Not Your Grandma’s Pendant…

By: Jeff Brown-Event Planner
Contributor's Website: BrownHot Events

One of our favorite trips (and we love a good trip) includes scouting vintage pendants and buying gilded jewelry to use in unexpected places at our events!

Grandma’s dragonfly broach flew to new heights when used, unexpectedly, as chair sash ties on the backs of each guest chair. Grandma was pleased.

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New Friends and Old LA Tradition

By Dorte Lambert - Food Enthusiast

Empress Pavilion-Dim Sum
988 N. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA. 90012

Moving back to the west side of town was the best thing I have done in a long time. I live in great community where I have made so many new friends, it’s quite amazing. Most of us met while walking our dogs or while enjoying coffee that our building provides for us every morning by the pool. Sound to good to be true? It really does exist. Our new found friendship adventures and gatherings have included many glasses of wine at 5pm, girl’s day out shopping, cozy parties at other’s apartments and yes, boats too.

On one Saturday morning gathering down on the docks, a few of us got on the subject of dim sum and within minutes a plan was made. We were a group of 8, setting our GPS’s and caravanning to the highly recommended Empress Pavilion in downtown, Chinatown.

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War, Art and Getting Inside the Bubble

By: Chaton Anderson - Writer
Contributor's Website: Fusion Integrated


A cool way to spend your Sunday is the 2013 Venice Art Walk & Auctions taking place this weekend. Roam more than 60 local private working studios and homes of artists and private collectors. The artists in attendance love sharing their methodologies and visions— you’ll be inspired by their unique perspectives and artwork.
Hit the silent auction to bid on works of art, sculpture, photography, ceramics and graphics, and then visit the community celebration at Google Los Angeles, where food trucks will tempt and tantalize you.
There are also bike tours, a gallery show, architecture tours and live entertainment. The annual event benefits the Venice Family Clinic, a community health system that provides quality care to 24,000 low-income, uninsured, and homeless families and individuals on the Westside of Los Angeles. Sunday, May 19.

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How about a second home in Montecito?

By: Laura Pardini - Realtor
Contributor's Website: City Style LA

Looking for a quick get-away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles? Escape to picturesque Montecito, Santa Barbara. I think my pulse slows down every time I get close to it. There's something to be said for owning a home close to the the beach, nestled amongst the mountains. The retail section of this community is also beautiful. The commercial sector captures the feel of Spanish architecture...low rise, clean and timeless design, with attention to deal.

No wonder there are so many artists. I know my immediate reaction would be to grab a paint brush and canvas. My husband would be inclined to grab his camera. I have a love for Spanish style homes, so I'd be remiss if I didn't tempt you with one that caught my eye.

Inspired by George Washington Smith, this compound features the main house and a detached Casita and private guest house on an award winning two acre lot rich with gardens accessed via a private lane. This enchanting view estate features vaulted ceilings, intimate spaces and an open flowing floor plan. Stroll the garden walkways or sit back and relax in one of a multitude of patios.

The list price is $2,850,000. Feel free to contact me for more details.

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A Great Place for Moms

By Cindi Lee – Yoga Instructor
Contributor’s website: Cindi Lee Yoga


We all realize EVERYDAY the mothers of the world deserve to be celebrated. Mother’s and or the mother like figures in our lives are the glue that keep us all together.  Mother’s are usually one of the first people in our lives to love us truly unconditionally.

For many of us, Mother’s are the most patient, most understanding, and most compassionate people we will ever know. That is for sure a description of my mom. I know I am blessed.

Do you know what other major attribute Mother’s portray?  Well, my mom, and probably yours too, is an undercover genius and quite frankly, a badass. I would show you her picture so you could see her pure love, however, she is shy (I must honor her wishes of not sharing her photos on the internet).

I recently visited a place I knew my mom would absolutely love, The Self Realization Fellowship in the Pacific Palisades. Of course I had been planning to go there ages!  Every time my neighbor comes back from the center he seems incredibly rejuvenated.  I had the most glorious experience.  Next time mom visits LA I will be sure to take her there.

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Love vs. Anger


By Lisa Haisha - Life Coach
Contributor's Website - Soul Blazing

“It is impossible for you to be angry and laugh at the same time. Anger and laughter are mutually exclusive and you have the power to choose either.” – Wayne Dyer

Lately, my cross-cultural married clients have been struggling with compatibility issues and tempers have been flying. So, I’ve been reading a lot about how people struggle with anger issues. More often the anger people are feeling is towards people they deeply love – we’ve all been guilty of it haven’t we? Through my research, I found this parable, and I love the explanation of the reason why people shout in anger, see what you think…
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Ode to Lily

By: Jennifer Culp –Interior Designer
Contributor's website: JC Design Studios

Although I have never been a “preppy” person myself, I was sad to hear of the passing of Lily Pulitzer. I have the utmost respect for individuals who are able to create an empire out of their style. Her brand was about making a bright and happy mark on the world. She was the creator of the “Palm Beach Style” and notable designers such as Trina Turk and Jonathan Adler have followed suit. Here’s a look at her influence in the interior design world too…

As Lily put it “Style isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you live”
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