Yesterday Movie Bluray DVD Giveaway Review

Movies

by Forrest Brett
MBE Senior Writer

Imagine a world if The Beatles never existed

As of today the rock-and-roll romantic comedy Yesterday from Universal Pictures is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. For those of us  fortunate to be be old enough to remember the 1960s and have been following The Beatles music for 50+ years, this movie will pull you right in. For younger generations, be prepared to see the past and present merge in an array of relatable musical, personal growth and relationship moments.

Set in the present against a small English seaside town, Jack Malik is an unknown, a wannabe songwriter/performer who is brilliantly portrayed by Himesh Patel (BBC's EastEnders). The movie, now a new home entertainment release, is directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) and showcases talented female co-stars Lily James (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, 2018 and Disney Cinderella, 2015) Jack's loyal friend and original soft-hearted personal manager and Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters, 2016) the cold-hearted money-hungry Hollywood agent. 

The appearance of British singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, in his first acting role, draws in today's modern generation, while at the same time his well-developed character reflects respect and awe for the timeless talent of The Beatles.

Almost from the moment Jack's downtrodden loveable ugly duckling persona is introduced on screen at the beginning of this musical rom-com, the audience can't help ourselves. All you want to do is keep rooting for this charming, yet struggling and discouraged musician to be successful professionally as well as find true love. 

Jack appears to be headed toward an uneventful life of constant searching, wandering in circles never quite reaching his destination and realizing his dreams. But then fate irrevocably changes his life's direction. 

The plot is set quickly into motion following a worldwide power failure which triggers an accident where our protagonist gets hit in the dark by a bus while riding his bicycle. Soon after he comes to in the hospital, he discovers after Googling "Beatles" that everything has changed. It's still the present, but it's now a world where the greatest rock and roll group of all time, The Beatles, has seemingly vanished from history. 

Can you even imagine life without such classics as Yesterday, Hey Jude, Let It Be and hundreds of other songs? And that doesn't even consider how today's music might have been so different had it not been for the influence of this legendary group that emerged more than 50 years ago. I know I can't even fathom all the implications.

Important Life Lessons for All

Throughout the movie Yesterday, I found myself finishing the actors' lines with familiar Beatles lyrics, wanting to encourage Jack as he searched his mind to bring back the forgotten Beatles greatest hits. As Jack struggles with what really matters in life, he will question the value and importance of fame, fortune, honesty and love.

With a soundtrack from Capitol Records/Polydor Records you'll love, the home entertainment version of Yesterday has some cool extras.

Bonus Features include

• Commentary with Director Danny Boyle & Writer/Producer Richard Curtis
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
• Live Performances at Abbey Road Studios
• Alternate Ending
• Featurettes with Filmmakers and Cast*
• Gag Reel*
• Alternate Opening*

*Exclusive to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital

Plentiful Beatles References

If you are a devoted Beatles fan, be sure to watch for underlying connections to the lives and history of John, Paul, George & Ringo. Between great music, comedy and a love story, this is a cross generational movie offering something for everyone. 

It's most definitely a Long and Winding Road, and you're invited to watch Yesterday with family and friends and join the journey to re-experience the Beatles' songs all over again as if you're hearing them for the first time.

Yesterday Movie Giveaway

With such a warm and beautiful film now available to home viewers, we are thrilled to offer another MBE Movie Giveaway, this time in partnership with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. ONE (1) lucky MBE contest entrant will win the Yesterday Blu-ray, DVD + Digital combo. See details below to enter for your chance to win this great prize.

Yesterday Movie Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Universal Pictures, we are giving away the Yesterday Blu-ray DVD combo to the winner. To enter this Yesterday Blu-ray DVD combo sweepstakes Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends October 7, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Universal Pictures is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

About Yesterday

For more about Yesterday, visit the official movie site as well as follow the film on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

College Dorm Apartment Storage Hacks

Dorm Life

MBE partnered with IKEA for this post

by Neima Pollak
MBE staff writer

Storage Solutions for Students

College students like easy, inexpensive things, especially when it comes to maximizing dorm space and functionality. Thankfully the product designers at IKEA have recognized this desire and have created the new Ombyte collection. The goal of this innovative line which is both practical and featuring fashionable prints is to make the transition to college living as smooth and enjoyable as possible. 

The Ombyte line-up available exclusively at IKEA stands out this season to offer convenience with a variety of fold up style products perfect for easy storage in crowded living spaces. I just love the moving cart ($49) and collapsible moving boxes offered in two convenient sizes ($3.99-$4.99) which can be reused again  and again whenever kids decide to change roommates and move to new locations. 

If your son or daughter is typical, believe me, you can count on multiple changes of address before they get their diploma. So these products can be really helpful especially when Mom or Dad aren't there to help with the latest move.

 

College Student Product Picks 

As a student in college myself, I think that the Ombyte collection is absolutely wonderful and I can appreciate how this can make moving so much easier and less stressful for me and my classmates.

My favorite product in the entire collection is this stylish Ombyte bag (pictured below), made of 100% sturdy polypropylene. The first version of this bag is narrower and taller measuring 11"wide by 15 3/4" long. It has two convenient ways to carry it: either as a handheld tote bag or to wear hands-free as a backpack thanks to its well-placed shoulder straps. This especially versatile bag is of course useful for the initial move-in to the dorm. 

Then, throughout the school year, it can also be used for carrying groceries from the store or for bringing clothes to and from the laundry machines. This style is currently available in an orange/white print and a black/clear print and it sells for $7.99 on the IKEA website. 

The second style carrying bag (pictured below), is also constructed of sturdy polypropylene but is shorter and wider and measures 31-1/2 inches long by 15-3/4 inches high by 15-3/4 inches deep. This zip closure duffle style bag is a convenient way to transport assorted stuff both on and off campus and when you head home to visit your family on short school breaks. Like the bag above, this one you see below has multiple uses and can be used to move in and out, for grocery shopping or laundry, and so much more. You'll find this bag on the IKEA website in a multicolor print as well as a white/clear print available for $7.99. 

It's cozy too, LOL! As you can see my cat loved this bag so much that he found his way inside and practically tried to go stealth as a stowaway when I was packing to return to school this fall.

Stylish Wall Hanging Storage

For in-room storage that's both chic and practical, I'm loving now is the Nordrana Hanging Storage system, a unique hand-crocheted accessory made by talented craftspeople in Vietnam. It is made from a sturdy material in a lovely shade of navy with brown bamboo buttons accenting the sides, selling on IKEA's website for $19.99. 

This three-pocket organizer features a hanging strap connected to the top pouch, and two more pouches for a total of three pouches, one of which is divided into two compartments making it a great place to store smaller items. I love the versatility of the ways this can be used. It can be hung vertically with all three pouches as shown or you can detach the pouches from each other and hang them separately using the hooks on the sides of each pouch. 

I can think of lots of ways to use this in my dorm room. The pouches help keep things organized but out of sight, such as a hairbrushes, pens, notepad, and other small items. You can even personalize this, turn it into a fun and easy crafting opportunity, like I did, to showcase your own style.

Storage Not Just for Dorms

Even if you are not a college student, you can still benefit from these fashionable yet durable and functional products. Some items in particular are great for moving into a new home, for redecorating your current living space or just creating more functionality in your home. One such item that has multiple functions is the Ombyte storage combination on casters which is available for $59. This rolling cart features two sturdy boxes, stacked on top of the other, with a removable lid on the top box. The brilliant design of this is that you can use it for your initial move, and then keep using it for years to come as a trendy home decor item or as a storage container. 

Small But Mighty

Another quick and easy must-have to help take the stress out of all the moving around students do is this colorful set of three elastic loading straps. Until I found these, I had no idea how useful these would be to us college students who seem to move more frequently than others. A small investment in a set of these for $4.99 would have been a fabulous help as I tend to pack a lot of stuff and usually end up precariously piling one bag on top of another bag hoping that nothing topples over. These loading straps are an excellent way to ensure that your bags, both big and small, don't fall during the move. An added plus is they can be used with Ombyte's moving cart or with any other cart you use to move your belongings.

With so many options to make college life run more smoothly you're not going to want to waste any time checking off all these cool lifestyle products. Be sure to check out the full Ombyte collection at IKEA and pick up some new items that will make living away at college a whole lot more simple.

Thomas Tank Engine Steam Team Train Tour

Family Fun

Thomas Steam Team Tour partnered with MBE for this post

Fun for the Family, Ticket & Giveaway Info

Kids have loved Thomas and Friends for generations. I know from first-hand experience my four children certainly couldn't get enough of friendly Thomas and Percy when they were younger. So what could be more exciting than sharing with all of you parents with little kids now that the Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019 is coming to town, pulling into Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California this November.
  

You and your little engineers are invited to join the beloved Engine #1 and Percy for a day of engaging activities and fun adventures including a ride on the Thomas Tank Steam Engine train and so much more.

Sneak a peek at what's in store for your kids

So California Stop on the 2019 US/Canada Tour

Presented by Mattel, the 24th annual Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Engine Tour 2019 features 37 stops throughout the US and Canada. SoCal residents are invited to participate in the experience locally when the traveling event arrives in the region at Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California on November 2-3 and November 9-11 (from 9 am to 5 pm each day). 

Thomas Experience Includes

• 25-minute approx steam train ride on Thomas the Tank Engine
• Meet & Greet with Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway
• Passport to Adventures booklet for each child to track his/her journey to win a prize after completion
• New "Ask an Engineer" booth for kids to learn about trains and railroads
• Thomas-themed interactive activities like toy play, photo ops, and more fun

Where

Southern California Railway Museum
2201 South A Street
Perris, CA 92570
Museum Information/Directions

Tickets are $25 plus tax for ages 2 and up, service charges and fee may apply

Buy Tickets Here 

or 

Call Ticketweb 866-468-7630

Day Out With Thomas Train Tour  Giveaway

With such fun ahead this fall, we are please to offer your family the chance to win the memorable Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour experience when it pull into the station in Perris, California. ONE (1) lucky 4-ticket family prize pack winner will be chosen at random with winner's choice of date/time based on ticket availability. See details below to enter for your chance to win this amazing dream prize for the Thomas and Friends enthusiast in your family.

Family 4-Pack Tickets
Thomas Steam Team 

MBE Giveaway

Enter to Win on Instagram

Thanks to Thomas and Friends, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win four tickets to the Day Out with Thomas Steam Team November 2019 event in Perris, California, ARV $100. Transportation to/from event venue not included. This Day Out with Thomas giveaway is open to US residents only and qualifying winners will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends October 16, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour is responsible for providing the prize for winner to pick up at the venue upon arrival.

More About Thomas & Friends

For more information about Thomas & Friends visit the official website, as well as follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. 

Tips to Make Chores Fun for Kids

Parenting

by Neima Pollak
MBE staff writer

Getting Children to Do Chores, Happily

Let's face it, kids do not like doing chores. They will figure out ways to avoid them and if they are stuck doing it they will likely complain the whole way through. But it doesn't have to be this way! You can alter the way kids do their chores so that when it comes time to take out the trash, you will not have to go looking for your kids, rather they will come running to find you.

This post contains Affiliate Links

Easy Tips to Inspire Kids to Help More

Start with this list of five easy ways to make chores more enjoyable, adapting to your family's lifestyle, and create new ways to facilitate chores at home.

Begin Age-Appropriate Chores Early

The younger the child, the more guidance they will likely need. Although the goal of chores may be to free up your time to take care of other things, you are teaching your child how to do it now so they can do it independently as they get older. For example, to start your young child off teach them to put their own empty yogurt cup into the garbage or place their spoon in the sink. This teaches children the basics of cleaning up after themselves, something that many parents work hard to get their kids to do. 

Make Chores Entertaining

Cleaning up does not have to be a boring and quiet routine. Lighten up the mood and sing a song with your son or daughter while you are cleaning up together or play some music. Feel free to use a cleanup song you have heard before or have your child join you in making up your own lyrics to a favorite tune. No song is too silly, so do not worry because your child is not judging your songwriting abilities. This will make the experience pleasurable for you both, with the added plus that you are spending quality time with them. 

Turn Chores into a Game or Contest

Present the chore as a game or race. For example, ask your child, "How fast can you put away all the toys in the room?" using a timer to motivate them. We love this cute red fox kitchen timer for instances like this. It is a little thing that will make chores all the more fun for the whole family.

Even if you present the chore as a game, your child may say something like, "I know you're only doing this so I clean up!" Don't try and convince your child that you are purely doing this as a game, because they are smarter than that.  Instead explain to your child that yes, you are doing this to clean up, but you are also trying to do it in a way that makes it more fun. If your child does not want to engage in this chore game let them know that the cleanup task still needs to be completed and do they have another suggestion to tackle it?

Use a Sticker Chart with Rewards

Make a chore chart (either together with your child or by yourself) that has clear directions on how each chore should be done. Use a pasteboard and some markers to create a chart that has a list of chores you may ask your child to complete. Underneath each task, write out clear instructions for how the chores should be done. This will help you and your child when they are doing their chores because it will build their independence and it will also give you a few more minutes of quiet to do what you need to do.  

Not into making your own chore chart? Buy one like this cute and colorful magnetic Responsibility Chart with Stickers with pre-made chore labels or this more sophisticated dry erase Magnetic Chore Chart for older children. Every time your child completes a chore, put a sticker on the chart to mark it. When your child reaches a certain number of stickers treat your child to a reward, that you have decided on with your child in advance. 

Doing Chores, Teaching Kids Responsibility Is Easy

Using all or one of these tips will help your child have a more enjoyable time doing chores. It will also, no doubt, contribute to a better relationship between your child and chores. The goal of starting off like this is that eventually they will do their chores without all the added incentives automatically. By doing so they'll not only be developing a stronger sense of responsibility, they'll also be learning first-hand that by contributing to the family household, helping around the house can be also rewarding and gratifying. 

Mommy Blog Expert participates in the Amazon Affiliate program. So, if you make a purchase using one of the links in this story, MBE will receive a small bit of compensation at no extra cost to you.

Tall Girl Netflix Movie Review

Movies

MBE partnered with Netflix for this review

New Movie Tall Girl Now on Netflix

Premiering on Netflix today is the new original coming-of-age feature film Tall Girl starring Ava Michelle as Jodi, the tallest girl in her high school at 6'1". It's a familiar tale about how cruel and insensitive teenagers can be to each other and how just about everyone dreams of being popular and simply fitting in. 

Ava, who stands tall proudly in real life at 6'1-1/2" and is an accomplished dancer, singer/songwriter, model and actress at the young age of just 17 years old, is  well-suited to play the tall girl. 

As someone who was once one of the tallest female students in my school, I can personally relate to Jodi's conundrum in the movie of being teased about her height and to her first-hand experiences with prejudice about being different. It also brings to mind the irrational obsessions modern kids too often have about their body images and physical appearances being more important than people's characters.

Tall Girl Supporting Cast

Set against the colorful and eccentric backdrop of New Orleans, as the Tall Girl plot progresses we meet the other characters in Jodi's life. At its epicenter there is her well-meaning family including her mom (Angela Kinsey), dad (Steve Zahn), and beauty queen older sister Harper (Sabrina Carpenter). 

Rounding out the cast there's the handsome tall Swedish exchange student Stig (Luke Eisner) Jodi pines for and the girl Kimmy (Clara Wilsey) who gets the guy she wants, the short and geeky boy Dunkleman (Griffin Gluck) who has a perennial crush on the tall girl, Jodi's best friend Fareeda (Anjelika Washington) and kids representing the full gamut of other male and female high school stereotypes.

Will Jodi ever find a way to be comfortable in her own shoes, to stand tall with her chin up and discover that what she's looking for is literally right under her nose? Will she stop comparing herself to other students and be true to herself to stand up for the young woman she is inside? Watch Tall Girl and you'll discover the answers to those questions and likely also learn more about yourself along the way.

Mom to Mom with Angela Kinsey

Thanks to Netflix, in addition to an advanced screening of Tall Girl, I was invited to join a handful of other mom lifestyle influencers at Duff's Cakemix in West Hollywood to decorate cakes together and chat with Kinsey about her role as Jodi's mom in this new movie. What fun this event was! That morning I definitely channeled my inner tall girl, inspiring me to  create the original pink flamingo cake you see pictured below.

Kinsey is best known for her role on the long-running Netflix hit series The Office. A petite 5'1" tall, she is also a talented cake decorator who co-hosts the baking channel Baking With Josh and Ange with hubbie Joshua Snyder. As the mom of an 11 year-old daughter in real life,  Kinsey grew up in Louisiana so she was able to find a true connection on multiple levels to the caring southern belle mother role she plays in her latest film project.

About Tall Girl

The original movie Tall Girl can be seen only on Netflix. Learn more by visiting the official website as well as following them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Disney Aladdin Bluray Movie Giveaway Review

Movies

MBE partnered with Disney Studios for this review and giveaway

Quite possibly the most exciting Disney Giveaway Mommy Blog Expert has hosted to date. But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you that today we're celebrating the home entertainment releases of not one, but two Disney classic kids movies: the live action feature film Disney Aladdin (Rated PG, 2019) as well as the 1992 animated Disney Aladdin (Rated G, 2019) just re-released as part of The Signature Walt Disney Collection. As of today of these beloved titles are now available on 4K ULTRA HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital.

Animated Disney Aladdin 

This is the revival of the animated movie which won 1992 Oscars for the Best Original Song and Best Original Score. For the classic's 30th anniversary, in addition to a new multi-screen edition with Blu-ray + DVD + Digital, the animated classic Aladdin is now available in 4K for the first time as it joins The Signature Walt Disney Collection, featuring the voice of the unforgettable comedy actor Robin Williams as the funny and fickle Genie. 

Bonus extras on the animated Disney Aladdin Blu-ray include two ways to watch (original theatrical version or sing-along mode), an alternate ending, Scott Weinger's journey as the voice of Aladdin, the cast in the recording booth, The Genie outtakes and more. 

Live Action Disney Aladdin

Equally thrilling is the home entertainment release of the live, colorful action Disney film that delighted multi-generational audiences on the big screen earlier this year. Directed by Guy Ritchie, with new lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the feature movie with a run time of approximately 128 minutes, stars Will Smith as the Genie, Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, and others. 

Now on 4K for the first time as well as Blu-ray, DVD, Digital combo. The live action Disney Aladdin Blu-ray offers some fun Bonus Extras such as Deleted Scenes, Bloopers, the Deleted Song Desert Moon, Behind-the-Scenes: The Magic of Aladdin and more.

Disney Aladdin Giveaway

With such fun movies now available for kids and parents to watch together at home, I could not be more excited to announce another MBE Giveaway in partnership with Disney. This time two lucky MBE followers will each win a 2-movie prize package including both the live action and animated Disney Aladdin pictures on Blu-ray, DVD + Digital. See details below to enter for your chance to win this great prize for the Disney fan in your life.

2 Winners Get Both Movies

Enter this MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Disney Studios, each of TWO (2) lucky MBE giveaway participants will win a prize pack including both the animated Disney Aladdin and the live action Disney Aladdin Blu-ray DVD combos. To enter this Disney Aladdin Blu-ray DVD combo sweepstakes Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest open to US residents only and qualifying winners will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends September 23, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Disney Studios is providing the prizes and is responsible for delivery to winners.

More About Disney Aladdin

For more about both Disney Aladdin movies, visit the official website as well as follow the movie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.