Our Family Movie Night Was A Colorful Celebration Of The Dead! #BOLinsiders - The Book Of Life Coloring Sheets

 
THE BOOK OF LIFE is a breathtaking animated comedy with a dazzling visual style unlike anything you’ve seen before. Torn between the expectations of his family and the desires of his heart, a young man named Manolo sets off on an epic quest that spans three spectacular worlds in order to reunite with his one true love and defend his village. Not your ordinary fairy tale, THE BOOK OF LIFE is a wondrous fantasy-adventure filled with magic, music and fun.

"Follow me, you need to see something special. All the world is made of stories and all of those stories are right here in The Book of Life. But the greatest story begins on the Day of the Dead, a day when spirits pass between worlds and anything can happen."

  

The kids and I sat down to watch a vibrant, beautifully animated story of two friends who are in love with the same woman and how tradition, legend and family effect the outcome. 

Well, maybe that is a bit broad of an explanation...

Plot: There are three stories involved in this movie about the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. The holiday where family remembers there loved ones who have passed.

Manolo and Joaquin love Maria. The three best friends spend all their time together while the boys are sweetly competitive with their affections for their dear friend.  

Some students on a museum tour listening to the story of the three friends 

AND two spirits Xibalba and La Muerte in the Land of the Remembered watch the two friends fighting over Maria and place a wager on who will marry Maria.

The youngsters find themselves in some trouble and Maria's father sends her away to Spain to become a proper woman. 

When she returns the boys are still as competitive as ever except this time, one of the spirits is upping his tactics to win the bet and have Maria choose Joaquin. 

Myth and tradition take center stage and the movie takes on a paranormal storyline involving the afterlife with a visit the The Land of The Remembered and Forgotten before the ending that we all hoped for.

Visually: The movie is truly stunning. sugar skulls, vibrant color, and festivals so incredible. The characters are all wonderfully done with a wooden look to some that made me think of Tim Burton movies Nightmare Before Christmas. I can only imagine this movie in 3D. The Land of The Remembered is truly a masterpiece.

Characters: What is not to love? The woman are beautiful, the men are handsome, there is even an adorable pig who is given to Maria by Manolo after she rescues him that has the sweetest face with his heart shaped nostrils.  I personally loved the singing nuns who showed up every once in a while while my daughter loved Maria and my son loved the head of Manolo's grandfather. Just the head! He is carried by Manolo's mother in the Land of The Remembered.   

Soundtrack: I loved it! So many great songs included in this movie. I Will Wait For You (Mumford and Son), Creep (Radiohead), Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis), Do You Think I'm Sexy (Rod Stewart), Just A Friend (Biz Markie) and more. 

Great movie for the whole family.

Some photos from our movie night:

UGH...look at that window! 

I quickly shut the curtain!

Goddess and I posing while Handsome took a bathroom break. Best photo I have ever taken

They are so cute! Why did my son not like Manolo? I would have loved him! I just noticed my son had on the perfect pants for this movie night.

Some extras I received as a Fox Home Insider. 

I am so putting these in Goddess' lunch box next week.

We want to thank Fox Home Entertainment for the wonderfully fun gift pack to host our Family movie Night.  We had a blast and I love spending time with my kids "UNPLUGGED".

Coloring Sheet:

To Purchase:
The movie is on sale at Amazon right now! 





Disclaimer: I received a family movie night package as a Fox Home Entertainment Insider. No monetary compensation was offered.
 

We Are Starting A Nerd Block Subscription For Goddess' 10th Birthday, Now To Decide Which One! @NerdBlockJr

We were thrilled to be able to review a Nerd Block Jr Box this month, January 2015 Goddess was beyond excited when she saw the bubble gum pink box.

If you don't know what Nerd Block is yet let me tell you a little bit about it. Nerd Block is a mystery monthly box that gets delivered to your house.  You never know what will be in it but it will undoubtedly be filled with fun!

You select the type of theme box you want:

• Mystery Box $13.99
• Nerd Block $19.99
• Arcade Block $19.99
• Horror Block $19.99
• Nerd Block Jr for Girls (age 6-11) $13.99
• Nerd Block Jr for Boys (age 6-11) $13.99

And Subscribe. It is so easy. Nerd Block knows how excited you will be to get your box so they stay in constant contact with their subscribers to tell them when their package is sent from their location. This way you can track it and get ready for the fun!

Goddess couldn't wait to open her box and did a video unboxing for it.

The items were fun and included Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, Frozen, Minions, and MORE!

Here is our kit and everything included

Everything was so girl friendly and perfect for the ages 6-11.

It's Olaf! Isn't he adorable!?

The Harry Potter figurines are rather awesome!

I have never heard of Shopkins but Goddess tells me the girls at school love them!

Handsome's unboxing is coming up soon.

Rough Day #TBT - Poor Kid

Originally Written Saturday, June 25, 2005

Rough Day!

So today while contemplating just where I would go on my first vacation my Mom and Dad starting talking about going bye-bye. Yippee..I love bye-bye. I run and get my sandels. Sitting down on my Wiggle couch I wait for mom to help me put them on. Mom comes over and starts putting socks on my feet which always means sneakers. Why the sneakers? Does my footwear preference mean nothing to her? She finishes doing that loopy do thing she does with sneakers and I run to the back door. She says, "No baby, we are going in the car." God damn I never get it right I run to the front door she says we are going on the deck I run to the back door she says car I can't win. Remind me never to gamble.

Daddy takes my hand and we head down the stairs. I start down the steps and Dad starts his counting. I will never understand the relentless counting. How many times does he go down those stairs a day. Dude, it's five steps. Just do it. Maybe he has OCD. I feel kind of bad for the old man. Maybe next time I count them for him.

Mom carries the loud, pink bundle they call Goddess. Where are we going? The park, Aunt Teresa's, Mom and Tot Group? No! We end up at Babies are Us. Daddy picks me up because I tried to walk over to these really cool shades I wanted to check out. I try to explain that I am just going to try on some sunglasses and I'll catch up to him and mom later. It's a no go.

He walks with mom over to the women who takes our money and we are out the door. Mom puts Goddess in her car seat and Dad puts me in mine. We start on our way home and the bundle of hair sitting next to me starts wailing. Dad catches my eyes in the mirror. He says, "Pooh, you look like someone pooped in your lunch or someone stole your pony" or some other ridiculous statement that is no longer cute.

You think Dad!? Do you think I look pissed!? Babies R friggin us? Give me a break old man. I spend the rest of the ride listening to my Dad make up words to songs, mom is reading a magazine and my sister is screaming her head off.

I can't wait to get home and take a nap.

My head is killing me. Lord give me strength!

Harry Potter Fans I think It's Time To Book That London Trip

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

ORIGINAL HOGWARTS EXPRESS LOCOMOTIVE TO ARRIVE AT WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON – THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER

Platform 9 ¾ expansion to be revealed in March

LONDON - This March, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will unveil a 20,000ft² expansion, including the original Hogwarts Express steam engine and a recreation of Platform 9 ¾. The new, permanent section will offer a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created as well as give visitors the chance to climb aboard the train’s carriage and to pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the platform wall.

Throughout the Harry Potter film series, British steam train no. 5972, ‘Olton Hall’, was used as the Hogwarts Express. Scenes featuring the working engine – including the very last scene to be shot, in which a grown-up Harry, Ron and Hermione wave their own children off as they head to school – were filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and on a track running the full length of the Studios’ 100-acre backlot. The 78-year-old engine will return to the series’ production home this spring and will be displayed on a realistic set of tracks, with steam billowing as visitors step onto the platform.

Officially opening on Thursday 19^th March, the new, must-see section has been redesigned and will be built by many of the crew members who worked on the most successful film series of all time. Every inch of the platform’s glass roof, yellow brick walls and luggage racks, designed by Oscar^® and BAFTA winning Production Designer Stuart Craig, will be painstakingly reassembled by a team led by Construction Manager Paul Hayes and dressed by Set Decorator Rosie Goodwin. Oscar^® and BAFTA winning Special Effects Supervisor John Richardson will rig the locomotive with special effects steam.

Visitors will be able to walk along the train’s adjoining carriage and sit in the interior carriage set that was used during filming (complete with ‘windows’ that demonstrate the process used to create iconic train scenes from the films such as the escape of Harry’s first Chocolate Frog and the Dementor attack). A selection of prop luggage will be on show and visitors can find out which character owned which items by turning an interactive dial (characters include Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood and more). A train-themed souvenir shop will also be open on the platform, stocking a wide range of goodies inspired by the Harry Potter films and, specifically, the Hogwarts Express.

Sarah Roots, Vice President of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, commented: “We can’t wait to open our first expansion, Platform 9 ¾, just before the Studio Tour’s third anniversary in March. The Hogwarts Express had a starring role in the films so we’re excited that it will be taking center stage in the new area. It’s the piece that visitors have most requested to see and we’re expecting a fantastic response.”

Stuart Craig, Production Designer on all eight Harry Potter films, added: “The Hogwarts Express was the setting for many iconic scenes, from Harry, Hermione and Ron’s first meeting in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to the moment the trio’s children embark on their first journey to school 26 years later. The wizarding world doesn’t have a need for modern technology so we knew a traditional steam engine would make the perfect school train. Before we began filming in 2000, we scoured the country and found ‘Olton Hall’ at a preservation center in Lancashire; realizing pretty quickly that it was exactly what we had been looking for.”

The new Platform 9 ¾ section, featuring the original Hogwarts Express, will open on Thursday 19^th March and entrance will be included in the standard ticket price.

We Are Subscribing To Goodebox

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved make-up. After having kids I put myself on the back burner and only bought the bare essentials as needed. One eye liner, one shadow, one blush, one mascara. That was it!

Over the past two weeks I have been putting a lot more time into doing my face every morning thanks to my niece Samantha's You Tube Channel. I have been inspired and found my old love of make-up again.

Last week I received my first Goodebox and can I tell you it was so much fun to try these new products and spend some time on ME!

Here is my unboxing: 

The box contained:

African Black Soap from Soapbox - I loved the smell. It is a clean lovely smell probably from the shea butter but what makes this soap even more interesting is that there is activated charcoal in it which is good for exfoliating.

The soap has made my whole bathroom smell amazing and it really does make your skin feel silky soft.

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil, Corn Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Sea Salt, Activated Charcoal, and a Blend of All-Natural Essential Oils

A sample of Retinol & Peptide Infused Lifting Eye Cream from Palmetto Derma which is said to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I can tell you that I have been using it for four days and love how soft my skin feels. I do in fact see a reduction in fine lines and only noticed today when I put my foundation on. Usually I feel like the foundation brings out the fine lines in the corners of my eyes when I smile. I didn't feel that today.

Ingredients: Peptide Complex, Retinol, Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C, CoQ10 & Rose Hip Oil.

Botanical Peeling Gel from Eslor which smells great and reduces shine, refines pores and brightens your skin tone while exfoliating.  I love this stuff and have used it twice so far. The site says to use once or twice weekly. Apply over dry skin, avoiding eye area. Leave on skin 5-10 minutes. Gel will melt onto skin and liquify. Gently rub skin in circular motion. Rinse with warm water. It really rinses off easily and left my skin feeling amazingly subtle and soft. LOVE IT.

Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Glycerin, Chamomile Extract, Sodium PCA, Papaya and Pineapple Enzymes, Essential Oils, Glycosaminoglycans and Sea Buckthorn Oil.

Green Leaves and Co. Organic Facial Oil from Earth Wise Beauty which heals and prevents acne with thyme, regenerates skin cells and reverses wrinkles with rosemary verbenone, regulates oil secretion with clementine leaf and coconut oil, and reverses signs of aging with the lavender and violet. Violet leaf is this fascinating plant that acts both as anti-acne and anti-aging ingredient. 

While this oil is not at all drying (or irritating) in the way many anti-acne products are, the coconut oil in it makes it very gently astringent. If you have oily skin areas, they will stay more matte and over time become more balanced in terms of oil production. If your skin is on a dry side but still acne-prone, you can use this oil just on the problem spots, or try using the oil as the first layer and follow with a noncomedogenic moisturizer as the second layer.

I was surprised with this product. Because it was an oil I thought perhaps it would leave my face very oily. It didn't! It smells like green  if you can imagine what green smells like. It is a nice, fresh, clean smell with lavender.

So far I have used it as an all over facial oil before putting on my moisturizer and it absorbs into the skin nicely not leaving a greasy sheen as I thought it would. It actually makes my skin feel softer and more youthful. This cold weather has really dried out my skin and I think this has really made a difference.

Ingredients: Virgin cold-press Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*†, virgin cold-press Simmondsia chinensis (golden jojoba) oil*, Rosmarinus officinalis ct. verbenone (rosemary) oil*, Thymus vulgaris ct. linalool (thyme) oil*, Viola odorata leaves absolute*, wildcrafted Lavandula angustifolia (high-altitude French lavender, from Haute Provence) oil, Citrus clementine leaves oil* (from Corsica), Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) oil*(from India, of course).

Lastly, A Della Travel Bag for whatever you need to carry.  It is 8.5 x 5 inches and has a zipper.

I believe that Goodebox is a wonderful beauty subscription that introduces you to some new products that may never be on your radar. You get to sample them before committing to buying them and if you love them you can continue to get them. 

You can join Goodebox and get a monthly subscription, a three month or even a six month subscription. The more you sign up for, the cheaper your subscription price depending on your budget, needs or likes. 

Like Goodebox on Facebook and Twitter to stay on top of their specials. They also have a You Tube Channel and are on Pinterest.

Do You Have Any Winning Disney Photos? Enter The Disney Parks Then and Now Photo Contest #disneycontest

I haven't been to Disney since 1995. It was my boyfriend (now my husband) and I at the time and we have been dying to go back ever since. 

For years we have been asked by our kids when will we go but there just never seems to be extra finances to take a vacation. Sad but true. I am dying to take them and long for the day we can.

Perhaps you have gone and have a photo that you just know is a winner and should be seen in more than just your photo album or on a slideshow on your computer. Now is your chance to show it off! 

That photo could win you a trip to Disney! 

Submit a “then” photo of a trip to any Disney Park, and win an amazing 5-day, 4-night trip to Walt Disney World NOW! The package includes airfare, accommodations, and much more, sponsored by National Geographic.

The winning photo will be selected based on Execution of Theme, Creativity & Originality, and Photographic Quality.

The contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 18 and older.  Promotion ends March 9, 2015. More information is at www.thenandnowcontest.com

January's REWIND Loot Crate #Giveaway!

January's REWIND Loot Crate Giveaway!

Sponsored By: Loot Crate

Hosted By: Deliciously Savvy

Co-Hosted By:

Maria's Space

Dixieland Reviews

Kaisy Daisy's Corner

Tales From A Southern Mom

Dividing by Zero

Michigan Saving and More

MomsWhoSave

Sweet Ramblings

&

Natalie Made It

PLUS a Big Thank You To All Of The Other Amazing Blogs Helping To Promote!

Now You're Looting With Power!

With the start of 2015 upon us Loot Crate wanted the first crate of the new year to celebrate the geek and gaming icons of the past. Join them as they REWIND and give you EXCLUSIVE items from Star Wars & Voltron!They are also bringing you some epic geek apparel, including an exclusive & licensed shirt, so you can kick off the new year in style! Finally get ready to decorate your desk with an awesome retro gaming-inspired mashup figure!

CHECK LOOT CRATE OUT FOR YOURSELF:

LOOT CRATE

Follow Loot Crate On:

TWITTER ~ INSTAGRAM

1 LUCKY Winner will receive the January "REWIND" LootCrate!

So are you feeling lucky today? Are you ready to try and win this REWIND LootCrate for yourself or someone special? Enter Today! Good Luck!

Open to US Only and must be 18+ To Enter

Giveaway Dates: 1/27 12PM EST until 2/6 12PM EST

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook,

Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This giveaway is valid only

in the United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter.

This giveaway will end at 12:00 PM (EST) on 2/06/15.

And Now The Giveaway!!!

Good Luck!