Afternoon 10,599: Paso and Pismo with Love

A wonderful reason to escape from LA and the madness of the costume department last weekend was an out of town wedding for my good friend from high school.

We drove up the 101 to the town of Paso Robles in Central California. We got in just in time for a few wine tastings in the area and a delicious dinner at a Thomas Hill Organics. We were lucky enough to have accrued some Hilton Honors points so we were able to enjoy a free night at the Paso Robles Hampton Inn & Suites. Normally more interested in boutique hotels or B & B's were weren't too excited about the Hampton Inn, but our stay turned out to be quite enjoyable. Offering complementary wine tasting in the evening as well as upgrading us from our (free) basic room to a suite for no charge were pleasant surprises.

After check in we headed to the wine trail leading to the stunning vineyards a few miles away.

Our first stop was Eagle Castle Winery. First spotting the faux-medieval fortress from the road we both were thinking, "what the.....?" so of course we had to go check it out. Getting out of the car and crossing the moat made me wonder just how many weddings must take place here. It is like Disneyland for winos. After doing a tasting and meeting the owner he confessed that the building was designed to attract women.

We drove down the road to a few other tasting rooms but unfortunately because it was a week day and we got a late start, most of the ones we had hoped to visit had closed. We decided

to drive into town and get dinner. I had heard great things about Thomas Hill Organics as well as Artisan so we visited both to see a menu and check out the vibe. We decided to go with THO. We made an excellent choice. We were impressed with the seasonal menu with most fruits and vegetables coming from the owners organic garden. We ordered a Persimmon, smoked duck and mixed green salad which was unique, light and decadent all at the same time. We also had a Pizza made in the outdoor wood burning pizza oven.

During our dinner the owner Debbie came over and introduced herself and told us about their farm and the concept behind the restaurant. We fell in love with the place. Now if only they could put one in LA!

The next morning we woke up early to drive the 40 minutes up to Hearst Castle. As a California native I am afraid I have taken for granted the beauty that is the Highway 1 coastline. It is interesting how the more I travel the more beauty I see in my own home. So for a change I tried to see the California Coast with the same eyes I saw the rigid Irish coastline for the first time. Mesmerized by the striking jagged perfection I realized that the two coastlines are actually very similar in appearance.

Driving up on a clear warm morning ensured that we would get to see the wild zebras that live on the land just outside of Hearst Castle, once part of William Hearst's private zoo.

There are few architectural images in California as striking as that of the Hearst Castle Neptune Pool. There is a rumor that once a year employees of Hearst Castle get to have a private party at the estate where they actually get enjoy the castle as well as swim in the pools. I have got to get me invited to one of those parties.

After the tour of the estate we raced down the Highway 1 to get to Pismo Beach in time to get changed and ready for the wedding rehearsal. We checked in to our hotel, Pismo Lighthouse Suites. Upon arrival to the sweltering room we went straight for the AC but noticed that they didn't have AC. We called the front desk and they encouraged us to open the windows and use the "ocean breeze". It was an unseasonably warm weekend and unfortunately the only breeze was a hot one. In a hurry to get ready to go I was going to jump in the shower...but the shower didn't work either. So I sponge bathed myself while waiting for maintenance, then hit the road.

The wedding rehearsal was standard as rehearsals go but the real treat was seeing friends I haven't seen in ages. Girlfriends from high school who grew up to be such amazing women, I am so proud to call them all close friends. One has been living in Bali and Indonesia for the past 5 years, finally home for good. The other newly pregnant living in upstate New York with her brilliant wife. And the bride- lover of all things pink and Hello Kitty grew up to be an ass kicking detective.

So here we are all grown up with husbands, wives, careers and the first baby on the way. The time just flew by....and now we all enter the next phase of our lives. Which for the bride begins tomorrow as she marries the fireman of her dreams.

Cute Outfit of the day:

I didn't catch his name- but this boy was our sever at Elf last night and he is sporting the most adorable sailor-meets-waiter ensemble. On the bottom half he wears tight white jeans and a long white apron with white chuck's. 

What I saw go down in Target.

Just minding my business shopping in Target where I hear a voice singing. Then several. Before you know it a group of "customers" break out in song and dance. Pay special attention to the security guard. 

