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“Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure”

August 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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Who among us doesn’t secretly love watching Tom and Jerry, the classic cartoon characters that we’ve lived with since forever. Warner has created a new original movie, that finds our characters among the last animals living in Storybook Town, a fairy tale-inspired theme park “where dreams come true, if you believe.” Jack is desperate to save the park from the hands of a greedy billionaire, setting out with his loyal cat and mouse friends to sell his prize cow for… some magic beans?! What follows is a journey up a beanstalk to a magical land ruled by a massively mean and hungry giant, and home to fun, fabled fellows like Droopy, Spike and even a golden goose! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O comments, “This story is very different from the usual Tom and Jerry movies and definitely brings fresh air into this unique relationship between a mouse and a cat.” See his full review below.

Tom and Jerry’s Giant Adventure

Reviewed by Gerry O., age 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Archived Content, Media Reviews

“Get the Look” with Laura Mercier!

August 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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Ready for the Fall Beauty Trends? Laura Mercier has you covered!

Fall Trend #1: Deep wine-stained lips

o   Achieve a similar pout with the brand new Laura Mercier Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colourin Muse or Myth ($24, available July 2013).

Fall Trend #2: Fresh, flawless Skin

  • ·         Talia Shobook, lead makeup artist for the Jenny Packham show, first used Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance ($32) to create the perfect canvas for makeup application and then applied Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($43) to give the skin a sheer hint of dewy colour. I received a sample of the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance and love how it feels lightweight and non greasy. It helped leave my face looking flawless!

o   Looking for a primer with added SPF protection? Check out the recently launched Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($32, available August 2013). I also received the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer- Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and I love that this works so well and also gives SPF protection!

o   Laura’s Flawless Face Philosophy: As an artist, Laura Mercier understands that a perfect beautiful complexion begins with the perfect canvas, which is why she developed four key steps for creating a flawless complexion. Follow her four easy steps here.

* Self Disclosure: I received products to facilitate this review.

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

“The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec” – A Female Indiana Jones From the Early 1900s

August 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

Adele

 

From the French film director Luc Besson (Le Grand Bleu, Arthur and the Invisibles), comes an adventure set in the early part of the 20th century focused on a popular novelist and her dealings with would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other distractions. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Valdi Belizaire suggests, “You should really watch this movie if you like adventures.” Her review is below.

Luc Besson’s “The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec”
Reviewed by Valdi Belizaire

Filed Under: Archived Content, Media Reviews

FALL COLOUR STORY – DARK SPELL

August 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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From a brand new colour story to exciting new eye and lip products, Laura Mercier is ready to take the Fall by storm.

 

What to be excited for:

  •         Enchanting, mystical and dark colours inspired by the magical ways of women in the Fall 2013 Colour Story: Dark Spell
  •        Six long-wearing Eye Pencils that glide on smoothly and deliver rich, vibrant colour for up to 12 hours.
  •        Revolutionary lip colours that are 100% wax-free and feel completely weightless, while still conditioning with nourishing hydration.

** Model is wearing: Foundation Primer, Moisture Suprême Foundation in Warm Ivory, Secret Camouflage in SC-3, Secret Concealer in #2, Secret Brightening Powder in #1, Loose Setting Powder in Translucent, Eye Canvas in EC-2, Baked Eye Colour in Magical, Satin Matte Eye Colour in Dark Spirit, Kohl Liner Extreme in Black, Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Smoke, Faux Lash Mascara in Black, Face Illuminator in Spellbound, Lip Plumper in Charmed, Nail Lacquer in Bewitched.

 

The Inspiration:

  •        This season, Laura is enchanted by the dark side, and the magical ways of women      Mesmerized by a mix of mystery and fantasy, she has created a captivating palette of seductive shades

 

The Look:

Makeup is all about the eyes – smoldering in shades of darkness

  •       Deep blacks and textured grays outline the eyes for a look of intrigue
  •     Skin glows with illumination
  •       Lips pout in soft shades of pink and berry
  •        A mystical new look that demands attention
Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

Take A Visual Journey Under The Ocean To Meet Monster Squid And Sea Creatures From The Depths At The Aquarium

August 21, 2013 By 5 Comments

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An Art – Science Collaboration

 

WHAT:           She has traveled around the ocean depths and seen mysterious animals. She has shared her discoveries and experiences at TED  and on the BBC and National Geographic channels. Most recently her use of bioluminescence to lure the giant squid was featured in the Discovery Channel’s documentary Monster Squid: The Giant is Real. The public is invited to meet Dr. Edith Widder during a special presentation at the Aquarium of the Pacific on August 27 at 7:00 p.m. and see some of what she has seen in a special underwater photography exhibit in the Aquarium’s Great Hall through August 31, 2013.

 

Widder and photographer and inventor Dr. Steve Bernstein have collaborated to produce an exhibition of photographs featuring digitally enhanced images of marine life. The photographs, captured by Widder from locations around the world and altered by Bernstein, depict sea creatures like sea jellies and squid, accentuating their colors and shapes. The exhibit pieces are printed on aluminum via giclée dye sublimation. Widder’s lecture at the Aquarium is titledThe Kraken Revealed: The Story Behind Finding the Giant Squid and will take place in the Ocean Theater and be broadcast live on the Aquarium’s website. A deep-sea explorer, oceanographer, marine biologist, and co-founder of the Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Widder was the first to capture video recordings of bioluminescent animals and the first to film the giant squid in its natural habitat.

 

WHEN:           Photography exhibit: daily, now – August 31, 2013

Lecture: Tuesday, August 27, 2013, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.                     

 

WHERE:         Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

 

COST:            Exhibit: Included with general admission–$25.95 adult (12+), $22.95 senior (62+), $14.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.

Lecture cost: $5 per person; free for Aquarium members, seniors age 62 and up, teachers, and students with valid I.D. and advanced reservations. (A free live stream of this lecture will be available on the Aquarium’s website)

 

AQUARIUM:  The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important topics facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. Home to more than 11,000 animals, the Aquarium features the new Wonders of the Deepgallery. A world of discovery awaits people of all ages and interests.

 

INFO/RSVP:   (562) 590-3100, ext. 0 or http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/the_kraken_revealed_the_story_behind_finding_the_giant_squid/

 

Photo Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific.

Filed Under: Archived Content

Hotdogger hurtles onto shelves September 2013

August 21, 2013 By 1 Comment

 

Hotdogger

We’re big Aldo Zelnick fans in my house!  My son was quite excited to receive the newest book: Hotdogger written by Karla Oceanak and illustrated by Kendra Spanjer.  This latest book will not disappoint!  “It is hilarious and epic!”, says my soon to be 10- year- old son. Hotdogger, an Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel will soon hit the shelves and is available from Bailiwick Press. It’s an illustrated novel for middle-grade readers ages 7-13. Hotdogger continues the laugh-out-loud adventures of 10-year-old Aldo Zelnick. To Aldo’s dismay, the Zelnicks are planning a family ski trip in effort to combat the boredom brought on by the humdrum month of January. Aldo doesn’t know how to ski and seems weary of going. Feeling unusually confident, Aldo hits the slopes, ready to show off his skills! But will his hotdogging make Aldo a hero, or will it be hazardous to his health? You have to read the book yourself to find out! But, my son and I enjoyed reading the latest adventures of Aldo Zelnick in the latest book: Hotdogger.

The Aldo Zelnick books, hardcover novels for 7-to-13 year olds, feature the hybrid half-text, half illustration format made popular by the Wimpy Kid series. I have to admit we like the Wimpy Kid series but Aldo Zelnick is a smarter and more creative..dare I say it?  Yes, a smarter and more artistic character. My son can relate to Aldo because he is funny and realistic and his friends Jack and Bee also have such fun personalities.  Unique to the series is the emphasis on vocabulary. Each book integrates fun and challenging words starting with the title letter. Hotdogger features hilarious H words such as hornswoggled and hubris. Each book also includes a back-of-the-book glossary with the words aptly (and amusingly) defined-and sometimes illustrated-in Aldo’s voice and hand. Now, how cool is that!? Shh! Kids won’t even know they are learning! They can have fun reading and learn new words all at the same time.

Self Disclosure: I received this book to facilitate this review.

Filed Under: Archived Content, Media Reviews

Brew Over Ice is perfect for this Summer!

August 21, 2013 By 29 Comments

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Summer is the perfect time for iced coffee and for iced tea! I love my Keurig brewer and am more than happy to make my coffee at home. No more coffee shops for me! I did not know that Brew Over Ice had so many wonderful iced options such as Celestial Seasonings Southern Sweet Tea and The Original Donut Shop Sweet & Creamy Iced Coffee! I recently had the opportunity to receive the following (free) from our friends at Brew Over Ice: 3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup samples, 1 Brew Over Ice tumbler, 4 Brew Over Ice coasters and the coolest Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket with ice tongs to help keep those cold drinks a-brewin’.  It is tough to decide my favorite Brew Over Ice K-Cup flavor but I think it has to be the Celestial Seasonings Southern Sweet Tea! It’s simply just delicious! I also love my Brew Over Ice Tumbler, coasters and the cool Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket that lights up blue! How cool is that?!

Brew Over Ice Prize Package Brew Over Ice Logo

Brew Over Ice really has things covered this Summer! Have you heard of the “Brew Over Ice Sweepstakes”? This is really cool! You can win great prizes! You can enter by clicking here! You could win $10,000! Also, don’t forget to http://www.brewoverice.com/coolwaytobrew to download a $2 off product coupon and watch the Brew Over Ice video!

BOI Sweepstakes Logo

 Yes, we have teamed up with our friends at Brew Over Ice for a fabulous end of summer giveaway! You can win the package I received and mentioned above! You must be a subscriber of SoCal City Kids to participate! Next, leave us a comment below telling us how you are enjoying your last days of summer! For extra entries, go to the Brew Over Ice Facebook Page and “like” them. You can tell them we sent you! Next, (for another entry) “like” them on Twitter! Deadline to enter is August 28th, 2013 at midnight. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries and will receive the following prize package:3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup samples, 1 Brew Over Ice tumbler, 4 Brew Over Ice coasters and the coolest Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket with ice tongs.

Self Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate this review and giveaway.

Filed Under: Archived Content

Back-to-School Delicious Chocolate Giveaway!

August 19, 2013 By 31 Comments

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I have to admit I love chocolate! I know, I know..maybe chocolate really isn’t a Back-to-School necessity but I’m a homeschool parent and I really do think that chocolate is something that helps me get through the week. I recently received the All natural Cappuccino and the Caramel Ovation sticks from our friends at SweetWorks and they are delicious! The Milk Chocolate Caramel Sticks were a hit with my son but I prefer the Dark Chocolate Cappuccino Sticks! Just imagine an all natural dark chocolate truffle stick with a delicious cappuccino-flavored filling and only 15 calories per stick! Yes, they are little sticks but they definitely are enough when you are craving chocolate! Both the Milk Chocolate Caramel and the Dark Chocolate Cappuccino sticks are 100% All-Natural and cost $5.95 for a box of 40 individually wrapped sticks at SweetWorks. Check out these and so many more delicious products on their website.

Now for the Back-To-School Giveaway! One winner will win a 3.5 oz box of the Caramel and the Cappuccino Ovation Sticks. Leave us a comment below telling us your favorite Back-to-School essential! Don’t forget that you need to be a subscriber to enter! Next, “like” the SweetWorks Facebook Page! That’s it! Well, it would be “sweet” if you told them we sent you!  Deadline to enter is August 30th, 2013 at midnight. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries.

Self Disclosure: I received delicious chocolate products to facilitate this review/giveaway.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content
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