Tag Archives: Vacation

A Trip to Del Mar

06/14/2019 Shirley

During the holiday season I went to Del Mar (in San Diego) with my friends for a mini-vacation. The main purposes of the trip were to go to the Del Mar horseracing festival (a first time experience for me), and to have fun with friends (Khwan and Michael) and celebrate the holidays.

Below are some highlights of our Del Mar trip.

Our trip to Del Mar, San Diego, began with drinking mimosas on the flight before it took off at 7:00am. (I don’t usually drink on the flight, but hey, we were on vacation to a sunny place and celebrating the beginning of our mini-vacation!)

After we arrived to San Diego, our first stop was the Old Town area of San Diego, for brunch and margaritas.

(Watch my short video below for the pitcher of margarita we shared and my brunch, Dark Chocolate Chicken Mole.)

Del Mar Racetrack

First day at the Del Mar Horseracing Festival:
After brunch, we went to the Del Mar Racetrack for the horseracing festival. It was my first time to the horseracing and it was definitely an interesting experience.

Horses are one of my favorite animals. It was stunning to see how pretty they were when they walk from their stables to the race track, and watch them race towards the finish line. It was fascinating!

(Watch my short video below for the first day at the Del Mar Racetrack.)

At the Del Mar Racetrack, we had the opportunity to meet my friend’s two favorite TVG Network (American sports-oriented digital cable) hosts and racing analysts, and had a group picture with them! (My friend was so thrilled about this encounter; it was one of the highlights for him.)

(Group picture with the TVG hosts and racing analysts, Todd Schrupp on the left and Simon Bray on the right)

Second day at the Del Mar Horseracing Festival:
We had brunch at the Del Mar Turf Club. Our brunch included a three-course meal and unlimited mimosa (or champagne) and liquor (i.e. vodka and rum). And we have a great view of the horseracing track.

(Group picture taken on the second day of the horseracing festival.)

My friends and I made small bets on each round of the races. Even though we didn’t win much, we had a great time watching the races and cheering for the horses. In my opinion, watching horseracing is a fun group event. It’s just like buying ticket to go to a concert — you are paying for the entertainment experiences.

(Picture taken at Del Mar Turf Club restaurant.)

Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar hotel is just as pretty as I expected based on their Web site pictures. The check-in process was quick and easy. And I love my room and the private balcony.

(In front of the hotel driveway, picture taken on the first day, in the afternoon.)

(The fountain in the hotel driveway.)

(Holiday decorations.)

(Picture of my room.)

After I settled into my room and got ready for dinner. I had a pre-dinner party in my friend’s room. My friends have traveled over the world and have great connections with many Fairmont hotel managers. The hotel concierge even sent my friend a complimentary bottle of red wine to their room.

(Pre-dinner party selfie; from left to right: Michael, Khwan, and me.)

Addison Find Dining Restaurant

For dinner my friends made a reservation at the Fairmont hotel’s signature Addison restaurant. Our ten-course dinner (and wine pairing) was delicious and the service was great! I was so full towards the end of the meal, I had to ask my friend to finish some of my food and wine. (Stay tuned for a blog post on my dinning experience at the Addison restaurant.)

(One of our ten-course meal – Duck.)

Like many upscale fine dining restaurants, Addison provided us a printed copy of our ten-course meal and shortbread cookie as parting gift.
(Picture of the menu and cookie)

Hotel Turndown Services

Did I mention that the services at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar hotel was great? When I first checked into my room there were some complementary snacks on the desk. And when I returned to my room for the after dinner, I found a stack of chocolate covered oreo cookies in my room. The housekeeper organized my makeup tools / products and lined them up perfectly when they did the turndown services. They even organized my shoes. (Before I left for dinner, my makeup stuff and skin care products were all over the counter.)

(Picture of my organized bathroom counter, after the turndown services. )

My overall experience of our mini-vacation to Del Mar, San Diego, was great! I had such wonderful time with my friends, Khwan and Michael, and we had so much great food and great drinks. It was definitely one of the memorable trips I’ve had!

