2nd Annual National Mom's Nite Out

The Galleria hosted the 2nd Annual "National Mom's Nite Out" on Thursday, May 6.

It was a nite for moms to get out, leave the kids and husbands behind. A night of pampering for all the mommas from companies like

.
I attended the evening with a couple of friends and fellow bloggers. When I first arrived at the event, I was kinda confused at what was going on. I was told that goodie bags would be given to the first 250 moms but instead we were offered $5 raffle tickets. Don't get me wrong the $5 raffle tickets was for a charity or fundraiser. They did have an offer to buy 3 for $10, which we took advantage of. We then headed to the free wine and bites, only to find out that hot champagne was all that was being offered. Models were in lifesize frames modeling clothes all night long. We then headed to the Sephora table to get a free make-over, only to find out all they were offering free airbrushed foundation and blush. It was different. You can do it yourself. The machine sells for $250, but doesn't the make-up attachments. Those are all sold separately. Sheila, the make-up artist working the event was wonderful. Even after she waited for an hour for a plug, she had great spirits. She did our airbrush and told us to head to the store for our eye make-up. Thanks Shelia!!
Then we headed to Tony & Guy for hair touch ups. Since I came straight from work to the event, my hair was in a headband and hair clip. Check out my hair in the picture and you tell me. I loved my hair. They did not touch up my hair. They actually styled it. Thanks Tony & Guy!!
As we waited for the music to set up, we looked around and saw that kids, and men were all hanging around. This event was suppose to be for mommies and it did not feel that way. The DJ finally got set up. And they started to announce the first raffle. We thought it was going to be 3 separate gifts but they pulled one ticket and gave that person 3 great gifts. Since the next raffle was not until 8 pm, we decided to head over into the mall and check out Sephora. The employees at Sephora were wonderful. They had two great ladies do our eye make-up. I did not catch my ladies name but I loved my make-up. Since I am looking a make-up artist for my wedding we played with my wedding colors. In the end, I loved the look she gave me. Smokey blue eyes, with Hot Selena Red lips. I loved it. My friends all had different looks and they were all great. For those of you that may not know, Sephora offer a free make-up session. You can pick one item like your eyes, and you ppick the look you want. The artist will do it for free. If you want your entire make-up done by them, it ranges but for around $50 you can get it all done like I did. Thanks Sephora!!
As we look at our watches, it was 10 til 8 pm. We headed back to the event for the last raffle. Only to find out it was all over. All the tables were being cleaned up. The raffle had already been done, and since you and to be present to win, didn't even have a chance at that. Our other friend who happen to be at the event actually won because after they called several tickets, she ended up winning. She said they started cleaning and clearing everything out way before the event was suppose to be over. When we arrived back, men were walking around with the pink bags we had to purchase a $5 ticket for.
So all in all, I loved my complete makeover done by Sephora, and Tony & Guy. I cannot tell you about the other tables that were there because I have no idea who they were or what they were offering. Also that there was a separate event going on in the same area which was exclusive ticket holders only. They had music, food, goodie bags, massages, and etc.
Thank you to Simon and Galleria for hosting the event. My personal opinion is that it could have been done better. The location was not great. But in the end I guess good company does make a night. There was very low attendance but alot of people did not know about the event. Or found out about it the same day of the event. See you at next year's.

Mother's Day Giveaways Around the web

Mama Latina Tips
Sorteo de Día de las Madres / Mother’s Day Giveaway 5/17

The Plus Size Mommy.com-Senseo machine 5/9

The Mom Central Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways runs from April 26 through May 9.

Week 2 reviews and prizes: (You must enter to win by Sunday, May 9 )

PishPosh Mommy Carryall Tote
Flirty Aprons
Barefoot Books
Touch'd
Perfect Portions Food Scale
ShoeDazzle Shoe Society
Lisa Leonard Jewelry

Field Trip with Independentmami Giveaway

I can remember how much fun fieldtrips were when I was in school. I would come home with the permission slips and have my parents sign them. I went to so many places my parents would have never took me to. My first visit to the zoo, museums, space center, etc were with my teacher and classmates. My son has been very fortunate to have a great school that has fieldtrips schedule every year. He has even gone to visit the State Capitol.

Lunchables has a new program called Field Trips for All. This program will help deserving kids go on educational and inspiring field trip adventures. They will pick 50 classrooms nationwide to go on unforgettable field trips. Anyone can nominate a classroom to win a field trip on www.lunchables.com through June 1!
Thanks to Lunchables, Independentmami gets to take one of her readers and their family on a fieldtrip to the Houston Zoo.

Here is how to enter:
1) Go to www.lunchables.com and nominate a classroom. Come back here and tell me who you nominated and why? (1 entry)
2) Tell me why I should pick your family to go on a fieldtrip to the Houston Zoo, and who would be going on the trip with us. (1 entry)
3) Tell me how about a fieltrip you went on either when you were younger or as a chaperone, what was so memorable, or fun about it? (1 entry)
4) Tweet. (1 entry-tweet as much as you like, remember to leave a link)

Recommended tweet-
Want to win a fieldtrip with @independentmami to the Houston Zoo? ends 5/14 http://tinyurl.com/28y7455 #lunchables please RT

Requirement: You must be a follower to enter this giveaway. Lunchables wants to send one of my readers on a fieldtrip with Independentmami.
(1 automatic entry for following me)

Giveaway ends May 14, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. A winner will be picked by Random.org. The winner must provide their own transportation to and from the Houston Zoo. Independentmami holds the right to disqualify any entry. Please leave a contact email. I will notify the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hrs to claim their prize. Good Luck!

**Disclosure-This is a sponsored fieldtrip brought to by Lunchables.

Lunchables- Field Trip for All

Did you know that the American Assoc. of School Administrators predicts that the number of school districts eliminating field trips this year will increase by 56 percent, or more than 30,000 schools?

Lunchables is helping deserving kids go on educational and inspiring field trip adventures, called “Field Trips for All.” They’ll be sending 50 classrooms nationwide on unforgettable field trips. Anyone can nominate a classroom to win a field trip on www.Lunchables.com through June 1!


Go online now and nominate a class, you can make a difference in a child's life with your nomination. www.Lunchables.com

My Job Chart

What is My Job Chart?

My Job Chart is a FREE online Chore Chart that teaches kids to work in a fun and productive way. Using an easy and fun online system, My Job Chart inspires kids to do their chores on time. An interactive point system tracks your child's progress, creating excitement and enthusiasm among kids. And the fully customizable chore chart allows you and your child to decide upon mutually determined rewards, fostering communication and developing responsibility. You even get an email or text message when your kids finish their chores or they earn a reward.

How do I get started?

It is really easy to register. Go online to My Job Chart . You set profiles for everyone in the family with a picture. Set up jobs and rewards.

Who should do this?

Any parent that wants to give their kids responsibilities and accountability.

We have a chart that we keep on the refrigerator but it has things on it that do not pertain to my son. So doing this online chore chart was great. We picked the jobs he is responsible for. Skipped over the ones that we don't need. It is user friendly. And yes, you and your kids can both use it. You can assign rewards which is great. We get a pay check at the end of the pay period why not reward the kids. And if you can't find a reward or job, you can make your own.