This Weekend in Orange County

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Need to get the kids out of the house? Check out this list of some of my favorite weekend happenings. (To see the entire list of weekend to-dos, go HERE.)

Friday, July 31st:
* Brea FREE Films in the Park: Movie Starts at Dusk.
* Ladera Ranch FREE Concerts on the Green, 6:30-8:30pm, Town Green
* Placentia FREE Movie in the Park, Placentia Champions Sports Complex, movies begin at dusk
* FREE Family-Friendly Concert at Chapman University

Saturday, August 1st:
* Kids Workshop, a FREE kid-friendly "How-To Clinic", at your local Home Depot, 9am-12pm.
* Children's Museum at La Habra
* Movies on the Beach
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Cypress FREE Concerts on the Green
* La Palma Concerts in the Park, 6:30-8pm, Central Park Amphitheater, FREE

Sunday, August 2nd:
* Target FREE First Sunday at the Bower's Museum & Kidseum
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Dana Point FREE Summer Concerts in the Park
* Lake Forest FREE Summer Concert
* Rancho Santa Margarita FREE Summer Concerts
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea

xoxo, K

FREE Summer Concerts at Chapman University

Chapman University's FREE family-friendly summer outdoor concert series kicks off tonight, Friday July 31st. They will be offering 3 FREE concerts throughout the remainder of the summer (Fridays: July 31st, August 14th & August 21st). All of the concerts will begin at 6pm & will be taking place on the Wells Fargo Stage in front of the Leatherby Libraries in the center of the campus. & When we say FREE, we mean FREE. Not only is the concert & the parking FREE, but they will also be handing out FREE lemonade, popcorn & coffee!

So grab your blankets, bring some lawn chairs, & you are welcome to bring a picnic dinner (please no BBQ grills though!). The campus will open for picnicking at 5pm & the show will start at 6pm!

Friday, July 31st: Orange County Swing Band
Friday, August 14th: Surfin' USA
Friday, August 21st: The Alley Cats

For more information go HERE.

xoxo, K
image via Chapman

Last Few Days of the OC Fair

* Did you know.... that there are only a few more days left to visit the OC Fair for this year? It ends, Sunday August 9th.
* Did you know... your fair experience doesn't have to be all deep-fried treats & carnival rides. Did you know, that you can actually sneak in a little bit of an educational experience, & your kids won't even realize it? This year at the fair, giant chldren's books, flanked by colorful beanbag seat & shelvs of classic page-tuners are drawing children (& adults) in for story time & reading tips. Sounds like a fun, easy way to encourage a little summer-time reading, I think, allthanks to Children & Families Commission of Orange County's Early Literacy Program.
* Did you know... that if you spend $10 or more select at Ralph's locations, and bring the Ralph's receipt, you can purchase $5 admission tickets (valid before 5 PM & weekdays only, Wed-Fri, with a limit of 5 tickets)?
* Did you know... that on Wednesday, August 5th, you can get in FREE plus receive one FREE carnival ride with donation of one school item valued at $5 or more. One ticket/carnival ride per person. (Benefits OC public schools via Rotary Club International. View Wish List.)
* Did you know... kids (12 & under) get in FREE, all day Thursday?
* Did you know... on Thursdays you can enjoy a taste of the fair for just $2? Yep! Yep! Every Thursday from Noon-4 p.m you can enjoy all the fair has o offer for a mere $2. Go HERE for a sample of offerings.
* Did you know... on Thursdays all rides and games are $1 each (valid until 7 p.m.)?
* Did you know... that on Fridays those 60 & Older receive $4 admission, plus FREE Ferris Wheel & Merry-go-round rides?
* Did you know... on Wednesdays & Fridays you can get unlimited rides and two free games for $30(valid until 8 p.m.)? Buy HERE.

Happy Fair going! & Don't miss the ? "Mexican Funnel Cake." It's my favorite fair treat! Afunnel cake made from a churro & topped with whipped cream... the best of both worlds.

xoxo, K

FREE Startup Princess Event

Let’s face it… times are a just a bit tougher these days. And trying to run a business (especially a startup) can be a little discouraging. But never fear, Startup Princess is here!

