Caramel Curlz & Swirls

Product Review: Wet & Wild Megalast Nail- Private Viewing

2017-03-30T10:07:00.000-04:00

This post contains affiliate links

Wet & Wild Megalast

“Private Viewing- 204B”

Spring its finally here and so are the many different kind of ‘spring’ and ‘summer’ nail polish shades at our local stores.

I’ve been feeling out of sorts the last few weeks and when I saw this neutral (nude) shade at my local Rite Aid Pharmacy, it really called out to me. Today, I am reviewing another fantastic color by Wet & Wild Megalast-“Private Viewing- 204B” which I’ve been wearing for the last 8 days.

Their Claim:

· A revolutionary resin polymer system for exceptional color adhesion

· Calcium and mineral fortified to help prevent nail discoloration

· 3-Free: No Formaldehyde, Toluene, or Phthalates

· Our ManiCurve Pro Brush is absolutely incredible - The rod is flat so the liquid drains down to the bristles equally, and the rounded bristles hug your nail curves perfectly

All the end results of going to the nail salon, but without the hassle. The driving, the sitting, the waiting, the forced small-talk, and especially the pricey manicurist bills - forget it! Looking salon pampered just got easier! These 5-day, chip-resistant formulas are just so darn great, delivering a professional, yet far more accessible, look. Ever wonder what actually makes a "salon" formula? Read the features!

Ingredients

Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Phthalic Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Adipic Acid/Fumaric Acid/Phthalic Acid/Tricyclodecane Dimethanol Copolymer, Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Talc, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77499, Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ultramarines/CI 77007, Red 6 Lake/CI 15850, Red 7 Lake/CI 15850, Red 30 Lake/CI 73360, Red 36/CI 12085, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090]

My Thoughts:

As I mentioned before, as soon as I saw this polish I felt the need to have it. The “Manicurve Pro Brush” does make the application process easier as it covers the entire nail bed in just one stroke.

In order to acquire the desire shade, I applied a total of three coats. Please allow a few minutes to pass in between coats in order to reduce the length it would take for the polish to dry and it will also reduce the amount of air bubbles that may appear.

Pros:

The company claims that the polish may last up to five days before you start seeing any chipping on the tip of your nails.

This polish actually lasted 8 days before I noticed it was time to re-do my manicure.

It was fairly easy to remove the polish from my nails;

The Pro Brush really makes the application easier and faster;

The low price it’s perfect for those (like yours truly) who have a very limited budget.

Cons:

Can’t really find anything wrong with this product at all!!

Sadly, I have to say that this color was not “Hubby Approved”. He kindly told me that the color was too close to my skin tone. But I think that’s what I like about it..

I loved this color and I will probably wear it more often during the spring and summer days. The natural and glossy salon like finish was perfect and easy to accomplish.

Where to get it:

I found this little gem at my local Rite Aid Pharmacy or you can purchase it here:

Wet & Wild Megalast- Private Viewing 204B

Thank you for stopping by and stay tuned for our next nail polish review!

Have a great week!

Product Review: SinfulColors Professional- Jade Kat

2017-03-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

SinfulColors Professional

Jade Kat #2196 Review

Today we are reviewing Jade Kat, a perfect color for the upcoming St Patrick’s Day Celebration.

Jade Kat by SinfulColors Professional is a shimmering emerald green shade with a nice smooth finish.

As always, I found this little gem at my local Walgreens for only $1.99!

This weekend our beautiful city of Savannah will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. As is the tradition, the celebrations will begin with the parade followed by other equally fun events.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Friday, March 17^th and for the very first time, our children have asked to go, therefore guess where we will be?

With our Masks, shirts and the traditional necklaces ready, the only thing we were missing were our manicure and I was so excited when I found this amazingly vibrant color.

Their product description:

This simmering emerald green shade is definitely not jaded.
Bold, Vibrant, Must Have Color.
Toluene, Formaldehyde & DBP Free.

My Review:

One coat is definitely not enough to reach the full potential of this polish. I applied a total of three coats in order to get the true bold color of this polish.

Allow 3 to 4 minutes (or longer if you can) in between coats in order to experience a smoother finish and less chances to see air tiny bubbles.

I highly recommend you add this bold and vibrant color to your collection!

The Pros:

Good quality polish at a low value...
Smooth finish...
Does not stain your nail...
The brush makes the application easy

The Cons:

Chips off easily around the tip.. usually between 7 to 10 days.

... yeah, can't find anything else wrong with this... I really find this vibrant color fun and perfect for St Patrick's Day Celebration!

Product Review: Wet and Wild: Under Your Spell

2017-03-13T14:14:00.001-04:00

Wet n Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color:

Under Your Spell 216B Review

Welcome, what I have for you today is another nail polish review!! I am reviewing one of the deepest color I have ever own. This magnificent color is from the Wet & Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color collection.

My son described this color perfectly: “216B Under Your Spell” [mom, this color] reminds me of the color of a “coffee bean” because of its deep brown color with a touch of a red [shimmer]”.

If you follow us on Facebook page, Caramel Curlz N Swirls, then you probably remember the video I posted a few days ago in which I shared some great “sales” from the RiteAid Pharmacy. I posted this video six days ago Two New Polishes.

Their product description:

All the end results of going to the nail salon, but without the hassle, the driving, the sitting, the waiting, the forced small-talk, and especially the manicurist bills- forget it! Looking salon pampered just got easier! These 5-day, chip-resistant formulas are just so darn great, delivering a professional, yet far more accessible.

Their claim:

· A revolutionary resin polymer for exceptional color adhesion;

· Calcium and mineral fortified to help prevent nail discoloration;

· Formaldehyde, toluene and phthalate fee!

