DIY: Ridding Your Home of Gnats

I don't know what it is about this heat and humidity that they love so much but it is officially summer time and all of the insects have come out of hiding. So far the only major problem we're having (other than bees) is these darn GNATS! They are every where and can be very annoying and hard to get rid of. Ridding

Anyway, fed up with them and desperate to get rid of them with out spending a lot of money I decided to do some reading and found that a little vinegar mixed with a little dish washing liquid will to the trick. I set it out over night and the next more there was a cup full of the little critters.

What you need:

2 tsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar

2 tsp. of water

1 drop of detergent

1 small cup

Add vinegar, water and detergent to cup and cover with plastic wrap and then poke a few holes in the plastic big enough for the gnats to get through.

Save on Norton 360! - Ends Tomorrow 5/31

If you're a current Norton 360 subscriber and it's time to renew you're going to love this deal. I was able to renew my $89.99 Norton 360 subscription (for 3 PCs) for only $27.99 + tax

- $50.00 off (sale price $39.99) for renewing (online)

- $12.00 using coupon code 30CPNPALN360 (code valid until 5/31)

Your renewal price may vary, launch your Norton software from your PC and click renew to check what your renewal cost will be (it will give you your total before you enter your payment information.

* Coupon code via Retailmenot.com

Harlem Globetrotter Summer Skills Clinics - LAST DAY to SAVE!!!!!

  

 

If you're looking for something fun for your kids to do this summer sign them up to attend one of the Harlem Globetrotter Summer Skills Clinics, the ONLY clinics coached by stars of The Harlem Globetrotters!

At Globetrotter Summer Skills Clinics, stars direct, motivate, inspire AND entertain, keeping it inclusive and fun for ALL boys and girls, aged 6-12, of ALL skill and experience levels. Each session is $59 and includes a free ticket voucher to see the Globetrotters live in 2014!

Each child will receive:

• A free ticket voucher (valued up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2014 World Tour
• Autographs and photos with the stars!
• Official Globetrotter certificate of completion with a personalized Globetrotter nickname

Clinic Locations:

http://globi.es/GlobetrotterClinicsUSFAMILY

(These are just the clinics - the games for your tickets are in 200 cities)

SAVE $10 on Registration!

Enter the Coupon Code USFAMILY (code valid through 5/31 only) on the cart page after completing your registration http://globi.es/GlobetrotterClinicsUSFAMILY

Visiting Texas: I Went to Comicpalooza!!!!

Butterflies! I attended the Texas International Comic Convention (Comicpalooza) this past weekend here in Houston for the first time and surprisingly I had a really great time. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy comic book based movies (Superman is my favorite) and so on, I just never been so into comics that I would go as far as to attend a convention about them but boy has that changed. 

As we were leaving I kept wishing we had more time, there was just so much to see. I can without a doubt say that I am planning to attend next year's Comicpalooza. Check out photos below!

Tech Tip: Finding the URL of a Individual Tweet

Did you know each tweet on Twitter has a unique URL link? Well I didn't, I always assumed they did but was never really sure, nor did take a few seconds to find out until just last week when I was working on a project and I needed the URL link of a tweet I received. Anyway, it's VERY simple here's how to do it in four steps:

1) Locate the Tweet on twitter.com.
2) Click anywhere on the Tweet (the Tweet will expand).
3) Click on Details next to the Tweet's time and date.
4) The URL shows up in your browser's address bar.

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @BellePrincessTX

Houston We Have....Super Bowl LI!!!

Butterflies! Just in case you haven't heard....Houston we have....Super Bowl LI (51)!! The NFL just announced that Houston, Texas will be the home of Super Bowl 51 in February 2017. The last time Houston hosted the Super Bowl was in 2004 when the whole Janet Jackson / Justin Timberlake wardrobe malfunction thing happened, almost 10 years ago and before then the last time (and first time) was in 1974. 

I remember how excited everyone was the last time the Super Bowel was held here and it's definitely good for the city's economy there was so much going on that weekend. I was able to get a job at the stadium because they needed additional staff for the game and all of the other events that were going on during super bowl weekend. I was working the entry door to one of the lounge areas and saw actor Anthony Anderson from Barber Shop and famed stunt man Johnny Knoxville from Jakeass.

I also found out I was pregnant with my little human shortly after that which brought on a pretty sweet year for me. I'm looking forward to Houston being the host city again.

Visiting Texas: 2013 Comicpalooza FREE Ticket Giveaway - Winner!!!!

The Comicpalooza giveaway has officially ended, a winner has been selected for the Comicpalooza FREE Ticket Giveaway.... Congrats Deonna Ramos, you claimed them and now they're yours! Please follow the instructions in the message I sent you to claim your prize. See you at COMICPALOOZA!

Bargain Shopper: 70% OFF Red Dot Merchandise at Target

I stoped by my local Target on yesterday and as usual I stopped by the Target $1 section first and I came across a lot of real neat and useful items for only a buck. Not only was these items a buck but most of the things I picked up were 70% off (red dot items only)! I notice they had a lot of summer party stuff as well as a lot of Marvel Comics stuff (I guess it's because the Texas International Comic Convention is coming up). I was able to pick up three things for my kiddo, two mini Buzzy Seeds greenhouses and a fanny pack (I have been looking every where for one of these) for under $4 bucks. The fanny pack was it was regularly $3 but I picked it up for $0.90, the animal crackers were regular price ($1) and everything else was only $0.30 each. I'm not sure if this was only this location but if you plan to stop by Target any time soon be sure to check it out.



I'm looking forward to growing these!

Visiting Texas: 2013 Comicpalooza in Houston May 24-26 + FREE Ticket Giveaway

Greetings all comic fans, it's that time of year again, the 2013 Texas International Comic Convention known as Comicpalooza will be hosted on memorial day weekend May 24th-26th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Expect to be blown away by all the excitement this event has to offer. If you're a true comic fan or just enjoy Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Anime like myself you must attend this year's Comicpalooza.

You will be able to enjoy several different Comicpalooza events, live art, auctions, and meet and have your photo taken with some of your favorite celebrity guest. There will be a number of guest appearances some of this year's featured guest include:

      

      Actor Danny Trejo         Actor Patrick Stewart

             

       Actor  Sam Huntington    Actress Michelle Rodriguez

Ticket Information

For your convenience you have the option of purchasing your tickets online or at the door. Please visit the Comicpalooza website for more information and to purchase your tickets (it's cheaper if you buy online). Also follow Comicpalooza on Twitter @Comicpalooza to stay up to date on everything you need to know about this year's event.


The 2013 Comicpalooza Sponsors Include:

The Vladar Company
Ronald McDonald House Charities
The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Skirmisher Publishing LLC
and more...


FREE Ticket Giveaway!

If you are interested in attending this year's comicpalooza and you haven't purchased your tickets yet you are in luck,  Butterfly LifeStyle blog will be giving away 2 tickets to this year's event! To enter this give away send me a tweet @BellePrincessTX or post on the BLS facebook fan page wall saying "Those are my Comicpalooza tickets!"  for a chance to win. It's that simple! Winner will be selected at random and notified on or before May 22nd.

        

 Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All thoughts, opinions and expressions above are my own.

In the Kitchen: Spinach & Tuna Pasta - Easy Weeknight Meal

 

Ingredients:

Directions:

Cook pasta (1 box) as directed on package

Saute chopped garlic (2-3 cloves) and spinach (1 package, frozen or fresh)

Mix in cooked pasta (drained), tuna (2-3 packages drained), a few dashes of parmesan cheese and black pepper.

Bargain Shopper: What is Ibotta?

Let me start by saying that this new program is awesome! Now the scoop on Ibotta:

What is Ibotta?

Ibotta is an app for smartphones (Android and iPhone) that allows you to save money when you purchase popular products. You can learn facts, watch videos and take one question surveys before purchasing a product to earn cash. Also, Ibotta now has bonus offers for opportunities to earn even more cash back. So far I've earned over thirty bucks since I started using this app in April.

How do I Get Paid?

Once you have purchased the product, you simply submit a picture of your receipt showing your purchase of the item. After you’ve redeemed offers totaling $5 or more, Ibotta lets you transfer your earnings directly to your PayPal account. Choose “Withdraw Cash” from the main menu of the app, then select “Get My Cash” to link Ibotta to your PayPal account.

What Stores are Ibotta Coupons Good At?

There is currently over 40 stores that are partnered with Ibotta and they are adding more all of the time. Some of the stores currently participating are CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart, Target, and Family Dollar just to name a few.

How Do I Get Started?

Sign-up for Ibotta on your tablet, iPad, iPhone or Android phone using this link: www.butterflylifestyle.com/ibotta.

***Tip: Combine Ibotta offers with sale prices, store/manufacturer coupons for extra savings!

Relationship Post: Pat Robertson Gives Marriage Advice - What are your thoughts?

Butterflies....I can't even! So, I was supposed to be sleeping but I had to send a few emails, anyway I somehow ended up watching this video and let’s just say I won't be going to bed anytime soon.

First, to say “men will be men” is basically saying, it's ok he can cheat on you because he is a man and then to say that “it's a spouse's job to keep the other mate in line” is preposterous! It's each individual’s own responsibility to have willpower and not give in to temptation. At the end of the day people (men and women) are going to do what they want to do or at least what they think they can get away with. I did agree with a few things he had to say but for the most part his comments and advice were ridiculous.

I can personally attest to the fact that marriage takes a lot of work, it might look easy from the outside but it's something you have to constantly work at and be 100% committed to. After years of being together life happens, sometimes couples grow apart and fall out of love with each other, that's why it's important to stay focused and enjoy the things you love about your spouse each day.

What are your thoughts on what Pat Robertson had to say?

Actress Zoe Saldana talks Race & Sexuality

Hey Butterflies! I just came across this interview with actress Zoe Saldana (currently my favorite female actress) and BET rep Smriti Mundhra; I had to share it. I first fell in love with Ms. Saldana after seeing her performance in the action packed 2011 Colombiana film. Watching this interview made me love her even more. I agree with pretty much every thing she had to said. Check it out!

Visiting Texas: Ocean's Restaurant in Houston

Prior to this last visit I had been to Ocean's a few times before in the past mostly for happy hour or a quick business meeting but neither time did I reserve a few seconds to take in this establishment. Now that it's a thriving Mexican ceviche eatery it's hard to believe this place was once a regular two story house; revamped, given a modern look and the name Ocean's.

Now on to the food...



Ocean’s Salad



Starting with the Ocean's Salad, I have to say it was creatively prepared. This salad is started with a mix of lettuce and red and yellow bell peppers topped with goat cheese, then garnished with tomatos, crispy noodles and pecans and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.









Prime Filet Mignon Taco

The Prime Filet Mignon Taco consisted of one or two thin slices of beef, minced white onions, and cilantro on a corn tortilla. Since I dined during their "happy hour special" this single and very tiny taco only cost me $5, do I think it was worth it? As I ate I couldn't help thinking, for that same five bucks I could have gotten at least 3 to 4 tacos from a couple of places in my own neighborhood. In this situation you are defiantly paying for the atmosphere.



Citrus Margarita



Sangrita





The drinks were average, there was nothing extravagant about the drinks at all but for the price I have to confess I expected a little more.

Ocean's patio for outdoor dining

The one other thing I like about this place other than the fact that it is conveniently located in the Midtown-Houston area is the patio. I have dined on the patio at Ocean's twice and each time I really enjoyed it. If you choose to visit Ocean's you will find that the patio area has a very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere depending on the evening you decide to visit; each time I visited Ocean's it was on a weeknight so there was no crowd and the weather was beautiful so I'm sure that enhanced my patio experience even more.

Summary:

Overall my experience at Ocean's was almost fair. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're looking for somewhere to enjoy a hearty meal at a decent price. I would however recommend Ocean's for a nice quit place to have a drink or two with friends or meet with business associates or if you just want to get some work done while enjoying the sun and a little fresh air.

Cost Rating:
Experience Rating:

Overall Rating:

*Ratings are conducted based on a cost for quantity/quality ratio.

Ocean's

819 W Alabama St

Houston,TX 77006

Ph: (713) 520-7744

Photos courtesy of My Ultimate Photography



Beauty Trends: My 3yr Hairversary...I'm Thinking This Is Not For ME!!!! Is it Relaxer Time?

Hey Butterflies! So it's been three years since I went natural and honestly I'm not really feeling it anymore. I originally decided to go natural just to try it out then I feel in like with not having to spend a ton of money on styling my hair and the ease of rocking a "fro".  

However, maintaining natural hair is a lot harder than it looks, keeping it moisturized, tangle-free and smooth are some of my most challenging struggles with having natural hair. I really wanted to stick with it and trust me I'm having anxiety just thinking about throwing in the towel on my natural hair journey but, it no longer excites me. I've been feeling so blah about my hair lately and that's not a good feeling so I guess it's time to change it up?

Movies: The Big Wedding

Butterflies!? Have you guys seen The Big Wedding yet? I didn't get to see it opening night like I hoped to but I made sure I went the following weekend and I'm glad I did, this movie was hilarious. This film was directed by Justin Zackham and stars Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Diane Keaton, Robin Williams, Christopher "Topher" Grace from That 70's Show (#random -we have the same birthday) and more. In summary without giving it away, Alejandro (Ben Barnes) is marrying Missy (Amanda Seyfried) and to impress his birth mother (Patricia Rae), his divorced adoptive parents (Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton) fake being married. It's still weird seeing young Eric of That 70's Show all grown up and acting in movies. Robin Williams on the other hand performed just as I expected since seeing his role in License to Wed were he played a marriage counselor who took counseling to the extreme. I have to admit I'm a huge fan of chick flicks or anything wedding related so that of course made this film even more enjoyable for me. This film provided non stop laughter with quite a few "oh wow" moments. Overall I thought it was great! Check out the trailer here!

Bargain Shopper: May 2013 Deals

Free 8×10 Portrait at Target

Print a Target coupon to get a free 8×10 Portrait.