Archives for 2017

LA Youth Ballet Presents Nutcracker Dec. 22 & 23, at Alex Theatre

LAYB 02 by Iker Gutierrez

Los Angeles Youth Ballet presents the world premiere of a new production of The Nutcracker by award-winning choreographer Andrea Paris-Gutierrez starring Joffrey Ballet principal dancers Jeraldine Mendoza (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Dylan Gutierrez (Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cavalier) in three performances, Friday, December 22, 7 pm, and Saturday, December 23, 2 pm and 7 pm, at Glendale’s Alex Theatre.  Adding to the rich compendium of this beloved holiday tradition, Paris-Gutierrez’s new youth-inspired version of the two-act ballet, featuring Tchaikovsky’s quintessential score, includes traditional influences as well as Paris-Gutierrez’s distinctive point of view as the Artistic Director of the lauded LA Youth Ballet and an experienced mentor of young dancers.  Darrion Sellman, a 13-year-old rising dance star who moved from Virginia to Los Angeles specifically to train with Paris-Gutierrez and LA Youth Ballet, is cast as the Nutcracker.  Annie Bernstein and Jana Teruel alternate in the role of Clara; Malcolm McLaurin Takumi and Marcel Ramirez alternate in the role of as Fritz, Clara’s brother.  Children and parents at the party, soldiers, Mouse King, mice, snowflakes, flowers and dolls are performed by more than 75 accomplished dancers of LA Youth Ballet.  St. Mel School Children’s Choir, led by Director Susie Penney, provides live vocals for the performances.

Mendoza and Gutierrez – who bring to their roles exceptional artistry and emotional depth – appear courtesy of Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet.  Mendoza is hailed for dancing that is “always masterfully-rendered” (California Review), and Gutierrez is lauded for his “powerful solos,”(Chicago Tribune).  LA Youth Ballet, the premier ensemble of the Los Angeles Ballet Academy, is an advanced pre-professional student ensemble for accomplished classical dancers ages 13-19.  Many of its alumni have garnered numerous awards and have gone on to professional careers with some of the world’s leading ballet companies and musical theatre productions around the country.

Tickets start at $25 and are available through the Alex Theatre Box Office 818.243.2539 or visitwww.alextheatre.org.  The Alex Theatre is located at 216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale CA 91203.

WHEN:

Friday, December 22, 7 pm

Saturday, December 23, 2 pm

Saturday, December 23, 7 pm

WHERE:

Alex Theatre

216 North Brand Boulevard

Glendale CA 91203

TICKETS/INFO:
Tickets start at $25

Tickets available through Alex Theatre Box Office

818 243 2539

www.alextheatre.org

#LABAgoesnuts17

Credit: Los Angeles Youth Ballet.

Happy Holidays from Stuck On You!…Introducing Stuck On You iMessage Holiday Stickers

unnamed (2)

Introducing the coolest iMessage Holiday Sticker Pack from Stuck On You!

Tired of bulk snail mail-outs or tacky and impersonal e-cards?

Personalize your Christmas photos and messages with our versatile, high quality (and hilarious) stickers.

Our clever stickers operate on iOS 11, allowing you to share Yuletide fun with friends and family around the world. Simply download it for free on the iMessage App Store and you’re ready to go!

The stickers are super easy to use. You can resize, use multiple stickers and add stickers on messages and photos that have already been sent.

Here are some ideas for how you can use the stickers.

  • Add devil horns to your angelic kids, or angel wings to your devilish kids.
  • Superimpose Santa’s budgie smugglers on a sleeping relative.
  • Send Christmas cracker jokes that will elicit groans around the world.
  • Superimpose Christmas icons over those pics of your last family vacation in Fiji (3 years ago) so it looks like you’re spending the big day somewhere more exotic than Aunt Mavis’s house.
  • Dress your family members in ugly Christmas sweaters, without needing to contend with the heat (for those of us enjoying a hot Christmas), the itchiness or your children’s consent.

The sky’s the limit for your imagination. These fun alternatives to old-fashioned Christmas cards are the perfect way to personalize your messages over the festive season and give your loved ones a laugh or three!

 Follow Stuck on You:

https://www.facebook.com/StuckOnYouUS/

https://www.instagram.com/stuckonyouofficial/

https://twitter.com/StuckOnYouTweet

https://au.pinterest.com/StuckonYouAust/

https://www.youtube.com/user/StuckonYouLabels

https://www.linkedin.com/organization/935409/admin/updates

 About Stuck On You: 

Stuck On You is the original label company. A unique scratch-resistant coating prevents the personalized name labels from fading, smudging and scratching. Label your school uniforms, hats, coats, shoes, swimming gear, lunchboxes, backpacks, stationery and sports equipment now, and spend less time rummaging through Lost Property later.

A clever website means you can enter your child’s name, let them choose their favorite design and see an instant preview of your finished product.

Stuck On You also offers a range personalized products like Dribble Bibs, Wooden Name Puzzles, Backpacks, Drink Bottles, Pajamas, Stationery, Sun Hats, Art Smocks and more.  For more information visit www.stuckonyou.us.

Self Disclosure: Information and images were provided. 

Sally Hansen for the Holidays!

unnamed (4)unnamed (5)

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Mini Sets, $9.99
Jazz up those tips and get jolly with the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure™ holiday collection of mini sets; quaint quartets of festive polishes in festive hues. The Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure™ offers 7 benefits in 1 bottle, allowing you to skip the salon, for a party ready manicure. The chip-resistant polish with Keratin features all of the elements you know and need: base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, salon color in chic shades, top coat, and gel shine finish. The Complete Salon Manicure mini sets are ideal for stocking stuffers and holiday gift exchanges- or just a treat for a bit of self-indulgence. I just love these sets!!
unnamedunnamed (1)
Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil in Peppermint and Vanilla Buttercream, $6.99
For a limited time only, Sally Hansen’s Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oils come in two delicious holiday scents. The oils are available in either tasty vanilla buttercream or refreshing peppermint. Indulge your senses with the creamy and merry aromas that celebrate the holiday spirit. Your cuticles and nails crave moisture and protection during the cold holiday season, so grab these Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oils for the perfect stocking stuffer gift. Enriched with a natural essential oil complex with Vitamin E, its formula leaves skin and nails feeling hydrated, soft, and healthy while helping to protect nails. My favorite is the Vanilla Buttercream!
Look for these gift ideas where Sally Hansen products are sold!
Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images and information were also provided. 

5 Tips to Teaching Your Toddler to Swim

Watching your toddler learn some new skills can be a magical experience, and none is as rewarding as teaching them how to swim. The goal is to help them learn to swim early and avoid a fear of water. This is important not just for your kids’ safety, but also for their enjoyment.

This is one of the main reasons why swimming lessons have become more and more popular. But what if you can’t afford regular swimming lessons or just want to avoid this route? These 5 tips will help you make your home training a success:

  1. Make Water Activities Fun

The first step when teaching your toddler to swim is to help them love being in the water. This might be a bit harder if they already have a fear of the water, but you can still get the job done. Start off by letting your toddler have a lot of play time during their baths, This way, they can learn to relax and get more comfortable in their little “pool”.

  1. Get the Right Floats

There are very many floatation products currently available on the market. So, how do you pick the right one? The best swim floaties for toddlers are those that help your little one learn to relax and enjoy the water. They are designed to ensure your toddler learns early on how to be truly buoyant while swimming.

Also, look for floaties that will roll your toddler over. This safety feature ensures that your child will not be vulnerable to the face down dangers that plague so many floatation devices on the market.

When using floats, your first step will be to teach your toddler how to use them to keep their balance while in the water. As long as you give your child enough space to learn, this step will not take them too long to ace.

  1. Teach Them How to Hold Their Breath

When you get into the focused lessons, it is a good idea to start by teaching your toddler how to hold their breath. A fun way to do this is by blowing bubbles on the water surface. This will help your child get used to having at least part of their face in the water.

You could also simply blow in your child’s face. This easy approach takes advantage of their natural response in such a case – which is to hold their breath. It is also a great way to teach your toddler how to hold their breath without physically holding their nose, which is not recommended for younger kids.

  1. Set Aside Lesson Time for Swimming

Once your child has mastered the key basics, you have to focus on actually teaching them how to swim. To do this, set aside a dedicated time for the swimming lessons. Because children are natural imitators, it is also important to ensure that you are always present at these times. More importantly, make sure that your lessons are short and fun!

  1. Start with Baby Steps

To start your lessons, the only thing you really need is an appropriate pool. This means that it should fill up to your toddler’s upper chest or chin level, but not over their head.

In the beginning, your goal should be to help your toddler learn better swimming techniques. This means your focus will be on teaching them how to move their arms and kick their feet in the water.

You should also help your child out as much as possible. For example, start off by having them hold on to the wall as they swim to you. By doing this, you will give them the skills and confidence they need to be great swimmers in no time.  

CHUT UP Condiments are Healthier for you and they taste good too!

ChutUp_Logo_Web

Looking for condiments that taste good and are healthy? Have you heard of Chut Up Condiments?  Beet KetchupApple & Caramelized Onion Chutney and Peri Peri Hot Sauce. I had the opportunity to try them and they are quite tasty! I really like that they are healthier too! They are made with high-quality ingredients and my favorite is the Peri Peri Hot Sauce!

Which one do YOU want to try?

Check these out at https://www.chut-up.com/

Chutup_Render_Group_a_R3

 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. 

Jergens Nourishing Honey Dry Skin Moisturizer is a Must-Buy for the upcoming Winter!

unnamed (4)

Does your skin seem drier in the Winter? I know that mine does! There is a solution! Keep your skin hydrated this winter with the new Jergens Nourishing Honey Dry Skin Moisturizer. It made my skin feel softer instantly and it’s great to use after the shower!

WHY IT’S DIFFERENT: Honey is currently one of the most buzzed about ingredients in skincare. Formulated with antioxidant-packed Orange Blossom Honey, which is known to contain potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the new Jergens® Nourishing Honey Dry Skin Moisturizer softens dry skin and keeps it smooth and hydrated 24/7. Its refreshing, citrusy Orange Blossom scent enlivens and invigorates the senses.
STAR INGREDIENT: Orange Blossom Honey, which is gathered from the blossoms of Florida’s orange tree groves during the spring. Nourishing and natural, honey is nature’s most powerful humectant that continuously pulls moisture in from the air, preserving it deep within the layers of the skin for concentrated, nourishment that lasts all day.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
• Contains naturally hydrating, antioxidant-packed honey • Provides all-day nourishment • Retains moisture deep within the skin • Refreshes with an invigorating floral scent
• Softens skin with a smoothing, non-sticky formula
WHAT IT COSTS: $5.99 for 16.8 oz.
Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this beauty post. Images and info were also provided. Any opinions expressed are my own. 

Jack is Pet of the Week!

Jack December 7 Pet of the Week

Noble, stately, dignified, loyal—they all describe Jack, a 6-year-old male boxer mix with brindle fur. Jack knows some commands, loves treats and loves people as well. He seems to be waiting for his people to come back for him—but they won’t. They left him at the shelter and went away. Can you make the holidays happy for him? He’ll return the favor a hundredfold. Meet Jack on the shelter side of the Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A545759.

 (The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

Credit: The Companion Animal Village.

LA Travel Destination: Bai Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

Screen Shot 2017-09-21 at 10.51.08 AM_preview

Tonight (and every Wednesday) is Arabian Nights (5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)featuring Disney’s ALADDIN theme skate performance. And a few other fun events going on:

  • Silent Skate Party – Holiday Ice Rink presents its Silent Skate Party on Thursday, Nov. 30 and Wednesday, Dec. 13. Choose from three different channels of music and dance/skate the night away! Costumes are encouraged and skaters of all ages are welcome. Two sessions, 7-8 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.
  • Polar Bear Skate – One of the city’s most popular New Year’s Day traditions, the Polar Bear Skate is L.A.’s version of Canada’s “Polar Bear Plunge,” taking place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2018, Skaters are invited to dress in their chicest, wildest and most inventive beach attire. Prizes awarded for theme, originality and overall appearance. Spectators pick the winner!

Credit: Bai Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square. Image and info were provided.