Monthly Archives: January 2008

January 31, 2008

This Weekend: Let Your Love Flow

Written by Caroline on Crack in Lists, Los Angeles, Music, Nightlife, Recreation
1 Comment

JanetJacksonSuperBowlPic1.jpg
Super Bowl schmooper bowl. Who’s playing, anyway? Apparently that’s the big thing this weekend. I’m sure there are a bunch of sports bars you can watch the game at but for those looking for other means of entertainment, here are the following.

Friday, February 1

Last Day for Win a Valentine’s Date Submissions
Ladies, the clock is ticking down. The deadline for the “Win a Valentine Date” is Friday at midnight so get your submissions in while you still can and cross your fingers that you get picked to go on one of three fun dates.

First Fridays featuring Kid Sister and DJ A-Trak
Metromix called Kid Sister and DJ A-Trak the coolest lineup yet of the Natural History Museum’s First Friday series. I guess that means I better check it out! But apparently these kids did a show at the natural history museum in New York and Kanye West jumped up on stage and joined Kid Sister as well as performed some of his own tunes. So perhaps you should be prepared to be delighted.

  • $9. 7-10pm. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles. (213) 763-DINO.

Rock n’ Roll Wine Event at Santa Monica Bar & Grill
Actually, I just remembered, I can’t go to First Fridays because I’ll be attending the Rock ‘n Roll Wine event at Santa Monica Bar & Grill. Personally I like a little peace and quiet with my wine tasting but maybe this “sexy, high energy” event will expand my horizons. There will be a dozen wines being poured as well as a musical performance from The Bends.

  • $35 advance, $40 at door. 7-10pm. Santa Monica Bar & Grill, 3321 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica.

Saturday, February 2

It’s Just Like Sex But Nobody Leaves Disappointed Nonprofit Benefit
This sounds like a pretty hot party. A $20 open bar consisting of not just one brand of liquor but MANY — Absolut, Sauza Hornitos, Karl Strauss and more. Mix that up with a sultry Tokyo fashion show, live music and DJs and art by local artists and you’ve got a rockin’ good time. A raffle will be conducted to benefit Challenge Aspen, a nonprofit for autistic kids, as well as City Sound, a nonprofit encouraging arts for kids. Aww!

  • $20. 9pm. 1221 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles.

Porn-prov
OK, I just picked this cuz porn and improv always fascinated me but the two will come together, er, join forces at the Upright Citizen Brigade Theatre when porn directors, producers and performers will, for some inexplicable but provocative reason, do some improvisational comedy.

  • $5. 12am. UCBT, 5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 908-8702.

Sunday, February 3

30th Annual Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K
If you are going to spend your Sunday afternoon sitting around, drinking beer and stuffing your face with fatty foods, it’s probably a good idea to get a run in the beginning of the day to off-set that fattening Super Bowl spectating. You’ll enjoy a scenic run along Redondo Beach, taking in the pier, marina and the 10,000 other runners joining in on this 30-year-old pre-Super Bowl tradition. And for those of you who want to get your beer drinking started early, participants 21 and over get treated to two free beers (per person while supplies last) at the Asahi Beer Garden located near the start/finish line.

  • $30 entry. Portofino Way in King Harbor, Redondo Beach.

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January 31, 2008

The Green Truck: The Taco Truck’s Evil Twin

Written by Caroline on Crack in Dining, Los Angeles
4 Comments

Flickr Shot by dotsara

Flickr Shot by dotsara

It was bound to happen, I’m just sorry I didn’t think of this idea first: a “taco truck” that sells healthy, organic food. “Sacrilege!” you’re probably saying but then when you think about it some more you have to admit it is a pretty good idea, especially in health-conscious L.A.

But those expecting taco truck prices may be a little turned off by the Green Truck’s Whole Food-esque prices. The “Create Your Own” salad, wrap or pita combo special with organic soda and “a goodie” will set you back $14.95. Yes, for lunch from a truck! But then again, it all sounds so good. Mmm, Ahi Poke tacos — fresh ahi tuna in a citrus and cilantro marinade with cabbage, green onions and pineapple salsa ($11) — and mandarin-ahi tuna salad. If you want something slightly cheaper, there’s the $6 grilled cheese sandwich or $5 soups and an array of snacks like Clif Bars and Kettle Chips.

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January 30, 2008

Fred Segal Santa Monica Sale: Spotlight on 50% Off Designer Sunglasses

Written by Caroline on Crack in Beauty & Fashion, Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales
Say what?

Paul Smith Shades

Nobody told me that Fred Segal in Santa Monica was having a fabulous 50% off sale! Arrrgh! It started last Friday and ends this Sunday! Fortunately I was able to steal away during lunch to check out the sunglasses section, Fred Segal Eyes, where it seems like EVERYTHING is half off. My co-worker is friends with the owner of this fancy-schmancy sunglass hut and recommended that I go see him if I wanted help picking out designer shades.

Apparently David Gonzales has an eye (no pun intended) for choosing which pair of sunglasses complements your face shape, etc. He’s wayyyy better than a fashion-savvy friend who you drag with you for their opinion since he’ll not only tell you when something doesn’t look right but he’ll follow it up with a pair that does. AND he’ll tell you why it does.

You can beg and plead for that Dior that you just loved on Jessica Alba, but if it don’t look right on you and David says so, you really should listen to him. The man has been with Fred Segal for 17 years and considers his knack for pairing people with spectacles a sickness. But he’s so awesome at his job.

When I went in today and told him I was looking for some new sunglasses, he asked if I liked plastic or metal, big or small frames. “Plastic or metal is good but I prefer big, just not TOO big,” I replied. He immediately grabbed a pair off the shelf behind him and handed them to me. It almost looked like he wasn’t thinking about it but then when he explained why he thought they suited my face, I realized I was mistaken. Anyway, that was the fastest, least painful sunglasses shopping experience I’ve ever had and that’s why he’s so awesome.

In the end I’m really happy with my purchase cuz I know they look really good on me. Heh. And they were a nice price ($143 sale, $286 original).

On a random note, I had lunch at Crescendo, the restaurant in Fred Segal, and even though the food was good (albeit overpriced), the service and atmosphere were HORRIBLE. Waiters clanking dishes and breaking water glasses, bumping unapologetically into our chairs and not being attentive at all. No water refills, no checking with us to see if we needed anything. They sucked. But at least my shopping experience was nice.

Fred Segal Eyes
500 Broadway
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 394-1875

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January 30, 2008

BabyCakes NYC: Vegan Cupcakes Still Coming

Written by Caroline on Crack in Cupcakes, Dining, Los Angeles, Sweets
3 Comments

Flickr Shot by jslander

Flickr Shot by jslander

BabyCakes NYC, Gotham’s vegan cupcakery, has already relocated its West Hollywood digs even before it’s moved in. Now instead of sitting on the corner of Spaulding and Beverly, the store will open up four blocks east on Gardner and Beverly, alongside high-end denim designer, Earnest Sewn, in the renovated Tire Town space. Consequently, the designer will create new spring uniforms, denim-detailed dresses, for the cupcake employees. Ni-ice!

The new store is purported to bring BabyCakes’ East Coast charm to WeHo in the form of “exposed brick walls, high ceilings, wood floors and a counter adorned with turn-of-the-century bakery gems” (BabyCakes NYC newsletter) all in an 800-square-foot space. And patrons can enjoy their refined sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan cute cakes al fresco on the bakery’s patio.

Yeah, I’m skeptical about how it’ll taste but maybe the health nuts will love it.

Not sure what the prices will be but if they are the same as they are back in New York it’ll be $3 for spelt-flour cupcakes and $3.65 for gluten-free ones.

The West Hollywood store is slated to open on June 2008, contrary to previous reports of a winter 2008 debut.

BabyCakes NYC
7501 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90036 (map)

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January 29, 2008

The Custom Hotel: From the Lobby to the Top Floor

Written by Caroline on Crack in Cocktails, Dining, Los Angeles, Nightlife
11 Comments

Sheep in the lobby

Looking for cocktail hour at a swank hotel in Westchester? Didn’t think so, but you might be interested to know that there is such a place. It’s the Custom Hotel, formerly Furama Hotel. That’s right, the one next to the bowling alley and the Ralphs.

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January 28, 2008

Reminder: Win a Date for V-Day — Caroline on Crack Style

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles, Other
5 Comments

Flickr Shot by dotsara

Flickr Shot by dotsara

All right, single ladies, you’ve got one week left (well, 4 1/2 days to be exact) to send me your submissions for the “Win a Date for Valentine’s Day — Caroline on Crack Style” contest. Crazy Andy would be the bachelor to show you a good time and I don’t mean that in a dirty way. He’s a blast to hang out with, always makes me laugh so hard til I’m crying and is always up for any adventure. The man traveled to Argentina all by himself, fer chrissakes! You would definitely not be bored on this date.

Of course I may be hiding in the bushes taking pictures paparazzi style of your date but that’s just so I’ll have photos to accompany my post for the post-date wrap-up.

To recap, you would have one of three fabulous Caroline on Crack-approved dates to pick from:

  • Date #1: Date with a view. Stroll around the Observatory and take in the dreamy Planetarium show and then go for dinner and drinks afterward in Los Feliz. I’m thinking Figaro or Mes Amis and then the Good Luck Bar and Tiki Ti. I can vouch for this date as I did the same thing once. Twas v. romantic.
  • Date #2: Hot time in the city. Salsa dancing lessons on a Wednesday night followed by an Argentinian dinner and exotic drinks. You’ll learn some new hot moves and then be able to take it out on the dance floor after. And yes, Andy is not afraid to dance.
  • Date #3: Rock on! Either catch a live show at Safari Sam’s or El Cid and enjoy supper and cocktails there. Andy is always out and about checking the live music scene so a girl loves a good show would be ideal.

Send me your stats (you can use the format I did for Andy on the contest post), your contact info, a photo and which date you’d like to go on and we’ll set you on the way to a fab V-Day 2008.

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January 25, 2008

The Garter: Another Dive Goes Legit

Written by Caroline on Crack in Cocktails, Los Angeles, Nightlife
2 Comments

andy in repose

In dire need of a drink after work the other day, I convinced Crazy Andy to accompany me to the new and improved The Garter on Lincoln. I had gone there years ago when it was still the not-so-fancy sports bar called the Red Garter, and had left unimpressed. But after reading up on the reconverted dive bar, complete with new owner, I had to check it out. “Black chandeliers and purple velvet”? “Wii on a large flat-screen TV”? I’m there.

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