· Our ManiCurve Pro Brush! It’s absolutely incredible! The rod is flat so the liquid drains down to the bristles equally and the rouded bristles hug your nail curves perfectly!

My Review:

As I stated in my last video, I was hesitant about purchasing this polish [despite the low price of $1.99] because of the type of brush, but I decided to give it a try anyway. I fell in love with this deep bold color and since it really matched my mood, why not step out my comfort zone.

“Under Your Spell” has definitely made my ‘favorite colors’ list. I love the deep color base with the red shimmer which gives a vibrant and smooth finish.

I applied three coats to reach the full capacity, of course, I applied each coat every 10 minutes in order to allow the polish to dry evenly [and without forming any bubbles]. Its quick drying formula was highly convenient.

However, the only ‘con’ of this polish is that it does chip off easily around the tips but it does last 6 to 7 days!

I highly recommend this brand and color, the “pro-curve” brush works wonderfully and provides great coverage in just one swipe.

Love Your Curls Giveaway #2!

2017-02-03T10:12:00.001-05:00

Good Morning!

The winner of our last giveaway has been selected, CONGRATULATIONS DIANNA!

Now it's time for our next giveaway!!

This is a very simple and fun giveaway, but first you have to head over and LIKE our Facebook Page: Caramel Curlz N Swirls

HERE ARE THE DETAILS

****GIVEAWAY TIME! GIVEAWAY TIME! GIVEAWAY TIME*****

Please read the rules carefully, the name of the participants who submit the correct answer will be added and only one winner will be selected.

RULES:

LIKE this image;
SHARE SHARE SHARE this giveaway; and
COMMENT below with your answer.

****************************************************************************

Well ladies and gents, it's that time again for our annual Black History Month.... let's do a Fun Trivia!!

Today's QUESTION is:

Who doesn’t enjoy a fresh scoop of ice cream on a hot day? This gentleman invented the ice cream scoop making it easier for people everywhere to enjoy their favorite treat. He studied at a seminary, worked as carpenter and then became interested in mechanics. He was first black man to receive a patent in Pittsburgh.

Who was he?

****************************************************************************

Do you know the answer? Great... go to our Facebook Page and follow the rules!!

GOOD LUCK and hurry, this ends TODAY at 11:59 PM (EST)

Sinful with a Kiss Giveaway!

2017-02-01T09:24:00.000-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen...

It is time to begin our 7 Days of Giveaways!

Sinful with a Kiss Giveaway is open now and here is what you need to do in order to enter this fabulous and colorful giveaway:

RULES are simple..

*FOLLOW our Instagram Page: Caramel Curlz & Swirls
*LIKE "Sinful with a Kiss Giveaway" Image; and
* TAG five friends that would love to win this as well...

Didn't I said it was simple...

But hurry, this giveaway will end today!

Giveaway ENDS today, February 1st, 2017 at 8:00 (PM EST)

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

PRIZE:

Your box of goodies contain:

8 nail polishes (shown on the picture) from our favorite brand, SinfulColor Professionals plus 1 surprise color personally picked by Ms. Bree.

2 Pack Buffers;

Stencils from Kiss so that you can create salon-worthy nail art designs right at home.

Plus more surprise goodies!

Protective Style- Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Products

2017-01-31T13:48:00.000-05:00

(Affiliate links are included in this post)

Here we have another protecting style using my favorite hair products from Dark & Lovely 'Au Naturale' Line.

If you missed our review on these amazing products, you can find our full article here: Dark & Lovely- Au Naturale Product Review.

Ms. Bree's hair was washed and blow dried a few weeks ago and has been kept in one long braid. While blow drying and keeping her hair in one simple braid made things easier for me, it's definitely not healthy for her curly tresses in the long run. Bringing me to the decision to style her hair into this simple and protective style.

Now, just because her hair is in this style doesn't mean I won't have to touch her hair for the next few days. Contrary to everyone's belief, her hair still has to be co-washed, moisturized and her scalp needs to be protected from the elements by applying oils.

Ms. Bree's hair was washed and dentangled. Due to the length and thickness of her hair, styling her hair requires two days.

Here are the products I used:

1. D&L- Moisture L.O.C. Super Quench Leave In Spray;

2. D&L- Au Naturale Moisture LOC Soak It Up Oil Cocktail
(or your favorite oil)

3. D&L Au Naturale Anti Shrinkage Coil Moisturizing Souffle

3.5. Eco Styler Gel Argan Oil
(just a small amount, adding a bit of gel at the same time you apply the souffle will
create a better hold and the style will last a bit longer)

As Ms. Bree gets older, her schedule is getting busier and busier. She wore the above hair style for a week.

After a week of sporting half of her hair in box braids, it was time to finalized her style. Using the same products and following the same steps, I braided the top part of her hair.

I also took advantage and re-moisturized some of the ends on the bottom braids and now her hair it's completely styled and ready for the next few days.

Please remember and I cannot say it enough, protective styling too often can be detrimental to curly hair (give your scalp and hair a break in between protective styles) and make sure you continue to keep your hair clean even when it's in a protective style, co wash and re-moisturize your hair and scalp as often as needed.

My First Recipe of the Year: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

2017-01-06T08:56:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone and welcome to our very first post of 2017 🎇🎆

Bacon... bacon... bacon... now say the word four times really fast! (now you sound like the "Beggin Bacon Strips" commercial.. 😆

In our home everyone is a big fan of bacon... from the oldest to the very youngest and that includes our three fur babies!

Bacon it's so delicious when cooked on its own but it's even better when you create different "drool-worthy" recipes using bacon as your main (or key) ingredient.

In this recipe, we paired some nice thick slices of bacon with fresh asparagus covered in a rich sweet soy sauce.

The Ingredients....

*1 to 2 lbs of fresh asparagus
*1 lb of your favorite bacon

The Steps

wash and pat dry your asparagus;
gently bend the bottom of each spear to determine the breaking point;

Why are you doing this?
The bottom of the asparagus is a bit woody, definitely not tasty and it's not something you want to serve your guests. The woody part and natural breaking point varies from spear to spear, but it's really not that time consuming, so don't worry too much about this part. Just remember to bend and snap!

Let's continue...

While your oven is preheating at 400 degrees, let's get to the "wrapping" part...

*carefully place a slice of bacon on your cutting board (or counter);
*place from 2 to 3 spears of asparagus and wrap the bacon;
*place each wrap on your baking sheet.

All about the sauce....

* 1/2 of dark brown sugar
* 1/2 of teaspoon garlic powder
* pinch of onion powder (optional)
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 stick of butter (or margarine)
conversion note: 1 stick of butter = 8 Tablespoons
* about 1 (to 1.5) tablespoon of soy sauce

Combine all of your ingredients in a small sauce pot and bring it to boil and simmer for about five to ten minutes. (mixing your sauce every few minutes until it's nice and thick)

Pour your sauce on top of your bacon wrapped asparagus; (use as much or as little sauce as you want)

Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes- (checking every so often to make sure the asparagus doesn't over cook)

and the results are tooooo die for....

Make sure you share this recipe with your friends and family especially during International Bacon Day!!

Adventures at the Pumpkin Patch

2016-10-28T14:00:00.001-04:00

Awww an adventure at the Pumpkin Patch… Fall is my favorite season of the year and I think my kids like it too!

What a better way to start our weekend than visiting our favorite farm, Holiday Farms in Ridgeland, South Carolina and just like they claim, "Just not a Holiday... an experience!"

Our family has visited this farm for a couple of years now and there are a few things I truly love about this farm, for example, they are family owned and operated, they transform the farm on each holiday and you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. We all now how expensive purchasing food and drink can be when visiting the local fair. They also have a covered picnic area for all the visitors to enjoy.

Holiday Farms offer many activities and my kids take advantage of every single one. Well, let me take that back, they can no longer do the speedway since that activity is only for toddlers…

As soon as we arrived we were able to see the welcome signs, the "fall" decorations and hay rolls sprayed painted with funny images of animals.

My favorite decoration was this perfectly shaped pumpkin painted in red... it looked so shiny!

Not far from the entrance we were able to find a large group of colorful "mums". Last year my best friend gifted me with some of her "orange" mums. I know, they don't last very long but they just look so festive!

And who can say no to their new Jumppad! and guess what? Adults are also allowed to jump on it too!!! Not that I got on it or anything...

Our kids spent a good amount of time jumping and chasing each other on this pad. Energy zapper at work!

Then we enjoyed some time playing with the cornhole boards! This is when I realized my daughter has an amazing arm and aim. Yes, they had 4 different sets of boards and they had to play on each one. So we played this game for a w-h-i-l-e!

After playing with the conrnhole game, they moved towards the next game, "ring toss".

When they realized the wagon was coming, they forgot about the ring toss game and ran towards the "Barnyard Zoo" in order to board the wagon!

See, they ran.. we didn't.. because we knew that once they got closer to the barn, they were going to pet every animal before they actually got on the wagon. And petted, they did! HAHA!

Their new covered wagon actually takes you around the farm to the back field which is where all the pumpkins are. Another great thing about this adventure, everyone got to pick a pumpkin from the patch which was included in their $10.00 admission fee.

Pumpkins everywhere... big pumpkins, medium size pumpkins, tiny baby pumpkins, and it was so much fun trying to find that perfect pumpkin to bring home.

Our only rule for the day was, if you can't carry it (pumpkin) then you can't take it. After all parking was at a good distance away from the grounds, so it made sense to put that rule in place, especially if you have to carry a pumpkin of your own. But when you have daddy wrap around your little finger, who cares what mommy says!

And we couldn't just leave without seeing a "pig race", that would have been an incomplete experience for them!

It was fun to see all those little piglets running!

These are the faces of some tired and hungry kids! Unfortunately, our kids waited too long to decide it was time for them eat.

If you know me, then you already know that when I take the kids to places like this, I only go for one thing and one thing only, FOOD! So, as soon as I got there I went straight to the extremely long line that promised to provide me with some good old fashion Funnel Cake, ribs and perhaps some good BBQ chicken. Our children had other plans, they insisted that they were not hungry and there was no need for me to stand in line, so we decided to forgo the food and go straight for the activities.

Let me say this, what a GIGANTIC MISTAKE that was! Since they waited until the last minute, all the greasy and delicious food was GONE and they had no other choice but to settle for snow cones and a small basket of french fries!

But they had so much fun that not been able to get a funnel cake was totally okay with them.

We highly suggest you make plans to visit Holiday Farms. Your little ones will enjoy participating in the many activities like barrel racing, duck racing, corn grinding, steer roping, cow milking and getting to know the animals at the Barnyard Zoo.

Every Saturday you will be able to enjoy the food from their concession stands as well as live entertainment!

Don't forget to stop by their General Store while you are there and check out all of their items like their local honey, jellies, jams as well as soaps, candy and toys!

But our adventures are not stopping there... today we will be putting our costumes on and having some fun with the officers at SCMPD Precinct 5!

Giveaway Alert!

2016-10-27T10:21:00.001-04:00

All Things Beautiful Book Giveaway!!

Hello everyone and welcome back!!

Reading is one of my passions. I can enjoy a really good book regardless of its genre. I could literally read all day and all night, unfortunately, adulthood prevents me from doing just that.

Because reading is my personal way of escaping reality for a couple of hours, I always find time to read. I mean, Sleep is overrated if you ask me!

