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Orange County

Knott’s Berry Farm Serves Starbucks! Did I Mention the Boysenberry Lattes?

January 13, 2015 / Knott's, Orange County, SoCal Fun, Travel

The other day when I was at Knott’s, I overheard a woman asking her friend if she’d tried a Boysenberry Latte yet? I couldn’t help but stick my nose into the conversation at that point, because anything boysenberry is pretty much my kryptonite!

Yep, I have a few weak spots and one of them is definitely boysenberry. The woman pointed me in the direction of the Boardwalk area and told me to look for the Gourmet Coffee Hut!

I made my way over there in quite a hurry. It was drizzling on and off so this was the perfect day for something hot. When I looked up at the menu board I then realized they were serving Starbucks! It was like a dream! This wasn’t just brewed Starbucks, there were actual lattes and cappuccinos and mochas on the menu!

I was beaming from ear to ear when I ordered my “venti, non-fat Boysenberry latte WITH whipped cream“! I know the lady who took my order probably thought I nuts, too! (especially when I asked her to leave the top off so I could take a picture of it before it got smashed with the lid!)

Oh and it smelled SOOOOO good!

As I walked away from the window with my boysenberry latte in hand, I turned and just gazed back at the Gourmet Coffee Hut as I took my first sip!

It was heavenly! I walked along the Boardwalk, slowly sipping on my boysenberry latte. I can’t tell you how many other park guests stopped me to ask where I’d found Starbucks in the park! I felt like it was necessary to let each and every one of those guests know about it being a BOYSENBERRY latte and watched their eyes lit up as big as mine had, when I found out those even existed!

The Starbucks Boysenberry Lattes are just another thing I love about Knott’s Berry Farm! I suggest you get over there to try one soon! (like ASAP)

Orange County Ronald McDonald House Celebrates 25 Years of “Keeping Families Together”!

January 11, 2015 / Lifestyle, Orange County

I was honored when I received an invitation to spend an afternoon at the Orange County Ronald McDonald House with a small group of bloggers. I have known several families who have stayed there over the years and had heard many wonderful things about it and how much it helped these families during their most critical times, when worrying about something like where to sleep was the least of their concerns. The Orange County Ronald McDonald house, a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, provides a home-away-from-home for families with critically-ill children.

Each and every Ronald McDonald house is located within a close proximity of a world class children’s hospital. The Orange County location is located in the city of Orange, very close the CHOC. Nearly 80% of families at the house have children being treated at CHOC, while the remaining families have children at UCI Medical center and other nearby medical facilities.

Our group got to spend some time listening to a remarkable young mother speak about her current experience staying at the house. She has a 4 month old infant son that was born in need of immediate 24 hour hospital care and while her little boy is being treated at CHOC, she is residing at The Orange County Ronald McDonald House. Her story was such an emotional one and really brought us all to tears right along with her, as she spoke. Hearing about all that the house has done for her made me happy for her, even though I know she is going through so much in this fight to be there for her son.

The tour of house gave us a little more insight about what goes on there and how it all works. It’s amazing to know a place like Ronald McDonald house exists for families. In a time where a family’s entire world has been turned upside-down, they have this huge resource to fall back on with very little asked in return. Having that security is something that can help keep a family together and able to support each other, rather than worrying about their own basic needs at a time when they just can’t.

Every family staying at the house has their own private room, which is a family-sized suite. Throughout the house, there are several communal areas for families to interact with staff and others staying there. There’s a kitchen, a dining room, family room, a playroom, a TV room, a sanctuary, and an outdoor patio area in the backyard. Each of these areas is very warm and inviting. Guests staying at the house also have access to computers and internet, as well as laundry facilities. There are 2 meals and snacks that are prepared daily in the kitchen for guests staying there. They also have access to the amazing kitchen to prepare their own food. Staff is available at the house, 24 hours a day, to help guests with anything they might need, which many times is emotional support.

Here are just a few facts about the Orange County Ronald McDonald house:

The 20-room House is 12,500 sq. feet and opened in November 1989.
It just celebrated 25 years of helping families with critically ill children to stay together and be close by.
The House also operates 2 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside CHOC in Orange and CHOC in Mission Viejo. These rooms provide a place for for families to rest and relax inside the hospital, close to where their child is being treated.
The Orange County Ronald McDonald House also has the ability to provide families with rooms in hotels that are close by, when the house is at capacity. These families stay in the hotel at night but are included in the meals and activities at Ronald McDonald house. The funds for the hotel stays are made possible through donations.
There are plans to add on an addition to The Orange County Ronald McDonald House sometime within the next 5 years, using the lot adjacent to the property. This could provide housing for a lot more families, for which there is already a huge need.

