Mother's Day can send you into a last-minute tail spin - too many options, no time, and so much pressure to get it right.  When you think of your mom, wife, partner, friend, or co-worker - try this approach - sweet, fresh, and local.

**PLUS** Enter our giveaway with Sassy Moms in the City to win a gift package of Tru Blooms Fragrance and Vosges Haut-Chocolat truffles.  Enter here by 11pm CST tonight.  (1) winner will be announced tomorrow!

Try these 5 spring pick...

Posted on May 01, 2013 at 7:00 AM by Debbie Roever

Not yet an NPN Facebook fan? Check out our Holiday Fun #Giveaway!! One (1) lucky fan will win a BOB Revolution SE Stroller & Britax Stroller Organizer ($477 value)! Click here to enter. Contest ends December 13th at 11:59 CST. 

Winter. Every year I wonder why we suffer through the bitter cold and endless gray skies and then I remember - we can't live in this great city without it!

For parents, winter presents other challenges, from fighting off cabin fev...

Posted on December 13, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Sarah Cobb

As parents, our first and most important job is providing our children with basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and love.  But, I realized there is something else that is almost as important:  I am responsible for my daughter’s childhood experience – her childhood memories.  I want those memories to be unforgettable and in order to make that happen, I have to put the time and effort in now. 

One of the easiest ways to make positive childhood memo...

Posted on December 07, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Erin Carlson

It is important to invovle your children in the gift GIVING part of the holiday season....not just the gift RECEIVING.  This year I plan to show my kids (6 year-old son, 4 year-old daughter) how important and enjoyable gift giving is by including them in the process.

One of my favorite childhood, holiday memories was the year my brother, sister and I decided to exchange gifts.  We put a lot of thought and time into our selections.  Each of us wrapped items we already had...

Posted on December 03, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Tonya Kauffman

Happy November! Now that the Halloween costumes are packed away and all of the good candy's eaten, it's time to turn our excitement to the winter holidays! As a mom to three little girls (5, 3, and 11 months!) I know first-hand how easy it is to get overwhelmed with holiday decorations that are heavy on the construction paper and elmer's glue, light on your style. As amazing as those home-made decorations are, we all need a few corners here and there in our home that reminds us...

Posted on November 15, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Stephanie Stopka

The countdown to Thanksgiving dinner is officially on!  At Centered Chef, we want our clients to know that it is possible to make food that is both healthy and delicious. Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect opportunity to put our philosophy to the test. Traditional Thanksgiving menus can be loaded with fat, sugar and artificial flavor enhancers. Our challenge is to create solutions (for Thanksgiving and every other day) that satisfy while remaining healthy. 

We've cre...

Posted on November 08, 2012 at 7:00 AM by Artizone

As parents, we all want our little ones to enjoy the holidays but we also try to do it without the sugar fix.  Here are 5 picks for your Easter Basket stuffing that keep the big-time sweets out and keep all of the fun in!

#1) Hide 'em & Find 'em Eggs - A fun interactive easter egg hunt. hide the egg and turn it on. The egg talks and giggles just enough to keep little ones looking for the treasure.

#2) Little Dover Book of Tattoos - What kid doesn't love tempora...

Posted on March 22, 2012 at 7:00 AM by Katherine McHenry

We all know that Martin Luther King Jr. had an incredible dream.  If he were alive today, would he feel that his dream had come true?  Martin Luther King Jr. taught us not only the importance of embracing equality and appreciating our differences but also that no dream is unreachable.  As parents, this is one of the most important lessons we can teach our own children.  Every child has a dream, and it is our job to educate, support and encourage our children to achieve ...

Posted on January 16, 2012 at 7:30 AM by Melanie Arons

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s time for a change of scenery. But you don’t have to go very far to feel a world away.

Worth the Drive

At the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, less than two hours from the city, decking the halls means months of planning to create the annual, spectacular “Christmas in the Country” celebration—and it’s a total charm-fest. Trees and tinsel galore fill every floor of the Playboy Club-turned-resort an...

Posted on December 19, 2011 at 1:11 PM by Elisa Drake

Its funny how you just assume that everyone celebrates Christmas the way your family celebrated Christmas.  Then as you start to share a home with your spouse, and you quickly learn that your spouse’s family did not quite do it the same way mom did!  The first Christmas my hubby and I spent together I was shocked (…and a bit disappointed) to find toothpaste, Chapstick and socks in my stocking.  Where were the chocolate/almond Hershey Kisses, perfume and costume ...

Posted on December 19, 2011 at 8:00 AM by Cindy McCarthy