Active children, like my son, require outfits that are versatile, durable, and stylish! Check out my son’s summer threads, courtesy of Lands’ End:

My son is sporting a Short Sleeve Graphic Cobalt Rash Guard Shirt and a pair of Utility Cargo Shorts, perfect for outdoor fun in the sun.  The shorts, which are available in six different colors, are comfy and lightweight, yet capable of withstanding an active preschooler like my son.  Even though the shorts are made from 100% cotton, they have not shrunk or faded with washing.  One of my favorite attributes of Lands’ End clothing for boys is the fact that they are made with a hidden adjustable waist. My son has been able to wear the Lands’ End pants and shorts for an extended period of time because of the adjustable waist. The shorts, which are currently on sale for $21.20, are available for toddlers, little boys, and big boys in regular, slim, or husky.

I’ve purchased sun protective clothing in the past, but this was my first exposure to apparel that can actually be worn outside of swimming.  The shirt, which is a nylon/spandex blend, offers UPF 50 protection, is lightweight, and dries quickly when wet. I wouldn’t have necessarily known that it was sun protective clothing just from looking at the shirt.  It’s stylish and versatile…perfect for playdates at the park or splash days at the pool. The shirt is currently available in a variety of styles and is on sale for $11.60.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be offering you a preview of what Lands’ End will have available for the fall…just in time for Back to School! Be sure to check out The Warehouse Event with over 1000 items for $10, $15, and $20.

No compensation was received for this post. Apparel samples provided.

Last weekend, Laura, Amy, Aracely, Katie, Liz, and I joined forces to come up with a variety of healthy dips to share.  Because I’m all about fresh, healthy and easy, I whipped up a mango salsa (totally SoCal right?).  After doing some research online, I couldn’t find the exact recipe I was searching for so I integrated two recipes to come up with this:

Mango Salsa

• 1 mango
• 1  red bell pepper (although I probably could have used 1/2)
• a handful of chopped green onions
• a handful of chopped fresh cilantro
• the juice from one lime
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• *optional* finely diced chiles

I simply chopped everything up and combined it.  I recommend preparing the salsa ahead of time so that there is time for the flavors to come together.

Apart from all of the chopping that’s involved, this was a very easy recipe to make and it tasted wonderful with Baked Tostitos Scoops Tortilla Chips. Traditionally, I prefer a pico de gallo like the one Aracely made. But the combination of sweet and savory was delicious.  It also looks very pretty and will wow your guests if you serve it during a gathering.

I came away from our get-together inspired to be more creative with my dips.  Here are a few more recipes you might want to check out:

Amy Anderson Funny Yellow Mom: Spicy Black Bean Dip (she also made rockin’ hamburger cupcakes!)

Thoughts of a Mommy: Full Press Fundido

Daytripping Mom: Pico de Gallo

OC Mom Activities: Bruschetta Dip

L.A. Story: Classic Spinach Artichoke Dip

Check out the Hamburger Cupcakes Amy made!  Fabulous!

What is your perfect pair?  For more recipe ideas, just visit Frito-Lay.

This is part of a compensated campaign with The Motherhood and Frito-Lay.

Last week, Cattleman’s Finest kicked off their Grill Up Your Summer recipe contest with live, in-store demos, tastings, and giveaways at Smart & Final.  Cattleman’s Finest is the grocer’s exclusive brand of hand cut and trimmed, corn fed, fresh beef.  Using Cattleman’s Finest Flap Meat, the store demonstrated a Steak Quesadilla. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 Green or Red Bell Pepper, sliced
• 1/2 Red Onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup Mild Cheddar Cheese
• Large Flour Tortillas (we prefer the whole wheat version)
• Cattlemen’s Finest Flap Steak, cut into slices
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Begin by chopping the peppers and onions.

Grill the meat in an open skillet (you can use a bit of olive oil if you prefer). As the meat is starting to get done, toss in the chopped bell pepper and onion. Salt and pepper to taste.

In a separate skillet (or you could place the cooked meat in a bowl and use the same skillet), place one tortilla and some cheese and allow to melt. As the cheese melts, place the meat and grilled vegetables on top and fold in half (you could also top with a second tortilla instead of folding the single one in half).  After about a minute, flip the quesadilla to grill the other side until the cheese is completely melted.

Slice and serve with fresh salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

If you’re looking for additional recipes, be sure to visit the website.  You can also vote for your favorite one for a chance to win a Webber Q220 Grill (ARV $200) and a $50 Smart & Final Gift Card.

This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias

LOFT and Who What Wear have teamed up to bring you a fantastic Summer Wardrobe Sweepstakes and they are giving away a $1000 LOFT gift card every week in June (total of 4)! To enter, simply “like” LOFT on Facebook and include your email address.

When you “like” LOFT on Facebook, you’ll also get access to Who What Wear’s first live chat on Tuesday June 21st from 4-5 pm EST. If you have a summer style question, this is the forum to ask and you can begin submitting questions today (either on their page or in the comment section below). Founders Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power will answer questions and viewers will receive a discount to shop at LOFT.

So what summer trends are you looking forward to trying? I tend to wear the same types of styles and I’m looking forward to experimenting more with colors. I’m also looking for ways to dress up a traditional casual look (aka shorts, capris, etc.). This T-Shirt Dress isn’t something I’d traditionally wear (mostly because of the color) but I really like it’s chic, cozy look.

No compensation was received for this post.

A gift card was provided.

I remember so much about our family camping trips.  Getting stuck in the sand at Pismo Beach…fishing and swimming at Lake Castaic...snuggling and roasting marshmallows for S’mores around the campfire at Campland on the Bay.

This summer, Hershey’s is encouraging families to create their own S’mores memories with their Say S’mores campaign, which just launched on their Facebook page. Families are invited to capture and share their favorite S’mores moments on the Hershey Facebook page, and doing so, could win them a S’mores-themed prize. The grand prize (which I’m very excited about) is a Canon Rebel Camera, slate marble outdoor firebowl, $250 SnapFish gift card, roasting skewers, and all of the ingredients you need to make S’mores.  When you visit the page, you can download the Say S’mores app to participate in monthly photo contests and receive a coupon towards the purchase of two Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar 6-packs.

How do we ensure our S’mores are just right?

1. We use dark chocolate (Yum!)

2. We slow-roast our marshmallows so they’re warm and slightly toasted but not burned.

In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing my favorite S’mores (and camping) moments! And…I’ll have a fun, S’mores-themed giveaway to share with you.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored campaign with Hershey’s and The Motherhood.

This afternoon, my son and I had a wonderfully relaxing day together at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa! We lounged and splashed and generally enjoyed one of the first warmer days of the season in Southern California.

Our summers in Southern California tend to start out mild with several days of June gloom, and by July and August we’re scorching.  And while it would seem that we would only need to protect ourselves on those bright and sunny days, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds on a cloudy day.  I strive to ensure that at the very least, I have protection on my face every single day.

If you’re planning on being in the water this summer, Neutrogena recently introduced their new Wet Skin Sunblock, available for adults and children.  Unlike traditional sunblock which must be applied on dry skin and allowed to remain dry for a period of time before entering water, Neutrogena’s new line can be used even if you or your child haven’t dried off from a swim.

While I don’t mind lotion for myself, it’s rather difficult to apply to a squirming toddler.  Neutrogena’s new Wet Skin Sunblock can be sprayed on both wet and dry skin, won’t drip or look white, and is available in SPF 30, 50, and 85 for adults and SPF 70 for kids. As important as the amount of protection is how often sunscreen is applied (the current recommendation is every 2 hours).  The product makes it easy to apply and reapply, particularly with regards to small squirmy children.

One question I do have about the product is whether or not the an SPF above 50 is really that much more effective?  I remember reading an article which concluded that sunblock with an SPF above 50 provided only minimal increased protection.  I also need to do some research on the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to determine it’s safety.  Stay tuned…

For more information or to download a $2 off coupon, just visit Neutrogena.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Neutrogena and received sunscreen and other Neutrogena products as a thank you for my participation.

Every summer, the resort comes out with something new and exciting.  After being closed for almost one year, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue re-opens on June 3rd.  The ride, which is based on the Star Wars films, has been completely transformed into a 3-D attraction with over 50 different story combinations.  The excitement of a new experience with each ride is definitely appealing.  During my particular adventure, Princess Leia made an appearance, which was really perfect, considering she is my favorite character (tied with Chewbacca, of course).  The five minute experience immerses guests in the Star Wars galaxy in a vivid, realistic way.  While I wasn’t able to capture photos during the ride (due to the fact that it’s entirely in 3-D), I did capture some of the imagery inside like the photo I took above.

As I was walking down Main Street today, I stopped to listen (and tap my foot) to the sounds of the barbershop quartet.  The entertainment is so much of what makes the park such a memorable experience.  While my son loves riding the rides, every single time we visit the park he wants to see the parade.  Mickey’s Soundsational Parade takes guests on a musical, rhythmic journey through their favorite Disney movies including Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Three Caballeros, The Lion King, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins.  The parade features nine themed floats designed in the style of a children’s “pop-up” story book.  My favorite part of the parade comes towards the end when eleven chimney sweeps from Mary Poppins dance to the song Step In Time.  My son’s favorite part?  Seeing his favorite characters Mickey, Donald, and Goofy! Your little princess will love the royal procession of princesses led by Rapunzel which includes Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Snow White.

Twenty two years in the making, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is scheduled to open this Friday at Disney California Adventure.  The “dark ride”, which brings the classic film to life, transports guests “under the sea” to re-live memorable scenes, sing along with Sebastian and his friends, and experience the magic of Ariel and her friends. The slow-moving ride, which transports guest in a seashell, is certain to be a hit among the littles.

While at the resort, be sure to check out World of Color at Disney California Adventure and The Magic, The Memories and You! at Disneyland!

Photo Credit: Rockin’ Mama. All rights reserved.

With summer just around the corner, there is no shortage of popular, must-see films, particularly for families with young children. On June 10th, Relativity Media will release Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, a film based on the popular children’s book series about a third grade girl who has a whole range of moods…good and bad, happy and sad.

When Judy Moody’s plans to spend the summer with her best friends goes awry, she decides to use her creativity and imagination to have the most thrilling summer of her life. Left at home with her Aunt Opal, little brother Stink and her second best friend Frank Pearl, Judy is headed for a summer of surprises in the film, which is based on the popular series by Megan McDonald.

Get ready, get set, get MOODY!

The funny, adventure-filled film, which is certain to be a hit among children, stars Australian actress Jordana Beatty from Superman Returns and Heather Graham and was directed by John Schultz.

Stay tuned for my full review of the film.

Win It! One of you will win a summertime family DVD pack (ARV $50) which includes the following titles:

Ramona & Beezus

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

The Parent Trap

Annie

Mary Poppins

AND two local families will attend a special screening of the film in Los Angeles on June 8th (information on the location will provided to the winners and you must be able to get to the screening as travel is not included)

To enter, simply leave me a comment with the name of your favorite Judy Moody Book and which giveaway you’re entering for (you could enter for both if you’d like…just be sure to indicate that in your comment). Comments for the DVD prize pack will close on June 12th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Comments for the screening will close on June 5th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. Giveaway items supplied by the company.

One of the best things about living in Southern California (apart from the weather) is our proximity to water.  Before my husband and I had children, we made regular visits to our local beaches.  These days it’s a bit more challenging, particularly when combining sand, waves, and small children.

A fabulously fun way to expose children to aquatic activities in a safe environment is to take a boat ride.  We recently headed out to Newport Harbor with Aracely and her family for a 2 hour ride on a Duffy Boat.  These electric boats can be taken throughout Newport Harbor in hourly increments.

Learning to drive the boat is easy and can be learned in a short amount of time.  If you’re planning on making this a family outing, I recommend having someone dedicated to driving the boat and someone dedicated to watching the children (but you can definitely switch it up during your ride).

We opted to take the ride during the evening so we could have dinner on the boat while watching the sunset.  The views are spectacular and the entire experience is fun and relaxing.  I find that we as a family don’t have enough down time together and this would be a great opportunity to eat dinner together, converse, and enjoy the water.

A Duffy Boat can comfortably seat up to 10 people.  There is a table in the center of the boat which makes it ideal for enjoying a meal. You could also opt to bring on some board games or challenge your children to a scavenger hunt (additional fee applies). Each boat is equipped with a CD player and iPod hookup, because music always makes experiences more relaxing.

As I mentioned above, Duffy Boats can be rented by the hour.  For our small children, 2 hours was the perfect duration.  It was long enough to eat and enjoy the scenery but short enough that they weren’t antsy or bored.  Rental rates are as follows:

Monday-Thursday

$85 – 1 hour

$170 – 2 hours

$239 -3 hours

$299 – 4 hours

Friday-Sunday

$99 – 1 hour

$198 – 2 hours

$279 – 3 hours

$349 – 4 hours

While you’re definitely free to bring your own food on board the boat, soft drinks, snacks, and party platters are available for purchase.

If you have small children, be sure you have snacks/food, activities (crayons and coloring books are perfect), and anything else you’ll need since you won’t be able to get off the boat.  And, since you won’t be able to get off the boat, ensure everyone uses the restroom before boarding.

If you’re in the OC, a ride on a Duffy Boat is a fun, engaging experience for families and we can’t wait to go out again!

Win It! One of you will win a 2-hour boat rental which can be used Monday through Thursday.  Simply leave me a comment with one thing you’re looking forward to!  Comments will close on May 28th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Like Duffy Boats on Facebook/Twitter

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to experience a ride on a Duffy Boat and the company is supplying the giveaway.

Surprisingly, we have nothing planned or scheduled this holiday weekend.  I’m looking forward to catching up on the mundane and tackling some home projects.  I think the most exciting thing we have planned is dinner with my parents.

If you’re planning on hosting a get together this weekend, check out some of these grilling recipes:

Grilled Salmon With Citrus Salsa

Serves: 4

Preparation Time: 20 Minute(s)

Cook Time: 10 Minute(s)

Ingredients
2 large navel oranges, peeled, sectioned and coarsely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
2/3 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce*
4 salmon fillets (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
20 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spray Original

Instructions

1. Combine oranges, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and hot pepper sauce in large bowl. Season, if desired, with salt and ground black pepper; set aside.
2. Spray salmon with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spray Original and sprinkle, if desired, with salt and pepper to taste. Grill or broil salmon, turning once, 10 minutes or until salmon is opaque. Serve salsa with salmon.

*Such as Tabasco.

Warm Autumn Goat Cheese Salad

Serves: 6

Preparation Time:15 Minute(s)

Cook Time: 12 Minute(s)

Ingredients

7 Tbsp. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spread, divided
1 pear, thinly sliced
1 small shallot OR onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
4 oz. goat cheese, cut into 6 rounds* and chilled
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1/4 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
8 ounces spring salad mix

Instructions
Melt 1 tablespoon I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spread in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and cook pear, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until golden; remove pear and set aside.

Melt 5 tablespoons Spread in same skillet and cook shallot, stirring frequently, 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in cranberries and lemon juice; remove from heat. Turn into large bowl; cool slightly.

Dip cheese into egg white, then bread crumbs, pressing slightly to coat.

Melt remaining 1 tablespoon Spread in same skillet over medium-high heat and cook cheese, turning once, 3 minutes or until golden. Toss spring salad mix with cranberry dressing; arrange on serving platter. Top with pears, then warm goat cheese.

Chocolate Lava Cakes

Serves: 4

Preparation Time: 15 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 13 Minute(s)
Chill Time: 1 Hour(s)

Ingredients
6 Tbsp. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spread
3 squares (1 oz. ea.) bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, cut in pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Confectioners sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°. Line bottom of 4 (4-oz.) ramekins* or custard cups with a round of waxed paper, then grease; set aside.

Microwave I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spread with chocolate in medium microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 45 seconds or until chocolate is melted; stir until smooth. Beat in granulated sugar, flour and salt with wire whisk until blended. Beat in eggs, egg yolks and vanilla. Evenly spoon into prepared ramekins. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to bake.

Arrange ramekins on baking sheet. Bake 13 minutes or until edges are firm but centers are still slightly soft. (DO NOT OVER BAKE.) Cool 5 minutes on wire rack. To serve, carefully run sharp knife around cake edges. Unmold onto serving plates, then remove waxed paper. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve immediately.

*To bake in 12-cup muffin pan, line bottoms of 8 muffin cups with waxed paper, then grease. Evenly spoon in batter. Refrigerate as above. Bake at 425° for 9 minutes or until edges are firm but centers are still slightly soft. (DO NOT OVERBAKE.) Cool 5 minutes on wire rack. To serve, carefully run sharp knife around cake edges and gently lift out of pan. (Do not turn pan upside-down to unmold.) Arrange cakes, bottom side up, on serving plates, 2 cakes per serving. Remove waxed paper and sprinkle as above.

While I was at BlogHer, I had an opportunity to attend the Unilever Penthouse Suite.  One of the brands featured was I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! I did a little taste-testing and was surprised at how much it tastes like butter while not seeming overwhelming or artificial.  I actually like butter more than I should and it’s likely not helping me lose my baby weight.  I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spray can be used to grill and easily flavor foods without adding fat, calories to meals.  You also won’t find trans fats or hydrogenated oils.

There are a TON of creative ways to use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spray.

Create an easy “blackened chicken” by spraying on boneless, skinless chicken breasts and season with chili powder, dried herbs and black pepper.

Spray on sliced vegetables before grilling (I actually prefer this over soggy, greasy grilled veggies)

Spray on whole grain toast with a dash of cinnamon and topped with fresh sliced berries.

For more quick and effortless ways to flavor foods, check out their website.

Win It! One of you will win a grilling set which includes the following:

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spray

Premium Non-Stick Grilling Basket

Crate & Barrel Portable 4-piece Grill Tool Set with Carrying Case

8 Better For You BBQ Recipe cards (from the dishes you sampled at the event!)

Better For You BBQ Newsletter with recipes and tips

Simply leave me a comment with your favorite recipe from the site (other than those mentioned here) or your favorite way to use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spray.  Comments will close on September 18, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.

Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter on Twitter.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Products for review and giveaway were supplied by the company.

{Photo Credit: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter}