Archives for June 2015

How Was Pixar’s Inside Out Made?

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Have you seen Inside Out yet? What are you waiting for? My girls and I was it last Friday on opening day and we LOVED it! It is perfect for families of all ages!  Take a look at this hilarious video featuring the cast of INSIDE OUT explaining what they think goes into making a Pixar animated movie!

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Visit the official INSIDE OUT website: http://www.wdsmediafile.com/walt-disney-studios/InsideOut/


Do you ever look at someone and wonder what is going on inside their head? Disney•Pixar’s original new film “Inside Out” ventures inside the mind to find out.

image003Based in Headquarters, the control center inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind, five Emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), whose mission is to make sure Riley stays happy. Fear (voice of Bill Hader) heads up safety, Anger (voice of Lewis Black) ensures all is fair and Disgust (voice of Mindy Kaling) prevents Riley from getting poisoned—both physically and socially. Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith) isn’t exactly sure what her role is, and frankly, neither is anyone else.

image009When Riley’s family relocates to a scary new city, the Emotions are on the job, eager to help guide her through the difficult transition. But when Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind—taking some of her core memories with them—Fear, Anger and Disgust are left reluctantly in charge. Joy and Sadness must venture through unfamiliar places—Long Term Memory, Imagination Land, Abstract Thought and Dream Productions—in a desperate effort to get back to Headquarters, and Riley.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.”, “Up”), produced by Jonas Rivera, p.g.a. (“Up”) and featuring an original score by Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Up”), Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” opens in theaters on June 19, 2015.

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ANT-MAN In Theaters July 17th

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No shield? No hammer? No armor? No problem! Marvel’s newest hero, ANT-MAN hits theaters July 17!!!

From the studio that brought you The Avengers, check out Marvel’s newest movie starring Paul Rudd!!!antmanThe next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man.” Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Marvel’s “Ant-Man” stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne, Corey Stoll as Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket, Bobby Cannavale as Paxton, Michael Peña as Luis, Tip “T.I.” Harris as Dave, Wood Harris as Gale, Judy Greer as Maggie, David Dastmalchian as Kurt, and Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym.

Peyton Reed directs Marvel’s “Ant-Man” with Kevin Feige producing and Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Edgar Wright and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. The story is by Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish and the screenplay is by Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish and Adam McKay & Paul Rudd. Marvel’s “Ant-Man” delivers a high-stakes, tension-filled adventure on July 17, 2015.

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ANT-MAN opens in theaters everywhere on July 17th!

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First Look at Zootopia Coming to Theaters March 2016

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As a BIG Disney lover and animal lover I am so excited to share this sneak peek of an upcoming Disney movie featuring a city of animals, Zootopia.  Take a look and let me know what you think.
ZOOTOPIAThe modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.

Zootopia5579e313c4d5eLike Zootopia on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DisneyZootopia

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ZOOTOPIA opens in theaters everywhere March 4th, 2016!

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Top Tips to Travel as an Ecotourist This Summer

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The idea of “ecotourism” has become an increasingly hot subject within the travel and tourism industries. Tourism has exploded over the last few decades as travel to distant locales has become progressively easier, but it has not been without a cost. The International Civil Aviation Organization reports that the number of yearly international air passengers has more than quadrupled since 1972.

Collectively, we’ve become a more educated civilization because of the innovations in travel—we’ve also left a harmful carbon footprint that cannot be erased.

If you want to see the world but leave as little of an environmental impact in your wake as possible, here is a look at what you can do to become an Eco-tourist.

Pack a Lighter Bag

Not only will packing a smaller, lighter bag require you to carry fewer disposable items, it will increase the fuel efficiency of any plane on which you travel. Anything you can do to decrease the impact of transatlantic flight is the first step in the right direction.

Don’t Fly

Perhaps the best thing you can do is not fly at all. There are plenty of ways to capitalize on inexpensive means of travel that can be an adventure all on their own. Consider renting a fuel-efficient vehicle and taking a road trip.

However you get to your destination, once you do arrive, ditch the gas-guzzlers and explore other ways to get around. The Dig reminds travelers that biking or walking can be an adventure, while also saving a notable amount of money.

Reduce Use

You can minimize your impact by reducing your use of important resources. Take shorter showers, use refillable water containers instead of disposable ones, and recycle everything possible. If you are staying in a hotel, reuse your towels to reduce laundry cycles. Also, hang the “Do Not Disturb” card on the door throughout your stay to reduce the number of housekeeping cleanings that occur, thus reducing the amount of chemicals, water, and energy used on your behalf.

Respect the Locale and the Locals

Ecotourism is about more than just reducing your carbon impact—it’s about reducing your overall negative impact on the places you visit.

Respect the customs and practices of areas you visit and treat the locals with dignity. Consider staying with local families when you travel abroad. Not only will this give you a more intimate look into everyday life in the places you visit, it also decreases the demand for sprawling resorts that eat away local resources and leave an architectural black spot in many historic locations.

Give, Don’t Take

The more that you travel, the more you learn not to take things for granted, particularly when your travels take you to developing countries. Spend less time choosing souvenirs and instead consider bringing along educational materials to share with the locals. Shop locally to support the residents instead of making a beeline to the nearest fast food chain that has thrown down roots in paradise. By spending your time and money wisely, you can preserve local cultures and help them to thrive.

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Don’t Forget These 5 Important Things When Creating a Family Friendly Garden

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We would all love to spend more time with our children, out in the garden. Especially now the sunshine is out to play! Not all of us have a backyard that is suitable for the whole family, however. It may be because you haven’t touched it since last summer. Maybe there are too many hazards around. Whatever the reason, creating a family friendly garden is probably high up on your to-do list. If it is, then you’re going to need to remember a few things. Here are 5 important factors to consider when creating a family friendly garden. So many of which people always forget!

4353671803_e0e987132b_zImage from Flickr

1. The Basics

You don’t want your children running around in long grass or being surrounded by potentially hazardous weeds. Before you start anything, it’s important to get the backyard cleared up. This means mowing the lawn for starters. You should mow it every few weeks during the summer, as it grows a lot quicker. Make sure you get rid of any weeds that have overgrown since you last ventured out into the garden. Some can be dangerous for kids. Replace the weeds with potted plants and flower beds, for the perfect, pretty little garden.

2. Privacy

You don’t really want your kids playing out in the garden for all the neighbours to see. Or perhaps even passers-by! It’s a good idea to consider how private your backyard is before you let the children loose out there. One option is to build a fence, but you may have to ask for permission first. Leyland Cypress privacy trees are another good idea, to keep out prying eyes. If you plant them close enough together, you also don’t need to worry about the kids wandering off.

3. Garden Tools

You should always keep your garden tools out of the reach of small hands. They are one of the biggest hazards in the garden, but also one of the most interesting to children. There are plenty of ways you can store your garden tools, depending on how big your backyard is. A locked shed is one of the best options. You can also make your own garden storage if there’s no room for a shed.

14399636619_0132cda310_zImage from Flickr

4. Furniture

Every good family friendly backyard should have furniture in it! Where else are people going to sit when you have a garden party? Lots of people forget about the furniture until the last minute. Then it’s a mad dash to find something that will fit the whole family round. Make sure you do your research and measure up the space you have available. You could create benches out of pallets for a cheap and unique option. Alternatively, buy the classic round table and chairs. Complete with parasol for protection from the sun.

5. Fun for the Kids

If you want to encourage your children to play outside more then you need to give them some kind of incentive. Create areas in the garden which are their designated play zones. It doesn’t have to be anything big or fancy. You don’t need to put up a treehouse if you don’t have the space! You could invest in some garden toys or a simple paddling pool. Just something which will let the children know they have their own space. So, go out and play!

This is a great list to print off and keep with you when you’re revamping the family garden. Don’t forget any of the essentials and you’ll all have the perfect summer. In your very own backyard!

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Smart investing to ensure your family’s financial future

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how-to-save-money-600Everyone wants to ensure their family’s financial future, and there are many options you can look at so that your family will be well provided for. Retirement is a big step for anyone, so when you get to the stage where you have an opportunity to do so, you’ll want to have made sure that you’ve made good investments that will give you and your family financial security in later years.

Paying for a pension

When you’re starting out in the world of work, it’s easy not to think about when you are going to retire. Life is busy, fun, and the future is, well, the future. If your employer has a scheme that the business contributes to when you have set up your own pension plan, then it’s one of the best ways to start building up your retirement pot because it’s free money that will earn interest over the years.

Even if you’re not plugged in at the beginning to how your pension could grow, it’s worth taking the time to find out from your pension company what your money is being invested in, and what the returns are, and are projected to be.

Becoming financially savvy isn’t hard, but you do need to take the time to find out what’s going on.

Investment planning

Whether or not you have a pension, there’s no reason to ignore opportunities for investment that may present themselves. What should you invest in to get a good return and build up further money for when you retire?

The first thing to do is to research the world of finance. Look at business sectors that are doing well, or try to spot ones that have had problems but look as if they are going to deliver in the future. Buying stocks needs to be done carefully, so getting professional advice is a sensible way forward.

An investment professional such as Najib Mikati, Prime Minister of Lebanon twice, has a wealth of experience in the financial world. M1 Group, which he founded in 2007 with his brother, has a wide range of investments in a variety of sectors. These include real estate assets in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, the ownership of several clothing brands, and energy and consumer goods investments. That experience has qualified him to give respected investment advice to many organizations and individuals.

Diversify your portfolio

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” states the proverb, so you should look to a mixture of investments when building your portfolio. Investing is not an exact science, so hedge your bets by having a range of different asset classes. These could be real estate, bonds, equities, or commodities such as energy or tech firms. By spreading your risk, you’re more likely to make gains even if one asset class goes through a bad time.

Successful investment comes down to researching and then weighing up the amount of risk you are prepared to take. There’s no point in wishing on a star and hoping things will turn out for the best. Solid analysis will serve you far better.

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Understanding the modern world of scholarships as a parent of a teenager

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how-to-save-money-600 Depositphotos_2016094_m (789x1024)It is a well-known fact that America is an expensive country for higher education. The last year of high school can be a period of flux for both teenager and parents. On one hand, you’re researching, identifying, and applying to multiple universities, while on the other, you’re juggling the financial impact of getting the numbers to add up.

The financial angle is even more relevant when you consider that 47 percent of undergraduates in America have an annual family income under $40,000. A combination of scholarships and financial aid, coupled with student and parent loans, are the basic funding pools.

Most US universities have a lower fee structure for in-state students and much higher tuition fees for both international and out-of-state students. Part of this is down to the funding structure of the universities and the grants they receive from both state and federal government.

You need to look thoroughly at the scholarship and financial aid offered by both the state and your chosen university. The amount of scholarships and aid offered as well as the eligibility criteria will vary across the universities, but you should explore and exhaust these avenues first before you move on to the loan options.

Plan to fill in your FAFSA form for financial aid as soon as it becomes available in early January; by the submission deadline of July 1, the bulk of aid has already been disbursed as requests for financial aid are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Start with state-level scholarships such as HOPE in Georgia and the Bright Futures Scholarship Program in Florida. Most of these scholarships are funded by the state and federal government with some private funding in the form of donations.

Most universities have their own scholarship programs that may be funded in part or whole by corporations and private individuals. Scholarships and financial aid can be both need-based and merit-based, and you need to be clear on the basis of your application.

Donations and endowments from private and corporate philanthropy form a significant part of scholarships that are offered at various universities. Lord Laidlaw is one such individual who regularly donates funds towards university scholarship programs, and he made headlines recently with a donation to his alma mater, Columbia University (see Lord Laidlaw donates $2 million). The highly successful Scottish businessman and former member of the House of Lords is currently the owner of Laidlaw Capital Management and Laidlaw Estates. In his words, “Scholarships are a direct way to give more people access to the world-class education I had at Columbia.”

The next avenue to explore is the area of student loans. These are either federal loans offered by the government or private loans from institutions such as banks and credit unions. These are loans that need to be paid back with interest, and federal loans are often a preferred choice due to a lower interest rate and greater flexibility in repayment.

The financial planning required for college education is often at par with that of buying a house, what with the meticulous planning and budget balancing required. Scholarships and financial aid are the silver linings that parents and teenagers can count on.

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How to Enjoy London While Spending less

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London, the UK. Red bus in motion and Big BenAre you planning to take a trip to London during the holiday season, but you’re not sure if your money is enough? Don’t worry too much! Even though London is considered as one of the most expensive cities in the country, it does not really mean that you need to empty your bank account just to enjoy a week there.

Of course, you need to spend considerable amount of money for the airfare, but once you landed, you can easily find restaurants or accommodations that are cheap.  Read on and discover simple but effective ways to have fun while on a budget-friendly trip to London.

1. Take a walking tour

If it’s your first time to visit the city, you’ll probably notice these double-decker tour buses driving around. Although it’s tempting to just sit inside the bus while listening to the commentary, it’s better to just take the tour by yourself.  Usually, these double-decker buses only follow a single, traffic-filled route. Instead of seeing the picturesque infrastructures of London, all you’ll ever get is a sea of cars. Strolling on your own, or joining a guided walking tour, is a better option because it allows you to explore a larger portion of the city.

2. Visit the free attractions

As mentioned earlier, London is one of the most luxurious cities in the world. However, what’s amazing about this city is that the city has a lot of museums that are free to visit. Examples of this include the British Museum, Victoria and Albert, and the Tate Modern Museum. If you wanted to visit their most popular attractions, the tickets cost around $15 which isn’t so bad as well.

3. Where to find cheap accommodation?

A lot of the hostels in London have undergone a major renovation over the past few years. Gone are the days when hostels where perceived as subpar and dirty. These days, a lot of these places are clean and offer modern amenities.

4. Great views

Some of the greatest views in London don’t cost a single penny. Examples of these picturesque sights include the Parliament Hill and the Primrose Hill. You can also visit the Portrait Café (found inside the National Portrait Gallery) if you want to see stunning views of the Trafalgar Square.

