Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Best Baby Halloween Costume

Check out this photo of my niece dressed up as Princess Leia!

I love that my sister in law went out of her way to avoid a Ladybug or Ballerina costume and took charge with a little love from Star Wars. She might as well enjoy the limited days of actually having a say in what her daughter wears.

The side buns are the best!

Monday, October 30, 2006

Bowl of Art

I just love this fruit bowl. What a cool idea. I read about it on Apartment Therapy (a Picky-Chick fave) and just can't stop thinking about it. Fruit turned into art! Love that.

You can pick up your own at Show in Los Feliz for about 100 bucks.

We really have everything living in L.A., don't we?

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Gucci Gone Good

For the 2nd year in a row Gucci will donate a percentage of proceeds to their Holiday Campaign to Benefit UNICEF. Who knew Gucci was so philanthropic?

With a unique collection of luxurious seasonal items being sold in close to 200 stores worldwide, Gucci is bound to repeat last year where they raised more than $500,000!! That's a lot a Gucci.

I know what this Picky-Chick is asking for at Christmas this year!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Stencil Away!

As a little girl, I loved my periwinkle walls with the sweet flower stenciled border along the crown molding. I hadn't thought of that in years, but was thrown back immediately when I came across Stencil Gallery.

This Australian based company offers more stencil options than you can imagine. Art Deco, Mosaics, Gothic...anything you could possibly want! The site even helps you find the right supplies and gives you stencilling tips.

Learn more about Stencil Gallery by visiting their website or checking out the October issue of Good Magazine.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Romeo, oh Romeo...hand me my purse

Check out Rebound Designs...hangbags made from actual hardback books...Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Little Women and Shakespeare, of course. With over 50 titles to chose from, you are "bound" to find one that suits your fancy. Prices start around $115.

Oh, and don't worry the D.C. based designer only uses books that are damaged or already in line for the dump. Whew...

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Doing Some Good

There are few people in our lifetime who really make a difference...change how we do things...Aristotle, Thomas Edison, Bill Gates. While a good chunk of our major influencers have been men, there is a one woman who stands out among them all...Dr. Jane Goodall.

Jane has dedicated her life to understanding and studying the unavoidable similarities between chimpanzees and humans. From family relationships to warfare, Jane changed the way scientists view primatology and in 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute, which supports the Gombe research and is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats.

Among her many accolades, in 2002 Jane was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. A role she takes very seriously.

Not only has Jane been a warrior for our human-like primates, but she made huge strides for women in the world of science and education. Thanks Jane!

Read more about Jane:
Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating
My Life with the Chimpanzees
Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Picky-Chick Nit Pick

It has been months since I really had something to gripe about and then today...there was a guy with no manners who let an elevator door almost slam shut on a woman!

What has happened to the men in this world? Where is the chivalry? Ok, so maybe that is asking too much...tell me then...where is the class? Who is teaching these men to be so selfish? It seems like the role of men has slowly started to "reversevolve." You know, revert back to cave men. Gone are the days of opening doors and saying, "no, please...you go first." On the rare occasion that does happen...I about have a heart attack and I quickly respond with, "You must be from the south." Indeed, they usually are.

While I understand women spent years fighting for their rights and demanding respect...we never meant for men to lose their way! Dudes...get a grip! There isn't a woman out there who wants to be equal when it comes to lugging anything heavy or fighting off evil elevator doors. Step up and get it together!

Monday, October 16, 2006

Cheese Out!

If you're ever on the other side of the hill craving a nosh or need to pick up quick gift...check out The Artisan Cheese Gallery.

With an amazing selection of cheeses as well as shelves full of unique favorites including colorful pasta, apricot peanut butter and delicious chocolates, this new spot is making Studio City residents very happy. If you're appetite is more hearty, simply move past the fabulous cheese selection and go right for their award winning sandwiches.

From smooth, truffle accented cheese to red and green linguini, The Artisan Cheese Gallery has it all. Bon Appetit!

The Artisan Cheese Gallery
12023 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
818.505.0207

Friday, October 13, 2006

Green Hotel

Just a few blocks from San Francisco's Union Square, The Orchard Garden Hotel will open it's doors later this month. Proud to be California's first "green" hotel, The Orchard meets the strict LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) guidelines for certification, which only 3 other hotels have managed.

With a $25 million price tag and eco-friendly features such as recycled content carpet, high tech card influenced lighting systems and chemical free cleaning products, The Orchard is changing the way we think of hotels. Beautifully zen-like with warm tones and organic bath products, the hotel prides itself on being a environmentally kind. (Oh, and they enforce a 100% tobacco free environment!)

