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The beach city of Santa Monica is known for its iconic pier and beaches, but it is also renowned as home to many of the finest and trendiest restaurants around Los Angeles.  Here are some of the favorites for locals and visitors alike, to suit every taste.

Welcome to Italy on the Westside

Locanda del Lago on the 3^rd Street Promenade does Italian right, with extraordinary service with a welcoming family vibe.  The rustic Italian menu and ambience is inspired by the cuisine and culture of Bellagio, an idyllic village in northern Italy known as “the pearl of Lake Como,” where owner West Hooker-Poletti was raised.

The authenticity of the dishes can be attributed to the imaginings of Executive Chef Daniele Turchette, a native of Porpetto, Italy, who began honing his passion for fine food when he helped to cultivate wild mushrooms with his grandmother as a boy.  Later he would bring his love for organic, sustainable foods to top restaurants in New York, including Blasut Restaurant, Hostaria Mazzei and Café Fiorello, and to Bond45 in Washington DC. Among his specialties are his home-made sausage and Burrata and creative, delicious seasonal dishes.

Besides the warm familial treatment of patrons, the restaurant is also famed for its “Bite of the Beast” whole-animal five-course communal dinners held the last Thursday of every month.

Crustacean your way

The Lobster restaurant at Santa Monica Pier is an icon of the city, with a history dating back to the 1920s, in which the famed eatery has gone through many iterations to become the fine dining establishment it is today.  The Lobster owes to its lasting success to its legacy of passionate owners and visionaries who wanted to create a dining experience equal to the status of one of the region’s most recognizable symbols of California life, simply known by locals as “The Pier.”

As the name implies, the restaurant is known for its shell food dishes, such as Crab Cakes Benedict with Schaner’s Poached Eggs, Windrose Farm Smoked Chili Hollandaise, Arugula, Dried Tomatoes & Fennel Salad for brunch and Crab Taquitos with Avocado Puree, Pico de Gallo & Wild Arugula for happy hour. For those who enjoy their seafood more traditionally prepared, The Lobster serves up favorite standards like The Lobster’s Steamed Alaskan Golden King Crab with Lemon & Drawn Butter and Chilled Dungeness Crab with Lemon and Sweet Mustard.

As expected with a five-star fine dining establishment, the service is always superb, and with the location at the corner of Ocean Avenue and the Pier in Santa Monica, the views overlooking the beach are spectacular and unmatched for sunsets, and of course people watching.

A range of Argentinean

You may know of Malbec as the rich, dark and juicy grape used to make red wine, which was the inspiration for Malbec Cuisine on Whilshire, formerly Ushuaia Steakhouse, which was renamed to put less emphasis on the hearty Argentinian steaks, which are still a mainstay of the menu, which also features many vegetarian offerings. The Argentinian flavor of the restaurant extends form the menu to its atmosphere and wait staff, from the Argentinian management and servers down to the swarthy bearded bartender who looks like he might have just ridden in on horseback from the Pampas.

Some of the stand out dishes include Almejas Y Mejillones Provenzal, a dish of clams and mussels with butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and white wine; Salmon A La Parrilla, a grilled natural Scottish Salmon, salsa mia, Spanish rice, and sautéed vegetables; and for meat lovers the Lomo Con Compota, a grass-fed prime beef tenderloin, bacon, oyster mushrooms and gorgonzola compote, with roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach. Of course, they also serve many Malbec wines.  A great finisher is the light and satisfying Mousse De Chocolate.

Down the rabbit hole for brunch

For an adventurous brunch, wander over to CAST at the Viceroy Santa Monica on Ocean Avenue.  While the venue is known for its swanky lounge and nightlife with a DJ spinning poolside, its extraordinary brunch is worth waking up for, every Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 2 pm.

The clusters of oversized white leather wing-back chairs and three-dimensional checkered patterned tables on the patio and the artwork of china dishes stuck to the walls might have you thinking you have dropped into a scene from Alice in Wonderland, and indeed this is a fantasy brunch. Chef Tony DiSalvo serves up his creative favorites, including quinoa and eggs, buttermilk and brown butter pancakes and house smoked Alaskan salmon, along with classic omelets, eggs benedict, and Chilaquiles Verdes and breakfast tacos, all which can be enjoyed with a glass, or a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.  If breakfast food is not your fancy, then you can indulge market oysters, served on the half shell with mignonette, cocktail sauce and ponzu, Dungeness crab salad “Rolls”, or mini dry aged burgers. This is a popular brunch, so reservations are advised.

All aboard for happy hour and more

In the bustle of downtown Santa Monica, the Independence offers a bay window view onto Broadway for people watching, along with an eclectic menu of surf and turf entrees from Chef Tom Block.  While you might think the restaurant takes its name from its inventive fare, its namesake is actually a nod to the steam-powered Los Angeles and Independence Railroad that once carried Angelenos from 5th and San Pedro St. downtown to the Santa Monica Pier from 1875-77. Now diners come from across the city by any means to grab a seat in thei brigh airy space for this restaurant’s popular extended happy hour, 12 noon to 6 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, as well as their diverse dinner offerings and weekend brunch.

Specialties include shellfish stew with clams, mussels, chili, tomato and lime; chicken wings with salsa verde; roasted mushrooms with 62 degree egg and yuzu kosho hollandaise; and dry aged rib eye with wild mushrooms, bordelaise sauce and celtuce.

One of the city’s most famed mixologists, Vincenzo Marianella, stirls up concoctions that pay homage to the train’s original stops, such as LA Speedway, a blend of gin, dry fino sherry, marsala, and orange bitters; or the light and refreshing Laurel Canyon, made with gin, lime, honey ginger, and organic egg white. Some of the savory snacks include $2 smoked onion soup shooters, $4 hanger steak skewer with chimichurri, and $3 Cincinnati chili sliders. The eatery also touts a super burger with a splash of French onion soup onions, gruyere, herb aioli, and onion bun.

California cuisine reinvented

It’s not just because we were sitting next to Shirley MacLaine during my last visit to Michael’s that I love this restaurant. This mainstay establishment of 37 years in Santa Monica along 3^rd street has seen many changes, but has always managed to keep its edge as one of the city’s finest dining experiences. Currently, 28-year-old Chef Miles Thompson, whom foodie critics have unanimously put at the top of LA’s top 10 chefs list, is heading up the kitchen.  Founder Michael McCarty is credited as a pioneer in California Cuisine, and Thompson continues that trailblazing tradition with what he calls “high definition” food.

The one-page menu of entrees features the simple categories of bread, raw, small and large plates and dessert. While there might not be an expansive selection, the excellence of the food proves it is better to do one (or a few) things well.  Besides expected the raw offering of oysters, there’s smoked trout roe with burrata, chow chow and picked black mustard.  Small plates include pork cheese sandwiches with Brazilian cheese bread, plum jam and cornichon; and blistered baby broccholi of braised pig ears, spicy peanuts and soft egg Milanese. Large dishes include black cod on lemongrass rice, scored little gems and jaew; and duck breast with huckleberry-juniper pickle, water spinach and delicate squash. As Thompson reboots the restaurant, the menu is sure to change up with even more imaginative fare.

Besides its fabulous menu, Michael’s is famed for one of the city’s most beautiful garden patio dining areas and exhibits a collection of magnificent art on their walls including works by David Hockney, Robert Graham, Frank Stella, Jasper Johns and Dennis Hopper.

For anyone who loves snow sports but dreads hauling equipment to the slopes, Northstar Resort on Lake Tahoe’s California side has thankfully perfected the concept of the ski-in-ski-out resort.

Beginners Luck

The Village at Northstar has just about everything a family needs on a ski vacation, from shops like North Face and Burton to family friendly restaurants like Rubicon Pizza Company, and of course Starbucks. Kids can enjoy complimentary s’mores every afternoon around 3:30 at the resort’s many fire pits around the Village, and play on a huge mound of snow in the middle of the Village, located near Ambassador Toys, seller of snowball makers and launchers. Crafty kids can make ceramic souvenirs at the Village Pottery shop, or they can fill a bag of candy at the Euro Sweet shop.

Snowboard learners at Northstar can attend the world’s only Burton Academy, branded by the famed snowboard and apparel line and featuring a Burton-certified faculty. The resort also has an XS terrain park, designed for learners, and for the more experienced riders, there’s an awesome half pipe. The Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center boasts about 200 instructors and offers a variety of lessons: private, group, kids, adult, beginner to expert, snowshoe and Nordic, and even 4Her sessions with four women learners and a female coach.

