Perhaps nothing says more about the level of stress in our lives than in the fact that there is actually an entity called "The American Institute of Stress." And this New York-based organization has pulled together some numbers that may just tighten the chest a little more:· Seventy-eight percent of Americans describe their jobs as stressful and that it has worsened over the past ten years. · Seventy-five to ninety percent of visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems. · The National Safety Council estimates that one million employees are absent on an average workday because of stress-related...
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So, you're moving into your new condo at Vantage Pointe and friends and family are asking you what you want. It's not like you're getting married or having your first baby but, well, if they are going shopping shouldn't you get what you want and need? In other words, should you register for gifts?This is a growing dilemma for new home owners and even the etiquette gurus don't agree. Well, they do agree on one thing. Don't ask for cash. Everything else is up for debate, but it's been a boon for retailers. It seems everyone from Williams Sonoma...
That condo at Vantage Pointe you've just bought came with many of the bells and whistles you long dreamed of--granite countertops, beautiful wood cabinetry, floor-to-ceiling windows... But, of course, it didn't come furnished. Putting your distinctive mark on your new space is up to you--the furniture and window treatments, colors of the walls, lighting, floor coverings... There are a lot of decisions to make and, let's face it, it can be overwhelming to go it alone with so many choices of fabrics and paint colors, furniture styles and light fixtures. This can be especially challenging in an urban condo. Photo...
The hearts. The flowers. The chocolates, strawberries, champagne. We know that Valentine's Day is more than a Hallmark holiday, but what can you do with your special someone that let's them know you love spending time with them? (Photo courtesy of Melissa Clawson)Downtown San Diego and environs has all sorts of wonderful weekend Valentine's Day options for the romantic couple. Here are some of our ideas. We hope you'll want to try them or that they'll spark some ideas of your own:Pick up a picnic lunch from Salad Style or Venissimo and wine from The Wine Bank. Then have a...
Anyone who opened a utility bill this past summer had to have gone into shock. But perhaps the heat waves experienced throughout the country took such a chunk out of the monthly budget that consumers were a lot more eager to make some fundamental, energy-saving changes in their homes. How about you? Did you mean to alter your home and lifestyle a bit, but lost momentum when cooler fall weather waltzed in? Well, now that we've had some pretty astounding winter storms and chilly temps this past week, it's a good time to put best intentions into action.According to the...
Debra Lee Baldwin, a native San Diegan and one of Southern California's best garden writers, has published a new book, Succulent Container Gardens. Perfect for Vantage Pointe residents with our balconies, terraces, and wall-sized windows, the book will inspire you to create magnificent container gardens that have the added benefit of being low water consumers. We asked Debra to give us a preview of the book exclusive to Vantage Pointe. Enhance Your Outdoor Living Areas with Succulent Plantsby Debra Lee BaldwinSucculents are carefree plants for condo owners. Because succulents store moisture in fleshy leaves, they get by with much less...
What have you got on tap for the cresting 2010? If you live at Vantage Pointe, New Year's Eve can be that much more festive since you don't have to worry about driving around town. So many downtown restaurants, hotels, and clubs are holding New Year's festivities you can take your pick. And, getting there and back is just a matter of walking or perhaps a short cab ride.We asked some of these neighbors what they are planning so you could get a sense of your choices. And, we even have info about at least one event to help you...
We all have this picture in our heads of hosting the perfect holiday party with perfect food in a perfect setting. No mistimed meals or burned or undercooked food. No counter-surfing dog digging into the beautifully plated leg of lamb. The house looks gorgeous, the table inviting. Our guests are having a fabulous time at our gorgeous home at Vantage Pointe and we, of course, are easily mingling among them without a bead of sweat showing. For those of you doubters, yes, it really can be done. But only if you're prepared, organized and don't try to do it all...
Those of us who live with pets at Vantage Pointe know it can be a challenge to keep a beautiful home. Spills, dirt, and mess are a fact of life. The number one rule, says Julia Szabo, author of "Animal House Style" and self-proclaimed foremost expert of living stylishly with pets, is keep things easy to clean. "Children and pets are little magnets of entropy. Mess follows them around. You have to be able to just wipe it, vacuum it, and forget it." So, she says, choose washable fabric like denim or durable upholstery like ultrasuede. "Slipcovers are a fashion...
There's no need to point out that the mortgage landscape has dramatically changed in the last couple of years. Gone are the breezy days of getting 100 percent financing with little documentation. Today, the financing rules are stiffer and there are fewer investors buying loans on the secondary market. There was a time when Wall Street investors bought home loans, repackaged them, and sold them for a profit. But, as we know, that era is history. Today, lenders still originate the loans but they sell them to a much reduced secondary market. According to Bank of America mortgage loan officer...
