Where Skin Glows, Energy Flows!

Friends, Taking care of your skin is more important than covering it up.

I had back-to-back international trips at the end of the year and by the time I returned from the second trip, I was tired, jet-lagged, dehydrated and welcomed by a house full of sick boys. I share this because throughout all the madness, I wore a lot of make-up but wasn’t consistent with a skincare routine.

Fast forward to mid-December and life started returning to normal. I was feeling calm before the Holiday storm and I credit a visit to the Ole Henriksen Spa for giving me a happy, relaxed peaceful feeling and a fresh new, hydrated face!

Have you ever seen such chic lighting in a spa hallway?

The Morning Appointment

I leapt at the opportunity to experience a luxury facial at popular spa loved by celebrities like Kris Jenner (who’s been going there for decades, btw). This spa experience happened thanks to an awesome woman-owned PR firm with whom I’ve worked on stories for Mommy In Los Angeles Magazine.

My morning started with warm cup of tea in a comfy white robe. Since traffic held me up a bit longer than expected, I arrived about 2-3 minutes late to my appointment. However, the idea is to always arrive at least 15 minutes early to Ole Henriksen Spa in order to fill out required paperwork, disclaimers, etc. and enjoy the spa’s amenities.

So back to my appointment, I was sipping on a warm cup of tea when my fabulous esthetician, Gary, called me back to the treatment room.

Now, this is a guy who’s been at Ole Henriksen for over a decade (RESPECT); His professional background includes corporate spa management and he’s also a ceramics artist who gets commissioned to create gorgeous pottery sets, which means, you’re in for a treat when his hands start elegantly massaging your face and neck.

Posing with my esthetician Gary, after my facial at Ole Henriksen Spa.

THE OLE HENRIKSEN SPA

8622 W. Sunset Blvd.

Ste. A | Los Angeles, CA 90069

Tucked between two popular Brazilian and Chinese Restaurants at the Sunset Plaza in WeHo, this remarkable spa is home to highly experienced massage therapists, facial experts and skincare connoisseurs (like Gary) who are there to make busy people feel refreshed and young! And don’t just take my word for it— Vanessa Hudgens has raved about this relaxation sanctuary and their Moroccan Bathing Ritual which is something that’s offered as part of a Tranquility package.

What I love is that customers can visit the Ole Henriksen Spa and enjoy a blissful retreat with products from the Spa’s namesake line but also from Spa Owner Vance Soto’s own brand of skincare treatments, VSOTO.

A Little About VSOTO Products:

“No detail was missed.” That’s how Vance describes his luxury line of Spa skincare products, VSOTO.

The Purifying Transformation Créme feels light and does wonders to my face! It also smells heavenly.

Vance is a creative, enterprising business owner who took the time to share about his journey from salon owner to skincare biz boss.

“The idea behind it is a Spa treatment in a jar,” he explains. “This was a treatment room secret….We would only use it professionally.”

But because the spa’s clients loved how they felt after a treatment, they would repeatedly ask about products because they wanted to follow the same spa regime, at home.

Through years of delivering luxury spa treatments and observing his team of estheticians use various creams, serums, cleansers and exfoliants on customers, Vance began taking note of certain elements and ingredients that he felt would improve the overall spa experience. Simultaneously, clients continued asking for products to use at home. And that’s how VSOTO came to be.

Today, several VSOTO products are part of the lineup of richly crafted crémes that bring your skin back to life when you book a treatment. You can also purchase the products on the VSOTO website. Hint: My favorite is the Purifying Transformation Créme which smells and feels delicious on your skin.

Three products from Spa Owner Vance Soto’s line that allow customers to “take the Spa home”.

The Luxury Facial Experience at Ole Henriksen Spa

After a totally relaxing hour-long experience, where I lay on a comfy treatment bed, having the best conversation with Gary, I could tell I would be walking away feeling great. And sure enough, I was honestly impressed by the way my skin looked after the facial.

Here are five reasons why regular facials are a must-do for women, especially in their 40s (like me).

A Facial:

• Removes dead skin cells,

• Helps clear clogged pores,

• Aids in blood circulation,

• Hydrates & moisturizes the skin,

• Relaxes facial muscles 

When I asked Gary how often one should make an appointment for a facial, he said to follow the natural occurrence of skin cell turnover. As we’re aging that starts to slow so women in their 40s should get one every 4-6 weeks.

Among the many products that were used to bring my face back to life were: A Cold hammer, Cleansers, Vitamin C, Collagen, Purifying oils, Exotic creams and sunscreen, among others. If I may add— everything felt cool and smelled wonderful!

And here is a photo before I left Ole Henriksen with a fresh new complexion and zero makeup!

On a final Note,

I hope you all consider getting a facial as an act of self-love. I don’t even remember the last time I had one done… probably some years ago, in the middle of the ocean on some cruise ship. But just like the things that matter for your overall health and well-being, taking care of our body’s largest organ…our skin, should be top priority.

What a fabulous way to relax amid the holiday stress and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.

Book your spa treatment at Ole Henriksen Spa here.

Or you can also bring the spa home by ordering VSOTO crémes here!

Thanks for reading!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

I was generously treated to a luxury facial at Ole Henricksen Spa in West Hollywood. I received fantastic skincare products by VSOTO during my visit. All opinions are my own.

These mollusks got me all schuck up!

Friends, I’m back in full reporter mode.

I launched the first digital issue of Mommy In LA magazine and through the story development process, I had a chance to interview some awesome people and try new things around L.A.

One of those experiences was my visit to Rappahannock Oyster Bar in DTLA, where I interviewed Chef Wilson Santos and tried oysters for the first time. My friend Gabby Huerta, who works across from my office in Downtown LA, joined me on this culinary adventure and to this day— we’re still talking about our visit!

My friend Gabby and I about to eat some good food!

The idea of trying oysters for the first time was kind of exciting but, I’ll be honest. I started wondering what would happen if my palate didn’t agree with the experience. After all, I’m a bit finicky when it comes to food textures. For example, things like runny eggs are a no-no for me. I also have a hard time with chicken liver and other foods like fufu, which is a dish I tried in Ghana, Africa. What’s weird is that I can handle things like bubble tea and caviar.

But I digress.

I was ready to give Oysters a try because I love ceviche, I love sushi and sashimi, I love octopus and escargot. In other words, seafood has never been a problem for me. Plus, after a pleasant conversation with Chef Wilson about his oyster bar— I felt ready. This oyster bar’s menu offerings are always fresh with new oyster shipments arriving every three days from Virginia’s Rappahannock River.

The sauces that accompany the oysters actually vary, depending on the type of oyster you’re about to consume. The saltwater oysters come with a different sauce than the sweet water oysters. In any case, after our conversation, I stepped into the restaurant and watched as Chef Wilson shucked the oysters.

Shucking an oyster is the process of opening the shell to reveal the part you will eat. By the way, oysters are still alive prior to shucking which is why they are oftentimes seen on ice.

We received a seafood tower for two delivered to our table. Gabby and I looked at the generous platter and took tons of photos before we gave the oysters a try. The first dilemma was figuring out how to eat them.

