We’re right in the midst of winter and I’m loving this long, flowing Open Front Cardigans available in purple, grey, and olive.

And speaking of winter, I could really use a new pair of boots.  These Equestrian Square Toe Boots would definitely make a splash!

Small tots in the house? They’ll love the character outfits available which feature their favorites including Disney, Sesame Street, and Snoopy.

Be sure to check  out all of the blowouts on Totsy as they are selling out quickly!

3D technology allows for a richer, immersive film experience, and many of Disney’s animated films almost seem like they were made to one day be viewed in 3D. The beloved film about an overprotective clownfish searching for his son, who was captured and taken to Sydney, will return to theaters this Fall. While Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite animated films of all time, Finding Nemo is a favorite among my children and ranks right up there with Cars and Toy Story.

Photo Credit: Disney

Finding Nemo will have a limited theater run in 3D beginning September 14th. Want a sneak peek?

No compensation was received for this post.

Beauty and the Beast has received numerous accolades and awards, including Best Picture at the Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.  And today, a 3D version is being re-released in theaters.

To celebrate the new dimension to the classic, I had a chance to speak with the lovely and talented Paige O’Hara.  Can you imagine that moment…that moment that will change your life in unimaginable ways? For O’Hara, she had to audition five times for the role of Belle. But her skill and confidence were unmatched in a role that truly is ideally suited for her.  In fact, O’Hara finds a number of similarities between herself and Belle.  O’Hara relates to Belle’s awkwardness as she herself felt “out of place and odd” amongst peers who had different interests than she did. From the age of six, O’Hara was immersed in theater and art, and like Belle really wasn’t looking for a man. She wanted to explore and enjoy life…go to Broadway….travel around the world…and she did. In the film, Belle makes a noble sacrifice for her father…one O’Hara identifies with more than most as she put her career on hold to care for her parents for seven years.

The character of Belle is one to be admired.  She’s kind, courageous, independent,  and unwavering in her beliefs. As a princess, she ranks highly amongst the classics like Cinderella and Snow White. O’Hara recalls a time, about a year ago, when she was on a press tour in London promoting the release of the film on Blu-ray. She was standing amongst a group of five and six year old girls in awe of getting the chance to meet the “real” Belle, when one of them asked her where her ball gown was. O’Hara simply sat down, began reading a story in Belle’s voice, and was surrounded by 150 kids.  Twenty years had gone by but that didn’t matter… It was in that moment she really understood how timeless the film is.

O’Hara truly is part of a legacy.  Last Fall, she was given the distinction and honor of receiving the Disney Legend Award.  To be a part of something so incredible is one of the greatest honors of her life.

These days, O’Hara is taking her passion and love for art and painting oil paintings for Disney Fine Art. Specifically, she’s involved with painting scenes from the film. She’s also currently working on a musical about the life of Judy Garland. “Playing Judy would be a dream come true for me,” O’Hara states. “I’m at the place now where I’m ready to play her…I’ve had enough life experience to understand her.”  That is a musical I am anxious to hear more about.

At present, you can see Paige O’Hara in Vegas performing the hilarious comedic Menopause The Musical.

A huge thank you to Ms. O’Hara for taking time to speak with us.

Beauty and the Beast 3D is currently showing in theaters nationwide.

No compensation was received for this post. All thoughts and opinions remain solely that of the author.

There are some films so remarkable…their stories so timeless and compelling…that even 20 years later they have the capacity to evoke deep emotion.  Last Saturday, when I took my son to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, I cried, much like I did the very first time I saw it as a tween.

It’s a story we know and love…about a strong and forward-thinking young woman who’s life plans extend beyond marriage and children.  At the moment, her adventures are experienced through books…but she has dreams…big dreams of exploring the world. She’s mostly misunderstood, and everyone around her unsuccessfully tries to fit her nicely into a box.

Many years before the story opens, a cruel young prince turned his back on an old beggar woman, who just happened to be an enchantress (in disguise) looking for a place to stay for the evening. To help the prince understand that “things are not always as they seem,” the enchantress turned him into a hideous beast.  Only true love…mutual love…can break that spell.

During a trip into the woods, Belle’s father, who just happens to be the town misfit, finds himself imprisoned by the beast for trespassing.  When Belle learns of her father’s predicament, she goes to the castle to find him.  Without any feasible option, she freely takes her father’s place as prisoner in order for him to tend to his health. It’s one of Belle’s numerous selfless acts in the film.  In an attempt to make the best of the situation, Belle befriends the staff….who also remain under the spell.  With their help, Belle learns to see past the Beast’s rough exterior and ends up falling in love with him.

Watching the film as an adult, I realize how inspirational and forward-thinking Belle is.  She’s a modern young woman, who refuses to conform to societal norms, yet a loving, devoted daughter unafraid to stand up for what she believes in.  She is giving and kind and receptive to whatever form love takes. She’s also not put off by appearances, knowing they can be deceiving.

Interestingly enough, the film lends itself well to 3D.  The scenic shots are stunning and provide depth and richness to the castle, the town, and the surrounding landscapes. Beauty and the Beast was developed during a time when animation was still very much hand-drawn, so the film’s adaptation to the 3D realm is impressive.

If you happen to live in LA, the El Capitan Theatre will offer showtimes through February 2nd.  Each showing includes a performance by Belle.  If you want a unique experience, you can take your children to Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store for a character breakfast (this is right before the 10 am show) or simply enjoy Story Time with Belle.  The theater will also host a Tiny Tot screening at 10 am on Tuesday, January 17th.

No compensation was received for this post. All expenses related to the trip provided by Disney/DreamWorks.

As someone with a passion for the arts, I’m always intrigued by the intricate details that go into a live production.  One of the most unique experiences to date was a private tour and walk through of the New Amsterdam Theatre, which is the current home of Mary Poppins on Broadway.  Built in the early 1900′s, the theater is the oldest venue on Broadway (along with the Lyceum).  With a history that includes housing the Ziegfeld Follies and a renovation from movie theater to Broadway theater, the New Amsterdam Theatre is now the flagship for Disney Theatrical Productions on Broadway.

You might remember from my review that there was a time in the not-so-distant past when the area surrounding the theater (Times Square, Theatre District) was a very different place. In many ways, Disney’s acquisition of the theater was integral to the clean-up that occurred in the mid-90′s.

Visually, the theater is stunning. The interior was architecturally designed in the Art Nouveau style with intricate carvings, elaborate artwork, and photos of actors who’s career began in this very theater.

During the Great Depression, the theater business as a whole suffered and The New Amsterdam Theatre closed down for a time before being converted into a movie theater.  Patrons complained about the brightness of the venue, so the owner at the time painted the entire interior (including the architectural designs) brown.  Little did he know that his decision preserved the beauty of this venue.  When Disney Theatrical Productions acquired the theater, it was dilapidated and in shambles. As work commenced to remove the brown paint, it was discovered that the interior, for the most part was preserved so well they actually had to have the theater aged.

Today, the theater is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a New York City Landmark.

During our tour, we got a glimpse of the theater’s production history in the prop room.  Here are some of my favorite photos from musicals that have performed in this theater:

In 2012, visitors will be able to tour the New Amsterdam Theatre.  Stay tuned for more details regarding this special experience.

No compensation was received for this post. All expenses related to the trip provided by Disney/DreamWorks.

Photos: Rockin’ Mama

I’m starting a brand new series for the new year called iCapture. It’s totally unsponsored and simply a place to share and discover amazing photographs captured through the lens of an iPhone.  Each week I’ll post a few of my favorite photos. Won’t you join me?  I’d love to see what you’ve captured this week via your smart phone (any smart phone).

To begin this week’s iCapture, I wanted to share some photos from the Walt Disney Studios, located in Burbank, California. As a child, I remember visiting during the holidays for their  Christmas market, never realizing until I was much older that the studios is not actually open to the public.  Here are just a few photos I captured yesterday while having lunch with some friends:

Can you guess where this is?

What have you “captured” this week?  Share your photos below!

This Mickey & Minnie Ornament Set is simple, elegant, and unique. Each ornament is designed to resemble a snow globe, minus the water. They can be hung or displayed on a mantle or table since the base is flat (as opposed to the traditional ornament which is completely round).

To compliment the ornament set, we’ve displayed the Mickey and Minnie Snow Globe, which features a miniature Mickey and Minnie inside along with a swirl of snow.

And since we definitely can’t forget about our littles, they’re snuggling up with Mickey, who’s all dressed up for the holidays.  The Disney Store offers both Mickey and Minnie, dressed in holiday attire with the year embroidered on the plush.

You can view the entire Share the Magic Collection on The Disney Store’s website.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples provided.

Tomorrow, Buzz, Woody, Jesse, and the gang will skate into Orange County!  Disney On Ice Presents Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 3 at the Honda Center for a very limited run.  Through Christmas, you can see the ice spectacular as moments from all three films are re-enacted in the rink.

Here are the dates for the remaining Southern California performances of Disney On Ice Toy Story 3:

• Honda Center in Anaheim from December 20th to December 25th
• Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario from December 28th to January 1st
• Long Beach Arena in Long Beach from January 4th to January 8th

Tickets start at just $16 with a special rate of $12 on opening night.  To purchase tickets, visit the box office, Ticketmaster, or call 800-745-3000. Be sure to mention the code “MOM” to receive $4 off the price of each ticket.

No compensation was received for this post. Media tickets provided.

Having seen Mary Poppins in Orange County earlier this year, I was very excited and intrigued to see the musical performed at this iconic theater, which along with the Lyceum Theatre, is the oldest surviving venue for the arts on Broadway.  The theater boasts a rich history, one that visitors will soon be able to experience when tours are officially offered next year. Stay tuned for our own personal tour of the theater and the latest information on Disney’s newest Broadway musical.

With a cast who’s vocals and talent will amaze you, music and lyrics from the legendary Sherman Brothers, artistic sets that comes to life, and some impressive “stunts” where Mary is seen flying over the audience and Bert tap dances on the ceiling, Mary Poppins is a musical sensation not to be missed. The musical, which initially opened in London 7 years ago, is one of the longest running shows on Broadway.

The story is familiar, with some unexpected twists, drawing inspiration from the classic 1964 film and the series of children’s books authored by P.L. Travers.  It’s London in the early 1900′s, and the Banks family represent your traditional troubled British family where the father works too much, the mother unsuccessfully attempts to keep everything in order, and the children run rampant.  Enter Mary Poppins, the enchanted, if not magical English nanny who is confident in her “practically perfect” ability to make a difference within this family.

Mary Poppins’ approach is quite different from what is deemed “traditional.”  She takes Jane and Michael on a series of magical adventures throughout the city, each of which teaches important life lessons such as self control, manners, consideration for others, and looking past appearances.  Mary Poppins doesn’t conform to societal norms…she talks to and engages with The Bird Woman who is shunned and overlooked by passerbys…she boldly brings Jane and Michael to their father’s place of employment to help Mr. Banks understand the importance of his family… And when the “winds change” and her “work” is complete, she’s gone…just as quickly as she appeared.

It’s a beloved story of a broken family, who, with the help of Mary Poppins, come to realize what is truly important in life.  The story alone is strong enough to carry the musical to it’s success. However, the combination of spectacular lighting and set design, nostalgic, foot-tapping music, and a bit of Disney magic, Mary Poppins is a brilliant production that will be remembered long after the curtain closes.

See it on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

No compensation was received for this post. All expenses related to the trip provided by Disney/DreamWorks.

Photo Credit: Disney

As a mom to a four year old boy, trains come highly recommended, not only because my son could spend quite a bit of time playing with them, but because they are relatively easy to clean up and encourage imagination and interactive play.  Since the hit Disney Junior show Chuggington debuted last year, it’s become a favorite in our home.  The show, which is set in the town of Chuggington, follows Wilson, Brewster, and Koko, three “trainees” who demonstrate important lessons such as telling the truth, listening, resolving conflict, being a good friend, and more.

With the launch of the show here in the US, a line of toys and other products debuted.  My son’s favorite toys are naturally the trains, and recently Learning Curve introduced a play table to accompany the themed sets.  The Lets Ride the Rails Playtable provides a generous space for children to arrange and lay tracks and play with their trains.  The board and table are colorfully decorated with graphics from the show, making it feasible that children could simply play without tracks if desired.

My husband put the table together in about 15 minutes and used both the wrench that comes with it and a screwdriver (an electric one is preferred so that the process goes by quickly).  The table itself is appropriate for children ages 3 and up, and sized so that children can play without having to bend down or stand on tip toes.

Apart from being incredibly sturdy, the table actually looks nice.  We both like the vibrant colors and theme and can’t wait to set up my son’s train tracks on it.  The only thing I wish the table had was a storage drawer.

The table retails for $249.99 and is available at select retailers nationwide.

Win It! One of you will win a Lets Ride the Rails Playtable (WOW!). Simply leave me a comment with the name of another Chuggington toy/product you like from Learning Curve. Comments will close on December 30th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a @Chuggington Play Table from @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/79frcwa ”

Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments

No compensation was received for this post. I am part of the Chuggington Conductor Program and receive products for review and giveaway.