Category Archives: Randomness

Pardon The Interruption: Pining For Pins!

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I’m so sorry my posting schedule has been a bit off lately.  My work schedule at my new job is a bit out of the norm, and I’m really trying to get used to a Tuesday through Saturday shift, with Sunday and Monday being my weekend.  Such as the life of a call center supervisor!  Even with all of the chaos it has created in my mind, it has allowed me to hang out with my sister a bit more, so I can do more outfit posts on a regular basis. I’ll be putting up a catch up post soon of events I’ve attended in the last few months, along with some product reviews.

In the meantime, please enjoy the glory that is the jacket containing 25 pins I recently won in a contest held by Pinlord on Instagram (original picture on my Instagram here)!  My collection has risen to over 100 pins and is growing each month.  One of my catch up posts will be about my first pin event that I attended with my sister, niece and son back in March.  You can start to see the build up of my newest obsession that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon!

In the meantime, pardon again for the interruption and hope you’re having a great week, cheers!

Adore Me Asks: How Do You Netflix & Chill?

Netflix & Chill with Adore Me

 

Being out and about is always fun, but sometimes you need a night in to lounge around.  Recently, Adore Me (the online lingerie retailer), inspired bloggers to share what we consider to be a good “Netflix & Chill” sort of night.  The funny part about it was the timing:  my husband was away in Palm Springs at a golf tournament a few weekends ago, which meant a night in on my own.  So while our son was in his room playing video games, I hung out in our living room treating myself to my favorite snacks, curled up with a comfy blanket and had a “Netflix Night”!  We have been subscribers for a long time, so I ended up watching the 80s cult hit Heathers, an 80s inspired Irish gem called Sing Street and re-watched the last season of the Netflix series starring Jamie Dornan called The Fall.
I know Adore Me has adorable underwear and lingerie that you can purchase through their showroom or through a monthly subscription, but they also have cute sleepwear, which I’m more inclined to wear during a night in.  For instance, I usually wear cute pajama bottoms or shorts with my favorite worn-in concert t-shirt from the 80s.
So how do you Netflix & Chill?

Modern Map Art: San Diego

Record Wall

I have been working with my husband on enhancing our bedroom since we’ve been married.  He got a great start a couple of years ago when he decided to get all of our records in order by putting together shelving and created a wonderful wall space showcasing our love for music and travel.  London, Paris and New York are always represented, because it’s so easy to find murals, maps and cityscapes of those major international cities.  As much as I love those cities, especially London, I also adore my hometown of San Diego.

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This San Diego city street map by Modern Map Art is the perfect way to incorporate my city into our decor, without detracting from the simplicity my husband and I crave.  This print comes in four different colors, but this black & white version complements everything in our room, and I love that my hometown is beautifully represented.  Pictured is the 16×20 version, but they come in five different sizes from 8×10 to 24×36.  Modern Map Art has over 500 renderings of maps from all over the world, so I’m sure you can find one of your favorite city, or maybe for someone special as a gift.

Thank you Modern Map Art for the lovely print.  It holds a pride of place in our room!

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FTC Disclosure:  I received product in exchange for a product review for Modern Map Art.  Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Pardon the Interruption: Did It Just Get “Darker”?

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I wish I could put  *winky smiley face* in the title, but alas, I can’t!  Sorry I haven’t been posting lately.  I just started a new job, which is nearly 45 minutes away from home, so I’m trying to figure out a good time-table to do my outfit posts and other posts that I have to schedule throughout the week.  I will most definitely post about something that I did attend recently, and I promise to do a full review:

I attended the Fifty Shades Darker movie premiere and masquerade ball in Los Angeles!  

I am a long time fan of the franchise (some posts here, here, here and here), so I decided to enter a Fifty Shades Darker listing for the possibility to attend the premiere…just in case.  Well, I received my invite earlier this week, made arrangements with my new job to leave for a half day and attended the event with my best friend, Janice!  It was everything I hoped it would be, including an appearance by Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.  Also, the movie is far better and more intense than I could have imagined.  If anyone was doubtful of the chemistry between the main characters, this sequel will dispel all of that.  It definitely goes where the original movie did not.  Here’s a hint for those watching the movie next week (which includes myself, because I’ll be seeing it again, with my friend Zach):  STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS, it will be SO worth it.

So again, pardon the interruption and I’ll be posting regularly again next week!

One More Day to Get Your Photo With Santa at Fashion Valley!

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Can you believe Christmas is already this weekend?  I received the last package today to complete our son’s Christmas present, in addition to finally sending out all of our holiday cards.  One last thing we also took care of this week was Dominic’s traditional photo with Santa at Fashion Valley’s Santa Photo Experience.  If you still need to take care of some last-minute shopping or get that photo with Santa, Fashion Valley will be open on Christmas Eve from 8am to 6pm.  Fashion Valley always look beautiful during the holiday season.  I’ve included some pictures of when Dominic and I attended their tree lighting ceremony last month.

Cheers and I wish you all a wonderful, healthy and safe holiday!

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Dominic gets a kick out of taking pictures with any cast of characters.  He was excited to learn that The Grinch knew about his favorite game, Fallout!

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There’s always wonderful free snacks available at Fashion Valley’s Tree Lighting event!

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Dominic thought long and hard about what he wanted to ask Santa for Christmas!

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Santa helped to countdown the lighting of the tree!

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After the tree was lit, everyone was invited for cookies and crafts!

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Wishing you a Happy Holidays!

Absolutely Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide 2016: The Carlsbad Edition!

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For the third year running, I humbly present again my last-minute holiday gift guide!  I am notorious for waiting until the last-minute, so for those of you who suffer from the same affliction, this is the guide for you.  For this year’s gift guide, I thought I would put a local spin on things and give those of you in the San Diego area places to actually go and grab some great last-minute holiday presents from some of my favorite shops in the Carlsbad area.

Happy Shopping!


Wysh Boutique

Wysh Boutique is one of my favorite boutiques in Carlsbad.   Located in the Village Faire at Carlsbad, they not only have fashionable clothing and accessories, but great gift ideas and gift certificates!

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Gaia Gelato

Also located at the Village Faire, Gaia Gelato has gift cards, but I wouldn’t mind getting gifted a box of their yummy French macarons!

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Sock District

Sock District is new to the Village Faire, so I welcomed them by immediately purchasing a couple of pairs to gift to my sister.  If you visit their site (link above), you can purchase electronic gift cards for your friends and family to shop in their store or online!

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The Beat Clothing

Another one of my Carlsbad favorites, The Beat Clothing has everything you could want for your edgy fashionista friends.  Astrid Montalvo is their on-site stylist and she can help you find the perfect outfit for that concert-goer in your life, or give the gift of rock inspired clothing, shoes and accessories through a gift certificate!

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Spin Records

Of course I need to include a place where you can give the gift of music, and my favorite place to do some digging in Carlsbad is at Spin Records.  I was just there and purchased a white vinyl 7-inch single of Johnny Cash’s The Man Comes Around with his cover of Personal Jesus (pictured below).  They also have t-shirts, buttons, patches and gift certificates for that crate digger in your life!

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Note:  This is not a sponsored post.  Although I mention specific shops, all suggestions are strictly my own. 

Fashion Valley’s Tree Lighting Celebration Tomorrow 11/12/16!

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Tomorrow is Fashion Valley’s Tree Lighting Celebration!  It will be an evening packed full of events, leading up to the lighting of the Christmas Tree.  We had a great time last year, and I know it will be just as fabulous tomorrow.  I’ll be there with my family, and we hope to see you there, too.  Cheers!


TREE LIGHTING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2016

HOLIDAY GIFT BAG & PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Simon Welcome Booth next to Sports Fever.

3:00 PM – The first 200 revelers in line to make the nice list will receive Fashion Valley swag bags filled with retailer surprises.

3:00 – 7:00 PM – Register for a chance to win a $250 Simon Giftcard®

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL

3:00 – 7:00 PM – River Plaza, near the AMC Theaters

From the “Letters to Santa” station to the holiday photo booth, there’s lots to do and see at the Holiday Festival. Also, enjoy face painting, holiday crafts, and costumed characters, as we host a festive atmosphere just for kids!

3:30 PM & 4:30PM – Storytime with the Grinch

Come see the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes this Saturday at the Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration! The Grinch himself will stop by and read his story to tell us all just how he stole Christmas. Come experience all the fun.

MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINMENT

4:30 – 6:30 PM – Main Stage near Boudin Bakery

Festive show by the Salvation Army brass band as they perform popular holiday carols.

6:00 PM – Tree Lighting Countdown begins!

Get ready for Santa to flip the switch to light the new 40 foot interactive tree.

MACY’S COURT

After the Tree Lighting, enjoy refreshments provided by Better Buzz and cookies provided by STACKED. Also, make magical memories with your family and have photos taken with Santa at the Santa House in Macy’s Court.


For more information, please visit http://www.shopfashionvalleymall.com or call 619-688-9113.

 Follow Fashion Valley on these social media channels:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/fashionvalleyca

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FashionValleyMall

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fashionvalleyca/

(Photo taken at last year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, post here)

Pardon The Interruption: Momentarily Offline

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I’m SO sorry for the lack of posts lately!  My blog is in the middle of transition, and I had to move it to another server.  I think everything should be good now, and I’ll put up some posts soon.  So pardon the interruption and I’ll get back to blogging this week!

(Image courtesy of First Baptist Columbia)

Fashionably Late: August 2016 Events!

Catching Up Any Second Now

I cannot believe yet another month has come and gone!  Dominic is now back in school and we’re settling in for our Fall/Winter schedule.  This year, it means fitting in lots of school events, as well as accommodating my work/blogging/concert-going schedule with my husband’s busy business travel/golf schedule.  Speaking of concerts, I’ll do a recap soon, and will call out special concerts like the Rick Astley concert at the famous Troubador at the beginning of August.  Yes, you read that right:  Rick Astley, famous for the hit “Never Gonna Give You Up”, played only two sold-out shows in the US this year, one in New York and one in LA.  My best friend, Janice and I not only got to witness Rick all live and up close, but we also got to meet him afterwards!

So here is the mini-catch up, followed by separate posts for Elite Netoworking Group’s “A Night of Fashion & Fun” & the ZIUR Designs Fall 2016 Fashion Show.

Cheers and here’s to another great month!


Golf Channel AM Tour 2016 Wrap-Up

GCAM Tour 2016 Top Finishes Collage

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I am very proud to say that my husband closed out the 2016 Golf Channel Amateur Tour by not only promoting from the Hogan flight to the Palmer flight in their “Journey to Better“, but he was also named “Player of the Year” in his previous flight!  Congratulations honey!


Love Tatum Sample Sale – 8/6/16

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At the beginning of August, I took Dominic and Joey for the last sample sale at Love Tatum.  It was my first time visiting Tatum’s studio, and since she has an adorable little French Bulldog, I knew it would be okay to bring Joey along for the outing.  I bought a new little silver ring and Dominic enjoyed the refreshments.

Also, congratulations to Tatum for being selected as a finalist for the “Woman of the Year 2016” through San Diego Magazine!


National Accessory Month at Bubbles Boutique – 8/13/16

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Lindsay of Affordably Accessorized

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With Fatsani, one of the talented co-founders of TaSanni Designs

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With Gayleen, owner of Bubbles Boutique (I bought that cute little top and purse)

Lindsay Ryan of Affordably Accessorized is a blogger friend and fellow San Diego Style Blogger.  She announced the debut of August as “National Accessory Month” and asked bloggers and influencers to celebrate accessorizing and accessories all through the month.  I participated in one of her events at Bubbles Boutique mid-month, and not only did I get to spend some time with Lindsay herself, but I got to see Fatsani of TaSanni Designs and chatted with Bubbles Boutique owner Gayleen.  I also participated myself with showcasing some of my favorite accessories on Instagram and here on my blog.  Looking forward to what next year has in store!


Pre-KAABOO Party at Mercedes-Benz El Cajon – 8/13/16

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With Vanessa of Vanessa Balli, host of the Pre-KAABOO Party at Mercedes-Benz of El Cajon

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With davyrockett, Sandi King and Joshua Taylor of King Taylor Project.  They are so awesome live, check out their show listing here!

