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Author Archives: Urban Suburban Mommy

10 parenting pet peeves

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

We are surprised that we could only come up with 10! Yes we have a ton of parenting pet peeves and as time passes and as we gain more experience as moms – each of us with two boys – the list sadly grows. Don’t get us wrong – we both adore being a parent, but there are just certain things that we just can’t stand. Continue reading →

1 Comment .
Tags: circumcise, featuredxx, having another, help, judgement, mommy, natural birth, parenting, pet peeves, sanctimommies, sleep, Star Trek .

Grilled Prawn and Mango Salad

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Delicious Dishes .

prawnsSince you can’t all come down to The Good Son, Chef Vittorio Colacitti has been good enough to let us bring The Good Son to you. When Michelle and I had our Mommies’ Night Out and dined at The Good Son, this dish, Grilled Prawn and Mango Salad was prepared for us – and I have been wanting to go back for it ever since.

“Truth” Dressing

What you need:

– 1 Anaheim chili pepper
– 1 1/2 lime (juiced)
– 2 tbsp Palm sugar
– 1/4 shallot
– 4 tbsp grapeseed oil
– 2 dashes of fish sauce

What you do:

Roughly chop Anaheim chili, shallot and palm sugar. Place in blender.

Blend on low speed until smooth (add a touch of water if needed to loosen mixture). Slowly add grapeseed oil until fully emulsified, then add lime juice.

Mango Salad

What you need: 

– 3 large green mangoes
– 1 large carrot
– 1 medium daikon

What you do:

Using a mandoline, julienne vegetables (or use shredding attachment on food processor) and set aside.

Grilled Prawns

What you need: 

– 5 large prawns
– 2 tbsp red curry paste (Aroy-D brand recommended pinch of salt
– 2 tsp vegetable oil

What you do:

Combine ingredients in a bowl. Marinate for 10 minutes. Grill or roast in oven until translucent (1 minute per side).

Assembly:

Combine “Truth” dressing and julienned vegetables. Top with grilled prawns. For additional garnish and texture add any combination of the following: cilantro, thinly sliced chili, roasted peanuts, squeeze of lime juice.

Serve family style or in portions.

So, what are you going to do? Make this dish or make reservations – it’s definitely worth it either way!

Tags: Chef, delish, Grilled prawns, nom, recipe, The Good Son, Truth, Vittorio Colacitti .

The bath bombers

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Mommy Approved .

My boys are addicted to bath bombs, and I’m okay with that.

Stinky boys + Lush bath bombs = Happy Mama

If your kids have ever given you the run-around because they don’t want to take a bath, I highly recommend taking them out to pick up a few bath bombs. I love the ones at Lush. I have tried other types, but I’ve never found better. I especially love Lush for their amazing quality, natural products that are never tested on animals and their social responsibility. But mostly because the products are so pretty, smell so good and work so well!

Yoga Bomb - that was my little guy's choice. I love that it has soothing and relaxing qualities. All he cared about was the way the Lush cosmetician described it like a jaw breaker with layers and layers of different colours!

Yoga Bomb – that was my little guy’s choice. I love that it has soothing and relaxing qualities. All he cared about was the way the Lush cosmetician described it like a jaw breaker with layers and layers of different colours!

The promise of comforting scents mixed with vivid colours, this hexagon grabbed my 8-year-old's attention and was a lot of fun to watch!

The Experimenter held the promise of comforting scents mixed with vivid colours. This hexagon grabbed my 8-year-old’s attention and was a lot of fun to watch!

For the uninitiated, bath bombs are essential-oil-and-magic-filled balls of bright colour. They smell lovely and are chalky to the touch, but drop them in water and they become effervescent as they react. They spin and fizz, emitting colours and aromas to sooth the soul. The water takes on gorgeous hues and sometimes – if you pick just right, they release flower petals, sparkles and other wonderful surprises as they do their thing.

Yoga bombing boy

Yoga bombing boy

It’s the perfect kind of fun to get your kids begging for baths!

