Orange Coast Magazine's Best of 2014 Party | @CelebritySoCal

On Thursday, July 17th, we were invited by Celebrity Cruises (an event sponsor) to attend Orange Coast Magazine's "Best of 2014" Party at Rancho Las Lomas Zoological & Botanical Gardens in Silverado, California. As featured in their July issue, we sampled tastings from the restaurants in Orange County as well as enjoyed various entertainment and activities while touring the wildlife sanctuaries. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Rancho Las Lomas Wildlife Rescue Foundation.

It was in the perfect setting. Some of the vendors (both party planners and winners) were:

Theater Review: GHOST - The Musical Now at Segerstrom Center! | @SegerstromArts #GhostMusicalOC

On Tuesday night, Darren and I made special arrangements to attend the Opening Night of GHOST - The Musical at Segerstrom Center for the Arts!

Darren and I started dating in the the 90's when the movie was a big hit so this was going back in time for us. 

REVIEW: Ringling Bros. Presents LEGENDS at Honda Center | @RinglingBros @HondaCenter #RinglingBros

Disclosure: We received discounted tickets to this event. 

Ringling Bros - The Greatest Show on Earth is now performing at the Honda Center! We went last year so thought it was going to be more of the same, but it wasn't! It was just incredible! The show is so good, we don't even know where to begin. Here are some of our favorites...

Baby Products: New HALO Bassinest™ Swivel Sleeper | PLUS @HaloSleepSack Giveaway!

Sleep-deprived parents, you might like this new product! HALO®, the producers of the wearable blankets, is excited to announce the launch of their brand new baby bassinet product - the Bassinest™  Swivel Sleeper!

The Bassinest has a unique dual-swivel design which rotates 360 degrees to allow baby to sleep as closely to Mom as possible without bed-sharing. Mom can easily get in and out of bed, as well as tend to baby without having to get up.

Ringling Bros: Popsicles with the Pachyderms | @RinglingBros @HondaCenter #RinglingBros

The Circus is in Town! 

Last Friday morning on opening day of Ringling Bros. in OC, we joined Anaheim Cops 4 Kids for a special showing of "Popsicles with the Pachyderms", and a sneak peek of the Hans Klose Dog Act performance at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

It was an educational morning as we learned about elephant care, training and conservation efforts by Ringling Bros. and its’ “Center for Elephant Conservation”.

RECAP: Family Jam at the LA Zoo with RIO 2! | #RIO2 #FamilyJam #Rio2Insiders @LAZoo @FHEInsiders

On Saturday, July 12, 2014, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens hosted their first ever - Family Jam at the LA Zoo which was sponsored by RIO 2 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and as a Fox Home Ent Insider, we were there to check it out! This rare opportunity (opened to the public) offered after-hours viewing of the animals while featuring "An Evening in Brazil."

Family Fun Day: New Rides in Camp Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm! @Knotts #CampSnoopy

A few weeks ago, we took our family to check out the three new rides in Camp Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm.

Our day started out with a hug fest with the Peanut Gang!

Helpful Honda Guys at the Baseball Stadiums on Helpful Fridays! | @HelpfulHonda #HelpfulFridays

Disclosure: We received game tickets for reviewing purposes. 

Have you seen the Helpful Honda Guys around town doing "Random Acts of Helpfulness"? Well, they are real, and I got to see them in action last Friday on Helpful Friday. SoCal Honda Dealers is hosting Helpful Fridays this summer at our home team’s baseball games in both LA and OC, and you will not believe how helpful they really are.

Here are examples of some of their "Random Acts of Helpfulness" on #HelpfulFridays:

• The first 100 Honda drivers will receive Free Parking at Friday home games!
• Can’t find your seat? They will gladly help.
• Need help with a group picture? No problem, they’ll take it for you.
• Lucky Honda drivers may get a seat upgrade or complimentary tickets to future games.

And that's not all... 

