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I Shopped ’til I Dropped at The Carlsbad Premium Outlets®!

April 17, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, San Diego, The Carlsbad Premium Outlets

Carlsbad has become one of my favorite places to visit. It’s a beautiful city by the sea, just south of where we live in Orange County, and has a lot to offer its visitors. Some of the fun day trips we’ve taken there recently were to visit LEGOLAND California and The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.

On my last trip down to Carlsbad, I spent the morning touring The Flower Fields. Afterwards, I walked next door to The Carlsbad Premium Outlets for some lunch and shopping. (It’s literally next door as you can see in the picture) There are 90 outlet stores from the world’s largest leading designers and name brands there. It’s an outdoor shopping center, where you stroll through the sunny corridors, that are lined with palm trees. Among the shoppers, you’ll also find families with children at the play area, guests walking their dogs, and others taking a break, seated next to a fountain. I loved the vibe this center had.

Before I started my shopping, I grabbed some lunch at Ruby’s Diner. (Did I mention that The Carlsbad Premium Outlets also have a ton of food options?) As I was eating, I was also glancing over the store listings and center map, and began to create a list of stores I wanted to shop at. Since I’d already spent a good part of the morning roaming around The Flower Fields, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to shop at ALL of the stores, which was fine because it just meant I’d need a return trip, right?

I headed over to Nike first. There’s always something about that store that draws me in first. There were so many different shoes I wanted in there and they were offered at great prices too. They also had a ton of workout and active wear for the entire family.

Next, my eye caught the Sunglass Hut sign. I don’t think anyone can ever have enough pairs of sunglasses.

It seemed like every pair in the store was being offered at a sale price on top of the outlet prices.The girls working there were very helpful and made sure I picked out a pair that “made me look like a total rockstar“! (that was how they worded it)

I practically skipped across the way from Sunglass Hut to Converse when I saw that sign! I’d been wanting to get myself a pair of Converse to go with all of my jeans but just hadn’t gotten around to it. Here was my chance!

Little did I know I’d spend over an hour and a half in that store! Not only were their regular outlet prices great, but they also had a huge sale rack in the back with so many adorable pairs of Converse. There were way too many to choose from and my “try-on pile” grew even larger when the guy working there pointed out that I could also fit into kids’ sizes for the girls section! So many Converse, so little time!

I kind of ran out of time shopping and had to head back home to pick up my daughter from school that day, but I love that I’ve now found a fun place to shop in Carlsbad! Have you been to The Carlsbad Premium Outlets yet? If not, I suggest you do. I also suggest signing up for the VIP Shopper Club before you go, which will give you exclusive access to the online VIP Lounge with member benefits such as exclusive online coupons, a voucher for a free VIP Coupon Book, and other perks! Just stop by the Information Center when you get there. They can answer any questions you may have.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets® are located at:

5620 Paseo del Norte, Suite 100
Carlsbad, CA 92008

Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

Thank you to The Carlsbad Premium Outlets who provided me with lunch and a gift card towards my shopping purchases. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

You Are Invited to the Annual Easter Egg Treasure Hunt & Easter Bunny Visit at Carlsbad Premium Outlets ®

March 27, 2015 / Carlsbad Premium Outlets, Family Fun, Lifestyle, San Diego

On Saturday, April 4th, Children of all ages are invited to Carlsbad Premium Outlets for the annual center-wide Easter Egg Treasure Hunt. The fun-filled family event will be held from 12:30pm – 1:30pm. Easter eggs will be given out at participating stores (while supplies last). On the day of the event, prior to the start of the Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, parents can pick up treasure maps in Center Court. Bring your camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny! Children are also invited to get creative with arts and crafts in Center Court from 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets are located at:

5620 Paseo del Norte

Carlsbad, CA 92008.

For directions, hours, and a complete list of stores, visit http://www.premiumoutlets.com/carlsbad or contact the Management Office at 760-804-9000.

