50th Anniversary Peanuts Charlie Brown Christmas Gift Set Review


Entertainment



Win The Peanuts 50th Anniversary Collectible Set Giveaway

The Peanuts Worldwide and Charlie Brown dynasty have loomed large for generations, and as a Peanuts Brand Ambassador, the past year has been a particularly busy and meaningful one for me here on MBE. Last December America saw the 50th Anniversary airing on TV of A Charlie Brown Christmas and this Friday, November 6th, the first full-length feature film ever based on the iconic cartoon strip, The Peanuts Movie, will be released on the big screen. 

Continuing the celebration of the beloved characters created by the late Charles Schulz is the brand new release of a special 50th Anniversary Gift Pack compiled by Concord Music Group (2015) which is now available exclusively at Walmart. 

This collection is perfect for holiday gift giving. It is destined to touch the hearts of the whole extended family, including 2 music CDs A Charlie Brown Christmas and Peanuts Portraits: The Classic Character Themes with the original soundtracks of 11 songs by the Vince Guaraldi Trio on each CD. Also in this special gift set is a reproduction of the 1965 book A Charlie Brown Christmas as well as four double-sided collectible postcards featuring Peanuts characters. The deluxe collection retails for an affordable $19.98 and is now on the shelves at Walmart.

A Charlie Brown Christmas features
  • O Tannenbaum
  • What Child is This
  • My Little Drum
  • Linus and Lucy
  • Christmas Time is Here (instrumental)
  • Christmas Time is Here (vocal)
  • Skating
  • Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
  • Christmas is Coming
  • Fur Elise
  • The Christmas Song
Peanuts Portraits features
  • Linus and Lucy
  • Sally's Blues
  • Blue Charlie Brown
  • Peppermint Patty
  • Charlie's Blues
  • Joe Cool
  • Frieda (With the Naturally Curly Hair)
  • Schroeder
  • Little Birdie
  • The Masked Marvel
  • Linus and Lucy

GIVEAWAY
Readers note: Don't leave this page before you enter the giveaway below to win the same 50th Anniversary A Charlie Brown Christmas Gift Pack featured in this MBE review. 


50th Anniversary 
Peanuts Gift Set

GIVEAWAY


Ends 11/19/15

FTC Disclosure: To facilitate this review and the associated giveawayI received the special gift set featuredConcord Music is providing the prize and shipping for MBE's 50th Anniversary A Charlie Brown Chrismas Gift Pack Giveaway. However opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Morris Birthday Twitter Party November 4 from 8-10 pm ET #MorrisBirthday


Twitter Party



This is a sponsored post

Don't miss Morris' Funny Guest Post Cat Advice Series

Enter MBE's Morris Giftbasket Giveaway

#MorrisBirthday

MEOW! Cats and your cat loving humans, guess what? Morris the Cat – celebrity spokescat and star of over fifty 9Lives cat food commercials – is celebrating his birthday and he personally is inviting you to join the fun and festivities! This exclusive Twitter event tomorrow night from 8-10 pm ET, which includes trivia and prizes, celebrates both Morris' past and future of living well. Joining the party is easy and fun. All you have to do is RSVP, jump into the chat and enjoy yourself!




Date & Time

Wednesday

November 4, 2015
8:00 to 10:00 pm ET

Follow Party Panelists


@MorrisApproved
@MommyBlogExpert

Prizes


Fun Morris-approved prizes will be given away throughout the party. Plus we'll have a Grand Prize, TBA, at the end for one lucky party goer who actively participates in the cat conversation.


Hashtag


#MorrisBirthday


About Morris the Cat
To learn more about Morris, visit the official Prospurr 9 Lives site. You can also stay in the loop by following the socially responsible yet hilarious cat world of 9 Lives on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram


RSVP HERE


Find Lots MORE Twitter Parties w/ Prizes 

FTC Disclosure: I disclose I am being compensated for my involvement with the #MorrisBirthday Twitter Party. All images in post provided by 9Lives. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Master Twitter Party Calendar November 1-6

Twitter Parties


Constant Updates, Sneak Peek at Future Weeks


Master Twitter Party Calendar - Including USA & Canada





Brands: 
See bottom of post to hire Mommy Blog Expert for your next Twitter Party!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Master Twitter Chat Party Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. A brand new weekly Twitter Party Schedule is published every Sunday at 9 am ET.

Be sure to check back often during each week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and Blab parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on TwitterFacebookPinterestInstagram, and Pinterest.

The majority of parties are for U.S. only, unless indicated otherwise. Look for 
highlights in pink for Twitter Parties where CANADA residents are eligible for prizes.

THIS WEEK

#MorrisBirthday Twitter Party, 11/4, 8-10 pm ET

Sunday, November 1

Courting Danger Twitter Party at 5 pm ET with @beingthewriter. Prizes: ONE (1) copy of various ebooks, TWO (2) sets of front and back bike wheel LED lights, ONE (1) set of 12 multi-colored LED battery operated tea lights, ONE (1) Halloween giftbag. #CourtingDanger

Monday, November 2

Try A Little Goodness Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @thesimpleparent @blm03 @lizz_porter and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart or Sam's Club giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart or Sam's Club GCs. #TryALittleGoodness

My Size Poise Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @poise @iamthemaven @simplybeingmom and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Target giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Target GCs. #MySizePoise

Support Princess Margaret Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @houseandhome @glucksteinhome and others. Prizes: TBA - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes.  #SupportPrincessMargaret #PMLotto

TMOM Where Next Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @travelingmoms @kimorlando and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Amazon giftcards. #WhereNext #TMoms

Tuesday, November 3

Purely Simple Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @outnumberedmama @simplybeingmom and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Kroger giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Kroger GCs. #PurelySimple

Choose Good Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @influenstervox @annieshomegrown. Prizes: TBA. #ChooseGood

Confidence U Deserve Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @iamthemaven @thecouponista and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 CVS giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 CVS GCs. #ConfidenceUDeserve

Turbo Tax ACA Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @clever_network @turbotax. Prizes: SIX (6) Turbo Tax Premier giftcards ARV $100, ONE (1) Grand Prize $100 VISA giftcard. #TurboTaxACA

Beauty Gives Back Holiday Twitter Party 8 to 8:30 pm ET with @bgbcanada @shesinfluential @lgfbcanada and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Shopper's Drug Mart giftcards Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #SDMBeautyGala

Wednesday, November 4

Heat and Eat Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @kellysluckyyou @thriftyjinxy and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Target GC, FIVE (5) $100 Target GCs. #HeatandEat

Goodbye Blisters Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @laughwithusblog @agirlsgottaspa and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walgreens giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens GCs. #GoodbyeBlisters

Naan Traditional Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @coryanneettiene @stonefirenaan. Prizes: ONE (1) VISA giftcard in each of the following denominations $25, $50, $100; Grand Prize ONE (1) Vitamin Blender. #NaanTraditional

Just Haves Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @jnsantaniello. Prizes: TWO (2) Delonghi prizes. #JustHaves

Today's Parent Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @todaysparent. Prizes: TBA Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #TPMillion

Morris the Cat Ultimate Birthday Bash Twitter Party 8 to 10 pm ET with @morrisapproved. Prizes: TBA. #MorrisBirthday


Pack a Dairy Punch Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @amerdairyassoc. Prizes: SEVEN (7) prizes include Ninja NutriPro Blender, Ninja Professional Blender with To-Go cup and other goodies - see RSVP link for complete prize descriptions. #DairyPunch

Thursday, November 5

Nuts for Peanuts Twitter Party at Noon ET with @peanutscanada @simplystacienet and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) $25 grocery giftcards Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #Nuts4Peanuts

SCJ Zero Waste Twitter Party at Noon ET with @ptpa @ptpaamy and others. Prizes: TBA Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes#SCJZeroWaste

Gift Outside the Box Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @themotherhood @tmchathost and others. Prizes: TWO (2) National Park memberships, ONE (1) Children's Museum membership - each ARV $150. #GiftOutsideTheBox

One of A Kind Fan Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @freebies4mom @moneywisemoms and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Target giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Target GCs. #OneofaKindFan

Babies R Us Christmas Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @babiesrus @momstart. Prizes: TBA. #BRUChristmas

Sweet Meets Spicy Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @smiley360. Prizes: EIGHT (8) winners will receive a year's supply of TAZO Chai. #SweetMeetsSpicy

Mary's Secret Ingredients Twitter Party at 2:30 pm ET with @msifoodiesbox. Prizes: TWO (2) Grand Prizes of a Mary's Winter Box and EIGHT (8) Mary's Thanksgiving Recipe and Planning Guides. #maryssecretchat

Love Your Curls Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @pollinatemedia @livinginyellow and others. Prizes: FOUR (4) $50 giftcard, ONE (1) $100 GC. #LoveYourCurls

Dairy Free 4 All Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @so_delicious @dentistmel and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #DairyFree4All

Flex Your Fridge Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @samsungtweets @nfmtweets. Prizes: Win a Samsung refridgerator. #FlexYour Fridge

Costco Moms Twitter Party 8 - 9:30 pm ET with @montreal_mom @askmamamoe. Prizes: SIX (6) 1-year Costco subscriptions + P&G travel essentials prize pack; ONE (1) Grand Prize that includes two 1-year Costco subscriptions + 2 P&G travel essentials prize packs, one to keep and one to share - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #CostcoMoms

New at Nuby Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @finnegan_hughes @diaperedknights @nubyusa. Prizes: TBA. #NewAtNuby

Friday, November 6

Crafted Experience Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @ourhomemadelife @couponista and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) Crafted Experience giftbaskets ARV $100. #CraftedExperience

Holidays Con Familia Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @candypo @athriftydiva and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #HolidaysConFamilia

Customizing Your Smartphone Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @robynsworld @thetechdad @theonlinemom. Prizes: ONE (1) Motorola portable charger, ONE (1) customized Droid Turbo 2 smartphone will be given away during the Twitter Party plus chance to win another Motorola portable charger and Droid Turbo 2 at the video recap immediately following. #VZWBuzz

Care Bear Cousins Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @bloggingmamas @carebearsfriend. Prizes: ONE (1) Grand Prize $100 Netflix giftcard + Care Bears Girls Dynacraft bike, FOUR (4) $50 Netflix giftcards, ONE (1) Care Bears prize pack with $50 Netflix GC + 5 Blind Packs. #CBCousins


NEXT WEEK

Sunday, November 8

Hot Sports Grills Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @mmc67 @hotsportsgrills. Prizes: FIVE (5) grills. #HotSportsGrills

Monday, November 9

Cord Blood 411 Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @babycenter and others. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 American Express giftcards, ONE (1) Grand Prize $250 AmEx GC. #CordBlood411

Unroll Me Now Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @sweeptight @laughwithusblog and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #UnrollMeNow

Tuesday, November 10

Thanks Pak Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @valpakcoupons @savings and others. Prizes: $400+ in prizes TBA. #ThanksPak

Mejores Recetas Bilingual Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lamorenausa @candypo and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #MejoresRecetas

My All American Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @socialmoms @brettbmartin. Prizes: TWENTY (20) $20 Amazon giftcards, TEN (10) My All American swag bags, ONE (1) Grand Prize $500 Amazon GC. #MyAllAmerican

Holly Jolly Holidays Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @greenplicity @silikids and others. Prizes: Huge number of prizes for moms and kids - see RSVP link for complete prize list. #HollyJollyHolidays

Bjorn to Wear Twitter Party with @twiniversity @step2, time TBA. Prizes: TBA. #BjorntoWear - Watch MBE Master Twitter Party Calendar for more details soon.

Wednesday, November 11

Fall Glamping Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @freschetta @honeymaidsnacks and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #FallGlamping

Thursday, November 12

Libby's Cansgiving Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @libbystable @resourcefulmom. Prizes: THREE (3) prize packs including Cuisinart 3.5 quart slow cooker + Libby's products, ONE (1) Grand Prize includes GreenPan Black Ceramic Non-stick Casserole + Libby's products. #Cansgiving

Garden of Life Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @socialmoms @AliciaSilv and others. Prizes: TBA. #GardenofLife - Stay tuned to MBE Master Twitter Party Calendar for more details soon

Stop Your Burn Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @5minutesformom @crissy and others. Prizes: TWO (2) prize packs including $250 Walmart giftcard + BurnJel giftbasket ARV $50, FOUR (4) $100 Walmart GC + BurnJel giftbasket ARV $50 prize packs - BOTH US & Canada residents eligible for prizes. #StopYourBurn

Share a Meal Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @lisasamples @spaceshipslb. Prizes: TEN (10) $50 American Express giftcards + each winner will receive another $50 AmEx GC to share with a family in need. #ShareAMeal

Friday, November 13

Big Season Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @biglots @iamthemaven and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $100 Big Lots giftcard, TWO (2) $200 Big Lots GCs. #BigSeason

The Hunger Games Watch Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @thehungergames. Prizes: TBA. #MJWatch


COMING SOON 

TBA

About this Weekly Twitter Party List

Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Master Twitter Party Calendar, the most comprehensive, constantly updated Free resource of its kind online. However keep in mind that each party is run by a different brand and/or hosts and MommyBlogExpert, unless specified otherwise, is not responsible for any dealings readers have with these events including, but not limited to, prizing of any party on the calendar.




For Brands


How to Add a Twitter Party
to the Calendar


Add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Master Twitter Party Calendar FREE by emailing janis at janiselspas.com with "Twitter Party" in subject line including all details and links in the body of your message.


Hire MBE to Plan, Promote and/or 
Host Your Twitter Party

Also available, for a nominal fee, to plan, promote, host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please janis at janiselspas.com for information with "Twitter Party Consulting Query" in the subject line.


FTC Disclosure: 
MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a consultant, host, co-host, and/or panelist for others. Except for the #MorrisBirthday Twitter Party on 11/4/15, I am not receiving payment or compensation associated with any party on this calendar. See complete FTC disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Review

Technology


Organize, Edit and Share Images Like a Pro


As a blogger I'm always looking for new ways to improve the quality of the photos I use to illustrate MommyBlogExpert's content. In fact, I personally believe that image relevance and quality can make or break the kind of traffic any particular blogpost attracts. But, even if you just enjoy smartphone or DSLR photography as a hobby, you may want to edit your photo collection or need a little help with organizing your images and keeping track of it all.


Photo by Raphael Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

MBE partnered with Best Buy for this post

So it was a no brainer. When Best Buy asked me if I'd like to give Adobe Creative Cloud Photography a test drive I was more than happy to rise to the opportunity and challenge to try something new.

For years up until now I've been exclusively using Adobe Elements which is geared more to beginner or intermediate users. Adobe Creative Cloud Photography, on the other hand, caters toward more experienced photographers who are looking to grow like I am, professional content creators seeking more flexibility and functionality when it comes to organizing, editing and optimizing, and sharing our images. 

This online subscription software service is available as a one-year subscription and encompasses both Photoshop Creative Cloud and Lightroom Creative Cloud.

As I learned from special guest professional photographer Tim Grey during a special webinar co-hosted by Best Buy and Adobe for bloggers invited to work on this project, Adobe Creative Cloud Photography offers an impressive suite of tools to turn well composed good photos into great ones. Among the things that Tim showed us was the dehaze feature which is new with the latest release of this product, allowing you to get rid of fog and haze in images within Lightroom.

Before editing in Lightroom, MommyBlogExpert.com


Surprisingly it only took me a couple of hours of watching a few tutorials and clicking around to get set up and start experiencing this photo editing powerhouse. And the news gets even sweeter -- since the product is cloud-based, I'm able to access my photo library and various edited images I'm working on wherever I have WiFi access via desktop, laptop or even my iPad.


After editing in Lightroom, MommyBlogExpert.com

As you can see from the before and after editing examples above of the photo taken with a smartphone at University of Maryland on a beautiful fall day just a few weeks ago, the difference is impressive and noticeable. The before photo looks good, but not great because it lacks depth and vibrancy. After just a few adjustments I made within Lightroom the image now perfectly captures the you-were-there experience I saw with my own eyes. Now that I know the basics I'm going to check out some of the 1000+ Creative Cloud apps tutorials available that I'll be able to view with my iPhone or iPad.



About Best Buy
Best Buy is the place for all your home appliance, consumer electronics and entertainment needs year round. For more information visit BestBuy.com as well as follow @BestBuy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo by Raphael Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com


FTC Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. However opinions in this post are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

8 Halloween Costume Online Contests to Win Great Prizes for US & Canada Residents


Celebrations



Halloween is just a few days away. For those of you celebrating, if you haven't gotten your costume together for that party you're going to on Saturday night yet, you'd better hurry. Those of you who think you've already got the best costume ever, whether it's store bought or homemade, might also want to listen up. Either way, you have the chance to win some really great prizes and even some cold cash by electronically submitting a photo of yourself, your child and/or your pet.
Now's the time to make sure you have a camera handy or you've cleared out enough space on your smartphone so you can capture those great poses in full costume and makeup and submit them. Below are some fun Halloween costume contests you might consider entering, be sure to check deadlines for submissions because some contests end shortly after Halloween while one goes until 11/20/15. Also note eligibility for U.S. and Canadian residents varies.

Fandango My Movie Halloween Costume Contest - U.S. residents only
Grand Prize $2500 + $500 in Fandango tickets, TWO (2) Runner Up $500 + in Fandango tickets. When sharing your costume photo follow Tag @Fandango, Follow Fandango on Instagram and use hashtag #MyMovieCostumeContest

LowestRates.ca Halloween Contest - Canada residents only
Prize is an iPad Mini. To enter, take a photo of your house decorated for Halloween, share on LowestRates Facebook page or Tweet @lowestrates_ca using hashtag #MyHalloweenHouse


Mommy Blog Expert.com

Halloween ComicFest Costume Contest - F0r U.S. and Canada residents
Prizes for kids and adults include TWO (2) $500 shopping sprees and TEN (10) shopping sprees at participating Halloween ComicFest comic stores, TEN (10) winners will each get a costume valued at up to $1280 each. For rules and to submit your photo see this Entry Blank

What to Expect Kids Halloween Costume Contest - U.S. residents only
Prizes include ONE (1) $200 Amazon giftcard, ONE (1) $100 Amazon GC. Enter by submitting your child's photo in costume HERE


Ontario SPCA Pet Costume Contest - Canada residents only
Prize package includes a Rocky plush toy, flashing collar to keep your pet safe at night and SPCA gift bag. Find details to enter HERE

CostumeWorks Halloween Costume Contest - U.S. residents only
TWENTY FOUR (24) cash prizes ranging from $25-$100 each and totalling $1,675 in all. Prizes awarded for both homemade and store-bought costumes for babies, pets and adults. Entries accepted through November 20, 2015. Get more information and submit your photo entries HERE

Halloween Express DIY Costume Contest - U.S. residents only
$16,000 in cash prizes in eight costume categories including kids, pets and adults -- even maternity. Entries may be accepted until November 9, 2015. Everything you need to know and entry form can be found HERE

Savers Thrift or Treat Costume Contest - For U.S. and Canada residents
Prizes include a Grand Prize $1,000 prize pack, ONE (1) runner up $250 Savers shopping voucher and THREE (3) Honorable Mentions get a $100 Savers shopping voucher. Entries accepted until November 3, 2015.  Submit your costume photo HERE


FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation in connection with this postSee complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.