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Showing posts with label Opinions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opinions. Show all posts

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Katy Perry Costume Review - Birthday in a Box Costumes

Birthday in a Box

Disclaimer: I received the products mentioned below complementary from the sponsor in return for this review. My daughters and I always give our honest opinions and only bring you products that I believe my readers will benefit from and/or enjoy. This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience, see full Disclosure for more details.


Most of you know that I have 2 daughters that are only 11 months apart. They are my everything and as they've gotten older I come to realize that Jade and Loran become more and more like me everyday. That's a bit scary in a since :) haha Not really, I just happen to have a bit of an attitude sometimes. But that's a story for another day! My girls are completely different when it comes to most things but it seems like their taste in most music is the same as well as the "older-aged" shows and movies. I say this because they are both CRAZY for Katy Perry! No joke! My little girls know almost every word to a many of Katy Perry's popular songs! I have a Concert DVD that Loran and Jade can't get enough of! They've been watching it over and over for the past couple days, dancing around and switching back and forth on who was going to wear their new Katy Perry costume dress that we received from Birthday in a Box! (They've even went to sleep watching the dvd for 3 nights straight! They tried to sleep in their dress but I made them change.)

Loran and Jade were at their Maw-Maw's house when the costume arrived and I couldn't wait for them to get home... One - because I missed them like crazy (They were gone for 10 days, out of town, 1 1/2 hrs away) and Two - I wanted to see their faces when I gave them their new costume!

My girls LOVE their Katy Perry dress! My favorite part about the costume is that when I chose a size Medium, I crossed my finders and hoped that it would fit both of them and was overjoyed when I realized that it did!! Both girls can wear the Katy Perry dress with no problem! Jade is the HUGE Katy Perry fan and she's worn the dress the most, every time I turn around I see that little candy colored dress bouncing around with a blonde head attached at the top! :) You may remember from the past tha Loran and Jade like to do video reviews of the products that we receive for them... so who could resist doing a video for the Katy Perry Costume! They aren't known for The Dancing Diva's for nothing!



If you would like to see more of Loran and Jade's videos, 
Find them on YouTube
Look for the Dancing Diva's Playlist on My Kind Of Introduction's YouTube page!!

You can kind of see the
blue wig on the costume bag!
(My camera flash gave off a glare
every-time I took this photo!)
The costume is a silky-like fabric and has light but vibrant colors throughout the dress and who can miss all of the candy that covers the top front of the dress. It's as cute as can be and both girls agree that their Katy Perry Costume is very comfy! Comfy dress-up clothes and/or Halloween gear are what we like best, no one wants to start itching from a tickling tulle skirt!
You can also purchase the blue Katy Perry wig (the one that has the heart on the side of her head) at Birthday in a Box as well. We chose not to get the wig due to the face that they don't last long at my house. (The girls had an orange wig once and it got all matted up quick!) Loran ad Jade don't miss the wig at all, they love the dress and that's all that matters in my book! Who knew so much attitude and sassy looks can come out of 3 little girls?! These girls sure know how to throw around the model poses and Mrs. Priss facial expression. 

Birthday in a Box has all kinds of costumes, party decorations Halloween decor and much more!
Make sure you visit the Birthday in a Box website to see what all they can offer you for your partying, Halloween and/or dress-up needs!! 

Birthday in a Box

Friday, July 5, 2013

New Names for Daily Posts!


Due to my internet difficulties, I missed out on posting my Wednesday and Thursday posts, this past week. I actually posted on Thursday (Yesterday) but was in such a hurry to get as much done in the small amount of time that I had, that I missed a few things. I guess life has different plans than me, that's the way it always turns out don't it?


