Brownie Mint Trifle | 12 Day's Of St. Patrick's Day

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LeapFrog comes out with amazing products every year, and you always wonder how they are going to top themselves. My little man loves his LeapTV he got last year, and the Get Ready for Kindergarten series has been great. So I was excited when they asked me to review this years new tablet and digital cards.
7″ Hi-Res Multi-Touch Capacitive Screen
Features a huge 7-inch hi-res touchscreen that delivers big, crisp, sharp graphics making learning fun come to life.
Kid-Smart Fun
Access 1,000+ games and more (sold separately) designed or approved by LeapFrog educators with select titles featuring Just For Me™ Learning. He loves that he can get games with his favorite TV and movie characters. The games can get a little expensive so I tell him one game a month and use it as an incentive.
He also loves taking pictures and video, and is constantly asking us to say cheese…I think this is one of his favorite things to do.
The LeapFrog LeapPad Platinum games are adaptive to a child’s ability. If the LeapPad is sensing that your child is having trouble, it will make things a little easier or challenge the game for a kid who finds it too easy.
It also has peer to peer play, so If you have another LeapPad in the house, they can play together each holding their own LeapPad…No fighting over games!
Wi-Fi with Kid-Safe Web
A safe, protected web browser serves up a ton of kid-appropriate videos and more—all reviewed or approved by learning experts. Being only 5 he hasn’t explored this option at all, he’s more into the game play.
Exciting, interactive gameplay: LeapFrog Imagicard™
Unlock more gameplay with 6 bonus LeapFrog Imagicard™ digital game and interactive cards including a demo game, photo fun, trivia and more. (Game download required.)
The Imagicards are a little like Skylanders or Disney Infinity in where you select a character to play the game with. You use the LeapPad’s camera to “scan them in”. Six random cards are included in the box when you buy the LeapPad Platinum just to show you how the games work, but you can buy full sets as well.
The LeapPad Platinum is available in stores now. I highly recommend checking it out, especially for preschool-aged children.

Is there anything that feels more like autumn than a crisp new pair of jeans? It’s no secret that I live in my jeans. I love how you can dress them up and down depending on style and wash. With so many looks to make I love when stylist take the time to put looks together that anyone can wear. Celebrity stylist Mary Gonsalves Kinney has 4 ways you can rock denim this fall that will make your baby blues look their best.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to 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.”
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The decision to send someone you love to a care home is never an easy one. However, for a lot of us it is something that we will have to deal with at some point in our lives, as our parents get older and are unable to look after themselves. In this guide, we will reveal everything that you need to know about choosing a care home, as well as looking into the option of live-in care.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARE HOME FOR YOUR LOVED ONE
If you think a care home is right for someone you care about, be it a family member or a friend, you need to take the time to choose the nursing home with care. After all, this is always half of the battle. Ensuring someone is comfortable in the care home is imperative. So, let’s take a look at some of the important points you must consider…
Accreditation and qualifications – There is only one place to begin, and this is by making certain that the care home has the necessary accreditation and that they have qualified people working for them. This is especially the case if your loved one has specific medical needs. There is no excuse for not getting the qualifications required today, as courses can be carried out online – just look at this online MSN FNP program. You want to make sure that your friend or family member is in the best possible hands.
Entertainment and activities – If someone is going to be moving to a new place, you want to make sure that they are going to be happy and enjoy their new life. Because of this, it is definitely worth looking into the different entertainment options the home offers, as well as the activities that go on at the care home.
Read reviews – You also need to read reviews that have been left by people who live in the care home as well as their loved ones. This will give you a great insight into what the care home is really like. If you come across negative review after negative review, you know to look elsewhere. Don’t let one comment sway your judgement, though.
Accessibility, cost, and waiting list – Aside from the points that have already been mentioned, you need to look into the waiting list. If it is extensive, no matter how good the care home is, you may be better off looking elsewhere. You also need to find out about the cost so that you can make sure you can afford the care home. Moreover, accessibility is another critical element to think about. After all, you want to make sure that you and other family members are going to be able to visit your loved one.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED LIVE-IN CARE?
