Fun Dresses For Tweens at Target Prices

We love a bargain as much as the next mom, but it can be really tough to find fun, age-appropriate dresses for tweens at affordable price points. So we were thrilled to learn that Target announced it was re-running some of the most popular items from its Go International Designer Collective collection (featuring Rodarte and Zac Posen to name a few). Dresses in this collection run fairly small, making it perfect for older tweens - and most run about $40!

Our picks include this sweet hot-pink dress with a bow in the back (try covering her shoulders with a fun sherbet-colored shawl and she's all set for Easter or Passover!) by Luella Bartley for $40:

This black dress from Erin Fetherston has fun layers and will look great on the dance floor ($45):

Or this funky green and navy tartan dress (with a cute shrug over the shoulders!) from Luella Bartley for $45 (we love the boots its pictured with, but this would also look great with Converse low-tops):

The fun rugby-stripe t-shirt dress from Libertine is only $25 and is perfect for casual days:

And this white cotton dress reminded us of Vanessa Hudgens in the last High School Musical movie (Tracy Feith, $40) (again, try pairing these with Converse low-tops).

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Happy (Belated) 21st Birthday to Vanessa Hudgens!

HSM star Vanessa Hudgens turned 21 on December 14th and was feted with a surprise party in L.A. attended by her HSM cast-mates and other Disney stars (including Zac Efron, Corbin Bleu, Ashley Tisdale, and Selena Gomez). Guests enjoyed red velvet birthday cake - Happy Birthday Vanessa!

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The Power of Youth, Covered by Variety

Variety magazine, arbiter of all things Hollywood, held it's 3rd Annual Power of Youth event this weekend in L.A. The event honors up-and-coming kid stars who harness their celebrity power to put a spotlight on charity causes. It's nice to see stars doing good - even nicer to see them starting young to do it.
2009 honorees were:
- Corbin Bleu for his support of the Starlight Foundation
- Miranda Cosgrove for her support of St. Jude's Research Hospital
- Jesse McCartney for his support of City of Hope
- Annalynde McCord for her support of the Blind Project
- Keke Palmer for her support of the Boys and Girls Clubs

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Mickey Mouse is 81!

The most famous mouse in the world made his debut in a short film called "Steamboat Willie" back in 1928. Today, he holds the title of "Chief Greeter" at all Disney Parks. For a great history of Mickey, check out the Disney Archives.

Many of today's favorite tween celebs got their start in the House of Mouse, including Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Emily Osment, Zac Efron, and Vanessa Hudgens.

Photo: Crafty Confections

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Happy Birthday to HSM Star Monique Coleman!

The actress played smart, ambitious Taylor McKessie in the High School Musical series. She is 29 years old today!

We LOVED her prom dress in HSM3 but can't find a pic anywhere - please share if you have one!

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Zac Efron in D.C. Today!

HSM star Zac Efron was on Capitol Hill today to lobby Congress for more funding for the arts in public schools. He was joined by "Me and Orson Wells" co-star Claire Danes, and both actors are in D.C. to promote the new film.

Mr. Efron did tour the White House but First Tweens Malia and Sasha Obama were not there to meet the tween heart-throb in person.

Both stars were in Georgetown last night for reception at the Ritz Carlton and a screening of the new flick at the AMC Lowes Georgetown theatre. (Note: "Me and Orson Wells" is rated PG-13)

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Miley Cyrus and Very Special Christmas Album

Tween star Miley Cyrus has recorded a Hannah Montana Christmas carol for "A Very Special Christmas 7" album to benefit the Special Olympics.

The "Very Special Christmas" album series is notable for bringing together the biggest names in the music business for great causes, and this year's effort should be just as successful. Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens of HSM fame, Colbie Calliat, and Mitchell Musso will also be on the record.

"A Very Special Christmas 7" will be available on November 23rd - a great gift for tweens this holiday season and a great way to support this cause.

Tracks include:

Colbie Caillat - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Leighton Meester - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Vanessa Hudgens - Winter Wonderland

Kellie Pickler - Santa Baby

Sean Kingston - The Little Drummer Boy

Gloriana - Silent Night

The Carter Twins - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Charice - The Christmas Song

Mitchel Musso - Jingle Bell Rock

Ashley Tisdale - Last Christmas

Kristinia DeBarge - Do You Hear What I Hear?

Carrie Underwood - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

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HSM Show at National Harbor on July 18

We've heard that there is a HSM show at National Harbor tomorrow night (July 18th). It is supposed to have numbers from the HSM movies sung and performed by look-alike performers. Ms. Twixt is not exactly sure what this will be like, but we will be at National Harbor en famille tomorrow night to check it out. Are you going? Let us know!

Review of Vanessa Hudgens' New Movie, BandSlam

Ms Twixt was invited to an advance screening of BandSlam, a new movie starring Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka (she of Disney's Aly & AJ fame). Storyline recap: an outcast boy (played by newcomer Gaelan Connell) moves from school to school and lands at Van Buren High School in New Jersey; he finds a kindred spirit in Vanessa Hudgens, a loner who shuns the main stream elements at school; Connell's character has music in his bones and through a series of events finds himself managing a high school band from Van Buren; the band enters into the local high school band competition, BandSlam; and there is a romantic sub-plot with Connell, Hudgens, and Michalka.
The movie is part School of Rock and part Glee; it lacks the saccharine of HSM and has slightly more edge than the standard Disney fare. This film is rated PG, but we could not find any objectionable content in the film. We think the PG rating comes from a mention of an adult character who has a DWI conviction, but Ms Twixt found the movie completely age-appropriate for 'tweens.
The music-loving tween in your life would likely like this film; the adult accompanying said tween will appreciate the musical references to David Bowie and other punk rock legends of the 70's. A good film to see together, but the big screen of a movie theatre isn't necessary to enjoy it.

Kids Choice Award Winners Announced!

Winners from the 22nd annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards:

• Favorite Movie: "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."
• Favorite Movie Actor: Will Smith, "Hancock."
• Favorite Movie Actress: Vanessa Hudgens, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."
• Favorite Animated Movie: "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa."
• Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: Jack Black, "Kung Fu Panda."
• Favorite Song: Beyonce, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)."
• Favorite Male Singer: Jesse McCartney.
• Favorite Female Singer: Miley Cyrus.
• Favorite Music Group: Jonas Brothers.
• Favorite TV Show: "iCarly."
• Favorite Reality Show: "American Idol."
• Favorite TV Actress: Selena Gomez, "Wizards of Waverly."
• Favorite TV Actor: Cole Sprouse, "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."
• Favorite Cartoon: "SpongeBob SquarePants."
• Favorite Male Athlete: Peyton Manning.
• Favorite Female Athlete: Candace Parker.
• Favorite Video Game: "Guitar Hero World Tour."
• Favorite Book: "Twilight" series