Black Friday

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Thanksgiving is exciting sure but many people are gearing up and training for the holiday that comes right afterwards: Black Friday. People get serious about their Christmas shopping. But that can be stressful! Waking up early, rushing around and dealing with the crowds is not much fun. If you are more of a laid back individual, consider these alternatives instead.

First things first, sleep in! Everyone else will be up before the sun trying to catch sales and deals. You can be cozy and warm in your comfy bed. Stay home and enjoy those extra hours of sleep. When you finally decide to roll out of bed, head to the state of the art fitness center to get a little early workout in. You’ll feel exhilarated and ready for your day afterwards. Relax in the clubhouse and socialize with the other non-shoppers before starting your day.

Instead of shopping big, why not keep it small? Small Business Saturday puts small local businesses first. Smaller businesses tend to get overlooked during big shopping times like Black Friday in favor of small, local businesses. While you’re shopping small, don’t forget to eat small also! Small, local restaurants need your love too!

It’s no secret that a lot of movies come out during the holiday season, particularly around Thanksgiving. This year on Thanksgiving, Pixar’s the Good Dinosaur will be premiering in theaters. Explore Mount Everest without leaving California by seeing Everest. Watching a movie is a great way to destress after the holiday and recuperate from all the food you ate. Edwards Corona Crossings is only a 3 minute drive or a 15 minute walk, so you don’t have to travel very far to unwind in a movie. Check out their movie times here.


Black Friday shopping is certainly not for everyone. Others would prefer to take it easy and stay away from the crowds scrambling for the best deals. How do you like to spend your Black Friday: shopping or relaxing?

SoCal Fall Road Trips

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Just because it’s fall and the weather has chilled a little bit, that doesn’t mean you can’t have yourself a little mini vacation. Living in California means we’re blessed with pretty great weather all year round which means that the weather doesn’t restrict us in the winter as much as it would in other parts of the country. (We’re looking at you, New England.) This Sunday is Take A Ride Day so hop in the car, buckle up and head on out.

The Marine Mammal Center’s goal is to expand our knowledge of marine creatures and other sea life as well as to inspire conservation of their habitats. The Marine Mammal Center focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and then eventual release back into the wild of multiple kinds of oceanic wildlife. Located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, they are open to tours from the center. Admission is free so if you stop by, you’re free to explore the facilities on your own. For a fee, you can be led through the facilities by a docent who will impart on you knowledge gained through their time at the Marine Mammal Center. They will show you exhibits and other sights that you might not notice on your own. The Marine Mammal Center is about an hour away from our home at Montecito at Dos Lagos.

Your trip to Catalina Island will take a little more than just a car ride, since the island is 22 miles off the coast of California. The beautiful 22 mile long, 8 mile wide island is full of history and tons of attractions. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Newport Beach from Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments and then an extra hour to travel via high speed catamaran to Catalina. Explore the diverse wildlife or take it indoors to the casino for a little bit of gambling. 12 miles outside of Avalon, you’ll find El Rancho Escondido, the hidden Arabian horse ranch. If you’re interested in the history of the island, you can check out the Catalina Island Museum to see over 60 years of cultural heritage collected by the museum. Take in over 7,000 years worth of Catalina Island history. You won’t regret taking to trip to Catalina Island for the weekend. Luckily we’re so nearby to the beautiful island.


Just because the fall season is here, that doesn’t mean we have to give up on vacations. California weather is kind to us and allows for summer activities all year round. What’s your go-to road trip in Southern Cali? Let us know on our Facebook and Twitter.

National Diabetes Month Events

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There are over 29 million Americans living with diabetes and over 8 million of those cases are undiagnosed. Those living with the disease require treatments and care which requires funding. The American Diabetes Association is tirelessly searching for a cure to relieve the 29 million Americans coping with the disease daily. There are a ton of ways to donate and help raise money for the cause. Here’s how you can help out.

Since November is National Diabetes Month, the events are rolling in. November 21st is the annual Step Out event in Riverside, CA. While Fairmount Park is a bit of a drive at 40 minutes, you won’t regret the trip for such a good cause. Step Out is the ADA’s signature event. Over the last 20 years, since the event’s inception, more than $200,000,000 has been raised. This year’s goal is $250,000 so they need all the help they can get! The walk is a 5K (3.1 miles) but there are turnaround points if you’d prefer not to walk the whole course.

When registering for the race, if you are an adult or have a child who suffers from type 1, 2 or gestational diabetes, make sure to mark the Red Strider option. Red Striders are the reason for the event and therefore deserve recognition. On race day, they will receive a special gift to commemorate the walk as well as a personal web page to tell their story and raise funds.

If you are an individual who is interested in supporting the cause but are unable to make it on race day, you can register as a virtual walker! You can donate your money to the cause but you can enjoy the day from the comfort of your home.

While many people are aware of diabetes existing, many don’t know have the knowledge that could prevent the disease. Making the right choices can head the disease off before it gets the chance to begin. For more information and to donate to the cause head to the American Diabetes Association’s website.

Stress Awareness Day: Managing Stress in a Healthy Way

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You’ve most likely known some form of stress your entire life. Whether it be tough tests in elementary school, relationships in high school, balancing school and a job in college or paying bills as an adult, stress comes in every shape and size and unfortunately, there’s enough to go around for everyone. Today, November 4th, is Stress Awareness Day, which aims to identify any stress in your life and find healthy outlets for it. There are so many outlets for you to get the stress out and relax.

Starting off with the heavy artillery might be the best way to go. Glen Ivy Hot Springs will have you loose and relaxed after just one session. Only 10 minutes away from Montecito at Dos Lagos, you won’t even have to stress out about the drive. Their traditional approach reduces stress while increasing circulation and promoting general well being. If you don’t want to go alone, you can get a couple’s massage to enjoy it with a loved one. For extra relaxation, Glen Ivy offers massages outside under the oak trees. We guarantee you’ll emerge from Glen Ivy Hot Springs a brand new person after your treatments!

Keeping it simple, sometimes all you need is a little fresh air to clear your mind and ease your troubles. Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park is just what you need to chase your stress away. Spend a weekend away from the world surrounded by forests and wildlife. Campsites are available if you’re looking to stay the week or the weekend. Soaking in the fresh air and sunshine while becoming one with nature might be just what you need to destress. Take a ranger guided nature walk to learn more about the local flora and fauna. With 8,000 protected acres to roam, you’ll definitely lose your troubles along the way. This trip will take you a little farther away from home with a 40 minute drive but every mile will put more distance between you and your troubles.

One of the best things to do for yourself when you’re feeling stressed and run down is to engage in some physical activity. The Yoga Den will show you how it’s done. Yoga is a natural way to improve your health and mental state through breathing practices and stretching. In addition to yoga, they also provide meditation courses to turn your focus inward and work the stress out of your mind from the inside out. If you’re just looking for a single class, they run $16 per class for either meditation or yoga. For a test run of two weeks with unlimited classes is just $25. The private classes and events add a little something extra. Their retreats and specialized classes will leave you feeling relaxed and calm. Luckily the Yoga Den is only 10 minutes away from our home at Montecito at Dos Lagos.