She wants to see a feel good romance. He wants to see guys blow things up. You both want to see something that will make you laugh. Then the perfect date movie is This Means War.

The plot is your typical love triangle of best friends (Chris Pine and Tom Hardy) who fall in love with the same woman (Reese Witherspoon). Chris Pine plays the ladies man who can’t be tied down. Tom Hardy plays the guy who is ready for a relationship. The twist … they are CIA agents who end up using every tool in their arsenal to win the girl’s heart.

What makes this movie worth seeing is the humor in the extremes. As a director, McG is known for his music videos, memorable moments in a short amount of time, and for pushing limits of over the top action movies like Charlie’s Angels. This Means War incorporates both of these with the “covert op” scenes and the dating scenes.

Each character exposes their vulnerable and quirky personalities making for great comedic moments. It made each character very likable and easy to relate to regardless if some moments seemed stereotypical. I have to note the hilarious and raunchy performance given by Chelsea Handler who plays the best friend to the movie’s love interest. My mom, who attended the screening, said that every woman needs to have a friend like Chelsea Handler’s character, one who will tell you “like it is” with humor and that necessary shove encouragement to take chances in life.

This Means War was entertaining! For me it meets the needs for a fun movie date night. Even my mother gives it her “zero snore” rating!*

This Means War opens on Valentine’s Day in theatres nation wide. Check out the movie’s Facebook page for photos and clips. You can also follow the Twitter account and hashtag #ThisMeansWar for more information.

*My mother is notorious for falling asleep during a movie. In our household we started rating movies based on her ability to stay awake throughout the film. For example, five snores means that the movie was completely unwatchable. The snore rating goes down to zero snores, which means that she was so entertained that she didn’t fall asleep once.

Apparently 2012 is the year of challenging myself! I started with the 30 Day Photography Challenge. I just finished the 31 Day Yoga Challenge. This time I signed up for the FRIENDS Photo-a-Day Challenge hosted by my Miss and Megan.

Am I crazy … maybe. But, come on. It is FRIENDS themed! Could it get any more fun? (Imagine that said in the voice of Chandler.)

So, here is the challenge …

Just like the 30 Day Photography Challenge, I plan on taking all of my photos with my cell phone and using different mobile app filters. All of my photos will be uploaded to a set in my Flickr account and a photo album on my Facebook page. I will also be tweeting each photo with the hashtag #FRIENDSpc. At the end of the 30 days I will post a slideshow of all the photos.

Want to participate in the FRIENDS Photo-a-Day Challenge? The official start date for the challenge was is today, but you can jump in ANYTIME!

My initial reaction when I first heard about the 31 day yoga challenge at the yoga studio I go to was “I should totally attempt to try this, but I doubt I will be able to complete it.” When I told my mom about the challenge she said “That is crazy. No way you will be able to do 31 straight days of yoga.”

My Christmas gift from my parents were two yoga outfits from lululemon and I was already practicing 5 days a week. What was 2 more days a week (8 more days that month)? After 3 classes in a row I said to myself “Let’s see how far I get.”

By my 10th class my body was sore and my will power was wavering. My mom was furiously running loads of laundry and still mumbling that I was crazy. But, every morning I put on my yoga clothes, confirmed my schedule for the day and told myself “You can do this. Just get through the class and you are one more closer to the end.”

Then something happened. My intention was no longer “Just get through it.” It was “What can I achieve today?”

It started with learning how to stay 100% focused on my mat. I was able to hold a Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (mermaid pose) and Salamba Sirsasan (supported headstand). Next I develop enough core strength to hold Bakasana (crow pose) for 2 seconds and a teddy bear headstand. Finally, I was able to get into crazier poses like Svarga Dvidasana (bird of paradise pose) and a Vasisthasana (side plank pose) variation. I would leave class sweaty and satisfied. My instructors would compliment my progress and cheered me on. Another student mentioned that I have such a strong practice. My daughter stopped complaining when I would have to leave for an evening class and she would ask me to show her some poses when I got home. Even my mom started making sure her schedule accommodated my yoga class schedule.

So here it is … my last class of the challenge! My body is stronger, more flexible and leaner. My focus on and off the mat has improved significantly. I trust my will power again. I am so proud of accomplishing such an intense challenge and making time for my health and well being. Nothing feels better in life than setting a goal and reaching it (except for maybe proving my mother wrong)!

Namaste!

Photo Credit: my mom

In December I decided to join the 30 Day Photo Challenge. This is the kind of challenge I love. It wasn’t hard, but because I took every photo using my HTC Thunderbolt I had to get creative because of the limitations cell phone cameras have. I used different camera app filters, played with angles and utilized light better. Here is the series of photos I took. I hope you like them!

Thank you to all that entered to win a a family four (4) pack of tickets to Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3! I received 34 entries, but there can only be one winner … Rachel Reyes (@RachelReyes). CONGRATULATIONS!

Still want a chance to win? You can enter San Diego Deals & Steals giveaway until January 16, 2012 at 10pm PT.

Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3 is coming to San Diego at the end of January (25-29) for a 5-day engagement at the San Diego Sports Arena (Valley View Casino Center).

Inspired by the #1 animated movie of all time, Toy Story 3, everyone’s favorite characters are hitting the ice in this sensational live production! Catch all the heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever. Plus a few new faces join the fun, including Barbie’s groovy bachelor Ken and Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. This show is jam-packed with fast-paced adventure that takes family fun to infinity and beyond!

