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@HEALTHY_SOLE ELIMINATES UP TO 99% GERMS & BACTERIA FROM YOUR SHOES

22 Dec

Growing up my mom and dad taught us to always remove our shoes as soon as we entered our house, wash our hands and put dirty clothes in hamper. There were even some homes we would visit who requested we remove our shoes before entering. One person I remember had a white carpet and I thought REALLY? Why a white carpet? Regardless they didn’t want shoes tracking dirt on their carpet. The reason we did it was to protect our floors and everyone in the house from nasty germs and bacteria that lingered on the bottom of our shoes. Babies crawl on the floor and play and the most common thing they do is pick things up from floor and put it in their mouths. Extra filthy germs from outside that you don’t see on your shoes will be making an appearance in your child’s mouth and you’ll be wondering why you’re in the emergency room.

I don’t even like walking down some blocks because of the filth on the sidewalks. I consider myself a germaphobe. I carry sanitizer and wipes everywhere. I tell my kids don’t touch handrails anywhere especially on the trains. Kids touch things then touch their face or mouth without washing their hands. Adults too. I’ve seen it. As soon as my kids touch something I’m pulling out the sanitizer. My kids know shoes are left at the door and the same rules that my parents taught me is also what we’ve been doing since they could walk.

I need to invest in a microscope to see all the germs just sitting on our hands or shoes. Wait, do I really want to see this? No, because I would just want to hibernate in a tub full of sanitizer till all the germs are gone. As far as shoes go I was recently introduced to something much better than a microscope. It is a sterilizer for shoes called Healthy Soles. Just the name alone had me wondering what this unit was going to do for my family’s shoes and our health.

I was amazed to hear that the unit eliminates up to 99% of germs and pathogens before you track them in your home or workplace. The way the weather has been here in NY and my kids getting sick this came at the right time.

Did you know germs live longer on the soles of your shoes than anywhere else in your home? Studies show that the soles of shoes carry millions of units of bacteria. Your average public toilet seat has less than 1000 units of bacteria. Pathogens are transferred from the soles of your shoes to the floors of your home causing infections and disease. Pathogens can also be airborne and fall on other surfaces.

HealthySole is easy to use. Stand on the unit with your shoes on. After 8 seconds a notification signal informs you that your shoes are disinfected and it is safe to enter the home. Specially designed child’s template included. Rechargeable battery with low battery indicator. Disinfects without any toxic or harmful gels or chemicals. Promotes safer environments for immune compromised persons such as children and the elderly, as well as those with acute and chronic illnesses. The landing plate is manufactured from hospital grade stainless steel, which provides maximum durability and a sleek, attractive appearance.

We’ve been using it for a few weeks now and I have to say I enjoy knowing that my shoes are sterilized and no bacteria will enter my home. My kids always run to see who will sterilize their shoes first. With my daughter I use the template to fit her size shoes. They love seeing the lights come on and sanitize their shoes, then it beeps and the light goes out when finished. So now when company comes over they can sterilize their shoes. Eight seconds is all it takes.

@Healthy_Sole on Twitter
http://www.healthysole.com

*HOLIDAY SPECIAL PRICING $249.99 PLUS FREE SHIPPING (in cont US) for the first 200 customers through Dec 25th.
HealthySole Unit includes:

1 HealthySole Unit

1 Charger

2 Lamps (preinstalled)

1 Child’s Template

No Assembly or Setup Required!

Christmas Sale! Free Shipping!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was given a Healthy Sole Unit to review. Opinions are mine 100% as always.

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#CELEBRATEINSTYLE HOLIDAY PREVIEW @SingleEdition

22 Nov

Single Edition Media invited women to #CelebrateInStyle at their holiday preview event at Glasshouses in NYC.
Sponsors came out for a wonderful night to show their holiday products and fashion trends.
As soon as I reached the 21st floor I was greeted by the first sponsor of the night DSW. One of my favorite shoes stores I couldn’t wait to see what holiday gifts they brought with them. They had everything from animal print shoes, sparkly jewelry and tights, even hats that sparkled with rhinestones and dressy clutches. Of course I wanted it all. Check out @DSWShoeLovers on Twitter.