Connect with Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

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

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

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

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

Hop on over for Bunny photos to the following locations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kidgits Club Easter Events

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

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

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

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

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

*some images provided by Simon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Annual Orchid Expo to Take Bloom at Westminster Mall February 13-15!

February 13, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, Shopping, Westminster Mall

The Newport Harbor Orchid Society will host its 13th Annual Orchid Expo and Sale, this year themed “Orchids: Jewels of the Jungle,” February 13-15, at Westminster Mall.

The Expo, which is free and open to the public, will showcase thousands of high quality orchids in bloom from all over the world. Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants with over 35,000 known species and hybrids.

Without having to leave Southern California, show goers will be dazzled by the diversity and beauty of the orchids to be displayed by professional growers, area orchid societies, and individual hobbyists.

A large sales area will feature expert commercial growers who will be offering unique species and hybrids for sale. There will also be two potting workshops designed specifically for new growers, which are scheduled for Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15. Registration is limited to the first 20 registrants for each class. To register, e-mail [email protected].

Judging of the plants will be conducted by accredited judges of the American Orchid Society and the Cymbidium Society of America, as well as by local society members. An exhibit of orchid art by members of the Westminster Mall’s Kidgits Club will also be on exhibit during the show.

Show admission and parking are free. Specific hours are as follows:

Friday February 13: 10am – 9pm
Saturday, February 14: 10am – 7pm
Sunday, February 15: 11am – 6pm

For more information visit http://www.nhosinfo.org/.

About The Newport Harbor Orchid Society:
Founded in 1979, the Newport Harbor Orchid Society has over 150 participating members who reside in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Counties. The organization’s primary mission is to foster the culture, cultivation, and conservation of orchids and to educate its members and the public about orchids. The society meets onthe third Tuesday of each month at the Neighborhood Community Center in Costa Mesa, 1845 Park Avenue. Guests and new members are welcome.

About Westminster Mall:
Westminster Mall is a modern shopping center that features some of the best names in retail including Macy’s, JC Penney, Sears, Target, Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Old Navy and more. In addition to more than 180 specialty stores with shops ranging from teen apparel to shoes to women’s apparel and jewelry, Westminster Mall also features exciting dining destinations such as Outback Steakhouse and TGI Fridays.In November 2008, Westminster Mall completed a multi-million dollar renovation. Included were brand new family restrooms, a first of its kind children’s fully soft play area, new interior and exterior directional signage. The entire lower level of the center was carpeted for guest’s shopping enjoyment and comfort. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/westminster-mall or call 714-898-2558.

Connect with Westminster Mall on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Simon Youth Foundation Seeks Local High School Student Applicants for Scholarship Program

February 4, 2015 / Lifestyle, Orange County

For a 16th straight year, Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, is proud to support deserving students in the Orange County community through the Simon Youth Scholarship Program.

This May, one student from every community that is home to a Simon property is eligible to receive a one-time scholarship award up to $1,500. In addition, 10 designated Simon, Mills and Premium Outlets centers will grant an Award of Excellence – a $2,500 scholarship that is renewable for up to three years.

Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarships are awarded through the Simon Youth Scholarships program and in partnership with local Simon properties. The application period for the 2015 Simon Youth Community Scholarship Program is December 1, 2014 – February 25, 2015.

Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2015 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property, including Brea Mall, Westminster Mall and The Shops at Mission Viejo in Orange County, is eligible. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,500 to students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.

Applications also can be downloaded at the SYF website at: http://programs.applyists.com/syf/.

To-date, SYF has awarded more than $12 million in scholarships to more than 3,700 students in 42 states.

The 2015 SYF Community Scholarship recipients will be selected by Scholarship Management Services, a third-party administrator. Students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post secondary education will also be given close consideration.

The completed application, along with official school transcripts and parents’ most recently filed tax form, must be sent to Scholarship Management Services by February 25, 2015.

