A DIY TIP FOR A FUN ROAD TRIP WITH THE KIDS #HEELSTOTHEWHEELS

"When hitting the road with kids, they can get antsy and bathroom breaks are likely. My oldest is 11 and I have twins who are 9. While there are now many music streaming apps, I love Spotify. I have a library of playlists at the ready for when I take my morning runs and need to stay pumped and even when I'm heading to church and want to listen to my gospel faves. As the kids and I were packing and readying ourselves for the trip the day before leaving, I had a thought regarding building a playlist for them. One, I love to hear my kids sing, they are typically totally oblivious to me and will sing as if no one is watching but I also thought it a good way to curb that boredom and "antsy-ness" that kids can sometimes fall into when on the road. So in an effort to engage them in the trip and make them feel even more a part of what we were doing and where we were going, I asked each of them to write me a list of their fave songs and instead of picking the songs myself, I allowed them to pick 6 songs each so it became a project. I set a deadline which was before they went to bed and I would then build the list prior to hitting the road. It turned out to be the best idea!"

Their handwritten lists ...

The key to this tip is that I made it a project which kids love. But it will also engage your kids and make them feel as though they have a say in the trip and plans and preparations as opposed to just being ordered to pack this and pack that. You know us Mommies are good at ordering our kids around especially when we are "red" to go :). My kids were so excited at the mere suggestion and diligently planned their lists. It kept them quiet and chill the night before and tempered them being so wired about going on a trip. They were so selective about their songs and upon playing their playlist the next day whilst on the road, it worked like a charm!

Happy Kids, Happy Mommy!!!!

This tip is an excerpt from a previously published post. Click HERE to read in it's entirety.

Where are you hitting the road to this Summer, you got any tips of your own?

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AND ALL THIS TIME I THOUGHT I WAS WATCHING THE #VMAs

Who knew? I thought I was tuning into the 2014 Video Music Awards, only to realize that I wasn't "sadly" but "pleasantly" mistaken to learn that I was actually tuned into the Beyonce' show, Yonce' show, Hey Mrs. Carter show, BeyHive show. However you refer to the #1 consummate living performer, she shut it all the way down. As I tweeted, if I wasn't bowing down before, I am now. I struggled throughout the entirety of the show to stay awake for Bey's performance. With the exception of a couple of performances, I wasn't overly impressed and as much as I wanted to call it a night, I endured. And then of course once Beyonce' shut it down, I was amped and couldn't go to sleep. I mean did you see it? Who could sleep after that? I couldn't If you didn't wanna stand to your feet and mimic her choreography, you surely wanted to get your sang on like we all do when in the shower and we think no one is within ear shot. Or maybe that's just me. And lets not forget the sexy gyrations which if single like me, left you feeling some kinda way because there are no "booty call" options (at the moment). I mean gracious and let's not forget that bejeweled Tom Ford bodysuit that gave me all my life. The heck of a smooch with Hubby Hov ...Those lips. And Blue Ivy!!! *Drops mic* ...Wait, Yonce' did that.

Fierce!

Red Carpet Ready

Need I say more?

What'd you think of Beyonce's finale? Was she worth the wait?

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WEEKEND UPDATE: GIRL TALK, CHESS CHALLENGE IN DC AND THE GRAMMY'S

Pictured with Life Coach and Author, Demetria Lucas

Trying to stay warm by snapping selfies

Although enduring seriously cold temperatures in the DMV, nothing could keep me from joining my Color Comm gals this weekend. Color Comm is a organization for women of color in communications. Color Comm is great for many reasons one of which they host fab events. Friday was  brutally cold and after a week which included snow, ice and frigid temps that although common place surely in New York and Chicago, not so much in Washington, DC. I'm screaming, "out with ole man winter and in with spring." Although I wanted to do otherwise, I pulled myself together and hung out for an intimate private happy hour at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC and featuring Life Coach and Author, Demetria Lucas aka "A Belle In Brooklyn" most recently known for her BravoTV show, Blood, Sweat and Heels airing now. I've had Demetria on my show before as a live on-air guest (click here to listen OnDemand), yet I had never met Demetria personally so I made good on the opportunity to do so Friday after she offered up some good dish on everything from relationships, how to meet men and now being a reality tv star. It was Question and Answer as a lot of my buds had juicy questions of which Demetria responded with equally juicy answers. Girl talk never gets old even on a frigid Friday nite when all you really wanna do is bundle up under the covers and hibernate.

Pictured with my Kids

My kids dictated most of my weekend schedule which included a chess tournament hosted by Chess Challenge in DC which is a group promoting academic, social and leadership development amongst youth in DC via chess. Although I haven't a clue how to play chess, it doesn't matter because cheering my kids on in anything, gives me life. I love the efforts on behalf of Chess Challenge in DC and my kids coach who instructs them weekly at Clubhouse #14 of the Boys and Girls Club of America. My son won one game, my daughter zip but in my eyes they are winners nonetheless. We'll get 'em next time!