Vigoss Jeans treated attendees to a free pair of jeans to take home when you stopped by their table. I loved the new styles. I picked a shiny black pair. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram @VigossUSA

Diamonds are my best friend and Bulova was showcasing their amazing watches. Slim watches are what’s in now. Bulova gave away three watches. Unfortunately I didn’t win but I will own a Bulova one day. Check out these watches on Twitter: @Bulova

Sears Style knows that a woman doesn’t have to pay a fortune to look like a million bucks. With their new Metaphor line where everything is under $100. Lace, faux leather and tweed my favorites were a big hit. Attendees walked away with small prizes after posting a pic on Instagram with their hashtag and waiting for the vending machine to drop a little something. I won a gift card. http://www.sears.com/style

Silk ‘n Solution the professional aesthetic devices for home use was giving away gift baskets to five lucky attendees worth $700 full of their products. Thirty attendees won a ReVit or Flash & Go device. I won a Flash & Go permanent hair removal device which is great. No more disposable razors. Yippee! Who wouldn’t want spa products in their home compared to going to an actual spa and saving so much money. I want the Sonic Clean Plus which is a deep skin cleansing device that removes dead skin cells on your body and face with vibrating or pulsating modes. It removes 6 times more makeup and dirt than hands alone. Attendees also had a coupon for a free Silk ‘n Pedi in their gift bags. This can be used for dry callused skin. Check their website: http://www.silkn.com

Jergens Skincare knew every woman would love their BB body cream for all skin types. I was already a fan of Jergens products but this just sealed the deal. This lotion goes on sheer, dries quickly and works like a moisturizer to visibly improve your skin with every use. Available in 2 shade fair to medium and medium to tan skin tones. Samples were given out at their table and a bigger sample was in our gift bags. Twitter: @JergensUS

Elizabeth Arden had me blushing for their new perfume Untold Absolu. This sensual fragrance is perfect for the winter season. Florals, red plum, ginger and bursts of raspberry is what makes this perfume my pick of the season. There was also a makeup artist who gave guests lipstick touch ups. On their website you can see all their collections. http://www.elizabetharden.com Twitter: @elizabetharden

Gardein hooked guests up with their healthy meat-free foods. We had their fish & fries, tacos, chicken and turkey cutlets. Amazing! Nothing wrong with vegetarian food. I love spicy black bean burgers too. Twitter: @gardein and on the web at http://www.gardein.com

In Style is known for fashion, beauty and celebrity buzz you need to know. They showed everyone love at their table with jewelry to take a sneak peek at and copies of their magazine. Web: http://www.instyle.com @InStyle on Twitter.

GlasshousesNYC is one of the best event space for any venue in NYC with spectacular views of Manhattan. Located at 545 West 25th St. I love events at night because the pictures of the background are breathtaking. Fir more info visit http://www.glasshousesny.com or on Twitter @GlasshousesNYC

There was also a presentation with all of the sponsors talking about their products. Also, In Style beauty director Kahlana Barfield talked about trends for Spring 2015. I’m still fascinated when it comes to makeup and learning how to apply bold or pastel eyeshadow, bright red lip and the winged mascara look. I’m loving the matte lip personally and the amazing smells of some of the perfumes.

Big shout outs to @Tagspire and @SingleEdition (Single Edition Media) If you’re a blogger or social media fan or brand you must check them out. Thank you for inviting me. It was wonderful!!!

These were just some of the sponsors that were present. More sponsored products were included in the gift bags. I’d like to thank all of them and everyone who made this event possible. Can’t wait till the next one.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are 100% mine. We were given samples, and gift bags.

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Are GoPro Cameras On Your Holiday List? Get To @BestBuy #GoProatBestBuy #ad

13 Oct

Best Buy is the home of the latest cameras and camcorders, including the full line of new GoPro cameras, plus a broad assortment of accessories. GoPro cameras make perfect holiday gifts for everyone, from kids and teens, to gadget gurus. GoPro’s new line of cameras allow you to beautifully and authentically capture and share the experiences that bring purpose, adventure, and joy to your life.

I consider my a techy and when new cameras and camcorders come out I am first to see what they’re all about. I might not own every camera I see but it’s good to know what’s on the market. To be honest I don’t own any cameras or camcorders. There’s a few I would love to have. The first place I go is Best Buy to get a hands on demo and the information I need about the product. With the holidays fast approaching I have a few tech items I’m interested in and one of them is the GoPro camera. I’m sure my kids will also want one. I consider my family adventurous and there’s plenty of times we could have used one. We love amusement parks, boating, hiking, swimming and will be going on a 7-day cruise soon so I hope to have a GoPro camera so I can capture some great video too. This would be perfect especially if we go swimming with the dolphins or when we’re having fun on the water slide. It will be very hard to use my iPad or iPhone under water. Not a good idea.

