Category: La Jolla

A Potpourri of Hats!

Who doesn’t love a cute hat? I literally bumped into a fantastic hat kiosk tonite in Westfield’s UTC Shopping Center.  Personally, I wear a lot of hats on the advice of my dermatologist.  (you can never be too careful with your skin and sun protection in the summer!)  Check out this small but mighty kiosk…

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  • Chapeaux – jour au nuit apropos
  • Email: ChapeauxHats@yahoo.com
  • Westfield UTC
  • 4545 La Jolla Village Drive
  • San Diego, CA  92122
  • Phone: (619) 944-0381

So, fellow San Diego residents– if you are getting ready for opening day at the Del Mar Racetrack this might be a good place to shop for that necessary new hat.  Prices range from $20 to $45 for basic hats.  If you want something more on the fancy side prices go from $45 to $110.

I found a fantastic selection of floral headbands for $10 to $14.  These are perfect for younger girls.

That sign below w/ the visors being “buy 1/get 1 at 50% off”— nice! That visor would be easy to roll up and pack into a travel bag for a weekend getaway or vacation, right?

I had a nice conversation with the owner, Jenifer C.  She told me trunk shows are available upon request. A percentage of sales can either go to the host or benefit a charity.

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I’m thinking one of these visors might be good to wear either at the beach or maybe when I’m out and about on weekends. After all, I am in sunny San Diego!

Of course, check out the photo below with the amazing floral headbands.  What a great way to add a little color into your world.

Cheers!

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Thrift Shopping Adventure at the Library!

Where can you find a bookstore that sells paperback books for 75 cents or $1 DVDs? I regularly visit my local library and it didn’t dawn on me until this week what a really good thrift shopping buzz can be found… at the library!

Yes, the Friends Bookstore at North University Community Library had me at the first hello.  I shop there regularly– especially for my summer “beach reads.”

  • North University Community Library
  • 8820 Judicial Drive
  • San Diego, CA  92122
  • Phone: (858) 581-9637
  • Web:  www.sandiegolibrary.org

And when my computer was on the blitz– I used the computer room at my local library to write-up my blog posts.

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Look at the cute children’s story area. And the computers.  On Wednesday night when I stopped by there was a lively bluegrass band– “Old Town Road” playing for patrons. For free.

I noticed there is a knitting group that meets at the library. For free. You can meet your neighbors and learn to knit… at the library.  Looks like there are quite a few books on textiles and knitting– more cost-effective to check out the books rather than buying them.

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By far my favorite part of the library is the Friends of the Library bookstore- filled with those $1 hardcover books and 75 cent paperbacks.

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So… have fun at the library.

Pandora Beads: Can You Ever Have Enough Memories??

My answer to this question is No! I love love love my Pandora bracelets and beautiful beads. Lucky for me most of mine were gifts with a story to tell.

Typically this blog is about thrift shopping however tonite I couldn’t contain myself when I passed by the Ben Bridge jewelry store in Westfield’s UTC Mall.  (Due to major mall construction it was a bit of a struggle.)

There were lots of sparkly things in the window (which I managed to avoid).  I did cave in and purchase an additional Pandora bracelet for my excess beads.  I had a near death experience in Iowa over the holidays when a clerk in a jewelry store unclasped my bracelet full of memories and the beads went spilling/flying all over the floor of the shop (I screamed… and then quickly gathered them…)

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My orphan beads were in need of a new home and this double wrap leather bracelet was exactly what I had in mind.  I grouped together all my red and black colored beads for this newest bracelet creation. How cute is that little lady bug?! (It has special meaning because of my nickname “Bugs”)  I’m not a big fan of bugs/spiders or creepy-crawlies of any kind and I guess this bead reminds me to chill out and let the bugs go free. (or smash them depending on the situation… or the size of the bug in question)

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Here is the finished creation– looks perfect. Except now I find myself wanting a few more beads…. It’s true, you really never can have enough Pandora beads…. or memories.  Cheers!

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Ben Bridge Jeweler – Westfield Shoppingtown UTC – Phone: (858) 453-9996

Pandora – Unforgettable Moments

Marc Jacobs bag at “My Sister’s Closet” in San Diego… 2nd Time is a Charm!

What could be better than scoring a dream handbag at a bargain price? (World peace, maybe. But the handbag is pretty awesome too)

My friend LD was at the right place at the right time- My Sister’s Closet in San Diego’s UTC neighborhood– when she scored this luscious Marc by Marc Jacobs designer handbag at the fabulous price of $295.  For sure, the second time is a charm!  Here’s the story… LD was strolling through My Sister’s Closet, near closing time and in search of a pair of jeans. Like any smart shopper, she cruised by the handbags to check out the scene.  She spotted the lovely Marc by Marc Jacobs dream handbag at the counter not even out on the floor yet. (right place, right time– bravo!)  Being the smart shopper, LD knew a good deal when she saw it– and in turn scored a fabulous bag!

  • My Sister’s Closet
  • 8610 Genesee Avenue #200
  • San Diego, CA 92122
  • Phone: (858) 455-0045
  • Web: www.mysisterscloset.com

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This goes to show that by consistently “shopping” consignment shops and thrift stores you can score amazing deals.  This same handbag retails for about $428 at the local Mall.  (Wouldn’t you rather have an extra $133 in your pocket??)