DINING: Backyard BBQ at Marie Callender's! | @MarieCallenders

This week we were invited to sample Marie Callender's Backyard BBQ menu. Entrees (starting at $9.99) includes:

• BBQ Turkey Sliders, 
• Tri-Tip Sandwich, 
• BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, and
• Tri Tip & Wedge Salad. 

PLUS each combo is served with a FREE slice of Marie Callender’s pie!

Darren enjoyed their Tri-Tip Sandwich and upgraded his fries to Sweet Potato Fries for $1. But before our entrees came out, they brought out their warm cornbread with honey butter!

Movie Review - Disney's Planes: Fire and Rescue PLUS Printables | #DisneyPlanes #FireandRescue

This week we were invited to an advance screening of Disney's Planes: Fire & Rescue. The kids liked the first one and have seen several commercials so we were all excited to see what the new movie was about. At first, I thought, "ok here goes another movie about racing," but it wasn't at all what I expected, it was better!

Tech Reviews: New Trent's Trentium Phone Case for iPhone 5/5S - NT630CR-B | @Newtrent

Just got my hands on the New Trent Trentium iPhone 5/5S case to review. It is rated to be shock, dust and water resistant. REMEMBER this does not mean waterproof. The package comes with a two piece case, and three colored back covers (gold, black and space gray) to match the three of the iPhone 5s colors. 

New Trent Trentium for iPhone 5/5S. Photo by New Trent. 

When opening the box, I was surprised to see that there were no instructions manual, however, there were instructions on the back of the box. Like most Apple products, the case was pretty simple and straightforward to understand. (See short clip below). I like that the case is very light, and built with strong materials.

RECIPE/GIVEAWAY: Happy 245th Birthday, San Diego! Gaslamp Popcorn Giveaway! | @Gaslamp_Popcorn

This month San Diego celebrates their 245th birthday and we're featuring a San Diego company - Gaslamp Popcorn! Gaslamp Popcorn sent me more samples and would like to offer one lucky reader a chance to win popcorn too, but first check out this recipe from Gaslamp. Enjoy!

Birthday Cake Popcorn Recipe Courtesy of Gaslamp Popcorn. 

What's New with DK Eyewitness Travel Guides | @DK_Travel

International travel to an unknown country or city can be scary, but with proper research and preparation, it can be one of the most enjoyable experiences that could last a lifetime. We can't all afford vacation packages or tour guides. Thank goodness we have the power of the internet to look up itineraries, maps, attractions, dining, reviews, and travel tips as a general guide. It could take hours, days, weeks, or even months of research to map out our trip, but who needs all that paperwork when you travel? We recommend investing in at least one travel guide book or vacation planner such as a DK Eyewitness Travel Guide so you have everything at your fingertips. When we went to Paris in 2011, a printed itinerary, a vacation planning guide book, translator, and traveling apps helped us navigate the city as well as learning the Metro.

Here are more reasons why a guide book:

COMING NEXT WEEK! Ringling Bros at Honda Center! #RinglingBros

It's finally here! Don't forget to arrive early to the pre-show at Ringling Bros. to experience several exciting interactive elements before the show starts (included with the ticket price). 

• Visit the Animal Open House (in Ontario & Anaheim only) to get up-close with their amazing animal stars, and 
• the All Access Pre-Show where families can step onto the arena floor to meet performers, learn circus skills, try on costumes and much more!

Photo Courtesy of Feld Entertainment.

Theater: GHOST - The Musical at Segerstrom Center July 29-Aug 10! | @SegerstromArts #GhostMusicalOC

GHOST - The Musical is coming to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts starting July 29th and runs through August 10, 2014! We will be attending a media preview and can't wait!

Segerstrom Center - Carla R. Stewart and Steven Grant Douglas, GHOST – THE MUSICAL tour - Photo by Joan Marcus 2013

GHOST - The Musical, enjoyed by one million+ worldwide, has been nominated for several awards including five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards. 

Set in modern day New York City, GHOST - The Musical is a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Walking back to their apartment one night after a romantic dinner, Sam and Molly are mugged, leaving Sam dead on a dark street. Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next and unable to leave Molly, who he learns is in grave danger. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in the hopes of saving and protecting her.

Menchie's Laguna Niguel Grand Opening Specials July 12-18 PLUS a Giveaway! | @MenchiesLN #menchiesfun #ad

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me for Menchie's Laguna Niguel. 

Yesterday we were invited to attend a sneak peak of the new Menchie's in Laguna Niguel due to open this Saturday, July 12th! We met with the new franchisee owners (a father - daughter team), watch a waffle making demo, toured, met with Menchie, and sampled frozen yogurt.

FREE EVENT: Meet the Presidents Educational Summer Series Tuesdays at Nixon Library | @nixonfoundation

This summer Richard Nixon Foundation would like to invite families to MEET THE PRESIDENTS, a free series of educational events with five great American Presidents plus First Lady Pat Nixon. Each event will be performed in the White House East Room and feature look-a-likes portraying Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Nixon, and Roosevelt, as well as include interactive discussions, Q&A, coloring time, and photo opportunities. Click on links below for more information.

Photo Courtesy of Nixon Foundation.

Blu-ray/DVD Giveaway! RIO 2 Available July 15th PLUS Printables! | #Rio2Insiders @FHEInsiders

RIO 2 is coming to Blu-ray/DVD July 15th! As a Fox Home Entertainment Insider, we're getting a Blu-ray copy of RIO 2 and giving one away to one lucky reader! Enter for a chance to win below! The Blu-ray comes with more than an hour of special features, 15 exclusive levels of ANGRY BIRDS RIO, sing-along, dance along, and two bonus songs.

RIO 2 will take you deep into the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. The cast of RIO returns with new all-star voice talents including Bruno Mars, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Garcia and more.

The party continues when Blu (Oscar® nominee Jesse Eisenberg), Jewel (Oscar® winner Anne Hathaway) and their three kids take a walk on the wild side and embark on a colorful, comical, music-filled journey through the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit into his new surroundings, he goes beak-to-beak with the villainous Nigel, and meets the most fearsome adversary of all: his father-in-law!

TICKET GIVEAWAY: Discount Days at OC Fair! July 11 - August 10! @OCFair

Get Ready! OC Fair 2014 "Summer Starts Here" will be here July 11 thru August 10th, and we can hardly wait! With 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports, and fun, you'll want to know all the ways to save. ENJOY!!

FREE First Hour Opening Day! 

On Friday, July 11 from 12 pm to 1 pm, get FREE admissions and FREE parking!

Going Behind the Scenes at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament Buena Park Castle

Our family was invited to go on an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Buena Park, and it was a truly remarkable experience. 

As their special guests before the show, we sat and observed the knights practicing with their horses. They practice every day. These guys go through an extensive training process to become a knight and they're passionate about their jobs. Fun fact - long hair is encouraged when you're a knight because the short hair look is not so medieval. You can have short hair too, but you'll have to wear chainmail coifs.

FOOD Review/Giveaway/Recipes: NEW Pancakes and Spicy Asian Pork Sandwich at Corner Bakery | @CornerBakery

Corner Bakery Cafe introduces two new items this month including their Buttermilk Pancakes with Berries and Spicy Asian Pork Hot Sandwich! 

Last week, we were invited to sample the items before they hit their menu on July 1st and met with Chef Ric Scicchitano who is also their Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage AND their very first employee at the original cafe. Very cool right? (Ric also graduated from New York’s Culinary Institute of America.)

PREVIEW: Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters | Here July 6 - Aug 30! @FestivalPageant #FestivalPageant

Get Ready! The new season of Festival of the Arts/Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach will be here July 6th thru August 30th!

This year's theme is The Art Detective. 

The Festival of Art’s world famous theatrical celebration of art in tableaux vivants – “living pictures” – will reveal how lost treasures were discovered, where crimes of passion were uncovered (or covered up) and how creative riddles were unraveled, with a gallery of the world’s great masterpieces providing the clues!