The Harlem Globetrotters are back in town this weekend at Honda Center on Saturday, Feb 18 for a 1 pm & 7 pm show. I never miss the chance to take my kids to see their world-famous on court antics every time they are here. Last year I even had the honor of playing against …
Engineer’s week is happening all week with plenty of hands-on experiences for families at the Discovery Science Museum. There are engineering themed exhibits throughout the museum until February 25th. Engineer and build a block tower Construct a Catenary Arch Explore the engineering of gears and how they work in our everyday lives Children across Orange County have …
OK moms, we all know we have noticed those cute designer jeans on little kids. Have you noticed the price? $60, $80, $120!!! Are you joking me? So, we like it, but do you really want to pay that? No way! We have other things to do with that money. You know that saying “All …
February is African American History Month so as the month comes to a close, it is fitting that our featured book today is “What Color is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld, Illustrated by Ben Boos and A.G. Ford Last week, I had the privilege of meeting …
Early last week, I had the opportunity to celebrate the O magazine feature with Chef Deb from Sol Cocina. This was my first time visiting the swanky Newport Beach restaurant, and I was impressed from the moment I walked in the door. We have three young children, and although I love dining at a fancy restaurant, it …
As the tweets, Facebook posts and photos filled my computer screen, I couldn’t help but feel giddy. Pitchers and catchers reported to Angels Spring Training in Tempe, AZ, along with a certain prized off-season signing. Albert Pujols. Did he really sign with the Angels? Really? If there was any doubt, it disappeared with the press …
I’m was a “boat kid,” so I’m very comfortable out on the water as an adult. In fact, I wish I could be out there more. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to go on a two hour whale watching trip. I got to find out over the holiday weekend. I never get …
The papers are in my hand and the ink on the signature is barely dry. I’m sending Berlyn to private school for kindergarden. My reasons are multi-numeral. When I think about the amounts of teaching philosophies out there my brian feels like it was extracted from my skull and put into the washing machine on …
We took our first family vacation this last weekend. I know, I know. My oldest is almost four years old and this is the first real vacation we have taken, but what can I say? Hubby and I always saw trip with the boys more like work than an actual vacation. Yet now that they …
I’ve been hearing about this event for years, and finally plan to make it. I’m personally not running (pulling the new-baby card), but I signed my husband and kids up. Sounds like a killer photo op. The Run always sounds so fun every year and it fills up my Twitter feed often, so I’m excited …
I am always trying to find the right class or activity for my kids. I want to put them in something that is not just fun, but where they can learn and thrive. But, I find that I am quick to buy the latest Groupon or special deal and we get stuck in a class …
If you’re just tuning in I’ve been rambling about how to get started eating well for less, with my previous post on setting a food budget that’s reasonable…next we’ll take a look at where to shop in and around the OC to get great deals on the items on your list. So to recap: 1. …
Occasionally, I get emails from readers who Follow Meals Steals & Family Deals on Facebook, asking why I don’t like or why I am against extreme couponing. I get the impression that these emails come from people who are actually extreme couponers, that take offense that I, in some way are offended at them personally. …
Think Cirque on steroids without the freaky makeup and costumes. That is the high energy show of TRACES, mixing high-risk street performance acrobatics with music, dance, skateboarding, and basketball to make a lasting theatrical experience. Traces opens on February 28th, flipping tumbling and wowing OC audiences through March 4th. TRACES, which has been called “a …
Milestones are an important part of your child’s development and a huge celebration for the parents when they see their baby sit up all by themselves, or roll over for the first time. Sometimes, parents can get caught up in milestones, and I admit that I am guilty of this offense. One important rule to …
“Let Me Make It Better!” MAMAs know a little something-something about healthcare…it’s called kissing boo boos and having a pack of Band-aids in your purse at all times! Healthcare is a big issue and one that’s tough for Americans to sort through because it’s personal as well as political. It stings just thinking …
After enduring what I would call the most grueling months I’ve ever experienced as a Ducks fan, our boys on the ice have apparently righted the ship and are making an exciting run for hockey’s second season. It goes without saying, I suppose, but Ducks hockey is way more fun when they are winning. Currently …
Single cup coffee makers are everywhere right now. They are easy and convenient, perfect for single people or solo coffee drinkers in a home. But, their popularity is causing some big problems – namely lots of landfill waste. Check out this CNBC story, “Spent Keurig K-Cups Filling up Landfills” for more on the problem. As …
There’s a new basketball team in So. Cal., and I’m not talking about the Clippers. This team is even more exclusive. The Harlem Globetrotters bring their entirely unique brand of basketball to Honda Center for two shows this Saturday, February 18. Come see the matinée at 1:00 p.m. or the evening show at 7 p.m., and find …
After 12 easy years, it’s time to get my gun out. The enemy? Teenage punks –errrr– boys. Like many parents, I have the luxury of raising kids of both genders. While they each come with their own challenges, I will say that I’m much more apprehensive as a dad when it comes to my daughter. …
Tis the season of romance. Since I am about to pop, this year is especially crucial for me and my husband. We are loving this “babymoon” phase and trying to soak it all in. Keeping with the Valentines theme we thought it was the perfect time to host a dinner party. I thoroughly enjoy having …
My daughter and I have been eagerly waiting for the release of the new animated movie by Japanese filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki — The Secret World of Arrietty. During the first preview we saw last summer she grabbed my arm in the darkened theatre and whispered, “We’re totally seeing that when it comes out.” As fortune had …
If you’re a little carrier-intimidated by all the belts and buckles (I so can be), this may be the no-worries carrier for you. No buckles or contraptions, just 4 soft straps to wrap and you’re ready to go. Its, easy, breezy, comfy. And baby’s legs can be tucked in nicely as newborns and popped out …
Its that split second when something goes from innocous to threatening. Out on a jog, both kids tucked and strapped into the stroller, the streetlights had just come on. The car drove by again- time number 6 within the last mile. Then it waited at the stop sign ahead. I slowed, wary. It paused, seeming to …
I recently had the opportunity to attend a Bootcamp Session at Barry’s Bootcamp right here in the heart of Orange County. You might have heard of Barry’s Bootcamp someplace else, like… Shape Magazine, Vanity Fair, or Us Magazine. It’s big with celebs, for these ultimate cardio sessions are a swift kick in the pants to …
Water adventures is what Orange County is known for. It seems I also gave birth to a fish who loves surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, pools and sprinklers to name a few. And because I love taking pictures of my little guy using my phone, I will tell you one thing I have …
It’s weird, and I don’t know if other parents have the same problem, but I just can’t read/watch/hear anything where something happens to a child without getting choked up about. I’m not just talking about stuff on the news either. I can’t even read the first Harry Potter book without getting misty eyed my eyes sweating. …
Image Credit: Stuart Miles One item that I always have on me is a pack of face wipes. I don’t mean baby wipes, though I usually have those too, I mean the gentle-cleansing, vitamins-added, makeup-removing kind of face wipes. I am absolutely in love with them, because they are my favorite kind of product. …
Shopping for a Valentines Day Restaurant? Look no further. There is a new restaurant in town folks, and it is a favorite. When it was determined that London’s premier Indian restaurant was going to open in Newport Beach in 2011, heads turned. Including mine. The original Tamarind of London, from across the pond, has been …
Valentines Day is just two weeks away! Eeek! I made this Valentine’s Day printable for you to decorate your mantel or wall. Just print, pop in a frame and enjoy. The only hard part will be deciding which color you want to print… I got my frame at The Dollar Tree and painted it white …
I confess. I like wine. I like it a lot. I am a pretty high-stress person and I take on way too many activities and projects (just ask my husband). With juggling a full-time job, two board commitments, being part of numerous volunteer committees and trying to keep my home life in check…things can get …
If you’re reading this blog, chances are I’m preaching to the choir but I thought I’d take this opportunity to make list of why I love living in Orange County and why I plan to put down deep roots here. 1. The Weather I can’t think of a place on Earth that has better weather …
Katie Nguyen is a local entrepreneur, having started a fashion line for kids called Kangacoo that was one of three children’s lines presented at OC Fashion Week. Billed as “where the runway meets the playground”, Kangacoo features fun and whimsical pieces that are also wearable and washable. Kangacoo is a national brand with show rooms …
Turkey recipes abound and its officially countdown time to the big day! I’ve ordered my Mary’s Free Rangeorganic turkey – all it takes is a phone call to Whole Foods – and I’ll pick it up next Monday so it has 2+ days to defrost in the refrigerator. So let’s talk turkey! Have you decided …
I don’t really have a clear idea of what it means when they say, “Woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” I do know that if my husband does not get enough sleep, there will be a lot of crankiness and confusion in the morning. He may have to spend the early morning …
Welcome back photogs to another installment of what makes a photo great. Last week we covered #2 – color and how color impacts a viewers eye. This week we are pulling in the 3rd component, composition. Compostion in itself is a rather big subject in photography. Good composition its paramount, it separates the photographs from the snapshots. I could probably …
Yep, that’s me there. At 16, in all my retainer-wearing, unplucked-eyebrow glory. I dug the photo up when Suz Broughton asked me to participate in a Vloggersation about what I would say to my 16-year-old self if I had a chance. I thought I’d share my thoughts here too. So I’m dedicating this one to …
