Don’t forget to track Santa on his trip around the world on Christmas Eve.
image by weaselmcfee via flickr
12.23.2009 | Last Minute Gifts
Looking for some really last minute gifts? (I know I am!) 
Here are some ideas. Maybe one (or two) of them will spark an idea or strike you fancy….
* Just about any grocery store has an incredible selection of gift cards and you can make it more personal by packaging up the gift card in creative ways. For example, get a Starbucks gift card and put in a Monogrammed mug or get a Barnes and Noble gift card and find a book by the recipients favorite author.
* If you are really running our of time try email delivered gift certificates from Amazon.com, Itunes, Netflix, Southwest Airlines, or Zappos.
* One of my absolute, most favorite gifts-to-give for that hard to shop somebody? A CalActive gift certificate (they can use it for everything from a romantic gondola ride in Newport to a helicopter tour).
* Donate to their favorite charity. Charity Navigator can help you identify the perfect cause to donate to for that special someone this holiday season.
Looking for something a little more “homemade?”
* A cute box or jar filled with yummy Snickers Surprise cookies.
* How about a 6-pack of Root beer Reindeer?
* Peppermint Body Scrub
* A cute jar or bag filled M&Ms, with THIS poem attached.
* Cake plates
* Freezer Paper Stenciled T-Shirts
* Chunky Crayons
* A box of Trader Joe’s Peppermint Joes Joes is always a hit.
xoxo, K
image via HERE.
12.22.2009 | 12 for Tuedsay: Holiday Activities You Don’t Want to Miss
The holidays are almost over (can you believe it?). With the kids home from school (at least mine are, on a THREE week holiday!), you might find yourself looking for something to keep them entertained. Here’s a list of holiday activities to keep you (& the kiddos) entertained this week. But better act fast, once the holidays are over, most of these activities will be too!
1. The Chance Theater presents Little Women
2. A Christmas with Scrooge at the Musical Theatre Village
3. Discovery Science Center Presents: Science of Gingerbread Holiday Festival
4. Disney on Ice at the Honda Center
5. HB Philharmonic Cruise of Lights Boat Tour
6. Holiday Christmas Light Displays
7. Holiday Time at Disneyland
8. Ice Skating at the Irvine Spectrum
9. Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train
10. The Chance Theater presents Little Women
11. The Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral
12. Nutcracker at the Barclay Theater or Maple Youth Ballet’s Nutcracker
xoxo, K
12.18.2009 | This Weekend in Orange County
Looking for something to do this weekend? Need to get the kids out of the house? Here’s a list of some of my favorite events happening this weekend. Want even more options? Go HERE for ALL the happenings this weekend in Orange County.
Daily:
Discovery Science Center Presents: Science of Gingerbread Holiday Festival
Holiday Christmas Light Displays
Holiday Time at Disneyland
Ice Skating at the Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train
The Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral
Whale Watching in Dana Point Friday, December 18th:
* Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, 7:30 pm by the water’s edge
* Philharmonic Cruise of Lights Boat Tour, HB
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
Discovery Science Center Presents: Science of Gingerbread Holiday Festival
Holiday Christmas Light Displays
Holiday Time at Disneyland
Ice Skating at the Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train
The Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral
Whale Watching in Dana Point Friday, December 18th:
* Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, 7:30 pm by the water’s edge
* Philharmonic Cruise of Lights Boat Tour, HB
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
Saturday, December 19th:
* Save Our Beach Monthly Beach Cleanup: 10 am – 1pm at the 1st Street Beach lot (corner of Ocean & 1st in the Rivers End restaurant parking lot) in Seal Beach
* Christmas at the Orange County Zoo, 10am – 3pm. Visit with Santa, enjoy story time with Mrs. Claus, make craft & get your face painted. Free with zoo admission. (Irvine Park parking Fee not included).
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am – 3pm.
* 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.
* Pretend City “A Christmas Carol” Celebration, 11am – 12pm, 2-3pm
* Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, 7:30 pm by the water’s edge
* Philharmonic Cruise of Lights Boat Tour, HB
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
Sunday, December 20th:
* 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.
