The Shops at Mission Viejo Archives

The Shops at Mission Viejo

Extra Festive Hours at The Shops at Mission Viejo

November 16, 2016 / Lifestyle, The Shops at Mission Viejo

The busiest shopping season of the year is just around the corner and The Shops at Mission Viejo is one of the places you’ll find me frequenting. This indoor mall has 150 stores and restaurants, including Nordstrom, H&M, Macy’s, Apple, Microsoft, Sephora, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and The Cheesecake Factory. This year, they’ll offer extra festive hours so that you can get more shopping time in and cross everything off your “list”!

The Shops at Mission Viejo will offer the following special Festive Hours:
11/24 – 11/25/2016: 6pm – 1am (Thanksgiving)
11/25/2016: 6am – 10pm (Black Friday)
11/26/2016: 9am – 10pm (Holiday Shopping)
11/27/2016: 10am – 8pm (Holiday Shopping)
12/10/2016: 10am – 9pm (Holiday Shopping)
12/11/2016: 11am – 9pm (Holiday Shopping)
12/12 – 12/15/2016: 9am – 9pm (Holiday Hours)
12/16/2016: 9am – 10pm (Holiday Shopping)
12/17 – 12/23/2016: 8am – 10pm (Holiday Hours)
12/24/2016: 8am – 6pm (Christmas Eve)
12/25/2016: Closed (Christmas Day)
12/26/2016: 8am – 10pm (Holiday Shopping)
12/31/2016: 10am – 6pm (New Year’s Eve)
01/01/2017: 11am – 6pm (New Year’s DayWhile you’re there, don’t forget to stop by to see Santa! He’s waiting for you in the Lower Level near Nordstrom! Catch a visit with him before he leaves back to The North Pole on December 24! Connect with The Shops at Mission Viejo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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

Easter Bunny Photos at The Shops at Mission Viejo!

March 13, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

Easter is almost here and for families like ours, the season isn’t complete without a trip to the Shops at Mission Viejo to take photos with The Easter Bunny! It’s an annual tradition for us.Guests can visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo now through Saturday, March 26. The Bunny is located on the lower level, near Nordstrom. (Just look for the adorable garden setting that he sits in.) We actually reserved a spot with The Bunny online before heading over. It was so convenient and helped alleviate some of the wait time. Reserving a spot ahead of time is optional and guests may visit The Bunny anytime. To reserve your spot with The Bunny, click here. We love The Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo because he’s very interactive with all of the kids and we saw him waving to children in the mall when he wasn’t busy.. My daughter likes that he wears glasses, just like she does! The Bunny at “our mall” is also really fun and after we finished taking the photos for our package, he took a couple of extra fun ones with us. Noerr Programs runs the Bunny Photos and offers several options for photo packages available for purchase. It’s really easy to select your favorite pose and have them printed out in a package, right on the spot. Have you visited The Bunny yet? If not, you’ve still got a little bit of time left but make sure to get there before March 26 cause he’ll be hopping away after that!

This is not a sponsored post. We received complimentary photos in order to write this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

The 2016 Easter Bunny Photo Experience at The Shops at Mission Viejo Starts March 5

February 17, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

With Easter arriving a little early this year, the Bunny Photo Experience will too! Guests can visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo from Saturday, March 5 through Saturday, March 26. The Bunny will be located on the lower level, near Nordstrom. Kids will have the chance to visit with the Bunny and families can take home a treasured snapshot of the fun occasion. To view a full schedule of dates and hours, visit here. .

The Shops at Mission Viejo’s Caring Bunny™ event will offer families that have children with special needs a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience on Sunday, March 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for children’s cherished visit with the Bunny. The subdued environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):

Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the photo set, dimming the
lights and shutting down fountains for the duration of the event.
Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
Special activities geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.

Families can reserve a spot for Caring Bunny here.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Simon Malls and Noerr.

Six New Retailers to Join The Shops at Mission Viejo

January 27, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

The Shops at Mission Viejo is preparing to welcome six new retailers to the center over the next few months. The stores, studios and restaurants will include Madewell, The Melt, Full Psycle, A Pea in the Pod, Soma, and Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks.

