Give Mamaloot a Try -- and Give Back to the Greater Chicago Food Depository at the Same Time

My buddies over at Mamaloot (the awesome daily deal website geared towards Chicago parents) are running a great charitable campaign over the next 9 days or so. For every new email sign up, Mamaloot is donating a canned good to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Plus, they are donating 3% of their proceeds from December 1st-23rd to the Greater Chicago Food Depository as well.

Isn’t that awesome?

It’s so easy to sign up on their site and every day they send you an email with some really great parent-focused discounts and steals. I've gotten already gotten great deals from Psycho Baby, Green Genes, and Manic Maids.

Better yet, some of Mamaloot’s “Best of the Best” partners (Bullfrogs and Butterflies, Grow, Building Blocks, Little Threads, Psycho Baby, Pump It Up, Kid City, Green Genes, Galt Baby, Family Grounds, and Wishcraft) are also hosting in-store email sign ups and some of them are matching the food donation or making unique gives of their own. We love these partners!

So if you’re feeling open to trying something new and want to save money on stuff you are probbly already buying for your kids, go sign up! Better yet, spread the word within you own networks (like on your Facebook Page) and help to feed some hungry folks this holiday season.

Cross-posted on Wee Windy City.

Disclosure: I am working with Mamaloot to help promote this campaign and I am being compensated for my time.

Attention all deal-lovin' Chicago Mamas!

If you are a Chicago-area mom who loves saving money on ALL OF THE STUFF you buy for your kids and family, then I have great news for you. There is a new mom-centric, daily deal site in town called mamaloot.

Mamaloot generally operates like the other big daily deal sites in town (like Groupon, You Swoop, etc.). You subscribe to the mamaloot email list and receive emails offering discounted deals from family-friendly businesses.

If the deal interests you, go for it! If the deal doesn't ring your bell, click delete and move on with your day. That's all there is to it. And you can unsubscribe at any time if you find that these deals aren't for you.

The big difference between mamaloot and the other daily deal sites is that they are going to offer you deals for things that moms actually buy. I don't know about you, but I'm not really in the market for tickets to sketch comedy shows or go cart racing (no offense to those of you who go crazy for discounted go cart racing).

To start, mamaloot will be featuring businesses from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs but will soon showcase a variety of mom and kid centric internet services and retailers as well. The site officially kicks off today with its first deal -- 50% off a session with a local family photographer.

I love this business idea because it is totally mom-driven and mom-focused (and these are Chicago moms so that makes it even better). Lindsay Cohen, Co-Founding Mama of mamaloot says, "We cater exclusively to moms in everything that we do. Our deals, our writing, the way we partner with local businesses all exude a mother's touch. We are excited about bringing new customers to local businesses and educating moms about appealing products and services in their area."

So how do you get in on these deals, head over to mamaloot.com and add your email address to the list. And let the deals begin!

Disclosure: Mamaloot is a new sponsor here on A Hen and Two (now Three) Chicks. You can check out their cute new ad over there on the right-hand sidebar. To be clear, I am working with mamaloot to spread the word about their launch (and by working, I mean services in exchange for money).

A Whole Gaggle of Blogging Mamas

Last weekend, I attended an event hosted by the Silicon Valley Moms Group at the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago. I've been a contributor at the Chicago Moms Blog for about two-and-a-half years but I only actually know a handful of the other contributors in real life. This swanky event was a chance to catch up with some familiar faces like Sara, Alma, Serena, and Cindy and also chat with some of my newer blogging buddies like Meredith, Lisa A., Lisa H. and Emily.

While we mingled and munched on made-to-order stir fry, we had a chance to learn more about the event's sponsors. I especially loved chatting with the Chicago-based businesses like Garrett's Popcorn (which I had never had before -- and boy was I missing out) and The Oprah Store (which has kindly invited me for afternoon tea next month).

The event also featured some very cool charitable projects: Army of Women (a campaign to sign up over 1 million women who would consider participating in breast cancer research) and Chevy Missions (a project that provides Chevy vehicles to non-profits and individuals who want to do service projects in their communities).

Like all attendees, I walked out of this event with an armful of complimentary products from each of the generous sponsors. I learned more about some brands that I was already familiar with (like my beloved Peapod grocery delivery service and the amazing Stoneyfield Organic) and was also pleasantly surprised by a few brands that I didn't know much about (like 1-800 Baskets and iGo Green).

