Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

There are still appointments available {but they are filling up quickly} so I wanted to do a final reminder to book your appointment for the Love is in the Hair blowout fundraiser benefiting Team Tiny Oranges and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation!

The event, organized and brought to you by the fabulous Tera Rae Stephens, takes place next Saturday, February 12th, 2011 from 12 – 6pm at Tek Salon in Costa Mesa.

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend ladies and you deserve to get pampered and gorgeous for a great cause!

And your $25 tax deductible donation will go directly to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation to help find causes and cures for kids with cancer. Do you need a  better reason than that?

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT!
HERE’S HOW…

1. Click THIS LINK to take you to the Schedulicity site. You should see “Love is in the Hair” at the top and a list of 10 stylists.

2. Click on ANY stylist – doesn’t matter – they are all fab.

3. Select the appointment time you want and click on it.

4. Check to make sure the info is correct then click  BOOK IT!

5. You will then have to register with an email address & password for Schedulicity. When appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirmation.

6. After appointment is booked, CLICK HERE to go to Tera’s personal fundraising page & make your donation by putting $25.00 in the donation box and complete the form. Donation must be made at the time you make your appointment.*

{*Please note, the donation is non-refundable. So, if you book an appointment and then have to cancel, no refunds will be given.  But you can feel good that your money is going to an amazing cause!}

I am excited about all the fun things planned!  

There will be raffles, treats, a photo wall for your gorgeous “after” pic, music, friends and just a whole lotta fun!

Here is a list of  companies that will be there to make this event EXTRA LOVELY!

A tremendous thank you to my amazing hairdresser, friend and fellow team member, Tera for organizing this amazing event.  She has already raised over $1200 to fight pediatric cancer and continues to inspire me every day!

And thank you so much to all of the the stylists who will be donating their time and Saturday afternoon to give you beautiful hair!  The following stylists will be there from Tek Salon: Sekina Ball, Kim Breeding, Ashlee Domann, Ursula Imboden, Jackie Islip, Heidi Nelson and Cindy Perez.

And Alex Espinoza from Holiday Salon and Natalie Azzara from Salon Gregories.

Thanks to Debra Hoppe, owner of the fabulous Tek Salon and Spa, who so generously gave our group use of the salon for the entire afternoon.  Your kindness is much appreciated.

The awesome Sharon from the fabulous party planning blog, Cupcakes & Cutlery, has been so nice to donate her time to help plan and infuse major CUTENESS into the event with her amazing ideas.  Thank you!

Thanks also to Sharon for enlisting the help of her friend and fellow party blogger extraordinaire, Lauren, of A Fabulous Fete, who will be there to help decorate and style our event.   We appreciate your time so much ladies!

It wouldn’t be a party without some sweet treats, so special thanks to Melanie of Sensitive Sweets, for blessing us with her yummy goodies.  My favorite cupcake in OC HANDS DOWN! Sensitive Sweets specializes in custom cakes and cupcakes for all your special events and can make just about any custom creation free of any food allergens that your family might have.

Nothing Bundt Cakes opening soon in Costa Mesa was sweet enough to donate some of their, are you ready, BUNDTINIS! I can’t wait to try them!

Feeling a little pasty this February?  Not to fear!  Joann of Pretty Winks will be there offering $25 airbrush spray tans (normally $60!) to anyone in the mood for a little St. Tropez glow.   No appointments necessary – first come first serve on the day of.

Schwarzkopf has generously offered a TON of hair care products including shampoos, conditioners and styling products for us to raffle.  Yippee!

And Oribe will be donating  product samples for you to take!

So, as you can see, this is an event NOT to be missed! I can’t wait to see you next Saturday!  If you don’t have Valentine plans with your boys – bring a group of girlfriends along and make a plan to go out for dinner or drinks afterwards.  No need for a fabulous blowout to go to waste!

Email me at jennifer@tinyoranges.com  if you have any questions!  Thanks so much for your support for this great cause!  Have a great weekend!!!

I know we all have a few of our “favorite” photos. You know the ones.  A special picture that just captures the essence of our child’s personality or freezes a particularly sweet moment in time.  Well now you can showcase your special shot in the “Laura Rauch Favorite Picture Contest” and have the chance to win some AMAZING prices!

Beginning Saturday, Feburary 5th, 2011  you will be able to submit your “Favorite Picture” of your choice.

The First Place winner will receive a “The DVD Package” with Laura Rauch Photography. This includes all of the images from the session on a DVD and a $200 gift certificate to your choice; GapKids, Mini Boden, or Crewcuts.  {$575 value}

The Second Place winner will receive a “The Simple Session” which include a 1.5 hour photo session for up to 6 people and a professionally printed 16×20 Canvas Gallery Wrap. {$276 value}

HOW TO ENTER & CONTEST RULES

* One entry per family.
* You must have permission/rights to use the photo you enter.
* Photos will be accepted from Saturday Feburary 5th, 2011 until 11:59pm Saturday Feburary 12th, 2011 via e-mail.
* Please email photos to laurarauchfavpic@yahoo.com with the Subject line FAVORITE PICTURE CONTEST during the previously mentioned time to be posted on time.
* Include your name and contact information.
* Contest open to everyone, however if you live outside of Orange County, Ca, you must choose a location within Orange County, Ca  for your prize shoot.
* If you already have a session scheduled this can be used for your session.

HOW PHOTOS WILL BE JUDGED

* All entries will be uploaded into an album by Laura Rauch Photography at www.facebook.com/laurarauchphotography, no later than Sunday Feburary 13th, 2011, on the Facebook fan page.
* To vote for a photo you MUST “LIKE” Laura Rauch Photography
* Click ‘like’ (thumbs up) for the photo you are voting for in the Laura Rauch Photography album labeled ‘ The “Favorite Picture” Contest.
* Photo with the most ‘likes’ will be the winner. Comments permitted, but WILL NOT count towards the total number of votes.
* Voting will close Sunday, Feburary 20th, 2011 11:59pm.
* Official winner will be notified and announced no later than Monday, Feburary 21st, 2011.

WHAT YOU WILL WIN

* The First Place winner will receive “The Complete Package” with Laura Rauch Photography which includes a session for up to 6 people for a 1.5 hour session, all post-session enhancing 30-40+ images and a Full-Res. DVD with all of the images. Also the winner wins a $200 gift certificate to your choice; GapKids, Mini Boden, or Crewcuts. A $575 value

* Photo session must be booked within 30 days of winning, and completed before May 31, 2011.

* Prize retail value of $575 – can not be altered or changed in any way, and is not redeemable for cash.

* The Second Place winner will receive a “The Simple Session” which includes a session for up to 6 people for a 1.5 hour session, all post-session enhancing 30-40+ images and a professionally printed 16×20 Canvas Gallery Wrap.

* Prize retail value of $276 – can not be altered or changed in any way, and is not redeemable for cash.

Email Laura at laurarauchphoto@yahoo.com and she will be happy to answer any questions.

Laura would like to remind people to please remember this is a fun contest to possibly win a free session and some goodies. Laura wants everyone to have a good experience. In the past she has had a few people get upset with the final result and she just wants to remind everyone that she does not control the final outcome.  She thanks you for participating and can’t wait to see your favorite pic!

www.laurarauchphoto.com

{Disclosure: Laura Rauch Photography is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor}

Just reading the word yoga makes me want to take a deep inhale and exhale.  Shall we take a few deep breaths together mamas?   Ahhhhh…

Feeling more centered now?  Then let me share with you new local yoga classes for OC moms in South Orange County taught by Kelly of Peace Flow Yoga.

In the past 7 years, Kelly has lived abroad and taught yoga in Malaysia, Bali, Thailand and most recently Kauai. A trained yoga instructor and also Certified Prenatal Yoga instructor, Kelly has a class for every mom at every level.

Here is a snapshot of the types of classes she offers:

Prenatal Yoga

Nurture yourself and the life you carry inside you.  Connect with other pregnant women who share this journey with you.  Strengthen the body for childbirth and release anxiety and fears.  For all stages of pregnancy.  No previous yoga experience necessary.

Tuesday 5:30 – 6:45 pm  - Beyond Yoga/Fitness Elite, Laguna Niguel (must pre-register/childcare available)

Friday 10:15 – 11:30 am  – Beyond Yoga/Fitness Elite, Laguna Niguel (must pre-register/childcare available)

Sunday 10:30 am – 11:45 am – (Level 1/Prenatal Appropriate) Yoga Bungalow, San Juan Capistrano

Affordable Private & Semi-Private Yoga

At a park, on the beach, a yoga studio, or the comfort & convenience of your own home.  Specializing in yoga for women at every stage in life (prenatal, postnatal & beyond).  Semi-private sessions are great for new moms or a group of friends. Contact Kelly to schedule a session.  Click here for pricing.

Vinyasa Flow/Power Yoga (Regular Yoga – Not Prenatal)

Tuesday 10:45-11:45 am (Power 1) Beyond Yoga/Fitness Elite, Laguna Niguel

Wednesday 9:00 – 10:15 am (Intermediate/Vinyasa Flow) Yoga Bungalow, San Juan Capistrano

www.peaceflowyoga.com

808.634.2836 * kellybuskirk@yahoo.com

Namaste.

I am on a roll with the cooking lately!  Woo hoo!   Which is BIG for me.   My husband wonders what has gotten into me, but he knows better than to ask any questions.

I started the “I Hate to Cook” series last week and asked people to send me EASY recipes to try.   Kathleen from Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice sent me this awesome recipe that I tried out with my fellow non-cooking girlfriend and our families last weekend.   It’s a yummy recipe for Grilled Steak & Arugula Sandwiches.  They were amazing.  Plus, it passed my dummy test (if I can make it anyone can!)   I thought it would make a good post for this week, as these would be awesome to serve at a Superbowl party.

We also added one thing to the recipe – caramelized onions.  My first time making those.  Super easy + such a great addition to a sandwich, steak or burger.

Easy dinner number 2:

Grilled Flank Steak & Arugula Sandwiches
with Carmelized Onions

You will need:

1 pound flank steak (or any other steak of your choosing)
1/8 cup good olive oil for brushing the steak
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
8 ounces baby arugula
1 chunk good Parmesan cheese grated or shaved (about 4 ounces)
1 LARGE roll of Soft French Bread

2 large white, brown or yellow onions
2 pinches of sugar

CARMELIZED ONIONS

You can do the carmelized onions early because they can sit and cool prior to serving.

Cut the onions into little rainbow-shaped slivers.  Meanwhile, heat a decent amount (around 2 – 3 TBSP) of olive oil on medium high in a skillet.  Let it get nice and hot then add in your onions.

Turn and turn and turn them, or if you are fancy and can flip them in the skillet, go for it.  I am a beginner and not there yet!   Keep turning or flipping so the olive oil coats them.  You will let them sit for a minute or so periodically throughout the cooking so they get brown, but be careful not to let them sit on one side for too long or you risk burning them.

We cooked them for about 20 – 25 minutes to let them get nice and brown like this:

Then, turn heat down to medium and sprinkle about 2 pinches of sugar all over and then turn. Cook for about 5 more minutes and then remove from heat.  Put in a bowl and they are ready to serve!

THE SANDWICHES

For those of you that don’t cook like me and get confused in the meat section, this is the type of meat we bought.  It said very clearly on the label, “Beef Flank Steak.”

Remove from package and give the meat a good coating of olive oil, sat and pepper on both sides.   We did a little mixture that also included a little garlic salt too.  Yummy.

Heat pan to medium high heat.

Ours was too big for one pan, so we cut it in half and cooked them in two separate pans.

Cook for about 5 – 10 minutes on one side depending on how thick they are, then flip.  It only took about 5 ish minutes for ours. Around 12 minutes total to cook to a perfect medium rare.   If you use a meat thermometer, it should reach 125 degrees in the center.

Take the cooked steaks, place on a clean plate and wrap in tin foil to let rest.

In the meantime, add slices of bread to the SAME pan to grill and get nice and toasty.  Awesome idea Kathleen!

THE SAUCE & ACCOMPANIMENTS

This sauce was super yummy and so easy.  You can do this while the meat is cooking.  Mix 1/2 cup Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Kosher salt & 1/2 tsp black pepper in a little bowl.  Wash and arrange arugula and put shaved parm in separate bowls.

{Photo above and steak photo below both by Kathleen of Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice.}

THE SAMMIES

Cut the flank steak in thin slices against the grain.

After it is cut, get your toasty bread and pile on the steak, Dijon sauce, arugula, carmelized onions and shaved parmesan for ONE AMAZING sandwich!

The guys were in heaven.  SOOOOOOOO tasty!  If you have leftover steak (doubtful) you can use leftovers later in the week in a steak salad, tacos, more sandwiches, what have you.

It felt SO awesome learning how to actually grill a flank steak! And it was truly SO easy!

ATTENTION MOMMIES WHO COOK:

If you have an EASY EASY EASY go-to weeknight dinner recipe – one you think even I could do – please send it to me at jennifer@tinyoranges.com and I will feature your blog / recipe on my site after I give it the dummy test (me being the dummy) to see if I can make it.  And to see if I can not only make it, but if it is edible.   Because if I can do it, anyone can.

Happy cooking (..not hating it!)

Click here for more amazing recipes on Kathleen’s blog Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!