#TheCroodsDVD - Croodaceous Inventions plus Giveaway

~ This giveaway is now closed ~

I am sharing this information as a member of the Fox Home ENT Insiders Blogging program. They are providing me with a free Blu-ray copy of The Croods for review. They are also providing a copy for giveaway to one of my blog readers. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Croodaceous Inventions

Available on Digital HD September 15 and Blu-ray & DVD October 1 

Join the Croods on the journey of a lifetime in the epic comedy-adventure that "has the magical wonder of How To Train Your Dragon" - Jake Hamilton (Fox-TV). When their cave is destroyed, the Croods set out to explore a spectacular landscape filled with fantastic creatures, strange surprises…and a whole new world of adventure! 

In the beginning, Grug is suspicious of Guy’s weird ideas and does not want the family to listen to his advice. Eventually, Grug starts coming up with a ton of great inventions himself! Take a look below at five of the croodaceous inventions and when and where they really became a part of our lives.

 The Snapshot

During their journey, Grug has the fantastic idea of leaving your mark behind with a snapshot. The first photograph was taken in the early 1820s. A French man named Joseph Nicephore Niépce used a camera obscura to create an image of an engraving. The process was very complicated and took eight hours of exposure to light to create!

 Shoes

After putting on her first pair of boots, Eep enthusiastically exclaimed, “I love them!” Who can blame her? Imagine a life having to walk around without shoes on a daily basis. Though Guy comes up with the idea in The Croods, the original shoe dates back to approximately 7,000 or 8,000 BC. Originally, most shoes were in the style of a sandal and could be created from whatever material was available to the people (such as cow hide).

 Sunglasses

Grug’s original shades were certainly stylish and would definitely protect your eyes from the sun’s rays, but they were a little impractical because you could not see through them. In the prehistoric era, Inuit people created ivory goggles to protect their eyes from the sun with narrow slits for viewing. A man named James Ayscough developed the original tinted lenses for glasses in the mid-eighteenth century. These lenses typically had a blue or green tint.

 The See-Saw

During Grug’s frenzy of inventions to try and impress his family, he created the see-saw, a fun game for children that is now often seen in parks and playgrounds. Although it is not entirely known when the first see-saw was created and used, it is believed that the word originated in the 1600s and has been a staple of children’s playgrounds ever since.

 The Umbrella

Guy helps protect Eep from the downpour with his own version of an umbrella, created with leaves and sticks in The Croods. Umbrellas or parasols can be seen in ancient sculptures and drawings. However, not everyone was able to have their own umbrella during these times. For instance, in sculptures from Ninevah, the only person ever shown with a parasol is the monarch.

In case you missed it, be sure and check out my earlier post where I shared some fun activity sheets for THE CROODS.


GIVEAWAY
One Alas 3 Lads reader will win a copy of THE CROODS on Blu-ray c/o Fox Home ENT Insiders. *Giveaway is open only to U.S. residents who are 18 or older. Entries will be accepted until 10:00 pm EST on October 7, 2013. At that time, one random winner will be selected from all eligible entries. Please make sure I have a valid way to contact you in case you are the winner*

Mandatory Entry: 
Leave a comment on this blog post telling me whether you saw THE CROODS in theaters and who you would like to share this Blu-ray with.

Optional Extra Entries (leave separate comment for each):
- Subscribe to my blog via email  (must confirm subscription & leave email you subscribed with)

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#Sponsored Enter to win THE CROODS on Blu-ray c/o @FHEInsiders and @alas3lads #TheCroodsDVD - http://tinyurl.com/kt9uamw 

THE CROODS - Activity Sheets and Croodaceous Moments Video #TheCroodsDVD

I am sharing this information as a member of the Fox Home ENT Insiders Blogging program. They are providing me with a free Blu-ray copy of The Croods for review. They are also providing a copy for giveaway to one of my blog readers. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

DreamWorks Animation's THE CROODS will debut on Digital HD on September 17 and on Blu-ray/DVD on October 1st.

THE CROODS is hands down one of my favorite movies I've seen this year. It was such a cute and heartwarming story and seeing it in 3D in the theater was a blast. If you did not get the chance to watch it on the big screen, then you will definitely have to check it out when the Blu-ray/DVDs hit the shelves.

Stay tuned to my blog because I will soon be posting a giveaway for THE CROODS on Blu-ray. Until then, here are some activity sheets and a fun video for your enjoyment...

When Your Child Starts Sprouting Wings...

My daughter is a senior in high school. So, that means now we are right in the midst of college visits, college/scholarship applications, and last-minute ACT testing. In addition to all of that, she has a heavy course load at school. All of this hard work is geared toward one thing -- graduation and preparing for college. It keeps her very busy and I know, at times, she has felt a little overwhelmed. Mostly, though, she handles it with ease.

image via morgueFile

It's a pretty amazing thing to suddenly see your child at this point. She seems so grown up; organized and taking responsibility for all she needs to do. Yet, I still want her to be my baby that needs me for everything. I see her becoming a young woman right before my eyes. It's both the proudest feeling and the most heart-wrenching. I know that at this time next year, she will probably be living away at college...my girl will be living away from me. Away from me. I don't even know how I will handle that. How will I get used to the fact that this person who has been by my side for 17 years, who has made me smile on a daily basis, and makes my heart burst with love just thinking of her, will now be going out there into the world all on her own?

I did not go away to college and to this day, that's probably my one life regret. So, when I think about how sad I'll be for my daughter to be away from home, I have to tell myself what a wonderful and exciting time it will be for her - a great opportunity for her to grow and experience some independence. I want that for her. That doesn't make it any easier, though.

One thing that she has to do as a graduation requirement is a senior project. The seniors have to choose a career that they are interested in and find someone in that field to interview and job-shadow. They have to write a research paper, letters and resumes. Then, they have to put it all together into a six-minute presentation before a panel of school administrators/teachers. Besides being an oral presentation, they must also create and include some multi-media aspects, such as videos, pictures, and/or digital brochures. It's a pretty big deal and quite time consuming.

Today, my daughter is going to do her interview/shadow with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has always loved psychology but the fact that she is considering anything in nursing was a complete shock to me. I'm a former registered nurse and I just never imagined she would choose anything in the healthcare field. She may decide that it's not for her but I'm proud that she is taking the time to research and learn about it. Yet another example of my daughter growing and maturing right before my eyes.

This is a very exciting time for us and I couldn't be any more proud of my daughter. She is smart and kind and beautiful. She has a wicked sense of humor and her own unique sense of style. And, growing up in a house with three brothers, she can hold her own just fine. She is a straight-A student who works hard and has spent numerous time on various volunteer projects throughout high school. I treasure her and cherish every single thing about her. I know her future is sure to be bright and successful!

For those of you with older kids, I would love to hear how you handled it when they went away to college. (I think I will cry a lot) And, for those of you with younger children, hug them and hold them close every single chance you get. Before you know it, you will blink and find that they are growing up and getting ready to go out into the world on their own.

The Short Game - Coming to Theaters September 20th

I wanted to let you know about a new movie called The Short Game. This documentary introduces us to some amazing kids from all over the world who have one thing in common -- the game of golf.

The movie follows the lives of eight of the best 7-year old golfers in the world. (Yes, you read that right...they are only 7 years old...just wait till you see these little guys swing a club!) We get to watch as they train and get ready to compete in the World Championship of Junior Golf, held in Pinehurst, North Carolina. This inside look at these little athletes and their families is not only inspiring, but humorous as well.

I'm not particularly a fan of golf but I can't wait to see this film. After seeing the movie trailer, I am in love with these little kids! It looks like a fascinating and entertaining story that is sure to put a smile on your face.

The Short Game will be in theaters September 20, 2013. Check out the official trailer...

 

Movie Trailer Tuesday - What Maisie Knew

Welcome to "Movie Trailer Tuesday - my weekly blog feature where I share a DVD recommendation by posting a quick blurb and movie trailer for you to check out.

