[ Review ] Just Dance 2020 (Nintendo Switch Version): Pumped Up for Fun and Fitness

Image courtesy of Ubisoft

For a little backgrounder, it's probably safe to admit, with all my collection of the game, that I'm obsessed with the Just Dance platform. When it first came out, I was immediately hooked. Which for very obvious reason, having the Just Dance 2020 copy is pretty much self-explanatory.

Let's dissect the game.

Unique Handmade Collectible Gifts at Carowinds Winterfest Artisan Alley

After 12 years, Winterfest finally made its magical winter wonderland way back to Carowinds to offer fun and enchantment to each and everyone. An attraction that have been much-anticipated by those who experienced it in 2005, like me - its first and last year. Now the great thing about this year's Winterfest is that it's bigger, it's brighter and it offers more fun options for the family - including an Artisan Alley featuring unique handmade items from local and small business owner designers!

Fun and shopping rolled into one
What more can you ask for? Fun at the park and shopping! These unique items are a great buy even if you're not looking for something special for holiday gifts. Some of them are just worth having. The Artisans will be there until December 30th so, check them out and show them love and support by purchasing an item or two!

Welcome Summer with a Huge Splash at Carowinds Carolina Harbor Water Park

Carolina Harbor Water park officially opened it's gates to water-loving Carolinians today. A refreshing treat to welcome the arrival of Summer and its sometimes searing southern heat. The park comes to life to help you quench the heat - or drench it - whichever fits, even before it's officially Summer! So, you can just say "Summer, bring it on!"  - Carowind's got you covered.

DIY: Spring-Inspired Garden Pinwheel and Wind Chime Using Upcycled Chick-Fil-A Soup Container

I always love a good challenge, especially when it's a dare on my creativity. I sort of thrive on it. Now, I openly admit that because I have a track record of going beyond the norm when it comes to upcycling certain items. One example is when I turned used fabric sheets into something beautiful - that's what I say anyway since it's my work. You can see this beautiful thing I talk about here. You're welcome. 

Now Chick-Fil-A have been coming up with good challenges like the cellphone coop, which I did here. Right now, the challenge is to upcycle their soup container. I know that as soon as I saw the container, my brain went overdrive with ideas. There were simple, straight-forward, easy-to-make ideas I toyed with but I said, "nah"... I want something unique. Something that's appropriate for the upcoming Spring season.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of "The Great Pumpkin" At Carowinds Great Pumpkin Fest - On Us!

It's hard to believe that October is here. But that just means Fall has come. It also means it's the season for the Great Pumpkin Fest at Carowinds!

This year marks the 50th Anniversary celebration of "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", and Carowinds is celebrating in with their ultimate annual fall festival - The Great Pumpkin Fest! Think super-Halloween-goodness in one fun place.

With that, we want you to be a part of this family-friendly daytime event celebrations that includes Halloween-themed live shows, a pumpkin patch, a hay bale maze, trick-or-treating, a petting zoo and so much more! Your favorite rides will be open during the day, including the award-winning Planet Snoopy kids' area as well.  All this - ON US! 

Winterfest and County Fair Returns to Carowinds for a Jam Packed Fun for the Whole Family in 2017

In all the years my family and I have been going to Carowinds, I can pretty much say that we have seen how the park evolved through the years, from when it was still owned by Paramount, to that time the park got an entire makeover, character switches, attraction name changes and transformations, when it was acquired by Cedar Fair. During those years, we had favorite attractions that didn't make the cut during the changes. One of them is Winterfest.

Unfortunately, WinterFest lasted only one season in 2005 under Paramounts flagship. The next year, in 2006, Cedar Fair acquired the park. Now Carowinds is doing a time rewind and will be bringing back not just Winterfest but also County fair! And I'm beyond excited!

Carowinds Alert: Snag your Season Pass Before Price Hike

Haven't gotten your Season Pass for the year yet? 
Well, you better sprint to Carowinds soon or you'll miss your chance of getting a golden deal on your passes.  The prices of 2016 Season Passes goes up on May 31st.

Getting Crafty with HP's New Sticky-Backed Photo Paper At My #StickaPic Party

This past Saturday, we were able to unleash the endless possibilities of HP's new sticky-backed photo paper and had tons of fun creating, DIY-ing and photo stickin'! Check out the two projects we created and be inspired. They are both timely for the upcoming holidays.


Done watching? Scroll down to see the rest of our party fun.

The Great Pumpkin Fest 2015 Last Hurrah For The Season This Weekend

Girls having fun at the Bubble Machine / Photo: +Maricris G 

This is the last week before Carowinds closes it's spooktacular gates for the season. If you haven't yet, this week is your last chance to go and have fun at The Great Pumpkin Fest with your little and not-so-little-ones. And I should say, this is the best week to go because it's Halloween weekend! A great way to end the season with Carowinds.

Now take a quick look inside The Great Pumpkin Fest to help you plan your visit this weekend. My #1 tip? Bring a change of clothes for the wee ones! You'll need them at the Foam zone. Trust me. You will.

Not showing? Watch directly on our channel: The Great Pumpkin Fest

And if you don't know yet, see what Carowinds have in store for you in 2016! Tons of great additions ahead!

Macy's Rwanda Path to Peace: 10 Years of Making A Difference In the Lives of Underprivileged Women and their Families

Rwanda Brown and Green Fruit Basket displayed proudly on my mantel with other handcrafted home decor items made from different countries. / Photo: +Maricris G 

It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years since Willa Shalit vowed to help Rwandan women rise up from their desolate fate brought about by the violent genocide in 1994 in Rwanda, that took away their husbands and sons, and left them with the difficult task of being the sole breadwinners. But 10 years of goodness it has been!

One that I'm proud to be a part of again this year through Macy's 10th year anniversary of unwavering commitment to the Rwanda Path to Peace campaign.

You know why? Because this project not only helps these women and their families but most importantly because, it has been helping rebuild their communities for years as well.

Quality of A Baby Formula Is Not Measured by the Popularity of Its Name (with $30 GC giveaway)

I remember those days when my daughter was a baby and how being a new mother, I was thrown into the arena of confusion on the many baby formulas that seem to magically appear in my doorstep. I was saturated with all sorts of popular brands claiming to be the best and enticing me with free samples. Although I chose to breastfed my child, I will admit, I found myself turning to baby formula when "I have no more to give" and my baby needed more - I'm sure you catch my drift - and had to come up with something substantial to meet her demand. With this little challenge in my hand, I went to town and shopped for baby formulas. But here's a caveat, you wouldn't have seen me in the popular baby formula aisle. Why? Why not.

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Carowinds - Charlotte’s Can’t Miss Fall Festival

Photo: Carowinds

Summer is gone but that doesn’t mean the fun is over. The truth is, it’s just getting started. Think of all the fun stuff that fall brings. I can think of a few to get you started. Halloween, Hay Bale Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, Petting Zoo, live shows and the PEANUTS gang, yes, Charlie Brown! - getting excited yet? I am. And you know what? You can have them all - and more - in one place. Yes. One place. Where? The Great Pumpkin Fest  at Carowinds!

The Great Pumpkin Fest 2015 Returns with More Fun Treats And an Awesome Giveaway For You!

Fun inside Mumpkin Patch at Carowinds Pumpkin Fest in 2013

UPDATE: Winners have been chosen. Thank you to all who entered.

Summer is almost over and and I'm starting to see lots of ORANGE, yes, orange - that infamous color of Fall which also signifies the appearance of that mighty, round orange vegetable: The Great Pumpkin that Linus totally believed in, and of course, the arrival of Halloween! Now there's no need to be like Linus to experience the fun and adventure of the Great Pumpkin. If you want it, you can have it all in one place. Where? Nowhere else but at Carowinds The Great Pumpkin Fest! And guess what? I'm going to give you access to experience it all - for free.

Water You Doing 2016 Promises Exciting Transformations To Carowinds

Photo +Maricris G 

Thursday, I was one of those privileged to witness the meaning behind the hashtag #wateryoudoing2016 where Carowinds made a HUGE revelation showcasing the incredible changes coming to their theme park. Additions and expansions that made me giddy with excitement, as were most of those that were in attendance. And there's a good reason why, which you will agree with as soon as you see the line-up in the works.

Carowinds Big SEAcret is Out and Here's An Inside Look! (Video)

Yes! The big SEAcret is out and we're giving you an exclusive sneak peek inside Carowinds exciting additions to the park! Revealed on Thursday during their media event attended by yours truly, VIP's, News, Media and loyal fans, the changes coming to the theme park in 2016 will surely make the theme park your family's top destination next Summer. Take a look!


The transformation of Carowinds began in 2015 with the addition of Fury 325.

What Legacy Will I Leave my Child? #ShareYourLegacy with Disney and h20+ and Win!

Love this girl to the moon and back! / Photo +Maricris G 

I was watching my daughter walk ahead of me the other day when a sudden truth hit me. It was like being sucker punched in the tummy. Ouch! Reality sure hurts. There was no denying it - "My baby is growing up way too fast!". Then it so happened that my all-time favorite brand Disney asked me if I wanted to participate in a campaign to share "MY" legacy - my answer was a resounding YES! of course.


Because, hey it's Disney, and I also have my own story to tell and a legacy that I hope to instill in my daughter, and what the heck, possibly my future grandchildren as well. A legacy that I hope they'll always remember me for.

Carowinds To Add World's Tallest Giga Coaster and An Epic Makeover of the Park

Thursday, last week, we had a front row seat at Carowinds BIG, no make that ginormous, secret reveal and more! In the centerpiece of the theme park's 50 Million dollar investments for 2015 is the construction of the world's tallest and fastest Gigacoaster ride - Fury 325! As Carowinds Marketing Director John Taylor said, "If you thought Intimidator was big, think again!"

I agree. The video simulation during the announcement was indeed a good indication that this new coaster ride is one for the brave soul and not for the faint of heart. With speed reaching 95 miles per hour, drop zone of 325 feet high with tight twists and turns and several 111 foot tall camel back hills, even men will be screaming like terrified little girls!

For those who are terrified of Fury, the park has other offerings next season to cater to everyone else. A new water slide in Boomerang bay for the water-loving patrons, re-vamped menu at the new Harmony Hall, new Front entrance plaza, larger ticket and season pass processing area, new parking entrance and toll booth with added parking spaces, and an expanded live show entertainment. 

Photo courtesy of Carowinds

And this is just the beginning. There's more in 2016.

Fashion Savvy Ideas At Macy's and Radio Disney Back-to-School Event #MacysBTS

Are you ready for back-to-school? I'm not matter-of-factly, but I have some sort of an incentive to be excited about it. Let's say, fashionably excited! You see, my daughter goes to a uniformed school but this year, there is a big possibility that she will be transferred to one without. Yep, fashion alert! You know kids these days, it is imperative, make that highly imperative, to be fashion-forward especially if you are new... in a new school. First impression does count A-LOT! This is where Macy's exciting fashion and fun back-to-school-event comes into perfect play. Yay for fashion help!

Macy's is hosting a fun afternoon across the country to bring you the "what's hot" in the fashion world for boys and girls. Can't wait to see their graphic tees, denim and skater-inspired dresses - which sounds really interesting! To amp up the fun, Radio Disney will be at the events along with crafts, face painting, games and yes, prizes.

The Movie Sequel That Will Take Your Breath Away...Literally!

If you've seen the original movie of How To Train Your Dragon and loved it, I'll tell you now that you'll find the sequel packed with a little more to love! The 3D movie which opens in all theaters today, June 13th, offers its viewers a high-octane adventure and over-the-top excitement for all ages! Also, make sure to bring a box of tissue because you will cry!  Yes, cry. This movie is not only packed with roller coaster fun, but also overflowing with raw emotions that will touch the core of your soul.

Up Close and Personal with The Moms' Night Out Casts and Crew in Hollywood

As of this writing, the movie Moms' Night Out has all been played and shown in theaters nationwide. It was set to coincide with the celebration of the reknown National Moms Nite Out and of course, Mother's day. Well, that's because this movie is all about moms! Sorry dads!

Ironically, I have to take a bit of an MNO from my INSANE schedule myself  - hello packing and moving West to East coast! - just so I can sit my overworked self down and finally write this article. I spent 2 fabulously exciting and glamorous days in Hollywood meeting, mingling, partying and talking with the forces and stars behind this funny movie. It is a tad, tad late I know, but a good story never goes bad. So, here it goes, just as fresh as the day it happened and filled with tons of exciting gossip fodder only for you!