Category Archives: Uncategorized

Day 18: La Vitrine Designs by Musti

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www.lavitrinedesigns.com

I was looking for something special to give my niece for her 16th birthday.  A girlfriend recommended that I visit La Vitrine Designs by Musti, at 1119 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  You know when you walk in someplace and it has great energy, this store has it.  Musti designs and makes all his jewelry in-house, he also told me that he does repairs.  His eyes lit up as he talked about taking antique pieces and making them into something new.  We also shared a laugh because the paparazzi were next door snapping photos of some starlet getting her nails done that we had never heard of…

In my case, I walked out with a crochet seed pearl necklace that could also be wrapped and worn as a bracelet. A perfect, understated piece of jewelry that fits my nieces  personality and my pocketbook.  My friend made an excellent referral that I am happy to pass along…

Day 17: Tree People

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http://www.treepeople.org/


Coldwater Canyon Park is home to the TreePeople, a natural oasis smack dab in the middle of the city.  The park itself has miles of hiking trails with views of the San Fernando Valley and is owned by the City of Los Angeles but maintained by the TreePeople.

According to their brochure, TreePeople was founded in 1973 by teenagers.  TreePeople staff and volunteers have planted more than two million trees, and each year the organization educates thousands of children about environmental responsibility. TreePeople offers many programs in Coldwater Canyon Park including Eco-tour field trips for elementary schools, park tours, full moon hikes and summer performances in the ampitheater. 

Upcoming events include the first annual Green City Fair on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 from 10 am- 4 pm.  12601 Mulholland Dr. (at Coldwater Canyon Blvd.)  Go to www.treepeople.org/green-city-fair or call 818-623-4862 for details.

Day 16: Zengo

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Zengo is Japanese for give and take, which is how we ate our meal tonight at Richard Sandoval’s Latin Asian fusion restaurant atop the newly redone Santa Monica Place.  This hip and chic eatery (the whole Santa Monica Place for that matter) bears no resemblance to that old dreary indoor 80’s mall.  The decor features a mix of Mexican Glass Lamps and Asian Antiques and leans toward the dark and clubby, it has both indoor and outdoor seating with a fireplace place and has quite a hopping bar scene.

The food is served in small portions (tapas style) and our waiter recommended 2-3 plates per person.  Last time we ordered like that, there was quite a bit left over… So we ordered one plate each and one for the table.  In total, we had the Carnitas Over Rice Noodles, the Ahi Tacos w/Mango Salsa, The Flank Steak Churrasco, a Wagyu Beef Roll and an appetizer of Wok Tossed Edemame, which had a very different, but delicious smoky flavor.   Everything we ate caused us all to talk, you could taste all the flavors in each bite and we had a great view.  This was our third visit and so far it’s failed to disappoint us.

http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengosm/index.htm

Day 14: Earth Day at the Autry

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theautry.org

On May 1st, The Autry presents a Native American perspective on earth-friendly living. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable living in the West. There will be earth-friendly tips from backyard farmers, gardening experts, green-build architects and wildlife experts. This family friendly event also features a Kid’s planet area, where children can participate in activities and games.

Day 13: Gjelina

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By far, one if my favorite restaurants in all of L.A.! Great for brunch, lunch and dinner. They are under construction to open a to-go spot next door for those of us who don’t like to wait.  There are no reservations for parties under six. They take the freshest ingredients and make something delicious, so you can taste all the individual items and have it still be something new. This isn’t one of those restaurants that tries too hard to make something original and ends up tasting so-so, everything is so yummy.   Just go!

Gjelina

Day 12: Huntington Library and Gardens

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http://www.huntington.org

Before it gets too hot and while the peonies and wisteria are blooming, you might want to bring your mom, child or anyone else who would enjoy spending the day strolling the gardens and gracious grounds.  There is so much to see, it would be impossible to take it all in at one glance.  Suffice to say, the gardens and library are extraordinary… 

The library houses one of the largest and most complete research libraries in the U.S.  $1.5 million dollars has been awarded to 158 scholars in the humanities to do research at the library for the 2011-2012 year.  There is a rotating exhibit of many first edition and rare books.  Among the items on permanent exhibit are a copy of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum, the double-elephant folio edition of Audubon’s Birds of America (sadly, many of these have  been dismantled and sold for home decor), and a collection of the early editions of Shakespeare’s works.

The many theme gardens include; the rainforest, a childrens garden (with lots of water so bring extra clothes/shoes for the kiddies), a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, a rose garden, a Shakespere garden, and a jungle garden.  These are not small gardens either, so wear your most comfortable walking shoes.  They are having their 37th annual plant sale on May 15th.  In the past,  I have found their prices very reasonable and the range of plants sold to be fantastic!

They are taking reservations now for Mother’s day picnics in the rose garden.  You should note that the the Japanese garden is closed for renovations, including adding a ceremonial tea house, until its centennial in the spring of 2012. We love to go to the Rose Garden Tea Room (reservations recommended, see the link below),  a cafe and a Chinese tea house.  We’ve never eaten at the Chinese tea house so if any of you out there can comment to that, thanks in advance! 

Book your Tea Room reservations online>

Day 11: La Super Rica, Santa Barbara

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As long as we were in the neighborhood…

We just finished our final (last daughter graduating elementary school) all school campout at El Capitan Canyon after 10 years of roughing it year after year.  That is, if you consider sleeping in cabins and having catered meals in the great outdoors roughing it!  So naturally the first thing my 10 year old asks as we are packing up the car is “Are we going to La Super Rica on the way home?”.  We haven’t passed it by ever since my dad turned us onto it about 8 years ago…

Isidoro Gonzales has greeted patrons with a smile ever since he opened this taqueria in 1980 and we are always happy to see him on the way home.  He gained instant credibility when Julia Child mentioned that it was her favorite mexican food restaurant and there’s been a line ever since.  You won’t see a big sign out front letting you know you’ve arrived.  Just look for the green awning and the line of people and you will know you’re there. 622 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara, CA; 805-963-4940

Isidoro Gonzales at the helm

I tend to order off the daily special menu, which today was shredded beef tacos with avocado cream sauce. It was a tough decision as he had the tamal verdura on the menu today which is a vegetarian tamale with a tasty cream sauce over the top.  My husband, Michael tends to order the house special, the #16- a roasted pasilla chile stuffed with cheese and marinated pork served over two freshly made corn tortillas.  I should also mention that is is no sit down affair, you order at one window with Isidoro and pick up at the other window with his son. Once the food arrives you will be sitting on plastic chairs at a too small table under the awning outdoors and getting your own salsa in plastic cups by the take-out window.

Once we were seated, we realized that there were quite a few other “campers” who had the same idea.  What a perfect way to end a great weekend and the end of an era for us…

Day 10: El Capitan Canyon

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O.K., this is really not in L.A., but a two hour drive North, past Santa Barbara in Goleta.  I am at my daughter’s elementary school campout.  So, not only is this not in L.A, but it’s also not camping! 

We are in a fabulous eco cabin with a king bed, duvets and a bath with shower.  There is a separate living room and the couch is folded out as a bed.  The cabin is situated on a creek and my 10 year old daughter and her friends just caught 8 frogs!  The campground is catering our meals the entire weekend and the kids are riding their bikes, playing in the dirt, walking on the rocks in the creek, climbing trees and playing outside!!  Just like we used to do as kids…   

 Tomorrow night we’re making s’mores, on a real campfire. I like my marshmallows perfectly toasted, brown on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. Life is good.

www.elcapitancanyon.com

Day 9: 2011 Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase

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The 2011 Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase – Saturday, April 30th from 11:00-4:00  Cost: FREE

http://www.marvistacc.org/node/1223

This giant eco festival in Mar Vista brings together a community of residents who share a vision for a greener life. Of course, non-residents are welcome as well.
This year, the tour will host the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour and showcase Mar Vista locations that have gone solar. 

A few years ago, we planted a hummingbird garden.  To our surprise, it also attracted monarch butterflies.  At one point, my 10 year old and I counted 34 caterpillars, we watched them devour our plants, build cocoons and eventually burst out and fly away.  Nothing like bringing the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle to life!

So put on your walking shoes, fill-up the air on those bicycle tires and dust off those little red wagons.  After our unusually cold winter it is going to be great to get outside, meet some neighbors and learn more about what can be done to make our gardens and homes more sustainable.

Day 8: LACMA

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Let’s start with the fact that I know absolutely nothing about art.  Despite having a mother who has been an artist her whole life and dragged me along to art shows and museums as a kid (notice I used the word dragged), none of the information stuck.  I know nothing about techniques, the history of the artists, the evolution of art, nada…  That being said, since art is subjective anyway, you don’t need to know anything at all to go and look.  Now I just pay attention to my reaction to the art itself; some I find repulsive, some makes me angry, some makes me laugh, others make me ponder, and some I just find beautiful…

A few years ago, when LACMA opened the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, we decided to take the kids to see the Jeff Koons exhibit.  We thought this would be a good first step for all of us since his art is so whimsical and fun.  To our pleasant surprise, the kids were given free memberships that are valid until they are 18 years old and the accompanying adult gets in free!  The program is called NexGen, so bring those kiddies with you for a free day at the museum!

We went a few weeks ago during our school spring break and had a light lunch at the Stark Bar, a contemporary setting in the courtyard between the buildings.  We shared a burrata appetizer and a mushroom and truffle oil flatbread.  It was a lovely afternoon and I am looking forward to going back.   The kids are looking forward to seeing the Tim Burton exhibit that starts at the end of April.  No more dragging along for me. I want to go, my kids want to go and it’s free.  Thanks Mom, I guess a bit of it sunk in after all!

http://www.lacma.org/