I love taking pictures and even though I’m not a professional photographer I consider myself an expert at what I’ve captured so far. Hoping a family member reads this and see that GoPro is first on my holiday list since my birthday just passed. If not I will just have to save my pennies.

GoPro HERO4 Black: the most advanced GoPro ever, featuring improved image quality and a 2x more powerful processor with 2x faster video frame rates1, HERO4 Black takes award‐winning GoPro performance to a whole new level.

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GoPro HERO4 Silver: the first-ever GoPro to feature a built-in touch display. Controlling The camera, playing back footage and adjusting settings is ultra-convenient—just view, tap and swipe the screen. With 1080p60 and 720p120 video, and 12MP photos at a staggering 30 frames per second, HERO4 Silver combines powerful, pro-quality capture with the convenience of a touch display.

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GoPro HERO: Featuring high‐quality 1080p30 and 720p60 video, and 5MP photos up to 5 fps, HERO captures the same immersive footage that’s made GoPro one of the best-selling cameras in the world.
12x more powerful processor with 2x faster video frame rates

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Learn more at http://www.bestbuy.com/GoPro or visit your local Best Buy to check out the latest cameras in person.

Disclosure: I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

I MADE A #BigSnifference WITH @Snuggle_Bear SCENT BOOSTERS via fivelittlewords.net

25 May

I’ve been doing laundry for years and my clothes, comforters, towels have yet to have a long lasting fresh smell till the next laundry day. I’ve had detergents that make my clothes smell good for that day but then that’s it. I want my clothes and towels to have that same smell for at least a week. I’ve recently discovered Snuggle Scent Boosters at an event I was invited to.

I never knew something so powerful with an amazing scent was the answer to my problems. Snuggle has always been my favorite bear in commercials. I always wanted one to squeeze and hold. When the commercial came on I would stop what I was doing and tune in. I was so excited when Snuggle bear paid us a visit at the event and talked to me. He’s so cute. He even let me take a selfie with him and we got a group shot. I also got to take home a Snuggle bear. Well, it might have taken me over 30 years to finally get a Snuggle bear but it was worth the wait. Let me be honest, my daughter took it over but we share. Lol.

So, I recently headed to my laundromat and took these amazing Scent Boosters with me along with the dryer sheets and tested hem out. First of all let me tell you how easy it was to use them. Just throw them in the drum of your machine then add the clothes. That’s it! Since I’m not used to having anything that works that easy when doing laundry sometimes I would forget to add the booster before the clothes and had to lift all my clothes to check. Then I finally got the hang of it.

The Scent Boosters come in Lavender Joy and Blue Iris Bliss. I like both scents. When my laundry was finished my clothes came out smelling very good and couldn’t wait to add more scent to it with the Snuggle Exhilaration Dryer Sheets in White Lavender & Sandalwood. When I got home with the laundry the kids couldn’t stop smelling the clothes, especially the sheets that went on the beds right away. These dryer sheets are phenomenal. I put them in the shoe closet, shoes, the bathroom, & gym bags. I never liked using dryer sheets but I am hooked with these and the scent boosters that these will always be with me when I do laundry. My towels, clothes, & linen still smelled fresh a week later.

I gotta give credit to the scent sommelier. There are people who have the pleasure of coming up with these amazing scents so we can enjoy our laundry smell for more than a day. The sommelier explained how they created these scents and the training they have to do to become one. They have their work cut out for them and I’m glad they chose these scents. Their noses aren’t no joke. I told the sommelier my kids would probably love to do what she does because they have the gift of smells. They smell things I don’t even smell, or things that might take me longer to smell that they can pick up right away. She told me to have them apply. They will be the next generation sommeliers.

Head to your retailer and stock up on Snuggle Scent Boosters and dryer sheets. They are available in different sizes and are safe for standard and HE machines.

Go to snuggle.com for more info.
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift bag with Snuggle products for review. Opinions are always mine and only mine.

