Category Archives: HOME

5 Thing To Know Before You Move In Los Angeles

April 2, 2021

Moving can be a daunting and tiring process. I did it in 2019 and it was a big big deal. The stress and anxiety that it produces can be so overwhelming that most people hate even hearing about it. However, if moving, in general, is tricky, moving in LA is a whole new level of tough. Whether you are just moving a few blocks down or changing neighborhoods completely, moving in the City of Angels is truly something else.

Read on to find out what makes LA so unique regarding moving and make your move as seamless as possible.

LA Is Crazy Expensive

Everyone knows that moving takes a significant amount of money. However, many people don’t realize how expensive moving in Los Angeles actually is. The cost depends on many things: moving supplies, hiring a moving company, the cost of fixing up your old place, and so on.

The Cost of Moving and Moving Supplies Can Wipe You

The cost of moving mainly depends on how big your current place is. Moving out of a studio apartment costs around $395+. Then the prices rise steadily depending on how many rooms your home has, and they reach $1595+ for three-bedroom houses or apartments.

You also need to think about moving supplies. You will need to buy boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, and so on. Though these expenses might seem insignificant, they will take a lot out of your budget without you even noticing.

Fixing Up Your Old Place So You Can Get Your Deposit Back!

Besides thinking about your new apartment, you also need to take care of the place you are leaving behind. That includes cleaning it, fixing anything you might have broken that was your responsibility, and so on.

You Need to Hire a Mover Which Is A Thing In Itself

According to Oz Moving who have been in the business for a long time, moving on your own in LA is close to impossible. That is especially the case if you are moving from one part of the town to the other.

In such cases, you will need a way to drive all your belongings to your new address safely. You will also need help carrying everything up the stairs and into your new place. Though it might seem like your family and friends can help you out with this, having a professional team might be a safer plan.

You Need to Clear Your Move-In Ahead of Time

It is essential that you tell your landlord when you plan to move in. Doing so will allow you to book the elevator on time, as it is usually in high demand in big buildings.

Telling the building management about your move on time is vital even if your building does not have an elevator. It will ensure you don’t move in at the same time as someone else, which would be messy.

You Need to Plan and Pack On Time

No matter how boring it might seem, making a detailed plan is essential to moving in LA without losing your mind. Before you start doing anything, you need to sit down, get a notebook, and write down everything you need to do and buy. That way, you will make sure you stay on top of everything and don’t forget anything.

The same goes for packing. You need to start well ahead of time, and you need to do it methodically. Donate anything you don’t need, organize your boxes logically, and you should be fine. Additionally, use colorful markers or post-its to make everything a bit more fun and to remember where everything is better.

You Need to Get Insurance

Moving insurance or valuation is a good thing, no matter where you are moving. However, it is a must in LA. Make sure you discuss your plan with the moving company you hire, so you know where you stand in case your belongings get damaged.

Even if you have to pay a little extra cash to get it, we recommend that you do. That way, you’ll be at peace, no matter what happens during the move.

As you have read, moving to LA indeed is special in comparison to moving in any other city. Hopefully our little guide helps you understand just how much. If you use all our suggestions and tips, moving might go from stressful and tiring to exciting and fun. Good luck, and happy moving.

Your Holiday Tree, Only This Time Have It Delivered And Keep It Forever

December 6, 2020

With a new puppy, who is legit eating everything on the floor, there was no way we could handle a real tree this season. The thought of micro-managing pine needles and wrestling them from her mouth made me even more anxious than I already am. And I’m pretty much a mess right now.

I always get my trees at Home Depot, so I mosided over to their (online) selection of artificial trees and it was love at first sight. There are some real beauties that look anything but cheesy or fake.

I was deadset on a white tree, if I was going to go fake – just really amp up the decor vibe. Alas, the kids wanted this stunner and now she’s ours.

Prelit with little warm colored lights, berried and pine cones – she is true perfection. Took all of ten minutes to get her up.

Pro tip: SAVE THE BOX for storage (but you knew this).

Here she is – but we are still pimping her out and going to break out our ornaments.

I also think this little chart is totally brilliant to make your online tree shopping as well-informed as possible.