- Anyways -

I have decided to name the Weekly posts. I sat down and after searching my brain for a good little bit, I've come up with the following:


  • Sunday Funday -- Fun at home or a Fun Post Content
  • Mommy Monday -- All About Mommy - Anything about or for moms
  • Tipsy Tuesday -- Not drunk Tipsy... Atleast not every Tuesday! :) Tipsy as in unbalanced in life, walking, drinking, Crazy nerves making your brain tipsy, etc
  • Wacky Wednesday -- Going crazy as in Crazy or Losing minds!
  • Truthful Thursdays -- Swear to tell the Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth? :) It's time to let go a couple secrets and be truthful today! (Answer the topic truthfully!)
  • Frugal Friday -- Anything that is: Cheap, ReUsed, Free, Repurposed, Saving Money tips, etc.


Saturday, June 1, 2013

Tearing Up with ClubDaddy -- My Fiance's Story


Earlier this year, I did a promotion for DaddyScrubs on my blog. (I did a review and giveaway of their signature product... the DaddyScrubs themselves!) I got the chance to pick out a pair of the scrubs for Alan and let him review them for me. The girls LOVED it when he wore his green DaddyScrubs with the words “I'm The Daddy” printed on the back! I ended up taking a photo of Alan and the girls in the field across the street, with the girls pointing and showing excitement toward their daddy's new outfit! I sent the photo to my contact for DaddyScrubs and ended up getting a reply saying that they would love to add Alan to ClubDaddy! I wasn't sure what exactly that meant except that the photo was going to be added to their albums and shared with their fans on social media (mainly Facebook). I also received a couple interview questions that Alan was suppose to answer that we completely forgot about (I'll have him answer the interview questions soon, even though it's very late. I'll just post his answers on my blog instead of sending them to DaddyScrubs since they would be about a month overdue!!) Realizing that I forgot about the interview questions, I received an email that said my package has been sent.... I got confused but quickly got side tracked and DaddyScrubs didn't cross my mind again until Alan walked up to me one day with a box asking if I had ordered something for him that he wasn't suppose to know about! I had no clue what was in that box and was extremely surprised when Alan started opening it! Not only did I tear up (like always) but Alan did too! Being appreciated for all the hard work he puts in for our family, really touched him! He has 5 kids, including our 2 daughters. CW is 14, MJ is 10, Bre is 11(who we NEVER see and probably won't for MANY years! That's a different post for another day...), Loran will be 7 in less than 2 weeks and then there's Jade who just turned 6! Even though Alan don't get to see his boys as much he likes, they both know that their daddy loves them. I couldn't of chosen a better father for my daughters! He's truly a wonderful man in many different ways!


Our Family
(A couple years ago - We need to take a new one soon!)

Read below to hear what Alan thought of his package, in his own words:



“About a week or so ago I came in from work not having the greatest day but it wasn't a BAD day... it could have been worse. I was home for a couple hours when the UPS man came knocking at the door. I figured it was something for Autumn since she gets packages all the time, but she was in the back room, so I opened the door. To my surprise, the big box was for me! I went and asked Autumn if she had ordered anything that I wasn't suppose to know about since I knew I hadn't ordered anything lately. She said No and we checked the label to see who the package was from. It was from DaddyScrubs. I got put into a daddy club somehow, not sure how but I did. In the box I found a certificate saying “Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy!“ Along with the certificate came a pair of sunglasses, a coffee cup, a $10 gift card, a water bottle and 2 bracelets from DaddyScrubs. It made my day a lot better, I even teared up a couple times through out the afternoon. I was so happy that I ran down the hill to one of my neighbors house, that I am pretty good friends with, and told them all about it. It was one of the best days I have had in my life, made me feel like a million bucks. The bracelets have been on my wrist ever since I got the package. Not many people see everything I do for my family. I bust my butt working 2 jobs just to try to make ends meet and sometimes it don't feel like anyone notices. So this made me feel very happy to see that someone sees I am. To me, I am the best father out there! Still over a week later and I still smile when I look down and see my bracelets or when I walk in the house and see my certificate. I placed it on my wall in a spot to where I can see when I walk in my house or when I am on my couch. It really made me feel a lot better about being a parent. Glad to see that some people want to recognize fathers, for once!”


-- Written By Alan W. --


"Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy!"

Don't forget to check out my other Daddy-To-Be Posts!!

(Interview Questions will be coming soon! I'll add them to my Father's Day post)

To learn more about ClubDaddy or if you would like to browse the DaddyScrubs website, visit -- www.daddyscrubs.com




All opinions above are from my fiance and myself at My Kind Of Introduction. I always give my honest opinion and only write about products/services that I have personally used and/or believe will benefit my readers. I was not compensated for this post.


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Mermaids and Faeries -- Fact or Fable?


Warning -- This post is full of strong opinions that may be very different than your own. All opinions are my own, I was NOT influenced by anything or anyone. I am not trying to disrespect anyone or their beliefs. I'm just simply stating my opinions on the topics below.


Have you ever wondered how we became the way we are?

  • Why is our skin smooth?
  • Why do we only have hair growing on certain parts of our bodies?
  • Why is there a type of webbing between our fingers and toes... Some more than others?
  • How can some people be GREAT tree climbers and others can't even make it off the ground?
  • What about all those wonderful swimmers we have and then there are the people who swim like a rock...
  • Did we slowly transform into the people we are today from Apes?
  • Did some of those apes go into the water and turn into what we know today as Mermaids?
I wasn't able to watch the Animal Planet movie that was on TV this past Sunday, I completely forgot that it was on TV but I was able to watch the first documentary that came out before Sunday's viewing - Mermaids: The Body Found. (I found it on YouTube, it's in different parts but I was able to find a playlist that had the whole movie in order so all I had to do was sit back and watch.) If you would like to view Mermaids: The Body Found, the links you will find in this post are to the playlist that I was able to find on YouTube. I want to warn you that there are 9 parts and all together they last over an hour. But if you are into Mermaids or Science, then you won't be disappointed.


In the documentary mentioned above, they gave lots of very convincing facts and points that have me even more convinced that mermaids are real. I have always been a believer of faeries, hobs, mermaids and even other realms full of people and creatures that we have no idea even exist. The documentary also mentions that the government is covering alot of things up and hiding things from us. Why does everyone think that the government is so honest? Why do we believe everything they say when in all realization... they are normal people just like you and I. We all lie every now and then and if we find something really awesome and don't want other people knowing about it... We'll hide it with all of our might! Why wouldn't the government do the same? Why do we depend on them for our facts? The Navy, and everyone else have said that "No humanoid body has been found and there is no such thing as mermaids and faeries" not in those exact words but the point is, If they say those creatures don't exist then they are Facts and we should believe them and disregard everything the scientists' discovered and had files on... until they were "stolen and destroyed" by the Navy and other government officials. (as mentioned in the documentary -- Mermaids: The Body Found)
Edmund Dulac: The Tempest Elves and Fairies

Many believe that the stories of these unknown beings are myths. But if they are in fact fake then why has they're been many stories from people all over the world, who have had no contact with each other, all talking and drawing about the same beings?! Something in the water that is half human and half fish, tiny people who live in caves and in the forests and hills of MANY different lands on this earth.

People have been mentioning mermaids and faeries in their writings and drawings since the beginning of time!
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Chaucer (1342-1400)
Just a couple examples.

You can do an internet search and find MANY photos and articles about the mythic beings that have been talked about for ever! They're has been draws found on the walls of caves, crumbling transcripts full of stories and drawings of mermaids and the fae, along with many more animals and creatures; some identified and some not.

Who says that all of this is fake?

Because there is no proof of a living mermaid or a faerie or a tiny human that lives in underground caves and call themselves hobs.... They do not exist! We have continuously been discovering new species of animals, insects and marine life throughout many years, up to this year! If a giant squid can stay hidden in the ocean for millions of years, why can't mermaids? If there are many different types of animals then how can humans be the only mammal that is smart enough to walk upright and live the way we do? I personal believe that there are other "people" that are just as smart as humans, maybe a bit smarter, that know how to live off the land, make weapons and who have big brains that can do wonderful things, like ours can. We are not superior to all these creatures. What makes us so special?

Since we have no living proof that mermaids and faeries exist.... many say that we are to believe that they are Fake -- Just stories that people made up for entertainment or crazy people seeing things that were not really there. (It's said that the sailors who saw mermaids were mistaking manatees for mermaids because they were in the sun for too long, making them delirious. I don't know about you but I believe I can tell the difference from a BIG manatee from a half woman/half fish, really hot and tired or not!)

We are all to believe that when we die, our souls go to Heaven and we meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not to be controversial and start arguments but... Where is our proof? The Bible. Written words found many years ago. 

What I'm trying to say is that no one really knows what's out there. No one really knows if we came from apes, turned to mermaids, ended up humans, or if was it something else that brought us here completely  No one knows because we wasn't alive back then and couldn't see it with our own eyes. It's all just a "he say - she say" ordeal and it has been known to make alot of people mad at each other. I do NOT want to make anyone mad. I just have a very strong opinion about some things. If I sit and truly think something out and break it down in my head.... I end up thinking too hard and can get into a debate with my fiance.

If you would like more information about mermaids and other myths that the government have "addressed", I have posted the links below for future reference for myself and anyone who would like to further investigate. These are only 2 out of MANY articles that you can find on the web about myths and mermaids:


http://mentalfloss.com/article/31161/are-mermaids-real-11-myths-us-government-has-addressed

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/are-mermaids-real


Do you believe in Mermaids and Faeries?

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed above are my own and may/will differ from your own. I have been influenced by no one and/or anything. I understand that some opinions mentioned above could be taken wrong and I am responsible for everything I have said. I am NOT meaning to disrespect anyone else, their beliefs or way of life, I am simply voicing my personal opinions and thoughts.
Yes, I believe in God.
(The photos have been stored on my computer for many years and I have no idea of their origin)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Chopped - TV Review



My fiance and I have been watching alot of Chopped lately and I have finally decided that I am ready to do my own little review.

I have to say that those baskets of food would throw me off my game every time! One single expensive Truffle? Chocolate Lips, Duck Hearts and all that other odd food that they throw in those baskets are insane! 
I've seen ingredients that not only have I NEVER heard of but some of them I can't pronounce! I'm not a big cooker so I would never apply to be a part of the show but I love watching it. I enjoy seeing what these awesome cooks can come up with when they get odd ingredients thrown at them. My fiance don't think that the contestants have enough time to truly plan and cook a good meal in the amount of time given in each round. I would have trouble but that's the challenge of the game right? See if you can beat the clock and serve up a delicious plate of food each time? 



Chopped really knows how to throw in some great learning tips that us at home can use with our meals. I also like how the judges are always honest... if they think your food tasted like crap... Your going to get told that your food taste like crap! Blunt and honest! The perfect way to judge any contest. Chopped really knows how to find some great chefs and I LOVE the episodes where home-cooks are competing for the $10,000! I'm sure those people need it more than the pro chefs do. I also really enjoyed the Chopped All Stars episodes where the contestants were Celeb Chefs and a couple were Chopped Judges! The money they won all went to charity and I can't get over how awesome that is!

My over all opinion of Chopped is that it's a wonderful show that is not only entertaining but interesting and helpful as well. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat once that time starts running out!
ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO PLATE ALL THEIR FOOD ON TIME??

The timer goes off and everyone stops. The food is judged and someone is "Chopped"! The show starts with 4 contestants and ends with 1. After the first person gets sent home, the next battle begins!


