Disney Redefining Princesses

Disney’s gotten a lot of criticism, from me and from plenty of others, for its dedication to princesses.  But today I’m here to give Disney some serious kudos for its latest Princess-related ad.  You can watch the clip on YouTube. It’s just awesome.  If you’re not able to watch it at the moment, the ad features a variety of girls, from all ages, races, and backgrounds, and the voice over repeats that “I’m a princess.”  But in between saying that, the narration says other fantastic things as well, such as “it’s important to stand up for myself.  It’s more important … Continue reading

Spice Up Your Halloween Story

When it comes down to it, a scrapbook layout is really an adventure in storytelling. Photos, embellishments, memorabilia, captions and journaling all help recount a special memory and preserve it for years to come. With Halloween just around the corner, now is the time to start strategizing holiday layouts. Consider how you want to tell the tale of your All Hallows’ Eve festivities. For example, if you want to put an emphasis on photos rather than write out lengthy journaling blocks, consider spicing up the shots by taking them from unique angles. Experiment with some extreme close ups and or … Continue reading

Disney on Ice 2012-2013 Season

A new year means a new group of Disney on Ice shows debuting for the public. All right, I know we’re over halfway through the year, but so many interesting things have been happening with Disney so far in 2012 that this got pushed back to the list. Plus, it’s unlikely that, given how new most of these shows are, they’re going anywhere for a while. Speaking of shows that aren’t going anywhere: Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic is still going strong. It started in 1999 to commemorate the Disney legacy, and although it’s sometimes toured under a … Continue reading

First Glimpse of Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent

I’ve reported less on forthcoming Disney movies than I used to, now that I’ve learned how the whole studio machine works. I don’t believe rumors of a film until filming actually starts and we see some production photos. That’s why I’ve said very little about Disney’s live action Maleficent film. I first heard rumblings about Disney wanting to make a live action movie about one of their most popular villains back when Tim Burton made his feature length “Alice in Wonderland.” At the time the rumor was that Burton wanted to direct. After hearing that I assumed that Helena Bonham-Carter … Continue reading

Honoring Alice Davis: Legendary Disney Costume Designer

Costumes designed by Alice Davis This year I missed out on my annual tradition of profiling important women in Disney history for Women’s History Month. My March was very busy this year so I just didn’t have time to do the necessary research. Luckily, the perfect profile has fallen into my lap. This month costume designer Alice Davis was honored on Disneyland’s Main Street, USA, as a new window in her honor was unveiled. Alice Davis isn’t a name you’ll hear much when talking about the movies; she only had involvement in a couple, including, “Sleeping Beauty.” Her stamp is … Continue reading

Princess John Carter of Mars

This is the story of a guy called John Carter. He’s a protagonist from a series of Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novels. The first is called “The Princess of Mars” because the book is as much about Dejah Thoris, the titular princess, as it is about Carter. Today Disney releases its adaptation of the book, called “John Carter.” Wait, what? “John Carter” sounds like an Oscar-bait movie about an unassuming middle management guy who has a mid-life crisis and learns the meaning of family, or something like that. It definitely doesn’t bring the genre “space epic” to mind. So … Continue reading

Spice Up Chipboard

Painting plain chipboard is an easy and affordable way to give your layouts a boost. However, it’s not the only way to breathe new life into the popular embellishment. If you are trying to save money by making your own chipboard accents, consider decoupage. Frugal scrapbookers know the value of this technique, which can be used on a myriad of materials, including chipboard. Start by collecting patterned paper scraps. Any leftover scrapbook paper that features colors that complement your layout will do. Next, adhere the paper to the chipboard with Mod Podge, and allow it to dry thoroughly before trimming … Continue reading

Prince or Princess?

Lots of kids experiment with stereotypical gender roles when they are little. While this is disturbing for some parents, it really isn’t anything to stress about. Just because your son walks around in your high heels doesn’t mean that he is going to grow up “feminine.” And if your daughter would rather dress up like batman than a princess, it doesn’t mean she is going to be any more “masculine” than any of the other girls in the neighborhood. Childhood is all about exploring who they are and what makes them that way. It’s normal for children to step out … Continue reading

Princess Sofia the First: Let’s Hope She’s the Last

Next year Princess Sofia the First, the newest and youngest of Disney’s royalty, will make her debut. She’s going to star in a movie that will air sometime in the next few months on both the Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Her royal highness is only still just a child, with her main peer group (i.e., the ages at which Sofia is directed) being children between the ages of 2 and 7. Sofia’s a true Disney original; unlike any of her predecessors she’s not based on a pre-existing character from a fairy tale, myth, or historical event. She’s going to … Continue reading

Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice

Nearly a year after I first heard about it ABC has finally aired Disney’s newest television Christmas special: “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice.” If you recall, the “Prep & Landing” universe introduces Santa’s elite special ops group of elves, the guys and gals in charge of preparing houses for Santa’s arrival, so that his gift-leaving goes smoothly. Using James Bond-style technology, holiday-themed code names, and sleek spy moves, these elves are the cream of the crop. In the follow up to 2009’s special, “Naughty vs. Nice” introduces another aspect of the Christmas corps: the Cole Elf Brigade. You see, … Continue reading