I had the pleasure of reviewing I Caught Santa back in 2011 and they are back! 

My kids still talk about the video to this day.

 Giveaway time!

How would you like to win your very own The Santa Video? Enter below and you could be one of three winners.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this  giveaway. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Built in 1718 by Spanish missionaries, the Alamo was the first of five missions built in present-day San Antonio in an attempt to convert the Native American population to Christianity and assimilate into Spanish society.

The Alamo was originally intended as a Franciscan mission and evolved into a military post for the Mexican army just before the Mexican-American War.  The fort served as a crucial battle and turning-point in the effort for Texas independence.

Though all Texan defenders of the Alamo were killed during the siege, the battle inspired many Texans to join the Texan Army to fight for independence. The deep desire to avenge the losses incurred at the Alamo helped Texas defeat the Mexican Army at the battle of San Jacinto in April of 1836.

Today, the Alamo sees approximately 2.5 million visitors per year to honor the 13-day siege. Managed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas since 1905, the 4.2 acre complex hosts 3 buildings holding relics and details of the battle and war for Texas.

When you visit San Antonio, be sure to live the battle cry of the Texas army and “remember the Alamo!” with a visit to the historical shrine.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. This Infographic was Powered by Marriott. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Celebrate in Style This New Year’s

Salute to Vienna, January 5 at the Long Center

New Year. New Show. New Memories.

November 2, 2013 (Austin, TX) — Salute to Vienna celebrates 19 years of New Year’s tradition, rounding off the holiday season with its famous simultaneous concert series. Modeled after Vienna’s Neujahrskonzert tradition, Salute to Vienna answers the question of “what should we do at New Year’s” for over 40,000 people across North America every year. Salute to Vienna is at the Long Center January 5. Tickets are on sale now and start at just $42!

The show is light-hearted and full of energy: a full orchestra offers the lilting waltzes of Johann Strauss Jr. and his contemporaries, costumed dancers bring those waltzes to life, and singers–hand-picked from Europe’s finest opera-houses–present stories of love, romance, and comedy to eager audiences in the most prestigious concert halls across the continent.

Over an action-packed five days this New Year’s season, Salute to Vienna will host more than 20 live performances across Canada and the United States. With a brilliant cast of over 75 musicians, singers, and dancers in each city, Salute to Vienna features a vibrant new program every year. 

The Long Center’s performance this year will be Austin’s premiere of the show. It will feature the Strauss Symphony of America conducted by Viennese conductor Alexander Steinitz, along with soprano Iva Mihanovic and tenor Valeriy Serkin. Dancers will include International Champion Ballroom Dancers and dancers from the Europaballett–St. Pölten (Austria).

Salute to Vienna is a timeless tradition. Like a glass of champagne, it celebrates the hope and opportunity of the year ahead. It’s an extravaganza of familiar, easy-to-listen-to music combined with dance, acting and storytelling that recalls happy memories of a time when life was less complicated. It’s a musical confection that delights the ears, eyes, and soul, leaving audiences feeling joyful and filled with energy and optimism, ready to take on the year – and world – that lies ahead. Discover Salute to Vienna for the first time – or all over again.

ABOUT THE LONG CENTER

The Long Center is Austin’s Creative Home, built “by the community, for the community.” The organization is primarily funded by private citizens and corporations and by nature understands the importance of giving. As a non-profit, the Long Center collaborates with community partners to sponsor educational programs, host free events on the City Terrace, subsidize rental costs for emerging art groups, and gift tickets to charitable and community-minded organizations. The Long Center also provides the best overall live entertainment experience of any venue in Austin. It is home to the Symphony, Opera and Ballet and boasts additional eclectic programming spanning diverse audiences. A commitment to acoustic excellence combined with exceptional theater site lines and an unparalleled outdoor view of Austin creates a magical experience and lasting memories.  Austinites of all ages and interests are invited to explore the Long Center to expand their cultural perspective and appreciation of the arts. For more information, please visit TheLongCenter.org or call (512) 474-LONG (5664) for ticket information. 

McCallum High School Samba Knights present

an evening of Rio-Style Carnaval music

Grant-funded program with Austin Samba brings Brazilian culture to life

WHO:

McCallum High School Samba Knights 

WHAT:

The Knights of Steel Dessert Concert

WHEN:

Friday, December 13, 2013, 7:00 pm

WHERE:

McCallum High School (cafeteria)
5600 Sunshine Dr, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 414-2519

TICKETS:

Tickets are $10 per person in advance, or $12 at the door. For questions, email kprete@austin.rr.com. Checks will be accepted and may be made out to the McCallum Knights of Steel.

Austin, TX – The newly formed McCallum Samba Knights, patterned after legendary Rio Carnaval drum groups, will debut a new performance of an exciting, expanded repertoire, sporting brand new, colorful Carnaval costumes. The group also includes 15 McCallum student Samba dancers, in spectacular Carnaval regalia, led by Kaitlyn Jolly of the Austin Samba School.

The idea for the Samba Knights at McCallum came about during Austin’s beloved Carnaval Brasileiro, when Matt Ehlers, assistant band director at McCallum Fine Arts Academy approached Robert Patterson, director of Austin Samba School, about a grant opportunity to start a Rio-style samba drum performance group at McCallum. “We have worked with Matt and the kids before, and I told him that I would do whatever was necessary to make the project viable,” Robert said. Funding was ultimately secured through Mindpop; a coordinating body that facilitates a unique collaboration of educators, arts groups and funders.

Once funded, the program launched this past September and has now expanded to 30 dedicated students. Matt also worked directly through a factory in Rio to buy discounted instruments for the students. “This project is pretty much everything Austin Samba stands for: high level cultural outreach, education and collaboration,” says Ehlers.

In order to earn money in to sustain the program, the group plans to perform regularly. Tickets for The Knight of Steel Dessert Concert are $10 per person in advance, or $12 at the door. Checks will be accepted and may be made out to the McCallum Knights of Steel. For booking information, or to donate, please contact: Matt Ehlers mehlers@austinisd.org 512-414-0964.

ABOUT MCCALLUM SAMBA KNIGHTS: The McCallum Fine Arts Academy Samba Knights is a new Brazilian Samba drum performance group, patterned after the legendary Carnaval drum music of Rio.  Privately funded and equipped with new instruments from Rio, the group is associated with Austin Samba School, a non-profit community organization dedicated to the Carnaval music and dance of Brazil.

ABOUT AUSTIN SAMBA SCHOOL: The Acadêmicos da Ópera, or Austin Samba School, is a group of over 70 drummers and 70 dancers. They perform the music and dance of Brazilian Carnaval, from Rio to Bahia. The group performs at parades, festivals and special occasions, bringing the music, movement, color, pageantry and joy of Carnaval to parades, festivals and events throughout the region. Acadêmicos da Ópera was created ten years ago, led by perennial music student and diehard resilient Carnaval fan, Robert Patterson.

Austin Samba School, the guardian angels of the McCallum Samba Knights program, is a non-profit community of approximately 200 volunteers dedicated to the Carnaval music and dance of Brazil. February of 2014 marks their tenth anniversary performing at the legendary Carnaval Brasileiro in Austin. Its performers work year-round in preparation for this spectacular performance. For more information visit www.austinsamba.com.

ABOUT AUSTIN’S CARNAVAL BRASILEIRO: Carnaval Brasileiro began in the early 1970s to offer UT’s Brazilian students a nostalgic dose of their homeland’s legendary festivities, and is now a local institution attracting partygoers from all over the United States. After blowing the roof off one downtown club in 1978, the party immediately outgrew the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters after only one year in residence. Then the old City Coliseum was home to the event for nearly 20 years before settling into its present venue, Palmer Events Center in 2003. Flamboyant, costumes, throbbing Brazilian samba, and spirited atmosphere have earned Carnaval its reputation as the premier such festivity in the country, attracting 6,000 attendees from across the USA. This year, Carnaval Brasileiro takes place on February 1, 2014 at the Palmer Events Center. For more information on Carnaval or to purchase tickets, visit www.sambaparty.com. 

