So Yeah, it has been a while!

Wow, the last post I wrote was back in October of 2012, and what can I say it has been a trying time in my life. I think through the chaos I forgot about this amazing outlet where I could write down my thoughts and share with people like me how I was feeling, maybe through it all I might not have gotten so overwhelmed if I would have taken the  time to just get back to this writing  thing I love and not that great at. So in the next few weeks I will get you guys caught up on all that has happened .. some great, some blessings, some not so great and some just terrible .. So stay tuned!

Dayna's Story ...

Dayna's story began like most 22-year olds. 2010 was filled with traveling, hiking, bike riding, snow boarding and enjoying her job teaching modeling and runway. She had so much to look forward too- Winning the title of French Food Festival Queen in November gave her the chance to visit Festivals across the state, a chance to compete in the Queen of Queens pageant, and even entitled her to a prestigious honor of attending the Washington DC Mardi Gras Ball.

 But on Christmas Day, 2010 what we believed to be a simple stomach virus has changed her life and all those who love her.
After Christmas, Dayna began "passing out" once or twice a day. She didn't let this stop her and continued to try to live her life to the fullest.  It was the beginning of January, when Dayna could no longer walk without someone standing beside her.  Without any warnings, Dayna began passing out when walking across the floor, sitting on the sofa or just eating a bowl of gumbo. Her family and friends began to keep a close eye on her, trying to "break her fall" the best way they could.  

On January 7th, after visiting her primary doctor, blood test were drawn and several test were ordered.  Dayna was now "passing out" up to four times a day, each lasting about 2-3 minutes.   They never knew what triggered these episodes, they just knew that something was going wrong, and we needed to find someone to help return her life to normal. After many hospitals and LOTS of tests, Dayna was diagnosed with POT syndrome. 

Dayna's life is completely different now, she walks on occasion when she is feeling good, but most of the time she is in a wheel chair. She is not allowed to drive or even walk alone anywhere for fear of a episode. When she passes out, her breathing stops momentarily and recently has gotten worse. She spends more time in hospitals and doctor's offices than she does anywhere else. She has passed out in bowls of gumbo, had stitches from falls in the shower, and has scarier moments to passing out in a bath tub where she had to be pulled out of the water, the list goes on and on. 

But through all that she has been through, she remains hopeful, positive and never has anything less than a smile on her face. She comforts people when they cry for her, she hasn't let this get her down. Dayna carries around little tiaras everywhere she goes to give to little girls that she meets just to put a smile on their faces because that is what Dayna is all about, not her illness but making others happy even when she feels her worst. I can tell you from experience that one night after a pageant, I was helping her mom walk her to the car, you could tell Dayna was tired but never said she was feeling bad. About half way to the parking lot she passed out without warning and I caught her. It was a VERY cold night, but there we were laying on the cement and when she came to, she kept apologizing to ME, I thought she was crazy, she had NOTHING to be sorry for. I just told her that I actually had been needing a night under the stars and we laughed. And we laid there while people covered us with jackets just laughing about silly things. There was my sick friend laughing at my dumb jokes and forgetting the circumstances she was under. 

When she started her bucket list, she didn't tell anyone about it. But it was seen by a few of us on Pinterest, and it got me to thinking. She has suffered so much, this young girl can't enjoy really being young and carefree like she once did, so why not do something to change that. I knew not everything on her list I could help her with, but there was one that I was determined to do, and that was get her tickets to the Ellen DeGeneres Show. I knew it was a long shot but I had to try, I had to work as hard as she has been to get better and I wasn't going to let anything stop me from helping my very best friend. So on Tuesday I wrote a Facebook message to Ellen making my plea. Three days later, over 160 comments and 3,500 likes I am hoping this gets closer to a reality. I want this more than anything, and I really hope there is someone .. ANYONE out there that can help me fulfill a hope for my dear, sweet and wonderful friend. 

#GetDaynatoEllen

Make sure you like the post on Ellen's page!! We want to get to 5,000 likes!!! 

http://www.facebook.com/ellentv/posts/10151203176962240?ref=notif&notif_t=like

#GetDaynatoEllen Day 2

Never in my wildest dreams did I think a small note on Ellen's Facebook Wall would turn into what it has. About 20 mins after I posted my plea to Ellen, I text Dayna's mother to tell her what I had done, to my surprise a few minutes later we had 100 "likes" to the post and I was so happy. From 100 turned into 500 and by 10 pm we were at 1,000 likes on the Facebook post. Beyond that the outpouring of comments about my dear friend and how beautiful and strong of a person she is, each post more heart felt and you really get a sense of who the Dayna I know and love truly is.

I got a text from Dayna's mom, Regina, last night and a very touching Facebook wall post, thanking me for what I was trying to do, that even if I didn't get to Ellen that the smile Dayna got in return from the messages was enough. Truth is, I don't get what I did as special, it was just a message, it's the almost 3,000 other people who are bringing  this to light, those people posting heart felt messages, THOSE people deserve a THANK YOU. Dayna deserves the world and if we can keep this going I really hope a little piece of happiness returns to her.

I have gotten a ton of emails asking how they can help, and it is really simple, go like the post, then tell 5 people to like it and so on and so on. Get on Twitter and TWEET Ellen and make sure you use the hashtag #GetDaynatoEllen I am hoping that gets trending soon. Dayna isn't asking for money or anything, hell she didn't even ask for this. All we, her friends and family, want is to see her stand up and dance as Ellen gets ready for her show, everyone deserves to dance under the bright lights at some point in their life, and Dayna's time is NOW!

To "like" the post click HERE

I NEED TO SPEAK TO/STALK ELLEN DeGENERES

So if you read back on a blog post I had last year about my dear friend Dayna Jenkins (if not read it here) you know that she is suffering from a rare disorder called POT Syndrome. I recently found out that her condition has gotten worse, and after a few months of a small little break (where she was fainting once a week instead on several times a day) she caught a cold and she is right back at square one but worse. At a event she attended, she passed out like normal without warning and stopped breathing like normal, but didn't come back as fast as normal, in fact it took a while and it happened twice in a row that night, not only frightening her mother but her as well. Anyone who knows Dayna knows what her story is, but also knows this girl doesn't let on to how sick she is. She will tell you she is fine and smile that 100 watt smile. But I know how sick she is and I know how scared she is. This brings me to my blog post today.

I was wondering around Pinterest the other afternoon when I saw her board called "Bucket List". This made me so sad. A girl her age shouldn't be worrying about bucket lists, she should be living her life like she wants to live it, but sadly this disease has her at it's will. I noticed trips to Italy, zip-lining, and having a George Town Cupcake (if anyone knows these people send them my way, I need a cupcake for her STAT!) but what I found so remarkable was her wish just to attend the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Not to MEET Ellen, or someone famous, just to get tickets to her show! All she wants is to be around someone who makes her laugh and smile like she deserves. That got me to thinking, I seriously need to make this happen. I need to make this happen for her, to give her back the sunshine she has given me during our friendship, the sunshine she so so so deserves. So I am planning a mission: GET DAYNA TO ELLEN. I plan on posting on Ellen's page, tweets, emails, hell I will talk to her groomer if I have to, but I WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN. So listeners listen up, this isn't about a giveaway, or making someone rich or famous, it's about getting a SWEET , LOVING and DESERVING woman's butt cheeks into Ellen's Show seats, but I need your help. Help me get Ellen's attention, hell a producer, writer or even janitor would work, just as long as I get the attention to get her these seats. With the power of social media ANYTHING is possible. If you want to help or can get me in contact with someone on the show, email me at divamommy09@aol.com .. retweet this blog, repost this blog, ANYTHING you can, just get this to Ellen ... PLEASE!!! Who's with me???

I love anything with the word MILF in it ..

So today I was looking at a new blog I stumbled upon, called Hot Mess Mom, (her name practically speaks to me), anywhoo I also noticed that this amazing blogger is throwing the even more AMAZING party/charity event called .. wait for it .. Million MILF March .. Seriously, I think her and I were separated at birth...

The concept of her event is really simple, celebrate being a woman/man whatever, celebrate all the things you love about you, leave your minions at home aka your children, and get drunk doing it. I am simply paraphrasing here but you get the idea. But the more amazing thing is that all this is going to help a charity called, the Fin Foundation. Friends in Need Foundation is a small, non-profit organization formed in July 1997 to provide financial assistance to Southeastern Louisiana families in need as a result of medical crisis. So basically you get to have the time of your life and also help a family in need all at the same time .. This woman is genius!

I can't help that I love the fact that Hot Mess Mom, has found a way to get people to let their hair down while helping others that need it so much. Bonus part, this event is taking place in NEW ORLEANS! Umm hello! Everyone knows I love a good party, but a party in my backyard .. BRING IT ON!

So I am challenging you all, men and women, get your MILF on, join in on this party in the big easy, trust me it is worth every second! If you can't come, well help anyway, check out the Million MILF March web page for all your ways to contribute to this amazing event, you will feel good about yourself, and I will be proud of you and possibly drunk, win/win.

MILF'S UNITE!

Be there or be talked about ..

My Favorite Things ...

I always get asked about products I love, and of course I am always willing to share my secrets, tips or my favorite products to anyone who will listen. The biggest compliments I always get are on my makeup and hair. As a part time makeup artist, I am always trying new makeup products and trying to get great deals on those products as well, which brings me to my first fav on my list:

Favorite Website:
HauteLook
I love this site for many reasons. From the great deals on clothing for kids, women and men, housewares items but more importantly the makeup! I have gotten the best deals on Urban Decay, Too faced and more, this is my go to site for it all. Sign up, it's FREE and you won't miss a deal EVER!


Favorite Makeup Brand:
For Foundation, I am a Makeup Forever NUT! But it does get pricey, with that said it is the BEST investment you can make. Unlike some of the cheaper brands, you have to use more to get the look you want, this foundation, a little goes a looonnggg way and you in turn save money because your not buying foundation every few weeks.







For powder and blush, I found this amazing brand at my local Target store, it is called NP Set they sell the collection at Target and on EBay, again on the pricey side but a little goes a long way. My powder and blush sets last forever and I do not find myself reapplying every few hours. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Favorite Hair Product:




 Its a 10 wins my hair award! I actually got a small sample of the leave in treatment recently, I decided to try it just to try it and I was floored! My hair felt amazing , and when I went to flat iron it it actually looked healthier. I am addicted to this product. You can order it from the website or even pick it up at your local Target! Try it, and trust me you will be thanking me later!

Favorite Wine




  Look, if it wasn't for wine I would probably be locked up in a mental institution be out of my mind. Over a year ago I stumbled across this wine called, Middle Sister Wine,  while getting ready for a little dinner party at my house. Their snarky yet right on descriptions on the back of the bottle sold me from the start, how can something with my sparkling personality taste bad? (Stop with the dirty jokes here.) And I wasn't wrong! The wine was a hit and the price YOU CAN NOT beat! Pick it up from your local Target, I swear I am not getting paid by Target today .. lol, my only gripe, when can they just send me a crate of this stuff! Jeez, I am grey at 30, I deserve something! Which Middle Sister are you? Personally, I think I am a mix of Rebel Red and Drama Queen Pinot .. Just don't tell my sisters, the would agree with the Drama Queen one. But they are just mean so whatever. Take the test to see what Middle Sister you are here.












**I AM NOT BEING PAID FOR ANY OF MY LISTS, JUST GIVING SOME LOVE TO MY FAVORITE PRODUCTS!**

Diva Review - Mini Pops

Anyone that has children can tell you how hard it is to find snacks that are tasty and actually good for you .. Your either left with no flavor or way too many unhealthy things that it becomes a great adventure just to find something good for you or your kids anymore. So when I was asked to review Mini Pops, I will be honest, "gluten free" "corn free" and "organic" didn't exactly scream full of taste, but I decided to give it a whirl anyway. As soon as the package came in, both of my kids who are obsessed with popcorn wanted to try it. The little logo they have is super cute and it appeals to kids, but would it taste good? So, like any good parent would, I made the little ones taste it first before mom, if their faces screamed disaster there was NO WAY I was trying it. When I opened the bag I was shocked to see how mini these mini pops actually were, like little versions of popcorn. So I poured the little pops into a bowl and had both kids try the white cheddar flavor. To my SHOCK both kids gobbled it right up, not only was the treat appealing to them with the size but they actually wanted more! This NEVER happens in my house with "good for you" snacks, so I let them try two other flavors, and instant hit! I decided to go with the sea salt and it taste just as great as microwave popcorn but better. I am so glad that I found a product that appeals to my kids but mommy too, I would defiantly recommend you go out and try some today. (No wonder it made Oprah's O-List!) For all my Louisiana mom's Rouse's Supermarket is carry Mini Pops today! Go out and grab a bag or maybe 3, trust me you will thank me for it later!

As a added bonus now one lucky reader will also get to try these amazing treats! All you have to do is go "like" Mini Pops Facebook Fan Page here and tell them I sent you.. and leave me a comment below saying you "liked" the page and you will be put into a drawing to win your very own delicious bag of Mini Pops. If you have ever had these before, leave me a comment below and tell me what you think! Do you have a favorite flavor??