The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness: November 2016
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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Gourmetgiftbaskets.com Makes Holiday Gift Giving Easy + GIVEAWAY!


There are people who are easy to shop for. There are people who tell you what they want. There are people who are hard to shop for. Then there are those who you just have no idea what they want or need. Usually those fall into the category of co-workers.

This year we have a Secret Santa gift exchange at work. I hate these because I usually get some random person who I don't know well and who gives me no indication of what they like. Sigh. Luckily, I have seen them eat a treat or I have asked them what they like to eat since my office always has treats.

My go to option for difficult gift giving is GourmetGiftBaskets.com, and its sister site, KingOfPOP.com. Why? Because they have so may options, that you can find a gift for anyone on your list.  With hundreds of gift giving ideas, it is hard not to find something for that person on your list.


I even go to GourmetGiftBaskets.com when I know what people want. My mother in law loves wine baskets. And I can find plenty of those. My aunt loves chocolates. My neighbor loves popcorn. I can find gifts for anyone. Head over to KingOfPOP.com and get a loved one a year of popcorn!


GourmetGiftBaskets.com has gift year-round and for other special occasions. You can find New Year's gifts and Hanukkah gifts. Get cookies, candies, wine, Cheese and Meat samplers and much more. I love anything with cheese. So the cheese baskets with sausage are great for the holidays. Open one of these up for a snack or to serve your guests a delicious treat when they visit.


If you are looking for holiday gift ideas, head over to GourmetGiftBaskets.com or KingOfOP.com. Orderig is a cinch and you can ship it right to the receiver! It doesn't get much easier than that. The only hard part is choosing what gift to give!

If you want to win a cheese and sausage basket, just 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, November 29, 2016

Holiday Gift Idea for the Disney Lover in your Life + Giveaway!

You all know I am one of the biggest Disney fans ever! I love all things Disney. If my husband wouldn't forbid it, my whole house would be Disney themed. I try to get away with as much as possible. My office is filled with Disney items. I add Disney kitchen towels, bowls and utensils to my kitchen. I buy Disney towels and knick knacks and place them around the bathrooms. I always want more but he says NO! What a Disney pooper.

So when I find an item that I know will pass the test, I buy it. That's where Main Street Art Corner comes in. Started in 2015, Michael Levey has been working with Disney to create limited-edition artwork and personalized custom pieces inspired by Disney art. Named after the Tomorrowland Art Corner store that sold animation cels at Disneyland until the mid-1960's. The goal of Main Street Art Corner is to create unique, one-of-a-kind keepsakes and limited-edition artwork for the true Disney fan. And they do.



I was able to review one of these amazing prints for myself. I love them. The process is simple. You head over tot he site, look around and choose your design. He designs are amazing. They have everything from iconic prints from Disneyland to characters. They have Star Wars to Toy Story to Princesses. Chose items for the little ones to the big kids in your home. Any Disney lover will enjoy these prints.


I couldn't decide which one I wanted. I finally decided on the Disney Mickey “My Ice Cream Bar” Personalized Giclée Print. It was really cool and it reminded me of the times I went to Disneyland as a child. Every time we went, we would beg for ice cream and would be rewarded with a Mickey bar!



Ordering was easy. You find the print you want and then the system will walk you through the personalization process. You choose the size of the canvas you would like. You also choose if you want a print or a canvas wrapped print. The print will arrive with a certificate of authenticity and it is also signed by the artist.


I received mine and LOVE IT!! It is now hanging in my kitchen. It goes perfectly with my decor and because it has my name on it, it is such a great addition to my home.



Prints start at $105.00 and are well worth it. If you know a Disney lover, this is such a great gift for the holidays. Head on over and get that Disney lover a wonderful and unique gift!

The folks at Main Street Art Corner are amazing and are going to give one of my readers a Disney•Pixar Toy Story “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” Personalized Giclée Print. YES! One of you can win this beauty!


If you want to win, just 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.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Holiday Stocking Stuffer Idea: Surprizamals and Magic Sketch plus GIVEAWAY!

I know you all are trying to find gifts for the holidays. I have 2 new items that would make great stocking stuffers for kids:

Surprizamals has been our best seller since its debut earlier this year. Each character comes in a plastic ball, with over 100 different characters to collect. The best part is that you never know which one you’ll get, it’s a surprise! Each character has a different rarity ranging from common to rare. We have 3 different series in Surprizamals so far, and each series has 12 different characters, and we have many more series to come. Currently, we have Surprizamals in major retailers such as Toys R Us and Justice. It’s also the #1 seller on Stuffedanimals.com at the moment.

My surprise was Maddie Monkey. I love that the animal has a name and birthday! So adorable. Surprizamals retail for $4.90.






With Magic Sketch your kids can create all kinds of amazing art and, unlike most tablets, the Magic Sketch is super kid proof!  They can drop it, toss it, even step on it and it won’t break!  It’s completely water resistant, so if they have a spill, just wipe it off and keep going! With the advanced internal electronics, you can clear the screen with just the push of a button! The best part?  With the Free App you can save, edit, and share your child’s work!

These are cool. It's like the Etch a Sketch I had when I was little. Bit this is so much better. You can delete it by turning off the button. And then you start again. A great gift for the little one who is artistic. 




 
Each Magic Sketch retails for $29.95 and includes:
      Magic Sketch      Protector Guard      1 Roller      3 Stamps      20 Learning Stencils      20 Games Stencils      20 Art Stencils
These make great gifts! I know I am sending my great nephews and nieces the Surprizamals for their stockings. These are great holiday gift ideas! If you want to in 3 Surprizamals and a Magic Sketch just 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.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Larabar Origial Bites Review and Giveaway!


This holiday season, I have vowed to be better about my food choices. I love candy and chocolates but I don;t want to eat too much junk. But I also don;t want to give up the flavor and deliciousness.

Luckily, I have found Larabar Original Fruit & Nut Food Bars. Larabar was founded in 2000 by Lara Merriken, a Denver native who wanted to make real food more accessible. Everything Larabar makes has 2-9 simple ingredients (unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices) is gluten-free and non-GMO, with vegan, dairy-free, and soy-free options. So many people are in disbelief after tasting Larabar bars and they look at the ingredients. Cherry Pie Larabar for example has three ingredients: Cherries. Almonds. Dates.



Larabar also recently introduced Larabar Bites. These truffle-like balls of goodness follow the same “real food” recipe using simple ingredients and Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate.

I received a sample of Larabar and it was delicious. They are healthier than most candies and have good ingredients that make me feel better about eating them. They satisfy my craving for chocolate and sweets but I don't feel guilty about eating them.

You can find Larabar online or at local retailers. If you want to win Larabar Bites, 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.

Friday, November 25, 2016

New AVEENO® Yogurt Line Help me have "Me" TIme" + Giveaway! #BellezaEspontanea #TiempoParaMi #AVEENO #Ad


When I was little, I never liked yogurt. It had a weird consistency and a strange flavor. As I have gotten older, I have come to appreciate how wonderful yogurt is for our health. Nowadays, I eat it all the time.

On of the pluses of eating yogurt is digestive health. This is very important to me since I am getting older and I need to stay healthier and take care of my health. The other plus of yogurt is good skin.

Taking care of my skin is very important to me and you all know that's why I love Aveeno® products. Having healthy-looking skin makes a difference in every day life. It's essential to choose products that deliver skin wellness and simultaneously provide a little sensory indulgence, It makes me feel my personal best and it is important to keep our largest organ healthy.

When I found out that Aveeno®now has a Daily Moisturizing Yogurt Collection, I was thrilled. The new Aveeno® line boosts skin wellness with the vitamins and proteins found in rich Greek yogurt while saturating your skin with intense hydration and your senses with delicious fragrance.



Available in two delicious fragrances, these new body care offerings blend the power of Active Naturals® Oatmeal with the nourishing ingredients found in yogurt to deliver a rich, nourishing skin experience. The Body Yogurt Lotion formula revitalizes and moisturizes skin, leaving it hydrated for 48 hours. The creamy Body Wash is formulated with the patented Natrasurf® technology to gently cleanse without over stripping or damaging the skin.

My skin is feeling smooth and silky now. I love this new Aveeno® line. It is exactly what my skin needed to survive the winter. After I shower, I like to take a little time for me and relax. Using lotion on my face and skin counts as "me time" for me. I like taking care of skin and this new product line is the perfect thing. The scents are very relaxing yet subtle.

The Aveeno® Yogurt Collection is available now in stores. If you want to win some Yogurt collection products, 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.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Beauty and the Beast!!

Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite Disney movies. Now they are making a live action film with Emma Watson. Here is a teaser.


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!

Friday, November 18, 2016

Moana Activity Sheets!



I cannot wait for this movie! It looks pretty amazing. I know this will be one of those EPIC Disney movies that you want to watch over and over! Here are more activity sheets for you! Enjoy!
































Like MOANA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disneymoana

Follow MOANA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneymoana

Follow Disney Animation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneyanimation/

Visit Disney Animation on Tumblr: http://disneyanimation.tumblr.com/

Visit the official MOANA website here: http://movies.disney.com/moana

MOANA arrives in theatres everywhere on November 23rd!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Home Remedies. Healing Naturally.

When I was little, my mom and grandmother used traditional medicine but, oftentimes, they also cured us with some home remedies that really worked.

For earaches, they would take some rosemary and heat it up in hot oil then dip a cotton ball into it and stuff it in our ear. It worked. The hot oil would go in and heal the pain.


For a tummy ache, we were given linaza or flax-seed tea. According to them, the flax seed tea cooled the stomach and thus promoted healing. I never understood what cooling the tummy meant until I had acid indigestion. Now, when I have heartburn or acid reflux I drink linaza. It really works. Also, according to my mom and grandmother, it lowers the blood pressure.

Chamomile or mint tea were also tried and true tummy medicines as well. My mom always had some mint and chamomile planted in the garden. That way we could always run out and grab some.



Honey and lemon taken a spoonful at a time, cured our cough and sore throat. Hot lemonade was a must have when we had a cold or the flu.

This week, I learned about another good home remedy thanks to my doctor. She suggested I drink some apple cider vinegar. I was a little leery of drinking apple cider vinegar but then did a little research on the internet and found that she was totally correct.

I started having raw honey and apple cider vinegar tea daily. According to my doctor and the research I did a little apple cider vinegar will help your tummy and bladder. It balances your unhealthy acid in the body. I have to say that after a few days, I felt better.

Now it might all be in my head but it might not be. I am all for natural remedies nowadays. I believe too many chemicals in the body will wreck havoc. So right now I really want to focus on getting healthier by using natural remedies. I am lucky because my grandmother and mami gave me a great start.

It's time to start asking my mom for more natural remedies and write them down for future use. I hope some of these help you as well. If you have any natural remedies, feel free to share

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Finding Dory - Finding Fun!


I always loved Finding Nemo and was excited when I  learned that Disney/Pixar was making a sequel to it. When I found out that it was going to center around Dory, I was thrilled. I loved Dory in Finding Nemo.

Finding Dory starts a year after Dory and Marlin found Nemo. Dory is still a little scatterbrained and lives alongside Marlin and Nemo. When on a field trip, Dory gets remembers that she has a family and where she came from.

This leads to an adventure to find her parents. With the help of some friends Dory starts making her way across the ocean to the Marine Life Institute in Morro Bay California. Along the way, there are adventures and fun.


When Dory finally gets to the Marine Life Institute, she remembers that is where she lived and that her parents are probably still there. She makes a new friend called Hank, an octopus who helps Dory find her way around. Dory also finds her childhood friend, Destiny, a whale shark with eye problems.

Dory finds out that her parents are no longer at the Institute but when Marlin and Nemo are taken away to be transferred to Cleveland, Dory finds that Marlin and Nemo are her family as well. After an exciting rescue, everything turns out well. I won't let you know the ending but I will say this is a must-see movie.


One of my favorite scenes was the Kid's Zone. I was hilarious. The animation is amazing. I could swear that some of those scenes were real. It is once again the Pixar magic. The cast that includes Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neil and Ty Burrell are wonderful. The best part though is Ellen DeGeneres. She is magnificent as Dory. She is funny and sweet and the movie works because of her.

If you love Pixar movies, you need to go out and get this one immediately. It is a great addition for your movie library!

Finding Dory swims home on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Oct. 25 and on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on Nov. 15.

Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and co-directed by Angus MacLane (“Toy Story OF TERROR!”), the film is produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”) and executive produced by John Lasseter. Victoria Strouse (“October Road”) wrote the script with Stanton. Veteran composer and longtime Stanton collaborator Thomas Newman (“Bridge of Spies,” “WALL•E,” “Finding Nemo”) created the film’s music score and singer-songwriter Sia performs the film’s end-credit song, “Unforgettable.”

Bonus features include*:
Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & Digital HD:
Theatrical Short: “Piper” – A hungry sandpiper hatchling ventures from her nest for the first time to dig for food by the shoreline. The only problem is that the food is buried beneath the sand where scary waves roll up onto the shore.
Marine Life Interviews (All-New Mini Short) – Meet the inhabitants of the Marine Life Institute as they remember our favorite blue tang.
The Octopus That Nearly Broke Pixar – Pixar’s “Team Hank” unravels the challenges, frustrations, and rewards of bringing to life the studio’s crankiest and most technically complicated character ever.
What Were We Talking About? – This piece showcases the complex routes Dory’s story took as the filmmakers worked to construct a comprehensive narrative involving a main character with short-term memory loss.
Casual Carpool – What’s it like to commute with the voices of Marlin, Charlie, Bailey and Hank? Join “Finding Dory” writer/director Andrew Stanton as he drives Albert Brooks, Eugene Levy, Ty Burrell and Ed O’Neill to work.
Animation & Acting – How do you create a connection between a human audience and a fish? This behind-the-scenes look behind the curtain examines the process of constructing believable performances through a unique collaboration between the director, voice actors and animators.
Creature Features – The cast of “Finding Dory” share cool facts about the creatures they voice in the film.
Deep in the Kelp – Disney Channel’s Jenna Ortega guides us on a research trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to show how far the “Finding Dory” crew went to make Dory’s world feel real.
Skating & Sketching with Jason Deamer – “Finding Dory” character art director Jason Deamer talks about how he got to Pixar, how he draws the characters in the film, and how falling off a skateboard teaches you lessons you can use in art and life.
Dory’s Theme – A spirited discussion among the composer, music editor and director of “Finding Dory” about the musical elements that shape Dory’s quirky and joyful theme.
Rough Day on the Reef – Sometimes computers make mistakes. Here you’ll see some of the funny, creepy and just plain bizarre footage the crew encountered while making “Finding Dory.”
Commentary – Director Andrew Stanton, co-director Angus MacLane and producer Lindsey Collins deliver their personal perspective on “Finding Dory.”
Deleted Scenes (introduced by director Andrew Stanton)
Losing Nemo – While watching the stingray migration, Dory starts to follow two fish that remind her of her parents, leaving Nemo all alone.
Little Tension in Clown Town – In this alternate version of the film, Dory tries to "follow her fins" to her parents, but ends up in a strange place with even stranger fish fashion.
Dory Dumped – In this early version of the story, Dory's parents had short-term memory loss as well.
Sleep Swimming – Dory begins to talk and swim in her sleep, revealing what seem to be clues to her past.
Meeting Hank – Wandering the Marine Life Institute's elaborate pipe system, Dory happens upon the abode of Hank the cranky octopus.
The Pig – Frantically navigating the pipes of the Marine Life Institute in search of her parents, Dory crosses paths with a terrifying cleaning device.
Starting Over – Director Andrew Stanton presents four different versions of the movie’s opening scene to illustrate the filmmakers’ search for the best way to introduce Dory’s backstory and to connect this new film to “Finding Nemo.”
Tank Gang (Digital exclusive) – After a close encounter with a squid leaves them separated from Dory, Marlin and Nemo unexpectedly meet up with the Tank Gang from “Finding Nemo,” who make it their mission to get to the Marine Life Institute … by any means necessary.
Hidden Seacrets of Finding Dory (Digital exclusive) – Take a deep dive to catch secret Easter Eggs throughout the movie. And just like Hank, they’re hidden in plain sight.
DVD:
Theatrical Short: Piper & Commentary
From the Academy Award®–winning creators of Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” (Best Animated Feature, 2003) comes an epic undersea adventure filled with imagination, humor and heart. When Dory, the forgetful blue tang (Ellen DeGeneres), suddenly remembers she has a family who may be looking for her, she, Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) take off on a life-changing quest to find them … with help from Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Bailey, a beluga whale who’s convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz; and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark. Bring home the movie overflowing with unforgettable characters, dazzling animation and gallons of bonus extras.

Monday, November 14, 2016

$25 Gift Card Giveaway!


It's almost Thanksgiving is almost here so  I am giving away a $25 gift card, your choice!

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.