Dino Lingo: Learning Language Programs for Kids

Okay, I just watched probably the CUTEST thing EVER! It's these little language-learning videos.... WITH DINOSAURS!! AAAH!
I can't even describe how cute! And I may even use these myself for my French class...
Just watch it and look at the adorable.

Visit their website.

*Please Note* I viewed this video complimentary through Influenster.

Product Review: Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin

In my Influenster Beauty Blogger Fall 2012 VoxBox, I was sent a set of 2 Spin Pins from Goody. These pins were advertised to be the only pins you would need for their hairstyles. To be perfectly honest, though, I had to use multiple booby pins to help keep my hair in place. I'm not sure if it's just my hair or what, but I was a little bit disappointed. I can use them still, but I will just have to make sure I also have booby pins on hand.
A 2-pack of Spin Pins retails for $7.29 at Walmart. I don't think I would have paid that price for these pins, myself.

~<3
Gabby

*Please Note: I received this product entirely free of charge from Influenster.*

UPDATE (Nov 25): The second photo is another style that I tried today, a double knot. I had much better luck with this, and both buns held through the day with just one spin pin each and some hairspray. Much better!

Product Review: NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact

Also included in my Beauty Blogger Fall 2012 VoxBox from Influenster was a NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact. The eyeshadows were in the perfect hues of whites and greys to create a nice smoky eye our a softer look as well.
The only problem that I had was with the included primer. Rather than helping the shadows stay put, it seemed to turn them into a cream and caused my makeup to smear all over the place. All is well when I didn't use that primer, though.
This product can be found in most chain drugstores for $4.99, which seems like a pretty fair price for what you get (especially if you're like me and you can find coupons for anything!)

~<3
Gabby

*Please Note: I received this product entirely free of charge from Influenster.*

A Wonderful Anniversary

Yesterday was the 2 year anniversary for my boyfriend and I! Joe took me to a really nice restaurant called Wren, where we had an awesome server named Louis and some pretty dang amazing food. I ordered the Pecan-Crusted Chicken, which was so tender and juicy that I was able to cut it with a butter knife! It was served with seasonal vegetables (broccilini) and whipped potatoes. Joe got the pan_seared Black Grouper, which came with sides of asparagus and risotto. All of the food was absolutely phenomenal, and the design of the place was amazing. I'll get pictures the next time we go.
After dinner, we went to see the local Childrens' theater perform Annie Jr., which was pretty delightful to see. When that was over, we took a nice walk around the Waterfront Park, which is really nice and quiet and peaceful at night. All-in-all, out was a very romantic night. He even bought me a bracelet that is similar to a Pandora bracelet and two charms, one for each year we have been together, as a present, and I love it dearly. How was everyone else's weekend?
~<3
Gabby

Product Review: Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream

     In my Beauty Blogger Fall 2012 VoxBox from Influenster, I received this 1.5 fl. oz product from Not Your Mother's. I received the Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream, which has a pleasant grapeseed and jasmine scent. I gave the product a try by first showering and towel drying my hair, then applying the product (just enough to saturate hair) and blow-drying upside-down. My before and after results are below.

After

Before

     As you can see, the product helped me achieve beachy waves, but not really curling my hair, and it left my hair really frizzy. I don't know if I would buy this product personally, but I would definitely try more from NYM.

     Have any of you tried Not Your Mother's products? Share your thoughts below!

~♥
Gabby

*Please Note* This product was sent to me complimentary by Influenster via their Beauty Blogger program.

Product Review: Bath & Body Works Fall Mini Candle

Mini Candle (shown) $3.50
Small Candle: $9.50
Medium Candle: $12.50
3-Wick Candle: $19.50

     This 1.3 oz mini-candle was included in my Influenster Beauty Blogger Fall 2012 VoxBox. It is a product of Bath and Body Works, and the scent I received was Black Pepper Bergamot. The smell is like a really nice men's cologne... it made me think of my boyfriend. I plan on buying him one of the 3-wick ones for Christmas. Seriously, this is probably one of the best-smelling candles I've ever had. I'm gonna wait to burn it for a while... maybe around Thanksgiving to compliment the smells of the turkey and such!

~♥
Gabby

*Please Note* This product was included in an Influenster VoxBox that was sent to me absolutely free of charge. It was sent to me complimentary to test by Influenster.

Product Review: Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit (from Influenster)

So this is the product ! received from KISS products. 100% real human hair false eyelashes, made from the highest quality human hair. You want to use with Kiss adhesive (included) for optimal results. Latex free, odor free, waterproof, and the flexible formula holds for up to 24 hours!

I don't have any real place to wear them yet, but I applied one just to see the contrast and such.

The results?

The contrast between my real lashes and the falsies is almost comical! I'm sure with the right outfit and the right makeup, I will make them work. They were fairly easy to apply and they're really soft... just like real lashes!

~♥
Gabby

*Please note* I received this product entirely for free, compliments of Influenster.com and their Beauty Bloggers VoxBox Program

Influenster

     Have you guys heard about this great website? Basically, you just sign up, take some surveys, and you can qualify for free boxes full of full-sized products!! It's called Influenster, and it's super easy and fun to use!

     I got the Beauty Bloggers badge by taking a small survey and I recently got a box full of amazing products from VitaBath, Bath and Body Works, NYC New York Color, Not Your Mother's Hair Products, and more! All for exactly $0. All you have to do to keep qualifying is to take the challenges (basically following all the brands you received on social media like Facebook and writing reviews.) I'm in the process of trying out all of my products and so I will be sharing my reviews on my blog!

Not shown: VitaBath Fragrance Mist in Noveau Rose

     Everyone should really go sign up. Influenster has badges for EVERYTHING: Gamers, Mothers, Brides-to-Be, Eco-Friendly gals, Cat owners, Dog owners, College students, etc. And your boxes will be customized based on the badges you have! I am SO excited to finish all of my reviews and receive my next VoxBox!!!

~♥
Gabby

How Reality TV Has Changed the Entertainment Industry

     On the topic of reality t.v., many feel that it is pointless, no matter how entertaining it may be. For all of the time that the Real Housewives and Keeping Up With the Kardashians take up  on the air, there could be more t.v. shows based on classic literature or other books with good storylines. Some feel that the personal lives of celebrities should be kept to books and blogs, not wasting time on t.v.
   
     Television used to be about delivering the news and bringing families together. Sitcoms, such as Full House or Family Matters, taught valuable life lessons, while shows like Mythbusters and American Pickers teach mini-lessons in science and history that can supplement education. The only thing that reality t.v. brings to the table is drama. Once could even go so far as to say that many of the attitude issues and crude personalities of teens today have been greatly influenced by watching Snooki and J Woww go after each other after too much to drink.

     Young people are greatly influenced by what they see and hear through mass media, so if all they see is their favorite celebrities getting too drunk to walk or cheating on their spouses, they can feel that they should follow the lead of their role models. Some even mimic the lifestyles of celebrities without even realizing it.

     All-in-all, reality t.v. is having a negative impact on the message the entertainment industry is sending to the public. Messages were overall positive in influence before reality t.v. took to the tube, while now there is an increasing negativity being broadcast into living rooms around the world. It would benefit the social system of the country to remove, or at least cut down on the number of reality t.v. shows broadcast by the entertainment industry.