Posts ⋆ Page 10 of 27 ⋆ The Mint Chip Mama: A fun blog for Long Island / NY area families

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae: Your Guide To Hot T, Navigating Mom Life, And New York. This Week: Hiatus Over

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Hiatus Over Peter Pan Goes Wrong

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life, taking a hiatus when you’re burned out, and the crazy inner thoughts of this mom of three.

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Like A Boss Series Alex Evenings K.Pacho Kimberly Vernick Photography 2737614 — Kimberly Vernick Photography

Weekly Mom Life Musings

Well, it’s been a minute. Our February kicked my butt and I needed to take a hiatus. I was completely burnt out from planning a huge event and a huge trip back-to-back. Both were incredible but both took such a mental load I needed to stare at the wall for a while.

On our two-week trip I took a complete hiatus from social media. It was wonderful. Know what happened? Nothing. No one missed me or noticed. It was a great realization. Of course, I returned and was totally overwhelmed with catching up, but I’ve decided along the lines of slow cooking and slow traveling, I’m going to slow social media. Maybe my social media will be less cooked, but it will be delicious.

This Week In The World

This week the world is talking about: Space X, Coachella, basketball, Tesla, Holocaust Remembrance Day, the hybrid solar eclipse, Facebook, Fox, the Mandalorian, YOU, Vanessa Lachey, Spring Break, and the Boston Marathon.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below for my weekly newsletter, or as I like to call it my mom blog Mad Libs.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Hiatus Hey Dude

What Are We Watching?

Heeeeey Dude! If you’re a child of the 80s and 90s like me, you will absolutely remember Hey Dude from Nickelodeon. It ran from 1989 – 1991. Two of the actors from the show – David Lascher and Christine Tayler recently launched a podcast called Hey Dude, The 90’s Called and listening to it has been my favorite hour of the week. It made me nostalgic, so I started showing my kids the show. They LOVED it. Going along with the theme of taking it slow, it’s funny to see how it was a much slower paced show than shows for kids today.

The Mint Chip Mama Sundae Hiatus Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Food New York City

What Am I Eating?

We were in Manhattan this week, so I took advantage of the unique restaurants she has to offer. Consequently, I’ve been dying for Ethiopian food – which I can’t find locally – so I jumped at the chance. It was fun to introduce my kids to some delicious Tibs Wot. Plus, I love a chance to eat with my hands!

What Am I Reading?

This week I read Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash. It was about a young girl sent away to live with a family in the states because London wasn’t safe during World War Two. The book follows her life with the new family and how it intertwines with her biological family. It made me think of the lengths a parent will go to keep their child safe and how scary that must have been for her and her parents. While it was not a true story, I’m sure this actually happened during the war to some people. I was so happy to donate it to a Little Free Library after I finished as well as an additional copy sent to me by Celadon a few weeks prior!

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Like A Boss Series K.Pacho Uncle Joey's Rainbow Explosion 957 — Kimberly Vernick Photography

What Am I Writing?

So, I know I said I was on a hiatus but in fact I was busy writing a five-part series about planning a large-scale event. Mid-February we planned a huge event for my daughter and then went on a trip to continue the celebration. I planned to write one post about the party but there was just so much to say it became five! If you’re planning a party, event planning for fun, or looking to up your next fete, check out my event planning series: Part 1: Where To Begin, Part 2: Party Vendors, Part 3: Party Favors, Part 4: DIY Party Décor, and Part 5: Party Dresses, Suits, Hair & Makeup.

Where Are We Going?

We love going to Broadway shows. It’s hard sometimes to find something new that the kids will enjoy so we always jump when a new family friendly show comes out. We couldn’t wait to see Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The show was HYSTERICAL. I can’t recommend it enough. We got our tickets before they announced Neil Patrick Harris was guest starring (through April 30th) and we were SO excited to see him! While we know him as Doogie and Barney, my kids know him as Count Olaf from A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

Since he is a multi-generational crown pleaser, we went to the stage door after the show. He was so nice and patient and chatted with my boys. They wanted to know which character his favorite was to play in the series.

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

With Earth Day 2023 this Sunday, it made me this of this post about the small ways we reduce, reuse, and recycle at home. With that said, check it out, maybe you’ll find something to help save the planet too!

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

Well technically we went to Italy after I was already a mom… But I was pregnant with my second, so I think it counts. Here two young people in their 30’s are standing in front of Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy in April 2013. While my husband and I look older today, my Burberry jacket looks the same. Another argument for quality over quantity…

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

From reels to posts and carousels, see what’s going on in Instagram land. Since I was on hiatus, I want to highlight some exciting things from a few weeks ago like my beloved Beachwaver rotating curling iron (now on sale!) as well as a funny flute audio, and a little boy very excited about Bubbles (Gazillion Bubble Show promo here!).

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

More on The Mint Chip Mama:
Real Mom Life, Family Travel & Everyday Chaos

Thanks for stopping by The Mint Chip Mama – your go-to source for family travel tips, real parenting moments, lifestyle hacks, and everything in between. This is where motherhood gets messy, magical, and served with a scoop of mint chip ice cream. From unforgettable family adventures to food finds, beauty faves, and honest takes on women’s health, I cover it all with humor, heart, and a sprinkle of sass.

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Looking for the Perfect Gift or Party Idea?

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Party Planning Like A Boss Series: The Best Vendors, Favors, And DIY Decor For Your Next Unique Party – Part 5 Party Dresses, Suits, Hair & Makeup

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Like A Boss Series - Party Dresses K.Pacho Alex Evening Gown Ask Alice Boutique La Femme Kimberly Vernick Photography 269

Pretty Party Dresses and Suits Plus Fancy Hair And Make Up Make It A Celebration!

As I keep saying in each part of this series, party planning is overwhelming. But this is the last part! Thusly, all of your party decor, party favors, and party vendors are booked – the final step is shopping for something pretty!

Experts suggest beginning your dress search for a large occasion six months before your event. This generous window offers plenty of time to look around leisurely. Additionally, if you are ordering a dress vs. buying it off the rack it could take months for it to arrive. Likewise, chances are you will not buy the first dress you see so starting early offers you a cushion to find the right one.

With that said, it took ten minutes to pick out suits for my husband and sons but a few weeks for my boy’s suits to arrive, so keep that in mind too. My husband did well finding a suit at Men’s Wearhouse as always and we got great suits for my boys on Zulily.

Similarly, start asking around for hair and makeup recommendations. The good places, people, and prime appointments book up quickly.

Speaking of looking good, if you’ve been thinking about any cosmetic improvements now is the time to start. For example, my husband has wanted Invisalign for years. He decided this was the right time to begin so by the time the party arrived he’d have a perfectly redesigned smile.

Let’s Get To Party Planning!

I laugh because as easy as it sounds, finding the perfect dress can definitely be challenging. But like all overwhelming things in life, you need to take a step back, exhale, and start somewhere to move forward. In truth, sometimes this is the hardest part.

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning — Kimberly Vernick Photography

Party Planning Series: Party Dresses, Suits, Hair & Makeup

Welcome to the final post in The Mint Chip Mama’s five-part party planning series. These posts cover everything needed to plan an awesome party – big or small – and within any budget. You can find each part of party planning broken up here:

Party Planning Part 1: Where To Begin

Party Planning Part 2: Party Vendors

Party Planning Part 3: Party Favors

Party Planning Part 4: DIY Party Décor

Party Planning Part 5: Party Dresses, Suits, Hair & Makeup

If you want to jump ahead to party planning finds, click on my Amazon store. This page is filled with party décor ideas, party favors, and even party dresses and party shoes for different themes and sizes.

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Jumping — Kimberly Vernick Photography

Monochrome Color Looks Great In Pictures

Obviously, everyone in your family wants to look their best at your event. With that said this could mean matching a color or style with each other. For our party, we all wore navy blue because I love how it looks in pictures. Keep in mind that while matching limits your choices, it also helps focus you in one direction.

The Mint Chip Mama Party Planning Series Party Dresses Ask Alice Boutique Syosset

Party Dresses And Female Party Attire

Without a doubt finding the perfect dress will be harder than you expect, trust me. That said, you can buy something off the rack, online, or go to a boutique for a fitting and then order your size from the manufacturer. Regardless of where you get your dress, you’ll most likely need to allot a few extra weeks for alterations as well.

Since you’ll be in tons of pictures, make sure you have shapewear under your party dress. While I’m not usually a shapewear kind of girl, I appreciated this suggestion – from my tailor – who pointed out that without it you could see all of the lines.

The Mint Chip Mama Party Planning Series Party Dresses Love By Design Fashions Zuilily Suit

Party Suits And Male Party Attire

Men don’t necessarily need to buy a new suit for a party but it’s a good excuse to get one. Alternatively, boys may not have a suit or want to wear a suit, so make sure to determine your level of formality before you start shopping. Furthermore, if this is their first suit, you’ll also need to buy an undershirt, dress shirt, belt, and tie.

