Target Beauty Bag Goodies

Nothing beats FREE goodies, especially when they're from Target.  For those who don't know, Target periodically gives away beauty bags filled with free beauty product samples.  

This is my third beauty bag of goodies from them.  I have to say that I'm certainly interested in buying some of these products in full sizes.  Here's what was in my beauty bag this time around.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait- Moo tried this on before I could.  The color was really subtle on her but had a nice shimmer to it.  I'm thinking about trying out one of their berry colors.

Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo & Conditioner- Haven't tried this out yet.  It's made especially for those who like to die their hair.  It's suppose to keep color fresh for up to 45 washes and conditionings.

Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Detoxifying Scrub- I've tried this once.  And I think I like it.  It's not has grainy or rough as most scrubs.  It's also oil and soap free.  Plus, it's made with natural ingredients like rice, coconut and extract from flowers, leaves and stems.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock (SPF 70)- Now, Neutrogena and I have a bad history.  I tried some of their facial products and soaps out in high school and it did not go well.  I had a bad reaction and ended up with a face full of bumps and flaky dry patches.  So, I will be testing this out on my arms only.

TRESemme Split Remedy Split End Shampoo and Conditioner- This claims to reduce split ends by 80% after just three uses.  I will be getting full size versions of this because when my hair grows out and gets longer than shoulder length it tends to get a lot of split ends for some reason.

Contents by Allegro Cosmetic Bag- I love the design and color of this bag.  Will hitting up my Target to see if I can find this in a larger size and different colors.

Do you sign up for Target Beauty Bags?

Thankful Thursday

Wow, it's almost July.  Summer is going by quickly.  Soon it'll be time for the kids to head back to school.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Moo gets approval from her doctor to start preschool.  Since being back home we haven't any more issues with her stomach bothering her and I'm thankful for that because she was really in pain. 

I'm thankful that we live in the city and have more access to stores that carry foods specifically for people with food allergies.  You would think that stores everywhere do this but we have a challenge every time we go down to my mom's house finding gluten-free foods and soy products.  Moo loves ice cream and I'm thankful that yesterday while we were grocery shopping I found a section in the organic/vegan section of diary free ice cream! 

It's a lot more expensive but I'm glad that she'll be able to start enjoying ice cream again because she's grown very tired of popsicles.  I'm thankful that all went well at story time yesterday. (Read here.)  I was more than a little worried if we were going to have a repeat of the last time.  Thankfully, we didn't.  Moo had a blast playing with the other kids.

JJ even got in on the action and tried to take a few steps.  I'm very thankful that he's making progress in starting to walk on his own.  He can balance himself standing up without holding on to anything but when he moves to take a step he just falls down.  But he doesn't give up.  He pulls himself back into a standing position and starts over again.

I'm also very thankful that this week we have been able to spend more time with the Mr!  For a while it felt like we weren't seeing much of him at all because he was working pretty much seven days a week.  I'm really looking forward to grilling out this weekend since he'll be off and hope to capture some family moments.

What are you giving thanks for?

Invisible Mommy Seen

Remember, how I blogged about the issues we were having with the group for story time at our local library?  (See this post for a refresher.)  Well, we took a break from story time for the last weeks.  No, those rude parents didn't run me off.  One week I was out of town and then of course last week I mentioned that the Mr had hit a deer.  

Well, this week we were in town and I decided that I wasn't going to let the ignorant behavior of some immature adults run me and my kids off from an activity we love.  Reading and books is in our blood!  Seriously, I busted the seam on the bookshelf in my living room because it has so many books on it.  Anyways, a miracle happened today.

We arrived a few minutes after story time started and when we entered the room guess what happened?  One of the other moms who has never said a word to me or even acknowledged I existed actually greeted me when I came in.  I'm talking about full on smile and everything.  I was a bit in shock but managed to smile back.

I'm starting to wonder if she read my blog post and feels ashamed of her behavior?  Or maybe, it had something to do with our two week absence.  Whatever the case, I prayed long and hard since I first talked to you all about the craziness that was going down.  I prayed mainly because I wanted to give them a piece of my mind and rip them a new one after how they made Moo feel.  I didn't ask God to let them disappeared.

