It’s not quite midnight, and you are yearning for a night of debauchery in Paris. Paris in the 1920′s to be exact. Unfortunately, the chances of a time-traveling Peugeot Type 176 appearing to take you there are slim.

Madames et monsieurs, Figaro Bistro will kindly do the trick. At the bar, you can easily imagine clinking glasses with the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Picasso and Ernest Hemingway. The seats and booths are all close to one another, allowing for whiskey inspired secrets and jolly good times with neighboring patrons.

Now, should hunger strike, be it for brunch, dinner or dessert, pull up a menu. Indulge in all the french classics, from crepes to escargots. You can sit in a cozy window booth or outside at a round cafe table to people watch, just like at Les Deux Magots. Voilà, your very own Midnight in Paris in Los Angeles!

Figaro Bistro
1802 N Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027

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It’s the #1 piece of advice that your dermatologist will give you. To keep your skin fresh and youthful, you must stay out of the sun.

Yet, when the a golden tan starts luring you under it’s rays, wrinkles are the furthest thing from your mind. The prescription? A hat so chic, that it will trump the temptation to lay under the sun.

And instead of a pharmacy, she would send you to Goorin Bros. They come from a century-old family line of hat makers, who value true craftsmanship. A visit to the shop is a trip into a time when hats were an iconic part of the most fashionable wardrobes. You can just picture old Cassel Goorin selling his custom made hats off of his horse cart in 1895. With all this experience, the Goorin Bros. will surely help pick the perfect hat for you.

How about a glamorous sun hat? The Lucy will make you feel as if you took a jet to Panama, the Loise will transport you to a countryside getaway and the Marina can be paired with your big sunglasses for a Breakfast at Tiffany’s look. All the other benefits will just seem like a bonus.

Goorin Bros. Larchmont
141 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, 90004

Goorin Bros. Melrose
7627 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

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“I scream, you scream, we all scream for–”

Wait. Scream?

How about squeal with joy?

You (and your taste buds) are much more likely to do the latter when you get your first taste of ice cream from Scoops Ice Cream in East Hollywood.

The simple interior and tables outside don’t let on that there is a wonderful world of exotic combinations that await in the freezer. Neighbors have done a fine job at keeping this one to themselves. You would never know that this is where you can find flavors like Burnt Sugar, Earl Grey, Balsamic Strawberry, Miso and Rum, Pistachio Fig and Salty Chocolate. In fact, flavors are always on rotation, with the exception of their signature flavor, Brown Bread. And if inspiration strikes, you can suggest new flavors on their white board.

The biggest surprise comes at the end: only $2.50 for two scoops, in either cup or cone, and no charge for nuts of sprinkles. At that price, there is nothing to stop you from getting four scoops, or maybe even six.

Scoops Ice Cream
712 N Heliotrope Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90029

And for westsiders…

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If there is one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s a love for pie. You may prefer banana creme and someone else may prefer a chicken pot pie but that is no matter. At The Pie Hole you can choose from either sweet or savory pies, and come together as one big, pie-loving family. Just don’t start singing Kumbaya.

The Pie Hole is a neighborhood gathering spot in Downtown’s burgeoning Arts District, known for their coffee and daily selection of pie. The concept is simple but far from plain. All items are made from scratch and extra care is put into using local, high-quality ingredients. You can purchase by-the-slice but don’t be surprised if you leave with a whole pie.

Suggestions:

Earl Grey Pie. Sweet. Earl Grey, Dark Chocolate Ganache, White Chocolate mousse, toasted pistachios, topped with whipped cream.

Banana Creme Pie. Sweet. A classic. A layer of banana, custard and a buttery crust.

The Pie Hole
714 Traction Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013

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If your imagination is feeling a bit rusty from lack of use, we understand. The day-to-day of life can get you stuck in the same routine. You need a vacation, a retreat, to nourish your soul and creativity.

We propose a day at the botanical gardens at The Huntington Library. A walk through the gardens is a walk through the world of your daydreams. Let your childhood imagination sweep you off your feet. The Desert Garden is full of succulents, those cacti that pricked the famous bottoms of Wile E. Coyote and your favorite cowboys. If your daydreams consist of swinging across rainforest canopies, it’s worth a visit to the Jungle Garden. Lovers of Jane Austen will want to get lost between the Rose, Sculpture and Shakespeare Gardens among statues, fountains and hidden benches. You won’t be able to stop yourself from wishing that your backyard had been the Japanese Garden, with it’s koi pond and moon bridge, back when you were training to become a ninja…

And if you could go on these whimsical adventures with someone today, who would it be? That is the person to bring along on this romantic journey.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA  91108

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You’ve heard of street art. You’ve probably heard of street style. Today, we are coining a new term, street jewelry, to describe the work of Ann Samuelsson, creator of Unjaded Jewelry.

To the Melrose Trading Post regular, Ann is no stranger. Her booth is a treasure trove of jewelry, each piece completely unique from the others. Perfect for the woman who wants a one and only. Many of Ann’s designs are inspired by her fascination with architecture, and have a structural feel.

Then, there is that charming “found object” quality as well. Ann incorporates pieces of broken vintage jewelry and brings them back to life as something new and fresh. When it comes to materials, she gets creative with anything she can get her hands on, whether it be leather and suede or wire and various metals. She says that she loves the idea of carrying a part of nature on your body so she uses a lot of real stones and crystals.

The combination results in a collection that is sophisticated, fanciful and avant garde without the price tag… The perfect definition for “street jewelry”. This is jewelry for the people.

Every Sunday, you can find Ann at the Melrose Trading Post in either space L10 or Y2. Customers can inquire about her location at the entrance.

Melrose Trading Post
7850 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

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There is a hidden roller coaster in Brentwood. You don’t have to be at least 4′ tall to ride, no…but you will want to bring your helmet, your very best biking skills and a little bit of bravery.

The Kenter Coaster is an advanced, mile-long biking trailer of 140 downhill whoop-de-doos. You can jump the bumps or simply ride them, whatever gives you the desired thrill. Beware “The Big Gully Jump,” a 5-foot deep jump that is definitely not for beginners.

Note: The access gate at the top of Kenter closes at 8pm sharp.

Directions from the 405 FWY: 

Take Sunset Boulevard going west until Kenter Avenue. Turn right (north) on Kenter, and follow it all the way up to the gate. Park your car and go through the gate, up to the top of the paved hill, descend about 10 yards, take the singletrack to the right. After cresting another small hill, descend to the open area, which is the bottom of the Coaster. Take the hill to the right up until it flattens on top of the ridge. Look left and you will see the entrance to the Coaster.

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What is one sure way to turn laid back Angelinos into stereotypical pushy New Yorkers? A really good sandwich. People pack into the parking lot of Bay Cities in Santa Monica, grab a number at the deli and anxiously wait to be helped. Stay alert and don’t wander off or you will miss your turn. Once the warm package is handed to you, explore aisles of imported delicacies before heading towards the outdoor tables basking in the Santa Monica sunshine. Busiest times are lunchtime on weekdays and weekends. Here are our top favorites:

From the deli. Eggplant parmesan.

From the bakery. Warm homemade tomato and garlic bread.

Juice. Looza in peach, apricot or mango.

Dessert. Gelatti and sorbetti by Bindi.

For the holidays. Mini Pandoro to hang on the Christmas tree.

Unusual. Mate gourds.

Sandwich. All and any.

Bay Cities Italian Deli
1517 Lincoln Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Sources: 1, 2

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Why do men hate shopping so much? They say they just don’t care… but perhaps there is a remedy to this fashion malaise.

A custom suit. Made-to-measure. The precision of old fashioned tailoring crossed with modern styles and customizations. Help him break free of industry trends and brand names. It’s time for self expression.

Klein, Epstein and Parker creates a personal measurement profile for each customer on their first visit. They measure for jackets, shirts, vests and pants. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and then the fun begins.

Choose your fabric, lining, collar felt and shirt. Suits start at $798 for a 2-piece and $998 for a 3-piece, depending on fabric choice. Unheard of for these Italian luxury fabrics. There are 400 suit and 1,000 shirt fabric options. Personalize the embroidery on the under collar felt and lining. Pick buttons and button hole colors. Select a pocket style and stance. Should the vent be in the center or on the side? Ambassadors are there to help (possibly clueless) customers with styling.

In 4-5 weeks, that man is looking damn sexy. In case you need a little reminder of what that looks like:

Don’t get jealous, ladies. Women’s suits are the next frontier for KEP.

Suit yourself!

Klein, Epstein and Parker
367 North Robertson Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90048

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This isn’t your typical vintage shopping experience. A trip to Shareen Vintage is more of an adventure to find fashion treasures. So gather up, bold fashionistas. The chest is buried just next to Downtown LA. You will have to keep your eyes peeled because there are no signs indicating that this is where an empress of style resides.

Abandon all ye’ man friends before walking through the door. No boys allowed! There are no dressing rooms inside. Instead, what you will find is a huge warehouse, decorated as if it were a friend’s bedroom with a bed, couch, full length mirrors…and racks and racks of vintage dresses.

Shareen (or one of her girls) will give you a tour upon entering. Clothes are separated by decade and a few other categories. As you browse and pick pieces that you like, they get familiar with your tastes and find more items for you to try on. Yes, it is like having the knowledge of a stylist and the comfort of your best friend rolled into one… and no, you will never want go back to regular shopping. This takes playing dress up to the next level. Shareen will tell you if the piece needs to be altered and help you accessorize to keep your look modern. Special appointments can be made for brides and bridesmaids.

Shockingly, it won’t cost you all your gold to take home a piece from Shareen’s collection, either. You will leave with an incredible find, no doubt, but also the inspiration to express yourself more freely through what you wear.

Shareen Vintage
1721 N Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Shareen’s own designs can be found at her new shop in West Hollywood:

Shareen
8377 W. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

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