My son Stalen was diagnosed on the autism spectrum when he was 22 months old. He is now almost 6 and non-verbal. He is also amazing!

Here are 5 things that I’ve learned from this journey that I want to share:

1. Autism is neurological. It is not physical or intellectual. There is no look to being autistic. Autistic individuals are quite intelligent and capable. They just see the world differently than we do.

2. There is no right or wrong way to perform a task, or reach a desired goal or outcome. Instead, there are many ways. My son may communicate differently than you with the support of a device but he is just as capable. He may also require additional supports but that does not affect his worth or value as a human being. If nothing else, it shows his immeasurable determination and fight, please don’t try to stand in front of that.

3. My son wants to be accepted, loved, and included just like everyone else. He wants to be active and involved in the community free from judgment and discrimination. He needs to be himself, free from consequence. Please don’t invite him to the table and expect him to be like everyone else.

4. Meltdowns are not tantrums. Meltdowns are not a sign of always getting one’s way. Meltdowns are hard moments, signs of an individual trying to cope with an overwhelming world. Please be kind. Please don’t stare. Please don’t judge what you may not understand.

5. Autism is just one of the many pieces that contribute to the make-up of my amazing son. It does not solely define him as a person or define his life. There is no formula for a life well-lived.

Every day we choose to define our lives through embracing differences, kindness, understanding, unconditional love, adventure, laughter, hope and faith.

We share our story to inspire, educate and make this world a better place for not just Stalen but for so many others as well.

I am a proud wife, ASD Mom, Step-Mom. At 21 months, my son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He is 5 years old and non-verbal. I have become a full-time stay-at-home mom. I am 1000% focused on raising autism awareness and helping my son live a full and fun life. 

Today our kids not only know how to pronounce quinoa (“KEEN-wah”), but their breakfast often consists of chia seeds mixed with organic raisins. How far we’ve come—we grew up eating processed sugar, bleached flour and food dye disguised as healthful options from the Four Food Groups. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. At least once a year we still mix Pop Rocks with a Coke. Scroll down to take a walk down memory lane with these 1970s and 1980s foods.

Fleischmann's Margarine

Cakcollectibles via Etsy

"I can't believe it's not butter!" Nope, just ingredients you can't pronounce.

Hi-C's Ecto Cooler

Amazon

You could watch your fave episodes of The Real Ghostbusters and sip Hi-C's Ecto Cooler in all its glory.

Nerds

eBay

You may still have one of these teeny-tiny pebble-like candies stuck in one of your molars today. 

Pop Rocks

Amazon

Pop Rocks might just be one of the few candies that have made a comeback.

Beech-Nut Gum: Yipes! Stripes!

Dinky Donuts Cereal

Did you write a letter to Ralston Cereal to enter to win the Atari video game?

Ding Dongs

Etsy

Ring Dings or Ding Dongs? Depends on which coast you lived on.

Swanson Frozen Dinner

A turkey dinner and a new episode of the Brady Bunch starring Davy Jones. Heaven.

Wonder Bread

The best thing since sliced...wait a minute.

Kool-Aid

Yup, we drank the Kool-Aid.

Hawaiian Punch

eBay

Contains 5% REAL FRUIT JUICE!

Tab, the Un-Cola

For those who want to keep "tabs" on their weight.

 

Twinkies

Way before they were deep-fried or used as a murder defense, they were the perfect addition to your Bionic Woman lunchbox.

Quisp Cereal

Which cereal was better, Quisp or Quake?

Hunt's Snack Pack

Not quite a good as the brand Bill Cosby was hawking.

Dolly Madison Fruit Pie

eBay

Peppermint Patty wouldn't lie, that's real fruit filling.

Devil Dogs

Big Lots

Did you ever stick them in the freezer?

Koogle

Chocolate Peanut Spread, a Nutella predecessor?

 

Fonzies

When your product doesn't sell (Twisties), rename it after a popular TV character!

Snack Mate Cheese Spread

A new food group category unto itself.

Wonka's Oompas Candy

If you lived in the UK, you enjoyed them with flavors of  jam doughnut, snozzberry, popcorn, caterpillar and mashed potato!

Carnation Breakfast bar

Behold, the grandfather of the "bar" phenomenon!

Fanta Soda

"Flavoured Beverage" just about sums it up.

BooBerry Cereal

The 1980s ushered in a new segment of monster-themed foods. Count Choc-ula, anyone?

Bubble Yum

eBay

Was it really spider eggs that made the gum so soft?

—Jacqui B

 

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Our new series, Tiny Birth Stories, is aimed at sharing real-life stories from our readers to our readers. In just 100 words or less, we’re bringing you the raw, the funny and the heartwarming stories you’ve lived while bringing babies into the world. Here are five stories that will have you laughing, crying and nodding your head in solidarity. 

From the moment your baby arrives in the world, you have a lot to think about. Safety 1st has products to ensure the safety and well-being of children in cars, homes, and everywhere in between—giving you one less thing to stress about. Learn more about the highest standards of baby safety established by Safety 1st.

I pushed my baby back inside by Alexandra 

My first labor nightmare was at 32 weeks: I looked down to see tiny feet between my legs. “Not yet, sweet girl. It’s too early,” I pushed her back inside. … Iris Elizabeth was born precipitously IRL the next day. My usual AM Braxton Hicks turned into rapid-fire contractions, lodging my tiny transverse babe into my birth canal. Fully effaced, I dilated from 2-to-8cm in 15 minutes, and dramatically broke my waters on the way to L&D admitting. Before I could process what was happening, I was in recovery from emergency C, with a preemie in the NICU. I lived my nightmare, but a year later, my sweet girl is my best dream come true.

Baby number 4 at home by Sarah B.

I was expecting my fourth baby. My two oldest daughters were home from school the morning that I started contractions at 8am. We watched Mamma Mia 2 and I made a big pot of stew, pausing to grip the counter in between chopping. Hours later at 10pm, I was draped over my yoga ball with my music playing its rhythmic beats. My water broke and I knew the baby was coming.. I yelled, “wake up the girls!” My oldest jumped onto the bed alongside the midwives. I heard my baby cry and my daughter said, “It’s a girl!”

My Covid silver lining by Rachel B. 

A warm June day, my contractions started at 4:30pm. Hanging with family, things accelerated quickly when my water broke around 7pm. By the time we got to the hospital around 8:30pm I was already 6cm dilated. This being my first child, I was preparing for a long birth and needing an epidural, but my son had other plans. BAM, I was 10cm dilated and ready to push! He graced us with his presence at 10:28pm. My sweet Covid silver lining! Such a gem he has been.

Nothing was prepared, and that’s ok by Allison C. 

I was due with my 2nd baby on Thanksgiving day. My first had been induced (eventual Csection) at 41 weeks, so, even through my pregnancy had been tough (subchorionic hematoma, appendectomy, and an international move to name a few!), I was shocked on 10/30 to stand up out of bed and feel my water break! We hadn’t packed a bag or prepped any baby things, yet. We ran around trying to gather a few things we would need, had my sister come stay with our daughter, and went to the hospital. I was hoping for a VBAC, but labor never really began. Around 10 am on 10/31, we opted for a repeat csection. Our beautiful Halloween boy was born without any preemie complications. He was a whopping 7lb14oz at 35 weeks 6 days! His birth taught me that you don’t need every little thing perfect for delivery and a new baby. A lot of prayers and a lot of love (and some wonderful family to get your house ready while you are in the hospital) are enough! Halloween is a little more fun every year now!

No time to make it INTO the hospital by Amber H.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of our third baby, I woke up at 4:30am to strong contractions. We finally started the 10 minute drive to the hospital, when we were about two stop lights away I felt her head slip between my legs. I told my husband, “she’s crowning!” He pulled up to the hospital and asked me if I wanted a wheelchair, to which I replied, “No! Her head is out come pull my pants down.” He came around to my side of the car where I was sitting with my feet up on the dashboard, he pulled my pants down and to his surprise he saw 1/3 of her head out! After another contraction she was out and I pulled her onto my stomach. Soon after a L & D nurse came rushing down with a wheelchair and blankets. From start to finish I only labored for 2 hours and 15 minutes, much different than my previous labor of 22 hours. I was in shock for a few hours afterwards because it all happened so quickly. All in all her birth was beautifully calm and a unique story that suits our daughter so well.