Patsy Sanquist, Director of Marketing and Business Development for The Shops at Mission Viejo was quoted as saying, We’re excited to welcome a mix of new fashion, dining and lifestyle options for our shoppers.

Madewell debuted at the center on January 26. It’s the perfect shop to find great jeans and create an effortlessly cool wardrobe. The 3,400-square-foot store is located on the upper level, near Center Court. The Melt will be making its appearance with a 2,000-square-foot eatery and outdoor dining area in mid-February, with a location on the lower level near Nordstrom, The Melt will offer fresh American cuisine, made with 100 percent natural ingredients.

Also slated for a mid-February opening is Full Psycle, a full-body cycling studio with spin classes that pair standard indoor cycling routines with strength training and pilates-based core exercises.

Three more retailers are slated to join in the spring include:

A Pea in a Pod – a store featuring luxury and casual clothes for mommies-to-be. The store will be located on the lower level near Nordstrom.
Soma – will also join in the spring, moving into a roughly 2,200-square-foot storefront featuring lingerie and loungewear.
Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks – expected to join the center this summer, the restaurant specializes in gourmet burgers, fresh cut fries and tropical drinks that will pair well with their great happy hour deals.

For more information, please visit The Shops at Mission Viejo on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ShopsAtMissionViejo, Twitter, and Instagram

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logo are property of The Shops at Mission Viejo.

Kidgits Boo Bash on 10/24 and Trick or Treating on Halloween at The Shops at Mission Viejo! @ShopsMV

October 21, 2015 / Celebrations, Family Fun, Holiday Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

Spiders, bats, black cats and more… Let’s see what Halloween has in store! Your favorite little ghosts and goblins are invited to The Shops at Mission Viejo for a fun and safe event at the Boo Bash on Saturday, October 24. Children of all ages are encouraged to sport their best Halloween costume to haunt The Shops at Mission Viejo in search of Halloween fun.

The Shops at Mission Viejo Halloween event, presented by the Simon Kidgits Club, takes place from 10a.m. to noon on the Lower Level, near H&M and Old Navy. You can join in on Halloween themed crafts, giveaways, and more. Get ready for spells and potions at an entertaining magic show from magicIAN, which starts at 10:30 a.m.

Families are also invited to return to The Shops at Mission Viejo for trick-or-treating at participating retailers on Saturday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., though hours vary by retailer. Here is a list of participating retailers:
Mall Trick or Treating is from 10am to 7pm, on October 31. Here is a list of participating Retailers:

APEX by SUNGLASS HUT—- Candy

BANDEX WATCHES—- Candy

BEAUTY POINT—- Hair Serum

BRIGHTON COLLECTABLES—- Candy

BUILD-A-BEAR—- Candy

CARLTON HAIR—- Candy

THE CHILDREN”S PLACE—- Tattoos and Stickers

DESTINATION MATERNITY—- Candy

FARRELL’S ICE CREAM PARLOUR—- Candy

FAST FIX JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIR—- Candy

FASHION NAILS—- Candy

FIRST CUTS 4 KIDS—- Candy

FRANCESCA’S COLLECTIONS—- Candy

GYMBOREE—- Stickers

IRENE’S STORY—- Candy

JANIE & JACK—- Stickers

LONDON COIN GALLERIES—- Foreign Coins and Candy

LUCKY BRAND CLOTHING—- Candy

LULU BELLA BOUTIQUE—- Candy

MICROSOFT—- Candy

MUSCLE BEACH—- Candy

OPTIMUS TOYS—- Candy

OPTOMETRY AT THE SHOPS—- Candy

RUBY’S DINER—- Candy

POTTERY BARN KIDS—- Goodies

SEE’S CANDY—- Candy

SKETCHERS—- Candy

SKIN 63—- Candy

STARBUCKS—- Candy

SWEET FACTORY—- Candy

TEAVANA—- Tea if in Costume

TOMMY BAHAMA—- Candy

TRUFFLE CAKE CO. —- Candy

THE WALKING COMPANY—- Candy
Guests can stop by Guest Services to pick up a flyer with specific store participation and information on candy distribution times of retailers.

Note: Toy weapons and costumes should be worn only during event hours and masks are allowed only on children 12 years old and younger.

Connect with The Shops at Mission Viejo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

About Simon Kidgits Club:

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3-8. The Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused for over a decade with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards and games.

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

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour For Birthday Celebrations: A Family Tradition Passed Down From My Own Childhood

May 21, 2015 / Family Fun, Food, Let's Eat!, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

I have very fond memories of visiting Farrell’s as a child with my family. It was mostly on special occasions like mine or my brother’s birthdays, but we did get to go there on other occasions as well! Going to Farrell’s for our birthdays was something we’d look forward to every year. It was the original Farrell’s children’s menu that’s responsible for my love of Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches! Yep, the original Farrell’s had them on the kids menu and they were my fav! (I wish we had digital cameras back then so I would have pictures of it all to post now!)

Over the past few decades, Farrell’s has gone through some restructuring. At one point, they only had one location anywhere near me. Imagine my excitement when I started to hear about new locations opening up in California over the past few years! I hopped on the chance to be able to create an annual Farrell’s birthday tradition with my own daughter that was similar to what I enjoyed doing as a little girl. Did I mention we have a Farrell’s location within 5 minutes of our home? How lucky is that?

After having a super 9th birthday celebration at our local Farrell’s last year, my daughter couldn’t wait to get there again this year for her 10th birthday celebration! I don’t think we ever get tired of the ambiance in there.

The kids keep pretty busy with the fun Junior Zookeepers menu. Even at 10 years old, they’re still into it. The offerings on their menu are items that they actually enjoy and want to order. They’re also generous portions. Nothing beats a good old-fashioned grilled cheese!

Did you know that Farrell’s offers gluten-free options for guests and also has a nut allergy menu? I think that’s really important. It allows guests who might not be able to dine out of their own home normally, because of food allergies, to have options and the freedom to eat out in a restaurant without worrying. Not only does Farrell’s have these menus, their servers are educated about the different items and know the menus really well.

The kids always find it necessary to request an extra plate of pickles from our server to munch on. It’s all about the pickle for them! Bob Farrell’s Motto is “Give Them The Pickle and They’ll Come Back!” Well I know it keeps us coming back! That’s for sure!

Although I love the food at Farrell’s, we all know that the BEST part comes last….the dessert! Their dessert menu can be overwhelming (in a good way) to look at because there are so many different sundaes to choose from. It just means that you need to go back and try different sundaes on other occasions! For my daughter’s birthday, we decided to ring in “double digits” properly….with The World Famous Farrell’s ZOO! This was in addition to the complimentary birthday sundae they already bring you!

If you have never heard of The World Famous Farrell’s Zoo, pay attention to this because it’s a must-try for any and all Farrell’s go-ers! It’s made up of 4 scoops of their famous ice cream, 3 fruit flavor sherbets, 4 delicious toppings, whipped cream, cherries, and bananas! Oh and I forgot to mention the animals! (Hence the name “Zoo”!) Not only is it a ridonkulous sight too see but the crew at Farrell’s makes it an extra big deal by ringing the fire station siren to grab your attention when it’s time to deliver it to a table.

This concoction is so huge that it takes 2 servers to deliver it to your table and they bring it out on a stretcher! It’s quite the way to celebrate and sure made my birthday girl feel like the center of attention! After all of the hoopla and the birthday song of Farrell’s choice, the server will help dish out the zoo to all of the guests. It’s beyond yummy in the tummy. My daughter chose to set all of the animals aside to take home with us.

We had the best time celebrating my daughter’s 10th birthday at Farrell’s and want to send a special thank you to our server Brooke, who really helped make it a special night! We’d also like to thank Chad and Steven who are always accommodating during our frequent visits to Farrell’s!

