Birthday #27

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a big planner-and that is no exception for my own birthday. I honestly do not think I have ever had someone else plan my birthday [except when I was maybe one years old and couldn't talk--but I am sure in this little planner head of mine I was stirring up ideas].

For my 27th birthday I decided that San Diego would be a perfect location. It is absolutely one of my favorite places to visit and is always close enough for guests to join in on the fun. The plans for my birthday began stirring up around January and the next thing I knew the hotel was booked and the invites were sent out.

I was seriously counting down the DAYS until the San Diego trip. I already had 25 confirmed guests and to hype things up just a bit more, I found out one of my good friends was going to be spinning at a club that night in San Diego. Perfect much? I think so!

Lets go ahead and fast forward: IT WAS FINALLY HERE: We had arrived to Gaslamp San Diego.

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First things first-Cafe Coyote for some good eats and HUGE Margaritas, and to top it off with a little more adventure we decided to take the trolley!

Margarita Much?

 

All I have to say is this place is pretty classy-I mean where else can you get a Mariachi band to sing Happy Birthday to you on the spot while drinking a huge Margarita, with a bunch of your friends, with hand made tortillas, that allows you to read the Fiesta Newspaper and let you sit at your table trying to read the personal ads.....THIS PLACE !

 So then....after a few Margaritas in, I figured I better check into the Hilton Gaslamp Quarter Hotel before I was too tipsy to sign all of the paperwork. I trucked my way up the stairs and opened the hotel door only to FIND my 900 sq foot hotel room was only 300 sq feet. I stopped in my tracks. What the hell? To make a long story short, and a huge chunk of change coming out of the boyfriends bank account-we upgraded to the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE.

It was officially PARTY TIME! 

And off to Renato's Show we go

 


....We had such a great time, but it wasn't over yet.
The next day.....
A ton of champagne, beer, and breakfast-what a great way to end the trip.... The boyfriend had a little harder time celebrating--can we say HANGOVER...I think he thought it was his birthday....

A SPECIAL thank you to all of my friends and family that came out to me. You seriously all rock my world! Until next time San Diego...Stay classy.

xoxo Krisa

Taken, Dating Someone, Or Single Valentines

It's that time again, VALENTINES DAY! I am sure that there are mixed feelings across the board on this holiday. 

If your Taken- you spend the day with that special someone, and exchange heart filled gifts, if your Dating Someone- you really find out how that person feels about you. If the day passes without any acknowledgment, you realize he may not be that into you [or he just hates Valentines Day]. However, if the person goes out of their way to show that they care it is usually a sign of relief knowing that you don't need to wonder anymore . If you are Single- its most likely a day where you are reminded on why you hate men, and you get together with your girlfriends to bash on the male species all night long [been there-done that].

No matter what boat your in this year, I think we all can agree that hearts, lips, x's and o's tend to fill our home this season. I wanted to spread a little Valentine's cheer by showing you some amazing pins that I found on Pinterest.com. 

<3 "I've fallen in love many times... always with you".  ~Author Unknown




 

Glam and Affordable!

Ok ladies, lets talk nails today!

I am an ex/acrylic nail addict

I use to hit the nail salon every two weeks to get my acrylics done for 7 years. Honestly, it was one of my top priorities, and what do I have to show for it now? NOTHING.  Sick right? 

Don't get me wrong, I love acrylic nails, they look absolutely adorable--but my budget for the nails had to stop before it turned into a major obsession! I had to cut cold turkey!

Most of you that know me, are SHOCKED to see me without acrylic nails. If you are anything like myself, being all glitz and glamorous is a top priority. However, what if you cannot afford acrylic nails but are tired of the boring old nail polish colors that you use ever week? 

What if you could combine glam and glitz at a REASONABLE price. (Wow-I feel like I am selling an infomercial here). 

We'll courtesy of my best friends brilliant idea [AMIBETH KIBEL!], I bring to you BEDAZZLE NAILS. 

It's really simple and easy to do.

• Paint the base coat with your favorite nail polish color
• After the nail polish dries, paint a thin coat of glitter polish on top of that base color
• Take gems [you can honestly get them anywhere-any color, size, shape will do! it's your look-go for something fun] and individually super glue them onto each finger nail
• Take a top coat nail polish to set the polishes together. Try not to get the top coat on the gem. If you get the top coat on the gem it will turn it dull, taking away from the SPARKLE

 
So girls--take ur money elsewhere than the acrylic nails and try this today. 

Deal Report

One night stay in San Francisco, approx $110 - $130 per night via Bloomspot. Hotel Diva is newly remodeled and located in Union Square. If you are looking for a getaway, this is a great deal for the San Francisco area.

View San Francisco Deal Here

Bloomspot is offering a One night stay in Lake Tahoe at the 968 Park Hotel. Rates start at $75.00- $100 per night, and the hotel is next to Heavenly Ski Resort. This deal does end mid Feb, so make sure to plan your trip today!

View Lake Tahoe Deal Here

Travelzoo is offering a 3-course Italian Dinner at Nonna of Italy for (2) at the amazing rate of $49.00. With this deal you would get (2) appetizers, (2) pastas, (1) shared dessert, and (2) glasses of red or white wine. The best part about this deal, is that the restaurant is located on Sunset Strip!

View Italian Deal Here

Travelzoo is offering (2) hour snow tubing session at Mt Baldy. The deal is only $16 per person, and it includes lift ticket and intertube. Don't miss out having fun in the snow in 2012!

View Intertube Deal Here

<3 Peace, Love, and Happy Deals!

Papa-Paparazzi

My most important Item to bring on a daily basis:
My CAMERA!

I mean, seriously- you just never know when the perfect moment will be right in front of you. I mean, I know we all have camera phones, but camera phones just aren't the same as an actual camera.

At the beginning of 2011 I spoiled myself with a starter "Professional" camera-The Cannon Rebel. There are so many features, options, and settings that she is intact with. Her speed is fast
allowing for multiple shots at the same time. Talking about getting the "Picture Perfect Moment."

If you to are a Picture -Whore like myself, I would absolutely recommend this starter camera for you. Now that I am starting to get the hang of certain angles, lighting, and creativity I will most likely expand to something larger. However, for a new photo-guru on the market, this camera is most certainly for you.

The prices and models will vary depending on the year that you pick up, and your place of purchase. They average from $500-$900.00.




Check out some of the shots that I got this last year:

I believe it is all about being at the right place at the right time <3 God has so much beauty in the world for us, why not capture it!

Kristin LAS VEGAS Hicks

In honor of Vegas Day [well.......Mine, Elena, Charlene, and Amibeth's Vegas Day] I decided to pay a tribute to a dear friend of mine-- Las Vegas! Isn't she beautiful?

The more I think about all of the fun times we've had, the more I cannot wait to be reconnected. Vegas has been for me through thick and THIN! She is a GEM to say the least, no other can compare [oh, besides the boyfriend]. Through the:

• Heartbreaks
• Celebrations
• Good Friends
• Bouncers [Ronnie]
• Ball tickling [WOW-get your mind out of the gutter, its not what you think!!]
• Pool Parties
• Countless individuals we've met, and names we've forgotten
• Michael Mayer
• Champagne Brunch
• Baby Angels
• Trop
• Bachlorette Parties

....and this is only the beginning of our relationship. I love you Vegas, cheers to many more memories that you and my friends will have.

• 
  

Christmas buzz IN a cup!

I have a secret and I need to tell you all. Maybe you know this little secret, but I hadn't a clue until recently. A month ago, I took my cousin on a suprise road trip for her 22nd birthday. Along the way we stopped at a little town called Solvang; a super CUTE little Danish Village in the heart of Santa Barbara's wine country and it is ADORABLE.

We stopped in at a wine tasting room called Sort This Out Cellar. We did the usual tasting, and when we were about to leave the bar tender said that she still had one tasting left for us. I sipped on the cup and IMMEDIATELY felt a Christmas rush through my body [[you know---all warm and fuzzy, and as if I threw on Coast 103.5 Xmas Station on]]. What the heck was this stuff? We'll, after I ramped and raved for my friends around me to try it- I finally ask the bartender what it was. It was Mulled Wine [Christmas freakin buzz in a cup as id like to call it].

Seeing as I needed to have this around the holidays, I went ahead and purchased the pre packaged spices that Sort This Out Sellars sold to their customers so that I could make my own Mulled Wine on my own.  Now--seeing that Solvang is a bit of a drive, I went ahead and found a alternative easy receipe that you would be able to use to make Mulled Wine.

TRY IT OUT!

1. 1 bottle of Red Wine
2. 1 cup of water
3. 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
4. 2 tsp lemon juice
5. 10 cloves
   6. (4) whole cinnamon sticks

Place all ingredients into a pan, and simmer in pan for 1 hour. After 1 hour serve.