Quik Shade Tiki Canopy featured in Cottages and Bungalows

Light those Tiki torches!!

Cottages and Bungalows selected the Quik Shade Tiki Canopy as one of their favorite "Sunny-Season" finds in their July/August issue.


The Quik Shade Tiki Canopy allows you to create your own tropical paradise adding instant ambience to any setting. Whether at the beach or in your backyard, this canopy will get you in a laid-back, island state of mind.

Tiki 10' x 10' (64 sq. ft.) Instant Canopy
Price: $159.00

Bravo Sports Corp, Quik Shade and Beach Pockets on KTLA

With Summer FINALLY here, we celebrated in the perfect way... a morning with Allie MacKay from KTLA morning news. 

We showed viewers how to transform your backyard with easy and inexpensive tips on creating a VIP cabana perfect for summer entertaining with a Quik Shade Cabana.  

Kellie Swaim, of Bravo Sports, also gave a run down on the hottest products to keep your family "made in the shade" this summer with the best selling canopy chairs, the GO Hybrid Backpack canopy (yes it has SPF 50!), and Beach Pockets umbrella.   

And last but not least, we transformed this house into the coolest house on the block with a skate park, skateboards, skates, scooters, pogo sticks and more from Bravo Sports. 

To see all three segments and get tips to start your summer off right, click here: http://www.bravosportscorp.com/BravoKTLA.html


Orange Coast Magazine Hints At OC LOOK Winners

With OC LOOK around the corner (July 21st), Orange Coast Magazine has been showering us with hints about this year's most stylish winners on their Twitter.

Here is a compilation of their tweets. See if you can figure out who these winners are:


HINTS ABOUT THE WINNERS
1) This swimsuit design scion knows beach chic inside and out…she also admits to mingling Forever 21 jewelry with her “real” stuff! Don’t we all?!?

2) Work Hard, Play Harder” is the motto of this OC Look honoree who spends her days as a medical marketing consultant. Get the look…OC Look 2010, July 21 – to buy tickets, visit www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

3) This OC Housewife believes “Leopard Anything!” is the fashion trend of the century. Get the look…OC Look 2010, July 21 – to buy tickets, visit www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

4) One thing this super-stylish couple can agree on is that their favorite fashion era is NOW! Get the look…OC Look 2010, July 21 – to buy tickets, visit www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

5) “Dare to be different” is the style philosophy of this OC Attorney. Wonder how that holds up in court?? Get the look…OC Look 2010, July 21 – to buy tickets, visit www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

6) If this OC Look honoree could be anyone in style history, Grace Kelly would be her gal! She describes her person al style as “Grace Kelly meets updated preppy.”

7) “Good food, great friends and family….with sun and sand” is how this OC Look honoree describes her perfect day. This from a gal who knows the best gifts come in small packages.

8) From a man whose life work is bringing beauty to others, he says he can’t live without his “basics”. Custom denim and tailored white tees are a “must” Get the look…OC Look 2010, July 21 – to buy tickets, visit www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

9) This attorney thinks Crocs on any one over 5 years old should be a punishable offence. We’re betting she could put together a winning case!! Her ruling – Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choos required.
10) This OC Look honoree sums up his fashion philosophy as “trying to look like a million bucks on a few cents…that explains why his favorite OC boutique is the Salvation Army…Which location? Inquiring minds want to know!!

11) How does this OC ad exec get “the look”?? By working out with for Mr. California finalist Manny Modena! OC Look 2010, July 21 – to buy tickets, visit www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/


GENERAL TWEETS ABOUT OC LOOK

1) Always wanted to see what a $17 million dollar house looks like on the INSIDE? Buy a ticket to the 2010 OC Look Party and you can an insider look at an exclusive Newport Coast property filled with OC’s MOST Stylish! All while supporting the OC Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

2) OC Look raised over $14,000 in support of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation last year. This year, we want to raise the bar! Support JDRF and celebrate OC’s most stylish at the 2010 OC Look Party, July 21.

