//The Best Day Trips in Southern California


+Julian

Go apple picking in the orchards of Julian, or have the best apple pie that your mama never made. This little town hidden in the mountains of San Diego County looks like it's right out of a movie with their old fashioned hardware store and corner candy shop. You can ride in a carriage around the town, or go vintage shopping for some serious treasures.

Wine tasting is off the walls here with vineyards that include Ofilia Vineyards, Menghini Winery, Shadow Mountain Winery, and J. Jenkins Winery.

+Big Bear

Only in Southern California can you head to snowboarding in the mountains after a good few hours of surfing. Big Bear is one of the best retreats in the mountains, and it's only a few hours of a drive from Orange County. There are a handful of mountains to hit the snow in this community and in the summer there's plenty of fishing, wake boarding, and jet skiing to do on the lake.

For a romantic weekend, rent a cabin for a few hundred dollars, and visit some of the best candy shops in their town. There's always events going on each month, like Oktoberfest and Troutfest.

+San Diego

The things you can do in San Diego is limitless. You can ditch your car for the day and ride the trolley around town, stopping at the famous Balboa Park where there's art museums, performers, and historic scenery. Bring your camera for the botanical gardens and walk just a few blocks to hit up the downtown area where there's plenty of shopping. You'll be impressed with Horton Plaza, the city's five-story mall.

If it's baseball season you can see a Padres game and get wine or a cigar after at one of the local shops. In the summer there's Ocean Beach, a hippie town with plenty of interesting people and flavors. There's also Pacific Beach, which has better surf and some of the best places to shop and eat. If you're looking for something more upscale, visit La Jolla Shores where you'll find everything ritzy and coffee shops/fondue right on the water.

If that's not enough, visit Coronado Island to ride on beach cruisers, or to take a look around the famous Hotel Del on the beach.

+Hollywood

Walk on the stars (on Hollywood Blvd.) or visit Rodeo Drive for the best shopping the city has to offer. There's the famous Kodak Theatre, and Grauman's Chinese Theatre, one of the most famous movie theaters in the country. Walk down the street and visit Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, and take a look inside Hotel Roosevelt, where famous starlets have stayed.

If you want to get out of the limelight, spend the day at Universal Studios where you can still get a taste of Hollywood by taking a tour on famous sets. If you still want more tours in the city, be cheesy and pay to see famous Hollywood residences.

If you're feeling like taking your clothes off, then hit Venice Beach where there's miles of hippie shops and interesting performers.

+Catalina Island

Put on your nautical outerwear and take a ferry over to Catalina Island for the day. You can rent bikes to travel around the island, and stop by the Catalina Island Conservatory. From there you can take a few tours to explore the island by getting adventurous views that will make you feel like Indiana Jones. There's the Glass Bottom Boat tour, Flying Fish Boat Trip, Cape Canyon Tour, and even the GPS Walking Tour. 

Just because you're stranded on an island (well, not really) doesn't mean there isn't shopping. You can find quaint little stores that hold artwork, handmade islands, and clothing, all right on the waterfront.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

FASHION HITS & MISSES at The Oscars

HITS

Kristen Stewart worked the Red Carpet with this stunning gothic-chic gown that accentuated her curves and complimented her skin (she finally found something that worked!). The lines made the dress interesting and dramatic. 

Robert Downey Jr. stood out from the other men, and made the fashion police report (few men do) by making his outfit interesting with a powder blue bowtie and sneakers. He loved it so much he wore it on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, and we loved it.

The number one gown of the evening went to Rachel McAdams, hands down. She impressed viewers and fellow stars by wearing Ellie Saab in a watercolor pattern that stood out from the other dresses. She dressed it up with gorgeous earrings and simply looked elegant. 

Zac Efron sported a straight-lined tie, definitely retro (and it worked!), with an all black suit. It was clean and classy, with his hair jelled just right.

Although Miley Cyrus had some haters out there for this one, we loved it. It was age-appropriate and pretty with enough glam and vintage lace to fit the event. Her jewelry was just enough and didn't take away from the dress.

MISSES

This one was a little bland, even for someone older like Meryl Streep. We expected a little more color, or maybe a surprise train, but were left disappointed. Her hair was also nothing to talk about, with a little wave to her bangs, but that's about it.

Although Zoe Saldana made the effort here, it's unfortunate that she was one of the worst dressed stars of the evening. We're not sure if the dress was already paired with the top, or if that was Zoe's idea, but either way it didn't match. We love the flow and the curves, but it was too much of a miss to look past the flaws.

Charlize Theron is known for her elegance in designer dresses, but this time she was a little too daring, and we're afraid this one will be brought up for a while. Although the fabric was beautiful and there were many dimensions, the roses seemed too silly and made it hard to take her seriously.

Sarah Jessica Parker frequents the miss list in most fashion police reports, and she did it again this year. She looked like she was wearing a potato sack with the shape, and then there was the surprise on the neck. The back was even worse, but we tried not to post a photo of that just to give her a break.

