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“El Globo más Feliz de la Tierra” llegara a Leon Guanajuato | @Disneyland #MexicoToday #travel

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“El Globo más Feliz de la Tierra” (nombrado así por la ya famosa designación que se le ha dado a Disneyland como “El lugar más feliz de la tierra”) llegará a León Guanajuato, Mexico para participar en el 11º Festival Internacional del Globo de Noviembre 16 al 19 que se llevará a cabo en el Parque Ecológico Metropolitano de la misma ciudad.

Mickey Mouse tendrá una aparición durante la ceremonia de inauguración del Festival el viernes 16 de noviembre y el “El Globo más Feliz de la Tierra” volará diariamente durante el Festival.

Aqui hay unos datos curiosos del globo:

El Globo en números

  • Alto: 30 metros
  • Peso: 186 kilos.
  • Circunferencia: 51 metros
  • Diámetro: 16 metros
  • Volumen: 2,548 m² (cuerpo) – 3,200 m² total
  • Capacidad de elevación: 816 kg peso máximo bruto
  • Hilo utilizado: ¡Aproximadamente 14.5 km de hilo!
  • Tela para las orejas de Mickey: 627 m²
  • Tela total utilizada: Aproximadamente 3,967 m² 

Datos Curiosos

  • La nariz de Mickey mide 1.67 metros de diámetro... ¡un niño podría fácilmente pararse dentro de ella!
  • Si el cuerpo de Mickey se añadiera al globo, mediría ¡casi 61 metros de alto!
  • La pupilas de los ojos de Mickey miden casi 2 metros de diámetro
  • El Globo más Feliz de la Tierra puede caber dentro de una bolsa que es 1,400 veces más pequeña que cuando el globo está inflado.
  • En un día con buen clima El Globo más Feliz de la Tierra puede volar a poco más de 3 km de altura
  • Laurie Spencer es la primera mujer piloto de un globo aerostático de Disney (su esposo Scott es el copiloto)

Disney on Ice Presents "Dare to Dream" | #OrangeCounty #IE #LAX #LongBeach

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Join Rapunzel, Tiana and Cinderella as stars in Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream - So Cal shows are on the list and tickets go on sale on November 11, 2012 for shows hosted in the So Cal area.


This will be my first time seeing the show and I can't wait to take my nieces and have them gush and freak out over Rapunzel, Tiana and Cinderella as they go through their journeys and adventures.


In Disney on Ine presents Dare to Dream, you'll get to experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled, as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! You'll then boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss. And finally, one of my favorite princess - Cinderella - will meet her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true.


I'm even taking along my oldest son because he just got into ice skating and I think he'll enjoy it just as much as the girls will. I hope you get to experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!

Show Locations

Los Angeles - Staples Center: Wednesday, December 12 – Sunday, December 16

  • Wednesday, December 12 – 7:30pm
  • Thursday, December 13 – 7:30pm
  • Friday, December 14 – 11:30am, 7:30pm
  • Saturday, December 15 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
  • Sunday, December 16 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Orange County - Honda Center: Tuesday, December 18 – Sunday, December 23

  • Tuesday, December 18 – 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, December 19 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, December 20 – 10:30am, 7:30pm
  • Friday, December 21 – 1:30pm, 7:30pm
  • Saturday, December 22 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
  • Sunday, December 23 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Inland Empire - Citizens Business Bank Arena: Wednesday, December 26 – Sunday, December 30

  • Wednesday, December 26 – 7:30pm
  • Thursday, December 27 – 7:30pm
  • Friday, December 28 – 12:00pm, 7:30pm
  • Saturday, December 29 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
  • Sunday, December 30 – 11:30am, 3:30pm

Long Beach - Long Beach Arena: Thursday, January 3 – Sunday, January 6

  • Thursday, January 3 – 7:30pm
  • Friday, January 4 – 12:00pm, 7:30pm
  • Saturday, January 5 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
  • Sunday, January 6 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Ticket Info

Prices range from $22, $28, $50 (VIP) and $75 (Front Row) - tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.
Opening Night tickets available for only $12 each (not valid for premium seating)
Tickets on sale: Sunday, November 11, 2012
All seats are reserved and available at the venue Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.


This is not a sponsored post. I will receive media tickets to facilitate my review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own. Images provided by Feld Entertainment.

November events at Pretend City | @PretendCity #OrangeCounty

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Pretend City has just released their November schedule! Take note of the special screenings that are not only FREE, they also do not require museum entrance. Also, if you have kids under 18 months, I greatly recommend baby steps. It's a great bonding experience with your kid and you get to have A LOT of fun in a not-crowded Pretend City. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, November 10: AAA Road Safety Day

Time: 10:30am - with last activity starting at 2:30pm
Teaching traffic safety to children is very important. Children who are pedestrians or bike riders need to learn the rules of the road to ensure their safety. That’s what these AAA Road Safety Days are all about! While the old adage Stop, Look and Listen is good advice, Pretend City is extending this through fun activities.

Tuesday, November 13: Fine and Gross Motor Screenings

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Friendly Occupational Therapists will be on hand to screen for difficulties with handwriting, fine-motor, and sensory processing skills. These skills are essential to your child’s ability to perform daily living activities, such a dressing, bathing, and eating. They impact your child’s social, emotional, and educational achievement so it’s important to be sure these skills are developing appropriately.
Fee: FREE; museum admission neither required nor included

Tuesday, November 13: Audiology Screenings

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Did you know that problems with hearing can lead to speech development delays? Join us for free hearing screenings to make sure your little one is developing on track! Automatic hearing tests can see if the brain hears the quiet sounds presented by the small probe tip. Today’s screening will use (OAE) otoacoustic emission testing to make testing easy on your child. Each child will be asked to sit quietly and “listen to the birdie tons singing in your ear.” Within seconds, the automatic screening can assess if your child’s auditory system is functioning properly. Don’t you just love technology?!
Fee: FREE; museum admission neither required nor included

Monday, November 19: Baby Steps through Pretend City!

