Holiday Gift Guide: Brave, The Best Princess Movie Ever

November 16, 2012November 15, 2012 - brandy3 2 Comments

One movie that I waited all year for was Brave.

Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney Pixar’s Brave follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to change her fate, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin, surly Lord Macintosh and cantankerous Lord Dingwall, unleashing chaos in the kingdom. When she turns to an eccentric Witch, she is granted an ill-fated wish and the ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her resources including her mischievous triplet brothers to undo a beastly curse and discover the meaning of true bravery.

Blu-ray Bonus Features:

La Luna Theaterical Short (also on Blu-ray 3D and dvd)
The Legend of Mor’Du: short (also on dvd)
Brave Old World
Merida and Elinor
Bears
Brawl in the Hall
Wonder Moss
Magic
Clan Pixar
Once Upon a Scene
Extended Scenes
Director Commentary (also on dvd)
Fergus & Mor’Du” an alternate opening
Fallen Warriors Montage
Dirty Hairy People
It is English sort of
Angus
The Tapestry
Promotional Pieces
Art Gallery
Wee Gaffes
Teasers and sneak peeks

*** I am Scottish so I grew up knowing the clans and tartans. So when I heard that Disney Pixar was coming out with a Princess movie based in Scotland, I was so thrilled and couldn’t wait to see it. I was actually following along with the clans as I was watching and learning. Every detail of this movie is on key with what Scotland looks like, I just can’t get over the detail. If you don’t know what Clans and Tartans are you will definitely find out in this movie. Clans are based on your last name, and your tartan is how you identify yourself during ceremonies.

For Ex my Clan is Cunningham and this is how you would identify

Crest Badge

Tartan:

Another reason I really like this movie is it’s a Princess movie, but not a typical Princess movie. Most Princess movies are the same, evil step-mother or sister that hates her. Then she finds love and they live happily ever after. the end. In Brave, there is so much adventure and she is not girly at all. She loves to use a bow and she loves adventure. This is the perfect holiday movie for anyone, it’s funny, scary, exciting and so much more.

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post. A product was provided for my review.

Wrap Up of Being A Kotex Mom #KotexMoms

November 14, 2012May 25, 2014 - brandy3 2 Comments

For these past 6 months, I have been able to be one of Mom Central’s Kotex Moms. My daughter has not yet started her period, but it’s not to far away. It’s actually funny, because I thought I had all the time in the world to explain periods to my daughter. Being a Kotex Mom has made me realize that, it’s better to start early and prepare. Girls are starting as young as 7 years old and every girl is different.

I’m glad that I had the chance to start my daughter on the talks a year or two early, and get her prepared. She has been kind of embarrassed about talking in front of her younger brother and sister, since they make fun of everything. So we have been going on little outings by ourself every few weeks to talk. We missed it this last week, thanks to the Hurricane but I will be talking her out again very soon.

We were even sent a little calendar for her to keep track of periods and all the important things in her life. If she is anything like me though, she will never be able to track it. LOL!

I have become really fond of the Kotex brand over these past months, and just love how they introduced Kotex Tween. They really are the perfect fit and very discreet for girls. My daughter loved how colorful the packaging is, and even said they could be mistaken for one of her post it notes. That’s actually really good, because they don’t want it to embarrassed by the pads.

If you are getting ready to have the talk with your daughter, please visit here for some helpful tips and videos.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by Kotex Tween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Coppertone is still Fun even without the Sun

November 13, 2012 - brandy3

This summer I had the honor of being a Coppertone Mom, I was able to try out some great Coppertone products.

As an end of Summer gift Coppertone sent me a few goodies. They sent me a bucket and shovel, some balloons, temporary tattoos, and a Coppertone bag

Summer is over here in NY, so we have not been able to test out the bucket and shovel at the beach just yet. My kids are loving the balloons and temporary tattoos, they have actually gone a little overboard with the tattoos.

My absolute favorite goody would be the bag, It is so big and can carry a lot. It was my life saver during Hurricane Sandy. We lost power for 2 weeks, and had to stay in temporary housing. The bag held all of our non-perishables that we took with us.

I love being a Coppertone Mom, and their products. I grew up in Arizona and now living a few miles from the beach, I am always concerned about skin protection for my family. Coppertone has so many varieties of sun-tan lotion, for kids, adults, sensitive skin and more.

Now I am busy gearing up for next summer!

Disclosure: I am a Coppertone Mom and have been sent product samples.

My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop Are All New

November 9, 2012November 8, 2012 - brandy3 1 Comment

This Saturday November 10th on The Hub they will be airing brand new episodes of My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop.

Starting at 10AM ET My Little Pony is all new:

“Crystal Empire – Parts 1 & 2” – Twilight Sparkle and her friends travel to the magical Crystal Empire that has mysteriously reappeared after a 1,000 year-old curse caused it to vanish. Twilight Sparkle must find the Crystal Heart to restore the Empire to its full strength.

Littest Pet Shop will start at 11AM ET:

Blythe’s Big Adventure – Part2 1 &2” – Young Blythe Baxter moves to the big city above the Littlest Pet Shop, an amazing day-camp for pets of all kinds including a panda, gecko and monkey. Blythe learns she can talk to the animals who turn to her to help save their beloved Littlest Pet Shop from closing. The aspiring fashion designer hosts a pet fashion show starring her new animal friends in hopes of saving the day.

You can also get ready for the premieres with your own little party. Download invitations, coloring sheets and more here.

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post

SkyLanders Giants Are Available At Best Buy Stores

November 8, 2012November 8, 2012 - brandy3 1 Comment

We recently went to Best Buy to do some Christmas shopping and they had the Skylanders Giants Demo set up to play for the PS3. Immediately my kids jumped on it as they love video games.

The Story: Thousands of years ago, the Giants fought epic battles in Skylands but were banished to Earth. With a new threat looming, it’s time to bring them back to join forces with the Skylanders to defeat KAOS. Only you can put them on the Portal of Power to unleash their strength in the ultimate battle to save Skylands!

We had arrived at the store early, so I think we were the first people to play the game for the day. It wasn’t really set up. After a few tries, we got it going. My daughter loved how you incorporate little figurines into the game.

My kids could have stayed there all day and played it was an epic adventure that would never end for my kids. They were switching out characters constantly just to watch them come to life. They wanted to bring the game home that instant!

Skylanders Giants is available at all Best Buy Locations, for a demo please check to see if there is a store near you.

Available on Wii, PS3 and X Box 360 and Nintendo 3DS.

Disclosure: This reviewer Has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

New ID Gum With GiveawayClosed

October 29, 2012December 24, 2012 - brandy3 60 Comments

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, iD GUM.

Stride Gum has introduced ID Gum, specially designed for Teens to celebrate their creativity and thirt for discovery. This gum is long lasting and full of flavor.

The gum comes in Spearmint, Peppermint and BerryMelon

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, iD GUM.

Enter the contest above to win a interview with Ciara. A amazing Opportunity!

GIVEAWAY

I have a few packs of ID Gum to giveaway to one lucky reader.

US ONLY please

To enter: Tell me which flavor you would like to try?

Extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed-8 entries

Blog about this-7 entries

Grab my button-6 entries

Follow me on twitter-5 entries

Like No Time Mommy on Facebook-4 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-4 entries unlimited

Enter any of my other giveaways-3 entries

Tweet this giveaway-2 entries (can be done daily)

post this giveaway on Facebook-1 entry (can be done daily)

Contest ends 11/27/12

Disclosure: I am a ID Insider and have been sent samples for review/giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Get K’nex At Target

October 25, 2012October 22, 2012 - brandy3

Just in time for holiday shopping Target has K’nex sets displyed on end caps. These are perfect gifts for any creative imagination.

The K’nex sets that will be featured are:

Amusement Park Series

The 521 Piece Super Value Tub

K’nex Robo Battlers

Stop by your local Target and check it out:

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post.

Fight Cyber Bulling With Build A Bear Workshop

October 24, 2012 - brandy3

Cyber bullying, actually any bullying is becoming a big problem. Build A Bear is joining the fight to end cyber bullying.

Build A Bear Workshop did an interview with their 2012 Huggable Hero on her work as a spokesperson for bullying prevention. I think it’s a great interview and am very proud that she has been so outspoken against this fight. To read the interview, visit the Build A Bear Workshop Blog.

From now until October 31, you can show your support in the fight against cyber bullying by taking the pledge here. I just took the pledge and you should too, it said under 200 people took the pledge. That is not enough!!! Please take the pledge.

Build A Bears new brand Ambassador Cody Simpson has made a video about cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying is a serious issue, what will you do to help the fight?

Disclosure: I am a Build A Bear Workshop ambassador and have been compensated for my time. All opinions are my own.

Gift Guide: Tinker Bell Secret Of the Wings DVD Review

October 22, 2012 - brandy3

For Tinker Bell and the other warm season fairies, the Winter Woods remains a mysterious and forbidden place. “Secret of the Wings” takes audiences on an amazing journey of discovery with Tink, into this forbidden world where she discovers a magical secret that changes her life forever.

Bonus features:

Pixie Hollow Games Bonus Adventure
Great Divide Music Video
Dig Down Deeper Music Video
Pixie Preview: Fright Light

*** I would have to say this is the best Tinker Bell movie by far. I loved everything about it. Tinker Bell wanders into the forbidden Winter woods, when her wings light up. She is determined to find out why, she sets of to find The Keeper (of all fairy knowledge) to find out. When she finds him, she also finds Periwinkle and discovers she is her sister. Thy were both born from the same laugh.

I really don’t want to spoil the rest of the movie, because it is so good. It is a must see for any Tinker Bell lover! My kids love it, as we have already seen it 4 times in the past 2 days. LOL!

Also in the sneak previews they offer a glimpse of the newest Tinker Bell movie set to hit theaters in Spring 2014. I didn’t see a name for it, but by the preview it will be good. Something happens with the fairies, they all look dazed. when they go to use their powers, they realize they have all switched powers. Tinker Bell is a water fairy, Rosetta an animal fairy etc. My kids are now eagerly awaiting 2014.

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Running Time: 80 minutes

Retail: $49.99 but as low as $29.96 on Amazon

Rating:9

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received. A product was provided for my review from Disney. All opinions are 100% my own.

Produce For Kids and Stop and Shop team up GiveawayClosed

October 18, 2012December 24, 2012 - brandy3 290 Comments

Stop & Shop and Produce for Kids are teaming up to host the second annual Healthy Schools, Healthy Minds campaign. Now through October 20, when you visit a local Stop and Shop store and add fresh fruit and vegetables to your cart, you will be supporting local schools.

when you visit a Stop and Shop store be on the lookout for Produce For Kids display units featuring characters from Lazy Town and Noodle and Doodle. The displays will be in the produce section and the more you buy, the more your local schools will benefit.

When you go to pick up your produce from a Local Stop and Shop, you will also be able to get meal cards, to help make a healthy kid friendly recipe. For more meal ideas, please visit here.

*** There will be a Produce for kids and Crunch Pak Twitter party tonight October 18, 2012 at 9PM EST. Please use hashtag #anappleaday. RSVP here!

One of my readers will win a $25 Stop and Shop gift card, as well as Produce For Kids and Sprout goodies.

To enter: Tell me your favorite fresh fruit or veggie?