[wpvideo 6AgfvCgL]

Most bath bombs area  one-time use. They melt away completely as they finish fizzing. Warning – they will leave your child (and you) smelling better than any soap ever could, filling the bathroom and hallway with an incredible aroma. The essential oils are picked with precision and awareness. You can buy bath bombs for bedtime that relax, ones that soothe, ones that remind you of the forest, ones that invigorate, and ones that offer a pick-me-up. The happy, energizing scents are especially perfect for a cool, mid-day bird bath in the summer.

Lavender, chamomile and sandalwood, the Ickle Baby Bot is ideal for battling baby insomnia

Lavender, chamomile and sandalwood, the Ickle Baby Bot is ideal for battling baby insomnia

If you’ve never experienced the bird bath, then you need to start. My university roommate Jen, the loveliest of souls, not only turned me onto Lush products and bath bombs, but I believe she also coined the term bird bath.

Mystical and refreshing, Dragon's Egg is my personal fave and a regular pick for my boys. Its layers of colours and glitter bombing are both refreshing and invigorating!

Mystical and refreshing, Dragon’s Egg is my personal fave and a regular pick for my boys. Its layers of colours and glitter bombing are seriously refreshing and invigorating!

Some baths are meant to be long and luxurious, where you need to reheat the water two or three times. Other baths are fast, soothing – not much more than a quick rinse. Bird baths. You pop into the tub for two or three minutes. Sometimes to wash up, other times just to cool off in the summer.

Titsy Totsy will fill a bath with the scent of romance and some lovely petals too

Titsy Totsy is meant for mama and will fill a bath with the scent of romance and some lovely rose petals too

Jen and I lived with two male roommates that joked they could never have imagined their bathroom would smell so good or be used so much, but I believe the landlord was probably having conniptions about the water bills!

Tags: bath, bath bomb, bird bath, essential oils, featurexx, relaxing, soothing .

A dialogue with my craving

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

(Lights Up.)

Craving: Hello.

Me: Not now.

Craving: It’s me.

Me: Please don’t be cute. I’m very busy.

Craving: I wish we had a jumbo bag of jellybeans right now. We love jellybeans, don’t we?

Me: I’m working.

Craving: Did I mention they were at the store? You know, that Hasty Market down the street with its bright red lettering, the kind of red that embraces you, soothes you, entices you…

Me: Go away.

Craving: …Like McDonald’s red. We love McDonald’s red, don’t we? We’d eat a thousand bleached burger patties and five million not-chicken McNuggets if we could, wouldn’t we?

Me: Stop.

Craving: I know, I know, I digress. Back to jellybeans…

Me: …Please stop…

Craving: Fine. Be that way. We’d still have some left if you hadn’t hoovered the last handful on Friday.

Me: I ate until I couldn’t feel my tongue anymore.

Craving: I know. That was an awesome day. I gotta say, the cherry on top was that night when you ate your son’s leftover birthday cake.

Me: That cake was for everybody.

Craving: Oh yeah? Then why did you wait until everyone was asleep? Did your son even know it was there?

Me: He doesn’t eat cake.

Craving: Well, we’ll never know, will we?

Me: Did I mention I’m working?

Craving: Testy. You must be crashing. You need sugar. I think I saw cookies in someone’s lunch bag in the kitchen. You should do a walk-by.

Me: I can’t go into someone’s lunch.

Craving: Oh, that’s the line, is it?

Me: What do you mean?

Craving: You think I take a vacation from the Greek tragedy that is your brain? I see you empty buffet desserts into your purse. I see you eviscerate the vending machine when it eats your change. I don’t judge. I facilitate. And right now, I can tell you need sugar.

Me: I eat healthy!

Craving: You eat healthy portions, sweetie. I don’t see the “crap” category anywhere on the food guide pyramid.

Me: Maybe I’ll make tea.

Craving: Oh yes, make tea, that will totally hit the spot. “Candy” “Chamomile” – they’re practically related. Why don’t you swizzle a Mars bar in there just for me.

