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Char-Broil Nights NYC Pop-Up Shop #CharBroilNights

1 Jul

I love BBQ and grilling and the smell of meat on the grill. I attended Char-Broil’s first ever NYC Pop Up Shop. This invite only event was a hands on experience complete with grilling and smoking stations, deliciously prepared foods, cocktails, spice bar and s’mores bar. I just have to say a two-in-one gas grill and smoker is on my wish list. The baby lamb chops with chimichurri sauce, the pulled pork sliders, sausage souvlaki tacos,skirt steak skewers and jumbo grilled shrimp were banging. Cocktails on point and appetizers were very good. I made a jar of spices to take home and roasted s’mores. I enjoyed the evening with my friends.



Char-Broil is offering grillers the best of both worlds with the debut of Gas2Coal™, a two-in-one gas and charcoal grill that provides grillers the option to grill with the ease and convenience of gas or with the smoky flavor of charcoal – all within one sleek grill. The grill features a first-ever, patented charcoal tray which lights coals with the touch of a button, eliminating the hassle and mess of lighter fluid and helping grillers of all skill levels to take their meals to the next level.

Gas2Coal saves space while eliminating the hassle and mess grillers typically experience with charcoal, while making it easy to experiment with different grilling methods. With Gas2Coal, grillers of all experience levels can explore different cooking methods to help expand their palates and culinary imagination just in time for grilling season.

Gas2Coal is available for purchase exclusively at Lowe’s store through June 2016, or online at Lowes.com.


Char-Broil, one of the world’s oldest and most respected outdoor cooking companies, made it easier than ever today for consumers to monitor and control the smoking process with the launch of the Simple Smoker ($299) and Digital Electric Smoker ($399) with the Char-Broil app and SmartChef™ technology. The first of their kind, these smokers sync to your smart device over Wi-Fi utilizing the Char-Broil app, which allows connected users more convenience and freedom than ever before. Users of all skill levels will have an outdoor cooking experience that is all about leveraging innovative technology to consistently create superior taste, perfect cooking techniques and enjoy an effortless smoking routine.

Adding to Char-Broil’s portfolio of innovative products and features consumers can get real-time cooking info through the Char-Broil app and make adjustments as needed, including:

*Meat temperature

*Estimated cook time and done time

*Chamber temperature 

When users are connected to their home network, they have the ability to control and adjust these settings at their fingertips. But – unlike other competing products – once users are out of their network range, they can continue to monitor the smoker from the Char-Broil app.
Signaled by an integrated meat probe, the app will send notifications at key cooking times, so users never need to worry about overcooking or continuously checking their meats. The app also provides a preprogrammed library of recipes for the amateur or adventurous cookers and is compatible with iOS and Android phones.
Both are perfectly suited for holiday meals and everyday use. The Digital Electric Smoker gives users long lasting smoke and more capacity allowing for large meal preparations, while the Simple Smoker offers convenience and versatility, allowing users to slowly smoke a brisket at a low temperature or safely fry a turkey to perfection without oil.

The Simple Smoker and Digital Electric Smoker are available for purchase on the Char-Broil website ( http://www.charbroil.com) and Amazon. 

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

American Girl Doll Launches Wellie Wishers At Momtrends Event

30 Jun

My daughter recently turned 9 years old and I’ve never taken her to the American Girl Store. I’ve never been there myself. We’ve passed by it plenty of times but I’ve never had the time till recently. The only problem is that she still hasn’t been there. I attended an event given by Momtrends for the launch of the new dolls Wellie Wishers. 


Wellie Wishers are a group of sweet and silly girls who each have the same bug bright wish to be a good friend. They are rocking cute colorful garden boots and are cared for by their wonderful Aunt Miranda. 

They are finding out that “good deeds” such as cooperating, sharing, taking turns, respecting feelings and making it right aren’t always the easiest things to do but they are just the right things to do to make beautiful friendships bloom. 


Walking into the American Girl Store was wonderful as I followed the footsteps up to the third floor where a tea party awaited. It was beautifully decorated and I met author Valerie Tripp who has written over 40 books for American Girl. She spoke about the Wellie Wishers and other books and also gave everyone signed copies of a Wellie Wishers book. We also got to choose a Wellie Wishers doll. I chose Ashlyn for my daughter. That was her first choice and it kind of rhymes with her name Taylinn. The description of Ashlyn is: She’s the generous soul of the social circle. Her fancy-free party themes are just the right thing to turn a friend’s frown upside down. I picked the right one. 


If Ashlyn wasn’t your choice there was Emerson, Willa, Kendall and Camille. They’re all adorable. 
The dolls are 14.5″.They retail for $60. You can also purchase matching outfits for your daughter and her doll, wellies, socks, doll houses, etc. I purchased socks and a ladybug hairbrush for my daughter. The boots (wellies) don’t come in her size. If you order online there’s free shipping through 7/31. http://www.americangirl.com/shop/dolls/


Now you know I have to take my daughter to Ametican Girl Store because I’ve been and I want her to experience it with her doll and have a tea party as well. She was very happy with her doll and accessories. 


To explore the world of the Wellie Wishers through books, online games and more check out http://www.anericangirl.com/play/welliewishers

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. I was given a doll and book for my daughter. Thank you Momtrends and American Girl for everything. 

#TheBFG Movie Review 

29 Jun

Do you know any Big Friendly Giants? I surely don’t but if I did I would hope to know the one in Disney’s new movie The BFG. There are giants living in Giant Country and one of them is the friendliest giant you could ever meet. We were invited to a screening yesterday in Times Square. 



Sophie, a little orphan girl opens the curtain and spots something she shouldn’t see and is taken on a journey to Giant Country by a ginormous giant. Why did this giant take Sophie? He tells her he doesn’t want her to tell anyone about him because he doesn’t want to be locked away. 

BFG’s language isn’t quite the English language you’d expect to hear which is what makes it even more funnier when he speaks. He’s never had schooling but he can read. He’s never even had a grind or compliments for that matter. Listen closely for the unusual words he use.

BFG is a dream collector and can turn your dreaming into a friendly or evil one. He’s bullied by even more bigger incompetent Giants who can’t do anything for themselves and bother BFG for no reason. 

Once the bullies find out BFG is hiding a human they won’t stop until they find her. Sophie is a fighter though and a smart cookie who with the help of BFG enlist the help of The Queen of England.(Queen Mum) to get rid of these giant bullies for good. Do they succeed? I guess you have to check out the movie coming to theaters July 1st. Check @BFGMovie on Twitter for more info. 

Steven Spielberg did an amazing job. Ruby Barnhill plays Sophie and she’s so cute. She was perfect for the part. 

A Snozzcumber is a disgusting vegetable that BFG eats in Giant Country. It’s the only food he has. When you see it you will see why it’s disgusting. 


We enjoyed this film very much. We had a GLORIUMPTIOUS time. 


Disclosure: We were invited to attend screening by Disney. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secrets of The Sewer Exhibit at Liberty Science Center 

20 Jun

Lion and tigers and bears Oh No…. not at this event but there were lots of Turtles. We got an invite from Momtrends to attend Liberty Science Center for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer Exhibit. Open May 28, 2016 to September 5, 2016. 


This summer you can visit the underground lair of your favorite shelled crime-fighters and enjoy hours of creative play as you leap into action and solve puzzles, mazes, and obstacles.


Shoot pizza at enemy targets, navigate a rope maze without triggering alarms, and peer through the Street View Periscope to see Turtles on the NYC street above you. Then crawl through sewer pipes to discover hidden artworks, practice skateboarding skills on balance board skateboards, test your knowledge of the Ninja Turtles’ history in an interactive game, and more! Liberty Science Center is the first stop on the exhibition’s first-ever national tour.


My kids and their friends were all over the place. There were real live baby turtles and huge tortoises. We had a pizza party and attended the cooking demo and “Science of Pizza” event with Donatella Arpai and the TMNT characters. My daughter rolled real pizza dough. The kids took home a Certified Pizza Ninja Certificate and we tossed fake pizza dough up in the air. 

We stayed after the event and explored Liberty Science Center with friends. It turned out to be a great day and took a short time from Manhattan to get there. My kids are already asking to go back. I’m all for it. 

Check out http://www.lsc.org for more info and on Instagram @libertysciencecenter

Disclosure: This is a compensated post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Finding Dory Review #FindingDory #JustKeepSwimming 

16 Jun

I finally got to see Ellen Degeneres in person. Well, sorta in person or shall I say more like on the big screen and as a blue fish. We were invited to an advance screening of Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory in 3D. I’ve always been a fan of Ellen so if this is as close as I can get to her then I’ll take it. My kids and I have been waiting for Finding Dory and we were very excited to see how the movie played out. 


Dory is so cute. She’s not annoying to me at all. She just suffers from short term memory loss. What’s wrong with that? I would still love to have Dory as a friend because when she puts her mind to something she can remember things. She’s actually pretty smart.

Dory is on a mission to find her parents with the help of her friends. She was separated from them when she was younger. She goes through a lot to try and remember her childhood and where she lived so she can get back home. She’s one tough little fish. 

It was good to see Marlin and Nemo. Destiny the nearsighted whale shark was also a fun character. 

Everyone will be talking whale by the time they leave the theater. We enjoyed this film as we knew we would. We all still hope one day to meet Ellen in person at a taping of her show. 

http://movies.disney.com/finding-dory

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarFindingDory

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/findingdory

Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/DisneyPixar

Voice Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Hayden Rolence, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy.

Finding Dory is swimming to a theater near you June 17, 2016. Get your tickets now! And let me know Have You Seen Her?

Disclosure: We were invited to attend this screening. This post is not compensated. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Amazon’s Emmy-nominated Annedroids

16 Jun

I’m all for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and applaud those who are taking a part in it now and pursuing a future in STEM careers. 

I was asked to review new episodes from the third season of Annedroids which will debut on Amazon Prime Video Friday, June 24th.

Amazon’s Emmy-nominated Annedroids, a live-action adventure series about Anne, a young female scientist, her human friends and the android assistants she’s created, and the amazing scientific discoveries they make while undertaking the biggest experiment of them all: growing up. The series spotlights, through trial and error, how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can inspire children to do great things. 

As a mom of four I love watching educational kids programs and shows that teach my kids how to problem solve or think for themselves and how friends help each other in certain situations and how to have fun while learning a lesson.

As soon as the show started I knew I was going to like it. My daughter even asked what I was watching and sat down and watched with me. We loved it. Friends meet in Anne’s secret science lab (junkyard) where Anne created android assistants. They’ve been with Anne since she was little. She’s taught them so much and they’re great helpers. Anne’s human friends are also great helpers, funny and smart. Anne lives with her father and he also plays a big part in helping her with her androids. We’re ready to see all the episodes and start from Season 1. 


Pal is my favorite Android who asks lots of questions and seems like a real kid with real feelings. I would love to have Pal as a friend. 


On June 24th, Prime members can stream the third season of Annedroids at no additional cost to their Prime membership with the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices and mobile devices, or online at amazon.com/annedroids. Prime members will also be able to download the series for offline viewing on iOS, Android and Fire devices at no additional cost. Annedroids is also available as part of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the all-you-can-eat subscription service designed from the ground up for kids. FreeTime Unlimited is available exclusively on Amazon devices including Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and a year-long subscription is included with every Fire HD Kids Edition.

Here’s the link to the Annedroids page on  Amazon:(https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dinstant-video&field-keywords=annedroids).

Let me know if you check it out. Hope you do! 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of KidzVuz. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

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. 

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