Omni La Costa Resort on Sale?! JUMP ON THAT STAT.

You know I'm not a flash sale or bargain blogger for the most part... but when my favorite place on earth, Omni La Costa (that yes, happens to be 3 miles from my house) goes on sale, I have to share the love. 

Also, it's kinda selfish of me because when you come and stay at Omni La Costa, you will have to invite me down for a glass of wine. See? We all win. 

Also (ssshhh - big secret!) Fall is THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR to visit San Diego. 

I may have my residency revoked for sharing that with you. But really? It is the most beautiful time of year in San Diego. Imagine... warm, sunny weather and an expansive 400 acre property, complete with two golf courses, the Nation’s #1 Wellness Spa, multiple dining venues (one being Diversions with a massive TV so you don’t miss your favorite game), waterslides, pools and luxurious guestrooms... and THE SPA. OMG THE SPA. 

September 3^rd through the 17^th , they are offering a 2 Week Sale on Omni La Costa's "Experience Package": rates from just $199 (normally starts at $299).

The Experience Package includes $330 in Resort Credits (this is in addition to your room):

• Accommodations
• Daily Breakfast for Two
• $45 Daily Spa Treatment Savings Pass (per adult)
• $90 Daily Golf Savings Pass (per adult)

AND? Kids stay free with adults.

Activities offered this fall include (some are select nights/dates):

• Family S’more roasting
• Haunted/Holiday Hayrides
• Family Scavenger Hunts
• And much more make the season exciting

So come and vist ME... um.."the resort" this fall!

imagine yourself here... sigh... wish this was me..

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday: Back to School

And just like that... 4th grade and Kindergarten....

Photo's taken with my #nx300 Smart Camera from Samsung for the #Imagelogger program. Also used fun apps like Beautiful Mess and Phoster to create memories from the images.

HipMamaB San Diego: Fun Things in San Diego this weekend!

If you live in San Diego, you know our big secret. Summer doesn't really start here until September. That's when the tourists go home, the amusement parks and beaches empty out, and our weather finally gets hot.

But that doesn't mean we don't entertain BIG during the "official" summer months. This weekend is shaping up to be a HUGE weekend for America's Finest City. And while I'll be "feeling 22" at the TSwizzle concert in LA, the rest of you all will be partying hard. 

San Diego Magazine Best of Party:

This Friday, August 23rd join San Diego Magazine as they celebrate the best of our town with the 2013 Best of party. Food, wine, music... this party is a blast. Back in Liberty Station, the 6th annual party is sure to be an amazing time. But HURRY, tickets are almost sold out!!

But if you use promo code HIPMAMAB you can get $10 off each ticket!

 Check out all the fun from last year's event here:

 Last Weekend to see In The Heights starring Jai Rodriguez

If you are looking to add a little music and culture to your weekend, head down to the Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza for the final weekend The San Diego Repertory Theatre's production of the Tony Award®-winning musical In The Heights. Set on the streets of the New York neighborhood of Washington Heights, this play is fun musical that follows the lives of the people that work, and live, in this one area of the big city. 

And yes - that is Jai from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy rapping and dancing! I saw the play a few weeks ago and loved the music and the dancing. 

World's Largest "InstaMeet" at the Del Mar Races on Sunday

If you are on Instagram, then be prepared to have your stream flooded with pictures of pin-up girls, Delmargaritas and Ponies this Sunday as Del Mar attempts to go for the title of "World's Largest InstaMeet."

Every year the "Haute as Ever" team puts together an amazing event for techies in San Diego and this year is no different. 

Music Art Life and Instagramers San Diego are hosting this FREE event to celebrate the history of the Del Mar Racetrack. The event's theme derives from the 1940's Pinup Era, complete with a hair styling station available for patrons who would like to get their hair styled for the event, as well as fun Pin-up girls for photo opportunities!

Yes - all you need to do to get FREE admission is to RSVP. While I won't be there this year, I'm looking forward to following all the craziness on the #hauteasever13 tag. 

So. What are YOU doing this weekend? 

Back-to-School *GIVEAWAY* $50 Gift Card to Westfield North County and VIP Event

 

My favorite commercial will always be that old Staples one - you know, the father skipping through the aisles to the tune of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" while the kids pout? Yup. It's that time of year again...

THEY ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!

While I know we have mixed feelings about this - the structure, making lunches, etc - all of us are happy to have a little more kid-free time in our day. And to celebrate this WONDERFUL time of the year, I'm teamed up with Westfield North County mall to give one lucky reader a $50 mall gift card and VIP passes to the Unlock the Fun event on August 25th at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  

Do you have a Teen or Tween? Or maybe a kid that thinks they are? (raises hand) Then you can't miss this fun BTS event next week!

Westfield North County is welcoming the back-to-school season with its FREE, family-friendly ‘Unlock the Fun’ fashion event, helping teens and tweens “unlock” the hot styles and trends for the new school year. Four ‘Unlock the Fun’ stations will be located throughout the shopping mall:

Ask A Stylist- San Diego-based national style expert Jennifer Rosson, founder/owner of Style Your Life and an elite Stylist For Hire hand-picked by “What Not To Wear's” Stacy London, will be on-hand to offer her personal styling tips and share the hottest back-to-school trends for tweens and teens. (Located at: Level 2, near Nordstrom)

Braid Bar & Nail Art: Bellus Academy will host a Braid Bar offering back-to- school worthy do’s and mini-manis complete with colorful nail art. (Located at: Level 1, Target court)

Mini-Makeovers: Make-up artists from leading UK-based cult brand Boots Cosmetics, available at Target, will be giving shoppers glam mini- makeovers and sharing their expert beauty and skincare tips. (Located at: Level 1, Target court)

Locker Installation: Daily from Thursday, August 22nd to Sunday, August 25,th during mall hours, shoppers at WNC can text to receive a combination that may unlock one of five colorful, oversized interactive lockers featuring fabulous prizes including an iPad Mini, gift cards and concert tickets to some of the hottest acts in music today. (Located at: Level 1, center court).

Additionally, daily from Thursday, August 22nd to Sunday, August 25,th during mall hours, shoppers at WNC can text to receive a combination that may unlock one of five colorful, oversized interactive lockers featuring fabulous prizes from WNC’s retailers.

Texting one of the SMS phrases to 51515 will give shoppers the chance to receive the code to open a locker holding surprises like, Maroon 5 concert tickets, on-trend clothing, an iPad Mini, back to school supplies and giftcards

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will receive:

-  $50 Westfield North County gift card.

-  The opportunity to attend (along with one guest) the Unlock the Fun VIP

event on Sunday, August 25th at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This includes:

- Meet and greet with Style Expert Jennifer Rosson.

- Experience the four Unlock the Fun stations prior to the general public.

- Beverage and dessert reception. 

GOOD LUCK and Happy Shopping!

HipMamaB's Asian Pop Culture Education Week! Lesson 3: Boy (and Girl) Bands that Put US and UK to SHAME

A side outcome of my trip to San Francisco with the Samsung Imagelogger team was my introduction into the work of KPop and Hong Kong popular culture. Since you all know I'm a huge dork when it comes to what is COOL AND POPULAR, I glommed onto my new bestie, Hong Kong photographer Kar Hoo Chow, for a crash course on all things popular in Asia. This week, I'm going to school you on all that I learned. Because, really? It's so amazingly fun. 

So you thought we had boy bands? You think that One Direction, The Wanted, The Jonas Brothers etc are crazy? Well, Korea puts them all to SHAME.

With large boy bands and huge girl groups, the KPop PWNED us Westerners on this front. And just like with Psy, you may not know what the hell they are saying, but you will desperately try to sing along.

Super Junior

This THIRTEEN member band has it all. The moves, the looks (all different for different styles!) and they were the best selling KPop band 3 years in a row. Their hottest song, "Sorry Sorry," is fun, catchy and the video is totally hilarious. 

Hyuna

South Korea's answer to Brittany or Katy, Hyuna is an IT girl of the region. Apparently she used to be part of a girls group, and then maybe a duo? But in her break-out hit "Bubble Pop", she appears to be solo. This song has it. In fact, I'm shocked it hasn't been a bigger hit over in the States. It's kinda addicting. After watching the video, I DARE you not to sing along. 

Girls Generation

Last, but not least is the power house girls group, Girls Generation. Named one of Forbes most "powerful entertainers of South Korea" in 2011, this group sold more than 11,730,000 digital albums and singles collectively in one year. Their hit single, "Gee", about a girl falling in love for the first time, has over 101 million view on YouTube. While I definitely like the "Bubble Pop" song better, I'm guessing you don't mess with Girls Generation in South Korea. 

And since I know the number question on your mind... yes, Koreans are also sick of Gangham Style. But? They do love them some Psy.