January 27, 2015

What's Important Right Now - January

January 27, 2015/ Marta M. Darby

I have lately been so caught up in telling all about my latest travel experiences (Skywalker Ranch, anyone?) that I have not stopped to write about the things that are happening in my real life and taking up space in my heart and mind.

And I know I always tell you that some things are "not important right now," so I decided to share things that are important to me right now.

With that in mind, here's what's happening in The Present Participle World of Marta for January 2015. (I know you care.)

Loving our brand new mattress. Yes. It was time and we finally bit the bullet and now our bed is The Most Comfortable Bed Ever. We painted our bedroom yellow months ago and all of this is making me super happy. Mostly because I'm sleeping better, but that's not important right now.

Working on some custom orders and some new designs to add to my Etsy shop, Marta Darby Designs. You have one of my Cuban Food Posters already, right?

Delighting in the beauty and fun (and work!) that is our 5 month old grandson, Asher. Grateful to Adam and Alysha for so graciously sharing him with us.

Reading Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Getting inspired, laughing out loud and hating her potty-mouth all at once.

Trying lots of new Pinterest recipes which is making my family love me oh, so much. Lots of keepers. Follow my I *Heart* Food or Cuban Food boards if you're so inclined.

Watching the old Batman TV series with Eric and Jonathan and seriously loving the cheesiness of the acting and dialog. Also, yes, as a matter of fact, we do keep those lights in here all year round.

Supporting our son, Jonathan as he continues to pursue his acting career.

photo credit: DanShalaby.com

Missing my daughter, Amy who is still doing life in Miami. She hilariously shares photos of the Cuban food that she's enjoying in order to entice me to visit soon. (It might just work.)

Celebrating a day off together with my husband and kids at Disneyland. Those days are few and far between lately which makes them that much more delicious.

Procrastinating on making dinner tonight because I may or may not be spending too much time on Pinterest pinning some Really Really Fabulous Dinner Ideas That I Must Try Immediately, but that's not important right now.

What about you? What are you doing that's important right now?

June 12, 2011

Fabulous Summer Fun - Disney Style

June 12, 2011/ Marta M. Darby

Last week I was privileged to be a part of the kick-off for some really amazing summer fun at the Disneyland Resort.

I feel sooo accidentally cool to be considered part of the "new media."

We got to preview the new Little Mermaid ride, Ariel's Undersea Adventure which was as cute and clever as you may imagine.

Sitting two clamshells behind me was the much-more-beautiful-in-person-than-on-Dancing-With-The-Stars, Christian de la Fuente. (Google him if you must.)

And much to my everlasting delight, there was a four song set, led by Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel. Yes, The Little Mermaid herself sang 'Part of Your World.' I cried. I did. (I know. Shut up.)

I loved everything about the day including that I got to share it with these beautiful Blog Friends.

Left to right: Liz from Disneylandia al Dia, Sandrini from Soy Fashionista, Me, Ana from Spanglish Baby.

There was the fabulous new parade called Mickey's Soundsational Parade which I loved, but let me tell you why:

There was a flash mob. (Disney + Flash Mob = Genius.)
The floats were super-amazingly colorful, the music totally fun and happy.
Everything that I love about Disney parades were rolled into this one.
Dancing Chimney Sweeps! ;-)

And then there was the new Star Tours - The Adventure Continues. It's now in 3D so you feel like you are RIGHT THERE. Truly as much fun as you imagine.

(Note to self: Skip the corn dog the next time you ride this. =D)

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, there was a wonderful poolside party with gourmet food from the Disney chefs, music and mermaids. Mermaids, people! (I always wanted to be a mermaid, but that's not important right now.)

The chefs prepared some of the new fare that's going to be offered at the new Paradise Garden Grill. They totally had me at "chimichurri."

We were taken on tours of the new Disneyland Hotel Signature Suites. I was torn between the Adventureland Suite and the Mickey Mouse Penthouse. (I have to admit that the MM Penthouse won because of the Red Leather Mickey Chairs.) Yes, it's quite the Mouse Pad. Get it? Mouse Pad? *cracks up at her own joke*

Here's a video recap of my enchanting, beautiful, delicious, amazing, and magical day. And yes, there are live mermaids. It's as if all of my wishes had come true.

What a Perfectly Perfect Disney Day.

Thanks, Disney!

Are you planning on visiting any of the Disney parks this summer? Tell me.

[DISCLAIMER: I was invited by Disney Promotions to come and preview the new attractions and taste the food. I was not compensated, nor was anything required of me. The opinions of how fun and fabulous everything was are my own.]

November 10, 2010

TANGLED - A Giveaway.

November 10, 2010/ Marta M. Darby

All four of my kids are grown now, but it wasn't too long ago that we religiously made plans to watch whatever new Disney offering was available. In fact, we haven't missed a Disney film yet.

You know that we love All Things Disney (especially Disneyland, see my Disney Scavenger Hunt as proof). That love affair started for me when I was very young and has continued through the recent release of Toy Story 3. (Yes, I wept copiously through the entire thing. Shut up.)

Today I am delighted to invite MBFCF readers to enter a drawing for the chance to win 2 Advance Screening Passes for TANGLED in 3D in each of the following cities:

CHICAGO - Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 PM
DALLAS - Wednesday, November 17 at 7:00PM
HOUSTON - Thursday, November 18 at 7:00PM
LOS ANGELES - Monday, November 22 at 7:00PM
MIAMI - Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00PM
NEW YORK - Thursday, November 18 at 7:00PM
PHOENIX - Thursday, November 18 at 7:00PM
SAN ANTONIO - Thursday, November 18 at 7:00PM
SAN DIEGO - Thursday, November 18 at 7:00PM
SAN FRANCISCO/SAN JOSE - Thursday, November 18 at 7:00PM

From the press release:

Walt Disney Pictures presents "Tangled," one of the most hilarious, hair-raising tales ever told. When the kingdom's most wanted - and most charming - bandit, Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi), hides out in a mysterious tower, he's taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn's curious captor, who's looking for her ticket out of the tower where she's been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief, and the unlikely duo sets off an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse (named Maximus), an over-protective chameleon (named Pascal), and a gruff gang of pub thugs.

Do we love just about anything Disney? Do we further love Zachary Levi?? (Chuck.) Umm....YES!

So we all agree this is a must-see? (I thought as much.)

Take a peek:

If you are available to attend the 3D Preview Screening of TANGLED at the time stated in your city, and you'd like to enter this giveaway which will Admit 2, please leave a comment on this post and tell me: