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  • Calling All #HotMamas!

    Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures.  All opinions expressed are my own.
    Happy Tuesday YUMMs!  I hereby dub May Mom Appreciation Month.  We need and deserve more than just one day a year to celebrate our hot awesomeness.  Being a mom has by far been one of the most amazing and wonderful experiences of my life.  However, there have been times where it’s been very challenging and a bit stressful as well.  It’s easy to get so caught up in our families that we start to feel rundown and underappreciated. 
    That’s exactly why Sofia Vergara and fellow mom, Reese Witherspoon, are in #HotPursuit of some #HotMamas.  They understand how important moms are and how we as women in general have a tendency to put ourselves last.  To show appreciation to moms everywhere, HOT PURSUIT is giving all moms in need of some rest and relaxation the chance to win a trip to Hollywood, California!  And they’ve made entering easy.  All you have to do is take a photo of yourself with your mom or a loved one and post it on social media including the hashtag #HotMamas and HotPursuitSweeps.com in the caption/status.  Check out the official rules for more info.

    To show some appreciation to you guys, Warner Bros. Pictures and I are giving away a HOT PURSUIT prize pack that includes the cute Hot Pursuit tote bag above and a $25 Visa gift card you can use to check the movie once it hits theaters on May 8th.  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 & older.  All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.
    Good luck!  Don’t forget to check out Hot Pursuit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86nRuz4YuPY]

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  • Are You Ready For A HOT PURSUIT?

    Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures.  All opinions expressed are my own.

    Who’s ready for a Hot Pursuit?  Mark your calendars YUMMS because it’s going down May 8th!  Yep, Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara are coming to a theater near you.  I’m super stoked that two of my favorite Hollywood starlets have finally teamed up to star in a movie together.
    Hmm… bet you’re wondering what made them scream?  Guess we’ll find out on May 8th.
    Brought to us by Warner Bros. Pictures, Hot Pursuit is a movie about an overly-controlled, uptight, Ms-I-go-by-the-book Officer Cooper (Witherspoon) whose job is to protect Daniella (Vergara), the smoking hot and outgoing widow of a drug boss.  As if Officer Cooper doesn’t have her hands already full handling Daniella, but now they’re being hotly pursued by a group of crooked/shady cops and a band of murderous gunmen through Texas.  Will these two escape with their lives?
    I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get my laugh as this movie looks like it not only bring the action/suspense, but some belly-aching laughs as well.  Check out the movie trailer below and see for yourself.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86nRuz4YuPY]

    Didn’t I tell ya?!  So make plans to round up some your girlfriends, call a babysitter or Grandma and head out for a Mom’s Night Out next Friday to enjoy some laughs, high-speed action and a little Southern charm!

    Besides fellow mommy Reese Witherspoon and funny woman Sofia Vergara, Hot Pursuit also stars Richard T. Jones (Judging Amy & Why Did I Get Married), UK cutie Robert Kazinsky (EastEnders) and John Carroll Lynch (The Drew Carey Show).

    You can check pictures of the cast and more on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.  Also, be sure to drop back by the blog next week for a super special Hot Pursuit prize pack giveaway that will be going live on May 5th!
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  • Thankful Thursday

    ” . . . I keep reading that ‘we need more people this.’  Guess what, those more people are each of us.  Even if you do just one thing to make someone else’s life better during your lifetime, and we all do this, it will change the world.  No more ‘we need more!’  We ARE the more.”

