Southern California

“Oklahoma!”

Oklahoma! production
| kristencastillo

I recently attended opening night at Cygnet Theatre’s production of “Oklahoma!” at their Old Town San Diego Stage.

The theatre invited me to attend their production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!,” which is infused with humor, catchy music, a live band, and classic romance and rivalry on the Oklahoma frontier. I enjoyed the songs, dancing, and dialogue. The production runs through August 2. 

Up next, Cygnet Theatre – through a partnership with NTC Foundation – will move into The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center in Arts District Liberty Station. The new performing arts venue is located at the former Navy Building 178 at Liberty Station.  

Following this summer run of “Oklahoma!”, Cygnet’s new season starts in September at their new Liberty Station home, affectionately called “The Joan.”

seeing Color in a New Light

| kristencastillo

How illuminating! I attended the media preview of Color in a New Light, the new exhibition at the Fleet Science Center and I was wowed. Interactive stations throughout the exhibit are full of color, design and imagination. 

My sons and I enjoyed the whole experience, especially the walk-in kaleidoscope, mirrors, lenses and prisms, glow in the dark objects, a monochrome room with sodium bulbs, the light show DJ, and more.

The entertaining and informative exhibit was created by local scientists with a focus on how we perceive light and color including color that’s seen and unseen. 

Color in a New Light will be at the Fleet Science Center until May 2024. The exhibit is included in regular admission.

“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.

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.

Choosing the Best Summer Camp for Your Child

Video | | kristencastillo

Summer camp season is fast approaching! There’s a lot to consider – what type of camp is best for your budget, your child’s interests and the family’s schedule?

Before you make a camp decision, check out the video I made with San Diego Family Magazine in which I share tips on how you can make sure you’re choosing the best camp for your child. 

Next, check out the magazine’s summer camp guide.

 

 

On Trend: 2018 Fall Fashion

| kristencastillo

Ready for animal prints, power tailoring and sequins? Sounds like you’re ready for fall fashion 2018!

Autumn is here and I’m excited to show you the hot looks for this cool time of year. Neiman Marcus invited me to their fall fashion preview so here’s what you can expect when you’re shopping this season.

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This season, women are going to be wearing a lot of what Alex Yáñez, stylist for Neiman Marcus at San Diego’s Fashion Valley, calls “peacock colors.” That means saturated blues and greens for a bold, eye-catching pallet.

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The power pantsuit is back too. Tailored suiting, including double-breasted jackets and strong shoulders, is very in vogue.

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Leather is making a big statement this season as well. Whether you choose matte or patent leather, you can rock this look head-to-toe.

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Get ready to roar! Autumn is all about animal prints including zebra, tiger, and leopard, as well as other amazing prints. Feel free to mix, match and layer this wild and sexy style.

Who says sequins or just for parties and night time? Yáñez and his team at Neiman Marcus say you can wear sequins day or night – shine any time you want.

When it comes to accessories, expect to see western wear like cowboy boots a lot this year, as well as lace up boots. It’s a 90’s throwback but a definite must this season.

Top flap handbags both slouchy and structured are going to be the it bag.

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And when it comes to jewelry, look out for crystals and jet black jewelry – very dramatic! Finish your ensemble with a glow. Luminous skin is going to be all the rage this fall.

For men, autumn is all about tech tailoring. Thank innovative suits that blend both performance and function.

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Guys will be rocking turtlenecks, velvet and velour too. Men will bundle up during cold weather with a performance parka – both cozy and cool.

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For accessories, men will be wearing chunky runner shoes with an exaggerated sole. That’s definitely fun and functional footwear.

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Men’s styling is going to include a lot of utilitarian details including cargo pockets camouflage this time of year. Expect accent colors in shades of wine, burgundy and blue.

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What fall fashion pieces and trends are your “must-have” looks this season?