Published on Friday, February 24, 2012 by caryn
On Wednesday night, the ultimate Disney fans received the ultimate Disney experience when D23 and Disney collaborated to invite approximately 200 members to the red carpet for the world premiere of John Carter. The premiere, which was held at L.A. Live due to Hollywood's preparation for the upcoming Academy Awards, brought out some of Hollywood's most notable filmma... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 23, 2012 by caryn
Apparently in certain parts of the country, it's still winter! Today Southern California saw temperatures in the 80s, and despite our creative, homemade ventures, I just couldn't keep the kids inside. We're experiencing unseasonably warm weather, but it truly is still winter, and regardless of how temperate our climate is, sometimes it's too cold or rainy to be ou... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 23, 2012 by caryn
[caption id="attachment_30731" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Photo Credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland"][/caption]
As you know, Leap Year comes around just once every four years, and this year, to celebrate the extra day, both the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort will stay open for 24 hours! From 6 am on February 29th to 6 am March 1st, g... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 23, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Sharon R. Congrats!
Earlier this week, I shared my thoughts on Universal Pictures' soon-to-be released film The Lorax, adapted from one of Dr. Seuss' greatest and most beloved books. As we approach opening day, the web is buzzing with excitement about this inspirational film with it's profound and t... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 by caryn
Every morning and night, without fail, I brush and floss my teeth. It's a habit my mother instilled within me as a young child, and I'm thankful she emphasized the importance of proper oral care, because as a 30 something year old woman, I've yet to have a cavity. Similarly, I've started my children along the same path. As soon as their first tooth emerged, we s... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is LaTanya. Congrats!
If I could pick out just 5 essential items every new mom could benefit from, a durable, functional, fashionable stroller would top the list. As a mom to two small children, getting out and about is essential. I could not manage trips to Disneyland, our local mall, or our neighborh... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 by caryn
"Read it!" my daughter emphatically stated as she looked up at me with her big brown eyes, pointing to the colorful new book that sat inside my suitcase. Every time I go on a trip, my children tear apart peruse through my suitcase, in hopes of finding something fun from my time away. I hadn't even had a moment to unpack my cosmetic case when they found the book an... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 20, 2012 by caryn
Over the weekend, we spent some time at Toys R Us perusing thousands of toys in search of the perfect one (at least for the moment). Both sets of grandparents pitched in to allow my children to pick out a Valentine's Day "treat" and since we'd prefer that the "treat" not be something sugar-aden, we agreed that each of them could pick out something within the confine... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 20, 2012 by caryn
A girl can never have too many shoes...especially if those shoes are stylish and versatile enough to be worn over multiple seasons. They are my favorite accessory, and while I don't think I could have too many shoes, my husband is a bit more practical. Fortunately, our seasons are mild enough that I don't require an entire winter-dedicated wardrobe with the shoes to... Read More »
Published on Saturday, February 18, 2012 by caryn
Even my 2 year old daughter has taken to the Power Rangers...almost! At least from afar.
The hit children's action series recently launched a brand new video game for Nintendo's Wii and DS gaming systems and debuts a brand new season today, February 18th, 2012. The show, which is one of my son's favorites, follows a team of young people who have been recruited ... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 17, 2012 by caryn
It goes without saying that becoming a parent is one of the most challenging and rewarding things I've ever done. I don't take this responsibility lightly, and am very cognizant of how I'm influencing my children...intellectually, socially, emotionally, spiritually.
"Once you have a child, it changes your world view forever," stated Will Arnett who voices Pod, th... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 16, 2012 by caryn
It's a genre of film I'm unfamiliar with...a rarity for a film buff who's watched hundreds thousands of films. Anime (aka Japanese animation), originated in the early 20th century and surprisingly, Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had some influence on Japanese animators and their work.
This Friday, February 17th, Walt Disney Pictures will release The S... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 16, 2012 by caryn
If you love Italian food as much as my children do, you'll be excited to learn that Italian Days is back at Publix! Last year, I shared information about this two-week event, which will feature recipes, savings, and opportunities to win one of 500 Publix Gift Cards.
We don't have a Publix store in our area, however, my in-laws do and our bi-annual visits often in... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by caryn
It's a chilly 50 degrees here in rainy Southern California, reminding me that we're still right in the midst of winter. Despite my longing to lounge around in PJs and drink hot tea all day, things have to get done...things that involve going out...in the rain!
Because our weather is so temperate, I don't really have a lot of winter wardrobe options. On days lik... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by caryn
I freely admit that I am looking forward to that glorious day when I toss the very last diaper from this house! It's not that I don't enjoy having babies. In fact, I'm seriously going to miss the baby stage...just not the diaper part of that stage!
One of our biggest expenses is diapers, wipes, creams, and other baby essentials. I cut coupons, comparison shop... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by caryn
Happy Valentine's Day! Today I took my sweet kids to their preschool for a special Friendship party, made them comfort food for lunch, since it was cold here in Southern California, and oversaw their card-decorating. We rounded out the evening with this delicious Vegan Apple Spice Cake, made with Pinata apples.
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking p... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by caryn
Life is a series of moments captured in time in our mind.UnknownOne of the only ways to describe the past year is bittersweet. I haven't talked a lot about it, but the year was filled with a number of changes, challenges, blessings, opportunities, extreme joy and tremendous sorrow. It's the year where I finally realized my dream of staying home with my children...th... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Beth. Congrats!
As a mom to two small children, I am very discerning about the media they are exposed to. Any television shows/series or films they watch have been pre-screened by either my husband or myself. As parents, we prefer to offer our children a variety of diverse experiences... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 13, 2012 by caryn
Yo Ho Ho! Have you heard? Peter Pan will return to Never Land this Monday in his first appearance on the hit Disney Junior series Jake and the Never Land Pirates. My kids are devoted fans of the show and we're counting down the days until Season 2 debuts on February 20th!
We recently headed over to Walt Disney Studios to preview the upcoming prime time specia... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 12, 2012 by caryn
Last weekend, I perused Beverly Hills with some of the bloggers flown in to LA for a press junket and screening of the soon-to-be released film The Lorax. As we walked up and down Rodeo Drive, I admired the very expensive jewelry and thought about how long it had been since I received or purchased jewelry for myself. I love the feminine touch a pair of earrings, nec... Read More »
Published on Saturday, February 11, 2012 by caryn
Having grown up in Southern California my entire life, I often find that while I've ventured all over the second largest city in the US, there are still many places to explore, particularly with my children. I love finding unique, off-the-beaten activities that offer memorable experiences.
Last week, my children and I headed over to see the brand new show that ... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 10, 2012 by caryn
Love is in the air! February is the month devoted to showing those closest to you how much you care for them. Red, white, and pink decor abound, and very soon, flower and chocolate shops will see an influx of last minute shoppers, in search of the perfect expression of their affection. I'm all about tradition but I also enjoy unique, out-of-the box ways to celeb... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 10, 2012 by caryn
Are you traveling to New York City this Spring? Do you have a passion for musical theater? This March, Newsies will open on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre. Originally released in 1992 by Disney, the film was based on the true story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City, which was led by youth to force change in the way newsboys were compensated fo... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 9, 2012 by caryn
I'm always surprised at how little time an actress like Bridgit Mendler spends recording for a full-length animated film like The Secret World of Arrietty (three days, according to the young actress), which opens in theaters on February 17th. Mendler, who stars in the Disney Channel Series Good Luck Charlie, voices Arrietty, a tiny but courageous and determined 14 y... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 9, 2012 by caryn
Despite the fact that I don't talk much about saving money, I actually do quite a bit to ensure we're not paying more than we have to for the items we purchase. I'm an avid comparison shopper and do a ton of research before investing in big purchases. I shop at multiple stores (for many reasons), peruse the ads before my shopping ventures, and clip coupons when it m... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 by caryn
Have you ever wondered how a product ends up on the shelves at Walmart? I can imagine that getting Walmart to sell the product you've worked hard to develop would take your business to an entirely new level.
For the very first time, Walmart has announced an innovative new contest called Get On the Shelf. The nationwide search is on to find the latest "it" produ... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by caryn
One of my favorite ways to celebrate a holiday (even if it's a minor one) is to bake. I love experimenting with recipes and exercising my creative side. This year, I thought I'd combine my love for baking with my somewhat crafty side and experiment with some DIY Cookie Mixes neatly packed inside a jar.
This isn't an entirely original idea, but I thought I'd put a... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by caryn
I have to admit that I'm a bit in awe of the Twilight sensation. If you're unfamiliar with the books or films (as I was up until just a bit ago), they focus on Bella, a teenage girl who falls in love with a 104 year old vampire. At present, there are a series of five films which are based on the four Twilight series novels by author Stephenie Meyer. I've yet to re... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Dana. Congrats!!!
We're about a week from Valentine's Day! Do you know how you'll celebrate that loved one in your life? I love getting flowers and candy, but I tend to be very practical when it comes to gifts I'd like to receive. I tend to opt for gifts with lasting value if I'm asked for sug... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 6, 2012 by caryn
It's the city of glitz and glam and home to notable Hollywood celebrities. It's also one of the most glamorous places in the world for beauty, fashion, and shopping.
This week's iCapture gives you a taste of Beverly Hills, where I'm currently staying to cover the upcoming 3D animated film The Lorax. Here are just a few photos I took on a leisurely Sunday afternoo... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 6, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Tricia and Angie. Congrats!
Last week, several of us kicked off February by wearing red to increase awareness and lend support to the fight against heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, according to the CDC and does not discriminate...we are all at risk. Often c... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 3, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Danielle E. Congrats!
It's the season of love...the time where we pointedly go out of our way to express our affection with words and actions. With Valentine's Day less than two weeks away, I'll be sharing a few handpicked gift ideas...gifts I'd personally like to receive as opposed to those promote... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 3, 2012 by caryn
I walked into the elevator and immediately recognized her from You Again and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Despite the fact that I lived in LA most of my life, I still find it surreal to walk into an elevator and come face to face with Kristen Bell, who plays one of the few fictional characters in the film Big Miracle. The character of Jill Jerard (Bell), a TV report... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 3, 2012 by caryn
Earlier this week, my daughter and I were eating at a casual restaurant, a treat these days since I've been pretty good about sticking to my resolution to prepare and cook most of our meals at home. Just when I think that the world, in general, is striving to be more health-focused in their thinking, our server asks me to confirm that I do in fact want to order gril... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 3, 2012 by caryn
I remember when I first learned that a woman who is close to me was diagnosed with high cholesterol. I was shocked because this woman eats a very minimalist type of diet with tons of fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains, little to no meat, and a minimal amount of sugar and fat. She also walks at least 5 times a week and is at her ideal weight (if not under).
... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 2, 2012 by caryn
Combine my love for baking with my favorite meal of the day and the result is the most delicious Vegan Blueberry Muffins I've yet to taste. This super easy recipe can be made in a short amount of time with just a few simple ingredients. I typically cut the recipe in half since we like our muffins fresh!
Vegan Cinnamon Blueberry Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour (I l... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 by caryn
She is one of the most versatile women in the film industry, having accomplished everything from starring in numerous hit motion pictures and lending her voice in animated films, to producing and directing film and television projects and achieving a Golden Globe.
He has established himself in both the television and film industry and added writer, director, and ... Read More »
Published on Monday, January 30, 2012 by caryn
If you ask my husband what one thing he'd change about me, it's my system (or lack thereof) of organization. I always start the new year out by ridding our home of things I haven't looked at over the past year and gaining some semblance of order. Typically, come spring time, I'm still working on this particular resolution. In an effort to shorten that interval, I'... Read More »
Published on Monday, January 30, 2012 by caryn
It was 1988, and while Americans didn't know it, we were nearing the end of the Cold War, a 46 year period in history where military and political tensions between the US and the Soviet Union were high. "Back then we really thought the world was going to end," states Bonnie Carroll, who was the Reagan Administration aide appointed to oversee Operation Breakthrough, ... Read More »
Published on Sunday, January 29, 2012 by caryn
It wasn't until I was in my early twenties that I started leaving the comforts of home to venture out and see the world. I had just graduated college and my dreams were big. I wanted to visit all of the places I had read about in books and studied in school. It really didn't take long to decide that my travel adventures would start in Europe. Sometimes there are b... Read More »
Published on Sunday, January 29, 2012 by caryn
Having lived in Los Angeles my entire life, I'm always amazed when I happen upon a new activity or destination. Yesterday, we explored our inner artist at Zimmerpalooza, a celebration of the arts presented by the Zimmer Children's Museum. The charity event was held at the Annenberg Community Beach House, which is the only public beach club in the US. Built in th... Read More »
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Kristie. Congrats!
As someone who is very discerning about the products we use, I've often found that in some instances, there is no natural or environmentally-friendly alternative. Right around the time when we learned that I was pregnant with my son, I stopped using conventional cleaning products,... Read More »
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012 by caryn
If you didn't manage to get everything wanted or needed for Christmas, Totsy is having some amazing sales right now! On top of the company's already discounted prices, you'll find additional savings on women's apparel and boots, lingerie, accessories, baby essentials, kid's clothing, housewares and more! Here are just a handful of sales I picked out:
We're righ... Read More »
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Maureen. Congrats!
Can you believe that Valentine's Day is just 2 weeks away? I feel like it was JUST Christmas! While I absolutely love getting traditional gifts like flowers and chocolate, I'm also appreciative of more practical gifts that I'll get use out of long after the day has ended.
Most ... Read More »
Published on Friday, January 27, 2012 by caryn
[caption id="attachment_30077" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Photo Credit: arinas74"][/caption]
I have friends and family members who would never entertain the idea of driving in Los Angeles, yet in one week, I may make the round trip journey between Orange County and Los Angeles at least once or twice. I grew up in the diverse metropolitan city and hav... Read More »
Published on Thursday, January 26, 2012 by caryn
As much as I try to diversify our dinner routine, I often find myself going back to the same handful of dishes, simply because they're healthy, easy, and affordable. Cooking 5, unique dinners a week is tough. Busy schedules, food allergies, picky eaters, and a mind towards healthy, sustainable foods all complicate the situation each night.
So where do I turn for ... Read More »
Published on Thursday, January 26, 2012 by caryn
As someone who is passionate about film, I'm looking forward to reliving some of my favorite Disney movies through 3D. Disney recently re-released it's second classic film in 3D, Beauty and the Beast, and over the coming year, they'll do the same for Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and The Little Mermaid. As one of my favorite films of all time, I never imagined it co... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 by caryn
[caption id="attachment_30012" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Day 1: Me"][/caption]
On the surface, it seems quite simple and straightforward. Take one photo every day for an entire year. Since smart phones are now equipped with up to 8 megapixel cameras, it's easy to photograph those beautiful, unexpected moments...the ones I never managed to capture ... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 by caryn
I vaguely remember attending one of my very first musicals with my mother. I was 8 or 9 and the show was Annie...I was hooked! At the time, I didn't know if I simply enjoyed the theater or actually wanted to be a part of it. One improv class in high school set me straight!
Every chance I get I'm at the theater. And, it just so happens that one of my very good... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 by caryn
Do small changes really make a difference? I constantly ask myself this question when I'm shopping at the grocery store, separating my recyclables, setting our thermostat, turning off lights, and doing my laundry. I don't know that I'll personally see a reduction in pollution or a diminished burden on our landfills by recycling. But I do know that I can track sa... Read More »