One of my favorite people and artists.....Frida Kahlo
Whatever you may have thought of Michael,,,
If you have any respect for music as an art form, or music in general, or that the power of entertainment exists and can bring light and joy into life, then you realize what a loss this is. I'm not the type to indulge in the media-whoring that can occur when a celebrity dies (and believe me this is going to be a big one) but I am so completely shocked and saddened by this right now. I know everyone has their opinions (that may be negative most of the time) when it comes to Michael Jackson's life, but I honestly never believed that he hurt those kids in that way. I know it's off subject but I've always believed that he had the mind of a child. I mean it's all right in front of us. The poor guy didn't have a childhood at all. He had an abusive father that worked him to the bone before he even hit puberty, and he has been in the spot light ever since. He is literally the most famous music star in the ENTIRE world! I think he just so desperately wanted to have a child-hood that as an adult he recreated it, even by surrounding himself with children. I know many don't believe it, but I think those accuser's parents just wanted the money. Till the day I die I will never believe that someone who loved kids, helped kids, gave so much to kids, could hurt a kid in a way that was much worse then how he was hurt. And I don't care what anyone thinks of me for believing that.
Michael Jackson is a legend. He is up there with Elvis and The Beatles. He may not have made music lately but he still has the biggest following of all time. People would freaking pass out at his concerts and gather at his court-dates because they loved him so much. He changed the history of music as we know it and has inspired so many of the musicians we hear today. Just think of it (if you are a music lover). Just think about your life and your past in accordance with Michael Jackson's music. I remember being so little and being mesmerized by his music videos on MTV (when MTV was awesome). I remember looking forward to seeing what he was going to do next because even at a young age I knew he was something special. I remember Thriller scaring the shit outta me and my sister's playing the record to freak me out because the Vincent Price part was terrifying. I remember having the one silver glove, and seeing Captain Eo at Disney Land. And I remember dancing and singing my ass off every time one of his songs came on....and I still do that!
And don't get me started on his dance moves, because they are epic. NO ONE could or ever will be able to move the way he did. His creativity was a gift and a gift that he used well. He was a person not just a characature that we saw so many make fun of and imitate. He had a family, children, and fans who loved him. And his music has touched the world and almost every single person in it. And who the hell says what normal is anyway right? Michael Jackson leaves behind a life and legacy that can compare to no other and whatever he may have been suffering with lately no longer has to be endured. He will be missed.
If you get it....this film could change your life
I'm starting to wonder if I should have two blogs now. One for my review and giveaways and one that is really about things I dig and things I wanna share. But I don't think I'll have the time so some of yous are just going to have to bear with the mixture and if I can open a few people's tastes along the way then cool, if not then eff it.
I am a HUGE HUGE movie freak. I can't describe my love for movies in words. It almost exceeds my love for music. When I was younger I dreamed of being a film maker...honestly I still do, but that train obviously left the station a long time ago and will never happen. So in a dream world I would be a world famous screen writer and film-maker. I feel like I am constantly making a movie in my head and I use films to heal myself, change my mood, and just make me plain happy. I want to introduce those who may not know of it, to a little film called "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". I know I have a lot of stories that relate to me being in rehab (what can I say I've been a treatment one time too many) but this one is really special to me. The first time I went to an impatient facility (which was not fun but if I knew what kind of places were in my future, this place would seem like the four seasons in comparison), I did a lot of movie watching when I got home. My body had just went through hell and all I could do was sit on the couch and watch films. I came across Hedwig in the video store and had always passed it by before, wanting to rent it, but something always stopped me for some reason before. So I felt compelled to watch it and 3 minutes into the movie I already knew it would become one of my most dear favorite films of all times. I think I watched it like 30 times in that week, bought the soundtrack, and learned everything I could about the creator John Cameron Mitchell.
I don't want to give away the plot but the movie was so touching and life changing that I would sit and think about it's meaning for hours. Thats when you know a film is good...when it makes you think about it and it haunts you way after the DVD is done playing. The music is incredible and the concept is like no other. It originally was a play that had a HUGE cult following and now it's a film with a HUGE cult following. I highly recommend you at least give this film a chance. For the morally squeamish, you might be appalled at first and I'm sorry for you in that sense, but maybe if you just open your mind a little bit this movie can change you in ways you never imagined. I've included my two fav clips for your viewing pleasure...
V.I.P night at Penn and Teller
(pardon my fat grossness in the picture)
So when me and my husband (and Boo Boo) did the AIDS walk a couple months ago we got a cool ass prize package for raising $500.00. And it was 4 tickets to a V.I.P show of Penn and Teller here in Vegas. It was sooooo much fun! I brought along my sister, her best best, and one of my dear friends from college T.J. First we got to go to a meet and greet and eat fancy shamancy Hor’dourves , as well as take pics with Penn and Teller and get a private magic lesson from Teller (yes he actually talks in real life). Teller sat right at our table and talked with us which was pretty cool. I love his part of the duo because....well first he does all the magic....and second his facial expressions are priceless!
Then we got to see their INCREDIBLE show. I was really really impressed. I've been a fan of Penn and Teller's views from their Showtime show "Bullshit' and love all the things they stir up when it comes to certain topics (especially the political stuff) so I was really happy to see that they incorporated a lot of that into the show. And of course who doesn't love magic tricks??? I felt like a little kid sitting there in awe of the illusions they pulled off, and they were really like nothing I've ever seen before, and I'm a fan of magic!
We had so much fun and it was really great getting outta the house for the night. All three of us ladies are mothers of young kids so it was truly a treat to leave the little buggers with the husbands and have some good old Vegas fun! If you ever find yourself in Sin City be sure to check out the show if you get the chance!!!
This is me on stage. Can you spot me?
Disney Pixar helps grant dying girl her wish.
This story made me burst into tears and I just had to share it on my blog. I love witnessing that there is still good and sweetness in this world, and that the power of film can sometimes heal, bring people together, or just create a little bit of happiness in a dark place.....even for a brief moment..
-"The folks at Pixar helped a dying girl fulfill her final wish when one of their employees hand delivered a DVD of the film Up to the family's residence for a private screening.
10-year-old Colby Curtin was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in December 2005, and ever since she saw a preview for Up, she'd been excited for the poignant film about a man who goes on an adventure after the loss of his wife by tying balloons to his house and flying away.
After the family had made a request that was never fulfilled for a wheelchair to take Colby to the theaters, a family friend began frantically calling Pixar as Colby's health dramatically worsened.
Finally the friend got through the automated messaging system by guessing a name. Pixar immediately sent out an employee to the girl's home in Huntington Beach armed with a DVD of the film and a gift basket of toys. The family sat around to a private screening.
Colby had difficulty keeping her eyes open through the film because of the pain she was in, so her mother narrated it to her.
Colby died 7 hours later and we hope her final moments were that much more comfortable for having her final wish granted!"
I hope she had sweet dreams of adventures, blue skies, and balloons as she left this life for whatever quest happens next...
Apologize for my absence!
As you may have noticed, I haven't been posting much lately (and the reviews and giveaways are piling up!). Recently I had a little medical emergency which turned out to me a stupid ulcer. I guess too much stress, working, a crazy two year old, and copious amounts of caffine, will eventually result in a little ulcer friend growing inside me that make me feel like I had reached the pits of sickness hell. I HATE feeling bed-ridden and sick, but it was also a major wake up call that I need to start taking way better care of myself and try to slow down as much as I can, as well as eat a hell of a lot better then I have been lately.
But anyway, I'm SOOOOOOO far behind on my reviews and I deeply apologize to all the wonderful companies I'm working with. I promise everything will be caught up soon. I just need to pace myself a little better. But I guardsmen some great reviews and giveaways will still be on there way
Just like my ModBe swimsuit giveaway that ends in a couple days! Make sure to enter!
Toddler Virtues Tees Review
I really love to feature products for kids that are really help to make a difference in their lives no matter how small or big. And Toddler Virtue Tees has really come up with a fantastic idea for their product. Each t-shirt has a different important virtue and definition in order to teach your children these incredibly vital ideas and lessons. I LOVE how Monika Hall, the Founder and President of Toddler Virtues, came up with the idea for these awesome shirts and I really want you guys to hear her story from her own words because they fully explain the importance of what she is trying to achieve with these t-shirts:
"I feel like I've 'danced like no body's watching' far before that phrase became popular. The picture to the right is of my son and I at a kid's concert (Ralph's World) last summer. It was here that my toddler virtue tee idea was born. As I looked around I noticed every child at the concert was wearing a tee shirt with a slogan or design on it. Whether it be spoiled, princess, high maintenance, little dude, a musician or whatever – this was the fad. At that moment it occurred to me that I had an opportunity to use this tee shirt craze as a platform to do some good by teaching toddler's virtues.
I feel that to make the world a better place, we need to start with our children. I propose that we bring back virtues. What if we instilled virtues like kindness, courage, tolerance, gratitude and patience into our toddlers? What if eventually these virtues became not only a word, but a way of life? What would happen if these virtuous toddlers became virtuous school aged children, young adults and our leaders of tomorrow? Maybe instead of seeing school shootings sprung by hatred, cowards for authority figures or wars arising from intolerance and impatience, we’ll see new and gracious generations make decisions based on respect and virtues. Just imagine what a world that would be!"
Her story kinda got me teary eyed. I mean we see those "diva, princess blah blah" shirts everywhere and I've always HATED them. I mean exactly what does that teach a 3 year old? That they are better then everyone else and should be treated that way? These Virtue T-shirts are a simple and fun way to teach your children important morals and Monika Hall also encourages everyone to participate in the Pass it On movement. This is where you can pass hand-me-downs to siblings and order tees for toddler friends! Donate hand me downs to local shelters or soup kitchens. Buy new ones for kids who normally wouldn't be reached by these tees. I love this idea, and am already putting a little money aside so I can buy one for a child who normally wouldn't get a chance to have one themselves. And if you would like to do something similar and help Pass it On you can send your outgrown Virtue Tee back to the company and they will distribute it to a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen for you!!
Olivia was generously given the "Tolerance" shirt which is actually really fitting with what I want to instill in her throughout her life. My husband and I strive to be tolerant of everyone no matter who they are or what they choose to do and be in life. I support equal rights for everyone and after growing up a child who looked different then what was considered normal I really really encourage Olivia to always accept and love people no matter what and that we are all the same. I can't wait to teach this virtue to her! Virtue Toddler Tee's encourages parents to use these 5 steps with their Virtue Tee. 1. Read the Virtue to your child 2. Define and Explain the Virtue 3. Tell a story relaying the Virtue 4. Repeat when Tee is worn and 5. Pass It On!
These T-shirts are really something you going to enjoy having for your little one and would even make an awesome birthday present. And don't forget to check out the Mommy Virtues as well, because you never stop learning even when your are all grown up. Virtue Toddler Tees are not just a shirt to be worn, it's an entire lesson. And a lesson in something that your child will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
And now through the entire month of June my readers will get the chance to Buy one and get another one half off. After purchasing your two shirts simply e-mail Monika ( toddlervirtues@gmail.com ) and let her know you are one of my readers and she will refund you the money! Take advantage of this offer while you can!
Sky Ranch Foundation
I really want to share a foundation with you guys that is super important to me and my husband. Well, mostly to my husband but I think it's something important enough to spread the word about. It's called the Sky Ranch Foundation and it raises money for the Sky Ranch Boys Home is South Dakota. In 1950 a priest named Father Don Murray found himself looking after a few troubled boys at his rectory in the tiny town of Buffalo, South Dakota. He used a small plane to travel his large "territory" and soon found it could help him with the boys. Teaching them to fly really changed their outlook. But the priest had a dream and needed a lot of help to make it happen. He found the help, and so did thousands of boys who have been helped since then at Sky Ranch. Sky Ranch for Boys was incorporated in 1960. At first, the Bishop of Rapid City served as Chairman of the Board. From the start, however, it was agreed by all that the ranch would be non-sectarian, emphasizing the power of spirituality to help people without favoring one religion over another.
By 1963, 3,000 acres of ranchland on the Montana-South Dakota border had been acquired, and the first buildings were going up.Sky Ranch for Boys continues to help troubled kids (age 12-17) from all parts of America and plans on doing so for a long time to come! Some of the original buildings are nearing the end of their useful life and planning for rehabilitation or replacement has begun.
Sky Ranch is well known among professionals in the field for an outstanding success rate. More than 90% of boys sent to Sky Ranch successfully complete the program! During a single school year at Sky Ranch, most boys gain 2 or more grade levels in the school work they are able to handle. Many go on to very successful lives in a wide variety of fields.
The program has been enhanced recently by the implementation of a "Corrective Thinking" approach. Boys are held responsible for their errors and taught to think through how to avoid problems in the future. It has been very well received by boys and staff.
See my husband was sent to Sky Ranch when he was 17 and stayed there for a year. He went through a lot as a kid and got into a lot of trouble, and instead of having a judge send him to a juvenile detention center, he was luckily sent to Sky Ranch. He has told me so many stories about this place and has a ton of positive and wonderful memories about being there. He got his pilot license there, which is something he has always been proud of, and learned how to take care of horses. It was really something that he needed in his life at that time and he will always remember the place. I've been encouraging him that one day we will move to South Dakota (his dream state) and he will work at that ranch. I honestly believe it's his calling because no one will know what those boys are going through like him, and he is awesome with kids.
But this ranch and organization are so important and really needs help from outside sources. Even if it's small donations, they would still make a huge difference. This ranch is an awesome alternative to being locked up and instills leadership, responsibility, and positive learning during a time when boys need it the most. I couldn't imagine how being a locked cell is going to make a troubled kid turn his life around. Sometimes you come out of those places learning more negative things then you came in with. We need more places like Sky Ranch with people who really care so much about these kids and that are willing to do what they can to make a difference in their lives. Please take a moment to check out this foundation and spread the word...
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