Mamma Fairy

I am very excited about today’s feature. This week we have had the opportunity to ask Norton Virgien, Supervising Director and Co-Executive Producer of VAMPIRINA FANG-TASTIC some questions on his career and his new latest work VAMPIRINA: FANG-TASTIC PARTY, which is a very special interactive event in cinemas nationwide this weekend only – Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th

A little bit about Norton

Norton began his directing career in 1990 as part of the original team for Nickelodeon’s Rugrats.  A two time Emmy winner for Rugrats, Norton also directed episodes of the critically  acclaimed Duckman series and the CBS series Santo Bugito, before co-directing 1998’s The Rugrats Movie,  which became the first non-Disney animated release to gross more than $100 million dollars.   Subsequently Norton was a Co-Producer on the Klasky Csupo features Rugrats in Paris and The Wild Thornberrys Movie, and a Co-Director of the 2004 release Rugrats Go Wild.  In early 2005, he directed a thirteen episode season of the Discovery Channel series Tutenstein, winning a third Emmy.  In 2009, for Universal Animation, he directed a DVD sequel to the Curious George Movie, Follow That Monkey!   He has since worked as Director on Doc McStuffins and Henry Hugglemonster, both for Disney and is currently Supervising Director and Co-Executive Producer on Vampirina.

Interview

Many thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, it is very much appreciated. As someone of the 80/90s, I was a massive Rugrats fan. Angelica was really the character we all really wanted to be! Even my kids love the Rugrats, a whole generation apart.

•   I told my kids who I was interviewing and my 7 year old is very excited, enthusiastically professing that he will be doing your job in the future! So first up, courtesy of my oldest son, how did you end up directing? Was it something that always interested you?

Great question! I had always loved drawing as a child, and doodled incessantly! And I also loved storytelling, and did a bit of creative writing in school. I loved comic books as they combined drawing and storytelling in such a strong way – but then I discovered animation, which is perhaps the art form that brings so many others – design, music, acting, drama together at once! It took me a while working as an animator to work my up to drawing storyboards (which is really fun) and finally directing. And Rugrats was indeed one of the most fun shows to get a chance to direct – great writing and voices and a really fresh concept at the time!

•   He is also curious about the difference between a Director and a Producer, and which one do you like best?

The roles of Director and Producer can overlap quite a bit – as a good producer has the creative needs of a project in mind along with their practical concerns of budget and schedule, and a good director thinks about the practical things at the same time he/she is pushing for the most creative and effective result.

•   He also wants to know do you have a favourite show/film that you directed? I did turn this question on him and he said it’s between the Curious George Movie and Doc McStuffins! My favourite has to be Rugrats. So nostalgic.

It’s as hard to pick a favorite project as it is to choose one’s favourite child – if we’re lucky they are ALL special in their way! Right now my favourite is Vampirina – since she’s the one we’re working with at the moment, and she’s such and unusual and constantly surprising young girl!

•   You have such an impressive career with so many hugely popular shows to your name. Do you still get a thrill when you see the final production?

I’m pleased to say the thrill of seeing an audience enjoy your project hasn’t worn off for me at all! And I still get a little tear in the eye at the sweet moments, and laugh at the best jokes, even after seeing them over and over and over…! It makes the hard work totally worthwhile.

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As the changing trend is women are becoming more career oriented. Positively, when the parents encourage the girl child they get equal opportunity to explore their skills. Moreover, money makes every individual strong and financially independent. 

Many women’s careers take a back seat in the run of managing the house and embracing motherhood. They do not realize that they are distancing themselves from the calibre and skills required to earn. Eventually, women depended on men for necessities for a few years and could not survive without financial support.

It’s time to feel the need to get financially strong. Here is why?

Contribute to family needs

Inflation has affected many families. The expenses are touching the sky as compared to the income. 

Women must also contribute to the family’s needs to reduce the burden of one. However, they are not meant for only handling household chores but hold the power to support the family financially. It gives women contentment to help their loved ones meet their goals by contributing to them.

Usually, it is hard to pay for a kid’s school, buy a decent home, and many other investments alone. So women can take charge of earning as well as managing monetary decisions. 

To feel the responsibility. 

Indeed, money makes the individual feel responsible and accountable for making the family’s decisions. 

Many women realize the need to earn for themselves. At the same time, few favor staying home and taking care of kids. The daily devotional for women also emphasizes the idea of empowering women to make them feel valued. The idea is to inspire and motivate women to succeed in life and be equal to men. 

Women may take responsibility for being financially independent and making decisions. 

Inspire the kids

Women’s responsibility is to portray themselves as independent and robust to inspire their children. No doubt, kids idolize their parents and grow to become a reflection of them. 

Therefore, mothers can set an example by realizing their worth and being financially independent to teach their children. The womens can pursue their career and should support their children with their expenses. It will teach them how important it is to be financially stable.

Gain Confidence 

Life is unpredictable, with sudden unfortunate events where you might need financial assistance. 

As observed, many women are dependent on their husbands for basic needs and running the house. So, when they lose their earning member, it becomes hard to manage everything without any money. Women should be financially secure to survive the tough times of life and confidently deal with the situation. 

However, the strength to deal with all circumstances is achieved when women have the finances to pay off their bills. It gives them the confidence to make decisions independently.

Overall Takeaway

Though, every individual realizes the need to be self-sufficient. Still, a proportion of women are found to be less conscious of being financially independent. 

They are significantly involved in household chores and fostering the kids. So, it is time that women realize how important it is to keep their pockets tight and take charge of their life. 

 Note: This is a collaborative post

When heading off on a tropical resort vacation, it’s likely your packing list is made up of colourful dresses, chic swimwear and island inspired accessories ready to be debuted on a white sandy beach or at a beautiful sunset dinner.

However, finding the sweet spot between choosing the right pieces without over packing (and running the risk of getting a hefty baggage fee) can be tricky. That’s why we’ve created a roundup of our favourite resort inspired looks, so you can plan ahead without overpacking or being left with nothing to wear! 

From the Beach to the Bar

An elasticated waist gives a flattering shape to a flowing silhouette. Pictured is the beautiful Marni Dress.

A must have when packing for any vacation, whether you’re kicking back at a five-star resort or island hopping in the Mediterranean is a breezy coverup to take you from the beach to the bar. A relaxed fit mini, midi or maxi dress in a lightweight, breathable material is the ideal pick to slip on after an afternoon spent soaking up the sun for a seamless yet stylish transition. Look for crisp white pieces and pair with tan and gold accessories for the ultimate vacation look.

A Day of Exploring

From exploring secluded beaches and hidden coves to quaint towns rich in culture, an outfit that is breathable and comfortable is key for a day spent sightseeing on vacation. A two piece set combining a chic crop and skirt or pants will keep you cool and shaded whilst looking effortlessly put together. Complete the look with your favourite sandals and an oversized hat and sunglasses.

Sunset Cocktails

The mere thought of sipping on ice cold cocktails whilst the golden sun sets over the horizon is more than enough to convince us to book our next tropical vacation. If you’re staying in a resort, check whether there’s a dress code, as they often call for a more formal and sophisticated look, especially after dark. Explore summer colour palettes of pinks, reds, blues and greens and accessorise with statement earrings and a block heel.

Pic opposite shows, relaxed fit pants in a breathable fabric such as cotton or linen combine comfort and style for a day of exploring. Pair with a coordinating top for an on trend look. Pictured is the Alani Set. from Alamour the Label.

A Romantic Dinner

A romantic dinner is made even more special after a day of relaxing in your dream tropical destination. Look for sweeping maxi silhouettes, flattering off the shoulder necklines and luxurious textured fabrics such as lace, San Gallo and shimmering mesh. Let your hair hang in loose waves and finish with a sun-kissed makeup look for the ultimate summertime glow. 

The Emilia Set features a burnt orange hue and contemporary take on classic evening styling for a showstopping look.

From breezy, lightweight fabrics to take you from the beach to the bar to romantic, feminine silhouettes for a balmy evening dinner date, get inspired with our must have resort style looks, perfect for your next tropical vacation.

Note: This is a collaborative post

It’s official, autumn is here! The days are shorter and the air is cooler, so it’s time to switch up your wardrobe. There are lots of exciting things that come along with autumn, and this includes getting to crack out your autumn wardrobe from the year before, as well as discover some of the latest trends. I’ve teamed up with Alterations Boutique, experts in wedding dress alterations, to give you a run down on some autumn 2019 fashion trends. They also offer a range of clothing alterations and repairs! Keep reading for some of the top autumn trends of 2019. 

Pointed Toes

Whether it’s a boot, a dolly shoe, or a stiletto heel, pointed toes are in! Pointed toe shoes give you a feeling of elegance, giving any outfit a sophisticated vibe. Pointed boots are a great way to keep yourself wrapped up warm while still sticking with the current fashion trends. Although pointed toes are a consistent trend, I have noticed more and more variations popping up on the high street! A pointed toe can really take an average shoe and make it look like you have made a bigger effort than you actually did – the best type of shoe. 

Florals

The A/W19 runway was filled with florals. Although florals tend to be in all year round, they appear to be making a big impact this season. Autumn will see more dark coloured flowers coming into the mix, rather than the brighter colours you see in spring and summer. It makes for a fantastic way to incorporate a pattern into your outfit without it feeling too out of season! Whether it is rocking an entire floral look, or just featuring it on one piece of your outfit, definitely give florals a go this season.

Capes

One of the strongest outerwear silhouettes we have seen making an impact on the runways was the cape. Cape’s are a fashion forward, sophisticated, and fun way to add to your outfit. Whether it’s structured and formal, or casual and floaty, capes can be incorporated into your outfit in various ways. These come in some gorgeous autumn colours, such as burgundy and dark brown, to give you the full seasonal feeling. They also add some warmth, which is obviously necessary as the weather changes. Fashion is important, but so is keeping yourself warm!

Structure

One style I have noticed coming in  this autumn is keeping things structured. Shoulder pads and sharp edges are in, contrasting to the slouchy silhouettes you may typically see as we begin to wrap up warmer. Having a structured outfit can be as simple as belting a blazer, so it is tight at the waist and shows of your shape. This works even better if there are shoulder pads involved, creating a womanly figure. Structuring doesn’t stop at clothing – you can also get a range of bags that have a similar structured style. 

What items have you noticed popping up so far this season? Let me know in the comments below!

LivingSocial.ie offer treats and no tricks when it comes to seasonal dressing up!

Kids these days are not likely to be impressed by a white sheet as a Halloween costume, like many of us sported back in the 80’s and 90’s. Things have moved on and picking a festive costume has become about expressing personality and imagination. However, it can be costly for parents, between fancy dress parties, trick or treating and school events!

Thankfully online deals website LivingSocial.ie has a selection of costumes at great prices with more than 50% off that appeal to all tastes, whether your child wants to be horrifically ghoulish, a video gamer, or a princess!

• Unleash your child’s inner Princess – treat your child to an outfit they’ll never want to take off and get them a gorgeous princess inspired children’s dress for just €13 instead of €33.  With four designs and five sizes, you can find the perfect look and size for your own mini Cinderella or Moana.  Shop here.
• Wrap them up in a Princess Autumn Coat – and because it’s chilly at Halloween, you could also treat your little one to a Princess Autumn coat to compliment their costume for €16 down from €34. This coat comes in three gorgeous designs, all with cute princess details, along with a peplum fit, zip fastening and a snug hood to keep them toasty.  Shop here. These are actually really adorable, will be getting one for my niece who I know will love it.

• Calling Gamer moms – Inspired by Fox Drift from the game Fortnight, this Fox Drift Face Mask will surely be a winner for any gamers in your family.  Now only €8.  Purchase here.
• Soldier, Classic Skeleton, Colourful Gingerbread man – LivingSocial.ie also has a range of full body costumes with masks, whether your child wants to be a soldier, classic skeleton or colourful gingerbread man. Each costume is available in ages five to twelve years old, and are excellent value at just €18 each instead of €43.   Shop here. My oldest wants the solider and the youngest the skelton which makes costume decision very easy this year!
• Face Paint Crayons – you can’t go wrong with a pack of these non-toxic, skin friendly and easily washable face paint crayons! Just €7.99 instead of €22 for one pack of six face paint crayons or €12.99 for two packs.  Purchase here.

These offers are expected to fly off the virtual shelves quicker than a witch on a broomstick!

Order before 20 October to guarantee deliver before Halloween on www.livingsocial.ie