This post is sponsored by Safety 1st, the leader in home safety for families. Learn more.

 

 

What happens when you physically can’t be in two places at once? And, all of a sudden, you’re relying on someone else to pick up the slack, the slack you dropped, regardless of what circumstance caused you to drop it. Then, imagine that the person you have to depend on is (a) someone you hadn’t counted on in a long time and (b) someone you certainly wouldn’t want to know you needed help.

On a snowy day soon after my divorce, that’s what happened, and, for the first time, I got a taste of what being a divorced single parent was all about. Despite being newly free from a marriage that brought me pain and dragged me down, I hadn’t counted on the rush of emotions I would experience after missing something as simple as a 20-minute parent-teacher conference.

And, damn it, I deserved that romantic getaway, too! It was my off-weekend or, as I like to call it, divorce’s silver lining. I had recently started dating a man, someone I liked very much. I was living in Minnesota, co-parenting with my ex-husband nearby. The man I was seeing, however, lived in Seattle. So the night before Thanksgiving, I dropped the kids off at my ex’s and got on a plane to the West Coast to spend some time together.

I scheduled myself to fly back to Minnesota on Sunday, right in time for my daughter’s sophomore parent-teacher conferences on Monday. Up until that point, I had never missed a parent-teacher conference for any of our four kids. But as I sat at the Seattle airport looking at unseasonal snow everywhere, I realized there was a first time for everything. I was beside myself with guilt.

Reluctantly, I called my ex-husband and told him that I would need him to attend the conference. He had only gone to a few such conferences over the years, but I knew he’d be fine. Unfortunately, he didn’t feel the same sense of confidence I did. Believing he needed a cheat sheet, he instructed our 15-year-old daughter to write a paragraph about each class.

She was horrified. How could her dad ask her to do homework when she already had so much, and only so he could attend her parent-teacher conference? It was ludicrous. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I think I did both, along with our daughter, although for different reasons. Could my missing something as basic as a parent-teacher conference cause such pain to all of us?

Our daughter did the “assignment” and then blamed me. After all, if I hadn’t brought this new man into my life, which meant into our family, I wouldn’t have fallen short on missing yet another important “Mom” thing. She was right. But she was also wrong because I knew in my head that as a single woman, I should have the chance to find a partner I would be happy with and want to share my life with one day. Either way, it didn’t stop my heart from hurting. Because of my trip, my so-called selfishness, I was the one who failed. I was sick with guilt.

As for the conference, my ex-husband passed with flying colors. He heard all about our daughter’s classes, how she was doing, and what areas she needed to work on throughout the school year. He relayed the information to me, and although I felt guilty that I missed hearing the information firsthand and that my ex punished our daughter because I wasn’t there to listen to it directly, I felt relieved.

Even in my absence, the sun still came up the next day, my ex-husband survived the ordeal, and our daughter eventually forgave me. I knew then I wasn’t the only one who had to be in a certain place at a certain time or do everything with and for my kids just because my title was “Mom.” With that one missed flight and one missed conference, I was liberated from all of the pressure I put on myself. It was life-changing—for the better, for all of us as a family, including my ex-husband.

Years later, when my new husband (the same guy I was visiting in Seattle) and I were traveling and both unable to attend my son’s sixth-grade parent-teacher conference, my husband’s daughter, a recent college grad, was up for the challenge. She went on mine and my son’s father’s behalf, as he still lived back in Minnesota and was unable to come. (He later moved to Seattle, too, to avoid missing such moments.)

Everyone at the school commented about how “cool” it was that my son’s older step-sister came to the conference, how many insightful questions she asked, and how supportive she was of him and his learning. And she did it all without making her stepbrother do extra homework, sending my newly blended family straight to the head of the class.

