Travel Review: Colorado Skiing

Colorado Skiing

Heading out to Colorado from Los Angeles I packed practically every sweater I own as well as my new snow pants and bright pink ski jacket. And too many scarves and hats. I will be spending New Years at a ski resort in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, some of the best skiing in the world. I am still worried if I will  be warm enough 8000 feet high in the Rocky Mountains. I am definitely excited to go skiing though. I will be staying at the ski resort for 6 days. I am planning on taking some refresher ski lessons and staying close to the bottom of the hill. LOL. I can’t wait to make hot chocolate and relax in the lodge as well. Now I'm going to take a nice sleeping pill and try to make it to Colorado in one piece! Haha! I'll be posting daily updates of my vacation here and let you know if I like the resort and location. Follow along if you are interested in taking a ski trip to the Rocky Mountains!

Well I made it to Colorado in one piece! Today was my first day in the mountain. The ski rental desk was very nice and helpful and supplied me with great ski equipment. That is one of the most important things when you are skiing; so always make sure you have the right size boots and skis if you are renting. I took a level  4 ski lesson all day, which I would highly recommend to anyone who is unsure of their ski abilities.  My instructors name was Tom; he was very nice and informative. He is a professor at the local university around here. He teaches Spanish and history and we talked a lot about art history and the Spanish golden age, one of my favorite subjects. His friendly attitude definitely made me feel more comfortable on the slopes and I really made some progress. I think tomorrow I'll take another refresher lesson in the morning and then I'll be ready to hit the slopes for real! The skiing today was great because it wasn't too crowded and there was hardly a line for the lift.  The pine trees lining the hill make the skiing picturesque and relaxing.

My condo is nice and spacious with a patio that has a great view. Although it is way too cold for me to go outside right now. I am definitely glad I brought all my warm sweaters. My ski outfit looked fashionable and did a great job of keeping me warm though!

Continued ski lessons today ans I made it to the top! And back down again! I'm definitely ready for some fun now. My instructor took me up to a hidden path at the top called stagecoach which is super easy and fun for beginners! It winds its way back down the mountain through the pine trees in a serpentine pattern. The top of the mountain is so silent you can hear the snowfall. It's a great feeling to connect with nature. After I made it down I decided to hit the restaurant in the lodge for lunch and to warm up. The food was great and the hot chocolate was even better. Maybe it was just the freezing temperatures but that was excellent cocoa. I ordered a cheeseburger that tasted great and kept me satisfied all afternoon. That wasn't the only thing on the menu though. They had many options including wraps, melts, and sandwiches. I'm sure there is something for everyone in this cozy lodge.. After finishing my delicious lunch I headed back to the slopes and tried Bill's run. It's a fairly intermediate run from the top. I enjoyed the occasional steep drops and nice turns. I headed back to my condo for some rest and I an't wait to get back out there tomorrow. 

Today is New Year's Eve and I am heading to the slopes fro the morning. 

I had a great time exploring the top today I did stagecoach again just for fun and did another run from the top. This evening at 6 there will be a New Years celebration at the lodge and a torchlight parade of skiers coming down the mountain! For now I'm just relaxing in my condo and enjoying the beautiful view.

The torchlight parade was awesome! And standing out in the freezing cold at night was totally worth it for those great fireworks! There was nice turn out at the lodge for the New Years party and everyone was having a great time. There was a DJ and lights so people could dance and hang out. If you are looking for an intimate New Years celebration I definitely recommend Powderhorn resort. Not to mention the great skiing!

