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July 2, 2008
Plant sale this weekend: 7 Oaks half-off sale, Corona, California
Filed under: House + Garden, Shop — StyleGuide @ 12:09 pm
The amazing half-off plant sale runs this weekend — July 3-6 — so I am re-posting this tip.
When we bought our first house a few years ago, this is the front yard we got. It was our first attempt at gardening, so I looked to Martha Stewart for guidance. Her books told me to propagate my own plants or risk going broke at the nursery.
Propagate? Are you kidding me?
That’s what 7 Oaks’ half-off plant sale is for. I don’t often go to the 951, but when the sprawling nursery off the 15 in Corona takes 50 percent off every plant they have — from trees in 36 inch boxes to the smallest annual — I make the long drive.
Sales are held twice yearly, over the Columbus Day and Fourth of July weekends. If you decide to check it out, here are a few tips. First, the sale has become quite popular, so shop early for the best selection. Second, take advantage of the neat little sandwich shop in the 7 Oaks convenience store.
Load your truck, then fuel up on fresh sandwiches for the drive home.
When: Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6, 2008
Where: 21501 Temescal Canyon Road, Corona, Ca 92883
Call: 951-277-2927
What’s your best gardening tip?
February 7, 2008
Thee’s Continental Bakery’s Cinnamon French Toast
Filed under: Midtown, Shop, Eat — StyleGuide @ 8:17 pm
Why don’t they deliver breakfast?
I can get pizza and sub sandwiches delivered for lunch, and Chinese food or Thai at my door for dinner. But where are the eggs over easy, the waffles and bacon, or steamers of morning dim sum?
There’s a million dollar idea in there somewhere.
Until some enterprising soul makes the leap, the next best thing is cinnamon loaf bread from Thee’s Continental Bakery. Dip slices in egg, fry in butter — in mere moments the most amazing French toast ever is ready to eat.
Anytime I go to the L.A. Farmer’s Market, I hurry to see if Thee’s has a loaf. They bake all the goodies on the premises — the kitchen is right behind the counter — so they don’t make it everyday. If I’m lucky enough to find the bread, I ask the lackadaisical staff to slice it for me.
Then I throw the bread into the freezer for those mornings I just can’t bear to move.
Its so sweet I don’t even need syrup.
Price: $
Where: L.A. Farmer’s Market, Third and Fairfax, Los Angeles, Ca
Call: 323.937.1968
http://www.farmersmarketla.com/groceries/index.html
Related links | more breakfasts:
Breakfast French-style: bld and King’s Hawaiian French toast
February 5, 2008
Dixie Longate: Not Your Mother’s Tupperware Party
Filed under: Shop, Play — StyleGuide @ 8:20 pm
If you think that Tupperware parties went out in the 80’s, and that you have to be a Stepford Wife to appreciate shopping high quality plastics from your living room, you’ve never met Dixie Longate.
Leave it to a 6-foot-tall drag queen in a Dorothy-from-the-Wizard-of-Oz dress to bring Tupperware back.
Dixie’s a fast-talking, hyperactive single mom with a shock of red hair and a raging libido, fresh from a Mobile, Alabama trailer park. She started selling Tupperware to make her parole officer proud.
Today she’s one of the top salespeople in the country, spreading her deliciously shocking and devilishly hilarious version of the Tupperware gospel, one houseparty at a time.
Dixie’s X-rated show demonstrating Tupperware use (and abuse) has won over young and old, male and female, gay and straight. (If you can believe it, Orange County Republican women are her best customers.)
I came for the show, but in the end, the Tupperware won me over. It appeals on a health level (Tupperware is made with the highest grade food-safe plastic — much better for you than other plastic products), on an environmental level (reusable Tupperware means less disposable packaging from leftovers and snacks), and on a fiscal level (aside from staying out of a landfill, a lifetime guarantee it means I won’t have to buy new containers to replace worn ones).
To schedule your own 45 minutes in heaven with Dixie, work with her to find a time for a no-charge houseparty. Dixie’s so popular she’s turned her show into an off-Broadway play, and she’s planning to take it on a two-year nationwide tour. So if you can’t get a date, search for “Dixie Longate” on YouTube.com. Wet your beak with snippets of her show, then order Tupperware products through her site: www.dixielongate.com.
Just be prepared for a Tupperware party that pushes the boundaries of taste.
December 3, 2007
Stylish Six: Custom Gift Baskets
Filed under: Best Of, Shop — StyleGuide @ 8:35 pm
Gift basket prices always seem inflated for just a bunch of stuff packed in wicker. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own.
First, try unique local fillers:
1. Galco’s Soda Pop Stop: Family owned and operated since forever, Galco’s carries 400 different sodas, plus unique beers from around the world and a collection of old-fashioned candy. Last year we filled a cooler with a ton of “nostalgic” pop from the Highland Park landmark — it made a fun gift for an office.
2. San Antonio Winery: Yes, Virginia, there is an L.A. wine country. Established in 1917, San Antonio is the city’s only producing winery, still in its original location near downtown. Bottles run $6 and up.
3. Gust Picolas Nut Company: It’s not much to look at (see photo), but inside the factory store at this downtown L.A. packaging facility is an affordable selection of nuts and dried fruit (including neat stuff like dried strawberries). Get buzzed in at the front door, then choose generous packages of smoked almonds for $4.25 or peanut brittle for $3.25.
4. A1 Imported Groceries: Fill your basket with Italian imports like tapenade and salami, sold at this San Pedro gem at low low prices. Read more about how much I love A1 here.
5. Papa Cristo’s: An institution near downtown sells imported goods perfect for gift baskets, but I’d go for the bakery’s wide selection of rich, sweet, flaky baklava.
6. Fruit from The Farmer’s Market: Hit the stands at Third and Fairfax for beautiful and unique fresh fruit.
Honorable Mention
Ross: As a mega chain, they can’t crack the top six, but this is a great place for inexpensive baskets. Find piles of them — usually at the back of the store.
Second, assemble your basket with these three tricks: a.) Gifts don’t actually go inside the basket — fill the basket to the top with stuffing and set the gifts so they seem to hover above the basket, b.) choose a smaller basket, and pack in the gifts, and c.) wrap with that crinkly cellophane they sell at the drug store.
A more personal, handmade gift basket on the cheap — and you don’t need a crafty bone in your body.
November 22, 2007
Gifts for people you don’t know very well: Diddy Riese
Filed under: Westside, Shop, Eat — StyleGuide @ 7:03 am
There are always those people you don’t know very well, but around this time of year, a holiday gift “expectation” seems to surface. Maybe it’s your neighbor. Or the postal worker. Or that creepy guy at work whose name you don’t know but whom you don’t want to risk alienating by getting everyone else a gift but him.
For a personable “impersonal” gift, try Diddy Riese in Westwood. Those same big, fresh, rich, soft, cheap cookies (a buck for three) that have customers lining up around the block also make affordable gifts.
For $4.75 they’ll pack a dozen in a bright red bag — ready to be handed over to a lucky recipient. If you want something bigger, try a tin with 18 cookies for $10.50 (cash only).
I know, I know, parking in Westwood can be rough. You can find two hours free parking before 6 p.m. at the public garage at 1036 Broxton (Broxton is southbound only at that point, so come from Le Conte or Weyburn). Walk about a block north and you’re there.
Unlike all those bath product gift sets that probably never get used and just make the rounds each year, Diddy Riese’s cookies won’t get re-gifted — and will probably even be shared. Now that’s a gift.
Price: $-$$ (cash only)
Where: 926 Broxton Avenue, Los Angeles, Ca 90024
Call: (310) 208-0448
November 15, 2007
Ask the Expert: Finding Stylish Gifts for your Favorite Pet (or Pet-Lover)
Filed under: Expert Opinions, Shop — StyleGuide @ 8:31 pm
Expert Opinions are tips from L.A.’s ultimate insiders. Today’s contributor is animal activist Rachel Paap.
Now that the holidays are upon us, where can you find gear for your best four-legger that’s stylish, top-quality and cheap?
For Proud Parents of Big Dogs: Why do small dogs get the cutest gear and accessories? For dogs over 40 pounds, there are few choices for fashionable, appropriately sized collars. In this size-conscious city, why should our dogs be ashamed to be big and beautiful?
That’s why L.A. local Karen Klopfenstein started Big Boned Dogs, offering handcrafted durable collars that reflect the unique personalities of dogs who don’t fit under the crook of your arm. Dozens of designs — think Izod alligators, cute owls, French toile, fun bees and elegant paisley — come in multiple colors and styles like martingale choker or traditional slide buckle.
These collars are so well-made and adorable, they could easily sell at boutiques for as much as the “little dog stuff.” They don’t! Depending on size and style, they average $25-$35. These are machine washable and long-lasting, so even if your dog plays rough with friends at the park, you won’t have to buy new collars every year (and that saves money, too). Better yet, they’re one of a kind — just like your pups!
For Kitties Too: Most cat owners know the importance of collars and tags. For those multi-cat families (I can’t recommend multiples of cats enough! Two is better than one, and what’s one more with two? Or four . . . six?), tags can often look plain, or fade over time.
Lucky Pet is a great company (they give back to humane organizations) with a fabulous selection of lightweight and small tags in stylish colors for smaller kitties or dogs. And if you’re sick of hearing that cling clang of your pet’s tag against the collar, there are options-a-plenty.
We’re talking quality here — these tags last a long long time. Why not get a few in every color (to go with your cat’s every mood)?
About Rachel:
Rachel Paap is the owner of RP Worx, a public relations and marketing boutique agency serving charity organizations, with a focus in the animal welfare field. She is also a highly competitive kareoke singer.
October 23, 2007
Ask the Personal Assistant: A-list Gifts from Edelweiss Chocolates and Beverly Hills Seed
Filed under: Expert Opinions, Shop — StyleGuide @ 6:25 am
Expert Opinions are tips from L.A.’s ultimate insiders. Today’s contributor is Janet (pictured above with her husband), a personal assistant who spent 37 years working for one of Hollywood’s biggest power players.
Even if you live on a ramen budget, there are occasions that demand A-list gifts. Janet turned us on to some shops that impress no matter what your budget:
I had the privilege of working with a boss who had top organizational skills and was a wonderful communicator. Since I was 19 when I started working for him and had the sense to observe and be willing to learn, I gained a great deal of knowledge that I used in a long, successful career.
My boss was a generous man who gave many gifts. Even to this day, there are two places that I would highly recommend to anyone for great gifts:
Edelweiss Chocolates is a paradise. They cover and dip just about anything and everything in chocolate – fruit, marshmallows, you name it. Their gift boxes are elegantly wrapped and you can buy one piece or one hundred.
Beverly Hills Seed is a wonderful store where you can choose from a large assortment of lush, healthy plants in beautiful decorative pots. My favorites are all the varieties of orchids that you will find in several sizes and prices.
Edelweiss Chocolates, 444 N Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, (310) 275-0341 and 225 26th Street, Santa Monica, Ca 90402, 310-656-0306, $-$$$$
Beverly Hills Seed, 9526 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, Ca 90210, 310-276-3501, $$$$
Where do you get A-list gifts?
October 16, 2007
A1 Italian Deli in San Pedro
Filed under: South Bay, Shop, Eat — StyleGuide @ 6:30 am
San Pedro, the port town at the southern terminus of the 110, is one of those places where the town’s main drag would regularly replace itself. New buildings would spring up on the next throughfare to the west, and the town’s bustle would follow. In San Pedro, the action moved from Pacific to Gaffey, and now to Western. The old neighborhoods remain, a little more rundown and a little less crowded.
Some first-rate businesses continue to prosper around the older streets, and A1 is one of them, an authentic old school Italian grocer, a quiet place with a few loud employees. It is the kind of shop that I imagine covers much of New York and Jersey (based entirely on my obsession with mob movies). Their high standards for quality cultivate a loyal following that seems more like family.
