Monthly Archives: May 2011

May 31, 2011 · 9:50 am

A Night To Remember: BootieLA Prom

Prom. We just passed that time of year. Who’s going with who? Dancing, after parties. What’s the theme?

Well, most of us are a little past high school and all that drama but that doesn’t mean we don’t like relive that from time to time!

I can’t remember if we’ve posted about Bootie before but if not here we go!

L.A.’s biggest mash-up dance party recently held their first ever Bootie Prom! We all decided to go stag and make it a much needed Ladies’ Night!

For some reason we decided to go 80s. It just naturally happens really, I don’t necessarily plan it out. I’m just so good at it.

If you’re unfamiliar with Bootie it’s a huge mash-up dance party held in the Echoplex in LA. They do it twice a month now because it just got to be so popular. It’s world wide and there’s Booties held in Rio, Brazil and all over the U.S. I for one, MUST make it to a Bootie San Francisco next time I’m up there. For a nominal fee, you enter into the warehouse like setting to shake your bottom like you’ve never before.

The DJ’s are always really fun and the mashups are pretty wonderful too. Plus at midhnight R.A.I.D. (Random Acts of Irreverant Dance) take the stage for the midnight coreographed dance number. Always a blast.

This particular Bootie also had contests for Prom King, Prom Queen, and best Prom Couple. The crowd voted with screams and cheers and the winner each took home $100.

I will say that this Bootie, for some reason the mash up’s weren’t that spectacular. I was honestly a little bored with them. But then again I haven’t been to Bootie since October and that’s a whole slew of different music to be made. They also did a slow song mash-up once an hour, which would have been great if we had dates but we took it as a water or bathroom break.

If you’re ever looking for something to do on the first and/or third Saturday of the month, head over to the Echoplex and get your rump shakin at Bootie LA.

Every Bootie there is the photog company that takes pictures and they set up a Prom booth this time. They’re called drunk rockers and there set up this time was pretty great. http://www.drunkrockers.com to check out all the Prom pics from the evening. I’ll post ours below.

– J

 

 

 

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May 25, 2011 · 3:14 pm

Oprah’s Goodbye, is Mel’s Hello

Well, we all have heard about how Oprah’s last show was today.  Thousands were glued to their televisions watching this powerful woman say good-bye and thank you.  There were tears, there were laughs, and most of all, there was a light bulb that came on in my head. 

She was 30 years old when she first moved to Chicago for the Oprah Winfrey Show.  I’m 25 years old.  I am 5 years younger than she was when she first started her show.  IF THAT IS NOT INSPIRING, I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS. 

There is no excuse for me not to do what my passion is.  Now is the time.  Here is the place.  And I am the age.  So who’s with me?! Good bye Oprah, and heelllooooo Mel! 

Watch out world, I’m coming for you, and I’m coming for you hard.

xo,

mel

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May 21, 2011 · 5:01 pm

500 Days of Spring

I have been wanting to go to the park from 500 Days of Summer since I first saw the film over 2 years ago.  When I mentioned this to my boyfriend, we had a conversation that went a little like this:

Girlfriend:  I want to go to that park from 500 Days of Summer!  I’m adding it to the lists of things we need to do…
Boyfriend:  Wait, I’m pretty sure I’ve been there…
Girlfriend:  What?!  When did you go?
Boyfriend:  Me, Andy, and Jordan went.  We got some tasty sandwiches from this little market, rode a trolley up to the park, and hung out.  It was really nice.
Girlfriend:  Sooooo…  You went on a bro date to the park from 500 Days of Summer?
Boyfriend:  Yep, pretty much…

After that, I made it a point to make my boyfriend take me on an actual date, not just a bro date, to the park.  So here was our lovely Friday:

We began the day by strolling up the street to a quant little French bakery not far from Bry’s house.  It’s in “Kenneth Village” which is an “up-and-coming” couple of blocks in Glendale full of cute little shops and bakery’s.

