The Swan Princess Kingdom of Music Movie Review + Giveaway

Movies

MBE partnered with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for this post

Digital & DVD Launch Celebrates 25th Anniversary

This year marks the silver anniversary of the release of the original animated classic The Swan Princess (1994) kids movie. To celebrate 25 years since this enchanting children's adventure film series began, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music on Digital and DVD today. Additionally, Sony is set to release the 25th Anniversary remastered collector's edition of The Swan Princess on Blu-ray and in 4K HDR on Digital on October 29.

The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music is the ninth film in the movie's series. The newest picture paves the way for another generation of little ones and families to enjoy a beautiful and heartwarming all-new story inspired by the classic fairytale Swan Lake. 

In this latest feature-length picture, the familiar princesses kids love are back. This time Princess Odette is the hostess of a music competition to celebrate Princess Alise's birthday with the winner getting the chance to sing at her birthday bash. 

But some unexpected events occur and now it's looking like the singing contest will have to be canceled. You'll have to see the movie to see what happens next. In addition to the movie itself, extra features on the new DVD include fun interactive sing-alongs of two new tunes from the film which will have the whole family singing, tapping their feet and maybe even dancing to the royal beat.

DIY Musical Instrument Craft

To keep kids busy till school starts as well as help celebrate the newest release in The Swan Princess enterprise, thanks to Sony, here is a fun and easy musical instrument craft to make at home. See directions below to recycle a water bottle into a The Swan Princess Maraca that your child can play along with the video's music.

The Swan Princess Inspired Plush Characters 

Add to the excitement of the new home entertainment releases for little The Swan Princess fans with a variety of movie themed gift items, including cute kids toys for them to cuddle and watch the movie with. Thanks to SwanPrincesseries.com, Swan (pictured at the top of this post) as well as all the other main characters from the film are available as plush collectible toys, including Jean-Bob the Frog, Speed the Turtle, Puffin the Bird and Number Nine the Cat.

Enter this MBE Giveaway 
on Instagram 

Thanks to Sony Pictures, one lucky MBE giveaway participant will win The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music DVD. To enter The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music DVD sweepstakes Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest open to US residents only. Hurry, this giveaway ends August 22, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. One (1) qualifying winner will be selected at random. Sony Pictures is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

More About The Swan Princess Movies

The Swan Princess has a runtime of approximately 90 minutes and stars Sandy Duncan (of Peter Pan fame) and a host of other all-star talent. The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music  runs for about 83 minutes with voice cast headliners including Nina Herzog, Yuri Lowenthal, Joseph Medrano and Jennifer Miller. Both films are directed by Richard Rich and are G-rated. Follow The Swan Princess fun on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. For more information visit SonyPictures.com.

Baby Diaper Bag Backpack Review + Giveaway

Baby

MBE partnered with AnyHug for this post

by Neima Pollak
MBE Staff Writer

The Age-Old Diaper Bag Challenge

The struggle is real. Diaper bags are definitely a necessity for new multi-tasking parents, who for generations have performed the delicate juggling act of having a diaper bag slung over one shoulder while balancing a child (sometimes more) with the other arm. Now with AnyHug, a mom-owned business, there is finally a stylish, large, multi-functional, durable, and amazingly affordable baby diaper bag backpack alternative to the traditional over-the-shoulder bulky, not so attractive diaper bag.

AnyHug Diaper Bag Backpack, Cream Style

Style for Busy Modern Family Living

AnyHug diaper bags, available on Amazon and priced at under $30 with free shipping worldwide, feature quality craftsmanship and clever designs at a reasonable price. The high quality materials and strong design -- including magnetic closures which really come in handy when you don't have both hands free -- mean that these bags potentially will be by your side to support you beyond those halcyon diaper bag carrying days.

Mother's Testimonial

"I've been using the gray bag style (shown below) for more than a year, " one AnyHug user says. "Every day I take it with me to work and it still looks quite new.”

AnyHug Diaper Bag Backpack, Gray Style

Unisex, Functional Diaper Bag Style

Available in two color options (gray or cream) which you see pictured in this review, AnyHug diaper bags are styled with on-to-go moms and dads in mind. What's more is they're sophisticated looking enough and meant to be carried seamlessly, from bringing your child to daycare to heading into the office.


Each of these two AnyHug bags has 13 pockets including two insulated ones, a laptop pocket to store and organize everything you need, a convenient outer pocket for the quick retrieval of tissues, isolated pockets for baby bottles, and other pockets to stash a variety of smaller items you may need to easily access on the spur of the moment.

Thanks to the versatile and unique design, this bag goes beyond just being an infant or toddler diaper bag. When the kids are out of diapers, it keeps working for you, making a truly functional travel backpack for family trips, adventures and just about everywhere life takes you.

In addition to all those bells and whistles to organize and store all the important stuff, these sleek diaper bags have padded shoulder straps making them comfortable enough to be worn as a backpack, even when heavily loaded. They also feature a carrying handle on top and adjustable straps so you can easily hang it on your baby carriage or stroller. 

More about AnyHug Diaper Bags

As with any product, especially one involving daily usage and children, diaper bags will get soiled. Constructed of waterproof fabric, AnyHug's diaper bags are surprisingly simple to maintain. Just use a damp cloth to surface clean and air dry your bag to keep it looking good.


The AnyHug Gray Diaper Bag Backpack measures approximately 18 x 5 x 12 inches, while the AnyHug Cream Diaper Bag Backpack dimensions are slightly different, about 17 x 13 x 5 inches. Note: Exact sizes differ between these bags based on how you measure each -- for example, with or without the handle and with or without the side pockets. Both are available from AnyHug for shipping worldwide on Amazon.

Each AnyHug bag includes two free gifts with purchase

• A multi-use portable, compact diaper pad
• A pom pom key chain (with the gray bag) OR a sports bottle (cream bag)

Enter to WIN

on Instagram

Thanks to AnyHug, one lucky MBE giveaway participant will win this AnyHug Diaper Bag in Cream with gray accents. To enter this AnyHug Diaper Bag sweepstakes Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram page. Contest open to residents WORLDWIDE. Hurry, giveaway ends August 27, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. One (1) qualifying winner selected at random from all eligible entries submitted will be notified. AnyHug is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

Ugly Dolls Kids Movie Review + Giveaway

Movies

MBE partnered with Universal Pictures for this post

New Digital, Blu-ray, DVD Release

by Neima Pollak
MBE Staff Writer

Being different is a beautiful thing. That, in a nutshell, is the central theme in the Ugly Dolls movie from Universal Pictures now on Digital and launching on Blu-ray and DVD on July 30. For sure, celebrating individuality is something parents and educators should strive to instill in today's children. When we embody this lesson and model it for our kids, it will encourage and inspire them to appreciate what makes each person unique and special.

Storyline

Based on the Ugly Dolls characters created by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, the Ugly Dolls sing-along movie edition introduces audiences to the town of Uglyville, home of the Ugly Dolls where every doll's differences is what makes them wonderful. The Ugly Dolls have always been happy with their appearances, until they discover a neighboring town called Perfection, where beauty is only skin-deep. Join the Ugly Dolls on their musical expedition and discover what happens when these two worlds collide. 

All-Star Cast

To create a film with such fabulous song, it is no wonder that director Kelly Asbury (Smurfs: The Lost Village, Shrek 2) brought together such a talented celebrity cast to infuse this animated musical with their melodic voices. You probably recognize most of the names in this group of all-stars, whose talents range from country singing to rapping. The Ugly Dolls celebrity cast includes Kelly Clarkson (The Star, "The Voice," and popular song Stronger), Nick Jonas (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), Janelle Monae (Hidden Figures, Rio 2), Blake Shelton (Angry Birds Movie, "The Voice") and Pitbull ("Empire," Epic). 

Release Dates and Formats

Available for digital download on July 16, fans can instantly access the Ugly Dolls movie anywhere on any device that supports streaming or downloads. You can also join in the musical journey when Ugly Dolls launches on Blu-ray and DVD on July 30. 

When you experience Ugly Dolls on Blu-Ray you will experience the added benefits of theater-quality surround sound and 6 times the image resolution than DVD resolution. 

Fun bonus Blu-ray features

• Sing-Along Edition 
• Sing-Along Tease (small taste of the fun in the full Sing-Along edition)
• Fun with the Cast of Ugly Dolls
• Making of Ugly Dolls
• Theatrical Trailers

Enter this MBE Giveaway 
on Instagram 

Thanks to Universal Pictures, one lucky MBE giveaway participant will win the new Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo edition of Ugly Dolls. To enter the Ugly Doll sweepstakes Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest open to US + Canada residents. Hurry, this giveaway ends August 6, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. One (1) qualifying winner will be selected at random. Universal Pictures is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.


Be sure to check out the official Ugly Dolls movie trailer. To learn more about the film and for more fun with UglyDolls, visit the Universal Pictures Home Entertainment website and the film's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.