Author Archives: Nicole Clausing

Alcohol-Free Cocktails from the Best Bartenders in the West

Tasty non-tipples for dry January and beyond. Read More

How to DIY Your Own Backyard Spa

A backyard spa may sound like a luxury, but it doesn’t need to be elaborate or expensive. Herbalist and ayurvedic practitioner Kari Jansen of the… Read More

How to Brew Awesome Hot Coffee Using a Drip Machine

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission. Aharon Coffee is a Los… Read More

The Big—and Dark—Skies of Montana Get Official Recognition

We know Montana is big sky country. And if you’ve ever been under that vaulted sky at night, you know how good it is… Read More

Chefs’ Favorite Winter Dishes

The kinds of dishes we tend to make at the holidays—elaborate, indulgent things that serve a crowd, like roasts and fancy bûches de Noël—can sometimes… Read More

A Local’s Guide to Palm Springs

There’s a reason Hollywood stars chose Palm Springs as their go-to getaway: The air was clear, the mountains stunning, and the striking desert compounds… Read More

Three Moroccan-Inspired Cocktails for Any Occasion

Kenya Knight and Taib Lotfi are the owners of Soukie Modern, which is one of the hottest things in the desert community of Palm… Read More

Conjunction Junction: Jupiter and Saturn Put on a Celestial Show

Christmas is coming early for stargazers this year. On December 21 viewers in the West (and actually all over North America) will receive a… Read More

Evan Funke’s Roman Holiday-Inspired Recipes

Over the years, chef Evan Funke has risen to fame as a master of Italian cuisine, most notably with his restaurant Felix in Venice,… Read More

What the Pros Are Cooking for the Holidays

1 of 10Courtesy of Paul C. ReillyPotatoes au Gratin with… Read More

Christmas in the Desert

Kenya Knight and her husband Taib Lofti own one of the most stylish homes in the California desert. So naturally Kenya does not… Read More

Mid-Century Meets Morocco in Palm Springs

The most stylish shop owners in Palm Springs host a socially distanced holiday party in their midcentury home. Read More

Sunset Loves: The Krinner Tree Stand

Sometimes we just love a product so much we have to tell you about it right now. I’m a ham for Christmas. I start playing… Read More

Discover the Small Town Charm of Santa Rosa

Please note that some attractions may be closed or restricted due to COVID-19. What’s not to love about a city that embraces you… Read More

How to Build the Ultimate Holiday Cheese Board

2020 has probably been the year in which you mastered sourdough, perfected your roast chicken, and dialed in your mixological magic at the home… Read More

Temecula Valley Wine Country Is a Little Slice of Italy—and Argentina—in Southern California

Just an hour and a half inland from Los Angeles on the backside of the Angeles National Forest and an hour north of San… Read More

The Inexpensive Tool Pro Carpenters Swear By

There’s a lot to be said for measuring twice and cutting once. But the old carpentry adage about wisdom is only half the battle. Read More

Our Thanksgiving Wine Guide Is the Key to a Happy Holiday

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission. Holidays have been strange lately. Read More

Crescere Wines Is a Familia Affair

If you’re hard-pressed to imagine getting through the holidays with your family, try making a high-stakes, high-end wine with them. But that’s exactly what… Read More

The Best Outdoor Gear Innovations

It’s been a year of turmoil and chaos in the West, from the pandemic to the fires and beyond. But one thing is for… Read More

The Carnivorous Plant That’s Taking Over TikTok—and Five of its Hungry Friends

You love plants, but you HATE flies (and fungus gnats, and mosquitos). Enter the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), a hungry stunner with long… Read More

How the Perfect Grinder Can Make or Break Your Cup of Coffee

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission. Aharon Coffee is a Los… Read More

Give Yourself a Break, and Other Working-from-Home Tips to Boost Your Productivity

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission. I asked my colleagues for… Read More

A River Runs Through It. Now What?

Always check with rangers or administrators about seasonal water flow before heading out. Understand tidal flow and the impact of recent or expected rain… Read More