Category Archives: LA

Fairfax

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My home will be changing next month. Dan and I are moving into our own place, and Allison is moving in with our friend Miguel. Allison and I will have lived in this apartment for exactly two years. I loved this apartment, and even though I’m really excited to start this next little chapter with Dan and build our home, I’m going to miss so much about this place. Like, I don’t think it will be as funny to text Allison from my bed when she’s not one wall over! That being said, I know Allison will be over at the new place (hello, we have to watch The Bachelorette together), and I’m sure there will be lots of sleepovers. Most importantly, we’ll still be there for each other the way we are now, I just may have to get dressed to have a big cry instead of standing in a robe in our hallway. Dan and I are looking at apartments in our current Fairfax Village neighborhood, as well as further east. Keep your fingers crossed for us that we find a place we really love! Here are some photos that remind me of the neighborhood and my current LA home.
Coffee Commissary
our alley
Canter's Deli
Dan's Schwinn
Fairfax
rootbeer float
Short Order
dusk
Allison
Family
LACMA
orchid

welcome home

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Dan has officially lived in LA for just over two months. Now that he’s here, I can’t imagine how I went so long without him on a daily basis. It’s as if he’s always been here, and yet every morning when I wake up there’s something special that wasn’t there before. I made this little video using the 8mm iphone app the day Dan moved here. In a way, it’s the beginning. Hope you like it!

birthday

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Miss Allison turned 25 on Sunday! We celebrated with a pizza party at Pitfire Pizza around the corner, and I made this ice cream pie to fit in the with the pizza + ice cream cake birthday feel. Allison’s best friends from college flew out from NYC for the celebration, and Dan whipped up some heavenly jalapeno margaritas to get the party started. It was such a fun day! We even challenged some kids to a foosball game on the hot pink, ALL GIRLS foosball table. It ruled. We love you, Allison!
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Herb Ritts

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If you’re in LA or visiting LA any time between now and and August 26th, the Herb Ritts: L.A. Style exhibition at The Getty Museum is a must. And get the audio tour! It’s only $5 and totally worth it! I don’t know about you, but audio tours ususally help me engage. I love knowing details about a piece I wouldn’t normally have spotted or understood.

Herb Ritts emerged in the 1980s as one of the top fashion and celebrity photographers. Sometimes I forget that photography isn’t always about capturing a perfect image, it’s about capturing something interesting, something the photographer, subject, and environment create. You could tell Herb Ritts had an strong point of view; he was taking a picture with purpose and trying to achieve an idea he had imagined or conceptualized. His work is incredibly intimate, at times sensual, and ultimately stunning.

The audio tour was especially interesting because the narrators often spoke about what went in to the creation of that photo during the shoot. Cindy Crawford and Richard Geer both narrate about their relationship as muses and friends of Mr. Ritts. I was touched by their respect and admiration for him. Oh, I just love going to The Getty! I certainly don’t go often enough. And I was happy to have a friend in town and true excuse to go. The gardens and architecture are enough of a reason for a visit. What’s your favorite LA museum? LACMA is another favorite and just down the street from me!

(all photos by Herb Ritts)

ballet

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Last week, we went out and saw First Position, a documentary that follows six young dancers as they prepare for a worldwide ballet competition that offers prestigious dance scholarships and company job offers. First let me say, that I love going to the movies–a love that has deepened since moving to LA. Going to the movies, even though everyone does it, feels special. It’s SO much better than watching movies at home! No distractions (iphone, laptop…). And I especially love last minute trips to the movies! When and where’s it playing? Can we make it? If we leave now? Let’s go! It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s just an extra treat on top of a treat! And I love treats.

Now, First Position was lovely. Watching these kids’ dedication to their skill is inspiring. While I was watching, I seriously thought about how I could work harder at things in my own life! One of the kids in the movie, Jules, absolutely stole my heart. He was a young boy who started dancing because his older sister did. It was pretty obvious he didn’t really like it. He was so cheeky and adorable–truly the comic relief among the other dancers! I also admired his disciplined sister, Miko. Have you seen it? Which dancer’s story did you find most enthralling?

manhattan beach

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Manhattan Beach feels like that classic summer vacation town; a corner ice cream parlor, lots of clothing boutiques, rows of houses and apartments–each one taller than the one before it in an attempt for more ocean view. And yet, it still feels more local than touristy. The people grabbing drinks with friends on a Friday afternoon or drinking coffee on the sidewalk seem to be enjoying their little downtown neighborhood. Dan and I had hoped for a beach day, but it was surprisingly cool and breezy. So instead we walked down the pier and checked out the small collection of ocean wildlife and brave surfers in the rough waves (brrr!). Then we wandered among the houses lining the beach, and picked out the ones we liked while making up stories about their tenants based solely on appearance and imagination (we’re really good at that game).

We finished with an early dinner at MB Post. Dan and I were obsessed with the romanesco tossed in lemon, capers, parmesan, and chili flakes. So obsessed that we tried to replicate it at home with cauliflower the next night playing off of this recipe.

Do any of you live by the ocean? I grew up near Lake Michigan, which as a kid felt like an ocean, but is very different. Even now, living in LA, going to the beach is still a bit of a destination event–reserved for full days off. I’m going to make it a priority to get myself to the beach quite often this summer. I’ll let ya know how it goes! Speaking of beaches, I’m currently headed to the Outerbanks for the week! Lucky me! More on that later. It officially feels like summer!

downtown

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Dan and I found ourselves with a free Friday (surprise!) and decided to venture downtown to try a few food haunts we had heard a lot about. First stop was Umamicatessen. Here’s a little (non)secret: I live for Umami’s Hatch Burger. Like, I’m dating the Hatch Burger. And Dan…likes all of them. So I guess that means he has a lot of girlfriends. Umamicatessen is neat because it’s a big dining hall style with five different kitchens, inspired by (quick, guess) the American delicatessen. I’m dreaming over those mini knish’s and grain mustard below. Dreaming, I say!

We then jumped in the car and went to the Arts District for some ooey gooey goodness at The Pie Hole (best name ever/great website/watch the film). They write the menu daily on a big sheet of paper. My friend, Allison, always says she’ll serve pie instead of cake at her wedding because she loves it so much. I’ve always thought that was sweet! Would you serve something nontraditional at your wedding? Dan says he imagines tray passing awesome craft beer cans instead of champagne! I dig.

Guys, I try not to be the girl who takes pictures of food. I try. Or I take ’em real fast when Dan’s not looking. Don’t get mad. You love to hate it. So it’s a win-win!