How to Throw the Easiest New Year’s Eve Party Around

Parties are a lot of work, but they don’t have to be. You can try and throw the easiest party around just for your own sanity. Here are a few simple tips for hosting a wonderful, yet simple NYE party.

Games: Every party need games, so why not try a New Year’s Resolution game. Grab a few index cards and write out a phrases like, “The habit I want to end this year is ―――.” “The good deed I want to accomplish is ―――.” “The person I want to emulate is ―――.” “The skill I want to try is ―――.” Next you read the cards aloud and try to guess which people said what.

Skip the food for snacks: Not every party his to feature a full blown four course meal. Save yourself some stress and buy snacks and finger food instead. Let your guest know a meal will not be served and they’ll eat beforehand.

Get a playlist: music sets the mood for everything, so get a great NYE playlist ready. Here are a few songs to download.
Fly Me to the Moon,” Frank Sinatra
“Golden Years,” David Bowie
“It Had to Be You,” Harry Connick Jr.
“Mas Que Nada,” Sergio Mendes, featuring the Black Eyed Peas
“Night Time Is the Right Time,” Ray Charles
“Put Your Records On,” Corinne Bailey Rae
“Rock Steady,” Aretha Franklin
“Save the Last Dance for Me,” Michael Buble
“The Best Is Yet to Come,” Tony Bennett
“Twiggy Twiggy,” Pizzicato 5

Discover the Science of Gingerbread

You might not think about it, but there’s loads of science during the holidays. This December why not get your little ones into the kitchen and explore the educational world of cooking? The Discovery Cube in Santa Ana will be hosting a Science of Gingerbread event from now until the end of the year that is free with the cost of entrance into the museum.  


The fun will feature hands on science/cooking experiments, cookie decorating, gingerbread displays, and a visit from Santa Claus. The event is designed help families celebrate the holidays with educational activities to help bring families together.  Santa will not be on hand every day, so check with the Discovery Cube’s website to find out scheduling details for the next week. Have fun and enjoy your gingerbread cookies.  


Science of Gingerbread –
Now thru January 1, 2017


Discovery Cube
2500 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-542-2823

Try Ritter’s Steam Kettle Kitchen in Santa Ana

Finding authentic Southern Food can be hit and miss in Southern California. The area has a host of restaurants that claim to be Southern Style, but not many hit the mark in the way that you’d expect. Luckily, Ritter’s Steam Kettle Kitchen in Santa Ana, boasts some of the best Louisiana style food around.

The home cooking restaurants serves a gumbo and sweet tea that may be the best you’ve ever had. The Bouillabaisse and beignets are two of the favorites locals typically rave about. When you are ready to try a popular spot with a mom and pop feel, stop by Ritter’s Steam Kettle Kitchen on your next night out. Your stomach will thank us. Here is a quick look at the restaurant’s information. Enjoy the food.

Ritter’s  Steam Kettle Kitchen

1421 West MacArthur Boulevard,

Santa Ana, CA

714 850 1380

Get Your Picture Taken With Santa

Getting your picture taken with Santa is one of the best parts of the holiday season. It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or an adult, getting a picture is still a treat of anyone. This year Santa will be stationed at the Westfield Mall from now until Christmas Eve. Packages start in the $23 dollar range and allow for as many people who can fit into the shot. If you are looking to create new memories with your own children this Christmas, the first place to start is with a picture of Santa.

Here is a bit more information about the process. Just be sure to show up early, because the lines can be very long the closer you wait until Christmas.

Pictures with Santa
@ Westfield MainPlace
Take pictures with Santa


Monday through Saturday from 10am – 8pm
Sundays from 11am – 6pm
Nov 18 – Dec 24

Westfield MainPlace
2800 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Photo packages start at $23

https://www.planadayout.com/Activity/Westfield-MainPlace/Pictures-with-Santa-19431

 

Thanksgiving Side: Try a Sauteed Green Beans Mix

Vegetables can get lost in the smorgisborge of carb loaded Thanksgiving sides. Mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all the other classics usually push the veggies to the end of the table or off it altogether. For those that would like to add a bit of color to their Thanksgiving meal this year, why not try a simple, yet tasty sauteed green bean recipe. The dish will be a perfect, and healthy, complement to your meal. Here are the directions.

For this recipe all you really need are two ingredients: green beans and mushrooms. First blanch green beans in boiling water for a couple of minutes. Crunchy green beans taste much better than soggy ones, so don’t let them sit too long. Just enough to get a quick cook.

While the green beans are boiling, saute the mushrooms in butter or light oil with a medium flame. Cook until the mushrooms are golden brown and mix them with the blanched beans. Next add salt and pepper, toss then serve.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/sauteed-green-beans-and-mushrooms-recipe2.html?oc=linkback

Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in Downtown Santa Ana

Halloween gets all of the attention but Day of the Dead also takes place this week. The traditional Hispanic holiday is observed on October 31st, November 1st and 2nd, as a three day event to celebrate and remember the lives of loved ones we have lost. Tradition states that the souls of the departed come back during those days to visit and celebrate with their family–the idea is a beautiful notion.

 

This weekend, the El Centro Cultural de Mexico of Santa Ana will be hosting a Dia de Los Muertos event on Saturday, November 5th beginning at 12pm and lasting all day until 10pm. According to the group’s website: “The celebration has its origins in the pre-Hispanic era, as seen by offerings from this historic period – marigolds, copal, textiles, and traditional dishes.” If you want to immerse yourself in Hispanic culture or just try something new, come down to this Day of the Dead event and celebrate the loved ones who are no longer with you.

The event will feature music, traditional Hispanic foods and sweets, local events, live entertainment and much more. Come dressed up, bring your family, and enjoy this fun filled day. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Saturday, November 5 2016
4th and Birch, Santa Ana
12:00pm – 10:00pm

http://www.nochedealtares.org/

Join the Boo at the Zoo in Santa Ana

For those of you searching for some amazing fun this weekend, why not combine two of the most amazing things in the world? Halloween and the zoo? This Halloween the Santa Ana Zoo will be hosting its annual Boo at the Zoo event from October 28 through the 30 from 5:30 to 8pm each night. The family oriented Halloween extravaganza aims to bring a fun and safe trick or treating environment for the little ones looking to have a wonderful time this holiday.  

 

The Boo at the Zoo event will feature games, storytelling, animal presentations and a costume parade. For the older children the zoo will also host a Teen Scream haunted house. Both activities are included with the price of admission to the zoo and they continue to be an excellent community resource during Halloween. Be sure to visit the zoo’s website for more information about the event.

October 28, 29, 30, 2016
5:30 – 8 pm

Santa Ana Zoo
1801 E. Chestnut Ave
714-953-8555

http://www.orangecounty.net/html/weekend_halloween.html#sa

Tip For Decorating Cheaply in Your Santa Ana Apartment This Halloween

Just because Halloween is here doesn’t mean you have to break the bank decorating your apartment. You can find lots of DIY ways to create cheap and excellent looking pieces. Here are three tips to use.

 

Flat black pumpkin: purchase a few pumpkins (real or fake) and spray paint them flat black to create a dark witch-like vibe to your apartment’s decor. Your guest will be impressed with the look and most importantly, the pumpkins and spray paint only cost a few dollars.

 

Black skulls: fake plastic skulls can look cheap and flimsy. What you can do is grab that black spray paint and use it on a few skulls. The flat color will turn the Halloween pieces into a slick, modern, and spooky decoration.

 

White Bat napkin holders: bats are ugly and an animal you might not want around the dinner table (even if they are fake). But if you spray paint them white (they look much better) and use them as napkin holders, you can get a scary yet non disgusting decor piece.

 

Be A Part of the Women’s Executive Club Launch in Santa Ana

Are you looking to get more active in your community and meet other professional women who are making an impacted in the workplace? Well, the Women’s Executive Club is launching a new chapter in the Santa Ana area, and all female professionals, executives, and business owners are invited to attend. If you are looking to fast track your career and make contacts with other professionals, this is the event to attend. Here is a bit more information. The event is free, but you must RSVP by email. Have fun and make a few new friends at the event.

 


Women’s Executive Club Chapter Launch
October 21, 2016
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Website: http://www.womensec.com/

PAYCHEX 1535 Scenic Ave, Ste 100, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
RSVP by Email to: president@WomensEC.com

Santa Ana Fun: How To Carve a Pumpkin

October is here and that can only mean one thing! Halloween! If you are a Halloween junkie, it’s never too early to start decorating for the holiday! So run out to a pumpkin patch or your local grocery store and grab a few pumpkins to carve. Here are a few tips.

 

Keep it fresh: apply Vaseline onto the cut edges of your pumpkin to lock in moisture. Pumpkins shrivel up quickly, but Vaseline will add a few extra days into its shelf life.

 

Put it in water: another key to making your pumpkin last is to soak it in water for a few hours once every few days. Lack of moisture is the enemy, so keep it wet.

 

Use a template: most people aren’t pumpkin carving experts, so there is no shame in getting a template to help you out.