5 Family Fun Activities to do in Laguna Beach; Five for 5

Our Five for 5 blog series focuses on what to visit, see and do in Laguna Beach. This third story will be about the family fun activities found in Laguna.

The Search for Treasure

Ahoy Matey! Grab your little sprogs, board your ship and set your course for a pirate adventure at The Laguna Playhouse. The youth theater is now performing Treasure Island on the main stage. This is an adventurous tale of a young boy, Jim Hawkins, and his search for the buried treasure of notorious pirate Captain Flint. Along the way he meets other legendary pirates Long John Silver, Israel Hands, Blind Pew and Billy Bones. Jim finds himself caught up in a race against these pirates to find the treasure that could save his families’ Inn.

I took my wee pirates to see Treasure Island this past weekend. Although only 5 years-old (twins) they sat mesmerized by the production. Never before had they seen a play of this scale; lights, ‘smoke,’ music, and a large stage. They cheered during the fighting scenes for young Jim to win. They laughed at the Parrot as he squawked and flitted about as Long John Silver’s trusty sidekick. Even Mr. S and I had some good laughs at the Pirate lingo.

At the end of the production we were delighted to be able to meet the cast. All the pirates were there along with Jim Hawkins and Parrot. My young landlubbers got many autographs, but were too nervous to ask for Blind Pew’s. I think he made quite an impression on them!

Blind Pew

Long John Silver

Parrot

My Sprogs

The Youth Theater did a phenomenal job of portraying this scruffy and fun adventure of Treasure Island! So I say, “SHIVER ME TIMBERS and don’t ya be a Scallywag and miss this here adventure at that thar Laguna Playhouse.”

Treasure Island

Playing now thru May 1^st

Click HERE for tickets

A Pirate Adventure

April 30^th, 11am to 4pm

A fun-filled family afternoon of pirate-themed activities, including a treasure hunt, crafts table, story telling and more. Also included is a matinee performance of Treasure Island.

$25 per person

Call 949.497.2787 for tickets

By Anne-Marie S.

In the Right Light

“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” -Aaron Rose

I realized how true this quote was when I met Judy Kelly. After the tragic loss of her son, Judy went on a journey that ended in the creation of a sacred place where one can find light and peace. That place is Pure Light Laguna.

Walking into the store, you are immediately overcome with a calming feeling. Small wind chimes quietly sing in the doorway, soft hues of gold and blue greet you inside, dark old wooden tables and shelves hold treasures from around the world, and a mixture of spicy and floral scents envelop you. This is a place of rest, and one for creation.

Judy’s vision is to provide a way in which we can all find the talents and gifts that lie within each of us and it is found through the making of candles. The process is simple: choose your form, your colors, your scent, and finally your embellishments. The end result leaves you with a truly unique and beautiful creation.

While I made my candle, I thought of who I was going to give this light to…it is going to be given to a dear friend of mine who means so much to me. She has always been a pillar of strength, beauty and a confidant. She loves the pureness of the ocean and gentle colors it gives us. So I chose a theme that would capture all that she means to me.

Pure Light has over 30 forms that you can shape your candle into. The form I chose is called ‘toaster.’ You can even custom make your form if you can’t seem to find just the right shape.

With more than 40 colors to choose from, I had a bit more of a challenge. I wanted to stay with an ocean-inspired color scheme, so I went with four colors: a sandy rust color, a dark green, a light blue-green and yellow.

Wax Colors

The scent wall was a delight for my nose. But I had to stay focused and I knew exactly what I was looking for. In fact, there was a scent aptly named ‘ocean mist’… perfect!

Scent Wall

The next step is picking your embellishments. Pure Light has an array of items you can add to your candle. There are charms, rocks, shells, beads, miniature wick candles, prayer tiles, quotes, and much, much more. Honestly, you will be able to find any embellishment for the theme you have chosen for your candle. You may also bring in a special token of yours to include in the candle.

Embellishments

Pre-shaped wax

Since I had chosen an ocean theme and the colors I found were exactly what I wanted. I decided on several shells, a starfish, sea glass, and a small pewter shell trinket.

Once you have all of your supplies gathered, the creating process begins. First, the wax needs to be cut and stacked into the mold. Then the embellishments are added, followed by hot paraffin wax, and finally, your embellishments.

Cut wax

Layering wax in mold

Adding final wax pieces and embellishments

Pouring hot paraffin wax into mold

Placing the final embellishments

Then the candle needs to set and cool before the mold can be lifted and your final creation revealed. When Judy lifted my mold and presented my candle, I gasped with joy! I LOVED it and I knew my friend was going to love it even more. I knew that this candle would light her home and bring her joy like she had given to me so many times before. Making this candle was such a special way for me to say ‘thank you,’ to a truly extraordinary person in my life.

Find your light and inspiration at Pure Light in Laguna Beach. Walk-ins are welcome, or if you don’t have the time to stay and make your candle, you can choose your embellishments and have a candle artist make it for you. You can also book a candle making party for children or adults.

More Pure Light Deals:

Mondays are Pure Color Days, when you select your candle, the pour is the same color for a solid finish.

Thursdays are Ladies Day with 20% off their entire creation.

Fridays are for Couples with 20% off each of their candle creations.

Sundays are Kid’s Days (age 4-17) with 20% off their creations.

By Anne-Marie S.

Sawdust Art Festival

Walking into the Sawdust Art Festival you are transported into another world, one that can be explained in one word…community. Every time I have visited the festival over the last six years or so, I have the same whimsical feeling that I always had as a child growing up in a small town, that feeling of being surrounded by friends.  That is what Sawdust is, a place for friends to meet and to share in the beauty that both life and creativity have to offer.

A few of the bright spots my family and I found this year:

The Ceramic Center is what stirred that old comforting feeling of community and creativity.  On a first come, first serve basis, you can throw your own pot on a potter’s wheel. You have the opportunity to make something for free taking home your project that day, or pay $15 to have your creation fired and glazed and then mailed to you. What a great hands on experience of art!

Just about everyday you can count on live music at Sawdust in three different venues. The Main Deck is nestled high among the eucalyptus trees that provides a shady and cool getaway to kick back and listen to the music rise.

Every Wednesday is ‘Walkabout Wednesdays,’ which is a self-guided tour to observe artist performing their craft. We saw Nita Skaggs painting and my children were captivated! They had seen a “real, live artist” painting and they couldn’t seem to get close enough to her.

I couldn’t pass up on an all-time favorite spot…Patches Cunningham’s toe ring booth. These rings, which you can get in gold or sterling silver, are perfectly fitted to your toes. Each year the booth is cleverly named after a popular film, this year it is AVATOE!

Can you spot the toe rings?

All in all there is something for everyone at Sawdust Art Festival. The staff is helpful, the artist are there to speak with and are more than happy to answer questions, and of course you may find something unique and inspiring to purchase. For all the happenings at the Sawdust Art Festival visit: www.sawdustartfestival.org

By Anne-Marie S.