Interview With 'America's Got Talent' Season 10 Winner

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Pirates of the Caribbean is one of Disney’s most popular series of films. Originally based off the popular ride at the Disney parks, they quickly became a hit. Dead Men Tell No Tales, the fifth film in the series, will be hitting theaters everywhere soon, and to celebrate The Hopping Bloggers have put together an awesome prize pack for one lucky reader! This package is worth nearly $200 and includes:
Synopsis Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Capt. Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it, he must forge an uneasy alliance with a brilliant and beautiful astronomer and a headstrong young man in the British navy.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES opens in theaters everywhere May 26th!
Connect with Pirates of the Caribbean
Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | #PiratesLife
Enter to win this Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Prize Pack using the form below. GOOD LUCK!
If you’re a blogger looking to connect with brands: Join The Hopping Bloggers database and get started today!
If you’re a brand looking to work with a network of professional bloggers: Check out the creative campaigns The Hopping Bloggers has to offer!
Be Sure to Check Out:
Pirates, Red Carpets & A Deer | Dead Men Tell No Tales

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Corpus Christi is the second most popular vacation spot in the State of Texas and has much to offer tourists & locals alike. You will find beautiful scenery and plenty to do in Corpus Christi. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi offers an array of things to do like boating, swimming, fishing and much more.
I’ve compiled a list of 20 things to do in Corpus Christi, with links to sites where applicable…
Texas State Aquarium: Every visit to the Texas State Aquarium is a new and exciting discovery. The Coastal Bend’s most popular visitor attraction invites you to travel an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. Thousands of animals representing over 330 species are displayed in entertaining and educational exhibits. Get up close and personal to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from above and below the water in Dolphin Bay. Visit the Islands of Steel exhibit, where sharks and sea turtles live among schools of snapper, tarpon, redfish, jacks and grouper. Encounter colorful exotic birds, poison-dart frogs, fresh-water stingrays and boa constrictors in Amazon, and don’t forget the Living Shores, where you can really get your hands wet.
USS Lexington: The USS LEXINGTON is open year-round seven days a week for touring and special events. The USS LEXINGTON, CV-16, is a World War II-vintage Essex Class aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 1943, she served the United States longer and set more records than any other Essex Class carrier in the history of naval aviation. The USS LEXINGTON arrived at Corpus Christi beach in 1992 as a result of active fundraising, strong community support, and the world’s oldest aircraft carrier has since served as a naval aviation museum, educational facility and popular area tourist attraction. “The Blue Ghost” has remained self-sufficient, never receiving funds from government agencies.
Wataburger Field: This is an oh-so intimate venue with modern amenities and clever design features. For example, patrons never lose sight of the game on the field while in concession lines. From standard stadium fare to funnel cakes to chopped beef sandwiches to fresh-squeezed lemonade to gourmet pretzels to stuffed baked potatoes to specialty frozen treats to shrimp boats and sweet potato fries, no one goes home hungry.
Museum Of Science & History: Education goes beyond the classroom to immerse children of all ages into real-world challenges and exploration. Our Museum’s 40,000 square feet of history and science exhibits are a collection of carefully selected representations that are unique to our culture and our surroundings. Our historical collections showcase 500 years of South Texas history. From historic shipwrecks of early explorers to decorative arts from area families, these exhibits give you an up close look at the life and the people of our region.
Mustang Island: With more than five miles of coastline, we have plenty of room for fun in the sun. Hang out on the beach, fish in the bay, add birds to your life list, and explore this unspoiled barrier island park. It’s time to head to the coast!
Cole Park: Bayside park with a playground, lighted fishing pier, skate park & open spaces for outdoor activity.
Art Center Corpus Christi: Over the past 40 years, The Art Center has evolved into a thriving intersection of creativity and community located in the heart of Corpus Christi’s bay front district. It is a unique organization in the Coastal Bend that provides all levels of art making education along with a venue to exhibit and sell art. The Art Center is a destination for artists, school groups, visitors, tourists, and community members to view rotating exhibitions of original artwork and engage in art making experiences.
South Texas Botanical Gardens: Your visits to the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center in Corpus Christi will immerse you in serene beauty, followed by an adventurous ‘walk on the wild side’ with 11 uniquely stunning floral exhibits and gardens shouting color, followed by quiet trails and boardwalk through identified native habitat and natural wetlands.
Texas Surf Museum: The Texas Surf Museum is a must-see for anyone who ever surfed, and a delightful adventure for non-surfers as well. Relax on a bench made from surfboards, catch a surf film in the projection theater, and spot old buddies and young stars in the hundreds of photos scattered throughout the museum.
