Downtown LA Artwalk

New thing of the day, went to the Downtown LA Artwalk.

This was something I've been wanting to do for ages, and since I had the free time, decided to go down with a friend who's been a ton of times. It was crowded and a good kind of chaotic. Got really good vibes from everyone and it was just a lot of fun to people watch, see art, see life, hear music and be in the middle of things. Tons of smells and sounds wafting in the air. There were food trucks, wine in galleries, interesting and bland art pieces, great architecture and just lots of life all around. I loved it! It's such a different and nice feeling. Apparently not all the galleries were open so we didn't see a whole lot. Spent a good amount of time there and wore out the feet a bit.

My only advice, bring a small purse or crossbody purse as it's crazy crowded and you bump into people often. Also wear closed toed comfy shoes. Although it's a total scene for fashion, we saw a lot of trash, needles and crap on the floors, not to mention your feet might get stepped on. There's a lot of walking on your feet stuff so be ready for that. It's also really crowded.

Loved the architecture. A lot of the galleries were in random buildings downtown you would never go into if not for the artwalk. There were old banks and vaults where exhibits were showing. Some apartment lobbies were galleries along with residents walking through the lobbies as well. Others were real galleries and shops and such. Anywhere there was wall space it was open game for a gallery showing. I saw some really neat art inside a cafe. Some galleries had music playing. The architecture and home for a lot of the galleries was a feast for the eyes as well.

Such a feast for the eyes. Even the fashion was fun to see. I love watching people and this was a really interesting place to people watch. Crazy and cool fashion. Lots of hipsters, youngsters, fashion forward and fashion crazy and fashion cool. I felt an artistic esprit de corp among everyone. It was crowded, but not annoying. Gotta move fast though and know how to move in crowds.

Loved the art. I just love free expression and creativity. I got annoyed when I saw people taking photos of the art, but then again I've done it before but I try to respect the artist's work and copyright and all. One neat thing I saw was you can easily exhibit your own work fairly easily as the sign below demonstrates. Some of the art was affordable $10 prints, and others were completely unaffordable. It was inspiring to see all the art.

 

The nightlife was crowded and the chaos was interesting. I really enjoyed it and will be going back. Next time we might try some truck food or sit at a cafe or restaurant and do more people watching rather than walking. Although the art is hard to resist and is the real draw to this event. 

The Edison Downtown LA

New thing of the day, made our way to The Edison in downtown LA.

It's a very cool place - and not in that obnoxious pretentious way. It's a semi-historical place with original Edison generators and 20s style decor and themes.

I absolutely LOVED how the place was decorated. We came in at about 9:20 before a line started outside, and you have to walk downstairs to get to the club. The smoking room is very cool and the downstairs club/bars are amazing as well. Dress code is more formal and even the bouncers and security look very classy. When we came in there was a fairy selling absinthe. There were a few couples dressed all 20s style and swing dancing in the middle all place. They had old silent movies playing in the background and there was a stage where a burlesque dancer danced every 45 minutes or so. We went to the bar and got good fast service. I tried a Mistress Nouveaux - a champagne twist for vodka martini lovers. It was pretty tasty. Overall, the place was a lot of fun and had an amazing atmosphere!

This is one of my favorite LA spots now. It's not super loud so you can talk with your friends. If you want to sit down you have to spend $25 a person at various reserved sections. Drinks average $9-15. They also offer food - also pricey. Overall it's pricier for our taste, but not bad for a hip LA club. I would happily and easily go back again, maybe dressed a little better :)

Double French Braid

New thing of today, double french braided my hair at work. I always loved the double french braid. Not a fan of the single french braid. Recently a friend did a double braid on her short hair and it looked awesome. Although, for me it all started when I was a camp counsellor at summer camp. I wore my hair in double braids. I would usually request someone else do the braid for me since it was rather difficult to do myself. As an adult and without much time or patience to braid hair, I almost never double braid these days. In fact, I think this is the first time my husband has seen this hairstyle on me.

Today at work my hair was bothering me. It's been getting a bit long and I've needed a haircut for some time. Some days I just don't know what to do with it. If it's warm in the room I want it up and out of my face, but I also want it to look cute. Down is the prettiest, but it gets in my face and tends to be very warm.

As a coworker noticed, I had it in 4 different styles today. First I had it up. Then I had it in a twisty messy half ponytail. Then I had it in a full ponytail. Finally, I was sick of my hair and wanted to feel good. I had some free time and decided to try the double french braid at my bathroom at work - without a brush, and without a way to see the back of my head - all by feeling.

Of course, whenever I use the restroom, it's always empty and I have it to myself for the few minutes I'm in there. I figured I could try the braids in peace. Today of course, when I went in there to try the braid, there were like 4 people in a 3 stall bathroom, one of them straightening their hair with a flat iron. Really? 

So... I waited and finally had a side of the mirror to myself. Gave it a try with a coworker there and then for the last part had the whole bathroom to myself. Since my hair is so long, it took more time to make sure the pieces weren't tangled before braiding the next set. I had no idea what it looked like, but it felt alright and it looked ok from the front. I asked a girl coworker I trusted "how does it look" and showed her the back. She said it looked great and she liked my hair down with the layers, without anything, but I told her it was just too warm to keep it all down.

Anyway I walked around all afternoon/evening with this hairstyle, having no idea what it looked like in the back, until just a few minutes ago. I am very happy with how it looks this may become a regular hairstyle, if I can keep doing it. 

So new thing of the day, double braiding my hair at work, without a brush, and having it come out a success. Could have turned out neater, but I still think it looked cute. Woooo-hooooo!

Every Little Step

New thing of today, "Every Little Step". It's a documentary based on the musical "A Chorus Line" and is about the making of the play, and also the choosing of the next cast to play on Broadway.

What I thought was most interesting, is the creation of the musical "A Chorus Line". According to the documentary, choreographer Michael Bennett decided to sit down with some dancers and himself, with a tape recorder and do a very candid interview about their lives and their careers. Basically he said that he thought their lives were very interesting, and he had an idea for a musical about it. So he created one.

I love that the musical was based on real-life people and events. Also, that they interviewed some of the original dancers and people involved in the original Chorus Line. One of the people screening the dancers and actors was actually a character in the show. Connie was part of the original interviews, they created and based a character on her in the original play, and she was part of the production team that was recasting and recreating it on Broadway.

It was interesting and a little less like American Idol and a lot more like real life. It was great to know you were seeing real life stories of people and not stuff a writer made up in their head. You were seeing behind the scenes and some of the stuff that goes on to those who audition and also what goes on for the producers. I just really like the idea of how the play was created and am all the more interested now in seeing the actual musical :) Totally cool and worth checking out if you like musicals, which I do.

Granola

Today, in a conversation I was described as "granola". That is a first. My coworkers and I were discussing looks, make-up and clothes and I mentioned that it might be easier for women to dress up and look better because we have the option of using make-up. Some girls dress up and wear lots of make-up, and some are more natural, laid back and casual. Then one of my coworkers said in a very positive way, "you're very granola".

I was like, so... "What's granola?" He said "well it means you're kind of a down to earth natural type person, low maintenance and not fussy". Sure I'll take that. I don't consider myself trendy or "pretty" in the whole high maintenance way. So I looked it up on Urban Dictionary - Granola, and it translates to pretty much hippi, perhaps bohemian? Although I eat meat and I'm not completely earth friendly. I'll eat at the evil McDonalds and not recycle everything.

Lately though, I wouldn't mind having a fashion upgrade. For awhile now, my clothes need some weeding and my style needs a few touches of fabulous. So, although I take no offense to granola, perhaps a more fabulous granola is in order.

Although I'm surprised they figured me hippi/bohemian at work. We always dress a little differently at work than we would on the weekends, so the fact that I was called granola, well - cool.