Puffs Kiss Launch Event With Tia Mowry Benefits Non Profit Dress for Success

Beauty & Community

As a Los Angeles based lifestyle blogger with a national audience I receive invitations to many wonderful events that result in great content for this blog to share with loyal readers. Among the many press parties I've attended, my favorites often are those involving corporate responsibility. Examples are events hosted by Procter & Gamble brands involving high profile celebrities like actor Matthew McConaughey for his Just Keep Livin Foundation and actress Vanessa Lachey, the spokeswoman for P&G's Tide Future Friendly initiative.

This week I attended yet another fun and meaningful event, a night of beauty makeovers, at Blushington Makeup Studio in West Hollywood that was hosted by the P&G brand Puffs. On hand was Tia Mowry who is best known for her starring role in the hit ABC/WB TV series Sister, Sister speaking on behalf of Puffs support of non-profit Dress for Success. Meeting her in person was definitely a highlight as was hearing of her passion for making the world a better place and to supporting the mission of a non profit women's community outreach group called Dress for Success.

Started by a 22 year-old law school student in Harlem, Dress for Success is a global organization that has been helping disadvantaged women reenter the workforce since 1997. Contrary to common public perception, providing ladies in need with new wardrobes both for interviews and to wear when they first land their new jobs isn't the only thing this group does. They also provide an invaluable support system of ongoing workshops for female members that hones interview skills in addition to offering career coaching and guidance for managing day-to-day challenges that arise in the workplace once they've landed new jobs.

Tia was sitting next to me for her photo shoot while my own makeup was done

The press event included makeovers of some of the many success stories of Dress for Success. A few bloggers including me were also treated to professional makeup sessions. From food to an open bar to the fresh flower arrangements on tables throughout the salon everything was beautiful down to the last detail.

A Dress for Success client savors her makeover, Image courtesy of Puffs

During the evening I sat down with Adriana Zyskowski, branch manager for the Dress for Success L.A. office that serves the western U.S.  It was heartening to learn from Adriana that many of those now thriving and benefiting from the group's services once were homeless, foster youth, incarcerated, or otherwise life challenged women. However, as a mom myself of four kids what made the biggest impression on me was to learn that a full 70% of their clients are single mothers with two to three children.

Nora Doench, makeup artist & beauty blogger, did my makeup at the event

The new me after my Blushington makeup session

"Dress for Success changes the lives of the women we serve," Adriana says. "In the case of the mothers we work with, perhaps even more important is that we're also helping to change the lives of their children. So what we are doing is having a positive effect across multiple generations."

Adriana Zyskowski, Dress for Success L.A. Branch Manager

With such a worthy organization hooking up with a well-known consumer product brand, I also want to share how you can help. The Puffs brand is donating $1 to Dress for Success for each virtual Puffs Kiss shared on Facebook until 2/24/12 up to a maximum of $100,000. You can help in raising badly needed funds for a worthwhile cause by clicking on the link below this image to spread some love to friends, family and loved ones while also getting Puffs to donate to Dress for Success on your behalf.

Facebook.com/Puffs

Image courtesy of Puffs

FTC Disclosure: I was invited by Puffs to attend this press event. I did not receive any payment or other compensation and thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Puffs Dress for Success Beauty Makeover

Community

Event Raises Awareness About a Great Cause

 

A beautiful evening at Blushington Makeup Beauty Lounge in West Hollywood, California last night set the stage for the Puffs facial tissues brand event introducing fashion and lifestyle bloggers to the community support work they're doing on behalf of the global non-profit Dress for Success.

For more details and photos from this lovely and meaningful event, see my Night of Beauty post.

FTC Disclosure: I was invited by Puffs to attend this press event. I did not receive any payment or other compensation and thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

To Rome With Love Digital Blu-ray Movie Review

Movies

With Valentine's Day just over a week away, love is indeed in the air. What more perfect time than now to see an entertaining newly-released on DVD and Blu-ray romantic comedy movie with your sweetie? To Rome With Love (2012 Sony Pictures Classics, Rated R) certainly fits the bill with a cast loaded with all-star Hollywood talents like Woody Allen, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg and many others.

To Rome With Love from Sony Pictures

MBE partnered with Sony Pictures, post contains affiliate links

The Story Line

Set in Rome, the ultimate European city of romance, this is the story of Hayley (Alison Pill), an American tourist and Italian lawyer Michelangelo (Flavio Parenti) who have a chance encounter on the street and quickly fall in love. 

But things get complicated with all kinds of stories intertwining... that's where the fun and this romantic comedy really starts to unfold. To Rome With Love available on Amazon on Digital to Rent as well as Blu-ray and DVD.

Movie Gift Basket Giveaway

Once again I'm thrilled to let you know that Sony Pictures is providing a great prize package for MommyBlogExpert to give away to one of this blog's lucky readers. All the details are below for you to enter this great new giveaway contest I'm hosting.

GIVEAWAY

To Rome With Love Prize Package includes

• 1 To Rome With Love on Blu-ray
• 1 Frommer's Italy Day by Day travel guide book
• 1 Midnight in Paris Poster (another great Woody Allen film

Blu-ray Movie

Frommer's Travel Guide

Woody Allen Movie Poster

HOW TO ENTER

Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends March 14, 2013 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive 1 To Rome With Love on Blu-ray, 1 Frommer's Italy Guide Book and 1 Midnight in Paris Poster. Winner will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter 

2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook
3. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Pinterest

4. Follow @SonyPictures on Twitter

5. Like @SonyPictures on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***

You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet to copy and paste:

I entered to win the perfect Valentines Day Movie @SonyPicture 's #ToRomeWithLove Blu-ray Gift Basket GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/be4v7tb

More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways

ENTER Them All HERE

MBE participates in in the Amazon Affiliate program and we receive a small bit of compensation, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase using the Amazon links within this story.

FTC Disclosure: I received the movie to facilitate this review. In addition, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is providing the prizes and shipping for this giveaway. However, thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Central America Smartphone Images Seen Thru Nokia Lumia 822 Carl Zeiss Tessar Camera Lens

Technology

All images in this post captured with the Nokia Lumia 822 

My rugged teenage son has truly bonded with the Nokia Lumia 822 that was sent to us recently for test and review by Verizon Wireless. In fact, ever since he started using this about a month and a half ago he can't seem to put it down. Literally, he's been raving pretty much non-stop about what he enjoys most about it -- and believe me there is plenty to love about this smart phone.

My tech savvy 17 year-old kayaking on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

The ability to personalize his experience with everything that the Windows 8 platform offers to set up a smartphone that perfectly matches his active lifestyle is way up on my 17 year-old's like list, for sure. However in this post I'd like to delve deeper into something he and I find even more worthy of showcasing: the two premium cameras that are built into this sleek and cool device.

One of my girls with a giant grasshopper on leaf, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is really green because it always seems to be raining

Thanks to the Nokia Lumia 822's auto focus front- and rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss Tessar Lens and dual LED flash, my son was able to capture many incredible still and video images of our recent family Central American vacation to Mexico City, Costa Rica and Panama. Clearly, my son has been inspired by the world class photography of National Geographic Magazine.

In particular, as you can see from the small selection of photos included with this story, the wide angle lens did a great job of shooting people, animals and the many beautiful natural and city skyline landscapes we saw along the way. Depth, clarity, colors and details -- both closeup and afar -- are shown in a variety of weather and lighting conditions both indoors and outside.

Exotic rainforest flowers on one of several jungle hikes in Costa Rica 

You can almost feel this Coatimundi 's thick fur coat, Costa Rica

Closeup Salvador Dali sculpture, Museo Soumaya, Mexico City

Panama City, Panama City Skyline at Sunset

Speaking of video images taken with this smartphone's camera, the New Year's fireworks as seen from our high rise Panama City, Panama hotel were absolutely stunning....




When you're on vacation creating memories with your family, the pictures you take are essential to taking those recollections of a wonderful trip back home. Though you can never quite recreate the feeling of actually being there, the photos taken on our latest exotic family adventure with the Nokia Lumia 822 come pretty darn close. 

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a member of the Verizon AIC Blogger Team and that I received the product featured to facilitate this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week With Prizes February 3 - 9

Twitter Parties

Tweet

Updated 2/8/13  - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, February 3

Thuuz Super Bowl Twitter Party at 5:30 pm ET with @PlaygroundDad. Prizes: Authentic NFL Jerseys valued at $125. #Thuzzbowl Details

Monday, February 4

3 Amigas Valentines Day Gift Guide Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @darielacruz @denisseicaza @pinkguayoyo. $800 in Prizes: ONE (1) $100 giftcard, TWO (2) $50 GCs, ONE (1) $100 Gilt Gift Card as well as a variety of other jewelry and other glamorous prizes. #3AmigasGuide RSVP

Wedding Jewelry 101 Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @ptjewelry @marthaweddings. Prize: ONE (1) platinum Love Knot pendant from @BlueNileDiamond #MSWChat Details

iVillage Weight Loss Twitter Party with @iVillage and special guest @DrOz at 8 pm ET Participate with hashtag #fightfat

Manwich Twitter Party with @ResourcefulMom at 8 pm ET. Prizes: FOUR (4) Manwich Survival Kits including branded products and a $50 grocery gift card. ONE (1) Grand Prize includes Manwich Survival Kit plus $100 grocery gift card. #Manwich RSVP

Leaders in Inch Loss Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @ZeronaCanada @soberjulie. Prizes - Canada only. #RapidInchLoss RSVP

Family Cars Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @SheBuysCars @StressFreeBaby. Prize: TBA #TMom RSVP

Tuesday, February 5

International Delight Light Iced Coffee Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @therebelchick @7onashoestring. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walmart gift cards. #LightIcedCoffee #cbias RSVP

Hoya Lenses Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @suburbanmomclub Prizes: TWO (2) $25 American Express gift cards and TWO (2) FREE Pair of SYCH lenses with EX3 technology included (up to $200 value each) #HoyaLenses RSVP

Disney's Peter Pan Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @Disney @SocialMoms @StacieinAtlanta. Prizes: THIRTY (30) DVD Blu-ray Peter Pan combo packs, including 10 to be given away for tweeting an invite to the party and 20 giveaways during the party. #PeterPanDiamond RSVP

Get Pet Savings Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @CharlotteReed @agquillinan. Prizes: $100 Pet Food Direct giftcard, $50 Walmart GC, 6 months Kitty Litter, $50 Hartz pet products gift bag and more. #GetPetSavings RSVP

Beat the Flu Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @AVogel_CA. Prizes: TWO (2) A.Vogel Cold & Flu Buster Kits, ONE (1) Flower Umbrella - Canada Only. #BeatheFlu Details

Level the Field Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @urbanmommies. Prizes include Right to Play gear and more. #Levelthefield RSVP

Heart Health Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @HollyPavlika @Collective Bias @GirlsLunchOut. Prizes: Red compacts and bracelets from the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement and more. #heartthrobs #cbias RSVP

TelcelUSA Valentine's Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TelcelAmerica @mamacontemporeana @thehermosas @clubdediosas and others. Prizes: ONE (1) Samsung Galaxy Tablet + $30 iTunes giftcard; ONE (1) $100 Walmart giftcard + Valentine's Chocolate Gift Tower; ONE (1) Vizio 24" Flatscreen HDTV + Popcorn Mater; ONE (1) $100 Spa Finder gift card + chocolate truffle gift basket.  #TelcelUSA RSVP

Me Time by Harlequin Cravebox Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @CraveBox @RachelFerrucci and others. Prizes every 10 minutes. #MeTime RSVP

Project Inspiration Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @tiboard @iheartnaptime @whipperberry @MomitForward and others. Prizes: ONE (1) iPad Mini and ONE (1) $50 Visa giftcard. #projectinspiration #gno RSVP 

Wednesday, February 6

Cook Classico Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @RebeccaEParsons. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walmart giftcards. #CookClassico #cbias RSVP

Tide, Downy & GE Appliance Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Tide @Downy @GE_Appliances @AudreyMcClellan @VeraSweeney. Prizes: Years' Supply of Tide and Downy and a GE Appliance Smart Dispense washer dryer set valued at $2,298.  Participate with hashtag #Smartdispense Details

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET chatting about how to beat the Winter blues. Grand Prize: ONE (1) XBOX 360. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Wyndham Vacation Rentals Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Wyndham_Rentals @takingthekids @FamilyTravel4um @MomitForward and others. Prizes: $250 American Express giftcard. #gno #familytravel RSVP

Thursday, February 7

NIVEA Twitter Party at Noon ET with @miscfinds4u @tsue1136. Sam's Club gift cards will be given away every 15 minutes during the party; a Sam's Club GC Grand Prize will also be given away at the end. #NIVEAMoments #cbias RSVP

Rethink What You Drink Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @LoveMySilk @somedayilllearn @HaveSippy. Walmart Giftcard Prizes: TWO (2) $50, TWO (2) $100 and ONE (1) $200. #RethinkWhatYouDrink #cbias RSVP

RuffleButts Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @MyTotsy @totsymom @rufflebutts @ruggedbutts. Prizes from RuffleButts & RuggedButts. #TotsyParty RSVP

Avocados from Mexico Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @MomCentral @MomCentralChat @guacgrl. Prizes: SIX (6) people will win $50 Amazon gift codes and an I Love Avocado tshirt during the party plus they're giving away TWO (2) more $50 Amazon gift codes to two people who Tweet the invite to your followers. #IloveAvocados Details

Get Organized With Staples Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Staples @JulieMorgenstrn @TilsonPR. Prizes: $100 Staples giftcards to be given away throughout the party. #StaplesOrgTips RSVP

EAS Sports Nutrition New Year Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @FabFitFun @EASBrand. Prizes: TBA. RSVP

The Home Depot Twitter Party at 8 pm ET to discuss their new Do It Herself workshops with @MomSpark. Prizes: Home Depot giftcards. Details Soon #DIHWorkshop RSVP

Royale Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @mc_canada. Prizes: SIX (6) $100 Spa Cards - Canada Only #GoldenKitten RSVP

Friday, February 8

Delicious Pairings Valentine's Twitter Party at Noon ET with @Starbucks. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards #DeliciousPairings #cbias RSVP

Lean Cuisine & Skinny Cow Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Momsimpression @janetgoingcrazy @CBTweetChat. Prizes: $250 in Sam's Club gift cards: $25, $50, $75 and $100. #FrozenFavorites RSVP 

Next #MomInspirations Twitter Party tweeting live from The Chicago Auto Show hosted by @Cafeyak. Lots of prizes, see link for full list of what you can win RSVP

Verizon Wireless My Valentine's Day Moment Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: one of two bright red Nokia Lumia 822 smartphones (both with $125 Verizon Gift Cards). To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


NEXT WEEK

Sunday, February 10

Menage A Trois Grammy Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @CleverGirlsColl @MenageATrois. Prize packs valued at $40 that each include 2 wine glasses, 1 corkscrew and a $25 VISA giftcard. #MenageWineGrammys RSVP

Monday, February 11

Cool Whip Frosting Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @KellysLuckyYou @tsue1136 @cbTweetChat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #CoolWhipFrosting #cbias RSVP

Bravado Designs Valentine's Day Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @BravadoDesigns @Resourcefulmom @NancyJHorn. Prizes: FOUR (4) winners each receive Body Silk Nursing Bra and $25 American Express giftcard. #DesignedforGood RSVP

Offers Loves FTD Valentine's Day Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MommyBlogExpert @Offers and @FTDFlowers. Prizes: Approximately $400 in lavish Valentine's Day FTD floral arrangements and $50 FTD gift cards will be awarded.  #OffersLovesFTD RSVP

Tuesday, February 12

ONCEKids Chinese Lunar New Year Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @ONCEKids. Prizes TBA. #Oncekids - Stay tuned for more details HERE

Seductive Tables Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @MollAnderson @Partybluprints @DawnSandomeno. Prizes. #SeductiveTables #cbias RSVP 

ONCEKids Chinese Lunar New Year Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @ONCEKids. Prizes TBA. #Oncekids - Stay tuned for more details HERE

Die for Me Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with author @CynthiaEden @lit_connect. Prizes: $50 Amazon giftcards, $25 Barnes & Noble and Victoria's Secret giftcards, ONE (1) Kindle Paperwhite and more. RSVP

Merci Chocolates Thank You Award Show Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @mercichocolates @resourcefulmom. Prizes: TWO (2) Rent the Runway $200 giftcards, TWO (2) Pamper Me prize packs that include $100 Sephora GCS + more, ONE (1) Grand Prize that includes $200 Sephora GC + more.  #merciawards RSVP

Escape from Planet Earth Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @momspark @momsparkmedia @Weinsteinfilms and others. Prizes: ONE (1) VISA giftcard in each of the following denominations $25, $50, $75, $100 and $200 plus an Escape from Planet Earth prize pack for each winner. #EscapefromPlanetEarth RSVP

PBS Kids Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @PBSKids @DinosaurTrain @MomitForward and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) Dinosaur Train prize packages valued at $40 each. #DinosaurTrainPBS #gno RSVP

Meal Planning Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @debtfreespendin @iamthatlady @aleamilham @savingsclasses. Prizes: TWO (2) $25 Amazon giftcards, TWO (2) $50 Cooking.com GCs and ONE (1) $100 American Express GC. #MealSavings RSVP

Wednesday, February 13

Bring Your Own Lettuce Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @MsMissy62 @turningclockbac @cbTweetChat. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walmart giftcards. #BYOL #cbias RSVP

Easy Closets Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @easyclosets @resourcefulmom @MikeWolf @Ang_Smit @MyGoMom. Grand Prize: ONE (1) $500 EasyClosets product. #easyclosets RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, February 14

America's Tea Twitter Party at 1 pm with @TheMommyFiles @RebeccaEParsons  @cbTweetChat Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 VISA Giftcards #AmericasTea RSVP

For the Love of Gaming Twitter Party at 6 pm ET. Prizes: Wii Console with Just Dance 4 plus DealCows, T-shirts and other prizes. Follow @CowBoom Details

Friday, February 15 

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

COMING SOON

Wednesday, February 20

I Heart Omron Twitter Party at 8-10 pm ET with @BookieBoo @Momma_Oz. Prizes: TWO (2) Heart Rate Monitors, TWO (2) Connected Pedometers and TWO (2) Scales. #iheartOmron RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Friday, February 22

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog.  

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.