Travel – Page 14 – Insider Irene

Frugal Finds, West Coast Roadtrip – San Francisco, CA (Part 2)

Published on July 6, 2016June 29, 2016 by Insider Irene2 Comments

San Francisco is home to many ethnic areas so I decided to spend the day exploring three different areas: Chinatown, Union Square, and Tenderloin aka. Thai Town (my phone died so I unfortunately do not have any cool images of the later two cities *cries*) – nevertheless I’ll still compile a list of the places you’ll have to visit!

It’s quite a walk from the Exploratorium – but after a good 30 minutes or so we finally made it to Chinatown. Notes: Most of these restaurants won’t have their own business pages so I included a hyperlink to their respective yelp pages – hope it helps! 🙂

Chinatown Food (Cheap Eats)

New Lun Ting Cafe: By the time we walked to Chinatown I was famished. I pulled up my phone and looked for some cheap eats with generous portions and this restaurant popped up. My friend and I shared the Oxtail stew and for $8.95 it was quite a steal. The meat was fall off the bone tender and the gravy was a great accompaniment to the rice and veggies.

Good Mong Kok Bakery: Serving traditional dim Sum in a fast food type of manner. If you see a long line outside you’re in the right place. Stand there and get read to point to everything you’d want to eat. They have everything from har gaw, BBQ buns, shu mai among other items. Each item is also jumbo sized – like twice the size of a typical counterpart. Cash only.

Golden Gate Bakery: No trip to SF’s Chinatown would be complete without sampling the famous egg tarts – if you catch them when they’re open. On many different occasions this bakery has closed due to random vacations, but you can check their Facebook page to see status updates.

AA Bakery and Cafe: A bakery serving authentic sweet and savory pastries for a very affordable price point. I took two buns home and they tasted great 🙂

The Fashionable Diva ($$$) in the Financial District/ Union Square

Tourists and locals would flock to Union Square to as it’s the Heart of San Francisco (complete with all the heart sculptures you can imagine). It’s also home to almost all the major designer labels and fashion staples. But if you’re looking for something a bit more unique consider the shop below.

Angelic Pretty and Harajuku Hearts: If you’re into Japanese fashion, you’re going to love this store. Angelic Pretty carries more girly, frilly items whereas Harajuku Hearts tailors to the moth goth punk crowd. Both share the space and there are a bunch of really cute unique items. Kawaii!

Authentic Thai ($) in Tenderloin, CA
Sai Jai Thai Restaurant: When most of the patrons are Thai you know you’re in a solid joint. This hole in the wall restaurant serves traditional Thai fare for a very reasonable price (see menu above). The pad thai with shrimp was really tasty and I would definitely be back again!

Do you have a favorite frugal find that I missed? Comment below!

XOXO,

Rockstar

Frugal Finds, West Coast Roadtrip – San Francisco, CA (Part 1)

Published on July 4, 2016June 29, 2016 by Insider Irene2 Comments

San Francisco is a mecca of good eats and outdoor attractions; unfortunately it’s a nightmare when it comes to parking, so my friend and I decided to strap up our tennies and take public transit to the city.

We stayed at an Air BnB (use my code here – we both will get $25 travel credit when you book a place of $75+) in Daly City and decided to park our car in the lot ($3 – be sure to pay at the machine!) and take the Bart to Embarcadero ($3.25 one way). For newbie travelers here’s a list and picture of the stations the bart travels to. The price varies based on how far you want to travel, but considering the convenience it’s a great option to get around the city without the headache of looking for overly priced parking spots and walking’s good for you.

Near the Bart Embaradero exit is the Ferry Building Marketplace – our first foodie destination. This modern day indoor bazaar is home to dozens of unique restaurants and shops. We opted to try three different cuisines for lunch.

Boccalone – Known for their tasty salted pig parts, this gourmet shop that specializes in cured meat. Not sure what to try? Not a problem – they have a sample cone for $4 where you can try slices of three of their most popular cuts.

Hog Island Oyster Co – Unfortunately they don’t offer happy hour oysters anymore, but with an average of 4.5 stars and over 3500 reviews on yelp this was definitely a place I wanted to check out for myself. I shared a half dozen of the Redwood Curtain Kumamoto on the half shell ($20) and they were definitely fresh and delicious. This restaurant is known for long wait times, but if you come right at opening you would certainly be able to snag a seat with a great view of the bridge.

Golden Gate Meat Company – This butcher counter is located right outside of Hog Island Oyster Co. While we were not fortunate enough to take home some of their specialized cuts, we did try a beef pot pie and it was extremely hearty and filling. Not bad for a $8 investment

After eating so many different items we decided to head over to the Exploratorium – a museum that greatly emphasizes hands-on learning and only about a short 10 minute walk from the Ferry Building Marketplace.

On the day I visited there were a ton of kids enjoying themselves with all the interactive exhibits and if you’re a California educator you can get FREE admission. Click here to request a voucher. Be sure to submit the information and print out the ticket before you visit. Museum admission is otherwise $29.95 for general admission.

Depending on how thorough you are with reading the exhibits descriptions and/or participating in the activities, you can spend anywhere from 1-2 hours here. There was one exhibit focused on the idea of “love” and guests were asked to type in 6 words that embody your idea of love. “Food will make me happy, yes!” – was the closest I could come up with – ha!

Speaking of love…

On the opposite side of the Ferry Building Marketplace is Cupid’s Span – an enormous art sculpture located in front of the Bay Bridge. It’s a pretty cool landmark and this would be a great place to bring a date.

Pro Tip: While my photos all showcase how bright and beautiful the area is, I’d recommend traveling with a jacket because it did get rather windy.

Have you been to the Ferry Building Marketplace? What was your favorite restaurant and what did you order? Stay tuned for Frugal Fun, West Coast Roadtrip – San Francisco Edition Part 2.

XOXO,

Rockstar

Frugal Finds, West Coast Roadtrip -Monterey Bay,CA

Published on July 1, 2016June 29, 2016 by Insider Irene1 Comment

After spending a few hours at San Luis Obispo (click here to read about my SLO adventures) the next destination was Monterey Bay – Home of the World Famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. But before seeing some cute sea otters we drove past Bixby Bridge – a historic landmark with a great panoramic view of the ocean in Big Sur.

For my readers just tuning in, click here to see my original post outlining the finances and pit stops with hyperlinks documenting my journey!

It’s a popular tourist attraction and many patrons parked alongside the road or the mini lot on the side to snap some selfies and obviously I couldn’t resist either. It was also a good opportunity stretch your legs and take a break from driving.

Soon afterwards we headed to Monterey Bay. Both my friend and I had visited the world famous aquarium so we decided to try to see the adorable sea otters in an alternative and more frugal manner.

I got a tip that Schooners Coastal Kitchen and Bar in Cannery Row (made famous by John Steinbeck’s book with the same namesake and footsteps away from the aquarium) oversees the bay and that guests often saw wild otters from the restaurant window. I also read up that the restaurant offered a happy hour (4-5:30; Monday – Friday) – sweet!
My friend and I ordered two items from their Coastal Hour Small Bites, which were split into there categories ($3, $4, and $5). They also had cocktails ranging from $6-$10. The service was polite and the view was breath-taking; however, to be honest I was quite disappointed in the two items we ordered. The calamari was mushy and tasted as if it were reheated in a microwave and the artichoke frittata wasn’t memorable; however from my research many patrons enjoyed the homemade clam chowder. I had a big bowl earlier that day so I wasn’t in the mood to sample theirs. I had also heard good things about their seafood ceviche – next time!

Alternatively, you can consider ordering something from the dessert menu if you happen to be in town when it’s not happy hour. It’s a great way to sample their offering without paying the $$$ price tag for a full entree.

The view at this establishment is hard to beat and while the sea otters didn’t come out to play on our visit, I would certainly return to catch them again

After enjoying the peaceful view we took a stroll down cannery row, which is home to your typical tourist shops and attractions. In some way it’s like SF’s Fisherman’s Wharf but on a much smaller scale. If you walk a few streets up you can find a lovely new bakery called “The Perfect Crumb Bakery” where the owner uses her own recipes to make delicious desserts and treats. The key lime pie sounded amazing, but I wanted something a bit lighter and opted for a traditional chocolate chip cookie. It was soft and just what I needed before heading off to our next destination.

Did I miss a frugal find, comment below and let me know!

XOXO,

Rockstar

7 travel essentials to bring on a Roadtrip

Published on June 29, 2016July 2, 2016 by Insider Irene3 Comments

When you’re planning an extended vacation the most important and obvious things come to mind (cell phone, wallet, car keys, clothes etc.), but to make your trip as enjoyable as possible remember these 10 travel essentials. Check out my original post documenting my 8 Day West Coast Roadtrip.

1. A portable battery charger and cables – My cell phone’s lifespan is very short and as a tourist who loves snapping photos and taking videos my phone is often drained.

2. Cash – Some of the smaller shops don’t accept plastic so be sure to hit up the bank. Personally I withdrew $200 and requested the teller to break them up into $1s, $5s, $10s and $20s.

3. A blanket and pillow – They make the long drives a bit more bearable and depending on your room accommodations these two items may help you sleep better. I’ve noticed that at a few Air BnB places the blankets tend to be thiner and why yes that is a Harry Potter blanket. *wink* It was a splurge gift to myself from Universal Studios Harry Potter World Soft opening. Here’s the link to see check out the Hogwarts Crest Throw.

4. Cds of your favorite music or an Ipod– There are stretches in the trip where you’ll have limited reception and there’s only so many times when you can listen to Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” on the radio – think of it as a bomb karaoke party!

5. Good walking shoes – We parked the car and usually did not go back until the end of the day. Ladies leave the heels at home, your feet will thank you!

6. Sunscreen and shades – Vitamin D is great, but too much of a good thing can be harmful. Protect you skin and shield your eyes. At my local RiteAid they were doing a B1G1 Free for all Hawaiian Tropic Products.

I got this Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30 and smells really nice. It’s glides on easily and there no white cast that you get from some other products. Here’s a link on amazon if you’re curious to see what others have to say about the product.

And sunglasses will help when the sun shines in your eyes as you’re driving.

7. Water – This may sound like a no brainer, but there may be long stretches on the trip when you won’t see a city for miles and you definitely don’t want to be dehydrated while driving.

I recommend investing in some type of water container and purchasing a gallon of water (as opposed to the bottles) so you can refill as needed when you make your stops. It’s cheaper and you’ll be doing the planet a huge favor.

Are there other items that aren’t on this list that should be? Comment below!

XOXO,

Rockstar

Explore the West Coast for Cheap – 8 Day Roadtrip!

Published on June 28, 2016July 22, 2016 by Insider Irene9 Comments

If you’ve been following the hashtag #FollowYu on my Instagram account (Add @Yurockstar if you’re not) – you’d know that I recently took an 8 day road trip to explore some amazing destinations off the beaten path.

My friend and I took the scenic route and drove up PCH to hit some of California’s hidden gems and continued our adventures in the Pacific Northwest. We ventured throughout Oregon, and Washington and starting this week I’ll be posting some of the different highlights from my entire trip and of course it’ll be done in a fabulously frugal fashion. 🙂

Finances:

I allocated about $1000 for this adventure and together with a friend we were able to share many of the expenses and bring down the overall individual cost.

The major expenses (car rental, gas, room) was a little less than $850 total and for major cities we tried to minimize our costs by taking public transportation when we could or parked a bit further and walked. We allocated $100 on public transit, parking etc and bookmarked all the local free or near free activities. In total the per person shared cost was roughly $475.

I gave myself a rather generous budget for food (stomach souvenirs) – essentially the rest of the budget :D, but still took advantage of all the lunch specials or happy hour pricing. It’s great if you and your travel companion are both adventurous eaters because then you can share the cost and try even more items!

Click here to read “7 Travel Essentials to Bring on a Roadtrip”

City List – Here’s a list of all the major pit stops we made and we started in Orange County. Click on the hyperlink to read about my adventure!

San Luis Obispo, CA

Monterey Bay, CA

San Francisco (Part 1), CA; San Francisco (Part 2), CA

Bowling Ball Beach, Schooner Gulch, and Point Arena, CA

Glass Beach, CA and Leggit, CA

Eureka, CA

Roseburg, OR and Eugene, OR

Portland, OR (Part 1); Portland, OR (Part 2)

Seattle, WA

Redding, CA

Sacramento, CA

I’ll try to pump out a new entry for all the places I’ve visited – which city are you most interested to see? Comment below 🙂

XOXO,

Rockstar

Frugal Finds, West Coast Roadtrip – San Luis Obispo, CA

Published on June 27, 2016July 22, 2016 by Insider Irene3 Comments

The first major pit stop for my 8 day roadtrip was San Luis Obispo (roughly 4 hours away from Orange County) and I was famished. Ready for the first foodie stop!

Click here if you missed the original post documenting my journey.

Bookmarked on my list was Splash Cafe, a little hole-in-the-wall mom n’ pop shop that’s known for their clam chowder. My friend and I split a bowl ($5.50), which was essentially twice the amount but only a dollar more. A cup was $4.50 and they didn’t mind giving us an extra cup to share.

The soup was on the more salty side, but it was very flavorful and creamy. The seafood was ample and I can see why this restaurant is a local favorite. I saw a lot of delicious looking pastries in the display case, but wanted to pace myself for all the yummy munchies I’ve planned for this trip.

As a small college town San Luis Obispo is home to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (aka, SLO), one of two Cal Polytechnic schools in California (the other being Cal Poly Pomona) that emphasizes a “learn by doing” educational philosophy. The university is known for their robust engineering program, but also their flourishing agriculture and horticulture department.

A cool and FREE thing to do is visiting the Leaning Pine Arboretum, a 5 acre garden with breathtaking mountain views. The garden features plants from all over the world including New Zealand, South Africa and other Mediterranean climates.

Pro Tip: Park in the student lot before you hit the horse ranch and pay the blue automated ticket box. Parking is $2 for an hour.

Hours of operation is 8am -5pm, Monday – Saturday; however, I recommend travelers to come early in the morning to beat the heat. 45 minutes to an hour is also adequate time to spend walking through the different gardens, but they do have benches scattered throughout the park so you can definitely slow down and enjoy the scenic views.

After a brisk walk around the garden it was time for lunch and let me tell you if you’re hungry you definitely want to hit up Firestone Grill – it’s where all the hunky firemen eat *wink*

Unfortunately on my visit there were no men in uniform on break; however, my eyes were all on the tri-tip sandwich ($9.25) – yum! The meat was super tender, BBQ sauce was tangy , and the bread was lightly toasted making it a really hearty meal. Two thumbs up! The restaurant set-up is also really conducive for any sports gathering. I can only imagine what this place would be like for the Superbowl or the World Cup. With great food and ample big screen tv’s I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. It’s a happenin’ place!

But if you’re looking for a more intimate location to enjoy a conversation with a friend or just seeking a great local coffee shop, Scout Coffee Company, is an up and coming cafe simple rustic decor. The environment has a type of zen feel and patrons can enjoy everything from their cold brew to homemade almond milk.

The SLO downtown area has a lot of great cute restaurants and shops and one that caught my eye was the Hep Kat Clothing, a shop that sells new vintage style clothes, which is timeless and very figure flattering. I only quickly browsed through their sales racks, but they had some really adorable items.

Are there places I missed in SLO, comment below!

XOXO,

Rockstar

2013 Delicious Gender Neutral Gift Ideas

Published on December 17, 2013 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

It’s that time of year again- holiday shopping for all your family, friends, co-workers, etc. I’ll be the first to admit that holiday shopping for others can be quite stressful… and expensive (yikes!) But I’ve come up with a short gender neutral list to appease almost everyone on your list. You’ll see that my inspiration stems from my foodie side, which will make for a delicious list! So, lets get started!

The Entertainer

Food brings people together and I absolutely love gourmet gifts that I can share. But creating a dish is just as fun as eating with your loved one. So why not hand-select colorful noodles or fun-shaped characters (for the kids of course :P) to accompany your favorite Marinara or Alfredo sauce. If you want to be extra fancy you could also add in a large festive bowl so that the entree has a new home to sit-in, wrap clear saran-wrap around the items and voila! Not only is this gift idea easy on the eyes, but also yummy for the tummy. I found these at my local TJ Maxx and Big Lots, but of course you can support small local mom n’ pop shops too!

Now you can always expand past the entrees and go straight into dessert realm as well. Recently I purchased two Sprinkles Cupcakes mix from the Newport Beach store and had it wrapped in a traditional Sprinkles Cupcake box sealed with their signature sticker. This special person has a sweet tooth for Red Velvet and her kids do too!

The Multi-tasker

I love multi-functional gifts that look and smell great, but are also practical as well. The Herb Garden from Trader Joe’s is just that (oh and it’s affordable too!). Can you believe this pot has 13 different herbs for less than 7 bucks. Craziness! These plants not only help liven up a kitchen counter top but also add so much flavor to your dishes as well. Rosemaries are my favorite, because they are just fragrant- they taste great with potatoes!

The Diner

If it seems that time is not on your side and finding the perfect gift is not something you look forward to perhaps you can consider treating your spe

cial person for a meal. Grab a business card from your favorite restaurant and on the back of it, write “lunch with your favorite _________” (ie. cousin, sister, daughter, foodie), and pop it into a festive card. Not only will this person fully understand your immaculate taste, but also get to spend some quality time with you.

If separate meals for all your family and friends seems unrealistic, perhaps picking your favorite family-style restaurant would do the trick. I absolutely love the Stimulus Packagefrom Stonefire Grill (Yelp Review) in Fountain Valley, the AYCE BBQ at Cham Sut Gol Korean BBQ (Yelp Review) in Garden Grove, and the enormous portions at Hash House A-Go-Go (Yelp Review) in Las Vegas. If you want ideas of other frugal but filling restaurant locations, leave a comment below 🙂

The Rich

The word of God is gold and giving someone a copy with their own name on it is really special. I especially love this NIV Trimline Snap Flap from Christianbook.com (Link) because it’s very sleek and the perfect size for many of my handbags. The online store also sells it in navy and black, which are classic colors for everyone. Though appearance aside, this truly is a transformational gift and out of all the gifts that I’ve mentioned this one will never leave you hungry again.

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 3: 35 (NIV)

What are some other great gift ideas?

XOXO,

Rockstar

“30 Days of Thanks” Reflection

Published on December 1, 2013 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

This month I participated in the “30 Days of Thanks” where I focused on a single blessing for the entire month of November. I posted daily on my Facebook page and tried to write something new and different each day. Some days were harder than others, as I struggled to find the ray of sunshine through looming dark clouds on those “everything that could have gone wrong went wrong” days. Yet, I survived and successfully completed my 30-day mission. I have my last day to write up and thought I’d unveil Day 30 on my blog. But before we jump to the end, here’s the first 29 days.

Day 1: Jesus, my lord and savior, for loving me (flaws and all)

Day 2: I am thankful for a job that allows me to play a role in kids future as their School Counselor

Day 3: I am thankful for an extra hour to sleep-in, woohoo daylight savings rocks!

Day 4: I am thankful for my strong grandmother. She has a lot of medical complications and it breaks my heart to see her in so much pain, but I’m lucky that I get to spend time with her.

Day 5: I am thankful for Taco Tuesdays. I love fish tacos, and Rubio’s has it for half-off today (after 2:30pm)! Woohoo!

Day 6: I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in my Wednesday large small group. God brought us together, but the food served at all our bible studies, holiday gatherings, and random “I just feel like throwing a party!” moments couldn’t keep us apart! I also am thankful for all the prayers and random acts of kindness. They’ve been there for me in thick and thin and I am blessed to be a part of the family.

Day 7: I am thankful for great hard-working coworkers, because I know they’re hard to come by.

Day 8: I am thankful to K-USC for playing beautiful classical music. It’s the only station I listen to on my daily commute to work. What kind of music do you listen to?

Day 9: I am thankful for youtube and hulu (plus other misc site), because now I can watch (almost) anything anytime

Day 10: I am thankful for new adventures and that I get to spent it with a family member who always has my back- love you cousin Larry!!

Day 11: I am thankful to our troops and all the men and women in uniform who fight to protect our rights. The United States would not be a land of opportunity without your service and dedication. Thank you.

Day 12: I hate shots and going to the hospital, but I am thankful for health insurance. I remember a time period when I couldn’t see the doctor and boy was that a crummy time. I won’t take regular check-ups for granted again.

Day 13: I am thankful to my brothers & sisters who open their beautiful home and welcome me in as one of their own.

Day 14: My kids drive me crazy, but I am thankful that I get to work. Actually, I have a pretty sweet gig- a nice large office, AC, new equipment/furniture etc. Now I just need to figure out how to extend all these college deadline, hmm…

Day 15: I am thankful that I live in a place where I can wear boots and scarves one day and shorts and flip flops the next. Gotta love SoCa

Day 16: I am thankful that my church offers Saturday service. I am definitely in dire need of some rechargin’. It’s been a long day

Day 17: I am thankful that I can fill my weekends with fun activities including book signings from celebrity chefs

Day 18: There were problems galore at work today, but I am thankful that my superiors have my back (at least so far :P).

Day 19: I am thankful for good health and a fast metabolism

Day 20: I am thankful for people who lift me up when I feel down.

Day 21: I am thankful for random acts of kindness from people in my life. (FYI, It involves foods) *smiles* I just feel very loved

Day 22: Even though I get cold very easily, I am thankful for the rain because without it our plants and trees would not be able to grow and bloom. The fresh smell of flowers and herbs not only help me relax when I’m stressed, but they’re beautiful as well.

Day 23: I am thankful that I have become a stronger, wiser person from the struggles I’ve endured this year. While some of the challenges still sting, I’m thankful that God has delivered me through betrayal, abandonment, deceit, and corruption. I am beautiful, because I am created in God’s image and no one can take that away. Thank you God for your beacon of light during those darkest moments.

Day 24: I am thankful for teachers (in and out of the classroom) who invested in me and helped me become the person I am today.

Day 25: I am thankful for fluffy pillows and warm blankets to snuggle up in on cold nights.

Day 26: I am thankful to the woman who carried me for 9 months and selflessly put my needs ahead of her own. Love you mommy!!

Day 27: I am thankful for my father for giving me a childhood filled with many wonderful memories and experiences that broaden my horizon. He taught me that spending quality time with the people you love is priceless and that money wasn’t everything. Thank you daddy for teaching me right

Day 28: I am proud to be an American and thankful that I get to celebrate a holiday to give thanks.

Day 29: I am thankful for lazy days so that I can rest and recharge.

And finally…

Day 30: I am thankful to all my readers and fans for supporting this blog and encouraging me to keep going. This blog has been a great outlet to share my strengths and struggles, and I hope that these posts can bring hope, laughter, and tears (of joy… obviously!) from my home to yours. Here’s to a strong finish and to all the adventures ahead!

What are you thankful for?

XOXO

Rockstar

Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentis Book Signing at Williams Sonoma in Costa Mesa, CA

Published on November 23, 2013November 23, 2013 by Insider Irene1 Comment

I’ve always loved to eat, but I didn’t always love Food Network- now before you come and strangle me on how I could make such an outrageous statement, hear me out! I didn’t grow up with cable television, and I certainly did not know about a station dedicated solely to food. I was young and naive, what can I say?!

It wasn’t until I moved out to New York City for graduate school that I really got exposed to this culture and was drawn into it. On the hours when I couldn’t cram any more book knowledge, I plopped right in front of the TV in our community room and flipped through the channels. I started watching various programs on the Food Network and got hooked. Giada was one of my favorite tv chefs and I especially loved her radiant smile. Her exaggerated enunciation of words is extremely characteristic of her and she just seemed so down-to-earth. I loved her along with her chef buddies Robert Irvine, Bobby Flay, and Alton Brown on “The Next Food Network Star” and “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

While these shows were entertaining, I will admit that these chefs helped me momentarily escapes some really difficult moments during graduate school and refocus my energy towards good food and great times. A few years later I relocated back to sunny Southern California and while it’s a far cry from the mecca of eclectic food options in New York, my adventurous spirit still drives me to find some of So Cal’s best finds.

Recently, one of my yelp buddies informed me that Giada was going to be make an appearance at South Coast Plaza to promote her new book. I was ecstatic. This was not my first celebrity chef book signing (I have an autograph of Alton Brown’s Good Eats book!!), but I had no idea what this event was going to be like. I dropped by Williams Sonoma to pre-order my book (approx. $35) and inquired about their past book signings. I was told that though the event started at 1pm, fans start lining up at 8am! Now I wasn’t going duke it out with Giada’s #1 fan, but I’d heard horror stories of fans who came in late and not get to see their idol because the authors were shuffled off to the next book signing gig. Scary thought. Anyways, for my readers interested in participating in a future book tour (William Sonoma does a ton of them!) I decided to compile a short list of tips to help maximize your book signing experience, but minimize your spending. Enjoy!

1) Wear comfortable shoes because you will be standing the entire time. This can help with bunion prevention and future doctor visits. I’d also advise wearing pants because you may be squatting a lot and doing that in a skirt or dress, just isn’t very lady-like 😛

2) Eat breakfast. Not only will your tummy thank you, but you will be much less inclined to make impulse purchases. While promoting consumerism is a noble cause, we want to minimize impulse purchases when prices are high. Yes, the food at the deli next door may look mouth-watering, but your wallet and stomach will be happy if you go to the event full and fully energized!

3) Bring water. You will want to keep hydrated

4) Bring something that can entertain you for several hours. I was able to write up a few yelp reviews for Portos Bakery (Yelp Review) in Glendale, CA, and Bonerts Slice of Pie (Yelp Review) in Santa Ana, CA. Feel free to check it out 🙂 I saw a few other patrons browse around the mall and came back with bags of goodies. Remember, when you’re bored, you’re more susceptible to impulse buying. Don’t do it!

5) Come early. Not only will you essentially be guaranteed a spot, but many businesses are not open yet and you’d be less likely to engage in impulse shopping.

What other tips would you find helpful to save money in an event like a book signing?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentis Book Signing at Williams Sonoma in Costa Mesa

From Sad to Glad- Quick Tip to Brighten Your Day!

Published on July 25, 2013July 25, 2013 by Insider Irene2 Comments

Hi Yu Bargain Rockstar Fans! So sorry that I’ve been out of the loop for so long! I’ve been sick for the past two and a half weeks and my pup passed away during this time, so it’s been an extremely difficult time for my family and me. I miss Boomer and while I know that he’s lived a long life, I’m sad to come home and not have him follow me around (even though it’s only because he wants food- I still miss him).

With so much sadness and illness around in Casa De Yu, I decided to add a pop of color to brighten up my mood and from the looks of it I think I actually got carried away. What do you think of my masterpiece?

From Sad to Glad- Quick Tip to Brighten You Day! Vibrant colors are a simple and easy way to help elevate your mood and painting your nails with fun colors can add personality to an even a gloomy day. As you can see from my very apparent rainbow thong-tan, these toes definitely show!

But this trick works for apparel as well! So for all you gents out there, consider wearing a bright shirt or tie or. You’d be surprised at how a simple change in garment choice can help lighten your mood. I think fuchsia and warm colors (like yellows and orange) are great! But I know it’s not for everyone

What’s color helps you put a smile across your face?

Rockstar