November 23, 2011 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 movie opened in theaters last Friday and it did not disappoint. Not only did it have one of the best box-office openings in history by bringing in a whopping $139.5 million this weekend, it also marked a decidedly grown-up change in the feel of the…
January 23, 2012 Going to dinner and a movie on Valentine’s Day night doesn’t always work out for everyone. Maybe you can’t find a sitter or there’s not enough room in your budget, or possibly you just don’t feel like fighting those crowds and waiting for hours to be seated at your favorite restaurant. Some…
February 20, 2012 Whether it’s vampires (the undead), zombies (the really dead), or ghosts (the haunting dead), the fascination with paranormal books and dead people overall in children’s fiction has boomed over the last few years. And it doesn’t matter the age. You can find dead characters in middle grade/tween books like The Graveyard by Neil…
February 22, 2012 Even if you only watch the Oscars for the red carpet fashion, inviting your besties over and watching it together makes an okay night into a memorable one. Here’s how to throw an Oscar party your guests will look forward to on an annual basis: Get inspired. Sure you could go with…
March 28, 2012 Rachel Dratch was a Saturday Night Live regular between 1999 & 2006 – best known for her hilarious roles as Debbie Downer, Abe Scheinwald, and many other characters. Wondering what happened to her? Check out her new memoir, GIRL WALKS INTO A BAR. The book follows Rachel as her life changed after…
March 29, 2012 Parties, BBQs, and reunions are the perfect time to gather friends and family and enjoy some tasty snacks. Whether your celebration is in honor of a birthday, sporting event, holiday or theme party you want to host a memorable event for your guests. How do you spice up your parties and create…
April 11, 2012 In YOU HAVE NO IDEA: A Famous Daughter, Her No-Nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (and Each Other) (Gotham Books, on sale 4/17) Vanessa Williams and Helen Williams give a mother-daughter take on Vanessa’s personal and professional life journey, including the obstacles they’ve overcome together and the lessons…
May 4, 2012 Being the maid of honor is a delightful honor but it comes with some serious responsibility, too. One of the biggest responsibilities of the maid of honor – besides keeping the bride sane through her wedding day – is planning the bridal shower. There are so many details to oversee in a…
July 4, 2012 When it comes to anticipating great television shows, most people look to the fall lineup. Usually these shows can carry you through the end of spring, but summer is notorious for having little to offer. While it’s good to get outside and take advantage of the warmer weather, most of us still…
July 13, 2012 It’s finally coming to a close – the Twilight film saga. Breaking Dawn Part 2 is set to hit theaters on November 16th and in the highly anticipated final chapter, the newfound married bliss of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) is cut short when a series of…
July 13, 2012 Looking for a new show to add to your summer list? Check out Political Animals, launching this Sunday on USA Network! The show, starting July 15th at 10/9C, stars Sigourney Weaver as Secretary of State Elaine Barrish in a drama about the first family and their relationships. In the wake of a divorce from…
August 2, 2012 It’s summer and one of the best things about this season is reading great books while soaking in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air (preferably by the pool or on the beach but, really, anywhere is great after months of being trapped inside by cold weather). To honor this yearly…
September 6, 2012 Summer has nearly ended, which means it’s time to get back to our regular routines. As the temperatures start to dip, having great movies on hand can make staying indoors a little more enjoyable. Here’s our pick for top DVD releases this month. The Five-Year Engagement (September 4, 2012) – This romantic…
September 13, 2012 It’s hard to believe it but the summer blockbusters are behind us so it’s time to get ready for what titles will be hitting the box office this fall. The Words (September 7, 2012) – This romantic drama follows the life of a young writer who finally celebrates success after his book…
September 20, 2012 It’s been a summer of crazy entertainment news with the most surprising headlines focusing on the love lives of our favorite celebrities. Whether it was a break-up, hook-up, or a tale of lost love, we were captivated by the details of these famous relationships. Katie Holmes Divorces Tom Cruise How shocking was…
October 4, 2012 Fall has arrived and the chilly evening weather has you wanting to cuddle up with popcorn and a movie date. Here’s our pick for top DVD releases in October. People Like Us (October 2, 2012) – Chris Pine (Star Trek) stars as Sam, a young salesman who loses a major deal on the same…
September 13, 2012 Looking for a family film that everyone can enjoy? You’re invited to the ultimate celebration of friendship and family: Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta! Papi is back, and he’s ready to party! Walt Disney Studios proudly unleashes Hollywood’s renowned pack of celebrity Chihuahua stars in the hilarious all-new movie “Beverly…
October 11, 2012 The month of October is a great time to curl up and enjoy some classic scary movies – or even discover new ones to add to your collection. In the weeks leading up to Halloween, it’s time to stock up on these spooky movies and prep for the big night. That is,…
October 18, 2012 Every year, there seems to be a few cheating scandals that shock the world. Who could have imagined that Tiger Woods was being unfaithful with countless women or that, right after Sandra Bullock praised her husband on the night she won an Oscar, Jesse James’ true colors would be revealed? All that…
November 15, 2012 When movies turn into franchises, fans can become pretty invested. Fortunately, the latest James Bond flick, Skyfall, has done very well at the box-office and has been well-received by both critics and audiences. Unfortunately there have also been times when production teams have made decisions that caused widespread disdain and panic. Along…
November 1, 2012 The month of November is jam-packed with some great DVD releases that the whole family can enjoy. Along with a few great action films, there are several kid-friendly flicks, thrillers and comedies to choose from. Here’s a look at what’s available this month: The Amazing Spider-Man – This most recent reboot surrounding…
November 8, 2012 In 2009, the world was stunned when photos surfaced showing a battered and bruised Rihanna after a violent fight with her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown. Up until that point, the couple had been considered a powerhouse among young celebrities and their combined appeal had no limits. When Brown turned himself in to authorities…
October 29, 2012 Halloween is in two days, and while you may have your costumes finalized – it always seems like there’s a last-minute dish needed for a Halloween party or get-together. No worries! There are a lot of incredibly easy, yet festive treats that you can make in just a few minutes. Jack-O-Lantern Crackers…
November 29, 2012 As the holiday season rolls around, we invest a ton of time getting ready for the meals and gifts – but why not get your must-see movies prepared as well? There’s no point in waiting til the last minute to find your favorite festive flick – only to discover it’s missing from…
December 6, 2012 The weather outside might be frightful but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful time huddled up on the couch watching a great movie. There are some great dvd releases coming out this month – ranging from epic super hero tales to an animated tale from the ice age two million…
December 13, 2012 Finishing up the last of that holiday shopping can be really tough, especially when you’re out of ideas on what to buy. In a pinch, there’s one thing that almost everyone wants – to be entertained! Here are some great ideas that can be applied to almost any situation (you didn’t forget a…
December 19, 2012 Does your family practice that fun, not-so-patient tradition of opening a single gift on Christmas Eve? On the night before the big day, the kids are excited about the coming festivities, the work of buying and wrapping gifts is (hopefully) over, and it’s the perfect time to give your children a sneak…
January 17, 2013 Lance Armstrong was one of the most celebrated athletes in history, having been crowned the winner of the Tour de France a whopping seven times. Over the years, he was frequently accused of doping, but he has always vehemently denied the allegations. His fans rallied behind him since, as a cancer survivor,…
February 1, 2013 We’ve already seen the Golden Globes and SAG Awards – but now it’s time to turn our attention to the biggest music and movie award shows of the year. It really has been a stellar year for entertainment and the competition is fierce among the celebs. The Grammy Awards will air on…
February 15, 2013 Every year, it seems like many of the “new releases” are actually remakes of highly successful movies from years past. Sometimes, the newer version is an improvement on the original but, usually, classics should just be left alone. Wondering which films are getting rebooted this year? Check out this list: Oz the…
