Getting Spooky This Halloween with Asmodee! (Review)

Whether you're taking your kids trick-or-treating this Halloween, going to a get-together, or staying home, we can all agree that Halloween 2020 definitely looks different than previous years. Whatever you do, just make sure you stay safe and follow safety procedures as we are still in a pandemic. 

This year my family and I  are coming together with our immediate family and getting together for a Monster Mash party at my sister-in-law's house. We've all stayed away from one another the last month and all of our kids are attending virtual school, so we've all been counting down the days that we can eat some delicious spooky inspired food, dress up in costumes and the best part, enjoy one another's company. 



With that being said, I was sent some fun boardgames from our friends at Asmodee Canada to play as an alternate way to celebrate Halloween. We were sent Mysterium Park, Carcassonne, and Tea for 2. These boardgames are a fun alternate way for families who want to skip the Trick-or-Treating or friends in the same social bubble to still get some scares and fun this Halloween.



Mysterium Park has many secrets to hide...Grave secrets! The park’s director has disappeared. Since then, strange events occur. You and your team of psychics decide to reveal the truth. Once on the fairgrounds, the ghost of the director communicates with you. With his help, will you be able to find the killer and scene of the crime?

Mysterium Park was such a fun game! The game is recommended for players ages 10+ and you can play with 2 to 6 players. The hubby, teens, and I played last weekend and we had a blast. My oldest son is into the supernatural, so this game was right up his alley as we all got to play as psychics to find out what really happened that night before the carnival leaves again. The rules were simple and easy to follow and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as we got into character playing different psychics. This game gave us all the Halloween feels and we even had our favorite Halloween playlist going on in the background to give it a more creepy vibe. It took about half an hour to play from start to finish. This is definitely a game that I can't wait to play again and would recommend as it's spooky and fun all in one. Mysterium Park is retailed at $39.99.



Carcassonne is the perfect introduction to the modern world of board games. With its simple rules
(place a tile, place a meeple, score points), beautifully illustrated tiles, and iconic components, this
modern classic should be part of everyone’s collection.

Carcassonne is a fun and easy learning boardgame for the entire family to enjoy. The hubby and I played with all three kids and we all had a blast. Although the game is targeted for ages 7+, our six year old was able to understand the rules and play along with us. The game is for 2 to 5 players and takes about 35 to 40 minutes to play. You can play in a big group with five players or go head to head with a friend.  The game comes with a completely redesigned rulebook to make learning the game easier than in previous versions of the game and also introduces The Abbot mini-expansion and a new version of The River.

The object of the game, build a new Carcassonne together by placing your drawn tile in a way that it continues the landscape. The game ends when the last tile is placed on the landscape. This was such an interesting game that we all enjoyed. Although not as spooky as Mysterium Park, I loved that we all were able to play and enjoy a game night together. Carcassonne sort of reminded me of those farm or castle games on your phone where you have to start from scratch to build your kingdom or farm, but better as I loved playing with a group. Carcassonne is retailed at $44.99.



Tea for 2 is the newest addition to Space Cowboys 2-Player range of games. It is an easy-to-learn, yet
hard to master, a deck-building game set in Alice’s Wonderland that combines easy rules and strategic play. To do battle, players simultaneously flip over the top card of their decks. The player with the highest card can use the card’s effect or buy a new card for their deck! Players will collect Hourglasses, Tarts, and try to keep their hands on the Pink Flamingo to win! The easy to learn rules designed specifically for 2-players makes this the perfect fit for families, couples, and friends.

Tea for 2 was such a fun game. Aimed for players aged 10+, the game is for two players and takes about half an hour to play. This was such a cute game and the hubby and I got to play against one another during one of our weekly home date nights. After our youngest was put to bed, we grabbed our drinks and snacks and sat down and played Tea for 2. 

To play, each player simultaneously flips over their top card from their deck. If your card is higher you can either apply the effect of that card or buy a card to power up your deck. Both the hubby and I are very competitive when it comes to games and this game definitely brought out our competitiveness side and we had a blast playing. What we both loved about the game is the Evolving Deck. Each player's deck evolves as they play and make strategic choices, so every game is different. We've played twice together and now we can't wait to play with our teens. Tea for 2 is retailed at $29.99. 

A big thanks to Asmodee Canada for sending us all of these board games. I'm looking forward to playing these games with our immediate family during our Monster Mash party on Halloween. For more information on where to buy these games local or online be sure to head to Asmodee Canada

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






Getting Spooky with DK Canada (Review & Giveaway)

 I can't believe Halloween is already around the corner. It's crazy how fast this month has flown by. As you all know by now, my family and I love this time of year and was very excited when we were sent a few spooky-themed books from our friends over at DK Canada to help us get into the spooky season even more. 