Another basket is sat in-front of each contestant and once they open it, they are, once again, in for a BIG surprise  The mandatory ingredients are always pretty off the wall. Sometimes you will get a normal ingredient in the basket but I don't consider Salted Duck Egg Yokes and lamb hearts as normal.
DO YOU?
Some of the food I can't even pronounce but I still like to see what the end product will be. Alan (my fiance) and I try and guess who gets chopped. I've been pretty good about guessing right but we all have our down moments haha

Anyways....
Chopped is awesome and it distracts me from my blogging often! I can have the TV off and be working hard... as soon as Alan comes home, the TV gets turned up and the distractions begin!

I have to say though
Chopped is a pretty darn good distraction!

Have you watched Chopped on Food Network?

#ChallengeToWrite -- 9 favorite books of all time







Today for the #ChallengeToWrite, I would like to write about my favorite books... the topic from May 12, 2013

#ChallengeToWrite
May 12, 2013
Share your 9 favorite books of all time


Even though this topic may seem easier than some of the others... I'm going to have a few trouble picking 9 of my favorite books. Huh... Do I have to have them in order of how much I like them?? That won't happen.... Now lets get started!


  1. The Island of the Blue Dolphins - I read this book many times in school and even though I don't remember alot about it now, I know that it has always been one of my favorites.
  2. Twilight - Yes! I love me some sparkly vampires!!
  3. New Moon - What's not to love about adding a WareWolf to the mix?
  4. Eclipse - The Love Triangle keeps me on my toes and makes me even more interested to continue reading
  5. Breaking Dawn - The excitement and thrill of Bella turning into a Vampire FINALLY! And the birth of a half human and half vampire is enough for any girl to dread the end of a series!!
  6. Iron King - The action mixed with the love is very exciting and I couldn't put the book down!
  7. Iron Daughter - I have been known to dream of being A Summer Faerie Trying to Make it in the Mortal World and even have a facebook page about it. I love how faeries are names I know and the love story is amazing.
  8. Iron Queen - The story continues as Megan grows powerful, troubles don't end and the love keeps burning.
  9. Iron Knight - In the words of the Ice Prince, the ending to a beautiful story takes place and everyone loves a happy ending!
My original Secret Garden Book

So I guess that wasn't as hard as I thought it was. it would of been harder if my favorite books didn't come along with an awesome series!! I'm sure I could continued on an added Secret Garden, a childhood favorite of mine that I read over and over and still own my original copy! I could also add that one of my FAVORITE books is Marilyn - The Last Take..... anyone who knows me or reads my posts, knows that I am a HUGE Marilyn Monroe fan and always has been.


A few more of my favorite books


What are some of your favorite books?

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

#ChallengeToWrite -- If you could have personally witnessed one event in history...


#ChallengeToWrite
May 14, 2013
If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would you want to have seen?


If I would of witnessed one event in history it would of been the President John F Kennedy's Birthday Celebration at the third Madison Square Garden on May 10, 1962.


The place was full of famous people and the Birthday Cake was HUGE! (Watch the video below to see the cake) Performers sang and everyone was in ah when Marilyn Monroe "finally" made it to the stage (It use to be a big joke that Marilyn was late for EVERYTHING so they used that as a "prop" for Marilyn Monroe to enter the stage to sing. She was "Fashionably Late")




In nothing but a nude-colored sparkly dress that she could barley move in, Marilyn Monroe sang, in her sultry voice, one of the most memorable songs in history... "Happy Birthday, Mr. President"... Her voice was very seductive and quite and you could tell by the long silence that Marilyn was a bit nervous. But once she started singing, it was simply beautiful! She had re-written the traditional "Happy Birthday" song to be personalized for John F Kennedy, to fit the occasion.







Some of her lyrics included:

"Thanks, Mr. President
For all the things you've done
The battles that you've won
The way you deal with U.S. Steel
And our problems by the ton
We thank you so much"



Once the song was over, the crowd went crazy and John F Kennedy approached the stage. His exact words were: "I can now retire from politics after having had "Happy Birthday" sung to me in such a sweet and wholesome way!!"

Of course he was joking, and everyone laughed.


