Houston Blogger

CODY’S in LA JOLLA

luxorlivingandstyle
Cody's in La Jolla,Cody's La Jolla, La Jolla Cove, Luxor Living and Style, breakfast review, travel blog,

Cody’s in La Jolla

Omelet with Goat Cheese, Cody's La Jolla, La Jolla Cove, Luxor Living and Style, breakfast review, travel blog,

codys1 codys2 Cody's in La Jolla, Travel to La Jolla

“Well, I guess no one has seen food before,” the rude, bald man says behind me as I used my Cannon Rebel to snap food portraits.

“Well…she writes a blog,” my husband replied.

“Oh,” rude bald man replies.

While I didn’t ever attend “food review” classes in college, it seems pretty straightforward and simple.  Eat and tell.

Cody’s  in La Jolla is wonderful. Period.  The pancakes ( yes, on vacation, pancakes are legal ) are actually fabulous because they taste like “cake.”  As it was meant to be.  You truly do not realize how bad every day pancakes are, until you have these.  Mine were Blueberry, garnished with strawberries on top.

One morning, my husband ordered an omelette with goat cheese, among other things tucked inside it inside, and it was heavenly. 

As if the ocean view and crisp California morning sea air was not beautiful enough…this place knows how American breakfast is to be done.  It is across the street from the La Valencia Hotel, and the outdoor seating has the ocean view.

Pets are welcome, and there is even a mini pet “menu.”  Going back, is something to live for, and actually I have business to attend to in San Diego anyway, so I will be working pancakes from Cody’s  into my future again!  If you live in the area, and have not ever eaten here, then you have not truly lived.

Check out the past few blog posts or my Instagram Account for more pictures from La Jolla!

Fabulousness!

-SDS

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HAT FREAK

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HAT FREAK


hat by Nine West, glasses by Prada, scarf by Betsey Johnson, jacket by Cache

     I have a very bad head cold, and feel like I want to go to bed and curl up in a ball and die…but you can’t tell.  Thanks to my new Nine West animal print hat, which provided an easy out for dealing with hair styling, my Prada glasses and a bright red lip by MAC in “Relentlessly Red,”  so that I appear alive and well, you can’t tell. 

   I am a hat freak.  A lot of my friends are scared of hats. What will people think? Who cares? Hats are cool and easy.


     The scarf is also new and is from Betsey Johnson.  I found it when I was helping a friend shop for a scarf for her new vacation outfit, and the request was for a scarf that wouldn’t look “old lady.”  We both ended up grabbing one of these!

     I thought it would be great to go with some of my other AP collection items and the animal print combined with the bright roses at the base of the scarf is too cool!


bag by Michael Kors, watch by Movado, ring by David Yurman, bracelet by Tiffany & Co

      From my perspective, after years working in the retail world, I’ve seen trends come and go.  The goal is to have you chasing your tail year after year, buying up the latest and greatest, season after season. I prefer classic timelessness, with a hint of edge so you don’t appear dated, cheap or broke. It’s all about balance.

     I was going into the bank to make a deposit about 8 months back.  A cute girl, in skin tight True Religion jeans, with sparkles all over the pockets, drove in and parked next to me, and walked into the bank in front of me.

David Yurman, Tiffany & Co, Movado watch, Michael Kors bag, Prada glasses

     

     She was still inside the bank, probably fighting with them over her overdraft fees (LOL) so when I was walking out the door, I noticed her car.  It had dents all up and down the left side, and the hood was literally tied down with a rope, which was looped through the headlight area.  The dents were all old, because they were already rusted.  This made clear to me the state of her finances, and served as a lesson to me when I want to go crazy and over spend!  You should have more money in the bank than you do on your back, period. 

     Fashion should be fun.  It shouldn’t put you in financial ruins.  Find fashion that is within your bracket and helps you to also maintain your financial peace of mind.  Have fun checking for bargains! Mix high end with low end, whether it be with fashion, cosmetics or home decor.

-SDS

October 10, 2013

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A Good Day…and Yes, More Animal Print

luxorlivingandstyle

A Good Day…

     Sunday was a good day.  I did the unthinkable, and was under the weather so I took a nap in the middle of the day.  By nap, I mean I was pretty much in bed until about 3:00

     I didn’t cook, or clean, or make it to church.  The 40 million milligrams of vitamins finally kicked in late in the day, so I did manage to get dressed, and make it to the movies to see “Man of Steel.”


shoes by Jessica Simpson, belt by Michael Kors, jeans by Democracy

     That movie wasn’t my personal pick, but it was my husband’s choice and I am bend-y like that on some issues.  It was actually wonderful and I loved it, though!

earrings by Chico’s

     Apparently there is a never ending supply of old animal print clothing in my closet, because when I was digging for a missing shoe, I noticed this top from two summer’s ago hanging in the closet, squished in between two sweaters.  

