Oh So Civilized

When I was a little girl, I had quite an experience at the Polo field.  Our friend, Jerry, was a player and we went to watch him.  I sat on my first horse there - a terrifying experience, for which I blame my fear of horses on!  He was HUGE and sweaty from the game, flys all over him and they perched me (all of 6 years old) on his muscular frame.   I cried and was sent home with a kitten - it was worth the ride!
Well, it's your turn - Today is the 2nd annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at the beautiful Will Rogers State Park.  Throw on your most stylish outfit from the 20's era, nosh on the finest from Los Angeles' most beloved gourmet food trucks and sip champagne while watching hunky horseman, Nacho Figueras strut his stuff on Los Angeles' only remaining Polo field.  Maybe you'll find a muscular frame to take your first ride on.....

Tickets are not sold at the event and must be purchased ahead of time - so get on it - times a wastin'!

Pet Theatre

You love to go around town bragging that you got your dog at the shelter - you're such a hero!  But have you taught him to perform on a high wire?.... I think not!  Now is your time to take the kids to see what Fido could be one day....

Gregory Popovich has rescued animals from shelters from all over the country and transformed them into stars!!  Come see the amazing cast of cats, dogs, parrots - even geese performing just for you!!  See you there!

Thursday September 29- Malibu, CA

Smothers Theatre @ Pepperdine University

24255 P.C.H.

Showtime@ 7pm

(310) 506-4522

www.arts.pepperdine.edu 

Abbot Kinney Fest Is Back!!

Music, Food trucks, shopping.... there is even a beer garden!! Get your arse to the Abbot Kinney Festival this Sunday!  Every year it attracts 150,000+, making it one of the largest community events of it's kind in the country!  There is plenty to do and see and no one is left out - there is a KidsQuad where the little lads can plant a garden, make sock puppets, make jewelry get their face painted....
What a great way to ring in the first weekend of Autumn!

A Day in the Life.....

Every once in a while, a day comes along that is special.... where everything flows perfectly, the crew is in a good mood and you realize that you really are truly one lucky son of a bitch to have such a wonderful family and live in a place where anything is possible.  Last Saturday was one of those days....

A drive down PCH and we found ourselves in none other than Malibu.  This is my favorite way to start the day - I love the lumber yard... We wandered around, grabbed brunch at Cafe Habana, played some ping pong in front of James Perse, lounged in the sun, got ice cream from Chocolate Box Cafe... ahhhhh... After the week's rush of trying to get out of the house in time for school, homework done, make dinner, after school activities, it's nice to spend time with my family with no other commitments and no time limits. 

Next, we decided to head to LACMA to catch the Tim Burton exhibit.  If you haven't been yet, you are in luck - it's running until Halloween - don't miss it - it's fabulous.  

Having worn the kids out all day, and being fortunate enough to have a sitter lined up, we dropped the babies off at home and headed back to Malibu.... 

Oh, Nobu, you are a dream come true.....

Great Night For a Great Cause!

photo courtesy of YoVenice
The Ben Harper Benefit to raise funds to help Babette Ho at The Mint last night was a huge hit!! The place was packed!  Jackson Browne had an amazing set followed by the oh so talented Ben Harper.  Ben opened his set with a phenomenal duet of Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" with his longtime friend Joan Osborne.  Next was an outstanding rendition of Bruce Springsteen's  "I"m On Fire".  WOW!
Great night for a great cause!

Venice Art Crawl

Venice Art Crawl 

Every 3rd Thursday of the Month

Always a good time!

Bay Shore Lanes Bowling - NEVER AGAIN!

The kids had an early dismissal from school yesterday and we thought it would be a blast to take them bowling at AMF Bay Shore Lanes in Santa Monica- ugh - it was a disaster!!  The bowling part was fun, but all of a sudden we noticed the kids we're itching like crazy!!  No hives, no bumps... just itching.  We couldn't figure it out!!  By the time they started stripping off their shirts, and losing their minds, we realized it was the installation blowing fibers all over the place!!!  The fibers were coating our seats, the floor, the balls - and now our children!!  If you look closely at the photo the ceiling is torn up - what a hazard!!!  Well, to say the least, we explained what happened to the manager - no help, no nothing.  AMF is part of our past - never going there again!  As for the kids - scrubbed them down like they were Thelma in Silkwood and they were still itching!!!  Nightmare.

