Local

The OC Parks 2013 Summer Concert Series was just announced and the lineup looks amazing!

I can’t think of a better way to kick off the summer season than by attending a FREE outdoor summer concert.

Thirteen free concerts take place outdoors every Thursday night from June 13 through August 29th. All shows are from 6 – 8pm, and include free parking.

Food trucks will be serving on-site at all locations, or if you’re feeling overly ambitious you can always pack your own picnic.

One of my favorite things about summer has to be the extra time you gain in the evening to actually get out of the house and do something fun and memorable.

Being able to stop by a local park with friends and family and enjoy live music sounds like the perfect way to enjoy these upcoming summer evenings.

OC Parks 2013 Summer Concert Series Lineup

Craig Regional Park in Fullerton

Date: Thursday, June 13

Artist:  ‘80s sensation Flashback Heart Attack with DJ Velvet Touch.

Date: Thursday, June 20

Artist: The O.C. Supertones performing with Mike Vitale 

Time: All concerts 6 – 8 p.m.

Cost: Free    Parking: Free

Location:
Craig Regional Park, 3300 State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92835

Mason Regional Park

Date: Thursday, June 27

Artist: Indie Rock sensation 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

Location:
Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

Mile Square Regional Park

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

Location:
Mile Square Park, 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Irvine Regional Park

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 from 6 – 8pm
Cost: Free   Parking: Free

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

Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

Date: August 29

Artist: Matt Costa with The Blank Tapes

Time: 6-8pm

Cost: Free   Parking: Free

Location:
Bluff Park Salt Creek Beach, 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, CA 92629

Now, bring on summer!

[Disclosure: OC Parks is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor and we are so very happy to spread the word about their fabulous free concerts.]

Sidecar Doughnuts, a specialty doughnut store in Costa Mesa, opened its doors this month to the delight of Orange County doughnut aficionados everywhere.

First off, I love that they use the spelling of doughnut vs. donut, which after a quick Google search, is in fact the grammatically correct spelling. Who knew? I guess they did, and the spelling was only the first of many things they got right with their new business!

Dare I say, they really did score a hole in one. Sorry, couldn’t help it.

I was invited to a media sneak peek before it opened to the public and was able to meet the owners and find out more about their offerings.

We were also given this sampler plate of doughnuts along with a freshly brewed Stumptown latte. By the way, Sidecar is the only location in Orange County where you will find Stumptown coffee. AAAAMMMAAZING!

Now I am going to be honest: typically I eat a donut about once a year at a garage sale ~ a decision I usually end up regretting after when I get that “blah” feeling.

Not so with these yummy confections!

Sidecar Doughnuts is revolutionizing the doughnut world with doughnuts made from real ingredients.  We are talking doughnuts made fresh from scratch on the hour, using the finest ingredients and no preservatives.

Their speciality doughnuts include real yeast-raised, cake, and buttermilk varieties dressed up with fun extras to make unique flavors like Maple Bacon or Birthday Cake. Think your kiddo might like that one? You guessed right.

It was love at first taste for me. You can really taste the difference. My favorite? Maple Bacon hands down. It was an entire breakfast experience in one bite.

 Gluten-free Fridays! Avoiding gluten these days? Every Friday you will find gluten-free doughnuts; and even vegan options from time to time. Follow Sidecar Doughnuts on Facebook to find out when.

They are pricer than your typical donut, but worth the upgrade for the fresh ingredients and hip location. Plus, where else would you find a fresh, hot doughnut topped with crispy bacon?

www.SidecarDoughnuts.com

[Disclosure: I was provided scrumptious bites and a latte complimentary; along with a doughnut box filled with some goodies. Glad they spotted me on the corner with my sign, "Will work for doughnuts.']

[Photo credit: Reserve America]

Last weekend we took our family camping for the first time to El Moro Campground. Yes, I spent two nights in a tent with the family and I have to say, it was REALLY fun. I am not really a camper type, so I was a little nervous, but with this campground you can test out a camping experience while staying close to home. My kids had so much fun it was worth it. So for anyone wanting to do some OC beach camping, I wanted to tell you all about the fabulous El Moro, also known as Crystal Cove SP Moro Campground.

The camping area is fairly new and is situated on an oceanview bluff off PCH between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach by beautiful Crystal Cove. 58 sites with picnic tables are available. If you drive down the hill from the campground you can park and take the small tunnel under PCH to go to the most gorgeous beach.

So, it is beach camping, but not on the sand beach camping. Here is the view of the beach parking area from the campsite.

And this is the amazing beach, which also includes an on the sand, new and clean restroom. Mommy like.

On the loops around campsites, kids can ride bikes and scooters and just have a grand old time. On Saturday, we got the most phenomenal day, felt like summer. We were able to spend the entire day at the beach. The sunset that night was unbelievable.

Tips / Info on El Moro Beach Camping 

~ Sites are reserved through Reserve America. To have your choice of prime weekend dates, you have to book far in advance. Sites open for booking on the 1st of the month 7 months in advance.  If you are flexible on your dates, there are still lots of spots available this summer, especially on weekdays.

~ There are several CLEAN restrooms throughout the campground.  There are also very nice showers that run on tokens.  The token machine takes bills only, not quarters. This was a big one for me and I was pleasantly surprised by the bathroom situation. Thank God.

~ Fire pits are not provided and fires are not permitted. Gas only fires and BBQs are permitted. If you didn’t know this, you might be disappointed.  We were given the heads up ahead of time, and friends loaned us a Camp Chef Portable Propane Fire Pit. It gave off heat and is all you need to make s’mores. Essential.

~ Another essential to have camping is COFFEE. I slept terrible the first night, and needed some major caffeine in the AM. Friends we were camping with us had this amazing Coleman Coffeemaker that works on most two and three-burner camp stoves. If you do not have access to a coffee maker, never fear, there is a Starbucks in the Crystal Cove Promenade, literally 2 minutes away. So, as you can see, this campground is not totally “roughing it!”

~ If you have too much stuff and have to take two cars, the second car is $15/night additional.

~ If you have little ones under 4 years old, bring the jogger or a good stroller for walks.

~ Pack your walking shoes.  There are gorgeous trails all throughout Moro Canyon backcountry which is right behind the campground.  We didn’t do a hike this time, but I would like to next time.  Or, would even make a fabulous day trip.

~ If you still have one, bring a little portable potty. My oldest woke up in the middle of the night and had to go potty. It would have been highly convenient to have one of those little portable potties for middle of the night use instead of having to walk to the bathrooms.

~ Bring hand sanitizer. I don’t think the restrooms had soap, so we kept a pump hand sanitizer on the picnic table for use before eating and after using the restroom.

~ Bring a lantern and lots of flashlights.  It got very dark at night and we needed the light.

~ In my opinion, this would not be a fun trip if it rained.  I would check weather prior.

~ Borrow camp stuff if you can. I posted on Facebook that we were going camping asking for recommendations on tents, and a friend responded and loaned us an awesome huge tent and gas fire pit. Nice to try it out camping before you commit to buying stuff.

~ Since it is a new campsite, there are no trees or shade, so I would definitely invest in a pop up canopy if going in the spring or summer.  Even in the winter, it is a lot to be in the sun all day, so we used it even in February.

I really loved it. And I am surprised to hear myself say that. In the photo above, on this particular morning we took a walk, girls still in their pajamas, and made really fun family memories. Every once it awhile it is really nice to get a break from TV, electronics, etc. and have a little time in nature.

If you are considering braving a camping trip, I highly suggest checking out Crystal Cove SP Moro Campground and I hope you too will be happy campers!

One of my very favorite places to eat at Fashion Island in Newport Beach is Le Pain Quotidien. So, when I heard they were offering OC baking classes at their restaurant and wanted to partner with Tiny Oranges to give one of our readers and a guest a free bakery class in a special giveaway, I jumped at the chance to learn more about their program and share my findings with all of you.

Le Pain Quotidien’s hands-on bakery classes are taught at their Newport Beach restaurant and cater to both novice and seasoned bakers.

The intimate classes are kept small, between 6 and 8 people, and are designed to be fun as well as informative.

During the 2.5 – 3 hour class students learn key baking techniques (and a few special tricks) from Le Pain Quotidien’s own skilled bakers. After the hard work is done, everyone gets to kick back with their fellow classmates and enjoy the fruits of their labor at one of Le Pain Quotidien’s communal tables.

Types of OC Bakery Classes

Classes range from Bread Baking Basics I & II to Biscuits, Scones and Shortbread Cookies and each class teaches both the science and the art of creating delicious baked goods from scratch. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought there is something so gratifying about starting with flour, adding a handful of key ingredients and creating something delicious you can’t wait to share with your friends and family around the table.

Click here for a complete list of bakery classes at Le Pain Quotidien Newport Beach

So, if you’re like me, and love learning something new, or getting better at something old, grab a friend and head over to Le Pain Quotidien. You’ll finally unleash the magic of how they get those amazing sweet breads both rich and decadent yet wonderfully light and delicate all at the same time.

And, if you’d rather cut out the baking and just eat, I urge you to stop by Le Pain Quotidien for lunch or dinner. My husband swears by their Mozzarella di Bufala & Plum Tomatoes, but I’m pretty certain you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu – I know I haven’t.

Le Pain Quotidien
Fashion Island
1103 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.287.5592

One lucky winner will win a free Le Pain Quotidien Bakery Class for you and a friend at their Newport Beach location in Fashion Island.

To enter, please subscribe to their mailing list by entering your information in the form below.  After you do so, leave a comment on this post telling me you subscribed along with what you love to bake the most. Contest runs through Wednesday, 2/27/13 at 5pm PST. Please leave your email in your blog comment below so I can contact you if you are the winner. Prize expires on 06/30/13 and participants must be 12 years of age and older. Good luck and happy baking!

I get a little warm fuzzy inside when I shop local, and when I am able to shop local AND support a women entrepreneur of Orange County, I get especially giddy, which is why I am excited to share this upcoming event with you.

The Women Entrepreneurs of Orange County Extravaganza takes place this Saturday, February 9th, from 10am – 2pm inside the oc MiX at SOCO, 3313 Hyland Avenue in Costa Mesa.

Over 25 women entrepreneurs will be there to showcase their merchandise, services and talents. There will be boutique shopping, ticket drawings and special discounts at participating stores.

Visit this page for a list of a few of the participating companies involved in this event and come out to celebrate and support local OC women rocking their own businesses (love it!)

You can check out the event Facebook page for more information. Event brought to you by Smocking Birds Baby Boutique in the MiX.