hot wearing it on a reasonably warm night…such is a little misfortune for such a grand night. Here we are with a great view overlooking the Baltimore Inner Harbor.

09Sep04 MDMB 16 MDMBs GNO in Baltimore

Tapas and sangria…what more could a girl ask for?! Special treatment from the staff…we got that, too! Thanks to Santana (no, not Carlos Santana – the La Tasca manager Santana) and our waiter, Brad, who is waiter by night and a teacher by day. Yes…there is more. We actually got sponsors for our GNO!!! Okay, I can’t say I brought in any sponsors (tsk, tsk on me), but I am more than thrilled to give a shout out to all the fabulous sponsors that made our GNO super fab!

Sponsors that gave us blogger love were:

09Sep04 MDMB 31+resized MDMBs GNO in Baltimore

Here we are in all of our fabulousness. From left to right – Amanda (@thenagainphoto) from Parenting By Dummies, Safire from Living in Maryland, me, Lara (@dipaolamomma) from Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom (aka CNOW), Mary (@marymac) from Pajamas and Coffee, Jennifer (@MammaMania) from Hip As I Wanna Be, Jill (@ScaryMommy) from Scary Mommy, and Lolli (@1momof5) from Better in Bulk

I think the first MDMB’s GNO went great. I had a fantastic time. And I had a great hostess, Lara at Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom, for letting me hitch a ride from her place and crashing in her spare bedroom since it was a pretty decent haul from my house. It was nice to have her little ones around me since that was the first night I have EVER spent away from Little Monkey. Of course, Little Monkey didn’t even notice I was gone because he was so excited to see his grandparents (my in-laws).

Thanks to Lolli at Better in Bulk for sharing the photos!

Jsiggytransp MDMBs GNO in Baltimore


More Barefoot Wine please!

barefootlogo More Barefoot Wine please!

Barefoot wines were originally introduced in 1965 by self-taught California winemaker Davis Bynum. After years of making “garage-style” home wines, Bynum opened up a winery in Alameda Davis and released Barefoot Bynum Burgundy for sale in his tasting room only.

In 1986, Michael Houlihan and his partner Bonnie Harvey purchased the brand and set about reviving “the Foot.” They launched the new “Barefoot Cellars” with two varietals: Barefoot California Cabernet Sauvignon and Barefoot California Sauvignon Blanc.

Barefoot is involved in thousands of charitable events worldwide.

I love a glass of wine every now and then to relax and wind down. Doesn’t everyone?! Barefoot Wines sent me two bottles to try Zinfandel andBrut Cuvée Champagne…that’s after the hubby and I went out and bought a delicious White Zinfandel by Barefoot. My best friend and cousin through marriage read my tweet that I was sitting down to have a glass of wine with dinner and she replied “Barefoot white zin is the best stuff on earth… seriously… love it!” The White Zinfandel is crisp. It has a light hint of fruit taste. The bottle says flavors like Georgia peach and pineapple, sun-ripened strawberries and succulent pear. Yum. I was a little worried when I saw that Barefoot sent a Zinfandel (red) wine. You see I can’t drink even just a glass of red wine without feeling like I’ve spent a night out on the town throwing back shots. No next day hangover. Yeah! It had a strong full taste, but not overbearing. This red wine would be perfect for a Sangria! We have a Brut Cuvée Champagne to try this weekend in celebration for a house warming party. I’ll definitely update with my thoughts on the Champagne.

One Barely Domestic Mama reader will win this fabulous prize below…
IMG 0358 More Barefoot Wine please!
Summer fun essentials – a tote bag, wine opener, stemless wine glass, and a big soft beach towel. I know summer is ending, but really who can’t appreciate this stuff?!

How to Enter (required): Check out the Barefoot Wine & Bubbly flavors and comment on your favorite flavor and what you would love to eat it with. This step must be done first before the extra entries. (If your email is not visible through your public profile, make sure to leave it in your comment.)

Extra entries (make sure to make separate comments for each):
• Follow my blog. If you are already follower, let me know. – 1 entry
• Subscribe to my blog via email. Make sure to confirm the subscription before leaving your comment. – 1 entry
• Grab my button and put it on your blog. – 1 entry
• Follow barefootwine on Twitter. – 1 entry
Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about this contest. “@barelydomestic is giving away an end of summer essentials @barefootwine prize pack at http://twurl.nl/pkji6q” – 1 entry
• Become a fan of Barely Domestic Mama on Facebook. – 1 entry
• Become a fan of Barefoot Wine & Bubbly on Facebook – 1 entry
• Fave me on technorati technorati18 More Barefoot Wine please! (leave your username)- 1 entry

• Blog about this giveaway with links back to Barely Domestic Mama and Barefoot Wine – 3 entries ((leave three separate comments saying Blogged about it entry 1, entry 2, and entry 3)
• Become a Barefoot Republic member to share stories, recipes, favorite photos, and find out about Barefoot Wine & Bubbly events. – 3 entries ((leave three separate comments saying Barefoot Republic Member entry 1, entry 2, and entry 3)
• Use the store locator or find Barefoot Wine in a store (we accidentally came across ours in Super Target), come back here and let me know where you can get your Barefoot Wine at. – 3 entries

Sorry, but this giveaway is only open to US Residents only. Contest ends on Sun., Sept. 20, 2009 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Winner will be chosen using the Random.org number generator. Winner will be notified via email and announced on Mon., Sept. 21 , 2009. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

Jsiggytransp More Barefoot Wine please!

I am not a wine critic. This is just my personal opinion. I definitely will be purchasing more Barefoot Wines.


Wordless Wednesday – Just another trip to the park

Jsiggytransp Wordless Wednesday   Just another trip to the park


September Giveaways from Around the Blogosphere

These are NOT my contests. I just want to share with you all some great giveaways.

♥ Win an Original Nursing Top in Cocoa and One Nursing Bra from the BumbleWee ‘s Nursing Bra Collection at Organic Girl. US and Canada only. (Ends 10/4)

♥ Win Le Bain de Baby Basket from Green Cricket at Organic Girl. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/30)

♥ Win a $200 Amazon.com giftcard at Robyn’s Online World. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/30)

♥ Win a SuperSampler Pack and one pound of coffee from Vitalicious at Busy Mom. US only (Ends 9/27)

♥ Win How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy at Park Avenue Princess – 5 winners! US and Canada only. (Ends 9/25)

♥ Win a New Native Carrier at Penelope’s Oasis. (Ends 9/21)

♥ Win a Gruve by Muve at girlgetstrong. (Ends 9/21)

Win a Nursing Camisole from Medela at babybix. US only. (Ends 9/14)

Win an Earth Mama Angel Baby gift box (valued at over $75) at My Wee View. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/14)

Win a signed hardcover copy of Cleopatra’s Daughter and a signed paperback of The Heretic Queen, courtesy of Michelle Moran at Luxury Reading. Open worldwide. (Ends 9/10)

Win a $50 gift certificate to Eden Fantasys at Tara’s View of the World. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/10)

Win a Gift Package from Zuii Cosmetics that will contain one of each of their 7 products ($238 value) at Candid, Clever & Cost-Effective. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/10)

Win a free pair of Gap 1969 Premium Jeans at New York City Single Mom. US only. (Ends 9/10)

Win a Triple Chocolate Enrobed Brownie Cake from Bake Me a Cake! at Busy Mom. US only. (Ends 9/8)

Win a Fairytale Dozen from Fairytale Brownies at Leslie Loves Veggies. US only. (Ends 9/8)

Win a $50 GC for Outfit Additions at Busy Mom. (Ends 9/8)

Win a Sof-T eco-friendly travel mug at Busy Mom – 2 winners! US only. (Ends 9/7)

Win a $50 gift card to Mommy Makeup at Leslie Loves Veggies. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/7)

Win a Pillsbury Prize pack at Mom Spark. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/6)

3 Dozen Photo Cookies from Wicked Good Cookies at Leslie Loves Veggies. US only. (Ends 9/6)

Win a Safety 1st car pack, which includes: a See Baby Soft Mirror, a Secure View Mirror, a Soft Solution Roller Shade, a “Baby on Board” window sign, and a $25 gas gift card at Metropolitan Mama. (Ends 9/6)

Win a $20 gift card to Target from The Shopping Duck. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/6)

Win a Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Medela (ARV $50) at Natural Mommie. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/5)

Win a Melissa Beth Lap Top bag at My Wee View. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/4)

Win an assorted box of 30 cookies from Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies at Playground for Parents. US only. (Ends 9/3)

Win a $100 Sears/Kmart Christmas Club Gift Card at Mommy PR. US & Apo/Fpo Residents. (Ends 9/2)

Win a Lazy Baker mix and a LazyBaker T-shirt at My Wee View. US and Canada only. (Ends 9/1)

Win the Marriage First Aid Kit book at Sweeps4Bloggers. US only. (Ends 9/1)

Share your September giveaways! Link your giveaways with MckLinky. Be sure to put your blog’s name, prize, and deadline. Your URL must link to your giveaway post or else it will be deleted. Thanks!

Jsiggytransp September Giveaways from Around the Blogosphere

pixel September Giveaways from Around the Blogosphere