#5Faves: Anxious TV Characters #streamteam

October 20, 2015 By Jenna 1 Comment

Netflix provided me with a streaming device and free watching privileges, but opinions are all mine.

I’ve mentioned you can preorder my journal now, but someone should get the memo to these fine folks. Here are my five favorite TV characters who should be given a complimentary copy of 30 Days to Calm. Who would you add to the list?

1. Buster Funke from Arrested Development: Honestly, I think any of these characters could use the journal. But Buster? Buster would be my number one…or Tobias…

2. Chris Traeger from Parks and Rec: The tips in this journal might *literally* be life-changing for Chris. And we all know he is about self-improvement.

3. Zoey Hart from Hart of Dixie: Maybe Zoey could use 30 Days to Calm; maybe not, but I’m pretty sure she could hand this out to a handful of people in Bluebell.

4. Jacqueline Voorhes from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: I didn’t add this tip to the journal, but I love Kimmy’s advice to her: jump up and down and chant, “I’m not really here! I’m not really here!” Maybe I add that to the revised version.

5. Arnold Perlstein from the Magic Schoolbus: This kid’s teacher clearly has him all sorts of upset. Arnold can take his 30 Days to Calm anxiety toolbox with him on all of those field trips. Problem solved.

All of these shows can be streamed on Netflix right this very minute. Is instant gratification an anxiety related problem? If so, I don’t want to be cured.

Link up your #5Faves below!

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Planning a Family Movie Night with Toddlers + Giveaway

September 21, 2015 By Jenna 21 Comments

You know that awful moment when you realize you accidentally let your kid sleep until 6:30 and his bedtime is at 7? There’s basically no choice but to declare a family movie night, and let those kids rock the evening out with you.

That may have happened to us the other night.

So, we did the following:

popped some popcorn and rustled up some dry cereal with M&Ms
poured chocolate milk
made a blanket fort
opened some hard ciders for the grownies
picked out a movie on Netflix (favorites listed below)

Photo Evidence (or it didn’t happen):

Our Favorite Family Movie Night Picks on Netflix

James and the Giant Peach
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Stuart Little (not on stream)
Puffin Rock (show)

Family Movie Night Giveaway

Plan a family movie night for you and your young children. Find my best recommendations for movies as well as all of the essentials to make the night fun! | family night | movie recommendations | toddler activities

You’re probably not a Johnson, so the one you’ll get will say “Family Movie Night.” You’re welcome, unless you’re a Johnson, then, well, sorry.

Personal Creations generously donated a family movie night popcorn bowl along with a bunch of snacks that I generously did not eat. Enter below to win. U.S. only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#5Faves: Netflix To-Dos

August 25, 2015 By Jenna 12 Comments

Netflix gave me a streaming device and asked for my thoughts in return. Here they be. All mine. All truth.

What do you do when you have lots to do? You just ignore that ish and watch Netflix. And these babies are on my to-do list. Let me know if you’ve seen them/if I should invest the six solid minutes I get each day when my house isn’t a legit whine-ery.

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Heart of Dixie: I like shows that are super sugary. I can’t just sit and watch TV; I have to be doing something else as well. I feel like I might be able to multi-task while watching this due to the sucrose. Maybe?

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The Cobbler: Did I just put an Adam Sandler movie on My List? Yes. It’s not that I don’t like him. It’s just all about the fact that I am not in middle school anymore. So, color me shocked when this looked tempting.

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Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Is this going to be scary? I am big baby, and Pretty Little Liars can only be watched when Mike is not not not on a work trip. But this is so tempting. I love mystery and red lipstick.

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The Paradise: I’ve heard some good stuff about this one. I love how beautiful the sets and cinematography look. That’s why I’m a sucker for Baz Luhrmann and Wes Anderson stuff.

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Welcome to Me: Love me some Kristen Wiig – particularly Penelope (tell me you love her the most too). So, I think I would like this. Tell me if you’ve seen it.

What’s on your Netflix to-do? Tell me in the comments or link up your #5Faves (about anything!) below. .

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The Perfect Netflix Show for Your Myers-Briggs Type #streamteam

July 27, 2015 By Jenna 16 Comments

If you don’t know your Myers-Briggs personality type, take the test here. It’s all the rage, or maybe that’s just my INFJ showing.