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ROAD TRIP TO PHILLY FOR THE #MomMixer EVENT

3 May

On Saturday April 26th, a couple of my besties and I took a road trip to Philly for the Mom Mixer Event hosted by Whitney Wingerd & Colleen Padilla. It was held at the Four Seasons hotel. We were scheduled for the 12- 2 p.m. session. We had a great time traveling, seeing the sights, and girl talk. I checked the weather before we left so I knew Philly weather was going to be nice in the 70’s. I was excited to talk to the brands who were in attendance.

CVS had loads of goodies for everyone to enjoy like their famous chocolate chip cookies, juices, protein bars, trail mix, dried fruit, chili lime almonds, and plenty more snacks from their Gold Emblem line. CVS has everything I need and I am glad I am within walking distance from my house.

Kids headquarters came through with brands from Under Armour clothing for infants and kids. I scored shorts, and a iron man t-shirt for my daughter, and onesies for my cousin. My whole family loves Under Armour. Tommy Hilfiger was also another brand featured at their table.

Mc D Philly (McDonald’s) restaurant were handing out hot coffee and coupons for free meals. I couldn’t wait to get a cup of their McCafe coffee.

Hershey Park told us about the new rides coming this year like the Cocoa Cruiser (roller coaster), Tea Cups, and the Sweet Swing. My family and I can’t wait to go and try these new rides. I haven’t been to Hershey Park in years, and my kids keep asking to go so this has to be the year. There also was a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup mascot taking pictures with attendees. We tried to take a bite out of it. Lol.

Charm It is the original, detachable charm brand for girls ages 5-14. I love the necklace with all the charms and bracelets. My daughter will want to collect all of them. But I know she will especially want anything ballerina, princess, and cupcakes. She can’t wait to start her collection. Charm It is having a contest where your little one can Design-A-Charm. Check it out on Twitter @Charm_It Hurry ends May 21st.

Academy of Natural Sciences had a table with dinosaur bones, and teeth. My kids would have loved to have seen it. I definitely want to bring them back to explore. They gave us free passes so another road trip with the kids is a must.

The 3 Day (Susan G Komen) came out to encourage everyone to get involved and walk for breast cancer in Philly. I told the girls we need to do this. Another road trip but for a good cause. I want to show support and wear pink and represent. We can go as Blogger Walkers.

Visionworks provided eye exams and showed us their Eco friendly line of glasses. They also gave us a free pair of sunglasses to take home. They have over 620 optical retail stores in 40 states. I am due for new reading glasses and can’t wait to connect with them. Check out their website vision works.com

Stella & Dot showed us beautiful jewelry, bags, clutches, and scarves in bright colors, and a variety of prints. I wanted the whole collection. My friend won a tote bag.

You know we couldn’t go to Philly without getting Geno’s delicious cheesesteaks. We also had to take pictures like tourists.

I went to Philly last year with hubby and the kids for another event and we had a great time. I think Philly will be a yearly thing from now on.

The gift bags were fabo and I’d like to thank Colleen and Whitney for the invite. I had a great time!!
Check out:
@classymommy
@WhitneyMWS
@CVS_Extra
@the3day
@acadnatsci
@Charm_It
@kidsheadquarter
@UnderArmour
@HersheyPA
@StellaDot
@McDPnilly

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I received an invite and swag. Opinions are mine.

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MY KIDS #POWERUP WITH DANIMALS SUPERSTARS GREEK LOWFAT YOGURT

25 Apr

Dannon recently launched the new Danimals SuperStars Greek Lowfat Yogurt. My kids, cousin, and I were excited to attend the launch and try out their new product. I’ve always loved yogurt and my kids eat nonfat yogurt. The Greek lowfat yogurt would be something new for them to try. There a variety of flavors to try and my kids seemed to have liked the Cotton Candy flavor the most. I liked the Strawberry Slide.

Dr. Tanya R. Altmann talked to the group about nutrition. She said kids need 15-25 grams of protein a day, depending on their age. Adults need 50 grams. Kids also need 3 servings of dairy products a day. With this Greek yogurt you can make a smoothie, dip, milkshake, or substitute the cream cheese on a bagel with the yogurt. Physical activity is important and should be 1 hr a day for kids. Sports is great for learning to interact with other people, following instructions, and getting along with other people. Role modeling healthy habits is important because whatever you do kids will follow.

Growing up I remember my father telling me I couldn’t get up from the table till I finished everything on my plate. Was he being a good parent for saying that? Was he really concerned about me eating healthy, or did the thought of me wasting food something he didn’t approve of? Well I can honestly say the food he was feeding me was not that healthy, and I think he used to say “there are kids starving out here so don’t waste your food.” Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t junk food he was giving me. It was more like steak and potatoes, Spanish dishes, flan for dessert, an occasional octopus which I’m pretty sure I told my mom I’m not eating that. Lol.

What I’m trying to say is in the present now that I have kids and have learned what’s good and not good for my kids, I wouldn’t give them anything I wouldn’t eat. I don’t think my parents were reading labels on products back in the 70’s. If they only knew what chemicals were going into our bodies I’m sure they would have not fed it to us.

When I go into the grocery stores the first thing I look for on labels is “high fructose corn syrup.” If it doesn’t contain that or any artificial flavors and I think it can benefit my kids I will get it. If I knew what soda had in it I wouldn’t have drunk it when I was growing up. I gave it up years ago and it is banned from our house.

My kids are very active at school and after. There’s not a day that goes by when they are running, jumping, playing, or just singing. They love outdoor activities, and I love taking them on adventures. We like to explore and find new things to do. I make sure that my kids are fed a healthy breakfast that would keep them satisfied till lunch. Every kid is different when it comes to food. My daughter loves her fruits, my son loves his eggs, and waffles, my other son likes breakfast sandwiches, and my oldest will grab coffee and eat when he gets to work.

Danimals SuperStars Greek Lowfat Yogurts can help provide kids with the nutrition they need. Each cup is a good source of calcium and Vitamin D, which help build strong bones, along with an excellent source of protein (25 percent of the Daily Value). Also, similar to other Danimals products, Danimals SuperStars has no artificial colors or flavors and no high fructose corn syrup.

Each cup of Danimals SuperStars will help fuel even more than young bodies. With educational and Power Up fun facts found under the lid of each cup, Danimals is helping stimulate children’s minds as well!

Danimals SuperStars is available in 4oz 4-count packs in five delicious flavors made specifically for kids, including: Strawberry Slide, Strawberry Banana Sprint, Cotton Candy Thrill, Mixed Berry Half-Pipe and Cherry Rush.

In addition to playing outdoors on a regular basis, it’s important for kids to eat well and get the right balance of foods in their diet, such as dairy, which includes nutrients like calcium. Kids can get calcium from products such as Danimals Greek lowfat yogurts, nonfat yogurts and dairy smoothies.

Danimals dairy products make snacking fun – they taste great. Kids will love Powering Up with Danimals SuperStars, experiencing the burst of fruity flavor in Danimals Smoothies, and mixing fun toppings from Crunchers into delicious nonfat yogurt. All Danimals products contain a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D, which help kids build strong bones and regulate muscle function. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identify calcium as a nutrient of concern for American adults and children, and recommend increasing intake of foods that provide it.

We enjoyed the day with Dannon and trying the new flavors. I will be buying my kids their favorite flavors and I will stashing a few for myself as well.

For more info:
Danimals Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/danimals
Instagram Page: http://instagram.com/dannonyogurt
Twitter Handle: @Dannon

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. My kids were given gift bags and the product to try. These are my opinions 100%.

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#2BSparkling ALL NATURAL NYC DOE APPROVED SPARKLING DRINK #spon

4 Mar

“This is a sponsored post with 2B Drinks, however, as always my posts are based on my opinions and experiences.”

When I found out I had Diabetes Type 2 not only was I upset, I was disappointed that I couldn’t eat or drink what I wanted. I gave up sodas years ago so that wasn’t a big deal. I love water so that wasn’t going to be an issue, but juice… Oh no! Now what was I going to substitute for my love of juices? What am I going to drink that tastes sweet but is healthy for me? What real drink is out there with less than 50 calories, and less than 15 g of sugar? Well, the juice universe were listening to me because I was introduced to 2B drinks.

2B was developed in 2013 as a call to action for an all-natural, lower calorie beverage. 2B is the first to use Purefruit, a zero calorie sweetener originating from the monk fruit, a small centuries-old fruit endowed with unique, naturally occurring antioxidants. The result is a delicious sweet taste, but without the calories of common sweeteners. 2014 saw the release of 2B Sparkling, aka “Healthy Bubbles,” which has been approved by the NYC Department of Education and is currently being sold in over 2,500 school vending machines. The 2B vision is simple, provide all-natural, caffeine free, low calorie beverages that are Lightly Sweet and affordable. 2B Drinks are available in the Tri-State area and on Amazon with free shipping. 3 flavors available ( Chocolate, Vanilla, and Lemon Ice)

I’ve been saying for years anything with high fructose corn syrup is bad and I am glad to see the Department of Education putting healthy drinks in the school. Our kids deserve to be healthy don’t you agree? I also want to stay healthy for my kids and I’m sure a lot of you out there do too.

Whether it is Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes, living with diabetes can be difficult. However, untreated living with diabetes can lead to several health issues and 2B Drinks Sparkling has only 12 grams of sugar per 16 oz. help you enjoy something “slightly sweet” without the risks.

2B is not just a category focused drink, but simply a great tasting, all-natural, sparkling drink for all lifestyles, young or old.
RESOURCES:
Website: http://www.2bdrinks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/2bdrinks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2Bdrinks
Instagram: http://instagram.com/2bdrinks
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_grocery?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=2B+Drinks&node=16310101

The Lemon Ice was my favorite flavor. My kids enjoyed that flavor as well. Now I don’t have to worry about my finger sticks being out of control or my doctor worrying about what juice I shouldn’t be drinking because now I can show her this amazing drink that came at the right time.

Are you living with diabetes? Do you want to give up sodas? Are you ready to live a healthy lifestyle? I am giving away a case of sparkling 2B drinks valued at $15 to one of my readers. Winner must be over the age of 18. Winner must reside in the NYC Tri-State area.

Mandatory entry: Visit 2B drinks website or Amazon and tell me what flavor you are most excited to try in the comments below. Winner will be selected by March 23, 2014.

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TEACHING MY KIDS CALLIGRAPHY & ART CLASSES THIS SUMMER #orientaltrading

4 Mar

In high school I was given the opportunity to take calligraphy class. I didn’t ever think I would be able to learn such a beautiful handwriting in a short period of time but I did. I also had my work featured on display for a month in a NY public library. My mother and I were so proud. Ever since then I’ve always practiced and made sure to buy the right pens and ink. The more I talked about my skills the more people asked me to do wedding invitations, birthday cards, and invitations, I also wrote the names on the diplomas at my son’s school for the graduating sixth graders. Everyone would tell me you should put up an ad letting people know you can write calligraphy and make extra money. I like it as a hobby and helping those out who likes my fancy handwriting when needed. I don’t mind taking it to the next level though.

First, I want to teach my kids how to master it so I’ve teamed up with Oriental Trading to get me the supplies I need so my kids can learn on summer vacation. I know I’m gonna have to get plenty more but the main thin I wanted were the Elegant Writer Calligraphy Pen Sets. You can’t teach without the proper pens. I ordered two sets of these. One set is all black, and the other set has multiple colors. I can’t wait to teach my kids calligraphy and see if this is something they will embrace the way I did.

I also purchased these cool pencil sharpeners that look like bottles of cologne or a bottle you put ink in and dip a feather to write like way back when calligraphy looked amazing. My kids love these.

I could not pass on the Woodless Colour Pencils. These are just right for drawing, illustrating, and coloring. We will be having indoor and outdoor art classes as well.

The Biggie Sketch Pad contains 125 sheets and is perfect for the kids. I should have gotten two but I will get more in due time. This can start us off.
I ordered pens too because we’re always losing pens in the house so hopefully these will be around when we need them.

Oriental Trading has everything you need from arts and crafts, to party supplies, giftware, toys, etc. They have been recognized as one of the Top 50 Internet Retailers, and Top 50 Catalog Companies. I loved getting my catalog in the mail. There’s so much to choose from I always go over budget. Lol. Oriental Trading supports organizations and programs in Education, Youth, Healthcare, and Human Services. They also partner with Bloggers and Vloggers. You can go on their website to learn more : http://www.orientaltrading.com

My other blogger buddies and I will be hosting a Twitter party soon so I encourage you to check out wwww.orientaltrading.com and see what you like because you never know what you will win. Also follow my friends on Twitter and keep checking back for when we have the #LetsPartyOTC #orientaltrading Twitter Party.

@BronxMama_com
@MommysMingle
@MamiDoesItAll
@BoyzRuleOurWrld
@3CityGirlsNYC
@OrientalTrading

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was given supplies. These opinions are 100% my own.

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HEALTHY CHOICES MY FAMILY AND I MAKE WITH WELCH’S @Welchs @TheLicensingCo #Welchs

9 Dec

As a mom of 4 I’m sure there are plenty parents out there who wish they didn’t have picky eaters. I try to cook healthy for my kids and make sure they get their daily dosage of vegetables, & fruit, and leave out the junk food. Sometimes I have to sneak vegetables in their food either by pureeing or just put it on their plate and say eat those veggies first. I DO NOT allow anything with HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP in my house and that’s the main reason we gave up sodas and a lot of junk food. It can also be hidden in foods you would never even think. I read all labels and if it takes me an extra 20 minutes in the supermarket then it’s worth it for my family. Fruits aren’t that big of a problem in my house. My kids choices range from grapes, tangerines, apples, bananas so I’m glad they all can agree on that. I think my kids drink more than they eat. I go through so many drinks sometimes I have to stock up in the food warehouse stores so I have plenty. We love juices that are 100% like Welch’s Grape Juice, 100% White Grape Juice, and 100% White Grape Peach Juice just to name a few.

Welch’s Jams, Jellies, and Spreads have been a regular in our home for years. What kid doesn’t love a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Fast to make and a great snack. What parent doesn’t appreciate that?

Now Welch’s has another great snack which are their 100% Juice Ice Bars. What is a plus for me is No High Fructose Corn syrup and No Artificial Flavors. Three flavors- Grape, White Grape with Cherry Flavor, and White Grape with Tropical Flavor. I tasted these great juice ice bars at an event I attended and I was very happy and my kids were as well when I let them try. I will keep my freezer stocked with these handy bars for the kids to grab whenever they like.

Another Welch’s product I tried were the frozen fruits. These frozen fruits were made into a smoothie in no time. I was very impressed how it tasted so fresh as if I went to the farmer’s market that day and hand picked the fruit. You can’t tell they are frozen at all once you make your smoothie. There are different varieties to choose from like, Wild Blueberry, Mangoes, Mango Medley, Four Berry Mix, Antioxidant Fruit Blend, Strawberries Banana Mix, Raspberries, and Strawberries. I have no problem using these in my pancakes, in a glass of Welch’s Sparkling Cocktails, or right out of the bag. They are sold in re-sealable bags that lock in the fresh taste. Prices range from $3.49-$4.79 depending upon retailer margin and variety. Only 50-70 calories/serving. Naturally sweet- no added sugar.

Facts about Welch’s 100% Grape Juice:

Welch’s 100% a Grape Juice helps support a healthy heart , thanks to the dark purple Concord grape.
Is made with Concord grapes picked at their peak and grown in North America by Welch’s family farmers.
Is a convenient way to incorporate more purple fruit into a healthy diet. As a complement to whole fruit, each 4-oz. glass counts as one serving (1/2 cup) of fruit.
Uses the entire Concord grape- skin, seeds and all – to release natural plant nutrients (polyphenols)
straight from the grape. More than 20 Concord grapes are squeezed into each 4-oz glass.
Delivers an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C in each 4 -oz glass.
Is made with no added sugar, color, or flavor. It’s 100% juice!

Natures Touch Frozen Foods is the manufacturer of Welch’s Frozen Fruit. For more info check out their website http://www.naturestouch.ca/
An independent licensing agency formed in 1996 by Melvin Thomas and Angela Farrugia, The Licensing Company represents some of the best brands in the world like Welch’s, Bud Light, and Jeep, etc, etc.
For more info on Welch’s Licensing Agency visit http://www.thelicensingcompany.com
Don’t forget to visit Welch’s website welchs.com and grapescience.com

My family and I will always support Welch’s because Welch’s make sure they support healthy hearts and do not contain any high fructose corn syrup in their products.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions and stories are 100% my own. I was paid for this post which had no affect on my opinions.

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BEAUTY TIPS AND TRENDS FOR FALL (EXCLUSIVE BEAUTY LINES AT TARGET)

26 Nov

With fall upon us, Latina fashionistas are not only thinking of rotating their wardrobe, but also their makeup. Target makes it fun and affordable to meet your makeup match this season by offering guests prestige beauty lines like Pixi by Petra Strand and NP Set by Napoleon Perdis, collections exclusive to Target.

Below are trends and tips compiled by renowned makeup artists Petra and Napoleon that are sure to inspire Latina.com readers to wear a new look – whether it be a bold lip, smoky eye or a flawless complexion.

Savvy Fall Beauty Tips

Trend #1: A Bold Lip

Latinas “atrevense”… try a new color for fall! Applying lipstick can always serve as an image adjustment, especially when playing around with bright colors for a quick pick me up. This season Target’s NP Set of Lipstick Brights ($12 each) can help you achieve a deep, bold lip color that isn’t quite vampy or classic red but more of a youthful and sophisticated berry pout.

For fairer skin tones: wine and burgundy
For medium skin tones: deep scarlet and cranberry
For deeper skin tones: mulberry and blackberry

How To Prep:
Before you start a deep lip, always conceal your lip line first to even out any uneven lip pigment, ensuring you will always get the cleanest lip look possible.
Line lips first and last when working with dark shades. By lining the lips first, you establish the boundaries before saturating them with intense color.
Dark colors can make the lips appear smaller, so for those women who want to remain on-trend without losing the voluptuous pout, simply dab some gloss on the center of the bottom lip to reflect light and give the appearance of fuller lips.

Trend #2: A Smoky Eye

The mysterious smoky eye women strive to achieve shouldn’t be such a mystery! “Caso resuelto”! Target’s Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen Kit ($25) is a great beauty find – with four pens it’s easy and inexpensive to create a unique smoky eye to compliment your fall wardrobe. It is all about knowing your face, and the shades it would compliment.

For Brown Eyes: Anthracite grey is a very easy shade to create a beautiful smoky eye. It works best as a base color to then enhance it with a real high definition color like teal, peacock blue, emerald and garnet.
For Blue Eyes: A smoky bronze looks sophisticated and is very easy to wear, even as a foray into a darker smoky eye.
For Green Eyes: Smoky purple also compliments most eye colors but particularly makes green eyes “pop.”

How to Prep:
If using a vibrant powder, sketch out your smoky eye and use the bright powder on the center of the lid and blend it down with a “polishing” movement to essentially blend the color into the lid or as a liner.
Use the vibrant shade first across the whole of the lid.
Blend with a small-headed brush to graduate the effect with the intensity of pigment close to the lash line, fading as it goes up the lid.
To finish up, simply smoke it up with the grey so you get a seamless, colorful smoky look.
Apply another little bit of smoky shade on the outer corner of the eye for extra sassiness.
Brighten and lighten or line and define your eyes with the Pixi Crayon Combo ($18 each) in Wide Awake, Super Natural and Softly Smoky.
A flawless base goes best with smoky eyes. Two coats of mascara will define the eyes, and contouring the face with a subtle sweep of blush will pronounce the cheekbones.

Trend #3: A Flawless Complexion

Look “bella” in your skin! The perfect canvas for fall fashion makeup calls for a neutral palette, which is flattering for most women and is not intimidating to work with. Glowing, youthful skin teamed with flushed cheeks, strong brows and messy up-dos make for an alluring combination of sweet and sexy.

How to Prep:
Embrace the prime of your life! Primer really is the essential component in creating a perfect complexion. For that healthy glow, use a quarter-sized amount of NP Set Calming Pre-Foundation Primer ($29) that has ingredients like aloe, cucumber and peppermint extract to help reduce redness.
Apply foundation sparingly. Instead of applying to your entire face, only target the heart-shaped area of the face: below the forehead, around the eyes and down to the chin so that it blends out to nothing and leaves no demarcation.
Finish up with a dusting of NP Set Pasarela Powder Foundation ($25.50) to set your make-up.
Customize your shade of concealer. Use a mix of additional flesh toned hues to correct under eye puffiness and other uneven areas.
Give your complexion the healthy attention it deserves with a Pixi Perfection Palette ($28) that compartmentalizes into several tints to suit your eyes, cheeks and face.
Don’t forget to blush! Even after a late night on the town, blush will liven your features. Just dab on cheeks and even eyelids. Blush instantly brightens your complexion and gives you a visual lift.

Target offers a variety of exclusive cosmetics, hair care and personal care brands at a great price – making it a true destination for the best beauty offerings.

I was given an assortment of Target-exclusive Pixi and NP Set beauty products to review. I love the lipstick in color Noosa. I took pictures below how it looks on my lips. Love this color for Fall. I will be trying out a variety of products to come. Check out Target for all your makeup needs. These opinions are 100% mine.

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