A Christmas Tradition: Panettone

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 | kristencastillo

Christmas is a season of sweets and my family and I are loving Panettone, an Italian sweet bread from Italian bakery Olivieri 1882. This fruitcake is a light, sweet and soft pastry.

Thanks Olivieri 1882 for sending me this classic Christmas bread to savor over the holidays. It features Australian raisins, candied oranges and bourbon vanilla in every bite.

This bread is made in Italy at a family-run bakery that’s been making panettone for over 140 years. Made with raw ingredients in a four-day production process, these sweet breads are authentically Italian and quite delicious. They’re shipped straight from Italy and delivered in the U.S. within 48 hours. You can also find the breads at Goldbelly and Italy stores.

**The bread arrives in this sturdy and stylish box.**

Their special occasion breads are available throughout the year, including Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Their bestselling flavors include Apricot and Salted Caramel and Triple Chocolate.

Kicking off the Christmas Season with “Klaus”

November 2, 2019December 12, 2019 | kristencastillo

It’s only November 2, but who can pass up the opportunity to hang out with Santa? 🎅🏻

Today my family and I attended a sneak peak of the new Netflixfilm’s movie, which premieres November 15 on the streaming service.

This cute holiday movie has lots of heart. The theme? Every good deed sparks another good deed. My kids, my husband and I really enjoyed it. 🎅🏻 These festive Klaus cupcakes were delicious too!

Review: “The Grinch”

November 9, 2018November 10, 2018 | kristencastillo

Getting ready for Christmas? There’s nothing like a holiday movie to get you in the mood to celebrate the season.

The other night, my sons and I got a sneak peek of “The Grinch,” which opens today.

This animated movie by Illumination, which is based on Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is the latest iteration of the Grinch, chronicling a cranky green guy who hates Christmas.

This Grinch isn’t portrayed as mean, evil or even very spiteful. Instead he’s a loner, who seems more sad, than anything else. (In a fun moment, he wallows in self-pity, playing “All By Myself” on the organ, next to his beloved dog, Max.)

His Who-ville neighbors are far too happy about the holiday and Grinch just wants the jolly season to end. Grinch, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, decides to pose as Santa so he can steal Christmas. His plan backfires when the town’s little darling, Cindy-Lou Who has a special request for Santa. The theory is that Grinch’s heart is two sizes too small. After his encounter with Cindy-Lou Who, Grinch’s heart grows.

Grinch is a loner, who seems more sad, than anything else.

Cindy-Lou Who (Cameron Seely) gets ready to mail her letter to Santa in “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” from Illumination.

Narrated by Pharrell Williams, “The Grinch” has an impressive cast. We enjoyed Kenan Thompson as Mr. Bricklebaum, the over-the-top Who-ville neighbor who loves to decorate; and Rashida Jones, who plays Donna Who, Cindy-Loo’s overworked single mother.

Kenan Thompson voices the Grinch’s closest neighbor, the relentlessly cheerful Bricklebaum, in “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” from Illumination.

This “Grinch” was a fun start to the season. www.grinchmovie.com

Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Rated: PG

Valentine’s Day Date Tips for Couples & Families

February 9, 2018February 19, 2018 | kristencastillo

Valentine’s Day is coming up! Stumped on what to do? I’ve got some great ideas on how to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart.

Since I’m a writer for San Diego Family Magazine, I had the opportunity today to share some Valentine’s Day date tips for couples and families with Renee Nelson at ABC 10News during a FacebookLive. We talked about specific places to go in San Diego; things to do on a budget and to splurge; ways to keep love sizzling, and more.

Get more Valentine’s Day ideas in the February issue of San Diego Family Magazine, which is available for free at Albertsons, Ralphs, Party City and local libraries, as well as online.

Here are some behind the scenes photos from the shoot.

L-R Michelle Hancock, Marketing Director for San Diego Family Magazine; San Diego Family Magazine writer Kristen Castillo, and 10News reporter Renee Nelson.

February issue of San Diego Family Magazine

#MotivationMonday, Halloween edition

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 | kristencastillo

Check out my this #MondayMotivation message featured on my son’s #pumpkin. He wrote: “Be…fun, silly, wacky, creative, YOU!!”

We were decorating pumpkins last weekend – doing the usual thing of making eyes, mouth, nose, etc.

Then my son got inspired to write a personal note. I love his sentiment and it’s perfect for Halloween, when everyone wants to dress up to be “someone else.” So go ahead, this Halloween and every day, Be Yourself!

Falling in Love With Fall Fashion

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 | kristencastillo

Ready for fall? Now’s the time to get your autumn wardrobe together.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a few Neiman Marcus Fall fashion shows at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. This season has lots of stylish trends that are easy to incorporate into your attire. Here’s what to expect for ladies:

Red is the “it” color this fall.

All shades of red are in vogue but bold shades and burgundies are particularly hot.

The 90’s are back! “This is the look of the season,” says Alex Yanez, stylist for Neiman Marcus, who explains the 90’s style of graphic makeup including heavy eyeliner is in vogue again.

Many fall styles are punk and grunge inspired, blending feminine and masculine looks. Yanez describes this style as having a “Courtney Love 90’s feel.”

Bulky boots are making a return too. One black pair featured in the fashion show had a floral pattern, showcasing that mix of feminine and masculine.

Suited Up. Modern suiting for women is very sleek and totally inspired by menswear.

Check out Dior’s take on menswear below:

Covered Legs. Another throwback that’s in fashion this fall? Hosiery. Models wore stylish patterned tights and fishnets with booties and heels. A very polished look!

Cozy up to velvet. This season’s in-demand texture, velvet is smooth and soft. It’s making its mark on jackets, tops and accessories, including shoes and purses. One model demonstrated this trend with a velvet hobo bag. Others showed off velvet pants, paired with velvet shoes.

Velvet works for night and day. It’s “less seasonal than it has been in the past,” says Yanez.

Leather jackets can add a little edge to a lot of looks. For example, when paired with a soft dress, a leather jacket can toughen up the attire.

Embellishments. Ruffles and fridge are making their mark on the runway and in real life. The shows featured ruffled skirts and dresses, as well as fringe and embrodiery on accessories like purses.

Menswear

Not to ignore the guys, here’s what’s in fashion for men this season:

Men are rocking red too.

They’re also looking very seasonally chic in plaid jackets and plaid shirts. Camouflage is also fashionable.

The velvet trend looks great on guys too. Dark denim, a strong choice for men, pairs well with so many ensembles.

The big footwear trend for men? Runners, a fashionable and functional shoe.

What’s fall fashions do you plan to try?

Wrapping Christmas Presents

December 19, 2014December 19, 2014 | kristencastillo

If you’re bored of traditional holiday gift wrap or just want to do something new this Christmas, try some of the gift wrapping ideas in my Creators Syndicate article! There are great ways to involve the kids in wrapping too, including using cookie cutters, shimmer, themes and even scrapbook paper!