It’s an EVOlution

I’m headed out west today to attend and speak at EVO ’10, The Evolution of Women in Social Media Conference.

The conference, spearheaded by the lovely Jyl Johnson Pattee of Mom It Forward and #GNO, is gathering bloggers of all levels and genres to network, learn and spend a little time in the gorgeous mountains at The Canyons in Park City, Utah.

This is my first trip to Utah and I definitely plan on enjoying every moment. Who knows, I just might come home with some cowboy boots, too.

Winks & Smiles,

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New York, New York Big City of Dreams

Run Wifey Run

So, now that I have achieved princess status, ahem, I’m looking for some more races to add to my Run Wifey Run tour including the big one – my first marathon.

The ING New York City Marathon is November 7. I hear it's one of the best to run or even to be a spectator. The lottery to get in closes March 15. Should I throw my tiara running hat in the ring and see what happens?

It's a classic.

I’m just sayin’.

Channeling my inner Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, “raise one hand in the air for the big city …”

Winks & Smiles,

Today’s workout: Strength training with cardio bursts. Upper body and abs. How about you? What are you doing today to be the best that you can be?

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Mission Accomplished

Run Wifey Run

Me showing off my medal after running Disney's Princess Half Marathon

A race recap and details to come later this week. Today's workout? Rest, more speed packing and running through the airport.

Winks & Smiles,

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Tyra, Tiana and the Perfect Tea Party

Wifey Travels

When I opened my e-mail a week ago and saw the invite from the fabulous folks at Walt Disney World asking if my little princess, Milan, and I were available to attend an exclusive Tea Party celebrating the release of the upcoming movie, The Princess and The Frog, I had to read it twice. The first time I was so excited at the thought of bringing Milan with me for this wonderful experience that I missed an important part of the e-mail: the tea party will be featured on The Tyra Show celebrating Princess Tiana, Disney’s first African American Princess. I quickly responded yes. These two princesses would be honored to hang with Tyra and Tiana at their perfect little tea party.

Having just been to Disney for their African American Mom Blogger Mixer, I knew that my friends there would take great care of me and Milan. Disney doesn’t just do things; they do things big – really BIG. They flew us in this past Thursday night so that we would be comfortable and rested for the tea party on Friday.

Milan and I at the Atlanta Airport ready for our first mother-daughter trip

Two princesses playing on the plane

I was super excited to learn that we were staying at The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – it's Walt Disney World Resort's flagship hotel and when I tell you it’s fabulous, trust me, you feel like a princess there.

Milan, and her doll, in the lobby at the Grand Floridian

A special surprise our Disnesy friends left for Milan

The beds in our room were super cozy

Need I say the flat screen stayed on Milan's favorite channel - Disney

The view of one of the pools from our patio

The tea party taping wasn’t until Friday evening so Milan and I had all day to play in the parks. Her choice, Magic Kingdom, of course. This princess had other princesses to find.

Standing with Snow White

Hanging out in Ariel's Grotto

Chillin' with Aladdin and Jasmine

She even found her own Fairy Godmother

Milan is also a thrill-seeker so we had to ride some rides, too!

Having a blast on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Gasp! Someone let her drive at the Tomorrowland Speedway

Mid-afternoon we headed back to the resort to get princess-beautiful for the big event. On our way to the tea party we met up with Leigh from Theme Park Mom  and Stefanie from Mommy Musings and their little princesses.

Milan and her new pals - notice the princess wave

The party took place in Magic Kingdom outside at the beautiful Swan Boat Landing, near Cinderella’s Castle. Upon arrival the little princesses were given Princess Tiana tiaras and t-shirts. We mommy princesses received tiaras, too.

Cinderella's Castle - breathtaking!

The princesses have arrived

Approximately, 15 moms and princesses had a fairytale evening filled with yummy treats, dancing, and exciting surprises. One of the highlights for my little princess was Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, of course. They hosted this lovely event and were absolutely phenomenal with all the girls. Everyone was also thrilled when Tyra made her surprise, grand entrance and announced that she is treating us to see the movie when it opens nationwide on December 11.

