The wonders of the Circus.

We had the pleasure of attending for the first time Circus Vargas: Magikaria Extreme. Hands down it was such a great show. Just seeing my sons face as the magician did his tricks, or the acrobatic artists did there aerial show was priceless. I was even entranced with the trick and performances myself. My favorite act was the aerial rope dancers. Alex the trickster clown was also hilarious. My son laughed out loud so many times through out the entire show. We are still talking about the magician and his extremely fast changing assistant and the balancing tricks of the announcer. My son had the pleasure of volunteering his shoe for one of his balancing tricks.

The meaning of heading to the circus and sitting under the big top was literally what we did. The tents are erected and you walk in and it’s a right there all in front of you, the center stage where all the magic happens. All the seats are good seats. The Preshow event was also great for the kids. This is what a circus should look like. What I imagined when I was a child and was so pleased I could give that experience to my son. This was not a huge arena where there are 2 or 3 acts going on at the same time that you can barely focus on one thing, or your seats are so far away from the action that you don’t see everything. We did that last year and the excitement my son showed after watching this show was completely different. He could not stop talking about all his favorite acts to the point that he even knew what they were wearing. The fact that he will always remember this event to the smallest details. To me that’s what a show should be like for a child.

After the show we were able to obtain signatures from all the performers and get pictures taken as well. We had a wonderful first time experience and we will defiantly come back the next time they are in town.

Have you attended a circus show lately?

** this is not a sponsored posting and all tickets for the event were purchased by myself. The opinions in this post are strictly my own and in no way do I represent the event.

Preschool graduation Cap- How to make your own.

So this year my little munchkin is graduating preschool. And our school asked the parents to please make their child a graduation cap. They asked that we be creative but stick with the colors they had chosen.
So obviously where would I go to find a great how-to… PINTEREST. I found some great pins but stuck to one pin that I used as my template to make my little ones cap.

I purchased poster board and a foam poster board at the Dollar Tree. Got a few extras just in case. So that was easy . Picked up some sticker letters , stars and some glitter spray on paint at Wal-Mart.

– Using a ruler I cut out two squares . I cut a 12 x 12 size squares.
– To give the cap portion a bit more stability I taped the colored poster board into the foam board.
– I sprayed both pieces with the glitter paint. I choose a nice gold glitter that shows great on the dark blue paper. Easily dried within 5 min.
– Decorate each piece to your liking. You can use paint, stickers, markers. Use your imagination.
– Then glue both pieces together. I choose to cement glue it instead of taping it because I know he will drop it or it will fall on the floor a few times.

The tassel was super easy to make.
– On a three inch piece of paper roll the thread around a few time. You can do it as many times as you want. Tie up one and cut the loops to make the tassel portion. Attach a string to your specific length from the cap portion and allow it to just hang.

Let me know if you tried doing this at home. I’d love to hear how it turned out.

Have comments let me know. Don’t forget to follow me on twitter and facebook.

bareMinerals BARESKIN – Foundation review

First Impression
bareMinerals BARESKIN- Pure Brightening Serum Foundation
Broad Spectrum SPF 20
My skin match is Bare Latte 11

A bit about the product as described on the packaging – “A breakthrough tone correcting mineral foundation and skincare serum in one”. This might be why the product is thin. It states that you will obtain “ a natural finish…. while delivery a more noticeably brighter youthful appearance”

Once I saw the advertisement for this product I decided I wanted to try it. Since I’ve used the bareMineral powder foundations in the past I was eager to try this foundation. The ease in use of their products for me has been there winning point. I could have gone to a specialty store or QVC to just buy the product but I had a bareMineral boutique close to my home and I wanted to make sure I got a perfect match for my skin tone. Especially since my winter skin is completely different then my summer skin.

I love going into a store and knowing exactly what I’m looking for; and boy was I happy that I did. Their range of color selections is vast and I know I would have picked something way to light for my current skin tone. She tested a few out and easily found my correct shade.

The product can be used alone or you could apply a primer first. Since I tend to get super oily towards the end of the day this is the best option for me. This has been one of my pet peeves with my current BB cream routine. I literally feel like an oily mess towards the end of my work day.

After she primed my face she showed me just how far one drop can go. Per the instructions she says two drops is pretty much all I need to obtain a nice even coverage on my face. If I wanted to build on it I can do so as well. She applied one drop then proceeded to apply the foundation to only half my face. Using the second drop she applied it to the other half of my face. I’ve seen some reviewers who have used up to 6 drops all over their face so when she demonstrated the even coverage she obtained with just two drops I was relieved. If you know me you know I love BB creams because of the simplicity, sheer coverage and even skin tone I obtain from the product. Most of the times I’m the only one who knows that I have some semblance of make up on. This product pretty much delivered just that. A nice even coverage so light that I barely feel it on my skin.

First impression- I’m surprised to see how watery the product is. As she applied it I did not feel any wetness or sliminess. All I felt was the soft brush against my skin and she buffed the product onto my skin. I instantly noticed a difference. I noticed the redness on my cheeks had diminished and my skin looked even. As I walked out of the store with my new purchase I took note to see how my skin felt. I did not feel that I had make up on at all. Sometimes even with a BB cream my skin can feel smothered. Not with this product. This was applied at around 1pm. Note I was in a mall with my child and the weather was beyond beautiful so we did spend some time playing outside, running around being silly. At around 6pm when we sat down to dinner I noticed I was s bit oily in my regular area (chin and cheeks) but not enough to prompt me to go wash my skin. Usually I would have been blotting my skin because of this. So I was impressed. At 9pm when I was going to remove my makeup I noticed the product was still on still had that even skin tone look to it. Not super oily either.

First impression at applying it myself: After I washed my skin and primed it I took the brush and applied a good size drop then did half my face. I dotted the brush on my cheek and forehead then started to make a circular buffing motion all over that side making sure I reach the temples, my nose, my chin, my cupid bow and under my chin. Doing the same thing the other side with my second good size drop. I decided to try it this way first so I can see what it looks like following the direction the young lady at the store gave me. Not even 5 minutes later I was done. My skin had a nice even tone but you could still see my freckles. If I wanted to do a fuller coverage I would do the process over again. It’s something I will have to try if I go out at night. But this is perfect for an everyday day look. I added some blush and mascara and I was ready to go.

Let me know if you have tried this product. What did you think? Would you repurchase?

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter and Facebook..xoxo

All product featured were purchased with my own money.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAYS – My Mood Today!

Just kidding!!!!

My Pinterest tries!!

If you know what Pinterest is then you know the amount of hours one can waste going over boards and boards of interesting things one can cook, sew, craft, DIY and mimic. Who has not found something on there and said “OMG I can totally do this”, “ Look how easy” and “OHH wow I never knew you could do that”

Once I started to meal prep the first thing I did was look to Pinterest for easy ideas to try at home. That is when I found this one..
A yummy Bean Salad:

Click here for inspirational pin.
I made a huge batch of this and used it threw out the week with my lunches. I would mix in some quinoa or chicken to give it a different taste. Even added avocado.

Another Pinterest try we did this week is this AMAZING Fried Honey Banana Recipe.

Literally my sister said she wants to purchase a ton of bananas to make this recipe every day. It’s a great healthy alternative to candy. Try at your own risk this does seem to be addictive.
Click here for inspiration pin.

So of course with me being so obsessed with Pinterest I started to collect toilet paper rolls. I thought for sure I would find a great craft idea to try with my monkey. With Easter right around the corner I found this great post we could try. Toilet paper Easter Bunnies.

Click here for inspirational pin.

What are your favorite Pinterest post. Which are your Pinterest tries and misses? I am constantly on the lookout for great ideas to try at home. Follow me at @momoftornado to keep up with things I want to try.

As always I love reading your comments and don’t forget to follow me on twitter and facebook to keep up with me.

Sick of being sick!!

