Thursday, February 26, 2015

I Finally Watched The Princess Bride @foxhomeent #FHInsiders #princessbride




Special Features

TRUE LOVE: THE PRINCESS BRIDE PHENOMENON (Pts. 1 & 2) For 25 years, viewers have watched and loved The Princess Bride. But why does it resonate so strongly for all ages? This two-part featurette offers some answers, along with funny and touching tributes from Rob Reiner, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal and William Goldman just to name a few. Other bonus features includes but not limited to:
Audio Commentary by Rob Reiner
Audio Commentary by William Goldman
As You Wish: The Story of The Princess Bride
Cary Elwes Video Diary
Miraculous Makeup
The Dread Pirate Roberts: Greatest Pirate of the Seven Seas
Love is Like a Storybook
The Princess Bride The Untold Tales featurette
The Art of Fencing featurette
Fairytales and Folklore featurette
Original theatrical trailer
Easter Eggs
The 411:

I think I saw this movie way way back in 87. Parts of it I remember and others not so much so I believe I had never seen it in it's entirety.

As a huge Rob Reiner fan I was excited to sit and watch the whole thing from beginning to end.

We start off with Peter Falk reading his sick grandson Fred Savage a story that has been passed down from generation to generation. A classic love story filled with adventure and excitement as Westley searches for his childhood love Buttercup.

He left her on a farm when they were much younger to find a way to make his fortune and come back to marry her. She hears his ship was attacked and believes him dead and is heartbroken.

Prince Humperdink, heir to the throne of Florin forces Princess Buttercup to be his bride but before they could wed she is kidnapped.  She is saved by a black masked man who she believes killed her dear Westley. She send him down a hill but realizes he is her love and jumps down the hill herself.

Westley and the Princess must fight all kinds of obstacles to be together but true love prevails.

The message; true love never dies.

What I enjoyed about the movie is how I could watch it with my kids. It's a love story but there is adventure, sword fighting, giants, bad guys, quicksand, weird creatures, comedy, and more. It is a fun movie full of action and fantasy.

It was a fun ride and I am not sure why I waited so long to enjoy it. AND there is Billy Crystal as Miracle Max




Disclaimer: I received a copy for my honest opinion as a Fox Home Entertainment Insider.

My Crazy Baby Cracks Me Up! #TBT


I love, love, love my kids. I also love, love laughing and I have a lot of very funny people in my life. My sister, my friends, Bek and Teresa, my husband but honestly there is no one that cracks me up as much as my daughter. She is 3 months shy of 3 years old but she is FUNNNNY!!!

Maybe it’s because she is so tiny that you don’t expect the random things to come out of her mouth. Maybe it’s because she is just friggin funny. I don’t know, the point is this…she makes me laugh more than anyone else I have ever met. On top of being funny she can be the sweetest baby girl on earth.\

I love her “I’m sorry”, whenever she hears that you hurt yourself, or don’t feel well, or when she walks by you and knocks into you (even if she doesn’t). I love her roars when she plays with dinosaurs or other animals.

I adore the way she holds your face (one little tiny hand on each cheek) and demands a kiss, “give me a kiss.” Then she plants one on your lips and says, “thank you.”

I love all the made up songs she sings and the way she wants to dance whenever you put a dress or skirt on her.

I love when she asks you to sing with her.  I love that she knows so many songs. “I want Fabulous“, and “The Sun will Come Out Tomorrow”, coupled with most Christmas songs, Nursery Rhymes, T.V. Themes, whatever her heart desires and she has no problem singing them at the top of her lungs as we walk through the supermarket. She usually does a medley of about 10 songs complete with “everybody” as she gets to the chorus. She’s my natural born entertainer, making up her own songs too.

But sometimes she just says thats that are so funny. Like today when she put her hands behind her and said, “I’m shaking my booty. Look at me, I’m shaking my booty.”