Um, Yum!

Swirling & twirling

Princess Milan, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen

Tiana & Tyra

All the princesses and the royal couple

It was a wonderful adventure, and I’m so thankful that I had this opportunity to share with my daughter. I’m also excited that I can share it with you, too. This Wednesday, November 25, scenes from the tea party will be a part of The Tyra Show celebrating Princess Tiana’s debut. The show airs at 4 p.m. on CW69 in Atlanta, check here for details in your area.

Winks & Smiles,

 A special thanks and hugs to Laura Spencer and the wonderful folks at Disney for providing us with awesome opportunity. And, a big thanks to Leigh for sharing some of her fabulous pictures.

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New York, New York: Big City of Dreams ... and Penne Alla Vodka!

Wifey Travels

Ever since Christie and I launched The BlogRollers I have been rolling – literally. Kentucky, Chicago, New York, North Carolina and Florida are just a few of the places my recent adventures have taken me. It’s a far cry from last year’s big excursion to the Mediterranean, but I love traveling so it’s fine with me. As I continue to stay on-the-go I decide I would include some travel posts at Ask Wifey. I love reading about other people’s journeys and enjoy sharing mine, too.

A couple of weeks ago, I flew to New York for one night on a magazine writing assignment. I hadn’t been to Manhattan in several years so I was super excited to get a dose of the big apple – and a slice of pizza, too. The public relations firm that invited me to cover an event put me up at The Premier Hotel – a luxury annex of The Millennium Hotel. I used to travel to New York from Atlanta at least once a month back in my record company days – before I left the business to raise my own little superstars – and loved staying at The Millennium.

Nestled right in the heart of Times Square, I had easy access to all the hustle-and-bustle of the theater district, MTV Studios and some of my favorite restaurants in the city. I was so pleased that The Premier lived up to my memories of The Millennium and then some. It’s a smaller extension of the hotel but the rooms were large and very swanky. I had plenty of space, a nice lounge area and a great view down West 44th Street.

I was only there for one night but felt it necessary to devour have some pasta from my favorite Italian restaurant – especially since it was right down the street. Um, hello, you cannot do New York and not eat. And, I mean EAT. After my event, I found myself sitting at the bar in Carmine’s, sipping a full-body cabernet, waiting for my order of Penne Alla Vodka.

That’s a lot of food, right? No, I didn’t realize that they would give me that much; no, I didn’t eat it all, ahem, … and yes, the bed at The Premier was warm and cozy.

Winks & Smiles,

This is a TravelingMom dedicated post.

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There's a New Princess in Town

When the good folks at Walt Disney World invited me to come spend a few days at the most magical place on earth I quickly accepted their offer - Minnie Mouse and I have had a thing going on since I was 2. I knew Disney did things really big so I wasn’t surprised when they flew me down in style and put me up at the amazing Animal Kingdom Lodge in the Jambo House. I stayed in the Kudo Trail Guest Rooms and woke up every morning to wildlife right outside my window.

My room ...

Inside the intricately decorated resort ...

The view from my patio - look close there's a giraffe in the center behind a tree and a few elands.

When they picked me up last Monday morning for the parade and arrival of Disney’s newest princess I assured them that they did not have to go through all that fuss for me. Surely, no media would turn out for my arrival. Well, the media and a park full of people did gather at Cinderella’s castle to witness this historic event, except it wasn’t for me, ahem, it was for the beautiful Princess Tiana, Disney’s first African American princess and the star of the new movie The Princess and the Frog in theatres nationwide December 11.

All the princesses, Mickey and the entire crew were on hand for Princess Tiana’s grand entrance. After the parade, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and other characters from the movie launched “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!” a jazz-filled Mardi Gras themed experience running through January 3, 2010. Not only is this newest attraction a treat to see, but to do, too! Each show, 30 park guest are chosen at random to participate in this fun-filled adventure. The singing and dancing was awesome and has me jonesing to see the movie.

