Odysseo by Cavalia is Back in Orange County!

Odysseo by Cavalia  is Back in Orange County!

By Erin

*I have been invited to the show as media. All thoughts and opinions remain my own. I am a lifelong horse lover so of course this show is something I have a HUGE love and passion for!* <3

cavalias-odysseo-orange-county-irvine

Odysseo by Cavalia is now back in Orange County for the holidays! Horse lovers everywhere will rejoice with the return of this majestic show. You recently might have seen the White Big Top again along the freeway off the 405 and 133.  The show will be in town through January 8th, 2017 so you can enjoy one of the best shows that has ever been created. Watch as horses and man come together to perform some pretty amazing routines.

“Odysseo marries the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at never-beforeseen levels. A veritable revolution in live performance, Odysseo comprises a list of superlatives: the world’s largest touring production and traveling big top, the biggest stage, the most beautiful visual effects, and the largest number of horses at liberty. Odysseo features 65 horses of 11 different breeds of horses, riders, acrobats and musicians as together they embark on a soulful journey from the Mongolian steppes to Monument Valley, from the African savannah to Nordic glaciers, from the Sahara to Easter Island.”cavalia-odysseo-irvine-fall-2016

Odysseo by Cavalia Info!

WHEN: November 16 to January 8, 2017

WHERE: Under the White Big Top in Orange County at the junction of the I-405 & the SR-133 in Irvine

Want to go? Get YOUR TICKETS!!! Available at www.cavalia.net and by calling 1-866-999-8111. Tickets are priced from $29.50 to $254.50 + applicable taxes and fees. Special pricing & packages available for groups, children (2-12), juniors (13-17) and seniors (65+).

odysseo-horses

Fascinating Facts about the Show:

* Odysseo features 65 horses of 11 different breeds including the Appaloosa, Arabian, Australian Stockhorse, Holsteiner, Lusitano, Paint Horse, Percheron Hanoverian Cross, Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Selle Français and Spanish Purebred (P.R.E.).

*The horses are from Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Australia, the United States and Canada.

* There are 48 artists – riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians.

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Burgers and Craft Cocktails at Black Box!

Burgers and Craft Cocktails at Black Box!

By Erin

If you are looking for the perfect place to enjoy a craft cocktail and tasty burger in Orange County, I have found the place for you! The other week I was checking out the new Black Box in downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) at a media tasting and was anxious to see what the former Little Sparrow Restaurant has blossomed into. The Black Box has a very eclectic feel to it. There is a family dining area and a separate speakeasy area down a hallway that one can walk down to that is located on the right of the kitchen. I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this place!!

Black-Box-Inside

The bar area is very cozy, a few tables and seats maybe 30 people max. The mixologist are amazing and they put so much love into each drink. The drink menu is also very eclectic but there are some classics that are lovely. Just look at that bar! It’s a very large well-stocked bar.

Black-Box-Bar

We chose to sit on the cozy speakeasy side that boasts a Deborah Harryesque mural on the far wall.

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The atmosphere is very casual, chill and friendly. You could easily spend hours just hanging out and catching up with friends or enjoy a very chill date night here. Upon arriving, our server offered our group their ‘Welcome Punch’. It was the perfect start to a very relaxing evening. After we all looked at the cocktail menu though, we found many others that looked tempting to try as well. Below is the delicious and refreshing Welcome Punch displayed on the bar.

Black-Box-Welcome-Punch

The Welcome Punch. I could have easily just had this all night, but decided to be a little adventurous and tried a couple others too. They do make the drinks very strong here, so you should be good after a couple of drinks. I couldn’t finish all of mine.

Black-Box-Welcome-Drink

Each of the drinks were just as delicious as they were pretty. These are the two drinks I had and sipped throughout the evening. The Changeling, $11 on the left: House made strawberry shrub, muddled basil, lemon, Jamaican bitters wth choice of vodka or bourbon. I chose vodka for mine. The one of the right is the Barkeeps Inspiration, $15 Let them know your mood, favorite liquor, or drink preference and they’ll mix something up to suit. I asked for something fruity and a little on sweet side with vodka.

Black-Box-Mixed-Drinks

A couple other options that friends ordered included the Penecillin #2, $12 which consisted of Mezcal, ginger, honey, lemon, and Fernet Vallet mist.

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What’s Good Now at Seasons 52| #Seasons52 @Seasons52

What’s Good Now at Seasons 52

By Erin

*I was invited to come and try some of the new spring items at Seasons 52. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.*

Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar that offers a seasonal menu inspired by the fresh appeal of a farmer’s market and what’s good now, and boy do they have a lot of good stuff right now!  Seasons 52 is not only freshness driven, but also has a focus on healthy eating, with many entrees under 500 calories.  They accomplish this by their combination of lean meats, low starch contents, and sensible portions. The freshness of the ingredients is evident in all of their dishes, and we tasted many yummy goodies during our visit.

Seasons 52 Store Front

The entrance to Seasons 52, located at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. A very beautiful location.

Seasons-52-inside-Costa-Mesa

Inside is just as gorgeous! So welcoming, warm and cozy.

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My friend and I started the evening with a couple of refreshing drinks. I chose the one on the left here, the Hawaiian Pineapple Cosmopolitan made of New Amsterdam Pineapple Vodka & Patrón Citrónge and she chose the Mango Jalapeno Crush; consisting of Prairie Organic Gin, Mango, Housemade Lemonade, Fresh Jalapeño, Cilantro & Cucumber.

California-Golden-Beets-Seasons-52

Seasons 52 has a special section on the menu titled, “Chef’s Suggestions” which has the chef’s top recommendations of “What’s good now,” and is chalk full of seasonally inspired items featuring ingredients at their peak of freshness. The first item on this menu that caught my eye was the Warm California Golden Beets Salad; made up of Laura Chenel goat cheese, toasted pistachios and micro basil. It was so fresh and delicious. I love beets and this dish was amazing paired with the goat cheese and pistachios, making for a delightful flavor combination.

Lobster-Fresh-Mozzarella-Flatbread

Another delicious option in the “Chef’s Suggestions” for appetizers is this Lobster & Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread. Chunks of delicious lobster, roasted sweet peppers, slivered scallion, and lobster sour cream create one mouth-watering and scrumptious treat.

Ahi Tuna Tartare

A regular item on the appetizer menu is this delectable number and one of my favorites, the Ahi Tuna Tartare.  Layered with wasabi-avocado mousse, tropical salsa, Hawaiian sea salt crisps. The mix of the ahi tuna with the wasabi-avocado is exquisite. I would enjoy having this with any meal, at any time, any day.

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