'Care Bears' are Back!

Everything old is new again -- although I feel as if I should say "old-ish" since I'm talking about something I used to love myself as a child.

This time it's the Care Bears. They're back, and they're much more, well, animated than they were back in the '80s when I used to watch them. And guess what? CC loves them. Just like she loves My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake -- other 1980s blasts from the past.

The newest incarnation of Care Bears premiered this morning on The Hub, a kids' channel that has really succeeded in reviving and revamping kid fare from back in the day. The shows don't feel rehashed and dated. Instead, they are fresh interpretations of ideas that just happen to have been favorites of their target audience's parents. Smart idea, if you can pull it off! And The Hub has.

Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot

CC and I caught the first episode of the series, Welcome to Care-a-Lot, and you'll recognize these loveable, cheerful (well, sometimes Grumpy -- see the blue bear in the above pic) little bears. Remember Cheer Bear, Share Bear, Funshine and Harmony? Well, they're back in action, helping friends and making a few mistakes along the way. There's even a cute new bear named Wonderheart, the smallest of the bunch who wants to play with the "big bears."

Wonderheart Bear

In this episode, Grumpy takes a dangerous shortcut and gets caught in the mud. While most of his Care Bear friends rush to help -- even as he keeps grumping at them -- Funshine and a human friend Penny decide to keep playing instead. Each bear has his or her own personality and makes a point of sharing common emotions and hesitations that small children often have themselves.

It's great to show that everyone can make mistakes but also learn from them without losing valuable friendships.

Check out The Hub for the Care Bears schedule.

Meanwhile, Back at Paramount Ranch

CC peers into the window of a Western facade at Paramount Ranch.

If you ever feel like going back to the days of Dr. Quinn, Medicine, Woman, Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains is the place to do it.

CC and I visited the old Western movie lot last weekend, after driving up to Malibu on the PCH and turning inland toward Agoura Hills. It's beautiful country, tucked into alternately green and deserty hills, and you can almost imagine what it was like in the pioneer days from a long time ago.

Either that, or you can imagine what it might have been like to film it mere decades ago.

Paramount Pictures purchased the 2,700 acres back in 1927 to use as a movie ranch. The sets were featured in movies Wells Fargo (1937), as well as TV shows The Cisco Kid (1950), Zane Grey Theatre (1956) and, of course, Dr. Quinn (1993).

Ownership of the ranch changed hands several times over the years, with the National Park Service buying a portion of the original property in 1980. The organization then refurbished the movie ranch.

When we went, there were tons of families, and a tour guide leading visitors through the hollow buildings. It was a great picnic spot, with shaded tables and even a stage that CC made great use of.

There were several photographers and even a wedding party (the bride wore cowboy boots and a mini wedding dress!).

We had a fun time wandering the grounds and meeting other families. CC played so nicely with a little toddler girl who kept trying to tickle and hug her. It was cute.

While we might wait until after summer to visit again -- it was pretty hot and dry -- we'll definitely be going back. Maybe next time, in our own cowboy kicks.

Apartment Guide: Explore Your City (Part 2)

This post is sponsored by Apartment Guide. Are you looking for a new place to call home? Apartment Guide has tips and articles about exploring a new city and making a space your own on the Apartment Guide blog and Moving Today.

First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in my Apartment Guide giveaway! I loved reading through all of your comments about how you would spend $50 to explore your city. Checking out new restaurants seemed to be the No. 1 pick. In fact, that's just what Elena said. Congrats, Elena! Bon appetit! I'll send you an email with more details.

In my previous post, I wrote about looking for a place to call home in a new city. While I was fortunate enough to practically stumble onto a great studio apartment when I moved to L.A. from New York, it's always great to have a resource like Apartment Guide, which has photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find a great apartment community.

Over the 10 years that I've lived here in Los Angeles, I've definitely changed perspectives on what I want in an apartment. After all, I went from being a single grad school student who enjoyed making creative use of a small studio apartment to a married mom of a little (active!) girl. That's where choosing a suitable neighborhood comes into play. And more space!

I was always on the lookout for a neighborhood where I could walk, but I also wanted something that was fun for our daughter. A park in the area would be nice as well.

While we've moved a couple of times since that New York-style Los Feliz apartment building -- first the Hancock Park/Koreatown area and now to the Westside -- we've looked for places that help make CC feel at home. I love it when she recognizes landmarks in her neighborhood and feels as if it's her own. Which it is.

But even moving across town can be a big switch. Personalities are different. Stores are often different. And there's just a different vibe. (Bye-bye, Los Feliz hipsters. Hello, family four-packs and indoor play spaces.) That's where a resource like Apartment Guide comes in handy when doing neighborhood research. Whether you're content with where you are, are looking or planning a move, Apartment Guide offers how-tos for making the most of your space, city and neighborhood.

Whatever stage you're in, I hope these posts have inspired you to check out your neighborhood and explore your city even more. I'm definitely inspired by your comments and would love to check out a (relatively) new restaurant in Culver City called A-Frame.

Maybe we'll make it a family outing!

To check out more Apartment Guide info, you can "Like" their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter @AptGuide, and "circle" them on Google+ for real-time tips and updates on exploring your city and neighborhood.

(Disclosure: Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in their monthly blogger programs. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of this giveaway will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.) 

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day! Hope you and your family have a great one. CC and I went on a little SoCal adventure yesterday, which I'll post about this week. (Stay tuned!)

In the meantime, check out my mom.me story on how you can help military moms. You can also grab a tissue and watch some tearful video homecomings (see links at the bottom of the story), as moms and their sons arrive back from active duty. These videos are definite tearjerkers.

Whatever your plans, stay safe and enjoy!

Friday Finds

Fellow mom and blogger JustJENN pointed me in the direction of Mighty Fine T's, a cool online clothing company that specializes in making fun -- and sometimes wickedly fun -- T-shirts, hoodies, bags, hats and other items. And not just for kids. Moms, dads (and bronies!) can also order up some trenchant fun.

CC would love the My Little Pony and Hello Kitty T's or even this tense-looking Beaker T.

Whether you're nerding out, having a little ironic fun, or bringing back the awesome '80s for your kiddo, you should check them out.

Check out mom.me!

The past few weeks have been pretty busy, but I wanted to officially show you where I've been spending the bulk of my time -- as an editor at new moms' lifestyle site mom.me.

The site, which I mentioned pre-launch last month, is lovely and the closest thing to a magazine format that I've seen in the online mom-content department.

What's especially cool about mom.me (pronounced "mom-dot-me") is that it covers all the life stages, from pregnancy to empty nest. I know a lot of moms have felt a little forgotten by parenting sites/mags after their kids have hit a certain age. Not here. There are stories about kids moving into tweendom, as well as spending Mother's Day without your grown children.

mom.me also focuses a lot on Mom herself. It's not always about the kids. Did you know these celeb moms are also Ivy League grads?

I wanted to show you what I've been up to -- and why posting hasn't been as regular as it used to be -- so please feel free to check out the site. I'm having lots of fun there, and I think you'll find something interesting, too.

Giveaway: Apartment Guide Says 'Explore Your City' *Sponsored*

This post is sponsored by Apartment Guide. Are you looking for a new place to call home? Apartment Guide has tips and articles about exploring a new city and making a space your own on the Apartment Guide blog and Moving Today.

This year marks my 10th anniversary in Los Angeles. When I moved here from New York in August 2002, I have to admit that I was a little freaked out about finding an apartment. After all, in Manhattan, things are different. Crazy different.

There are brokers, for one thing. And forget about parking. Heck, forget about a car. (That actually may be a plus.) And you have to wait. And hope.

But here in L.A., things are more laid back, as you might expect. There are "For Rent" signs on practically every residential corner, whether you're looking in Echo Park or Hancock Park. And while you might have to compete with other interested parties, it's always nice to know there is another apartment available close by.

It's so funny to think about that time now, pre-CC, pre-marriage. Ian and I were in grad school, and I wanted to find a place that was close to where he was (he had moved out here first), but I also wanted it to work for me and my style -- not just be something I happened to stumble upon. I wanted to feel at home in my new city.

So what did I do? I found the only apartment building in Los Feliz that looks as if it could be in New York.

While I was able to find my Vermont Avenue apartment fairly easily, there are great resources out there such as Apartment Guide, which, if you're looking to move, not only features photos, floor plans and tips on finding a great community, the site also offers how-tos for making the most of your space, neighborhood and city.

That's especially helpful if you're coming to a city blind, without really having scoured potential great neighborhoods.

While we've moved a few times since that first set of apartments in Los Feliz -- which can be a pain -- it's also given us a chance to explore more of Los Angeles, seeing different neighborhoods and how they work. We've since left the Hollywood hipsters for the Westside, but it's always nice to go back and visit places like Skylight Books or Fred 62.

Some tips that help with transitioning from one city to another are:

* Walk around and explore. You never know what you might find on foot that you'd miss behind the wheel.
* Eat, drink or read locally. Pick out a non-chain eatery or bookstore, and people-watch. It lets you get a better feel for the place.
* Talk to your neighbors. You never know how helpful they can be.

To check out more Apartment Guide info, you can "Like" their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter @AptGuide, and "circle" them on Google+ for real-time tips and updates on exploring your city and neighborhood.

*** GIVEAWAY ***

I'm giving away one $50 American Express gift card to an L.A. Story reader.

To enter, follow @AptGuide on Twitter AND leave a comment below saying how you would use $50 to explore your city.

Good luck, and I will announce the winner in a separate post on Tuesday, May 29!

(Disclosure: Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in their monthly blogger programs. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of this giveaway will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.)

Coming Attraction: California Strawberry Festival

We are big fans of the California Strawberry Festival, which is making news in Oxnard once again. This weekend, May 19-20, you can have your choice of strawberry pizza, strawberry nachos, strawberry shortcake -- or just straight up strawberries in their little green baskets.

This is a birthday party-packed weekend for us, so we'll have to skip it this year (boo), but here's the info in case you'd like to head up there for the tasty treats. Enjoy!

LOCATION:

Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard.

Oxnard is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. The free park n ride shuttle cuts down on gas and time getting to the festival http://Strawberry-fest.org/Plan/shuttle-service-strawberry-express-park-n-ride

Limited parking is available on site for $10.

ADMISSION:  

Adults: $12; seniors 62+, active military and dependents with ID card: $8; Youths (5-12): $5, Free for kids 4 and under.  Advance tickets available for purchase on line with no additional fees at http://strawberry-fest.org/Plan/buy-tickets