Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree in Balboa Park, San Diego
You might've already known about eucalyptus but have you heard of rainbow eucalyptus? The colorful eucalyptus deglupta species grows in places such as its native Papua New Guinea or Hawaii. The colors of the rainbow eucalyptus are striking, more colorful than a regular eucalyptus. These deglupta trees may be hard to locate.
I answer important questions like: Can I grow a rainbow eucalyptus? Can it grow in California? Where are they native to? What causes rainbow eucalyptus trees? Keep reading!
As a local, I've been to Balboa Park dozens of times over the past 20+ years. It's a place I thought I knew pretty well but life always surprises you. Something about this visit was a bit different. I noticed a colorful tree. You don't find trees with rainbow bark very often. I looked at it & all of a sudden I recalled news video I've seen earlier in the week.
I watched a two-minute news clip about the rainbow eucalyptus tree, which stated that you can see it in various spots throughout San Diego County, including Balboa Park & the San Diego Zoo. There are tons of eucalyptus trees in San Diego but this was unique.
Related reading: Your Guide to Hanging Fresh Eucalyptus Leaves in the Shower
Just like most social media users, I absorb & consume a lot of content, so I thought it was cool but I never thought much of it. Fast forward to this one magical time I'm in the park. I saw the colorful rainbow eucalyptus tree & the video clip went through my mind. I took a couple pictures & moved on with my day exploring San Diego. That said, I cannot recall the exact geolocation but it was somewhere near the museum & building areas.
Related reading: Coffee Shops in Carlsbad, California
What Causes Rainbow Eucalyptus?
The little rainbow tree grows up to be a big rainbow gum tree. No no, just kidding. The rainbow tree effect comes from the various layers of bark as they begin to oxidize & peel off. Rainbow eucalyptus trees lose their bark & thus, shades of their color, which causes the stunning rainbow look.
It may take years for a tree to acquire enough layering. You'll often see shades of orange & bright green. The trunk of this magnificent eucalyptus rainbow tree is a rare, seasonal sight. The best time to witness it might be in the springtime, that's when I viewed it!
Can Rainbow Eucalyptus Grow in California?
These beautiful rainbow trees, called Eucalyptus deglupta, are native to tropical rainforest environments such as the Philippines, Indonesia, & Papua New Guinea with some rain. If you type in the phrase rainbow eucalyptus tree into Google, the image shown depicts the tree in some pretty wild colors. That is not at all the type of wild, natural version I saw in Balboa Park, San Diego area. I have to guess that many images online are heavily edited to include a range of colors.
In Maui, Hawaii you'll find the Eucalyptus deglupta, also known as the Mindanao Gum or the Rainbow Gum tree. You'll find these remarkable painted eucalyptus trees on Hana Highway as well as Ke’anae Arboretum. Rainbow eucalyptus trees with rainbow bark aren't easy to search for. The Eucalyptus deglupta is quite a sight with shades bright green & orange! Hawaii is the perfect place for these trees since they thrive in a frost-free, tropical environment.
Can rainbow eucalyptus grow in California? Technically yes because they are growing in places like Balboa Park & the San Diego Zoo. However, it'll be harder to find rainbow eucalyptus seeds, bonsai, or seedling. One thing to remember: it's definitely not a house plant as eucalyptus can grow over 100 feet tall. You might be able to find the seeds online like on Amazon.
If you're in the San Diego area, here's a list of things to do in Oceanside, California: restaurants, coffee shops, what to see, & here's a list of things to do in Encinitas, California.
Where Can You See Rainbow Eucalyptus?
You'll spot it on Maui, Hawaii, some places in Southern California & San Diego like the Zoo or Balboa Park. It can be found in the Philippines, Indonesia, & Papua New Guinea. It can take years for the colorful rainbow effect to develop. These are your best best for finding the trees!
Can I Grow a Rainbow Eucalyptus?
The bark is one of its most notable features & that's what makes it so popular. However, these aren't easy plants. If you can potentially find the seeds or a seedling, you can certainly try. It is possible to be planted.
The trees don't grow everywhere so it might be easier said than done. It will be hard to grow the tree in a place where it is not naturally native. Conditions such as the soil & humidity may make a huge difference. They tend to thrive in a frost-free environment. You might be able to find the seeds online someplace like Amazon.
These are some pretty cool trees that can be found in various places in the world. They aren't new but they are somewhat rare. It's one of those things you have to see in real life order to appreciate & know its beauty. The way the bark peels is nature at its finest. Enjoy the sight if you see one in person! I can't believe I walked by one right when they were in season with its bark chipping off to slowly reveal the layers of colors underneath. As a gardening enthusiast, it was a joy to see one up close.
Have you seen trees with rainbow bark before? Let me know in the comments if you know where to view these in your city? Maybe we can compile a list! :]
Small Business Shopping Gift Guide
We're all scratching our heads attempting to maneuver through life, work, & relationships post-pandemic. Wait, we're still in the pandemic. Some of us handcrafted masks, some experimented with sourdough bread, some protested. No matter what - 2020 isn't a write-off year. It's a year of wandering around your city, looking out for every nook & cranny & trail & critter, rather than focusing on traveling the world. 2020 is the year instigating lifelong helpful change, making the world better than you found it.
Gift ideas from hair care to makeup to hand sanitizer created by a 9-year-old |
We can make a difference in the brands we support, including choosing small businesses, Black-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses rather than huge corporations. These businesses could use a sprinkle of support. Send a link to your friend or roommate. Buy something for yourself or a loved one. Most of these gifts are low-cost & make a great gift as an act of love or self-care.
Heathmade
Founded & created by a 9-year-old Heath, Heathmade offers products from hand sanitizer, lip balm, lotion bars, deodorant, & even travel set options. I'm utterly impressed with the lotion bar. The bay leaf + tobacco + lavender scent, Manly Lotion Bar, smells like a comforting embrace your great uncle would give you when you were a kid. Smells lovely, works wonderfully. Rub the lotion bar on dry parts - elbows, knees, hands, you get the drill. It feels rich on the skin & acts like a light perfume/cologne due to its scent. Products are very affordable. Everything is under $15 (except for the travel sets). Click here to check out the Heathmade lotion bars. Don't forget to browse the hand sanitizers because that's a must-have these days.
Ecoslay
Are you a curl haired queen? Try Ecoslay's line of cleansers, conditioners, stylers, as well as some bundles to pick & choose from. I used the Orange Marmalade curl definer for my 2b-2c waves & it created a more established wave than if I didn't use the product. It breathes life into my hair. I'm still figuring out how to manage my hair, as it changes its mind every day. The Ecoslay curl definer didn't leave my hair crispy as some other defining products might feel. The luxuriously thick Banana Cream deep conditioner smells delightful with avocado, okra, coconut cream, aloe vera, & banana as ingredients. Whether you have wavy or curly locks, Ecoslay has something for your hair type.
CocoOil
Coconut oil has so many great uses. Hey, you can cook with it & moisturize your skin simultaneously! Best of both worlds. CocoOil offers an array of certified Fair Trade cold-pressed organic coconut oil-based items such as the After Sun oil with lime to apply after a fun pool day or the Ocean Spray to give your locks some beachy waves & volume. It'll leave your skin feeling glossy & hydrated. Ingredients are cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate + silicone-free. Woot woot!
My Little Mascara Club
The Best Little Mascara Ever gift set comes with a pair of eco-friendly reusable mascara remover wipes, natural mascara, fresh micellar water remover, & a chic black & white bag. You can order once or pick a frequency that delivers a new shipment to that works for you. The convenient setup allows you to have consistent mascara access at your given pace. My Little Mascara Club products are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, beeswax-free, & paraffin-free.
Formula 10.0.6
Formula 10.0.6 has quite a range of face & body products with vibrant, modern packaging. Their face products range from a mattifying oil-free moisturizer to a skin-purifying bubble mask to an acne blemish treatment. It all started in 1933 with a family chemist & developed from there. They have a cool variety of face masks. If you can't decide which mask to get, opt for the Multi-Mask Kit. The brand is extremely affordable with most products around $7.
HUE For Every Man
HUE For Every Man creates hair care products for men with textured, curly, &/or coarse hair. In their shop, you'll find all nature pomade for all hair types to a charcoal face mask to a shave lotion. You can find them on their website as well as at select Target locations.
Evidence Skincare (ESK)
The Australian made, cruelty-free brand, ESK, creates products formulated based on peer-reviewed scientific studies published in established medical journals. No hodgepodge or gimmicks here. You can even take their Skin Quiz to find out more about your skin's exact needs. You'll find an anti-aging kit, acne/oily skin kit, rosacea kit, & more in the ESK online shop.
