Quarantine Tips Part 2

Last month, I shared ways to keep entertained and sane during these crazy times. This month, I'm sharing more - since it looks like we'll be at home a little while longer. Hope you are all healthy and making the best of this situation.  

• Tour a museum...online. Several museums are offering free video tours of some of their popular exhibits. 
• Order take-out. No cooking or cleanup, plus it will help you maintain some semblance of normalcy.  
• Support small businesses. Shop online, locally, or purchase gift cards for use later. 
• Donate blood, if you can. Many hospitals have declared shortages, so a little can go a long way. 
• Podcast. Listen to one; or start one. 
• Donate to local food banks. They can always use canned or non perishable foods. Or, help deliver food to those who need it. 
• Check up on people, especially those around us who may feel lonely, overwhelmed, or helpless. 
• Stay connected. It's important to maintain a social life, even if you can't physically partake in one.
• Color. I read that coloring books can be therapeutic, so steal one from your kids, or order one online and grab the crayons.  
• Take a trip down memory lane. It's the perfect time to organize old pictures or create a photo album. 
• Be a pen pal. Getting a letter or card in the mail is always nice, especially when it's unexpected. 
• Self care. Not just for Sundays anymore. Face masks (the fun kind), bubble baths, oils, lotions, all of it. 
• Enroll in an art course. MOMA offers free massive open online courses on their website.  
• Go for a drive. Everything is closed, but the roads are still open. Reacquaint yourself with the act of driving. It will occupy your time and your mind. 
• Music. A definite mood changer. Maybe make a quarantine playlist?   
• Continue to have happy hours, (at any hour), because why not?  
• Remain hopeful. Things will get better. Even if we can't yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. 
• Get creative with snacking. Experiment with new ways to enjoy your favorite treats. 
• Go outside. "Stay at home" orders do not mean staying confined to four walls. We all need fresh air, movement, and to enjoy the beautiful weather. 
• Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay positive. We will get through this. 

Quarantine Tips

These last few weeks have been scary, weird, and insert any other adjective you've been feeling. The coming few weeks will be more or less the same. Since events are cancelled, and we're at home, I'm sharing ways to keep yourselves entertained during these crazy times. 

• Read a book. Revisit an old favorite, or try a new genre. 
• Learn a new language. Or, build your vocabulary. My favorite free app is Duolingo.
• Exercise. Gyms and workout studios are closed, but you can still exercise at home. Access free workouts on YouTube or, subscribe to a group class online.   
• Cook, or learn how to cook. Since we are limited to take out/delivery, now is a great time to improve our cooking skills, or try out a new and elaborate dish. 
• Binge watch. As if I had to tell you this one. Netflix. Hulu. Pick your poison. 
• Spring cleaning. Now is the perfect time to deep clean and sanitize your space. 
• Reorganize your closet, pantry, work from home set-up, or anything that needs organizing. 
• Just chill. If you want to do absolutely nothing, go ahead. Don't feel pressured to write a novel, or invent the next big thing. It's okay to take a step back and relax. 
• Or, hustle. Write that novel. Fine-tune that invention. Start a side-business. Start working on what you've always wanted to, but never had the time for. 
• Take an online class. Check your local community college to see what they are offering. A cool one, that's also free, is Yale University's The Science of Well-Being. 
• Celebrate. If you have a birthday, anniversary, or something to celebrate - do it! Happiness isn't cancelled, so bake yourself a cake, pour some champagne, and Happy ______! 
• Reconnect with friends. FaceTime, Skype, text, send letters. Keep in touch with loved ones. Check up on neighbors, those who are having a tough time with isolation. 
• Dance. No one is watching, anyway. Put on your favorite jams and dance. Music is therapeutic, and can drastically and immediately improve your mood. 
• Turn off the news. It's important to stay informed, and you can get all the information you need in a few minutes. No need to listen all day long, getting yourself worked up with fear and anxiety. 
• Use social media sparingly. Only follow accounts that make you feel good. It's not the news, so also take anything you learn on these platforms with a grain of salt. 
• Have happy hours, (at any hour) at home! Join friends via video conferencing and catch up over some homemade libations. 
• Remain positive. We are in a rough patch and we don't know when things will get better, but we do know that they WILL get better. Remain hopeful. 
• Take vitamins. Since our eating habits have likely changed, make sure to take vitamins or supplements to keep your immune system as strong as possible. 
• Get some fresh air. We are under "stay at home orders," but we can still go outside for a walk around our neighborhood, while practicing social distancing. It's important to get fresh air, stretch out our legs, and get some Vitamin D. 
• Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay positive. We will get through this. 

South Bay: Beach Cities

The South Bay (or Santa Monica Bay) region of Southern California consists of three beach cities, each with their own personality – Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach. All three are within walking distance of each other, yet offer uniquely different experiences. Here’s what makes each beach city special.

Manhattan Beach One of the cleanest beach cities on the Westside, the community of Manhattan Beach is known for its pristine shoreline. A beautiful boardwalk provides unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, and miles and miles of beach towns along the PCH. Spending an afternoon visiting the aquarium, or strolling through downtown and visiting boutiques and eateries, are just a few ways to enjoy a day in Manhattan Beach. The infamous Strand is a great place to walk, jog, or bike, while enjoying the beautiful ocean views on one side, and the stunning row of homes on the other.

Redondo Beach For a change of pace, head on over to Redondo Beach. From shopping to sport fishing, you can find it here. The massive Redondo Beach Pier offers live music and entertainment, dining options, as well as spectacular ocean views. The Seaside Lagoon is a great place to spend the day with family, enjoying the water, sand, and sunshine. You can walk by and admire some beautiful boats in King Harbour Marina. Explore Riviera Village, with lots of shopping and food spots. There is so much to do in Redondo, besides just visiting the beach. Of the three beach cities, Redondo is the more affordable with regards to housing.

Hermosa Beach Folks have been flocking over to Hermosa Beach for its famous water and sand activities, including surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, and volleyball. On land, you’ll find others cycling, jogging, or enjoying the many bars and restaurants located on the Strand. The Pier is always packed and fun place to people watch. Downtown Hermosa is lined with beautiful palm trees, creating the ultimate Southern California vibes. From Farmer’s Markets to parades, there’s never a dull moment here. Real estate in Hermosa Beach is comparable to that of Manhattan Beach – expensive, but you can’t put a price on having the Pacific Ocean as your backyard.

Rancho Palos Verdes

For some of the most amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, look no further than the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. Some of the most beautiful homes are found here, in addition to some breathtaking bluffs and hills. Here are three of my favorite places to visit in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Point Vicente Lighthouse A cool spot for sightseeing and history is the Point Vicente Lighthouse. Although not usually open to the public, the surrounding area does have a walking/hiking trail, as well as designated points to enjoy the view. The lighthouse itself stands 67 feet tall atop a 130 feet tall cliff. Marvelous on its own, but the unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean definitely elevate the experience. Whether it’s a morning jog, a quiet place to think, or just to enjoy the grandeur of the expansive water, Point Vicente Lighthouse will not disappoint.

Terranea Resort This place has it all - stunning accommodations with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, spa facilities and wellness activities, dining, pool and water sports, and so much more. For us locals, it’s the perfect weekend getaway to relax and recharge. If you’re visiting, it will give you a chance to experience all of the amenities an oceanfront resort has to offer. The views, the grounds, the water, the sand – it’s all beautiful. 

Pacific Coast Highway One of my favorite things to do in Southern California is to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. It provides the most scenic view of the coastline and a gives you a sampling of the plethora of beaches scattered along it. The Pacific breeze, salty sea air, and sunshine make for a comforting cocktail. You can stop along the PCH at any number of beaches or view points to either partake in or just purvey at the beauty that is the Pacific Ocean. It gives you a chance to check out the different personalities of each community your drive through, while also enjoying the drive itself.  

San Pedro

San Pedro is a quiet, coastal community within Los Angeles, with a major international seaport. This port town is full of charm and culture, with several museums, an aquarium, and other historic sites for you to explore. Here are my top three must-see spots in San Pedro.

Port of Los Angeles Besides being the busiest international port in the U.S., it’s really quite a site to see. An early morning visit guarantees a quiet moment surrounded by the waterfront, and the sounds and sights of rush hour and the start of the work day creeping in. Close by, you’ll find the San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant, where you can sample some of the tastiest, fresh fish and seafood dishes, served against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. With all the new construction buzzing, it is sure to be a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Korean Friendship Bell If you want to see one of the most impressive views in all of Los Angeles, then you absolutely must visit Angel’s Gate Park. Nestled atop a hill, it offers unbelievable and unobstructed ocean views. It also features the equally impressive Korean Friendship Bell, which was gifted by the Republic of Korea to the United States, and is a historic-cultural monument. Its massive size and intricate detail and design will captivate you. And the views just beyond it will not disappoint. No photos will do it justice – it’s an experience as much as it is a beautiful sight. 

Beach, Pier, and Marine Aquarium

Across town, you will find Cabrillo Beach, named one of LA’s top beaches. It’s a wonderful place to visit with the whole family, whether it’s for a relaxing beach day or one full of water activities, including surfing and kayaking. The fishing pier offers great views, and you might even spot a whale or two (in season). Because it’s not one of the more popular SoCal beaches, it will be less crowded and allow for longer time spent enjoying the sun, sand, and surf.  Adjacent to the beach, you will find an aquarium featuring the largest collection of SoCal marine life. 

Let me know what your favorite place to visit is in San Pedro. 

Winter Fun in SoCal

When you think Southern California, winter isn't the first thing that comes to mind. We don’t have snow or Christmas tree farms. What we do have, though, is Hollywood movie magic. That means we can recreate all of the fun and festive events and feelings that are associated with the season. I’ve rounded up the top places to visit in three categories, so if you are local to SoCal and want to enjoy some winter activities, keep reading!

Theme Parks All of the major theme parks in Southern California go big during the holiday season. Starting mid-November through early January, major décor and seasonal foods and activities take over these parks. The following places are definitely festive and loads of fun to visit this time of year – Holidays at Disneyland and California Adventures, Grinchmas at Universal Studios, Holiday in the Park at Six Flags, and Knott’s Merry Farm. If you’re looking for something on a smaller scale, I’d recommend Chill at the Queen Mary or the LA Zoo Lights. Both are decked out in lights and decorations.

Entertainment If theme parks aren’t your thing, try a more relaxed approach to your winter festivities. There are so many ways to explore and enjoy the greater LA area. You could catch a showing of a holiday favorite, The Nutcracker at The Bloc. Get a front row seat to the most amazing display of flowers on floats at the Tournament of Roses, Rose Parade in Pasadena. Get your holiday shopping done early with a trip to The Grove in LA (fake snow and Santa’s Village included). Grab a cup of hot cocoa, or artisan coffee, and watch a majestic sunset on any one of our beautiful beaches.  

Activities For a more active winter season, there are plenty of SoCal spots to visit. Outdoor rinks pop up all over, turning your ice skating dreams into a reality. Pershing Square and LA Kings Holiday Ice (both in Downtown) are popular. Snow Day LA at Elysian Park is a fan favorite, with light shows, tubing hills, and (fake) snow. Winterfest is a similar set up in the OC, with tons of cold-weather activities, shows, and themed shopping and dining. If you’re looking for the real deal, take a drive up to Angeles Crest or Big Bear for real (real!) snow. Bundle up and go for a hike at Runyon Canyon or to the Hollywood sign for epic city views.  

No matter what you decide to do this holiday season, the most important thing is to spend it with those you love. Have fun!

Holiday Décor Trends

Now that Halloween is over, we can start thinking about Christmas and what style we want to use to decorate our homes. I’m going to focus on three trends this season – traditional, minimal, and whimsical. I’m a fan of all three, and I haven’t decided which trend I’ll be following this season, but you can’t go wrong with whatever style you choose. Let’s dive in!

Traditional One thing that never goes out of style is a traditionally decorated space. When it comes to Christmas, the classic colors are red and green, with pops of gold. These will be your three main colors when choosing ornaments, accessories, and other decorative pieces. Red, green and gold ornaments on the tree and wreath, lots of ribbons and sprigs of holly, a big red Santa, letter boards featuring one (or all three) of the colors, tons of plaid print, pine cones, and anything else that gives you that warm and cozy, homey vibes that only a classic Christmas can give you.

Minimal If you are looking for a more modern way to make your space festive this year, pick one main color and go for a monochromatic look. Think winter white, metallic (gold, silver, rose gold, mixed metals), or you can even pick red or green. By utilizing one focal color, you can keep your décor modern and minimal, while still being festive. It adds a sophisticated flair to any room in your home. You can create layers by incorporating different shades of the color you choose to add depth or texture. You can also create an ombre effect by placing your shades in a gradient.

Whimsical What if you can’t decide on a theme, or want something different than the traditional or minimal design? There are no real rules when it comes to decorating. If you want to use the traditional red and green, but want to include some of your favorite blue ornaments on the tree – go for it! You can feature jewel-toned shades of purples and greens, or red and white striped candy canes. Place elves and snowmen all around the mantle, or go for a more natural and earthy look with pine cones, wood logs and plain wreaths. Because the style is whimsical, you can be heavy-handed with mixing colors, textures, and even styles! 

What trend will you choose for your holiday decor this season?