Four Years Later

I've lived in Pasadena, California for four years, I didn't picture myself living here. I always pictured myself in a beach town, which is why I lived in Orange County for six years. But when I got a job that brought me out here I loved every moment, though it is very hard to meet people here and while I have made some friends it is still  part of Los Angeles, and in LA everyone is busy and no one has time for relaxing and just enjoying life. It's not as busy as New York, but people are busy and keep themselves busy. So just seeing if someone is free to hangout requires at least a month of planning.

Since moving here I've had three jobs and this is the longest I've ever lived in one apartment. Partly it's because I have a cat and I am just sick of moving every year. From 2006-2012 I moved nine times! Here are some photos I took during one of my walks around my town, I hope that one day I can raise my own family hear and really start making this place a real home.

Pop Up Shop Wrap Up

This was my second pop up shop, my last was 2014. Well, it was very busy, I never had any quiet time, which was very different from my first pop up. In fact, although I created a check list, I was running late in the morning and I didn't look it over before I left. And in doing so, I didn't bring any water or food. Yes, on the hottest day of the year, I didn't bring any water or food, from 6:30am to 1pm, I was starving and so thirsty I was going to pass out. I also didn't have an umbrella, or a tent. And I was alone, so one one could get me some water or food. This was a massive mistake on my part! The photo above was my booth, set up and ready for sales at 6:45am.

 

This is my booth around noon. Happily, I sold my carpet, a Heinz tin, clothes, a beach chair, a few planters, a weight scale, a guitar stand and the pieces that are below. They are marked "inactive" because I had to remove them from seasand.etsy.com after they sold. I will be making a video on my Youtube channel, http://www.youtube.com/c/ClaudiaSandoval83 talking about my experience in depth, there was a lot to go over and it may be too long for just a blog post.

 Though I will say that next time I do a pop up shop, I will be packing a lunch, a lot of water and asking someone to stop by to help me pack up, because people try to steal your merchandise when you're getting your car. And asking the event attendant to "watch your stuff" may not work out, granted he did "watch" as a woman was trying to take my suitcase that I used to keep and move my merchandise and I had to jump out of my car, as it was moving, to stop her. Granted financially, I did make a profit and I got rid of many items that I no longer needed. I think that the next pop up shop that I do will be in an actual vintage flea marketplace (like my first pop up) and not a community yard sale.

Vintage Pop Up Shop in June!

Guess what! I'm doing a pop-up shop in June at the Sierra Madre Community Yard Sale. Mostly, because it's near the town where I live and It's a date that is perfect for me. If you'd like something from my shop, seasand.etsy.com you should buy it now, before it's too late. I have many new items and plenty to sell. If you're in the area, please stop by Booth 10 and say hi, I'd love to meet some of my followers, customers and readers! I'm very excited, my first pop-up was in 2014, you can read about it here and be sure to join my event page here.

Date: June 4, 2016
Time: 8AM - 12PM
Booth: #10
Location: Sierra Vista Park
Address: 611 E Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Join the Etsy Event Page: https://www.etsy.com/local/event/46352793511/sea-sand-vintage-pop-up-at-the-sierra-june-4

Designer Con 2015

I've never gone to a convention, ever. So I had no idea what to expect, but this year Designer Con was in my hometown and all my favorite Designers who mostly design cat themed products were all there! I went on the last day of the two day Convention.

 Below is my DC haul.

Tabby Cats: http://www.lindapanda.com
Cat in a Bag: http://jeannineschafer.blogspot.com
Purrito/Cat Video Director Pin: http://shop.nelliele.com
Workout Cat: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeyItsMeu
BFFs: http://tanoshiboyart.bigcartel.com
Beast: https://www.facebook.com/Flying-Frog-Illustration-263679746982117/
Cat Pin: https://www.facebook.com/ALittleKnownShop/?fref=photo

Chalk Festival

I was able to make time too go to the Pasadena Chalk Festival last week. It was so hot that the chalk was melting, so many artists were able to use paint brushes, which I think worked really well! Click here to see the list of the winners. Also, click here to see my previous post at the Chalk Festival in 2013.

The Gamble House

The Gamble House in Pasadena, California, which is the quintessential American Arts and Crafts style architectural home. You can check out there website, here. The house was also the home of Dr. Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy. Actually a few of the homes in the "Back to the Future" trilogy are in Pasadena or South Pasadena. I visited the Gamble House and enjoyed my tour of the Craftsman style home, I hope you enjoy my photos. No photos were allowed to be taken inside the home.

Wine Tasting

I did come wine tasting in Pasadena with friends. After drinking over 10 glasses of red and white wine I came across the following wines that I would buy bottles of. I would review them, however I don't know enough about wine to give a review that would make sense to those in-the-know.

Everson Royce, Pasadena (website)
Poe Rose of Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier 2014 / Sonoma $18.90 a bottle (top left)
Vaughn Duffy Pinot Noir 2013 / Russian River Valley $31.50 a bottle (top right)

Monopole Wine, Pasadena (website)
Le Domaine de Menard Cuvee Marine 2013 / France $9.95 a bottle (bottom left)

Mission Wines, South Pasadena (website)

The Tryst, Brunette Bottle from Brian Benson  2012 / Grenache & Mourvèdre $45.00 a bottle (bottom left)

Amgen Tour of California

I have attended the Amgen Tour as a fan before and as a fan of cycling I really wanted to help out since it came over my town of Pasadena this year (the locations change every year). I took some photos and this great video of the race!

 Bradley Wiggins

 Peter Sagan

Vintage Flea Markets

As an Etsy vintage seller I have always wanted to sell at some vintage market or craft fair. But I also don't want to sell at a fair that has actual serious sellers/collectors that do so for a living (I am only a part-time seller that does so for fun). I also don't want to sell at a huge market place where I can't talk to customers and enjoy the market myself. I am considering one in Pasadena, Downtown LA and Silverlake. I'll be scouting these markets to see which one I'd like to try to try out as a seller.

 

I decided to go to the Pasadena City College Flea Market to check it out and see if I want to sell there. I enjoyed the large variety of items for sale and while a lot of objects are one or a kind, these sellers sure know what they are selling and charge a lot for what they have. The flea market is outside in the parking lot and the three floors of the parking structure, which is great for sellers and buyers, since it's out of the California sun.

 

21st Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival

I had never attended the Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival, I have attended the Temecula Chalk Festival though. It was a fun and crowded event! I didn't realize how busy it was, shockingly the Paseo, which is usually a huge let down was full of people. Although no one was shopping, it was entertaining. Enjoy some of the photos I took of the event:

Looking for Good Mexican Food

I've lived in Pasadena for about six months now and unfortunately, I haven't found any Mexican food place that is any good. I won't link any of these "Mexican Food" Restaurants because, I don't think they're worth it. But here are the places I've tried and my honest grades on them. I can't believe people actually frequent these these places. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of what I ate, because they weren't worth it. I threw most of the food away.
If anyone knows of any good Mexican food in the area, please feel free to share!

El Cholo, Pasadena- F
Burrito Express- F
Lupita's- D
Viva Taco's La Estrella- D+