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Boxfli: The Coolest One-Stop Holiday Shipping Shop

December 1, 2015 / Uncategorized

The holidays are a joyous time, but also one of the busiest and most hectic of the year. Having little elves to help with Santa’s work can make the holidays stress-free, leaving more time for celebrations and making memories with family and friends. This is where Boxfli, the coolest one-stop holiday shipping shop, comes in to help you!

Boxfli can make the holidays easier than ever with great products and convenient services, from a wide selection of unique novelty gifts to colorful and whimsical boxes and filler, and gift packaging and shipping. With stores in Costa Mesa and Mission Viejo (and an e-commerce site), Boxfli is truly a one-stop holiday shop. This holiday season, Boxfli’s box designs (starting at only $2) range from glitzy and glamorous to vintage-inspired, with whimsical sayings, bold geometric holiday styles, Hanukkah designs, and more.

Paired with a range of bubble wrap or crinkle filler, colorful tissue paper and even a spritz of scent to personalize it, each gift can be tailored to the recipient, making giving gifts just as fun as receiving them. In addition to full-service wrapping, packaging and shipping, Boxfli has an array of fun novelty gifts that make great stocking stuffers, party favors, or creative add-ons that can top a gift. Most are under $10.

Some of Boxfli’s time-saving tips this holiday include:

No wrapping required with these boxes, which is a big time saver during the holidays.
Use boxes instead of stockings – you can fit more than candy and an orange!
Think beyond the tree – Have hostess gifts ready to go by stacking the boxes on the mantle as part of the holiday décor.
Welcome your guests with a small gift at each place setting at your holiday gathering.
When the holidays are done, you’ll be able to store holiday décor in the boxes (the holiday print boxes make it easy to find the holiday décor next year) and fold the rest of the boxes flat to be used again next year!

Connect with Boxfli on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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

Be Proactive About Preventative Care Because There’s No Such Thing As “Aging Gracefully”!

November 20, 2015 / Uncategorized

Disclosure: I am part of CosmetiCare’s Mom Ambassador Program. I received medspa services in order to write my review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to visit CosmetiCare’s Medspa a few different times, as part of their Mom Ambassador program. Cosmeticare is Orange County’s leading plastic surgery center and medspa facility. Staffed anti-aging experts including certified nurses, estheticians, and plastic surgeons can render expert, up-,to-the-minute advice and create a skin regime just for you. You should only trust your skin to a medspa managed and staffed by these kinds of professionals..

Our mothers taught us the importance of establishing a good skincare routine, wearing sunscreen at all times, and drinking plenty of water to keep our skin hydrated. I’ve always been told to get my beauty rest too.

All of those things can all make somewhat of a difference but if you want to “age gracefully” you need to be more pro-active. This may just be my opinion but there’s no such thing as aging gracefully! The secret (which isn’t really a secret) is to seek preventive care. Even before the hint of that first smile line appears, be proactive. Women (and men) can prevent issues from occurring by getting certain noninvasive skin treatments well before issues arise and with regularity. If you didn’t catch it that early on, seek treatment as soon as possible. CosmetiCare medspa offers nonsurgical treatments that slow down the signs of aging or treat issues present already, such as:

hyperpigmentation
adult acne
brown spots
fine lines
wrinkles
congested or oily pores

The staff at CosmetiCare medspa has been an incredible resource and have helped me make decisions about which non-surgical, anti-aging options were a good fit for me. The believe that you should love the way you look and I totally agree with that!

First I tried Botox and I LOVED it! Botox won’t let you down. You may not be able to say that about other things (even people) in your life, but Botox is a hard-working wing girl. Start to use Botox as a preventative wrinkle-smoothing measure before the “11s,” the moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows, form. You could postpone that destined date with wrinkles.

Next, I tried Voluma, the injectable that adds volume and lift to your cheeks. It has the ability to enhance contour and create a more youthful profile without needing to take a drastic, invasive step like implant surgery. It’s like a mini-lift without going under the knife.

On my third visit, I conquered the parenthesis by my mouth with some JUVÉDERM. Parentheses lines around your nose and mouth are no laughing matter!

JUVÉDERM is a dermal, gel filler that evens out wrinkles around the nose and mouth. It produces natural-looking results that last up to a year.

So far, I’m ecstatic with all of the results I’ve gotten as a result of my visits to CosmetiCare’s medspa. Do you have any areas on your face, neck, or even body that you feel are starting to need some extra attention? Call CosmetiCare and schedule a complimentary consultation today at 949.356.0102

Connect with CosmetiCare on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Santa Photo Experience & Kidgits Holiday Extravaganza at The Shops at Mission Viejo

November 17, 2015 / Uncategorized

Eager children and their families can experience the joy and magic of the holiday season with a visit to the Simon® Santa Photo Experience at The Shops at Mission Viejo. Children can visit and be photographed with Santa beginning November 8 through December 24, on the lower level near Nordstrom. Sponsors of the Simon’s Santa Photo Experience this year are Gymboree and Universal Home Entertainment.

Save time, avoid the line with Santa by Appointment! Now you can reserve your magical moment with Santa online at http://simon.noerrsanta.com. For appointment hours, click here.

The Shops at Mission Viejo also provides children with special needs and their families with an opportunity to enjoy a carefully managed Santa photo experience through the Caring Santap rogram. Caring Santa will occur on Sunday December 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., prior to the mall opening. Guests must register in advance by clicking here. Caring Santa events have expanded from seven Simon malls in 2011 to over 100 Simon malls today, reflecting the positive impact of this unique program.

Since so many pet owners view their pet as an integral member of the family and care for their pets as “human” family members, the popular Pet Photo Night will return to the Simon Santa Photo Experience at The Shops at Mission Viejo this year on Sunday, November 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pet Photo night is hosted after regular mall closing and the set gets an extensive cleaning following the event to remove any potential
risk to allergy sufferers. To make a reservation, click here.

In addition to extra festive hours throughout the season, other activities include the Kidgits Holiday Extravaganza event on December 5, from 10 a.m. to noon on the lower level, near H&M and Old Navy. Kids can get festive with various crafts and activities, including writing a letter to Santa.

Simon’s theme for Holiday 2015 is “Spread Love.” From the love of giving to those who matter, to children’s love of Santa, to celebrating love through holiday festivities with family and friends. Join Simon to experience the season’s good cheer with the best of holiday shopping and entertainment..

Visit The Shops at Mission Viejo on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

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

Promenade Temecula’s Annual Santa Arrival Celebration Saturday, November 21

November 15, 2015 / Uncategorized

Promenade Temecula will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 21, transforming the outdoor plaza into a winter wonderland for its annual Santa’s Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting celebration! This year’s event will feature a special Charlie Brown Christmas-themed evening, including special performances, fireworks, snow, and of course, Santa Claus!

Santa’s arrival is the center’s biggest event of the year, with an average of more than 5,000 guests joining each year for an unforgettable holiday experience. In order to improve visibility and enhance the overall experience for all of our guests, this year we will be featuring an additional LCD Jumbo Tron screen, which will allow even more guests to have a fantastic view of the show.

The Pre-Show begins at 6:00 p.m. and parents are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a special children’s light wand giveaway for kids age 10 years old and under. Light wands are limited, and will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

The main event will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a special Charlie Brown Christmas show presented by CYT Riverside (Christian Youth Theater), along with appearances from Dunamix Dance and Resonate Vocal Group. In addition, this free holiday event will also feature a synchronized jazz performance from Vista Murrieta High School, as well as musical performances by Hijinx and Joy Song. After the holiday performances, Santa will make his grand debut and light the 35-foot holiday tree while fireworks explode over the square and magical snow falls over the crowd. Following the event, Santa Claus will be available for photos and visits throughout the holiday season until December 24, 2015. After December 10, advance reservations will be required in order for children to visit Santa. Reservations can be booked online at http://www.PromenadeTemecula.com.

Magical snowfall will continue every Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. throughout the holiday season.

For more information on holiday events & happenings at Promenade Temecula, visit http://www.promenadetemecula.com or call (951) 296-0975.

Winter Fest Family Festival Comes To OC Fair & Event Center For the Holidays

November 12, 2015 / Uncategorized

Orange County is getting an all-new attraction this holiday season called Winter Fest! Opening December 8 and continuing through January 3, Winter Fest will be at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. The festival embodies the spirit of the winter season, bringing fun and merriment to sunny Southern California. The event was created to engage and delight guests of all ages. Winter Fest is an affordable holiday experience that ensures a fantastic adventure rain or shine, for seventeen days and nights during the traditional holiday school break. The fairgrounds are the perfect venue for Winter Fest, offering both indoor and outdoor space. The majority of the main attractions and entertainment are within buildings, essentially making Winter Fest ‘El Nino-proof.’

Passing through Winter Fest’s icy gates reveals a whimsical wonderland where guests can stroll through the center of the world’s largest illuminated ornament. Attendees can sample holiday treats while sipping hot cocoa or specialty craft cocktails, and enjoy activities for guests of all ages.

Entertainment includes:

roaming holiday characters
performances by singers and artists
magicians
a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snow flurries.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early for Winter Fest’s opening moment each day, and stay throughout the night to enjoy all of the festival’s attractions.

Admission and Activities

Winter Fest admission tickets start at only $10 online. (for a limited time only) Ticket prices Monday through Friday are $10 online, $15 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $20 online, $25 onsite for adults. Ticket Prices Saturday and Sunday are $15 online, $20 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $25 online, $30 onsite for adults. Children 3 and under are free.
Adult season passes for unlimited access for all of Winter Fest’s dates are available for $45 advance and online (limited supply); children’s season passes are available for $25 advance and online (limited supply).All tickets are a fantastic value, allowing unlimited access to tube down the 130-foot, six-lane ice slide (available for guests 42” and taller). Tickets also include one complimentary carnival ride and game in the midway, and access to themed bounce houses for young attendees.

Admission includes access to the following activities:

time with the most famous couple in the North Pole, allowing guests to meet Santa Claus,
heartwarming tales from Mrs. Claus during story time
the elves’ arts, crafts, and games in the North Pole building
festive face painting
balloon art
official photos with Santa Guests
more than 30 carnival rides and games are available for an additional fee
reindeer graham cracker feedings (by the way the reindeer that will be there are actually the ones that were studied for the movie Frozen-fun fact!)
rides on the North Pole LTD trackless train
ice-skating

*some activities require an additional fee

Ice Skating and Private Cabanas
The Hangar building inside the fairgrounds will be transformed into an elegant festival space with a massive ice skating rink, where brilliant hanging snowflakes light up the ice below. Onlookers can watch skaters circle the rink while beloved holiday films play on the theater-sized projection screen in the background. Skating is available on a first come, first serve basis; $15 per person including skates. Skate assists are available for $5. Private, rink-side VIP cabanas are also available for $99 per session, creating a Winter Fest destination for holiday office parties, birthday parties, family retreats, or couples looking for a new way to celebrate date night. Each cabana holds up to 10 guests but can be expanded to accommodate parties up to 100. All cabanas offer a special menu with holiday inspired foods and craft cocktails, and a cabana server to attend to guests’ needs.

Food, Treats, and Libations
Frolicking throughout Winter Fest can stir up an appetite, which can be satiated with tasty treats and delicious libations. Guests can visit Mrs. Claus’ Bakery for sweets while watching live fudge cutting and cinnamon roll making. Merry wanderers with a heftier hunger can enjoy seasonally and internationally inspired foods, including soups in bread bowls, potpies, tamales, Chinese food, crepes, and turkey and stuffing. Traditional SoCal fun foods will also be available, including pizza, tacos, grilled cheese, and BBQ kabobs. Kettle corn and popcorn will be offered for guests on the go, and thirsty festival-goers can indulge in a tempting hot chocolate and martini bar. The OC fairgrounds’ traditional Baja Blues Restaurant will be re-imagined as a snow-covered ski lodge, where guests can enjoy food, libations, and local bands.

Operating Hours
Winter Fest casts its icy spell over the OC Fair & Event Center for seventeen days and nights December 18 – January 3. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Special hours of operation include December 24 (Christmas Eve) 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and December 25 (Christmas Day) 2 – 11 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present at Winter Fest every day and night through Christmas Eve, December 24.

