Product Review;

*All opinions are that of my own.

Having a daughter with curly hair is tougher than I thought, so when I reached out to the company OUIDAD, I was at my whits end at how to manage it. I felt I owed it to Big to help her manage her own gorgeous curls. They sent us an AMAZING kit to get started.

Shampoo, Conditioner, Curling gel, Heat protectant & a leave in conditioner. Super generous of them, so thank you! 

The shampoo:

So this not only smells fabulous, it works fabulous as well. Usually when it comes to shampoos, I feel

that if you don't use a conditioner afterwards it won't be

soft and silky. NOT TRUE with this particular brand.

The conditioner:

Once again with the fab smells! This leaves Big's hair

feeling beyond silky, almost buttery. Not oily or too

chemical treated feeling. Just naturally soft & shiny.

The curling gel:

Now when I first saw the word gel, I was hesitant. 

Gel just seems lumpy & greasy & just not natural feeling,

I was WRONG. This spray styling gel is perfect for keeping 

the curls intact if you're letting it air dry, or if you're blow

drying. Big usually goes to bed with her hair still wet & she wakes

up with it all over the place. This gel has helped so so much!

The heat protectant:

Usually I will blow dry & straighten my hair post wash. It was

starting to get a bit damaged, as hair does, from all the heat. This

protectant did just what it says it does, protects! I applied a bit to my

wet hair and after blow drying it out I could totally notice a difference.

The leave-in conditioner:

I am a HUGE fan of leave-in's, anything to help keep my

hair healthy feeling and looking. It's actually been really challenging

to find one that I was happy with. Until I found Ouidad's product, It

has changed the came. My hair is so much smoother & shinier & 

healthier. It also helps keep my curls/waves under control if I choose

to let my hair air dry.

So next time you're looking for some new hair care products, go check out Ouidad's to find a retailer new you that carries their products. 

This has totally changed the game for me and my daughter when it comes down to how we care for our curls. Get on the train ya'll!

Also, their products are NOT tested on animals.

Celebrate Pretend City turning 6 years old!

Friday August 28th 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Specifically for:    Children of all ages; Grown-ups

Meet some of your favorite characters as they help Pretend City celebrate our 6th Birthday!   Enjoy a slice of birthday cake, make a birthday hat, get your face painted and pose for a photo with your favorite super hero or princess.  All included with admission!  Are you celebrating your 6th birthday too this year?  Bring in proof and you’ll receive free admission on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 28, 29, and 30th.

RSVP:    Not required

Fee:    Included with museum admission, receive free admission for ages 6,60 or 66 with valid ID.

29 Hubble 

Irvine, CA 92618 United States

When I grow up day!

Come & Celebrate

August 27 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 

Specifically for:    Children of all ages; Grown-ups

What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you want to save lives and be a doctor? Or maybe you want to be a graphic designer and create a popular video game for all your friends to play! Pretend City invites all Pretenders and their parents to meet and interact with professionals from all over the community at When I Grow Up Day! Come meet these accomplished professionals who live within your local community, and who will inspire you and your Pretender to dream big when it comes to thinking of what they want to be when they grow up!

Play Partner: Pretendgineers and Brain Builders, our experienced stage staff of trained early childhood and child development educators, grown-ups

Grown up Tip: In elementary school, young children begin to identify their interests, likes, and dislikes. They begin to develop study skills and good learning habits. They start to set goals and work towards achieving them. All of these are aspects of career awareness that are important foundations for children’s future career success.

RSVP:    Not required

Fee:    Included with museum admission

Website:  PretendCity

29 Hubble 

Irvine, CA 92618 United States

Celebrate Senior Citizens Day!

Pretend City Children's Museum is inviting children and grown ups of ALL ages to come and enjoy the day being together.

Friday, August 21: Celebrate Senior Citizens Day!  

Time:    Activities throughout the day

Specifically for:    Children of all ages; Grown-ups

National Senior Citizens Day recognizes contributions senior citizens make in communities across the United States. Today, Pretend City celebrates this special day with activities that will help build a special connection to the senior citizens in their lives. Join us for:

• Growing Up Great Games: Memory Aerobics – Play this fun matching game with us that will merge classic and new cartoon characters to build memory skills and prompt conversations about the past.
• Sensational Story Time: The Grannyman – Can you teach an old cat new tricks? Join us for sensational story time to find out.
• Play Partner: Pretendgineers and Brain Builders, our experienced stage staff of trained early childhood and child development educators, grown-ups

Grown up Tip: Nursing homes provide a great opportunity for your family to volunteer together to work with the elderly. This sort of volunteer work will not only have a positive influence on your family, but also on the seniors you are serving. Your family can bring the youth back into the elderly by telling them stories and making them laugh, while seniors can teach you about life and its valuable lessons.

RSVP:    Not required

Fee:    Included with museum admission; Senior Citizens 55 and older receive 50% off of general admission today!

HERE is a link to the actual webpage to learn more, purchase tickets, etc.

29 Hubble 
Irvine, CA 92618 United States

Country music fans listen up...

Knotts Berry Farm is teaming up with GO COUNTRY 105 to bring you the 34th 

Join Go Country 105 at Knott's Berry Farm on August 8 

at 5:00 pm in Wagon Camp for the 34th Annual Country 

Showdown State Finals. Hosted by Go Country 105 FM

 on-air talent, aspiring country artists will compete for a 

chance to move on to the National Finals and compete 

for the $100,000 prize.

Wait there's more this August at Knotts...

The Coaster Campout is your opportunity to support the Big Brother Big Sisters Foundation and camp out for one night at Knott’s Berry Farm in the Park Pavilion Picnic Center! 100% of the proceeds will go the Big Brother Big Sisters Foundation. Your donation includes admission to Knott’s Berry Farm for August 13th and 14th, Early Ride Time in Camp Snoopy and Fiesta Village on August 14th, a meal voucher for each person in your party valid on either August 13th OR 14th, and one complimentary parking for August 13th and 14th. Campers must check-in on August 13th.

Coaster Campout Itinerary

Thursday, August 13

---

10AM - 6PM	Registration at Guest Relations
7PM - 8:30PM	Campsite Setup at Park Pavilion
10PM	Park Closes

Friday, August 14

---

7:30AM - 9AM	Wake-up Call from Snoopy and Load Out
9:30AM - 10AM	Early Ride Time in Camp Snoopy and Fiesta Village
10AM - 10PM	Enjoy the Park

For further information here's the Camper's Guide

How To Reserve

---

Tickets for this event are available online only. Each campsite is $200 and can accommodate a tent with up to 4 people. Changes cannot be made after purchase, so please organize your group prior to purchasing your campsite. Campsites can accommodate a tent up to 10’ x 10’ in size. Campout in the Park Pavilion Picnic Center! Only 50 campsites are available! Ticket sales end on August 12th at 11:59PM. Each purchase comes with a total of four (4) tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm valid on August 13th, four (4) tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm valid on August 14th, four (4) meal vouchers good for one select meal at select locations on either August 13th OR 14th, and parking for one (1) vehicle on August 13th and 14th. The Park Pavilion Picnic Center is located across from Knott’s Berry Farm near the East Parking Lot.  All of the proceeds go towards.

*All photos & words that of knottsberryfarm.com

Love Chicken? Love Free?

Then Chick-Fil-A is where you'll want to be this coming up week! 

From August 3rd to August 7th they are giving are FREE 3 count minis! 

From 6:30am to 10:30pm.

*No purchase necessary! 

If that wasn't enough check this out!

For the Buena Park location only!

Wondering what to have for breakfast? Wondering what's to do near Chick-fil-A Buena Park? Download the Buena Park Today611 and check out what's going on in Buena Park! By downloading the app you not only get connected with the local event but also get a free 3-count Chick-n-minis!

*All photos & words from the BP Facebook!

So next time you are by your local Chick-Fil-A stop in & get your free 3-count minis!

Oh, say hi to this guy too.

I'm back!

So sorry I have been m.i.a. for over a month now. I was in the hospital for some time with something I had never even heard of, pancreatitis. It was scary & maddening what was happening, being in that sort of pain was terrifying. (yes, worse than 2 horrific labors) With all of that being said, I am doing fantastic now 35 lbs lighter & eating pretty healthy these days. I am back in the routine of being a stay at home mom with my girls all day. We have finally got summer back on track. Feels really good. I am so appreciative of my family & friends support through this hard time they have been amazing. I will be back to posting things this coming up Monday, so be on the look out! Enjoy what's left of summer with the ones you love.

Product Review: NEATCHEEKS

When we received our sample pack last weekend we were so stoked! We, being me and my 7.5 year old! LOL We couldn't wait to try them out on Birdie. (11 months) As most babies, she despises having her face wiped after meals, so much so that it was becoming quite the hassle. Yet with these wipes, the ball game has changed my friends. They are flavored with Stevia. You heard me right, STEVIA FLAVORED! How cool huh? No wonder babies & toddlers everywhere are no longer turning their heads for face wiping. 

I was sent 6 packs & quickly passed them out to my mama friends! They fell in love. Head over heels in LOVE as well. Even our older kiddos loved these wipes. Having my 11 month old not claw or aggressively turn away from me when she sees the wipe coming nearer is something of magic. Instead now she lights up with excitement & is utterly thrilled when it comes time to wipe her face. Who wouldn't want that? 