Faces of Sunset Junction

Sunset Junction is my favorite street festival of all time.  It got a bad rap and was almost cancelled this year because many of the local businesses and residents were concerned that it 

had become too commercial. The Junction had originally been formed as a way to promote diversity and to unite the gay and Latino residents.  Many people feel like this is not the goal any longer and now it it a big money making machine. I did not go to Sunset Junction twenty nine years ago when it first was created so I cannot compare that to my experiences.  

If the goal was to create a bridge between two different communities that did not often coexist, I would say that goal has been achieved. Maybe the original goal of Sunset Junction is no longer needed and the new generation of Silver Lake has been handed the torch.  

Whatever the case, Sunset Junction is diverse. Its fun, its a little bit gay, a little bit hipster, part family oriented and part debaucherous. I look forward to the bad margaritas and fabulous outfits year after year. 

Day 10,548 in the life

On my drive to work yesterday I was texting (I know, I know, its illegal), changing radio stations, trying to find my sunglasses and making a mental check list for my day.  Coming up to a red light I saw a sight to my right that I found so hypnotic. I quit my incessant multi tasking to watch the bird whispering homeless man on the sidewalk. He was lying on a dirty mattress surrounded by garbage near the freeway on ramp. He had about ten pigeons near him, sitting on him and letting him pet them.  In the chaos of my morning  I almost missed this fascinating sight. He so peacefully held each bird and talked to them the way a zookeeper might do to an eagle.

He seemed so content.  I thought how nice it must be for him to have these friends, these birds to talk to and keep him company on the streets of Los Angeles.  

Searching for "The One"?

Dan Savage my imaginary BFF sums it up. 

Night 10,534 Project Runway Premier

"I always said someday I'll be amazing. This is my someday". My favorite quote in the first 23 minutes of Project Runway. 

This season Project Runway was shot in Los Angeles at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. As a Fashion Design graduate of FIDM it is with a lot of nostalgic pride that I watch this show. Seeing the designers enter the same classrooms for the first time reminds me of 3,974 days ago my young self almost eighteen years old walking into a lofty room that smelled of musty dress forms and eager dreams.  A room full of hopeful eyes await the beginning of their destiny. 

Eleven years later, this is my someday. 

But what I learned at FIDM and about life is that your "someday" is a choice.  Someday is today if you want it to be, and is impossible if you don't believe.   

Flipping through an old photo album several weeks ago I came across photos of my graduation from FIDM and the days leading up to it. Nights out with classmates celebrating, laughing and dreaming of our sequin and silk filled futures. One of my classmates in the photos, Maxine, I realized I hadn't seen since. Later that evening doing some mindless online shopping at Revolve I came across some fantastic pants that were perfect for me. Said pants were designed by Maxine Dillon.  So, Maxine, my long lost classmate and now successful fashion designer; congratulations! 

Please come support a local Los Angeles designer, enjoy poolside cocktails and music at an iconic Hollywood Hotel. 

Night Swim Featuring Apartment 3 Pop Up Shop & Pool Party

Featuring designer Maxine Dillon

Roosevelt Hotel 

Tuesday August 25th, 2009

9pm-2am

Evening 10,522

NASA's shiny new toy, Keplar, recently released analysis of a "Hellish" planet known as a Hot Jupiter (and I don't think its because the planet is sexy).  This made me ponder the idea of heaven and hell. As I believe in scientific facts before religious, if scientists have found a planet not unlike Hell, would that make Earth heaven? 

Just think about that for a second. What if we are already in Heaven. Anyone who is reading this is obviously fortunate enough to have a home, electricity, phone and a computer. They also have the ability to read, most likely appreciation for food and travel, and as I would bet are educated, curious and intelligent.  Not a terrible existence right?  So what if this is our heaven and we only have this one shot.  I am not sure if it would be possible to realize our happiness without times of challenge or hardship. It could be our overcoming these hurdles that brings us our greatest peace. 

How would we know a great film if we never saw a bad one? Or know health if we were never ill? A great job if we never had a terrible one?  

