This week has been one of those weeks where I’ve barely had time to do anything but work, eat, and sleep—which is fun and exciting because big things are happening (promise, you’ll know all about it very soon)! This morning, I carved out time for a 6 a.m. workout with a new friend (hey, Erica!) and was so tired when I woke up, I could barely see straight, but I reminded myself that I’ve never once regretted waking up early for a workout and it held true! The workout she recommended at Studio10 in West Hollywood was a killer but so fun. After a very sedentary week, it felt so good to catch up and spend time moving. Here’s what the rest of this week looks like for me, I hope it inspires your own!
So many exciting things happening in Los Angeles this week! This weekend is Taste of the East Side, a food and drink festival that showcases food from places like Silver Lake, Echo Park (my own neighborhood!), and Eagle Rock. You can purchase pre-sale tickets here for $45 (they’re $55 at the event) which includes unlimited food, as well as access to demos, live music, and beer and wine (for purchase).
Saturday night, the Cat House, a rehabilitation center for large and endangered cats about an hour outside of Los Angeles is hosting their seasonal “Twilight Tour,” where the facility stays open late so guests can see the cats when they’re most active. I’ve gone during the day and it’s truly an amazing place! Tickets are $20.
If you don’t already have plans tonight, there’s a “Storywriter Songteller” event going on at Stories bookstore in Echo Park (one of my favorite bookstores in the city!), where musicians will be sharing the stories behind their songs (it’s like this podcast—in real life!). An artist I love, Lauren Ruth Ward, will also be performing.
P.S., Did any other Angelenos see the aerial performance on City Hall for “La La Land Day” yesterday? (Has anything ever been more L.A.?)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTPZ0g9Fu53
Please do yourself a favor and make Bon Appetit‘s Morning Buns from their latest issue! As soon as I came across the recipe, I handed it to my boyfriend and asked if he could please make them for us (I am the world’s worst baker, so making them myself was out of the question, though I did provide emotional support). Before you start, just know that they are time-intensive—if you want buns on Sunday morning, start them Saturday afternoon—but they are so delicious. The recipe says that it’s easy to halve (which is not exactly true, since most of the ingredients are in odd increments, and how does one halve one egg?), but we (and by that, I mean he) managed and made 12 morning buns that lasted through the beginning of the week. While they’re best eaten the morning-of, they’re easily revived for weekday breakfasts by toasting them till warm or popping one in the microwave for 20 seconds. It was the best thing to have every morning with a cup of coffee!
All of my excitement about The Handmaid’s Tale premiere tonight (more on that below!), got me thinking about some of my favorite apocalyptic, dystopian books, which is probably my favorite genre… there’s something so exciting/terrifying about a reimagining about what the world could look like. Here are a few of my all-time favorites:
Did I miss any? I’ve been meaning to read The Swan Song and would love to hear any of your recommendations!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJTonrzXTJs
For the past several weeks, I’ve been counting down to the premiere of the T.V.-adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, on Hulu. It stars Elisabeth Moss, who I’ve loved since her Mad Men days, but also from her super creepy but cool indie film, The One I Love (did anyone else see that?). She plays a “handmaid” in a household where women are forced into sexual servitude, in a futuristic reimagining of the United States where nearly everyone is stripped of independence and forced into a role. I already have a feeling I’m going to do the same thing I did with “Big Little Lies” and watch the first episode, then devour the book before the second. If anyone has a Hulu account I can borrow, you know where to find me… (just kidding). You can watch the show here and buy the book here.
It took a while, but I finally listened to Pod Save America, and can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner! Political speechwriters and policy experts Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor provide such smart, insightful, and funny commentary on politics and current events in their bi-weekly episodes. I laugh and learn something every time I listen. Now is as good a time as any to start listening, with Trump’s 100 days in office approaching—listen to Monday’s episode, “The orderless gas of misogyny,” for a better idea of what that means.
Also, before there was Queen B, there was the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, and yesterday marked her 100th birthday (if she were still alive). Just try to listen to Ella and Louis sing “Cheek to Cheek” without smiling (and maybe even doing your best Ginger Rodgers impression in your desk chair).
I’ve been looking to up my barware game for a while now (my $2 corkscrew and college dorm room cocktail shaker are a little lack-luster), so this DIY spoke to me on a deeper level. While the colors are about ten-times brighter than anything I have in my house, I love the idea of using spray paint to revive the barware I already own. I’m thinking of trying this and using a palette of sage greens to match the mirror I have hanging above my bar cart.
About this list: This to-do list is culled directly from my own calendar and interests. Most everything on the list can be done no matter where you live, but because I live in L.A., my “Do” each week will spotlight a unique L.A.-based event or activity. If you’re inspired by any of these tips or have some of your own to add, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
