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CHLOE THE SEA OTTER PUP TO MAKE HER PUBLIC DEBUT ON EXHIBIT AT THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC NOVEMBER 21, 2013

November 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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       A stranded sea otter pup will be joining the Aquarium family. Chloe has been behind the scenes at the Aquarium of the Pacific for the past few months and is now ready to go on exhibit. Chloe the sea otter pup will debut on exhibit on Thursday, November 21 starting at 9 a.m.

Chloe was born November of 2012, found stranded on Pismo Beach on December 1, 2012 and rescued by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program. She was housed and cared for at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for seven months and then moved to her new home at the Aquarium of the Pacific in June 2013, after being deemed non-releasable to the wild.

According to the Aquarium of the Pacific’s mammal biologists, Chloe is far from a picky eater. “She enjoys all the food the sea otters are fed here at the Aquarium, including restaurant-quality clams, shrimp, and squid,” said Dudley Wigdahl, Aquarium of the Pacific curator. Chloe is now eating roughly seven pounds of food a day. Chloe weighed 28 pounds when she first arrived at the Aquarium and now weighs 34 pounds. Long Beach resident Marla Graham was the winner of an Aquarium membership opportunity to name the sea otter pup and selected the name Chloe. Since Chloe’s arrival to the Aquarium, she has been undergoing basic training to aid biologists in providing her daily care and for enrichment. Chloe has learned stationing—learning how to sit calmly in front of her trainer. She is also working with a target pole, learning to target a shape, and learning to take vitamins in liquid form.

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

Starting November 21 at 9:00 a.m., the public can see Chloe, the new sea otter pup, in the sea otter exhibit. The Aquarium of the Pacific is open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily and until 8:30 p.m. during Discounted Thanksgiving Late Nights on 11/29-30. Aquarium admission is $25.95 for adults 12+, $22.95 for seniors 62+, $14.95 per child (ages 3-11), and free to Aquarium members and children under age three. Admission during Late Nights is $14.95 per person after5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.aquariumofpacific.org or call (562) 590-3100.

 

Photo Credit: Robin Riggs

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

bestowed= healthy & delicious!

November 19, 2013 By 1 Comment

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NOVEMBER

Looking for a way to try new healthy foods? We found the perfect way! We found a great website called Bestowed and they offer a monthly plan and an annual plan. You can receive a box with 5-7 NEW healthy foods delivered straight to your door every month-each one chosen by celebrity nutritionist and author, Heather Bauer. I received the November Box to preview and it is just perfect for this Fall season. This season is the perfect time to get out and exercise because it is not too hot and it is not too cold! November’s box has some great products for you when you are working out. It includes the following: Wild garden Hummus Dip which is really creamy and delicious! It is gluten-free and lowfat and it tastes good too! The box also includes: Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers, Eat Green Tea, LifeIce, Nektar Honey Crystals, Perfect Fuel Chocolate, Quest Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter, Salba Smart Chia Boost, Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix and ZICO Chocolate. I loved the Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers with the Wild Garden Hummus Dip! I also liked the LifeIce because they are like mini popsicles! These 30-calorie trays of mini frozen treats are portion-controlled and portable! You can even eat these late at night! All these products are not only healthy but delicious too!

It’s such a great way to try these new products! The monthly plan for The Box is $19.00 a month or you can pay annually for $209. a year. The Boxes will ship and arrive on the 5th of every month and shipping is included. (Boxes ship via USPS and within the US only).

Want to try it our for yourself? Our readers can use the discount code HELLOTEN105 to get their first Bestowed box for $10 (normally $10). This code expires on 11/30/13! So, what are you waiting for? 

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Don’t forget to check out their website and also look for bestowed on Facebook!

Self Disclosure: I received the November Box for Free to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are my own. Photo Credit: bestowed.

 

 

Filed Under: Archived Content, Featured Products of the Week

Fun family DVDs for the Holidays!

