Miss Jessies Pillow Talk & Curltopia Launch Event

Last Friday I was also invited to Ms. Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls Launch at Curltopia Salon hosted by Natural Hair Blogger Lexi. Unfortunately, I had to choose between two events: 1) Super Why Live with the family or 2) Ms. Jessie's Pillow talk.  Me being me, I tried to do both! After the Super Why Show I hauled my husband and children over to the salon to see my other natural blogger friends!

When I arrived everyone was almost gone but I got a chance to hug a few necks and take a few pictures. I was also given my FULL SIZE of Ms. Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls. Unfortunately, I have rope twist right now and can't use this product. I plan to take them out next month and not only will I try this product but I will be also going to Curltopia to get my hair styled! This salon was gorgeous! Chic and elegant at the same time!


I look ROUGHER-THAN-A-MUG! (picture from If I Were a Brit Girl)
I went to work, then Super Why Live then HERE! I wasn't going to take pictures that day.... especially standing next to the Fabulous Trina of Baby Shopaholic!

The Salon

Super Why Live was a blast! My Review

Last Friday I had the pleasure of taking my husband and two children to see Super Why Live at the the Cobb Energy Centre thanks to an online give-a-way! I love winning things but it's an even better thrill when the entire family can enjoy it.

The message in Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power! is that we can do anything we want to do and be anyone we want to be. Audiences joined Super Why, Wonder Red, Princess Presto, Alpha Pig, and Woofster, as they realize their dreams while searching for the answer to the question, “Who has the greatest super power in the world?”

My children are 4 & 7. My daughter seemed more excited while my son was trying to put on a cool exterior. That was until the show started then he joined the crowd with the cheers and singing!

I will say if he was just one or two years older that show would not have been for him but it was perfect for Bailee. My husband and I were pleased with the show and the message; which was YOU have the power to do anything you want because you can READ! It was broken down into two 30 minute shows with a 20 minute intermission. Even though it was broken up into two sessions, it was one continuous story line. The show was very well put together and the onstage images & costumes were just perfect for the 2-7 age group. The entire show allowed the children to be involved with crown participation and stage/crowd surprises. I give it two thumbs up!

The inside of the Cobb Energy Centre! It was packed.

Sorry the fuzziness but my children were acting crazy and it was a line to take a picture! Look at son making a silly face! #BOYS!

Male Child in Female Restroom? How old is too old?

I have talked about this before on another blog but the issue came up yesterday and I decided to re-visit the topic. What age is the correct age or do I say "a more comfortable age" to send your male child into the bathroom by himself when he is out with you (Mommy)?

Yesterday, before church started my children and I were walking down the hallway and I opened the door to go into the bathroom. My daughter is 4 and my son is just recently turned 7. My son was shaking his head, "No!", like he is NOT going in there. I grabbed his arm and said, "If you don't get your behind in here and sit down and wait on me!" Now recently at church, when my son has to go to the restroom, he asks me can he go in the boys bathroom. I started checking the males restroom first and then let him go. But again that's at church. It's another story when we are out......

Yesterday after church my husband, kids and I were at Publix (getting dinner) and my son asked to go the restroom. The restrooms were near the deli so my husband told him to go ahead, and my son took off. I just stood there all wide eyed and said, "Umm, you are not going to go with him?" He said, "He will be ok, he is a big boy!"  I said, "This has nothing to do with him being a big boy, you don't know who is in the bathroom!" So I walk away as my husband shakes his head, like I am the crazy one. I go the the males bathroom and open the door. I yell, "Earl!" I don't hear anything. I yell louder, "EARL!!" He says, "Yes mommy!" "Are you ok?" "Yes Mommy!" "Earl, are you in here alone?" Then another voice says, "I am in here too!" I freeze because I am thinking of my next move! All of sudden my husband comes behind me and says "Move!" all irritated! LOLOL!! And he goes into the bathroom to check on Earl.

