La Jolla Cove view from Brockton Villa

Brockton Villa is one of the wonderful restaurants gracing our Southern California coast offering spectacular sunset views along with delicious food. It is ideally situated a top a perfect scenic spot overlooking The Cove, in La Jolla, California. The view from this perch is breathtaking, and I was able to personally confirm this at a recent brunch at this landmark eatery generously sponsored by owner Dave Heine for a group of San Diego bloggers.

Brockton Villa owner Mike Heine with bloggers Suzette Valle and Jennifer Fox Armour

View from a balcony table at Brockton Villa

Brockton Villa was a beach cottage built in 1894, and while being historically preserved was converted into a restaurant in 1990. Its quaint and charming decor embraces you as you walk up the stone and wood stairs seemingly cut out of the cliff side. The unique abalone shell-inlaid fireplace is estimated to have been built in the 1920s and is the centerpiece of the main dinning area.

If you happen to be in La Jolla, California this summer, don't forget to pop in to this lovely restaurant. "Brockton Villa remains a significant reminder of the architectural past alive in our La Jolla community: simple and lovely, blessed by the sea, the sun and the sand."

Drinking more milk is one thing I should do more often. I usually only drink it in my lattes, but lately I've tried to down a glass or two to help my bones and overall appearance. Yes, milk should be a part of our daily nutritional and beauty routine, but it usually isn't.

I'm getting precariously close to an (middle) age where both beauty and health begin to take more effort than a trip to the cosmetic or drug store counters to keep me looking and feeling my best. To help me understand the benefits of milk as part of a regular beauty habit,  I was invited to take part in a new concept to spread the word about including more milk in our diets, and hopefully looking better, too.

"GOT MILK? and TOMA LECHE had a first-ever Milk Beauty Counter outside the Macy’s at Horton Plaza. It’s not something you’d expect to see at a mall: a milk counter.  But it’s precisely what the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of GOT MILK? and TOMA LECHE (Drink Milk), introduced to passersby on May 5.  The advertiser wants Californians to know that beauty comes from the inside out and proper nutrition with milk is key to achieving radiant skin and healthy hair and nails. 

The counter provided consumers an interactive experience where they learned about the benefits of the “wonder tonic.”  Beauty consultants were on hand to provide a booklet of tips to keep skin, hair and nails healthy.  Certified Fitness Trainer and Nutrintion Specialist, and current Miss San Diego Cities Saundra Combs, was aslo on hand offering tips on the benefits of milk. Shoppers relaxed at a lounge area while being served milk-based drinks and cookies.  Guests  also experienced a virtual makeover during their free visit."

Bloggers Sondra Santos LeBrie and Suzette Valle with Miss San Diego Cities, Saundra Combs at the Got Milk Beauty counter

It's a fact that taking care of myself now is a greater challenge than just a few years ago, and this includes limiting the negative effects of practically everything I do and consume;  from where I sit (away from the sun), to what I eat (no cheeseburgers!) and drink (Margaritas are still OK, right?).  But, taking a trip down the dairy section at the grocery store to get my own carton of milk (hmmm, wonder if it could come in a nice pink bottle so everyone will know it's mine) is one thing I'll be doing more often -- and know it'll only have positive side effects like strong ankles to be able to wear Miss San Diego Cities, Saundra Combs, shoes!

Do you like garage sales like I like garage sales?

Well, the mother of all yard sales is tomorrow, Saturday May 22nd, at D Ave in Coronado, and starts at 7AM!

All proceeds will benefit the Wampler Camp for Children with Disabilities. This organization is headed by Stephen J. Wampler who has dedicated his life to raising awareness about the disease that put him in a wheelchair, Cerebral Palsy, but who also refuses to let himself be taken over by this crippling illness.

In September, Steve Wampler is scheduled to climb El Capitan with a special machine specifically built for this arduous exercise. He also received help getting the word out about this incredible feat from celebrities Ellen DeGeneres and Will Farrell who recorded messages on his behalf to promote his next fund-raising venture.

We got a peek at the stuff in the HUGE garage sale and it looks like it's going to be a real tresure hunt!

All clothing items are $1 and there's some very good items avid 'thrifters' shouldn't miss!

Come out and support this great cause!

Promises2Kids Announces Concert with Rock Legends Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

May 11, 2010 - The Honorable Susan Golding, CEO and president of Promises2Kids announces the foundation's annual outdoor Summer Concert Gala featuring four-time GRAMMY(r) Award-winning artist Pat Benatar accompanied by renowned guitarist Neil Giraldo on Wed., June 2 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the estate of Joan Waitt, honorary co-chair, in La Jolla, Calif. All proceeds from the event will benefit Promises2Kids, a San Diego-based non-profit dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse through prevention, education and advocacy.
 
With six platinum and four gold albums to her credit, singer/songwriter Pat Benatar is one of the country's leading female rock vocalists. Her distinctive vocals, smoldering Ukrainian good looks, and powerful arrangements by band leader/guitarist Neil Giraldo launched a career that has powered on into the present.
 
This will be the first time the duo will perform an acoustic set in San Diego, under the stars and overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the beautiful, private estate of Joan Waitt. The evening will also feature an elegant sit down dinner prepared by the chefs from the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. Guests may bid on a number of one-of-a-kind silent and live auction packages, including beautiful jewelry, a private owner's box at the finish line and overlooking the Winner's Circle at the Del Mar Racetrack, golf and lunch at the San Diego Country Club, and a night out Downtown with a one-night stay in the Presidential Suite of the historic St. James Hotel plus a $200 gift certificate to any of the Cohn Restaurants and four Founder's tickets to a San Diego Padres game.
 