Princess Tiana makes her grand entrance ...

Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!

Princess Tiana and friends put on a great show.

My princess experience didn’t stop there. I also had the opportunity to meet Princess Tiana and her charming Prince Naveen. They were extremely gracious – and he was a doll, just as suave as could be.

Royalty at its finest.

After leaving Disney’s newest royal couple I ran into a few other little princesses in the park.

Aren’t they just adorable? They each received the new Princess Tiana makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Magic Kingdom. While I seriously debated hopping in one of the salon chairs to get my pixie-dust makeover, I decided not to embarrass my family and bring my own little princess next time we’re at the park. She would so LOVE all of this princess fuss and I must admit … so did I!

Winks & Smiles,

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Disney Magic

Wifey Travels

The past few months I’ve been traveling a bit more than usual. I like exploring new places and visiting ones that I already know and love. While I enjoy traveling with my family, most of my recent adventures have been without them. I’m fortunate to have my parents, my mother-in-law, my sister and most importantly Husband to take care of Wifey’s House while I’m gone.

Most recently the good folks at Walt Disney World invited me to spend some time with them to meet Princess Tiana, the star of the new Princess and the Frog movie and the first African-American Disney princess, during her debut at Magic Kingdom; and to explore some of the attractions and resorts on the property. I spent three magical days at Disney and will share several highlights with you over the next couple of weeks. What I didn’t realize was that Disney magic was taking place at my house, too.

Normally when I’m gone I’m happy to come back to the house still standing and everyone accounted for – and still in it. Seriously, I never worry while I’m gone – Husband is an excellent father – but let’s just say that I don’t always know what condition Wifey’s House might be in when I return. This trip, Tinker Bell must’ve come and spread some of her pixie dust on Husband because he knocked out his “honey-do" list and more. Not only was Wifey’s House clean, it was organized. While I was playing in the park, Husband, with a little help from my father, spent his vacation from work cleaning-out the garage, the junk-drawers in the kitchen, fixing the running toilet, putting a new fan in the bathroom, fixing the broken light fixtures in the house, putting together the new chair I won from Office Max and even cleaning the burnt smudge off the top of the stove. All this while taking care of my little pumpkins. Oh, he took them to get their real Halloween pumpkins, too.

What can I say, but the man is awesome.

My clean stove - trust me, you don't want to see the before pics.

My new bathroom fan.

My lovely new chair - thanks Office Max!

The princess at Cinderella's Castle.

OK, the REAL Princess Tiana making her Magic Kingdom debut.

My prince charming on vacation in September (he doesn't always stay home!)

I appreciate my wonderful Husband for renovating Wifey’s House while I was gone; my new family at Disney; and of course, the power of Disney magic.

How about you? What does your house look like when you come back from a trip? Do you have any secrets – or pixie dust – to share to get husbands to handle their “honey-do” lists? Moms on the go want to know …

Winks & Smiles,

Wifey's Weekly Q and A will return next week. If you have a question for Wifey, e-mail it to questions@askwifey.com.

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Back, Bonded, and Beginning Recovery

A Sneak Peek Inside Wifey’s House

I’m back from my BlogHer or Bust Road Trip and am now on the road to recovery. I learned many things on this journey including I’m not as young as I used to be. Gasp! After traveling in one car with four women through three states in five days I’m completely and utterly exhausted.

We had an incredible experience together, one that has warmed my heart and made life-long friendships. I was struggling with what to post today until I read Jennifer’s (Baby Making Machine). After wiping my tears away, I decided that she so eloquently wrapped up the weekend, I could simply share her words with you. Click here to read The BlogRollers Goodbye: New Sisters.


We bonded. Maintaining relationships with girlfriends often gets put aside as we scurry through life focused on our husbands, our children and our careers. I’m so thankful for the wonderful reminder I received this weekend to cherish all my friendships with all my girls! Thanks Christie, Denene, and Jennifer for the good conversation, for sharing your wisdom, for the laughter and most importantly for your friendship.

Winks & Smiles,

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