Gifts That Keep Giving

What do you do when you want to help those less fortunate than you, but you don't have the spare time to volunteer or the extra cash to donate? At Christmas time, the need for help is as present as ever, but time is scarce and, after we check off all the names on our gift lists, so is money. Have you thought about buying gifts with purpose? These are gifts that are not only great gifts, but they help others.

This month's issue of The OC Gazette includes a gift guide filled with gifts that keep on giving. We found a host of local nonprofits who offer some really cool products- from t-shirts to beanies to bracelets- and listed a handful of them in this guide. When you buy from these organizations, all (or a large portion of) the proceeds go to help others.

One such organization that we included is International Sanctuary, an Irvine based nonprofit that offers beautiful and unique jewelry made by young women in India who were rescued from sex trafficking The girls are paid 100% above fair trade wage.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the jewelry iSanctuary offers:

Beautiful, no? All these items are $20 or less. !!

You can browse these items and more by visiting International Sanctuary's online shop or by visiting their store in Irvine at:

17777 Main St. C-2
Irvine, CA 92614


(Store open Thursdays 10am-8pm & Saturdays 11am-2pm
December 12/2, 12/4, 12/9, 12/11,12/16, Last Shopping Day 12/18)

For more info, call 949.752.7788 or email info@isanctuary.org

Be sure to check out the December issue and the full gift guide on page 18, which includes gifts from other great local organizations like Krochet Kids, Kauzbots, 31 Bits, OneHope Wine, and more!

Happy shopping!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Radiohead's "Nice Dream"

Winter Cactus & Succulent Sale

Any green thumbed readers out there? Big news!  The Orange County Cactus and Succulent Society is hosting its annual Winter Cactus and Succulent Sale this weekend at the Fullerton Arboretum! From 10 am to 4pm starting today through Sunday, you can visit the Arboretum and find dozens of vendors with thousands of various cactus and succulent plants on sale. This is the largest sale of its kind in the region and it's only held twice a year. Don't wait till July- go today! Parking and entrance are free, but visitors are encouraged to make a voluntary contribution at the Arboretum entrance. 


Even if you don't have much of a green thumb, succulents make a fabulous introduction to gardening as they require very little water and attention. In other words: this is a great intro to gardening for anyone! Cacti and succulents also make great gifts, seeing as how they are growing in popularity and, arguably, in chic-ness.

Visit the Fullerton Arboretum's website for further info.

Happy shopping!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: The Shins' "So Says I"

Holiday Lights and Where to Find Them in OC

[Bob Seger, anyone?]

It's beginning to look an awful lot like Christmas, friends. Indeed, the holidays are upon us, and nothing says holidays like the holidazzle of Christmas lights. Residents across the county (and, turns out, the nation) are popping holiday lights up onto the edges of theirs houses, and some even put up those moving lit up reindeer on their lawns and roofs! It's a site to see, indeed.

Which leads me to my main point of today's blog: Christmas lights. Wondering where the tradition began? Wondering where you can find the best ones? You're in luck: both questions are answered in the December issue of The OC Gazette magazine! Our long time contributing writer Jordan Carver went out in the field for us to research the history of Christmas lights, as well as to compile a list of the best places to see light displays across the county (and even some just a little outside of it that will be well worth your drive)!

Click [here] to read the article online, or click [here] to find out how to score a hard copy of the issue.

Happy light viewing!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Local Natives' "World News"

Boutiquing Blowout Sale

If you missed Black Friday this year, don't worry, because Boutiquing.com is holding a sale to end all sales! 

Here are the event details:

Boutiquing Blowout Sale & Block Party

Sunday, Dec. 5th 

10am - 5pm

1500 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa

(In the recently vacated Paul Mitchell School Bldg.)

Shop 40 Boutiques & Designers Under 1 Roof!

Up to 75% OFF

Men's, Women's & Children's - Clothing, Jewelry, Denim, Accessories, Gifts & More

Swag Bags, Giveaways, DJ, Fitting Rooms, Food & Fabulous Fun!

Food Trucks will be serving lunch (Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels and Seabirds)

There are also giveaways every hour and a grand prize raffle! For a full list of designers visit Boutiquing.com. Happy Shopping!

- Amy

Listening to: Pedro The Lion's "Secret of The Easy Yoke"

This Weekend in OC

I realize it's only Tuesday, and this post is coming a little earlier in the week than most of our "Things To Do This Weekend in OC" posts, but I also know that with December comes a flurry of holiday parties, prep, shopping, wrapping, etc etc etc, so I want to give you as much time as possible to make room in your schedule for these cool upcoming events.

The first weekend in December promises to be a good one: we've got boat parades, tree lightings, concerts, Santa, candle dipping, pier lighting, and more! Check it out, in date order:

Friday, 12/3, from 4-8 pm: Holiday in the Harbor at Dana Point Harbor. Frosty the Sno-Man, Heebie & Jeebie, Holiday crafts tables, "people painting"- glittery paintings on hands, arms, and faces, Santa's workshop puppet show, and Jolly old Saint Nick will be in his sleigh out in front of Harpoon Henry's, ready for pictures and a visit with the kids. There will also be appearances by Dickens Carolers, Abbitt the Average, The Jack Straws, Zany Shoppers, and Balloon guy Andrew! Free admittance. Call (949)923-2255 for more info.

Saturday, 12/4, 10am-7pm: Tree Lighting & Holiday Village in Anaheim at Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street. Free holiday crafts for kids, free train rides, holiday music, free picture with Santa, free snow play (bring mittens and boots), international food fair, and unique gift shopping!

Saturday, 12/4, 4:15-9pm: San Juan Capistrano Tree Lighting at Historic Town Center Park. San Juan Hills & Capistrano Valley High School Orchestras and our City's very own Ballet Folklorico dance group will perform on stage.   Students from a local Conservatory of the Arts have designed a stage production filled with song and dance.  The official lighting of our Christmas Tree takes place at 5:45pm after which a candle light procession will lead guests out of the park and over to the San Juan Capistrano Mission and downtown area for more festivities.  Additional activities taking place throughout the downtown area will include a free mechanical "Holiday Train" ride for the kids, photos with Santa in Los Rios Park, activities at the San Juan Capistrano Mission, Live Nativity, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo & Hayrides at ZOOMARS on Los Rios & River Street.  For more information call (949) 493-5911.

Saturday, 12/4, from 11am-3pm: Victorian Christmas at Heritage Hill Historic Park in Lake Forest. the park’s historic buildings will be adorned in turn-of-the-century holiday finery with costumed docents hosting. The Bennett House and the Serrano Adobe will feature quilt displays and weaving and spinning demonstrations. There will be handicraft vendors, festive holiday entertainment, free children's crafts, living history demonstrations, historical exhibits, tours through the decorated, historic buildings and visits with Santa Claus. Children can participate in old-fashioned, hands-on activities, including churning butter, candle dipping, decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus and making ornaments and crafts. Children of all ages can visit with Santa in the arbor area. Call (949) 923-2230 for more info.

Saturday, 12/4 & Sunday 12/5: Feast of Lights. A festive program just in time for the holidays brings together the chorale ensembles, under the direction of Dr. Scott Farthing, and the Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Carmen Dominquez, for a presentation of music of the season. Tickets are $20 general admission, or $18 for students and seniors. Call (949) 582-4656 for more info.

Saturday, 12/4 & Sunday 12/5, from 10am-2pm: Boat Rides with Santa at Dana Point Harbor. Free boat rides with Santa! Bring your camera and take a free picture with him. Call (949)923-2255 for more info.

Sunday, 12/5, from 4-7pm: Pier Lighting and Holiday Parade at Huntington Pier. Activities will include a children’s parade on Main Street, entertainment at Pier Plaza, Taste of Main Street and a snowflake lighting ceremony at the pier. The parade will start at Orange and Main St. and will end at the Pier Plaza. After the parade, the entertainment will begin at the Pier Plaza. While at the Plaza, Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be available for children to take pictures! Call 714-842-6600 for more info.

 

Sunday, 12/5, from 4:30-7:30pm: Winter Holiday Event in Aliso Viejo at Grand Park. Celebrate the arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus, the official Lighting of the Tree, live entertainment, complimentary cookies & hot chocolate, and visits with Santa after the formal program. Bring your camera to capture your child's special moment with Santa!Call 949-243-7750 for more info.

 

 

Sunday, 12/5, from 3:30-7pm: Orange Tree Lighting at Old Towne Orange Plaza. Festivities begin with Orange non-profit food booths and childlren's activities at 3:30 p.m. Then, the official musical program, inclduing a 350-voice choir and 60-piece orchesra led by Music Director Michael Short, begins promptly at  5;15 p.m. This year's program narrator is Dr. William Hall, Dean of Performing Arts at Chapman University. Please contact the Community Services Department's Special Event Hotline at 714-744-7278 for more information.

Sunday, 12/5, from 3pm: Menorah Lighting at Fashion Island in Newport. Celebrate Hanukkah with singing and festive traditions at the Menorah Lighting Ceremony, to be held at 3pm in the Atrium Garden Court near the lower level of Barnes & Noble. For more information, please call the Chabad Jewish Center Newport Beach at (949) 721-9800.

What did I tell you? So many great events! Happy planning! :)

-Blythe
on my blip.fm: Camera Obscura's "If Looks Could Kill"