Tag: pacific palisades

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Giving Back: Your L.A. roundup of Charitable Organization

Already synonymous with the Holiday season is the urge to give back.  With November being the start of our season of giving, we present to you some of L.A’s charitable organizations to lend a helping hand to.

Rodeo Realty’s Betty Galvan Host Blood Drive

OPEN HEARTS FOUNDATION

MALIBU, CA – May 6 – Luna Simon, Willa Simon, Katie Flynn and Jane Seymour attend Open Hearts Foundation 2018 Young Hearts Spring Event on May 6th 2018 at Private Residence in Malibu, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)


Jane Seymour and daughter Katie Flynn carry on a legacy of community giving.

“If you can find a way to help somebody else, it’ll take you out of your own cycle of challenges, so you can find a purpose and impact others,” says Jane Seymour, OBE, and Emmy Award-winning actress, of her Open Hearts Foundation, a social impact accelerator providing resources and tools to nonprofits. Seymour passed along the legacy of giving to her daughter, Katie Flynn, who co-founded Young Hearts with friends Ella Freyinger and Adee Zach. An auxiliary branch of Open Hearts, Young Hearts aims to support young philanthropists.

HOLA

HOLA-Hearts of Los Angeles

Quinn Ezralow is committed to improving quality of life for all Angelenos.

Co-chair of LACMA’s Director’s Circle, third-generation Angeleno Quinn Ezralow is passionate about giving back to L.A. “I hope to improve lifestyle, health and education for anybody and everyone in the Los Angeles area,” she says of her work with a variety of charities, from the Junior League of Los Angeles to USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center to Heart of Los Angeles, the latter of which provides over 3,500 underserved youth with nurturing programs in academics, arts and athletics. HOLA is currently partnering with the Department of Recreation and Parks to build the environmentally friendly HOLA Arts and Recreation Center, where the Ezralow Family Pavilion will boast an indoor-outdoor multifunctional performance space.

EARTHECHO

Earth Echo International

Conservationists Philippe Cousteau and Ashlan Gorse Cousteau raise environmental awareness.

Grandson of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, Philippe Cousteau grew up with adventure in his bones. “My grandfather pioneered the environmental movement of the 20th century,” says Philippe. In addition to their conservation work and a forthcoming documentary on the future of Earth’s oceans, Philippe works with EarthEcho, founded in honor of his father, Philippe Cousteau Sr. The group seeks to bring youth awareness and activism to the conservation movement.

CAM

CAM-Community Academic Mentoring

CBS executive Catrice Monson is passionate about community outreach, helping others and… candy.

As senior vice president of corporate diversity and inclusion at CBS, Catrice Monson holds a critical role: helping attract a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive work environment. “It allows me to combine community outreach and my passion for working with people,” she says. That passion was instilled in Monson by her family. “Community, public service and caring for others was part of my DNA from the beginning,” she explains. Today, her nonprofit, Community Academics Mentoring emphasizes the importance of education, advocacy and outreach for the underrepresented. “My dad originally started a nonprofit called NEED, which focused on low-income housing and education,” she explains.

EIF

EIF-Entertainment Industry Foundation


New EIF CEO Nicole Sexton brings fresh ideas to a charitable Hollywood powerhouse.

Marking its 75th anniversary this year, Entertainment Industry Foundation has raised over $1 billion for health, educational and social issues by harnessing the power of celebrity to raise awareness and funds. EIF’s VP of development and corporate relations, Tracy Paul—whose company Tracy Paul & Company Inc. is a strategic alliance partner with EIF—adds, “EIF serves as a gateway to giving for the entertainment industry.” The depth and breadth of EIF’s reach means they’re behind powerhouse programs like Stand Up to Cancer, Hunger Is, and Revlon Run/Walk for Women. Their newest initiative finds the group partnering with Linkin Park on Music for Relief.

 

COURTESY OF: Modern Luxury's Angeleno Magazine
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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
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
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

 

Seinfeld Live at The Pantages

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
Smorgasburg at Santa Anita Park

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
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
Artists & Icons: Dan Guerrero

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
Malibu Half Marathon and 5k

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
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
Able Arts Work Presents: Bowie’s Piano Man

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.

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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

Mt. Hollywood Night Run

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

Two Bit Circus

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

Blacklist LA Night Run

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

Nuart Theater

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

The Moth-Open Mic series

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

The 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

Hip Cooks-Woodland Hills

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

Griffith Observatory

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

Art Walk DTLA

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

Paramount After Dark Tour

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.
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Economic update for the week ending October 27, 2018

Stocks suffer a turbulent week:

A positive GDP report showing that the economy grew at 3.5% in the third quarter, inflation was tame, and consumer spending was up, could not keep the markets from continuing to slide. This week. third quarter profits were reported that were below expectations. Those were mostly in the technology sector. Even Amazon did not hit their numbers. On the other hand, some companies like Ford and Tesla exceeded expectations. All in all, fears in the technology sector hit the NASDAQ hard. It lost 3.8% for the week and is now up just  3.8% for the year after being up 20% for the year just one month ago. The Dow and S&P also got hit hard down 3% and 3.9% respectively for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 24,688.31, down from 25,444.34 last week. It is down 0.1% year-to-date.  The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,658.69, down from 2,767.78 last week.  It’s down 0.6% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 7,167.21, down from 7,449.03 last week.  It’s up 3.8% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields lower this week:

The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week yielding 3.08%, down from 3.20% last week. The 30-year Treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.32%, down from 3.38% last week. We watch treasury bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

Mortgage rates almost unchanged this week:

The October 25, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.86%, almost unchanged from 4.85% last week. The 15-year fixed was 4.29%, slightly up from 4.26% last week. The 5-year ARM was 4.14%, up from 4.10% last week.

GDP up 3.5% in third quarter:

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the first reading of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 3.5% in the third quarter of 2018.  That beat expectations of a 3.4% rise, but was well below the 4.2% increase registered in the second quarter of 2018. The report also said that The PCE price index, a key indicator of inflation, rose at a 1.6% annual rate in the quarter. That was well below the 2.2% annual increase analysts forecasted. Consumer spending, which accounts for about two thirds of the U.S. economy, grew by 4% in the third quarter. That marked the largest increase since the fourth quarter of 2014.

September Nationwide Existing Home Sales:

Data released this week from The National Association of Realtors showed that total existing home sales fell again in September. The number of existing homes sold in September fell 3.4% from August, and are down  4.1%  from one year ago. The median price paid for a home in the U.S. was up 4.2% from last September. That marked the 79th straight month of year over increases. The unsold inventory index is at a 4.4 month supply, up slightly from a 4.2 month supply one year ago. 

September California Existing Home Sales:

The California Association of Realtors reported that existing single family home sales totaled 382,550 in September on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That was down 4.3% from August and down a staggering 12.4% from last September, when sales totaled 436,920 on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. The median price paid for a home in California was $587,850, up 4.2% from September 2017. On a more regional level, the median price increased 4.7% in Los Angeles County, 10.6% in Ventura County, and 3.3% in Orange County from one year ago. Inventory levels continued to rise after hitting historic lows in 2017. The unsold inventory index in California stood at a 4.2 month supply in September, up from a 3.3 month supply in September 2017. Inventory levels have now increased for 6 straight months and are up 20.4% from one year ago. Listings are at the highest level in 31 months. Los Angeles County has a 4.4 month supply, up from a 3.1 month supply last September. Orange County has a 4.3 month supply,  up from 3.1 months last September. Ventura County had a 6.3 month supply of homes, up from a 4.7 month supply one year ago. 

Have a great weekend!
Syd

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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

DTLA Halloween Festival

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.

More info

Vampyr + Halloween After-Party

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.

More info

Mickeys Halloween Party at Disneyland Park

Mickey’s Halloween Party

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.

More info

West Hollywood Carnaval

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!

More info

Cabaret de L’Enfer

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)!

More info

Haunt Massive

Haunt Massive at Avalon

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!

More info

 

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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:

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

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.

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

Ice cube trays or small mold
Glass jar with lid

Directions

    1. Place coconut oil and beeswax granules in a small pan over low heat. Stir until completely melted.
    2. While mixture is melting, chop orange peel into very small pieces.
    3. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and diced orange peel.
    4. Pour into ice cube trays or another small mold.
    5. 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.
    6. 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
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Your Fall Cleaning Checklist

With the seasons changing(somewhat here in L.A.), it is so essential to have your go to list for keeping you home tidy through the fall. Thats why we’ve put together a checklist of “musts” for your seasonal cleaning. Our simple room by room guide will get you through the cleaning blues and onto more important things like whether its too soon to play holiday music(it is).

The Kitchen

1279 Ozeta Terrace, Los Angeles

Here we are, in the melting pot of the home. This is your domain, your midnight snack store, your morning cup of Joe. With the Kitchen being the center of the home, its easy for it to be the least cleanly. And with fall weather comes natures elements from muddy shoes to California dust. The chilly weather also means your more likely to stay inside for your meals then venture into the brisk outdoors. Being inside more this time of year means you’ll have to be more watchful of tidying up, especially in places food come into contact with. 

Find a few minutes a day after dinner to make your kitchen cleaning a breeze. The three tasks below can be dine in no time and work seamlessly with your evening routine.

  • Clear off and wipe down counters
  • scrub sink
  • sweep floor for crumbs
They may sound obvious but those three task are the most overlooked when it comes to your kitchen space, so show your “la cuisine” some TLC.

The Bathroom

3274 Coldwater Canyon Ave. Studio City, CA

This rooms a given as being an area you want to clean regardless of the time of day or year. Your bathroom is where you refresh and rejuvenate so it should get the same treatment right? One of the things we overlook in this area is the dust buildup, especially in bathrooms that have windows. It is so easy to miss the window sill or areas around the bathroom where dust can pile on. While you there anytime of day, find a few moments to do whats suggested below.

  • Clean off counters
  • Wipe down shower walls while showering
  • wipe out sink
**An extra quick tip for when guest stop by. Put out a new hand towel after each guest and once it has been used you can use it again to wipe down the sink afterwards. Use a little of any type of soap on hand to do a quick scrub and wipe of the toilet bowl and seat and your all set!

The Living Room

603 North Sierra Drive, Beverly Hills

Fall and Winter is the best time of year to cozy up into your living room. Sitting fireside with family under warm blankets and a cup of warm tea sounds idyllic and also like a Martha Stewart Ad. The living room can also be a place where clutter can happen between couch pillows and throw blankets. Family nights can leave behind drink rims and crumbs. Stay on top of the tidiness by the following quick fixes during that commercial break!

  • Do a quick pickup
  • Spot-clean any spills (wipe away and food residue or cup marks, coasters are your best friend!)
  • Straighten pillows (use an ottoman or basket to store your coach pillows and throw)

For after after family time:

  • Wipe those distracting finger prints off with your own solution of distilled white vinegar and distilled water
  • Rid your living room of stale smells by sprinkling baking soda on upholstery with a cheese shaker. Let it sit at least 15 minutes or overnight then vacuum.

The Bedroom

1506 Sorrento Drive, Pacific Palisades

With fall comes time change and with time change comes shorter days and longer nights. As the weather changes we keep our windows open less and our heat on more leading to another area for dust buildup. Keeping your sleeping quarters tidy for when you need to unwind gets to be tideous but it doesn’t have to be. Get into the habit of doing the following:

  • Make your bed as soon as you wake, even if your running out, carving a few minutes into your morning routine to straighten up where you lay your head will be worth it when you come home to clean instead of clutter
  • Launder your sheets once a week. Dust and all other kinds of bedroom buildup can leave your sheets feeling more dingy than relaxing. Be sure to change it up weekly for a fresh feel.
  • Every coupe months rotate your mattress. Thus helps you reset as much as it helps your bed. By rotating your mattress, your allowing the cushion to be adjusted to your fit on any side so your bedtime is always blissful
  • Reduce allergens by dusting ceiling fans as often as possible. You’d find quite a fright if you turn your fan off and see how much dust can buildup there when its not tended to. Additionally while your up there, during fall and winter its wise to flip the switch and have your blades moving clockwise to better circulate heated air.

And your last few household tips are…

1041 N. Hillcrest Road, Beverly Hills

With all your other household tasks it is easy to forget about other areas of your home needing maintenance too. Whether your spending your time during the chilly season indoors or outdoors be mindful of the following:

  • Have your furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned before use
  • Change your furnace filter every month
  • Clean out the gutters after leaves fall

Happy cleaning!

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Rodeo Realty Agent Jennifer Meyers gives back

Over the weekend Rodeo Realty’s Jennifer Meyers held her jewelry launch event with a percentage of proceeds going to benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Rodeo Realty’s Jennifer Meyers

Jennifer was inspired to start the line by heirlooms from her Grandparents. Keeping that sense of family and familiarity in mind, she wanted the launch event to celebrate her heritage while honoring and supporting those impacted by Breast Cancer.

Held at the Sixty Hotel Beverly Hills, sponsors included Nate N Al’s, Aura Yoga, St. Supery Wine-Rodeo Drive, Yojisan, Sweet Beverly, Rumble Boxing, Mini Luxe, Raymond Wine, Ruinart & Beverly Hills Dental Care to name a few.

The event served as one of many examples of commitment to creativity and community that Jennifer prides herself on.

As a member of our Rodeo Realty Beverly Hills office, Jennifer Meyers uses her overall experience and knowledge to create the perfect experience for clients. She gets to know exactly what each client is looking for, and feels there is no greater satisfaction then to find the perfect home. Jennifer is very passionate in supporting numerous charities by hosting and producing various benefits all around Los Angeles, along with raising thousands of dollars. She is dedicated, sincere, and has worked with clients from all over the world!

If you are looking to buy, sell or lease, contact Jennifer Meyers!

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH HONORS SURVIVAL, DETERMINATION AND COMPASSION OF THOSE FIGHTING BREAST CANCER.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Month

VISION

A world without breast cancer.

MISSION

Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

GOAL

Reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026.

To get involved or contribute to Breast Cancer Awareness month click here. 

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