5. Oyster Cards

An Oyster Card is a rechargeable travel card that you can use for riding the London Underground, or as the locals call it, the tube. You can get these cards when you arrive at Heathrow. This’ll help you save up on your travel expenses.

Got any budget tips to share? Post them in the comments!

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4 Best Decisions For Your Health And Your Bank Balance

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how-to-save-money-600Source:

Seeking a healthy lifestyle is something most of us try to do for our families. However, it can be difficult to achieve this if you are working on a strict budget.

Nonetheless, it’s not all doom and gloom. Even if money is tight, that shouldn’t be an excuse to not live a healthy home life. As long as you’re smart, there is absolutely nothing to worry about and your whole family will soon be reaping the benefits.

These four easily implemented suggestions will quickly loosen the purse strings as well as making a huge difference to your health and general well-being.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is a horrid habit. As well as doing damage to your own body, passive smoke can harm those around you. Worse still, you have to pay through the nose to keep the habit.

Stopping isn’t easy but there are plenty of products to help. Successfully quit and you’ll soon feel more capable of partaking in sports and other enjoyable activities with the family. And you’ll have more money to do it.

Cook From Scratch

Processed food is full of additives and ingredients that do us no good whatsoever. We all know this, but it’s very tempting to choose ease over nutrition. This is a stupid decision, however, for your stomach and your wallet.

Cooking your own food can be made fun, especially if you have children. Moreover, growing your own fruit and veg produces a quality of produce that the supermarkets just can’t match.

That’s not to say you can’t serve up a quick dinner of chicken nuggets and chips, but cooking healthy and from scratch is something you should look to do on a regular basis.

Cut Your Medication Bills

We all get ill from time to time and those unexpected bills can really take their toll on our bank balance. However, nothing beats a clean bill of health and nobody would ever suggest skipping on the necessary medication.

It would be a lot better if you didn’t have to pay quite as much, though. Right? Thanks to the prescription discount card, you can chop those charges significantly.

Staying healthy without spending as much money, that has to be a smart move for any family.

Quit The Gym

This one might sound a little contradictory for those wanting to gain a healthier body. The truth is, though, the expensive memberships often don’t offer value for money.

If you happen to be a regular gym-goer and enjoy it then stick at it. However, if you find yourself using it just a couple of times a month out of pure guilt then you clearly aren’t getting the benefits. Quit the gym and use that money to partake in an activity you actively seek pleasure from whilst also encouraging your children to lead a healthy life too.

By not going for a couple of months, you’ll soon be able to afford a new bicycle. Perhaps going on group rides is the secret to your family rediscovering their love of an active life.

 

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Tips For Helping Your Kids Stay Healthy During The Summer Holidays

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We all know how difficult it can be to make sure your kids eat the right foods and get enough exercise when the school year finishes. Spending six weeks or more at home could encourage them to use their games consoles all day long or vegetate in front of the TV. You should make sure your little ones remain as active as possible during that time. Below this introduction, there are lots of fun and cool ideas that should help you to achieve your goal. At the end of the day, kids who become unhealthy are far more likely to contract serious health conditions in later life. So, it’s best to start as we mean to go on.

Find a hobby for them

Your kids probably aren’t the best at selecting a hobby that is going to keep them active. So, take the decision out of their hands and take a look yourself. Joining a local sports team or club is a brilliant way of helping them to stay in shape during the summer months. On top of that, they might even make some new friends. Socializing is important when you are young, and meeting new people is a fantastic way of improving their communication skills. If your child doesn’t like sports, maybe you should consider buying them a camera and teaching them how to take good photographs? Finding the best locations is sure to involve a lot of walking, and that is good for them too.

Make sure they don’t drink fizzy pop

While it is okay for children to consume fruit drinks, you should keep them away from fizzy pop like Coca-Cola. That is because it contains far too much sugar and caffeine. Ideally, you should push your child towards drinking water, just make sure it’s not the stuff out of your kitchen tap. Home water delivery is not as expensive as you might think, and it could also help you to save the planet. That is because it can be ordered in large containers that limit the amount of plastic waste you create.

Go for family bike rides

It can be hard to find time to spend together as a family. However, you should set one day aside each week for a bike ride together. That will assist your child in staying healthy while also making sure they get some much-needed quality time with mom and dad. There are sure to be some woods or designated tracks in your local area that are suitable. If you don’t know of any, just search Google, and you are certain to find the perfect location. Just make sure you take a packed lunch and some drinks. Also, ensure everyone has all the necessary safety equipment. If it is possible, you should try to steer clear of main roads or anywhere your child could suffer an injury.

That’s all I’ve got time for this morning guys. However, you should not have some basic ideas about what you can do to look after your bundle of joy during the school holidays. Now all you have to think about is finding a babysitter to care for them in the daytime while you are at work. Have an amazing summer, and I’ll see you back here soon!

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