Sunday, March 31, 2019

Miss The Old Polaroid Photos? Check Out Polaroid's Mint Camera



Polaroid Mint Camera ($99.99): Instantly snap and print a photo with this fun camera that prints out on 2x3" ZINK paper that's also a sticker! Three modes, automatic flash and a selfie mirror make it easy to capture those perfect moments and share instantly.

Guys...not sure how I felt about this product. I was so excited to see how it worked and how much the photo paper was. My daughter had been given a different brand as a hand me down from a cousin and the paper was so expensive after the first time using we never bought more. It just wasn't worth it.

I have a soft spot for Polaroid photos. Some of the last photos of my mom were shot on Polaroid back in the 70's so I was so excited when I got one.

The camera looks way different then it use to. It is smart phone size and fits in your pocket easily.

The package comes with everything you see here.


  • Polaroid Mint Camera
  • Instructions
  • Wrist band
  • USB charger
  • Starter pack of paper
  • Warranty


Knowing how much we like selfies these days, Polaroid gave us a selfie mirror so we can make sure we are in the frame.

You can choose between black and white, sepia and color. You can also choose to have the classic Polaroid border or no border. It has a built in flash that I didn't see a way to turn off yet if there is one and it has a 10 sec timer.

I have taken 5 photos so far. The first was an accident and it is a photo of me and my biggest fan and I used a border. I also took a photo of my son without the border. I love them both. The photos come out fairly quickly and the paper has adhesive over a sticky back so you can peel and stick anywhere if you want to use them as stickers. The last few I  have used as regular photos by not removing the back.


The camera can hold a photos on a micro SD card but would need to be purchased separately. So far it worked out great except a photo I took last night at my daughter's school. It was a dark hallway with lights coming from 3 different doorways. My daughter and two of her friends were in the photo and I could see them in the shot but when the photo came out it was dark and a friend wasn't in the photo. I guess I should have held it landscape but he was in my frame when I shot it. Disappointed but thankfully another friend took the same photo so I do have one.

Watch Goddess and I talk about the camera and take some photos



The camera sells for $99.99 and kids seemed to love the idea of it. A friend of mine wasn't sure what to get her daughter for her birthday and has decided to grab one of these.

The camera comes in black, red, blue, yellow and white

Amazon has them with free shipping

 

You can get a 50 pack of paper for $23.59



Don't want to carry a smartphone and a camera you can get the Polaroid Mint Pocket printer. It has Bluetooth for Android and iOS Devices


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

Join Storm Boy Opening In Theaters April 5th And Adopt A Pelican #StormBoyMovie #WorldAnimalfoundation

My family like most of you out there love animals. We spend our day checking out videos and photos of various animals via You Tube, Instagram, Facebook and even spend weekends at the local Animal Shelter so when we learned about a movie called Storm Boy which was adapted from a book bby Colin Thiele about a young boy who rescues a trio of orphaned pelican babies we were excited and eager to find out more. AND...if this poster doesn't just hit you in the gut, nothing will. 

We love the tall grass, the boy clutching the pelican, the Pelican in complete trust to this small, lonely boy. It is an obvious bond that makes you interested in learning more.  
We were more excited when we were given an opportunity to see the movie and partner with Good Deed Entertainment "Storm Boy" and World Animal Foundation and adopt our very own real Pelican and thought what a wonderful idea for others. We are learning so much about Pelicans (who knew there were so many kinds of pelicans?) and after checking out the World Animal Foundation site, found out you can pretty much adopt any animal. I know so many people who don't need another candle, book, piece of jewelry or thing but an animal that they can help. Now that is a loving gift. 
My family and I received our package in the mail and were all so excited to see the photo of our adopted Pelican and today bought a frame to showcase our certificate.

In the package you receive:
A glossy photo of your adopted pelican
Adopt a Pelican adoption certificate
Fact sheets about your adopted pelican
and Animal cards with information on animal issues and how you can help


My daughter's first question was when can we visit our pelican? We can't visit, him but here is an adorable stuffed pelican for you to hold.
For activity sheets on the movie please visit my blog post.