Post No Bills

You may have seen his work around town ....

He's LA-based Street artist Morley and he's having his first gallery show at Post No Bills this Thursday, September 15th.  Other featured artists will include Borf, Bret Amory, Kelsey Brookes, Mark Jenkins, Ravi Zupa and Sage Vaughn.

Post No Bills is a relatively new Venice print shop and gallery in the former Equator Books location.  It was started by music producer Jordan Bratman and London -based gallery owner Steve Lazarides, best known for his work with Banksy.  From what I understand these two have a good thing going - not to be missed!

Special Evening with Ben Harper for Babette Ho!

This is a very special benefit show to raise cancer relief funds for Babette Ho, wife of legendary Dogtown and Z-boys Zephyr surfboard maker Jeff Ho.  A very limited number of tickets go on sale this morning at 10am  PST for $75.00.  ALL proceeds go to Babette Ho.  In addition, there will be Zephyr shirts, skateboards and surfboards for sale at the event!  Click the pic above to go to The Mints Web site to get tickets!  Hope to see you there!

Great Times In The Great Lakes State!

Hello Blog of mine!!!  I've missed you!   I spent the summer in The Great Lakes State (Michigan).   It was a beautiful, amazing time - BBQing, boating, concerts, baseball games, catching lightning bugs, watching thunderstorms, restaurant planning, spending lots and lots of time with my beautiful friends and family.  It was a dream.  I enjoyed every minute of it!!!  Sorry I've let you get away from me - I'm ready to get right back in the swing of things Golden State!  Where will you take me next??

Splendid day for shopping - don't you think?

Oooooohhhhh.... meet me at the Cooper Building on the 11th floor!!  LET'S SHOP!

CHAN LUU for you??

I couldn't be more upset that I'm going to miss this sale!! 

Don't you miss it too!!

Perfect Night Out: Villains Tavern & Lazy Ox Canteen

Went out with some old friends for dinner and drinks the other night and it was a BLAST!  First we met at Villains Tavern - Amazing!  Driving through what seems like an industrial wasteland Downtown, I didn't think there was any way we were going to find this place then BAM there it was - our new hideout.  It's a hidden gem to say the least - part western outpost, part speakeasy and I'm in love.  The outdoor patio has a bar, stage, shuffleboard and lots of nooks and crannies to gather with friends.   Indoors you'll find a gorgeous antique bar, surrounded with apothecary jars, vintage chandeliers, and candlelight.  

Make your way through the hipsters and belly up to the bar for some of the best drinks you've had in a long time!  They also have a shot and a beer menu, and my favorite, a snowcone with liquor (you choose your liquor and your fruit).  My drink of choice was the Tijuana Trick (Sino Reposado Tequila, St. Germain, lime juice and orange zest).  Sublime.  Need to fill your belly a bit?  Try the Bourbon Bacon Caramel Corn, or Indian Peas (deep fried chick peas dusted with chili-lemon sea salt).  Rumor has it they open at 1pm on Saturday's for day drinking, BBQ and live music.

Sad to leave, but we had reservations at the Lazy Ox Canteen in Little Tokyo.  

There really aren't words to describe how delicious this place is.  It's a dark, narrow dining room with an open table and a warm, cozy ambiance.  Small plates shared family style was the way we decided to go and we were NOT disappointed.  Some highlights?  Feta cheese & marcona almonds with castelventro olives, grilled cabbage with piquillo perrer & almonds, broccolini with anchovy lemon vinaigrette, niman ribeye steak with fava bean puree & bone marrow, the list goes on....

All and all, it was a perfect evening out!

Don't Miss This Sale!

It's no secret that Big Red Sun and The Golden State are 2 of my favorite stores and lucky for me they are next door to one another!!  This looks like an event that  you won't want to miss!!

REDCAT International Children's Film Festival

This weekend I took the kids to the Redcat Theatre for the 6th Annual REDCAT International Children's Film Festival.  They had a blast!  There were a couple duds in the bunch, but some gems as well!  Plus any reason to visit the Walt Disney Concert Hall is aaaaalllll good in my book!  There is still time to take in a viewing - the festival  runs through April 17th!

Japan

Foo Fighters Secret Show!!!!

Last night was one of the nights it really pays off to be a promoter's wife!!  The Foo Fighters put on a show at the Troubadour and it was SPECTACULAR!!!  They played their entire new, not yet released album and then 2 hours of hits!!  AMAZING!!  I am a huge Foo Fighters fan and their new album does not disappoint - it is Rockin' - heavier than the last - phenomenal!!!!

Dogeared Sample Sale

Did you miss the Dogeared sample sale at Big Red Sun in Venice??  I picked up the most amazing jewelry at unbelievable prices!!!  Don't worry, they'll have another one soon - get your butt in there and get on their mailing list - you don't want to miss another one do you?

Indoor Gardening Design Class

The West Elm in my neighborhood (Santa Monica) has been putting together some amazing events that are not to be missed.  Yesterday morning was one of them:  a design class on indoor gardening, showcasing vases and vessels designed by Shane Powers.  The class was full of fantastic ideas and inspiration.  You need to bring nothing but an open mind to these events, as they are free!!  So, there I sat on a comfy sofa, sipping my coffee as Felix Navarro, owner and designer of The Juicy Leaf in Venice and Carlos Silva, design specialist for Pottery barn and inspirational Floral Artist from Glamgreen presented several inventive ideas of how to utilize the beautiful pottery and glass vessels designed by Shane Powers.  It was a beautiful morning!  Be sure to call your local West Elm and get on their mailing list for future events - you won't be sorry!

The Venice Grind

Ahhhh......Nothing like having that perfect cup of Stumptown coffee and a lovely place to enjoy it. Just behind one of my favorite landscaping joints, Big Red Sun (on Rose and 6th in Venice) is a new coffee cart: The Venice Grind.  It's just right for my weekend cup and a stroll around the grounds..... 

Homemade Valentine

My daughter's latest project is to make homemade Valentines for her class.  She chose the most adorable craft online (you can find it here) - check it out!

Aqualillies! Check It Out!!

Handlebar moustaches, burlesque, mini skirts - suddenly everything retro is cool again.  But I've found the most retro, cool thing EVER....... SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING LESSONS!!!  Isn't it the MOST to say the least??!!  I'll be honest, I'm in no condition right now to don a bathing suit and do ballet in the water but I'm keeping this in mind for future fun!  The class is taught at my favorite beach house (The Annenburg) by a group of lovely ladies from Aqualillies.  This session has already started but I'm sure you'll be able to put your silver suit to good use in the future!

Circus Incognitus

photo by Amanda Russell

Anyone know a kid that would not want to see this in action??  Jamie Adkins is betting that you don't!  He began his career right here in California as a street performer in San Diego at the tender age of 13!  Since then he has performed with Montreal's Cirque Eloize and Cirque du Soleil.  Impressive!  My kids can't wait to see his new show titled Circus Incognitus - it's a one- man circus comedy showing tomorrow at The Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.  Interested in joining us?  Get your tickets here.  We'll Ooooh and Aaaaah together!

Sick Day = Craft Day!

Some days we just don't feel 100% and need to stay home with mom.... my daughter had a couple of those days this week so we had to come up with something to pass the time because it's just not fun being sick.  So, after a short trip to JoAnn Fabrics, we decided to make a new shirt.  With an old white T-shirt of her brothers, a few iron-ons, a stud placer, some scraps from old clothes and some sewing from mom, she was able to design a beautiful new shirt!  Take a look:

Apple Pan

There is something incredibly warm about an old school diner.  Takes me back to being a little girl and sharing a meal with my dad.  I love to take my kids to Apple Pan - it's an adorable, small diner on Pico - opened in 1947 and has been frozen in time ever since.  My favorites?  Tuna sandwich, Hickory burger and Banana Cream Pie!  Yummmmmm!  It's a must try if you haven't already!!