Tones Spa Media Event #SpaWeek

Every year I look forward to this time of year when Spa Week emerges among the best spas around the city & its boroughs. Who can beat $50 treatments? I just wish I had enough time to indulge in every treatment available during the 2 weeks. However, I was lucky enough to have been invited by Rebecca & Christina of Mommy's Mingle to join them at a spa event held in the Bronx at Tones Spa.
We were immediately welcomed by Catherine, owner of Tones, and her staff. She had a delicious set up of food & drinks for us. After we had a few bites, it then was time for us to start getting pampered! We each had a choice between a massage or facial. We all received paraffin hand treatments & eye brow threading.
I chose a massage because hey I desperately needed to knock out these knots in my back! Sarah, my masseuse did not fail! She was a petite thing but her hands were packed with a punch! I could feel the knots being rubbed out in my shoulders. She was strong but gentle. I came out so relaxed and stress free. Ruby did my eyebrows & hand treatment. I was so thrilled to know they did threading rather than wax. My eyebrows looked awesome and my hands were smooth as a baby's bottom. I never had a paraffin treatment before so I didn't know what to expect. I have to say it was a must! My hands were very soft even after I went home.
Spa Week just ended but that doesn't mean you shouldn't pamper yourself. With Mother's day coming up, treat yourself & your mom to a day at  the spa. Head to Tones Spa and tell them BoyzRuleOurWorld sent you and enjoy a relaxing day!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I particpated in Mommy's Mingle spa media event. All views expressed are my own.

The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan

I recently was given the opportunity to join the Role Mommy book club. I love reading and I knew this would be a great opportunity to preview books that I not necessarily would purchase on my own. Our first book selection is The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan.
Reading this book brought me such mixed emotions of joy and sadness. The author, after her mother's passing, discovers ten boxes filled with personal notes that her mother wrote to God. These notes spanned 2 decades of her mother's life. These notes were her mother's personal prayers & thoughts for her family and friends that were unselfish.
Synopsis:
After her mother Mary Finlayson dies, her daughter uncovers 10 of her God boxes spanning over 20 years of her life.  The boxes are stuffed with tiny notes written by Mary, asking and praying for everything from the right flooring for her daughter’s new home to a cure for her own blood cancer. Mary’s petitions are presented with love and without expectation. Note by note, author Mary Lou Quinlan unearths insights into her mother’s compassion, faith, and perseverance, and revelations of her innermost thoughts—nostalgic, surprising, and even a bit shocking. And through the journey, the author discovers her own more empathetic, more engaged self—the woman her mother had believed in all along.

I was so touched by this book. I wanted to be in her God box. I want to start one for my own son so he can one day after my passing see how unconditional is the love of a parent to child. I cherish my relationship with my mom more after reading this. I think you will too.

The God Box is available for purchase on Amazon.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter @GodBoxProject.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review.The God Box was provided by Beth Feldman/Role Mommy book club. All opinions expressed are my honest opinions.

Marvel's The Avengers #Giveaway

The talk in my household is about the upcoming release of Marvel's The Avengers next Friday 5/4/12. Ever since my son & I saw them filming some scenes last summer at Grand Central Station, we can't wait to see the finished product.

Movie Synopsis:

Marvel Studios presents “Marvel’s The Avengers”—the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic
Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

One lucky winner will win the following:

-MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS t-shirt in adult  sizes of S, M, L, XL

- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS set of 6 buttons

- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS one pair of limited edition 3D glasses

This movie is getting alot of buzz. I think its going to have a great opening next weekend. Looking forward to seeing it with my boyz!

 Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
 

You must completed the first entry requirement or all other entries will not be counted.

HUMAN NATURE VIP PACKAGE GIVEAWAY

HUMAN NATURE, Australia’s #1 pop vocal group with millions of albums sold worldwide, is storming America with their first-ever U.S. National tour, a new album release, The Motown Record, a spectacular PBS TV Special and a new DVD.
The chart-topping quartet is embarking on a U.S. tour this spring backed by their seven-piece band, The Funk Foundation. “Human Nature: The Motown Show presented by Smokey Robinson” kicks off March 24 in Detroit and will travel to 33 U.S. cities. This outstanding evening of hit-driven entertainment features Motown's greatest music, inspiring audiences young and old to be “dancing in the street” and the aisle. Tickets for all tour appearances go on sale to the public January 27. For complete tour schedule and ticket information, visit www.humannaturelive.com.