(Picture taken by one of the fireplaces in the Farimont Grand Del Mar Hotel.)

(The Christmas Tree in the Fairmount Grand Del Mar Hotel lobby.)

All Posts, Fashion, Top Five, Travel

5 Things to Try This Month – July 2018

07/24/2018 Shirley

July is a great month for me. Workwise, I just finished a project that I’d worked on for months and can take a few days break before I go into the planning mode for the next one. Personal-wise, I get to enjoy the 4th of July with my nieces and go Disneyland park hopping with them.

Below are a few of other things that I will do this month.

Making Flan

My nieces have been my big fans when it comes to eating the desserts I make. The flan is one of their favorites. While my elder niece spent her Summer with me, I made flan for her many times. Each flan is about nine inches and she can literally eat more than two-thirds of it per day! Nothing makes me happier than when she enjoys the things I make for her!

(My homemade flan covered with berries.)

Homegrown Mushrooms

Last week my mom and I visited our local Farmer’s Market and bought some home-grown mushroom kits for both baby oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms. This is our first time growing mushrooms at home and the idea seems exciting. It only has been five days since we started the mushroom kit and we already have seen a great result on one of the kits. Just in a few days, we will be able to taste our first mushroom harvest!

(My homegrown shiitake mushrooms.)

Disneyland Park Hopping

In the beginning of July, I am taking my niece back to CA. Since it’s a holiday weekend, we are going to Disneyland park! My brother’s family lives in Orange County, so we’ve never considered staying in the hotel at Disneyland. However, this time my brother’s family and I will check-in to the Disneyland hotel the day prior to our visit to the Disneyland parks and take the advantage of the “Extra Magical Hour” opportunity to get into the parks one hour before they open to the general entry. We will also do the park hopping between Disneyland and the California Adventure theme parks.

(Disney California Adventure Park.)

Girly Gel Nails

While my niece was enjoying her Summer vacation with me in Seattle, I took her with me to my gel nails appointment. Initially I was concerned that she might be bored sitting in the nail salon with me for one and a half hour, but I was glad to see her wanting to participate in selecting the nail colors for me. After scanning through the gel nail magazines, she picked the combination of light pink and light iris colors with glitters for me. Since we were going to Disneyland in a few days, the color and the design of my new gel nails are perfect for the occasion!

Dress for Summer Wedding

July is a popular wedding month in Summer. I need to look for a new dress for a wedding I am going to. Since floral patterns are in vogue, I want to pick one with a floral design that would be perfect for the wedding reception. I think it will take a lot of work to fine the ideal dress.

(Floral Printed Dress by Zimmernann.)

All Posts, Fashion, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – February 2018

02/25/2018 Shirley

February is one of my favorite months, because it’s the month many of my dear friends and I were born. I will celebrate the special days with my friends and travel to Mcminnville, Oregon, for wine tasting, and to Palm Springs, CA, for vacation.

Below are some of the things I will be doing this month.

Dior New Lip Sticks

I’ve been using Dior’s Addict Lip Glow Color Reviving Lip Balm in both Pink/Glow and Lilac/Glow colors for years. This Dior lip balm is designed to moisturize and enhance our lips’ nature color. I am really glad that Dior is releasing new colors – Raspberry/Glow, Pink/Holographic, Purple/Holographic, Matte Pink/Matte, Raspberry/Matte. I plan to get this Dior’s Addict Lip Glow Color Reviving Lip Balm in both Raspberry/Glow and Pink/Holographic!

Something Red for February

This year’s Lunar New Year falls in February. Red is the lucky color for Chinese and it’s one of my favorite colors too. To celebrate for the holiday month, I will switch my monthly gel nail color from last month’s pink to red.

New Job is the Best Birthday Gift

I am starting a new job in February. It’s a senior program manager position for an Artificial Intelligence training organization. I am fascinated with the role Artificial Intelligence technology plays in our current world and I am glad I have the chance to learn more about the technology. To me, starting a new job a few days before my birthday is the best gift I could ask for.

Vacation in Palm Springs

I will join my friends at Palm Springs, CA, for a few days this month. This will be my first time to Palm Springs. I am very excited. This trip will be my mini get-away from the chilly weather in Seattle. And I can wear the Summer dresses every day!

Manila Blahnik documentary

I love to watch any fashion related documentaries. I found a documentary (on Netflix) on the legendary shoe designer, Manolo Blahnik. The film title is “Manolo The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards”. It’s fascinating to see how his passion for shoes grew since his early childhood, and how his life experience transformed him into one of the world’s most famous shoe designers!

All Posts, Beauty, Fashion, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – November 2017

11/21/2017 Shirley

November is the beginning of the holiday season. It’s time to think about what to do for Thanksgiving and where to shop for the Black Friday sales. It’s also a perfect time to update your wardrobe and bundle up for the cold weather.

Below are some of the things I suggest for November.

Update Beauty Product Collections with Glitters

As we are getting closer to the holiday season, beauty product companies are rolling out items with glitters and shimmery. It’s time to get a head start on building your Year 2017 holiday beauty collections. My suggestion is to start with the MAC’s Snow Ball Gold Pigment and Glitter Kit.

Kick Off the Holiday Season with Nutcracker

Last weekend, my friend invited me to watch Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. I watched the Nutcracker Ballet a long time ago, but it was in December. Although I wasn’t ready for the holiday season before I watched the show, with the holiday decorations I saw and the music I heard during the Nutcracker Ballet, it all definitely got me into the holiday mode.

Bake Dessert for Friends and Family

The only times I’ve baked desserts have been during the holiday season. In the past year, I’ve mastered my baking skills for a couple of desserts. For this year, I’d like to add a new dessert to my baking list, so I can get ready for the holiday feasts with friends and family. And I am planning to bake a lot of cheesecake from scratch.

Invest in a New Warm Jacket

Last year when I visited Spain in December, I knew I would be sightseeing in various cities on daily basis and I’d need a warm jacket to help me get through the trip. I bought a Canada Goose jacket for the trip and it really served its purpose. A warm jacket like the one I bought was a good investment. For this year, I am looking into getting another down jacket in a different style and color.

(Picture taken at Toledo, Spain.)

Upgrade to New iPhone

My first iPhone was the 3GS, which I purchased in Year 2009. I love using iPhone so much, so I’ve been getting a new iPhone every two years. This year, Apple released two iPhone devices: iPhone 8 or iPhone X. I know I want the iPhone X and can’t wait to get mine!

All Posts, Travel

The Sky Suites at Aria Hotel in Las Vegas

06/11/2014 Shirley

Where did you stay the last time you went to Las Vegas? I go to Vegas quite often and have some favorite hotels. But I also enjoy trying new places. On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I stayed at the Sky Suites at Aria hotel.

Many hotels in Las Vegas has special sections, for example, MGM Grand has Skyloft suites and Wynn has Tower Suites. When I arrived in Las Vegas I had arranged to be picked up by the Sky Suites limo. The driver took me to a private entrance separate from the main Aria entrance. From there the doorman showed me to the private Sky Suites lobby area, where I checked in to the room.

Overall, I’d rate the Aria Sky Suites with eight out of ten. I especially liked the complimentary refreshments throughout the day; it was at least as good as any of the other special suites I stayed in Las Vegas. The hotel design and the décor was modern and sophisticated, but I slightly prefer the Wynn/Encore and Bellagio suites.

From a value point of view, the Aria Sky Suites offers slightly larger rooms and a slightly lower rate compared to my favorite specialty suites, the Wynn/Encore, MGM Skyloft, Bellagio suites, and the Palazzo. The Sky Suites at Aria are really nice, but the Tower Suites at Wynn/Encore are still my favorites. However, the next time you are in Las Vegas consider the Sky Suites at Aria.

Shirley Style

Tag Archives: Vacation

A Trip to Del Mar

5 Things to Try This Month – July 2018

5 Things to Try This Month – February 2018

5 Things to Try This Month – November 2017

The Sky Suites at Aria Hotel in Las Vegas

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