Home Safety Tips for Winter

In a few days, it will officially be winter. In most parts of the country, that means lots of cold days spent indoors. So, I’ve put together a few tips that can help you keep your home safe through these winter months.

Décor  During the holiday season, it’s pretty common to deck the halls and go all out with trees, lights, and all sorts of decorations. And while we all want to enjoy our festive environments, it’s important to remember to also stay safe. Here are a few easy tips you can use. Flammable items, such as wreaths, garland, anything with fabric, etc., should be kept away from any open flames (including fireplaces, fire pits, and gas stoves). Objects placed on counters or tables should be out of reach of small children and pets so that they don’t knock them over. Unplug anything not in use, and always water your tree (if it’s real). Larger pieces should be secured to avoid tipping over. Driveways and walkways should be clear of clutter. And lastly, decorations should not block access to important things like fire alarms or entry/exit doors.      

Packages  These days, more and more people are doing their shopping solely online, which means more deliveries. While that’s made shopping more convenient, it’s also brought along a new set of issues to deal with. Here are a few things to keep in mind before clicking 'place your order'. If you know you will be at the office, or someplace other than your house, during time of delivery, have your items shipped there so that you can sign for them or have them in your possession. That way, your packages are not left at your front door/porch for hours/days on end. Another alternative is to invest in a doorbell camera, which will notify you when someone is at your front door via live feed straight to your smartphone. This can help you keep track of your deliveries and packages, as well as give you access to who is at your front door. 

Heaters  If you live in Southern California, chances are you won’t need to use a heater very often over the next few months. But if you get cold, or live in a colder city, keep in mind the following safety tips. If you have central heating, keep at least one window in your home slightly ajar to let some natural air flow through the house. If you don’t have central heating, or don’t want to heat every room in your house, invest in a space heater. It will be more cost efficient and will concentrate the heat exactly where you want it. Air vents should be cleaned and changed as often as needed, and items (both flammable and not) should not block air vents or space heaters. It is not recommended to use ovens or gas stoves to heat your home - those should be used for cooking purposes only! Also, if you are using a fireplace or fire pit to stay warm, make sure the fire is never left unattended and is completely extinguished before leaving the room. 

Do you have any tips you can share on how to keep your home safe in the winter?

Holiday Decor

Decorating can turn a house into a home. And during the holidays, it can transform your home into a magical, festive gathering place. Are you stuck in a holiday decorating rut? Don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s my guide to creating your own personal winter wonderland.

Trees Wandering through local Christmas tree lots is a favorite pastime of mine this time of year. It can get overwhelming trying to find the perfect tree to bring home. Start simple – decide on the size and width of your tree, then choose whether you want it plain or flocked (fake snow). Once you’ve got that down, look for a tree with full, lush branches to safely hold all your ornaments. Next, take a step back to make sure your tree stands tall and doesn’t veer too far to the left or right. Walk around, touch the needles and branches, smell the pine, and envision what the end product will look like. Once you’ve picked your perfect tree and brought it home, make sure to keep the stand it comes with for next year!

                                       (pic taken by me, Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas)

Decorations Now that we’ve got our tree, let’s start decorating. String lights, hang ornaments, place the star (or angel) on top of the tree, and deck the rest of the halls with some more décor. Hang wreathes on doors and stockings on the fireplace; use your mantle to house snow globes and pine cones; assemble a Santa’s village with tiny houses and people sitting atop fake snow; place a tree skirt under your tree and cover it with presents (or pretty boxes) for some glamour. If you want to DIY your decorations – string popcorn, make paper ornaments, add ribbon and poinsettias to logs for a rustic feel, and drop extra ornaments into a clear vase for a table centerpiece. As soon as you’re done, sit back and relax with hot cocoa. You’ve earned it!   

                                          (pic taken by me, Aria Hotel, Las Vegas) 

Design Holiday décor is an art. And since art is subjective, there’s no one way to decorate. Do you want a modern or more traditional setting? Are you a minimalist or more-is-better type of person? Whatever your personal style, have fun with it. Traditional red and green always looks great and feels cozy and festive. Cool tones like blue, pink and silver give a modern effect. Mixed metals are super trendy, while all-white is ultra chic. Throw in some gold to glamour it up. Mix and match to your heart’s content. Over the top or just a touch, make it your own.

Happy decorating! And share some pictures of your decorating magic in the comments below!

Gift Giving Guide

'Tis the season! Holidays are about family, friends and festivities. But for some, finding the perfect gift for that special someone can be more frantic than fun. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, but holiday sales are just kicking into gear. If you’re looking for some help with your gift giving this year, look no further.

Save Money If you’ve got a list that rivals Santa’s or are working with a budget, there are some things you can do to save some green. Make sure to research the best price before buying. Do a quick Google search to see how much the item you’re looking for costs at different stores. Look for coupons or promo codes to use during your transaction, and shop when there is a sale to avoid paying full price. Also, consider buying gift sets, which are considerably less expensive than buying items individually. Books make great gifts if you’re stuck on what to get someone. Electronics tend to be on the pricier side, so save those for birthdays or anniversaries, unless you can find them on sale.    

Gift Experiences What do you give the person who has everything? Or, the person who doesn’t covet material things? Give the gift of experiences. Tickets to movies, sporting events, museums, concerts or festivals, day or weekend trips, classes for specialized skills, seminars, and so much more! Think of something that person has always wanted to do and just never got around to doing. Or, something they’ve always wanted to try but haven’t. By gifting an experience, you’ll be able to give them memories of doing, trying and going somewhere new and fun. New experiences shared with loved ones is a fool-proof way to master gift giving.

Donate In lieu of giving or receiving gifts in the conventional sense, consider donating to charity. What organization or cause is important to you and your loved ones? When you donate to charity, you are making a difference and helping those in need of resources and money. You are also doing something that will make you and your gift recipient feel great. What better time of year to give rather than receive, and to put others before yourself? You can also gift your time and volunteer at a local shelter, soup kitchen, youth center or after-school program. A bonding moment that also translates into doing good work is the ultimate gift. 

Whatever you decide, remember that it's the thought that counts! It doesn't matter what the present is, how it's wrapped, or how much it cost. What matters is that you are thinking of the other person and want to do something nice for someone else. 

Hollywood: Attractions

Hollywood is where dreams come true. At least, that’s what people say. Even if you’re not a dreamer, you can still enjoy all the larger-than-life attractions and some of the most well-known and famous Hollywood landmarks.

Museums Everything is celebrated here in Hollywood. From wax figures (Madame Tussauds), to Guinness World Record holders (Ripley’s Believe it or Not), to classic cars (Peterson Automotive Museum) and art exhibits (LACMA). Wherever your interests lie, there’s likely a museum for it. What’s really fun is that the exterior of the museums are just as interesting as what can be found on the inside. If you’re visiting LA, I’d recommend going to at least one museum during your trip. If you’re a local, spend an afternoon exploring one you haven’t been to yet.

Walk of Fame The infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame – block after block of stars and celebrity names. You’ll often find folks posing for pictures next to their favorites. And even a celeb or two have been known to pay their star a visit. In front of the Grauman’s Chinese Theater, you’ll find hand and footprints along with signatures of some of the most famous faces to grace the screen. A most stunning and grand place to catch a movie or attend a special screening. Located on Hollywood Boulevard, you can walk along the path of stars and then go and watch them on the silver screen.

Hollywood and Highland The Hollywood and Highland outdoor mall and entertainment complex is in the center of it all. Located at the corner of – you guessed it – Hollywood and Highland, it has become a must-stop for tourists and locals for all things ‘Hollywood’. The Academy Awards are hosted at the Dolby Theater, located in the complex. A plethora of events and parties are often hosted here. It’s also a great place to relax with a cup of coffee and people watch, as much as it is to shop all the cool stores and boutiques. You’ll get some great views of the Hollywood sign as well as the bustle on Hollywood Boulevard. 

Have you been to any of these Hollywood landmarks?

CA Fires

As we all know by now, several neighborhoods in both Southern and Northern California have been ravaged by fires. Over 100,000 acres burned, over 9,000 homes destroyed, over 70 lives lost, hundreds unaccounted for, and hundreds of families displaced and left homeless and hopeless. As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s take a moment to remember to be kind to our neighbors and help in any way we can.

Donate If you are able to and feel inclined to do so, please consider donating to those in need. Money, food (non-perishable), water, toiletries, baby supplies, new and like-new clothing, bedding, and other basic living essentials are needed for those who have lost all of their belongings along with their homes. There are several organizations that are collecting funds and other items to disperse directly to those affected and in need. Additionally, our first responders and fire fighters are in need of water and supplies, as they tirelessly and selflessly fight the fires to save lives and property, 

B Strong  

One Love Malibu  

The Los Angeles Fire Department 

Host Again, if you have the means to, please consider opening up your home to one of the thousands of families who are in need of shelter. Airbnb has set up a disaster relief program to offer free, temporary housing to the fire victims. If you live close to the devastation and your home was not damaged, maybe you can let a neighbor stay with you until they figure out their next steps with housing. If your accommodations don’t allow you to take in another family, maybe you can invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner. So many families now have nowhere to celebrate the holidays, and will be so appreciative for a home-cooked meal with new friends.

Airbnb

Help If you or someone you know has lost their home or business in the fires, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. So many of us are happy to lend a hand in any way we can. Visit the sites listed above for relief in the form of money, food, clothing and temporary housing. If you need to find more stable housing while sorting everything out, please feel free to reach out to me or any real estate agent or broker you know for assistance in longer term leasing options. Your insurance will pay for your rent or lease during this time, so we can help get you into a home as quickly as possible. Make sure you have already contacted your insurance company to start a claim and that you have a claim or case number. Document all your expenses and keep track of all your receipts. This is a difficult time for so many, but there is a lot of help and hope being offered by our friends, neighbors and communities.

https://joanna.cbintouch.com/

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and lots of healing for those who have lost so much. 

LA Live

Los Angeles is considered the entertainment capital of the world. For the past decade, LA Live in Downtown Los Angeles has fully encompassed that sentiment. With live entertainment, restaurants, bars, and luxury hotels and residences, it’s a one-stop-shop for all your entertainment needs.

Live Entertainment What do you get when you combine the Staples Center, LA Convention Center, and Microsoft Theater? A whole lot of venue space for live entertainment and events. Staples is home to the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers and Los Angeles Kings. It’s also stomping grounds for some of the biggest names in music, comedy and performance arts. The LACC hosts everything from trade shows and conventions to exhibitions and meetings. The Microsoft Theater is a more intimate venue for concerts, award shows and corporate events. All bases are covered when it comes to hosting live entertainment. 

Food and Fun The coolest and most convenient thing about attending a concert, sports game or any other live event at LA Live is that you don’t have to go far to find a drink, dinner or any other form of entertainment. Visit The Grammy Museum to immerse yourself in all things music, learn about the history of different genres of recorded music, and explore the many exhibits. Grab some popcorn and catch the latest movie at the Regal Cinemas. Rent some bowling shoes and try your luck at Lucky Strike. Enjoy a drink or breakfast/lunch/dinner at any one of dozens of dining options in and around LA Live. With so many options, you can’t go wrong!

Live/Stay After you’ve enjoyed your event and had a drink and some food, why go home? Stay at one four luxury hotels: The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles, JW Marriot Los Angeles LA Live, Courtyard Los Angeles LA Live, and Residence Inn Los Angeles LA Live. Want to call LA Live home? To make your stay a bit more permanent, you can live at the Ritz Carlton Residences. Here you get to enjoy (and own) a room with a view, and have all of LA Live as your backyard. Its central location also allows for quick access to freeways and the Metro, making it commuter friendly, and creating that live, play, work balance.

Have you been to LA Live?

Melrose

There are a ton of places in LA for shopping, dining and entertainment – none like Melrose. Known for its eclectic art, unique fashions, and diverse eateries, there’s something for everyone on Melrose Avenue.

Cafes Coffeehouses are ubiquitous in Melrose, but that doesn’t make them any less of-the-moment. A cup of coffee isn’t just a cup of coffee here. It’s an experience; one that sometimes comes with pretty latte art or an Instagram worthy set up. Places like Urth Cafe and Alfred’s Tea & Coffee are popular spots. If you’re looking for specialty coffee houses with unique flavor combinations and artisan coffees, Melrose has you covered.

    

Street Art On any given day, you’ll find people standing in line. Not for the latest shoe release, or even for the newest restaurant opening, but to take their pictures in front of street art. There are dozens of walls all over Melrose adorned with ornate and colorful designs and original artwork. The pink wall outside the Paul Smith Store and the black and white Made in LA wall are a couple examples of street art that make Melrose a tourist attraction as well as a hub for budding artists.

 

Shopping The Melrose Avenue Shopping District is located on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. Blocks and blocks of retail shops sell everything from the latest trends to secondhand gems. Accessories, shoes, clothes and everything in between can be found at high end and high street stores to one-of-a-kind boutiques. Window shopping is just as fun since there’s so much to see! A stop at Fred Segal is a must, as is grabbing a bite at the café located inside.

Where’s your favorite place to shop on Melrose?