And I wouldn't be doing the weekend justice without providing you my top 5 Grammy moments. I spent most of my time on Twitter while watching and the commentary had me in tears. All jokes aside, the buzz about Jay Z and Beyonce performing together is why I watched although after they performed, I seriously considered changing the channel. But alas, I actually watched The Grammy's in it's entirety. MY TOP 5:

Robin Thicke performing with Chicago - Say what you will but I LOVE Chicago! Download some of their old stuff and don't forget to thank me later

Photo Cred: redcarpet-fashionawards.com 

Pink banging that Johanna Johnson red dress out on the red carpet - Her bawdy is sick and the fit and cut just looked amazing on her against the contrast of her blonde hair. 

Pharrell, Stevie Wonder and Daft Punk - I mean anything with Stevie Wonder is just …I would've preferred to hear from Stevie more. And did you notice he missed his cue at the start of the song?

Cyndi Lauper - My 9 yr. old daughter asking upon seeing her take the stage, "is that the girl who sang the song in Goonies?"

Jay Z and Beyonce - I mean their opening performance was one thing but was I not the only one who loved Jay's acknowledgment of God blessing him with his Mrs. Carter?

Leave me a comment and share your fave moments from last nite's Grammy's?

Weekend Update is back for the new year! What is it you ask? A theme, a weekly update during which I regale you with my weekend activities which includes what's happening and where you wanna be (or wish you were).
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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram

What more can we say today?

Just as I'm sure all of you are, Bag Ladies is also mourning the loss of Michael Jackson. There's not alot you can say on this day, besides R.I.P. He touched most of us in so many was. I can recall my brother and I seeing him live ...front row seats and being totally overwhelmed by his stardom and stage presence, surrounded by folks who were passing out, crying and just consumed w/ emotion. My brother and I were gazing up at him and just totally in awe.

There will never be another like him that possesses the type of artistry that he did.

No one did it better than Michael and noone will ever do it better than him.

He endured many trials and tribulations stemming from his stardom and I

think struggled w/ not ever having a childhood but yet he still endeavored to please us, his fans to the fullest and produce music that was stellar. Please share your thoughts on how Michael touched you. Bag Ladies is sending prayers to his family and fans struggling and suffering w/ the loss. But let's also as best we can celebrate his life in spite of. Most of the music stations are doing a great job of running marathons and showcasing his music. I've seen videos not seen in years and have been dancing and snapping my fingers all day so it's hard to be down when you have his great music to keep you lifted up. So let's stand on that. Bag Ladies will be getting down at daBomb tomorrow which will include an MJ tribute. It's not to be missed for sure ...open bar also and 90's throwback. Event details HERE!

We miss you Michael!

-- Lady Erin

WHATEVER SHALL I DO?

If you are like Bag Ladies and in Washington, DC at the moment then you are just happy that it's not raining. When the weather is good, possibilities for weekend activities are endless. But I can only speak for the moment cause who knows what the rest of the weekend will bring as far as the weather is concerned. But there are many activities worthy of consideration such as ...

Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild at Constitution Hall

Boy$ Club - Perfect Father's Day Gift

Safeway's Nat'l Capitol BBQ Battle - Yummy!

AFI-Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS Documentary Festival - 9 Lives of former WDC Mayor, Marion Barry being shown this weekend

Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival

Perhaps we'll see you somewhere ...

-- Bag Ladies - Tune into Bag Ladies Radio Monday at 7p EST for official details regarding Thursday June 25th's stellar event!

Bring the weekend back ...

The weather was too good in the Washington, DC metro area not to enjoy and embark on various activites. One such activity or event that this lady attended on behalf of Bag Ladies, was the Omar show on Friday. If you are familiar w/ Omar then his name says it all. If not, he is a British soul artist out of the UK, (http://www.myspace.com/omarlyefook). I was first introduced to his music about 7 years ago and fell in love immediately. I've had the pleasure of seeing him live a couple times before and as I told a friend, there are few things sexier than watching that man perform. His stage presence, that voice, that accent. Ooooh, it does it for me! I had the nerve to get some hugs and kisses too. I was putty in his hands. But Friday's event was a kick-off of the Soul Britannia Party series so hopefully this show is the first of many.

I had the pleasure of of visiting the Warehouse&Loft, a venue I had never before been to. It is in the warehouse district and basically just that but the layout was totally in tune w/ the vibe of the show. The VIP area inparticular was full of overstuffed chaises, an abundance of candlelight, dim lighting and an open bar. Tone (promoter) did his thing and exhausted everything in an effort to pull off what was an awesome show. Pics will be posted in the next couple of days so please be on the lookout.

Additional weekend highlights:

Cherry Blossom Festival ...there are few events as significant in the WDC area then the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Not only are the blossoms amazing but the fest totally validates the fact that Spring is coming. It definitely is an event not to be missed.

PRINCE!!!

If the one cd I've listened to thus far, is any indication of how good or great rather this Prince release is, then WOW! And Target has it going on as they have exclusive rights so Target is the only place you can get LotusFlow3r which consists of three albums. The one I heard was a perfect blend of uptempo and slowtempo and featured Prince doing what he does best. What do you think?

Lady Erin ...signing off.