Me: Or some baby carrots?

Craving: Do you think I’m going to get quieter if you stuff me full of genetically modified beta-carotene?

Me: Okay, okay, maybe just once piece of chocolate.

Craving: See, that’s your problem right there. We both know that it’s never just one piece of anything. You know what? I’m taking over. I’m holding your self-control hostage. Feed me what I want or I’ll mail it back to you in pieces.

Me: Um…you’re not –

Craving: What’s that? Speak up, I can’t hear you over the sound of your stomach rumbling. I’m not what?

Me: (barely whispering) …You’re not the boss of me…

Craving: Oh really? Let me ask you this: who tells you it’s ok to eat half a bag of Oreos with your can of Zinfandel after a full day of managing two cyclones under the age of five? Who has broadened your palate and exposed you to the world of macarons and salted caramel? Before me, did you even know you could have chocolate and cayenne at the same time? Who soothes you late at night when you lie awake worrying about your finances, your family, your future? Me and Frito Lay, that’s who. I am your best friend. No, check that. I am your only friend.

Me: You make my pants tight.

Craving: It’s called elastic honey. They make pants that stretch now.

Me: I have a blap. My belly and my lap are one. I didn’t have that before.

Craving: Sorry, was there something you needed to tend to down there? Now you’re interested in grooming?

Me: I’m just saying, I don’t need to defer to your judgment all the time.

Craving: Pardon?

Me: I mean you are a friend, don’t get me wrong. I love when we hang out and I eat like a shark in a feeding frenzy and my eyes roll up in my head and then I black out. I mean, that’s fun and everything. But the next day I feel terrible and I feel like you’re the friend who secretly copies pages of my diary while I’m unconscious and pastes them all over the walls at school. You’re like a friend and then you’re the opposite. A frenemy.

Craving: So, where do we go from here?

Me: I don’t know. Maybe crave something other than food? How about sex?

(Pause. Both erupt into laughter.)

Me: (Wiping tears) Sorry, I couldn’t keep a straight face.

Craving: You almost had me!

Me: Haha, can you imagine?

Craving: So, about those jellybeans…?

Me: Yeah sure, I got you boo. Let’s eat until we go blind.

Craving: I love you.

Me: I know.

 

(Scene.)

 

Tags: battling weight, cravings, featuredxx, McDonalds, mommy struggle, oreo, zinfandel .

Mommies’ night out

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Mommy Approved .

We did it. We went out. Urban met Suburban and the two of us got to spend a long, luxurious evening together, enjoying dinner and cocktails at The Good Son recently.
Chef Vittorio Colacitti at work in the kitchen

Chef Vittorio Colacitti at work in the kitchen

Just to clarify, it was us – Michelle and Elisa. No kids. No husbands. Just a girls’ night out – a mommies’ night out!

It happens so rarely that either of us get out without kids that it was a bit of a shock. And the truth is, most of the time when either of us gets out of the house for an evening, it’s with the hubby.

Getting out with a friend used to be so commonplace. Before getting married I was out every and any night of the week. Before having kids, a night out with friends or husband was always fun but not a special occasion.

Now, finding time, coordinating schedules, making sure nobody’s kid had a soccer game or baseball game or playdate or cold or a boo boo to kiss or… Let’s just say it took a long time to find a date to work for us both.

It was a Tuesday, and it was spectacular.

It’s hard to fathom whether the most delicious part was the cocktails, the dinner, the dessert, or just the fact that we enjoyed a night out without kids. At least we got to discover the most sumptuous of restaurants in Toronto’s West Queen West area. Chef Vittorio Colacitti was kind enough to have us as guests at The Good Son, and we can’t wait to go back again.

Being that both of us are moms to two boys, there was no lack of irony that we were headed to a restaurant called The Good Son.

If you haven’t yet been, and you’re in the area, go. Just go. The room is gorgeous, the menu is full of flavours and enticing ingredients – and the drinks…

Great staff

Great staff

With the wonderfully attentive Adam at our service, he left us wanting for nothing – in fact these two mamas had to cut ourselves off after 2 cocktails (it was a school night and, who are we kidding, those kids get up way too early to have a third on a Tuesday night!).

