The best countdown of all, has to be the Christmas Countdown. Last year I picked up THIS cute hat & mitten advent calendar... although there are several darling ones to choose from. THIS one is simple & basic, but will definitely get the job done. Pottery Barn Kids had a cute felt Christmas Tree calendar in the store, similar to THIS one, but THIS three dimensional house is cute too.
But you don't have to purchase your advent calendar. There are so many cute ideas out there, I'm honestly considering having two or three countdowns going on, I know... I sound crazy. But seriously, I love THIS cookie sheet advent calender, or HERE's another version. THIS advent in a box is a fun idea, & HERE's a DIY version of the mitten calendar. Or there's always THIS cute matchbox calender.
Looking for something a little different then your basic candy countdown? Try reading a different christmas book each night, or even watching 24 Christmas themed movies. Or, check out THIS idea for an "activity based" Christmas countdown. However you count down, it's sure to be fun.
xoxo, K
image via garnet hill
Monday, December 1, 2008
Countdown to Christmas
Cyber Monday
Today is the day to enjoy shopping from the comfort of your own home and finish your Christmas shopping with just a few clicks. Make sure if you have something specific in mind to use a shopping search engine like froogle or shopzilla to find the best deals and stay focused. Remember that on Cyber Monday its electronics before clothes because they tend to sell out the fastest. Once you get to the fashion section of your list you can check out sites like Lucky to find the the best boutiques for online fashion finds. Don't forget to check out these codes from Daily News to save a few pennies. Happy Cyber Monday!
xoxo, C
Friday, November 28, 2008
Irvine Park Railroad's Christmas Train
Santa Claus is coming to town... or at least to the Irvine Park Railroad. As their website suggests "Come with family and friends and take this enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train will depart from the brightly-lit Train Station and drop passengers off at Santa’s Village." While waiting for the train you & your children can enjoy story time with Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, a bounce house or picture coloring. Once you reach Santa's Village children can share their wish list with Santa & have their pictures taken as well. You can also enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, freshly-popped popcorn & cookies at Santa's Village.
The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train will operate on November 28th, 29th, 30th, & December 5th, 6th, 7th, & 11th - 23rd, from 5-8pm. The cost is $8 per person, children 24 months & younger are FREE. (Parking at Irvine Regional Park is free after 5pm).
For more information, go HERE.
xoxo, K
image via Irvine Park Railroad.
December Calendar
December 1st:
* Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 2nd:
* Garden Grove Tree Lighting Celebration at the Village Green/ Clock Tower. For more information call (714)741-5200.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
* Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 3rd:
* City of La Palma Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:30 pm at the Central Park Amphitheater. * Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 4th:
*City of Brea Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Brea Civic & Cultural Center. Admission is FREE. For more information call (714)990-7771
* City of Cypress Holiday Sing, 6pm, on the Civic Center Green
* Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 5th:
* Friday Afternoon at the Movies: Free Movie, popcorn & drinks at the Michael E. Rogers Seniors' Center in HB.
* Placentia Winter Holiday Celebration, 6:30pm, Placentia Civic Center: holiday music, caroling, refreshments, Christmas tree lighting.
* City of Tustin Christmas Tree Lighting, City Hall, 6pm
* Buena Park Youth Theater presents "High School Musical", at the Buena Park High School Performing Arts Complex.
* Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, 7:30 pm
* Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 6th:
* Kids Workshop, a FREE kid-friendly "How-To Clinic", at your local Home Depot, 9am & 12pm. This month's project is an art easel.
* City of Laguna Hills breakfast with Santa, 9-10:30am at the Laguna Hills Community Center.
* Art Station at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
* City of Buena Park 38th Annual Candy Caneland & Craft Faire: 10am-4pm, Ehlers Community Center.
* Downtown Fullerton's Annual Winter Festival, noon-6pm: bounce houses, face painting, craft & food booths, caroling, tree light ceremony at 5 pm.
* Newport Beach's 20th Annual Winter Wonderland, 10:30am-1pm, Bonita Creek Park: sledding, snowman building, holiday crafts & more.
* Holly Jolly Hoopla!, 1-5:30pm, San Clemente Community Center: live penguins & reindeer, sled rides, decorating cookies, Santa visits & story telling. For more information call (949)361-8264.
* San Juan Capistrano Tree Lighting Ceremony, 4:30-9pm, Historic Town Center Park. For more information call (949)493-5911.
* Christmas at the Casa, 5:30-9pm: tree lighting ceremony, story telling with Santa, caroling. $5/ adult, children 12 and under $2. For more information call (949)498-2139.
* Buena Park Youth Theater presents "High School Musical", at the Buena Park High School Performing Arts Complex.
* Nutcracker Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: 12-7:30pm at the Holiday Village, Center Street Promenade and Lemon in Anaheim.
* Laguna Niguel's "Santa's Holiday Dreams" Show, 10:30am at Crown Valley Park. $7 per child (2-12 yrs.) & $3/adult.
* City of Fountain Valley's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
* Anaheim Ballet's production of the Nutcracker: 3pm at Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton. Tickets are $20-40. Buy tickets HERE.
* Anaheim Ballet's production of the Nutcracker: 8pm at Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton. Tickets are $20-40. Buy tickets HERE.
* Boat Rides with Santa, Dana Point Harbor, 10am - 2pm
* Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 7th:
* Art Station at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
* Dana Point's Christmas Home Tour: 11am-5pm. For more information call (949)291-8404.
* Buena Park Youth Theater presents "High School Musical", at the Buena Park High School Performing Arts Complex.
* Laguna Niguel Christmas Tree Lighting at Crown Vally Community Park.
* Boat Rides with Santa, Dana Point Harbor, 10am - 2pm
* Huntington Beach Pier Lighting & Holiday Parade, 1pm-7pm
* Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 8th:
* Letters to Santa: write & receive a letter from Santa. More information HERE.
December 9th:
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
December 12th:
* Friday Afternoon at the Movies: Free Movie, popcorn & drinks at the Michael E. Rogers Seniors' Center in HB.
* 15th Annual Orange Empire Barbershop Chorus Holiday Cabaret Dinner & Show: 7pm at the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center. For more information & tickets call: (714)993-9347.
* Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, 7:30pm
December 13th:
* Seal Beach Breakfast with Santa, 8-10:30am Marina Community Center
* Art Station at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
* Dana Point's Winter Festival at La Plaza Park. For more information call (949)248-3530.
* City of Costa Mesa's Snow Hill: sledding, face painting, cookie decorating... 9am-12pm, Balearic Community Center. For more information call (714)54-5300.
* Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade, Crown Valley Parkway 10 am.
* City of Laguna Hills Holiday Hay Ride
* 15th Annual Orange Empire Barbershop Chorus Holiday Cabaret Dinner & Show: 7pm at the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center. For more information & tickets callL: (714)993-9347.
December 14th:
* Art Station at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
* Buena Park Community Chorus Annual Holiday Concert: 3pm at the Ehlers Community Center.
December 16th:
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
December 17th:
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
December 18th:
* Ballooney Holiday Show at the Yorba Linda Library, 6:30 pm. For more inforamtion call (714)777-2873, ext 7
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
December 19th:
* Friday Afternoon at the Movies: Free Movie, popcorn & drinks at the Michael E. Rogers Seniors' Center in HB.
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
December 20th:
* Art StationNewport Beach Christmas Boat Parade at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
* Christmas at the OC Zoo, 10am-3pm, Orange County Zoo. For more information call (714)973-6847
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.
* Solstice Night Hike, 6-8pm
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
December 21st:
* Art Station at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.
* Fashion Island Menorah Lighting Ceremony, 3pm. For more infortmation call (949)721-9800
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
December 23rd:
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
December 26th:
* Friday Afternoon at the Movies: Free Movie, popcorn & drinks at the Michael E. Rogers Seniors' Center in HB.
December 27th:
* Art Station at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
December 28th:
* Art Station at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 11am-3pm
December 30th:
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving: Takeout Style
Sometimes with all the chaos that comes with life making a Thanksgiving dinner seems impossible, so thank goodness there are great places to get the perfect Thanksgiving meal to-go in Orange County.
Claim Jumper has a great spread everything from the Turkey to dessert complete with directions on how to prepare each item.
Boston Market offers a traditional meal for only $11.99 and you can order everything online.
Creative Cuisine provides a tasty menu that includes a Waldorf Salad.
Clay Oven will provide a turkey infused with wonderful spices and cooked tandoori style, your turkey will also be accompanied with a cranberry chutney.
118 degrees provides a delicious vegeterian Thanksgiving to dinner to bring home to your loved ones.
Whole Foods, Gelsons, Bristol Farms, and Trader Joe's are also great resources to put together a quick Thanksgiving Meal to go.