Once you know your type, check out which show you should be binging on via Netflix. These are all shows that I have watched and enjoyed (minus Breaking Bad which is all Mike), so either I’m all over the board, or this stuff is mumbo, or OR, the media has us all figured out…or I watch too much tv.

Anyway, check out my pick for you and tell me if I guessed correctly. And then load me up with some other shows you think I might like to marathon with. With which I’d like to marathon. For your trouble, I will smile and wink at you from the other side of the screen.

The Perfect Netflix Show for Your Myers-Briggs Type

ENFJ (charismatic): Since you have the ability to win people over with your charm as well as persuade people with your smooth talking, you will identify with the main character of White Collar, Neal.

INFJ (intellectual): As an INFJ myself, I spend a lot of time in my head. I analyze everything I do, everything you do, everything they do, everything I think, sense and imagine. It’s exhausting. Can I suggest a little brain candy? Try turning off your brain and watching Melissa & Joey. Total guilty pleasure.

ENFP (sociable): You’re a free spirit who enjoys chatting. Guess who else does? The Gilmore Girls.

INFP (healer): Due to your loving and calm nature, you are a fantastic person to have around in an emergency. If you’re always willing to help with compassion, watch Call the Midwife.

INTJ (mastermind): I don’t watch Breaking Bad, but Mike has. He says Walter White would be a thinker with a plan for every situation. I take his word for that.

ENTJ (leader): You are a take charge leader who does not give up on any situation. You always find a way to make things work. The females of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt are strong as hell too.

INTP (innovative): You always want to learn more and improve upon ideas. Watch The Pioneer Woman cook up all of her specialties, and then create them yourself. No doubt you will find a way to tweak them and make them your own.

ENTP (explorer): Any curious person will love Planet Earth. You will love expanding your mind as well as your views of this world.

ESFP (entertainer): Spontaneity and enthusiasm are nothing new to you. You always have a great story to tell about something you’ve done or something that happened to you. Jess from New Girl fits this bill too.

ISFP (artistic): Bizarre Foods is perfect for someone who loves to try new things. How many of these dishes would you eat?

ESFJ (helper): Like you, Gabi loves to gab and is always ready to help her friends. Hopefully unlike you, she is always meddling too much and causing trouble in this sugary show, Young & Hungry.

ISFJ (protector): Always ready to protect those you love from harm? You will love Arrow – a superhero show similar to Batman. Sounds meh, but so good.

ISTP (crafter): You love to experiment and are great with all kinds of tools, kind of like…McGyver!

ESTP (pragmatic): If you’re great at being aware of your surroundings and you love a little danger, Pretty Little Liars will give you all of that and then some.

ISTJ (inspector): It’s not your opinion, you’re just right, right? People can trust that what you say is true, just like Sherlock.

ESTJ (supervisor): You are great at taking charge and delegating what needs to be done. 30 Rock shows you the funnier side of what you’re good at: being the boss.

So, did I nail it? Or did I bloof it? What’s your Myer’s Briggs type? And what do you rec I watch on Netflix?

How to Plan a Mother-Daughter Sleepover

June 22, 2015 By Jenna 2 Comments

Disclosure: I have received free Netflix streaming and a streaming device as part of my membership on the Netflix Stream Team. All opinions expressed within this post are my own.

The Plan

Choose one night to put down the devices and forget the to-do list and just connect with your daughter by inviting her to a good, old-fashioned sleepover.

The Invitation

You don’t need to anything fancy here. The idea isn’t to impress your daughter with details. She just wants to spend time with you. So, sit her down and pick a date on the calendar. That’s it!

Supplies Needed

pillows
jammies
nail polish
favorite snacks
favorite drinks
Netflix
a few good books

The Schedule

When Ellen (3yo) and I had our sleepover, it looked a little something like this:

After dinner (it was a simple weeknight), Mike did the clean up and took care of the boys while Ellen and I got ready for bed. We went up nice and early so we would have time to get in all of our fun.

We climbed into my bed and synced up our show on Netflix. While we watched a couple of cartoons, I painted Ellen’s nails and we chatted about the show she picked. We also ate the snacks Ellen chose: popcorn and chocolate milk. Yes, we ate it right in my bed because it was a special sleepover, and you get to do special things during special sleepovers.

When it got near bedtime, we read a couple of books Ellen had chosen, we said our prayers, and we turned out the lights. The rule in our house is that everyone must sleep in their own beds, but for the sleepover, Ellen got to spend the night in mom and dad’s room. She was pretty thrilled about the special privilege.

Tips

don’t stress about making this a fancy event
plan out some of the details (like snacks) the day before
get your spouse on board so you have someone to manage the rest of the house while you’re partying
leave your phone downstairs; don’t get distracted during this special time
bring your own book too; if your kids go to bed early like ours, you might find yourself bored once your daughter is sleeping
our favorite (calm) shows on Netflix: The Hive, Curious George, Magic School Bus, Little Einsteins, Clifford

What are some of your favorite ways to spend quality time with your kids?

The Gilmore Girls Netflix Workout

May 20, 2015 By Jenna 13 Comments

Disclosure: I have received free Netflix streaming and a streaming device as part of my membership on the Netflix Stream Team. All opinions expressed within this post are my own.

I get it. The kids are napping and you want to watch Lorelai and Rory allude to pop culture gems on Netflix while you binge eat puppy chow. Like I said, I get it.

But you’re also like, “Meh. Maybe I should work out while the kids are quiet.”

My friends, what if you could do BOTH (both both both echo echo echo)?!? Minus the puppy chow because…compromises.

While the Gilmore girls may look down upon your choice to sweat, I’m here to cheer you on! Give it a try! And, uh, let me know how it goes. I’ll be over here with the puppy chow.

The Gilmore Girls Netflix Workout

Stretch then…

Run in place for the opening credits
20 lunges in episodes where Rory dates Dean, 24 for Jess and 28 for Logan
50 crunches when an event is happening in Stars Hallow
Pop Culture Reference: drink water
10 pushups when anyone references coffee
Wall sit for as long as you can whenever Paris is sarcastic
3 burpees when Emily talks about the DNR
10 squats when Rory reads a book
15 jumping jacks when you hear the “la la la” music
Plank for as long as you can when either Girlmore girl goes to Luke’s

…then stretch.

fine print: Always talk to your doc before beginning an exercise routine. Stop if you feel funny. Not if you look funny. Everyone looks funny while they workout. I mean light headed or something like that. Then you can stop. Oh, also, drink water.

I had so much fun thinking of common GG plot pieces. What other ones can you think of? Also, in the combox, are you Team Dean, Team Jess or Team Logan? Team Logan here.

Your “What’s Good on Netflix Lately” List #streamteam

April 22, 2015 By Jenna 3 Comments

Disclosure: I have received free Netflix streaming and a streaming device as part of my membership on the Netflix Stream Team. All opinions expressed within this post are my own.

I’ve heard rumors that there will be a Full House spin-off coming to Netflix in 2016. So until then, keep yourself busy with some of our most recent favorites.

Documentary: Make Believe

Series: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Old Favorite Movie: The Great Gatsby (1974)

Kid’s Show: Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Bitty Adventures

Girly Movie: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Mike’s Pick: Daredevil

Now you tell me: What’s good on Netflix lately?

#5Faves: Netflix Documentaries That Aren’t About Food or Healthcare #StreamTeam

February 24, 2015 By Jenna 14 Comments

Disclosure: I have received free Netflix streaming and a streaming device as part of my membership on the Netflix Stream Team. All opinions expressed within this post are my own.

It’s not that I don’t like food and healthcare. Those are some pretty great things, I suppose. It’s just that I am over the Supersize Me and Sicko spin-offs and looking for documentaries that are about anything other than that at all. Do you feel me?

So, these are five documentaries that I’ve recently watched, enjoyed and wanted to share because I love you, and I care about your brain. AND, they are all streaming on Netflix right this very instant.

Inside the US Secret Service
Coolest Thing Learned: The president always travels with his own personal blood supply.

Jig
Best Line: “It was like walking into a Shirley Temple convention.”

Mystery of a Masterpiece
Not Really Spoiler: This didn’t end how I wanted it to. It was still fascinating.

The Fruit Hunters
Ok, this sounds like it is about food, but it’s better than that.
Best Part: Watching Bill Pullman geek out over ripe fruit.

Inside: Lego
I’m not even really a Lego person. I’m more into, like, not Legos. But I found this to be so gripping. Not gripping, but “interesting” sounds lame. It was good.

Load me up with your fave doc recs. I’m a big fat sucker for them.

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10 Netflix Documentaries on My Short List #streamteam

January 26, 2015 By Jenna 15 Comments

Disclosure: I have received free Netflix streaming and a streaming device as part of my membership on the Netflix Stream Team. All opinions expressed within this post are my own.

Juuuuust so we’re clear, I haven’t watched any of these yet. So don’t go watching them and find out they are totally inapropes and then blame me for it. But, I won’t blame you if you get to them before I do. Look how interesting. Seriously.

Tiny: A young couple with no construction experience attempts to build a tiny house in this documentary that contemplates shifting American values.

Burt’s Buzz: Burt Shavitz, the co-founder of Burt’s Bees, maintains a reclusive, low-key life in rural Maine — and a complex relationship with his famous company.

Advanced Style: This documentary profiles seven stylish New York City seniors who disprove the notion that advanced years and glamour are mutually exclusive.

Happy People: This documentary explores life along the River Yenisei in Russia, where the industrious inhabitants of a rural village truly live off the land.

Craigslist Joe: Exploring whether America still has a sense of community, a man spends a month depending on the goodness of Craigslist posters for his survival.

Kings of Pastry: Venture inside the deliciously cutthroat Meilleur Ouvrier de France, a French pastry competition, to find out what it takes to be the best pâtissier.

Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s: This documentary peels back the curtain at Bergdorf Goodman, the iconic New York store that’s been launching design careers for more than a century.

Mademoiselle C: Cameras roll from day one as Carine Roitfeld, French stylist and former Vogue Paris editor, launches CR, her new fashion magazine.

Detropia: As the focus of this sobering documentary, the decline of Detroit also reflects the nation’s larger failure to keep up in a modern global economy.

What documentaries are on your short list? Load me up, Scotty.

#5Faves: Only During Christmas

December 16, 2014 By Jenna 14 Comments

Let’s face the jingle bells: there are certain things that you can really only fully enjoy during the Advent and Christmas season. Here are five seasonal faves for the Elf in all of you.

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ABC Family Christmas Movies on Netflix: Y’all probably know that Netflix gave me a viewing device and a free subscription, and let me tell you my honest thoughts. ABC family movies starring Melissa Joan Hart or Christina Milian are one of the best things about this time of year. Predictable, fluffy, snowy and sugary sweet. I have watched so many of these it is disgusting. Except it’s not. It’s great.

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My True Love Gave to Me: I usually read stuff like this on my Kindle, but I bought the hardcover version of this bad boy. If ABC Family Christmas movies were a book, this would be it. 12 Christmas stories about love. I am forcing myself to pace myself and not read all of these in one sitting. So. Freaking. Merry.

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Nite Lites: One of the bigger cities by us lights up the whole fairgrounds with a big ol’ light display that you drive through. We put the kids in their pjs after dinner one night and surprised them by taking them out right before bed. There might not be anything cuter than watching your kids light up over lights. And then they fell asleep on the way home. All the angels sang “alleluia!”

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My Tree and This Video: I am one of those crazy people that has to have her tree just so. So crazy in fact that I bought a tiny little tree for the kids to put all of their ornaments on so they wouldn’t mess my tree flow. It’s so glittery and cozy and adult. I don’t need Elmo and Elsa ruining that for me. Also, this video? Best watched during December.

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Doterra Holiday Joy: I finally got my hands on a bottle of this. Ok, strike that. I finally found a bottle on eBay, and it has shipped, and SOON I will have my hands on this. It sells out so quickly every year. I have no idea if I really am going to love it, but I have high hopes. High apple pie in the sky hopes.

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So, we did the following:

Photo Evidence (or it didn’t happen):

Our Favorite Family Movie Night Picks on Netflix

Family Movie Night Giveaway

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The Perfect Netflix Show for Your Myers-Briggs Type

The Plan

The Invitation

Supplies Needed

The Schedule

Tips

The Gilmore Girls Netflix Workout

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