While I stuck with a classic bourbon sour – it went well with the ambiance, the food and the fab company – Michelle got adventurous and Adam helped her find just the right mix on the menu for her cocktail-drinking pleasure. Enter the Tikki Tikki Bang Bang. Trust us, your life isn’t complete until you’ve tried one. Michelle ended up with what can only be described as a sweet one-two punch of tropical fruit juice and good rum. Later on, she switched over to a martini – Yesterday Once More. (We have the recipe for you if you’d like to try one at home!)

We dined the way friends do. As plates arrived we shared and tasted.

Screen Shot 2016-08-17 at 12.04.12 PM

Scallops

We indulged.

Jerk Shrimp

Jerk Shrimp

Chef Vittorio stopped by, helping us decide on the next course – and the next.  Jerk Shrimp, Steak Tartare, Seared Scallops, even a trio of desserts!

Screen Shot 2016-08-17 at 12.03.59 PM

No grabbing. No snatching. No complaints. No drinks spilled. No hollering that someone wants to leave before mom has finished eating. No eating quickly to anticipate a restless child or his ill-timed bathroom breaks!

Though I did wear an off-white top which will never be the same after drips of several different foods landed on it.

Screen Shot 2016-08-17 at 12.03.28 PM

I always say I can’t wear white because of my boys. I have to stop lying to myself. I’m the reason I cannot wear white. Sad but true, though the wait staff did teach us a great trick with lemon juice and soda water that seemed to work wonders.

You know what you’re missing in your life? A mommies’ night out. We always make time for all of the sports and activities, the playdates and the outings for the kids. Mommy needs some time to herself too. It comes back gradually, as the kids get a bit older, but it’s amazing how long we can put off taking time for ourselves.

Let us know where you go for Mommies’ Night out – we’d love to hear what you discover!

If you’re headed to Toronto, head on over to Queen West and Dovercourt. The Good Son at 1096 Queen St. W. is not to be missed. The 5,000 pound wood-burning oven in the open kitchen is a showpiece, and watching Chef Vittorio Colacitti and his talented team prepare dish after dish is a show in its own right. The Good Son has got a people-watching perch of bar stools and counter facing Queen, while the eclectic and elegant dining room is indulgently comfortable, calm and appealing. High ceilings, low light and lots of great design plus great food, spectacular drinks and NO KIDS! (or bring the kids, they’re welcome too) equals a meal to remember.

For a bit of nightlife, Wayward is located upstairs and has an edgy speak-easy feel, where DJs spin hip-hop and hot beats all weekend. For those outside of the city, Vittorio has just launched Born and Raised. His food and inspiration are as diverse as his clientele, but everything is whole and local and rich with flavor.

Make a date, make a reservation, have a drink and enjoy. You’ll be glad you listened to us!

The Good Son 1096 Queen St. W. 

twitter @thegoodson_TO

facebook icon The Good Son Toronto

instagram The Good Son_TO

 

1 Comment .
Tags: alcohol, born and raised, Boubon Sour, Chef, Chef Vittorio Colacitti, delish, Dessert, drinks, featuredxx, Mommies' Night Out, nom, restaurant, The Good Son, The Wayward Son, Tikki Tikki Bang Bang, Top Chef Canada, Yesterday Once More .

S’mores

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Delicious Dishes .

Summer fun in our family includes camping. I know I usually post about staycations and 4 star hotels, but I know my way around a campsite. And what would camping be without a campfire and some S’mores.

smores

Mmmmmmmm

But you want to know a secret? You don’t need to have a campfire to make s’mores.

What you need:

– 10 Marshmallows
– 20 graham crackers
– 2 bars of milk chocolate

What you do (the easy version):

Melt a marshmallow. You can do this on a poker stick over a campfire or over a stovetop burner. (You can even cheat like crazy and just microwave to melt it, 20-30 seconds should do the trick.)

