Nicely Polished

After my little spa day with my niece (“First Time At The Spa” entry), it got me thinking about nail polish colors.  The color I had for my nails was chosen by my niece and called “Too good for you” (I can’t recall the brand).  It was a sparkly electric light blue color that I would not normally choose.  But because she knows I like the nearly black indigo blue colors for my toes, she picked out a brighter blue for my nails.

A memory that just sparked was the time my dad gave me nail polish and a nail drying lamp for Christmas one year.  That was one of the most thoughtful gifts from him because he knew how much I loved to either go to a salon, or paint my own nails.  He even told me then that he asked the lady at the counter in Robinsons May (before it was Macys) to help pick out a youthful color.  He ended up with a burnt orange color that was beautiful in the bottle and on the nail.  I will always remember that Christmas with fondness because I could just imagine my very Filipino father walking into that department with no clue what to get, just to ensure that he got me something I would like.

At first, I always got red nails.  Then I moved into the coppers.  I started to wear an iridescent color that was nearly a pearl color indoors, but out in the sun, it turned a mauve color.  I wore that for a very long time. 

Every now and again, I’ll go back to brighter colors, but I’m really just so drawn to very dark colors or simply black.  Black nails can be incredibly sophisticated, but it allows me to bring out my inner goth. 

I’ve always loved the colors by Opi, and my favorite is Russian Navy, which they have in their regular shine, but I just found out that they also a matte and a suede.  It’s a deep indigo that looks nearly purple, but turns into this wonderful deep blue when in sunlight.  There’s just enough sparkle to bring out a shine, no matter how dark the polish is. 

Now that I’m writing this, I think I’ll go back to Happy Nails and have them repaint my nails the “Midnight Blue”, which is just a substitute for Russian Navy.  I thank my niece for the break in routine during our spa day, but somethings are nice when they stay the same.

Home Brewed

Everyone is trying to save a little here and there, including myself.  Rather than going out on a regular basis to coffee houses to get that specialized espresso drink, try making a home brewed version.  Because of my love of anything coffee related, some of my friends used to think that I have a really pricey espresso machine at home.  I actually have a more inexpensive way to get the kind of caffeinated drink I like whenever I want.  My aunt who lived in Italy for many years (but now lives in Toronto) said this is the only way they made espresso, and was pleasantly surprised to see this is how I make my espresso when she came to visit.

Here’s an idea of how much you can save:  A great new machine from Illy called the Capresso Café Espresso and Cappuccino Machine costs around $159 and uses the E.S.E. pods (pre-filled), as well as regular ground espresso (coffee not included).

Total cost for my home brewed version, including coffee (Ground Espresso Dark Roast $28 for a pack of 2 cans on Illy.com):  $50

The Moka Pot is used to “cook” the espresso on the stove top (basically a percolator).  This sized Moka Pot makes around 4 shots of espresso (1 cup).  Bialetti Moka Pot $20 on Illy.com 

 This battery operated device is from Ikea and will froth milk, making it foamy (for you mommies out there, you can also use it as a formula mixer!).  Produkt Milk Frother $1.99 on Ikea.com.

To create your favorite espresso based drink:  Make the espresso using the Moka pot on the stove top (1 heaping tablespoon of ground espresso, 1 cup of water), medium heat to prevent boiling over; remove from heat once the liquid fills the top portion of the pot.  Heat the milk in a microwave safe cup for about 1 minute, then froth.  Add shots of espresso and flavored syrup to taste (my favorite is Torani).  Serve hot or add ice and enjoy! 

Clubhouse Cool

 

H&M shirt, Crazy 8 onesie, Greendog denim shorts, Stride Rite sandals

Even Dominic likes a nice relaxing weekend.   On Saturday, we went to a friend’s birthday pool party.  While we didn’t hit the water, we found a comfy and cool daybed/couch by a window in the clubhouse overlooking the pool area.  He snacked on fruits and played with the blinds.

