04 July 2009

PC Greens - Healthy Outpost on the Coast

I LOVE Pacific Coast Greens. They sell all the healthy food that I can't find at Ralph's or Pavillions. I picked up some raw/vegan goodies yesterday and the whole shopping experience made me so happy! Everything smells so good and fresh in there!

Here's what I got:
  • four different flavors or Larabars (to taste test)
  • 24 oz of Evolution's Pink Grapefruit juice (I am addicted)
  • Sunshine Burger patties in the Garden Herb flavor
  • Kombucha in the Raspberry flavor
  • ready-made raw kale salad

22601 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265-5856
(310) 456-0353

01 July 2009

"World's Most Stylist Cities" according to Forbes

Here's a piece of an article written in Forbes detailing the world's most stylist cities. (Los Angeles was deemed #6.)


"Why the rush of talent flowing out of Los Angeles? The same could be said of all the other cities on the list, actually. Style-conscious cities, in general, benefit from the disruptive innovation a financial downturn often conjures. While the recession has undoubtedly hurt all of these cities' economies, it's also allowed creative types to take chances and chase their dreams simply because there's less to lose.
What's bad for the economy, it seems, is good for style. And every city on the list--whether it's geared more toward architecture, fashion, or product design--has something the Parisians understand better than anyone: je ne sais quoi."

This falls in line with the idea behind 'creative as savior' that I mention in "Detroit, the new Brooklyn?". Creative-type/Creator creates Something where there once was nothing. Artist conceives design that attracts attention, attention begets buzz, buzz generates revenue, revenue attracts other artists, and the process continues and evolves, constantly filling vacuums.

If a void (absence of money, restrictions, occupation) paradoxically creates space for Creation, this is good news for our economy. If artists are the creators who renew society and generate intellectual and economic momentum, then there is all the more reason to fund the Arts.


Here's the complete list:

10. Barcelona
9. San Francisco
8. Madrid
7. Tokyo
6. Los Angeles
5. Rome
4. London
3. New York
2. Milan
1. Paris

Do You Need An Ass-Kicking?

For those of you who don't know about Jenna Phillips or her amazing program "Mission Possible", check her out immediately. I've been attending her outdoor workout sessions on and off for about a year, but keep myself in line by reading her blog on new foods she's trying, health tips and other motivational tidbits. She is the most positive, bubbly, insightful trainer who really walks the walk. I can't wait to do a whole week with her!



Update: She now has an exclusively dedicated Twitter feed for Mission: Possible called @YouArePossible.

Detroit, the new Brooklyn?

Now, some people compare downtown Los Angeles and even Venice Beach to various cities in Brooklyn, and I dislike the patronizing insinuation that L.A. is only a lesser version of New York. However, I can appreciate the notion that somewhat dodgy towns can re-invent themselves with the arrival of avant garde (or, perhaps more accurately - struggling artist) inhabitants. Both Downtown and Venice have been re-born in this manner, and both boast an increasinly rich variety of culinary and cultural offerings. (Of the two, I prefer Downtown).


The latest broken-down city to herald the emergence of broke, young artists is none other than Detroit, Michigan. What a tremendous boon for the city who has seen nothing but turmoil, unraveling hopes and bankruptcy the last few years. With the Kresge Foundation's grant of $450,000 to 18 visual artists, it appears a similar renaissance could be on the horizon for Motor City, as well. See Flavorwire for more info.

On a selfish level, I like to think of the young, poor and creative as the saviors of society. With little in the way of responsibility, and few materials to tinker with, these are the ones who dare to think outside the established order. Few distractions and even fewer restrictions in the presence of a burning desire to survive spark some of the world's best ideas. Desperation can also be debilitating, so keep it coming, Patrons of the Arts.

(Note to L.A.'s resident billionaires - Grab a clue from Eli Broad (the man knows a thing or two about smart investments) and support your city's art scene! MOCA, LACMA & others are more than storehouses of pretty crap - they fuel dreams and inspire revolutions. Duh.)

Photograph by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre

Continuuing the Conversation about CORKBAR

Corkbar now has a special night called "Test Kitchen Tuesdays". The chef (Albert Aviles) prepares taster-sized portions of "new, market-driven" dishes that aren't yet featured in the regular menu. Each item is $2. Been meaning to go back to check this out! (FYI, this goes on every Tuesday, starting at 5pm, until the food runs out).


I've also been meaning to check out Gjelina in Venice. Carlo Mondavi (of Mondavi winery) recommends the food. I'll also have to check out Continuum!

403 W. 12th Street (South Park section of DTLA)
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-746-0050

UPDATES:
Corkbar now features jazz on Sundays from 5-9pm with great wine & beer deals AND delivers locally!

Profane Oversight!

Tony's is my new favorite bar.

While The Varnish is still my favorite place to weave glamour and subterfuge into my life, and reigning home of the best hand-crafted cocktail, I love the masculinity of Tony's and how I feel being amidst it.

It's in the Arts District downtown, though at night the surrounding area is pretty deserted. The decor, ambience, menu, music and manager are all perfect and lovely and just right. Tony's has been reclaimed by Cedd Moses and the 213 group, and I'm sure that it will be reaping the rewards of foresight sooner than later. I don't know if a downtown neighborhood saloon could get any more neighborhood-y or saloon-y.

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