Visiting Quenelle in Burbank

Last month I visited my old stomping grounds (Burbank, CA) for a media event. I took my daughter with me to watch a family-friendly movie, which was educational & fun. We later visited one of my old haunts for lunch & then tried a new dessert place for sweet treats!

Here’s a little tidbit that most of my blog readers probably don’t know – I used to work for the Mouse House. What feels like 100 years ago (but is actually more like a decade ago), I used to work for Disney Consumer Products. This in no way influences what I write about Disney (on this blog or any others that I guest post on). I’ve always been a fan of Disney, but if you knew me back then, then you know that working there is another story… 😉

Anyhoo…my daughter & I ate at Mo’s for lunch. Mo’s!! I used to go here all the time with my coworkers since the food is good & it was within walking distance to our office tower (at the time DCP used to be in Burbank).

I had a banh mi sandwich with sweet potato fries & my daughter had grilled cheese with curly fries. It was yummy!

Then we drove a short distance to Quenelle. I had heard about this place on social media & was dying to try it. Since it was a warm day it made perfect sense to have ice cream. We all “scream” for ice cream, right?!

Some background on the owner/chef John Park – he used to work at some high-end gourmet restaurants in LA, like Water Grill & Providence. The shop is almost a year old.

We found the place relatively easy. It’s located on popular Magnolia Blvd. just down the street from Porto’s & Yummy Cupcakes. There’s free parking in front of the store & it wasn’t hard at all to find a spot. The inside of Quenelle is cute! There is a small kids-sized table inside to eat your treat as well as a bench to sit on outside.

The flavors of the ice cream are very unique & delicious. As you can see from some of the words on the menu boards: yuzu, mochi, kalamansi – there is an Asian influence to the flavor profiles.

I opted for a scoop of chocolate & also strawberry shortcake, while my kiddo had the Thin Mint Ice Cream Bar. For $3.50 (which is the regular size) you get TWO scoops of ice cream! That’s a good deal in my book.

Doesn’t it look delicious? It tasted really good too! If you are ever in the neighborhood, you’ll want to give Quenelle a try. NOTE: They only accept cash, so make sure to hit up the ATM machine before you go.

So what was that movie that I took my daughter to see? Disneynature’s Bears. Here’s a photo of singer Olivia Holt (her song “Carry On” is featured in the film). We ran into her in the parking lot! She was so sweet & was gracious enough to pose for a picture with my daughter. Want to know my thoughts on the movie? Check out my review on Surf & Sunshine by clicking here!

Chloe with Olivia Holt – Singer/Actress

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I happily paid for my meals & treats at both restaurants. As for the movie, that was a media event, as stated over on my guest post. All opinions are my own.

Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the Annenberg Community Beach House

Recently I was chatting with some friends about our favorite beach activities in SoCal. I had mentioned how my family really enjoyed Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica last summer. You can read about our fun day here!

If you have never been to the Annenberg Community Beach House before, then you are in luck! This coming weekend, on April 26 & 27, the City of Santa Monica will celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Annenberg Community Beach House, a 5-acre public beach facility nestled along the Santa Monica coastline, with spectacular ocean views, a children’s playground, art gallery, historic pool & the original Marion Davies Guest House.

Here’s a brief rundown of the many FREE family-friendly programs that they will have all weekend long: beach activities & games, fitness & ballroom-style dance classes, music & dance performances, along with tours of the historic Guest House & grounds – plus much, much more! You can get all of the details here at their website.

(Photo credit: Sarah Prikryl)

This week is my daughter’s Spring Break & I can’t think of a better way to end her weeklong break than by coming to the Beach House! In fact I have already registered for paddleboard lessons. I loved SUP while vacationing in Hawaii & it’s been my goal to try it in SoCal!

(Photo credit: Real Mom of SFV)

Did I mention that we LOVE the pool here at Annenberg! My daughter especially loves that it is heated. She could spend all day doing laps. I personally love the FREE WiFi so that I can keep up with social media while basking in the sun at one of the many lounge chairs.

