Get Your Fiber with Fiber One & Publix $25 GC Giveaway

Did You Know: 9 out of 10 Americans aren´t getting the recommended amount of fiber each day? Now getting your fiber has never been tastier than with Fiber One's new Trail Mix and Protein bars. Taking care of yourself suddenly sounds like fun!
   
We always try to get more fiber in our diet, and one way we incorporate more fiber in our diet is by eating Fiber One bars.  There are a lot of delicious flavors to choose and there is something that everyone in my family loves.   I was sent some Fiber One bars for my family to try, along with a $25 Publix gift card.  All the bars we received were yummy.  The Chewy Trail Mix bar was amazing and was my favorite.  My hubby loves coconut and was very pleased with the Coconut Almond Protein bar.  He said he was happy that he could actually taste the coconut!  Kat was happy with all of them and she really enjoyed taking them with her to school for an energy boost!
    
It all started with the Oats and Chocolate Fiber One bar, but now Fiber One offers several solutions to help you get the fiber you need. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy fiber! Check out their range of products at a Publix® near you.

Try all of these delicious Fiber One bars:

Oats & Chocolate - 35% of your daily fiber with chocolate chunks, chocolate flavored drizzle & yes some oats
Chewy Trail Mix - 35% of your daily fiber with chocolate chunks, raisins, peanuts & cranberries
Caramel Nut Protein - 7g of protein plus 20% of your days´ fiber with caramel and peanuts wrapped in chocolate flavored coating
Coconut Almond Protein - 7g of protein plus 20% of your days´ fiber with coconut and almonds wrapped in a chocolate flavored coating

Now for the giveaway....One Lucky Shelly's Bits & Pieces reader will receive the same gift pack I did.  If you want a chance to win the $25 Publix Gift Card and some Fiber One bars, enter on the Rafflecopter form below!

Find a Music Teacher at TakeLessons.com Spring Sale

Music has always been a huge part of life around my house.  My mother plays the piano and was a member of a gospel group with my daddy and my grandpa. Occasionally, I sang with them.  My daughter, Kat, also sings and she really wants to learn how to play the piano and drums.  We live in a small town and finding someone to teach her how to play is not easy.  Most of the people we know do not have kids who play instruments, so word of mouth did not work for us.  Many people are in similar situations and either do not know where to go, or do not have the time to investigate all the possibilities.  Now, they do not have to do it alone.  There is a company, TakeLessons.com, who can connect you with private instructors in your area!

TakeLessons connects students and families with private music teachers, arts instructors and academic tutors throughout the US. We've been in business since 2006, and have worked with over 30,000 students nationwide. Safety and quality are our priorities; every instructor completes an extensive interview, training, and an annual criminal background check. We assist with scheduling, initial coordination with the instructor, and billing - so all you have to worry about is enjoying your lessons! Your online student account also helps you stay organized with scheduling and billing tools.

We provide In Home and In Studio lessons, as well as Online Lessons, which are a popular option for busy families - all you need is a computer with a webcam, a Skype account, and a good Internet connection. Cut down on commute times by taking lessons in the comfort of your own home! 

- Over 30 lesson types available, including guitar, singing, piano, drums, violin, dance, acting, and academic tutoring. 
- Lessons available in-studio, in-home or online (via Skype). Lesson prices vary depending on location and length. 
- Our most popular lesson package is Quarterly (book 12 lessons, get 1 free). Other packages include month-to-month and Flex (coordinate lesson times as you go along with your instructor)
- 100% Money Back Guarantee. If you're not satisfied with your first lesson, we'll find you another teacher, or refund all of your original purchase price, including the first lesson.
- No long-term commitments - switch your schedule, teacher or instrument type at any time
- Teachers available for all ages and all experience levels 
To learn more, and begin searching for a music instructor, go to http://bit.ly/16klB8F

Tutorials are also available. You can check some of them out on the youtube links below!

