Living in the Moment - Memphis, TN

08/27/12

Junior Chef: 10-year-old Logan Guleff Wins Cooking Contest & A Trip to the White House

Logan Guleff won't settle for the usual burger with ketchup and fries. An Asian-inspired turkey burger with peanut butter? Now that's different. The 10-year-old Memphian often whips up meals using his own recipes. His culinary curiosity led him to create a recipe he called Tuna Schooners for Michelle Obama's Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. The contest asked kids ages 8 to 12 to create healthful meals using all of the food groups. Judges included a White House assistant chef and other high-profile foodies. Logan's dish was one of 54 winning recipes selected from more than 1,200 participants. As Tennessee's winner, he attended the Kids' "State Dinner" hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. Logan escorted his mom, Kim, to the White House event...

Posted at 07:53 AM | Permalink | Comments

08/24/12

Fashionista of the Week: Ava Grace

I happened upon this winsome 2-year-old as I was strolling near the Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms last week. Being outdoors brings big smiles to most children and Ava Grace was no exception. She was getting ready to explore when I spied her in this pretty aqua halter top, embellished with a heart-shaped peace sign necklace, and paired with a leopard-patterned twirly skirt from The Children's Place. Mom Aleks put together her sunny headband, made from a crocheted flower that's stitched to stretchy black ribbon. I love how it plays up Ava's wispy curls. Finishing her look were these sparkly fushia flip flops. Aren't they cute? When indoors, Ava Grace loves to play dress-up in her daddy's uniform, sing and...

Posted at 09:20 AM | Permalink | Comments

08/23/12

Where Can I Find Your Awesome Outfit, Taylor Swift?

We'll admit it; it was a toss up between reviewing the How'd They Build That? construction video, and this tasty fashion tidbit. Can you blame us? We simply fell in love with Taylor Swift's latest look. She was spotted in this sleek black ensemble while hanging out with the Kennedy clan on Cape Cod this summer. Turns out we're not alone. Just this week, Good Morning America featured a spot on her trendy attire. Swift's keen eye for style and her shift towards a chicer vintage look has garnered plenty of notice. (Tagging along with the Kennedy's hasn't hurt, either.) In fact, some fashion wags are blaming Taylor's more demure look on her budding relationship with 18-year-old Conor Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy. But...

Posted at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

08/22/12

Playback Memphis to Perform Saturday, August 25, at First Congregational Church

How do you get people to listen, really listen, to one another? That's a question Virginia Murphy enjoys tackling with the work of her theater company, Playback Memphis. The troupe combines improvisation, storytelling, and community dialogue to build a better Memphis. This Saturday at 7 p.m., you can be part of the show as the group performs "An Evening of Stories About the Delights and Difficulties of Family." The program takes place at TheatreSouth, 1000 South Cooper, in the basement of First Congregational Church. Admission: $15/adults, $12/students & seniors, $5/kids 10 and under. The show is ideal for people ages 8 to 80. The show is a fund-raiser for the troupe's trip to Washington, D.C. this fall. They are one of just six companies that have been...

Posted at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments

08/21/12

A New Clothing Store in Germantown: Monsoon Children

So your bff is getting married and she's has asked your 6-year-old daughter to be her flower girl — which will be totally adorable. But now you need something light and pretty and well, age-appropriate. Wondering where to turn? I recently discovered Monsoon Children at Saddle Creek, a U.K. based retailer that's finally brought their clothing stateside. The first thing I notice is their attention to detail. The party dresses, like this Cleopatra Sparkle Lace dress, are beautifully made, using yards of tulle, satin, and lace ($89.50). What's more, they carry matching big girl/little girl outfits. I totally love this peasant top, with it's delicate embroidery around the neck and sleeves, and the cotton bodice that's oh, sooo soft. I think a...

Posted at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

08/20/12

Read This! Winnie the Pooh (Preschool)

My daughters and I discovered some great books during the library's summer reading program. Here is another of our recommendations. I grew up listening to Winnie-the-Pooh stories, about the bear with very little brain, so to me it was a given that my children would hear and later read Milne's tales in their original format. Naturally, one should always read the stories in an English accent (it helps that I'm a Brit), although parents do get extra points for giving Kanga and Roo an Aussie twang. Helpful hint: It is okay to read Eeyore's voice just like the cartoons, it seems to exactly match the voice I imagine. Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees by Stephen Krensky, A.A. Milne, and Ernest H. Shephard (Easy-to-Read Dutton Easy Reader) was another good find; it's...

Posted at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1

08/17/12

Fashionista of the Week: Claire

When a country girl comes to the big city, what better place to show off one's look than at the art museum? I met Claire outside the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, where she kindly posed for a few pictures. What girl doesn't want to own a pair of cowboy boots, particularly in red? Mom Buffy likes them because they make the skirt pop. As for Claire, it's all about being able to get them on and off with ease. Dressing yourself is big when you're only two-and-a-half. I love how this twirly black-and-white giraffe print is playfully paired with the black and yellow floral at the waist. Dressed up with a stone-washed denim jacket from Gap Kids, the result is a classic look. Claire was recently voted Most Photogenic in the Miss Springtime pageant, and it's...