     It has a side tie, and actually a tiny chest area button which I obviously neglected to use. It’s all good though…I have on an animal print bra from Victoria’s Secret so who cares. Being a bit budget conscious, I got the top on-the-cheap from 

TJ Maxx!

movado watch, michael kors bag, davidf yurman ring, tiffany and co, Prada glasses

ring by David Yurman, bag by Michael Kors, watch by Movado, bracelet by Tiffany & Co

     The matching mani-pedi combo was the result of a spa day from earlier in the week.  I absolutely am not progressive enough to do the pointy nail thing, and never will. Never, like never. Well, unless it’s part of a Halloween costume or I get a part in a vampire movie.

 

 

I can also brag, and say that the boyfriend jeans are totally brand new and were a super good bargain! 

   Actually, by “boyfriend jeans” what I mean to say, is that I really couldn’t find any I liked under $200, so I just bought a pair of Democracy Jeans about three sizes too large from Ross for $23.00…but hey, once you throw on a Michael Kors belt, it’s all good.

I just wanted some baggy-ish stretchy summer jeans and it was really hard trying to find some that were NOT made with a crazy high waist line. A high waist looks great on very few people, and I won’t be doing that, either. 

   I remember that my mom always wore Calvin Klein jeans with high heels and I ran into quite a few pairs of those while jean shopping.  I wondered if Calvin cleared out a storage facility from 1985…or did they actually manufacture more for the current trend? 

    After the movie, we went home to enjoy our Sunday evening spiritual ritual of watching Hal Lindsey and then Irwin Baxter teach their bible prophecies and speak on current world affairs, on the Daystar Network. It’s always really heavy stuff! 

    …and that was Sunday!

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-SDS

July 1, 2013

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A MOVADO for ME

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Marilyn, Luxor, Houston bloggers

       Something very unwonderful happened at the beginning of this year.  I decided to not let it ruin the remaining 11 months of 2012, and worked  hard, learned a lot and finangled resolutions to the mess.  I believe in not letting bad things waste any more time than necessary. 

     That being said, after making it through adversity with flying colors,  I needed a gift to myself for my birthday, which arrives every year, like clockwork, at the end of the year!

 

     Mi amiga showed me a Movado Rose Gold, Two Tone Unisex watch that she wanted, and I wanted it immediately!  We both ended up purchasing this same watch.

     I love the rose gold color as well as the fact that it has two tone coloring so that I can wear it with silver jewelry as well.

I guess I feel it appropriate to note, that I see blogs all the time, in which they act like money is no object and spending is of no consequence. This is something I really wanted and thought about for a few weeks before purchasing.

 

     The huge, thick animal print coat was a classic purchase from 12 years ago, for a retailer I worked for at the time.  It’s safe to say I’ve gotten my investment out of it after 12 years!  I try to maximize my dollar and balance between quality, functionality, longevity, fashion and price.

Jewelry is a weakness of mine, however, I have sold old, outdated pieces which I have no emotional attachment to and redesigned others.

    I feel Movado has hit the mark with this Unisex rose gold design, and I will wear it for many posts to come!  

     Additionally, bring on 2013, I am ready!

 

 

-January 1, 2013

-SDS

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PURE SPECULATION SERIES: GIRL GROUP CONFIDENTIAL

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Girl Group Confidential

   There’s a group of females I know, that I met through work.  They are all smart and nice and seem to be organized in their lives.  Over the years, they always manage to get together and plan big, fun events that are “Girls Only” most times.  This photo is from 4 years ago, in which one of them had planned a fun “stripper pole” class before a group dinner. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life! After all, life is meant to be shared and experienced together!

   I’ve always been amazed at their ability to get 10 to 20 people together for a dinner party, vacation or concert planned to the tee, always well in advance.

   

   It seems that when my friends try to only get 5 people to meet for dinner, only 2 actually make it.

  

   I believe the difference with what we will call, “The It Girls Group,” is that for each event, only one person plans it, not seeking council from the others, so it doesn’t fall apart.  This way, either you attend or don’t, but it won’t disintegrate before getting started, due to each person wanting something different.   The next time around, the other person gets to plan their own. 

   Again, these are high caliber, intelligent females that appear to follow a life plan.   I assure you, non of them will be found to one day be living in a women’s shelter one day in their late 40’s with three kids because they stayed too long with a man who beat them and they had no money of their own. I’ve always been amazed at how calculated their life decisions are, and have watched them since college, navigate through life.

 

   So, a friend and I were talking, and there was a phase where I was mainly working from home on a new business that I had just begun, and since everyone knew I was available to listen to their issue of the moment, I was the telephone counselor for so many, it was hard to continue focusing on actual work that paid!  Another friend and I decided to help another person we knew, and hold a benefit party. Along came the idea to form a small “Ladies Group.”

   I was going through one of those rare time periods in life, where everything is perfect, so I felt the need to connect with others and help.  I noticed it was so hard getting it going, due to too much outside interference.

   My brother gave me a book as a gift, titled “Girl Group Confidential,” by Jennifer Worick .

 

   I recommend this book to anyone wanting to get the most out of their friendships and have more meaningful get-togethers !

   It’s fun ,has great ideas to enhance and take the stress out of  event planning! I recommend this read if you are wanting to organize your future events.

                               August 11, 2012

–SDS

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