Time: 6:00-7:30p.m.
Specifically for: Infants (0-18 months) For the comfort of our infant guests, no older siblings please.
Think you can’t do an art project with your baby? Nothing could be further from the truth! To complement our monthly theme, this baby steps event will focus on infant art activities with your little ones to help in their development, as well as fun bonding time with Baby and Me Yoga. Make sure to visit the Art Studio, Beach, and Grocery Store to take advantage of this exclusive infant and young toddler only time and engage in age-appropriate facilitated activities. Don’t forget to pick up a free Ages & Stages Questionnaire! to ensure your little one is developing on track! They’re FREE, fact and easy!
RSVP: Maximum 60
Fee: $10 per adult, infants and Pretend City Members are FREE!

Wednesday, November 21: Celebrate Thanksgiving!

Time: 11:00am - with last activity starting at 3:30pm
Thanksgiving is known for the pilgrims, history, and turkey, but most importantly, Thanksgiving is for giving thanks; it’s a holiday all about everything that we are thankful for. Today, let’s celebrate family, friends, and the holiday that brings everyone together through fun activities.

Monday, November 26: Family Autism Event

Time: 5:00pm-7:30pm
Specifically for: Families with children of all ages who are on the autism spectrum; Pretend City will be closed to the general public
This special evening is an opportunity for children and their parents/siblings/caretakers to have some fun in an autism-friendly environment along with other families. Many of our community partners, who specialize in supporting children on the autism spectrum, will be on-hand to enrich your family’s play experience with welcoming smiles and practical support. If you would like to visit our museum prior to the event (adult only pre-tours), you are welcome to stop in on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 10:00-11:00am, or 4:00-5:00pm.
RSVP: Maximum 80 families; only those families who have a reservation and a confirmation number will be admitted.
Fee: FREE

Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 949.428.3900

Rise of the Guardians - NEW Jack vs Bunny Clip

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Have you seen the new Jack versus Bunny clip from Rise of the Guardians?




Synopsis. RISE OF THE GUARDIANS is an epic and magical adventure that tells the story of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost – legendary characters with previously unknown extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children everywhere.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS es una aventura épica y mágica que cuenta la historia de Santa Claus, el Conejo de Pascua, el Hada de los Dientes, Sandman, y Jack Frost, personajes legendarios con talentos extraordinarios que la gente desconocía. Cuando un espíritu malvado llamado Pitch los desafía para apoderarse del mundo, los guardianes inmortales deberán sumar fuerzas para proteger las esperanzas, las creencias y la imaginación de los niños de todo el mundo.



Connect with Rise of the Guardians

YouTube |http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd71LWhCO4s

Facebook |https://www.facebook.com/#!/RiseoftheGuardians?fref=ts

Website |http://www.riseoftheguardians.com/

Even More Thrifting in Orange County | #thrifting #OrangeCounty

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As a follow-up to our last post about the Goodwill Marketplace, this week we’d like to broaden the horizons a bit and list a few of our most frequently-shopped thrift stores here in Orange County. With a keen eye, a little time, and some patience, finding frugal fashion, collectibles, furniture, and more at a low price is in the realm of the possible. With less than two months until Christmas, shopping thriftily now will give you more cash to have fun with later.

Goodwill of Orange County. Many locations throughout OC. My favorite regular retail stores are Classic Closet (Huntington Beach) and Keepers (Lake Forest). Both are a bit more spendy than other Goodwill locations, but they have tons of higher-end merchandise in each location.

The Salvation Army. You see the red buckets every holiday season. Shop at the stores and not only are you saving money, you’ll be contributing to a great cause. Our favorite store is on Brookhurst (across from Mile Square Park) in Fountain Valley. Lots of great items and daily specials, plus it’s next door to Froggs Bounce House.


Assistance League (Orange County). The Assistance League is a national organization with many local chapters, most of whom have a thrift shop. The League provides many philanthropic programs, including Operation School Bell, which helps economically-disadvantaged children. My favorites are the Tustin, Orange, and Garden Grove locations.

Savers. With only one location currently in OC (Anaheim) you might have to travel a bit to shop here, but it’s worth it. The selection is well-organized (especially clothing- it’s in type, color, and size!), the store is very clean, and prices are clearly marked, plus there are tons of special events that can garner you Savers Bucks coupons and pricing deals. It’s also the only thrift store I know of with its own club card.

For the above retail thrifts, please use the clickable link (or Google) to find store locations.


Orange Lutheran High School Thrift (Orange). There are two stores next to each other- one for smaller thrifted goods and clothing, and one for large furniture. Many items here are vintage, and the reasonable prices (sometimes as low as 10 cents) keep me coming back. FYI’s: Cash only and no dressing rooms. 670 North Tustin Street, Orange, CA 92867. M-Sat., 10am to 4pm.

Sheepfold Thriftstore. Proceeds from the sale of items go to benefit shelters and services for women and children that are victims of domestic abuse. That’s why this store is always on my list of must-visits. 335 E. Grove Ave, Orange CA 92865. M-Sat., 10am to 5:30pm.

Family Thrift. Hit or miss here with pricing, but they often have a lot of vintage items and collectibles. 303 East Grove, Orange, California 92865 M-Sat., 9am to 6pm.

These are just a few that are local to us. Do you have a favorite thrift store? We’d love to hear about it! If you’d like to, leave a comment and tell us all about it, as well as your favorite thrifty find. Happy saving!

Find of the week: Set of 4 Fiestaware cups in Rose. $3.99, Orange Goodwill location.


About Justine
Justine is a biological anthropologist, deal seeker, and stay-at-home parent to a rambunctious 4-year-old boy. She digs bones. And donuts. You can follow Justine for more frugal fun and other anthropology tidbits on Twitter: @JustineBurgess1.

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts, pictures and opinions remain my own.

Skylanders: Giants - Two thumbs up for this video game! | @BestBuy @MiBestBuy

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The holidays are here and the kids have a long list of wants. If your kid is a techy/gamer kind of kid, then I'm sure he'll have Skylanders: Giants on the list, and let me tell you - you have a cool kid on your hands!


I wandered into my local Best Buy last week and walked right into the Skylanders: Giants display in the back. Thankfully there weren't any kids around that day, other than my own, because my almost-five-year-old kid was a total hogger and spent a lot of time playing the game. It took only a couple of minutes for him to figure it out.


I have to tell you - the kids and I are huge fans of Skylanders: Giants now. We have an Xbox 360 and until now, the only games that my kid has played have been Kinect games. I wasn't quite sure that he would be able to control the characters in the screen, but this game proved me wrong! My kid was up and running in just a few minutes.

The reason we took a liking to the game is because the game is very interactive. It goes a step beyond simply choosing which character to play as - it allows you to physically choose a character and add it to the game by placing it in the "Portal of Power."


Each character has special abilities and you can go into certain places in the game with certain characters.


My kid had a blast switching out the characters. It was fun to see him get so excited with every little accomplishment that he made, when he figured out how to get from place to place, and as he discovered the different abilities each figure had.

I know my kid is adding Skylanders: Giants to the list and it's a gift that I will gladly put under the tree for him. It will be a treat every time we head into Best Buy and purchase additional figures for his collection.



Per the image above, if this is your first Skylander game, you will need to purchase Skylanders: Giants Starter Pack first. However, if you have Skylander: Spyro’s Adventure then you can simply purchase Skylanders: Giants Portal Owner’s Pack and be ready to go. The Skylanders: Giants Starter Pack will include the video game (for whichever console you have), the "Portal of Power" where the characters will sit on, and three different Skylander figures. The pack also includes a few other goodies and there are additional accessories, like a storage container, that you can purchase as your collection grows.

Skylanders: Giants is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) and available for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, or Nintendo 3DS consoles.

You can also stop by a Best Buy store and check out their Skylanders: Giants in-store demos on PS3.

 
The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Baby Loves Disco “We Are Family” Tour | @BabyLovesDisco #LosAngeles

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Baby Loves Disco is coming to Los Angeles this weekend! Wait. You don't know about Baby Loves Disco?

Baby Loves Disco was founded by two parents, Heather Murphy Monteith and Andy Blackman Hurwitz, in the name of fun, family and music. The events are held at different locations all across the country. In this case, Los Angeles will host real MCs who will rouse the crowd and DJs will spin G-rated dance tunes. Hundreds of parents, grandparents and kids can groove along and enjoy all kinds of creative fun including games, dance contests, crafts, kid-friendly spa services and goody bags - it's all included in the admission fee.

Really, any parent with kids is seeing this as an opportunity to tire out their kid so they can take a long nap (I can't be the only one thinking this). Los Angeles will host the Baby Loves Disco event this weekend. Deets are below - giveaway comes after that. You can enter to win four tickets to attend the event this Sunday (a $60 value). Buena suerte!

Where

Boardners
1652 North Cherokee Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028

When

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Time

12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Activities 

Glitter tattoos, Soccer demos by Super Soccer Stars, Family Tree craft, sock puppets, snack bar for all, juice boxes for all, cash bar for non driving parents and more. Egg shakers, scarves, dance contests and more!

Discount Code

Use code “mom” at checkout for a special 4 for $50 ticket bundle.

More information, including complete updates and ticketing information for local Baby Loves Disco events, may be found at http://www.babylovesdisco.com.

Disco Boogie App

If you can't make it out to Baby Loves Disco in Los Angeles, you can still party at home with their release of the “Disco Boogie” app for the iPhone and iPad platforms. This Simon Says type of game, developed by postageFX, is designed to get kids moving and dancing. Kids may play shake it up, scratch that track, check the microphone, all to original music. The app includes a guide to all current Baby Loves Disco events and an H&M store finder and email sign up plus a free interactive disco ball animation.

Baby Loves Disco Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Domino's NEW Handmade Pan Pizza - A review in pictures | #DominosLatino

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Pizza is my life line when I just don't want to cook and I need something affordable. Mind you - we eat pizza at least twice a month (I'm a very lazy cook) and we usually end up with pizza from across the street. A local pizzaria with great deals, but sub-par ingredients. Domino's is our second choice because it's located a few blocks away and they have the cool pizza tracker on their website once you order.

So on this particular Sunday I received the opportunity to try out the NEW handmade pan pizza. When we order from Domino's, we usually order the thin crust because I like to pretend I'm in Italy and the thin crust pizza comes pretty close to it.


Though I didn't get the chance to track the pizza deliver on the Dominos.com tracker, I did call in to check that it was scheduled for delivery, and sure enough, it showed up 20 minutes later. The pizza was nice and hot thanks to the patented insulating pizza bags.