Republic Of Texas: The famous Republic of Texas Bar & Grill is one of Corpus Christi’s top dining destinations. Located on the 20th floor, this multi-level steakhouse offers diners beautiful panoramic views of the Corpus Christi bay. We have all the ingredients for the perfect celebration:an award-winning wine list, a tempting menu featuring prime beef, wild game and seafood, and captivating views.
Heritage Park & Cultural Center: The site of twelve historical Corpus Christi homes, the oldest dating back to 1851. Many of the homes are recorded Texas Historical Landmarks, and each is beautifully restored and is a tribute to the ethnic diversity and culture of the area. The Galvan House hosts and supports many art and cultural activities and events. The Multicultural Center includes the Galvan House, the Courtyard, Central Plaza and the Lytton Memorial Rose Garden. All are available for meeting and private rental.
Hurricane Alley Waterpark: Warning!! Fun ahead!! Corpus Christi is preparing to be blown away by a Hurricane! The SEA District’s newest and most exciting attraction-Hurricane Alley! Hurricane Alley’s center piece is a wave pool with over 12,000 square feet of total family fun and 750 feet of a scenic, adventure filled lazy river.
Schlitterbahn: The newest member of the Schlitterbahn family of waterparks and resorts promises another unique Schlitterbahn experience. Schlitterbahn Beach Country Resort is a complete family entertainment destination that includes a country club, full service restuarant, and an all-new Schlitterbahn waterpark experience that boasts our longest interconnected river system yet. OPENS SUMMER 2015
Asian Cultures Museum & Educational Center: Learn about ancient Japanese customs, gaze at the artistry of Japanese kimonos, porcelains and even a rickshaw! Admire the beauty of artifacts from India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Hmong, Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Laos and Myanmar. The treasures, stories and richness of each country’s people await you. Visit the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center to take a trip through Asia you will always remember!
Old Concrete Street Amphitheater: If you’re looking for live music this is the place to be!
Water Street Oyster Bar: Fresh Gulf Seafood, friendly service and outstanding value have been the hallmarks of the Water Street Seafood Restaurants since 1983. Check out the Oyster Bar and Seafood Company for the freshest fun in town or get your Zen on South Texas style with the new Sushi menu. Locally owned and operated, we’ve been voted “Best of the Best” seafood in Corpus Christi for 14 consecutive years.
Fajitaville: Located on Historic North Beach in Corpus Christi, Texas, Fajitaville On the Beach is the Only Restaurant in the Area Offering Beachside Bar Service and Games, a Private Beach Area, and an Outdoor Stage. Recently, We Have Made Appearances in Both State and Local Newspapers for Our Addition of the Region’s Only Beachside Ferris Wheel, a Nod to the History of North Beach in the 1930’s, 40’s and Fifties!
Go Fishing: Fishermen will find ample opportunities to enjoy their hobby at Corpus Christi. You can fish from the public piers, the beaches, bulkheads, or go on a chartered fishing cruise.
Catch A Tour: There are many tours available from dolphin or bird tours to pirates. Here are just a few:
Joe’s Crab Shack: Founded in Houston in 1991, Joe’s Crab Shack brings its fresh seafood, authentic flavors and Southern flair to more than 130 locations in 31 states. Joe’s menu is “100% Shore,” featuring more than 25 crab items in addition to fish, lobster, mussels, clams and shrimp. This location is located on the water in Corpus Christi Bay, and just a walk away from the docs, Selinas’ memorial and other attractions.

LeapFrog the makers of Leap Reader, LeapPad & LeapTv have come up with a fantastic new product my boys are loving, the LeapFrog Epic! The LeapFrog Epic, a new Android-based tablet for children was unveiled by the educational electronics and toys company September 15th. The LeapFrog Epic is like any other tablet, complete with access to the Web and Android apps, but with features specifically designed for children that adapt as their age and learning level changes.
The tablet comes with customizable parental controls that allows you to add new websites for your children to access through the LeapSearch browser, which provides kid-friendly Web surfing through more than 5,000 videos, images, websites and games initially accessible through the tablet right out of the box.
You can allow unrestricted Web browsing for their children and set how long they’re allowed to use the tablet by total time, hours of the day and app category for up to three different user profiles. Since my boys are little I have restricted their web browsing to the LeapSearch browser only. I love that there are pre-selected videos, sites and images that are kid friendly, including sites like PBS & Disney.
The LeapFrog Epic, is designed for children ages three to nine, & comes with an interactive and customizable home screen that users can also play with. It allows the boys to access LeapFrog games, apps and e-books as well as Android games and apps designed for children that don’t feature in-app purchases or third-party ads. Which is great, because I can’t tell you how irritated they get with ad popups and in-app purchases on other tablets.
The tablet runs on the Android 4.4 operating system and features a quad-core processor, seven-inch multi-touch capacitive LCD screen, front and back camera, video recorder, 16 GB of memory and a battery that lasts for six hours.
Tell LeapFrog why your child is epic and be entered to win a $500 prize pack.
Winners receive:
A $500 epic prize pack will be given away each week and includes:
LeapFrog Epic tablet
LeapFrog app card
Visa gift card for an epic adventure
LeapFrog water bottle
LeapFrog tote bag
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Related

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
You purchase detergent boosters to get rid of those stubborn stains your kids bring home…but what if I told you, you can use them for more than laundry! Yes, carpets, upholstery, pillows…have I peaked your interest yet?
Having four boys trek through the house you can bet it gets pretty dirty in here…It’s nice to have something up my sleeve that can help me make cleaning a little simpler.
Man vs Machine: Using Biz on items that won’t fit in a washing machine…Biz the dirty little secret I told you about the other day can also be used for cleaning around the home & even your car!
For Carpets & upholstery: Mix 1/2 cup Biz with warm water into a spray bottle. Spray onto surface and use a brush to scrub out the stain then spray with clean water and pat dry.
For General Surface Cleaning: Mix 1 scoop (1 cup) Biz in 1 gallon of warm water. Apply solution to dirty surface with brush, sponge or cloth. Do not allow to dry. Rinse thoroughly.
*Not recommended On: Water sensitive items such as leather, silk, wool, fabrics labeled dry clean only. Painted or finished wood, unpainted wicker, jute, teak. Metal: do not soak metals or jewelry.
As you can see Biz is so much more than a laundry stain booster…try it around your home and see.

I participated in the We Love Disney album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.
I’ve always been a huge Disney fan. Movies, Park, Music…I love it all! I’ve had several collections of their music, so when I heard there was a new CD coming out, We Love Disney, with current artists redoing classic Disney songs, I knew I had to check it out. With artists like Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, and Rascal Flatts, how could you go wrong?!
I really enjoyed listening to this album and can’t wait to own it! We Love Disney will be released in several configurations, including as a digital album, a standard CD, a Deluxe CD, on Deluxe Vinyl, and as a picture-disc set.
Verve Records and Walt Disney Records brought together 12 top artists for the upcoming compilation album We Love Disney, which will be released on October 30th. The album features the hottest artists from across the pop, rock, R&B, and country worlds delivering their own unique interpretations of classic Disney songs.
Here’s a complete list of the songs and artists:
NE-YO – Friend Like Me (Aladdin)
Jessie J – Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid)
Jason Derulo – Can You Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King)
Gwen Stefani – The Rainbow Connection (The Muppet Movie)
Ariana Grande – Zero To Hero (Hercules)
Jhené Aiko – In a World of My Own (Alice in Wonderland)
Fall Out Boy – I Wanna Be Like You (The Jungle Book)
Tori Kelly – Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas)
Kacey Musgraves – A Spoonful of Sugar (Mary Poppins)
Charles Perry – Everybody Wants To Be a Cat (The Aristocats)
Jessie Ware – A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella)
Lucy Hale & Rascal Flatts – Let It Go (Frozen)
Various Artists – It’s a Small World
The Deluxe versions feature two bonus tracks from Verve Records’ artists:
Brenna Whitaker – It’s Not Easy Being Green (The Muppet Show)
Yuna – A Whole New World (Aladdin)
These are new versions of the songs with the artist’s own twists. While I always love the original, its fun to listen to a song you love in a whole new way…and fall in love with it all over again. Some of my favorites: “Friend Like Me“, “Part of Your World“, “I Wanna Be Like You“, “Colors of the Wind“, “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” (one of my all time favorite songs anyways), & “It’s A Small World“. I know…if I keep going it would be the whole album…but I really love them all!
We Love Disney will also be available as a Collector’s Edition Box Set, which includes:
the digital deluxe album
limited-edition double vinyl,
standard-edition double vinyl
limited-edition CD
standard-edition CD
limited-edition double-picture disc
four numbered lithographs
a DVD of “The Magic Behind We Love Disney”
a limited-edition T-shirt featuring a one-time only design
an exclusive tote bag
and a Certificate of Authenticity
For more details, visit the Official We Love Disney website
Follow We Love Disney on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
So, where can you get a copy? You can buy it on iTunes or Amazon on October 30th! You should go pre-order it now!
What’s Your Favorite Disney Song?
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Related

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
13 Nights of Halloween is back! Nothing would be more frightening than to miss out on these movies and shows, so check out the full schedule below. I must say I’m a little sad they aren’t including Halloween Town in this years line up…good thing I have the movies! Happy Watching!
* Sparkling Picks – Top picks from either my boys or me
Saturday, October 19
The Middle Mini-Marathon (7:00 – 8:30 AM ET/PT)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (8:30 – 10:30 AM ET/PT) *
Batman (10:30 AM- 1:30 PM ET/PT) *
Batman Returns (1:30 – 4:30 PM ET/PT) *
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (4:30 – 6:25 PM ET/PT)
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (6:25 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) *
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! (8:00 – 8:30 PM ET/PT) *
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. (8:30 – 10:30 PM ET/PT) *
Batman Begins (10:30 PM -12:30 AM ET/PT) *
Sunday, October 20
Alice in Wonderland (7:00 – 9:30 AM ET/PT) *
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET/PT) *
Coraline (12:00 – 2:00 PM ET/PT)
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2:00 – 3:55 PM ET/PT)
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (3:55 – 5:30 PM ET/PT) *
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. (5:30 – 7:30 PM ET/PT) *
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! (7:30 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) *
The Addams Family (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT) *
Addams Family Values (10:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET/PT) *
Monday, October 21
Alice in Wonderland (6:00 – 8:30 PM ET/PT) *
Twilight (8:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Tuesday, October 22
Pretty Little Liars marathon (11:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET/PT)
Pretty Little Liars Halloween Episode Premiere (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT)
Ravenswood Series Premiere (9:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT)
Wednesday, October 23
Pretty Little Liars Halloween Episode (5:30 – 6:30 PM ET/PT)
Ravenswood Encore (6:30 – 7:30 PM ET/PT)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 (7:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) *
Teen Witch (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Thursday, October 24
Pretty Little Liars Halloween special (12:00 – 1:00 PM ET/PT)
Ravenswood Episode 1 (1:00 – 2:00 PM ET/PT)
Men in Black (6:30 – 8:45 PM ET/PT) & (8:45 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) *
Teen Wolf (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Friday, October 25
Death Becomes Her (7:00 – 9:00 PM, ET/PT)
Beetlejuice (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) *
Poltergeist II: The Other Side (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Saturday, October 26
Teen Wolf Too (7:30 – 9:30 AM ET/PT)
Teen Wolf (9:30 – 11:30 AM ET/PT)
Teen Witch (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET/PT)
The Goonies (1:30 – 3:30 PM ET/PT) *
Beetlejuice (4:00 – 6:00 PM ET/PT) *
The Addams Family (6:00 – 8:00 PM ET/PT) *
Addams Family Values (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT) *
Hocus Pocus (10:00 PM- 12:00 AM ET/PT) *
The Craft (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Sunday, October 27
Dr. Seuss’ Halloween is Grinch Night (8:00 -8:30 AM ET/PT)
The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (8:30 – 9:00 AM ET/PT)
Scooby Doo (9:00 – 11:00 AM ET/PT) *
Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET/PT) *
Monster House (1:00 – 3:00 PM ET/PT)
Matilda (3:00 – 5:00 PM ET/PT)
The Addams Family (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT) *
Addams Family Values (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) *
Hocus Pocus (9:00- 11:00 PM ET/PT) *
Ravenswood Episode 1 (11:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET/PT)
Monday, October 28
Monster House (5:30 – 7:30 PM ET/PT)
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (7:30 – 9:25 PM ET/PT)
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (9:25 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) *
Coraline (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Tuesday, October 29
Pretty Little Liars Halloween episode (6:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT)
Ravenswood Episode 1 (7:00 – 8:00 PM ET/PT)
Ravenswood Episode 2 (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT)
Ravenswood Episodes 1 & 2 (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Wednesday, October 30
The Goonies (11:00 AM – 1:30 PM ET/PT) *
Death Becomes Her (1:30 – 3:30 PM ET/PT)
The Craft (3:30 – 5:30 PM ET/PT)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (5:30 – 7:30 PM ET/PT)
Twilight (7:30 – 10:00 PM ET/PT)
Ravenswood Episode 2 (10:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT)
Death Becomes Her (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)
Thursday, October 31
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET/PT) *
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze (1:00 – 3:00 PM ET/PT)*
Scooby Doo (3:00 – 5:00 PM ET/PT) *
Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (5:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT) *
The Addams Family (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) *
Addams Family Values (9:00 -11:00 PM ET/PT) *
ABC Family premiere of The Others (12:00 – 2:00 AM ET/PT)