Wearing Food, Eating Food

Halloween is just around the corner – what are you dressing up as this year? There’s the typical picks such as ghost, witch, nurse and clown – and then there’s the “thinking outside the box” costume ideas. Why be the 10th witch at the Halloween party when you can be Thanksgiving Turkey Head? Don some bell bottoms and some funky purple sunglasses and be your mom in the 70’s?

I’m so fortunate living in San Diego that there are a vast number of options literally on every corner. Find all of your Halloween needs at a local Spirit Halloween store, or get creative and dig through one of the county’s many thrift stores to create a one-of-a-kind design. There’s plenty of goods to be found in the Hillcrest area in thrift stores like Flashbacks, and funky hats galore at the Village Hat Shop. The Pacific Beach area also has great option in walking distance such as Thrift Trader, The Buff and Pink Zone.

With so many shopping options in San Diego, we promise you’re not going to get lost in the shuffle this year with your standout costume.

Tags: Halloween, Hillcrest, pacific beach, Shopping, thrift stores

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Before moving to San Diego, I don’t think I knew what the real definition of a mall was. Sure I’d been to the small mall near my house to pick up my back-to-school essentials, sit in the massage chair at Brookstone and flirt with the good looking surfers at Pacific Sunwear, but if there was ever anything out-of-the-ordinary I needed like a prom dress or a laptop I’d have to head off to another destination. Not the case with San Diego’s Fashion Valley mall.

A 2-story outdoor mall, Fashion Valley is the most all-encompassing shopping Mecca I’ve ever visited. Head to Sephora for a makeover, pick up a new iPhone at the Apple store, a purse at Burberry, home goods at Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn, clothes for the kids at Abercrombie Kids and a meal before you head out at the food court, and you could head out of there with a completely new look for yourself and your home. Every clothing style has a home base: A Lilly Pulitzer for the preppies, an H&M for the hipster crowd, a Bebe for the club-hoppers, a Tommy Bahama for my dad, a Tiffany’s if you forgot your wedding anniversary and need to make up for it, and a Banana Republic and Neiman Marcus for workwear. 

I think my personal record for mall-wandering is probably around 5 hours. Of course, to see everything at Fashion Valley it would most likely take at least a weekend. More if you visit all of the kiosks.

Besides the diversity of retail, another great feature about the mall is that you can enjoy the sunshine while you shop (with sunblock on, of course). And if you left yours at home, you can always pick some up while you’re there.

Tags: fashion, mall, Shopping

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Families taking in the fun

Summer nights in San Diego are meant to be enjoyed outdoors. Last week we joined a couple of other families, bundled up our kids and took in a Free Movie in the Park at Viejas Casino & Outlet Center in Alpine, about 35 miles east of downtown right off Interstate 8.

The beautiful Viejas Outlet Center has a big park right in the center of all the shops where they show great family movies on Tuesdays in the summer. Tuesday August 18th is the final installment of the series, with August Rush as the feature at 8pm.

Here’s what you need to know.

• Price: Free
• Shoppers - Arrive early to enjoy the farmers market and great outlet center savings
• Food – We bought dinner from the food court, which has plenty of options
• For the lawn – Bring some blankets and low-sitting lawn chairs (so as not to obstruct the views of those behind you)
• Snacks – We brought some sweets, you can bring in whatever you like except for alcohol
• Weather – It’s San Diego! It will get down to about 65, so a light jacket will be plenty

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While so many Americans used the long Memorial Day weekend for picnics at the park, camping trips, beach days, and other family bonding activities, I ventured to the Las Americas Outlet Mall to load up on all of the sweet holiday savings.

My Shopping Mecca

The Las Americas outlet is about 5 minutes from Mexico, and is full of all of my absolutely favorite stores. J. Crew, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers and Polo Ralph Lauren were all stopping points on my mad shopping rampage. I wish I could say that I took photos during this excursion, but truthfully they would have been back shots of me as I dashed through the shopping aisles or clutching on to a light post for dear life as my husband tried to pry me home.

One of the parts about the outlet is that some stores have additional discounts off of their already dirt cheap amazingly appealing prices. Banana Republic was offering an additional 40% off of all merchandise including clearance items, and The Gap was selling cardigans for $2.50. If I had to mentally visualize a heaven created just for me, this was it.

Las Americas Outlet is part of the Chelsea Premium Outlets which also includes the Carlsbad Premium Outlet, which means if you’re venturing around in North County you can take advantage of all of these bargains too! Las Americas will also feature live music to shop to all summer long. Make sure to check their website frequently around holiday weekends for special offers, and hopefully you’ll be able to finish your seasonal wardrobe for mere pennies like I did.

Tags: live music, mall, Shopping

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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A Little Italy sign hanging on a lamppost

Despite being California’s second largest city, San Diego really is just a collection of some fantastic neighborhoods.  I’m not sure that I’ll ever be able to get to every neighborhood in San Diego, but I’m going to try!

One of the more popular neighborhoods – and a favorite of mine – is Little Italy.  Situated just south/west of the 5 freeway and above Downtown, the neighborhood is a foodie’s delight!  Every time I stroll through the area, my mouth just starts watering with all the great smells of garlic and spiced meats – not to mention the sight of gelato shops!

While a big focus of the neighborhood is understandably the food, it also has some great history.  I took a Little Italy Walking Tour with a company called Little Italy Tourism and was thrilled to get walked through time as we heard the story of Italian immigrants, fisheries and prohibition era speakeasies!  We also got a chance to visit one of the historic Catholic Churches in the neighborhood and some of their fantastic murals, stained glassed windows, etc.

Mural at Little Italy Church

Stained Glass Window at Little Italy Church

Tags: dining, little italy, Neighborhoods

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Find "This is a Good Day" Deals on San Diego Bay this summer.

Did you know San Diego Bay has 34 miles of scenic coastline dotted with restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions, parks and marinas?  That’s a whole lotta waterfront fun, right downtown. 

What’s even more amazing?  This urban playground is serving up the savings this summer!

These “This is a Good Day” deals include:

• up to 30% off room rates (based upon availability and restrictions) at the 15 San Diego Bay hotels
• more than 100 entrees under $18 at participating San Diego Bay restaurants
• free admission for kids under age 12 with paid adult admission for San Diego Bay attractions like the USS Midway Museum, Hornblower Cruises and Events, San Diego Harbor Excursion and the Maritime Museum of San Diego
• other special offers like a VIP Shopping Pass at Seaport Village and a two-for-one night stay for boaters at Sun Harbor Marina in America’s Cup Harbor.

So, this summer, get out there and make it a great day on San Diego Bay!

Tags: deals, dining, downtown, free, hotels, san diego bay, Shopping, summer

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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All the pretty young things will gather May 30 and 31 at downtown San Diego’sWonderhaus Bakery (a former Wonderbread factory) to score deals on amazing clothes and accessories from more than 100 independent designers during Thread Show.

This long-running trunk show goes way beyond a simple shopping experience.  Incorporating runway shows, DJs, art installations, charitable giving, chic cocktails and more, Thread Show has always been a one-stop shop for the hip, style-concious crowd.

This year, local bands Get Back Loretta, Dirty Sweet and The Burning of Rome are getting in on the action and performing live during the event.  Break out your dancing shoes, girls and boys.

Thread Show admission is $10 at the door.  ($8 with advance RSVP.)  The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Tags: fashion, live music, Shopping

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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