The day we were visiting the house, there was a large group of ladies who had signed up to volunteer in the kitchen that day. They were cooking up a big batch of baked goods to leave out for the guests in the house. I’ve always wanted to sign up to volunteer in the house’s kitchen with a big group of friends. It seems like a very rewarding experience, knowing you’re cooking a meal or a snack for the guests in the house.

The Orange County Ronald McDonald house has many volunteer opportunities available and also accepts donations to help with the costs of everything they’re doing to help families in need. Click here for more information about how to volunteer in the house or to donate. To learn more about the house and Ronald McDonald Charities, click here.

It was such a privilege to be able to spend an afternoon in The Ronald McDonald House Orange County. Everyone there was so nice and before we left they sent each of us home with a snuggly red blanket that has the logo on it that’s recognized internationally. It’s really comfy to use when I’m home on my couch and it will always remember of my time at the house.

Newport Beach Welcomes Hälth Spa, A Natural Healthcare Boutique and Destination

January 10, 2015 / Beauty, Beauty & Pampering, Lifestyle, Orange County

Orange County residents can now enjoy natural luxury spa treatments that are completely free of harmful toxins. Hälth Spa, a natural beauty boutique and destination that specializes in natural nails using 5 free polishes and natural mineral make-up services will open this month across from the Eastbluff Village. Hälth Spa is a family and eco-friendly environment and philanthropic boutique with fair trade and vegan friendly products.

Join Hälth Spa for its Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, January 17th from 11am to 5pm, 2503 Eastbluff Drive, Suite 204, Newport Beach. Free manicure polish changes for adults and nail stenciling for kids, special offers and much more.

The serene and luxurious rustic European environment of Hälth Spa is unlike typical nail and beauty salons. Hälth Spa uses only luxurious, non-toxic products to ensure the health, happiness, and well-being of its customers and employees.

With Hälth Spa, there’s even a kids room where children can play, snack on healthy vegan treats, and get their own nails done with kid friendly Piggy-Paint polish, while their parents are enjoying a spa treatment.

Hälth Spa founders, Heather Joseph and Suzy Alan, are deeply committed to integrating sustainable and responsible practices into all that they do and to helping philanthropic causes, both locally and globally. They are passionate about their responsibility to help others, especially children (the next generation of hälth-ë thinkers).

In addition to featuring products such as Feed and Chavez for Charity, that benefit worthy causes around the world in the Hälth Spa global boutique, Hälth Spa will dedicate 3% of all Hälth Spa branded products to local charities. Hälth Spa will also hold special events and offers to benefit local and global charities.

Hälth Spa will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am to 7pm & Sunday from 11am to 5pm. To make an appointment, please call: (949)-612-7038

For more information please visit: http://www.halthspa.com To stay up to date on Hälth Spa news and events, and win free services and products go to https://www.facebook.com/halthspa

This is not a sponsored post. I was provided with information to share with my readers. All opinions are 100% my own.

“Kids in the Kitchen” Cooking Class at Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo

December 31, 2014 / Lifestyle, Orange County

Emi and I were recently invited to attend a super fun kids event at Renaissance ClubSport. Located in Aliso Viejo, the club is Orange County’s premier health club. The club holds monthly “Kids in the Kitchen” cooking classes, designed for children ages 3 to 12, as part of their Kids’ World program. Classes and are taught by the club’s Executive Sous Chef and Sous Chef. Children in attendance got to experience a hands-on cooking lesson, in a small group setting. My daughter loved learning how to prepare apple turnovers and some very special chocolate chip cookies. She also enjoyed getting to use her hands to mix the ingredients. It was something exciting and different than just using an electric mixer, like we do at home.

Since we are so fortunate to have great winter weather here in Southern California, the class was held poolside. While the children were waiting for their culinary creations to bake in the club’s kitchen, they got to enjoy listening to a story and color with friends in a cabana.

When the Sous Chef brought out the children’s finished products, I could tell how proud Emily was to show me hers. She was anxious to eat them but knew that first I needed to snap a pic!

Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo is a super facility, built around a fitness center, which also includes a hotel, restaurant, sports bar, conference room, boutique, pool, and water slide area. We also received a brief tour of the entire Kids’ World area of the club, which is its own enclosed facility within the club. It’s a safe stimulating childcare environment for children 6 weeks-12 years old. There are so many fun activity choices for children with inside and outside areas to play.

All Renaissance ClubSport family members receive three hours of complimentary Kids World childcare per day, which means you have plenty of time to work out, enjoy lunch, or indulge in a spa treatment. Childcare is also available to hotel guests for a nominal fee while parents are on the premises. For more information about Renaissance ClubSport Kids World, click here.

Thanks for having us, Renaissance! We hope to come back again for some more fun at your club!

Connect with Renaissance ClubSport here and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to attend a special media event in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Ring in The New Year With Family Friendly Fun at Knott’s! #KnottsNYE

December 18, 2014 / Knott's, Orange County, SoCal Fun

Disclosure: I was invited by GigaSavvy to spend New Year’s Eve at Knott’s this year with my family. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

I cannot believe that it’s almost 2015! Where has the time gone this year? I love the holiday season and have been fortunate enough to fit in a ton of holiday activities this season. With it being the week before Christmas, I’m also already planning for New Year’s Eve! This year, our family is going to spend New Year’s Eve at Knott’s and I think you should too! Put on your party hats and get ready to ring in the New Year at Knott’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve event that offers something for everyone! Knott’s is a fun and safe options for families who want to ring in the New Year together.

Extended park hours (from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.!), live entertainment, and a fireworks display are all included in the price of regular park admission! And if you have a 2015 Season Pass the value is even better, because each 2015 Season Pass includes one FREE visit in 2014 that can be used on New Year’s Eve! There’s still time to purchase Knott’s 2015 Season Passes (have you seen how low they’re priced at?) which also include a visit in 2014, and you could also use that 2014 visit for New Year’s Eve at Knott’s!

So what are YOUR plans for New Year’s Eve this year? Why not head over to Knott’s?

The Beautifully Updated Dining Pavilion at The Shops at Mission Viejo Isn’t Called a “Food Court” Anymore!

December 16, 2014 / Lifestyle, Orange County

Dislcosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own!

A few months ago when I was walking around “My Mall”, The Shops at Mission Viejo, I noticed some changes going on in the area formerly known as “the Food Court”. I got really excited when I saw signs posted indicating that some stylish changes were happening to the area, transforming it into a “Dining Pavilion”! I love anything stylish and I LOVED that it was getting the new, more grown-up name “Dining Pavilion”, too!

This was just a rendering of how the space was intended to look but I swear I see myself sitting back there! (the one on her cell phone)

Renovations to the former food court began in August. Some of the features of the updated dining pavilion include a new layout, tile, furniture, and some new vendors, including a Starbucks!!! (coming soon) Meant to enhance the customer dining experience at the center, The Shops at Mission Viejo’s upgraded Dining Pavilion includes a color palette of warm, brown, and wood tones, accented by mosaic tiles and neutral tones that complement the darker wood details. Fresh orange and lime-colored furniture play off of the wood tones, displaying a contemporary and clean style. In addition to new flooring and lighting, the Dining Pavilion also showcases a more open layout that improves the flow of traffic and visibility throughout the dining area. Additional highlights include high bar top counters and electronic charging stations designed so guests can work on their laptops or charge their phones while they eat. Other touches include communal tables big enough to accommodate large families or groups wanting to sit together, which is helpful for large parties or birthdays, common for the family-oriented Shops at Mission Viejo. The entire area now displays a clean, contemporary look to complement the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired style of the mall’s overall architecture.

On Saturday, December 6, I attended the public Dining Pavilion Celebration to celebrate all of these wonderful changes.It was an all day event that featured festive holiday music including live entertainment, a face painter and a balloon artist. The first 250 guests at the event received swag bags filled with retailer goodies and food coupons. Giveaways were also held every hour during the event. Mall shoppers enjoyed samples and special offers from Dining Pavilion eateries, which included Blaze Pizza, Charley’s Grilled Subs, Great Khan’s, Muscle Beach Lemonade & Hot Dogs, Panda Express, Paradise Bakery & Café, Rubios Baja Grill, Ruby Thai, Sarku Japan, and Smashburger.

I really love the finished look of how the entire space turned out. I love how open and how bright it is with natural lighting coming from the ceiling area. The couches set up with a coffee table in between them allow for families to gather and have an intimate conversation while enjoying some food and drinks. The comfy chairs provide resting areas for dads who don’t want to trek through the mall with their daughters who are on a shopping mission or even moms who are trying to grab a quick bite to eat while feeding their infants. The high bar top counters with barstools are welcoming for single shoppers or even a couple of girlfriends who are lunching in the middle of their day. It is just such a bright and cheery space now, more than it was before.

This is Emi’s new favorite spot to read in the mall!

Now let’s get back to the part where I mentioned a Starbucks coming soon though! Yep, it’s all very excited as The Shops at Mission Viejo is preparing for 700 square-foot standalone Starbucks with café-like seating! It’s set to join the center next year, on the upper level in the Dining Pavilion. I squealed in excitement when I saw the area where it’s going to be! It was almost like “my mall” gave me the best Christmas present ever, putting this sign under the tree! I cannot wait for Spring 2015 now!

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

Join Foothill Ranch Chick-Fil-A in Their Collaboration With Saddleback Church and OC Rescue Mission to Provide Meals for Families in Need! #HopefortheHolidays

December 6, 2014 / Lifestyle, Orange County

This holiday season, Foothill Ranch Chick-Fil-A is collaborating with Saddleback Church and OC Rescue Mission to support Orange County families in need, by bringing them meals. From now until New Year’s Day, Chick-Fil-A Foothill Ranch will be taking donations at their store, which will go directly to providing hand-delivered. They are hoping to feed 1000 families this season!

Each customer donation of $6.00 will go to purchase a Hope Box Meal which includes a Chick-Fil-A Sandwich, Waffly Fry Kettle Chips, a Chocolate Chunk Cookie, and a message of hope, which is a handwritten note by the donor (note can also be written anonymously) and attached to the box for delivery.

It was touching to see local community members AND local businesses support the “Hope for the Holidays” program this year and read their “messages of hope” on the Christmas tree in the store! Please consider stopping by Chick-Fil-A Foothill Ranch and making a donation too! It’s amazing what your $6 can do for someone in need.

Happy Holidays!

Connect with Chick-Fil-A Foothill Ranch on Facebook!

This is not a sponsored post.

Kidgits Holiday Event AND Updated Dining Pavilion Grand Opening Celebration at The Shops at Mission Viejo! #NewDiningPavilion

December 6, 2014 / Lifestyle, Orange County

The Shops at Mission Viejo invites Orange County-area kids and parents to celebrate the season and spread holiday cheer at Simon Kidgits Club’s® annual Holiday Extravaganza!, on Saturday, December 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the lower level, near Forever 21, sponsored this season by the popular animated movie The Boxtrolls coming this holiday season on Digital HD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

The Shops at Mission Viejo will offer kids the chance to get festive while they venture above ground and transform everyday treasures into Holiday adventures during the Simon Kidgits Club Holiday Extravaganza! There will be plenty of holiday crafts and Boxtrolls activities including:

Gift Box Creation – Upon arrival, kids will get a box where they can add their magic touches and decorate for the holidays. This is a perfect little treasure box to keep for themselves or to give to someone special this holiday season.
Viewing – Watch a trailer from The Boxtrolls movie.
Ornaments – Children will receive a snowflake ornament in which they can insert their favorite Boxtroll image or make their own and hang on heir tree.
Letter to Santa – Kids can craft their wish list and deliver personally to Santa.

The Kidgits event will be followed up on December 6 with a celebration of the grand re-opening of the center’s updated Dining Pavilion. Renovations to the former food court began in August and will culminate in a public Dining Pavilion Celebration on Saturday, December 6. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Shoppers can get their fill of samples and special offers from Dining Pavilion eateries, which include Blaze Pizza, Charley’s Grilled Subs, Great Khan’s, Muscle Beach Lemonade & Hot Dogs, Panda Express, Paradise Bakery & Café, Rubios Baja Grill, Ruby Thai, Sarku Japan, and Smashburger. (In addition, The Shops at Mission Viejo is preparing for 700 square-foot standalone Starbucks with café-like seating, which is set to join the center next year, on the upper level in the Dining Pavilion. An additional food vendor is slated to be announced in 2015.) With festive holiday music playing throughout, the Dining Pavilion Celebration will also include live entertainment, a face painter and balloon artist. The first 250 guests will score swag bags filled with retailer goodies, while supplies last. Giveaways will be held every hour as well.

Did I also mention that The Shops at Mission Viejo management teams will also be bringing its holiday ‘Spread Love’ campaign to life on December 6 by surprising randomly selected shoppers with free Simon Giftcards®? The event will encourage the giving spirit of the holidays by offering the lucky shoppers two cards, one to keep and one to share with a fellow shopper. The Simon Giftcards will be distributed at random. I guess that means you should just walk up and down the mall all day, right?

So it looks like I’ll be seeing you all at “my mall” for these events, right? If you see me, come say “hi”!

Vsit The Shops at Mission Viejo on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

OC Simon Malls Will “Spread Love” By Giving Out Free Simon Giftcards to Select Shoppers! Get There!

December 5, 2014 / Lifestyle, Orange County

The Shops at Mission Viejo will be bringing to life its holiday ‘Spread Love’ campaign on December 6 by surprising randomly selected shoppers with free Simon Giftcards®. The event will encourage the giving spirit of the holidays by offering the lucky shoppers two cards, one to keep and one to share with a fellow shopper. The Simon Giftcards will be distributed at random by The Shops at Mission Viejo management teams.

“Our shoppers demonstrate time and again how generous they are by contributing to our local food and clothing drives, donating to Simon Youth Foundation®, and participating in our community events benefiting others,” said Patsy Sanquist, Director of Marketing and Business Development at The Shops at Mission Viejo. “On December 6, we want to say ‘thank you’ to our shoppers while tapping into that contagious spirit of generosity and encouraging Giftcard recipients to ‘Spread Love’ to other shoppers.”

So…who’s ready to head to the mall now? Will YOU be one of the lucky ones selected? How exciting is all of this?