Independentmami has been abducted by Martians

Houston, we have a problem!! Independentmami has been abducted. We believe she has been taken by Martians. What will Matt do?

Dear Martians,

Please return my mami. She belongs to me, Matt. I am her one and only son.

Sincerely,
Matt

Independentmami stands before the Martians pleading her case:

Now that I have your attention let me tell you the Top Ten things and reasons why my son Matt misses me since my abduction.

Baby boy Matt is my one and only. I am his mami and no-one else's. He knows that because him and I have become very close over his 12 + years of life. See I am a single mother.
I am all he has had. I hold several positions under my belt.

Matt would miss my reading and pushing him to read. I have been reading to Matt since he was in my womb. Even though he hates to admit it, I know he enjoys to read with me. We sit together, cuddled up while reading stories to each other. Whether it is under a tree, on the couch, or in bed stories just seem better with us to bringing them to life. Martian stories are his favorite.

Matt would miss his personal chauffeur. Mami is his personal limo driver. I take him everywhere. Buckled up, ready for lift off as we depart for our every adventure. He is too small to fly space ships all on his own. One day he will be a comander.

Matt would miss his bank loan officer. I am the one who gives him a credit line when he just has to have one more Bakugan to add to his collection. When the overflowing toy box needs one more accessory. When 2 of everything just seems right.
Matt would miss his coach, personal trainer and biggest cheerleader that he has in his corner. Mami runs from one sideline to the other on every play at the football field. Mami screams the loudest from the closest bleacher or dugout. Mami keeps all the equipment ready to go, when baby boy gets called up.

Mami would be missed because she is the only person who knows how to throw the best parties. She knows exactly what the perfect gift is. She surprises Matt every year.

Matt would miss the trips. The discovery trips we take to the beach, zoo, museums, parks, all over. Matt loves to explore with Mami. We spend our weekends and school breaks taking different trips to different places. He learns about things, people, and places. He doesn't need a permission slip when traveling with me.

Matt would miss hanging out with me at work. But more than that he would miss me picking him up from school and getting that long awaited hug from me. When him and I have had a rough day and we play how was your day in the car as we drive home.

He would miss our conversations. Like the time he told me that I was his favorite mom. My reply, boy I am your only mom. You know the why? conversations. Or the how come? conversations. I may not speak Martian but I am fluent in MOM.

He would miss me cleaning his room. When I clean it just seems that everything has a home then, but when Matt cleans nothing fits. I find things that had been lost. Some things that should have stayed lost.

Matt would miss my creative meals. I am not your typical betty cocker mom. I make creations and these are meals we eat. What mom lets you have cereal for dinner? I am the kinda mom that carries snacks in her purse, or the car. I am the kinda mom that lets you have a happy meal just so you can have your favorite toy collection. What mom takes you to Chucki Cheese and is on the floor trying to grab tickets as they are tossing them in the air. Mom is his superhero who always come to the rescue. I can help with projects, my epecialty is MOM I have a project due tomorrow. I am faster than a lighting bolt, like the day we were running late as I drop Matt off he says Mom I forgot my school id, can you please go get it. I am a healer. One touch from me and for some reason things just start to act right.

Matt would miss everyday with mom because we do it all together. I plead you, oh high Martian counsel to please let me go back to my baby boy. As you can see, he will miss me very much. Mars doesnt need me, Matt does!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Houston-Mars Needs Moms Advance Screening Pass Giveaway***CLOSED

Houston Area-

MARS NEEDS MOMS hits movie theaters on March 11. My son and I were invited to special screening of this movie and we both loved it. It is a great movie about the importance of family, and what a mother would go through for their kiddos.

Synopsis:

Take out the trash, eat your broccoli—who needs moms, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases Milo’s quest to save his mom—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble (Dan Fogler) and a rebel Martian girl called Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo just might find his way back to his mom—in more ways than one.

Would you like to see this movie? Enter below:

1) Leave a comment telling me how you get a "little space" from the kiddos.

This giveaway ends Thursday, March 3 at midnight. 5 Winners will win advance screening passes for Saturday, March 5th at 10AM. Please leave your email in the comment. Winners will have 24 hours to claim their passes.