I smile and head back to the deli with my daughter. When he comes back, I explain to him the importance of not letting children go to the bathroom alone in public. I told him about the 10 year old boy that went to the bathroom in a Wendy's and was stabbed and raped by a guy and his father came when it was almost too late. People are crazy and people hurt and take kids! Yes he can use the bathroom by himself, but he is still to young for us just to say, "Yeah, Go and come right back!" When my husband is not with us, my son is coming in the women's bathroom with me unless I can check the males bathroom out. And honestly, I still might let him come with me. I just get nervous. I remember I let him go the restroom once and no one was in there, then this older man went in after him. I couldn't stop wiggling my fingers waiting for my son. I peaked in a few times screaming, "Earl, are you ok?" So, I really don't know. He might be 15 before I have peace about this. I just don't know. I pray my husband gets it.

Girls Night Out - With a Cause!

Last night I was able to attend Girls Night Out (a charity event) and had a pure blast. Girls Night Out was hosted at a fun and flirty boutique in Camp Creek Marketplace called Shimmer Boutique (Owner, Denise Stokes). It was hosted by blogger, Sojourner Marable Grimmett. We were able to bring new and gently used clothing to support the YWCA of Greater Atlanta Women in Transition (WIT) Program. In addition to 10% of all store sales going to this cause, there were raffle give-a-ways that everyone wanted to win!! The prizes ranged from, wax treatments, hair treatments, bags, restaurants and so much more. You know I like to win things but this time I only got a free McDonald's Chiller!!

This is Shimmer Boutique and Mrs. Sojourner Grimmett

(Blog: Married with 2 boys)

I enjoyed this event because everyone was so nice and welcoming. I went by myself and knew I would see some other familiar bloggers but I met some new people and we chatted like old friends. That's why I have really come to enjoy this blogging experience. You meet so many cool and interesting new people whose path you may have not crossed otherwise.

They had a wonderful Mini Cupcake display! They were yummy with Wine or water.

They welcomed the guest and talked the reason for this event.

As you can see, it was a packed house.

More great times! I met Efie Lynn for the first time tonight.

We laughed and joked like we've known each other for years!

Kerrie VirtuousOne - www.virtuousstyls.com

Efie Lynn - www.lalynnsshoppe.blogspot.com

Mimi - www.Lipglossandbinky.com

Visit the Georiga Aquarium for FREE!!

Did you know you can celebrate your birthday at the world's largest aquarium for FREE?

Happy birthday, Georgia residents! Georgia Aquarium wants to help you celebrate your special day with a very special offer. Visit Georgia Aquarium on your birthday, and your Aquarium admission is *FREE!*Just come to any ticket window and show proof of your birthday with either a valid ID or copy of your birth certificate, and we will give you a * FREE *Total Ticket, which gives you access to all galleries and shows. Celebrate your birthday by having a whale of a good time at the world's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium!

Children under three (3) years old are also free!!

Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker Street Northwest Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 581-4000
www.georgiaaquarium.org/

Working While Working Out - Balancing Act

I always tease my single and childless friends about working out. I often say, “Man, if I didn’t have any children, a husband and just a job you couldn’t tell me anything! I’d have the flyest body around because there would be no reason I couldn’t workout and treat my body right!”

Well, I do have a husband, 2 children and a full time j-o-b, I volunteer at my church and a mommy’s group (Mocha Moms), I write a blog, keep my children are involved in activities, AND I WORK OUT! When talking to other women about their bodies, it always seems to come back to the same sentiment, “I don’t have the time! I have kids, I work, etc.”

I am not saying their reasons are not valid, but it goes back to how bad do you want to look in the mirror and be pleased with what you see. Health is important and so many times, mothers take care of themselves last. For some reason, women think that putting themselves first is selfish. Eating healthy and great physical activity is actually good for the entire family.

