“A Day to Remember” Wedding Showcase at Rancho Las Palmas

| kristencastillo

I recently attended the “A Day to Remember” wedding showcase at Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, near Palm Springs. 

It’s a stunning site for local and destination weddings in the Coachella Valley. This luxurious venue offers much to enjoy, including well-appointed accommodations, 27 holes of championship golf, a world-class spa, and much more.

Here are some of the wedding spots at Rancho Las Palmas that I visited during the showcase: The ceremony site, the Las Palmas Lawn, is surrounded by palm trees and fits 100 guests, with 700 seated. We had cocktail hour on the sunrise terrace, a two-tiered outdoor space that features views of the fifth fairway. Next, we enjoyed dinner on the starlight terrace, a 10,000 square feet rooftop space boasting stunning views of the surrounding Mount San Jacinto. The rooftop accommodates 1000 guests or 600 for dinner.

We finished the night with dessert at the Spa Las Palmas pool, a poolside area that’s intimate, private, and accommodates 60 guests. Here’s a video of my visit.

Perfect for a desert wedding, the Southern California venue has many other places to say “I Do.” For example, the Las Palmas Ballroom has 30,000 square feet of flexible indoor space. The Sixth Tee Box showcases a beautiful pond and waterfall and is a cozy venue choice for 100 to 150 guests. Check out the venue’s wedding brochure.

Thanks to Rancho Las Palmas and its parent company, Omni Hotels, for inviting me. After the wedding showcase, they hosted me for a one-night stay in a lovely room near the Las Palmas Lawn. 

This resort is an excellent getaway for a vacation, weekend visit, or a special event, like a wedding. I’m already looking forward to returning to this sunny, luxurious resort.

Happy 50th anniversary Fleet Science Center!

| kristencastillo

The Fleet Science Center is celebrating 50 years with a blast!  They’ve been celebrating science since the museum opened in 1973 in Balboa Park. Since then, 26 million people have visited the Fleet, which has interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre. Their mission is, “to realize a San Diego where everyone is connected to the power of science.”  

Today they kicked off the anniversary with a science experiment featuring liquid nitrogen (at -321 degrees F) and warm water topped with colorful playground balls. They put the liquid nitrogen in a 2-liter bottle and sealed it tightly. The pressure built and boom!

As part of the celebration, the museum is offering special pricing and events throughout the year. Here are some photos of the museum over the years.

exploring a Home Design Store

| kristencastillo

I write often about home decor and design so it was inspiring to go to a Home Depot Design center,  here in San Diego.  There are only three The Home Depot Design Centers — one stop shops for kitchen and bath design — in the country.  

They recently invited me to attend their “festive fete” and it was a dream for anyone who loves decor and design. There were so many colors and options for household appliances from stoves and pizza ovens to washing machines and refrigerators, to cabinetry, and draw pulls, bathroom hardware, and more. 

One of my faves? The working wall display of shower heads demonstrating water pressure for various models. So visual and fun!

How many times have been shopping for household items and wonder how well they actually work!? This lets shoppers test the household items before buying.

The celebration included getting a custom wreath, made right in front of me.

A monster of a good time

| kristencastillo

This Halloween, we made a dessert that’s all treats, no tricks! 

My kids and I had fun making Monster Chocolate Pops from tinyB Chocolate. The San Francisco based company gifted me the family friendly kit.

We made the chocolate pops at home in our kitchen using everything that was included in the kits: white and dark chocolate for the outside of the pops, two types of brigadeiro (Brazilian truffle filling) one in dark chocolate and the other pumpkin spice; popsicle sticks; and fun toppings including bright sprinkles, googly eyes and mini marshmallows. 

We heated and tempered the chocolate before filling the popsicle mold shell, which is included in the kit. The kids decided to make two vanilla, one chocolate, and one marble pop.

We decorated them with the toppings and placed the pops in the freezer for 30 minutes to set. Then they were ready to eat. 

This was a fun and tasty activity for the kids and it wasn’t very messy. A win-win! Order the pops by October 26 so you can make them for Halloween.

“Hey, That’s Mine”

| kristencastillo

Having a family meal and trying out some dressings and sauces that are made for kids.

This new line of sauces and dressings called “That’s Mine” is making its debut. That’s Mine sent me some samples to try including organic cherry balsamic, organic Italian, organic ketchup, organic lemon-lime, organic mixed berry and organic ranch. The bottles are kids sized and the sauces/dressings are gluten free. 

Our whole family tried the ketchup which has no refined sugars, as well as the Italian dressing.  Both were tasty for the kids and adults. Picky eaters will likely want to try these sauces and dressings. 

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End of an Emmy Era

| kristencastillo

I’m wrapping up my tenure as president of The Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Television Academy (NATASPSW). It’s been an honor to lead this organization during the past four years, including during the pandemic. Previous to this, I served four years as vice president. I received this commemorative Emmy Award statue during our recent awards gala in Palm Springs.

Thank you to my board members past and present, as well as our administrator. I will continue serving on the NATASPSW board and supporting the TV and media professionals in our chapter and beyond.

The crew for the 2022 NATASPSW Emmy Awards in Palm Springs.

Snow cool

| kristencastillo

You know what’s cool for the summer?

The new Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact interactive exhibit at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego. My kids and I got a preview of Snow, which opens today.

The exhibit, which focuses on the global impact of snow on climate and human culture, has 12 interactive learning opportunities.

Ours faves were a digital wall where you can “catch” crystals during different kinds of snowstorms; watching marbles fall down a mountain comparing the impact of rain versus snow and the impact that water has on climate at different times; solving a matching puzzle of snow crystals; making our own paper snowflakes; and building (and knocking over) a snowman. 

The exhibit is open through September 5.

Telehealth and how it’s helping patients manage their mental health, especially during the pandemic

| kristencastillo

It’s Mental Health Awareness month. During the pandemic, there’s been a growing demand for mental health services including telehealth — virtual appointments via technology including video, phones and apps. My Mediaplanet article explains the benefits of this high tech approach to mental health.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Even before the pandemic, getting access to good mental healthcare in a timely manner could be really challenging,” says Dr. Shore, noting patients can wait six to 12 weeks for their first appointment, making it tough for those who want help right away.

Factors impacting the ability to get an appointment can include if the provider has availability, if they’re accepting new patients, or if insurance covers the provider’s services.

Telemedicine may help reduce some patients’ barriers to care, including lack of transportation, convenience if they can’t take time off from work, or if they have family responsibilities.

Read the full article below:

How Telehealth Is Helping Patients Access Mental Health