@NestleUSA and @GirlScouts have teamed up! #CandyBars #ThinMints #Caramel #PeanutButter #Review

As if Nestlé^® Crunch^® couldn't tempt us enough.  After months of speculation, Nestlé's has announced the new line of candy bars! 

We all know and love our annual girl scout cookies!  Our time with our cookies is literally short and sweet.  They are gone all too soon and we have to wait another year for the mouth watering sweets. 

This June, for the second year in a row, we can now enjoy our favorite Girl Scout Cookies until September!  Not in a box sold outside your local grocery store by those cute little darlings but inside!  Three of our favorites have graduated to the next level, candy bars! 

·         Thin Mints™ – Dark chocolate cookie wafers and mint chocolate crème, topped with airy crispies and a rich, dark chocolatey coating

·         Caramel & Coconut (Samoas) – Cookie wafers layered with coconut caramel crème and chewy caramel, topped with toasted coconut and drizzled with caramel stripes

 

·         Peanut Butter Crème (Tagalongs) – Cookie wafers layered with smooth peanut butter crème, topped with airy crispies and a creamy, chocolatey coating
 

I was fortunate enough to get a sneak taste of them for strictly reviewing purposes... really... Some one has to make sure they aren't dangerous to eat!

 

Let me tell you! I really liked them! Who wouldn't?  I would swear I was biting into Thin Mints™, Samoa's and Tagalongs!  For a few extra months, we get to enjoy our Girl Scout Cookies in a new way. 

 

Already, these tasty treats have made waves!  

• Product of the Year: Best Innovation in the Candy Category by Consumer Survey Product Innovation
• Best New Product by Better Homes & Gardens
• Best Brand Extension by AdWeek
• Winner of Licensed/Limited Edition Category by the National Confectionary Sales Association New Product Awards

About Girl Scouts of the USA

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA-4-U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.
 

About Nestlé USA

Named one of “The World’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for sixteen consecutive years, Nestlé provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day.  From nutritious meals with LEAN CUISINE® to baking traditions with NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE®, Nestlé USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that make good living possible.  That’s what “Nestlé. Good Food, Good Life” is all about.  Nestlé USA, with 2012 sales of $10 billion, is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2012 sales of $98 billion.  For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or Facebook.com/NestleUSA.

 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.  All thoughts are my own.  Do not use any pictures without permission.

14th Annual Rods and Rails Show! #Hotrods #Trains #Motorcycles #PERRIS @OrangeEmpireRail

 

 

 

Do and your family like classic cars? Motorcycles? Trains? This is one event that you don't want to miss!

 

Retro cars to delight motor fans and families at Rods & Rails Show at Orange Empire Railway Museum  

 

The 14th Annual Rods & Rails Show and Potato Festival promises to be a huge hit for lovers of classic cars, trains and Perris history who drop by the Orange Empire Railway Museum on Saturday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

The annual festival, which is free to the public, is expected to draw more than 5,000 people. The event, sponsored by the City of Perris, features pre-1980 muscle cars, hot rods, classics, street machines, pony cars, lowriders, pre and post war trucks and all makes and models of motorcycles. 

 

Visitors will enjoy live rhythm and blues music, great food and performances by the Wild West Temecula Gun Fighters. There will be lots of fun for children including the Franklin Hayes Marionettes, a young talent showcase and youth bicycle show. The day also includes the Potato Festival, which is a tribute to the Perris Valley's agricultural roots. 

 

The Orange Empire Railway Museum features one of the largest collections of rolling rail cars in the U.S. Visitors can enjoy trolley and cable car exhibits and rides.  Admission to ride is $12 for ages 12 and up and $8 for ages 5 to 11.  For information about the car show, call the City of Perris at 951-943-6603.

 
 

About Orange Empire Railway Museum

Orange Empire Railway Museum at 2201 South A Street in Perris operates a Museum Railway where visitors can ride on the historic trains and trolleys that helped shape the Southern California we know today. The Museum Railway operates every weekend and on most major holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and also on weekdays forcharters and other special events. The Museum grounds are open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas.   

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post.  I received no compensation.  All thoughts are my own.  Do not use any pictures without compensation.

Free Legoland @SEALIFEAquarium Tickets for Volunteers! #BeachCleanup #CARLSBAD #WorldOceansDay

 

 

June 8th is World Ocean's Day! We love keeping our coast clean!  Come help clean up one of our local beaches and receive a FREE Ticket for each volunteer to the SEALIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort!

