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Papercutz Debuts Barbie Graphic Novels With Two New Series (Review) (Holiday Gift Guide)

November 26, 2016 By Marijean

PAPERCUTZ DEBUTS BARBIE GRAPHIC NOVELS WITH TWO NEW SERIES

Volume One of

Barbie is available now

Volume One of Barbie Puppies will be released on November 29th.

http://papercutz.com/kids-comics-graphic-novels/barbie

Barbie, the world’s #1 fashion doll, is making her debut in two new series from Papercutz this fall. With two new original graphic novel series, Barbie and Barbie Puppies, fans of Mattel’s classic doll can now experience all of the adventures of Barbie and her friends like never before!

Barbie Graphic Novel Vol. 1, “Fashion Superstar,” which is available now, finds Barbie diving into the high-stakes world of fashion. As Barbie pursues her dream, she meets a diverse bunch of all-new friends that can help her… and some others that may actually try to end her fashion career before it even starts!

The second of the new Barbie graphic novels is “Puppy Party” from the Barbie Puppies series, which will be released on November 29. Based on the popular Barbie Puppies DVD films “The Great Puppy Adventure” and “A Puppy Chase,” “Puppy Party” tells the story of Barbie and her sisters entering their pups – Honey, Rookie, Taffy and DJ – in a dog show in the city. But when the puppies get lost, the adventure begins!

These new graphic novels featuring the life and adventures of Barbie are just what young readers have been waiting for. While the Barbie franchise has taken many other forms in music, movies and more, this is the first time in over 25 years that this globally-recognized figure will be the subject of a graphic novel. These fun stories let Barbie fans enjoy her adventures in one of the fastest growing mediums in kids’ media and they’re sure to be a perennial favorite in libraries, schools and homes across America.

A third graphic novel series, Barbie Starlight, is slated for release later this year.

Review:

My daughter was very excited to receive these books. She is a big Barbie fan. These books are Comic Series books , so they are full of sharp and colorful images with words in word bubbles. Barbie Fashion Superstar contains 63 pages, and Barbie Puppy Party contains 60 pages. We recently went on a Thanksgiving vacation and she brought these books with her. She loved reading them in the car and hotel, and she has been asking for more. These books would make great holiday gifts for any girl of any age! Check them out today!

Click here to purchase these books. They are $7.99 each.

About Papercutz

Papercutz is celebrating ten innovative audience-expanding years of publishing great graphic novels for all ages. Papercutz graphic novels for kids, tweens, and teens include a wide range of genres from humor, action adventure, mystery, and horror to favorite licensed characters. It is proud to be the only publisher exclusively dedicated to children’s graphic novels, working every day to introduce young readers to the imaginative wonders waiting to be discovered in comics. To find out more visit http://www.papercutz.com.

About Mattel

The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel’s portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, Fisher-Price® brands and MEGA® Brands, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2015, Mattel was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine, and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel’s companies employ approximately 31,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Why making friends online is a good option?

November 23, 2016 By Anne

Well.. Having friends that you can count on is the best possession you can own. But making new friends and trying something new is never a bad idea. After all, you always learn from your experiences and change is the only constant.

We’ve all made friends on social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram, but have you thought about making friends on gaming sites like online bingo? Most of us don’t even play online games as we don’t think it as our gen thing and resist to accept the change that follows with each gen.

But online bingo is not anything like the other online games and the best part is that most of us are obviously familiar with the game bingo, we’ve all played bingo. Online bingo is similar to our traditional bingo. Just like the traditional bingo, online bingo is a great past time and a great way to make friends online that have the same interest as you.

In this busy world where most of us are occupied with our work and families, meeting our pals often is not possible. Playing online bingo will refresh your memory and bring back the good old times. The gossiping and all the chit-chats that would not end with just a cup of tea and one game will travel back to you in a virtual form.

Now that most of the bingo halls have been scraped out, finding one near you can be a tough job, and going through all this can be tiring and boring. Moving bingo from brick and mortar to online platform has made it a lot more easier to meet new people and stay connected with your old friends.

Unlike the traditional bingo, you can make friends from all over the world. Online bingo connects you to people of same interest as you from all over the world. What a bliss it is to know people from other places and sharing joys and sorrows with them right from your place.

One such friendly community you can look into is the Dotty Bingo. You can check the review of Dotty Bingo to know more about it.

They even have forums where members all around the world can share their experiences or any life events. Its a great way to interact without even having to provide any personal details.

Not more than quite often, online bingo sites host community meeting for the players where all of them can gather to have a good time together and get to know each other better and have a good laugh.

These are some of the reasons, in my opinion, that I think why making friends on online is a good option and I’m sure this will get you tempted to try out online bingo and make friends just like it got me tantalized.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration Begins This Friday, November 25th! #Seaworld

November 22, 2016 By Marijean

SEAWORLD’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION STARTS THIS FRIDAY

Brighten up this year’s holiday season during SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration, where guests experience the joys of Christmas complete with all-new festivities and returning favorites sure to inspire traditions for years to come. Holiday events take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays November 25 through December 11 and then run daily December 16 through 31.

During SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration guests of all ages can delight over scrumptious food, stunning live shows, joyful entertainment inspired by the natural world and much more.

All-New Holiday Festivities

Rudolph’s ChristmasTown –New this year is the Rudolph’s ChristmasTown where guests can meet Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble and Yukon Cornelius from the classic family Christmas television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Plus, guests can stroll past life-size story book vignettes showcasing the classic Rudolph story.

Santa’s Workshop presented by Coca-Cola –Meet Santa Claus in an all-new Christmas experience. Guests can make timeless memories to treasure as they embrace the joy of the holiday season at Santa’s Workshop, presented by Coca-Cola.

Returning Holiday Favorites

Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas –A returning classic, Sea Lion & Otter Stadium celebrates the season with a hilarious Christmas comedy show. Clyde and Seamore, along with a few mischievous otters, a comical elf, and even a jolly walrus, invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration.

Shamu Christmas Miracles –Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season.

O Wondrous Night –Experience a live nativity only SeaWorld can bring to life, complete with more than 30 carols, life-sized puppets, and animals in a spectacular Christmas favorite based on The Christmas Story. Told through the eyes of the animals that were there, O Wondrous Night is a touching, light-hearted, and glorious celebration with a host of angels, animals, and the true glory of Christmas.

Sesame Street’s Elmo’s Christmas Wish– The holidays have arrived, and everybody’s Sesame Street^® friends have come to SeaWorld Orlando for a festive and fun musical celebration! Elmo’s Christmas Wish will soon become every child’s favorite show. Join Rosita, Grover, Zoe and Cookie Monster as they work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wish!

Winter Wonderland on Ice –Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels and light as skaters dazzle and delight in this show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza.

Sea of Trees – Families will stroll through a wintery, watery wonderland as they are immersed in a sea of glistening holiday trees that sparkle to music as they light up the water. New this year is a glistening Christmas tree towering 70-feet above the water.

The Christmas Market –Nestled along the park’s Bayside Pathway, The Christmas Market features festive entertainment and delicious culinary delights. Complete with playful elves, a charming model train village, and the comedic antics of the Christmas Council, the Market is the centerpiece of SeaWorld’s Christmas event. Guests can also relax near the warm glow of the fire pit a holiday cocktail while experiencing a wonderful view of the vibrant Sea of Trees.

Holiday Cuisine

For those looking for unique holiday cuisine, The Christmas Market is filled with fresh-popped kettle corn, waffle cone S’mores, grilled slider sandwiches, short-rib brisket mac & cheese and SeaWorld’s very own apple pie with a unique and delicious twist. Guests can also sip on flavorful hoppy craft brews and specialty flavored hot cocoa located near the stage at Bayside Pathway. Live music under the Gazebo completes the entire experience as guests enjoy the craft brew.

Guests can now indulge their senses with more than 60 delectable bites and craft brews served on tap with two all-new Tasting & Brew Sampler packages.

Guests can also enjoy a memorable holiday meal, along with a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Fireside Feast. The exclusive dinner features an all-you-care-to-eat menu of holiday favorites and delicious desserts.

Ring In The New Year at SeaWorld Orlando

On December 31, guests can ring in the New Year at SeaWorld Orlando. Vibrant fireworks will fill the night sky and festive entertainment will take place throughout the park, including interactive DJ stations, craft beers and delectable bites.

Best Way To Enjoy Holiday Cheer

The best way to experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and New Year’s with family and friends is with an Annual Pass. By purchasing a Pass now, guests can get three additional months free. Also available now is the brand new Transferrable Pass allowing Pass Members to bring a different guest each time they visit SeaWorld Orlando or Aquatica Orlando dependent on the type of Transferable Pass purchased. Pass Members receive exclusive park benefits and rewards, priority access to new attractions and concert seating pre-sales, free tickets and give-a-ways, in-park discounts, access to the Pass Member lounge and much more.

To really sweeten the holidays, SeaWorld Pass Members can enjoy a delicious meal with each visit by purchasing an Annual Dining plan for just $79. The dining plan can be used at many of the park’s restaurants and includes one entrée, one dessert or side and one non-alcoholic beverage per day through December 31, 2017.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration voted in the Top 10 Best Theme Park Holiday Event by USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards in 2015.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

Follow SeaWorld on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration details and information.

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SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld^® rescue team has helped more than 28,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.

The company owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens^® and Sea Rescue^®. Over its more than 50-year history, the company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection of over 800 species of animals. The company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Give Beautiful and Unique Gifts This Holiday Season from Diamonds in Ice (Review) (Holiday Gift Guide)

November 22, 2016 By Heather Little

With the holidays right around the corner, we all have those people on our list that are just so hard to shop for. For me, it’s my in-laws, so I’m always on the look out for unique, personalized gifts. I never seem to go wrong with photographs of the grandkids, so I was excited to find a product that offered a way to have beautiful pictures in something other than a traditional print in a frame. Diamonds In Ice uses state of the art technology to embed your photographs right into glass. This incredible process fuses your picture permanently into the glass to capture natural backlight, which enhances the colors and vibrancy of each image perfectly.

Transforming your pictures is a very easy process. Once on the website, www.diamondsinice.com, browse through the products to find what you like. Glass prices start at just over $30 and go up to $85 depending on the size and glass type used. The glass designs come in beveled, flat, and curved. You can purchase coasters and ornaments as well.

I selected the curved glass in the 7″ x 10″ size – I liked that it was free-standing and just the right size for the photo I wanted to use. I uploaded the photograph, easily edited it to make it fit just as I wanted, and even had the option of adding text, like a name or date. I added it to the cart, checked out, and within a couple weeks, a beautiful piece of glass with my photograph fused right into it! Customer service was very helpful and responded to my questions in a timely manner, which is always a plus when ordering items online.

If you’re looking for a unique way to bring new life to a photograph, definitely check out Diamonds in Ice and all the beautiful, personalized items they have to offer. They make great gifts for the holiday and something to enjoy all year long.

Connect with Diamonds in Ice: Website Facebook Pinterest Instagram

*I received the mentioned curved glass in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Heather Little

My name is Heather Little and my husband and I have two sweet girls and one crazy dog. We moved to Florida 6 years ago and have loved every minute of it! I enjoy crafting, good food, shopping, and of course travel!

PlayMonster Steps up STEM Offerings and the Play Experience This Holiday (Review) (Holiday Gift Guide)

November 20, 2016 By Marijean

My 8 year old daughter loves anything to do with learning. She is a very hands on child, and loves to build and create. She is very interested in STEM activities (Science Technology Engineering and Math). I was asked to review two popular STEM play sets from PlayMonster.

PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. This holiday, they bring increased motor power and play-friendly dolls to the award-winning Roominate line of building sets, while the My Fairy Garden line brings children imaginative, fantasy, open-ended play with garden play sets that allow the nurturing of real plants.

Roominate is an award-winning line of complete building sets that are designed for girls in order to bridge the gender gap in STEM. Named as one of The Toy Insider’s STEM toys of 2016, the line was started with one simple mission: open up possibilities for girls by showing them that creativity and engineering are fun.

PlayMonster improved upon the highly successful Roominate line by increasing motor power and creating unique building pieces and more play-friendly dolls! With all sets, girls can build the creations shown, or use their imagination to create their dream project! It’s fun for them to “Think it, Build it and Switch it on!”

Emma’s Townhouse—Build a tall townhouse, or a wide one, either way you can design a colorfully modern home! Use the included motor to build a ceiling fan, or anything you can think of! Includes Emma doll and her pet pig Hodgkin. Ages 6+. SRP $29.99; Available at Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, Barnes & Noble.

What’s cool about the Townhouse?

Design your townhouse vertically or horizontally
Arrange the food, tools and toiletries, along with the stickers, or add your own accessories and artwork!
Bring your creations to life with the circuits and a motor!

5 Panels and 10 Columns
72 Building Pieces
2 Discs
2 Roof Pieces
2 Shutters
1 Flower Box
Axle
Motor
Battery Box
27 Food and Home Accessories
Sticker Sheet
Wallpaper Sheet
Emma Doll
Hodgkin the Pig
Guide

Review:

Alison was super excited to receive this! She loves dolls, and loves doll houses. She took this right out of the box and started building immediately. The really cool thing about this play set is you don’t have to just make a town house. You can make so many other things such as different type houses and rooms! She used the motor to make a really cool fan in one of the rooms! I love how this play set gets her thinking and using her imagination to build.

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Freya’s Magical Cottage™ — An adorable flower pot that’s a welcoming fairy home where Freya entertains friends and tends to her garden! The set includes the flowerpot cottage with opening doors and terrace, tray, cottage furniture, toadstool, Freya the fairy, her friend, and gardening accessories and tools. SRP $24.99; Available at Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, Outset.

Grow Your Own Magical Garden!

My Fairy Garden™ is the first of its kind: a toy that’s also a real, live garden! Children love kits that allow them to grow plants at home; it gives them a connection to nature and a sense of satisfaction at having nurtured a living thing. My Fairy Garden takes it to a new, exciting level by allowing children to interact with it as part of an enchanting play set! Children plant the quick-germinating seeds, and care for their garden, all while setting up and playing with adorable fairies, woodland friends and accessories! It’s a great collectible line for children ages 4 and up!

An adorable flower pot that’s a welcoming fairy home where Freya entertains friends and tends to her garden! The set includes everything needed to set up a play area: flowerpot cottage with opening doors and terrace, tray, cottage furniture, rooftop trim, toadstool, Freya the fairy, her chipmunk friend Hazel, and gardening accessories and tools. Also included are soil and quick-germinating seeds to get your garden started! Children can add other flowers or plants if they want, too! It’s a fun growing and play set!

Ages 4 and Up
Contents: 2-Piece Flowerpot, Tray, Toadstool, Umbrella Table, 2 Chairs, Seed Packet, Soil, Watering Can, 3 Gardening Tools, Freya the Fairy, Hazel the Chipmunk, Leaflet

Review:

Gardening is fun for all ages, so this would make a great gift for a birthday or as a holiday gift. Making this garden was fun and easy, and it even comes with cute furniture to put inside or outside of the garden. I even enjoyed helping my daughter put it all together. The cool things about this is you can even add your own flower seeds. This will last for years and years to come.