Explore California: Los Gatos (POM FRIDAY!)

Explore-header

It’s been a while since I explored the nearby towns with Alfie, or even did an Explore California blog post. So one day a few weeks ago, when I was having enough alone time at home and needed to get the heck out of the house, I leashed up Alfie and drove to the tiny town of Los Gatos.

Los Gatos isn’t a stranger to me, I often go a couple of times per week to Blvd Coffee to grab an ice cold espresso drink (ask for the CPR, it’s not on the menu!). But I had never ventured to downtown. Holy smokes I was missing out.

Lucy-Activewear-LosGatosThere’s a part of downtown Los Gatos called “Old Town”, and this building above, is part of it. It’s now filled with little shops, and restaurants, with some barre classes and boutique stores below. It used to be an old school house, until it burned down in the 1800’s. It was rebuilt, then housed 80-something kids, and after that they revamped it to become this get-together place. I love the old buildings here! It was also my first time in the Lucy Activewear store. It’s like a less expensive copy-cat version of Lululemon. I’m going back, when I’m feeling spendy!

Los-Gatos-TheaterSo many little treasures, and an old city vibe to Los Gatos. This theatre is still up and running, and showing the recent films. I wonder if they ever show matinees, I would totally pop by and go see a movie by myself!

Alfie-smizingTaking a break. Alfie gets really nervous in new places, so I often have to sit down and let him be close to me to make him chill the eff out. This photo above was hard to capture, because when I knelt down next to him, he thought I was going to leave and he immediately started crying and launched off the seating area to “go with me”. Sigh lol. Like dude, when did I ever leave you alone in a (scary-to-you) new place? Alfie did get quite a lot of attention in stores, as Los Gatos is really dog friendly (they have dog water bowls outside almost every store there).

Los-Gatos-churchCool lookin’ church.

Alfie-in-armsOn parts of our two hour excursion looking around Los Gatos, he requested demanded to be up in my arms for most of it. Probably because he feels like he’s Captain in Command when he’s up in my arms. Front row and center of attention, ready to charge or bark at someone if they looked at him. Just give him belly rubs, and don’t talk to him, or don’t look at him. Seriously, he feels so Boss. Lol.

California-CafeI’m going to eat here one day. If it doesn’t break the bank.

Old-Town-Losgatos

Old-TownI went into that store, Francesca’s. It’s a bit of a kitchy-inexpensive store. But I ended up buying a really mini faux-gold Cubic Zirconia necklace for myself with my “N” initial.

breaktimeBreak time for a selfie. No really. My feet were actually kind of sore (and warm!) from walking around that little town, taking photos, and calming Alfie down. Love the spring colours on the trees.

Alfie-sidewalk

Yard

La-CanadaCanada representin’ Los Gatos! ;) Even though it’s not pronounced Canada (unfortunately). More like Kanata (in Ottawa, Ontario Canada) if you know how to say that.

Opera-House

Los-Gatos-Uni-Ave

Streets-of-Los-Gatos

Hope you enjoyed the POM Friday post. Hoping to bring them back each week again :)

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Antipodes Grace Cleanser

AntipodesI can’t believe it’s been 6 months since I talked to you guys about one of my favourite skincare brands to use, Antipodes! Remember back in August when I reached out to them, then did a mini review/haul? I’m still using their products and because I’m constantly reviewing new skincare items and makeup, sometimes I forget to mention the oldies but goodies.

Antipodes-Grace-CleanserAntipodes is unfortunately a bit difficult to get your hands on, seeing as they are New Zealand based. But that doesn’t mean you should shrug them aside and forget about them.

Grace Cleanser (4.23fl oz, $52.00) is the type of cleanser I usually gravitate towards, since it is fragrance-free, it doesn’t leave a film on the skin, and suited especially for those with sensitive, and irritated skin. As I mentioned many times, I’m careful with the products I use on my body and face after my 7 month long hive breakout situation. Side note: pretty sure those annoying hives were due to being subconsciously stressed. Knock-on-wood the hives only pop up once every few weeks.

Getting back to the topic, I wish it was easier to access for me, because I really love using it. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight, but rather hydrated and soft.

You are to use the cleanser on a daily basis, and apply in circular motions to your face, neck and décolletage both morning and night. I gotta tell you, I break the rules and definitely do not use this day and night, nor on a daily basis, as I want it to last forever and ever — plus it’s kinda pricey! I think someone needs to import it to America, and sell it here. I’d buy it once in a while for a splurge on my skin, for sure.

Remember, a cleanser is not a makeup remover. Remove your makeup appropriately at first, then clean your skin with Antipodes Grace Cleanser.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? 

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Dior Sculpting Blush (2 colours!)

dior-sculptLike many brands, Dior is getting in on the contouring, sculpting action too. And rightfully so! It’s the way I love to apply my makeup on a daily basis, sculpting my face and playing around with it all to create different looks.

 

Dior-sculpt-blushesDior Diorblush Sculpting Powders in Pink Shape (left) and Coral Shape (right), it also comes in two contour shades (see Julie’s review of the brown contour shade here). While I’m not comfortable with highlighting my skin yet, as much as I love a nice glow to the face, I appreciate that Dior made the blush side of the compact much larger than the highlighting side.

Gliding on smooth, opaque and with perfect blend-ability, these two sculpting blush-highlighter duo’s are easy to wear and apply. As you can see, they even come with a mini sculpting brush, which I don’t mind using with it (for the most part I throw out a lot of the brushes that come with compacts, but not this one!).

See them in action, on my face.

Before-After-blushBefore and after using blush. On the right picture, Coral shape is applied on the left, and Pink Shape is on the right. When I have my self-tan applied, I love using the Coral, and when I’m a bit pale, I opt for the Pink!

Up close ‘n personal swatches:

PinkPink shape blush on cheek.

CoralCoral shape blush on cheek. Blushes were applied heavily so it’d pick up on camera!

Pink-and-Coral-shapeDior Diorblush Sculpting Powders in Pink Shape and in Coral Shape.

And if you want to get real crazy around these parts to even out your cheek swatches, apply them together instead of removing your makeup and reapplying. Hah — I mean it works, right? My pal Zoe said it perfectly in her review of the two blushes, that the two gives natural looks to the skin and would work great on skin of any age.

sculpt-blushDior Diorblush Sculpting powders ($43USD / $54CDN) are available at Dior counters.

 

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