Tween's Review of Disney "Teen Beach Movie"

Did you know that you can watch the new Disney "Teen Beach Movie" before it premieres on Disney Channel tomorrow night? The WATCH Disney Channel app allows you to watch exclusive content in advance. Our tween downloaded the app (with mom's permission) onto her iTouch. It prompted us to login our Xfinity credentials, and then she was off and running! 

She watches all of her favorite Disney Channel shows like Austin & Ally, A.N.T. Farm, Jessie, and Good Luck Charlie  This week she saw the promo to watch the new "Teen Beach Movie" BEFORE the premiere on Friday, July 19th - she jumped on the link! 

Here is her review:

I think that "Teen Beach Movie" was a movie that I'll watch over and over again because it was so fun to listen and dance to the 1962 musical numbers. I also loved the amazing choreography and synchronization. Teen Beach Movie is mainly about being young and enjoying life and not to be to anxious to grow up. The one thing I didn't like was that Lescamanbear and the mad scientist were defeated so easily. 

New Online Cooking Show For Tweens: Food Star by SweetyHigh

Sweety High is an online social networking community for tweens and tweens. Like the ones before it (Everloop, Imbee, etc.), the site is COPPA-compliant and heavily monitored. What makes this social network different from the others out there is that they create online shows using girls from their network. "Food Star" is one such show: it features a sister duo of Sophie and Emily Everhard who were members of Sweety High.

Our tweens seem to watch Food Network and Cupcake Wars as much as Disney Channel, so it's not surprising that media companies are catching on to the tween-foodie market. "Food Star" features the sisters cooking recipes with tween and teenage celebrities; it's sort of a mash-up between a talk show (think "Ellen") and "Rachel Ray". I especially love that the episodes include kitchen safety tips in addition to the recipes, and that the stars of the show are two real-life kids.

One must be a member of Sweety High to view any content (part of the site's safety protocols), and membership is free. Parents are also part of the process: parental permission is required to register for the site, and there's also a group of parents serving as an advisory board to the site's management.

Our tweens loved it - let us know what yours thought of the new show!

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Most Creative Website EVER for Tween Lunch Ideas

OMG is right! This is perfect for Back to School (thanks a ton to our friends at Chica Circle for introducing us to this): Susan Yuen is a "bento box chef" (that's my made-up term, not hers), and she writes a blog that is all about cool, uber-creative ideas for how to make kids- themed bento boxes. Bento boxes are the new lunchbox, and while everyone and their mommy blogger seems to show images of them, Susan's blog is the only one I've seen that actually gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make them. We were hooked after seeing the Phineas and Ferb-themed ones she did (thanks to eighteen25 for this story). Yes, it's a bit OCD, but the results are truly amazing.

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What's Cool For Tweens in September: MsTwixt's Calendar

• Sept 4 Tavi Gevinson's "Rookie" magazine launches
• Sept 8 Fashion's Night Out
• Sept 11 Grandparents Day
• Sept 8-15 New York Fashion Week (#NYFW)! (full schedule here)
• Sept 11 NYFW: Victoria Beckham at 10am, Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. & Harajuku Lovers at 2:30pm
• Sept 12 NYFW: Rachel Zoe at 3pm, Betsey Johnson at 6pm, Abbey Dawn by Avril Lavigne at 6pm
• Sept 13 NYFW: J.Crew at 930am
• Sept 13 Missoni for Target collection available (a must-have for tween scarves, mittens)
• Sept 13 International Chocolate Day
• Sept 14 NYFW: Gap at 5pm
• Sept 17 Sprint For A Cure Kids' 100-Yard Dash by FourSeasons
• Sept 18 "Fred the Movie" airs on Nick
• Sept 20 Material Girl's 1st Birthday Party at Macy's in NYC
• Sept 21 New American Girl dolls welcome party at American Girl DC, "Fete for Cecile and Marie-Grace"
• Sept 22 National White Chocolate Day
• Sept 23 "Dolphin Tale" opens
• Sept 24-25 National Book Festival on the National Mall
• Sept 24-25 Life is Good Music Festival
• Sept 30 "Jessie" Disney Channel premiere

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What's Cool For Tweens in June: MsTwixt's Calendar

Ms Twixt's Calendar

• June is National Candy Month!
• June 3 NKOTB/Backstreet Boys concert at Verizon Center
• June 3 "X-Men First Class" movie opens
• June 3 "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure - What's What Edition" on Disney Channel
• June 4-5 DC Jazz Festival Family Days (Free at the Phillips Collection)
• June 5 Battle of the Bands, Elementary School division at the 930 Club
• June 5 The Annual Washington Post Hunt (founded by Dave Barry!)
• June 5 MTV Movie Awards at 9pm
• June 5 "So Random" series premiere on Disney Channel
• June 8 World Oceans Day (Wear Blue, Tell 2!)
• June 9 Glee concert at Verizon Center
• June 10 Go-Go's concert at Wolftrap (tickets only $25)
• June 10 Sasha Obama's 10th birthday!
• June 10 Judy Moody movie opens
• June 10 "My Babysitter's a Vampire" series premiere on Disney Channel
• June 11 Battle of the Bands, Middle School division at the 930 Club
• June 11 "iParty with Victorious" 90-minute show on Nickelodeon at 8pm
• June 15 Anniversary of the Pop Rocks patent (who knew?!)
• June 16 National Fudge Day
• June 17 American Girl Store Grand Opening Benefit for Children's Hospital
• June 17 "The Art of Getting By" movie opens (starring Emma Roberts!)
• June 17 "Mr. Popper's Penguins" movie opens
• June 17 "Green Lantern" movie opens
• June 17 "A.N.T. Farm" series premiere on Disney Channel at 830pm
• June 18 American Girl Store opens in Tyson's Corner, VA
• June 20 MsTwixt's birthday!
• June 29 "Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon" movie opens (filmed in D.C.!)

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What's Cool for Tweens in April: MsTwixt's Calendar

Ms Twixt's Calendar

• Apr 1 "Hop" the movie opens
• Apr 2 National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks at 830pm
• Apr 2 Kids Choice Awards on Nick at 8pm
• Apr 2 Hans Christian Andersen's birthday
• Apr 4 "Race to Nowhere" screening at National Cathedral in D.C.
• Apr 5 Harry Potter Exhibition opens at Discovery Theatre in NYC
• Apr 8 "Soul Surfer" movie opens (starring Anna Sophia Robb)
• Apr 8 "Born To Be Wild" nature documentary opens
• Apr 8 1st April Giveaway: "Coke or Pepsi?"
• Apr 9 National Cherry Blossom Parade in D.C.
• Apr 10 GW/Cherry Blossom Rowing Invitational on the Potomac
• Apr 12 Beverly Cleary's birthday
• Apr 12 National Licorice Day
• Apr 15 Anthony Horowitz book signing for "Scorpia Rising" at Politics & Prose
• Apr 15 "Lemonade Mouth" premieres on Disney Channel at 8pm
• Apr 15 2nd April Giveaway: "Coke or Pepsi?"
• Apr 16-17 PEEPS Weekend at Gaylord National Harbor
• Apr 17 Washington Post PEEPS Diorama Contest winners announced
• Apr 15 "Rio" the movie opens (featuring Anne Hathaway)
• Apr 15 Emma Watson's birthday
• Apr 20-22 Big Band JAM Jazz Festival - by kids, for kids
• Apr 22 Earth Day
• Apr 22 Tavi Gevinson's birthday
• Apr 22 National Jelly Bean Day
• Apr 23-24 PEEPS Weekend at Gaylord National Harbor
• Apr 25 White House Easter Egg Roll
• Apr 28 Greyson Chance & Cody Simpson in concert at Sixth & I Synagogue in D.C.
• Apr 29 "Prom" the movie opens
• Apr 30 Drew Seeley's birthday

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A Perfect Birthday Gift For Tweens

Remember our New Year's Resolution post about writing thank you notes? We had a terrific response to that idea, and one company, Expressionery, wrote to tell us about their line of stationery created for tweens. Their cards are fun and customizable, but what we REALLY fell for were their custom Hello Kitty zodiac stamps. How cute is this!?!?

We think this is a perfect birthday gift for the next time your tween has a birthday party to attend - it's personalized, unique, and will be adored by the recipient. We chose one with our name (Ms.Twixt), city (Washington, DC), and our horoscope (Gemini). You could have an entire address printed on the stamp, making it ideal for envelopes, invitations, and customizing school supplies and notebooks (which, come to think of it, will help our tweens stick to another New Year's Resolution to pack and keep the right gear).

The company also makes a fun line of invitations, cards and bookplates featuring the Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, and (our fave) the Wizards of Waverly Place.

Hello Kitty zodiac stamp, $45; flat note cards start at $14/set

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Disney's Answer to Big Time Rush: All Star Weekend

Don't say I didn't warn you: the Disney Radio machine has anointed the next big boy band. A product of their Next Big Thing initiative, Allstar Weekend is a band of four boys who sing and dance and have good hair. Predictably, they are all best friends and Disney is chronicling the "making of their band" on their properties. The concept looks and sounds a lot like Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush (we introduced you to BTR last February, actually), and given the success of BTR (I have yet to meet a tween not familiar with these guys), who can blame them?

Allstar Weekend is on a national tour this spring and comes to the D.C. area on March 6th (and tickets are affordable at $13).

Were you one of their first fans? Did you see them when they were last in the D.C. area in November? Let us know what you think and if we should go to the show.

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New "Stomp Out Bullying" Video From Mean Girls 2

Did you catch the "Mean Girls 2" movie on ABC Family earlier this week? The made-for-TV movie has been critically panned, but the anti-bullying PSA coming out of it has been well-received. "Mean Girls 2" star Meaghan Martin (of Camp Rock fame) is also in the PSA; she recorded the video for StompOutBullying.org (as did Demi Lovato in 2009). BTW, the 8th annual No Name Calling Week is January 24-28, 2011.

Jennifer Stone also stars in the movie, and poor reviews aside, we thought Ms. Martin's minimal make-up and low-maintenance wardrobe was a refreshing and positive change-of-pace.



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Cool Winter Craft for Tweens: A Pom-Pom Scarf

We love this craft for tweens from Disney's Family Fun magazine for a pom-pom scarf. It's perfect for a snow day or sleepover party activity.

All you need is a bag of large pom-poms, a needle, and embroidery floss. Simply thread the needle through 40 pom-poms and knot. Each tween can customize her scarf with pattern and color.

Instructions here.

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Cool for Tweens: The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker!

Debbie Allen, of F.A.M.E. fame, has created a brand new Nutcracker: the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. It's an urban take on a classic, and tweens will surely relate to this update. The story is narrated by three wise-cracking mice, one of whom is played by Ms. Allen. The Gala performance is even headlined by former tween-queen, Raven Symone (who's still a tween fave with her hit show, "That's So Raven" on Disney Channel and "The Cheetah Girls" series - and BTW, she's got a new show coming out soon - "The Great State of Georgia" will air on ABC Family).

We're disappointed that this will be showing only in L.A., but send us your review if you go - we'll post it!

The show runs December 9-11 at UCLA's Royce Hall, and proceeds benefit the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

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Disney Channel's Madison Pettis in D.C.

Corey In the House's Madison Pettis was in Washington last night for the annual USO Gala to raise funds to support our troops.  Ms. Pettis has been on two USO tours (Hawaii and Germany) and is the youngest star to tour with the USO. She visited the real White House during her visit - on the Disney Channel show, she plays the President's daughter.

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Demi Lovato Quits Twitter

Perhaps taking a page from Miley Cyrus' playbook, tween star Demi Lovato has quit Twitter.  Ms. Lovato stated that she loves her fans but was "uncomfortable with the access" others had to her.
Given that legions of the star's fans are tweens and presumably NOT on Twitter, this is unlikely to hurt her stature (although 2.5 million of her followers will be sad to lose her updates and photos).

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Great Interview With the New Star of Camp Rock 2, Chloe Bridges

A great interview with the new star of Camp Rock 2, Chloe Bridges in today's NYPost. She talks about what it's like to play Nick Jonas' girlfriend (cue: tweens swooning) and working with an all-star cast.

Camp Rock 2 premieres tonight on Disney Channel at 8pm EDT.

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Tween Stars Headline Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the U.S. Open August 28

Tween stars the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato are headlining Arthur Ashe's Kids' Day at the U.S. Open tomorrow. The concert is sold out, but CBS is airing the entire show on Sunday, August 29th at noon EDT.

Also performing are David Archuleta, Cody Simpson, and The School Gryls, and it should be quite a show. The entire day's events include a tennis skills clinic hosted by the USTA and an autograph session with tennis champions in addition to the concert. Last year's show included performances by Justin Bieber and Honor Society.

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Tween Toothpaste Line and Alyson Stoner

A new line of toothpaste, tooth brushes and floss has been developed for tweens called ProHealth for ME. Just in time for back to school, Crest and Oral-B had partnered with Alyson Stoner (of CampRock and Step It Up 3D) to launch the line and teach tweens about good oral health. The toothbrushes are sized for smaller mouths (for tweens ages 8 to 12) (and work well with braces!), and the toothpaste flavors are less strong than traditional mint flavors. We haven't tried this new line yet, but post your review here if your tween tries it!

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Jonas Brothers at Georgetown Cupcake !

The Jonas Brothers (yes, all of them) paid a visit to Georgetown Cupcake while in town for their concert at Jiffy Lube Live yesterday in Manassas, VA. If you missed them this week, they'll be back again at the end of the month - to Virginia Beach on August 29th.

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Jonas Brothers Launch New Tween Network With AOL: Cambio

AOL  and the Jonas Group today launched a new tween and teen network today called Cambio. (Jonas Group is the family management firm that handles the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, and the Wonder Girls, and is run by the Jonas Brothers' father.)

Cambio is envisioned as a entertainment and lifestyle network. We're not quite sure how it fits in with JYSK, Just Jared Jr. or Twist, but it seems to be remarkably similar. The site will cover the band's "Road Dogs" softball team, sync up with the launch of Camp Rock 2, and other Jonas activities.

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The Jonas Brothers Perform the Beatles: Behind the Scenes at the White House

As reported earlier, the Jonas Brothers were at the White House last month to celebrate Paul McCartney as he accepted the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. They covered the Beatles "Baby You Can Drive My Car" while the President, First Lady and First Tweens Malia and Sasha Obama rocked out in the front row of the East Room. This concert will be broadcast on PBS stations tonight as part of the "In Performance at the White House" series, and the White House released the following video footage of the group behind the scenes at the event.



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A Classical Take on Lady Gaga: The Vitamin String Quartet

We *heart* this: a string quartet version of Lady Gaga's hits including Poker Face, Paparazzi, and Just Dance. The Vitamin String Quartet is a collective of classical musicians in L.A., and their work was been recognized by Disney (they were commissioned to contribute a track on an all-star tribute to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas) - they've even done an album from the music from Glee! They apply "a rock n' roll attitude to classical technique" - way cool.

Greyson, it looks like you're in good company.

Their Lady Gaga album is available on iTunes.

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