Preview the new #DisneyMagicalWorld2 by @NintendoAmerica #nintendo

October 4, 2016 by 1 Comment

This past weekend, we visited the Nintendo Store in NYC for the preview of Disney Magical World 2 Video Game. “Nintendo and Hollywood Records Recording Artist Olivia Holt Celebrate the Upcoming Launch of the Disney Magical World 2 Game, Launching Exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS Family of Systems.

Live your dream life alongside classic Disney characters in six Disney-themed worlds! Anyone who pre-purchases the title in Nintendo eShop or at select retailers will receive three in-game Frozen outfits free for characters like Elsa, Anna and Olaf. The game launches Oct. 14.”

disney video games

We were able to be among the first to try out the game, and there was a Disney costume party as well as jewelry, hair, and makeup stations.

disney magical world 2

Here is a video of a demo- we will give you our review soon! (Sorry about the dude that kept walking in front of my camera- what can you do, manners are a lost art, LOL). Make sure you pre-purchace the title so you can get your freebies!

Filed Under: disney, entertainment, gaming Tagged With: , , , ,

Ocean Spray Bog and Spinach Salad #ad #CranberryClassroom @OceanSprayInc

October 2, 2016 by 5 Comments

Thank you to Ocean Spray® for sponsoring this blog post. I’m partnering with Ocean Spray® for its NYC Cranberry Classroom. #ad All opinions are my own.

With Fall around the corner, it is cranberry season. As such, it is time to make some fun and seasonal  recipes with cranberries.  One such fall favorite is a spinach salad- great year round, but even better when gussied up.

Spinach

Ocean Spray’s ® Spinach Salad

Effortless Spinach Salad

Ingredients

8 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds, optional

DRESSING:
1/2 cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest, optional

Directions

Wash and clean spinach. Tear into bite size pieces and place in a serving bowl. Add half of the feta or goat cheese and onion; toss to combine.

Combine dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with dried cranberries and almonds. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.

Another way to celebrate the joys of cranberries is with the Ocean Spray® cranberry bog.

The Ocean Spray® cranberry bog was recently at Rockefeller Center® to celebrate the first day of fall. Nothing says fall like cranberries- and when will you ever get to see a bog in the middle of New York City? Not very often, at least.

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Did you know that 2016 marks the bicentennial of the first cultivated cranberry harvest? I didn’t. The NYC bog also shared cranberry’s story of taste, health and heritage with visitors in a fun and delicious way.

Farming Ocean Spray ® cranberries is often handed down generation to generation- it’s really a family business. It is interesting to see growers and their families (who were on-site) talk about the harvest and how it’s changed over the last 200 years.  Nothing like a first hand experience- but if you can’t have one, you at least get to hear it right from the horses mouth (as it were).

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Those who didn’t make it to the bog can experience The Most Beautiful Harvest for themselves at www.OSharvest.com.  You can see the little canberry’s journey from bog to bottle. It’s cute- check it out.

Here is some more information on it-

“Featuring fully immersive, 360-degree views of a bog, it’s the next best thing to being there! Ocean Spray launched the “Most Beautiful Harvest” experience in 2015 using Oculus Rift technology. The desktop, mobile and Google Cardboard ready versions of this fully immersive 360-degree harvest experience are now available to consumers online at www.OSharvest.com.”

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Filed Under: entertainment, food, review Tagged With: , ,

Win Tickets- Curious George at the Liberty Science Center #LSCCuriousity

September 22, 2016 by 7 Comments

 

 

liberty science center

The Liberty Science Center in nearby Jersey City, NJ has a ton to do for kids and families. They also constantly rotate exhibits and events so no one ever gets tired of doing anything. The latest event is Curious George: Let’s Get Curious, which opened this weekend.

“Letting curiosity and inquiry be their guides, children explore familiar buildings and locales from the “Curious George” books and television series on PBS Kids in Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! The exhibit presents key concepts in science, math, and engineering, which are woven throughout the exhibit. Activities invite children to learn like Curious George does—through direct experience and problem solving!

You can also meet Curious George in person at the Science Center. George will visit October 1, November 11, November 25, December 28, and December 29. Come take photos with him and give a big, friendly hug. Curious George can’t wait to meet your family!”

liberty science center

You can also get plenty of Curious George souvenirs in the gift shop.

All the fun an excitement was a wonderful way to get kids and adults to learn science and mechanics in a hands on way, while having tons of fun- the true Liberty Science Center fashion. The kids also loved meeting Curious George himself.  The exhibit will run until Jan. 8, 2017.

hands on learning

 

There is also the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit that older kids, parents- and really anyone will enjoy. It does cost more, so as a premium exhibition, it is available with the Premium Pass or a Combination Ticket.

“Bodies Revealed* presents real human figures and organs that reveal the wonder and beauty of the human form. The exhibition shows detailed views of human anatomy, from whole body displays to individual skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and circulatory systems. Unlike models that idealize the body through the eyes of an artist, this exhibition shows the body and its systems as they really exist, including natural variation.

The figures, skeletons, and organs in Bodies Revealed came from individuals who donated their bodies to accredited medical universities in the People’s Republic of China for the purpose of study and education. All donated bodies were examined by an anatomist and a biological anthropologist to confirm that they died of natural causes. A separate gallery respectfully displays the stages of human development in the womb. All of the embryos and fetuses died of natural causes before birth. (Viewers enter the gallery through clearly marked doors.)”

hands on learning

Don’t forget to sign up for fun experiments! Staff is on hand if you or the kids need help. (And yes, the kids took turns, LOL)

There are also IMAX and Real 3D movies playing. These are also for an extra fee, but worth the price.  We saw “Beautiful Planet” in the IMAX theater, which was not only visually stunning, but also gave the audience insights as to the changes our planet is going through and why.  Hopefully, it also encourages people to make better choices to help the planet as well.

 

All this and more can be found at the Liberty Science Center, where science comes alive on a regular basis. Make sure you check out the ever changing schedule of IMAX movies (where where the gigantic IMAX screen makes the smallest of critters and the liveliest of robots come to life)- it’s very cool to see a movie in a giant dome.

If you would like to win a 4 pack of tickets, please just leave your name and email in the comments below. Ends Oct. 20, 2016. Thanks!

Filed Under: education, entertainment, family, giveaway, review Tagged With: , , ,

Play MINECRAFT in a Movie Theater

September 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Play MINECRAFT in a Movie Theater! Big adventures. Big fun. All on the big screen! Tuesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 20 – Oct. 1. Get tickets now at SuperLeague.com. Save $5, use Promo Code “USFAMILY5”.


Save $5! Play MINECRAFT in a Movie Theater! – Play MINECRAFT in a Movie Theater! Big adventures. Big fun. All on the big screen! Tuesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 20 – Oct. 1. Get tickets now at SuperLeague.com. Save $5, use Promo Code “USFAMILY5”.
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=12799&dealid=2736

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Tilt Studio Family Entertainment Center

September 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Tilt Studio Family Entertainment Center hosts a variety of games and attractions that appeal to people of all ages. The fun center features a unique combination of food, fun and ‘freshments in a safe, clean and welcoming environment.

Guests will enjoy FUN AT FULL BLAST at Tilt Studio with a dynamic roster of more than 100 classic and modern interactive video and redemption prize games for all skill levels.

Whether you are looking to host a meeting, team building event, group gathering, non-profit FUNdraiser, or awesome birthday party, Tilt Studio can accommodate groups of all sizes.
Buy One Attraction, Get One Attraction FREE! – Buy one attraction at regular price, get one attraction FREE! Attractions include: Black Light Mini Golf, Mini-Bowling, Laser Frenzy, Ballocity Fun Zone, Dino Venture, Twirlin’ Taxi Ride, and Gemstone Mining.
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=12675&dealid=2645

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Nintendo Select

September 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Nintendo has made some incredible games for the Wii U, but which ones are best? Since they aren’t cheap, you might wonder how you can get more then one game for the $60 price tag.  Nintendo helps people figure that out with the Nintendo Select line of games, which are specially packaged and branded as the best of the best in Nintendo titles. With titles like Super Mario 3D World, you can tell you aren’t getting the just the least popular games.  Also, there is the benefit of the lower price tag- the ability to get at least 2 games for $60.

We are going to take a look at the newest releases in the line which includes Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, and Pikmin 3- all for the Wii U.  There are also titles for the award winning hand held the Nintendo 3DS, including Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D, Donkey Kong Country 3D Returns, and Mario Party Island Tour.

First up is Super Mario 3D World, with the familiar plumber powering up and saving the world one flying turtle as a time.  This time with glorious 3D environments and  varied levels, they are easy to play but difficult to master.  Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze follows the familiar primate in a not so familiar environment of a frozen tropical paradise.  Pikmin 3 is a 3d puzzle/ RPG game where players toss about little plant/animal creatures called Pikmin, who do your bidding in a dangerous world full of harmful critters and obstacles all while trying to fix your space ship and find your friends.  (My son loves this game beyond reason, LOL.)

The 3DS includes two 3D remakes of incredible games; Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time and Donkey Kong Country 3D Returns.  Ocarina follows our hero Link in his adventures to save the princess and the world with new items, new game play, and shiny new graphics.  Last but not least is the action party game Mario Party Island Tour, which is a plethora of fun mini games to pit you against your friends or other characters in a race around a board game world.

As of now, there is also a special promotion going on where each of the mentioned titles are actually retailing for $19.99, so this is the perfect time to get some stellar games for an incredibly good price.

 

 

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The Jungle Book Now Released on DVD

September 1, 2016 by 2 Comments

Have you gotten your copy yet? This movie is adorable- kids of all ages (and the young at heart) will love it. It’s a good one to watch with the whole family- and there are not really any horribly scary parts, even though the movie has “real” animals in it, not cartoon versions. (Yes, they are “real” fake animals, lol- but real looking.)

Check out these cute clips, then head over to Amazon or your favorite spot and grab your copy.

and little Mowgli, getting things done-

Filed Under: disney, entertainment, movie

Dominate the Fashion World in Style Savvy: Fashion Forward

September 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment

video game

There is so much more to Style Savvy: Fashion Forward than just playing dress up. The refreshingly deep Nintendo 3DS game, which launches on Aug. 19, teaches fashionistas of all ages about creativity, fashion and management skills. The game lets you enjoy an incredibly fun lifestyle, while also learning the ins and outs of the fashion world! By taking on five different professions with their own game mechanics and challenges, you can help customers look and feel glamorous, while also shaping fashion trends all around town. Think you know fashion? Put your sense of style to the test!

“There’s a reason fans have fallen in love with the Style Savvy series,” said Cindy Gordon, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “The games are a pleasant surprise for anyone that plays them, and the feeling of nailing your looks and pleasing customers in the game is as satisfying as ever in Style Savvy: Fashion Forward.”

Style Savvy: Fashion Forward features five different professions that you can master: boutique manager, designer, hair stylist, makeup artist and model. Each one has unique gameplay and can be switched on the fly. That means you can play the game while focusing on the one job you really want, or mix it up and dip your feet into everything.

As a boutique manager, you recommend clothing based on customers’ requests and personal styles. By selecting from an eventual collection of more than 19,000 pieces of clothing and accessories, you can gain your customers’ trust, which, in turn, will make them want to purchase more items at your store. But make sure you keep your shop well stocked! Stop by the Exhibition Hall’s wholesale outlets to stock up on fashion items that are constantly changing. Play your fashion cards right and everyone will be wearing your clothes and following your style trends.

A wide variety of different amiibo figures like Mario, Peach, Rosalina, Samus and Isabelle can also be used in the game. Each different character provides a new, exclusive clothing item or accessory related to that character. For example, tap the Kirby amiibo while playing to get a stylish (and adorable) pink Kirby purse. Discovering the fashion items that each amiibo provides and putting them to good use is a big part of the fun. For a full list of compatible amiibo, visit http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/games/detail/style-savvy-fashion-forward-3ds.

Style Savvy: Fashion Forward launches exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on Aug. 19, and can be purchased in stores, in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS and at Nintendo.com at a suggested retail price of $29.99. That’s an especially good deal when paired with the newly priced Nintendo 2DS system, which is available at a suggested retail price of just $79.99. If you want to try Style Savvy: Fashion Forward before you buy, head to Nintendo eShop right now to download a free demo for the game. Additionally, a new Style Savvy: My Room Theme is also available in the Nintendo 3DS Theme Shop for $1.99.

For more information about Style Savvy: Fashion Forward, visit http://stylesavvy.nintendo.com/.

Filed Under: entertainment, gaming Tagged With: ,