Dad Takes a Dip in the Lake...

We warned him the puppies go nuts around water, but he was quite set on walking by the lakefront.

Big News...

I'm moving! After a couple of weeks of intense searching, I found an gorgeous old Victorian to live in with all my qualifications and phenomenal roommates came along with the deal, including a cute little dog named Lennie. (We're still looking for a fourth if anyone is interested :-))

The house was built in 1902 - hardwood floors, bay windows, lots of light, crown-molding, and a fireplace. We have a washing machine, parking, and a little garden. It's four bedroom, two bath, with little gorgeous brightly lit nooks. And my housemates seem wonderful - LA transplants with senses of humor and good taste in beer :-).

The house is located in Highland Park, which is about eight mins east of Echo Park and about ten minutes north of downtown. It's in a mostly residential neighborhood. I hadn't heard of Highland Park before, but it's apparently the "new" Echo Park, which is just great news for the psuedo hipster in me. (It was one of the first LA suburbs, and was a mostly Jewish neighborhood. In fact, it has one of the oldest operating synagogues in CA. It went through a rough period with crime and such, but it's been picking up after hte last few years.(After watching Madmen with Jenaba (a new roomie), Evan and I grabbed a beer at the York, which was an an amazing urban chic bar a few minutes away with well-priced good beer (I had the Hopscotch IPA) and a truffled grilled cheeses. SOLD.

Here is a pic of it from the LA Times Travel Guide on Highland Park:

I move in July 1, but here are some pics for a sneak peek. They don't do the house justice, so you'll just have to come over for mimosas and pancakes one of these weekends :-)

I'm so grateful to have found such a great place and thankful for my family's support this entire time, since I can be a bit of a brat.

Heaven in My Backyard

Can't speak. Too early. My brother bought me delish coffee. Irritated Scott Walker wasn't recalled. Excited for work. Woke up to fun texts and emails from amigos across the world. Happy. Pics from the garden this weekend.

xoxo

{Music} The National Covers

I'm still working, so this post will be short.

Updates:
- I think I maybe might have possibly found a place - keep sending me good vibes :-)
- I worked out with a personal trainer yesterday. I can't move. It takes me like twenty minutes to raise my left arm.
- I love work :-)

I LOVE THE NATIONAL. It's an obsession similar to Paula Deen's obsession with butter. In addition, I'm not a huge fan of Julia Stone (yeah, shoot me, don't care, whatever) and Oh Land is a hit or miss for me. And then they covered The National. (Julia Stone, like yesterday; Oh Land, last summer). So I wanted to dislike them both for corrupting perfection. But then I listened and these covers of Bloodbuzz Ohio are growing on me. Unfortunately. Thoughts?

And the original:

Griffith Park Hike + {Music} Trent Dabbs & Patrick Watson

Soooooo after a chill morning, I met Evan in Echo Park to look at some apts. I looked at two house shares yesterday. One was a small Victorian owned by a self-professed "white bruhaha" (i.e. tarot card reader.) Among other things, there was no parking, laundry, and a tiny room. (Evan is an amazinggggg friend for helping me with apt search. Thank you!)

So after that little jaunt, we recovered with vegan smoothies at Silver Lake Juice. I got the honey almond cream, which was super light and perfect for a hot day. Then we went to Griffith, followed by some guac, chips, and Blue Frog Blonde at Good.

Then we went to Highland Park to look at another renovated Victorian - four bedroom, two bath, hardwood floors, crown molding, parking, laundry, etc. It was amazing. I'd never been to Highland Park; its about 7 mins from Echo Park in a mostly residential neighborhood. Both the NY Times/LA Weekly have decided its like the new Echo Park. It's def an interesting neighborhood, but a little more investigation and talks are in order, but it's a definite maybe, but keep your fingers crossed that I find something sooooon.

 

And music:

Summer Blossoms

I woke up early and have been enjoying a lazy Sunday morning. Seeing two apts today, hiking with E, hopefully hitting the gym, and seeing Kels. Also I want to bake something for work and call Lex :-)

Until then, excuse me while I enjoy tea with my mommy in the back yard:

Updates + Primitivo Wine Bar

 Dins with Priyah in Venice

  

So this week has been crayyyyyyyy. I started work on Tuesday at the LA City Attorney in the family violence unit, which covers child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, etc., both misdemeanor and felony cases. I've been working a ton, i.e. motions, order, briefs, manuals, points and authorities, and I got to go to court on Thursday and it's just plain amazing. The office is dynamic and high pressure and there are about 15 attorneys, I get to work with every day. Currently, I'm working on a points and authorities on when and how to serve minor witnesses when their parent/guardian is the defendant in a child abuse case. It may sound a little grim, but as an avid follower of Law and Order: SVU, this is dream come true.

This week, I also got to have lunch with my favorite journalist, Anthony, at the LA Farmer's Market - yummy BBQ chicken and I've fallen in love with the iced americanos at Groundwork. One day, I worked 11.5 hours with a 30 minute break for coffee, so those are going to be my saving grace.

Other fun things this week:

- The Gold Room with Evan and company for PBRs. So hipster-y and dive-y. Love it.
- Brunch at 26 Beach with Veronica last Saturday - S'more French toast with Nutella. I had two bites - it was so sweet, but soooooo good. And seeing V always puts me in a good mood. Plus she is moving to DTLA, so hopefully I'll get to see her more often!
- Yoga with Steph at Lululemon, lattes at Caffe Luxxe, and a beach day with Katie - it was far too wonderful of day; those girls spoil me with their amazingness.

- Memorial Day BBQ with Steph at Venice Beach - we had these phenomenal cookies and waded in the water

- Smoothies at Silver Lake Juice and Tea. I got the Hurricane Chuck with espresso, cacao nibs, almond milk, and a whole bunch of yummy vegan things.
- Apt hunting. I'm looking for a room or studio in Silver Lake or Echo Park. I saw three places this week - a house of artists by the reservoir (walking distance to La Mill); an apartment in Echo Park with two boys, walking distance to Thirsty Crow, but a little, um, decrepit; then a house a block from Stories, butttt too many people I think. All the places were super cute, but there isn't any rush. I want to find somewhere that I can see myself living for at least the next year with legit people, so wish me luck!

SOOOO, last night Priyah, Evan, and I hit up the Abbot Kinney First Friday. It was jam-packed but so fun. We ended up taking a break from humanity and having wine and tapas at Primitive Wine Bistro, which I had seen on Thrillist. We tried a South African syrah (Porcupine), which was spicy and fruity. And we also shared a hummus plate and cured meat platter. It was so relaxing and fun. The wine selection was phenomenal and the food was carefully chosen and prepared. The service was ridiculously good. And Priyah and Evan are two of my favorite people so it was a wonderful way to end my hectic week. I think I could get used to this whole working thing :-)