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Disney’s ‘Elena of Avalor’ Adds Diversity to the Princess Lineup

July 22, 2016

Move over Disney princesses, there’s a new royal beauty in town!

Tonight, the highly anticipated animated series, “Elena of Avalor,” will premiere on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior at 8pm EDT. The hour-long special will introduce Elena to the world.

Set in the enchanted fairytale land of Avalor, the series tells the story of Elena, a brave and adventurous teenager who has saved her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. Elena’s journey will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders.

(Courtesy of Disney Channel)

My daughter hasn’t been this excited for an animated series since “Doc McStuffins” debuted four years ago. Now that she’s older, I’m sure she’ll be able to identify with many of the series’ underlining themes that Disney so brilliantly conveys to young audiences. During the Disney Social Media Moms Conference in May, I was lucky to have gotten a sneak peek at Elena and I, too, have been looking forward to this premiere ever since!

Not only will “Elena of “Avalor,” be a great addition to the Disney lineup—but she’ll also serve as a great role model for girls of color. During the Disney Social Media Moms Conference in May, I was happy to learn that the show will incorporate Elena’s Latin and Hispanic cultures through music, food and more—educating audiences along the way.

While Tiana is by far my favorite Disney Princess, Elena might give her some fierce competition!

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A Treat for Your Tresses: OGX’s + Quenching Coconut Curls Styling Milk

July 6, 2016

Over the years, I’ve tried countless hair concoctions that read more like a dessert menu than a product for your strands. From papaya-infused shampoos to milk & honey conditioners, I’ve tested a ton of products aimed at making my (and my daughter’s) natural hair more moisturized, healthier and of course—smelling heavenly.

Once in a while, the sweetly named products will actually deliver results beyond their charming packaging and sweet aromas. Enter Organix Quenching Plus Coconut Curls Styling Milk. This creamy, coconut-enriched hair dress is one of the best moisturizers I’ve ever used. Aside from the downright delightful scent, it successfully hydrates my daughter’s fine (read: easily tangled!) coils, leaving them soft, shiny and defined.

The coconut oil, sweet honey and citrus oils coat her curls without weighing them down or creating that dreaded crunch. I’ve been using it for only 3 weeks and I’m nearly out! Admittedly, I apply it liberally and am mesmerized by the smell so I tend to over use it.

If you’re looking for a product that performs and won’t break the bank, check out this moisturizer. Trust me, after one use you’ll be obsessed too!

OGX + Quenching Coconut Curls Frizz-Defying Curl Styling Milk available here, $5.79

Have you ever tried this brand? If so, what’s been your experience and/or your favorite product?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News, Featured, Features | Leave a Comment

Product Review: Nubian Heritage African Black Soap

June 30, 2016

No one likes pimples.

Especially when you’re 36 and well past your acne-ridden teenage years. Unfortunately for me, those pesky bumps are back and have been wreaking havoc on my skin for weeks. Pinpointing the culprit has been elusive, but my guess is that it’s hormone based. Until I can get to the root of my flare-ups, I’ve been using The Vitamin Shoppe’s Nubian Heritage African Black Soap as a facial cleanser to keep the blemishes at bay.

Like many BGs, I’d heard about this special soap for years—but, for some reason, I’d never tried it. Boy, am I glad I finally did! Unlike most soap, this one deep cleanses and is packed with natural ingredients that slough away off dead skin cells without the dreaded drying effect. Blended with 100% shea butter, it lathers into a refreshing scent that leaves skin super moisturized and smooth. After the first use my face immediately looked more healthy and radiant.

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap available here, $4

Oats, Vitamin E, plantain peel extract, and papaya enzymes are just a few of the other ingredients mixed into the soap making it a must-have for those who swear by all-natural products.

Although I’m not completely pimple-free, I have seen a vast improvement in my skin’s appearance since giving this soap a go.

If you’re suffering from mild acne, definitely give African Black Soap a try — it doesn’t prevent breakouts, but it certainly keeps skin moisturized and diminishes the appearance of blemishes giving me a clearer complexion.

Do you suffer from occasional blemishes or have you been blessed with flawless skin?

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Get SUN-day Schooled with Summer Skincare Tips from Dr. Jen

June 28, 2016

Now that summer is officially underway, it’s time to get SUN-day schooled. Taking the proper measures to prevent sun damage should be implemented year-round, but especially during the summer months. With longer, hotter days – protecting your skin from UV-rays is crucial. And for us moms, protecting our little ones is even more important.

I recently caught up with New York pediatrician and Dove ambassador Dr. Jen Trachtenberg to get the 411 on the best ways to ensure that our children are covered—literally. From the most effective sunscreens to easy ways to keep skin soft and smooth, we chatted about all things summer skincare.

So, before your family heads to the beach or park, be sure to keep the following tips in mind for a safe day out.

*Keep your kids cool and comfy by dressing them in loose-fitting, breathable clothing.

*Outfit your tot with sunglasses. They’re not just for fashion statements, but they actually help prevent sun damage to the eyes.

*Buy sunscreen with a physical barrier and one that’s broad spectrum and protects against UVA and UVB rays.

*Apply, apply and reapply sunscreen! Yep, Dr. Jen recommends slathering or spraying sunscreen on your children at least once every 3 hours, and always after they’ve been in the water.

*After a day out, cleanse your child with a mild cleanser such as the Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar because it will keep her soft and smooth all summer long. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and unscented.

How do you keep your kids’ skin protected during the summer?

Category: Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

Event Recap: GoGo squeeZ YogurtZ Launch Party

June 22, 2016

In celebration of GoGo squeeZ’s YogurtZ launch, my family and I were invited to attend a super cool event to kick off the new offering.

First, I was giddy with excitement at the mere fact that the popular squeezable fruit brand was expanding into the yogurt realm. My daughter, Ava, has been enjoying the applesauce packets for years and is also huge yogurt fan—so, having a trusted brand include another family staple to their lineup was awesome!

Throughout the event, all attendees were treated to tasty bites and of course yogurt—which my kids couldn’t stop eating it. Available in three delicious flavors: Strawberry, Banana, and Berry, the yogurt is the perfect healthy snack for school-age children. Free of artificial flavors and colors, parents don’t have to worry fake ingredients and harmful dyes. Plus, it doesn’t require refrigeration making it an ideal grab-and-go treat. Hence their clever tagline, “So cool, it doesn’t have to be cold.” Wondering how that’s possible? It’s simple: the yogurt goes through a heating step that ensures that the product can be stored at room temperature.

From create-your-own yogurt smiley face stations to dance contests to “ice” skating, the launch party was packed with fun activities for kids.

Overall, we had a wonderful time and can’t wait to see what else GoGo squeeZ comes up with next!

Is your family a fan of GoGo squeeZ products? What’s your kids’ favorite on-the-go snack?

Category: Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

Get The Look: ‘Eclipse’ Danai Gurira’s Makeup at the Tony Awards

June 13, 2016

Last night’s Tony Awards was a special night for BGs.

Danai Gurira the actress who penned the Broadway hit, “Eclipse” and the only female writer to be nominated in the best play category, stunned on the red carpet.

Her gorgeous crown of natural curls exuded regal elegance, while her jewel-tone yellow gown complimented her rich, luminous skin — but it was her flawless makeup that turned heads.

IT Cosmetics‘ makeup artist, Kim Bower created a sultry, yet seasonal look that made the playwright smolder. She used Brow Power and Build-a-Brow to groom her bold brows, which in turn highlighted her enviable cheekbones. While her brows set the stage, Bower opted for a classic smokey eye, with dark, defined lids using Liner Lid and the Naturally Pretty Palette. To take her lashes to new lengths, she coated them with Superhero mascara.

Her smokey eye paired surprisingly well with the bright pop of color on the lips. The pink provided a summerly look that wasn’t overpowering, but eye-catching. A few strokes of Radiance Ombre Blush on the cheeks and Gurira was red carpet ready!