Please join the Orange County Chapter of Startup Princess on Tuesday, August 4th for that end-of-summer pep talk you’ve been needing to hear! The inspiring Shay Olivarria will be speaking & working with us on goal setting & motivation… teaching you to “Think Bigger Than Your Block.” Come ready to be motivated & uplifted as Shay, a long-time professional speaker, encourages us “to believe in yourself and take the time always to put your best foot forward.”

It’s been six months since the last FREE event & Startup Princess thought it was time to offer another, as a thank you to our loyal members, & hoping to encourage a few “new” Startup Princesses to join the fun! Don’t miss out because there will be plenty of time for networking and awesome giveaways including a free ticket to Touchpoint in SLC, the Startup Princess annual conference held September 11th!

As always, please, feel free to pass this invite along to any women you feel might be interested in participating in our OC Startup Startup Princess. & Don’t forget to bring along pleny of business cards to pass along!

For more detail & to RSVP, go HERE.

xoxo, K

Beat the Heat at Disney's California Adventure

Awhile back, C did a great post on "Staying Cool" at Disneyland. I thought I'd do a follow up, with some of my favorite tips for beating the heat, while exploring Disney's California Adventure. & Luckily, DCA is full of great places to escape to when it's blazing hot!

* Grizzly River Run (be prepared, you WILL get wet, but isn't that the point?)
* Head inside, & take a tour of the Boudin Bakery or the Mission Tortilla Factory. These are both great, "quick" escapes & you get FREE samples, which is a plus.
* Catch a flick: It's Tough to Be a Bug!, Muppet Vision 3D
* It may not be air conditioned, but lots of trees provide plenty of shade inside the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
* Little ones LOVE the Princess Dot Puddle Park, (bring a change of clothes because they WILL get soaked, or, lots of kids show up in their bathing suit.) The S.S. rustworthy is fun too - a great place to play, with just enough water to keep you cool.
* Looking for a great escape from the heat? Check out the "Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!" productions (lasts 20 minutes), or my absolute favorite way to beat the heat is "Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular". (4o minutes of air conditioned bliss, & the show's dang good too!)
* & Finally, if you want a cool treat, be sure to visit: Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream (love that waffle cone smell), Catch a Flave for delicious soft-serve, Schmoozies for smoothies (duh!), & my personal favorite are the milkshakes found at Sam Andreas Shakes.

Don't forget to drink lots & lots of water!

xoxo, K
image by jeff pearce via flickr

"You've Just Been Spotted" OC Blog Awards

Drumroll please, we are happy, thrilled, absolutely ecstatic to announce the 2009 "You've Just Been Spotted" Orange County Blog Awards. Can I get a "Woot! Woot!"? There are so many fantastic & incredible websites written by our very own Orange County locals, we thought it was high-time we did a little celebrating & recognized all of these wonderfully talented people. So here's the deal...

We are looking for the "best of the best," websites & blogs that Orange County has to offer. Sure, we could hand out awards to all of our favorites, but really, where's the fun in that? So, we are asking that you nominate YOUR absolute favorites. There are plenty of ways to make sure YOUR favorite blogs & websites make our list: email us (justspotted@gmail.com), send us a message via twitter (@justspottedOC, @xoxoC, or @according2kelly), leave a comment on our Facebook page HERE, or simply leave a comment on THIS very post. All we want & need to know is the blog or website's web address & which category you'd like to nominate them for. What?! We haven't told you the categories yet? Silly us! Well here they are... we are looking for most fantastic, fun-to-read, inspiring, eye-catching & humorous sites in the following categories: Be Creative (you know, the best crafty-ish & creative inspired site), Food & Cooking (yum! my mouth is watering just thinking about these sites), Lifestyle & Design (amazing people, with impeccable taste), Shopping & Style (my hubby hates it when I browse these sites, because he knows I'll be spending $ soon!), Eye Candy (pretty, pretty pictures), Kid & Family, and then, your all-time Favorite Local Blog (which site do you absolutely have to read every day?) & Local Micro-Blogger (this one's for all our twitter & yelp! friends).

So, your probably asking yourself, "How exactly is this going to work?" Well, let us explain...

Step 1: YOU nominate your favorite blogs & websites (preferably written by an Orange County local, although we might me willing to make an exception or two), via any of the previously mentioned ways. Simply tell us which site, & the category you are nominating it for. Feel free to nominate as many sites as you wish (heck! You could even nominate your own site!) & tell your friends to do the same (you know what they say, "the more the merrier"), although each site will only be allowed placement in one category. Not only will this be a fantastic way to "reward" the best sites in the OC, but we're hoping to be introduced to some new ones we might not have otherwise found. All we ask, is that you get your nominations in by Tuesday, August 4th at 11:59 pm. That way we have plenty of time for step number 2.

Step 2: We will gather up all the nominees & compile them into one big list, which we will then "open up to the public" (that means you!) for voting.

Step 3: The sites that receive the most votes, as well as an "editor's choice" winner (chosen by Coleen & Kelly of course!) for each category, will then be announced & honored at a super fabulous, fun-filled evening. An evening totally dedicated to celebrating our winners & how wonderful they (& their sites) are. (Think paparazzi everywhere, flowing drinks, delectable treats & a plush orange carpet. Okay, okay, that might just be what we imagine in our heads, but trust us, this is one party you don't want to miss!)

So here we go... start sending us links to your favorite OC websites. If you want your submission to make "the list," be sure to contact us before Tuesday, August 4th at 11:59 pm. Oh! & Don't forget to pick your category: Be Creative, Food & Cooking, Lifestyle & Design, Shopping & Style, Eye Candy, Kid & Family, Favorite Local Blog, Favorite Local Micro-Blogger.

After we announce our BIG list of nominees, we'll be sharing more information about our "not to be missed" awards & ceremony, & how you can get invited!

Want to spread the word (& the love) about the 2009 "You've Just Been Spotted" Orange County Blogs Awards? Button up!






To add our button to your site, simply cut & paste the following code:

<a border="0" href="http://www.just-spotted.com/2009/07/youve-just-been-spotted-oc-blog-awards.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3764975403_74695df083_o.jpg" /></a>

Let's get this contest started! Now it's up to you! Have you nominated your favorite OC sites yet?

xoxo, C & K

I Spy Bottles

Sure, the weather is beautiful outside. Sure, there are tons & tons of things to do & places to go. But sometimes, I must confess, when the heat is blazing, I'd rather just crank up the AC & stay home. Unfortunately, it doesn't stay quiet long at our house, pretty soon the "natives" get restless. So, we always have a bin on hand, filled with lots of goodies for arts & crafts. One of favorite creations were these "I Spy Bottles." They loved each & every step of the process... picking out the little "doo-dads" to fill their bottles with, as well as the actual "I Spy Bottle" creation. This project was a great way to recycle lots of teeny-tiny odds & ends I had lying around the house, & it involved no sewing, which makes it the perfect project for everyone. (Although, if you don't mind the sewing, there is a tutorial for an "I Spy Bag" HERE.) Anyway, want to make your own "I Spy Bottle?" (They are perfect for car trips, I might add.) Find step-by-step instructions HERE.

xoxo, K

Happy Birthday Ruby!

It's the original Ruby's birthday today & to celebrate Ruby's Diner is having a party, of sorts. Starting at 11:30 am today, (Monday, July 27th) you can order a RubyBurger & Fries for just $2.70! Better hurry though, you know the supplies are going to last long at that price! For your nearest Ruby's location go HERE. (The Shake Shack at Crystal Cove & the Ruby's at sporting venues & LAX are not participating.)

Thanks to Lesley McCave at the OC Weekly's food blog for the tip!

xoxo, K
image via Ruby's Diner

Bella Terra Kids Club

Thanks to our reader Tim, we just found out about another great, FREE kid's activity... the Kids Club at the Bella Terra Shopping Center in Huntington Beach. The Kids Club will be offering FREE children's activities and entertainment every Monday from 10:30-11am from now, through September. Performances are held in the Bell Terra amphitheater, just outside of the Century Theaters. With everything from puppets to storytellers, jugglers & magicians, the Bella Terra Kids Club is definitely a fun way to get over those "Monday Blahs."

What: Bella Terra Kids Club
When: Mondays, 10:30-11am through September
Where: Bella Terra Amphitheater, 777 Edinger Ave., HB, CA 92647

xoxo, K
image via Bella Terra Shopping Center

August 2009 Calendar

1st:
* FREE admission to the Discovery Science Center with any Bank of America, check, ATM or credit card.
* FREE admission to the Muzeo with any Bank of America, check, ATM or credit card.
* Animal Art at the Orange County Zoo, 11am-12pm. Come learn at the zoo... class includes hands-on learning & fun crafts. Phone registration required (714)973-6846. $5 for one child & parent (Irvine Park parking Fee not included). Ages 5-8.
* Target FREE First Saturday at the Children's Museum at La Habra, 1:30-3:30pm. Face painting, crafts & stilt walkers.
* Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour, FREE tours begin every 15 minutes from 9 - 10:30 am.
* Kids Workshop, a FREE kid-friendly "How-To Clinic", at your local Home Depot, 9am-12pm. This month's project is a message center.
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Orange County Fair
* Movies on the Beach
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Cypress FREE Concerts on the Green
* La Palma FREE Summer Concerts
2nd:
* FREE admission to the Muzeo with any Bank of America, check, ATM or credit card.
* Target FREE First Sunday at the Bower's Museum & Kidseum
* Village Art Fair, 9 am, Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.
* Bowers Museum, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Centennial Heritage Museum, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Orange County Fair
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Dana Point Free Summer Concerts in the Park
* Lake Forest FREE Summer Concert
* Rancho Santa Margarita FREE Summer Concerts
3rd:
* Taco Bell Discovery Science Center, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Bella Terra Kids Club
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Free for ALL Movie Monday at OCPAC: movie starts at approximately 8pm, Mamma Mia
* Monday Night Carload at Wild Rivers
4th:
* FREE Family Film Festival (G & PG movies at 10am)
* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 1:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Family Night at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 5pm - 8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
* Costa Mesa FREE Concerts in the Park
* Fountain Valley FREE Movies in the Park
5th:
* FREE Family Film Festival (G & PG movies at 10am)
* AMC Summer Movie Camp ($1 movies at 10am)
* Sea Tales at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 9:45 - 11 am. Reservations required (949)675-8915. (cost is $3 for members & $5 for non-members)
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Orange County Fair
* Brea FREE Concerts in the Park
* Fullerton FREE Summer Concert Series
* Orange Concerts in the Park
* Seal Beach FREE Summer Concert Series
* Tustin FREE Concerts in the Park
6th:
* Tideland Tot's at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Fun-filled parent & child experiences that may include hands-on activities, crafts, story telling & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-5.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Tustin Movies in the Park
* Orange County Fair
* Garden Grove FREE Summer Concerts
7th:
* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo, 10-11am. Come learn at the zoo... class includes hands-on learning & fun crafts. Phone registration required (714)973-6846. $5 for one child & parent (Irvine Park parking Fee not included). Ages 3-4.
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-7.
* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Balboa Island Stroll, 6-9pm. Shops will be open late & many will be serving cheese, crackers & other refreshments.
* Lake Forest Movies in the Park
* Movies on the Beach
* Orange County Fair
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Ladera Ranch FREE Summer Concerts in the Park
8th:
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Movies on the Beach
* Orange County Fair
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Cypress FREE Concerts on the Green
* La Palma FREE Summer Concerts
9th:
* Target FREE Second Sundays at the Orange County Museum of Art
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Orange County Fair
* Dana Point Free Summer Concerts in the Park
* Rancho Santa Margarita FREE Summer Concerts
10th:
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Bella Terra Kids Club
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Monday Night Carload at Wild Rivers
11th:
* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 1:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
* Costa Mesa FREE Concerts in the Park
12th:
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Brea FREE Concerts in the Park
* Fullerton FREE Summer Concert Series
* Seal Beach FREE Summer Concert Series
* Tustin FREE Concerts in the Park
13th:
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Tustin Movies in the Park
* Garden Grove FREE Summer Concerts
* Orange Concerts in the Park
* San Clemente FREE Beach Concert Series
14th:
* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo, 10-11am. Come learn at the zoo... class includes hands-on learning & fun crafts. Phone registration required (714)973-6846. $5 for one child & parent (Irvine Park parking Fee not included). Ages 3-4.
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-7.
* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* FREE Family-Friendly Concert at Chapman University
* Movies on the Beach
* Fountain Valley FREE Movies in the Park
* Ladera Ranch FREE Summer Concerts in the Park
15th:
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park, 10am - 3:30pm: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.
* The Knack Free Family Event at your local Michael's store, 10am-1pm: Personalized metal pencil tin
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Sunset Stroll at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 7:30-9pm. Join the staff for a twilight nature walk. Then, create your own nocturnal critter to take home. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $3 per participant.
* Movies on the Beach
* Cypress FREE Concerts on the Green
* La Palma FREE Summer Concerts
16th:
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park, 10am - 3:30pm: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Dana Point Free Summer Concerts in the Park
* Lake Forest FREE Summer Concert
* Rancho Santa Margarita FREE Summer Concerts
17th:
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Bella Terra Kids Club
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Monday Night Carload at Wild Rivers
18th:
* Bowers Museum, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 1:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
19th:
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Brea FREE Concerts in the Park
* Fullerton FREE Summer Concert Series
* Orange Concerts in the Park
* San Juan FREE Summer Nights Concert
* Seal Beach FREE Summer Concert Series
20th:
* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo, 10-11am. Come learn at the zoo... class includes hands-on learning & fun crafts. Phone registration required (714)973-6846. $5 for one child & parent (Irvine Park parking Fee not included). Ages 3-4.
* Tideland Tot's at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Fun-filled parent & child experiences that may include hands-on activities, crafts, story telling & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-5.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Bayside Buddies at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 3:30-4:30 pm. Kids can discover our amazing natural world at the bay through hands-on activities, crafts & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Tustin Movies in the Park
* Garden Grove FREE Summer Concerts
21st:
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-7.
* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Movies on the Beach
* Fountain Valley FREE Movies in the Park
* FREE Family-Friendly Concert at Chapman University
22nd:
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* The First 7 Years Workshop, 10-11:30am, $15. Learn the basics for feeding your children whole, fresh & healthy foods.
* Movies on the Beach
* Cypress FREE Concerts on the Green
* La Palma FREE Summer Concerts
23rd:
* Baby Care Basics - Going Green. 1-4:30pm, $35.
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Los Alamitos Band in the Park
* Dana Point Free Summer Concerts in the Park
24th:
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Bella Terra Kids Club
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Monday Night Carload at Wild Rivers
25th:
* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 1:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
26th:
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Eco-Beauty Bar Makeup School - Greening up your Beauty, 7-9pm, $35.
* Orange Concerts in the Park
* Seal Beach FREE Summer Concert Series
27th:
* Tideland Tot's at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Fun-filled parent & child experiences that may include hands-on activities, crafts, story telling & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-5.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Bayside Buddies at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 3:30-4:30 pm. Kids can discover our amazing natural world at the bay through hands-on activities, crafts & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Tustin Movies in the Park
* Garden Grove FREE Summer Concerts
* San Clemente FREE Beach Concert Series
28th:
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-7.
* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Bird Survey at Shipley Nature Center
* Astronomy Night at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 7:30-9pm. Join the staff for a tour of the night sky. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $2 donation per participant suggested.
* Movies on the Beach
* Fountain Valley FREE Movies in the Park
29th:
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Nursing Nook - Grand Opening Festivities, 11am - 2pm.
* Movies on the Beach
* Cypress FREE Concerts on the Green
30th:
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Dana Point Free Summer Concerts in the Park
31st:
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Bella Terra Kids Club
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.

* Events & Activities are always subject to change.

This Weekend in Orange County

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Need to get the kids out of the house? Check out this list of some of my favorite weekend happenings. (To see the entire list of weekend to-dos, go HERE.)

Friday, July 24th:
* Orange County Fair
* Ringling Bros. presents ZING ZANG ZOOM (1pm & 7:30pm)
* US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach
* Brea Films in the Park: Kung Fu Panda. Movie Starts at Dusk. FREE.
* Ladera Ranch Concerts on the Green, 6:30-8:30pm, Town Green, FREE
* Placentia Movie in the Park, Placentia Champions Sports Complex, movies begin at dusk, FREE

Saturday, July 25th:
* Orange County Fair
* Ringling Bros. presents ZING ZANG ZOOM (1pm & 7:30pm)
* US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach
* La Palma Concerts in the Park, 6:30-8pm, Central Park Amphitheater, FREE
* Mission Viejo Tea at Three Concert, 3pm, Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center

Sunday, July 26th:
* Orange County Fair
* Ringling Bros. presents ZING ZANG ZOOM (1pm & 7:30pm)
* US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach
* City of Dana Point Summer Concerts in the Park, 4:30-6pm. Heritage Park, FREE.
* Lake Forest Summer Concert Series, 5:30pm, Pittsford Park, FREE
* Rancho Santa Margarita Summer Concerts, 6pm, Central Park, FREE
* Yorba Linda Concerts in the Park, 5:30pm Hurless Barton Park, FREE

xoxo, K

75¢ Admission to the Discovery Science Center

This weekend (Saturday July 25th & Sunday July 26th) kids 14 & younger, who are accompanied by a paying adult Schools First FCU Member will get into the Discovery Science Center for just 75¢. (Woot! Woot! That's a savings of more than $9 off the regular admission price!)

Even if you aren't a Schools First FCU Member, you'll want to check out the Discovery Science Center one of these days. Their current exhibits are amazing! My boys love the Science of Hockey, Robots & Us and Smokey Bear & Woodsey Owl: Home Sweet Home.

Special thanks to our reader Pattie, for sending us the tip! Keep those tips coming!

xoxo, K

I heart Threading

I tried threading my eyebrows yesterday after hearing my girlfriend rave about her experience and have to say I am an absolute fan. It took three minutes, cost ten dollars, and the pain was minimal. My eyebrows look wonderful if I do say so myself! Threading is much more precise than waxing and is also much less painful. The best part about the whole experience was I could do it right at the local mall, but if you want a more private experience many salons offer threading as well.

Klassic Brow
The Shops at Mission Viejo
Located in a Kiosk on Level one near Sweet Factory
815-931-4317

xoxo, C

OC day trips with kids: Balboa Island

Balboa Island is actually an artificial peninsula in Newport Harbor and has an established community that hosts wonderful restaurants and shops. The best part about Balboa Island is getting there by ferry. Once you are on the Island it is a carnival like atmosphere right on the water. Here are my favorite things to do on and around the island with kids:

1) Grab a chocolate covered banana or a balboa bar
2) Go to Balboa Fun Zone
3) Get some lemonade from stands set-up by young local residents on Bayfront
4) Peninsula Park
5) Balboa Island Historic Fire Station
6) Marine Avenue for window shopping
7) Rent a Bicycle
8) Check out wildlife and tour historic Balboa Pavilion
9) Peek inside Teddy Bears and Teacups if you have a little girl
10)Get a treat from Balboa Candy

Have fun!

xoxo, C