After seeing the first 30 minutes of Brave and sitting down with the Director, Mark Andrews and Producer, Katherine Sarafian, I’m in awe of the talent and determination these two people possess.  And I’d probably be lying just a little bit if I said I wasn’t just a tad bit jealous.

During Katherine’s years at Pixar, she has an impressive line of accomplishments including her work on A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, Lifted, Ratatouille and now Brave.  As far as working at Pixar, Sarafian says “I’m coming up on 18 years working here, so obviously I like it. I really like being here. I think of it as an anchor and a home for me.” She went on to say that “I like that supportive atmosphere, and I consider the people here some of my closest friends.”

The story behind Brave is based on the relationship with Brenda Chapman, the films original Director.  The team has been working on Brave for nearly seven years and during this time the title has flip-flopped back and forth.  Sarafian disclosed that for a short time, Bear and the Bow replaced the films original title, but Brave seemed to be a more suitable title so it was reinstated a short time later.

Sarafian has been on working on the film from almost the very beginning and she says the biggest challenge of creating a film like Brave is “trying to tell a great story to the Pixar level of quality, it’s a challenge…because we really want to do the best that we can… and it’s hard work, it takes a long time, and we never stop.”

When Katherine was asked what character in Brave she would most relate to, she said “I think it’ll change based on the fact that I’m really feeling that working mom thing. I think I relate to Elinor, trying to kind of pull the kingdom together. But on a core level, I probably relate to Merida more, because as a teenager I was, very sure that nobody understood me.”

Given we did this interview several weeks ago, they should be completely done with Brave.  I can’t wait for the June 22nd release date!

I was invited to San Francisco as a guest of Pixar. Most of my expenses were paid and all opinions are my own.

There have been plenty of times I’ve see Chobani on the refrigerated store shelves and passed it up for a brand I had already tried.  While I like trying new things, when it comes to yogurt, I’m super picky!  The texture, the taste, the consistency, the smell — it just has to be right.  (If you’ve ever bought bad yogurt then you know exactly what I’m talking about.)

I was recently given the opportunity to try out Chobani and I’m not sure what I’ve been waiting for. Chobani is creamy, full of flavor and you can’t ignore the health benefits. It’s made with only natural ingredients, includes five live and active cultures, and is free of preservatives, artificial flavors and growth hormones. Chobani contains twice the protein of regular yogurts and it’s a good source of calcium for healthy bones.The generous portion of real fruit at the bottom is a nice treat.

Chobani Greek Yogurt is available in a variety of flavors including:

• Apple Cinnamon
• Blood Orange
• Black Cherry
• Lemon
• Blueberry
• Honey
• Raspberry
• Peach
• Pomegranate
• Strawberry
• Vanilla
• Plain

I was able to try a few of the flavors and my favorite by far is the Apple Cinnamon. The juicy apples baked with cinnamon are a nice compliment to the tanginess of the greek yogurt.  I’m really looking forward to trying some of the other varities, especially the Pomegranate.

Buy:

You can purchase Chobani Greek Yogurt at many different grocery stores and supermarkets in the refrigerated section near the milk.  The 6oz tubs range anywhere from $1.50 – $2.00.  Don’t forget to register here for your printable coupon on your next purchase.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I received media samples in order to facilitate this post.

If you aren’t in Texas then you probably aren’t aware of my favorite grocery store, H-E-B.  And if you aren’t aware of my favorite grocery store then you probably aren’t aware of Primo Picks.

Primo Picks are now avaiable at select Houston and San Antonio area stores.  If you are in those areas, make sure you look for tags indicating Primo Picks. These picks are unique, tasty and one-of-a-kind products you may never have heard of or tried before.

I recently received a big box full of Primo Picks that included everything from nail polish to a colander.

I’ve already used or at least tried a majority of the products I received and made a couple of dishes (of which I forgot to take picture of…) that were incredibly delicious.  I used the homemade spaghetti noodles with the Putanesca Sauce and that was the boldest sauce I’ve ever tried.

Primo Picks consist of sweet and savory food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, skin care products, beautifying products, kitchen ware and more.  Some of my favorites are:

• Cocinaware Mini Colander – I love the trendy green color and it’s perfect for rinsing small amounts of fresh fruits and/or veggies.
• Michael’s of Brooklyn Pasta Sauce - This sauce was the boldest sauce I’ve ever tasted.  The olives and capers gave it an extra added punch.  This is one of those items I wouldn’t have tried, but it will be on the shopping list often.
  
• Rao’s Homemade Pastas – We usually buy boxed pastas and not homemade, but after using Rao’s to make spaghetti, I’m thinking I need to rethink which pasta brand makes it on the shopping list.
  
