I always say that you can tell how old someone is by asking them what their favorite Disney Movies were as a child.  If they say Snow White, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty – you know you’re dealing with someone a bit older.  But if they say Aladdin, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, or, my personal favorite Beauty and the Beast, then I know I’m dealing with someone who is close in age.

It’s funny how experiences that I treasured as a child have come back around full circle so that I can share them with our two kids.  I can very vividly remember sitting in the theater watching Beauty and the Beast at age 9 – falling in love with the music, the story, and of course – that yellow dress.  Naturally, at 29 I was totally geeked out to share that same experience with my family – to see the twinkle in my kids eyes as they watched the story unfold.

I’m so thankful to the folks at Disney, who were kind enough to invite the four of us to do just that last Saturday at the El Capitan Theater (the same place that I attended the premiere of Cars 2) in Hollywood.  We didn’t tell them where we were going until we were almost there – and then they kept shouting “We’re going to HOLLYWOOD!”.

I’ll take awesome parents for 500, Alex.

We felt like royalty ourselves when we got to the check-in table and discovered that we were special guests and were allowed to skip the line.  One day, when our kids no longer think I’m cool, I’m going to show them this post as proof that I am, indeed, cool.

Did I mention that Beauty and the Beast has been remastered and is being released in 3D?  We rocked our 3D glasses didn’t we?

What the kids didn’t know was that two very special people were making a surprise appearance at this sneak peek – so imagine how my heart melted when Belle and the Beast waltzed out on stage and I see both of my kids sitting on their knees, stretching out their arms waving and yelling at them with the world’s biggest smiles on their faces.   Belle and the Beast thanked us for coming to see their movie, and then there was a confetti explosion and I thought my kids might explode with excitement themselves.  They were literally bouncing in their seats.  Pure magic.

Before the movie itself started, we got a preview of something that we had been waiting a long time for – Tangled Ever After!  My daughter is the world’s biggest Tangled fan so this was a real treat for her.  She literally giggled throughout the entire short – she loves Pascal especially, and she even told her grandparents about how funny it was on the phone later that day.  My son’s favorite line from Tangled is “They just can’t get my nose right!” and without spoiling anything from you I can tell you that there is a little tribute to that line in the short as well!

We loved every second of Beauty and the Beast in 3D – and it was an amazing experience.  The movie still moves me to tears – I was sniffling at the end of the movie.  Just wait until you see the ballroom scene in 3D – you will be blown away!

Beauty and the Beast 3D hits theaters TOMORROW, January 13th – so be sure and check it out with your kids this weekend!  What a great way to introduce them to the movie that captured our hearts 20 years ago!  By the way, you can like Beauty and the Beast on Facebook for up-to-the moment updates!

Thank you so much Disney for this very special day with my family – we are still talking about it!

PS – Do you watch Modern Family?  We watched Beauty and the Beast in 3D all while sitting a few rows away from “Manny” who is played by Rico Rodriguez.  Kinda awesome!  We also got to see Zachary Levi who is the voice of Flynn  in Tangled.  :)

Yesterday I was in Costco and as I was perusing the vitamin section I hear  the strains of a song I know, all too well, coming from the electronics section –

“Everybody looooook left!  

Everybody loooooooook right!  

Everywhere you looooook I’mmmmmmm

…standing in the spoootttttliiiiiight!”

And right there, in the middle of Costco, I surprised myself and everyone around me by practically shouting Zazu’s line –

“NOT YET!”

Which led to this tweet.

Oh yeah.  I’m totally that girl.

The Lion King has always been my ultimate favorite Disney movie.  I knew every line, every song, every word to this movie (and apparently still do).  I even had the soundtrack.  It didn’t hurt, of course, that I was 11 years old with a huge crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas (who is the voice of Simbaa).

Then of course there is the very cool connection of my cousin, Ernie Sabella, being the voice of Pumbaa in the movie.  Not that he knows me, or anything, but related we are.  And at 11 years old?  That made me like, totally cool.

Of course, The Lion King has just been re-released in theaters in 3D, but as of yesterday, October 4th, it’s also available as The Lion King: Diamond Edition on Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray Hi-Def Combo Pack.  You can save $5 on your purchase with the coupon below (click the image to be redirected)!

And of course, the folks at Disney always have such fun items to go along with each release – I love these Fun Food Ideas (featuring Pumbaa, of course!).

And these coloring and activity pages (which are always such a hit in our house!).

So, if you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend with your kids, try out some of these fun food ideas and then pull up a tub of popcorn and pop in The Lion King.  I know we will be. (And I’ll try not to annoy the kiddos by singing every single line, but hey – I’m not making any promises.)

There is a lot of love in our house.

But no one gets more love, I’m afraid, than Tigger.