Since I got to choose the books we received I decided to pick LEGO Halloween Ideas for my six-year-old, Disney Villains: The Essential Guide to the Evilest of Them All for the entire family to enjoy since we are huge Disney fans, and lastly, Haunted Houses: Classic Stories of Doors That Should Never Be Opened. 



Celebrate Halloween with 50 spooky build ideas, plus an exclusive scary scene model!

Use your LEGO® collection to conjure up a giant bat, a ghost ship, a witch's house, and many more creepy creations. Plus, challenge your friends to spooky LEGO games.

These Halloween-themed models and activities will keep you busy throughout the spooky season. The book also comes with all the bricks you need to make an exclusive LEGO spooky scene mini model.

Let the ghoulish fun begin!

LEGO Halloween Ideas is such a cute book filled with tons of Halloween LEGO ideas for your child or you to create! Not only does it come with over 50 spooky build ideas, but it also includes a spooky building toy that comes with 30 LEGO pieces. My six year old absolutely had so much fun going through the book for other spooky lego ideas to create. She absolutely loved putting together the building toy that came with the book and now wants to create all the spooky lego ideas and I don't blame her, the book has some cool builds that go perfect with Halloween. Retailed for $18.99, you can find this book over at DK Canada, Amazon, or Indigo.



The essential guide to more than 50 of the most villainous Disney and Disney Pixar movie characters.

What makes Cruella De Vil so cruel?

Why is Scar jealous of his brother Mufasa?

Who are the troublesome toys at Sunnyside Daycare?

We are huge Disney fans, so when I came across Disney Villains: The Essential Guide to the Evilest of Them All, I knew I had to add this book to both our Disney and Halloween collection. There's just something about those villains that although we don't like some of their actions, we still have a soft spot for them. In this book, we get to dive in a little deeper and get to know the villains of Disney a bit better. From Ursula to Jafar, Cruella, and more, this book has tons of information about the villains we hate to love. My oldest loves to dress in cosplay of some of his favorite characters, he went through this book so fast and devoured all of the information to help get a better sense of what each villain is like and I have to say, his cosplay on some of these villains is pretty impressive. If I'm able to share, be on the lookout on our Instagram stories. Disney Villains: The Essential Guide to the Evilest of Them All is retailed for $16.99 and can be found on DK Canada, Amazon, and Indigo!



Classic haunted house ghost-stories curated by world-renowned filmmaker and horror genre authority John Landis.

This beautifully presented, highly collectible anthology features ghost stories that have enthralled, terrified, and inspired readers decade after decade. Some are relatively well known; others are long-lost treasures, awaiting rediscovery.

The selection includes tales of terror by Bram Stoker, H. P. Lovecraft, and Percival Landon; studies of creeping dread by Edgar Allan Poe and Henry James; short, sharp shockers by Ambrose Bierce, M.R. James, and Lafcadio Hearn; and comedic masterpieces by Oscar Wilde and Saki.

Mr. Landis' own introduction explores each tale's fascinating impact on the contemporary horror genre.

Step inside these ghost-ridden repositories of supernatural evil, if you dare...


The last book we received, Haunted Houses: Classic Stories of Doors That Should Never Be Opened, is a book I was very excited to read. With the weather being colder, leaves falling off the tree, and with it getting darker out early, this was a perfect book to read, with a few spooky stories from some of our favorite authors all in one book to enjoy. I love to get spooked and this book definitely helped with that, but what I loved most was that I could enjoy reading one story in a sitting and read it from start to finish without feeling the guilt that I've had my nose stuck in a book all day. This was such a great book, even my husband read a few of the stories and enjoyed them very much. There's a total of 15 stories and all of them are classics that I'm glad to have on my bookshelf to dive into whenever I'd like. Haunted Houses: Classic Stories of Doors That Should Never Be Opened is retailed for $31.99 and can be purchased on DK Canada, Amazon, and Indigo! 


GIVEAWAY:
I'm excited to partner with our friends at  DK Canada to offer one reader a chance at winning a copy of  Haunted Houses: Classic Stories of Doors That Should Never Be Opened! This is such a great book filled with so many great spooky stories. To enter, comment below and share what your favorite spooky/thriller/haunted story is, whether it's a book or urban legend! 