Remember Big? Big 25th Anniversary  is available on Blu-ray/DVD combo on December 10th 2013 courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. 

To celebrate Big 25th Anniversary  Fox has created these nostalgic digital trading cards featuring their favorite moments from the classic film Big. 

AGT is the only talent competition show open to any age and any talent! It’s truly a shocking modern variety show! Over the past seasons, AGT has developed a massive social media presence and their numbers only continue to grow. It goes to show that AGT’s platform can give artists of ANY kind of serious amount of exposure!

Tapestry Dance Company presents its annual and critically-acclaimed Of Mice and Music: A Jazz Nutcracker Saturday, December 14 through Wednesday, December 18, with matinee performances on the 18th and the 19^th at 2:00 pm.

Celebrate the holidays with this delightful adaptation of the classic nutcracker story, told with an original, swinging jazz score by Blue J, a live band and an army of tapping mice.

Tickets are available at www.austintheatre.org or by calling (512) 474-1221, and range from $24-29. For more information on Tapestry Dance Company, classes or donations, visit www.tapestry.org. 

WHAT:
Of Mice and Music: A Jazz Nutcracker – (jazz score by Blue J)

WHERE:
Stateside Theatre at the Paramount
719 Congress Ave, Austin, TX  78701
www.austintheatre.org

WHEN:
December 13, 7 p.m., December 14 at 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.

TICKETS:
www.austintheatre.org
(512) 474-1221
Ticket prices – $24-29

ABOUT TAPESTRY DANCE COMPANY

Long Center Resident Company, Tapestry is a professional, non-profit dance organization founded in 1989 for the purpose of developing a foundation in multi-form dance performance and education and is home to the only repertory tap dance company in North America. Its expansive south Austin, TX facility is home to seven resident artists, an annual tap dance festival, educational outreach programs, and a pre-professional and adult training facility sharing the unique training syllabus of founders Acia Gray and Deirdre Strand.

The events and programs of Tapestry Dance Company include seasonal multi-­‐form concerts at Austin’s Long Center, The Annual Soul to Sole Festival, community outreach programs such as Rhythm, Dance, Music & You!, numerous master classes and workshops in modern, jazz, ballet and rhythm tap as well as touring residencies throughout the world.

The most recent production of the company’s NEA Masterpiece production of The Souls of Our Feet -­ A Celebration of American Tap Dance toured The People’s Republic of China for 5 weeks in October 2011. Tapestry Dance Company is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

ABOUT Artistic Director ACIA GRAY

As soloist, choreographer and master teacher, Ms. Gray has toured extensively across the U.S. and abroad to include England, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Spain, Brazil, Canada and Austria and has shared the stage with such tap greats as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover and Donald O’Connor to name a few.

In June/2002, Ms. Gray was inducted as a premiere member of the Austin Arts Hall of Fame and was nominated for a prestigious Alpert Award in the Arts as well as being a choreographer chosen for the 2003 NEA National College Choreography Initiative. Her critically acclaimed book and Amazon.com category bestseller The Souls of Your Feet – A Tap Dance Guide for Rhythm Explorers is available at all major bookstores and has been translated in the Czech Republic and China.

Profiled in Dance Teacher Now magazine, Ms. Gray also served on the NEA funded Steering Committee for the National Tap Plan, was recently recognized as a leader in the field in Lynn Dally’s UCLA event Women In Tap. Ms. Gray is currently touring her work The Souls of Our Feet – A Celebration of American Tap Dance through the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces: Dance Initiative and was awarded the Third Coast Rhythm Project’s “Legacy Award” and honored as the “2008 Texas Tap Legend” by the Dallas Dance Council and is the 2010 recipient of the “Hoofer Award” by Tap City – The New York City Tap Festival. Ms. Gray currently serves as the President of the International Tap Association. 

I have never tried a chocolate spread before. There are several times when I was at the store that I thought about giving them a try but didn’t.

