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New Skills And Hobbies To Pick Up In Orange County

oc curling club header
(credit: OC Curling Club)

Whether you make resolutions or not, the first of the year is always the perfect time to try new things. Change up your look, learn a new skill or make a lifestyle changes with these Orange County businesses.

The Sweat House
(credit: The Sweat House)

The Sweat House
16033 Bolsa Chica St. Ste. 101
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(714) 840-0848

Head to The Sweat House for a variety of classes to help get you back in shape. This Huntington Beach-based studio features a few varieties of group exercise classes such as Barre (currently a very popular ballet-esque workout style) and Yoga. But if you are looking to try something new, seek out their SPX class, a combination of pilates and strength training that gets results faster. These group pilates classes are taught to high energy music by teachers who know how to motivate. These quick, intense workouts will get you back into your skinny pants in no time at all.

Wardrobe Code
(credit: The Suitcase Studio)

The Wardrobe Code
Nicole Longstreath
(949) 836-3035
www.thewardrobecode.com

What are your clothes saying about you? With Nicole Longstreath of The Wardrobe Code, you can take on the new year in style. This OC-based wardrobe coach will evaluate your clothing situation and then teach you how to streamline your dressing efforts and put out the image that you want to portray. Starting in January, Nicole will be focusing on a virtual coaching option, called "Make it Work," conducted via Skype. From walking you through how to organize your closet to putting individual outfits together, these classes allow you to learn how to find your unique style and confidently dress for success. There is homework, which includes things like creating a Pinterest board of your ideal look, editing items out of your wardrobe that are wasting space and addressing areas that are keeping you from feeling good about your personal style. By the end, your outlook on getting dressed in the morning will be transformed and you will possess the tools to be your own wardrobe coach. Be sure also to read her blog for amazing articles on fashion and tips on styling.

Jenny Warner Lightly Seasoned Headshot
(credit: Jenny Warner)

Lightly Seasoned Cooking Classes
www.facebook.com

Weeknights are hectic and we are often at a loss for what to get on the dinner table for our family. Jenny Warner, of Lightly Seasoned, is your answer. With a focus on healthy, simple and delicious dishes, Jenny will share her tips and recipes with you. Come to her location or have her come to you -- she is flexible and willing to make it work around your schedule. Every class includes instruction, recipes and the best part, taste testing. This brand new business is bare bones and all information can be found on the Facebook page, including the upcoming class schedule. Take a class by yourself or gather some friends and put a private class together. Jenny can also put together a custom party for you and your guests for any type of event. This is a great way to add some new meals in to your rotation in a casual fun environment.

one hope wines
(credit: One Hope Wines)

Hope at Home
www.hopeathome.com

Have you always wanted to do some wine tasting? And have you vowed to do a little more good in this world this year? Now you can do them both at the same time. Hope at Home, a part of Irvine-based One Hope Wines, makes fundraising for a good cause delicious. When you host a Hope at Home wine tasting party, an event consultant will bring the wine and you will bring the fun. The tasting is conducted in an informal way, keeping the atmosphere social and light. Your guests have the opportunity to buy the wines and help raise money for some very important causes. Half of the profits of each wine is earmarked to a specific cause and 15 percent of the event sales are donated to the hostess' non-profit organization of choice. Want to become more involved? You can take it to the next level and become a wine specialist yourself. Then you can learn more about wine, help others host parties and continue raising funds for causes that you are passionate about. The best part about this company is that they want to raise funds for a purpose and will help you to see just what has been achieved due to your involvement. Everyone wins.

oc curling
(credit: Jen K./Yelp)

Curling Club
(714) 987-2875
www.occurling.org

If you are looking for something to try that is totally out of the box, check out the Orange County Curling Club. The first and only club of its kind in Orange County makes it easy for you to try out this Olympic sport. This team sport consists of two teams of four people each and involves sliding a 42-pound granite stone toward "the house" at the opposite end of the playing area. Club activities are held at Westminster Ice and their website helps aspiring curlers find events for different levels of play. There are beginning classes and Drop-In play sessions (which includes instructors and experienced players to help you). And if you find out that you are a curling natural, you can sign up for one of their leagues.

Sharon Garofalow is a mom blogger in Orange County. See more of her work at Cupcakes and Cutlery.

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