Product Review

Iron Man 3

May 2, 2013 By Amanda Leave a Comment

I will start this post with an admission. The only Marvel movie I have ever watched, prior to this review, was The Avengers. All of my super hero knowledge comes from a combination of that movie and the Super Hero Squad cartoon.

Scott and I were able to go and check out an advanced screening of Iron Man 3 on Monday and let me tell you, it was awesome. I’m a huge Robert Downey Jr. fan and I love his as Tony Stark. I think he is just truly fantastic and made for the role. After seeing the previews, I knew I was going to love this movie.

Marvel’s Iron Man 3 pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

The film is rated PG-13 and I truly think that is a fair rating. It is pretty intense at times, so I would hold off taking your younger kids to see it until you’ve had a chance to watch it first.

The special effects were pretty amazing throughout the film, but they were not overly done. There is nothing I dislike more than a film that is strictly about the effects and loses you with the story. This film had a great balance.

Are you going to see Iron Man 3 over the weekend? I’d love to hear what you think of the film!

Filed Under: Features, Product Review

eShakti

March 20, 2013 By Amanda Leave a Comment

eShakti‘s spring collection is now available and let me tell you, it’s adorable! I was able to order one of their dresses to review:

Insanely adorable, right? The beauty of eShakti is that you can customize their already great dresses to fit your needs.

Their sizes are true to what you would buy in a department store, which makes ordering them incredibly easy. eShakti sells their clothes in sizes 0-36W and their clothes ship within 7 business days.

I did not make any alterations to my dress when I ordered it and it fit like a total glove when it arrived. I cannot wait to wear this dress on Easter Sunday and then throughout the summer. The material is light and there are a ton of little details in the dress.

This is my third item from eShakti and I keep falling more in love with them with each arrival. Check out eShakti’s website to check out all of their new Spring styles!

Filed Under: Features, Product Review

Nickelodeon Easter DVD Roundup

March 13, 2013 By Amanda Leave a Comment

Just in time for the Easter holiday, Nickelodeon has released a bunch of your kiddos shows on DVD!

Dora’s Easter Collection – All-New Collection
Get ready for twice the Easter Adventure in this two-disc collection, featuring eight egg-citing springtime adventures from the Dora’s Easter Adventure and Dora Egg Hunt DVDs! First, help Dora and Boots save Easter! The Hip-Hop-Bunny is bringing all the eggs to Dora and friends’ big Easter Egg Hunt, but when sneaky Swiper swipes his basket, Dora and Boots need your help on an adventure to make sure it’s a “hop-hop-hoppy Easter” for all! Plus, go back to Dora’s first Easter Egg Hunt to help Dora and Boots find the Big Yellow Egg with a prize inside! All this and more in this DVD full of egg-cellent adventures to explore! Plus for a limited time only, free Easter stickers inside!

Includes these DVDs:

• Dora’s Easter Adventure

• Dora’s Egg Hunt

Max & Ruby: A Bunny for Every Season Collection – All-New Collection
Enjoy the four seasons in East Bunnyhop with Max and Ruby in Max & Ruby’s first ever multi-feature DVD Collection! Spring into the Spring season with Max and Ruby as they hunt for Easter eggs, camp outside, go bird watching, and more. Soak up the Summer sun as Max and Ruby work a lemonade stand, fly kites, and put on a backyard magic show. Fall into a Halloween season full of some tricks…and even more treats! Spend a funny bunny Winter building snowbunnies, sledding, and celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve too! With 48 sweet bunny stories, Max and Ruby will do lots of things all year long – except agree! Plus, save $4 on the DVD when you visit NickelodeonDVDCoupon.com.

Includes these DVDs:
• Springtime for Max & Ruby
• Summertime with Max & Ruby
• Perfect Pumpkin!
• Everybunny Loves Winter!

Max & Ruby: Easter with Max & Ruby
Spring into the Easter season with two very funny Easter bunnies – Max and Ruby! From Ruby’s Easter bonnet to Max’s Easter bunny, and an Easter Parade too, you’ll be celebrating the season bunny-style! Join the se

asonal play dates with Max and Ruby!

Nickelodeon Jr Favorites: Celebrates Spring!
Celebrate the spring season with Dora the Explorer; Blue’s Clues; Max & Ruby and Little Bill. In addition, enjoy a bonus episode from Rugrats.

Do your kids have a favorite Nick Jr. show?

Filed Under: Features, Product Review

VeggieTales: The Little House that Stood!

March 6, 2013 By Amanda Leave a Comment

The Wise Pig Built His House Upon the Rock! When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation – following the wise plans from the Master Builder’s Handbook!” Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses – and their lives – on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God’s blueprints, they can stand strong when the storms come!

PLUS! Ever wonder what happened before Humpty cracked? Find out in this very Veggie retelling of the classic Humpty Dumpty story “The Good Egg of Gooseville” where we learn that a good neighbor always “lends a little hand” to those in need.

Both of the episodes on this DVD are great teaching tools for our kids. The Three Little Pigs episode focuses on the parable of the three builders and the Humpty Dumpty episode focuses on the parable of the good Samaritan. Big Idea has even provided discussion topics for parents and their children as they watch the film:

The Little House that Stood! is now available and you can use this $3 off coupon when you purchase it.

For more information on the movie and for character craft ideas, check out VeggieTales on Pinterest!

Filed Under: Features, Product Review

A Very Veggie Easter Collection

February 20, 2013 By Amanda Leave a Comment

There’s an all new VeggieTales DVD just in time for Easter, the Very Veggie Easter Collection, contains their popular Easter DVDs “Twas the Night Before Easter” and “An Easter Carol.” Additionally, this set includes 2 of their most popular CDs – “A Very Veggie Easter” and “Hosanna!”

I love being able to have a DVD to show the kids around different holidays that can help teach them about the holiday in a fun way. My kids love VeggieTales and always seem to respond to them. Plus, this boxed set includes two CDs which are always great to have in the car.

The Very Veggies Easter Collection released on February 5, just in time to celebrate the Easter season! Check out VeggieTales on Pinterest to find fun crafts and activities to do with your kids.

Filed Under: Features, Product Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the Turtles

February 13, 2013 By Amanda Leave a Comment

Nickelodeon’s all-new, CGI-animated hit series debuts on DVD with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the Turtles. Join these four ninja brothers - Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo – in this action-packed adventure as they emerge from their hidden lair in the sewers of New York City for the very first time. In addition, enjoy six awesome “making of animatics” and a karaoke music video to the show’s tubular theme song. And as an added bonus, each DVD will include an exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles poster for a limited time only. (This poster is currently on my fridge)

The series stars Jason Biggs (American Pie) as “Leonardo,” Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) as “Raphael,” Rob Paulsen (Planet Sheen) as “Donatello” and Greg Cipes (Teen Titans) as “Michelangelo.” Additional cast members rounding out this iconic hit franchise include Mae Whitman (Parenthood) as “April O’Neil,” Hoon Lee (Royal Pains) as “Master Splinter” and Kevin Michael Richardson (Penguins of Madagascar) as “Shredder.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the Turtles Episode Synopses:
Rise of the Turtles (Double-Length Episode)
Four sewer-dwelling turtles go above ground for the first time and rescue a teenage girl, April O’Neil, and her father from a near abduction. Before long, they’re caught up in a complicated conspiracy.

Turtle Temper
When a video surfaces showing the Turtles topside, Master Splinter worries that their secrecy will be compromised. Meanwhile, Raphael struggles to keep his anger problems in check.

New Friend, Old Enemy
Michelangelo accidentally befriends Chris Bradford via social media, a henchman who’s secretly working for Shredder!

I Think His Name Is Baxter Stockman
When the Turtles sneak out against Splinter’s wishes to spend time with April, they battle Baxter Stockman, a deranged inventor in mechanical battle armor.

Metalhead
Donatello invents a remote-controlled robot to stand in for him during a battle with Kraang.

I grew up when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first came out so you can imagine my excitement when this DVD came in the mail. It also arrived while we were in the midst of our flu epidemic, so there were many days spent cuddled on the couch watching the turtles. I’m a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle purist, but I did love the new CGI-animated series and so are my kids.

Do you watch or did you watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Filed Under: Features, Product Review