The 12th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival will be held March 12 – 22, 2015 at AMC Fashion Valley, located at Simon Fashion Valley mall. This location is a new home for the Festival! This is one of the Festival’s I look forward to every year! A few weeks before Opening Night, the organizers invite members of the media to the Official Media Kick-Off Party, where they announce Continue reading
One of my closest friends is Lizeth. We have been friends for about ten years and were in each other’s weddings. We have supported each other through lots, from dating, to planning our weddings, career changes, and our personal lives. We have also had lots of fun together and confide Continue reading
Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James, has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, that is amazing! The movie opens this weekend and Thursday night’s late night previews already made $8.6 million dollars, that is a lot of movie goers! It has already broken some box office records. I went to see a screening on Wednesday night and Continue reading
We may all be tempted to buy winter coats in the fall when we see them in the stores and the weather starts to get chilly, but we may also be paying Continue reading
Jeans are a staple item in my closet. I am enjoying the trend of colorful & print jeans. Initially, when skinny jeans were introduced (a few years ago), I hesitated to get them because I felt boot cut jeans were more flattering on my body type, and I had many of them. Now, I am embracing my curves, thighs and all, and wearing skinny jeans. I used to consider jeans an investment in my closet. The kind of clothing article I can wear for many years and used to spend hundreds of dollars on designer jeans. I still have those jeans in my closet, but am not wearing most of them currently because they are not skinny jeans or boy cut.
About a year ago, on a trip, I ventured into H&M and found out their skinny jeans are inexpensive ($10 – $30), of course I bought two. A few months later, while shopping with my sister, we went to Forever21 and they also sell inexpensive ($7 – $20) skinny jeans, I got two. The only disadvantage I find with these jeans is that they won’t last years because they tend to fade quicker with washes than designer jeans. But, depending on how often you wear them (& wash them), they can last up to a year or more. I still wear those skinny jeans from H&M around the house. The jeans from Forever21 faded less and are a bit higher on the hips, which is more comfortable for me (due to my curves). This November, I was out shopping with my niece and bought three skinny jeans at Forever 21, gray, black, and dark denim. I have worn them a ton and look forward to wearing them into the spring and summer….hopefully next fall as well. But, at $10 per jeans, I might just go buy another pair in the fall. I call these jeans “no worry jeans” the price is so inexpensive, making them accessible to buy….and a staple in my closet. I think I wear them at least once a week, if not more.
As with any jeans, you can dress them up or keep the look casual. On this occasion, I added a light top, with boots and accessorized it for a day out with my hubby. I have also worn this look to work on a casual Friday, just add a business jacket.
Do you have a favorite brand of jeans? Have you purchased jeans at Forever21 or H&M?
Hugs,
Paola
Photos & ESPAÑOL oprima en “Read More”. Continue reading
Hard to believe it is already January 13! The Dia de Reyes (Three Wise Men Day) party on January 6 usually marks the end of the holiday celebrations in our family. This year it fell on a Tuesday and what seemed closer to the New Year’s Eve weekend, so we celebrated it on January 10, which was the Saturday that followed. It is a fun gathering, with the traditional meal, cutting of rosca, piñata, children running around playing, and our own family tradition of passing out the Christmas stockings. It is a tradition my aunt started a few years ago and has grown to be the highlight of the party! All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a personalized stocking with our name which is hung on the wall to form a Christmas tree. Each year the family grows and we add more stockings to the wall. We take turns taking our stocking off the wall, from the eldest grandchild to the youngest, making jokes, bowing or saying a few words, and taking pictures as we collect our stockings. The younger children use a ladder decorated for the holidays to reach their stocking on the top of the tree (wall). We all take the candy filled stocking home & store them until the party next year when we bring them back (some stockings have been replaced over the years). There is a prize for the first grandchild to bring back the stocking during the holidays in preparation for the Dia de Reyes party.
This year, I didn’t take too many pictures because I was enjoying the moment and spending time with family, being present. It is bitter sweet to end the holidays….but other festivities follow in the coming months. With the large size of our family, we always have festivities to look forward to! As I have said many times, one of the biggest blessings in my life is the family I was born into! I am grateful for their unconditional love, it is priceless! Special thanks to my grandmother, the head of our family, who keeps us all united and organizes these gatherings! These family gatherings aren’t just about having fun, they are also about forming traditions and good memories of wonderful moments of happiness with family!
