Pages

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri® Nail Color Review

Who has time to go get their nails done?  Better question who does not like to have their nails done?
Thanks to Sally Henson for sending samples for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri® Nail Color’s newly upgraded 3-in-1 formula with built-in base and top coat offers shiny, extended wear in a single step.  The revamped formula delivers an extra day of wear and chip resistance.  One stroke, one coat, and you’re done!
Shades shown: Watermelon Wizz, ASAP Apple, Peppy Le Fuchsia, Rapid Red

We are all about insta-NOW everything.  Who has time to schedule a manicure?  I know I do not have time but I love to have my nails looking good.  My daughter also loves to have her nails done.  So when I saw insta-dri, I had to give it a try.  I decided to try the one stroke, one coat and see if it really did INSTA-DRI on my six year old daughter.  You know little girls at this age are restless and cannot sit still.  So if her hands could dry before her patience would give out, then I might be a believer.
Sally Henson does it again.  One stroke worked and One coat looks great.  I love the colors.  My daughter's hands look so pretty.  Now who is ready for some insta-dri?

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Giveaway-COCO***CLOSED

We are celebrating the release of Disney - Pixar COCO.  Did you and your family watch this movie?
***Sponsored giveaway.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.***

If you have not gotten a chance to see it, check out the trailer now:


Synopsis: Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. 


A pesar de que su familia ha prohibido la música desde hace generaciones y sin ninguna explicación comprensible, Miguel (voz del actor principiante Anthony Gonzalez) sueña con convertirse en un músico experto como su ídolo, Ernesto de la Cruz (voz de Benjamin Bratt). Desesperado por probar su talento, Miguel se encuentra en la asombrosa y colorida Tierra de los Muertos después de una misteriosa serie de eventos. En el camino, conoce al encantador embustero Héctor (voz de Gael García Bernal), y juntos, se embarcarán en un viaje extraordinario para descubrir la verdadera historia detrás de la historia de la familia de Miguel. 

Wanna win a copy?  2 lucky winners will win a digital copy thanks to the sponsor.  Enter now:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open for US only.  The winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize.

Taco Tuesday - Shrimp Tacos #TCTacoTasting

Who does not love tacos?  What are your favorite kind of tacos?  My husband loves shrimp tacos. 
***Hosted Event.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.***

Taco Cabana hosted a Taco Tasting for their new Loaded Grilled Shrimp Tacos.  My husband and I were invited guests to sample the three delicious recipes. 

-Piña-Seasoned shrimp in a fresh flour tortilla, topped with warm, sweet pineapple pico de gallo (pictured above)

If you like pineapple and are looking for something sweet, this taco is for you.  Do not let the pico de gallo scare you off, if you are not into the spicy, this taco is sweet and flavorful.


-Diabla-Seasoned shrimp drizzled with a spicy chipotle diabla sauce in a fresh flour tortilla, topped with a sweet and spicy jalapeño-pickled red onions, crumbled queso fresco and fresh chopped cilantro

If you like spicy, this taco is for you.  All the flavor and the spice are the perfect blend in this taco.


-Rancho-Seasoned shrimp in a fresh flour tortilla, topped with TC's creamy jalapeño ranch, fresh lettuce and handmade pico de gallo

I love ranch dressing.  Add a little jalapeño and oh yeah, this was my favorite taco!  My husband does not like ranch but  I had him try this taco and he liked it.  He said the combination was great.

Just in time for Lent Season.  No meat?  No problem! 


You can mix-and-match any three tacos for $7.99. These are only available for a limited time from now until April 1, 2018.

Monday, February 26, 2018

PDQ - Sneak Peak Menu Tasting

I like trying new places to eat.  Especially when in Houston, we have so many new restaurants popping up everywhere.  You have to try everything at least once.
***Hosted event.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.***

Thanks to PDQ for inviting me to a VIP exclusive tasting of the new menu items and queso featuring rice bowls, premium sandwiches and salads.  Who is PDQ?  

People Dedicated to Quality's menu includes recipes made with ingredients typically found in fine casual restaurants with the value, speed and convenience of fast food. 