Live in care might not mean anything to you; it could be a phrase you’ve never come across before. But that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be of benefit to your loved one. Old age and illness are still taboos in our culture because they are frightening, and delving into the unknown unnerves us, but it is an important question nonetheless. So, let’s take a look at this option in further depth…
Would Care At Home Be Beneficial?
Once the question has been asked, the answer, although potentially unpleasant, will give you an insight into what to do next if you’ve never considered it before. If the answer is that your parent have to leave your own, comfortable home to live in a care home or nursing home, would they be happy to do that? For many people, the answer is no. And this is where private care at home becomes something important to consider. Care at home can be as little as a few hours a week, or it can involve individuals undertaking full time live in care jobs for you; it all depends on what your loved one needs. It is often beneficial for home care to be full time; this negates the need for any additional care, and it means that there is never any danger of a vulnerable person being left alone. Using at home care services means that those who need the care won’t have to leave the home they have worked all their life to maintain and pay for. They can stay where they are comfortable, in familiar surroundings, and still get the care they need, whatever their condition or requirements.
What Does A Live In Carer Do?
If live in care is something that sounds as though it could be the ideal solution for a family member or friend, what do you need to consider before signing up? Live in care for the elderly, or for someone who is unwell or immobile can differ from agency to agency. It is important to find out exactly what the live in carer you are hiring will do, and whether it is right for you, or the individual who will be receiving the care. Generally, carers are there to ensure the safety, comfort, and health (to some degree) of their client. This can be anything from washing and dressing, to cooking, housework, and giving medication as and when it is required. Since a private live in carer works on a strictly one to one basis with their charge, their attention is solely focused on them, and their time is guaranteed to be spent as their client wishes. This includes everything mentioned above, as well as taking the person shopping (or doing the shopping for them), escorting them to other events, helping with exercise, and even accompanying them on holiday. Having this sort of full time care is a wonderful way to keep your independence whilst still being looked after.
How Flexible Are Live In Carers?
Live in care is something that everyone might consider at one point in their lives. The beauty of this kind of exceptional one to one care is that it is as flexible as you need it to be. Live in carers will work to your schedule, giving their client the freedom to choose exactly how and when they are cared for (within the agreed care plan). Many people, for example, are happy and able to carry out this form of care, and looking after an elderly or infirm friend or relative is something they would rather do themselves. But, everyone deserves a break now and then. Everyone needs time off to recharge. Live in home carers can be hired on a short term basis, to give those who usually take on the role the chance to take a holiday, or to just go out for the day. Once a week, once a month, two weeks a year, whatever you need, a hired carer will be able to provide this much needed cover. Full time live in carers are also available at short notice, should the need arise, enabling regular carers time off for whatever reason it is needed.
Is 24-Hour Care At Home Expensive?
Many people feel that the idea of having 24-hour care at home is a wonderful one, enabling them to have freedom to still enjoy the comforts of their home and the flexibility to be as independent as possible. But along with that comes the worry of expense – is it going to cost a large amount of money? Is it going to necessitate selling their home to fund it? Are they going to be left bereft should the money run out? The good – and perhaps surprising – news is that a live in carer can actually cost much less than you may think and is comparable with the cost of moving into a nursing home. If the cost of home care is the only thing that is stopping you from enquiring further, don’t let it. It is always worth asking the question and discovering the cost for yourself rather than imagining what it could be.
As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be considered when it comes to figuring out what is going to be right for your loved one. If you need to send your loved one to a care home, use the advice that has been provided to narrow down your search and find the best solution. However, don’t ignore the option of live-in care, as this may be more beneficial for your situation.

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After staring in such films as Maleficent & Gods of Egypt Brenton Thwaites has now joined the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise. During the Pirates of the Caribbean press junket, we sat down to talk with him about his new role as Henry Turner.
After growing up watching the franchise grow Brenton auditioned several times for the role only to have to audition again because the movie was put on hold for about a year. After walking on set for the first time, he remembered thinking “Man I’m Gonna Have To Get Some New Shoes” because it was so muddy due to the fact that it had been raining for weeks.
“It added to the dirtiness of the pirate world”
Q. What’s it like stepping into such a role with having Elizabeth Swan and Will Turner as your parents, and having to take that story on?
A. “I feel as though as it was kind of easier than not having them because they provided such a backstory for my character. We start Dead Men Tell No Tales with the boy version of my character, basically saying, I believe there’s a treasure that can break your curse, and I can spend more time with you. And Will says, well if there is, go find Jack Sparrow, he can help you find it. So I feel like the goal and obligation for my character has already been set, and that kind of gives Henry a lot more drive and focus for the whole movie.”
What was it like working opposite Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow? Terrifying!
“It’s always terrifying because you never know what he’s gonna say or do, so you know, and it always results in humiliation for me.”
Since filming Dead Men Tell No Tales Brenton has become a father. He can’t wait for his daughter to see Maleficent but may wait a bit, “till she’s 2”, to see Pirates.
Even though Brenton is coming in on the fifth movie, everyone still values his input as an actor.
“There were so many different characters coming into this one to make it a fresh new thing and I think all the old-school dudes really wanted to make it fresh and exciting, and it’s something they hadn’t done before.”
Q. You were recently named the breakthrough performer of the year. How does that feel?
A. “It’s great. I did a bit of research and looked at the guys that had received that award in the past five/ten years and kinda just went, wow, I don’t think I’m in that caliber of an actor with those guys. But just to be kind of even considered or thought of in that same group of actors is really exciting.”
During this filming, Brenton traded in his skateboard (due to rocky terrain) for a surfboard and would go surfing every morning before he was due on set.
Q. Did you have any special training for this role?
A. “Just sword fighting. I had a few hand combat fights that we more or less on the day, and the sword fighting stuff, we trained three weeks before the principal photography. I had to do a little acting work, but I’d done it many times before, so I kind of just started right in on that British RP dialect.”
The one item Brenton wishes he would have taken from set? A rowboat…for his mother’s garden.
“I just hope they’re entertained. This kind of movie with all the genres slotted into this two-hour gap – it’s the kind of movie that never loses its drive and has so many action pieces; comedic elements; romance; supernatural; there’s kind of something for everyone in this movie. So I hope everyone takes something from it and connects with the characters.”
Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales Hits Theaters May 26
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Want to see more of my adventures in LA? Check out my Twitter & Instagram. I’ve shared several photos from my adventures! #PiratesLifeEvent & #BambiBluray.
I attended an all-expense-paid trip by Disney, all opinions are 100% my own.

The thing is, it can so easy to do this, you may not even class it as self-care. Because self-care is more than big, almost selfish gestures. It’s not about saying I care more about myself than others, it is about saying I need to look after myself so I can look after others.
Eat and Drink Well
Are you guilty of grabbing food on the go? Convenience food although, handy isn’t the best for its nutritional value. Make a promise to yourself to include fresh fruits, vegetables, and heart-healthy foods that are lower in saturated and trans fats. Cut down on processed foods and each your body responds to the extra vitamins and nutrients you are nourishing it with.
Alongside this cut back on sugary drinks and try to limit your caffeine intake. Drink more water. If you aren’t a fan of flavoured water, try adding fresh fruit to your drinks to get added nutritional benefits.
Cut Back on Bad Habits
Staying up too late, drinking too much alcohol, not getting enough exercise, smoking. the list can go on and on. Everyone has a little habit they know they should break. But saying it is easier than doing it most of the time. Some people find at home programmes and tried and tested methods work well. Other people need a little bit more like what you can get a Christian rehab program.
Once you can get your habit under control or even kick it for good, you will definitely see the benefits sooner rather than later.