Drew Barrymore almost got it right. The dress looked beautiful on her and complimented every curve (from the right). But then what's that sneaking out on the left? We're not sure, either. It was daring, but didn't work.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

BAND REVIEW: EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a band that looks like it stepped straight out of the 70s. Don't be distracted by the lead singer, Alex Ebert, and the bun in his hair or his unbuttoned shirt--the music makes up for that. Although the ten-member band is full of hippies that go on tour in a school bus, they bring something fresh to music and have tunes that sound like they're the long lost brother of The Arcade Fire. 

Although the band is fairly new/underground/fresh, they've gotten a lot of recognition after their hit single, "Home," was featured on the television series, Ugly Betty. It's a song that makes many wonder if they're on drugs because of how happy they are, or just really in love. You can hear a trumpet, accodion, and a piano in the mix, as Ebert sings along to his girlfriend, Jade Castrinos. Their romance is clear in the song and in interviews, only sparking more interest and admiration by fans.

They're currently touring California and performing in vintage venues that are attracting the state's hipsters, scenesters, and hippies--all looking to connect to the music and feel what the band feels when they sing. The authenticity of the band breaks the boundaries of social groups with songs like, "Jade" where Ebert sings about her beauty and how she's "the girl of the hour" and by bringing half the audience on the stage during their performances. They're known to not prepare their sets, which makes every type of fan more of an admirer of something real instead of worrying about their style or appearance.

Ebert was recently in the rock/pop band Ima Robot, which is quite the contrast with the blazers and short hair he used to wear. He was more trendy, sometimes wore makeup in his music videos, and emulated a singer who was inspired by David Bowie. Today, he posts inspirational quotes on his twitter and takes off his shoes when he dances. Although some might be leery of the band's "Don't drink the Kool-aid" look, the sounds of their voices and instruments break all expectations and prejudices by bringing something raw and organic to the music scene.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

REVIEWS ON TEETH WHITENING BRANDS

Plus White

You can purchase Plus White at any drugstore or supermarket, and they're affordable at only $5 for a bottle, or $10 for a box. It's best to only buy the bottle since the box comes with an unnecessary pre-rinse formula and a mouthpiece. The product works pretty well for most people and is one of the best because it only takes five minutes each day.

Crest White Strips

Crest White Strips is perhaps one of the best products to buy to whiten your teeth at home. Although the strips move around too much in some people's mouths, they're extremely effective and you'll notice a difference within within a couple of weeks. The price isn't always fun, one box costs roughly $33, but it's worth it when the new shade of your teeth will last about six months. Although I've tried many products, I always end up going back to Crest White Strips.

Rembrant Whitening Strips

Rembrant is another whitening product known to work effectively. The taste is a bit disgusting, but if you can get past that you'll definitely notice a difference. Rembrant is different because the strips stay on your teeth better than Crest White Strips, and you get quicker results than Crest. However, it's harder to get the gunk off when removing the strips; you have to brush your teeth instead of just rinse your mouth out, like Crest. A box runs around $20, which isn't too bad.

Aquafresh White Trays

Aquafresh White Trays are not as effective, even if it is affordable at $20 a box. The mouthpiece isn't molded to each person's teeth, so the product can't sit as well in the mouth. The product is known to be harsh on the gums and teeth, even if it does work in a few days. Another drawback is that it doesn't cover as many teeth as Plus White.

BriteSmile To Go Whitening Pen

Perhaps one of the cheaper ways to go, BriteSmile is only $10 for one pen. Although the price will make you happy, the product won't. It's known to only work only a little, and not to the effect that you'll want. The pens are easy to use, but again, you might not see much of a difference after using it for two weeks.

Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips

This product is a little more creative than the rest because the strips dissolve in your mouth after ten minutes--well, sometimes. They're known to leave residue and pieces of the strip still in your mouth, but they are still a bit effective. They won't make your teeth look brand new, but will brighten the shade. It's more gentle on your teeth than other products, and the taste isn't so bad. One box is about $35, which is more expensive than most of the products out there, but worth it if you have sensitive, yellow teeth.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

>>lip shades that rock the red carpet

[Ditch the clear gloss--your lips are tired of being ignored. Lipstick is the latest thing to hit the red carpet, and sometimes it makes a bigger impression than the dress. Time to pop out the clear lip liner, lick your front teeth, and show off those pouty lips.]

2010 is all about bright colors. Nothing pops more than this bright RED/ORANGE shade. You can pair most colors of clothing with this shade, so don't be afraid of what to wear with it. If you're going to be dramatic, lay low with the eye shadow and blush.

Light, FROSTY PINK lips are adorable. They're one of our favorite shades and they look great with any type of outfit. Try to avoid using your bronzer when wearing this shade so the colors don't clash, and wear a small amount of blush. You don't want dramatic cheekbones taking away from this color.

DARK RED lips are dramatic and classy. It never goes out of style, which is why it made the cut for one of this season's hottest colors. Try wearing it only to elegant or special events, because it can be too dramatic for street wear or wearing out in the sun.