Rates start at a fair $149 a night. A good deal for a hotel that is doing so much to change the way we get rest and relaxation.

The Orchard Garden Hotel
466 Bush St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
415.399.9807

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Santa Monica Secret

Since 1925, Bay Cities has been whipping up sandwiches and deli specialties like no other. Any visitor would pass the unsuspecting location without a blink, but locals take a number and wait for up to half an hour to place an order. Fresh baked breads, gourmet cheeses and every Italian meat you can think of keeps Bay Cities at the front of the deli line.

A Picky-Chick favorite!

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.395.8279

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Listen to Me - Lupe Fiasco

This 24 year old Chicago native has been labeled more of a skateboarding, internet dork than a rapper, but his recently released debut album, "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor," is getting a lot of attention. Having worked with artists such as Kanye West and Fort Minor on past works, Lupe's industry street cred is starting to seep into the mainstream.

One critic described it by saying, “If you want to feed your mind, there is plenty of intellectualism, and if you just want something that sounds good, it’s got that too. This album caters to people from all walks of life...”

Have a listen...

Website
myspace
Buy his album
See him perform

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Picky-Chicks Love Dermalogica

There is nothing worse than being pressured to buy cosmetics or creams by a sales person. "This will take 10 years off your skin." Jeez, I don't need to look prepubescent!

Well, I had a wonderful experience at the Santa Monica Dermalogica store this past weekend where a helpful employee encouraged me to test before buying. That's right...test...before buying. I purchased a few items that I needed to replenish and then took her up on trying out a few of the foundation creams before spending the $40. I was able to take home some samples and give them a run. Wouldn't you know...I returned the next day to buy one of the foundations. Weird how that no pressure thing actually works.

Good for Dermalogica for standing behind their brand and not feeling the need to shove products down your throat for an extra dime.

If you don't live near a Dermalogica location, you can purchase online. A dear friend buys all her "Derma" products on What Great Skin.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Seeing Stars...With a Reservation

Los Angeles residents are greatly anticipating the re-opening of the Griffith Park Observatory on November 3rd. What you may not know is you will actually need reservations to visit (remember the opening of the Getty Center?).

"During the months after reopening, there will be absolutely NO drive-up access to Griffith Observatory. All visitors must have a timed-entry reservation to be admitted to the Observatory."

So, how do you get a reservation? Well, they have made it fairly easy. You can go online or you can call 1-888-695-0888 and purchase tickets. They will then offer shuttles from various parking lots up to the observatory.

Well, I suppose this is the most effective way to keep people from bulldozing over each other for a peak at the Big Dipper.

For more info, click here.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Right Click for 8pm

If you don't already know about Open Table, then let me introduce you.

Opentable.com is the easiest way to make a reservation. Because you don't have to actually speak to someone at the restaurant, you can go to the site in the middle of the night or incognito at the office and arrange all the details. With over 5,000 restaurants in just about every city, you can plan ahead without picking up the phone.

A cool added incentive is that OpenTable members earn points for each online reservation they fulfill. Points can then be redeemed for OpenTable Dining Cheques which can be used at any of OpenTable's restaurants.

One Picky-Chick note is that if it's last minute...sometimes the highly desirable times aren't available through the site. So if you don't see a time that works for you, try phoning the restaurant.

Alright then...sign up and get dining!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Free in LA?

I know it's hard to believe, but there are free (and interesting) things to do in Los Angeles. Local web site Cheapskatin' divulges daily posts of free things to do and see in L.A.

Founder, Amy Raymond says it best..."I scour through the dregs and sniff out all the cool freebies." From concerts to spa deals to free yoga at LACMA, Cheapskatin' does all the work.

Wahoo! Now I can save my pennies for a house in "The 90210!" Thanks Cheapskatin'!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

No-Scene-Sushi

In L.A. it's hard to find a good sushi spot that doesn't have the whole "Hollywood" scene or price tag. Thankfully, in a hidden little corner of a WeHo shopping center lies Hirozen.

A totally unexpected sushi joint with fresh food and neighborhood atmosphere. While your Hollywood A-listers can sometimes be spotted there (achem...Jake Gyllenhaal), it's not the type of place you are going to wait an hour for a table or feel the need to dress up. It's a "come in, enjoy your food and leave" type of place.

No bar scene. Quick service. Good food. What more can you ask for?

Hirozen
8385 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323.653.0470
(Reservations are recommended)