Movie Giveaway: Dreamworks Animation's HOME #HomeInsiders | Color Me Mine + HOME Event #DreamWorksHome

In celebration of National Parents Day this year, we spent the morning with DreamWorks Animation’s HOME (a movie that celebrates family and friendship) at Color Me Mine in Studio City this past Sunday. It was a day jam-packed with surprises!

First, we met with Director Tim Johnson himself as he talked about the process of making the film, and all the amazing artistic details that go into such a fun, bubble-filled movie. Then we learned how to draw Oh! with DreamWorks’ Head of Character Animation, Jason Reisig! Oh was also there, and we all made our own masterpieces to take home as a keepsake! It was really fun.

Bungalow Daycation at Pacific Edge Hotel Laguna Beach! #PacificEdgeLaguna

You may have noticed we were on a Daycation at Pacific Edge Hotel this month in Laguna Beach. Did you know that they have fun themed bungalows available for day use? With it's beautiful location right on the beach, we enjoyed amenities which included a modern living space, a mini-bar, full bathroom, patio access, a delicious oceanfront lunch and catering service from The Deck on Laguna Beach Restaurant, and steps to the beach. We were totally spoiled, and it was great to get away for the day and spend it on the beach.

We enjoyed two bungalows that day - the Gorjana & Griffin Bungalow and the Sailor Jerry Bungalow designed by California native Erin King. Each private bungalow can accommodate about 10 guests comfortably (great for any occasion), they're all differently themed, air conditioned, has a flat screen TV, comes with a VIP Host, has direct access to the beach, has catering and bottle service, and can use the beach attendant services. Based on availability, you will have it from 11 am to 8 pm.

Travel Kit Giveaway with Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus

One of the last thing I want to worry about when I'm traveling is wrinkled clothes. If my goal is to travel light for pleasure or for work, do I really need to think about ironing clothes? In the next week or so, I will be receiving a Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus sample in their travel size. It's suppose to be really easy to use: just spray, tug, smooth fabric, let dry, and VOILA! Wrinkle-free in less than five minutes! It's like an iron in a bottle, and it's suppose to smell great, remove odors, and remove static. I can't wait to get mine, and happy to announce that one lucky reader will win this too!

Dining on a Budget at Denny's - $2, $4, $6, $8 Value Menu #DennysDiners #ad

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

Most recently I received a $20 Gift Card for a dine-on-a-budget experiment at Denny's with the family. At first I was like, no way! Then I looked at their $2, $4, $6, $8 Value Menu and thought, alright this could work. For starters, I found Cheese Quesadilla for the children on the $2 menu. It came with fresh pico de gallo and sour cream. SCORE!

My husband ordered their new Baja Quesadilla Burger from their $6 menu. It comes with a beef patty, avocado, shredded Cheddar cheese, lettuce,pico de gallo, and a creamy pepper spread served between grilled flour tortilla. It also comes with tortilla chips and a side of salsa. He said it was pretty tasty, and he would order it again.

Show Review: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME!

Disclosure: We attended as media.

Last night we attended the opening performance of Ringling Bros. Presents Circus XREME at Honda Center in Anaheim. In their 145th edition, Ringmaster David Shipman guided over 100 performers from 13 countries around the world. It was just incredible! New this year are Xtreme Sports, Caravan of Camels, Bungee Skydivers, World's Youngest Human Cannonball, and Mongolian Marvels.

Aerialists from Russia and the Ukraine displayed an enchanting and beautiful aerial ballet with mermaids and bungee skydiving from giant orbs.

7th Annual Lobsterfest at Newport Dunes Saturday, August 8th! #NewportBeach

Get ready for this! Newport Beach's 7th Annual Lobsterfest is Saturday, August 8th from 3 - 8pm! Hosted by Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, the annual celebration includes live Maine lobster, live music, dancing, prizes, and fun on the beach. You won't want to miss it!

Photo Courtesy of Newport Dunes.