(Photo credit: Real Mom of SFV)

For more information & to RSVP for the event, please check out their event page on Facebook.

A brief note about parking: Guests are encouraged to bike or walk to the Beach House, since parking is extremely limited. Free bike valet will be provided. An extremely limited number of parking spaces are available at the Beach House for $3/hour or $12/day on a first come, first served basis.

Hope to see you at the beach!

Disclosure: Photo images used with permission by Annenberg Community Beach House & Ashley E. Rodgers. All opinions are my own.

KT Tape Clinic at Fleet Feet Sports

Last Friday I attended a KT Tape clinic at Fleet Feet Sports in Encino. If you follow my blog, then you probably already know that I am a big fan of KT Tape, having chronicled my usage of it here. However I wanted to meet with Dr. Kari Andrew, who was hosting the clinic, to make sure I was putting it on correctly & get additional tips. There’s only so much I can glean from skimming through the KT Tape website & watching the YouTube videos. Disclaimer: the tips & information that I blog about should in no way serve as professional advice. If you have a medical condition like plantar fasciitis or some sort of knee injury from running, then it is best to consult a physician before trying this at home. Ok, so now that we got that out of the way, back to the clinic!

Dr. Andrew passed out samples of KT tape strips to the half dozen people who were assembled in the back area of the retail store.

Dr. Kari Andrew

She explained that KT Tape is:

• Heat activated: after it is applied to your skin, it takes 30-45 minutes to get activated
• Lightweight
• Latex free
• Extremely breathable
• Essentially waterproof: you can shower with it & it should last 1-3 days, depending on your skin type

There are some things you should do to prep the skin before applying the tape – clean the skin so that it is free from lotions and oils, as these things will hamper the effectiveness of the tape sticking to your skin. Some people take alcohol wipes & swab the area down, just to be sure that all of the oils are removed from the skin. I’ve heard folks in the running community talk about problems they have with getting KT Tape to stick. I’ve never had an issue with KT Tape, but they do sell a skin prep & adhesive spray (which I never knew about until I went to the clinic).

KT Tape Skin Prep + Adhesive Spray

For guys who are applying it to their legs, you may want to shave the area so that the tape can stick effectively. Also if you forget to remove the hair, it will probably get pulled off when you peel off the tape! Yikes, can you say unexpected leg wax?!?

Once the skin is prepped, then Dr. Andrews explained to us how to apply the tape. It’s important to touch the tape as little as possible. The easiest way I found to get the backing off of the tape is by using the “tear technique.” Take one precut strip & make a tiny tear in the backing, about a half inch in. Then rip the backing off & apply the base flat, approximately 2” above or below the target tissue/muscle that requires treatment. Rub the base to activate the adhesive, but don’t stretch it yet!

Anchoring the Base

You should never stretch or apply tension at the anchor points (the base or the end). The stretch goes in the middle of the strip, over the muscle or tissue that is in need of treatment. Dr. Andrews explained that you should never fully stretch it 100%, as that is too tight. The tape is designed for 55-60% stretch. It is better to not have enough tension than to have too much.

If you are applying the tape to your knee or foot (like in my situation), then make sure to bend it slightly when applying. This stops the tape from simply popping off when the joint is bent later on.

Applying KT Tape to Knee

After several days the acrylic adhesive will have become quite strong, so be careful when removing the tape. Once I ripped it off quickly (thinking it would be like a band-aid) & my skin got irritated. Dr. Andrews advised to pull it off slowly & go in the direction of body hair. It’s best to apply tension between the skin & the tape, pushing the skin away from the tape rather than “pulling” the tape. Also, never ever pull the tape off in the shower! You might think it would be easier & that it would loosen it up, but it is actually worse since the skin is wet & the tape can actually rip the skin off. Ouch!

Lastly, she advised us to never use the tape on irritated skin or if you suffer from blood clots in your leg. As I had mentioned at the beginning of the post, if you have a medical condition or injury, seek professional medical help first before trying this at home.

KT Tape comes in a variety of colors. I personally like purple & pink, but that’s just me.  🙂

You can purchase KT Tape at any sporting goods store like Fleet Feet Sports, but I’ve even seen it at Big 5, Sports Chalet & online at Costco.

While we are on the subject of Fleet Feet Sports, the Encino location is hosting a Diva Night on April 16th.

They will have free wine tastings, bra fittings, massages, shopping deals, raffle prizes, runway modeling & entertainment by comedian Andy Dugan!!!

This year’s vendors include:
Moving Comfort
ADIDAS
Addaday Massage
The Elbow Room
GU
Nathan
CLIF
and much much more!!!

For more info & to RSVP to this event, click over to their Facebook Event page. I am planning on attending & hope to see you there!

Disclosure: I attended a free KT Tape clinic at Fleet Feet Sports in Encino. Though a post was not required, I wanted to share my experience. The information provided in this post is for informational & educational purposes only. Please consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health & before trying this at home. All opinions are my own.

This Cali Girl Loves California Limited

The following post is sponsored by California Limited. All opinions are my own.

I’m a Cali girl, born & raised in the LA area. I love my home state, what with the great weather, tons of attractions & diverse cultures. Like the t-shirt says below, I truly believe that the West Coast is the best coast! Where else can you go from snowboarding in the mountains of Big Bear to playing volleyball on the beach in a matter of hours? Like Katy Perry said, “You could travel the world, but nothing comes close to the Golden Coast.” Amen sister!!

As a busy mom who does a lot of volunteer work at my daughter’s school, my wardrobe consists mainly of comfy, casual clothes. I love shirts that are soft & relaxed, that I can wear with my jeans to a PTA meeting, as well as with my yoga pants to grab coffee with a friend after a workout. So when I heard about California Limited, an Orange County based business that prints cool & hip California slogans onto premium fabrics, I jumped at the chance to try out their products!

California Limited designs & prints their shirts in Orange County. What started out in Costa Mesa as a Facebook fan page has now evolved into an online business that showcases apparel for men & women, as well as accessories.

I recently wore this California Limited baseball tee while running errands around town. It’s soft & lightweight, perfect for wearing with jeans or even leggings!

I liked the two shirts so much, that I’m thinking about going online & getting additional items. Perhaps I’ll get this blue Golden Wing shirt.

I think this Golden State of Mind t-shirt would be perfect for my hubby!

This California Girl necklace is really cute!

This clothing line is perfect for those who love the California lifestyle, whether you’re a California native like myself or you hope to visit the Golden State one day. For more information on California Limited, visit their website at: http://www.calimited.com/

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for California Limited. I received sample products to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Jo Malone Trunk Show

Last week I attended a fun event at Blo Blow Dry Bar in Porter Ranch, where the guests were treated to a Jo Malone trunk show while sipping on drinks & light snacks. Representatives from Jo Malone were there to educate us on their fragrances.

When I had heard about this free community event, I immediately RSVP’d! You see I’ve been a big fan of Jo Malone for years. There’s a Nordstrom near my home & whenever I am in the store, I would stop at the Jo Malone counter & spritz a little grapefruit cologne on my wrists. I just love the clean, crisp smell of citrus.

Usually I don’t wear a lot of perfume, especially heavy ones because I developed a sensitivity in college where I would get headaches or start to sneeze whenever I used them. However I am able to wear scented lotions without any issues, depending on the fragrance. Fortunately for me, I don’t have that reaction with ANY of the Jo Malone products – yay!

What I learned at the Jo Malone trunk show is that you can layer different fragrances to create your own signature scent. I personally loved the grapefruit combined with orange blossom. The combination of these two colognes creates a light fragrance of citrus & floral scents.

Jo Malone has a nice collection of colognes, body washes, lotions, crèmes, bath oils and candles in various scents.

After consulting with the fragrance gurus & trying on several products, I decided to make my purchase. Angela from Bloomingdale’s Sherman Oaks was on hand to take orders & I even got a special parting gift!

Tell me: What scents do you look for in your perfume? Are you a citrus, fruity, spicy, musk or floral wearer?

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. I received a gift with purchase while attending a free community event. All opinions are my own.

Blo Blow Dry Bar

Last Tuesday I went to a fun media event at Blo Blow Dry Bar in Beverly Hills. Blo USA is an international chain of blow dry bars, where you can get your hair washed & blown out in various styles.

After the stylist washed my hair, I consulted Blo’s hair menu book & picked out a style that had loose curls.

Here’s my before & after photo:

When I got home later that evening, my daughter was so fascinated by my curls! She’d never seen my hair like that because I’m pretty much a “throw it in a ponytail” kind of mom.

She begged & begged me to let her get her hair styled that way for the upcoming Father-Daughter Dance at her school. I’m pretty much all thumbs when it comes to styling my own hair, let alone my daughter’s, lol! Fortunately for us, there’s a Blo Blow Dry Bar in the Valley (Porter Ranch), conveniently located 10 minutes from our house.

I did have reservations about it at first, thinking hmmmm…is she too young for this sort of thing? I know some moms who would never let their elementary school aged daughters get a manicure at the local nail salon, let alone a professional blow out. Since this was a special occasion, I decided to splurge a little and let her get it done.

The big dance was last Friday & she was so excited to sit in the salon chair!

Here she is at the big dance! The happy smile on her face was well worth the $21 (not including tip) that I paid.

So what was that media event that I was covering? I was meeting the cast of the Private Lives of Nashville Wives!

Last night was the premiere of their show on TNT. Click on over to Surf and Sunshine to see my review!

Tell me: Have you ever gotten your hair blown out? What was the occasion? 

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Giving Back to the North Valley Family YMCA

This is not a sponsored post.

The North Valley Family YMCA is a place that my family has been going to for many years. My husband likes to work out using the cardio machines & shooting basketballs around in the big gym. My daughter has taken ballet & tap classes from the fabulous dance instructors at the Y. Over the summer she participated in a kids cooking class, where she made delicious healthy snacks.

It’s no secret to readers of my blog that I love taking TRX classes. Well, did you know that these TRX classes are taken at the Y? Imagine that! Even the big named franchise gyms near my house don’t offer this class.

For those living in the North San Fernando Valley, I’m sure you know at least one person who utilizes the services of the Y – whether it is taking swim lessons, participating in the various sports leagues, attending summer camp or going to Y-Guides meetings with their parent.

Right now, the North Valley Family YMCA is in the middle of their Annual Campaign.

Please consider donating to this important cause.  Your gift provides support for youth development, healthy living & social responsibility in the following areas:

These are just several ways your gift will help strengthen the community by supporting youth development, healthy living & social responsibility.

Please consider making a donation today! Even a gift of $25 can help make a difference & ensure a brighter future for our community!

Should you make a donation through the link, please ensure that you designate it for the “Capital Campaign” & type my name in the write-in section of the Community Support Team (see sample below).

Thanks so much for taking the time to read through this post. I believe that through social media, we can do social good! 🙂

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. I’ve been a proud supporter of the North Valley Family YMCA for many years. As a Community Gifts Team Member, I’m happy to volunteer my time in writing this post. All opinions are my own.

My Left Foot

Don’t let the title fool you, this is not a post on the Daniel Day-Lewis film from the late 80s, but rather it’s about the pain that I’ve been having in my left heel since last Fall. (Ok, I know that I’m dating myself for using such an old pop culture reference, lol!)

Starting in September, my heel would hurt at random moments. Then in late November, the pain started to persist everyday, usually late in the evening or right after I worked out (which is generally 3-4 days a week).