PINK is perhaps the hottest color right now. With plenty of shades and blends, this color has been seen on Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Lauren Conrad. Pair it with dark clothes and a matching accessory, like your clutch or shoes.

Be dramatic with some PLUM. Although it's not exactly bright, it sure is bold--and that's good enough for us. Obviously, avoid wearing white with this color, unless you're daring and can keep the color off your clothes. Otherwise, opt for all black to really make a statement.

NUDE is still in. It hung around all last year, and it's still here to stay. It's elegant, beautiful, and makes your lips look classy. You can't go wrong with nude, especially if you pair it with a light gloss.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

REVIEWS ON TEETH WHITENING BRANDS

Plus White

You can purchase Plus White at any drugstore or supermarket, and they're affordable at only $5 for a bottle, or $10 for a box. It's best to only buy the bottle since the box comes with an unnecessary pre-rinse formula and a mouthpiece. The product works pretty well for most people and is one of the best because it only takes five minutes each day.

Crest White Strips

Crest White Strips is perhaps one of the best products to buy to whiten your teeth at home. Although the strips move around too much in some people's mouths, they're extremely effective and you'll notice a difference within within a couple of weeks. The price isn't always fun, one box costs roughly $33, but it's worth it when the new shade of your teeth will last about six months. Although I've tried many products, I always end up going back to Crest White Strips.

Rembrant Whitening Strips

Rembrant is another whitening product known to work effectively. The taste is a bit disgusting, but if you can get past that you'll definitely notice a difference. Rembrant is different because the strips stay on your teeth better than Crest White Strips, and you get quicker results than Crest. However, it's harder to get the gunk off when removing the strips; you have to brush your teeth instead of just rinse your mouth out, like Crest. A box runs around $20, which isn't too bad.

Aquafresh White Trays

Aquafresh White Trays are not as effective, even if it is affordable at $20 a box. The mouthpiece isn't molded to each person's teeth, so the product can't sit as well in the mouth. The product is known to be harsh on the gums and teeth, even if it does work in a few days. Another drawback is that it doesn't cover as many teeth as Plus White.

BriteSmile To Go Whitening Pen

Perhaps one of the cheaper ways to go, BriteSmile is only $10 for one pen. Although the price will make you happy, the product won't. It's known to only work only a little, and not to the effect that you'll want. The pens are easy to use, but again, you might not see much of a difference after using it for two weeks.

Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips

This product is a little more creative than the rest because the strips dissolve in your mouth after ten minutes--well, sometimes. They're known to leave residue and pieces of the strip still in your mouth, but they are still a bit effective. They won't make your teeth look brand new, but will brighten the shade. It's more gentle on your teeth than other products, and the taste isn't so bad. One box is about $35, which is more expensive than most of the products out there, but worth it if you have sensitive, yellow teeth.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

STAY PRIMPED FOR HA / LF THE COST

 

Skip the Nail Salon

Surprisingly, there are better brands nowadays for fake nails, and you don't have to just get them from your local salon. You can get the best nails from any drugstore, or Wal-mart and Target. Believe it or not, there are even fake nails for toenails now, and they look real and professional!

Do Your Own Dye

The average customer at a hair salon spends on average $100 just to make their hair look fresher for a few months. Although highlights are harder to do at home, skip the salon and opt for one-color dyes. They look more natural and rich and the upkeep is not as intense. Purchase dyes that are semi-permanent--they're healthier than going to a salon and look just as good as permanent dyes. 

Skip Name Brands

When buying any type of beauty product, you'd easily find that store brands are just as effective. The same ingredients are used, so there's no reason to shell out extra cash just for a fancy label. Even if you buy only MAC makeup products, typical brands like Revlon have just as good of products that look the same on your skin. 

Whiten Your Own Teeth

Although going to the dentist to whiten your teeth is a good idea, it's also a costly one. Just one treatment can be hundreds of dollars, and to maintain this is a huge punch to your paycheck. It's easy to whiten at home with products like Crest White Strips and Plus White. They both work just as well as going to a dentist, without looking so fake.

Skip the Tanning Salon

Looking orange is so last season. Go for something safer and cheaper by applying tanning lotion. Either get a good bronzer or purchase SUN Labs self-tanner, a product used in celebrity tanning salons. It's effective and looks like you spent all day outside. It's only $39, which is cheaper than a month at the salon. 

Use Home Waxing Kits

Stop spending so much to get your eyebrows shaped and your bikini line waxed. There are plenty of safe kits to buy that can help you keep up the shape your local salon used to do for you. Go to Sally's for better waxing kits instead of opting for a cheap brand from your drug store. 

Work Out From Home

Although it may be hard giving up your gym membership, your bank account will thank you for it. You'll save at least $400 a year and can save the drive to and from the gym. Easily do cardio by jogging in your neighborhood for thirty minutes and build muscle doing exercises you can find online. It may take a little discipline, but it'll be more enjoyable than doing your same old routine at the gym. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com