Elise Buie, Esq. is a Seattle-based family and divorce lawyer and founder of ​Elise Buie Family Law Group​. A champion for maintaining civility throughout the divorce process, Elise advocates for her clients and the best interests of their children, helping them move forward with dignity and strength.

Fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of Disney’s latest animated film, Raya and the Last Dragon, and starting today, Feb. 5th, for the first time, Disney+ is offering pre-orders for Premiere Access, and Fandango has theater tickets for reservation as well. Keep reading to find out more. 

Walt Disney Studios

Raya and the Last Dragon is a sweeping saga that takes you into the fantasy world of Kumandra, where dragons and humans lived alongside each other. When evil forces arise, the dragons sacrifice themselves to save humanity. Now, it’s 500 years later, and when evil rises again, lone warrior Raya tracks down the last legendary dragon in hopes of restoring the broken land and its people. Will finding the dragon do the job, or does it take teamwork and trust as well? Featuring an A-list lineup including Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, this highly anticipated movie will be released on Mar. 5th.

There are two ways you can get to the front of the line for Raya and the Last Dragon. If you’re a subscriber to Disney+, for $29.99, you can get Premier Access and watch the movie as often as you like. Get premiere access here. You can also purchase tickets for in-theater viewing on Fandango.

—Gabby Cullen

Featured image: August Richelieu via Pexels

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Are your kids obsessed with YouTube? Since 2015, With so many children logging on each day, the demand is high for fresh and exciting content. Frugal living blog Top Dollar researched every country’s most popular kids channels to help your little one find a safe new channel to enjoy.

YouTube Study
As well as mapping the top channels, the team also found the top earning child YouTubers.

YouTube Study

In order to find out the most popular YouTuber in each country, the Top Dollar team used statistical websites Social Blade and Vidooly to find out which YouTuber has the most subscribers.To calculate each channel’s earnings, researchers then used Banner Tag to find the average daily views for each channel and estimated how much it was earning using a site called Noxinfluencer, which estimates earnings based on views and subscribers.

To find the top beauty, gaming and kids channels, the team studied the most subscribed channels, read ‘About’ pages and watched the videos to see if they fit into these categories. It proved difficult deciding what channels would fit the ‘influencer’ category for some countries, especially those with obscure content. In these cases, if it looked like it was an individual making the videos, they counted them as a YouTuber. For some countries, the team were not able to find any reliable channels. For others, they couldn’t find the CPM rate. In many cases, a channel claimed to be from one country when it was obvious from their videos that they lived elsewhere. Any channels that did this were not included.

Visit Top Dollar to learn more about this study.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Top Dollar

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Everything about the 1970s was totally groovy––except perhaps the food. Was there even such thing as a picky eater in that decade? Judging by the food, probably not. From neon green jello salad with entrapped tuna and olives to the dawn of the TV dinner and spray cheese in a can, read on for ’70s food you’ll totally remember—and would definitely pass on today.

ebay

Introduced in 1971, Hamburger Helper was a mind-blowing concept to people used to having everything made from scratch.

Carol via Flickr

Jello salads were all the rage during the '70s. We just really weren't down with the varieties that incorporated tuna, olives and beef into the gelatin. 

ebay

We all loved the sizzle of orbiting orange, galactic grape, and cosmic cherry Space Dust Sizzling Candy on our tongues. It truly lived up to the slogan of being "far out!"

ebay

Your parents let you eat literally pink, frosted Pink Panther Flakes because the box said they had eight essential vitamins. Perhaps the good Panther's sneakiest coup—pulled off by breakfast time.

Allen via Flickr

The '70s birthed the bizarre invention of Snack Mate cheese in a can. You loved spraying it out onto Ritz crackers in snazzy, flowery designs, but if you didn't have crackers, squirting it directly onto your tongue worked just fine.

Jasperdo via Flickr

Ah, casserole. Some were better than others, but if you stomached eating Spam casserole as a tyke, you have a mealtime horror story to share with your kids.

Parents loved Spaghetti-Os (mess-free pasta!). But the Spaghetti-O Jello takes things a bit too far. No one needs to be able to slice off a chunk of gelatinous pasta. However, if you lived through the '70s, you most likely did.

Jerry "woody" via Flickr

Anyone growing up in the '70s undoubtedly had a parent with a strong affinity for Tab. Bonus points if you recall watching your mom crack one open while floating on a raft in a swimming pool.

Steven Labinski via Flickr

Making your own TV dinner as a kid was a rite of passage (oven mitts, no microwave!). But the Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and the small square dessert of chocolate cake or apple or cherry pie made it all worth it.

ebay

Who could forget the tagline in the commercial for Freshen Up Gum "the gum that goes squirt: love that squirt"? Biting the gum sent a burst of minty or fruity gel into your mouth and promised fresh breath. We just thought it was fun.

Eric Mueller via Flickr

Kids of the '70s were munching on homemade Chex Mix long before the pre-packaged version debuted in 1985. We bet you helped your mom stir the ingredients together into melted butter and then ate it all up before it even cooled.

TheFoodJunk via Flickr

Jell-O 1-2-3.  You thought it was pure magic watching one mix separate into three layers to form a creamy top, mousse center and Jello on the bottom.

YouTube

Remember turning Mug-o-Lunch into a dish of mac and cheese, spaghetti marinara or beef noodles by simply adding hot water and giving it a stir?

Jamie via Flickr

Libbyland Dinners. Who could resist those frozen meals with names like Safari Supper, Sea Diver's Dinner and Pirate's Picnic? The pop-up packaging that doubled as a plaything was cool, but chicken called "Fried Parrot" and artificially flavored grape applesauce made these meals barely edible!

Catherine Bulinski via Flickr

You may have thought deviled eggs really were devilish party treats as a kid. Sometimes too flavorful, topped with olives, paprika and sometimes sardines, if we just rinsed off the top and ate the "white part" we were fine.

 

––Beth Shea

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Celebrities reading books has become a bedtime staple for some families. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone will be read by a lineup of celebrities chapter-by-chapter, in a series of free videos and audio recordings set to be released over the next several months. Rowling’s Wizarding World announced seven readers for the special event on Twitter today: Daniel Radcliffe, Stephen Fry, David Beckham, Dakota Fanning, Claudia Kim, Noma Dumezweni and Eddie Redmayne, with more to come.

Girl on tablet

Each will read different sections of the beloved novel. All 17 chapters of the book will be released between now and mid-summer. Videos will be posted weekly on The Wizarding World website with an audio-only version available for free on Spotify.

Kicking off the series of video readings will be Daniel Radcliffe reading the book’s first chapter, “The Boy Who Lived.” You can stream this reading today on Wizarding World on Spotify.

The special series is part of Harry Potter at Home, an initiative developed by Wizarding World Digital and Rowling’s agency, the Blair Partnership, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of partners including Warner Bros., Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Pottermore Publishing.

The initiative includes an open licence to teachers allowing them to post recordings of themselves reading Harry Potter stories on educational platforms and networks and a dedicated hub of information and activities at harrypotterathome.com. In addition, Amazon’s Audible currently is making the audiobook of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (narrated by Jim Dale) available to stream for free via Audible Stories.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Julia M. Cameron via Pexels

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If you have a dinosaur obsessed kid, then you need to keep reading. National Geographic today reports that Paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Nizar Ibrahim, has discovered unique swimming adaptations in a dinosaur. This is the first conclusive evidence that any dinosaur lived mostly in an aquatic habitat.

Spinosaurus

An international team of researchers, supported by the National Geographic Society, has reported the discovery of evidence that the Spinosaurus, the longest predatory dinosaur known, was aquatic, and used tail-propelled swimming locomotion to hunt for prey in a massive river system. 

A kid-friendly version of this breaking news alert is available on National Geographic’s free digital hub to support families and educators during COVID-19. 

You can find the new content, along with additional stories National Geographic Kids has put together for kids who love exploration and may be fascinated by dinosaurs here:

What new discoveries reveal about the amazing Spinosaurus: Fossils tell us a lot about how dinosaurs lived. Find out how in this interesting and educating article about dinosaur fossils and the Spinosaurus.