Click here to see the show schedule and ticket prices. Feeling lucky? I am giving away tickets! Read below on how to enter …

PRIZE:
One (1) winner will be selected at random to receive a family four (4) pack of tickets to opening night on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00 pm or Thursday , January 26 at 7:00pm or Friday, January 27 at 11:00am of Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3.

THE RULES:
For this contest, there is one official entry and one bonus entry available (NOTE: The bonus entry will only count if you leave another comment below letting me know you did them). The deadline to enter is Suday, January 15, 2011 at 11:59pm PT. One winner will be selected at random using Random.org List Randomizer. The results will be posted and I will notify the winner via email (so I MUST have a way to get in touch with you). If the notified winner has not responded within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. The contest is open to US entrants only.

OFFICIAL ENTRY:
You must leave a comment below letting me know who your favorite Toy Story character is.

BONUS ENTRY:
Follow me on twitter and tweet “Enter to win 4 tickets to @Disney_On_Ice Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3 from @redlotusmama: http://www.redlotusmama.com/?p=2487 #giveaway”. This bonus entry will only count if you leave another comment below with a link to the tweet.

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Thank you Feld Entertainment for providing the tickets to Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3

Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite Disney princess movie. The story teaches so many important lessons. I know every word to every song. And, Belle is such a great heroine! I want my daughter to have an adventurous spirit, find enjoy in reading, learn to look beyond appearances, and understand that a life of comfort and luxury means nothing with out family and good friends.

This Friday, January 13, Beauty and the Beast will be back on the big screen in 3D! Princess D and I got to attend a screening this past weekend. We were both enchanted all over again! Walt Disney Animation Studios did an amazing job adding 3D imagery to enhance scenes like “Be Our Guest” and the dance in the grand ball room.

For an extra treat before the movie Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the all-new short, Tangled Ever After. The sequel to Tangled is about the royal wedding of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider was so good I wish it was a full movie!

So make sure you get your tickets to see Beauty in the Beast in 3D. To help your kids stay patient while they wait for the movie you can download Beauty and the Beast coloring pages.

Earlier this year I had a series of chemical peels. I loved the results — reduced sun damage and scaring — and I want to maintain it. On top of my hyperpigmentation issue, I suffer from large pores. This means I produce a lot of oil and my pores get clogged if I use heavy products. (Painting a really pretty mental picture for you!) All of the products I was trying after my peel was either drying out my skin or clogging it.

In October I attended an event for Vitality Institute Medical Products at Oasis MD. After I described to the VI reps my skin issues and how unhappy I was with the very expensive products I was currently using, they sent me home with the entire hyperpigmentation system to try. After a month of using the products I noticed more of my scars were fading. Even after my Maui trip I did not develop any blotchy dark spots once my tan faded. More recently I noticed that the pores on my nose have gotten much smaller … less blackhead on my nose!

Additionally, VI had me try their body wash (which includes Glycolic Acid and Azelaic Acid) and exfoliating body lotion. I noticed a huge improvement in my skin tone and texture within a couple of weeks. Today, when my doctor was giving me a shot she mentioned that my skin was like butter!

Who doesn’t want to have skin like butter, smaller pores or less scars? I would pay good money for all of those things, and Vitality Institute Medical sells bundles of their products at incredibly reasonable prices. They offer 3 different bundles (acne, hyperpigmentation and anti aging), each with 4-5 products in a silver cosmetic case. Price ranges from $171 – $243.

Still out of your budget? Is spending less part of your new year resolution? Until the end of January you can get 25% off your entire Vi Derm purchase by entering the coupon code redlotusmama at checkout! I promise you will love these products as much as I do!

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Thank you so much Vitality Institute Medical for providing your products for me to review. All statements are my opinion and my opinion only.

“Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings.” ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I have made resolutions every new year and (like most people) have broken them. One year I thought setting tangible milestones would help. Another year I figured if I was more vague I would have a better chance of succeeding. This year I was ready to give you a nice list of resolutions:

• practice yoga 4-5 days a week
• eat slower and less carbs
• go to bed every night by 11pm
• find motivation in my day job
• watch less TV so that I can read and write more
• consider try online dating

Then I read a great article on my favorite site Tiny Buddha and realized that no matter how simple my resolutions might sound there is an underlining issue … happiness. Or lack there of. Since the end of July I have kept smiling, been optimistic, dealt with life. I have focused on parenting and gotten back into yoga, but I am not really happy.

Will completing my list of resolutions by the end of 2012 make me happy? They might help, but I think I have to dig deeper.

The other day in yoga class my instructor had us working on opening up our throat chakra which would allow my mind to hear my heart. Whatever inspiration or passion I had been ignoring would be given a chance to be heard and allow me to focus on them. But, no matter how much I leaned my head back in my Urdhva Mukha Svanasana pose (upward facing dog) I couldn’t hear anything. Either my heart or throat (or both) are completely closed up preventing me from moving forward in life.

I think my real resolution is to focus inward … open my heart for happiness, allow inspiration, improve my faith, love myself. The list above will help guide me through the new year and my real resolution. Goodbye 2011, you have taught me a lot, but I am ready for 2012!