When the box arrived with the Hershey’s Spreads Chocolate with Hazelnut my kids were fighting each other to be the first to give it a try.

Hershey’s Spreads come in several different flavors; chocolate, chocolate with hazelnut and chocolate with almonds.

The flavor was good, very similar to other Hershey’s products so it maintains it’s identity while competing with other brands with similar products.

I will be honest, I am not crazy about the hazelnut flavor however the container was empty in less than a week so I think Hershey’s is doing something right.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

As a blogger I am often invited to special events to get a taste and share with my readers. It’s really exciting to be one of the first people to experience things and it is even better when I can do this with my family. I was invited to the Austin’s Trail of Lights Light Check earlier this week. This is when they are still in the process of setting up the location but have enough goodies up to share with a select few of the public.

I know I am the odd one out. Even though I have lived in Central Texas all my life (I will not say how long that is lol). I have never gone to the Trail of Lights. Yes, I have always wanted to. I would see the announcements on the news and talk to my family about going but I just never got around to actually going. Let’s face it, at the end of the year it’s more about working overtime and fighting traffic and crowds in the store than what should really matter, family. But as the years go on and I watch my children grow, I am starting to see that it is not about the latest toy and more about spending time with them.

We were the first of the public to walk through the Trail of Lights tunnel. How amazing is that? The Trail of Lights is an absolutely stunning event that should be on your bucket list at least if not a new tradition to add to your families must do Christmas time list.  

This is the 49th year of the Trail of Lights and it will run December 8-22, 2013. That is 15 fun filled days! 

•  More than 30 lighted displays, highlighting favorite holiday characters and Austin icons
• New and improved parking, shuttles and traffic management
• Expanded dining areas featuring the diverse tastes of Austin’s finest food trailers
• Entertainment from a variety of local, regional and national performers
• Family-friendly activities, including holiday photo opportunities, crafts, and of course, a visit with Santa
• A hospitality area for company and group parties
• A merchandise area for smart shopping
• Opportunities throughout the trail to donate to local charities

I think the Austin Trail of Lights will be a family Christmas tradition for many years to come for my family, and I hope yours too.

To receive the latest updates, sign up for the Trail of Lights newsletter at AustinTrailofLights.org, follow the @ATXLights Twitter feed or like the Facebook page at facebook.com/AustinTrailofLights.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary passes to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Looking for a new family holiday tradition? Barton Cheek Spa and Resort has some great packages to offer for the holidays that I just had to share!

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is kicking off its fourth annual Holiday Lights & Ice event on Wednesday, November 27 and will run through January 6, 2013. This will include Austin’s largest outdoor ice rink, 200,000 twinkling lights, a hot chocolate bar with holiday flavored shots like caramel and peppermint, s’mores kits and Frosty’s Family Fun Room for the kiddos. A portion of the proceeds at the event will be donated to Make-A-WishCentral & South Texas.  

Holiday Lights & Ice Package offers a starting rate of $298 per night for a family of four. It includes:

Starting at $298 per night for a family of four The package, which will be available from, includes:

• Cozy luxury accommodations
• One ice skating session per person, per night of stay at Barton Creek’s ice rink – the largest ice rink in Austin
• A festive breakfast buffet in the resort’s AAA Four Diamond-rated Hill Country Dining Room
• Available Nov. 27 – January 6. Guests may call 866-572-7369 to book a reservation

The Omni-wide holiday package titled: “Elves and Eggnog Package” (also available at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, among other resorts). With a 20% discount at participating Omni Hotels & Resorts, the package offers:

• Luxury accommodations
• Eggnog amenity
• Complimentary breakfast for two
• Holiday turndown service with a treat, delivered by hotel elves, “hotelves”
• Late check-out
• Available Nov. 15 – Dec. 30. Guests may call 866-572-7369 for pricing

AUSTIN, Texas – November 20, 2013 – Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa will light up this holiday season with the return of the resort’s fourth annual Holiday Lights & Ice event featuring Austin’s largest ice skating rink and more than 200,000 twinkling lights. The 4,100 square foot rink, located on the tennis court under the twinkling stars, will be open to the public from Wednesday, November 27, 2013, through Monday, January 6, 2014. Local residents, resort guests and club members will enjoy making holiday memories, while knowing a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish^® Central & South Texas.

