Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

When I was thinking of what to write in the graphic above (taken from www.AshleyTurner.org), the first sentence that came to mind when describing the Ashley Turner monthly yoga retreats at Spa Montage Laguna Beach was “you just HAVE to experience it for yourself!”

A GEM of a find in OC, Spa Montage started this monthly series in 2010 as part of their Mind-Body-Yoga program and created a one-of-a-kind exclusive yoga retreat that is the best deal EVER.

The yoga workshop, held over the course of one weekend a month, consists of a series of two hour yoga classes of which you can choose to do one or all. At only $65/class, the price also includes complimentary FULL DAY access to the spa facilities at Spa Montage including:

* Roman tubs, Nordic plunge, botanical steam, indoor/outdoor relaxation rooms, silent fireplace lounge, Tuscan sauna and Vischy showers
* Post-class organic green juice blend
* Seasonal fruits and teas
* Oceanfront fitness center
* Access to the beautiful Spa Montage ocean bluffs pool

I wrote a long post about my experience at Ashley’s retreat HERE in case you want to read more about what you can expect to experience.

I love her classes so much I made it a 2012 goal of mine to make it to at least one class every quarter as they truly inspire me and recharge not only my body, but also my mind.

Next class is this weekend. For the schedule of upcoming weekends click HERE then click on Wellness Programs -> Workshops.  Reservations required, and the classes do fill up, so call early to reserve your spot if you know you want to go!

It is an amazing way to spend a day with girlfriends, alone or with your husband or partner. Heck, it doesn’t matter who you go with, you just have to go!

www.AshleyTurner.org * www.SpaMontage.com 
Tweet with @AshleyTurner1 on Twitter * Find Ashley Turner Yoga on Facebook

[Disclosure: Montage Resorts is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor. Visit Spa Montage under the "Spas" Category in our OC Biz Guide! Such an honor to work with this amazing property.]

Hi ladies! Happy Friday! What a week, huh?! Busy one for me over here! Hopefully yours was great! I wanted to share some fun and informative classes offered this month at Granola Babies in Costa Mesa along with a coupon / discount code for 10% off March classes for Tiny Oranges readers!  Details below.

Here are the amazing classes you can find going on this month at one my favorite natural baby boutiques in OC…

Mommy Connections Saturdays (Saturdays March 10th – April 28th from 1:30 – 3:00pm)

Mommy Connections introduces you to programs and services in our community and provides a unique and fun way to bond with your baby and other moms. Learn from expert speakers on a wide range of topics for mom, baby and family such as: detoxifying your home, pediatric dentistry, estate planning, childproofing, infant and toddler meals, and MORE. Amazing topics, right?!

All moms get a swag bag full of discounts, coupons and samples. Babies are usually between 0 – 7 months, but up to age one is fine. Siblings also welcome. Cost is $120 for 8 Saturdays. Registration required, space is limited.

Click here to register and enter code “tinyoranges” for 10% off!

Babywearing and Strollers 101 (Saturday, March 10th at 11:00am)

In this one hour workshop you can learn everything about carrying your baby, whether it be in a comfortable baby carrier or long lasting stroller.  In the stroller part of the workshop you will cover how to choose a stroller, details you want to look for, and demo how to use them (even take a test drive!)

Cost is $25 per family and includes a $15 Gift Certificate redeemable same day as the class. Registration is required, space is limited.

Click here to register and enter code “tinyoranges” for 10% off!

Introduction to Solids: What Every Mom Should Know (Wednesday, March 14th at 10:30am)

Lead by registered dietician, Katie Bartels, in this class you will learn that feeding interactions between parent and child are just as important as proper nutrition.  Topics covered include recommendations by the AAP, timing for starting solids, which to give and how much, common feeding myths and more.

Cost is $15 and includes a handout on starting solids. Registration is required, space is limited.

Click here to register and enter code “tinyoranges” for 10% off!

Baby Tales – Storytime and Songs (Wednesdays at 10:30am starting March 21st)

Storytime, songs and music for babies and toddlers and their caregivers with play time and socialization to follow! This is FREE to participate and no registration is required – just show up!

New Baby Care Class (Sunday, March 25th at 2:30pm)

Learn how to care for your newborn baby. By the end of this comprehensive 2-hour class you will learn all about important topics such as cord care, newborn appearance, bathing, diapering, swaddling techniques, traveling with baby, newborn sleep, calming baby and understanding colic, feeding, carrying and resources. All parents will also receive a “Gentle Bathing” gift set.

$35 per family. Registration required, space is limited.

Click here to register and enter code “tinyoranges” for 10% off!

 All classes take place at:

Granola Babies
3315 Hyland Avenue, Suite B
Costa Mesa

Call 714.445.4948 for more information.

Like Granola Babies on Facebook * Tweet with @GranolaBabies on Twitter

[Disclosure: Granola Babies is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor. Photo credits: Granola Babies.] 

Last night I got to go to a special event for bloggers to preview the new Nordstrom Rack opening at the Outlets at Orange tomorrow, March 1st. I wanted to share the fun Grand Opening festivities with you in hopes that some of you might get there early to take advantage of the special prizes!

First off, the store officially opens at 9am, however, if you get there early, you can partake in a 7am – 9am “tailgate” party outside the store with giveaways, DJ, contests and more.  I am told if you if you follow @Orange_Rack on Twitter during the tailgate event, you might get some fun clues on how to win prizes!

But, are you READY FOR THIS?

