Is it Briar Rose or Princess Aurora

I've touched on Disney movies a lot in the past several years I've been a blogger.

The first disney movie I saw in the theater was Sleeping Beauty. Now mind you, it was released to theaters in 1959, so when I say in theaters, it was in the theater for a limited time. How they often show older movies in theaters even though it's not a new release. 

Sleeping Beauty turns 55 this year! Amazing that it's been around that long! 

Did you know...

1. Versions of Sleeping Beauty have been published by both Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. Perrault called his heroine Aurora, while  the Grimms' "Little Briar Rose" referred to their princess as, well, Briar Rose. Disney split the difference and used both names. 

2. Prince Phillip is said to have been named after another royal that Americans would have been familiar with during that time period: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. They had only been married for 12 years at the time Sleeping Beauty was released, and she had been Queen for just seven. 

3. Instead of three quirky fairies, the original version included seven, as in Perrault's story. (Other versions include up to 13, making the evil fairy the unlucky addition.) The gifts the seven fairies bestowed in Perrault's tale were beauty, wit, grace, dance, song, and music. In Disney's Sleeping Beauty, this was truncated to beauty and song. 

4. Mary Costa, the voice of Sleeping Beauty, is a professional opera singer and has performed in more than 40 operatic roles on stage. She sang at a memorial service for John F. Kennedy at the request of Jackie Kennedy after Jackie heard her sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Academy Awards.  Here she is with Bing Crosby in 1971.

Here's some rare footage of her singing with Bing on youtube

5. Costa is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, and her southern accent almost prevented her from getting the job. Animator Marc Davis said that after some deliberation, the team decided that if an Englishwoman like Vivien Leigh could pull off a southern accent for Gone with the Wind, a southern girl could sustain an English accent for Sleeping Beauty.

6. Though Mary Costa provided the voice for Aurora, Helene Stanley was the live action reference. She also served as the reference for Cinderella and Anita from 101 Dalmatians. Here she is providing movements and expressions for the animators on the Disneyland TV show.

This scene where the artists are drawing Aurora blows me away. Such raw talent! :) 

7. So now you know that Helene Stanley provided the live-action model and Mary Costa provided the voice—but there was at least one other inspiration for Princess Aurora’s features and body type: Audrey Hepburn.

8. When the fairies discuss how to help the king and queen early on in the film, Merryweather makes cookies in the shape of a classic Mickey Mouse head.

9. Although it’s a classic now, Sleeping Beauty was not a darling at the time. Critics thought the movie moved slowly and lacked character development.

10. In fact, Sleeping Beauty was such a box office bomb (at least, compared to the cost of production) that the company decided that princess movies weren’t exactly the wave of the future. They didn’t make another princess movie until 30 years later, when The Little Mermaidwas released in 1989. 

11. Another reason it took six years to bring Princess Aurora and friends to life was that Walt was kinda sidetracked with another project at the time: Disneyland. The castle there was originally supposed to be named after the original Disney princess, Snow White, but in order to promote the film, Imagineers changed it to Sleeping Beauty Castle.

12. The fairytale book that opens the movie was real and was entirely handpainted by Eyvind Earle, the man responsible for the entire look and feel of the movie. It was restored in 2008and is now part of the Disney Archives, where it is sometimes put on display at events. 

13. Walt worried about the constant comparisons to Snow White and Cinderella, so he worked with Earle to come up with the stylized, angular Sleeping Beauty look, which was very painstaking and time consuming. “That’s why it took us six years and $6 million to makeSleeping Beauty. But to us, it was worth it,” Walt once said. Earle also worked on Peter Panand Lady and the Tramp, among others.

And here's another fun video I found that helps show how many different characters but same person was used to voice Disney's finest parts! I had no idea that Cinderella's evil step mom was the same voice as Malificent in Sleeping Beauty, did you? 

facts found here

Size XS chest why yes!

