Cougar Hunting & A’s vs Yankees

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Cougar hunting season is upon us.  Is it the cougar that hunts or is hunted?  Whichever it is, the season is kicking off with the California Cougar Convention on Saturday, May 28th.  Here you will get to see cougars from all over California compete for Miss Cougar California 2011.  The winner even wins a trip on the Cougar Cruise to the Bahamas. Afterwards, dance the night away with all the cougars and cubs in attendance.  Forget Miss USA, this is sure to be way more entertaining.  Get tickets here for $5!

The NY Yankees are coming into town to play the A’s.  You can get tickets to see them play at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday, May 31st.  Click here to get Plaza level tickets for only $13!  Even if you don’t like baseball, A-Rod is always fun to look at…

Social Events

Today’s Deals: Neiman Marcus, Restaurant.com, Orbitz

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Neiman Marcus started their First Call Sale today!  It’s up to 40% off regular prices.  Your excuse to shop?  You gotta look good for Oyster Fest this Saturday…

Restaurant.com is offering 70% off all their gift certificates. This means you can get a $25 gift certificate for $3!  Use the promo code: TASTY

Orbitz is a great place to not only search for flights but also book hotels.  Right now you can get 10% off your hotel stay by using the promo code: DEALPRO10.  This code expires June 30th, 2011.

Food, Shopping, Travel

Giants vs Diamondbacks & Bay Area Brewfest

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 1

If you’re one of those who have a 9-5 job, you probably already have a case of the Mondays.  Here are some fun events that you will give you something to look forward to.

Giants vs Diamondbacks on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:15.  You can get Club Outfield tickets for $42.  Worth it just for the food selection in Club Level…

The 2nd Annual Bay Area Brewfest is happening on Saturday, June 11th at Fort Mason.  In addition to dozens of international and domestic beers, there will also be many delicious food trucks on hand.  A $24 ticket gives you 3 hours of unlimited beer “tasting”.  A brown out is sure to happen.

Purchase tickets and get back to work!

Social Events

Today’s Deals: Bloomingdales, J-Crew, Gap & Shecky’s Girls Night Out

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Congratulations on making it thru another work week and surviving Cinco de Mayo!  You deserve to buy yourself something new for the weekend and lucky for you, there are some great sales going on.

Bloomingdales is having their Spring Shoe Sale.  Shoes are marked 25%-30% off original prices.  If you buy 2 or more, you can get an extra 20% off by using online code: SHOES20

J.Crew Factory store is open online for the weekend.  It is basically like shopping at one of their outlet stores.  Dresses are as much as 40% off and they are offering free shipping.

Gap is offering 30% new Women’s styles until May 8th in honor of Mother’s Day.  Use the code GAPMOM at checkout.

Shecky’s Girls Night Out is coming back to SF On Tuesday, May 10th and Wednesday, May 11th from 5-10pm.  It allows the ladies to shop for the latest fashion and accessories while sipping on complimentary cocktails and sampling out amazing products and services.  Don’t forget the fabulous goodie bag every attendee receives!  Goldstar is offering tickets to this event for $15.  Go to http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-francisco-ca/sheckys-girls-night-out-3.html?p=F382514EP

Shopping

Citrus and Spice (San Rafael)

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Yesterday, I finally tried out Citrus and Spice located at 1444 4th Street in San Rafael.  They fancy themselves a Thai California Eatery and I find it very fitting.  Many of their dishes are traditional Thai cuisine like Pad Thai or Eggplant Curry.  But they spice up their menu by offering items like Mango-Roast Duck Fresh Rolls or Ultimate Pad Thai which is normal Pad Thai plus pumpkin, bell peppers, squash and feta cheese on the side. Before I describe what I had to eat, I must apologize for the lack of photos.  I had EVERY intention of taking pictures of the several appetizers and entrees but once the Taro Root and Corn Fritters hit the table, the camera was completely forgotten.  My bad!

Anywho, I guess I will start with the fritters.   Taro root is one of my faves so this was a no brainer.  It was perfectly fried with a delicious honey-vinegar sauce on the side to complement it.  Highly recommend it.  Next we shared the Duck Salad.  The duck was perfectly medium, very succulent and tender.  It was served on a bed of mixed greens and romaine lettuce with pear, walnuts, mint leaves, and avocado.  The dressing was a soy-vinegar dressing.  The salad was incredibly refreshing and full of flavor.  I could’ve easily eaten this as my entree and if you know me, you know I do not love salads so that is saying a lot!  Our final appetizer was the Curry Empanadas.  Deliciously fried with a cucumber salad on the side.  Another winner.

For the entrees, we shared the Classic Pad Thai, the Asian Eggplant Green Curry and the Poached Mahi Mahi.  The Pad Thai was good.  I really liked the fried tofu chunks and that they didn’t overdo it with the sprouts.  The Green Curry was spicy and delicious.  The Mahi Mahi was a little dry but the yellow curry sauce it was served with was sweeter and milder than the green curry.

Unfortunately, we didn’t save any room for dessert this time around.  But I will definitely be back for a Round 2!  Their website is http://citrusandspice.com.  If you want to try this restaurant out, you can get a $25 gift certificate for $10 at Restaurant.com.  I highly recommend giving this place a try.  Oink oink!

