Play the New Addictive EyeCons Mobile Game and Win REAL Prizes!

October 7, 2016 by Jenni 544 Comments

This review was made possible by iConnect and EyeCons. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.

I often find myself sitting in the car pickup line at school, or waiting for the bus – trying to kill time. THIS is one of my “quiet” moments through out the day where I can enjoy a little me time. Sip some coffee, plan out our weekly menu and grocery list, and play games on my phone.

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Have you heard of EyeCons yet?! I’m super addicted to this game! It’s a new “distract and relax” mobile game from the creators of the mega-hot board games TABOO and OUTBURST, Hersch Games! EyeCons is a match-two puzzle game and it offers REAL, offline rewards and prizes as you move from level to level! It’s like really getting paid to play!

YOU’RE INVITED for a Chance at $1000!

On Thursday, October 13th you can join in on the fun and win special prizes AND a chance for a $1,000 grand prize, just by playing along during a 30-minute #EyeConsParty gaming event! It’s at 9pm ET/6pm PT.

eyecons-party-image

Here are the RULES for the EyeCons Party Gaming Event:

Like @eyeconsthegame on Instagram – this is a critical first step, as only people who like EyeCons will qualify for the $1,000 grand prize.

Download the EyeCons app on either the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

Register your EyeCons account using your Instagram handle as your USERNAME. Do NOT login to the game using a Facebook account. You must register in order to verify a winner after game play ends.

At exactly 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Thursday, October 13, 2016, game play will begin. Make sure you are set and ready to go BEFORE this time slot!

Official gameplay will happen on Level THREE! When the game begins, play until you reach LEVEL THREE. Then, keep playing on LEVEL THREE ONLY. DO NOT ADVANCE to Level 4.

After 30 minutes, the players at the top of the leaderboard on Level THREE who followed @eyeconsthegame on Instagram will win.

*Please NOTE: When you sign up for the game using your Instagram handle, your entire handle may not be accepted, so just use as many characters as you can from your handle.

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How to Play EyeCons:

Try to clear all the tiles in time by tapping any two matching tiles to remove them from the board. Then you can advance to the next level! But remember to keep a close eye on those tile designs – looks may be deceiving! Players earn real rewards and prizes for achieving high scores.

 Match two similar looking tiles in order to eliminate them all and win each level

 You can net a higher score with faster elimination speed

 Utilize combos, power-ups and in-game assists to score high and get to the next level and win real, physical prizes just by playing (i.e. free truffle fries!)

 Play anytime as an individual, or play against others during in-venue group sessions that are activated at specific times

PRIZES and Winner Announcements:

 First Place: $1,000 AMEX gift card

 Second Place: The ultimate Taboo package – one “Taboo” board game and one Taboo Buzz’d

 Third Place: One copy each of Platinum Taboo, Platinum Outburst, Platinum Scattergories

 Fourth Place: One copy each of Platinum Taboo, Platinum Outburst, Platinum Scattergories

Since the EyeCons team will be the only ones who can cross reference who’s following them on Instagram against the leaderboard ranking, they’ll post the Official Winners at 12:00pmPT on October 12, 2016 on the @eyeconsthegame Instagram feed. Winners also will be contacted directly via email.

7 Reasons to Visit The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN.

September 21, 2015 by Jenni 508 Comments

Disclosure: I received free tickets to the Titanic Museum in exchange for our review. However, all opinions are 100% my own and honest, as always.

7 Reasons to Visit The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

My family and I just recently got back from a nice little vacation to the Smoky Mountains. Boy oh boy, was it nice to get away for a bit. The weather was complete PERFECTION while we were there too. One of our stops was at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN. This was such a neat attraction and I’m super glad we went.

If you’re a fan of the movie and all of the history that IS the Titanic, then you MUST go when you get a chance. You’ll feel many emotions, all rolled up into this one experience. Here are 7 reasons to visit the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge.

1. The Crew Dressed to the Nines

Upon arriving at the Titanic Museum, we were greeted by the crew-members who were dressed to the nines. The gentleman that greeted us, gave us the rundown of what to expect once entering the Titanic. He gave us our passenger boarding passes with a brief history of the passenger. We were also each given a speaker device to listen to as we ventured through the ship. You could stop at any spot along the way, press the button, place the speaker device to your ear, and hear all of the history in that location.

As we entered the ship, we were then greeted at the ticket podium by the maids. They donned their beautiful maid uniforms and the head pieces to match.

2. The History

If you’re a fan of the Titanic, then you’ll love all of the history inside this attraction. There’s just so much to see, read, learn, feel and experience. This is where the speaker device really comes in handy. With each stop, you can hear more and more history – even about your passenger, from the passenger card you were given upon entering.

3. Millions of Dollars in Original Titanic Artifacts

On display throughout the entire ship, you’ll find millions of dollars of original artifacts from the Titanic. Old dishes, jewelry, books, clothing, silverware, cameras, and on and on. There are also artifacts that come and go from one Titanic Museum to another. For instance an old bible that was salvaged, and a violin! It’s a great idea to visit TitanicPigeonForge.com when you’re planning to visit to see what beautiful artifact may be on display.

4. The Grand Staircase

Oh, what a beauty! You have no idea until you’re standing right there, at the foot of the Grand Staircase. It takes your breath away! Greeting you there, is another maid and she spends just a couple of minutes telling you about the Grand Staircase.

You’ll never believe what the flooring is made from!! I wouldn’t have guessed it in a million years!

5. Super Kid-Friendly

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is very kid-friendly too. As you walk throughout the ship, there were neat little trivia questions on the wall with answers below that you rolled, to find the correct answer. The kiddo really enjoyed reading these and looking for the correct answer. Also, towards the end of the tour are some pretty cool hands-on experiences for the kids, and adults alike.

6. Feel the Iceberg and the Cold Water

These are the hands-on experiences I just mentioned. Towards the end of the tour, you happen upon the giant iceberg that you can touch and feel. Brrr. So cold. Just past the iceberg, they have a section of water that you can dip your hands into….and it’s COLD! Bitter cold. The water is the actual temperature of the water in the ocean that night. When you dip your hand in, it’s not so bad — or so you think. Try dipping your elbow in. Brrrr!!!

7. Find Out Your Fate

At the beginning of the tour, you’re each given a passenger card with the history of the person. At the end of the tour, you’ll come to the Memorial Room where you can find your fate on the wall. All of us survived, except for my husband…poor guy!

On your next trip to the Smokies – make sure to stop by the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge with your family. It’ll surely be an experience you’ll never forget!

Follow along via their social media pages below to stay up to date with all the Titanic happenings!!

Titanic on Facebook

Titanic on Twitter

Titanic on Pinterest

Titanic on YouTube

Have you ever been to the Titanic Museum? What was your favorite part of the experience?

Take the Family to See Shaun the Sheep Movie (In Theaters Aug. 5th!) + GIVEAWAY (Ends 8/11)

August 4, 2015 by Jenni 358 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Lionsgate. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Shaun the Sheep is “Baaa” – aackk and stirring up more fun and mischief than ever! From the makers of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, this “Claymation” really catches the attention of youngsters and “old”sters alike! Our family has always loved the shows and we can’t wait for the release of the Shaun the Sheep Movie which hits theaters August 5th, nationwide!! We’ll for sure be seeing it, and honestly…I’m not sure who’s more excited – the kiddo, or his daddy!

Little man is in awe of the animation because the characters look so unique in comparison to other cartoons and shows he watches. The clay like characters just come to life and bring so much fun to the screen. It’s fun to watch their adventures together and they really teach important lessons of teamwork, leadership and problem solving skills. Check out the Shaun the Sheep Movie trailer below!

