Whether it’s because they already have everything, don’t enjoy receiving tangible gifts or gift cards, or are simply the pickiest person in your life – no shame! – we all know someone that’s just impossible to shop for. This list will fix that.

Passport Cover

For the traveler in your life who might already have the perfect luggage, go-bag kit, or any other travel necessity, brighten their travels with a personalized passport cover! Not only will it keep their valuables more secure, it will also add a little extra love to their travels, and they’ll be sure to think of you with every use.

Coffee of the Month

Sure, they may already have a french press or the perfect coffee maker, and they may have more coffee mugs than they do shoes, but do they already have a monthly subscription to try different coffee blends from all around the world sent right to their front door? Seems highly unlikely. 

Customize this monthly package on delivery dates, blend type, and more. The best part? Pay monthly rather than annually, and enjoy the power of pausing, skipping, or canceling the subscription anytime. 

Custom Pet Art

We’re all a little too obsessed with our pets these days, and that’s the way it should be! For any pet-lover in your life, gift them something they’ll truly love to display that won’t clash with their decor the way some cheesy portrait will (no offense, guys) with a personalized modern art design of their furry friend. Choose from over 200 dog and cat breeds, the type of design that best suits them and their home decor, and a color scheme. 

Book of the Month

Is there anything better for a reader than a steady stream of new, AMAZING books? We can only think of one thing: having that steady stream of amazing books delivered to your doorstep! This easy subscription includes a variety of payment options and service timelines, and even allows you to skip, pause, or add EXTRAS based on your reading habits month to month. Each month, you’ll receive 5-7 book recommendations to choose from, and they handle the rest. Really, it’s that easy. 

Brightland Oils

For the loved one who never eats out because they prefer to enjoy the taste of their own cooking rather than pay for someone else’s – respect – gift them a set of premium Brightland oils to take their already great cooking to the next level. This way, they can choose to use it however they want, rather than being boxed into a single-use. And hey, if you’re lucky, they’ll invite you over for a dinner made with the oils you bought them. Just saying.

 

Whether you’re a believer in the mantra, “It’s the thought that counts!” or you pride yourself on being the best gift-giver in the group, don’t let gifting be a stressor this holiday season! We hope you found some great options for your upcoming gift exchange that’s sure to brighten anyone’s day.

If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram!

If you’re looking for some simple fall decor to add during your stay, keep reading for some of our favorite fall decor items that will add a touch of elegance to your beach house rental in Newport Beach. Bonus: you can incorporate these into your own fall home decor following your stay!

Leaf Wreaths

No matter if you decide to take the DIY route or simply head to Target to buy one premade, leaf wreaths are a tasteful way to let everyone know that fall has entered your home. While many opt for the standard door hanging wreaths, don’t limit yourself to just one location! Mantles, shelves, and event countertops are all great places to incorporate this simple, elegant fall staple that everyone should include in their fall decor. 

Wheat Centerpieces

There is a simple elegance to incorporating wheat into your fall (or even your everyday) decor, but it’s one that we love no matter what! The best part about this simple decor is that you can have as much or as little as you desire, and you can choose to display it in any manner of your choosing. Vases and containers that match the color scheme of your fall decor, empty wine bottles, or even a simple clear vase are all tasteful options to add into your fall rotation.

Mini Pumpkins and Gourds

Bonus points if you opt for the real deal! The best part about pumpkins and gourds is that you can find them in any size, shape, variation, or color you could need to incorporate into your fall decor. Simply casting a few here and there around your apartment will add a level of natural coziness that’s sure to make any fall-lover swoon.

Seasonal Plants

Embrace the natural fall vibes by incorporating some orange and yellow foliage into your decor! This is another choice where you can opt for the faux option or the real deal, but either way will take your apartment to the next level! Mums and dahlias are a great place to start if you don’t consider yourself the green-thumb type. 

Knit Blankets

Even if the temperatures haven’t dropped to tremendously cold levels yet, knit blankets are one of the coziest ways to let fall into your space without inviting clutter into your home as well. Depending on the color scheme of your decor, taupe, champagne, orange, yellow, or brown are all staple colors to be included with your fall decor to add a sense of home to your apartment. 

 

If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

Saving money doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the things you love, including going out to eat! We’ve curated a list of a few ways to meet in the middle when it comes to saving money while eating out. 

 

Order the large portion

This may seem like ways to spend more money, but hang in there! If the difference between a lunch or half portion of a meal is only a few bucks cheaper than the larger size, opt for the bigger meal, and save half of it! That way, you have a whole other meal for the next day’s lunch or dinner that’s basically free – and you only have to tip for it once!

 

Stick with water

Even though sometimes a soda or tea sounds great with your meal, it can cost you $3-$4 more per person – and that’s only if they offer free refills! Opt for water at the restaurant, and enjoy your soda, tea, or alcoholic beverage at home for a fraction of the cost. After all, everything tastes better when it costs less!

 

Ditch the appetizers – or make them a meal

Odds are, your meal is going to fill you up plenty when you go out to eat. Save yourself some money and some room for your entree at the same time, and skip the appetizers that can cost just as much as a second entree. Or, if an appetizer just looks too good to pass up, consider ordering it as your meal! Most restaurants have an option to turn any appetizer into a meal, and it will still cost less than a traditional entree with sides. Work smarter, not harder!

 

Order to-go

Because we all know how important it is to tip our servers and other food service workers, a great way to compromise on tipping well and saving money is to order your food to-go! Rather than paying for your food and drinks and adding on a 20%+ gratuity, opting for to-go can allow you to enjoy the same meal while only needing to tip 10-15%, as to-go workers typically make higher hourly wages and don’t need to rely on larger tips the way that restaurant servers do. Those extra few bucks can stay in your pocket, or can even be used to add an extra drink, appetizer, or dessert to your meal – all without spending more than you would otherwise!

 

Happy Hours

There’s a reason happy hours are always packed! Half priced drinks, appetizers, meals, and other specials are a great way to save money without sacrificing your favorite drinks and meals at your go-to restaurants! When looking out for a new restaurant to eat at, be sure to pay attention to their happy hour days and hours, and plan ahead to save some dough!

 

That concludes our list of ways to save money when dining out on vacation!

If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

Even if the leaves aren’t getting crispy yet, as soon as September hits, it’s never too early to get started on your fall recipes! Check out these 5 recipes sure to impress this fall season!

 

Pumpkin Chorizo Pizza

This easy dinner recipe is a delicious choice to feed 3-4 people who are in the fall mood! Of course, you can double/triple the recipe if you have more mouths to feed. 

Choose your pizza dough based on your dietary needs (gluten free options available!), coat with olive oil, and add your toppings! To create your topping mixture, in a separate bowl, combine sliced pumpkin, chorizo, parsley, onion pepper, lemon zest, half of the called-for Gruyere, and desired seasoning. Coat your pizza dough with the topping mixture, and cover with the remaining Gruyere. 

Bake 10-15 minutes on a cookie sheet at 475 degrees, serve, and enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls

While this Pioneer Woman recipe gives directions on how to make your cinnamon rolls from scratch (yum) it can be modified to use pre-made dough to save some time! 

With a filling made of butter, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and pecans, AND a frosting made of cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, butter, maple extract, and pecans, how could it not turn out delicious?!

For supplies, you will need 1-2 round baking dishes or pie pans, and an electric mixer for your icing and filling. 

Whether you make the rolls yourself or use pre-made dough, you will coat it with your filling mixture, and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. As soon as they are taken out of the oven, you will coat with your icing and allow it to melt for the maximum flavor experience!

Pumpkin Ravioli

Make this fall favorite recipe in 20 minutes or less! 

To create your filling, you will just need butter, garlic, pumpkin puree, salt, and chili powder. Combine and cook in a skillet for 4-5 minutes, and remove from heat while making your ravioli. 

The ravioli is just as easy to make as the filling! You’ll only need pine nuts, butter, wonton wrappers, an egg, and black pepper, parmesan, and sage leaves to taste. 

After toasting your pine nuts in a separate skillet from your filling, coat your wonton wrappers in egg and add in your filling. Use a separate wonton wrapper to cover, and press the edges together firmly to create your ravioli. Be sure to push out any air pockets that may form to ensure evenly cooking!

Boil your completed raviolis for 2-3 minutes, and serve with browned butter and pine nuts, and salt and pepper and parmesan to taste!

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Whether you choose to make your own pie crust or use a store bought crust, this dessert recipe is sure to become a fall favorite! 

To make this yummy, fudgy filling, you will need sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, dark corn syrup, maple syrup, butter, 3 eggs, vanilla extract, pecan halves, chocolate chips (semisweet or dark!), and flaky sea salt if desired. Don’t worry – the end result will be worth all the ingredients!

After lining your pie plate and lightly baking your pie crust, you’ll add in your filling, and can sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on the top to add a little more sweetness. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes, or until the filling is puffed up. To add a sweet-and-saltiness to your pie, sprinkle it with sea salt after removing it from the oven.

BONUS: Apple Bourbon Fizz Cocktail

We couldn’t leave this list without a fall cocktail to add to these delicious recipes! 

All you’ll need for this easy fall-favorite drink is apple butter, bourbon, and ginger ale or ginger beer – either works, so whatever you prefer is what to use! And of course, some cinnamon and sugar for the rim, and you can even add some fresh figs for garnish. 

To add a little more sweetness, you can coat the rim of your glass with caramel syrup, or to add a citrus kick, orange, lemon, or lime are all great liners! Then, dip in your cinnamon and sugar mixture to evenly coat the rim of your glass.

Next, fill a shaker glass with ice, add 3 tablespoons of apple butter, 2 ounces of bourbon, and a pinch of cinnamon. Shake for 30 seconds before pouring into your coated glass, and fill the rest of the way with ginger beer or ginger ale. Now is also the time to add that fig garnish, if you’re feeling fancy!

 

With so many delicious options to choose from, ring in the fall season in the yummiest way! For full directions of these fall favorites, visit their linked recipes and get cooking!

If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram! 

We know you love your family and friends! That doesn’t always mean they’re easy to live with, even in one of our Newport Beach house rentals. Here, we’re offering a few tips on how to maximize your vacation experience while living with others!

Don’t Overplan

The #1 stressor when it comes to vacationing with others is deciding what you’re going to do together. Overplanning is a huge part of this! Rather than planning out every second of your day and ultimately ending up disappointed when things don’t go according to plan, let your friends and family know what you would like to do, and work out times together. 

Be Ready to Communicate

Unless you are traveling solo, it’s important to remember that your vacation is not all about you – or any one person! Taking time to communicate with your party about everyone’s priorities will ensure everyone gets an equal part in enjoying what they want to do most on vacation.

Take Time for Yourself

Traveling with others doesn’t mean that every activity has to be done together. In fact, prioritizing time for yourself, whether it’s going out, spending the day at the beach, or relaxing indoors, is key to avoiding burnout while on vacation with others. After all, relaxing and enjoying yourself is the most important part of vacation! Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about taking time for yourself.

Make a Social Media Plan

This may not apply to everyone, but for many of us, deciding what and when our photos get posted on social media is a big deal! Always be sure to double check with your friends and family who prioritize their social media presence before uploading pictures they are included in. 

Keep Track of Money

Sometimes keeping everything together is so much easier than splitting checks or making multiple transactions in stores or restaurants. However, don’t let the convenience of a moment allow you to forget that you have to pay someone back, and vice versa! Apps like Splittr and Splitwise allow you to keep track of how much money you owe, and are owed in return. Don’t let money cause problems on your vacation!

 

The biggest takeaway from this list is to remember that you’re on vacation – enjoy it to your fullest potential in whatever way you see fit!

If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint while on vacation, we’ve created a list of various ways to keep our planet clean, one small step at a time.

Take A Longer Vacation

No… really! Studies have shown the longer vacations you take, the less you will fly throughout the year. Or even better, take a drive rather than a flight. Bonus points if you take a train or bus! Just tell your boss you need that longer vacation time to keep the planet healthy!

Turn Everything At Home Off

Before visiting one of our beach house rentals in Newport Beach, be sure to turn down your thermostat so it doesn’t run rampant while you’re away. Bonus – this will save $$ on your bills! Be sure to unplug all electronics and unnecessary lighting while you’re away. This really does make a difference! Besides, it’s not like you’re missing out on it while you’re enjoying your beach vacay!

Use Public Transportation

Save money on rental cars and take a look at using local public transit in your area! Buses, trains and trolleys are great ways to reduce your carbon footprint, while also getting a better look at where you’re staying! 

Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Tools like The Ocean Foundation allow you to calculate your carbon footprint based on your daily lifestyle, vacations, and business activity. Taking a look at your footprint puts into perspective what we do each and every day. Choose how to limit your footprint in your daily life, or donate to organizations that will plant trees, seagrass, mangroves, and more!

 

Our properties at Newport Beach offer some of the most beautiful views around – let’s keep them sustainable by reducing our carbon footprint together at our beach house rentals!

If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram!