Project Playhouse Installs The Playhouse Village & Gets Ready For The Open House on October 8

After working all night to install the Project Playhouse Village...

Good Day LA arrived as the sun was coming up.
Then truck loads of flowers, plants and trees came to transform the playhouses.  And as we speak, the details are being installed and finished. I can't wait for the final reveal but in the meantime, here is a sneak peak!  





20TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECT PLAYHOUSE® VILLAGE TO OPEN ON OCTOBER 8



A KID-SIZE BEACH COTTAGE, CASTLE, FARMHOUSE AND TUSCAN VILLA
FOR AUCTION

Visitors to Project Playhouse® Village Located at Irvine Spectrum Center® Edwards Court Can Enter to Win HomeAid’s Extreme Kitchen Makeover Opportunity Drawing

Irvine, CA -- Project Playhouse®, the signature annual fundraiser benefitting HomeAid OC, a nonprofit organization benefiting homeless families in Southern California, is set to celebrate its 20th Anniversary by unveiling the 2011 collection of fantasy playhouses at the Open House on Saturday, October 8 between 12noon-6pm at the Edwards Court at Irvine Spectrum Center®. www.projectplayhouse.org.

On October 8 only, visitors to the Project Playhouse® Village will have the opportunity to go inside the playhouses, receive goodies bags, samples from Rubio’s and experience the creative and inspiring kid-size homes first hand along with face painters and balloon twisters. Tickets are $10, children 3 and under are free. Following the Open House, the playhouse village will be on display and available to tour on Fridays 12-4, Saturday and Sunday 12-6 through November 11. Tickets for these dates are $2, children 3 and under are free.

Visitors to the Project Playhouse village throughout the month of October will also have a chance to purchase tickets for an opportunity drawing to win HomeAid’s Extreme Kitchen Makeover. The opportunity drawing package, valued at $33,000, includes KitchenAid Stainless Steel Appliances donated by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, Custom Cabinetry by Hartmark Cabinet Design and Manufacturing and Countertops by Famosa Tile and installation by Epic Stone. Tickets to enter the opportunity drawing can be purchased for $5 each. The winner will be announced at the 20th Anniversary Project Playhouse Celebration. Entrants do not need to be present to win.

Dedicated home builders throughout Orange County have donated their talents and resources to construct these imaginative playhouses with working electrical systems, flat screen televisions, and state-of-the-art video game systems. The 2011Project Playhouse® Village will include:

Little Diamond Head by Nicholson Companies
Aloha! Step into the style of Hawaii and let stories of wind, waves and adventure inspire the spirit of your Keiki (child). Bright and beachy within, your keiki is sure to be entertained with images of the surf and sand. Complete with an accompanying deck to enjoy lazy days hangin’ in the hammock and Tiki torches to excite the night. Features include: Disappearing Walls of Pocketing Glass Doors, Hardwood Flooring, Beamed Ceiling, Built-In Entertainment Wall, Flat Screen TV, DVD Player, Grass Cloth Covered Walls, Black Walnut Hanging lamp, Custom Designer Furnishings, and Removable Exterior Decking.

Tradepartners® Tribute in honor of Chuck Dreyer by Shea Homes
Get a little taste of Italy with this lovely Tuscan style playhouse built by Shea Homes in partnership with Tradepartners. The playhouse is a tribute to Chuck Dryer who was our auctioneer for many years and passed away in December 2010. Let your kids curl up next to a warm stone fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa in hand. The little home also has a porch where children can play games or just sit and relax. Features include: open beam ceilings, wood floors, granite countertops, and a tile roof.

Over the Rainbow Cottage by Team HomeAid
Captivate yourself in the Land of Oz from the outside in with this magical playhouse inspired by the famous farmhouse that fell on the Wicked Witch of the East. Designed and crafted to be a comfortable retreat for your friends made out of tin, straw or fur, this playhouse features a loft, table and chairs, custom window seat, hand painted mural, window treatments, games, books and costumes so everyone can play out their favorite fantasy. The exterior siding is reclaimed barn wood from the Midwest, perhaps even Kansas, with three porches and a rooster weathervane.

