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“Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away” Comes to Seattle

December 22, 2012 By 5 Comments

From the big top to the big screen, visionary Academy Award®-winning filmmaker James Cameron and director Andrew Adamson (“Shrek,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) invite you and your family on an all new 3D adventure: “CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY.”  A young couple who is separated must journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other as audiences experience the immersive 3D technology that will allow them to leap, soar, swim and dance with the performers.  Written and directed by Andrew Adamson and executive produced by James Cameron. The film was produced by Adamson, Aron Warner, Cirque’s Martin Bolduc and Ed Jones and Cary Granat. Vince Pace oversaw the 3D stereo production aspect of the film.

“CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY” opens in theaters everywhere December 21st, 2012, with showtimes at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Additional showtimes beginning December 25th.

With Advance Movie Ticket Purchase, Film Goers Are Entered to Win a Trip to Las Vegas or A Year of Free Movie Passes

clip_image001WHAT:          To celebrate the release of its upcoming 3D film spectacular, “CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY,” Paramount Pictures is proud to announce that the film’s feature performers will be appearing exclusively at the Northgate Mall aboard their “Vessel of Dreams”, allowing shoppers to experience the magic of the movie event of the year as it hits theaters December 21st, with 12pm & 7pm showtimes.

Fans will have the chance to purchase discounted tickets to showings of “CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY” onsite, courtesy of Fandango, and enter to win two fantastic prizes courtesy of ”CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY” and Fandango: A trip for two to Las Vegas to see a Cirque du Soleil show or a year of free movie passes from Fandango!

WHEN:          Friday, December 21, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:        Northgate Mall

401 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125

*Performances will occur near the food court.



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New Hershey’s Holiday Treats #Giveaway

December 18, 2012 By 367 Comments

I went to the grocery store yesterday and stocked up on baking supplies, then when I got home I had a delivery from Hershey’s. I was so excited to see al the new holiday themed treats inside. Now comes the fun, combining the baking supplies with the Hershey’s goodies.

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New Items:

· Hershey’s Christmas Village Tins Assortment – (Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures or Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates )

· Twizzlers Pull-N-Peel Cherry 2-foot Bar

· Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures 36 oz. Bags

· Hershey’s Snap-Apart Snowman, which breaks off into perfectly sized pieces, making it great for sharing with a loved one.

Classic Treats Dressed for the Holidays:

· NEW LOOK– Hershey’s Nuggets Milk Chocolate

· NEW LOOK– Hershey’s Special Dark Nuggets with Almonds

Now I’m thinking up some creative recipes like Pot of Gold cookies. I’m going to mix up a batch of sugar cookie mix and then place a piece of Hershey’s Pot of Gold chocolate in the center of each cookie ball and then bake them. I’m pretty excited to start getting creative and see how they are received on Wednesday night at church. I signed up to make 2 dozen cookies. So I’m also going to figure out a way to use the Hershey’s Kisses in a creative way. I’m really inspired by some Hershey’s recipes on their recipe website.

Hershey’s can help set-the-table for your Holiday parties. Whip up a warm drink such as Hot Cocoa for a Crowd with Hershey’s Cocoa, or bake up a batch of Kissmas Almond Cookies made with Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates with Almonds. I’ll be baking all week and sharing my new recipes. For now, I would love for you to win a prize like this as well.

Enter to Win:

Assortment of Hershey’s treats

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me what kind of recipe you could come up with

Extra Entries:

Use the rafflecopter and leave a way for us to verify

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

This giveaway ends January 1st. Please see the giveaway rules. Sample received



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FamilyFun Marshmallow GingerKids Recipe

December 17, 2012 By 14 Comments

Here’s another very easy recipe to make from , FamilyFun Magazine (familyfunmag.com) , no baking involved, just melt some chocolate.

Create Family Fun Magazine Dec/Jan 2013

Marshmallow GingerKids Recipe

Ingredients:

Large Marshmallows
Mini Marshmallows
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine 1/2 cup sugar with 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoons ginger in a medium bowl and set it aside.

Fill another medium bowl with water. Melt 1 cup white chocolate chips according to the package directions, then transfer the chocolate to a ziplock bag and snip off a corner.

To form each pop, slide two marshmallows onto a lollipop stick. Use the melted chocolate to adhere mini marshmallow arms and legs as shown. Let the chocolate set.

Dip the pop in the water, then roll it in the sugar mixture until coated.

Pipe on a chocolate face, then use more chocolate to attach heart and confetti sprinkle buttons, bows, and bow ties.



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FamilyFun Gingerbread Biscotti Recipe

December 15, 2012 By 8 Comments

Oh my, I’ve got to get off my computer and stop looking at all the really great recipes out there. The recipes on FamilyFun Magazine (familyfunmag.com) are making me so very hungry. I found this Gingerbread biscotti recipe and I have permission to re-share with you guys. It looks so good and I haven’t made biscotti in four years. It’s actually really easy to make so I’m going to try this really soon and recommend that you do too.  gingerbread biscotti

FamilyFun Gingerbread Biscotti Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons light molasses
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 ounces white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. In a stand mixer set on medium speed, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated. Reduce the mixer’s speed to low and blend in the flour mixture.

2. With slightly wet hands, halve the dough and shape each piece into a 2 1/2-by-9-inch rectangle. Transfer the loaves to the prepared baking sheet and bake them until they’re golden brown and their tops are just starting to crack, about 25 minutes. Let the loaves cool on the sheet and reduce the oven’s temperature to 325 degrees.

3. Use a sharp knife to cut each loaf into 3/4 inch thick slices. Place the slices cut side down on the baking sheets and bake them until they’re toasted, about 8 minutes. The pieces should be crunchy on the outside but not hard. Transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

4. Melt the white chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl according to the package directions, then spoon it into a ziplock bag and snip off a corner. Drizzle the biscotti with the melted chocolate. Let the coating set before serving.

 

Family Fun Magazine shared this information with me.



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Water Babies and Build-A-Bear Collectibles – Great Gifts for Preschool and School Age Girls from PlaymatesToys

December 8, 2012 By 8 Comments

Water Babies and Build-A-Bear Collectibles – Great Gifts for Preschool and School Age Girls from PlaymatesToys

By: Ashley

Baby dolls and teddy bears are classic Christmas gifts for children. PlaymatesToys has taken those two classic gifts and given them a serious update. With Waterbabies and Build-A-Bear Collectibles, young children will be able to pretend, make-believe and play with creative toys.

 

 

What are Waterbabies? They’ve actually been around for a little while, but that doesn’t make them any less appealing to little girls in search of a cute baby doll that feels real. Yep, that’s right. Waterbabies don’t just feel like your typical plastic doll. Waterbabies are made with a special design that lets you pour warm water into the doll. When you touch the arms and legs of the doll, they feel real! That is something any little one will think is amazing. Add to that the wide variety of appearances and themes that Waterbabies come in (everything from fairies, to ballerinas, to soccer players, etc.), and you’ve got a great toy. (Recommended for ages 3 and up.)

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Next on my list from PlaymatesToys are the Build-A-Bear Collectibles. We all know Build-A-Bear to be the place where you go and create your own teddy bear. PlaymatesToys has a line of collectible figures that allow anyone anywhere (not just near the Build-A-Bear stores) to have fun playing with small plastic versions of the well loved bears. The sets are more like action sets that come with a few props allowing children to imagine any situation they would like for their bears. (Recommended for ages 4 and up.)

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PlaymatesToys.com has so much more than just Waterbabies and Build-A-Bears, though these are really cute! Check them out online and find their products in most major toy retailers and on Amazon.com.

About Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010

Disclosure – A product was provided to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.



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Home For the Holidays SpringPad $500 Wayfair Giveaway #Holiday2012

December 4, 2012 By 8 Comments

After Thanksgiving I feel like my stress load is at it’s max I have so much to do left and no time to do it in. So if you’re feeling stressed about the upcoming holidays like me I have a suggestion that might help you get a few things on your list organized.

Try Springpad! It’s my new favorite place to keep track of gift lists, recipes, shopping lists, travel plans and decorating ideas. I have a gift idea board created for Zoe, Miles and for family in general. I’m thinking about making one for my husband too.

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Getting organized now is definitely going to make surviving the chaos-prone holiday season a whole lot easier. Plus, their recipe-to shopping-list converter, alerts about price drops and mobile apps are super awesome. This December, Springpad has teamed up with Wayfair to make the holidays at your house even sweeter. Create a Springpad wish list of the gorgeous home goods, gourmet kitchen goodies and gifts you’ve been dreaming of this season, and you could win one of three $500 Wayfair.com shopping sprees. Entering to win is easy, get started now!

How to Enter

Entering the contest is super-simple, just follow these three easy steps:

1. Create a holiday wish list Springpad notebook. Don’t have a Springpad account? Register now at Springpad.com

2. Tag your notebook with #Holidays2012. Learn how to tag a Springpad notebook.

3. Fill your notebook with at least 10 products from Wayfair.com. Learn how to add things to Springpad using their web clipper.

You can see all the contest entries on the Home for the Holidays contest page.

How to Win

On December 19, three #Holidays2012 notebooks will be randomly selected to win a $500 Wayfair shopping spree! The winner will be announced on the Springpad Facebook page and the Springpad Twitter profile, so like and follow them now.

Additional Details

· Contest runs from December 4, 2012 through December 18, 2012.

· Users may enter up to five #Holidays2012 notebooks

· Winner must be located in the USA

· More questions? View the complete contest details.

 

 

I’m receiving a gift card to WayFair.com for my participation with Springpad.



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The Trash Pack Trashies, Trading Cards & Play Sets Fun: Garbage Collectibles for Kids

December 3, 2012 By 7 Comments

What is the Trash Pack? – Flies, Fuzz and Fun: Garbage Collectibles for Kids

By: Ashley

A few days ago, I was asking myself a very tough question, “What in the world is the Trash Pack?” I honestly took to the interwebs and messaged friends trying to really get ahold of what these slimy looking little creatures were all about. My little guy is only 2, so the Trash Pack isn’t really in his little world just yet. The moms of some school age boys though… they knew all about these little garbage character collectibles.

Trash Pack Collectibles

The Trash Pack is a line of little collectible creatures based on trash. It sounds gross, and it is! But it’s gross in a fun, silly, and great way. There are a few series of Trash Pack friends out now, and the newest one is series 3. Each series has its own individual characters. You can build your Trash Pack collection with Trashies (the characters), trading cards, and play sets.

 

 

The Trash Pack ‘Trashies’ Garbage Truck

Product Features

  • Designed to collect the icky characters from the Trash Pack Gross Gang
  • 2 Collectible Trash Pack characters included
  • Holds up to 10 Trash Pack Trashies
  • Collect Gross Gang characters as you play and Store inside when done
  • Compatible with the more than 100 Trash Pack characters available

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The Trash Pack Trashies Series 3 12 Pack

Product Features

  • 12 Pack of Trashies – Series 3
  • Includes 2 Color Changing Trashies!
  • 5 Small Cans + 1 Large Can Included
  • Games Booklet Inside
  • Collect and Swap!

At first, the Trash Pack might sound a little disturbing, but it’s actually pretty funny. If you’re looking for a little something for a school age child’s Christmas, a Trash Pack set is probably a safe (and for them exciting) choice. These are figurines that most kids will talk about with their friends, trade, play with, and enjoy.

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About Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010

Disclosure – A product was provided to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.



Filed Under: 2012 Gift Guide Tagged With: , , , , ,

Disney Store Must Haves For The Holidays #FairyGodmother

December 1, 2012 By 9 Comments

Disney Store Must Haves? Everything of course! We love the Disney store, every time we go to the mall we have to check out the Disney Store. I love ornaments and they have quite a collection of your Disney favorites. From the princess to monsters, from Brave to Mickey you’ll find it. We received a Disney Store Holiday 17” Plush, a festive Disney Store Holiday Plush Stocking for your mantel, a classic 2012 Disney Store Sketchbook Ornament, and a Disney Store Vinylmation Jingle Smells 2 Series Ornament.  

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The Stocking
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In the spirit of giving, Disney Store and Make-A-Wish® have partnered up again to share the magic of granting wishes to children around the globe. By the end of 2012 Disney will have donated more than $500,000 to Make-A-Wish® to help make wishes come true for deserving children.

IMG_1922A favorite holiday shopping destination, Disney Store and DisneyStore.com offer the season’s hottest Disney toys and gifts for all ages.

The Cinderella horse drawn carriage.

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Just in time for the holiday shopping season, DisneyStore.com was redesigned and features a new “Magical Message Video” option.  Guests can now record and customize a special "Disney Magical Message" video to send along with their            DisneyStore.com gift purchases for friends and family. Gift recipients will receive an email notifying them of a special delivery, then once the gift arrives at their door, a card will provide them a site URL and a personal ID where they can view their    personal "Disney Magical Message" video, making gift giving even more special.

The Wreck It Ralph Hands

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Disney Store’s Fairy Godmother Twitter concierge can make finding the perfect gift even easier. The Fairy Godmother personal shopping services will be available via Twitter to help guests find the perfect gift on “Magical Friday.” Chat live with Disney Store’s guest services team on Twitter with hash tag #FairyGodmother. Updates and deals will be posted on Disney Store’s Facebook as well. Guests can shop with at DisneyStore.com anytime, anywhere with from their laptops/desktops, tablets or mobile phones.

Mickey Mouse Plush

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The Princess Line Up

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This year, more than 150 Disney Store locations will open at midnight or have extended hours on “Magical Friday” (Black Friday). With more stores opening at midnight than ever before, Disney Store will cater to night owls and early birds looking to get the best deals. 

The Vanellope Talking Doll

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To find a Disney Store location, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

 

We received samples



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Innobaby is the Spot for Green Gifts and Innovative Baby Solutions #Giveaway

November 28, 2012 By 148 Comments

Innobaby is the Spot for Green Gifts and Innovative Baby Solutions – Video Review and GIVEAWAY

By: Ashley

Have you ever visited Innobaby.com? Innobaby has tons of products designed with you, your baby, and the Earth in mind. Their green thinking solutions help make snack time, meal time, and pretty much ANY time just a little bit easier.

 

When my son was younger, Christmas was the perfect opportunity to stock up on some products that I thought would help make my life a little easier and things he enjoyed. New sippy cups, snack containers, and dishes were some of my favorite picks. Innobaby has a great selection of all those things and they’re all eco friendly.

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The multi use drink holder is really one of the coolest things ever. We’ve all experienced that juice box overflow that happens when little hands squeeze a little too tightly. The holder is great! It can hold juice boxes, pouches, water bottles, and more. A very handy addition to any mom purse or diaper bag.

Our friends at Innobaby want to give one lucky MomStart reader a fantastic gift basket full of their coolest products, including the ones in the video! All you need to do is follow the directions in the Rafflecopter to enter. Good luck!

Enter to Win:

Innobaby Gift Basket (see video for prizes)

To Enter:

Tell us which item from the video you like most

Extra Entries:

Use the rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends December 11th. Please see the giveaway rules

About Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010

Disclosure – A product was provided to facilitate this review.



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Shopping Ideas for the "Special Interest" Crowd

November 26, 2012 By 12 Comments

Shopping for the "Special Interest" Crowd

Guest Post

Selecting a gift for your loved ones is easy when their likes are simple and universal. But what about the “special interest” crowd? What about those people who are hard to shop for? While it may be difficult to shop for them, it’s definitely not impossible.
In the following article we look into a few online specialty stores (stores that specialize in selling very specific products) that will help you choose a unique and lovable gift for the loved ones who give you a hard time with gift shopping:

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1. Rapha: This is a website that sells high quality cycling clothing and as well as accessories. If your gift recipient is someone who enjoys cycling as a sport then this is the place to find the right gift that will compliment his or her interest.

2. Ralph Lauren: A brand name that is recognized all around the world, Ralph Lauren’s online store is where you can find luxury clothing items. Although the prices aren’t cheap, your loved one will adore a gift from here if he or is into brand labels.

3. Bagigia: If your gift recipient is a “she”, then Bagigia is a product she will fall in love with. It’s basically a hot water bottle turned turned into a leather bag, with oodles of style thrown in. It’s a unique gift idea that is not only useful but also offers a touch of luxury.

4. Sky Geek: Does your recipient happen to be a professional pilot, or someone with a pilot’s license and a private airplane? If your answer’s yes, then the Sky Geek website offers some of the best aviation supplies and pilot accessories at low prices. With the wide variety of choices, you won’t have a hard time shopping on the site.

5. Lemon & Mint: Regardless of who you’re going to give your gift to, nobody minds getting one of those imaginatively designed fashion accessories. This small and visionary swiss venture has an online store that perfectly resonates their aim to deliver the most unique fashion products. Check out their web store to learn more.

6. HYT Watches: How does a hybrid mechanical timepiece sound as a gift idea? It’s a mouth watering gift for any watch connoisseurs, and that’s exactly the kind of watches HYT creates. It is obviously on the luxurious side so be ready to shell a few extra bucks.
From the above list of online specialty stores, you can see for yourself that shopping for the “hard-to-shop” for people isn’t that hard if you know where you’re looking. Just see to it that you do your homework first so that you don’t end up buying something that wouldn’t interest them.



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