The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness: July 2016
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Thursday, July 28, 2016

Disney Princess Elena of Avalor Soundtrack Giveaway!


Set in the enchanted fairytale land of Avalor, the series tells the story of Elena, a brave and adventurous teenager who has saved her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. Elena's journey will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders.

I am so excited for Elena because she is the first Latina Disney Princess! It is so wonderful to see the diversity and I know Elena of Avalor will be a huge hit especially in my family!


Elena of Avalor premiered on July 22 on the Disney Channel and now The Elena of Avalor soundtrack EP is available! The EP features 7 songs from the highly anticipated Disney Channel animated series. The theme song “Elena of Avalor” is performed by Gaby Moreno and Elena's anthem "My Time" is performed by Aimee Carrero, the voice of Princess Elena. Elena of Avalor track listing:

1. “Elena of Avalor”
2. “Ready to Rule”
3. “Festival of Love”
4. “Sister Time”
5. “The Magic Within You”
6. “My Time” (Bonus Track)
7. “My Time” (Instrumental)

In addition to singing the theme song, Gaby Moreno will also voice a guest role in the series. Born in Guatemala, Moreno performs her music, which ranges from blues to jazz to soul to R&B, in both English and Spanish. In addition to winning the Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2013, Moreno was nominated for an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music in 2010 for co-writing the theme song to "Parks and Recreation."



Elena of Avalor soundtrack EP is available at iTunesAmazonstreaming services and wherever music is sold. For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, like Walt Disney Records on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

The music is fun and catchy. The show is really cute and will entertain the whole family! In honor of Elena of Avalor, I have a copy of the soundtrack for one lucky winner! If you want to win, enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Doctor Strange Trailer and Poster!! Opens November 4th!

You all know I love my Disney/Marvel movies! And I cannot tell you how excited I am for Doctor Strange! After seeing the poster and the trailer I can't wait until November!! Added plus is that the movie stars Benedict Cumberbatch!! I love me some Benedict Cumberbatch.








Like DOCTOR STRANGE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorStrangeMovie

Follow DOCTOR STRANGE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrStrange

Follow Marvel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel/  

Visit the official DOCTOR STRANGE website here: https://marvel.com/doctorstrange

DOCTOR STRANGE opens in theatres everywhere on November 4th!



Monday, July 25, 2016

It's National Ice Cream Month + Giveaway!

Did you know that July was National Ice Cream Month? I did and it has been filled with lots of yumminess. Some of that yumminess has been brought to me by Graeter’s Ice Cream!


Graeter’s Ice Cream is a nationally recognized and awarded ice cream brand (Named Top 5 in the Country by the Food Network!) that was founded over 146 years ago in Cincinnati, OH. The fourth-generation family owned and operated company has perfected the art of using the French Pot, a traditional, small batch artisanal process of making ice cream. Known for their indulgent, premium flavors and ingredients, they’re also widely recognized for their gargantuan gourmet chocolate chips.


And let me tell you that the art of French Pot makes some really really good ice cream. I tried the Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chip and it was creamy and smooth. You could taste the chunks of chocolate and pecans. There was a hint of bourbon that was subtle but not overpowering. It was heaven.


Graeter's has many flavors to offer. Head to the site to see the variety. I really want to try the Double Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and the Buckeye Chocolate Chip. I love Buckeye's because my hubby is from Cleveland and I cannot imagine how delicious it must be to have ice cream with Buckeyes!


I also love that Graeter's not offer ice cream but gifts as well. They have corporate gifts and treats for events like weddings, baby showers and graduations! I would love to have these treat for one of my fundraising events at work. I think people would love them!

So enjoy National Ice Cream Month and go out and check out Graeter's! If you want to win two (2) coupons to try Graeter's Ice Cream, then enter below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Celebrate Ball Home Canning’s Can-It-Forward Day + Giveaway!! #canitforward


When I was little my grandmother used to have a little garden. She lived in a rented house. By today's standards, it would have been a tiny house. It had 2 bedrooms and a small living room and kitchen. The yard was also pretty small but every summer, she would make sure to plant tomatoes. I loved when it was time to pick tomatoes. The first tomatoes were the best. We would pick the tomatoes and would eat them right there in the garden.

They were juicy and sweet. It was messy but fun. The rest of the summer, we would enjoy tomatoes in various ways. We would have tomatoes and mayo sandwiches, tomatoes and onion salad and my grandmother would also make her famous tomato sauce. She allowed us to help by picking the tomatoes. Then she would allow us to squash them. She would then flavor the tomatoes and make the sauce. I remember her putting the sauce into the Ball jars and then into a hot water bath. Then they would seal and then they would be cooled to be put up. It was the best sauce ever and after all the at work, he would make us a spaghetti with a batch of her sauce. It was amazing.

This Friday, July 22nd, the Ball brand will host this year’s sixth annual Can-It-Forward Day! A day to celebrate the joys of fresh preserving, and encourage both new and veteran canners to preserve more. This year, Ball is hosting Can-It-Forward Day entirely online via Facebook Live. Throughout the day, the Ball brand and their expert ambassadors will be demoing a variety of canning recipes and in the true spirit of “canning it forward.” For every engagement received on the videos, whether it be a comment, like or share, the brand donate $1 to a local charity. WOO HOO


This year we started a garden because I wanted to put up tomatoes like I had done the past few years. At our old house we had a giant garden so I was always putting up tomatoes to have fresh sauce in the winter. This year our garden is small and it is not that productive. But there are enough tomatoes to actually use to can. I usually try and follow my grandmother's recipe but I decided to try a recipe from The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving.



It was easy and I suspect the sauce will be delicious. The Tomato Sauce recipe was really basic. Tomatoes, lemon juice, seasoning blend (optional) and salt. I am hoping we get more tomatoes so I can put them up as well. I will start putting more jars up before summer is over. I love this book. It really has some fabulous recipes that will me have delicious veggies in the winter!


In support of Can-It-Forward Day I have a giveaway! The prize is:

· The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving: From the makers of the iconic Ball® jars and Ball® canning products comes the first truly comprehensive canning guide created for today's home cooks. This modern handbook boasts more than 200 brand new recipes ranging from jams and jellies to jerkies, pickles, salsas, and more. (Retail value: $22.95)

· Case of Collection Elite Wide Mouth Pint Jars: For the first time, the Ball® brand has introduced a line of never-before released blue colored jars. If you’d like another size or glass color, let us know and we’d be happy to swap out! (Retail value: $8.99/case)

· One $5 off coupon to be used on FreshPreservingStore.com

What a great prize. Let me tell you that the book is pretty amazing. Not only does it walk you through preserving food but also gives you some recipes where you can use your preserved foods! It is really a must have if you love preserving food.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Smart Flour Foods’ Pizza Review and Giveaway!


I had the opportunity to try some Smart Flour Foods's products. I am not on a gluten-free diet but know many people who are. Smart Flour Foods' has created gluten-free foods through the power of Ancient Grains that also taste great.



The secret? The products which include, hamburger buns, pancake mix, pizza crusts and pizza are made with sorghum, amaranth and teff. The products also are higher in protein, vitamins and minerals than leading brands. Smart Flour Foods use clean and simple ingredients and are certified gluten free.


What I also love is that the products are completely free of high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, hormones, MSG, artificial sweeteners and preservatives. The pizzas are topped with a hormone-free blend of real mozzarella and provolone cheese and hand-selected, uncured, nitrate/nitrite free meats.


I received a selection of pizzas o try and let me tell you that they were delicious. The pizzas come in a variety of flavors:

•Uncured Pepperoni
•Garden Margherita
•Classic Cheese
•Tuscan Inspired Uncured Two Meat
•Chicken Sausage

They were really good. And while, I am not on a gluten free diet, the clean ingredients help me eat healthier. I loved them. I cannot wait to taste the hamburger buns!


Smart Flour Foods’ frozen pizzas can be found at select natural and specialty stores nationwide. The pizzas range from $6.99 to $7.99 for the pizza. he crusts, which are sold separately, are also Non-GMO Verified, vegan, soy free, dairy free, and Kosher. 


If you want to win some Smart Flour Foods' coupons, enter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Disney's Beauty and the Beast!


Here is the teaser trailer!!


Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast” is produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman with eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the 1991 animated film, providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as several new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice. “Beauty and the Beast” will be released in U.S. theaters on March 17, 2017.

Like BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyBeautyAndTheBeast

Follow BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Twitter: https://twitter.com/beourguest

Follow BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyandthebeast/

Visit the official BEAUTY AND THE BEAST website here: http://movies.disney.com/beauty-and-the-beast-2017

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opens in theatres everywhere on March 17th, 2017!

Monday, July 11, 2016

AVEENO® Pure Renewal helps heal your Summer Hair! #Aveeno #BellezaEspontanea #AD

I recently came back from Costa Rica. I was visiting my parents but I was able to take a few days off and head to the beach. We rented a great condo at the Los Suenos Resort and Hotel. It was beautiful and it had a beautiful Beach Club where we spent most of our day. 



I love pools. So when I see one, I will stay in all day. I did that on this trip. It was fantastic but after a few days, the sun and chlorine did a number on my hair. By the end of our stay, the part of my hair that had highlights became lighter and dry! My hair was really frizzy and I could not control it. 


Luckily, when I got home I had a wonderful package waiting for me. I received some AVEENO® Active Naturals Pure-Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner. I was so excited because I know that AVEENO® would renew my hair. 



What makes AVEENO® Active Naturals Pure-Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner great for hair is that it is made with some ingredients that help hair. Here are the ingredients used by AVEENO®:
· Sulfate-free qualities, the perfect solution for keratin and color-treated hair, seaweed extract.  
· Seaweed Extract that cleanses hair without over drying or over moisturizing, providing the ideal balance to maintain hair’s optimal moisture levels, resulting in a marked improvement in hair’s softness, shine and healthy manageability.  
· NATRASURF™ Technology which helps minimize the amount of cleansers while still producing the lathering and foaming sensation desired in their hair care. NATRASURF™ Technology is naturally derived from potato starch, sulfate-free and it’s biodegradable so it’s both gentle on hair and earth-friendly.

All these ingredients help my hair especially in the summer when the sun, heat, chlorine from pools and salt from the ocean hurt my hair. In fact, there are many ingredients and foods that can help your hair can help your hair stay healthy and strong.


AVEENO's Health and Wellness Coach Jacquie Marquez has designed a "Mane Menu" that features a list of healthier foods to obtain softer, smooth and spectacular shiny hair. These ingredients will also help you stay healthy. Here are some of the ingredients you should consider eating for good hair care:

Seaweed
Wheat/Oats/Brown Rice
Carrots
Salmon/Tuna/Sardines
Swiss Chard/Lettuce/Spinach/Watercress/Broccoli
Lentils/Beans/Peas/Chickpeas/Fava Beans
Lemon/Lime/Orange/Grapefruit
Eggs
Greek Yogurt
Nut/Almonds/Peanuts
Water


These are great recommendations and if you need help getting your hair looking fabulous this summer, you should consider eating these foods and using AVEENO® products. After a week of using AVEENO® Active Naturals Pure-Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner every other day, my hair is getting back to normal! It looks shinier and it is not so dry. 



If you want to win AVEENO® Active Naturals Pure-Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner, then enter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.