Over The Top Mommy

Seasonal Holiday “Sanrio Village” at Tanaka Farms Now Open + Ticket Giveaway

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

Have you heard about the collaboration between Sanrio and Tanaka Farms in Irvine, Ca.? Together they’ve been creating unique and memorable experiences for Sanrio fans of all ages and starting with a Hello Kitty Pumpkin Patch for Halloween. .sanrio-tanaka-farms-holiday-village-1
This season, Sanrio, Inc. unveiled seasonal holiday programming, expanding upon its unique year-long partnership with the Orange County farm of all things healthy and super cute will include a new hilltop “Sanrio Village,”, holiday wagon tours, and more fun activities. During the holiday wagon tour, tour guides will lead guests through a seasonal exploration of the 30-acre farm and its rich history, including pit stops to see and taste the delicious winter vegetables growing on the farm up close. tanaka-farms-fresh-produceOn the tour, guests will also be transported to the new hilltop “Sanrio Village,” specially decorated for the holidays with various Sanrio photo opportunities and with Santa himself.Following the visit to the “Sanrio Village,” attendees will re-board the wagon and head back down to Tanaka Farm’s Holiday Market Stand, with fun arts, crafts, and holiday activities for families and children.sanrio-tanaka-farms-holiday-village-2

During this holiday period the Holiday Village is open weekends, while the market stand remains open daily, through December 17, 2017. Each paying guest for the holiday wagon tour will receive a limited edition Sanrio button and holiday crown upon entry. Pre-registration is required for attendance and the price for admission is $18 per person (children ages 2 and under are free) To purchase tickets please go here.
Join in to Give Back
In the spirit of giving back this holiday season, guests are encouraged to bring a tin of canned food which will be donated to South County Outreach. Guests that bring a can will receive a free mini Hello Kitty storybook.
New Retail Items for Purchase
Sanrio and Tanaka Farms will also debut new seasonal co-branded retail items for purchase online and at the Farm’s Market Stand including limited edition t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, and totes.

giveaway-enter-to-winI’m also hosting a giveaway for one (1) of my readers to win a pair of tickets to the Sanrio Tanaka Farms Holiday Village. To enter my giveaway, please visit my Facebook Page here. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, ages 18 years and older, until December 8 and comments will close at 11:59 p.m. One winner will be chosen via Random Number Generator and notified to arrange the date of their visit. Prize has no cash value. Giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook.
What’s to Come in 2018
The Sanrio and Tanaka Farms collaboration will continue  into 2018 with strawberry picking in the spring  and a melon celebration in summer 2018.
About the Sanrio and Tanaka Farms Collaboration
The yearlong collaboration between Sanrio and Tanaka Farms builds on Sanrio’s mission of cultivating unique lifestyle experiences that touch every aspect of their fan’s lives. Hello Kitty and Sanrio friends will be incorporated into the educational programming provided by Tanaka Farms, teaching visitors of all ages the importance of healthy eating, as well as sustainability, responsible farming and agriculture, all while supporting their local community. Hello Kitty, Keroppi, Chococat, My Melody and Pochacco will be integrated into photo ops throughout the farm as well as daily activities and seasonal celebrations throughout the year.

Some images are property of Sanrio and Tanaka Farms and used with permission. 

Let’s Take a Look at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

This is not a sponsored post. 

lets-talk-about-disney-againHave you been to Walt Disney World before? Well, it’s one of my most favorite places to travel with my family and on our last visit there, our family stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. disneys-magical-expressStaying at a Disney Resort Hotel is a “must” for us on our trips because there are so many benefits to staying in an official Disney World Resort Hotel. We’d never stayed at “The Pop” before and were pleased with everything about our stay. disneys-pop-century-resort-exteriorDisney’s Pop Century Resort is one of five “Value” resorts at Walt Disney World and is unique because it features themed sections from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and the 90’s.disneys-pop-century-roger-rabbit If you have any connection with these decades you’ll definitely appreciate the exterior of the property, as well as the decor throughout the lobby area with its timeless fashions, catch phrases, toys and dances that captivated the world through these decades. If you’re too young to remember any of those decades, don’t worry, you’ll still smile as you take a tour of “the olden days”. (as my daughter referred to them.) disneys-pop-century-resort-80s-sectionDuring our stay, the Pop Century was in the middle of renovating many of the guest rooms. We were fortunate enough to stay in the “80s” section of the hotel (a nod to my own childhood and genius inventions such as Rubik’s Cube®) and our particular room had already been renovated. Our room was adorable! disneys-pop-centry-welcomeWe opted for a Standard Room and it was the perfect size for our family of 3. When you enter the room, there’s one double bed and a small table with 2 chairs that is easy to slide over so you can pull down a (second) Murphy bed from the wall. We just stuck the table and chairs over by the window. disneys-pop-resort-beds The room features light wood floors and bright Mickey Mouse decor. It’s super cute! The furniture is modern and there’s plenty of room for 4 guests to stay in one room. The bathroom is super modern in-room-amenities

In-room amenities at Disney’s Pop Century include:

  • a dresser with drawers
  • a big screen TV with remote
  • extra blankets and pillows
  • a (small) table and chairs for dining
  • A/C
  • an ironing board and iron
  • shower/tub combo
  • a small fridge with freezer
  • a coffee maker with coffee and necessitiesdisneys-pop-century-closet
    disneys-pop-century-iron-and-dryer
  • a shower/tub combo
  • Disney H2O+ toiletries
  • ample closet space with hangers
  • laundry services are available (for a fee)
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

disneys-pop-century-twister-game

resort-amenities

Other resort amenities, unique to the Pop Century include:

  • 3 swimming pools with complimentary towel service
  • a playground
  • a jogging trail
  • an arcade
  • movies under the stars

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disneys-pop-century-playground

dining-options

I appreciated the food situation at the Pop Century. There’s a pretty big food court area with plenty of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as many “grab & go” items. Some of my favorites included Mickey waffles and bacon, fresh pastries, pot roast, pasta, and pizza. mickey-waffleYou also have the option to order Disney pizza delivery to your room. There are also beverages available at the Petals Pool Bar, located adjacent to the Petals Pool. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, this is a perfect place to eat at. (To learn more about Disney Dining Plans, go here.) disneys-pop-century-pizza-deliveryresort-transportation

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is located in the Wide World of Sports Area and offers complimentary bus transportation to and from the Parks, as well as Disney Springs. You can find a schedule out in front of the bus stops, which are in front of the hotel.disneys-pop-resort-bus-transportation Bus service begins about an hour before the first Extra Magic Hours of each day and continues until about an hour after the last park closes. Buses seem to run about every 20 minutes to each of the parks. You can also ask Concierge for more information about the transportation at the Pop Century Resort.mickeys-ice-cream-barOverall, we loved staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort so much. It truly is a great hotel to book a stay at and I don’t think there was anything about it we didn’t like. memory-maker-epcot

Our family can’t wait to return to Walt Disney World again! We make so many great memories together on each trip. Do you currently have a Disney trip planned anytime soon? If so, I’d love to hear about it! Share with me in the comments!

disneys-pop-century-mr-and-mrs-potato-head

disneys-pop-century-sign

Guide to Making the Most of the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort

It’s the merriest and most wonderful time of year at the Disneyland Resort. The hustle and bustle along Main Street, U.S.A. and Buena Vista Street is in full swing. With holiday decor and twinkling lights all around, both parks are adorned and ready for guests of all ages to visit this holiday season.disneyland-holidays-sleeping-beauty-castle-adornedDisney-Holidays-Buena-Vista-StreetOur family spent a day out at the resort taking in all of the sights, sounds, and holiday fun to be had. I think it’s my most favorite time of year to visit.disneyland-holidays-with-mickeyFrom riding special holiday attractions like “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday to watching A Christmas Fantasy Parade and “Believe….in Holiday Magic” Fireworks to enjoying holiday treats and offerings in the Festive Foods Marketplace at the Disney Festival of Holidays, we had an excited and jam-packed day.disneyland-holidays-castle-1I feel as giddy as a little girl when I visit Disneyland Resort this time of year. Of course, I could actually say that about every visit there! Do you feel that way too?holidays-at-disneyland-resort-its-a-small-world-2Since there’s so much to do at Disneyland Resort this holiday season, I’ve put together a a guide for you to be able to make the most of your visit. You don’t want to miss out on any of the magic of both parks. I highly suggest a multi-day ticket, so you can take more time exploring each of the parks’ holiday offerings. However, it is possible to fit a lot of the holiday magic into just one day. Here’s my best advice. I hope it’s helpful.guide-to-making-the-most-of-holidays-at-the-disneyland-resortSpend some time planning before you go
I’m a definite planner so before each of our visits, I’ve found myself looking online, on the Disneyland Official Site, looking at Park Hours and the Entertainment Schedule for the day we’re going to visit. It’s a great way to plan ahead and have an idea in your head of how you should map our your stay. The site also has a ton of other info, including Disneyland Resort hotel information if you’re looking to make it a complete vacation experience.disneyland-holidays-mainstreet-at-nightDownload the Disneyland Mobile App
It’s the most magical app and the official app for the Disneyland Resort. Download it on App Store and/or get it on Google Play. The Disneyland Mobile App allows you to do such things as see park hours and maps, check wait times, buy park tickets, check FASTPASS return times, see restaurant menus and make dining reservations, view Disney PhotoPass photos, locate Disney Characters, and so much more. For more info about the Disneyland Mobil app, go here.disneyland-appDo add Disney MAXPass to your ticket
By now, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about Disney MaxPass. If you haven’t, it’s a great feature to add to your park ticket (or Annual Pass) for $10 a person. MaxPass allows you to schedule your FASTPASS reservations to your ticket ELECTRONICALLY from your phone, through the Disneyland app. What this means is you don’t have to walk over to the attraction you’re hoping to grab a FASTPASS for. You can just schedule it from your phone. You can even be in the other park as you make your reservation. It’s such a great feature. Plus, it allows gives you access to download , save, and share, all of your PhotoPass photos from the day. Character photos, family photos, photos from designated attractions! It’s a great option to add and I highly recommend exploring it, especially during the holiday season. For more information about MaxPass, go here.disney-max-pass-imagedisneyland-resort-celebrate-summer-max-passMake a dining reservation beforehand
There are so many dining options at Disneyland Resort. Some are quick dining while others are table service. There are also grab & go food options throughout both parks. I highly suggest you make 1 dining reservation ahead of time. During the holiday season, the table service restaurants can be extra busy and I know for our family, when the hunger hits, there’s only one way to make everyone better and get them back into a good mood: FOOD! It’s easy to make a dining reservation on the app or on the site. You can also call 714) 781-3463.to make one.disneyland-grilled-cheeseStrive to make it to park opening
There are a couple advantages of making it there before opening. I feel like the parking situation is lighter when it’s early in the morning. Also, if you are there early, you’ll have better access to FastPass+ reservations, especially for the big ticket attractions that tend to “sell out” quickly. My favorite reason to get to the parks before opening is to be able to experience “Rope Drop”, which is a fun countdown right before they allow guests to head into the park. Also, if you make Rope Drop in Disneyland Park, you’ll be able to see a bunch of Cast Members all along Main Street, U.S.A. as they are giving out High 4’s to guests! (They wear Mickey gloves so that’s why it’s a “High 4”). There’s truly nothing like being in one of the parks at opening though.

Utilize Disney PhotoPass Services
PhotoPass photographers are all throughout both parks and are your best bet to capture the best shots from your visit. They are equipped with professional equipment and are set up in front of attractions, with characters, and some other fun places. They also know how to capture your best side, in the day or nighttime. I already shared that one of the benefits to adding MaxPass to your day is the ablity to access all of your PhotoPass photos from the day. It’s the best money you’ll spend and our own family loves to use one of the PhotoPass photos for our own holiday card.disneyland-holidays-photopass-with-tree-1Seek out special holiday-inspired attractions
During the holidays at Disneyland Resort, there are a few attractions that have holiday overlays and you won’t want to miss out on experiencing any of them. In Disneyland Park set sail aboard “it’s a small world” Holiday and hop on a dune buggy in Haunted Mansion Holiday. In Disney California Adventure Park, be sure to get over to CarsLand and take a holly jolly spin on Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. Once January 7 passes, these specially transformed attractions will go back to their original versions. (Kind of like what happened to Cinderella at midnight.)holidays-at-disneyland-resort-its-a-small-world-1Enjoy all the holiday treats
Although there are many foods I enjoy eating when I’m visiting the parks, my most favorite this time of year are the holiday treats. Whether it’s a special bakery treat, a hand-twisted candy cane or something warm and festive to sip on, the holiday treat offerings at the Disneyland Resort are not to be missed!disneyland-holidays-festive-treats-1Watch A Christmas Fantasy Parade
There are usually 2 performances of “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” each day. It’s a beautiful parade that the whole family will enjoy watching together. All of your favorite characters and princesses make an appearance, dressed in holiday attire, as do Santa and Mrs. Claus.disneyland-holidays-santa-in-parade-1

disneyland-holidays-a-christmas-fantasy-parade-gingerbread-manFireworks are a must!
There’s nothing ore magical than watching the nightly “Believe…in Holiday Magic” Fireworks at Disneyland Park. It’s one of our family’s favorite parts about nighttime in Disneyland Park during the holidays. Be sure to plan out where you’ll want to watch it from and try to get a spot a little early.disneyland-holidays-fireworksSave room for “The Festival of Holidays” food
Over at Disney’s California Adventure Park you’ll find 12 different kiosks set up for the “Festival of Holidays”. For more information about the foods and offerings this year, go here.disneyland-holidays-festival-of-holidays-sign-1Celebrate the season with the entertainment at Disney Festival of Holidays
In Disney California Park, there is a full lineup of holiday-inspired performances that’ll warm your heart. Be sure to check times for live music and dancing, as well as performance times of the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! street party.disneyland-holidays-viva-navidad-signLook for special holiday merchandise – Every year, I look forward to the newest holiday EARs available in the shops. I had a tough time deciding this year between the black sequinned Minnie EARs with a plaid bow or the red sequinned ones with a green bow, so I bought both! I just coudn’t resist! There is so much fun holiday-inspired merchandise to choose from this time of year. It makes my Disney heart happy!disneyland-holidays-mickey-merchandisedisneyland-holidays-merchandise-ears-1disneyland-holidays-red-sparkly-earsThere’s truly no better time like the present to create new holiday memories that will last a lifetime and no better place to do so than the Disneyland Resort! Do you have plans to visit this year? Share with me in the comments. Just be sure to do so before January 7th! Happy Holidays!\\

Some images are property of Disney. 

Celebrate the Holiday Season at Knott’s Merry Farm

I was invited to attend a media event at Knott’s. All opinions are my own. 

I get as giddy as a little girl when I spot signs of the holidays at Knott’s Berry Farm. From decorated Christmas trees to holiday music and all of the festive treats, I consider myself lucky to live in Southern California where you can celebrate the holidays while still enjoying the beautiful sunny weather outside. I am all about making the most of this time of year with my family and Knott’s Merry Farm is an annual tradition for us. knotts-merry-farm-family-1I think one of the things I love most about visiting Knott’s Merry Farm each holiday season is knowing I can expect some of my usual favorites to be there but I also to get excited for what’s new each year, in addition to all of the regular attractions we normally enjoy on our visits.knotts-merry-farm-hot-cocoaThis holiday season, it looks like the culinary team at Knott’s stepped up their festive treats game, more than usual, to catch the eyes and the palettes of all the visiting foodies. Not only will you find traditional favorites such as Mrs. Claus’ milk & cookies, hot cocoa with candy cane topping, roasted nuts, and but this year, you can feast on such offerings as tamales, Christmas pizza, and candy cane churros!knotts-merry-farm-tamalesknotts-merry-farm-christmas-pizzaMmm!  There were so many yummy treats to try, you should definitely bring an appetite with you, I almost forgot about the attractions and entertainment!knotts-merry-farm-candy-cane-churroHere are the special entertainment offerings this year at Knott’s Merry Farm:

  • “Merry Christmas, Snoopy!” (in the Charles M. Schulz Theatre) – This festive ice show continues to be a favorite, year after year and is perfect for guests of all ages. The show stars the Peanuts Gang and a cast of world-class ice skaters. Watch Snoopy enjoy all of the best parts of the season including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival, and attending the Christmas Ball! “Merry Christmas, Snoopy!”is guaranteed to warm your heart.knotts-merry-farm-snoopy-on-ice-2
  • “It’s The Merriest Christmas Show Ever, Charlie Brown!” (at the Calico Mine Stage) – Audiences can dance and sing along to a live performance of this charming holiday show. It continues to delight audiences as The Peanuts Gang star in this toe-tapping, merry musical sure to bring out the Christmas joy in all.knotts-merry-farm-christmas-show-ever
  • “A Peanuts Guide to Christmas” (at the Camp Snoopy Theater) – The Peanuts Gang offer their take and unique wisdom on surviving the holidays, while singing you a mashup of their favorite holiday tunes.
  • Charles Dickens’A Christmas Carol and O. Henry’s A Gift ofthe Magi (in the Bird Cage Theater)- Knott’s melodrama company bring classics to life.knotts-merry-farm-decorations-birdcage
  • Snow and Glow Show (in Calico Ghost Town) – After the sun sets, enjoy this show with nightly falling snow set to thousands of sparkling lights and traditional Christmas music. knotts-merry-farm-snow-and-glow

Don’t forget to look for The Calico Bell Choir, strolling throughout Ghost Town, singing the songs of the season! knotts-merry-farm-carolers-2

If you’re looking for Santa  you can find him, along with many festive holiday treats, inside of Santa’s Christmas Cabin. Commemorative Santa Photos are available for purchase.knotts-merry-farm-christmas-treeKnott’s is the perfect place to spend many a day together with friends and/or family creating new memories together, which is a great reason to grab a 2018 Knott’s Season Pass. They make great holiday gifts and include one free visit to enjoy Merry Farm in 2017, unlimited visits in 2018 with no blackout dates, discounts on select food and merchandise,  and access to exciting year-round seasonal events.knotts-merry-farm-holiday-decorA Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to Knott’s Berry Farm and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and the newly expanded Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. Now at the lowest price of the year, Regular Season Passes start at just $92.00 or six easy payments of $15.33 and Gold Season Passes are $110 or six payments of just $18.33.These offers end January 7, 2018.Applicable taxes and fees apply online. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.
knotts-merry-farm-trainHave you been to Knott’s Merry Farm before? If so, share your favorite memory with me in the comments. Happy Holidays! knotts-merry-farm-family-2

 

TOYBOX Collectible Action Figures Exclusively at the Disney Store and ShopDisney.com

I received promotional products in order to write this post. All opinions are my own. 

The other day we were so excited to open a very special package from Disney Store that we found on our doorstop. To our delight, inside of the box were all of the TOYBOX collectible action figures! You know how much we love all things Disney! Have you heard of these yet?disney-store-toybox-collectible-action-figuresTOYBOX action figures are a new collection of action figures that bring adventures to life with characters from across The Walt Disney Company. These collectible action figures are from PIXAR, Star Wars, and Marvel and each is designed for real world play. Each one of the figures has 14 points of articulation, a signature accessory and a universal hand grip, allowing the accessories to be swapped between characters.

Here are the TOYBOX figures we received:

TOYBOX Pixar series – So far, this series includes Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear. toybox-toy-story-seriesTOYBOX Star Wars series – So far, this series includes Kylo Ren, Rey, and a First Order Stormtrooper.toybox-star-wars-seriesTOYBOX Marvel series – So far, this series includes Thor, Hulk, and Iron Man.TOYBOX-marvel-series*Please note: Each of these figures is sold separately. 

How cute are the TOYBOX figures? I don’t think I can pick out my favorite because I love them all! TOYBOX collectible action figures are priced at $12.95 each and are available exclusively at the Disney Store and on ShopDisney.com. Don’t forget to keep an eye on ShopDisney.com for a new characters to release each month. We’re excited to collect them all! Thank you, Disney Store for the very special surprise! Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Some images are property of ShopDisney.com. 

Mountain Mike’s Pizza to Host “Pizza 4 a Purpose” Fundraiser on Cyber Monday

This is not a sponsored post.

Have you had Mountain Mike’s Pizza yet? It’s one of the largest pizza chains in California and the U.S. and is famous for its zesty, curling and mountainous pepperoni, as well as its specialty pizzas such as The Everest and Pike’s Peak Mountain.mountain-mikes-fundraiser

On Cyber Monday, November 27, Mountain Mike’s encourages Cyber Monday shoppers and pizza lovers from across California to join with friends and family and purchase a “Pizza 4 a Purpose.” to benefit the North Bay Fire Relief Fund. mountain-mikes-logopizza-for-a-purpose In the holiday spirit of giving, Mountain Mike’s will donate $4 for every large pizza sold on Cyber Monday at all 190 of its restaurants to benefit the North Bay Fire Relief Fund. This fundraising event includes all online, dine-in, take-out and delivery orders, and will take place from open to close at each restaurant location on November 27.