All Tigger - right down to her toes. For the record, she is even watching Tigger on TV in this picture.

The “original” Tigger appeared as a gift from one of my students when Audrey Grace was 6 months old.  Even though she had a room full of stuffed animals, she immediately took to Tigger.  Now, 4 years later, we have over 20 different stuffed Tiggers, not to mention Eeyores, Pooh Bears, Piglets, and so forth.  But there is still the original Tigger – the one she has loved from the start – the one who, when he takes a bath (in a pillowcase in the washing machine) she stands guard by the machine until the wash is over.  When his nose came unravelled, I found her in the bathroom on her tippy-toes, reaching for a band-aid for him (and I happily obliged).

So, as you can tell, for the past 4 years, Winnie the Pooh and his loveable friends have been a huge part of our lives.  Naturally we are counting down to the October 25th release of WINNIE THE POOH on Blu-ray, DVD & Movie Download.  Did you catch the film in theaters?  It was adorable!

If you’re a huge fan of Pooh (and Tigger too!) much like we are, I have a few fun recipes to share in honor of National Honey Month (which is wrapping up today!).  Check out these super fun recipes that you can make with the kiddos – I’ve printed them out and put them in page protectors – I have a feeling we will be using these for a very long time!

TTFN!
 

Oh yeah baby, you read that right.

Jem and the Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series is going to be available on DVD beginning October 11, 2011.

When I received the email telling me this very fact, I responded exactly like this…

O

M

G

When I was a little girl, Jem was my ABSOLUTE favorite show.

I can still sing the theme song.

You pretty much just made my month.  And I’m not even kidding.

I would love to share Jem with my little girl, and share my obsession (and hidden rock-star dreams – pre Hannah Montana days, of course) with my readers.

I’d love a review copy of the entire Box Set if possible.

You have no idea how happy this makes me.

Thank you!!

Erika

And guess what, y’all?  They sent it to me.  I’m the proud owner of the 11 DVD Box set.  I’m in Jem Heaven.

This is one of those giddy pieces of nostalgia that I want to hold on to forever.  I had no idea I could even find Jem on DVD, much less have the complete series?  Shut the front door.

Remember I said that I could still sing the theme song?  I just tested myself out with this clip while my very kind and patient fiance’ pretended like he didn’t need to plug his ears.  It’s official, I can totally still rock out to this, and sing almost all of the words.  And oh man, lemme tell you, it’s 80′s-tastic, and I’m lovin’ it!

The series “JEM and The Holograms” ran from 1985-’88 in first-run syndication and still boasts a loyal and vocal fan base. It is frequently credited with influencing fashion in the late 1980s and beyond, and launching the careers of female pop-rock stars and music groups.  The series follows Jerrica Benton, whose discovery of Synergy, a powerful computer companion, allows her to transform from co-owner of Starlight Music into rock star Jem.  Teaming with her sister and best friends who form The Holograms, Jem sets out to make their musical dreams come true, even as she battles against the ruthless Eric Raymond and his musical protégés.

This would have been on my Christmas list in a heartbeat this year.  I’m sure there are lots of other 30-40 somethings who would agree with me.  I can’t wait to share Jem in all of her glory with my daughter – I have a feeling she will love it just as much as I do.

You already know that I’m a huge Disney fan, especially classic Disney.  So when I heard that Dumbo was being released on Blu-Ray and DVD in honor of the 70th anniversary, I knew it was something we had to have in our collection.  After all, I’ve been riding the iconic Dumbo ride at Walt Disney World ever since I can remember…and it was especially nostalgic when I got to ride it with a film crew back in January for the Lifetime Moms / Disney Parks Commercial shoot!

This movie is being released for the first time in high-definition, and has been flying off shelves since it’s September 20, 2011 release date.  We have the DVD/2 disc Blu-Ray combo pack, but it is also available as standard definition 1-disc edition, or just a high-definition 1 disc release – so it fits all budgets and preferences.  They all come with quite a few “extras”, such as:

DVD:

• Deleted Scene – “The Mouse’s Tale
• Deleted Song – “Are You a Man or a Mouse?”
• Taking Flight: The Making of Dumbo – A journey back to the origins of the film as everybody’s favorite baby elephant takes wing.
• The Magic Of Dumbo: A Ride of Passage – Witness the excitement and magic of Disneyland’s most popular ride through the eyes of a child.
• Audio Commentary with Pete Docter, Paula Sigman and Andreas Deja
• Sound Design Excerpt from The Reluctant Dragon
• Original Walt Disney Television Introduction

Blu-ray:

Everything on the DVD plus:

• Cine-Explore
• Disney View
• “What Do You See?” Game
• “What Do You Know?” Game
• “Celebrating Dumbo” Featurette
• Animated Short: “The Flying Mouse”
• Animated Short: “Elmer Elephant”

Movie Download (Standard Definition & High Definition Versions):

• Deleted Scene – “The Mouse’s Tale”
• Deleted Song – “Are You a Man or a Mouse?”
• “Celebrating Dumbo” Featurette

Frankly, there are a lot of questions I need answered.  Who is pregnant?  What will Dan do when he finds out Vanessa sold his book for publication?  What is going to happen to Chair (Chuck/Blair) in the midst of all of the royal wedding planning? How long will Serena stay in LA?  And perhaps most importantly…

What the HECK happened to Dan’s hair?  Ew.

