Holidays Archives - Page 16 of 40

Finding Dory swims home today on DVD and Blu-ray

While at Disney Social Media Moms this spring, we got the chance to preview the first part of Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory before it hit theaters. It was about 30 seconds into the showing when I knew that Finding Dory wasn't going to disappoint and it was definitely going to become a favorite Disney film.

When we finally got the opportunity to see the whole film this summer, I realized just how right I was. The story begins where Finding Nemo left off and shows how our favorite forgetful blue tang has adjusted since Nemo returned home.

As we learn how Nemo, Marlin, and Dory have adjusted since their journey across the ocean, we’re reminded that we don’t know anything of Dory’s past and where she came from. Returning director Andrew Stanton describes why he decided to revisit Dory’s past by saying, “I realized that I was worried about Dory. The idea of her short-term memory loss and how it affected her was unresolved. What if she got lost again?” His response to this question is the touching tale of friendship and family that’s truly unforgettable … perhaps even for Dory.

Unique gifts for your Star Wars fan from the What On Earth Catalog

Do you have a Star Wars fan on your list this holiday season? Beyond the basics, like the movies, lightsabers, and a few collectibles, what else is there to wrap up? This year, I looked to The What on Earth Catalog to find the perfect Star Wars gift that is not only super cool, but also practical.

Introducing our newest, and already most beloved, kitchen gadget: The Star Wars Rogue One Darth Vader Lightsaber Handheld Immersion Blender. The Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Immersion Blender is a sturdy saber made from red stainless steel that turns blending into a battle between good and evil. The realistic ABS handle will surely impress and the adjustable speeds can make short work of any blending job. Prepare to be the Sith Lord of your kitchen!

Convert any surface to a standing desk with the Lift24 laptop stand from ErgotronHome

At certain times of the year {and especially during the holidays}, I feel like I’m chained to my computer. Whether it is a large amount of wedding pictures, family photo sittings, or it’s an especially busy blog month, my computer use can get out of control. And, since I’m active and on-the-go by nature, the idea of sitting at a desk or in a chair just about kills me. There are many days during the holidays that you will find me hunched over the kitchen island on my computer, so sick of sitting that I would rather stand and stoop down to see my computer.

It’s this reason that I’ve been searching for a standing desk for the past few years to give me options when I must be at the computer but just can’t sit any longer. The problem was that I wasn’t ready to fully commit to the standing desk, and I really needed a sit-to-stand desk that gave me options depending on my needs and my computer usage. Even better would be if the desk fit within my home’s décor so I didn’t end up with a huge eyesore that was only used a few times a year.

And, then I found Ergotron and my search was finally over.

Any guesses what our newest DIY project is?

This fall I've been hard at work collecting fans, switches, PVC pipes, and all sorts of other parts to make a little DIY project that my son is going to flip for this Halloween. Any guesses as to what I'm building? Don't worry, I'll post here once it's finished and share the step by step … Read more

You can make a difference if you Lift Your Voice

When I think of my biggest wishes for my daughters, at the top of that list is that they always understand that their voices are powerful. Their voices unfortunately have the power to hurt others, but they can have the power to make someone feel loved and special. It’s up to them to use their voices for good. And, just like they can choose whether to use their voices to hurt or to help, their voices also have the ability to make a real difference in the world. Melody Ellison™, the newest BeForever™ doll from American Girl, is learning the power of her voice and has arrived just in time for my daughters to really learn from her unique story. Her story is full of life lessons that give us a glimpse back into our past as well as ways to empower our girls to make a difference in the future.

Looking for matching clothing for your family? Look no further than our ultimate guide to matching clothing for baby, toddler, siblings, and family. You will find stores to shop at, shopping tips and tricks, and the best way to maximize your matching clothing.

The 12 best ways to enjoy food on a stick

Does anything say "summer" more than eating food on sticks? Think about it: the family camp out, the backyard BBQ, the playdate cool-down, they all have one thing in common… food enjoyed right off the skewer or stick! Thank you to Kraft this sponsored post to share these awesome food on a stick recipes I can't wait to try.

FACT: Food tastes better on a stick. No, we can’t explain it. But like love or um, magnets, sometimes the best things can’t be explained with logic. On that note, allow me to introduce the 12 best “stick with it!” foods to eat this summer.

Find the perfect gift for Dad from Cloud 9 Living – from helicopters and fighter pilots to wine tastings and golf {$20 off code}

At this point in my life, I’m pretty hard to shop for. While I love getting new things just like everyone else, I just don’t actually need much anymore. I’m not hard on my clothes, I’m not growing out of anything, and I haven’t picked up any new hobbies so I don’t have many gear … Read more

Summer baking trend: frosting-free cakes for all your summer events

I love cake, but I don't love frosting. So, when Kraft sent me some frosting-free cake inspiration for a sponsored post and I saw the gorgeous combination of cake, fruit, and light filling, I knew this was going to be my new favorite type of dessert for my next summer gathering.

Get Naked

Summer’s here, so it’s time to get naked…cakes, that is! Traditional layer cakes are going frosting-free, and the result is an almost un-BARE-ably awesome dessert for all warm-weather occasions: wedding showers, baby showers, grad parties—you name it, I’ll be creating naked cakes.

Sweet and simple takes the cake when it comes to these trendy desserts. No-fuss garnishes elegantly top the unfrosted, layered dessert. Plus, most recipes call for store-bought or box-mix cake. Dessert doesn’t get easier—or more impressive—than this.

Spring clean and organize your digital life with MiMedia

I know this isn’t a popular sentiment, but I actually really love spring cleaning. Call me crazy, but I love cleaning up and clearing things out until everything is neat and organized just the way I like it. During my spring cleaning sessions, just about nothing is safe and I recycle, donate, and gift with abandon. It’s a beautiful thing.

But, until now there is one area of disorganization that was too scary for me to even begin to delve into: my digital life. We’re talking decades of pictures, music files, scans, videos, and documents that have been over-categorized and misplaced until it’s impossible to find anything or enjoy it properly.

Like this gem. Hidden away in a file called "10-26-2015-BHJLHK". Because OF COURSE I would look there first when searching for an adorable picture of the kiddos with me during our trip to Georgia. If that doesn't scream "open me for adorable pictures" I don't know what does. That’s where MiMedia comes in. MiMedia is the personal cloud you’ve been waiting for that gives you an easy-to-access, safe and secure digital home for all of your precious memories. Imagine knowing that all your files you care most about are safe in one spot where you can keep them organized and accessible on all of your devices. With MiMedia, they can be.