Prehistoric Animals: Dinosaurs lived more than 65 million years ago. Scientists study fossil remains of bones, tracks, and dung to learn about dinosaurs and you can too! Get facts, photos, videos, and games here.

Dino Road Trip: Join dinosaur pals Ali the Ankylosaurus and Sean the Iguanodon as they time travel on a Dino Road Trip! Tour guide Simon takes them back millions of years to meet crazy prehistoric animals that once roamed the land, air, and even the sea! Along the way, Ali and Sean take selfies and collect fun facts about each animal with their mobile tablet.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: National Geographic

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When you’re brainstorming baby names, anything goes. For ideas, you might look to a favorite TV show (Arya, anyone?) or beloved musician (Bowie, Lennon and Hendrix all come to mind). But we like to think that you can find all the inspiration you need right here in Los Angeles. From the city’s iconic landmarks to its natural wonders and most significant residents, here are 21 unique, LA-inspired baby names and their meanings.

Ming-yen Hsu via flickr

Arcadia

There's something beautiful and otherworldly about this name, which makes sense: Not only is the LA neighborhood of Arcadia known for its natural beauty—it's home to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens—in Greek mythology, Arcadia actually refers to an earthly wilderness paradise where the god Pan lived. 

Bronson

For Bronson Caves in Griffith Park, the site of Batman's Bat Cave in the 1960's TV series. Because what kid wouldn't be psyched about the superhero connection? Of course, you wouldn't be the first Angeleno to borrow the name Bronson. Actor Charles Buchinsky became Charles Bronson, allegedly taking the name from Bronson St. which leads to both Bronson Caves in one direction and Paramount Studios in the other. 

Chasen

The iconic WeHo restaurant may have closed in '95 (it's now a Bristol Farms—wah-wah), but the name Chasen continues to evoke the glamour of a bygone era. Frank Sinatra had his own booth at Chasen's, and Ronald Reagan took Nancy there for the couple's first date. As a name, Chasen offers an alternative to more predictable monikers like Graysan and Mason. 

evdropkick via flickr

Ennis

If you're into LA architecture, you might know that this name takes its inspiration from the Ennis House, the Los Feliz mansion Frank Lloyd Wright designed for Charles and Mabel Ennis in 1923. After a complete restoration, the sprawling Mayan revival home was listed for a cool $23 million in 2018—which, coincidentally, is the same year this actress named her son Ennis. So you'd be in good company. 

Fern

For Fern Dell (sometimes called Ferndell), the meandering kid-friendly trail that takes you into LA's oasis within the city, Griffith Park. And wouldn't Dell make a cute middle name too? 

Nserrano via Creative Commons

Gabriel

For the San Gabriel mountains, which form the northern border of Los Angeles County. (You probably know Mt. Baldy, the range's highest peak, which offers skiing and snowboarding a hour's drive from LA.) With Gabriel's biblical connotations and the mountain-connection, the name feels strong and majestic without being pretentious.

Griffith

We like this cool, laid-back moniker (along with the nickname Griff), a nod to Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory. The landmarks are named for mining mogul Griffith J. Griffith, who donated 3,000+ acres of land for the park, and bequeathed the rest of his fortune to the city for the building of the observatory and Greek Theater. Just note that while generous, Griffith was no saint—he served time in San Quentin for shooting his wife. (You can read the details of his crime here.) So maybe focus on your little one being named after the popular landmarks and not the man who is their eponym. 

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Huston

Cinephile parents-to-be looking for a name that's not too obvious (ahem, Orson) should consider Huston, for John Huston, legendary Hollywood actor, screenwriter and filmmaker, and also father of Anjelica Huston (pictured). The 15-time Oscar nominee (and two-time winner) appeared in Chinatown and directed hits from The Maltese Falcon to Prizzi's Honor. Though he lived in Rhode Island during his final years, Huston went to high school in Echo Park and was buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (aka the cemetery of the stars—which is so LA). 

Ivy

During much of the '80s, '90s and '00s, the Robertson Blvd. restaurant was the place to see and be seen in LA. While it may have piqued as a celeb haunt, The Ivy's continues to be a go-to spot for locals (and tourists hoping they might just see a star). For all its chichi-ness, the restaurant still manages to be warm, cheerful and welcoming, kind of like the name Ivy itself. 