Posted at 07:17 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2

08/15/12

Choose to Empower Your Kids

There's a woman's rights issue brewing in the north African country of Tunisia right now, and it's casting a shadow on the great accomplishments of Olympian runner Habiba Ghribi. This impressive athlete became the first Tunisian woman in history to medal at the Olympics. Ghribi won silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the London games. What makes her win all the more impressive is that it is the first medal this tiny nation has won since 1972. “This medal is for all the Tunisian people, for Tunisian women, for the new Tunisia,” Ghribi told reporters after the race, according to France 24 news service. But instead of applauding her accomplishments, some of her Islamic countrymen would rather strip her of her medal. Why? Because they disapprove...

Posted at 08:58 AM | Permalink | Comments

08/14/12

Does Your Child Fly as an Unaccompanied Minor? Make Sure They Go Prepared

I read a story the other day that unnerved me. It tapped into the worst fear we harbor as parents: our children being alone and at risk, and our being too far away to help. This story involved Annie and Perry Klebahn from San Francisco, who elected to allow their 10-year-old daughter, Phoebe, to fly alone aboard United Airlines, a carrier they'd routinely used. It was her first trip as an unaccompanied minor, flying from her home in California to a summer camp in northern Michigan. The flight required the girl to switch planes in Chicago, which the family assumed would be taken care of by United crew personnel. Instead, the service had been outsourced to a third party whose staff apparently failed to show up at the gate. Phoebe wound up getting lost in the shuffle for a...

Posted at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments

08/10/12

Read This! The Dragon Series (Preschool)

The great thing about the Memphis Public Library's Summer Reading Club was that it got both of my daughters into the routine of visiting the library each weekend to pick out books to read. Since my preschooler isn't yet reading on her own, she walks down the aisles pulling out any book with an eye-catching cover. It's up to us to find those hidden gems she might have overlooked. Using this method of random selection, we amassed an eclectic mix of reading material over the summer. So, in upcoming posts, I'll share with you those stories we really enjoyed together. Dragon Gets By and Dragon's Fat Cat by Dav Pilkey (Orchard Books) are both part of the short Dragon Tales series. If the name or illustrating style looks familiar, it's because Pilkey is the...