 

 

 

Register Here.  "Join" the page and you are registered.

 

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post.  All thoughts are my own.  Do not use any pictures without permission.

 

 

 

Ocean Explorer- Wonders of the Deep New @AquariumPacific #ExploreAOP

 

 

Have you heard about the Aquarium of the Pacific's newest exhibit?  I got a chance to preview its new changes this week!

 

The new exhibit showcases some of the mysteries of our deepest oceans. Not only can you see and touch some of these rarely seen animals, you can actually talk to researcher live on two different research vessels in the Atlantic Ocean! There is a running live feed of the ROV (remotely operated vehicle) a mile or more deep in the ocean!

The first thing you will notice when you walk in the hall is a map of the underwater topography of the oceans.  The screen changes to give a glimpse into the underwater wonders to come.

 

The largest tank holds what looks to be a whale remains, a Pygmy Sperm Whale to be exact.  On closer examination, you realize it is a simulated ecosystem that houses and feeds a variety of animals!

One of these life forms was an eel like fish called a Hagfish.  This quiet moving fish has an unusual defense.  It slimes anything that attempts to eat it!

The Chambered Nautilus is an animal I had seen pictures and shells of but never the live animal.
 

 

There are amazing Moon Jellies that you can actually touch!

Beyond the Moon Jellies and Hagfish, was a dark aquarium with unusual specimens.  The Flashlight fish shines a light into the darkness that is its environment, 1 mile below the surface.

The most fascinating thing in this dark hall was a large double screened wall that showcased the live feed of the ROV's working on the research ships in the Atlantic ocean!  You can actually see and talk to the researchers!

After exploring this new area, we were invited to watch short movies about the dark abyss and a little more about its inhabitants.  One of the most memorable screens was a sphere of the earth that simulates migration patterns, underwater topography much more!

As we were ready to head out, we were given a tour of the new gift shop. WOW! It was increased by 75% and now sported a fascinating kelp forest all along the back wall.  Almost all of the products sold were made from sustainable resources and recycled materials. Many of the products were made by hand.  You can see the time invested into each item.

 

We were treated to an art exhibit by Zofia Kostyrko.  Done in a pastel/digital combo medium, she captured the essence of the great contributors of ocean exploration such as Jacques Cousteau.

 

 

I encourage you to check out the newest additions to the beautiful Aquarium of the Pacific! We always enjoy going there but now there is a new chapter to study and enjoy.

This exhibit opens to the public May 24, 2013.  

If you are unable to check out the exhibit in person, you can check the live feed here.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post.  I received tickets to preview the new exhibit.  All thoughts are my own. Do not use any pictures without permission.

El Dorado Park- Nature Center's Family Summer Activities! #Concerts, #Hikes, #Campfires, #Classes, #Butterflies and more!