This is a story that will definitely tug at your heartstrings. You see just how affected a child can be when they are caught in the middle of an ugly custody battle. This has a great cast; the little girl is a real sweetheart. Oh, and did I mention it stars Alexander Skarsgard...for those of us who are going through True Blood withdrawals, it's a nice chance to get to see him in action here.

Rated R for language
Available on Netflix

 

Back to School Tips for Modern Parents (with Giveaway)

This Giveaway is Now Closed

I am sharing this information as a member of the Fox Home ENT Insiders Blogging program. They are providing me with a free Blu-ray copy of Modern Family: Season 4 for review. They are also providing a copy for giveaway to one of my blog readers. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

Available on Blu-ray & DVD September 24 

In Season 4, we watched as Haley went off to college and Lily had her first day of Kindergarten. These are two big steps that are often very hard for parents to handle. Here is some advice for all of those modern parents out there who are going through these transitional stages with their families.

The laughs – and the awards – just keep on coming for the #1-rated “Modern Family,” winner of three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series! With Jay and Gloria’s baby on the way and Haley going off to college, the entire Pritchett/Dunphy clan faces some major surprises as they bicker and bond over house-flipping headaches, unwanted play dates, and everything from hot-tempered hormones to in utero karaoke. Featuring a stellar array of guest stars including Matthew Broderick, Shelley Long and Elizabeth Banks, Season Four takes a heartfelt and laugh-out-lough hilarious look at what it means to be a “Modern Family.”

Back to School Tips for Modern Parents 

 Set Guidelines

Before you send off your precious son or daughter to fend for their selves in college, make sure you clearly discuss guidelines. Remind them that even though you are not there to set specific rules, they are still responsible for their actions. Claire and Phil certainly know what it’s like when your daughter calls you one night because they’ve been caught doing illegal things by the police.

 Prepare Your Little One

Kindergarten is a huge step for your little one! Make sure they are prepared for their big day by giving them a basic educational foundation and teaching them to play well with others. When Lily heads off to kindergarten and gets in a tousle on her first day, Cam and Mitchell are put in a very awkward situation. No parent wants to be in the same situation!

 Communication is Key

Set up specific times to continue growing as a family. There is a fine line between suffocating your college kid and staying informed about what’s going on in their life. Many families will select a certain time, for instance Sunday afternoons, to have family phone calls and catch up on the week’s happenings, even if they have talked throughout the week. Just because your son or daughter has moved out, it does not mean that your relationship has to suffer! In fact, sometimes parent-child relationships grow once the kid has left for college. 

Distract Yourself

Plan a fun activity for yourself right after dropping your son of in his college dorm room or leaving your daughter for the first day of kindergarten. Have a distraction for yourself so that you don’t find yourself at home looking through photo albums and wondering “how did the time go by so quickly?” These steps are exciting, but certainly emotional and you don’t want to wallow in your sorrows.

 Show You Care

No matter what age your child is, make sure you are sharing in their excitement! Whether you have a kindergartener bringing home a painting or a college student signing up for campus activities, ask them questions about their life and listen to their answers. Celebrate with them when they ace an exam or learn to count to 20.

GIVEAWAY
One Alas 3 Lads reader will win a copy of Modern Family: Season 4 on Blu-ray c/o Fox Home ENT Insiders. *Giveaway is open only to U.S. residents who are 18 or older. Entries will be accepted until 10:00 pm EST on Sept. 26, 2013. At that time, one random winner will be selected from all eligible entries. Please make sure I have a valid way to contact you in case you are the winner*

Mandatory Entry: 
Leave a comment on this blog post telling me your favorite Modern Family character or just tell me something funny about your own "modern family"

Optional Extra Entries (leave separate comment for each):
- Follow @alas3lads on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in comment)
- Tweet the following message 1x daily (leave your Tweet link in comment) -

Enter to win Modern Family Season 4 on Blu-ray c/o @FHEInsiders and @alas3lads #MyModernFamilyBD -http://tinyurl.com/q8offkc 

Great Gift Card Giveaway Hop - $20 Walgreens Gift Card

This Giveaway is now closed

I am providing the $20 Gift Card that is up for giveaway in this post.

 

Welcome to The Great Gift Card Giveaway!

This event is hosted by The Review Wire and Review Wire Media. All participating blogs are offering a gift card in the amount of $20 or more! So, once you enter my giveaway make sure to hop on down the list of blogs to see what Great Gift Cards they are giving away! You can also enter the Grand Prize over at The Review Wire...a $50 Gift Card to Amazon!

 Disclaimer: All giveaways end at 11:59 PM EST on September 27, 2013. The Great Gift Card Event Bloggers are not responsible for shipment of prize or sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

Companies and bloggers, if you would like to participate in group giveaway events like this one, sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by The Review Wire.

My Giveaway

I am offering one $20 Walgreens Gift Card for giveaway. *Giveaway is open only to US residents who are 18 or older*

Mandatory Entry: 
Please leave a comment telling me something you might shop for if you win this Walgreens gift card.

Optinal Extra Entries (leave a separate comment for each):
- Follow @alas3lads on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in comment)
- Follow me on Instagram (leave your Instagram name in comment)

Modern Family: Season 4 - Coming to Blu-ray and DVD on September 24, 2013

I am sharing this information as a member of the Fox Home ENT Insiders Blogging program. They are providing me with a free Blu-ray copy of Modern Family: Season 4 for review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Modern Family, one of the funniest shows on tv, is about to release Season 4 on Blu-ray and DVD. Look for it to hit the shelves on September 24th.

Synopsis: 
The laughs — and the awards — just keep on coming for the #1-rated “Modern Family,” winner of three consecutive Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series! With Jay and Gloria’s baby on the way and Haley going off to college, the entire Pritchett/Dunphy clan faces some major surprises as they bicker and bond over house-flipping headaches, unwanted play dates, and everything from hot-tempered hormones to in utero karaoke. Featuring a stellar array of guest stars including Matthew Broderick, Shelley Long and Elizabeth Banks, Season Four takes a heartfelt and laugh-out-loud hilarious look at what it means to be a “Modern Family.”

Special Features:
• Deleted and Alternate Scenes
• Commentary on “Party Crasher”
• Commentary on “Fulgencio”
• An Addition to the Family
• A Day with Eric • Commentary on “Career Day”
• Commentary on “Goodnight Gracie”
• A Modern Guide to Parenting
• “Modern Family” Writers
• Gag Reel

Stay tuned...I'll be posting a giveway soon where you can enter to win your own copy of Modern Family: Season 4 on Blu-ray.

Mia Mariu "Colors For Your Every Mood" Giveaway

This Giveaway is now Closed

Mia Mariu provided me with free products for review. They are also providing the free products for giveaway to one of my blog readers. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Mia Mariu is a Dallas based beauty and health company which offers professional makeup artist quality mineral cosmetics and brushes. They also have natural skin care items, fine fragrances and nutritional supplements. Their philosophy is built upon the connection between beauty and health in harmony. They use the most natural ingredients - a fusion of nature and technology that includes botanicals, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and peptides. The result is products that are both beautiful and healthy.

I received a Mia Mariu "Colors For Your Every Mood" set of makeup to try out for myself. The pack consists of Mia Mariu's Uniquely You Touch-Up Kit, Petite Detail Brush, and three Hydrating Stick Glosses (retail value $109).

The Touch-Up Kit has a fun design and the colors are great. It contains a mineral pressed powder and blush, along with three eye shadow colors. All of these went on smoothly and gave me a natural look. The lip colors are also really nice. I have to tell you that I'm not always a big fan of wearing lipstick. Many lip products either leave me feeling sticky and/or the colors just do not last. The Mia Mariu Hydrating Stick Glosses felt more like a lip balm and provided just the right amount of color. They have vitamins A, C, and E to nourish the lips as well as minerals and anti-oxidants to protect them. It's like a lip balm, lip gloss, and lipstick all rolled into one. I even loved the darker/brighter colors that I received and I do not usually feel comfortable wearing those types of lip colors. Overall, I'm very pleased with these products and they way they performed for me.

GIVEAWAY

One Alas 3 Lads reader will win a Mia Mariu Colors For Your Every Mood Makeup Set (retail value $109). The winner will have their choice of three (3) colors for the Hydrating Stick Gloss. 

*Contest is open only to U.S. and Canadian residents who are 18 or older. Entries will be accepted until 10:00 pm EST on 9-14-13. At that time one random winner will be selected from all eligible entries. Please make sure I have a valid way to contact you in case you are the winner.*

To enter the giveaway do any or all of the following (leave a separate comment for each):

- Follow @Mia_Mariu on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in comment)

- Follow @alas3lads on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in comment)

-Visit Mia Mariu and tell me one color of the Hydrating Stick Gloss that you like

- Tweet about this giveaway 1x daily (leave link to your Tweet in comment):

I want to win a "Colors For Your Every Mood" makeup set valued at $109 from @Mia_Mariu and @alas3lads - http://tinyurl.com/pwk8y9p

"Be Yourself, Together" with #TargetWedding

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Target. All opinions expressed are my own.

Shopping for the perfect wedding gift can sometimes be a challenge. Often, the bride and groom have very different likes and dislikes. Even when this is the case, you can still come up with some pretty clever gift pairings. Items that may not seem to go together at first glance, can actually be a perfect fit for the happy couple.

Target is a great place to shop when it comes to wedding gifts.

I had the opportunity to do some wedding registry shopping of my own to show you just what I mean. I was tasked with finding the perfect pair of gifts that would say to the bride and groom, "Be Yourself, Together."

Using myself and my husband as the couple, here's what I came up with...

A set of Calphalon Cookware and a VTech cordless phone

How do these two items fit together, you ask?  Well, let me explain.

My guy loves to cook! He feels at home in the kitchen and enjoys creating meals for his family and friends. Preparing and serving food makes him feel happy. So, a Calphalon cookware set is a wonderful choice for him.

Me, on the other hand...I do not like to cook. I'm not very good in the kitchen and preparing a meal feels like a chore to me. You are much more likely to find me calling for takeout or calling to make reservations at our favorite restaurant. Thus, the VTech cordless phone makes perfect sense as a gift for me.

Two totally different items that work together!

What about you? Check out the Target Wedding catalog and let me know what two items you might pair together for that special bride and groom. Target Wedding Catalog

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

DVD Giveaway - Strawberry Shortcake: Bitty Berry Mysteries (Bonus Coloring Page)

This Giveaway is now closed 

I am sharing this giveaway as a member of the Fox Home ENT Insiders Blogging Program. They are providing me with a free copy of this DVD as well as a copy for giveaway to one of my blog readers. All opinions expressed are my own.

Strawberry Shortcake: Bitty Berry Mysteries is coming to DVD and Digital HD on September 24, 2013.

Join Strawberry and her pals as they follow clues and face their fears while working to find some VIPs (Very Important Pets). Follow along as they use their glimmery girl-power to solve the mystery.

Here's a fun little Strawberry Shortcake Coloring Page for you to enjoy...

GIVEAWAY
One lucky reader will win a free copy of Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Bitty Mysteries on DVD

*To Enter:  leave a comment on this post telling me with whom you would like to share this DVD

Optional Extra Entries:
-Follow @alas3lads on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in comment)
-Tweet the following message 1x daily: (leave link to you Tweet in comment)

#sponsored Enter to win Strawberry Shortcake: Bitty Berry Mysteries on DVD c/o @FHEInsiders and @alas3lads http://tinyurl.com/n87h6yq 


Giveaway is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older. One random winner will be selected from all eligible entries. Giveaway ends at 10:00 pm EST on September 17, 2013.