Well Equipped

The Northstar demo shop offers a service that delivers ski and snowboard gear to your accommodations where specialists make sure you are correctly fitted. The service then has the equipment waiting at their shop at the base of the mountain, and they will even carry gear out to the edge of the slope for you. For those who rent the old-school route, Northstar provides free shuttles to the lifts from resort rental facilities.

Snow Days

If the kids don’t ski, the resort has other options, such as Minors’ Camp for ages 3 to 6 which will entertain little ones with crafts and activities. At 3 pm the Village offers free ice skating, with skate rentals available. There is also tubing at mid mountain for $35 per hour.

Lounge Around

The Summit Deck and Grill at the top of Mt. Pluto and The Zephyr Lodge at mid mountain sport spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The lodges all serve typical self-service lunch including hamburgers and chili, along with some surprises like Asian fusion noodle dishes.

The finest dining in the Village is at Manzanita at the Ritz-Carlton at mid mountain. Besides dinner and lunch, they serve a hearty brunch that includes pancakes, French toast, and stick-to-your-ribs favorites like chipped beef gravy, as well as trays of cured meats.

Stay a While

Hotels, private homes, townhomes and studio condos can be leased online, such as the residences at One Village Place at the Village at Northstar. These luxury condos offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units designed for the vacationing family. Amenities include a gourmet kitchen, washer and dryer, bunk beds for kids, walkout balconies, a gas fireplace in a large living room for lounging après ski.

Winning Tickets

Lift tickets can be purchased and reloaded online to save the hassle of waiting in line at the cashier window. Lift tickets from Northstar can also be used at Northstar’s sister resorts Heavenly and Kirkwood. Online prices are around $102 for a one-day pass for adults and $61 for kids, although there are many group deals and multi-day discounts.

Down and Out

Northstar is a well-oiled machine when it comes to keeping the masses moving with 20 ski lifts. Northstar’s season goes from mid-November to mid-April. Northstar usually has plenty of snow thanks to their snowmaking system, the largest in North Tahoe, covering 70 open trails of the resort’s 97 runs, along with seven terrain parks,. For ski conditions and more information, go to http://www.northstarcalifornia.com/

Planning a trip to Disneyland or Disneyworld?  Disney resorts are known as the happiest places on earth, but it can turn into the most miserable place on earth if you do not plan your trip properly.  Make the most of your family’s Disney vacation with these tips to de-stress your visit and maximize your time at the resort.

Take Two, or More

It’s not just because Disney wants to sell more tickets that they tell you that you need at least two days at the park. While not every family can afford a week-long Disney vacation, at least two days is needed to experience even a short list of main attractions. If visiting Disneyland, park hopper tickets which allows visitors admission to both California Adventure and Disneyland resort over two days is the best deal. Look for online deals for discounted tickets at local grocery stores.

It’s all About the Date

Choose your dates optimally with a crowd predicting site, like IsItPacked, to avoid the busiest days. You can also get a DVD with tips customized for your family’s visit and a personalized planning web page at disneylandvacations.com/parks.  Another great resource is The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, with tips on how to beat the longest lines and maximize your time at the park.

Pick Your Attractions

In advance of your trip go online and make it a fun family activity to pick out each family member’s number one attraction for each day. Do not set yourself up for failure and disappointment by planning too much. Plan on three major rides, defined by those that offer FASTPASSES, per day. Then choose a few second-tier attractions.  Check height requirements beforehand so there are no meltdowns after standing 45 minutes or longer in the line, only to find out your kid is too short to ride.

Get Fast Passes

Take advantage of FASTPASS tickets that give you a return time so you can come back and wait in shorter lines for major attractions.  For efficiency sake, give all of your admission passes to a designated person in your party so that person can go get FASTPASSES for the next ride on your short list while the rest of the party waits in line for another attraction nearby.  Remember you can only get one FASTPASS at a time, so choose wisely.

Take Breaks

Take a Break

Don’t forget to build in lunch time and down time and nap time if you have little ones. Missed meals and grumpy kids can quickly turn the Magic Kingdom into the Haunted Mansion. While officially outside food is not allowed in the park usually the gate attendants look the other way when it comes to a small stash of Goldfish crackers and granola bars. Even a juice pouch or two will be overlooked so long as you do not bring any glass into the park. For tired little ones, consider taking in a show or a parade where kids get a break from walking and standing.