If you have not been to El Dorado Park's Natures Center, please take these opportunities this summer to indulge.  A gem of hiking trails, lakes, nature center, classes and more await you!  There is an abundance of wildlife to take pictures of and the children especially love the turtles on the rafts and the hands-on activities in the nature center. Check out the summer schedule for 2013! From concerts, classes, cleanups, hiking, animal identification, and more! There is something for everyone! Parent and Me Workshops - $20Bring your imagination and sense of adventure as we make friends and celebrate nature's seasonal wonders through outdoors exploration, stories, art, music and movement.$20 per adult/child pair. Ages 2-5. Dinosaur Dads Dig Triceratops, Steggie, and T-Rex... oh my! Join us as we learn about our favorite dinos, do some excavating, and even make a dino-mite father's day card, too! Wednesday, June 12, 10-11:30am. Nature Kids! Discovery CampJoin us for fun and exploration this summer! Children will experience nature through investigation, hands-on activities, games and crafts. A healthy snack will be provided. Weeklong classes are available for both preschool and youth. Registration begins May 1. Preschool - $65Mornings 9-11am. For ages 3-5. Children must be potty-trained. This is not a parent participation class. June 24-28 Pond Pals - visit with the critters that use the watery world of the pond. July 8-12 Little Bug Buddies - investigate incredible insects. July 22-26 Silly Summer Songbirds - sing, dance and celebrate the sounds of nature. August 5-9 Fairytale Forest - Let's share our favorite fables beneath the trees. August 19-23 Nature's Fun-damentals - Explore numbers, shapes and colors in the wild. Youth - $75 Mornings 9-noon. For ages 5-9 who have completed kindergarten. July 1-5 The Incredibles of the Wild - can you match the powers of nature's superheroes? (No class 7/4. Cost $65) July 15-19 Natureology - transform into a different scientist every day. July 29-August 2 Habitat Helpers - you can help protect our furry, feathered and fluttering friends. August 12-16 Bug Daze - if they hop, buzz or crawl, we'll find them! August 26-30 Adventure Seekers - only the most daring explorers will meet the challenge.   Badger Tours - $5 Ages 5-18. Scouts can enhance merit badge work with a 90-minute program focused on a specific badge. Family Night Walk - $5What do the animals do at night? Find out on a naturalist-led exploration of the darkened trails of the Nature Center. Tuesdays, 7-9pm - May 21, Jun 11 and 25, July 9 and 23, August 6 and 20 Fridays, June 7 and 21, July 5 and 19, August 2, 16 and 30.   Liars, Thieves and Chocolate - an Evening of Storytelling - $5 Come delight both your stomach and your mind! Local storytellers will bedazzle you with stories of chocolate delicacies. Ages 12 and up.             Saturday, June 8, 7:30pm   Summer Concerts at the Nature Center - $3Come for a sunset picnic by the lake while enjoying some of SoCal's best musicians. Bring low chairs or blankets and an earth-friendly picnic dinner. Ages 12 and under are free. Gates open at 6:30pm. Concert from 7-8pm. July 11 - Salty Suites - Bluegrass July 25 - Steel Parade - Calypso August 8 - Sligo Rags - Celtic Rock August 22 - Corday - Classic Rock Annual Butterfly Count - $5Help gather important data about which species are calling the Nature Center home. Beginners are welcome. Bring water, sun protection and a sack lunch. All ages.             Saturday, July 13, 9:45-noon and/or 12:30-3pm. Family Night Walk - $5   What do the animals do at night? Find out on a naturalist-led exploration of the darkened trails of the Nature Center.   Tuesdays, June 11 and 25, July 9 and 23, Aug 6 and 20. 7-9pm.   Evening Campfire - $4  Join us for an evening of family fun around the campfire! Learn more about nocturnal wildlife through fun interactive activities. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy and we’ll provide the marshmallows to roast!   Fridays, June 7 and 21, July 5 and 19, Aug 2, 16 and 30. Gates open at 7pm. Program from 7:30-8:30pm. Butterfly Identification Class - $10   Painted Lady, West Coast Lady or American Lady?  Learn about our local lepidopterans and brush up on your skills in preparation for the annual North American Butterfly Association count.  Ages 16 and up.   Saturday, June 29, 1-3pm.   El Dorado Audubon Society Meeting   Twilight walk and a delicious year-end potluck. Thursday, June 20, 5:30pm.

OC Parks Summer Concert in the Park Series- KROQ’s ROQ N’ Surf Summer Series @KROQ @OCParks #Concerts

 

http://www.clipartheaven.com/

 

 



It's that time of the year again! Concerts in the park!  I love taking my little ones to sing and dance the evening away.  We pack a picnic dinner and bring camping chairs and enjoy nice warm summer nights listening to music. 

 

(Orange County, Calif.) – OC Parks welcomes back its annual outdoor summer concert series. Thirteen free concerts at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach will present Southern California artists performing live under the summer sky on Thursday evenings June through August.

 

Craig Regional Park in Fullerton will kick off the summer concert series with three free concerts. 

 

June 6 welcomes acclaimed Oingo Boingo tribute band Dead Man’s Party performing with Michael Michael.

 

June 13 presents ‘80s sensation Flashback Heart Attack with DJ Velvet Touch.

 

June 20 The O.C. Supertones will bring ska to the park performing with Mike Vitale.

 

The concert series continues at Mason Regional Park in Irvine with three free concerts on Thursday evenings.

 

June 27 presents the indie rock sensation The Devious Means with Cherokee Fade.

 

4^th of July Breach the Summit and A+ Dropouts will perform for a special celebration.  

 

July 11 welcomes singer songwriter Micah Brown with Nicole Vaughn

 

Next the series visits Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley.

 

July 18 Surf garage rock group Hindu Pirates will perform with Cali Conscious.

 

July 25 will present Hunter Hunted with DJ Velvet Touch.

 

August 1 Los Angeles-based Latin sensation Boogaloo Assassins will perform alongside With Strangers.

 

Irvine Regional Park will present three concerts in conjunction with the Into the Wild OC Trail Rockin’ 8k Summer Runs.

 

August 8 The music kicks off with roots jug band Moonsville Collective and D.T. Robbins on .

 

August 15 Rock n’ roll blues favorite Jeramiah Red performs with Mia and the Moonlight.

 

August 22 welcomes Latin super group The Orquesta Cortez and DJ Hector Waluyo.

 

August 29 The last concert of the 2013 OC Parks Summer Concert Series stops at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach with a special performance by local indie rock icon Matt Costa and The Blank Tapes.

 All of the OC Parks Summer Concerts are part of The World Famous KROQ’s ROQ N’ Surf summer series. All shows are from 6 to 8 p.m., free concert admission with free parking and open to the public of all ages. Food trucks will be serving on-site at each location. Friends and families are invited to come out and enjoy great local live music under the stars at OC Parks this summer season.

 

Craig Regional Park

Location: 3300 State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92835

Contact: (714) 973-3180, craigpark@ocparks.com 

 

Date: Thursday, June 6

Artist: Dead Man’s Party with Michael Michael

 

Date: Thursday, June 13

Artist: Flashback Heart Attack with DJ Velvet Touch

 

Date: Thursday, June 20

Artist: O.C. Supertones with Mike Vitale

 

Time: All concerts 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free Parking: Free

 

 

Mason Regional Park

Location: 18712 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

Contact: (949) 923-2220, masonpark@ocparks.com 

 

Date: Thursday, June 27

Artist: The Devious Means with Cherokee Fade

Date: Thursday, July 4

Artist: Breach the Summit with A+ Dropouts

 

Date: Thursday, July 11 

Artist: Micah Brown with Nicole Vaughn

 

Time: All concerts 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free Parking: Free

 

Mile Square Regional Park

Location: 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Contact: (714) 973-6600, milesquare@ocparks.com 

 

Date: Thursday, July 18

Artist: Hindu Pirates with Cali Conscious

 

Date: Thursday, July 25

Artist: Hunter Hunted with DJ Velvet Touch

 

Date: Thursday, August 1

Artist: Boogaloo Assassins and With Strangers

 

Time: All concerts 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free Parking: Free

 

 

Irvine Regional Park

Location: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA, 92869

Contact: (714) 973,6835, irvinepark@ocparks.com 

 

Date: Thursday, August 8

Artist: Moonsville Collective with D.T. Robbins

 

Date: Thursday, August 15

Artist: Jeramiah Red with Mia and the Moonlight

 

Date: Thursday, August 22

Artist: The Orquesta Cortez with DJ Hector Waluyo

 

Time: All concerts 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free Parking: Free

 

Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

Location: 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, CA 92629

Contact: (949) 923-2280

 

Date: Thursday, August 29

Artist: Matt Costa with The Blank Tapes

 

Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free Parking: Free

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post.  I received no compensation for this post.  This post is for information purposes only.  Do not use any pictures without permission.

Children's Place- Summer Collection @ChildrensPlace #PLACEsummer #GIVEAWAY #ad

Well, it's that time of year.  We have made it through the holidays, done our garden planting, spring cleaned... so what's next? Summer!

With Summer brings new a colorful fashions at my favorite children's clothing store, The Children's Place.  I got a chance to go check them out and I absolutely loved what I saw!

Bright colorful skirts, shorts, tops and dresses for girls!  Of course all little girls love to dress up like their big sister so matching patterns with different styles were the key this season.

 

Accessories to match all! I loved the hats, purses and shoes! Shoes... who doesn't love shoes? The Children's place had 5 different displays of summer sandals from casual to dressy! 

 

We can't leave the boys out.  Color is in for them as well.  Neon colors brighten up the room!  Swim trunks match the rash guards, sandals, sunglasses and hats! Everything is about accessorizing!

 

I love the Page Boy and Fedora hats!  I wish my son was a little more open in the clothing department... He is beyond the age where he will willingly leave on an adorable hat.  However, they did have a large selection of character tees that he adores!  Skylanders, Ninjago, Marvel, and more! 

Sport shirts are also on the list, numbered "jersey" shirts and comfy shorts.  All their shorts and pants for boys have the adjustable waistbands so there is no guessing if something will fit.

 

With all of the coupons for signing up on their email list, you can't go wrong! I got a 30% off coupon just a couple days ago! The coupons are good additional to their already low end of spring savings!

Additional to the great savings by getting their emails, let me give you helping hand to start shopping! Who wants a $25 gift card? Enter Below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post.  I received a Children's Place gift card to check out the new line of Summer Fashions.  All thoughts are my own.  Do not use any pictures without permission.