Posted at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments

	08/27/12 Junior Chef: 10-year-old Logan Guleff Wins Cooking Contest & A Trip to the White House Logan Guleff won't settle for the usual burger with ketchup and fries. An Asian-inspired turkey burger with peanut butter? Now that's different. The 10-year-old Memphian often whips up meals using his own recipes. His culinary curiosity led him to create a recipe he called Tuna Schooners for Michelle Obama's Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. The contest asked kids ages 8 to 12 to create healthful meals using all of the food groups. Judges included a White House assistant chef and other high-profile foodies. Logan's dish was one of 54 winning recipes selected from more than 1,200 participants. As Tennessee's winner, he attended the Kids' "State Dinner" hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. Logan escorted his mom, Kim, to the White House event... Posted at 07:53 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	08/24/12 Fashionista of the Week: Ava Grace I happened upon this winsome 2-year-old as I was strolling near the Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms last week. Being outdoors brings big smiles to most children and Ava Grace was no exception. She was getting ready to explore when I spied her in this pretty aqua halter top, embellished with a heart-shaped peace sign necklace, and paired with a leopard-patterned twirly skirt from The Children's Place. Mom Aleks put together her sunny headband, made from a crocheted flower that's stitched to stretchy black ribbon. I love how it plays up Ava's wispy curls. Finishing her look were these sparkly fushia flip flops. Aren't they cute? When indoors, Ava Grace loves to play dress-up in her daddy's uniform, sing and... Posted at 09:20 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	08/23/12 Where Can I Find Your Awesome Outfit, Taylor Swift? We'll admit it; it was a toss up between reviewing the How'd They Build That? construction video, and this tasty fashion tidbit. Can you blame us? We simply fell in love with Taylor Swift's latest look. She was spotted in this sleek black ensemble while hanging out with the Kennedy clan on Cape Cod this summer. Turns out we're not alone. Just this week, Good Morning America featured a spot on her trendy attire. Swift's keen eye for style and her shift towards a chicer vintage look has garnered plenty of notice. (Tagging along with the Kennedy's hasn't hurt, either.) In fact, some fashion wags are blaming Taylor's more demure look on her budding relationship with 18-year-old Conor Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy. But... Posted at 06:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	08/22/12 Playback Memphis to Perform Saturday, August 25, at First Congregational Church How do you get people to listen, really listen, to one another? That's a question Virginia Murphy enjoys tackling with the work of her theater company, Playback Memphis. The troupe combines improvisation, storytelling, and community dialogue to build a better Memphis. This Saturday at 7 p.m., you can be part of the show as the group performs "An Evening of Stories About the Delights and Difficulties of Family." The program takes place at TheatreSouth, 1000 South Cooper, in the basement of First Congregational Church. Admission: $15/adults, $12/students & seniors, $5/kids 10 and under. The show is ideal for people ages 8 to 80. The show is a fund-raiser for the troupe's trip to Washington, D.C. this fall. They are one of just six companies that have been... Posted at 11:03 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	08/21/12 A New Clothing Store in Germantown: Monsoon Children So your bff is getting married and she's has asked your 6-year-old daughter to be her flower girl — which will be totally adorable. But now you need something light and pretty and well, age-appropriate. Wondering where to turn? I recently discovered Monsoon Children at Saddle Creek, a U.K. based retailer that's finally brought their clothing stateside. The first thing I notice is their attention to detail. The party dresses, like this Cleopatra Sparkle Lace dress, are beautifully made, using yards of tulle, satin, and lace ($89.50). What's more, they carry matching big girl/little girl outfits. I totally love this peasant top, with it's delicate embroidery around the neck and sleeves, and the cotton bodice that's oh, sooo soft. I think a... Posted at 07:15 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	08/20/12 Read This! Winnie the Pooh (Preschool) My daughters and I discovered some great books during the library's summer reading program. Here is another of our recommendations. I grew up listening to Winnie-the-Pooh stories, about the bear with very little brain, so to me it was a given that my children would hear and later read Milne's tales in their original format. Naturally, one should always read the stories in an English accent (it helps that I'm a Brit), although parents do get extra points for giving Kanga and Roo an Aussie twang. Helpful hint: It is okay to read Eeyore's voice just like the cartoons, it seems to exactly match the voice I imagine. Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees by Stephen Krensky, A.A. Milne, and Ernest H. Shephard (Easy-to-Read Dutton Easy Reader) was another good find; it's... Posted at 08:51 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 1
	08/17/12 Fashionista of the Week: Claire When a country girl comes to the big city, what better place to show off one's look than at the art museum? I met Claire outside the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, where she kindly posed for a few pictures. What girl doesn't want to own a pair of cowboy boots, particularly in red? Mom Buffy likes them because they make the skirt pop. As for Claire, it's all about being able to get them on and off with ease. Dressing yourself is big when you're only two-and-a-half. I love how this twirly black-and-white giraffe print is playfully paired with the black and yellow floral at the waist. Dressed up with a stone-washed denim jacket from Gap Kids, the result is a classic look. Claire was recently voted Most Photogenic in the Miss Springtime pageant, and it's... Posted at 07:17 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 2
	08/15/12 Choose to Empower Your Kids There's a woman's rights issue brewing in the north African country of Tunisia right now, and it's casting a shadow on the great accomplishments of Olympian runner Habiba Ghribi. This impressive athlete became the first Tunisian woman in history to medal at the Olympics. Ghribi won silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the London games. What makes her win all the more impressive is that it is the first medal this tiny nation has won since 1972. “This medal is for all the Tunisian people, for Tunisian women, for the new Tunisia,” Ghribi told reporters after the race, according to France 24 news service. But instead of applauding her accomplishments, some of her Islamic countrymen would rather strip her of her medal. Why? Because they disapprove... Posted at 08:58 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	08/14/12 Does Your Child Fly as an Unaccompanied Minor? Make Sure They Go Prepared I read a story the other day that unnerved me. It tapped into the worst fear we harbor as parents: our children being alone and at risk, and our being too far away to help. This story involved Annie and Perry Klebahn from San Francisco, who elected to allow their 10-year-old daughter, Phoebe, to fly alone aboard United Airlines, a carrier they'd routinely used. It was her first trip as an unaccompanied minor, flying from her home in California to a summer camp in northern Michigan. The flight required the girl to switch planes in Chicago, which the family assumed would be taken care of by United crew personnel. Instead, the service had been outsourced to a third party whose staff apparently failed to show up at the gate. Phoebe wound up getting lost in the shuffle for a... Posted at 09:21 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	08/10/12 Read This! The Dragon Series (Preschool) The great thing about the Memphis Public Library's Summer Reading Club was that it got both of my daughters into the routine of visiting the library each weekend to pick out books to read. Since my preschooler isn't yet reading on her own, she walks down the aisles pulling out any book with an eye-catching cover. It's up to us to find those hidden gems she might have overlooked. Using this method of random selection, we amassed an eclectic mix of reading material over the summer. So, in upcoming posts, I'll share with you those stories we really enjoyed together. Dragon Gets By and Dragon's Fat Cat by Dav Pilkey (Orchard Books) are both part of the short Dragon Tales series. If the name or illustrating style looks familiar, it's because Pilkey is the... Posted at 09:28 AM \| Permalink \| Comments