Make a Budget

Decide how much money you and the kids are going to spend and then stick to it. Be realistic. Meals snacks souvenirs and games are expensive at any theme park. Budget for at least $15 per meal per child and $20 for adults. For families on a tight budget a good rule is to tell kids that besides lunch and dinner they get one snack, and one game and one souvenir per day. Set limits, like $20 per souvenir, so they don’t beg for the biggest stuffed character in the Disney store. Help kids set their own limits by loading the funds onto a Disney gift card that they can spend anywhere in the park or at Disney stores.

Chose a Leader

The more people in your party the harder it will be to decide what to do next.  As much as possible have a roadmap of attractions you will visit and in what order, but for those debates that come up, assign a designated tie-breaker, or give each kid a turn to be leader.

Stay Close

The family that sticks together…can get on each other’s nerves, so keep this in mind when booking accommodations.  Resist the urge to save money and pile everyone in one room.  Check out affordable hotels that are a short drive or shuttle ride from the park.  Many affordable budget hotels offer spacious suites with sofa sleepers in an adjoining sitting room so that parents and kids can spread out, watch their own TVs and have some apart time. Hotels like Embassy Suites also offers a buffet breakfast to get the kids out quickly in the morning and a shuttle service leaving every 30 minutes, which is a far better option than navigating and traversing the morass of parking lots at the park.  Another advantage to a close by accommodations is the option of a mid-day break at the hotel, where everyone rest and rejuvenate to get a second wind for fireworks and other night time attractions.

Stay in the Moment

Don’t forget you are at Disney park to have fun, not accomplish a mission. Enjoy the time with your family, even while waiting in line. Turn waiting time into an opportunity to nibble snacks, play games, relive the attractions you just experienced, talk to your kids about the fun you are having and know that every moment you are at Disney counts as family time.

After a sleepless night in a chilly tent camping out with my son’s Cub Scout pack, I awoke with a sore throat.  In preparation for cold season, I was prepared.  I had armed my medicine cabinet with something news this year, Nature’s Jeannie All Natural Throat Care Spray.  My hope was that this elixir would be a good alternative to Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray, which I have used for many years.

As the Nature’s Jeannie is all natural ingredients and intended for kids age 3 and up, I anticipated it being better and safer not only for my son if he got sick buyt myself as well.  The spray  contains nine natural healing ingredients to treat sore, itchy, scratchy, irritated throats. One primary ingredient is apple cider vinegar, which is currently en vouge in the natural health community, touted for health benefits ranging from weight loss to diabetes prevention.

I expected the throat spray to be similar to the other chemical numbing sprays I have used in the past, and so I was got a big surprise when I flushed my tonsils with the Yumberry flavor and immediately felt a sharp stinging sensation. I attempted to follow the instructions which said to let it sit in the throat for 20 seconds, but wimp that I am. I lasted about five seconds before I had to spit, partly due to the intense tingling and partly due to the sharp flavor.

The directions also said to repeat it this procedure up to five times per day as necessary, preferably after meals and before going to sleep. I thought I might get used to the flavor and sensation, and I tried again a few hours later, and again could not make it to 20 seconds.

The flavor reminded me a lot of the numbing agent that dentists apply with a Q-tip right before they give you a shot of Novacaine in the gum. The spray had a little of the same effect of numbing, but it was not as long lasting as Chloraseptic and similar sprays I have used in the past.

I gave a closer read of the ingredients, and it was obvious why I felt the stinging sensation when this formula hit my raw tonsils. It contains Himalayan salt, and cayenne pepper, among other purported healing ingredients, such as buckwheat honey, licorice root, cloves, origanum vulgare, cherry extract, and the aforementioned apple cider vinegar.

It seems these are all great ingredients used for anti-inflammatory, germ-fighting, irritation-soothing and antioxidant properties. The Yumberry also has a soothing effect and adds a berry-like pleasing flavor, especially appealing to children. While all of these ingredients seem fantastic on paper, when they hit my throat, any beneficial effect they might have had was offset by my immediate reaction because of the stinging and pungent taste and my instinct to quickly spit it out.

The same company that makes the throat spray also makes Gargle Away, an “advanced throat care” product to soothe sore throats, which contains seven natural healing ingredients, many of which are the same ingredients as in the spray. Once again, when I introduced to this product to my sore throat, the immediate effect was a stinging and burning sensation. The only time I can recall a similar feeling is when I eat food seasoned with Old Bay spice. I thought it ironic that my mouth and lips feeling like they were on fire did indeed distract me from the pain in my throat!

Despite my initial reaction to these products, I’m going to keep trying it for the duration of my sore throat, because while the sensations are very unexpected from a product made to treat a sensitive, irritated throat, it might just be the course of treatment my throat needs to kill the germs and help speed up my recovery and healing.

For anyone looking for a product that is different than all the others, and that does not contain a list of unpronounceable ingredients, this may be a good alternative. If nothing else, it is nothing like anything else you have tried before, and since nothing else I am aware of has ever cured a cold or done anything but temporarily relieve symptoms anyway, this certainly can’t hurt, well maybe for a few seconds it will.

A note from Nature’s Jeannie:  

Thanks for giving Gargle Away a try (sorry about the sore throat, of course!), but remember, this is an all-natural remedy, so the sensation you’re describing isn’t due to toxic chemicals — our ingredients (*specifically, the oregano and cayenne) are reducing bacteria and loosening mucus. They’re doing the job!

Certainly, our fans have described the “kick” you experienced — but many, many Gargle Away users rave about its effectiveness. Professional singers, announcers, voice actors, and just plain folks have found Gargle Away a terrific alternative to other throat care products made with alcohol and chemicals.

(We’re also confident our new Throat Spray for Children also will win over many parents who find it works as advertised: to relieve inflammation and mucus, and reduce the bacteria that causes sore throats.)

We suggest you continue treatment by giving that sore throat the treatment — with Gargle Away!

No matter what the calendar says, it’s still hotter than August outside.  Until the thermometer gets the word that Autumn is on the way, drink up, stock up and gear up to beat the heat with these Indian summer essentials.

Nothing’s cooler than a well-dressed pool

Dress up your pool with fashionable floaties that will be a conversation piece at your next pool party.  Airhead, the trendsetters in floats and watersports products, features a stylish new line of brightly colored SunComfort products made from soft-to-the-touch EcoCell foam, a durable material that does not require inflation. The line includes the SunComfort Lounge ($109), a tri-fold lounger that is just as comfortable on land as on water and folds to store easily; the SunComfort Saddle ($29.99) that immerses its rider in the water and features a convenient carry handle; and the SunComfort Noodle, a noodle in a fun flat design, perfect for wrapping around the body to hang out in the water.

Ice bites

Ditch the popsicle stick for LifeIce bite-sized frozen cubes of coconut water and agave along with all-natural fruit flavors that kids and grownups alike will love, alone or plopped into a drink.  The treats come in a ready-to-freeze tray with perfectly portioned squares of yummy flavors like Berry Bite and Green Grind, great for those times when you just want a little sweet treat. $6 for two trays of 48 cubettes.

Bug off

Don’t let pesky insects ruin your evening out on the patio.  Kite Shield natural. Chemical-free mosquito repellent spray is DEET-free with botanical actives that won’t harm people or the planet.  The non-oily formula is pleasant smelling and lasts for up to four hours. A 100ml bottle runs for $20 (including shipping) for a 100ml bottle, available at bit.ly/KiteShieldIndie.

Mix it up

You won’t have to work up a sweat to mix up a frozen tropical island drink with a refreshing frozen drink with the Velocity Ultra Trio Bender ($149) from Cuisinart.  The workhorse blender does it all for you.  The blender’s smart power and sophisticated electronics minces delicate herbs, whips up smoothies, and even chops ice to a fine powder.  Blend your smoothies right in the two travel cups, put on the lids, and enjoy healthy breakfast on the go.

Ice cream that’s anything but plain vanilla

Your staycation just got better with Choctal, the ice cream made with exotic flavors that will take your taste buds on a world tour.  Experience cacao and vanilla from rainforests all over the world with a multipack of flavors from the Choctál Single-Origin Ice Cream family, including Ghana Chocolate, Kalimantan Chocolate, Costa Rican Chocolate, Dominican Chocolate, or the vanillas: Indonesian Vanilla, Papua New Guinea Vanilla, Madagascar Vanilla and Mexican Vanilla.  Sold at select Target stores and other national grocery stores or online for $11 a pint.

Shoe in

Talk about cool shoes.  Moms will never yell at their kids for getting their shoes wet when they are wearing UNEEK footwear ($39-$65). These strapping shoes are a cross between a sandal and a sports shoe, made with water-repellent nylon cords designed to adapt to the natural form of the wearer’s feet for a custom and comfortable fit and for a cool open- air feeling.  So go ahead, run through the sprinkler!

Comfort is good

Be cool and wear your optimistic attitude on your sleeve, and on your back, with the Life is Good line of optimist apparel. For those fun first days of school, kids can pull the 100-percent cotton Elemental Air Time Crusher T-shirt ($18), and when temperatures drop, they can walk the halls with a positive flair in the Peace Sign Hangout Hoodie ($38).  Mom can spread her happy attitude at the drop off line in her own Oh Happy Day T-shirt ($34). All of the Life is Good apparel is pre-washed for comfort and double-stitched for durability. The best part? Life is Good donates 10% of its annual net profits to help kids in need.

Sounds great

Take your tunes outside and rock your patio party with the VAVA Voom 20 Series speaker ($79.99). The little log-like speaker blasts high quality sound with two 8W drivers and two passive subwoofers to pump up the base. The IPX5 splash protection lets you take the speaker pool side without worry, and the rechargeable 5200mAh lithium-ion battery with up to 10 hours of play life, and connectivity with Bluetooth, NFC and AUX cable makes the VAVA handy wherever you go.

Just in case

Whether indulging in summer sports or heading off to school, an Otterbox Defender Series ($59.95 for iPhone 6) smartphone case will protect your life line. The cases, made for a variety fo smartphones and tablet devices, features a built-in screen guard to prevent scratches, and the solid hard case will absorb drops and dings.  Plus, with an assortment of designs, you can get a case that stands out in the crowd and expresses your inner selfie.

Tequila Tea

When the sun goes down, it’s time to mix up some grown-up refreshment with Sparkling Ice drinks.  Try this recipe for raspberry iced tea that will cool you off and get your end-of-summer party started.  Ingredients:

• I bottle Sparkling Ice Raspberry Iced Tea
• 1 fl. oz. Tequila Blanco
• 1 fl. oz. Mescal
• 2 fl. oz. Coconut water
• 3 drops Mole Essence

Instructions:

1. Freeze cubes of the Sparkling Ice Raspberry Iced Tea
2. Blend frozen cubes with other ingredients for frozen delight
3. Pour into margarita glass and garnish with single mint leaf

It’s National Awareness Month March 1-6, and one particular group is probably the most aware of the need for more sleep – single moms.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that women in general get less sleep than men, and single moms fare the worst when it comes to getting the minimum of seven hours of sleep, which is deemed important for good health.

The Sleep Experience Team of sleep specialists at Luxi mattress offers these tips to single moms, and their children, to get more and better sleep.

• Stick to a regular bedtime and a routine for you and the children.  When children know the cues for bedtime, such as bath time, brushing teeth, story time, etc., their mind and body prepares for sleep, as does yours.
• Avoid watching TV, checking email and texting late at night, and don’t allow screen time for children for at least one hour before bedtime. Research shows bright lights from screens wake up the brain, and a stimulated child does not go to sleep easily, which also keeps parents up too.
• Don’t eat late at night, and don’t allow children to eat or drink one to two hours before bedtime. A full stomach or bladder can make for an uncomfortable, restless night and disruptive trips to the bathroom.
• Make sure you have a mattress that is right for you. Your body changes throughout your lifecycle — before, during and after pregnancy, and likewise your mattress should change.  Consider a mattress that can be adjusted, such as Luxi, which unzips and configures to soft, medium or firm as your needs and preferences change.
• Once the children are asleep, practice some relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercise, meditation, and calming visualization.

For more tips on better sleep from the Luxi mattress team, go to www.luxisleep.com.

Remodeling a home can be a hefty investment, but there are ways to cut the costs and completely renew your home without breaking the bank. Knowing how to do this can be very important when you’re trying to sell your home and margins are tight; after all, you don’t want to invest $20,000 into a renovation only to make an extra $10,000 from the sell price. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Focus on efficiency rather than size.

There’s no need to completely remodel your kitchen for new storage spaces. Make use of smart storage options to give your kitchen more storage space without completely tearing everything out. Replace empty cabinets with sets of pull-out drawers, hang shelves on the walls, and buy a few lazy Susans to make the best use of existing space.

2. Use a ‘light tube.’

Skylights are expensive, but everyone likes natural light. Luckily, there’s a solution: a light tube. This device fits between the rafters in the roof and directs sunlight down into the living spaces. While light tubes are $500 in cost, a double-paned skylight can cost $1,500 — and that’s before installation costs.

3. Use recycled materials.

For any jobs that require you to purchase construction materials, consider using recycled materials rather than purchasing them brand-new. Not only does this help the environment, but it helps you save money with materials that are just as high quality, but cost significantly less than new materials would. Habitat for Humanity offers a number of options at their ReStores found all throughout the country.

4. Put in some of the work yourself.

Sweat equity is very much a thing. Speak with your contractor to find out what jobs are available for you to do to cut down on the cost. Chances are, your contractor is strapped for time. They’re usually busy with a variety of different jobs and will happily offer you a lower cost if you agree to do some of the work for them. Demolition jobs are a great way to cut the cost of a remodel.

Whether you’re selling a home or just trying to bring new life to the one you’ve had for years, remodeling can be expensive. Do what you can to cut costs and get your free quote for an estimated remodel for the room of your choice.

When it’s time to clock out, unplug, and unwind, dress down in style in these relaxed fashions

Dapper do-gooders

There can be many interpretations of work causal, but you can’t go wrong with the laid-back but buttoned-up looks of Toad & Co. The versatile Cruiser Cord Skinny pant ($90) looks great at the office but durable enough for the great outdoors. The Morrison Long Sleeve shirt ($95) is perfect for travel because it pairs great with jeans and doubles as a light jacket. The reversible Telluride Sherpa Jacket  ($195) is cozy and cute, inside and out, with a wooly teddy bear fleece on one side and a water repellent nylon shell on the other side. Not only does this sustainable clothing company make good-looking clothes, they do good, through carbon-capping clean manufacturing practices and good-neighbor volunteer work in local communities. Available at REI and other retailers nationwide.

Shoes for whatever the weather

Weekends warriors can kick off their dress bucks and slip into something more comfortable – and built to withstand whatever conditions it comes across – in Cat Footwear’s style-infused, industrial strength  Stormer Shoe ($105). This waterproof rubber boot has a soft neoprene lining that prevents rashes and discomfort caused by friction, and a shock-absorbing cushioned footbed for all-day comfort and energy return. The flexible outsole provides superior traction with slip-resistant and oil resistant rubber, with an ergonomic design that bends with the foot and provides stability even on uneven terrain.

Sustainable fashions to love

There’s plenty of love to go around when it comes to Amour Vert fashions. Their name, which means “Green Love” in French, reflects the company’s philosophy of producing planet-friendly clothing, made in limited quantities to reduce waste, with signature fabrics designed to be beautiful, durable and of course, sustainable. The casual and classy Velouria Nouveau Fleece Wrap Cardigan ($98) in a brushed fleece made from modal and organic cotton looks as ultra-soft to touch as it feels to wear.

Pullover, now

When you want to pull on a comfortable pullover and hang, Mountain Khakis Pop Top Hoodie ($89) is the perfect complement to a wind-down weekend. This below-the-hip fit poly jacquard fleece top can be worn over layers or on its own. The two zippered side pockets can carry all your essentials, and it even has a side slit for access to your pant pocket.

Clothes for high performing kids

Kids crave comfort in their clothes while parents want value, which is why Shred Dog keeps both kids and parents in mind. This line of performance gear for young adventurers is made with attention to detail and highest quality materials, yet the collection is wholesale priced and sold direct to consumers, so the pricing is comparable to what you’d find on clearance racks at premium sports stores. Outfit kids for winter with the seamless ¼-zip base layer top ($44), insulator jacket ($70) and convertible bib pants ($130-150), perfect for skiing or snow play.