Friday, she left her little TY Wilbur pig at my son’s school. She almost hyperventilated in the car when she realized. “Oh, oh no…I left my pig at school. He’s on the table where I was eating snack. Oh no, he’s going to be all alone. Oh no!!” I told her we would call the school and that Ms. Kate would take it home for the weekend and it would be ok. She seemed fine after that. Then at about 7:30 p.m. last night she said, “I miss my wittle pig.” I turned and said, “awww you miss your little pig?” She said, “yeah, I want to see him.” How friggin cute is she? I told her that Ms. Kate was taking care of the pig and we would see him soon.

Last night when she and my son were using me as their own personal jungle gym, they both ended up sitting on my lap at the same time. She turned to me and said, “Mom, are you Santa Claus?” I laughed saying “why, because you are sitting on my lap?” I was actually concerned about the question and what she actually meant because she is just too damn smart.  She said, “yeah, we are sitting on your lap, do you feel like Santa?”

Today she was lying on the floor moving her arms and legs, I asked her what she was doing and she said making snow angels. Cute!!

She has no problem telling me or anyone else, “no, I don’t want to.” If we don’t give her what she wants she also has no problem screaming like the banshee girl she is.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Calling Romance Book Lovers: XOXO After Dark Shop + Book Giveaway #giveaway #booklovers @XOXOAfterDark

 WINNERS CHOICE


I am so happy to share with you some amazing deals for book lovers of romance, urban fantasy & women’s fiction at XOXO After Dark.

Gems From the Vault include gems from the past with a  special promo prices!  Currently they are featuring titles by top-name authors such as Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood, Deep Waters by Jayne Ann Krentz, Take Me by Bella Andre and more.




THE LION’S LADY by Julie Garwood
Christina Bennett had taken London society by storm. The ravishing beauty guarded the secret of her mysterious past until the night Lyon, Marquis of Lyonwood, stole a searching, sensuous kiss. An arrogant nobleman with a pirate's passions, he tasted the wild fire smoldering beneath Christina's cool charm and swore to posess her... 
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $5.99!


GAME AND THE GOVERNESS by Kate Noble
Trading Places meets Pride and Prejudice in this sexy, saucy romance—first in a new series from the author of YouTube sensation The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
Three friends. One Wager. Winner takes all.
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!


DUKE OF SHADOWS by Meredith Duran
In a debut romance as passionate and sweeping as the British Empire, Meredith Duran paints a powerful picture of an aristocrat torn between two worlds, an heiress who dares to risk everything...and the love born in fire and darkness that nearly destroys them. 
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!


TALK OF THE TOWN by Karen Hawkins
From the author of Italian for Beginners, a lush, heartwarming novel about a woman who travels to Paris to uncover a family secret for her dying grandmother—and discovers more than she ever imagined…
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!

HOW TO DISCIPLINE YOUR VAMPIRE by Mina Vaughn
In this exciting paranormal erotic romance, a dominant schoolteacher with a serious role-play fetish finds the perfect submissive in an infamous vampire lover.
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!
 
CAGED WARRIOR by Lindsey Piper
From the author of Italian for Beginners, a lush, heartwarming novel about a woman who travels to Paris to uncover a family secret for her dying grandmother—and discovers more than she ever imagined…
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!
  

DEEP WATERS by Jayne Anne Krentz
Charity Truitt and Elias Winter, two of the Pacific Northwest’s most powerful corporate figures, are both facing crises of career and the heart. Fate has brought them together in Washington’s tiny Whispering Waters Cove, but when the town is rocked by two shocking murders, Charity and Elias realize that they must join forces to catch a killer. Because behind the town’s sleepy façade run currents fed by treacherous secrets and Deep Waters.
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $5.99!

ONE WAY OUT by Michele Albert
ONE HEATED RIVALRY Sexy renegade treasure hunter Cassie Ashton and hunky by-the-book paleontologist Alex Martinelli are sworn enemies.ONE DANGEROUS FIND... To their dismay, Cassie and Alex are forced to team up to protect Cassie's latest discovery -- a priceless ancient skeleton.Thrown together in the face of danger, the two rivals try to fight their passionate, long-suppressed attraction. But sometimes, when you're on the run and falling in love, there's only... ONLY ONE WAY OUT
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!

