"Tasty Town" - Food Trucks LA

We used to call them "Roach Coaches" until they elevated their offerings to please the gourmand and foodie sector of the population! You may already have experienced them in your city, or through shows like "The Great Food Truck Race". I love to eat. Whether it be fine dining or street food - if it's good I'm in! LA is one tasty town! There are so many old favorites and new establishments popping up every day I could eat out everyday for a year without having to eat at the same place twice! Now ad food trucks to the mix and I could eat out twice a day... Thanks to twitter and detailed schedules you can follow your favorites around town - but it's also quite serendipitous to just happen upon them. Recently I managed to scarf down a Kogi taco in the parking lot of my local Trader Joe's after I shopped. I was so enthralled by said taco I didn't realize there was a huge line of cars witnessing my feast as they waited for my spot! It was so good, I wasn't the least bit embarrassed. The trucks also convene on Tuesday nights in Santa Monica in the parking lot of the Victorian and Wednesday nights in the Valley at Taft High School in Woodland Hills. My post includes both experiences, equally fun; however, the lines in SM were a little out of control. We didn't make it to the Cool Hause ice cream truck because they sold out and had to shut down! I more than made up for it last night as you are about to see! 

Food Trucks - Santa Monica

 Who knew such an unsophisticated name could draw my attention and desire...

Curly fries drenched in bacon and cheese from "The Greasy Wiener" - okay we split them three ways... don't tell my doctor!!!

 "Cool Haus" artisnal ice cream sandwiches

Brown Butter and Candied Bacon would have been my choice - just to reinforce the bacon theme!

 Yummy-One authentic Korean cuisine and Asian inspired entrees. 

Bi-Bim Rice Wrap with spicy pork!

Food Trucks - Woodland Hills

As you can tell from the long lines - The Lobsta Truck is a huge draw...

 Instead of "Lobsta Rolls" we opted for "Slamin' Sliders" and weren't the least bit disappointed!

Pulled Pork Slider - Hawaiian black salt roasted pulled pork and onion crisps

Sidewalk picnic - mushroom kobe slider, sweet potato and pepper jack croquettes, slaw and pulled pork sliders  - YUM!

Paul Smith sunnies; Tiffany necklace; Etoile Isabel Marant sweater; Free People bandeau; "Simply Smashing" by OPI nails

 "Lake Street Creamery" serving the most imaginative floats and ice creams in a waffle bowl...

 We opted for Donut (which really is just like biting into a fresh baked donut!) and Pancake Breakfast (which consists of pure maple syrup, "flap jacks" and bits of bacon topped with coffee grounds - a happy breakfast party in your mouth!

Is there anything like this going on in your city? I'd love to hear about the street food in your part of the world!!

Embellished Belt DIY

So many people inquired or commented on my belt while I was out and about over the weekend I felt compelled to share it with you. While there are many others who DIY better than I, no one can pile on the accessories like me - well, maybe Iris Apfel could rival my abilities... Okay, there are others coming to mind but really, I subscribe to the "more is more" approach whether dressing myself or my home and this belt is no exception. Incidentally, my Aunt Anita feels the same - she's been known to say "If it doesn't move - decorate it!". Anyone can do this - all you need is a cummerbund or rope belt, a few brooches and an artful eye. Happy embellishing!

The vintage belt sourced from the Melrose Trading Post flea; a selection of bakelite and vintage brooches sourced from my collection.

Once you've arranged the desired placement of your brooches...

... simply pin them on!

Voila!

Adds a little oomph to this Zara dress; sandals - Belle by Siegerson Morrison; vintage sunnies - Mellow 

The perfect outfit for chillin' with Mr. Brainwash's Jolly Green Giant on La Brea and Romaine. 

Hope everyone had a very pleasant weekend!

It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood - West Third St., LA

West Third Street between Fairfax and La Cienega has risen in popularity over the last ten years. Given the longevity of all this attention (in fickle LA ten years is a long time!) the inevitable has happened - a few chain stores have managed to nestle themselves between the mom and pops. But who would object to a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery? (Remember when Carrie ate the pink frosted cupcake on Sex and the City? That's Magnolia.) Or some lip tint from Benefit Cosmetics? Or adornment from Alexis Bittar? Begin your day with lunch at either of my favorite restaurants on the strip: The Little Next Door Brasserie or Joan's On Third. Both serve exceptional food and offer fantastic people watching! This particular day we wanted the additional enjoyment of cute French waiters so we opted for the former... The decadence began with a glass of Rose Hibiscus Champagne, followed by a leek tart and ended in a plate of exotic macarons! After lunch we meandered West, popping in and out of favorites like Flight 001, where they stock every imaginable travel need, and Mellows, home to the most incredible assortment of vintage eye wear. I nearly cried when I saw my favorite footwear store, Siegerson Morrison had permanently closed up shop! First the Malibu location, then "Belle" in Bev Hills... wretched recession! There was only one thing left to do - drown my sorrows in a cupcake! 

chocolate banana, lavender, coconut, and cigar! (yes, infused with cigar and dusted in gold!)

 adore this dress in the window of a designer resale shop

They wouldn't allow photos inside but trust me, it's lovely!

 Flight 001

 ... Stocking all the essentials a stylish traveler could hope to need!

These neighborhood dwellings remind me of cupcakes!

speaking of cupcakes!!

 We nibbled on samples of incredible banana pudding and peanut butter blondies while we made our selections...

Tell me friends, what instantly perks you up?

Pop LA, Two

Welcome to the second installment of Pop LA! This town is not only glamorous - it's downright wacky! We don't always want to just sit here and look pretty - sometimes we prefer to interject a joke or funny story... As mentioned in a previous post we don't take ourselves too seriously. Case in point, the  Randy's Donuts sign above. This drive-in bakery established in 1952 in the the city of Inglewood  wouldn't be such a fun destination were it not for the huge 32 1/2 ft in diameter donut! You may recognize it from countless movies, most recently Iron Man II. Apparently, signs designed to look exactly like the product sold were a huge trend in the 50's. I imagine it must have been quite an effective way to attract business - only a 32 foot donut could get me all the way to Inglewood! 

A very chic POP of color, while waiting for fish tacos on Sunset Blvd.

What could be more iconic and POP than the Hollywood sign? Unfortunately you'll have to squint to spot it - it was quite a foggy/smoggy day yesterday!

Francesca in polka dots and KJL spiked cuffs puckers up to a Geisha on Hollywood Blvd.

This is another great Pop LA landmark building listed as one of LA's Registered Historic Places. Designed by Welton Becket, and completed in 1956, its thirteen stories mirror a stack of records on a turntable - remember those? Hence the "needle" at the top of the "stack". Capitol Records is located in the heart of Hollywood, at the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Beatles to Beasties call it home. You can walk their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and imagine all the talent that has walked through its doors...

Home to many candlelight vigils...

I laughed when I first saw this one... but now I wonder if Noel is one of the many thousands who came to LA with a dream... Maybe his approach was the whole "see it/believe it" thing??

Just as Little Edie said, "This is the right costume for the day". An Andy Warhol tee shirt and pink bubble skirt tend to inspire an exploration of POP landmarks!

(tee - Model Citizen; skirt - Zara; sunglasses - A.J. Morgan; sandals - Sigerson Morrison) 

 (bracelets - left hand: Helena Rohner; right hand - vintage)

(purse - ADD Handbags, that's me!)

One of 26 ten foot guitar sculptures in GuitarTown  on the famous Sunset Strip. Each guitar was designed to represent a famous performer or player in the history of the strip. This one symbolizes Katy Perry who doesn't interest me nearly as much as pink and glitter!

Pastel dreads and pin-up style on Hollywood Blvd. -  adorably POP LA!

This binocular four story sculpture, located on Main St. in Venice Beach, was designed by Claes Oldenburg and his wife Coosje Van Bruggen. It is the entrance to the Binocular Building designed between 1985-1991 by LA architect and fellow Canadian Frank Gehry.  

Clowns in general freak me out. Always have. This three story tall, tutu wearing, gloved clown is no exception! He stars in the opening credits of "Californication" and was created in 1988 by sculptor Jonathan Borofsky for reasons only he can understand... But I must say, he does add to the eclecticism of Venice!

Happy Weekend Everyone!