Did you know that NEATCHEEKS are natural? Yep, here's the ingredients; Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Purified Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Sodium Lauryglucosides Hydroxypropyl Sulfonate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid. I know some of those sounds like extremely large words, have no fear, you will find out exactly what they all mean right here!

I was a little worried that they would be sticky, or leave a residue, so finding out that they didn't was a huge relief! This company did something that us mamas should applaud, they found a way to get our kiddos to not fight us when it comes to wiping their faces! Bravo to them. 

If this company looks familiar it's because they were on Shark Tank back in April, where they have certainly come along way since. They are all over Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and the mommy blogger pages. So go hop on the band wagon, you and your tots will be wiping on a smile in now time. To find a retailer near you go here now!

#WIPEONASMILE

Free FREE Free....

Who doesn't love free?

Free events and programs are everywhere around the OC, you just have to be on the look out!
Here's one in LA HABRA;

The La Habra Children's Museum;

301 S Euclid St, La Habra, CA 90631

Target Free Days:

The Children's Museum at La Habra receives generous funding from Target stores to provide free admission to the Museum on the first Sunday of each month! (Excludes the month of September) This grant allows the Museum to provide free, fun and educational family programming to residents of La Habra and surrounding communities for an entire year. Themed activities include music, dance, and visual arts activities and performances for families and children of all ages.

A total of 500 people are admitted on Target freeSundays. Hand stamps for both sessions are distributed at 1 p.m. and are on a first come first served basis. There is no museum admittance once all 500 slots are filled. (This does not apply to CMLH Members.)

Session times are 1-2:45 p.m. and 3:15-5 p.m.

2015/2016 Schedule

July 5: Americana Fest

August 2: Critter Quest

September: Museum closed for renovation

October 4, You're A Star!

November 1: Day of the Dead Celebration

December 6: Festivals of Lights

January 3: Lunar New Year

February 7: African American Heritage

March 6: Let's Play!

April 3: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

May 1: Art Escape Art Festival

June 5: Rail Road Round Up

There are a ton of things to do at The Children's Museum daily, check here for more info.

OC Farmer's Markets

Fun, Free & Fabulous Farmer's Markets to check out!

Fullerton Farmer's Market- Thursdays 4 pm-8:30 pm

Located in the Downtown Plaza on Wilshire Avenue, between Harbor Boulevard and Pomona Avenue, adjacent to the Fullerton Museum Center.

Fullerton Market offers farm-fresh produce, flowers, fresh-baked breads, live entertainment, outdoor beer garden, arts and crafts, and activities for children. In addition to the traditional favorites, new vendors will be added each week. The market is free.

Open April 2 - October 29, 2015 

on Thursdays from 4 to 8:30 p.m.

Admission to the market is free. There are kids' activities, live entertainment, an outdoor beer garden, arts and crafts, produce vendors and more! Visitors to Fullerton Market will also be able to tour the award-winning Fullerton Museum Center, which offers a special reduced admission rate of $2 per person from 4 to 8 p.m. on market days the first Thursday of every month.

'

Parking for Fullerton Market may be found in any of the free downtown lots, or in the parking structures at Wilshire (enter from Harbor); Lemon Street and Chapman Avenue; and in the Transportation Center on Pomona and Santa Fe Avenue.

Musical Entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. each night. Click here for band line-up.

Further information about Fullerton Market may be obtained by calling the Fullerton Museum Center at (714) 738-6545. Persons requiring special accommodations to attend the market are asked to notify the museum staff prior to coming to the market.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Go here. For vendor guide information click here!

Buena Park Farmer's Market- Saturday's 9 am- 2 pm.

Located in the parking lot by Sears, tons of parking.

Buena Park Downtown, formerly Buena Park Mall, is an enclosed shopping mall located on La Palma Avenue in Buena Park, California, near the Knott's Berry Farm theme park. Built in 1961, the Buena Park Mall was one of the first malls in Orange County. As of 2007 it is the 20th largest mall in Orange County around 1,100,000 square feet (100,000 m²) of retail space with plenty of Parking. A great location for a special event, it is the home of Buena Park Downtown Local Harvest Farmers' Market. We have a variety of farm fresh Certified 

Here is a vendor list for this location, and also here to email for inquiries. 

California Grown Fruits and Vegetables, along with fresh cooked fare vendors, and a wide variety of gourmet specialty foods. Arts, crafts and jewelry from local area vendors can also be found and purchased here. Musicians from the surrounding communities will entertain you while you shop, eat, or spend the day just leisurely strolling through.

Interested in more farmer's markets by Harvest? Click here.

Downtown Anaheim Farmer's Market- Thursdays 11 am-4 pm

Parking is available in the Parking Structure.

Local California certified Farmers, Gourmet foods, craft fair and Homegrown Music series.

Thursdays

11am-4pm

FMNP & SFMNP WIC: Yes
EBT: Yes
Credit Card: Only certain vendors.
ATM located in front of Anaheim ICE and inside of GOOD FOOD.
Parking: 2 Hours Free in Parking Structures with ticket and validation. Attire: Casual
Good for Groups: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes

Location: Center Street Promenade & Lemon Street, Anaheim, CA 92805

JUNE

Saturday, June 20, 6am-4pm

Q-ing & Brew'ing

JULY

Saturday-Sunday, July 18-19, 10am-10pm
Eid Festival

Saturday, July 25, noon-5pm
2nd Annual Vegan Fair

AUGUST

Saturday, August 8, 6pm-10pm
 Art Crawl Experience

Saturday, August 22, 6pm-10pm
Swingin on the Promenade

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 19 11am-4pm
OC Fest of Ales

OCTOBER

October 24 10am-6pm
Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

NOVEMBER

Saturday, November 14, 6pm-10pm
Art Crawl Experience

Sunday, November 29th, 8am-4pm
Impalas OC presents... Car Show and Toy Drive

DECEMBER

Saturday, December 5, 10am-7pm
21st Nutcracker Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Village

Click here for more information regarding this market!

Free Event!

Segerstrom Center for the Arts:

This Saturday June 13th starting at 5pm.

Inside and Out: "Fire & Water" Plazacast and Community Celebration

FREE community event, presented in association with Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Pacific Symphony presents its fourth Plazacast and Community Celebration, a free party on the Arts Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, with food trucks and performances by community ensembles, followed by a live simulcast of the multimedia "Fire & Water" concert projected onto the wall of the plaza. Come early, bring your own chair, blanket and picnic with friends on the plaza while enjoying the music – no ticket required!

The first 100 people to arrive receive a free pair of tickets to select concerts at Pacific Symphony’s Summer Festival 2015!

Schedule of Events: Saturday, June 13, 2015

LIVE PODCOST HERE

5:00 p.m.     Food trucks open

5–7 p.m.      Aquarium of the Pacific’s Aquarium on Wheels

Make sure to check out this mobile tide-pool exhibit, where you have the opportunity to feel a spiny sea star, touch a slippery sea cucumber or experience the rough textured skin of a shark. Dedicated to developing an appreciation for the wonders of the ocean environment, Aquarium on Wheels delivers a memorable experience for all ages!

5:00 p.m.     Golden West Pops

Led by Conductor Pollyanna Gorman, the Golden West Pops consists of volunteers from all walks of life who come together for the sheer love of playing music. Today’s selections range from superheroes to rock-and-roll legends, from travels to the west to marching with the soldiers.

5:30 p.m.     Color Choreography with Alan Burner and Bei Bei He

The theme of “Fire and Water” is interpreted and presented in a choreographed expression of music and color. Alan and Bei Bei come together to present a collaborative work involving color and music, and demonstrate how the sounds of music are interpreted into pure-color emotion.

6:10 p.m.     Huntington Beach Concert Band Brass Ensemble

Ten members of the Huntington Beach Concert Band brass section perform favorite melodies of various genres including classical, swing, musicals and pops. Tunes include “Honey Bun” from South Pacific, “Yesterday” by The Beatles and “Little Brown Jug” by J.E. Winner, along with a few others!

6:45 p.m.     Helix Collective

Los Angeles-based Helix Collective performs a high-energy, out-of-the-box mix of world, classical and rock n’ roll. Made up of three talented musicians, Sarah Robinson on flute, Phil Popham on oboe and Jason Lo on piano, Helix “has a little something for everyone: those who like their classics straight up, with a contemporary edge to it, or with populist appeal” (Audiophile Audition Magazine). Performing The Pharmacy: 6 Medications for Flute, Oboe and Piano by Popham.

7:30 p.m.     Outdoor Preview Talk with Rich Capparela

8:00 p.m.     Plazacast of "Fire & Water" concert begins:

Vivaldi: Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, "La Tempesta di Mare" - Benjamin Smolen, flute
Laura Karpman: Siren Songs (World premiere - with video) - Gregory MacGillivray and Tempe Hale, video artists
— Intermission Interviews on the Plaza with host Rich Capparela —
Wagner: Selections from Götterdammerung (“Twilight of the Gods”) - Deborah Voigt, soprano

BUY TICKETS HERE

Segerstrom is a fabulous arena for people of all ages to enjoy the arts. Whether it music, ballet, musicals, there's something for everyone! Grab the family and come on down this Saturday at 5pm!

To find out about even more events, click here!