Trophy Skin
The MiniMD is a nifty handheld microdermabrasion tool that kind of exfoliates & sucks on your skin like a tiny vacuum. Plug it in, add a filter, turn it on, & you're ready to buff n roll. This certainly helps slough off dead skin, perfect for dry times when your face needs a good scrub. The diamond head exfoliation makes your skin feel smoother. Trophy Skin not only has microdermabrasion products but also light therapy as well as ultrasonic options.
What would you want from this list? What small businesses do you love? Leave a comment so we can check it out!
Is Pinterest Social Media? + a List of Pinterest Categories
What is Pinterest?
In May 2020, I hit 1 million monthly viewers on Pinterest. In June, I hit my all-time high of 2.8 million monthly viewers. So I write this post based on my personal experience as well as the experience doing Pinterest work for clients.
Is Pinterest social media? Is there a method on how to find friends on Pinterest? I delve into all these answers to help you understand a bit more about the platform - keep reading! So, what is Pinterest? Pinterest is an image-sharing social media platform. In order to use the service, users have to create an account. If you don't have an account, it'll prompt you to login before it'll allow you to use any of the features. You can use your Google account to log in or create an account with your email & password.
Pins & Boards
Photos, videos, & GIFs can be saved into what are called pinboards. The user can create their own boards or participate in group boards. People can use the toolbar to search for what they are looking for. Click here to see my Pinterest boards & the groups I'm in as an example. Over the years I've created a range of pin boards due to my interests at the time; I've also joined many groups & been invited to participate in group boards.
Want to work with me? If you are interested in my content or marketing services, fill out this quick questionnaire and I'll email you back!
Is Pinterest Social Media?
Technically, yes. Pinterest is classified as a social media platform. You can follow people, people can follow you, you can messages users. Is Pinterest social media? It allows you to be social with others. However, you can choose to use the platform in any way you wish. You don't have to follow people or feel stress to gain followers or page views. You can use it purely inspiration. It's mainly an image-based social media service. You can easily utilize the search feature by typing into it as you would Google.
What are Pinterest Categories?
Once you have an account & you're all logged in you'll see a search bar on the top of the website. Type in anything here. It'll give you some top Pins as well as some potential other related terms. For example, if you're looking for recipe ideas you could type in anything from "easy dessert ideas" to "pancake recipes" to "quick and easy dinner recipes vegetarian Indian." There are literally millions of pins, so you'll most likely find exactly what you're looking for.
Here's a breakdown of the Pinterest categories:
Popular
Everything
Gifts
Videos
Animals and pets
Architecture
Art
Cars and motorcycles
Celebrities
DIY and crafts
Design
Education
Entertainment
Food and drink
Gardening
Geek
Hair and beauty
Health and fitness
History
Holidays and events
Home decor
Humor
Illustrations and posters
Kids and parenting
Men's fashion
Outdoors
Photography
Products
Quotes
Science and nature
Sports
Tattoos
Technology
Travel
Weddings
Women's fashion
Each of the Pinterest categories comes with a bunch of other subcategories. For example, under the DIY and crafts section, you'll find related topics such as Hacks, Woodworking, Beadwork, Jewelry making, Quilting, among others. You can always search for other terms as well. How to tie-dye clothes with bleach. Black & white photography of Sweden. Chocolate & coffee oatmeal.
How to Search for Images
If you don't know what you're searching for, start with something vague such as "travel tips" & then it'll prompt you if you want to be more specific. It might show Europe, Packing, Amtrak train, International, Japan, Hawaii, Solo, Iceland, etc. It helps refine the search to be more relevant for you. Now when we're talking about is Pinterest social media, this is where it's a bit different.
You can use Pinterest solely for imagery, inspiration, or to access the search feature like you would for Google. Whereas people might use Facebook to post about their life or they might use Instagram to get followers their business, many people use Pinterest for its search capabilities & its wealth of information.
How to Find Friends on Pinterest & How to Follow People
Start by doing some initial searches. Then you might find some users whose content you really like or relate to. If you feel inclined, you can follow them so you'll see more of the things that they post. If you're trying to find out how to find friends on Pinterest, type in their name in the search bar, go to their profile, & follow them there. If you can't find them or perhaps they have a different name, just ask them for their username or their link. That's the easiest method on how to find friends on Pinterest.