But mostly, I was glad to have a chance to hang out with other Chicago women who write and blog. I think of these people as my "colleagues" and it is nice to check in face-to-face once in awhile -- even better when we get to do it over wine and cupcakes.

Have you donated diapers yet?

I don't mean to be pushy . . . but I was wondering if you've had a chance to pick up a package of diapers to donate to a family that needs them this holiday season?

In this tough economy, many families are struggling to buy basics like diapers. Have a look at this Chicago Tribune story about the increased need at food and diaper banks (but grab a tissue or two first).

Community and social service agencies in many Chicago neighborhoods are holding diaper drives during the holidays. Next time you are stocking up on diapers for your own little ones, I encourage you to put an extra package in your cart.

If you are looking for information on where you can donate diapers, have a look here or here.

Blogging about BlogHer

I am going to BlogHer tomorrow.

I've spent so much time blogging about going to BlogHer (here and here and for the last time I swear here) that I haven't actually spent any time getting ready to actually go to BlogHer.

I have so much do to. Let's just say that the logistics of bringing a six-month-old with you to an all-day conference while also leaving your two older children with a sitter who wants to take them on an all-day outing to the zoo are . . . . extensive.

If you want to check in with me tomorrow to see how chaotic it is to bring a baby with you to a conference, head over to Wee Windy City where I will be liveblogging -- unless I am walking the lobby with my crying baby.

Wish me luck! And leave a comment if you are going BlogHer too and want to say hi in real life!

The Year of the Blue Lake Pole Bean

Until a few days ago, I didn't even know that it was the year of the blue lake pole bean -- right here in Chicago. Did you?

You might have heard about the One Book, One Chicago program which encourages Chicagoans to all read the same book and then attend various events and discussion groups about the selection.

Well, One Seed Chicago is the same idea. This year, Chicago is growing blue lake pole beans. Participants can share pictures, growing tips and photos on their website. Every household in Chicago is entitled to a free package of seeds.

I love this idea and I don't like to feel left out. Our seeds came in the mail today. I am a little bit late to the party on this, but I found some room in my already crowded garden and planted our first bean crop.

Click here to order your seed packet and get them in the ground asap.

Brunchin' with Bloggers

Last Sunday started out like most of my Sundays (and all days really). I awoke at 6:00 a.m. to adorable little faces demanding breakfast and Calliou. I fed my kids croissants and bacon (it was Sunday, after all). I did two loads of laundry, made three beds, dressed four bodies, and then we went for a walk to the park.

Then things got interesting. Around 10:45 I hopped into a cab and headed down to Michigan Avenue for a moms-only event hosted by the lovely and gracious Cindy Fey and Kim Moldofsky, two fellow bloggers from the Chicago Moms Blog.

While taking in a lake view from the 26th floor or a beautiful building, we sipped mimosas and nibbled on really delicious food. Pastoral provided amazing sandwiches and artisan cheeses (were I not trying to impress people, I wold have stood by the cheese tray the entire time). Jane Addam's Hull House was kind enough to provide pickled and preserved items from their kitchen. And then cheesecake from Eli's on top of it all.

We talked blogs, kids, and new opportunities. A few brave ladies read their work for the group.

The whole thing was utterly delightful. I can't wait to do it again.

Why I am Going to be at the Start Early Run

In my pre-mommy life, I worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Abuse and Neglect Division -- which means that I participated in cases where children were removed from their parents' care because they were being abused or neglected. Some of these kids were placed with relatives. Most of them went into foster care. Very few of them were ever successfully reunited with their parents. And in many cases, parental rights were eventually terminated.

In every case, the children involved suffered terribly.

This job was emotionally difficult in all of the ways that you think it would be. I heard and saw things that I will never forget.

The worst thing about this job was that I couldn't really do much to fix the problem -- because the abuse had already occurred and you can't undo that hurt for a child.

When I was asked to help promote the upcoming Start Early Run to raise funds to prevent child abuse and neglect, I was happy to get involved. This event takes place in Lincoln Park on April 18th and includes a 5k Walk, 10K Run, and Kid's Dash. The Start Early Run raises money for something that it easy to get behind -- keeping kids safe.

We will be there -- let me know if you are planning on coming out too. Click here to learn more and register.