SoCalSavvyMom | SoCal Savvy Mom

Mar 12
2015

Vista Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast

The Vista Optimist Club’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake breakfast is only a couple short weeks away. Tickets for the event are only $5, for $5 you will receive the delicious pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon as well as the Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. The Easter Egg Hunt begins at 10 a.m. with over 10,000 eggs~!

On Sunday, March 29th 2015 be sure to stop by to have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny or any of the other fun activities at the fun event. The event is for children 11 years old and younger, don’t forget to bring your baskets or a bag with you. The Vista Optimist Club is located at 600 Optimist Way, Vista, CA, more information may be found on their website here.

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Mar 11
2015

Regal Summer Movie Express 2015

by Nicole Connerley

To find the city nearest you and all dates and locations see Regal Summer Movie Express 2015 here.

Regal movie theaters just announced the list of summer movies for the summer of 2015, the $1 movies will run throughout the summer at select theaters. The movies are all rated PG, and are great for kids of all ages. It is only $1 per person to attend. All of the movies begin at 10 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Every week there are two different movies playing for you to choose from. The start date for movie theaters vary, Regal has just released which theaters will host the Summer Movie Express and when the start dates will be. Information below will be updated as it is released.

If you become a Regal Crown Club member (free to join) there are great perks and discounts. A great discount we always take advantage of is $2 popcorn on Tuesday’s for all Regal Crown Club members.

To find the city nearest you and all dates and locations see Regal Summer Movie Express 2015 here.

Regal Oceanside 2015 list may be found here.

Edwards San Marcos 2015 movie list may be found here.

Week 1

Nut Job & Annie

Week 2

Earth to Echo & The Boxtrolls

Week 3

Paddington & Turbo

Week 4

Rio 2 &How To Train Your Dragon 2

Week 5

Mr. Peabody & Book of Life

Week 6

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb & Penguins of Madagascar

Week 7

The Lego Movie & Dolphin Tale 2

Week 8

Muppets, Most Wanted & Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Week 9
Teenage Ninja Turtles & (last but not least) The Spongebob Squarepants Movie

Mar 11
2015

Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe

by Nicole Connerley

Rancho Valencia is a beautiful resort set on 45 acres of gardens and olive groves, in Rancho Santa Fe, a 20-minute drive north of San Diego. A few years ago the property underwent a 45 million dollar renovation, and there is not one stone that when unturned. Most recently Rancho Valencia was voted #1 resort in the U.S. by U.S. News & World hotel rankings. It is no surprise as everything at Rancho Valencia is 5 star down to the heated toilet seats, and all is perfection. The resort features a spa, fitness center with exercise classes, sports facilities (including tennis, croquet and bocce ball), 2 heated pools and hot tubs (1 adults-only), 2 restaurants and a wine bar, plus complimentary use of luxury cars.

Rancho Valencia really does stand apart from most 5-star hotels, you will find everything has been perfected. There are no resort fees, no parking fees, complimentary WiFi, and waiting for you in your room are delicious snacks and drinks to enjoy during your stay at no extra charge. In the morning any newspaper you would like will be delivered to your door along with fresh squeezed orange juice. Enjoy coffee on the private patio, while reading the newspaper.

Suites feature flat-screen TVs, stereo systems and private patios, plus high-thread-count linens, espresso machines, designer toiletries and 24-hour in-room dining. My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Rancho Valencia during this trip. The resort knowing it was a special anniversary celebration for us, had a bottle of wine and an artisan cheese plate with dried fruits and nuts upon arrival.

After we were settled in, we hopped down to the Pony Room for a drink by the outdoor fireplaces while watching the sunset. For dinner we decided to opt for in-room dining and we ate out on the private patio. The patio hosts an outdoor fireplace, and a two person hot tub, perfect for a romantic getaway.

After dinner we took a stroll around the property and found the beautiful brick lined Wine Room. The room is perfect for an intimate birthday dinner or just nice dinner for a small group of friends. The wine cave has over 250 of some of the finest bottles of wine I have ever seen, the sommelier has to be one of the best in San Diego. With wines from France, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa and of course California you will be able to find a perfect wine for the occasion.