• Central Market Organics Italian Soda - We received the Blood Orange flavor and we all loved it.  I wanted to try it with ice cream, but my daughter got to it before I did and drank it all.  Better luck next time, I guess!
• Central Market Organics Chocolate Truffles – Need I say more?

Next time you are at your local H-E-B keep your eyes open for Primo Picks tags and pick up something you wouldn’t have tried otherwise!

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I received media samples in order to facilitate this post.

So, last month I was in New York because I was asked to attend the Tribeca Film Festival to see a special screening of Marvel’s The Avengers. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to see People Like Us and The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

I know, exciting, right?

After I watch a movie, I always tweet out something about it.  Whether I liked it, whether it was a bust, whether it’s appropriate for kids, etc.  This time was no different.  I tweeted that I thought it was “Absolutely Awesome” and somehow my tweet ended up on the TRAILER for the  movie.

No joke, y’all.  I’m @SimplyBeingMom.  Isn’t that super cool.  Every time you see the trailer played on national television, now you can see my tweet and think of me.

People Like Us opens in theaters on June 29th.  You can follow the film on Facebook and Twitter.

A new month means a new beauty product. 

As part of the H-E-B Beauty Blogger Program, each month I’m sent a new product to review.  This month, the product I received is the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy 7 Day Starter Kit.  I received it a couple of weeks ago but have been using it for the past week and I’m already beginning to notice a difference in the way my hair feels!

The 7 Day Starter Kit comes with two shampoos (3 oz each) and one conditioner (3 oz).  It is available in a range of six shampoos and five conditioners to meet different scalp and hair needs including Total Care for all hair types, Damage & Color Repair for damaged and colored hair, Volumizing Root Boost for hair in need of volume, Strong Lengths for weak hair prone to breakage, Moisturizing Dry Scalp for those who deal with dry scalp or dry hair and Complete Care for dandruff prone scalps and hair. The line is infused with Nutrium 10™ technology, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients.

I’ve been using the kit for a little over a week and I still have a full bottle of shampoo, some in the other bottle of shampoo and half of the conditioner left.  I’ve found when using the Clear product, a little goes a long way.  My hair is thick and long so I was surprised I didn’t go through more of the shampoo.  When I got the bottles out of the box, my first thought that there was no way it was going to last me long enough.  But, it did with some to spare.  It lathers well but I did have a little trouble knowing when I got all the shampoo out because it left my hair feeling softer right after using it.

I definitely recommend using the least amount of product you can to thoroughly clean your hair and scalp.  I noticed that when I used too much product, it weighed down my hair and caused it to look oily rather than shiny.  Also, because I already have oily hair, I did not use the conditioner near my scalp.

Overall I really like the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy.  Since I do occasionally have problems with my scalp, I like that I can use a product that doesn’t smell medicinal, but rather a product that has a nice, aromatic fragrance.

Here are some tips from Francesca Fusco for a well-nourished scalp (the foundation for strong, beautiful hair):

DIET:  Your diet plays an important part in keeping your hair in good condition. I recommend drinking at least two liters of water daily to keep your skin hydrated. Remember, your scalp is skin! I also recommend eating foods that are known to be anti-inflammatory, like antioxidant rich fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, have a beneficial effect on your skin and scalp.

STRESS:  Stress is one of the leading causes of an unhealthy scalp and can result in hair loss. We know stress is unavoidable in all our lives, and I recommend finding outlets to relieve stress like exercise, yoga, meditation and music, or anything else that can help relax you. The best way to de-stress though, and possibly the easiest, is to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Everything seems to get refreshed after a long night of rest!

WATER TEMPERATURE:  When washing your hair, alternate the use of hot and cold water on your scalp. This will help to stimulate the circulation and decrease dead cells from building up. Excessive heat on the scalp and hair can irritate and dry out both. This applies to all heating devices including blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons, diffusers and any other heated tools. Try to give your hair a rest every few days and wear it naturally – resist the urge to blow dry!

AIR TEMPERATURE:  Like water temperature, the air temperature can wreak havoc on your scalp and hair, especially cold weather. To offset this, I recommend  investing in an air humidifier to replenish the humidity to your hair and scalp. You can keep it running through the day or night and even add essential oils like lavender to the water. It’ll be great for your skin too!

HAIR CARE REGIMEN:  Use a nourishing shampoo and conditioner, like those in the CLEAR SCALP & HAIR THERAPY™ line. The collection is infused with Nutrium 10™, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients like vitamins B5, C & E. CLEAR SCALP & HAIR THERAPY™ deeply nourishes the scalp where it matters most, creating the right foundation for strong hair from root to tip. It is also clinically proven to help restore the scalp’s natural moisture balance when using the shampoo and conditioner system. Try to massage your scalp for one full minute when shampooing and conditioning. Never use your fingernails to scratch at the scalp. Following this regimen will give you the strong, beautiful hair you’ve always wanted.

Buy:

You can purchase Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy at your local H-E-B.  Don’ forget to print this coupon to use on your purchase.  If you aren’t in Texas or near a H-E-B, you should be able to purchase at your regular drugstore or supermarket.

Giveaway:

Two (2) winners will receive a Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy 7 Day Starter Kit.

How to Enter:

Simply leave me a comment below letting me know which Clear product you’d need for you scalp and hair type!

Extra Entries Available:

After you have completed the first entry, you are eligible for additional entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry unless noted otherwise.

• Subscribe to Simply Being Mommy by reader or email.
• Add Simply Being Mommy (Crystal Reagan) on Google+.
• Join the Simply Being Mommy Community.
• “Like” Simply Being Mommy and H-E-B on Facebook.
• Follow Simply Being Mommy and H-E-B on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You must have at least 50 followers for this extra entry. You can tweet ” Enter to win the new Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Kit from @simplybeingmom and @HEB http://bit.ly/IRbwX5 #hebbeauty “

This giveaway will end on May 23rd at 11:59 PM Central time. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Giveaway is open to US entries. The winner must contact me in 48 hours to claim their prize. Good luck to everyone!

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I received media samples in order to facilitate this post.

Coming back home to Texas after visiting Pixar, I had so much to think about and wanted to write all about my experiences while visiting San Francisco.  After learning how to wear a kilt and trying my hand at archery, I thought I’d share with you the top five reasons I think you should go see Brave on opening day, June 22, 2012.

Merida – She is a fiery, adventurous Tomboy who is determined to change her fate. Her locks of red curly hair are just as feisty is she is and is representative of her untamed spirit. Her wardrobe consists of five dresses and during the course of the film she undergoes 22 costume changes. Standing at five foot four inches, if her curly locks were pulled straight, they would measure four feet — almost as tall as she is. She has a total of 1,500 individually sculpted, curly strands which generate over 111,000 hairs.

Digital Animation – Pixar spared no expense in the making of Brave. After seven years in the making and because of the complexity of the details they wanted in the movie, they had to create new, proprietary technology to achieve the results they were looking for. There is computer simulated movement in 96 percent of all shots which is considerably higher than other Pixar films.

The Castle – Brave is the first Pixar film to feature a castle and it had to be designed from the ground up, both inside and out. The production team did on site research by visiting the Eilean Donan Castle in the Highlands and the Dunnottar Castle, which is located south of Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. The entire castle, from the architecture to the moss on the stone walls, was designed and built as 3D models in the computer.

The Story – The movie is based on the relationship between Brenda Chapman (the writer) and her daughter. Seeing that I have a daughter, who is quite opinionated and already knows what’s best for her, and I was once daughter who was quite opinionated and knew what was best for me, I can relate to both sides of the story. The daughter who is free spirited and wants to determine her own fate, and the mom who only wants what is best for her daughter.

Scotland – The production team took two research trips to Scotland to learn more about the atmosphere, landmarks, culture and to learn more about the ancient history since the movie is set in about 800 – 1200 AD.  The art department crafted about 350 paintings of leaves, brush and moss to replicate the Scottish Highlands during ancient times.  The Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis provided reference for the mysterious ring of stones Merida discovers in the  movie.

I’ve only seen the first 30 minutes of the movie and I can’t wait to be able to watch it start to finish.  When the movie stopped, I just sat there in my seat a moment trying to digest that I was going to have to wait almost two months to see the finished product. The movie stopped right before a scene that I believe is a pretty big turning point in the movie.  Since I didn’t see it, it’s purely speculation, but I’ve already imagined about five different scenarios.  I guess we will see in just under two months if I was right or not.

I was invited to San Francisco as a guest of Pixar. Most of my expenses were paid and all opinions are my own.

In the middle March, we moved from the only home that the children knew and had to leave behind some of their big outdoor play equipment.  It was a sad day saying goodbye, but it was impossible to bring it with us.  We’ve been in our new home for about six weeks now and the kids haven’t mentioned the things we left behind at all but I know they miss them.

I’ve worked pretty closely with Step2 on the blog doing various reviews and it’s a brand we love and use already, so when they asked if I’d like to review the Naturally Playful Woodland Climber, I knew that I had to and I’m so glad I did.

When this huge box (approximately 4′ x 2′ x 2′) was set to be delivered, the delivery company called to set up a time and since I was out of town, they worked with me to make sure it was delivered around my schedule.  They were incredibly nice and placed it in the fence to the backyard.  I was impressed by their professionalism and how willing they were to work with me.

The Naturally Playful Woodland Climber comes in several pieces with easy to follow directions.  I didn’t actually put it together, but I was outside with my husband while he was putting it together.  Most pieces snap together easily, but some need the strength of a man, or a really strong woman.  The hardest part for my husband was snapping the slide and stairs into place.

You will need either a drill or a screwdriver to secure the pieces together once you have all the pieces snapped into place.  Since it’s not a hard project, if your children are old enough, it would be a good time to allow them to help put it together.  Or, if they prefer, the cardboard box provides lots of entertainment also.

It is designed for children ages 2 and up and provides a sturdy play area that stands out by blending in. The natural colors and realistic textures look great in the backyard and will keep most homeowners associations off your doorstep.  I love the earthy brown tones and the pops of color with a trendy blue and orange.

Although the climber is on the smaller side of outdoor activity sets, all three of my children can and have played on it at the same time.  Just for your reference, the weight limit on this particular set is 240 pounds.

The platform is only 27″ high, which I absolutely love because I don’t have to worry too much about them falling off.  Plus since we have ours placed on the grass, it’s even less of a worry.

There are several things for the kids to do on the Naturally Playful Woodland Climber from the faux rock wall on the sides that open up to the platform, the chute-like slide, changing the season wheels, and you could also make a sand box by adding sand underneath for added fun.

My children have thoroughly enjoyed playing on the Naturally Playful Woodland Climber and it’s the first thing they go to when going outside to play in the backyard.  And as a mother and homeowner, I’m happy that it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Be sure to check out my video to see my youngest son playing on it.

Buy:

You can purchase the Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climber for the suggested retail price of $309.99!

Giveaway:

One (1) winner will receive a Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climber! (Only open to residents of the 48 contiguous states.)

How to Enter:

Simply visit Step2 and leave me a comment below letting me know another outdoor product you think your children would love to have!

Extra Entries Available:

After you have completed the first entry, you are eligible for additional entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry unless noted otherwise.

• Subscribe to Simply Being Mommy by reader or email.
• Add Simply Being Mommy (Crystal Reagan) on Google+.
• Join the Simply Being Mommy Community.
• “Like” Simply Being Mommy and Step2 on Facebook.
• Follow Simply Being Mommy and Step2 on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You must have at least 50 followers for this extra entry. You can tweet ” Enter to win a Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climber from @simplybeingmom and @thestep2company valued at $309! http://bit.ly/JbOd70  “

This giveaway will end on May 28th at 11:59 PM Central time. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Giveaway is open to residents of the 48 contiguous states. The winner must contact me in 48 hours to claim their prize. Good luck to everyone!

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I received media samples in order to facilitate this post.

My family and I are huge fans of Tervis Tumblers and have been using them for probably close to a year now.  From the smallest 8 ounce tumbler to the largest 24 ounce tumbler, to the mug my husband uses for coffee, we’ve certainly become a Tervis loving household.

With the recent release of their newest offering, the 24 ounce water bottle, it’s been easier for me to drink more water.  Each morning I fill up my Tervis Water Bottle and I’m guaranteed to drink at least 24 ounces of water.  Some days I refill it once, some days several times, and some days I don’t refill at all, but with my new Tervis Water Bottle, one thing is for sure — I’ve been drinking more water.

The Tervis Water Bottle features the double-wall design that all Tervis fans love and Tervis products are made with superior quality American-made product. The Water Bottle keeps my ice cold water cold and with coffee, it keeps it hot.

One feature that is ideal for measuring protein shakes or simply just keeping track of your water consumption is the volume indicator rings. I love that I can easily keep track of the water I’m drinking and push myself to drink more the days I’m falling behind. The air-tight lid makes the Water Bottle spill-proof. I’ve had mine for six weeks or so and I have yet to have a leak. One of my absolute favorite features is the ability to lock the lid open so that when I’m taking a drink, the lid doesn’t smack me in the nose.

The one I chose (pictured above) has the MOM patch inside the double-wall.  You can get them with a variety of different patches including seasonals, animals, brands, colleges, etc.  The options look endless and there is sure to be something for everyone.

Buy:

You can purchase the Tervis Water Bottle for $20.00.

Giveaway:

One (1) winner will receive a Tervis Water Bottle!

How to Enter:

Simply visit Tervis and leave me a comment below letting me know which water bottle is your favorite!

Extra Entries Available:

After you have completed the first entry, you are eligible for additional entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry unless noted otherwise.

• Subscribe to Simply Being Mommy by reader or email.
• Add Simply Being Mommy (Crystal Reagan) on Google+.
• Join the Simply Being Mommy Community.
• “Like” Simply Being Mommy and Tervis on Facebook.
• Follow Simply Being Mommy and Tervis on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You must have at least 50 followers for this extra entry. You can tweet ” Enter to win a Tervis Water Bottle from @simplybeingmom and @TervisTumbler http://bit.ly/LjlKks #giveaway “

This giveaway will end on May 19th at 11:59 PM Central time. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Giveaway is open to US entries. The winner must contact me in 48 hours to claim their prize. Good luck to everyone!

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I received media samples in order to facilitate this post.

Tom Hiddleston.

What can I say?  Such a gentleman.

When I had the pleasure of meeting him last week right before attending the Tribeca Film Festival to watch a special screening of Marvel’s The Avengers, he greeted each of us in the interview room with a handshake and asked each of us our names.  To be honest, it’s the first time I’ve interviewed anyone that even cared what my name was.

That Tom Hiddleston — he’s such a charmer and definitely had our full attention to each and every word that came out of his mouth.

In Marvel’s The Avengers, Tom Hiddleston plays one heck of a bad guy, but during our interview I found out he loved playing both sides, good and bad, particularly interested in “flawed heroes and heroic villains.”  In fact, he originally auditioned for Thor.  After seeing Chris Hemsworth as Thor, I can’t imagine Tom Hiddleston being any other than Loki. He told us now, after seeing how much chicken Chris had to eat, he’s happy he didn’t get that part.

Source: Zade Rosenthal

Tom had six months to build his character and he just immerse himself in the comics and read them all. He says those six months were “a thrill” and they loved the character he created.  Loki is really the only villian in the movie and when Tom received the script, everything was top secret. After reading it he described it as “the most precise, dramatic, violent, and hilarious screenplay” that he’s ever read.

Source: Disney

Tom did an amazing job with the Loki character and while you wanted to hate him in the movie, you can’t help but notice the incredible talent this guy possesses.

Marvel’s The Avengers is in theaters right now!  What are you waiting for?  Go see it!

I was invited to New York as a guest of Marvel. Most of my expenses were paid and all opinions are my own.

This past weekend while I was in New York attending the Tribeca Film Festival and screening Marvel’s The Avengers, I had the opportunity to interview Cobie Smulders, who plays Maria Hill in the movie.

Source: Disney

Known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky on the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, Cobie is a self-proclaimed “tomboy.”  She was obsessed with Archie comics when she was a child, but didn’t know a thing about the Avengers comics.  She auditioned for the role anyway and wasn’t really sure if she’d get it.   When she returned home from her interview, she cracked a beer and almost immediately Joss Whedon (Director and Co-Writer) called telling her she had the job.  Since she didn’t know anything about Maria Hill, she had to educate herself on the character and had to do training several days a week. “I wanted to train in all different fields to feel like at any point, I could take anyone down” said Smulders.

Source: Disney

During her training, she thought the most important thing for her to learn was to get comfortable around guns.  When she went to the shooting range, she thought she would leave and be “yeah, look at me” but instead she left with “much more respect for them [guns].”

When asked what it felt like to be one of the few females in the film, she said “It’s been really cool, that Marvel is bringing in these strong females. And especially with Maria Hill, to see a strong female that’s in a commanding position.”

Source: Disney

Cobie has many memorable moments while filming Marvel’s The Avengers, in fact, she couldn’t name just one.  She went on to talk about the first time she visited the Hellicarrier Set. She explains it as this “giant set that took up an entire sound stage. There were about two or three stairways and once you were on it, it was like you were on this high tech new age ship. And there was hundreds of extras in S.H.I.E.L.D. uniforms. Once you were on it, it felt like you were really on a ship…it felt so real.”  She continued recalling memorable moments and mentioned the first time that Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett and Mark, “when they were all around the table for the first time that was a pretty incredible moment for me. I was very quiet and kind of timid.”

Source: Dave Allocca/Starpix

It was an absolute blast talking with Cobie and it was seriously just like talking to one of the girls. She was so down to earth, funny and absolutely stunning. A huge thank you to Cobie Smulders for taking the time to speak with us.

I was invited to New York as a guest of Marvel. Most of my expenses were paid and all opinions are my own.