Shopping For Party Shoes

Regardless of your event attire, you’ll all need party shoes. However, keep in mind finding comfortable, matching shoes can be challenging. Currently, where we live, kids wear fancy sneakers to parties. One would think this makes it easier but let me tell you trendy shoes can be harder to find than the perfect heel. Therefore, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to look around.

The Mint Chip Mama Party Planning Series Party Dresses Kimberly Vernick Photography 359 — Kimberly Vernick Photography

Party Dress Rehearsal

Remember that with generous return policies, you can try several styles and see what matches best with your attire and each other. Additionally, I suggest having a family fashion show to see how your final choices all look together. Once decided, return everything else immediately getting it out of sight and mind.

The Mint Chip Mama Party Planning Series Party Dresses Hair and Make Up Raves Beauty By Sherry

Glam It Up! Hair And Makeup

It is so much fun to get your hair and makeup done. However, if this is not something you do often finding someone you like at a place you trust can be trying. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask around as well as keep your eyes open for hairstyles and makeup looks that resonate with you for ideas.

Subsequently, if you’re doing a photo shoot before your event, getting a hair and/or makeup trial is a good idea. First, this puts you on the same page as your stylist. Second, you’ll look good in the pictures!

For men and boys, be sure to time haircuts two weeks before your event so your hair has some time to grow in and look settled.

The Mint Chip Mama's Party Planning Like A Boss Series Le Selfie

Party Planning Conclusion

Before you know it your party will be over, your face will be washed, and you’ll be back in sweats.

To sum up, all you will have left is the memories and hopefully some amazing pictures. It’s common to feel sad when the party is over and there’s no more party planning to do. Therefore, give yourself some time to sit back, take it all in, and just know that you did it!

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Our “Make Me Beautiful” Vendors

Zen Dentistry

Never forget the power of a good smile, especially for a big event when you’re hiring a professional photographer. My husband (a teen braces graduate) wanted to fix his smile with Invisalign for years. We decided several months before our event was the right time to begin. Zen Dentistry has been great to work with and he is very happy with the results so far. He loved that the first step was trying out their digital smile redesign link, especially because it’s been right on the mark.

Raves Salon

My daughter and I both wanted simple but glamorous hairstyles for the party and to go to a salon, not have someone come to our house. A friend suggested Raves Salon and I immediately screamed YES! I grew up going to Raves and it was my destination for all things relating to hair (including perms, I forgive you Raves) for years. Much like me, they’ve since grown up and become an even more beautiful salon.

During our hair trials, we discussed different options and played around until we both got our styles exactly how we wanted them. Additionally, we valued this test run and getting to know the stylist a bit. Even better, on the day of our big event, we were all on the same page and our hair came out perfect.

Beauty By Sherry 4U

Since neither of us are big makeup people, we wanted our event look to be natural (says, everyone). The same friend who recommended Raves recommended Sherry – their in-house makeup artist as well. Happily, Sherry translated our vision perfectly and was quick and professional. She made us appear like enhanced versions of ourselves and the look lasted all night.

Love By Design Party Dresses

If you followed my saga about falling in love with a dress – but then the wrong dress arrived – followed by the (sold out) right dress miraculously appearing, you’ll know just how much this Love By Design dress meant to me. This gorgeous one-shoulder sequin midi dress was the perfect dress to start off our night. It was fun and festive just like the beginning of the party. I am so grateful to the company for making such an effort, finding this dress for me, and making my dream come true.

Alex Evenings Party Dresses

In between the wrong dress arriving and the right dress appearing above, I found this beyond-incredible gown from Alex Evenings. All of their dresses (and I’m pretty sure I tried on every navy one) were stunning and better yet – comfortable and easy to wear. Additionally, this navy sequin gown loosely covered all the right places and even came off the hanger fitting perfectly (yes, they have petite sizes)! It was the perfect gown to wear once the party was in full swing.

Ask Alice Boutique Party Dresses (For Hosts And Guests)

We searched high and low for a guest of honor party dress that conveyed a space theme. Unfortunately, we kept seeing the same styles over and over everywhere we looked. However, upon stepping into Ask Alice Bo u tique we immediately knew it was different. From trendy clothes and guest party dresses upstairs to more formal gowns downstairs, we knew this was the place. When we pulled out this navy blue La Femme dress with iridescent studs sprinkled throughout it our jaws dropped. It was the night sky – in a dress. Even better – it had pockets! Ask Alice was fantastic to deal with and ordered us the dress that day. This dress was perfect as was their customer service.

More on The Mint Chip Mama:
Real Mom Life, Family Travel & Everyday Chaos