How to buy your first Guitar – Guitar Instructor Nick F. leads you through the basics of how to purchase your first guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYyU0tmYnp0&list=PL6sZOxaobhPawRgQHnIXg_J3hV1V8cylf&index=1

Finding Your Voice Type – Singing Instructor Monet P. shares tips to find your voice type. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2vZ-srjzNY

How to Hold Drum Sticks – Drum Teacher Nick S. teaches you the best way to hold your drum sticks.               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AmzNZVkLUg&list=PL6sZOxaobhPawRgQHnIXg_J3hV1V8cylf

TakeLessons offers so many different programs, I'm sure one of them is right for you and your children. As a special offer to all readers, they are offering 20% off all lessons packages, Friday March 29th through Monday April 1st  with special promotional code "SPRINGMUSIC". Students can book online, or give them a call at 855-334-1831 to talk through options and pricing with a Student Counselor! This is a nice savings, and a wonderful way to introduce your child to the world of music!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I will be compensated for it. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own!

Disney's PLANES Reveals Full Voice Cast!!!

Audiences worldwide are fastening their seatbelts as “Disney’s Planes” prepares to take off this summer. Joining Dane Cook, who provides the voice of Dusty, are Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Cleese, Carlos Alazraqui, Priyanka Chopra, Gabriel Iglesias, Roger Craig Smith, Colin Cowherd, Sinbad, Oliver Kalkofe and Brent Musburger.

Adding some high-flying flair from a classic feature film are Anthony Edwards and Val Kilmer.

Inspired by the world of “Cars” and directed by Disneytoon Studios veteran and aviation enthusiast Klay Hall (“King of the Hill,” “The Simpsons”), “Disney’s Planes” is an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure about Dusty’s dream of competing as a high-flying air racer—and his decidedly unfortunate fear of heights. The film takes off in theaters in 3D on Aug. 9, 2013.

·       Stacy Keach (“The Bourne Legacy,” Alexander Payne’s upcoming “Nebraska,” Robert Rodriguez’s and Frank Miller’s “Sin City: A Dame To Kill For”) provides the voice of Skipper, a reclusive old Navy Corsair who takes Dusty’s training to new heights.

·       Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life”) lends his voice to fuel truck Chug, Dusty’s buddy, coach and biggest fan.

·       Teri Hatcher (“Coraline,” ABC’s “Desperate Housewives”) brings life and charm to the say-it-like-it-is mechanic Dottie.

·       Cedric the Entertainer (“Barbershop,” “Larry Crowne, “Madagascar”) as Leadbottom, a puttering old biplane who has no time for Dusty’s far-fetched flights of fancy.

·       Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “Seinfeld”) lends her voice to Rochelle, a tough and confident racer who is the pride of the Great White North.

·       John Cleese (TV’s “Whitney,” “A Fish Called Wanda”) is the voice of Bulldog, the oldest and arguably wisest racer on the circuit.

·       Carlos Alazraqui (James Garcia on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911”) brings to life the intensely charming El Chupacabra, a racer with more dramatic flair than is recommended at high altitudes. 

·       Priyanka Chopra (“Barfi!”) voices the exotic, mysterious and ruthless Ishani, the reigning Pan-Asian champion from India.

·       Roger Craig Smith (Captain America in Disney XD’s “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble,” voice of Sonic The Hedgehog in “Wreck-It Ralph”) voices world champion racer Ripslinger—wings down, the biggest name in air racing—and he knows it.

·       Gabriel Iglesias (Comedy Central’s “Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-up Revolution”) provides the voices of both Ned and Zed, two not-so-sharp saboteurs who work for Ripslinger. 

·       Val Kilmer (“Batman Forever,” “Top Gun”) provides the voice of Bravo, a member of the Jolly Wrenches and a fan of air racing.

·       Anthony Edwards (TV’s “Zero Hour,” “Top Gun”) is the voice of Echo, a member of the Jolly Wrenches and a fan of air racing.

·       Colin Cowherd (ESPN) gives play-by-play coverage as Colin Cowling, an affable blimp and an eye-in-the-sky reporter for the Racing Sports Network.

·       Sinbad (Comedy Central’s “Where U Been?”) brings to life Roper, an irascible race official pitty full of sly remarks and colorful commentary.

·       Oliver Kalkofe (“Neues vom Wixxer”) provides the voice of meek German minicar Franz and his brazen airborne alter ego Fliegenhosen.

·       Brent Musburger (ESPN, ABC Sports) brings Brent Mustangburger, the excitable 1964½ Ford Mustang sports broadcasting icon, back to the big screen.

Dislosure:  No compensation was received for this post.  Just wanted to share!

Vitacost Review and $50 Gift Code Giveaway

Recently, I was introduced to Vitacost.com by a blogger friend of mine.  For those of you who are not yet familiar with Vitacost, they are a leading online retailer of health and wellness products.  Before I checked them out, I had no idea how many different products they carried, and I was thrilled to find out that they carried everything from vitamins and personal care items to food and pet products.  They have a wonderful referral program and lots of sales.

About Vitacost:
With Vitacost.com, you don't have to choose between stores that sell products you don't really want at super-low prices, and stores that sell the better health and wellness products you want at crazy-high prices. We offer over 2,000 of the top, most-trusted natural brands, diet foods and healthy living essentials-the very best nutritional supplements, whole foods and sports nutrition-at discount prices, up to 50% off. And we'll deliver them right to your door for FREE if your order totals $49 or more. Otherwise, shipping is just a small, flat-rate fee of $4.99, no matter how big the box.

I was offered a chance to learn more about some of the products Vitacost sells and was sent a box of goodies to try.  My favorite sample was the Kind Bars.  They are a wonderful, healthy snack bar, and I love taking them on the go.  I also received wild blueberry Pure Organic Bars.  I had never tried them before, and they were also very yummy.  My hubby loves to take them to eat on his way to work.  To go along with the bars, I received some Angie's Sweetly White Cheddar Kettle Corn.  YUM!  My daughter has decided that this is the ultimate after school snack.

I received several other items too, Eco-Nuts natural detergent and a personal lubricant.  All of the products I received were of great quality.  I WILL be purchasing more items from Vitacost.

The wonderful people at Vitacost have offered one lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces reader a $50 Vitacost.com store credit.  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below, and that winner could be you!

Iron Man 3 Sweepstakes 3/25-3/27

Tony Stark needs your help to stop the Mandarin! Answer trivia questions to unlock Tony's armor and send in the reinforcements for a chance to win a trip for two to the IRON MAN 3 world premiere in Los Angeles on April 24th! The sweepstakes started today and runs until this Wednesday! Each day fans can enter for a chance to win tickets and unlock two suits in Tony's armor. Visit Facebook.com/ironman or http://awe.sm/q0PyB for details! 

Disclosure:  I am passing this information along to my readers because I hope one of them will  win.  No compensation was received!

Celebrate Easter with Perugina

Celebrate Easter “The Italian Way” with

Perugina’s Giant Chocolate Eggs

Perugina, the legendary Italian chocolatier, brings a treasured Italian tradition to Easter celebrations in the United States. The world-famous chocolatier celebrates the holiday with giant, eighteen-inch high chocolate eggs, each filled with a very special surprise. Hollow chocolate eggs with a gift inside have long been an Italian Easter tradition and one that is still practiced today.

“My earliest recollections of Easter recall stores throughout Italy filled with exotic, colorfully wrapped Perugina eggs, so much so they reminded me of flowers in bloom,” says Federico Giorgio Marrano, Perugina Export Manager for the U.S. “We’d eagerly await Easter morning in anticipation of receiving our treasured Perugina eggs with the surprise hidden inside— and only then, would we declare the holiday had officially begun,” he adds.

The tradition of enjoying chocolate eggs with a hidden surprise continues today with 671 tons or 2.5 million Perugina eggs sold each season.

Perugina offers two distinctive eggs for the Easter holiday: a dark chocolate egg called the Baci egg and a milk chocolate egg called the Perugina egg. The Baci egg is named for Perugina’s most popular confection and includes four Baci inside each hollow egg. “Baci” is the Italian word for “kisses” and the iconic Baci confections are each wrapped in a special message of love before being enclosed in their outer foil wrappers.

The recipe for Baci has remained virtually unchanged since they were first created in 1922. They have a gianduia center, a sensuous whipped chocolate blended with finely chopped hazelnuts, crowned with a whole hazelnut and then enrobed in silky, dark chocolate. Gianduia, a classic blend of chocolate and hazelnut paste, is often referred to as “Italy’s fourth flavor,” after dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate.

Perugina’s other well-known Easter specialty is the Perugina milk chocolate egg which contains five mini- milk chocolate Easter eggs. Regardless of which egg you choose to give this holiday season, the name Perugina ensures you’ll be sharing the finest, premium quality chocolate and the only authentic Italian chocolate available in the U.S. Look for authentic Italian Baci Perugina eggs at Italian specialty stores in the U.S. For more information about Perugina and Baci, visit www.Perugina.com.

About Perugina

Perugina's commitment to the art of creating only the highest quality confections extends to chocolate bars, pralines, hard candy, and panettone. Perugina products are exclusively imported and distributed in the U.S. by Colavita, USA. To find out more about the Baci love story, Perugina's history and the full line of Perugina confections, visit www.Perugina.com.

Our thoughts:

I purchased some of these eggs for my family to try.  These are deliciously decadent and are a wonderful treat.  Although the children enjoyed this chocolate, the adults seemed to savor every delicious bite.....I know I did!

Disclosure:  I received this information and wanted to pass it on.  No compensation was received.  I purchased my own Perugina egg to sample.  All opinions are my  own or those of the Shelly's Bits & Pieces family.    

LEGO STAR WARS: The Empire Strikes Out On DVD 3/26/13

Missed the first Installment of LEGO® STAR WARS®?

Never Fear!  The Empire Strikes Out^TM is out on DVD March 26^th

and the Force is Strong with You!

Get your lightsabers and LEGO bricks ready because your favorite characters are back in the brand new LEGO Star Wars special, LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. Catch up on what’s happening in the galactic LEGO Empire with these tidbits about Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out with a fun catch-up on its predecessor, The Padawan Menace.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE EMPIRE STRIKES OUT

On top of all the old Star Wars characters making their debuts as LEGO characters, you will also see more references to the franchise films than ever before, so keep your eyes peeled Star Wars fans.

Luke Skywalker                  

Luke has just destroyed the Death Star, but can he get away from his adoring fans in time to complete his next mission?

Darth Maul

Much to Vader’s annoyance we see the return of Darth Maul, the painted warrior from The Phantom Menace.

Darth Vader

That’s right people; he is here in LEGO form. The ultimate Sith warrior struggles to adapt when Darth Maul returns to steal his thunder.

A New Death Star

The Emperor decides to build a new Death Star after Luke destroys of the first one. But whom will he choose to oversee the construction?

That Scene with Luke and Vader

Oh yes! That scene is now in LEGO format, but will Vader be able to get those famous words out in time?

Emperor Palpatine

The Sith Lord is back and now has two Darths to look after, but which one is his favorite: Darth Vadar or Darth Maul?

Princess Leia

Princess of the republic, sister of Luke (though he doesn’t know yet… does he?), and Hans’ love interest is just as feisty in her new LEGO form. 

The Millennium Falcon

The Millennium Falcon is here! If this doesn’t excite you then maybe you need to be reminded, “It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs.”

Chewbacca

Chewbacca may not be quite as hairy but he’s here and as grumpy as ever. Luckily for C-3PO he’s also lost none of his driving skills.

CATCH UP ON PADAWAN MENACE

For those LEGO Star Wars newcomers, or simply the forgetful fans out there, here is a quick fire catch up on the events of the first LEGO Star Wars adventure:

The younglings go on field trip

↓

They meet an orphan called Ian

↓

Ventress steals battle plans from the Republic

↓

Ian causes trouble and the younglings have to flee

↓

Yoda and Cody go after Ventress

↓

C-3PO, R2-D2 and the younglings end up on Tattooine

↓

The group are captured and sent to Jabba-the-Hutt

↓

Yoda and Cody capture Ventress

↓

The younglings escape from Jabba-the-Hutt

↓

The younglings are rewarded for bravery

↓

Ian is revealed as Hans Solo

Disclosure:  All information was provided to me.   No compensation was received.  I just wanted to share!

Iron Man 3 Poster

                                      Coming to theaters May 3, 2013!

Disclosure:  Not compensated at all...Just wanted to share!

The Croods - Coming to theaters 3/22/2013 ~ Giveaway

My family is so excited about the new movie from Dreamworks Animation that is hitting theaters on March 22....The Croods!!!  We have already purchased out tickets and are planning a movie/pizza night! Want to learn more?
                                 

THE CROODS is a 3D comedy adventure that follows the world's first modern family through the journey of a lifetime. When the cave that has always been their home is destroyed – with

the rest of their world not far behind it – The Croods are forced to set off on the first family road (or path) trip. Rocked by generational clashes and seismic shifts, The Croods discover an incredible new world filled with fantastic creatures, and a future beyond any they imagined.

The Crood family dynamics, though unfolding a few million years ago, feel like they could come from your own household.  Like most fathers, family patriarch Grug (Nicolas Cage) is fiercely protective of his wife and three kids. His hyper-vigilance has kept his cave-bound family safe, secure and....super-bored.  Grug’s strong and dutiful better half, Ugga (Catherine Keener), accepts her husband's "fear is good; change is bad" mentality, as does their son Thunk (Clark Duke), who’s content with the static status quo.  Feisty mother-in-law Gran (Cloris Leachman) never tires of needling (or sometimes assaulting) Grug; and stone-tough toddler Sandy might be the fiercest Crood yet.  But leave it to a rebellious teenager (is there any other kind?) to stand up to parental authority.  Grug's sole focus is survival, but Eep (Emma Stone) wants to

actually live, and her curiosity about the world outside their cave collides with her dad's primitive

rules.  (Ever the defiant outsider, Eep gets her own ledge to sleep on while the rest of the Croods form a “sleep pile” for some group shut-eye.)  A cataclysmic event forces the Croods to venture into parts unknown and rethink their way of living.  En route, they encounter Guy (Ryan Reynolds), whose dazzling new discoveries – like fire...and shoes – shake up the Croods in unexpected ways. Most of the family (especially Eep) is smitten by Guy’s vision of a new place called “tomorrow,” but Grug sees the biggest calamity yet: a charming teenage boy from which he must “protect” Eep.  The Croods soon realize that if they don’t evolve...they’re history. 

Want a chance to win some Croods goodies of your own?  One lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces reader will win an awesome poster (seen at top of post) and a Belt plush toy.
Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below and a winner will be chosen from all verified entries!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-Ray Combo pack Giveaway

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey coming to Blu-ray & DVD March 19th 2013!


J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an amazing quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Would you like to win your own copy of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey? Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below:

Return To Nim's Island - Giveaway

Return to Nim’s Island will be premiering on Hallmark Channel March 15th 2013 at 7/8C! Return to Nim’s Island, the sequel to Walden Media’s 2008 box office hit Nim’'s Island, picks up the story a few years later with 14-year-old Nim (Bindi Irwin) more determined than ever to protect her island and the animals that call it home. With ruthless resort developers and greedy wildlife poachers threatening the existence she loves, Nim realizes she and her animal pals can’t defend their home alone. To save her island, she is forced to combine forces with an outsider: Edmund, a runaway from the mainland. Only with his help does she stand a chance of stopping the villains from dismantling her world.
Return to Nim'’s Island marks the debut of Walden Family Theater, presented by Walmart and P&G. The new destination for family entertainment, exclusively on Hallmark Channel.
You can pick up your copy of Return to Nim’s Island on Blu-ray & DVD exclusively at Walmart Stores just 4 days after the premiere. Want to win a copy instead? Enter on the rafflecopter form below and one lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces reader will win!

The Bible Companion Book Giveaway

From Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett comes The Bible — an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation. This historic television event is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family!

If you are like me, you watched the first part of The Bible miniseries on the History Channel last week. I am looking forward to continuing the journey with them this week, and I am thrilled to offer the opportunity for one lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces reader to win the Bible Companion Book.


Enter on the rafflecopter form below!

New Monsters University Poster

 Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

 Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from future Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame–inductee and award winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”). The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters. Mike Wazowski’s (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dreams of becoming a Scarer are derailed during his first semester at Monsters University when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), and their out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program.

  Disclosure: No compensation was received!! Just wanted to share this cute poster!

Your Lucky Day Giveaway Event

Welcome to the "Your Lucky Day Giveaway Event" sponsored by Tip Hero, featuring some truly fabulous blogs and a wonderful opportunity to be the lucky winner of a great prize!

At Tip Hero, we've got a whole bunch of treats and tips to help you be festive this St. Patrick's Day, but in order to celebrate the holiday right, we're hosting a great big giveaway event to give one very lucky reader the chance to win a $150 Visa gift card to spend as they please!

This giveaway begins on March 6th and will run until St. Patrick's Day, closing on March 17th at 11:59pm US Eastern time. Open to residents of the United States and Canada, 18+.

Use the PromoSimple form below to enter this giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the many entries you can gain, and also be sure to come back daily for even more chances to win. Best of luck to all!

#LuvSoFab Sponsorship Contest

 Blogging has become a very important part of my life. It has become incorporated in everything I do, and I am constantly coming up with new things to post about. Since the very beginning, I have longed to attend a blogging conference, but I have never had the funds to do so. These conferences look so informative and seem like so much fun. Living in a small community, I have no other bloggers in my immediate area to talk to and discuss things with. I can only imagine all the wonderful people I could meet if I was able to attend SoFabCon. There are lots of awesome people associated with Social Fabric that I have chatted with and I would love the opportunity to meet and learn from them. I would really like to learn how to be a better blogger and to gain support of other bloggers by meeting them personally.

Attending SoFabCon would be a dream come true for me. Meeting other bloggers and brand representatives would be such a wonderful experience. I would love to learn more about putting together a media kit and learning what brands look for in their bloggers. Attending SoFabCon would make me a better blogger, a more aware shopper, and would give me the confidence to take my blog to the next level.

Disclosure: This is written from my heart as I enter the #LuvSoFab Sponsorship Contest.

The Bible Miniseries Sunday 3-3-13 - Walmart GC Giveaway

From Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett comes The Bible — an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation. This historic television event is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family! Where will YOU be 3.3.13?

The Bible Series is premiering on the History Channel Sunday March 3rd 2013 at 8PM!

 
Would you like to win a $15 Walmart Gift Card?  Take the Bible Quiz and enter your score in the Rafflecopter form below.

Life of Pi Microsite

The brand new microsite for Life of Pi, available on Blu-ray and DVD March 12 and available now on Digital Download!

Explore Pi's miraculous journey and how the film came together here: http://journey.lifeofpimovie.com/#!/

Disclosure:  No compensation was received.  Just wanted to share!

   

CHASING MAVERICKS FOUR PILLARS OF STRENGTH FOR EVERYDAY

In Chasing Mavericks, Frosty gives Jay some lessons outside of the basic surfing protocol, including his ‘Four Pillars of Strength.’ In this feature we’ll outline each pillar and give you tips for how you can use these in your day-to-day life, including memory tricks, healthy eating, facing your fears and thinking big.  Be sure to catch Chasing Mavericks on Blu-ray, DVD, and Ultraviolet now!

PHYSICAL

In Chasing Mavericks, Jay must demonstrate his physical strength by paddling 28.5 miles from Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay. This is a tough challenge, as it requires incredible strength to complete. This pillar is about taking care of your health and well-being.

·         Walking three times a week for 30-minutes can improve your health.

·         Balance your diet, try having vegetables as half of each meal and see the difference

·         Sleep well, 7-9 hours of sleep is a must if you are serious about your physical strength

MENTAL

To prepare for Mavericks, Jay had to study the ocean current, tides and wave patterns, and how these different elements work together. Understanding when to paddle out, when to drop in on a wave, how to use an ocean current to save energy can be the difference between life and death when dealing with 40 to 60 foot waves. Mental strength is key and memory tricks are a great mental workout:

·         Next time you're on a bus or in the car, limber up your memory by thinking of as many words as possible that begin with the letter A, then work your way through the alphabet.

·         Try to remember 15 details of your life at a particular time, such as Obama’s inauguration

·         Try remembering a list of objects or people from one category in the space of one minute, for example: American presidents, capital cities, famous scientists or types of fruit.

EMOTIONAL

Jay learns that he must face his fears head on when he gets in a situation that causes anxiety such as seeing a Shark. When fear becomes too overwhelming it can drown a person. Jay is able to address his fear and let go of the pain of his father leaving his mother and this frees him.

·         Address your emotions, know when your stressed and take steps rather than burying it

·         Don’t fear change, the unknown can make us anxious but embrace change as it comes

·         Know your weaknesses and when to ask for help, this will stop you getting overwhelmed

SPIRITUAL

While this pillar is not addressed extensively in the movie, Jay does mention that his life purpose is to surf Mavericks. His passion and drive to push his limits helps him achieve an iconic status in the surfing world. Having spiritual strength is not limited to people with religious affiliations.

·         See the big picture, do not limit life to only your viewpoint

·         Seek a higher purpose, this stops complacency and encourages us to achieve

·         Have faith, trusting in something or someone other than yourself will help your spiritual strength

Disclosure:  I receive nothing for this post...just wanted to share!

Dane Cook Tapped to Voice "Dusty" in DISNEY'S PLANES!

DANE COOK TAPPED TO VOICE DUSTY IN “DISNEY’S PLANES”

High-Flying Animated Comedy Adventure Soars into Theaters August 9, 2013

BURBANK, Calif. (February 28, 2013) – Dane Cook has been tapped to voice the lead character Dusty, a plane with high hopes in “Disney’s Planes.” Inspired by the world of “Cars” and directed by Disneytoon Studios veteran and aviation enthusiast Klay Hall (“King of the Hill,” “The Simpsons”), “Disney’s Planes” is an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure about Dusty’s dream of competing as a high-flying air racer—and his decidedly unfortunate fear of heights. The film takes off in theaters in 3D on Aug. 9, 2013.

“Dane Cook brings unmatched charisma and brilliant comedic timing and instincts to the character,” said Hall. “He gives Dusty a great edge.”

Cook is well known for his appearances on Comedy Central and HBO specials, and for his successful comedy albums. He recently guest starred on “Louie” opposite Louie C.K., and his film credits include starring roles in a host of films, including “My Best Friend’s Girl” opposite Kate Hudson, “Dan In Real Life” opposite Steve Carell, and “Mr. Brooks” opposite Kevin Costner. The actor/comedian just signed a deal with NBC Entertainment and Universal Television to develop a new project starring Cook.

The all-new story offers an exciting cast of characters and centers on Dusty’s high-flying dream. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing, so he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. The film is produced by Traci Balthazor-Flynn and executive produced by John Lasseter. For more information, check out Disney.com/Planes, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyPlanes and follow us on Twitter:twitter.com/DisneyPictures.

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