Where did the summer go?

Ack!

I have been so lazy about posting this summer.

And now the season is officially gone - I feel like I've blinked my eyes, and suddenly it's Autumn!
Oh, well. I figure at least I'll put up a few of my favorite photos from the summer that got away...


Definitely a major highlight was getting to see Bjork at the Hollywood Palladium in June.
We were front row!
I've seen Bjork a few times, but to be this close was unbelievable.






I tried not to take many photos out of respect, as there weren't supposed to cameras at all! So I just snapped a couple to remember the night. (The first pic actually belongs to a friend of mine who was next to us.) I really had to grit my teeth not to snap pictures the whole time, but I focused on dancing and enjoying the show.

My friend Sheana snapped this picture of me during the show:


Honestly, that may have been the best concert of my life thus far.



Another highlight of the summer was trekking out to Palm Springs to see the Forever Marilyn sculpture:





Isn't she lovely?
I'm glad I got to see her in Palm Springs before she departs; the mountain backdrop was just gorgeous.

Also fell in love with our Palm Springs hotel choice: The Saguro.

Here is a stolen photo from my friend Niki's Instagram just to give you a peek at our room, and the super cute retro swimming pool:



I'd love to get back there and spend a longer weekend relaxing.

And I'll throw in a few more favorite random photos just for fun...









^I'm in love with Jess' pink hair.

Ah, and Velvet had a friend in from London named Jov:


Being proper friends, we did the tourguide bit and braved the crowds on Hollywood Blvd to give him the touristy Tinseltown experience.

We even ran into Lucille Ball at the Wax Museum...





Ok - I'll stop spamming pictures. Just glad I could save a few drops of summer before plunging ahead into Fall.

Now I can start thinking about that Halloween costume!
xoxo

Rainy days!

It looks like there's going to be a rainy week ahead.
Which I actually love, it makes everything seem like an Old Hollywood Noir.

Plus, it gives me an excuse to break this lovely little thing out of my closet:


The Agent Provocateur Kendra Mac Raincoat in pink! *swoon*


I haven't worn it in over a year, because it hasn't rained much. Plus, it's for special times only, of course.

You can't quite tell from the photo above, but it comes with suspenders hanging from the inside waistband that you can actually attach stockings to, if you want to wear the piece as a bedroom outfit! You can also let the suspenders dangle unattached, peeking out just beneath the skirts when wearing the coat outdoors, for a more... provocative look? But I haven't been brave enough to do that yet!

This is my friend Clare and I wearing our Macs on a particularly fashionable Melrose morning not too long ago...



Do you have any favorite rainy-day wear?

xoxo

My Top 5 Los Angeles bars of 2012

After all of my years in LA, of course I've got my favorite haunts. Some, I recommend to everyone, and some I like to keep to myself.

The great thing about a city like LA: there's always new places opening up every week! I never get tired of exploring all of the different types of sights, people, shops, bars, and restaurants that Los Angeles has to offer. It is truly a massive melting pot, and there's always unique and surprising results... usually things that nobody has ever seen before!

So with that said, here are my favorite new nightspots of 2012...
(I know, I know, it's 2013 now, but I was too busy to make this post in December. January will have to do.)

Click on the names if you'd like to view their sites.


#5: Sassafras



Sassafras opened up at the end of summer 2012, and I couldn't wait to go. It's tucked out of the way on Vine (which sounds tough to accomplish, but really isn't), if you get to Santa Monica Blvd, you've gone too far south. A quick leap from the 101, it's a good location but it can be tough to park.
The website says the place is "a Savannah Townhouse in the heart of Hollywood," and that's just about the perfect description. The decor is vintage Southern, and though it's pretty over-the-top, I thought it was awesome. But then again, I'm a sucker for vintage, and I'm pretty smitten with historic Southern elements anyway. If you want to escape the traffic and feel like you're in New Orleans, this is the place to go. I had a Pecan Julep to drink, and it was a little strong... but I can't complain about that. The place is roomy, and has a nice patio smoking area covered in vines. Our group was at Sassafras on a Tuesday night though, I'm not sure if it gets crowded later in the week.

I liked that this place was laid-back and casual, but still gorgeous to look at. I wandered through the rooms for awhile just taking it all in. After 20 minutes at Sassafrass, you'd hardly feel like you're still in California - which is sometimes exactly the feeling I'm looking for.

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#4:Harvard and Stone

Okay, so I went to Harvard and Stone for the first time in late 2011. But I spent more time there in 2012, so I included it in this list! And it's too fantastic not to mention it anyway.
Harvard and Stone is in the East Hollywood/Los Feliz area, and I love that it's located right off the 101. The atmosphere is great: almost factory-esque with a retro Americana twist. It's so dark inside, and seems so "vintage" that it can come across as dirty, but that's not the case! It's just... rustic?
And besides, you won't care if you get a little dust on your boots when you see the dancers. That's right. As the stereo system is turned down, a live band will take the stage and retro-vixens suddenly appear on the upstairs balcony. These girls have amazing moves, and are dressed in Rosie the Riveter–style outfits that are a little bit saloon singer, and a little bit edgy lingerie.