2 Black Coffees, a fruit tart, and an apple strudel. Perfection.

Village French Bakery
1414 ½ W. Kenneth Road
Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 241-2521

http://www.kennethvillageonline.com/site/index.php/directory/village-french-bakery/

Then we left the valley and headed downtown to begin our day.

Once we arrived downtown, we had to get some nourishment first, so we went to Grand Central Market which is conveniently located right across the street from Angles Knoll, which is the technical name for “That Park from 500 Days of Summer.”

After walking around the market and scoping out all the deliciousness, we decided on tortas from Tacos Tumbras A Tomas.

Grand Central Market
317 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-2378

http://www.grandcentralsquare.com/index.html

After purchasing some lunchtime goodies, we headed across the street to Angels Flight, which is a tiny little tram that takes you up the hill to Angles Knoll.  Yes, you can take the steps, but for just a quarter you can ride this historic little trolley!  We just couldn’t resist.

Angels Flight
252 S Hill St
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 624-7300

http://angelsflight.com/

And then we were there.  Angles Knoll could finally be marked off the to-do list.

Tom's Favorite Spot in LA

Enjoying a Goat Meat Torta at Angel's Knoll.

Anglels Knoll
356 S Olive St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

http://www.yelp.com/biz/angels-knoll-los-angeles

Angles Knoll wasn’t the completion of our visit downtown. Just a few blocks from the park is Pershing Square where we stopped and people watched for a while.  Let me tell you, there were some interesting folks…

Pershing Square
532 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

http://www.laparks.org/pershingsquare/

And that my friends is how to spend a perfect Friday :-)

LUV,
Britt

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May 19, 2011 · 1:56 pm

Go For It!

I just felt the need to acknowledge a group of people that first off our friends of mine that they all just had a movie they worked on released in theaters!

We went as a group to watch this and it was a lot of fun, seeing it with all these people that worked on it.
I’m not going to turn this into a review because I wouldn’t exactly say this movie was good BUT I will sat that I am so proud of my friends. Even though it was Go For It! You all just had a piece of your work on the big screen!
I’m honored I had the chance to view it with you all!
Cody (Gaffer), Kevin (Sound Mixer), Andrew (Key Grip) — Goin’ For It!
– J

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May 18, 2011 · 5:39 pm

The End is Near (No, Not the Rapture): Goodbye Pure Luck

Whether you are vegan or not, I think we can all agree on one thing:  The closing of the vegan resteraunt Pure Luck is a TRAVESTY.  All foodies alike can honestly say eating here is like eating the real deal, even if it is “immatation” meat.  From their BBQ “Pulled Pork” Sandwhich to their “Fish” Tacos, Pure Luck has been keeping our tummies happy over and over again the past few years.  They will be closing their doors permantely in the next month, even though no specific date has been mentioned.  So please get in there before June and enjoy one more vegan treat from this neighborhood favorite that will surely be missed.

Pure Luck
707 N Heliotrope Dr
Los Angeles, California 90029
(323) 660-5993

http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/

The Blonde Beer, BBQ Jackfruit "Pulled Pork", and Sweet Potato Fries... I WILL MISS YOU!

LUV,
Britt

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· 3:08 pm

Biking in the U.S.A

It’s summer! We’re about to dive head first into June Gloom but that’s alright. For some reason, even though it’s nearly summer everyday in L.A. I still get excited about summer. In honor of that here comes a blog about biking.

