Archive | June, 2016

Leapfrog’s New 2016 Product Lineup

14 Jun

LeapFrog hosted their annual product showcase in New York on Tuesday, June 7th and I was invited to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their new 2016 product lineup.

LeapFrog announced LeapStart, a new interactive workbook that helps to prepare kids for the classroom and life beyond, as well as the full 2016 toy lineup for Back to School and Holiday. 
This year’s products focus teaching 21st Century Learning Skills, which intertwines school curriculum with new ways of thinking, problem solving and collaborating, to prepare children for a quickly-evolving, globally-connected world.

 The 2016 product lineup includes:

LeapStart: A new interactive system and library of activity books that bring learning to life to teach key school and life skills. There are two platforms, one for Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten and one for Kindergarten & 1st Grade and each is compatible with the LeapStart activity books that help build key skills and challenge kids to get ready for their next step in learning. Priced at $39.99 for the LeapStart system and $12.99 for 16 additional LeapStart Activity Books.


Melody the Musical Turtle: Ten musical activities prompt toddlers aged 2 years and up to find numbers and colors, repeat sequences from memory and create tunes by pressing light-up buttons on Melody’s shell. Priced at $19.99.


Count Along Register: Budding entrepreneurs can run a store and expand their imagination through pretend play and exercise social play skills that help them build a foundation for core and life skills. The talking, interactive cash register features an adorable character that talks, sings and lights up, offering much more than typical calculator-like cash registers. Priced at $19.99


Learn & Groove Musical Mat: An interactive floor mat that develops cognitive and physical development. Kids get to move, dance, and play music while they learn foundational mathematics skills, as well as 21st century skills, such as creativity as they compose their own tunes, and collaboration as they play with friends. Priced at $29.99.

Which product catches your eye? Check out http://www.leapfrog.com for more information and @leapfrog on Twitter. 

Disclosure: I was invited to the showcase. Opinions are mine 100% as always. This post is not compensated. 
 

Olive Garden’s Never Ending Family Table Kicks Off At Highline In NYC 

6 Jun

Olive Garden Unveils New Breadstick Sandwiches and Deep Dish Spaghetti Pies.

Summer Sampling Tour Gives Families and Friends Nationwide Opportunity to Gather Around the Table. Last summer, America fell in love with Breadstick Sandwiches when they debuted in restaurants and on food trucks touring the country. Inspired by fans’ excitement and passion, Olive Garden is hitting the road again helping guests across the country create summer memories. The Olive Garden Never Ending Family Table will cross the nation to give fans the opportunity to gather together and sample the new menu items. 

Olive Garden is doubling its offering of Breadstick Sandwiches and bringing new twists on an Italian classic. Beginning this week, iconic Olive Garden menu items will transform with new varieties of the legendary Breadstick Sandwiches and brand new Deep Dish Spaghetti Pies. To celebrate, Olive Garden is giving unique and customized opportunities for families to come together around the table.

This first-of-its-kind summer-long celebration kicks off in New York City where the table will grow along the High Line. From there, the two versions of the Never Ending Family Table will continue across the country delighting guests with the new food. One will have a planned route through a new city every week. The second is dedicated to surprising guests and will continuously pop up at summer celebrations, such as birthdays, family reunions and graduation parties. To submit your summer celebration story and to learn more about the mobile tour, visit olivegarden.com/familytable. All summer, guests will be selected to receive customized Olive Garden dining experiences at the Never Ending Family Table or in restaurants.


I was invited June 2nd to the High Line for the kick off and sat at the family table where I  had great conversation, met lots of people and tried out delicious new items on the menu. Thousands of people showed their support and love of The Olive Garden. 



Available for lunch, the new Breadstick Sandwiches joining the popular Chicken Parmigiana and Italian Meatball Breadstick Sandwiches are:

**Spicy Calabrian Chicken Breadstick Sandwich: Lightly breaded chicken, fried and tossed in our spicy Calabrian sauce served with tangy gorgonzola sauce on Olive Garden’s signature breadstick.

Eggplant Parmigiana Breadstick Sandwich: Hand-breaded eggplant, fried and topped with Italian cheese and marinara served on Olive Garden’s signature breadstick.

 

Olive Garden is giving guests new ways to enjoy spaghetti throughout the day:

**Meatball Deep Dish Spaghetti Pie: Spaghetti, seven cheeses and Italian bacon baked to perfection in a flaky crust and topped with meatballs and homemade meat sauce.

**Chicken Alfredo Deep Dish Spaghetti Pie: Spaghetti, seven cheeses and Italian bacon baked to perfection in a flaky crust and topped with grilled chicken and our homemade Alfredo.

Spaghetti Rosso with Chicken & Bacon: Tomato-infused spaghetti with grilled chicken, bacon, red peppers, tomatoes and asparagus tossed in a homemade Parmesan pesto sauce.

**These are what were on the menu at the High Line along with the Italian Meatball Breadstick sandwich. 

I can’t wait to try them all. I was beyond stuffed because these were being served all day. I met the sweetest staff and chefs who took care of me throughout the day and was also informed by staff and the manager that an Olive Garden is coming to Harlem this summer. I can’t wait because as a Harlem resident this is great for my community. I am really looking forward to the ribbon cutting ceremony and maybe joining the team. Also looking forward to taking the family out to eat and try the new sandwiches and spaghetti pies. 

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. I was invited to attend event. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 
 

Entenmann’s and The Salvation Army Celebrate National Donut Day #EntenmannsDonuts

6 Jun

Don’t you wish everyday was National Donut Day? Well maybe not everyday but every month would be nice. National Donut Day was held June 3rd this year and  the Entenmann’s Donuts event was where you needed to be for free donuts and coffee. The rain didn’t stop New Yorkers from joining in the celebration and satisfying their sweet tooth. 


Entenmann’s Donuts always put a smile on our faces at home and I had to be there to show my support. The Salvation Army was presented with a check from Entenmann’s for $35,000. 


The Salvation Army founded the holiday in 1938 in Chicago to honor the Donut Lassies who served these treats to soldiers and help raise needed funds during the Great Depression. Today, The Salvation Army continues to provide meals, including donuts and numerous other vital services to clients who visit The Salvation Army programs daily. 

It was a great day for free donuts & coffee and we can’t wait till next year. In the meantime I will still be eating donuts. 

Follow @SalvationArmyUS on Twitter 

Follow @Entenmanns on Twitter and Instagram



Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. I was invited to attend event. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Out Of The Shadows Movie Review #TMNT2

3 Jun

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Out Of The Shadows hit theaters today and I’m sure many fans purchased their tickets in advance to not be disappointed when it’s sold out on opening day. 

Thanks to Paramount Pictures my family and I saw a movie screening  a few weeks ago and we absolutely loved it. Check out my favorites below. 


*Favorite scenes: Will Arnett aka Vernon Fenwick at basketball game getting hit my spit balls. Megan Fox aka Aptil O’ Neil and Stephen Amell aka Casey Jones fighting scene in alley. Turtles in airplane was very cool and funny. 

*Favorite laugh goes to: Tyler Perry aka Baxter Stockman. 

*Favorite Ninja Turtle: Raphael. I mean look at him. 

*Favorite vehicle: Turtle garbage truck with all the cool weapons. 

*Favorite food: Pizza of course 

*Favorite Villain: Shredder 

*Favorite place to hangout: Secret Sewer Lair 

*Favorite line: MY MAN

We also enjoyed Popsicles with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ Michelangelo™, Donatello™, Raphael™ and Leonardo™.  They are the heroes of these frozen pops bold, refreshing flavors like, Orange Fury, Cherry Crush, Blue Raspberry Blast and Smashing Grape — this variety pack is helping parents share the turtle-power nostalgia with their little superheroes this summer.

Cherry Crush was choice number one. They kept us cool and we know the turtles would enjoy them too. Check out the Popsicles here: http://www.popsicle.com/product


Check out @TMNTMovie on Twitter for more info. Get your tickets now! http://www.teenagemutantninjaturtlesmovie.com/

Disclosure: My family and I were invited to the screening. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Nintendo’s Disney Art Academy Game 

1 Jun

I attended a Disney Art Academy event at the Nintendo store at Rockefeller Plaza. I was among the first to play the game that was co-hosted by Sabrina Carpenter, Hollywood Records recording artist and star of the Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World. For the first time in the Art Academy series, Disney Art Academy teaches players to draw some of the most classic and recognizable Disney and Pixar characters using a variety of drawing tools like pastels, paintbrushes and markets. A new edition is the Magic Brush where you can add glitter, stars and clouds to your masterpiece. There are more than 80 characters.

 


I loved art class growing up and my kids also love drawing so I knew this was going to be a fun event. We were given a Nintendo 3DS and started with a tutorial step by step learning how to draw Olaf from Frozen and I even tried to draw Mickey Mouse. I love how easy it was and you don’t have to be a professional you just take your time and follow directions. 

Sabrina Carpenter showed us her skills and I felt like a true artist. We even had berets to wear and cute mini paint brushes and easels at our tables. There was also a Disney stuffed animal at each table as well. 

If you make a mistake that’s not a problem because you can erase and start over. At the end you can save your art work to your SD card. It’s also Rated E for Everyone. Suggested retail price is $29.99. I enjoyed this game very much and I knew my kids would also enjoy. Nintendo was kind enough to send a 3DS XL for my kids. Of course they argued about who gets it. I gave it to my 13 yr old since he’s always been a fan of Nintendo. 

Have no fear I said to my daughter since the announcement that the Nimtendo 2DS system price dropped to $79.99 on May 20. It also comes pre-installed with Mario Kart 7. Click on this link for more info: http://www.nintendo.com/2ds


My son just purchased this game for his 3DS and he loves it just as much as Disney Art Academy. My kids enjoyed drawing Disney and Pixar characters on the 3DS. I also tried to draw a few more characters like Simba from The Lion King and Elsa from Frozen. My son takes his 3DS with him when we travel and plays it everyday at home. 


Check out @NintendoAmerica on Twitter. 


Disclosure: I was invited to this event from Nintendo and given a Nintendo 3DS XL for my kids honest review. Opinions are mine 100% as always. Thank you Nintendo. This post is not compensated. 
 

Disney’s Alice Through The Looking Glass Top 10 Reasons To See 

1 Jun

Disney’s Alice Through The Looking Glass was an incredible film. I took the kids to a screening that we were invited to by Disney. I love anything Disney and we were excited to see. The 3-D effects were perfect for this film. Lots of exciting things were coming at us from all angles. 


Why we liked it and why you should see it:

1. Adventure movies are fun. We get to follow along on a journey and hope that it turns out good in the end. 

2. Cheshire the Cat. I want to have him. Can I just take him home with me? Who doesn’t want Cheshire? I mean really. Love his voice, cool smile and disappearing acts. 


3. Johnny Depp “The Mad Hatter”, even though when his eyes turned black my daughter got a little scared he’s still super cool and I love his acting. I definitely need a wig like his. Would love him as a friend. 


4. Time. He’s the one in charge. He’s funny he is “time” and he just might make you like him. 


5. Alice. Yes women can do anything they put their mind to. Doesn’t fear anything. Must save her friend. 

6. Chronosphere . I need this so I can go back in time maybe three times a week. 
7. Red Queen. You will notice her. She has the enormous head with red hair, hence the name “Red Queen.” Is she really a bad/evil person or does she just want to be loved? 


8. You get to hear recording artist, Pink new song “Just Like Fire”

9. If you saw the first one you have to see this one. 

10. In theaters now! See a matinee, take a group, family fun day. Check out @DisneyAliceFilm on Twitter for more info. 

Disclosure: Thank you Disney for the invite. This is not a compensated post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

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