Put melty molten marshmallow on a graham cracker. Put 1 or 2 squares of chocolate onto the hot marshmallow so it melts.

Place a second graham cracker on top to make a sandwich. Let it cool for a second so you don’t scald the inside of your mouth.

Tell me that’s not what camping tastes like!

What you do (The authentic version):

Sandwich 2 pieces of chocolate and one marshmallow between two graham crackers. Wrap like a packet in tinfoil, making sure the edges are sealed well. Place packet into the campfire – not on the fire, but near enough to cook it through. Give it about 1.5 to 2 minutes there. Check on contents. They should be melted and gooey. If not, replace in the campfire and gauge how much additional time you’ll need. If you’ve got a good set of tongs or fire utensils you can try holding the packet over the fire to grill it. But that trick takes skill.

The cooked graham crackers have a different texture and flavour. This is definitely for the purist. If you want to get a bit creative, you can try adding bits of fruit – bananas and strawberries work well. You can add in nuts – peanuts or almonds. You can add in some caramel, use different kinds of chocolate bars, add trail mix or anything else you want that you think would taste good covered in chocolate and wrapped in warm marshmallow.

 

Tags: campfire, camping, chocolate, graham crackers, marshamallow, nom, nom nom, recipe, staycation, yum .

Managing your child’s fear of dogs

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

There are plenty of people – kids and adults – that have a fear of dogs. Whether it’s a bad experience or just an innate phobia, having a fear of dogs can really impact life, especially as a child. Urban Suburban Mommy spoke with Koryn Greenspan, CEO, handler and Walker of Urban Dog Walks.  Here is her professional advice as to what to do, what not to do and how to perpetuate positive change.
Koryn with her clients

Koryn with her clients

Few things are more truthful than seeing a child’s sheer terror or gripping fear of a dog. It breaks my heart every time. My niece was TERRIFIED of my husky/shep/collie. Clients have told stories of their paralysis around dogs due to their own personal fear as kids. In addition, I have worked hand in hand with families whose very own children were petrified at the mere thought of brining a 7 week old puppy into their home.

After years of working with dogs, and seeing various degrees of this scenario play out, I have good news … This fear, although very real, is also very fixable.

Top 10 Tips On How To Break Your Child’s Fear of Dogs:

#1Try not to shrug off this fear by suggesting that the doggie is friendly while at the same time nudging them towards a dog. YOU know and trust that dogs are beautiful animals whose primary goal is to illicit happiness and positive praise from their owner and those who are around them. Your child, however, has yet to come to that understanding, and if forced (although with good intent*) towards the dog, before he or she has time to process and change their mind, may never be able to break their fear.

 #2: Take the time to talk to your child and understand where the fear is coming from. While in the understanding process, try to limit their contact with dogs just for the time being. For all you know it could something as simple as the movement of their tail OR on the other end of the spectrum, it could be a dog’s teeth and fear of bite. Whatever the cause is, if you understand it you will have a better chance of managing the exact fear when it actually occurs.

 #3: Be sure never to let a dog barge at them while walking into a front door, while walking outside or while in a park.

 #4: If you are going to a friend’s house, request that the dog be outside or on a leash when you get there. If you are at a park and you see a dog in the distance off leash, steer your child away from that space. If you’re walking on the street and you spot a really hyper dog who wants to jump to say hi, simply take the time to cross the road. Remember these are not forever instances; these are for the time solutions until the fear of dogs has subsided.

 #5: Once the root of the fear is understood and clearly communicated, start with leash / waist training exposure. If your dog OR a dog whom you are going to see is attached to your waist on a leash, slow integration can begin.

#6: When a dog is on leash and your child is present, praise the dog for the good behaviour – and it is paramount to reassure the child that they too are doing a great job!! Remember, this is a controlled environment and your child trusts YOU. Show them your confidence and loving interaction with the dog. Be sure to maintain a distance between the dog and your child and try to go about your business as best as you can.