The new unique chef-inspired menu items are:

-Queso Crunch Bowl (Delicious.  Perfect crunch in every bite)
-Pimento Crunch Chicken Sandwich
-Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich (love the pineapple)
-Thai Peanut Bowl 

Really good food.  The menu options are great tasting.  The staff was wonderful.

They also have a wide selection of delicious sauces and dressings that are made from scratch every day.  Do not be afraid to try them all.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Confessions from Independentmami - Then and Now

I have been very distant as a lot of things are going on here in our house.  I want to thank all of my dear readers that have been following my story for almost ten years now.  Ten years ago, I was a single mom just looking to share my story with other moms maybe facing the same trials and tribulations as I was. 
Let me bring you up to speed to all that has happened.  My baby boy is not so little any more.  Life has not been so easy as you can imagine there are several issues that come up when you are both mom and dad.  But I feel that what did not kill us only made us stronger.  They say boys are momma's boys, right?

The school years were long and hard for both of us.  Sometimes the finish line seemed impossible. 
But we made it.  My baby boy accomplished something many people take for granted.  Many kids get lost throughout the middle school and high school years.  They get overcome, overwhelmed, and just get over it.  Years later they realize that this accomplishment is one they wish they could go back to.

I am proud to say that baby boy graduated from the first energy high school in the US.  He has decided he would like to become a Mechanical Engineer.  After high school, we had a serious conversation of where he wanted to go from this point and what his next goal would be.  I have always told my son that the one thing I regret is not finishing college.  We both talked about his options and we enrolled him in community college.  He wanted to stay close to home and was not ready to leave far away just yet.

Fast forward to this winter.  My son asked to speak with me.  His tone was very serious.  I did not know what to think.  The conversation went deep.  My son told me he had decided to join the Navy.  Errrrrrrr..... freeze time.  What did he just say?  Don't get me wrong back when we had our conversation about goals and his future, we talked about the military being an option.  (1) one option out of the many options presented.  unfreeze time....

He had gone to the recruiters, taken the ASVAB, and signed on the dotted line.  There were lots of emotions going through my head.  I was so taken back because of the news.  Of course, i was proud.  My eighteen year old son was now taking on adult decisions without mom.  Very proud.  Scary because I mean, you know why.  I feel as time flew by from the time he told me to this past week. 
His ship day.  There are dates the get stitched in your head for some reason or another.  My son's ship date is one of them.  See the picture above, in this room, in this building, many men and women say good bye to family members to take on the commitment to serve our country, protect our freedom, and lay down their lives.  There is a swear in ceremony and shortly after, you say your see you laters.  They are bused over to take their flights and away they go to their boot camps. 

Woosaahhh..... I feel like life punched me in the gut just one good time right before I entered this room.  When we were asked were we ready, I started balling?  All my emotions hit me all at once.  Remember this is my baby boy, it has been me and him against the world for nineteen years now.  He will always be my baby boy no matter how old he gets or how many things he accomplishes.  The weekend before he left I was dying in bed with the flu.  I had a whole memorable weekend planned for us to share.  Because I was quarantined, we did not get to spend the last few precious moments together.  I did get to say my see you later to him, watch his ceremony, and hear his voice one last time once he landed.  This past week flew by and then this weekend came.  It finally caught up with me.  Something is missing.  There is an emptiness.  He has been gone before a week at a time but never for several weeks straight, much less months. 

My only comfort is that I know he will be able to call home, write letters, and this too shall pass.  Time will go by and soon enough we will be at his graduation. 

There you have it.  I have been absent minded trying to stay focused on the things that matter the most to me-FAMILY.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Houston Axe Throwing

As a couple, do you look for new ideas on how to spend time with each other? What are your date nite ideas?




***This is a sponsored post in collaboration with USFG. All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.


Houston, I have a new date nite for you....

Learn how to handle an axe. Compete and see who can handle it better, you or your partner? Laugh, play, and reconnect.

Houston Axe Throwing Purchase tickets at https://houstonaxe.com Take $5 off admission to a 2.5 hour session using the offer code USFAMILY at checkout. exp May 1, 2018 @usfg