You can CLICK HERE to fill out this entry form to bring with to enter to win a $2000 “Race through the Racks” shopping spree! SQUEAL! Can you imagine getting $2000 to shop with?!  You must bring it with you to the event and drop it in the box BEFORE 8:45am.  Winner will be announced at 8:45am and must be present to win. Please enter and go you guys, I would love it if one of my Tiny Oranges peeps won this!

The store is fabulous! So many cute things, including a great kid’s section along with a huge assortment of DARLING kid’s shoes, all at incredible deals.

I scored a super cute orange tank (below) for $19, beige lightweight blazer for $49, Havaianas flip flops for $8 for my daughter, and um, some other stuff, but I better stop here in case my husband is reading this.

And! They have a new service called “On the Spot Checkout“, where if you are paying by credit card, debit card, or gift card, you can look for an associate wearing a tag and green shirt and using an iPhone-like mobile POS device, they can check you out ON THE SPOT and email you a receipt. High tech + no waiting in a long line! Love it!

The staff was super sweet and so helpful. It is a beautiful store, well organized, with a great selection and most importantly, GREAT prices! 

[Disclosure: Susanne and I were invited to a special media event to preview this store and given a gift card to shop with along with some yummy treats. Seriously the best job ever.]

Hey party people! If you are a lover of birthday parties and cute ideas  you will not want to miss the Birthday Party Bootcamp Event coming up March 4th at the oc mart MIX!

Saige Nicole’s baby and toddler boutique along with The Pantry wedding party boutique are hosting the first “Birthday Party Bootcamp” with the assistance and creative direction of Lemonade – An Event Company.

This innovative and lively party trio has brought together over 10 of the best OC party vendors to share their secrets, expertise and ideas on how you can create a birthday party kids will love and one that makes the mommies gush!

Attendees will enjoy workshops which include…

* DIY demos
* Yummy pastries and treats
* Info on how to capture the perfect party pics
* Ideas for creative decor
* How to choose a theme that will WOW
* Birthday party fashions
* Paper goods and design…and more!

Sounds like SO much fun – I think I might have to check it out myself!

Event is FREE, kids are welcome, RSVP’s are helpful, but not necessary. You can RSVP on their Facebook event page or here at Saige Nicole’s or here at The Pantry.

Birthday Party Bootcamp

Sunday, March 4th, 2o12
12:30pm – 4:30pm
(workshops every hour starting at 12:30pm)
oc mart MIX in Suite C
3333 Hyland Avenue, Costa Mesa 92626

Participating Vendors: 

Saige Nicole’s

The Wedding Pantry 

Lemonade – An Event Company 

Darla Marie Designs

Push Cakes 

Dez and Tam Photography 

Sensitive Sweets 

Bubba Sweets 

Dolly’s Sweet Dreams Cotton Candy 

Sweet Lucie’s Ice Cream and Treats 

Connecting Moms.CA 

For all my pregnant mamas, new mamas, someday might be pregnant mamas, or just want to get in shape mamas, I am thrilled to share with you two amazing prenatal fitness DVD’s recently released by Erica Ziel of Knocked-Up Fitness!

Prenatal Pilates-Infused Fitness

This DVD includes a new (highly effective!) method designed to keep expecting moms active and fit though all stages of pregnancy.

Erica shows moms-to-be how to strengthen and tone key muscle groups while preparing the body for labor, delivery and recovery.

The workout fuses pilates, cardio and conditioning exercises for safe and effective prenatal workouts.

You can even mix and match the 5 different workouts to form your own routine.

Prenatal Core Pilates Workouts

In this DVD, Erica shows moms-to-be how to strengthen deep core muscles safely.

Instead of crunches, she has designed a variety of exercises to specifically target deep core muscles and help support the weight of the baby as well as prepare the body for labor, delivery and recovery.

This workout is a unique mix of core cardio, pilates, yoga and other fitness exercises.

Can’t decide which one to get? Get them both! Buy them as a set, and in addition to a price break, you can will also receive a free exercise band with purchase.

I trained with Erica last year and she is fabulous. Not only is she extremely knowledgable, but her workouts are crazy good!!

Even cuter, Erica herself was pregnant with baby # 3 during the filming of her videos.  As they say, it takes one to know one, so you can be assured that Erica knows exactly how it feels to do her workouts “with child!”

Click here to buy on Amazon.com and visit her website for more info (and a video) at www.Knocked-UpFitness.com.

Stop by Xpecting Maternity Boutique in Costa Mesa this Saturday, 1/28/12 from 10am – 12pm for a special DVD Launch Party and get 15% OFF at Xpecting (excluding strollers), meet Erica, enter fun raffles and more!

Click HERE to download the flyer on this event.

1 lucky winner will receive the combo set including both prenatal DVD’s and exercise band! To enter, please leave a separate comment for each entry option. Here are the entry options:

Simply comment! – 1 ENTRY

Facebook fans of Tiny Oranges and Knocked Up Fitness automatically get an entry, so let us know if you are – Up to 2 ENTRIES (please leave separate comment for each)

Followers of @TinyOrangesOC and @KnockedUpFit also get an entry each! Tell us if you are followers! - Up to 2 ENTRIES (please leave separate comment for each)

Subscribe to Tiny Oranges via email or RSS – 1 ENTRY

Giveaway runs through Thursday, 2/2/12 at 5pm PST. Please leave your email address in the comment field (won’t be published) so I can contact the winner when selected at random.

Good Luck!