As I write this, I have a holiday movie playing in the background. It is the nineteenth holiday movie I have watched so far this season, and that does not count the ones I watched for Christmas in July or just randomly throughout the year. I love holiday movies. If you are wondering how I know this is the nineteenth one I have watched this year, it is because I keep a spreadsheet with notes so that I can check off which movies I watch each year and can determine which movies are worth watching again in the future. I mean, who doesn’t do that? 

This year, my month-long movie marathon got me thinking about how much fun it would be to host a themed movie night in my backyard complete with a screen, projector, comfy seating, and party favors. Because, as some of you know, I love to host a themed gathering just as much as I love holiday movies and spreadsheets. 

So, I thought I would share my winter backyard movie night party plans with you in case you might also want to create a fun, cozy get-together this winter. 

1. Set up an outdoor movie theater. 

The first step is to set up your backyard movie theater. My setup includes a pull-down movie screen on my covered porch and a portable projector that I bring out for movie nights and store in the garage when not in use. There are lots of options for both screens and projectors, so you could also install a drop-down projector on the ceiling or have a permanent screen that is always ready to go. Test your system before your guests arrive to make sure it is set up correctly and that you know how to use it. Most projectors are easy to use, but some can be a little tricky.

2. Consider seating. 

Next up will be considering seating. If it is a small group, which most of the best get-togethers are, then you might have enough comfortable patio furniture to accommodate your guests. If not, you can bring out furniture from inside, dust off your camping chairs, or invest in comfy, outdoor floor cushions. If you plan on hosting your movie night on your lawn, be sure to turn off your irrigation system that day and check the forecast to make sure it is not going to rain, since mud and wet grass are not going to improve your party. 

3. Keep your guests warm. 

Outdoor movie nights need to take place after dark, which means it will likely be cold. Prepare to keep your guests warm with baskets of throw blankets, portable or permanent patio heaters, and setting up seating near fire features. To treat your guests even more, you might consider also setting out cozy slippers and mittens, which could even be party favors. 

4. Set up a hot beverage bar. 

My ideal hot beverage bar for a movie night would be a hot chocolate bar with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, chocolate chips, marshmallows, toffee bits, peppermint chips, and chopped nuts. 

Of course, you could also set up a hot adult beverage bar with hot toddies, mulled wine, mulled cider, or coffee and hot chocolate that can be spiked with vodka, tequila, whiskey, or kahlua. You can set out an assortment of ceramic mugs, travel mugs, or thermoses for your guests to use or to use during the party, and then take home with them, which is my top choice for party favors for this soiree. 

5. Set up a popcorn and candy bar. 

Nothing says movie night like popcorn and movie theater candy. You can either buy the small boxes of candy like those sold at theaters or fill bowls and baskets so that your guests can create their own movie candy mix. Depending on just how committed you are to being the most amazing party host ever, you can buy bags of pre-popped popcorn, pop and bag homemade popcorn before the party, or rent or buy a popcorn machine. 

Winter home maintenance reminder: If you have not yet changed your HVAC filters and cleaned your gutters, now is the time. We can expect lower temperatures and more rain in the coming months. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it is also a good idea to have your chimney cleaned and inspected before you start using it this winter.  

40 Almond Avenue is in escrow!

Located in the Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood, this four-bedroom home is just a walk or bike ride away from dining, shopping, the post office, grocery stores, and more.

It is also just a short drive to the shops, cafes, spas, and galleries in Ojai’s downtown village and the camping, fishing, and water park at Lake Casitas.

This approximately 1,958-square-foot home has an open floor plan with flexible spaces, large closets, ceiling fans, a walk-in pantry, a gas fireplace with a brick hearth, and an extra-large family room with a garden window.

There are also unique touches throughout that make this home stand out, such as the molding around the interior doors, wainscoting, clawfoot bathtub, two bay windows with window seats, a built-in desk and bookshelves, and a vintage O’Keefe & Merritt gas range.

Outside, there is a covered patio, an additional patio, garden area, RV parking, two-car garage, drought-resistant landscaping, and a river rock walkway and borders in the front yard.  

If you had your eye on this four-bedroom Oak View home or are looking for a similar home in Ojai or Oak View, contact Nora Davis today to inquire about other Ojai and Oak View homes for sale!

Chemical pesticides are an easy, quick way to achieve bug-free outdoor living spaces, but is it really worth having your family, pets and guests exposed to toxic chemicals when you can achieve this goal with natural methods?

The exterior space around your home is where your children and pets play, where you grow vegetables to feed your family, where you steal away for a peaceful moment of meditation or yoga, and where you gather with friends to celebrate holidays and milestones. Even if green living or eco-friendly yard care isn't your thing, I'm sure you want your yard to be a safe place where your family and friends will not be exposed to unnecessary, harmful substances -- particularly if almost everything you need for pest-free outdoor living is probably already in your pantry.

If you want to avoid using chemicals where your kids and pets play, try these nine easy, inexpensive, natural methods to rid your yard -- and home -- of unwanted pests. 

1. Salt – Sprinkling salt around the borders of your garden will ward off slugs and snails. Just remember that salt is not good for your soil or desirable plants, so use it with caution. 

2. Garlic – Garlic can deter cockroaches inside and ants outside when hidden under cabinets and in the cracks of decks. 

3. Bay Leaves – Bay leaves tucked into cracks or under chairs will help keep ants, fleas and cockroaches away.

4. Cucumber – Save those cucumber peels and strategically place them in areas where ants are a problem.

5. Rosemary, Sage and Marigolds – Plant one of these insect repellant plants to beautify your yard and keep pests away. Burning a little sage or rosemary on the grill will also help keep mosquitoes away during cookouts.

6. Eucalyptus Oil – Flies tend to steer clear of eucalyptus oil. Place a few drops on pieces of cloth to place around your outdoor living spaces.

7. Birdhouses and Bat Houses – Okay, this one probably isn't in your pantry, but they are easy enough to find at home improvement stores or online. Letting birds and bats know they are welcome in your yard will encourage them to hang around and keep your pest population down.

8. Mint – Mint will take over your entire garden if you let it, but if you keep it confined in containers or behind borders, it can still be an effective insect repellent to ward off ants and other pests.

9.  Lady Bugs – Not all bugs are bad; in fact, beneficial insects – like lady bugs – can help you keep your garden free of aphids. 

AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, and green living. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.  

Opportunity awaits with this well-located, approximately .43-acre Oak View horse property with a 3,000+ square foot main house, separate studio, swimming pool, and extra-large yard with space for horses, RV parking, or hobbies.

The main house features a spacious living area with an open kitchen, large bedrooms, and a cozy fireplace in the living room.

The remodeled studio has a separate entry and kitchenette for short- or long-term guests, rental income, extra space for your extended family, a home office, or a creative space.

Privacy fencing around the pool allows for a relaxing oasis, while the proximity of shops, restaurants, and recreation ensure there will always be something fun to do.

After all, this house is just short drive from hiking trails, Lake Casitas for fishing or the water park, and all that Oak View has to offer.

It is also just about 10 minutes from downtown Ojai, a short bike ride to the Ojai Valley Trail, and just steps from a local farmstand.  

Contact Nora Davis today to learn more or schedule a showing!

Just a short drive or bike ride away from the shops and restaurants of Oak View, this .07-acre lot located at the end of the street offers a unique opportunity to purchase a lot and build your dream home here.

The current owners removed the old home and were preparing for a new manufactured home but are now moving out of the area due to life changes.

This means that you can benefit from the amenities and services already on the property, including utilities, a two-car garage, tiered rock walls at the back of the property, fencing, and an electric entry gate.

The current owners are also happy to share the paperwork they have so far, such as soil reports, which can make building your dream home in Oak View even easier.

Don’t miss this opportunity to build on an Oak View lot just a short drive from Lake Casitas, downtown Ojai, the beaches of Ventura, and all that Oak View has to offer. 

