Ponyo Loves Sosuke

Given the recent heatwave, we decided to take our boys (2 and 4) to see a movie and pretty much just picked any "G-rated" film that was playing in Del Mar, since we planned to hit the beach afterwards. We were so beautifully surprised by Ponyo.


Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki teamed with Disney to create this animated story of Ponyo, a magical girl-goldfish (voice by Noah Cyrus, sister of Miley) who is rescued by an adorable 5-year-old boy named Sosuke (voice of Frankie Jonas, the little brother of the Jonas Brothers).

Sosuke's mom is voiced by Tina Fey and father is Matt Dillon, add in Liam Neeson and Cate Blanchett and it's a star-filled endeavor, but it is the pure imagination and love and honor of a little boy that is what you will remember.


The drawings are so creative and mesmerizing, it truly is a piece of art. And if you like the modern, hip anime this is a very cool way to spend a few hours.


Click here to check out the movie trailer, but honestly, no matter your age - go see this beautiful film!


THE TIP: It takes a great theater to host a great movie, and oftentimes the surroundings can make or break your movie experience. So I have to give a shout out to UltraStar Del Mar Highlands 8 theater, where we saw the movie.

It is not the most modern theater, but the guy working the concessions actually came INTO the theater to find me to let me know the latte machine had been fixed (very sweet gesture, he must have seen the sadness in my eyes at the lack of caffeine after carting around with the kiddos all day - thanks!)

Full-day conference for mompreneurs

We are excited for a great conference coming to town. The "Moms in Business Unite" conference will take place Sept 16th and is focused to help new business owners get started, existing business owners become more efficient or take their business to the next level, and help inspiring inventors bring their concept to reality!

Date: September 16, 2009
Place: University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
Conference Session Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Award/Grant Presentation and Reception: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Keynote speakers are the Boogie Moms, Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, creators of Boggie Wipes which is selling in 30,000 retail stores nationwide.

More details at http://www.momsinbusinessunite.com/

This all day educational conference, complete with keynote speaker, panel discussions, breakout sessions, new inventor showcase, networking, award ceremony, resource marketplace, and childcare to support and promote the growing number of women and mom-owned businesses.

THE TIP: Get a 10% discount courtesy of our friend Liz, just enter "Ameriprise" in the promo box when you register for the conference.

EVA Restaurant coming soon!

Remember the amazing chef we first introduced you to in 2007...? Chef Mark Gold...

We were excited to learn that he had received an "excellent" rating by the LA Times Food Critic and are even more excited now to learn that he is achieving his dream of opening his own restaurant on Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles.

So of course we have to go check out his amazing cooking in his new place.... so stay tuned for our first Friends With Class roadtrip to check out the upcoming EVA Restaurant.

The foodie blog and news world is abuzz with info about this hot new restaurant... Read more at: http://www.foodgps.com/mark-gold-claims-hatfields-space-for-eva/

THE TIP: Mark has something very special planned for Sundays... menu based on what was most fresh at the Farmer's Market that day and free-flowing wine, love it!