My L.A. Lifestyle

What's Up for the Weekend?

By: Lisa Ristorucci - Professional Errand Courier

Contributor's website: Gofer Girls

The weekend is fast approaching and for most, this is the time to milk. The time when you unwind, take a break from the constant demands of work, hang with friends and enjoy all the cool activities Los Angeles has to offer.

Here are a few of this weekend's goings-on that I myself am planning to attend:

Dudamel Conducts Mozart at the Disney Concert Hall - the LA Philharmanic never seizes to keep my mind immersed in music and off of business. From entering the gorgeous LA architectural landmark and watching the way the last bits of sunset reflect off the curved walls, to settling into the intimate setting where Dudamel's captivating abilities will lead the LA Phil into an evening of Mozart guaranteed to keep me riveted. This is the way to do a Friday night in LA folks. Friday, May 18, 2012, 8:00PM

Chaya Downtown Sake Festival - I'm SO there. The delicate sophistication of sake has not been wasted on me. This delightfully refreshing drink was an instant fave the moment I tasted its chilled elegance. And to hear that Chaya will be featuring 26 boutique sakes along with Izakaya bites (appetizers typically served at sake shops in Japan), all for only $35? It was meant to be. Friday, May 18, 2012, 6PM-8PM

Why Wine Competitions Matter

A Behind-the-Scenes Glimpse of a Wine Competition and Why You Should Care

By Stacie Hunt - Sommelier
Contributor's Website: Splash Pros

Everyone has his or her own idea of Spring: birds singing, fresh and floral aromas everywhere and outdoor grills.

For those of us who judge wines at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, the sure-fire sign of spring’s arrival comes from inside a football-sized room set with dozens of round tables and sparkling stemware; a room filled with scents of yeast, aromatic Riesling, citrusy Chardonnay, berry-scented Cabernet Sauvignon and fleshy Syrah. Ah, yes, Spring is here! And so are over 100 of us judges gathered from around the globe, ready and set to sniff, swirl and (begrudgingly) spit as we taste our way through more than 3,000 wine entries from around the globe – all vying for medals signifying that they are the best in their class.

When Bad Jobs Happen to Good People

By Daisy Swan, MA, CPCC – The Los Angeles Career Counselor and Coach

Contributor’s website: Daisy Swan & Associates

Boy do I hear a lot about the lousy jobs that people have. It’s my job of course, my career – and really, my life – to listen to these stories. Everyone has one to tell. It’s as if lousy jobs are the common thread that runs through all of us. In modern America you probably won’t find someone of working age who hasn’t had a bad job or two. While I love good and inspiring news I also appreciate a bad job story because I know there will be redemption at some point…like the arc of any good story, there will at some point be a turn toward a positive resolution.

So what makes a bad job bad? Doing menial repetitive tasks ranks up there as number one. Being given too much to do without being given enough time, information, ‘tools’, or training to do it properly. Being yelled and screamed at by anyone – a boss, a co-worker, a boss’s wife, husband or assistant certainly ranks up there. If you’re an extrovert, being given an empty room without anyone to work with or talk with for many hours; an introvert, no quiet, privacy, lots of interruptions and stressful questions. How about happily starting a new job with excitement and then being left all alone without a desk, a computer, or any direction during your first week – or WEEKS – of the job? Ouch.

Why Your Good Intentions May be Causing Harm

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

Everyone gives opinions and guidance to their friends and family, but you probably know someone who goes a bit overboard. This person gives unwanted advice in a very professional manner, even though they lack the proper credentials to do so. This person may mean well, but their efforts to help are stymied by their clinical and emotionless approach. That’s because they’re letting their “Counselor Impostor”—one of the eight “Impostors” that derail people’s lives—run the show.

As a life coach, I know that counseling from trained professionals can be essential to healing and growth. But I’ve also seen well-meaning friends and family hinder someone’s process with misguided attempts to help. This“Impostor” takes on an instructional role in order to come to terms with its own pain indirectly. Unfortunately, this ends up causing the recipient of “help” more harm than good.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

By: Dorte Lambert - Food Enthusiast

Contributor's Website: Dorte Lambert

This is the story of Jiro Ono. He is eighty five years old and considered to be the best sushi chef in the world. Sukiyabashi Jiro, is a Michelin Guide 3-star restaurant set in the basement of a subway station in Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan and is recognized by the Japanese's government as a national treasure. This 2011 documentary film directed by David Gelb is astounding, beautiful, motivating. I don’t want to tell anymore about the movie or Jiro. It is all there in the film.

California Dreamin

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

What happens when a famous architect pairs up with a sophisticated chic clothing designer? True Magic! Yesterday I saw a home in Beverly Hills that stole my heart...it had all the elements I love; 1920's architecture with modern upgrades and clean lines. This Spanish Mediterranean courtyard villa was sold as a fixer to Robert Rodriguez (not the director, but the fashion designer) back in 2009 for $4,900,000. Wait till you see the changes!

It is currently on the market for $9,998,000. This 3 bedroom, 4.50 bath home is approx 7,125 square feet and has a bonus room off the garage. It felt like I was walking through a five star resort in every sense of the word. My question is...with a house like this, where is Robert going to move to next? Where do you go when you hit perfection?

We must give kudos to William J. Gage, the architect. Born in New York City, he moved to California in 1921. He studied architecture at the University of Illinois and was a member of the American Institute of Architects. His claim to fame was that he was the architect for the lovely Beverly Hills City Hall. The fine detailing and the courtyard integration is reminiscent of the estate on 624 Hillcrest Road in Beverly Hills

Location (to the Third Power)

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

Location, Location, Location – we’ve heard it all before – and it’s worth hearing it again:

Location, Location, Location!

Not only is it the hardest part of our design/production job, but it’s almost always the most important.

A recent B’Nai Mitzvah client reminded us of that when she asked us to produce her twins’ celebration at Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park amusement park.

Talk about setting the stage – hard to beat the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop, and a Ferris Wheel as your centerpiece. But we tried!

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