Look at my new flip flops!!

Today I spent the afternoon with co-workers volunteering & picking up trash on the beach. Getting a head start on celebrating Earth Day I guess. We were at La Jolla Shores– fortunately it is now one of the cleaner beaches. After the beach cleaning I was in the mood for some retail therapy so me and KC (a fellow beach cleaner) strolled over to a few shops by the beach in search of inexpensive and fashionable flip flops.


We scored! I found some cute and cushiony– and highly colorful Reef flip flops for the bargain price of $24. My shopping cohort came in at just $26 for her cushiony dark brown flip flops. Who needs shoes when you can just wear flip flops all summer?? ( maybe if I hide at my desk all day I can wear them to the office???)

Cheers & Happy (early) Earth Day! A beach clean up and new flip flops make a great start to a fabulous weekend!

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Wordless Wednesday – March 28

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$250 Wedding Dress – A Nite On The Town – Fashion & Bridal in San Diego

Planning a wedding in the near future? Searching for a beautiful bargain of a dress? I have the perfect place for you! A Nite On The Town in San Diego’s UTC neighborhood specializes in bridal, prom, designer evening dresses and tuxedos. Started almost 20 years ago in 1992, they have turned into a leading formal wear shop. You can select from over 2,000 of the latest designer bridal and special occasion dresses (including mother of the bride) and tuxedos in stock. Better yet– A Nite On The Town offers on-site professional alterations and a complete line of accessories.

A Nite On The Town Fashion & Bridal

8650 Genesee Avenue #222

San Diego, CA 92122

Phone: (858) 457-1233

Web: www.ANiteOnTheTown.com

When I walked into this shop I was greeted by Shanna while I browsed the racks. All formal wear dresses in my photos were between $199 and $350. As far as the wedding dress inventory, prices range from $500 to approximately $2,000 range. For the budget babes out there planning a wedding- this shop offers wedding dress rentals for $250 for the weekend. How cool is that?! (a lot of times women wear their wedding dress once and then it sits in a box in the closet…) I find the idea of renting a wedding dress very eco-friendly and budget friendly– $250 for a designer wedding gown sounds awesome!

Deals happening right now–

  • $44.95 for a tuxedo with the purchase of a dress (tuxedo is $59.95 without the dress purchase)
  • Huge Sale: 50% to 60% off on selected items

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“My Sister’s Closet”- Recycled Designer Apparel

Having a bad day? Maybe a “recycled” Kate Spade bag or perhaps a pair of “new to you” Jimmy Choo heels might hit the spot? Tonite after work I stopped by My Sister’s Closet in the Costa Verde Shopping Center in San Diego’s UTC neighborhood. The windows were alive with colorful Spring looks and the designer handbags were amazing as always. I had to remind myself several times to “keep the credit card in the wallet.” (you have no idea how difficult this was!)

The shoes were divine– everything from Jimmy Choo to western boots to pink designer rain boots. Some pricey designer shoes and some of the $12.95 variety (pictured below). However, I was hugely disappointed tonite when I skimmed thru the skirts section because 2 skirts I had all scoped out were gone! Obviously, this goes to prove my new golden rule of thrift shopping– when you see it & you like it, you BUY it immediately. (the cute stuff goes fast!) So much for that other rule– that thing about keeping my credit card in my wallet…. Rules are (sometimes) meant to be broken….

I didn’t end up buying anything tonite. It was just a quick whirlwind of retail therapy being a looky-loo in the store. I did take a few photos of some “finds” in My Sister’s Closet. Probably the best thing I found tonite was the black heels $12.95. Too bad they were a Size 81/2 hiding in the Size 7 section. Being the typical female shoe shopper, I did try on the shoes even though they were the wrong size in the hopes they might fit (big surprise- they didn’t fit). Oh well– perhaps a Size 7 Jimmy Choo is in my future? Cheers– and happy shopping.

My Sister’s Closet

8610 Genesee Avenue #200

San Diego CA 92122

Phone: (858) 455-0045

Web: www.mysisterscloset.com

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Chuao Chocolatier – Who Doesn’t Love Chocolate??

Chuao Chocolatier

4465 La Jolla Village Drive

La Jolla, CA

Ph# 858-546-1463

www.chuaochocolatier.com

Valentine’s Day is always a good excuse to make a run to the chocolate shop. After all– who doesn’t love chocolate? I have to admit I have a total sweet tooth. I have to remind myself to “move away from the candy” and not eat the entire container of candy in one sitting. (As we speak, I am writing this blog post while I stare longingly at a red heart box filled with candy….) I was kind of hoping I’d find a few “bad ones”— no such luck– they are ALL good!!

As if that isn’t bad enough tonite I went on a short walk after work and found myself wandering around in the mall. With candy on the brain I figured why not write my blog post about some kind of candy?? Ah… so that being said I walked with purpose into Chuao Chocolatier in the Westfield UTC Mall. Oh yummy– what a delicious place!

I found everything from a Spicy Maya Brownie mix ($12.95) to wine. Pretty cool they sell the wine too. There was a divine table set up at the entrance with roses, red gift boxes filled with candy and ornate cards. If you need a quick gift this would be a perfect place to stop off during a lunch break and/or right after work on the way home.

Happy Valentine’s Day! And happy shopping!

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Wordless Wednesday – February 1st

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