Designer Con 2012!

This Saturday, November 3rd is Designer Con at Pasadena Convention Center.  I went last year and had a great time joining the World's Biggest Blindbox Time, watching The Sucklord's live Suckathon, shopping for Christmas gifts, checking out the latest in toys/books/vinyl/art/shirts and getting sketches by artists.  Previously, D-Con was called Vinyl Toy Network.

Old friends Dragatomi and SpankyStokes are just some of the vendors that will be in attendance, new friend Leanna Lin's Wonderland will be there too!  Visit them and buy stuff!

There will be exclusives, signings and surprises!


November 3rd, 2012 from 9 am to 6 pm
Pasadena Convention Center, Exhibit Hall
300 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
$5 online pre-sale; $7 at the door

.60 Tacos Wednesday

Tacos are serious business.  I don't know one person that doesn't like tacos.  Not one person.  In Southern California, we have all kinds of tacos.  You think of it and we have probably put it in in a tortilla.  There are blogs just about tacos.  And blogs about tacos in LA, blogs about taco trucks and even blogs just about carne asada.  There is never a shortage of taco talk.

I've been known to pay overpay ($4 cough, cough) for a taco but sometimes you just crave a good, cheap one or even one from Taco Bell.  Tacos Mexico in Buena Park has .60 Tacos Wednesday from 8am-8pm, you can get Asada, Cabeza Al Pastor, Pollo, Carnitas, Tripas y Lengua!  (I could have sworn Buche was on the menu too)

The rice and beans is good stuff too - see that plate? Only $2!  They keep a condiment bar open with limes, chiles and carrots.  Lunch for 3 of us was under $10!  

Tacos Mexico

7695 Knott Ave.
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 690-1257

10th Annual Noche de Altares in Santa Ana, CA

This will be our 3rd year attending Noche de Altares in Santa Ana.  It's an amazing Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead celebration in Orange County.  Santa Ana Art Walk happens to fall on the same night as Noche de Altares.  There is so much to see and do so we make a family day/night out of it.  I always encourage friends and family to check it out.  My friend Ariana came to visit last year specifically for California Halloween / Dia de los Muertos fun!

Here are my tips for Noche de Altares:

• Get there early!  Especially if you want to find good parking.  Noche de Altares starts at 1pm and it gets BUSY!
• Bring cash!  Almost all the street vendors only take cash.  
• Wear comfy shoes and bring a jacket/hoodie/coat.  Southern California weather has been weird, it does get cooler at night.
• Bring your camera!  
• La Catrina starts her procession at 4:30pm.  You do not want to miss the lighting of the candles.
• Bathrooms - GCAC, OCCCA and Santora Arts Building are your best bet.  
• I suggest checking out the altars in the day and again at night.  Trust me, there is a difference!  

El Centro Cultural de Mexico & Calacas Inc. proudly present
10th Annual Noche de Altares
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012
4th and Birch Streets,
Santa Ana, CA

Free/Gratis

Schedule of Events
1:00 pm – 1:20 pm              Santa Ana Youth Skit/Kids Cumbia Class
1:25 pm – 1:55 pm              Chinelos
2:00 pm – 2:40 pm              Centro Ballet Folclorico
2:45 pm – 3:25 pm              Mariachi de Santa Ana High School
3:35 pm – 4:20 pm              Son del Centro
4:30 pm – 5:10 pm              Olmeca

4:30 pm Sunset              
La Catrina begins Procession & Lighting Candles

5:20 pm – 6:10 pm              Santaneros
6:20 pm – 7:10 pm              Banda Estrella de Michoacan
7:25 pm – 8:20 pm              La Misa Negra http://www.lamisanegra.com
8:35 pm – 9:30 pm              La Santa Maria http://www.lsmmusic.com



Here is a compilation of art shows from galleries we love:  

Siempre Es Hoy at OCCCA
Curated by Sol Art Gallery
6-11pm

Bringing Out The Dead Group Show at GCS Santa Ana
7-11pm

Note*  GCS is located on street level at the Santora Arts Building.  There is a basement level that is home to The ARTbar and several other galleries.  Santora Arts Building is gorgeous, it is also home to Santa Ana College Arts Gallery on the 2nd Floor.  There are also other galleries on the 2nd Floor.    

Tony de los Reyes at Grand Central Art Center
Border Theory
www.tonydelosreyes.com
7-10pm



Shops: The ARTbar / Librería Martínez / The Road Less Traveled Store
Food: Memphis at the Santora / Lola Gaspar / Playground / Gypsy Den / Chapter One

Downtown Santa Ana

Here's a map I made of the areas for Noche de Altares and Santa Ana Art Walk.  Enjoy!

View Noche de Altares / Santa Ana Art Walk in a larger map

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  We love Santa Ana Art District and support Noche de Altares and Santa Ana Art Walk.

The Happy Egg Co. Preview at Grub #NewEggInTown

It's rare when we get invited as a family to a blogger event and even more rare when childcare is offered so I was already in love with the happy egg co. and was excited to hear more.  the happy egg co. preview was held at Top Chef contestant Chef Betty Fraser's restaurant Grub in Hollywood.  

I love eggs but honestly never put much thought into how the hens are treated.  I have always been one of those consumers that didn't want to know but my mentality is changing... I do want to know now.  I always thought cage free eggs meant the hens roamed the farm but that's not true!

the happy egg co. girls are truly free range!

Bright yellow cartons!  No drab gray ones!  Love the label system too.

Blueberry lemonade!

This classic deviled egg was fantastic.  Yes that's caviar.  I tried caviar when I was younger and didn't care for it but this was amazing.  I am a HUGE fan!  Also, the first time (that I know of) that I tried brown eggs.  The verdict?  Smooth!  I'm eggs-cited to use brown eggs in my cooking!

This was delicious!

Mini Ginger Pumpkin Creme Brulees.  Heavenly.

Duke with Freeda!  There's Chef Betty Fraser!  I was so excited to meet her, she is so friendly!

raisedbyculture.com meets culturemami.com - our kids are new friends!


the happy egg co. It's simple, we believe that hens need the freedom of the outdoors to be happy and healthy... it's only natural.  To us, our hens are more than hens, they are our Girls.  

Our hens are happy because they have free daily access to:

• 4 acres of pasture to roam among the trees, shade, sand pits, fresh air
• large protective barn overnight, freedom to choose where to roost and even their favorite nesting box, plus a few pecking toys to keep them engaged
• clean water and feed serving an all-natural specially formulated diet of corn and soy

Once only available at farmers markets and specialty stores, the happy egg co.'s network of family farmers is now making eggs available from hens that freely range on pastures at select Ralph's locations throughout Southern California.  In the coming weeks, happy eggs from the happy egg co. will be available at other neighborhood and specialty grocery chains in Southern California (between Santa Barbara and San Diego) for an msrp of $4.99.  

Thank you for a lesson in eggs Cyd Syzmanski and thanks for having us happy egg co.!  

Get social with the happy egg co. - HappyEggCoUSA on Facebook / @HappyEggCoUSA on Twitter

Disclosure:  This is not a compensated post.  I was invited to a media preview.  All thoughts are my own.

My Parents Inspire Me #InspireCare #LATISM

Growing up I never really understood the way my parents parented.  Especially when I was a teenager.  I had a curfew.  All of my friends didn't.  I couldn't go to slumber parties.  I couldn't have friends over.    I made my room my haven and lived on the phone.  They were so strict.  I remember crying myself to sleep a couple times because I couldn't go hang out at the mall with my friends.  Crying so hard into my pillow and saying, "I hate you Mom" under my breath.  I always thought all my friends that got to do what they wanted were the lucky ones.  It wasn't until I had kids of my own that I began to appreciate my parents and realized I was the lucky one.      

My parents are my inspiration to be the best mother I can be.  All the rules I thought were harsh when I was a teenager was because they cared.  I understand now that all they were doing was trying to protect me from a rough world.  I know now that all my parents wanted was the best for me, just like I want the best for my own children.  Being raised their way made me independent and not have to depend on others.  My parents taught me not to be a follower and work hard.  It made me a strong woman and ultimately, a great mom.  In some ways, I'm raising my kids with the same values my parents raised me but in my own light.  I learned to trust my children.

Now that they are grandparents, I know that they are happy with the way I parent.




Johnson & Johnson and its partners support global motherhood with programs that meet the needs of moms and babies in the U.S. and around the world.  Get involved in raising awareness about global motherhood by using your social networks for social good!

Attending LATISM 2012 in Houston?  Stop by the Johnson & Johnson suite in Arboretum II to discuss the work they do!

These photos represent a few of the many programs supported by Johnson & Johnson and its partner organizations to serve the health and well-being needs of communities and people around the world.  To read more about these programs and others that help us care for those in need, please visit our website:  http://www.jnj.com/connect/caring/

Disclosure:  This is a compensated post in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson and Latina Bloggers Connect.  All opinions are my own.

Disney Secret of the Wings DVD + Blu-Ray Giveaway

Journey with Tinker Bell and her fairy friends into the forbidden world of the mysterious Winter Woods, where curiosity and adventure lead Tink to an amazing discovery and reveal a magical secret that could change her world forever.

To celebrate the upcoming release of “Secret of the Wings,” Disney has launched a new destination in Facebook for parents to stay updated on Disney Fairies news as well as receive the best new content and activities that they can share with their children. Audiences can become a fan now at:  www.facebook.com/DisneyFairies.

For the latest information on "Secret of the Wings", visit: www.Disney.com/SecretofTheWings

Available starting October 23rd, 2012!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  I received a copy for review.  All thoughts are my own.

What I Found At The .99 Store: #Halloween Edition

Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year.  It kicks off the whole Holiday season.  Dia de los Muertos, Turkey Day, Christmas and New Years.  We've checked out the Halloween sections at Party City, Target and Walmart a few times already.  But if you really want to save money, the .99 Only Store is where it's at.

Obviously I didn't buy all of this, just sharing what I found at my local store!
  

48 piece Barbie party favor pack .99!  (I was tempted to buy this for one of those times I might need it)

Another 48 piece party favor pack!  There was a "boy" one too.

1 lb. of Fingerling potatoes and huge packs of Organic salad mix!

That right there is a TWO pound box of strawberries.  One of the employees pointed it out to me, we bought 2!  Never heard of Revolution Foods but those are organic snack bars.

Vintage looking owls!  And that's our cart - only set us back $22!


Disclosure:  This is not a compensated post.  All thoughts are my own.