About SYF
Simon Youth Foundation, established in 1998, supports 23 Simon Youth Academies in 13 U.S. states that give at-risk students the same education they would receive in a traditional classroom while offering the flexibility that their individual circumstances require. Recipient of the Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Dropout Prevention from the National Dropout Prevention Center, the foundation has helped more than 10,000 students earn their high school diploma and provided more than $10 million in college scholarships to 3,900 students in 42 states. The Education Commission of the United States has recognized the foundation with its Corporate Award for sustained and substantial investment in improving public education.

About Simon
Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and a S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual retail sales. For more information, visit simon.com.

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

December 16, 2014 / Lifestyle, Orange County

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 5, 2014 / Lifestyle, Orange County

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

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

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

Get Ready to Create Holiday Family Memories at The Shops at Mission Viejo With Santa Photo Experience and Much More!

November 27, 2014 / Holiday Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

It’s that time again….the decorations are up, holiday music is playing and Santa has arrived at The Shops at Mission Viejo! Eager children and their families can experience the joy and magic of the holiday season with a visit to the Simon® Santa Photo Experience, where Santa awaits them in his winter wonderland. Located on the lower level near Nordstrom, children can visit and be photographed with Santa every day until December 24, when he has to head back to The North Pole.

This year, you can save time and avoid the line with Santa by making an appointment! Reserve your magical moment with Santa online at http://simon.noerrsanta.com. For a complete list of Santa’s dates and times, click here. The Simon Santa Photo Experience is, once again, sponsored by Gymboree.

Caring Santa

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 Santa program, which provides a sensory-friendly environment for families of children with special needs, to safely experience the time-honored tradition and magic of Santa.

Caring Santa will be held at The Shops at Mission Viejo this year on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Space is limited (1 reservation ticket per family); please visit theshopsatmissionviejocaringsanta.eventbrite.com to make your reservation. Caring Santa events have expanded from 7 Simon malls in 2011 to over 100 Simon malls today, reflecting the positive impact of this unique program. In 2013, Simon and The Noerr Programs were honored by Community Gatepath, earning a Community Impact Award for their efforts in pioneering Caring Santa.Caring Santa program.

Family Holiday Events at The Shops at Mission Viejo

The Kidgits Holiday Celebration will take place on Saturday, December 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the lower level, near Forever 21. Kids can get festive with various crafts and activities including making their own ornament, writing a letter to Santa and decorating a gift box to celebrate The Boxtrolls, available this Holiday Season.

The Kidgits event on December 6 will be followed with a celebration of the grand re-opening of the center’s updated Dining Pavilion. Beginning at 11 a.m., head to the pavilion for live entertainment, face painting, a balloon artist for the kids, and more. Don’t miss giveaways every hour, and swag bags while they last. Special offers will be available from food pavilion eateries, which include Blaze Pizza, Charley’s Grilled Subs, Great Khan’s, Muscle Beach Lemonade & Hot Dogs, Panda Express, Paradise Bakery & Café, Rubios Baja Grill, Ruby Thai, Sarku Japan and Smashburger.

Although this is just a rendering of the updated Dining Pavillion area, I think I see myself eating at a table!

New to the holiday event lineup this year is Holidays on Ice Mission Viejo, the first-ever seasonal ice rink at The Shops at Mission Viejo. From November to January 11, skate under festive lighting, and celebrate the season with music and family fun. The 50-foot by 70-foot outdoor ice rink will accommodate approximately 120 skaters, and is located in the exterior parking lot, near Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour. The rink will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The Shops at Mission Viejo will offer several additional amenities during the holiday season. Additional valet will be available. A giftwrap station will be available in December, and located near Zara. Proceeds from the giftwrap station will benefit the Girl Scouts of Orange County and the Simon Youth Foundation.

There are so many fun things happening at The Shops at Mission Viejo! Happy Holidays!