#7: Off leash areas. There is a great opportunity for you and your child to be in close proximity to dogs while at the same time being protected by a fence. Take your child to these parks. Let them find their own comfortable space to sit or stand and watch the dogs from the outside. They will be able to see how they interact with each other as well as with their humans. First hand exposure is the key to their understanding of how dogs work and this will help to allow them to witness how loving, playful & caring dogs really are.

#8: Book a play date in a controlled environment where there can be space between your child and the dog. Take a walk with a friend who has a dog or go to a pet friendly leashed environment and have your child watch a puppy class, or anything that will show them firsthand  how patient, sweet and loyal dogs are.

#9: Educate your child on what to do if they are scared, or if a dog jumps, or if a puppy nips at their hands or ankles. Give them knowledge about what to do. Show them how to, with the use of positive reinforcement, manage and control their interactions with puppies and dogs. You would be surprised how much comfort comes from knowing what to do in scary situations. Arm them with the tools they need so they can move forward and start to build trust in dogs.

#10: Above all else, be patient, understanding and respectful of your child’s fear. It is an immense opportunity to give your child the gift of that special kind of love, loyalty and care that dogs are truly meant to give.*

Koryn greenspanKoryn Greenspan is the CEO of Urban Dog Walks. Urban Dog Walks is an upscale, professional dog walking & dog care company she started as a passion project, and has boomed into a full dog care service providing business. Koryn is a forever pet lover, a previous professional dog walker as well as handler.

www.urbandogwalks.ca

facebook iconhttps://www.facebook.com/urbandogwalks/
instagram https://www.instagram.com/urbandogwalks.ca/
twitter  https://twitter.com/UrbanDogWalks 

1 Comment .
Tags: breaking fear, comfort level, dog walker, dogs, fear, fear of dogs, featurexx, Koryn Greenspan, leash, Urban Dog Walks, working with dogs .

Saaa-wiiiing batta’ – or how I became a hockey mom

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

baseball player copyAt the start of baseball season, my guy was afraid to swing the bat too hard. He was shy about mixing with the rest of his team. He sat in the dust instead of the bench. He looked around in the outfield, chasing daisies instead of pop flies.

I had no idea a couple of months ago how important it would be to get my kid into team sports.

“Get them into baseball,” my husband kept at me.

“But I don’t want to spend all summer running from practice to practice, game to game,” I complained. (Complained, maybe whined, it’s a bit of a blur.)

I played baseball as a kid. In fact, I played in a social league as an adult, right up until I had kids. I love playing baseball. But I didn’t see my kids loving it. (Or maybe I just didn’t feel like it.)

Let me tell you, living in Toronto, what Bautista and his bat flip did for baseball in Toronto is nothing short of heroic. All of the leagues were beyond capacity. Their waitlists were even closed – the waitlist had a waitlist. And then someone recommended a league. I got my older son into the last remaining space in the entire City of Toronto. My younger son would have to sit out this year though. There were no other leagues with any availability for his age group.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNi2wSIYLNM&w=560&h=315]

Baseball would take over our summer. Games were Monday and Wednesday evenings, practices were Saturday mornings. Between sitting in the dirt, sliding into home and falling in the outfield, his shirt and pants had to be washed after every wear. Three times a week.

This wasn’t working out for me.

I wanted to quit.

“Stick with it honey,” my husband kept saying. Easy for him to say, he had to work through the practices, the games.

And then my son got it.

swing batter baseball playerOne day as he tapped the plate with his bat, he swung – and he connected. He knocked that ball into the outfield.

The look on his face and the glint in his eyes – it all changed after that first hard hit.

For both of us.

It was no longer something I had to do, it was something I looked forward to doing. He stopped needing to be told what to do, he looked forward to his next game, his next turn at bat. He started figuring out which positions he enjoyed playing, how to control the ball as he threw it.

I started feeling bad that my husband would miss all of this.

It’s amazing what baseball can teach you. Apparently it’s why, now that baseball season is over, I’m about to become what I never wanted to become… A. Hockey. Mom.

 

Tags: baseball, batter, game, hockey mom, practice, swing, uniform .

The Best Mommy Martini – Yesterday Once More

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Delicious Dishes .

So last week, Elisa and I had a fantastic Mommies’ Night Out.  We had the pleasure of trying Chef Vittorio Colacitti’s  (Top Chef Canada Finalist – Food Network) restaurant The Good Son.  I honestly died and went to heaven.  The food is unbelievable and the drinks are just as superb. The room is amazing. Read more about our MNO outing this week.

The Good Son - drinks

I delighted in a martini called Yesterday Once More and in all honesty – I keep wishing it was yesterday over and over again. This is the ultimate, delicious and refreshing martini. It is one of the best mixed drinks I have ever had (and yes I have sampled a lot in my day). I highly recommend a night out at the Good Son and you must try this drink.  But, if you can’t make it to Toronto – here’s the recipe for you adventurous mixologists at home.

What you need:

– 1.5 oz. Tromba Blanco (now that’s a smooth tequila)
– 0.5 oz. Aperol
– 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
– 0.25 oz Simple Syrup
– 0.75 oz Watermelon Juice
– 5 Basil Leaves

What you do:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin. Shake with ice and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Drink.

Repeat.

The result:

Very happy and relaxed mommy.  Here’s to yesterday.

Urban Mommy Elisa adds: Cheers to that!

martini

 

Chef Vittorio Colacitti of The Good Son

Chef Vittorio Colacitti of The Good Son

The Good Son is in Toronto at 1096 Queen St. W. 
Upstairs you’ll find a great little night spot – Wayward
If Hamilton’s your local, you’ll want to check out Colacitti’s newest spot, Born and Raised.
twitter @thegoodson_TO

facebook icon The Good Son Toronto

instagram The Good Son_TO

1 Comment .
Tags: Aperol, Basil, Chef, Drink, featuredxx, girls night out, Martini, MNO, Mommies' Night Out, nom, recipe, The Good Son, Tromba Blanco, Vittorio Colacitti, Watermelon Juice .

Day out with Thomas – win tickets!

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

I don’t know about you, but my boys have been obsessed with trains for as long as they’ve been choo-choo-ing. The shows, the train sets, the requests to ride a real one.

day out with thomas

Well guess what? A Day out With Thomas is about as amazing as the whole train love experience can get. All aboard, this opportunity gets you on the railways with everybody’s favourite little tank engine – and some of his friends will be there too.

Appearing at the York Durham Heritage Railway over the next few weeks, you need to book your ride now. And one lucky family can win a four pack of tickets from Urban Suburban Mommy!

Like the blog, like our Facebook page Urban Suburban Mommy and leave a comment (either on Facebook or on the Blog) and you’re entered to win.

Winners must use tickets for the Friday August 19 tour at 3:45pm. There is no cash value, no date alternative. Prize is awarded randomly. Winner will be announced on August 15 at 10 am est. There is free parking near the site but transportation to and from the event is not included.

For more details or to book your own tickets visit: A Day out With Thomas

 

 

Contest may be cancelled at the discretion of Urban Suburban Mommy.  Urban Suburban Mommy will not be held responsible for any damage, loss or injury involved with participating in the contest. Ticket pick up is the responsibility of the contest winner and is only open to residents of the GTA only (Toronto area).

 

 

8 Comments .
Tags: contest, day out with thomas, featured, free, Thomas The Train, tickets .

10 questions with a casting director

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in 10 Questions With .

connietalbot3Every one wants to be a star! My little guy has asked me to be on TV and of course I really have to think about this one. My brother was a child actor and yes, at times it was exciting and glamorous, but, believe it or not it is a lot of hard work and a bigtime commitment. So many parents are curious about how to get their kids started in showbiz, we spoke to Julie J. Fitzsimmons, principle of Jules Casting, who some shed light on the audition process. We think you’ll find it enlightening!