Pinterest Manager
What in the world is Pinterest?! Is Pinterest social media? Is there such a thing as Pinterest training? How to find friends on Pinterest? So maybe you have read all this & you're still totally confused. That was me. I used to Pinterest for quite a long time before I figured out how it works so I totally understand the frustration. Now I've been using the social media platform for years & even work with my clients on their accounts. If you need a Pinterest manager, fill out my quickie questionnaire. I'm not a Pinterest marketing agency but I'm a human being who specialized in Pinterest. As a Pinterest manager, I've used Pinterest marketing for clients such as a bohemian towel brand, a travel influencer, a fitness trainer, & even a therapy practice. See my blog post about How I Help People as a Blog Coach & Consultant.
Want to work with me? If you are interested in my content or marketing services, fill out this quick questionnaire and I'll email you back!
For Pinterest manager & Pinterest training: go here.
Are you on Pinterest? Why do you use it? What's your tip for someone new to Pinterest? :]
Traveling to France: Paris Travel Tips
Traveling to Paris is magical. While I live many of my days in Southern California (Conejo Valley, Encinitas, Lompoc) but I've traveled to over 20 countries & I keep finding myself in Paris. Time & time again. I obviously don't consider myself a local, but I know more than the this-is-my-first-time-in-Paris site-seeing tourist or travel influencer. Understand how to not look like a tourist in Paris, because it can keep you safer, make you more knowledgeable, & make you a better traveler. Traveling to Paris is so fun. Consider these France travel tips.
Paris Tips
Charles de Gaulle can be so confusing so don't feel discouraged if it takes over an hour to find your way out. At least you're in Paris! Consider these best Paris travel tips. From the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower to the Notre Dame, your trip to Paris will be full of wonder. If you are visiting Paris for the first time, make sure to do some research, particularly on how not to look like a tourist.
Reserve your tickets ahead of time whenever possible.
Three facts about the writer, Carmen: I always have fresh eucalyptus hanging in the shower. One time I spent the night at London Gatwick Airport. Out of all the cities in the world, I've explored Paris the most.
Three facts about the writer, Carmen: I always have fresh eucalyptus hanging in the shower. One time I spent the night at London Gatwick Airport. Out of all the cities in the world, I've explored Paris the most.
Paris Travel Tips
Over the years I've spent several weeks in Paris. My cousin lives in Paris, so I spent some time staying with her in her cool but small studio in the 15th arrondissement. Some days are jam-packed with the most touristy best places to visit in Paris, while some days I sleep in, listen to true crime podcasts in Bibliothèque Vaugirard as I organize emails & submit invoices to my social media & blog clients. Now that I've been to Paris several times & have spent many weeks in the City of Lights, these are my biggest tips on how to not look like a tourist in Paris, France, consider these the do's & don'ts of visiting Paris! Read these France travel tips.
Related reading: How to Eat on a Budget While Traveling Abroad
How to Not Look Like a Tourist in Paris, France: Do’s & Don’ts of Paris. Consider these France travel tips. |
1. Don’t Speak Extremely Loud, Do Be Aware of Your Volume
One of the first France travel tips is to mind your voice volume. This is applicable wherever you travel. I’ll never forget the American male tourist practically yelling in the metro station that he couldn’t understand the map. His booming voice echoed through the metro, implying his tourist stats to the two hundred or more people through the station. While I completely understand the frustration, the metro can be overwhelming for even a Paris novice, but he created an easy target on his back to get pickpocketed. Travel tips for France: Not only is it courteous to be aware of your volume, but you might blend in more or be less noticeable to pickpockets, scammers, etc.2. Don’t Dress Like a Tourist, Do Dress More Parisian
Traveling to Paris doesn't have to be scary. You can tell when someone is a tourist because French people are dressed nicely, probably commuting to work or heading to dinner with friends, but as a tourist, we’re dressed for comfort, you don’t have your entire wardrobe to choose from. Travel tips for France & anywhere: I’m a tourist, a traveler myself, but I try to blend in when I can. While this isn’t 100% here are some things to keep in mind: Parisians often wear neutrals. Parisians wear sneakers over the standard tennis shoe or running shoe. Think Stan Smith Adidas - here's a real photo from Paris of three types of white shoes. Look French, that's one of the easier France travel tips.
