Halloween at Home...
Halloween at Home...
When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, how chic you'll be this Halloween!
Here are a few decor and food ideas that will leave your guests screaming for more.
Happy Haunting!
Instantly give your cocktails an eerie effect with this take on spooky spirits from
These white chocolate pretzel bones are always a hit...
What you'll need...
- 80 Mini Marshmallows
- 40 Pretzel Sticks
- 16 oz White Candy Melting Chips or Tray
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Push a mini marshmallow on each end of a pretzel stick.
- Melt white candy by heating in microwave for 45 seconds, stirring and repeating until melted and smooth.
- Using a fork, dip in white chocolate to coat completely shaking off excess and placing on prepared sheet.
- Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes to set up.
- You can optionally use a sharp knife to trim off excess chocolate than ran off.
- Heat chocolate for another 30 seconds and stir.
- Dip each bone again (shaking off excess) and return to tray.
- Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes to set up.
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And for a few decorative touches...
Wishing you a safe and fun-filled Halloween!
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Melanie Hane
310 528 5164
mmhane@gmail.com
September Newsletter
The Benefits of Oceanfront Living
California boasts some of the most beautiful oceanfront properties in the world, from picture-perfect Orange County beaches like Laguna and Newport, to the awe-inspiring South Bay, up to celebrity-clad Malibu. Whether you are looking for relaxation, surfing, swimming, or anything in between, there is a picturesque beach in California calling your name.
Besides beautiful views and an abundance of outdoor activities, nationally, properties with views of the ocean are worth more than double that of comparable non-oceanfront homes. Oceanfront properties retain their value more than homes situated inland, as they're simply more desirable to a greater pool of buyers. With this demand constantly increasing, and the supply constrained by geography, investing in an oceanfront property is an especially sound decision.
Owning an oceanfront property comes with several renowned perks and other lesser know benefits. Having a home with ocean views is not only beautiful and a terrific investment, but it has also been linked to enhanced well-being. Oceanfront environments are natural stress relievers -- they increase feelings of tranquility and serenity. For instance, the constant sound of waves crashing into the shore promotes a state of deep relaxation... Imagine having this outside your window every night as you go to sleep. Just thinking about it makes me feel at ease!
Research has also shown this correlation, year after year, between living closer to the coast and having greater feelings of happiness. That is, the closer you live to the coast, the healthier you might be. One explanation is easy accessibility to exercise, recreation and overall physical activity. Yet even if you are not spending your time on such activities, the sea breeze helps balance levels of serotonin in your brain, which boosts your mood while reducing stress! The ocean also contains healing minerals that assist in pulling toxins from your body -- this helps to heal wounds quicker while alleviating pain. Our brains also interpret the calming ocean water sounds as non-threatening, which helps us to sleep.
Now the only question is, which Southern California beach is the right fit for you?
Image via My Domaine.