No matter your level of Gossip Girl curiosity, I’m sure you at least want to know the thing that we all do – where are all of those amazing clothes from.  So, here is your Season 5, Episode 1 Gossip Girl Fashion preview for “Yes, Then Zero“.

Serena’s Purple Dress in LA with Nate

Catherine Malandrino Dress
Azzedine Alaia Platform Shoes $838

Serena on-set in Los Angeles

Maje Cream Silk Studded Tank Top $80
Alice + Olivia Shannon Printed Maxi Pleated Skirt $484

Serena in Los Angeles

Rag & Bone Aubry Top (sold out)
Theyskens Theory Beaded Vest (sold out)
Rag & Bone Feather Skirt $277

Blair Waldorf

Oscar de la Renta S/S 2011 Dress
Nancy Gonzalez Clutch

Diana Payne (played by Elizabeth Hurley)

Herve Leger Bandage Dress
Jimmy Choo Nude Sandals

Family time and family movie nights have long been something after my own heart.  I’ll just be honest – there is so much junk on TV these days that it’s hard to find something appropriate for the entire family to watch.

Think about it – creating something appropriate for the whole family to enjoy is harder than you might care to admit.  For us that means the following:

• Not overtly sexual
• No crude jokes
• No cursing
• Not violent

But it also means:

• Easy for the entire family to follow but…
• Complex enough for the adults to enjoy
• Appealing to both boys and girls (we have a 50/50 split)

I mean, honestly.  That’s a tall order, is it not?  P&G and Walmart have successfully accomplished this yet again, however, with Game Time: Tackling the Past, the newest of the Family Movie Night franchise.  You might remember that I visited the set of The Jensen Project, another one of the Family Movie Night movies, back in March of 2010.  I’ve enjoyed all of the movies that P&G and Walmart have created so far, and I have been partial to The Jensen Project because of my involvement, but I have to tell you – they have really outdone themselves this time with Game Time: Tackling the Past.

Our family LOVES football — I grew up in the South where Football is in your blood.  Even my now 4-year-old daughter has been asking to watch more football since she was barely old enough to talk.  I made this video when she was around 17 months old, asking me to put “fut-ball” on the TV.  (Sorry it’s so dark, it was one of those moments where I just grabbed my camera!)

Football fans like us will LOVE this movie because it is all about the Football spirit!  Check out the synopsis from the official Family Movie Night site:

Pro football star Jake Walker is living the dream… or so he thinks. The veteran tight end is a fan favorite and on pace to set the all-time receiving yards record that will guarantee him a spot in the Hall of Fame. While working out at training camp, Jake receives an unexpected call from his brother Dean – their father Frank has suffered a major heart attack. Jake immediately leaves practice and returns to Riverton, North Carolina, the small hometown he’s avoided for nearly 15 years. Memories of glory and regret flood his mind as he returns to the family and friends he abandoned in pursuit of his career. Jake dutifully visits with Frank and Dean, but hurt and misunderstanding from the past begins to resurface, leaving him counting the days until he can return to his team.

A second unexpected call, this time from his agent, delivers Jake another crushing blow. His contract is not being renewed amid concerns about his surgically repaired knee. Suddenly, the life Jake knows is over. To avoid the media circus around this news, Jake reluctantly decides to extend his stay in Riverton. Attempting to make the best of the situation, he begins reconnecting with the community that once revered him.    Jake is reintroduced to Sarah, his high school sweetheart, and helps Dean take over their father’s high school coaching job.

Surprisingly impacted by the people around him, the real Jake begins to emerge from behind his armor to see that life is much more than the accumulation of personal stats. But when Jake’s offered a lucrative new contract to play for another team, he is forced to decide whether to go back to the career he thought he loved, or stay in Riverton and embrace the people who always believed in him.

I was able to watch the movie online and chat throughout the film with one of it’s stars, Catherine Hicks (who you might remember as the mom from Seventh Heaven!).  It was so much fun to get the behind-the-scenes peek at the film with her insight, and I can tell you that she, along with the rest of the cast and crew, have personally put so much heart and soul into this film – and it is apparent while you watch it.  It is directed by Doug Barr, who also directed The Jensen Project (and is just a totally awesome guy.)

So, if you’re looking for something to watch this Labor Day weekend with the family, check out Game Time: Tackling the Past, which premieres on Saturday, September 3rd on NBC at 8 pm EST/7 pm CST.  Also, don’t forget to check out the Family Movie Night Facebook Page for more information!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of P&G and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

When it arrived in all of its shiny, new, sleek glory, I felt myself get all tingly.  I carefully read the instructions, and then pressed the power button and watched my Xoom spring to life.  The honeycomb (the Android 3.0 operating system – which has been optimized for tablets) is pretty incredible.

I’m a heavy user of the suite of Google products, so an android-based tablet was definitely the way to go for me.  I was thrilled to see that my Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Docs, and ahem even Google + were all easily accessible from the Xoom.  I manage almost all of my editorial calendars this way, as well as share ideas with colleagues, access information on various campaigns, and keep track of all of my invoicing with the Google suite.  Accessing them all with the Xoom has made my life even easier.

Of course, the Xoom isn’t all business.  It kept my busy social calendar organized while I was at BlogHer11, making sure that I knew exactly where I was supposed to be at all times (and also giving me an excuse to politely duck out of conversations that were taking a bit too long – the calendar on my Xoom would pop up and I’d apologetically show it to whomever I was speaking with as I said my goodbyes and dashed off.  My apologies if you were one of those people – let’s just say I am not good at exits.)

I’m also obsessed with the app “Pulse” which was recommended to me by the good folks at Motorola. Pulse is a customizable news aggregator and it ROCKS. It makes it so much easier to keep up with the important things in life – you know like the upcoming Kardashian wedding, for one.

Of course, my daughter and future step-son have found their own use for my Motorola Xoom.  So much so, as a matter of fact, that my fiance’ looked at me the other day and said “We’re going to have to buy another Xoom”.  He may be right, because there is lots of Cutting of the Rope, Fruit Ninjaing, and Angry Birds flying across the screen on a daily basis.  Oh and air hockey.  And pool.  And yes, I let our 4 and 5 year old play pool on the Xoom.  I consider it a part of our preschool aged college-prep program.

Also, this may sound cheesy but I was so very thankful for our Xoom on a 4-times and 5-hours delayed airport layover – mostly because it kept my 4 year old daughter happy.  Which, in turn, makes me VERY happy.

Did I mention that the Xoom has some pretty cool video capabilities?  Check out this adorable video of my daughter singing happy birthday to me – all shot and uploaded in under 5 minutes on my Xoom.

Gosh I love that kid.

So anyway, as you have probably realized by now, I’m a huge fan of the Xoom, and not just because it showed up on my doorstep, but because it really does rock. I am certainly the envy of my tablet-less fiance’ as he sits on the couch in the evenings with his big, bulky laptop and I flick through the latest celebrity gossip, tweet, and answer emails from my slim little Motorola Xoom. Come to think of it, I think he’s right, we will need another Xoom…I just don’t think it will end up being for the kids.

Disclosure: I have a working relationship with Motorola and this was a sponsored post.

They chatted with lots of Hollywood celebs throughout the evening – most of whom were insanely excited to met the Duke and Duchess themselves.  Jennifer Lopez’s date for the evening – her mom (hubby Marc Anthony stayed home) was so excited, in fact, that she tripped over her gown!

Obviously the Duchess was stunning, and ever regal in her McQueen gown, but let’s check out what some of the other celebs were wearing – shall we?

*  *  *

GREATEST HITS

Blake Lively: Draped in lace and delicate embroidery, Blake Lively wowed in Marchesa.

Elizabeth Banks: The 30 Rock star turned heads in this va-va-voom number by Versace.

Jennifer Garner: This blue one-shoulder Yves St. Laurent number left us drooling. The perfect choice for meeting a Princess.

Nicole Kidman: For me one of the night’s standouts was Nicole Kidman, who shined (literally!) in her custom-made Elie Saab haute couture gown.  Nicole looks like she is prepared to meet royalty.

Elizabeth Moss: Looking like a goddess in her own right, Elizabeth Moss stunned in a J. Mendel gown.  Perfect for summer, but still appropriate for the occasion, she hit the nail on the head.

*  *  *

BIGGEST MISSES

Jennifer Lopez: Don’t get us wrong, Jennifer Lopez looked sizzling in her Emilio Pucci dress but we think it was a bit inappropriate for the occasion.

Zooey Deschanel: While we big puffy heart Zooey (as well as Oscar de la Renta, who made her dress) we felt the length of this dress was too short for the occasion and the color was not the best on her.

Kristin Chenoweth:  We know she has the most amazing voice in Hollywood, but instead of looking statuesque, Kristin just looks like a gold statue.  Not her best look.

Everyone’s favorite Cars character is back with a vengeance in Cars 2 – the movie is very Mater-centric so all of you Mater fans (myself included) can rejoice.  I was fortunate enough to be on the red carpet for Cars 2 interviewing all of the stars of the film, and the was able to watch the premiere with them all.  I can tell you, you’re definitely in for a treat!

For all of you die-hard Mater fans, check out  Mater’s Secret Mission which Walmart just launched on their Facebook page!  Aside from it being oodles of fun to play around with, you can win movie vouchers, exclusive downloadable coloring pages, and Disney Mater’s Tall Tales Videos.  If you want a chance to win, just send a coded message to a fellow “secret agent”!   You can also buy exclusive Cars 2 merchandise through the Mater’s Secret Mission Facebook app – which is super cool!

Still can’t get enough Mater?  You can get your very own phone call from the loveable tow truck by texting Buddies, Secret, Spy, Mission, Mater, or Charge to 63257!

So what are you waiting for! Go check it out!

Disclosure:  I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program and this is a sponsored post. However all opinions are and always will be my own.

Why?

It was a bucket-list style evening.  I attended a Hollywood premiere with my favorite man on my arm.  Not only did I attend, but I had a spot in the press line, meaning I interviewed the likes of Grayson Chance, Guy Fieri, Peter Jacobson, and Owen Wilson.

Let me back up.

A while back, Rayovac contacted me to ask if I would be interested in covering the red carpet for the world premiere of Cars 2.  I have some on-camera experience and frankly, I’m a ham, so I jumped at the opportunity.  I’m also a huge Disney fan, and was well aware that Rayovac batteries are the only batteries that you can buy in Disney Parks (because if you’ve ever gone on a Disney Vacation – something inevitably runs out of batteries – usually the parents themselves but I’m pretty positive that Rayovac does not make human batteries.  Anyway, I digress.).  Rayovac had a large hand in sponsoring Cars 2 – so in the end a beautiful partnership was made.

And I have the photos to prove it.

When we arrived in Hollywood at 4 pm there were already throngs of fans pressed up against the barricades – and the red carpet set up in front of the El Capitan Theater (where the premiere was held) was nothing short of insane.  The traditional “red carpet” was actually “black” carpet because it was themed as a racetrack with tires stacked up all along the way and life-sized remote control versions of Lightening McQueen, Mater, and the new cast addition Finn McMissile rolled down the carpet itself to make their entrance.

No. Big. Deal.

(That was sarcasm.)

We interviewed the crowd across the street about their excitement over the premiere, and even talked to one somewhat reluctant policeman. Then we headed back to the press line where I was not afraid to geek out over the fact that right in front of where I was standing it said “Rayovac / Chic Shopper Chick”.  I had no trouble admitting to folks that this day was more than out of the ordinary for me and pointing out the fact that this was pretty much the coolest thing to ever happen to me.  I’m no Giuliana Rancic (but I could be!).

The celebrities started arriving on the red carpet and let me tell you – it is harder to interview someone than I initially thought.  The actual interview process isn’t that bad – but trying to get them to STOP in front of your spot (when they could be talking to the likes of Giuliana Rancic) is no picnic.  It didn’t help that Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, and the head of Pixar basically stood right in front of my spot for an hour, chatting – blocking any access I had to interviews.  I even asked security to ask them to move, but they took one look at them and told me “Ma’am – that’s the CEO of Disney and I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be the one to ask him to move.”

It’s good to be Bob Iger, y’all.

Even with Mr. Iger blocking my game, I still managed to get an interview with Grayson Chance, Guy Fieri, Peter Jacobson, Caroline Sunshine (of Disney Channel fame), and Owen Wilson.  Grayson Chance is adorable, and so sweet.  YouTube fame has not gone to his head in the least.  He even sang a few bars for us on camera – I’m excited to share that footage with you soon.  Guy Fieri is a fireball and was such a fun interview – I even had the chance to interview his son, Hunter.  Peter Jacobson (of House) is new to the Cars 2 cast as the voice of Acer the Pacer – one of the bad guys. He was so down to earth – I really enjoyed interviewing him.  I even bumped into him again at the after party and had the opportunity to chat a bit off-camera as he built Lego cars with his 8 year old son.

Interviewing Owen Wilson was pretty much the craziest mob scene in the world.  First of all, the man had on beige suede shoes with his blue suit.  That has nothing to do with the interview – but I just couldn’t stop staring at them.  Bold move, Owen, bold move.  Anyway, he is every bit Lightening McQueen – I could hardly stand it.  He is confident, composed, and witty – and not at all intimidated by the fact that 10 people were shoving microphones in his face at once.  Let’s just say that no one had a one-on-one interview with Owen – 8 or 10 at a time seemed to be par for the course.  I asked his publicist if I could get one more question in and she just told me “I think he’s done”.

