Activities – Urban Suburban Mommy

Set intentions and do something different this New Years

Posted on December 28, 2016 by venicealissia Posted in The Best You .

In the past I’ve never really felt the need or desire to set intentions for the upcoming year. Of course I’d do the usual run of the mill wishes to keep a healthy physical workout regime, be the best version of myself that I could be etc. But I never really dug that deep into my souls to set the intentions that could really make a difference in all aspects of my life. This year is different. I feel like there is almost an urgency to set the PERFECT intentions that will set me on the right foot, path that could potentially alter my life forever.

I am a single mom with two boys. I have a partner with whom I share wonderful adventures with that holds a special place in my heart. My life is filled with excitement, adventures, struggles, peace and happiness. It’s not perfect but it’s my life and I strive for happiness, passion, compassion and the most unique life for my boys.

As the new year rapidly approaches I find myself reflecting on my past, happy moments, sad moments my failures and accomplishments. Life is not suppose to be linear – there are twists and turns, bumps and hiccups.

All of which I try to embrace and seek peace and acceptance on the path that I had taken and now look to the future and the path in which I wish to forge.

This New Year’s Eve I wanted to experience something different than the usual over priced prix fixe NYE menu in an oversized venue that lacked intimacy.

I’ve decided to trade in my sequinned black dress and 6 inch heels for hiking boots and Patagonia gear:)

Of course in true Alissia style we’re still going to maintain a feminine and sensual touch to the look. I may be wearing fleece and gortex on the outside but my undergarments will still have a festive and cheeky flair.

As for NYE activity ideas – here are a few that will unlock the adventure enthusiast in you, your partner and the rest of the family:

Acro yoga and rock climbing retreat in Joshua Tree.
Surf trip with a few friends and family and head down south to Ensenada.
Skiing/snowboarding at Blue Mountain, Whistler/Blackcomb, or Mammoth Mountain to name a few with the family then head in and sit by the fire as you prepare cheese fondue for your NYE’s feast!\

Alissia Marciano is a fellow mom and Urban Suburban Mommy’s fashion stylist and lifestyle expert, as well as, an on-air celebrity fashion host. Currently based in Los Angeles, she has worked and forged her talent around the world in such cities as Paris, New York, Vancouver, and Toronto. From guest appearances on Rachael Ray, to the countdown to the Oscars on the red carpet with E!, and co-hosting Look A Like and Sexy Girl, Alissia is a prominent figure in the fashion industry and her success has earned her the reputation of a highly sought after international fashion and celebrity stylist. Beyond fashion and music, Alissia’s portfolio includes an extensive list of advertising clients including Diesel, ESPN, Nike, Acura, Orbit, and CAT. Her eclectic mix of femininity and rock n’ roll has graced the pages of such publications as L’Uomo Vogue, Neo 2 (Spain), Entertainment Weekly, New York Moves, Wonderland (Japan), The National (UAE) and Filler to name a few. In addition to her work in the industry, Alissia has two beautiful boys with whom she shares many wonderful adventures and creates lasting memories with, surfing and skateboarding being two of their favorite activities.

alissia marciano @alissiamarciano

5 awesome things to do this Mother’s Day

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

What does Mother’s day mean to you?

It means something different to me now, compared to when I was a child. In the past it was a day to honor my mother and shower her with flowers and a gift – which i still do even though now we live thousands of miles apart.

I’m sure she loved the thoughtful gestures that my brother and I did every year, but the truth is we really had NO idea how fortunate we were to have such an amazing woman raise us. Looking back, she made everything look so effortless. I have an enormous amount of love and gratitude for my mother and really reflect upon motherhood each Mother’s Day.

