Back-to-School Fall Fashion Finds at The Children's Place | @ChildrensPlace #Giveaway #PLACEfall #BTS

We received a gift card to shop at The Children's Place. 

Throw out those old t-shirt, boys and girls, because it’s time for some new ones! If I know my kids, they won’t be able to get enough of these since that’s all they like to wear! At The Children's Place, they have a huge t-shirt selection of all different styles for 40% Off!

GIVEAWAY: Legends of Oz - Dorothy’s Return Now on Blu-ray/DVD! #OzInsiders @FHEInsiders

We will receive a Blu-ray copy of this film.

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return is a musical journey back to the magical world of Oz that includes a devious new villain, the Jester, who rules over Oz. Dorothy must return from Kansas to rescue her old friends: the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. The animated movie features Lea Michele from TV’s “Glee,” Dan Akroyd, Martin Short, Jim Belushi, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammar and new songs from Academy Award®-nominated singer/songwriter Bryan Adams.

Back-to-School:Make Old Things New Again with Scotch Duct Tape | @ScotchDuctTape #BTS #TapeOn

We received samples of this product. 

It's already Back-To-School for most of us, and we're all stressing out about school supplies. Have you thought about recycling last year's stuff? Scotch Duct Tape comes in many patterns and colors, and they sent me some samples to play with. I love that you can re-purpose and make old things new again by creatively applying tape.

New Debut at Aquarium of the Pacific! Two Female Penguin Chicks | #AverythePenguin #LBpenguinchicks @AquariumPacific

We were provided with passes. 

It was an exciting day at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on Wednesday, August 27th. Four Magellanic Penguin chicks were born this summer at the Aquarium, and two made their debut on this day at the June Keyes Penguin Habitat.

Family Dining at Chronic Tacos | @eatchronictacos #ChronicTacos

This is a sponsored post written by me for Chronic Tacos. 

Last night, the family and I stopped at Chronic Tacos at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach for dinner. The best way I know how to explain Chronic Tacos is... it's like a Subways but for Tacos. The menu is pretty simple, but can be a little intimidating if it's your first time (and there's a line behind you). 

REVIEW/GIVEAWAY: All Natural NOTHIN' BUT Snacks and Cookies | @NothinButFoods

A sample pack of Nothin’ But snacks arrived the other day, and we are already addicted! They take pride that their snacks are made from a kitchen, and not a lab. You might like that their granola cookies and snack bars are 100% natural, made with organic oats, organic cane sugar, honey, nuts, seeds and dried fruits PLUS their snacks are gluten free, egg free, wheat free, butter free and kosher!

COMING SOON! Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Music Festival | @DisneyLive #DisneyLive

Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival is coming to Long Beach and Hollywood! 

 

Featuring an all star line-up of more than 25 Disney characters, will begin with audiences watching a state-of-the-art video projection of the frenzy backstage which spills onto the stage as Mickey welcomes guests to his concert tour. Soon thereafter, they will be transported to a new world of hip hop beats, dizzying acrobatics, flying carpets and magical transformations with Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie.   

Theater Review: ONCE Musical at Segerstrom Center | #OnceMusicalOC @OnceMusical @SegerstromArts #SCFTA

We received tickets to review this show. 

ONCE opened in OC at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Tuesday, August 19th. Based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film, this musical tells a love story of a struggling musician whose career flourishes after meeting the love of his life.

TICKET GIVEAWAY: Huntington Beach Food, Art and Music Festival Sept 5-7! | @HBFoodArtMusic #HBfest

We will receive tickets to this event. 

Huntington Beach's first ever Food, Art, and Music Festival will be here September 5th through 7th! You can come and rock out to live music, feast on award winning ribs, or check out art. We're giving away two sets of Golden Circle Passes to two lucky readers! More info below!

Movie Review/Giveaway: IMAX Island of Lemurs Madagascar | @IMAX

We went to a special screening. 

The Island of Lemurs: Madagascar gives us a unique look of the lemurs on the beautiful island of Madagascar in IMAX 3-D. The film tells a story which started over 60 million years ago with a journey of a family of lemurs who were washed out to sea during a storm and drifted onto Madagascar. Lemurs evolved into hundreds of different species - some as large as gorillas!

Technology: Logitech's New Bemo Social Video Camera | #MeetBemo @Logitech @MyBemo

Last week we went to the launch party for Logitech's new Bemo social video camera. It was awesome! While we enjoyed live music, sweet cocktails, and delicious appetizers, we also watched an exclusive premiere short video made by Creative Collective using the brand new Logitech Bemo.

Creative Collective members included LA-based artist Fishe, Warped Tour's breakout band Echosmith, Co-founders of Love + Made, and Music producer/recording artist RO SHON. It was pretty cool to watch the team unveil their joint video project, “A Los Angeles Summer.”

Segerstrom Center: National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China 9/13 at 3pm! @SegerstromArts #SCFTA

The famous The National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China returns to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts with a new production on Saturday, September 13 at 3 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Performing worldwide for over 60 years, these acrobats will amaze with their talented display of martial arts.

The National Acrobats of The People's Republic of China - Photo courtesy of Columbia Artists Management Inc.

PRINTABLES: Legends of Oz Dorothy’s Return Activity Sheets | @LegendsOfOz #OzInsiders @fheinsiders @foxhomeent

As a Fox Home Entertainment Insider, we're currently working on Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return which is coming out to Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on August 26th. Meanwhile, you can download the activity sheets below!

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return is a musical journey back to the magical world of Oz that includes a devious new villain, the Jester, who rules over Oz. Dorothy must return from Kansas to rescue her old friends: the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. The animated movie features Lea Michele from TV’s “Glee,” Dan Akroyd, Martin Short, Jim Belushi, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammar and new songs from Academy Award®-nominated singer/songwriter Bryan Adams.

Knott's Promotion @DennysDiner | Ambassador Meeting #DennysDiners @Knotts #spon

This is a sponsored post written by me for Denny's Diner. 

Recently we attended an ambassador meeting for Denny's Diner to learn more about their history, discuss community promotions, menu options, and future projects. It was informative, and it was nice to meet the other members in LA/OC. (Many we've already met).

Movie Review: The Hundred-Foot Journey | #100FootJourney @the100FtJourney

Last week we attended a pre-screening of DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media’s new movie, The Hundred-Foot Journey.

Directed by Lasse Hallström, the cast includes:

• Helen Mirren (Madame Mallory), Academy Award winner best known for her portrayal in 2006 “The Queen”, 
• Om Puri (Papa) one of India’s most celebrated actors,
• Manish Dayal (Hassan Kadam), and 
• Chrlotte Le Bon (Marguerite).

Producers like Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey make this novel based movie an extraordinary one. It shows how sometimes one must break free of their culture and heritage and go out into the world to fulfill their dreams or experience the unknown.

What's New @Knotts Scary Farm 2014 | #ScaryFarm #ItsHere

Last week we went to a Knott's Scary Farm Press Conference to learn what's new for 2014. 

Photo Courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm.

Knott’s Scary Farm, the world’s first Halloween theme park event, began in 1973 with just a handful of monsters, and has grown to become the largest, most creative scary theme park in the world. Now in its 42nd season, it returns with 11 haunted attractions, four scare zones, two live shows, and a thousand monsters lurking across the park’s 160 acres!

THEATER: ONCE Musical at Segerstrom Center August 19-31! | #OnceMusicalOC @OnceMusical @SegerstromArts

ONCE, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts August 19 – 31, 2014!

ONCE Tour Company - Photo by Joan Marcus

Based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film of the same name, this musical was written and directed by John Carney starring Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal with original music and lyrics by Mr. Hansard and Ms. Irglová. The musical will stay true to the movie and will feature an ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage while the set is structured to look and feel like an Irish pub.

Back-to-School Finds at Brea Mall PLUS a Giveaway! | @ShopBreaMall #BTS #ad

This is a sponsored post written by me for Brea Mall. 

Is it that time of year already? Back-to-School Shopping can be a bit stressful especially if you have to bring the kids with you. Planning ahead is always key and mapping out your stops is a great way to save time and energy. We like to also plan stops for snacks or lunch and maybe a resting spot so the kids can run around. 

Over the weekend, we went shopping at Brea Mall. Brea Mall has a great family-friendly play area for the kids. It includes padded seating for adults, nearby family restrooms, and charging stations. (See photo below). We love it! 

TICKET DISCOUNT OFFER: Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival Long Beach & Hollywood | @DisneyLive #DisneyLive

Mickey Mouse and his band of friends - Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy will be performing at Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival!  Concert goers will rock out to greatest hits from the blockbuster movies Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story remixed to rock, pop, reggae, hip-hop, jazz and country among other jams.

Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival, featuring an all star line-up of more than 25 Disney characters, will begin with audiences watching a state-of-the-art video projection of the frenzy backstage which spills onto the stage as Mickey welcomes guests to his concert tour. Soon thereafter, they will be transported to a new world of hip hop beats, dizzying acrobatics, flying carpets and magical transformations with Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie. 

FREE Dino-Sized Outdoor Movie Night at Honda Center August 22! | @HondaCenter @DinosLive #WalkingWithDinosaurs

Honda Center is hosting a "Dino-Sized" Outdoor Movie Night to celebrate the return of Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular! 

Photo Courtesy of Honda Center.

The FREE double-feature community event will begin with The Land Before Time at 6:45 PM and Jurassic Park playing after sundown at 8:30 PM. Each movie will be shown on Honda Center’s giant outdoor screens (each 15 ft x 25 ft) and features more than 12,000-watts of professional touring-class sound. Food and drinks will be available from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM for purchase from local Orange County food trucks:

Celebrity Cruises' Top Chef at Sea Sets Sail for Alaskan Cruise Aug 15th! | @CelebrityCruise @CelebritySocal #TopChefAtSea

Top Chef at Sea sets sail for Alaska on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice on August 15th for seven days! Guests will mingle and cook with "Top Chef" Chef'testants Paul Oui, Tiffany Faison, Brooke Willamson and Nina Compton.

Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises.

On August 15th, the round-trip from Seattle will set sail featuring "Top Chef" Chef’testants Paul Qui (Season 9 winner), Tiffany Faison (Runner Up Season 1), Brooke Williamson (Runner Up Season 10), Nina Compton (Runner Up Season 11) will guide, teach and mingle with passengers onboard. Travelers will also have the opportunity to:

Family Dining: SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza - Now at Bella Terra HB! | @SpinPizza @BellaTerraHB

Last week our family was invited to dine at SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. We love the transformation that Bella Terra has undertaken and all the family-friendly dining options. SPIN! is a great addition! If you've never been before, the menu can be a little overwhelming (some of it is in Italian), but no worries, because the English translation is located right next to it. Here's a tip: if you like personal-sized pizza so everyone can order the topping they love, check out the "Mini Mia!" It comes with a personal size pizza with a 1/2 salad or cup of soup. We did!

Play Date: Funtopia at Sender One Climbing | @sendwithus #sendwithus

Funtopia invited us out to check out their indoor climbing area inside Sender One Climbing. We all had to sign waivers when we arrived. TIP: To save time, fill out the waiver online here. Staff members geared us up with helmets and harnesses, then we all watched a short safety video.

FOOD GIVEAWAY: Blaze Pizza Fast-Fired Pizza in La Habra Now Open! | @BlazePizza #howdoyoublaze

On June 27th, we were invited to check out Blaze Pizza and sample their menu at their new location in La Habra at Westridge Plaza. Their pizzas are personal sized, made to order, thin crusted, and "fast-fired". We're talking about FAST pizzas baked in 180 seconds. That's FAST!