How do you end the Christmas holiday celebrations? Do you celebrate Dia de Reyes and cut a rosca?
Hugs,
Paola
PS – Picture from our Dia de Reyes party and the family holiday tradition I started.
Preparing for the piñata!
My stocking hangs at the bottom of the wall since I am the eldest granddaughter. My older brother is the first one to get a stocking, as he is the eldest grandchild. I have stored my stocking along with our holiday decorations for many years, this way I ensure I don’t misplace it. I bring it back for the Dia de Reyes party every year!
As you probably noticed by now, I like going to the movies! My schedule is busy, so I can usually only fit in one movie screening per week, on a good week that is! Which means, I have to be selective of which movies I go see. Last week, I went to see Selma. I was so moved by the movie, that as we were leaving the theater, I started to type my comments about the movie on social media. Then, I remembered I had to wait until the movie opened in theaters to post about it. It was hard to contain myself. Selma is a movie that is not only entertaining and well produced, it is based on history and a significant time for civil rights in our country. The movie chronicles the campaign for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is a powerful movie, it had to be, because it tackles some difficult times in the civil rights movement, the injustices some had to endure, discrimination, and racism. It stays on topic, but also gives us a glimpse into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a man, a person, his feelings and how many personal sacrifices he made to lead and continue the fight for social justice.
I am not one to go to the movies to critique the production, I usually go for the entertainment and fun of going to the movies. Selma, is not only entertaining, it is also an educational experience. I was so moved by the movie, that at times I had tears in my eyes, as did my friend that was watching the movie with me. It made me reflect. I left the theater thinking this was such an educational movie, that students would benefit from watching it. Today, I was glad to learn that leaders in the African American community of New York united to raise funds to allow students from 7th, 8th, & 9th grade to attend the movie for free. In New York, 27 leaders, raised enough money for 27,000 New York students to see the film for free at participating theaters. The New York City effort sold out in the very first weekend and was expanded to 75,000 free tickets for students! Business and community leaders in other cities followed New York’s example, and within a few days it was confirmed that Boston, Nashville, San Francisco, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Sarasota, and Westchester would also be offering students the opportunity to watch the movie for free. Additional cities are getting organized and will be announced this Wednesday, January 14.
Selma won a Golden Globe Award for Best Song (“Glory” by Common & John Legend) and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. For me, the movie carries a very personal message and I am glad thousands of students across the country will have the opportunity to view it. To learn more about the movie and where students can go see it for free, go to: Selma Movie. To help get the word out about this program for students, tweet using the hashtag #SelmaForStudents. If you haven’t seen the movie trailer, I posted it below, along with some pictures from the film and the Golden Globe Post Party held by Paramount Pictures.
Have you seen Selma or do you plan to go see it? Were you familiar with what occurred in Selma prior to this movie coming out?
Hugs,
Paola
Pictures from the Golden Globes Post Party held by Paramount Pictures at The Beverly Hilton:
During the holidays, we often used the hair dryer, curler, straightener, and other appliances to style our hair. My hair is fine and the ends break easily, but I like to have long hair, so I use deep conditioners to keep my hair moisturized and looking healthy. I know there are multiple treatments out there, from the homemade ones, to the ones applied at a beauty salon. Today, I am going to share a deep conditioning treatment that is simple and practical. If you are like me, you are busy and don’t always have time to go sit in a beauty salon for a few hours. The hair treatments applied at beauty salons are highly recommendable and about every two months I get those treatments, but it usually combined with my hair cut appointment, so it doesn’t require a special visit to the salon.
Over the years, I have used multiple deep moisturizing treatments, from very expensive products to some prepared at home. A few months ago, I read about a treatment recommended in a magazine. This treatment has given me such good results, that I have purchased it to give as gifts to my mom & nieces. I like that the application is simple, so it fits into my busy lifestyle, and it is inexpensive, so it fits into my budget. The deep moisturizing treatment I’ve been using is Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist, it only costs $3, and comes in a purple 8 ounce bottle, which lasts multiple weeks. It is also easy to find since it is sold at most stores that carry beauty products, such as Target, Walmart, or CVS, so I don’t have to drive across town to a particular beauty supply specialty store like I used to do with other more expensive treatments. There are other moisturizing treatments available and they will likely give similar results, but I have yet to find another treatment at this price that gives such good results. The important thing is to use a treatment on a regular basis. Normally, I wash my hair four times per week. The first thing I do when I get into the shower is wash my hair with shampoo and rinse it, I squeeze the excess water from my hair & pat the ends dry with a towel (I place to towel on the top of the shower door beforehand, so it is close by when I need it). I apply the treatment on the ends of my hair (from the ears down) and put it up with a clip, avoiding it get wet. It is optional to wear a shower cap. I continue showering and am careful not to place my hair under the showerhead, leaving the treatment in my hair for at least 3 – 5 minutes. The last thing I do before I get out of the shower is rinse my hair with warm or cool water. I dry and style my hair as usual, using the same leave in conditioner and light argan oil that I have used for years.
My stylist and I have noticed that over time with this simple moisturizing step, my hair is healthier. And, I don’t need to spend a bundle or lots of time on a hair treatment.
In an ideal world, we would all have tons of time and money to go to a beauty salon to get deep conditioning treatments, but in my real world, I am glad to have found a product that fits into my busy schedule and also fits into my budget.
Do you use a deep conditioning treatment at home? Which one? Do you get treatments applied to your hair at a beauty salon? I’d love to hear your recommendations on hair products.
Hugs,
Paola
P.S. – Let’s stay connected on Facebook: Paola Hernandez-Jiao; Instagram paolahernandezjiao; Twitter @paolahernandezj
Tratamiento Sencillo De Un Paso Para Mantener Tu Cabello Humectado y Luciendo Saludable
Durante las posadas estuvimos utilizando en nuestro cabello la secadora, pinsa, laceadora, y otros aparatos. Esto resulto en resecar las puntas de nuestro cabello. Mi cabello es fino y se quiebra facilmente, pero me gusta traerlo largo, asi que utilizo tratamientos de humectación profunda para mantenerlo luciendo saludable. Se que hay varios tratamientos, desde los caseros hasta los que se aplican en estética. Hoy les voy a compartir un tratamiento sencillo y práctico. Si son como yo, están ocupadas y aveces no pueden ir a sentarse horas en la estética. Los tratamientos en estéticas son recomendables y aproximadamente cada dos meses me hago esos tratamientos, casi siempre son durante la misma cita de corte de cabello.
Al paso de los años, he ultilizado varios tratamientos, desde productos caros, hasta los hechos en casa. Hace tiempo, leí de uno recomendado en una revista. Me ha dado tan buen resultado, que se lo he regalado a mi sobrina y mamá. Me gusta que la aplicación es práctica, así que se acomoda a mi estilo de vida, y es barato, así que se acomoda a mi presupuesto. El humectante profundo es Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist, cuesta $3, y el tubo dura varias semanas. Hay otros humectantes disponibles y dan resultados similares, lo importante es usarlos con regularidad. Normalmente, me lavo el cabello cuatro veces por semana. Lo primero que hago al entrar a la regadera es lavarme el cabello, me exprimo el exceso de agua del cabello, y uso una toalla para secar las puntas. Aplico el humectante en las puntas y recogo el cabello con un broche, evitando que se moje. Continuo bañándome, dejando el humectante 3 – 5 minutos. Lo último que hago antes de salirme de la regadera es enjuagarme el cabello con agua tibia. Mi estilista y yo hemos notado que con este paso sencillo, la salud de mi cabello ha mejorado. Y, no tengo que gastarme un dineral en tratamientos, ni dedicarle mucho tiempo.
¿Tu utilizas algún tratamiento humectante profundo para el cabello? Me saber de tus recomendaciones.
Un abrazo,
Paola
P.D – Hay que conectarnos en Faceboook Paola Hernandez-Jiao; Instagram paolahernandezjiao; Twitter @paolahernandezj.
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the movie screening of Disney’s Into The Woods. My friend, Nena, joined me and we made a fun evening of it! Into The Woods is a modern twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, it combines multiple stories and plots. In addition to the well-known fairy tales’ happily every after endings, the movie includes a further look into the consequences of the characters’ wishes. I liked seeing these because in real life we all know there are consequences to our actions, and these aren’t always includes in fairy tales. The movie is based on the Broadway musical with the same name and is brought onto the big screen magnificently well. I am a fan of Broadway musicals, but not so much of musicals in movies. Into The Woods is very well done as a musical movie. The songs are interpreted by the actors, which in itself is quite impressive. The lyrics are contagious and I found myself singing the main song, Into The Woods, after we left the theater and the day after. And, of course, there is a soundtrack available for those that are fans of movie soundtracks. It is a delightful movie, with comedy, special effects, and entertaining for the entire family! It has what I like to call, “the magic of Disney!” This is a good movie to go see with the kids over the holiday break!