I would of LOVED to of been able to watch one of Marilyn's last performances, I would of also kept a good watch on people to see if I could of figured out if anything sneaky was going on around there. Rumors say that Marilyn spent the night in JFK's hotel room that night but their is no proof. I would of done my best to of talked to Marilyn and maybe... just maybe... found out if the Kennedy's had any wild plans about how they were going to keep Miss Marilyn Monroe quiet about her diary full of dirty little secrets.
I have an odd feeling that even though, noone has found Marilyn Monroe's diary yet, (not that I know of) that at one point, the FBI who was watching sooo many people back in the 60s, got their hands on that diary and destroyed it! It is said that Marilyn had many secrets in her diary that included plans and secrets from The White House aka JFK and Bobby (Robert) Kennedy along with (maybe) some dirt on Frank Sinatra and his dealings with the Mafia.

I don't believe that Marilyn died of just an overdose of pills. Deep down, I know it was something more. 

RIP Marilyn Monore

Read my whole story about the night Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President".

Below is a video of the beautiful Marilyn Monroe singing that memorable birthday song...




All opinions above are my own at My Kind Of Introduction. The video is from YouTube and Photo's by Yale Joel/Life Magazine/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images.
Above information is from many resources through out my years of being a Marilyn Monroe fanatic! She is my idol.



I want to hear from you!!!!

**If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would you want to have seen?

Leave your answers in the comments and I may add some of them in a future post!




*Blog Written By ~ Autumn Banks*
..::I'm a stay at home mom who loves DIY projects, finding freebies and playing with my gurlie gurls. I have a secret obsession with anything history that not many people know about. I try to stay out of politics along with anything causing trouble but sometimes, randomly, find myself in the middle of some stupid argument::..
*I hope you like my post on Marilyn Monroe's version of "Happy Birthday"
Comment all you like and please share if you enjoyed what you read. Have a wonderful day!*

Monday, May 6, 2013

#ChallengeToWrite -- What does your family mean to you…








#ChallengeToWrite
What does your family mean to you


I believe I was the only one ready for this photo! lol

To me, Family means many different things. My friends have become a big part of my family and for some part... taken the place of a few family members.


The most important people in my life are my daughters, they are my true family and I wouldn't trade them in for the world. Those girls and my fiance are my family!


When it comes to everyone else..... It can get touch sometimes.

I don't talk to anyone in my family. I just happen to be the outcast on my dad's side of the family and "someone who doesn't come around often" to my mom's side.

My parents have been divorced for as long as I can remember and I do know that after my mama and daddy divorced... It was never the same when it came to my grandparents... On both sides.


Child Support, Fighting, Accusing, It all pushed me away from my father's side of the family.


My mama's side of the family LOVED my daddy and they talk to him WAY more than I do. He seems to call my mamaw and daddy-paw often.... I haven't talked to him in months.


I was super close to my mom's side of the family until we all started having kids.

I got pregnant..... 1 month later my mamas sister did too.... A couple months later, my other aunt got pregnant also.
3 Pregnant girls, in the same family, all having girls.
That would bring a family together right?
No.
We were all doing great until the babies came and I ended up having another daughter just 11 months after my first. I guess I had to many kids to hang out with and now that they are 5 and 6... We are the outcasts once again.

Most days, I'm okay with it. My daughters are all I need to keep me happy. My friends have helped out alot by filling in the holes of not having a close family can leave but I still have my days where it bothers me when I see everyone else hanging out and I wasn't invited. It's not so much that I wasn't invited.... My daughters wasn't invited. 

No I don't drive so I can't go visit people like I wish I could but that doesn't mean that I don't want to see my family. I love my family, no matter how dysfunctional we are. We have many problems and there is alot of stuff that I don't know about, but Life goes on.

My little family at home is doing great and though if I was able... I may of changed a few things about my past but then I wouldn't be the woman I am today.


Life may be hard but with the family I do have with me.... We got this!



Sunday, May 5, 2013

#Hashtag Happenings









#Hashtag Happenings
#CincoDeMayo