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

The Haunting Blu-ray Review & Giveaway


For over a century, the foreboding Hill House mansion has sat abandoned…or so it seemed. Intrigued by its past, Dr. Marrow lures three subjects to the site for an experiment. But, from the moment of their arrival, as night descends, the study goes horrifyingly awry, and Hill House unleashes its supernatural wrath on the unsuspecting subjects. 

Also inspired by Shirley Jackson’s novel, the critically acclaimed television series “The Haunting of Hill House” is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD. “The Haunting of Hill House” is an Amblin Television, FlanaganFilm, and Paramount Television production.



MY REVIEW

This throwback is now available on Blu-ray and is perfect for the spooky season! I remember watching this with my younger cousin when we were kids. The movie definitely gave me goosebumps back then and I have to say as an adult who loves scary movies, I was spooked again. 

A man brings in people all suffering from sleep disorders and they soon come to find out there's something just not right about the house they're staying in.

This was such a good thriller to watch that was cast so well! My husband and I put the baby to sleep, popped some popcorn, and enjoyed this creepy ghost movie from my childhood. This was my husband's first time watching the movie, and I hadn't watched since I was a kid, so this was definitely a good movie for us both to watch, especially during the month of October. If you haven’t already seen the movie, I highly recommend it! 


GIVEAWAY:

We're so excited to collab with Paramount Home Pictures again to offer one lucky reader (CANADA ONLY) a chance to win a copy of The Haunting on blu-ray. To enter, comment below sharing your favorite horror/thriller movie.


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received The Haunting on Blu-ray at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.


Spooky Halloween Movie Bundle Giveaway


Happy Friday, Friends! We are right in the middle of October! I can't believe how fast this month has flown by. One of my all-time favorite times of the year is almost over., but not without another amazing giveaway for our readers! We've teamed up with our friends over at Paramount Home Entertainment to give one lucky reader (CANADA ONLY) a chance to win a spooky fun movie prize pack that includes Stephen King 5-Movie Collection Blu-ray, Friday The 13th (1980) Blu-ray, Shutter Island 4K UHD/Blu-ray, and The Haunting Blu-ray! 

That's a total of eight movies! How awesome is that?! With Halloween being a couple weeks away, this giveaway will last one week so that we can get the winner their prize in time to watch before the end of October!  To enter all you need to do is comment below which movie you'd watch first! 

Stephen King 5-Movie Collection Blu-ray

The Dead Zone: Christopher Walken wakes from a coma due to a car accident, only to find he has lost five years of his life, and yet gained psychic powers. Foreseeing the future appears to be a 'gift' at first, but ends up causing problems...

Silver Bullet: Something is killing off townsfolk in Tarker's Mills. Something mysterious. Something ingenious. Something remotely human. But the only person in town with courage to stop this lurking menace is a 13-year-old boy, confined to a wheelchair since birth. Adapted to the screen by suspense master Stephen King from his 'Cycle of the Werewolf' novelette, this exhilarating thriller features astounding special effects by three-time Oscar® winner Carlo Rambaldi ('E.T.,' 'Alien,' 'King Kong').

Pet Sematary (1989): The terrifying tale by Stephen King is also a beloved adaptation of the best-selling author's work. Pet Sematary follows the tragic story of the Creed family. After their cat is accidentally killed, a friendly neighbour advises its burial in a mysterious nearby cemetery. When the cat comes back, it's only the beginning of an unthinkable evil leading to hell and back. Sometimes, so it seems, dead is better.

Pet Sematary (2019): Based on the terrifying novel by Stephen King, After the Creed family moves to rural Maine, they stumble upon an ancient burial ground with sinister powers. When tragedy strikes, a perilous chain of events unleashes an unfathomable evil.

The Stand: Originally aired as a television mini-series, this all-star filmization of Stephen King's gripping epic of good versus evil chronicles the episodic adventures of a disparate group of people who struggle to reestablish civilization after a man-made catastrophe wipes out most of the world's population. The world abruptly ends when a deadly virus accidentally escapes from a government sponsored biological warfare laboratory. Soon people are dropping like flies from the plague, but a few survive and find themselves strangely compelled to head into the West. Good-hearted people follow the voice of an ancient black woman and head for Boulder, Colorado. Bad people follow the enigmatic Walkin' Dude to Las Vegas. It is only a matter of time before the two sides are forced into a climactic battle over the final fate of humanity.

Friday The 13th (1980)
Friday The 13th  follows a group of young counsellors preparing for the reopening of Camp Crystal Lake, where a boy drowned years earlier. One by one, the counsellors are stalked by a mysterious and violent killer. The film stars Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, and Kevin Bacon.

