Any Second Now

Catching Up: Kia Classic 2018

Back at it again, and I’m catching up on events as it’s been quite the busy few weeks! If you follow my blog regularly, then you will know that my husband, Deon, is not just a fan of golf, but he is an amazing golfer as well, winning eight amateur tournaments. Every now and again, we get the chance to attend a professional golfing event, and this year our first one was the LPGA Kia Classic in Carlsbad. Deon’s favorite golfer is Paula Creamer, but we missed her as we attended the second to the last day of the event. We ended up following Brooke Henderson and Lydia Ko for the bulk of the time we attended and we got to see Michelle Wie get interviewed after her round was finished. Check out the amazing picture Deon captured below!

The tournament took place at Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club and made me appreciate my hometown even more because I feel like I’m discovering time and time again that San Diego is simply one the prettiest cities in the world. It was lovely to walk around with Deon as he is so knowledgeable about the sport, and he’s definitely in his element when he’s on the course. Here are some pictures I took at the event, and I know you’ll agree that this course is absolutely gorgeous, as was the day. Cheers!

Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson

Until next time Kia Classic!

(That’s Deon walking on the left in the striped golf shirt)

Our complimentary custom caddie bib t-shirts: Of course Deon chose the Paula Creamer shirt and I opted for Lydia Ko

T.G.I. FUNKO: Ready Player One

As mentioned in a post earlier this week, Ready Player One is finally out! For today’s T.G.I. Funko, I’m featuring the first part of my RP1 Collection.

Above, we have the “High Five”. They are the Gunters who made it to the top of the scoreboard first in the contest to win control of the OASIS and the creator’s fortune. Below are the exclusives of Parzival and Art3mis from Hot Topic, GameStop and Walmart. I actually just finished completing the entire set of RP1 Funko Pop! vinyl figures and will feature the rest of them in next week’s post. By then, I will have seen the movie with my family and can offer a little bit of insight to how I feel about the book adaptation and how it translated to the big screen.

If you want to check out all Funko has to offer, remember to click on the banner on the right (or here) to take you to their official shop. Cheers and T.G.I. Funko!

Gleaming The Cube

It’s FINALLY time for Ready Player One to hit the theaters. I just got our tickets to see it this Saturday, and I absolutely cannot wait!

I just felt the need to feature these fantastic sandals by Katy Perry called “The Margot” because, like RP1, they are absolutely paying homage to my favorite decade: The 80’s. How perfect are these shoes? I just had to snap a few pictures in my mini-studio next to our son’s very own Rubik’s Cube.

Are you going to see RP1 this weekend? Let me know in the comments!

T.G.I. Funko: “I’m Mary Poppins Y’all!”

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I attempted to purchase our first Funko Pop! exclusive, online through a major retailer. There are times where exclusives are released at conventions like the San Diego Comic Con or the LA Comic Con. There are also other exclusives that can only be obtained at a major retail chain, such as Wal-Mart, Toys r Us, Hot Topic or Game Stop.

This is the Yondu Funko Pop! figure from the Guardians of The Galaxy 2 collection. It was an exclusive from the Emerald City Comic Con, shared with Target. My husband and I actually stayed up until midnight on the day of the sale, and I was able to score this fantastic new Pop!

If you want to check out all Funko has to offer, remember to click on the banner on the right (or here) to take you to their official shop. Cheers and T.G.I. Funko!

Clean & Pure at Credo Beauty

Have you heard of the app Think Dirty? One of my co-workers recently turned me on to it, and the concept behind it is that it allows you to scan beauty and personal care products to understand the potentially toxic ingredients in the products we use everyday. Recently, I found out that most of my products rate at a 7 or higher! Products that rate anywhere in the 7-10 range contain ingredients that have potential serious negative long-term health effects.

That same week, Kali of In Spades mentioned she would be at Credo Beauty in Westfield UTC for a beauty event. “All of the brands we carry at Credo must pass our screening process proving they use only safe ingredients (nothing harmful or toxic), are cruelty-free and committed to ethical sourcing and sustainable production.” What a wonderful coincidence that the day after I discover the Think Dirty app I end up at a beauty event featuring #CleanBeauty products!

One of the lines carried there is called Nu Evolution, which is a green make-up and beauty company owned by two sisters Kali met during NYFW. I received this beautiful lip gloss called “Bliss” in the gift bag from Credo. Their products are gluten and cruelty free, made with all natural and organic ingredients such as Cocoa & Shea Butter, Coconut, Castor & Jojoba Oil. This gloss is rich and non-sticky and “Bliss” is a lovely high-gloss pink, that still appears subtle on the lips.

Innersense is a green hair care line whose products all rate at 0-3 on the Think Dirty app, and I got the chance to chat with one of the founders, Greg Starkman, at the event. My hair is quite thick and coarse, and requires nourishment because it can easily dry out, or overly greasy when unwashed. I purchased their Hairbath (shampoo) and conditioner, and received the leave-in conditioner as a gift. My hair is in dire need of repair, and I already feel the wonderful effect of using an all natural product. My hair is softer and takes product well after use.

Thank you Kali for letting me know about the event, and thanks to Diane, Store Manager at Credo Beauty. She really spent some time with me to explain their concept and product lines, and introduced me to my new favorite deodorant by AER, sold exclusively at Credo. I tend to get irritated under my arms, and I needed a totally clean deodorant that would help to calm the irritation but provide the protection I need. Bonus: it comes in a Blood Orange scent!

T.G.I. Funko!

We are a family of hobbyists. We definitely like to collect items, build things, and frequent places that we love. My husband’s latest endeavor has been the Funko Pop! vinyl figures. He started his collection a couple of years ago, but it really started to build during this last San Diego Comic Con and the LA Comic Con. We are known to spend an entire day in search of certain Pop! figures when they are released, and his obsession has now rubbed off on me! Not only have I joined my husband in collecting Pop! figurines, but I recently became a Funko affiliate.

In celebration of my new affiliate status, I will be sharing pictures of our collection every Friday in a post called “T.G.I. Funko!” (Special thanks to my hubby for the title!)

Today, I’m showing selections from my very first “vaulted” items, which are from the Pop! Animation series. When I was in my 20’s, I loved The Animaniacs cartoon series. I immediately snapped up the Dot, Yakko and Wakko Pops when they came out at Hot Topic, and they recently became a part of the Funko Vault (above). When an item is “vaulted”, they are no longer available for retail purchase. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get them through a collector or eBay, but you will most likely be paying outside the retail prices that I paid for my collection.

Recently, I came across another wonderful pair from the same animated series as The Animaniacs, which are Pinky and The Brain (below). These are not vaulted yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they become vaulted soon.

If you want to check out all Funko has to offer, click on the banner on the right (or here) to take you to their official shop. Cheers and T.G.I. Funko!

The 2018 Spring Trend Event with Neiman Marcus

A couple of weeks ago, I attended one of my favorite annual events at Fashion Valley’s Neiman Marcus: The Spring Trend Event! I’m getting back into the swing of things with my posting, so this one will be full of pictures. Although the lunch is fantastic, the fashion is always front and center, as styled by the amazingly talented Alex Yanez.

Check out all of the his & hers spring trends below, cheers!

SPRING 2018 TRENDS FOR HER

My favorite jacket by Gucci

Brights

Statement Sleeves & The Logo Bag

Floral Dresses & The Pointed Toe

Stripes

Sparkle & Glitter Glam, Rainbow Jewelry & Soft Sunnies

As I said on my Instastories, this was my favorite look of the day

SPRING 2018 TRENDS FOR HIM

Tracksuits

Short-Sleeve Shirts & Logo Mania

Shorts & Oversize Aviators

The Bold Blazer & The New Denim

THE SHOES & BAGS

One of the things I love about this event is that we are able to shop all of the clothing, shoes, bags and accessories after the show. More please!

Can you need a bag? Yes, if it’s the Gucci Dionysus…

The Statement Sneaker is big for both men and women, like the Rock Stud Body-Tech Sock Sneaker by Valentino

The Asymmetrical Statin 110m Pump by Rene Caovilla is simply divine!

People Are People

It’s always great when friends can turn you onto a new brand, because it opens up your wardrobe to more choices and creates versatility. Jenna from Lucky Little Mustardseed is one of my favorite local bloggers, who I’m so proud to also call my friend. She has been wearing Cabi for sometime now, and recently turned me onto them after their recent Cabi Clothing Scoop introducing their Spring 2018 collection at the San Diego Convention Center.

What I love about this jacket is that it is SO retro, and completely lends to my style. I wore the jacket with all black, including this now sold-out People are People t-shirt. The shirt is by Christian Siriano in collaboration with Leggo Your Ego. I first saw it on the runway from his Autumn/Winter 2017 collection, where he ended the show with the outfit below. Christian was also featured on Depeche Mode’s Facebook “Fan Takeover”:

I incorporated Depeche Mode’s “People Are People” into our Fall 2017 show at NYFW as a symbol of what I stand for as a brand and designer. We placed the song during the finale walk and I think that got the message across rather strongly because it was placed at the end. The message that is: people are people, we should all be celebrated in our own way no matter what age, size or skin color. It wasn’t a political statement that I was trying to make, but rather a statement on human rights. It’s about supporting everyone, which is why I casted a diverse range of women to walk in the show. Everyone deserves to be represented.

As a brand, it’s important to be inclusive because anyone can be a customer. Clothing should be fun and make women feel beautiful in their own skin.

– Christian Siriano

(Photo from Christian Siriano’s official website)

Believe it or not, Christian Siriano also collaborated with Impress Manicure for matching People are People press on nails! I bought two sets (one to keep and one to wear), and they lasted a little over two weeks. I love the matte finish and easy application. Of course, my retro-outfit was rounded off with some 80’s inspired accessories: a robot cross-body purse, a Duran Duran album cover lip palette (I’m wearing the color “Rock-On”), and a cassette tape cell phone case. Yup, you can take a girl out of the 80’s, but you can’t take the 80’s out of this girl!

Outfit: Windopane Jacket by Cabi (no longer available); “People are People” t-shirt by Christian Siriano x Leggo Your Ego (sold-out); Unknown brand pants; Savannah Animal Print frames c/o Select Specs; Hat from Topshop; Leather ankle boots by Zara; Ring by Wendy Brandes; London Underground cuff c/o designhype; Karl Lagerfeld watch; Cross-body purse from ASOS; Nagel x Urban Decay “Rio” lip palette; Cassette Tape phone cover c/o Banggood

Included this fun outtake, where I’m wearing my sister’s “new wave” sunglasses!

All photos by Rholnna Jiao unless otherwise noted

Pardon The Interruption: Computer Crash!

I wish I could go back a couple of weeks and get updated on posts, because the saddest thing happened: our main household computer crashed! We are working diligently to get it fixed, which I hope will be soon. In the meantime, I luckily had been uploading pictures to iCloud and have also uploaded pictures for my newest outfit post, which will be going up this week.

Sorry for the gap, and cheers until the next post!

(Image courtesy of First Baptist Columbia)

Cave Tools Veggie Grill Basket Review: Grilling for the “Big Game”!

Who’s getting ready for “The Big Game” today? Football is a big deal in our house, and my husband will be grilling it up, of course! Our game day menu will consist of wings (of various levels of spiciness), hot dogs, slow-cooker chili, corn bread and garlic bread. This tri-tip sandwich would also be addition to any game day menu! My husband made this sandwich a couple of weekends ago, and grilled the vegetables using this fantastic Veggie Grill Basket by Cave Tools.

Before we started using this grill basket, my husband used to make little foil “boats” to grill any vegetables, or we would pan fry the vegetables on the stove-top. Although those methods are convenient, it doesn’t really get the kind of true grilling flavor that he wanted. This grill basket is made of stainless steel and has slats to allow the grill to not only heat up and flavor the vegetables, but also prevents any small bits from falling through. To cook the vegetables and prevent them from sticking, he used a vegetable oil spray and they came out amazing!

To purchase your own Cave Tools Vegetable Grill Basket, click the links below AND, you can get 15% off with the following code!

Vegetable Basket 15% Off: VEGGIE15

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vegetable-Grill-Basket-DISHWASHER-Accessories/dp/B01G2EIW02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&sr=8-1&keywords=grilling+basket&m=A3IEEDMWTA8OSP&tag=hyacinth12-20

Cave Tools: https://cavetools.com/products/vegetable-grill-basket

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

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this: