I admit it - I love it when companies find a way to support charities through the sale of their products... but when you mix in a charity that is working to see that no child goes hungry... I'm sold!
If you haven't bought that special someone (mother, sister, aunt or yourself) a gift for and would love to make that gift something even more special/meaningful, head on over here to make a $30 donation to Share our Strength and Honora will send you (shipping paid for by Honora) this black leather and mother-of-pearl woman's watch (valued at $100 MSRP!!!) for the first 1,000 people to make the donation. As long as you make your donation before Friday, you will receive your gift in time to put under the tree delivered via UPS. Absolutely amazing deal (wives... hurry and email this post to your husband to drop that not so subtle hint...)
Honora has set lofty goals to raise $30,000 through this campaign using Social Media, blogs and emails. Let's show them just how powerful the internet and Web 2.0 marketing can be for a good cause!
*and nope, absolutely zero compensation for writing this post.Read more...
Every few years technology makes a cool advance. If you have a daughter (or niece or granddaughter or other young girl) in your life, you already have or will likely soon hear about the Moshi Monsters. With well over 10 million fans worldwide (Moshi Monsters started in England a few years ago) these likely aren't going to disappear soon.
The Moshi Monster world is really set online, in a virtual (yet very safe- read their Frequently Asked Questions section here) online world for your children to learn, interact and use their imagination. (Think Cabbage Patch Dolls Online)
Adopting and participating in the Moshi Monster virtual community is free (of course there are options to upgrade). Cruise on over to the Moshi Monster website, have a look around and see why this is gaining recognition here in the United States.
But here's the best part... Just in time to celebrate the Holidays... I've been given four COMPLETE sets of the Moshi Monster Mo Pods (key chains themed after each of the Moshi Monsters that spin around and flash lights when your cell phone rings. You'll never miss a call... think parents - your daughter will never be able to say she didn't know you called again!) Each Moshi Monster Mo Pod comes with a secret code that unlocks a free virtual accessory for your online adopted Moshi Monster. These are the perfect stocking stuffer for young girls ages 7-12. If you're one of the four lucky winners, you'll have all six Moshi Monster Mo Pods (pictured above) to put in as stocking stuffers!
This giveaway ends 12/19/09 - so get commenting! I loved all the creativity we had with the last giveaway comments!
Here's how to enter:
Mandatory First Entry:
1 Entry for leaving a comment stating which Moshi Monster is your favorite (go here to pick it out). You can do this up to once a day until the contest ends on 12/19/09. I will delete ALL your other entries if you don't do this.
Additional Entries:
1 Entry (each) subscribing to the Email Feed of OCMomActivities, following through Google, RSS Feed Subscription or any other form of feed.
1 Entry for Tweeting about this giveaway. Be sure to come back and say that you have to gain the extra entry.
My favorite from the last giveaway... get creative and make a holiday poem, rhyme or other cute saying about one of the Moshi Monsters. This can include why you want it. I'll include one entry of this type per day until the giveaway ends on 12/19/09.
*I was provided product for review/informational purposes but was not compensated in any way for this post nor did it have any effect of my opinions expressed in this post/giveaway. Read more...
Top 10 Reasons You Know Winter is Finally Here in the OC
You don't see people wearing flip flops (cause you KNOW we look for any excuse...)
You see people wearing parkas and winter coats when it is 60 degrees...
You find yourself fighting with your kids over the Superman blanket simply because it is fleece and you're cold...
*Gasp* you figure out you actually have a furnace in your home and *double gasp* TURN IT ON!
You have to dive down to the bottom of the toy bin (don't ask) to find last year's umbrella...
It's no longer standing room only with a line out the door at the local Fro-Yo store...
You decide not to go to Disneyland because there is a "chance" of showers (best time to go by the way...)
You plan your day around picking up a Peppermint Mocha or Gingerbread Latte because you're so cold after running errands (yes, 50 degrees is really cold!)
You build a fire in the fireplace simply because it is less than 67 degrees inside the house according to your indoor thermostat.
You go to the gym to use the treadmill instead of running outside to prevent wearing a light jacket to keep warm enough outside.
What are the signs that tell you its Winter?
*No OC residents were actually harmed in the creation of this post, but my husband sure thinks it's funny since he is from Canada and that I'm crazy for thinking THIS is cold.Read more...
Once the kids are born, life seems to change sometimes in a subtle way and sometimes it is less subtle. For us, we found non-kid centered activities seemed to be less interesting to us or maybe that it was just that much harder to make the effort to drag the kids once they were toddlers. We work to find ways to integrate activities we love with things the kids will love or at least be entertained by. (Yes... we drug the kids to the Star Wars Convention held in LA a few years ago but they honestly are Star Wars fans too...)
I was thrilled to be invited last weekend to a special Mom Blogger event at the LA Auto Show to preview the first ever Kids' Fun Zone. I knew it was a recipe for success, because what most kids need after a few hours of a more adult activity is a way to get their energy out and the Kids' Fun Zone provides exactly that - a break for the kids! There are several bounce houses/bounce courses, face painting, bubble making areas, arts and crafts games and more. What I loved is that the Kids' Fun Zone really caters to all ages of children because there are a handful of XBox driving simulators for the older kids and a kids' Jeep driving course for the racer car drivers in training! It provides a great place for families to "decompress" after a long day of walking.
It was tough getting my boys to leave and go check out some of the car exhibits! For those with kids still in strollers - the LA Auto Show is completely jogger/stroller friendly!
The Kids' Fun Zone is open December 12 & 13 from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (located in Kentia Hall) and is free with admission to the LA Auto Show.
The kids also loved being able to sit in the drivers seat of a real Jeep...
I was excited to show my husband and the boys the Chevy Volt & Chevy Cruze that I had previewed a few nights before. (Read that post here)
Be sure to head to the LA Auto Show before it ends to get a peek at the amazing concept cars coming up in the next few years! The "P-Nut" was a fun one...
Admission to the LA Auto Show is $12 for adults and free for children under 12 (w/adult) Discount Coupons are available through participating LA area new car dealerships and through e-tickets purchased at LA Auto Show.
*We were provided admission to the LA Auto Show to facilitate the review of the Kids' Fun Zone and the LA Auto Show, but it in no way affected my opinion reflected in the post.
As I frantically reached for my iPhone to snap this picture (our first real rainy day here in Orange County, CA)... it struck me how much my life has changed in the last decade. As a little girl growing up I was known for wearing my favorite Minnie Mouse dress just because and I think I wore the same princess gown for many Halloweens in a row...
Now my life is full of the quest for snails, snakes, roller coasters and other adventures. I wouldn't change it for the world!
How has your life changed since becoming a Mom?Read more...
The holidays are here! One of my absolute favorite treats during the holiday season is the Peppermint Mocha you can get at most coffee shops. Last week I was invited to a Got Milk? event up on Melrose in West Hollywood. No way I would miss that event! Coffee, West Hollywood, Mom Blogger event... perfect combo if you ask me!
We were treated to custom drinks from United States Barista Champion (2007 and 2003) - Heather Perry. Heather's been featured on the Food Network, the Discovery Channel and is even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for building the world's largest espresso machine!
I have never been much of a "drinker" (except for a glass of wine here or there), so I love the idea of serving custom coffee creations at your next holiday party instead of making alcohol the staple drink. Drinking and driving is a particular problem during the holidays and by serving non-alcoholic yummy specialty coffees, you may just be saving the lives of your guests or someone else for that matter! I think it's also a safe bet to say you will be the star of the night if you make some of the recipes below for family and friends
Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Peppermint Mocha Martinis, Tres Leches Lattes, Holiday Frozen Hot Chocolates, Eggnog Lattes and Toffee Mochas were the highlight of the event. They were all truly delicious and are easy to make at home!
I left the Got Milk? event pleasantly jittery from all the extraordinary coffees we sampled (which was very handy because I went straight to the Chevy Preview ahead of the LA Auto Show).
Below are some of the super yummy recipes we sampled that night (if you'd like some of the others, post a comment saying that and I'll post them separately later this week - I have recipes for all the drinks mentioned above)...
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients: 2 oz. espresso or strong brewed coffee 2 tbsp. pumpkin pie mix out of the can 8 oz. milk
Directions: Combine espresso and pumpkin pie and mix well. The nice thing about the pumpkin pie mix is it already has all the spices needed. If you only have canned pumpkin, use 2 tbsp. canned pumpkin, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. nutmeg. Top with warmed milk and enjoy this traditional holiday treat.
Peppermint Mocha Martini
Ingredients: 2 shots espresso or strong brewed coffee 1 tbsp. chocolate syrup 2tbsp. crushed peppermints - divided 1 cup ice
Directions: Begin by dipping the rim of your martini glass in water, then dip the rim in 1 tbsp. of crushed peppermint. In a martini shaker, place your fresh espresso shots, chocolate and peppermint. Stir until chocolate and peppermint are dissolved. Then add milk and ice and shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass and enjoy this refreshing, minty drink!
Holiday Frozen Hot Chocolate
Ingredients: 8 oz. Milk 2 Tbsp. Powdered Non-Dairy Creamer 3 Tbsp. Powdered Chocolate (use 2 parts sugar- 1 part cocoa powder if you don't have powdered chocolate) Whipped Cream and Sprinkles
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.
*I was only "compensated" for this post with the yummy drinks mentioned above at the Got Milk? event. Read more...
I'm THRILLED to announce that Etnies is offering another Mom Blogger promoted discount on their website! (Read my previous Etnies post here)
Between now and the end of the year you can go to Etnies.com and receive 30% off any purchase, get a free stocking stuffer (while supplies last) and receive free shipping! The code is the same as before "etnies family". Pass it on to everyone you know - this is a fantastic deal!
Any for those of you who remember why I rave about Etnies... I'm (kinda shocked) to report that Kyle's new Etnies that I received at the event - still look BRAND NEW. Despite the 3 trips to Disneyland & three weeks of daily school destruction. See for yourself...
I'll give you one guess as to what Kyle will be getting for Christmas in addition to toys, etc... Yup - another pair of Etnies!
As you know, we are huge fans of all gaming systems in our house.... and I've been waiting for this one! I'm giving away a WiiFit Plus Board and Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 Wii Game!!!
The contest will be open until 5pm Friday December 11th, 2009. I'm going to allow one entry per day per person per comment. To gain additional entries you can do the following:
Become a fan on the OCMomActivities on Facebook (1 entry, make a separate comment saying you are a fan)
Subscribe to email feeds of OCMomActivities (1 entry, also make a separate comment saying you are already subscribed to Feedburner or RSS or Google Reader or another feed)
Comment here saying why you want to win the Wii Fit Plus allowed one per day until the contest ends (1 entry each comment each day, only one of these comments each day though)
Follow OCMomActivities on Twitter (be sure to include a separate comment saying that so it counts! 1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter (come back and comment on it so I know! 1 entry)
This is only open to US Residents (because of mailing costs). If you don't leave your email address in the comment, be sure to check back to find out if you are the winner. You will have 2 days to respond before I pick another winner!
Goodluck and get exercising!
This Giveaway is courtesy of Sports Authority teaming up with Jillian Michaels and Nintendo and the launch party from November 19th. Read more...
Alright, I admit it… I’m a tree hugger at heart. You’d never know it from a first impression, but I grew up in a very eco-friendly area of the country yet I still drive the large SUV and live in Orange County, CA. Secretly the guilt of driving that SUV has gnawed at me. I love driving and these days, those driving hours are mostly spent with my entourage (my two sons!). When I first heard about the new advances Chevrolet was making with their cars and gas mileage I honestly thought, “Good for them, but it will be years until I can get one of those!” I had the privilege of a sneak peek prior to the LA Auto Show at the new Chevy Volt and Chevy Cruze last night. It didn’t take me long to see that I am their target demographic. And now it just makes perfect sense!
The Chevy Cruze (pictured above) is designed with families in mind (from price point to safety to aesthetics). Keep in mind that I’m not an auto expert – I’m a busy Mom to two wonderful boys, so what you are getting is simply my opinion. I might as well just admit it - I’m also a car snob. The thought had never crossed my mind of looking at a Chevy for anything other than the Tahoe… and when it comes to a family sedan I’ve never really thought outside the BMW, Lexus or Mercedes realm. I’ve been eyeing all the new Hybrid vehicles on the market and wondering if I was ready to make the jump back to a family sedan instead of the gas guzzling SUV. (To me the Hybrid SUV’s like the Yukon &Tahoe don’t improve the MPG enough to warrant the price tag yet). It looks like the Cruze will come in around the $20,000 mark. Talk about affordable!
The Chevy Volt (pictured above) is a car of the future that is about to go on sale today! On the outside it is reminiscent of the Toyota Prius, but it takes fuel efficiency to an entirely different level! It’s designed for the average person who drives less than 40 miles a day (although you can drive it more, you just won’t have the same insanely awesome gas mileage). I’ve got to say it is one REALLY cute car. Perfect for a second car if you’re a family or as a primary car if you aren’t hauling kids around (the demo I saw only had 4 seats because there is a console in the middle back row)! I’ve heard lots of numbers thrown around in regards to cost of the Volt, but I can tell you it will definitely be way less than $50,000 and will have environmental rebates. My bet is the cost will end up being $40,000 or less after those rebates. That is competitive. I walked away from the night being proud of Chevy (still surprising myself with that…). I’ll save it for another post, but as a working Mom, I also walked away with a newfound respect for Chevy as a company. Their embrace of women and mothers in their workforce is impressive and I can’t wait to tell you more specifics about how real that is, not in theory – but in practice! For more specific information about the vehicle check out this YouTube Video they have created:
Katie is a wife and mother of two active boys. When they aren’t riding the roller coasters at Disneyland or exploring the beaches, you can find Katie writing over at OCMomActivities. Find her on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
Having lost her mother (and best friend) to Cancer before her 20th birthday, Katie shares her unique passion hoping to truly inspire other mothers to enjoy and make the most out of every moment with their children.
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