Reflecting on motherhood isn’t something I did prior to having children. Being a mom is hard work. There is no rule or guide book that works magic on every child. You make things up as you go along, with the guidance of family and loved ones, but it’s your inner gut that navigates you through this wonderful journey called life/motherhood. As a mother what makes me feel fulfilled and happy is seeing my boys wild, happy and of course, well behaved;). The three of us are happiest when we’re on an adventure in nature. The boys are able to roam around freely and explore, thus keeping us grounded and thankful for the beauty that surrounds us.

Here is a list of 5 activities and some recommendation destinations that will take your Mother’s Day to the next level. Hold onto to your adventure hat…it might get a little bumpy!

photo: Christopher Michel

1. Camping: Canada: Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island; Tobermory, Ontario.
USA: The Joshua Tree National Park

2. Surfing: Canada: Tofino, B.C.
USA: areas close to LA – Topanga, Venice, Sunset or Malibu

3. Nature walk: Canada: The National Trail; Niagara on the Lake Waterfront Trail. I
USA: Solstice Canyon and Sycamore Canyon near LA

4. Waterfall hunting: Canada: Shannon falls Provincial Park, BC.
USA: Havasupai Falls, Arizona

5. Star gazing with your boys: Set up a little viewing deck area outside with cozy blankets and pillows, prepare some hot chocolate with marshmallows and sit back and relax while the stars shine above!

Alissia Marciano is an international fashion and wardrobe stylist, as well as, an on-air celebrity fashion host. Currently based in Los Angeles, she has worked and forged her talent around the world in such cities as Paris, New York, Vancouver, and Toronto. From guest appearances on Rachael Ray, to the countdown to the Oscars on the red carpet with E!, and co-hosting Look A Like and Sexy Girl, Alissia is a prominent figure in the fashion industry and her success has earned her the reputation of a highly sought after international fashion and celebrity stylist. Beyond fashion and music, Alissia’s portfolio includes an extensive list of advertising clients including Diesel, ESPN, Nike, Acura, Orbit, and CAT. Her eclectic mix of femininity and rock n’ roll has graced the pages of such publications as L’Uomo Vogue, Neo 2 (Spain), Entertainment Weekly, New York Moves, Wonderland (Japan), The National (UAE) and Filler to name a few. In addition to her work in the industry, Alissia has two beautiful boys with whom she shares many wonderful adventures and creates lasting memories with, surfing and skateboarding being two of their favorite activities.

alissia marciano @alissiamarciano

2016 nurturing you – Getting yourself to shine, post-holiday

Posted on January 14, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Best You .

Salvation Mountain – being given the opportunity to add a stroke

The holiday season was hectic. You’re feeling tired, over worked and in desperate need of a makeover. Instead of the usual beauty tip remedies we see come out every January 1st, I thought I’d share with you my secrets to getting glowing skin and a permanent grin from the inside out.

Being a mother means meeting the demands of many individuals, your children, your partner, you career and then – finally – you.

It can be challenging to find that balance where you feel personally fulfilled. January 2016 marks the beginning of a new year. I wanted to make a conscious decision to make intentions this year, rather than resolutions. It’s important for me to live a life of excitement, passion, love and adventure. I want to lead by example for my boys. I want to expose them to a multitude of activities, environments, cultures, languages and the list goes on… Maybe forever 🙂

Boarding with the boys around Santa Monica

Set intentions that will nurture your mind, body and soul. Start shinning from the inside out. That is where the true beauty lies and pure happiness stems from. Here are a few of my intentions for this year:

Surf with my partner once a week
Have an adventure day once a week- whether it’s going on a hike, checking out a new installation at an art gallery, snowboarding, skating or doing photography.
Teach my boys a new skill in the outdoors

Alissia Surfing

Experiencing something new or doing a physical activity with your partner or children results in expanding your mind and gets the endorphins flowing. Is there anything better than that?

So remember mums, take action to create the life you want to live with your children and partner. This is the year to put those intentions into action; by doing so, I promise that you’ll notice a positive mental and physical shift that will set the tone for years to come. What are you waiting for? There is no better time than the present to shine from the inside out!