For breakfast we went to Veladora, one of the two restaurants on property. Veladora is beautiful and refined without being over the top, although can you really have too much luxury? We enjoyed latte’s and fresh pressed slow juices, as well as the famous fresh squeezed orange juice. My husband ordered the crab Benedict with vine ripe tomatoes, grilled asparagus, country bread with a chipotle hollandaise. I ordered the California breakfast panini with free range eggs, smoked bacon, avocado, white cheddar and herb roasted potatoes, it was divine! The only problem with breakfast is we couldn’t finish it all, but they were nice enough to box it up for us and had it waiting for us to pick up after we dined.

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is offering an exclusive offer right now of 15% off room rates. During the summer and during Del Mar Race season the resort will be booked solid, don’t wait make a reservation to visit this beautiful resort now!

Accommodations, meals, and spa treatments were complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are my own. See full disclosure policy for more information.

Mar 9
2015

Easy, DIY, Marshmallow Easter Treats

by Nicole Connerley

We had so much fun making these marshmallow treats last night. Not only are they very easy to make, it is a blast making them!

We used white chocolate chips and melted them in the microwave at 30 second increments until it was melted. I added a tbsp of vegetable oil to make it easier to work with, my son wanted to add food dye. The colors he chose didn’t turn out so pretty, I would recommend just sticking with the white melted chocolate and not adding color.

After putting the marshmallows on sticks, pretty self explanatory there, we dipped them into the melted chocolate. Right after dipping in the chocolate we dipped in the sprinkles. We tried different color sprinkles but because it needs to be fully covered for the finished look none turned out that great.

After dipping into the chocolate and the sprinkles, set on wax paper to dry for about ten to fifteen minutes. Be careful with the finished product because the sprinkles like to fall off.

After the treats have set, and are firm to the touch, wrap in any decorative wrap you may have. I found this really cute duck paper at Michael’s for $0.25 a roll a few years back and was able to grab a few rolls of it. Always check Michael’s clearance area, I believe I found it in the middle of summer.

The perfect finishing touch, put in a basket and add a little rubber ducky to pull it all together. I plan on taking these to my mom’s chemo nurses tomorrow, they loved the Valentine’s Oreo treats so much, I hope they like these too!

Mar 9
2015

Solana Beach Children’s Spring Festival and Egg Hunt

by Nicole Connerley

The City of Solana Beach is happy to invite you and of course the kids to the Children’s Spring Festival and Egg Hunt! It will take place at La Colonia Park located at 715 Valley Avenue in Solana Beach. The egg hunt begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 4th, please bring a basket or bag for the egg hunt, none will be provided. After the egg hunt at 10:45 a.m. to noon there will be fun games and refreshments for all to enjoy. There is no fee for the festival or egg hunt, but they do ask that all children be in the 3rd grade or younger. For more information visit the City of Solana Beach website here. The full list of Egg Hunts for San Diego will be up soon.

Mar 8
2015

Fun St. Patrick’s Day Treats

by Nicole Connerley

Rice crispy treats are a favorite in our house, yet another reason to love them is you can make them for any holiday. We have made Christmas trees, pumpkins, Easter Eggs and now four-leafed clovers! Not only are they very easy to make, they are also delicious to eat as well. My son helped with every step of making these and had a blast while doing it.

Ingredients Needed:

1 box rice crispy cereal

1 bag of marshmallows

Green food dye

Butter (we used coconut oil instead)

Melt 2 tbsp of butter and 40 marshmallows in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute. Mix melted ingredients together and add green food dye. Add 4 cups of rice crispy cereal, add another cup if needed. Let set for about 5 minutes and then use cookie cutter to cute out. We used a coconut oil spray and sprayed the cookie cutter a few different times so the rice didn’t stick to it. After you have cut them out set on wax paper to set. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!