My trip to California

So I made it back from my trip to California. I flew out on Mon (at 5:20 am!) with 2 other coworkers for a video shoot for one of our clients. The shoot took place on Tues and included a plant tour and a "how-to-use" of our client's product. We will be shooting some additional B-roll here in Columbus next week.

It was really fun to see how they actually shoot for a video (it takes forever though!) and I am really excited to see how everything turns out. The production company we used was so cool though. They actually have shot videos for artists on MTV! I had never heard of the bands, but still I thought that was cool.




We actually stayed in Pasadena at The Westin, which was awesome! It was within walking distance of this really cute shopping plaza with some awesome restaurants.

We didn't get to do much sight-seeing, since this was for business, but we did get to eat at some awesome restaurants.


The first day we went to the Yard House. This was a great all american type restaurant that is known for having the world's largest selection of draft beer. I am not a very big beer drinker, but it was a fun restaurant.



I had the (MAC + CHEESE)2 which was a mac n cheese with chicken, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and parmesan with campanelle pasta and white truffle oil. It also comes with mushrooms, but I had them leave those out. This was A-MAZ-ING! But it was very rich, and I actually couldn't eat the whole thing. Not to worry though, my 2 traveling buddies help me finish it up, so nothing went to waste!


Then later that night we went to ix-tapa which is a mexian restaurant. They had the most amazing margaritas. They were soooo good! They also had some amazing chips, salsa and guac. I pretty much filled up on the chips and guac, but I did have some of the chicken soft tacos.


This was one of the very tastey margaritas. We had a couple of pitchers of these!

Then on Tuesday night, we went to McCormick and Schmicks. We actually have one of these here in Columbus, but we were starving by the end of the video shoot, and we just wanted a nice steak dinner. We all enjoyed a bottle of Brancott, Marlborough, NZ Sauvignon Blanc, which I really ejoyed, and then I had the Signature Crab Shrimp Cake and 6 oz Filet, and it was soo yummy! We of course then had dessert and were all a little stuff (or VERY stuffed) by the end.

I then headed on back yesterday and it was a full day of travel. We left LAX at 10:15 PST (1:15 EST) and didn't get back into Columbus until 9:25 EST. I am so glad to be home, but I did have a great time and can't wait to go back to CA for fun next time!

All images from Google

Tips Tuesday (on a Wednesday) -- Clothes Shopping

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lamberts Lately) is Tips for Clothes Shopping. I have been traveling all week, so unfortunately this is going to have to be a Tips Wednesday for me =)

First of all, my favorite stores right now are The Limited and Ann Taylor Loft. I also sometimes go into the Gap, but haven’t been there in a while. I don’t really like big department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom because I feel like they are too big, but I have been known to shop there every once in a while (especially for shoes!!). I really love small boutique type shops. I also love DSW for shoes (and I totally have a problem there).

I love shopping and getting great deals on clothes. I have what they say champaign taste on a beer budget, but I do find ways to find nice clothes without breaking the bank. One thing I try to do is never pay full price. It may take some work, but in the end you can typically get whatever you want, and still have some money left over.

Coupons – Of course, whenever I can I try and use coupons. You can typically get these by signing up on store email and mailing lists. I know at Bath & Body Works every time I go in there they ask for my email address. One time I asked them, why do you keep asking, I am already signed up, and they said that every time you give them your email address, it bumps you up in the system to get even more coupons. Also, if you get coupons in your emails, print multiple copies so you can use them more than once. There is not typically a code that lets you only use them once.

Store Cards – I know many people are against credit cards, and I try not to have too many, or too much of a balance, but for my very favorite stores I’ve signed up for store credit cards. I never carry a balance and pay them off every month, but every time I use them I build up store credits which equal free money. I also pay attention to my statement date and if you play it right, you can actually go about a month and a half before you have to actually make your payment. For instance, some of my statements end around the 7th – 11th of every month. If I go shopping on March 15, I won’t have to pay my bill until the first of May. I try to work it that way so that it makes paying off my bill in full much easier.

Email Lists – I love being on email lists for my favorite stores. Now it can get overwhelming sometimes, so you need to make sure to only sign up for things you like, or you will get a million emails. But some stores are great and will email you when things go on sale. For instance, I love Ann Taylor Loft, and they will email me when certain items are half-off or even more. I got a great sweater one time, reg $49.50 for only $20!! I saw that email and immediately when out to get it.

Stalking – Yes, I admit to stalking sales on certain pieces. I used to do this a lot at Gap. Never pay full price, because it will go on sale at some point in time. I live and work very close to shopping plazas, so this is easy for me. If I find something I truly love, I will go back to the store once a week or so and see if it is on sale. Maybe you will think I am crazy, and I probably am, but I have gotten some great deals that way. You can check online also. Sometimes the sale prices are the same, but not always, so be careful. I have called the store before to confirm if something that was on sale online was on sale in the store, and then I typically have them hold that item for me until I can get out there to get it. A little research never hurts when you are looking for a great deal!

Become Friendly with the Store Associates – The Store Associates can be very helpful. Many times they want to help you out. For instance, at The Limited, they are always very friendly, and are always saying, check this out, it’s on sale. Also, if you ask them, they will help you maximize your coupons to get the best deal. Sometimes if you really click with them, they will let you combine coupons, which is not supposed to be done, but I have gotten away with it a couple of times. They typically want to help (although, yes there are a few who don’t care), but for the most part they do.

If you have any great tips please share. I am always looking for ways to find a great deal. Also, check out Leslie’s blog for even more tips.

Off to LA

Image from Google

If you are reading this, I am probably up in the air (hopefully if I made my 5:20 am flight) on my way to LA for a video shoot for work.

We are flying in on Mon (getting to LA at 10 am), the shoot is on Tues, and then flying back on Wed (all day!). I am so excited to be going to LA, but unfortunatly probably will not be able to see much since we will be shooting all day on Tues. I'll try and take some pics though of things I do get to do. Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Spring Weekend Fun

This has been a great weekend! The weather was absolutely beautiful!

View of the golf course in my back yard

Fri night I did a little shopping, and then made BBQ chicken pizza.

It was really easy, just used a premade individual pizza crust and added BBQ sauce, pre-cooked chicken and some mozzarella cheese. It was delicious!

Sat morning started with my favorite breakfast

Cinnamon Crunch bagel from Panera (we had some extra bagels at work on Fri which I snagged and took home with me), and coffee with Coffee Mate Belgian Chocolate Toffee creamer (my absolute favorite).

Then after going to the gym and relaxing for the afternoon (catching up on my DVR’d shows) I had date night with my boyfriend. We went to Champps for diner (and watched a little bit of the Kansas vs North Iowa game), and then headed over to Easton to walk around and look at some of our favorite shops! I am sooo in love with Crate & Barrel, and my boyfriend was so kind to let me get lost in this store!

Then today I got up extra early to get some spring cleaning done, and to complete a few things for work, as well as prepare for my trip to LA tomorrow. I am so excited since this is my first trip to the west coast, but not very excited about my 5:20 am flight. I am actually meeting one of my coworkers at 3:45 am!!! so we can carpool to the airport. I am debating on just not going to bed tonight. Or I am going to have to head to bed around 7 pm tonight. Either way, I am sure I will be exhausted by the end of tomorrow!

Anyway, hope everyone is having a great weekend! I hear some people are getting snow. I am so glad that it is in the high 60’s here, especially after all the snow we had the last 2 months!

Pink Saturday - 3/20/10

Happy Spring everyone! And happy Pink Saturday.

Because today is the first day of spring, I can't help but think that sandal season is just around the corner (actually yesterday it was almost 70 degrees and there were people wearing flip flops to work!).

In honor of the upcoming sandal season, I wanted to share some of my favorite pink OPI nail colors (all images from Google):

Grand Central Carnation

Koala Berry

Pompeii Purple

Bubble Bath

Dim Sum Plum (my newest addition)

And for more information on Pink Saturday, please check out Beverly's blog.

Spring Pillows

I have been trying to incorporate spring into my home by adding some fun colorful items to a different room each week. Last week I bought some really fun things from Crate & Barrel for my kitchen.


This week I found some really fun floral pillows at Home Goods for my living room.

I haven't been to Home Goods in a while, and I was shocked at all the cute stuff and very reasonable prices. I got both of these pillows for $19.99!! And they have feathers as the filling. They were reg $40.00.

At first I was a little worried they wouldn't match my living room (I have red curtains with gold threads in them, and red lampshades (see here). But when I got them home, they were perfect. Just love them.

I would really like to find a fun centerpiece for my coffee table, but so far I have been striking out. I am not sure really what I want, but I am sure I'll know when I come across it. So I guess I'll keep doing what I love....shopping!!

The Price of Beauty

Has anyone seen the new show Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty? I recorded it on Monday, and watched it last night. It was very interesting, and a lot better than I expected it to be.

In this show, Jessica Simpson travels around the globe with her best friend Casey and best friend and hair/makeup stylist Ken Paves to discover with different cultures believe is beautiful.

In this episode, they traveled to Thailand. While there, they shopped in this little market where all the girls shop (both middle and high incomes). In Thailand women are considered beautiful and wealthy if they have very pale skin. Most of them use these creams which lightens their skin. They showed this one woman who's skin had actually burned and she now actually has scars on her face and her arms and hands from using this product.

Women are also considered beautiful if they have long, elegant necks. The crew went to visit this village where the girls wear these gold rings around their necks, which can weigh up to 20 pounds, and the purpose is to help elongate their necks, by pushing down on their shoulders. This kind of disturbed me because these girls start wearing these rings around 5 or 6 years old and they wear them all their lives. Of course it’s not any worse than our girls going through plastic surgery or starving themselves to be skinny.

It’s amazing what women will do for beauty in any culture. I am excited to learn about other cultures and what they think is beautiful. Next week’s episode is in Paris! You should check it out! You can find out more here.