1. Does a child need an agent before auditioning in front of a casting director?

Having an agent is a huge advantage, but there are other open call avenues that some Casting Directors use. For example, I have an online form where anyone can sign up to receive E-blasts for Jules Casting Open Call notifications signup.julescasting.com. I also make announcements using social media like twitter @JulesCasting

*NOTE* there are MANY scams out there so it’s extremely important to do your due diligence and research before you decide to submit your child to something. I can’t stress it enough. NEVER give money up front. That’s why it really is in your best interest to have an agent who can submit your child to all the castings in the city.  They will be more familiar with who the industry professionals are.

2. What special talents or personality traits does a casting director look for when auditioning children?

I look for children who are confident, listen well and take our direction. Often kids are very confident but there are many that come into the casting room who get shy. It’s an intimidating experience but some children come in with absolutely no fear! It’s amazing to see!

3. Are there certain desired looks or trends these days in casting for TV/Films?

No, every casting is different so it would pertain to the specific job I’m working on.

4. Is a parent allowed in the room when a child is auditioning?

I can’t speak for other Casting Directors but I don’t allow parents in the room. Children often look to their parent for support or approval and most times it’s to the detriment of the child’s performance. I run a fun show, so the Jules Casting team will always make sure it’s an enjoyable experience for the kids.

5. Should a child dress the part when auditioning?  For example, if you are casting for a period film, should a child dress appropriately?

This is another question that is specific to each Casting Director or even client. I like people to dress the role, so it adds to my visual of seeing them in the scene. This doesn’t mean they have to go purchase a costume/wardrobe for every audition. For example, if you’re auditioning for a role as an elf in a Christmas movie, wear red and green. If the part is for a private school student, perhaps dress in white shirt, grey or black bottoms similar to a uniform. Though I have heard that some Casting Directors do not like this, when we schedule auditions we’ll include wardrobe details in the prep notes so you would know ahead of time.

6. How important are good head shots to a casting director?

They’re important, but what’s more important is to keep them REAL. Do not jazz your child up in hair and make-up.  It’s beneficial to have a couple of options, perhaps one casual and one dressed up. Also, children grow quickly so it’s important to get head shots updated.

7. What are some tips to help parents/children prepare for an audition?

Memorize the lines as best as they can, do some improvisation with them for the scene and just remind them it’s about being creative and having fun.

8. How long does an audition usually last?

Usually parents should be prepared to stay between 20 – 30 minutes at the Casting Studio. You’ll often be asked to fill in forms, then wait until it’s time for the child to come in the room. The audition itself could be 5-15 minutes, but it all depends on the project.

9. What can a child performer expect for a rate of pay for one day’s work?

Rates really vary from job to job, but I always tell actors in the beginning of their career to get out and volunteer for as many shoots (low budget/short films/school projects) as possible to gain more confidence and experience.

10. Any tips on how to wow a casting director or leave a lasting impression?

Be polite, do the best job you can and have fun!

About Jules Casting

Julie J. Fitzsimmons founder of Jules Casting has been working as an independent Casting Director in Toronto since 2004. Casting TV Hosts, Commercials, Reality Shows, Series, Feature Films, Live Events and voice with a long list of production clients. For over 10 years Jules has been casting and collaborating with many of the major networks including: MuchMusic, Comedy, E!, Oprah’s Network ‘OWN’, CTV, MTV, Slice, OLN, The Score, Sportnet, Rogers, CityTV, M3, Cosmo, Space, WNetwork, CMT, Bell Media, Discovery and TMN. 

julesJules is a Canadian Screen Award Member and has been invited to sit on the jury for the last four years. Her work has played an important role in over 30 award-winning promos, including multiple Promax Awards, a Gemini nomination for guest-hosting with Daily Planet, a Gemini Nomination, as well as a Gold Remi for On-Screen Talent and Television Series/Comedy for Ed’s Up.

www.julescasting.com

twitter@JulesCasting

 

2 Comments .
Tags: actor, audition, casting, casting director, child, featuredxx, film, head shot, Jules Casting, star, talent agent, television .
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