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Grand Opening - Disney Store at South Coast Plaza

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On Saturday October 6, 2012, Disney Store will celebrate the grand opening of its award-winning new concept store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California. Disney Store’s new design aims to deliver “magical moments to guests of all ages” through immersive experiences, including a Disney Princess castle with magic mirror, translucent magical trees, Disney∙Pixar CARS neighborhood, and the Disney Store Theatre, featuring the latest in Disney entertainment. The interactive shopping destination features magical experiences for Disney fans of all ages to enjoy.


In celebration, one lucky child will “unlock imagination” with a beautiful oversized lock and key and officially grand open the Disney Store at 10 a.m. on October 6th at the Costa Mesa store. Disney Store’s signature opening ceremony will take place every day at the South Coast Plaza location, giving many more children an opportunity to create an unforgettable Disney Store experience. The first 500 guests to attend the grand opening celebration will receive a free gift.

From noon to 4 p.m. a meet and greet with Jake and Captain Hook from Disney Channel’s Jake and the Neverland Pirates will take place in the Carousel Court, with an opportunity for guests to take photos with the characters*.

Disney Store will donate 10 percent of grand opening day’s sales to Make-A-Wish®.

*Characters alternate every 30 minutes. Character appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Frugal Friday: Libraries

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Does your family love to read? How about family fun? These days, libraries are not just for books-and not nearly as quiet as you might remember. There is a whole new world available at you fingertips in your local library. You have access to numerous resources, you can read to your hearts content, and best of all, it’s generally free.

When I was a kid, I had a paper library card, libraries just had books, you looked for titles in a huge card cabinet index (typed, no less! On…*gasp*…a typewriter!) and every time I turned around, a librarian was going “SHHHHHHH!!!”. Now, silence is not a given, catalogs are online, and you can do so much more than just check out books.


First thing: Get your library card. County, city, or school libraries all require a card. Here in the OC, the free Orange County Public Library card is good at all 33 county branches, and you can apply (and do just about everything else) online. Ours even came with a handy keychain card.

My 4-year old got his first “very-own” library card on Monday and he was super-excited. He filled out his own form (well…mostly) and signed his own name (parental signature needed as well), and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him more thrilled (except, maybe, at Disneyland). He promptly went and pulled some books he wanted, headed to the self-checkout, and happily scanned his finds. (insert certificate pic)

Books, periodicals, and reference materials: You can find a plethora of books (actual books...that you hold…printed on paper!), magazines, scientific journals, microfilm, newspapers, etc., at the library. There are also interlibrary loans, and audio books are available for those who prefer them.

Historical information: There is no better resource than the library for old books, images, documents, and local artifacts. One of my favorite historical sections is at the newly remodeled City of Orange Public Library (we have a card for them too!), and while I’m perusing the past, they have a great kids area to keep my future entertained.


Movies/CD’s: It’s a great way to get to watch some classics, view educational videos, borrow kids shows, see new releases, and groove to your own beat with some music.

New releases: Recent releases (especially best sellers) might be rentals for the first couple months. The fee is nominal, and when you consider that a new hardcover book costs upwards of $25, the dollar-fifty or so is totally worth it- especially if you’ve been waiting impatiently (like me) for one of your favorite authors next series installments.

Computer usage: You can sign up for computer time to do schoolwork, check your email, or just sit and browse the internet for awhile. It’s handy when you don’t have a computer at home- I got through college using the library for pretty much every paper I wrote, including my thesis.

Study areas: There are enclosed group and private study areas at many libraries. Check with your local branch to reserve a time. Televisions with a VHS or DVD player can sometimes be reserved for use in the room, depending on the library.

Teens and Tweens: Many libraries have a “teen lounge” with young adult books, magazines, and music selections, in a comfortable hang-out type setting.

Toddler and preschool: For the little ones, the kids sections these days offer play areas, story time, reading and interactive programs, special events, and so much more. Schedules are usually found at the information desk or in the children’s section.



Homework help: Many libraries offer homework assistance in various forms, in person and online. It’s a great way to keep your kids- and maybe yourself- interested in learning.


Friends of the library bookstore: Inexpensive used books for the serious bibliophile. Most are donations or library discards. Every purchase helps the library to fund programs, so if you have old books or other materials you can donate, it’s always appreciated.

Libraries often have community events like movie showings (we saw Disney’s “Tangled” at the library- and it even included popcorn and drinks- for free!), exhibits (like model trains) and family evenings. There are seasonal programs as well. Check with your branch for current fun.

Most importantly, time at the library encourages learning in all its forms, whether reading, viewing exhibits, researching, exploring history, or just for personal enjoyment.

Grab a bookmark and head to your local library today!


No find of the week today. I’m too busy reading my library books.




About Justine
Justine is a biological anthropologist, deal seeker, and stay-at-home parent to a rambunctious 4-year-old boy. She digs bones. And donuts. You can follow Justine for more frugal fun and other anthropology tidbits on Twitter: @JustineBurgess1.

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Dark Shadows DVD Giveaway!

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Dark Shadows is set to be released on Blu-ray and DVD, and just in time for Halloween! What a fun, frightful movie to watch on a weekend. I have yet to see it, so I'll be at the store buying it because I think my kid will like it. What's not to like about a Tim Burton movie?

About Dark Shadows

From the incredible mind of Tim Burton comes the hit film Dark Shadows, based on the classic television series! Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) has been trapped for two centuries by an evil witch (Eva Green) who just happens to be an ex lover. Barnabas now has to struggle with the ever changing 1970s and save his families business! With an all star cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller and more, Dark Shadows will be sure to whet your appetite for fun.

If you want to get in on the Dark Shadows fun, take this fun "Are You Creepy Enough?" quiz. I took it and apparently, I'm not creepy enough. I was labeled "A CHILD OF THE LIGHT" who would rather raid the fridge at midnight than howl at the moon. Yup - that sounds about right. 



Dark Shadows Giveaway

Living Mi Vida Loca is giving away a Dark Shadows DVD! Simply take the quiz above and share with us the results in a comment below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. I received no form of compensation in return. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Frankenweenie Movie Review and Activity Sheets

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We had the opportunity to see Frankenweenie at the El Capitan Theatre a few weeks ago and we all really liked it (yes, even the 1 year old). My kid loves everything Tim Burton so Frankenweenie was a natural movie to take him too. I wasn't worried about it being too scary and didn't give the fact that it was in black and white a second thought.

Right off the bat, I liked the setting. It looks like it takes place in the 70's (from the looks of the clothing and such). It was a little bit graphic when the dog dies (no spoiler there, he comes back as Frankenweenie). Weird Girl with her kitty, Mr. Whiskers, was a little bit creepy but I think the kids got used to her so she didn't freak them out after the second appearance.

At times it seemed like the movie was made for adults too, and not just kids. The music was spot on, and I could tell that a lot of thought was put into the scenes and the music that overlapped during the scenes. The logic behind bringing a dog back from the dead made complete sense and the hurt that the little boy, Victor, had made me wish that he would be able to keep his dog Sparky around for the rest of his life.

So about 3/4 of the movie was fine. Nothing too scary or traumatizing (even in 3D). The last 1/4 though, is a different story. Especially if you have kids that scare easily. My four year old was fine, loved all the creepy characters that come out at the end and thought they were cool. My six year old niece was a different story though. Her nails would dig into my arms whenever something popped out of the screen. She was fine in the end though. The creepy characters don't make that much of an appearance and a little bit of scare is more than worth it to watch this movie in its entirety.

Like Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie will become a must-see during the year, and especially during Halloween. It's a great family movie that EVERYONE will enjoy - not just the kids.


Here are a few activities to bring some of the Frankenweenie spirit to your home.

Frankenweenie Masks

These Frankenweenie masks are meant to be printed and cut out for the kids - but I'm thinking it would be cool to do a whole Frankenweenie room. Just print out a bunch of these and put them up around the room.

Frankenweenie masks

Frankenweenie Pumpkin Carving Cutouts

Use these Frankenweenie Pumpkin Carving Cutouts to create a family of Frankenweenie-inspired pumpkins to display outside your home.

Frankenweenie Stencils

Frankenweenie Sparky Maze

Help Sparky find his bone in this Frankenweenie Sparky Maze (easy enough for young kids).

Frankenweenie Hidden Objects

Like "I Spy", Frankenweenie Hidden Objects will keep your kids occupied for at least 10 minutes because the picture is in black and white and the objects are harder to find because of that. Score!
Frankenweenie I Spy

Follow everything Frankenweenie here:
Website and Mobile site: Disney.com/Frankenweenie
Follow on Twitter: @DisneyPictures

FREE Halloween Printable Downloads from Paper Coterie

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Paper Coterie is offering two free downloads for Halloween - a bingo set and treat bags. They are cute, easy to print out and really, you can stick to black ink and save the color ink for something else down the road.


Aside from the FREE printable downloads, they are also offering a FREE set of Halloween invitations, treat, or gift tags when you enter coupon code HALLOWEENFUN at checkout before October 15t. Enjoy!

Wedding Receptions with BevMo | @BevMo

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Did you know that BevMo offers help in planning wedding receptions? How cool is that? All you have to do is sign up on the BevMo website and you'll have access to these great perks:

  • Beverage expert assigned to you
  • Private 5¢ sale wine tasting with a wine specialist
  • Great value on wine! 5¢ Sale Wines: Buy one case of wine, get the second case for just 60¢!
  • Complimentary local delivery on all orders over $500
  • Invitations to special events
  • 25% Off - Kirstie Kelly In stock Wedding Gowns (valued at $750)*
  • 40% Off - Kirstie Kelly In Stock Special Occasion Dress with the purchase of a Special Order Wedding Gown*
*Alterations not included 

I'm not planning a wedding or anything, but I came across this resource and I can imagine how awesome it would be to have professional help AND save money on a wedding reception at the same time. Plus, I'm wondering if this service could be utilized for another type of party, not just a wedding. Perhaps a milestone birthday?

Mimi’s Power of Pink supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month | @mimis_cafe #PowerofPink @NBCF

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I first heard about breast cancer when I was getting into high school. I read about it in Seventeen magazine and the day that I went in to get a physical (needed one for the volleyball team) I asked the doctor to screen me for breast cancer and another type of cancer that this girl had mentioned in the magazine (I can't remember the name now). Anyhow, the doctor told me that she couldn't screen me but that I should become more educated on the subject so that I could notice the symptoms. Needless to say, I've been pretty much obsessed with it since then. I can't stop thinking about it and although no one in my immediate family has had breast cancer, I can't help but think that I might be the first. Which is why October is such an important month for me. Making others aware of breast cancer and pointing them in the right direction for more information is the least that I can do this month. If you have a breast cancer story you would like to share, please do so. I would love to hear it, and I'm sure others would too.


As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (all month of October), Mimi's Cafe has partnered with National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and launched the Mimi’s Power of Pink campaign. This campaign is happening in all 145 Mimi’s locations to raise awareness and funds in support of NBCF’s mission to save lives through early detection and by providing mammograms for women in need.

Janelle Hail, Mark Mears, Mimi's Cafe
Janelle Hail and Mark Mears
 “Together, Mimi’s Cafe, our guests and our teammates, have the power to help women NOW within our local communities,” said Mark Mears, President and Chief Concept Officer of Mimi’s Cafe. “Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women, and 1 in 8 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. And while those statistics are startling and scary, there is hope. When breast cancer is detected early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 98.6%. That is why it is important to do our part and support the National Breast Cancer Foundation with Mimi’s Power of Pink.”

A Pink Celebration


I attended the Mimi’s Power of Pink campaign kick-off at the Mimi’s Cafe in Irvine, Calif., that included a pink ribbon tying on the in-restaurant “Giving Tree” display and honorary toast with special guests, including Janelle Hail, Founder and CEO of NBCF, and breast cancer survivors.

Janelle Hail


October 1st is also when they debuted two “Sparkling Pink” drink selections. With each Sparkling Pink Passion Mimosa and Pink Passion Sparkler drink sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to National Breast Cancer Foundation through Oct. 31.

Pink Passion Mimosa and Pink Passion Sparkler at Mimi's Cafe

Give and Help Grow


Throughout October, guests can donate $1 and receive a leaf to inscribe and hang on the “Giving Tree” display. With a $5 donation, guests also receive a limited-edition pink ribbon lapel pin. All proceeds will be donated to National Breast Cancer Foundation. As a token of thanks, Mimi’s is providing up to $30 in coupon savings for those making in-restaurant donations. Guests can also support Mimi’s Power of Pink online with eGift card donations and donations on the digital “Giving Tree.” Similar to the tree in each restaurant, the digital tree will grow to life as a leaf appears with each heartfelt donation.

Janelle Hail with my son, Luca

The “tree of life” became a powerful metaphor for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. “When founder Janelle Hail first discovered she had breast cancer, she looked out of her window and was mesmerized by a leaf on a tree,” Mears said. “That visual of vibrant beauty and tenacity was a turning point and she resolved to not let cancer defeat her. Today, the tree stands as a message of hope and strength and was the inspiration for our campaign and our Giving Tree.”

Share on Social and Pink It UP


In addition to donating, guests can help spread awareness with Mimi’s new Pink It Up web app. Upload and customize a photo with pink accessories to show support for breast cancer awareness. The “pinkified” photo can then be shared with family and friends on social media sites.

Whether through donations or awareness, in-restaurant or online, Mimi’s Cafe encourages all guests, teammates and friends to become involved in Mimi’s Power of Pink and help plant the seed of hope for the future of all women.

Mimi's Pink Power Hour Twitter Chat


Mimi's is hosting a Twitter chat today. Details below.
Mimi's Twitter Party

Mimi's Cafe Gift Card Giveaway


Enter to win one of two $25 Mimi's Cafe gift cards for you to support the Mimi’s Power of Pink campaign. Buena suerte!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to join in the festivities by Mimi's Cafe and received a $25 gift card to use. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Prehistoric OC in Buena Park | #PrehistoricOC

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I was invited to preview some of the artifacts and exhibits that will be on display on on Saturday, October 13th 2012, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park in Buena Park for their Prehistoric OC day. Sponsored by The Dr. John D. Cooper Archaeological and Paleontological Center and OC Parks, Prehistoric OC is dedicated to informing and educating the public about Orange County’s rich history, prehistory and Native American culture, as shown by actual fossils and artifacts.


Prehistoric OC will be a family event, with a number of activities for all ages including archaeological and paleontological demonstrations and exhibits, a free photo booth, as well as fun, educational crafts and hands-on activities that will earn kids their own Junior Ranger Paleontologist badge.

Prehistoric OC event

Attendees will also be able to interact with many of the actual Cooper Center and CSUF scientists that work on the collection and around Orange County. The Clark Park Paleontology Museum will host guided tours to showcase its extensive fossil collection from Orange County. The fossil prep lab will also be open so visitors can see paleontologists in action and the Kizh Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians will also be present to share their culture with the public.


Exhibitors for the event include JurassicCon, a group of Hollywood set designers who will be sharing actual props, replicas, and other memorabilia from the Jurassic Park movies, such as the Jurassic Park jeeps. Seismologist, Dr. David Bowman from Cal State Fullerton, will be conducting an exploding volcano demo and Mark Hay from Coast Live Oak School will be demonstrating nature survival skills and Native American reed boats at the lake.

Prehistoric OC event

See more preview pictures in my Google+ #PrehistoricOC album.

Prehistoric OC

Date

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Time

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Event Fee

Free

Parking Fee

$5 per vehicle

Event Location

Ralph B. Clark Regional Park
8800 Rosecrans Avenue
Buena Park, CA, 90621

Follow hashtag #PrehistoricOC on Twitter for more photos, facts and updates.

I was invited by the Prehistoric OC team to a preview day where I got to check out some of their exhibits. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Southern California Giveaways (October 12 - October 18)

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Are you in Southern California or simply visiting the Southern side of the Golden State? Enter to win the wonderful giveaways listed below, provided by local bloggers. This is a weekly list that is live every Friday morning. Come back every week and enter to win!

Participants: Enter your giveaway link with the title of your giveaway and county the giveaway is for. If it's all of So. Cal., add that. (e.g. $25 Mimi's Gift Certificate (So. Cal.))


Support Pretend City through an Online Auction | @PretendCity #OrangeCounty

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Pretend City, one of my favorite places to take my kids, is hosting an online auction that includes gift certificates, tickets to local attractions and even getaways! I really adore Pretend City for all that it is and does and so, I encourage you to visit their auction and make a bid. Who knows, you might score something you've been wanting to do anyway - and you get to help out a great place for kids!

All proceeds from the auction will help Pretend City Children’s Museum to continue delivering vital programs and services that empower children with the foundational skills and creativity needed to reach their fullest potential. Auction ends 10/25/12.

A sampling of items up for grabs in Pretend City's online auction

Cinderella Viewing Party | #Cbias #DisneyPrincessWMT

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We've been planning for a Cinderella viewing party for my nieces and their little friends for a couple of weeks now. Of course, we couldn't do much until I went out and purchased the movie, because although I did have the Platinum edition, I wanted to show the little girls the Diamond edition that has the Blu-ray/DVD movies. We did just that last weekend after the Walmart Retailnment Event featuring Princess Cinderella.

My nieces got dressed and I took them to Walmart for the highly publicized event. There were A LOT of parents and kids there and just about every little girl had on a princess outfit! I was happy to see that my nieces fit right in. For some odd reason, I thought that they would all be dressed as Cinderella so it would look like a little Cinderella army. Instead, every single princess was represented - including Jasmine and Snow White. It was super fun to see that.


Our Walmart raffled off Cinderella dolls in lieu of pictures with Cinderella. Neither of my nieces won one, but that was okay because we were headed for something bigger - Cinderella on Blu-ray and DVD.

We headed straight to the entertainment section of the store before it got too busy. The Cinderella display was very easy to spot. It's in the shape of Cinderella's magical carriage and the gold-trimmed Blu-ray movies made it look even more glitzy.

We pulled out the iPad and started up the Disney Princess Royal Ball app. Like the Marvel edition, the Royal Ball app allows you to scan a specially-marked product for virtual goodies. In this case, scanning the cover of the Cinderella on DVD gives you extra options that you can use when you create a carriage or dress yourself as a princess.


Then, of course, my youngest niece gets to playing with the app in the store and all you see is her going in circles because she's doing the royal ball portion of the app - the one where you follow the princess on the screen and dance like she's dancing. It's fun to do, but when you do it in the middle of a busy store it looks a little awkward.

We needed just a few things more for the party later that afternoon, mainly the ingredients for the sandwiches, a Cinderella-themed table cloth and cupcakes. So we throw in the movie into the cart and make our way to the food section briefly stopping by the party and baby section. Unfortunately, I didn't find a Cinderella-themed table cloth at that Walmart either. However, the baby section was perfect because it carried those Fruities by Disney. It's basically fruit mashed into a texture resembling applesauce so the little kids can just suck it out of a pouch. A few of these pouches bought us about a half hour more of shopping without my baby having a meltdown.

We came across a sampling table as we headed towards the bakery section. You know what they had to sample? A Cinderella cake! What perfect timing. The woman cutting the cake and handing out the samples also had little Cinderella rings, coloring pages, an activity page and... an extra tablecloth! She was awesome and gave me extras of everything for our party and the tablecloth too. She had a big hand in pulling our party together.


We headed home and quickly set up the scene for the girls and their friends to have a fun Cinderella experience. I think we did a great job in setting up the table for the food and thanks to our new friend at Walmart - the activity table had more than just jewelry on it.


The girls piled in one by one and by the start of the party, we had a few extra attendees who had gotten word of the Cinderella screening. That was okay though because we had enough goodies for everyone. We watched Cinderella in its entirety, served sparkling cider in beautiful Cinderella cups, painted nails, accessorized and colored. The party was very fun and it gave the girls a chance to be girls without boys around. We finished our Cinderella party with a raffle. We gave away all the centerpieces, banners and extra faux jewelry we had left over. All the girls went home happy and my nieces were the talk of the apartment complex for the rest of the weekend.


And now there's a part II to my original #DisneyPrincessWMT Google+ album. You can see more pictures here: Google+ #DisneyPrincessWMT II album.

Connect with Disney

Disney Twitter: @Disney
Cinderella Facebook: FB.com/Cinderella
Disney Princess Facebook: FB.com/DisneyPrincess
Play 'n Explore: http://playnexplore.com/

Upcoming Pinterest and Twitter Parties


Pinterest Party

You are cordially invited to attend a Disney Princess Party! Join the #DisneyPrincessWMT Party on Pinterest and you could potentially win $900 in gift card prizes. Pin your favorite Halloween party ideas, recipes and costumes! The party starts on October 17 and runs through October 31, 2012.

For official rules, please click here: https://collectivebias.box.com/s/de05kzxlxcn739t1m87t

Twitter Party

Join the #DisneyPrincessWMT Twitter Party on October 25, 2012, from 1:00-2:00 PM EST! Discuss your favorite Halloween costumes and Disney Princess characters. Participate for a chance to win Walmart gift cards every fifteen minutes! RSVP here:



I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Disney Consumer Products, Inc. #CBias #SocialFabric. All thoughts, opinions and photos remain my own.

Brad Pitt is the new face of Chanel N°5

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First came Coco Chanel. Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Hutton, Nicole Kidman and others have since followed as the beautiful faces of Chanel N°5. 91 years later, Chanel is marking a first in the world of women’s fragrance with the introduction as Brad Pitt as the face of N°5, just as N°5 marked a first in 1921 with its radical and intoxicating mix of 80 ingredients.

Brad Pitt Chanel No 5

I distinctly remember my first bottle of Chanel N°5. I was in junior high and volunteering at my old elementary school. I would head over there after school and help the librarian, Ms. Harriet, cataloging books, organizing them, etc. This one instance, she pulls me to the side and hands me a beautiful, classy perfume bottle. Sure, I grew up in the low-income part of Orange County, but even I knew what Chanel N°5 was. I was in total awe when it was handed to me and I couldn't believe that a little girl from Minnie St. had a Chanel N°5 bottle in her hands. It became my most prized possession from that day on because to me, that bottle was more than just a bottle.

Every time that I looked at it, I was filled with hope. For me, that classic little perfume bottle meant that someone had thought about me, saw me as more than just a girl who was "stuck" in Santa Ana and was able to see past my exterior.

As much as I opened it and absorbed the smell as though it could transport me somewhere else, I seldom used it. I wanted to have that feeling of specialness and never go away so I never let the bottle finish. NEVER. Almost two decades later I still have the bottle (see below). It sits in my cabinet as a reminder that I can push forward, make something of myself and shower myself in Chanel N°5 if I want to.

My prized Chanel N°5

I can't make this stuff up. That little bottle pictured above means a lot to me.

So back to this Brad Pitt thing. I'm happy that Brad Pitt is endorsing the perfume and really taking his role seriously. His first big assignment was a group of commercials, directed by Joe Wright (pictured below).

Brad Pitt Chanel No 5

Wright was commissioned to direct several commercial films for N°5, which capture the memories, thoughts and dreams of a man being seduced by a fragrance.

“Each resembles a short poem,” the 40-year-old director says.
“It was a real treat that I will never forget,” says Wright. “My favorite moment was the wide shot getting closer and closer and ending up on Brad. He's a beautiful human being and a proper actor who knows how to deliver lines. It's always lovely when you meet someone who you admire and they exceed your expectations.”

Brad Pitt Chanel No 5


So what do you think? Do you think he accomplished his goal in this commercial? And can his face seduce you into buying/supporting Chanel N°5? I personally would have bought it regardless, but I am enticed to buy it even more because someone who actually cares about the brand and the product is putting their name and reputation out there to support it. I also like that "they" aren't trying to cover up Brad Pitt's wrinkles. It further proves that they are trying to be transparent in their relationship with one another.

The film debuts on national television on October 21. The print campaign shot by Steven Klein debuts in November magazine issues. 

This is not a sponsored post. Brad Pitt images and video courtesy of Chanel.

Made from Scratch Biscuits from Carl's Jr. make the best vegetarian breakfast sandwich!

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So most of you know by now that I'm vegetarian, as are my kids. However, I'm also a mami who sometimes is out on the road way too early and with my horrible housekeeping skills, most of the time we're out of soymilk for the kids' cereal so we HAVE to get something on the go. These are the times that I head to Carl's Jr. for a hot breakfast.

So what do we get at Carl's Jr. that is vegetarian, uber-affordable and delicious? The $2 for 2 sausage, cheese and egg biscuits sandwiches, minus the sausage. Because I've personally seen them assemble each sandwich by hand, I know that they are not pre-made and the meat simply taken out of the sandwich. There are some times when I just roll through the drive-thru and grab a coffee and biscuit to snack on. They are simply THE BEST biscuits that I have had from either a fast food or a sit down restaurant. They taste home/hand-made, they are fluffy, moist, crispy on top and the quality of ingredients is apparent in every bite.

Have you had the pleasure of having their biscuits? If you haven't, and even if you have, this commercial will have you drooling for one right now. My favorite part is the biscuit being baked and then when the steam comes out after splitting it in half. *drool*


Here's an interesting fact - the biscuits available in California are lower in fat (13g) and calories (290 kcal). I have no idea why, but if I find out I'll let you know.

p.s. My favorite place for a cold breakfast is McDonald's. I get their fruit and yogurt parfait and pair it with a large coffee, the kids have all-fruit smoothies. Their oatmeal also makes for a good breakfast, but I can't let the kids have it in the car because then they'll spill it all over their car seats.

UPDATE: Made From Scratch Biscuits are trans-fat free in California, which lowers the fat and calorie count. 


This is not a sponsored post. Video courtesy of Carl's Jr. through YouTube.

Disney Princess Halloween Pinterest party - October 17 through October 31

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The Disney Princess Halloween Pinterest party starts on October 17, and runs through Halloween, October 31! Over $900 worth of Walmart Gift Cards will be awarded. The Grand Prize winner will receive $500!! To learn more about the party and to RSVP, please visit http://bit.ly/disneyprincessparty!


Official Rules:
  • Pin at least 5 Halloween Party ideas (decor, food, favors, costumes, etc.) and tag each pin with #DisneyPrincessWMT
  • Pin 3 of your favorite Disney Princess items from Walmart.com–dolls, costumes, toys, bedding (directly from Walmart.com: http://bit.ly/disneyprincesswmt) and tag each pin with #DisneyPrincessWMT
  • Pin the Pinterest Party badge and tag with #DisneyPrincessWMT
  • Submit your #DisneyPrincessWMT link, your name and email address to the linky at http://bit.ly/disneyprincessparty

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Beautiful Creatures is coming to the big screen | #BeautifulCreatures

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Beautiful Creatures Book Cover

I recently received a copy of Beautiful Creatures to read. One look at it and I was wondering just when I was going to have time to read that many pages. Not that I don't love to read. Not at all. I LOVE to read, I just can't find the time! However, I heard nothing but good things about Beautiful Creatures so I wanted to find the time to read it - and I have! I read it while the kids take their evening shower before their bedtime. I read it to them at night and any other chance I get. I'm a few days into the book and every time I put it down I can't wait to get back to it. It's well written, interesting, engaging and more importantly, believable.

About Beautiful Creatures

A supernatural love story set in the South, “Beautiful Creatures” tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers: Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich), a young man longing to escape his small town, and Lena (Alice Englert), a mysterious new girl. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history and their town. Oscar® nominee Richard LaGravenese directs from his adaptation of the first novel in the best-selling series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Academy Award® winner Jeremy Irons, Oscar® nominee Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann and Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson.

“Beautiful Creatures.” opens February 13, 2013 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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This is not a sponsored post. I received a paperback copy of Beautiful Creatures to read at my leisure. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Halloween at The Children's Place + Giveaway | @ChildrensPlace #Halloween

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You've heard me talk about my love for The Children's Place before. Their Summer and Fall clothing is fabulous, and I extend that praise to their costumes too.

Two years ago, my kid chose a dinosaur/dragon hybrid costume from The Children's Place. He wore it for pictures and trick-or treating on Halloween. Then last year, he saw that I made a Bam-Bam costume for the little one and he decided to wear his Children's Place costume again. He hit the mark because it made for a great picture!


The costumes are good quality costumes and it currently sits in our costume box for others to use, and for the little one to use it as well when he grows into it.

When I purchased it, I had one of their discount coupons with me so I paid under $18 for it. It's was a super deal for something that we've had for a few years and have used multiple times.

This year, they have a great costume and Halloween-themed selection for boys and girls - and they're already on sale. Some of them up to 50% off! They even have a great batch of accessories if you want to simply spruce up an old costume. You can check out the full selection on their Halloween page, but below are a few of my faves.

Skeleton Costume - $17.47

Hello Kitty Halloween T-shirt - $10
Superhero Cape and Mask - $7.99
Monkey Costume - $20.96

Aren't they adorable AND practical? That's the best part... of their offerings that is. The best part of this post is the giveaway below. The Children's Place is generously offering a $25 gift card to one of my lovely readers and supporters! Buena suerte!

The Children's Place $25 Gift Card Giveaway

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This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates Review + Giveaway | #Sorteo

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As a home that does not have cable-television, my kids usually watch whatever is on Netflix or Hulu Plus. Unfortunately, some newer Disney shows, such as Jake and the Never Land Pirates, are not on there so we don't get a chance to watch them until they're released on DVD. I kind of prefer it this way though, because they get to watch the show whenever they want, choose which episode to watch and we get the Disney Movie Rewards points too! That last part is my favorite.

My kids had the pleasure of experiencing Jake and the Never Land Pirates with the newest DVD: Jake Saves Bucky. We knew nothing about the show prior to watching it and so we went into only thinking that Jake (the main pirate), was going to save some kid named "Bucky". Well, that part was wrong since "Bucky" is his ship, but I was also surprised that it had a lot of music to go with it. Catchy music. The kind of music that kids will sing for hours.on.end.

When the show starts, it asks kids to participate by saying "Yo ho, let's go!" My kid is so anti-anything like this, so I wasn't quite convinced that he would want to keep watching it. Thankfully he did and it seems that it's one of his go-to shows, at least for now. And so long as he's watching it instead of Sonic or Annoying Orange, I'm happy with it.

By the way, this DVD comes with a blow-up sword. It's cute and it could be added to a pirates outfit for Halloween. The show is good for young kids (my kid is 4.5 years old) and there is little violence. Captain Hook is a total softie in the show - so much so that he needs Mr. Smee to read him a bedtime story. He does get a little malicious when he cheats in the race, but nothing too bad.

About Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Jake Saves Bucky

Yo ho, let's go! Set sail with Jake and his crew on a full‐length, high-­speed adventure on the high seas. According to the Never Land Pirate Code, Jake and his crew must race Bucky against the Jolly Roger and the sneaky Captain Hook. But if Bucky loses, he'll belong to Hook forever. Of course, Hook uses every trick in the book and wins the race. But, Jake and his crew might have a way to get Bucky back. With the help of Peter Pan, the young pirates embark on an adventure across Never Land that includes getting past a fire-breathing dragon.

With your help, Jake's crew can save Bucky from thee devious Captain Hook. In addition, enjoy four more exciting Jake and the Never Land Pirates episodes. Overflowing with music, swashbuckling action and seafaring fun, Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Jake Saves Bucky proves that being a hero comes from teamwork, determination and friendship!

Available on Disney DVD October 16, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Jake Saves Bucky" Combo Pack comes with more than 2 hours of DVD content, a digital copy and an official "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" blow-­up sword. In addition, fans can sing along to all the fun, swashbuckling songs on a special Pirate-­oke feature exclusive to the DVD!

Bonus goody: Click here for Jake and the Never Land Pirates activity sheets.


Jake and the Never Land Pirates: 

Jake Saves Bucky 

DVD Giveaway

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This is not a sponsored post. I received a copy of the movie to facilitate my review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Pitch Perfect - "Aca-mazing" Prize Pack - Flash Giveaway

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I have a fun (and short) giveaway supporting one of the funniest movies of the year - Pitch Perfect. My favorite character is definitely "Fat Amy". She is freakin' hilarious!

About Pitch Perfect

Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who’d rather listen to what’s coming out of her headphones than what’s coming out of you. Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect.

When Beca takes this acoustic singing group out of their world of traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of the cutthroat world of college music competitions. This could wind up either the coolest thing they’ll ever do or the most insane, and it will probably be a little of both.

Loaded with new takes on old favorites to hits of right now that are seamlessly mixed together, mashed-up and arranged like you’ve never heard before, Pitch Perfect is directed by Jason Moore, who opened our eyes to the very misbehaved life of puppets in the surprise Broadway sensation Avenue Q.


Follow Pitch Perfect

Website | http://www.pitchperfectmovie.com

Facebook | http://www.facebook.com/pitchperfectmovie

YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/user/PitchPerfectMovie

Pitch Perfect "Aca-mazing" Prize Pack Giveaway

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This is not a sponsored post. I received a similar prize pack to keep. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

OC Costume Swap and Oktoberfest at The Phoenix Club | #OCCostumeSwap #PhoenixClub

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I had the immense pleasure of attending my first costume swap AND Oktoberfest at The Phoenix Club in Anaheim, CA this past weekend. Yes, it was super-duper hot, but it wasn't a big deal because we spent a lot of time indoor enjoying the most delicious (vegetarian) salads, desserts, breads, pancakes, etc.

It had been years since I had stopped by The Phoenix Club. The last time I went I was a kid and I went with my Dad for a company event. I walked in thinking that The Phoenix Club was a private non-Latina-loving club. I was so off.

The Phoenix Club has transitioned into being more of a cultural center than a "private" club. Yes, you do need to be a member to enjoy some of the privileges like language and dance classes. However, you do not need to be a member in order to enjoy their scrumptious Oktoberfest buffet.

Fixings for create-your-own omelette

I tasted every single vegetarian item they had available and each one was mouth-watering goodness. The mashed potatoes are made from scratch. The desserts? Yes, those are made from scratch too. The new Executive Chef shared with us new plans that he has in the works (beer and cheese tastings!) and how he makes dishes especially for vegans and vegetarians when a special request is made prior to coming into the restaurants. They are very accommodating, but even if you ate straight off of their brunch menu, it works. They have something for everyone.


The Phoenix Club President, Hans Holste, talked to us about the club and how members are a melting pot of cultures. He discussed how the club is meant to be for everyone and one where you can find yourself amongst your parents' friends along with your own friends.

Hans Holste - President of The Phoenix Club

We heard about how he became a part of the club when he was just a little kid, grew up there and now he's overseeing it. It made me realize just how much I would want a place like that for my kids to belong to. Somewhere where he can grow up with other kids and ten, twenty years later, they can still gather there for coffee or whatever.

We received a tour of their facilities (a ballroom big enough for a Quinceañera!), walked through Oktoberfest and saw the shooting range first hand.


The Phoenix Club also has a playground, open space to play and a bar. Everywhere you go it seems to be family-friendly.


We, of course, also stopped by the OC Costume Swap. We walked in, donated our costume and we were given a raffle ticket. My kid was able to find a Mario costume that he will wear this Halloween. He loves Mario Bros. right now and the stars were aligned for us to get the costume. It was great! I hope they do it again next year because I love the idea of just swapping for a new costume instead of buying one! Plus, any left over costumes go to The Orangewood Foundation.


Oktoberfest runs from September 14th to October 28th. Entry is $5, and kids under 18 are free. If you're in the So. Cal. area, I invite you to stop by and check it out for yourself. Note that it's cash only, the vendors sell foods in enormous portions and you're going to want to pull out all the stops on your German-wear.

See all my Oktoberfest pictures here in my Google+ album.

Oktoberfest Tickets Giveaway

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I received complimentary entrance into Oktoberfest, as well as a complimentary brunch meals for myself and my kids. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Pitch Perfect takes over Scratch DJ Academy | #PitchPerfect

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With Felipe Mendez and DJ Hapa

Universal Pictures and Scratch DJ Academy worked together to promote the hilarious new comedy everyone is talking about, Pitch Perfect.

At events that took place in New York, Miami and LA, media and teens from various schools were given the chance to become DJs for the day. They learned the basics of mixing and scratching and got to see a sneak peak of some cool new DJ technology.

I was able to enjoy a bit of DJ Hapa's lessons with my son. We learned the basics of mixing and scratching and we even got to try it out on our own.


Let me tell you, there's A LOT that goes into being a DJ. They just make it look easy!

DJ Hapa also introduced us to cool new DJ technology like the QnQ board that DJs can use to mix, play and scratch their own music. The cool thing is that it's see through, so people on both sides can see what the DJ is doing.


Going further, the QnQ features a branding option where companies can sponsor a background on the board. It's really ingenious.

We finished our DJ lesson in awe of the technology that is out there for entertainers in the DJ world. The Scratch DJ Academy is open to the public and kids as young as three (and as old as 77) have been taught there since opening three years ago. It's a great place, though it's tough to find parking. Nevertheless, if you're in the LA area, this might be something cool for you to enroll your kid, or yourself in. You never know when your DJ skills might come in handy!

With Vanessa Born, Nicki Soo Hoo and DJ Brandi

While at the Scratch DJ Academy, we were able to talk to Felipe Méndez, co-creater of the QnQ. Turns out, the Latino engineer didn't know much about the DJ'ing world until he connected with DJ Hapa. Proof that amazing things can happen if you step out of the box.

If you have dreamt of becoming a DJ an/or music producer and want a good laugh, you cannot miss this film! For now, just check out the following video from the PITCH PERFECT Scratch DJ Academy:



This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to attend this event as a member of the media. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
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