Great Holiday Side Dishes

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Do you have your holiday meals planned? Whether you are bringing a dish or making everything, planning your holiday dinner can be stressful. However, the most important part of a holiday meal is being together with your friends and family. We have a few easy creative dishes that will be a hit this holiday season. Take an hour or two and make these delicious dishes, we are positive they will be a hit with your holiday party. 

Sweet Potato Casserole

A great classic holiday side dish is the sweet potato casserole. This holiday classic is one that everyone looks forward to this time of year. You only need a few ingredients and 45 minutes to make your tastebuds happy. Do you want to make this, but you do not have a dish? Head to Williams-Sonoma to grab a 9 by 13 glass baking dish. Check out All Recipes to find the whole recipe to this delicious dish 

A Holiday Salad

Salads always seem like the easiest thing to make for a pot luck. However, take some time this year and get creative with a unique and handmade winter salad. We are so excited to try this Winter Salad with Avocado, Pomegranate and Almonds. This easy recipe is done in 30 minutes and feeds eight people. You can even find the fresh produce locally at Whole Foods. You can even pair this salad with a Citrusy Chilean Sauvignon Blanc for a complete meal. See the easy steps to your delicious salad at Food and Wine. 

A Festive Chocolate Lollipop 

Cookies are what everyone craves at Christmas, but you can always mix it up with a delicious chocolate treat. Stick with the theme and make these Nutter Butter Reindeer Pops. These adorable lollipops involve taking a nutter butter dipping it in chocolate then adding decorations. These delicious treats end up looking adorable and tasting delicious. You can find candy to decorate with at Rocket Fizz Westwood. We think loved ones of all ages will like these adorable treats. You can find the recipe at Country Living. 

We hope everyone at Palazzo Westwood has a great holiday!

Last Minute Gifts

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It happens to the best of us. You’ve made a list and checked it twice, but you left off your second cousin...and now you need a gift with very little time to get just the right thing! Whether you’ve been invited to a last-minute party or you have unexpected guests, sometimes you need a last-minute gift. And if you don’t have time to go shopping or order something online, it can be a big challenge!





Fortunately, there are plenty of places you can go for a nice last-minute gift. Why not try…

Make Your Own Unique Wall Art


A wonderful gift that you can wrap up and put under the tree is a piece of totally unique handmade wall art. You’re probably thinking, “But that will take forever!” Fortunately, this DIY magazine wall art has a big impact and doesn’t take long at all. So head over to Dick Blick, grab a canvas and a stack of old magazines, and get to work on an unforgettable art piece your giftee is sure to love.

Everyone Loves a Tasty Treat


If a yummy edible gift is more up your recipient’s alley, delightful holiday chocolates make a tasty gift that they’ll love. Of course, you can’t just zip down to the mini-mart and grab a Hershey’s. We suggest Godiva for upscale chocolates that look as good as they taste. If you want to get even more caffeinated, take a visit to Peet's Coffee and Tea, where you can buy a variety of coffees and teas for a gift or yourself.

Give the Gift of Beauty


Flowers don’t have to be a boring, impersonal gift. A gorgeous arrangement can make a lovely hostess gift, or can even work well for a variety of other holiday occasions. Consider getting a bouquet from local florist Empty Vase Florist Florist. They create totally unique and amazing floral arrangements that are sure to please your giftee.

And If All Else Fails?


The best part about living in Los Angeles is the wide variety of delightful restaurants serving cuisine from all around the world. Take your lucky last-minute giftee for lunch or dinner at any of the great restaurants around the city. After all - what better gift is there around the holidays than the gift of time? Spending an hour or two together over a lovely meal is a great way to cement your relationship this holiday season.

Kick the Gym Goodbye in 2016 with LA’s Awesome Hikes

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New Year’s is right around the bend and for many of us this means a resolution of getting back in shape. However, when the gym becomes a zoo and you lose your “mojo” staring into the devil mirror of a wall, the outdoors can provide the perfect platform to get fit and actually enjoy it too.


Discover Los Angeles uncovered some of the city’s most awesome hikes to keep the New Year’s fitness resolutions alive in 2016:





Runyon Canyon: The trail they recommend is called the Runyon Canyon Loop and it is about a 3 mile roundtrip hike. The excursion allows for awesome people watching (maybe even a celebrity), provides a chance to view Hollywood Hills and the mansion that dot the plains, and features the amazing trail summit view otherwise known as Cloud’s Rest.


Griffith Park Trails: The trail feature is Bronson Canyon and the full roundtrip hike is less than a mile long. “Short and sweet” is the motto here, because you’ll get to explore “the bat cave.” The cave and its remote looking setting is a widespread destination for filmmakers, and makes for a perfect short hike to immerse yourself in a movie-like setting.


Wilacre Park: How does a two mile Betty B. Dearing Trail hike sound? It may start off steep, but not to fret - the path will flatten out after a quarter mile. Trail along another ¾ mile and you’ll be at Coldwater Canyon Park, home of Tree People, a nonprofit environmental organization. This is an awesome trail to enjoy with your dog, so be sure to share the fresh air and wonderful views with your four-legged friend.

Eaton Canyon: In just under 4 miles, the Eaton Canyon Trail will lead you to a 40 foot waterfall if you’re willing to do some a little extra boulder hopping. Eaton Canyon’s Natural Area is a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve that is open from sunrise to sunset. Hiking and picnicking is the perfect combination here.


Not being confined to a gym for a workout thanks to a climate that supports exercising comfortably outdoors year-round is something to celebrate. Who doesn’t want a full body workout while taking in America’s most scenic views located right outside your doorstep? That is the California dream.

Holiday Decor In Your Home

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Thanksgiving and Black Friday events are over, this means that it is time to decorate for the holidays. Living in an apartment can provide you with many options to decorate. You can create a perfect winter wonderland in any space with a little creativity and work. We have gathered a few apartment holiday decorating ideas that we love. Make sure to share your holiday photos with your Palazzo Westwood neighbors on our Facebook Page.

Windows

The windows in your apartment may be a favorite for you. Do you have a great view of the city or community? Use this space to start your holiday decorating. First, you need to gather some materials. Go to Pier 1 Imports and purchase some icicle lights and window snow paint. Hanging the lights while giving the illusion of snow on your windows (even if you are in a warm climate) is the perfect way to jump start your holiday spirit. Apartment Therapy can give you a few more ideas on how to make this look perfect.

Tree, Mistletoe, or Wreath?

The classic holiday items are perfect for any space, but deciding what is appropriate for your space is important. Mistletoe will fit in any apartment, all you need is a doorway or archway. Grab some mistletoe from Target and hang it in a high ceiling area in your house. Also, to add some holiday scents to your home, you can purchase a wreath. Even if you are not able to hang a wreath in your apartment or doorway, you can lean it against the wall on top of a cabinet or dresser. We recommend purchasing or making a wreath with scented pine cones in the arrangement. This gives you a nice holiday smell in your home all December long.

Be Creative

Getting in the holiday spirit is about your personal preferences. Do you have any decorations that are sentimental? Make sure to prioritize and put these up before anything else. These items will end up becoming your favorite pieces, and they will be displayed in every home that you live in.