Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

Sensitive Sweets, a dedicated gluten-free, nut-free bakery in Fountain Valley is now offering special decorating parties!

As a mom of a daughter with a milk and egg allergy, Sensitive Sweets is a God-send to moms like me who have kids with food allergies. Her goodies are made with NO gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts or tree nuts. And they are amazingly good! 

I keep a stash of Sensitive Sweets cupcakes in my freezer, so anytime we go to a party, I have a special cupcake for Morgan on hand so she doesn’t have to feel left out at cake time.

Sensitive Sweets is now offering extraordinary decorating parties at her darling bakery, perfect for a birthday party or even a Girls Night Out! She even has special take-home kits (if you call 24 hours ahead), so you can do your own decorating party at your home.

Here are her in-bakery party offerings:

Sensitive Sweets Cupcake Party (ages 4 +)

Each guest gets 2 cupcakes, one to eat and one to take home, sprinkles, toppings, and a cupcake box. 60-minute session, max 12 guests. $12/guest.

Ultimate Sensitive Sweets Cake Party (ages 6 +)

Each guest gets a 2 layer 4″ round cake, frosting, sprinkles, cake decorations, and a cake box. 90-minute session, max 12 guests. $24/guest.

Sensitive Sweets Cake Challenge Party (ages 12 +)

Teams will compete with one another on a themed cake challenge. Participants will start with 30 minutes of demonstration and then break into teams with 1 hour to assemble ready-to-use items. Items include ready-to- ice cakes, cupcakes, frosting, fondant, rice crispy treats and a multitude of other decorating supplies. The winner will receive a Sensitive Sweets gift set. 90-minute session, max 12 guests. $29/guest.

[Details: Ask about additional items of your party including drinks, aprons, chef's hats, invitations and goody bags. Minimum of 6 guests per party, max 12. Deposit is required at booking (non-refundable.) Activities are for paid guests only. No outside food allowed. Prices subject to change.]

Visit www.SensitiveSweets.com for more info or call 714.968.9169.

Sensitive Sweets is open Tuesdays-Fridays 10am – 6pm, Saturdays 10am – 5pm. After hours parties may be available. Bakery is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Photo credit: Sensitive Sweets.

This post is written by Susanne and has great ideas for a bowling theme birthday party! Sounds like so much fun for the kids and Bowlmor Lanes in Tustin is an amazing venue to host your party! Here is all about Susanne’s daughter’s birthday and some of the cute theme ideas they incorporated into their bowling soiree…

“Last May my oldest daughter, Sadie, decided that she had to have a bowling birthday for her 5th birthday…in November. Gotta love a planner! I checked out some of the local options online and Bowlmor Lanes quickly became my first choice!

Their original location opened in NYC back in 1938- I loved that the decor is kind of a throw back to that golden age of Bowling, but in a totally modern, CLEAN, high-tech & upscale design. You walk in and just FEEL like you should be having FUN!

[Photo credit: Bowlmor Lanes]

And this place is a full service party venue!

They aim to make your party completely hassle free, so you can enjoy and not have to work at your own party. When you arrive your Event Host meets you at the front and is there to help make sure everyone is having a good time, eating, opening presents, etc… They are great about checking in and moving the party along schedule.

They have several packages to choose from, one even includes printed invitations, custom birthday cakes, a sign-able bowling pin and a $5 gift card favors towards the guests next Bowlmor experience.

Read More >>

I had the pleasure of meeting artist Timree Gold of Timree Personalized Gifts and Art this summer at a Smarty networking meeting and I have to admit I was a little star struck as I have been a huge fan of her art and personalized gifts for years now!

When I met her in person it was easy to see why her work is so special and that is simply because Timree the person is special! She actually sparkles. From the twinkle in her eye to her bright smile and bubbly personality, to know Timree is to love her.  And when you look at her amazing, one-of-a-kind pieces you can see her happy personality shining through in every creation.

Timree shared with me that just this last year she opened an art studio in Newport Beach which has been coined the “cutest art studio ever!”

When I visited the studio myself last week, I could see Timree’s magic sparkle dust all over it, from the moment you pull up and breathe in the ocean air to the enchanting walk up the good luck steps (you have to go to see the steps for yourself) you feel like you are entering another magical little world.  Visiting her studio is an experience.

There is much to cover about Timree it is hard to know where to start!  From her personalized plates, unique gifts and school supplies to her custom murals and special live event painting, there are so many ways to experience her amazing work.

But for this post I wanted to highlight some very special offerings for OC moms and kids – most specifically –  Timree’s paint parties, cute classes and private art lessons.

Weekly Art Classes

Designed for ages 6 years and up, Timree offers weekly classes on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 – 5:30pm.

Starting at the beginning of the month, the weekly sessions are only $175 for 4 classes and your child will receive personalized instruction from Timree and create their own masterpiece on the provided canvas.

I think this would be such an amazing class to enroll your kids in for the Fall after school starts.

Art is so therapeutic and what a wonderful way for your kids to express and channel their creativity while while easing into the hub-bub of the busy school year.

The next session begins on September 6th, so email soon if you are interested as spots fill up quickly!

Private Lessons with TIMREE!

Timree also provides private art lessons that are only $225 for 2 hours.

During that time, Timree will sit with you one-on-one and help you or your child create a piece that holds special meaning to you.

Whether it’s a special piece of art for a bedroom wall (you can bring pictures of the decor or bedding for inspiration) or a very special one-of-a-kind piece of art for a parent or grandparent as a special gift, the goal is to embrace the fun and creativity involved in painting and walk away with a completed painting that holds personal significance.

What an amazing gift for a milestone birthday or anniversary for the person who has everything!

There is truly no better gift than one that is hand made with love and to have personalized instruction from an artist I think is incredible!

Mother / Daughter Classes

On the 2nd Sunday of each month from 2 – 4pm, mothers and daughters can attend this special class together and create their own paintings based on one of Timree’s inspired themes. Timree provides not only the canvases, tips and themed-treats – but also a special afternoon of bonding while creating.  The next class is on September 11th and the theme is “basket of apples” to celebrate back-to-school time.  Only a few spots left so sign up ASAP if you are interested! Cost is only $65/pp.

Paint Parties!

How many times have you have looked for an original venue in Orange County to host your child’s birthday party because you are tired of the same ‘ole same ‘ole?  I know I have! Now you can book your party in the cutest art studio ever and give your guests a magically creative experience.

The parties are designed to be intimate in size for 4 to 14 guests ages 6 + and include:

- 2 hours of party studio time on weekdays after school or on Sundays
- Birthday girl (or boy!) picks the theme for the painting
- Friends all paint the same picture but can get creative with their colors
- $50 per guest / $300 minimum
- BYOT (bring your own treats!)

You can also gather a group of friends for a mom’s night out!  Inquire for more details.

“Timree jeans”

For all Timree’s paint parties and classes she encourages the girls to wear special “Timree jeans” which are fun painting jeans, jean shorts or jean skirts that can get deliciously splashed with creativity.

She told me the girls love wearing their “Timree jeans” and she will personally sign the back.

This art studio is truly one of a kind. As is Timree.  She reminds me of a Disney Princess in the most flattering of ways. I guarantee your girls will be completely enchanted by her and her studio.

For more information or to sign up for private lessons, classes or parties,  contact Timree at timree {at} timree.com.

www.timree.com
Follow Timree on Facebook and Twitter.

[Disclosure: Timree is a new Tiny Oranges Sponsor. Look for her banner ad coming up on September 1st. Hooray!]

Wondering what to do when the summer heats up in OC?  How about a cool outing to Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine?

With today’s Plum District deal, for $150 (normally $290) you’ll get a group of eight birthday party package – perfect for a birthday celebration!  And, take it from someone who just priced out birthday parties at various OC venues, this is a steal!

No birthdays in your family  this summer?  How about gathering a group of friends and make a fun summer day of it?

The party package includes admission for eight guests, plus one hour in the reserved party room which includes lunch, an unlimited beverage bar, and one parking pass.

So slide into savings and buy this deal now {<– click link to buy deal + read the fine print!}

Wild Rivers Waterpark Website

8770 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 788-0890

{Disclosure: Tiny Oranges is a Plum District Affiliate}

We all know there are some years when you want to go ALL OUT for your kid’s birthday party, but then there are other years when you want to pull in the reigns and do something simple.

That’s why when Rebecca emailed me to tell me about her “un-birthday party” idea for her two-year-old I thought it would make for a great guest post!   It’s such a cute idea and I love that the focus was on the most important thing – what would be the most special way to celebrate for her child.

A Very Merry Birthday “Un-Party” for Gannon

My name is Rebecca and I’d like to share with you the amazing Birthday “Un-party” I recently planned to celebrate my son’s second birthday.

I’ve had my share of extravagant birthday parties.

You name the theme and I’ve done it. Winter Wonderland, Western, Blue’s Clues, Princess, Baseball, My Little Pony…the list goes on and on.

These weren’t little back yard parties either. I counted 37 children at my daughter’s puppy party this past December.

Don’t get me wrong. The party was amazing and the boys and girls had a blast, but at the end of the day, I was broke, exhausted and couldn’t remember spending five solid minutes with my daughter on the day we came together to celebrate this amazing blessing, the day of her birth.

As February came along, I realized I was already beginning to plan my son’s birthday party for mid-April. I was overwhelmed before I even started and considered scaling things back but was having guilt about depriving my little boy of his birthday spoils.

Then it hit me. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be! I stopped planning, took a breath, and asked myself a very important question: What would Gannon’s perfect day look like?

The answer was simple: Trains, cupcakes, animals and grandparents.

So I made it happen. Two days before his birthday, I booked eight tickets on the Amtrak for myself, my husband, our daughter and both sets of grandparents. I consulted with my mom – a retired Kindergarten teacher of 30 years – and found out about Zoomar’s petting zoo located near the train depot in San Juan Capistrano.

Two hours before his party I stopped by the bakery and picked up some gourmet cupcakes and we were done! No pricey invitations. No deposits on locations. No expensive decorations. No piles of gifts he doesn’t need. No goody bags. It felt so liberating!

The day was perfect. We left the Santa Ana Amtrak station around 3 p.m. just after his nap and indulged in cupcakes and snacks on the 30 minute train ride to San Juan Capistrano.

We took the short walk to Zoomar’s and I relaxed and let my children lead the way. It was all about them! They rode horses and visited with the beautifully kept guinea pigs, chickens, bunnies and goats. Gannon even rode the little train with Papa twice and learned how to gobble at the giant turkey and snort like a pig.

We ate dinner together in downtown San Juan and rode the train home just in time to get the little ones to bed. It was an amazing day filled with beautiful quality family time that I will never forget.

I’m so glad I made the decision to avoid another mega party and can’t recommend enough to other moms and dads this concept of a birthday “un-party”. As I’m writing this I just realized another benefit. I only have to write four thank you notes!

Rebecca is a part-time preschool gymnastics coach at CheerForce Orange County, freelance web designer, and most importantly, mother of two beautiful children, Payton, 7, and Gannon, 2.

Thanks Rebecca for sharing!  I love the idea of doing guest posts to share ideas on how you celebrated your child’s birthday because I looooovvveeeee party ideas!  If you have a party you would like me to feature (extravagant, simple or somewhere in between) please send me an email to jennifer {at} tinyoranges.com.