    ~ Stephenie Stephens
    Earlier today I was reading this post about how a guy built a tiny house for his homeless neighbor who had been sleeping in the dirt.  Yes, dirt as that stuff we dust off our shoes, plant seeds in and bugs in live.  Not only did the story move me, but the quote above which is actually one of the comments that was made underneath the article.  I’m so grateful that finally someone seems to get it.  There were so many people like Stephenie said commenting on this story about how we need more people to help the homeless, but did it ever cross their mind that they could be those people?
    With everything that is going in our country right now, we honestly can’t sit on our butts and wait for more good samaritans to pop up.  No, we have to step up and be those good samaritans in our neighborhoods.  Homelessness isn’t something that’s just in California.  It’s here in Charlotte, in my hometown and in yours. And there are other issues besides homelessness that not only need more awareness, but need us to take action.  
    Reading this story and seeing that comment has given me the push I need to move forward with a few service related projects I’ve been putting off.  Yes, I do a few things in my community such as volunteering at my local schools, donating to charity and food pantries.  However, I can do more.  I have this blog and social media platforms that I can use to talk about things besides motherhood, fashion, and beauty.  And I plan to do just that.
    I’m grateful that my baby sister has decided to go back to college and finish up her degrees.  Yes, she’s pursuing more than one and I couldn’t be more proud of her.  Seeing my mom chase after her dreams has motivated me and my siblings.  Mom has always been our biggest motivator and supporter.  We know we’re blessed to have her and I thank her for all of the great examples she has set for us.
    Also, this week I’m giving thanks for a patient husband.  I’m not going to pretend like I’m the perfect wife because I am far from it.  There are times that he gets utterly frustrated with my stubbornness.  When I’m upset he gives me the space to calm down.  I’m learning to be more patient with him.  We’ve been together ten years and in some ways we’re still adjusting to each other.  We’ve grown a lot since we met.
    I’m no longer the college freshman his family and friends teased him about falling for. He’s witnessed my growth from a carefree teenager to full on womanhood.  We’ve loved each other when we were at our worst and continue to love each other even more now we’re at our best.  At the end of the day I’m so thankful to be his Mrs! 
    Lastly, but not least I’m thankful that Tara and I had a great Mommy Camp 101 hangout. We agree that things went well and are looking forward to collaborating together in again in the future!  I’m so grateful for her support and whenever I need advice or just someone to vent to that I can trust she’s there.
    What you thankful for this week?
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  • Mommy Camp 101: 50 Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer

    I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone who tuned into the Mommy Camp 101 Hangout last night.  It was such an honor to co-host this live video chat the lovely Tara from The Young Mommy Life. We had blast with you guys.  Now for the good stuff.  
    With summer vacation/break right around the corner and as mentioned in the Hangout below is a list  (with links) of 50 things you can make plans to do with your kids and family this summer.  There’s also a printable so that you can print off the list and cross out things as you go along.  Think of as a summer bucket list!  Just right click, download and print.
    50 Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer
    1. Go for a hike
    2. Start a family scrapbook
    3. Feed the ducks
    4. Do a summer reading challenge
    5. Volunteer at your favorite local charity
    6. Plant a garden
    7. Have a water balloon fight
    8. Host a cookout with family and friends
    9. Go fishing
    10. Build a pillow fort
    11. DIY family photoshoot
    12. Get pen-pals
    13. Start a collection (rocks, bug, etc)
    14. Visit the library
    15. Tour a museum
    16. Do mommy-daughter/son makeovers
    17. Have a family slumber party
    18. Host a community clean-up day
    19. Go camping (backyard or park)
    20. Make and pass out cards to your favorite community helpers (firefighters, public librarians, etc)
    21. Play in the sprinkler
    22. Make a bird feeder
    23. Read a book that has a movie adaptation and compare the two (Try Harry Potter or Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs)
    24. Wash the car
    25. Learn a new dance
    26. Have a picnic at the park
    27. Go see fireworks
    28. Have a “pajama day”
    29. Visit a nearby city
    30. Make ice cream from scratch
    31. Have family game night
    32. Map out a road trip
    33. Run a lemonade stand
    34. Make homemade Popsicles
    35. Look at constellations
    36. Show them your favorite movie from your childhood
    37. Visit the zoo
    38. Go for a run together
    39. Do self-portaits
    40. Invent something
    41. Have a homemade pizza party (try this upside down pizza recipe!)
    42. “Chalk” the neighborhood
    43. Use household items for mega bubble-blowing
    44. Catch fireflies
    45. Go berry-picking
    46. Try some yoga (grab some towels and do it outside!)
    47. Visit a water park
    48. Take a free kid’s workshop at a store like Lowe’s Build & Grow or Home Depot’s DIY Workshops
    49. Eat ice cream for dinner.
    50. Set up a yarn/string obstacle course