Do you chew oysters? Do you swallow them? Do you let them sit in your mouth and absorb the flavor? Gabby and I looked at each other, like, “who’s going first!?” LOL.

I went for it.

Tip #1 — The way you eat oysters is by slurping them.

The sauce, the freshness of the mollusk and my familiarity with other seafood dishes made it a very pleasant dining experience. I held the shell close to my mouth as one would hold a jello shot and pa’ dentro.

Tip #2 — Depending on the type of oyster you eat, the flavor may be different.

In my opinion the saltwater oysters were just perfect. The freshwater oysters seemed milder but still enjoyable.

Tip #3 — Don’t wait too long to eat them!

Gabby and I were perfectly happy enjoying a cold Michi…Lada (which comes with shrimp and a fried oyster) when we noticed the ice tray in which the oysters arrived started melting, which partially submerged some oysters. The idea is to enjoy the meal without interference from other elements, like water.

Celebratory cocktail after enjoying oysters for the first time.

All in all, the answer is yes, I would certainly have oysters again.

Following the oysters, Chef Wilson brought out a lobster roll which was FIRE. Just so. Darn. Delish. He also let us try the famous Rapp burger, a DTLA Favorite. One bite and it was easy to see why so many people love this cheesy, beefy deliciousness.

Every item we tried at Rappahannock Oyster Bar tasted excellent.

Finally, I want to share how much I appreciated my conversation with Chef Wilson. He shared his story, which you can read more about in the pages of Mommy In Los Angeles Magazine. From washing dishes in Hollywood back kitchens as a young immigrant from Las Lisas, Guatemala to apprenticeships in New York City and gigs at Michelin-rated Los Angeles restaurants, he encompasses the American dream and literally does it in great taste.

Thank you, Chef Wilson, if I may reiterate— The world is your oyster!

Check out Rappahannock Oyster Bar in DTLA.

Thanks for reading friends!

Xo,
Anabel Marquez

The 2021 Auto Show at the L.A. Convention Center was no doubt a car-studded event.

Chevrolet On Display!

The L.A. Auto Show made a comeback at the LA Convention Center in November 2021 after a COVID-19 hiatus. For me, the highlight of the event was none other than the Chevrolet exhibit. The U.S. car manufacturer says it’s transitioning its production focus to hybrid and electric vehicles. However, on display at the 2021 L.A. Auto show were some of the most popular Chevy cars.

Here is a round-up of my top five Chevy vehicles, as seen on the convention floor along with a brief opinion of the single most impressive feature each vehicle has to offer:

---

Model: 2023 CORVETTE Z06

Favorite feature: The Z06 is set apart by its beating heart – the all-new 5.5L LT6, the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V-8 engine to hit the market in any production car, ever:

Can I see myself driving this around town? Heck YES!

---

Model: 2022 SILVERADO ZR2

Favorite Feature: Enhanced 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine delivers 20 percent more torque and 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel max towing increased by 4,000 pounds to 13,300:

---

Model: 2022 SILVERADO

Favorite Feature: Whether a girl needs a standing workstation or an easier load-in for furniture, the Multi-Flex Tailgate configurations activate using a key fob or two tailgate-mounted buttons, one for the full gate and another for the inner gate. There is also a power tailgate button on the instrument panel.

---

Model: 2021 SUBURBAN

Favorite Feature: It seats up to nine people comfortably. 19 percent more maximum cargo space behind the first row and plenty of cargo room too! Plus, Best-in-class nine camera views and new trailering features designed to help improve the driver’s experience and confidence, including trailer profiles, trailer tire pressure/temperature monitoring and Side Blind Zone Alert1 for trailering.

This beauty comes in this Empire Beige Metallic color

---

Model: 2023 TRAILBLAZER

Favorite Feature: Teen Driver Monitoring System.

Once your child is old enough to get behind the wheel, Chevy’s got your back, mama.

The Teen Driver Monitoring System is “a safety technology for parents to let their kids…learn safe driving habits. It also gives the parents a report card, when the child comes back, showing them exactly how they drove,” explained Chevrolet's communications director, Shad Balch.

For more on the Chevy Trailblazer, please see my post here.

Thanks for reading, friends.

Time to hit the road!

-Anabel M.

A Lot of Love for Little Tokyo!

One sunny February morning, we participated in something called the “Nun Run”— a 5K race to support the Sisters of Notre Dame in Thousand Oaks. As it turns out, Benny, my 9-year-old son is a solid little runner. He ended up placing second in his age group. Check out my little cutie upon crossing the finish line:

I share the race story because before the 5k, I told the boys that if they put forth their best effort during the race, I’d take them on a Little Tokyo outing. Needless to say, with Benny’s proud achievement, the trip to Downtown L.A. was pretty much a done deal. Soon after receiving his commemorative Nun Run towel and posing for a photo with his medal, we made our way to Little Tokyo.

It was my first time back in Little Tokyo since the Pandemic hit. I hadn’t been to the historic five-block district located east of Alameda street in DTLA, for over two years.

FYI— DTLA’s Little Tokyo is actually one of the largest official Japan towns in the U.S and Benny knows it. He has become a major fan of Japanese Anime and therefore always asks to visit Little Tokyo (mainly so he can beg me for Anime toys, video games and clothing all of which is available there).

Here’s my little Stud Muffin, looking almost like a teenager!

The hub of Little Tokyo is a small plaza called the Japanese Village which is surrounded by shops, restaurants, bakeries and even a Japanese grocery store called Nijiya Market, located down the way from a tiny two story outdoor mall. On this February weekend Little Tokyo was particularly busy. However, I’m not sure how much of that actually had to do with the crowds of people lining outside of the shops (Most stores in Little Tokyo were only allowing 8-10 guests in at one time).

Recommended for lunch are plenty of Ramen and sushi restaurant options. We opted for Sushi and Teriyaki Chicken Bento boxes from a small corner restaurant called Sushi & Teri (116 Japanese Village Plz Mall). Again, we practically had the restaurant all to ourselves due to the social distance measures in place but the lines outside were crazy long.

Where there is good food, there better be good dessert. That’s my personal belief! And of course, Little Tokyo doesn’t disappoint sweet tooth wanderers like me and my boys. A visit to Yamazaki Bakery (which is located directly across from the Sushi & Teri lunch spot where we dined) led us to a couple of ice cream cones and this especially cute doggy-shaped fruit tart, which some may argue is a recreation of Japan’s very own Shiba Inu pups:

This was almost too cute to eat but two bites and it was gone!

After our short-lived but fun dessert eating moment, the boys were taken over by a serious sugar rush. Before I knew it, Benny had climbed on top of a rock that’s located in the center of the Japanese Plaza and Toby was there egging him on. I gasped for air and angrily clenched my teeth demanding that he come down immediately, except, he couldn’t. I had to perform an actual rescue and carry this 9 year old from a big rock, so he wouldn’t fall down, in front of people.

The stressful experience made me deserving of some retail therapy. The boys had already picked a few goodies to bring home and it was time for me to find something for me. We walked over to the Sanrio shop but the line was insane. Then we discovered the Mokuyobi Flagship store, located right next to the Little Tokyo Japanese Village Tower. I must say the mix of colors, patterns, styles and designs were so fun, so bright and so bold that I simply couldn’t resist. I bought a fun T-shirt with a happy face named Noodles.

Meanwhile, the boys were getting tired and whiny and they were beginning to argue and get on each other’s nerves. The day was hot and the drive back home was going to be long. We made a final stop at a Cosplay shop and Benny picked a Naruto headband. Naruto is a popular Japanese Anime character. Toby asked for a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger weapon.

In the end, it turned out to be a Funish day with my two little boys. How I missed making spontaneous trips to different places around Los Angeles!

There are so many other great places to see, shop and dine in Little Tokyo. The Japanese American Museum for example is generally very well curated with incredible exhibitions. My friend owns a shop called Leola Lace with the cutest, trendiest women’s fashion and there’s also Japangeles, a shop with awesome Japan-inspired clothing made in Los Angeles.

A trip worth your time is one to Little Tokyo in Downtown L.A.

Thanks for reading friends!

Xo,

Anabel M.

My Rawr-some Boys

The Jurassic Quest Dinosaur experience has arrived in California. This time, however, the show is a COVID-safe Drive-Thru experience taking place outdoors, near the main entrance of the Pasadena Rose Bowl. We saw the very popular T. Rex, Triceratops and and over 70 life-like animatronic dinosaurs displayed throughout the parking lot area.

My Dinosaur loving sons woke up bright and early to attend the media preview on Friday. They enjoyed the dinosaurs displayed throughout the parking lot area although it was clear that an exhibition such as this one, would be best suited indoors.

A spectator can’t help but notice extension cords, bright cones, industrial containers and other equipment that would have otherwise been hidden inside an exhibit hall (perhaps the tour has a different feel at night). Plus, we felt this gorgeous & ginormous ancient shark should not have been laying on pavement!

Still, the show is well organized and the dinosaurs are very nicely elaborated. They look realistic and sound realistic. In collaboration with leading paleontologists, each dinosaur has been painstakingly replicated in every detail. I mean, these Dinos honestly merit placement at some type of Dinosaur theme park.

We took advantage of the audio tour which is set-up so that passengers can learn about the Dinosaurs as you drive your way through the tour. The audio tour is actually very informative!

My favorite moment was when Toby kept humming the Jurassic Park theme song and Benny kept getting mad at him because the humming wasn’t letting him listen to the audio.

Jurassic Quest will remain in Pasadena through January 31. Afterwards, it it will be moved to Costa Mesa and the Pomona Fairplex in February. Masks are required. Tickets are $49 per vehicle and I believe there are still a few tickets left for the Pasadena experience. www.JurassicQuest.com

I will be partnering with Jurassic Quest to give away several tickets to L.A. Moms for the Pomona Fairfplex show. Make sure you follow my mommy magazine platform for a chance to win a ticket later this month!

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xoxo,

-Anabel M.

With a #Silverado Me Siento Muy…Excited!

¡Y se emocionaaa!

There’s no denying life has been hard as the global pandemic continues to take a toll on well, everything.

But in my own experience, this year has also presented an amazing opportunity to get creative at home and make great memories with the kiddos.

Last week was no exception!

We got to test out the new Chevy Silverado and also enjoy the premiere of the Selena Series on Netflix in a fun and different way— with a viewing party in the comfort of our own front yard.

This was part of a #Silverado activation to promote the vehicle in the Hispanic community using a culturally relevant event.

I WAS ALL ABOUT IT, friends.

The gorgeous 2021 Chevy Silverado loan arrived on a bright, sunny morning. The truck’s rich red hue was simply stunning, I mean, it looked exactly Como La Flor:

Como La Flor is one of Selena Quintanilla’s hit songs which translates to: “Like the flower”. In this case the red Chevy Silverado matched the beauty of this red rose!

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The latest generation Silverado offers incredible features, including:

• Up to 15 unique camera views (some camera views require available accessory camera and installation).

• New trailering technology and impressive trailering capacity (max. available trailering is over 13,000 lbs.) for all your towing needs.

• It has an available Multi-Flex Tailgate that smoothly moves down with a push of a button located on the key.

• Enhanced technology like LED Cargo area lighting, Wi-Fi hotspot availability, Smartphone pairing, OnStar, and my favorite: remote start. The truck basically turns on with the push of a button

This truck is not just smart. It’s brilliant.

Preparing for the Selena Series Netflix Premiere

I drove the Chevy Silverado around town the day before the premiere to purchase a few items for our viewing party. The idea was to make things festive in celebration of the Tejano Queen who, 25 years after her tragic death, remains an icon for Latinos everywhere. The Netflix Series, starring Christian Serratos as Selena Quintanilla, tells the story of the singer’s rise to fame.

For our viewing party, I purchased glitter paper and disco ball plates, a big mylar balloon and fresh roses. The drive to the grocery & craft supply stores was incredibly smooth. The Chevy Silverado pulls in 23 MPG city/33 MPG highway— it has a gas engine that has earned the best-in-class highway fuel economy title.

A Viewing Party for Three

With Benny and Toby home all day during these long days of Quarantine, I’ve had to find ways to engage the little rascals after their daily 2-hour online school sessions. Paul was not around on this particular evening so the little boys agreed to “help” prepare for our viewing party. The plan was that they would both help decorate cupcakes, Benny would inflate a giant Rose balloon to represent Selena’s favorite flower and Toby would help set-up the projector on the bed of the Silverado.

Let’s just say, my sons were not the most efficient at completing their assigned tasks. However, they impressed me with their truck climbing skills. LOL.

The Chevy Silverado’s max. available payload is 2,280 lbs. The bed of this truck can basically carry an elephant!

An Unforgettable Night Beneath The Stars

The boys were pretty attentive to the first episode of the Selena Series. Benny had a lot of questions for me about the singer. Toby just watched and joyfully ate cheesy slices of pizza. I sat atop the Silverado tailgate, which can carry up to 375 lbs., and monitored the kids and the projector for hassle-free viewing.

View of our snacks from the bed of the 2021 Chevy Silverado. We enjoyed pizza, popcorn and cupcakes.

As the night fell, the boys cuddled up with warm blankets beneath the Chevy Silverado enjoying the brand new episode.

Thank you Chevy!

With this experience, I was inspired to get rid of La Carcacha we have at home and become a Silverado Truck Owner (La Carcacha is a Selena song title that describes an old jalopy ).

Having this truck serve as our official theater for the Selena Series premiere on Netflix was literally a truckload of fun.

We loved it and we’re still dealing with the sad feelings we got when we saw it leave our driveway!

A 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 like this one retails for approximately $50,000 which is totally worth it because….wait for it… “El dinero no importa en ti y en mí, ni en el corazón….Oh, oh, baby”. (Lyrics from another Selena hit titled “Amor Prohibido” which explains that money matters very little when it comes to matters of the heart.)

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

Anabel M.

 Chevy sent us a Silverado and goodies to safely enjoy the premiere of the Selena series on Netflix. All opinions are my own. You can read about my other experiences with Chevy Loans here, here, and here and check out

“10 Fun Ways to Welcome a Cherry Red Chevy Silverado at Home for the Holidays” here Hint: You’ll see my photo shoot with the matching red coat!

Wait, what? How did my 30s end so fast!?

Turning 40 in 2020 was supposed to be epic.

I had a super glamorous Gatsby-themed bash planned. LOL. There were supposed to be blingy ostrich feathers and long sparkly gowns and a live Jazz band where many of my closest friends and relatives would join me in drinking champagne… (Ughhh… While I realize how pompous I sound, this is actually true).

But COVID-19 arrived and cancelled plans for people everywhere. My 40th birthday came and went without the glitz and glamour of the Roaring 20s. I didn’t have a Charlie Chaplin imitator welcoming guests to my house, but my best friend Sheryl stopped by with flowers and gifts, Paul and the kids decorated the house with Happy Birthday balloons and ordered a tres leches cake and my parents arrived with my sister Irene and two bottles of Dom Perignon. It was so, so special!

Prior to turning 40, I had been asking myself— “Have I accomplished everything I meant to do in my 30s?,” “Did I close out the last year of my 30s decade where I thought I would be?”. “Am I rich, skinny and famous?” LOL.

The answer is “no”. But that’s entirely okay. In my 30s I gave birth to two beautiful and healthy boys. I realized that my life purpose is to be a communicator and I did a few things to nurture that conviction. In my 30s I also realized that as long as there’s the promise of tomorrow, it’s never too late for anything.

When you love and genuinely wish others well, the same energy and intent fills your own space. When you celebrate the success of others, you’re pretty much welcoming that same success into your heart, which in turn allows you to live in abundance. My 30s taught me a lot!

All this to say, when my dad raised his champagne glass in a toast for his oldest daughter on her 40th birthday last week, he said many nice things about me but what struck me most was hearing him tell me he was proud of me.

Words are so powerful!

At the end of the night, I knew that feeling gratitude, enjoying good health and listening to beautiful words from the people that matter most was the best 40th birthday experience a woman can ask for.

Turning 40 in 2020 was, in fact, EPIC.

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

A cutesy drive-thru experience at a mall parking structure

The boys and I were invited to check out Happy Place - The Drive Thru at the Westfield Century City Mall Parking Structure. We had been sick with a cold the week prior and hadn’t left the house (we tested NEGATIVE for Covid, thank God). Needless to say, we were sick and tired of feeling sick and tired so driving to a Happy Place seemed like the perfect opportunity to get out again.

We entered the parking garage through the entrance on Avenue of the Stars and followed the signs to the third floor. Once there, we were greeted, our tickets scanned and led to enter Happy Place - The Drive Thru.

The experience was fun. For those of us who visited The Happy Place pop-up museum a couple of years ago in Downtown L.A. when we were still able to do things in-person, many of the colorful installations and props looked familiar and driving by them felt a little off— like we wish we could have exited the car for a photo op.

Given that the drive thru stretched for quite a ways, there were areas that looked like, well, parking spaces. Still, we loved driving through musical piano keys, we enjoyed the disco ball dance stop (the kids chose the Baby Shark song out of the ten different song options) and we liked the giant cookie on the wall.

Happy Place - the Drive-Thru is going to be around through the new year (January 3). Tickets start at $50 per vehicle (regardless of the number of people inside) and if you’re interested, you can purchase lemonade for $5 or Happy Place-branded items like t-shirts and knick-knacks on your way out.

Benny gave it an “8 out of 10” LOL. Toby kept saying he wished he could get out of the car to play with the props. I was happy to feel good enough to drive and take the kids to a place that stimulated their senses, gave them something to look at and motivated them to offer their brutally honest feedback (they said the Happy Place unicorns looked grumpy and sad. LOL).

Overall, a nice distraction for folks who live in the L.A. area and want to give their kids a chance to see a giant rubber duck, an over-sized gumball machine or a yellow bubble bathtub. Stay happy.

Ticket information here.

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

Nintendo provided us with a copy of the game. All opinions are my own

An encounter with Luigi & Gooigi

My six-year-old son is adamant that he’s a gamer (even though he’s not allowed to play too many video games) so when we got invited to preview a new Nintendo Switch game launching on October 31, Benny jumped for joy!

Friends, we visited the Carondelet House near DTLA on Friday

It was entirely decked out to promote the upcoming release of Luigi’s Mansion 3, a Nintendo Switch game whose objective is to help Luigi beat 17 levels within a haunted hotel to save his famous Italian brother, Mario.

Upon arriving at the super awesome Luigi’s Mansion-themed venue,

we were welcomed with official Luigi costumes. Toby gladly accepted to wear his right away. Benny was hesitant, citing a need to feel lightweight and costume-free for game playing purposes. Still, he wanted to be a good sport (and feel cool like the older kids in attendance) so he asked for the hat and mustache only.

As mentioned previously, the premise of the game is for Luigi to defeat numerous obstacles with the help of his mega vacuum weapon, the Poltergust G-00 and his double, Gooigi, who has special powers and does things that Luigi can’t do.

Meanwhile, Toby was an extremely satisfied Luigi

He finished a couple of servings of Mac n Cheese and other themed finger foods that were available to all game-loving guests. The best part of watching Toby was realizing he had a love-hate relationship with his mustache (he kept taking it on and off…lol).

Outside of Luigi’s Haunted Mansion,

We were able to pose for photos, including one where a life-size Poltergust G-00 was available as a prop. Who do you think rushed to hold it and pose? Yup, Mr. gamer himself…Benny, who was in full Luigi costume by the end of the night!

We are incredibly grateful to have been invited!

This was a fabulous way to spend a Friday afternoon. Nintendo doesn’t play when it comes to throwing parties!

You can pre-order Luigi’s Mansion 3 and learn more about this spooky fun game at the Nintento website by clicking here.

Thanks for reading friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

#BeMoreSpoontaneous

 If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience a federal holiday at the Santa Monica Pier, I tell ya— Labor Day would have been the day to visit.

Yes, there were large crowds on Labor Day.

But not only did we enjoy the many sights and sounds of one of L.A.’s most iconic landmarks, we had the chance to hang out with our friends from LUIGI’s Italian Ice who were giving away the delicious and refreshing frozen treats (plus tons of other swag)!

This year, LUIGI’S Italian Ice released two new flavors—

Cherry & Lemon Swirl and Blue Raspberry & Lemon Swirl. In celebration of these yummy new taste experiences, LUIGI’s Italian Ice set up activations on both coasts. In New York, the LUIGI’s team recreated the Statue of Liberty using empty LUIGI’s Italian Ice cups.

With these red, white and blue swirl ice cups, Luigi’s saluting our beloved stars and stripes!

Click here to find LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice in a grocery store near you!

Here in Santa Monica,

They recreated the Liberty Bell which was the backdrop for many fun photo ops!

BTW, the Liberty Bell is one of history’s most famous symbols of freedom and justice. Tradition says the Liberty Bell was heard ringing on July 8, 1776 calling out for people to gather and listen to the first public reading of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in Philly!

Along with Luigi’s Italian Ice cup samples,

T-shirts, cup holders and other goodies were handed out to passers-by. My little Toby was so happy with his Blue Raspberry & Lemon Swirl cup that he enjoyed every last drop and even got a blue mustache as a result!

It’s the perfect summer treat!

By the way, did you know LUIGI’S produces 15 tractor-trailer loads of Italian ice daily during summer months!? That’s a lot of Italian Ice but only 120 - 130 calories per cup (made with real fruit juice) Definitely a guilt-free treat that gives us all a chance to #BeMoreSpoontaneous.

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

#FindNewRoads

I received a Chevy Traverse loan in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Friends, I find it really cool that many of our most memorable summer 2019 moments took place over the span of a single week…the same week I received a gorgeous 2019 Chevy Traverse loan.

For those of you who’ve been reading my blog,

You know I have a special place in my heart for this U.S. car maker. When given an opportunity to try a new vehicle from Chevrolet, I get really excited and tend to post my shenaningans on here.

Over the summer, we didn’t really travel much. We stayed in town for the most part, enjoying nearby outings with the boys on weekends. We also experienced a few things that will probably remain in our memory for a while:

1. We enrolled Benny in little league baseball— he’s now part of the Sylmar Independent Baseball League Orioles team.

2. I took Benny and Toby to a local recycling center in hopes that they would see the value in making extra cash while helping the environment— But the $10 they earned was spent on arcade machines and candy.

3. We welcomed my sister Irene (nina) back home. She relocated to SoCal after having lived in San Francisco for several years.

For all of the above, We had the company of a gorgeous graphite metallic-colored Chevrolet Traverse  that got us from point A to point B comfortably, safely and in style.

For Benny’s new Baseball commitment,

 The Chevy Traverse proved to be a great vehicle. I drove it to a baseball park in a hilly area of Sylmar. The drive was extremely smooth. Featuring a V6 engine with a 9-Speed automatic transmission, this beauty of an SUV, has all the features a mom could ask for:

• It’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capable, which means you can be connected while you drive, which means, hands-free calls, GPS navigation, Pandora playlists on full blast, all that good stuff.

• OnStar® & Chevrolet Connected Services

• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert…I’m all about staying in my lane! Thanks Chevy.

• Rear Camera Mirror…Yasssssss. Perfect for someone like me who forgets that my mailbox is super close to my driveway

• Rear Park Assist…because a girl is still trying to figure out parallel parking!

• Rear Seat Reminder…never, ever forget your kids when you leave the car again.

• Rear child security door locks

For his tryouts, Benny wanted to pack his baseball bat and training gear in the back of the Traverse. Once we left home, he wanted to play DJ Marshmello music at full blast.  

For our recycling trip—

We held a Lion King-themed play date over the summer and well, there were a lot of empty cans and bottles after the party. Perfect opportunity to make a trip to the recycling center, right?

Well, we did just that.

First, we loaded our recyclables onto the Traverse.

BTW, this SUV can accommodate up to eight passengers.

The trunk space was perfect to fit three big bins full of plastic, aluminum and glass containers.

We could have created more space by adjusting the split-folding third row bench seat (you can fold one or both sides down) but since all of our recyclables fit perfectly well, we didn’t move the back bench seat.

 We visited a recycling center in Van Nuys

I immediately put the boys to work. They started sorting the bottles by material—plastic in one basket, aluminum in another, etc.

Then it was time to stand in line and get their bottles weighed and get paid.

Standing in line was probably the worst part of the experience because it was one of those awfully hot, triple-digit-heat type of days in the San Fernando Valley.

Still, the boys survived (with plenty of whining) and made about $10, which they split in half.

Then we got back into the Traverse and I must say, the fresh, cool AC system quickly got us in a better mood.

The Chevy Traverse has this really cool feature

It literally helped cool off our buns…lol It has ventilated seat cushions and seatbacks. Ahhhhhhhh, the relief!

Our August drive to Oxnard

Was a perfect opportunity to experience the Traverse for a longer period of time.

We were eager to welcome my sister Irene back home. She had just driven back from San Francisco to stay for good and we couldn’t let a single day pass without wishing her a happy homecoming.

The drive from the San Fernando Valley to Oxnard is about 55 miles.

It’s not too bad of a drive, especially if your vehicle’s has good fuel efficiency. The Chevy Traverse has a Fuel Tank Capacity of approximately 19 gallons.

The EPA’s estimated fuel economy for highway use is 27 miles per gallon (MPG).

When we arrived in Oxnard,

It was cheers, hugs, laughter and a spontaneous celebration for the boys to have their nina Irene back home.

It’s almost as though our summer vacation granted everyone an opportunity to #FindNewRoads and we were thrilled to drive the Chevy Traverse and celebrate the different destinations to which it led us!

By the way, pricing for a Chevy Traverse starts at $36,595.

One of my favorite features of the Chevy Traverse is the rear camera!

Did anyone else enjoy a new ride this summer?

Thanks for reading, friends!

 Xo,

-Anabel M.

In My Honest Opinion…

The Boys had a Howlin’ Fun Time!

The question I asked myself when thinking about Mother’s Day Plans was— what would make me happiest on a day intended to honor motherhood?

The answer was easy— to see my two little boys, well, happy.

I also wanted to spend the day with my own mom

(Lupita Marquez) is just the most wonderful woman in my life. She has always a taught us the best life lessons without raising her voice and continues to give, give, give without ever asking anything of her daughters in return… wow, mami… I wanna be like you when I grow up!

But I digress, friends. The plan was to head to the Great Wolf Lodge for Mother’s Day Weekend with my sons, my sisters and my mom and enjoy a couple of nights at this Indoor water park and resort. Paul would not be joining because he has a new work schedule, etc. and my dad was likely going to be traveling the world somewhere so we counted him out too.

All in all, the boys had a blast.

No, they had an amazingly great blast!

The Great Wolf Lodge itself is quite pricey for a family of four. I did, however, purchase a themed Kids Cabin suite (which is considerably more expensive than a regular room) and pre-purchased Wolf and Pup passes for the boys (about $200 for both) which basically allow them to claim a bunch of gifts, treats and play time experiences at the resort’s shops, arcade, bowling alley, glow-in-the dark golf and laser quest.

Booking a Kids Cabin Suite and the Wolf & Pup Passes

This will add several hundred dollars to your final bill. Plus, if you’re like me and feel like you deserve to indulge in a nice glass of wine, especially on Mother’s Day Weekend, you’ll order from the wine down service which is delivered in your room during a time slot you select. It costs $45 for a bottle of wine and a tray of small bites.

For the most part,

We dined inside the resort. Tia Frenchee and Nina Irene treated us to a character breakfast buffet which costs approximately $20 per adult/$10 per child. This is an enjoyable option for kids because the breakfast comes with a waffle bar that features a variety of sweet toppings. Plus, there are many other breakfast food favorites available.

For adults, the Great Wolf Lodge offers

plenty of eating and drinking options with several restaurants and bars on site (try a Sangria Pitcher by Wave pool).

The place is convenient because you don’t have to leave when kids need a nap or get hungry. It’s very clean and the staff is friendly.

Nonetheless, if you want to save a few dollars, you can always order outside food delivery. Bringing your own adult beverages to enjoy in the hotel room, which comes equipped with a small fridge, coffee maker and microwave— is probably your best bet.

During our visit,

I noticed families from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life (which I loved). The resort certainly didn’t lack diversity which is always a plus.

The kids were beyond happy. Toby took time to explore the toddler pool area and he went down some slides in the center water games area. Benny and Tia Frenchee were more adventurous in their thrill-seeking journey. They got on some pretty daring tube slides and attractions.

Post-water park tip— There’s a great dessert shop called “Bear Paw Sweets & Eats” where kids (and their moms) can order ice cream cones. Chances are the kids will be really tired by then but that’s okay….

There are interactive games that older kids can participate in—

like a Magiquest feature where a $40 magic wand unlocks a series of fun activations and discoveries inside the kids cabin suite and around the resort (think waving the wand at a wall and activating sparkling lights with sound effects). There’s also a 4D theater for kids at the Howly Wood XD Theater, which Benny said was “kind of cheap”… LOL. Only he knows what that means, his Wolf Pass allowed him to experience the attraction and we just watched from a screen outside the theater (both Magicquest and access to the Howly Wood XD Theater are included in the Wolf Pass):

The hotel offers many, many activities for the littles,

Those include morning yoga, story time and other fun experiences at no additional cost.

For people that are claustrophobic in bodies of water or don’t necessarily appreciate gazillions of happy, hyper, splashing, screaming kids— this is probably not the place for you. The Great Wolf Lodge is a family destination that is mostly popular for its water attractions which tend to create many perfect moments for happy, hyper, splashing, screaming kids.

Overall, yes I recommend the Great Wolf Lodge.

If there was one thing I could change, it would probably be the lack of outdoor space for kids. I love fresh air and even though there are outdoor cabanas and a few tables, I would be impossible to hang out outdoors while the kids are enjoying the pools inside.

All this to say, a Splash pad outside, with seating for families, especially now that the summer is approaching would be amazing… but that’s just me.

For more information on the Great Wolf Lodge, click here.

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

#TheLEGOMovie2

THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART available on DVD + BluRay on May 7th

The truth about going to the movies with Toby is that he can’t sit still.

Sure, he can have a few moments of calm, especially during high-energy scenes or when things get scary for him but he definitely cannot sit through an entire movie.

Attending the screening of

“THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART” was no different. Toby got out of his seat a number of times during the movie and decided he would temporarily fill the role of a real potty-trained boy by requesting numerous restroom trips. But I must say— because the movie has a lot of sing-along moments, Toby was quite entertained at times inside the theater at the Warner Brothers Lot on Saturday.

The much-anticipated sequel

to the critically acclaimed, global box office phenomenon that started it all, “The LEGO® Movie 2: The Second Part” reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all new action-packed adventure! Here’s the official synopsis:

It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are now facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. The battle to defeat the invaders and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a galaxy filled with fantastic planets, strange characters and catchy new songs. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.

Following the screening,

we were treated to a fabulous after-party where Toby met some of his favorite LEGO characters including Emmett, Lucy and Sweet Mayhem. Everything was AWESOME. Actually, it was SUPER AWESOME.

We danced, decorated cookies, built LEGO structures, posed with the LEGO characters on the red carpet and even enjoyed delicious tacos and quesadillas for lunch!

“The LEGO® Movie 2: The Second Part” 4K UHD Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:

·         Everything is Awesome Sing-along – Sing-along, trivia, games and more!

·         Commentary – Fun behind the scenes commentary by filmmakers

·         They Come in Pieces: Assembling The LEGO Movie 2 – Featurette highlighting A-list voice talent including Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett and Tiffany Haddish

·         Emmet’s Holiday Party: A LEGO Movie Short – Holiday themed animated short

·         LEGO Sets in Action – Animations of the LEGO product tied to The LEGO Movie 2

·         LEGO Designers – LEGO toy designers highlight key play sets in TLM2 product line

·         Outtakes & Deleted Scenes – Never before seen scenes

·         Super Cool Music Video – Music video by Beck featuring Robyn and The Lonely Island

Thanks for reading, friends!

Oh! And don’t forget to check out the sizzle reel here: https://wdrv.it/beca08fe5

Xo,

-Anabel M.

A Big New Chevy Experience!

Pretty, Powerful Pick-Up

There I was, driving in the middle of the desert on the I-10 West, past rows of white windmills wondering why I had never given myself an opportunity to own the road, friends.

By that I mean— I had never been behind the wheel of big pick-up truck.

But Chevy loaned me another vehicle (read about my first Chevy loan here) and receiving this Red Hot All-New Chevy Silverado 2019 in my driveway, just in time for my trip to Palm Springs for the Alt Summit was a heaven-sent. The truck itself has an impressive variety of safety features that combine technology and comfort. This truck is SMART.

It has a rear view camera so you always know if something behind you is a little too close.

It’s Wi-Fi enabled,

It alerts you when there’s a vehicle on your blind spot and it reminds you to check the rear seats (to make sure you’re not forgetting anything like kids or pets) once you turn it off. The truck offers On Star, a feature that’s available with the push of a button during emergency situations when you can’t call for help yourself. It connects your devices through CarPlay so you can answer calls, receive text messages and play your Pandora song list from your cell phone without having to actually hold your phone.

But did you actually pay attention to the fact that it’s Wi-Fi enabled!? You can actually turn the truck into a mobile 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, so you stay connected “from the jobsite to the campsite.”

When I took off to Palm Springs with the truck,

my husband was soooo jealous!

“You know I’ve always wanted one of those…”, he said.

What’s more, I wore cowboy boots for the drive because a massive vehicle like this one took me back to my days in Texas where I owned a few pairs of boots and I witnessed first-hand that everything is bigger.

I put on my red lipstick to match the vehicle’s color shade, because, c’mon, the driver must feel as fierce as the automobile she’s driving, right? Lol.

But I digress.

Driving a big Chevy truck made me aware of some #Facts:

1.     It’s pretty empowering for a woman to drive a truck.

I mean, when you’re atop a bright red Silverado, people know they’re driving next to a vehicle that commands respect. The All-New Chevy Silverado’s strength is pretty palpable—a very strong 2.7L Turbo engine. It offers 310 horsepower, 348 lb.-ft of torque and a towing capacity of 7,000 lbs…wowza!

2. A Big Truck for Big Things

The 2019 Silverado comes with 10-speed automatic transmission and has Auto stop/start technology. This means you actually turn the vehicle on with the push of a button. It gets you 22 miles per gallon (MPG). My drive from the San Fernando Valley to Palm Springs with a quick stop for tacos along the way used up only a quarter of a tank. Its bed width and bed length is Best-In-Class. It also offers 20% more cargo volume than the competition. No more calling abuelo to let us borrow his truck for a trip to Ikea.

