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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Share Your Love with Easy Video App OneDay

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Not living close to any family, I work  to keep everyone connected by capturing my kids’ moments – big and small – as a video on my phone.

All of our big firsts: the first day of school, the first loose tooth, and the first pirouette are few and far between. But it’s the times in between, the regular Thursdays or Sunday afternoons that I struggle with something to share. I mean snack time at our house isn’t exactly movie premiere content, unless you count that one time with the dog and a really slippery mess and I wasn’t exactly in the mindset to record a video for that one. And I definitely don’t have the time or the SKILL to create a video worth sending, but that doesn’t mean my family wants to wait until I’m inspired either.

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Not exactly a scene worth turning into a video with OneDay.

Thanks to a new easy video app, I have a beautiful way to package a sweet holiday message or even just a “Hi Grandma” surprise without any thinking or editing required. The OneDay app is an Instant Movie Maker that helps parents create videos of their children like a pro in seconds with fun, unique and holiday themes with curated, thought provoking, fun story sets.

In just a few simple steps, I had a beautiful Valentine’s Day video that not only did the kids and I enjoyed making together, but made Gigi (grandma) feel like she was with us, even though she was hundreds of miles away.

It only took three easy steps:

  1. You open the app and pick a question from a wide selection of fun story sets like Valentine’s Day,  Merry Christmas and many more.
  2. Next you record your children’s answers with a tap of your record button (don’t worry, it’s created to start and stop with ease (and bathroom breaks.)
  3. Then the app automatically stitches the recorded videos together by adding music to make quality, priceless movies to share on Facebook, Twitter, texting and YouTube with family and friends.

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Best of all, this app is FREE and available on Google Play and iTunes and totally worth some space on your smartphone or tablet.

Do you have just five minutes to create a beautiful video to capture a special moment for you or your loved ones?

Make their day with OneDay.

Top 5 Fall TV Premieres You Must Watch

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TV Thursday:

I don’t consider myself a TV junkie, but let’s face it I am (have you seen my Mad Men Moms weekly show? Don’t.) However, after all my tasks are done for the day, I relish the thought of one hour, kidless and quiet to immerse myself in whatever drama that my DVR has loaded up for me. 


Thankfully, with the summer coming to a close, that means that the good shows will once again give me a reason to yearn for a motorcycle jacket, become a country singer and take a trip to Atlantic City. Starting this weekend you’ll know where I’ll be. Check out these trailers for my Top 5 picks of season premieres I can’t wait to watch. 

1. Boardwalk Empire – September 8, 2013



2. Sons of Anarchy – September 10, 2013


3. Nashville – September 25, 2013


4. Masters of Sex – September 29, 2013
Because the trailer even makes me blush, you can click on over to see it yourself if you are as curious as I am about this Showtime series premiere. Just make sure there’s no one around because they’ll definitely be asking, “What are YOU watching?” (Yes, this is explicit, but the folks at Showtime let you know that in the title right?) 

5. Downton Abbey – January 2014


Ok, so this one isn’t this fall, but I’m already primed to watch for the January 2014 debut of Season 4. It’s almost worth a visit to see my friends, Will and Kate to see their new addition just to watch the new season a few months in advance of the US. 

What shows are you excited to watch this fall? 


Mad Men Season 6 Finale

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Mad Men Moms Monday:

Oh wow. 

 The finale of Mad Men Season 6 definitely was one for the record books. 

 I couldn’t even think up some of the things that happened and if you haven’t seen it yet, then I almost don’t want to spoil it for you…ALMOST. 

 So round out our weekly recaps of the show, Shannon from MilkandCuddles.com and I couldn’t help but resist watching the last one together. (I’m glad we did because I needed someone to talk to after that!) 

 Also, in true Mad Men Moms fashion, we also celebrated with a cocktail. Shannon surprised me with a fun chocolate-flavored concotion with cream, black cherry vodka and Kahlua (think White Russian meets Yoohoo!) Little did we know how much the topic of chocolate would become a part of our evening’s adventure. 


What did you think? 

Mad Men Moms: 50 Shades of Don {Recipe}

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Mad Men Monday:

It’s time for another Mad Men Moms roundup of last night’s Mad Men.

While it may have been Mother’s Day, the show definitely went to a new whole new level of whoa. See what we had to say about an even deeper level of Don. (Oh, my!)

But before you settle into our chair, make sure you get your Mad Men cocktail ready…this time we are making up a Vodka Gimlet (aka vodka and limes in a cup.)

Vodka Gimlet

1½ oz vodka
¾ oz lime juice
3-4 lime slices

Pour vodka and lime juice into mixing glass. Shake and strain into martini glass. Add 3 to 4 slices of lime.

Recipe and photo from AMC’s official Mad Men.


Now settle in and let us know what you think of this episode of Mad Men!

And if you missed other episodes of Mad Men Moms, make sure you get the whole scoop: 

Mad Men Moms: Say WHOA and Mojitos

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Mad Men Monday:

It’s another episode of Mad Men Moms and we definitely needed a drink (or two) to make it through this one! 

So get out some mint to mix up for the mojitos will be drinking tonight and get ready for a good one! (You’ll get the recipe over on milkandcuddles.com! )


And if you missed other episodes of Mad Men Moms, make sure you get the whole scoop: 

Mad Men Monday: Get Your Scoop on Last Night’s Episode with #MadMenMoms!

