A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish Review

Movies

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this blog post. Opinions here are my own.

A Modern Twist on Cinderella for the Holidays

Just in time for holiday family entertainment, stocking stuffers, and gift giving, A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish (rated PG) from Warner Bros. has launched on Bluray, DVD and Digital. This contemporary twist on the classic fairytale is beautifully presented as a musical feature film that kids and parents will enjoy watching together.

All images in post © 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Laura Marano in A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish 

The fifth installment in the A Cinderella Story movie series, this is the first one with a Christmas theme. Part teenage problems, part high school love story, and part discovering the true meaning of Christmas, this romantic comedy stars Laura Marano (as beautiful Kat Decker), Isabella Gomez (as Isla), Gregg Sulkin (as Dominic Wintergarden) and Barclay Hope (as Terence Wintergarden). 

Special extra features on the Blu-ray DVD combo include 

• The Looks and Costumes of Christmas Wish
• The Mic and the Stage

Go behind-the-scenes with costume designer Valeria Halverson for a sneak peek of one of the bonus features on costuming and the critical role wardrobe played in the filming of this movie.

A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish is available in-store and online including on Amazon.

Save The Manatee Adoption Holiday Gift Idea

Nature

Giving Back Gift to Endangered Animals

Encountering mother and baby manatees up close, not behind glass in a zoo but instead peacefully swimming side-by-side in the wild in their natural environment. That breathtaking personal experience -- the opportunity to appreciate these truly beautiful, gentle giant creatures while recently kayaking near Key West, Florida with my family -- is one memory I will always treasure and hold close to my heart. The manatee is indeed one of Florida's most beloved animals, but sadly it's also one of the region's most imperiled species due to a host of environmental and man-made causes. 

How to Help Save Manatees

With their very existence under threat, as a nature lover and advocate who is particularly fond of manatees, I'm sharing how you can join me to help. You don't even have to get into a kayak or visit Florida. From wherever you live you can make a difference in the manatees' future by supporting the non-profit organization Save the Manatee Club and their Adopt-A-Manatee program.

For the animal lovers on your holiday gift list, consider adopting real live Florida manatees for family and friends this season. This is a unique, nature-inspired gift they will love which helps increase Save the Manatee Club's protective activities on behalf of these threatened marine mammals and their aquatic habitat.

See Manatees While Kayaking or Paddle Boarding, Key West, Florida

Meaningful Gift Idea for Animal Lovers & Teens

Through the Save the Manatee Club, mom Sarah Young gifted her 14-year old daughter Sophia a manatee named Aqua. 

Young says, "I chose Aqua to adopt not only because it's my girl's favorite color, but also because this particular mammal had just given birth to a calf. Sophia was just ecstatic and says this is one of her all-time favorite gifts to have ever received. 

"We may live in Virginia, far away from where these creatures live, " Sophia's mom notes, "yet her deep love for manatees and personal involvement is inspiring my teen's dream to be a marine biologist one day. She is learning a lot, and absolutely loves the videos and pictures posted on the Facebook page, so there's no doubt the manatee is her chosen spirit animal."

There are 30+ unique manatees available for adoption by the public and these can be viewed on the club's website SaveTheManatee.org. Among the newest manatee adoptees offered are Millie and Illusion. Membership adoption levels are affordable, too, starting at just $25. 

The recipient of your present receives a personalized gift packet including an adoption certificate, photo and life history of a real Florida manatee, as well as a fact-filled membership handbook, Save The Manatee 2020 wall calendar, and more. Adoptions are available to gift givers for purchase worldwide, with free shipping in the US. International shipping details can be found on the organization's site.

About Save The Manatee Club

Save the Manatee Club is a 501(c) nonprofit organization which was co-founded in 1981 by internationally renowned singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffet and Bob Graham, former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator. Funds raised from holiday gift manatee adoptions help the club increase public awareness as well as support education, research, rehabilitation and release activities. They also work to actively protect manatees and their habitat including helping to influence boating regulations and designating sanctuaries. The group's efforts reach beyond Florida to the Wider Caribbean, Central and South America, and West Africa. 

Me at Jimmy Buffett's Original Margaritaville, Key West, Florida

Learn more about Save the Manatee by calling 800-432-5646, or by visiting the non-profit's official site where you can also see their fanciful 2019 Holiday Guide of mantee gift items. You can also stay up to date on all the news by following Save the Manatee Club on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Halloween Cocktail

Entertaining

Easy Fall Drink Recipe 

Here's a fun, easy and delicious new drink to mix up for guests at your Halloween celebration this year. I just love this creative and spooky twist on this classic party drink  by Leigh Ann Chatagnier of MyDiaryofUs and I think you will too. After all, why should all the Halloween fun be limited to the kids? This original Spiced Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Cocktail is the perfect adult only treat for mom and dad, especially as nights gets chilly. This also be easily made without liquor for  a non-alcohol drink both kids and sober adults will appreciate.

Spiced Caramel Apple Hot Toddy 

Cocktail Recipe

Make this for the grownups with bourbon or just leave out the liquor for a non-alcohol version that both kids and adults will enjoy.

Time to Make: 15 mins or less
Makes 2 Drinks

Ingredients

• 3 oz Bulleit Bourbon
• 1 cup Apple Cider
• 1/8 cup Fresh Orange Juice + 1 Whole Orange Slice
• 8 Caramel Candies
• 1 Splash of Water
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• 2 Star Anise
• 8 Whole Cloves
• 2 Apple Slices for Garnish

Directions

1. In small saucepan combine apple cider, orange juice, 4 caramel candies, cinnamon stick, star anise, orange slice, and whole cloves. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until fragrant and caramels have melted.

2. In two heat safe glasses, add 1-1/2 oz of bourbon each.

3. Take the remaining caramels and add a splash of water to a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute until caramels are melted smooth. Alternately, melt caramels in separate pot on stove.

4. Strain the warmed spiced caramel apple cider into each glass equally, stir with the bourbon. Then garnish each with an apple slice and drizzle melted caramels over the rim of each glass.

5. Serve immediately and enjoy.

About Leigh Ann Chatagnier

Leigh Ann is founder of My Diary of Us, a site where she invites visitors into her family's kitchen to cook with her. Born in Tennessee and inspired by the food of Louisiana, she now lives in Houston, Texas with her hubbie and son. A frequent guest on Houston Life and Home & Family on The Hallmark Channel and NBC Syndicated Daytime, she is the author of two cookbooks, Natural Baby & Toddler Treats: Homemade, Nourishing Recipes for Baby and Beyond (2019) and The Unexpected Cajun Kitchen: Classic Cuisine with a Twist of Farm-to-Table Freshness (2016).

For more fun and delicious ideas follow check out Leigh's Ann new cookbook. 

Recipes/Photos reprinted with permission by 
Leigh Ann Chatagnier / MyDiaryofUs.com

Disney The Lion King Bluray Giveaway Review

Movies

MBE partnered with Disney Studios for this review and giveaway

Animation You'll be Convinced is Live Action

One of my favorite Disney movies to see on the big screen this year is The Lion King (2019). Now available on Digital and starting October 22, audiences will be also be able to enjoy this technologically-advanced family movie masterpiece on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. 

Amazingly Real Looking Animation, Image courtesy of Disney

The storyline -- the drama of a lion cub, the dad he looks up to, and the wicked uncle who seeks to rise above them both to crown himself king of the jungle -- follows the 1994 original animated movie closely.

Talent Behind & In Front of the Cameras

Using Disney's The Jungle Book (2016), which won an Oscar for best achievement in visual effects as the foundation, Director Jon Favreau took this year's The Lion King remake to the next level. The result in his latest endeavor is animals and scenery that looks as real as what I personally experienced on my family's dream trip African safari earlier this year. 

With original songs by Tim Rice and Elton John, performances by Beyonce (who also plays the voice of Nala), and magnificent voice over articulations by icons like James Earl Ray as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejofor (the evil Scar), Donald Glover as Simba and Seth Rogen (the comical Pumbaa), this is a film multiple generations will appreciate in various ways.

However, as speaking from the perspective of a mom, as much as I think this is technically amazing, I have to tell you that this movie is rated PG. It's rated that way for good reason: there are several very realistic-looking, graphic sequences of violence and peril that may be way too scary for younger and more sensitive viewers. So you'll definitely want to consider that before your kids watch this.

Janis Elspas on a Safari With Family in Africa

The Lion King Blu-ray Bonus Extras

• The Journey To The Lion King Documentary
• More To Be Scene
• Spirit Beyonce Music Video
• Song Selection Sing Along With the Movie
• Audio Commentary with Director Jon Favreau
• And More

Disney The Lion King Giveaway

Disney The Lion King Movie

MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Disney Studios, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win the new Disney The Lion King Blu-ray DVD combo movie. To enter this Disney The Lion King 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 October 31, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Disney Studios is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

More About Disney's The Lion King

Learn more about Disney's The Lion King, visit the official movie website as well as follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

FREE Halloween Pumpkin Carving Templates

Crafts

DIY Pumpkin Stencils & Other Clever Ideas

Looking for the best DIY pumpkin carving ideas for Halloween ever? We've got you covered with more than 100 FREE downloadable stencils and templates for every level of pumpkin crafter from beginner to intermediate and advanced. From scary to fun to just plain creative and easy, you will find something for every taste and style.

Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Everyone

• Pumpkin designs for kids and adults featuring traditional Halloween icons like witches, black crows, skulls, and haunted houses
• Pumpkin templates featuring your favorite Disney and other movie characters
• Pumpkin ideas to carve the likeness of your favorite person or pet
• Trendy, of the moment stencils of sloths, unicorns and all the rest
• Even some no-carve, super easy pumpkin craft inspiration sources

Free Printable Pumpkin Templates & More

So if you haven't already gotten started, now's the time to find your perfect pumpkin to carve before they run out from your favorite store, roadside farmstand or you pick pumpkin farm. Then, start planning this year's pumpkin design by grabbing one or as many as you'd like of the pumpkin carving ideas we want to share with our readers.

Lots of Kids Characters Pumpkin Carving Templates from PBS Parents
Featuring beloved classics and contemporary: Curious George, Cat in the Hat, Sesame Street, Arthur and others

Scary Pumpkin Carving Templates from HGTV

30 Days of Painted No-Carve Pumpkins from Martha Stewart

31 Best Pumpkin Carving & Crafts also from Martha Stewart

Movie Characters, Politicians + More Templates from Celebrating Halloween

The Good Dinosaur Arlo Pumpkin Template based on the Disney Pixar movie

43 Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Carving Stencils from Popsugar

Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns + More from The Pumpkin Lady

Pumpkin Carving for Families Templates from Pumpkin Pile

Printable Pumpkin Stencils from Better Homes & Gardens

Sloth Pumpkin Stencil and more from Pumpkin Stencils

Click Image to Download this 

Simba Stencil

Bookmark this page NOW &

Watch for New Ideas We Add

Happy Halloween!

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