Monthly Archives: October 2011

October 31, 2011 · 1:45 pm

DESERT FREEDOM (or DESSERT FREEDOM)

When 20 of your closest friends ask you to spend Halloween weekend in the secluded desert of Lucerne Valley, how could you possibly say no? Jess and Brittany (that’s us writing this) couldn’t! Ok, we said no to the overnight camping part because we had to get back to LA for Sunday morning obligations… BUT we spent all Saturday day shootin’ guns, drinkin’ Bud Light, eatin’ Halloween candy (hence DESSERT FREEDOM), climbing rocks, rocket launching, and taking bathroom breaks wherever we pleased. All while the only sounds we could hear were the light breeze and our friends riding dirt bikes in the distance.

It’s kind of hard to describe how truly incredible it is, it’s something you just have to experience yourself. Especially when you live in the hustle and bustle of a city such as LA. Where traffic, loud noises, and people everywhere become everyday life. It’s so wonderful to just get away from it all. And to really get away from civilization. We now fully understand the concept of a hippie commune and secretly wish we could be a part of one. Are those still around? Please e-mail us if you know of one

At first, we got a bit lost….

"This doesn't look right..."

But then we made it!!!!

The endless desert. Just how we like it.

Jess... The newest shooter of skeet

Action shot of an awesome surprise rocket launching.

Looking around and seeing your friends everywhere is the best feeling.

Oh, did we mention that our friends are wilderness geniuses and built their own zipline?

We want to send a special shout out to our awesome friend Gabe who put the whole shindig together. You the man! Sorry we missed out on the movies projected on the rocks and your dj’ing skillz. NEXT TIME.

The man, the myth, the devil.

This post is dedicated to getting out of the busy life and just sitting back with your good friends and looking at the stars. I’m talking REAL stars. Not the ones you just see in Hollywood.

- J & Britt

This is a REAL poloroid, folks. Thanks, Jordy!

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Tagged as Bud Light, Desert, Desert Camping, DESERT FREEDOM, DESSERT FREEDOM, Halloween, Halloween Candy, Halloween Weekend, Lucerne Valley Camping, Shooting Guns in the Desert

October 28, 2011 · 8:05 am

Burger Club LA takes it to dad’s work place

This month, Burger Club LA headed into Culver City and straight into Father’s Office. Home to an array of delicious beers and one delicious burger.

Father’s Office

3229 Helms Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90034

We rolled up to FO 20+ deep. Now if anyone has ever been to FO you know that the seating isn’t very ‘large group’ accommodating. But being the level-headed group we are, we managed. Hovering over groups, breathing heavy, loudly saying ‘I wish alllllll of our friends could sit and enjoy a delicious burger on this beautiful October night (loud overly extended sigh)’, finally two tables got the hint and we attacked. Albeit still not enough room for us all, we tag teamed for seats.

Here is the big bite about Father’s Office. They have one burger, and only one burger. No substitutions. No modifications. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

What to expect from a FO burger: Dry-aged sirloin topped with applewood-smoked bacon compote, maytag blue and Gruyère cheeses, caramelized onions, and arugula on a french roll…

What we got from the FO burger: A lot of caramelized onions. Oh yea, and a meat patty (where was the bacon?!), some thing that people call cheese–un taste-able un-recognizable, arugula and a french roll.

Maybe it was because there were a lot of people with us? No, that’s can’t possibly be the case because we each ordered separately and our orders came out separately. And this is FO, they are always busy.

Maybe because they heard word that Burger Club LA was in the hizouse? That has to be it.

Our overall Father’s Office experience 3.09/5

Will this rating stop any of us from coming back? Probably not, at the end of ~~the day~~ any other day we’ve been here, we have had a delicious experience. One slip up can’t possibly deter ALL of us….

A special shout out to all our new members! As always, make sure to check out Burger Club LA’s Facebook page .

Sweet Potato Fries. Burger.

Cheers!

zombie burger club... (halloween themed)

always ready for a photo op...

nom, nom, nom…

mel

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Filed under Delicious Treats, L(ocal) A(musement)

Tagged as Burger Club, Burger Club LA, Burgers LA

October 25, 2011 · 10:00 am

Silverlake Contemporary Ballet

When I was young, I had a dream. That dream was to be a professional ballet dancer. Then I started getting boobs, stopped growing (5’2 and a hourglass figure doesn’t quite fit in the ballet world), and had to get surgery on my big toe thanks to my feet not cooperating with my point shoes. After all that, I decided to pursue other dreams. Heance, why I now live in Hollywood! Woo!

Even though I had to give up my ballet career at an early age, it never interuppted my love for the art of it. The same friend of the LA Queen Pins that told us about the fantastic documentary The World of Z also informed me about the Silverlake Contemporary Ballet.

I have yet to go, BUT they have their second production for the fall starting on Novemeber 4th, and you bet your sexy toned butts folks, I will be there! And you should too!

Click HERE to learn more about the Silverlake Contemporary Ballet and buy tickets for the Fall productions HERE.

Go out and support a new and wonderful project in the Silverlake area. We hope to see you all there!

LUV,
Britt

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Tagged as Silverlake, Silverlake Contemporary Ballet, Silverlake Contemporary Ballet Fall Productions

· 8:31 am

Spinlates…more like I hate the spin, but love the ‘lates.

Last night my new coworker and I headed over to Spinlates in Hollywood for a ~~light~~ unexpected tough post work workout. Class started at 6:30pm and since our show is currently in pre production, hours are random and not very predictable. Which is fine, but make things like attending Spinlates on time, difficult.

“I mean…..if we make it, great! If not, well… we walked there….”

Luckily this place was understanding and chill, that we were able to finish the end portion of our original class (spinning) then take the beginning of the next class (pilates). Yay.

Here is the skinny (pun!) I enjoy working out. I love how I feel after wards and the burn during, especially the soreness that is often associated with a really good workout. This being said, I know what I like and I know what I ~~don’t like~~ hate. Spinning. I hate spinning. I figured this class would be ok since it was only 20 minutes of spinning and 40 mins of reform pilates. Nope. Still hated it. I hated how my butt slid forward. I hated how my legs are “un-propotional” to my body (longer than should be, or so I was told) and made it more difficult to do said spinning. I hated how it hurt the arch of my feet because I didn’t have proper spinning shoes. And most importantly, I hated how I felt like I was going to fly off when I pedalled like a CRAZY PERSON!

Spinning. It’s not for everyone.

This class reminded me of the struggle Andy Dufresne felt while escaping Shawshank. Gotta get through the shit (spinning) to get to the freedom (pilates). A bit extreme? Perhaps, but if you only knew my deep hatred for spinning….ugh.

I have never taken a reform pilates class before, but that’s not to say I have never wanted to. LOVE. Absolutely loved it. I felt my whole body working. Stretching, contracting, pulsing, pure work out bliss. Of course there were moves that I was thinking ‘how the hell am I going to finish this!?’ But thanks to our awesome instructor, Drew, I was reassured that my body could do it. And guess what? IT DID.

And look at how great my body looks now! Just after one class!

Ok, ok, ok….so maybe that’s not my ACTUAL body after one class, but probably definitely after two I’m guessing. Probably definitely.

xoxo,

mel

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Tagged as Hollywood, Reform Pilates, Spinlates, Spinning

October 24, 2011 · 8:29 am

Love Manor

Ghouls and goblins, lend me your ears, as I tell you the story of all your Halloween fears.

Love Manor held there annual Halloween party this past Saturday and it was nothing short of excellent. Live swing jazz band, devilish treats, sinister cocktails, and the scene to the perfect haunted house. With all the spooks and scares there was only one group that could have kept us safe… The Southern California Ghostbusters!

You can check out Love Manor’s invite/website here and here .

We couldn’t have gotten to this spooktacular fest without proper transportation. And such a party requires nothing but the best. PARTY BUS!!!! Strobe lights! Slippery wood floors! Stripper pole! Champagne! Buck Range Light (generic beer?!)! AMAZINGNESS. (outside of our driver trying to swindle an extra tip from us)

Lets just say that this weekend was definitely one for the horror books.

amazing set dressing

love the decor!

love manor

classic

The Southern California Ghostbusters

Johnny Love....love manor

xoxo,

mel

(pictures courtesy of Dana and Megan)

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Tagged as Frankenstein, Halloween, Haunted House, Love Manor, Party Bus, The Southern California Ghostbusters, Witch

October 20, 2011 · 2:13 pm

Shuffleboard ain’t for the old anymore!

Actually to be honest I didn’t really know what shuffleboard was. I just always thought it was a game that nursing homes set up for grams and gramps. So when my friends asked if I wanted to play shuffleboard at our local bar, I went, huh?!

Table Shuffleboard. Different from your Hawaiian shirt tucked into shorts, fisherman hat with hooks hanging, tall orthopedic sock wearing grandpa’s Tuesday afternoon.

My table shuffleboard encounter:

Friend- ‘Mel, ya wanna play table shuffleboard?’

Me- ‘Huh?!’

Friend- ’Table S-H-U-F-F-L-E-B-O-A-R-D…’

Me- ‘Ok, but the table is messy, let me wipe off all saw dust stuff’

Little did I know that the sawdust powder wax was needed to let the puck/weight slide smoothly across the table. Ya live ya learn… can I get an AMEN!

But outside of not knowing what I was doing, it was actually quite fun, and once I got the hang of it, I turned into the competitive lady that I am. I still don’t know exactly the rules, or know if I will even play again, BUT I do know that on that Friday night when the music was playing, the drinks were being poured, I was having a good time.

xo,

mel

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October 18, 2011 · 10:24 am

NoCal Series Part 2: BODEGA BAY/SAN FRANCISCO

Welcome to Part 2 of my NoCal series! The 2nd day of our family trip, we headed to Bodega Bay and San Francisco. I think you all know what San Francisco is, but Bodega Bay you ask? This is the infamous town that the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds was filmed and set in. We stopped by some of the locations from the film and got some food, of course.

Bodega Bay, they do have Birds there.

Spud Point Crab
1860 Westshore Road
Bodega Bay, California 94923
707-875-9472

Known for their Clam Chowder, we stopped at this local favorite for lunch. They also supposedly have scrumptions Crab Cakes (which are my favorite!) but they don’t serve them until after 1, so we missed out. Guess we will just have to go back another time!

Potter School House
17110 Bodega Ln
Bodega, CA 94922
(707) 876-3257

This schoolhouse may look familiar to you. Or maybe it doesn’t if you haven’t see The Birds. This is the school house from the movie. One of the few actual locations still at Bodega Bay.

Cliff House
1090 Point Lobos Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121
415-386-3330

After Bodega Bay, we headed to that city by the bay. HAHA, I’m so clever! Anyways, I’m talking about San Francisco. We didn’t have much time in the city, but we managed to get in to the Cliff House for one of the best dinners and views I have ever had.

Hey Judy! So glad you got to watch me eat!

A proposal right outside the Cliff House. I really hope Francesca said yes because this is AWESOME.

Sutro Baths
Point Lobos Ave & Merrie Way
San Francisco, CA 94121

Right next to the Cliff House is the semi ruins of the first indoor pool house/bath house in San Francisco. And I’m not talking sexy time bath house. As you can see from the pictures. You can also read about the history of the Sutro Baths HERE.

Oh San Fran, such a short trip. I feel like I hardly knew ye. Be back soon, my love.

Stay tuned for the next NoCal Blog: SONOMA.

LUV,
Britt

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Tagged as Alfred Hitch, Awesome Wedding Proposals, Bodega Bay The Birds, Cliff House, Golden Gate Bridge, NoCal Series, Northern California, Potter School House, Potter School House The Birds, San Francisco, Spud Point Crab Company, Sutro Baths, The Birds

October 15, 2011 · 12:03 pm

The World of Z Documentary

A friend of the LAQP’s made us aware that the Hollywood Film Fest will be taking place this next week and that a good friend of hers had an amazing documentary showing. It’s titled The World of Z and here is a little about it straight from their website:

“A powerful four-year journey into the eccentric life of manic-depressive outside artist Zbigniew Fiks, known simply as Z. This intimate portrait combines candid cinéma vérité with 25 years of explosive home videos revealing the art, insanity and love that is The World of Z.”

You can read more about the doc HERE and watch the powerful trailer below.

