Valentine's Day in Orange County

Looking for some fun, family-friendly, even free Valentine's Day activities in Orange County? We've got a few for you!

Irvine Spectrum Center - OC Mom Blog Carousel Party

Bring the kids out to the Spectrum Mall for a variety of fun and free activities! From 10am to noon, February 14th at Carousel Court, expect face painting, live entertainment, crafts, free carousel rides, giveaways, and sweet treats!

Click here to get more info.

IKEA Costa Mesa - 2 Prime Rib Dinners for $14.99 + Free Photobooth

February 11th: The first 100 people through the door this Saturday will get 100 free tea lights! Plus, enjoy a fun, free muffin making workshop from 1pm-2pm in the Swedish Food Market.

February 12th: The first 100 people through the door this Sunday will receive a beautiful stainless steel bowl.

February 14th: Enjoy 2 prime rib dinners for just $14.99! The dinner includes Prime Rib, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, soup or side salad, one Apple cake to share, one bottle of Sparkling Fruit Juice (non-alcoholic) and 2 Champagne flute glasses to take home! (while supplies last) Available from 5pm - 8pm.

Click here to get all the details on all IKEA events.

Pressed Juicery - Free Juice!

Send a free mini juice to a friend and get a free mini juice for yourself. Hurry - You must get your juice by February 14th!

Locations: Fashion Island, Irvine Spectrum Center, Westcliff Plaza
Click here to send a "Juice Gram"

Do you know of a family-friendly Valentine's event coming up? Post info and a link if you have one in a comment below!

Fest of Ales - Have Your Beer and Drink it Too

One of Orange County's top fun and festive activities is fast approaching - the legendary "Fest of Ales" in Anaheim taking place on September 19th from 12pm to 4pm.

Beer and cupcakes, can there be anything better?? (Image via OC Fest of Ales)

There will be 40 breweries present! However, the beer-lovers event isn't just for sipping on a variety of delicious brews. Attendees will enjoy unlimited gourmet food tastings in addition to the ale. Nearly 20 restaurants will be on-hand to help you even out the experience.

Something bacony and delicious (Image via OC Fest of Ales)

All the fun will be happening in Downtown Anaheim. Some of this year's event's proceeds will go towards Cops4Kids and Downtown Anaheim Association non-profit organizations.

Here's a promotional video from 2013 to give you an idea of how all the fun comes together:

For entertainment, The Rayford Brothers will be playing their sweet tunes from 12:20pm to 4:00pm.

I know what you're thinking... this guy must be the same guy from the video above. 
Sorry... We're not sure.
(Image via OC Fest of Ales)

Buy your tickets in advance at FestofAles.com!

Downtown Anaheim

(Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street)

201 Center Street Promenade

Anaheim, CA 92805

(Image via OC Fest of Ales)

-b

Evening Fun at Anaheim Night Market Sat. June 20th

Take advantage of the warm Summer weather and enjoy a fun-filled evening out at the Anaheim Night Market this Saturday, June 20th from 6pm to 10pm at the always-trendy Anaheim Packing District.

image via Anaheim Packing District

Expect: local crafts and artisans, art, live music, great food and a free movie in the evening!

Starting at 6pm enjoy live music from Sandro Razciel & Co. Then, at 8pm, get cozy and catch the classic "Back to the Future" for free on the park. Bring some fold up chairs and some blankets!

You can also enter to win a Yelp! Prize Pack simply by checking-in at the event on the Yelp! app.

The prize pack will include:

• Anaheim Packing House T-shirt
• Wine Flask
• Hat
• Wooden train whistle
• Packing House Yo-yo
• Yelp headphones
• Yelp bike bell
• Yelp tumbler
• Yelp sunglasses
• Pins & more!

Anaheim Packing District
412 S. Anaheim Blvd

Anaheim, CA 92805

Enjoy!

-b

Last Weekend of OC Night Market

The OC Night Market's last few nights are upon us. Tonight, Saturday, June 6th (4pm to 12am) and Sunday, June 7th (4pm to 10pm) are the last evenings to enjoy the festivities at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa.

(image via OC Night Market Facebook page)

Bring some cash and enjoy an exciting assortment of Asian food from local restaurants, entertainment and shopping.

Here's a preview of what you can find:

(image via OC Night Market Facebook page)

RAMNUT Ramen Donut... yeah, it's a thing... from Foodbeast.

(image via OC Night Market Facebook page)

Organic caramel milk tea with boba and an ice cream donut from Harmony Tea Bar.

(image via OC Night Market Facebook page)

Hanging geometric air plant ornaments.

(image via OC Night Market Facebook page)

Pork belly bun from Lee's Taiwanese Cuisine.

(image via OC Night Market Facebook page)

...and these weird cone... things...

Musician Joseph Vincent is performing Saturday night at 9pm. Here's a music video to illustrate his talents!

Costs: $5 admission and $7 parking (cash only)

OC Fair and Event Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Can't make it this weekend? Visit the other night markets put on by 626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park. More details on future events can be found at 626nightmarket.com.


-b

Irvine Spectrum Food Truck + Fashion Truck Fun - May 15-17

Foodies and fashionistas unite!! This really cool, multi-day event is going on NOW at the Irvine Spectrum.

image via Find A Fashion Truck

Starting today, Friday, May 15th through Sunday May 17th from 11am to 10pm shop to your hearts content at 3 hot boutique fashion trucks parked at the Irvine Spectrum mall's Giant Wheel Court, including Michael Stars, Le Fashion Truck and JD Luxe Fashion Truck.

image via Food Network

Then, on Saturday, May 16th from 11am to 8pm enjoy a bite from some of the most popular food trucks in the area including Dogzilla and The Lime Truck in the Giant Wheel Court.


From 2pm to 4pm some of Spectrum's top boutiques, including Francesca's Collections, Irene's Story and KAITLYN, will be showing off collections, sharing style tips and offering promotions and discounts.

image via Irene's Story

To learn more about the event, click here.

image via Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine Company

Irvine Spectrum

71 Spectrum Center Dr.

Irvine, CA 92618

-b

CitrusFest 2015 Anaheim Packing District March 28th

A yearly Orange County tradition, the Citrus Festival is back! This Saturday, March 28th from 12pm to 5pm don't miss this fun-filled afternoon at the Farmers Park in the Anaheim Packing District, Downtown Anaheim.

CitrusFest 2015 will feature free hayrides, free lemonade, kids crafts and games, a model railroad display, giveaways, citrus car parade, live entertainment and more. For the parents, enjoy a hard lemonade garden!

Live bands Blue Breeze Band and Amber Foxx will be performing their tangy tunes (couldn't resist...).

There's even a cook-off where amateur chefs from the area can make any special dish they choose as long as they include some elements of citrus.

Farmers Park
Anaheim Packing District
412 S. Anaheim Blvd

Anaheim, CA 92805

Have a zesty time!
-b

2015 UVSA Tet Festival Feb 20-22

Having married a Vietnamese man I get to experience all of the fun and festivities associated with the Lunar New Year celebration of Tet. Each year we enjoy family gatherings, delicious food and lots of flowers and fresh fruit.

The Vietnamese community of Orange County is a culturally rich, thriving people that contribute much to the area. They also know how to celebrate.

The Union of the Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California (UVSA) presents the 2015 UVSA Tet Festival at the OC Fair Grounds Friday, February 20th through to Sunday, February 22nd.

The cultural celebration includes:

• Vietnamese Food
• Traditional Ceremonies and Entertainment
• A Cultural Village
• Vendors

...and so much more!

Tickets are $5 online and $6 at the door.

Here's a video of last year's festivities:

OC Fair and Event Center

88 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Chúc mừng năm mới!
-b

VIE ACTIVE U.S. Store Opening Party Dec. 4th

!!UPDATED DATE DUE TO WEATHER!! 

The Store Opening will take place Thursday, December 4th.

Here's a fun activity if you're planning to be in the LA area (or are just looking for something to do) on the evening of Thursday, December 4th:

VIE ACTIVE of Australia is throwing a party for its first U.S. Store Opening in Venice on Thursday, December 4th, 2014. Head to the store on Abbot Kinney for the festivities, taking place between 6:30pm and 9:00pm.

Expect complimentary wine, light appetizers and music. Meet VIE ACTIVE's designer and personal trainer, Noa Ries!

1218 Abbot Kinney ​Blvd

Venice, CA 90291

Enjoy!

-b

Anaheim Packing District Halloween Celebrations Oct 25th & 26th

"Boo! Did I scare ya?" I used to have a Teddy Bear that would say that when I was little... anyways:

It's that fun, intentionally creepy time of year again and the Anaheim Packing District is celebrating all throughout the weekend!

Saturday, October 25th

The fun starts at the Anaheim Fall Festival taking place at Center Street Promenade from 11am-6pm. Expect food and fun! Kiddy and doggy costume contests, a haunted house and much more await.

Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade

The Anaheim Halloween Parade celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The parade runs from 6pm to 9pm.

Center Street Promenade

W Center Street Promenade

Anaheim, CA 92805

Sunday, October 26th

Don't miss the Spooky Pancake Breakfast this Sunday, October 26th! The breakfast takes place in the Anaheim Packing House and lasts from 8am-10am. The cost is $5 a plate with $1 add-ons.

Spooky Pancake Breakfast at Anaheim Packing House

The Halloween Parade floats will be viewable at Farmers Park, and the Farmers Market will take place from 10am to 3pm. Enjoy live music at the Farmers Market from 11am to 2pm.

Anaheim Packing House

440 S Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim, CA 92805

That's a whole lot of fun all packed into one week! Happy Halloween, everyone.

-b

Brats for a Cause at Habitat OC ReStores

Habitat for Humanity OC ReStores are celebrating Oktoberfest today and tomorrow with huge savings and bratwurst, of course!

The folks at Habitat for Humanity will be grilling bratwursts while supplies last from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday Oct. 11th at the Anaheim OC ReStore and 11am to 1pm on Sunday Oct. 12th at the Santa Ana OC Restore.

Anaheim OC Restore

400 S. Village Way

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Santa Ana ReStore
400 S. Village Way
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Can't pass this up, right?!
-b

Habitat OC Restore Santa Ana 2nd Anniversary Celebration

Habitat for Humanity OC is throwing a party this Saturday for Santa Ana OC ReStore's second anniversary and you're invited!

(via Habitat OC ReStores)

Head to the Santa Ana OC Restore this Saturday, May 10th from 9am to 6pm to celebrate. There will be deals galore, giveaways and free sandwiches at 11am.

(via Habitat OC ReStores)

Drawing prizes include a group wine tasting package at The Wine Club, Universal Studios Hollywood tickets, a Target Portrait Studio free sitting and memories collection photo package plus other opportunities!

Santa Ana ReStore
400 S. Village Way
Santa Ana, CA 92705

The Santa Ana ReStore location first opened its doors on May 10, 2012. The Habitat OC ReStores sell donated new and gently used home improvement items at discounted prices.  Proceeds are used to build affordable Habitat for Humanity homes in Orange County.

Celebrate Mothers Day Weekend and support an important nonprofit in our community.

(via Habitat OC ReStores)

Learn more about Habitat for Humanity's ReStoreOC at http://www.restoreoc.org/.

-Happy Mothers Day!

Vitamin A Bikini + XTRA LIFE LYCRA® Trunk Show in Laguna Beach on Sat, June 22nd

More bikini goodness comin' your way!

Head to the Vitamin A + XTRA LIFE LYCRA® swim trunk show at Molly Brown's Swimwear in beautiful Laguna Beach on Saturday, June 22nd from 4pm to 7pm.

Vitamin A is a celebrity-coveted line of bikinis and cover-ups, designed by Laguna Beach native Amahlia Stevens.

Reasons to be there:

• it's Laguna Beach and you're bikini shopping (that's reason enough!)
• lycra, baby...
• refreshments
• live DJ
• receive a gift with every Vitamin A purchase
• Stevens will be there for a meet and greet as well as to give personal fittings

Molly Brown's Swimwear
490 S. Coast Hwy #1
Laguna Beach, CA 92651



View Larger Map

happy, splashy shopping...

-b

Valentine's Day is Coming - Unique Ideas and Gifts

that special day is coming up where you and your hun-bun rush around town, getting in dinner and desert, exchanging gifts, cards, flowers, etc. and then recount the story to your co-workers the next day trying to sum it up in under 5 minutes so the next person can out-do your Valentine's Day narrative with theirs.

don't peg me as the anti-Valentine's Day gal - i am all for the romance that v-day encourages, but why not do it differently this year?  in looking up ideas on amazon.com, the following came up as pretty red-hot options:

A. why not have the entire family bake together! it's so easy to purchase bakery items and other Valentine's day sweets but you can have tons of fun baking heart-shaped goodies instead:

what about some heart-y cookies?

(nesting cookie cutters on Amazon.com)

or maybe some... heart-shaped baked donuts! this pan even comes with recipes.

(heart donut pan on Amazon.com)

B. if you're looking to be gifty, how about investing in food of the future - i'm just talking about gardening here!  in case you haven't heard of an AeroGarden, here's one:

(AeroGarden Classic with Gourmet Herb Seeds on Amazon.com)

make that even hotter with an AeroGarden Salsa Garden Seed Kit:

(AeroGarden Salsa Garden Seed Kit on Amazon.com)

C.  c'mon, you might as well treat yourself to something nice! why not get a little comfortable at the end of the day in a new beautiful night-time robe (hey, this could even double as lingerie, too!)

(Kimono Robe - Peacock and Blossom on Amazon.com)

whatever you do for Valentine's Day, enjoy!

-b

Painting Tips and Delicious Sips for Adults by Orange County Museum of Arts Thursday, February 7th

Orange County Museum of Arts presents Painting Tips and Delicious Sips - an evening of painting, sipping, noshing, and fun on Thursday, February 7th from 7pm-9pm across from UC, Irvine.  bring a buddy along and enjoy!

(via Center For Living Peace)

instructor Jeff Venier will lead you and your companion in a warm-up exercise before both of you collaborate on your painting with provided materials.

this event has a minimum fee of $25 per person. find out more and sign up on the Center For Living Peace's event page.

Center For Living Peace

4139 Campus Drive

Irvine, CA


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have a blast!
-b

Dinner, with a Deadly Twist! The Dinner Detective's Murder Mystery Dinner, OC Edition

The Dinner Detective - Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show (OC) is hosting one of their hit macabre meals this Saturday, January 26th at the Embassey Suites Hotel, in Santa Ana.

expect: a deliciously titillating, entertaining evening

purchase your tickets in advance & check their website for pricing.  if you can't make this show, check out their other up-coming events on the complete schedule.

Embassey Suites Hotel

1325 East Dyer Road

Santa Ana, CA


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live it up!
-b

What's on the Menu? Newport Beach Restaurant Week is in Full Swing

it's that time of year again, Newport Beach Restaurant Week is here and in full swing.

(via Newport Beach Restaurant Association)

get your grub on! go ahead and treat yourself to some great cuisine at a new places, and old favorites, in Newport Beach.

there are amazing deals on gourmet chow that you won't see ever again - or until next year, ha.  3-course prix fixe menus start at $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner.

check out what's on the menu at all the participating locations: 2013 NBRW Menu

make your reservation at the Open Table event page.  don't wait too long, the festivities (and deals) end January 27th.

...

check in via Foursquare and maybe you will see me at the same restaurant!  feel free to say "hi". =)

-b

last night: Outlets At Orange Fall Tweetup

last night i had the pleasure of attending The Outlets at Orange Fall Tweetup event.

a group of OC social media influencers were invited to gather and get a look at the newest fall styles hitting The Outlets!

that's my tweet on the screen!

throughout the Tweetup we had fun shopping all the gorgeous new styles in each store, tasting delicious snacks from Sweets From Heaven, Doubletree (cookies!!), Corner Bakery, Jamba Juice -to name a few- and of course, tweeting!

here are some pictures from the event:

gathering point with refreshments and announcements for the attendees

candy and treats!

we saw bright colored jackets and coats galore, structured bags in rich materials, cozy sweaters and cardigans, and plenty of sales. fall is definitely celebrated at The Outlets At Orange!

thanks to @CindyWang10 for helping me out with my outfit idea at Calvin Klein!

this tweeted outfit from Banana Republic won me a giftcard (here's that tweet)

want to stay up-to-date on activities at The Outlets At Orange?  then, here's some link-love for you: 

@OutletsAtOrange (twitter)

www.outletsatorange.com

here's to a snuggly-cozy autumn!
-b

Quiksilver #SipAndStitch at Fashion Island, Oct 6th 11am-3pm

so, there's this event going on this Saturday from 11am-3pm at Quiksilver, Fashion Island and it sounds pretty rad!

expect: music, cupcakes, lemonade, and a photobooth

(via Bollare Communications)

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hope to see you there!

-b

Dinner with Dave: DJ Alan Meade and others

Dinner with Dave is tonight from 9:30pm to 12:30am at the Memphis at the Santora!

Showcase: DJ Alan Meade and a few special musical guests!!

as always, free dinner cooked by Chef Dave Mau, and some stellar music!  be sure to bring some cash for the delicious (and always strong) beverages.  this event is 21+

visit the Facebook event page for more details!

Memphis at the Santora

201 N Broadway

Santa Ana

rock on
-b

Free Pinkberry coupon! plus chance to win $50 gift card

pinkberry coupon! the coupon will get you one free pinkberry when you buy a pinkberry cup of fro yo of the same value.  just a few more days to nab this coupon!

to get this coupon visit likeacoupon.com and "like" Likeacoupon via Facebook or email to get your coupon.

you can also post a comment on the page with "I'm berry pink!" using your Facebook account on the coupon page to be entered to win a $50 pinkberry giftcard.

how can you go wrong with some free pinkberry?  enjoy!

thanks, Cheryl!

-b