Does your child like storytelling? Then learn more about Lunii "My Fabulous Storyteller", which allows kids 3 - 8 yrs to create th...

Does your child like storytelling? Then learn more about Lunii "My Fabulous Storyteller", which allows kids 3 - 8 yrs to create their own stories and hear it played back to them screen free.

Note: I was invited as media for a demo. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

I thought it was an interesting idea, so I met with the French founders of Lunii while they were in NYC for Toy Fair. I was able to hear more about their ideas and purpose behind Lunii "My Fabulous Storyteller", while seeing a demo of it in action.


Lunii "My Fabulous Storyteller" is really simple to use. Kids can choose options to put together a story including the hero, the place, and the object. Then listen to it play back.


They can create and hear one of the 48 stories. It is up to them to choose. There's also a LuniiStore with more content so kids have unlimited possibilities with the creative storytelling.

The Lunii founders also mentioned some education elements including learning numbers, history, etc. Those options aren't fully available in the English version yet but they promise to send me more info and demo unit to try out Lunii "My Fabulous Storyteller".

I'll give a full report when I have that info.

Lunii Video - English Version


To learn more about Lunii, visit - www.lunii.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/LuniiUSA
Twitter - www.twitter.com/lunii_USA

Now that Black Panther is playing in theaters, so many are planning a "family movie day/night" out. But before heading to the thea...

Now that Black Panther is playing in theaters, so many are planning a "family movie day/night" out. But before heading to the theaters (or after) families should stop by Harlem Shake to try their limited time exclusive "Black Panther Wacombo Meal" available from Feb 15 - 28.

Note: I received a complimentary Wacombo and kids meal for review purpose. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


We visited Harlem Shake to try it out and it was SO good! We highly recommend it and here's a few reasons why.


The Patty Melt on Black Rye is just the right amount of gooey meatiness. It's actually lightly flavored and the rye bread blended well with the meat and cheese to leave a nice finishing taste.

The Black Potato Fries were soft and a little sweet. I kinda wished they were a bit more crunchier but that's just me. Most people will just enjoy the fries as they are. And the cool darker color adds something special visually.

There's a choice between the Black Beer (Smoke & Dagger Porter) for adults or the Black Chocolate Float for kids. Sorry kid, I opted for the beer.

Let me go on record as saying that Black Beer was something. Full bodied. Full of taste and so smooth! If I didn't have the kid with me I would have had another one! Honestly.


But things don't end there. As if the food itself isn't enough for families to enjoy, the combo meal also comes with special edition copy of Black Panther comic book! Major score points with the kid for this.


Overall, I think Harlem Shake did an amazing job with their exclusive "Black Panther Wacombo Meal". After enjoying our meal, I took a look around to get the "feel" of the place.


I was pleasantly surprised that Harlem Shake wasn't just for the preppy uptowners. I could see families coming in for an after-school snack (they have kid friendly menu) or coming in for a dinner night.

I wanted to learn more about Harlem Shake, along with the tasty menu, so I asked for a quick mini interview with the owners.

How did the chef choose these items to make the Wacombo Meal combo?

Jelena Pasic, Founder, directly worked with the chef to put a spin on some of the best menu selections - Patty Melt and French Fries by give them a dark and stormy visual with "Black Panther" Fries (Purple Potatoes) and changing the white or wheat bread to a dark pumpernickel rye for the Patty Melt.

Adding Black Chocolate Soda Float or Smoke and Dagger Beer for ominous drink to complete the look of the combo.

Tell me, why Harlem Shake is a great spot for families?

Harlem Shake welcomes all audiences of ages, races, diverse backgrounds to enjoy their retro diner style, celebration of Harlem culture, premium quality ingredients to create one of a kind menu options that everyone can enjoy.

I'd say that Harlem Shake definitely offers something that everyone can enjoy. While our first visit was for the taste test, we have plans to go back to enjoy whatever else Harlem Shake has to offer.

To learn more about Harlem Shake, visit - www.harlemshakenyc.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/HarlemShakeNYC
Twitter - www.twitter.com/HarlemShakeNYC
Instagram - www.instagram.com/HarlemShakeNYC

When Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WB Games) invited us to a preview for Scribblenauts Showdown, a video game that combines creati...

When Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WB Games) invited us to a preview for Scribblenauts Showdown, a video game that combines creative wordplay with fast-paced multiplayer fun, of course we grabbed our controllers and headed over!

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

It's been a while since we played any of the Scribblenauts video games, so we're excited to see something new from the brand.


While Scribblenauts Showdown is based on the Scribblenauts series, which is known for combining wordplay and animations, the Showdown video game encourages players to spell out objects to bring it in the game. Which I think leads to educational and creative game play.


Showdown also offers lots of fun ways to play with friends and family. My son played competitive mini games where he had to dig, dance and eat faster then the other player. It was hilarious.

He also spent some time in the Scribblenauts Sandbox to complete achievements and unlock objects to bring them to life and in the game.

Scribblenauts Showdown definitely offers families a video game that is different but is still fun. Check out the game trailer and features.


Official Scribblenauts Showdown Announce Trailer



GAME FEATURES:

• Showdown Mode – Up to four competitors can join the fun with the brand-new party mode where players must imagine their way to victory through card-based strategy and creative skill. “Wordy” mini-games require unleashing the best object or character from the game’s vast dictionary, while action-oriented “Speedy” mini-games reward the player who completes a given challenge first. Player progress is displayed on a board game style map, with multiple ways to get to the finish line first!

• Versus Mode – Two players can go head-to-head in more than 25 mini-games that vary in every session. Versus Mode allows continuous play of games by shuffling players into game after game for non-stop fun. This mode can also be played solo.

• Sandbox Mode – Explore new objectives in the series’ popular creative playground featuring eight challenging levels. One or two players can put their imagination to the test to solve objectives and earn hidden Starites and Achievements. Sandbox is also the perfect destination for 1 or 2 players to test their creativity and unleash whatever objects they can imagine and watching them interact in unpredictable ways.

• Everyone’s a Scribblenaut – Players can either choose, or design, their own original Scribblenaut to represent them throughout the game, which can be further customized with unique clothing and quirky accessories by earning Starites and completing achievements

Scribblenauts Showdown will be available for $39.99 on March 6 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

To learn more, visit - www.scribblenauts.com

During a Toy Fair NY 2018 preview event, Buzz Bee Toys unveiled their latest dart and water blasters. There was a wide selection of blasters...

During a Toy Fair NY 2018 preview event, Buzz Bee Toys unveiled their latest dart and water blasters. There was a wide selection of blasters for us to try out, including simple pull styles for young kids to full on lock and load for the older group.

Note: I was invited as media. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

Since I'm now allowing my 9 year old son to get into the "gun" world, he was super excited to try out shooting with the different blasters. Especially at the zombies. Cause we need to be prepared!


He wanted to go for the serious multi shooting types. While I did allow him to handle one for a few moments, I kept my focus on the blasters that offered "shooting" range along with some cool features.

Here are a few blasters that stood out for me.

• Predator [MSRP $9.99; Ages 6+] - This bolt action dart blaster blasts up to 100 feet and also comes with soft and safe foam suction darts that pack staying power like never before! And with its secret storage area, you’ll never have to waste time refilling this blaster. Includes blaster, 4 suction darts, 4 long distance darts, scope adapter, and scope. 

• Thermal Hunter [MSRP $29.99; Ages 6+] - The heatseeking scope detects a heat source up to 60 feet away, and its crosshairs will turn red to let you know when you’re on target. Its spring power and pump action allows you to blast darts up to 100 feet.
  
  The unique design lets you customize and build the perfect blaster with other brand's accessories - and you can even place this scope on other brand's blasters! Includes blaster, 20 long distance darts, heatseeking scope, stock, rail; adapter, and a 10 count dart clip. Batteries are required.

• Mutator [MSRP $29.99; Ages 6+] - Allows users to expand the barrel, transform the blaster and select distance blasting up to 100 feet or extreme accuracy with PrecisePro darts.  Includes blaster, 10 long distance darts, 10 PrecisePro darts, two 10 count clips, and removable stock.

While I highlighted a few, as you can see Buzz Bee Toys offers a full range of blasters.

The Buzz Bee Toys line is available at major retailers.

To learn more, visit - www.facebook.com/buzzbeetoysinc

The Lay’s Smiles Experience pop-up store opened in NYC for just 3 days, so we had to stop by and check it out before it leaves. Note: ...

The Lay’s Smiles Experience pop-up store opened in NYC for just 3 days, so we had to stop by and check it out before it leaves.

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


While there, we checked out the different stations including a ball pit, giant Mr. Potato Head and swing room!


Each station offered fun photos opps designed to make you smile. Which ties in nicely with the Lay’s specially designed bags available nationwide starting February 12 – April 7.

Not only do these bags have a fun "smile" design to them, they can also make a difference in someone's life through Operation Smile.


For every purchase of these Lay’s specially designed bags, a donation will be made to Operation Smile up to $1 million.

Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity dedicated to improving the health and lives of children and young adults worldwide who suffer from cleft conditions by providing access to safe surgical care.

So make sure to visit the Lay’s Smiles Experience pop-up located at 4 Times Square between W 42nd St. and W. 43rd St. It's open to the the public from Thursday, February 8 – Saturday February 10 from 11:00 AM EST – 6:30 PM EST.

For more information on “Smile with Lay’s” , visit www.Lays.com

It's no secret I LOVE movies and all the entertainment elements. Matter of fact over the past few years, this site has been semi consume...

It's no secret I LOVE movies and all the entertainment elements. Matter of fact over the past few years, this site has been semi consumed with movies reviews, interviews and whatnot. But for 2018, that's going to change.

While I can't fully stop covering movies and family entertainment, I can cut back. And I have already started to. Which is probably a good thing because the amount of popcorn, soda and candy treats I ate was getting out of hand!

So what's the deal? Why the change? Well a few things

First, unless I was going to fully become some kind of film critic, being all about the movies wasn't a good fit for this site. I tried balancing the movie info with other posts but really and honestly I wasn't good at it.

Then I thought I could write about films on another site. A site dedicated to movies and entertainment. Which means I have to split my time between my site and another site. Again, honestly I struggle with giving enough time to this site, not sure how splitting time will go. But you never know. I might pursue this in the future.

Second, my families movie interests have changed. When my son was younger it made sense to cover films and home entertainment for that age range. But my son is moving towards the tweens and his interest have changed. Vastly. Now we're dealing with life and social issues, so we're more interested the films that reflect that. Films he can relate to.

On my end, I'm more interested in films for adults. Films I can enjoy on the rare night out alone, or with adult friends or even *gasp* while on a date! Films that make me think, feel or see a different point of view on an adult level.

Third, I want to personally write more. This has been an on going struggle for me. So many times I want to share a thought or something non related to films or even parenting but don't have room on my editorial calendar. Yes I have one of those!

Can you believe sometimes there's no room for me to post about something I want to? On my own blog?! Yeah NO! That's changing in 2018.

So does this mean no more movie and entertainment posting? NO WAY! I'm still posting that info, just less and more target. I'm also changing how I post that info. Gonna try to share more about why I'm sharing about a particular movie, besides it's coming out. Go see it :)

So I hope that explains why I need to step off the red carpet of movies. But have no fear, there's still lots to talk about outside of the entertainment spotlight.