    Also, as mentioned in our Mommy Camp 101 live stream, we’re hosting a giveaway!!  Who doesn’t enjoy winning free stuff?  We’re giving away two DVD/Blu-Ray + Digital HD combo packs of the movie The BoxTrolls because what fun is a family slumber party (#17 on the list) without something family-friendly to watch?!
    It’s a great movie with a powerful message about not judging books by their covers, accepting people’s differences and more.   A huge thank you to the folks over at Universal Pictures for providing these.  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 & older.
    Again thank you to everyone who joined us for Mommy Camp 101.  Don’t forget to keep the conversation going with us on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MommyCamp101.  Stay tuned for an official recap post coming soon.
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  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

    Disclosure:  I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  All opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.


    Last month I received a full-size sample of Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel from Influenster.  It’s no secret that my experiences with Neutrogena products are either a hit or a miss with me.  For example their acne products dry out my already severely dry skin and leave me covered in bumps and dry patches that look and feel like carpet burns.  However, I fell in love with their Triple Repair Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In.  Therefore, I figured my experience with their Hydro Boost would go either way, but surprisingly it fell somewhere in the middle.
    About Product
    The box claims that Hydro Boost is supposed to “instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day.  The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream.  It boosts skin’s hydration level and locks it in all day.”
    What I Liked
    Right away I liked the packaging.  The colors compliment each other and aren’t too busy or distracting.  The three-sided product window allows you to get a good look at the actual size of the product you’re buying.  The actual jar the Hydro Boost comes in looks like high-end glass, but is actually plastic and holds up well to being dropped.  The all white top and writing gives it an overall sleek and chic feel.
    What I liked about using the actual product was that the Hydro Boost Water Gel made my skin feel softer to the touch.  After all who wants rough skin on their face?   I also feel like my skin looked smoother and it didn’t get ashy through the day.  And it absorbs fast and the smell is light, not overpowering.
    Lastly, a little bit goes a long way.  You don’t have use a ton of this product to cover your face which means it will last longer.  I’ve been using this for close to a month and still have a good bit left in my jar.
    What I Didn’t Like
    While my skin was softer to the touch and looked smooth, it still felt dry and tight once the Hydro Boost fully absorbed.  I still felt the need to put either another moisturizer or some Vaseline over top to relieve the tightness.  I did refrain from doing this though the first two weeks because I wanted to see if my skin would adjust and also because I wanted to see what my skin would look and feel like without added product. 
    I did discover though that Neutrogena actually makes a Hydro Boost Water Gel-Cream for Extra Dry Skin.  Awesome!  Because I didn’t exactly hate the regular Hydro Boost Water Gel, I’m going to give this one a try.  Overall, I’m glad to have had to the opportunity to try out this product.  

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    What is your favorite facial moisturizer?
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  • Thankful Thursday

    “Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality and likes that turned into love.”

    ~ Unknown
    This week is coming to an end quickly and I’m grateful to be ending it on a good note.  Yesterday, I had a blast chaperoning Moo’s class as they went on another fieldtrip the Discovery Place Kids in Hunterville.  I’ll be posting more about that later, but I’m thankful that all the kids and adults had a great time.  It was such a joy watching her interact with her friends.  She’s come out of her shell so much since school started.
    I’m thankful that things are continuing to fall into place for the upcoming Mommy Camp 101 hangout next week.  I’m beyond excited to be partnering with one of my favorite bloggers and super excited to chat it up with you guys. Don’t forget to mark calendars and make plans to join us on April 28th at 9 PM.
    Have I told you guys how proud I am of my mommy?!  She recently made the decision to go back to school for her second college degree.  Her classes started earlier this month and this week she aced her first exam with a 108!  A perfect score and then some extra credit.  I’m beyond proud of her for tackling a second degree because so many people her age wouldn’t dream of sitting in college classrooms all day.
    She’s definitely given me motivation to get the ball rolling on getting my second degree and just overall stop making excuses for not living my life full out.  I can’t even begin to imagine how the courage it must have taken for her to even consider doing something like this.  We’re already looking forward to her graduation.
    What’s on your gratitude list?

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  • Mommy Camp 101: Take Your Family’s Summer From Drab To Fab!

    Hi YUMMs!  So remember last week when I announced that I was working a top secret project with one of my favorite blogger friends?  Well, I can finally let the cat out of the bag.  Earlier this month Tara from The Young Mommy Life approached me about co-hosting a Google Hangout focused on helping SAHM/WAHM how to take their family’s summer from drab to fab.  
    You want to know how and where to find other moms/playgroups?  Haven’t clue where to start when it comes to saving money because let’s face it bills and expenses do go up during the summer months since the kids are no longer at school?  Maybe, you’re looking for some inspiration on what fun activities to put on your family’s summer bucket list?  Let us show you how to make this summer possibly the best summer EVER without breaking the bank. 
    So, mark your calendars because it’s going down on Tuesday, April 28th starting at 9 PM EST.   Also, be sure the follow the #MommyCamp101 hashtag on Twitter and tweet us (@YUMMommies and @TheYoungMommy) during the Hangout!  Oh did I mention there will be giveaways?!!  You’ll have to tune in to the hangout next week to find out what we’re giving away and how you can win.  
    I hope to see you there.  You can RSVP here and watch here next Tuesday.

    What was your favorite family summer activity when you were a kid?  
    Share your fave memories in the comments below.
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  • My Data My Way With Walmart Family Mobile

    Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile.  All opinions are mine alone.  #MyDataMyWay #CollectiveBias
    Happy Monday YUMMs! Looking for an unlimited wireless plan at an amazingly low price?  Walmart Family Mobile has the perfect deal for you, now with more 4G LTE data!  $29.88 (+ taxes/fees) gets you Walmart’s Lowest Priced Unlimited Plan which includes Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data with up to 1GB at 4G LTE Data Speeds.  This allows you to do even more without paying more.
    Can’t get enough 4G LTE?  Family Mobile has Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data with up to 3GB of 4G LTE for only $39.88/month (+ taxes/fees).  Check http://cbi.as/6h0j  or visit your local Walmrt for more information on these amazing deals and don’t forget to follow @FamilyMobile on Twitter or on Tumblr at walmartfamilymobile.tumblr.com.
    At the end of the day, don’t settle for paying an arm and a leg plus half of a kidney for unlimited cell phone service plans when there is a better and AFFORDABLE option available.  Save your moola YUMMs!  Besides think of all the awesome things you can do with all the money you’ll save each month by switching WFM.  You could use your savings to build up your family’s emergency fund, plan a mom’s night out with your girlfriends or a manicure.  If you’re a blogger like me, you could put those monthly savings towards attending your favorite blog conference!

    What is the most important features for you when shopping for a new cell phone service plan?

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  • Thankful Thursday

    “It is she who listens to the rest of the world who fails, and is is she who has enough confidence to define success and failure for herself who succeeds.”

