Vista is Open is part of the City of Vista's Economic Recovery Plan to assist local businesses as they safely reopen during the COVID-19 emergency. VIO is your source for deals and promotions in Vista, California and Around The Town is happy to be partnering with them in their effort.  The great part is that it's free for both merchants and customers to use.  Businesses get free advertising and the public gets free offers. Check it out and be a part of the recovery process. Look for upcoming Vista merchant giveaways available exclusively on Around The Town's Facebook and Instagram (@barbaroundthetown) pages.

Microblading for eyebrows is a pretty cool concept and a total game changer for many who have sparse brows. I had Carlena do mine a couple of years ago, not so much because my brows were sparse but because I love the visual pop and face framing of a defined brow, and I wanted that look on a permanent basis rather than having to apply eyebrow pencil each day. I was/am thrilled with my results and encourage anyone considering getting it done to use Carlena. She is tasteful, thoughtful, intuitive and works with you to find the perfect shape and color for your brows. I trust her implicitly with my face. 😊   http://carlenazskincare.skincaretherapy.net/

"The best antique is not the one you find, but the one that finds you!"

Brick n Barn (formerly Matilda's Mouse) in Valley Center is the most delightful place!  Located at the site of the former Betty Crocker Estate (built in 1872 and lovingly restored) you will find a monthly antiquing and treasure hunting event in their quaint barn.  You will also find various vendors displaying and selling their wares and goodies as well as rotating art classes.  The once-a-month sale lasts three days (Friday through Sunday) and features antique, mid-century, upcycled, repurposed, industrial decor and findings. There is truly something for everyone!  There are tables and chairs sprinkled across the front of the barn and often live music because the Myers want you to stay a while, chat, enjoy and just "be."  They want their sweet little barn to be a place a refuge and a place to get away from it all.

"Stop asking people what they want and just build what you envision. If your heart is in it, people will follow." - Marlise Myers, proprietor

Ben and Marlise moved to the property in April of 2018 and began the massive and often harrowing undertaking of restoring the old house and the barn to it's current glory. Marlise has penned the journey and you can find it on her blog. Pour yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and go along for the journey. It really is a fascinating story of perseverance, chasing a dream and finally triumph.

Remaining barn days for 2020 are:

January 24/25/25
February 21/22/23
March 20/21/22
April 17/18/19
May 15/16/17
June 12/13/14
July 10/11/12
August 7/8/9
September 11/12/13
October 9/10/11
November 6/7/8
December 4/5/6

You can find Brick n Barn at: 29200 Miller Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

If you've been with Around The Town long, you have heard me talk about stylist Jennifer Rosson and her website Style Your Life. I have had many opportunities over the years to glean valuable information and inspiration from Jennifer. This lady has a lot to offer. Twice I have hosted a mini style seminar (yes you can hire her to come to you one-on-one or you can invite friends over and have her speak).

Another FREE opportunity to use Jennifer is provided by Fashion Valley Mall. If you contact the mall and sign up for an appointment with Jennifer, you will get her exclusively for 2 hours to help you with your styling or shopping needs (the mall pays her fee). Sweet, right? *Update: the program with Fashion Valley has been suspended due to COVID-19. Hopefully it will resume in the future. Please check her out and "like" her page for lots of good info! http://www.styleyourlifeblog.com/

 Quiet Days are on select days every month. Escape the noise and hectic pace of everyday life. Enjoy some solitude and balance activity and contemplation in your life. The day is yours to create, experience time on your own to meditate in the chapel or the gardens, to enjoy nature or to catch up on some much-needed rest. A private room with bed and sink are included. Quiet Days are during the hours of  9:00am and 4:00pm. The cost is $35.00 per person includes a beautiful lunch. Please pre-register by calling 760-757-3659 or online HERE.

I’ve lived in San Diego County 18 years and I recently visited The Cave Store in La Jolla for the first time. You enter the store, pay $5 admission for adults, $3 for kids and down into the cave you descend...144 narrow steps down through the earth to the mouth of a sea cave.  At the bottom you have an amazing view out the sea cave of sea lions swimming and kayakers doing their thing. The shape of the entrance to the cave is in the shape of a profile, thus the name of the cave, Sunny Jim's. And yes, after viewing this amazing sight, it's 144 stairs back up to the top. It's a fun thing to do and lots to look at in the area, so be sure to check it out!  The Cave Store is located at 1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037.  858-459-0746.

Have you been to Lucha Libre Taco Shop at The Shoppes at Carlsbad yet? If you go, you NEED to reserve the bedazzled Champs Booth online first! That’s the ONLY way you can sit at this one-of-a-kind table. It’s the only table with wait-service AND bling! Everyone else stands in line to order at the counter. At the Champ's Booth you get extras like the chips and salsa bar at your table, fancy tableware and personalized service. Reserve the table here (must reserve 24 hours in advance: https://www.luchalibretacoshop.com/carlsbad-reservations/.

This is the perfect time of year for you to use this cool and inventive new business run by one of our own, Lindy O! Please take a moment to check out her custom yard greeting business and think about if you might have an upcoming opportunity to use her services. She's got you covered for a festive way to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, proms, new babies, GRADUATIONS, weddings and so much more! Also, consider following her on Facebook at North County Yard Greetings.  For website, click here.

Can we talk for a moment or two about one of my favorite places in San Diego County, San Diego Botanic Garden?  Did you know that they were recently named one of the top 10 gardens worth traveling for in North America?  WOW! You might want to know that they have been around since the 1940's. It's a 37-acre "botanic wonderland" that features zonal plantings from all over the world, beautiful waterfalls, rotating sculpture gardens and a special Children's Garden with plans to build an educational center.  No doubt plants cultivated at the very beginning are still thriving. Did you know that some of these plants have lives that will outlive the average human, and then some?  It's truly amazing that this garden grows and develops with the decades that pass. Almost every time you visit, something will be new and different. For the last 24 years, Julian Duval has been at the helm serving as president and CEO. Julian has done tremendous, great work but is now retiring and passing the baton to Ari Novi.The two will work together through the transition.

San Diego Botanic Garden hosts a plethora of fun, festive and educational events throughout the year and you will be happy to know that if you are a San Diego County resident, you get free entry to the park every first Tuesday of the month. There is a small parking fee, but it is waived if you have four or more in your car.

Regular pricing is $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and active military and $10 for kids 3-18.  The garden is opening 9-5 daily except for Christmas.

Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, located at 640 Alta Vista Drive (across from the Civic Center) is a beautiful, fascinating, historical adobe dating back to 1845 that has been preserved for your viewing pleasure by the city of Vista. In fact, if this adobe had not been built, the city of Vista as we know it would not be established today as the surrounding area was built around it to support its function!  Learn about the history of the adobe and the many families that lived in it, as well as what life looked like on this homestead. Also onsite are a lovely gift shop and art gallery with rotating presentations.

Tours are provided for a nominal fee on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 10am and 3pm (last tour starts at 2:15).  Guided tours are also available. Admission: Adults $4, Seniors $3, Students $1 and children 12 and under .50.  The adobe also has field trip opportunities for local schools as well as summer programs. Different events are held on the grounds throughout the year and it is also available for wedding and special occasion rentals.  What a beautiful backdrop it is!  If spooky is your thing, join in the Spirits of The Adobe tours ($25) that take place select evenings once a month. For more on that, call 760-643-5275.