Shutter Island
 When U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) arrives at the asylum for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, what starts as a routine investigation quickly takes a sinister turn. As the investigation unfolds and Teddy uncovers more shocking and terrifying truths about the island, he learns there are some places that never let you go.

The Haunting
For over a century, the foreboding Hill House mansion has sat abandoned…or so it seemed. Intrigued by its past, Dr. Marrow lures three subjects to the site for an experiment. But, from the moment of their arrival, as night descends, the study goes horrifyingly awry, and Hill House unleashes its supernatural wrath on the unsuspecting subjects. 

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Stephen King 5-Movie Collection Blu-ray (Review & Giveaway)


5-terrifying Stephen King classics, in one Blu-ray collection. This set includes Pet Sematary, Pet Sematary (2019), Silver Bullet, Stephen King's The Stand, The Dead Zone.

The Dead Zone: Christopher Walken wakes from a coma due to a car accident, only to find he has lost five years of his life, and yet gained psychic powers. Foreseeing the future appears to be a 'gift' at first, but ends up causing problems...

Silver Bullet: Something is killing off townsfolk in Tarker's Mills. Something mysterious. Something ingenious. Something remotely human. But the only person in town with courage to stop this lurking menace is a 13-year-old boy, confined to a wheelchair since birth. Adapted to the screen by suspense master Stephen King from his 'Cycle of the Werewolf' novelette, this exhilarating thriller features astounding special effects by three-time Oscar® winner Carlo Rambaldi ('E.T.,' 'Alien,' 'King Kong').

Pet Sematary (1989): The terrifying tale by Stephen King is also a beloved adaptation of the best-selling author's work. Pet Sematary follows the tragic story of the Creed family. After their cat is accidentally killed, a friendly neighbour advises its burial in a mysterious nearby cemetery. When the cat comes back, it's only the beginning of an unthinkable evil leading to hell and back. Sometimes, so it seems, dead is better.

Pet Sematary (2019): Based on the terrifying novel by Stephen King, After the Creed family moves to rural Maine, they stumble upon an ancient burial ground with sinister powers. When tragedy strikes, a perilous chain of events unleashes an unfathomable evil.

The Stand: Originally aired as a television mini-series, this all-star filmization of Stephen King's gripping epic of good versus evil chronicles the episodic adventures of a disparate group of people who struggle to reestablish civilization after a man-made catastrophe wipes out most of the world's population. The world abruptly ends when a deadly virus accidentally escapes from a government sponsored biological warfare laboratory. Soon people are dropping like flies from the plague, but a few survive and find themselves strangely compelled to head into the West. Good-hearted people follow the voice of an ancient black woman and head for Boulder, Colorado. Bad people follow the enigmatic Walkin' Dude to Las Vegas. It is only a matter of time before the two sides are forced into a climactic battle over the final fate of humanity.



MY REVIEW

 Autumn is my favourite time of the year.  Fall leaves and hoodies, hot chocolate, scary movies, and Halloween!  This month I spent my snuggle time watching some of my old book-to-movie favourites in this 5-Movie Collection on Blu-ray DVD from the writings of Stephen King.

I'm a BIG Stephen King fan - so I committed myself right away to the (six-hour!) classic, 'The Stand'.  I mean, who can turn down a 4-part King drama with no commercials!  Classic nostalgia (and Molly Ringwald) makes for a perfect few nights of to-be-continued Stephen King drama.  Love his characters, love his stories, LOVED spending my month taking a stroll down chill-thrill lane.  And the blu-ray quality is magnificent!  This is a no-brainer, this collection KILLS!

GIVEAWAY:
We're excited to partner with our friends over at Paramount Home Entertainment to offer one lucky reader (CANADA ONLY) a chance to win this 5-movie collection! To enter, comment below and share with us what movie you would watch first. 

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Stephen King 5-Movie Collection on Blu-ray at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

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The Advantages of Wearing Glasses


Wearing glasses hasn’t always been popular or cool. When we were kids, many of us hated the idea of wearing glasses, and we’d all heard someone at school teased because of their eyesight. Many people that wore glasses as children in the 90’s rushed out to get contact lenses as soon as they were able. 

But, times have changed. Many of our favourite celebrities, academics, and fashionistas have been spotted proudly wearing their specs. More designers than ever offer ranges of trendy frames and wearing glasses has over time become cool. 

So much so that many stores are selling clear lenses as well as prescription options so that the perfectly sighted among us can get in on the trend. 

Believe it or not, there are many advantages to wearing specs. Some obvious, others not so. Let’s take a look at some of them, as well as some tips to help you to find the right pair. 


They’ll Improve Your Vision
The most obvious benefit of wearing glasses is, of course, improved vision. If you’ve been struggling on without them, you might find that a pair of glasses can drastically enhance your sight, even if your prescription is relatively minor.


The Signs That You Need Glasses
The biggest sign that you need glasses to improve your vision is often that you can’t see things that you could previously. It’s usually a slow decline, and you might not notice straight away. The most common things we notice are not being able to read road signs as well when we are driving and having to squint to read things clearly at home. 

Other signs that you may need glasses might include tired, itchy eyes, headaches, difficulty focusing between different distances, trouble seeing when it gets dark, and discomfort when adjusting to dark and light. However minor, if you have any issues with your sight, it’s worth booking an eye test and taking the time to learn more about glasses and the different options you may have. 


How Often Should You Get Your Eyes Tested?

Adults should get their eyes tested by a professional optometrist every two years, even if they don’t wear glasses or have any sight issues. 

If you have prescription lenses, your optometrist might recommend more regular tests. Even if you’ve been tested within the last two years, you should book an appointment if you have noticed changes to your vision or have other concerns. 


Glasses are a Great Fashion Accessory
A relatively new advantage of wearing glasses is that they are a fantastic and highly sought-after accessory. The best thing about today’s reasonably inexpensive frames is that you can have different pairs to match different outfits or looks without breaking the bank. 

Change your glasses to match your mood, your hair, or other accessories, and don’t underestimate the power of a statement frame. 


People That Wear Glasses Look Smarter
You certainly don’t need glasses to be smart, or even to appear smart. But, they can give you a head start. Perhaps because of our school days, we tend to associate glasses with cleverness, and even now that glasses are so trendy, there’s a certain geek-chic quality to them. When you put your glasses on, you look and maybe even feel smarter.


Glasses Can Boost Your Confidence
That perceived intelligence can help you in another way too. We know that people think glasses wearers are more intelligent, and we use it to our advantage. If you’ve got an important meeting or interview, adding a pair of glasses, just like adding killer heels or wearing your favourite power suit, can help you to feel more confident, more powerful, and less anxious. 


The World Looks Sharper and More Beautiful
For some people, the deterioration of their sight is sudden and noticeable. But for most of us, it’s a very slow progression. When you get your first pair of spectacles, you might not have even noticed that things weren’t looking as clear as they used to. 

This often makes for a pleasant surprise when you put them on and go outside for the first time. Suddenly everything around you is clear and sharp. You can appreciate the views and scenery, and the world is crisp for the first time in a while. 


Other People May Find You More Approachable
People who wear glasses are perceived as being more intelligent, confident, and successful. This can make other people trust them more and want to talk to them. You might find that when you start to wear glasses, you become the person that other people ask for help, the stranger that people say hi to, and the friend that everyone confides in. This can be particularly useful if you work with people. 


Wearing Glasses Can Mean That You’ve Got More Energy
When your vision is impaired, your brain has to work much harder. Even something as simple as reading a sign or a label takes more effort, as your brain works harder to identify letters and make sense of what it can see. Over the course of a day, this can be exhausting. 

It’s not a magic fix, though. For the first few days, while you’ll be able to see more clearly, your brain will still be getting used to things and overcompensating. But, as soon as you get used to wearing your glasses, you should start to feel less fatigued and more energetic. 


Glasses Can Give You More Flexibility
A big question nowadays is often glasses or contacts? While they both have their own benefits, one thing that sets glasses apart is the flexibility that they give you. When you wear contacts, you need to know where you are going to bed and waking up or pack spares and solutions. You can’t go where your heart takes you. 

Glasses are worn all of the time and don’t need any specific care. This can allow you more flexibility and spontaneity. 


Wearing Glasses Can Make You More Memorable
We make first impressions, and we leap on something that helps us to remember someone. We’re not all great at remembering faces and names, and we meet multiple people every day. It’s hard. So, we subconsciously cling to things that make people easier to remember. This might be glasses, hair colour, a particularly striking facial feature, or something unusual about the person we met. 

If you have an interview with ten other equally qualified people, it might be your glasses that gets you remembered over everyone else. 


Glasses are Typically Cheaper than Contacts
Contact lenses are an appealing alternative. But, they don’t work for everyone, and they can be expensive. Even long wear lenses won’t last anywhere near as long as well-looked after glasses. 


Finding the Right Glasses

So, we’ve looked at all of the benefits of wearing glasses. But, your glasses will only be beneficial if you find the right pair. With so many options, it can be hard to choose. 


Get Your Eyes Tested
The first thing that you need to do is get your eyes tested. Frames might be the most attractive element of specs, but they aren’t the most important. Getting the right prescription is crucial if you want your glasses to help. Getting the wrong lenses can make your sight worse, cause headaches and other symptoms. 

Your optometrist will access your vision, look at the shape of your eyes, and any other issues you may have. 


Get the Right Lenses
Getting the right prescription is essential, but it’s not the only choice to make when it comes to lenses. You can add coatings to offer UV protection, prevent scratches, and provide other protections. These can improve your sight, protect your eyes, and help your glasses to last for longer. 

If you have a large prescription, you might also want to have your lenses thinned so that you’ve got a larger choice of frames and so that they feel more comfortable on your face. 


Get to Know Your Face
Now, you need to choose the frames. Different shaped frames suit different faces, and as much as you like a particular style, they might not be right for you. 

The first step is getting to know the shape of your face. We often make assumptions when it comes to our face shape, but the truth is, few of us really study our bone structures, and even if you had a round face at some point, your face changes as you age, just like any other part of you. 


Try Them on
Knowing what shape your face is and what style suit is a great start. But, at the end of the day, trying frames on is the best way to know if they suit you and if you like them. You can do this in person or even using a photograph. 

But, remember, we’re not always the best judge. Get a second opinion if you can. 


Consider Your Lifestyle
If you are going to be wearing your glasses all of the time, you should also consider your lifestyle. If you are very active, you should make sure they’ll stay on as you move around. If you are outdoorsy, you might also want to buy some prescription sunglasses. 

Spontaneous Digital Movie Code Giveaway


Based on the novel by Aaron Starmer, get ready for the most outrageous coming-of-age love story about growing up…and blowing up. When students in their high school begin inexplicably exploding (literally…), seniors Mara (Katherine Langford) and Dylan (Charlie Plummer) struggle to survive in a world where each moment may be their last. As an unexpected romance blossoms between them, Mara and Dylan discover that when tomorrow is no longer promised, they can finally start living for today! 



I don't know about you guys, but I'm so excited to watch this movie. Coming at a perfect time during the spooky/weird season, Spontaneous is a strange rom-com with a bit of horror that gives an entirely new meaning to tomorrow not being promised and in a time where we're living in a pandemic, a little weird comedy is exactly what we need. Spontaneous is available in selected theatres and today, available on digital platforms; Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, Sony PlayStation Video, FandangoNOW, and more. For more information about where to purchase or rent Spontaneous be sure to head to Paramount Pictures.


GIVEAWAY:

We've teamed up with our friends at Paramount Home Pictures to give one reader (Canada only) a chance to win a digital copy of the movie, Spontaneous. The giveaway is simple, comment below letting us know what your favorite book turned movie is.


Blue’s Clues & You! Caring with Blue DVD (Review & Giveaway)

 


In the Blue’s Clues & You! Caring with Blue DVD, Blue and her friends play Blue’s Clues to learn about all kinds of emotions–-Josh is feeling silly, Magenta is so excited to get new glasses and Blue is feeling a bit sad. The DVD will also include special episodes from Josh & Blue’s VLOG and eight American Sign Language flash cards featuring Josh and words from the show. Blue’s Clues & You! Caring with Blue will be available from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment on October 6, 2020


MY REVIEW
Blues Clues & You! is here and we are so excited to be sharing it with you guys! My son had the pleasure of receiving season one earlier this year, and he was ecstatic when we received the newest episodes. Our son has fallen in love with Blue's Clues over the last few months, the playful songs keep him dancing and the way Josh – the main character – keeps the kids involved has him shouting along with all of the games and fun they have!


Blues Clues & You is a must-have if you have little ones at home. Each episode is a new adventure filled with songs and games, but also teaches your kids basic skills like reading, counting, music and so much more! This revamped children’s classic has surprised me yet again with another amazing season that my son has grown to love. Every time he hears the theme song he comes running, clapping his hands excited to see what’s in store with his favourite TV pal Blue.


GIVEAWAY!
We're excited to team up again with our friends over at Paramount Home Entertainment to give one lucky reader (Canada Only) a chance at winning the DVD to bring home for your little one to enjoy. To enter the giveaway comment below your favorite character from Blue's Clues. 

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received  Blues Clue & You: Caring with Blue on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

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Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo DVD Review

 “Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.” 


Scooby-Doo and Shaggy’s favorite holiday is upon us! With fake monsters and candy galore, Halloween is heaven for these hungry foodies going door-to-door. But this year, their sweet holiday turns sour when the neighborhood pumpkin patch is infected by toxic ooze, creating high-flying jack-o-lanters, and a king-sized pumpkin leader squashing everything in its path. It’s up to Scooby-Doo and the gang as they team up with their pals, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, to solve this mystery of gigantic proportions and save Crystal Cove!


 


MY REVIEW

 My hubby and I have been fans of Scooby-Doo since we were kids and have past that love of The Mystery Inc. gang to our kiddos. So when we received, " Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo," from our friends over at Warner Bros, we were all really excited to watch the latest film from this series! Not only do we love the Scooby-Doo, but we love, love Halloween and the two together were the perfect combo to add to our Halloween movie collection.


From beginning to end, Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo was enjoyable for the entire family. Not only did we see our favorite mystery-solving teens running around trying to solve another case, but we also saw some favs that both my hubby and I enjoyed and the kiddos too. First being Elvira, who made an appearance and we then realized we haven't watched any of the Elvira movies in years. We have now added an Elvira movie to the list to watch this spooky season. Next was Bill Nye, which once he was on-screen talking to Velma, had my teens screaming and loving the fact that he was in the movie. We also loved that this was set in the present time where the Mystery Inc gang have smart phones and rely on help from apps to catch the bad guys.


Of course, we also have our usual Scooby-Doo shenanigans where Scooby and Shaggy are still obsessed with food and still scared of ghosts, the gang still runs around town trying to solve the case and the "pumpkin leader," is still someone hiding behind a costume. This was such a great movie to watch and we loved so much how Scooby-Doo is still staying relevant to this generation of kids. Now out on DVD today, Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo will retail for $19.98 SRP (US) $24.98 (Canada) and will also be available to own on Digital for $14.99 SRP (US and Canada) on October 6, 2020.


Getting Spooky with Raincoast Books (Review & Giveaway)

 The spooky season is finally here! Those of you who have been readers of the blog know how much we love Fall, especially Halloween. Although this Halloween will be very different, we're still going to be celebrating with family while staying safe. Besides the decorations, food, and yummy delicious drinks, my family and I love to watch spooky movies together. Every year we start off with the same movie, Spooky Buddies. It's been years since we started this tradition and even with teenagers, my kids still love to sit down together with lots of treats and kick off the spooky season with the talking pups. From Spooky Buddies, we move on and watch a Halloween-themed movie once a day for thirty-one days. Sometimes, mostly on the weekends, we watch more than one movie and once the youngest kiddo is in bed, the hubby, teens and I watch some classic and new horror movies. Halloween is our favorite. 



If you follow us on Instagram, I posted earlier this week showing you how are awesome friends at Raincoast Books sent us a spooky package with six different books perfect for this Halloween season. We received three picture books, two middle-grade books, and one Young Adult Fiction/Thrillers & Suspense book to enjoy myself. Check it out below:




By: Amy Young
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date: July 14, 2020
ISBN: 9780374308506
Pages: 40

Lucy and our favorite unicorn are back in Sparkle the Unicorn and the Pumpkin Monster. Lucy and Sparkle love Halloween, especially at Frank's Pumpkin Farm. They get to run through corn mazes, play games, decorate pumpkins, and most importantly: eat a lot of cider donuts.

But Lucy and Sparkle discover one big difference between them -- Lucy loves to be scared every once in awhile. Sparkle? Not so much.

When Lucy takes the scary part of Halloween one step too far for Sparkle, she must comfort her frightened unicorn pal -- and win back his trust.






By: Doctorow, Cory; Rockefeller, Matt
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date: July 14, 2020
ISBN: 9781626723627
Pages: 40

Once her parents are off to bed, Poesy excitedly awaits the monsters that creep into her room. With the knowledge she’s gained from her trusty Monster Book and a few of her favorite toys, Poesy easily fends off a werewolf, a vampire, and much more.

But not even Poesy's bubblegum perfume can defeat her sleep-deprived parents!




By: Mitch Frost, Daron Parton 
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
ISBN: 9781728210049
Pages: 32

A hilarious bedtime book that's perfect for anyone, big or small, who's afraid of what might be lurking under the bed.

Do you like awake at night worrying about monsters? Donut monsters? Blue monsters? DANCING ROBOT MONSTERS?! Then this is the book for you! This guide offers ten easy steps to ensure you'll never be bothered by monsters again. Not even carrot monsters.

This hysterically illustrated picture book offers actionable solutions to fears about monsters that will make kids feel confident and that parents will appreciate too, like Step 2: brush your teeth before bed, because monsters hate the smell of minty fresh breath.

And don't miss the cool free poster underneath the book jacket! Just take it off, hang it up, and never worry about monsters again.




By: Hannah Barnaby; Illustrated by Anoosha Syed 
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication Date: July 28, 2020
ISBN: 9781250217837
Pages: 144

When Monster (who lives under the bed) meets Boy (who sleeps in the bed), Boy starts to scream - and Monster promptly swallows him. It's the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Told with a warm, cozy voice, the story is brought to life with adorable two-color illustrations. Filled with adventure and humor, this chapter book is perfect for sharing with kids just aging out of picture books and for newly independent readers.




By: Lindsay Currie
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
ISBN: 9781728209722
Pages: 256

Claire has absolutely no interest in the paranormal. She’s a scientist, which is why she can’t think of anything worse than having to help out her dad on one of his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours. She thinks she’s made it through when she sees a boy with a sad face and dark eyes at the back of the bus. There’s something off about his presence, especially because when she checks at the end of the tour…he’s gone.

Claire tries to brush it off, she must be imagining things, letting her dad’s ghost stories get the best of her. But then the scratching starts. Voices whisper to her in the dark. The number 396 appears everywhere she turns. And the boy with the dark eyes starts following her.

Claire is being haunted. The boy from the bus wants something...and Claire needs to find out what before it’s too late.




By: Natalie D. Richards
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
ISBN: 9781492657217
Pages: 320

When Mira flies home to spend Christmas with her mother in Pittsburgh, a record-breaking blizzard results in a cancelled layover. Desperate to get to her grief-ridden mother in the wake of a family death, Mira hitches a ride with a group of friendly college kids who were on her initial flight.

As the drive progresses and weather conditions become more treacherous, Mira realizes that the four other passengers she's stuck in the car with don't actually know one another.

Soon, they're not just dealing with heavy snowfall and ice-slick roads, but the fact that somebody will stop at nothing to ensure their trip ends in a deadly disaster.


MY REVIEW
I had one happy six years old when she saw all the goodies for her to read and even more excited that the books were Halloween themed. She has a few Halloween books, and she was very happy to add the first four books to her bookshelf. She read  A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster, Posey the Monster Slayer, and The Ultimate Survival Guide to Bedtime Monsters that day, with mom's help. Out of those three books, her favorite had to be  A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster. She loved that Lucy got to take her pet unicorn to the pumpkin farm and all of the fall-themed activities they got to do together. Bailey mentioned taking our dog, Luna, with us when we go to the pumpkin patch this year and was pretty bummed when I told her we couldn't this year. I told her one day we'll get to take Luna, but until then we could bake Luna some fall-themed pup treats together and she was happy with that.



Her next favorite out of the books was Posey the Monster Slayer. She thought Posey was just the coolest kid ever and loved how she became a monster slayer after her parents said goodnight to her. Filled with beautifully illustrated pictures, this book is perfect for any young kid who wants to know how to kick some monster butt. Next up is The Ultimate Survival Guide to Bedtime Monsters. Filled with colorful pictures, we head to Goodnight Labs to figure out the 10 steps to bedtime monsters. This cute story had both Bailey and I giggling and definitely had her wanting to clean her room up so that it could be monster free. It was such a cute story and I'm looking forward to re-reading it with her again soon. 

As for Monster and Boy, Bailey and dad have been reading that before bedtime. It's a bit longer than the other books, but she is loving the story. They haven't finished yet, but she's been excited all week long when it comes to bedtime so he can read another chapter. 

Scritch Scratch and Five Total Strangers are also books that we are still reading. Scritch Scratch is being read by my thirteen-year-old and I'm reading Five Total Strangers. So far my son said he's loving reading Scritch Scratch, it's giving him the Goosebumps feel and we definitely love Goosebump books in this house. I'm excited to hear how the rest of the book goes for him. As for Five Total Strangers, I'm almost done and it is so good! It's definitely a page-turner and I'll be posting a separate review on that book within the next couple of weeks. For more information about the above-mentioned books, be sure to head to Raincoast Books.


GIVEAWAY!
A huge thank you to our friends at Raincoast Books for always sending us some awesome new books to read. I'm excited to share that we're teaming up with them to give one lucky reader (Canada only) a chance to win 3 of the books mentioned above. You get to choose! Comment below letting us know which three books you'd choose if you won. 

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