Category Archives: FAMILY + KIDS

Drawing For Relaxation, Focus and Memory Retention!

August 6, 2017

Did you know that drawing can chill you out? Yes, it’s true. You can meditate and breathe…And you can draw.

According to this article in Psychology Today, the benefits of drawing go way beyond making pretty (or shitty) pictures.

Doodling, according Sunni Brown, author of The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently, claims doodling has gotten a bad rap. In her now famous TED talk, she proposes that doodling is deep thinking in disguise and that it is a simple, accessible tool for problem-solving in general. In fact, Brown believes doodling spontaneous marks actually helps you think.

Below are some coloring books for adults (and kids – makes a GREAT parent-kid activity!) that we are loving. My son is especially obsessed with the cats. Go figure!

 

Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals by Valerie Baines

Rockport Publishers | January 1, 2017

USD $19.99 |CAN $25.99

Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals is a draw-in book that shows you how by taking a close look at the details of great floral paintings and coaches readers to try the techniques with the help of an expert’s suggestions. Printed on quality uncoated stock and suited for drawing and watercolor, each spread will consist of two working parts. The left-hand page features a close-up for a drawing or painting by a noted artist from the 19th century or earlier. The right-hand page is for drawing, with the expert’s brief coaching tips, observations, and a demonstrative sketch.

 

 

Classic Sketchbook: Cats by Patricia J. Wynne

Rockport Publishers | July 18, 2017

USD $19.99 |CAN $25.99

Classic Sketchbook: Cats  shows how art is done by looking at details of museum-quality works, then coaching readers through the techniques with the help an expert’s suggestions. This art guide provides instruction on how to sketch fur, paws, and eyes, as well as cats sleeping, playing, or pouncing. Her unique instructions place a close-up of a drawing or painting by a noted artist like Gauguin or  Chardin, on the left side of the page. The right side of the page provides step-by-step drawings, which illuminate the process.

 

Drawing for Joy by Stephanie Peterson Jones

ISBN: 9781631592959

Quarry Books | July 1, 2017

USD $22.99 |CAN $29.99

In Drawing for Joy, artist Stephanie Peterson Jones offers beginning artists a low-stress way to build a successful daily drawing practice in just 15 minutes a day. The accessible series of 52 week-by-week exercises, each with 7 drawing prompts or starts, teaches readers how to draw by exploring line, texture, pattern, and color. The book begins with basic information on the required materials for completing the exercises and essential techniques and strategies for coloring your creations.

 

 

More Summer Fun For Kids: ‘Titanic in Photographs’, –The Exhibition Now Open at The Queen Mary

August 3, 2017

My son is obsessed with all things Titanic – so when I learned about this must-see” showcase, ‘Titanic in Photographs, –The Exhibition,’  now on display at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA – I lost my mind. We are so sick of camp, beaches, trolling parks and shlepping around the Grove. This is the perfect little day trip! Perfect fun for the whole family!

Images & Artifacts from a Legend

Almost 100 period photographs are displayed, guiding the visitor through the immersive story of Titanic; from conception to her tragic demise. The exhibit offers a comprehensive, educational view of one of the most memorable moments in history; a story that continues to captivate the public’s imagination over 100 years later.

The synergy between Titanic and the Queen Mary is obvious; the latter being the most famous surviving ocean liner in history and built for the Cunard/White Star Line after their merger in 1934. Queen Mary would have been Titanic’s successor, as indeed she was for her near-identical twin sister ship, Olympic. RMS Titanic continues to be one of the most popular culture topics in the world.  The touring Titanic exhibit feels at home on the Queen Mary whose legacy, historical worth and cultural influences continue to impress over a million on-board visitors each year.

The exhibit brings the photographs to life with a world-class display! Based on the best-selling book of the same name by world-renowned maritime historians, Daniel Klistorner & Steve Hall, ‘Titanic in Photographs – The Exhibition’ takes the visitor on a journey back in time, through the eyes of those who were there, including Harland & Wolff’s professional photographer, Robert Welch, period press photographers & passengers on board Titanic and the rescue ship, Carpathia.

The photographs are just part of this riveting exhibition. Alongside many of the images are display cabinets, containing over 150 genuine artefacts from Titanic, her identical twin sister, Olympic and even the rescue ship, Carpathia. These rare and often unique items bring the photographs to life, transporting the visitor back in time and placing them in the picture.

This visual journey takes you through the building process of the ill-fated ship, before transporting you onto the decks and into many of the sumptuous staterooms; the Smoking Room, Turkish Bath & Swimming Pool, the breath-taking Grand Staircase, the luxurious 1st Class Lounge with its magnificent cartel clock and much, much more.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the only surviving White Star Line lifeboat; virtually identical to those used by all too few of Titanic’s passengers, as they waited to be rescued from the icy waters of the North Atlantic after Titanic foundered.

These rare, stunning artefacts include gilt & crystal light fittings, furniture, china, silverware, crystal and even the very chairs used by passengers!

Relive the emotion of the disaster as you view personal items, such as stationery from Titanic’s Reading & Writing Room, sent home as a souvenir by one of the victims of the sinking, mailed at the ship’s last port of call; Queenstown. A railway ticket, purchased on board Titanic from the Purser’s Office by a 3rd class passenger, for his return journey that was never to take place

Although the emphasis of the exhibition is based around the beauty, opulence & splendour of this truly magnificent ship, the tragedy itself is comprehensively covered with a poignant display, containing lifeboat plaques, unique original period photographs taken on board the rescue ship Carpathia, a passenger list, memorial postcards and even a gold pocket watch, dropped by a 1st class passenger as he rushed to secure a place in one of the last lifeboats to leave the sinking ship, only to be picked up by one of Titanic’s crew members.

As Titanic slowly slipped beneath the waves, bandleader Wallace Hartley & his fellow musicians heroically played on until the final moments. View some the actual sheet music he carried with him that night, tragically recovered still with him some 10 days later

As the visitor leaves this exhibition, a Memorial Wall lists the crew & passengers of Titanic; driving home the cold truth of just how many survived & perished on that fateful night of 15th April 1912.

Exhibit is now open daily from 11AM-6PM.  General Admission Pricing: $27/Adult, $17.50/Child (4-11).

For Tickets and More Information, Visit: http://www.queenmary.com/tours-exhibits/titanic-in-photographs/

About the Queen Mary                       

Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary (www.queenmary.com) features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary features award-winning restaurants, historical attractions, numerous special event salons and 346 staterooms. 

Find The Queen Mary here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thequeen.mary

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheQueenMary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequeenmary/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheQueenMaryinLB

New Fire Department Coffee Campaign Aims To Raise Funds for Sons of the Flag

July 1, 2017

Anything FIRE DEPARTMENT is major in this house as my son is OBSESSED!!! Anything COFFEE and GIVING BACK as I am obsessed with both.

So, when I heard that Fire Department Coffee created a campaign aiming to raise funds for Sons of the Flag,I perked up. Sons of the Flag is a nonprofit organization committed to aid military, first responders, and civilian burn survivors across the nation.

Beginning today, FDC will donate 20% of all online sales to Sons of the Flag. The campaign will run from July 1 through July 16, 2017.

Please watch the campaign video by clicking the image or via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esm2jR3xlfM.

Sons of the Flag needs funding to continue care for burn survivors and fund existing treatments and surgeries. The organization is committed to support burn survivors by providing funding for innovative research, technology, and education.

Consumers can contribute to the campaign by visiting www.firedeptcoffee.com.

“We can’t allow those suffering to be forgotten,” said Fire Department Coffee Co-Founder Luke Schneider. “We’re committed to do all that we can to make sure every burn victim gets the care, treatment, and funds needed to recover.”

To learn more about Sons of the Flag, please visit: http://sonsoftheflag.org.

THIS IS FREAKING AMAZING!!! DO IT!!

 

Future Disruptors Raises Awareness And Funding for Music And Arts Education

June 25, 2017

When I’m not blogging here, I am an arts educator in South Central. I teach Performing Arts in a charter school and during the summer I teach art to kids. It’s the greatest work I do. I was a child performer from the age of 6 on and when I tell you that nothing is more important than giving kids the space to find themselves creatively – I mean it – from first hand experience as both an artist and teacher.

I was blown away today at the Future Disruptors event at The Comedy Store, where proceeds will benefit the Ovation Music Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides music education scholarships for low income children at music schools across the USA. www.ovationmusicfund.org

This showcase of rising talent was the start of a movement designed to inspire parents, help children find their creative voices and combat the underfunding of the Arts in schools.

We saw all my kids’ favorite Disney and Nickelodeon. Not to mention the amazing headlining band, Heffron Drive, featuring Kendall Schmidt (Big Time Rush) and Dustin Belt, with Demian Arriaga on percussion.

Our hearts were thumping watching this talented crew of rising young stars. The great news is this event will be happening twice a year and it’ll be building more momentum with even more amazing talent. Today we saw these gems.

Asher Angel of Disney Channel’s Andi Mack

Sean Ryan Fox of Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger

Ricardo Hurtado of Nickelodeon’s School of Rock

Megan Lee of Nickelodeon’s Make It Pop

Lance Lim of Nickelodeon’s School of Rock

Ruby Rose Turner of Netflix’s Fuller House

Breanna Yde of School of Rock

Below is my daughter, Aria (right) with her BFF Molly (left) soaking up all the Disney and Nickelodeon faves.

Aria, Ruby Rose Turner, and Molly

Aria, Megan Lee, Molly

  

Aria, Sean Ryan Fox, Molly

Heffron Drive  

Future Disruptors is an event for children and families benefiting Ovation Music Fund. This showcase of rising talent is the start of a movement designed to inspire parents, help children find their creative voices and combat the under-funding of the Arts in schools.

 

Ovation Music Fund, a 501(c)(3) that provides children under 18 from low-income families with music scholarships so that they may attend Ovation-approved after-school music programs in the US. Omaze.com is interested in partnering with us to promote the event via their Omaze Made Platform. They generate millions of media impressions for celebrities and cause campaigns through custom designed t-shirts made specifically for this event. It’s a great way for talent to cross promote and raise awareness with their fan base.

 

“Future Disruptors” Charity Benefit at the Comedy Store-Sunday June 25

June 22, 2017

“FUTURE DISRUPTORS” PREMIERES AT THE COMEDY STORE SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017: NICKELODEON, DISNEY STARS AND OTHERS SING & DANCE TO BENEFIT MUSIC EDUCATION

GET TICKETS

Savoir Agency is launching Future Disruptors, an event for children and families, at the iconic Comedy Store on Sunday, June 25th in Hollywood, CA from 1 pm-5 pm. This showcase of rising talent is the start of a movement designed to inspire parents, help children find their creative voices and combat the underfunding of the Arts in schools.

Sunday June 25th  1:30- 4pm

The Comedy Store Hollywood

8433 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles CA  90069

Future Disruptors is an event for children and families benefiting Ovation Music Fund. This showcase of rising talent is the start of a movement designed to inspire parents, help children find their creative voices and combat the under-funding of the Arts in schools.

Proceeds will benefit the Ovation Music Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides music education scholarships for low income children at music schools across the USA. www.ovationmusicfund.org

 

 

Ovation Music Fund, a 501(c)(3) that provides children under 18 from low-income families with music scholarships so that they may attend Ovation-approved after-school music programs in the US. Omaze.com is interested in partnering with us to promote the event via their Omaze Made Platform. They generate millions of media impressions for celebrities and cause campaigns through custom designed t-shirts made specifically for this event. It’s a great way for talent to cross promote and raise awareness with their fan base.

The day will be filled with live music and performances by the best & brightest young talent!

An array of young stars from hit Disney Channel and Nickelodeon shows, along with other young musical and dance artists, will be performing a concert on Sunday, June 25th from 1:30 – 4 PM at The Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA. The original showcase of rising talent, produced by Savoir Agency, is the start of a movement designed to inspire parents, help children find their creative voice, and combat the under-funding of the Arts in schools. This inaugural event, “Future Disruptors,” is a fundraiser for the Ovation Music Fund, and is open to guests of all ages.

The day will be filled with live music and performances by the best and brightest shining stars in Hollywood. Headlining will be Heffron Drive, featuring Kendall Schmidt (Big Time Rush) and Dustin Belt, with Demian Arriaga on percussion. Talent performances include:

Asher Angel of Disney Channel’s Andi Mack

Sean Ryan Fox of Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger

Ricardo Hurtado of Nickelodeon’s School of Rock

Megan Lee of Nickelodeon’s Make It Pop

Lance Lim of Nickelodeon’s School of Rock

Ruby Rose Turner of Netflix’s Fuller House

WHERE:         The Comedy Store

                        8433 Sunset Boulevard

                        Hollywood CA 90069


WHEN:          Sunday June 25, 2017 EVENT BEGINS AT 1:30PM