Category Archives: LA

thanksgiving

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IMG_9437IMG_9449My parents and brother came to LA this year for Thanksgiving. My mom did an amazing job of trying to recreate our traditional Thanksgiving at home in Lake Bluff at our apartment in Los Angeles. And I think we were pretty successful! Some things were perfectly the same; my dad’s homemade pies, my mom’s cooking, the “kids” watching the parade on TV. And some things were new; Dan’s awesome Thanksgiving cocktail menu, Dan and I doing the dishes, Willy falling asleep before pie (that jet lag will get ya). I did all the shopping before they arrived, including some cookware we didn’t have, and my parents brought a few key things like pie weights and a turkey thermometer. The day was so fun and cozy. IMG_9463IMG_9479IMG_9443IMG_9480dancocktailIMG_9471IMG_9487IMG_9497How cute are those turkey tea lights?? I loved having everyone in our apartment and eating on our new dining room table. On Friday we went to LACMA and saw the Stanley Kubrick exhibit among others, and they came to see my play. That weekend flew by! Thank goodness Christmas is right around the corner, and I’ll get to see everyone again. I’m also happy Dan and I spent Thanksgiving together, since we’re each going home for Christmas.IMG_9503IMG_9506IMG_9520IMG_9522family

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food? Mine is a perfect bite of stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. We still have an extra bag of stuffing in the cabinet…I’m afraid to make it because I know I’ll eat it all in one day!

wood & vine

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I had the pleasure of shooting some delicious photos for Wood & Vine a few weeks ago. I had never been there before, and was so surprised to find a big, open air patio in the back! From the street it looks like a smaller, dimly lit space. Once you step inside there’s a long bar, a second level of seating that looks out over the restaurant, and that lovely patio. The patio is incased by tall buildings (feels very NYC) so it feels both cozy and spacious. I can’t wait to go back asap and feast! That gnocchi doesn’t stand a chance!Right across the street is the Pantages Theatre, where Book of Mormon is currently running for a couple more weeks. Our friend Doug is in the show, and we scored lottery tickets. I definitely recommend trying for the lottery (the run is sold out). Even if you don’t win, you can have dinner at Wood & Vine! And if you DO win–both!

mailbox

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I officially launched my photography business in October! It’s been both exciting and a bit overwhelming at times, and I’m still working on finding the balance between my multiple duties and careers. One of my goals is to launch a shop on Etsy or Big Cartel with some of my fine art prints, and I’ve been going through my files to see what I may want in my shop. I took these mailbox photos up in Laurel Canyon. I was on my way to another shoot, and pulled over when I saw this awesome row of mailboxes. I guess the houses tucked up in the hills have their mailboxes below where it’s easier to drive. You almost forget you’re still in LA up there in that gorgeous neighborhood!

p.s. How awesome is the new Blogshop website? You can see my post about my weekend here.

And congrats to Actor Salon on their awesome new website! I shot the opening background photo.

And finally, if you’re in LA, I’m in a play that opens November 9th at The Open Fist Theatre. Hope you cam make it! (I shot the photo of the swinging girl pre-graphic design!)

the whaling club

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This weekend, Dan and I hosted a cocktail event at our apartment that we named The Whaling Club. We had the best time! Thank you to all who came out for the first run. We hope it was the beginning of many social evenings, enjoying fine cocktails with old and new friends. How cool is that ice? Dan hand cut it all himself out of twenty-five pound blocks! He’s a dedicated gentleman, that’s for sure.

Perhaps you’ll join us for the next one? Leave a comment if you’d like to be added to our mailing list. Cheers!

*special thanks to our friends Sarah + Noah for helping us plan and fine tune everything.

*whaling club logo and menu artwork by Sarah Mullin

birthday + girlfriends

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I recently celebrated my friend Jackie’s birthday with a girlfriend’s lunch at Sage in Echo Park. I loved the adorable succulents on every table, and the bright, airy atmosphere. I don’t always love vegan products (cashew cheese…no, thank you), but they serve these delicious bowls filled with a variety of veggies, grains, and spices. Plus, are you seeing this vegan cake masterpiece? Yes, please! Isn’t Jackie the cutest? I love these girls!

made in L.A.

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My parents always listened to NPR when I was a kid (and still do), and I thought it was sooo boooring. When I started driving, NPR was always the station my parents left on in my beloved Jeep, and I’m almost positive it’s the only station my mom has ever listened to on the little radio she keeps in the kitchen when she cooks. But, of course, I grew up and realized my parents knew what was up. Now I also love to listen to NPR (KCRW for us LA folk), and earlier this summer I attended an event hosted by KCRW’s Jason Bentley from Morning Becomes Eclectic at the Hammer Museum, celebrating the Made in L.A. exhibit. Everyone was dancing in the courtyard, and I snapped this awesome duo who got it all started.This American Life, hosted by Ira Glass, is another great program on NPR. Have you heard the Valentine’s Day episode: What I Did For Love?

endless summer

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The last couple months in LA have been very hot (even by LA standards). Thankfully we inherited an AC unit in our bedroom when we moved in to the new apartment. Just as the evenings seemed to be cooling down and perhaps “Fall” was creeping in, forecasts say we’re going to be back in the 90s for the next couple days! I know I shouldn’t complain. Growing up in Chicago and living in New York gives me mucho appreciation for the year round Los Angeles warmth…but can a girl get a little relief?

How do you deal with the heat? We’re thinking of taking a little day getaway to the beach or a pool tomorrow!

blogshop

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You may have noticed that the blog has been looking a little more spiffy these days. I’m thrilled that I can finally create things the way I see them in my head thanks to blogshop! Blogshop is a photoshop class for bloggers that I was lucky enough to attend a few weekends ago. In fact, I’ve had my eye on blogshop for a while now, but the class always sold out before I snagged a spot. I was beating myself up a little bit when LA sold out, especially since I knew it was the last one here for the year. The Friday morning before blogshop LA, I saw on twitter that a spot had opened up for the weekend! As in…the following morning! I was all, “Should I do it??” And Dan was all, ” Yes!! Do it!!” So I signed up, downloaded a free 30-day photoshop trial, got a shift covered at work, picked out a cute top, and the next morning I was on my way!!!

The weekend was awesome. I was a complete photoshop novice, and was craving knowledge for my blog and for building my photography business. I’m a sucker for details, and on top of learning lotsa new skills, the example work we got to practice on was top notch. I especially loved learning how to retouch photos (which I’ve been doing non-stop ever since) and creating photo templates I can use over and over.

We also got some pretty cool goodies, including a copy of Joy Cho‘s Blog, Inc. (and she stopped by for a talkback). Bri and Angela were inspiring, not only creatively and as teachers, but as businesswomen who do what they love. This post is also my entry into the blogshop photoshop contest. The winner gets a copy of photoshop CS6–swoon!! And since I’ve used my 30 day trial every day since blogshop, I’m in it to win it!

blogshop goodies: 1.je t’aime print from Minted | 2. portrait of me by Angela Kohler for blogshop LA | 3. geometric notebook from Brown Paper Designs | 4. Reusable Shopping Bag from BAGGU

downtown LA

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Downtown LA is, like many cities, beautiful and sketchy all at once. Dan and I spent the evening there this past weekend (we BOTH had a Saturday off?? together?? YES!), and I agreed when he said that the night seems to mask the not-so-charming parts of DTLA, and highlight the goods: architecture, cool restaurants and bars, strings of lights, and perfect summer weather.

After a day full of errands, we treated ourselves to the Deluxe seafood tower at Water Grill. Designed for 3-4 people? PLEASE. We crushed that sucker and we’ll do it again. I loved the spaciousness and big leather booths lining the walls. We sat at the huge rectangular bar right in front of the raw bar, and watched two talented dudes shuck oysters and clams. We then had cocktails at our favorite bar in LA, where I sipped my new favorite drink, a mint daiquiri. Then we finished the night with a snack at Baco Mercat.




new home

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Dan and I signed the lease for an apartment in this cutie yesterday! I’ve always said when I moved into an apartment with a washer/dryer in unit I’d know I’d “made it”.

Dear World,

I’VE MADE IT!

Love,

the crazy lady who can’t wait to do laundry

We also have an adorable little patio and separate dining room to host dinner parties galore. I’m feeling very inspired by this new space, and have been madly pin-ing on Pinterest. I am dreading the actual packing and hauling, of course, but at least Dan is here to do it with me. Also, if anyone spots a chic fire place screen that isn’t boring or right out of your Grandma’s house, help a sista out and send it my way!