March 1, 2013 Fans expressed their sadness through social media upon hearing the unfortunate news: Michelle Williams and Jason Segel have called it quits. Williams has always been protective of her private life and, somehow, that made the time following ex-Heath Ledger’s death even more tragic – she would have to raise their daughter, Matilda,…
March 7, 2013 While it probably is unreasonable to think that Justin Bieber was ever a really good influence, it seems like things have taken a turn for the worse in recent months. The Canadian pop star was always dogged by rumors about him being bratty but many people shrugged it off as him being a…
March 15, 2013 Lil Wayne is the latest celebrity to be hospitalized following seizures. It’s an absolutely terrifying medical emergency, one that most of us will never encounter in our lives. Why, then, are we seeing it in young, seemingly healthy stars? Let’s take a look at some of the more notable cases. Lil Wayne…
March 29, 2013 This past Oscar season was filled with incredible movies including Les Misérables, Lincoln and Best Picture winner, Argo. While those are already available on DVD, there are some other notable titles being released next month: Django Unchained Quentin Tarantino rarely fails to generate buzz (and controversy) with his inventive plots. In Django Unchained, Academy Award-winner, Jamie…
January 17, 2017 Have I ever brought my kids to a dirt-filled arena to watch gargantuan-size vehicle smash other trucks? Nope. But it didn’t stop me, my 6-year old and his friend from getting a monster-size kick out of Monster Trucks. And, unfamiliarity with the sport didn’t stop”The Odd Couple’s” Thomas Lennon from agreeing to…
January 31, 2017 As you know, viral videos are all the rage on social media, and I find them hard to resist. If a video looks touching or funny and I trust the source, I’ll generally take a look. Here are five videos that sum up my current parenting experience. As a mom who is…
February 10, 2017 Mulling over my wardrobe options as I dressed for my Fifty Shades Darker date with my husband, my eyes fell upon a box hidden under all the others: the black leather thigh-high boots I bought a decade ago. Well, I figure, if I don’t wear them tonight, I might as well give…
February 16, 2017 Every year, my husband and I throw an Oscars Party. It’s a great opportunity to get together with friends, go glam, judge the fashion choices of movie stars, and debate the merits of the year’s best films. The menu, though, is the opportunity to have some real fun. You can go a…
May 4, 2017 By Tara McNamara Ten years have passed since my husband and I met. I can’t say the relationship has gone stale — with three children, there’s not enough “alone time” to get to that point! However, with all the exhaustion that jobs and those kids bring, our struggle is finding the energy…
May 24, 2017 Every parent who raised kids over the last decade probably recognizes the picture book, Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. Baby Llama, who enjoys red bedtime wear, deals with a lot of emotions through the series of books that bear his name. His poor mom deals with plenty along the way, too!…
June 16, 2017 Today marks the 39th anniversary of Grease. That’s right, 39 … it sounds like a lot because, to many of us, Grease has always been a thing. Think of its impact. Most adults know the lyrics to all of the songs (it’s one of the best-selling movie soundtracks of all time). Black…
September 21, 2017 It’s fall, which means that pumpkin spice is back, along with hoodies, changing leaves, and cool (but not too cold!) temperatures. It’s also time for the fall movie lineup. Some years are less impressive than others, but 2017 looks like it will be exciting. Many people are eagerly anticipating Star Wars: The Last…
September 21, 2017 This post is in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, who invited me and my son to LEGOLAND to review and cover The LEGO NINJAGO Movie, now in theaters. Our kids today have so much: smartphones, 24/7 internet and streaming services, sophisticated video games, organic food – delivered, etc. What don’t they have?…
October 17, 2017 Any parent can tell you that when it comes to raising kids, you don’t know until you know. People who haven’t experienced the joy and pain of trying to raise a child—from a newborn into a fully functional adult—just can’t understand what it’s like. Even though every family is different, there are…
November 1, 2017 A Bad Moms Christmas isn’t just a movie, it’s a challenge. Think back to the first film: America’s mothers showed up in full force to Bad Moms not knowing what to expect. They left elated at the hilarity of the film, but also with the feeling of understanding that someone out there,…