A love letter from LM

The affair began in 1991…

I moved to Los Angeles after living in New York City for two years as a recent graduate from the University of Michigan. Everyone wanted their own apartment in “the city,” but my salary wasn’t going to go far. A couple of months into living in my 200 sq ft NYC apartment, I had some new unexpected roommates aka mice. I was working for a Los Angeles based company and after a few work trips across the country I decided to relocate there. At first, LA made me feel strange and confused— I just couldn’t quite grasp its layout. But after some time, I was left feeling reinvigorated that this sprawling, new place offered a great quality of life, and on top of that, it was fulfilling my craving for adventure and something different. I knew two people living in LA; I lucked into a great job and off I went. My mom gave me enough money to put a deposit on my first car (a red Ford Escort), and I worked out what my husband much later explained to me, a horrible 5-year car payment deal. I had an alcove studio apartment in Brentwood right by San Vicente Boulevard with shops and restaurants that were bustling with 20-year-olds. My apartment building was reminiscent of Melrose place with two floors of apartments surrounding a pool in the center. I had underground free parking and was able to drive Sunset Boulevard all the way to work at KTLA television studios. At 23, this was a great life. The affair continued through a few local moves, three career changes, a year in Paris, graduate school, and eventually even after I was married, had three sons and settled down back east in Connecticut.

I have spent 29 years explaining this love affair. What is it about LA? For me, it’s the mix of all the things you look for in a city (culinary, art, fashion, entertainment, with diversity of cultures and generations) mixed with what you would want when you go out of a city or on a vacation (beach, mountains, living space, and amazing weather). It’s urban-suburban with almost no humidity and average temperatures of about 70 degrees by the coast. It’s also become so incredibly rich in the arts, has some of the best restaurants, and the style is relaxed and easy. You can spend hours (and I do) walking along the path by the water or exploring new areas in the city, each with different things to offer. I think LA is gorgeous across all of its diverse landscapes— from the endless ocean views to twinkling lights of the Hollywood Hills to the gritty parts of Venice + DTLA. Throw on a pair of jeans, a v neck tee and cute flip flops, and you are dressed for just about anything.

Though my husband and I moved to NYC in 2001 and have stayed on the east coast since then, my inner LA spirit has never left and the affair continues to run its course. While I’m nostalgic for my time there, living in Westport with my incredible husband and family has taught me the beauty in a quaint town where I’m surrounded by great friends, a beach, the water, and acclaimed schools, arts and restaurants. It’s been an amazing place to raise my three boys.

In every way, LA has been woven into the fabric of my lifestyle and is part of who I am. To LA, I love you forever, and thank you.

Here’s a SSBYLM approved guide of must-hit spots to go to in LA:

Shopping? I got you, always.

**Venice:** **The** **Heist** on Abott Kinney is where I start for boho chic style and many LA based designers. There is also **Aviator** **Nation** - the epitome of California athleisure, and some unique stores such as **Strange** **Invisible** **Perfumes** and **Aust**, which sells all Australian designers. In another part of Venice, check out milliner **Nick** **Fouquet’s** hipster boutique known for its accessories.
**Pacific Palisades:** The shopping mecca for me has always been the flagship **Elyse Walker store** on Antioch St. Recently, the entire downtown village was re-developed and now you can walk the streets amongst some of my favorites: **Anine Bing**, **ALC**, **Jennifer** **Meyer**, **St. Frank** (amazing home store!), and Elyse Walker’s more casual store called **Towne**.
**Malibu**: There are two large shopping squares right next to each other past the Malibu Pier. The **Malibu Lumber Yard** and **Country Mart** is not only the home of very LA stores like **Ron Herman**, **Fred Segal**, and **Planet Blue** but also numerous cafes + restaurants like Randy Gerber’s **Cafe Habana**. Best part? In the center of the square is a playground + sandbox with benches, so the whole family can enjoy the afternoon there.
**Brentwood Country Mart**: This small quaint shopping and dining area is also perfect for family outings. Stores include **Kendall Conrad**, **Broken English**, and **Jenni Kayne**. The high-end stores are in a pedestrian maze with **Diesel**, an old school bookstore, **Edelweis**s, a chocolate shop, and small to-go cafes surrounding picnic tables and a fire pit. One of my absolute favorites is a home store called **Hudson Grace** and **Space NK Apothecary**.

Let’s eat?

**Gjelina** – all time fave – on Abbott Kinney in Venice
**Elephante** – on 2nd street, Santa Monica – amazing lunch or dinner views, ask to sit outside!
**Malibu Farm** on Malibu pier – don’t miss out on the frosé!
**Felix** – (Italian) – pasta is unforgettable also on Abbott Kinney in Venice
**Cora’s Café** – brunch or lunch on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica (get the rigatoni with truffle meat sauce – yes even for brunch! :) )
**Ronan** – on Melrose avenue— everything is so delicious.
**Katsuya** in Brentwood, and I’m here for the baked crab hand rolls and spicy tuna on sticky rice, *wow.*
**Nobu Malibu** for views/gorgeous spot— the Japanese restaurant that’s popular with Cali’s A-list celebs.
**Dama** Latin American cuisine in the fashion district
**Back on the Beach** – casual breakfast or lunch tables in the sand – Santa Monica (also there is **Annenberg Beach Club** – public paid entry)
**The Reel Inn** – casual seafood on picnic tables in lower Malibu
Super casual choices: **Johnny Rockets** for burgers and fries, **California Chicken Café** for rotisserie chicken that cannot be beat, **Urth Café** (numerous locations)
Treats: **Blue Star Donuts** on Abbott Kinney (get the buttermilk plain or chocolate old fashioned – *insane*!) **McConnell’s Ice Cream** in Pacific Palisades and **Salt & Straw** on Abbott Kinney for ice cream too!

Follow me to the art!

Start here:

Go to the Arts District – Can start at Hauser and Wirth gallery and walk around from there.

They have restaurant in the middle called Manuela.

Thirsty?

When down there, you must go have a beer and walk around at Angel City Brewery.

Shopping?

Check out The Row in DTLA, and there are many other restaurants there too.

And more art.

The Broad Museum (great restaurant adjacent for lunch called Otium. (If you go to the Broad, also drive by Walt Disney Concert Hall to see the building’s incredible architecture.)

Next: check out the Annenberg Photo Space in Century City (changing exhibits)

And of course: LACMA

Parents’ Night Out!

Is it Happy Hour Time?

The Bungalow at the Fairmont hotel in Santa Monica – hip young scene.
Formosa Café - It’s renovated but still has that old school Hollywood vibe. An Asian fusion restaurant with a hip crowd.
Chateau Marmont – A legendary hotel that serves as a super swanky place for drinks.

Performances

Go to The Dresden to see Marty and Elaine perform.
Go to drag queen bingo at Hamburger Mary’s.

Outdoor fun

First Friday – Abbott Kinney Boulevard closed to parking on the evening of the first Friday of the month and it’s all food trucks lining the boulevard
EP/LP food, rooftop and outdoor movies

Wine and other vices.

Medmen (The Barneys of marijuana stores)
Malibu Wine Safari – Sounds crazy, but it’s amazing day of wine tasting and feeding Giraffes and more!

Watch & Listen

The Groundlings – One of the most well known improvisation theatres. The Friday night late show is my favorite (and right next door to Ronan one of my favorite restaurants – try dinner at 8 there on Friday and late show at 10 at Groundlings.
Go see a concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

What I look like after three glasses of wine

With or Without the Kids: (Daytime)

Historic LA

Walk on Olvera street (old historic street market), see LA’s historic buildings (Bradbury), and ride Angel’s Flight (the funicular).

Architecture & Art

New Ghetty (outdoor spaces and views even if don’t go inside)
Old Ghetty Villa on PCH

Neighborhood areas

Third Street Promenade – shops, food and street performers – better with kids
Check out some cool Hollywood neighborhoods like Los Feliz…. Take a drive for views of the Hollywood sign!
Frieze Los Angeles (on Paramount lot) If you are there in February and catch it right.

Outdoor activities

Venice Canals MUST, MUST stroll the Venice Canals You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it
Venice Skate Park (to watch or participate if you are skilled)
Rent bikes behind Loews hotel and bike the beach path in Santa Monica and beyond

Sports