Maya & Miguel Giveaway to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

*Press Materials, Complimentary Samples,

& Giveaway Provided

Scholastic Media’s award-winning TV series, Maya & Miguel™, is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, the series recently made its debut on iTunes – just in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month!  This special month long event is September 15-October 15.

Even through it's just passed I still wanted to share with you the news that for the very first time, all 65 episodes of the energetic animated adventures of 10-year-old twins Maya and Miguel Santos are now available for download on iTunes!  This collection features six volumes for hours of hilarious entertainment – and multicultural learning – anytime, anywhere!

As a member of a multicultural family and as a former teacher in both Northern California and Santa Fe, New Mexico, during which I had numerous students of Hispanic decent, I know how important it is that all children see themselves and their cultures represented in the media.

 The long-running Maya & Miguel TV series, airing on PBS KIDS (check local listings), chronicles the exuberant exploits of the dynamic duo, Maya and Miguel, along with their relatives and friends, set against the backdrop of a culturally-rich neighborhood. Showcasing a positive portrayal of Latino family life, language and cultures, the series aims to promote the value of a diverse society while supporting English language learning.

In addition to iTunes, episodes of Maya & Miguel are available for digital download in the LeapFrog App Center.

GIVEAWAY!

I am pleased to share that I have a special Maya & Miguel package, that I know one of my lucky readers will enjoy!  The package will include a “Spanish First Words” book, additional Maya & Miguel title and awesome temporary tattoos!  Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ipsy Glam Bag: October 2014, Beauty Candy

*Referral Link Included

This month's Ipsy was awesome, a total hit!  First off, the bag is so cute.  It's a padded quilted texture and the teal is super fun.  I was really happy at first glance and that was before I'd even seen what was inside!

I got five products and yes, these are totally my idea of beauty candy!  I knew I'd like this month because I peeked in my Glam Room but it's way more exciting when everything actually arrives.  Plus I had no idea how much I'd like the bag based on the little preview picture.   Doesn't everything look so nice all lined up?

Épicé Purifying Exfoliant: Described as, "A unique exfoliant which removes excess dirt and dead skin cells all while activating collagen production and hydrating your skin. This moisture rich formula utilizes mild, non-irritating and anti-bacterial cleansers with micro-fine polyspheres which enhances skin texture and clarity for a clean, fresh appearance."

I like exfoliants.  I've noticed a big difference and improvement in the texture of my skin since I began using them. However, I currently have several samples to use up so at first I wasn't overly excited about this, except for the fact that it's a fairly large sample!

Then I used it and I really like it!  It doesn't hurt that it's got a fresh citrus scent.  There's a 50% off code (IPSY5014) that's good through 1/15/15 so if I continue to like it as much as my first impression I might purchase a full size.  It's very gentle and not abrasive feeling, compared to some other exfoliants I've tried.

I wish the coupon code for this next product was as good, it's only for 15% off  but the base price is less so that probably won't hold me back!  Figs & ROUGE is one of those brands I'd heard a lot of good buzz about but hadn't tried.  Fingers were crossed that I'd get a sample from them, but then I saw the scent was Mango Mandarin and well, mango is not my thing at all.

Or at least it wasn't until now!  I love this very sweet but tart scent and how light and non greasy the hand cream is.  In fact, I think it smells a lot like sweet tarts.  Candy for my skin, yes please!   The only downer is that this 20ml "sample" is actually a full size, which normally would be a very good thing.  But the tube feels really small in my hand, I could easily use this right up.  So I'm torn, on one hand I love but on the other it's kind of expensive when you consider how little you get for the price.

This was the one "meh" product and mainly because it is yet another eye liner! This time it's a Skone Cosmetics TATTOOED Waterproof Eyeliner.  In its favor, it went on really easily and was smudge proof almost immediately.  I haven't had time to try it yet, but I think it would do a nice winged liner look.

As you can probably imagine, I was nearly breathless when I saw the Cirque Colors Nail Lacquer in XX.  This is a mini bottle, it's a little less than half the size of their normal bottle.  It's best as a top coat so this should be enough to last a good while.  It's a great sample and I am so so glad I got it, it almost makes up for the lip product fiasco I carried on about last week.  Almost.

Let's take a closer look at the gorgeousness!  It's so pretty!  {Swoon} There are over 20 different types of holographic glitter!  The polish applies nicely, I prefer two thin coats to get fuller glitter coverage but they did spread out fairly evenly without much effort.  I had no problems reaching the level of top coat coverage that I wanted.  The nail polish junkie in my is smitten.

Ipsy delivered on the hand cream, the nail polish, and then for the trifecta of awesomeness...a lipstick!  It's even an all natural brand! Yes, ipsy definitely takes October and wins the battle of the beauty boxes!

This noyah lipstick's shade is Deeply in Mauve.  It's semi-matte with a cream finish and really beautiful.  It's deeper rich color is perfect for fall and my complexion.

If you want to join me as a ipsy subbie, please just my referral link when you sign up!  It's just $10 a month and you get a Glam Bag with deluxe sized samples and full sized products!  Overall, I have been happier with the samples and sizes with ipsy versus Birchbox.  Their rewards system isn't as great but you get a better idea of whether you like a product or not since you usually get more to try out.  I really like & the little pouches I get each month, they're perfect for storing & organizing all sorts of stuff.

