So you’re taking the big leap. You’re moving to LA. Congratulations!

Moving to this city can be overwhelming for many reasons, but one of the biggest ones getting around. Newcomers often have trouble estimating how long it will take to get from one point to another at different times of the day. The consequences can be pretty bad, especially if you’re late for a job opportunity or important meeting. Rather than explain that you were “stuck in traffic” to a face that has already glazed over, remember these general rules. These are your first steps to becoming a seasoned city girl.

Getting Around LA

1. Keep change in your car. Namely quarters. Most of the meters have switched to accepting credit cards, but you don’t want to be stuck looking for a parking spot.

2. Try to avoid making appointments between 3PM-7PM, especially across the 405. To be safe, you will need to leave about an hour and a half before, to ensure that you arrive on time. Better to be early and wait. Never plan two appointments in that time frame unless they are very close in distance. You won’t make it.

3. The Great I-10 Mystery. The exception to this is that the 10 Freeway is usually clear going west, from Robertson to Santa Monica, at 4PM. Going east is another story.

4. If you have to cross the 405 during rush hour, going east, your choices are to take Santa Monica Blvd, Wilshire Blvd or Olympic. Chose Olympic.

5. The best times for getting around the city are 9AM-2PM. You should still give yourself 30-45 minutes to cross town. There are always unforeseen circumstances.

6. Commuting from Sherman Oaks to the Marina, or Venice to Silverlake can be a trek. Try to find housing near your place of employment or school. You will save time, money and mileage.

7. Get to know the canyons. When crossing into the Valley, they are your best bet.

8. There are TWO San Vicente Blvd’s in LA. One is in Brentwood/Santa Monica and the other is in West Hollywood. Always make sure you know which one you are going to and clarify for others.

9. Beverly Blvd and Beverly Drive are often both referred to as “Beverly.” Again, clarify.

10. Learn how to read street signs for parking. They can be confusing but take your time to read them. In some areas of and around Los Angeles, you do have to fill the meter on Sundays.

11. Going from WeHo to Hollywood? Listen to Bette Davis’ famous words: “Take Fountain!”

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by Daniela Hummel

One thing I always tell people about Via Los Angeles is that every item, place and brand we write about has been personally tested by myself, one of the girls, or one of my trusted sources (read more about that soon!). The reason behind this is that I wanted Via Los Angeles readers to become familiar with our tastes and trust our features. Haven’t you ever seen something that reminded you of a girlfriend and thought, “So and so would love this!”

Similar idea, here. Via Los Angeles is like your best girlfriend, sharing her best fashion and beauty tips, giving you access to her stash of recipes, letting you know about hidden gems in LA and what fun stuff is going on over the weekend. After getting to know her a little bit, you know what she likes, and when she tells you about a new find, you know it’s gonna be good.

Today, I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes, showing you that we really do try and test everything. When we have a lead, we follow all the way through. We will only steer you in that direction if we fill that it is a good fit. A lot of this is possible thanks to the wonderful people who have sent in tips to Via Los Angeles. So thank you to them!

The photos above are from the last few weeks. At Nitespa, guests were invited to try manicures, mini massages and eyebrow waxing. There was also Ryder Smith jewelry on display. Unfortunately, my cell phone cameras don’t do the pieces justice. They can be worn as necklaces, bracelets or headbands. At Yoshi Hair Studio, I was given all the details on Yoshi’s Blow Dry class and learned how to better take care of and blow dry my hair. Discovering The Private Room‘s Color Bar felt like fate. That morning, I had just read about hair chalking for the first time so I was surprised when I walked into the salon and there it was! All the women who work at the salon had chalked their hair and it looked so cool. I chose to do a color extension.

Needless to say, I left all three of these places and couldn’t wait to share them with you.

More fun to come!

by Sydney Herrera

My search for the perfect cuff all started when I was trying to put the finishing touches on an outfit for an event the next day. My dress was baby pink and had a lot of movement; short in the front and long in the back (sounds funny but really gorgeous.) The look I was going for was vintage and traditional. I searched many stores but ended up falling in LOVE with a cuff at Nordstom in the Santa Monica Place Mall. They have an amazing selection of jewelry. Our love affair was cut short when I saw the price $173! I was reaching the end of the budget I had set for myself, and was not willing to go over, so I continued my search. My very last stop right before giving up was BCBG. While quickly scanning the cases, I came across it. It was perfect — my cuff!! It was everything I needed it to be, with the perfect price tag of $48.

While this tale has a happy ending I would encourage everyone to shop ahead of time. This is so you won’t run the risk of spending over your budget, settle for something you don’t really love or, worse case scenario, attend an event not feeling your best. Another important thing I learned is that if you see something you love GET IT!!!!! I don’t care if you don’t need it at that moment. If you think you are going to love it and use it, grab it. I was looking on the BCBG website for a photo of the cuff and now I can’t find it anywhere. I am so happy that I found it the first time and did not hesitate to make it mine.

BCBG Cuff  $48 vs. Nadri Filigree Cuff Bracelet $173

1. Squeeze lemons to obtain their juice or purchase bottled lemon juice.

2. Use the juice as ‘ink’ by applying it to a stick, Q-tip or paintbrush and begin writing your message on paper.

3. Allow the paper to dry.

4. Place your message somewhere that your Valentine can find it. Perhaps in a glass bottle?

5. Let your Valentine know that when they are ready to read the message to hold the paper up to sunlight, a lightbulb (recommended), or other heat source. Remind them in a sweet way to be careful if the stove is the only option. Paper will catch fire fast. When you said you wanted a “hot” Valentine’s Day, we know that’s not what you meant!

6. The heat will cause the writing to darken to a pale brown, so your message can now be read.

7. Another way to read the message is to put salt on the drying ‘ink’. After a minute, wipe the salt off and color over the paper with a wax crayon to reveal the message.

Source

Kiss Me, Valentine! from Via Los Angeles on Vimeo.

Send us a kiss and have your friends vote to win the Kiss Me, Valentine contest!

The prize? A flirty Valentine’s Day box with all the essentials to have a seductive Valentine’s Day!

Play here: facebook.com/pages/Via-Los-Angeles/188514701193184?sk=app_255558194495800

This DIY Friendship Bracelet comes from Style Scrapbook. You may have noticed it in the “As Dreamers Do” look. If you still have more questions, check out Style Scrapbook. She has many more bracelet DIYs!

Honestly WTF does a chunkier, woven alternative to the chain friendship bracelet. This looks is less tribal and a bit more mature. More information (and more DIYs) are available on Honestly WTF.

 
 
Want to know more about the “Kiss Me, Valentine” prize? You’ve seen the Voluspa Champagne Candle, butterLONDON’s Saucy Jack Nail Polish, Tocca’s Florence Eau de Parfum and Semikolon’s Hot Pink Photo Box…but what is this? Petrossian’s Praline Fondue pot! Just warm the chocolate in the microwave or a bain marie and it’s ready to go. We recommend serving with fresh fruit or marshmallows. They hold the heat for up to 45 mintes but we’re pretty sure it won’t last that long! Once you’re finished, you can even save the sweet little french cup!
 

What makes this give away special is that these items were hand picked by the Via Los Angeles girls. We imagined your ideal Valentine’s Day, asked ourselves, “What would a girl need to make this night perfect” and voila! The flirty little Valentine’s Day box is born! No clichés and no boyfriend necessary.
 

Enter the contest here or recommend it to a friend!