There’s still time to fill your home with warmth and cheer during this miserable time – and there is nothing like a tree that will last forever to make this happen. Merry holidays!

Better Rhodes, The first premium AF Marketplace (That’s Alcohol Free!)

November 29, 2020

It is a truth universally acknowledged that drinks bring people together, so this holiday season why not give the gift of indulgence without a hangover?

Meet Better Rhodes, the first alcohol-free marketplace that is on a mission to highlight the exciting world of zero booze beverages. Its website features over 125 varieties of “dry” beer, wine and spirits which makes it a one-stop shop to explore, sample and enjoy alcohol-free drinks.

Alcohol Free Cocktails Through its holiday assortment of gift boxes and curated collections, Better Rhodes showcases the best of alcohol-free beverages that will have you ready for your holiday toasts, festive mocktails, not to mention something special for the ‘Nice’ people on your list.

Better Rhodes has created seasonal mocktail kits along with some curated collections that will make the 2020 holiday season your most festive and flavourful yet!  Whether you are looking for something for the mocktail fanatic or the novice, these offerings are sure to delight friends and family:

For the Ultimate Mocktail Enthusiast-Master Class Hosting.  There is a mocktail for every occasion and this kit contains everything you need to create magical mocktails. It includes 2 IPAS, 2 Ales, Ritual Whiskey, 2 Dry Soda Ginger, Nosecco Brut, Vin (zero) Merlot, Bin, Fruit, Fruit-small, 2 Mason jar glasses and some recipes so one can become a master of their own mixes.   $99.99 + shipping.

Set up a Picture-Perfect Mocktail Station with the Holiday Hosting 101 Box. A good host/hostess knows that a guest needs something to sip on – have a variety of options, mixers and AF beverages, which are a must-have on any holiday hosting checklist, that way there is something for everyone. With an Ariel Cab Sauv, an Ariel Chardonay, stemless wine glasses, fruit, 2 IPAs, 2 Ales and 2 Stouts, this gift contains all the essentials you will need to create mocktails at home.  $49.99 + shipping.

The Brunch and Bubbly Collection. Bring on the Bubbles and celebrate with friends and family with this delicious Mimosa Collection, zero alcohol and zero compromises. Make this an alcohol-free treat for a friend or for yourself. It includes a Brut Blanc, Brut Rosé, 2 mixers and recipe cards. $35.00 + shipping.

The Baby Bump Boxtail Kit.  This kit features a variety of bump-friendly beverages, mixers, snacks and accessories that have been carefully curated for maximum flavor and fun. The box is ideal for new moms or moms simply wanting to explore the exciting world of alcohol-free refreshments. It retails for $94.99 + shipping.

The Perfect Hostess Gift. Impress your hostess with a party in a bottle such as AF alternative, Hill Street Vin (Zero) Brut Rosé. Retails at $12.99 + shipping.

Lean in on the zero booze trend this holiday season and give a gift that will let one clink glasses and sip some goodness while embarking on a healthier lifestyle without cutting back on fun.  At Better Rhodes one can learn how simple it is to have a good time without alcohol, make authentic connections while sober and spread some holiday cheer! For more information on how to elevate your gift-giving and enhance one’s wellness long after the holidays, please visit BETTER RHODES!

Ecovacs: The Black Friday Must Have All Year Round

November 27, 2020

 Because Looking At Dirty Floors All Day Is No Longer An Option

Guys, my OCD is BAD. It entails not being able to work with a messy house and dirty counters and floors. Since I am home all day, you can imagine that half my day is spent….cleaning. It reminds me of high school when my best friend simply could not get high until her bedroom was immaculate. Seeing as I have two kids and now a white hair colored dog and dark dark DARK floors, all I can see is STUFF. Dirt. Hair. Stuff the dog brings in from the yard. Gum wrappers. Crap. Stuff. Crap. Dust. Dog hair. HELLPPPP.

This year, Black Friday and Cyber Monday season, that is…. I wanted to invest in something that would be life-changing (you know what I mean). Something that would enhance my efficancy. A purchase of worth and value to my TIME.

Enter ECOVACS. This thing is a beast. And you don’t need to be a clean freak or have OCD about dirty floors to lose your mind over it.

This little sassy robot is saving my life – seriously. I am no longer chasing dirt and dust and dog hair and crap….this little cutie, my son named him Bob (everything is Bob for some reason), is doing it all for me. It took a little bit of time to set up and get Bob all ready to roll, but once he got rolling, boy, was he happy to get the job done.

I also grabbed the Auto Empty Station because it ups my not cleaning at ALL for  30-plus days of by automatically emptying the T8 and T8 AIVI, holding up to one month’s worth of dirt, debris and pet hair.

So here is the deal below.  You’ll want to get your own Bob NOW….you’ve got a week of cleaning floors before he takes over ( unless you want to pay full price after that BUT WHY?)…and you can get back to what you do best. YOU. (Not being Bob).

  • Black Friday Deal: Best Buy exclusive: $449 (36% off MSRP of $699) 11/22 – 12/5

  • All-in-One Vacuuming and Mopping with Advanced Obstacle Avoidance: Removes 99.26% of bacteria from floors, detects and avoids small objects like shoes, cords and small toys to prevent the robot from getting stuck

  • Smart Laser Mapping: Creates a precise map of your floor for complete and efficient cleaning, enabling custom cleaning features like virtual boundaries, custom room/area cleaning, and multi-floor mapping

  • Auto-Empty Station: 30-plus days of hands-free cleaning by automatically emptying the T8+

  • 3 Hours Runtime:  Provides up to 3,200 sq. ft. of continuous cleaning

  • Home Automation: smart home compatible, and can be controlled via the app

The revolutionary DEEBOT T8 provides users with the ultimate cleaning experience as the first DEEBOT product to include TrueDetect technology for advanced obstacle avoidance. The DEEBOT T8 can map homes with 4X the accuracy and not miss a spot. Working alongside its OZMO™Mopping System, the DEEBOT T8 offers precise water control so users don’t over-wet floors and is smart enough to automatically avoid carpets when the mopping pad is on. The DEEBOT T8 is designed to appeal to users who don’t need the camera monitoring function of the DEEBOT T8 AIVI but demand the best cleaning experience. The DEEBOT T8 is available for $649 on ECOVACS.com, Amazon, and online at Wal-Mart and Target.

TrueDetect advanced obstacle avoidance for uninterrupted cleaning:

TrueDetect uses 3D structured light technology to detect, avoid and clean around furniture and objects like shoes, cords and small toys. It precisely scans for depth and distance to create a fast and accurate 3D image of space and objects, down to the millimeter level. Its object detection is 10X more accurate than traditional infrared technology.

 

TrueMapping precision navigation for thorough and efficient cleaning:

TrueMapping scans, maps and plans an efficient cleaning path faster and more precisely, to prevent missed or repeated areas. The laser mapping and navigation technology uses a direct time-of-flight (dToF) laser sensor for 2X greater range (up to 10m) and 4X greater accuracy, detecting objects as small as 2mm. The precise maps enable advanced custom cleaning like unlimited boundaries (keep-out areas), support for multiple floors, and cleaning by room or area.

 

OZMO™ Mopping System for the convenience of vacuuming and mopping in-one-go:

Effective all-in-one cleaning removes up to 99.26% of bacteria on floors. An electronically controlled water pump provides precise water flow control, and automatic carpet detection avoids carpets when mopping to keep them from getting wet. A full-size 240mL water tank covers over 2,000 square feet.

Up to 3 hours of runtime:

The 5200mAh lithium ion battery covers up to 3200 square feet of continuous cleaning on a single charge.

Compatible with the T8 as well as best-selling DEEBOT model, the T8 AIVI, the two new accessories round-out a truly hands-off and next-level cleaning experience. Sold separately and complete with an easy, stress-free set-up, the accessories continue ECOVACS’ commitment to make cleaning seamless.

The new OZMO Pro builds upon the OZMO Mopping System by tackling the most stubborn of stains –including dried liquids and pet prints –with results comparable to an electronic mop. The OZMO Pro takes floor cleaning further than any system to-date, with high-frequency vibration that oscillates 480 times-per-minute minute and includes a unique, super-charged mopping mode.