I shop affordable specialites like breaded chicken cutlets from the deli (pounded thin and ready for a quick fry in olive oil), uncooked pizza dough from the refrigerator section, fresh produce (including fun stuff like dandelion leaves), Italian wines and aisle after aisle of well-priced imported foods ranging from ladyfingers to olive oil.
But my favorite thing at A1 is their made-to-order Italian prosciutto ham and provolone sandwich. The buttery prosciutto is laid thick on a seven-inch fresh baked french roll with all the usual toppings and a tangy vinaigrette, priced at a mere $4.25.
A1 has been in business in San Pedro since 1947. Although developers have rediscovered the neighborhood and begun populating it with modern loft condominiums, I’m hoping it will remain the same for another 60 years.
Price: $ and up
Where: 348 W. 8th Street, San Pedro, Ca 90731
When: Closed Sundays
Call: 310-833-4045
October 4, 2007
Tailor-Made Round-Up: Richard’s Tailor Shop and Mikhail Custom Tailoring
Filed under: Shop — StyleGuide @ 6:34 am
It doesn’t take a pile of cash to make your clothes look like they were made for you. Just buddy up with a great tailor.
For the basics, head to Richard’s Tailor Shop, a real find behind a dingy storefront in downtown L.A.’s garment district (pictured above). Carlos, the friendly man at the counter, will hem your pants for $3 a leg. For a little more he’ll make shirts fit tighter, pants fit looser, and sleeves hit right at the wrist. Inexpensive tweaks to off-the-rack clothes can make you look taller, thinner (and richer!) — even if all you wear are Old Navy khakis.
Carlos works magic on all men’s clothes and women’s basics, but for special women’s pieces — maybe your millionth bridesmaid’s dress or a vintage Dior you discovered at a yard sale — try Mikhail Custom Tailoring in mid-Los Angeles. Prices are higher, but you’ll feel confident that your clothes are in good hands.
Because when it comes to clothing, if it doesn’t fit, nothing else matters.
Richard’s Tailor Shop, 111 East 7th Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90015, 213-622-2545, $
Mikhail Custom Tailoring, 7405 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, Ca 90036, 323-937-8378, $$-$$$$
October 2, 2007
Ask the Stylist: Halloween Costumes
Filed under: Expert Opinions, Shop, Play — StyleGuide @ 6:16 am
Expert Opinions are tips from L.A.’s ultimate insiders. Today’s contributor is fashion stylist Alexandra Haines.
Halloween is the one time of year where you can wear whatever you want — forget appropriateness and decency! For a fashionista, it is THE national holiday. I start early — real early — and cast a wide net.
Hidden Treasures
A destination in and of itself, this hideaway earns regular mentions in the pages of Vogue and stocks an amazing collection of vintage clothes. But come Halloween, they load up extras like masks and tutus in a rainbow of colors. In Topanga Canyon right off the main drag, this is a great stop for retro costumes for men and women.
Robinson Beautilities
Whether I’m pulling together a costume for a man or woman, this is my mecca for costume extras. Yes, it is a fully functioning costume shop that has not (blessedly) be remodeled since the 60’s. But it also offers a huge supply of wigs and Venetian masks, a wall of fake eyelashes, all types of glitter spray, and my new wardrobe standard — Vegas-style feather headdresses (really, once you buy one you’ll find there are all sorts of occasions to wear it).
Squaresville
I’d say Squaresville is a hipper, cleaner version of Aardvarks, where the buyers really care about what they’re stocking. Some of my greatest regrets come from not buying beautiful pieces I found there, like a sequined butterfly top, trashy white fur coat or an original prairie dress. These wouldn’t have made it into my everyday wardrobe, but could make fantastic retro costumes. Find costumes for men and women.
Hollywood Blvd.
Got no time and are just going to dress in a skimpy outfit with some sort of animal ears? Try walking Hollywood Boulevard for their cheap costume/lingerie shops and amazing wig shops.
About Alexandra:
I am a stylist who has been designing clothes and accessories and styling photo shoots. That wouldn’t mean anything if I wasn’t intrinsically interested in how individuals can express themselves uniquely in their dress. Expect no cookie cutter advice here.
Call: 310-908-7605 (Alexandra)