 3. The Truck Takes Care of You

The technology on this pick-up is so legit, friends. Basically, it helps detect when a front end collision is imminent and alerts the driver. Plus, if the system detects the crash is about to happen and the driver has not stepped on the brakes, the system can automatically apply the brakes to reduce the severity of the collision. The same applies to pedestrian situations where the truck may be too close to someone.

I honestly felt so safe driving the truck that one night after having dinner with new mom blogger friends and fellow female entrepreneurs during the Alt Summit, I offered them a ride (and they loved it):

It’s a Smooth Drive All Around

For such a big truck, the drive felt amazingly smooth and with the exception of blasting my music through the 6 speakers located within the cabin, once I turned the music down, the drive was rather quiet and peaceful.

Upon getting home from the Alt Summit,

I was so inspired by the people I met, the workshops I attended and well, the truck I drove that I was on a creativity high. So much so that I even came up with 5 Ways to Enjoy an All-New Chevy Silverado Without Having to Leave your Driveway!

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

 I received a Chevy vehicle loan in exchange for a blog review. All Opinions are my own.

Dance, Play & Namaste

Photo by The Hustling Mama

A Great Weekend Experience for Moms and Kids

Friends, I love yoga.

I may not practice it as much as I’d like to, and I’m nowhere near my desired “Yogi” status (lol) but the relaxation my mind and body feel after a Yoga class is like nothing else in the world. Honestly.

That’s why every time I get a chance to experience a new Yoga class, I take it. Over the weekend, I was invited by the super fun & creative Rosie of The Hustling Mama to join a group of mommy bloggers at a yoga class with the Parallel Method.

The Parallel Method is a wellness company created by local mom, Angie Poston. It offers classes through a system of “smart scheduling” which basically means that parents and children get to enjoy independent play simultaneously (hence the company’s use of the word Parallel in its title).

The fee for a drop-in class is $29 which includes 1.5 hours of childcare for one child (more on this in a bit) and 1 hour of yoga for the parent.

Angie Poston is the Founder of The Parallel Method

The concept behind The Parallel Method is that

Moms enjoy an outdoor yoga class, surrounded by nature while the children are entertained indoors with enriching activities such as arts & crafts, music and dancing. Kids’ classes are offered by children entertainment companies such as Baila Baila for Kids and others.

It’s a fabulous way to give your yoga practice an opportunity to meet with nature and remain relatively close to the kiddos.

The classes are held every Saturday at the Stoneview Nature Center

The Stoneview Nature Center is a public space— an urban sanctuary managed by the L.A. Department of Parks and Recreation which has lovely landscaping and gorgeous views of Los Angeles. On days when the skies are clear, you can see the Downtown L.A. skyline from up there.

It was my second class at The Parallel Method.

The first time I was there, I was joined by a few of my mommy magazine contributors. At that time, Toby, who is super attached to me, refused to play indoors. Instead, he opted to be close to Mama and sat there quietly next to me. I remember feeling his sweet little energy as I lay with my eyes closed, facing up for Savasanah (corpse pose).

This recent visit to the Parallel Method

was similar in that Toby still wanted to be close to me but this time he wanted to participate. He helped our Yoga Instructor, Angie Rutan, distribute yoga blocks by passing them out to the moms. He would go back for more. Eventually, he ran out of women to given them to but wouldn’t leave (lol…Aweee)!

After the class, we were treated

to delicious goodies, courtesy of Trader Joes and GoGo Squeez. Snacks included tangerines, water, yogurt and even gluten-free cupcakes…yum!

The moms got an extra special gift—a 2019 Harmony Planner created by local mom (and full-time attorney) Kellie Beach Sims. Thanks, Kellie! I look forward to using my planner!

A lovely day was had by all.

A special thanks to Rosie for organizing this wonderful experience and to Angie from The Parallel Method for hosting us.

For more information, including updated class schedules, fees and location address visit www.TheParallelMethod.com

Thanks for reading friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M. 

Time for a Haircut!

Cookie Cutters is Fun, Interactive and Colorful

When Tia Frenchee isn’t around to give Benny and Toby their haircuts, we look for awesome places to give the boys a fun haircut experience:

Turns out,

Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids—Los Angeles had its grand opening last summer and we visited the salon just in time to give the boys a MUCH NEEDED trim:

 It’s a colorful shop located at at 11740 San Vincente Blvd.

When kids walk in, they’re welcomed by a mini playground equipped with a slide and all— perfect to keep them entertained while they wait their turn.

There are currently three other Cookie Cutters’ Salons in the greater L.A. area but this is the first to open in the City of Los Angeles…yay!

The owners have plans to continue expanding the franchise throughout SoCal including opening shops in Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

But back to Cookie Cutters Los Angeles—

we arrived and well, the indoor playground was the boys’ first stop! Next to the slide, there are buckets of animal crackers, balloons and lollipops that serve as post-haircut treats for the little ones.

Each station on the cutting floor features unique fantasy chairs –

from race cars to firetrucks and airplanes – as well as individual televisions for the kids to watch shows and movies. And if you’re a video game fan like Benny, there are video games available too!

First-ever haircuts for toddlers receive a special commemorative package with photo and hair clipping….so cute!

The hairdressers are friendly and efficient

We expected to be there for at least an hour considering how squirmy Toby can be and because weekends tend to be busy for places like these (or so I thought). But the salon runs a very organized appointment operation! Cookie Cutters Los Angeles never felt too crowded or overwhelming while we were there.

As for Toby, I’ll start by sharing that he didn’t initially want to board his plane at his haircut station. He first wanted to climb the firetruck in the back of the salon (which serves as a shampoo station for kids). LOL!

Once he finally got situated in his airplane,

Leti, his hairdresser started trimming away. She was very gracious and Toby didn’t complain a single time!

Friends, both haircuts were completed in half hour!

We almost wanted to hang out there a little longer.

Scott Derrick, one of the salon co-owners explains the Cookie Cutters experience like this:

“Our goal is to provide all children, including those with special needs or sensory issues, with an enjoyable experience, pleasant memories and the desire to keep coming back,” he says. “Our stylists love kids, and Cookie Cutters has designed its approach to put children at ease if they are nervous about getting their haircut.”

The hours of operation are:

Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more information or to book an appointment, clients can: visit online, call (310) 914-9095 or download the Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids mobile app available for iOS and Android.

Thanks Cookie Cutters!

We now know have a new favorite place to visit when the boys need a trim!

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Rainy Days Call for a Museum Visit

The Most Famous Toy Cars on Display

Friends, the Discovery Cube L.A., located in Sylmar recently opened its new exhibit— Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™.

We ended up at the museum on Superbowl Sunday after having spent all day home on Saturday. Now, I’m not sure if you guys understand what staying home FOR AN ENTIRE DAY means when you live in a house full of boys. But we were All. Going. Crazy. The rain kept us indoors but when Sunday arrived, there was no way I’d be doing that again… so we took off to the nearest kids’ museum we could find. It was the Discovery Cube L.A.

Upon arriving, we discovered a new Hot Wheels exhibit

with immersive activities. The displays are meant to help visitors learn about the science, technology, engineering, and math that goes into making cars go faster.

My car-lovin’ sons had a blast racing tiny cars, playing mechanic and even pretending to be race car drivers. There’s a Pit Stop Challenge that allows kids to “change tires" and refuel the car. A 6 lane downhill speed track, booster power track, adjustable angles track, and timing track are also available for play.

Did you know Hot Wheels were introduced by Mattel in 1968?

The "tricked-out" toy cars have come a long way (both in the die-cast and life-size varieties) with more than 800 models and 11,000 variations of Hot Wheels car creations. More than 4 billion Hot Wheels die-cast cars have been sold.

The Discovery Cube was about to sell a few more Hot Wheels

That’s because Benny and Toby made their way to the museum shop and swore they were on a shopping spree… Fortunately, we all agreed we had visited the Discovery Cube to get out of the house and play, not shop! All this to say, the shop is full of really cool Hot Wheels gifts.

It’s a fun exhibit that can — and will —

get busy and rowdy on weekends with dozens of kids looking to enjoy the same experience. Just make sure to pack a jar full of patience and arrive with a game plan to keep an eye on your little ones while you’re there. There’s a lot of running around, car chasing and everyone seems revved up…lol!

We stayed for a few hours,

enjoyed other fun Discovery Cube exhibits and headed home in time for Super Bowl 53!

The Hot Wheels exhibition will be on display through April 28, 2019 before it continues on its tour throughout North America. For more information and tickets, click here.  

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

Save The Date for Care Bears: Unlock the Magic™

Creating a New Generation of Care Bears Fans, Beginning February 1

Friends, the lovable, huggable Care Bears are back and Benny, Toby and I were invited to celebrate the launch of their new adventure, a brand new 2D animated series called Care Bears: Unlock the Magic, which will debut on Boomerang on February 1.

The launch party was held in Santa Monica

where we had a chance to meet some really cool people including a few of the series’ creators, celebrities, some SERIOUS Care Bears’ fans and Grumpy Bear himself!

There were amazing treats for all guests!

The awesome babe that runs Critterosity was on hand doing Care Bears face painting. Benny decided to go for a Grumpy Bear on his cheek. Toby didn’t want any face paintings, but he —DID— want arm paintings and chose a rainbow and Grumpy Bear (one on each arm). Kids (and Parents) had plenty to snack on. For the adults, there was sparkling wine with rainbow sprinkles and a cotton candy cloud. The Loop Churros provided Rainbow churros and watermelon lemonade for all guests. There was rainbow popcorn and rainbow-colored trays full of veggies.

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic will be

A current take on The Care Bears that also plays homage to iconic brand elements like “The Care Bear Stare” and explore never-before-seen areas surrounding Care-a-lot called “The Silver Lining.” As a result, the bears will get to meet new creatures and employ their powers and wits like never before.

There will also be a new character named “Dibble”— who’s as eager as a puppy and curious as a kitten. After the Care Bears discover Dibble, she becomes the team’s pet and newest companion. She communicates through limited words, coos and sounds. It’s sometimes difficult for the team to understand what she is saying but it’s always clear what she’s feeling. She gets around by bouncing, hopping and her own tiny cloud!

It was a fun time where many sweet memories were made!

We can’t wait to catch Care Bears: Unlock the Magic on Boomerang!

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

Est. April 1992

Bright & Serene

Tucked between film studios, the 134 FWY and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, sits a little park named the Johnny Carson Park.

It was dedicated in April 1992

by the Burbank City Council to the King of Late Night for “30 years of keeping America up late and laughing”.

We once saw Angelina Jolie’s kids playing here (they were with a nanny) and we’ve returned every so often wondering if we’ll encounter another celebrity kid sighting…lol.

We love the Johnny Carson Park

Not only does it feature an awesome & interactive playground for kids, there are exercise stations throughout the park, a jogging trail, a Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial and plenty of information stands. The information stands explain the extensive habitat restoration that was completed to allow Burbank residents and visitors to breathe fresh air and get exercise in a more natural environment.

During our park visit,

Nina Irene was in town so she was left in charge of watching the boys.

Toby is currently going through a major shark obsession. This means he wears his shark helmet everywhere he goes… not a bad deal considering he loves going down slides belly down and head first!

Benny on the other hand,

Spent most of his time recruiting friends to play a Nerf-gun fueled game of humans versus zombies. The Johnny Carson Park has a small book deposit shaped like a small pink house, where kids are encouraged to borrow, exchange, drop off or take books and enjoy. This is sponsored by the Burbank Rotary Club.

We always grab a few books,

read them while we’re there and return them for other kids to enjoy. It’s nice because you can sit on the lush green lawn overseeing the playground and read to your little ones to change the pace of the play date.

Once Paul and I were done running,

We gave each other a high-five. This was, after all, how we agreed to spend time in 2019— in great open-air spaces where the kids can play and we can workout.

Johnny Carson Park

400 Bob Hope Dr.

Burbank, CA 91505

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.

Snoopy Time!

A Merry Holiday Outing

Did you know Knott’s Berry Farm has a program where they offer SoCal Fire Department and Law Enforcement personnel free admission for two? It’s pretty awesome considering theme park tickets are averaging about $100 per person these days.

We had never taken advantage of the offer

because in order to do so, Paul has to be there to show his badge. Since he had a years-long stretch of working weekends, it was impossible to take advantage of his free passes. I had already taken Benny to Knotts… but tackling a theme park with two boys is quite a task so Toby had never visited.

Now that Paul’s schedule changed, we decided it was time to take the kids to meet Snoopy!

A Bear hug for Benny from Snoopy

For starters, parking at Knotts Berry Farm is $20, no exceptions.

We also purchased two meal plans for about $36 each. For each meal plan purchased you get a bracelet to be worn throughout the day.

The meal plan basically entitles each meal plan bracelet holder to unlimited meals at select locations throughout the park on the day of your visit.

HOWEVER, you must wait 90 minutes between each meal purchase and the meal plans don’t include drinks or dessert….grrr.

Based on our experience, I would probably not buy the meal plan again. I just feel it gave us a weird inclination to make the most of our purchase by using the plan as much as possible when we were there. Every 90 minutes Paul claimed he was hungry again and there we were, standing in long food lines which is definitely not my style!

I will say, however, that the ribs from Boardwalk BBQ

were delicious. The holiday churro form the Churro Factory was also to.die.for!

The ribs are served with corn on the cob or a baked potato. The churros are served plain, with special holiday trimmings or you can opt for a famous Churro Sundae.

Both locations are inside

Knott’s Wild West-themed area called “Ghost Town” which we loved! Benny and Toby had a blast trying out a number of guns, rifles and western-themed attractions & shops.

We enjoyed Camp Snoopy the most.

Benny and Toby got on a few kiddie rides. We also checked out the Knotts Berry Farm arcade and watched the Cowboy stunt show which was funny and at times hilarious (spoiler alert: front row guests get splashed with water numerous times throughout the show).

Finally, we visited with the famous beagle himself—

Snoopy was accompanied by Woodstock and we used the photo area for a mini family photo shoot.

A fun time for the fam bam indeed.

Thanks for reading, friends! 

Maybe we’ll see you at Knott’s Merry (or Berry) Farm soon!

-Anabel M.