Off Road with Land Rover!

Last weekend I had the privilege to tag along with one of my best friends on an amazing off-road trip with Land Rover of Encino!  Let me be the first to say “I get it” the experience was definitely on the luxury side- even though we and the vehicles got down right dirty!  Land Rover of Encino takes their clients on various trips such as Joshua Tree and Ojai but this trip was just about 60 miles outside of downtown Los Angeles at a California state park named, Hungry Valley State Vehicular RecreationArea.  The park provides about 130 miles of trails for various levels of off-road adventures plus an amazing obstacle course with sand traps, rock and bolder courses, deep and shallow water traps and extremely steep hills a.k.a. you cannot see the tip of your car and at times you are literally driving by faith! If you own or know someone who owns a motorcycle, four-wheel drive, or all-terrain vehicle and you are looking for a day trip or even somewhere to camp where you can have a fun-filled day of exploring and testing your personal  and your vehicle's extreme limits I would definitely recommend visiting this state park.  Remember, do not forget to pack sunscreen, plenty of water and lunch – if you get to go with Land Rover of Encino they have all of this covered for you!  Enjoy and let me know about your “Extreme Adventures” as I’m always looking for new ideas!

Here are a few photos from the day! 

 Cheers!

Cort aka Cortney

DREAM, DESIGN, DWELL

Have you checked out my other Blog?  Click the link below!!!

Dream, Design, Dwell: Making Your Home Your Wonderland with Cortney Bailey

Today BELIEVE in yourself! Allow yourself to DREAM – I give you permission! If you want to create your own WONDERLAND for your home, no matter if it’s the entire home or just a small corner tucked away for you, open yourself up to what makes you HAPPY in the place that you Dwell! Maybe a certain color just makes you feel good about yourself or perhaps it’s a secure feeling you get when you wrap yourself up in a soft blanket or it could be having your space extremely organized – no Wonderland is wrong and all of our ideas will be different  – Thank Goodness!!! Whatever your Wonderland may be, whether it’s Modern or Traditional, Large or Small or somewhere in between -  it’s your space. Start today and let’s DREAM, DESIGN & DWELL together!

Cheers!

Cort

a.k.a. Cortney

Follow me on Twitter: @CortneyBailey

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing You a Happy & Safe 4th of July!  Let Freedom Ring!

Cheers! Cort

aka - Cortney

Become GREAT!

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of a friend for your friends."

- Mark Twain.

Beach City Real Estate

Today I took a fun bike ride through Los Angeles' Beach Cities: Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice and Marina Del Rey.  It was a great day and hundreds of locals were out enjoying their day as well.  Right now the market in Los Angeles is on fire! If you are thinking about Buying or Selling a home to be closer to the beach lifestyle, now is the time to do it!  Summer is a great time to transition.  If you are even considering living near the beach, whether it be your permanent residence or a vacation home or condo, I would encourage you to take a peak at the housing inventory. You might just find your perfect home  - close to the beach, great shopping, world famous restaurants and fantastic entertainment!

Cheers!
Cortney a.k.a. Cort

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

CortneyBailey: PeaceLoveHomes

Hard Day At Work: Peace, Love & Homes!

It's a HARD Day at work but someone has to do it!  Are you looking for a Summer Vaction Spot?  Let me help you!  Real Estate by CORTNEY BAILEY: Peace, Love & Homes!

FLY!

"You were born with potential
You were born with goodness and trust
You were born with ideals and dreams
You were born with greatness
You were born with wings
You are not meant for crawling, so don't
You have wings
Learn to use them and fly!"

- Rumi, was a 13th Century Sufi Mystic.

Easy Vodka Chicken Pasta

Easy Vodka Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

Makes 4 Servings
1 pack of *Italian Style Chicken Sausage, I use Aidells fully cooked and cut the links into bite size pieces
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper to taste
16 oz pasta, I like to use wheat or gluten free
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 32 oz can crushed tomatoes
20 leaves fresh basil, I cut mine in small pieces with kitchen scissors but you can also tear them

* If you are not using fully cooked sausage you will need to add one more step and fully cook the sausage before adding it into the sauce.

Directions

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until fully cooked.
·
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the extra virgin olive oil, butter, garlic and shallots. Gently sauté the shallots for 3-5 minutes, this helps to release their sweetness.

·
Add the vodka to the pan and let simmer for about 2 or 3 minutes.

·
Add the chicken stock and the tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

·
Stir the cream into the sauce, add chicken sausage and basil, when the sauce bubbles, turn the stove off.

·
Drain the pasta. Toss the hot pasta with the sauce.

This dish is great with a crisp salad and crusty bread.

Final Good-Bye to the King of Pop

This past weekend I attended Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil. The “King of Pop” was honored through his personal music, eccentric dancers, colorful multi-media screens and over-the-top acrobatic performers. Although the show is presented by Cirque du Soleil it is not the traditional company performance. The show is a tribute to Jackson’s life with routines that reflect Cirque du Soleil.

From the candid mime that keeps the show anchored to the wildly creative costumes and ultra-talented performers to Jackson’s amazingly famous tunes everyone in the audience truly has the opportunity to connect one last time to Jackson’s legacy. Mirroring Jackson’s “heart” for the world, children and less fortunate much of the show was dedicated to demonstrating his passion for such by literally incorporating the common thread of a “heart” throughout the scenes.

Captivating the audience and basically stealing the show was a one-legged dancer! You could feel the energy of the audience rise every time he took to the stage and twirled on his crutches, break danced and balanced on his one leg. He definitely embodies the can-do attitude while embracing his God given talent to preform – just like Jackson!

The show is currently on a world tour and if you can get tickets to Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil I would highly recommend doing so. You will get to rock out to his melodies while being touched one final time by the King of Pop’s last honored tribute.

I love the Jackson Five tunes … What is your favorite Michael Jackson song? Tell me on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!
Cortney a.k.a. Cort

EASY Stuffed Bell Peppers - YUMMY!!!

This recipe is a super easy dish to make. The leftovers are even better the next day. For those of you who confuse Bell Peppers with hot & spicy, I’ll clear it up for you … they are super sweet and release an amazing taste as they cook with the below ingredients!

Stuffed Bell Peppers

What you will need:
4 large Red, Orange or Yellow bell peppers
1 pound of ground turkey (or a little less)
1 medium onion chopped (I use a sweet onion)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons chicken or veggie bouillon granules
Salt to taste (pinch)
Black pepper to taste (pinch)
Garlic powder to taste (pinch)
1 cup cooked rice (I use brown)
½ cup cheddar cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup chopped green onion tops
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup hot water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Start by cutting the tops off the peppers and, remove the seeds and ribs inside. Using a hot skillet, sauté the ground turkey, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon of bouillon granules and salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Saute until onions become translucent. Add rice, cheese sour cream, tomatoes, green onion tops and soy sauce. Mix well and stuff the mixture into the peppers. In a small bowl mix the hot water and the remaining bouillon granules. Pour this mixture into a shallow casserole large enough to hold all peppers. Place stuffed peppers in the dish, cover with foil and back for 25 – 30 minutes. Remove foil and spoon the juice from the bottom of casserole dish over the top of peppers. Bake for an additional 10 – 15 minutes. Let the peppers cool for about 5 minutes and Enjoy!

Tell me about your easy to make dishes on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!

Cortney a.k.a. Cort