With April only a few days away, I couldn’t wait to share the news! Drum roll………….

AHHHHH!!!  Shelby & I were asked to be on the cover of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine (THE BEST parenting magazine in Tampa Bay!)  I have read this magazine for 14 years.  The editor Laura, has become an amazing friend and I could not be more excited to see that Tampa Bay parents get to have HER guiding them around our city! It’s a beautiful publication and one that many bloggers have the opportunity to contribute to.  She believes in collaboration and I just LOVE her as a person too!

My story “Our Sweet New Normal” is on 78. I was so honored to write this with the JDRF Tampa Bay ONE WALK coming up Amalie Arena on April 13th. We are TEAM SHELBY and would LOVE to have you walk with us!

CLICK HERE to join Team Shelby!

Our story is only one of 40,000 each year newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I tell you about our diagnosis day, what our new normal is like & why research and funding are needed now more than ever. Thank you Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine for allowing us to share this important message. I hope you’ll read and maybe come walk with us! 

If you see us out and about snap a picture and tag us on Instagram at @TampaMama!  We’d love to see where you picked us up!

I have been waiting for a few months to share a project that I had the most AMAZING time working on for my favorite city, Tampa Bay. Of course, you all know my blog is based in Tampa, and has been around for over 14 years now, so being able to collaborate with United Airlines and their Hemispheres Magazine on a video showcasing  Visit Tampa Bay was truly a dream come true!  And, did I mention that it is now being shown on all United Airlines flights?!  AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

And the best part about the whole video, was that I was able to tell everyone about one of MY perfect days in Tampa!  We started the day peacefully with nature at Canoe Escape, then off to ride roller coaster at Busch Gardens, met a few animals at Zoo Tampa, hit up the shuffleboard courts at Shuffle Tampa, had perfect dinner at Rooster & the Till and ended my perfect day with something sweet at Revolution Ice Cream in Seminole Heights.

United Airlines filmed 3 perfect days with 3 hosts, and the other hosts also hit up some of my favorites too!  Be sure to check out their videos for Day 2 here and Day 3 here.  I hope you like my AMAZING DAY in Tampa Bay!

See ALL 3 Perfect Days on Hemispheres Travel Show!

Thank you to Visit Tampa Bay for this opportunity and INK Global and their client United and Hemispheres Magazine their amazing team who came over from London to shoot!  Can’t wait to do it again!

I absolutely love that Great Day Live Tampa Bay gives me an opportunity to share my favorite things with all of Tampa!  This Tampa Mama is feelin’ the LOVE!  Yes, having 4 kids to shop for makes this time of year crazy, but if you can get ahead of the game you’ll be set.  And also, shopping local (that means you Hyde Park Village!) gives me the opportunity to get those special items for that special someone very easily and with no shipping!  Thank you to Fig and Julep, Salt Pines and Francesca’s in Hyde Park Village for working with me to fill my set with all the perfect gifts!

My top ideas from the segment included: (See bottom of post for all links

1. How to give an adventure: What I wanted to do here was help others give an experience.  A trip is a good gift in theory, but how can you put it under the tree. Start to gather items that they would use on the trip.  Call the CVB and request maps and brochures! Use fun stickers and a box with all the surprises for the kids to open so that they can get excited about the vacation!
2. Night out vs Night In: Yes, everyone of us in Tampa would love a GC to the famous Bern’s Steakhouse of course!  And if you do go that route, maybe pair it with a DryBar appointment or a hot shave from The Cambridge Club in Hyde Park Village!  And if you are wanting to do a “night in” stop at the Fig and Julep in Hyde Park Village for an amazing selection of world class food items!  This will be a “Gourmet Night In”. Find everything you need to truly create a gourmet dinner for your loved one. Choose from the finest of ingredients from all over the world to elevate your cooking and take you on an epicurean adventure in the comfort of your own home. A night in never tasted this delicious.
3. Toys that are cool AND functional or educational: Duel purpose! Of couse the kids are going to need some toys to open on Christmas Day!
4. Ideas that won’t break the bank. I created my our Tampa Mama Adventure box! You too can make this especially for your kids! 12 mini envelopes. 12 gift cards for various activities. They only open one a month and we will do the adventure that day! Add any thing your kids would like!

