Jon&mika

09/05/2024

Los Angeles is home to some of the best Italian dining spots, offering authentic pasta dishes that transport you straight to Italy. Whether you crave classic spaghetti or something more adventurous, these restaurants deliver delicious, memorable meals. Explore this guide to find your next favorite pasta eatery in LA.

Whether you crave classic spaghetti or something more adventurous, these restaurants deliver delicious, memorable pasta spots in LA.

09/04/2024

Los Angeles is known for its bustling city life, but just a few hours away, nature enthusiasts can find some of the most stunning national parks in the country. These parks offer a perfect escape from the urban sprawl, each with unique landscapes, rich histories, and opportunities for adventure. Here’s a national park guide to the best parks within driving distance from Los Angeles.

Here’s a national park guide to the best parks within driving distance from Los Angeles. Check it out and explore California!

09/03/2024

Stay connected with what’s happening in the world of tech with the latest headlines. From LG’s ThinQ ON to Plaud AI Pin and more, we have you covered on the top tech news. Read on for this week’s wrap-up!

09/01/2024

August marked an official change in policy for the Federal Reserve as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated, “The time to cut rates has come,” following the Fed’s annual conference in Jackson Hole. The first-rate cut is expected in September. This month every inflation indicator showed that inflation was taming. July’s inflation reports came in as follows: The Consumer Price Index showed consumer prices rose 2.9% from one year ago. The Producer Price Index showed that wholesale prices rose 2.2% from one year ago. The Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, a favorite of the Fed showed a 2.5% year-over-year increase. The second quarter Gross Domestic Product, the broadest measure of the strength of the economy was revised upward from an initial estimate of 2.8% to a 3% increase. The August jobs report will be released next Friday. The Fed is watching employment closely in determining how much and how far to cut rates. They have indicated that the first cut will be in September.

August marked an official change in policy for the Federal Reserve as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated, “The time to cut rates has come,” following the Fed’s annual conference in Jackson Hole. The first-rate cut is expected in September. This month every inflation indicator showed that inflat...

08/31/2024

August marked an official change in policy for the Federal Reserve as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated, “The time to cut rates has come,” following the Fed’s annual conference in Jackson Hole. The first rate cut is expected in September. this month every inflation indicator showed that inflation was taming. July’s inflation reports came in as follows: The Consumer Price Index showed consumer prices rose 2.9% from one year ago. The Producer Price Index showed that wholesale prices rose 2.2% from one year ago. The Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, a favorite of the Fed showed a 2.5% year-over-year increase. The second quarter Gross Domestic Product, the broadest measure of the strength of the economy was revised upward from an initial estimate of 2.8% to a 3% increase. The August jobs report will be released next Friday. The Fed is watching employment closely in determining how much and how far to cut rates. They have indicated that the first cut will be in September.

August marked an official change in policy for the Federal Reserve as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated, “The time to cut rates has come,” following the Fed’s annual conference in Jackson Hole. The first-rate cut is expected in September. this month every inflation indicator showed that inflat...

08/30/2024

Labor Day weekend is here and so is the unofficial end of summer. Wrap things up this season in style with local events happening around town. From the Cinecon Classic Film Festival to the Malibu Chili Cook-Off and more, there is plenty of fun this weekend!

08/29/2024

Mortgage Rate Update | August 29, 2024
Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week.

To read the full update, visit our weekly blog!

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of August 29th, 2024, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortga...

08/29/2024

The era of Boba Tea has arrived in SoCal. With the tasty iced tea and tapioca pearl beverages gaining more popularity as of late, the options are endless. With so many great Boba tea shops to choose from, the question is, where to begin? We’re sharing our top choices for Boba tea shops below!

With so many great Boba tea shops to choose from, we're sharing our top choices for Boba tea shops in this weeks blog!

08/28/2024

Los Angeles is renowned for its movie stars, historic theaters, and sun-soaked beaches. However, many are unaware that LA is also encircled by a diverse array of nature reserves, offering a perfect retreat from the city’s hustle. These reserves provide an ideal setting to enjoy the beauty of the fall season. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, consider taking a day to explore these natural havens, all within an hour’s drive of Los Angeles County.

Whether you're an Angeleno or just visiting, take a day off to explore these nature reserves located within an hour of Los Angeles County.

08/27/2024

Gardens have always served as peaceful sanctuaries, offering a retreat from the fast pace of life and a chance to reconnect with nature. In luxury estates, a garden becomes more than just a green space—it transforms into a refined extension of the home’s elegance. Creating the perfect luxury garden retreat involves meticulous attention to detail, a spark of creativity, and a deep appreciation for serenity. Here’s a guide to help you design your own idyllic oasis.

Designing the perfect luxury garden retreat requires attention to detail. Read this week's blog for tips on how to design your perfect garden.

08/26/2024

From a Black Hole App to Google Gemini and more, the tech world is buzzing with new developments. Apple, Google, and Microsoft are rolling out innovative tools and apps to enhance everyday digital experiences. Waymo is pushing the boundaries of autonomous driving with its latest robotaxis. Surprisingly, even Chick-fil-A is entering the streaming arena. On another front, citizen science apps are empowering people to help discover new black holes. This blog covers the latest tech news and highlights the innovations shaping our digital future.

From a Black Hole App to Google Gemini and more, the tech world is buzzing with new developments. Check out this week's blog!

08/24/2024

Economic news this week – The big news this week was Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell’s comments at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole Conference. In his speech he said, “The time has come to cut interest rates.” He further stated that inflation had moderated and was heading toward the Fed’s 2% annual target. Stocks rallied on the news. Many experts feel that there will be a .25% drop in September, perhaps a .50% in November, and a 25% drop in December. That’s a 1% drop by year’s end. Others feel that there will be three 25% drops, totaling a .75% drop by year’s end. Either way, it’s great news for loans tied to short-term rates. HLOC line of credit loans are often tied to prime. Prime rates normally follow Fed rate movements. While HLOC loans will come down the same amount that Fed rates do, long-term mortgage rates will not. Mortgage rates typically follow long-term bond rates. We expect mortgage rates to drop, but not anywhere near the amount that Fed rates drop. In other news, the number of new jobs created over the past year was revised downward by 818,000 jobs, therefore U.S. job growth has been far weaker than initially reported. This was another consideration in the Fed’s decision to announce a shift to rate cuts.

Economic news this week – The big news this week was Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell’s comments at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole Conference. In his speech he said, “The time has come to cut interest rates.” He further stated that inflation had moderated and was heading toward the F...