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Right after I left Bubbles Boutique, I headed over to Mercedes-Benz of El Cajon to check out the festivities as fellow blogger Vanessa Balli hosted the Pre-KAABOO Party!  Food was provided by Sausage & Meat, raffle prizes were given away every hour, pampering was done inside the showroom, and live music was provided by King Taylor Project and their friend davyrockett.

It definitely was a nice day to get out and enjoy a taste of what it will be like at KAABOO.  Are you going?  I’m going on Saturday September 17, courtesy of the tickets my friend Angi won at the Foodie Fest Encinitas Media Party back in May (post here)!

Fashionably Late: June & July 2016 Events!

Catching Up Any Second Now

Yes I know, it’s me again, LATE as usual!  It has been very crazy lately with lots of work events, dealing with exterminators and the newest addition to the family: Joey, who we adopted from Clear The Shelters!  This “Catching Up” post will cover June and July, then I’ll get through August in another post.

Have a great weekend, cheers!


“LIVING IN STYLE” AT POTTERY BARN, FASHION VALLEY – 6/12/16

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In June, I attended the “Living in Style” event hosted by stylist Dean Hall and Autumn Ajirotutu of WAGS (who also has a blog, Temptasteious), at Pottery Barn at Fashion Valley.  She is the wife of Seyi Ajirotutu, who was formerly with the San Diego Chargers and most recently of the Philadelphia Eagles, but is now a free agent.  They both styled some fantastic tables in-store, and Autumn baked delicious treats, which Dominic very much enjoyed!


SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR – 6/18/16

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Yes, that is Chicken & Waffles on a Stick and it was everything I hoped it would be!

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I think my hubby wants that Steelers neon sign, what do you think?

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Our brave boy, always ready to try something new, like holding a frog as big as his head!

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I don’t think I documented our adventures at The San Diego County Fair last year on the blog, but I always do everything in real-time if you follow me on my Instagram.  In addition to the Chicken & Waffles on a Stick, I also dove into the French Toast Bacon Bombs head first because it’s what you do at a fair!


COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL – 7/23/16

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Power Puff Girls IRL (sort of)!

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Adventures in South Park:  Not sure what my husband is doing in the picture below, but I think it has to do with Santa Claus?!

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As we did last year, we ventured around outside the world-famous Comic Con because tickets are not as easy to get as they were, once upon a time!  But we still had fun because they’re just so much to do and look at all around the San Diego Convention Center and we were pretty exhausted by the time we got around to it all.

Just for fun, here are my passes from previous years, when you could walk up to the box office and purchase them on the day of the Comic Con.  Those were the days!

Old Comic Con Passes


CLEAR THE SHELTERS – 7/23/16

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For new adoptive pet parents, wonderful free services are offered from their first vet visit to their first grooming session.  We took Joey to Preen 2 Pristine and he got an adorable little bandana after he was groomed fresh and clean!

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Right after the Comic Con, we decided to adopt our newest family member from the Clear the Shelters event.  Meet Joey, our 1.5 year old Chihuahua mix!  He is amazing and we didn’t even have to “potty” train him, so someone must have taken good care of him when he was a puppy.  The description on his cage stated he was good for kids 8 and older, so the handler allowed us to play with Joey prior to making the decision, and so she could see if Dominic would be compatible with him.  Joey and Dominic played well together, and now Joey is a part of our family!

We absolutely love him and we’re so glad we adopted!


MEETING ERICA STOLMAN OF FASHION LUSH AT UNO DE 50, FASHION VALLEY – 7/30/16

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Free gifts with my purchase below!

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At the end of July, I stopped by to meet Erica of the blog Fashion Lush at her Uno de 50 event at Fashion Valley, who is absolutely adorable and sweet in person!

This was my first time really getting a look at the Uno de 50 jewelry up close, and they have a lot of very cool silver pieces.  I liked the skull bracelet I purchased because the leather was brown, and I got a few cool “gifts with purchase” like a shirt, Godiva gift card and another bracelet!