Sir Lyon’s Castle by William Lyon Homes
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there was a mighty fortress big enough to protect and shelter an entire kingdom…. Inspired by the castle lore of yester year, William Lyon Homes, Inc. has designed a playhouse that will captivate children and adults with the essence of royalty. Every little detail embraces the stately atmosphere within. It’s the ultimate space for your budding knights and princesses. Features include: elegant counter tops, a working sink with an attractive rustic faucet, dynamic wood beam ceilings, enchanting light fixtures and charming custom crafted woodwork and cabinetry. A Flat screen TV with DVD and an indoor/outdoor speaker system provide hours of entertainment, while the majestic thrones and electric fireplace invite the young royals to unwind. William Lyon Homes is proud to be participating in its 20th Annual Project Playhouse.

For a chance to take a playhouse home, tickets for the 20th Anniversary Celebration, held on November 11 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Balboa Bay Club, are $275 per person and can be purchased online at projectplayhouse.org. Guests will enjoy the spirited live auction, fine dining, and silent auction as well as a performance by Super Diamond, the ever-popular Neil Diamond cover band. The evening will also be a tribute to General William Lyon for his 20 years of dedication to HomeAid.

Pre-bidding for the playhouses will be hosted at www.FRE.com/HomeAid beginning on October 7 at 5 pm through November 11 at 12 noon.

Since its debut nearly two decades ago, Project Playhouse has captivated millions of visitors, raised a total of $5.8 million and enlisted more than 10,000 volunteers. The result — 47 housing developments and 1,000 beds, providing 4.2 million bed nights over the last 22 years and 386,535 bed nights in 2010 serving victims of domestic violence, abused children and homeless families.

Project Playhouse 2011 20th Anniversary Celebration Starts This Saturday, October 8

WHAT: PROJECT PLAYHOUSE® is the signature annual fundraiser benefitting HomeAid OC, an organization dedicated to building and maintaining dignified housing where homeless men, women and children can rebuild their lives. Visitors can view an array of fantasy playhouses that will be on display for a five-week run. The culmination of Project Playhouse will be the spirited live auction during the 20th Anniversary Celebration on November 11.

WHY: Since its debut nearly two decades ago, Project Playhouse has captivated millions of visitors, raised a total of $5.8 million and enlisted more than 10,000 volunteers. The result — 47 housing developments and 1,000 beds, providing 4.2 million bed nights over the last 22 years and 386,535 bed nights in 2010 serving victims of domestic violence, abused children and homeless families.

WHERE: IRVINE SPECTRUM CENTER®, Irvine, CA

WHEN:
Open House Saturday, October 8, 2011
Irvine Spectrum Center®
12pm – 6pm
Ticket Price: $10 donation per person, age 3 and under are free
The only time you can go in the playhouses!

Weekend Village Tours October 9 thru November 11, 2011
Fridays 12pm – 4pm, Saturdays/Sundays 12pm – 6pm
Ticket Price: $2 donation per person, age 3 and under are free
View the playhouses through the front doors


20th ANNIVERSARY OF PROJECT PLAYHOUSE GALA
November 11, 2011

Balboa Bay Club, Newport Beach

WHO: 2011 participating builders/submissions -
Sir Lyon’s Castle by William Lyon Homes
Little Diamond Head by Nicholson Companies
Tradepartners® Tribute in honor of Chuck Dreyer by Shea Homes
Over the Rainbow Cottage by Team HomeAid

To learn more about HomeAid Orange County and how you can help provide shelter for homeless families go to www.homeaidoc.org. For more information on HomeAid’s Project Playhouse go to www.projectplayhouse.org or call 949.553.9510.

The Cove To Host One Year Anniversary Party on October 7th

The Cove is our favorite local shopping find with nine stores filled with the coolest items for the fashionista, the lotin-obssessed, home fanatics, kids and more.  With clothing, jewelry, pillows, coral, skin care products and more, we always find something.  

The Cove is celebrating it's one year anniversary on Friday, October 7th.  Be sure to get down there to check it out for yourselves!  

Major Retailers Stock Up on New Pulse Charger Electric Scooter ($99)

Pulse’s first electric scooter, the Pulse Electric Chargers ($99), are expected to be so popular that major retailers, including Target, Walmart, Kmart, Sears, Toys R Us, Sports Authority, and Academy are all stocking up on them. The Pulse Scooters will be available starting on October 1.


There are eight different colors/prints available. See below for colors and the retailers where they are available.




Linkydoodles CandyChains Sweeten Up the Holiday Season -- Arriving Soon in the OC




LINKYDOODLES CANDYCHAINS GETS READY FOR NOSTALGIC, SWEET HOLIDAY

The 4th Annual Holiday Décor Tradition Is Exclusive To Orange County


September 20, 2011, Orange, CA -- Continuing the exclusive OC holiday tradition, Linkydoodles premium, handcrafted CandyChains, a timeless and tasty garland of candy cane hearts and “s” links designed to decorate the Christmas tree, mantel or centerpiece, will be arriving in Orange County starting in October.


Handcrafted in Ontario, CA by a master candy maker personally selected by Doodle-in-Chief Robin Reichelt, Linkydoodles have become an annual tradition for families across Orange County since their introduction in 2008.  Robin personally oversees the manufacturing and distribution of each year’s limited supply, even offering free delivery to her customers within Orange County.

Each $8 tray of Linkydoodles contains one garland (approx. 17” long). For a standard 9-12’ tree, 4-5 boxes of garland are required.  Individual Linkydoodle Heart Ornaments can be purchased for $3 (2 for $5 or 5 for $10) and new for 2011, Linkydoodles is also offering gift sets including an authentic, vintage Santa mug stuffed with peppermint pillows.

Featuring a unique signature stripe, the patented linking candy shapes are made in small batches with only the finest ingredients using a traditional copper kettle, a centuries-old method. Once formed, each “doodle” is dipped in confectioner’s glaze to keep moisture out and flavor in, allowing them to do double duty as decoration and dessert!

Linkydoodles have become an annual fixture at the Company of Angels boutique in Costa Mesa and will be available this year at the Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Holiday Show in Culver City (November 13, 11am-5pm) and Santa Ana (November 27, 11am-5pm) and the Orange County High School of the Arts Holiday Boutique (Dec. 1, 10-5).  Linkydoodles are also available online at www.linkydoodles.com.



The Linkydoodles Story
The idea for Linkydoodles came to Robin while decorating her tree one year with her 4-year old son.  “Why did the candy have to hang vertically on the tree?,” she thought. And so began the ten-year process of designing, patenting and creating the premium linking candy that is Linkydoodles. Throughout this process, Robin’s inspiration has been her love of holiday nostalgia and her desire to help families create indelible holiday memories of their own much like those in the vintage cards and images featured on the Linkydoodles packaging and website.

“It was the lights reflecting off the shiny glass ornaments, the red and white candies, the fresh green smell of the tree, and the glittering tinsel looking like icicles. Everything holding it’s breath waiting for Christmas morning, just like you. These are the holiday memories that gave rise to Linkydoodles,” Robin shares. “Enjoy!”

Blacktop 360's Party Hub Grill Fryer in the September Issue of Tailgater Monthly

If your husband is like mine, football season couldn't come soon enough. Football, to him, is everything that comes with the game... the players, the coaches, the success stories, the moments of defeat, the tailgating, the food, the competition, the friendship... all of it! So it's no wonder that he couldn't wait to see the Tailgater Monthly issue with the Top 20 College Tailgates and check out the Gadgets and Gear section, that included Blacktop 360's Party Hub Grill Fryer.

Real Simple Features Animal Blueprint Company

There are pet lovers everywhere. 
From a childhood dog to the cat that curls up with them today, there is one things I know for sure and that is people love their pets! 

Kristin Appenbrink of Real Simple loved her poodles and when she saw the art of cats and dogs from Animal Blueprint Company, she was inspired to share them with Real Simple's readers.  Thanks!

Animal Blueprint Company Adds Rescued Mutts + Cats Art

Paying homage to the classic American dog, the Mutt, Animal Blueprint Company, detailed, hand-drawn dog and cat portraits created in the original style of a 1950’s blueprint complete with schematics and design notes calling out the special features of each breed, has just added rescued American Mutts and Cats to its collection. Gift givers can find the new American Mutts and Cats, as well as over 60 dog breeds done in the company’s signature blueprint style online at www.animalblueprintcompany.com and in select retailers.


Giving new meaning to “barkitecture”, the artwork features a distressed finish to give them the look and feel of working blueprints used by architects, engineers and construction supervisors in mid-20th century. The classic renderings are perfect for animal lovers or those who want to combine style, design and nostalgia in their homes. A great stand-alone piece of art or as a collection, Animal Blueprints start at $110 with a variety of framing and matting options available and also make excellent gifts. Custom orders for specific breeds or individual pets are also available.

Artist Robert Redding was inspired to create the Mutt series after his own dog, Maddie, who is a mutt mix.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each American Mutt print is being donated to local animal shelters throughout Southern California. Robert also recently added the cat series to the Animal Blueprint collection, featuring seven of the most popular feline breeds, thanks to the demand from cat lovers who had seen his work.


About Animal Blueprint Company
Inspired by a passion for animals, art and architecture, Animal Blueprint Company, is the creation of artist and graphic designer, Robert Redding, who prior to this latest endeavor spent more than a decade designing apparel for the surf and sportswear industry. Located in San Juan Capistrano, California, the company focuses on animal renderings drawn in the original format of blueprints used by design and construction professionals in the 1950’s. http://www.animalblueprintcompany.com/

OC Look Raises $18,000 for JDRF + Announces OC's Most Stylish

On Thurs., August 11, at the private home of Maureen and Daniel Callahan in Ritz Cove, Orange Coast magazine, the definitive guide to Orange County life and style, hosted the 4th annual OC Look party, where the 2011 OC Look winners were announced and honored as Orange County’s arbiters of style.

Now in its fourth year, the OC Look honor has become hot ticket for summer and highly desired among the Orange County style set. In addition to honoring OC’s most stylish, this year’s party raised over $18,000 for the Dream Guild of the OC chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with a sold out crowd of over 400.

“Every dollar raised is a dollar closer to the cure of diabetes” says Linda Goldstein, publisher of Orange Coast. “Even though the evening was full of fashion and personal style, the most stylish part of the evening was giving to JDRF.”

The fashionable set came to celebrate, the 2011 OC Look honorees who are:

Timree Gold
Eve Kornyei
Mona Shah
Mara & Keith Murray
Peter Blake
Moira Kamgar
Gregg Feinerman
Ryan Fisher
Tracey McCarter
Maryam Picard
Suzie & Sam August
James Pribram
Selly Straight
Suzan Lee Paek
Antonio Cagnolo

All of the OC Look honorees were presented with an exclusive award designed and provided by Tiffany & Co. as well as a VIP gift bag from Gifted. Portraits of each of the honorees accompanied by insight into their personal fashion philosophies will be featured in the special section on the August issue of Orange Coast.

ABOUT OC LOOK 2011
The 2011 OC Look honorees, their guests and other attendees were treated to an evening full of style and fashion complete with beauty bars by M•A•C Cosmetics and Kenneth Brown Hair Salon, and handwriting analysis courtesy of Mont Blanc. Models meandered in the hottest fashions from Chloe & Saks Fifth Ave. while attendees worked their “inner model” for photographer Lisa Renee. Signature cocktails and a Tequila tasting were hosted by Agave Underground Tequila. Chateau Ste. Michelle wines accompanied the decadent fare offered by 24 Carrots, including Maddalena Wines, while some of South County Lexus’s hottest cars were on hand.