Shaun the Sheep Movie:

Shaun and the flock decide that they want to have a fun-filled day off the farm. They wind up in the Big City and little does Shaun know, it’s going to take a lot to get the flock safely back to the greener pastures of the farm! The film is geared towards children ages 4-10 but you mommas and poppas out there will love it too! It’s an all around fun family-friendly movie, rated PG.

Meet Timmy, the Toddler of the Flock:

We love Shaun and the entire flock, obviously, but little man and I are in love with sweet little Timmy! He’s the toddler of the flock and he just warms your heart when you see him toting around his cuddly teddy bear. Like any toddler though, Timmy is hard to keep in line and out of trouble! He loves, adores and idolizes Shaun and it’s obvious that Shaun and the rest of the crew love Timmy!

For all Shaun the Sheep Movie clips, videos, news and info, make sure to follow along on social media on their Facebook and Twitter pages! Oh, and use the hashtag #ShauntheSheep

Ready for a Fun Giveaway?

One lucky reader will win a Shaun the Sheep Movie prize package! Giveaway is open to US residents, age 18 or older. Giveaway ends 8/11 at 11:59pm EST. Just use the Rafflecopter form below. Goodluck!!

Shaun the Sheep Movie prize package includes:

One (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie Children’s T-Shirt
One (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie Adult’s T-Shirt
One (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie Headband
One (1) book from the Shaun the Sheep Movie book series
One (1) Shaun the Sheep Movie poster
One (1) Serta Sheep Plush

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Will you be taking your family to see the Shaun the Sheep Movie?

Disney’s THE FINEST HOURS New Movie Trailer! 32 Survivors, Room for 12! #TheFinestHours

July 8, 2015 by Jenni 226 Comments

Check out the new trailer for the new heroic action-thriller, THE FINEST HOURS – the extraordinary true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history. Presented in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D, the film transports audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale.

Disney’s THE FINEST HOURS is the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s most daring rescue mission, which is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars Chris Pine; Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Holliday Grainger, John Ortiz and Eric Bana. THE FINEST HOURS opens in theatres everywhere on January 29th, 2016!

Like THE FINEST HOURS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefinesthoursmovie

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

THE FINEST HOURS opens in theatres everywhere on January 29th, 2016!

Don’t Miss Disney’s #Zootopia – New Teaser Trailer – Like Nothing You’ve Seen be-fur.

June 11, 2015 by Jenni 670 Comments

Have you heard about Zootopia? From the creators of Frozen and Big Hero 6, this new Disney’s animation film will be coming out in theaters March 4th, 2016! Here’s a brand new teaser trailer, just to get you excited. Cause you know — we always get excited about ALL things Disney! Right?! Here ya go:

“The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.”

Like Zootopia on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DisneyZootopia

Follow @DisneyAnimation on Twitter – https://twitter.com/disneyanimation

Follow @DisneyAnimation on Instagram – https://instagram/disneyanimation

Follow Disney Animation on Tumblr – http://disneyanimation.tumblr.com/

New Disney Pixar’s THE GOOD DINOSAUR Teaser Trailer and Poster – In Theaters Thanksgiving! #GoodDino

June 5, 2015 by Jenni 376 Comments

My son is a huge dinosaur fan so I think he’ll love the new Disney Pixar movie, The Good Dinosaur. You have to check out this new teaser trailer that’s available! It really does kind of make you think, “What if…….”.

The Good Dinosaur will be in theaters everywhere on Thanksgiving day! November 25th! Will you be taking your family to see it? My friend Amanda has posted a fun roundup of Dinosaur Snacks (<— click to see!) in honor of the new teaser trailer! Your family will love them!!!

“The Good Dinosaur” asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? Pixar Animation Studios takes you on an epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.

Like THE GOOD DINOSAUR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarTheGoodDinosaur

Follow THE GOOD DINOSAUR on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPixar

Follow THE GOOD DINOSAUR on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disneypixar/

Follow THE GOOD DINOSAUR on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/disneystudios/

Visit THE GOOD DINOSAUR on Tumblr: http://disneypixar.tumblr.com

Follow Disney/Pixar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyPixar

THE GOOD DINOSAUR opens in theatres everywhere on November 25th!

Brand New DreamWorks Pictures’ #BridgeOfSpies Movie Trailer Starring Tom Hanks

June 5, 2015 by Jenni 599 Comments

Are you a fan of Tom Hanks? Gosh. He’s been in way more awesome movies than I could count. So sooooo many incredible movies. Movies that have made me laugh, many that have made me cry. He’s starring in the new DreamWorks Pictures’ BRIDGE OF SPIES, directed by Steven Spielberg!

This dramatic thriller tells the incredible story of an ordinary man placed in extraordinary circumstances. Isn’t that the premise of MOST of Tom Hank’s roles?!?! Check out this brand new trailer…Opens in theaters everywhere October 16th!

“A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, DreamWorks Pictures/Fox 2000 Pictures’ “Bridge of Spies” tells the story of James Donovan, a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. Screenwriters Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen have woven this remarkable experience in Donovan’s life into a story inspired by true events that captures the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.”

Directed by three-time Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg, “Bridge of Spies” stars: two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks as James Donovan; three-time Tony Award® winner Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel, a KGB agent defended by Donovan; Scott Shepherd as CIA operative Hoffman; Academy Award nominee Amy Ryan as James’ wife, Mary; Sebastian Koch as East German lawyer Vogel; and Academy Award nominee Alan Alda as Thomas Watters, a partner at Donovan’s law firm. The film is produced by Spielberg, Marc Platt and Kristie Macosko Krieger with Adam Somner, Daniel Lupi, Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Matt Charman and three-time Academy Award winners Ethan Coen & Joel Coen. “Bridge of Spies” will be released in theaters on October 16, 2015.

Like BRIDGE OF SPIES on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeOfSpies

Follow BRIDGE OF SPIES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BridgeofSpies

Visit the official BRIDGE OF SPIES website: https://www.bridgeofspies.com/

DreamWorks Pictures’ BRIDGE OF SPIES opens in theaters everywhere on October 16th!

Over 40 Incredible Summer Recipes to Indulge In This Summer #MomsCheckIn

June 2, 2015 by Jenni 952 Comments

Over 40 Yummy Summer Recipes

Singing, “Schooooooool’s outttt for summmmerrrrrr!!!” Summer break is HERE, ya’ll! We have slept in EVERY day so far and we’ve also hit the couch a couple of times for those evening naps that leave you feeling all hungover. Blah. Hate that feeling, but oh well. Those naps sure feel pretty doggone good! Are your kids on summer break yet?

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about summer recipes this week and we’re sharing some of our faves. Over 40 of our favorites, to be exact! What are some of your favorites? Corn on the cob grilled? A fresh berry pie? We’d love to hear your favorites too! Cause you know, food is awesome and the more ideas we have the more we can eat!! HA! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn!

Over 40 Summer Recipes to Indulge In…

Appetizers:

Lunch or Dinner:

Grilled Onion Bombs
Copycat Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwiches
17 Incredible and Fun Hot Dog Recipes You Have to Try
Crispy Onion Ring Topped Garden Salad
Slow Cooker Nacho Bake
Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu
Slow Cooker Chicken Cheese and Bacon Tater Tot Casserole
Sweet Spinach, Fruit and Chicken Salad
Crockpot BBQ Ribs
Tons of Summer BBQ Ideas
10 New Recipes for the Grill
10 Labor Day Barbecue Recipes
The Perfect Summer Sandwich
Asian Grilled Burger
3 Easy Summer Recipes (sweet chili brie, grilled mushrooms and banana icecream)

Dessert:

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bites
Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Cake Mix Sugar Cookies (cheat recipe)
Coffee & Cream Freezer Pops
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Easy Cookies n’ Cream Fudge
Slow Cooker Lava Cake
Mile High Strawberry Pie
Homemade Fudgesicles
Luscious Lemon Bars
Salted Caramel Rice Krispies Treats
Grilled Pineapple S’Mores
7 Frozen Treats for Summer
11 Fun Watermelon Recipes
11 Strawberry Summer Desserts
20 Summer Frozen Treats
Strawberry Sundae for Adults

Drinks

Shaker Gingerade
8 Strawberry Drinks and Snacks

What we love about summer…

“Summer for me is all about easy and fresh food. And also, if we can keep the oven turned off that’s an added bonus! So our slow cooker goes into overdrive. A typical summer meal might be some BBQ, corn on the cob (I do live in Indiana after all), fruit salad and some ice cream!”

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

“We LOVE summertime at our house. We do a lot of outdoor entertaining in our backyard which means grilling, cool treats and lots of laughter with friends. Both Mike and I love to experiment with new recipes and flavor combinations, especially during the warm summer months.“

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

“We have a pretty big extended family and we have a ton of get togethers in the summertime. Lots of birthdays, and then of course there’s Father’s Day and the 4th of July. Always entertaining, playing games, swimming and eating good food! Summertime food for me means quick and easy (usually involving the grill!).“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 3 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Summer recipes?

New Disney Pixar INSIDE OUT Recipes and Activity Sheets #InsideOut

May 27, 2015 by Jenni 1,628 Comments

Raise your hands if you’re dying to see INSIDE OUT!!! Me me meee!!! It’s in theaters on June 19th! Perfect summer movie! In honor of all 5 emotions, we have 5 new recipes (one for each emotion) along with some fun activity sheets! These recipes look pretty amazing! I can’t wait to try them out, especially these S’Mores!

Be sure to click the link under the images to go to the actual PDF file to print your recipes and activity sheets! The files are much more clear. Enjoy!

Click here for the Recipes

Recipes include:

More is More S’mores
No-Cry Comfort Food Mac n Cheese
Panko Protected Long Beans
Is that Broccoli? Pizza
Hot Headed Tuna

INSIDE OUT Activity Sheets

Click each link below to download the printable file.

Inside Out Spot the Difference – click to print

Inside Out Hexaflexagon – click to print

Inside Out Maze – click to print

Inside Out Coloring Sheets – click to print

Inside DIY Door Hanger – click to print

Inside Out Emotions Around the World – click to print

Inside Out Connect the Dots – click to print

Watch the Disney Pixar INSIDE OUT Trailer below:

Like INSIDE OUT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarInsideOut

Follow INSIDE OUT on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PixarInsideOut and https://twitter.com/headquarters

Follow INSIDE OUT on Instagram: https://instagram.com/PIXARINSIDEOUT/

Follow INSIDE OUT on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/disneystudios/inside-out/

Visit INSIDE OUT on Tumblr: http://insideoutheadquarters.tumblr.com/

Follow Disney/Pixar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyPixar

Visit the official INSIDE OUT website: http://www.wdsmediafile.com/walt-disney-studios/InsideOut/

INSIDE OUT opens in theatres everywhere on June 19th!

Which emotion do you think YOU’RE most like?

Raffey Cassidy and Her Beautiful Optimism – Our Tomorrowland Interview #TomorrowlandEvent

May 27, 2015 by Jenni 730 Comments

Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in Los Angeles California in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions and thoughts of sweet, sweet Raffey Cassidy expressed are my own.

Earlier this month when I was in LA for the Tomorrowland Event, I had the opportunity to interview some of the cast and the writer/producer. Here’s our George Clooney Interview part 1, and part 2. Our Britt Robertson interview, and our Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof interview. This interview with Raffey Cassidy was incredible. She is seriously just the sweetest thing. To be so young (just 12 years old!), she’s very mature and I think she’s got a long and happy career as an actress ahead of her.

Raffey as Athena…

The part of Athena was absolutely made for Raffey. I can’t think of anyone else who would have played the part better. Raffey goes into a little more detail about that here in the interview.

Q. What was your first scene and which scene was your favorite?

Raffey: “Oh, my first scene… It was in the world’s fair when I was watching young Frank getting on the bus. My favorite scene to shoot was probably the blast from the past sequence. I really liked that ’cause, I mean, it had a lot of action in it.”

There’s Always a Bright Side…

Raffey’s outlook on life AND the film is optimism. She’s very optimistic and that’s such an excellent quality to have, especially at a young age.

Q. What’s the one take away from the movie?

Raffey: “That everybody should be very optimistic and feel that there’s a way around situations if they’re in a bad situation. There’s always a bright side. I love how wise Athena is, like she’s like an old soul inside of a young body.”

A mathematical dress…

I never noticed this IN the movie so now I can’t wait to watch it again and pay special close attention.

Q. How did you feel about your costumes in the movie?

Raffey: “I loved them. The blue dress, if you look closely, there are actually algorithms in algebra. If you look close, you can see them!”

Raffey Learns the Ropes…

Q. You had a lot of action scenes where you had to do martial arts. Did you have to train for that?

Raffey: “Yeah, I trained for two months in gymnastics and martial arts, and then I went to Canada and did another month of martial arts and a bit of gymnastics. Then throughout the sixth month of filming, I did another couple of days every week or so.”

Q. So what were your feelings on driving the truck and learning to do that?

Raffey: “Well I really enjoyed it. It was so fun ’cause I worked with an amazing stunt team, and so they actually taught me how to drive and there was a scene where I had to like, go down a ramp and then stop. I think really I started to get a little too confident, and I got too close. Britt just went “stop!”, because I got so close.” (crowd laughs!)

Athena’s Traits, her Role and Training…

Raffey’s outlook is very bright and cheery. She smiles throughout the entire interview and you can feel the positivity just oozing from her. She’s such a sweet girl, and you could tell she was really enjoying talking about the movie!

Q. What traits of Athena do you see in yourself.

Raffey: “Well, if I had to choose something, it would probably be optimism, because I think that I feel that I’m quite optimistic and always look on the bright side of a bad situation.”

Q. How did you train to play the role of Athena?

Raffey: “Athena has so many different qualities. She’s optimistic. She’s intelligent. She’s wise, and I just kind of put all of those together, and I always had an image in my head for a scene, so, it was never just go in cold into it and try to create one in my head. I always had an image that would just help me and I’d always be able to think of that to get me through the scene.”

Q. What was your hardest scene to film in the movie?

Raffey: “My hardest scene would probably be, hmm, my end scene. I mean, that was a lot of lines, but once I’ve learned them, it just flowed. George had a lot of eye contact with me, so it’s so easy to perform and it would have been hard if, you know, if George wasn’t so good. But yeah, it was easy ’cause he just, he was just so professional and kept eye contact the whole time.”

Q. You filmed in a few different locations. Did you have a favorite?

Raffey: “Probably the Eiffel Tower, I mean, because that was an actual thing that Tomorrowland had recreated and it, it was just so real and very cool.”

Raffey Gets Deep…

I mentioned that at such a young age, Raffey is very mature. The next question really shows you her insight and what she wants people, especially girls, her age to know!

Q. What’s the message that you would tell girls your age about the future?

Raffey: “Well, I’d say the future isn’t a place we’re going. It’s something we’re making, so it can be anything that they want it to be. It makes me think about the future now and, and how optimistic we can all be and, and how we can make it what we want. Maybe I can make a difference in the world.”

Tomorrowland in theaters NOW! GO SEE IT!!

Head out to the theater tonight with your family and see Tomorrowland! Think “retro futuristic”.

