Disney's Merida Make-Over

So a friend on Facebook posted this article and I'm pretty pissed about this.  At first glance you might think it's not a big difference but really, they have changed a lot.

First of all, when my kids and I went to see Brave in the theater last summer, I was so happy to see that Disney had created a princess that was an independent girl who rescues herself. She wasn't all about landing a man or worried about her looks. She was fierce and well...brave.

What kind of message is Merida's new look sending to girls? Just look at all the differences made.
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Merida was a tomboy. Not some glamour girl. She was beautiful as she is in the film and didn't like the fancy dress, even. The biggest thing is they took away her bow and arrow! Why? Should a pretty princess have no need for such weaponry? There was no need to sexualize her image when she was a realistic teenage girl. Not cool Disney! What do you think? 

Sign the petition here.

:)

Hey, May

Did this year fly by for anyone else? I can't believe it's already May!  That makes it one year since I went to the US last summer, and really, in my head that was like a few months ago. Seriously.

My kids are in the midst of end of the year exams and it's a real pain in the ass. I'm sure I've complained about it on the regular in the past years but that does not stop me. Really, school here is so intense and just made to be such a big huge deal when in the big picture, I'd like my kids to be well rounded, have interests, be in sports year round but school does not allow for that. There's simply not enough time with the work load and monthly exams. I'll be glad when we're done for the year. Of course then they'll be assigned summer homework. What a bummer. That phrase "Summer Homework" shouldn't be allowed. I'm planning to get them to finish it right away so we can just have it behind us and not worry about it.

It's super hot already, 102 (39) degrees today and it's only going to get hotter.I'm going to start making ice blocks for Rocky in this heat. Fans and AC, I love you. If it weren't for them, I'd probably melt into a puddle. Rumors are going around that the govt. is going to turn of the power 2X a day for an hour during the summer. I'm hoping that doesn't happen. Egypt really needs to get it's energy problems fixed because that is ridiculous. Ramadan this year falls right smack in the middle of summer, Allah help us.

Also,  I've been working on a little something something, to be announced soon! :)

Borio, The Poor Man's Oreo, And What Corporations Don't Want You To Know

For years I've thought it was hilarious that Egypt's answer to Oreos was Borios. Borio, kinda like an Oreo but boring! You could buy Oreos but they were hella expensive, imported from America and all. Now there's an affordable pack of 6 that are made in Saudi. Here's a side by side comparison between Oreos and  Borios.



The color difference is  the biggest thing but to be honest, the Saudi Oreos aren't so dark because they're more chocolatey, more on that later.

My assistant, Dawood held them so you can see the difference in the cream and thickness.

Here you can see the circumference and the cream. The Oreo cream is definitely superior in texture, taste and quantity.

The taste test revealed that the cookies actually taste very similar. This is largely due to the fact that the Oreos sold here, made in Saudi? They're not the same as the ones in the US. Scandalous  I know! I know that Oreo taste and these just don't have it. These are way better.

The other thing is that I highly suspect these Oreos contain some food coloring to give them that dark chocolatey look. I know this because of, well...lets just say, I received reports of the effects of said food coloring on excrement. And well, that just doesn't happen with real cocoa.

I find it really, disturbing that this and many other products in the Middle East are of a lesser quality and under the same brand name. This is true for lotions, diapers, hair products, and many other items. Why is that? I guess when you don't know the difference it's all the same to the corporations. Use cheaper materials and the consumers are none the wiser. They think they're getting the real deal, a genuine American product.


In the end, this isn't me complaining about cookies, but the principle of the matter. Why do we get the crappy version? What do you think?

Beauty Stuff Swap

So my friend and I did this last year and we decided to do it again last month. We both love beauty products and surprises so we did a bit of a swap.

Here's what I got her:

Some of it was stuff I had from my US trip that I didn't use/need. Essence shadow, lipstick and liner. Pantene samples, Lancome GWP lotion, Avon double ended liner, a pretty notepad and a cuticle pusher she'd mentioned she was looking for. 

And my stuff she got me :

I loved the gift bag, lol. Avon make up remover, SuperShock mascara, Saphire blue gel liner and purse size Incandescence fragrance. Also a ring and ankle bracelet. 

This was a lot of fun to put together and exchange. 

No One Ever Said It Would Be Easy

Been a while since I had a good vent here hasn't it? I think it's something all moms go through. A rough patch every so often. Times when I just want to get away. Can moms run away from home?  It just gets to be too much sometimes. Can I rant for a bit?

Kids are noisy, as a rule. It's near non stop bickering around here lately. Throw in teen attitude and whining from all sides and you have yourself a headache. . It's hard to get them to help out around the house. I am not above bribery. However, with that, you have set a precedent, and doing something just to be nice and help out old mom becomes a rarity. Children are sometimes very selfish creatures to be quite honest.

I really think kids see mom as this thing, that is simply there to serve them.

Mom, I can't find my socks.
Mom, where are the batteries?
Mom, what's for dinner?
Mom, can you iron this?
Mom, I'm hungry!
Mom, what time is it?!

Everyone in this house can read a clock but I guess it's easier to just ask The Mombot.

Then bedtime rolls around and you think you'll get a little peace and quiet but the little buggers Just. Won't. Go. To. Sleep. JUST GO TO SLEEP! Stop giggling and talking right now because I'm about to lose it! All day long you hate each other and now you want to chit chat?! By the the time they finally give in and lose consciousness, you're ready to go to sleep and you skip getting lost in a movie or a book. You wake up the next day and struggle to get them to wake up and get ready for school, and start it all over again.

There comes a point where you just feel spent. You have no more to give and you'd like just a little appreciation once in a while.  Don't get me started on the teenaged ones. I won't go into a lot of details to protect his/her privacy but damn, I never knew how much an eyeroll could hurt. That your own baby could grow up and give you looks that could kill. It really hurts. But no one ever said it would be easy.

Disclaimer:  Make no mistake, I love my kids to the moon and back!

OOTD Black & Gray

Another outfit post! This time a little more casual/laid back.

I love this top from Ulla Popken. It's comfy and soft. My go-to gray scarf goes with whatever  along with black ballet flats and a black bag.  I do need to clean that mirror!

The flats are from a shop called Spring. The bag is from Club Aldo.

This is the watch I wear every day and the bracelet is just a random one from some shop I don't remember.

I took these after I came home, if you look at the time.  I've got a to do list a mile long so gotta go :)