Archive of ‘Things To Do’ category

Try uber for free now to Feb 16, up to $30!

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By now you have at least heard of Uber, even if you have yet to take a ride with Uber.  If you have not and are wondering what is Uber?  Uber is a taxi, private car or ride share just a touch away with your mobile phone. Uber connects you with a driver in minutes. Download the FREE app in cities around the world.  You can request a ride with the push of a button and track your driver’s progress to your location.  Plus, they will notify you once your driver arrives so you can wait comfortably indoors.

We are teaming up with them!  The best part? If you sign up using my invite link below, Uber will credit your account for $30 off your first ride:  https://www.uber.com/invite/uberSoCalSavvyMom  (please note this is a referral link, you will need to use it to receive $30 off your first Uber ride, regardless of where you are in the world).

With the super bowl tomorrow it may be the perfect time to try Uber.  There will be a lot of DUI check points this weekend because of the big game.  Please be safe and if you are going to drink do not drive, contact Uber your first ride is FREE!  We love Uber because they make it so easy for you, when you are ready to go you just find a driver near you and wait a few minutes for them to arrive.  You are not charged per person as with some driver services.  The quotes are very reasonable, rates depend on time of day and demand.

I hope you enjoy your first ride! Let me know if you have any questions or see support.uber.com if you have any questions about how it all works.  It is so simple and easy, I promise once you Uber you won’t ever go back!

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Join us at the leading Lifestyle Conference 2015

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Social Media Influencers The Nation’s Leading Lifestyle Bloggers Conference hits LA Feb. 19-22, 2015!

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SoCal Savvy Mom is attending the fifth annual Lifestyle Bloggers conference next month and I would love for you to join us!  The Fifth Annual Lifestyle Bloggers National Conference will inspire and educate bloggers through training, celebrity workshops and more.  We were lucky enough to attend last year’s conference as well, and I can NOT say enough great things about it!  Because you are a SoCal Savvy Mom reader we have a special VIP code which will cut the cost of the conference in half! *Details on this may be found at the bottom of this post.

The 2015 Lifestyle Bloggers National Conference (#LBNC15) is a multi-day, boutique blogger conference and is focused on providing the necessary training and instruments needed for professional bloggers to properly elevate their creative vision, transforming their blogs into polished digital publications and valued content sources.

From the founder:

“This conference was inspired by the overwhelming need among lifestyle bloggers for tools and training to help them take their craft to the next level,” said Ana Lydia Ochoa-Monaco, Founder & Creative Director of #LBNC15. “We’ve been working hard to make sure this year’s event is bigger and better than ever, and we couldn’t be more excited to share our wonderful speakers and programs with the blogging community.”

Why you should attend:

  • VIP reception Feb. 19 at the Citadel Outlets – luxe setting replete with delicious appetizers and libations
  • Leading brands including Ford Motor Company, OPI, Corner Bakery, Citadel Outlets, Fresh Brothers Pizza, Maker City LA, and Oubly
  • Blogger Junket, with nationally recognized lifestyle and business experts
  • Celebrity Keynotes with:
  • Cisco Pinedo, Founder of Cisco Home
  • Effie Weiss, Cupcake Wars winner Author and self-made Millionaire
  • Daisy Teh, Founder of the Award-Winning Multimedia Blog “The It Mom”
  • Matt Kovacs, President of BLAZE PR and 2014 PR News Award Finalist
  • Pauline Campos, Latina Magazine “Dimelo” Columnist and Award-Winning Blogger

Tickets for the two-day event range from $149.99 for a one-day pass, to $199.99 for a two-day VIP pass.  *Enter VIP code NICOLEVIP at checkout and the ticket price will drop from $199.99 to only $99!  

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Lifestyle Blogger National Conference and join the conversation on Facebook  and Twitter. Limited sponsorship & partnership opportunities are available by contacting: info@llbloggers.com.

Pictured:  Havi Goffan the CEO of Target Latina, Ana Lydia Ochoa-Monaco Founder & Creative Director of #LBNC15, and Nicole Hughes SoCal Savvy Mom at last year’s Lifestyle Bloggers National Conference 2014.

Havi, Ana, Nicole

Oceanside’s Best Fish House – Hello Betty

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Located just steps away from the Oceanside Pier, Hello Betty is perfect for locals or for those visiting the area.  Hello Betty is one of my favorite restaurants, since it opened we have had my birthday there, my mother’s birthday and my best friend also had her birthday celebration there!  It is one of those places you take anyone who is visiting from out-of-town, and how could you not with the view?

Oside View

With daily drink specials from 4-6 it is the perfect place to stop on your way home from work, you will not find a better view on the coast.    During the summer the best place cool off with a drink is the roof top deck, which hosts drinks and light appetizers.  For my birthday I invited around a dozen friends to join me on the roof top deck for drinks and tacos.  Because Hello Betty had just opened a few months prior no one had visited before and everyone was blown away!  My friends couldn’t believe the incredible view and the exquisite tacos put it right over the top for a great birthday.  The hardest decision will be which taco to choose, with Mahi Mahi, Shrimp, Carne Asada, Veggie or a huge list of different types of fish tacos you will want to try them all.

Hello Betty Roof Top Deck

Hello Betty’s menu is not limited to just fish, the Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich (garlic mayo, chopped lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickled jalapeño, jack cheese all on a brioche bun) is the best in all of North San Diego County!  Last week I tried the Herb marinated Chicken Breast which is mesquite grilled and is accompanied by roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.  The dish was so heavenly from beginning to end, I may have found a new favorite on the menu.  My mother in law was visiting from Florida and she LOVED the Steamed Mussels with chorizo, tomato, chilis, garlic and dos equis amber she said they were the best mussels she had ever had.

