TRAVEL: San Simeon Bay near Hearst Castle @HearstCastle #PhotoGallery

Last month we took a road trip up along the coast of California to Cambria. Have you been? This area was highly recommended by our friends and family. We have heard many wonderful things and wanted to get out of town for a few days to explore an area we have never been. It's close enough to get out of town for a couple of days and back to work on Monday if you plan it right.

About a four hour scenic drive from Orange County with stops like Santa Barbara, you'll get there in no time. One thing I would like to note, be mindful what time of year you go. Because you'll lose daylight very quickly in the winter, you'll want to leave early to enjoy the scenes, grab lunch, make stops along the way, and make it there to explore your area before the sun sets.

Not far from Cambria (where we stayed) and on our way to Hearst Castle (more on that coming up), there is an area called San Simeon with a pier. You can't miss it. It's right before the turn off to Hearst Castle. There you will find this...

The south side of the pier. 

The water is much bluer than pictured. We walked onto the pier unaware that we were walking across a historic bay. We enjoyed the calmness of the waters, and how beautiful the views were. If we didn't have reservations for Hearst Castle, we would have loved to spend more time here.

RECAP: Going Behind the Scenes at DOLE's @RoseParade Float @DolesFoods Family Day #DOLERose

A few weekends ago, we got a sneak peak of DOLE's Rose Parade Float on DOLE's Family Day. Did you know they won the last three years in a row?? Pretty amazing right? They are going at it again to try for their fourth win and keep their crown. Do you think they can do it?

GIVEAWAY: Win a $25 Gift Card to The Children's Place! | @ChildrensPlace #PlaceHoliday

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Children's Place. 

Check out my holiday finds at The Children's Place!

I love this layered look and the headless t-shirts. Don't you? Can they come in adults please?

SPECIAL OFFER: flarePlay Gaming Console and Service #Review #ad

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of flarePlay. 

Over the weekend, we had a chance to sample gaming with flarePlay. It's a game console without discs that you can play on your TV. All you do is plug into your TV, connect to your home WiFi, and play - SO SIMPLE!

TICKET GIVEAWAY: New Year's Eve Celebration @Knotts Berry Farm | #KnottsNYE

If you're looking for a family-friendly New Year's Eve, check out Knott's Berry Farm's New Year's Eve Celebration!

Join in on the festivities as Knott's Merry Farm counts down to fun with special fireworks, live entertainment, extended hours with Knott’s signature rides and attractions.

Count down the New Year with music, stilt walkers, party hats, and noisemakers for everyone. Special one-night-only entertainment serves up family fun for a variety of ages and interests, including the Midnight Party on the Midway! 

NEW THIS YEAR!

The Knott’s Sky Cabin, adorned with special lighting effects, will dramatically rise to the top of the “K” tower to count down the final moments of 2013. The cabin will reach the top at the stroke of midnight and the skies above Knott’s will be ablaze with colorful fireworks!

There’s live entertainment everywhere you turn. Adding to the line-up of can’t miss performers are:

REVIEW: The Wolverine in Blu-ray DVD | @FoxHomeEnt @WolverineMovie #WolverineUnleashed

We just watched The Wolverine in both DVD and Blu-ray, and there's a huge difference!

We're big comic book fans here and have been following The X-Men for some time. Nowadays, it's not so easy to get to the theaters with small children no matter how much we want to so... waiting for them to come out in DVD is the way to go. Finding them in Blu-ray is even better! The quality is just AMAZING!

Happy Holidays! | Santa Photo @BeMerrySanta @ShopBreaMall

Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours! 

May your holidays be filled with lots of 

laughter, friendship, and love. 

Best Wishes for the New Year and Always,

- The Trans

Disclosure: Photo was taken at Brea Mall by Noerr Programs Corporation @BeMerrySanta. 

My Highlights: Disney On Ice's Rockin' Ever After | @DisneyOnIce #DisneyOnIce #RockinEverAfter

This week we went to Opening Night of Disney On Ice Presents Rockin' Ever After at the Honda Center and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

What's not to love? We watched some of our favorite princesses gracefully dance on ice while they retold our favorite classics.

Here are a few of my highlights:




In The Little Mermaid segment, we're on the edge of our seats waiting for Prince Eric to (you know), "kiss the girl."

But not so fast, he holds her up by a skate. Bet you weren't expecting that...

Skin Care Review: Mother's Therapy Organics @MothersTherapy

We received some samples by Mother's Therapy Organics:  hand sanitizer, germ-fighting hand lotion, and baby lotion to used on our toddler.

Enlarged. Not to scale.

The scent is a refreshing and light aroma of cucumber fields. The lotions were creamy and non-greasy.

Here are the key ingredients:

• Hand Lotion: Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, and Oregano. 
• Hand Sanitizer: Aloe Vera, Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Lavender Essential Oil. 
• Baby Lotion: Aloe Vera, Palm Oil, Chamomile, and Shea Butter.

Ticket Giveaway: Dana Wharf Whale Watching | @DanaWharf #WhaleWatching

It's the start of Gray Whale migration season, and we were invited to go on a two hour whale watching excursion out of Dana Point at Dana Wharf! 

We've been before on an early Saturday morning, and I remember we had a hard time rushing down there then couldn't find parking. This time around we wanted to try the 2 pm trip and had no problems. (Question: If you've been before on the weekends, did you have trouble finding parking?) 

TIP: If you find yourself pressed for time with no luck finding a close parking spot, Dana Wharf has their own parking lot so have someone run into the store to pick up a parking pass.  (It's not a super close lot either so make sure you arrive enough time for this). 

CONTEST: Battle of the Ultimate Light Display @HYDRIVE Energy Water ends Dec 16th!

Did you go all out with your holiday lights this year? Well you can enter this next contest for a chance to win $1,000 from HYDRIVE Energy Water for your energy bill. Enter by December 16th! 

HYDRIVE Energy Water is on nationwide search for the Most Energized Light Display. Judged on energy level, originality and creativity, the top five chosen home light displays will each receive $1,000 to help pay their energy bill!

Yes FIVE! 

Holiday lights, the most energized of the seasonal displays, are a point of pride in many households and neighborhoods nationwide, however, they often come with the downside of a higher energy bill.

“People take so much time and effort to create these amazingly bright spectacles for everyone to enjoy. We want to celebrate the extra energy and take away the financial burden of having to pay a large energy bill as a result,” said HYDRIVE Energy Water Director of Brand Marketing, Josh Churnick. “HYDRIVE Energy Water is all about providing a better energy option, so what better way to support the holidays than doing what HYDRIVE does best… provide energy!”

Recap: EVITA at Segerstrom Center for the Arts is AMAZING | #EvitaOC #SCFTA @SegerstromArts

This week my friend Carolina and I attended the opening performance of EVITA at Segerstrom Center and one word - WOW!


The musical starts off really intense as the country is in mourning. It's not what I expected, but I felt like I was there too mourning EVITA! 

How many ways can one sing, "Don't cry for me..."? In the musical - more than one! Even Che (Josh Young), the narrator, sings it, and he will blow you away! When Eva Perón (Caroline Bowman) sings, you can feel her emotions and she does it flawlessly. Tissues please.

Family Photo Shoot with Allen Taylor Photography | @AllenTaylorFoto

Recently, we were at Yorba Regional Park for a family photo shoot with photographer Allen Taylor. It was a morning shoot (highly recommended with small children) and as we took a nice nature walk around the park, we saw ducks, lots of green, and shade. If you have small children, you know how hard it is to capture a good family photo plus we don't last very long so we appreciated the peacefulness from our environment.

Here's a few from our photo shoot...

We LOVE this one. It's just a picture of us walking, but why do we love it so much? (Maybe because it looks natural?)

Disney On Ice Rockin Ever After is Finally Here (Dec 11 - Jan 5)! @DisneyOnIce #RockinEverAfter

Disney on Ice Presents Rockin' Ever After is finally here!  Now through January 5, 2014, an all-new live production featuring the ice skating debut of Merida from Disney•Pixar’s BRAVE! Need a discount? Check out the offer below!

See's Chocolates and Wine? Yes, Please! @SeesCandies @DomaineSomm #SeesAtTustin

For as long as I can remember, I have always been a fan of chocolate. One of my most memorable childhood Christmas gifts was a five pound piece of solid chocolate shaped liked a dog bone. It took me months to finish, but what glorious months those were. When the opportunity came along for me to take part in a bit of chocolate history at See's Candies at their new concept store in Tustin, I stepped up to the plate. If someone were to ask me, “What is better than a night of tasting chocolate?” I can now thank See’s Candies for showing me the answer.

Photo by Jay Camiling.

December Highlights at Pretend City Children's Museum and Harley Toy Drive #CHOCToyDrive

'Tis the season to be jolly and spread good cheer. My kids are at the perfect age to explore both old and new traditions. Here are some highlights at Pretend City this month PLUS enter my giveaway below!

Pretend City wants children to Unwrap the Holidays this splendid time of the year and teach them about the beauty found in different cultures – perhaps one of the most important gifts of the season. 

CAUSES: Buy One, Give One @JaneCosmetics PLUS a GIVEAWAY! #JaneGivesBack

One of my favorite causes is donating to women's shelters or helping women in need. This holiday season Jane Cosmetics is doing something wonderful - Jane is giving the gift of confidence & care and invite others to join in to make a difference! Now through December 27th, Jane will donate one beauty product for each and every product sold at retail or online to local women’s shelters in 5 states. More details below...

Caring Santa for Special Needs at Simon Malls on Sunday, Dec. 8th! | @ShopWestminster @ShopsMV #CaringSanta

Caring Santa will be at Simon Malls on Sunday, Dec 8th nationwide! Caring Santa is an opportunity for children with special needs and their families to enjoy a photo session with Santa. Extra care has been taken to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children so they can enjoy this wonderful holiday tradition. The program is owned by Simon Property Group, and is implemented with input from AbilityPath.org.

Here's what's going to happen:

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

All Aboard the Christmas Train at Irvine Park Raiload 2013

Disclosure: We attended as media.

Missing the feel of Christmas in SoCal? Hop aboard the Irvine Park Railroad's Christmas Train to see Santa! If you want to go and just walk around, parking is free after 5 pm and there is no admissions fee. (Train rides and activities are extra).

 

GIVEAWAY: $50 AMEX Simon Mall Gift Card! | @ShopBreaMall #HolidayShopping #ad

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Brea Mall.

How cute are these gift boxes?

Last weekend, I stopped by Brea Mall's Guest Services to learn about their gift cards options. As you may already know, they offer both VISA and AMEX gift cards, but do you know the differences?

They both cost $2.95, but the main differences are:

• AMEX does NOT charge the $2.95 service monthly fee (after 12 months from purchase date) until it eats up the remaining balance of your card.
• Your balance on the AMEX gift card do not expire.
• AMEX does NOT charge the $15 to replace your card.*

*NOTE: Not only is it beneficial to register your card because of this, sometimes you'll have to register before making online purchases anyway. 

SMURFS 2 Now on 3D Blu-ray DVD and Digital HD! #SMURFS2 @SocialSmurf

Just in time for the holidays! Sony Pictures Animation’s THE SMURFS 2 arrives on 3D™ combo pack*, Blu-ray™ combo pack*, DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet™ from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

This heartwarming new adventure reunites the world’s favorite three apple-high creatures, bringing loads of laughs for every member of the family.

Only included on the 3D and Blu-ray combo packs is:

• Sony Pictures Animations’ animated Smurfs mini-movie, “The Legend of Smurfy Hollow.” In this mini-movie inspired by the classic tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the Smurfs learn the traditional values of friendship and family. 

• The 3D and Blu-ray combo packs also come with three all-new, kid-friendly featurettes, including “The Puurrfect Companion: Azreal’s Tail,” showing how Gargamel’s sidekick was created, from the live-action cat to the digital double, and how actor Frank Welker brought the character to life. 

• Both the Blu-ray combo packs and DVD come with deleted scenes and two additional featurettes. “Animating Azrael” gives an in-depth look at how filmmakers animated Gargamel’s sidekick, and the all-new “Daddy’s Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette” traces the origins of the one-and-only Smurfette back to Smurf creator, Peyo, and features Katy Perry on how she tapped into her inner Smurf to voice the classic character.

GIVEAWAY: Capturing Baby's First Moments | #SwaddlersFirsts @Pampers #DDDivas #DivasFirsts #sponsored

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Double Duty Divas and Pampers.

Recently, I attended one of the most beautiful baby shower hosted by my sister Kim for my brother Max and his wife Nhi. They are having twin boys, and I cannot wait to meet them!

Upon check-in, I asked guests to share a parental advice to hang on this tree. I think mine was - "always remember who's the boss."

Photo Courtesy of LetuFloral.com.

Giveaway: Flame Charm Necklace by Gorjana | @IFhomeless Holiday Carnival Dec 14-15th

This flame charm necklace was designed exclusively for the Illumination Foundation by Gorjana. 80% of the proceeds from the the flame necklace will be donated to the Illumination Foundation to help end hunger and homelessness in OC.

“The holidays are a particularly tough time for the families and children we serve,” said Paul Leon, founder, Illumination Foundation. 

RECAP: Wolverine Unleashed Party at Fox Studios! #WolverineUnleashed @FHEInsiders

As a Fox Home Ent Insider, we were invited to attend a party for the Blu-ray DVD release of The Wolverine - Unleashed Extended Edition.  I sent my friend Carolina and this is what she reported...

This past November 18th, was not just a birthday night out with my brother, we got to hang out with James Mangold for the night - it was so cool! Talk about two special occasions in one night!!!

As we anxiously walked through Fox Studios, we were transported into a beautiful and elegant Japanese Zen garden (just like Mariko’s backyard) for cocktails and appetizers.

I just love how the lanterns reflect off the pond, don't you?

Rubio’s® Welcomes Back Langostino Lobster for a Limited Time Only! | @RubiosTweets

The Langostino Lobster at Rubio's is back for a limited time!

I ordered the Lagostino Lobster 2 Taco Plate. It had fresh basil and avocado slices on warm flour tortilla. It was topped with bacon pieces, red salsa, and chipotle sauce. The plate also comes with beans and lightly sea salted tortillas. I really enjoyed the fresh taste of the lobster along with the combination of sauces. 

Rubios® Restaurants, made famous for popularizing the fish taco, is celebrating the return of its fan favorite, Langostino Lobster Taco and Burrito, for a limited time only. Rubio’s is giving the seasonal classic an update with citrus rice.