That Island Feeling! Mix.Mingle.Schmooze Hawaiian-Style

| kristencastillo

There’s something so appealing about Hawaii. The tropical smells and sound of the ocean are so inviting.

FullSizeRender 9

I recently got a feel for the Hawaiian Islands when I attended a Hawaiian-themed party for San Diego Style Weddings – the wedding magazine for which I’m the editor.

IMG_3732

The magazine’s “Mix.Mingle.Schmooze” event, which was held at Bali Hai Restaurant, featured all sorts of Aloha vibes, from the food to the music to the décor.

The flowers were so colorful and tropical. Each woman received a flower to wear behind her ear. Single women wear the flower behind their right ear, while married women (or those in a relationship) wear it behind the left ear. Haydee de la Cruz of Haydee’s Creative Flowers designed these blooms!

The photobus photo booth from Pacific Coast PhotoBus was fun. I loved the props, including a captain’s hat and fuzzy boa.

The menu included yummy pot stickers, coconut shrimp, jerk chicken lollypops and coconut rice.

Dessert was delicious too! We sampled Gelato Paradiso gelato and the Cravory cookies.

The Ohana cupcakes tasted as great as they looked! I love those personalized “SDSW” cake toppers.

FullSizeRender 20FullSizeRender 12FullSizeRender 7

In addition to local wines, we sipped cocktails like Snake Oil Cocktail Company’s “Snake Oil Coco-Loco,” which featured coconut milk, applewood infusion, fresh ginger, pressed lemon and club soda.

FullSizeRender 11

The “Passion of the Tiki” drink (seen here) was made with smashed passion fruit and pomegranate, almond, orange flower water, pressed citrus, island spice reduction and Angostura bitters.

FullSizeRender 10

The “it” drink? Fresh coconut milk, served in a coconut, which was branded with the San Diego Style Weddings’ logo!

IMG_3775

Here are a few photos of me with the San Diego Style Weddings’ team, including publisher Dena Nolen-Malasek.

 

Dena
With SDSW publisher, Dena Nolan-Malasek.
SDSW Team
L-R Abby Barenholtz, social media; myself; Dena Nolen-Malasek, publisher; Suzi Battle, Account executive; Kateri Hansen, sales; Adam C. Walter, production.
Team pics
With Abby Barenholtz who handles social media for SDSW.

A Marvelous Treat! Checking Out Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes 

| kristencastillo

IMG_7279What a fun night! My boys and I were invited to attend media night for Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes, which was opening night in San Diego at Valley View Casino Center.

IMG_7178IMG_7280

You don’t even have to be a superhero fan to appreciate this performance! The lights, smoke, music and video screens propel this live action show, which lasts nearly two hours.

IMG_7204IMG_7213IMG_7206

Here’s the premise: bad guys, Green Goblin, Loki and Nebula are causing trouble so Doctor Strange and the Guardians of the Galaxy come to the rescue.  That means we got to see all our favorite good guys in action, including Captain America, Spiderman, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Black Panther and Black Widow.

The show’s opening is impressive. The entire arena is in darkness, with stars dotting the crowd. On the stage? A dramatic introduction to all the exciting superheroes you’ll meet during the show.

 

Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes blends live action dare devil skills like aerial skills, flips, fights, motorcycle stunts with stunning choreography.

 

The video projection sets the scene throughout the show, moving the story from fantastical Savage Land to New York City and Asia and beyond. There’s never a dull moment in this show – kids and adults will be impressed.

IMG_7261

The show runs through this Sunday, August 27. To find out tour dates, locations and buy tickets, go to MarvelUniverseLIVE.com.

 

Farewell! The Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland Closes this Weekend

| kristencastillo

I’m going to miss the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland! This is the last weekend for this vintage parade.

IMG_7441

I love the music, which has a throwback vibe, and all the old school floats. I’ve always enjoyed the mushroom and butterfly float, as well as the train, steered by Goofy, or course!

IMG_7442

The Parade, which entertained Disneyland guests from 1972 to 1996, was in Florida at the Walt Disney World Resort until January of this year when it returned to Disneyland. It closes this Sunday, August 20, 2017.

I first saw the parade as a kid at DisneyWorld. I’ve had a soft spot for it ever since…

The patriotic ending is one of my favorite moments of the 20-minute parade.

IMG_6596IMG_6597

Blast off! Fun at the San Diego Air & Space Museum

| kristencastillo

My boys have always loved airplanes. They enjoy going on flights when we travel and they’re enthralled to watch planes take off and land at the airport. Every time we drive through San Diego and pass the airport, they’re fascinated.

IMG_2710

My oldest recently did a school biography report on aviation pioneers, the Wright Brothers.

Wright Brothers' project
My son’s report on the Wright Brothers.

So it’s not a surprise that they had a blast visiting the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park.

IMG_2700

Bell AH-1E Cobra
This helicopter is the Bell AH-1E Cobra.

They “flew” missions in helicopters and planes.

Young Pilots

Then they dreamed of being astronauts, spending an hour at the #BeTheAstronaut exhibit.

#BeTheAstronaut
Checking out the “Be the Astronaut” exhibit.
F-4 Phantom II
This is the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.

IMG_2711IMG_2708

What an educational and fun day during summer break!

Be a Star Wonder Woman!

| kristencastillo

Such a cute kids’ book – BE A STAR WONDER WOMAN!

I received an advance copy of this official DC Comics picture book, which inspires young readers to be a hero.

 

I loved reading this girl power book to my boys!

The Capstone book, written by Michael Dahl and illustrated by Omar Lozano follows a young girl as she goes through her day showcasing her greatest superpower – sharing – at school, where she also encounters challenges in the classroom and on the playground.

The book is now available.

Mix.Mingle.Schmooze

| kristencastillo

I recently attended the “Mix.Mingle.Schmooze” magazine release party for San Diego Style Weddings – the wedding magazine for which I’m the editor.

img_6004
The latest issue of San Diego Style Weddings.

The party, held at Mission Brewery, featured great food, beer and wine, and of course wedding inspiration.

fullsizerenderfullsizerender

Another awesome party hosted by San Diego Style Weddings’ publisher Dena Nolen-Malasek.

SDSW party pic.jpg
Posing with SDSW’s publisher, Dena-Nolen Malasek. Photo credit: Paul Barnett Photography.

Some of the highlights included:

  • The amazing paper flower backdrop created by Esmeralda Luxury Paper Flowers. What a colorful backdrop for photos!
  • I’m a sucker for photo booths and Captured Photos Booths didn’t disappoint!

fullsizerender_2

  • Yummy milk and cookies from the Cravory. I especially liked the chocolate truffle and lemon bar cookies.
  • Comfy and stylish seating from Lounge Appeal
  • The “Idaho Nachos” (create your own potato ship nachos) from caterer Feast on This were great – a perfect late night snack at any wedding or event.
  • Cool caricature drawings from Caricatures by Dave.
img_6040
Caricatures by Dave
fullsizerender_1

With my husband – does the caricature match us?   Photo credit: Eisenhower Photography

  • Tasty mini donuts and deep fried Oreos from Sensational Treats.
  • Pretty floral arrangements from local florists like Studio Flourish and Haydee’s Creative Flowers.

 

Fun fact: Mission Brewery is located inside a former Wonder Bread factory in downtown San Diego. The building has lots of open space, exposed brick and great city views.

img_6018

Check out the latest issue of San Diego Style Weddings online and in local stores.

 

Photos are my own, unless noted.