If you follow me on "GoodReads" than most likely, you are aware of my 2016 Reading Challenge. So far, I've read 92 out of my 100 books… what did I tell you, I love reading! You can follow me here: Elena's 2016 Reading Challenge.

I deeply believe reading gives you access to an experience that is deeply personal yet shared with the writer and world they lived in. Self-help books are very personal, especially when the writer has had personal experience with the topic.

Our friend Beth, owner of All Things Beautiful has an amazing Book Giveaway! These are the prizes:

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig;

Reasons to Stay Alive is about making the most of your time on earth. In the western world the suicide rate is highest amongst men under the age of 35. Matt Haig could have added to that statistic when, aged 24, he found himself staring at a cliff-edge about to jump off. This is the story of why he didn't; how he recovered and learned to live with anxiety and depression. It's also an upbeat, joyous and very funny exploration of how live better, love better, read better and feel more.

Humans: An A to Z by Matt Haig;

DO YOU:
A) Know a human?
B) Love a human?
C) Have trouble dealing with humans?

IF YOU'VE ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU
Whether you are planning a high level of human interaction or just a casual visit to the planet, this user-guide to the human race will help you translate their sayings, understand exotic concepts such as 'democracy' and 'sofas', and make sense of their habits and bizarre customs.
A phrase book, a dictionary and a survival guide, this book unravels all the oddness, idiosyncrasies and wonder of the species, allowing everyone to make the most of their time on Earth.

The Man Who Couldn't Stop by David Adam:

Have you ever had a strange urge to jump from a tall building, or steer your car into oncoming traffic? You are not alone. In this captivating fusion of science, history and personal memoir, writer David Adam explores the weird thoughts that exist within every mind, and how they drive millions of us towards obsessions and compulsions. David has suffered from OCD for twenty years, and The Man Who Couldn’t Stop is his unflinchingly honest attempt to understand the condition and his experiences. What might lead an Ethiopian schoolgirl to eat a wall of her house, piece by piece; or a pair of brothers to die beneath an avalanche of household junk that they had compulsively hoarded? At what point does a harmless idea, a snowflake in a clear summer sky, become a blinding blizzard of unwanted thoughts? Drawing on the latest research on the brain, as well as historical accounts of patients and their treatments, this is a book that will challenge the way you think about what is normal, and what is mental illness. Told with fierce clarity, humour and urgent lyricism, this extraordinary book is both the haunting story of a personal nightmare, and a fascinating doorway into the darkest corners of our minds.

How to Enter:

How can you enter this amazing giveaway? Very easy, simply visit our friend's page All Things Beautiful Giveaway! and follow the steps!

*Make sure you complete the extra steps for an even higher chance of winning! BUT you better hurry, this giveaway will end in three days....

GOOD LUCK!!!

DIY: Boo Haunting Halloween Nail Design

2016-10-26T13:20:00.002-04:00

Hello there my pretty Ghouls!!

Before I share with you our latest adventure at the "Holiday Farms" in Ridgeland, South Carolina, I'm going to share our last two "Halloween Nail Designs" with all of you.

These two designs are very easy to do and the only difference between the two is the design on the "thumb" nail.

Let's start with our latest "spooky" and fun designs..

For both of the designs I used the following:

1: SinfulColors Professional Nail Hardener as my base coat;

2: SinfulColors Professional #30 Courtney Orange;

3: SinfulColors Professional #103 Black on Black

4: Kiss Nail Dress designs; and

5: SinfulColor Professional Top Shine Coat

On clean nails apply a coat of SinfulColor Professionals #901 Nail Hardener;

Apply two to three coats of SinfulColor Professionals #30 Courtney Orange. Please allow a few minutes to pass in between coats.

On my first DIY: Easy Halloween Nail Design, I really wanted to use the Courtney Orange rather the Cloud 9. As you can see the orange is much deeper and it would have looked great, but I think the results of using Cloud 9 was just as gorgeous.

Now, I applied approximately three coats in order to get that "deep orange" color I was looking for. This is what my nails looked after applying two coats.

Allow a few minutes in between applications, it's important to remember that when we apply the polish in very thick layers, the polish takes a lot longer to dry which will only lead to smudges.

The next step comes once your first color is completely dry. This is also the very tricky part but don't worry, you've got this!

Using the Multi Art Brush carefully paint the letters B O O on the desired nails. You can go over the black line twice if you need to. Allow the polish to dry.

Now, my intention was to use these Nail Dress by Kiss on my thumb and my tiny little pinky. Unfortunately, none of them covered the nail as supposed to. Yeah, I was sad about that too!

Therefore, I used a tiny little black cat on my pinky and I cut around the design for my chunky thumb.

Last but not least, after your nail stickers and polish are completely dry, apply your final Top Shiny Coat and DONE!!

DIY: Stitch The Copper

2016-10-25T12:53:00.001-04:00

Welcome back my pretties!

Just a few more days for the big Halloween celebration and today I have an even easier nail design!

Let's start with our latest "stitchy" and fun design..

For this super easy and fun design I used the following:

1: SinfulColors Professional Nail Hardener as my base coat;

2: SinfulColors Professional #1503 Copper Pot;

3: SinfulColors Professional #103 Black on Black;

4: Kiss Nail Art Tool Kit; and

5: SinfulColors Professional Top Shine Coat

STEPS:

First, on clean nails apply a coat of SinfulColor Professionals #901 Nail Hardener or your favorite base coat;

After your base coat is completely dry, place the design guide (of you can do it free hand if you have steady hands) close to the tip of your nail;

Apply two coats of the SinfulColors Professionals Copper Pot; (allow a few minutes in between coats for the polish to dry- NOTE: a thick coat polish takes twice as long to dry) Once the polish is dry, carefully remove the nail design strip.