So we start spreading everything out on the table and it is quite obvious that the new handmade pan pizza is the latest and greatest - I mean, look at the box! Sleek.

We set out the rest of the goodies and then dug in.


The hubster digs into his Hawaiian pizza (a delicacy in this vegetarian household) while the oldest kid digs into the Pacific Veggie pizza - both on the NEW handmade pan pizza.


I will always order from Domino's, and now even more so because the new handmade pan pizza makes for an even better pie. The toppings remain to be of top quality, and the pizza dough complements it perfectly. It's doughy, has no real edges and it tastes like it was literally hand-tossed a half hour ago.

Now, I don't know how you eat your pizza, but I prefer to have it in two sections - first the toppings, then the crust. I like the ingredients to stand on their own and not have the dough masked by a pound of great tasting cheese (in this case - two layers of cheese). So that's how I can honestly tell you that the crust tastes delicious. I literally sat there and ate about three slices of just pizza crust and every time I bit into the buttery-tasting crust I smiled because it tasted like a quality pizza pie.

Hawaiian Pizza

Pacific Veggie Pizza (vegetarian)

We finished our meal with two succulent chocolate lava cakes. If you like chocolate, you'll like these.


The whole family enjoyed the new Domino's handmade pan pizza and we can't wait until next weekend when I'm sure I'll be too lazy to cook (again).


Domino's Deal

The handmade pan pizza campaign is offering medium two-topping Handmade Pan Pizzas for $7.99 each, giving fans and consumers a value-inspired way to try it and see how it stacks up versus the pan pizza competition.

Connect with Domino's

Order - www.dominos.com
Mobile – http://mobile.dominos.com
Info - www.dominosbiz.com
Twitter - @dominos
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/Dominos

p.s. I didn't personally try the meat pizza (for obvious reasons), but the hubster loved it that day, and the following day when he reheated it for lunch. He also had the spicy wings and said that they were not overly spicy nor did they taste like they were just doused in sauce like others he has tasted before. The garlic bread is a usual for us, but I never use the sauces that it comes with because I think it's oily enough as it is. Sometimes I even put the bread between two napkins and squeeze out some excess oil. Anyhow, this batch was pretty good. Not too much garlic seasoning.

This is not a sponsored post. I received the items noted above courtesy of Domino's in order to facilitate my review. All thoughts, opinions and images are my own.

Changing up my skin care routine for Fall/Winter | #FreshSkin

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The changing of the seasons means more than just pulling out your sweaters and boots - it also means having to change up your makeup and skin care. When it comes to makeup, I go a little lighter on the foundation and also on the bronzer. Skin care is another animal though.


I received a lovely little package from the folks over at Neutrogena to get my updated skin care regimen started. During the summer, I would usually do a make-up remover, then a face wash, followed by a toner and then a skin cream. I would also exfoliate every other day and do a face mask every other week. Writing it out I realize that it sounds like a lot - and it is, but I have super-acne prone skin so I need to take all the precautions I can possibly take to ensure that my breakouts only happen once a month (you know - during THAT time of the month).


Using Neutrogena products, my skin care would go like this: I would switch between the oil-free cleansing wipes and oil-free facial acne wash every other day and then use the oil-free foaming scrub maybe twice a week to get rid of the dead cells, but not so much that it makes my skin dry. I would slather on my sun screen and a face moisturizer in the morning and at night time I would use a night cream. I admit, it still sounds like a lot to do on an every day basis, but it's worth it to look my best!

The Neutrogena Pink Grapefuit products are on-point when it comes to affordable skin care products. Read on for other reasons why you might like them:
Banishing breakouts while offering users a sensational experience, the Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit cream, gel, and scrub cleansers cuts through oil to speed the delivery of maximum-strength acne medicine, salicylic acid (2%) to the source of breakouts. And for those jet-setters, moms and students looking for a convenient, non-medicated cleanser for acne-prone skin, the daily use cleansing wipes are the perfect solution for on-the-go use, sweeping away pore clogging dirt and oil in one simple step. The Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Line will leave your skin feeling clean, soft and refreshed. 
I can personally attest to the difference that it makes in breakouts because as I've said before, it's my number one issue and Neutrogena really helps me in that department. I love the scent in all of the product. It's refreshing and when I use them in the morning, it's the perfect pick-me-up. The wipes are by far my favorite of the bunch because I can use them anywhere, any time. I keep them next to me at my desk so at night I just reach over, pull one out and wash my face. Sometimes I'm uber-tired and washing my face is the last thing that I want to do. The wipes make it easy to clean up before heading to bed and the package ensures that each wipe is moist and ready to get rid of make-up, dirt and whatever is on my face at the end of the day.

So what about you? Do you have a special skin care routine that you follow now that the cold months are here?

This is a compensated post in collaboration with Neutrogena and Latina Bloggers Connect. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Thanksgiving dinner made easy with Knott's | @Knotts #KnottsTurkeyDay

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I'm pretty sure I've mentioned here before how I'm not much of a cook. In fact, my mantra is if it can't be cooked in under 30 minutes, then it wasn't meant to be. The hubster is all about pushing me to the limits so we have decided to host Thanksgiving dinner this year. It's basically a recipe for disaster because if I had it my way, all the carnivores would be having turkey sandwiches and the rest would be feasting on pumpkin pie with coffee. That's why pre-made dinners are a MUST in our Thanksgiving feast - like the one offered by Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant.

I had the pleasure of inviting over our parents and kids to a Thanksgiving dinner run-through. I pulled into Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner restaurant an hour before we were scheduled to get together to pick up our dinner from the restaurant. I was so happy to see the 15 minute parking spot so I could run in and get it.


As it turned out, I only needed five minutes because I was in and out in that short amount of time. My box full of dinner goodies was all set and ready to go.



I was informed that I would need to finish cooking the turkey at home and that instructions were included in the box. I hoped that it wouldn't take too long because the hubster and the rest of the family would be pretty hungry soon.


I pulled out the sheet from the box, turned it over and it informed me that the bird would need to cook for an additional hour or until the desired temperature of 165 degrees was reached. That turkey was HUGE. It weighed somewhere between 12 and 14 pounds and I could tell that the hubster would have enough for next day's lunch as well - even if everyone had more than one serving.



We heated up the turkey in the oven, and the sides in the microwave. The sides, which is basically what I feasted on, were spot-on and super filling.

While it was weird (to me) to have bread and butter pickles at a Thanksgiving dinner, it was actually my favorite part of the meal. They were sweet, savory and seasoned perfectly. My youngest gobbled them right up too. The cranberry sauce was pretty scrumptious. It wasn't overly sweet and I imagine that it would taste pretty good on turkey (or in my case - Tofurky). The candied yams was the side that surprised me the most. I do yams on Thanksgiving, but for me it's usually without the melted marshmallows because I think yams are sweet enough without anything candied on them. These yams though were a different story. The marshmallows on them did not make them taste like dessert, it was more of a sweet complement to the mashed potatoes (because they needed a little bit more flavor).


The hubster, the carnivore in the family, and the rest of the group couldn't stop gushing over the turkey. They mentioned how juicy, succulent and flavorful it was. Apparently, it wasn't dry like other pre-made turkeys that came before in other dinners. Instead, this poor pretty bird was cooked to perfection. Like I predicted, there were plenty of leftovers. The hubster saved some and in the following days, he made turkey sandwiches, turkey burritos and even mixed some sofrito with the turkey and topped it off with crema and salsa de aguacate on tostadas (which also saved me from making dinner).


My favorite part, dessert, did not disappoint. We had a nice sized pumpkin pie as part of the meal and when paired with coffee, it pretty much took the meal to another level. It was very apparent that it was homemade and so freakin' delicious.

I only wished that there were more than a dozen rolls with the meal. I'm HUGE on bread (and butter), and twelve rolls just wasn't enough for everyone. We received butter and preserves in our meal and all of those were used too.

I wish I could tell you that I went the extra step and served each item in a beautiful porcelain dish, but I can't. The truth is, I didn't even serve on "real" plates! I went paper all the way. I kept the side dishes in their black containers and even used them to send leftovers home with our guests. The point is, I made this dinner as easy and painless as possible. Having the dinner pre-made was only the beginning. I also asked for utensils from Knott's and they were nice enough to give them to me. Double-score!

What does the meal include?

The take-home Thanksgiving dinner is a complete meal with all the fixings and includes:
  • Complete turkey OR honey glazed ham
  • Country apple stuffing (1 qt)
  • Freshly baked rolls (12 count)
  • Warm candied yams (1 qt)
  • Cranberry sauce (8 oz)
  • Mashed potatoes (2 qt)
  • Creamy giblet gravy (2 qt)
  • Whole kernel corn (1 qt)
  • Bread and butter pickles (8 oz)
  • Fresh boysenberry OR pumpkin pie
  • Butter and Preserves (interestingly enough, the preserves were Smucker's, and not Knott's Berry Farm branded)

How much does it cost? 

The complete meal costs $99.95 plus tax.

How many people does it serve?

It's supposed to serve 6-8 people, but we had ten total in our dinner party (6 adults, four kids), and we had leftovers!

How to Order

The Take Home Thanksgiving Dinner serves 6-8 people. Place your order by visiting Knotts.com or call (714) 220-5055. On Thanksgiving Day, there will be a "drive through" type of set-up for you to just drive by, give them your name, and your meal will be ready to go. You won't even need to get out of your car!

Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch

For a more expansive holiday menu try the Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch also offered at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. This buffet includes items from Knott’s pantry and salad kitchen; carving stations with roasted prime rib of beef, turkey and ham; holiday classics including Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken, country apple stuffing; a South of the Border station with cheese enchiladas and tamales; pasta station; dessert station and much, much more.

Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch prices are $29.95 for Adults, $23.95 for Seniors (62+) and $17.95 for Children (3 -11).


This is not a sponsored post. I was given a Knott's Thanksgiving Feast courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm to facilitate my review. All thoughts, images and opinions remain my own.

Outdoor Christmas decorations rule!

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I am so utterly and hopelessly in love with Christmas. The indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations, the gift buying and giving, the baked goodies, special coffees and the joy of the holiday spirit. I wish people would remember the feeling of Christmas all year round, because it really does feel like people know that it's a special time.

While the hubster won't allow me to put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, I am a total sucker for the ones that are up since Halloween at department stores. Some high end fashion shops have lots of Christmas trees up and decorated with various themes. However, as much as I like all the malls and the Christmas festivities, by far my favorite activity to do during the holidays is drive around and look at the outdoor Christmas decorations.

There is this one house close to our home who really goes all out for Christmas. We're talking about mechanical Santas and snowmen, fake snow, reindeer and even a man who sits out in the front in a Santa suit! Talk about going the distance! In spite of the somewhat creepy nature of fake Santa out on the lawn, their home is probably the best decorated house because of all its lights, the way some of them sparkle, others flash, and others sing.


