What I've learned so far...

Things I have learned from my past 2 weeks in LA:

1) People's lives literally revolve around the traffic...and they think that's normal. Leaving an hour and a half early to go all of 20 miles seems like no big deal to anyone down here. And if there's an accident? Cancel your plans. Seriously.

2) The traffic problem is like survival of the fittest, and I'm not fit enough. It's an urban jungle out there and I get butterflies every time I have to get on the 405 or the 110. I mean how many freeways do you really need, and does each one really need 2 different names (The 110 aka Harbor freeway)? This is getting confusing! And there isn't any separation between towns, it's a continuous stream with no divide, in just 3 minutes you can drive through 5 different towns but in the end? Everyone says they're from Los Angeles.

3) In relation to the traffic, southern Californians are some of the worst drivers I have come across in my life. Why do you have to tail me when there are 7 other lanes you could be driving in? And why pass me and cut me off only so you can drive as slow as the guy I was behind in the first place, and you're turning left in 30 ft anyway?

4) Vintage clothes are SO much more expensive. Like someone could have died in that shirt and you're gonna charge me how much?!

5) Lakers fans are very serious about the game, and one shouldn't mouth off about any other basketball team or you will get beat.

6) Los Angelenos will riot for just about anything (hello NBA championships). These people are frustrated and they want to burn things.

7) The people down here aren't the friendliest bunch I've ever met in my life. I feel like people think I'm a weirdo every time I smile and say hello. How do you make friends down here?

8) There are a lot of places to go and things to do down here, whether you're into museums, the outdoors, shopping, dining, movies, or a mini vacay (hello Vegas, San Diego and Palm Springs) there are a million places you can go to find what you want. Things are convenient for sure.

9) Fashion is a high priority for a lot of people, and I love that, I feel like I fit in and don't stand out like a sore thumb wearing my most of my wardrobe, but flats are a must as there is a lot of walking to be done; people really love their flip flops down here.

10) You just have to find your niches in southern California and stick with it, find your grocery store, your favorite breakfast restaurant, favorite coffee shop, good shopping and what not and things will be a lot easier if you don't have to venture too far out.

Hopefully soon there will be a lot more positives than negatives. I haven't been here that long, and I'm still getting the lay of the land but so far it ain't that bad (with the exception of that BS traffic).

You Otter Know

I have been crazy busy this last week and it just doesn't seem to be stopping in the near future. I spent this last weekend in Carmel for mother's day (HI MOM). We went to a fabulous brunch and ate until we almost popped.

I got home just in time to celebrate my 2 year anniversary with the boy (HI BOY) where we went to a fantastic fondue restaurant in the bay area and ate until we almost popped, who can say no to melted cheese with bread and melted chocolate with fruit while listening to David Cassidy sing "I think I love you"? I certainly can't, and the 70's pop soundtrack made it all the better.
Now we leave tomorrow for San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles to go apartment hunting until Sunday. Hopefully at least one of us comes home with a place to live and/or at least good prospects. After that it will be pack, pack, pack and then back on the road to LA we go.

I'm glad to say that the ball is now rolling full steam ahead. After being unemployed and bored for almost the last year I'm more than happy to have a lot to do.
Needless to say blogging will be sporadic for the next few weeks until the dust settles. So please bare with me and my limited writing/commenting.

Until I can get back into a good rhythm look at this cute picture of a baby otter and his mommy. It seems like the right time to post this cuteness...as if there were ever a wrong time.

Have a lovely day my dears.

Throwback

This weekend was mildly uneventful as weekends go. I did bake; it was delicious, my mothers chocolate chip cake got rave reviews (recipe soon to follow). I also went to breakfast with a dear friend, and I conveniently chose a breakfast place a block away from one of my most favorite vintage stores in all the world.

Knowing that I will be moving soon and this gem of a shop will be oh so far away I went in just to browse...and then just to try things on...and then to buy just one little something for mothers day brunch and then left with 2 dresses, 2 shirts and a sweater jacket. The best part about this place? I got it all for $50...

This place is one of those rare finds, a place you can walk in to and find authentic vintage clothing that won't cost a months rent to own. And I will miss it, tremendously. One of my favorite pastimes is perusing the racks at vintage/consignment shops, I love the anticipation and hope of finding a treasure and I love owning something no one else does. I enjoy the history, the quality and uniqueness of the clothing. Even my dry cleaner has said, "man, you just don't see quality fabrics like these anymore." And I like that I own those special things.

Now that I'm moving to LA I know that there will be a million little "vintage" shops all over the place, but I'm worried everything will cost hundreds of dollars and nothing will be authentic. Who wants to spend $300 on a replica? I don't.

Anyone who lives or has lived in Southern California have any tips or advice on places to shop for authentic vintage clothing that won't cost me my grad school tuition? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Now on to the goods:


60's mad men-esque dress $13, red silk blouse from Paris with flower detail, $8:


Electric blue sweetie dress from 70's $13, Black flowy hippy shirt $6:


Golf themed Granny sweater, $10:


What did you do this weekend?

All the colors of the rainbow

Driving home from LA going over the grapevine all the hills were covered in blankets of wild flowers. Yellow, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Green, It looked like magic, and I just couldn't get over all the beauty.

Have a lovely day.

An open letter for us poor renters

Dear Southern California,

Why oh why are your rental prices so insulting? I'm offended...
I'm really looking forward to our new relationship together but you're just crushing my dreams of a positive future for the both of us. Lets try to pick things up a bit shall we? I'd appreciate it.

Love,

Cinnamon

You could call it interior decorating porn

The boy and I were in Los Angeles for the past few days trying to get our bearings and figure out a few things before we head down there permanently. Boy had job interview in Long Beach, boy got said job and starts 4 months before I thought moving would be in order. This put us on warp speed status and now everything is bananas trying to pull it all together. I'm a planner, I don't do "on a whim" very well.

However, while we were down there we did get to enjoy ourselves, there was lots of eating, drinking and being merry with friends old and new. We spent most of our time in Long Beach and Santa Monica. One of those nights in Santa Monica we had drinks at the Viceroy hotel and as soon as I walked in the door I gasped. Anyone who has any sense of decoration and style whatsoever can do nothing but admire it for its hip style, quality and beauty and if you like the color green (my favorite) or the green/black/white color combo you were in heaven.

Each room was different, the outside area with its trendy little cabanas, the drinks and the people watching were of epic standards. Save up cause it was expensive but I would highly recommend it, even if all you have time for is just a little walk around it's worth it, I promise.

The Lobby:The Bar:

Outside pool/bar/dining area:



Dining and such:


Amazing, and pure genius if you ask me. The Viceroy is also found in Palm Springs, Aspen, Miami, Maldives, Anguilla and soon Beverly Hills and each one is done differently.