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Trolls Movie Review

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This post contains affiliate links.

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My husband and I took my 3 and 5 year old daughters to see Trolls this past weekend. We were fully expecting a movie that they would love and that we would at least be entertained by – but we were not expecting one of the best movies of the year. Walking out of the theater my husband and I looked at each other and both said WOW! He said that he feels it is one of his favorite movies he has seen this year – and one of the best “kids” movies ever! I use the term “kids” movie lightly because I would go see this again in a heartbeat, even without my little ones. Here is why I think you need to take the whole family to see the film in theaters.

The Cast

The Trolls movie is filled with amazing voice actors and singers. I mean, this movie stars: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Russell Brand, Zooey Deschanel, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Quvenzhané Wallis, with John Cleese and Gwen Stefani. WOW! I told you so. These are all incredible names and A listers in my book. They all did a great job portraying their characters.

The Music

With a musical genius like Justin Timeberlake involved, you can’t go wrong. Utilizing music to further the film’s narrative, the Trolls soundtrack is produced by Justin Timberlake and features five original songs including songs by Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, Anna Kendrick and Gwen Stefani, in addition to a number of classic hits from the ‘60s through the ‘80s. The music was so well utilized and the placement was phenomenal. It brought out all of my emotions – I laughed, I cried – I loved it. At times the entire theater was singing along (or sobbing along) to the tracks.

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The Humor

There were moments while watching this movie that the entire theater was laughing hysterically. There were more laugh out loud moments than I can count. It felt so good to be laughing and look around and see my whole family laughing with me, even my 3 year old. The humor is great – and there are some that are for the older crowd that I promise you, little ones won’t even pick up on. The literary terms used were perfect.

The Message

The message that Trolls gives our little ones is heartwarming. I don’t want to give too much away but the movie is all about finding your happiness. I think it is really important for our kids to know that they can be happy – and to not let others tell them they can’t or bring them down.

The Merchandise

Guys, seriously, this Trolls merchandise could not be any cuter! Once you have seen the film, you will love these little guys so much. Trust me, you will want all the Trolls things – so here is a quick list of my favorites and where to grab them!

 Get It Here Get It Here Get It Here

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Connect with Trolls on Social Media:
Official Site: http://www.dreamworks.com/trolls/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksTrolls
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trolls
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trolls/

Trolls Bluray Giveaway

Kids Enjoy the Symphony with Symphoria Kids Series

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My 5 year old daughter is really into music. She tells us that music class is her favorite class in Kindergarten. Because of this, we know that taking her to Symphoria CNY’s Halloween Spooktacular would be the highlight of her Halloween – and we were right! Our 3 year old really enjoyed it as well, and of course so did my husband and myself.

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We have been to Symphoria events before and we are huge fans of the symphony, but this one was a little different. This event was geared toward children and had a Halloween theme. Kids were encouraged to wear their costumes, and the even even ended with a costume parade! The musicians were all wearing costumes as well. The pieces they played were all spooky sounding and really made for a fun morning.

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The show itself was very interactive. The conductor described each piece beforehand and encouraged the kids to yell out how it made them feel – sad, scared, etc. He would explain the story behind the music. I loved how he taught children that music can not only invoke feelings, but it can tell a story. My 5 year old was closing hers and telling me about the witches she saw and what they were doing during the songs.

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We all had such a blast and now my oldest daughter is asking me to bring her to another symphony. Symphoria CNY has many more performances coming up so we just might do that. In February there is a Wild Things show in the Kids Series that we are thinking about attending. The Kids Series is great because they are at 10:30am and only last about 90 minutes. If you don’t have kids, or want to enjoy a night out, they have many other performances too. Check them all out here.

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About Symphoria: Symphoria is a fully professional orchestra serving Syracuse and Central New York. It is one of only two co-op orchestras in the U.S., founded by nearly 50 members of the former Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, which was considered one of America’s top 50 orchestras. Symphoria is passionately committed to serving its community with inspiring orchestra and ensemble performances, and innovative education programs for kids of all ages. SymphoriaCNY is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit youtube.com/ExperienceSymphoria for videos. For more information about Symphoria or to purchase tickets, visit ExperienceSymphoria.org or call the Symphoria Box Office at 315-299-5598 ext. 201.

