Month: November 2016

November 7, 2016

Portable North Pole Magic Pass – Unlimited Calls from Santa!

About four years ago, my Dad introduced me to the Portable North Pole (PNP) website. It gave parents the ability to send customized video messages from Santa to their child. Our kids LOVED it when they received their first message from Santa – he was talking to them, he knew their name, he knew something special about them and they could even see his elves. It was truly a special moment for them. I also have the app on my phone and not only can you create the video messages from there, there is also a special section for kids to play games. Our youngest plays the games year round.

What Exactly is Portable North Pole?

Portable North Pole (PNP) is an online platform used by Santa and his elves to send personalized video messages and calls to the people you care about most anywhere around the world. In just a few simple steps, you can help Santa gather all the information he needs about your loved one and create a tailor-made video message or phone call that is positively magical. But that isn’t all Santa and his magical elves have in store, to create truly unforgettable memories, you can even download a HD version of your video to keep for years to come. Awesome right?

Portable North Pole comes available in 3 main package types: the Free (Christmas and Birthday videos), the Video Pass (Unlimited Premium Santa videos + Reaction Recorder, as well as access to previous seasons’ videos), and the Magic Pass (Unlimited Premium Santa Videos, Reaction Recorder, HD Video downloads, access to previous seasons’ videos.

Right now you can save 20% with Promo Code: PNP6BLG20 when you redeem the code on PNP. We can’t wait to get started on our video from Santa and send his special message to our boys.

Disclosure: I was given a PNP magic pass in return for sharing this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 4, 2016

Milton’s Secret DVD Giveaway

In Milton’s Secret we confront family, love, fear, worry and hope.

About Milton’s Secret

Based on the book by #1 New York Times bestselling author Eckhart Tolle and Robert Friedman, Milton’s Secret is a movie about family and the uncertain times families live in. Milton (William Ainscough) is a 12 year-old boy growing up in an economically and socially unpredictable world. His mother and father (Mia Kirshner, David Sutcliffe) are workaholics with marital and financial problems, and he is bullied at school. When his grandfather (Donald Sutherland) visits, Milton learns rehashing the past and worrying about the future are preventing him from finding true happiness.

The Cast

The cast in Milton’s Secret includes: Donald Sutherland, Michelle Rodriguez, William Ainscough, Mia Kirshner and David Sutcliffe.

Our Thoughts

“Ready. Set. NOW.”

A truly beautiful story of the Adams family that could be any family living in our current age. Many families live in the future, worrying about money, their home, bills and getting to one place or another without ever being present in the current moment. There is always one more work thing we can do (with a lot of my work online, this is my current problem – how do I learn to just put it away and not worry about it), one more bill that we worry about how will we pay for it and the list just goes on and on. This is the Adams family in Milton’s Secret – his Mother lives in the future worrying about how they will pay bills, if they will lose their home and his Father lives in the past, wanting just a little bit more. Neither of them realize how this is affecting Milton – his health, his emotional well being and even his relationships with others.

Milton is bullied at school but neither of his parents realize the torment he is going through as they are always absorbed in their own worries. When his Grandfather arrives, it is like this beautiful breath of fresh air. He brings an air of calmness, of peace and of being present. He teaches Milton to live in the here and now. Worry just brings unnecessary bad feelings into our lives and isn’t worth it. Watching Milton grow and mature under his Grandfather leaves your heart full and your eyes wet!

Milton’s Secret is a truly special film that will not only touch your heart but make you question the importance of your daily routines, of your own worries and if you live truly in the present or instead are you absent in the past or future. This is a movie that the whole family will love and give them more than enough food for thought. This is a definite must see film.

Rating: 5/5

The Trailer

Get a quick glimpse of this new movie.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a DVD copy of this movie in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 4, 2016

Carol J. Post’s ‘Trust My Heart’ $75 Cozy Cash Giveaway

Will an unplanned detour finally guide Grant home and find love with an honest, funny, and undeniably appealing reporter named Jami? Find out in a heartwarming romance by Carol J. Post, Trust My Heart. Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible. After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—but as the two draw closer as they share their dreams, misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust.

Join Carol in celebrating the release of Trust My Heart by entering to win her $75 Cozy Cash Giveaway.

One grand prize winner will receive:

A copy of Trust My Heart
A $75 Visa cash card
A basket full of goodies made in North Carolina to keep you cozy in the cooler fall weather

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 23. The winner will be announced November 28 on Carol’s blog.