TAKE ME by Bella Andre
An appetite for sensual pleasures must never be denied... 
Lily Ellis has curves -- soft, beautiful curves. The kind of voluptuous body she fears Travis Carson, the man she's always loved from afar, would never crave. But Lily is about to be proven wrong. Determined to beat Travis at his own game by guarding her true feelings, Lily partners with him on a business deal that takes them all the way to Italy. In the seductive warmth of the Tuscan sun, Lily plays a game of desire with the hot-blooded Travis. Will she be burned by an all-consuming ecstasy or will Travis open his heart to the sexy, exciting, and lasting love she has to offer?

PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $5.99!



BETTIE PAGE PRESENTS: THE LIBRARIAN by Logan Belle
Inspired by the story of the iconic Bettie Page, Logan Belle’s sizzling erotic novel explores the transformation of Regina Finch from shy librarian to the object of one powerful man’s all-consuming desire.
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!





VENUS IN FURS by Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch,
Originally published in 1870, Venus in Furs was ahead of its time. Revolutionizing popular thought on the relationship among love, sex, and power, it paved the way for modern erotica like the wildly popular Fifty Shades of Grey series. It has inspired films, a song written by Lou Reed and performed by the Velvet Underground, and—most recently—the four-time Tony nominated play Venus in Fur starring Hugh Dancy and Nina Arianda.
PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF $1.99!

For more great deals check out the XOXO shop here!

To enter the giveaway, please fill out the giveaway tool below before March 15th


Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was offered or received to host this giveaway.

Russell Madness Blu-ray Combo #giveaway #FHInsiders @FoxHomeEnt and @AirBud Comes Out March 10TH




FANDANGO and AIR BUD ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE
AN ALL-NEW MOVIE FROM THE CREATORS OF THE BELOVED
AIR BUD’ and ‘BUDDIES’ FILMS
Hilarious and Heartwarming Pet-Filled Adventure Introduces ‘RUSSELL’
An Adorable Talking Terrier who goes from Rescue Bound to Wrestling Superstardom! 
Action-Packed Family Adventure -- Debuts in Theatres February 21, 2015 

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., December 4, 2014 – Get ready to “Russell!”  Fandango, the nation’s leading moviegoer destination, and Air Bud Entertainment are proud to announce an all-new movie from the creators of the beloved ‘Air Bud’ and ‘Buddies’ franchise -- RUSSELL MADNESS.  Debuting in theatres February 21, 2015 as part of the Fandango Family Screening Series, and on home entertainment in Spring 2015 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, the hilarious, all-new family adventure is the first feature film from newly-launched Air Bud Entertainment, the creative force behind the #1 live-action, direct-to-video movies in the family category.  The exciting action-packed adventure introduces ‘Russell,’ an adorable TALKING Jack Russell Terrier who accidentally becomes a professional wrestling superstar, on the way to discovering the true power…of family.

RUSSELL MADNESS stars John Ratzenberger (‘Toy Story,’ ‘Cars,’ TV’s Cheers), Fred Willard (TV’s Modern Family) David Milchard (TV’s Convos with my 2-Year Old), Mason Vale Cotton (TV’s Mad Men and Desperate Housewives), McKenna Grace (TV’s Crash and Burn and The Young and the Restless) and John Hennigan (former WWE star) along with the voices of talking animal stars including Will Sasso (TV’s ‘MadTV’ and ‘The Three Stooges’) and Sean Giambrone (TV’s The Goldbergs).  RUSSELL MADNESS is directed by ‘Air Bud’ and ‘Buddies’ veterans Robert Vince, written and produced by Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts.

Fandango Family Screening Series
Beginning February 21, 2015, Fandango will debut RUSSELL MADNESS in top market theaters as part of the Fandango Family Screening Series, a nationwide promotional program offering families free exclusive advance movie screenings, plus free snacks, goodies and a chance to win prizes and other fun surprises.   The film will be shown in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, DC, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  More information about the RUSSELL MADNESS screenings is available at Fandango.com/RussellMadness, and parents can sign up to be notified via email when it’s time to reserve seats for this special event.

Synopsis
RUSSELL MADNESS tells the story of Russell, an undersized but big-hearted terrier who dreams of having a family of his own. After running away from his pet store, Russell gets taken in by The Ferraros, a family desperate to revive their grandfather’s pro wrestling arena. That’s when they discover their new pet pooch has incredible wrestling skills. With help from his coach, Hunk, a savvy and hilarious monkey, Russell rockets to the top of the pro wrestling world and becomes a famous sports superstar. But when a dishonest promoter double-crosses the Ferraros, Russell will face his biggest challenge and discover that the strongest tag team is family.  RUSSELL MADNESS is rated ‘PG’ by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

About Air Bud Entertainment
Air Bud Entertainment (ABE) is the company behind the brand most well known for the beloved AIR BUD and BUDDIES franchise. For nearly 20 years AIR BUD and BUDDIES has become the four-paw icon of this generation and part of the social fabric for children, parents and grandparents. ABE’S exciting new productions will be available across numerous multi-media and digital platforms.


 RUSSELL MADNESS is rated ‘PG’ by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).


I have yet to see Russell Madness but plan on it as soon as I get my hands on the movie. My kids love watching movies where the animals are the stars and I love spending time with my kids so this is a Win/Win movie in my eyes. 

While you are waiting to see the movie, enjoy some Russell Madness Activity Sheets




To Win:
Entry-Form

To Buy:

Disclaimer:
I am hosting this giveaway as a Fox Home Home Insider. No monetary compensation was offered or received. 

Standing Steady After Hard Times Takes Patience And Unfortunately, A Whole Lot Of Practice



Life has a way of really kicking you in the pants sometimes. You are going through life sometimes feeling great, other times feeling moody but if you are like most of us you really try to make the best of it. Why be moody and miserable when you can choose to be happy.

While we all have different circumstances, different upbringings and different methods of dealing with things, I think we can all agree that we are generally all the same.

We are people who feel deeply, get stressed, love unconditionally, work hard, feel weak, drained, unexcited, excited, blessed, we can go on and on with this. However even though we all feel the same things, the things that take us to those emotions are different.

Maybe you get stressed over bills while another gets stressed over driving on the highway. Or maybe you get excited when you see a new pair of boots that you absolutely must have while another could care less about new boots but gets excited over a song they haven't heard for years. What I am trying to say is we are different but the same. Get it!

My life last year took me to some of the darkest places I have ever been. I cried like I haven't cried before. I am shocked that I can still muster up a good cry now after the river I cried in 2014.

It could have been the worst year of my life. It could have been. However, even after all the crying I managed to smile at work, greet everyone with a kind word and a smile because I was taught that you may be the only kind word or kind face someone sees. So always treat people with kindness.

During my dark days I woke up and kissed and hugged my children telling them all the loving things parents tell the little people they love. Coming undone wasn't an option. I had to still stand steady and get through my life. There was never a day I didn't think I couldn't do it. I would cry at night when my kids were sleeping. I would cry and pray for strength and the words that may or may not be necessary when it came time to tell everyone what was happening.

Handling my personal stress this way is something that has been present in me for way longer than I care to write about. Life for me, like a lot of people, has always been a struggle. There are too many heartbreaking things to even write about here because that is not what this post is about. Let's just say, as a child from 7 there were people in my life who didn't do the right things by me either out of fear or for their own personal gains. Whatever! That was then! I cannot change the past. I will never as long as I try no matter how much I change, pray, beg, be able to change MY past.

So...

When you feel like you can't; know that you can.

When you feel unloved or uncared for; know that you ARE loved! Someone loves you. You may not even be aware, or maybe you think they don't because things have changed. Maybe you haven't even met them yet. BUT there is someone who loves, will love or wants to love you.

If you are religious and believe in a higher power, YOU ARE LOVED.

When you feel like life is better off without you; know that LIFE is better! You are necessary! Maybe your best time hasn't happened. Things happen for a reason.

