Readers’ Choice Awards 2016 – Lifestyle & Services

Best Family Photography Studio

Ana Brandt Photography – Debut Winner

Ana Brandt is an internationally-sought after photographer, specializing in breathtaking maternity, newborn, children and family images. Although she travels to Rome, Brazil, Sydney and New York teaching family photography workshops, her home base is at her Old Town Tustin studio, adjacent to her lovely boutique of curated baby items. She travels with her team to do location shoots, or to photograph children and families in their homes, throughout Orange County and LA. (We are thrilled the readers got it right on this one — we are proud to have Ana’s talents grace our cover every month!)

www.bellybabylove.com | Tustin

Best Nanny/Babysitting Service

OC Nannies & Newport Domestics

OC Nannies & Newport Domestics screens, fingerprints, and selects, only the best individuals and confidently places them in a home to meet the needs of each individual and family. For over 30 years they have provided the most qualified cooks, housekeepers, personal assistants, and nannies for thousands of families.

www.ocnannies.com | Newport Beach

Best Independent Bookstore

Once Upon a Storybook

This community gem was almost lost this spring, before a benefactor swooped in to helped in the eleventh hour. Tustin, and neighboring cities’ families who also fell for the pink-doored entrance to a literary wonderland, could not be more thrilled. The shop features weekly storytimes, author signings, crafts, parties, fairy nooks and train tables, even dogs that listen to kids read.

www.onceuponastorybook.us | Tustin

Editor’s Pick: Place to Adopt a Pet

Barks of Love

Barks of Love is an all-breed non-profit dog rescue in OC committed to match-making the perfect dogs with their perfect families. 100% No Kill and 100% Foster-based, pups in their care enjoy loving temporary homes, rather than sterile kennel cages, while waiting for their forever families. Catering only to the needs of OC canines, board members complete screening, home checks and meet-and-greet of prospective new OC owners.

www.barksoflove.org | Fullerton

Best Birthing Center

Hoag Hospital

As 26% of moms in Orange County know, Hoag Hospital delivers. An advanced fetal diagnostic testing unit at the Sue and Bill Gross Women’s Pavilion monitors the health of both mother and her unborn baby in a relaxed setting, while a state-of-the-art seven-bed antepartum unit accommodates women who require hospitalization prior to labor (located adjacent to the 18 fully equipped labor, delivery, and recovery suites as well as three dedicated cesarean operating rooms). The Certified Baby-Friendly Birth Facility takes family from “plus sign” to bundle of joy, with onsite education classes.

www.hoag.org | Newport Beach

Best Independent Toy Store

Knock Knock Toys

Celebrating ten years of matching just the right toy to just the right child, this is a local independent store that really cares. Besides being able to wander through shelves of unique quality play items from around the world, parents love the complimentary gift wrapping, often done with panache by the owner, herself.

www.knockknocktoystore.com | Seal Beach