Congratulations, Los Angeles! Thanks to pollution, unemployment levels, we are now the #2 most stressed out city in the United States!

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6863CV20100907

http://www.portfolio.com/resources/Portfolio-2010-Metro-Area-Stress-Rank.pdf

        

Even though we didn't think so at the time, making new friends was really easy as a kid! We met them at school, church and camp.

School and church may be out for most of us, but camp can be in for any 20 or 30-somethings looking to get out of LA and make some new friends in the process!

Camp Paradise on Catalina Island is hosting an adults-only camping weekend from 9/10 to 9/12. Campers will share cabins or tents with others and enjoy a wide range of activities such as hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and other social events like "old school" style dances!



The admission is $270 for the weekend but includes the lodging, meals (gourmet meals-no frank n'beans for these campers!), transportation to the island and most activities!

While the event is mostly promoted for singles, any 20 or 30-somethings should feel free to sign up! It's a hella cheap 3-day vacation.

More information can be found at the link below--hurry and buy your ticket as the event is coming up next weekend!
http://www.sc2030singles.org/catalina/

        

        

We've got to admit that when we stopped by the Down and Out, it was completely by accident.

Bumbling around downtown with a friend, we literally stumbled upon this eclectic watering hole. (Ok, more like tripped and fell on our hands in front of it, but whateves!)

The Down and Out is an oxymoron: a nice dive bar that's contemporary yet old school.

Housed in what is formerly Charlie O's, the historic 1919 bar where famous author Charles Bukowski boozed it up, The Down and Out is a casual place to kick back have a good cocktail!



When we say "eclectic", think pinball and pool games, super high ceilings, red leather booths, a make-shift dance floor and the coolest art gracing their walls, windows and bar: infamous Hollywood mugshots and naughty pinup girls!

You won't find food at The Down and Out, but the bartenders are ready to recommend some neighborhood joints that deliver.

So whether you're down and out or on the up and up, grab a few friends and check this place out. The Down and Out is definitely a good time, whether you're a punk, yuppie, hipster or none-of-the-above!

        

It's our favourite art walk this weekend-The Brewery Art Walk!
Saturday April 17th and Sunday the 18th, you too can frolic about the largest artist compound in North American and check out local artists and designers.

It's fun and unpretentious with a big bbq happening in the courtyard and plenty of beer at Barbara's, the compounds eatery.

Get more details on the Brewery website HERE!

        

The 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational is upon us!

On April 24th, you can join other cheesy-goodness conosurs for only $10.
There will be 250 amateur cooks competing in 3 categories: Missionary, Kama Sutra and Honey Pot, a few beer gardens and cooking demos!

Get more information at their website above!

        

The Getty is playing host to a little soiree called College Night, but we have a feeling that the evening will draw in a great crowd regardless that it's being promoted as such...especially since they aren't asking for folks to bring their student IDS!

Free food, cash bar and DJs, this Wednesday the 7th from 6:30-9:30pm.
It's all free but you do need to RSVP at the link above! There's also a Facebook page with details.

        

Looking for crap to do on Easter?

Look no further then the Citysearch 2010 Easter pick list!

        

Tonight kicks off the Natural History Museums First Friday's Concert Series!

For about $15, you too can mill around with the hippest of the hip through the museum and enjoy performances by DJ's and bands such as Breakestra, who will actually be one of the groups performing tonight!

        

This just in, recessionistas, both Palomino in Westwood and Fraiche in Santa Monica offer all day long happy hour menus!

Palomino offers their happy hour menu all day every day, with deals like $4 mojitos, $5 pizzas and $6 salads.

Almost as good a deal, Fraiche offers $4-$6 bites, such as brie and blue cheese sandwhiches, shortrib sliders and smoked salmon panini, all day on Wednesdays and Thursdays!

These deals are so good, that they aren't advertised on their websites. Now you can be the amazingly cool friend who's "in-the-know"!
Enjoy!

        

Followers of the cult classic flick, The Big Lebowski, rejoice!

Lebowski Fest is taking place next weekend, April 2nd and 3rd, with a screening and party on Friday the 2nd and a bowling party and Dude lookalike contest on the 3rd.

Special guests include Jeff Dowd (the real life "Dude") and other cast members from the flick.
Get your tickets by visiting the official website HERE.

        

The first rule of pillow fight club is that you do not talk about pillow fight club.

The second rule of pillow fight club is...to bring your own pillow!

The feathery throw down will occur in various location worldwide on Saturday, April 3rd!
Here in LA, folks will get their whomp on around downtown's Pershing Square at 3pm.

Get more details on the LA event on the   LA Pillow Fight Facebook Page or on the official website.

        

Vat's up, everybody?