After spending the day at the beach with friends, family and little ones I reflect on the tiny baby feet feeling sand for the first time, the ice cold pacific ocean & the seagulls anxiously awaiting a Cheeto. I think of my husband in a beach house three thousand miles. Although at the beach under less joyful conditions- he is with the closest members of his family who he doesn't get to see often.  His mother, who is in my eyes the pillar of strength and compassion, has her boys to be her strength right now while she is recovering. Hopefully there is a soothing calm that comes from having your closest loved ones near you while you heal. Their boyish charms come back so clearly when they are together that even nine states away I can hear their laughter and see the mischievous grins.  I couldn't imagine better company to have. 

This life here on this thing we know of as Earth is the only guarantee we have. We have the power to choose if our life is terrible because of our past and hardships or if more rewarding because of them.  My past struggles and pain have led me to a smarter, more complex and rewarding life.  But it is an everyday choice to see obstacles as a few more stitches in life's

tapestry.

Heaven on Earth? Maybe we've been here all along. We may never know so we might as well love, learn, laugh and live. 

Night 10,506 Dodger Game

As one with hardly any interest in organized sports it is surprising (even to myself) how much I enjoy going to live games. We try at least once a season to catch a Dodger game and pretend to be real fans. I wear my broken in Dodger baseball cap, we eat Dodger Dogs, peanuts and drink bud light. Makes me feel all American and stuff. 

My favorite part is watching the sun set behind the hills of palm trees at the stadium on a Friday evening signaling the end of a long hard week. 

Or maybe what I love is watching the excitement

 reflect through the eyes of young die hard fans...

My husband would say my favorite part is the sing-a-longs .... 

I might agree...

if not for the fact at special games they let the fans run out onto the field while they turn out the lights and shoot off a big firework show. 

Day 10,508 Rewind!

Today I am in recover mode after a few weeks of whirlwind work, adventure and fun! 

Last night was the annual "Outstanding Art of Television Motion Picture Costume Design" exhibit opening party at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. I was so busy chatting with friends new and old that I never got a chance to take any photos.  This is one of my very favorite yearly parties; as well as an opportunity for me to drink my $40,000 tuitions worth of free cocktails. My girlfriend (and also FIDM alum) said, "wow free drinks!" her husband then turned and looked at her and said, "nope, I'm pretty sure we paid for these cocktails."  Touche, Harris. 

Its a gorgeous afternoon garden party at the FIDM campus in the middle of Downtown LA. Costume designers, fashion designers, actors, agents and alum mingle in the courtyard wearing as much fabulosity as you can squeeze into one ensemble. An older woman with yellow hair extensions chats up an older woman wearing a purple tweed suit with purple hair and a neck brace (the neck brace I don't think was a fashion statement).  Lots of men in seersucker suits, a few bow ties, and a sea of designer shades all celebrating another season of blood, sweat and sequins. 

After checking out the exhibit, chatting and downing one to many Citron Soda's the group of us were a tad tipsy and hungry.  We decided to check out the new Bottlerock Downtown.  The hubs and I are big fans of Bottlerock in Culver City but as devout eastsiders we rarely make it past LaBrea. We are thrilled to have our very own Bottlerock 1.4 miles from home! The ten of us buzzed fashonistas barreled into the restaurant ready for some stinky cheese and meat. We tried some spectacular cheeses of the bleu variety as well as procciuto, pate, speck and foie gras (I know, I know.... we'll talk about the vegetarian-ish situation at a later post). The wine was reasonably priced, the entrees beautifully presented and tasted spectacular.  

There could have been no better conclusion to a great party than a fantastic meal with my dearest friends and associates. 

Night 10,497

Growing up I had always felt far too sophisticated for the life that I had received. I often thought that surely God must have mad a mistake when he placed me with my family. This is why (in addition to other more logical reasons) I decided that God was a silly invention by some very bored predecessors. Because how could it be that me, this refined pre-pubescent teen was born to K-mart shopping, pick-up truck driving, Coors Light drinking, layaway using common folk? 

I counted the days until my 18th birthday when I would be free to move onto the fanciful life that had been waiting for me.  "Paris? Mais oui, I would love to join you...." I imagined myself saying to some intellectual types over martinis while wearing Valentino Couture. 

