2017 - Page 13 of 19 - Over The Top Mommy

Year: 2017

TRADE Food Hall Now Open in Irvine (It’s a Foodie’s Paradise)

May 17, 2017 / Food, Let's Eat!

I was invited to a media tasting at TRADE. All opinions are 100% my own.

If you haven’t heard the exciting news in the food world, TRADE food hall is now open in Irvine! This eclectic collection of eateries, including a bar, is a foodie’s paradise. It features a gorgeous vertical garden, crisp decor, and an open-air patio. Food halls seem to be the “modern food courts” nowadays! The OC food scene has been defined by creative, experience-driven food halls like TRADE.We had the opportunity to visit TRADE on a media preview night before it was open to the public and it was such a treat to sample food and drinks from each of the places.

Here are the eateries you’ll find at TRADE:

Butterleaf: The new vegetarian. Serving up the Signature Butterleaf Burger (sweet potato, kale, melted onions, kimchi sauce)
Two Birds: Cluckin’ good chicken. Serving up Bird In The Bush (Salad, salt and vinegar slaw, tomato, pickle, romaine lettuce, pickled onion, and cucumber)
Dos Chinos: Latin Asian grub. Serving up Chorizo Fried Rice (chorizo, Chinese sausage, chimichurri, pineapple)
Megadon: Latin, Asian, and Mexican fare. Created by Hop Pham of Dos Chinos.
Gyro King: Mediterranean fare. Serving up the Gyro (served with gyro meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)
Pig Pen Delicacy: Pork-haven eatery. Serving up the Candied Bacon Egg & Cheese Sandwich (candied bacon, soft scrambled eggs, cheddar, banana ketchup)
Portside Fish Co.: Fresh seafood. Serving up the Fresh Calamari Bowl and Fresh Fish Taco
Sweet COMBforts: Home of the Waffle Pop. Serving up Fruity Pebbles n Cereal Belgium Liege waffle

Center Hub Bar is also located inside TRADE, which is going to be your new favorite bar. Serving up The Stubborn Mule (Hangar One Vodka, Muddled Cucumbers and Mint Leaves, Lime Juice, Blueberry Syrup, Ginger Beer)

Just outside of the food hall, there are 3 more dining spots to check out: Oo’Toro Sushi, Hiro Nori Ramen (opening soon), and KRISP Fresh Living.

TRADE is a must-try for foodies everywhere! Be sure to stop by soon to check out this cool collection of food personalities! I know we’re already planning our next trip there!

TRADE is located at

2222 Michelson Dr.

Irvine, CA 92612.

Sheryl Crow “Be Myself” 2017 Tour Dates

May 9, 2017 / Entertainment

Multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, and musician Sheryl Crow released a new album, entitled Be Myself, on April 21st via Warner Bros. Records. Be Myself, her ninth studio album.

A video for “Halfway There” has been created utilizing cut-out animation style which presents the songs lyrical questions through a whimsical Monty Python-esque satirical imagery. Watch the video here:

Crow celebrated the announcement of her new album by playing to an absolutely packed house at a rare, surprise club show at West Hollywood’s intimate Troubadour last night where the lucky crowd was treated to a handful of new tracks from Be Myself, along with several fan favorites.

For this album, Crow worked again with producer, musician, and songwriter Jeff Trott, a long-time collaborator throughout her career. Trott co-wrote many of Crow’s classic hits including “If It Makes You Happy” and “My Favorite Mistake.” Crow says her main goal was “to investigate what made my early songs strike people as being authentic and original. So for the first time in my life, I made it a point to sit down and really listen to my old records. I’d drive my kids to school and play the old stuff as I came back home. That helped me remember what it felt like when I was just beginning as an artist. But it wasn’t about repeating myself. It was about revisiting where I came from and seeing where that would take me now.”

The track-listing for Be Myself is as follows:

1.“Alone In The Dark”
2. “Halfway There”
3. “Long Way Back”
4. “Be Myself”
5. “Roller Skate”
6. “Love Will Save The Day”
7. “Strangers Again”
8. “Rest Of Me”
9. “Heartbeat Away”
10. “Grow Up”
11. “Woo Woo”

Sheryl Crow also announced her upcoming tour dates for early summer.will tour this spring and summer in support of Be Myself. The following dates have been confirmed:

June 8 – Greek Theatre/Los Angeles, CA
June 10 – The Mountain Winery/Saratoga, CA
June 11 – The Mountain Winery/Saratoga, CA
June 21 – Wolf Trap – Filene Center/Vienna, VA
June 24 – North Carolina Museum of Art/Raleigh, NC
June 25 – Chastain Park Amphitheater/Atlanta, GA
June 28 – Beacon Theatre/New York, NY
June 29 – Rochester Internat’l Jazz Fest/Rochester, NY
July 14 – Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater/Chautauqua, NY

For the latest news about Sheryl Crow and ticket information, go here.

This is not a sponsored post. Images and video are property of Warner Bros. Records. All opinions are 100% my own.

Islands Restaurant Pineapple Pairing Menu + Enter to Win a Gift Card

May 8, 2017 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

I was invited to a media tasting at Islands Restaurant. All opinions are 100% my own.

If you have ever checked out my Instagram, you already know that one of my favorite places to eat is Islands Restaurant! It’s one of our family’s “go-to” places and we love to dine there because there’s something for everyone on the menu.Our most recent dining experience at Islands involved a lot of pineapple. We were invited by Islands to do a media tasting of their Pineapple Pairing Menu and everything I tried was delicious!The items on the Pineapple Pairing Menu features signature drinks from Islands bar paired up with delicious menu items and include:

Hawaiian Burger & Big Island Iced Tea
Toucan Sandwich & Longboard Lager
Yaki Tacos & Pina Colada
Hoisin Bowl & Mai Tai

All of the items on the Pineapple Pairing Menu can be ordered separately are interchangeable as well. I started out with a Pina Colada which made me feel like I was sitting on the beach. I love their Spinach & Artichoke Dip appetizer. Have you tried it before? It’s big enough to share with everyone at the table! Next, I got to try both the Hawaiian Burger and the Hoisin Bowl, both of which I had never tried before. The Hawaiian Burger is made with fresh pineapple, teriyaki sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, swiss & mayo and served on your choice of a white or wheat bun. It’s served with their must-have fries, too!They also brought out a Hoisin Bowl, which is made with fresh grilled pineapple, red bell peppers, snow peas, water chestnuts, red onions, broccoli, and diced scallions It’s topped wth hoisin sauce, but is also available with teriyaki sauce. The Hoisin Bowl comes with your choice of grilled chicken or grilled mahi mahi and is served over brown rice. It was very colorful with all of the veggies and seemed like a pretty healthy option from their menu. Although it isn’t “pineapple”, I always love to finish off a meal at Islands Restaurant with a slice of Kona Pie! It’s such a generous portion that we all shared just one piece! It’s the perfect way to finish your meal off!

I’m hosting a giveaway for one of my lucky readers to win a $25 Islands Gift Card so they can dine at their local Islands Restaurant! To enter the giveaway just go to the Rafflecopter below! Thanks for entering! Good luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Join Brea Mall in May to Support the More Than Pink™ Drive With Susan G. Komen®

May 5, 2017 / Lifestyle

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Brea Mall and Simon. All opinions are 100% my own.

You are invited to join Brea Mall as they continue to participate in the “More Than Pink” movement in support of Susan G. Komen and the fight against breast cancer. As part of its pledge to donate $1 million each year in 2017 and 2018, more than 180 participating Simon Malls, The Mills and Premium Outlets nationwide participated in a range of activities during the month of April and will continue to do so in May.

“It has been wonderful to see the positive response that the More Than Pink movement has generated over the past year. Our shoppers, retailers and employees have embraced the opportunities we’ve offered to support Susan G. Komen in its tireless efforts to reduce breast cancer deaths, and we look forward to continuing that momentum this year” – Nate Weirbach, director of marketing and business development at Brea Mall

Visitors to Brea Mall will notice the pink theme carried out at the Guest Services booths and staff donning pink accessories. Other ways to support the “More Than Pink” movement include:Jenny Cookies’ Spring Workshop: Support Susan G. Komen by getting crafty on Saturday, May 20 at 3pm at a fun, hands-on terrarium DIY workshop with Jenny Cookies’. With a donation of $25 you’ll enjoy this fun workshop and receive a discount card for up to 25% off one item at participating retailers and a goodie bag. Purchase your ticket here.

Discount Card Program: In exchange for a $10 donation to Susan G. Komen, shoppers at Brea Mall will receive a Discount Card, available at Guest Services or the Mall Office at participating centers, providing 25 percent off one item at each participating retailer. All Discount Card donations go to Susan G. Komen.As of April 2017, Simon has raised $441,667 in support of Susan G. Komen, all generated through the support and participation of shoppers, retailers and employees, and they hope to raise even more in May. ‘Race For The Cure’ events and other activations will take place with local Simon teams working with Susan G. Komen affiliates. Simon encourages shoppers to locate and register for an event near them by visiting http://www.raceforthecure.org/Simon.

Images and logos are property of Brea Mall.

Attend the Cambria Estate Winery Dinner at Watertable at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach on May 3

April 26, 2017 / Food

You are invited to a Cambria Estate Winery dinner on Wednesday, May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. The dinner will hosted by Winemaker, Denise Shurtleff and be held at Watertable, the signature restaurant at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. Watertable combines the union of rustic and refined, old and new – in both design and cuisine – to appeal to guests’ evolving palates. The regular menu features seasonal, regional grill centric American fare, paired with a distinguished selection of vintage world-class wines, craft brews, artisanal cocktails, craft and naturally infused waters, in a unique nod to its name.

The Cambria Estate Winery Dinner will feature the following pairings for guests:

Bar Jars and Passed Appetizers I Cambria, Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2016
Modern Green Salad I Cambria, ‘Clone 4’ Chardonnay 2014
Skuna Bay Salmon Crudo I ‘Clone 4’ Pinot Noir 2014
Colorado Lamb Rack I Cambria ‘Tepusquet Vineyard’ Syrah, 2013
Deconstructed Tart I Cambria, ‘Tepusquet Vineyard’ Viognier, 2015

The cost of the dinner is $125/person (plus tax and gratuity)

Reservations for this exclusive dinner are necessary and can be made by:
calling 714.845.4885 or emailng: [email protected].

Watertable at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa is located at:
21500 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

This is not a sponsored post. Images are property of Hyatt. All opinions are 100% my own.

About Watertable

Watertable is

Yogurtland‘s Newest Flavors Bring Beloved Family Recipes To Every Spoonful

April 21, 2017 / Food, Let's Eat!

I was invited as a guest of Yogurtland to try their newest flavors, in order to write this post All opinions are 100% my own.

Yogurtland has introducing five new scratch-made flavors that will have fans loving each spoonful more than the last. The newest hand-crafted flavors were inspired by the family recipes everyone knows and loves and are made at Yogurtland’s very own dairy, filling each step of the tasty frozen yogurt creation process with love and quality.These new promotional flavors, available from April 3 to June 4, explore the tastes of delicious home-made favorites. These new flavors join more than 200 other hand crafted, gourmet flavors that are created with mastery and care, and with one thing in mind – delighting guests.As a tribute to all the things Yogurtland guests love,Yogurtland begins the yogurt journey with their new love-inspired cup. Adorned with a heart filled with all things symbolizing Yogurtland, the new cups reflect Yogurtland’s dedication and love for scratch-made yogurt and delicious flavor while customers experience love from the beginning of their visit through their very last bite. With these family recipe inspired flavors, fans can connect with yogurt flavors beyond taste, it will be reminiscent of past memories and cherished experiences with friends and family. These 5 mouth-watering flavors give fans another reason to love coming to Yogurtland:

Grandma’s Famous Marionberry Pie– This scrumptious dessert will win the hearts of Yogurtland lovers by combining real Marion blackberry with sweet shortbread cookie. Notes of buttery, golden piecrust for a complete dessert sensation follow the delicious fruity taste of marionberry.
Momma’s Secret Recipe Almond Fudge Gelato- Go nutty for this perfect combination of chocolate and almond. This flavor pairs rich fudge notes and almond tastes to create a creamy and sophisticated gelato.
Blue Ribbon Pineapple Upside Down Cake– Flavor-packed with delectable caramelized pineapple flavors followed by buttery, dense cake notes combines to adapt the many layers of the traditional pineapple upside down cake into yogurt form
Spring’s Simply Sweet Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares– Enjoy a taste of grandma’s kitchen without the guilt. This no sugar added flavor combines real peanut butter with yummy marshmallow flavor to create the true marshmallow square taste.
Pairings and Sharings Strawberry Basil Lemonade Sorbet– This drink-inspired sorbet will be the perfect thirst quencher on a hot day. The subtle balance between sweet and tart, this flavor combines two varieties of sweet strawberries and tangy lemon. Real basil and hints of mint add a cooling freshness to finish this flavor taste.

Yogurtland’s “flavorologists” are continually seeking craveable flavors that keep fans loving their experience. Yogurtland owns its own dairy and by controlling the frozen yogurt making process, the company can deliver the highest quality flavors, setting new standards for millions of fans. Have you visited Yogurtland lately? You’ll want to get there before these delicious flavors go away on June 4th!

Some product images are property of Yogurtland.

Give the Gift of Renewal for Mother’s Day With Burke Williams Gift Card Packages

April 19, 2017 / Beauty & Pampering, Lifestyle

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Burke Williams is offering three special Gift Card Packages to celebrate Mother’s Day. What better way to pamper the women in your life than with a rejuvenating spa day? Each exclusive package includes the all-new Passion Fruit and Agave Pedicure, a nourishing pedicure that’s paired with a selection of Burke Williams signature services.You can give the gift of renewal this Mother’s Day with one of these 3 Gift Card Packages:

The “Relax” Gift Card Package: Mom will “Relax” with the Passion Fruit and Agave Pedicure along with her choice of a 50-minute Pure Relaxation Massage or Spa Style facial starting at just $149 ($189 value or higher).
The “Escape” Gift Card Package: Mom will “Escape” with a Passion Fruit and Agave Pedicure, a 50-minute Pure Relaxation Massage -and- a 50-minute Spa Style facial all starting at $249 ($308 value or higher).
The “For Two: A Special Mother / Daughter Experience” Gift Card Package: Mothers and daughters will share in a relaxing experience and enjoy the nourishing Passion Fruit and Agave Pedicure with their choice of a 50-minute Pure Relaxation Massage -or- a 50-minute Spa Style facial for just $299 ($378 value).

Each package includes the Passion Fruit and Agave Pedi, which uses Passion Fruit and Blue Agave Sugar Scrub to exfoliate, Honey Heel Glaze to nourish the skin, and Passion Fruit and Agave body soufflé to hydrate and is offered at an incredible value. Packages are available now through May 14. (Package pricing can vary slightly per spa location.)

Please note: Guests must be 18 years of age to enjoy a massage. Pedicure services are not available at the Mission Viejo spa and will be substituted with a 25-minute Salt or Sugar Glo for the Mother’s Day packages. Go beyond the spa with Burke Williams this Mother’s Day.Visit a Burke Williams spa location near you or online at http://www.burkewilliamsspa.com to purchase gift cards or make a reservation at one of their locations.

Images are property of Burke Williams.

Shopkins LIVE! National Tour To Stop at Over 75 U.S. Cities

April 18, 2017 / Concerts, Entertainment

I’m pretty sure every kid’s dream just came true with the latest news….Shopkins Live!, the first live theatrical production based on the phenomenally successful Shopkins toy brand will embark on a national tour of over 75 U.S. cities!, premiering in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday, September 14, 2017!

Based on America’s #1 toy brand, Youtube sensation and international toy phenomenon created in Australia by Moose Toys, Shopkins Live! will feature The Shoppies and Shopkins characters taking the stage with an all new storyline, original pop music and video highlights as ‘Jessicake’, ‘Bubbleisha’, ‘Peppa-Mint’ and friends prepare for Shopville’s annual “Funtastic Food and Fashion Fair”.

Since its launch in 2014, the Shopkins brand continues to be a hot ticket item for children worldwide. Shoppies dolls consistently rank as the #1 kids toy in the U.S.; the first-ever Shopkins movie, Shopkins Chef Club, was released last year by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment; and numerous dedicated apps continue to expand the brand’s ever-growing world.

Shopkins Live! will run for approximately 90 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission. Tickets will go on sale beginning Friday, April 28. For more information on Shopkins Live! , including a list of cities the tour will stop at, visit http://www.shopkinsliveontour.com and sign-up to be the first to hear about the pre-sale offer, on-sale dates and North American tour dates.

This is not a sponsored post. Logo is property of Shopkins. All opinions are 100% my own.

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{Giveaway} The America’s Family Pet Expo at OC Fair & Event Center April 28-30

April 17, 2017 / SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. Images and logo are property of The America’s Family Pet Expo. All opinions are 100% my own.

The America’s Family Pet Expo will return to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa Friday, April 28 – Sunday, April 30, 2017. All creatures great and small, from four legged to flying, will all be on display at this annual family-friendly event.The Pet Expo offers visitors education on responsible pet care, entertainment, and pet adoptions and is the ultimate destination for all pet lovers. Each year the show progresses to include the best in pet ownership and care and offers a variety of educational presentations, product launches, amazing pet acts and our popular animal adoptions, as well as showcasing the latest trends in the pet care industry.At the 2016 Pet Expo, there were more than 500 animal adoptions including dogs, cats, and even a few guinea pigs, that were adopted from the Pet Expo’s Southern California animal rescue partner organizations. Pet Adoptions will be handled onsite at the Expo for those looking for that perfect animal addition to the family. There will be hundreds of animals hoping to find their “furever home” from local community partner organizations at the Pet Expo.The Pet Expo is excited to announce the return of the crowd pleasing “Cook’s Racing Hogs & Dogs,” a race that consists of four pigs, which run from one end of a 90-foot U-shaped track to the other. Four dogs then compete in a similar race. Waiting at the end of the track is a treat – vanilla ice cream and a golden Oreo cookie.The 2017 Expo will be the “Cat’s Meow” as the The Catit Playground Debuts. The interactive activity brings a close up view for guests to watch adorable adoptable cats and kittens and see how they interact with different toys and people. This is a great atmosphere for guests to learn all about cats and toys they like.Lucy’s Wave Maker will return and also feature a cat surfer. The world’s one and only mobile wave machine makes an encore appearance America’s Family Pet Expo showcasing the best surfing dogs and cats too! The wave maker made international headlines from its appearance in the 2017 Rose Parade. America’s Family Pet Expo is the first stop on the 2017 National Tour that kicks off in Costa Mesa.Returning favorites to the Pet Expo include Repticon, reptile show and sale, offering hundreds of common and rare species of reptiles in all shapes and sizes, such as lizards, snakes, and spiders. Plus, the ever-popular Splash Dogs will also be on hand offering a “splashing” good time as these dogs compete at dock jumping.Added to the Expo line-up is the America’s Family Pet Expo Hobbyist Aquascaping contest. This new feature will consist of intermediate to advanced “aquarists” in a competition to create the most appealing natural aquarium. The participants will use a variety of live plants and other natural decorations in order to create a miniature underwater jungle. Pet Expo attendees are encouraged to come watch the process of setting up a fully functional planted aquarium from 10am on Friday, April 28th to 12pm on Saturday, April 29th. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 aquascapers on Saturday, April 29th at 5:00pm.

Pricing for The Pet Expo is as follows:

General Admission, $15.00
Seniors 60 and over, $13.00
Children 6-12, $10.00.
5 yrs and under, free.
Active and retired military free with ID.

Event parking is $8.00.

Show hours are:

Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 10am-7pm
Sunday 10am-6pm

I’m also having a giveaway where one of my lucky readers can win a family 4-pack to this year’s event. To enter, just leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite pet with me. I will close the comments on Sunday, April 23 at 11:59 p.m. and pick one winner via Random Number Generator. Winner will be notified by email and will be mailed the tickets. Tickets have no cash value. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only, 18 and older. Good luck everyone!

OC Fair & Event Center is located at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 92626. Kindly leave all pets at home. For more information and to purchase tickets online visit http://www.PetExpoOC.org .