Related reading: 12 Drool-Worthy Food Photos from visiting Paris, France
3. Don’t Walk Around Naked, Do Wear Headphones
When you visit Paris, look around & you’ll see loads of people wearing their little white iPhone headphones or the occasional person with a wireless Bluetooth headphone, either way, many Parisians, especially the younger generation wear headphones while walking around town, commuting via metro or bus. Visiting Paris? Travel tips for France: You’ll blend right in if you listen to a downloaded podcast on Spotify or look at your phone's map to figure out the best places to visit in Paris, just do it with your headphones in. Sometimes I write notes on my phone, it helps me remember details & it looks like I’m a cool Parisian texting all my Parisian friends. Travel tips for France on how to not look like a tourist in Paris? Headphones or earbuds!4. Don’t Always Speak English, Do Learn Some French words - Even a Word or Two
Traveling to Paris? Learn some French words if you're visiting Paris! I took three years of French in high school since my family lives in France. It was always my goal to communicate with my cousins, but alas, I’ve forgotten most of the verb conjugations & all the accents: accent ague? Sometimes Fred & I can have an entire interaction in our butchered French. Let go of any language shame - just try. I literally pointed to a baguette & said “un croissant, s'il vous plais.” twice while the cashier was like…. “uh…c’est un baguette.” Like I know what it is, my brain messed up. Don’t worry, you’re going to feel silly, but you can’t improve if you don’t try. If anything, you'll learn travel tips for France from this post.
Related reading: How To Use Google Flights to Find Cheap Flights
5. Don’t Forget to Greet People, Do Say Your “Bonjours” and “Bon Soirees”
French culture means never not saying goodbye. In the USA, we often have “ghosting” culture where you leave without saying goodbye, you just kind of evaporate, disappear. Not when you're visiting Paris, honey. That’s seen as extremely rude. You’ll almost always be greeted when you enter and establishment & you’ll be wished a good day when you leave. For example, when you enter a boulangerie (a French bakery), the cashier will often say, “Bonjour Madame, Bonjour Monsieur.” You should always respond back. My travel tips for France: I usually just say exactly the same thing back to the person. After you order and are about to leave, they usually say “Bonne journée” if it’s day time - which means "Have a nice day." In the late afternoon & evening, many people will send you off with a “Bonne soirée” - basically "Have a good evening." Again, I simply say my pleases & thank you (si’l vous plait & merci) & then regurgitate what they say to me. At our flat in Paris, every time anyone walked passed you, you’d say “bonjour” or at least some acknowledgment or their presence. At my apartment in the USA, you can walk past your neighbor of 3 years without a hello, without even knowing their name. While walking the halls, this While I’m pretty introverted, it’s just different here & you have to push yourself out of the comfort zone. Traveling to Paris is an experience like no other.
Related reading: The Beauty of the Notre Dame in Paris
6. Don’t Go Without Internet, Do Get a SIM Card
You can't go traveling to Paris without a SIM card. I've done the bulk of my travels without the internet, simply relying on public Wi-Fi whenever possible. Some cities are easier, but in Paris, unless you hop inside a McDonald’s or Starbucks, you’ll be hard-pressed to find free internet. Plus you risk someone stealing your information, passwords, and potentially hacking you. I know, I had no clue about any of this either. I was blissfully logging into every free Wi-Fi. You can easily find SIM cards in Paris at the little phone, gadget, internet kiosks throughout the city. We purchased a 20 gig SIM card for 25 Euro. It allowed us to view maps on our phone without busting out a huge I’m-a-tourist paper map.7. Consider Getting the Paris Pass
Save money on top tourist attractions! The Paris Pass allows you to check out some of the top Paris attractions all on one digital pass! Enjoy entry to over 75 top things to do in the city such as iconic landmarks like the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, and the Arc de Triomphe.
Top Things to Do in Paris for First Timers
Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa, Musée d'Orsay, Latin Quarter (The 5th Arrondissement),
Are you traveling to Paris soon? What are your France travel tips? Are you visiting Paris? Do you have travel tips for France?
Are you traveling to Paris soon? What are your France travel tips? Are you visiting Paris? Do you have travel tips for France?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
POPULAR TOPICS
Beauty
beer
California
California Things to Do
Carlsbad
Coachella
Copenhagen
Del Mar
easy vegetarian recipe
Europe
fashion
food
France
Germany
Halloween
healthy vegetarian recipe
London
Mexico
music
music festival style
Netherlands
Oceanside
Paris
Portland
press trip
San Diego
self-employment
social media marketing
travel
USA Travel
vegetarian