Ok, then.

Check out the official video from Rayovac with all of my interviews and red carpet coverage below!

Not long after that everyone started filing into the theater to watch the movie, so we closed up the interview shop and headed for the theater ourselves .  We put on our super-special 3D glasses (I cannot believe I didn’t get a photo of me wearing my special Cars 2 glasses – because those things are HOT), munched on our super-special Cars 2 popcorn, and giggled like a fool when the lights went down and everyone burst into applause.  I quickly became immersed in the movie but every now and then it occurred to me that I was watching a movie for the first time with the cast and crew who MADE it and well – that was pretty surreal.

You didn’t come here to read a review of Cars 2, so I’ll just say quickly – it’s very Mater-centric, visually stunning, and pretty clever.  It will make millions. There will be a Cars 3.  The world will rejoice.  Or at least, in my opinion.

Hey, maybe I’ll be at the premiere of Cars 3?!

What, too soon?

After the movie we strolled out of the side entrance to the theater right behind it to Hollywood High School to the opening of the World Grand Prix attraction where the after party was held.  If you live in the LA area be sure to check this out – you can view the movie at the El Capitan and then head over to the attraction after, just like we did for the premiere.  There you’ll find the Tokyo Tower Gravity Slide, Mission McMissile Spy Game, Springtime in Paris Eiffel Tower Bungee Jump, Wall O’Tires Climbing Wall, Time Trial Race Track and even more.  I felt like a big kid – and all of the kids of the cast and crew were obviously enjoying themselves as well.

Check out our official video recap from the afterparty!

We were wandering around the World Grand Prix attraction in awe, bumping into celebrities like Cheech Marin, Wilmer Valderrama, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, Owen Wilson, and more.  At one point, we stopped as John Lasseter posed along side of his newest addition to the Cars franchise – Finn McMissile – to snap a photo.  As he walked away Morgan stopped him and told him how much we enjoyed the movie and Mr. Lasseter stopped to talk to us, asking how we enjoyed it, if we were having a good time, etc.  He was so nice and seemed genuinely interested in how we enjoyed the experience.

I was totally geeked out at that point.

John Lasseter with Finn McMissile

Of course, before we headed out we did a few wrap-up shots at the after party.  One of them involved me climbing into a real race car, through the window, IN A DRESS.  Sadly this shot did not make it into the final video but I felt it was necessary to point out that I climbed through the window of a race car in hopes of getting the perfect shot.

Proof that I climbed in this race car!

Who am I kidding?  That makes a great story!

I could not have imagined a more amazing night.  We stayed at the after party until we were kicked out – almost literally, and then I buzzed about what an amazing night it was the entire ride home.

This post is plenty long enough, and I’m cringing as the word count climbs even futher so I’m going to wrap it here. HOWEVER – I’m currently working on editing together some of my personal video footage for a little Cars 2 Remix – so I’ll have another post up within a few days with that in it!  In the meantime, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed my little peek into Hollywood!

Disclosure: I have a working relationship with Rayovac and this post is a direct result of that relationship. As usual I keep it real and all thoughts, opinions, and insanely excited moments are solely my own.

So this year, skip the mall, head online and make your Dad beam with pride. Oh, and if you have any other great suggestions share them in the comments. The more ideas Erika has the better, right?

FitBit – If the Dad in your life is an exercise fan, a geek or just needs to be motivated to get off the couch and regain a little spring in their step, the FitBit is the perfect gift. Clip it on your belt and you get the number of calories burned, the steps you’ve taken and the mileage you’ve traveled. Plus, wear FitBit at night and it’ll track your sleep efficiency. But wait, there’s more! The online dashboards, goal setting modules, friend connections and community are really where FitBit starts to shine. At just under $100, it’s a great gift for Dad – just be sure he doesn’t throw it in the wash!

Dyson Air Multiplier Bladeless Fan – Our family is a fan family, and to this day my Dad can’t sleep without a fan on. So if you’re looking to geek out on the latest in fan tech, skip the Vornado and head straight for the Dyson. It’s the first bladeless fan, which means it has a beautiful design and an even better wind stream to keep Dad cool while he catches some deserved mid-afternoon zzz’s.

Netflix Streaming Subscription – Some, ok me, might say that the gifts that keep on giving are the best of all. Because while a new gadget or shirt is nice, a subscription service gives Dad the ultimate – choice – every day of the year. Netflix streaming packages are less than $10/month and give Dad instant access to tens-of-thousands of movie titles and TV shows straight from his iPad, Xbox, iPhone, Android phone, Internet-enabled TV or computer. If you think your Dad will scratch his head at the gift, just tell him he can now watch every episode of Cheers ever made, back-to-back. Trust me, he’ll get it.

Audible.com – Another great subscription, especially for dad’s that are on the go. Remember books on tape? Well, imagine the Amazon for audio books that you play on your phone or iPod. In fact, Amazon owns Audible, and with a subscription you can guarantee Dad a new book title every month. There are thousands of books including the top Amazon and New York Times Bestsellers. It’s a book, a month, all year. To a bibliophile there is nothing better.

Apps for the iPhone – Sure Dad has the iPhone, but when you stare at his home screen and see that he only has the basic apps and Angry Birds you die a little on the inside. There is clearly a whole world of apps out there that are waiting to bring his iPhone to life. The easiest way to do this is to buy an iTunes gift card, and then sit down with him and pick a few out to get started. Then he’ll have some cash left over to buy a few on his own. Here are a few of my favorites: Path, Instagram, AutoStitch, Plants vs. Zombies, QuickOffice, MLB At-Bat, Skype, Simplenote, NBA Jam. Get him started with those gems and then get ready to hear “I didn’t know it could do that!” clear on through to next Father’s Day.

The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun – Thanks to Erika, I own both Geek Dad and the latest from Ken Denmead, The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun: Cool Hacks, Cutting Edge Games and More Awesome Projects for the Whole Family. Denmead, who writes for Wired’s blog of the same name, has assembled a collection of geeky projects that dads and kids can do together. The projects are fun, inexpensive and range in difficulty, making it perfect for any dad with kids 5 – 13. My son and I have made LED fireflies and are working on PVC Nerf blow dart guns next. I can’t wait till he’s a bit older to break out the soldering gun and bring our Legos to life. If the dad in your life is a geek, and you want to inspire the inner-geek in your kid, pick up these books. They’re tons of fun.

Bonobos Clothes – Walk into most retailers and the men’s section is roughly the size of a half-bathroom with few, if any, selections that really inspire. So instead of choosing from slim pickings, head on over to the online clothing store MADE for MEN, Bonobos, and pick up some stylish threads built to fit dad to a T. I particularly like the vintage sports tees. But everything they have is amazing – pants, shorts, suits, you name it.

Nook Color – I’m a Kindle guy, but I can’t help but jealously eye those Nook Colors. The Nook Color is more like a tablet than a stand alone e-reader. You can send email, surf the web, play Angry Birds, oh yeah, and read! At $249 it’s half the cost of the iPad and still a great geeky gift for your gadget-loving Dad.

A Magazine Subscription – Whether it’s Wired, Rolling Stone or The Economist, you can’t go wrong with a subscription that keeps Dad in the know. Grab a copy off the news stand so you have something to give, and tell him it comes with at least 12 more just like it. Thoughtful, easy, inexpensive. Win.

iPad 2 - Its predecessor topped my Dad’s Day list last year, and now, more than ever, it’s the ultimate gift for a geeky dad. You’ve seen the ads, you know the deal. If you’re looking for a true statement gift, this is it. I shouldn’t need to say much more.

Tickets to a Ballgame – There’s nothing quite like being at a ballgame with your Dad. Remember the first one you went to? Kind of felt like magic, right? But with ticket prices so high, who can afford it anymore? Well you can if you use ScoreBig. Like a Priceline for sports, concert and theater tickets, you save up to 60% off the retail price. With ScoreBig, you decide how much you want to pay for tickets, plus there are never any fees and every ticket is 100% guaranteed. It’s members only right now, but luckily I work there, so here’s a special invite to skip the waiting list and get in now. Why not grab a couple of tickets to the game for you and your pops? And if he’s more of a rocker, you can rock out at a concert of your choice instead.

L.A. Noire – If you have a gamer in the house this is one of the two must-have games on the list for this year. Made by the legendary game shop Rockstar Games, this title takes you back to 1940’s Los Angeles, where you play a detective in a giant game of ‘who dunnit?’ where things aren’t what they seem and characters change allegiances and stories at the drop of a hat. Definitely one to play after the kids are in bed. The stunning graphics, expansive world and nuanced stories make this a winner.

Portal 2 – The other blockbuster game of the year. If your Dad is more of a problem-solving puzzle master, ditch Sudoku and get him this mind bender. In a game that is more mind power than fire power, your Dad’s smarts will be put to the test as he tries to defeat the evil GLaDOS. It’s been called the most anticipated game of 2011 – trust me, your Dad will thank you for it.

Xbox Kinect – And while we’re speaking of games, we can’t forget the next-gen sensation that is the Xbox Kinect. Ditch the controller and get off the couch with Kinect’s body-controlled interface. If your Dad liked Minority Report, he’ll love this. Use your hands and body to navigate characters through games, truly putting you in the middle of the action. With titles for him and the whole family, Kinect takes the idea of the Wii to the next level.

Adidas Rod Laver – I love Zappos. With free 48 hour shipping and 365 days to make a return, you can’t go wrong. Add on top of that the world’s largest collection of clothing and shoes and you’ve got a winner in my book. I’m a fan of the Adidas Rod Laver. Classic, understated and cool. They work just as well in the office as they do on the weekend. Keep Dad young and hip with a pair of these. You’ll see a spring in his step in no time.

A Cool Watch – Nothing adds geek cred like a conversation-starting watch. But skip the Timex and grab one of these cool watches. While Hipsters may go for the calculator watch, add a bit more class and go for the subtle nod to geekdom with the Cadence 4-bit Chronoraph. With a July launch you’ll need to let him know it’s coming, but it’ll be worth the wait. It’s clean design says “I know what’s up” rather than “I’m a follower”. After all, that calculator watch lost it’s cool when it ended up in Urban Outfitters.

Altec Octiv Mini – I’ve been using this since last Father’s Day and it’s been my most used gadget ever since. Part iPhone charger, part alarm clock, part sound system, this little gem is where my iPhone goes at night, and wakes me up with tunes of my choice. The small footprint doesn’t take away from the great sound it gives music on your phone. So toss that old alarm clock and upgrade to the Altec Octiv Mini.

Beats by Dre – Not only do they carry the name of the most influential Hip Hop artist of our generation, they also get rave reviews for their clear highs and clean bass. I recommend the Solo HDs. They sound great and they just look cool. They’re not cheap, but if your dad spends a bunch of time on the train, subway or plane, hook him up with some sonic enjoyment.

Countertop garden – Bring a little Zen to Dad’s life with a desk or counter top garden. Trust me, he’ll love playing Daniel-son and reliving the hundreds of times he watched the Karate Kid. These cool planters are clean, easy to maintain and bring some natural beauty to any cubicle or counter top.

These Guys Have All the Fun – The ESPN Book – Give Dad 700+ pages of the inside scoop to his favorite network. This tell all includes the sometimes sordid and messy details of life at ESPN behind the scenes of SportsCenter. From the writers who brought you the New York Times bestselling look behind Saturday Night Live, this book will give Dad all he ever wanted to know about the Worldwide Leader and more.

So that’s a wrap for this year’s gift guide. Have any great suggestions? Add them in the comments. And remember, every one of these gifts is better when it comes with a big hug and an “I love you Dad.” Trust me, we’re a sucker for those, every time.

Days after returning from a sun-filled honeymoon in the Seychelles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greeted President and Mrs. Obama at Buckingham Palace on Monday.  No stranger to fashion, the First Lady chose a pale green, embroidered frock by Barbara Tfank, paired with a cropped pink jacked and silver kitten heels.  A tanned, slim Catherine chose a simple, beige, body con bandage dress by Reiss.

Duchess Catherine most certainly outshone the First Lady, and has yet again created a fashion frenzy, with the US division of Reiss selling out of the $340 “Shola” dress in two days.  Not only that, but frenzied buyers managed to crash the Reiss website due to high demand!

Do you like the look that the Duchess chose for the occasion?  Would you wear this dress?  Let us know in the comments!

Our kiddos had an amazing time – riding together in the front of the Monorail, Finding Nemo as a family, spinning like crazy on the Teacups, and Soarin’ Over California.  It was a really amazing time for the four of us, and I cannot thank Christine and Rayovac enough for making it all happen.

Though I haven’t done as much blogging about Disney here on Chic Shopper Chick, I’ve done a fair share of writing and tweeting (and most certainly Facebooking and Flickring) about the fact that I’m a Disney FANATIC. We are annual passholders to both parks (as in Disneyland and Walt Disney World), DVC members, and at this point, we’ve been so frequently that my daughter thinks the Southwest airplanes are actually “Mickey airplanes”.  Also, this marked her 10th visit to a Disney Resort of some sort.  She is 4.

Heck, I love the Disney Resorts SO much that I was even able to share that love with others in a Disney Parks commercial!

I’m sure you can see why, when Rayovac came to me with an insanely cool proposal involving the Cars 2 Premiere, I jumped at the chance to get involved.  Check out the announcement video that I made for you at the not-yet-finished Cars Land in Disney’s California Adventure!

You heard right – I’m going to be representing Rayovac on the Red Carpet for the premiere of Cars 2 in Hollywood! I’m so excited to be reporting on behalf of Rayovac, and I’ll be sure to be back here to update you as the June 18th premiere gets closer!

Disclosure: While this post was not compensated, I did benefit from the ongoing relationship that I have with Rayovac, and this post is a reflection of that relationship. However, my opinions are and always have been 100% mine.