Why a condo is a great option for a first time home buyer
The Peninsula Post: Ever Wonder About that Fence?
If you’ve ever been curious about that large fenced area on the beach just north of the jetty in the MDR Peninsula, you’re not alone.
While working with a client to buy a beach front condo at Voyage St. he asked us what the big idea was. Was it a toxic dump? Should he be concerned?
The answer is, no! It’s actually doing a whole lot of good to protect the endangered least tern bird that lays its eggs in shallow sand. The bird lays its eggs in April and May in shallow impressions in the sand. Their eggs are sand colored and prone to being destroyed by beach goers, dogs, cats even.
In breeding plumage, the least tern has a broad white forehead framed by a black crown and a black line running from the crown through the eye to the base of the bill. The mantle and the short forked tail are pearl-gray.
Hopefully the goofy hat doesn’t scare the birds away!
Ocean water quality update - Marina del Rey Peninsula
Bumped into a friend on the peninsula and we decided we were long overdue for a swim together now that the sun was finally rearing his face. But then my buddy said that the water was dookie status and we should wait… or so advised a doctor that lives on his street.
I did some further digging, as it takes a lot to keep me out of the ocean. Yes, there was a major sewage spill in July at the Hyperion plant, (ewww!), but according to Heal the Bay, the Peninsula is OK at the moment, though they recommend steering clear of swimming close the the Santa Monica pier where it’s an “F.” Gross!
Also, here’s a live map of water quality from LA Public Health. And the beach report card is also a great resource for updates.
Holler at me if you’d like a partner to take a dip with. Just remember to shuffle your feet as you go out in the shallow water. It scares off the sting rays and lets them know you’re coming. And TRUST, you do not want spike on your foot.
How to embrace the summer ... GG Coastal Style
Here are GG’s 3 top must haves for summer BBQs. It’s time to be social again in irl, so get yourself sorted. Be safe!
Drew Martin pre-rolls
Speaking of easing into the summer vibes. These pre-rolls are fancy shmancy, but that’s ok, because now that we are adulting, we no longer rip bong hits or smoke until our heads explode. These low dose pre-rolls have creative blends and deliver just the right amount of THC.
Don’t throw shade, instead, wear it in style
We’re digging this hat brand, Wyeth. And this Ipanema style is well... stylin'. Get your shade on ward off the melanoma monsters. You got a lot a livin’ to do, so protect ya punim.
DJ Mix to get you started
This mix will sure to get your guests in the mood for socializing again since let’s be honest, we’re all a little rusty. Press play and get loose.
GG Coastal Living is a real estate brokerage with a design arm. We help clients identify and secure dreamy homes, as well as help sellers keep peace of mind while getting top dollar for their properties.Decades of experience and modern sensibilities.
Hit us up for a no-strings attached consultation!
JUNETEENTH. We are honoring Juneteenth by donating 5% of our earnings through the rest of the year to The Bail Project. Because we also "believe no one should be in jail because of poverty."
Let's get your home office sorted!
You dreamed about working from home, then boom - the pandemic. Without a proper WFH setup, the ideal scenario you imagined became a nightmare...
Take a breath.
Woosa.
We’ve got you covered!
The NYT shared some ideas for sleek home office upgrades, and while there are some great references, we don’t necessarily vibe with their featured designs. Inspired by the article, we've put together an easy guide to making a big impact in your space - the GG Way.
Picking the right space. Some of the NYT featured designs are built into closets. If that’s your only option, we understand, and can work with that, however, we would opt to find a place in the house you actually enjoy being, and planning around that space. Think natural lighting.
Protect Ya Neck. We like screens being at eye level to avoid posture issues down the road. (We’re currently using this laptop stand… if the whole standing desk thing doesn’t work for you)
Functionality is top priority. The key here is ensuring that your space wherever you create it is more functional than it is chic. Our approach to any aspect of design is to ensure that design enhances function.
Right. Left. Right. If you’re a righty, have more space to the right, as you will tend to spread your work out that way.
Storage. Build storage that keeps clutter away and helps you stay organized. We often lean into neutral colors in these spaces and let texture do the talking. This space should feel like an extension of your home and reflect your personal style.
We are also helping clients buy and sell, so if that sounds like you, don’t hesitate to drop us a line so we can schedule a Facetime consultation.
DIY Furniture Sprucing
The way we are using our living spaces continues to evolve. Since we’re stuck at home for the most part, we’ve taken on some DIY jobs around the house, sprucing up some of our old patio furniture. Lead designer, Jo, had the vision to prime and paint these pieces black.
This chair was discarded on the street (way before COVID) and sat idle until we finally got around to painting it.
BEFORE
AFTER
Nothing a nice sanding and coat of paint can’t do. Let us know what you think!
Baked Turmeric + Coconut Chicken Tenders
Do you miss the good ol’ chicken “fingers” (what an awful name) of yesteryear, and when made right they’re human finger lickin’ good.
Well, here’s an alternative to the breaded and fried chicken of our youth that gives a much healthier and sophisticated update. The creamy dressing is also delicious and nutritious.
Ingredients:
1 lb Organic Chicken Cutlets
1 cup of Organic Panko Bread Crumbs
½ cup of Organic Dried Coconut (chop fine)
½ cup of Organic Flour
1 tbs Dijon Mustard
1 tbs Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Turmeric
2 Organic Eggs
½ cup flour
OO Spray
S&P
Instructions:
* Pre-heat oven to 350
* Combine panko + coconut + Tumeric + S&P in a shallow bowl
* Whisk together eggs + worcestershire + dijon + splash of H20 in shallow bowl
* Sprinkle flour on plate
* Arrange plates in order or dipping 1. Flour 2. Egg Mixture 3. Crumbs
* Lightly pound chicken
* Dip in flour, lightly, then egg, then panko. Make sure panko mix coats the chicken fully.
* Place on baking rack, spray with OO and bake for 10 minutes till golden and crispy. Flip, re-spray and bake for another 10 minutes.
* Serve with Tahini honey mustard, lemon, ketchup or special sauce
Best Areas To Live in Los Angeles: Del Rey
We break down the best value neighborhoods in L.A.
If you’re reading this article, chances are you already know that LA ain’t exactly cheap. So let’s get past that and let us weigh in on the neighborhoods we believe to have the best value on the Westside. In this series of blog posts, we’ll dive into a new neighborhood and tell you what we love and what we think could make it even better.
We’ve all lived in different parts of LA, from the beach to the far east side and everywhere in between. So here’s some subjective perspective.
Del Rey
Eight years ago, before we owned and lived in Del Rey, we could have barely told you where it was and I was born and raised in LA! Most Angelenos don’t even know it exists, as people confuse this sweet pocket with Marina del Rey. But if you continue east from MDR, you find a quiet area that is bordered by Playa Vista to the south and Culver City to the north and east.
When we first planted roots here, it seemed to be suspended in time. Low slung single family homes, some nicely maintained yards, and some … not so well maintained. Along Centinela there are mom and pop businesses and restaurants. But as Playa Vista was (over)developed, with Google, Facebook, a huge Whole Foods market and movie theaters, etc. moving in close to Del Rey, people began to take notice.
Access
By Car: The sleeper freeway strip of the I-90 is a short strip of highway that catapults you to the ocean, or connects you to the I-405. It’s never jammed and can be quite useful. You also have Culver blvd, which if you take east, gets you into the heart of Culver City, or take it West and you’re down by Lincoln. If you need to get to the South Bay, it’s a quick 20 min away.
By Bike: The Mavrin Braude bike path will get you down to the quiet beach in Playa Del Rey as it rides you along the LA River. And a bike path along the Culver median is quite usable to get you East. If you work in the YouTube/Google/etc. Area of Playa Vista, you’re a 7 minute bike ride away.
By Foot: The neighborhood streets are relatively quiet and the local government recently rolled out a “slow streets” pilot program (though residents are mixed about it), which closed streets down for safer social distanced walking. It’s an innovative approach to making a more walkable area. Worth checking out via the active neighborhood council.
Safety
The Pacific Division LAPD has a station located on the corners of Culver Blvd. and Centinela, so peacekeeping officers are nearby. The neighborhood ranks 96 of 209 mapped by the LA Times. Stats here.
Restaurants/Coffee/Bars
I remember thinking, one thing this neighborhood needs is a coffee joint, and low and behold, Sachi.LA appeared on Centinela. And everything I could want. One of our favorite coffee spots in the entire city. A Japanese inspired shop (which is a nice nod to the history of Japanese Americans who have historically populated the neighborhood since WWII). Its neighborhood focused, with great beverages, a chill atmosphere, unique gifts and lovely little plants. We love it.
Thai Vegan on Centinela is a great take out spot and cozy joint for healthy thai food. Simple and inexpensive.
Casa Sanchez for live mariachi music and great margaritas.
Ronnie’s Diner is a local fave. Traditional diner fare with a super friendly atmosphere. A notch up from the average greasy spoon. I’m a fan of the Veggie Royale for bfast.
Not a restaurant, but a wonderful cultural center is the Venice Japanese Cultural Center, which was established nearly 100 years ago to “preserve, share, and promote Japanese and Japanese American culture. It’s open to everyone!
Farmer’s Market in Del Rey on Fridays from 2-7PM in Glen Alla Park.
If you have any more questions about Del Rey, don’t hesitate to shoot us an email. We’re happy to talk about one of our favorite neighborhoods.
What Area in Los Angeles is Considered Silicon Beach?
Are you confused about what neighborhood Angelenos (or home listings) are referring to when they say “Silicon Beach?” If so, you’re not alone!
The term Silicon Beach is a nod to Northern California’s Silicon Valley, which is a region in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, came to be known as silicon, due to the density of companies that made silicon-based computer chips in the area (e.g. Intel, Applied Material, etc). The area became a hub for technology innovation, leading to software startups and of course personal computers (Apple) and though startups expanded far broadly out of chip making, the “silicon” stuck.
Here’s a map of Silicon Beach
Despite there not being much chip manufacturing in Los Angeles, that didn’t stop tech company startups from helping to brand a part of the city as Silicon Beach, which isn’t even on the beach! Are you thinking, “hold up, so there’s no silicon and it’s not necessarily on the beach in LA’s Silicon Beach?!?” The short answer is, you’re right, but then again, it’s LA, and this is a city known for dressing things up to be not exactly what they are in reality.
The reality is, Silicon Beach has evolved. When Google first set up shop with an office in LA, they did so in Santa Monica, near-ish the beach. From there, other smaller tech companies and investors followed suit. It’s like how huge whales attract small fish and barnacles. But then the whale swam to Venice and took over the legendary Frank Gehry designed binoculars building, and so many guppies followed.
As the tech industry in LA expanded over the past 10 years, so did the neighborhoods that include what we now call Silicon Beach. Other companies that have joined the herd include Google’s YouTube (now in Playa Vista), Facebook, AOL, EA, Amazon (Culver City), Apple, Scopely (Culver City), Snapchat (Venice), and many many others. Personally, we think it’s a stretch to call any part of WeHo or frankly anything east of the I-405 to be Silicon Beach… sorry, it’s just not!
Google has since expanded, keeping its now iconic Venice location and as mentioned above includes offices in Playa Vista, where they have taken over the Spruce Goose hangar (where Avatar was once filmed) and there are confirmed reports that Google has taken over the former mall (yes, mall) Westside Pavillion to build new offices in West LA. So will West LA now be Silicon Beach?
Here’s our take, the epicenter of Silicon Beach has shifted. If Santa Monica was once the hub, many of smaller companies have been priced out as they had to grow. We see Silicon Beach as including parts of Culver City, Del Rey, Marina del Rey (where Dollar Shave has HQ), Playa Del Rey, Venice, and yes, still Santa Monica.
And we love the idea of living close to these tech giants, because let’s face it, like it or not, the so-called FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) cohort of companies aren’t going away anytime soon. In fact, they’re GROWING, so living in proximity to these companies means there will be investment pouring into them. Now are there certain areas that are more promising than others, and have better value? You bet your atari 3000! For example, look at Google’s Venice office. Despite it being a stone’s throw from our favorite (if not super pricey) restaurant Gjusta, there is also a severe homeless (unhoused) people situation on the same block. Regardless of where you fall on the complex issue of homelessness, it’s hard to argue that having hundreds of unhoused folks on the sidewalk nearby your house is not a desirable aspect of the neighborhood.
This is in part why we're huge fans of neighborhoods like the sleeper neighborhood of Del Rey for example. It’s quiet, clean, family-friendly, packed with starter homes and a bike ride away from the amenities of say, Playa Vista or Marina del Rey. So, in short, not all Silicon Beach pockets are the same -- there’s lots of nuance.
We could go on for days breaking down the pros and cons of Silicon Beach areas, but this is just a taste. If you’re interested in chatting more, we’re here to talk shop, even if it’s talk coffee shop (speaking of Sachi.LA in Del Rey is the bomb!). We’re here to advise and guide you through any housing or design needs you may have.
Celery and Mushroom Salad
Our friend, Judith, often sends along recipes she thinks will resonate with our style. We’re typically backlogged on stuff we want to try and make, it’s hard to keep up. But last week, the day I received this, we happened to have all the ingredients already handy and it sounded so easy and yummy… that it was… and is! I don’t know about you, but in our house, celery usually sits, straight chillin in an ice water tub in the back of the fridge. Often ignored until it's the last thing to snack on. And even then, it’s regrettable. But this is how to put it to good use (if not being used in a bone broth) This is the kind of salad you could imagine on a menu at a Nancy Silverton type restaurant and be intimidated to make, but it’s so simple. This salad is like a bird chirping springtime from atop an olive tree in Tuscany. Or maybe just our dog barking from Marina Del Rey.
Ingredients:
8 ribs of Celery
1 cup shaved Parmesan or even better Grana Padano
1 radish (preferably Weiser farms mild lavender)
¼ cup of flat leaf Parsley (torn or chopped)
⅓ cup of fresh Mint (torn or chopped)
1 cup of Mushrooms (preferably Pioppino, slightly chopped)
1 ½ lemon lemons
1 small scoop of labne
EVOO
S&P
Shallot confit
Instructions:
* Saute mushrooms in a small cast iron pan with enough oil or shallot confit to lubricate the pan. Cook until slightly crispy on the edges - put aside
* Whisk EVOO, lemon a splash of confit, a pinch of S&P & a little bit of labne
* Slice the celery as thin as you possibly can (if you have a mandolin, this would be a great use for it)
* Combine the celery, herbs, cheese and cooled mushrooms together with dressing and voila!
** Herbs - use what you have, we almost always have dill so it goes into almost everything
** Labne is our everything, we use it as creme to add a little flough to vinaigrettes, creme to bolognese
** Shallot Confit is the best thing to add a little umami to your dressings or other dishes where olive oil is used. (see recipe)
Getting Your Cozy Home Winter Ready: Scents
Batten down the hatches! Okay maybe that’s a little extreme, but there’s nothing like the first rain of the season to get in the spirit to make your home feel like a cozy beachy cabin. We like to light some candles, turn on some jazz, and sip some libations by the fire.
This is the first in a three part series of posts for how we like to get in the seasonal changing spirit. Because whether we like it or not, (and we do!) Winter is coming! Transition from fresh or floral scents into wood, musk and tobacco undertones. This gives your home a warm and cozy energy.
Santa Maria Novella is an Officiana Profuma headquartered in Florence. Their parfums, potpourri and body care is exceptional. A real treat to venture from the beach to their LA outpost on Melrose Place. You feel transported to Italy. It's worth the trek.
Tobacco by Santa Maria Novella has woody notes of Tuscan tobacco leaves, which blend with scents of vanilla and burnt malt.
Maison Louis Marie is one of our favorite finds of 2019. An affordable candle that is of quality with a range of fantastic scents in a simple, classic glass container. I burn these in pretty much every room and always have extras on hand for last minute gifts. Priced appropriately it's a great alternative to bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner party.
No.2 Le Long Fong is filled with notes of cedar, hinoki and warm musk.
No. 9 Vallee de Farney is filled with notes of black pepper, Patchouli and Amber
Events: December Picks
We can’t believe it’s December! With the holidays underway, there’s definitely no shortage of coastal activities to keep us busy. If you need some help figuring out what to do with your free time or just want an excuse to come check out the neighborhood, we’ve put together a list of our favorite upcoming events.
Dec. 7: Gremlins in Burton Chace Park
Dec. 14: Marina Del Rey Boat Parade
Dec. 16 & 17: Artists & Fleas Pop Up Holiday Market
Dec 20: Beach clean up with your friends, here at GGCL! DM us on Instagram to let us know if you’re coming. We meet at the beach and Driftwood at 8AM!
Dec. 21: Elf in Burton Chace Park
The GG Beach Cleanup
On Thanksgiving my plan was to volunteer with Westside Thanksgiving before a big family gathering, however the organization had so many sign ups they were no longer accepting any more helping hands. I figured I was off the hook, I could spend the day relaxing until that evening’s family feast.
With no volunteer opportunity, and the waves rolling, we took Monkey to the beach. It was gorgeous. Only 2 surfers, tag teaming the waves. But alas, it had rained the night before and the waters here are bacteria infested from the runoff and sewage drains especially after the first big rains, nasty stuff.
But I thought, what the hell, I’d roll the dice and get a rare uncrowded surf in and risk the infection. But as we walked along the tide line, the amount of human made debris that had washed up was scattered in a way that was too disheartening. If I’m being honest, it was outright heartbreaking.
Jo encouraged me to go out and surf while she would do a bit of beach cleanup, which sounded like a great deal to me! But then I had a selfish thought. If the beach was this filthy, then the water really must be polluted enough to sicken a whale. So I sure as hell wasn’t going to subject myself to that. I grabbed a garbage bag and went for a run instead. I gathered the garbage on my way -- I filled an entire bag and it was dense. Lots of small bottle cap type stuff and then full empty bags of chips and plastic cups.
I give thanks for our beautiful planet. Just think, if we inconvenienced (when I do it, it feels less like an inconvenience and more just good) ourselves just a little each day, go out of our way to make a small effort to pick up a piece of trash, skip using that extra plastic bag and re-use, we can make a dent. It’s got to be a state of mind, not just one day of cleanup.
Join us once a month for a GG Cleanup. We’ll bring the gloves, coffee and trash bags. You bring yourself and we’ll have a fun time doing our part to help keep our favorite beach as clean as we can. Sign up for our newsletter and get updates for when we meet up for our cleanups. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for updates when we meetup.