My review coming soon.

  Disclaimer: I received a package, screener and stuffed pelican for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Storm Boy Coming To Theaters April 5th - Activity Sheets #stormboy


Dealing With Teens On The Spectrum

This morning my son decided to be all angsty teen. In the car usually he wears his headphones and listens to whatever it is he is listening to. We never speak in the car in the morning. This morning I thought, let’s open up a line of communication. So I asked, “How are you friends at school? Has your friend come back from vacation?” The only reason I know someone is on vacation is because I read his phone. I own it so I read it. Both kids were told when they were handed the phones that we pay for them and until they can pay for it themselves, we would need to password to get in and would be checking up on their social media. I believe all parents should check their teens phones.

When I mentioned to my son that I had read on his phone that somone was on vacation he said, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” So I asked, “how about your girlfriend? Is she nice?”  His response, “I would rather die than have a girlfriend.” So, now I know he doesn’t have a “girlfriend” but in the text he wrote to someone “we are back together, we hugged it out and talked things over.”  Knowing my son, I don’t believe he has a “girlfriend” or does he....but a friend that is a girl so I say, it is not nice to say you would rather die”.  He started yelling that he doesn’t know what I am talking about and that I am trying to upset him.  Okay...I know he is a teen and a teen with autistm but this conversation has taken a wrong turn. In trying to open up communication, he is now shutting down and blaming me for ruining his morning

I tell him that no one can make you angry, it is on him if he is feeling that way because I am only trying to talk to him and that at his annual meeting last week, I saw him give 3 other adults that he has only know for the past 6 months a lot of respect and that it is not okay for him to not give it t his parents.  I tell him to see it from my side. My entire work schedule is based around his schedule yet, he never speaks to me in the morning or afternoon and that usually I allow him to zone into his headphones. I ask him to look at it from my point of view and he says. “ know what you are saying, I see it from your point of view and I am sorry. I just didn’t want to talk. Let’s rub it out he says as he rubs my shoulderr (he is in the back seat) I tell him thank you for apologizing but can’t shake the conversation.

We drive to school in silence and I silently cry. It is so frustrating that he is so closed off. Is it the teens or is it the disability? Autistic kids are very set in their ways and he really just wanted to listen to his music but it would be nice to have a conversation with him too.

Anyone else dealing with teens?


Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Great Wolf's Blue Wolf Ears Campaign Supports Autism Speaks #GreatWolfCares


Like many of you, my family has been touched by autism. April is Autism Awareness Month Great Wolf Lodge is rolling out Great Wolf Lodge’s Blue Wolf Ears campaign. Throughout April, Great Wolf Lodge is offering a blue version of the brand’s signature wolf ears to guests for a minimum $5 donation to Autism Speaks. A limited edition collection of 10,000 blue wolf ears will be available for purchase at all 16 of the company’s U.S.- based resorts. 

All proceeds from the Blue Wolf Ears campaign go directly to Autism Speaks, with a goal of raising $50,000 to support its mission of enhancing lives across the spectrum at every stage of life. Last year, the non-profit aided more than 1 million people through Autism Speaks funded programs and resources.

My Fab Fit Fun Box Came In WOOT! WOOT! #unboxing #fabfitfun


Unfortunately, no affiliation but hey Fab, Fit Fun anytime baby, anytime. This is NOT a review, just an unboxing of a product I love

Saturday, March 23, 2019

We Had A Jousting Good Time At Medieval Times In Lyndhurst NJ #medievaltimes



Last month I took my family including my Spanish in-laws to Medieval Times in Lyndhurst New Jersey. They live only about 20 minutes from the place for 30+ years but had never been there. Imagine?! I had been there two times before but it had been over 30 years for me.  Last year Goddess had gone with her 7th grade class and I was so jealous. I remember loving the colors, the cheering, THE KNIGHTS, the Queen and King, the food and the Jousting. It was a really fun time.


My in-laws are from Spain and go back every year since my father-in-law retired. They hadn't realized so much of Spain would be featured in the history of the show and loved it. I saw them taking photos in front of the signs.



What is great about Medieval Times is just how organized it is. The doors open and you have a few minutes wait as you are ushered inside. It was cold out but we got into the building quickly. You do not need to get there before the doors open but there was a line already forming at the doors when we got into the parking lot. It was too cold to take pictures outside so I waited until we were in. The lines moved quickly, there are hostesses helping you along. My in-laws were meeting us there. The desk took our tickets handed me 4 and wrapped my in-laws tickets around their seats. I was informed to tell them to give my name and we would all be seated together. You are given seat tickets for a particular color section. The color given to you will be the color of the knight you are cheering on.  We spent some time walking around, getting a drink, looking at souvenirs and buying way too many.



As you wait, there is an MC that speaks to you from a balcony. Basically the show is starting from the moment you enter the doors. He tells us that the Queen is excited we are there and that our seats are being prepared. You enter the arena by the color of your ticket. No matter what seat you get, you can see the show because of the Colosseum style seating.


The Queen greets the guests as the servers start pouring your drinks. They also ask if you are doing a regular meal or the vegetarian meal. Soup is poured and the royal falcon show starts. My kids were amazed as the falcon flies over us always heading back to the trainer. It is really cool.



The knights are introduced and your see your knight. It really is fun to cheer them on with your section while booing the others.





The meals are served. Chicken, potato, and garlic bread. My daughter asked for the vegetarian which was really good too. It was rice, potatoes, tomato and whatever else was in there. It was delicious. I ate what she didn't.




You can see my plate has chicken in it and the next pic is the potato and bread. They weren't out at the same time so I took a pic separately.







The show was fun. The knights are skilled and the weapons make all kinds of clanking sounds. They do protect the crowd with the use of netting that drops down just prior to the jousting beginning.



My daughter took some great pictures of the jousting.







I think my favorite things about Medieval Times is the cheering and booing. It is fun to get a bunch of people celebrating their knights or jeering when another knight wins a battle. It really is interesting to see how into it people get.



Dessert was vanilla ice cream with caramel over it. It was simple a perfect for the ending of the show. At the end of battle when one knight is standing, the queen celebrates him and meets him in the stands to greet one special girl picked out of the crowd. The girl this time was so excited. She was about 3-4 years old and so happy.



The best picture of the knight was looking over at my father-in-law who looked like a little boy as he watched the knights battle.



For more photos and video from our time at Medieval Time in Lyndhurst New Jersey.




Looking to experience this good time for yourself? Go to https://bit.ly/2RGt0f5 and enter PROMO code RF4020 at checkout.


Experience the New Show | Tickets 40% OFF Adults/20% OFF Kids - For the first time in Medieval Times' 35-year history, a Queen has taken the throne. Her Majesty Dona Maria Isabella presides over a tournament of knights who gather in celebration to test their skill against one another in a series of games, jousting, and combat.

The new story brings a series of changes to the show including new costumes, custom-designed and handmade armor, fight scenes, and musical score composed by Dr. Daniel May, who directed and recorded the composition in Kiev with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. Be among the first to experience the debut of our new show.

Disclaimer: I received 4 tickets for my family to enjoy Medieval Times and for our honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Family Friendly Movie About A Pampered Celeb and Her Pooch


OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
The cushy Hollywood life of Latte the dog is turned upside down when her owner, superstar actress London Bridges, heads to the boonies to make a new film. The pampered pooch tries to stop thieves from stealing London’s diamond necklace from a farmhouse, but they escape with the jewels. With the help of hunky farmer Tom, can London track down the priceless stones before a scandal breaks out? This wild family adventure also stars Jay Mohr.



The 411:

Goddess and I watched this movie over the weekend and while it isn't the best quality or going to win an Emmy it definitely was family friendly. There were no uncomfortable scenes that made it hard to watch with a 13 year old who is embarrassed at everything.  

We loved the spoiled, selfish celebrity turned into humble girl as London learns more about herself and allows herself to fall for a farmer.  The star of the movie is definitely Latte the adorable, diamond wearing Pomeranian. She reminded me of my Pom Zoe who I had before Goddess came along.  

Worth a watch. 

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

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Red Room On DVD


An extreme horror film that brings the terror of what lies in the deepest, darkest corners of the internet into the light…with blood-soaked results. Kyra, a young woman kidnapped off the street after a night out, wakes up in an isolated house with two other captives. They are informed by their sadistic captors that they must wait their turn to enter the Red Room before they will be released. Once they discover they will never leave alive, they plot to escape before it's too late

Available on DVD/VOD: March 19, 2019

Cast: Brian Fortune, Cristina Ryan, Eddie Jackson, Rodrigo Ternevoy, Fionna Hewitt-Twamley, Martin O'Sullivan, Aisling O'Neill, Michelle Audrey, John Dalessandro, Eoin Quinn, Saoirse Doyle, Sohaila Lindheim, Roisin Whelan Directed by: Stephen Gaffney



The 411: 

This is a perverse, gritty, bloody movie about 3 woman being held captive in a "waiting room" while people make online bids as to how they should die. The winner gets to decide their fate while the others can watch. All at a very high cost to the bidders and the victims.

While it isn't the best movie I have seen, it was a little too realistic to me. Human trafficking is real and the uncomfortably factor is high.  It felt like this was a sick voyager look into devious people who sit silently behind computer screens, in a virtual reality world without a consideration to the reality of "real" people. We see it daily in our real lives and it gets scarier and scarier how sick some people are.

I felt the movie was more shock and awe with the girls being hurt in horrific ways. Nails being ripped out of the knees, hammers repeatedly slammed into kneecaps, fingers snipped off, etc.

This is a watch it once and shake your head movie. If you are into it good for you but I thought the  couple who were obviously in charge the most disturbing.

Stan & Ollie Hits On Demand, Blu-Ray and DVD March 26th - Fan Auction On Original Stan & Ollie Memorabilia


On Tuesday, March 26th, Stan & Ollie, starring John C Reilly and Steve Coogan will be premiering  on iTunes, Amazon Video, DVD and Blue Ray and now fans across the globe will be able to own original pieces from Laurel and Hardy’s glory days. Stan and Ollie enthusiasts can enjoy the amazing new film in the pleasure of their own home while keeping the spirit of the world-renowned tag team alive by collecting their very own original Stan and Ollie memorabilia. 


RIGHT NOW, Laurel & Hardy fans across the globe now have the chance to own one-of-a-kind, extremely rare, memorabilia collected throughout the years of the dynamic-duo’s comedic work together. Screenbid, Hollywood’s leading auction site, is pleased to present a recently unearthed collection of Laurel & Hardy ephemera that spans the globe and goes as far back as the 1920's when Stan and Ollie were just beginning to work together. Hundreds of items will be available to introduce newbies into the world of Laurel and Hardy, as well as long time collectors as they will be able to own a rich part of the Stan and Ollie heritage. This is one collection that simply put, shows the worldwide appeal of these two legendary comedians.


 Among the items in this auction include: personalized and autographed letters Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and film producer Hal Roach sent to fans spanning five decades, original press books including "Babes In Toyland", "Swiss Miss", and "Atoll K", Walt Disney Studios sketches of Laurel & Hardy, Domestic and Foreign Posters for their feature films and some of the two reel short subjects including, "Twice Two", "The Midnight Patrol", and Going Bye, Bye", STAX publicity photos, and life size Statues of Stan and Ollie.

In addition, Screenbid will have original Stan and Ollie lobby cards, posters, press clippings, inserts, standees, comic books and so much more from their silent and sound films. All merchandise will be sold with an official Studio Certificate of Authenticity.

If you were a Stan and Ollie fan, this is a pretty cool! I wish I could get the life size statues.