[photo via @shoprecollectionla / Instagram]

You know that little part of Hoover St, between Bellevue and Melrose? You might not actually not on first thought, because it consists of literally two blocks. But it’s turning into two blocks of pure joy. One might even say… a block party, if you will.

I appreciate these condensed cool blocks; these little LA nooks that are seemingly “nothing”. Because when you actually go to them, or accidentally discover them, they turn into a whole lot of something. And ultimately, you end up wanting to come back time and time again – because once it becomes the next York St., you’re going to be able to say “I was a fan before it was a thing” – one of our favorite things as Angelenos’ to claim.

Below are a few of the cute, locally owned shops and restaurants that have popped up on the latest and greatest “cool block” in LA. But as there is always so much left to discover, chime in if there are other undiscovered blocks that need checking out!
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[Photo Credit: @loria91 via Instagram]

Echo Park Lake is quite possibly one of LA’s best kept secrets. First of all, there is a lake. And it’s amazing. You can go pedal boating in it for $10 DOLLARS. There are hotdog carts, ice cream trolleys and fresh fruit stands at every corner. And my most favorite part?

It’s perfectly populated. The community this park cultivates is one of understood complacence. You’re going to do you, and as long as you aren’t totally disruptive, nobody really cares. It’s pure bliss.

Some other things I love doing at this park:

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The little pockets of LA are what get me going. I mean, we have SO. MANY. PLACES. to choose from; the list of things to do doesn’t end.

One of my favorite pockets is in Los Feliz. There’s one block in particular, where that small town feel meets the energy of a big city. Nestled between Hollywood Blvd and Franklin St, you couldn’t miss it if  you tried; and trust me you won’t want to.

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For as long as I could write and draw, I have had an obsession with beautiful stationery. It may have once started somewhere with Lisa Frank and Gelly Roll pens, but to this day if I’m in the presence of stunningly crafted paper goods, I’m likely to feel inspired to buy something. Or in many cases, a lot of somethings.

Dempsey & Carroll, one of my now favorite engraved paper crafters, could arguably be the “O.G.’s” of beautifully crafted and chic stationery – as they have been doing so since 1878. Their products are always known for quality, creativity, and craftsmanship and recently they’ve created a beautiful collection inspired by travel called the Jet Set Collection. The Jet Set Collection is comprised of their unique sets of stationery that represent four of the world’s most iconic cities: Paris, London, New York, and most importantly – Los Angeles. Drawing inspiration from the collections playful yet vintage interpretation of Los Angeles, I would love to share with you – my fellow Angelenos and jetsetters – my personal guide to the 5 best things to experience in the City Of Angels:

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Nothing says “Summer in America” quite like a good old fashioned trip to the local county fair. I have so many memories from a number of fairs I’ve visited over the years, and even as I get older these silly fairs still maintain a bit of their strange nostalgic luster. I suppose the reality of the situation is though that funnel cakes will always taste delicious, riding carnival rides will always be a bit hilarious, and people watching will always be priceless entertainment. So much like most Americans, I continue to make the effort every year or two to visit the fair for a delightful culmination of all that is “America”.

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After 7 years of living in Los Angeles, I FINALLY had the chance this year to attend the city’s beloved FYF Fest. FYF has been an annual Summertime music festival in LA since 2004 and with each new year they seem to continue to raise the bar on themselves. The fact that I got to see Iggy Pop, Bjork, Solange, Nine Inch Nails, Frank Ocean, and Missy Elliott all in one weekend is just downright insane – it doesn’t even seem possible! FYF may have been my fourth music festival this year, but it was easily one of the best weekends I’ve had in 2017. There are few things I’d rather do on a summer day than get dressed up in newly purchased clothes, hang with friends, listen to live music, snack on delicious things, and sip on refreshing Angry Orchard Hard Cider. If I had the chance to do it all over again this weekend, I would. But for now while we patiently wait for next year’s FYF Fest, here are a few things I picked up this weekend to help you prep for your next festival!

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