Instead I asked him to soften their hearts and remove their ignorance.  Doesn't that gospel song say "You don't have to move the mountain, just give me the strength to climb?"  Well, I didn't want that mountain to move, I wanted to strength and patience to deal with them until God opened their eyes.

Now, I'm not saying we're out of the woods yet.  However, I'm keeping strong to my faith that they felt bad about how they acted and have time to reflect upon the stupidity of their actions.  Playtime afterwards went much better. All the kids played and none of the parents interfered.  Let's hope this continues.

Do you think it's possible that these parents have turned over a new leaf so fast?

Old Navy Beach Bum Shopping Party

As you all know, I'm a member of the Old Navy Style Council.  I simply love, love, love them.  Nothing beats great fashion with great prices.  With summer officially here, many of us are hitting up the beach and the pools.  To help me get pool and beach ready, Old Navy invited me to host a Beach Bum Shopping Party to check out their selection of beach accessories (beach towel, sunglasses, beach bag and flip flops).  So, I invited a few friends and the party was on! 

Here's a few pics we snapped while there.  

Store Front

I don't know about you, but I can't leave home without a super cute bag.  Same goes for hitting up the beach/pool.

Isn't she such a lovely a model?!!

I nicknamed this the Great Wall of Flip Flops. It went on for forever.  I got a pair of the Neon Life Lime ones you see on the far left.

Moo had to be in picture too.

You know we couldn't visit Old Navy without checking out the fashion too!  Your beach outfit is just as important as your accessories.

The print on this dress was super cute!

This maxi skirt could totally double as a bathing suit coverup/dress thanks to the drawstrings.

My other lovely model.  Her little guy is super handsome.

We spotted some celebrities too!

If you're headed to the beach or pool this summer be sure make Old Navy your first stop and pick some cool accessories and beachwear!  Also visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  And if you're really looking to have some fun download their Old Navy Snap Appy!

Will you be hitting up the beach or pool this summer?






Disclosure: I am an Old Navy Style Council member and received a coupon for free accessories for myself and my guests.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Shop Your Way

This post brought to you by ShopYourWay Program. All opinions are 100% mine.

 Whether it's a stylish pair of shoes for me or toys for the kids, I love shopping and discovering new products.  And what I enjoy even more is being able to share my new finds with friends, family and you guys.  I like to call it spreading the wealth.  Plus, I'm not able to co-sign anything that I don't like or wouldn't use.  So, I'm kind of like a personal shopper in that way.

That's one of the reasons I decided to join the ShopYourWay Rewards Program.  It allows me to connect with all my friends and family and recommend great products to them in one place.  I can even customize my recommendations to suit each person's needs by creating a personal online catalog for them.  They can look through, read my notes/reviews and purchase the products online.  

 

 

The best part about the ShopYourWay Rewards Program (besides earning 1% of all qualifying purchases) is the ease in which all this is.  From the sign-up to inviting family and friends to join your "client list" and picking out products they've looking for, it's all a breeze.  Seriously, you don't have to be a rocket sciencist to do this.

You just:

1. Request an Invite to ShopYourWay to get started today
2. Verify your email and click on the "start earning" link
3. Click on the "Accept Invitation" button and follow the steps to complete your account
4. Start inviting famil and friends to join your "client list"
5. Go shopping and start building catalogs and recommending products

Really if your family and friends are always asking you for recommends with regards to clothing, the lastest kitchen gadgets and more this is the program for you.  I encourage to give it a try and see you how like being a personal shopper!

 

Are you the go to personal shopper for your family and friends?

Thankful Thursday

After a full week down in the sticks visiting with family, I am thankful to be back home with my husband.  I'm really going to miss not having to cook or wash dishes.  However, there's simply no place like your own home and your own bed.  Not to mention, I had a stack of mail waiting to be opened and projects to get the ball rolling on.