3) OC Look News!! Tiffany and Co. has designed beautiful awards for all of the 2010 honorees. Come to the 2010 OC Look Party July 21 and check them out! Get your ticket today! And bring a friend…www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

4) OC Look Update – Tickets are selling fast!! Get your ticket to OC’s most exclusive celebration of fashion and style today! www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

5) OC Look Update – We are nearly sold out!! Only a few tickets left so get yours today. RSVP list will be strictly enforced… don’t be an OC Fashion Don’t! www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

6) Fashion Don’t – Panty Lines, Fashion Do – OC Look Party 2010 presented by Orange Coast magazine and benefitting the JDRF OC Dream Guild. Get your ticket today! www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

7) Want to know what OC’s style elite are wearing?? Experience OC Style at the 3rd Annual OC Look 2010, July 21 benefitting the JDRF OC Dream Guild. Style it Up! www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

8) Just ONE WEEK LEFT until the 2010 OC Look Honorees are revealed. Be there for a night of fashion and frivolity benefitting the JDRF OC Dream Guild – July 21, www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

9) Each year, more than 15,000 children - 40 per day - are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. Support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to end diabetes IN STYLE by buying a ticket to the 2010 OC Look Party presented by Orange Coast magazine. www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/

10) Does your OC Look need a little updating?? Enter to win the OC Look For a Day make-over sweepstakes at www.orangecoastmagazine.com/oclookforaday  Visit website for complete contest rules.

TO: The Media - Be Our Guest at Orange Coast's OC Look Party

We would like to personally invite you to be our guest at this year’s OC Look party!
Should you be interested, we can also make members of our OC Look Advisory Board or Orange Coast’s staff available in advance of the announcement of the winners, to provide you with insight into the OC’s hottest style tips and trends for summer and beyond.


Please let us know if you are able to join us this year!

Best,

Lauren & Allison

Summer "Staycation" Ideas from Opinionated MAMA!

WHAT MOMS ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW

Summer 2010 “STAYCATION” Ideas From the O-MAMA Mamas – Founders & Followers

With summer upon us, all moms are talking about what to do this year with their vacation and many are realizing that this isn’t the year to spend the money on a big trip. Recently, Walmart asked O-Mama.com to share their ideas on “Staycations,” and here’s what they had to say…

FIRST, the Ground Rules: no phone zone; buy themed paper products and get into a staycation state of mind

SECOND, Pick your theme:

Breakfast in Bed

• sleep in; stay in your jammies; watch cartoons; have the kids make you breakfast in bed, relax…

Backyard Campout

• pitch a tent, roast marshmallows, make s’mores

• send the kids on a bug hunt, make nature bracelets out of inside out masking tape…have them stick all their treasure on it

• create a scavenger hunt or have a family yard project ready to go

• get out the sleeping bags and make it a no electronics zone for the night…watch the stars, make shadow puppets with flashlights, play flashlight tag, giggle and tell stories in the dark

Hawaiian Hideaway

• get out your beach chairs and water weenies, blow up water balloons, set up the slip ‘n slide, baby pool or just turn on the sprinklers

• play Beach Boys music and blow up beach balls to kick around

• play some family volleyball or good old fashioned “keep away”

• make pineapple juice drinks and cut up tropical fruit for fresh fruit kabobs

• roll out some beach mats/towels and eat on the ground luau style…the kids will love it

• wear your favorite wrap or Hawaiian shirt and feel the island attitude take you away


Beach Blanket Bingo

• pack your beach bag and take a short drive to the nearest body of water…river, lake or ocean…skip some stones or take a walk

• fly a kite, splash around or just toss a football

• roast some hotdogs and marshmallows

• watch the sunset


Old Fashioned Backyard Barbeque

• squeeze some lemonade and put some beer on ice; use mason jars

• bbq anything you want…from burgers to bananas…crack open a watermelon for dessert

• set the stage with a red checked table cloth

• play horse shoes and/or croquet

• spin stories, strum a guitar and enjoy the talk around the table


Mexican Fiesta

• make margaritas and say fiesta!

• make some homemade guacamole with the kids…have them roll up whatever they want in a tortilla

• stuff a piñata with goodie and have the kids go at it

• paint some pottery or have your own hat dance (turn on the music and have the kids do a silly samba…turn off the music and have them “freeze”)


Nights on Broadway

• get a sitter for the kids

• pack your fancy duds and go into the nearest big city for the night

• see a show (not a movie, but a show in a real theater…Broadway show, off Broadway, local theater, whatever) and go out to a nice dinner


Movie night

• set up a big screen in the back yard and have the kids grab their sleeping bags and pillows (a plain white sheet on a wall or fence will do the trick, too…if you want to get fancy, you can rent an inflatable screen)

• order pizzas, make some popcorn and open the soda…fun!


