Fashion. Music. Family. Life.
Merry Christmas to all! I’m so glad Deon and I have been having Dominic take these Santa pictures each year because it helps us see just how much he has grown over the years. The slide show below includes a picture I have note posted yet, which was his very first Christmas picture back in 2009.
Hope you all had a wonderful & blessed holiday with your loved ones. Cheers!
This is quite a fun year for Dominic because he’s really starting to enjoy books. We read a book every night, and this is his newest addition to his reading list. My Twins’ First Christmas is from the “My Friend Paris” book series by Jackie Singer. In this holiday tale, Paris has new twin sisters, Liberty and Victoria, and she shares their adventures learning about the different ways people can celebrate Christmas. Dominic said he really enjoyed this book and loved the colorful pictures. His favorite parts of the book were when Paris and her family donated their extra cookies to charity and when their mommy read them a bedtime story because it’s like when we read him stories at bedtime. Dominic said that although he loves it when I read books to him, he’s excited to learn to read about Paris and her Christmas adventures on his own next year!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
The holidays should be a time of thinking of family and friends, and also about what you can do for others who are in need. I’m happy to spread some good cheer through SEVEN luxury haircare and some premier San Diego salons as they team up to give back to our local community through Becky’s House.
This holiday season, SEVEN luxury haircare and premier salons in the San Diego area are teaming up to give back to the local community with a Season to Give campaign. For every SEVEN shampoo and conditioner set purchased, SEVEN will donate a full-sized haircare product to Becky’s House, an organization committed to protecting women and children from domestic violence by providing refuge and supportive services to achieve independence. The promotion will run through the end of the year. As we talked to various women’s organizations, we learned that one of the most common needs is full-sized haircare products. SEVEN along with our partner salons wanted to do something to give back and help these women look and feel their best as they work to achieve a violence-free life.
Below are the participating salons, including one I’ve been to recently (post here on Hairdrezzers on Fire). I love sharing great causes like this because as a fashion/lifestyle blogger, sometimes it’s those little things like caring for yourself that can help you feel your best that count towards your overall well-being. Cheers!
SEVEN luxury haircare | San Diego partner salons
If you’re like me, you’ve waited until the absolute last-minute to get your gift list together for the Christmas Holiday. I do it every year, and I don’t know if I’ll ever learn to be proactive and do it earlier.
So what I’ve done is found some really cool gift ideas that are a bit outside of the norm, and only one requires actual gift wrap. Cheers and happy shopping!
The Caffeine Crawl takes place January 23-24 2015, and showcases 16 different coffee houses in San Diego. Tickets range from $23-30 per route, but it looks like you get some goodies along with your tickets. This is a great gift for the coffee lover in your life!
Tickets include an event packet with Crawl goodies and souvenirs, admittance to all stops on your selected route which includes a drink or chocolate sample provided and determined by each shop, and short, educational presentation.
Afternoon Tea at Mary’s English Kitchen
I had such a wonderful time during my own afternoon tea experience at Harrods (original post here), so I have been looking for another experience to match it. When Katie from the blog La Jolla Mom mentioned Mary’s English Kitchen in La Jolla, I thought about getting that as a gift for me and my girlfriends as a great afternoon out. If you want to do the same, you can call them at (858) 263-4614 to inquire about gift certificates or to make a reservation.
(Photo courtesy of Yelp!)
ClassPass Gift Cards
Recently, I was able to take part in a month membership to ClassPass (post here), where one month’s membership gets you unlimited access to participating exercise studios in the San Diego area. If you have someone in your life who would like to do the same, gift cards are available for one class, a one month membership or three-month membership. Click on the link for details! ClassPass Gifting
Duty Free City Gift Certificates
After I won my Furla bag from Duty Free City and attended their grand opening (posts here and here), I truly feel it’s a wonderful place to spend a day with family or friends because it’s not just about the shopping, but the experience. Gift certificates are available to give that experience to someone you love by calling (619) 621-2600.
The Sand Cloud Beach Towel
Finally, the only gift in my little gift guide that may need actual wrapping paper: The Sand Cloud beach towel. When I first posted about this fantastic little beach blanket/towel (post here), it was merely a start-up. Now they have a full-blown shop where you can purchase one for $32.50 and they come in six cool colors. I have two of them myself: one in Ocean Blue and the Mint Green one pictured above. Stay tuned…I may have a surprise in the new year for you regarding Sand Cloud!
Each Christmas season, we take Dominic for his annual photo with Santa Claus. This year, we decided to try out the Simon® Santa Photo Experience at Fashion Valley. From the crowd gathered outside of Santa’s quarters, it seems to be quite the popular photo spot! Although there was a bit of a wait, the results were well worth it. My favorite is where Santa’s helpers directed Dominic to have a chat with Santa, which ended up being an Iron Man wish list.
