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Lifestyle

Check out the Live Music & Action Sports Lineup at the 2014 OC Fair!

July 3, 2014 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, OC Fair, Orange County

The 2014 OC Fair will offer a month-long bonanza of great music and wild entertainment in The Hangar and Action Sports Arena from July 11-August 10. Tickets are on sale now and, as always, include free OC Fair admission.

The Hangar at the 2014 OC Fair:

July 11 Journey Unauthorized – A Tribute to Journey
July 12 Zeppelin Live – A Live Rock Tribute to Led Zeppelin
July 13 The English Beat / The Debonaires
July 16 Wild Child – A Jim Morrison Celebration
July 17 Atomic Punks – A Tribute to Early Van Halen
July 18 Joshua Tree – A Tribute to U2
July 19 Kenny Metcalf as Elton John – A Tribute to Early Elton
July 20 MenAlive – Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus Performing the Music of The Beatles
July 23 Purple Reign – THE Prince Tribute
July 24 Strangelove – The Ultimate Tribute to Depeche Mode
July 25 Metalachi – The World’s Only Heavy Metal Mariachi Band / Mex-Zeppelin – A Led Zeppelin Tribute
July 26 No Duh – The Ultimate Tribute to No Doubt / Green Today – A Green Day Tribute
July 27 Ricky Nelson Remembered – Matthew & Gunnar Nelson
July 30 Hotel California – A Salute to The Eagles
July 31 Kalimba – The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire
August 1 Rumours – The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
August 2 KIDZ BOP – Dream Big, Sing Loud Tour!
August 2 Damage Inc. – Southern California’s Tribute to Metallica
August 3 Common Kings / Tini Grey
August 6 Moonwalker – A Reflection of Michael Jackson
August 7 Queen Nation – A Tribute to the Music of Queen
August 8 Hot August Night – The Neil Diamond Tribute
August 9 Dead Man’s Party – The Oingo Boingo Tribute
August 10 Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez

A concert ticket is required to have a seat inside The Hangar during these events. Concert tickets include free Fair admission for the same day before and after the concert.

Action Sports Arena at the 2014 OC Fair:

July 11 X-Treme Freestyle Moto-X
July 12 40th Annual Speedway Fair Derby
July 13 SummerFist VII – Mixed Martial Arts
July 16-20 Monster X Tour – Monster Trucks & Tuff Trucks
July 23-27 ASA Action Sports World Tour – Skate/BMX Half-Pipe
July 30 & August 1 Extreme Rodeo
July 31 & August 2 Broncs & Bulls
August 3 Fiesta del Charro
August 6 & 9 Orange Crush Demolition Derby
August 7 & 10 Motor Home Madness Demolition Derby
August 8 Damsels of Destruction Demolition Derby

Reserved seats include free Fair admission for the same day before and after the event. There is limited free seating available with Fair admission on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Tickets to The Hangar and Action Sports Arena reserved seats can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone (800) 745-3000, from all Ticketmaster outlets or at the OC Fair & Event Center Box Office, which is open before the Fair on Wednesday 1-9 p.m., Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and closed Monday-Tuesday and Friday, July 4. The Box Office is also open during the 2014 OC Fair.

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/OCFair, follow us at twitter.com/ocfair or call (714) 708-1500. Also, download the free OC Fair iPhone and Android apps available this summer.

(images courtesy of OC Fair)

S’mores, Slides & a Scavenger Hunt at The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay: A Review by Over the Top Kid

July 3, 2014 / California, Over the Top Kid, Travel, Uncategorized

This is a guest post by Over the Top Kid! ( Emily, age 9)

A few days ago, I had the chance to take a quick trip with my family down to San Diego. It’s a short drive and I was excited to stay at The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay because it’s right on the water.

When we were checking in, I relaxed by the lobby fireplace with some of my stuffed animal friends. In the lobby there was a coloring table and right next to it is where I picked up one of the Scavenger Hunt pages that they have for kids to do during their stay. If you answer all of the questions, you can win a prize!

On our first day there, it was too late to go on the waterslides but we did go and look at the pool. There were 3 different pools all in the same area and one had a small waterside, while another one had 2 big waterslides. I couldn’t wait to go on them the next day!