    ~ Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

    Happy Thankful Thursday YUMMs!  I’m telling y’all #GIRLBOSS is my new favorite non-fiction book.  This week I’ve been thinking a lot about success and failure as they relate to me and how I define each.  I’m very thankful that I’m actually taking the time to think about this and write down my thoughts because as much as I would like to say that society and peer pressure hasn’t contributed to what I thought my definitions of success and failure, that wouldn’t be true.
    As of late, I must admit that comparison has become my thief of joy.  However, this week I’ve also come to re-realize that the cookie cutter mold that everyone else is doing isn’t me.  By shutting out the outside influences and really digging deep to uncover what are the things that make me feel successful and what are the things that make me feel like a complete and utter failure, I feel like I’m falling back in love with all things that make me different.  I’m snatching back my joy!
    I’m also grateful for this rain that we have been getting.  While I have been caught in a downpour more than once this week, I know that all this rain we’re getting will come handy for those extremely hot summer days ahead.  This week I’m also giving thanks that have re-planted our balcony garden.  I mentioned in my Spring Break 2015 Recap post that JJ had uprooted and destroyed our first seedlings from our balcony garden.  Target to rescue with their $1 starter kits!
    We have organic bell peppers, tomatoes and parsley so far.  I’m hitting up a different Target in the AM to see if I can find watermelon, basil and cilantro.   Then they also have the bigger $3 starter kits and I might get one of those as well.  We’re all super excited to be back on track to having some fresh homegrown produce by the middle of summer.  I have even had a little talk with JJ to let him know that we don’t rip up the plants, but still I’ll be keeping an extra close eye on our garden as the seeds start to sprout.
    Today, I was selected to chaperone another field trip for Moo’s class!  Honestly, I was expecting to be chosen since I think most of the other parents either work or get their rest for work during the day.  We’re both excited because we’re going to one of our favorite places here in the Queen City.  I’ll tell you guys after our visit where we went.  (Safety purposes for the school.)
    JJ is continuing to make improvements with his speech and no longer speaks in one word phrases, but puts together full sentences.  I’m talking about using subjects and verbs y’all!  We’re so proud of him for all the progress he continues to make.  I know it’s hard for him and there are still a ton of words that he struggles to be able to pronounce properly, but the main thing is that he’s trying to say them.  We’re even making progress on the picky eater front as well and getting him to try new foods.
    Let me just say that my brother in-law is AMAZING!  He and his family have been nothing but warm, welcoming, compassionate, kind and I could go on for days, since before I even met them in person.  I’ve mentioned on here before that New Orleans was my home for a brief period of time.  During that time I gained a third family that left me wondering why my other in-laws couldn’t get it together.  Long story short, I love how much he loves not only my sister, but our entire family. Craziness and all.  I’m so grateful that God allowed those two meet because he truly is the Yin to her Yang. 

    Lastly, I did sprain my neck on Monday, but I’m grateful that it’s not a bad sprain.  My range of movement is pretty good.  It’s only when I lean my head back and to the left that it really hurts and the pain starts to really shoot through my neck.  Definitely send prayers that I’m all healed up by next week.  As a mom of two busy bodies, I certainly don’t need any neck sprains limiting my movement.  I need to be able to crane my neck around corners and over counters to keep an eye on those two when they get too quiet.

    What are you giving thanks for this week?
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  • Spring Break 2015 Recap

