Have you ever shopped at Fleur de Lys in Costa Mesa?  If not, you are really missing out!  And if you have, you know what I’m talking about – it’s a charming shop where you can always find the perfect gift for the person who has everything!  They sell lots of amazing gift items, including my favorite ever perfume, Tokyo Milk.

And throughout the month of July, Fleur de Lys has partnered with Homefront America and Operation Gratitude to help support our military families.  You mean I can shop at one of my favorite stores AND help military families?!?  That’s a win-win for sure!

Real OC Daughter and I are super excited to help out with the school supply drive.  Fleur de Lys is collecting new backpacks and school supplies for Homefront America’s “Pack for Success” program.  This program provides backpacks and school supplies to children stationed at local military bases. We went to Target and picked out some fun supplies, along with a cute princess backpack, and are looking forward to sending it off to a little girl starting school in the fall.

They are also collecting items for care packages (snacks, toiletries, socks, etc.) and new stuffed animals to be dressed in fatigues and given to children whose parents are being deployed overseas.  These are all such great ways to help out the men and women who work so hard for us.

Finally, the weekend of July 30th and 31st, Fleur de Lys will donate 20% of all sales to support our military families.  They will also have snacks provided by Plum’s restaurant, which is right next door to the shop and SO yummy!

So, if you’re looking for a fun way to help out in the community and get your kids involved, consider checking out Fleur de Lys this month to help support our military.

Many of us have heard of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – a national phenomenon started by a 4-year old girl to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research.  I just learned, though, from Kelly over at I Heart Old Towne Orange, that we have our own such hometown hero right here in Orange County!

This Tuesday, May 31st, 8-year old Lillith will kick off her 2nd annual Lily’s Lemonade Stand.  Cherry On Top, the frozen yogurt place in Old Towne Orange, will be donating 50% of all their proceeds to Lily’s Lemonade Stand from 4 – 7 pm.  Frozen yogurt for a good cause?!?  Who can resist that?

On June 11th, Lily will have her lemonade stand from 11 am – 2 pm at 205 N. Flower Street in Orange.  She raised $825 last year, and her goal this year is $1,000.  Please consider helping her meet her goal!

You can read more about Lily here.

Saturday, May 14th at the Lakeside Lagoon in Irvine (behind Wild Rivers and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater) is the Second Annual OC Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.  Preeclampsia affects 1 in 12 pregnancies and affects both the mother and child.  It can be fatal.

Meredith Drews, the founder of the walk, developed preeclampsia in 2007 in her second pregnancy with twin girls.  At 24 weeks into her pregnancy, she developed severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.  She nearly lost her life and her baby girls died.  Afterward, she became involved with the Preeclampsia Foundation and last year, she started the walk to help raise awareness, and to fund research to find a cure.  The walks are also a way to help support families who have been touched by preeclampsia – there is comfort in numbers.

Meredith is another example of a Real Mom doing good in the OC.  And as a mom who has experienced loss myself, I applaud her courage and her efforts.  If you have been touched by preeclampsia, or want to help support this amazing cause, please visit the Promise Walk website HERE.  There are lots of ways to get involved – you can walk, sponsor a walker, or make a general donation.

Let’s help support our fellow Real OC Moms!

We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place, that sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are people in need all around us.  So I love when a great opportunity to help out my community comes up!

The District at Tustin Legacy, in partnership with the Tustin Auto Center, is calling on the community to fill ‘Baskets of Hope’ for the Orange County Rescue Mission this Spring for those in need. Participants will have a chance to win a $500 shopping spree by bringing in a bag of nonperishable food items to participating stores and restaurants at The District between April 10th and April 30th.

Stores include:
-Whole Foods Market
-SportClips
-RA Sushi
-Auld Dubliner Irish Pub
-Pablo’s Cantina
-Farmer’s & Merchants Bank
-Ben & Jerry’s
-Peet’s Coffee & Tea
-Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant

If you’re in the neighborhood, or want a good excuse to go enjoy a dinner out, please consider bringing in a bag of food.  It’s such an easy way to help out a local family in need!