I agree that for most eating right and exercising is a lifestyle change and commitment. Yes there is some level of sacrifice but how happy will you be with the end result. You may have to go to bed an hour early to get up an hour early just to exercise. You may have to give up an hour of TV and use that time to work out. You also do not have to join a gym! I didn’t. My exercise of choice is Zumba. I bought the 7 DVD Zumba set off of Craigslist for $35. I work out with my set at least 3 days a week when my children go to bed.

On a few occasions I have taken my DVDs to work and closed my office door and worked out. I have also played my DVDs while my children were up and they joined in on the workout. I have even downloaded some FREE workout apps on my phone. They are 10 minutes each and workout every area of my body. I do these while watching TV, on lunch break, wherever I fit them in. That’s just it, I fit in my workout because it’s important to me. If it’s important to you – there is always a way to make it work.

This post was also featured on BeBlogalicious.com

http://myblogalicious.beblogalicious.com/index.php/2012/07/13/working-while-working-out-draft/

Disney on a Dime! Our one day trip.

I apologize in advance for the lack of postings, but this summer has really been an experience. Both good and not so good. One of the highlights of the summer for my family was on July 1st. My husband and I were able to treat my son to a day of Disney for his 7th birthday. His birthday was is July 4th but because this year it fell on a Wednesday, we decided to go on a weekend day.

The coolest part of the opportunity was that taking my children to Disney is on my vision board, that I created in 2011. Little did I know it would happen so soon and for FREE. We actually have a friend that is interning with Disney over the summer and was given a certain amount of passes to give to friends and family. Well, out of the blue he called my husband and offered us his passes so we could take the kids! That was so nice of him to think of us. He called us in May and after a good discussion, we decided to use the tickets for our son's birthday. That is one thing about a Vision Board, when you put things on it > don't worry about the how!

Our day at Disney started at 9am. After meeting up with our friend Chris, who gave us the passes, we finally were in the park around 10am. We literally walked until 10pm! We visited Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and then ended our day at Epcot to see the fireworks. My kids were even complaining about their feet at the end of the day! And before we were out of the parking lot, they were knocked out sleep!

The highlight of the trip for me was seeing my daughter meet Princess Tiana. Bailee was so excited. And Princess Tiana was so nice and sincere. She took time to talk with her and really listened to her answers. My son wanted no parts of Princess Tiana! She told my daughter she was going to kiss him and turn him in to a frog, and my son hid his face. #Priceless. (That's the picture above of her trying to kiss my son and turn him into a frog!)

Also, it was my son's first time riding a roller coaster. He rode Space Mountain with his daddy and he is still talking about it. "The roller coaster in the dark!" The only down part of the day was that my children didn't meet Mickey! We couldn't find him. Other than that, the day was a pure blessing.

Now one last thing, my son told me that his liked his gift (Disney), but can he still have a gift that he opens out of a box from Toys R US!!! #blankstare

Free Ms. Jessies Samples! Yep, More than 1!!

I just got an email from my friend that started with "FREE". She told me that Ms. Jessies Hair Care products are offering 3 Free Samples with Free Shipping! I went to the site IMMEDIATELY and put my order in for 1 Curl Pudding & 2 Curl Meringue (I haven't tried this one yet!). Honestly, I do NOT buy Ms. Jessies products because they are a little too expensive for my taste. Although, I have had a few samples from hair shows and its worked GREAT on my hair. Their Curl Pudding gave my hair the most defined curls I have ever seen! Their shampoo and conditioner is great too! I just personally do not want to spend $30 - $60 for 8oz-16oz of hair care products, but when I get a sample I use it all up. 

So if you like Ms. Jessie's like I do, here is the link for you 3 Free Samples

http://www.missjessies.com/shop/Free-Samples   ENJOY!

** You do have to put in your credit card info but they won't charge it.**

This is a picture of before and after one their curl products (It's not me.)

BEFORE
Client’s hair all natural. She wants no chems but wants maximum curl definition. She desperately needs a shape.

AFTER
We turned her kinks to curls non-chemically and shingled her hair with Curly Pudding. She will use Curly Buttercreme to refresh and hydrate her curls to encouraged length