Whether the cause was someone else, something else, or even yourself. It will get better. It Will! I know because for more years than I care to write about, my life has taken so many twists and turns that I am amazed I can remain standing steady. With that said,  I am not surprised I am still standing steading. Life is hard for everyone. It is just different things that make it hard.

Being your best self doesn't mean having the newest boots. It doesn't mean having another person in your life to make you complete. Being your best self means, being YOUR personal best. It is your journey but do yourself a favor and do whatever you can to make your Journey the best for YOU!

Smile at another person today. You may be the only smile they see! While you are at it. Smile at yourself today. Walk up to the mirror and get to know yourself again. That person is pretty damn amazing.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Never Have To Clean Hair Out Of Your Tub Again! Drainwig Giveaway - #giveaway #unclogthedrain #grossphotos ARV $19.95


Warning: This post contains gross photos of my tub

This house has hair a ton of it. I have enough hair for two people at least and my daughter is on the way to the same head of hair. I lose hair everywhere and even my friends tell me when I leave they tell me they clean hair up for days so you can only imagine that when I take a shower, the drain gets it's fair share of fallen hair which equals a clogged drain every few days.

The Drainwig was something I was eager to check out considering the amount of time we spend unclogging and sticking a snack into the drain to find the clog!

Our home was built in 1972 and not much has been done to update it. The bathroom and kitchen are the two most dated rooms with the tub in some sad shape.  I have to use a plunger on the tub at least once a week or the water sits in the bottom as it slowly drains out sometimes taking over an hour. UGH...nasty soap scum rings are a problem due to the slow drain. It is one nasty tub! Since getting the Drainwig two weeks ago, I have not had to use a plunger and have not had the bathtub fill as I shower.


The simple design of the Drainwig is an interesting one.

It's a decorative piece that sits atop a chain with rubber whiskers that catch the hair as it drops down the drain.

After 2-4 months you simply remove and toss! No more taking hangers, drain snakes or harsh chemicals to remove a clog. There will be no clog. It catches everything.

I put this in two weeks ago and look how much hair was caught already. *Warning! Nasty Pics of My Tub*
 
Day 1

Day 15 - My drain on cleaning day Saturday

Only two weeks but I wanted you to see it

OMG Look at that! So nasty



I loved that I could take it out and toss it in the trash!

Honestly I was pretty amazed at how much hair it grabbed in such a short time!

The Drainwig can be purchased at Drainwig.com where you can order a 4 pack. Either a multi-pack where you will get two for tub and two for shower. 4 for shower or 4 for tub.  You can even set yourself up and receive a new pack every 3 months so you never have to worry about ordering. You save BIG if you do it this way.

AND...one of my readers gets a chance to win a 4 pack.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered or received.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

How To Turn An Amazon Fire TV Box Into A Monster High Doll Bed #tutorial #monsterhigh @amazon


My niece got us an Amazon Fire TV for Christmas this year. It is pretty damn cool and we love it. But this post is not about that. I noticed the box was pretty cool with it's overhead compartment which had housed the power cord. In the past I have saved boxes thinking I would do something with them but end up tossing them a few weeks later during a clean up purge.  Not this time!



Last month I grabbed the box while waiting for my daughter to finish reading her homework to me and stated playing with it. I must have tried about 15 different configurations before settling on the one that would eventually become a bed for Monster Toralei.


The box!

Settling on the layout

I taped the sides down

At first I thought the legs would be made of crayon then worried about marks on the furniture

So I rolled up some magazine strips with a pencil and wrapped it with the tape
The legs

Ta Da...legs!

Next I measured some foam sheets to go with the bed colors

And hot glued it down. I also hot glued at this point the sides of the bed and added a coordinated bed for the cabinet

We added a strip of the foam across the top

A Monster High banner as decoration

And Toralei now has a bed





We had another box saved and at the moment I can't remember what came in it but we made a little shadow box for a Valentine's photo which I have yet to print out but will post as soon as I do.

Great box! I had some letters from a Staples Giveaway I won

We decided on LOVE and used some Scotch Dots to hold them on

We love the way it came out. Photo of Handsome and Goddess going in as soon as I can print it