The girls perform impromptu burlesque acts and even dance on the bar. The dances are always marvelous, never that icky strip-club feel. So every patron - male or female - is eager to watch the show!

I did read on one site that: despite the “gorgeous” surroundings and “amazing” vibe, early adopters sniff that the “cool crowd” moved on quickly “once the corporate clingers got wind of it.”
This is somewhat true... but everyone still loves this Harvard and Stone, even if it isn't THE NEWEST bar in town anymore. It's just so unique, fun, and perfectly located... even the so-called "cool crowd" can't really stay away. But I do recommend Tuesday or Wednesday nights if you don't want the place to be too loud, and if you don't want to feel smashed waiting at the bar for your drink.


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#3:The One-Eyed Gypsy


Now, this bright purple building may take you a little off the beaten path into the east downtown area, and bring you sort of close to skid row. But it's completely worth the trek! With a dark, yet playful 19th-century carnival vibe, it's seriously one-of-a-kind.


The drinks are delish, but the food is really awesome. Mac n' cheese, check. Sliders, check. But at the Gypsy you can go beyond barfood and get those fairground favorites you haven't had since the last time you rode the ferris wheel: corndogs and funnel cakes! Also, fried Moon Pies? I didn't have the guts to try the Moon Pie, but I'm determined to do it next time.

There's an ornate little stage area, and I hear that there are frequently live bands on most weeknights. The night that we were there it was just one guy and his acoustic, but it was good stuff.
More fun than the music, though? Skee-ball! There are two ancient lanes set up and you can actually win tickets! I have no idea what you do with the tickets, but that didn't seem to matter at the time. We had a blast getting them.
They have a photobooth as well, and who doesn't love that?

My friends and I can never resist the photobooths.



This place was fun, completely casual and non-pretentious in my opinion. Granted, I went last March, so maybe it's become over-run with a different crowd. Still, I don't think anything could really spoil the odd-yet-silly-yet-mysterious air that the Gypsy is becoming known for. Definitely my new favorite spot in the downtown area.


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#2:Edendale

Edendale in Silverlake also has a great location, and close to the 5 Freeway. (Warning though: parking sucks atm because of some weird construction going on out front for the next few months.)




You may be able to tell by now, but I'm big on ambiance. Good food and great drinks can be found all over LA, but if the lights are annoyingly bright or the vibe is dull or, dare-I-say it: "club-goer," it just ruins the whole experience. I like a place that's nice to look at, interesting, with good music, where I feel excited yet also relaxed. Not too loud, not too quiet. Edendale achieves harmony in all of these areas, and has that certain something to it. Also, when you include a large and pretty outdoor smoking area? That always helps.

The feel comes across as 1920s, with photos of silent film stars framed on the walls. I especially loved the large vintage movie poster of Theda Bara as Cleopatra. The bar is really huge, usually with several bartenders, so you don't wait long for a drink.

Oh, and this is another spot that has a photobooth as well. Bonus! (I'll spare you another strip from me and my girlfriends. This time.)

The food is delicious, and there is a separate dining room for those looking for more of a "restaurant" evening rather than a lounge option. All of the drinks I've ordered were tasty. I loved the "Dark and Stormy" especially, and not just because of the name.



^I posted this photo of us because we're at Edendale. Also, I wanted to show off our outfits... Sheana's gold sheath is to die for, and I don't get to break out my red fringe Agent Provocateur slip dress very often! I had to share.

Perhaps because this place is a bit of a hidden gem, I've never had trouble finding a table for myself and my usual 4 or 5 girlfriends that I'm with. Ever since we discovered Edendale, we've been back once every few weeks at least.


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#1:Pour Vous



Pour Vous is the new favorite for several reasons, but the first of those reasons is that I love having a drink right across the street from one of the oldest movie studios in the world. I'll admit it. That alone gets me going. But there's more to Pour Vous than sitting on glamorous soil, of course...

Located at Melrose & Gower, just outside of the Paramount Studios lot, this place is definitely smaller than the rest, but may be the most charming. First off, I should mention that Pour Vous has a pretty strict dress code. This can really irritate some people, but at the same time I also get that they are trying to create a pleasant and classy aesthetic. And for the lovely decor and spectacular entertainment Pour Vous provides, I can see why they ask that their clientele shine themselves up a little as well. And I love an excuse to dress up anyway.

As the name might suggest, the decor and over-all theme is sophisticated, vintage French. The bartenders look like they've stepped out of a chic time machine, with white dress-shirts, bow ties and perfectly combed hair. And they make some bubbly and delightful drinks too, even if they are a little too "frou-frou" for some folks. (Get a vodka soda already?)

Another perk: the smoking area. I don't smoke, but almost all of my friends do, so a comfortable or even pleasant smoking area is something I can appreciate. Not only is there seating in the outside smoking area, but this seating happens to be inside of a vintage trolley car. Oh là là!
What a cool idea. And it adds a little more space to this relatively small lounge.

But to me, the absolute best thing about Pour Vous is the entertainment. There is usually at minimum, a pretty decent DJ playing some fluid tunes that make you feel upbeat without being invasive. However, on most nights there will also be a live band performing intermittently throughout the evening, accompanied by beautiful burlesque dancers that are lowered out of nowhere from the ceiling! (Sound familiar? Pour Vous and Harvard and Stone have the same owners, the brilliant duo Mark and Johnny Houston.)


These little dance numbers are really stunning, as the girls are usually wearing corsets embellished with crystals, or dancing with feathered fans. After their song is over, they rise back up and disappear into the domed ceiling that they came from.

C'est très magnifique. And with no cover charge.

* * * * So! That's my list of 2012's discoveries.
I hope I've inspired some of you to try one of these wonderful locations the next time you are in the neighborhood!

I found more than these five places that I love over the last year, for sure. But I think I'd frequent these establishments most of all, which is why I made them top on my 2012 LA Nightspot-Meter.

Did any of you discover some great new bars or restaurants in your area?

Until next time - cheers!

xoxo

2012 in a few pictures

I haven't posted much on here in the past year, which I plan to do more of moving forward, now that I have a bit more time on my hands. I don't feel right to just not post anything about the 2012 that just went by though - especially when so many exciting and fun things went on! Things that I happen to have pretty great pictures of, too.

I thought I'd deposit some of those pictures here, to share and to remember with. Bon appétit... I won't go through every last detail of my year, but my birthday? Was fun. So a few pics of that... Friends and I went to La Descarga, on Western Avenue just south of Hollywood Boulevard. I'd been wanting to visit for awhile, and this place didn't disappoint. Upon arrival, you are directed down a hallway where you must enter the bar - speakeasy style - through a coat closet. You must literally push aside coats to make your way in! It's quite fantastic. The vibe is 1920s Cuba. They serve tons of different types of specialty rum, and there is a smoking lounge where you can buy and enjoy cigars. Every 30 minutes or so a young lady appears on a balcony and the band plays her a tune and she performs a naughty, flamenco-flared burlesque! We had a blast. I'd highly recommend this place if you're looking for a fun night out that's off the beaten-path in LA. But be advised - email ahead to be put on the list, or you may be out of luck! ^(Not an OOTD post obviously, but I did love this vintage Betsey Johnson dress I found on Ebay. I'll have to wear it again and photograph it more, it's a real find!)

Such a fabulous night, and one of the best birthday celebrations I've had in years!



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Another fun evening that I'd like to cherry-pick a couple of photos for would be that summer night spent by the pool at the Roosevelt.
I go to the Roosevelt fairly often, but this night was special because I actually got to spend time with my gorgeous friend Brian Kinler, jazz piano musician extraordinaire. (His album Stories From The Quarter is amazing. Find it here at Amazon, for those who have good taste and love instrumental jazz.) Here he is, Mr. Handsome. I hadn't seen him since I had finished his video, so you can tell I'm happy. ^Batman wishes he could play piano like Brian.
I had a few other friends there as well, one of them celebrating a birthday! But I'll just put up one other picture from that. Yay for more birthdays on the Boulevard!




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The next event that I simply MUST mention would be the Masquerade Ball I attended at The Egyptian Theatre this past October. When I bought tickets to this event, it sounded like fun - and right around Halloween - but I loved the fact that this was also the 90th Anniversary celebration for the Egyptian Theatre, as well as a costume party! I knew I had to go.
Costumes were mandatory, and in honor of the Egyptian's 1922 birthdate, we either had to be an Egyptian-themed character, or a 1920s movie star - what fun choices! At first I leaned toward the 20s flapper look, but then I decided to do Cleopatra instead. I'm glad I did; nearly everyone was dressed in 1920s glam. There were only a few people who chose the Egyptian theme, which was fantastic - you know how I love to stand out.

Photos are smaller from this night, could only take them on my phone or pull them off Instagram. (Cleopatra's clutch was too small to carry a proper camera.)
^Naturally, Caesar was my date. ^The band played in the massive courtyard out front, under the pharaoh's statues. I also love that you can see the massive searchlights in the sky above the event. ^The ceiling inside the theatre. Utterly magnificent. These cell phone photos do it no justice!

^Now I have to say, I was quite proud of how my make-up turned out! Took these shots after the party was over, on the way home.


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And last, but not least, I have to mention my friend Ariel's wedding in mid-November. It was a lovely wedding, as most weddings are, but what I really wanted to share about this event was the amazing location! She got married on Hollywood & Vine (how many people can say THAT) at the newly renovated Redbury Hotel, and it was a stunning location. Not only was it pretty, but it was full of Old Hollywood history as well as glitz and glamour.
^Needless to say, I was captivated by this photo of one of my idols, Jean Harlow

^The newlyweds!


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This post is long, and there's a lot I didn't cover... I've just got to get better about posting more frequently!
I still want to talk about that charity event I went to at The Hollywood Museum as well, but I'll save that for its own full post. This will do for now!


Happy New Year and have a great 2013!
xoxo

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