Join Sassy Moms in the City at the H&M All For Children Family Event October 18th from 3-6 pm at H&M State Street for an afternoon of family fun with a live DJ/emcee, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts, and Make Your Own UNICEF Trick-or-Treat Box station, as well as snacks for kids & moms! A UNICEF ambassador will also be on cite to celebrate the collaboration.

Shoppers will receive a 25% discount off regular H&M Kids Collection.

*For every All for Children Collection piece purchased, H&M will donate 25% of the sales price to support UNICEF’s projects which promote children’s rights to an education and protection among vulnerable communities.  UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product. For more information, please visit www.unicef.org/hm.

Please RSVP to: [email protected]

5 Designers. 1 Scarf. 1 Winner!

Join Sassy Moms in the City at the Heshima Kenya 2012 Fashion Challenge October 24, 2012 at the Bridgeport Art Center, and celebrate the work of the young women and girls of the Maisha Collective. We are a proud member of the host committee and excited to support this year’s fundraising initiative.

Five of Chicago’s up and coming designers will compete in the second annual Heshima Kenya Fashion Challenge. The Project Runway-inspired competition will feature Chicago’s hottest designers who will each receive one Maisha Collective scarf, which they will use to create an original women’s design. Their pieces will be judged based on originality, wearability, construction, and demonstration of designer personality. The winner will be determined by a panel of celebrity judges.

Guests will be treated to the signature cocktail, The Maisha Martini and hors d’oeuvres from Food for Thought. A raffle with packages inspired to pamper, renew and style will take place throughout the evening, with prizes provided by Akira and more. Maisha Collective scarves will be available for purchase and  guests will have the opportunity to bid on designs featured in the Fashion Challenge.

Heshima Kenya is the first and only organization in Kenya committed to empowering young, unaccompanied refugee women and girls. Founded in 2007, the organization has been recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the US State Department for its innovative, holistic approach to refugee advocacy. Girls served by Heshima Kenya receive safety, shelter and security, and education and skills training. One of these girls, Dahabo was 17 when she fled war-torn Somalia. After losing both of her parents to Somalia’s civil war, she traveled nearly 750 miles to Nairobi – a remarkable journey made even more difficult after losing her leg in crossfire. Once in Nairobi, Dahabo was referred to Heshima Kenya where she received shelter, education, and an opportunity to learn tie and dye skills. Her designs and newfound confidence eventually inspired the creation of the Maisha Collective, Heshima Kenya’s income-generating project where members produce and manage a line of hand-dyed scarves.

Connect and learn more about Heshima Kenya on Facebook.

For sponsorship opportunities please email Alisa Roadcup [email protected]

There are two ways to donate:

1) On-line through the Network for Good website: http://www.heshimakenya.org/contribute.html

2) By mail (please make checks out to ‘Heshima Kenya’):

Heshima Kenya, Inc.
PO Box 408077
Chicago, Illinois 60640

Moms, Dads and kids will gather at Montrose Harbor in Chicago on Sunday, October 28, 2012, for the first ever Strollers in the Front 5K. This uniquely family-friendly run/walk will have a 5K race with strollers leading the pack, a Kids Dash and a family festival.

Pull the jogging stroller out of the back of your closet, wipe the baby spit off your exercise clothes, throw some shoes on the kiddos and let’s run!

It’s the first 5K designed from a family’s perspective. That means little things like portapotties big enough for a parent and kid to fit in together, nursing stations, changing stations, big things like fun activities for kids, including a Kids Dash complete with their own bibs and medals, and, of course – if you couldn’t tell it from the name – Strollers in the Front on the route.

Registration for the Strollers in the Front 5K is now open at www.stroller5K.com/chicago. All kids under 14 can register at a discount for the 5K run or walk. Select runner or walker at point of registration, fill the form out with your child’s information, including their birthdate. Use the code UNDER14 to receive $10 off of the adult registration.

Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN) and Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) members are eligible for additional discounts off registration and should check with their organization.

One hundred percent of fundraising efforts of Strollers in the Front 5K participants, as well as a portion of the net proceeds from the event, will benefit the Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN). NPN is a not-for-profit organization that connects a diverse community of families with the resources they need to navigate parenting in the city of Chicago. Established in 1980, NPN connects 6,000 members through a popular online discussion forum, social and support groups, parent education opportunities, valuable resources to help parents navigate Chicago’s school search, and fantastic events across Chicago. Read more about NPN at www.npnparents.org.
Register for the Strollers in the Front 5K or make a donation at www.stroller5K.com/chicago.

You’re invited to enjoy MasterCard® Exclusive Access at American Girl Place® Chicago on Sunday, October 28th, from 8 AM to 11 AM!

Before the store opens to the public, personal shoppers will be available to help you explore the shops featuring all of the American Girl® characters—from historical favorites to My American Girl® dolls to the newest Girl of the Year® —plus Bitty Baby® and the Bitty Twins®.

Add to the fun by exploring outfits, accessories, and furniture that help make every doll’s world complete. Then browse the American Girl bookstore with titles that open up girls’ imaginations. And don’t miss Avenue AG®, featuring specialty shops like Creativi-Tees®, where you can design matching doll and girl T-shirts, plus more fun stops filled with adorable accessories, inspirational posters, and other surprises.

Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a special brunch in the Cafe with American Girl author Mary Casanova. She’ll share her inspiration for writing the stories of Girl of the Year 2012 McKenna™, and sign your girl’s favorite books.

The day’s schedule includes:

8 AM – 9 AM: Exclusive access to private shopping time
9:30 AM: Cafe brunch with American Girl author Valerie Tripp

$35 per person includes brunch and one-hour access to the store before opening. Ages 8 and up. Reservations required. Store opens to the public at 9 AM

Additional experiences available for a fee include:
Doll Hair Salon – Watch American Girl’s expert stylists brush, braid, and twist to create a fabulous new look. You can even get doll ear piercing and a Pampering Plus package to complete this memorable visit.

Photo Studio – Your favorite girl can pose for a picture at the Photo Studio and take home a souvenir issue of American Girl^® magazine with her face on the cover. Plus, the larger-than-life Celebration Screen lets girls shine in a whole new way!

Purchase Tickets Here: http://www.mastercard.us/priceless-cities/chicago/offer-details.html?id=917570