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Mad Men Monday:

 There’s something so perfectly timed with Mondays; first, Sunday night gives me a little moment to bask at Jon Hamm and second, to dish with my favorite Mad Men mom, Shannon with MilkandCuddles.com! 


 This week we take a look at this week’s installment of Mad Men – a milestone episode with a realistic look back at how a major historical moment impacted the times. 

So without spoiling it for you too much, kick back and see what we had to discuss on Mad Men Moms!


Make sure you check out my “cohort in crime” all things Mad Men over at MilkandCuddles! 


Infidelity: The Word of the Day on Mad Men Moms

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Mad Men Monday:

We’re Back! And in our PJs! 

This week’s installment of Mad Men Moms discusses Mad Men, Episode 3. Find out why we’re wearing our pajamas, our commentary and of course, the recipe for our featured cocktail. 


It wouldn’t be Mad Men without a drink, so we’ve got a recipe for you, a wine spritzer. Check on over at milkandcuddles.com for Shannon’s quick how-to on a fun way to prolong your vino. 

And perfectly paired with this episode, find out if you’re a Megan or a Betty with a fun little test: “Which of Don’s Women Are You?” Take the Quiz Now and then let us know! 


What did you think of this week’s episode of Mad Men? 




Raise Your Glass: ‘Mad Men’ Moms Debuts with Season 6 Recap

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Mad Men Monday:

Oh, Christina Hendricks! Last night was a biggie!

After the long wait and lots of cocktail making practice, Mad Men Season 6 took over the TV world last night with a two-hour bang. And it was worth the wait. 

Meet the new girls at Mad Men Moms!

Apparently I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. The twittersphere was blown up with #MadMen (the officially sponsored hashtag by AMC), and tons of people commenting on everything from what Betty was wearing, what was happening with Roger and of course, and who I mean, what Don was doing. 

If you missed the show or like me could talk about Don Draper all the time, I’m inviting you to the debut of the best show ever, ‘Mad Men Moms,’ to give your the lowdown on the opener. Joined by one of of best friends and blogger buddies, Shannon at milkandcuddles, we spill the beans on our thoughts on this episode and what we hope to see in the coming episodes! 




And that’s not all folks! 

It wouldn’t be a show about Mad Men if we didn’t have a drink and little bit of fun…so we’ve included that, too!

Dirty Don Draper Martini

2 oz gin
1 tbsp gin
2 tbsp olive juice (or more!)
3-4 olives (good olives too!)

Fill a mixer with all the ingredients including garnish. Cover and shake 3-4 times. Pour contents into a cold glass. Enjoy! (And then make another!)

And that lovely little Mad Men illustration? You can make one too like we did for Mad Men Moms! Check out how you can at milkandcuddles.com! 



Make sure you join us for all the fun each week when we recap the show on Google Hangouts!

Surf’s Up: How To Get Your Pamela Anderson Beach-Ready Body at NEW CitySurf Fitness {video}

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Try-it Tuesdays:

Cowabunga, what a workout!

I recently went on a total adventure with CitySurf Fitness in Dallas. Always ready to try out a new fitness disclipine in efforts to get fit while having fun, this new studio in Uptown seemed right up my alley! I have never surfed and certainly need all the core work I can get, so I was excited to “ride the waves” at this new concept (backed by entreprenuer/Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban for Surfset Fitness). 
I’ll admit I’m not a terribly coordinated gal, but I’m flexible, have balance and am willing to make a total dork of myself in the name of fitness (and a good blog post.) So I quickly went online to book my class:

  • City Surfing: fat burn, lean muscle build, extreme balance (signature class with the most time on the board)
  • Beach Body Bootcamp: strength building/cardio fitness (on the floor and on the board)
  • Buddha Board: increased flexibility and strength (think yoga on the board)
  • Big Kahuna: increased strength and size of skeletal muscles (the pros)
For my first time, I decided to try the signature class option, City Surfing. Registration was easy, but unfortunately, parking wasn’t, so I was a little late (I recommend getting there at least 10 minutes before class to ensure your parking space and time to choose your board.)

Thankfully the class wasn’t running too far behind, so I quickly jumped on. 

Dude…what a change I experienced just becoming acquainted with the board. It was actually a little surreal. Like being on the water without the salt in my face and the sharks at my toes. 


Then the sounds of hip hop, rock and a little Bob Marley flooded the room along with a buge slideshow of surfers on the wall to give you the feeling you too were riding the waves (and not just shaking like I was as my legs continued to become stronger with each move.)
But my instructor made it look so easy and with a smile, so ever onward! I really wanted to glide as smooth as she did with each move although I know I probably looked more like a beached whale than a surfer…but I didn’t let it get me down.  So with a little motivation from a memory of Pamela Anderson running down the beach on Baywatch, I was willing to continue in hopes I could hang ten (actually more like hang on to the end of the 50-minute workout.) 

What can I say from my CitySurf Fitness? RICT (for those of you non-surfers that means awesome!)

The afterburn was amazing – body parts hurt the next day that I didn’t even know I had. Burning around 800 calories is totally awesome. And the experience overall totally beats a day on the treadmill. It’s definitely a great way to get your body ready for your bikini (or in my case get it out of your coverup and maybe into a tankini by the end of the summer!) 

Class packages are available at all different ranges, but I definitely suggest the $10 “Try It” class. After attending you receive a 15% discount when you buy your first package! 
City Surf Fitness
2805 Allen Street, Suite 113 (look for the surf board) 
214.880.7433
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DISCLAIMER: I received a trial class of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

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