I'm thankful the Mr is ok after his accident.  He hit a deer coming home from work the other day.  It could have been worst but thank God, he was able to swerve a little bit and avoid hitting the deer head on.  And the damage the car is minimal.  I'm telling yall God is good!

I'm thankful Moo's pumpkin plant is still alive.  It was dry as a chip when we got back.  The Mr doesn't have a green thumb.  It's still hanging in here though.  We'll hit with a few drops of some Miracle Grow just make sure though.

We still love our new church!  Can't say how happy and thankful I am for that.  There's more joy in my step and I love it.  I had fell off the bandwagon and my faith was getting a little low.  So, I'm super glad that I found this church when I did.  It's just making such a difference to be surrounded by people who love the Lord and want to share His goodness with me but in a non-pushy or judgmental way.

Lots of opportunities have been coming through lately for YUMMommy.  And I know that it's all possible because of all the support I get from you all. And if I haven't told you lately, I'm eternally gratefully for it.  

What's on your Thankful Thursday list?

Wordless Wednesday: Summer Reading

Get the book!

Desperate For Love

Did anybody watch Love & Hip Hop Atlanta?  Now, I know that it seems like VH1 just has it out for Black people looking like fools but honestly I thought this show was going to be a little more classy for some reason.  Every show has drama but I couldn't even finish watching it after I saw Mimi pretty much allowing herself to be degraded on national tv.  In case, you didn't watch, she's dating this dude named Stevie and he's pretty much been cheating on her their entire 15 year relationship.

And the thing that got me is that she knew.  I'm sorry but I have standards and I'm not about to overlook no man's creeping regardless of how much money he has or how much I think I love him.  Love is an action not emotion and his actions have clearly being saying that he couldn't give two rats about her.  Did I mention they have a two year old daughter?

If I was crazy enough to stay with somebody like that, we certainly wouldn't be having unprotected sex.  AIDS and HIV is catching!!  I know people want to talk about it's 2012, but sleeping around is never cute no matter how fun and hip it looked on Sex & the City.  And she was all talking about it's part of the lifestyle of being an entertainer.  Says who?

There are plenty of people in the business who have morals and self respect and respect for their partner.  They don't have to cheat and knock up other women.  In the end, I had to stop watching last night's episode because the message that Mimi was sending out didn't sit well with me.  

You don't have to be so desperate for love that you lower yourself to being somebody's play thing.  Trust me, I was almost that young girl.  Thank goodness I was able to catch myself.  I don't want to sound holier than thou (because Lord knows I'm not), but the Bible tells us what love is SUPPOSE to be in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and Stevie's "love" for Mimi isn't any of those things!

Did you watch?  Could you overlook 15 years of cheating?

Survey Call

A while back, I was asked to be interviewed about my role as an African American mom blogger by the lovely Shonell Bacon.  I have to admit that I was very honored that out of all the hundreds of African American mom bloggers out there, she selected me as one of the bloggers to interview for her study.  It still blows my mind how many women, moms and even men read YUMMommy and have been touched by journey and what I have to say.  Anyways, she asked if I would post this survey call because now she wants to know what you the readers think and have to say about African American mom bloggers.

She's heard our side about how we feel we are contributing to motherhood, society and culture.  Now, she wants to go the audience and see if you all feel the same.  I hope that you will take a moment to help Shonell with this project.  And don't worry, you don't need to be African American to fill out the survey.  You just need to be a reader of an African American mom blog.  Thus, if you're reading this post you already qualify!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calling all readers of African-American mom blogs!

Hi, I'm author, doctoral candidate, and editor Shonell Bacon, and I am conducting a study on the blogging practices of African-American mom bloggers.

I invite you to participate in my study by taking a survey geared toward readers of these blogs.

To understand the blogging practices of African-American mom bloggers, it is important to explore the readers of these blogs. Your participation in the survey will enable me to do that.

The online survey consists of 23 questions. It will take no longer than 30 minutes to complete.

Names and e-mail addresses will not be used in this research.

If you are interested in participating, please click the following link that will take you to the survey at SurveyMonkey: [https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mommyblogreaders]. Once you arrive at the link, you will read a short introduction before clicking “Next” to begin the survey.

Again, if you are interested in participating, please click the following link: [https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mommyblogreaders].

If you have any questions, you can contact me at shon.bacon@ttu.edu.

I thank you for your time and consideration.

Shonell Bacon, Doctoral Candidate, shon.bacon@ttu.edu
Dr. Craig Baehr, Associate Professor, craig.baehr@ttu.edu

A Word About Success

My mom has this quote about success hanging on the wall of her office for nearly three years now.  And it seems that just when I'm at a place where I'm about to question whether or not I should throw in the towel, I always end up in her office reading this.  Reading it reminds me that to never give up on my dreams, but to push forward.

It reminds me that success is about hits and misses.  Sometimes what turns out to be truly meaningful in life is not the victories but the struggles it took to reach those victories. 



Still Around

I'm feeling Fifty Shades of Tired. Literally. This week started off long. Saturday, we headed to my mom's to visit. That same day JJ got a fever and became unusually cranky.

Signs of another teething spell coming on. Needless to say, I would much rather be in the comforts of my own home and he would too. So, I haven't had a good night of sleep yet! I feel like a walking zombie. That explains why I haven't posted in three days.

And to make matters worst, Moo jumped on the sleep boycott too these two nights. She refused to go to sleep Monday night unless we went home. And she had nightmares about my mom's dog. So, it has been a rough couple of days.

However, our time here hasn't been all bad. Moo has had fun playing with my niece and seeing Grandma. I have really enjoyed hanging out with my little sister and having someone else cook for a change. 

Let's hope tonight I can get at least five hours of sleep.

What have you all been up to?

Invisible Mommy

We've been going to storytime at our local library for almost three months now.  The first few times we went, we were the only Black family there.  Heck, we were the only minority family there.  As I have mentioned before, we live in a predominantly White neighborhood.  So, I already knew what to expect.

Having grown up in a predominantly White town, I was often the only the Black student in my honors and AP classes.  Being the sole minority of a group doesn't really bother me.  What has been bothering me is the fact that other moms are clearly not comfortable with having my kids and I in their mist.  And this is sad because our storytime group has since grown and there is another Black family that comes too.

I feel like the Invisible Mommy when other Black family isn't there because none of the other ladies have so much as tried to say hi.  And yes, I have spoken first.  I know that racism is alive and well but for goodness sake people it's 2012.  I'm not buying into that whole 'maybe they've never seen Black people before' crap.

And honestly, it wouldn't bother me so but this week something happened that had me seeing red and ready to throw some elbows.  After storytime the routine is that we all hang out in the play area and let the kids get their energy out.  Well, this week when we went to the play area that were a few other moms and a dad there.  Three of the four families were White and one was Hispanic.

Now, Moo is very outgoing and loves to play.  So, she took off for the play area ready to have fun and play with the other kids.  I decided to grab some books for us to read later off a bookshelf directly in front of the play area.  Moo joins me and says sadly, "They won't play with me."  By they she meant the White kids.

I ask her if she asked them to play she says yes but they wouldn't speak to her.  I'm starting to get pissed.  Why?  Well, for months she and those other girls have been playing together with no problems.  And now they won't even talk to her?  I tell her to go play puzzles with some girls that are sitting at one of the tables.

Their mom promptly instructs them that they're about to leave and they do. At this point, Moo is sad because she has nobody to play with.  And I'm pissed to hell and about ready to make a scene right in the middle of the play area.

My kids are my life!  It's one thing if you don't want to chum it up with me, I have friends already.  However, you're schooling your kids on how to be rude and ignorant towards my daughter, hurting her feelings is not okay.  Those girls were her friends until this week. I'm just beyond disappointed that anybody could act like this.

The silver lining is that the Hispanic kids came to play with her and the other Black mom showed up with her kids once the mean mommies cleared out.  So, she did get to play and she made a new friend.  Now, I'm debating in my mind if I need to confront the other moms about their rudeness or just keep moving.  I'm leaning more towards keeping it moving because it could get nasty and I don't like to expose my kids to conflict.

