sunny los angeles

But nothing beats the weather, eh?

L.A., nice weather, most of the time, sure. But I am beyond tired of talking about it. Honestly, I'd prefer more rain (not just because of the drought); and, my gosh, I dream of a legitimate wintery chill. Basically, I miss the rejuvenating nature of seasons. Pun intended. What's more, I balk at the implication that clear sunshine is Los Angeles' most redeeming quality. It's dreary today, for the record.

{The Last Bookstore, for instance}

A friend of mine from the Midwest once told me he reveled in the misguided disdain that tries to characterize this city. What he meant, I think, is that it's a pretty incredible privilege to have gotten to know a place so quickly misunderstood. Los Angeles is not easily defined, neither literally nor figuratively, and it's sure as hell challenging to get a ahold of. This whole nother beast might as well be our beautiful little secret.

Before my time in New York, I saw City of Gold. It was fantastic for all the reasons above; and because, in telling Jonathan Gold's story, it celebrated the democratization of food criticism as well as the pure wealth of "culinary adventure that, he argues, are unique to the area in their proximity and commingled global influences." It reminded me of how much I appreciate L.A. for being L.A. And with that, I give you an introductory guide I created for a colleague who recently relocated to establish our DTLA office...

DINE
Best group meal: Korean BBQ (Koreatown)
Eat more ramen: Mitsuwa Marketplace (Mar Vista) or Jinya Ramen Bar (Mid-Wilshire & other locations)
Local date spots: Barbrix (Silver Lake), Cliff’s Edge (Silver Lake), Little Dom’s (Los Feliz)
My favorite “L.A. restaurant”: Eveleigh (West Hollywood)
Restaurants worth the hype: Birch Restaurant (Hollywood), Bestia (Arts District), Faith & Flower (DTLA), Pok Pok LA (Chinatown), République (Mid-City/La Brea), Sugarfish (multiple locations)
Tacos, part 1: Guisados (Echo Park); Tacos, part 2.
The best in Mexican-American burritos: Al & Bea’s (Boyle Heights)
Try the original French-dip sandwich at: Cole’s (DTLA) or Phillipe’s (Chinatown)
P.S. If you go to Cole’s, consider the speakeasy in the back with great cocktails and live jazz
For your bf: pancakes.

DRINK
Best hipster cocktails: Tenant of the Trees (Silver Lake)
Best beer & wine in the neighborhood: El Prado (Echo Park) / 1642 Beer and Wine (HiFi)
Best rooftop bar: Mama Shelter (Hollywood)
Drink beer and play board games: Sunset Beer Company (Echo Park)
Drink beer and play arcade games: Eighty Two (Arts District)
Get to know tequila & mezcal: El Carmen (Mid-City) or La Cuevita (Highland Park)
Have a martini at an “Old Hollywood” bar: Bar Marmont, Formosa Cafe, Musso & Frank Grill
Priceless DTLA views (& pricey cocktails): the Ace Hotel and Perch
Stay caffeinated.

HIKE
Elysian Park: West Loop, Angels Point
Griffith Park: Ferndell Trail, Mount Lee Trail, etc.
Malibu: Tuna Canyon,Corral Canyon, etc.

DO
Add to your library with gems from our neighborhood bookshop: Stories & Books Café (and Skylight!)
Best view of L.A. on the East Side: The Griffith Observatory
Best view of L.A. on the West Side: The Getty Center
Bike in Santa Monica; and in Long Beach
Check out local live music: The Echo and Echoplex
Go to a cheap comedy show: Upright Citizens Brigade
Museums worth the drive: The Autry (Griffith Park), LACMA (Mid-City/Miracle Mile), Natural History Museum (South L.A.), Petersen Automotive Museum (Mid-City/Miracle Mile), The Getty Villa (Malibu)
Pick your beach. My favorites: Cabrillo Beach (San Pedro), El Matador (Malibu), Manhattan Beach
Rent a boat or go paddleboarding: Marina Del Rey
Reserve free tickets: The Broad (DTLA)
Shop at the best farmers markets:

Monday-Thursday: The Original Farmers Market

Friday: Echo Park Farmers Market

Sunday: Atwater Village Farmers Market

Stroll the Venice Beach Boardwalk (because, weird) and dine at Gjusta ($) and/or Gjelina ($$)
Spend an afternoon in Pasadena: Huntington Library & Gardens, Norton Simon Museum, Magnolia House
Walk/shop on the East Side: Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Highland Park
SaveSave

west end lite

According to visitlondon.com, West End has a fantastic range of theatres, tourist attractions, hotels, shopping, and iconic streets. I had little desire to spend any time there (as I insist on not being a "tourist"), but! catching up with the lovely Daisy de Plume was a must.

After that full day in East London, I nearly slept in until our lunch date at Bea's of Bloomsbury. What a treat--both sleeping in and lunching with her. And though I may have stumbled through a bis exchange (gosh darn reassimilated American!), Daisy, the kind soul and adorable pregnant momma that she is, didn't seem to mind.

Following our date, I ventured over to the nearby Charles Dickens Museum to spend my time wisely while waiting for Rachael.

Yes, I'm aware this move made me a tourist. So be it! It was raining again and I'm quite the fan of Oliver Twist.

To continue with the touristing, Rachael and I went on to have cream tea at Soho's Secret Tea Room. And as we finished up our last bites of scone with raspberry preserves and clotted cream, we looked into theaters and well-reviewed plays nearby.

Then we ran over to purchase last-minute tickets to The Play That Goes Wrong. We got lucky with great seats at a very discounted price. To celebrate, Rachael and I clinked glasses of champagne before going in to laugh our asses off at the Dutchess Theatre.

And laugh our asses off we did. My empty stomach was sore by the play's end! To remedy the situation, and cap off a spontaneously hysterical evening, Rachael and I made yet another fabulous decision to late night-dine on fancy fish and chips at The Ivy.

It was the most perfect British send-off. The next morning I boarded a train to Amsterdam to visit my brother and Lorelei...

my madre

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. She made us grilled cheeses for lunch and we surprised her with a Broadway show that evening. Before then though, I gave her a card with a quote by Abraham Lincoln: "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

Upon arriving home, I almost immediately (and unintentionally) compared my path to those of friends I'd been missing. Yesterday, on the other hand, I considered how my parents' lives have influenced my own; more so than a quick glance would suggest.

My mom moved out of her parents' house at 18 and worked full-time throughout her local collegiate studies. She's lived in the New York area ever since, except for a few months in Los Angeles with her cousin. She had a 1-y/o daughter (me) at the age I am now.

My circumstances have been entirely different because of how she lived her own. I've never met anyone more hardworking and resourceful, thoughtful and clever, and so freaking generous. She helped my father start his business, then started one of her own, and eventually pursued another professional interest in addition. She signed me up for everything, took us on vacation every chance she got (sometimes solo because my dad had to work), and showed me what it means to have an open heart to absolutely everyone.

Though I doubt I'll ever make as many friends as she does waiting in line, it's because of her that I know the courage to turn dreams into my reality. And for the record, I am capable of preparing grilled cheese for myself... she just happens to still do it best.

P.S. My dad gets credit, too, of course, but he has a summer birthday :).

ten thousand hours

I've mastered very few skills in my life thus far. The "problem": my darling parents gave me the opportunity to try lots of things, so I did a bit of everything. I played piano, softball, and field hockey. I attended art camps, writing classes, and dance rehearsals. I sang in the chorus and performed in school plays. I was active in VIF (Valhalla International Fund) and Spanish club. Oh, and I was a Girl Scout, until the age of 18. Because of those many extracurricular activities though, I never had a chance to focus on any one in particular. I'm mostly okay with that. It set the stage, so to speak, for a dynamic interest set (and made for an entertaining yearbook biography). Yet it's also left me in complete awe of those who have dedicated years to becoming one of the best at... something.

Like, Macklemore, for instance. He's positively amazing in concert. I know this because I saw him and Ryan Lewis perfom live at Le Zénith two weekends ago, just strides away from the lawn I practiced yoga on this past summer. They opened with "Ten Thousand Hours." Please enjoy it as much as we obviously did. And forgive me for the obnoxious howling :). Consider it proof of a great time?

Lara, Tatenda, and I spent four hours on a Sunday night dancing like crazies and singing our little hearts out. Still, it's worth noting that I was most impressed by the content of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' music--real issues and tangible opinions. Take "Ten Thousand Hours": inspired by Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers. (Random fun fact: I quickly skimmed through it on a Boston trip 3 years ago). Within it, he attributes roughly 10,000 hours of practice as the key to any success. "Achievement is talent plus preparation.” It may not always be applicable, but if that's what it took for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to produce The Heist, it definitely works.

So, it's extra incredible how long my cousins have been practicing. They've spent their entire lives cultivating their creative talent. Recently, they released their collaborative passion project, "Humble Beginnings", and I couldn't be more proud of nor impressed with Dylan and Bianca Golden. Way to go, familia! Share it with your network, stp? They deserve all the success in the world.

As for me, I don't mind being a "grown-up" with an appreciation for yellow bouncy balls for now ;). Mastery in _________ to come.

the romeo & juliet masquerade ball

In 2011, I got myself all gussied up to attend the Opening Night Gala of New York City Center. This year, and this past Thursday evening, I prepped in a similarly fancy way to join the New York City Ballet's young patrons at the R + J Masquerade Ball; fittingly, after watching a spectacular ballet performance.

To my left would be the lovely reason why Elaine and I were invited. C works for the ballet and often encourages fabulous opportunities to feel highbrow cultured. 

Of course, at the end of the day, as much as I thoroughly appreciate the performing arts (and rubbing elbows with New York City's trust funded finest), I'm just me. Following our magical evening of masqueraded glamour, Elaine and I ventured farther uptown for a couple of beers at more than one fratty bar. I know what you're thinking: We are some seriously classy ladies. I would have to agree ;).

my 23rd recipe

Begin at a wine bar, preferably sustainable, and with a best friend.

 Then, add the ballet with my sister

+ breakfast in bed

+ rooftop yoga with my roommate

+ strong coffee + a salad niçoise en plein aire

+ a fancy green juice and an "indulgent" snack

+ birthday mojitos + dancing the night away

+ a chocolate croissant and cappuccino gelato, shared with my cousin, at 4 a.m.

+ a day at the beach

+ sunbathing + games of badminton + devouring this book

+ long island detours

+ the catch of the day wrap, a cold beer, sparking water, and cole slaw

+ belated birthday flowers

 

+ the annual memorial day bbq + my aunt's green salad

+ birthday cupcakes, of course.

Finally, garnish with a neighborhood glass of rosé, and you have yourself... the most amazing 23rd birthday celebration/weekend a girl could ever ask for.

If only my camera weren't broken so my iPhone wouldn't have had to document it ;).