Next to the pool area there’s a restaurant called “Swim” and they sell S’mores Kits there that you can roast at one of the hotel’s 3 fire pits. (hint: That’s actually one of the answers to one of the Scavenger hunt questions)

Each kit comes with a bunch of marshmallows, 2 big Hershey’s chocolate bars, a bunch of packs of Honeymaid graham crackers and 4 wooden dowels that you roast your marshmallows on.

It was so fun to make the s’mores by the fire with my parents. We also got to watch the Sea World fireworks when we were out there because Sea World is really close by.

The next day, I think we were at the pool all day long. It’s kind of cool that they give the kids a refillable purple cup to use. I got to have as much lemonade as I wanted. The smaller waterslide was fun because you could ride it with 2 people. I liked the bigger waterslides the best though. It was fun to make my mom go on them too!

At 3:00 there were races by the pool for all of the kids. They actually have different activities for kids by the pool each day, even on the weekends!

I had a fun time staying at The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay! I hope I get to back there sometime soon!

Follow the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay on Facebook , Twitter, and Instagram.

The 2014 OC Fair: Summer Starts Here!

July 2, 2014 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, OC Fair, Orange County

We are counting down the days until the 2014 OC Fair begins! The theme this year is Summer Starts Here and I can’t think of a more appropriate theme for the kickoff of summer! This year’s fair will run from July 11-August 10! It’s going to be 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun! In addition to all of that, the venue also features the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre and events in The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. I think everyone needs to check out the Super Pass option. It’s offered at one price and gives you entrance into the fair for the entire 23 days plus a bunch of other benefits. To get more info about the Super Pass and to purchase online, click here.

When I look back at some of our pictures from last year’s fair, I get even more excited about it! We absolutely LOVE visiting the farm animals, especially the piglets and the chicks! The farm is the first place we walk through each year when we get into the fair. Emi even thinks it’s fun to milk the pretend cow!

Emily also loves going on the kiddie rides. Sadly, she’s getting so tall that I don’t know how much longer she’ll be able to ride on them.

It wouldn’t be a trip to the fair without some of the delicious fair food. We are always anxious to see what new items will be featured each year in the fried foods category, but honestly, I don’t think there’s anything that can beat the BBQ corn!

The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. Concert tickets, action sports reserved seats, single-day general admission and the popular Super Pass are available for purchase online at ocfair.com or from the on-site Box Office. Free parking and shuttle service are available on Saturdays and Sundays from the Experian parking structure located off the Bristol St. exit of the 405 freeway.

What are YOU most excited about at this year’s fair?

Is it something you want to see, something you want to ride, or something you’re excited to eat?

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: A Review of the Arizona Resort by Over the Top Kid

June 29, 2014 / Arizona, Disney, Over the Top Kid, Social Media Conferences, Travel

This is a guest post by Over the Top Kid! (aka Emily, age 9)

I love summer! I love not having homework, I love getting to sleep in later, and I LOVE getting to go on little vacations! Last week I got to go to Arizona with my mom. She was going for The Disney Social Media Moms on the Road conference and I got to travel with her. When my mom told me she made our reservations at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess , I looked online to see what kind of things they had for kids like me to do. That’s when I got even more excited about the trip! Wow, it looked cool! After staying there for 2 nights and 3 days I was not ready to go back home. Let me tell you about just a few of the things I liked most about this hotel and my stay there.

1. It’s actually on Princess Drive I thought it was really cool that the resort was located on Princess Drive! Obviously that’s why it’s called the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, right? My mom and I LOVE princesses, especially Disney princesses!

2. A cowboy helps you with your luggage

When my mom pulled up in the valet area, a cowboy came up to the car to help us! He was wearing a cowboy hat and real cowboy boots and was super polite. He unloaded all of our things onto the bell cart. We had kind of a lot of stuff and he didn’t even laugh at us!

3. They have golf carts to take you everywhere After my mom checked in and got our room (which was actually a casita), we got to take a golf cart to our room! It wasn’t just a regular golf cart, it was a super long one with a ton of seats. Our driver told us that we could call any time that we needed a ride someplace at the resort. I think I drove my mom nuts when I kept asking her if we could take lots of extra golf cart rides!

4. You can order s’mores in a cup One of the many restaurants at the Fairmont Scottsdale is called The Ironwood American Kitchen. I think my mom would want me to write about how great the food was there, but I honestly can’t stop thinking about the s’mores in a cup that I got there! I really want to go back and have another one. This restaurant is really yummy though. They also have cool things for kids to play with while they’re waiting and not just a kids menu.

5. Our casita was awesome! When we first went into our casita I was so excited! It had 2 beds, a living room, a desk and a TV, all in one room! There was also a fireplace inside and a patio outside the door. In the bathroom there were 2 sinks, a giant tub, a shower and a cool walk-in closet! I always like to organize my things in a hotel closet, as soon as I get there. There were also robes for both of us and some great bath products that I took home for souvenirs. I told my mom that I could live in the casita forever. It was so nice. Also, there was a Keurig in the room and I got to make my own hot chocolate since my mom brought some hot chocolate K-cups with us.

6. *****Sonoran Splash *******my favorite thing about the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess This was the BEST part of the resort for kids! Sonoran Splash has 2 different waterslides that you can go down. You have to climb up the stairs and pick what side you want to go down. They move you pretty fast and it dumps you into a pool at the bottom! It seemed like I rode each of them about 100 times. I even got my mom to go with me a ton of times. I think this was definitely my favorite part of the whole trip! The Fairmont Princess Scottsdale has a lot more activities for kids to do, we just didn’t get a chance to do them. I saw a kids club online, called the Trailblazers Club, that looked really fun. On the weekends they have zip lining, fishing, fireworks and even Dive In movies that you can watch while you’re in the pool. I am begging my mom to take me back really soon so I can do all of the other things that I didn’t get a chance to do. If you were wondering if YOU should take YOUR kid(s) to the Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale, I’d say “YES you should!” Follow the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess on Facebook here, on Twitter here, and on Instagram here.

Our “Decorate Your Own Cupcake” Party at Casey’s Cupcakes

May 9, 2014 / Celebrations, Food, OC Fun, Over the Top Kid, Parties, SoCal Life

It’s no secret that I love parties. I love throwing parties. I love being invited to parties. I love attending parties that are hosted at a location, especially when they’re done really well. I am always on the lookout for fun & unique places to have parties. For me, it’s not only important that party packages are reasonably priced to fit in my budget, but also that the party itself, be something I’d be proud to invite my guests to. I think we’ve all had at least one disappointing experience at an establishment that promised a good party and delivered the opposite.
Emi and I recently had the opportunity to experience a “Decorate Your Own Cupcake Party” at Casey’s Cupcakes. I can honestly say that I was as excited as Emi was, if not MORE excited, for al the days leading up to the party! I can’t think of a better match for us, since Casey is “The Queen of Cupcakes” and I’ve pretty much titled myself “The Queen of Parties“! Oh I think I forgot to mention that everything in a Casey’s store is pink! Again, it’s a perfect fit for me since my favorite color is pink! For Emi, an extremely pink dress was a necessity for her to wear on this special occasion, as was a pink hair accessory AND some pink lipgloss! She was channeling her “inner Casey“!

Emi was ready to party and came prepared with her Casey’s Cupcakes backpack AND even carried my camera bag!

When we arrived at the Woodbury Town Center location in Irvine, Emily was very excited to see balloons just right inside the store!

As soon as all of the children had arrived for the party, they each got to choose a tiara or a crown to wear for the party, which they also took home as a keepsake after the party.

The children were then led into the Casey’s Cupcakes Party Room.

I loved the way the room was set up. I also LOVED the beautiful chandelier!

The private party room is very pink and was beautifully decorated for our party. There was an elegant cupcake holder in the center of the table, an array of yummy frostings to choose from, and a beautiful assortment of sweets to adorn the cupcakes, including Sixlets, jelly beans, sprinkles and even Peeps bunnies. The Peeps seemed to be an especially big hit with the mommies! (I won’t name any names though.)

Sixlets, jelly beans, Peeps and sprinkles! So many goodies to choose from!

It’s hard to resist licking your fingers when there are yummy frostings on the table!

How adorable are they?

Immediately after this pic was taken, I’ll bet you can guess what I did with that Peep?

We had a choice of pink lemonade or hot chocolate to go with our cupcakes! What a perfect afternoon snack!
Emi and the other kids had so much fun decorating their own cupcakes. Casey’s Cupcakes really went all out to make every detail of the party special, down to the adorable, pink boxes and bags to carry home extra cupcakes in!

