Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts

11.11.2019

Get Medieval for the Holidays with Medieval Times!



Ready to get Medieval for the holidays?

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is offering Extended Black Friday savings now until December 8th! Don your crown and enter into the majesty of Queen Isabella’s 11th century castle. Experience the feats of our breathtaking pure bred Andalusian Stallions and flight of the royal Falcon. Enjoy a delectable four-course feast as you cheer on one of six knights in an authentic 2-hour medieval tournament. *All just $37.95 for Adults and $30.95 for kids 12 and under.

Use coupon code BFBLOG373 at checkout. Make your reservation at www.medievaltimes.com or by calling 1-888-WE-JOUST.


*Must mention or enter code BFBLOG373 at time of purchase. Limited use of 8 people per reservation. May not be combined with any other offer or group rate. Tax, gratuity and applicable fees are additional. Upgrades are additional. Not valid on prior purchases or for the late NYE show. Valid for Dallas location only. Valid for shows through 2/29/2020. Ticket must be purchased by 12/8/2019.


Elizabeth is a wife to her wonderful husband, a work at home mother to her beautiful little girl and a blogger for some time now. When she isn't spending time with her "Livvybug", or laughing with her husband, she is looking for new review opportunities and writing or singing along to classic rock and pop music!

6.30.2019

Enchanted Fairies: The Beauty of a Return!

Image result for Enchanted Fairies logo


Enchanted Fairies: Official Facebook

Enchanted Fairies is an official donor & contributor to Kidd's Kids. An organization started by the late DJ Kidd Kraddick of Dallas, Texas to help make a difference in the lives of special needs children!

Image result for kidds kids

"Keep looking up, because that's where it all is..." - Kidd Kraddick



An amazing part of our Princess Guide!



In April of 2016, I was lucky enough to get to review an experience at Enchanted Fairies. I remember driving there with my sweet little girl, yelling at cars to get out of the way as we were hitting traffic at every turn. This time, I brought my husband so he could see the amazing experience and we left so early, no traffic except for a very small moment. We still parked, and ran straight to Enchanted Fairies excited!


(Exterior of Enchanted Fairies inside Willow Bend Mall in Plano, TX)

7.15.2016

Giveaway! Living Right by Laila Ibrahim! Ten Copies!




A novel by critically acclaimed novelist behind top 2014 bestseller Yellow Crocus, Laila Ibrahim  tackles a subject directly out of the headlines in Living Right. An intimate story about a mother’s struggle to reconcile her religious beliefs with her son's sexual orientation, Living Right strips away the politics of LGBTQ rights to reveal the life and death stakes in this ongoing conflict: family.  


Based in Oakland Laila Ibrahim is compelled to write stories about loving across the differences society tells us to fear or discount. As a wife and mother to young adults, Ibrahim knows the struggles parents face with growing and unexpected changes like sexual identity and faith. Laila's writing has also appeared in the Huffington Post, The Advocate, Washington Blade, Curve Magazine and has been quotes in Teen Vogue.

Paperback copies are available upon request/interest in doing a giveaway and a digital review copy to check out is available on NetGalley here.


Connect with Laila Ibrahim on Facebook, and at www.LailaIbrahim.com.


Living Right is now available in both paperback and e-book formats via Amazon.

This is a multi-social media giveaway. We have two copies for Facebook, Three copies for Twitter, and Five copies for Instagram! So you should enter using all three social media platforms to ensure you have the best chance of winning!



To enter to win your own copy of Living Right, just go below and enter, that simple! The winners will be announced on 08/01/16 on The Review Ballerina on Facebook  as well as the Giveaway Winner Page so make sure to have that page liked and keep an eye out! Winners will have until August 15 from announcement to claim their prize otherwise another winner will be picked! Good luck everyone!!

Living Right by Laila Ibrahim Giveaway


#LivingRight, #LailaIbrahim, #giveaway


Elizabeth is a work at home Mother of a sweet and beautiful daughter. She is a wife of seven years and a blogger for some time now. When she isn't spending time with her "Livvybug" she is looking for new review opportunities and writing or singing along to classic rock and pop music!

4.28.2016

Enchanted Fairies Experience Review



Official Donor & Contributor to Kidd's Kids. An organization started by the late DJ Kidd Kraddick of Dallas, Texas to help make a difference in the lives of special needs children!

Every parent believes that their little girl is a Princess, and their little boy a Prince. Enchanted Fairies gives you the opportunity to get to see your child in such a beautiful light with magic and wonder mixed in. The opportunity to do a review for Enchanted Fairies was a dream come true for me, and after braving traffic for over an hour I was able to finally get us there!

Standing inside Enchanted Fairies, Willow Bend Mall, Plano, Texas
Coming into Enchanted Fairies you felt you were stepping into a whole new world. It is so beautifully decorated with beautiful images of their past models. The large fireplace was gorgeous, and they have crystal beading on so much that is accented by soft light. When you first walk in, you walk in deep and keep going and it could be a little confusing at first. But then you get to the desk and the ladies there are also very wonderful. I tried to get us there 30 minutes before the photo shoot as my daughter was to get her hair and make up done but unfortunately Plano does not understand appointments when it comes to rush hour traffic. We arrived five minutes before, and they wanted to get her in there. They had Olivia pick out her colors for her outfit, and had me sign her in using a computer. After signing her in, we were told we could wait in the Theater room which was playing "The Lego Movie".



The screen was big, and loud. They had extremely comfortable leather seats to relax in but of course I couldn't relax. I was so excited so I had Olivia sit in there while I walked around taking more pictures and just taking in the place. After only a couple of minutes they took her back and I loved how they addressed her and not me. She followed along all excited! I made sure to get a picture of the beautiful flower arrangement they had at the front, and at the end of this you'll see the side-by-side I took of Olivia before and after her shoot!

Beautiful inside Enchanted Fairies, Plano, Texas.
Going into the back, there were several large dressing rooms. The floors had really adorable "grass" carpet, and they give the kids a cute robe to wear. I laced up my daughter's corset (to which I also explained to her Mommy was jealous of her wearing a corset!)  One thing I adored about the dressing room was they had cute plants and great "selfie" props in there as well. My daughter loved the carpet and kept pointing out to me all the little details. They also made sure you knew your items were safe in the dressing room. If you felt uncomfortable leaving you purse and items in there, they'd lock it and unlock it for you later! Once my daughter had her corset on and her robe, it was time for her to be pampered like the princess she is!






Inside the salon area which was the "Glimmer" room, it was fun and magical. The decor was absolutely perfect with beaded strings above your head, a chaise for the parents to sit on (though I never got the chance), and a big screen TV that played "Finding Nemo" (or as my daughter calls it, "Me-mo"). I was told they were going to curl up Olivia's hair (per her request) and then do her make up. At first, everything was awesome. She was being pampered and even was given cute glittery nail polish on her fingers and toes. Unfortunately, she mistook her hair being warm from the curling iron for being burned on her ear and the mini-meltdown sadly began. But, the ladies of Enchanted Fairies handled this so brilliantly! Estefany offered her water, Carrie showed her on her Mommy's hair a curl (and it took all I had not to wish outloud that they did all of my hair!) but nothing seemed to change the tune of "I want to go now". After finishing her hair, we took a break to get her into the rest of her outfit and I spent about 10 minutes trying to calm her down and explain to her she wasn't burned her hair was just warm. I also realized...I need to get her out more, haha.



Estefany glittering up Olivia's nails at Enchanted Fairies "Glimmer" Salon, Willow Bend Mall, Plano, Texas

Carrie putting on Olivia's make up at Enchanted Fairies "Glimmer" Salon, Willow Bend Mall, Plano, Texas.


I must say this: The All Access Day Pass to the Glimmer Salon is $42, and is completely worth it. If you bring your child to Enchanted Fairies I suggest adding this to your day as they are incredible. After my daughter stopped fearing the curling iron she calmed down and let them do her make up. She really had a wonderful time after that getting herself all dolled up. They also made sure to touch up her nail polish as it rubbed off a bit, and her toes looked so bright and glittery! I kept thanking the ladies for being so patient and understanding while my daughter got over her meltdown they were calmer than I was over it! I was wishing my daughter had allowed the lighter blue flower crown but no she wanted the dark one. But it's alright, she still came out so beautiful!

No photographs or phones are allowed in the photo-taking room. In fact, you must step out of the room if you must take a phone call or text.

From there, we went into the photo taking room and they had everything set up for her. After putting on her wings, the photographer got Olivia set up and I really was nervous-excited. When I ask Olivia to smile for pictures, she leers. She overly-smiles and I wasn't sure if she would just "smile" for the photographer. Oh did Carrie know what she was doing! My daughter was smiling, laughing, giggling, blowing at things, saying "Boo!" and more. I was really surprised at how well it went! The photographer used multiple props for Olivia and by the end I really had no idea how they would pick the best ones out of the shoot! She showed me two pictures and I really was just amazed. Near the end of the shoot the photographer added a little "wind", and I was giggling. It was making Olivia feel cold and she was trying so hard to smile but her shoulders kept coming up because she wanted to shiver. Oh the pains of being such a beautiful little model!
On the "Red Carpet" at Enchanted Fairies, Plano, Texas



Coming back out, we were able to go to their "Red Carpet" area to take some more pictures using props against a back drop. I made sure to get one of her smiling, and then she picked up what she called a "Dragon's Egg". It was great but I felt really bad as it was clear that they had ran over the time we were supposed to be there and another appointment had come in. I didn't wait to take up any more of the ladies time but first, I had to get the other shot next to the beautiful flowers at the front. It was such a beautiful shot too!




Going back into the dressing room, everything was put back on the hangers and Olivia said she didn't want to take off her dress. Of course not, she looked so adorable and she loved it! She also wouldn't stop staring at herself in the mirror at her curls (which have lasted into day two yay!). Normally, a second appointment would be made for you to come in, view the finished images with the detailing and "magic" placed into them so you can choose your favorites. It then takes about six weeks for you to receive the finished product. But seeing as we live so far away, we trust Christopher and the photographer to choose the best ones for us! As soon as we receive the finished ones we will post them up for everyone to see. I cannot wait to see my daughter possibly in the pose where she looked like she was sleeping on her hands, or pointing off to the side. I loved when she laughed facing the camera, or looked at treasures. 

Enchanted Fairies is truly that, Enchanted. Best part, they help Kidd's Kids! Every year, for $25 you can get your child a photo shoot, and you can get 1 8x10 from the shoot. This does not include the Glimmer Salon pass but as I said unless you have someone who really wants to do the hair and make up for you. It is worth the extra $42 believe me. I know Olivia would not have let me do what they did, in fact she always chews off fingernail polish I put on her. I can say that as of now, her fingers are still glittery! The $25 is then donated to Kidd's Kids and helps special needs children so this is a fantastic opportunity. Even after that, it gets better! Your friends, relatives, and child's fans can vote to get your child in the calendar that also benefits the charity! Could you imagine that? Seeing your child in a calendar that so many could buy? It's definitely worth it, so make sure to make your appointment soon with Enchanted Fairies!





Elizabeth is a work at home Mother of a sweet and beautiful daughter. She is a wife of seven years and a blogger for some time now. When she isn't spending time with her "Livvybug" she is looking for new review opportunities and writing or singing along to classic rock and pop music!

3.10.2016

Black Dagger Brotherhood: A Fan's Adoration Article



In 2008, I was standing in a grocery store looking at books and decided I wanted to start reading again. I hadn't been looking at books very often but I thought it was time to expand and try to give myself some entertainment. After picking up one book, I stood waiting for my then boyfriend to finish looking at magazines when I looked up and my gaze caught Dark Lover by JR Ward. I put the first book back on the shelf and skimmed the pages of the red and black novel, deciding to give the Black Dagger Brotherhood a try.

3.07.2016

8.09.2015

Medieval Times Special Offers!

Please note: These specials are currently running at the Dallas castle. Please contact your local castle or the nation wide call center at (866) 543-9637 to confirm your area's.


Everyone loves Medieval Times, whether you've been once or many times, as a child or as an adult the festivities and meal are grand and large in scale. Read below for some amazing specials currently going on with Medieval Times!

Experience The Excitement of Medieval Times this Spring Break.  A Four-course feast awaits as you watch the pageantry and thrills of an authentic medieval tournament come to life inside the walls of the King’s 11th Century Style Castle.  Six armor-clad Knights of the realm compete in thrilling games on horseback as the pageant unfolds and cheers of the King’s noble guests fill the arena.  Skill and strength are measured in the combat.  Discover which of the Knights shall become champion.

Includes:
-A hearty four-course meal prepared by His Majesty’s master chefs
-Two hours of action packed live entertainment
-Complimentary Parking


My favorite special!


KIDS FREE with purchase of Adult Admission!

Must mention or enter code KFSWEB at time of purchase. Kids 12 & under, are FREE with the purchase of a full-priced adult admission. 1 free Child admission for every 1 Adult admission purchased. Not valid with other discounts, offers or group rates. Only valid Monday-Thursday. Restrictions may apply. Valid thru 9/3/15. Make your reservations by phone 1-888-935-6878 or visit medievaltimes.com





ALL SEATS $35

Must mention or enter code 35SWEB at time of purchase. Both adult and kid admission are $35. Not valid with other discounts, offers or group rates. Only valid Monday-Thursday. Restrictions may apply. Valid thru 9/3/15. Make your reservations by phone 1-888-935-6878 or visit medievaltimes.com




8.08.2015

Grapevine Vintage Railroad Review





Update: After speaking with Ms. Lucas I wanted to go ahead and add a disclaimer.

DISCLAIMER: My family's experience of the train ride was a 1 in a 500,000 event. The delays that we incurred are not common and should not in any way keep you from choosing to ride. This was just my honest review of my experience. 

As the first official review of Review Ballerina, I want to thank Ms. Wesley Lucas for providing my family and I the tickets to ride the train. The manager, Ms. Iona Robbins was wonderful and everyone working the train were fantastic. Here is my review.

 


We got to the train station around noon, and immediately realized we'd parked way too far away. There were signs all over saying "Train Parking Here" so I park where the toy train museum was. We ended up walking across the train yard to get to the station and across a busy street. After getting our tickets, we waited and then boarded the train. 



At first we were extremely impressed. Our first class seats though not the most comfortable were a WONDERFUL cool temperature and very shaded. There were shades you could pull down over the windows if you wanted, and it was great! When I went to buy a soda from the snack bar, I spoke with Iona and she comped us any food or drink we wanted after I bought one soda. I was really appreciative of her doing that especially after how downhill the ride went from there.



Though the train tells you repeatedly both in writing and in person that there could be a delay due to "repairs" and such, there is nothing mentioned about a delay due to waiting on other trains...constantly. We missed our reservations at the Lonesome Dove Bistro because we had to stop twice to wait for trains. The first time was only a short wait, the second time was a good 30-45 minutes. I asked Iona if the train was passing and she informed me no, that the train had not arrived yet but we did not have permission to go. Really? It would've taken less than 3 minutes for us to pass but we had to wait that long? Couldn't whoever was monitoring the trains see this? We arrived at 2:45 instead of 2:15, and our reservations were at 2:00-2:30 so yeah, they rescheduled us to next weekend.


Update: After speaking with Ms. Lucas, I was informed that when we were delayed awaiting a train to pass we could not continue until the train was a mile away from us. It is possible the whole time we were waiting, the train was one mile or less from us and sitting waiting to leave. This caused our day to and from Ft. Worth and does not occur very often (possibly every 6 months or so).



During the ride up to the Ft. Worth stockyards, there was a"train robbery" and one train passenger  across the aisle from me said they were "very disappointed" and felt it was a "let down". You heard the cap guns outside and then a "robber" came in. He was hilarious, and was passing out "money" (an advertisement) to the children. He then ran off, and then the "Marshall" came in. He had stickers to "deputize" the kids and sadly the only two kids not deputized were our daughter and a child across from us. Every other kid got the sticker and I was kind of disappointed in that. He said he only had a handful of stickers but he still had one more car to go into, couldn't he have two more stickers? I guess they were on a time crunch, and Olivia didn't seem to notice.




One more thing happened, because Iona had comped us the food and drink, we were also given a free family picture from Ms. Noelle Doner and Ms. Vanessa Florez of Photographers International. They took pictures of everyone there and I was extremely impressed by the quality of the photograph we were given. It's not their fault I looked like I was over-trying with my smile. This small shot you see to the right really does not do me any justice, I look like I'm squinting my right eye, but trust me it was a fantastic photo they took and I want to thank these ladies and Photographers International in Dallas, TX for giving me the photo for free.
Iona rescheduled our re-boarding from 4:05 to 4:30pm which really helped, but we did not have time to truly enjoy the place. We ran to Main Street, stopped to pick up a couple of things, and then ran back. By the time 4:30 rolled around we just wanted to get home...and that was wishful thinking. I figured we'd leave by 4:45, and be home around 6:30 or 7PM.

The website states the ride back should take no more than an hour and 30 minutes. We got on the train at 4:30 and got off around 7:00. Yes, seriously. We got about two minutes from the Ft. Worth stockyards and we stopped and sat for an hour waiting for a train that truly took that long to arrive. I couldn't believe that they would make us wait an hour for a train to come. It would've taken less than two minutes for us to pass the tracks but no, we had to wait as our train was considered "level 4 priority". Then, we kept stopping and starting the whole way back and we went slow. Really slow, a lot slower than on the way there. Only a couple of times did we have an explanation to the stop and starts (Switching tracks, etc). 

I truly, truly wish I could say we enjoyed our train ride but fact is there was no way to enjoy it. On the ride up there it was almost impossible to keep Olivia still for over two hours, and we had disappointment in missing our reservation. Then coming back with her exhausted and suffering from the heat it was impossible to enjoy it back. Even she was saying "this train takes too long" about three-fourths of the way back home. Perhaps if we hadn't been held up for so long and spent a total of 4 hours and 45 minutes total on the train we might have enjoyed it more.

Out of five stars, I give the Grapevine Vintage Railroad Image result for pink stars Image result for pink stars1/2!


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