Lobster Dinner includes fresh live Maine lobster flown in the morning of the event, and a buffet with trip-tip, corn on cob, salads, and dessert. Live entertainment (4pm to 8 pm) provided by Pinch Me!, a high-energy rock-n-pop band, will play favorites to get you on the dance floor! It's family-friendly as special activities for children will be provided by Camp James from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Tech Tuesday: Antec Mobile Portable Battery Charger Life Bar10 | @antec_AMP

Are you looking for a powerful portable battery charger that not only looks great, it will improve your quality of life? How often do you worry that your devices running out of juice before you make it  to the end of the day? I can't live without my phone and would like to use it as much as I want and not stress about conserving my battery. Power banks are designed for just that, but I haven't found the perfect one. Then Antec Mobile Products sent us their Life Bar10 which comes in a sleek smooth design - it is impressive!

Isn't it pretty? You can charge any device that has a USB cable (phones, tablets, cameras, and more!) There are several features that I like:

• Its thin design fits in my pocket, purse, or backpack. 
• Its compact size is not larger than my mobile device. 
• Its Dual USB ports (2A and 1A) allow two devices to charge at the same time. 
• It's packed with power! Their 10000 mAh provides a rapid charge to any device that needs a quick charge. 
• It has an easy to read power indicator that lights up a pretty blue. 

Family Dining: Mendocino Farms Opens at Irvine's University Center!

Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market, known for their farm-to-table sandwiches and supporting local farms & artisans, recently opened its 10th restaurant at Irvine's University Center! Their goal is help everyone eat "healthier" by featuring a chef-driven menu that changes with the seasons and offering high quality ingredients at affordable prices.  We recently sampled their menu and was excited to check out their new location, because it was designed by parents to incorporate a family-friendly dining experience. Now we really don't have an excuse when we're dining out to eat healthy!

K-Town Bulgogi Ribeye Roll
This seasonal sandwich includes house-marinated bulgogi ribeye steak (our favorite Korean BBQ marinate), spicy Gochujan sauce (chile paste), K-Town style slaw (pickled veggies) in rice wine vinaigrette, and chili aoli served on a panini-pressed soft roll - It's DELICIOUS!

Giveaway: New Firefly Star Wars Lightsaber Toothbrushes! #brushbattle

Looking for a fun way to get kids to brush their teeth? Well, Firefly Toothbrush sent us these fun Star Wars Lightsaber toothbrushes that play sounds and lights up! They are a hit with my kids! It comes in both an Obi-Wan Kenobi lightsaber blue and Darth Vader lightsaber red.

My kids have fun with them, because they feel like powerful weapons and play sounds from the legendary Star Wars film. See short video below. After they brush their teeth, there were having a cool brush battle.

Shamrock Farms Back-To-School Sweepstakes #ad

 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

This summer, Shamrock Farms will be at Walmart nationwide! Their regular, chocolate, and strawberry milk is packed with protein, and they're great for on-the-go. To celebrate, Shamrock Farms wants to help one lucky family with a shopping spree worth nearly $5,000 ($4,999) in Roxie’s Ultimate Back-To-School sweepstakes! Prizes will include Walmart gift cards to help stock up on school supplies, groceries, and a new wardrobe. The sweepstakes is open to people ages 18 and older until August 20, 2015. There is no purchase necessary. For official rules or to enter, please visit www.shamrockfarms.net/walmart.

Ticket Giveaway: Austin Mahone / Kalin and Myles Sun, Aug 16th at OC Fair! #ocf125 #ocfair

This summer, the OC Fair celebrates its 125th Anniversary starting July 17th through August 16th! It's "One Big Party" with 23 days of grubbing, rides, carnival games, concerts, shows, shopping, exhibits and animals. You'll want to see it all! On the last day, we're sending one lucky reader to their closing night performance by Austin Mahone / Kalin & Myles on Sunday, August 16th at 7:30 pm. It's part of the Toyota Summer Concert Series at Pacific Amphitheatre at the 2015 OC Fair. (It also includes tickets to the fair.) Enter below for a chance to win!

"Teen sensation Austin Mahone started his musical career by posting YouTube videos of him performing pop covers and original tunes. Since then he has earned his own legion of loyal fans, known as Mahomies, with hits like What About Love and Banga! Banga!"