Game night

• pick a night, pick a game…and have some family fun


Sports Center

• oh yes, your husband and your son will be SO EXCITED…sports all day

• start with sports themed paper products at breakfast, make baseball/football shaped pancakes

• have some family competition…pick your favorite sports and have a tournament…set up brackets and the whole deal

• make jerseys and GO TEAM GO!

THIRD, GO HAVE FUN!!!


O-MAMA also posted this question to its 10,000+ fans on Facebook and here’s what they had to say…

Elizabeth D. - We take the tram to the airport, watch the planes take off and talk about where people are going. Then we take a shuttle to an airport hotel with a pool and free Continental breakfast. $100 for a family vacation, and kids think they are in heaven! After, all the hotel pool IS the vacation!

Racheal M. we live next to a 200 acre chunk of land (untouched!)... and we never have to travel far for some good ol' fashioned camping and hiking! But if your kids are really young, you can do the same thing right in the back yard and they'll love it just as much!

Grace M. One of my fav's is to go camping in the yard. We, me included- or especially me- get prizes for each day we stay out of the house entirely- except of course for the potty. Another is to list all the activities that are near by- pick one each day and do that- It's surprising the number of things that are local that we just don't get to because ...

Windy S. we rented a hotel room....five minutes from home lol, but hey it could have been anywhere. my son had a blast and we tried a new restaurant.

Peggy T. We become members of the local kids science museum every year. Then you can get into kids science museum free pretty much anywhere in the country so we drive to the ones in our area. We are also lucky to live near the beach and DC so we take day trips there.

Noelle N. Like Peggy, we live in the DC/Baltimore area so stay-cations are super easy. We also live close to the Eastern Shore so we are right in the middle of some of the best things! But Windy, that is a rockin' idea! Never thought of that. Thinkin' a nice Annapolis hotel and some fun historical touring may be on the agenda!

Kathy W. We're lucky we live in a city with so many urban lakeside beaches! And check your local library schedule for special events like a petting zoo or kids' pizza party. Ask yourself, what do tourists do, when they come to my town. Do you ever do any of them? Like your city or county history museum or art museum?

Donna J. We take "virtual" field trips. One is starting in a little while for Bryce Canyon (sponsored by the national parks). Here is the virtual field trip link: http://nationalparks.org/npf-at-work/our-programs/electronic-field-trip/


You’ve heard from celebrities, politicians and pundits. Now get a mom’s perspective and some common sense insight on the nation’s hottest topics

www.O-MAMA.com

VONNY GIVES LAGNAIPPE IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

This October, 20% of sales of the Vonny Pink Mardi Gras Beads Line Will Go To Support The Susan G Komen Foundation


Los Angeles, CA – Vonny, the tote and accessories company inspired by Southern hospitality and LA style, is now motivated by “Lagnaippe”, Cajun French for “a little something extra” as it adds charitable giving to the company, beginning with its support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Vonny will donate 20% of the Pink Mardi Gras Beads line to the Susan G Komen Foundation the entire month of October.


Dedicated to supporting breast cancer is near and dear to Vonny Faucheux, Vonny designer and founder, as one of her best friends was diagnosed at 30 years old after finding a lump in her breast. “Sometimes, a little something extra is all it takes,” says Vonny. “That little something extra each of us can do can make a big impact in the lives of others. We are thrilled to support the Susan G Komen Foundation and hope that the support we give can provide that little something to keep more women healthy, happy and cancer free.”

Available online at www.vonny.com and boutique stores across the country, the complete Pink Mardi Gras Beads line, which includes pink lining inside each bag, includes:

• Full-of-Pockets (Pink Mardi Gras Beads)$78.00 - This multi-use, over the shoulder tote can be used to carry just about anything. Great as an organized purse (mom’s love it), gym bag, diaper bag, beach tote. The exterior features include 8 large pockets, which are useful for large or small water bottles, sunglasses and lots of other miscellaneous items. Two of the pockets have hidden slit pockets inside for easy to lose items like parking stubs. 4 metal feet on bottom to prevent bag from getting dirty. The interior features include a cell phone pocket, colorful keychain holder and 2 zip pockets. The full of pockets tote has a zip closure, but looks great unzipped, too. Made of 100% cotton canvas. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

• Zip Pouch (Pink Mardi Gras Beads)$16.00 - This simple little pouch can be used as a clutch, great for tossing your phone or camera into, makeup bag or snacks and it’s a great gift idea! Lightweight and easily fits inside the Everything tote and full of pockets tote.Made of 100% cotton canvas. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

• T-Lu Tote (Pink Mardi Gras Beads)$28.00 - This adorable little lunch/snack carrier is fully lined and insulated with a short handle for easy carrying, and compact enough to toss into your everything tote or full of pockets tote. Lots of storage to keep you organized on your lunch break!! Small flat pocket on back for hand wipes, small zip pocket inside for small items like change or packets of ketchup (my favorite). Large slit for an Ice pack and another for utensils. The best part about the t-lu tote is the fun colorful prints. No one will know you are carrying your LUNCH!!

• The Everything Tote (Pink Mardi Gras Beads) - $58.00 - This perfect sized tote bag can be used to carry Everything! Useful as a fun tote bag, great as a school bag or market tote. You will stay organized with this bag by using the 2 large front pockets as well as the inside pockets which include 3 pouches for pens/pencils, cell phone pouch and a very handy small flat pocket for parking stubs… so you never lose them again!!! Fill this tote with groceries and produce from farmer’s market (padded bottom protects your breakables). Works well as a large lunch carrier, computer bag or over-nighter. The over the shoulder straps are very comfortable and the fun bright interior lining makes it easy to find what you are looking for! Made of 100% cotton canvas. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

ABOUT VONNY:

Inspired by the lifestyle-conscious urban dweller and by vintage Southern California style, VONNY exists to make life easier and more pleasurable.

After 16 years together, Vonny and Jerry Fauchex, Louisiana natives, entrepreneurs and lovers of fashion from a young age, found themselves a natural fit as co-founders of an accessories line. Together they fell in love with California, and like many California dreamers, were inspired by the creative, entrepreneurial spirit of SoCal. Life in Los Angeles nurtured their vision and vonny was born with the goal of creating products that embrace lasting design, quality materials and affordable chic.

Vonny products bring Lagnaippe – Cajun French for “a little something extra” – into the lives of their owners. vonny is for a life that is both conscious and picturesque in the face of the challenges of modern, urban existence. Combining life’s most practical considerations - healthy habits, financial well being, environmental sustainability - with a passion for patterns and colors that delight and inspire, the creators of vonny started with a personal understanding of what individuals like themselves and their friends wanted and needed to help navigate the daily routine. vonny bags are designed to accompany their owners anywhere they might travel, from the gym to the market to the beach or around the world, with anything from a healthy lunch to a bottle of wine to a baby in tow. From this sensibility the vonny line was born; sensible, essential products that reflect a love for that little something extra that makes life worth living.



www.vonny.com

Opinionated MAMA Hosts Tribute to Mommy Bloggers


The clicking of keyboards across Orange County was slightly diminished for a brief time last Wednesday as several of OC’s most prominent Mommy Bloggers were treated to a morning of pampering, taste-testing and good old-fashioned girl talk at the home of Opinionated MAMA founder Michelle Tingler.

Michelle Tingler and Debbie Devine hosted the first O-MAMA Tribute to Mommy Bloggers to bring together many of the women who share their lives, loves, passions and exploits online in celebration of their efforts as well as the recent addition of Opinionated MAMA to the OC Family magazine network of bloggers. Attendees included Sugar Jones of SugarJones.tv, Michelle Whitaker of OC Play Parks, Vintage Mama’s Lydia Poblano, Sondra LaBrie of Happy Healthy Hip Parenting and Priscilla Willis of Top Mom Blog among others.

“O-MAMA supports all moms in the hard work of raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted future citizens,” says founder Michelle Tingler. “And in our opinion, every hard-working mom deserves a little break once in a while!”

Those in attendance were treated to manicures and pedicures by Spa-Go, pilates instruction by Stephanie Hiltzman of Body Design in Newport Beach and delicious mock-tails and kid-friendly cuisine tips from celebrity chef Wade Williams of Picnic LA. All the while, many of the ladies were accompanied by their children who spent their morning doing arts and crafts, bouncing away in the bounce house and getting their faces painted by Faces by Derrick.


Click here to see and download additional event photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomediaco/sets/72157624067384031/



Also, see what some of the ladies who attended had to say about it!

http://www.wellsphere.com/parenting-article/are-you-an-opinionated-mama/1130572

Made in the Shade - Stay Safe in the Sun All Summer Long with QuikShade products from Bravo Sports

With all the fun in the sun this summer, beach goers are also thinking about protecting their skin. Bravo Sports Corp., the global leader in the recreational and sporting goods markets, is proud to announce their complete line of umbrellas, beach chairs, and canopies to provide shade and extra SPF Coverage.


“This summer we all need a little time to relax with family and friends,” says Leo Pais, CEO of Bravo Sports, “Our line of beach products will help you enjoy your time at the beach, the park or at the pool while keeping you safe from over-exposure to the sun.”

Below are several Bravo Sports products that will keep you cool and protected on even the hottest summer days:

Beach Pockets Umbrellas: $19.99; available in Tropical and Rainbow; Beach Pockets Umbrella Anchor $9.99; Voted #1 Best Summer Product on The View!; Fill will sand or personal belongings to keep them out of the sand. All umbrellas are SPF 35. www.beachpockets.com

Retailers: Big 5, A & P, Dixieline Lumber, SuperValu, All American Home Center



Quik Shade Beach Collection: Backpack Beach Chair With Shade Top: $39.99; available in Blue and White Stripes and Forest Green; provides plenty of personal shade regardless of the sun’s position. www.quikshade.com

Retailers: TSA, All American Home Center, Amazon.com



Quik Shade Chair 1.0: $39.99; available in grass green and royal blue; With more than 20 different articulating positions, the Quik Shade Chair protects you from the sun at any angle. www.quikshade.com

Retailers: Sports Authority, Modells, Dunhams



Quik Shade Go Hybrid Backpack Canopy™: $79.99, the first backpack canopy made for individuals; www.quikshade.com

Retailers: Sports Authority



Quik Shade Summit with Aluminex lining $249 and Quik Shade Décor Mykonos Cabana $199; Quik Shade Tiki Canopy $159

Retailers: Mykonos- Ace Canopy; Tiki- Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Modells


Fresh Flowers for Your Home a Must? There's an App for that!

 
Fresh flowers for your home a must?

Looking to brighten up the room and make guests feel especially welcome?

Too busy cooking for your dinner party to pick up flowers?

Need to thank your host for that great weekend at the beach house?

 

There is an APP for that.

 

 
For the home décor-perfectionist or anyone looking to brighten up someone's day, check off your to-do list by downloading the app for California Blooms (www.californiablooms.com), the premier internet retailer of fresh, boutique-grown roses from the central coast of California. http://www.itunes.com/app/californiablooms

The CalBlooms App has been wildly successful for the company, which launched their iPhone app in time for Valentine’s Day this year. The CalBlooms App, currently available on the iTunes App Store, allows customers to order the highest-quality, eco-friendly roses anytime and anywhere.

California Blooms will offer a 20 percent discount for all first time orders generated by the App.

 
The Cal Blooms App features include:

 
• Quick and easy ordering - most orders can be completed in 3 minutes or less

 
• The ability to save previous orders, as well as ship to and bill to addresses

 
• Order from anywhere at anytime over the 3G or any Wi-Fi network

 
• Nine varietals including a mixed bouquet to ensure your sending the right message

 

 

Who doesn't like getting a beautiful bouquet of roses delivered?  Even if you did have to order them yourself!! ;-) 

Parents Magazine Says The Bubble Scooter Is A "Backyard Best"

SCOOTER + BUBBLES = SUMMER FUN!!


The Bubble Scooter is one of our favorites and Parent's Magazine agrees!

Click here to see other Bravo Sports products Parents Magazine also put on their 2010 list of HOT SUMMER TOYS!




Visit http://www.bravosportscorp.com/ to see all the great outdoor recreation products Bravo Sports has to offer!