Click the image below to view our Westside Rodeo Realty weekly newsletter Oct. 29th-4th, 2018!!
This week at Rodeo Realty: Westside Newsletter Oct.29nd-Nov. 4th
This week at Rodeo Realty: SFV and Ventura County Newsletter Oct. 29th-Nov.4th
Click the image below to view our SFV and Ventura County Rodeo Realty weekly newsletter Oct. 29th-Nov. 4th!!!!
Weekend Events:Nov. 2nd-4th
With all the hustle and bustle of our weekday routine we bring you a curated list of the weekends top activities happening throughout the city of stars.
Okay, so haunting season is officially over and now begins the most frightening time of the year. Thanksgiving with your in-laws is around the corner!!!!(Insert Jaws Theme song). Just kidding. But it is still a month of daunting task from choosing to cook your turkey or order in(thank you Whole Foods) and all the home prep in between. Even with this task at hand, you should take some time to explore your neck of the woods. Check out our event round up for the most #thankful time of the year and…..
Discover your inner Angeleno!
Limited engagements taking place this Nov. 2nd-4th
Friday Nov. 2nd
First Fridays-Long Beach
Long Beach’s First Fridays returns this fall with one goal: to bring you the best in local artists and musicians all in one night. Every first Friday of the month, participating Bixby Knolls businesses will come together to promote local artists and musicians with extended operating hours. In offering this monthly gathering they hope tp encourage a dialogue between businesses, artists and the community. Click here for more information.
First Fridays-Abbott Kinney
With the same vision in mind as the Long Beach edition, Abbott Kinney’s First Friday aims to unite the best of the best in art, music, and products in the Venice hotspot area. The trendy thoroughfare of AK runs diagonally through Venice. With local charities benefiting as art junkies and the neighborhood patrons descending upon the always funky beach community, its sure to be an ideal evening. Oh, and theres adult beverages too! Click here for more information.
Jerry Seinfeld Live at the Pantages Theatre
The famed comedian, producer, and household name-Jerry Seinfeld-descends upon the Pantages Theatre this weekend only. With his return to the Pantages stage, is his signature stand-up routine along with new quips and jabs one could expect from the legendary comedian. His latest projects include the Emmy nominated web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and his Netflix special Jerry Before Seinfeld. Seinfeld continues to perform both nationally and internationally. Click here for more information.
Sat Nov. 3rd
Smorgasborg at Santa Anita
Also the location of Rodeo Realty’s annual Day at the Races, Santa Anita turns into a “Smorgasburg Meltdown” this Saturday only. The foodie favorite event returns with all things cheesy, offering the best in food vendors and fun that Santa Anita has to offer. Don’t miss out on this showcase of ooey-gooey goodness while you enjoy your own Day at the Races! Various packages available, click here for more details. Click here for more information.
Grand Ave. Arts All Access
This diverse program of family friendly fun returns for its 4th annual, one-day only free community event. The Grand Ave Arts: All Access is a showcase of activities, interactive workshops and tours highlighting the world class arts and cultural programs of DTLA. Established to celebrate their commitment to the cultural landscape of LA, is a range of events. All the while showcasing the world-class architecture and programming that define the Grand Avenue corridor and LA’s cultural center. From The Broad to LA Phil, don’t miss out on this day of artful entertainment. Click here for more information.
Dan Guerrero Artist & Icons Event
The City of West Hollywood Arts Division presents the return of their Artists & Icons session: A Conversation with Dan Guerrero. The Artists, Educator and Activists sits down for a Q & A moderated by Tony Estrada. Dan Guerrero-and award winning producer of diverse programming for network and cable Television has been part of the West Hollywood community since 1982. The eclectic artists brings his worldly experiences to this one-time sit down put on by the West Hollywood Chamber of commerce. Click here for more information.