Have you ever experienced racism before in family setting?

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful that Moo's tummy is feeling better.  The week before last we had a little trip to the Emergency Room and last week we went for a follow up at the pediatrician.  Now, we're working on getting her hives and check.  This sudden flareup in her allergies kind of scares me and makes me wonder if I should rethink her starting preschool this fall. The Mr and I talked briefly about that today.

I'm also thankful that our loud and rude neighbors have moved out. It's so much more peaceful and calm.  We were not the least bit sad to see them go to be honest.  I'm also thankful that I finally got the chance to finish Fifty Shades of Grey.  I loved it!

I love British authors and their writing style.  I had read mixed reviews about this book and decided and to give it a read myself.  If you can look beyond the sex scenes, this book is deep.  I definitely could relate Ana and her some of inner struggles.  And I definitely saw a lot Christian's characteristics in a few of the bad boys I dated/talked to.

I'm most thankful that my packages arrived on time.  For those of you new to YUMMommy or who don't follow me on Twitter, I've had issues with our post office misplacing large packages before.  I was a little hesitant about ordering the Mr a Father's Day gift from online but I'd been searching all the local stores for this one thing and nobody had it. I'm thankful that it's here, undamaged and wrapped.

I'm also thankful that my little man has four teeth now.  His top front teeth are in but I think we have some back teeth coming in.

What's on your thankful list?

Making Progress

This weekend I made some really good progress on my goals list for this month.  One of the main projects I worked on was redesigning stuff for the YUMMommy Shop and researching different vendors.  Here are a few of the designs I like thus far.  Let me know what you all think.

My favorite!

And if it's not too much to ask Vote for the Discovery Place in the Social Madness Competition.  They're listed under the Medium Company tab.  They do so much in terms of educating kids here in the Queen City and being involved in the community.  They are an official nonprofit.  So be sure to help them out with your vote please!

5 Things I Learned From Kris Jenner

Yes, I read the book.  I was hearing a lot of buzz about it and wanted to see for myself if it was worth the hype.  Honestly, Kris Jenner ...and All Things Kardashian was a great book!  It was one of those reads that I couldn't put down.  The book was not what I expected it to be, but in a good way.  

She talks about her childhood and growing up without her father being in her life on a consistent basis.  She's very open about her life and relationships.  And if you've been watching the new season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians then you already know that she talks in great detail about having an affair with a younger man while married to her late ex-husband Robert Kardashian.

 I really recommend you get the book and give it a read.  Now on to the 5 things I learned.

Have Self-Control

 In talking about her affair and the disillusion of her marriage Kris says, "...[T]here are ups and downs and changes in life, but you have to have self-control.  You have to understand that relationships have their ebbs and flows, and that life just evolves.  It is about love and friendship.  It's not always about passion and heat."

This is something I really wish a lot of people would learn before they tie knot.  We get in marriages expecting passion and heat to fizzle or flicker and that's not realistic.  Like she said, there are going to be times when you probably can't stand each other another minute.  However, it's exercising self-control and waiting the storm out that will keep your marriage together.  Nobody is ever the same person their whole life. Things happen and ultimately we change and being with someone is about being willing to accept those changes or work through them.

Environment Is Everything

"Don't ever discount your environment.  Where you live, work, and play has a powerful effect on your happiness and productivity."

Now, I've been talking a lot about how I hate our current place (environment).  And honestly, I haven't been as happy or productive as I need to be.  It's really starting to take a toll on me and the way I interact with certain people.  It didn't dawn on me until I read this that my environment is having a negative pull on me.  Thank goodness we're about to change it.

I want to be happy not just inward, but I want to be happy about where I live, continue to build my brand and make memories with my family.

Dreams Are Not Impossible

How many of us had dreams before we had children or got married?  I know I did.  But it seems like somewhere along the way of becoming a mommy and wife they got lost.  Or I talked myself into thinking I had to give them up.  Well, Kris was managing four kids by the time she was age and could definitely relate to these feelings.

However, she overcame them.  "Never give up on your dreams just because life gets in the way," she says.  "No matter how long you've had a dream, it can still come true if you persevere."

Get To Know The Right People

"If someone says no, you're talking to the wrong person."

I couldn't agree a more with this statement.  Since, the decline of the economy a while back it's become all about knowing the right people when trying to get doors opened.

Make Being Nice A Habit

"This is something to remember: you never know what opportunity is going to present itself-or where.  ...Business 101: Be nice to everybody.  Never take anyone at face value."

CEOs aren't always dressed in suits and ties.  You might bump into them on vacation and if you don't recognize them outside of their work attire, you could be tempted to blow off somebody very important.

Have you read Kris' book?  Will/do you apply any of these lessons to your life?

The Halfway Mark

It's really June already?!  Wow, it's hard to believe that the halfway mark for 2012 has arrived.  I know I say this often but time is flying by.  It's almost a little bit scary to think about it.  I had to do a double take at the calendars on my computer and phone before I flipped the page on my wall calendars.

With only six more months left in this year, I feel like I need to crack the whip harder to make sure I accomplish all my goals.  Not going to lie this year has been good to me so far.  I've been featured in a magazine that is sold all around the world and the YUMMommy community has grown.  I've found a new church that I love.  The list goes on.  

However, I still have a ways to go.  So, since you all have always been so supportive of YUMMommy and just me as a person, I've decided to start sharing more about journey towards reaching my goals.  There are times when I feel defeated and times where I want to throw in the towel.  And I think that having this platform at my disposable to talk about what I'm feeling, the progress I'm making and to ask for help is truly a godsend!  I realize that I'm still young and I'm still new to this whole blogging/writing game.

With that said, my goals for this month are:

~Revamp YUMMommy Store:  I really want to take YUMMommy beyond just being on the web.  Having merchandise is a way to make that possible.  So, I'm going to be working hard to find a different company to partner with because the overhead prices of the current company I'm with is just out of this world.  I'd love to use the money from those sales to help go towards doing more charitable projects, giving the blog a complete redo and more.

~Interact More With The YUMMommy Community:  I really want to make a conscious effort to get to know more about the ladies (and men) who are helping to hold it down for YUMMommy.  Like I've already said, your support means the world to me.  Therefore, I don't ever want to come off as one of those bloggers who's to good to mingle because I'm not.  So, feel free it hit me up on Facebook and Twitter!

~Post Everyday:  No more going long periods of time without posting.  Trust me, I know that in order to attract and keep an audience that I have to give them something fresh to read and discuss.  Not to mention I feel bad when I go long periods without posting because this blog is very much like a diary for me also.  And with life being so busy and going by in the blink of an eye, I enjoy having this to look back on and being able to relive certain memories in my mind.

~Get Sponsors:  I can't stress enough how important it is and how easier life is when you have blog sponsors.  These people have a wealth of resources at their disposable that aren't available to the average person.  And if you work hard enough at maintaining a great blogger-sponsor relationship, you might even find your future mentor.

~Tone Up:  While I've well with shedding pounds, I now need to focus on toning up.  I'm all for accepting your body and loving it as it is.  However, I know what my body was before I had kids and what it can be after kids.  I'm realistic in the fact that I'm probably never going to see a size 2 again but whatever size I end up at, I don't want to have to be weighed down with girdles and shapewear.

It's very important that I feel comfortable and confident in my appearance when I'm out and about.  I can not be representing YUMMommy looking "busted and disgusted" as my younger sister would say.  I'm thankful that I've been able to go from a size 12/14 to a size 7/8 and even a size 6 depending on the brand and cut.   That in and of itself is a huge accomplishment.  Shout to Healthy Latina who's always tweeting me back good fitness vibes!

What are your goals for June?

P.S.-If you see posts with blacked out boxes where pictures used to be it's because I accidentally deleted them with Google+.  I'm working getting around to re-uploading them all.