We’ve been sick

It all started with a midnight throw up season and since then I believe we have been constantly sick in my household for a month straight. My little one caught the stomach flu that lasted 4 days. Not the best thing to get and of course if the kid gets it you know mom is bound to get the effects of this great bug. But Mom’s don’t get sick.. RIGHT.. or so we tell ourselves.
Then you think you’re in the clear and your “ allergies” start acting up. Your head feels like a giant hot air balloon that is being pushed into the depth of the deepest ocean. Your nose is constantly running, and no matter how many Benadryl you take you still can’t shake it. About a week later you start to cough and then you know the allergies you were complaining about turned into a full blown cold. Your days are not so bad, well compared to the night where coughing has turned into an Olympic sports. Lets see how long you can cough before you throw up? Can your housemates sleep thru your nightly hack sessions? You get 45 min of actual sleep to wake up stuffed up and wishing someone would just cram a hose up your nose and suck it all out. UMMMMMMMMMMM maybe that contraption they have at the dentist office might work???
Took a whole day off work to just lay in bed and stare out the window. Yes I know I completely missed my opportunity to catch up on Netflix but even the thought of looking at anything was too much. So I laid there until it was time to pick up the kid at school. Then as moms do, I pretend I’m not sick and do all the fabulous things mom do after school ends.
So here I am two weeks later, feeling so much better but still battling with my cough and the green stuff in my chest. Ive tried it all; Vicks, ginger infused teas, air vaporizers even searching Pinterest for the best cough remedies. Did I mention I got this crick in my neck that won’t go away??

How has this winter treated you?? Are you battling massive allergies? Or the cough from hell?

Getting started right.. Goal #1 – Weight lose

My first goal is set to lose ten pounds by my birthday. Setting it for my birthday has given me a few months to shed the unwanted pounds. I think I’m off to a great start, unfortunately I failed to weight myself on Monday but the week has been great with my exercise and my food intake. I promise to put in a weight in on Monday 1/13/14 and use that as my starting gauge.
To get in my daily work out I have started to jog during my lunch break. Finding time when I get home has been difficult so I have to utilize the time I do have available to me. Even thought I realize my son is getting older I would like to use the time I have with him in the evening to focus on his activities, homework, dinner, bath time and story time. Any working parent could understand how precious the time once you finally get home to your kids is and how excited they are to be with you. So lunch time it is. I have started spacing my meals so I’m fueling myself every three hours. I’m still working on the correct balance of food so I don’t feel famished in the early evening. My main focus in January will be my exercise. Make it a habit and I will stick to it thru the whole year.

I’m my worst enemy when it comes to changing my lifestyle to be more trim, fit, and healthy. If I have to think about the food and working out I will possibly fail at one and then let the other fall out as well. If I can focus on one aspect then gradually bring in the other I know this will work for me. What I’m focusing on with my food is to cook at home and eat that. No more eating out, no more fast foods and no more daily coffee runs. Those things will only be a once in a while thing for me. What the past two week have shown me is how much money I can save by just eating what I cook and have at home. As a single parent saving money is essential.

Did you notice I did not say I’m giving up SODA?? I have tried this before and within a few weeks I give up. I get cranky I get ugly. EHHH I don’t want to be ugly. I do know cutting out soda would defiantly help me reach my goal a lot faster but I want that to also be a slow transition. As I’ve said in the past when I was younger I would drink 5-8 cups of soda a day but now I limit it to 1, if I even remember to get one. I don’t have any at home so that cuts that out. Baby steps!!!

A HUGE thank you to my Little Twin Star, Miss HR & Ms Bean for allowing me my daily rants, my daily exercise post, my daily food accomplishments and the awesome encouragements they supply every day.

How are you doing on your New Years Goals? I would love to hear how you are doing so please leave me a comment. As always don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to keep up with this awesome journey. Want more of me on a daily follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Good Bye 2013.. Hello 2014!!!!

So every year I’ve set resolutions. I usually start out with a bang and get a good momentum going and then something happens. Thru out the year I pick it up again hit it hard then again something happens that completely throws me off. I know, if I had the ultimate dedication I imagine to have nothing can throw me off my path. Thinking back I realize some things, I got lazy, I got tired, I would snooze, time moved on and nothing would get done.

Once Christmas hit I started to think what can I set for my resolutions in 2014 and well.. I decided I will have NO RESOLUTION. I will set goals. With a do-able time line. I’ve thought long and hard on how I can reach my goal. Honesty with myself will be the most important steps to attaining any goal. Becoming inspired, staying motivated and asking for help if I need it. I have enlisted my sister and a few friends to take this journey with me. We are all busy people, life still goes on around us. Posting, texting, emailing is going to be key to attain my success.

So as for my 1st Goal.. Lose 10 pound down by my birthday.