Two mopping patterns (quick scrubbing and deep scrubbing) and four different water release levels can also be customized to a users’ needs for a superior clean. With a large 240-millileter water tank and mop detection sensors, the OZMO Pro automatically turns mopping mode on and off to avoid over-dampening or under-wetting floors.

It also comes with easy-to-change disposable mopping cloths, so users don’t have to spend time washing cloths repeatedly. The OZMO Pro is available for $99.99 on Ecovacs.com and rolling out to other retailers soon.

In addition, the new Auto-Empty Station provides 30-plus days of hands-free cleaning by automatically emptying the T8 and T8 AIVI, holding up to one month’s worth of dirt, debris and pet hair.

With DEEBOT T8 and T8 AIVI voice alert on the ECOVACS app, users will be alerted when it’s time for a new bag. This easy upgradable feature provides DEEBOT owners with a no-stop home cleaning experience–without lifting a finger. The Auto-Empty Station is available for $249.99 on Ecovacs.com and is also rolling out to other retailers soon.

 

About ECOVACS is singularly focused on making daily lives easier and more efficient with intelligent and connected home service robotics. With a deep, 22-year history in smart home development and 100% ownership of its R&D and manufacturing, thecompany leads the market in patents and innovative product development in home service robotics. ECOVACS first premiered in the U.S. with its DEEBOT robotic vacuum cleaners, today a top 3 market leader, along with its WINBOT robotic window cleaner. For more information, please visit: http://www.ecovacs.com.

Get To Know Fernish: This LA Company Has Saved Over 1m lbs. of Furniture From Landfills

November 25, 2020

I feel in deep love with Fernish when I needed to dress a set for a new series I was producing over at my beloved The Chalkboard Mag. It’s the most incredible company where you can rent, for ridiculously affordable fees, furniture for you home, office, etc. The people are lovely to work with. The furniture is all chic, modern and gorgeous and it’s a brilliant biz model.

Fernish, which was recently named #8 for Inc.’s Regionals Pacific 2022 and #250 for Inc. 5000 2022, is the rental furniture subscription service on a mission to make it as effortless as possible to create your home. In bite sized monthly payments, customers are able to rent single pieces of decor to full room designs from brands like CB2, Crate & Barrel, and Fernish’s personal line.

With it being the prime of Secondhand September, some green friendly stats on the company include:

  • In 2021, the company saved 268 tons of furniture from landfills.
  • 184,000 feet of hard goods were refurbished by Fernish in 2021.
  • If stacked end-to-end, the furniture Fernish saved in 2021 was 7.7 miles high.
  • To-date, Fernish has saved over 1 million pounds of furniture from landfills.

Fernish, launched in 2018, is a premium direct-to-consumer furniture and decor rental service on a mission to make it effortless to create your home. Through its designer-curated selections, Fernish lets customers choose single pieces or full-room furnishings for however long they want them, with bite-sized monthly prices and convenient rent-to-own, swap out, and immediate buy options.

With today’s consumers moving more often and “settling down” later in life, Fernish is reducing the stress, time, carbon footprint, and expenses that it takes to create a home. The company, which is ranked #250 for Inc. 5000 2022 and #8 for Inc.’s Regionals Pacific 2022, is currently available in Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, Orange County, CA, San Diego, Seattle, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin.

  • In 2021, the company saved 268 tons of furniture from landfills.
  • 184,000 feet of hard goods were refurbished by Fernish in 2021.
  • If stacked end-to-end, the furniture Fernish saved in 2021 was 7.7 miles high.
  • To-date, Fernish has saved over 1 million pounds of furniture from landfills.

That’s what I call a real Thanksgiving.

Fernish, launched in 2018, is a premium direct-to-consumer furniture and decor rental service on a mission to make it effortless to create your home. Through its designer-curated selections, Fernish lets customers choose single pieces or full-room furnishings for however long they want them, with bite-sized monthly prices and convenient rent-to-own, swap out, and immediate buy options.

With today’s consumers moving more often and “settling down” later in life, Fernish is reducing the stress, time, carbon footprint, and expenses that it takes to create a home. The company, which is ranked #250 for Inc. 5000 2022 and #8 for Inc.’s Regionals Pacific 2022, is currently available in Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, Orange County, CA, San Diego, Seattle, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin.