Ralph Break's The Internet Blu-ray Review & Giveaway


In the hilarious, highspeed sequel to 2012’s Oscar®-nominated “Wreck-It Ralph,” video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) risk it all by traveling to the expansive, fast-paced world of the internet in an action-packed attempt to save Vanellope’s game Sugar Rush.



MY REVIEW
Six years after the release of Wreck It Ralph comes Ralph Breaks The Internet. My family and I loved the first movie, so we were super excited to watch the sequel. I sat down with my kiddos on a snow day and with snacks in our hands, we started watching the movie. 

I have to say, it was even better than I had expected. Not all sequels are good. This one sure did make the cut to a family movie we'll be enjoying for years to come. We open the movie with Princess Vanellope getting ready to race in her video game, Sugar Rush. Trying to help his best friend, Ralph makes a shortcut for Vanellope so that she can win the race. When things go south Ralph and Vanelllope find themselves trying to save their home by going into the internet to fix what was broken before Sugar Rush is gone forever.

This movie was great and all three of my kids loved it from beginning to end. With appearances by some of our favorite Disney princesses, Miranda Sings and lots of references to not only all of our favorite social media apps, but also the game that my son is obsessed with, Fortnite, this movie is sure to be a hit for people of all ages. 

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” is available now on Digital 4K Ultra HD™/HD/SD and physically on Blu-ray and DVD. We definitely recommend watching this for your next family movie night, you won't regret it!

Thanks to Disney Canada, we have one copy of Ralph Breaks The Internet to giveaway. Open to our Canadian readers only, to enter, be sure to leave a comment sharing with us a video-game from your childhood you loved to play. 

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


Thirsty Thursday: Coors Edge Review




Happy Thirsty Thursday! It's been one busy week over here as I've been single-parenting on my own this week while my husband has been out of town for work. With little ones that have been sick, to say I could use a nap, is an understatement. Although I'm sure most of you mama's out there know what I mean.

With that being said, it's been nice to relax for a bit after the kids have all gone to bed and after I'm done preparing for the following day to just sit down with a cold one and not feel guilty while watching Netflix. You all remember how I like my cocktails, right? Check out our previous Thirsty Thursday posts for our drinks we've shared before on the blog.



It's also nice to have a nice cold beer without the after effects of alcohol in case one of my little ones should wake up in the middle of the night, especially while being sick.  So I was excited to try another non alcoholic beer and this time we're reviewing Coors Edge for this week's Thirsty Thursday. I'm not as nervous as I was before when I tried the Heineken 0.0.

When opening up the can, the first thing I noticed was a rich smell of barely. The smell definitely reminded me of a regular can of beer before I even took a sip. It tastes refreshing, but more of light beer, which isn't a bad thing, considering if you're drinking Coors Edge it would be to just enjoy the taste of beer without the alcohol.

Coors Edge is a double brewed beverage for authentic taste in the Coors tradition. It's a refreshing golden lager that contains less than 0.5% of alcohol and only 45 calories per 355ml can. Perfect for those of us who are trying to cut down on drinking alcohol or trying to live a healthier lifestyle. It's great to know that there are a few different options for those who would like to have a beer without the alcohol.

You can enjoy and purchase Coors Edge across Canada and for more information, please be sure to head over to www.molsoncoors.com/en

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

BOOK REVIEW & Giveaway: The Wilted Flower District by Martin Niewood





Title: The Wilted Flower District (Forgotten Violets #2)
By: Martin Niewood
Publication Date: January 12, 2019
Pages: 158

At sixteen Violet Noone is thrown into a world of deception and betrayal when her sister, Ophelia, missing and presumed dead for the last four years, suddenly reenters her life. Violet and her brother, Weylin, venture into in a desolate district of Fairhaven to meet Ophelia but instead of finding her, they discover the brutally murdered body of a young man, Claude Cole. Fleeing the scene, they become suspects, relentlessly pursued by Penny, the officer in charge of the investigation. They soon learn that this murder is no isolated incident as they unravel its mysterious connection to the forbidden fruit, Elsyn.

Things in the Domain are different than they were on Earth. For one thing, death there holds no promise of rebirth into another realm. Fairhaven is an energized and diverse city with many neighborhoods including the Wilted Flower District, where Violet lives with her adoptive family. Having lost her parents many years ago, Violet relies on her brother, Weylin, and her best friend, Deena, for support while concealing the truth from her adoptive mom, Ivy, whose help she needs the most.

Determined to solve the mystery and reunite her family, Violet confronts her own beliefs, the political order, and the physical world. The question is how far is she willing to go?


MY REVIEW
I was a little reluctant to read this book as I am not one to be intrigued by futuristic novels, but I must say, I really enjoyed this read! Violet is a young girl who, with with the help of her mother and brother Weylin, is trying to find her missing sister Ophelia who has resurfaced after having being missing for four years, but quickly disappears again. 

Throughout the book the trio find themselves entangled in lies, mistrust and murder, but nothing is going to stop her from finding Ophelia. Violet is willing to do whatever it takes to bring her family back together, even if it puts her own life in danger.

The plot itself was very interesting. I found myself being able to relate to Violet as we both hold family as a high priority in our lives. The book was well written and the dialogue made me want to continue until the end. I highly recommend this book, this is the second book in the Forgotten Violet series, but you definitely do not need to read book one in order to follow along The Wilted Flower District.

We're excited to be giving away a copy of The Wilted Flower. District Please enter below. For more information about The Wilted Flower District, please head over to www.martinniewood.com

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


Thirsty Thursday: Heineken 0.0 Review


Happy Thirsty Thursday folks! It's been a long time since we've had one of these posts and I'm excited to share with you a beverage from a brand that's well known, Heineken. Today we are sharing our review on Heineken 0.0.

This is a beer that has absolutely no alcohol in it, but you honestly wouldn't be able to tell from the taste. It has a refreshing taste, it's crisp, delicious, goes down smooth and is well made. Heineken 0.0 is a great alternative drink for when you want enjoy a nice cold one, but don't want to consume alcohol. Perfect for us parents on the go or if you're a designated driver.



Heineken 0.0 is brewed twice and fermented with Heineken's unique A-yeast from natural
ingredients with gentle alcohol removal and blending to achieve a fruity flavour and slight malty
taste. With only 69 calories per bottle and 21 calories per can, not only does this taste delicious, but it's a great way to drink responsibly and live a balanced healthier lifestyle. 

I have to be honest, I was a bit nervous to try this considering it had no alcohol, but I have to say I am quite impressed with how good it tastes. It's rich, full of flavor and taking a sip after it's been chilled in a fridge or a cooler for a few hours you won't really be missing the after-effects of alcohol unless that's what you're looking for. Well done Heineken, this is one alcohol free beer I would recommend to my friends and family who are looking to cut down on their alcohol consumption. 

You can enjoy and purchase Heineken 0.0 across Canada and for more information, please be sure to head over to www.heineken.com/ca

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


Klorane Mango Hair-care Review




I love trying out new products when it comes to my hair. Finding out what works and what doesn't so that my hair stays healthy and soft is important to me. So I was pretty excited when I got the opportunity to try out Klorane's new Mango Hair care products. The products included: a nourishing shampoo, a detangling conditioner, a leave in cream and an intensive mask. The Mango hair products are perfect for dry or dehydrated hair and a great way to add shine, softness and detangling to hair especially during and after our Canadian winters. Below are a few other key facts about Klorane's Mango Hair Products:

Plant-based products with 96% of natural ingredients
Eco-friendly and recyclable packaging
Results visible from the first application
Silicone and paraben free
Klorane's mangos are harvested by hand in the respect of their ecosystem. The Mango butter is extracted in a responsible and labelled way.

  

The Mango Butter Shampoo lathers amazing and you don't need more than a quarter amount to wash your hair. After shampooing my hair, next I tried the Mango Butter Detangler. I absolutely loved how great my hair felt after using the conditioner. It left it feeling fresh and full. After applying the Mango Butter Detangler I would leave it in my hair for the recommended two to three  minutes, using about a quarter size. It was easy to wash out and doesn't make your hair feel full of tangles or greasy.

Next up was the Mango Butter Mask, this was excellent at leaving my hair frizz free throughout the day, especially in the damp cold winter. I left it in for the recommended five minutes, but for a stronger action you can leave it in your hair for up to 20 minutes under a warm towel. The Leave-in Cream with Mango Butter leaves my hair smooth and free of any tangles, also leaves my hair with a nice shine. I like that it doesn't weigh down my hair or leaves it looking greasy. The leave in cream also works great for styling your hair too.

Overall I was happy with these products and will continue to use them to help my hair stay healthy and hopefully it will continue to make my hair feel great and cut out my split ends.

Available as of January 16, 2019 at pharmacies throughout Canada and online at Shopper's Drug Mart. For more information, please visit Klorane Canada.

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


Sesame Street: Celebrate Family DVD Review & Giveaway





Sesame Street: Celebrate Family includes five unique stories for curious preschoolers and their families. First, Abby’s family has dinner at Elmo’s house, where she learns that even though families do things in all different ways, they can still have fun working together to make a meal. Then, Cookie Monster realizes he's forgotten to get a gift for his mommy for Mother’s Day—what should he do? For Father’s Day, Rosita wants to make a video for her dad, but she needs some help from her friends. Next, we meet Rudy, Abby’s new step-brother! Finally, Hooper's Store is throwing a special party for kids and their grandparents.

Sesame Street: Celebrate Family has a runtime of two hours, including family-themed bonus features:


Bonus Features:
· Full-Length Episode: Siblings
· Elmo’s World: Families
· Sesame Studios: Marvie’s Song for Dad


MY REVIEW
I have loved Sesame Street since I was a kid and my kids are all familiar with Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird as well. So when we had the opportunity to review their latest DVD; Celebrate Family, I knew it would be a perfect since we just celebrated Family Day here in Canada. 

What I loved about this DVD is how they show our little ones that no matter what happens, your family loves you and will always be there for you. With the five different stories we got to watch, we got to see five different scenarios with five different families and how they come together and how each home is different but still filled with love. My four year old absoluely loved Celebrate Family the most, she is a huge Elmo fan, so the story of Abby and Elmo's family having dinner together reminded her of how we have dinner with her cousin's family some times and how all families are different but special in their own way. 

Now available in stores, you can get a copy of Sesame Street: Celebrate Family on DVD for your little one to enjoy. To celebrate, we are giving away one copy of this DVD. You can enter this givewaay by commenting below what activity you and your family enjoy doing together.

For more information about Sesame Street: Celebrate Family on DVD click HERE and feel free to print out these kid friendly activity sheets as well:

             



Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Celebrate Family on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

DK Canada's Crafty Science Book Review




Little crafters will become little scientists as they explore, experiment, make, and create their way through every STEAM project.



This hands-on crafty science book introduces inquisitive children to the wonders of science through craft projects with everyday objects. Award winning author Jane Bull combines arts, craft, and cooking activities with gentle scientific learning, showing children that science, technology, engineering, art, and maths are all around us - and in everything we make and do! Crafty Science contains more than 20 fun-filled projects, each accompanied by a 'What's the science?' section explaining how it works. Children can learn how to make a toy raft and discover what makes their boat float, or how to create an ice sculpture and learn about the changing states of solids and liquids.

With Crafty Science, difficult concepts like buoyancy, gravity, and aerodynamics become meaningful and accessible to young children through play. They'll discover the world around them like they have never seen it before!



MY REVIEW
This book has been one of my favorites that I've added to my family library. I was excited to receive this Crafty Science book from DK Canada as I love getting crafty with my little ones and this book is filled with kid-friendly crafts that the entire family will love. From making lemonade from scratch to creating swirling snowstorms (snow globe) this book is filled with craft projects for kids of all ages to enjoy. I really love that most of the things you will need to create projects are recycled items that you can find in your recycle bin at home. 

As we prepare for Spring, I have lots of sticky notes in this book for craft projects I'm looking forward to making with my kids. Definitely a book worth checking out, Crafty Science is now available for purchase at DK Canada.

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

Disney's The Nutcracker and The Four Realms Blu-ray Review




In “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” Fourteen year old Clara travels along a golden thread, presented at Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual party, eagerly searching for a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a music box that holds a priceless gift. When she enters a mysterious parallel world, Clara encounters a Nutcracker soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and three Realm regents, including the Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley). Ultimately, she must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve the key and return harmony to the unstable world.


MY REVIEW
I was very excited to watch this movie with my family because I have always loved the nutcracker story and I was hoping my kids would feel the same. My 3 daughters along with my niece watched this movie and they really enjoyed it overall.  The costumes and scenes are gorgeous and magnificent to look at and the stars that appear in the film were a bonus as they made the film more enjoyable to watch!

I did find myself a bit disappointed as I was expecting there to be more dancing /ballet in the movie however it was a different approach to the original storyline and I can see how someone who may not appreciate the ballet enjoying this film more! My 9 year old niece enjoyed this movie the most as she loved Mackenzie Foy as Clara. She loved the ending of the movie when the sugar plum fairy is defeated and Clara then returns to dance with her father.

Overall, the four kids that watched this movie with myself really enjoyed it and all agreed that they would watch it again. I did not enjoy it as much and found that I had greater expectations of the film prior to viewing it.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a The Nutcracker and The Four Realms on blu-ray at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received


Tito & The Birds Review



Tito is a shy 10-year-old boy who lives with his mother. Suddenly, an unusual epidemic starts to spread, making people sick whenever they get scared. Tito quickly discovers that the cure is somehow related to his missing father’s research on bird song. He embarks on a journey to save the world from the epidemic with his friends. Tito’s search for the antidote becomes a quest for his missing father and for his own identity.


MY REVIEW
My family and I had the opportunity to watch the movie, Tito & The Birds and I have to say, it's such a beautifully well scripted anime movie that the entire family can enjoy. 

The beginning of the movie opens up showing us how Tito's father is researching how to communicate with the birds. When the experiment doesn't go well and leaves Tito hurt, his mother kicks his father out until he can put his family before his research. 

After the opening of the movie we are then in the present where Tito is at his school's science fair and he is up against one other student. He has been continuing his father's research, but what went wrong in his father's experiment, also goes wrong with Tito's and everyone in the audience is forced to evacuate the building. When this happens, his mother is furious that he could be so reckless and grounds him.

With the help of his friends and a few other kids from school, Tito is on a mission to not only communicate with the birds to figure out the bird song, but also to find his missing father. I won't spoil the end for you, but I will say that a Tito puts his fears aside and figures out a way to help save his family and friends and also is able to get his father back. A great movie for all ages to see. 

Tito & The Birds opens on February 16, 2019 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema for the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a screener copy of Tito & The Birds at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received