The movie follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, all intertwined by a story involving a baker, his wife, and their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them. Starring in the film are Meryl Streep, as the Witch (she is amazing!); Emily Blunt, baker’s wife; Johnny Depp, the wolf; Anna Kendrick, Cinderella. It is directed by the director of the well-known musical, Chicago; and the producer of Wicked. The movie opened on Christmas Day and is rated PG. It has already been nominated for multiple Golden Globe awards!
You can find more details and view pictures on the movie’s website: Into The Woods.
Below is the trailer, so you can get a glimpse of the movie. I loved it! Hope you enjoy it too!
Have you seen the movie? Will you be going to see it over the holiday break?
Hugs….and happy holidays,
Paola
Paola
Every few months, my hubby cleans out his closet. He chooses what to keep, what to place in storage, and what to give away. He recently selected several items to give away. Among them was this soft, warm, dark gray, cashmere sweater! He started to put it Continue reading
This holiday season is full of color – colorful decorations at our homes, offices, the malls, even the streets! Everywhere you look you see lights and color! It makes me smile! That color is also seen in our wardrobes, make-up, and nails.
Recently, I was invited to see the comedic movie Top Five starring Chris Rock. The title of the movie got me thinking of the Top Five Nail Colors of the season. From bright reds, to blues, and pastels, color is on our nails as well. These are the Top Five Nail Colors I have been wearing this season – and from what I have seen in fashion magazines and on women’s nails everywhere, these are the Top Five Nail Colors for the winter:
Pastel Colors: This winter season pastel colors are in trend, from jackets, to sweaters, scarves, and nail polish. Polish shown is Gelish, Glamour Queen.
Are you wearing any of these nail colors this season? Or, what nail polish color are you wearing?
In case you are curious about the movie Top Five, here’s the trailer. I am a Chris Rock fan & am looking forward to seeing it! It looks funny!
Hugs,
Paola
As you know, I enjoy watching movies. When I heard there was going to be a screening for Exodus: Gods and Kings, I got excited and was looking forward to seeing the movie. I even watched the trailer a few times before the screening date. Since it is not a chick-flick, my hubby went with me. He is not a big movie goer, but in this case he viewed the trailer and decided this was a movie he wanted to see. We made a date night out of it by going to dinner at PF Chang’s and then heading across the street to the ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield UTC.
Exodus: Gods and Kings (PG-13), is directed by Ridley Scott (known for directing Gladiator, Prometheus, Alien, American Gangster) and stars Christian Bale (best known for The Dark Knight/Batman) as Moses. The movie is the story of Moses’ rise against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), and how he leads 400,000 slaves on a journey of escape from Egypt. We watched the movie in 3D, the special effects are state of the art and quite amazing! It was nice to see other famous familiar faces in the cast, such as Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, and John Turturro.
Growing up, I had seen multiple versions of the story of Moses. This movie is the writers’ interpretation of the story. I was curious to see how they would bring the story to life. It was interesting to see how they depicted God, the scene with the Ten Commandments, the parting of the Red Sea, and the multiple plagues. The special effects did not disappoint: the scenes where the Nile was turned red, the locust infestation, the hailstones, and the toad torrents. The movie has scenes filled with action and beautiful costumes. Overall, I found the movie to be entertaining. As I mentioned, it is the writers’ interpretation of the story, so don’t expect it to be the exact same script as movies about Moses you have seen in the past.
According to the box office results, Exodus: Gods and Kings was number one on its opening weekend (just opened this past weekend on December 12), so many other movie goers must have also been looking forward to seeing it as much as I was!
Will you be going to see this movie? Or, did you see it and what did you think of it?
For more information, pictures, and to find a theater where it is playing, you can visit the movie’s official website: Exodus: Gods and Kings.
The trailer was my first peek into the movie, you can view it below.
Hugs,
Paola
Another poster from the movie.
