Out and About in Los Angeles- Part 1 of 2.
Let’s make a list of really cool and inspiring and delicious places! Well, places in or around Los Angeles.
The Urban Craft Center
Sadly, not open for a couple more months, but their blog is fantastic and makes me wish I had known about it sooner! Everything in that blog is incredibly inspiring. I wanna make everything! They support just about every kind of craft ever invented, and I cannot wait to get in on some of that delicious making-stuff action! It’s also in a really fantastic part of town- the cute older part of Santa Monica- in a really cool building. Make sure to get a pedicure at the salon down the block- the one with the giant bobbles in the window!
The Getty Villa
The absolute perfect place to go pretend you’re a Roman senator’s wife (isn’t there a more feminist way to say that?) or a goddess or something. Lunch under the arbor and stroll amongst statues, reflecting pools, and boatloads of marble.
All the way on the other side of town . . .
Cliftons
I can’t actually believe I’m giving away my secret. But it’s all for the love of wonderfulness. Sharing is caring. Anyway, Cliftons is the most cracked out, beautiful homage to the woods- and has a delicious breakfast. Cliftons is this magical, Disney-esque cafeteria in downtown, where the outdoors went in. Words can do it no justice really. I recommend their breakfast, but I’ve never eaten there for lunch or dinner, so I can’t give my word on those. Cliftons is the absolute perfect place to go before hitting the flower mart or the fabric district. Be aware that it’s deep in the city, so leave your wimp-nacity at home.
Flower District/ Fashion District/ Fabric District
Can you say enormous? Yes. I can. Many, many times. I love, love, love this part of town. It’s energetic, cheap, and never ending. NEVER ending. Wear sunscreen, comfy shoes, and bring plenty of water.
The Rose Bowl Flea Market
Happening every 2nd Sunday of the month- that means this coming Sunday! Another tremendous experience. More sunscreen, change of comfy shoes, a pull cart, and way more water. Oh, and come early. If you’ve never gone but you live in L.A. my suggestion is to plot out areas to try one Sunday at a time. Otherwise it’s too overwhelming to process. For a one day experience walk to the extreme left when you enter- that’s where the antiques are. Beyond the antiques are vintage clothes- about a mile of them.
Lula Mae
The cutest handmade goodies, gifts, books, and soaps ever! I love this shop! It’s in a great neighborhood, on the shady side of the street, and their website is just as cool as the shop.
Vromans Bookstore
A very cool bookstore, with an awesome little cafe inside. They have a great selection of design and crafty books, and it’s just a really neat place to go.
Phew, I’m exhausted! I feel like I just did a three day shopping trip. Next time I’ll get down and dirty and take us into . . . THE VALLEY! yes, there are cool things there.