Happy Dining!
xoxo, C
The Perfect Thanksgiving Ending: Dessert
So... Thanksgiving is this week. Are you ready? Already we've given you possible ideas for appetizers, soups, salads, sides as well as the turkey. All that's left to discuss is the dessert. I'm sure pumpkin pie will be on your menu, but what else? Here are some ideas just to get you going...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Fire Relief: How You Can Help
The flames may have died down, but that doesn't mean that the tragedy is over. For those that lost their homes & possessions, the real work is about to begin. If you're interested in helping, there are lots of opportunities... clothes, food, money & your time are definitely needed. For more information on how you can help, go HERE.
xoxo, K
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Holidays at Disneyland
The holidays are coming to Disneyland, & I'm so excited, it's my favorite time of year there.... it's definitely magical! The entire park is decorated with ornaments, lights, glistening snow & sparkling icicles. (Be sure to pay special attention to Sleeping Beauty's Castle, I love how the snow "gathers on it" throughout the day! & as always, the Haunted Mansion & It's a Small World are always incredible.) Besides all the decorations, there is also a special Christmas Parade & Fireworks show, as well as lots of other holidays-inspired activities. Try not to miss all the fun.... Disneyland will be celebrating the holidays from November 21, 2008 - January 4, 2009.
xoxo, K
image via Disney.
Oreo Cookie Turkeys
These yummy turkeys make a quick and easy Thanksgiving-inspired project for your little ones. Crafting with Oreo cookies, malted milk balls & candy corn? What could be better? As one of the comments said, "Even failure would result in eating a few Oreos. You can't beat that!" Find instructions HERE.
xoxo, K
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Giving Back in the OC
I have been running around town trying to prepare for next week's celebration, but I thought that it would be nice to give something back this holiday season. The boys and I will probably put some dinners together to donate to one of the local non-profits in the OC. The OC register has a great list of places where you can volunteer, donate, or find a free Thankgiving dinner.
image via flickr
xoxo, C
Mama Apple
Mama Apple has some great options for maternity dresses and they launched the line just in time for all the holiday parties.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Cooking up a Thanksgiving Turkey
So we've covered appetizers, as well as soups, salads & sides. So it's time to move onto the main event.... the turkey. Although, I have a confession. Turkeys scare me. Not actual turkeys (like the bird), nor the thought of eating one (because they're yummy), but the thought of cooking one kind of freaks me out... you have to make sure it defrosted, you have to remember to remove the gizzards & whatever else may be hidden up inside the bird & they take forever to cook. It sounds like a lot of work.
Rather than conquering my fears & actually "cooking" a turkey, I learned to use a crock pot. Which was great, because as with most crock pot meals I just have to dump the ingredients in, let it cook all day & come dinner time we have a tasty turkey. No defrosting or gizzard grabbing required. So if you interested in taking the "easy" way out, here's one of my favorite turkey recipes.
Creamy Mushroom Turkey
Ingredients:
1 smaller (it's gotta fit in your crock pot) boneless turkey or turkey breast, frozen or defrosted
2 cans (10.5 oz) creams of mushroom soup, condensed
1 can (4 oz) mushroom pieces, drained
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup sour cream
Directions:
Place turkey in a greased slow cooker. In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients, except sour cream, & spoon over turkey. cover & cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. An hour before serving, break turkey into large chunks with two forks (another bonus, no craving required). Stir in sour cream. Cover & cook for remaining hour.
If you are looking for a turkey that's a bit more "hands on", try one of these recipes:
Gabi's Brined Turkey & Sausage Stuffing
BBQed Turkey
Martha's Perfect Roast Turkey
Ojai Roast Turkey with Rosemary, Lemon & Garlic
Paula Deen's Roasted Turkey with Maple Cranberry Glaze
Homestyle Turkey
Butterball's Brined Brown Sugar Deep Fried Turkey
Bring on the turkeys, baby!
xoxo, K
image via norman rockwell.
Monday, November 17, 2008
On the Border's Chips & Salsa
I'm a chips & salsa kinda girl. There's just something about it that I love. I seriously could eat it all day, every day. & while there are plenty of yummy places to get chips & salsa, one of my personal favorites is On the Border. Did you know that you can get On the Border chips & salsa for takeout? Yep! A decent size bag is about $3. It's one of my favorite treats. Whenever I'm in the mood for a little "pick me up" I swing on over to my local On the Border for a quick order. So next time your in an chips & salsa kind of mood, remember to try On the Border, you'll be thanking me later. Do you think they are open yet? All this thinking about chips & salsa has got me hungry.