Chaya Venice

Chaya Venice is a spacious, lively restaurant on Main street nestled on the border of Santa Monica and Venice.The menu is Japanese and French fusion, and plays to its proximity to the sea with a large seafood selection. Chaya's decor is simple yet dramatic - the dining room boasts large windows for ample light (and people watching!) as well as extra high ceilings that play up the hand painted Japanese inspired overhead mural.

Chaya's lounge offers all night happy hour, 7 days a week with food and drink specials making this a fun and happening spot any day of the week. Chaya Venice is my new go-to spot; the food is great and the restaurant is always buzzing. I recommend checking it out!

Lucky Shops LA

Lucky shops is a shopping event featuring deeply discounted designer goods from the likes of Kate Spade, Winter Kate, Folley + Corrina, Theory and Helmut Lang among many others.

The event takes place April 8th and 9th at Siren Studios in Hollywood, and will feature complimentary cocktails as well as loads of fun things to see and do; check out the Make Your Own Havaina's Booth, visit the Hautlook booth for hourly giveaways, and enter for a chance to win a girlfriends getaway at the Mondrian.

Friday tickets are $25, Saturday tickets are $15
www.luckyshops.com

Cecconi's

My new favorite restaurant is Cecconi's. I had been hearing great things about the restaurant for ages and when we went last Friday my expectations were confirmed!

Cecconi's has not been around very long (they took over the spot from an old Morton's steakhouse in 2009) but has a kind of chic old Hollywood, been around forever feel to it. The restaurant is glamorous but not overly so and boasts a large, well stocked wooden bar, gorgeous glass chandeliers, and amazing turquoise covered chairs with nail head trim (shown above).

The food was also delicious; I had Dungeness Crab Ravioli (which was brought out and served right from pot), and we started with Wood-oven Roasted Scallops with Pancetta and Rosemary, and the Buffalo Mozzarella salad. Everything was fresh and yummy, and I am overall super impressed with Cecconi's and can't wait to go back. I get kind of obsessed with restaurants and will probably be back very soon!

cecconiswesthollywood.com

Dolce and Gabbana Girls Night Out

Last week I attended Dolce and Gabbana's Girls Night Out event, held at their glamorous Rodeo Drive boutique.

There were fortunes tellers and palm readers, makeovers and hairstylists and a fun photo booth complete with silly wigs and accessories...not to mention delicious food and loads of champagne! The party was super fun with lots to see and do, but my favourite part was checking out their amazing clothes.

Above are some of my favorite looks from their Spring and Fall 2011 RTW collection.

Images from style.com

What Goes Around Comes Around Sale

What Goes Around Comes Around is holding a sale with up to 90% off their retro cool collection as well as select vintage pieces. The sale goes through April 8th, at Space 15Twenty, 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., b/t Selma Ave. & Sunset Blvd in Hollywood.

whatgoesaroundnyc.com

Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar

Pourtal Wine Bar is located in Santa Monica and features amazing wine with the option to taste over twenty different varieties and pay by the ounce. I love wine but don't know much about it, and this tasting bar is the perfect place for someone like me.

If choosing from so many different wines seems a little stressful, they have drinks by the glass and a yummy farmers market driven menu; their Niman Ranch Lamb Skewers with Tzatziki and the Fig & Burrata Flatbread Pizza are both very popular menu items.

Pourtal also has a great Happy Hour with $5 drinks and eats.

pourtal.com
104 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica

A Current Affair

A Current Affair is the best place to search and scour for amazing vintage clothes. This year the pop up vintage marketplace will be on Saturday April 2nd and Sunday April 3rd.

Expect a great time with music, drinks, and of course fantastic vintage finds!

Cooper Penthouse, 860 S Los Angeles Street, Downtown LA. Admission $10
itsacurrentaffair.com

Lucques

Lucques is an amazing restaurant tucked away into a little ivy covered brick bungalow on Melrose Avenue. The menu is French-Mediterranean fusion, and everything is beyond delicious; James Beard award winning chef Suzanne Goin oversees the kitchen as well as those of other Los Angeles institutions AOC and Tavern.

The decor of the restaurant is sophisticated yet simple with exposed brick walls and wooden beamed ceilings, and a large wood burning fireplace in the center of the room.

Everything about the restaurant was perfect from the ambiance to the food to the decor. I definitely recommend checking out this restaurant!

lucques.com

Hudson by Georgia May Jagger

Hudson Jeans has teamed up with the glamorous Georgia May Jagger to create a new LA inspired project - aptly named Hudson by Georgia May Jagger. The line features 5 new styles for the LA denim line, and will be sold at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills.

With Hudson's amazing fits and washes and Georgia's deeply ingrained rocker-chic style aesthetic (her parents are Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall), this collaboration is sure to be a hit.

hudsonjeans.com

SugarFish

I have lived in Brentwood for two years and have always been curious about SugarFish restaurant. I love sushi, but my idea of good sushi is saucy spicy tuna and California rolls, so I had been skeptical about SugarFish's pure, traditional offerings.

Well, I went on Friday night...and I'm obsessed. We ordered the 'Trust Me' which features organic edamame, tuna sashima, albacore, salmon, yellowtail and halibut sushi, and toro and crab hand rolls.

The food was simple but so good, and made with amazing, high quality ingredients. Everything I ate was delicious, and I can't wait to go back. Soon.

Starbucks Petites

For Starbucks' 40th anniversary they have introduced Starbucks Petites, which are mini desserts, all under 200 calories.

There are eight flavours to choose from; Birthday Cake Pop, Carrot Cake Mini Cake, Lemon Sweet Square, Peanut Butter Mini Cupcake, Red Velvet Whoopie Pie, Rocky Road Cake Pop, Salted Caramel Sweet Square and Tiramisu Cake Pop. They all sound amazing and I can't wait to try one (or two) out!

Isabel Lu & Lucca Couture Warehouse Sale

This Friday and Saturday Isabel Lu and Lucca Couture are holding a sample sale in downtown LA from 9-4, with nothing priced over $25.

Both lines are celeb favorites known for their interesting and feminine designs, so you can expect to find something gorgeous. I know where I'll be on Saturday after Bar Method!

629 E. 30th St., b/t Trinity & S. San Pedro Sts., Downtown
Top photo Lucca Couture, bottom Isabel Lu.

Pressed Juicery

Pressed Juicery is an amazing new fresh pressed juice shop located in the Brentwood Town Center. They have been garnering loads of press and have a loyal celebrity following (that's Nicole Richie in the juice stand), and with good reason. Pressed Juicery features a variety of yummy juices that are produced on a hydraulic press which extracts the maximum amount of nutrients out of the fruit.

Pressed Juicery offers 3 or 5 day cleanses, as well as a variety of juices to drink with or without the cleanse. I recently completed the 3 day juice cleanse (I felt icky and like I had been drinking too much wine and eating too many Sour Patch Kids!) which entails drinking 6 of their juices each day; two greens juices, two detox juices, one roots juice and an almond milk.

After all that I would have that I would never want to see juice again but I am actually craving more-they are just that good. I can't wait to try the Blueberry Coconut Pear and the Apple Lemon Ginger.

pressedjuicery.com

What to Wear, Where

Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, the editors of Who What Wear Daily (one of my favourite online fashion sites) have released a new style book called What to Wear, Where. This book is filled with outfit ideas and suggestions of what to wear to nearly any occasion.

With a foreword by Nicole Richie and over 50 looks featured inside, this book is sure to come in handy for a wardrobe emergency, or just some style inspiration. I will be heading to Barnes and Noble for my copy soon!

whowhatwear.com

Pink Taco

I recently ate at Pink Taco in the Westfield Century City mall, and loved it. The kitschy Mexican restaurant boasts a large bar, spacious patio, and really amazing food and drinks.

We had their delicious guacamole (and I am very picky about guacamole!), beer braised short ribs, and chipotle mac and cheese, as well as margaritas which we had heard a lot about. Everything exceeded our expectations, and I will definitely be back!

Larchmont Larder

I have been hearing and reading about the Larchmont Larder, a restaurant housed in a chic little bungalow and serving gourmet food, coffee, and gifts for ages. I finally made it there recently and was excited that it lived up to my expectations!

All of their food looked fantastic, and the items that I think sound most amazing are the Golden Beet and Green Apple Salad with champagne vinaigrette and toasted hazelnuts, Curried Chicken Salad with celery, grapes, curry dressing and toasted almonds, and the Pulled Short Rib Sandwich with carmelized onions, gruyere cheese and grain mustard on brioche.

When I was there I just had time for a coffee and a quick bite, so I will definitely be back to sample their delicious sounding menu!

626 No. Larchmont Boulevard
larchmontlarder.com

Wilshire Nails

My roommates and I are lucky to live within walking distance to Wilshire Nails, an inexpensive nail salon that we love to go to probably a little too often.

While it's definitely not the most luxe spot, Wilshire Nails offer a good manicure pedicure in under 30 minutes, for only $20. The salon features comfy massage chairs, a large selection of polish colours, and the option of purchasing or leaving your own clean nail kit at the store for your use exclusively. If you live in the area, it is worth checking out!

11968 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

Hermes Watches and Jewelry

I have recently become very into horseback riding...and also the chic equestrian style that comes along with it. While browsing the internet for riding gear the other day I was looking through Hermes' saddles and gorgeous dressage clothes, and re-discovered how great their jewelry and watches are.

I have loved the timeless Arceau watch for a long time, and am especially obsessed with their enamel bracelets and equestrian inspired leather jewelry. Above are some of my favorites!

Available at hermes.com or their shop on Rodeo!

Bar Keeper

On Saturday afternoon I did a little bit of exploring in Silverlake, and stumbled upon Bar Keeper. Bar Keeper is a well curated boutique offering everything you could ever need to have a chic, well stocked bar (or liquor cabinet).

Bar Keeper has a fantastic selection of new and vintage bar and glass ware as well as rare and hard to find liquor. Prior to visiting the shop I hadn't given much thought to Bitters/didn't realize there were multiple flavors, but we tried a few of them at the little Bitters Tasting Bar, and I am very intrigued! If I made cocktails more often I would definitely invest in some.

The owner is super friendly, and the shop has something for everyone. I will definitely be back-it is the perfect place to find a unique gift!

3910 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, CA 90029

barkeepersilverlake.com

Truckit Fest

This Sunday marks the beginning of the new Truckit Fest at the beautiful Union Station downtown. I am a little bit obsessed with food trucks (I wrote about them previously here) and am very excited to find out about this new event! From now on the first Sunday of each month, over 40 food trucks and 200 LA area artists will take over the historic grounds for a fun live music, food, art and shopping event.

I don't know if I will make it this Sunday, but I can't wait to check it out soon!

truckitfest.com

Rodarte: States of Matter

Fashion darlings Kate and Laura Mulleavy are being featured in a new exhibit at the Museum Of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. The exhibit will feature recent work with their Rodarte line as well as some costume design - they did the fantastic ballet costumes for Black Swan.

Their clothes have always been gorgeous and highly sought after (Rodarte is favoured by actresses such as Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley and Kate Bosworth, and the Mulleavy sisters have landed deals with both GAP and Target) and I will definitely be checking out the MOCA exhibit, which is running March 4th through June 5th. Details available here.