So imagine my disappointment when after an unfortunate accident I arrived to student housing for College in Los Angeles wearing an unsightly orthopedic leg brace and was sans voice.  All of the excitement had somehow caused me to lose my voice and then a separate injury caused me to tear valuable ligaments in my knee just days before my glamorous reinvention was set to take place.  I was mortified. I met my new roommate and thought surely she must think I am the biggest loser on the planet.  This would not be the biggest shock in the world as growing up overweight and poor at the same time generally classify one to the "loser" category as I had come to learn from the previous 17 years. But this was different. This was the day that my past did not precede me as a person. That day I met my new roommate but also my future closest friend. We began a life that was not Martinis and Valentino but was just as fabulous with cheap wine and Forever 21.  

October 2nd will be eleven years since the day it all began. There have been parties, babies, travel, Cedar's ER, Minnesota, Arizona, wine and weddings.  I am incredibly lucky but mostly incredibly happy.  I grew up to have a life that is even more spectacular than I had envisioned. And although I don't spend too much time fantasizing about Martinis, Paris or Valentino these days I would not at all be shocked if at some point in the near future Andrea and I joined by our incredible husbands will find ourselves sharing a bottle of Bordeaux in a Parisian brasserie probably laughing about something highly inappropriate. 

Day 10,486 4th of July Eve Recipe

My late great grandmother, Rose La Rosa was a first generation Sicilian mother of 7 sons and 1 daughter. They were a family of immigrant farm workers in Louisiana where money was tight and resources scarce. Cooking for the large family required an abundance of creativity on her part.  Without the ability to read or write she was not able to follow recipes which meant that she just made up her own.  This did not hinder the culinary brilliance that flowed from her kitchen. She was successful in using every asset available to create delicious Creole-Italian concoctions.  She did not use measuring spoons or cups and cooked by taste and availability; A dash of this, a bit more of that until....perfection. 

As a little girl we often spent weekends at her home where she fed hoards of hungry grand children, cousins and friends. There was a long communal table where we all sat under the watchful eye of Jesus and assorted saints as we ate fig cookies baked fresh from the figs growing in the back yard. It was always a delight to help her fetch eggs from the chicken coup and watch the hens scatter while this tiny Italian woman in a floral house dress, apron and knee-hi stockings several shades too dark for her chased after them cursing in Italian in a Louisianan dialect. 

My mother said to me recently, "you cook like Nana", which is an honor.  I was never interested in cooking for so long until recent years when I have found a peaceful focus in the kitchen.  I would never say I am a great cook but I would say I am creative and resourceful, maybe like Nana.  Friends have asked for recipes of a couple dishes I have made and I have never taken the time to write down how they are made.  Subconsciously, I picked up Nana's knack for making it up as I go. Although I am blessed to be literate and be able to purchase recipe books and supplies I prefer to do it her way.  There is a nostalgic seventh sense of the food I ate on those days at Nana's and it is one that will never be replicated. There is something wonderful about that. 

But I however am still alive so this morning I made a fantastic dish and took the time to write down what I put into it. Its an easy salad perfect as a side dish for 4th of July BBQ's. Also it is fat free & vegan/vegetarian.  Now what to call it....

Spicy Bean Salad

4 cups black eyed peas (cooked & chilled or canned)

4 cups yellow or white corn

1 large red onion

1 small jalapeno

1 medium bell pepper

1 bunch cilantro

1 small tomato

4 medium limes

1 small lemon

Chop all vegetables and mix together. Use a food processor or finely chop cilantro. Add cilantro to vegi mix. Rinse corn and beans. Put 1/2 contents of corn and 1/2 contents of black eyed peas into large bowl. Add 1/2 of vegi & cilantro mix to large bowl, mix with spoon then squeeze juice from 2 limes, add salt & pepper and blend again. Add the rest of the corn & beans, the rest of the vegi mix add salt, pepper and squeeze last 2 limes and the lemon. Toss and chill for 2 hours to let the spices and flavor settle.  Garnish with sprigs of cilantro or avocado. 

This will serve 8 people. 

*you can adjust the amount of jalapeno if you are sensitive to spicy foods. 

Bring to a party and BBQ and enjoy. 

Have a wonderful and safe Independence Day! 

Eco Friendly Crotch Rocket

...Okay Crotch Rocket might be an exaggeration BUT I have just been introduced to the coolest mode of transport.

My friend (who is the only person I know with a name cooler than mine) just bought the most awesome electric scooter.  It is called an E-Road and it is a bike with a motor.  According to the website because it pedals you do not need insurance, a drivers licence, registration or to even buy gasoline. You simply plug it in to charge the battery and you can go for about 2 hours before needing to recharge.  But best of all these bikes are only $899. 

Because my friend was so pleased with hers she has decided to become a sales rep for the company. If you are interested I can get you in touch with her. 

Day 10,484 and day 2 of becoming Vegetarian....ish

Its been brewing for some time now this idea of Vegetarianism. I have had fleeting flirtations with the idea of giving up meat but I have always been lured back in by the siren song of prosciutto, pate, prawns and.......hotdogs.  Eating meat has always been second nature to me. I was raised in a cabin off of a dirt road without running water or electricity where my mom kept a garden and my father hunted. Seeing a deer hanging from a tree to be skinned was not shocking, nor was watching my uncles trying to figure out how to grill a rattlesnake without poisoning the family.  We were a rustic band of mountain gypsies doing the organic free range thing before it was trendy. 

Going away to college was a food revelation for me. I had never heard of sushi before nor the plethora of other tasty ethnic offerings available all over Los Angeles.  The eleven years I have been in Los Angeles I have done my best to eat my way through the city and suburbs. In addition to my own culinary curiosities I married a foodie whose greatest joy is eating the strangest (and meatiest) thing off of the menu. He'll be the one with frog legs, bone marrow or pig feet.  So as you can see the vegi lifestyle has never really suited me. 

Over the last few years I believe many of us as Americans have begun to wake up from our SUV driving, credit card shopping, super sizing slumber and realize that the way we have been treating our planet and bodies is not okay.  I have been able to make subtle changes in my life of excess...the first one being the admission of such.  I feel like the change in my diet is the next logical step.  I plan to take it one step at a time in food elimination which is why I am going to call myself "vegetarianish". I don't believe people who eat fish are true vegetarians and I plan to eat fish from time to time. If I find myself in Europe on vacation I am going to try the local cuisine and if it happens to include meat from local farms I will not protest.  I feared putting this down into words because now I actually have to do it!  But I am excited. It feels good to know I can have a small impact on global warming by not eating red meat and that I will not be ingesting the growth hormones, antibiotics and other garbage fed to most of the animals here in the states. 

Day 10,476

Yesterday I spent the day with my niece and nephew. My niece as you may remember is new to this world- and in a way what inspired me to begin this blog.  Today she is 46 days old. 

She is learning to recognize faces, to smile and laugh while I am learning to blog, to cook and to make my own sewing patterns.  My Mom would say it seems like only yesterday my sister and I were new babies and how time just flies by. 

It makes me feel so satisfied to know that in all my days so far I have vivid, magical memories of amazing places, raucous laughter with family and friends, phenomenal meals and days and moments of pure awe.  

In the chaos of work and responsibility its easy to let these fleeting moments pass by all to quickly and take for granted the stunning life that surrounds us.  Whether we take the time to appreciate it or not the cycle continues with new life forming everyday.  

Afternoon 10,474 Weekend wrap up

Sunday afternoon of my first weekend off in several weeks. I packed in more party this weekend than is probably healthy but I had to make up for the lost weekends! 

Friday we went to a birthday party of a former co-worker of my husband.  Back in the day she was a crass rock'n'roll bartender. These days shes a french speaking Silver Lake mom of two and a screenwriter for TV.  We had a few glasses of wine in her and her husbands gorgeous Spanish revival style home in the hills and chatted with a few mutual friends. We couldn't stay long because I wanted to try to make it to the unofficial wrap party for the film I just worked on. It was a cast and crew get together at the Prince Bar in Koreatown. 

The Prince Bar is a Korean hot spot disguised as an English Pub. Red leather booths, suits of armor and huge chandeliers. Like any proper hot spot it is somewhat hidden. It is in the basement of an apartment building but you can see the valet from the street.  When we finally arrived everyone was pretty much leaving so we didn't stay too long- just long enough for me to remember what a hoot the old Prince Bar is. 