My big kids are going to Chicago in January! Pair the expensive plane tickets with anew bag from Lands End or travel accessories from MyTagalongs from Franchesca’s. Even a cute box with things to keep them warm!

Tip: Contact the CVB of where you are going to have them send you brochures and maps!

My favorite picture ever! I was an Outback Bowl intern for 3 years (1999-2002) and I just love the big love that Tampa gets because, come on, it’s January 1 in Florida!

So are you Team Bloomin’ Onion (SEC) or Team Coconut Shrimp (Big Ten)? With your ticket stub you can visit Outback and receive one based on the outcome of the game. Genius.

This year, Mississippi State will take on Iowa on January 1st, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in sunny Tampa, Florida!

Who will you be rooting for?!

Tickets can be purchased here: OutbackBowl.com

Be on the look out for all the amazing family friendly events lined up for the week leading up to the game!

CRYSTAL is Cirque du Soleil’s 42nd show and the 1st that uses ice as a performance element. On Wednesday, December 19th, CRYSTAL takes the stage at Amelie Arena in Tampa. A story told through artistic and acrobatic performances, scores of captivating music and a story line that leaves you touched and moved. I have personally fallen in love with all Cirque du Soleil shows and have seen 10 through out the years as they come through my city or I happen to be in a city where they have a permanent home.

Each time I see a new show, I enjoy marveling at these phenomenal story tellers and acrobats. They are truly talented and the art is so unique. Each show is vastly different than the last.

There’s only 7 shows in Tampa! Buy your tickets today!

What You Need To Know:

Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida

When: December 19-23, 2018

Only 7 shows!

Tickets can be purchased here.

Tip: It will be cold so be prepared!

So who will you be taking to the show? I’ve got my hot date right here!

Disclaimer: I am working with the PR company for Cirque du Soleil to promote the Crystal show in Tampa. All opinions are my own.

It’s almost here! My absolutely favorite time of the year! Christmas at Gaylord Palms! Christmas at Gaylord Palms and ICE! has become this Tampa Mama’s most fun tradition with the whole family and we wouldn’t miss it! And because it is only October (yes, I’m a planner) I want to tell you how you can book early and save some cash (because we all know that Santa’s sleigh doesn’t fill itself…am I right!?!)
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I’ve got 15 4-packs to see Smallfoot TODAY at the sneak preview in Tampa! The details:

AMC WESTSHORE

210 Westshore Plaza

11am

Seating is incredibly limited and on a first come first serve basis. These tickets do not guarantee you a seat. Please arrive early to ensure you get a seat!

Click here to download your free tickets! http://www.wbtickets.com/ATMSF

What is Smallfoot about? An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, “Smallfoot” turns a myth upside down when a bright young yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human. News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

http://www.smallfootmovie.com

See you at the movies!!!

Opens in theaters September 28th!

I am SO excited to share with you the first trailer and poster for Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL!

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom. The film stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Rune Temte, Algenis Perez Soto, Mckenna Grace, with Annette Bening, with Clark Gregg, and Jude Law. Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Patricia Whitcher and Stan Lee are the executive producers.

CAPTAIN MARVEL arrives in theatres everywhere on March 8th, 2019!

We will be sitting front row for this show for sure when Mary Poppins Returns this December!! Beautiful new posters just released today!

My favorite movie of all times returns and I can’t wait to watch the magic return just in time for the holidays!

In theaters on December 19th, 2018!

Its Midnight. It’s dark. I’ve got one sleeping and three kids on the Peoplemover. I need a coffee. My kids have had enough sugar to last them until next Halloween. But it’s the BEST NIGHT EVER!!

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