Parties

Today I am excited to share with you a fabulous Orange County magician for kid’s parties, Magic Matt Young. I for one am always on the lookout for fun new birthday party ideas and wouldn’t a magic themed kid’s birthday party be SO cute for both boys and girls? I’m thinking bunnies, hats, wands, cards…and then a special appearance by a live magician?!  Too fun!

Magic Matt Young is an experienced magician, performer, and all around fun guy who loves to make kids happy through magic. And who doesn’t love a cool magic trick?

I know my little ones eat up anything to do with rabbits in hats, coins pulled out of their ears and multi-colored hankies (okay, maybe I’ve watched Goofy’s Magic Trick show on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse one too many times…).

Meet Magic Matt Young

Lucky for us, Magic Matt has a little more up his sleeve (cue quick giggle – I couldn’t help it).

Magic has been a part of Matt’s life since he was seven, when his dad bought him his first magic kit, and the rest is history.

Now he performs regularly at the famous Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, has made appearances at Zoomars in San Juan Capistrano, and of course, he loves performing at kid’s birthday parties!

How does he capture kids’ attention? By starting out his show with, “You guys are really going to make the magic happen!”

Because as all you mamas know, our kids want to be right in the middle of everything. I already know my five-and-a-half-year-old would be in the front row vigorously jumping up and down, raising her hand to be his first assistant.

Orange County Magician for Kid’s Parties!  

The details…

•   He performs all around Orange County and San Diego County.

•   The best ages for his shows are 4 and up (ages 7 and up will have more age appropriate, complicated tricks).

•   His birthday party shows are about a half hour.

•   You can count on fun tricks and illusions, lots of interaction, and chances for your kiddos to help make the magic happen.

•   In addition to birthday parties, Magic Matt also can perform at holiday parties, wedding receptions, company picnics and family reunions (he’s even putting on a show for a First Communion party!).

So consider magic as part of your next kiddo’s next birthday party (or whatever family-friendly event you may be planning this summer) and give Matt a call to talk about his show. And, voila! An easy peasey, fun way to entertain your munchkins and see their little eyes light up.

Disclosure: Magic Matt Young has been a Tiny Oranges Sponsor in our OC Biz Guide.  After chatting with him about his magic performances, I can’t wait to take my kids to see him live!

The Bungalows on Laguna Beach at Pacific Edge Hotel are five uniquely decorated indoor/outdoor beachfront living spaces that can be rented (are you ready for this?)… for the day!! 

Located on the ground floor of one of Laguna’s best located beachfront hotels, these cool retreats give Orange County locals or tourists the opportunity to experience your very own beach house for the day.

Are your wheels turning with how you could use this?

A moms’ day with girlfriends? Your child’s birthday party? An intimate baby shower? A family gathering? Endless opportunities for pull up and park, totally stress-free beachfront fun.

And I haven’t even told you the COOLEST part yet!

Each of the Bungalows on Laguna Beach is individually designed by five local companies who had the opportunity to make a bungalow uniquely “theirs.” They are totally different; but all completely awesome. Here are a few photos…

The Billabong Bungalow:  A Surfer’s Paradise 

The Fox Head, Inc. Bungalow: The Ultimate Man Cave 

The Sleepy Hollow Group Bungalow: Soothing as the Sea

The Hobie & Tuvalu Bungalow: Celebrating 60 Years of Hobie Beach Culture 

 The gorjana & griffin Bungalow: A Modern-Nautical Oasis 

Bungalow day rental includes:

~ Fully private bungalow with keyed access from 11am to 8pm for up to 10 guests
~ Lounge chairs and day beds
~ Beach towels
~ Air conditioning
~ Flat screen TV’s
~ Bottle and food service
~ Direct access to the beach
~ Beach attendant to set up lounge chairs and umbrellas
~ Access to Pacific Edge’s Edge Card, which gives guests discounts at local restaurants and shops
~ 10% discount on guest rooms at the Pacific Edge Hotel

For more information on The Bungalows on Laguna Beach at Pacific Edge Hotel and rental info visit, www.PacificEdgeHotel.com/Bungalows.

[Disclosure: I was invited to attend a media event to preview the Bungalows and received a goodie bag upon departure as a thank you.]

I am one of those moms who absolutely loves birthday keepsakes for kids (you don’t even want to know how many “keepsake boxes” I have stacked in both of my kids’ closets).  And every birthday my babies celebrate, I let myself indulge in being extra sentimental by creating a handful of adorable birthday keepsakes to commemorate their special day.

Framed Birthday Picture with Personal Messages

Each year, I buy I large matted picture frame (with plenty of room for writing) and pick a recent picture of my birthday kid.  I decorate the matte with a few stickers from their party theme (so we can always remember what they loved at that age).  Then, I have each party guest write a little birthday message on the matte…once complete, I hang it in my munchkin’s room all year…so they will always know how loved they are.