To help alleviate this pain, I’ve been using these items/techniques:

Frozen Water Bottle
A runner in a Facebook group that I belong to had told me about this trick. Take a water bottle & put it in the freezer. Then when your heel is hurting, roll your foot over the bottle. It sounds weird, but it totally works!

Foot Massage Ball
While I am watching TV or sitting at the computer (like right now), I roll my foot all over this sucker. The little nubs really get in there & dig into my heel where it is hurting.

KT Pro Tape
I’ve been using this since last Spring when my right knee started hurting while jogging. I had originally used a knee brace, but it kept slipping even though I used the smallest size. Then a friend told me about KT Tape & it definitely supports my knee in a way that the brace never could. For the last several months, I’ve been taping my foot as well.

Superfeet Insoles
Last year I went to Fleet Feet Sports in Encino & had them evaluate my running style. The salesperson had me jog around the store barefoot to see how I ran. Turns out that I suffer from over-pronation & the Superfeet insoles placed in any of my running shoes will help counteract that issue. I also found out that over-pronation can eventually lead to plantar fasciitis.

Ultra Roller
I use this roller on my legs after a workout to get the kinks out & also on my heel. The grooves on this particular roller really get into the tissue & massage it.

Feet Stretches & Exercises
In the morning, before I start my day, I do these simple exercises. It really helps warm-up the muscles & tissues in my feet.

Despite all of my best intentions, my heel started to really hurt in the last month. As most of you know, I ran two 5k’s in the last 3 months – one in November & one in January. Yes, I know this probably contributed to the plantar fasciitis, but you know what they say about “playing through the pain!” Honestly I really think that it all started last summer when I wore flip flops every day. Now mind you, I was using FitFlop sandals (not the traditional flimsy flip flops), so I felt that these provided enough support for my feet. At the time my feet didn’t hurt at all, which is why I kept using them in the summer whenever I wasn’t wearing my workout shoes. However I definitely think it added to the start of my heel pain.

I finally went to see my doctor about 2 weeks ago. He evaluated my foot, took a couple of x-rays & then diagnosed it as plantar fasciitis. I’m on a high dosage of ibuprofen to help with the inflammation & pain. While the meds have helped a lot, I’m going to ask to see a podiatrist when I go for my follow-up visit with my doctor next week. I’ve gotta get my foot back to 100% so that I can run the Disneyland 10k on Labor Day weekend!!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I just happen to really like all of these products! All opinions are my own.

Merry Christmas – Wordless Wednesday

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Here’s to a Happy 2014!!

Flipping Out Over Flipeez – Product Review

Have you heard about Flipeez? If you have school age children, then chances are they’ve seen the commercial on TV. Flipeez are fun, stylish hats with “a super soft inner fleece lining & knit outer hat.” They come in a variety of animal shapes: Kitty, Monster, Monkey & Puppy.

The best part about these hats? You squeeze the puff-ball in the tassel & watch as the animal’s tail wags or arms open! My daughter was so excited to try out the puppy hat. Check out the puppy ears flapping!

Kids will love this hat because not only is it fun looking, but it provides entertainment as well. My husband & I like it because it keeps Chloe’s head warm.

Now my daughter’s had hats before, but usually they only stay on for a brief moment. We’ve gone on a couple of outings & Chloe kept the Flipeez on the entire time, squeezing the puff-ball so that people walking by could see the puppy ears flop up & down.

Earlier this week, we went to an outdoor ice-skating rink to see Kristi Yamaguchi, an Olympic champion who won the gold medal in figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics. This was a special event in Burbank, where Kristi read her book “It’s A Big World, Little Pig!” & happily skated with kids from a local area school.

My daughter received several compliments that day about her cute hat! We even saw another little girl out on the ice rink wearing the Monster Flipeez. When the girl saw my daughter, she immediately walked over to Chloe & they both started to “flip their lid!” Unfortunately they got camera shy when I whipped out my smartphone…silly girls.

Flipeez would make a great holiday gift for any girl or boy. For more information or to purchase your own Flipeez, visit www.flipeez.com.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I received a sample product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.