Joan

For writer Joan Didion, who lived in LA for more than 20 years and understands the power of place, and LA's particular allure. "A good part of any day in Los Angeles is spent driving, alone, through streets devoid of mean­ing to the driver, which is one reason the place ex­hilarates some people, and floods others with an amorphous unease. There is about these hours spent in transit a seductive unconnectedness," she wrote. In a city often criticized for being shallow and devoid of history, the name Joan, deceptively simple, is a reminder of its depth.

Laker

If you bleed purple and gold, consider this homage to the Lakers, LA's home team since 1960 (after it relocated from Minnesota, aka “Land of 10,000 Lakes," hence the name). Over the years, the basketball squad has racked up 16 NBA championships, second only to the Celtics. We like the unisex name, which sounds strong, modern and just the right amount of bohemian.  

Dale Robinette/Summit Entertainment

Lala (or La-la)

According to some baby name sites, Lala is a Hawaiian name meaning cheerful. But in 2011, Oxford English Dictionary (OED) entered La-La Land into its hallowed pages. The OED gave the term two meanings: "Los Angeles or Hollywood, especially with regard to the film and television industry," or "a fanciful state or dreamworld." The 2016 Oscar-winning film cemented the link between La La (or La-La, or Lala) and Los Angeles, and also the "dreamworld" it evokes. As a baby name, La-la seems to bring together all of its meanings: cheerful, fanciful and totally LA. 

Laurel

Laurel Canyon isn't just the name of a street or a shortcut for getting in and out of the Valley; it embodies an era during the late '60s and '70s when the winding strip above Sunset Blvd. was home to rockers like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and The Eagles. The name captures the free-spirited, peace-and-love vibe of the era without being too "out there." 

Warner Bros.

Marlowe

For writer Raymond Chandler's fictional private eye Philip Marlowe (famously played by Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep). The LA that Marlowe inhabited was sultry and smoky, the ultimate film noir setting. The name Marlowe, which would work for a boy or girl, nods to old Hollywood without being too on the nose. 

Oscar

He's Hollywood's favorite leading man—how could you go wrong? Plus, even with old-fashioned names being all the rage, Oscar remains under the radar—in 2018, it ranked 206th in popularity. 

something.from.nancy via flickr

Ocean

Because the only thing more closely associated with LA than Hollywood (and celebrity culture) is probably the beach. Of course, if you're all about coming up with a name that's original, just be warned that Ocean has seen an uptick in trendiness: For 2018, its popularity (for boys) jumped by 31 percent. Might we suggest Pacific instead? 

Roxy

Any nightclub that has survived more than five decades on the Sunset Strip has to be considered a classic. That's the case for The Roxy, which opened in 1973, and has featured performers ranging from Frank Zappa to Prince to Alabama Shakes. As a name, Roxy represents not just rock 'n' roll but perseverance and, well, moxie.  

Runyon

For Runyon Canyon, a quintessential LA hike in the middle of Hollywood. Sure, it's crowded and touristy and a bit been-there-done-that if you're a local. But on a clear day, the views from downtown to the Pacific are unforgettable—kinda like the name itself. 

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Sanford

The name is long for Sandy, as in Koufax, the legendary Dodgers pitcher who struck out 18 Cubs in 1962, and became the youngest player inducted into the Hall of Fame. (And also memorably sat out a World Series game to observe Yom Kippur.) Sure, he's originally from NY, but isn't that true of so many Angelenos? If the name Sanford doesn't hit you right, we're also throwing out Koufax as an option.  

Venice 

NYC has Brooklyn; Austin has, well, Austin. So we'll take Venice, a name that connotes a cool, laid-back beach-y vibe. 

Wilton

Because Kobe already piqued in popularity in the early 2000s, as did Kareem before that in the late '70s. So we looked into the annals of Lakers history to bring back Wilton, or Wilt, for Lakers MVP Wilt Chamberlain, who led the team to its first NBA championship in 1972. 

featured image: Pixabay

—Shannan Rouss

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