April 7th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Do you know that the guy who played R2-D2 in six “Star Wars” films has his footprints in cement outside the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood? Of course you do. That’s why you’re attending Star Wars Celebration, “the ultimate fan experience focused on a galaxy far, far away…” Dozens of actors, writers, producers, crew, and behind-the-scenes Lucasfilm types will be on hand for four days of panels, screenings, autograph sessions, costume-strutting, pin trading and…well, you know all the rest that goes on at this out-of-this-world event just a meteorite’s throw from the happiest place on this earth.
Where:
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802
When:
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April 6th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
The Orange County California Wine Festival, voted one of the top 10 best in the U.S., offers wine, food, music, sea, and sun. Enjoy California’s best wineries and their hundreds of vintage reds and whites, complemented by the sunny seaside setting. You’ll also find dozens of the region’s top chefs and specialty food purveyors, who will be serving up gourmet appetizers and more. Friday will feature a “Sunset Reserve and Rare Wine Tasting Experience,” and Saturday will feature the Beachside Wine Festival. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches.
When and where:
April 17, 6:30-9 p.m.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott- VUE Lawn
25135 Park Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
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April 3rd, 2015 at 9:00 am
Thanks to the hundreds of miles of coasts and dozens of inlets, channels, and harbors, Orange County has an environment perfectly suited for one of the most romantic experiences in the world: gondola riding. All year round, lovers and friends board authentic vessels piloted by dedicated gondoliers to enjoy each other’s company, take in the sights and sounds of the sea, and experience some Old World charm right in the middle of Orange County.
Newport Beach and Huntington Beach serve as Orange County’s primary gondola ports, as their natural features and stunning scenery combine to create a truly romantic and relaxing experience. Some of the favorite operators include:
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April 2nd, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Home designs are capitalizing on the popularity of in-home suites. Commonly referred to as in-law suites, this home addition is now being occupied by more than one demographic. Most traditionally, an in-law suite was a place for older generations to occupy and be close to family and loved ones. However, now grandparents, boomerang kids, caretakers, and even dual-career homebuyers are seeing the potential that can come with having a segregated living space. According to a 2013 NAR study of buyers, an in-law suite was one of the rooms that buyers were willing to pay the most for, with 20 percent of buyers saying they would be willing to pay a median of $2,920 more.
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April 2nd, 2015 at 11:00 am
When you think ski chalet, it’s likely that sleek and modern is not the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, a more rustic, sloped-roof homemade of raw woods and stone is a more common image. All that may be changing now that Apple Store architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has been commissioned to design an upscale ski community. The new collection of homes, The Stellar Collection, is part of the luxury Mountainside Northstar Lake Tahoe brand.
The firm was asked to think outside the box. The developer did not want a traditional ski chalet, but rather something new and modern. Drawing inspiration from modern Alpine buildings around Europe, BCJ came up with a fresh new design. These homes not only look different on the outside–featuring large windows, simplistic design, and void of embellishments–but the inside is also different. Interiors still feature natural materials, but not in the traditional sense. The home is warm and inviting. Light floods the home and there’s a clean and airy feeling inside. The renderings of both the interior and exterior give off a more urban feel than your traditional skiing community.
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