“We feel very strongly and wanted to give back to those who have supported us over the past 40 years. We are dedicating Cyber Monday to be a day of giving to those people and communities affected by the recent fires in Northern California. Our commitment to help rebuild neighborhoods throughout the impacted region is unwavering and we are proud to partner with the North Bay Fire Relief Fund. ” – Robert Quick, president of Mountain Mike’s Pizza.

The company’s dedication to supporting the North Bay Fire Relief Fund is also personal: one of its Santa Rosa stores, located at 3781 Cleveland Ave., was destroyed from fire damage last month. Northern California was devastated by October 2017’s raging wildfires, the single most destructive wildfires in the Golden State’s history. According to insurance officials, more than $1.2 billion in damages were suffered as many families and communities were deeply impacted by the disaster.

To participate in Pizza 4 a Purpose or for more information about Mountain Mike’s Pizza, please visit mountainmikespizza.com or follow them on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook.

Images property of Mountain Mike’s. 

 

{Giveaway} Burke Williams Holiday Gift Card Packages Include a Special Gift Just for You

I received products in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

I’m excited to share with you about Burke Williams’ four special Gift Card Packages to celebrate the holiday season! Give the gift of relaxation, health and wellness with Burke Williams Day Spas, where the ones you care for can indulge in world-class amenities and choose from a full menu of services that will transform their day. Each Holiday Gift Card Package purchased includes a bonus gift card and a coveted 3-Day Spa Pass, a $225 value, just for you.burke-williams-mothers-day-gift-cards-lobbyTreat those on your holiday gift list with a luxurious spa day that can be customized especially for them. The “Escape,” “Transform,” “Indulge” and “Ultimate” tiered Gift Card Packages invite guests to unwind, relax and renew. Each gift purchased includes a bonus gift card and 3-Day Spa Pass, good for three complimentary visits to any Burke Williams and 20% off services booked the same day. Packages go on sale Friday, November 24 and are redeemable at all locations.burke-williams-jacuzziGive the gift of an “Escape” for $150 – $249 and receive a $50 bonus gift card. “Transform” someone’s day for $250 – $399 and receive a $100 gift card just for you. Let your loved ones “Indulge” for $400 – $549 and receive a $150 gift card. Give the “Ultimate” spa day for $650 – $749 and receive a bonus $250 gift card, giving the special someone in your life the ultimate spa day – and keeping something special for you.burke-williams-loungeBurke Williams also offers Corporate Holiday Gift Cards, an extraordinary gift for valued employees. For every 5 gift cards purchase receive 1 free gift card of equal value or equal service. Gift cards are presented in an elegant box with gift bag and tissue paper at no additional cost.burke-williams-friendsAll holiday gift card packages can be customized to include specific Burke Williams signature services and enhancements, or gifted simply as the amount so that the recipient can select their own services to renew and refresh. Gift certificates are available for purchase at Burke Williams locations or online to print at home or email directly to your gift list.burke-williams-lounge-2Spreading holiday cheer to those you care for is simple with Burke Williams Gift Card Packages. For information on Burke Williams and to find a spa near you, please visit http://www.BurkeWilliamsSpa.com or call 1-866-239-6635. Happy Holidays! giveaway

I’m also hosting a giveaway for one (1) of my readers to win their very own R3 Transform and a 3 Day Spa Pass! To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite service at Burke Williams Day Spa. If you’ve never been, tell me what you’re hoping to schedule for yourself on your first visit there. Good luck everyone! Thanks for reading!

burke-williiams-h2v I will accept comments as entries until 11:59 p.m.on 12/15/17, when I will close the giveaway. I will then draw a winner using Random Number Generator. Winner will be contacted via email. Giveaway open to US residents, ages 18 years and older.

All of Burke Williams’ H2V products are available for purchase in their online store. You can check them out here.

Some images are property of Burke Williams and used with permission. 

Easy to Make Mickey Mouse Cookie Recipe #HappyBirthdayMickey

I love all things Mickey Mouse and since it’s our favorite mouse’s birthday, I decided to share an easy to make recipe to celebrate him!happy-birthday-mickey-2017

I’m a strong believer that anything shaped like Mickey tastes better! Don’t you agree? I thought It would be fun to make an easy snack in the kitchen, that my daughter could help with. This is a very easy Mickey Mouse Cookie recipe using store bought cookie dough, because I’m about saving time. Enjoy!  easy-to-make-mickey-mouse-cookies

what-youll-need

  • store bought sugar cookie mix or pre-made dough. (If you have more time you can make it from scratch too)
  • “Mickey” cookie cutter
  • flour
  • light corn syrup
  • parchment paper
  • sprinkles easy-to-make-mickey-cookies-sprinkles

baking-directions

  1. Prepare the sugar cookies as directed on package. I wrap my cookie dough in plastic and stick it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, just to chill it.
  2. Cover a counter top area with some flour. Roll out sugar cookie dough with a rolling pin until the dough is the desired thickness. (between 1/4″ and 1/2 ” thick)Mickey-Mouse-Cookies-dough
  3. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. I like to bake these on parchment paper so they are easier to transfer from the baking sheet to the cooling rack, with less chance of breaking.Not-So-Spooky-Mickey-Mouse-Halloween-Cookies-Baking
  4. Cut out Mickey heads and place each one on baking sheet, leaving plenty of distance between each one
  5. Bake as directed on package.adding-sprinkles
  1. After removing cookies from oven, transfer to cooling racks and allow them to completely cool down.
  2. Baste a thin layer of light corn syrup on the tops of the sugar cookies and shake sprinkles on top, allowing them to dry and stick.Not-so-spooky-mickey-mouse-halloween-cookies-cool-downnot-so-spooky-mickey-mouse-halloween-cookies-ready-to-eat

enjoy-your-cookies

So, what’s your favorite simple snack recipe to make? Is it something Mickey-shaped, too? Don’t forget to wish Mickey a very Happy Birthday by posting on social media using #HappyBirthdayMickey!

Olive Walk in La Mirada Model Grand Opening on 11/18 with Home Tours, Food Trucks & More

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Olson Homes. All opinions are my own.

Olson Homes is debuting their newest Orange County neighborhood, “Olive Walk”. La Mirada’s rich olive oil history is celebrated in this modern-day community. Quiet streets, acclaimed schools and nearby parks will give Olive Walk a true neighborhood feel with all the big city conveniences.olive-walk-circle-logoSerious prospective homebuyers and those interested in scouting the market are invited to the Model Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, November 18th. Qualify this week and you’ll get priority home selections and a first look of the homes, along with an invitation to other VIP events. Find more details on the pre-qualification process HERE.olson-homes-olive-walk-la-mirada-grand-openingThe festivities will begin at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., and attendees will be treated to an array of hospitality including model home tours, a grilled cheese truck, music, and even a balloon artist for kids and kids at heart. Model homes will be open until 6 p.m. Get full event details and information HERE.

Photo shown is similar to those homes in Olive Walk.
Photo shown is similar to those homes in Olive Walk.

Olive Walk’s Spanish-style paired and single-family homes will feature up to four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and approximately 2,200 square feet of living space. Olson Homes prides itself on building homes that are energy efficient and healthy.

Photo shown is similar to those homes in Olive Walk.
Photo shown is similar to those homes in Olive Walk

Residences will include auto shut-off motion sensors in all baths, automatic fire sprinklers, low E glass, water-efficient toilets, and so much more. Homes will also include an array of personalizing options. For a full list of home details, please go HERE.

olive-walk-neighborhood-1La Mirada was named by CNN Money Magazine as “one of the best places to live”. The neighborhood features quiet streets, acclaimed schools, and nearby parks with the convenience of big city perks. Whether you’re starting fresh or searching for more space, Olive Walk brings the best of both worlds to your front door.
Knotts-Merry-Farm-FacadeWith a prime La Mirada location, Olive Walk is situated between Downtown L.A. and Orange County and will give future residents a host of great options for work and play. Local attractions like Splash Aquatics Center, La Mirada Regional Park, and Knott’s Berry Farm are conveniently located within six miles of this urban community. Get a feel for the area, local schools, and attractions HERE.olive-walk-local-schoolsThe Olson Company is recognized as a leader in providing affordable urban housing throughout California and is dedicated to developing outstanding and long-lasting partnerships with the cities with which they work. Don’t forget to come out to the Model Grand Opening Celebration at Olive Walk THIS Saturday, November 18 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Hope to see you there! 

Be sure to connect with Olson Homes on their social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Some images are property of Olson Homes and used with permission.