    I can’t believe I just wrote Spring Break 2015 Recap!  It’s still surreal to me that Moo is in school.  She’s six and I’m trying hard to not see her as still being a baby or toddler, but y’all it’s hard.  Time is going by faster and faster with each passing year and I’m struggling to not be so overly sentimental and emotional.  She headed back to school Monday and after being home for ten days straight, we were all kind of out wack.
    To say that JJ and I missed having her here with us during the daytime is an understatement.  And she missed us just as much.  In fact, Sunday night she begged to stay home from school and came running through the door passing out hugs Monday afternoon when she got home.  All good signs that we had a great Spring Break.  While we didn’t do anything exciting because it rained most of the days she was out, we still had a blast.
    We started Spring Break with a nature hike at one of our favorite parks.  They have short trail that was perfect for us since the kids wanted to walk instead of riding in the stroller.  Moo asked if we would get to see any wild animals.  “I hope not,” was my wide-eyed response.  I love nature and it was my second morning walking that particular trail, but I definitely didn’t want to bump into any snakes, coyotes or unleashed dogs.
    JJ was not happy that I would not allow him to venture into the trees.  On the other hand, Moo was chipper as ever!
    We did run into some bees and wasps having a mini battle, but escaped unstung.  After we finished our walk the kiddies hit up the playground for a bit.  Needless to say we all slept good that night and Moo actually ended up sleeping in for the first time ever!
    Grandma, my baby sister (Auntie Cat) and my niece (Princess O) came up Easter Saturday to visit and shower the kids with gifts.  My mom and Auntie Cat really did an amazing job on making the kids’ baskets.  I was slightly jealous.  You’re never too old get an Easter basket, right?
    A boy and his trains
    My mom gave JJ his first wooden train track set and he loved it!  We barely got him to step away from it to take a trip to Lowe’s.  My mom is a bit of a master gardener and picked up some new flowers.  I checked out a few plants because sadly JJ ripped up our balcony garden seedlings.  That’s a story for another day.  So, we’re back to starting over since I wasn’t able to save any.  Lesson of the week:  Never take your off eye off a three year old, especially if there is dirt/plants in the same room or space.
    Auntie Cat pile up going down in Lowe’s! 
    It’s no secret that we love to eat.  So, we used Spring Break to try out a few new gluten, dairy and egg free products.  Moo’s favorite were the duck shaped corn pasta from Sam Mills.  Shout out to my mommy for finding these because I haven’t been able to find them in any stores here.  You do have to be careful about not cooking them beyond the time outlined on the bag because they overcook very quickly and will break down.  JJ has a mild allergy to corn and didn’t get to try these out.

    The best treat during Spring Break was probably when we make cookies.  We hadn’t made any in a while because it’s hard to find gluten-free cookie dough mix.  You can get the frozen dough, but I prefer to make my own since we usually add things like mixing in a bit of soy milk or using egg substitute instead of real eggs.  Sadly, I didn’t get any pics of us mixing the cookies but there’s always next time.

    My favorite part of Spring Break was the movie nights.  We watched the following movies:
    via Facebook
    Moo and I loved Cinderella, but JJ could have cared less.  I think Disney did a great job of taking this from animation to live-action.  I hear they’re working on Beauty & the Beast now, but we’re waiting for them to start work on Princess Tiana’s The Princess and the Frog.  I have top 4 picks who I’d like see play Tiana and will share that with y’all in a future post.
    via Facebook
    I can count on my hands the number of cartoons that have come out in theaters that feature main characters that are a person of color and not use all of my fingers on one hand.  So, I knew right away that we would be seeing Home.  Shout out to DreamWorks.  I definitely hope that there is a Home 2 in the future because this movie was both funny and touching.  We laughed and almost cried.  Almost being the key word.  Moo hasn’t stopped talking about it and has requested that we see it again.
    via Facebook
    So, I saw this movie by myself because I wasn’t sure how kid-friendly it would be for a six year old.  After seeing it, I’d say it’s definitely a movie for older teenagers (15 and up), but is super funny.  They did a great job of tackling an issue that a lot of teenage girls face- body image/bullying.  And Bella Thorne has definitely grown up since her Disney Channel days.
    via Facebook
    I finally got around to seeing Fifty Shades of Grey.  Let me tell you the best part of watching this movie was watching it with my sister.  We read the books together (because we’re nerdy like that) and had agreed to watch the movie together.  Honestly, I can say that we were a bit let down by a lot of things.  We were expecting a more dramatic/darkish feel, but instead they took a more light-hearted almost comical approach. 
    Needless to say rumor has it that all the cast will be returning for part 2, but E. L. James and the movie studio have chosen to part ways with the director.  I can’t say that I blame them.  While she did a great job of crafting tasteful sex scenes, she pretty much jumped over the meat story which was Christian’s inability to be in a regular relationship due to his childhood and Ana’s struggle with not being good enough, her mom having put men before their mother-daughter relationship and more.  I hope they part ways with the stylists and hairdressers too!  There was one too many bad wigs in this movie. 
    How was your family’s Spring Break?  Do anything interesting?
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