Birthdays Just Got Better On Netflix

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Disclosure of Material Connection: This travel was #Hosted which means The company who sponsored it compensated me via all expenses paid trip, cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
One of my favorite interviews to do is with the Directors & Producers of the Movie…it’s even better when one of them is also a writer! That’s just what we got to do earlier this month when we got to sit down with Director Lee Unkrich, Writer and Co-Director Adrian Molina & Producer Darla K. Anderson from Pixar’s COCO.
While we only got to screen about 25 minutes of the movie, we were all anxious to have our many questions answered.
Q. When you first presented the idea, what was the reaction like?
“Well, I first pitched it the beginnings of this idea back in September of 2011. It was a film that I had been developing before Toy Story 3 happened and then another new original idea and then this notion of doing a story set against the Dia De Los Muertos and immediately John sparked to the Dia De Los Muertos idea. This first story that we developed was completely different than what we ended up doing with Coco but John just was really excited about the notion of setting a story in this world. It felt unique to him. It was different than anything we’d done at the studio and so he wanted us to forge ahead and develop that idea.” – LU
It was a working title, but they liked that there is a certain mystery to it, you go into theaters and don’t quite know what it means.
We find out early on that COCO is Miguel’s great-grandmother and the keeper of stories & memories.
“COCO earns and deserves having the movie named after her” – LU
Q. What was more challenging for you in the storytelling and what was so easy for you?
“I’d say the challenge is creating a story it’s like a rubrics cube and the moment you’ve got one piece in place and it’s feeling good and then you need to incorporate this whole new element and it’s like oh, I don’t wanna move that but I have to in order to fit this stuff in. So it’s always for us, it’s always a process of creation and revision, creation and revision and sometimes the hardest part are really great ideas that you put in early on that you fall in love with and then maybe the story gets to a place where that idea no longer can exist in the same place that it started in and so as storytellers we kind of have to have courage to let stuff go that we really love to make room for new stuff. But every so often I think the happy accidents, not accidents but the happy moments are every so often you let something go and you redistribute the pieces and then you find a new place for it and so you know, it’s years and years of creating these films and exploring a lot of different options so that we can have a set of scenes that is really tested and gets a great response but it’s just the work of creating and, you know, shining the flashlight into the darkness and saying what are we gonna find.” – AM
The very origination came from a love of Mexico and a real kind of affinity for the people and the culture.
Q. I know you went to many trips to Mexico to research and I’m sure you learned a lot about the Mexican culture. What was surprising that you learned about the culture and how has making this film change how you see Mexico?
“I thought I had an understanding of what Dia De Los Muertos is all about and once we started travelling down there and meeting with all of the experts that we worked with I was surprised to how differently it’s celebrated in all different parts of Mexico. Not even different parts of Mexico but within small regions from town to town you’ll find very different traditions and that was a big surprise to me.” – LU
Well it’s definitely about family, almost first and foremost the idea of family and tradition is gonna be infused in the film but it’s also very much a film about following your passions and making choices in life and pursuing dreams versus, you know, just saying what your family wants for you or what they think is best for you and I think that’s something that a lot of people can relate to.” – AM
Disney & Pixar’s COCO will hit theaters November 22nd, 2017

About a month ago, you might have heard me screaming because not only was I headed to the ultimate Disney Fan event, D23 Expo, but I also found out we would be heading to Disneyland to celebrate their 60th Anniversary!! I’ve been to Disney World once when I was 17, so I was so excited to be headed to Disneyland and the Diamond Celebration just made it that much more special!
Disneyland turned 60 on July 17, but just like when we celebrate our “birthday week” Disney is celebrating all year long, which makes this an amazing year to plan a trip.
Like most Disneyland newbies, I wasn’t sure where to start..what rides are not to be missed, where to eat, where to shop etc. So thank goodness there were a few Disneyland experts on hand to guide us through our Disneyland experience!
Walking up to the ticket gates you can feel the excitement.
Some of our MUST ride, rides at Disneyland:
Indiana Jones Adventure
Pirates of the Carribean
Radiator Springs Racers
It’s A Small World
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Toy Story Mania
The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror
There are three shows that should be on your Must-See List!!
Paint The Night is one of three all-new shows for the 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration and it really is dazzling! When the lights go down at The Happiest Place on Earth, that’s when the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration shines most brilliantly, thanks to the all-new Disney Paint the Night Parade!
Watch in wonder as the vivid imagination of Mickey Mouse and his friend Tinker Bell’s enchanted pixie dust paint the night with dazzling Disney dreams, complete with a colorful palette of more than one million glowing lights!
With a wave of his white-gloved hand, Mickey conjures up spectacular Disney visions right before our eyes! Gaze in awe as luminescent floats, costumed performers and beloved Characters from Disney and Pixar stories flow like a shimmering river of neon down Main Street, U.S.A.
Paint the Night Parade Viewing Tips from Mom Endeavors:
Go to the 11pm parade!
Get a spot by Small World or the Matterhorn.
Want more Paint the Night Parade Viewing Tips? Head over to Mom Endeavors for a few tips to make your parade viewing experience the best!
Be sure to stick around after the first parade for the AMAZING Disneyland Forever Fireworks Spectacular!! You will not be disappointed! We were there for 2 nights and I was in awe both nights.
The World of Color was an amazing show in California Adventures at the Paradise Pier. The fountains come alive in this one of a kind show. This one-of-a-kind nighttime extravaganza, World of Color features nearly 1,200 fountains—shooting water up to 200 feet in the air—to create a 19,000 square-foot projection “screen.” The soaring music that accompanies the images is equally momentous, as are the stunning fire, fountain, fog and laser effects.
Filled with never-before-seen surprises and dazzling special effects, and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and the one-and-only Mickey Mouse, it’s an unforgettable opportunity to follow along on Walt’s incredible journey of imagination—from his earliest creations, to his very first visions for The Happiest Place on Earth, to today’s Disney magic… and beyond!
To enjoy the parade, fireworks spectacular and the World of color, you really need to plan at least 2 nights in the parks. The World of Color happens in California Adventures the same time as Disneyland Fireworks Spectacular, and the (first) Light The Night Parade. However, if you move quickly though, you can view World of Color and make it over to Disneyland immediately afterward in order to catch the second parade. You can also see the fireworks from California Adventure, but you really need to be by the castle to get the full experience of the show.
This event was part of an all expenses paid press trip to Anaheim for the #D23Expo, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is coming to San Antonio Dec. 27-28! My Readers Can Save on Tickets Now with this exclusive offer from US Family Guide.
It’s the ultimate holiday tradition and creates memories for a lifetime. The production includes over 200 romantic costumes and 10′ tall playful animal puppets; shimmering colorful, backdrops splashed with 3-D effects; life-sized Matrushka (Nesting) Dolls and a puppet show for shadowing the Nutcracker Story at the opening Christmas Party. During the battle with Nutcracker Prince and the 3-headed Rat King, a golden cannon shoots roses! In the Magical Snow Forest an authentic Russian style Troika Sleigh, known as the fastest sleigh in the world, is escorted by Father Christmas (Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka) on their way to Act II. The Great Russian Nutcracker is known for its dedication to world peace with Act II named the “Land of Peace and Harmony.” The first scene of Act II features a stunning “Dove of Peace” with a 20′ wingspan and danced by 2 dancers each with one feathered wing. All ages feel the spirit of the season at Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker! Use the code JOY to get the biggest discount of the season for your family.
Save on the Moscow Ballet’s celebrated Great Russian Nutcracker 2015 North American Tour. USE PROMO CODE: JOY
For a Full Schedule of Event Dates/Venues and Times please visit
http://www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets

If you don’t want a ring but do want something you can wear, you might decide to exchange different kinds of jewelry. Bracelets or necklaces are a good option but you could go for earrings or any kind of jewelry you like. If you want to lean towards tradition, incorporating a diamond could be a good option or a celtic knot might appeal more. However, since this is your marriage and your symbol, you can choose any stone or design you like!
Keep Your Vows in Your Wallet
One lovely idea is to have your vows printed on a business-card size pocketbook. You can create a cover with your wedding picture and each sign your names in the book too. This is a nice reminder of what you have promised to each other as well as a significant way to carry your love. It might sound weird but having this pocketbook on you when you are feeling down or frustrated is a good way to remind you just how much good is in your life and how loved you are. This is a good option if you like to rock a few different styles and like looking effortlessly chic.
Get Matching Tattoos
Without wishing to dwell on the worst possible scenario, getting a wedding tattoo could be regarded as a bit of a risk. However, getting tattoos that fit together or show your connection is a beautiful and permanent way to show your bond. You don’t have to get perfectly matching tattoos and many couples go for tattoos that speak to each other instead, a bow and arrow or a lock and key, for example.