I have the opportunity to give one lucky reader a chance to win a VIP package which includes a pack of 4 tickets to their May 6th show at the Beacon theater.You'll be dancing in your seat listening to their renditions of all the hottest Motown hits.

To enter for your chance to win click on the link: 

http://tinyurl.com/humannatureboyzruleourworld 

Winner will be contacted directly by the sponsor of this giveaway. Contest ends 4/29/12 at midnight.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I wanted to take this opportunity to say Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mom. Wishing her a great year full of love, happiness and wealth. We love you with all our hearts. We appreciate all you do for us with such an endearing heart.  Andre is the luckiest boy to have such an amazing grandmother.

Love 

Denise, Dre & Andre

Quality Time

This week Andre had his Easter break from school. Unfortunately having a full time job doesn't allow me the time to be home whenever he has a break. He spent part of the week with his Aunt in New Jersey which gave us a few days to do our own thing. I have to say it was great to not have to rush home from work and do homework. But I really missed my little guy. I felt guilty not having done anything special with him all week so I took today off. Luckily we had a gorgeous spring day in New York City so we headed out to one of our fave places, Central Park Zoo.

 This was our 1st time viewing this animated 4D film. It was awesome! It was better than an IMAX show. The graphics were amazing. They even had bubbles blowing in the theater through the air vents and our seats vibrated while Dora & Diego are racing in their motor boat. All the kids enjoyed it as well as the adults. I almost fell over trying to pop bubbles!

Andre had fun feeding the animals in the Tisch zoo, which is located outside of the main zoo. He was scared at first but after the first lick he was fearless!
I'm so glad that I took the day off. I got to spend some much needed quality time with my favorite little man.It was an awesome "Andre & Mommy" day.

Week 2 of My Weight Loss Journey

So I had my second weigh in this week at #Weight Watchers. I am down another 1.6 lbs!! Woohoo!! Go me!! {happy dance} I won't lie that I was slightly disappointed that I didn't lose more weight like my first weigh in. But I am ecstatic that I've lost a total of 7 lbs in 2 weeks. I've been feeling really great too. I haven't done much exercise to go along with the eating but my husband & bff got me moving these past few days. One thing that I love about living in New York City is that you can just walk anywhere & it won't feel like a chore. I probably walked a good 100 blocks in 2 days. My legs & butt were feeling a bit sore but isn't the saying, "No pain No gain" right?
Now I see why so many people have chosen Weight Watchers as the way to lose weight. Its not a diet but a way to teach you to live a healthier lifestyle. It has really been simple to me. My appetite has suppressed & I eat smaller portions. At the end of the day, I'm not starved. If I crave that piece of chocolate damn it I won't deprive myself. I go for it. I may feel guilty about it but I know I can make it up during the week.
I'm looking forward to see how it goes in the upcoming weeks. I'm excited to seeing a healthier me.

Wordless Wednesday

He captures my heart with that smile <3

Starting a New Journey.....

After a rough few months this year, I'm finally on my path to reclaim myself. By that I mean starting my weight loss regime. I decided to try Weight Watchers. Not because of Jennifer Hudson's dramatic new figure. I'm sure I won't get to the point of looking like a lollipop head. I've chose Weight Watchers because its not a diet, but a program to teach you a healthier lifestyle. I like that I can still eat a pizza if I want but I just can't have that second or third slice.
At my office there are several women who are on the program and I've seen their results. One person has lost 60lbs in a year which is amazing. These women have inspired me to make this change in my life. I'm ready to make this commitment to myself. I'm doing this because I'm tired of feeling tired. Tired of not being able to keep up with my 5 year old son. Tired of having to shop for size 16's. I'm ready to get into shape and to feel good. I'm ready to stop hiding behind this weight.

Goodbye to the old me. You won't be missed!