I'm thrilled to share my first column on Mommy Nearest! Hop on over and discover 30 Things to Do in Atlanta Before Your Baby’s First Birthday! Your baby's first year is a whirlwind of highs, lows (it's not all rainbows and unicorns, y'all) and milestones. Just because your little one won’t remember these special moments, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore—even if it’s just to leave the house for a change of southern scenery! Whether its sipping on Chick-Fil-A milkshakes or cruising the Beltline, there's no shortage of fun in the ATL. Spoiler alert! Perhaps I'm biased, but the best part of my column is Genti's surprise cameo. The picture was snapped at Lenox Park, his favorite place to stroll and visit ducks. It's also #24 on my list!
If you're unfamiliar with Mommy Nearest, it's time to take note! Mommy Nearest was founded in New York City by a group of people who believed that finding family-friendly places shouldn’t be difficult (riiiight?!). Whether you want to discover where other local parents are taking their children or you’re traveling to a new city and need inspiration on what to do, the Mommy Nearest app and mommynearest.com is with you every step of the way. I have leveraged the Atlanta section many times to find free happenings and recommendations for family-friendly restaurants, coffee shops and more. Before a recent trip to NYC, I tapped into a few articles to help navigate and maximize a short weekend trip with Genti in tow. It's an amazing resource and I recommend giving it a try. With tons of helpful articles, Mommy Nearest definitely helps take the guess work out of parenting. Check out the Mommy Nearest website or download the Mommy Nearest app on the App Store or Google Play.
Whether I'm fumbling through my morning routine or cruising to work with a Starbucks latte at my side, its highly likely I'm listening to a podcast. After I had my son, I started to spend less time in front of the TV, which meant less awareness of current events, pop culture moments and business happenings. What I really missed were compelling interviews with movers, shakers, celebs, politicians and entrepreneurs. I fell into Podcasts and haven't looked back. If a particular topic or person interests me, I'll search and tune into an episode. Along the way, I've found a handful of Podcasts worthy of subscribing to. There's definitely a female empowerment-inspirational-kick ass theme that weaves throughout my faves. If you have a favorite Podcast, be sure to leave a comment below. I'd love to check it out!
The Ladygang Podcast hosted by Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek and Becca Tobin has literally gotten me through tough traffic jams, less-than-inspiring work tasks and plenty of mornings in front of my mirror. Imagine the conversations you have with girlfriends over a boozy brunch or a GNO dinner....boom, Ladygang in a nutshell. Whether they're sharing Hollywood pitfalls, interviewing famous guests, or discussing "Mirror Mantras", you're guaranteed to laugh. A few of my favorite episodes include interviews with Ali Fedotowsky, Tia Mowry, Louise Roe, Jenni Pulos and Dina Manzo.
Girlboss Radio hosted by Sophia Amoruso provides a healthy dose of fearless-intelligent-kick ass female inspiration. If you're seeking the courage to make an entrepreneurial leap of faith or in need of solid advice, you must tune into Girlboss. Sophia interviews legit girlbosses who have blazed trails in creative, cultural and business ventures. From Skimm co-founders, Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin to CEO and Co-founder of Class Pass Payal Kadakia, there's definitely a Girlboss interview that will resonate with you. Lady Lovin hosts Lo Bosworth (m'fave cast member from The O.C.). Jilly Hendrix and Greta Titelman break down female empowerment, relationships, health, wellness and NSFW content with humor and a healthy dosage of truth. For me, Lady Lovin is reserved for early mornings or my commute homes when I need a laugh or release. I often find myself wondering why I didn't move to NYC as a young, single 20-something...but I'll go ahead and live vicariously through these girls while I navigate Buckhead in my early-30s. NPR's How I Built This Podcast features innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists. If you're curious to learn about the struggles, triumphs and pitfalls of brands like Spanx, Warby Parker, Kendra Scott, Lyft, Airbnb, Kate Spade, Melissa & Doug...than look no further! Thoughtfully hosted by Guy Raz, each interview is an informative discussion on the realities of building a business. If you've built something from nothing - or just daydream about it - you'll love everything about this Podcast.
