After three weeks of nonstop travel, we’re back home in SoCal and excited for upcoming local events. Starting tonight, I have an amazing line-up of musicals, ballet, and extravagant shows. Here’s what’s to come in SoCal: Continue reading
I remember watching the tv show OC a few years ago and imagining what life would be like in southern California. I wasn’t sure if I would ever be lucky enough to visit. I was still a poor university student at the time and my idea of the good life was eating at T.G.I. Fridays at the casino in downtown Halifax. Even that was way out of my price range but we made an exception every couple of months. When I met Darren, my entire concept of reality went out the window. I was always an unrealistic dreamer and attempted the impossible, but within 6 months of meeting my now husband, we had quit our jobs in eastern Canada, sold everything we owned and moved to southern California. I was actually here. Our first stop when we arrived, before even finding a place to rent, was Newport Beach. Regardless of what happened from that moment, I at least set foot on Newport Beach. I never thought we would be able to afford to own a home here so renting was the next best thing. We even moved back east for a year because the thought of buying a house in SoCal seemed so out of our reach. But as I type this post, I am sitting in my own home in Orange County, California. Yep, the same OC I never thought I would visit I can now call my home. Continue reading
We’re going to be home owners in Orange County, California! It’s my wildest dream turned into a reality. Our closing date is June 30th and we’re going to move in that day. I have a busy, exciting road ahead of me between now and then, especially with a Dominica trip, packing, and moving but on July 1st I will celebrating in my own yard. Continue reading
Living in Orange County, California, we have endless options for holiday events and activities. I never thought I would have too many options to consider but concerts, ballets, ice shows, and even an afternoon of skating can get expensive. It’s not like we can just sharpen our skates and hop on a frozen lake. We want to create holiday traditions for our family without breaking the bank. Dana Point IlluminOcean is a free event that lights up our hearts with holiday cheers. We drove down to Dana Point Marina last night to view the light show. Minus a few dollars for gas and ice cream treats, IlluminOcean is the cheapest way to ring in the holiday season. Continue reading
Imagine getting in a vehicle, an airplane, falling asleep, and waking up in an entirely different place, a whole new world. That’s what it must feel like for Athena when we travel to new countries or cities. This morning, she woke up at Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas, our home for the next six days. Although it might have been confusing for her, it was the best kind of confusion. The Marketing Manager left us welcome baskets and what was inside was better than Christmas morning. Continue reading
Last night, an over-flow of powerful emotions was erected inside of me as I entered the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and took part in the Pacific Chorale’s Christmas concert, Tis the Season! Pacific Chorale’s annual Tis the Season! concert features Pacific Chorale, the Southern California Children’s Chorus, and members of Pacific Symphony in the favorite selections from John Alexander’s years of holiday programs. To celebrate this anniversary year, John Alexander has chosen audience favorites from the last 40 years of Christmas concerts he has conducted, making this year’s concert one that evoked emotion and my fondest memories of Christmas. As I sat in the audience, I was transported back to my childhood and engulfed in the visual and auditory beauty that surrounded me. Continue reading
Oh, the magic of it all. Living dolls. The Sugar Plum Fairy. The Snow Queen. Dancing 
snowflakes. A Christmas tree that grows to spectacular heights. It’s The Nutcracker, in all its magic, beauty, and holiday charm. With music by Peter Tchaikovsky and stunning scenery and costume design by Simon Pastukh and Galina Solovyeva, Salwa Rizkalla’s production has something to delight every family member. It’s not everyday you have a chance to create a new tradition, a custom, of enjoying performing arts, but The Festival Ballet Theatre has found two regulars in their spectacular production. There are few things that personify Christmas like The Nutcracker and I can’t wait to share that experience with my family for years to come. Continue reading
Every travel and tourism site on Orange County, Los Angeles, and California suggests a whale watching cruise where you can view giant blue whales during the summer and fall
months and the annual grey whale migration that brings tens of thousands of grey whales along the coast during the winter and spring months. Huge pods of several species of dolphin are very common during these excursions as are the resident sea lions, harbor 
seals, porpoises, and marine birds. With a 96% success rate, almost every cruise has many viewing opportunities. An added plus is picturesque coastal backdrops of Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach. It was advertising like this as well as recognition as one of the top whale watching destinations in the world that led me to include whale watching on my Yearly Bucket List. Davey’s Locker was my top choice because of their excellent, long-standing reputation, prices, and location. Continue reading
Is it the atmosphere? The comfortable chairs? The lighting? The attention? The magazines? What is it about a good stylist that allows you to have a great experience with them and continue to use their services? What is it about a salon that you’ve visited that makes you look forward to going back? At H Studio Salon, in Mission Viejo, they pamper 
their clients, giving them a mini vacation from everyday life. For the last two years, I’ve cut, styled, and colored my own hair with acceptable success. A busy, active lifestyle allowed me to tie it up and go freely without putting much thought into style or products. I’ve since slowed down a little and at six months pregnant enjoy simple escapes from my daily routine. H Studio Salon helped me feel better about my ever-rounding pregnancy face, my substantially growing belly, and my less-than-flawless skin. They provided the ultimate salon experience with customer service as their top priority. Continue reading
Bucket List Publications 