With all of California's concern for the environment, it might surprise you that we're not #1 in the nation in management of household waste. California's tough new laws took us from #5 last year to #2 this year, which is great, but today, we're talking about the stuff that should never reach a waste bin, be it blue, green or black. We're talking about hazardous waste and how you can make a difference by disposing of it properly.
Read MoreSkate your way into the holiday season! From New York City to Toronto, Moscow, Amsterdam and all over the Northern Hemisphere, ice skating is an iconic holiday activity. But those snowy climates are not alone, Los Angeles also gets into the spirit. From first-time gliders to experienced skaters, get out your scarves, hats, and gloves and visit these ice rinks for merrymaking, outdoor fun and holiday smiles.
Read MoreIt seems strange that most of us grew up with our moms, aunts, and grandmothers running our home kitchens, yet when it comes to the restaurant industry, it tends to be men who have shaped, influenced and led its culture. In the spirit of support and pursuit of deliciousness, here are six talented female chefs making amazing food on the west side and what to eat when you visit their restaurants.
Read MoreThere are so many places to get cookies in Los Angeles, including Insomnia Cookies who will deliver warm cookies to you in the middle of the night. We buzzed around the Westside looking for great places with chefs who are dedicated to the art of making the best cookies to put in your Cookie Monster face.
Read MoreWe love a good hardware store. We're not talking about the big-box stores with people who barely know a wing nut from a molly bolt...we're talking about the small, locally-owned places where you meet neighbors and get real, knowledgeable, expert advice.
Read MoreWe love a good rooftop restaurant and since we live in Los Angeles, we feel like we have an obligation to our friends in less-than-fantastic climates to eat outdoors as often as possible. When dining al fresco also has a nice view, the experience becomes that much more special. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of some favorite places to eat al fresco on rooftops around L.A.'s Westside and Downtown.
Read MoreIt's summer! Hooray! Let's go outdoors and have a picnic! Los Angeles is full of great parks, gardens, and beaches just waiting for us to visit for a relaxing day full of fun and food. We aren't at the level of Martha Stewart, but we do know how to plan and pack for a great day. Here are our recommendations...
Read MoreA dovecote or dovecot, (or doocot in Scotland) is a structure intended to house pigeons or doves. Dovecotes may be free-standing structures in a variety of shapes, or built into the end of a house or barn. Take a walk in Cheviot Hills or California Country Club Estates and you'll see a lot of them.
Read MoreVegan chefs are known to be very clever...the MacGyvers of food. While it's easy to be an omnivore, being vegan takes some thought and effort. So, what do you do when you want to do dinner with a mixed group of friends? Fine dining in Los Angeles has your vegan answer that will not disappoint the meat-eaters in the crowd.
Read MoreWhy we write about baked goods the day after starting a new diet is a mystery that may never be solved. Today, we're dreaming about donuts. That sweet, pillowy ring of goodness that gives in to your bite and coats your lips with sugary glaze is a brilliant invention for which we are eternally grateful. Our list of West L.A. favorites…
Read Morege·o·cach·ing /ˈjēōˌkaSHiNG/ noun: geocaching The recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a website. It's the world's largest treasure hunt! If you want to teach your kids (or your friends) how to read a map, the international game of Geocaching is a great way to do just that.
Read MoreThe speakeasy scene is alive and well here in L.A. Everyone likes to be in the know--to have a juicy secret, especially when it's mixed with gin. Here is our Westside list:
Read MoreWhile we love chasing down the freshest fruit, veg, bread, cheese, meat and seafood, keeping up with the farmers market scene feels like a never ending game of Pokemon Go. We love supporting local farmers and artisan food craftsmen. Plus, we love being able to get our knives sharpened while we shop.
Read MoreNerd Alert! We get a little giddy when we see one of these pop up on the MLS…Sears, Aladdin, Gordon Van Tine, Montgomery Ward, Lewis, Harris Brothers, Sterling, and Pacific Ready-Cut Homes were the big companies that sold kit homes via mail order.
Read MoreOne of the best-kept gourmet lunch secrets anywhere is Culinary Arts programs at our local colleges and trade schools. Many of these schools have programs that turn our kids into chefs - really good ones - and also teach baking and pastry, restaurant management, and wine studies. If you've never eaten at a culinary school, you're really missing out on some great food at an astonishing price.
Read MoreIt's time for all things spooky, scary, ghoulish, and delish! This is many people's favorite time of year and beloved non-holiday holiday. In that spirit, here are our recommendations for simple decorations and a baker's dozen list of our favorite Halloween movies.
Read MoreWhat's not to love about the farmer's market? The problem is that we keep forgetting which farmer's markets are open and when, so we compiled a list to keep on hand and then thought, "Hey, we could share this!" Here's our updated cheat-sheet of what's open close to home.
Read MoreIt's Siren Number 144, a type 1 rotating siren, specifically, the Federal Model 500T, a 10 HP dual-tone siren introduced in 1954 for Civil Defense purposes produced by Federal Sign and Signal Corporation.
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