Sharing a special moment in the desert

If you loved this article you’ll also love: Fashion stylist to the stars Alissia Marciano gets down and dirty on being a styling mommy

alissia marciano @alissiamarciano

From tasty treats to fantabulous fun in the winter – what to do with snow and ice

Posted on January 7, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Mommy Approved .

Winter is a tough season – especially if you live in a climate that goes sub-zero. Usually this means layers upon layers of outerwear as well as heaps of snow. While keeping a matching pair of mittens may be a lost cause in most homes, winter can have its own kind of fun.

In my neighbourhood, it is rare to see any kids outside after school. The hibernation period begins. But, as much as we are tempted to curl up in front of the TV and turn into vegetables, we need to try and be active and brave the cold. Here are some fun things you can do with the kiddies while embracing winter.

photo: Saskia Heijltjes

1. Make snow angels
Bundle up, slap on the ski jacket and snow pants – now jump into a fresh patch of snow and make your best snow angel. Arms and legs going. This is fun to do with kids at any age. This is a fun thing to do even without the kids, you just may have forgotten to try while you were busy being a grown-up.

2. Turn snow (clean snow) into toffee
Heat up some maple syrup in a medium saucepan for about 5 minutes (on medium). Pour into a measuring cup. Bring some popsicle sticks with you.

First rule – avoid dirty snow and ESPECIALLY, avoid the yellow snow, but after seeking out a nice, sparkling piece of fresh white snow, let your kids pour some maple syrup on top of the snow and watch it turn it into Toffee. Let them gather the toffee on the popsicle sticks and Enjoy!

3. Go tobogganing or snow tubing
There are so many different toboggans and sleds out in the market. Do your research but basically kids – even the little ones can thrill in swooshing down a hill at full speed. Always a good idea for the kids to wear a helmet. It’s great exercise and great fun!

Suggestion a) Make sure to have a cord tied to sleds, GT Racers, Krazy Karpets and snow discs, it makes it easier to pull them back up the hill.
Suggestion b) A little bit of wax, teflon or non-stick cooking spray will really up your speed.

Ice glass

4. Make snow glass

Take advantage of the fact that the whole world is your freezer. There are so many fun things you can do with this open-air ice box. Fill balloons full of water – get fancy and add food colouring! You can make a variety of different sizes. If you hang them out overnight to freeze they’ll form perfect globlets and oblongs, if you set them on the ground they’ll be rounder but have a flat spot on the bottom. When frozen just peel off the balloon. They make great yard decorations and simply mesmerize the kids. Keep adding to them over the winter.

Instead of balloons, use milk and juice containers and tetra-packs to hold the coloured liquid to freeze, and then dump out a perfect rectangle. Collect enough of them and you’ll be able to make a magical multi-coloured fort out of the colourful ice bricks.

5. Snow ice cream

Kids LOOOOOOVE to eat snow, and snow ice cream is fast, yummy and abundant. Best consumed on a sunny day, or inside with a cup of cocoa, it requires few ingredients and lots of giggles. In a glass or metal bowl mix a cup of milk (you can use cream or condensed milk for a more rich, decadent alternative), a quarter cup or so of white sugar, a teaspoon of salt and a few drops of vanilla. Once you’ve whisked milk, vanilla and salt together, dump in 8 cups of snow and keep mixing. If it’s runny add more snow until it’s thick and fluffy. Set in the cold for a few minutes (in the snow or your freezer) to allow it to set and dig in!

Suggestions: For chocolate use a quarter cup of cocoa powder. For fruit flavours use a quarter cup of jam. Once it sets add it bits of texture, like coconut shreds, fruit chunks, nuts, sprinkles or bits of cookie.

If you want to keep it simple, gather clean snow in individual bowls for each kid. Grab a pack of Kool-aid, sprinkle it on and call it a snowcone!

Winter never tasted so good!

*****edited to add: and then there’s this LOL: