@ZingAnything Citrus Zinger Review


I've been doing great so far this year when it comes to staying healthy and eating right. You all know that my weight has been something that I struggle with and this year I'm trying to actually stick with it so that I can drop some pounds before turning the bigh 3-0!


One of the things that I've struggled with was my water intake. It's just something that's been hard for me to do. I've shared Sassy Water and Lemon Water with you all before, but I'm not going to lie, after a while, you do get bored of drinking the same thing. I've been looking up tons and tons of different ways to drink water so that it's not too boring for me and have been lucky to find a few other recipes I think I'll be giving a try.

With my water intake being something I struggle with that's where the nifty Zingers from Zing Anything comes in handy. Zing Anything brings you refreshing and unique ways to infuse all natural ingredients into your drinks or meals. I was super pumped when I had the chance to review their Citrus Zinger. The Citrus Zinger gives you an easy way to extract juice and flavor from citrus fruits and infuse them directly into your water bottle. I'm absolutely loving it. I've been using it with lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruits. The water tastes delicious and I love that I can carry it with me anywhere. It's easy to make and easy to switch up so that I'm not bored of the same flavor. My favorite to make and have was the grapefruit. It was different and tastes so refreshing!



Not only is it easy to use, but it's also easy to clean as well and is dishwasher safe. The pieces pop right off and pop right back on. I'm very impressed with it.


Zing Anything also offers Aqua Zinger, Vodka Zinger and the Salad Zinger as well. Definitely something to check out if you're looking for new ways to infuse water, alcohol and food! To check out more about Zing Anything, you can find them on Twitter and Facebook as well!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Citrus Zinger at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

#Disney's Mulan I & II 15th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray DVD Review

.

Celebrate the 15th anniversary of Disney's critically-acclaimed masterpiece Mulan with this sensational 2-Movie Collection - presented for the first time in Blu-ray High Definition. Mulan's triumphant tale of honor, courage and family pride shines brighter than ever with new digitally mastered picture and sound!

Disney's original animated classic magically transforms an ancient Chinese legend into a spectacular motion picture event. Relive all the wonder and excitement as Mulan breaks tradition by joining the Imperial Army accompanied by her hilarious guardian dragon, Mushu.

The adventure continues in Mulan 2, as newly engaged Mulan and Shang journey to a distant city in a valiant quest to save their beloved empire. Your whole family will adore these two extraordinary films on Disney Blu-ray.



MY REVIEW
I was super thrilled to be able to watch and review Mulan and Mulan II. I've been a huge Mulan fan, she's one of my favorite princesses. She was portrayed as a fierce, strong, independent woman who proved every one wrong when she went into Imperial Army disguised as a man. She came out victorious and made every one think twice about how women can defend their country too. 

This was a movie I loved watching with my daughter and son because it taught them that men and women are equal and should be treated that way. As for the second movie, this was my first time watching it. I enjoyed it and my kids loved it a lot, but I don't think it comes close to the first movie. Both movies visually are perfect on the blu-ray disc, the color, the animations, they all look great! Check out the video below of the song, Reflections. I absolutely love this song.



Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Mulan & Mulan II at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Pinkie Pie Party DVD Giveaway



Come join the fun! It’s the biggest collection of parties in Ponyville and you’re invited! Get your Pinkie Pie party outfit ready to enjoy five outrageously awesome parties with every pony’s favorite friends — Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike and the ultimate party planner herself, Pinkie Pie!
Last month we shared with you all our review on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Pinkie Pie Party. My daughter is a huge My Little Pony fan and absolutely loved Pinkie Pie Party. She's had the game for her Nintendo DS for over a couple of years and still plays it til this day, not to mention watches the many My Little Pony DVD's we have.

This show is great for little girls everywhere as it teaches them about being honest and staying true to themselves and their friends. Today I'm happy to offer one of you lovely readers a chance at winning your very own copy for the little girl in your life. Pinkie Pie Party is priced at $14.97 and is available exclusively at Walmart. It's out and available in the states now and will be available in Canada April 16th!


Rise of The Guardians Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review



Based on William Joyce's the Guardians of Childhood book series, Rise of the Guardians is a gorgeously animated film about Boogeyman Pitch Black's attempts to spread darkness and fear throughout the world and the guardians' attempts to foil him. Charged with the duty of watching over the children of the world, guardians Sandman, North, Tooth, and E. Aster Bunnymund are loved by children everywhere. 

When the Man in the Moon appoints Jack Frost to be the newest guardian, the other guardians doubt that Jack can be of much help against Pitch, especially considering that the children don't even believe in Jack Frost's existence. But when Pitch prevents Tooth from collecting the children's teeth, keeps E. Aster Bunnymund from hiding eggs on Easter, and turns the children's happy dreams into nightmares, the guardians realize that they're going to need all the help they can get. The children stop believing in the guardians one by one, and the question that remains is what can one fun-loving, somewhat immature boy with the power to freeze everything he touches possibly do to counteract the fear and darkness enveloping the world? 

MY REVIEW
Another great party viewing pack, but this time for the movie every kid I've talked to has been waiting to see, Rise of The Guardians. Let me tell you how excited my kids were to receive this package when we came back from our trip to California. They were screaming up and down when they saw the reusable bag with all the characters on it, because they already knew what was in it. Or so they thought. Not only did we receive the movie on blu-ray and DVD, but we also go some goodies and treats that the kids can enjoy. This included a night light, Easter candy, planter, watering can, tattoos and so much more. The kids were so happy and I was pretty please on the viewing pack as well.


The movie itself, awesome! It was what we expected it to be and more. I wasn't disappointed at all. It has something for everyone. Lots of humor that the kids enjoyed and some older humor that made my hubby and myself chuckle at too. This was a great movie to curl up to and is perfect for the entire family no matter how old you are. I definitely recommend having this be the movie you and your family watches on your next Family Movie Night! 


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Rise of The Guardians party viewing package at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away DVD/BluRay Combo Review



Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away takes audiences on a wondrous journey across the imaginative landscapes of Cirque du Soleil. Capturing the feats of the extraordinary artists up close using cameras that sometimes soar 70 feet in the air, Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away “immerses audiences in…the inspiring acrobatics of the world’s most glamorous circus troupe” (Time Out New York Kids). From spectacular sets and dazzling costumes to the fantasy of enchanted worlds,Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away gives viewers “a chance to experience the wonder of the circus from a perspective you’ll never get ringside” (Chris Knight, Postmedia News).

MY REVIEW
What an amazing show. I have always wanted to see Cirque Du Soleil in person, who hasn't?! So when given the opportunity to review a party pack for the release of their DVD/Blu-ray combo, Worlds Away, I quickly jumped at it. The party pack included lots of treats for me to enjoy, so I had a couple of girlfriends over and we watched this beautiful show while eating the chocolate caramel popcorn that was also in our kit along with a glass of wine and some delicious finger foods to munch on. 



The quality of the blu-ray was magnificent and just gave me more reason to want to see this in person. I've added this to my bucket list, because I'm sure this show is worth seeing live. After watching the show we listened to the Beatles's album that was included in the party pack, what a joy to have in my collection of music now.

If you have yet to see this show live I definitely recommend watching it on the blu-ray dvd combo. It may not feel exactly the same, but it's definitely close and will get you wanting to see the show live! 

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Cirque Du Soleil party viewing package at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

The Mapmaker's War: A Legend - Book Review



Title: The Mapmaker's War
By: Ronlyn Domingue
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
ISBN: 9781451688887
Pages:240


This will be the map of your heart, old woman. In an ancient time, in a faraway land, a young woman named Aoife is allowed a rare apprenticeship to become her kingdom’s mapmaker, tasked with charting the entire domain. Traveling beyond its borders, she finds a secretive people who live in peace, among great wealth. They claim to protect a mythic treasure, one connected to the creation of the world. When Aoife reports their existence to her kingdom, the community is targeted as a threat. Attempting to warn them of imminent danger, Aoife is exiled for treason and finds refuge among the very people who had been declared her enemy. With them, she begins a new life surrounded by kindness, equality, and cooperation. But within herself, Aoife has no peace. She cannot share the grief she feels for the home and children she left behind. She cannot bear the warrior scars of the man she comes to love. And when she gives birth to their gifted daughter, Aoife cannot avoid what the child forces her to confront about her past and its truth. On this most important of journeys, there is no map to guide her. In this tale—her autobiography— Aoife reveals her pain and joy, and ultimately her transformation. The Mapmaker’s War is a mesmerizing, utterly original adventure about love and loss and the redemptive power of the human spirit. Watch for its epic sequel, The Chronicle of Secret Riven, in 2014.

MY REVIEW
I have to say when a story can have me thinking about it even days and weeks after I read it, I know it's good. This is exactly how I felt after reading, The Mapmaker's War. Now, this doesn't mean while reading it I felt the same way, because the beginning of the book took some time getting use to the story and the main character, but after a few chapters in I was completely drawn. 

This was such a great story told from the second person's point of view. I felt very connected to Aoife, the main character and loved how vivid all the details about her surroundings were. I could close my eyes and actually picture everything that was going on and where she was and that's what makes this book pretty great. This is an inspiring story that I think every young girl should read. It shows you how strong, honest and true one can be without changing despite what others think. Such a great read, I'm looking forward to the second installment!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received The Mapmaker's War at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 


Spruce Up Your Drinks w/ Joe Jacket's - @HotJoeJacket



If you’re seeking new ways to bling-out your accessories, this post is for you. Today I’m reviewing the fashionable beverage sleeves provided by www.joejacket.com.


Joe Jackets are eco-friendly neoprene fabric beverage holders that come in different styles, designed to “style up your cup and clean the planet up”. There’s a beverage bling catalog available on their website where you can flip through pages of different colors and designs of “beverage bling” to personalize your hot or cold beverage cup.



I keep one in my purse and slip it over my paper coffee cups and my water bottles to differentiate between everyone else’s within my office. It provides insulation to hot beverages and the fabric absorbs the moisture to prevent cold bottle sweating on my desk. I love that they are machine washable, and they run about $7 each.

To keep up to date with all the latest new designs of Joe Jacket feel free to follow them on their Facebook and Twitter pages!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received two Joe Jacket's at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

Online Shopping When Buying A Car?!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Insurance Hunter for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Now and days buying a new or used vehicle can become easier for  you as the internet is becoming more and more popular for online shopping. I have to admit. I love it. Shopping online has become a regular for me, especially since I work from home and I can easily get deals online that have free shipping and not have to worry about the item being sold out.

 Looking to buy a used car? Use common sense when shopping online especially when you're looking to buy a vehicle. Even if it's not brand new, it's new to you. That's all that matters. Within the last couple of years, both my husband and myself found vehicles that we loved by looking online. Now, both were from an online classified site, I picked a Dodge Caravan and my husband picked a Dodge Dakota. 

We bought our vehicles separately and one was from a car dealership and another was from a private owner. After seeing the vehicles in person and test driving them, we both were happy and purchased our vehicles. I've had my van for going on two years and my husband has had his truck for about six months. 

Make sure when you're purchasing a vehicle that you find online that you always buy the vehicle in person, never pay online as you could get scammed and be out a lot of money. You also want to ask as many questions as you can and get the vehicle inspected by a mechanic before buying. And even though it's okay to talk via email, when making transactions, make sure you talk to the person on the phone and then meet up in person. This is very important. When we were looking for vehicles and browsing different sites we did notice a few that seemed like they could be scams, so please be careful. 

One of the things you want to make sure you have when getting a vehicle is auto insurance. I've met a lot of people who drive without it and let me tell you the same thing I tell them, it's not worth it. Having insurance is a must because you never know what can happen. 

Feel free to check out Insurance Hunter, a site that not only has tons of tips that you can use as a driver, but also gives you quotes right a way on auto insurance. 

Visit Sponsor's Site

Live Better, Feel Great w/ Best Health Magazine


I'm a bit over weight. I'm aware of it and I've been trying to loose weight off and on for as long as I can remember. Since New Years I'm proud to say that I've been eating right and doing my exercises faithfully and I couldn't be more proud of myself. Well, I'm getting back on track. For the last two weeks I was on vacation in California and put on about seven pounds, so now that I'm back home and finally back to my normal routine I can focus on eating right and exercising again.

With social media being so big right now and all of the free online tips and tricks to stay fit out there it can be a bit hard to find a site that can actually help you. I mean there are lots of recipes and diets and detox drinks, but not every thing you read is true or will work.


 One of the sites that I've found helpful besides Pinterest is Best Health, a Canadian magazine that is filled with not only different tips on how to loose weight, but also delicious recipes, posts on why some diets may not be working and so much more. The site is filled with techniques and tips on what machines actually work when you're at the gym and not just about weight loss.

The site also has different sections such as beauty tips for your hair, makeup and skin and tips on how to embrace life. I love that this site is filled with information that can actually make sense to me and actually give me answer to some questions I've had in the past.

Right now you can get the magazine sent directly to your house by subscribing and getting 50% off your subscription. That's $16.97 instead of $34.93 and if you do subscribe you'll be automatically entered into their contest to win a BMW 128i Cabriolet worth $40,000.

Loosing weight and treating your body right can be hard. It's a day to day struggle that I along with many other men and women face on a daily basis. All we can do is take it one day at a time and with the help of Best Health it can be just a bit easier for us!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. This is a sponsored post, compensation was received.

Feet - A Device Used For Finding Lego's In The Dark!



I have to say, one of the best and worst toys out there for us parents has to be Lego's. Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate Lego's, I remember playing with them a lot when I was a kid. Let's just all be honest with one another, every one of us has either stepped on them (mostly in the dark, but there are those times when we step on them during the day, lol!) or hurt our feet because of them. That's just the down side to having them around the house.

Now does this stop us from buying them?! No way! Why? Because Lego's are a great way to help our kids learn many different skills, helps them to be creative and also helps them with teamwork when playing with others. So stepping on them in the middle of the day or night is completely worth it to me.

Over the last couple of months both my kids have been into Lego's and I'm pretty happy that they both are. My daughter has always had a love for them, but my son has just now starting to really get into them and it's pretty awesome. They can spend hours playing together or even by themselves building something with their Lego's. Not only can I get a few things around the house done, but I love that when I ask them what they've built they can tell me their entire creation and the story that goes along with it.


Right now over at Chapter's Indigo they're having a special offer where you can purchase any of the Lego's for 20% off. How great is that? Now you may know Chapter's Indigo for their books, but they also sale a number of different items including quite a bit of toys for children.

I love that there are so many different themes and types of the Lego's. You can get Lego's in Star Wars, mini figures, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (one of my daughter's favorites), City Lego's, Duplo Lego's, which my son loves, he has the Cars 2 one and there are even Lego Books for your child too.

I'm pretty excited to share this deal with all of you Just Us Girls readers, but don't wait too long to get your savings, the deal comes to an end at the end of the month, March 31, 2013.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. This is a sponsored post, compensation was received. 

Parental Guidance Blu-ray Giveaway



I'm a huge Bette Medler fan. Who doesn't love Hocus Pocus or The First Wives Club or even Beaches?! I could watch all three of those movies over and over again and still enjoy them like it's my first time watching them.  When I first saw the trailer to her movie, Parental Guidance I really wanted to see it. Not only does it have Bette Medler in it, but it also has Billy Crystal and Marisa Tomei.

Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei prove that laughter is relative in this hilarious comedy that’s fun for the whole family!

Old-school grandparents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) get more than they bargained for when they get stuck babysitting their type-A daughter’s (Tomei) overprotected kids. But things go from hectic to hysterical when Artie realizes the kids are running the house with their newfangled technology. By playing by his own rules, which include sugary snacks, old fashioned games and tough love, Artie manages to outsmart the kids and achieve the impossible- bring the family closer together!

Like always, life happened and I wasn't able to see it in theaters  but from a few friends who did go see it they told me it was a really good movie.

Luckily I'll be getting to see the movie soon and will share my review with you all within a few weeks, but until then Just Us Girls and Fox would love to offer one of you lucky winners a blu-ray copy of the movie.

Check out the trailer of Parental Guidance below and to enter the giveaway check out Bette Midler's best musical moments below and tell me which is your favorite!


BETTE MIDLER'S BEST MUSICAL MOMENTS

The First Wives Club

Brenda Morelli (Bette Midler), Elise Eliot (Goldie Hawn), Anne MacDuggan (Diane Keaton) and Cynthia Swann (Stockard Channing) are finally on the good side of fortune after successfully executing a plan of revenge against their philandering soon-to-be ex-husbands when Middler’s Brenda leads the women
into a gleeful rendition of “You don’t Own Me.”

Hocus Pocus

In this magical film, the Sanderson sisters kidnap a young girl named Emily and soon her older brother, Thackery Binx (Sean Murray) is pursuing them. Not to be outsmarted, however, Winnie Sanderson (Bette Midler) kills all of the adults with an enchanting performance of “I Put a Spell on You,” that only a star of Middler’s caliber could have carried out.

Beaches

This sentimental tale follows the friendship between Cecilia Carol (Bette Midler) and Hilary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) as they graduate from girlhood to womanhood. The journey taken by the two lifelong friends culminates with one friend caring for the other in her last days and Midler’s moving performance of
“You are the Wind Beneath my Wings.”

For The Boys

Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler) is called on to attend a celebration of the career of her business partner, Eddie Sparks (James Caan), but has second thoughts when she recalls the more contentious times in their relationship. However, at the last minute Dixie decides to support Eddie and leave the past behind, for the
boys in uniform.

The Rose

Based on the life of music powerhouse Janis Joplin, The Rose centers on the life of troubled pop star, Mary Rose (Bette Midler), who is being confronted by more than a few thorny situations and not coping well. Bette’s performance of the film’s title track, in the film, catapulted her from rosebud to full rose in the 1980’s.

Gypsy

In her portrayal of notorious stage mother Rose Hovick, Bette Midler demonstrates, in grand fashion, Rose’s mission to make her daughter, June, a star. Despite numerous setbacks, June ultimately blossoms into “Gypsy Rose Lee” and takes the world by storm!

So Which Is Your Favorite?!

Life Of Pi Blu-ray Giveaway ( 2 Winners)



A “magnificent and moving” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) motion picture event that has been
hailed as “a masterpiece” (Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times), taking in over $500 million in
worldwide box office. LIFE OF PI follows Pi Patel, a young man on a fateful voyage who, after a
spectacular disaster, is marooned on a lifeboat with the only other survivor, a fearsome 450 lb
Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. Hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery Pi and
his majestic companion make an amazing and unexpected connection.

Pi experiences an incredible adventure out on the open waters that forever affects his life. Here are a few other journeys in film that changed the characters’ lives, including Seven Years in
Tibet, The Lord of the Rings and Into the Wild.


SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET
Austrian Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) was a skiing champion and passionate climber who decided to
climb Nanga Parbat in British India. When WWII broke out, Harrer and his team were arrested and
lodged in Dehra Dun's P.O.W. Camp. He successfully escaped along with Peter Aufschnaiter (David
Thewlis), and they ended up in the holy city of Lhasa where Harrer befriended the Dalai Lama. He
settled into this strange new way of life and he and the Dalai Lama became firm friends, but nothing
prepared him for the devastation which descended when Communist China decided to attack. This
true story depicts a life turned around and takes the audience on a journey they will never forget.



INTO THE WILD
Into the Wild was directed by Sean Penn and was released to critical acclaim in 2007. Christopher
McCandless (Emile Hirsch) is a grade-A student and athlete at Emory University with his entire life
ahead of him. When he decides to abandon his possessions and gives his entire $24,000 savings
account to charity so that he can hitchhike to Alaska, it comes as a shock to everyone. Along the
way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life and change the way he thinks.
Into the Wild is a powerful film which takes viewers on an emotional and touching journey as they
share Christopher’s life-changing experience.


LORD OF THE RINGS
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy made movie history when they were released between
2001-2003. The films were critically acclaimed, winning 17 Oscars in total, as well as wide praise for
the cast and innovative special effects. Set in Middle-earth, the three films follow the young Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) as he and a mismatched group embark on a quest to destroy the One
Ring, and thus ensure the destruction of the dark Lord Sauron. This epic journey changed the lives of
every character involved and remains the highest grossing movie trilogy of all time.


CAST AWAY
Tom Hanks played Chuck Noland in this tale of a modern-day Robinson Crusoe. When Noland,
a FedEx executive, crash lands on a deserted island he must transform himself physically and
emotionally to survive. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Cast Away depicts the immense challenge
ahead of Chuck as he engages in a battle.

Thanks to Fox, two Just Us Girls readers will get a chance to win a copy of this movie on blu-ray. Life of Pi is available for purchase, March 12th!

So which of the above movies is most memorable for you?

The 13th Sign Book Review



Title: The 13th Sign
By: Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: January 8, 2013
ISBN: 9780312583521
Pages:272

What if there was a 13th zodiac sign? 
You’re no longer Sagittarius, but Ophiuchus, the healer, the 13th sign. 
Your personality has changed. So has your mom’s and your best friend’s. 
What about the rest of the world? 
What if you were the one who accidentally unlocked the 13th sign, causing this world-altering change—and infuriating the other 12 signs?  
Jalen did it, and now she must use every ounce of her strength and cunning to send the signs back where they belong. Lives, including her own, depend on it.

MY REVIEW
The 13th Sign by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb was an interesting read, to say the least. Set in New Orleans, we follow the coming of age story of a teenage girl named Jalen. After many hardships with personal family issues, and the normal “teen angst” many of us feel at that age, Jalen gets the chance to experience another life after her and her friend Ellie unlock the secret of the 13th zodiac sign (Ophiuschus). Throughout the book, we read about Jalen conquering fears and battling the twelve members of the zodiac to undo the personality changes she caused to people all over the world, including the ones she holds dearest to her.

I feel this book was perfect for the age range it’s obviously targeting (middle-school/young adult). It’s a decently paced book with action scenes that aren’t too gory. Also, it touches base on personal life issues that remind us that no matter how things are going in life, the alternative may not be too glamorous. Most people won’t realize how strong they are until they have no other options, as Jalen shows the readers in an inspirational way.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received The 13th Sign at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

Chasing Mavericks Blu-ray Review & Giveaway (3 winners)



Chasing Mavericks is the inspirational true story of real life surfing phenom Jay Moriarity (played by newcomer Jonny Weston). When 15 year old Jay discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is not only real, but exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson (played by Gerard Butler) to train him to survive it. As Jay and Frosty embark on their quest to accomplish the impossible, they form a unique friendship that transforms both their lives, and their quest to tame Mavericks becomes about far more than surfing. Chasing Mavericks was made with the help of some of the biggest names in the surfing world, and features some of the most mind-blowing real wave footage ever captured on film. Enjoy this inspirational story of surfing legend Jay Moriarty and his quest to conquer the now famous Mavericks wave.


MY REVIEW
I have to say I really enjoyed this movie. Gerald Butler never seems to let me down. Not only is he good to look at on the eyes, but he is a fantastic actor and this movie just gave his fans even more confirmation.

This was such an inspiring movie that had me filled with tons of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I never took my eyes off of the screen. I was that invested in this movie. It even had me looking up the real surfer, Jay Moriarity, which the movie is based on. 

I'm not a huge surfer fan, but I do respect the sport and the people who dedicate their life towards it. If you're looking for a movie about true friendship and following your dreams this is definitely something you need to see.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Chasing Maverick on blu-ray at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. A big thank you to the PR Company for providing the giveaway prize(s)! 


GIVEAWAY TIME!

Lucky for three of our Just Us Girls readers we have a Chasing Mavericks prize pack where you can win a blu-ray copy of the movie along with two, "Live Like Jay," bracelets! 


Jay Moriarty grew up in what southern California surfing town?

A - Santa Cruz
B - San Diego
C - Huntington Beach

#Disney's Mulan, Brother Bear &Hunchback Giveaway!


I'm a huge Disney fan. I think most of us out there are. I've seen almost nearly every Disney movie and imagine I will always watch them especially how they're bringing out old classics and putting them all on blu-ray one by one. I'm excited that Disney's latest is the three 2- movie collections on blu-ray combo pack and one lucky Just Us Girls reader will get a chance to win all three combos! That's a total of six movies!!



Celebrate the 15th anniversary of Disney’s critically acclaimed masterpiece “Mulan” with this sensational 2-Movie Collection – presented for the first time in Blu-ray High Definition. Mulan’s triumphant tale of honor, courage and family pride shines brighter than ever with new digitally mastered picture and sound!



Rediscover the majestic musical adventure of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame II,” together for the first time on Blu-ray in a 2-Movie Collection! Families can come together and enjoy the extraordinary tale of Quasimodo in a soaring celebration of the beauty inside all of us.



Two warm and wonderful Disney adventures arrive together for the first time ever in a Blu-ray Combo Pack! Families can share the heartwarming and hilarious tale of “Brother Bear” — the 2003 Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature—and “Brother Bear 2” in one incredible 2-Movie Collection. Bring home an entire forest full of fun, complete with digitally restored high definition picture and sound.

So which of the three classics above is your favorite?

Chopped All Stars Returns For Season 3!


I have to admit. I do enjoy watching reality shows, especially the ones that involve cooking as the competition. To see how talented chefs can handle the pressure in the kitchen and what they create within a certain deadline is so exciting. I try and watch these shows after I've already eaten because food shows always leave me hungry.

Starting in April, Food Network's most topped rated series, Chopped All Stars, returns for a third season. The competition, sixteen culinary competitors battling it out for that All-Star champion title and a $50,000 prize for the winner’s charity. I absolutely love that the prize money goes to their charity of choice, any competition that gives money to charities is a plus in my book.

The five-part competition series includes four chefs going head-to-head each week in themed episodes featuring Food Network chefs vs. Cooking Channel chefs, an all-out battle of the Mega Chefs, the much anticipated battle of the Chopped judges, and a can’t miss culinary showdown as four celebrities with a shared love of cooking compete against each other in the Chopped kitchen. 

The competition is judged by a rotating roster of Chopped regulars, they decide who gets “chopped” each week. Some of the judges include, Maneet Chauhan, Marcus Samuelsson, Aarón Sánchez, Chris Santos and Geoffrey Zakarian. 

The competitors are challenged to create delectable courses in a limited amount of time from the ingredients in the renowned Chopped mystery basket. The winner of each episode will compete for the grand prize on Sunday, May 5th at 9pm ET/PT. I'm exciting to watch this show!




Disclosure: All opinions are honest and my own. This post has been compensated.


I Took The Pledge with @WSPACanada , Will You?!


Did you know that most animals at some farms are kept in extremely cramped conditions? Some are fed un-natural diets and suffer painful mutilations. To tell you the truth I'd never really thought about the conditions of how the animal was treated until I learned about, World Society for the Protection of Animals.

WSPA has been working to expose animal cruelty and prevent animal suffering for over than 30 years. They work with individuals, organizations and governments across the globe to help end the mass suffering of industrially farmed animals.



After learning a bit more about what WSPA does and how they try to help animals, I seriously was in tears. Although I do enjoy eating meat with my meals, I hate the thought that in the process of me enjoying food, the animal that sat on my plate went through so much pain its entire life and was treated so badly.

So I found out how I could help. By making more humane food choices when we shop and eat, we can use our purchasing power to change the conditions in which farm animals live. This means making little changes such as buying organic, buying products with the labels that say; cage free or crate free. You can also help by buying local, like, a farm or farmer's market.

By making these changes, you can take WSPA's pledge to ommit to making life better for farm animals. As a fun reward to taking their pledge they have a little app to allow you to Farmify your face. I thought this was pretty cute. What do you think of my farmify face below?!


So, will you be taking the pledge?

Disclosure: This post was written on behalf of WSPA. This post has been compensated, although all opinions are my own.