No matter what time of the year we visit LA, we are always amazed at how lush and vibrant the vegetation is. This marvel of nature greeted us on our recent trip and we were delighted to find many streets lined with these beauties called Jacaranda trees and bloom only once a year. While in LA, we also love an invigorating morning hike to start our day. Our recent favorite is Mandeville Canyon. Check out those hills!





It’s hard to see how delicious (best mac & cheese ever!) this meal was from the Iphone photo, but the food they serve at Forage is fantastic; the concept is a bit like old school tray service restaurants meets hip deli. This delightful little spot was a recent find on a trip to the Los Feliz/Silver Lake area, and we will definitely be going back.



We found some great new resources on this trip and this lighting shop on La Brea was one of them. Dispela Antiques was literally filled floor to ceiling with thousands of chandeliers and wall sconces. We had to force ourselves to leave…would have been very easy to spend hours just looking at everything.



Liz’s Antique Hardware on La Brea was a drool-worthy resource for all forms of vintage hardware for inside and outside of the home.



With stacks and stacks of finds, we couldn’t help taking pictures of these one-of-a-kind doorknobs.





Our go-to source for all things antique is Wertz Brother’s Antique Mart in Santa Monica. If you need any good looking accessories, jewelry, or finishings, this place has it all. Here are some of our favorite finds this trip:









Stay tuned for flea finds tomorrow from Santa Monica’s Airport Antiques Mart!

With a new project out in LA, we have been given a chance to discover the bounties that city offers. The food was delicious; the hiking superb; the stores plentiful. The next couple posts will reveal some of our finds beginning with the killer antique stores in Pasadena where we were inundated with the color Kelly green.


One of 7 agate bowls that we wanted to take home.


Kelly green Asian Armoire…yes please!


Gorgeous decorative bowl and massive Asian ceramic pot

When running uptown, downtown, and around town all day shopping for clients, we need solid fuel to keep us going. Right now, there is no better nourishment than Torrisi’s turkey sandwiches. Owner/chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi’s (formerly of the posh Café Boulud) house roasted turkey is sliced thick and topped with delightfully spicy harissa sauce. We prefer ours with a heaping bowl of fresh ricotta on the side.


Fill up at:
250 MULBERRY ST.
NY, NY 10012
212.965.0955

Taking up residency at the Lower East Side’s revolving storefront Grand Opening, the Trade School runs every day through the beginning of March providing multiple opportunities to barter basic services or goods in exchange for lessons in everything from “Composting” to “How to Make Butter”. Secure your spot by providing the teacher’s barter needs. We’re thinking the “Chinatown Collaborative Food Tour” is a must!