Birchbox: October 2014, Fanfare {And a Bit of a Rant}

*Affiliate Link Included

Oh Birchbox, I don't know if I was just in a bad mood or what but you were so unsatisfying this month!  I think I was feeling all crabby pants because I knew that two of the three samples subscribers could pick from were lip products and I got neither.  And what I got, leaves me to think, you think I'm in serious need of some cleansing.  Really?! THREE cleansers in one month?

{Infographic from a Birchbox Email}

So as to the sample choices, see what I mean?   There was the ModelCo Party Poof Lipstick or what I really, really, really wanted to try...the Mally Beauty High-Shine Liquid Lipstick in Petal to the Metal or Mally Melon.  Mally Beauty is on my list of brands to try.

Or there was also an awesome looking guest editor box with the following:

• TOCCA Crema da Mano in Bianca: Soothing green tea and lemon hand cream
• Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle: Leave-in conditioner and heat-protectant spray
• ModelCo POWERLASH Black Mascara: Long-wearing, lengthening, and volumizing mascara
• Sage + Fasten Eau de Parfum in Onward: Energizing citrus scent (in a handy rollerball)
• Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: Exfoliating scrub for smooth, glowing skin

What you get wouldn't be a surprise but I know I like TOCCA & Beauty Protector a lot.  I've also already sampledthe Vasanti product and it would've been totally fine to get more of that.

Ever since I saw the preview, I started stalking my inbox because I know the samples choices can get picked over fast.  Birchbox Aces and this month, those willing to fork over their friends email addresses got first pick.  But I'm already paying for this service.  I don't think I should have to compete and jump through hoops to get the same quality experience as others.  I don't care for this new process, even if I don't know what's coming I'd rather feel like all subscribers are on an even playing field.

I've never been in time to sign up for the one of the special boxes and had to settle for my second choice in the samples but I was determined to get on top of this.  I got the email and clicked over within 40 minutes of it hitting my inbox.

Guess what I ended up with...yep, the Lord & Berry Pailettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black,   Me and a lot of other subscribers ended up with that one because it was all that was left.  It was definitely like getting picked last for group sports in P.E.  Well once there was no selection, in a fit of childishness I declined to pick one at all.   Then and there the October box was ruined for me.

And there is so much wrong about getting that eyeliner.  For one thing it's itty, bitty, teeny, tiny.  The description says it's a smudgeable liner with serious shimmer.  What it is, is hard to apply.  The glitter felt abrasive against my eyelid and no, just no.  Plus, come on!  This is the size of eyeliners when I throw them away.  Lord & Berry isn't winning over any fans by sending such skimpy samples. It's seriously the lengthy of my pinky, and I have small hands.

In the middle is a suki exfoliate foaming cleanser and this smells so lemony and delicious.  But even though I kinda love this, it also makes me a little mad.  You see, I got one of these in a Mystery Sample Pack before and it was so hard and dried up that there wasn't much I could do but throw it away.  Thankfully, this sample, which is slightly smaller than the previous one, has the correct texture and level of moistness.  Which only confirms to me that that time before Birchbox sent me an old and past its prime sample and that annoys me.

Okay, rant over...kind of...

This was what I was talking about when I mentioned that I got three cleansers this month.  Technically two were samples, the Oribe Signature duo are a bonus and at least they did send two of the dreaded foil packs.  That was generous, I guess.

Birchbox has got things covered from my hair (Oribe) to my face (Suki) to my body (Essential Elements).  I don't know why, but between getting the world's tiniest eye liner and knowing everyone else got lip products and then getting three not fun products really made this a bummer of a month.  My apologies if you get excited about soap, in that case then, I'm sorry for calling them not fun,  Don't take it personally, I did mention I was a little crabby pants about this whole box.

Back to the bonafide samples.  This is the Essential Elements Wake Up Rosemary Shower Gel.  It certainly does wake me up, as in stinky and sort of medicinal smelling...very strong smelling.  Now I know I might have mentioned I like peppermint scents a lot, second only to citrus but whew, this might be a bit over the top even for me.

Okay, so I was interested in this Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, as I have purchased this brand before and like their products.  This is a mattifying pre-makeup base for oil-prone skin, but also shrinks pores, evens texture, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines.

I'm wondering if it does them same kind of thing as dr. brandt pores no more® pore refiner primer because I like that and this is a little less expensive.  Unfortunately, the sample is is fairly small, that tube is filled mainly with air.  I hope there's enough for me to do a comparison.

I am also into trying the Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm.  This is a tinted BB cream that's a  five-in-one primer, serum, moisturizer, SPF, and sheer tint.  I like light coverage for daily wear and I like Korean beauty brands, probably no surprise, so I anticipate liking this a lot.

Thanks for sticking through the whole ranting that was this month's Birchbox review!  I have now been a subscriber for a full year and this only the second time I've been disappointed enough to consider unsubscribing.  I'll tell you why I'm not this time.

Once again, it's the rewards system saving Birchbox.  I got five samples and a bonus that is really two since those foil packs have both a shampoo and conditioner.  That means I get to review seven items for October and earn seven dollars to spend in the Birchbox store, making this a $3 box. I would've preferred to receive fewer items and get one I was really interested in, but even though I am unhappy it's enough to make me stay...at least through next month!

If you'd like to live through the roller coaster of excitement that comes from unboxing a Birchbox each month, please consider using my referral link.  I know I was bit dramatic this month, fellow subbies, what did you get this month?  Will we commiserate over eyeliners together or will I have to come to see your goodies and be jealous?