For the next step, you will need the "Multi Art Brush".

Using the Multi Art Brush carefully paint a think black line. You can go over the black line twice if you need to.

Allow the black polish to dry completely.

Using the same brush, now draw very thin vertical lines. You can do them as short or long as you want the lines to be.

Make sure you allow the black polish to dry completely before applying the shiny clear top. If the polish is not completely dry, you will end with smudge lines.

and all done!! How easy and fun is this design??

DIY- Glow Chameleon Glow

2016-10-21T14:16:00.001-04:00

Hello Bootiful Ghouls!

Yeah, I think I've watched "Monster High" movies for way too long!

Let's start with our latest "spooky" and fun design..

For this "Glow Chameleon Glow" design I used the following:

1: SinfulColors Professional Nail Hardener as my base coat;

2: SinfulColors Professional #2122 Nice Guise

3: SinfulColors Professional #2124 Got a Bat Attitude

4: SinfulColors Professional Top Shine Coat

On clean nails apply a coat of SinfulColor Professionals #901 Nail Hardener;

Apply two coats of SinfulColor Professionals #2122 Nice Guise to all the nails for the exception of ring finger. This Nice Guise polish is a shimmering green with a gold iridescent hint to it. Please allow a few minutes to pass in between coats.

The Top coats on the above photo are part of the Glow In The Dark collection.

This is the tricky part. As you can see, #2124 Got a Bat Attitude polish has small "bat figures mixed within the polish. It IS a bit difficult to grab the figures with the brush and place them on the nail. By the time I was able to strategically apply the figures, I had a very thick coat on my nail.

However, IT DOES GLOW!! So their claim it's true!!

Apply your favorite Top Coat to seal the design, let it dry and YOU ARE NOW DONE!!

Note: I used the regular #1353 Glow in The Dark (without any figures in it) and applied it on top of the Nice Guise so that it would glow as well. Although I regret my choice of applying it, the effect was still mesmerizing.

DIY: Easy Halloween Nail Design

2016-10-21T09:36:00.005-04:00

Only a few days left before Halloween and we are having a lot of fun with all the spooky colors available through Guise & Ghouls Glowing Masquerade by SinfulColor Professionals.

These polishes are still on sale at my local Walgreens, so make sure your visit your local store in order to take advantage of this great sale!

For this Halloween, I decided to show my love for this day by creating a few "spooky" nail designs that you can easily create by using very simple tools like nail guides, stickers and "glow in the dark" top coats.

For this Black on Orange style I used the following:

1. SinfulColors Professional Nail Hardnerer as my base coat;

2. SinfulColors Professional #853 Cloud 9;

3. SinfulColors Professional #103 Black on Black;

4. Kiss "Chevron" Guide lines; and

5. SinfulColors Professional Top Shine Coat

On clean nails apply a coat of SinfulColor Professionals #901 Nail Hardener;

NOTE: As a general rule, I always use (and recommend) a good base coat in order to protect my nails, specially when using very dark colors. Lately I've been using SC Nail Hardener and has helped keep my nails long and strong.

Apply two coats of SinfulColor Professionals #853 Cloud 9.

NOTE: Don't worry so much about the tip since you will be covering it with your second polish.

Allow the first color to dry completely before you apply the Design Guides around the tip of your nail.

Place the Design Guide firmly onto the nail in the desired position.

Apply #103 Black on Black polish to the tip of your nails.

Once your tip color is somewhat dry, gently peel off the design guides to expose your design!

If you have any spooky stickers, gems or any other embellishments you would like to add to your design, this is the time to do it.

Apply your favorite Top Coat to seal the design, let it dry and YOU ARE NOW DONE!!

SALE ALERT: SinfulColors Guise & Ghouls Glowing Masquerade

2016-10-20T10:13:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone!!

I've finally found the time to visit my local Walgreens and the timing was perfect!

I found that all the SinfulColor Guise & Ghouls Glowing Masquerade are finally on SALE for $1.99 each!!!

In this collection you will find:

* Cloak & Swagger

* Play Dead

*Nice Guise

*Deja Boo

*Hazel Moon

*Got a Bat Attitude

*Dead On

*Glow In The Dark Top Coat

*Let's Talk

*Courtney Orage

*Black on Black

Walgreen Exclusive:

*Where Oh Werewolf

I picked the Glow in the Dark for Ms. Bree and she is going to love it!! Yes, my daughter loves nail polishes as much as I do. (maybe more than me)

The Glow In The Dark polish is a top coat and it promises to really get things "glowing".

I picked the above colors for me. Unfortunately, Courtney Orange was not available but I was able to grab Cloud 9 at the same price. Cloud 9 seems to be a bit lighter and brighter than Courtney Orange.

If you have a Walgreens Rewards Card then don't forget to use it, instead of paying $1.99, you will only pay $1.50!!

Stay tuned because I will be doing my own manicure and I will be using Cloud 9 together with Black on Black topped with a few accent stickers!

Are you planning to join the festivities by dressing up or maybe by getting a "wicked" manicure for the week?? If you decide to take advantage of this great sale, make sure you tell us which colors you picked!!

For All The Kids Who Love to Ask Why??

2016-10-14T10:48:00.000-04:00

(Affiliate links are included in this post)

Hey everyone, It's Friday and after a rough week I am glad that the weekend is here. Remember, "We are in charge of how we feel today, therefore, let's choose happiness"..

I'm writing today to tell you about this AMAZING , HANDS-ON, YEAR-LONG SCIENCE JOURNEY!

For All the Kids Who Love to Ask “Why?"

The Magic School Bus Science Club is a 12- month science kit subscription based on the award-winning series, The Magic School Bus. If you haven't heard about the series before, each of the stories center on the antics of a frizzy-red haired fictional elementary school teacher, Ms. Frizzle, and her class, who board a “magic school bus” to take them on field trips to impossible locations, like the solar system, clouds, the past, and inside the human body. This story-based learning took the science scene by storm in the 90's.

But it's the 2000s!!

The kit subscription takes it to the next level with HANDS ON learning that all ties into the stories! It's also HALF OFF FOR 10 MORE DAYS! This is a great choice for families with multiple children, kinesthetic, and visual learners - and just a fun, educational activity for a rainy day! The kits include experiments related to Volcanoes, Weather, Water, Fossils, Bacteria and Fungi, Star and Planets, and the weather, which, given recent events I want to brush up on, too. Ms. Bree is currently learning about the Solar System, the weather and phases of the moon.

One experiment I've been really excited to try is the Volcano Kit! The kit comes with a small volcanic rock, a pumice stone, sheets of paper, black paint, paint brush, a magnifying glass all to build a volcano. Check out the video below to see the fun experiment and explosive result (this one is from Educents so you don't have to see my kitchen..)

And there are so many more experiments! Think of a sibling science club coming to life in your home - or friends bonding over making volcanoes explode, and learning all about how the human body works!

Getting kids excited about STEM learning is exciting stuff. And it's especially exciting because it's HALF OFF FOR 10 MORE DAYS.

Here's the run down:

The 12 Magic School Bus themed science experiments sent to your doorstep, monthly include:

Detailed, extensive 12-page colorful manual that is full of experiments and topic information
Each manual was based on the award winning Magic School Bus Book (and TV) series
A handy dandy cheat sheet for adults, so you can lead the way with no background in science (shhh.. I always preferred reading...)
Tools and instructions for a at least 7 interactive experiments per month
Online Clubhouse for further exploration on each package topic (take advantage of this!!)
Certificate of Completion - a great way to reinforce learning and accomplishments

The Price: Package is for $119.00 currently (50% off deal for only ten days). You do have to pay it at once, but it comes out to $10/month over the course of the year. For me, that's a solid investment!

Elena

Product Review: SinfulColor Nail Polish

2016-10-13T10:56:00.000-04:00

(Affiliate Links are included in this post)

SinfulShine 2 Step Gel Manicure

Hello everyone and welcome back!!

It has been a while since I last posted a nail polish review. Therefore, let's get back on track!

Today I'm reviewing the SinfulShine 2 Step Gel Manicure "Kylie Signature Collection". The color I chose is "Kreme De La Kreme" which is a rose gold like color with a lot shimmer.

This bold and vibrant color is perfect for any occasion, I just love how it shines and I personally feel this color goes perfectly well with my current mood and the season!

As you can see in the video, this is a Two Step Gel Manicure which promises to give a "gel-like shine that removes like regular polish".

STEP 1:

Apply at lest two coats of polish to make sure you have an even look;

STEP 2:

After allowing the color coat to dry a bit, apply the top coat.

As many of you already know, SinfulColor Professionals is my favorite brand of nail polish. Their $2.99 (sometimes $1.99) price is amazing and the quality of the product is better than most. Their regular polishes usually last about a week depending on my daily activities, so I'm expecting for this gel manicure to last me as least two weeks!

This collection has many colors to choose from, 27 of them to be exact! Here are a couple of collections you may want to try:

Sinful Colors SinfulShine Finger Nail Polish Color Lacquer Set 7-Piece Collection

Lot of 10 Sinful Colors Finger Nail Polish Color Lacquer All Different Colors

Have you tried any of the SinfulShine 2-Step Gel Manicure Collection before?? What were the results??

Natural Hair Care: Daily Tip #9

2016-09-26T14:18:00.001-04:00

Hello and welcome back!!

This is a great tip from our sister-friend, Ms. Keianna Johnson, because many of use are constantly wondering, "How do I know when its the right time to trim their natural hair?"

On 2012 I wrote a post about "Ms. Bree's First Trim", in which I explained how important it is to trim the ends regularly so split ends don't form as well as to how I trim her hair myself. Remember, while we all want long hair, our ultimate goal is for them to have healthy hair.

Here are a few signs that their natural hair is in need of a trim:

If you have to moisturize their ends more than usual;
If the detangling process requires a little extra time;
If you can clearly see a split end when styling; or
If you are left with tiny pieces of hair that clearly didn't come from the crown.

The next step to take after you determine whether or not your child needs a trim is who is going to do it?? Should you do it yourself? or go to a Hair Salon?

Trimming the hair is very simple because the only thing you are doing is taking the very ends off. You are not looking to make the hair even or trying to give the hair layers, you are simply getting rid off those dry ends. Read our full article on how you can trim your child's natural hair "Ms. Bree's First Trim".

We hope today's Natural Hair Care Tip was helpful!! If you missed any of our previous Daily Tips, you can find them here:

Natural-Hair-Care-Daily-Tip #1

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #2

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #3

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #4

Remember to Connect with

Website: Chi Chi Sophistication Natural Hair Studio

(240) 754-7239

Review: Retinol Spa Treatment Mask

2016-09-01T19:18:00.000-04:00

(Affiliate Links included)

Hello everyone!!

Today I am sharing my review on Retinol Spa Treatment Mask by Global Beauty Care. This mask was included in my August Beauty Box 5.

Missed our last post which revealed all of the items in our Beauty Box 5? Don't worry, you can see them all in our Subscription Review Post.

This is the very first time I use a mask. My night time facial routine consists of removing all my make up using Almond Oil by Now Solutions followed by my homemade facial scrub and after my face is all nice and clear from all make up and dirt, I apply Tamanu Oil by Shea Terra Organics. Thankfully this simple routine has proven to be my skin's life saver.

I've always been curious about masks and this was the perfect opportunity to try one!! Let's be realistic, at my age, I have to make sure I drink plenty of water, I have to be very cautious of what I put in my mouth and I also need to make sure that my skin stays healthy.

This Retinol Spa Treatment Mask by Global Beauty Care contains star-ingredient retinol which reduces expression lines and wrinkles while boosting cell renewal.

Their Claim:

Global Beauty Care Retinol Spa Treatment Mask in an effective skincare therapy, designed to improve the health and appearance of your skin. Our rich moisture rich formula contains Retinol to help minimize the expression lines and wrinkles, boost cell renewal and delay the effects of skin aging. Just one treatment will help repair, revitalize and restore your skin to a healthy and young looking complexion.

Their Ingredients:

Aqua (water), Glycerin, Beta-Glucan, Collagen, Glycoproteins, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethyl, Vitamin A (Retinol), Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, DMDM Hydantoin, Parfum.

To Use:

Remove all make up, wash and dry your face. Open the package and remove the pre-moistened mask and unfold carefully. It's a bit tricky so make sure you take your time when unfolding the mask. Carefully place the mask on your face. Slowly smooth the mask with your fingertips to make sure the mask is spread evenly over your face, be careful that the serum doesn't enter your eyes or mouth. Leave the mask on for at least twenty minutes before removing. Gently massage remaining serum on skin until its completely absorbed.

Don't forget to order your own by clicking the link:

Retinol Spa Treatment Mask

Labor Day Sale: Gymboree

2016-08-30T12:50:00.001-04:00

(Affiliate Links included)

Hey everyone!!

Just a few days left in August and September is quickly approaching!! Like a true "shopaholic", I am looking forward to the long weekend and Labor Day Sales!!

Gymboree is currently offering up to 80% off the entire site just in time for Labor day!! Make sure you visit their site and take advantage of this offer!!

Find Tees starting at $8.00, Leggins starting at $8.00 and beautiful dresses starting at only $12.00!!

Offer Link: Labor Day Sale- up to 80% Off Everything

(Limited Time only)

Subscription Review: Beauty Box 5

2016-08-29T13:38:00.001-04:00

(Affiliate links included)

Hello everyone and welcome back!!!

We are starting this week by talking about something new. "Beauty Box 5".

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription based service that provides you with five (5) deluxe samples and some full size products to your door every month.

Beauty Box 5's goal is to introduce their monthly subscribers to new and great products while sharing tips on the best way to use them.

Every month you will receive a mix of make up, beauty accessories, hair, skincare, fragrance, body and nail products.

Beauty Box 5 offers free shipping on all their subscriptions (US ONLY).

This month's Beauty Box 5 contained the following products:

(Travel Size) Rave 4X Mega Unscented Hairspray:

This is an 1.5 oz bottle that is actually considered a "BONUS" item in this month's since it was not part of the "Five Item Description Card". But travel size items are always welcome in my bag and in Bree's dance bag.

I used it on my hair this morning and so far it has kept my hair free of any frizz. Also, my hair did not get that "crunchy" or "sticky" feeling.

Next, we have Olive Natural Beauty Elixir: this is a 1 oz bottle. (2 oz bottle retails for $37.00). All natural essential oil that can be used together with your daily skin lotion or you can apply it directly to your skin after a good cleansing.

Now, VO5 Hot Oil Therapy Treatment really doesn't need any introduction or explanation... we all love a good hot oil treatment and I often use it on my son's hair (more than on Ms bree's hair).

My mother used it on my hair when was a little girl and now I use it on my kids.

Nika Exfoliating Brush: It's the cutest and softest brush I have every touched. The retail price of this brush is $17.00 and you simply use it with you favorite face wash in a circular motion over your face and neck in order to achieve beautiful skin.

This month's Beauty Box 5 can't be "Spa Day" theme without having Spa Day Hair Ties by Did Hair. Let's be honest, there is no such thing as "enough hair bands". These bands have no metal that can pull your hair and I just love the cute designs on them. These ties retail price is $6.50.

And the last item in this month's Beauty Box 5 is Retinol Spa Treatment Mask (Retail price of $7.50). The retinol is an ingredient that reduces expression lines and wrinkle while boosting cell renewal.

Every item in this month's Beauty Box 5 will be used ... I don't anticipate any of them going to waste. The value of this month's box is approximately $51.59 and this price does not include the bonus item.

Beauty Box 5 monthly subscription is only $12.00 (no shipping on all beauty boxes)! Of course, they also offer other options like $30.00 for 3 months and $99.00 for 12 months.

Overall, I'm really impressed with these items!

I will be reviewing each item separately so stay tuned for those reviews!!!

Beauty Box 5 loves new subscribers, all new subscriber will receive FREE Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow with their first box!! (This offer has been extended until the end of September 2016). Click here to get your FREE EYESHADOW WITH YOUR FIRST BOX.

A "BEE MINE" Family Appreciate Sale!!

2016-08-26T14:34:00.000-04:00

One of our favorite hair product is having a

Family Appreciation Sale!!

Details:

Use Code: TAKE20

with a minimum of a $35 purchase

worth 20% off now through ending really soon.

Make sure you take advantage of this great sale!

(I know I will...)

Natural Hair Care: Daily Tip #8

2016-08-26T14:17:00.002-04:00

Hello and welcome back!!

Our friend, Keianna, owner of Chi Chi Sophistication Natural Hair Studio has a really good tip for today:

Daily Tip #8:

"Using rubber bands on natural hair is not a crime. However, they must be installed and removed correctly".