During winter it is cold, windy, and the air is dry, which can make our skin to feel dry and flaky. Our face is the part of the body which is most exposed to the harsh elements of the weather and these may cause our skin to become sensitive. During the winter months we can follow five simple steps to help keep our skin moisturized and looking beautiful!
1 – Moisturize: The facial moisturizer we use during summer may be too light for the winter months. During winter use a moisturizer that is thicker and heavier to help fight the extreme weather elements. At first, the moisturizer may seem heavy to the touch, but once you notice how fast the skin on your face and neck absorb it, you will know your skin needs a heavier moisturizer this time of the year. The best time to apply moisturizer is right after you get out of the shower or wash your face, and at night before you go to sleep. If possible, allow your skin a few minutes to absorb the moisturizer before you lay down at night. This way you maximize the benefit of the moisturizer on your skin and part of it doesn’t get immediately rubbed off onto your pillowcase or sheets. Apply a lip moisturizer or Vaseline on your lips before you go to sleep. I keep a small jar of Vaseline in my nightstand and apply it every night.
2 – Avoid Hot Water: Even though taking a shower or washing our face with hot water may feel pleasant during winter time, it isn’t beneficial to our skin because the hot water actually strips moisture from our skin. It is better to use warm water and take shorter showers.
3 – Avoid Products with Alcohol: Products with high alcohol content and harsh ingredients can over dry the skin. Try to use a milder or gentle face wash and make-up remover.
4 – Stay hydrated And Eat Healthy: This is a basic rule of thumb to follow year-round, but in the winter it may seem we may get less thirsty because the weather is not hot. Our bodies still need to stay hydrated. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, particularly those containing vitamin C, which may help the body produce collagen. Eat foods containing omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, olive oil, and avocado.
5 – Protection: It is challenging to avoid going outdoors in the winter, but we can protect our skin. Try to avoid extremely cold winds because these can irritate your skin. Use sunglasses when possible to protect the skin around your eyes, a hat, and a scarf. A hat can provide coverage for your forehead and even your ears depending on the style. A scarf will protect you neck, and can also be used to wrap over the nose and mouth area in the case of windy weather. Apply sunblock on your face and neck, and chapstick on your lips.
If your skin gets excessively irritated during the winter season, it is recommended that you visit a doctor. The doctor can tell you if you have a medical skin condition. If you have oily or sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist before using a new moisturizer or skin care product, to confirm it is adequate for your skin type.
Do you change your moisturizer in the winter season? Do you think you drink less water during the winter months? Share your skin care tips, I’d love to hear from you.
Hugs,
Paola
ESPANOL:
Manten Tu Cutis Luciendo Bello Durante el Invierno
Durante la temporada de invierno hace frio, viento, y hay menos humedad en el ambiente, y esto puede causarnos resequedad en el cutis. Nuestra cara es la parte del cuerpo que esta mas expuesta a los elementos del clima y estos pueden causarnos sensibilidad en la piel. Durante el invierno, podemos seguir estos cinco pasos para ayudar a mantener nuestro cutis humectado y luciendo bello.
1 – Humectar: El humectante facial que usamos durante el verano quizas sea demasiado ligero para uso en el invierno. En el invierno utiliza un humectante mas espeso para ayudar a combatir los elementos extremos del clima. Los momentos claves para la humectacion son al salir de bañarse o en cuanto uno se lava la cara, y el la noche antes de dormir.
2 – Evitar Agua Caliente: Aunque darnos un baño con agua caliente quizas se sienta agradable durante el invierno, en realidad no es bueno para nuestra piel ya que el agua caliente la reseca. Es mejor bañaras con agua tibia y darse banos mas cortos.
3 – Evita Productos con Alcohol: Los productos que contienen alcohol pueden resecar el cutis. Procura lavar tu cutis con un jabon o desmaquillante mas suave y humectante.
4 – Mantente Hidratado y Come Saludable: Es importante tomar agua para mantenernos hidratados. Consume productos con grasas naturales y omega 3, como el aguacate, aceite de olivo, nueces, y pescado. Come frutas y verduras que contengan vitamina C, como las naranjas. La vitamin C puede ayudar a que el cuerpo produzca colágeno.
5 – Protegete: Es dificil evitar salir durante el invierno, pero si podemos proteger nuestra cara. Procura evitar los vientos extremadamente frios ya que estos pueden irritar tu cutis. Utiliza lentes para proteger la piel alrededor de los ojos, un gorro, y una bufanda. Aplica bloqueador solar en la cara y cuello, y vaselina en los labios.