Harper and Harlow in Manhattan Beach: the trendiest store in the Southbay

Manhattan Beach is one of the best places to shop boutiques, especially for one-of-a-kind merchandise. As you walk down Manhattan Beach Boulevard towards the strand, you pass by the Skechers store and the always bustling Manhattan Beach Creamery and then you will come to a little store on the left corner of the street. Harper and Harlow is located in downtown Manhattan Beach just a few steps from the pier. Shopping in this cute boutique is always fun with everyone in downtown Manhattan Beach enjoying the sun and the waves. There are many cute boutiques in Manhattan but this one is my absolute favorite. I discovered it over the summer while wandering the boulevard. It is always on trend and I love the edgy and hippy styles they have. Their graphic tee's are awesome and work great for the casual beach style. Each week a new tee with a cool saying on it is hanging in the window. The t-shirt saying this week was "save water drink champagne". The chic clothes come at a great price as well. This shop has something for everyone. I also love the cute baubles they have placed in the front of the store. I love to gift shop here as well. They always participate in the sidewalk sales and other events in downtown Manhattan Beach. So next time your in the Southbay check out this great store! Also don't forget to check out my accessories line labeled SierraClair handbags carried exclusively in Harper and Harlow! I'll be posting more about my handbag designs and the design process for you fashion junkies soon!

LA Live: Rock the Red Kettle Holiday Concert Giving in a Rockin' way

To get in the Christmas mood I attended the annual Rock the Red Kettle concert put on by the Salvation Army every year in downtown LA. At the LA Live event center the intimate venue and Christmas decorations as well as the nice weather make the outdoor concert a great one. This year the main performers included R5 and You Tube sensation Shawn Mendez. Every year the Salvation Army puts on the Rock the Red Kettle concert with up and coming musical artists to spread awareness for the foundation and help promote giving. The concert started out small but has grown to have a large turnout and this year was definitely a success.  Be prepared for a long line and a long wait.  Upon arrival I was directed to the ticket line, three blocks from the actual venue, where I climbed stairs and wound through the ropes.  The attendants were taking guests in groups so we stood at the front of the line waiting for a large enough group before they walked us all back to where we started to enter the concert.  Despite this slightly inconvenient process, the event was worth it.  I was able to get great seats in the press area so I can share the most exclusive concert coverage with you.

The opening act was Josh Levi, an up and coming artist, with a fan following nick named Levination. The next act was Exist Elsewhere, a trending California band with a cool sound and great performance.

 I really enjoyed seeing Exist Elsewhere as I hadn't heard of them before the concert. They have a unique sound and really capture California music. Next up was Becky G the young rapper and winner of Disney Channel's Next Big Thing or N.B.T. Becky G. is currently on tour with Jason Derulo and quickly gaining popularity as a young rapper. She gave a great performance and got the crowd excited. then cam R5 the band starring Disney Channel's Ross lynch from Austin and Ally and his siblings. 

They have been on tour in Europe and played their most popular song Smile for the excited crowd. Then there was Bea Miller the young singer who is gaining popularity on the itune pop music chart with her song Young Blood. She performed her new song for us "Rich Kids" which was a great song with a pop vibe. I think she will continue to gain recognition with her great attitude and talent. 

And the act the whole crowd was waiting for, Shawn Mendez, closed the show with a great acoustic performance of his most popular songs. The young YouTube singer has a large fan base and gained recognition by posting videos of himself singing his own songs and covers on Youtube. The giant Christmas tree and lighted tress along with the ice skating rink gave the LA live event some great Christmas cheer. Rock the Red Kettle is a great way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season, giving back. I am definitely looking forward to see which up-and-coming bands will perform next year. Hope to see you there! For more info on the rock the red kettle tour go to http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/2014/12/17/youtube-talents-encourages-viewers-to-donate-to-the-salvation-army/.

WB24: Sushi with a View at the Ritz Carlton Downtown LA

After a great concert put on by the Salvation army called Rock the Red Kettle at LA Live I headed over to the Ritz Carlton Hotel in downtown LA for some dinner. If you want to know more about the free holiday concert read my review here. I decided to try the WB 24 Asian restaurant by Wolf Gang Puck. The Asian fusion restaurant is located on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. With a great view of LA and a modern design aesthetic the restaurant was the perfect place to relax and look out on the city lights. I even got the chance to use my Hyperlapse app for the first time since I downloaded it 3 months ago. I took a great video of the freeway lights amidst the downtown highrises. The appetizer menu looked so enticing, I decided to order the tempura green beans.

 This delicious appetizer turned out to be more filling than I though and by the time my Chinese chicken salad came I could only eat a few bites, but they were delicious. 

The fresh ingredients and yummy Chinese dressing paired with crunchy wontons on top make this salad a great choice. 

Then my California rolls came. These were not the traditional California roll but instead they had king crab inside along with the signature avocado. These were undeniably some of the best California rolls I've tasted. I was so full after the meal, I wished I hadn't ordered desert. But I did not regret the delicious green tea banana split I tasted. 

With an almond blondie and banana fried in green tea flavored batter and topped with orange flavored flower petals, this delicate desert is the perfect way to end your meal at WB24. It is certainly a unique dessert with distinctly strong flavors. 

The rest of the hotel was decorated with lighted Christmas decorations including the restaurant. The Christmas trees lights reflected off the window as I looked over the busy freeway and lights of downtown. It was quite a view. The Ritz sparkled with Christmas lights all over as I headed downstairs. 

I definitely recommend the restaurant if you are looking for some delicious sushi in some of best ambiance in downtown LA.

Holiday Shopping: Colorado Street Pasadena

If you are looking for a place to get all your last minute shopping done in one stop, Colorado Street in Pasadena is perfect. There is a store for everyone here whether you are shopping for cute clothes for kids at Madewell or some holiday glitter at Tiffany's for that special  someone. Not to mention the quaint main street feel that gives off a Christmas spirit.  You can get all the holiday cheer you are looking for in a festive ambiance with the street performers singing Christmas carols and the lights on the trees and holiday window displays. Wandering the street and enjoying the view is especially nice in the warm Pasadena weather. And of course you can't have a successful shopping trip without some great food. There are so many delicious options to choose from. The Cheesecake Factory and Bucca di Beppos are both always a delicious choice.  If you have a little more time for a 5 course dinner, The Melting Pot is a fun place for fondue. If you are looking for a more local flavor there are many cute Italian cafes to choose from. For great Argentinian cuisine, 1810 serves up tasty entrees and delicious chocolate souffle.  Some even have live music. If Sushi is what you're in the mood for the best local place is Gayu Kaku just a block away on Greene Street. I personally decided to try the 800 Degrees Pizzeria where they make a homemade pizza right in front of you as you pick from the array of fresh ingredients. I also ordered a delicious side Italian salad. For dessert I headed over to one of the cute french cafes called Aux Delices and got a tasty creme brulee. After my hunger was satisfied I could really get down to business. Shopping! I headed over to Lucky brand where I was greeted by a friendly and attentive staff. Soon I was having my own movie montage trying on every pair of jeans in the store. I was putting on a mini fashion show for the store as I picked out my jeans and outfits.Together the helpful staff and I picked out two great pairs of jeans and they found me matching shirts and sweaters. They even convinced me to try a new color palette for the winter. Check my Instagram account @cerisesdumatin for pictures! I walked away with two great outfits and everything was on sale! It was definitely a successful shopping trip. Having store personnel excited about the merchandise always makes shopping more fun! This holiday season I definitely recommend Colorado Street as the ultimate shopping destination. If you are still stressed about gifts for the family you can find everything you need as well as great food and holiday cheer all in one place! Have you ever been to Old town Pasadena? What is your favorite holiday shopping destination? Have you ever had a movie moment while shopping and found that perfect outfit? Let me know in the comments!

Fashionable Friday: Cute Boots

 

 Image courtesy Luckybrand.com

This Holiday Season everyone is pulling out their winter boots to complete the perfect cold weather outfit. This year the trend for boots is going retro. 60s style boots with flat soles or chunky heels and slouchy suede are definitely popular. A cable knit scarf and jeans can complete the casual and chic winter outfit. Next time you are trying to pick out a cozy outfit I would definitely recommend giving these boots a try.

Fashionable Friday: Adventures in Fabric Sourcing in Downtown LA

I am always interested in everything fashion including designing. I wanted to design a few things of my own and learned that the first part of the process is fabric sourcing. I was specifically looking for canvas and vinyl. When I looked at Joann's and Mood I couldn't find any good colors for a good price. The prices for the fabric would've made my designs crazy expensive. So I decided to ask around to some of my contacts in the fashion industry. I learned that the best place to find cheap fabric in Los Angeles is downtown in the Fashion district. I headed downtown and found streets full of cheap wholesale fabric and trim stores. I spent hours exploring the streets in the hot sun. the shops don't look like much from the outside and the people hanging out on the street can be a little sketchy sometimes, but everyone I met in the shops was friendly. I soon found the fabrics I was looking for for half the price of the fabrics in Joann's. There were many varieties and I decided to try fabrics from a couple different stores. Once, I asked for information on where to find cotton and the shop owner directed me down the street to Freddie the "Cotton King". Even though it was a lot of work I was happy with the fabrics I found and it was much cheaper. I definitely recommend the fashion district in downtown LA to anyone looking to experiment with new designs or sell designs. It will bring the cost of your items down by reams! Where do you go to find cheap fabric?

CdM in the Kitchen

Recipe: Grandmas chocolate drizzle cake

Perfect for the Holiday season this cake is easy to make and will please anyone at your Holiday potluck or dinner table!
Ingredients

1. 1 box of white cake mix.
2. 1 box of unsweetened baking chocolate.
3. Milk.
4. Powdered sugar.
5. Butter.

Directions

1. Follow directions on the back of the cake mix and bake.
2. When cake is finished let cool and begin making frosting.
3. Put powdered sugar and butter in a bowl and mix.
4. Slowly add milk while stirring until mixture has a frosting like consistency.
5. Frost cake.
6. Melt 2 squares of baking chocolate according to instructions on packaging.
7. Drizzle chocolate over cake.
8. Let chocolate harden.
9. Serve and enjoy!

                                      

Holiday Party Tips

Did you get roped into planning the department Holiday Party again? Or are you just hosting a small get together with friends? Whatever your situation is here are some tips to not only surviving but, having a great party everyone will enjoy!

1. Consider a cookie exchange. This way everyone can bring something they like and get to take something home. It can take the pressure off you for dessert and, can replace the ever stressful gift exchange. Although it does require guests to plan ahead.                                                                                                                
2. Make Chex Mix. If you're at a loss for party snack ideas look no further than the back of your cereal box. There are many variations to Chex mix recipes including muddie buddies and Party mix but my favorite is the original. It's easy and cheap and an almost guaranteed crowd favorite.                                                                                                                                                                 
3. Provide healthy snacks. Offering a selection of fruits or vegetables for an alternative to the Holiday sweets will make your guests on a diet more comfortable.                                                                                                                           
4. Pick a theme. This can be a specific theme like a Nutcracker Christmas or a general theme like sparkles and snow. Either way it can make it easier to plan activities and you're decorating will look more professional.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
5. Make decorations! Buying decorations can be expensive and let's face it most of them aren't that great anyways. My favorite decorations to make are hanging snowflakes. Simply buy clear beading string and pipe cleaners. Cut the pipe cleaners in half and twist them together to make snowflakes. Tie the string around the middle and hang from your ceiling with a tack. You can also replace the snowflakes with another item that goes with your theme such as stars or Christmas trees.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
6. Give people something to look at. This will spark conversations and make people feel less awkward.  Decorate a lot in each room and if you have them, use singing or moving Christmas decorations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
7. Have plenty of places to sit. No one wants to stand up for the whole party so provide enough seating.          
8. Make a gingerbread house. This can be a great activity to plan for your party. People can choose whether or not they want to participate and it's inexpensive and fun! Also a great activity for kids if you have any attending! You could even have a contest at the end!                                                                     
9. Give out cardboard ornaments with the year or company and the theme. Giving personalized ornaments can be a great way to remember the party. You can decorate them yourself with glitter or paint.
10. Let there be music! And dancing! If you have the room play music and encourage people to dance. Everyone loves a good song!

                                                With these tips you're party is guaranteed to be the best of the season! Happy party planning!