Shrimp Taco

The decor in Hello Betty is spot on, with the surf theme touches throughout the restaurant.  The picture below is the hallway leading to the restrooms made out of surfboards.  You may even watch surfing movies while at the restaurant as it is usually playing on the many TV’s located in the bar area.  If there is a big game on they will of course put a game on for you if you would prefer.  A huge BONUS for dining with children is the little mini arcade located on the first level of the restaurant.  It is perfect as you can see your children playing video games (think old school ones) from your table.  The kids are close enough to see but not so close you have to listen to the sound of video games.  All of the games are only a quarter or two, not like some sports bars that charge upwards of $1 for one turn on a video game, this is a highlight if you are dining with children.

Hello Betty Surf Boards

When you visit Hello Betty be sure to sign up for their loyalty card, I just saw this last time I was there and couldn’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner.  Reservations are not required it is walk in’s only, even if there is a small wait you will not be bothered by it as you sit outside on the patio with a drink while waiting for a table.  Did I mention the view?  For more information or for the full menu click here.  Let us know after you visit and tell us what you think, but really what is better than a fish taco and a margarita…nothing, visit Hello Betty today and thank me tomorrow!

This is not a paid post, products and services were exchanged for a review. 

Easy, Fun Valentine’s Treats with kids

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finished valentine's treats

Valentine’s Day treats are so fun to make, especially with little ones, my son and his friend helped make these treats.  Items needed for these treats are:

  • 1 box Oreos (we used Trader Joe’s) Traders has a gluten-free option for these cookies as well
  • 2 bags of Candy Melts
  • 2 to 3 different Valentine’s sprinkles
  • 30 Lollipop sticks
  • Wrappers  and ties if you are giving them out

candy valentine

Candy melts made by Wilton are great for making tons of different types of candy.  The most important part of this recipe is to not over cook the candy in the microwave, it we be ruined if you over cook or melt rather.

  1. Microwave for 1 minute on  50% power
  2. Remove from microwave and stir (which will be minimal at this point)
  3. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power
  4. Remove from microwave and stir
  5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until tit is smooth

valentine treats

  1. Carefully remove one half of the cookie
  2. Use stick to remove some of filling so stick will lay flat in the filling
  3. Add melted chocolate over the stick and filling to reconnect cookie
  4. Let cookies set for 10 minutes so the chocolate and cookie are reconnected completely otherwise cookie will fall apart

valentine treats

  1. Dip both sides of the cookies so completely covered in chocolate
  2. Wipe excess off of the one side (not the side you are going to use sprinkles on)
  3. Dip into sprinkles
  4. Set aside on wax paper for an hour or two until firm to the touch

valentine's treats

valentine's day treat unwrapped

If you are planning on passing these out in your child’s class I would recommend using the treat bags and twist ties.  Very inexpensive the 50 treat bags cost $1.99 and the twist ties $.99 both from Michael’s.  The chocolates were on sale from $3.99 to $1.99 this week also at Michael’s, the sprinkles I got at Target for a few dollars.

treats and bags valentines

The finished treats!  Since it is before Valentine’s Day I brought these into my mom’s chemo nurses’ today and they loved them, I plan on making them again and bringing to my son’s class.  Something to note Traders has a gluten-free option for these cookies, which is great because my son’s class has a couple of children who need this option.  I love that Trader’s has made it that much easier to make these treats for everyone in his class.

valentine's day treats finished

Chicken Tortilla Soup in a Crock Pot

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It is a little chilly today in Southern California (the low 60’s, haha) so I wanted to make something delicious to warm us up.  My house smells so good right now because of this soup!  I don’t cook a lot with my crock pot, however this recipe is so easy and delicious I had to share.  All of the ingredients I purchased are from Trader Joe’s so some of the items are kind of specific.  I always buy organic when I have the option but some items at Trader’s are not available in organic yet, like the corn.

  • 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 30 oz. Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 2 Organic Green Onions chopped
  • 1 Small Can Organic Tomato Sauce
  • 1 Small Can Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles
  • 1 Can Whole Kernel Corn
  • 1 Can Organic Diced Tomatoes
  • 1 Can Organic Black Beans
  • 1 Package Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Organic Trader Joe’s Crushed Garlic

Combine all ingredients into your crock pot (except the black beans, add the beans when only 2 hours left)  Set the cook time on low for 6-7 hours, after 3-4 hours shred the chicken.  Once completely cooked add cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips, shredded cheese and sour cream.  Add a lime for garnish and enjoy!

Chicken Tortilla

San Elijo Lagoon Center – Wings Over Wetlands

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WINGS OVER WETLANDS at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center is FREE on January 24 & 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate the arrival of the feathered friends during the winter bird migration!

  • Meet live raptors in special presentations
  • Tour the loop trail and discover interactive wildlife stations
  • Make binoculars with recycled products
  • And more

Fun Fact: Approximately 40% of all North American bird species have been observed in San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve.

Bird-themed crafts, face painting, and nature activities are planned for families. Conservancy naturalists will have spotting scopes and binoculars for use along the Loop Trail that overlooks San Elijo Lagoon, with excellent birding views. Kids will enjoy learning about bird migrations and how to recognize common birds.

Winter is peak migration time with birds resting and foraging at one of the few salt marshes remaining along the Pacific Flyway. Winter shorebirds and ducks are here to spend the season, many of which come from the High Arctic. The stout Bufflehead may be seen diving in the channels. Dowitchers have a feeding characteristic described like the rhythm of a sewing machine.

Learn more about birds you’ll see with the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Animal Guide.

To reach staff or volunteers at the Nature Center, please call: (760) 634-3026. Family Discovery Days occurs rain or shine.  Directions


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