When the party was over, Emi was happy to take home one of the Casey’s Cupcakes balloons! She is a HUGE fan of Casey, has many of Casey’s logo items at home AND even has a Casey’s doll.

Before we left, Emi insisted on recreating Casey’s signature pose, featured in the logo. I swear my daughter is the most fun!

What do you think? Did she pull it off?

If you are thinking of throwing a party anytime soon, whether it be for a special occasion, such as a birthday or graduation, or even a girls day out, you should look into one of the party packages that Casey’s Cupcakes offers. They currently have 5 store locations and their Woodbury Town Center location is in Irvine and has a private party room, which is the one pictured in these photos. They offer a couple of different party packages at this location. The “Tea Parties & Tiaras” party is an amazing offering and can easily be adapted to include crowns if you have boys in your group.

Casey’s description of a “Tea Parties & Tiaras” Party:

Aspiring princesses will feel like royalty for a day at Casey’s Cupcakes! Our regal offerings start with a sparkling Apple Cider welcome and a Princess Tea. The lady-in-waiting will enjoy a private party in the party room in a setting inspired by a classic Parisian cafe with a glamorous Hollywood twist.….And what would a princess be without a Tiara?

The Tea Parties & Tiaras party is an all-inclusive package which includes:

*Private Party Room at the Woodbury Town Center store location

*Sparkling Cider Welcome Beverage

*One delicious cupcake per person to decorate (with an option to add a 2nd)

*Choice of Creamy Frostings

*Assortment of decorative toppers

*Choice of Casey’s Cupcakes Fine Teas

*Tea Service per person

*Tiara Keepsake

Casey’s can work with you to tailor a party to fit your occasion and party size. Our party was beautifully done and is something we we’re proud to share about with other friends and family.

It’s also fun to just stop by one of Casey’s location in the afternoon for a cupcake and a drink with your favorite little (or big) person. Casey’s is one of our favorite pastimes!

Casey’s Cupcakes offers “Date Night” during the week! 2 cupcakes and 2 drinks for $10 from 4 p.m.-close!

To inquire about pricing and availability and to make a reservation for one of Casey’s parties, please call 949.424.9250.
To visit the Casey’s Cupcakes website, click here.

Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at Simon Mall’s Indulge in Orange County

May 6, 2014 / Beauty & Pampering

Simon Malls is inviting moms to sit back, relax and enjoy an evening that focuses on style and more at The Shops at Mission Viejo, all in celebration of Mother’s Day. Indulge, a stylish treat for mothers, is presented by Diet Coke and will take place on Thursday, May 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Center Court.

This event will provide moms with a much-needed opportunity to treat themselves to a night out and celebrate motherhood through a fun, fashionable shopping experience. Event attendees of Indulge can do MUCH more than just shop for spring style must-haves. Moms and their friends can experience fashion tips and style consultations from retailers like Old Navy and Fossil. There will also be beauty services available, including a complimentary mini facial from Origins, delicious refreshments and drinks, plus special event giveaways from Harlequin® books and retailer offers throughout the mall.
Additional Indulge offerings include:
*Mini-Style Makeover Giveaway: During the first 30 minutes of the event, three lucky attendees will be selected to experience a free mini-fashion makeover. Tiffany Borland of fashion blog Tuolomee and Style Setter for the center will surprise women at random with the chance to shop for a new look, receive expert style advice and reveal their new ensemble at the end of the event.
*Mixology Stations: Mixologists will shake up appealing drink combinations for moms to sample and explain how to replicate recipes at home. Bacardi will be sampling their Grey Goose Le Melon Vodka brand.
*Food Sampling: Moms can try samples from some of the area’s best restaurants and hear about the latest food trends. Muscle Beach will be treating all moms to a free 16 ounce lemonade, while Ruby’s Diner will serve French fries and Cajun French fry samples. Williams-Sonoma will also host a risotto demonstration at their cooktop.
*Stylish sounds: Enjoy sounds by local musical performers, including a steel drum band from Brad Winchell of Sounds of Paradise. The mall’s atmosphere will be transformed into a chic, lively entertainment event venue.
*Diet Coke Sampling: Enjoy a refreshing ice cold Diet Coke.
*Chic-est Mom Photo Op: Moms can walk the red carpet and strike a pose as they remember the night with a fun photo op and share their experience via social media (#indulgeatsimon).
*Pampering Stations: Moms can indulge in pampering stations including mini eye facials and hand massages from Origins and a braid station from Toni & Guy, with a complimentary eyelash application in-store.
*Swag Bags: Swag bags containing retailer offers and discounts will be given to the first 600 shoppers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Simon Malls’ Indulge events are free & open to women of all ages.

For more information, visit Simon.com.

Visit The Shops at Mission Viejo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShopsAtMissionViejo, Twitter at https://twitter.com/ShopsMV or Instagram at http://instagram.com/ShopsMV/.

The Time Farrell’s SAVED My Daughter’s Birthday Party AND My Sanity

May 5, 2014 / Celebrations, Family Fun, Food, Let's Eat!, Lifestyle, Orange County

Here’s the back story:
In case you didn’t know or hadn’t guessed, I’m the kind of mom who LOVES to throw a house party every year for my daughter’s birthday! I love to plan all of the details, far in advance, utilize Pinterest a ton throughout the entire planning period, seek out unique things to incorporate into the party and find vendors who are amazing but haven’t been very well known (yet). From the invitations to the coordinating printables to the custom cookies and the favors, I love all of it!
I don’t know what happened this year? I started out with a fun theme in mind for Emily’s 9th birthday, even had a few amazing ideas in my “party notebook” during the first few months of planning. What happened after that was just a series of hurdles followed by some awful events. The week prior to Emi’s birthday was the MOST challenging for me! Some of the obstacles I attempted to overcome included: a water leak in our ceiling, construction of that area, a majorly unexpected auto repair, a district walk through at my workplace, a heat wave paired with Santa Ana winds, a lady who was coming to do a little spa for the girls backing out, my inability to book someone new to come and do the party and probably the worst thing…..my daughter learning 3 days before her party that the cheer program she’d been in for almost 4 years, with the same coaches, was going to cease to exist as she’d known it! Yep, I had to inform her as I picked her up from school that day and then rush her to try out someplace new with some of her friends, all of which had bloodshot red eyes from crying! I cannot describe how horrible it felt to watch her become uncontrollably emotional and pretty much cry her little eyes out for the two days leading up to her party!
Needless to say, by Thursday, I knew I had to make a Plan B for WHAT I was going to do to modify this party I was having the next day, with 13 little girls, since I’d had ZERO time to get things ready while dealing with all of the previous.

Friday, May 2nd
I woke up at 3:45 a.m. and sat straight up in bed, suddenly wide awake. It was the day of Emily’s party. A thought came to mind…Farrell’s! We are HUGE Farrell’s lovers and there’s one very close to our home inside The Shops at Mission Viejo. I went online just to look at the kids menu and saw that there was any area to make a reservation online. I assumed it would only take a reservation for small parties but sure enough, when I entered my date, time and number in our party (13 kids and 3 adults) it took my reservation! I think I let out a big sigh of relief at that point. I think I knew right then, at 4 a.m., that everything was going to be OK.

I remember taking a picture of my laptop screen after I made my online reservation at 4 a.m. because I so overjoyed!

We’ve been to Farrell’s a couple of different times over the past few months, including the amazing grand opening at their newest Buena Park location AND Barbie’s birthday celebration at The Shops at Mission Viejo. I don’t think it’s possible to visit a Farrell’s without having an amazing time! Each of their locations exudes a crazy amount of positive energy and the food and nostalgia are something extra special for me that remind me of my own childhood .
I actually called Farrell’s around 10 a.m. that morning, just to double check with the manager on duty that they’d gotten my online reservation and that it was going to work out for a party our size. I spoke with “Steven” and he was so helpful on the phone and he confirmed that he did have my reservation. He asked me a few questions about our party and we decided together that our party would best be seated up front, in the area closest to the ice cream bar. It’s the location where you get the most drum action and that’s a biggie, right? Steven then reviewed the staff scheduled to work that evening and let me know that he’d be having “Michael” as our server, reassuring me that we’d be in good hands. This literally brightened up my day and I hung up smiling.
When I picked up Emily from school that day and told her about the slight change in our party plans, she had a huge smile on her face! She thinks she’s this big Farrell’s VIP because she’s hung with the best of the Farrell’s peeps at some of their different locations! In her world, this party would just be one more event that she could add to her Farrell’s repertoire!
Upon our arrival, it was such a pleasure to meet the manager on duty, Steven. He greeted us at the front desk and made Emily feel special, mentioning that he already knew it was her birthday and giving her a special birthday sticker to wear! He had mustache stickers and menus for all of the girls to color and led us to our table, which was already set up. Steven was so considerate that he even sat the 3 adults at our own table, separate from the table of 13 screaming girls! It was like the reverse of having “a kids table”!