"It is a dream come true to have Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo perform for us on this most unforgettable evening," says Ann Haddad who co-chairs the Summer Concert Gala event with her husband Ben. "Last year's event with Jewel raised nearly $220,000 toward breaking the cycle of child abuse, adds Golding. "Proceeds will help children who have no one else in their lives and desperately need a home, and also help provide for those things that every other child have."
 
Honorary chairs for the Promises2Kids Summer Concert Gala featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Joan Waitt. Donating sponsors for the event include Bridgepoint Education, Cubic Corporation, Redfearn & Associates, San Diego Magazine, and Lorica International.
 
Tickets can be purchased online at www.promises2kids.org for $250 per person for general admission, $475 for the VIP reception, and $2,750 for a table sponsorship. For tickets or more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please call Promises2Kids at 858-427-1112.
 
Promises2Kids 2010 Summer Concert Gala committee members include: Honorary Chairs San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Joan Waitt (board member); Event Co-Chairs Ann and Ben Haddad; Andrew Abrams (board member); Steve Bond (board member); Ashley Constans; Larry Donofrio (board member); Steve Elder; Connie Fox; Pamela Hunt; Jane Mack-Baker (board member); Diana Marjip-Chuh (board member); Steve Redfearn; Aunde Rose; and Jay Sheehan.
 
About Promises2Kids
Originally founded as the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation of San Diego County, Promises2Kids is a 29-year-old nonprofit organization. Since 1981, Promises2Kids, also known as the Polinsky Children's Center Foundation, has led the fight against child abuse and neglect in the County of San Diego. No other organization in the area offers such a broad array of support systems, nor does any other organization in the area offer such a wealth of opportunity to connect with a wide variety of resources, programs, and collaborative partners focused on eliminating child abuse. The Chief Executive Officer and President of Promises2Kids is the former two-term Mayor of San Diego Susan Golding. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities or more information, please visit www.promises2kids.org, Facebook or Twitter.

**THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. WINNERS ANNOUNCED BELOW!** Congratulations to Faryl, Karen Johnson and Jen Howard!! Please e-mail me your full name to Vallesuzette@gmail.com and to get instructions for your FREE tickets!    more »

Student Essay Contest to Find
the 50 Best Moms in San Diego
*** Essays Accepted February 1 to March 5 ...   more »

Bren Herrera and I partipated in a video contest, and is a very entertaining food blooger. She's joined up with other food bloogers to help raise funds for Haiti. Please read and consider helping out any way you can!    more »

Croce's was the site of this month's Tweet-up organized by Liz Philips @iizliz and Stacy Ross @sdbargainmama (gotta follow them!). Food, music and delightful companionship were the highlight of the evening. About 30 San Diego bloggers congregated at this San Diego Gaslamp Quarter restaurant to chat about life on the WWW.    more »

GOT MILK? Nope. I got Lattes! One too many, in fact.    more »

Watch American Idol tonight to see if my video made the 60-second spot featuring eight bloggers (out of 16) who were selected as finalists for this ad!   more »

Getting your hands on a Nintendo Wii System is less difficult today than it was about a year ago. I remember having to whisper to an employee at a mega store asking if they'd received any systems that day, and then feeling like I'd hit the jackpot when he pulled the numbered ticket from his apron pocket and handed it to me. The get-off-the-couch-and-move video game system stirred an otherwise sedentary video-playing population - which included my teenage son - from sitting prostrate on the sofa mindlessly exercising only their thumbs.

The variety of video games developed for this gaming system is now targeted to all ages: parents, teens, preteens, elementary school aged kids, and even grandparents. With the introduction of video games like Wii Fit and Wii Sports (the bowling game is my personal fav), we've discovered another way to spend challenging family fun time with our teens.

And, just in time for the Holidays Nintendo launched the New Super Mario Bros. Wii game which was introduced to San Diego families at a special event in Oceanside , California. I was invited to attend the Nintendo event at Fairwinds Ivey Ranch, an upscale Retirement Community, where Kumiko Hidaka, Manager of Corporate Communications for Nintendo, and I talked about the wide appeal of the Wii Gaming System with grandparents! 

"It's something we can play with our 21 grand children", Richard and Ruth Kuh, who've been married for 59 years and also belong to a Wii Bowling League at Fairwinds, told me of the video game system. The retired couple were also the lucky winners of a Nintendo Wii System and the New Super Mario Bros. game raffled during the event,and which will surely make them the coolest grandparents around!

Paula Richards, Fairwinds Marketing Representative, Ruth Kuh and Nintendo Corporate Communications Manger, Kamiko Hidaka.

Here are a few interesting details about this new game:

 .        Consumer Reports recently released its annual holiday spending survey. While consumer spending is expected to be down again this holiday season, people aren’t willing to sacrifice when it comes to video games. Respondents also said they would scale back spending for themselves, but they won’t budge when it comes to gifts for grandparents, grandchildren and kids under 18. Fortunately, Nintendo has everyone covered with one game. The multiplayer fun of New Super Mario Bros. Wii will bring generations of families together for less than $50.

 ·         According to the ESA, in 2009, 25 percent of Americans over the age of 50 play video games, an increase from nine percent in 1999
 
·         New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a great way to spend some quality time with your family this holiday season. Providing endless hours of fun, kids, parents and even grandparents can come together and play, the hot new title in the comfort of their living room
 
·         The largest senior Wii bowling tournament, as confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records, was recently held in Houston – highlighting the continued popularity of gaming among this audience. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a perfect gift for your grandparents and is an excellent way for them to stay active and socialize with their friends or family
 
·         New Super Mario Bros. Wii encourages social-play and interaction with its four-player feature, similar to the fun found in Wii Sports