November 19, 2013 By 8 Comments

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“Saving Santa” (BR/DVD Combo SRP $29.99; DVD SRP $21.98)

An upbeat tale of the ultimate holiday rush, “Saving Santa” starts at the top – the top of the North Pole, that is – where Bernard (Martin Freeman), a low-ranking Elf, dreams of one day joining Santa’s elite team of great inventors, the very elves who make the magic of Christmas possible! But when one of Bernard’s wacky inventions accidentally reveals the secret location of Santa’s workshop to an eccentric billionaire scoundrel (Tim Curry), Santa (Tim Conway) and Christmas itself are in jeopardy. It’s up to Bernard to time-travel (again and again) to get Santa home in time for Christmas! In addition to its collection of top talent and non-stop, action-packed entertainment, “Saving Santa” features must-see bonus content, including the animated music video for “Some Kind of Miracle” sung by Ashley Tisdale (voice of Shiny), “behind-the scenes” voice recording sessions with the film’s talent and a special “Why Saving Santa?” featurette!

“Chief Wilson” (SRP $14.98)

Preschoolers will embark on trainloads of stimulating and engaging escapades alongside Wilson and the whole Chuggington crew with the DVD release of “Chief Wilson”! In six exciting adventures, Wilson competes to be Chugger of the Year, attracts unwelcome magnetic powers and takes over Mtambo’s tours – leading a wild and crazy journey through Safari Park! Wilson also helps Action Chugger prepare for a movie role and puts his own skills to work when he performs a series of rescue tests on the Chugasonic Speedway. With friends like Koko, Brewster, Jackman and Hanzo along for the ride, Wilson and young Chuggers at home will learn important lessons about problem solving and working together to help ride the rails of life!

 We received both of these DVDs to review and Saving Santa is a really fun one for this holiday season! My son and I both loved the time travel! Chief Wilson is  a great one for younger children!

We have teamed up for a special Holiday gift package! These DVDs would make great gifts! You must be a subscriber to enter! Next, leave a comment below telling us your favorite holiday character (Frosty is mine!) and make sure to like our Facebook page! Deadline to enter is November 28th, 2013. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: I received DVDs to facilitate this feature.

Filed Under: Archived Content

Celebrate an Old Time Christmas

November 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Capture the holiday spirit at Rancho Los Cerritos’ “Old Time Christmas Festival” scheduled for Sunday, December 8 from 1-4 p.m.  A great family event, people of all ages will experience 19th century Christmas traditions from the California frontier while learning about history in one of Long Beach’s most historic homes.  Admission is $3 per person, or $10 per family and includes tours of the adobe home, craft activities, storytelling, piñatas, a visit with Santa Claus, light refreshments and holiday music.

 

The two-story adobe will be decorated with greenery and homemade items popular in Victorian times, and costumed volunteer docents will share holiday customs and Rancho history with guests as they tour the home at their leisure.  Children will have an array of activities to entertain them.  They can try to break a piñata, make old-fashioned holiday decorations for their own trees at home, create handmade gifts for friends and family, and enjoy popular tales from long ago as presented by our lively costumed storytellers.

 

Visitors are encouraged to bring cameras to capture family members posing with Santa Claus.  Throughout the afternoon, the Rancho will be filled with joyful holiday music performed by local groups including the festive choral music of Women of Note and a group from Poly High Schools’ acclaimed music department.   Light refreshments will be served in the backyard, and visitors are encourage to stop by the Museum Shop to search for unique holiday gifts.

 

Rancho Los Cerritos is at 4600 Virginia Road in Long Beach. The 1844 adobe home will be adorned with Victorian greenery and decorations throughout the holiday season and can be toured during public hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Rancho will be closed December 24, 25 and 31, 2013, and January 1, 2014.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content

“Unexpected Guests for the Holidays”

November 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The time is the evening of Monday, December 23, 1878, at Rancho Los Cerritos.  Owner Jotham Bixby and his wife have just returned from a business trip to San Francisco to check on wool shipments. Many relatives and friends are here helping prepare for Christmas, which the extended Bixby family will celebrate at Rancho Los Cerritos this year. 

Suddenly the Rancho’s evening activities are interrupted by unexpected visitors – YOU!  Your stagecoach en route to Los Angeles has arrived at the Ranch, having been lost in the fog on the road from Santa Ana. After a brief rest for the horses, your coach will continue to Los Angeles. From there you can board the train for San Francisco tomorrow morning. While the horses rest, the Bixby family will most assuredly welcome you and provide for your comfort.

Step back in time to December 23, 1878 and celebrate a Victorian Christmas at Rancho Los Cerritos!   Tour the decorated adobe home with a costumed living history docent, and meet the Bixby family, friends and workers on this active sheep ranch as they share holiday traditions and discuss daily life in the Los Angeles area through theatrical vignettes.   You’ll hear how the workers will spend the holidays, learn about advances in technology, and explore women’s views on suffrage, temperance and children’s education. Your magical evening will conclude with gingerbread, hot cider and live music in the gardens – and perhaps some shopping in the Museum Store where you’ll find decorative ornaments, children’s toys and unique handmade Christmas crafts.    

Tours begin every ten minutes between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday evenings, December 14 and 15.  Tickets are on sale now for $15 and will not be sold at the door.  To reserve your candlelit journey back in time, call 562/570-1755 or download the form from the website:  www.rancholoscerritos.org.

Rancho Los Cerritos is at 4600 Virginia Road in Long Beach.  The 1844 adobe home will be adorned with Victorian greenery and decorations throughout the holiday season and can be toured during public hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.  The Rancho will be closed December 24, 25 and 31, 2013 and January 1, 2014.   

Filed Under: Archived Content

Laura Mercier’s 2013 Holiday Collection

November 19, 2013 By 3 Comments

This year’s Holiday Colour and Holiday Bath & Body Collections are available in Laura’s signature shades and scents. These beautifully packaged products make the perfect gift for your mom, your friend, your sister – or even yourself! I received samples of the bubble bath in the  Crème Brûlée fragrance  to review and it’s my favorite bubble bath! I love how it smells and leaves my skin feeling soft! 

 

Laura Mercier National Colour Collection

Product Name

Product Details

Available Shades

Pricing

Petite Baked Eye Colour Bonbons – Multi-Finish

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 Flawlessly festive pops of colour in a delicious trio Available in:

  • ·         Bronze Trio
  • ·         Amethyst Trio
  • ·         Emerald Trio
 $25 

Luxe Colour Wardrobe Dual Decker Colour for Eye & Cheeks

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 This ultimate holiday accessory is filled with everything you need to perfect your flawless face – it’s luxury at its best Set includes:

  • ·         8 Eye Colours
  • ·         1 Face Highlighter
  • ·         2 Second Skin Cheek Colours
  • ·         3 Tightline Cake Eye Liners
  • ·         1 Mini Longwear Crème Eye Pencil
  • ·         3 Brushes
 $125 

Colour to Go Portable Palette for Eyes, Cheeks & Lips

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 All you need colour essentials for glamour-on-the-go Available in:

  • ·         Natural Nudes
  • ·         Smoky Violets
 $50 

Luxe Travel Brush Collection

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 Sleek, chic, clutch filled with essential brushes for the flawless face Set includes:

  • ·         Full-Size Cheek Colour Brush
  • ·         Secret Camouflage/Camouflage Powder Brush
  • ·         All Over Eye Colour/ Pony Tail Brush
  • ·         Eye Crease/ Smudge Brush
  • ·         Flat Eye Liner/Angled Eye Liner Brush
 $125

Line & Define Mini Longwear Crème Eye Pencil Collection

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 Five mini pencils in classic, pure-jet shades to contour, outline and define Set includes:

  • ·         Violet
  • ·         Espresso
  • ·         Noir
  • ·         Sage
  • ·         Cobalt
 $45 

Shimmer Effects Mini Caviar Stick Eye Colour Collection

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 Perfectly portable sizes to create soft-glimmer highlights and endless effects Set includes:

  • ·         Pink Opal
  • ·         Amethyst
  • ·         Rosegold
  • ·         Sugar Frost
 $40 

Mini Lip Glace Collection

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 A holiday set of must-haves for extra sparkle and shine Available in:

  • ·         Bare Nudes
  • ·         Bold Brights
 $48

Laura Mercier National Bath & Body Collection

Product Name

Product Details

Available Scents

Pricing

Soufflé Body Crème Sampler

 

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 Indulge in four of Laura’s favorite ultra-whipped crèmes to nourish the skin Set includes:

  • ·         Ambre Vanille
  • ·         Almond Coconut Milk
  • ·         Crème De Pistache
  • ·         Fresh Fig
 $60

Body & Bath Travel Quartet

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 A symphony of indulgence for the ultimate traveler. Set contains travel-friendly sizes of Crème Body Wash, Body Butter, Hand Crème and Eau Gourmande Available in:

  • ·         Tarte Au Citron
  • ·         Fresh Fig
 $50

Body & Bath Duet

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 Indulge in the ultimate luxury of a warm, fragranced bath. These softly scented bath salts work to melt away the stresses of the day, while the Soufflé Body Crème exfoliates, softens and soothes skin Available in:

  • ·         Almond Coconut Milk
  • ·         Crème Brûlée
 $48

Hand Crème Sampler Collection

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 Give hands a luxurious taste of ultra-rich and velvety hydration Set includes:

  • ·         Fresh Fig
  • ·         Crème Brûlée
  • ·         Almond Coconut Milk
  • ·         Crème de Pistache

 

 $28

Body & Bath Luxe Quartet

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 Indulge and escape with Laura’s luxe quartet in three delectable gourmande scents, which contains Honey Bath, Body Scrub, Souffle Body Crème and a candle Available in:

  • ·         Almond Coconut Milk
  • ·         Crème Brûlée
  • ·         Ambre Vanillé
 $80

Votive Candle Sampler Collection

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 Get warm and cozy for the holidays with four of Laura’s delicious votives Set includes:

  • ·         Crème Brûlée
  • ·         Fresh Fig
  • ·         Ambre Vanillé
  • ·         Tarte au Citron
 $65

Luxe Signature Candle

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 Roasted chestnuts, nutmeg, spicy berry, clove and warm vanilla sugar cream are all wrapped up for the holidays Available in:

  • ·         Warm Roasted Chestnuts
 $58 

Self Disclosure: I received samples to facilitate this feature. Photo Credit: Laura Mercier.

 

 

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

Scandinavian Child Debuts b.box 2014 Collection of On the Go Everyday Feeding and Diapering Essentials

November 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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Scandinavian Child (SCI), a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of innovative, functional and stylish children’s products debuts the 2014 b.box collection of award-winning, on the go feeding and diapering essentials for baby.

Founded in 2007 by Dannielle Michaels and Monique Filer, Australian-based b.box offers an innovative range of design led everyday baby essentials that help to make the lives of parents easier in a fun, functional and stylish way.

Six items will be offered in the 2014 b.box collection including the essential travel bib; essential sippy cup; essential baby spoon; essential snack pack; essential baby bottle & dispenser and essential diaper wallet.

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essential travel bib  

The b.box essential travel bib has meal time wrapped up wherever you are with baby.  This neat and compact bib folds up; zips closed and comes complete with a soft and flexible silicone spoon. A handy catcher is formed when the bib is opened and it includes a loop for added convenience to hang it on a diaper bag or a stroller.  It features an adjustable neck strap and easily wipes clean.   No more zip lock bags!  Just pack the essential travel bib and after baby has finished, simply pop the spoon inside, fold the bib inside the catcher, zip and go.  All the mess is safely contained.  BPA, Phthalates and PVC Free.

Available in six designs: Cherry Delight, Beep Beep, Splish Splash, Flower Power, Shining Star and Retro Circles

Recommended retail: $14.95

 

essential sippy cup

This award-winning b.box essential sippy cup features an innovative weighted straw that allows little ones to drink to the very last drop.  The durable leak proof plastic cup has an easy grip handle and simple flip top lid.  Dishwasher safe and BPA, Phthalates and PVC free.

Available in four colors: Apple, Blueberry, Grape and Raspberry

Recommended retail: $11.95

 

essential baby spoon 

Ideal for starting solids and also for independent eaters, the b.box essential baby spoon offers a flexible soft bite, easy grip handle and large spoon head/tip.  The dishwasher safe silicon spoon comes in a handy twin pack and easily fits inside the essential travel bib.

BPA, Phthalates and PVC free.

Available in a handy twin pack in three stylish color combinations:

Green/Blue, Blue/Red and Purple/Pink

Recommended retail: $6.95

 

essential snack pack

Ideal for meal time on the go, the b.box essential snack pack offers a compact storage container with two compartments and a soft spoon that clips into the lid.

BPA, Phthalates and PVC free.

Available in three stylish color combinations:  Aqualicious, Grape and Pinkalily

Recommended retail: $11.95

 

essential baby bottle & dispenser

The b.box revolutionary essential baby bottle + dispenser features a built-in convenient formula dispenser to prepare at home and feed on the go.  Just scoop, plunge, shake and feed!  Unique dual functionality is also offered as it converts to a conventional bottle.  The 8 oz. essential baby bottle + dispenser is dishwasher and sterilizer safe, includes anti-colic nipples and other leading brand nipples will fit on the bottle.  BPA, Phthalates and PVC Free.

Available in four colors: Aqua Groove, Berry Surprise, Lime Twist and Plum Punch

Recommended retail: $19.95

 

essential diaper wallet

This compact container holds all of the necessities for a quick diaper change on the go.  A built-in dual-access box holds up to 20 wipes.  The essential diaper wallet can store two disposable diapers and a convenient, easy to clean change mat is included as well.

Available in seven fun, fashion forward patterns: Retro Circles, Shining Star, Beep Beep, Flower Power, Falling Leaves, Cherry Delight and Splish Splash. We received a sample of the essential diaper wallet and this is a Must-Have for New Moms! Since my son is no longer a baby, we didn’t try it out but a close friend did and she loves it!  She says, “It is just so handy!” Sometimes she doesn’t need the diaper bag and she said this is perfect!  She highly recommends it for all new moms! 

Recommended retail: $24.95

 

b.box products are the recipient of multiple awards from Australia and internationally including:

 

•             2013 Peekaboo Design Award for Best Travel Product and for Best Bottle Feeding Product

•             2013 Australian Business Award for Best New Product

•             Parent Tested, Parent Approved (PTPA) Winner

•             Finalist, 2013 Mother & Baby Awards

•             2012 Mother & Baby Gold Award, Sippy Cup of the Year

•             2011 Winner, Creative Child Magazine Best Travel Aid

•             2010 AusMumpreneur Award for Product Innovation

•             2010 iParenting Award, Best Product, Gear & Equipment

•             Finalist, UK Practical Parenting Awards

 

The b.box collection is available now at www.svan.com and at leading specialty juvenile products stores nationwide. For more information visit svan.com

 

About Scandinavian Child:

 

Founded in 2002 in Raleigh, North Carolina, SCI is focused on bringing high quality

children’s products to discerning parents.

 

In 2011, Scandinavian Child acquired Svan AB, Sweden-based designer and manufacturer of extraordinary bentwood juvenile furniture.  In addition to b.box, Scandinavian Child brands include Svan, Fertile Mind, Totseat® and Duux.

 

Built on the company philosophy “Childhood Without Compromise,” all SCI products meet the company’s criteria of innovative design, usefulness and safety.

 

For more information, visit www.scichild.com. Follow Svan on:

Twitter: @svanbaby

Pinterest: /svanbaby

Facebook:  /svanbaby

Youtube: svanbaby

 

Follow b.box on:

Twitter: @bboxforkids

Pinterest: /bboxforkids

Facebook: /bboxforkids

Self Disclosure: SoCal City Kids received a product from this line up for purposes of review/feature.

 

Filed Under: Archived Content, Featured Products of the Week

Layer On The Shine With New Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Color!

November 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Hypnautical      TwinkledPink

Looking for bold, shiny nail color with lots of sheen?  Sally Hansen  brings maximum radiance to the season’s most covetable colors with the new Triple Shine Nail Color. Sally Hansen knows that high shine is what you crave. Yet, daily hand washing can eat away at color due to water’s high PH, detergent can dull shine, and everything from chlorine to heat damages polish’s precious luster. Luckily, this innovative formula features a one-of-a-kind Ultimate Shield Complex, designed to help polish withstand the wear and tear of on-the-go living.  As the latest breakthrough from Sally Hansen, the definitive color authority, Triple Shine Nail Color marries sheer brilliance with the shades of the moment for non-stop shine in the colors you covet. I received a few to try out and love how long the color lasted (and I do a lot of dishes!) and also love the extra shine! Triple Shine Nail Color is formulated with an Ultimate Shield Complex, exclusive to Sally Hansen. It is also available in 29 colors in three trend-setting color palettes, including: Iridescence: A range of nine ethereal, pearlescent pastels and shimmering metallics, Pop: A rainbow of ten vibrant polishes in bold brights, Fanta-Sea: A glittering selection of then aquatic tones that evoke the sun-dappled sea. I just love this new nail color! They are quite affordable too! They retail for $4.99 each and can be found at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Self Disclosure: I received products for free but any opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner
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