Our server, Michael, came right over to the girls’ table and was ready to get the party started! He was so patient with all of them. I don’t know HOW he had the patience to deal with the craziness of 13 screaming 9 year olds but I can confirm that the guy was like an instant hit with the girls! (obviously)

I can’t even say enough good things about our server, Michael!

I need to point out something else that amazed me about our server…his knowledge of the Farrell’s menu. I’m not talking about their regular menu…I mean the fact that when we informed him about one of the girls who is “gluten-free”, he turned to us and said, “you don’t have to worry, I have A LOT of knowledge about this and I will take care of her!” He then went and grabbed one of their gluten-free menus and helped her with her special order. I think that was the point he definitely won the 2 moms over in our party! (Farrell’s also offers a “nut allergy” and “egg allergy” menu for guests)

Farrell’s has a gluten free menu!

They also have “nut allergy” and “egg allergy” items!

Michael kept the Shirley Temples and strawberry lemonades flowing at the girls’ table! I must’ve apologized to him about 100 times for all of the screaming and craziness coming from their table and he just kept telling me NOT to apologize and let me know that he works with kids like this every day and enjoys it! Ha! And here I was thinking I was the crazy one!

As if the girls weren’t already excited just to be hanging out,

they let out some extra noise when dinner arrived table side.

The Kids Mac and Cheese seemed to be a big hit at our table!

I ordered the Grown Up Grilled Cheese!

Dinner was a success and we ready to move onto the best part of all! The girls knew what would come next…a special birthday sundae, a special birthday song and a whole lotta drum….. all in honor of Emily’s 9th birthday!

The singing hadn’t even started and she was already blushing!

This video can give you a good idea of what it’s like to celebrate your birthday at Farrell’s! (I think Emi was trying to hide)

And then they all dug into their own kid sundaes! Mmm!

The kids sundaes are a good size and so yummy!

By this point I was so relieved and so pleased at how everything had worked out. It wasn’t just a birthday meal out but a total celebration and all because of everything that Farrell’s has to offer in its dining experience. I just have to say “Thank you, Farrell’s!” not only for saving my daughter’s birthday party this year, but for also saving my sanity! We will be back soon!

The girls had so much fun at Emily’s birthday celebration at Farrell’s!

For more information about Farrell’s and to check out their regular menu, as well as information about parties, click here.

Who’s Joining the Nerd HQ Army with Me…and Zachary Levi?!!

April 24, 2014 / Entertainment, Social Media

If you haven’t heard of Nerd HQ, it’s not too late to jump onboard and pretend like you already knew about it! I promise that’s ok! It’s exactly what I did! It involves Zachary Levi…you know, “Chuck”? Or for all of you Disney friends, need I say any more than the words “Flynn Rider“? #swoon

Hold on….here come’s the smolder!

Seriously though….Nerd HQ is a this amazing & FREE event that takes place in San Diego, over the duration of the Comic Con weekend, but is in no way affiliated with Comic Con. It was designed to afford fans the opportunity to interact in a relaxed and fun setting with some of their favorite celebrities, some of which also appear at Comic Con. The 4 day event includes celebrity panels, photo opps and signings, video gaming, technology and some pretty crazy dance parties! (from what I hear) Although the event, itself, is free, Zachary and his company, The Nerd Machine, are actually raising money at the event for Operation Smile, since he’s an ambassador for the organization. (OMG he’s cute, nice, talented AND enjoys helping others?)
Check out the following clip which features Zachary Levi, himself, as he explains Nerd HQ in guy lingo…short, sweet & to the point!

Just watch this, Ok?

Seriously, how down to earth is he? He says it like it is and you can just tell his heart is in this! Why WOULDN’T you want to help him out?

A few weeks ago, some of my social media girlfriends had the opportunity to meet Zachary, have lunch with him and chat about his Indiegogo campaign and they said he’s exactly how he appears on the video, just a super nice guy who truly wants to produce a great event for the fans. He’s beyond sincere, which is why I joined Nerd HQ and contributed too! Even donating $5 will help!

