Category: Pop Culture

What Would Your Nanny Tell All?

Aug. 09 Parenting, Pop Culture 4 comments

Are you an “Ice Queen Mom”?

Here I was, standing in line at the grocery store checkout, accompanied by three perfect angels 7-and-under when I look up and see this. It seems Angelina’s babysitter has gone and gotten herself some attention by “telling all” about the goings on around the Jolie/Pitt household.

I don’t have any sort of allegiance to the celebrity family of eight nor do I pretend to relate to life with nannies on call. However, I am a mom and I did find the examples behind the “ice queen” accusations interesting. Apparently, Angelina didn’t respond at some point when Shiloh feel down after getting rough with her brothers… she had a nanny clean up spilled grape juice… and (gasp!) there’s chaos at home — with six active kids.

It didn’t take more than a glance in the direction of the magazine stand to wonder what nannies would say about me. It’s not like I’ve neglected to provide enough ammunition in the judgement department.

Let’s see… I, too, have let tired kids tantrum while ignoring their behavior… don’t dote on an active little girl when she’s the first to jump off the bed, try to keep up with older brothers or fall while climbing on a shelf. I certainly have yelled once or twice in my day (apologies to my neighbors) and have taken away potential purchases after inappropriate behaviors happen in public. Hell, it was only minutes before seeing the headline that I physically tossed one of them into the grocery shopping cart! There are only so many times I can say “hands off.”

So let me ask you… if you had a full-time, live-in, money-hungry nanny who was going to spill your parenting shortcomings, what would she tell the world? Fess up!

VIP Experience: The Winners!

Jun. 14 Pop Culture 2 comments

I now remember why I don’t do giveaways.

When I was approached by reps for StubHub to co-host their LA VIP Experience at the U2 / Lenny Kravitz concert, my first reaction was not exactly excited. Not because it’s not a great opportunity — which it is — or that I don’t want to give away such a cool prize — which I did — but how do you tell the rest of the people they didn’t win?

I’m kind of a wuss like that.

So before I tell you about the fantastic prizes the four lucky winners will receive, I just want to say thank you to all of you for entering. The stories you told in the comments about your lives and the lives of the people you nominated, I am absolutely honored that you came over here and read my blog. Your comments left me wanting to hear more and to meet all of the incredible moms who kick butt every day. I appreciate all of you and actually would like to reach out to a few of you to hear more about your story and how readers can possibly help.

Okay, so now to the winners and prizes. This Saturday, four of you (and a guest) will…

• Enjoy dinner at a Anaheim restaurant (TBA) with all of the LA area winners

• See U2/Lenny Kravitz at Angels Stadium

• Get a goody bag, including a pair of designer sandals by Matt Bernson]

• Enjoy spirits, including adult chocolate milk (yes, you read that right) by Adult Beverage Company.

And the winners (chosen by Random.org)…

 

Congratulations to these four lucky mamas! I look forward to meeting you in Anaheim on Saturday!

Win VIP Tickets to See U2 in Concert!

Jun. 07 Pop Culture 74 comments

PSJackie.com co-hosts a once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience and you could be joining us!

StubHub, the world’s largest ticket marketplace, recently launched their brand new national charity program, Mom’s Night Out, designed to encourage moms to take a night off with their friends to attend one of 17 summer events ranging from baseball games to rock concerts. What’s even cooler is a portion of proceeds from all ticket sales to the designated events will be donated to Adopt-A-Classroom (AdoptaClassroom.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting teachers and ensuring all children have equal access to a quality education.

The program launches as StubHub reveals stats from a new consumer survey conducted by Wakefield Research in which it discovered that nearly two out of five (37 percent) moms haven’t had a “moms’ night out” in the past year.

Seriously?

We are so busy doing for everyone else, that it never occurs to us to take a night off, not only to connect with friends, but with ourselves! That’s why I agreed to co-host StubHub’s southern California event, a VIP experience at the U2 / Lenny Kravitz concert in Anaheim! While your chance to win tickets to the SoCal event from StubHub has been closed, you can win one of FOUR pairs of tickets for the June 18th concert here on PSJackie.com / The Silver Whining!

Prize includes:

  • Tickets to see U2 and Lenny Kravitz in Anaheim on Saturday, June 18.
  • Dinner with me and the other prize winners before the show
  • An exclusive goody bag packed with incredible gifts,  including a pair of sandals from NY designer Matt Bernson.

How to enter: Comment below, telling me why you deserve a “Mom’s Night Out.” Contest ends Sunday, June 12th at 11:59 pm. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, June 13th. *Winners must provide own transportation to and from the event. You may only enter yourself or another person one time. However, you’re allowed to be nominated by as many individual people as you like.

Bonus entry: Become a fan of The Silver Whining on Facebook and let me know on the wall that you promoted this contest on Facebook or Twitter. That’s it!

Don’t live in southern California?

StubHub will continue their program across the country with events all summer long. Enter to WIN tickets to one of StubHub’s remaining events in Detroit, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and San Francisco (just CLICK HERE.)

About the Program: Established in 1998, Adopt-A-Classroom has raised more than $14 million on behalf of teachers across the United States. When a donor adopts a classroom, he/she is making a tax-deductible donation directly to a classroom and 100 percent of the funds are directed to the teacher. The teacher then uses the donated funds to shop online from a network of vendors that have partnered with Adopt-A-Classroom.

About StubHub: StubHub is the “go to” source for live entertainment event tickets for millions of fans across North America. Fans rely on StubHub to safely and conveniently find the seats they want at the events they want to attend. Each ticket is backed by StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee and award-winning customer service.   For instant access, StubHub.com is also available as an iPhone or Android app. To find a complete list of scheduled Mom’s Night Out events, go to StubHub.com.

Andrew Gold and My Baby Boy

Jun. 05 Pop Culture no comments

NOTE: This story was originally written to be included in an “Only in LA” post I was working on, but I thought it was appropriate to give it its own space.

It was June of 2005. Jacob was just over a year old and Brady was cooking in my tummy. We had decided to make the leap from the busy side street in Sherman Oaks to a quiet cul de sac in the ‘burbs. The funny thing about living in Los Angeles, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll run into someone famous, semi-famous or someone who wants you to know they have met someone famous.

A couple came in to see the house one day. He was a scruffy dude and she was one of those women who radiated happiness. I’m not sure how it came out, but I discovered that he was Andrew Gold, the singer/songwriter from the ’70s who wrote tunes like Lonely Boy and Thank You for Being a Friend (best known as the Golden Girls theme). While other 34 year old women may not find that remotely interesting, I have ten older siblings — making me quite familiar with all things ’70s pop culture. Andrew wasn’t one of those artists that hid from the past, in fact, he embraced it and was thrilled when I told him that it was just months prior that I was dancing with Jacob and singing “Lonely Boy” along with the satellite ’70s station — a moment I remember so vividly (it was magic in calming him). I also had fond memories of singing his other popular song during senior week with my college friends, another time in my life I was experiencing a milestone.

Andrew and his wife stood in my kitchen for a while, as he reminisced about the glory days — sharing about his experience on Saturday Night Live. I really enjoyed hearing him talk and watching him interact with his wife, who he so clearly adored.

Andrew Gold died of a heart attack on June 3, 2011. May he rest in peace.