I can't wait until Thanksgiving is over, all the dishes are put away and the kids are ready to take out the Christmas boxes. This year, it seems that we'll be getting a REAL tree too! Without kitties in our home to destroy it, I'm sure it'll keep it's shape until after Christmas (and until el Dia de los Reyes). I'm also thinking of getting some of those icicles lights to hang outside and maybe use the little round lights on the Christmas tree. I really want something different than the regular multi-colored lights, or white lights. Lights that sing Christmas carols would really put this home over the top! Not sure if they would drive me crazy after a while though.

Is there anything special that comes out for your Christmas decorating?


This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Book Review: Patriots of Treason by David Thomas Roberts

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I’m a huge fan of political thrillers, particularly those involving covert agents like Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp, David Baldacci’s “Oliver Stone”(a.k.a. John Carr), or Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath. Recently, I’ve become interested in stories about a broader spectrum of the political realm, like David Thomas Roberts' first novel Patriots of Treason.


About the Author
The authors life and beliefs set the stage for the book. Mr. Roberts is long-time Texan and admirer of the unique history of Texas, particularly the Alamo. He is active in politics and has been a speaker at Tea Party events. He is also the founder and CEO of Teligistics, a telecom expense management and consulting company. These facts about him strongly shape the storyline of his book, as he draws heavily on ideals of Texas, the Tea Party, and private industry.

About Patriots of Treason
For anyone new to the Tea Party movement, Wikipedia defines it as “an American political movement that advocates strict adherence to the United States Constitution, reducing U.S. government spending and taxes, and reduction of the U.S. national debt and federal budget deficit. The movement is generally considered to be partly conservative, partly libertarian, and partly populist.”

The story begins with a crisis in Iran, and incumbent liberal president Tyrell Johnson’s faltering attempts to gain the confidence of the American people before the upcoming election. Advisors are discussing strategies to bring up numbers in the polls. The flash point of the story occurs when the U.S. response to the issues in Iran is to order a strike. Shortly thereafter, an assassination attempt is made on Johnson. The perpetrator is said to be a Tea Party sympathizer, and the president and his cabinet put a spin on the findings to work to their advantage in eliminating this threat to the presidents’ re-election. In the process, they trample on human rights, violate federal and state statutes, issue unconstitutional orders, commit various atrocities and just generally run rampant with no regard to personal freedoms, sovereignty of the states, or responsible leadership. Members of the Tea Party are targeted, all the while trying to prove the conspiracy. The book culminates in a massive showdown that may redefine politics as the characters know it.

Thoughts on Patriots of Treason
After reading the book, it appears Mr. Roberts is not a supporter of Barack Obama. His story seems to be a thinly-veiled slam disguised as fiction, and while it doesn’t necessarily detract from the story, it does detract from the books future relevance. In addition, its aptly-timed release just prior to the Presidential election left me wondering if it was meant to influence the political landscape of the United States by casting a “minority” president in a negative light.

I enjoyed the story, but as a seasoned reader of similar novels, this book struck me as being over-descriptive in certain areas, which slowed the pace. I can be pretty wordy myself, but it’s not necessary to describe each and every detail of submarines, planes, aircraft carriers, etc., right down to how many gallons of fuel they use. In contrast, the characters could have been fleshed out more. Back stories, stronger personalities (with the exception of one very enjoyable Texas Ranger who needed no improvement), and a more realistic approach to the conflicts would invest readers more in the books main role-players. Other than that, the plotline was decently done (though in my opinion, a bit extremist), and although the prologue (and first three chapters) didn’t initially grab me, after reading halfway I was truly interested to find out the conclusion. The story was a bit far-fetched, but certainly not boring. For a first book, it was a good effort, a little rough around the edges, but with some fine-tuning to the writing style a sequel could be an excellent read. And Mr. Roberts, if you could throw in a secret agent next time, I’d be over the moon.

About Justine
Justine is a biological anthropologist, deal seeker, and stay-at-home parent to a rambunctious 4-year-old boy. She digs bones. And donuts. You can follow Justine for more frugal fun and other anthropology tidbits on Twitter: @JustineBurgess1.

This is not a sponsored post. I received a copy of the book to facilitate my review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Seattle's Best Coffee Black Friday Promotion | @SeattlesBest #BlackFriday

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Last year, Seattle's Best Coffee gave away FREE coffee to all folks, and really focused on the wonderful workers who work on Black Friday.Well, they're doing it again! And, if your a mami or papi - then you, my friend, are working non-stop on Friday and you deserve your FREE cup of cafe.

So how exactly do you get your FREE cup of coffee? Well, you can order it online via the Seattle's Best Coffee Facebook page.


Or you can stop by a participating Seattle’s Best Coffee locations on Friday, November 23, to receive a free small cup of brewed coffee. To find a participating Seattle’s Best Coffee location, visit Facebook.com/seattlesbestcoffee.

From the comfort of your home, you can also snag a $2 off coupon for Seattle’s Best Coffee® Levels packaged coffee, which can be redeemed at grocery stores and mass retailers nationwide.

So there you have it. Three different ways to grab a delicious and FREE cup of coffee thanks to the wonderful folks at Seattle's Best Coffee.

Free coffee will be available now through November 25, or while supplies last. Sample size is 1.75 oz of ground coffee. Seattle’s Best Coffee reserves the right to substitute coffee sample type.

This is not a sponsored post. I received Seattle's Best Coffee to make for a more enjoyable time writing this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Frugal Friday: Shopping at The Outlets at Orange | #OAOFallTweetup #OrangeCounty

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Frugality is in my blood. I’ve been shopping at thrift stores from such a young age that the idea of paying full-price gives me hives, and luxury retail outlets are completely out in my book- I’d probably faint at the cash register. I’ve never quite been able to nerve up for such purchases, plus it’s likely that my credit card would explode.


Luckily for me, I had the opportunity to attend the Outlets at Orange “Fall Tweetup - #OAOFallTweetUp last month. A Twitter-based event that was promoting the re-branding of the former “Block at Orange” as an in-county outlet destination. The event featured sampler snacks from eateries located within the Outlets - Café Tu Tu Tango, Corner Bakery , and Jamba Juice. We also tasted fabulous candy, compliments of Sweets from Heaven, and attendees received a quick walking tour of the Outlets (while hastily tweeting) with stops at the major anchor stores. After experiencing the event, I realized that shopping at upscale merchants is a possibility, even with a limited budget.


South Coast Plaza (SCP) tends to be the ultimate in terms of an Orange County shopping area for luxe goods. Most stores within its boundaries are fabulous, stylish, and far out of the reach of my pocketbook. Not so at the Outlets at Orange. The same familiar names you see at SCP are present as you walk through the Outlets outdoor mall- Saks Fifth Avenue (Off 5th), Nordstrom (Nordstrom Rack), Neiman Marcus (Last Call), Ann Taylor (Loft), and so much more.

The outlet stores offer the same or similar merchandise that you would see on the sales floor in a full-price storefront, only at a fraction of the cost. The merchandise mix is mostly higher-quality goods, some of which come from the full-priced stores and others that are produced specifically for the outlets (think denim, in particular). Other outlet stores are geared toward family shopping, like The Childrens Place, Carters, and Gymboree. A huge H&M store is also centrally located for inexpensive everyday fashion.



The stores at the Outlets are seasonally on-trend. Featured fall fashion choices at the Outlets included striped cardigans, rocker-chic studded metal and leather bracelets, bright jewel tones, tall equestrian boots (great over leggings) and animal prints. Plus, clothing is not your only option- there are numerous family venues, like Dave and Busters, Vans Skate Park, and AMC theaters, as well many other stores (Bath & Body Works and Guitar Center, to name a couple). You won’t go hungry, with places to eat like TGI Fridays, Corner Bakery, Alcatraz Brewing Company, and much, much more. It’s a great way to spend the day or evening, whether alone or with your family. There are affordable options for everyone. With Christmas on its way, the Outlets at Orange is a great place to start filling in your gift list. When you’re done shopping, visit the Burke Williams Spa at the Outlets to treat yourself for a job well done. That and a glass of wine (or relaxing tea) should make the day complete.

Find of the day: Bella Dahl striped cardigan at Nordstrom Rack for $24.99.

About Justine
Justine is a biological anthropologist, deal seeker, and stay-at-home parent to a rambunctious 4-year-old boy. She digs bones. And donuts. You can follow Justine for more frugal fun and other anthropology tidbits on Twitter: @JustineBurgess1.

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to the #OAOFallTweetup event as a member of the press. All thoughts, pictures and opinions remain my own.

Cyber Monday Deals from Disney Publishing | #Disney #iPadApps

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Getting ready to travel with kids? Stock up on apps at a fraction of the cost on November 26th. The following apps will be available at a discounted price for ONE DAY ONLY! These apps are:

Cars 2 Read and Race for $2.99 (orig. $6.99)
Rev your engines for this thrilling Cars 2 Original Story! Read along as Lightning McQueen and the world’s top International Racers power through the streets of Tokyo, Japan; Porto Corsa, Italy; London, England; and finally Radiator Springs!

Tangled: Storybook Deluxe for $2.99 (orig. $6.99)
Rapunzel has never left her tower in the woods. One day, a thief named Flynn discovers her and the unlikely pair sets off on an action-packed journey across the kingdom. From mischievous thugs to dazzling festivals, Rapunzel quickly learns there is much more to life outside the tower!

Brave: Storybook Deluxe for $2.99 (orig. $6.99)
The Scottish Highlands have long been a fierce, proud land filled with stories, and magic, and danger. Merida, the Princess of DunBroch, adds her tale of courage and determination to the ancient lore as she sets out to defy an age-old tradition and forge her own destiny.

Princess Royal Party for $1.99 (orig. $4.99)
Welcome to the Magical and Enchanting world of Disney’s Royal Party, just in time for Rapunzel’s own celebration! Disney’s Royal Party includes many fun activities and crafts for hours of fun with your favorite Disney Princesses!

A Royal Christmas for $1.99 (orig. $4.99)
From beachside gatherings to New Orleans feasts, every princess celebrates Christmas in her own special way. Cinderella throws a festive party, but there’s a very merry mix-up when her Fairy Godmother adds a touch of magic to the event. Ariel surprises her family and friends with a Christmas-morning treasure hunt. And Tiana hosts a yuletide celebration and meets a jolly, unexpected visitor!
I can personally tell you that the Brave and Tangled storybooks are great - for both boys and girls. My almost 5 year old loves to sit down and flip through them (with just a swipe of the finger), and then also do the little activities available on the app. They're a steal at $2.99 each.

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.


Holiday Treats for the Animals at Aquarium of the Pacific | @AquariumPacific #LongBeach

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Aquarium of the Pacific is scheduled to host its Holiday Treats for the Animals weekend on December 1st and 2nd. Over the weekend, you'll be able to experience Santa Diver delivering treats to the penguins, sea otters, seals, sea lions, birds, fish, and other animals. Santa Diver will make an appearance at the nearly three-story-tall Honda Blue Cavern exhibit where you will see him dive with leopard sharks, barracudas and other scary looking predators.


Furthermore, the sea otter exhibit will be decked out for the “sea”son with “fishmas” treats and a real snowman, and visitors can watch the otters savor candy cane-shaped lobster treats. Throughout the weekend, Aquarium staff will give special gift delicacies to penguins, sea lions, and other marine animals as well. Families can also enjoy holiday music, crafts, special presentations, unique photo opportunities, shopping, and more. To top it all off, snow will fall in the Aquarium’s Great Hall!

When

Saturday andSunday | December 1-2, 2012
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where

Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Info

(562) 590-3100 or AquariumOfPacific.org/events/info/holiday_treats_for_the_animals/ 
The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (except Dec. 25 and during the Grand Prix in April). 

Cost and Coupon

Holiday Treats is included with general admission—$25.95 adult (12+), $22.95 senior (62+), $14.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.

Before you head out there though, print out your coupon for a FREE child's admission with a paid adult's entrance

Follow Aquarium of the Pacific


Facebook


Twitter


YouTube

Calgon - from the Latin Grammy gift lounge to your home!

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This year, Calgon rolled out a variety of products— the Enchanted Embrace Sexy Fragrance Mist and Shimmering Moisture Mist, a Sensual Mist Sampler Gift Set, Berry Ravishing Refreshing Body Mist and even re-launched the beloved customer favorite, Turquoise Seas Refreshing Body Mist. They did a number at the Latin Grammy gift lounge when they introduced these Calgon favorites to supa-stars like Prince Royce. Yes, the stars all walked away with a coveted gift bag that included these goodies, but they set one aside for a lucky winner!

You can enter to win YOUR official Calgon Latin Grammy gift bag on their Facebook page - www.Facebook.com/CalgonTakeMeAway. If you can't wait to see if you won the goodie bag - take your $1 off coupon that is gifted to you when you enter the contest and walk it on down to your local Calgon supplier (store locator can be found on www.takemeaway.com)

The Calgon "Take Me Away" contest ends on Friday, November 30th. Hop on over and enter to win!

This is not a sponsored post. I received a similar gift bag in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Find your babysitter on UrbanSitter for FREE! | @UrbanSitter #babysitters

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I am fortunate to have my mom really close by and she loves my kids enough that I have yet to hear her tell me "no" when I ask her to watch them for a bit. However, sometimes even I feel guilty for asking her over and over again to watch my crazy kids so I find a service like UrbanSitter a blessing from the modern technology angels.

About UrbanSitter


UrbanSitter.com is an online resource where sitters are listed and found in a safe and secure way. What makes UrbanSitter truly special is that you can search for a sitter by the exact date and time that you need them and then sort your results by filters - including a background check, hourly rate and experience. When you sync UrbanSitter to your social network, you will be able to see which sitter was recommended (used and reviewed) by your friends and other local parents.

So you're looking for a sitter and you find plenty of good ones. How will you decide which one to go with? Well, when you search for a sitter, each one will have a badge on their profile that will indicate the average response time to job requests, number of 'repeat families' who have booked them multiple times through the site, and if they accept credit cards for payment (which comes in handy when your a non-cash person like me). These stats will help make your decision a bit easier.

As you can see, this service is a match made in heaven for parents who may not always have someone available to take care of the kids, or those that feel guilty throwing the kids to the abuelita, time after time.

UrbanSitter App

Take the sitter-search on the road with the UrbanSitter app (available on iTunes). This handy-dandy app allows you to:

  • Book your favorite sitters in a few simple clicks
  • Message or call sitters directly from your phone
  • Receive instant notifications when sitters reply to job requests
  • Access your upcoming bookings details, complete with sitter profile
  • Schedule your next job with a sitter at the end of the night
  • Sitters: Reply to jobs instantly and enjoy similar app features!

The app is free to download, but only available on iTunes (Android coming soon!).




UrbanSitter Sweepstakes

Hopefully I've hyped up UrbanSitter enough for you to jump over and enter the sweepstakes that UrbanSitter is hosting - a full year of babysitting for date nights (or girl's night, nap time, etc.) - a $4,160 value! You can enter the sweepstakes here: https://www.urbansitter.com/sweepstakes. Buena suerte!

This is a sponsored post for MomsLA and UrbanSitter. However, all opinions expressed are my own. Images courtesy of UrbanSitter.com.

Rainy day Wreck-It Ralph Activities

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It's raining here in So. Cal. this morning and it made me think of rainy day activities to keep the kids entertained. Today, I'm going to start off with these Wreck-It Ralph activity sheets. Feel free to click the image to print out a copy for your kids!

Wreck-It Ralph
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Wreck-It Ralph
HIDDEN OBJECTS

"Caring Santa" comes to Westminster Mall | @ShopWestminster #SpecialNeeds

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Caring Santa at Westminster Mall

Taking pictures with Santa is an experience that most kid look forward. However, sometimes it's a bit difficult for all kids to enjoy a meeting with Santa when the scene is chaotic, loud and busy. This is why Simon Property Group partnered with Ability Path to host "Caring Santa" - an event dedicated to providing a calm, safe environment for kids with special needs to get their photos taken with Santa.

Many steps are taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for the children’s magical visit with Santa during "Caring Santa". This environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):
  • Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the Santa set, dimming the lights, and shutting down fountains during the duration of the event. 
  • Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called. 
  • Special activities and stories geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.
"Caring Santa" offers kids who need a more subdued environment the opportunity to participate in a fun, holiday activity with Santa and it's happening this Sunday, December 2nd from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Westminster Mall!

Participants are encouraged to RSVP for the "Caring Santa" event at Westminster Mall by going to www.AbilityPath.org. You can also see other locations where "Caring Santa" events are taking place.
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