Last night was the seven year anniversary/housewarming party for my closest friend. They just moved into the most magical house which I secretly covet.  It has the most amazing

fern and ivy covered backyard with a brick fire pit. We sat outside by candle and firelight eating grilled meats, olives, salads and drank copious amounts of pinot gris and Shramsberg sparkling wine. I felt very European. 

Today we went to Santa Monica to go for a hike. Neither of us have ever been to Will Rogers State Park so we thought we'd check it out. Upon arrival our vehicle was nearly stampeded by wayward horses galloping off of the polo field. I had no idea there was a polo field here to begin with so it was quite a surprise. After parking we walked to the field to watch a bit of Polo. There were tons of families and groups picnicking along the side of the fields.  It was such a beautiful day for a picnic with clear skies the perfect temperature and a slight ocean breeze.  Ladies in large hats, older gentlemen drinking champagne, kids in expensive t-shirts running around with their dogs.  After living on the eastside for so long it was a pleasant change to see how the Westside spends Sunday. 

After watching the rest of the Polo match we went up to the trail for Inspiration point. It was about an hour of a hike and wasn't all that strenuous. The views were incredible being able to see the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu as well as all the way to downtown LA.  I am really glad we took the trip out to this particular park finally, it was a Sunday afternoon very well spent. 

Night 10,449

I spent most of the day in Downtown LA shopping for the movie.  I was looking for something that resembled a 1950's nightgown so I went to the garment district where things are cheap and there is a lot of selection. There is a lingerie store there called "Beverly Hills Lingerie" which is ironic since it is not near Beverly Hills and in fact is on the corner of crackhead alley and bum piss street, but once you get inside it is quite lovely. Well, not exactly lovely but for my purposes; useful. 

Once inside I went to the nightgown section in the very back and I heard a loud voice coming from the front of the store. She said, "You speak English?" to the sales girl who replied, "yes".  The customer then said, "where you keep all dat nasty stuff at?" I then turned and looked because I had no idea where this was going. The sales girl looked bewildered and made no reply, so the customer repeated herself. "The nasty stuff, I don't want none of this fancy shit, I want the nasty. You know what I'm sayin?  The stuff with da holes all ova, the dirty dirty stuff!" So the sales girl pulled out a catalog that I am imagine must have had the "nasty stuff" in it.  The customer said, "Yea, this what I mean. I want that one. You got it in two X L?" She then looked over at her girlfriend and said with a grin, "my man is lucky! He don't even know what he about to git!" 

And that must be one lucky man. 

More Cache

Day 10,445

So the party at Silver Echo last night was a little "leotarded" as my PC friend Dan Savage would say as a replacement for the over usage of "retarded". It was a lot of very stoned, young artistic hipsters drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon. When we first walked in there seemed to be a spoken work/interpretive dance type of live art happening.  About four girls wearing tights, masks and, well, actually leotards! They had body paint on and were writhing around on the floor in a very sinister way.  The art on the walls seemed nice but it was hard to see with the room so dark.  As my husband and I went to the bar area for a PBR a band came on and suddenly people were moshing. WTF, was I just time warped into 1992?  So I tried to move out of the way but of course got hit hard by some drunk emo kid and PBR went everywhere. That was the sign that it was time to go. It sounded like fun, but I think I must finally accept that I am getting old and watching bad performance art and emo boys mosh is not my idea of a great Saturday night.  Wine, tapas and candlelight is way more my speed. 

Evening 10,444

What a day! Started with breakfast at Swingers in Hollywood for a Vegan Burrito which as always is heavenly, then on to the Silver Lake Art & Craft flea market, then to Pazzo Gelato for a tasty Meyer lemon gelato, onward to the Silver Lake Farmers Market for some neccesities.  We then cruised over to Monkeytown Toys on Silver Lake Blvd to check out the Cache show since I missed it last weekend.  Fantastic stuff as to be expected. For neighborhoodies- Cache is the artist responsible for all of the big murals throughout Echo Park and Silver Lake with the cute chickens usually with socially relevant messages.

After Monkeytown we stopped at Silver Lake liquor for a bottle of La Chouffe Belgian ale which for a non beer drinker is just dreamy. I discovered this fantastic brew at El Prado Bar back when they were new and only had a beer license. So I am now a beer liker (can't go as far as to say lover)

 but only of Belgian Ales. I guess you have to start somewhere right?  With our bottle of La Chouffe in hand we went into Yolk Boutique  where my husband 

bought a book on tattoo art and I perused all of the green and 

environmentally friendly things.  We checked out Ivanhoe Books next door which had the most dreamy books for fashion and art lovers. I am currently obsessed with Tony Duquette who was a costume and set designer at MGM in the 1940's and Ivanhoe books has his book of glorious, beautiful amazing works. That will be the first purchase I make when I once again have pay checks. 

We then headed to Portola Trail for an afternoon loop and to burn off the gelato. After parking we were checked out by a very suspicious car full of hoodlums who pulled up next to us so we actually moved the car to a more populated area to be on the safe side. I have heard about a lot of car break ins recently in Elysian Park and didn't want to take any chances. The funny thing is that if someone stole my purse the purse would really be the only thing of value. No cash and you aren't going to get far with my debit card!  So I would say who cares but I really do like my Anya Hindmarch  bag. 

So now we are home where I am a widow to sports as tonight is the Lakers, Dodgers and of couse, MMA so I am all alone until 10ish. At that point we are planning to head to the Silver Echo Gallery party here in Echo Park. I hope its fun. 

Happy Memorial Day everyone, be safe and enjoy. 

Day 10,443

Yesterday my friend and I went to the Shecky's shopping party in Santa Monica. I had always heard about those and had never been so we went to check it out. Shecky's is a fashion and beauty event where you get to shop sample sales of accessories and clothing with cocktails. As shopping and cocktails are 2 of my favorite things I thought I would really enjoy it, however I was slightly disappointed. The items for sale were mostly things you would find in the Santee Alley for half the price.  I guess the silver lining is that there is not free cocktails in the Santee Alley, nor would I really want to consume anything down their despite the temptation of the bacon wrapped hot dogs.  

My friend and I each did end up making a purchase as well as imbibing the specialty cocktails that were offered by the male model/bartenders. It was slightly embarrassing to order a drink called "The Fashion" and "The Glamour" when we all know its really a greyhound and a sea breeze. It was fun though for the kitsch factor, and to watch some cougar types getting tipsy and flirting with the spiky haired model boys. 

After the event we went down the street to Bar Pintxo on Santa Monica Blvd for some tapas and wine. The place felt very authentic Spanish, and my friend who spent a month in Barcelona recently was very impressed. We sat at the counter and shared some small dishes before calling it a night. The only problem with Bar Pintxo is that it is in Santa Monica which might as well be a different state when you live on the east side! 

Day 10,440

Today was all about getting in touch with actors for my upcoming project, and storyboarding my design ideas for each character. I went to target to get a stack of magazines and a coffee pot since both my coffee pot AND the french press broke in one week. With a pile of magazines and my yearned for cup of coffee I built boards to represent each character and the concept for their look. There is the bitchy real estate woman, the bohemian ghost hunter, a ghost from the 1950's and a goofy investor.  The design process has begun!

So Star Trek last night was just okay. Granted there was a lot of edge of your seat type action it was not as good as Iron Man which I had heard some people compare it to. Also the costumes really didn't do it for my. I mean, space age thermals and Mason-style chino's? Really? In 20,000 years they haven't come up with anything better than that? I just don't know. The men in general looked a bit sloppy. 

After the movie we stopped at BoHo at the Arclight for a beer. They have an excellent beer list and I like the bohemian/1970's living room decor.  The manager told us currently on Tuesday nights they offer 50% off the food menu. That is a spectacular deal and one I am going to need to take advantage of in the future!  I also heard that at Bar Loubitsch in West Hollywood on Tuesday nights there is currently an open bar promotion in the back room only. Everything is on the house from 8-12 until the tab runs out (so get there early). This would make for the perfect cheap night on the town, an early dinner at BoHo for 50% off, then free drinks and fun dance music not too far away.  Fun and cheap Tuesday!

Day 10,439

Saturday night we ended up going to Ghettogloss here in Silver Lake for their artist reception of the latest pieces. DH and I were a little underwhelmed and didn't enjoy the art as much as we had hoped so we tried to make it over to Monkeytown Toys for their opening, but they had just closed. Starving we went to eat dinner at Barbrix for the second time, and were just as pleased as we were the first time. I had a shrimp and chickpea tortilla with cilantro tzaziki dipping sauce, and monk fish with chickpeas in a spicy red sauce. We each had a glass of Rose and then headed towards home. 

Sunday morning we wanted to find a different hike other than the Porotola one we have been doing quite a bit so we checked out Cherry Canyon in La Canada-Flintridge. There were several different trail loops I think we ended doing about two of them hiking for about an hour and a half.                           

 There was absolutely nobody else there but us. We thought we had found a hidden gem that nobody seems to know about!

 A completely empty trail on a gorgeous Sunday? 

After working up quite an appetite 

we drove into town and stopped at a restaurant called Dish. I was a little nervous as we pulled into the parking lot as the crowd seemed more geriatric than the places we are used to hanging. I was nervous it was going to be like a Marie Calendar's or Carrows, but once we got inside we were pleasantly surprised. It had a charming country decor and very friendly employees. The menu had a lot of great sounding salads so I opted for the Curry Chicken Salad and a grapefruit mimosa. After we ordered my DH went to wash his hands and upon his return scooped up everything off the table including the bread basket in a mad rush. I was so confused as to what he was doing, then he says, "The Lakers are on we got to go to the bar!" So that explains why there was nobody out on the trail today. And maybe why the restaurant only had tables of ninety year olds. 

Afternoon 10,437

Dad clocked in at just shy of six hours. And he's back in the pickup truck with Bruno the dog headed home to his mountain shanty up north. He even stopped at Target to buy my nephew a toy so he wouldn't have to come back in July for the birthday party. I don't blame him really, until Chuck'e'Cheese gets a full bar a party full of three year old's and overzealous relatives is pretty insipid.

While he spent time with the grand kids, the husband and I did my favorite loop around the Portola Trail in Elysian Park. Its a quick 40 minute hike/walk that is mellow enough to be ran as well. If you feel like something longer there is another leg of it that goes all the way from Echo Park to Chinatown, but I suggest doing that one with a friend and leaving one car in Chinatown- its pretty long.  The loop has nice views of downtown, Glendale and Dodger Stadium and after the walk sometimes it is nice to picnic in the park. This is the only LA park I've been to that allows grilling and it has grills at each picnic table. 

After the walk we went to Gingergrass in Silver Lake which is a divine restaurant for lunch. It is Vietnamese influenced with Pho, tasty salads, shrimp springs rolls and more. Everything is very clean and fresh tasting and it has modern decor with an ethnic twist.  After lunch we went across the street to Silver Lake Wine to stock up and with the warm weather we were thinking Rose.  On the way to the car we stopped and got a coffee at Silverlake Coffee Co and sat outside to enjoy the beautiful day. 

Since our house guests are no longer staying with us we have our night open. We both want to see the Star Trek movie, also there is a gallery reception at Monkeyhouse Toys in Silver Lake 5-9 and it looks like Cache will have some pieces up. I absolutely love Caches chickens with messages all over Echo Park, they are so colorful and friendly so I'd love to check out some new pieces.  Then at Ghettogloss there is a multiple artist cocktail reception from 8-12.  Quite a bit to choose from, but for now all I can think about is a nap since I got up at the crack of dawn. 

Day 4

This is somewhere around day 4 of my little life. That's Dad and Mom, 24 and 19 without a clue in the world....

Day 10,437

My father and brother arrived to my house today. They drove from Northern California down to see my sisters new baby. This is something that is always funny to me how people come from far away to check out a new baby when in reality new babies are quite boring. They sleep, cry, eat, and poo mostly. Not to mention they all sort of look the same at this point anyhow. But my father does his best to make it down maybe once a year- usually for only a major event such as a wedding, graduation, or birth and very rarely does he stay longer than 8 hours.

The day I graduated college was the second time my Dad had come down to visit. The first being when I moved to Los Angeles. I remember the day before graduation my sister and I were heading to Bloomingdales to get something cute to wear and as we were leaving the apartment my father handed me forty bucks. I asked what for and he said he wanted to buy me something nice to wear to graduation. I thanked him and walked to the car where my sister and I had a good laugh....he had clearly never been to a Bloomingdales before, I'd be lucky to get some socks!