Below you’ll find the remaining dates and hours of Santa’s stay at Fashion Valley, before he takes flight on Christmas Day:
12/13/13 Friday 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/14/13 Saturday 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/15/13 Sunday 11:00 AM 8:00 PM
12/16/13 Monday 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/17/13 Tuesday 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/18/13 Wednesday 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/19/13 Thursday 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/20/13 Friday 9:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/21/13 Saturday 9:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/22/13 Sunday 9:00 AM 8:00 PM
12/23/13 Monday 9:00 AM 9:00 PM
12/24/13 Tuesday 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
(Santa typically breaks from 1-1:45pm and 4-4:45pm daily. Hours and break times are subject to change.)
FTC Disclosure: I received a gift card as a courtesy to enjoy the Simon® Santa Photo Experience, but not as compensation for this post. Although I did receive a gift card, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.
Fashion Valley is turning out to be a holiday place to be for 2013! Here is some information on how you can make the most of this holiday at Fashion Valley, including more information about their new personal shopper service. Hint: it involves a lovely San Diego Style Bloggers contributor! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ring in the Holiday Season at Fashion Valley
Tree-lighting, holiday carols and good ole’ St. Nick to add to festive cheer
Tis the season to experience holiday magic, and Fashion Valley has plenty of festive cheer to go around.
To welcome the season of Santa, gifts and gratitude, Fashion Valley is hosting its annual Holiday Kick-off Tree-Lighting Event on November 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Elevator Court, near the Prada store.
The kick-off event, which is slated to be emceed by San Diego 6 anchor Heather Myers, will include a festive show by the Salvation Army brass band as they perform popular holiday carols. After the band serenades the crowd with joyful tunes, a local San Diego family will join Santa on stage to help light Fashion Valley’s glittering tree.
Throughout the event, guests are invited to help children in need by visiting Salvation Army’s Gingerbread House located next to Santa’s unique holiday home. Hosted by The Salvation Army’s Santa’s Little Helpers, the Gingerbread House will be decorated with tags displaying a child’s name, age and gift wish. Guests are encouraged to take a tag and return with a gift, or an American Express® Simon Giftcard®, for the child that they selected.
And what would a holiday celebration be without gifts? The first 200 revelers in line to make the nice list will receive Fashion Valley swag bags filled with retailer gifts and a holiday-themed book for little ones.
After Santa finishes mingling and jingling with everyone on the nice list, he will take his place in his winter wonderland in Center Court, where he will pose for photos and listen to holiday wishes through Christmas Eve. Santa will even pose with furry family members on November 24 and December 8 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on special Santa Pet Photo Nights.
Families and visitors can get into the holiday spirit by posing with a 20-foot Christmas tree, featuring strands of twinkling lights and festive ornaments in a variety of colors and shapes.
To add to the holiday memories, seasonal entertainment from local organizations and groups will be available on select days throughout December. Fashion Valley will also surprise and delight loyal shoppers who have made the center their retail destination of choice. Fashion Valley’s mall management “elves” will greet and reward shoppers who have been on their best behavior this year with surprise treats and goodies throughout the holiday season.
Fashion Valley’s Holiday Kick-Off Tree Lighting Event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (619) 297-3381 or visit www.simon.com.
Fashion Valley Saves the Holi-day with New Personal Shopper Service
New Amenity Enhances Customer Shopping Experience
Don’t know where to start with your holiday gift list? Stressing over finding the perfect outfit to wear to your holiday office party?
Have no fear, Fashion Valley has you covered with a new personal shopper service, just in time for the rush of the holiday season.
“Our goal is for each customer to enjoy a quality, convenient shopping experience at Fashion Valley,” said Robert Doherty, mall manager at Fashion Valley. “The personal shopper program is a fantastic amenity for those looking to save time or just enjoy a customized shopping visit.”
Gift shopping is a breeze this year, with Fashion Valley’s new personal shopper service, meant to help customers save time this season.
Focused on enhancing the customer shopping experience, this personalized amenity is available in time for holiday shopping and can be enjoyed by anyone.
During the initial complimentary engagement, which typically lasts up to two-hours, Fashion Valley’s personal shopper Lisa Moore of San Diego style blog Mona Lisa Marie, will work with customers through style assessments conducted by phone or in person.
“Fashion can really be an expression of individual personality,” said Moore, a professional in the healthcare field who works at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego by day. Moore began blogging and styling as a creative outlet to express her passion for fashion. “I’m thrilled to be help shoppers display their individuality through styling, and help them save time while doing so.”
As a solution to the stress that can sometimes come with holiday shopping, Fashion Valley’s personal shopper can either function like a concierge service and do the shopping for you, or to escort you on a custom shopping tour of the center, to help with your tough-to-tackle gift list or holiday fashion dilemmas.
“We encourage the custom tour of the center, because it allows shoppers to really maximize the experience and pick up some shopping and style tips along the way,” said Moore.
Should customers decide to use Fashion Valley’s personal shopper for additional services, Moore’s rate is $50 per hour.
(Thank you again to Noelle from Curator PR for allowing me to share these exciting happenings at Fashion Valley! Photos 1 & 2 courtesy of Fashion Valley. Photo 3 taken by me at the J.Jill grand opening.)
Can you believe it’s already November? Where did the time go? In anticipation of the upcoming holidays, I thought I’d share some great happenings at one of my favorite San Diego malls, Fashion Valley.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
Santa’s Arrival: November 8, 2013 at 10:00 am in Center Court
Welcome Santa to Fashion Valley from the North Pole! Parents and their children are invited to welcome Santa when he arrives at Fashion Valley on Friday, November 8. After Santa finishes mingling and jingling with everyone on the nice list, he will take his place in his winter wonderland in Center Court where he will pose for photos and listen to holiday wishes through Christmas Eve. Santa’s hours and break times are subject to change, though Santa breaks from 1-1:45pm and 4-4:45pm daily.
Personal Shopper Service
Not ready to tackle your holiday shopping alone? Fashion Valley will offer a personal shopper service that can be conducted either in person or by phone.
During the initial complimentary engagement, Fashion Valley’s personal shopper will work with customers through style assessments conducted by phone or in person. Following the preliminary consultation, customers can choose to use this amenity in one of two ways. The personal shopper can function like a concierge service and shop on the customer’s behalf, or they can escort the customer on a custom shopping tour of Fashion Valley. To enjoy Fashion Valley’s personal shopper service, please contact Guest Services at (619) 688-9113 and press zero to discuss scheduling a session.
New Stores
Steve Madden is newly remodeled! They are located in the same space (next to the food court), but with a bold new look.
Scotch & Soda is an Amsterdam based store that originated in the 80’s, but re-branded itself in the early 2000’s through new ownership. With 94 stores worldwide, it’s exciting to have this store right here in San Diego (located on the upper level)!
Top women’s apparel retailer, J. Jill, will be opening on November 14th on the upper level near Neiman Marcus.
Halston Heritage will opening during Thanksgiving, right next to Prada on the lower level.
(Thank you Noelle from Curator PR for allowing me to share these exciting happenings at Fashion Valley!)
This past weekend, Deon, Dominic and I all went to Las Vegas to spend the 4th of July. We try to make to Vegas for the 4th every July, but we missed last year there because it was on a Wednesday and I was watching my days off for my London/Paris trip. This year with plenty of vacation time and a new job, we spent most of last week with the in-laws. I will have a flurry of posts about our stay because we visited a few new places (well, new to me) that were definitely post-worthy. In the meantime, here are a few random pictures and a video of the “Lucky Leprechaun Fountain” firework, lit just for Dominic because his favorite color is green. Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!
Photo 1: Finally settling in after arriving in Vegas. Photo 2: Gretel in a dress. Not sure how she felt about it…
Pine Cone Christmas Tree by Mei-Lin Jiao
My niece brought this pine cone Christmas tree project when I picked her up from school recently, and I thought it was completely adorable! I remember a time a few years ago during the holidays, when I first moved out of my house right after college. I came home to visit my parents and was greeted by the smell of pine. As I entered the kitchen, I saw dozens and dozens of pine cones. As I made my way towards the family room, the amount of pine cones multiplied. My mom decorated those pine cones with glitter and hung them up everywhere: on the Christmas tree, on the garland on the walls and doorways, in bowls and vases. In addition to those sparkling conifer cones, I think my mom could have added an array of these pine cone Christmas trees. With just a few more days before Christmas, I included the instructions for this festive and easy DIY. Have a great weekend!
By Jane Lake
Turn pine cones into pretty miniature Christmas trees with three easy steps in this free Christmas craft project.
Craft Supplies for One Ornament:
Project Instructions:
1. Paint the pine cone completely green. If desired, you can add sparkle by dusting the pine cone with glitter while the paint is still wet. Alternatively, wait until the paint is dry, then randomly add glitter glue to the tips of the pine cone.
2. Glue the bottle cap to the bottom of the pine cone.
3. To add beads, small silk flowers or other Christmas embellishments, use tweezers to dip each piece into a small puddle of craft glue, then into a space on the pine cone. Make sure that you push each bead or embellishments firmly into place.
(From AllFreeCrafts.com)
I just wanted to wish you all out there a very Merry Christmas this weekend. We will be celebrating again with my family locally in San Diego, with the festivities starting on Christmas Eve, ending with ringing in Christmas at midnight with Santa giving gifts to all of the kids, our beautiful boy included (Dominic actually smiled for his annual Santa picture this year). I hope you have a wonderful, safe and blessed holiday!