So turquoise is the new blue which was the new black which was the new white which was the new gray which really was the new black.
*Whew!* Now that we've established that...

Looking for some trendspiration?



Get some at the LA Fashion Week :March 17-24.

Soirees and shows will be happening in Beverly Hills and downtown. Check out the schedules at the link above!
Everyone who wants to be someone will be there.

        

This Wednesday, March 17th, bare witness to angsty, private teenage thoughts during the Mortified: Live! event!

Mortified: Live is a comic excavation of teen angst artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, stories and more) as shared by their original authors before total strangers.

Mortified has been hailed a "cultural phenomenon" by Newsweek and was celebrated by the likes of This American Life, The Today Show, The Onion AV Club, Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, Daily Candy and more.

As the largest and longest running project of its kind, Mortified's grassroots comedy collective has spent years sifting through hundreds of otherwise forgotten notebooks on a mission to celebrate the extraordinary lives of ordinary people — all in the noble pursuit of self-degradation.

$15 tics of $20 at the door!

  +    =    &

        

After several renovations due to a fire, Hollywood's most charming restaurant, Off Vine, is reopening Thursday, March 18th!

The little yellow house will be serving brunch, lunch and dinner. Check them out!

Off Vine
6263 Leland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028

        

Don't forget: This Sunday at 2am, SPRING FORWARD!

That's right, set your clocks forward one hour. We're heading into Spring, bitches!

        

Jonesing for a classic film fix?

In April, be a part of the TCM (or Turner Classic Movies, to those not-in-the-know) film fest in Hollywood!

Special screenings, special events...the whole thing is just pretty damn special. Sponsored by Vanity Fair, expect some celeb sightings!

More details on their website.

        

Remember the creepy scene in Eyes Wide Shut when Tom Cruise goes to the masquerade that turns out to be an orgy but most of the people weren't hot so it was pretty gross?

We do too!

Well now you can have all the fun of the mask wearing part, without the creepiness of ugly people having an orgy in them!

The Festival of Masks presents their annual Masquerade Ball, on Saturday, March 20th in a secret downtown location.
Tickets are $95, inclusive of a Venetian dinner, 2 drinks and a bevy of entertainment and dancing.

More details HERE!
 

        

Ah, the glamour of the Oscars: The stars, on your tv, wearing dazzling duds...and me you...on your couch, in your sweatpants...eating leftover Chinese...yelling at the TV.

Sound familiar?

For those who want to get off the couch and cheer and jeer at Oscar winners in a social environment, there are plenty of options!

Check out THIS LIST of Oscar viewing parties, happening around LA.

Happy viewing!

  

        

Charitable ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! It's time for...The Bachelor Auction!

Bid on the bachelor who strikes your fancy and whom is offering a date to remember: A night at the opera, a day trip to Santa Barbara...yadda yadda yadda.

The drunken hilarity takes place Saturday, March 13th at Busby's East. All proceeds go to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

More details on The Bachelor Auction website!

        

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. This is not a test. This is REAL, people!

March 12th, at the Henry Fonda Theater, you can join a gang of sexually frustrated nerds as they watch Star Wars Burlesque!
In all seriousness, this looks hilarious...and kinda hot.

Tics are only $20 on the Henry Fonda Theater website.

        

Spa Week: The Christmas of Spa Deals where you can get fabulous spa treatments at upscale places for only $50 a pop!
The relaxment happens April 12-18.

But what about those of us who are massage-junkies, or who's clogged pores are screaming for attention NOW?



Check out Spa Finder Deal Days: the Thanksgiving of Spa Deals, where you can get amazing spa treatments at $50 a pop,
during the entire week of March 8th!

Happy Spa-ing, frazzled folks!

        

Monday, February 8th, you can witness the greatness which is Quentin Tarantino in person!

The Egyptian Theatre will be screening Pulp Fiction and Inglorious Basterds, with Q&A sessions and commentary by the director himself.

 

The good news is that tickets are way inexpensive. The bad news is that tickets won't go on sale until the day of, so you'll have to be fast!
Tickets and more information HERE!

        

THIS is the funniest thang we've seen in a long time!

        

A long time ago, we wrote HERE all about a brand new bar called Saints and Sinners.

We are pleased to announce that they are getting ready to celebrate their 4th year of being open! We feel old.

Saints and Sinners invites you to celebrate with them, this Sunday, January 31st, with $5 margarita's (10pm-close) and free fish tacos (9pm-midnight). In addition, the bar that normally doesn't serve food, will continue to offer free fish tacos every Sunday until further notice.

AWESOME!



Saints and Sinners
10899 Venice Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90034

        

Westsiders, rejoice!

The Wood is ours, and soon to be your, favourite new spot for organic grub!

Simple and environmentally friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed and low key. Don't expect The Wood to be overloaded with hippie-posers or hipsters. The crowd is eclectic, from families to chill singles.

We have enjoyed many a delicious breakfast at the Wood. The granola and flannel hash are amazing! (separate, not together.)

Check out their menu HERE.



THE WOOD
12000 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066 (parking in back)

        

Hey Zep-heads!

Tomorrow, Saturday the 30th, Brent Havens conducts a 40 piece orchestra to perform Led Zeppelin’s classic songs in a brilliant combination of passion and power.

It's happening at the Wiltern with tickets starting at $20. Get more info on their Website Here!

        

80s Proms=Been there, done that.
Murder Mystery=Been there, solved that.

An 80s High School Reunion themed Murder Mystery?  A mystery is like, totally afoot!

Tuesday, February 9th, you can join in on the fun, all going down at South in Santa Monica. Admission is $20, but the funds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Start thinking of what kind of character you'd want to be!
Perhaps the school bully turned religious fanatic? Or the prom queen who is now obese and bound to a wheel chair?!
The possibilities abound!

Get more details on the Facebook Invite!

        

Paleyfest, everyones favourite festival of television is returning to Los Angeles in late February and March!

For those who aren't in-the-know, Paleyfest is where fans can participate in special screenings, meet and greets and Q&A's with their favourite television writers and stars.

This year,  panels include Modern Family, Lost, Dexter, NCIS, The Vampire Diaries, Seth McFarland and friends, Glee and more.

Tickets start at $25, but get yours fast. They sell out faster than tickets to a Jonas Brothers concert at a NAMBLA convention!

        

So long, Del's Saloon-it's been real. Real divey.

After 35 years, Del's will close their doors as of tonight, Monday the 25th.

On the plus side, you can grab a $2 beer or $3 cocktail and mourn with other loyal patrons until close at 2am. There's also going to be an auction later in the evening, just in case you want a piece of drunken nostalgia for your home.

h

        

"Hooray!," cry the foodies. "DineLA weeks are finally upon us!"

You don't necessarily have to be a foodie to appreciate the value of Dine LA week(s). From January 24-29 and January 31-February 5, foodies and the palately-challenged alike can enjoy 3 course lunches or dinners on the "cheap" at some of the best restaurants in LA!

HERE is a list of all participating restaurants and pricing. Go nuts, ya'll!

        

This Sunday, January 24th, the Art Deco Society of LA invites you to get a little naughty!

Join them for an evening of pin up girl art, a live pin up fashion show and drinks, from 6pm onward in the historic Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

That's right-now you can view the very same cartoony-porn that your great grandpa most likely got off to. Good Times!

Tics are $35, or $45 at the door. More info HERE!

        

LA Eater has got wind of a Guided Cheese Tasting happening this Friday in Pasadena.

Vromans Bookstore (I know, cheese in a bookstore-say what?!)
Check out the link above for more details!

        

California Christmas Tree Recycling--the environmentally friendly way to dispose of your tree!

Call them at 818-986-1300 or 310-584-6589 or visit their website at www.recycletrees.com.

For $25 they come to home remove tree, clean up mess and mulch tree for local plantings.

Goooooooo, planet!

        

Nice! We found another New Year's good time on the westside that won't break the bank!

Wilshire on Wilshire will be hosting a New Years Eve shindig where your bar tab is open all night for only $50.
Say what?!

Yep, 10pm-2am, you'll have open bar for $50.
More details HERE!

        

Tired of missing happy hours just because you work past 6pm?

Do you find yourself wrinkling your nose at the small selections of food most bars serve up as "happy hour specials"?

Feeling jipped because most places only offer happy hour in their bar areas, which consist of like, 10 seats?

Well, no more! We believe we may have discovered what just might be the best happy hour in all of West Hollywood, if not in all of Los Angeles!

Cafe La Boheme, a glittering, Phantom-of-the-Opera-esque restaurant has a large bar which seats about 40 people. They offer a happy hour until 7:30pm every week day with delicious specialty cocktails for $5-$7 and large, delicious portions of food for about $5 a pop!

We highly suggest the ultra-delish mac and cheese, the orgasmic bacon wrapped dates and the juicy sliders (juicy in a good way).

        

Spending time with your family on Christmas may get you thinking about boozing up on New Years Eve...but where to go?

If you don't want to spend a ton of money to wade through vomit and spilled drinks in an over crowded club, go to South!

That's right! Everyones favourite westside party bar will be throwing a big ole' New Years Eve bash with no cover.  They'll also be serving up a complimentary shot to toast the new year for each time zone and a free champagne toast to ring in midnight our time.

Need some viddles to coat your stomach before drinking? South will be offering a pre-fixe dinner menu 6-10pm.
Call ahead for reservations at 310-828-9988.

        

Too much holiday cheer?

YDriveLA  will come pick your drunk ass up by driving your own car  back to your place and then scooter away into the darkness.

24 hours a day and rates are reasonable depending on where you are coming from and going too. Keep their number handy, 1-888-401-3847, or, if you already expect to be blotto at theend of a night, email ahead of time for rates at irector@YDriveLA.com">Director@YDriveLA.com.


Don't do this.

        

        

If you weren't fast/cool enough to get tickets to this Sundays screening of It's a Wonderful Life at the Million Dollar Theatre...never fret!

        

We normally don't like comedy shows. Most comedians are adept at thinking they are funny and then subjecting the rest of us to their

        

Cool! The up-and-coming eco-friendly city of Santa Monica has decided to start recycling oils and grease.
That's right-the very same kind of high cholesterol inducing, artery clogging substances found in the frying bins of most restaurants and some homes!

The city's recycling coordinator Wes Thompson said Monday that Santa Monica has partnered with Los Angeles-based GeoGreen to convert the cooking waste into biofuel with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Restaurants can dump their shiz at parking structures 2 through 6 and private residents can recycle their FOG (fat, oil and grease) at the city's Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2500 Michigan Ave. (East of the 10 Freeway at Cloverfield. Hours: Wed - Fri 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Sat. 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m).

Grease is the word! More details from the city can be found HERE!

        

Ugh. You know how Happy Hour is a great idea, but impossible to take advantage of if you get stuck in traffic or have to work late?

Well, Los Angeleseans, rejoice!

        

It's that time of year again! The time to gather with relatives you barely know to eat and drink too much all in the name of Pilgrims and Indians getting along.

For those of you going rogue this year, why not support a local eating establishment whilst getting your turkey on?

        

We all know those bastards people who either already have everything or just don't want anything for Christmas.

This season, you can simultaneously ease your guilt and knock the socks off of these loved ones by giving a different kind of gift (no, not free hug coupons):   The gift of an Experience!

        

Recessionistas and fashionistas rejoice!

The W Hotel and StyleSectionLA are solving both the age old problem of "I have nothing to wear!" and at the same time helping us all be a bit more environmentally and pocket-change conscious.

Arm yourselves with up to 10 cocktail dresses and meet with other like minded/pocketed ladies on Monday, November 16th for a Cocktail Dress Swap!


Photo Credit: Confessions of a Shopaholic

Your cocktail dresses should be in near new condition and still wearable (so don't try to pawn off your super-crap!). Any leftovers that are not traded or swaped will be donated to the Women Helping Women foundation.

The hair pulling and foot stomping  trading fun happens from 6:30-8:30PM, but you have to RSVP to attend to laevents@whotels.com.

Specialty Cocktails will be provided and the first 50 guests to attend will receive a special gift from Make Love Not Trash!


W HOTEL
930 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
866) 716-8129">(866) 716-8129

        

Once again, the Los Angeles Conservancy will usher in the ho-ho-ho to our holiday season by screening a timeless classic inside one of LA's historic theatre venues.



This year, on Sunday, December 6th, they will screen one of our favourite holiday films, It's a Wonderful Life, at the newly restored Million Dollar Theatre downtown!

Tickets are only $10, but they sell out faster then tickets to a Jonas Brothers concert being sold at a NAMBLA convention, so get yours online HERE!

        

Yep, tonight we all fall back an hour!

Set your clocks back an hour at  2am tonight and be prepared to party longer and sleep in later.

Happy Halloween!

        

For the first time ever, the historic and famous Biltmore Hotel is opening it's grand ballroom doors to host a free Halloween party in the Gallery Bar!

In case you didn't know, the Biltmore is where the Academy Awards were held throughout the 1920s and part of the 1930s. It's also where they've filmed scenes from Ghostbusters, Chinatown and AMC's hit tv show, Mad Men.

Event highlights include live music and a costume contest with prizes for best period costume from the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s (grand prize is a free nights stay).

Admission is free and drinks range between $10-$16 a pop. Looks like good, classy Halloween times!

        

Do you remember that time you saw the movie Once?
It was Thanksgiving Day of 2008 and the turkey wasn't the only thing that had gotten baked that day.
You had resentfully worn a fuzzy sweater as if to say "Damn you, unseasonably summer-like weather! Thanksgiving deserves crisp air and crunchy leafs!"

Remember?

Yeah....So, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season will be performing a free show on Wednesday, Oct 28th at the Hollywood Amoeba Store. They are also the dynamic duo who won an Oscar a few years ago for their amazing soundtrack/performances for the movie Once.

If you are lucky enough to be able to get there early (first come first serve) to watch the show, then..well, we're totally jealous!