Birthday Books

My daughter looks forward to this every year and now that she’s five, she’s really into it. I take all of their birthday party pictures and make a scrapbook…including the invitation, stickers, any important party “flair,” and of course, lots of pictures!  I have always made traditional scrapbooks, but I just recently made one on Shutterfly, and it turned out beautifully!

Both kids love looking at it all year-long, and know it’s one of their presents from mama.

More Cute Birthday Keepsakes I Want To Try

–  A hardback children’s book (of your choice) that your party guests can write in…little messages to the birthday kid.  Very practical and adorable!  One of my friends did this for her one-year-old’s birthday party, and I loved it.

–  A letter journal – buy a cute little (blank) journal for your child.  Each year, write them a letter – talk about their year, what they accomplished, favorite trips, cool memories, etc.  You can read your letter to your kiddo, or just quietly tuck it away.  Then, give it to them on their 18^th birthday – tear!

–  “A year-in-the-life” – pick a handful of your favorite pictures from the year…preferably from holidays you celebrated, first/last days of school, vacations, and so forth.  Pictures that show how much they’ve grown.  I usually jump onto Costco or Shutterfly (but you could choose ANY online picture company!) and make a picture collage of your child, including their age…frame it and hang it!

–  One of my friends spends hours every year making a beautiful picture slideshow of her kiddo’s year, complete with music.  The videos are always absolutely precious!  I have yet to do this for my babies, but really am going to make an effort to do so this year.

I’m always on the lookout for great birthday keepsakes for kids. Please join the conversation in the comments below and let me know about
your traditions and favorite keepsakes!

Many of you might be familiar with one of my favorite stationery brands, Minted, for their beautiful holiday photo cards or birth announcements, but today, I wanted to share their adorable indie-designed birthday invitations and matching birthday party supply sets for kids.

[Please note that all links in this post are affiliate links and very well might go towards my little one's upcoming birthday party!]

I am a big fan of receiving fun mail. You know the type of mail that arrives in a personally addressed envelope to brighten your mailbox? I am also a sucker for a cute  birthday party theme and gorgeous invitation. Minted puts my two loves together in their birthday party supply sets like these…

It might be the former wedding planner in me, but there is something that makes a party just that much more special when there is a theme and matching details.

The best way to incorporate these details are to use them from your guest’s first impression to the last. From the birthday party invitation to the party favor tag and thank you note, you can weave your party theme into each little detail to tie it all together with a pretty little bow.

Minted makes shopping for matching birthday party supplies easy, as specific themes offer many cute coordinating pieces like cupcake wrappers, welcome signs, table signs and bunting banners.

Minted Birthday Party Invitations 

Minted also has a ton of adorable birthday invitations for endless themes. Minted designs are simply synonymous with style.

All of Minted’s designers are independent, allowing them access to thousands of talented individuals.  Each month they hold design challenges and the Minted community votes on their favorites, producing the cutest designs.

The majority of their designers are mothers, and you know what they say, it takes one to know one and Minted’s mom designers sure know what moms are looking for!

Here are a few of my favorite Minted birthday party invitations….

Camping theme birthday party invitation

Breakfast theme birthday party invitation

Pirate theme birthday party invitation

Ladybug theme birthday party invitation

So, before you plan your next party, head on over to Minted to see if they have a fun theme you can use for your kids. The ideas alone are so much fun! Get ready to start pinning!

[Disclosure: Minted is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor and links above are affiliate links! Thanks for reading friends. I heart Minted - you will too!]

Love is in the air this month and I am excited to share with you the SWEET custom Valentine’s Day goodies over at Minted, including custom classroom Valentines!

A set of 15 start at only $16. How cute would it be to give your child’s classmates a custom Valentine with a personal message and even a photo? I think I am in love….

Readers can also enter this special Minted Custom Classroom Valentines Giveaway < – for a chance to win a set of custom classroom Valentines for your little sweeties.

15, yes, 15 winners will be selected, so hurry and enter as the contest ends this Sunday.

Minted is also sending a free roll of decorative Washi tape with each classroom Valentine order! Such a cute way to seal your cards with the next best thing to a kiss.

In addition to custom classroom Valentines, Minted has a variety of love-ly Valentine’s Day products to check out such as customized photo Valentines to send to your family and friends.

Or, create your own greeting card, with a personalized individual Valentine starting at $5.99 for that special someone, or from your child to their daddy or grandparent. Sigh.

Shop their assortment of cute Valentines stickers and accessories to give that favor bag or Valentine a little extra love.

Minted even has a line of Valentine’s Day party decor, coordinated into matching sets, including things like bunting banners, personalized table signs, scalloped stickers, party signs, paper straws, table confetti and more. I think coordinating paper products and decor really make any party just that more special.

Once again, here is the link to enter to win a set of custom classroom Valentines. I am excited for 15 of my readers to have a chance to win these because they are so super cute!

Click here -> to enter the classroom Valentines giveaway.

Have a great weekend everyone! SMOOCH! xo

[Disclosure: Minted is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor / Affiliate. And we LOVE working with them!]