Connect with Symphoria CNY on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SymphoriaCNY
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SymphoriaCNY
Instagram: https://instagram.com/symphoriacny/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/108852165896015369850/about
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ExperienceSymphoria

30 Delicious Holiday Gift Ideas

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Mama Smith and Women and Their Pretties are back again with a scrum-diddly-umptious holiday gift guide. We’ve searched the best candy shops, snack brands, and foodie destinations to bring you the top 30 Delicious Holiday Gift Ideas. These gifts are perfect for the foodies in your life or even for your holiday parties. Please take your time to scroll through the delicious holiday treats!

1. Box of Winter Wonderland

box-of-winter-wonderland-25-delicious-holiday-gift-ideasGift some holiday cheer with our Box of Winter Wonderland! Nuts.com packs nearly four pounds of tasty goodies into a festive snowflake box to make any gathering a little more glorious. The Box of Winter Wonderland includes Roasted and Salted Almonds, Chocolate Nonpareils, Salted Pistachios (In Shell), Dark Chocolate-Covered espresso beans, Dried Apricots, Peppermint Malted Milk Balls, Dark Chocolate Cashews and red and green Chocolate-Covered Sunflower Seeds. This is a foodie’s dream come true!

Get it on Nuts.com

2. Sugar Bowl Bakery

sugar-bowl-bakery-brownie-bites-25-delicious-holiday-gift-idaesIn the mood for chocolate? Gobble up one of our Petite Brownie Bites, little bite sized pieces of chocolate heaven, right out of the box or warmed up.  Even better, savor one with a tall glass of cold milk or a bowl of creamy vanilla ice cream. Serve these delicious brownies during your holiday gift togethers or give them as a gift to your friends, family, and coworkers. I promise they will thank you later.

Get them at a retailer near you.

3. Mrs. Freshley’s Salted Caramel Swiss Rolls

rolls-swiss-salted-caramel-2pk-single-largeIf you like cakes, and if you like creme, then you are going to love these delicious offerings from Mrs. Freshley’s. These new Salted Caramel Swiss Rolls will have your sweet tooth on overdrive! They are perfect for the holiday season. Stuff them in stockings, gift baskets, and treat jars.

Visit MrsFreshleys.com to learn more / Check out Mrs Freshley’s holiday recipes

4. Community Coffee

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Community Coffee is one of my favorite k-cup brands (they have ground coffee, too) for the holidays. The seasonal flavors are perfect for the holidays. They are all delicious, unique, and fit right into holiday themes. For example, the Pumpkin Praline is great for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Fall. That’s actually a favorite of mine, right next to the Bread Pudding coffee. Nom Nom Nom.

Visit CommunityCoffee.com or purchase on Amazon.com

5. Sour Jacks

sour-jacksDiscover the mouth-puckering sour flavor of Sour Jacks® Original, Watermelon, Lemonade, Wildberry, and Green Apple! Only Sour Jacks® delivers maximum sour taste with flavor-packed wedges that will turn your taste buds up to a whole new level. Stuff Sour Jacks in stockings and gift baskets for the holiday season! Kids and adults, alike, will love these sour flavors!

Get them at a store near you or on Amazon.com

6. Garden of Eatin’ Blue Corn Chips

garden-of-eatin-blue-chips-25-delicious-holiday-gift-ideasGarden of Eatin’® Original Blue Chips are made to bring color to any occasion. The uniquely hearty texture and true-blue corn flavor brings out the snack connoisseur in all of us. The true-blue color and hearty texture of our Garden of Eatin’® Blue Corn Chips make them as pleasing to your palette as they are to your eyes. Made from organic blue corn and wholesome garden ingredients, these chips pack enough flavor and crunch to liven up any party – bringing out the snack connoisseur in all of us.

Get them in a store near you or on Amazon.com

7. Fannie May Sugar Cookie Mix

Fannie May Sugar Cookie Mix

Sugar Cookies are a holiday staple. I don’t think I’ve ever spent a Christmas without devouring a sugar cookie (or a dozen). They are so simple, yummy, and usually pretty cute. Why not make your own this year? 1800Flowers and Fannie May are offering a delicious sugar cookie mix for the holiday season. It’s a perfect gift idea for the chefs in your life or for your holiday gatherings. Pair it with some cooking utensils in a gift basket for an extra special holiday gift.

Get it on 1800flowers.com

8. The Popcorn Factory Holiday Popcorns

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The Popcorn Factory is a tasty gift the whole family can share with favorite seasonal varieties arriving in gallon iconic tins.  Two of our top flavors this holiday season are Holiday Kettle Corn, that is a little bit salty with a whole lot of crunchy sweetness, and Peppermint Bark, where we cover our premium kernels with luscious creamy white coating and sprinkle with refreshing peppermint pieces.

Get these yummy popcorns on 1800flowers.com

9. Otis Spunkmeyer Bakes Goods

Otis Spunkmeyer Bakes GoodsOtis Spunkmeyer, a pioneer in the fresh-baked cookie business since the 1970s, launched a new retail line of twenty pre-packaged sweet treats in May 2016. To celebrate the success, Otis Spunkmeyer will introduce its new hot chocolate frosted crème cakes, available for a limited time at national retailers as of, October 1. Aside from their amazing flavor, the best thing about these cakes is that they contain ‘NO FUNKY STUFF’, which means NO artificial flavors or colors, high fructose corn syrup, or partially hydrogenated oils. Grab these goodies for your holiday get-togethers, gift baskets, and stockings!

Get them at a retailer near you or on Amazon.com

10. TastyKake Season Treats

Tastykake Seasonal Snacks!

I am seriously obsessed with Tastykake’s new donuts and cakes. The Pumpkin Spice Donuts are to die for. Seriously, they are that good! I eat a couple with my morning coffee and I don’t share them with anyone. I need to stock up on these or you could just buy them for me for Christmas… just sayin. Be sure you grab all of their new treats before they are gone!

Get these yummy treats at a retailer near you

11. Nonni’s Biscotti

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The beginning of a tradition. In the small Tuscan town of Lucca, Italy our friend’s Grandma (Nonni) made biscotti to share with family and friends. When Nonni came to America, almost a century ago, she brought the family recipe, along with a stubborn devotion to the finest ingredients and her own unique baking style. Treat yourself to a Nonni’s biscotti break.

Get these on Amazon or in a store near you

12. Dancing Moon Coffee

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Dancing Moon Coffee begins with one simple concept: Source the best single- origin coffee varities from around the world. Make sure they’re Fair Trade and Organic, with no GMOs. Carefully roast them in small batches in the USA to bring out every bean’s special character. And then pack all that wonderful coffee richness in a special flavor-tight bag to guarantee freshness. Dancing Moon also believes in giving back to the community so they donate 5% of all profits to the Semper Fi Fund, one of the highest-rate charities serving wounded members of the military and their families.

Get this only on Amazon

13. Zenful -Antioxidant Infused Organic Energy Drink

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Zenful is a Zero Calorie 100% naturally flavored electrolyte water infused with fulvic mineral complexes. Rich in electrolytes and antioxidants with no artificial sweeteners. Zenful is a healthy and natural way to bring balance back into your life.

Get this only on Amazon

14. Empire Crate

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The Empire Crate company mission is to travel the 54,000 square miles of New York State meeting local food makers and artisans, trying their products and delivering the cream of the crop to our subscribers every month. They test everything before it’s included in the box–only the best makes the cut. It’s a great gift for folks who are from NY and are missing “home” or those that just love artisanal foods and want to see what else The Empire State has to offer. They include 5-7 products in each shipment and the cost is $39.95 per month with free shipping– discounts of up to 11% when prepaying for 3 or 6 months in advance. You can subscribe monthly or choose to “send as a gift” for a one-time subscription!

Get it on EmpireCrate.com

15. Lolli & Pops Fancy That box

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Lolli and Pops provides a magical candy shop experience in their 30+ stores across the country. This week, they announced that they’re bringing that experience to all with the launch of their new gifts offering – premium, curated boxes that go beyond your everyday gummies (think artisanal truffles, luxurious caramels, hand-crafted chocolates and more) giving you the power to express your thanks and love in the easiest and sweetest way possible. Don’t just think of Lolli and Pops for your mom, boss or best friend – it’s also for your favorite couple, your best friend’s mom, the ultimate hostess, the life of the party – those that are special but could be hard to shop for. The Fancy That box includes cereal clusters, chocolate covered potato chips, chocolate caramels, signature bars, chocolate covered pretzels, champagne truffles & 12 chocolate squares packed in a signature Lolli & Pops gift box.

Get it on LolliAndPops.com

16. 240sweet Marshmallow Whip

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We’ve all indulged in our fair share of marshmallow fluff on hot chocolate and on desserts–generally as kids. Now, the topping has grown up! 240sweet’s Marshmallow Whip is made with real vanilla beans that you will smell and see in the fluffy heaven. This gourmet version appeals to foodies and people who appreciate a touch of whimsy. Taste the difference of an award-wining chef’s creation. One taste and you’ll know why it is worth about 20x the grocery store stuff.

Get it on 240sweet.com

17. Wholly Wholesome

Wholly Wholesome Pie

Wholly Wholesome was born in 1996 after our President, Doon Wintz, recognized the prevalent notion that natural food consumers fully accepted that taste had to be sacrificed on the altar of natural ingredients. Almost 20 years later, our passion to create a natural baked goods product line that could deliver great tasting organic desserts for ingredient-conscious consumers has led to pies, frozen pie shells & crusts, and our all natural gluten free line that can be found in stores nationwide today!

Find where to purchase HERE

18. Gold & Silver Tower – The Swiss Colony

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The most beautiful food gift of the season! A towering assortment of our most popular food gifts is elegantly wrapped to impress. Featuring Christmas mellowcremes, chocolate Santas and snowmen, candy buttons, Petits Fours, chocolate and Swiss creme-coated grahams and tortes. BEEF LOG® and Summer Sausage, cheese bars, Sweet Hot Mustard and cheese links.

Pick yours up at SwissColony.com

19. Two Rivers Coffee Premium Gift Box

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No gift wrapping necessary, single serve gift box trays are festively designed for the holidays and have a window to see the goodies inside. Every holiday gift packs contains 21 different single serve cups: Black & White Cookie, Red Velvet, Gingerbread Man, Fuhgdeddaboutit, Corner Donut Shop; Hamilton Mills: Golden Maple, Cape Cod Roast; Java Factory: Jingle Java, Sinful Cinnamon, Dark and Handsome, Wakey Wakey, Smooth Caffeinator; Cella’s Chocolate Covered Cherry, Andes Mint Chocolate, Friendly’s: Vienna Mocha Chunk, Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl; Bosco Coconut Cream Pie, Felix & Norton Chocolate Macadmia Nut, Realtree: Buckshot Blend, Xtra, Timber.

Purchase this collection on Amazon

20. Hickory Farms Grand Hickory Holiday Collection

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Contains: (2) 10 oz. Our Signature Beef Summer Sausage, 10 oz. Brown Sugar & Honey Turkey Summer Sausage, 4 oz. Smoked Cheddar Blend, 4 oz. Farmhouse Cheddar, 4 oz. Jalapeno & Cheddar Blend, 4 oz. Creamy Swiss Blend, 10.5 oz. Honey & Pineapple Mustard, 10 oz. Sweet Hot Mustard, 10 oz. Peppermint Snow Mints, 6.7 oz. Buttery Shortbread Biscuits, 4.4 oz. Olive Oil & Rosemary Crackers, 4.4 oz. Golden Toasted Crackers, 4 oz. Almond Crunch Trail Mix, 4 oz. Cranberry & Sesame Nut Mix, & (2) 1.2 oz. Belgian Truffles.

Purchase this wonderful gift basket at HickoryFarms.com

21. You’ve Been Elfed Treats Box – Cheryl’s Cookies

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Have you been elfed? Start the fun by sending out this delightful box filled with a yummy assortment of our buttercream frosted Holiday cookies, foil wrapped chocolates and a sweet little crunchy hand decorated elf sugar cookie. We’ve also included a $10 Reward Card your friends and family can use on their next purchase!

Grab this box at Cheryls.com

22. Seattle Chocolates

seattle-chocolates-comfort-and-joyThe Seattle Chocolates Co. has created the “Comfort & Joy” line for the 2016 Holiday season. The six truffle bars — three of which are new this year — feature chrome-colored photographs printed on foil paper with intricately patterned red foil inner wraps that reflect popular holiday flavors and ingredients. New: Toffee Sea Salt Bar: Chunks of sweet toffee meet with a sprinkle of coarse Pacific sea salt in this dark chocolate treat. New: Peanut Buddy Crisp Bar: A favorite for the kid at heart, this bar combines crispy cereal squares with peanut butter in milk chocolate (reminiscent of the cereal snack, Chex Muddy Buddies). New: Nutty Nougat Chew Bar: A delicately flavored milk chocolate bar with chewy nougat made with toasted almonds and honey. Candy Cane Crunch Bar: The original holiday bar from Seattle Chocolates, this bar combines all-natural candy cane pieces in dark chocolate. Hot Buttered Rum Bar: For grown-up tastes, muddled rum spice and buttery toffee are combined in this milk chocolate bar. Holiday Cheer Eggnog Bar: Cheers to a holiday favorite that featured eggnog, sweet vanilla, cream and nutmeg for an almost-frothy center to this milk chocolate truffle bar.

Pick yours up at SeattleChocolates.com

23. Blakes All Natural

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Best known as the brand bringing better-for-you comfort food to the freezer aisle, Blake’s All Natural believes that quality should never be sacrificed in the name of convenience. Every Blake‘s meal is handmade from scratch in small batches using all natural and organic ingredients and then flash-frozen to maintain freshness. Meals can be made in any microwave or oven and are a great option for busy moms when time is tight and bellies are grumbling. Meals include classic comfort dishes like Chicken Pot Pie, Shepherd’s Pie and Meatloaf, along with low-calorie entrees like Chicken Marsala with Pasta, kid-friendly Mac & Cheeses, and more. There’s a meal that’s sure to please everyone in the family and moms can feel good knowing that dinner in a pinch doesn’t mean mystery ingredients and artificial additives.

Find where to purchase HERE

24. Living Intentions Superfood Popcorn

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This line of ready-to-eat popcorn, which launched just this month and is available in local NYC, Denver, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Connecticut and New Jersey Wholefoods markets, has the crunch folks crave with the added bonus of probiotics and superfood ingredients like turmeric, chlorella, maca and more. Available in these four flavors: Cinnamon Twist with maca root and mesquite pod, Tandoori Turmeric with turmeric and Ashwagandha extracts, Salsa Verde with spirulina, chlorella, spinach, and kale, and Berry Smoothie with macqui berry, banana and beet powders, and lacuma fruit.

Grab yours on Amazon

25. Noosa Yoghurt

Noosa Yoghurt

Allow us to introduce ourselves. We’re noosa, and we make yoghurt. But not just any yoghurt. Ours is thick and velvety. Sweet and tart. It’s a labor of love that starts in small batches on the farm and ends in a delicious scoop on your spoon. Every flavor in our noosa line-up is the result of countless taste tests (not that we’re complaining or anything) to ensure only the best make the cut. What’s the secret to amazing yoghurt? It’s simple: whole milk, a touch of honey, and purée made with real fruit. Send your best mate some FREE noosa by clicking here.

Find where to purchase HERE

26. Paqui Chips

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Paqui Chips are gourmet chips and way more than your typical snack chip – they are GMO, gluten, trans fat and MSG Free and come in delicious, unique flavors using real ingredients (think: Haunted Ghost Pepper, seriously spicy chips for those pepper heads on your list, Nacho Cheese Especial, Roasted Jalapeno and Cool Salsa Verde.) The word Paqui [pah-kee] is an Aztec word that means “to be happy” and these chips will make just about anyone on your list happy!

Purchase yours at shop.Paqui.com

27. Hershey Kisses

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During the holidays, there is no better present than Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Chocolates. Whether you’re planning an ugly sweater bash, trimming the tree, sending letters to Santa or tying ribbon on that perfect gift, these uniquely wrapped treats are sure to inspire new ways to make the season sweeter. The Hershey Company has partnered with four retailers to offer these limited-edition holiday-themed foils on the classic Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates to add even more cheer to the season:

Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Gift Chocolates – Sold exclusively at CVS.
Hershey’s Kisses Santa Hat Chocolates – Sold exclusively at Target.
Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Sweater Chocolates – Sold exclusively at Walmart.
Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Tree Chocolates – Sold exclusively at Kroger and the Kroger Company family of stores.

28. Erewhon Cinnamon Crispy Brown Rice

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Certified gluten free, USDA organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. This healthy cereal delivers 2g protein, 1g fiber and only 2g sugar.

Grab yours on Amazon

29. Peace Cereal Fruit, Seed, & Nut Muesli

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Peace Cereal not only tastes great, but is made from great ingredients, such as premium whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits, and every Peace Cereal product is either USDA Certified Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified! USDA Organic cereal option that has rye, barley, and oats mixed with dried dates, raisins, sunflower and flax seeds, almonds and walnuts. 7g protein and 6g fiber.

Find where to buy here

30. Sweet Home Farm Maple Pecan Granola

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Real maple syrup and pecans come together for a wholesome and satisfying treat anytime of the day! Ingredients: Whole Rolled Oats, Milled Cane Sugar, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Rice Flour, Maple Syrup, Cornstarch, Pecans, Honey, Salt, Barley Malt Syrup, Natural Flavor.

Find where to buy here

Meet the Cast of SING + Watch the Trailer Here – In Theaters 12/21

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One of our favorite things to do as a family is go to the movies together. I know I have said this before, but it is true. We try to go at least twice a month, and are always taking our young daughters (ages 3 and 5) to see the latest kid’s movies. One movie coming out soon that we plan to see is Sing. We have been seeing the trailers before other movies and this one looks like fun for the whole family. I can tell by the trailer that it is going to have heart, a great moral, and still be funny. Not to mention all the amazing songs that are going to be featured. The film comes out December 21st and you better bet we will be there opening weekend!

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Besides the life lessons and the amazing songs, this movie has a stellar cast! If I knew nothing about the movie except for the actors and actresses that were going to be voicing the animals, I would be sold already.

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“I’ve always regarded Buster as the ultimate creator…a showman who refuses to accept defeat and a guy who will accomplish the impossible through sheer force of will. Others may see his theater collapsing around him, but not Buster. Through his eyes, you’ll begin to imagine the crown jewel of this incredible town…a place where people can truly transform.” – Matt McConaughey
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“Gunter knows what we all should: Everything is better in a gold track suit. He is the yin to Rosita’s yang. If she’s hesitant, insecure and brilliantly talented…then Gunter is the one who’s first to hit the stage and shake his piggy patootie; he’s a legend in his own mind. When I first experienced Reese and myself as Rosita and Gunter on the screen, I honestly couldn’t stop grinning.” – Nick Kroll
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“Ever since she was a girl, Rosita has held on to this tiny part of herself she’s been hesitant to share with the world. But once she genuinely owns who she is, this shy mom and wife realizes that it would be criminal not to unleash her talents. In fact, it’s the love and passion Rosita’s given and received that pours out of her when she embraces her inner diva and lets loose.” – Reese Witherspoon
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“Once Ash understands that all of the attention, effort and energy she’s been giving her worthless boyfriend has been standing in the way of her own musical gifts, she transforms into a badass. Ash eschews outdated expectations that she should deliver a pop-princess act on the stage and just rocks it out with original music. I adore her.” – Scarlett Johansson
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“What I like about this character is that he has zero concept of just how small he is. Mike is a whirlwind mix of bravado, swagger and showmanship, and he genuinely believes he has nothing to prove. He needs the contest money because he’s made some very poor decisions, and he’s certain that his larger-than-life personality and stage persona hold the ticket to winning.” – Seth MacFarlane
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“I think that one of the biggest fears we all have is that we will disappoint our parents. All you want is their acceptance, but as you come into your own, you begin to realize that your dreams don’t always intersect with theirs. Johnny’s relationship with his father epitomizes this. He only needs Big Daddy to listen, to actually hear him, just once. If that happens, Johnny believes he can become his own man and really soar.” – Taron Egerton
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“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a bit of Meena inside. She’s that timid kid who desperately wants to share her gifts with the world, but is always second guessing herself. As an artist, I went to that place of insecurity inside teenage Tori to find my inner Meena. Then you take a deep breath, shake off the nerves and just let the music take over.” – Tory Kelly

About Sing
Illumination has captivated audiences all over the world with the beloved hits Despicable Me, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, now the second-highest-grossing animated movie in history. Following the release of this summer’s comedy blockbuster The Secret Life of Pets, Illumination presents Sing this holiday season. With its highly relatable characters, heart and humor, the first collaboration between writer/director Garth Jennings (Son of Rambow, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri marks the sixth fully animated feature from the studio.

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The event film stars Academy Award® winners Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon, alongside Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Grammy Award-nominated Tori Kelly. Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (McConaughey), a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal—some might even say delusional—optimist who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition.

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Five lead contestants emerge: Mike (MacFarlane), a mouse who croons as smoothly as he cons; Meena (Kelly), a timid teenage elephant with an enormous case of stage fright; Rosita (Witherspoon), an overtaxed mother run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets; Johnny (Egerton), a young gangster gorilla looking to break free of his family’s felonies; and Ash (Johansson), a punk-rock porcupine struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo.

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Each arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life. And as Buster coaches each of his contestants closer and closer to the grand finale, he starts to learn that maybe the theater isn’t the only thing that is in need of saving. Featuring more than 65 hit songs, Sing is produced by Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy. Together, they have produced all of Illumination’s films since the studio’s inception. Released by Universal Pictures.

Don’t let fear stop you from doing the thing you love. Watch the new trailer now and don’t miss SING in theaters December 21!

Connect with Sing on Social Media:
Official Website: http://www.singmovie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SingMovie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SingMovie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SingMovie/
Tumblr: http://singmovie.tumblr.com/
#SingMovie

Loving in Select Theaters This Friday, 11/4

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My BFF over at Women and Their Pretties got the chance to see Loving early and chat with some of the cast! She told me that the movie is just as amazing and inspirational as you would think, and I for one, cannot wait to go see it. It opens this weekend in select theaters and then in other theaters as the month goes on. I had my fingers crossed I would be able to make the 5 hour drive to NYC this weekend to see it for myself, but I will have to wait until a little later in the month when it comes to Upstate NY. If you are in LA or NYC, go see this movie and let me know what you think of it.

Loving will open from Focus Features in theaters in select cities on November 4, and will expand across the country later in November.

Synopsis
From acclaimed writer/director Jeff Nichols, Loving celebrates the real-life courage and commitment of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving (portrayed by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), who married and then spent the next nine years fighting for the right to live as a family in their hometown. Their civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia, went all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 1967 reaffirmed the very foundation of the right to marry – and their love story has become an inspiration to couples ever since.

Connect on Social Media:
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Official Website: http://www.focusfeatures.com/loving-cannes
#ThisIsLoving

Super Easy DIY Star Wars Night Light

Looking for a fun way to show your Star Wars love? This super easy DIY Star Wars night light is one of them! A great craft for kids!

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I am a huge Star Wars fan and am currently counting down the days until Rogue One: A Star Wars Story© TM Lucasfilm LTD is out in theaters. So imagine how thrilled I was to hear that Kleenex brand is partnering with Lucasfilm LTD to launch limited edition boxes featuring Rogue One: A Star Wars Story designs! I have two young girls (ages 3 and 5) which means we always have tissues around the house.

When shopping, I look for fun designs on the tissue boxes to add some flair to our decor. Being a total Star Wars nerd means that I cannot wait to get these on display in my home! They hit shelves this Fall, just in time for cold season.

When you are done with the tissues, or if you simply want to have some fun with these awesome Kleenex boxes, I have an easy DIY craft you are sure to love!

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What You Need

  • Empty Star Wars Kleenex box
  • Electric Tea Light
  • hole punch 

How To Make A DIY Star Wars Night Light

Create a Rogue One: A Star Wars Story night light by following these three simple steps.

STEP ONE: Empty tissues from the box. Remove plastic from top of empty Kleenex box.

rogue-one-kleenex-step-one

STEP TWO: With a hole-punch tool (we used a thumb tack), poke “star” holes in box.

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STEP THREE: Turn on electric tea light, place inside box.

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My girls and I had a lot of fun making our DIY Rogue One: A Star Wars Story night lights thanks to these Kleenex brand boxes featuring Rogue One designs! In fact, they asked if they could make them for all of their friends too. I think I see a craft play date in the near future for the Smith girls.

rogue-one-diy-night-light

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Website: https://www.kleenex.com/en-us/

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Kleenex brand via Momtrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Kleenex or Momtrends.

Celebrate the Holidays with Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe A Merry Christmas

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I love the holidays. There is nothing like cuddling up with my family on the couch, a fire going, and watching a good holiday movie. We have a large collection of Christmas films because this has become a tradition, however, I am really excited to be adding Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe A Merry Christmas to our rotation! I have two little girls (ages 3 and 5) and we are all big fans of the Shaun the Sheep series. We went to see the most recent movie in theaters and had a great time.

Bring home some “ewe-ltide” cheer when the seven-episode holiday special Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe a Merry Christmas arrives on DVD (plus Digital), Digital HD, and On Demand TODAY, November 1st from Lionsgate. From the creators of the Academy Award®-nominated film, Shaun the Sheep Movie (Best Animated Feature Film, 2015), everyone’s favorite Aardman characters are back for the “baaa-lidays” with their signature laugh-out-loud comedy for the whole family to enjoy.

The episodes included on this DVD are hilarious and my whole family enjoyed them. They are:

  1. We Wish Eve A Merry Christmas
  2. Snowed In
  3. Fireside Favorite
  4. An Ill Wind
  5. Bitzer’s New Hat
  6. Chip Off the Old Block
  7. Shirley Whirley

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Synopsis
’Tis the season to be woolly with Shaun the Sheep™ and his farmyard friends. Frolic with the flock as they decorate the farmhouse for the Farmer, watch Bitzer and Pidsley battle for a spot by the fire, join a massive snowball fight and much more in these seven hilarious episodes.

Purchase Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe A Merry Christmas on Amazon here.

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Care Bears & Cousins Take Heart: Volume 1 on DVD 11/1

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After many years away from Care-a-Lot, Care Bears Cousins finally return home in Care Bears™ & Cousins: Take Heart – Volume 1, arriving on DVD (plus Digital) and Digital HD November 1 from Lionsgate. In this brand new series, debuting for the first time on DVD, the Care Bears reunite with their cousins to retrieve the Cousins’ stolen ship. I grew up watching the Care Bears and now my daughters have been watching it. They are 3 and 5 years old and it has quickly become one of their favorite shows. They have several Care Bears stuffed animals and so I was really excited to be able to share this DVD with them before it was even released. Needless to say, the whole family really enjoyed watching it – and it is now a favorite in our house.

This DVD features 6 fun episodes! They all have great morals for young kids and help promote the Care Bear way – sharing and caring! These are all great episodes that I want my girls to watch over and over again so that they know how to treat others.

  1. Take Heart
  2. Return to Tender
  3. The Bright Stuff
  4. The Share Shark
  5. Belly Badgered
  6. Wonder’s Heart

Purchase your copy of Care Bears and Cousins: Take Heart on Amazon here.

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Synopsis
There’s exciting news in the land of Care-a-Lot! The Care Bear Cousins – Brave Heart Lion, Bright Heart Raccoon, Lotsa Heart Elephant, and Cozy Heart Penguin – have returned home. The Cousins make sure that the Share Cloud is always full of the Care Hearts that Care-a-Lot needs. When the Cousins’ ship is stolen, the Care Bears and the Cousins use their caring skills to retrieve the ship, save the Share Cloud, collect the lost Care Hearts, and much more in these heartwarming adventures!

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Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Hi-Tech Fashion Now on DVD

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I grew up watching Strawberry Shortcake. She was one of my favorite TV character and I had many of her dolls (they smelled like strawberries – yum!). So of course, when I found out that there are newer versions of her cartoons, I was thrilled! I love watching them with my two young daughters, who are 3 and 5. They love Strawberry and her friends just as much as I did when I was a little girl. We have a lot of her newer DVDs and so when we found out about the latest, Berry Hi-Tech Fashion, we just had to have it! This DVD was a big hit with my daughters – and I loved it too!

Synopsis
Strawberry Shortcake and her friends show off their fashionista flair in three sweet adventures about trying your best. When their favorite “berrynet” show announces a fashion tech contest, the girls put their heads together to show off their sensational style! But with the pals busy with their designs, there’s “Berry Double Trouble” as two bickering twins, Sweet and Sour Grapes, try to keep the café running smoothly. The arrival of Strawberry’s traveling cousin, Apple Dumplin’, also throws things off-balance as everyone works to make their unexpected guest feel welcome in “Berry Bitty Adventurer.” And as they prepare to unveil their berryriffic work, a little “High Tech Drama” threatens to unravel it all. Good thing these berry best friends know that sweet rewards come to those who work together!

This DVD even includes special Strawberry stickers so kids can add their own bling to their favorite fashions right along with their Berry Bitty City pals! This was a total surprise for my girls and they were thrilled to see them when we opened the case up!

Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Hi-Tech Fashion Special Features

  • Berry Sweet Mash-Ups
  • Strawberry Shortcake and Friends Videos
  • Printable Coloring Pages and Activity Sheet

Pick up your copy on Amazon today.

Saban’s Power Rangers Dino Charge Hero Includes Bonus Christmas Special

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Jump into the action-packed adventures of this global phenomenon when Power Rangers Dino Charge: Hero arrives on DVD (plus Digital), Digital HD, and On Demand November 1 from Lionsgate. In this series, the teen superheroes must join forces to defeat an evil monster in order to save the day. Power Rangers fans will also have the chance to get into the holiday spirit with a special holiday episode, “Race to Rescue Christmas.” This DVD would make a great stocking stuffer for any fan of the Power Rangers. I remember growing up watching the Power Rangers and am a little bit in awe of how much they are still around. I love that they are back and that my girls can enjoy them now.

My 5 year old says that the Power Rangers are one of her favorite shows. This DVD features 4 episodes as well as a fun Christmas special episode. The episodes on this DVD are:

  1. World Famous! (In New Zealand)
  2. Deep Down Under
  3. Wishing for a Hero
  4. One More Energem
  5. BONUS: Race to Rescue Christmas

Synopsis
Join the Power Rangers on a quest for a new hero! Get set for dino-charged adventure and nonstop thrills as the Power Rangers discover their newest ally, the Purple Ranger! But when the Purple Ranger decides to leave the team, it will take all of the Power Rangers’ skills combined to battle the villainous Sledge – and find a new hero fit for the Purple Energem – in this action-packed collection that features the bonus episode, “Race to Rescue Christmas.”

Purchase Saban’s Power Rangers: Dino Charge: Hero on Amazon here.

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