I think you need to go do what I did and “Get Your Nerd On!” What are you waiting for?

My Fabulous Night Out at Elements Massage Costa Mesa

April 10, 2014 / Beauty & Pampering, Lifestyle

When I received an exclusive invitation to attend the 1-year Anniversary for Elements Massage Costa Mesa, I jumped at the chance to spend a night getting pampered with some of my social media friends.

Erina Buckley, owner of Elements Massage Costa Mesa, and her wonderful staff!
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

Upon arrival, I was checked in and immediately scheduled for a complimentary mini massage, which is one of the services they offer as part of their Wellness Program. You can count me “in” for anything that involves the word massage! Not only was I entered into a drawing for some fabulous prizes, but I was also one of the first 20 guests to check in, and therefore got one of the amazing swag bags filled with goodies inside from Philosophie, AlternaVites, LeBrisa, Violet Love, and COCOMOCORN!

Raffle prizes were provided by Elements Massage, SkinAgain, Dermasuri, Pursecase, Violet Love, and Clean Cocktails!
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

I was excited to meet up with my friend, Alma and also have the opportunity to mingle with some others who I also consider to be fabulous social media superstars.

+CidStyleFile, +FieldTripMom & I representing the SoCal Lady Bloggers!
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

Hanging out with some fun ladies!
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

It was fun to see that Michelle from The Suitcase Studio! She just happens to be one of my favorite photographers and was there to capture this fun event with her magical camera!

Michelle is so tolerant of my “selfie with friends” policy, too! Aren’t we cute?

At the reception, in the lobby of the spa, there were some amazing cocktails being served by Clean Cocktails and a delicious, healthy snack being provided by My Fit Foods. LeBrisa Designs was also there displaying some of their latest pieces, which we had fun trying on. The ambiance was just so relaxing and inviting, which is what I like about this location.

Samantha from Clean Cocktails serving up some deliciousness!
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

Healthy AND delicious!
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

Just some of the beautiful pieces by LeBrisa
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

It was inspiring to listen to Erina Buckley speak about how she came to be the owner of this Elements Massage location, just a little over a year ago, after first being an Elements Massage client, herself. She told the story of how she exited the corporate world to do something she felt far more passionate about and how she wanted to do something that has a positive influence on others in their journey for overall wellness.

Erina Buckley, the owner of Elements Massage Costa Mesa. Such a fabulous and passionate female entrepreneur!
(photo by The Suitcase Studio)

I love the idea behind the concept of this spa. What they refer to as the Elements Way is something they created to help individuals achieve overall health and well-being through relaxation and rejuvenation. They use a holistic approach and strive to deliver a personalized program for each individual, connecting health and massage. It’s a truly unique program that you won’t find at other spas or massage places.
When it was my turn for a “mini massage” I followed the masseuse back to one of the rooms, where he proceeded to ask me some questions about the areas I thought needed most attention and what type of pressure I preferred. He also asked if I got massages often and when the last time I got a massage was? At that point, I think you could hear crickets in the room, as I truly couldn’t remember! I explained to him that I’m a mom and I don’t have very much time for myself, especially not for things like this. He then gave me some very important advice and explained the importance of taking time out for myself, in order to do something to make ME feel better. He said that my excuse of “being a mom and not having time for myself to do these types of things” was even MORE of a reason why I needed to do so! It felt like I’d melted into the table after my 15 minute mini-massage! I think I’m going to take his advice and get back into Elements Massage Costa Mesa for a full massage right away! That 15 minutes felt like a paradise vacation, so I can only imagine what a full hour will be like!

A post-mini massage group selfie! We sure do all look relaxed! Thank you Elements Massage Costa Mesa!

In honor of their 1 year anniversary, Elements Costa Mesa is offering a special month-long promotion. You can book two 55-minute massages at $69 for each appointment, regularly $99, between now and May 31, 2014 and receive a complimentary upgrade to an 80-minute massage during your second appointment. This is a total of $100 in savings! Mention the promotion “Anniversary” when booking, to redeem this special offer. Both services must be redeemed by May 31, 2014.
Elements Massage Costa Mesa is located at 2701 S. Harbor Blvd, Suite E-3 in the Mesa Verde Center. To book your appointment call 714.850.0500.