Land of Nod is heading to South Coast Plaza! | @TheLandofNod #NODinCA #PMedia

Land of Nod comes to South Coast Plaza on May 31, 2013. 

I get super excited about store openings. There's just something so exhilarating about being one of the firsts in the shop, touching the products for the first time and then walking out of the store with a branded bag knowing that you have a great addition to your home. All this will be going through my head when I head over to Land of Nod's Grand Opening event at South Coast Plaza on May 31, 2013. 

Land of Nod carries thousands of products designed with kids in mind. They have the cutest bedding, durable furniture, and what I need the most help with - storage.

When I shop during a store opening, I find it best to have an idea of what you're going to buy because it tends to get super busy that one day. In this case, I'm taking a budget of $100 and a list of storage-related items that I can grab on my way out.

Because the boys share a room, it is essential that I have great storage. Right now, storage is so-so and most of the stuff just ends up on the floor or just piled into one toy box. With any luck, I'll walk out of the store with this:

Down to the Wire Wall Bin Storage ($29.95)

I Think I Canvas Underbed Box ($32.00)

Cubby Cups ($24.95)

Milk Crates ($7.95)

Hook Your Shelf Up ($48.00)

Uh oh. I think I'm over my budget already! Well, maybe some of these goodies will be on sale when I get there on May 31st.

There will be lots of giveaways happening throughout opening day and free goodies to those who shop early on their Grand Opening day. If you can't make it, then I encourage you to enter to win the Land of Nod's Win a Room Sweepstakes. You might win and then you can just shop online - any time you want!

LAND OF NOD’S 

WIN A ROOM SWEEPSTAKES

The Land of Nod Win a Room Sweepstakes runs from now until 11:59 PM CT June 17, 2013.

GRAND PRIZE AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE: One (1) Grand Prize is available to be won. The Grand Prize winner will receive a Room designed by The Land of Nod, including:

(1) Design consultation with The Land of Nod design team.
(2) Room makeover with selected product from The Land of Nod.
(3) Feature in The Land of Nod Real Families section of an upcoming Catalog.

Total ARV of the Grand Prize is $4,000! Find out more here: http://bit.ly/19aSXWV

Stay updated on everything Land of Nod via Twitter (@LandOfNod ) and Facebook FB.com/LandofNod.

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Calling all Castle Builders! | @DiscoveryCube #LEGOCastleAdventure

Contributing post by Amy Cordova

Discovery Science Center to feature LEGO Systems inspired Multimedia Museum Exhibition beginning May 25, 2013! 

Your majesties have issued a royal proclamation requesting the presence of all aspiring master builders, designers and architects in LEGO Castle Adventure. 

As you enter the royal castle you are invited to sit in their majesties' thrones and view the royal family's portrait (made out of LEGO bricks, of course) and a LEGO suit of armor. The king's secret treasure room filled with LEGO jewels is definitely a sight to be seen. 

LEGO models of real-world castles, Blarney, Arundel, and Neuschwanstein, show how castles were planned and built. With the new found knowledge, children of all ages can create their own marvelous structures. Children will enjoy age-appropriate build areas for Apprentice Builders (toddlers), Journeymen Builders (ages 3-6), and Master Builders (ages 7 and older).

There are additional experiences visitors can enjoy while exploring the castle grounds. Dragons, dress up, and 3-D catapults will fill your day at the Discovery Science Center.

What

LEGO Castle Adventure

When

May 25, 2013 to Sept. 15, 2013

Where

Discovery Science Center

2500 N. Main Street

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Connect

Discoverycube.org

Facebook.com/DiscoveryCube

@DiscoveryCube

Queso Fundido with Soy Chorizo recipe! | #VivaCADairy #ad

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and the California Milk Advisory Board. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Most of my favorite family dishes have a little bit of queso in them (or, in most cases - A LOT of queso)! Queso is a staple in my diet. In fact, I had a vegan diet for a few months but ultimately, my love for queso won. And I say queso instead of cheese because although you will find some delicious goat cheese and muenster (for the kids) in the fridge, queso is something inherently different. It connects me and my family to the Latino culture. It encourages a visit to my local Mexican grocery market and really, I don't know that there is a way to translate queso fresco into English without losing its deep meaning.

I'm a Cali girl and like my veggies and fruits, I prefer my queso to come from close to home. Did you know that California is the country’s leading producer of Hispanic dairy products? It's pretty obvious though when you look at the queso case at the grocery store. Every product in the case has the beloved Real California Cheese seal, which certifies they are natural cheeses made in California exclusively from California milk.

So next time you're in the queso (or cheese) aisle at your local grocery store, keep an eye out for the Real California Milk seal because only then, you'll know that your dairy products are made from 100 percent California milk from California’s over 1600 dairy families!

Now, I'm going to tell you how to make Queso Fundido with Soy Chorizo. Of course, if you're a meat-eater you can totally use regular chorizo. I do encourage you to try the soy chorizo though. It has less fat and calories and you don't lose any of the taste! I should also mention, that the spiciness in the chorizo goes away in the dish. Maybe it's all the salt in the cheese?

And in case you're wondering which brand I use - I trust La Cubeta. Every queso in their line of products has a great quality in taste (try their mozzarella and you'll believe me).

How to Make Queso Fundido with Soy Chorizo

Ingredients for Queso Fundido with Soy Chorizo

• 1 cup Queso Oaxaca
• 1 cup (Mexican) mozzarella cheese (grated)
• 10 oz. soy chorizo
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic
• Vegetable oil

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Measure out the queso Oaxaca and Mozzarella cheese and separate. Mince garlic and chop onion. Set aside.

Step 2

Oil a 3-5 cup oven safe dish by pouring a bit of oil into the dish and swabbing it around the dish with a napkin. Lay the queso Oaxaca on the bottom of the dish.

Step 3

Brown soy chorizo in a pan. Set aside. Brown onion and garlic in the same pan as you used for the chorizo. Return the chorizo to the pan with the onion and garlic and stir.

Step 4

Carefully spread the chorizo, onion and garic mixture over the queso Oaxaca. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese fully covering the chorizo mix.

Step 5

Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese bubbles. Serve with homemade tortilla chips or flour tortillas.

¡Buen provecho!

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and the California Milk Advisory Board. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

First 5 LA’s Dads and Family Day on Saturday, May 18th

Are you in the LA area? Come and join First 5 LA’s Dads and Family Day on Saturday, May 18th!

This First 5 LA event kicks off the launch of the organization’s latest education campaign targeted toward fathers and other male caregivers of children 5 and under to promote the importance of fatherhood/male involvement and empower dads to take a more active role to make a positive long-term impact in their child's life.

This family event will be comprised of nutrition, health, literacy, and education sessions, game and food booths and the very special participation of The LA Sparks and Chivas USA who will host soccer and basketball clinics for all children in attendance.

Hope you can make it!