The power of The Princess and the Frog

I just finished watching The Princess and the Frog with my little princess. I know I'm four months late, but I MUST post about my feelings about the movie. (BTW, I was not asked to do a review nor was I paid in any way nor received anything free. These are my thoughts and recommendations). GET YOURSELF A COPY OF THIS DVD; IN FACT, BUY TWO!!!!

At Blogalicious we got a sneak peek of the movie and I was super psyched to see it. However, I was unavailable the movie's release weekend, so hubby took princess to see it. I figured it would be a great daddy-daughter outing anyway, so I didn't sweat it. Then once the movie was scheduled for dvd release, princess asked for it. Hubby promised to get it and so did my mom in Canada. So, unbeknownst to me, hubby purchased it on Tuesday, after my mom did the same and shipped it to the States for her granddaughter.

Once I discovered that we would potentially have 2 copies of the movie, I decided that we should simply return the one bought here. As you can imagine though, once princess got wind of the purchase she had to see it immediately; as if her life depended on it. Having not seen it, I figured that copy number 2 would be a great birthday present for someone. However, after seeing it tonight, I've changed my mind and we will keep both copies - one for use and the other as a back-up and here's why:

Inspirational movie

The movie's message is so grounded and inspirational. Dream big and work hard! I loved that Tiana's dreams were centered around making something of herself and they weren't simply to get married to a prince and live happily ever after, as so many fairy tales end. I was also impressed that their challenges weren't simply solved by the prince. She was as involved in solving their problems as anyone else. Also, the music was so culturally rich and the message was so powerful that I appreciate and welcome my princess listening everyday - "I'm almost there" and "Dig a little deeper" are mantras that I hope she will live by.

Inspiring me to dream

For those of you who attended Blogalicious, you may remember one of our keynote speakers, Karen Walrond's (@chookooloonks) presentation during the Disney sponsored lunch. Her talk was entitled "The Beauty of Different" and it tied perfectly to the movie's theme. Karen gave us a glimpse into her life and walked us through how she ended up pursuing her passion and her dream of being an author/photographer/business woman. You may also remember that my emotions got the better of me during my thank you to Karen because her courage and strength to pursue her dream has touched me deeply. As I watched the movie tonight, Karen's words of encouragement echoed in the back of my mind because I actually saw through Tiana how perseverant, courageous and determined you have to be to live your dream and be truly happy. I am emotional as I write because the combination of messages is driving me to figure out how I can make my dream come true. Considering that I am struggling with this issue right now, you can only imagine how confused I am. I will figure it out!

Buying the black movie

I read somewhere that the movie did not meet Disney's revenue target and may be considered as an under-performing film. We cannot affect box office sales, but we've got to get out there and buy the dvd. It's a great film and it's the first black princess and I think it's imperative that we support this effort to show the buying power of people of color. It hurts my heart that despite the great recession, at the end of the day, Disney (and maybe others) may attribute lower revenues than expected to the fact that the princess was of color. I feel like we've got to show them (whomever that are) that we are a force in the marketplace and that they should continue to market product that specifically appeal to people of color. Please don't spend your $14.99 on Hannah Montana or the Backyardigans before spending it on The Princess and Frog!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition - It's a Giveaway!

Is your three-year-old daughter driving you crazy with the incessant watching of HSM 3? Is your five-year-old daughter working your nerves with the constant references to Hannah? Or is that just me? Ahem. Just when I was about to swear off Disney for good (ok, not really - after all, Tiana is coming!), they won me back over with their limited release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition. The original movie made history in 1937 as the first full-length animated feature ever made. Another fun fact for you movie buffs: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first film to ever have a motion picture soundtrack, and the first film that uses music to advance the story.

For the first time in 7 years, Disney is releasing the classic movie, and it's in high-def Blu-ray. in the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition Combo Pack, there is a Blu-ray disc and a DVD all in one package. The set also comes with plenty of extras, including High-Def sound, Backstage Disney scenes, Disney Family Plan games, and tons of other bonus features. Thanks to Disney and One2One Network for sending me and my girls one to review. Now, I don't have a Blu-ray player, but it didn't matter in the least. My girls and I watched the DVD version on my laptop on the plane ride home from Blogalicious and it was great. Brought back memories for me (and also a few chuckles at how times have changed). I was worried for a second that my kids would get bored of it quickly, since it looks so different than the cartoons that they watch these days, but they loved it.

Would the little princess in your life like to have her very Diamond Edition of Snow White? She's in luck. For your chance to win a copy of the Combo Pack ($39.99 SRP), please leave us a comment. Giveaway ends Sunday, November 8.


Ah yes, Prince Charming. He hasn't aged a bit.

Review: Simply enjoyable!

I'm home a little earlier during the summer months and that means that I'm more or less responsible for making dinner. I used to cook up a storm in my younger days, mostly Trinidadian food, but for one reason or another, I just don't have the interest or the time to make a real meal often.

Although I'm home fairly early and my days are not that stressful right now, I just don't have the energy to cook. So, I've been relying on frozen meals. I know, I know, that's not the healthiest choice that I could make but in my little part of the universe, I think a frozen pasta and vegetable meal far outbeats fast food!

To that end, I want to share with you that I absolutely love a brand that is sold at Giant Grocery Stores in the DC area (I'm not sure whether it's sold in other stores, but this is where we get it) and it's called "Simply Enjoy". The brand name encapsulates the experience. Their offerings are elegant, simple and tasty. I have had mushroom risotto, rice veggie scallops medley and a vegetable offering that were simply delightful.

I don't know how much sodium, fat or calories are in these meals, but I do know that they taste good (you might be able to pass them off as your own), they're easy and it's quick. Next time you go to the grocery look for them and buy an offering or two and let me know what you think.

P.S. I am in love with Golden Oreo cookies - have you tried them as yet? I could eat an entire package in one sitting.

BTW, This is not a sponsored or paid review; nor did I receive any of the items for free or at the behest of a marketer or company. Just a tip from one mama to another.

Walmart: Why I dislike thee - Let me count the ways

There is not a Walmart in my immediate vicinity here in DC (although there are 2 Targets), so I don't visit Walmart often. However, I went shopping the other day and strolled into Walmart - the ultimate one stop shop and I realized, my golly I can't stand Walmart. So I asked myself why and here are my reasons:

1. It's the ultimate one-stop shop - give me a break, do I really want to buy goldfish and milk and fabric and a flat screen tv ALL in the same place and then have dinner at Subway or Mc Donalds, get my nails done and go to the bank?

2. Awful lighting - I rationalized that it could just be that store, but then I remembered that I had the exact thought at another location I visited.

3. No music - this awful ad track looped the entire time I was in the store (about 45 mins) reminding customers about the great specials offered by Walmart.

4. Roll-back prices - give me a break...because everything ends in 88 or 44 cents does not mean it's cheap. Their prices are just about the same as everywhere else. I didn't really see any deals. Maybe their sales are better, but their regular prices weren't that cheap.

5. Odd scent - maybe because there are so many goods sold in this one location there is a dreaded symphony of scents.

6. Equate brand - I assume that's the Walmart brand because rather than my regular choice of brand products, I was bombarded by Equate everywhere I looked...can we get some selection please?

7. Lack of selection - I love walking down three or four aisles of products, for instance bathroom accessories/furnishings. It was as if Walmart decided for its customers that bathrooms should only be decorated in seven colors because that was all that was offered down the single aisle.

8. Blue smocks - Walmart...you are a billion dollar company, can you please buy some real shirts for your employees? The blue smock reminded me of the debate about how Walmart treats its employees - the smock represents dispensability. They refuse to invest in a t-shirt per employee; let's just give them smocks and then recycle the smocks as employees come and go.

9. That freaking tagline - Are they trying to convince us (and themselves) that we are "saving money" and "living better" by buying at Walmart.

10. Strange organization - I guess their psychologists assessed their shoppers and recommended that the store layout doesn't need to make logical sense because I don't understand how the store is laid out. I guess they make you walk through all the junk to get to the high-selling items.

11. Itsy-bitsy aisles - Do they not want two shoppers standing shoulder-to-shoulder in an aisle at the same time? I felt like I was downtown Manhattan at rush hour trying to wade my way through the store. W-i-d-e-n the aisles!

12. "-Mart" - The "-Mart" describes the entire shopping experience. I should have known!

Folks...maybe it was just my experience at these area Walmarts - maybe not!!! If you've got a different opinion, please share because I am now quite disgusted when I even see a tv ad.

What's for dinner

I was trying to figure out what I was going to cook last night for dinner and do you know where I checked first for ideas - Fergie's "What's for Dinner". Fergie....You always think of creative dishes and I know you do your homework so it was a great resource. Thanks!

The Doctors vs. Oprah?

I stumbled across a CBS show called "The Doctors" this afternoon. It's squarely up against Oprah in my area. I don't typically watch any sort of non-news related tv in the afternoon, but since I saw the midday news today I wanted some other background noise. I opted for this show because Oprah was talking about clutter (really, who cares!). Anyway, this episode today was For Women Only. I did not pay it much attention at first because I figured who cares to hear about bras and pantylines AGAIN. I was thinking, this is so superficial.

I was pleasantly surprised at its depth; of course, I say this with the caveat of trying to cover all female only areas of concern in less than 1 hour. They talked about vaginal odor, botox, sex during pregnancy, skin issues and what happens to breasts during pregnancy, the functional purposes of bras, the risks of wearing thongs. Of course, I believe that many of us have asked our friends/relatives/doctors etc. some of these questions, but it was interesting to watch it covered in a frank and mature way on television.

I wonder whether this episode got higher ratings than Oprah's episode today?

Anyway...check out the link to today's show for more information (see above).

LOVE IT! Thursdays: Da Bib

This summer I was lucky enough to receive 2 free DaBibs from Chez Shea Baby, Inc. When they arrived I thought that they were really cute and stylish, but that because they were so big, I probably wouldn't end up using them for awhile - until Li'l Buddy was eating solids at least. Boy was I wrong! For the past month or so, Li'l Buddy has been drooling like it's going out of style! I asked the pediatrician at his 2-month appointment if he was (gasp!) teething, but she assured me that he was not and that the drooling was likely because babies' salivating glands are immature and uncontrollable at that age. Thank goodness. At the rate he's growing though, I wouldn't be surprised if he had teeth by next week.

In any case, I started putting bibs on him. You all know how those infant bibs are: very cute, flimsy, and tiny and all matchy-matchy with the little outfits? Well, they might have looked cute, but were definitely not doing the job of keeping him dry. So I dug out a DaBib and decided to give it a try. It was great!

Just like the company says, the bib is very soft, super absorbent and provides full coverage. It wasn't too big at all as I had expected. One of the best things about it is the "scrunch" neckline that prevents anything from leaking through to the neckline -- often a problem with the regular bibs I used with my other kids. The back is waterproof too, so there's no leakage that way either. My only complaint (and it's a mild one) is that the fastener is made of velcro, so when the baby falls asleep and I want to remove the bib to put him down for a nap, I have to say a prayer that the "riiiiip!" sound doesn't wake him up. Other than that, it's great!

DaBib retails for $12.99 and comes in a variety of styles. And, if you buy 3, shipping is free.

I give it:

4 gavels: "Liked it. I would definitely recommend it."

Product Review: Jooners

I've found it! The cure to "Mommy Brain." Well, maybe not the cure, but a definite way to help.

Jooners, an online organizational tool, was founded by a mother of two who wanted to help moms stay on top of all of the scheduling and coordination that comes with having kids. How does it work? The website offers a host of ready-made "people planners" for anything from Carpool to Snack Duty to Organizing Volunteers. If you're like me and often on the coordinating end of these types of tasks, Jooners will be a lifesaver. All you need to do is click on the planner you want to use, fill in any missing details if necessary, and send it to your list of contacts with a personal note. Jooners will even import your contacts for you from your address book and let you organize them in a Group. The request will show your group who is doing what, and...what still needs to be done. Once they sign up, the task is auto-calendered and the website sends auto-reminders so no one will forget what they signed up for.

There are tons of planners to choose from. You can browse them by category (i.e. Fundraisers or Sports) or you can browse by role (i.e. Room Parent or Teacher). I found out about Jooners just in time! Hubby and I are organizing the parents at Chatterbox and Giggles' new school to form an unofficial PTA (it's a small school) and the School Committee Chair Sign-Up Planner will come in very handy. Wanna know more? Check out the video tour.

They also have many more planners in the works, like Family Packing Lists (which I will totally use) and Home Improvements. And there is a Family Calendar function that allows you to color code each family member's schedule and allows them to access the calendar so that everyone is on the same page (literally!)

Oh and did I mention that it's FREE?

So if you're a parent that needs to coordinate volunteers for the events in their children's lives at school and after it, or if you just need to organize your own family, you should give Jooners a try. Your Mommy Brain will thank you.

*By the way - product reviews are entirely unpaid (but for the free samples) and voluntary. Just want to make that clear!*