Category: Local

Cheers

When daylight savings arrives it reminds me of summer days ahead…warm days, bright sunshine and convening with friends and neighbors in the late afternoon to enjoy a cocktail while the kids play. This year I am in the mood to experiment with new cocktail recipes so I have been doing research on refreshing spring cocktail recipes I wanted to share with you today.

You’re welcome.

5-spring-cocktail-recipes

1. The Skinny Mojito

I love a mojito on warm days. There’s something about the crisp, sweet mint that instantly reminds me of summer and makes me wish I had a front porch with a swing to sit on and sip…

Cinderella Review

I was invited to take my family to a magical IMAX screening last weekend of Disney’s Cinderella 2015 coming to theaters March 13th.

Event images right of movie poster in collage below by Maribel Farina Photography

Cinderella Movie 2015

Cinderella, the classic Disney fairy tale we grew up with is coming to theaters this Friday in a new production unlike any Cinderella you have seen before.

We had the pleasure of viewing Cinderella The IMAX Experience in which the picture and imagery was so visually appealing it felt like the sparkles from The Fairy Godmother’s magic wand might actually jump off the screen and sprinkle the audience!

The movie, directed by Kenneth Branagh, stays true to the original movie, with few changes.

A young girl, Ella (Lily James) loses her mother as a girl and years later her father remarries a widow. Sweet Ella, in a promise she made to her dying mother to “have courage and be kind,” is ready to welcome her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters (Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera) into their home with open arms and an open heart….

Local Love: OC Restaurant Week

OC Restaurant Week 2015

 The 2015 Orange County Restaurant Week is happening all week through Saturday, March 7th with more than 100 restaurants participating in the countywide event.

During the weeklong event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional charge.

Each restaurant will have the freedom and flexibility to showcase its best offerings by talented chefs who will, no doubt, personalize each menu to reflect their individual culinary style. Participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus within the following price categories: lunch for $10, $15 or $20, and dinner for $20, $30, $40 or $50.

Following is a list of the restaurants participating in this year’s OC Restaurant Week 2015 (each name is linked to its menu!)

Local Love: Fun For You and Your Little Ones!

Toddler Camp OC_Final[sponsor]

Today, I’m excited to share all about Toddler Camp OC with you – a weekly outing designed specifically for toddlers that provides a themed “adventure” for parents (or caregivers) and their child to experience all the best local spots, entertainment and kid programs.

Toddler Camp OC is a fantastic way to get out with your little ones and enjoy your local community, while meeting new friends (both parents and kids!).

Because as we moms know, it takes a village (right?!), and there is nothing better than meeting other moms who are going through the same stages and phases you are, while letting your kiddos meet other kiddos their own age.  Plus, at Toddler Camp OC, you’ll probably learn about places and programs you didn’t even realize existed……….

Little Hands, Big Skills

Ways to practice fine motor skills with kids

My little man is going to be entering kindergarten next year (I can’t believe it!), so kinder prep is definitely on my mind! And as part of kindergarten prep,  I am working with him at home to strengthen certain school skills, including his fine motor skills.  Today I’d like to share my favorite ways to practice fine motor skills with kids…and I’d love to hear yours!