Giveaway: Cool Off with Original Bomb Pop! #bombpopmamas #ad

This is a sponsored post.

Recently we received a shipment of The Original Bomb Pop to cool off this summer. It has been hot lately so we took our Bomb Pop to the Beach! Living in Orange County gives us access to many beaches along the coast with just a 15 to 20 minute drive away. We don't have to think twice about it. We just go!

We packed up our beach gear along with The Original Bomb Pop. I knew we only had a minute of time to enjoy them before they melt, however, my kids did not hesitate when I offered it to them. In fact, they were anxiously awaiting them.

Two Harbors: Casa Santa Cruz with Catalina Island Vacation Rental

Disclosure: We received a discounted rate. All opinions are our own.

Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island is much different than Avalon, California. There is one restaurant, one general store, campgrounds, and a recreational center where you can rent bikes, kayaks, umbrellas, etc. They call it "Two Harbors" because it is a town with not one but two harbors! If you are looking for a beautiful island getaway where you can enjoy nature at its finest, consider Two Harbors, California.

For three days, we played on the beach, took naps to the sound of the ocean, dined with a view, kayaked, enjoyed views of both harbors from our rental, took evening walks, and had family movie nights. It was relaxing and pure bliss.

Win Pancakes at De Waflebakkers! #DWBtotheRescue #DWBpancakes #ad

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. 

Do you just love pancakes, but don't have time to make them? Well last Friday De Wafelbakkers came to our rescue with a "House Call" and delivered us bags of frozen pancakes to sample. The following morning, we put it to the test. We popped them into the microwave for 60 seconds, drizzled chocolate syrup over them, then topped them with whipped cream and berries. Voila! Breakfast is served!

 

Blogiversary Prize(s) Round Up: Thank You for Joining Our Party! #letsplayoc

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate yet another year together! We hope that you have enjoyed all the fun prizes, insider tips, and deals. As promised, here is a round up of my Top 12 of Fun Things to do around Orange County. The first one, OC Fair, will end tomorrow because I want the winner to receive the tickets in time for the fair which begins this weekend!! Thank you for all the love and support, and please tell me which one is your favorite! 

XOXO,

Mary@LetsPlayOC

Thank you to our Sponsors!

We have many wonderful prizes from each sponsor for our readers. They are listed in order of appearance. Just click on the image to enter! Winners are randomly selected via Rafflecopter and will be contacted via email so please make sure to provide a valid email address. Winners will have 72 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected the same way.  Good luck! 

Blogiversary Day 12: Ticket Giveaway @MedievalTimesCA! Exclusive BOGO Offer! #MTFan

HOORAY!! It's our Blogiversary! We made it to Day 12 of our online party! Where else can you travel back in time for live action chivalry where brave knights battle it out to impress their King and their Princess other than at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Buena Park? No where! Not only do they joust and sword-fight, they put on a great show, and their horsemanship is amazing!

It's absolutely family-friendly, and we have fun every time we go. Do you have a special occasion? They have fun celebration packages that will make anyone feel extra special the "medieval" way!

Blogiversary Day 11 Giveaway is Gift Cert to Farrell's! 411 on Ice Cream Eating Challenge! #letsplayoc

Happy Weekend! We're nearing the end of our online Blogiversary Party. This next prize is brought to you by Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour! Their 6th Annual Ice Cream Eating Challenge was Sunday, July 19, 2015! Bring your game face as it's all for a great cause. 100% of the proceeds benefits CHOC Childrens and Make A Wish Foundation.

Blogiversary Day 10 Giveaway: Tickets to Aquarium of the Pacific + Whale Watching with Harbor Breeze Cruises #LBwhales

Disclosure: We attended as media.

Thank you for joining us for Day 10 of our online Blogiversary Party! You might have noticed we've been in Long Beach recently checking out the new Jellies Exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific and Blue Whale Watching with Harbor Breeze Cruises. One of the things I love about play dates at the aquarium is that you're never too young to enjoy the aquarium.

The Jellies

New this summer, the Aquarium of the Pacific added more Jellies throughout the aquarium. My favorite jelly fish are the Upside Down Jellies found in the Tropical Pacific Gallery, but they don't picture well because of the gray pewter colors. You can find jellies in all different sizes and shapes; they're just fun to watch. Pictured below are Spotted Lagoon Jellies, Pacific Sea Nettles,  Moon Jellies, and the Redeye Medusa. They also have a designated area where you can touch Jellies which makes a great learning experience. (I took these with my DSLR).

New Fantastic Four Themed Menu at Denny's PLUS a Sweeps! | #DennysDiners #ad

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me for Denny's. I am on the Denny's Blogger Ambassador Council.
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You may have noticed Denny's new Fantastic Four-themed menu this summer. They have partnered up with 20th Century Fox to bring you fun themed menu items, and an exciting opportunity to win a trip for two to the movie premiere on August 4th!

We sampled the menu this week, and the "Invisible Woman Slam" comes with two blueberry buttermilk pancakes topped with fresh strawberries and sliced bananas drizzled with a delicious clear citrus glaze that you can't see with the naked eye. It also comes with two eggs (I like mine over medium), two bacon strips or two sausage links, and hash browns.

Blogiversary Day 9 Prize: Tickets to Pretend City! New Heart and Seoul Exhibit #LetsPlayOC

It's Day 9 of our online Blogiversary Party! Today we're going to talk about Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine, and why we can't get enough of all the fun things to do there. My kids have been going there since they were toddlers, and they still have a blast! 

The other day we went for a play date and explored the new Heart & Seoul: Growing up in Korea exhibit. It was AMAZING! Sponsored by the Korea Foundation, it's a great way to learn about the Korean culture. You'll learn things like why they take off their shoes, table etiquette, popular cuisines, Taekwondo, how to write Korean calligraphy, etc. It will really give you an idea what it was like growing up in Korea so make sure you stop in and check it out.

• KOREA PLAZA: “Hang out” with Korean kids and “text” them questions about what life is like in Seoul. Visit historical and famous sites on an interactive multi-user touch table. Then, launch a kite to “fly away the bad luck.”
• KOREA K-POP STARS STUDIO: K-Pop has a huge influence on pop culture in Korea and around the world. Take the stage of the K-Pop TV studio and watch yourself “perform” with K-Pop stars in front of a 75” TV screen.
• ANIMATION STUDIO: “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” and “Avatar” were created in Korean animation studios. Check out a stop-motion animation station and draw an animated story.
• TAEKWONDO STUDIO: Kick, punch and block as you match your moves to Korean children who are experts in this martial art based on 2000-year-old ancient techniques.
• RESTAURANT: From Kimchi to Korean BBQ, dine in at this authentic Korean restaurant or take on the role of restaurant owner and watch your business boom.
• APARTMENT: Experience preparations, games and customs for Seollal (Lunar New Year). Try on a hanbok and learn to do the traditional bow, put on a traditional dress, “taste” New Years’ foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup), or play yut nori by throwing sticks and moving tokens around a game board.
• CLASSROOM: Stories, music and calligraphy…it all happens in school. Learn how to speak and write Hangul. Listen to folktales and play the janggu and buk, traditional drums.
• HANOK GUEST HOUSE: The Jesa Table is a place where Koreans bow in respect to honor their ancestors. Write names of loved ones who have passed, put their names on the table and bow to experience this tradition. Also, check out the roll up floor mat and view a folk tale!

Blogiversary Day 8: Gift Card to Yogurtland! New Candy Crush-Inspired Flavors! #YogurtlandSweetTreats

Welcome to Day 8 of our online Blogiversary Party! This summer, enjoy "Sweet Treats" Candy Crush-inspired flavors at Yogurtland. Starting July 6th through September 13th, they are releasing two new flavors every two weeks with a new collectible Candy Crush character spoon!

Recently, we went on a tour of their lab at their corporate office, and they actually have someone in lab coats trying to closely match the flavors. For example, they want their orange yogurt to taste like the real thing so they add real oranges. 

3rd OC Goodwill Boutique Store Opens in Huntington Beach!

The new OC Goodwill Boutique (formerly known as Classic Closet) in Huntington Beach reopened on June 19th. It's the third store of its kind from Goodwill of Orange County joining the other two boutiques in Tustin and Lake Forest. It now offers designer brands at affordable prices in a more upscale setting which includes a 2,400 square-foot expansion, new floors, more spacious fitting rooms, new restrooms, shopping carts, new record listening station, and a nicer interior. You'll find the same things you normally would find in a Goodwill but in a more inviting and luxurious setting.

Blogiversary Day 7 Giveaway: Dana Wharf Sportfishing OR Whale Watching | Free Kid's Fishing Sundays

Disclosure: We attended as media.

We've been Whale Watching with Dana Wharf out of Dana Point before, but have always wanted to try their Sportfishing. Did you know that kids can fish for free on Sundays? There's also a free fishing clinic right before the trip where children can win cool prizes. Even if you don't go fishing, you can stop in as long as you have a kid that wants to participate.

 

Kid's Free Fishing Clinic Sundays at Noon

Every Sunday  from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, kids can come down to the Dana Wharf Sportfishing dockside and learn hands-on fishing techniques from the experts. No reservations are needed for this part. They also draw names at random for prizes. We were really lucky that day, because one of my kids won their Grand Prize which included a cap, t-shirt, stickers, reusable water canister, coupons, and a Free 1/2 Day Kid's Fishing Trip!

Ticket Discount! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Circus XTREME

Disclosure: We are going as media. All opinions are our own. 

The circus is coming to the STAPLES Center, Citizens Business Bank Arena, and Honda Center July 9 thru August 2nd! With a new production, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Circus XTREME, will feature Xtreme Sports, Caravan of Camels, Bungee Skydivers, World's Youngest Human Cannonball, and Mongolian Marvels. You'll also see Bengal tiger presenter Taba, daredevil whirling Pendulum of Steel performance, edge-of-your-seat high wire stunts, fun poodle tricks, and of course, the Ringling Bros. Clown Alley and treasured performing pachyderms! It will also include over 100 performers from 13 countries around the world. It will be incredible!

All Access Pre-Show!
Before the show, visit the Animal Open House to get up-close with the amazing animal stars, and visit the arena for an interactive All Access Pre-Show where families can meet performers, circus clowns, and more!

Blogiversary Day 6: Tickets to Mariinsky Ballet’s Raymonda @SegerstromArts! | 2015-16 Dance Season #SCFTA

Welcome to Day 6 of our online Blogiversary Party! This next contest is brought to you by Segerstrom Center for the Arts! Their 30th International Dance Series for 2015-2016 has been announced, and they're bringing beautiful dance from around the world including: Mariinsky Ballet, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Royal Swedish Ballet. (Many of which are exclusive West Coast Premieres.) This Christmas, we're also getting the West Coast Premiere of American Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky!

Segerstrom Center - Mariinsky Ballet's Raymonda - Photo by Valentin Baranovsky

Blogiversary Day 5: Win a Prize Pack at Irvine Park Railroad! 7 Things To Do at Irvine Regional Park

Welcome to Day 5 of our online Blogiversary celebration! Today, we are going to talk about the many different activities Irvine Regional Park offers, and why it's one of our favorite places for play dates in Orange County. The park is huge!  Let's clear this up. When we started going there, I was confused with the names. Is it Irvine Regional Park or Irvine Park Railroad? Also, where is OC Zoo? Well, both Irvine Park Railroad and OC Zoo are located inside Irvine Regional Park in Orange, CA.

Join Metrolink, OCFair, and OCTABusUpdates for #1BigTweetParty July 7, 2015 (5-6PM). Win Prizes!

In honor of the OC Fair’s 125th anniversary, join Metrolink and OC Fair for ONE BIG Twitter Party on July 7, 2015 from 5-6PM. They're giving away prizes every 3 minutes! You could win Metrolink train tickets, OC Fair admission tickets, concert tickets, food vouchers and more! Make sure you follow the co-host @Metrolink and use hashtag #1BigTweetParty when you tweet for a chance to win! 

Blogiversary Day 4: Win Star Wars itty bittys® @Hallmark! #LoveHallmark #StarWars

Welcome to Day 4 of our online Blogiversary Party! Today we're featuring something a little different. One of our readers requested we offer something Star Wars during our party, and of course, I listened. First thing that came to my mind was Star Wars itty bitty's. I just adore the itty bittys® at Hallmark, don't you?  They're soft, huggable, and come in so many different characters (not just Star Wars) to fit everyone's unique style.

We love everything Star Wars right now, and these arrived just in time to surprise my kids on their last day of school. Hallmark sent us Yoda™, Chewbacca™, Han Solo™ and Princess Leia™ set, Darth Vader, and R2-D2. I think his smile says it all, because they're fun to play with and collect. I think they also make great gifts for any occasion (party favors, gift baskets, etc). Also available in their collection is the collector's set which includes Luke Skywalker™, C-3PO™, Obi-Wan Kenobi™ and Jawa™ in an exclusive collectible box. They're just so cool, and we can't wait to pick them up along with a new Hoth Collector Set available in August!

New Summertime Menu at Islands Burgers! Gift Card Giveaway!

Last week we were at Islands Burgers sampling their new summer menu items. Do you like your burgers with a kick? For a limited time, they're offering the Hana Hou Burger. It's topped with a spicy Machete aioli, pepper jack cheese, and beer onions.

HUNGRY? We thoroughly enjoyed a bowl of their Tortilla Soup with avocado, and their Nachos which was topped with cheddar & jack cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.

Blogiversary Day 3 Giveaway: Tickets to Adventure City!

Thank you for joining us for Day 3 of our online Blogiversary Party! Most recently Adventure City opened up a new coaster called Rewind Racers. It goes backwards, forwards, and once it reaches the top, it goes backwards in rewind! If you didn't win tickets from our last contest, here is one more chance! Go enter!

Blogiversary Day 2: Ticket Giveaway to the NEW Billy Beez @TheGardenWalk! #BBKidz

Are you looking for something new to do this summer? It's Day 2 of our online Blogiversary Party. Today I'm going to tell you about our recent play date at the new Billy Beez in Anaheim Garden Walk, and what all the buzz is about!

This place is huge! The 17,300 sq. ft. indoor park features over 100 pieces of play equipment including a foam ball shooting arena, obstacle courses, tunnels and slides throughout the park, sports arena for basketball and soccer, a "Honeycomb Village", and a Toddler Area. There's also a cafe, a TV, and party room.

New Green Dunkin' Donuts Opens in Santa Ana July 7th!

Orange County gets a second Dunkin' Donuts (DD) on July 7th starting at 5:00 a.m.! Located in Santa Ana, this new DD Green Achievement™ restaurant uses energy- and water-saving features like LED lights, high-performance windows and low-flow faucets. The new location will offer Santa Ana residents iconic fresh-brewed coffee, delicious baked goods, and sandwiches. We can't wait!!

 

Grand Opening!

Be the first person in both walk-in and drive-thru lines and win free coffee for one year! The first 100 guests to order will receive a Dunkin' Donuts tote bag filled with special items! You'll have the opportunity to walk the Dunkin' Donuts' pink carpet, taste free samples, and have a photo opportunity with their beloved mascot, Cuppy!

Blogiversary Day 1: Ticket Giveaway to OC Fair! | 8 Ways to Save @OCFair #letsplayoc

Welcome to our Blogiversary Party! It's Day 1, and we're excited to announce we're giving away tickets to the OC Fair! This summer the OC Fair is celebrating it's 125th Anniversary, and they're hosting "One Big Party" July 17 through August 16, 2015! It's 23 days of non-stop shows, concerts, food, rides, carnival games, shopping, exhibits, and animals. (Reminder: The fair is open Wednesday through Sunday.) We just love the fair! Mark your calendars. Here are the many different ways to save at the Fair: