
Learn more about The Not-Its! at www.wearethenot-its.com


Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash

Spread the love this Valentine’s Day with Melitta Coffee. For the coffee lover in your life, Melitta has a number of chic, affordable (all under $30.00) items that make for a thoughtful, unique Valentine’s gift (and a great cup of coffee)!

I also received one of my own GIANTmicrobes and I love how unique these are! Check out the website at:





The Lion Dancer interacts with guests at Santa Monica Place’s 2017 Lunar New Year celebration. (Photo Courtesy of Santa Monica Place)
Santa Monica Place commemorates the Year of the Dog with its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 17 from 2 – 6 p.m. Hosted by Katherine Ho from The Voice on NBC, celebrations will include authentic cultural performances and activities such as the traditional Chinese dragon dance, Korean fan dance, stilt walkers, classical folk music from a Chinese musical duo, New Year’s Wishing Trees and family-friendly arts and crafts for all to enjoy.
Located steps away from the Pacific Ocean in Downtown Santa Monica and adjacent to Third Street Promenade, the unique, all-outdoor Santa Monica Place is home to Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, DVF, Hugo Boss, BARNEYS NEW YORK, Nike, dozens more shops and an inspired collection of restaurants and entertainment experiences including True Food Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Sonoma Wine Garden, ArcLight Cinemas and more. Santa Monica Place also is home to a growing set of engaging, digitally native brands, such as b8ta, Ministry of Supply, Monica + Andy, Peloton and others.
For more information, visit SantaMonicaPlace.com or interact with us via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Access our Concierge services anytime via text: (310) 499-2928.
“We are excited to integrate the cultural traditions of the Lunar New Year holiday into Santa Monica Place’s shopping and dining experience,” commented Stephanie Eglin, Senior Manager, Marketing, Santa Monica Place. “The holiday is important to locals as well as to our international visitors and this event will offer an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate.”
Santa Monica Place’s Lunar New Year celebration features a variety of free cultural activities for the whole family to experience. Patrons are invited to hang a wish on the branches of the two New Year’s Wishing Trees for a two-dollar donation. The proceeds will benefit Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) at UCLA. CSSA-UCLA is an officially registered on-campus organization devoted to organizing activities for Chinese student groups and promoting traditional Chinese culture on the UCLA campus.
More information about Santa Monica Place and the annual Lunar New Year event is available here.
Santa Monica Place is located at 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, at Broadway and Third Street Promenade. The event will be held on level one in Center Plaza.
Lunar New Year Schedule of Events:
2 – 6 p.m. Chinese Music Duo
Stilt Walkers
Traditional Dough Artist
Balloon Twister
Arts & Crafts
Wishing Trees
2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Korean Fan Dance
3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Chinese Dragon Dance
Credit: SantaMonicaPlace.com.

The Queen Mary is pleased to welcome back the annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXV on February 17-18, 2018. Celebrate 25 years of the annual event and experience the rich culture and history of Scotland first hand through an array of authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment, drinks and cuisine all in ode to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy.
Eighty-eight years ago, in the quaint seaside town of Clydebank, Scotland, construction on the Queen Mary began. Exemplifying the finest craftsmanship of the country, the Queen Mary’s legacy is undeniable and today the ship’s heritage is celebrated through the two-day ScotsFestival honoring Scottish culture.
The 25th Anniversary of the Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival and International Highland Games will honor nearly fifty Scottish clans & vendors throughout the festival weekend with professional and amateur competitions in darts, piping, drumming, massed bands, Highland dancing, and Highland athletics. The Scottish Highland Games, a pre-cursor to today’s Olympic Games, was designed to test the strength, skill and technique of ancient warriors by face offs.
Kick-off ScotsFestival weekend at the festival’s all-new pop-up Greyfrair’s Pub on Friday, February 16 from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. on board the legendary ocean liner. Keep cozy into the wee hours of the night at the pop-up pub with authentic food, a full bar, and an amazing atmosphere. Begin your festivities for the Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival with the traditional Address to the Haggis at 11 a.m. in the Exhibit Hall where the Queen Mary’s Executive Chef Todd will serve and cut Haggis in honor of the customary Scottish cultural celebration. Following the Address to Haggis, at 12 p.m. attendees will gather for the exciting and breathtaking Grand Parade of Clans & Bands.
Daily festivities include Border Collie sheep-herding, firing demonstrations, performances by the Royal Scots Greys Calvary, LA and OC Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, and many more historic reenactments. Special for the 25th Annual ScotsFestival, the all-new Birds of Prey Show will offer attendees the opportunity to take photos with and learn the history of falconry in Scotland. With three shows offered daily, experience the beauty of falcons, owls, and hawks first hand in this one-of-a-kind Scottish entertainment.
Continue the fun into the night from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. with the Ceilihd on Saturday, February 17. Grab a pint and experience the traditional clans’ celebration with games, live music, food, drinks, dancing, and more. Tickets to the Ceilihd are $10 online and the event is open to all ages.
The Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival hosts World Champion Scottish Highland Dancers and many internationally acclaimed and award winning athletes competing for titles in stones, hammer throw, weights for distance, weight over bar, sheaf and the famed caber toss.
Whisky and scotch tasting sessions with aged malt experts are available for adult festival goers ($18) and well-known Chef McBride will demo authentic Celtic Cuisine in the Culinary Corner. The wee laddies and lassies can bear witness to Queen Mary’s knighting and coronation ceremonies, and even take part in the Wee Highland Games including youth competitions in caber toss, archery, potato sack races and tug o’ war. Adults can join in the amateur competition fun with activities like the all-new Adult Castle Obstacle Course where partakers can push through, crawl through, climb, and slide through an inflatable castle for the chance to win exciting prizes.
Tickets to the 25th Annual ScotsFestival and International Highlands Games are on sale now and start at $25 online (ages 12+) and $12 online (ages 4-11) for one day general admission. VIP tickets start at $45 online and includes VIP entry, access to shaded VIP Lounge, (1) drink ticket, and access to Ceilihd. Upgrades, ticket add-ons, and hotel packages will also be available. Discounts are available to military and seniors. Visit http://queenmary.com/events/sc
Credit: The Queen Mary.


Glen Ivy Hot Springs welcomes the season of romance with two new wellness packages and gift card specials available during the month of February. The seasonal packages feature a selection of signature spa services for a special price.
Experience the waters at Glen Ivy with the “Healthy Balance” package that includes admission to all 19 therapeutic pools, a $100 spa service and complimentary fresh squeezed juice from Chill Zone for only $159. (Mid-week only, not available on holidays). Grab a group for the “Better With Friends” package, including all services in the “Healthy Balance” package, as well as a warm robe and a moisturizing Grotto treatment for two, $369 on weekends and $335 on weekdays (regularly priced $412).
Glen Ivy offers an unforgettable experience for loved ones with the “Cloud Nine” gift card. An example of what this luxurious gift card could cover for a day of romance would be sparkling wine and robes upon arrival, as well as private seating on the exclusive Ivy Terrace. Treat your loved one to a moisturizing Grotto service, a deeply refreshing facial, a relaxing massage and a wellness lunch at Ivy Kitchen. Purchase this Cloud Nine $400 gift card for $359, this January 22 – February 14.
Share this season of love with friends and family and give the gift of relaxation and wellness. From January 22 – February 14, purchase a $140 gift card for $125 and a $195 gift card for $175. Purchase two or more gift cards and receive complimentary shipping prior to February 10.
Credit: Glen Ivy.

The Royal British Family have had some amazing pieces over the centuries we have created this infographic to summarise the best of the best. Firstly, the imperial state crown, this is the ultimate symbol of power and sovereignty, the imperial state crown is the most magnificent of all the crown regalia. This list also includes some lovely rings, take a look at some vintage eternity rings from Berganza for some inspiration. Next, the Burmese ruby tiara. In 1973 Queen Elizabeth commissioned the creation of what is known as the Burmese ruby tiara. These incredibly rare rubies were the distinguished gift of the people of Burma who prize rubies above all gemstones and believe the gemstone has healing and protective properties.
Self Disclosure: this post has been brought to you from Berganza.

For a limited time that began on January 31, The Habit Restaraunts, Inc, is introducing a new Asian-inspired Sesame Ginger Salad.
The new Sesame Ginger Salad ($7.99) combines crisp, fresh garden greens tossed in a flavorful sesame ginger dressing with carrots, cilantro, chopped tomatoes, tender edamame beans, and crunchy wonton strips. Tangy teriyaki sauce is then drizzled over the guest’s choice of perfectly chargrilled chicken or sushi-grade ahi tuna to top their salad. Like all menu items at The Habit, the Sesame Ginger Salad is made-to-order.
I just had to go and try it! It’s delicious! I love the sesame ginger dressing and the chicken is so tasty! I don’t usually like to order salads when I go out to eat but I definitely will be ordering this one again! They also have really tasty burgers and I love to get them wrapped in lettuce!
One reason I love to go eat at The Habit is because they have delicious sides too! One of my favorites is the Tempura Green Beans!

The Habit is known for its award-winning Charburger which features 100% fresh, never frozen ground beef grilled over an open flame and topped with melted cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, and mayo served on a toasted bun. Their restaurants have been serving the Best Tasting Burger in America exactly this way since the first Habit opened in 1969.
Connect with The Habit on social media at facebook.com/habitburger, instagram.com/habitburgergrill, twitter.com/habitburger and youtube.com/habittube.
About The Habit Restaurants, Inc.
The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, made-to-order chargrilled burgers and sandwiches featuring USDA choice tri-tip steak, grilled chicken and sushi-grade tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh made-to-order salads and an appealing selection of sides, shakes and malts. The Habit was named the “best tasting burger in America” in July 2014 in a comprehensive survey conducted by one of America’s leading consumer magazines. The first Habit opened in Santa Barbara, California in 1969. The Habit has since grown to over 205 restaurants in 11 states throughout California, Arizona, Utah, New Jersey, Florida, Idaho, Virginia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington and Maryland as well as three international locations. More information is available at www.habitburger.com.
Self Disclosure: I had the opportunity to try the new salad at The Habit Restaurant near me. An image was also provided.
I'm a Mom of a College student and can't believe I started this site when my son was only in elementary school! Time goes so fast! I am no longer working in the field of domestic violence and actually went back to school. I am currently a Prechool Art Teacher and it is so much fun! [Read More …]
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