The Mom Jen, Author at Jen is on a Journey - Page 160 of 322

Build-A-Bear Workshop: Disney Princess Bears

January 31, 2013 by The Mom Jen 90 Comments

When you pair Disney Princesses and Build-a-Bear Workshop, what is created is the perfect loveable toy for my little girl! When the box arrived and I peeked at it before my daughter came home from school, I believe what came out of my mouth was a little SQUEE! The Disney Princess Bear and her pink furry body and princess insignia about her was so adorable and it was going to be a perfect surprise as my youngest celebrates her 7th birthday on Sunday! When my daughter came home, her squeal was double the noise level of mine and she was in love!

She comes with a attached crown and her paws and ears have crowns and the Disney Princesses that we know and love printed right on them.

Clad in my daughter and my favorite Princess Rapunzel dress, the bear was wearing gem heels and came with long blonde wig, and light-up wand. The heels crack me up with the sweet paw print on the sole!

My daughter has a affinity for long blonde hair on dolls or wigs and just can’t wait to start to “brush and brush and brush” Rapunzel’s hair! The wig has rubber bands to attach to the ears of your bear to keep it in place, the wand secures to the arm of the bear similarly. The clothing that you can purchase for the bear is sweet with it’s added lace and satin accents, it really is sweet.

The bears are $23 while each costume for Princesses Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Tiana and Rapunzel sell for $16 each. Visit Build-A-Bear Workshop to see other combinations that include wand, dress, and heels for one great price!

Product was sent to facilitate this review. All opinions always our own.

California Wine Country: A Weekend in Sonoma

January 30, 2013 by The Mom Jen 7 Comments

I feel so lucky to live just a few hours from Sonoma in gorgeous wine country. A few weekends ago my girlfriend and I took a drive over to experience a few days of rest and relaxation that included delicious dining and spectacular wine. Whether you want a girl’s weekend away or a romantic trip with your love, there is lots to do and see in two days!

Where to Stay
On two occasions, I’ve enjoyed the accommodations at El Pueblo Inn. It’s just a short drive to Sonoma Plaza, near grocery stores and shopping, the hotel is comfortable and practical. The heated pool is open year-round, breakfast is complimentary, and the lobby boasts a lovely fireplace and sitting area to enjoy your wine, coffee or tea in the evenings. If you enjoy a little pampering, Sonoma Massage can be enjoyed in room or within walking distance from the hotel. Great for families or girlfriends!

The Lodge at Sonoma is also a beautiful spot to stay with in-house wine tasting offered and the yummy Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar on property. This is a romantic spot and the in-room fireplaces just make it more cozy, check it out. It’s also just down the road from Sonoma Plaza.

Where to Visit
So Sonoma Plaza is the place to start, so park your car and spend a few hours strolling through the shops, visit the wine tasting rooms, and finding a place to eat is easy on each block. Also if you’re a Bachelor fan, Ben Flajnik filmed a few episodes in his home town, you may notice some familiar areas as you look around.

What to Do
You must visit Jack London State Historic Park if you’re in the area. Head up early in the morning and hike around this amazing piece of land in the Valley of the Moon and absorb it’s rich history. Better yet, take a docent let tour and learn about London’s adventurous yet brief life!

If you want a little adventure, different from traditional wine tasting, try a Sip and Cycle tour where you jump on a bike and ride to wineries with lovely catered lunch in between. Look up Getaway Adventures and let Gary know I sent ya!

Where to Eat
Mary’s Pizza Shack is delicious and great for friends, couples, and families to boot.

For some Mexican flair, Maya Restaurant is delicious has amazing salsa and my friend boasts about it’s unique chile rellenos! The chicken tacos were to die for!

Also, a short drive away to Glen Ellen, the Fig Cafe has amazing Margherita pizzas that they can make with goat cheese instead of mozzarella!

Where to Wine

Benziger Family Winery is just down the hill from Jack London park. A beautiful winery with a great tour I hear has very charming wine pourers and fabulous owners. A few joined our hike at the park and we chatted again in their tasting room!

The Benziger winery recommended Imagery Estate Winery not too far away on Hwy 12 and they have the coolest wine labels, and Molly was a fabulous, smart, informative pourer! Check out their port sippers too, very neat!

Envolve Winery has a tasting room in Sonoma Plaza that is owned by Ben Flajnik from ABC’s The Bachelor! The guys in there are so kind, you can sit and they’ll come pour at your table. The best thing, I got to enjoy an all white wine flight while my girlfriend had an all red. We were so happy at this option, I’ve never experienced it!

Gundlach Bundschu was a winery we visited on our bike tour, they gave us a neat tour and a peek into their working caves which was awesome.

Bartholomew Park Winery has an amazing knoll to have a picnic after tasting with great views!

We bottled our own wine at Ravenswood Winery, ask them about their wine blending seminar!

Just writing this makes me yearn to go back to some old favorites and find some more great spots to share! Have you been to wine country?

Reed & Barton Crystal: Soho Decanter Set

January 29, 2013 by The Mom Jen 49 Comments

After a fun run, giving up a set of guitars and an unfortunate steal of the Kindle Fire I had at the end of the Crown Royal Virtual Gift Exchange, I ended up with a tapered cut crystal whiskey decanter set from Reed & Barton Crystal! The set makes a unique gift for the bar or that special occasion – which is anytime you pour a drink including Crown Royal.

Add a new dimension of taste and aroma to fine wines, brandy and spirits with the Soho Decanter from Reed & Barton. This 24 ounce crystal decanter will bring both beauty and function to your home. Measures 11 and 1/2 inches. Elegantly packaged for gift-giving. Part of the Soho Crystal Collection, inspired by the creative energy of the New York artist neighborhood, features classic brilliant cuts that radiate upward in a subtle, understated pattern.

Full Lead Crystal
Heavy Cut
Classic
Cap. 24 oz., H. 11 1/2 “

Perfect for elegantly serving Scotch, whiskey or any mixed drink, the Soho Double Old Fashioned from Reed & Barton will present your drinks in style. This set of four crystal double old fashioned glasses makes a wonderful addition to your barware. Elegantly packaged for gift-giving. Part of the Soho Crystal Collection, inspired by the creative energy of the New York artist neighborhood, features classic brilliant cuts that radiate upward in a subtle, understated pattern.

Full Lead Crystal
Heavy Cut
Classic
Cap. 12 oz., H. 3 7/8″

Similar prizing was sent as part of the Virtual Exchange with Crown Royal.

Sonoma Valley, CA: Jack London State Historic Park

January 29, 2013 by The Mom Jen 7 Comments

The Sonoma Valley is often referred to as The Valley of the Moon, named by Chocuyen Indians who settled there back in the early 1800’s, and is home to Jack London State Historical Park. With over 1400 acres of hiking trails and located among fabulous wineries (next door to Benziger Family Winery), it’s a visit you must take when headed to the area!

Jack London, the prolific novelist behind The Call of the Wild, wrote with a passion and shared his stories from life adventures and experiences. He had rugged good looks and had a strong work ethic that proved him to be most popular in his day. The “Beauty Ranch” (what London called it) honors his spirit and character and you can understand why when you walk about.

I suggest taking a very informative docent led tour, I learned about the determination and vision of a man whose life ended too early.
Structures still on the property include the Sherry Barn (originally built by Chinese laborers with the flat exterior walls typical of Chinese stonework) for the Kohler and Frohling winery in 1884 where London converted it to a stable for his English Shire mares. The Stallion Barn housed six highly prized Shire stallions and the Manure Pit was an innovation designed by Jack in 1914 to collect and store manure for later distribution in the fields.

London and second wife Charmian lived in the cottage on site, purchased in 1911 along with the Kohler and Frohling winery buildings.

It was enlarged after 1911 until it included some 3,000 square feet of living space. Many of his later stories and novels were written on this location on the Beauty Ranch.Once the Kohler and Frohling winery before 1906’s bay area earthquake, London salvaged the space as a carriage house and sleeping quarters for his farm workers.Jack London stumbled upon sustainable farming and didn’t even know it, his Pig Palace is proof positive. The piggery was designed for efficiency to care for prized breeding pigs in a sanitary environment.Jack London died of uremia at the age of 40 in 1916. His wife lived on the property until her death in 1955, their ashes are buried under a rock on the property.

There is so much to see and do at the park, I need to return with my husband! Every month there are ongoing special events at Jack London Park-concerts, themed hikes, and a lecture series as well as daytime family events. Event calendar is always updated on the website. Admission to all events at Jack London Park benefits the park and helps keep it open.

To purchase tickets for ALL these events: reservations are recommended in advance-online www.jacklondonpark.com or tickets purchased at the Museum store. Tickets can be purchased on the day of an event as long as space is available. (for most hikes and outdoor events space is not an issue). Visiting the park also requires a $10 parking fee.

Tour and accompanying wine event was hosted, all photos and opinions my own.

It’s Official: J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII

January 28, 2013 by The Mom Jen 1 Comment

AAAAHHHH, this movie is going to be so cool! My husband and I are HUGE Alias, Fringe, and LOST fans, and this news rocks! Thanks to Disney for this info!

J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay. “It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.” “To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner. Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

What do you think? Are you excited for the new films??