Is waxing an appropriate Fathers Day gift?

Moms, if you're anything like me, you may not find the time to get in and take care of yourself like you once did before having kids. This can be anything from a haircut, a pedicure, waxing, and even routine dentist appointments!

Last summer I took the plunge and got a brazillian for the first time. I'd always been a little weary of a brazillian wax because who wants to look like a child? What I learned though while having my eyebrows waxed one day and conversing with my esthetician is that you can still have something left, perhaps a heart, landing strip, whatever... get creative!



I was presented with an opportunity to do a review of a place I had yet to try, European Wax Center:

European Wax Center is a high-end chic and hip salon that specializes in waxing with convenience and affordability. There are over 241 centers open across the nation, and it’s one of the fastest growing franchises in the nation. San Diego will be home to more than 18 European Wax Centers in the next two years. To make an appointment at one of the new locations, please call your nearest location or visit, http://www.waxcenter.com.

So, I went in for an early appointment at the 4S location, it is not far from me and the awesome thing is that all they do there is waxing, so that immediately makes the experience less concerning. The hours there are so flexible! Let me tell you where I used to go was a little bit of a drive and not open these many hours.
M-F: 8:30am to 8pm
Sat: 8:30am to 6:30pm
Sun: 10:30am to 6:30pm

I was glad to find that the experience was not too bad in the pain category. Saying that it was comfortable would be a lie and I've seen others post reviews stating their waxing was virtually painless, which I can't fathom, but apparently the special wax they use makes a huge difference, "the secret is in the wax." My esthetician advised that the more regular waxing, the less painful, and by using the products at home it will help as well. Regular. Like a schedule.

I'd literally just been getting some business training on scheduling things that are of a priority. There is a huge difference between things on a "to-do" list and being given a space on your calendar to get it completed. The awesome thing about the business training I receive is that it always flows over to my personal life.

After my wax was complete I talked to the receptionist about how I've never been routine in my waxing, but that it always makes the hubby smile. There are lots of options for regular waxing at European Wax Center, something for all budgets and levels of commitment. The one that resonnated with me was the once a month for 12 months. That was an easy thing to put in my calendar, afterall, my appointment only took 20 minutes from check in and waiting for the room to be properly set to the wax itself and then checking out. That is quick. When you have to budget for time and for money, (and don't we all?) this is a place for you to check out.

Back to my checking out... I decided that the 12 visit wax pass was the way to go! May as well get it on the calendar and get committed and stop hoping I would just get around to it. By signin up for the 12 visit wax pass I am saving 25%. Now about justifying spending that cash up front? I'll just include the card in with my Father's Day gift to the hubs and call it a gift that keeps on giving!

European Wax Center is allowing me to giveaway a wax of your choice and the same amazing product gift set:

-Slow it Body Wash
Film-free formula washes away residue that can clog pores and cause ingrown hair
Jojoba beads gently exfoliate
Botanical extracts calm and soothe
The super moisturizer hyaluronic acid for soft, supple skin

-Slow it Body Lotion
Detoxifies, protects and softens body hair
Reduces hair density and length
Uses star vitamins A, C & E to nourish and clarify

-Ingrown Hair Serum
Clears away dead skin that causes ingrown hair
Calms and soothes stressed skin
With tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic

THIS GIVEAWAY IS VALED AT OVER $100!
a Rafflecopter giveaway





The awesome thing is, if you don't win, you can go in and give them a try with a free bikini wax... you may as well get ready for summer! But, if I were you I'd upgrade that free offer to the brazillian, afterall Fathers Day is coming up! If you stop in and you're the referring kind of mommy, which are the best kind, be sure to say I sent you!


As I've stated, I was offered an opportunity to come and try out European Wax Center for free and gifted some nice products to use at home. I had such a good experience that I decided to purchase their 12 visit wax pass. The exchange of product and service is for my time in writing a review and hosting a giveaway that I think moms will enjoy and the opinions are my own.

American Idol keeps getting better - Season 11

Did you see the finale of American Idol season 11? I had to rush home from a business seminar so I could catch the last half. I was pleasantly surprised that hubby had refrained from watching so we could watch the whole thing together. We haven't always watched evey season, or all the way til the finale, but the talent this year kept us tuned in every week.


photo by Denverpost.com


I turned to hubby and said "I feel like I couldn't post on Facebook who my favorite was between Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez because I'll get backlash for not supporting our local contestant."

What the judges said about Phillip Phillips is exactly why he won:

Randy Jackson: "Dude I love the song, I love the production. Everything about that was perfect."

Jennifer Lopez: "That was a Phillip song and there is nothing on the radio that sounds like that."

Steven Tyler: "By virtue of your vulnerability and style you made the world your home."


My personal top 3 favorites in no particular order were Phillip Phillips, Elise Testone, and Colton Dixon. AND a very close 4th was Skylar Laine. Each of these contestants knows how to sing, they can perform, whether that was arrange music, get the crowd into the show, play an instrument, and clearly felt the lyrics to their chosen songs. Because I don't buy records, I can't say I would buy any of their records. I like listening to the local radio (here in San Diego but not when I travel). BUT if I ever get into some kind of gym routine and get smart about getting an earbud thing-a-ma-jiggy for my iPhone I very well could see myself downloading their singles from iTunes. Anyway, there were plenty of other contestants who could sing, have vocal talent, lungs beyond belief, or as Randy Jackson puts it "can sing the phone book!"



But an American Idol is someone who will sell records. Someone that the masses want to pay to see in concert. Some of the top 12 have that element missing, but clearly there were more this season of great American Idol top 12 that fulfilled on what an American idol should be.

Anyway, I agree with the Mama Mary Show about her sentiments on Jessica Sanchez. Jennifer Lopez has it right, the girl is going to make records, she needs some space to grow into the words in those lyrics.

I've never voted for an American Idol contestant. I feel as though the power lies in the hands of the teeny boppers who love that texting and being on the phone and voting repeatedly online. What adult, or pardon me, what mom has time for that? I make sure to vote in the democratic elections though so at least I make time for THAT. So a quick PSA here - voting in San Diego for the primary election is June 5th - put it on your calendar. But, I want to say that the teeny boppers got it right this time. They haven't always, but this season, they did good.

My Favorite Things about San Diego Moms Night Out

SD Moms Night Out was co-founded by Samantha and Angela, two ladies I adore. These ladies pulled together an event that celebrates moms, local business, and having a good time. This event was particulary special being held on the same night that Moms Nite Out was celebrated across the country.

Here's a list of my favorite things from the evening:

1. The event was held at a super swanky YET affordable boutique called blisss 101 - and yes, if you must know, I did a little shopping... call it my contribution to the economy or investment in my marriage... @stillsbyhill will know what I mean.

You have to see how this pink and orange wrap complimented my shoes and pink Color Bug hair treatment via the bombshell salon and boutique




2. The raffle prizes were amazing --- I couldn't keep track of how many there were - but I totally scored a Creative Travel Mugs gift ensemble and a $50 Glam and Sassy gift certificate! The raffle tickets were $1 each or 50 tickets for $25 - and so many moms loved this!





3. Whole Foods Encinitas poured wine throughout the evening! I did help myself to some tasty Chardonnay. I think wine had to have been first fermented by a mom, what do you think? Also see the bags the first 100 received -- it says "i support LoCAL FARMERS".



4. Catching up with my friends! Need I say more?



5. Music - the DJ had some good stuff playing and set the tone for the fun mood.

6. Skinny Shots via Bloom Natural Health - these are the new healthy craze everyone is talking about and I not only got to experience it at the event, but have a gift to go back and get another!

7, Chair massage and hand treatment by Holistic Beauty Services. Massages are good. Massages at events are even better. Massages that are free are awesome! Please always continue to have chair massage available at these events. Thank you.



8. Networking in Disguise. If I can mix business and pleasure I am a happy woman.

9. Having the night off from putting the kids to bed. I'm quite committed to having that a couple times a month.

10. Coming home with a smile on my face. Then putting a smile on hubby's face.

Seau touched so many on and off the field

Immediately after learning from my husband that Seau had taken his life I blurted out "That's awful. How selfish." For someone who lost a father to suicide I think it just came out raw and those feelings and questions of "why?" really never get resolved completely. I didn't turn on the tv because I could easily have given my whole day up to the curiosity and sadness... at first that is exactly what I thought about the unfortunate cicrcumstances.

Thursday morning on the way to school we were listening to Star 94.1 FM and they were paying tribute to Junior Seau in the best way possible. Callers shared instances of having met him and their memories were all so personal, even though most of them had just met him on one brief occassion. Everyone spoke of how his ability to make them feel connected, as if they were old friends, his graciousness for fan photos, his generosity not just with money but his TIME struck me. THIS man was a San Diego hero. He had a unique ability to bring that energy and love off the field into one on one interactions. He is one super star who didn't seem to act like it. A role model for not just kids, but anyone, really. AJ made a great point that this man did this for over 20 years. A community guy. That is what I loved hearing in these stories shared by listeners on the air.

My husband got to experience that same feeling. He and a buddy were eating at Seau's once and Junior stopeed by asked how everything was. Then he pulled up a chair and struck up a conversation with them. It was a moment of awe. Eating lunch with a Pro Bowl player and future hall of famer that you've looked up to as a kid. He took a few moments of his time to share with 2 young guys that would stick with them forever. Let's be honest, Junior had plenty of things he could be doing with his time, so I'm left to wonder, what motivated him to do that? Some people are just bigger than others. But, there are few people who share that ability to be humble and down to earth with others when they've tasted NFL super stardom. His family raised him right. He was born to love people. His charisma and generosity might even have been to his detriment.

Pastor Mike from The Rock was on the air for a minute and he said people got to have someone they can "let your hair down with, be real" and I agree. Who knows if Seau had this opportunity. When everyone around you seems to look up at you and you falter, it might be just easier to keep up the happy face than be judged if you are suffering inside.

What if his choice was made to help others?

The family of former NFL star Junior Seau will donate his brain for medical study into the impact of repetitive concussions on football players

It sounds like he'd been suffering from depression with the car incident back in 2010. He tried to take his life then, and I know the scenario of repeat attempts. Marcelius Wiley says in his interview that he asked Junior to be real with him, but his question was begging for him not to be "Tell me you just fell asleep at the wheel." We don't even know how to properly reach out to people even when that is our intention. Depression is so taboo and someone who is in it doesn't want to deal with more possible negativity or labeling from explaining to someone where they are coming from so they more often than not do not reach out. It is clear with the passing of Number 55 that we need to do more as a society to lend our listening ears, educate and help our friends and family. Start in your own home. That's what I'm going to do. I already know there can be a higher tendancy for depression with the experience of my father. His mother died from alcoholism and that is strongly related. Being aware of the tendancies, seeking support and leaving judgement out is a step in the right direction.

That's Mommy's slice of the pie on Seau and the legacy he leaves behind. What's yours?