Sun Nov. 4th
10th Annual Malibu Half Marathon
The Malibu 5k and Half Marathon returns to the beach city this Saturday and Sunday. A phenomenal beach course that starts and ends at Zuma Beach in Malibu brings together nearly 4000 patrons. Saturday event will feature a Health & Fitness expo while Sunday will kick-off the storied run down PCH(horrible traffic not included). Along the way, participants will see some of Californias most scenic views and stunning homes. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Malibu are the beneficiary’s of the weekend event aiming to significantly enhance the lives of Malibu youth through new programming. Click here for more information.
Griffith Harvest Festival
There is no better way to celebrate autumn then at L.A’s ;argued urban park! The Griffith Harvest festival will play host to a slew of live music, local craft beers and a Kid Zone. The entire event is presented by the Los Angeles Parks Foundation and City of L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks. Sure to be fun for the entire family, don’t miss this fall fest in L.A.’s most famed park location. Click here for more information.
Bowies Piano Man-San Pedro
Presented by Able ARTS Work is Bowie’s Piano Man + Symphonic Suite for Healing 2. The inaugural benefit concert will feature world renowned pianist Mike Garson and some of his newest work while also highlighting the artistry of David Bowie and his belief in betterment for mankind. The first alf of the matinee will showcase work by Garson from his newest Symphonic suite, with the second half featuring hits by Bowie like “Life on Mars”, Five Years”, and Garson and Bowies most famous collaboration “Aladdin Sane. . Garson will be join don stage by world-class musicians like Gaby Moreno, Denny Seiwell and Brett Hook to name a few. Click here for more information.
The best things to do in L.A. after Dark
Congratulations: You picked the right time to live in Los Angeles. LA currently has what might just be the best food scene in the whole country, not to mention a killer cocktail scene, so it’s understandable if most evenings out are dedicated to working your way down your list of new openings, hotspots, and old favorites to revisit.
But if you want to shake up your after-dark agenda a bit and are in search of something new and unexpected, LA’s got a whole world of other interesting nightlife options to explore. From studio tours and storytelling sessions to magic and Mexican wrestling, here’s a solid selection of alternative activities to consider for your next night out.
Hike by moonlight
Hollywood
We Angelenos love our bright-and-early hikes — just try to find parking at 8am on a weekend at Runyon Canyon. Even if you’re a serious morning person, though, it’s worth giving a post-twilight trek a go; you can make the hike up Griffith Park’s Mt. Hollywood since the park is open to the public until 10pm, or you can hook up with the Sierra Club, which leads two-hour hikes of various skill levels on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm (as well as a moderate-to-advanced-only hike on Wednesday evenings). Also, check out the group’s 2 1/2-hour Monthly Moonlight hike set for the Friday closest to the full moon, when participants bring snacks for a potluck they take down at the top.
Have a tech-heavy carnival game night
Downtown
After years in the works, Two Bit Circus — Downtown’s 38,000-square-foot “micro amusement park” — is up and running, blending cutting-edge technology with old-school arcade and carnival games, to create a wild wonderland of interactive action. Play competition games like Skee-Ball and balloon pop (real ball, virtual balloons) helmed by carnival barkers at The Midway; hunt down a lost treasure or take on supernatural swamp creatures in the virtual reality story rooms; get in on a game show; or grab a drink crafted by a robot bartender. Basically, there’s a ton to do here. Entrance is free, and you pay to play.
Go for a group run after dark
Various locations
Yes, hitting a happy hour is always a tempting after-work option, but your body will thank you if you strap on your sneakers and get a little exercise come evening instead. Blacklist LA organizes 3-to-4-mile Monday Night Art runs, where 200+ participants run from a meeting point to a public art piece and learn a bit about it before high-tailing it back. Good for stuck-late-at-the-office types, the weekly runs start at 10pm and take place Downtown six months out of the year, with runs through other neighborhoods happening every other month. For those who want to reward themselves after a workout, a club called Electric Flight Crew (which you’ll need to join in order to participate) holds weekly runs and workouts in the South Bay, Santa Monica, and WeHo that are followed up by a convivial “No Shower Happy Hour.”
Take in a creepy midnight movie
West LA
The historic Nuart Theater is already a solid venue for film buffs, screening classics as well as new indie films and documentaries, sometimes accompanied by Q&As with filmmakers and movie subjects (Joan Jett recently performed at a screening of her doc Bad Reputation). You can also settle in for a — usually — scary movie screening on Fridays at 11:59pm.
Settle in for story time
Various locations
If you’re one of those people who can totally transcend cocktail party fodder with an actual entertaining story that warrants gasps and guffaws, you just might want to try spilling your guts to a real audience at one of the open mic StorySLAM sessions held weekly around the city, as part of long-running series The Moth. Not into public speaking? Simply buy a ticket and watch as a slew of storytellers get five minutes each, telling tales centered around a single theme ranging from fear to scandal to joy. Venues, dates, and pricing vary, but you can buy tickets online.
Find yourself stupefied inside a magic castle
Hollywood
The legendary Magic Castle is, sleight-of-hands-down, one of the coolest venues in LA. You’re inside an old Victorian mansion stuffed with antiques and artifacts, and there’s entertainment lurking around every corner. From a ghost taking requests on the piano to Houdini séances to roving magicians blowing your mind with card tricks. Then, there are the wow-worthy scheduled shows that take place in various spaces around the castle all night long. Before you insist you don’t know a single real-life magician, though, start asking friends and friends of friends now. You’d be surprised how often someone like Blake in accounting’s husband’s childhood friend can totally get you in.
Expand your kitchen capabilities with a mellow cooking class
Woodland Hills, West LA, and Lincoln Heights
Yes, you’ve got your go-to pasta dish and those special burgers you grill every Fourth of July, but wouldn’t it be great to have something a bit more impressive in your repertoire? Hipcooks’ hands-on cooking classes focus heavily on multicultural cuisines so you can take on Thai, master Moroccan, and slay sushi depending on what you’re into. The format is casual, the teachers are laid-back, and each session is paired with wine, beer, or cocktails and ends with you getting to eat what you made (we’re imagining hangry chaos ensuing if that wasn’t the case).
Take part in a public star party
Hollywood
One Saturday a month the Griffith Observatory, which sits on the south side of Mount Hollywood, hosts a free public star party. While there you can try out a gaggle of telescopes and peer at the all the celestial stuff out in the universe. In case you’re not an astronomer yourself, volunteers from smart-people clubs Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and The Planetary Society will be on hand to answer questions.
See art while walking
Downtown
While monthly events like this one are often summer-only or have morphed into food truck-line-fueled sidewalk gridlock (we’re looking at you, Abbot Kinney), DTLA’s Art Walk takes place on the second Thursday evening of the month all year long. The event often includes pop-up shops, activities, and live entertainment. Hit up the Art Walk Lounge — currently located at The Last Bookstore (worth a separate visit if you haven’t been) for maps and info about what’s going on that night.
Tour a movie studio After Dark
Hollywood
The After Dark Tour focuses on scandals and mysteries, while making a trip through the adjacent Hollywood Forever Cemetery, with Champagne, popcorn, and movie candy — our favorite combo. Those looking to buy tickets for tours taking place between now and November 3 (Thursday-Saturday evenings only) will get a somewhat spookier seasonal version. The less Halloweeny After Dark studio tour returns in December. Tours are $99 a person.
Courtesy of: Thrillist L.A.
Out and About: Pasadena Edition
While Pasadena may not come to mind as your Mecca of Hollywood hustle and bustle, the picturesque city in San Gabriel Valley is every bit as delightful. Especially in the fall.
Nestled amongst the San Gabriel mountains, Pasadena provides its locals as well as visitors with plenty to do from shopping, to shows and all the small town tourist vibes in-between. Tour turn of the century mansions or hike the Echo Mountain trail, spend a little time exploring an area outside your usual neck of the woods. Read below for our guide of a perfect day in Pasadena!
At Dawn…
Start your morning off strolling through Old Town Pasadena where you will find Southern California most walkable downtown district. Along Colorado Boulevard is historic Route 66 and a bounty of shops, restaurants and bars hosted in turn of the century brick buildings. Stop by Miller Alley to wander the courtyard at One Colorado or pop into Indiana Colony for a perfect morning pick me up from Russells or a famed breakfast burrito from Lucky Boy.
Midday delight…
Once your AM is filled up with food and a bit of light fun(or shopping), an afternoon in Eaton Canyon Falls-Pasadena’s most easygoing nature trail is the perfect next stop. Follow the sound of running water to find your Kodak moment at its waterfall.
Afterwards head to Gamble House, originally built for one of the heirs of the Procter & Gamble fortune. The home is one of the best examples of the Arts and Crafts movement. Tours through the house range from the art glass to minute details of the homes construction. They even have Brown Bag Tuesday where visitors can bring their own lunch for a picnic on the grounds followed by a 20 minute guided tour.
If you prefer to have your nature and art all in one, Pasadena has that too at Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens. I know what your thinking. Why would I spend my afternoon at a library of all places? Huntington is anything but just a library. The grounds include a 120 acres of over a dozen different types of gardens from Tropical to Japanese. Have afternoon tea in the Rose Garden. Stroll past the Greek statues that line the precisely manicured courtyard. Spend the midday trailing through as much of the outdoor scene as your phone battery can take. One will likely not tackle all of the famed destination in one day. But that being said, you can find art and nature equally placed throughout.
Before your day reaches the evening portion, be sure to make a stop at Bungalow Heaven. The singular, leafy and quit neighborhood is comprised of over 800 homes from the Arts and Crafts movement. Bordered along Orange grove and Washington Blvd, the mostly intact bungalows are a true showcase. Bungalow Heaven is full of astonishing craftsmanship that flowed through Pasadena during the early point of the 20th century.
Evening Soiree…
So night has befallen and depending on the day of the week or the time of the year, you have a few options to properly conclude your time in Pasadena. If time slots you, it is most recommend to take in a show at the 20’s built Pasadena Playhouse. Revived during the 80’s, the Playhouse has a profound line-up of new plays and musicals. While outdoors, the Spanish Colonial courtyard plays home to neighborhood events. Other show options in the home of the Rose Parade including taking in laughs at the famed Ice House. A comedy mainstay since 1960, the Ice House provides it patrons an intimate no-frills room with big name comics and evening debauchery(comical debacuhery to be exact).
After you’ve entertained, you certainly should feast. So much in one day leaves one quite famished, Im sure. We recommend dining at the Fried Chicken Dinner at Colette(one of their more famed entrees) or the tagliatelle with pork ragout and gremolata at Union restaurant. Either establishment is the perfect send off to what we hope was the ideal Pasadena day!
This week at Rodeo Realty: Westside Newsletter Oct.22nd-28th
Click the image below to view our Westside Rodeo Realty weekly newsletter Oct. 22nd-28th, 2018!!
Your Halloween Event Round-up
If you’re brave enough to venture out on a weeknight we’ve got you covered. We scoured the dismally long list of Halloween events happening throughout L.A. this Wednesday. So sleep well on Hallows Eve because this round-up is sure to keep you jolted till dawn.
Annual Halloween Party for DTLA Kids
Location: Grand Hope Park, DTLA
Getting to downtown for trick-or-treating may seem like the real Halloween scare but its worth it when you make it to The Annual Halloween Party for DTLA Kids! The locals know how to throw quite the shindig and the event continues to thrive as parents celebrate the spookiest night of the year with bounce houses, puppet shows and faux trick-or-treat-doors.
Vampyr + Halloween After-Party
Location: Theatre at The Ace Hotel, DTLA
Menace lurks behind every shadow in a remote village filled with secrets. The LA Opera’s annual Halloween mash-up of opera and cinema returns to the spectacular Theatre at Ace Hotel with filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer’s surreal 1932 masterwork, one of the most unsettling vampire movies ever made. LA Opera and The Theatre at Ace Hotel invite you to be their guest immediately following ‘Vampyr’ for a Halloween party with music and cash bar. Entry to the party is included with ticket to the October 31 ‘Vampyr’ performance.
Mickeys Halloween Party at Disneyland Park
Location: Disneyland, Anaheim
Perfect for all ghouls and goblins is this Halloween Extravaganza at the Happiest Place on Earth. ‘Mickey’s Halloween Party’ brings out all your favorite villains from ‘Cruella’ to ‘Lady Tremaine’. Delight at a ghostly ‘Space Mountain’ and Tim Burton-ized ‘Haunted Mansion’ as lively Jack-O-Lanterns line Main Street. Trick-or-Treat throughout the park until the evening hours end with a spectacular ‘Halloween Screams’ firework show. Be sure to arrive early if you’d like a true thrill on any of the rides up to three hours prior to the event.
West Hollywood Carnaval
Location: Santa Monica Blvd (starting at Doheny), West Hollywood
Considered the largest Halloween street party in the world, there isn’t really a better place to be for the true costume aficionado. Yes the crowds are massive and to some quite rowdy but the amazing display of themed attire and general merry-making spirit deem it as at least a worthy stop along your way. Enjoy dancing in the streets, festive beverages in the bars and a night full of spooky fun!
Cabaret de L’Enfer
Location: The Edison, DTLA
Spend your Halloween underground (a little closer to the dearly departed) at The Edison. The clubs’ Cabaret L’Enfer will feature DJ sets, live performers, stilt walkers, tarot card readers and an “extraordinary selection of Attractions Diaboliques”. Like most other parties at the Edison, expect an old-time but sleek subterranean shindig. Costumes are not required but recommended (come on it’s Halloween)!
Haunt Massive
Location: Avalon, Hollywood
Since coming back from the dead a few years ago, Hollywood and Vine’s historic playhouse ‘Avalon’ has put on a ghoulish extravaganza each All Hallows’ Eve. Break out your provocative costumes and make your way to the dance floor and four themed areas!
Weekend Events: Oct. 26th-28th
With all the hustle and bustle of our weekday routine we bring you a curated list of the weekends top activities happening throughout the city of stars.
The time has finally come. You’ve picked up your costumes and allotted yourself at least a handful of candy this weekend. Halloween may fall on a Wednesday but the main events are just a round the corner. So don’t stay inside and cue on the slasher films, you’ve had all month for that. It’s time to throw on your Dracula cape and paint the town red. Read below for our round up events happening this weekend!
Discover your inner Angeleno!
Limited engagements taking place this Oct. 26th-28th.
friday oct. 26th
Disco Dining Club’s The Flowering of the Strange Orchids
Date: Oct 26, 27, & 28, 2018
Location: Private residence in Pico-Union
“Botanical horror’ and man-eating plants are at the center of this elevated Halloween dinner party. The lofty price tag of $300 will provide you with a tantalizing 5 course meal from Chef Laurent Quenioux, cocktail pairings and wine, coffee and tea service, desserts, and optional edible bug pairings by Bugible. Lavish set design by The Grim Weather will sprawl indoors and outdoors of the secret location,. This will be complimented by theatrical activations, puppets, live music and dance performances throughout the evening. Your favorite holiday…exaggerated with all the opulence, grandeur and hedonism of any Disco Dining Club soiree.
Click here for more information
Pageant of the Monsters
Date: Oct 26, 27, 28, 31, 2018
Location: 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
Patrons of Pageant of the Master’s will know this live performance as artwork coming to life. Pageant of the Monsters is the ghoulish re-enactment of notable tableaus that awakens from their slumber every 5 years. This year’s theme is “Raiders of the Lost Art”. The fest includes a haunted house, Halloween arts and craft, and activities for children. The haunted house is suitable for even the tiniest of terrors, sans gore and recommended for children 5 and older. Food and non-alcoholic berates will be available for purchase.
Click here for more information
saturday oct. 27th
KCRW Masquerade Ball
Location: Downtown LA Historic Core
While this isn’t quite the traditional masquerade, one can expect all the treats and tricks customary with an extravagant night on the town At the KCRW annual Masquerade Ball patrons will be priledged to enjoy the soiree at a new location in DTLA. From themed rooms to various DJ sets and costumes galore, what more can you ask for in the spirit of Hallows Eve.
Click here for more information.
The Fanged Fete
Location: Downtown L.A. at The Ace Hotel
If you haven’t gotten your fill at the masked ball above, there are plenty of parties to go around in DTLA. The Fanged Fete at The Ace Hotel’s lavish theatre warrants you arrive in your best fangs and vampiric couture(or just vampire-ish clothes). This swanky event will feature Restless Nites DJs, drinks and “dark arts”. Be advised to wake from your crypt early if you’d like to catch the screening of the 1932 surrealist horror film Vampyr alongside a reimagined live score courtesy of the LA opera before the festivities commence.
Click here for more information.
Haunted Hotel at Viceroy Santa Monica
Location: Viceroy Santa Monica
Spend your ghoulish activities on the westside at the Viceroy Santa Monica’s annual soiree. Over 1,000 guests descend upon the “haunted” hotel(Three Rule has been hired to deck out the entire property from the lobby to the drinks). Wander between to realms..sorry dance floors and lay your stake at a chance to win one of the amazing prizes being served out to the best costumes around(well at the party that is). That being said, costumes are required so you can’t just go as “a mouse..Duh” open to all 21 and over.
Click here for more information.
NoHo Monster Bash
Location: The Federal, North Hollywood
The Valley needs its go-to Halloween bash to which is what you’ll find at the Federal this year with a promise of performances on its main stage every half hour. Patrons can expect costume contest, eerie cocktails and an evening of ghastly fun. Bonus: This years theme is Pirates of The Caribbean. Perfect chance for you to bust out that Johnny Depp impression you’ve been “working on”.
Click here for more information.
A Night of the Macabre with Poe and Gorey
Location: The Huntington Library, Pasadena
If your less for the partying and more for the ghoulish tales, then don’t miss this frightening telling of the famed poets held at the Huntington Library. Thrill to the tales of Edgar Allan Poe and Edward Gorey in an evening of chilling drama presented by the actors of the Guild of St. George. Haunting works will be enacted throughout the moonlit grounds, including “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Gashlycrumb Tinies,” and more. Ages 10 to adult. (May be too intense for younger children.)
Click here for more information.
sunday oct. 28th
Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever
Location: Hollywood Forever Cemetary
Billed at the largest Day of the Dead celebration in California, Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s event is a Halloween must. The grounds of the cemetery are covered with art exhibitions, dance rituals, musical performances, and children’s arts and crafts spread throughout. While you enjoy the bounty of food vendors, peruse through the altars created for the departed by community artists. Patrons can also take part in the calico(skeleton) costume contest if they so please. This years theme, Coatlicue “Mother of Gods”, honors the Aztec goddess mother of the moon, sun and stars. For more information click here.
Pumpkin Festival
Location: Pasadena
Bring the whole family and explore the Pasadena Pumpkin Patch and Costume Parade. This fun event includes a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce castles, carnival games and seasonal crafts with all proceeds benefitting the Kidspace Children’s Museum. Kidspace Children’s Museum Kidpspace works to provide free and discounted admission to all programs for those in undeserved communities. Click here for more information.
Halloween & Mourning Tours
Location: Heritage Square Museum, NE DTLA
You probably spent the majority of the weekend getting glitter spray out of your hair. If thats the case spend Sunday with educational frights instead of fruit cocktails at Heritage Square Museum’s annual Halloween celebration. This Victorian era event takes you through a true horror. Life before iPhones. Enjoy period games, 19th century harvest crafts and spooky stories that even the kid swill enjoy.
Click here for more information.
The Nightmare before Christmas at the Hollywood Bowl
Location: The Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood
“This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! “
Don’t miss the 25th Anniversary concert special of The Nightmare Before Christmas at The Hollywood Bowl. Danny Elfman along with Catherine O’Hara and Ken Page will be leading the evening soiree. Arrive early for a fun themed costume contest and enjoy the spectacular light projections while singing along to this Halloween Classic. Friday and Sunday tickets are still available.
Click here for more information
DIY: Making your home smell like fall
7 DIY Ways to Make Your Home Smell like Fall
With the most festive season upon us, you’ll find your self scouring Diptique for the best fall scent. Rather then opt for your usual, why not try out your creative side. These 7 DIY air fresheners are a fun and organic way to give your home that perfect pumpkin or apple scent without the headaches for asthma that artificial candles and sprays can bring. Using essential oils, real fruits, and whole spices is the perfect way to achieve that classic smell you love while giving yourself a fun afternoon activity in the process.
Pumpkin Spice Room Spray
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 3 drops Cinnamon Bark essential oil
- 3 drops Ginger essential oil
- 3 drops Cardamom essential oil
- 5 drops Wild Orange essential oil
- 5 drops Clove essential oil
Directions
In a 4-ounce glass spray bottle, add water and essential oils. Shake well before each use and you’re ready to start spritzing your house!
Fall Simmer Pot
Ingredients
- 4 apple peels
- 2 orange peels
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 star anise (optional)
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon whole cloves (optional)
Stovetop Directions
Add ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer uncovered for as long as you like, adding water as needed so the pot doesn’t run dry.
DIY Reed Diffuser
Ingredients
- Carrier oil: 1-2 inches safflower oil – this is your carrier oil, almond oil or baby oil can be used as well
- Essential oil: 15-20 drops essential oil – for aromatherapy and fragrance
- Jars: any jar will work with a small opening at the top
- Sticks: Cinnamon Sticks or Rattan Reeds
- optional: 90% proof alcohol – helps the oil travel up the sticks faster
Directions
- Pour your safflower oil into your jar, 1-2 inches high from the bottom. You don’t need too much oil, just enough for the oil to travel up your sticks. For the jars, you can use anything you have around the house – a vase, a recycled jam jar, even a plastic or metal container will work. I found these jars at the thrift store and they have small openings to help my sticks stand up tall.
- Add in 15-20 drops of essential oils and stir them in or swirl them around. You can add more or less depending on your level of fragrance.
- Add your sticks to the jar and space them out. You can use them to stir the oil again. TIP: flip your sticks after a day or so to help the oil distribute faster.
Cinnamon-Scented Pinecones
Tools
- an oven
- cookie sheet
- ziploc bag
- spray bottle (I love my glass spray bottle from Grove!)
- glue and a paintbrush, if you’re doing the ground cinnamon method
Materials
- pinecones
- tin foil
- cinnamon essential oil, or ground cinnamon (learn more about essential oils here)
- water
Directions
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with foil. Place the cleaned pinecones on the cookie sheet on their side. Bake the pinecones in the oven for about 45 minutes.
Use ground cinnamon to add that fall scent to your pinecones. Pour a little bit of all purpose glue into a small container and thin it just a little bit with water. You don’t want it completely liquid, but you need to be able to brush it on with a paint brush.
Add a bunch of ground cinnamon to a ziploc bag.
Take your pinecones and gently brush them with a very light coat of the watered-down glue so that all of the nooks and crannies are covered. Set the pinecone aside for a few minutes so that the glue can dry a little bit. You want the glue to be tacky, not totally dripping wet.
Then add the pinecones to the bag of cinnamon, close it up, and shake well to make sure cinnamon gets everywhere! Gently tap the pinecones over the bag to help shake off any loose cinnamon, then set them aside to dry for a few more minutes.
Autumn Scented Linen Spray
Use a fall-friendly DIY linen spray to freshen up folded towels and bedding. Just mix 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup inexpensive vodka (yes, vodka!) in a clean spray bottle and swirl with essential oils. Choose 3-4 oils and add 10 drops of each. Have fun experimenting with different combinations to find your favorite! Here are some ideas:
- Clove
- Sweet orange (or wild orange)
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon bark
- Cedarwood
- Ginger
- Sandalwood
- Rosemary
- Lemon
- Fir
- Bergamot
Fall Diffuser Recipes
If you own an aromatherapy diffuser, a fall-themed recipe is a must. We’re loving these blogger blends that incorporate classic autumnal scents. They’ll fill your home with the relaxing smells of the season for hours on end, no candles required.
- Pumpkin Pie: 5 drops Cinnamon + 1 drop Clove + 1 drop Nutmeg
- Chai Tea: 3 drops Cassia + 3 drops Clove + 2 drop Ginger
- Fall Forest: 4 drops Cypress + 2 drops White Fir + 2 drops Sandalwood
- Apple Cider: 4 drops Wild Orange + 3 drops Cinnamon + 3 drops Ginger
Homemade Fall Wax Scents
Make a batch of spicy fall wax melts for your warmer without unknown chemicals. These easy melts are made with coconut oil, beeswax, and spices from your pantry poured into an ice cube tray—you don’t even need to have essential oils on hand. We think these would look adorable poured into a leaf-shape mold!
Materials
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup beeswax granules
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp. whole cloves
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- Peel of 1 orange, diced
Ice cube trays or small mold
Glass jar with lid
Directions
-
- Place coconut oil and beeswax granules in a small pan over low heat. Stir until completely melted.
- While mixture is melting, chop orange peel into very small pieces.
- Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and diced orange peel.
- Pour into ice cube trays or another small mold.
- Allow to sit until completely cooled and firm. I usually let mine sit overnight even though it only takes a couple hours to set up.
- Pop gently from tray/mold by flipping over and tapping firmly on the counter. Store scented wax melts in a glass jar with a fitted lid. If your home gets very warm you may want to consider storing your jar in the refrigerator as the coconut oil has a low melting point.
Courtesy of: Better Home and Garden
Top 5 Sports Bars in L.A.
Alright Angelenos’ the times has come. The Dodgers have made it to the World Series and only one question remains.
Where can I watch the game? Well if your wanting to venture out if your abode we have gathered up the best sports bars in town where you can don your best white and blue. So batter-up and read below!
Westside sports fans have flocked to Busby’s since its 2003 opening. With 50 TVs tuned to every available game, at least one will likely be showing yours. Food is solid if not revolutionary—the large menu features sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizzas and the usual bar apps.
3110 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.828.4567
The name Goal Sports Cafe really says it all. If your goal is to watch sports, eat and drink all day then chances are if you come here, you’ll leave happy. There’s a giant 12-foot projection TV (with regular ones ringing the entire restaurant) and big booths to hang and take in all the action. Food-wise, you can custom-build a burger or choose from the menu of tacos, salads and bar apps. The beer selection is solid, too.
8334 W. Third St., Beverly Grove., 323.655.5955
Come for the football, stay for the pizza. Rocco’s New York-style pies are the real deal with the perfect ratio of thin crust to gooey cheese and generous toppings. The chicken wings, hero sandwiches and pasta creations are also solid options. With big TVs occupying nearly every inch of available wall space, you can get a good view of your game no matter your seat.
3843 Main St., Culver City, 310.559.5500; 1000 Gayley Ave., Westwood, 424.248.3145
Boneyard Bistro
This Valley “bistro” feels a bit more like a pub, although the food is plenty up to the task. From hulking $22 “OMG” burgers to all the ribs you’ll ever need, it’s a great place to catch a ballgame and decent eats in the Valley.
13539 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91423. 818.906.7427
Brack Shop Tavern
Come dressed in your best Dodger gear on game day to score a free appetizer for the table at craft cocktail haven Brack Shop Tavern. Talk about a home run. Classic cocktails, craft beers, warm people, and great food are the cornerstones. At Brack Shop Tavern, you can replace gridlock with happy hour, challenge friends to a game of Pac Man, or enjoy a night out with live music and good drinks.
525 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014. (213)232-8657