A friend of mine shared this on facebook, and I had to repost it. For anyone like myself, I actually take great pride in the fact that I can wear an XS size T shirt bec my boobs do not get in the way! :)

1. Not having boobs means not having to wear a bra. Seriously, no one will ever know. It’s glorious.

2. If your bathing suit falls off in the ocean, it won’t cause a scene. Literally everyone will just be like “Look at that cute little boy with the long hair! He’s adorable.” No embarrassment. Well…maybe a little.

3. You’ve likely had to make up for your lack of cleavage with something else. Maybe you have great hair, maybe you’re really talented at doing your makeup, or maybe you’re super flexible. Whatever it is, it’s awesome. Good for you, you over-compensator.

4. You never have to go up a shirt size because of your boobs. That counts for a lot.

5. Bandeaus are your friend. This is a win.

6. The right bra, well placed bronzer, and a good pair of chicken cutlets have turned you into Houdini. Now you don’t see them? Now you do.

7. Back pain? You don’t have it.

8. It’s likely that you have a great ass because things have to even out somehow.

9. You will never, ever, ever have to worry about sagging. Ever.

10. Running isn’t painful. Neither is walking. Or even standing for that matter. Your life is smooth sailing. Literally. You have no bumps.

11. You’re a member of the prestigious IBTC, whose members proudly include Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Emma Watson, and Justin Bieber.

12. You know what’s pretty about old lady boobs? Nothing. Thankfully, yours will look like a teeny bopper’s forever.

13. Sports bras don’t feel like a straight jacket. In all seriousness, you could probably run a marathon without one and be perfectly fine.

14. Reductions sound painful. And also expensive. Lucky for you, you can spend those pennies on wine, not surgery.

15. Backless tops are never an issue, and you don’t even have to mess with sticky tape! Praise the Lord.

16. You don’t spend a lot of money on undergarments. Training bras are like $7.

17. You’ve never been like “Oh man, my boobs are really painful right now.” You know why? Because you don’t have any.

18. Low cut shirts don’t look slutty on you. Actually, no shirts look slutty on you. Come to think of it, you don’t even look slutty naked.

19. Sleeping on your stomach is a non-issue. You’re like a little baby.

20. You know he’s not just hitting on you because of your boobs. Like, that is 100% a fact.

21. You get to play tricks on boys using Victoria’s Secret.

*Post was taken from here

Coca Cola Falls Short

First and foremost, other than the superbowl being everything but exciting since it was a blowout of a game, I thought hey well at least the commercials will rock! Um, no. There were 2 commericals that were decent and that was it! I was so bummed!

Which brings me to this one.



My husband and I, were both slightly offended. America The Beautiful was written in 1893 by Katherine Lee Bates, a Wellesley College instructor, after an inspirational trip to the peak of Pikes Peak (in Colorado). Her poem was first published in a weekly journal, The Congregationalist, on the 4th of July, 1895. However, Ms. Bates continued to revise the poem until 1913.

So let's throw back here. 1893. The music was written by Samuel Ward for a hymn of his own. Bates wrote the first draft of the poem in 1893, when she was teaching in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She wrote another version in 1904 and the final version in 1913.


Folks, the fact of the matter is, we are AMERICA which the founding language (LIKE IT OR NOT) is ENGLISH. We are not Germany where you'd expect to hear their country's song in GERMAN if it was being played on the television.

“If we cannot be proud enough as a country to sing 'American the Beautiful' in English in a commercial during the Super Bowl, by a company as American as they come — doggone we are on the road to perdition" -GOP Allen West

I even tweeted to Coca Cola! I said this: "Hey Coke, get your shit together. This is Merica, we sing in English. Get right or get out." As it seemed many others on twitter agreed whole heartedly!

Were you offended? Yes, I am well aware of the mumbo jumbo garbage about America being a melting pot of people etc etc but that doesn't change the bottom line of whom or which we were founded upon, including our native language!!! Just saying!



*all facts about the song america the beautiful were found via google! :)


And can I just say I utterly enjoyed the mini concert? Bruno KILLED IT! 

He kept it classy and was fully dressed the entire time! He totally showcased that your talent can always speak for it's self without having less clothes on! :) 

Weekend Fun

Anyone ever have a girls night at a Brush Bar? It was my first time painting for my self in YEARS! I haven't painted anything for me since 2005. I still have the painting in my classroom that sits unfinished. So many people ask, why don't you make art for you? To put it simply, teaching wipes me out. Any creative juices left at the end of the day usually aren't enough for me to do anything artsy for myself. 

This was my casual friday getup. My hair was pretty dirty. I didn't get the chance wash it Friday morning and I walked out the door with no make up on either. Gross! LOL 

So here's the brush bar in Scottsdale, AZ. I had a good time! 

 

My clean slate.

My second time wearing a painted apron for the day. Mine is much cuter in my classroom--has cupcakes on it! :) 

Painting for me was was not as easy as one would think! When it comes to my art for ME, I am very Type A (to an extent)

It was later revealed to the class since so many asked about my painting that I am an art teacher full time. People commented "yours look so much like the real starry night!" Well uh if I had a dollar how much I had to stare at that painting each year I'd be rich! LOL 

Welcome Back Disney!

Confession: The last time I saw a Disney animated movie in the movie theater, was in 1995 when Pocahontas came out to the theater. I really thought Disney's great days were over, because that was one of the last movies that "mirrored" the drawings and cell paintings that brought movies to life such as Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and the Little Mermaid. All of a sudden it was all about 3D and computer animation. Enter Toy Story and Bug's Life and movies I couldn't stand to watch because to me, it wasn't traditional Disney. 

Anyhow, fast forward to yesterday. Yesterday, I went and saw FROZEN with a girlfriend of mine, and as an adult, I thought it was TERRIFIC!

 My only criticism of the film was I feel that disney really needs to step away from the "Brat doll" look for their characters. The first thought that popped in my head when I saw Ana and Elsa was that they looked exactly like Rapunzel from Tangled, just different hair color and eyes. 

Many of people didn't recognize Josh Gad. One of the films that came to mind that I've seen him in was the "Love and Other Drugs" movie with Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal. 

There have been so many great celebs as Disney character voices, recall all of these famous faces and the characters they voiced? 

Here's Mandy Moore as Rapunzel she's got such a fabulous voice.

The voice of Merida in Brave
I had no idea Kelly MacDonald voiced her--I only know her from the show Boardwalk Empire!

Fun fact about the film Brave:
Brave is the first disney film that is not inspired by either literature (Snow White, Cinderella, etc.) or real-life (Pocahontas, Tiana) works and the first without a love interest. She also never sings a major song, thus breaking away the traditional line-up, though as a child, she sang a small verse of a song in Gaelic, and Merida's rich Scottish brogue makes her the second Disney Princess with an accent. 

Interesting, Right? 

Let's flash back to The Lion King

This movie is PACKED with super star voices! No joke!

Moira Kelly is the voice of adult Nala. 

Personally, when I hear her name, I always think of her first major breakout role at Kate in "The Cutting Edge" ice skating movie. If you haven't seen it, it's a great flick! Here's a clip.

The voice of scar is Jeremy Irons

The voice of Simba's dad Mustafa is James Earl Jones

Jonathan Taylor Thomas is the voice of young Simba

Mr. Bean er real name Rowan Atkinson is Zazu

Cheech Marin was the voice of one of the 3 hyena. 

 

Fun fact for you--_Cheech was also the voice of another famous disney character from Oliver and Company the little Chihuahua named Tito. 

Whoopi Goldberg the voice of one of the other hyena

Nathan Lane is the voice of Timone

Matthew Broderick is the voice of adult Simba

And this famous guy is Phil Harris. He has been the voice for THREE different Disney characters! He's the voice of Baloo in The Jungle Book, Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats, and Little John in Robin Hood! I think that's a record! 

There are many more famous people that have done multiple voices in Disney films you can check out the list HERE!

This lady

Kathryn Beaumont is the fabulous lady who voiced two very prominent Disney characters; Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Wendy Darling.

I could go on with this list FOREVER! If you missed my disney post from 2011 year you can check it out here

Well, till next time bloggers! :) 

Not Loving

Am I the only one not jumping on the faux fur vest trend? I just don't dig it. It's a fad I don't see sticking around long (hopefully) 

Bachelor Recap

I have to say episode 2 was my favorite "date" I've ever seen the Bachelor producers come up with. I am a HUGE dog lover and seeing this as a date totally melted my heart. You can tell a lot by a person and how they are around animals. There were a few girls if I was Juan Pablo I would of  axed right from this date with the way they said things like "I hope I don't get peed on" or the girl who reacted about her dog drooling. God forbid how they'll be if they ever have a human child that pees or poops on them! Stupid idiots.

And Andi sweetie, (girl holding the adopt photo) you need to cool your jets and get over being "naked." I could see if she had a tummy with some flab but hello, see the girls body??? I have yet to see anyone on the bachelor overweight have you? 


Which brings me to the next point in wondering if an african american girl will ever make it as the final girl standing or why they haven't had one on the show as the Bachelor. I really liked Chanel! 




And as for our nudist Lucy whom I know everyone likes to rag on, she's alright with me. At least she doesn't go and get hammered and hide in bathroom stalls crying like a high school girl. I was really happy when Juan Pablo was thinking of who was going to be around his daughter and how he could'nt have someone like that be around her.



Well kids, until next week! What did you all think about this episode? 

Alright Alright Alright

Golden Globes. I have to be honest and say the highlight of speeches was Matthew's speech. His famous "Alright Alright Alright" line came out in his speech and if you don't know what that's from then clearly you have never seen "Dazed and Confused."  A little trivia for you...

Matthew actually says that line out of nervousness! :) So hearing him opening it up and say it on the Golden Globes, even though he was super calm when talking, he must of felt super nervous at the beginning! 

Move it up to 26 seconds to see the exact line. :) 

I also found it quite funny that they had former co stars Matthew and Reese sitting by each other. Must of been the "southern" table. (Texas boy and Tennessee girl) 

Can we just say how fabulous Reese's hair looked?!?! She was paying homage to her Sweet Home Alabama shorter do that's for sure! 

I love Rob Lowe, but thought his hair was a little to high for my liking! 

Jessica Chastain is a KNOCKOUT. I mean wow! I was sad she wasn't up for anything this year, I think she is uber talented!

Worst outfit and hair for me goes to this little lady

Oh Hayden, the slicked back hair just doesn't suit you. Thank goodness they don't make you wear it like that on Nashville! 

I'm not a huge Modern Family of Sofia fan, but she takes the cake for the best dressed in my opinion for the ladies last night. I mean wow! 

I really thought Sandra looked quite lovely in her outfit, clearly she doesn't take the best photographs but looked amazing on screen! 

I was jumping up and down when Robin Wright won ( just blogged all about her a few posts ago with a House of Cards post)

Diane Keaton has amazing hair for being 68 years old. That's all I can say about that! 

And no post would be complete with out a little man candy of Channing right?! Here's he and his wifey Jenna 

and hello Kevin Bacon. Did you ever age since Footloose because you look exactly like your Ren McCormick days! 

And as far as Jared Leto goes, I have to be honest and say that I thought his win was WELL DESERVED. Yes, he took a break from films for six years to focus on his music. There is nothing wrong with that. It shouldn't make him or anyone else less deserving to win. Second, I was seriously super annoyed with everyone on twitter who kept calling him yay Jordan won (reference from his My So called Life days) Do yourself a favor and watch the film he and Matthew won for. It's so enlightening about AIDS. If you missed that post you can check it out here because I went and saw it and know why they picked these fellas to win! Trust me!

There you have it folks! Did I have any of the same or different top picks as you did for the Golden Globes? 

I left Jennifer Lawrence off the list simply because I am not fond of her shorter hair and I thought her dress was a "Meh" for me type feeling. I was really happy she won and thought she was well deserving of the win! 

Happy Friday!

Had to share! :) Happy Friday Friends!

Threes days back from break and I've got the ball rollin'

3rd Gade clay snowman faces! 

Okay so techincally these weren't created in one class period, my 6th graders started these right before Christmas Break and had the chance to finish them up today in a catch up class.

I started this new Gustav Klimt inspired lesson with my 4th graders. They are loving using GOLD paint! Haha!

Stay tuned! More to come!