MARS NEEDS MOMS sale el 11 de Marzo. Yo y mi hijo fuimos invitados a ver esta pelicula. Nos encato mucho. La pelicula se trata de la impotancia de la familia y lo una madre hace por sus hijos.

¡Saca la basura! ¡Come el brócoli! - ¿Quién necesita madres, después de todo?
Milo (Seth Green), un niño de 9 años descubre lo mucho que necesita a su madre (Joan Cusack) cuando ésta es secuestrada por Marcianos que planean robarle sus cualidades de madre para aplicarlas sobre sus propios niños. Producida por el equipo creativo detrás de la película de Disney "A Christmas Carol” y “The Polar Express”; “Mars Needs Moms” cuenta los enredos de Milo en su misión por salvar a su madre - una aventura audaz con la tecnología digital de Disney en 3D™ y en IMAX® 3D, que involucra naves espaciales, viajes por un elaborado planeta construido en diferentes niveles y la toma del control de la nación alienígena y de su líder (Mindy Sterling). Con la ayuda de Gribble (Dan Fogler), un terrícola que vive en el nivel subterráneo del planeta y conoce mucho de tecnología, y una rebelde Marciana llamada Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo intentará acabar con la distancia que lo separa de su madre... no solo física, sino también, emocionalmente.

Quieres ganar pases para ir a ver esta pelicula? Entra aqui:

1) Dime como tu hagaras "un poco de espacio" de tus ninos.

Este concurso se termina el Jueves, Marzo 3 a la media noche. 5 ganadores seran escojidos para los pases para el Sabado, Marzo 5 a la 10 am. Por favor dejar su email en el commentario. Los ganadores tendran 24 horas para reclamar sus pases.


***Disclosure-No compensation was received.

Covergirl Oscars look giveaway ***CLOSED

Did you watch The 83rd Annual Academy Awards | #OSCARS? Did you watch as the stars arrive and walked the red carpet? Did you see any look you like and want to recreate? Two beautiful ladies were rocking Covergirl make up.

Sofia Vergara by Make-Up Artist Beau Nelson

Products used:

COVERGIRL Line Exact

COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast

COVERGIRL LashBlast Mascara

COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation

COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush

COVERGIRL LipPerfection lipcolor

Read this post-Sofia @ Oscars



Hilary Swank by Make-Up Artist Monika Blunder

Products used:

COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast in Silver Spark

COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast

COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume

COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush

COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation

COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm

Read this post-Hilary @ Oscars

Do you want to recreate these looks? Do you want to be a Covergirl yourself and be ready to step out into a red carpet too? I am going to make that happen with this giveaway. One winner gets to have 2 CoverGirl products of their choice, one from each Oscar look.

Read my posts by clicking on links provided and then come back to tell me 1 product from each look you would like to win. (1 entry)

Extra ways to enter:
1) Like: Covergirl on facebook. Leave a comment on their wall telling them Independentmami sent you. Facebook name must be left in comment(1 entry)
2) Follow: Covergirl on twitter. Tell them @independentmami sent you. Twitter handle must be left in comment. (1 entry)

This giveaway ends on March 14, 2011 at 8 a.m. 1 winner will be randomly selected. Please your email in the comments. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Good Luck.

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.

Sofia Vergara @ Vanity Fair/Elton John’s OSCAR After-Party by Make-Up Artist Beau Nelson

Make-Up Artist Beau Nelson tells how Sofia Vergara's Covergirl look was created.

ENGLISH

I wanted to create an old-Hollywood glamour look inspired by Sophia Loren and Sofia's gorgeous black dress. For her eyes I applied a beige shadow on the lid and brown shadow in the crease then lined the top with COVERGIRL Line Exact in Black for added drama. On the bottom I lined her eyes with COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Brown Blaze and finished the eyes with multiple coats of LashBlast Mascara in Black.

We wanted to keep Sofia's skin fresh and dewy so I applied COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation in Nutmeg for a flawless finish and added COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Plush Peach to give her a natural glow.