Ah to be 18 months old…

Designer Diapers?

As a fairly new mom, I think about fashion for my son all the time.  There are so many cute things out there, and some are worth it, while others can be passed by.

I’m a Pampers mom.  I have tried a few different diapers out there for Dominic, but I found that their Cruisers Dry Max diapers are the best for him (the overnight ones are best for travelling).  When I saw the Cynthia Rowley Dry Max diapers for Pampers at Target, I really did take another look because of the cute designs.  However, when you can get a box of 64 count, size 4, regular Cruisers Dry Max for $19.99 vs a package of 23 count, Cynthia Rowley Dry Max for $14.99, the overall value overrides the design.

Besides, who can see those cute designer diapers under his Diesel jeans anyway, right?

Deal of the Day: Pacifica Del Mar

My friend Angi and I went out to dinner last week at Pacifica Del Mar in Del Mar, California.  I had eaten there before with my friend Janice, so I knew it was a great place to have dinner.  The atmosphere is very California cool and they have a beautiful view of the ocean from their outdoor seating.  The food is fresh and flavorful, and their dinner prices range from $25-$50.  My favorites were the appetizers: Angi had the Ahi Tuna Tartare (pictured below) and I had the Dungeness Crab Cakes.  Tasty! 

Ahi Tuna Tartare

They also have a great rewards program that you can sign up for and immediately receive a $25 gift certificate, which is why this is the deal of the day.   Click on the link below to be taken to their website so you can view their rewards program.  Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page on their website to see the listed information below.  Happy dining!  

Pacifica Del Mar 

Rewards Program 

Sign up and instantly receive $25 off your next visit 

Some EXCLUSIVE member benefits 

–         Receive a $25 gift certificate on your birthday and membership anniversary 

–         Earn points for ever dollar spent and redeem for gift certificates 

–         Your points are tracked automatically 

 SIGN UP AT PACIFICA DEL MAR OR PACIFICA BREEZE 

Fashion Rocks

Ian Curtis Dress – Idil Vice

In my search for Joy Division memorabilia on Ebay earlier this year, I stumbled upon a dress that was probably one of the coolest items of clothing I had seen in a long time.  It wasn’t a concert/band t-shirt that someone somehow manufactured into a dress.  This was a dress with the actual print on it.

I searched the designer and found out her name is Idil Vice, a Swiss native who is designing in Manhattan.  This Joy Division/Ian Curtis dress is from her Fashion Rocks line, which she calls, “a very stylish alternative to the printed rock t-shirt!”

Of course, seeing the Joy Division section prompted me to look for other bands that I like.  I found that Sex Pistols skirt, as seen in my “Net-a-Poseur” entry and a very nice Billy Idol skirt.  There is even a picture of Gwen Stefani wearing a Specials vest.

I started to look for anything Depeche Mode, and I found it!  She created a dress and skirt from the “Violator” album, one of my favorite Depeche Mode albums ever.  I needed to ask a question about the sizing, and Ms. Idil Vice

Depeche Mode “Violator” skirt – Idil Vice

wrote back to me herself (I’ve had very good luck with that lately, check out my “About” section).  I’m still deciding which one I want:  If I get the dress, I can throw a cardigan, blazer or denim jacket over it; and if I get the skirt, I can wear whatever top I want with it.  Decisions, decisions!

Idil Vice has created items from so many different bands like The Ramones and The Beatles, to current artists like Lady Gaga.  She also includes television shows, movies, actors and pop culture icons (like Popeye and Elvira).  Her collection does not stop at skirts and dresses.  She has created jackets, hoodies, pants, sweaters, accessories and even baby clothing.  Here’s an amazing plus:  If you can’t find what you want, you can request it and it can possibly be made into a piece of clothing!

So if you want something other than the rock t-shirt, check out Fashion Rocks by Idil Vice.  Your inner rock star will thank you.

Update:  Please check out her blog (link in my blog roll).  Idil has added me to her “cool related blogs” section.  Thanks Idil!

Bloomingdale’s: Cargo and Carry

Blank Skinny Cargo Pants - Bloomingdale's

I’m loving the “Skinny Cargo” style that I’ve been seeing lately.  Bloomingdale’s has a nice section on their site called “Denim Alternatives” that shows off the brands they have for this cute trend. 

My husband loves the cargo shorts to play golf in and to relax in for our mini family trips on the weekends.  So now my son has adopted his relaxed style with his own little cargo shorts.  I’ve always liked that rugged yet urban/utilitarian look cargos have, especially now that it’s in a slimmer more stylish look which fits my taste a bit more. 

What I also found on the Bloomies site was their “Bag A Day” give away.   If you just found out about it like I did (how did I miss that email?), then you also missed out on a weeks worth of  “Bag A Day” entries.  Fear not my fellow fashionista!  There is still time to get in on the action until August 15th.  Just go to the Bloomingdale’s site and click on the link on the very bottom of the page to enter your information, or you can click here:  Bag A Day.  I’ve already started my entries…is it wishful thinking to start making room for in my closet for them? 

Still For Sale: Prada Shoes

The shoes that I had on sale previously on ebay have not sold yet.  I’ve lowered the price, so check it out and get great shoes at a great price!

Prada Black Open Toe Pumps Size 40 – ebay

UPDATE AS OF AUG 4:  These have been SOLD, thank you for looking!

Endless Summer Wedges

Admittedly, I’m a fall kind of gal.  American football season begins, Vogue’s September Issue comes out, I like the cooler weather, and most of all I love the new lines of boots, jackets and sweaters that the fall will bring.  But since it’s still hot here in San Diego (sort of, it’s a bit grey these days), I’m gonna hang on a little to the heat by wearing my lighter summer wedges clear into Labor Day.  Granted, although we can wear pretty much anything at anytime here in sunny California, I always start to transform my wardrobe completely when the cooler weather hits.  Along with those Corlett wedges I got from Aldo (in the “Girlie Stuff” entry and below), here are some great wedges that I plan to add to my shoe collection before football season rolls around.

Endless summer?  Not too difficult in America’s Finest City.

Corlett Wedge – Aldo;  Alani Chain Demi Wedge Thong – Tory Burch;  ‘Snick’ Platform Sandal by Jeffrey Campbell  – Nordstrom;  Kava by Kelsi Dagger – Zappos;  Amber Wedge Sandal – MICHAEL Michael Kors;  Navy Stripe Calypso Canvas Wedge – Toms

Razor Sharp

The music rises at the thrashing of the ocean.  As the orchestra hits a crescendo and snaps, the waters break and leaping out of the waves is one of the most feared predators known to man…

Shark Week has begun.  I don’t know when it happened, but it has become an event.   There are shirts available with catchy phrases like “Go Shark Yourself” and my husband even saw an article on Yahoo asking how are YOU planning your Shark Week viewing party? 

It began on the Discovery Channel back in 1987, so it’s been on the air for 23 years.  I’ve have always known there was a Shark Week, but I didn’t realize that it was something that has been on the air for so long.  My husband and I look forward to it every year.  One of our favorite episodes was the one about tonic immobility, which is a natural state of paralysis.  The shark can stay in this state for 15 minutes before recovering.  Just watching the scientists place these great predators in that kind of state so that they can be in the same waters with them without a cage is incredible to watch.

When I was 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a marine biologist (in addition to becoming a nurse, a doctor, and a stewardess).  When I went on field trips in elementary school to the Scripps Aquarium or to Sea World, I always left with some kind of book on marine life and one of them was about sharks.  Even recently, when we went to Sea World with our son, Deon’s mother and cousin, we made a point to visit the Shark Encounter and most of the things we bought for Dominic were shark related.

So, Happy Shark Week everyone!  It all begins tonight at 9pm EST on The Discovery Channel.