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Are you taking your family to see Tomorrowland? You can read our movie review here!

Part 2 of Our George Clooney Interview for Tomorrowland #TomorrowlandEvent

May 26, 2015 by Jenni 817 Comments

Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in Los Angeles California in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions and admiration for George Clooney expressed are my own.

Earlier this month, I shared the Part 1 Interview with George Clooney for his new movie release of Tomorrowland! That was one VERY cool experience! Today, we’re back with part 2!

Have you had the chance yet to take your family to see Tomorrowland? It opened this past Friday, May 22nd! It’s rated PG so it’s a great family-friendly movie. You can find our Tomorrowland movie review here. No real spoilers, promise!

George and his Gal-Pals…

George and two of his co-stars in this movie have a sort of love-hate relationship. Casey (Britt Robertson) and Athena (Raffey Cassidy) really know how to push Frank’s (Clooney) buttons. One of the questions asked in the interview was about their relationship.

Q. I loved how your character interacted with Raffey Cassidy and Britt Robertson. I just thought everything was so sweet between all three of you. What was it like working with such young and talented actors?

George: “Well, first of all, Britt is fantastic and, you know, her career is just at the very beginning and is going to be really fun. Raffey is spectacular and she was just 12 at the time, I think, and way too talented, for her age, and sweet and funny. They were fantastic, and they were really sweet and I think they’re having a really fun time with this, which is, you know, that’s how it’s supposed to be. You know when I work with younger actors, I always have to try to remind them that, you know, this is the fun kind of job that most people don’t get to do. And if you get to be an actor and work, and somebody pays you for it, you’ve caught the brass ring, you know, and it’s just fun. So, that’s part of, the thing is, they really do dig it and they’re having fun, which is really a good time.”

George’s Favorite Scenes and Memories…

I love this part of the interview. We see entire movies sometimes and wonder which scenes are the actor’s favorites. Now we know what George’s favorite parts of the making of Tomorrowland are.

Q. What was your favorite scene or favorite fun memory while filming Tomorrowland?

George cracks a joke, and then answers: “I don’t remember much of it. I was drunk most of the time. (the crowd laughs) You know, I will tell you, there was a lot of moments, because it wasn’t all done on green screen. They were nice enough to build a lot of these sets where you actually got to play in them. The most fun we had was the driving sequences, believe it or not, because, you know, we’re being towed but Raffey is driving and, you know, I keep having to teach her like, you’ve got to keep looking at the road, and she’d be like, “What is the deal?”. It was just old fashioned, three people sitting in a truck for five days, arguing and doing fun stuff. And that’s really fun for actors, because you don’t have to do any make believe. It’s all just right there. So I really enjoyed that. And also it was fun shoving all the packs of powder down their throat because we must have done, I don’t know, 30 takes!”

Casey’s Coke Explosion…

George mentions that packs of powder in the interview q/a above. In that same scene of the movie, Casey drinks 2 bottles of Coke, straight down. I won’t tell you why, because I don’t want to spoil anything….but this was another fun part of the interview.

Q. Did Britt really drink all those bottles of Coke?

George: “Yeah, now in fairness, Brad was kind enough to only have her do it, I think, three times. But she does down two Cokes in the take. And, I just sit there going, “you know, she’s gonna explode”, but she did it. With young actors, I remember when I was doing Descendants and we had this little girl, she played my youngest daughter in the film, and we did a scene where she gets to eat ice cream, and she never acted in a movie before and she just starts pounding the table. They did 9 takes and the girl, she was literally like, “uughhh”.

Tomorrowland in theaters NOW! GO SEE IT!!

Head out to the theater tonight with your family and see Tomorrowland! Think “retro futuristic”.

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Are you taking your family to see Tomorrowland?

Take Me To Tomorrowland – Our Tomorrowland Movie Review #TomorrowlandEvent

May 22, 2015 by Jenni 1,377 Comments

Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in Los Angeles California in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions and love for the movie Tomorrowland expressed are my own.

You’ve been seeing all the hype for Tomorrowland, right?! This PG rated, family-friendly film hits theaters everywhere today, May 22nd! We watched it earlier this month in LA at the Tomorrowland Event so I’ve been trying to hold everything under my hat and not be a spoiler-sport. Now, you can see all the awesome-ness for yourself!

About Tomorrowland…

From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s “Tomorrowland,” a riveting mystery adventure starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.

“Tomorrowland” is produced by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird and Jeffrey Chernov and directed by Brad Bird, with John Walker, Brigham Taylor, Jeff Jensen and Bernard Bellew serving as executive producers. “Tomorrowland” opens in U.S. theaters on May 22, 2015.

Futuristic Films Usually Aren’t My Thing But…

As soon as I watched the very first trailer, I knew I had to see it! I usually steer clear of most sci-fi types of movies. Those are more my husband’s kind of thing but within the first minute of the trailer, I was hooked. I love the mixture of the past, present and future inside this movie.

A Story of Hope for the Future…

Casey (Britt Robertson) is very curious and determined to “fix” the future. She’s a young girl, with a purpose. She seeks out Frank (George Clooney) to help her in this Tomorrowland adventure. The combustible combination of these two personalities is very refreshing and quite funny! You can imagine, a grumpy old(er) man being pushed around by a young and feisty teen-age girl. This movie is all about inventors and dreamers, movers and shakers. People like Frank and Casey! It makes you think about your own life and the dent that we put in this world. We don’t want to just exist, we want to leave our mark here!

An Incredible Cast…

You’ve heard me mention George Clooney and Britt Robertson, but you’ll also be happy to see the rest of the cast involved. Hugh Laurie – who plays the bad guy. He makes such a good “bad guy”. Raffey Cassidy who’s up and coming, and very young. You’ll fall in love with her role of Athena! Tim McGraw (yesss!) plays the role of Casey’s dad.

The PG Rating – Should Your Kids Watch It?

Tomorrowland is rated PG and it’s a great family movie, however, I don’t feel that it’s appropriate for super littles because of the degree of some of the violence in the movie. Parents, you know your kids so I suggest using your judgement. I would recommend around the age of 8+ but even younger kids will really enjoy it. Just consider your own kid’s sensitivities…that’s all.

My Final Thoughts…

Tomorrowland is a story of hope for our future. Throughout the movie, and even in our interviews with the talent from the movie, the idea is that we can make our future what we want it to be. We can’t just sit back and wait and watch for things to happen. We are movers and shakers, dreamers, and inventors! It gives a sense of renewed hope for things to come. The responsibility to take the future in our hands and shape it. It’a a beautiful thing!

Tomorrowland in theaters today, May 22nd! GO SEE IT!!

Head out to the theater tonight with your family and see Tomorrowland! Think “retro futuristic”.

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Are you taking your family to see Tomorrowland?

Rock Your Legs and Get Your FREE Pitch Perfect 2 Movie Ticket #RockYourLegs

May 21, 2015 by Jenni

Rock Your Legs & Get a Free Ticket to Pitch Perfect 2

Have you watched Pitch Perfect 2 yet??!! It hit theaters on May 15th and we shared some fun Girls Night Out Beauty Tips in honor of the movie release! I love Pitch Perfect so I know Pitch Perfect 2 is going to be even better. I’ve already heard rave reviews…and I do love Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson)! Although I haven’t seen it yet, I do have plans with the girls to go see it for a Girls Night Out soon.

Did you know that Schick Women’s Shave is the sponsor of Pitch Perfect 2? Keep an eye out in stores nationwide because there’s limited edition Pitch Perfect 2 packaging for Schick Hydro Silk Razors, Skintimate Shave Gel, Schick Intuition®, Schick Quattro for Women® and Schick Xtreme3® products! FUN!!

Rock Your Legs…

You have to check out this cool Rock Your Legs music video and then visit www.rockyourlegs.com to find out more about the Rock Your Legs campaign and to find out how YOU can participate!

Get Your Free Pitch Perfect 2 Movie Ticket…

Schick is running a promotion for a FREE movie ticket to see the blockbuster hit, Pitch Perfect 2! This promo is running in Ahold stores which include Stop & Shop, Giant, and Martin’s! All you have to do is buy any (2) Schick women’s shave items (minimum value of $10) and you’ll get a print out at the register to redeem a code for your FREE movie ticket! This free ticket promo runs through 5/23 so HURRY! Take your girlfriends to get your shave goodies, and your FREE ticket!

After you go see Pitch Perfect 2, stop by and let us know what you think! I know it’ll be a fun time, especially if you go with your best girlfriends!

Have you seen Pitch Perfect 2 yet? What did you think? We’d love to hear so leave us a comment below!!

All Pitch Perfect 2 Limited Edition Shave products will be available beginning April 2015 at drug and grocery stores nationwide.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schick® . The opinions and text are all mine.

My First Disneyland Experience and a Trip to Tomorrowland! #TomorrowlandEvent

May 21, 2015 by Jenni 808 Comments

Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in Los Angeles California in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions and love for Disneyland and Tomorrowland expressed are my own.

TOMORROWLAND opens in theaters TOMORROW!!! May 22nd! Make sure to take your family!!

My 1st Disneyland Experience…

If you EVER get the chance to go to Disneyland, just DO it. Earlier this month, I experienced many firsts in my life. As a grown woman, I made my first trip to Disneyland. You’re never too old for Disney magic! It was my first time to California…my first time to the Chinese Theater, my first time to Tomorrowland, just lots and lots of firsts!

Our Disneyland trip was soo. muchh. funnnn. My anticipation and excitement were no different than a 4 year old’s when I walked into Disneyland and got my 1st visit to Disneyland pin! I was proud to wear that pin everywhere!! Entering the park, I was having heart palpitations. There’s just so much to see and I was trying to gulp it all in, in one sweep. Which is impossible, but I tried.

The Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue encircled in those beautiful flowers, seeing the castle, listening to the quartet. I was a dawdler…I have to say. I was forever more trying to keep up with my friends. I wanted to stop every 2 seconds to look and take pictures. I think I heard, “Where’s Jenni?” 52 million times…and I’d say, “I’m here…I’m coming!” Whoops!

The Wimpy Rider…

So, let’s talk rides for a minute. I gladly opted out of the scary rides like Space Mountain and the Tower of Terror. Yeah, umm…no. Those aren’t for me. I can totally live vicariously through the other girls who were brave enough to go ride them. I stuck with the more laid back rides. My favorite was the Indiana Jones Adventure! Although, my eyes were closed through 80-90% of it. I would have gone on that one over and over!

It’s a Small World ride was soooo fun. It’s the classic boat ride of Disney, and I just loved it. It was relaxing and beautiful. All of the detail that they put into this ride is nothing short of amazing. I can’t even begin to imagine the time spent creating everything you see inside this ride.

We went into Radiator Springs and I could not stop taking photos! Cars is still one of our family’s very favorite movies to date. We still watch it pretty often and so seeing all of the things from the movie was pretty awesome. The Radiator Springs Racers ride, man oh mann, was crazy! Another ride I kept my eyes closed through. Again, I’m such a wimp…and the hills really got my belly!

Take me to Tomorrowland…

Since we were there for the Tomorrowland Event, we couldn’t go to Disneyland without going into Tomorrowland! We went through the Tomorrowland Exhibit and saw the Sneak Peek of the movie too. After that, we went to check out Astro Blasters and I got to see my guy, Buzz Lightyear. We also went to Star Tours, which was so cool. My husband would have totally dug that!

The kiddo would have loved this! He’s a huge Toy Story fan and naturally, he would have gone crazy over seeing a giant Buzz Lightyear!!

Take me to Tomorrowland!

Our Tomorrowland Group photo!

The Light Show…

We ended the night with this beautiful Lights Show on the water! It’s a gorgeous display and those few minutes were magical. It’s a nice way to celebrate some of the Disney greats!!

Celebrating 60 Years of Magic: Diamond Celebration Will Light Up the Disneyland Resort Beginning With Dazzling 24-Hour Event, May 22-23

Head to Disneyland May 22-23rd for a 24 hour party! The Disneyland Diamond Celebration will be going on!! Guests will enjoy 3 new spectacular shows:

The Paint the Night parade
The Disneyland Forever Fireworks show
The World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney at Disney California Adventure!

The all day/all night celebration begins very early at 6am on Friday, May 22nd and ends 24 hours later at 6am Saturday, the 23rd. Enjoy dancing and special character encounters along with Diamond decor througout the resort! Celebrating 60 years of magic!!! Click here for more information about theDiamond Celebration!

Tomorrowland in theaters on Friday, May 22nd!

Plan on taking the family to Tomorrowland on Friday, May 22nd. It’ll be in theaters everywhere!! Think “retro futuristic”. That’s sort of the theme for the movie.

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Are you taking your family to see Tomorrowland?

The Creative Genius Behind Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof – Our Tomorrowland Interview #TomorrowlandEvent

May 20, 2015 by Jenni 587 Comments

Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in Los Angeles California in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions and admirations for the genius work of Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof expressed are my own.

I’m sure you’ve seen the incredible trailers for Tomorrowland by now. We interviewed Director/Producer Brad Bird and Producer/Writer Damon Lindelof while we were in LA earlier this month. They were quite a pair of characters!! That was a really fun interview.

The thing about movies is that you just go and watch them. You don’t consider everything that GOES into making the movie – but it’s VERY interesting to see. What’s even more interesting, is getting to know the minds that create the movie and the thought process.

How Disney Brings Tomorrowland to Life…

The very first question, right off the bat, asks that very thing.

Q. How did the information from the Disney archives help you to bring tomorrowland to life on the big screen?

Damon answers: “I think that we are both fascinated with Imagineering and particularly Walt’s futurism. A lot of that stuff was rampant in the early days of designing the Parks itself. And in tomorrowland obviously he came up with the concept in the 50s and 60s but I think that this sort of treasure trove of roads not taken, the part that Brad and I particularly zeroed in on was the 1964 world’s fair where there were a number of attractions like Mr. Lincoln, carousel progress, Magic skyway, Small World, and we just felt like it would be really great to see those on the big screen kind of re-create that feeling. Our initial ambition was a lot higher but again the world’s fair as what they represented at the time, particularly in the 60s, the connection to Disneyland that was really the stuff that we kind of locked in on.”

Then Brad Bird finishes the answer with: “But it’s also that world’s fairs in and of themselves were a thing where people would bring together their brightest minds and talk about the future. And they were semi regular event where people came together from all over the world and kind of traded ideas. And they had a utopian aspect. And when we were talking about what happened to the idea of a positive future we kind of started to notice that that great future sort of disappeared around the time the world’s fairs disappeared.”

Coffee Fuels the Storytelling…

I love a guy that loves coffee and can tell a story! This pair can certainly do that!!

Q. You both are very creative and it seems like you just love storytelling. So what do you do to feed that creativity?

Brad answers, “Coffee. Yeah. It doesn’t have to be Starbucks either, by the way.”

Then Damon chimes in, “I think, you know we watch a lot of TV. We go and see a lot of movies. And we tell our wives and children that that’s work. (everyone laughs). But it is the idea of constantly sort of surrounding yourself. I do feel for me in particular and I think that Brad shares this, is we sort of grew up in that culture and the idea of saying like, I want to do this one day. But where we start almost every time that we get together is oh, did you see this? Did you read this? What do you think about that? And I think that we are so steeped we are fans of this material ourselves. The fact that we get to make it. I think in a lot of ways this movie as Brad was just saying is a little bit of a response to these other you know, to the sort of apocalyptic storytelling that we’ve been kind of barraged with. And we love the Hunger Games. And I want to see Mad Max.”

Photo Credit: Disney Wikia

The Discovery of the 1952 Box…

Isn’t there always something intriguing and interesting about a discovery of something unknown? The guys were asked about the 1952 Box and how it was their inspiration.

Q. Can you tell us more about the discovery of the 1952 box and how that inspired you in the movie?

Damon answers, “Yes, probably 80% of the items were completely and totally uninteresting. But the ones that were interesting to us felt like, what if we were kids in third grade and someone put this box in front of us and said, tell us a story about the things that you find in this box. How would they all connect? And we took some things like the design for the, it’s a small world ride and Flushing Meadows in 64. And this weird kind of like disk that might have been an animation that Orson Welles might have had some interest in. And we said, what if Walt Disney was a member of this secret group of geniuses. And Tomorrowland itself was actually a cover for a real place that they built in an alternate dimension? And then we were kind of off to the races. And the box became just sort of you know, just sort of became a part of it.”

When the interview was over, we all piled up for a group shot with this dynamic duo! Seriously, such nice guys and I love how their imagination works!!

Mark Your Calendars for the PG rated, Family-Friendly Movie, Tomorrowland – Friday, May 22nd!

Plan on taking the family to Tomorrowland on Friday, May 22nd. It’ll be in theaters everywhere!! Think “retro futuristic”. That’s sort of the theme for the movie.

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Our Disney Archives Experience and How The Archives Shaped Tomorrowland #TomorrowlandEvent

May 19, 2015 by Jenni 216 Comments

Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in Los Angeles California in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions and love for Disney expressed, are my own.

While I was in LA earlier this month for the Tomorrowland Event, we visited the Disney Archives. Not everyone just gets to visit the Disney Archives willy nilly. It’s located on the Walt Disney Studio Lot so this was a full morning of incredible-NESS! This place is where movies are imagined and come to life!! We got to see SO much and we learned even more, including the connection between vintage Disney and Tomorrowland. I can’t wait to share all of this awesome stuff in this post!!! Make sure to head out to theaters THIS Friday, May 22nd to see Tomorrowland! It’s a family friendly film, rated PG.

Hanging Out at the Corner of Dopey Drive…

As soon as we arrived to the Disney Studios Lot, we went to have breakfast. Then we separated into a few different groups to check out the shops and the lot. Loved the street signage so much, I had to snap a photo! We just hung out on Dopey Drive, Mickey Ave. and Pluto’s Corner?

Where the Magic Began…

Do you see that window on the top left corner of the building? That, folks, was the office of Walt Disney. Walt worked countless hours there and walked the halls of THAT building. That’s where the magic began. It gave me goosebumps just standing there taking that photo.

Exploring the Disney Studios Lot…

Getting to explore the Disney lot was an amazing experience! There’s just so many things to see. Of course, I naturally had a selfie with Walt and Mickey Mouse. Surrounding one of the areas at the lot were these columns and columns filled with the handprint plaques of the Disney Legends like Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Sir Elton John, Dick Van Dyke…..and SO many more! My favorite is the Golden Girls wall. Right there, altogether were all of them! That made me SO happy!!

Meet Kevin…

After dawdling around the lot for awhile, we went in to the Disney Archives Building. That’s where we met this guy. Kevin. He is nothing short of an infinite Disney knowledge bank!! He works at Disney Archives and you can tell that he loves his job. He was over the moon excited about everything he was showing us – from beginning to end. He never lost his excitement and you can tell even as an adult, he believes in the magic of Disney!

Jack Sparrow’s Rings and Tim’s Toolbelt

After meeting our guide, Kevin…he showed us around the displays and items inside the lobby and hall area. This is where we spotted things on display like Jack Sparrow’s rings and Tim the Toolman Taylor’s toolbelt {insert Tim the Toolman Taylor’s grunt grunt grunt}. We also saw some of the original Mickey Mouse Club ears – very cool.

Shhh……..

Guys, as SOON as you walk into the Disney Archives room (which is a fairly small room) – more goosebumps appear. There is so much nostalgia and magic going on in this room. So many originals in this room. So much HISTORY in this room. We saw one of the original Disney animation desks and lots of vintage Disney memorabilia.

On the opposite side of the room as the entrance, is a wall filled from top to bottom with books….and there’s Mickey Mouse, right in the middle of it all. It’s only fitting that Mickey is there…he IS a very large part of the history of Disney!

The connection between It’s a Small World & Tomorrowland…

I’m not giving away any spoilers, but you’ll find when you watch Tomorrowland that there is a HUGE connection between It’s a Small World and Tomorrowland. You’ll also find that the 1964 World’s Fair is a huge part of the movie as well. I loved this World’s Fair poster on display inside. Next to the poster was a table with lots of memorabilia including an “It’s a Small World” record and World’s Fair coloring books.

When you see Tomorrowland, you’ll definitely see the vintage Disney aspects. I love that! The film showcases Walt’s vision of progress. Walt was an innovator, a lover of the future and what it could bring — and how we can make the future our own! Truly genius!

Then There Was That Time I Held an Oscar…

OmGawwrsh! Yes….this happened too. I literally HELD a REAL DISNEY OSCAR innnn my hands!!! No joke. You wanna know something?! Those babies are HEAVY! I would have never thought in my life that I would get the opportunity to experience everything we did in this ONE day — let alone, hold an Oscar!

My Final Thoughts…and the 1st Disneyland Ticket

I honestly can’t squeeze my final thoughts into one blog post. This whole Disney Archives experience was phenomenal. It’s one thing to go to Disneyland, but it’s a whole ‘nother ballgame when you get to experience the archives of the brilliance behind Walt Disney! My mind is seriously still spinning from it all. I love all things vintage and so seeing all of the original items inside this one room was too hard to absorb. I’m still absorbing it.

The biggest thing that still sticks in my head is from the photo above. The very FIRST Disneyland ticket sold….for $1. See the ticket number?? 000001? Yeah, how awesome is that?! In this photo, you can also see an original Disneyland Premiere Parking Pass and Press Preview ticket dated Sunday, July 17, 1955. Just wow!

Check out the Tomorrowland trailer…

TOMORROWLAND is rated PG and opens in theaters everywhere on May 22nd!

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Check out our other Tomorrowland posts including our interview with George Clooney!!

George Clooney Interview

Britt Robertson Interview

The Tomorrowland Exhibit and Sneak Peek

Britt Robertson Interview for Tomorrowland – Talk About Girl Power – #TomorrowlandEvent

May 18, 2015 by Jenni 1,636 Comments

Disclosure: I was provided an all-expense paid trip to the #TomorrowlandEvent in Los Angeles California in order to facilitate this post; however all opinions and love for Britt Robertson and her Girl Power personality expressed, are my own.

Photo Credit: Louise Bishop Momstart.com

I shared my George Clooney interview the other day for the new Disney movie, Tomorrowland! That was such an exciting experience. The same day, we also had the opportunity to interview the one and only Britt Robertson, who plays the role of Casey.

She is just this beautiful ball of energy! Definitely a girl I could hang with on a Friday night. She’s very down to earth and it’s obvious that she loves life and she loves being an actress.

Meet Casey!

Britt Gets the Role of Casey

Casey is this very curious and adamant teenage girl. Her main question throughout the movie is, “Can we fix it?” Meaning, can we fix the future?

Q. What did you feel, or what was your thought when they said, “Okay, here’s the role of Casey…it’s yours.”?

Britt: “When they told me that I was Casey? It was, I mean, to be honest with you, it was like really, it was kind of an, an overwhelming moment. It’s something that I, I still remember in my mind as being like the most euphoric feeling that I’ve ever had. I was happy and I was elated, and I was crying. I was just so excited. It was such a cool movie to be a part of and I loved the story so much and also just the people attached to it. I just knew that it was going to be a changing point for me in terms of career.”

Britt’s Take on the storyline

Britt is a young woman and in the story of Tomorrowland, you’ll find that her role as Casey, is the “hero” and a young one, at that. She’s not satisfied to just “let things be”. She’s ready to make things happen, no matter the cost. She’s ready to take the future into her own hands.

Q. What was it about the movie, that made you want to be apart of it?

Britt: “You know, it was something about when you read the script and the story, you know, the story itself is a, is a really sweet story. It’s an original idea and it’s something that I had never thought about because the themes of the movie, it really covers future and how we look at our future and how, as a society, we can actually influence our future and make it the world that we want to live in and, I thought that that was a really powerful message and especially for a young woman to be the lead in a movie like this was, was really cool for me.”

The Girl Hero

The previous question led into this fun question about Britt being the “hero”.

Q. So my next question for you and rebounding on that was how did you feel about being the hero of the movie?

Britt: “Well, you know, it’s a really great thing, to be the hero of a movie like this. You know, a Disney film, and to be a young woman and, carry a movie like that. I found it really intimidating, but luckily Brad Bird is such a wonderful human being and he’s a family man, you know. He understands people on a very real level, so I think he gave me the encouragement to, to be brave and just take it one day at a time. So that I wasn’t too overwhelmed by being the hero, you know.”

Are Britt and Casey Similar?

This question came up and I was excited to hear Britt’s answer. It’s always fun to know if the actress and the role they’re playing have any similarities or if they’re completely different personalities altogether. I agree with her answer, she’s a pretty cool chick!

Q. How much of you is there in Casey? Any similarities or differences?

Britt: “You know, I think her mindset used to be very different from mine. Not so much anymore because I’ve adopted a lot of her traits and characteristics because I like her!! And I think she’s a cool chick!!”

Britt’s thoughts on George Clooney

It’s really interesting to hear a young actress’s take on working with a legendary actor, like George Clooney. Britt had great insight on him as an actor and as a human being.

Q. So, what was it like to work with George Clooney?

Britt: “Working with George – going into it, you have all the expectations of a person like that. A movie star and what that means. It was so surprising to me, that I was able to be around him and see how he’s just completely being himself. Like, he hasn’t been lost in the process of becoming George Clooney. He’s still the person that he wants to be and working with him, it made me realize you can still be who you want to be in this industry. You don’t have to be tainted by the process or the people. He’s so professional and I, I just learned a lot from him.”

Photo Credit: Louise Bishop Momstart.com

Britt’s Favorite Scenes

There are so many incredible scenes in the movie with Britt but there are a few of my faves. We touched on some of them a bit here in the interview…

Q. What was your favorite scene to shoot?

Britt: “Ah, you know, I loved all the pin experience scenes. There’s one in particular where I end up out in a lake or, not even a lake. It was like a swamp really, and in Florida, but what was so cool about it is, you know, in Florida in swamps there’s alligators. I was on the hunt for an alligator the entire time I was there. We were actually out in the water and they had spotted some! I just loved getting to create the pin experiences, it was just a lot of fun.”

GIRL POWER … and a baseball bat!

This girl don’t play around! The previous question brought up my own question that I asked Britt about the Baseball Bat scene. This is one of my favorite scenes in the movie!! This isn’t a spoiler, no worries – when you see Tomorrowland watch for the baseball scene with Britt. It’s pretty awesome-sauce!

Q. What about the baseball bat scene, how did that feel?

Britt: “That was SO MUCH FUN! What was so funny about it is they actually gave me baseball bat training lessons beforehand. They were like, you know, practice with the bat. Get used to, you know, hitting someone. They gave me a dummy to practice on and I was like, guys, I don’t need to practice for this. All I gotta do is just attack this man like he’s about to kill me and attack him with as much power as I have. I remember after that scene just like really in it and going for it and the whole time! It was very real. They actually let me hit a stuntman and I was a little hesitant, but at a certain point, you kind of just gotta go for it! George’s (Clooney) reaction was like, “okay, that’s enough” and was worried that he needed to protect the guy!”

My thoughts on Britt:

I’m officially a fan of hers. I’m excited to see her roles in future films. She’s a young actress and full of positivity. She’s a great role model for young women and I can’t wait to see where her future takes her!! We were so excited to get this group shot with her after the interview was over. <3 her!

TOMORROWLAND is rated PG and opens in theaters everywhere on May 22nd!

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Our Tomorrowland Exhibit and IMAX Sneak Peek Experience | Check Out Frank’s Jetpack and More! #TomorrowlandEvent

May 15, 2015 by Jenni 587 Comments

Last week while I was in LA for the Tomorrowland Event, we visited the Tomorrowland Exhibit inside the park and got to enjoy an exclusive sneak peek of the movie! The exhibit is incredible! They have all of the props from the film on display to see before you go in to see the sneak peek! While in LA, I also got the chance to interview the one and ONLY George Clooney!! Make sure to read the part 1 interview…and stay tuned as part 2 will be posted in a few days!

1964-65 World’s Fair

In the movie, the knowledge of Tomorrowland all begins with the 1964 World’s Fair when young Frank reveals his jetpack invention. It all goes downhill, uphill and sideways from there! Tomorrowland is a “retro futuristic” film – and I love that. If you love vintage and antiques, you’ll fall in love with so many props in this movie. Combining the retro feel and the future – well, just get ready for a run ride!

Bel-Gem Waffles…Yum!

I love vintage and I’ve always been a big fan of vintage signs and advertisements. When I saw this Brussels Waffles “Bel-Gem” Waffles Sign and Menu…I had to snap a photo! This yumminess could be found at the 1964 World’s Fair! Do you see the prices there?! So fun!

Experience the Sneak Peek of Tomorrowland, IMAX style

After walking through the first part of the Tomorrowland art displays, we went in to see the exclusive sneak peek – and we got to experience it IMAX style. The theater was shaking, rocking and rolling…and we could feel the wind in our hair. Very very cool. The sneak peek will leave you wanting more…wanting it ALL.

Curious Casey

Young Casey (Britt Robertson) is very curious about the future and is forever looking for the answer to the main question behind the “whole” of the movie. “Can we fix it?”. Can we fix the future? There are pieces of the movie that tie Casey to them, like her red NASA hat…her backpack…her magnetic pulse bag. All fun original props!!

As I mentioned, Casey is very curious and smart. Here’s another fun prop that was on display…her Econ schoolbook and notebook.

(((( See the word, ELECTROLUX on the side of the jetpack??!! )))

Young Frank’s Jetpack Invention with Old Vintage Electrolux Parts. {Love}

Frank’s (George Clooney) jetpack is a large part of this movie. As a kid, young Frank invented this jetpack and takes it to the inventor’s show at the 1964 World’s Fair. I was so intrigued by this piece, because we all know how kid’s imaginations work. I love love love that he used old Electrolux vacuum parts to create this jetpack!

Here are some more props from the movie! From spacesuits to other cool inventions, including the teleportation ring. I could have spent hours in there just looking at everything. Make sure to check out the exhibit if you get a chance.

Celebrating 60 Years of Magic: Diamond Celebration Will Light Up the Disneyland Resort Beginning With Dazzling 24-Hour Event, May 22-23

Head to Disneyland May 22-23rd for a 24 hour party! The Disneyland Diamond Celebration will be going on!! Guests will enjoy 3 new spectacular shows:

The Paint the Night parade
The Disneyland Forever Fireworks show
The World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney at Disney California Adventure!

Now, before I leave….make sure that you check out the newest movie trailer for Tomorrowland!! You don’t want to miss it. Plan on taking your family to see Tomorrowland in theaters May 22nd!

TOMORROWLAND is rated PG and opens in theaters everywhere on May 22nd!

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Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

What is Tomorrowland? Meet The Citizens in the New Disney’s Tomorrowland Featurettes! #TomorrowlandEvent

May 14, 2015 by Jenni 208 Comments

We have some brand new Disney’s TOMORROWLAND featurettes starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Producer/Writer Damon Lindelof and Director Brad Bird! If you’ve been keeping up with my Tomorrowland posts, then you may know that I and 24 other bloggers just interviewed George Clooney a few days ago! In person…in LA! That was an INSANELY awesome experience!

From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of. Check out the new featurettes below:

“What Is Tomorrowland” featurette

“Citizens Of Tomorrowland” featurette

TOMORROWLAND is rated PG and opens in theaters everywhere on May 22nd!

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

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Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Check out our other Tomorrowland Posts that are on the blog!

My George Clooney Interview for Tomorrowland Part 1 – #TomorrowlandEvent

May 13, 2015 by Jenni 283 Comments

Photo Credit: Louise Bishop Momstart.com

Yes. This happened. Last Friday, actually! I, along with 24 other bloggers, interviewed George Clooney at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills! He’s starring in the new family friendly Disney movie, Tomorrowland. I’ve never been in the same room with a celebrity, let alone ask one a question, and have them answer my question. George Clooney spoke to ME! He plays the role of “Frank Walker” in Tomorrowland – which is a seriously grumpy character, which Clooney plays perfectly. The real George Clooney, however, is very funny. He’s funny, quick witted, down to earth, and genuinely nice.

Photo Credit: Louise Bishop Momstart.com

George Breaks the Ice

George is SUPER funny and pops out these wise-cracks in a millisecond. As soon as he walks into the room filled with very nervous and star struck women, he says “I have never seen a table this long.” You have to remember that there were 25 of us sitting around this gigantic table. And then in a really deep voice he cracks this joke,“Alright, we have time for one more question.” And the entire room of women laugh. Then he asks us, “So you are Mommy Bloggers? Really!” and we all in unison answer, “Yes!”. We were all anxious and nervous from the get go, so he totally broke the ice!

George Believes in Tomorrowland

Once the ice broke, we were all instantly ready to hear what George thought of his role as Frank in the movie, and how he felt about the message behind Tomorrowland. When asked, “Alright, so the message in Tomorrowland said a lot. Can we fix it? And you firmly believe in that with all your humanitarian work. Is that one of the things that drew you to the movie?”

…and George replied…

“You know, at first I wanted to work with Brad Bird and then when I read the screenplay, I thought, you know, we sort of are inundated in our lives with lots of bad news. You turn on the television and it hurts. It’s a bad time and what I loved was the idea that their future isn’t just automatically inevitable. And that, you have to participate and you don’t have to just accept how it ends. I was born in the early 60’s, so I grew up in the era where the individual actually had effect. The civil rights movement, the Vietnam movement, the women’s rights moments, and that stuff, and so I always felt like and believed that there was a version of it. I was raised that there was a version of this where you could affect the future, and you didn’t have to just accept it. The Russians weren’t gonna necessarily just blow us all up.”

Photo Credit: Louise Bishop Momstart.com

George, Tomorrowland, Jetpacks, and Tang

It’s very apparent that the little boy who believes in make believe, still lives inside George Clooney. We chatted for a bit about the futuristic things in Tomorrowland. He was asked if it was difficult to work with contraptions and harnesses.

George replies:

“I’ve done it a few times. In Gravity, I had to do it. But, the thing about being an actor is you really don’t ever have to grow up, right? We’re still playing make believe. I’m 54 and I’m playing make-believe. So when they put you in a contraption, and say now you’re gonna fly, I mean, you’re still a 12 year old and you go really, am I gonna fly from here to there? Oh yeah, let’s go, it’s fun. I’ve always found that part to be magical. I just wish the jet pack really worked.” The crowd laughs. “You know, when I was growing up, it was the space race and we were eating space food sticks and drinking Tang and I really thought by now we’d be riding around in Jetson cars. But no such luck.”

Then someone asked if the jetpack would be one of the futuristic things that would be awesome to have, George replied,

“Let me put it to you this way. So you’re at LAX. You get your bags. I’ve got to get to Studio City. It’s 4:30 on a Friday. It would be the greatest moment ever, just blasting right over all the traffic. I think it would be fantastic, although, you know, I don’t know that I want everybody to have one ’cause they’d just be circling my house yelling down at me, Hey! What’s Amal gonna wear to the MET Ball?” We all crack out in laughter at that, and we all loved that he mentioned his beautiful wife! Then he finishes, “So no, I don’t know if I want everybody to have a jet pack.”

George’s Favorite Scenes

My favorite parts in the movie are also George’s favorite parts! In the Tomorrowland movie trailer, you see some scenes of the outside and the inside of an old farmhouse. This is where you first meet “Frank” (Clooney) and you see his grumpy and rigid character. When asked what his favorite scene in the movie was, he replied…

“Yeah, that’s a good question. It’s fun because, look, first let me start off by explaining to you how I came to this part, right? Brad and Damon called me and said we’ve written a part for you in a movie. And I’d been trying to work with Brad for a long time. They send me the script and I open it up and the description of me is a 55 year old angry, bitter, guy. I’m like, thanks guys – thank you so much. But what I loved about it was that the entire film, he’s just a grump. I loved like when Britt first comes to the house. We really had fun shooting all that stuff in the farm house. That was fun ’cause all the robot guys were really sweet and nice, and not really robots, you know. And, so I think that might have been the most fun scene to shoot, all the farm house stuff.”

P.S. Several of these farmhouse scenes are in the movie trailer above! Don’t miss it!

George’s Got a Gun

So, okay…back to the little boy living inside of George Clooney. The very last question that was asked was if he kept any props or memorabilia from the Tomorrowland movie and I got the biggest kick out of his reply…

“Now here’s the thing. Disney’s got armed guards around all that stuff. And Brad is very, possessive of all those things as well, so I will not answer what I stole, because they will come take it away from me, but it shoots rays and it’s a gun.” The entire room laughs and George has the biggest smile on his face.

George’s Quote Struck Home with Me

I have to say I didn’t take my eyes off of George the entire time. Yes, he’s very handsome…but that’s not why I couldn’t quit watching and listening. When does a normal work from home mom get a chance to meet a celebrity of his caliber?! I wanted to absorb everything he had to say. Not just as an actor, but as a human being with real thoughts, feelings and emotions.

George said many inspiring and funny things during our interview, but the one phrase that struck home with me was this…

“The future is yours and the future is yours to decide what it will be.” – George Clooney

After the interview was over, we all piled around George for a group photo. He’s in the middle – completely surrounded, haha. I’m behind him, to the left…in the light tan colored top. You can tell by the looks on our faces that we were very happy and excited to be IN the same breathing space as George Clooney. Hello!

Mark Your Calendars for Tomorrowland – Friday, May 22nd!

Plan on taking the family to Tomorrowland on Friday, May 22nd. It’ll be in theaters everywhere!! Think “retro futuristic”. That’s sort of the theme for the movie.

Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTomorrowland

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Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland

Are you taking your family to see Tomorrowland?