Si tu cutis se irrita excesivamente durante el invierno, es recommendable que visites a un doctor. El te podra indicar si tienes una condicion medica relacionada con la piel. Si eres de cutis graso o sensible, es recomedable que visites a un dermatologo antes de utilizar un humectante o producto de limpieza facial nuevo, para confirmar que este sea adecuado para tu tipo de piel.
Un abrazo,
Paola
Over the past seven years, I have been fortunate to be invited to participate at events at Westfield Mission Valley and Plaza Bonita. The Marketing Team at the shopping center organizes the best events! I am always glad to support them and their events! There will be two major events this holiday season at Continue reading
In Southern California our fall season can be pretty warm. The evenings may get a little nippy in November, but it doesn’t really get too cold until December. I have been wearing short sleeve tops during the day and just add a light cardigan or jacket in the evenings. The warm weather during the day also lends itself for fall dresses. When I shop for dresses, I think of the multiple uses a dress will have and it’s versatility:
– Can I wear it for multiple occasions by dressing it up or down, ie: dinner, brunch, a baptism, work, a cocktail reception, to emcee an event, a barbecue, etc.?
– Can it be worn year round, or only in the summer or winter?
– Will I be able to still wear it next year or only this season?
– Will it be easy to care for & wash at home, does it require ironing or dry cleaning?
– Can I accessorize it to change the look, maybe add a cardigan or jacket to it, add gold or silver, sandals or heals?
– Will it make a good dress for trips, is it easy to pack, does it wrinkle easily?
This is really how my mind works. Due to my profession and the multiple personal commitments we have, I probably have more dresses than what you expect to find in a woman’s closet. In addition to work commitments, I have a large family and a good group of friends, so between my husband’s schedule and mine, we keep a pretty active social calendar. What does that mean for me? I need different outfits, right!? I also like dresses because for the most part, they are easy to wear. Just add shoes and a necklace, and you are ready to go!
This little dress was a good purchase. I got it at Ross – another good find at Ross! I’ve worn it three times this fall: for an event at Westfield Plaza Bonita, to work (with black tights, booties, and a jacket), and to the Opening of TopShop at Fashion Valley. It is a little shorter than the dresses I usually wear, so I added some black short shorts underneath, just to be safe, but mostly to feel more comfortable. I matched it with coral color Nine West shoes with a medium heel. I may wear this dress one more time this fall or winter….with tights.
What do you look for when buying dresses? Do you have a little black dress you wear in the fall and winter?
Hugs,
Paola
I like the coral and camel color on the bottom portion of the dress, they add color & fun to it!
Dress: Sweet Storm (purchased at Ross); Shoes: Nine West; Bracelets: Coach & Forever21; Necklaces: own gold jewelry
With Javier Tirado, Marketing Director, at event at Westfield Plaza Bonita
At the Opening of TopShop at Fashion Valley
With the fall season here and winter just around the corner, it is time for some new booties and boots. At the recent opening of Topshop at Fashion Valley, I took a look at some of my favorite booties from their shoe section….and their over the knee boots. I was pleased to see their booties and boots are leather, which is optimal because they will give-in making them more comfortable to wear. Which is your favorite bootie?
Do you have over the knee boots? Have you gotten any new boots for the season?
If you missed my Topshop Grand Opening post, you can see it here.
Hugs,
Paola
PS – The black booties and blue shooties I bought at Nine West earlier this year, which I have been wearing this fall.
The shoe section for women at Topshop has multiple options, among them casual flats, heals, booties, and boots.
These were my favorite booties. Buckles are in trend for this season.
Multiple options of over the knee boots.
November has begun and with daylight savings time, it is getting dark earlier. We are in California, and by 5:00pm, you can start seeing the sun setting. I went for two evening walks this week, one with my hubby and one with my friend, Lola. By 6:00pm, I felt like it was already 8:00pm! The weather has been warm in San Diego this week, but fall weather is being felt and we finally turned off our air conditioning at home. I actually added a blanket to the bed covers at night – only on my side though, the hubby doesn’t like using a blanket.
What do you have planned for the weekend? I am heading to watch my niece in a play. It’ll be a family outing, with my siblings, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. I am excited to see my niece perform, she is very talented! I am also going shopping with my niece, Natalia. We will buy a scrap book for her sister, my niece, Ana Paola. She had her Quinceañera last week and I took lots of fun pictures. I will print some pictures for her and give them to her as a gift with the scrap book. We’ll get together another day to assemble and decorate the scrap book. I think it will be a nice surprise! I will also try to go for a walk with Natalia (she will ride her bicycle), so I can get some exercise and we can chat! I love my nieces and spending time with them is one of my favorite things to do! Hope you have a nice weekend….here are some fun links from the web!
What are you up to this weekend?
Hugs,
Paola
– Thanksgiving is in a few weeks: 31 Essential Desserts for the Holiday (recipes included)
– Not sure which blush to wear this winter? Best Blush for Winter (according to Vogue Editors)
– Do you like Sriracha sauce? Now you can take it everywhere, even on a flight: Sriracha to Go Keychain Bottle, such a cool idea & it’s refillable!!! Now someone make a Mexican hot sauce or jalapeño version, please.
– Do you want to start to meditate? Learn how with Oprah & Deepak’s Free 21-Day Meditation Experience: Energy of Attraction. It’s an audio guided meditation you can do at home. I signed up! Did I mention, it’s free?
– Support a good cause. Attend the March of Dimes’ San Diego Signature Chefs & Master Mixologists Gala. Learn more about the March of Dimes on their site. In case you are wondering, like I was before I started volunteering with them five years ago, the March of Dimes provides programs for mothers and babies, and funding for research to support healthier babies.
– Have you seen this? You must see it! Saturday Night Live’s: Jim Carrey Spoof of Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln ads. Hilarious!!! It’s gotten more than 7 million views in one week!
– Ellen also did a spoof on the Matthew McConaughey Lincoln ads. Her spoof made me laugh out loud, especially the last line! Gotta love Ellen! Her version has gotten almost 5 million views!
– In case you haven’t seen them, here are links to the actual Matthew McConaughey Lincoln Ads: MKC Intro, Bull, & I Just Liked It
– If you love pets, you can support Black Tie CEO Club’s event: Diamonds Are Forever Fashion Contest, 100% of the proceeds go to help abandoned & abused dogs raises funds. The event will be held on November 18, at Aston Martin San Diego and sounds exciting, very glam & glitzy ! Tickets are only $20.
– Did you see Horrible Bosses? Well, Horrible Bosses 2 is coming out soon. I am looking forward to seeing the movie, should be funny! Here’s a link to the movie trailer.
We all have a “little black dress” in our closet. Or, we have multiple “little black dresses.” They are versatile and easy to wear, but this year, why not add some color to your holiday party dresses? The holidays are coming up and that means parties! So, with the upcoming holidays and because I am constantly attending events, I knew I’d be needing a few new dresses. At a recent visit to Ross, I was pleasantly surprised with the nice & trendy items I found, and with the low prices! It takes time to shop at Ross, particularly if you are looking for a good deal, but it is worth it! I found this stylish “little blue dress.” I didn’t have a specific event in mind, but I knew it would come in handy. And, it has! I have worn it twice already and am certain I will wear it a few more times this holiday season and in the coming years! It is a classic v-neck, fitted cut, and knee-high length, which won’t go out of style soon. I like that I can match it with either gold or silver accessories. It can also be worn with multiple colors, I am thinking red shoes or a red cardigan….yellow, white, or even black, and can be dressed up or down. I can use it during the winter season with black tights and a cardigan sweater. I can turn it into work attire by adding a business jacket, plus it is perfect for a TV shoot, and is a good cocktail dress!
I wore it to a wedding in Miami last week. It was an outdoor wedding, so I brought a silk pashmina, which I wore in the evening when the temperature got cooler. In mid-October, I wore it to Mana’s Latina Success Conference where I was a moderator and went on stage to receive a recognition.
The dress is a royal blue color and brings light to my face! I feel comfortable in the dress, which nowadays is the most important thing for me. It is nice to add color to my option of dresses. Black is nice and we all have a little black dress….so, next time, get a blue dress, or a red, green, or yellow dress, and add color to your next party attire!
Do you have a blue cocktail dress? Do you prefer a blue or a red dress? How many little black dresses do you have?
Hugs,
Paola
At the wedding in Miami. Don’t mind the bandage on my arm, I was in a car accident recently and this was the most discreet bandage I could find that still protected my abrasion.
We attempted to cover my right forearm in the pictures, then I gave up and figured the pictures are about the dress and overall attire, not my arm.
At Mana’s Latina Success Conference.
Dress: Spense (purchased at Ross); Shoes: INC; Necklace: Swarovski (wedding, gift from my friend Lola), Forever21 (Mana Conference); Earrings: Nadri (Nordstrom, gift from my friend Lizeth); Bracelet: Forever21
Topshop Topman celebrated the Grand Opening of their stylish new store in San Diego! The store is located at Fashion Valley shopping center, on the first level, next to JcPenney. Topshop is located on first floor and Topman is on the underground level. I attended the Grand Opening and enjoyed seeing the on-trend items the store has, including clothing, coats, shoes, accessories, purses, and jewelry. There is casual and dressy fast-fashion attire. The Grand Opening included a goodie bag, exclusive giveaways, Topman gift cards, t-shirt printing, entertainment by a Local DJ on the decks, pop-up photo booth, and free gift for customers that spent $70. There were so many nice items to see that I took lots of pictures. Here are pictures from the Topshop Grand Opening. I will make a separate post in the coming days with pictures from the Topman store, my favorite womens shoes and jackets, and the accessories section.
Nordstrom is the exclusive stockist for Topshop in the USA and I have purchased clothing from this brand in the past. This is the first Topshop store in San Diego and the first one of its kind that I have visited. The prices are reasonable. The quality looked well-made. The prices and items are comparable to Zara and H&M (a bit higher than H&M for the casual attire). I will be back to do some shopping, it will be a shopping day with my sis for sure!
Have you been to Topshop or Topman? Do you have any Topshop clothing?
Hugs,
Paola
The goodie bag items.
He did it again! My hubby bought lots of Halloween candy, more than we can give away to trick-or-treaters! He bought it a few weeks before Halloween and bought chocolates! Yes, chocolates! Not the hard candy which I won’t be tempted to eat, but milk chocolate…and some of my favorite types! Last year, I shared my tricks to avoid eating Halloween candy. The two main things I do is purchase candy I don’t like (hard candy) and secondly, give away the left over candy after Halloween. These tricks worked for me when I was single. Now that I am married, my hubby buys the candy a few weeks ahead of time and before I know it, there are multiple bags of delicious chocolate in the pantry! The chocolate seems to be calling my name!
Last year, my hubby did the same thing. What I did was have a few pieces of chocolate, but by Halloween we had eaten half the bag of Kit Kats. This year, I decided not to even open the bags. I had the urge many times, but I would walk away from the chocolates. What I did was leave the chocolates in the grocery bags and place them in a far corner of the pantry, on the bottom shelf. The corner that I see less often when I walk into the pantry. It worked because I forgot the chocolates were there. Every once in while, I’d see the bags and remember they were filled with delicious chocolates. But, I also knew that if I didn’t open the bags, I wouldn’t eat any of it. I didn’t completely deprive myself of chocolate (since I always keep chocolate in the pantry), I still had a few chocolate covered almonds when I had a craving for chocolate. But, I didn’t eat lots of chocolate candy bars! It is hard for me to just eat one candy bar and since the packets are snack size, I usually eat two or three, which pretty much adds up to a regular size candy bar.
For these pictures, I took the candy out of the pantry, afterwards I put it right back in the grocery bags and into the far corner of the pantry. I will probably eat some chocolate candy bars on Halloween night. After Halloween, I will give away the left over candy. If I don’t give it away, do you know what will happen? Yup! We will eat every last piece of it…..and not over six months, we will likely eat it within a few weeks.
Storing the candy out of sight in the far corner of the pantry and not opening the bags were the tricks I used this year, and they worked!
Do you eat the Halloween candy before Halloween night? Do you use any tricks to avoid eating too much candy before or after Halloween?
Hugs,
Paola
Hello my delicious chocolate friends!!!!!
Oh how I love thee!
Yikes, now that I see them, I am craving these chocolates!
So many chocolates….and some are my favorites: Almond Joy, Kit Kat, Reese’s, Hershey’s!
I can do this! I can take a picture with all these chocolates and not open the bags….and not eat any!
These are going right back into the grocery bags…..
And, into the back corner of the pantry….if I don’t see the chocolates, I won’t be tempted to eat them!
