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A Marvel Cinematic Universe Countdown to Infinity War: One Movie A Week Until May 4th!

Tessa Smith
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15
A Marvel Cinematic Universe Countdown to Infinity War: One Movie A Week Until May 4th!

I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Avengers Infinity War Countdown

This may come as a huge shock to you, but I am a bit of a Marvel fan. All kidding aside though, the countdown is ON for Avengers: Infinity War and I am over the moon excited about it. I am not ready for some of my favorite characters to die, or willing to admit it will happen, but let’s just say my purse will be full of tissues when I hit the theaters on May 4, 2018. In order to prepare ourselves, I teamed up with my girl Amy from As The Bunny Hops. Together, we created a viewing schedule for all the Marvel Cinematic Universe films – one a week until Infinity War hits theaters. We even did all the hard work and found out where you can watch them.

Join us on Twitter every Friday at 11am with #CountdownToInfinityWar as we live tweet every MCU film. And join us March 21st at 1pm for a Twitter Party with some amazing prizes provided by GameStop!

Iron Man

Iron Man

Watch Iron Man January 7th through 13th. A billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, Tony Stark, is conducting weapons tests overseas, but terrorists kidnap him to force him to build a devastating weapon. Instead, he builds an armored suit and upends his captors. Returning to America, Stark refines the suit and uses it to combat crime and terrorism.

Iron Man is streaming on Amazon Prime & Hulu.

Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

Watch The Incredible Hulk January 14th through 20th. Scientist Bruce Banner desperately seeks a cure for the gamma radiation that contaminated his cells and turned him into The Hulk. Cut off from his true love Betty Ross and forced to hide from his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross, Banner soon comes face-to-face with a new threat. A supremely powerful enemy known as The Abomination.

The Incredible Hulk can be found on HBO and is available for Digital Rental almost anywhere.

Iron_Man_2_poster

Iron Man 2

Watch Iron Man 2 January 21st through 27th. With the world now aware that he is Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from all sides to share his technology with the military. He is reluctant to divulge the secrets of his armored suit, fearing the information will fall into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts and “Rhodey” Rhodes by his side, Tony must forge new alliances and confront a powerful new enemy.

Iron Man 2 is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented.

Thor

Thor

Watch Thor January 28th through February 3rd. As the son of Odin, king of the Norse gods, Thor will soon inherit the throne of Asgard from his aging father. However, on the day that he is to be crowned, Thor reacts with brutality when the gods’ enemies, the Frost Giants, enter the palace in violation of their treaty. As punishment, Odin banishes Thor to Earth. While Loki, Thor’s brother, plots mischief in Asgard, Thor, now stripped of his powers, faces his greatest threat.

Thor is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented.

Captain America First Avenger

Captain America: The First Avenger

Watch Captain America: The First Avenger February 4th through 10th. It is 1941 and the world is in the throes of war. Steve Rogers wants to do his part and join America’s armed forces, but the military rejects him because of his small stature. Finally, Steve gets his chance when he is accepted into an experimental program that turns him into a supersoldier called Captain America. Joining forces with Bucky Barnes and Peggy Carter, Captain America leads the fight against the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization.


Captain America: The First Avenger is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented.

avengers

The Avengers

Watch The Avengers February 11th through 17th. When Thor’s evil brother, Loki, gains access to the unlimited power of the energy cube called the Tesseract, Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., initiates a superhero recruitment effort to defeat the unprecedented threat to Earth. Joining Fury’s “dream team” are Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, the Black Widow and Hawkeye.


The Avengers is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented and select Redbox Locations.

Black Panther Poster

Black Panther

Watch Black Panther in theaters on February 16th. Black Panther springs into action when an old enemy threatens the fate of his nation and the world.

Take a break from the recaps and go see the brand new MCU film, Black Panther!

Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3

Watch Iron Man 3 February 18th through 24th. Plagued with worry and insomnia since saving New York from destruction, Tony Stark, now, is more dependent on the suits that give him his Iron Man persona. So much so that every aspect of his life is affected, including his relationship with Pepper. After a malevolent enemy known as the Mandarin reduces his personal world to rubble, Tony must rely solely on instinct and ingenuity to avenge his losses and protect the people he loves.


Iron Man 3 is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented.

Thor Dark World

Thor: The Dark World

Watch Thor: The Dark World February 25th through March 3rd. In ancient times, the gods of Asgard fought and won a war against an evil race known as the Dark Elves. The survivors were neutralized, and their ultimate weapon, the Aether, was buried in a secret location. Hundreds of years later, Jane Foster finds the Aether and becomes its host, forcing Thor to bring her to Asgard before Dark Elf Malekith captures her and uses the weapon to destroy the Nine Realms – including Earth.


Thor: The Dark World is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented.

Captain America winter soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Watch Captain America: The Winter Soldier March 4th through 10th. After the cataclysmic events in New York with his fellow Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, lives in the nation’s capital as he tries to adjust to modern times. An attack on a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague throws Rogers into a web of intrigue that places the whole world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow and a new ally, the Falcon, Rogers struggles to expose an ever-widening conspiracy, but he and his team soon come up against an unexpected enemy.


Captain America: The Winter Soldier is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented and select Redbox Locations.

guardians of the galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Watch Guardians of the Galaxy March 11th through 17th. Brash space adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb coveted by Ronan. To evade Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with four disparate misfits: gun-toting Rocket Raccoon, treelike-humanoid Groot, enigmatic Gamora, and vengeance-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when he discovers the orb’s true power and the cosmic threat it poses, Quill must rally his ragtag group to save the universe.


Guardians of the Galaxy is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented and select Redbox Locations.

avengers_age_of_ultron

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Watch Avengers: Age of Ultron March 18th through 24th. When Tony Stark jump-starts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go terribly awry, forcing him and the rest of the Avengers to reassemble. As the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, the team is put to the ultimate test as they battle Ultron – a technological terror hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they encounter two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff.


Avengers: Age of Ultron is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented and select Redbox Locations.

Ant-Man Poster

Ant-Man

Watch Ant-Man March 25th through 31st. Forced out of his own company by former protégé Darren Cross, Dr. Hank Pym recruits the talents of Scott Lang, a master thief just released from prison. Lang becomes Ant-Man, trained by Pym and armed with a suit that allows him to shrink in size, possess superhuman strength, and control an army of ants. The miniature hero must use his new skills to prevent Cross, also known as Yellowjacket, from perfecting the same technology and using it as a weapon for evil.


Ant-Man is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented and select Redbox Locations.

Captain America Civil War

Captain America: Civil War

Watch Captain America: Civil War April 1st through 7th. Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. The new status quo deeply divides members of the team. Captain America believes superheroes should remain free to defend humanity without government interference. Iron Man sharply disagrees and supports oversight. As the debate escalates into an all-out feud, Black Widow and Hawkeye must pick a side.

Captain America: Civil War is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented, Netflix, and select Redbox Locations.

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange

Watch Doctor Strange April 8th through 14th. Dr. Stephen Strange’s life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing and hope in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.


Doctor Strange is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented, Netflix, and select Redbox Locations.

gotg-vol-2-poster

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2

Watch Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 April 15th through 21st. Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed.


Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented, Netflix, and select Redbox Locations.

spider-man homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Watch Spider-Man: Homecoming April 22nd through 28th. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine, distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.


Spider-Man: Homecoming is available for Digital Rental anywhere movies can be rented and select Redbox Locations.

Thor Ragnarok

Thor: Ragnarok

Watch Thor: Ragnarok April 29th through May 3rd. Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the mighty Thor finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk, his former ally and fellow Avenger. Thor’s quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization.


Thor: Ragnarok will be available on Digital February 20th and Blu-ray/DVD on March 6th.

avengers infinity war 1

May 4th: Infinity War

Watch Avengers: Infinity War in theaters May 4th, 2018. Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet, Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment.

See all your favorite Marvel Superheroes come together to take on Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War on May 4th, 2018!

Bookmark this site so you can easily find what movie you should be watching and where to watch it. You can also follow Amy and me on Twitter as we remind you which movie is up each week.

Countdown to IW Calendar


The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar – 5 New Episodes Now on DVD!

Tessa Smith
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2
The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar – 5 New Episodes Now on DVD!

This post contains affiliate links.LionGuardRiseOfScar

In this house, we love Disney. I think pretty much every one knows that. Because there are young girls in the house, Disney Junior is almost always on the TV. There are so many great shows, like Vampirina, that we all love to watch as a family. The Lion Guard is another family favorite so we were thrilled to see a new DVD release from them this week. The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar collects 5 of our favorite episodes (we are all suckers for a good villain like Scar) and is available now on DVD!

https://youtu.be/WWYdr2yLLMg

About The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar

Be prepared for the Rise of Scar! With the arrival of the Dry Season, tensions run high, patience wears thin and thirsty tempers flare. To make matters worse, Janja’s hyenas, aided by Ushari the snake, discover a secret that could bring back the vengeful spirit of the legendary villain, Scar!

David Oyelowo (“Queen of Katwe”) as Scar; Rob Lowe (“St. Elmo’s Fire”) as Simba; Gabrielle Union (“Being Mary Jane”) as Nala; Max Charles (“The Amazing Spider-Man 2”) as Kion; Joshua Rush (“Andi Mack”) as Bunga; Atticus Shaffer (“The Middle”) as Ono; Diamond White (“Sofia the First”) as Fuli; Dusan Brown (“Blaze and the Monster Machines”) as Beshte; Landry Bender (“Fuller House”) as Makini; and Christian Slater (“Mr. Robot”) as Ushari.

the lion guard rise of scar activity sheets

 

Episodes

This DVD includes five episodes of Disney’s “The Lion Guard” featuring the voice of David Oyelowo (‘Queen of Katwe”) as Scar.

  • The Rise of Scar
  • The Trouble with Galagos
  • Janja’s New Crew
  • Baboons!
  • Lions of the Outlands

Pick up your copy on DVD now!

About The Walt Disney Studios

For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!


Inside The Disney Vacation Club Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village with Video!

Tessa Smith
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0
Inside The Disney Vacation Club Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village with Video!

This post contains affiliate links.

animal-kingdom-villas-kidani-01

My family goes to Walt Disney World quite often. In fact, we are Disney Vacation Club members so we are there at least twice a year, if not more. One of our favorite places to stay is the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Yes, it is a bit far away from most of the parks (not Animal Kingdom of course), but it is still a great place to stay. I totally adore the lobby and all of it’s decor. Plus, Boma is one of the best places to eat in all of Disney!

Last year, for the first time since becoming DVC members, we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge again. The DVC room included a little cooking area with a microwave and fridge, whereas the room we stayed in at Jambo House which was not DVC did not have this. That was quite the perk for us. There was even a toaster which made it easy to have breakfast in the morning before we hit the parks (unless we had an awesome character meal for breakfast planned of course).

Animal Kingdom Lodge View From Room
The view from our balcony at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Honestly though, the best thing about the Animal Kingdom Lodge is the ability to have your morning coffee (or a night cap) on the balcony while watching the animals. I am talking giraffes, winderbeasts, zebras, and so much more. In every room there is a check list that you can use to check off all the different species you see during your trip. This is one of my girls’ favorite activities when we go!

Take a Video Tour

Now is a great time to join the Disney Vacation Club if you are not a member already. We don’t regret a thing – except not purchasing earlier! With the Disney Vacation Club we have secured amazing family vacations for the next 50 years.

5 Reasons We Go To Disney on Ice Every Year

Tessa Smith
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3
5 Reasons We Go To Disney on Ice Every Year

Opening night tickets for my family were provided by Feld Entertainment.

Disney on Ice Dream Big SNOW WHITE WISHES And Dwarfs

As you likely already know, the Smith family are HUGE Disney fans. We are Disney Vacation Club members and visit Walt Disney World at least twice a year. We pretty much eat, breath, and live Disney, so when Disney on Ice comes to town, we always make sure to go see it. This year, thanks to Feld Entertainment, we were able to attend opening night. The theme for this show was Dream Big, and I am not going to lie, it made me tear up a few times. We go every single year, and here is why.

disney on ice stage

The Show Changes

This is one of my favorite aspects of Disney on Ice. You won’t be seeing the same show year after year because the show and theme changes. This means that the characters involved in the show change as well. We love the variety that Disney on Ice brings. I think we have seen at least six different shows recently, and loved them all.

disney-on-ice-anna-elsa-frozen
Photo Courtesy of DisneyOnIce.com

Heartfelt Messages

We all know Disney has a way of making us cry and feel things. It is no different when it comes to Disney on Ice. Their shows are always making me tear up – especially when I watch the faces of my girls as they take it all in. Frozen is one that gets me EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. When Anna sacrifices herself for Elsa? Maybe it is because I have two girls but this one really gets me. The lessons in all of the Disney shows are about being yourself, staying strong, and believing. Who doesn’t love that?

Dream_Big_Aladdin
Photo Courtesy of DisneyOnIce.com

You See Your Favorite Characters

Because Disney on Ice changes their shows, that means you get to see a variety of your favorite characters as you go over the years. Disney introduces more of their hit characters as well – I am dying to see the show that Moana has been added to! They feature the classics like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck as well as all of the princesses like Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. This year, we were all excited to see more of Aladdin and Jasmine, as well as Maleficent and Sleeping Beauty, than we have in the past.

Disney on Ice Flynn Rapunzel
Photo Courtesy of DisneyOnIce.com

The Skaters are Super Talented

I genuinely enjoy sitting back and watching the skaters perform during the Disney on Ice shows. These guys know what they are doing, I mean, they are professionals. Seeing all of the jumps and spins blows my mind! They are all ridiculously talented to the point where I have caught myself gasping – on several occasions. I admit, one of my favorite things to watch is when the princes pick up the princesses and twirl them around (talk about upper body strength!). It isn’t easy to ice skate and do these tricks – but it especially isn’t in costumes. Think of the characters like Olaf and Sebastian that are in bulky costumes from head to toe.

Disney on Ice Toys and Stuffed Animals

The Treats & Merchandise

I think my girls’ favorite part about Disney on Ice is getting to pick out treats and a souvenir. They enjoy getting some popcorn or a slushie and watching the show. There is always a lot of merchandise to choose from as well. My daughters tend to lean towards the spinning lights, but there are also necklaces, stuffed animals, and other fun items. They are a tad pricey, but we always splurge when it comes to Disney. Hey, you only live once!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdjAl2WFH-t/?taken-by=mamasgeeky

About Dream Big

Through enchanted pixie-dust, Tinker Bell takes audiences on a journey of beloved Disney tales. Make a splash with the fearless dreamer Ariel as she yearns to explore life above the waves. Watch Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Belle as they learn about the power to make their own magic. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and the hilarious snowman Olaf from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love is the greatest magic of all. Be there to discover a whole new world with the daring Jasmine, and join Snow White, Aurora, and Tiana as they remind you that strength and kindness go hand-in-hand. High-flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends make Disney On Ice presents Dream Big an experience your family will never forget!

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=WkBsLEHCX_k

Stay current on the latest developments through social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DisneyOnIce
Twitter: @DisneyOnIce
YouTube: www.youtube.com/DisneyOnIce
Instagram: @DisneyOnIce
#DreamBig

ABOUT FELD ENTERTAINMENT

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that uplift the human spirit and bring people together. With millions of people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 75 countries and on six continents to date and include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Marvel Universe LIVE! More information about Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.

Pineapples, Puppies, & Superheroes: The Story of Two Friends & One Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

Tessa Smith
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6
Pineapples, Puppies, & Superheroes: The Story of Two Friends & One Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

This adventure was sponsored by Kia, however all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Kia Niro Road Trip

When Kia asked me to take a California road trip in their brand new 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid for a couple of days, I didn’t even have to think about it. The icing on the cake? I would be doing it with one of my best friends – Shelley from A Magical Mess. I have known her for a few years now and can honestly say she is one of my favorite humans on the face of the Earth. She is also just like me – Type A personality. So of course we had multiple documents detailing what we wanted to do with our trip before we even left our homes. But it wasn’t until the morning of our trip that we came up with our full theme – Pineapples, Puppies, & Superheroes.

Kia Niro Road Trip Pineapple Fountain

Pineapples

If you know anything about Shelley, you know she has a love of Pineapples. Well, whatever is more than love. That is what she has. Unfortunately we couldn’t find any Pineapple Farms in California along our route, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. So instead, we decided to spread happiness in the form of pineapples along our way. Our first stop was a grocery store to purchase 10 pineapples. We wrote encouraging notes (along with #PineappleTrail and #NiroRoadTrip) and attached them to each pineapple.

Kia Niro Road Trip Pineapples Backseat

The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid has a huge backseat so we buckled all our pineapples in safely and took off! We were sure to leave one at all of our stops along the way to bring a little bit of happiness to those who would find them. It made us smile to see people using the hashtags on social media and knowing we brought joy to some lives. We even caught someone in the act of taking a photo of one of our pineapples!

Kia Niro Road Trip Pineapple Grill

We came across the PERFECT place – the Pineapple Hill Saloon and Grill. This saloon was incredible. All of the decor was pineapple related. I mean, you should have seen their lamps! They even had a lovely saying on their chalkboard “Be a Pineapple. Stand Tall, Wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.” I have heard this saying before, but really love it! Seeing it was a great way to kick off our road trip around California. Shelley and I, we want to be like pineapples.

Kia Niro Road Trip Salinas Animal Services

Puppies

The one plan that we had made that we knew was going to happen no matter what – was helping out some shelter animals. Shelley and I both strongly believe that every animal deserves a loving home. We popped in to the Salinas Animal Services building during our trip and visited with some of the dogs and cats there. Of course, we gave them some cuddles (and totally fell in love with them). We decided to donate $500 of our road trip money to cover the adoption fees of some of the animals so that they could find their furever home. We nicknamed three of the dogs – Kia, Niro, and Stinger.

Stinger was my rambunctious little girl and I really wish I could have brought her home. It broke my heart to put her back inside her cage when we had to leave. Not to mention the fact that she did NOT want to go back in, and was looking at me with the biggest puppy dog eyes I have ever seen.

Kia Niro Road Trip with Niro

This facility is truly amazing, but lacking the man power that they need. They are understaffed and overworked. If you are local to them, please stop in and donate some of your time to play these incredible animals. In fact, check your local animal shelter, as I am sure they could use some help too. Besides, animal cuddles are the perfect therapy for anyone.

Kia Niro Road Trip San Simeon Seals

Along the way, we also decided to stop at the beaches in San Simeon and see the elephant seals. This fit our theme because baby seal are called pups. What an incredible site to see! These beasts are gorgeous – and to see them in person was breathtaking. The males were HUGE and the mommies cuddling the babies was totally adorable. I wish we could have gone down to hang out with them, but we watched them from afar. There was even a box where you could donate cash to help the Friends of the Seals and we left some money in there for them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc8QPrsluRs/?taken-by=mamasgeeky

Superheroes

As you likely know about me by now, I kind of love comic books. I started reading them when I was a young girl and never looked back. When traveling, I try to always stop in at a local comic shop, grab a couple of books, and check out what they have to offer. So we stopped in at Comics Toons ‘N’ Toys in Tustin, CA. While there, we saw several customers come in and out and I could tell this was a place where local readers come to hang out and see friends. We left one of our pineapples there and bought a few books. Their shop is pretty amazing – and I highly suggest checking it out if you are ever in the area.

Kia Niro Road Trip Real Life Superheroes

As if by design, as we left the comic shop, we saw a group of firefighters having lunch. We asked these real life superheroes if we could get a photo with them. They were super nice and said of course. Sometimes you need to just stop and focus on the real people that put their lives at risk constantly for the rest of us. They are the real superheroes.

Kia Niro Road Trip San Simeon

Road Trip Highlights

This road trip with one of my best friends was so much fun. Yes, we were trying to get all of our plans fulfilled because that is the type of people we are, but we had a blast! We stopped at a few charging stations along the way that we found thanks to ChargePoint to keep us chugging along. ChargePoint is a super easy app to use that will show you where all of the charging stations near you are! You can even use it to map out chargers along your route in advance, which is what I would recommend (I can’t believe two planners didn’t think of that ahead of time!). The Kia Niro PHEV charges fully in just two hours, so plug it in as you shop or eat and it should be mostly charged (if not fully) by the time you get back to it.

Kia Niro Road Trip Plug-in Charging

No road trip is complete without blaring music and singing along! We put those Harman Kardon speakers to good use as we listened (and sang along to) 90s music. We did suddenly realize just how dirty some of these songs we used to sing when we were younger are – thanks to the crystal clear sounds of HK.

Kia Niro Road Trip

Not to mention, we were uber comfortable the entire trip – even spending many consecutive hours in the car. Not once did we need to stop and stretch out our legs – which I normally have to do on a long road trip. The Kia Niro is hands down one of my favorite vehicles.

Kia Niro Road Trip Driving & Singing

Probably the funniest part of the trip came when Shelley nearly killed me. Yes, it is true. She nearly killed me. Someone flashed their lights at us and she thought that meant our high beams were on (they weren’t) and in the process of frantically trying to turn them off (super late at night, as we were exhausted, on a winding mountain road) she turned off the headlights. Yup, we were sitting in pitch dark! Apparently my reaction wasn’t all too urgent and Shelley started cracking up. Then I followed suit. Basically we laughed until we cried for a full 20 minutes and then realized we must stop for the night. We ended up staying in Pismo Beach at a lovely seaside resort, and woke up to the waves crashing. So serene and perfect. The best part? They had a charging station for our Niro Plug-In!

Kia Niro Road Trip Solar Panels

Be sure to read Shelley’s post to learn more about our trip and how Zebras fit into this story – yes, Zebras!

Go test drive a Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid at your local dealership! It is the PERFECT road trip vehicle – a weekend warrior!

Starting the Keto Diet with Intermittent Fasting to Shed The Extra Pounds

Tessa Smith
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10
Starting the Keto Diet with Intermittent Fasting to Shed The Extra Pounds

This post contains affiliate links. 

Keto Diet

One day about a month ago I looked in the mirror and was disgusted. A while back I lost a lot of weight, and was looking and feeling great. Well, life happened and I put back on a lot of those pounds (luckily not all of them). Some of my friends had recently lost a lot of weight on the Keto Diet (high fat, medium protien, low to no carbs), so I decided to do some research.

My husband is a science guy, and doesn’t believe anything unless it is proven. And so he decided to do his own research. We both came to the same conclusion – Keto was for us.

Keto Diet Stuffed Peppers
Maria Emmerich‘s Armadillo Eggs minus the Sausage.

Keto Diet

We decided to fill up on carbs the last month of the year (to give them a proper goodbye!) and start fresh with the Keto Diet January first. We created a meal plan, a shopping list, and picked up a cookbook. I have already made three recipes from it – and all of them were delicious! The Armadillo Eggs sounded delicious, but needed an edit for a party we were going to.

We used Sweet Peppers as well as Jalapeno peppers to bring variety – and took out the sausage. Basically it was the filling (cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and cumin) inside Jalapeno or sweet pepper, wrapped in bacon. YUM! They were such a hit – I am drooling just thinking about them right now.

Keto Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken
We added bacon bits to this delicious Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken recipe and served over Zucchini Noodles.

Intermittent Fasting

Something that I decided to pair with the Keto Diet is intermittent fasting. With this, you only eat during a 5 to 7 hour block each day. This was actually pretty easy for me to jump in to, as I often don’t have time for breakfast anyways.

My plan is to drink a cup of coffee or two and a TON of water throughout the morning. Then around noon I will do my workout, and follow it up with a good meal for lunch. Then a snack or two before dinner around 6pm. Potentially a snack or dessert after that, but no eating after 8pm.

Keto Salad
A salad made with Romaine Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, salami slices, and fatty Italian dressing.

I really excited to see where this journey takes me. The potential to get healthy again is there – and I can’t wait! I feel like this will be the major change I need right now to get out a rut I have been in. Don’t worry, I will be sure to keep you guys updated with photos and recipes, and weight loss details.

I am going to be real with you – I am starting this journey at 174 pounds and I just know I can get back down to 150. Wish me luck!


My 10 Favorite Movies of 2017 (& 5 in 2018 I Can’t Wait For!)

Tessa Smith
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My 10 Favorite Movies of 2017 (& 5 in 2018 I Can’t Wait For!)

2017 was a fabulous year for movies. Some of my very favorites were released – and I was lucky enough to attend the red carpet premiere for two of them! While there were a lot that I loved (and a handful of ones I did not), there were 10 that really stood out to me. Yes, there is pretty much a common theme with them – I am a total comic book fan girl and this list shows it. So without further ado, here are my top 10 favorite films of 2017, plus 5 that are slated for 2018 that I just cannot wait for!

gotg vol 2 red carpet

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

This shouldn’t be a shocker for any of you. I have a full sleeve tattoo dedicated to the Guardians of the Galaxy (specifically the portrayal of them in this film). I interviewed James Gunn and it was one of the best moments of my life. He even featured a photo of us on his Instagram. So yea, this was my favorite film of 2017. It was the perfect mix of action, humor, and all around fun. The soundtrack is out of this world. I thought nothing could top the first one and then James Gunn blew me out of the water with this one. Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting to see what he does in volume 3.

Mama's Geeky Thor Ragnarok Premiere

Thor: Ragnarok

Another fantastic Marvel film from this year. Taika Waititi has been one of my favorite directors for quite some time now (What We Do In The Shadows – brilliant), so I was happy to see him jump into the MCU. He totally outdid himself with Thor: Ragnarok. I said it before and I’ll say it again – it was a very Guardians-esque movie and reminded me of my top film of 2017, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2. The humor, the action, and of course, the colors and music. I loved it. As a Marvel fan, I really enjoy the direction these films are going in.

it movie

IT

I love spooky movies. This one really hit the mark for me. I never looked at IT as true horror – because it’s not. In my opinion, it is very much a coming of age story. And about the difference between adults and children. This remake hit all the marks and then some for me! I was super impressed!

spider-man homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Big shocker – another comic book movie is in my top 10 movies of 2017. Spider-Man: Homecoming is hands down my favorite Spider-Man movie – ever. And that says a lot. I loved Toby, he was the perfect Peter Parker. Andrew Garfield – the perfect Spider-Man. Tom Holland? Well he plays BOTH perfectly. I also really liked that we didn’t have to sit through another origin story. We know how Peter Parker became Spider-Man. This movie threw one or two lines at it and moved on. Genius.

get out

Get Out

What an incredible thriller this was. I was on the edge of my seat almost the whole film. I did predict the twist at the end about halfway through the film – but I still loved how it was done. What a great movie, with a great ending. Easily one of my favorites of the year.

the last jedi

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

We can’t talk about 2017 movies and not talk about The Last Jedi. I know a lot of people are upset about it, but I just don’t understand why. I loved the changes that Rian brought to this film, and I cannot wait to see where the series moves on from it. It was extremely well done. The visuals were amazing. And somehow, I left the theater adoring Kylo Ren.

Dunkirk

Dunkirk

I am a sucker for a war movie – but it has to be done perfectly. That is what I think Dunkirk was. Christopher Nolan is a brilliant director, and I was really pleased with how he did with this film. I loved the three different takes on the same events going on at the same time. This movie flew by when I went to see it in theaters. I knew it was a 2 hour movie and I felt like I had been watching it for 30 minutes at most. I have already watched it 3 times – and likely will again!

logan

Logan

So much to say about this movie but I want to avoid spoilers. Let’s just say that Hugh Jackman was amazing, as was Dafne Keen. This movie had me crying, laughing, and loving the action scenes! It was the full package and I highly recommend seeing it. Especially if you are a Wolverine and Marvel fan.

lego batman movie

The LEGO Batman Movie

The LEGO movies are always a lot of fun. This one in particular is one that I can watch time and time again. Will Arnett is the perfect voice for Batman and so was Michael Cera as Robin. This duo was great together and had me laughing time and time again. The plot of this film was pretty good too, and kept me entertained throughout it. This is a great movie that the whole family will love.

alien covenant

Alien Covenant

I didn’t see any of the Alien movies until 2017 (I know! I know! I am sorry!). In preparation for Covenant, I watched them all and fell in love with the series. It is definitely something that is right up my alley and I don’t know why I didn’t watch them sooner. All that being said, I really enjoyed this installment in the franchise. It was entertaining, and the plot wasn’t as bad as some people said it was. All in all, I think it was a fun film that I would watch again and again.

2018 films that I am on the edge of my seat waiting for:

Avengers: Infinity War

This should come as no surprise to just about every single person I know. I am dying to see all of my favorite characters come together to kick Thanos right in his butt (hopefully). Yes, I know pretty much everyone is going to die. At least, I am preparing myself for that to happen. Be sure to check out my trailer reaction video – I was shaking for a full hour after watching it! May 4th cannot come soon enough. I need to see this film. NOW.

Black Panther

Black Panther is, admittedly, not at the top of my list for Marvel characters. However, I have been loving what little we have seen of him in the MCU. Thanks to Disney’s deal with Fox, I am hoping we might see Storm enter his life in the future. And THAT would make this Marvel Fan Girl extremely happy. They are one of my favorite Marvel couples and I can’t wait to (hopefully) see him with his Queen. Black Panther will hit theaters February 16th, and I will be the first one in line at my local theater!

Incredibles 2

So, obviously I love superheroes. Because of that, one of my favorite Pixar films is Incredibles. I loved it! All of the super powers and the battles – what a great film with a great lesson (be yourself!). The teaser trailer that was released has me even more excited for Incredibles 2 than I was before. I cannot wait to see what trouble baby Jack Jack gets in to when it hits theaters June 15th!

Ready Player One

This movie looks like it will be full of so many geeky references that I will have to watch it multiple times to catch them all. Just the trailer alone had so many that I watched it at least 15 times and still didn’t catch them all. I ended up looking them up. This movie will hit theaters on March 20th and this geeky girl can’t wait to check it out!

ant-man and the wasp

Ant-Man and The Wasp

I adore Paul Rudd as an actor. I admit, I was a little bit skeptical when he was first cast to play Ant-Man, but ended up being VERY pleasantly surprised by him. Ant-Man is also one of my favorite characters from the comics (yes, the Scott Lang version and YES, I pretty much say that about every Marvel character because they are all special in their own way), so I am really looking forward to his next chapter in the MCU. July 6th is when it comes to theaters and I can’t wait to go see it!

What was your favorite movie of 2017?

The Best Way to Display Your Funko Pops

Tessa Smith
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The Best Way to Display Your Funko Pops

This post contains affiliate links.

The Best Way to Display Your Funko Pops

I have been a collector of Funko Pops for a while now – but have always wondered what is the BEST way to display my Funko Pops? My addiction started when I got one as a gift – and now I cannot stop. They are so cute and the perfect way to feed all of my different fandoms.

From The Walking Dead, to Game of Thrones, to Marvel and Star Wars – there are so many to choose from. And I love them all. And I NEED them all. 

Personally, I have always had a problem with unboxing them. I try. And a select few would be opened. Maybe it is the collector in me, but I just couldn’t bring myself to open them up – until now.

Display Geek Star Wars Marvel Case with Pops

All thanks to Display Geek I found the PERFECT way to show off my Pops in my office. And it forced me to open them up for full effect. Display Geek has some pretty amazing cases that were created solely for the purpose of displaying Funko Pops. Meaning they are the BEST way to do it.

It can be done in the box (4 per shelf), out of the box with the box sideways (5 per shelf) or totally out of the box (you can fit much more than 4 – depending on how you arrange them).

What really caught my eye with these cases was the backgrounds on each of the shelves. I mean, how cool are they?

Display Geek Star Wars Marvel Cases

Themed Cases

There are so many themes to choose from when shopping for your cases – Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter, even Stranger Things! Each case comes with three backgrounds, one for each shelf. They are really easy to install – simply attach magnets to the sides of each shelf and each background. And you can arrange them however you like.

Because of the way they are made, you can easily switch backgrounds – or even mix and match themes in different cases. Of course, I had to go with a Star Wars and a Marvel themed case because they are two of my favorite geekdoms! Meaning I had a LOT of Funko Pops that could fill them up.

Display Geek Marvel Case with Pops

The fact that the Marvel one comes with the perfect space background for my Guardians of the Galaxy Pops just put it over the edge. I mean, it looks amazing – right?

Display Geek Star Wars Case with Pops and boxes

Easy Assembly

You may be wondering if they arrive put together. Well, they don’t. They come with instructions, and Display Geek also has an assembly video to watch if you need help. 

It took me about 20 minutes to put together two cases, complete with their backgrounds. Honestly, the longest part was peeling and sticking the magnets. These cases are made of a strong cardboard and they can sit on a surface, or even be hung on a wall – so you know they will last a long time. 

I was so pleased with how these came out – so much so, that I now am kind of addicted to actually opening my Pops (blasphemy, I know)! This just means more shelves for my office to display all my other things. Yes, I have a lot of things. Just check out my office tour on YouTube.

Check out all Display Geek has to offer!


5 Comic Books to Read Before Seeing Black Panther in Theaters

Tessa Smith
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5 Comic Books to Read Before Seeing Black Panther in Theaters

This post contains affiliate links. 

Black Panther Poster

Black Panther is hitting theaters in February 2018 and is highly anticipated by Marvel fans everywhere. I am certainly one of those fans who is dying to see what Marvel does with this film. Admittedly, I am sad knowing that Storm won’t be in it – but thanks to that exciting deal being worked out by Disney and Fox, we might see her in the future! Wakanda is one of my favorite places in the Marvel Comics world, so seeing it become a part of the MCU is pretty awesome. If you don’t normally read the comics, but want a good background on the man himself, Black Panther, before heading to theaters in February, here are 5 books I think you should pick up.

Black Panther Complete Collection

Black Panther Vol 1. by Christopher Priest

Black Panther reinvented as a sharp and witty political satire? Believe it! T’Challa is the man with the plan, as Christopher Priest puts the emphasis on the Wakandan king’s reputation as the ultimate statesman, as seen through the eyes of the U.S. government’s Everett K. Ross. As the Panther investigates a murder in New York, Ross plays Devil’s Advocate in an encounter with Mephisto, and a new regime seizes control in Wakanda. COLLECTING: Black Panther (1998) 1-17.

Purchase here

black panther vol 2

Black Panther Vol 2. by Christopher Priest

When T’Challa falls to the one foe he’s never beaten, Killmonger earns the right to become the new Black Panther! Only Everett K. Ross can save T’Challa’s life – okay, Ross plus Moon Knight, Brother Voodoo and the Panther God! Still suffering, the deposed Wakandan leader finds himself caught in a cat trap with the Avengers and…Deadpool?! Storm of the X-Men off ers comfort, as Wakanda fi nds itself on the verge of war with Lemuria and Atlantis – and Klaw, Malice and Man-Ape threaten to destroy the African Avenger once and for all! COLLECTING: BLACK PANTHER (1998) 18-35, DEADPOOL (1997) 44.

Purchase here

black panther vol 3

Black Panther Vol 3. by Christopher Priest

It’s Black Panther vs. Iron Man (with Wolverine in the middle) in the blockbuster sequel to Enemy of the State II! Secrets are revealed, punches are thrown and King Solomon’s Frogs wreak havoc…but who is the second Panther? Plus: Flash forward to T’Challa’s old age, where the once and future king has washed his hands of the outside world. Will he come out of retirement to save Everett K. Ross’ life? And travel back to the Old West, as T’Challa finds himself in the middle of 1986’s THOR #370! COLLECTING: BLACK PANTHER (1998) 36-49, 57-58; INCREDIBLE HULK (2000) 33; THOR (1966) 370; MATERIAL FROM MARVEL DOUBLE-SHOT 2.

Purchase here

Secret Invasion Black Panther

Secret Invasion: Black Panther

When the Skrulls come to town, it’s all-out war in Wakanda! The alien invaders have war ships, advanced technology, super-powered soldiers, and an army that outnumbers the Wakandans ten-to-one. Cake walk, right? Think again! There’s a reason Wakanda had never been conquered, and the Skrulls are about to find out why – the hard way! Collects Black Panther #39-41, reprints and extras.

Purchase here

Black Panther Civil War

Black Panther: Civil War

The Royal Couple, King T’Challa and Queen Ororo, embark on a diplomatic tour that will have them spanning the globe – and beyond! Stops include Latveria (Dr. Doom), the Moon (Black Bolt and the Inhumans), Atlantis (Namor the Sub-Mariner) and the Civil War-ravaged United States, for a meeting with none other than the point man for the U.S. government’s implementation of the Superhuman Registration Act: Tony Stark, T’Challa’s former Avengers teammate. Will the Black Panther and Storm decide to get off the sidelines of the Civil War and get involved? COLLECTING: Black Panther #19-25.

Purchase here

Black Panther Synopsis

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king – and Black Panther – is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

BLACK PANTHER hits theaters Feb. 16, 2018!

Like BLACK PANTHER on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackPantherMovie
Follow BLACK PANTHER on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theblackpanther  
Follow Marvel Studios on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvelstudios/

Why You Need to Download Fortnite Battle Royale NOW

Tessa Smith
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1
Why You Need to Download Fortnite Battle Royale NOW

I was in no way compensated for this article. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.

fornite battle royale

The holidays have just ended and you may have received (or given) a PlayStation 4 as a gift. I have had one for a couple of years now and have a decent collection of video games. That being said, over the holiday break, I just started playing Fortnite Battle Royale. It has quickly become very addictive as I have already spent several hours playing it – and forsee many more in my future. Fortnite is easily my current favorite video game right now (second to Call of Duty WWII and Super Mario Odyssey). I believe it is also available on XBOX and PC.

fortnite battle royale parachute

Overview

In Fortnite Battle Royale you jump out of a bus, glide to a spot below you – and immediately need to start searching for weapons. There are 100 players – either all for themselves, or on teams, in a 50 vs. 50 match-up. Weapons vary in strength and you can search loot crates (that make a musical sound as you get close to them). You should also break down walls and other items when you can to collect materials, which you will use to build ramps, shelters, and more. Listen closely, because you can hear enemies breaking down walls, switching guns, and running around. This is a great way to get a jump on them. Of course, the goal of the game is to be the last one standing, or the last team standing in the case of 50 vs. 50.

It’s FREE!!

Yup, you read that right. Currently you can download Fortnite Battle Royale for free. As in, no money what-so-ever. Pretty sweet deal considering it will give you hours and hours of fun gameplay! Lots of “worth it” video games are at least $30, so this is a great deal and I recommend taking advantage of it. There is a PVE Campaign that costs $20 to $75 right now – depending on which version you pick up (standard, deluxe, limited edition, etc). I have not played that yet, so I can’t vouch for it, but I might end up splurging soon since I am loving the Battle Royale version so much. If I do, I will be sure to let you guys know what I think!

fortnite battle royale player

Play With Friends

One of my favorite things about online gaming is when I can meet up with a few friends or family members online and play. I recently set up my Turtle Beach Stealth 700 headset for a much better online gaming experience. I am super thankful for my friend Shelley over at A Magical Mess – her son plays and so he was able to talk me through my first few times playing, to make sure I understood the different weapons and best places to loot! Thanks to him, I got the lay of the land, and am a better player for it.

The only thing I don’t love about this game is that you cannot choose your character. Your look is randomly selected, which I imagine has something to do with speeding the game up. When you land, you have no weapons in hand besides an axe – so start searching for weapons immediately! Because of this, it is wise to drop near a house, but be careful if you land in a group of them, as a lot of players likely landed there as well.

fortnite battle royale fight

Download Fortnite Battle Royale for FREE & start playing today!


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