New Store Alert in LA

My drives down third street in west hollywood have once again been useful
I saw out of the corner of my eye a new store!!  Then I get an email from Daily Candy telling me that I should go check it out.  Done.

Chay is the lifestyle store from the ultra cool Chay Wike.  Mom of two little ladies, Chay knows that being a mom and looking good should go hand and hand.

She has created a great store filled with great accessories by the likes of Kathleen
Whitaker and shoes by the ever popular Beatrice Valenzuela.

But really what stands out is Chay's own fashion line.  All this washable silk!
Jumpsuits and trench coats.  Just lovely. I was also told there is some cashmere and leather items on the way.  Her online store will be active after the New Year.

So if you are en route to the Grove from the Eastside or heading to Larchmont Village from the Westside, stop in and enjoy this great new gem.

Sarah x

Clean you Closet. You have visitors.

My dear friend Crystal Meers was featured recently on Jeana Sohn blog series,
"Closet Visit".  You know that friend you have that after you leave them you go buy something they talked about or were wearing?  That's Crystal!!!!

The closet visits showcase interesting and fashionable ladies in Los Angeles.  Crystal fits into that category perfectly.  As she says about her own personal fashion it's a mix of "New England and French new wave".  It also helps that her fiance (himself a dope man of style) is a famous costume designer.  So the two of them are always rocking something killer. 

The photos above are two of my favorite from the shoot.  The one with the chunky cable knit sweater and bangles (including the beautiful Hermes) is "very Crystal".

A super talented writer and overall cool person. 

Even though she is always super busy!!!!

Love the series...and glad Jeana showcased this lady.

Sarah x

hold up...wait a minute...

 

(Standard Goods)

 

(RTH via hypebeast)

New finds..
New favorite store's alert...

Standard Goods and RTH

Both insanely creative and just plain awesome.

Standard Goods is your go to shop for the perfect "boyfriend" or "husband" gift. 
Or just the right place to buy a gift for the guy YOU WANT to be your boyfriend or husband.  Among many housewares and some clothes are perfectly curated vintage finds, cool new socks(a collaboration with RTH) and a small but fabulous selection of my favorite Aesop products...

RTH has incredible leather goods and gorgeous jewelry. 
Also get on the kilt pin bandwagon.  They sell them in all different colors and styles.
Small store...but a must for anyone who has the love for Double RL styling
(the owner Rene worked for them) and looking like you made it back from your cool aunt's Santa Fe ranch with half her wardrobe.

I am smitten and so thrilled these stores represent what LA can be about...smart people bringing unique fashion and style to a city where girls still where Ugg boots in 80 degree weather.

Thanks guys!!!  Your new fan...

Sarah x

The Passy

Happy and Healthy New Year to all my friends out there... It was a fun filled holiday with family out here in LA. The little man enjoyed his cousins and long stroller naps walking on the beach in Santa Monica.

Thought I would share my love of the Pacifier clip.  Now let me start by saying I was not into giving Sonny a pacifier at first.  I thought it was not natural blah blah blah.  That went out the window when I realized my kid is a sucker.  So unless I was ready to breastfeed all day/night I was prepared to have him use one.  I had yet to see any clips I liked that were just a simple way to make sure the damn thing does not fall on the ground every two seconds.

I think I literally Googled "pacifier clips" and came across the site Baby Bintz
They sell some elaborate ones with beads but also carry simple pieces of ribbon (and yes if I had the time I am sure I could make these).  But, instead I turn to the all powerful and mighty Internet to help me.

Hope your 2012 is off to a good start.  I personally am glad they caught the balding yet has a ponytail (please explain??) man starting car fires all over my neighborhood.

Sarah x

e-waste recycling

Man oh man....
Cleaning up your house pre-baby can be stressful.  Especially when you are trying to be thoughtful of the environment.  We have all these wires and parts from old Apple products, cameras and cell phones that I am looking to recycle.
I know I can't just throw them in the trash.

Thought some of it would be easy to return to Apple.
Not the case.  They said they take some cables at the store but not everything.  They of course have a great recycle program for computers and iphones...But I am talking about all those damn cables and extra parts they give you that sit in a box for years...

Nationally:
Turns out Best Buy will take the cables and other products.  This was the most convenient and broad based program I found.

Also the EPA has a site devoted to helping you find a local facility.

Local LA:
The department of public works has a program which accepts e-waste on Saturday's only
through their SAFE program at the UCLA campus.  Other locations are also available.

Just trying to spread the word and do my part.
So if you are doing a FALL clean up and have a desk draw filled with wires and chargers click on one of the links above to recycle or donate.

Sarah x

A quick bite in the heart of Melrose Ave

I got you all with that picture of cheese right? I wanted to give a little shout out to a great little wine and cheese, soup and salad place here in LA.

Froma on Melrose is smack in the middle of Melrose right by the Paul Frank store(which by the way is moving and having a BIG sale) and close to one of my favorite shops in all of LA....Creatures of Comfort.

So head to Froma when you need a snack or you are looking for some of the BEST cupcakes in town (Francine, the owner, will not spill on where they come from!).

Sarah x

Secret Shop

You know why I love flying? Magazines. A true pure read. Just stale air, a chair that barely reclines and my magazines. Yes paper, not their online site.

I just picked up ELLE with Kate Hudson on the cover. To my surprise the Insider Fashion segment was all about LA (Also a cool little piece with my favorite gal Sophia Coppola).

Found this gem super interesting, the SECRET SHOP. Based out of Kitty Jensen's apartment you can find the best vintage. By appointment only. Kitty also uses her talents to sing in the hip LA Ladies Choir.

Elle is not working their magic quick enough with linking to their online site(see that's why you need to still buy magazines!!) Here is link from Style Section L.A.

Look at secret shop on etsy and their website.

Thanks Elle...I will not give up on you even though I do love my ipad.

Art gallery. Get on it.

Haystack Needle from NYC scooped me on a link to an awesome gallery opening/event in LA. Hey that's not fair? She lives in NYC!! But, she is one of my daily reads so I am not that mad...

Fleeting Immersion is a pop up concept shop. The event is at the Tinlark Gallery in Hollywood.

The theme: Santa Fe Astronaut. What?

Vintage, art, handmade goodies, shopping and more!

Go check it out from September 17th-25th.

Aloha.....

My man and I made a quick stop on the eating birthday tour....at Aloha Cafe for some shaved Hawaiian ice....
Check out this spot if you are in downtown LA...
Have nice sweet weekend....
Sarah xx

The Franks

When recently in New York, I got the chance to head to Brooklyn and enjoy the love shared by The Franks. They are the men behind the Frankie Spuntino empire in Brooklyn. I mentioned my love for their Pretzel in an earlier post.

They own PRIME MEATS, and olive oil business and 2 other restaurants..
Both have been traveling the country on a book tour. Their new cookbook is incredible. So well done.

They are in LA doing a dinner at Animal tomorrow. Super excited to enjoy the goodness of Brooklyn's finest on the Westside.

best ice cream in LA

Full disclosure: Zoe and Josh Nathan are good friends. But, beyond that I genuinely LOVE their food. Now, I get to love their ICE CREAM!!

Sweet Rose Creamery, is located at the brentwood country mart. Zoe and Josh partnered with Zoe's fellow Tartine alum, Shiho Yoshikawa.

Just today I had farmer's market strawberry ice cream with salted walnut crunch and pecan brittle. Her flavors are fresh and original. Picture above is the smore ice cream pie.
I know...stop me now...

Other LA ice cream spots I dig:
Milk
Scoops

Kate Spade fun but a little $$

Kate Spade sold her name and company to Liz Clairborne a few years ago. She really sold it. Like, supposedly for over $100 million. She left it in the hands of very fine, capable designers who have kept the Waspy, chic brand alive.

I walked into the fabulously designed store yesterday and thought it was so pretty. But, the prices are a little off. With J.CREW doing a bang up job of making the same look affordable I hope that Kate Spade will follow suit.

Things I loved:

look at the week!

I remember moving out here(10 years ago) and people just kept bad mouthing LA. Fake Hollywood people, earthquakes and being too far from NYC.
I always wanted to live out here. I went to film school back east and knew I had to give LA and Hollywood a shot. Obviously, I have enjoyed myself and made a life here.

The weather, the food and my friends have all contributed to my ongoing love affair with this city.

A great article in Travel+Leisure about the food in this fine city.

Who needs a gym? One of my favorite places to exercise.

Healthy salads and a walk from my house or the best chopped salad.

In&Out? Apple Pan? Hello burgers.

OK could be one of the best stores on the planet.

Now it's not hard to convince my friends and family to visit...even with all the sunshine and earthquakes.

Los Angeles Brunch

              (photo of Canele from Los Angeles Times)
Alright.  I have neglected the portion of this blog which recommends places to eat.  I have yet to write about my own hometown.  Here are my current favorite brunch places around town:

CORA'S COFFEE SHOPPE

BEVERLY HILLS FOUNTAIN COFFEE ROOM

GJELINA

CANELE