It looks like my daughter has started a new collection of her yearly birthday stickers from Farrell’s on the inside of her closet! Well, until next year…..

Have YOU been to Farrell’s to celebrate a birthday or special occasion? If not, what are you waiting for? Get there!

Connect with Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

The Shops at Mission Viejo, Glamour, and GQ Invite You to “Make a Date With Style” at “LOOKBOOK LIVE” This Spring!

April 6, 2015 / Beauty, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

The Shops at Mission Viejo invited you to ‘Make A Date With Style’ at LOOKBOOK Live, a spring fashion event taking place on Saturday, April 18 from noon to 5 p.m., on the lower level near Nordstrom. In collaboration with Glamour and GQ magazines. LOOKBOOK Live translates spring’s hottest fashion trends from the runway into real life styles, and shares where to shop for the looks you love – in the place where you love to shop. LOOKBOOK Live kicks off with eight pages of spring fashion trends in Glamour and GQ’s April issues and continues online at simon.com/lookbooklive with his-and-hers in-depth videos on how to wear spring’s best styles.

The LOOKBOOK Live Event Series will bring the best of spring fashion to The Shops at Mission Viejo, providing shoppers with one-on-one interactions and consultations with style experts, along with:

Stage Events: Style experts from Glamour and GQ will showcase and discuss fashions worn by male and female models.
Style Closets: Date-themed closets will feature his-and-her styles for different spring dates and occasions. Professional stylists will be on hand to help shoppers interpret which looks best fit their lifestyles, body types and budgets.
Beauty Stations: Complimentary beauty and grooming touch-ups, tailored to the different style closets, will have shoppers date-ready in a flash.
Style Challenges: Engaging activities held every hour that will challenge shoppers to pack a suitcase with their style picks for a selected destination. Style experts will choose the winning suitcases and winners will receive gift card prizes.
Shop This Look: “Shop This Look” digital trend cards will be filled out on tablets by the style experts and emailed to shoppers so they can reference them via their mobile devices as they shop. Additionally, a special Gift With Purchase promotion on event day will reward shoppers who purchase their favorite looks at The Shops at Mission Viejo.
Photo Booth: Snap a shot with your boyfriend, girlfriend or BFF and share on social media, or print and take it home as a style souvenir.
Enter for a Chance to Win a $2,500 Shopping Spree: Shoppers who post a photo of their favorite spring look, inspired by these trends, to Twitter or Instagram using both #foundatsimon and #gqglamourcontestentry will be entered to win a $2,500 Simon shopping spree.

A special invitation-only VIP welcome lounge will be available during the LOOKBOOK Live event to local insiders, media and VIP guests, featuring light bites, refreshments and special access to tour the style and beauty stations.

During LOOKBOOK Live, The Shops at Mission Viejo will partner with Mission Hospital to honor four breast cancer survivors with a new head-to-toe look, including an outfit, hair and makeup makeover, courtesy of the center.

The presentation is meant to bring awareness to the 13th annual Think Pink Breast Health Wall of Honor that will be displayed this October at The Shops at Mission Viejo. Each year, shoppers have the opportunity to honor or remember a loved one by donating $25 to place a hand-written card on the Wall of Honor. Donations to underwrite the cost of a mammogram or diagnostic procedure ($100) for someone who could not otherwise afford it, are also encouraged.

Connect with The Shops at Mission Viejo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Bunny Has Arrived at OC Simon Malls! Caring Bunny™ and Simon Kidgits Club Easter Events Are Coming, Too!

March 12, 2015 / Brea Mall, Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo, Westminster Mall

Spring has sprung! It’s my favorite time! One of the things that my daughtger and I enjoy doing together each spring is to go shopping for a special, new dress and then to visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo for an annual photo! I love looking back at the photos from years past!

The Bunny Photo Experience begins this year at Brea Mall and The Shops at Mission Viejo on March 7 and on March 14 at the Westminster Mall. It runs through April 4 at all 3 Orange County Simon Mall locations. The Bunny Photo Experience gives children the chance to visit with the Bunny and take home a treasured snapshot of the fun occasion. The presenting sponsor for 2015 is Gymboree.

Hop on over for Bunny photos to the following locations:

Brea Mall: Begins Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and runs through Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the lower level near the JCPenney win. For a full list of dates and times, click here.
Westminster Mall: Begins Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. and runs through Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in Macy’s Court. For the full list of dates and times, click here.
The Shops at Mission Viejo: Begins March 7 and runs through April 4 on the lower level near Nordstrom. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For the full list of dates and times, click here.

Save time and avoid the line with Bunny by Appointment! Now you can reserve your magical moment with Bunny online at http://simon.noerrbunny.com.

In addition to regular mall hours for Bunny photos, Simon’s Caring Bunny™ event will offer families that have children with special needs a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience. Caring Bunny has been developed by Simon and is guided by AbilityPath.org, a national online resource hub and special needs community. Over 90 Simon properties will host the Caring Bunny this season. Promotional assistance for Caring Bunny has been provided by Autism Speaks.

The Caring Bunny program will be offered at Westminster Mall on Sunday, March 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Bunny Photo Experience. Many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for the children’s cherished visit with the Bunny. Reservations are required and can be made here for the Westminster Mall Caring Bunny event.

The subdued environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):

Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the photo set, dimming the lights and shutting down fountains for the duration of the event.
Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
Special activities geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.

Kidgits Club Easter Events

The Simon Kidgits Club® will also host special events, where kids can participate in various Easter activities and games. Participants will receive a special Easter keepsake to take home.

The egg-citing celebrations will take place at the following centers:

Brea Mall: Hosting Kidgits Easter Hop Into Spring event on March 14 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Bunny Photo Experience set, on the lower level near JCPenney.
Westminster Mall: Hosting Kidgits Eggcellent Easter Extravaganza event on March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Target Court.
The Shops at Mission Viejo: Hosting Kidgits Easter Eggstravaganza event on March 21 from 10 a.m. to noon on the lower level near Old Navy and H & M, where kids can participate in various activities, and spring-themed crafts, including special entertainment by Nick The Music Man and Jen The Fairy Dancer at 10:45 a.m.

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children agees 3-8. The Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused for over a decade with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards, and games.

For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club, visit http://www.simon.com/kidgits/.

*some images provided by Simon.

Orange County Simon Malls Will Make Books Come to Life at Their Annual Simon Kidgits Club Book Blast Event on February 28!

February 25, 2015 / Brea Mall, Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo, Westminster Mall

On Saturday, February 28, the Simon Kidgits Club® at Brea Mall, Westminster Mall and The Shops at Mission Viejo are welcoming families to experience the magic of reading at the mall. Each of these Orange County Simon® malls is hosting an annual Book Blast event and inviting parents and children to bring books to life through special read-aloud sessions, giveaways and story-inspired activities. The events will be taking place at the following times and locations:

The Shops at Mission Viejo: Event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on the center’s upper level near the Play Area. Book Blast event activities will kick off with an exciting read-aloud session of the “Olivia” book series, followed by a character appearance from “Olivia” herself, who will pose for photos with families. Children’s crafts and special retailer activities will be available as well.
Westminster Mall: Event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on the center’s lower level in Target Court.
Brea Mall: Event runs from noon to 2 p.m. in Center Court.

Simon is also teaming up with Better World Books to provide Kidgits Club members who attend the event with a pre-loved book and Kidgits seat cushion to take home, while supplies last. In addition, families are encouraged to bring a gently used book to the event at The Shops at Mission Viejo, to be donated to a local charity.

Simon Kidgits Club’s Book Blast will provide families the chance to make reading a fun, social experience with various kid-focused offerings. Book Blast event activities will kick off with an exciting read-aloud session presented by surprise guests from the community.

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3-8. Since 2003, the Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards and games. Kidgits Club members receive a variety of goodies, including a Kidgits Club T-shirt, membership card, birthday card and gift, discounts and scheduled activities. For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club, click here.