I purchased Dolores Winchester in March. It was a pretty glorious day. Over the past few months, I’ve been making a really conscience effort to run my errands with her or even arrange to leave 20 minutes earlier than normal to go to meetings etc. It’s been pretty amazing. I haven’t owned a bike since I was a child and really never thought I’d fall so in love. To be honest, I kind of thought I’d buy it and it’d just sit on my balcony. The opposite happened and I’m pretty happy about it. There’s also the added bonus of being unemployed and not being able to afford gas and having an alternative way to get around.
Aside from routes I’ve taken to just get around town and run errands, here are a few paths and fun places to ride all around L.A. They’re great to ride when you have a riding partner or just to ride around when you’re bored.
1.) Los Feliz Bike Path
This path curves around the ever gorgeous (yeah, right) L.A. River. It’s a really nice path and there’s usually a few serious bikers that will make you feel like garbage for going so slow or that you need to step up your game and ride faster! You can enter the path from Los Feliz right by the 5 entrance or from the other end on Riverside/Victory near the 134 entrance over there. It’s a great ride any day but it’s especially nice for a relaxing ride on a Sunday. The path measures just under 5 miles I believe.
2.) Riverside Drive Path
I’ve taken this path to get over to Toluca Lake before and wasn’t sure what to expect the first time but I was really pleased with it. I’m in Glendale so I take San Fernando to Sonora which turns into Riverside and also then has a legit bike path to ride in. For a beginner biker like myself it’s a somewhat tough ride. It does have some hills that will get your heart pumping. If you just follow the path all the way down for a long time you eventually hit the strip of Riverside in Toluca Lake that is home to Priscilla’s Coffee Shop (I suggest stopping in for a Blossom Iced Tea!) and tons of other restaurants and shops.
3.) Venice/Santa Monica Path
One sunny afternoon Andy and I shoved our bikes into the back of his car and trekked out to the ocean. We parked in Venice and rode the path all the way down into Santa Monica and the 3rd street Promenade. It’s essentially a flat ride but you are right along the ocean and really what more could you ask for! There’s a path that goes all the way down which is wonderful. The only problem is that there is a lot of foot traffic and other bikers and runners. It can become a bit of a dodging game but it’s well worth it. I’d suggest taking it on a weekday since the traffic will be less than on a weekend.
Those are the three I have experience with and can attest to their awesome-ness. I’d love to hear about other paths around the city that are both safe and an adventure.
L.A. is a pretty safe biking city and if you don’t have one I’d suggest purchasing a bike. I’ll admit that I had a huge fear of riding on L.A. streets when I first got my bike but I eased into and learned my road signs, once you get over the fear you’re golden. Dolores and I have yet to bike a mountain yet, the hill going up into Burbank is enough for us right now!
Wear your helment and remember your lock…Safe riding kids!
Literally the only picture I have of my bike from the park the other day. But since it’s not only hilarious it’s some kind of visual aid I posted it. :)
– J

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May 14, 2011 · 7:21 pm

Relax? I don’t know how.

More often that not I find my self over worked, over whelmed, and plain ole’ over being tired.  But even on my “off days” (<– what does that even mean? I hear it used so often, who knows) I find myself playing catch up on personal errands that have been put off for weeks due to lack of time.  Waking up bright and early to attend the “Grand Opening” of Sports Authority at 7 am (what, did you think it was an Art opening, or fashionable store?) put me in the “well I’m already up…” mentality.    Where would the day take me?

AND this is why no one listens to me complaining about being overworked and having too much on my plate.  I DO THIS TO MYSELF.  I understand that.  I have always done it, and frankly don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.  I’ll probably be that crazy bride who is on the phone talking with her director day of her wedding as he is sitting in the pews waiting for her to walk down the aisle.  Or the pregnant lady whose water just broke but promised her best friend a birthday cake, and “i can see the baby’s head” or not, that cake is getting baked!

So of course on my “off day”, that started at an early 7am, I decided to embark on tasty treats to be shared with my fellow “off day”-ers.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups!

Maybe one day I’ll just sit and do nothing.  Maybe.

xo,

mel

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· 2:46 pm

Bridesmaids!

No guys, not getting married yet! But Maya Rudolph’s character in Judd Apatow’s new movie is!

Not only is this the new Judd Apatow flick but as with the readings on the interwebz these days – also a pretty big step for female-dom. (Real word, promise).

I went to see this flick yesterday with Andy. Let it be known how much I adore Judd Apatow (and his adorable little family!). I like his style, I think he’s funny. I think he can be pretty funny without all the incessant cussing and knew going into this movie it would be just a bunch of female cussing but I still felt the pull to see it because when I get right down to it, I’m a fan.

The more I sit with this movie the more I’m smiling to myself thinking about how genuinely hard I laughed during some parts. For both Andy and I, we weren’t exactly expecting such a girly movie. It IS an Apatow movie. But it’s not P.S. – I Love You girly garbage. It’s sitting around with your girlfriends complaining about men and telling jokes girly. Andy even said during some parts he could see Brittany and I just dying from laughter.

Let’s start with Kristen Wiig. First off, this girl is so darn pretty! Who knew when all her other characters are so disgusting. I adore her, even before this movie and now am completely infatuated with her and everything she has to offer. Without giving anything away, the airplane scene had tears running down my face from how great of a comedy performance she was giving us. I’ve been her before and that made it even better.

I love the female cast. Such hilarity. I keep repeating myself but this movie is FUNNY. I was doubting it a little but walked away happy. Jon Hamm is pretty wonderful in it and the cop…can we say ADORABLE?!

I felt so much for Wiig’s character through that whole movie that I was getting infuriated with Helen’s character to the point that I may have started foaming at the mouth…okay well not that bad. But it made me realize the performances that were be given even though this was just a comedy.

However, since I do pick apart things there are faults but easily looked over by the average viewer I’m sure. One being that some of the jokes just simply went on too long. I had stopped laughing and was wanting to move on. The jokes themselves were hilarious at the beginning and then even when it gets past the uncomfortable funny awkward still funny stage it still went on and was just too long. The other thing is it did the Apatow thing. When the movie has the lull in it and you’re wondering why you’re still watching it and how we haven’t gotten to the climax yet. All his movies do this in my eyes at least. Andy said he didn’t feel it with this one but I did. So maybe he’s getting better!

It’s a must see if you like Apatow, really it is. It’s not a chick flick so if you’re a dude, check it out too. There were groups of guys in the theater with us.

Now, can we all just rejoice in the fact that Judd Apatow himself is single handedly making a musical comeback for Wilson Phillips? (See the movie, get the joke).

May this song be stuck in your head for days like it’s still stuck in mine!

A bunch of my friends and Andy worked on the just released feature entitled GO FOR IT! We’ll be seeing it tonight and you better believe I’ll be writing a review!

Until then,

– J

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May 11, 2011 · 10:55 am

Cafe latte mocha choco java blend….it’s about COFFEE!

Every now and then I have those days, weeks, and what lately feels like months of pure hecticness.  Where Monday bleeds into Thursday and before you know it, it is three Monday’s later.  When you realize you have to run out on your lunch break to buy new underwear since you are currently wearing your last pair.  It’s being too busy to sleep. 

It’s when you best friend has turned into a warm, delicious, cup of happiness that you can’t get enough of! You want to see him/her at least 4 times a day and are sad when you see them go. 

It’s coffee people! COFFEE.

And during our busiest times in our lives, it is who we fall back on.  We know they will always be there for us, cold or hot.  Heck, they may even bring their friend Espresso to come join and hang. 

So here is to our good friend Coffee, may we have many more nights, days, hours and minutes together.
I LOVE YOU.

love.

xo,

mel

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May 10, 2011 · 2:11 pm

Need Plans This Weekend?

Then don’t forget that the Hollywood Forever Cemetery begins its weekend movie screenings THIS weekend (May 14th).  The first movie of the season is a classic and a tribute to the late and great Liz Taylor:  Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Not sure how to plan a Cemetery outing?  Then read up on an informative blog Miss Mel wrote right here.  You can also check out the calendar of screenings for the next few weeks right about here:  
http://www.cinespia.org/calendar/

Address? Right here:

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Hope you can all make at least one film this season!  Have fun and be safe!

LUV,
Britt

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