Contact Nora Davis to learn more or schedule a showing.

 4 Ways to Improve Your Front Entry 

Your front entry is a transitional space that separates your inner sanctuary from the outside world, is integral to your home's curb appeal and is likely the first thing your guests will notice when they arrive. This is where you welcome your family and friends into your home and where they will form their first impressions of what they expect to find inside. 

Naturally, we all want our homes to appear inviting and welcoming, and your front entry is key to achieving this. Of course, if you are planning on selling your home sometime soon, you also need to consider the fact that a lackluster of cluttered facade could discourage potential buyers from taking that step between driving by and scheduling a showing. 

Whether or not you are considering selling your home, now is the perfect time of year to add improving your front entry to your list of home improvement projects. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Winter Solstice, and New Year's Eve are just a handful of the coming holidays that will likely bring an increased number of guests to your door. You can make sure they feel welcome -- and maybe even a little envious -- by using the following four tips for improving your front entry. 

1. Add a Porch or Patio

This is a larger home improvement project, but if you do not have a porch or patio, you really should consider adding one. Even a simple, inexpensive landing will create a more welcoming entry to your home. A covered entry is particularly nice and gives your guests protection from the sun or rain while they wait for you to answer the door. If there is not room for a patio, consider installing a stone or brick walkway between the guest parking area and the door.

2. Replace or Paint Your Front Door 

If your door has seen better days, this is an easy way to immediately improve your home's curb appeal. You will need a handyman to properly hang it, but this is a smaller project that will fit most homeowners' budgets. If your door is in good shape or your home improvement budget is a little tight right now, you can still completely change the look of your entry by painting the door. Pick your color using feng shui principles, current trends, psychological theories regarding the effect color has on perception or mood, or simply based on your personal style. 

3. Add a Seating Area

There is no better way to make your front entry more welcoming than to create an area that invites your guests to sit down and stay a while. A simple bench or a small, inexpensive bistro set is all you need to create a more welcoming front porch. 

4. Create a Courtyard

Creating a courtyard can be as simple as installing a garden wall to enclose the space around your entry. This can completely change the facade of your home, increases privacy and creates a functional space that you will be more likely to use. An enclosed courtyard can also function as an impromptu mud room during rainy weather and is an additional outdoor living area with the privacy that we appreciate in our backyards. 

 Incredible Investment Opportunity! 

Rancho Royale is a 21-acre ranch with full equestrian facilities, an entertainment barn, two main houses, nine additional houses, and an apartment. 

Let that sink in for a second. This means you could have 11 rentals and a working horse ranch for only $6,500,000. Considering how much one house costs in Ojai or Oak View, this is an incredible deal! 

You could live in one of the main houses, lease the equestrian facilities to a horse trainer, rent the entertainment barn as an event venue, and have 10 rentals bringing in income. 

Or, you could create a country retreat for your entire family, bring your personal horse trainer to live and work on the property, create a retreat center, or bring your dreams of a horse rescue to fruition. 

Did I mention that the ranch also comes with an income-producing tree business with inventory? 

If you are looking for an incredible investment opportunity in the Ojai Valley, you really cannot pass this one up. Call Nora Davis today to schedule a private showing.

In the meantime, visit the property information page for more photos and information.

We just reduced the price on this four-bedroom Oak View home for sale!

So, if you thought this might be your dream home but it was a little out of your budget, it is time to take another look! 

Features include: 

Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Approximately 1,958 square feet
Gas fireplace
Wood-burning stove
Walk-in pantry
Large closets
O'Keefe & Merritt gas stove
Ceiling fans
Wainscoting
Two bay windows with window seats    Two-car garage
RV parking
Drought-resistant landscaping
River rock walkway and borders
Covered outdoor living area
Additional patio
Raised garden bed
Walk to shops, dining, post office, markets
Short drive to downtown Ojai
Short drive to Lake Casitas

Visit the property information page for more information or call your Ojai Realtor, Nora Davis, to schedule a showing.