A simple, do-able goal. If I hit the target before the date great. I realized I was trying to be unrealistic. I know how my body works so now I’m going to use that tool. The last thing I want is to be stressed about making a goal that I set to high. We all know what stress does to the body. Being a single mom, working full time does not help but I realized this is just another excuse I kept telling myself.

I will be sharing with you guys this awesome journey I am going to embark on. My reasons for losing this weight are many. I believe any reason you have that will motivate you is a great reason. So if you want to join me I would be happy to have you along for this awesome ride. If I get enough people I will start a Facebook group but for now post comments below and follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

2014 is going to be an awesome year.

My first Influenster VoxBox. – Jolly VoxBox

Imagine my excitement when I was picked by Influenster to receive their Jolly VoxBox to review. The Arsenol Hall Show Dog pound chant went off in my head.. WOOT WOOT Sorry if that reference went over some heads. I really did age myself there. But let’s just say I was giddy with glee. Upon receiving the box I did do an unboxing video for YouTube so go check it out and leave me a comment. Let me know if you want to see more videos. (Click here)

Skinny Cow Divine Filled Chocolates Candy -Super excited when I saw a box of YUMMY Skinny Cow products. I have purchased Skinny Cow in the past so I knew I would not be disappointed by the treat. With only 130 cal per packet you can’t go wrong. One pouch has 3 pieces that you can share or keep for yourself. I love having one piece to satisfy my craving. But if I do eat it all I won’t feel so guilty because it only has 130 cal. The chocolate has a great taste, melts in your mouth and leaves no after taste at all. The peanut butter was super creamy and blended well with the chocolate. I will defiantly be purchasing more of these to have around.

Puffs to go – Next I saw a packet of Puffs to go. You can never go wrong with a packet of Puffs to go in your purse, backpack or diaper bag. Puffs is a super soft tissue that can be used to blow your sensitive nose or wipe off that excess make up. I always carry tissue with me so this was perfect.

Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer – How gorgeous is the packaging. It went on nice and creamy and gave me a great hint of color. Nice and shiny with no stickiness or tackiness. Big plus was the great scent it has. I’m very turned off by lip products that have an odd smell so I was very pleased with the scent this lacquer gave off. Defiantly will purchase more in this line.

NYC HD Color Trio Eye Shadow – I really was surprised by this trio. The colors are perfect for a subtle day look and if you add a nice cat eye liner you can defiantly transition this into night. The colors were nice a rich and very pigmented.

Mini Ducklings Duck Tape – Let the crafting begin. As soon as I saw this little guy I saw all the projects I could do with this. The tape is easy to roll out, and easy to cut. Does not stick to your fingers like some tapes might. The patterns is also very nice I can’t wait to see what other patterns they have out.

Thank you Infulenster for supplying me with this great VoxBox and for the products inside.

Let me know what you think of the products listed. Have you tried any of them? Leave me a comment I love hearing from you. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclaimer: All products were received complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

Can we say busy holiday season? In a one, two, three Christmas has snuck up on me. In just a few days jolly Ole Saint Nick will come down the chimney to give out his goodies to all the good boys and girl. So finally in preparation for Santa we decided to bake and decorate some yummy sugar cookies. My little one was super excited about this , so was I since this would be the first time we attempted this. I ran out, purchased some pre packaged dough (because a baker I am not) and some icing with easy to use tips so that my son could easily decorate the cookies.

I have to say we defiantly had a blast doing this and they tasted great. It did take us a total of 2 hours from start to finish. My little one used his imagination and even figured out how to spread the icing all over the cookie. I did make the mistake of uncapping one of the sprinkles shakers because as soon as I was not paying attention my little one poured the whole things over his cookie. He looked at me and all I could do was laugh because it was one of those learning experiences for both of us.. We had some Christmas tunes playing in the background which placed us in the Christmas mood. Since we , mainly me are all the cookies already, we will be making more cookies on Christmas Eve so we can leave freshed baked goodness for Santa.

Next year I will attempt to make my own dough (wish me luck), but I think for our first go round it was a success. I have to give a huge HIGH FIVE to my friends who bake for the holidays. We only made like 15 cookies, but the rolling, and cutting and then decorating was a lot of work, fun since these were for our own use. But those ladies and gents that make then to give away, WOW, truly an art. My taste buds thank you big time.

Have you baked this holiday Season? What is your favorite recipe??