 

Food

Opening Day, Oyster Fest and Bay to Breakers 2011

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 1

May has arrived which marks the beginning of many daytime drinking events.  May 1st kicked off the season with Opening Day on the Bay.  Here are some pictures from Sam’s which I refer to as Marin’s Lake Havasu.

Next up is O’Reilly’s 12th Annual Oyster Fest on Saturday May 14th at Fort Mason.  All day drinking, oysters and live music.  All the ingredients necessary for a shit show.  Here is the link for all the information: http://www.oreillysoysterfestival.com/

The following day is the annual Bay to Breakers Marathon on Sunday, May 15th.  Get out your costumes, cameras and get ready to see naked old men with only shoes and socks on.  It’s so gross yet you can’t stop looking at them.  Here are some videos from B2B in the past.

Shopping Cart

Shopping Cart 2

As always, be safe, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen (don’t be la langosta) and don’t drink and drive.  And of course have fun!!!

Social Events

Cinco de Drinko

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

May 5th.  One of those holidays that people love celebrating but don’t actually know what the celebration is about.  It is not the anniversary of the creation of the margarita despite what people tell you.  It actually commemorates the victory of the Mexican Militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. And after this victory, the margarita was created.  And yes, this was all from memory.  Here are a bunch of hot spots and specials in honor of this joyous day:

La Barca (2036 Lombard): live music, great margaritas and the most addicting chips and salsa you will ever taste.  Highly recommend the chimichangas!

Taverna Aventine (582 Washington Street): they are having their annual block party in the Aventine Alley.  Chico Mann is performing,  DJ Dukes on the decks, Bravo’s Top Chef Ryan Scott with his new Taco Truck.  Specials on Mexican beer, tequila and Margarita drinks in the Alley. Entrance is free

Unwind on Union (1875 Union St): not your typical spot for Cinco but they will be serving up Mexican fare like chicken or pork enchiladas with red or green sauce, pozole, chicken flautas and quesadillas.  And all for $5!   Drink specials include margaritas, buckets of Pacifico, pitchers of Modelo or shots of Cabo Wabo and Espolon tequilla.

The Cantina (651 E. Blithedale, Mill Valley): they are charging a cover to get in.  Drink specials all day.  Great patio/outdoor area which will be money for the warm weather expected on Thursday.

Maya Palenque (349 Enfrente Road, Novato):  they also charge a cover to get in and if you don’t want to wait in line, plan on getting there before 6pm.  A lot of riff raff is here and it is a guaranteed trainwreck of a night.

Enjoy the beautiful weather, make sure to stay hydrated and please don’t drink and drive.  Fiesta!!!

Social Events

Housewives of Orange County & Bethenny

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 2

This is going to come as a great surprise, but I am a huge fan of Bravo’s Housewives franchise.  I’m not gonna lie.  It’s fun to watch catty women who have too much money (most of them) and way too much time on their hands.  Right now it is the Housewives of Orange County (HWOC), the original series, and the New York (HWNYC).  It amazes me that these ladies drive Bentleys, get a ton of plastic surgery, and then their houses go into foreclosure (or a “modified loan” as some like to put it).  WTF?!  Let’s discuss the last couple of episodes.  First, Peggy’s husband puts down the food of Top Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Miliken.  Really low budget chefs right? Then he asked for deep fried Oreos…Yikes, that made me cringe. 

Then came the actual dinner party.  Alexis has to excuse herself to go to the bathroom and cry because she can’t handle being away from her husband for one night.  A night away from the ball and chain?  Sounds like a great excuse to throw a party and blackout.  Maybe she was crying about the possibility of losing her house?  Whatever the case, Jesus Barbie (as Tamra calls her) annoys the sh*t out of me.

Bethenny is a former Housewife of NYC and one of my faves.  Her sense of humor is very dry, sarcastic and frighteningly feels like I’m listening to myself.  I just read that she sold her Skinny Girl brand for….wait for it…$120 Million GASP!  Totally bananas.  She took an idea and did what everyone aspires to do with it.  Mad props!  Last night’s episode was pretty hilar.  My personal favorite part was when her hubby Jason was under the Christmas tree and lets out a fart.  When everyone starts laughing he comes out and says, “What?  Is there a duck in here?”  Oh my sides.  Next up is HWNYC on Thursday night…

Reality TV

Patron Shots

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Here is a video of my friend Brian.  He is a twin.  Twins rule.  Watch the video and you can’t help but agree.

Giggles

Today’s Deals: Restaurant.com, Fandango, Neiman Marcus, Jet Blue

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Well now that Monday is officially out of the way, you can now take a quick break to do some extracurricular “research”.  Here are some great deals being offered:

Restaurant.com is offering 80% off all gift certificates.  This means you can get a $25 gift certificate for as cheap as $2!  The promo code is Mom

Fandango is offering 2 for 1 tickets for all Visa Signature holders this Friday.  This offer is available for same day showings.  Go to www.Fandango.com/VisaSignature

Neiman Marcus is giving an extra 25% off of most sale items.  Go to www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/template/saleSiloE.jhtml?itemId=cat980731&N=0&icid=home2

Jet Blue has their Hooray for May sale today with flights starting as low as $49.

The aforementioned are all reasons to eat well, travel and look good doing it!

Food, Shopping, Travel