Monthly Archives: August 2016

Bedtime Stories: Pokémon!

pokemonPost by Mark T. Locker.

Pokémon Gotta Catch ‘em All! Deluxe Essential Handbook : the Need-to-know Stats and Facts on Over 700 Pokémon by Scholastic.

I’m too old to have caught the Pokémon fever when it first came out. I was vaguely aware of something called Pikachu and that there was a turtle named Squirtle. But as a parent I learned that the exciting world of the Pokémon card game never actually went away. My son has piles of cards, and binders full of these critters, sorted by type. There’s electric types and grass types and poison types. We’ve watched the cartoon a million times but every time he’s asked me what my favorite Pokémon is, I’ve only been able to say: what’s that one that looks like he has broccoli on his head?

There are hundreds of these guys out there and many change form as they evolve. Of course, nearly everyone knows that now. The wildly popular Pokémon Go! game has turned our entire planet into a game board with gyms, Pokéstops and weird little creatures everywhere.

Can I say that my kid was into it before it was cool?

Either way, if you or your kid (you can say it’s for your kid if you’re embarrassed—it’s okay, you’re not alone) are interested in making sure you have all the information you could ever need, then this Essential Handbook is probably something you need. Not only does it have a handy pronunciation guide, but it shows you all the evolutions and powers of each Pokémon. It even tells you weight and height. My son has an incredibly deep knowledge of this universe. We spot a silhouette of a Pokémon and he can tell you exactly what it is. As far as reference books go, this is less useful than the Farmer’s Almanac but way more interesting to kids and grown-ups of a certain ilk.

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Bedroom Design: Best Outdoor Bedrooms Around the Globe

Post by Tracy Kaler.

A bedroom that isn’t completely enclosed might sound less than practical, but depending on where you live, sleeping outside can be a lovely alternative to the traditional interior room. From getting in touch with nature to experiencing the sounds and smells of the great outdoors, snoozing under the stars has its merits. In case you’re not convinced, let’s take a look at some of the best outdoor bedrooms around the globe.

Interior and exterior lines blur in this Asian-influenced master bedroom. Glass doors fold open and create an outdoor space in this Western Australia home.

Bedfordale House

You couldn’t pull off this patio just anywhere. Of course, this creative bedroom tucked under a pergola is in Miami. How enticing does this space look for a nap, or even an entire night slumbering in the backyard?

Desert Oasis

Located in the mountains of Bali, this tropical home boasts a simple space for sleep. With bamboo construction and trees as the backdrop, this open-air bedroom might be minimalist, but it’s far from mundane.

Open air living in the mountains of Bali

Island-inspired, this Los Angeles bedroom takes sleeping under a cabana to another level. Wispy palm trees lend a tropical feel.

Interiors Photography in the Los Angeles area.

This magnificent vacation home in Mexico opens its doors to bright blue waters. This brilliant architectural design is ideal for beach lovers.

Waves

After seeing these five innovative and lovely outdoor bedrooms, how do you feel about sleeping under the stars?

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Bedroom Design: 5 Things Every Woman’s Bedroom Should Have

Post by Tracy Kaler.

All bedrooms start with a great mattress, and luxurious bed linens, if affordable, are a must as well. Don’t forget the window treatments for softness and light control, and a chair or bench to put your shoes on and take them off at the end of a long day. Besides the basics, however, a lady’s bedroom doesn’t feel complete without these items.

A well-designed closet.
Any fashionista will attest –– having a great closet is a must. Size doesn’t always matter here, either. A small, well-planned closet with shelves, hanging space, and drawers will suffice, as long as you can stay organized.

The Classic White Closet - Hancock Park, CA Residence

Something sentimental.
Whether it’s a vintage jewelry box from your great grandmother or a bargain flea market find that you had to have, one sentimental tchotchke adds soul to any bedroom.

Goodies

A dressing table or writing desk.
Every lady’s bedroom should have a designated spot to sit down and write a note, apply makeup, or open mail. If you have a small bedroom, consider placing the table next to your bed to act as a nightstand.

Diana

Pretty accent pillows.
Pillows certainly aren’t required, but they add pattern and interest to any bed. Don’t go overboard, however. Two to four pillows should be more than enough, especially if you have shams.

Row House Interiors Bedroom Detail

A full-length mirror.
I don’t know a woman who doesn’t want to see what she looks like before she leaves the house. Install a door mirror, or purchase some other full-length mirror to check that you look your absolute best every single day.

Creative Control

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Bedtime Stories: Fairy Tale School

The_School_for_Good_and_Evil_book_1_coverPost by Mark T. Locker.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

On the edge of a dark wood sits the village of Gavaldon. Every four years, two children from Gavaldon are taken away. You cannot stop the forces that choose the children, but it can be easy to guess who will be taken, because they are taken to a mysterious and legendary school, the School for Good and Evil. This is where the worst and the best are taken to learn how to be a fairy tale prince, princess, witch or warlock. Or, if you aren’t so great, how to be an evil minion or an animal companion.

Sophie is absolutely convinced that she will be selected as the new candidate at the school for Good. She has prepared all her life to become a princess and to find a handsome prince all her own. Her best (and only) friend, Agatha, lives in the cemetery with her mother, who makes potions and poultices for the village. Draped in black and wary of people in general, Agatha’s only hope is to be left alone. But when the night arrives, Sophie and Agatha are both taken but much to their surprise, not to the schools they expected. It turns out that all of Sophie’s good deeds were more self-serving than altruistic and she is dropped in the School for Evil while the reluctant Agatha is taken to the School for Good.

What follows is each girl struggling to correct what was clearly an error while simultaneously learning the tricks of their respective trades. Agatha is loathe to wear pink frilly dresses but her natural talents for the skills of the good betray a kind heart. Sophie, on the other hand, makes the most of her putrid black gowns, and her skills at the black arts suggest maybe she wasn’t placed there in error after all.

An interesting spin on fairy tales and schools of magic, The School for Good and Evil is the first in a trilogy. An entertaining read for fans of magic, fairy tales, and the complicated friendships all of us have. This book is a great bedtime read as it will surely feed your dreams with magical delights.

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Bedroom Design: 5 Stylish Los Angeles Bedrooms

Post by Tracy Kaler.

The West Coast capital has long been known as a style hub. Whether looking at fashion on the runway or interior design, Los Angeles trends differ from the East Coast, and have their own look, feel, and personality. Let’s take a peek at five stylish bedrooms in Los Angeles.

This LA bedroom takes classic midcentury modern to another level. The bed’s clean lines, textured coverlet, three-dimensional art, and funky pillows create a stylish yet comfortable environment. The pool view isn’t bad either!

Indoor-Outdoor, Midcentury, Los Angeles

This Silver Lake bedroom embodies a chic, colorful design, yet manages to keep things simple. The headboard is understated, but the wall hanging (actually an area rug turned horizontally) makes a statement.

Los Angeles Home Staging | Elevado St., Silver Lake

A gorgeous bedroom in the Hollywood Hills takes a risk with black walls but manages to pull it off. Antique furnishings such as a Chinese chest pair well with the linen headboard and matelassé bed covering.

Hollywood Hills Bedroom Redesign

This neutral bedroom features white walls and furnishings with dark hardwoods and a natural fiber area rug. With so little color in the interior, the room gives the outside view an opportunity to shine.

Mansfield Ave, Los Angeles

Fun and whimsical, a bedroom in a Spanish style home uses bunk beds to save floor space. The décor keeps the mood light and is ideal for a child’s room.

Mid-City Los Angeles || Light + Bright Spanish Style

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