* Santa Claus & Outlaw Magician coming to Dippin’ Dots, 2-4pm
* Philharmonic Cruise of Lights Boat Tour, HB
* Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, 6:30pm
xoxo, K
12.17.2009 | Holiday Light Displays in Orange County
Each year during the holidays, one of my family’s absolutely most favorite holiday traditions is to drive around, looking at all the pretty lights. I’m a sucker for a good holiday light display & have been known to drag my family along for the (sometimes very long) drive. Wanting to find some new-to-me light extravaganzas, we asked YOU, our readers (on our Facebook page), to tell us where the BEST holiday light displays in Orange County were located. Thanks to all the comments & emails, we’ve got a list that will definitely keep my family, & hopefully yours, busy over the next week or so. Car Trip anyone?
Fountain Valley:
16801 Euclid (Mile Square Park. The actual neighborhood is located near Brookhurst St. & Heil Ave. You can drive through, or park at the park and walk the entire neighborhood.)
View Holiday Christmas Light Displays in Orange County in a larger map
16801 Euclid (Mile Square Park. The actual neighborhood is located near Brookhurst St. & Heil Ave. You can drive through, or park at the park and walk the entire neighborhood.)
Brea:
Kraemer and Birch (Eagle Hills neighborhood) *
Garden Grove:
12112 Wutzke St.
Laguna Hills:
25473 Nellie Gail Road *
Lake Forest:
22981 Belquest Dr. *
End of Blueberry Ln. *
23446 Bolivar St.
Cll El Toro Grande (Placemark 11)
24952 Greenbay Dr. *
Corner of Peacock & Thrush (Tim Bump’s)
Rimrock St. (Placemark 10)
Rushford Dr.
Via Amistoso St. *
2nd St. *
Orange:
7633 E. Saddlehill Trail *
Rancho Santa Margarita:
20 El Corzo *
Del Mar:
Del Mar Holiday of Lights Drive Through Light Display
Del Mar Holiday of Lights Drive Through Light Display
Los Angeles:
Los Angeles Light Festival in Griffith Park Annual Drive-Thru Event
* starred locations were recommended multiple times
For a Google Map of all Orange County locations go HERE.
xoxo, K
p.s. Is YOUR favorite holiday light display not on the list? Leave a comment or email us (justspotted@gmail.com) the address & we’ll make sure to add it!
View Holiday Christmas Light Displays in Orange County in a larger map
12.17.2009 | James Carson Photography & Chelsey B. Winner
First of all sorry for the delay… but as you all know, we are REAL moms, living REAL lives. & Unfortunately, REAL life sometimes gets in the way. But never fear. Life is back on track – or at least as on track as it can be when literally EVERYONE (including the baby) is sick. But as they say, on with the show.
So are you on the edge of your sit? Have you been dreaming night & day of winning this incredible giveaway courtesy of James Carson Photography and Chelsey B. Hair & Makeup? Well, today we are going to make Christy’s (critterchild@hotmail.com) dreams come true. It must be good karma or something, because several people said she referred them, but her name was randomly chosen on her first entry.
Congratulation Christy! Be sure to contact us at justspotted@gmail.com (before Tuesday December 22nd otherwise we will select a new winner) so we can hook you up! (& Christy, I hope when your session is finished & done, that you’ll be sure to send us a sneak peek!) Thank you to everyone who played along & a super big, super huge thank you to James Carson Photography and Chelsey B. Hair & Makeup. The next time your looking to have some professional photos taken you definitely will want to call Carson. & Anytime you’re feeling the need to look pretty (whether it’s makeup application or a hair cut) Chelsey’s your girl.
xoxo, C & K, James Carson Photography & Chelsey B Hair & Makeup
12.16.2009 | Sno on the Go Holiday Specials
You already know that I LOVE Sno on the Go. All summer long I posted, tweeted & Facebook-ed about how addicted I was. So, just because it’s the middle of December, doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped frequenting the shaved ice shack! (In fact, I went TWICE last week.) But, hello! They have Holiday flavors, all served “stuffed” with vanilla soft serve.
* Egg Nog
* Gingerbread – topped with gingerbread cookie crumbles
* Peppermint White Chocolate – topped with candy cane sprinkles
* Peanut Butter Cup – topped with Reeses pieces
* Apple Pie – topped with caramel
* Santa’s Sack – a Sno on the Go Suicide with a little bit of every Scrumptious flavor topped with sour gummies.
Having tasted every single flavor (okay, I couldn’t bring myself to taste the Santa’s Sack suicide), but really & truly, they are all Delicious. & Yes, addicting. But something you definitely MUST sample this holiday season.
Sno on the Go is located on the corner of Jeronimo & Los Alisos in the City of Mission Viejo, CA (25567 Jeronimo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691). They are open from 11am – 9pm daily. If you go, we’d love to know what your favorite holiday flavor combination is!
xoxo, K
12.16.2009 | Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Starting Wednesday, December 16th & going for five consecutive nights, ending Sunday, December 20th, 2009 The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting their annual Christmas Boat Parade. As the website says “Join over a million viewers as you watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 100th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.”
The parade sets sail from Bay Island each night at 6:30pm & finishes at the same location at approximately 9 pm. To view the parade route & schedule go HERE. On Sunday, the final night of the parade, a special firework show will close out the parade beginning at approximately 9pm. &, Don’t forgot to check out all the beautifully decorated bay side homes & businesses that surround the harbor. These people tend to “go all out with their own holiday spirit, featuring everything from roof-top animated scenes to dancing Christmas trees”, all in an effort to win a coveted “Ring of Lights” award.
When: Wednesday, December 16 – Sunday December 20, 2000, 6:30 pm
Where: For parade route & schedule go HERE.
image via newport beach christmas parade.
12.16.2009 | 12 for Tuesday: Handmade Holidays
We couldn’t forget all those handmade lovelies found on Etsy. So here’s a list of locals on Etsy you definitely want to check out this holiday season.
1. LovMely: Unique Feather Hair Accessories
2. Paperplated: Pendant & Magnet Sets Plated with Fine Paper
3. Minimalista: Hand Screenprinted tops, tees & bags
4. Posh Wash Soap: Bath, Body & Makeup
5. Be Something New: Unique Hair Accessories
6. Crystal Lullaby: Vintage Styled Jewelry
7. Second Wind Vintage by BrattyDan: Vintage apparel
8. Mermaid Charms: Artisan Sea Glass, Silver & Semi Precious Stone Jewelry
9. Tiny Whales: Hip clothes for infants children
10. cheekychic Baby: custom pettiskirts
11. Quiet Doing: Hand & Heartmade Tees, Totes and Wallets for ladies and gentlemen
12. Bonnin Designs: Unique jewelry & art
xoxo, K
12.15.2009 | 12 for Tuesday: Shopping Local
The Holidays are fast approaching! Still need to cross some people off your list? Here’s a list of 12 local places to do your holiday shopping!
1. This is Me Journal: A Kid’s First Keepsake Journal, definitely a favorite at our house. Take advantage of their “Buy More & Save” program!
2. Baby Emi Jewelry: Jingle Bell Bracelets (a favorite of celebrities & more importantly, ME) & hand-stamped jewelry
3. Encore Toffee: My mom received some one year as a gift & we’ve been placing orders ever since!
4. Too Faced Cosmetics: My personal pick is their French & Fabulous set – six different eye shadows, a highlighter & my absolute favorite bronzer all in one fancy little kit.
5. Harvey’s: The original seatbelt bag. Don’t miss their Holiday Gift Guide, they have several things I wouldn’t mind finding under my tree. What’s on my list? One of the newish Lace Satchels.
6. Etnies: Sure, you know them for cool skate shoes & clothes, but did you know they also make these AMAZING “Grow With Me” kid shoes that literally grows with your child’s foot, extended the life of the shoe! (Want to get 30% off ANY purchase, a FREE stocking stuffer while supplies last, & FREE shipping? Just enter “etnies family” at checkout!)
7. Halsea: Stylish luggage, handbags & accessories. I’m loving the large tote bag (in kelp, if anyone wants to send it my way), the weekender (in sunset pink), or any of the makeup bags/ lunch totes.
8. Swanky Paper: Personalized stationary, note cards & thank yous. THESE cards are a personal favorite, every time I pull one out to write a note, they make me smile.
9. Daddy Cakes: Literally, the BEST pancake mix ever. Trust me, you’ll love all the Daddy Cakes Pancake flavors… Gingerbread, Chocolate Chip & Vivacious Vanilla, just to name a few.
10. Clipa: For the gal that LOVES her handbag
11. Hatchling: Organic clothing for little peeps. (I really wish I could get THIS “BFF” shirt for ME!)
12. Heavenly Hostess: Aprons & kitchen accessories that EVERYONE would love. Personally, I’m a little partial to THIS one.
xoxo, K