November 2, 2016

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: South Africa

For the first time in my adult life we are going on a vacation this year. Our destination? South Africa! My husband if from Southern Africa and has quite a few family members who live in South Africa so we wanted our boys to meet their family and see where their Dad grew up. We couldn’t wait to open DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to get familiar with all that South Africa has to offer.

About DK Eyewitness Travel Guide South Africa

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: South Africa is your in-depth guide to the very best of South Africa. From exploring the Palace of the Lost City to seeing the “Big Five” on safari in Kruger National Park to experiencing the multifaceted culture of a country with 11 official languages, visiting the “Rainbow Nation” is an adventure you will never forget.To help you make the most of your adventure, this guidebook includes a field guide to South Africa’s wildlife and the safari experience with detailed information on safaris, wildlife preserves, and local species.

The guide contains:

Detailed itineraries and “don’t-miss” destination highlights at a glance.
Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights.
Floor plans and guided visitor information for major museums.
Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area.
Area maps marked with sights .
Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights.
Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations.

With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: South Africa truly shows you this country as no one else can.

My Thoughts

I am so excited to be going on this adventure with my family this year. I am also super nervous. This is the first time we have travelled as a family of four and the first big trip of my adult life. I am also super anxious and need to know everything before hand. When this guide arrived in the mail, I could not wait to pop it open with the kids.

The guide itself is visually stunning with a slightly harder cover and is easy to hold in the palm of your hand. The visuals are bright and have a combination of large, medium and small-sized photographs. The guide is divided by colours and I have to say I am shocked at how many different areas and regions there are. The guide has sections for how to use the guide, discovering South Africa and its history and then divided into areas. Each area looks at the history of the area, main sites to visit, shopping, entertainment and where to eat and drink.

We quickly went to the areas we are visiting and it had us so excited! We looked through the sections of Kruger and Sun City and already began to make plans for our visit in Johannesburg. Thank goodness we have family to help us when we are there. We gave them a few of our must see items from the guide and they are already organizing it for us on their side.

The guide is extremely detailed, thorough and will be an excellent travel company for us. This will definitely be in our carry on baggage for our trip.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and DK Canada.

Rating: 5/5

About DK Eyewitnes Travel Guides

For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations. Expert travel writers and researchers provide independent editorial advice, recommendations, and reviews. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 1, 2016

The Perfect Tear Book Review

In The Perfect Tear, Eleanor, a timid orphan, has no clue to her real purpose, but she also has no desire to become a subservient old maid, like the miserable nuns she is forced to with.

About The Perfect Tear

Eleanor, a timid orphan, has no clue to her real purpose, but she also has no desire to become a subservient old maid, like the miserable nuns she is forced to with. Eleanor believes Edward, whom she loves, will save her from being forced to take vows. She knows Mother Superior has no intention of letting her leave–her songs are the only thing keeping the grey mist at bay. Her devastation is complete when she discovers Edward is a prince and heir to the throne, but it is the impetus she needs to leave the safety of the abbey and go in search of her long lost father.

She doesn’t get far before discovering her true destiny. With only her instincts to protect her, she must match wits with a powerful being intent on the destruction of her world. If she does not find The Perfect Tear and release its healing power into the land, she will become an accomplice in the destruction of all she loves.

My Thoughts

An imaginative, unique story that leaves you wanting to know more, especially at the end! The Perfect Tear is magical with Eleanor and her connection to Tsera and the Earth, at the heart of our story.

Eleanor was orphaned at a young age but her childhood was very special. She is a special child who carries with her very unique abilities that are in tune to Mother Earth. She doesn’t understand her true purpose but she knows that her heart desires more than just being with the nuns. She is adventurous, fun and kind – just the type of friend anyone could ask for. She meets Edward, the prince and heir to the throne, but doesn’t realize who he is. They forge a strong bond of love and hope. She begins a quest that she understands in her heart but in her mind finds it difficult to comprehend as she has to save the world from destruction. This quest finds her forging new bonds, losing connections and fighting for everything she loves.

While this is going on in the human world, there is an intricate battle being played behind the scenes by Tsera, one of the ancients who designed the humans. This part was a bit harder to follow, especially in the beginning as we were given a lot of information to sort through and understand in order to fully appreciate the novel. But once you understand the history here, the novel makes so much more sense.

This was a unique tale full of surprise, hope and love. I loved every moment of The Perfect Tear and this would be a great book for both young adults through to adults.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Connie Lansberg is a singer/songwriter, scriptwriter and now author with the publication of her first book The Perfect Tear. Connie studied script writing at AFTR and has had songs placed in major Australian TV series. She has just complete an album of songs connected to the book and will be performing these live at her weekly jazz gig in Melbourne.

Connect with her on Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

Book Trailer

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.