Here is another tip, soak the rubber bands in oil (i.e., olive oil) for a few minutes to prevent them from pulling and breaking your hair. I buy the tub of black rubber bands at the Hair Supply stores.. the tub usually lasts me approximately a year it contains 500 rubber bands.

I only use rubber bands to secure the end of a braid or twist.

We hope today's Natural Hair Care Tip was helpful!! If you missed any of our previous Daily Tips, you can find them here:

Natural-Hair-Care-Daily-Tip #1

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #2

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #3

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #4

Remember to Connect with

Website: Chi Chi Sophistication Natural Hair Studio

(240) 754-7239

Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Products on Sale at Walgreens!!

2016-08-24T11:32:00.000-04:00

After dropping the kids off at School this morning, I made a quick stop at Walgreens to obtain a few things I needed for my office.

Imagine my surprised when I discovered these amazing Dark & Lovely Au Naturale products were on sale!

I love love Au Naturale by Dark & Lovely and I've recently ran out of the Leave In Conditioner. If you missed our product review early this year, you can read it here: Product Review: Dark & Lovely-LOC Line.

With this BOGO sale, you are basically paying $4.99 for each product!! Here is a list of the products that you can find on sale: Walgreens Dark & Lovely Au Naturale BOGO SALE

Needless to say, I grabbed all the Leave-Ins they had...

If you are a big fan of Dark & Lovely Au Naturale, now is the time to stock up on all your favorite products!!!

Natural Hair Care: Daily Tip #7

2016-08-23T13:48:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome to our Natural Hair Care- Daily Tip Series by our friend Ms. Keianna owner of Chi Chi Sophistication Natural Hair Studio.

What a great tip!

I always have my combs at hand along with my Creme of Nature Leave In and I rub oil (jojoba oil) on the palm of my hands before I begin to unravel each braid (or twist).

Always be mindful of the edges and try not to keep the same style for far too long. (extremely fuzzy braids = lots of tangles and pulling)

Give your hair and scalp a break for at least a couple of days before your braid (or twist) your hair again.

Braid in different directions every time to prevent long term damage.

We hope today's Natural Hair Care Tip was helpful!! If you missed any of our previous Daily Tips, you can find them here:

Natural-Hair-Care-Daily-Tip #1

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #2

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #3

Natural-Hair-Care: Daily Tip #4

Remember to Connect with

Website: Chi Chi Sophistication Natural Hair Studio

(240) 754-7239

A Review on Educents' Educational Products

2016-08-22T14:17:00.000-04:00

(Affiliate Links are included)

Hello everyone!!

As parents, we are the most important teachers our children can possibly have.

I deeply believe that (the parents) have to work together with the teachers in order to assure our children are academically successful. It is crucial that we keep an open and constant open line of communication with their teachers when it comes to our children's daily behavior and progress.

I understand that being involved in your child's "daily" progress may seem impossible due to our own daily (and busy) schedule. To make sure you are well informed, I highly recommend you communicate with your child's teacher at least once a week in order to check their daily progress. Making a monthly "Parent-Teacher" conference to discuss progress and general curriculum is also another way of staying involved. Whichever way you choose, staying involved will make a difference in your child's education.

At the beginning of the school year, during our "open house" (or "meet & greet"), I always "warn" my children's new teachers. I am that "parent", the type of parent that will call you once or twice a week if I feel my child is lacking in an area, if I have questions about an assignment, concerns about a test results and the impact that score may have in their grades.

Allow me to include you on this I have never been told by a teacher that they don't appreciate my involvement. (at least not yet right)

So, don't be afraid to get involved in your child's education, trust me, both, your child and the teacher will thank you for it.

Now, there are many different ways we can support our children's learning at home, whether during their vacation, or throughout the school year.

I am constantly looking for ways to help my children learn their assignments. During one of my many searches for new way to teach them, I found this amazing website, Educents that offers many education products at very reasonable prices.

Now, our children started their 4th week of school today and I can see that our son is having a difficult time understanding long division.

Long Division Worksheets

This is a 42 page PDF document that you can download as soon as you buy it. The price you asked? $1.95!! Yes, for less than two dollars you get 12 leveled long division worksheets on graph paper with the Answer Keys. At the end you will also find two tests with answer keys and free posters highlighting the steps of long division.

It also has long division with remainders, up to three digit dividends and two digit divisors.

I review my son's notebooks and homework every night to make sure he has completed all his assignments. I also do this so that I may know what he is currently learning in all his classes. Been able to know the areas he needs extra help with also helps me prepare extra worksheets accordingly.

My son is not the only one who needs an extra hand, after reviewing last week's class work and quizzes, I realized Ms. Bree needs extra help with "Compound Words".

Compound Words Cut & Paste Activities

This Compound Words: Cut and Paste Activities was only $1.50!! You read that right, I almost broke the bank with that one!! hahhaa This product is also a PDF document and I was able to download and print right away.

I can assure you that you child will have fun while learning with this fun activity book. Our daughter loves coloring, cutting, gluing stuff, therefore, this activity is right up her alley.

I am enjoying this amazing website, Educents.com. As I stated before, some of the items are on PDF format that can easily downloaded into your computer and printed upon purchase. Some of the bigger items (kits and books) have to be shipped.

I placed my order ad within an hour I received an email stating that my order had shipped!! We will review and show our next item, Magic-School-Bus-3D Journey Through the Solar System as soon as we receive it!! It's a 3D book and it comes with 3D Glasses!!

Easy to print (inespensive) worksheets and fast shipping are not all the things Educents offers... They also have FREE items, for a limited time of course, but Free none the less. They have a large selection of free items that any teacher or parents can use.

Free Addition Word Problems

Make sure you browse thru all their products!
Educents.com