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Take time... to relax!

By
Home Stager with Design by Marla

The world today is stressful- politics, finances, real estate!?!?!

In this world of chaos and financially challenging times we all need to remember to relax.  At the very least, find something relaxing to do every day.  At the end of the day, my favorite relaxation is to sit down to dinner with my husband, listen to some nice music, enjoy wine with dinner and unwind.  A majority of the year, we are lucky to sit outside on our patio where we can, also, watch the sunset.

 Patio

 

 

To step it up a notch on the relaxation scale, take a weekend getaway or a daytrip.  Those trips are almost worth the same in relaxation credits as a full vacation.  We often take a weekend trip to Palm Springs.  For us, it is less than a 2 hour drive from our home in the Los Angeles area.  I couldn't have said it better than Priscilla Presley said in a recent article in Architectural Digest, "That was our getaway house.  Once we started driving into Palm Springs, there was a calmness that took over".  There is something about the desert air and the city that just forces you to relax.  For another weekend relaxation idea, see my blog on our trip to Ojai, Ca. ( http://activerain.com/blogsview/417653/Wine-trip-to-Ojai ).

 condo pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the ultimate in relaxation is a cruise!  My husband and I just returned from a cruise on the Princess Cruise line.  This was a unique cruise (they only do it two times per year) called the repositioning cruise.  In this case, they were moving the boat from the Summer Alaska cruises to the Fall/Winter cruising in Mexico.  Our cruise consisted of 7 glorious days of relaxation and siteseeing on our way from Vancouver, BC to Los Angeles, Ca.  Our ports of call were Naniamo, BC, Victoria, BC, San Francisco, Catalina Island, San Diego then home to Los Angeles.  I would highly recommend it.  They are generally, less expensive yet they have the same great entertainment and food that the other cruises have.

catalina

 

On a cruise you can do as much or as little as you want.  You can find a deck chair and read a book or you can join in a ping pong tournament.  Once on shore, you can go on a shore excursion to a Cranberry Farm or hike to the top of a mountain or you can plop down on a barstool and watch the world go by!  The great thing is once you are done on shore, you walk up the gangway onto a 4 star hotel with great food and a comfortable bed and you didn't have to pack up your bags to move to the next destination.

 

Now that I am home, I'm rejuvenated and I have new found energy to work on my business, Design by Marla, deal with the housing market, the financial trauma and the election politics!  Remember-- take time for yourself and do something everyday that is relaxing to you.

Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Maria - My dream house would have western exposure and a great view of the sunset - it is like changing scenery every day. You are lucky to have a great view.

Oct 06, 2008 09:23 AM
Marla Hofstee
Design by Marla - Burbank, CA
Design by Marla- Home Staging, Burbank & Los Angeles, CA

Maureen,

Yes, thank you, we do feel lucky and after a week away (on our cruise), we came back and said, "Aagh, the cruise was great but we missed our dinners on the back patio."

Oct 06, 2008 01:06 PM
Scott Mazza
Stewart Title of California - Ventura, CA

I agree fully with taking some time out to spend on yourself. Have a great day.

Oct 09, 2008 01:24 AM
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Hi Marla: Hmmm.....a relaxing cruise. Sounds great right about now. I hope you will be joining us at the RESA/SIF/ASHSR/IRIS Roundtable on November 14 at Brook Furniture Rental in Sherman Oaks.

Oct 09, 2008 01:35 AM
Marla Hofstee
Design by Marla - Burbank, CA
Design by Marla- Home Staging, Burbank & Los Angeles, CA

Hi Michelle,

Yes, the cruise was great!  I'm planning on attending the roundtable.  Looking forward to seeing you and my fellow stagers!!

Oct 09, 2008 02:52 AM
No Longer Active in Staging. No Longer Staging
Hickory, NC

Hi Marla, Your view for dinner is fantastic! That looks like a great way to relax as well as your cruise - of course. God bless and thanks for sharing!

Oct 09, 2008 06:17 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Right now I am relaxing by taking night courses to get my RE license.  I do walk the dogs in the woods as often as possible though.

Oct 09, 2008 08:16 AM
Marla Hofstee
Design by Marla - Burbank, CA
Design by Marla- Home Staging, Burbank & Los Angeles, CA

Cheryl-  Thanks, we truly do enjoy our dinners on the patio.

 

Scott- it really is important to try to keep the stress out of your day.  have a good one!

 

Kathleen-  Good for you to go after something you want.  BTW, what made you decide to get your RE license?  I'm interested in RE also and am trying to decide if I should get my license. 

Oct 09, 2008 12:18 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

 Marla - Frustration with real estate agents - thinking I could do better and now we will see. My area is staging resistant. I work outside my home area and want to really get staging going where I live(& sleep where I live).

Oct 10, 2008 08:00 AM
Wendy Timmons
Move Home Realty - Temecula, CA
Temecula Realtor

Well said! Now I want to go on a cruise! I hope to meet you at the RT :)

Oct 10, 2008 10:20 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

My favorite vacation is a cruise.  I love the entertainment and all the wonderful food available at all hours.  You are so right, it is so important to take that time for ourselves.  It is crucial to our well being.

Feb 28, 2009 11:36 AM