I finished her look with a pink/beige lip using COVERGIRL LipPerfection lipcolor in Rush.

www.facebook.com/CoverGirl | www.twitter.com/CoverGirl


SPANISH

Sofía Vergara maquillada por el maquillista de celebridades Beau Nelson para la fiesta de Vanity Fair con Elton John.

Quise crear un look glamoroso al estilo del antiguo Hollywood, inspirado en Sofía Loren y en el precioso vestido negro que lució Sofía.

En el maquillaje de los ojos apliqué una sombra color crema en los párpados y otra sombra café en la curvatura y a continuación, delinee la línea de las pestañas superiores con el delineador COVERGIRL Line Exact en Black para añadir un toque dramático. En la línea de las pestañas inferiores, utilicé el delineador COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast en la tonalidad Brown Blaze y puse punto final a los ojos con múltiples capas de LashBlast Mascara, en Black.

Quise también mantener el cutis de Sofía fresco y humectado, por lo que apliqué la base COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation en la tonalidad Nutmeg para lograr un terminado bien pulido. Luego apliqué el rubor con el COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush en Plush Peach para darle a las mejillas un brillo muy natural.

Completé su look con un lápiz labial en rosa/crema usando el creyón COVERGIRL LipPerfection en la tonalidad Rush.

www.facebook.com/CoverGirl | www.twitter.com/CoverGirl

***Disclosure-Media Release only. No compensation was received.

Hilary Swank @ OSCAR’s Red Carpet by Make-Up Artist Monika Blunder

Hilary Swank, Co-Presenter for Best Director Award

Make-Up Artist Monika Blunder tells us how Hilary Swank's Covergirl look was created.

ENGLISH

“I wanted to really play up Hilary’s eyes and I used her gorgeous Gucci Premiere couture dress with beautiful shades of grey and satin as my color inspiration,” shared makeup artist Monika Blunder.

To create the soft but colorful eye look, I blended silvery colors across the eye and then opened up the eyes by using COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast in Silver Spark close to the top and bottom lash line. I used the darker colors on the outside of the eye lid and then the lighter, silver colors in the inside, using COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast in Onyx Smoke to bring out the silver shades of her dress. I then curled the lashes (ten second hold on each eye) and added stunning volume with COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume in Very Black.

To complement Hilary’s eyes, I created a matte, flawless face and peachy cheeks for an overall soft look. I used a feathered blush brush to apply COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Plush Peach in a circular motion to the apples of the cheeks. This creates a very soft, luminous look. To achieve a luxurious skin look at home, try COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation.

For the lips, I went with a very natural look, using COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Sandstone to add a pretty flush of luxurious color.

www.facebook.com/CoverGirl | www.twitter.com/CoverGirl


SPANISH

"Quise realmente resaltar los ojos de Hilary y me inspiré en la paleta de su precioso vestido de alta costura de Gucci Premiere, confeccionado en hermosas tonalidades de gris,” comentó la maquillista Monika Blunder.

Para crear el look de los ojos, muy maquillados pero en tonos suaves, mezcle varias tonalidades de plateado a lo largo de los párpados y los abrí utilizando el delineador COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast en la tonalidad Silver Spark cerca de la línea de las pestañas superiores e inferiores. Utilicé los colores más oscuros en la parte externa del párpado y los colores más claros, en plateado, en la parte interna. La sombra que utilicé fue la COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast en la tonalidad Onyx Smoke para enfatizar los tonos plateados de su vestido. A continuación, ricé las pestañas (diez segundos en cada ojo) y les añadí volumen utilizando la mascara COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume en la tonalidad Very Black.

Para complementar los ojos de Hilary, cree un rostro mate y perfectamente parejo y pulido, con mejillas en melocotón para lograr un look delicado en su totalidad. Utilicé una brocha de plumas para aplicar el rubor COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush en Plush Peach moviendo la brocha de forma circular sobre la parte más alta de las mejillas. Esto logra un efecto suave y luminoso. Para lograr un cutis igualmente parejo y perfecto en casa, pruebe la base COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation.

Para los labios, escogí un look muy natural, utilizando el bálsamo con brillo COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm en la tonalidad Sandstone para resaltar los labios con un hermoso y rico colorido.

www.facebook.com/CoverGirl | www.twitter.com/CoverGirl

***Disclosure-Media Release only. No compensation was received.

February Runner Log

Month number 2, February. I have no weightloss news because I really was not committed this month. To be honest let me start with the same ole same ole, I was too busy. Again life gets complicated and I gave in this month but not give up. I was able to do my fitness challenge even though I was not committed.

Fitness Challenge-Run a 5K
I ran the 6th Annual STEPS FOR STUDENTS. This year was another record breaking run for them! They had over 7,000 people join in to support Catholic Education on Saturday, 2/19/2011 at Robertson Stadium!

My official time for my 5K run is 36 mins 13 sec.

Show your support for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston!
Visit www.steps4students.org for race information!

But I did not stop there. If you thought doing 1 fitness challenge is crazy try doing 2 back to back.

Unplanned Fitness Challenge #2-Run a 10K
Do you know why I ran the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run? Because this run raises scholarship funds for Texas kids. On Feb. 26, 2011,the 24th annual ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run set a new course record with nearly 13,000 participants. This year the company raised $360,000 for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Educational Fund. This was ConocoPhillips most successful Rodeo Run in history. Since the event began in 1988, the company has donated $2.9 million toward college scholarships for Texas youth.

My official time for the 10K run was 01:18:37.

This run was so much fun. Rodeo Committee members were placed all down the race course downtown. The radio stations were at every intersection cheering us on too. But even more amazing was the people who I saw cheering us on down the race course past downtown when it all seemed so impossible to finish. The race course took us through this neighborhood which is perdominately hispanic. I saw my people, Latinos/Latinas, hispanics, sitting outside their houses in lawn chairs, on their steps, leaning on the fences with their kids cheering us on. As we passed their houses they clapped for everyone. The kids lined the sidewalks waiting for us to give them high fives as we past. Some people even had their radios on loud so that the music would keep us going. The race coordinators had certain areas where they were present but where they weren't, the Latinos were. I have done many races, and walks in different neighborhoods and I have to say this was the BEST supported area ever. A whole community outside of their homes. As I ran past them I wondered if they knew why we were runnning? I wondered if they knew I was running for those kids waiting for high fives, for my son, and for the rest of the kiddos who will have an opportunity at higher education. Kids are our future and I feel we must support them. This run is important to all those kids and to me, that is why I ran.

Next year will be the 25th year for this race. Do you want to come break some records with us? Do you want to help someone go to college? For more information, go to http://www.conocophillipsrodeorun.com/EN/Pages/index.aspx

See yall next month for the next challenge.

Cover Girl Product review

I love Covergirl products. I have been using Covergirl since I was in middle school. Check out whats in my make up bag...




volume + length mascara-Independent Mami review-This is the mascara that was used on me at the Latina Magazine cover. It is also the mascara I currently use. I like my eye lashes to be full and long. Alone they are not, but with Covergirl I have volume, volume, volume.



Finish your Covergirl look with lipstick...
I am wearing Hot Passion. Tell me this color is not HOT!! I love it. This is the color for this Spring and Summer. I love this color. It looks great on my skin tone. It is soft on the lips. It makes me feel beautiful. The color is rich. It has a transformative silk therapy complex with a moisturizing formula.

Get Glam Beauty Event-Latina Magazine

Have you ever watched an award show red carpet event? I have. I love watching and seeing what the stars are wearing. Do you wish you could be on the red carpet? I at least once thought about it, well ok, more than once. Well I was invited to the Get Glam Beauty Event brought to Houston by Latina Magazine. Latina Magazine put out an invitation in their magazine. All guests checked in. We were greeted and offered to step into the green room. The green room had a drink table and tv which played Covergirl commercials of the products going to be used. We then were escorted to a waiting area.This VIP event was great. I first got my hair done. Then I switched chairs and had my make up done. After my look was created, I was able to walk the red carpet and be photographed like the stars do. And so did all the guests who attended this VIP event. We were all treated like stars. If that was not enough, we each received a swag bag with product samples and a copy of Latina Magazine. This is my red carpet look. I think I am ready for my Latina Magazine cover shoot.