“We couldn’t be more proud to offer Holiday Lights & Ice for its fourth year and team with Make-A-Wish^® Central & South Texas once more,” said Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa General Manager and Vice President James Walsh. “The event offers guests a magical experience for the holiday season that allows them to support a great cause.”

Make-A-Wish^® Central & South Texas (www.cstx.wish.org) receives thousands of children’s submissions each year and grants wishes to those with life-threatening medical conditions. With the help of Omni Barton Creek and event-goers, a portion of every skating ticket sold will be used to help fulfill wishes to these deserving children.

“Our partnership with Omni Barton Creek has been incredibly special,” said Glenn West, president & CEO at Make-A-Wish^® Central & South Texas. “With the help of their continued support and philanthropic efforts, and those of their visitors through Holiday Lights & Ice, we are able to make children’s most cherished dreams come true.”

Skating rink passes start at $17 for children and $23 for adults. Season passes are available for $155 per person. Seasonal treats including s’mores kits and hot chocolate will be available for purchase.

Skating-inclusive overnight packages are available. Guests may book the new “Holiday Lights & Ice Family Package” with rates starting $298 per night for a family of four with children 12 years old and under, and receive special tidings:

• Cozy accommodations
• One skating session per person, per night of stay
• A festive breakfast buffet in the resort’s AAA Four Diamond-rated Hill Country Dining Room

For additional holiday fun, families may enjoy complimentary access to Frosty’s Family Fun Room, open daily November 27 through January 6. The Holiday Shop located at The Coffee Market will also be available starting November 9 through January 6, and will feature a new Hot Chocolate Bar with holiday flavor shots like caramel and peppermint. The rink will be open for private events, field trips and more. For more information on Holiday Lights & Ice, please call 512-329-4043 or visit bartoncreek.com.

About Omni Barton Creek Resort &Spa

Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Austin’s award-winning Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa combines impeccable service with its own classic brand of casual elegance in a luxurious setting. Heralded as the #1 golf resort in Texas, Omni Barton Creek boasts four nationally acclaimed championship courses. The resort features 309 spacious and beautifully appointed guest rooms, a full-service Three Springs Spa, superior dining experiences in its Hill Country Dining Room and 8212 Wine Bar & Grill, and the industry’s finest meeting and wedding facilities. For more information on Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, call 1-800-336-6158 or visit bartoncreek.com.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at nearly 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America.  From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options. Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations and travel publications. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

About Make-A-Wish®

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. With the help of generous donors and more than 250 volunteers, Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas has granted more than 3,600 wishes to children in 40 counties since 1985.  During the last year, volunteers and donors made it possible for 216 kids to experience the magic of a wish.  For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit www.cstx.wish.org.

Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan star in the R-rated comedy, THAT AWKWARD MOMENT, about three best friends who find themselves where we’ve all been– at that confusing “moment” in every dating relationship when you have to decide “So…where is this going?”

Written and Directed by Tom Gormican, THAT AWKWARD MOMENT co-stars Imogen Poots and Jessica Lucas. Scott Aversano is producing via his Aversano Pictures banner along with Andrew O’Connor, and Justin Nappi and Kevin Turen via the Treehouse Pictures Banner.  The film is executive produced by Manu Gargi, Zac Efron, Jason Barrett, Michael Simkin, John Friedberg, and Peter Schlessel and Lia Buman. The film is scheduled for release January 31, 2014.

Love Minions? So do we!

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS MINION STYLE WITH THE #1 COMEDY OF THE YEAR!

BE THE FIRST TO OWN IT ON DIGITAL HD NOVEMBER 26, 2013

BRING HOME THE BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK DECEMBER 10, 2013

INCLUDING BLU-RAY™, DVD & DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET™

GET THREE ALL-NEW MINION MINI MOVIES NOT SEEN IN THEATERS WHEN YOU BUY THE BLU-RAY™