Check out the IT Cosmetics used on Gurira so you can re-create this award-winning look!:

IT Cosmetics Brow Power available here, $24

IT Cosmetics Build-A-Brow available here, $24

IT Cosmetics Liner Love available here, $24

IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette Volume 2: The Romantics available here, $42

IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara available here, $24

IT Cosmetics CC+® Radiance Ombre Blush available here, $24

IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss in Ruby Slippers available here, $24

Did you watch the Tony Awards? Did you like Gurira’s look?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News | 1 Comment

Event Alert: Get Down & Dirty To Help Support Sick Children

June 10, 2016

Remember that TV show “Double Dare?” If so, get ready to live out all of your childhood fantasies. On June 25, SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman is hosting the SeriousFun Messtival—their first-ever messy day of play to raise funds for camps benefiting kids with serious illness.

The event will be held at the beautiful Prospect Park in Brooklyn and will be packed with down-and-dirty games and activities for the entire family. From colorful obstacle courses to Super Soaker shoot-outs, the day will be full of good, unclean fun!

Tickets for the Messtival start at $15 and are available here.

As a mom, I’m all about helping raise awareness and ultimately increasing funds to help support children with serious illnesses. And this party in the park will do just that. All proceeds from SeriousFun Messtival support SeriousFun’s global network of camps, creating opportunities for families and children to reach beyond illness and discover joy, confidence and a new world of possibilities – always free of charge.

So grab your outside clothes and gear up for a fun-filled day to support health-challenged children.

Will you be in the NYC area? If so, don’t miss this special family event where you can have fun for a purpose!

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment

Summer Accessories to Spruce Up Your Smartphone

June 6, 2016

From selfies to Snapchat, sharing your best shots and memories is simple thanks to smartphones.

Since our devices have basically become an extension of our hands, why not deck them out in style? I recently got a sneak peek at some of T-Mobile’s hottest mobile accessories for summer and gadget-obsessed BGs are in for a treat.

Whether you want to create a bespoke case or rock out to your favorite tunes beachside, T-Mobile has a wide variety of products that will shift your mobile style into high gear.

Below, check out a few of my faves:

UE’s Roll 2 Portable Speaker packs a powerful sound that will get the party started. Compact and Bluetooth compatible, it also comes with a floatie to keep your music pumping and waterproof. Available here, $99

Beats have become the gold standard of portable audio experiences and these Beats Solo 2 Wireless Headphones live up to the touted quality. Available here, $299

From Chicago to San Francisco, Case-Mate City Print Cases lets you flaunt your hometown with pride while safeguarding your cell. Available here, $25

Get spellbound by the vibrant booms of the JBL Pulse 2 waterproof speaker. Available here, $199

Case-Mate Karat Series in Rose Gold will instantly elevate your phone game. Chic and eye-catching, the gold-speckled case boasts superb protection without compromising cuteness. Available here, $49.99

More of a DIY’er? Case-Mate’s Naked Tough Custom Case lets you deck out your device with adorable, yet durable stickers and stones. Available here, $39.99

How often do you switch up your cellphone accessories?

Category: Gadgets, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment

Make Magical Disney Park Memories with MemoryMaker

May 27, 2016

Although it’s been several weeks since we went to Disney World for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, I still can’t get over the fun we had!

I find myself looking through our photos and reminiscing on the good times we had. Thanks to Disney’s PhotoPass service, my family and I were able to have unlimited photos taken by photographers throughout all of Disney Parks (and even on rides!). Plus, MemoryMaker ($149) allowed me to download all of our precious pics right to my phone through the super easy My Disney Experience app.

From popular attractions like Main Street at Magic Kingdom to character meet-and-greets at Epcot, Disney’s skilled photographers captured all of my family’s the priceless moments. Oh, and did I mention the quality of the photos? We’re talking super hi-res images that look top-notch professional. In addition, some of the photographers will add some digital “magic” to your images like balloons or some other fun element to make them even more special. It’s all so simple too—after the photographer snaps your winning shot(s), he/she will scan your MagicBand and your photos will be available on your phone for download usually within 20 minutes, but sometimes it may take longer to appear in your app.

Although the MemoryMaker was included as a perk for us DSMMC attendees, I would absolutely purchase it for future trips. It enhanced our trip tremendously and our photos will last a lifetime!

Take a look at some of my favorite memories (Ava is the center of attraction!):

Ava being taken up and away at Epcot.

As a BG, no trip to Disney World is complete without a photo with Princess Tiana!

You know, Ava just chatting it up with Alice from Alice and Wonderland!

Ava thought she had outgrown Doc McStuffins, but once she saw her, her tune definitely changed!

This was actually the last photo taken on our trip. Although Ava was super sad that it was our last day, she was happy to take this photo with her dad.

If you’ve visited Disney World, have you used MemoryMaker? If so, what were your thoughts?

*I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration where I received deep discounts, perks, etc. but all opinions are my own.

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment

Disney Social Media Moms Celebration: 4 Surprising Things I Learned About My Family

May 23, 2016

There are trips and then there are EXPERIENCES OF A LIFETIME! Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the 7^th Annual Disney Social Media Moms Celebration (DSMMC) at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and it was an experience that I won’t soon forget.

First, being invited to the exclusive, invite-only conference was an honor in of itself. Created with us moms in mind, the 4-day celebration was more than I could’ve ever imagined. Plus, this conference welcomed my family as well! The sheer excitement of surprising my kids with this unexpected trip was literally keeping me up at night. The thrill of knowing how much their little faces would light up with the news that we were going to Disney World had me beaming with glee.

Just when I thought my excitement couldn’t get any more intense, we received the cutest Mickey Mouse-inspired luggage as a surprise gift from American Tourister, one of the conference’s sponsors. That unexpected pixie-dust drop-off completely elevated my anticipation. At that point, I could no longer keep our secret (I of course told my husband) to ourselves.

American Tourister Disney-inspired luggage available here, $99.

After spilling the beans to the kids, (whom by the way fell to the floor upon hearing the news), my packing and planning shifted into high gear. I bought all new dresses for Ava to wear for her anticipated character meet-and-greets. Then, I immediately downloaded the My Disney Experience app to learn all about what the resort and parks had to offer. To say I began immersing myself in all-things-Disney would be an understatement!

From the moment we received our MagicBands until our departure home on the Disney Express, our time at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was out-of-this-world amazing and sprinkled with pixie dust throughout!

Filled with so many memories and an abundance of information, it’s hard to include everything into one write-up, so this will be my first recap in a series of posts.

Here are the four most unexpected things that I learned about my family while at DisneySMMC:

My daughter is a daredevil. While I’ve never been a huge fan of rollercoasters, my daughter, Ava, on the other hand is a true thrill-seeker. At only 6 years old, she was so excited to ride some of Disney Parks’ most popular attractions. In fact, she braved Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom and rode The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train rollercoaster THREE times at Magic Kingdom!

My son is character-shy. Prior to our trip, my two-year-old had been happily reciting all of the Disney characters he wanted to see: “Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto!” But when we arrived, his tune changed. He was afraid of them—even Mickey! Even his big sister tried to encourage him to take photos with them, but to no avail. The goods news is that after seeing them over the course of our visit, he slowly began to warm up. During our Typhoon Lagoon outing, he actually waved to Donald!

I have a sappy side. It’s no secret that many moms turn into mush when their kids do something sweet. Well, when I saw the Huggies-produced Mother’s Day video, you’d need buckets to catch the tears that fell from my eyes. Watching my babies say, “Happy Mother’s Day,” on that big screen reduced me to a mound of mush. I’m not overly emotional, so the tears that streamed down my face were proof that I do have a sappy side!

My husband is my superhero. Well, this isn’t exactly a shock or surprise; I mean I did marry the guy! But the way he cares for our children and me is just mind-blowing. He’s so attentive to our needs and that was displayed 100 times over during our time at Disney. From schlepping our bags to going on rides with Ava, he is truly my Prince Charming.

As previously mentioned, I will be sharing more posts about my DSMMC adventure so be sure to check back for updates!

Have you ever attended the DSMMC? If not, have you ever visited Disney World? Please share!