***Disclosure-I was invited to this event. No monetary compensation was received. Thank you to Latina Magazine for bringing this event to Houston. Thank you to Covergirl and Herbal Essences for the products used and received. I want to send a special THANK YOU to Patty, Sue, and Jose for making this happen.

Red Carpet Beauty Event-Makeup by Covergirl

Thanks to Latina Magazine and Covergirl for making me look and feel like a Covergirl.

I had a make up artist created a glammed up look on me with all Covergirl products. She gave me tips for every step of the way. Check out what Covergirl products were used to create my look.


Face:

Natureluxe Silk Foundation-Maple 340 Luxurious, lightweight feel
Silky formula
Contains a hint of jojoba and cucumber extract



Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush-240
3 Complementary skin-flushed shades contour your cheekbones
Lightweight
Dermatologically tested
Blendable



Eyes:

Lashblast Fushion Mascara-860

Liquiline Blast-Bronze BlazeLiquid-like formula
Easy-to-apply waterproof pencil
Soft smudger for expert blending



Smoky ShadowBlast-Plum Purple
Creates an easy, smoky eye look
Two different, specially designed tips
Expertly paired shades

Lips:


Lip Perfection Lipcolor-Soulmate 320
Vibrant, rich color
Helps smooth and perfect lips in just 7 days
Silk Therapy helps keeps lips moist



I loved my Covergirl look. It was so natural. I did not feel caked on.


***Disclosure-I was invited to this event. No monetary compensation was received. All attendees received a swag bag.

Red Carpet Beauty Event-Hair by Herbal Essences

Thanks to Latina Magazine and Herbal Essences I got to get my hair styled by a professional hair stylist. Not only did I get my hair done but I got hair styling tips as well. I learned about the Herbal Essences products too. Check out the pictures as my hair gets transformed into a glammed out red carpet look.






Herbal Essences is committed to providing safe products to our consumers. ensuring the safety of our products is a responsibility that we take very seriously. our products comply with all applicable regulations globally. in fact:

•each year, Herbal Essences conducts over 150,000 safety and quality tests to ensure an excellent experience for women around the world.
•all Herbal Essences ingredients must be substantiated for safety over a lifetime of intended use prior to marketing. as an example, we conducted over 100 separate safety evaluations in the development of new Herbal Essences products in just the last 3 years.
•more than 1,000 Procter & Gamble employees globally, work full time to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of our products and operations, including more than 500 working directly on product safety.
for more information about the safety of Herbal Essences products and ingredients, please go to http://www.pgbeautygroomingscience.com/safety.html

Images Credit: Photographer Amy Vogel via Latina Magazine

If you are in the Houston area, head over to Kharisma Hair Studio and ask for Liliana Contreras. (infor@kharismahair.com) She created this Superstar look.

***Disclosure-I was invited to this event. No monetary compensation was received. All attendees received a swag bag.

Red Carpet Beauty Event

Latina Magazine partnered up with CoverGirl & Herbal Essences this past Valentine’s Day season to bring free red-carpet-beauty makeovers to all of the Latinas in Houston! The makeover day was on Saturday the 12th from 1 to 5pm at the Galleria Mall on Westheimer by Nordstrom. They had over 215 beauty appointments but were even taking walk ins. I was invited to this wonderful event.







Images Credit: Photographer Amy Vogel via Latina Magazine

***Disclosure-I was invited to this event. No monetary compensation was received. All attendees received a swag bag.

Zoes Kitchen review

I told you I was going to be telling you about the places i eat at. I will be making my recommendations from my personal experiences on my daily dinings. Here is a spot I have been to and it makes the mark.


Have you ever heard or eaten at Zoes Kitchen?

Recipes derived from fresh ingredients such as vegetables, chicken, olive oil and feta cheese along with moderating consumption is Zoe's philosophy on nutrition. As with all Mediterranean diets, the basic building blocks are fresh vegetables, cheeses, olive oils along with produce and fish. All of the recipes at Zoe's Kitchen start with fresh ingredients each morning and if consumed with moderation would constitute a well balanced diet.

Check out my to-go plate... Chicken Kabobs $8.95
two kabobs of chicken, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, & red onions marinated, grilled & served over a bed of rice pilaf with Zoes Greek Salad.
Independentmami thoughts-I loved it. The chicken had so much flavor. It was juicy. The rice was great too. I gave my co-workers a try. They both liked the taste. Chicken Kabobs get two thumbs up from me. I recommend this plate and this restaurant. It is always clean. My food came out fast. There are several locations. I went to the one on Washington Avenue.

***Disclosure-I was not asked to post this on my blog. I received a free lunch coupon in my El Paso 5K package. Luckily my friend reminded me of the coupon because it was going in the trash. No monetary compensation was received. This restaurant and food has been Independentmami tested and Independentmami approved. These are my honest opinions, and my taste buds.

Quien es Independentmami, The face behind the name?

Hola mi gente! My blogger name is Independent Mami. Where did I come up with that? De donde me salio ese nombre? Es lo primero que se me metio a la cabesa cuando pense quien soy yo. Una mama independiente. But my real name is Alba. Yo soy la cara detraes de este nombre, detraes de este blog, y detraes de las letras. Yo soy Alba. Nacida en El Salvador. Yeah, I know I don't sound like it. Mi mama se immigro a los Estados Unidos para dar me a mi el Ultimate Dream. LLegue a los 4 anos al lugar magico. Yo soy la hermana mayor y tengo tres hermanos menores. Me gradue de la high school con Honors, la #10 de mi clase. Yo fui la primera persona que se graduo. Antendi el colegio pero mi certificado de graduacion tiene 12 anos y se llama Mateo. Mateo es mi unico hijo, a cual hecido mama soltera toda su vida. La vida hacido dificil pero son lecciones para aprender. Hace cuatro anos conoci a mi esposo por el internet. hahahhaha... Si oyeron bien. Myspace era popular antes. Yo y el fuimos a la mismas escuelas para middle school y high school. Nos conociamos por nombre pero nada mas. Que chistosa es la vida y el circulo que damos. El ano pasado nos casamos en frente de toda nuestra familia y todos nuestros amigos. Yo soy Cinderella y el es mi Prince solo que nuestro castillo esta pequeno y en Houston, TX. Y como les digo todo comenso por el internet. El internet...what a magical place....it can make dreams come true sometimes...

Yo estoy escribiendo este blog post para ser entra en el concurso para ganar un pase a la conferencia Hispanicize 2011. Hispanicize 2011 esta en su segundo ano. Este ano va hacer en Los Angeles, California. A cual nunca he hido, no mas en mis suenos. Hispanicize es para cualquiera persona en Social Media para la communidad hispana. Hispanicize tambien es para blogueras y blogueros. (Hello, I'm a blogger) Va hacer de Abril 6 a Abril 8. (Ok, I know that is opening day for the Astros. But I am willing to forfeit going to the one thing I look forward to all year long. I go to opening day every year. I never miss it. Opening Day is an event we do, and tickets have already been purchased. Pero saben que? Que, I want to go to Hispanicize more than I want to go to opening day) Va haber 32 sesiones de differentes temas. Yo comense este blog en el Octubre del 2008. Con la poca ayuda de unas blogueras que conosi. Pero nunca me imagine el mundo que se me hiba ha abrir por el internet. He conocido ha mucha gente de differentes lugares. Aunque yo no he viajado por todo los Estados Unidos, por los blogs si puedo vizualizar. Yo comense ha escribir mi blog para desaogarme, para soltar todo lo tenia por dentro, sin pensar quien hiba estar leyendo. Despues de 2 anos de estar escribien, no siento que he aprendido todo. Lo poco que he aprendido me tiene quieriendo aprender mas. Yo escribo de lo que pasa en mi vida. Yo escribo de causas que son importantes para mi. Yo pruebo productos, escribo de ellos, y asta habeses los regalo. Yo escribo de cosas y temas de mi communidad. Escribo de el ejercicio y nutricion. I can't forget fashion and make-up, hello I'm a girl. Mis categorias serian Miscellaneous porque hablo de todo, pero de summary FAMILY, FITNESS, and FASHION. El ano pasado tube el privilegio de conocer a un grupo de blogueras Latinas. Este grupo es un grupo especial. Me hicieron sentir como una de ellas en solos unas pocas horas. Rory, Mama Contemporanea es un de ellas. Mama Contemporanea esta regalando un pase para la conferencia Hispanicize. Y ella esta preguntado por quiero ir a esta conferencia?

Why do I want to attend a conference just for hispanics? Porque? Estoy loca a querer ir a una conferencia establecida para unir, ayudar, ensenar, educar, aprender, communicar, charlar, hablar, conocer, descubrir, aplicar, consumir, etc... Yo soy hispana. Esta conferencia es para mi. Yo quiero absorber mas de este mundo y ayudar a nuestra communidad. Yo soy una voz. Quiero aprendar ha usar esta voz. Unidos podemos aser mucho. (SI SE PUEDE! SI SE PUEDE!) Yo me quiero unir a esta revolucion de Hispanicize. Yo quiero ir a Hispanicize. Pick me. Pretty, pretty please con una cherry on top!

It's a Hairy Situation

The economy is bad. We are trying to save money, not go out as much. We buy in bulk, and cook at home. But there are those days we as consumers make the choice to indulge and go out to eat. So indulge everyday, 3 times a day, others no so much. We go on the open road and we make a decision of who gets our business. Yes, who we give our business to, is our choice.
I had an incident on Friday that has made me discuss this with you all. This is not the first time things have happen but it seems as lately this problem has become common and businesses need to listen.

Hey business owner, do you wonder why sales are down, why people are not coming back, why you are losing loyal customers, etc?

I put a company on blast on Friday because this is how disappointed and frustrated I was. And when I did, I started getting stories from others that I was not alone. On Friday, I went to my use to be favorite restaurant, Chilis. Long story short, hair in our food, bad customer service, and management who really did not care. Which leads me here.

First, I want to talk about the hairy situation. I do not want to find anything other than the proper ingredients in my food. One of these things just doesnt belong here...a hair curled into a crouton. Food quality has been the #1 reason why many consumers stop going to a certain place. I took a personal poll amongst my friends and this was the biggest complaint they all had. You pick a restaurant because the food is good. You recommend a place because the food is good. We frequent a restaurant, Empire Cafe.
They have great food. I recommend it. My friend took me there for breakfast one day and I have been a frequent diner ever since. The presentation is great.

Second, Customer Service. Has anyone ever heard of the customer is always right? I have. It was drilled into me everyday at work when I worked for Sears. Customer Service was our #1 priority. I actually won several awards for giving great customer service in secret shopper polls. I took my job seriously, and gave every single person the same great service regardless of the day, regardless of how busy I was, or ridiculous the request. Customers would come back and ask for me by name. This was my very first job, and I was only 18 years old, going to school full time, and working part time. But where has the customer service gone to. With so many people out of a job, your mentally becomes am I irreplaceable? Ask yourself, are you doing your job to the best of your ability? No matter what the job may be, it pertains to everyone. My mom is in her 50s, and can out work all of the younger females in her line of duty. Her job is hard, not many want to do it, but she does it GREAT. Her employers know she does, that is why she wins awards every year for being employee of the month, and even year. All I am saying is give us the service we are paying for. We are the customers, if a business does not have customers they go out of business. Customer Service should be a priority. Going back to my Chilis trip, the reason we were more upset was because of the service we received.

And last but not least, managers, the people who run the establishments. Company hire managers to take care of their business. Managers are their eyes and ears. Have you seen the show where the CEO goes and works at his own company. That CEO realizes at the end of the show who works, how hard they work, and everything that they do not see in a daily basis from head quarters. I was very dissapointed at how the manager acted when we showed him the hair. He could have changed the situation around easily by a simple SINCERE apology.

Have you ever had this happen? Have you ordered ham and gotten bacon? Have you had a hairy situation in your food? Did anyone fix your situation? I want to hear what you have to say. We have a voice. Restaurant owners need to listen. Please comment.

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