You can catch a screening of The World of Z at the Arclight in Hollywood October 22nd at 5:00 pm. Which if you didn’t already know, that’s a week from today! Go out and support some extremely hard work and talent, folks. And make sure to bring the tissue box… Hope to see you all there!

- LAQP

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Tagged as Arclight Cinema, Arclight Hollywood, Hollywood Film Fest 2011, The World of Z, The World of Z Documentary, Zbigniew Fiks

October 14, 2011 · 11:31 am

My Teef are gone!

Scene:

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

6360 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angles, CA 90048

Cast:

Mel

Dr. Henry H. Lo (Oral Surgeon)

Austin (friend and care taker)

Thursday, October 14th and LA is going through a heat wave.

11:08am. I’m eight minutes late. This should have been a foreshadow on how the rest of the day would be.

Nurse: Melissa Marin!

Mel: Right here! sorry I was a bit late…

Dr. Henry H Lo: Well Melissa, we looked at your scan, and your root is very close to your nerve. If we remove it, there is an 80% chance your mouth will become paralyzed anywhere from 4 months to 3 years.

terrified look goes over Mel’s face

OR, if the root is old enough, we can leave it in. If its young and loose, I will have to remove it.

terrified look continued over Mel’s face

Mel: Alright wellllll, I guess that’s ok? Will I look a little like a stroke victim??

Dr. Henry H Lo: hahahhaa Melissa, you are funny! NO! you won’t have a stroke face. BUT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FEEL KISSES!

Mel thinks…shit, I do love to make out…

Mel: Let’s Do it doc!

10 minutes prior to the surgery, 2 antibiotics in, and one alcohol wiped inner arm, brrrruuuzmmmm power goes out.

Dr. Henry H Lo: ugh oh Melissa! The power went out… hahahahaha (evil maniacal laugh) Ok. Sit tight.

scene is very reminiscent of a horror movie, next up killer oral surgeon

Mel: Shit. Shit. Shit.

hour and a half later the lights come on

Mel: Alright! Lets get these teeth out!

offices cheers and screams. parade ensues Melissa is the grand marshal

Dr. Henry H Lo: Melissa we are about to give you laughing gas and some oxygen, Ohhh you’ve had laughing gas before, yea, it’s fun. Then a local anesthetic. 1,2,3 and you’ll be out and 4,5,6 and you will be back! So simple.

Melissa: ohhhh yea… sooooo simple. let’s do it.

…..melissa wakes up with her friend Austin by her side…what you are about to read is for mature adults. Keep in mind she is coming out from being under….

Austin: Mel, you did so good! Mel, how do you feel?

Mel: They didn’t take out my teeth! They took out my tongue!!!

Austin: Mel, you still have your tongue, they took out your teeth.

Mel: NO! NO they took out my tongue!

Austin: No Mel… Austin starts to think shit, did they take out her teeth?

Mel: Fine, but if I don’t have a tongue, I’m taking your’s.

Austin: Ok Mel, you can have my tongue.

Mel: Did you cut the umbilical cord?

Austin: Mel, you didn’t have a baby. You had your teeth out.

Mel: What? omg… did I get a boob job? smiling

Austin: No Mel, you got your wisdom teeth out, your boobs are fine.

Mel: I think they said they were going to give me a pedicure…

Nurse: What? Did you need something?

Mel: Am I going to get my pedicure

Nurse: hahaha I will see what I can do.

**please stand by for complete post surgery footage, this convo doesn’t do it justice***

A few hours later and I’m popping some Percocet, Ibuprofen , Amoxicillin and attempting to eat a chocolate snack pack.

I’m not one to toot my own horn…but I must say, I am much prettier in real life opposed to post surgery life.

pre surgery pre power outage

chunky chipmunk in shades

first meal. 1/2 on face 1/2 in tummy. thanks numb face.

I give up.

xoxo,

chipmunk mel

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October 12, 2011 · 12:09 pm

3rd Secret Stairs Hike – The Astro Loop

It has been a massive amount of time since we went on a secret stairs hike, and luckily that changed last weekend. Myself and Caroline ventured out on the Astro Loop stair hike near Echo Park. It’s an easy and beautiful climb with lots of street art and even has the house Judy Garland (when she was better known as Frances Gumm) grew up in. Check out the highlights from our adventure below: