When children watch a movie as fascinating as Tinker Bell and The Great Fairy Rescue…the characters and story line become real. There is a relational bond that is created as your child steps into the world of Tinker Bell, Lizzy and their friends.

If your kids are like mine they don’t want it to end. They want it to continue as long as possible. Disney understands that and has created an amazing on-line world of Pixie Hollow.

The game site is created for children up to age 13 and has carefully constructed guidelines that allow you, as a parent, to feel comfortable with your child participating in an on-line game.

During our visit to the Disney studios I learned that the developers of the game have created certain key features that will protect your child. For example as the created characters interact and play together they can communicate with each other but can not write anything with numbers. Therefore addresses or phone numbers are not able to be shared among the community. A great safety feature. Also, certain words or phrases can not be “uttered” in Pixie Hollow. Since I have two young girls  I was pleased to learn of their precautions as that is always one of my concerns.

Another great aspect of the game is that it is interactive and inventive. Your child is inspired to create their own male or female fairy and conjure up any combinations of hairstyles, eye color, skin color, clothing style and personality they can dream of. Told you Disney was magical.

We were also informed that the Pixie Hollow world is visited often my actual fairies and they have wonderful games and events for all the children that are currently online. There is a computer calendar so you can determine when the next “special” event will be available.

A fun DSL game will be available from the Pixie Hollow world also. The DSL game will be able to be linked with the on-line computer game. Pretty sensational, huh?

The IE Twins have been begging for a DSL games..now that I have seen the fanciful world of Pixie Hollow I may have to cave in and buy them games for Christmas.

As you’ll learn in the Tinker Bell and The Great Fairy Rescue movie…everyone wants to learn to fly!

Experience the wonder and magic of Tinker Bell’s world when you leave the mainland behind and set off on an unforgettable Fairy adventure.

Create your very own Fairy and take flight into the magical world of Pixie Hollow for high-flying fun and endless excitement.  Explore the meadows – the place to meet other Fairies for chatting, gathering, and making tons of friends.

Help fellow Fairies bring about the change of seasons by playing talent games.   Bounce fish upstream with Silvermist, light up fireflies with Iridessa, gather food for the animals with Fawn, among other games.

Throughout Pixie Hollow, discover and collect many useful things like berries, acorns, and even flowers.  Use your treasures to shop at Fairy boutiques, to craft Fairy creations, or to earn colorful badges.

Play games to create Fairy fashions and accessories, tinker Fairy furniture, and bake sweet treats.  Master your crafting skills and you can keep the things you make to decorate your home or add to your stylish wardrobe.

Each Fairy has a unique home.  Decorate your lovely house with incredible Fairy-crafted furniture and décor.  Host a Pixie party in your enchanting home, invite all of your Fairy friends, and play pixie party games.

Fly into Pixie Hollow today and experience life as a Never Fairy!

Pixie Hollow is constantly growing so there is always something new for Fairies to enjoy!

Fun for Fairies:

• Collect Curious Things – Find and collect tons of useful things like leaves, acorns, and even flowers. Collect them to earn badges, use them as ingredients for crafting, or to shop for amazing fashions and furniture!
• Play Talent Games – Help fellow Fairies bring about the change of seasons by playing talent games.  Guide fish upstream with Silvermist and the other water Fairies, or light up fireflies with Iridessa and the light-talent Fairies.
• Shop at Fairy Boutiques – Visit Fairy Shops to trade in things that you have gathered or earned for new special treasures for your home and wardrobe.
• Craft Incredible Creations – Play games to create Fairy fashions and accessories, bake delicious Fairy treats, and tinker incredible furniture and décor for your home.
• Earn Special Badges – Earn colorful badges to showcase in your personal Leaf Journal. Plus, when you earn a badge, everyone around you will see a celebratory show!
• Embark on Quests – Venture into the wilderness with a team of Fairies and use your talents to accomplish important quests for Tinker Bell and her friends.
• Star in a Pixie Play – Put on a costume and take center stage at Fairy Tale Theater where Fairies can act out pixie plays with friends and every Fairy can be a star!
• Help Animal Friends – Fly by Beck’s Animal Nursery and choose an Animal Friend to care for and nurture.  From fireflies and ladybugs to hummingbirds and dragonflies, there’s a baby animal perfect for every Fairy.

The IE Mommy was compensated in form of traveling expenses,
hotel arrangements and various Disney Gifts in exchange for review and posts.
Opinions are strictly those of the Blog Owner.
*Information obtained from Press Release and/or website

Disney’s Tinker Bell and The Great Fairy Rescue Blogger Day 2

Catch up and read about Day 1 “HERE”

Original Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store

So…after heading out early from last night’s dinner….I could not get to asleep.  I thought I’d fall asleep as soon as I hit my room but instead I stayed up till 1 a.m.  Wasn’t sure what to do with myself with out little people begging me to sleep with them or crawling into my bed. Too quite without my husband snoring beside me….just not what I was use to so finally at 1 a.m. I collapsed and fell asleep dreaming of Tinker Bell.

“Ring” went my mind at 6 a.m. the next morning. Are you kidding me? It was okay though as I was pumped with adrenaline ready for the exciting day ahead.

What was on today’s agenda…oh not much. yeah right! Check out our itinerary for Day 2:

• 9:00 a.m Shuttles departs to Studio
• 9:30 Continental breakfast at Studio
• 10:00 – 12:00 Explore the magic of Tinker Bell and The Great Fairy Rescue
• 12:45 – 2:30 Lunch at Twist
• 2:30-4:30 Beauty and The Beast Ballroom Dancing
• 4:30 – 7:30 Shopping I mean Break
• 7:30-9:30 Cocktail Reception and Dinner Paige O’Hara

The infamous Ms. Paige O'Hara and The IE Mommy

We were on the journey of discovery.  We were heading to a Disney studio to meet the wonderful directors, animators, producers and crew that created the amazing story of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue.

As a child did you ever watch a magician and wonder “How’d they do that”? Maybe you longed to learn how they did a trick…desperately tried to watch their hands to see what you could discover and then realizing that they were after all, Magicians. Their job was to create magic.

Never mind magicians…Disney creates magic that you can  believe in. I had that same feeling of anticipation that comes from seeing a magic show as we began Day 2 of our merriment and escapade.

We were shuttled to an undisclosed Disney studio location that looked completely nondescript on the outside…but on the inside…it was all Disney.  Magic, spontaneity and imagination spilled out of each room. It was here that we  met the wonderful personalities, minds and talents that brought Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue to life!

Landmark Hollywood Sign

I will be detailing in another post how extraordinary the talent was that created the animation and story line but for now I want to tell you about my personal journey.

We were at the studio for about two hours. During this time we learned how the actual production was created. It truly felt as if for one moment a Magician had allowed us into his secret,  magical existence. As an adult I was fascinated to learn exactly how an animation like Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue was created. The days of pencil and paper are long gone and the thrills of the computer age is clearly among us and visible to the consumer and in the production….but not to the little girls in us. We still believe, don’t we?

We were then whisked off to a wonderful lunch at Twist which was inside the Hollywood Renaissance hotel. Let’s just say it was DELICIOUS! I had the steak and fries. Oh my goodness it was so appetizing. At the close of lunch we were each handed a wonderful swag bag of delightful Tinker Bell goodies. T-shirts, Tinker Bell water bottles,  Journals and more. A huge thank you to Liza from Mamanista who gave me her Tinker Bell t-shirt to me  so that each of the twins would have one.

Dance Lessons in the Panorama Room

After lunch we were escorted to the 20th floor which is the Panorama room. “Astounding” is the only word that can truly apply. The room is exquisite with a circular window that allows you a fabulous view of the entire Los Angeles skyline including the Hollywood sign.  I have lived in California my entire life and don’t think that I have ever taken a photo of the Hollywood sign until that day.

As we entered the Panorama suite we were offered chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne. This perfect touch added to the allure of the moment. We were about to be offered personal dance lessons with, Christian Perry, in honor of the Diamond Edition Beauty and Beast DVD/Blu Ray that will be released on October 5, 2010. Christian Perry is a renowned choreographer and creates dances on none other then my ultimate favorite show, Dancing With The Stars. Along with Christian there were about five or six young men gallantly offering to dance with us.  I loved hearing all the bloggers laugh and giggle as they were trying their best to reproduce the steps of their professional partners. I’ll admit that I hid since I don’t have much rhythm (ask my cheer-leading coach form high school). But it was a delight to watch all my new friends having a great time. I must give a shout out that “Bloggers” definitely have rhythm. Albeit…in my case…some more then others.

After this delightful escapade…we were dismissed for a couple of hours to enjoy the sites and rest for our next event. Of course, I went shopping. C’mon you knew that was going to happen right?

...and one, two, three, one, two, ouch!

Mostly I looked around and found a few things for the twins. Thought it was pretty exciting to see the Tinker Bell and The Great Fairy Rescue being advertised on none other then the infamous “El Capitan” theatre marquee…which I could see from my hotel room. I was filled with pride when I saw the marquee because I was allowed to feel like an “insider” to the entire production while were in Hollywood. It was as if Tinker Bell was a part of me for those three days. Pretty cool, huh?

While I didn’t see them…I was told by Tammy at My Organized Chaos and Lynette at My Wee View that Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis were filling the movie, Friends with Benefits, right outside our hotel.  There was non-stop tourists and traffic on both sides of the street because of the filming. I enjoyed watching the tourists more then the production. Everyone seemed so excited about the whole production. Me? I just wanted to get to DSW (Department Shoe Warehouse), lol. After walking an entire Los Angeles City block (which is huge) and almost falling on my face when I tripped…I was tired, hot and ready to go back to my hotel which I did.

I returned to my room to get ready for our exciting evening…

The IE Mommy was compensated in form of traveling expenses,
hotel arrangements and various Disney Gifts in exchange for review and posts.
Opinions are strictly those of the Blog Owner.
*Information obtained from Press Release and/or website

Rock legend Rod Stewart is happy to be expecting his eighth child with wife Penny Lancaster — but this is the last one.

Getty Images

“Extra’s” Lauren Sanchez talked with the 55-year-old singer and asked if he would have any more children. “No more after this. Don’t be silly,” Stewart replied. “We’re done with it now.”

What’s the best advice he has received as a parent? “Always see the other side of the story.”

Stewart is also releasing another baby — his “Great American Songbook Volume 5″ — a collection of 12 standards, including a few Frank Sinatra tunes.

The rock singer said he met Ol’ Blue Eyes once. “He was concerned about [my] singing style, and it being very rough,” Stewart said. “[Sinatra] said the same as Prince Charles always says, ‘Your voice okay?’”

Stewart surmised, “I’m singing better than I’ve ever sung before, in my humble opinion.”

“Volume 5″ comes out October 19.

Read more: http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2010/09/rod_stewart_eight_is_enough.php#ixzz0yJOJdRME

Thanks to EXTRA for content information.
*Information obtained from Press Release and/or website

Visit…. www.thesak.com

So are you hairy?

Ok, don’t laugh.. I know I asked that a bit bluntly but I figure you are all friends so why not be straight forward and ask.  You might be wondering why I am asking…simple…The Twist & Roll

Now, I am going to warn you that the Twist and Roll seems a bit intimidating. In fact, when I received it my mother-in-law was here and her exact words were “What is THAT???”. I had to laugh because it really did look like something you should wary of.

But….

Sometimes beauty is pain.

Let’s think this through.

Do you pluck your eyebrows…? Painful!
Do You wax? Painful!
How about shaving? Anyone heard of razor burn? Yes, painful!

Ok…so now we’ve established that sometimes beauty = painful. But you’d have to agree that often that so called “pain” is totally worth the effect, right?

You might be wondering “why” I went this route with my review intro? Well, because I know you are going to be a bit scared by the “look” of the Twist & Roll…so why not tell you up front that I understand, right?

You might be thinking “Christine, that’s a terrible way to start a review???” but really is it? I think not. Because while the Twist & Roll is intimidating looking it works. I am not a very hairy person but occasionally there is a hair or two that must not be where it has decided to grow. The Twist and Roll was accurate, easy to use and quick.  Yes, it was a bit uncomfortable at first as your skin is not used to it but as you continue to use it…your skin becomes accustomed to it…just like tweezing or shaving.

Simply place the wire part on the hair that you wish to remove and twist & roll. It might take a few tries if you are uncoordinated (as your truly is) but overall the effect will be phenomenal. Since you are removing the hair from the root it will also take a lot longer to grow back. Yeah!!

Live outside the box and try something different. What do you have to lose? Oh yeah! Unwanted hair!

Speaking of hair…we were also sent a great assortment of SwirliDo which we instantly fell in love with.   SwirliDo Hair Ties are good for all hair types! They hold on tight & come off smoothly from your hair. Will not leave pony lines after use! Great for workouts and sports. It comes eight pieces per pack and in five different color themes.

My girls thought the were very cool looking and I loved that they kept their hair in place. Nothing is worse then a rubber band that pulls your hair or a pony tail holder that doesn’t hold your pony tail.

SwirliDo was a great combination of imagintation, functionality and fashion. We’re sold!

Review Opportunity Provided by Twist & Roll
Opinions are strictly those of the Blog Owner.
*Information obtained from Press Release and/or website