Goat Yoga, The BH Art Show and Jurassic Park | Weekend Events May 14-16

Don’t miss out on this weekend’s best events! It’s a jam-packed week in the city of angels, so we’re sharing the best things to do in L.A., the westside, and the valley. From finding your zen with goats at the Gamble House to the bi-annual BH Art Show. Enjoy all that your community has to offer with these family-friendly activities!

Los Angeles

BH ART SHOW, Goat Yoga, Outdoor Movies
Goat Yoga at Gamble House

When: Until July 10, 2021

Where: Pasadena

What: You’ve probably already heard of the goat yoga craze, well now you can take part in it at the famed Gamble House. Get your zen on while a trip of goat’s throat around during this relaxing series on the front lawn of one of SoCal’s most beautiful homes. Presented by Pasadena’s Arts and Crafts, you’re invited to get in touch with your inner yogi through stretch and practice. Oh, and did we mention you’ll have 15 minutes for petting and pictures with the goats in attendance.

Hildur Guðnadóttir Gallery Talk

When: May 18

Where: Virtual

What: Hildur Guðnadóttir, the Oscar-winning Joker composer, joins Academy Museum curator Jenny He to discuss her work. Join them in conversation about Guðnadóttir’s compositions and her approach to designing the museum’s composer’s inspiration gallery.

The Beverly Hills Art Show Online

When: May 10 – 16, 2021, 24/7

Where: Virtually 

What: The BH Art Show goes virtual this year for the bi-annual event. Enjoy interviews with artists, painting instruction, and more! The virtual online gallery will provide the chance to view artwork from over 200 artists from around the country. As in previous years, the BH Art Show will showcase a selection of art, including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more. Also, like in previous years, artists will have artwork for purchase as well.

Westside

BH ART SHOW, Goat Yoga, Outdoor Movies
Ai Weiwei: Trace

When: May 15-Aug 1

Where: Skirball Cultural Center

What: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei brings his Alcatraz exhibit “Trace” to the Skirball Cultural Center in this limited engagement. The exhibition displays portraits of activists and prisoners of conscience made from millions of LEGO bricks. Ai Weiwei was inspired to create this installation after being imprisoned in Beijing due to his political activism.

 

Rooftop Cinema Club – Final Dates

When: Until May 31, 2021

Where: Santa Monica and El Segundo

What: Everyone’s favorite outdoor cinema experience has just a few more showings left before summer officially kicks off. The masters of alfresco rooftop movies have a range of flicks that you can catch outdoors on the big screen, from Mean Girls to Grease. Choose between the Santa Monica drive-in and a new rooftop in El Segundo for your weekend movie fix.

 

Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins

When: Until August 16

Where: Getty Villa, Pacific Palisades

What: Take a trip back in time, a few millennia, to be exact, for the Getty Villa’s latest exhibit. View ancient jewelry, sculptures, and cuneiform writing from the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. The objects on loan from the Louvre are broken up into three galleries. Because tickets must be timed for social distancing purposes, be sure to book your spot in advance.

 

The Valley

Street Food Cinema Presents Jurassic Park

When: May 15

Where: King Gillette Ranch, Calabasas

What: Let’s all head to the movies! Enjoy outdoor movie season at the drive-in with Street Food Cinema. The beloved summer series has made some friendly-socially-distanced tweaks for their current schedule. You can bite into this weekends showing with Jurassic Park and their range of delicious food trucks. 

Old Town Newhall Farmers Market

When: May 15, 2021, at 8:30 am

Where: Old Town Newhall Library

What: If you are searching for some of your fresh market favorites, look no further than this weekend’s Old Town Newhall Farmers Market. Specialty food purveyors and California farmers come together each Saturday, rain or shine, to bring you the finest in fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables. At this local event, you’ll also be able to pick up baked goods, flowers, herbs, cheeses, and prepared foods.  The Market offers locals a chance to come face to face with their food source. And the parking… it’s free and plenty.

We Rise 

When: Until May 31

Where: Various locations

What: Don’t miss the  ‘Celebration of Wellbeing’ for May’s Mental Health Awareness Month.  Taking place at various locations throughout the Valley and Los Angeles, you can participate in various activities and information related to mental health. 

David Ruggeri: Call of the Wild Exhibit

When: Until May 31, 2021

Where: San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center

What: ‘Call of the Wild’ and exhibit by artists David Ruggeri is in its last two weeks at the San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center. This installation, SCORE (Southern California Open Regional Exhibitions), celebrates the artistic relationship with flora and fauna in nature. 

Sound Mind Mental Health Music Festival

When: May 20, 2021

Where: Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura

What: While this event is not taking place until next Thursday, we wanted to give you the heads up so you can reserve your spot. Enjoy music from artists like All Time Low, Fitz, and the Tantrums, lovelytheband, and Charlotte Lawrence for this drive-in concert. Taking place at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, proceeds from the event support the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ventura.

Out & About: Places to Give Back This Holiday Season

Family time, presents, bright lights, and plenty of delicious food to go around the table are what we know as the holidays. However, many people are not so fortunate, especially here in Los Angeles where the homelessness crisis has continued to worsen over the last year. From cooking meals to spending time with terminally ill children, to donating baby supplies to parents in need. Your helping hands and most importantly your time and smile are needed to brighten up the holiday season for someone this year!

Midnight Mission

Downtown’s midnight mission offers counseling education, and job placement to the city’s homeless population, as well as food, shelter, personal hygiene, and medical care. For the holidays, the Mission holds special events in addition to regular meal services and food donation drives. Note: Midnight Mission asks that female volunteers come with a companion since this is an all-male facility.

Union Station Homeless Services

San Gabriel Valley’s largest social services agency, offers year-round community meal programs and other services for the area’s homeless population: including emergency shelter, children’s education and recreational activity and adult classes in parenting, nutrition, and money management. Union Station Homeless Services has also hosted Dinner in the Park for over four decades, named the biggest potluck in the nation by the Los Angeles Times: This organization helps give warm holiday meals to more than 7,000 homeless, low income, and senior citizens.

Fred Jordan Mission

The Fred Jordan Mission has provided clothing, blankets, and food to the homeless for more than 50 years. For the holidays, volunteers hand out food bags, toys and blankets, and sing carols!

Food on Foot

Donating gently used clothing, shoes, blankets as well as food! You can sign up to volunteer anytime, and it usually costs $25 (which serves as funds to feed about five people per day).

L.A. Regional Food Bank

Come help distribute food this holiday season with L.A. Regional Food Bank. Volunteers are needed for special events, food sorting, and food drives: including the organization’s yearly Operation Gobble, where volunteers will help inspect, sort and repackage food for delivery during the holiday.

Holidays From the Heart (CHLA)

This program aims to lighten up the holidays for chronically ill children and their families. There are a number of ways you can help, including sponsoring a family or providing bulk gift items (clothing, diapers, making a monetary donation, or serving as a volunteer (shopping for gifts, distributing gifts).

Baby2Baby

This organization works year-round to ensure that no child is without the basic necessities of childhood; accepting donations all year long for items that will benefit children (infants to age 12) including but not limited to car seats, clothing (children’s and maternity), hygiene items (toothpaste, soap, sunscreen), coats, and more.

Crayon Collection

Upcycle gently used crayons, providing children with crayons and saving our landfills. Being a part of Crayon Collection allows families with children of all ages an easy way to volunteer and make a difference.

Brighten the Holidays (Salvation Army)

This program helps families who are experiencing hard times due to unemployment, medical issues, homelessness or other challenges. From generously providing family dinners to donating toys to put under the tree, help the Salvation Army lend a hand with holiday events to those who need it most.

 

 

 

LA Eats: Los Angeles Farmers Markets Edition

Fresh fruits, homemade soaps, local sweet honey, eggs straight from the farm to crisp vegetables! Los Angeles has farmers’ markets all over the metropolitan area for your shopping convenience! Check out this list we put together by area for you!

Valley

Calabasas

When: Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm

Where: 23504 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, CA 91302

Encino

When: Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm

Where: 17400 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Northridge

When: Wednesdays 5 pm to 9 pm

Where: 9301 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324

Sherman Oaks

When: Tuesdays 3pm to 8 pm

Where: 14006 Riverside Dr. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Burbank

When: Saturdays from 8 am to 12:30 pm

Where: 101 N Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91502

Westside

Melrose Place

When: Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm

Where: 8248 Melrose Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90046

 

Beverly Hills 

When: Sundays from 9 am to 1pm

Where: 9300 Civil Center Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Century City

When: Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm

Where: 10100 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

Hollywood

When: Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm

Where: 1600 Ivar Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028

Santa Monica

When: Sundays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm

Where: 2640 Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90405

Marina Del Rey

When: Wednesdays from 11 am to 3 pm

Where: Vía Marina &, Panay Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Los Angeles 

Historic Downtown

When: Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm

Where: 209 W 5th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

 

Pershing Square

When: Wednesdays 10 am to 2 pm

Where: 532 S. Olive St

 

Crenshaw

When: Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm

Where: 350 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Central Avenue

When: Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm

Where: 4301 S Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90011

 

Echo Park

When: Fridays from 3 pm to 7:30 pm

Where: 1146 Logan St. Los Angeles, CA 90026

 

 

Weekend Events: November 22- November 24

From museums to the grove, to quaint coffee shops and the hustle and bustle of the tourist-packed Hollywood and Vine, the heart of Los Angeles has endless options for you to fill up your weekend.

 

“Julie Mehretu” until May 17, 2020

Los Angeles County Museum of Art – 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90036

A co-presentation with New York’s Whitney Museum of American Art, LACMA takes a first-ever mid-career look at the Ethiopian-American artist’s striking large-scale abstractions, with 35 paintings and 40 works on paper. Active since the mid-’90s, Mehretu uses ink and paint to create captivating and chaotic scenes that capture the – often unforgiving – march of geopolitics and displacement through abstraction, architecture, landscape, movement, and figuration.

 

 

Second Home Serpentine Pavilion by SelgasCano until November 24, 2019

La Brea Tar Pits Museum – 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90036

Each summer, a different world-renowned architect constructs a short-lived immersive pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens. Now, for the first time, one of those fleeting structures is headed stateside: SelgasCano’s crisscross of airy rainbow tunnels will welcome visitors who are looking for colorful photo ops and free performances, hosted by coworking space Second Home and the Natural History Museum. You can swing by daily from 11 am to 7 pm (and until 9 pm on Fridays), though timed express entry tickets will be released. While you want to visit when there’s ample sunlight to make the iridescent exterior and its colorful shadows more vibrant, do note that it can get pretty toasty inside under the midday sun.

 

 

Los Angeles Auto Show from November 22, 2019 – December 1, 2019

Los Angeles Convention Center – 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles 90015

Drift into the Convention Center for the 10-day LA Auto Show with cars that would even make Bond drool. If you’re a car nerd, get behind the wheel to test drive one of the cherry rides, while celebrities meet and greet at the manufacturer exhibits. With the world and North American debuts from BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and more, rev up for the machines of the future.

 

The Great Los Angeles Walk, November 23, 2019

Various locations in LA

Every year on Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Great Los Angeles Walk debunks all of those clichés about walking in LA. Hundreds of walkers start the free urban hike on one side of the city and nine hours and 18 miles later end up at the other. You can hop on or off the walk whenever you’d like, and though no reservations are required, RSVP’s are appreciated. This year’s route starts in Arcadia and makes its way through Pasadena, down along Arroyo and into Downtown LA.

 

 

Artists & Fleas Venice, November 23 – December 21, 2019

Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles 90291

The newest flea market on the block, the Venice outpost of this artisan/craft-focused flea market mini-empire is bringing records, vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and more to the Westminister Avenue Elementary School. A handful of small-batch confectioners provide sweet treats to snack on or take home, while food trucks and nearby restaurants provide heartier bites. Though relatively small in size, owing perhaps to its prime location bookending the neighborhood’s famed Abbot Kinney stretch, vendors hawk a diverse range of hand-made and expertly curated wares that seems to simultaneously fit in and stand out in one of the nation’s most unusual neighborhoods.

 

 

A History of Disneyland & Walt Disney World, November 19 – December 6, 2019

Van Eaton Galleries – 13613 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles 91423

Somehow each Disneyland-inspired auction at Sherman Oaks’ Van Eaton Galleries is seemingly bigger than the last. While that may not be true in terms of floor space this time around – the massive, museum-like That’s From Disneyland! filled a big box in the store in the Valley last year – it certainly is in terms of inventory.

 

Dogs! A Science Tail until January 5, 2020

Exposition Park – 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles 90037

Learn about the unique bond between dogs and humans at this exhibition, which explores how pups see, hear and smell the world. “Dogs! A Science Tail” takes a colorful, hands-on approach to its subject and mainly targets kids. Be sure to catch daily live demonstrations of dogs’ rescue, agility, sensory and service skills. The exhibition also includes a selection of dog-featuring works of art, mostly Norman Rockwell paintings and Charles Schulz Peanuts strips, on loan from the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

 

 

Neil Simon’s ‘Musical Fools’ until December 1, 2019

Atwater Village Theatre – 3269 Casitas Ave, Los Angeles 90039

In the 1890s, a young tutor arrives in a cursed village where everyone is “as dumb as a bag of rocks.” This world-premiere musical adapts the Neil Simon play Fools, with book and lyrics by Simon, music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West.

 

LA Eats: Best Asian Restaurants

If you’re in the mood for something seriously flavorful, you can’t go wrong with Asian food! Whether it’s Chinese sweet and sour orange chicken, Indian spicy creamy chicken tikka masala or Japanese salty-sweet teriyaki chicken; we’ve got every corner of Asia covered in our list of top 10 Asian restaurants in Los Angeles!

Tasty Noodle House
Location: 8054 W 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90048

The San Gabriel Valley’s Tasty Noodle House has been making a big push westward from West Third on to Lomita. There may be no better place on the westside for the restaurant’s signature made-to-order Shanghai pork bao!

Yang Chow Restaurant
Location: 819 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012

Chinatown classic Yang Chow is a hit with the tourists and anyone needing a nostalgia kick! This place does classic Chinese- American dishes with swift, friendly service—including the iconic and addictive slippery shrimp

Bombay Palace
Location: 8690 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211

With dishes like tandoori prawns, deeply flavored curries (including the fiery chicken vindaloo and a wonderful plate of bhindi dopiaza)  and fresh okra with onions and tomatoes pack some serious star power. Another star attraction at Bombay Palace is the clay tandoor oven that chef Harman Singh has been using to expertly prepare meats and seafood since day 1!

Avara Thai Cuisine
Location: 6245 W 87th St. Los Angeles, CA 90045

The extensive menu is plenty solid, and its faithful Westchester clientele appreciates an experienced kitchen that’s quick to accommodate various dietary requests. Who can’t love the Thai Iced Tea? We love this drink from the bottom of our hearts, and at only $2 you’ll be asking for seconds and thirds!

Soban Restaurant
Location: 4001 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Soban has an amazing array of banchan to start the meal. The menu features raw crab in one of two forms: a garlicky soy sauce or thick spicy red pepper sauce. This restaurant excels in all things seafood! Ask for the special squid tossed with julienne vegetables if they’re available.

Jun Won Restaurant
Location: 414 S Western Ave Los Angeles, CA 90020

The classic restaurant serving a wide range of Korean food is in a bright new location along Western Avenue. The menu is essentially the same, with possibly the best bossam and spicy braised black cod in town to go along with stellar banchan.

All India Cafe
Location: 316 N Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91203

After a decade of serving Pasadena residents, All India Café relocated to Brand Boulevard in 2018 and is still serving its tried and true menu of masala dosas, samosas, chapati and tandoori dishes.

Lal Mirch
Location: 11138 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604

This restaurant’s friendly owners and attentive staff bring out flavorful plates of Southern Indian food including naan, korma, biryani, sag paneer, and masala! If the timing is right, freshly made chai tea might be on the menu! If you can’t find at the Studio City restaurant you’re not out of luck because Lal Mirch is also located in Agoura Hills.

Chateau Hanare
Location: 8097 Selma Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046

Traditional Japanese modern, sustainable California flavor at this intimate bungalow on the edge of Chateau Marmont. Restaurateur Reika Alexander shaped her Sunset Strip restaurant into a whimsical, low-lit hideaway. Here you can choose a la carte items such as delicate sashimi, A5 wagyu, and Japanese fried chicken; build your own bento box with items like truffled tofu and miso black cod.

Inn Ann
Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Take the elevator all the way up to the top floor of the Hollywood & Highland shopping center just off the Walk of Fame and, wedged into a front corner, you’ll find Inn Ann. The restaurant perches over Hollywood’s sprawl, with long, spanning windows that peer out onto the twinkling lights of Los Angeles.

Top 10 Apps & Software for Realtors

Cold calls, listing appointments, inspections, meetings, escrow, holiday cards, social media. Oh my! As a realtor, you are running your own business and if you’re just starting out, you’re building your brand. This career can quickly become overwhelming. But have no fear, PropTech is here! We created a medley of apps and software for all your gadgets to make your job run more smoothly! Check them out!

Freshchat

Freshchat is an advanced chat software that you can easily plug into your website. If gives your visitors exactly what they want: instant gratification! Get a notification on your phone whenever someone has a question, or better yet, easily program a chatbot to engage them until they’re ready to talk to you!

Focus Booster

Instead of giving yourself a few hours (or even worse) an unlimited amount of time to work, Pomodoro makes you limit your work in just 25 minutes. After that 25 minutes, no matter what you have cooking you will take a five-minute break. When you complete 4 Pomodoro cycles of 25 minutes of work split by 5-minute breaks, you take a real, 10-20-minute break to eat lunch, chat with coworkers, or head out for coffee.

HouseCanary

HouseCanary’s home valuations are based on dozens of data points both public and private and instead of going back a year or two, actually, consider trends from the past few decades when coming up with their valuations. While HouseCanary’s valuations are the most accurate many in the industry have seen, they’re not out to replace agents anytime soon. In fact, they offer affordable valuations that you can use to supplement your own hard work.

Feedly

Since you don’t have to read the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Real Deal, and your local paper every morning, Feedly can help! Enter in a few websites or news categories you want to follow and Feedly sends you a nice curated list of the top stories every day.

Avochato

Avochato gives agents, ISAs, or other team members a fully-featured desktop dashboard to text with many leads and clients at once. You can access easy-to-use message templates, send texts one-to-many, and of course click-to-dial for hot leads or clients that need extra help. They can also give you ten unique phone numbers so you can easily segment leads from online sources, signage, open houses, etc.

 

NodalView

NodalView lets agents use their own smartphone, and a few smart odds and ends like a wide-angle lens attachment to create their own 3d tours to give the other 3D tour companies a run for their money. For a few hundred bucks and a plan starting at $59 per month, you can start making as many 3D tours as you want. With a team plan, you can use up to five devices at once, effectively making 3D tours for large apartment complexes to massive multimillion-dollar mansions!

Expensify

Expensify automatically scans and tags your receipts, so you don’t have to. Ditch the shoebox, manila folder, or whatever you use to keep your receipts! This app will make your life a lot easier!

Trello

This app lets you create and keep track of long-term projects and to-dos with your entire team. It’s also super easy and intuitive to use.

Redx + Storm Dialer

If you’re trying to cold call (you should in this market) without using an autodialer like Storm Dialer, you’re leaving money on the table. First, there is just no way you’re going to keep up with the volume of numbers you need to dial, not to mention with voicemails, hang-ups, or wrong numbers. In addition, stopping to dial your phone every 30 seconds will slow you down to a crawl and kill your momentum. Set yourself up REDx + Storm Dialer.

Buffer

If you’ve already dipped a toe into social media only to get turned off by the constant demand to post, then Buffer is for you. Do you want to reach your Instagram followers at 7:30 am even on days you sleep in? Buffer lets you figure out what times and types of content your leads on each platform respond to, then helps you create a posting calendar loaded with content.

Home Tips: 10 Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids Seated at The Thanksgiving Table

When you stop and think about it, Thanksgiving is a time for holiday inspiration. It is the holiday that kicks off the rest of the holiday season. As with any day of the year, kids find inspiration in all sorts of arts and crafts. Keep your younger guests happily occupied ahead of the family feast with these challenging, fun, and entertaining arts and crafts.

 

1. Cornhusk Dolls

As harvest-time icons go, we much prefer the simple beauty of corn-husk dolls. They’re understated, easy to make (even for children), and truly ingenious – requiring not much more than some husks, twine, glue, and felt.

2. Leaf Leis

Give “aloha!” an autumnal twist: embellish string necklaces with paper leaves (cut out a big pile with a craft punch) and colorful organic pasta. Cut leaves out of butcher paper with punches. Show kids how to sandwich twine between two leaves with glue, thread twine through pasta, and secure it with knots to create necklaces.

3. Mini Mayflower

Tip your hat to the Pilgrims with a ship constructed using a simple origami boat fold and stocked with tools for decorating the butcher paper “tablecloth” that you set on the kid’s table.

4. Pop-Cornucopias

Kids’ hands and mouths will be occupied until the turkey’s sliced by creating these amazing snack-filled cones from two different colors of butcher paper. Cut two sheets of butcher paper in different colors into fan shapes, one larger than the other. Trim edges with pinking shears. Roll each fan shape into a cone, sealing with a glue stick. Nest long cone inside short cone, bending horn up at the tip. Fill with popcorn and let the kid crafters munch to their heart’s content.

 

5. Coloring Place Mats

The clock is always ticking when kids are expected to sit down for a holiday meal. Eke out a little peace with these clip-art placemats! Trim craft paper to 11 by 17 inches and run the sheets through your printer like regular paper. Set the placemats out on the table with some cups of crayons and encourage the kids to have at it.

6. Acorn Dolls

A little craft project can keep the kids who opt out of helping cook the holiday meal entertained.  This acorn family is fun to decorate and customize – also, just as fun to play with. To make, collect a bunch of acorns in a variety of sizes. You can turn mini acorns into babies and bigger ones into adults. Pop off each cupule “hat” and hot-glue it to a wooden ball. Then, hot-glue the ball to the nut. Have the children use colored pencils or markers to draw on facial features and hair.

7. Kiddie Cups

This year decorate the kids’ table with pilgrim-hat serving cups and Mayflower-sail straws. Start with nine-ounce paper cups in black and gold. For the sails, cut them out and punch holes as indicated. Write a name on each and slide it onto a straw. For the hat, use a craft knife to cut away the bottom of a black cup. To add detail, cut a brim, trace it onto black paper, and cut it out. With glue, attach it to the cup rim. Voila!

8. Paper Turkey Hats

This festive hat features a turkey plume fit for the holiday spirit. Print out a handful of template copies and they’ll be ready to “gobble-gobble” around the house!

9. Colorful Paper Turkey Place Cards

Your kids can help you set the Thanksgiving table with these simple and adorable colorful turkey-shaped place cards. Attached an accordion-folded piece of colored construction paper to a cut-out turkey template. Add your guests’ names on the body of the turkey and arrange them on your table.

 

10. Pilgrim Hats

Easily crafted with a few folds, these paper hats and bonnets get kids into character as Pilgrims. To make the hat, download our template from the internet for the hat front and buckle, and trace them onto drawing paper. Cut out the silhouette of the hat, then fold up the brim. Cut out the headband; rest it inside the fold of the brim, and secure with a dot of glue. Note that cutting the gold buckle can be tricky; it’s best done by an elder of the settlement (aka an adult). Glue buckle onto hat, above brim. Wrap headband around head, and secure with a dot of glue (or tape).

Out and About: Brentwood Edition

Those most familiar with LA will know that there are few areas as affluent as Brentwood with it’s quaint shops and lush greenery, it’s no wonder it ranks as one of L.A.’s most idyllic neighborhoods. Amongst the perfectly tailored lawns and architectural masterpieces is a day full of art, culture, sites, and bites.

Take some time to step outside your neck of the woods…

In the morning hours…

Mornings are best spent starting off with a perfect caffe au lait, in Brentwood there is no shortage of options. Stop by Caffe Luxxe and get your morning pick-me up within the historic Brentwood Country Mart.

Caffe Luxxe

The eatery picks and roasts their own coffee giving new meaning to hand-crafted. Select from freshly baked delights courtesy of Red Rooster Bakery and be on your way.

After your AM charge, explore some of Brentwood’s architectural masterpieces for a light dose of dream home FOMO.

For afternoon reprieve…

George Sturges House

Between the Hunt, Sturges, and Nesbitt house, you’ll have quite the day exploring these post-war artfully designed properties.  A Paul R. Williams design, the Hunt Residence was built in 1921 with elements of the Regency Revival style. The George Sturges house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1939 features Wrights Usonian style.

The Getty Center

After geeking out on home design of the retro times, venture off to see a different style of art at the Getty Center. A wonder on the scale of both culture, art, and design, the 24-acre Richard Meier designed campus boasts panoramic city views and renowned collections. Once you reach your afternoon craving stop point then have a seat in their lush garden for a midday picnic. The Getty Center boast exceptional dining options and a plethora of seating choices.

Farmshop

If one prefers to head back into town for their afternoon meal, the Farmshop is the perfect destination. Founded by Chef Jeff Cerciello, the eatery is a staple of the Brentwood Country Mart. With imaginative recipes and locally sourced ingredients, its the best afternoon pick me-up.

Your evening adventure…

Skirball Cultural Center

Once, day turns to night, a show at the Skirball Cultural Center is almost a given. Just north of the Getty, the center explores heritage, culture and ideals through permanent collections, rotating exhibits, film screenings and live performances.

Tavern

Finally, we recommend for your evening conclusion to dine as locals do, at Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s acclaimed Tavern. The destination restaurant features a tastefully prepared seasonal menu with a who’s who of patrons.

LA Eats: Top 10 Gluten-Free Restaurants

Satisfying your hunger isn’t as easy as going to your local sandwich shop down the street to grab a bite to eat when you’re following a strict gluten-free diet. So, my fellow gluten-free people, we put together a list just for you! With all of the gluten-free eateries we found in Los Angeles, you’ll have difficulty deciding where to get that sandwich sushi or pizza fix! Our list includes gluten-free donuts. Yes, you read that correctly: Gluten-free donuts!

1.Kitchen Mouse

Location: 10889 Lindbrook Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Quinoa salad, rice cakes, and pesto bowls are some of the fan favorites at Kitchen Mouse. This restaurant is located in Highland Park, and there is a play area for the little ones! Mickey’s Chilaquiles are a must-try! This dish consists of corn chips covered in enchilada sauce with black beans, cilantro sauce, pepitas, vegan cheese sauce, serrano slaw, and avocado! Hungry yet? See the menu here

2. Crossroads Kitchen

Location: 8284 Melrose Ave

The upscale Mediterranean restaurant makes it one of the more popular destinations in that area. The trendy spot is run by famed chef Tal Ronnen and is a restaurant where vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores happily dine together. The menu at Crossroads Kitchen is comprised of small plate items perfect for sharing and allows you to try many more dishes. Full plate meals are also offered and consist of assorted soups, salads, pastas, and “comforting classics”. Click here for the menu!

3. 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria

Location: 10889 Lindbrook Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90024

This pizza joint claims that your pizzas are cooked within 60 seconds, sounds like a pretty sweet deal! With classic meatballs, cheese bread, topped with garlic, mozzarella, parmesan, and truffle flavored Boschettos al Tartufo cheese, wood-roasted broccolini with garlic, snappy Calabrian peppers and olive oil you won’t want to miss out on a delicious pizza pie. The most important feature of this pizzeria? The gluten-free crust! See the menu here

4. M Café

Location: 7119 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA 90046

This healthy spot in Beverly Hills has a number of gluten-free dishes, including crispy rice avocado toast, grain bowls, sandwiches and salads that can be prepared with gluten-free ingredients. This spot specializes in plant-focused and minimally processed food, staying away from artificial ingredients. Tip: make sure you also grab a free turmeric refresher shot on your way out. Click here for the menu!

5. Flower Child

Location: 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Just steps away from the Santa Monica beach this stellar gluten-free eatery is Instagram photo-worthy every way you turn. In close proximity to the hustle and bustle of the Promenade, this is the perfect pit stop on your Saturday shopping trip in Santa Monica. The menu is loaded with rare gluten-free items you won’t find just anywhere, like gluten-free mac & cheese, pitas, and cookies. Get the menu here

6. Mendocino Farms

Location: multiple

That hearty sandwich fix can’t be found just anywhere when you are on a gluten-free diet. Good news! We found your new sandwich spot! Mendocino Farms has got you covered with gluten free bread for most of their subs. The tasty long list of their vegan banh mi, a steak BLT, the modern tuna “almost a melt” and a caramelized Kurobuta pork belly. These sandwich shops are just about everywhere from Marina Del Rey to Sherman Oaks, so you won’t have to worry about driving too far in the dreaded LA traffic. Click here for the menu

7. Fōnuts

Location: 8104 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

FOMO over Krispy Kreme no more Fōnuts is here! This little west Hollywood donut shop has a full slate of gluten-free options from churro to strawberry buttermilk. All of their donuts are baked and/or steamed and never fried. Tip: don’t wait until the end of the day, donuts start selling out towards the late afternoon. Get the menu here

8. Hugo’s Restaurant

Location: multiple

A mix of comfort food, healthy salads, and hearty sandwiches can be found at Hugo’s. This joint has been in West Hollywood since the ’70s and has expanded with shops in Valley Village and Agoura Hills. Take one look at the menu and you’ll see that almost everything at Hugo’s is free of gluten. Want mac & cheese? You got it!  Click here for the menu!

9. Shojin

Location: multiple

A vegan and gluten-free Nobu, not exactly but close enough! This plant-based and gluten-free sushi joint serves the most creative rolls in a dimly lit setting. Everything on this menu is irresistible, including the dessert menu! Matcha Green Tea Cake is a sweet tooth’s dream come true! Get your gluten-free sushi fix at Shojin’s two locations in Downtown LA and Culver City! Get the menu here

10. Blue Jam Cafe

Location: multiple

The popular Melrose Ave eatery (also in Tarzana) offers several gluten-free menu options that are so tasty that this will become your new go-to brunch spot! Take your pick between numerous unique scrambles, chilaquiles with corn chips, or fresh greens like the strawberry salad. Click here for the menu!

LA Eats: Top 10 Coffee Bars in LA

Now that the days are getting colder, a delicious cup of coffee to warm you up sounds really nice. The ambiance of the coffee shop is just as important as your cup of joe. We selected 10 coffee bars in the Los Angeles area that we feel will not only get you the best coffee in town but also that homey autumn vibe that makes us all feel warm and snug this time of year!

1. Coffee Commissary
Location: 3121 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91505 (& six others)

The Burbank location is the only branch that has a full kitchen, meaning you can find fried chicken sandwiches, breakfast burritos and impressive house-baked goods on a daily basis! The growing chain now keeps studio workers well-caffeinated throughout TV, film, and radio production. It roasts mostly West Coast roasters and serves all cups with foamy panache.

 

2. Eightfold Coffee
Location: 1294 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

This coffee bar looks like it is was made to appear on lifestyle blogs. The kind you just want to cozy up in with a book and a cup of joe, especially on these cold autumn days! The airy space, sports white walls (including white brick), a tile-backed marble bar, and wood-bench seating. Baristas brew Heart Coffee in vac spots, with a La Marzocco espresso machine. The cold brews are served in glasses big enough to keep you awake for two days straight!

3. Espresso Cielo
Location: 1431 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Espresso Cielo has two locations, each just a few blocks from the beach. With an antique clock, marble countertops and sky blue styling this will quickly become your new coffee oasis.

4. Intelligentsia
Location: 3922 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

The coffee is roasted in nearby Glassell Park, the quality remains good given the high volume, and the signature Angeleno beverage is as popular as ever, featuring a quadruple shot of espresso shaken with milk, agave, and ice.

5. Rubies & Diamonds
Location: 6115 Sunset Blvd #150, Los Angeles, CA 90028

LAMILL co-founder Jean Shim went solo in 2015, debuting her fashionable coffee bar in Hollywood’s Columbia Square complex, in a space that features blue-grey and red walls lined with art and two elaborate chandeliers, including one crystal and another that resembles spaghetti. This coffee bar promotes BKON vacuum processed RAIN technology for coffee and tea, and they have nitro drinks!

 

6. Verve Coffee Roasters
Location: 8051 W. 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048 (& two others)

This Santa Cruz import made a great first impression, with its first LA shop brightening an emerging part of downtown, and others popping around the city. The mid-city outpost on Third Street is the most ambitious to date, with a round copper and marble bar, exposed wood rafters and a Farm-level Bar in the back featuring rare coffees that showcase “ethics & excellence”.

7. Woodcat Coffee Bar
Location: 1532 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Reclaimed wood, box seating, and red walls give life to this neighborhood favorite. It also helps that this place brews expertly roasted beans from San Francisco’s Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters on their sleek Faema espresso machine.

8. Bar Nine
Location: 3515 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

The owners of this coffee joint work with Ninety Plus Coffee Agents to source coffee beans from Panama and Ethiopia, and then roasts them in house. Bar Nine’s baristas use the shop’s high-tech Modbar system with Chemex coffeemakers to get the precise cup of joe. It’s all about the little details, too. You can’t help but “aww” at the adorable to-go glass jars with lids. Try the creamy hazelnut milk latte, and don’t forget about breakfast!

9. Paramount Coffee Project
Location: 456 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The concrete and wood space features a multi-roaster lineup that rotates beans from American coffee powers like Heart and George Howell, plus coffee from roasters back home. The food program is more ambitious than most coffee bars, featuring plates like a burrata that’s accompanied by pistachio dukkah, kale, and eggs; and a Superfood Bowl that comes with quinoa, candied beets, lebni, blueberry, and cocoa.

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10. Alfred Coffee & Kitchen
Location: Beverly Grove (& other locations)

Alfred’s iconic sign “but first, coffee” is Instagram post-worthy and reinforces the shop’s core focus: pumping out plenty of espresso drinks and cold-brew coffees, all using Stumptown beans.