For additional information about Winter Fest, click here. Connect with Winter Fest on Facebook and Twitter.

This is not a sponsored post. All images and logos property of Winter Fest.

Macy’s “Believe” Holiday Campaign Benefiting Make-A-Wish

November 11, 2015 / Uncategorized

The magic of Macy’s Believe campaign returns for the eighth year to celebrate the season’s spirit of generosity and goodwill, all while benefiting Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, are teaming up with Macy’s for this holiday campaign benefiting Make-A-Wish called Believe! The campaign will help benefit local kids in the area who are battling life-threatening illnesses by raising a million dollars for Make-A-Wish®.

From November 6 through December 24, “Believers” of all ages can bring their stamped letters to Santa to their local Macy’s store or send a letter by visiting macys.com/believe. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions up to 1 million dollars. New this year, Macy’s Wish Writer™ stylus and app are a fun way kids can learn the magic of giving through interactive games and write the most magical letters to Santa. Available at approximately 600 stores across the country and macys.com, the stylus can be purchased for $14.99 and $1 from each sale will go to Make-A-Wish, which can also be used to write letters to contribute to the campaign!

The Believe campaign is a great way to get kids involved in helping local community children in need during the holiday season. Why not incorporate the Believe campaign into your own holiday traditions this year? Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion for the whole family to write letters to Santa, which can also benefit a wish kid. You could also set aside a night to take letters to Macy’s, and while there purchase a gift for a family in need. Even just hosting a cookie decorating party could result in 10 letters to Santa. Whatever the occasion, won’t you consider joining in this year?

This is not a sponsored post. Images and logos property of Macy’s and Make-A-Wish.

poqetDONUTS Brings Custom Doughnuts to Orange County

November 8, 2015 / Uncategorized

poqetDONUTS, the first doughnut shop in Orange County to offer custom doughnuts alongside signature gourmet creations, will have its Grand Opening on Saturday, November 14th at 9 a.m.

The first 100 guests in line that morning will have the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary doughnut from poqetDONUTS’ unique signature flavors, including Avocado, Burnt Pistachio, Blueberry, Pumpkin Spice, Tiramisu, Nutella, Green Tea, and Butter Salt. In addition, 10% of the day’s sales from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be donated to The Irvine Public Schools Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial support and enrichment programs for the students of the 33 schools in the Irvine Unified School District.

The name poqet, pronounced “pocket,” is derived from a folklore story of two best friends who met on a park bench daily to share doughnuts, which were kept in their pockets. The story of these “pocket donut” friends is placed on the wall inside the shop to provide a simple explanation of the name’s origins to guests.

Signature doughnuts will change seasonally and currently include:

Avocado – Green is the new black.
Maple Bacon – The main reason we are not vegetarians.
Campfire – Let’s roast some marshmallows and party S’more!
PB & noJ – Peanut Butter makes everything Peanut Better.
Cookies & Cream – These are like people – the good stuff is on the inside.
Strawberry Fields Forever – If you are what you eat, get ready to be delicious.
Pumpkin Spice – One more excuse to have pumpkin-flavored everything.
Nutella – Spread love as thick as you would Nutella.
Tiramisu – This authentic Italian inspired recipe will have you saying, “Ciao Bella!”
Burnt Pistachio – The reason everyone should own a blow torch.
Lemon Meringue – When life hands you lemons, make lemon meringue.
Cherry Red Velvet – Life is too short to say no to Red Velvet, especially if it’s glazed with cherries!
Blueberry – You can’t buy love but, you can buy doughnuts, and that’s kind of the same thing.
Black & White – I want someone to look at me the way I look at black & white cake.
Vanilla Latte – Life is better buzzed.
Green Tea – I love you so Matcha!
Butter Salt – Abs are cool, but have you had our butter salt doughnuts?
Vegan – Strawberry, Blueberry, and other options available select days

Production of doughnuts is overseen by a team with more than 30 years of doughnut-making experience. At poqetDONUTS, the culinary team creates custards, fillings, glazes and batters with the great ingredients to ensure that her doughnuts maintain a level of quality that one would expect in a gourmet shop.

poqetDONUTS is located at:

17655 Harvard Avenue, Unit B (at Main)

Irvine, California

949.932.0800

After the Grand Opening on November 14th, store hours will be as follows:

Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visit poqetDONUTS on Facebook and Twitter.

This is not a sponsored post. All images are property of poqetDONUTS.

Calling All Team Moms, Room Moms, and Super Moms! You’re Going to LOVE HP Social Media Snapshots! #StickaPic

October 30, 2015 / Uncategorized

This is a sponsored campaign with HP and MomSelect. I was compensated and provided with products in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

When I was invited to participate in a fun promotion with HP, I jumped at the chance. HP Social Media Snapshots is one of their newer product which allow you to print your social snapshots out directly from your social media channels! They look like 4X5 inch sheets of photo paper but are actually STICKABLE photo paper! After printing out a picture, you can stick it somewhere and then have the option of removing it later, without leaving any damage. Also, you can re-stick it again. It’s such a cool product and is currently available exclusively at Staples.

HP Social Snapshots was tailored JUST for the HP Social Media Snapshots app! The app is free to download and really easy to use. After you download it, you can choose photos from Instagram, Facebook, Flickr or even pictures from your camera roll.

I upload so many pictures on my channels but never actually print them out. My intentions are good and I always meant to, but it’s such a hassle to first send them to my laptop, then pull them up on my laptop, to finally print them. It’s just too many steps and I’m a busy mom. Well, luckily for all of us, the HP Social Media Snapshots app sends the photos directly from your smartphone (or Tablet) to the HP Envy printer to print! The printer functions wirelessly, so you just need to set it up on a network and you can print out the pictures from your phone.

HP generously sent me all the supplies I needed to have an printing party in an instant. I received one HP Envy printer, ink, and plenty of the special Snapshots paper. I was able to grab some of my cheer mom friends and their daughters to spend some time playing around with the app and printing out some fun pictures. As long as their phones were on the same wireless network as the printer, they, too, could print out whatever they wanted What ended up happening was that the girls took over our phones and starting snapping selfies. I guess that’s just what pre-tweens spend a lot of time doing these days?

The girls were so busy playing around with our phones, that they had no idea we took a couple pictures of them while they were snapping selfies. Well, they didn’t know until I posted both of the pictures on my Instagram! A picture of a selfie!

After I shared the pictures on my Instagram, I went into the HP Social Snapshots app on my phone and printed out both of the pictures from my Instagram. I like printing Instagram pictures from the Social Snapshots app because they already have the captions and emojis on them, but the app also allows you to add your own caption to any picture and change the frame, the look of the Instagram ones just happens to be my most favorite one.

After you send to print, you just wait and they print out right then and there! It’s really easy, as long as your wireless network is all set up for the printer and the smartphones to run on.

The girls are actually putting together a little album over the year with the HP Social Media Snapshots they printed out and will continue to add to it throughout the cheer season. It’s literally one of the best inventions ever, especially for moms like me who often make the promise of printing pictures out but never really get around to it!

Take advantage of this special offer through October 31st. HP Social Media Snapshots are BOGO when you go here and click “redeem now”.

So, are YOU ready to print out some of your snapshots from your smartphone or Tablet?

American Girl Store Will Join The Shops at Mission Viejo For the Holidays! Grand Opening Celebration 11/15!

October 29, 2015 / Uncategorized

Calling all American Girl fans! Something very merry is happening this holiday—an American Girl store is coming to The Shops at Mission Viejo! They’ll be celebrating with a grand-opening weekend party, and they’re inviting you, your girl, and your most-fun friends to join in on all of the fun!

The store will feature a curated assortment of the popular American Girl dolls, books, and accessories, along with the signature Doll Hair Salon! The temporary store will be open for shopping until early 2016 to celebrate the wonderful holiday season! In addition, during the Grand Opening celebration, girls will receive a free gift and craft while supplies last, and can enter to win a Grace doll and paperback book.

So who’s ready for the holiday season to begin already? I know I am! I cannot wait for this Grand Opening Celebration on November 15! Will YOU be there too?

Connect with American Girl on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. All images property of American Girl & Simon Malls.