Jen's Blog of Random Thoughts: March 2015

Monday, March 30, 2015

#TheHobbit The Battle of The Five Armies Blu-ray Giveaway

The Blu-ray release of The Hobbit The Battle of The Five Armies is now available!

The final installment of The Hobbit is here! Warner Bros. is proud to bring you the Blu-Ray release of The Hobbit The Battle of The Five Armies! Own it on Blu-ray NOW!

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world.

Special Features on the Blu-Ray combo pack include:

New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth Part 3
Recruiting the Five Armies
Completing Middle-earth: A Six-Part Saga
Completing Middle-earth: A Seventeen-Year Journey
The Last Goodbye: Behind the Scenes
Music Video
Trailers

Mouse over the Interactive map of Middle-Earth and take the quiz to find out if you're Brave like Bilbo! Also, don't forget to check out the special feature clips. Click here if you cannot see the full image: The Hobbit The Battle of The Five Armies Blog App

{ GIVEAWAY DETAILS }

Each household is only eligible to win one (1) The Hobbit The Battle of The Five Armies (Blu-ray+DVD Combo Pack). Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Giveaway is open to US residents only, 18+ and ends April 5th, 2015. Enter in the giveaway form below. Good Luck!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation nor products for this promotion. All participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook, Pinterest,or Twitter. "Jen's Blog of Random Thoughts" is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Aoao Watermark for Photo & Aoao Video to GIF Converter

Aoao Watermark

Aoao Watermark for Photo is a photo watermark software that provides professional image protection solution when sharing photos. You don't need to worry about ZERO Image Quality Loss. It's easy to use and I think it's one of the best effective way to protect your photo's copyright and avoid from unauthorized uses. What I like most about the Aoao Watermark for Photo software is that you can batch watermark all at once. It has saved me a lot of time.

How it works with these simple steps:

Prepare photo.
Load your image.
Edit your watermark.
Process.
Finish.

Screenshots below:

Tip: Just a reminder to back up original photos in a separate folder so you don't override when you save your photos using the Watermark software.

WHERE TO BUY: Aoao Watermark is available for $29.90 for the full version and can be downloaded from the Aoao Photo website at www.aoaophoto.com. A Free Trial version is available for you to try. The limitation is that the unregistered version of Aoao Watermark will put "DEMO" watermark on output photos.

Aoao Video to GIF Converter

I had fun with this one. Aoao Video to GIF Converter basically allows the user to convert a scene in a video clip into an animated GIF image. You can also add special effects during process. I describe it as bringing a still image/photo to "life". I've seen a lot of these with scenes from favorite television shows and movies. Check out my Tumblr account (jennieyuen.tumblr.com) and see what I mean.

Here are some examples:

WHERE TO BUY: Aoao Video to GIF is available for $29.90 for the full version and can be downloaded from the Aoao Photo website at www.aoaophoto.com. A Free Trial version is available for you to try. All of AoaoPhoto products come with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee.

Thanks to Aoao Photo, they have generously provided readers of "Jen's Blog of Random Thoughts" license keys for the two software I reviewed. Both of the keys are valid before April 20th.

License for Aoao Watermark for Photo:

AO-AWMB-AF6BD00781-0052FFDDE2-337EFEFDFC

License for Aoao Video to GIF Converter:

AO-GIFB-AF6BD00781-16CDF7D1B8-10D9F78CF1

Disclosure: I received licensed keys to the above software for my own use and in exchange of my review in this post. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Avengers: Age of Ultron - "Meet Quicksilver & The Scarlet Witch" Featurette

Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson introduce you to Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch in a new featurette for Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" which releases in theaters on May 1, 2015. Tickets on Sale at Fandango.com/Avengers

Subscribe to Marvel: http://bit.ly/WeO3YJ

Follow Marvel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marvel

Like Marvel on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/Marvel

For even more news, stay tuned to:

Tumblr: http://marvelentertainment.tumblr.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/marvel

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+marvel/

Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/marvelofficial/

Disneynature's "Monkey Kingdom" Advanced Screening Passes Giveaway

Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in "Monkey Kingdom," Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colourful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighbouring monkeys, Maya's whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.

Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”). With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams ("The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," “Shrek” movies), Disneynature’s eighth True Life Adventure—the follow-up to 2014’s “Bears”—swings into theatres April 17, 2015.

Set in the storied jungles of South Asia, “Monkey Kingdom” showcases the adventures of new mom Maya, a clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey who’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world.

{ GIVEAWAY }

ONE (1) lucky winner (Canada only) will receive 2 passes for the prescreening in Vancouver/Burnaby area on Saturday, April 11^th at 10:00am, SilverCity Metropolis in Burnaby.

Winner will receive an e-pass and must present at guest services where their name will be checked off a list. Contest is open to Canadian residents only, 18+. Contest ends April 7th, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. Enter to win using the form below. Good luck!

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Friday, March 27, 2015

New #RebelHeart Album by Madonna

Madonna is such an iconic woman. I remember listening to her songs back in my younger days and she was one of my favorite artists (and still is). I love her style of music. Madonna has creatively reinvented herself time and time again over the course of her career. Everyone has their own favorite "Madonna." This blonde's ambition isn't running out anytime soon. Rebel heart is Madonna's 13th studio album which will be released March 10th on Interscope Records. The new album features collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Nas, Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson.

“Rebel Heart explores two very distinct sides of my personality, the rebellious renegade side of me and the romantic side of me”, says Madonna recently in Billboard.

REBEL HEART track list below:

Living For Love
Devil Pray
Ghosttown
Unapologetic Bitch
Illuminati
Bitch I'm Madonna (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
Hold Tight
Joan Of Arc
Iconic (Feat. Chance The Rapper & Mike Tyson)
HeartBreakCity
Body Shop
Holy Water
Inside Out
Wash All Over Me
Best Night
Veni Vidi Vici (Feat. Nas)
S.E.X.
Messiah
Rebel Heart

WHERE TO BUY: You can download the album through iTunes (http://bit.ly/REBELHEART) or on Amazon.

Madonna will also be on tour (Rebel Heart World Tour) throughout the year. I am so excited for the upcoming tour in my city (Vancouver). See below for the location near you and schedule.

Sept. 2 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena On Sale Mar. 16
Sept. 5 San Juan, PR Coliseo de Puerto Rico On Sale Mar. 21
Sept. 9 Montreal, QC Bell Centre On Sale Mar. 14
Sept. 12 Washington, DC Verizon Center On Sale Mar. 16
Sept. 16 New York, NY Madison Square Garden On Sale Mar. 9
Sept. 19 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center On Sale Mar. 9
Sept. 24 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center On Sale Mar. 16
Sept. 26 Boston, MA TD Garden On Sale Mar. 16
Sept. 28 Chicago, IL United Center On Sale Mar. 9

Oct. 1 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena On Sale Mar. 23
Oct. 3 Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall On Sale Mar. 16
Oct. 5 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre On Sale Mar. 9
Oct. 8 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center On Sale Mar. 16
Oct. 11 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place On Sale Mar. 9
Oct. 14 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena On Sale Mar. 9
Oct. 17 Portland, OR MODA Center On Sale Mar. 23
Oct. 19 San Jose, CA SAP Center at San Jose On Sale Mar. 9
Oct. 22 Glendale, AZ Gila River Arena On Sale Mar. 23
Oct. 24 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena On Sale Mar. 16
Oct. 27 Los Angeles, CA Forum On Sale Mar. 16

Official Madonna website: Madonna.com

Twitter - Twitter.com/Madonna

Instagram - instagram.com/Madonna

YouTube - YouTube.com/Madonna

Disclosure: I participated in the Madonna Rebel Heart album review program as a member of One2One Network. I received streaming links to the album to review. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Blogger Opp: HUGE Blogiversary Blowout Event #BBE0415

Blogger Giveaway Event Sign Up

Huge Blogiversary Blowout Event

Attention bloggers: This is a free/paid blogger event hosted by Michigan Saving and More. Link is free when you promote the giveaway on your blog and a thank-you for participating in the event. Sign-ups close Mar 25, 2015.

PARTICIPATION DETAILS

* Prizes: Various prizes from various sponsors! Details here.

* Event dates: April 1 - April 30, 2015

* Eligibility: Contest is open to US only

* Choice for free links: Facebook visit, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram (with announcement post)

* Optional additional links are $2 each.

* Retweets, comments, email sign up, etc. are $2 each

* Agree to post the giveaway HTML on the date the event begins and promote at least 3x a week

~ SIGN UP HERE ~

Pay it Forward: Master Chef Gives Back

In today’s society, giving back and paying it forward are trends that need to pick up more momentum. There are many people and families that wonder everyday where their next meal is coming from. You can give back in different ways, by giving money or giving your time. No matter how you do it, giving back to your community will touch many people’s lives.

International Food Connoisseur Mimi Kozma uses her expertise to elaborate on how her “Pay it Forward” creation brings awareness to the community as well as surprising a deserving person with a rendition of their favorite meal.

“Food Hero Mimi Kozma” is a show about a master home chef that ‘pays it forward’ by bringing awareness to the community and showcases an approach to cooking for someone in need. Mike Schwartz (Founder of Hometown Heroes) brings special cases to Mimi, in order to set up these amazing reveals.

Mimi Kozma and Mike Schwartz can use their experiences to elaborate on how they came up with the concept to raise community awareness and help people in need. Through Hometown Heroes, they can open up on how they work as a team to put smiles on the faces of the less fortunate.

Short clip from the 1st Episode: Food Hero Mimi Kozma

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

The Best Photo Book For Mother’s Day Gifts

Spring Break is over, but Mother's Day is just around the corner and Montage has a special offer with free shipping on all orders through June 30th, 2015.

What better way to celebrate the important women in your life this Mother’s Day than with a beautiful photo book full of memories! We’re all guilty of taking hundreds of pictures throughout the year but never printing them out to remind us of the magic moments spent with our loved ones.

Montage, the best photo book choice for quickly and beautifully printing out your pictures in keepsake form. Montage photo books come in three sizes starting at $29, and they do all of the work for you. They automatically place your photos in the best layout, factoring in chronology, important moments, and picture quality, and then allow you to make adjustments where desired. The entire creation process takes less than 15 minutes, making it the best photo book for those of us who are crunched on time. The books come standard with an eco-friendly leather cover and premium lay-flat pages, guaranteeing you get a keepsake product that will last for years to come. This is a mother’s day gift that is sure to keep on giving!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will receive compensation if you make a purchase using my links. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

11th Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest Rolls Out

If you can use toilet paper to make a beautiful wedding dress you just might win $10,000 and have your entry made into a real gown!

Everyone likes to save money here and there. And for some, saving money on weddings is more than a hobby, and a little less than an obsession. Laura Gawne and Susan Bain operate the popular website www.Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com.

The Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest presented by Cheap Chic Weddings and Charmin begins March 12, 2015 for the eleventh year in a row.

For the first time ever, Kleinfeld Bridal will create a wearable gown inspired by the Grand Prize Winner’s Entry! Contestants have until May 12, 2015 to submit their paper masterpieces. Top ten entries will be chosen then online voting will be open to the public.

The top ten dresses and their designers will be flown to New York City to participate in a live fashion show finale event at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City on June 17, 2015 where the top three winners will be chosen.

At the Finale Event, the dress entries will be judged by members of Cheap Chic Weddings, Charmin, Co-Owner of Kleinfeld, Mara Urshel and Celebrity Judge Mikie Russo, event planner and host of “Mikie Saves the Date” on FYI Network.

“The contest has grown immensely over the last ten years and we are always in awe of the beautiful gowns created by the contestants.” says Susan Bain, Co-Founder of Cheap Chic Weddings. “We specialize in making weddings chic on a budget but these designs often surpass even our imaginations.” added Laura Gawne, Co-Founder of Cheap Chic Weddings.

The Grand Prize winner will see their design created into a beautiful gown and receive $10,000, the second place winner will receive $5000 and the third place winner will receive $2500.

Here’s How to Enter:

First: Plan your design.

Second: Grab some Charmin Toilet Paper (Ultra Strong, Ultra Soft or Basic), tape and/or glue and/or needle and thread (that’s all you can use)! To help offset the cost of designing these memorable creations; Charmin is providing coupons by request at TPDresscontest@gmail.com

Third: Make the dress and headpiece on your model or mannequin and take some clear, unaltered digital photos (front, back and side). The dress must be able to be worn by a human!

All photos and an Official Entry form are to be submitted to Cheap Chic Weddings at TPDresscontest@gmail.com by May 12, 2015 at 11:00 PM EST. There is no entry fee. The Judging Panel at Cheap Chic Weddings will judge the digital photo entries.

View top and winning entries: http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/wedding-contest-2015.html

Official contest rules along with lots of other wedding cost saving tips and information can be found at www.Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com.

The Dovekeepers Novel by Alice Hoffman + Upcoming Broadcast on CBS

THE DOVEKEEPERS (a four-hour limited event series from executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett) will be broadcast Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, 2015 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

When I first heard about The Dovekeepers, I had no idea about the characters or storyline. I received a copy of the novel (written by Alice Hoffman) and absolutely I fell in love with it. The history and the story about the lives of these courageous women is amazing and really inspiring. I just had to read on to learn more about the characters. I am also thrilled about watching the series based on the novel. Don't forget to tune in March 31st on CBS. You don't want to miss it!

Click on the video below to watch the preview.

ABOUT THE FILM

Based on Alice Hoffman’s Bestselling Historical Novel About a Group of Extraordinary Women Whose Lives Intersect In a Fight for Survival at the Siege of Masada in 70 C.E.

The project stars Cote de Pablo, Rachel Brosnahan and Kathryn Prescott in the title dovekeeper roles, Sam Neill as first-century Jewish scholar and historian Josephus, and Diego Boneta as a star warrior of the Jewish army at Masada. The series is based on Alice Hoffman’s bestselling, critically acclaimed historical novel about a group of extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada.

Set in ancient Israel, The Dovekeepers is based on the true events at Masada in 70 C.E. After being forced out of their home in Jerusalem by the Romans, 900 Jews were ensconced in a fortress at Masada, a mountain in the Judean desert. Besieged at Masada, the Jews held out for months against the vast Roman armies. The project will recount the events from the perspective of a few extraordinary women who arrive at Masada with unique backstories, but a common bond for survival. Additionally, these women, who work together daily as dovekeepers, are all concealing substantial secrets.

Hoffman’s novel was published in 2011 by Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, earning the New York Times’ bestseller status and widespread critical acclaim, including being hailed by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison as “a major contribution to 21st century literature.”

The Dovekeepers will be brought to television from executive producers Roma Downey and multiple Emmy Award winner Mark Burnett (SURVIVOR, “The Voice”), the production team behind the Emmy-nominated 10-hour miniseries “The Bible,” which scored big ratings for the History Channel in March 2013, and the feature “Son of God.”

Frank Siracusa, John Weber and Yves Simoneau also serve as executive producers, with Simoneau directing. Ann Peacock adapted the novel for the screen.

The Dovekeepers is the first project from CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios’ Limited Series and Event Programming unit. It is a co-production between CBS Television Studios and LightWorkers Media, a division of United Artists Media Group.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Hoffman was born in New York City on March 16, 1952 and grew up on Long Island. After graduating from high school in 1969, she attended Adelphi University, from which she received a BA, and then received a Mirrellees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center, which she attended in 1973 and 74, receiving an MA in creative writing. She currently lives in Boston and New York.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the novel book and DVD from the PR Company/Publisher in exchange for my review. Thanks to Ulysses Press. The opinions expressed in my review are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Furious 7 Exclusive Featurette - An Inside Look (2015)

After defeating Owen Shaw and his crew, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), and the rest of the crew are able to return to the United States and live normal lives again as they had wanted. However, Owen's older brother, Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), is after Dom and his crew, seeking revenge for his brother's death and putting the entire crew in danger once more. After learning of Han's death, the crew sets out to find the man who killed one of their own, before he finds them first.

Furious 7 releases in theaters April 3rd, 2015!

More featurette videos to watch below:"Franchise"

"A Look Inside"

"Family"

"C-130 Drop"

Cinderella Movie - London Photo Call

Continuing the film’s successful trek around the world, the stars Holliday Grainger, Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, director Kenneth Branagh and costume designer Sandy Powell of the box office smash “Cinderella,” charm press at the film’s UK photo call.

Cinderella is in theatres now (released March 13, 2015)!

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new Stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

Soon, she is forced to become their servant, disrespected, covered in ashes and spitefully renamed Cinderella. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her, and she continues to remain positive, determined to honour her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.”

When Ella meets a dashing stranger in the woods, unaware that he is really the Prince (Richard Madden) and not merely Kit, an apprentice at the palace, she believes she has finally found a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the King (Derek Jacobi) summons all maidens in the kingdom to attend a royal ball at the palace, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit. Alas, her Stepmother forbids her to attend and callously destroys her dress.

Meanwhile, the calculating Grand Duke (Stellan Skarsgård) devises a plan to thwart the Prince’s hopes of reuniting with Ella and enlists the support of the devious Stepmother. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand. Soon, a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin, a few mice and a magic wand, changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Website:

http://disney.com/Cinderella

Like us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Cinderella

http://www.twitter.com/CinderellaMovie

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https://plus.google.com/+disneycinderella

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http://weheartit.com/disneycinderella

Like Walt Disney Studios Canada on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/WaltDisneyStudiosCanada

Like Walt Disney Studios Canada on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/DisneyStudiosCA

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Green Your Earth Giveaway #GYE0315

Welcome to the

GREEN YOUR EARTH GIVEAWAY

This giveaway will help you be "greener" and save some "green".

FOUR Winners

Over $700RV IN PRIZES!!!

Hosted by: Michigan Saving and More

Co-Hosted by:

Simply Sherryl, Golden State Mom, Joyful Gifts by Julie, God's Growing Garden, Deliciously Savvy, Finding Sanity In Our Crazy Life, Dividing by Zero, Momma of 4 Cutiez,

We can no longer give you an entry for “liking” our facebook pages, but we really appreciate if you do!

OUR AWESOME SPONSORS

Please take a moment to visit these sponsors so we can continue to bring you this great assortment of prizes. Thank you to each and every Sponsor for working with us.

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Woodie Specs