When my best-girlfriend was having a birthday and I wanted to send flowers to her work (a very stylish and famous salon in town), I knew that the flowers had to be special not just for her but also look good on her table since her high-paying clientele would be staring. I needed a statement. I needed same day delivery. I needed it all with a budget under $100.

Over an hour of surfing online and phoning, I found Tick Tock Florals. I emailed them the photo above and asked if I could have a similar arrangement for around $85 plus delivery. They said, of course! And a few hours later I received a gushing call from my girlfriend who could. not. believe. the. flowers.

They were beautiful, arranged amazingly, unique and special. And they were there at her table only a few hours after my call and within my budget. And her guests? Equally impressed!

Tick Tock Florals may cost more than picking up a bouquet at the grocer or by ordering from a generic 1-800 flower company, but the difference in price, personal service and experience in receiving are certainly worth the extra money. The next time you have a special someone to celebrate and want to make a statement, try sending an arrangement. Actually, why not just send one to yourself? You know you deserve it.

Tick Tock Floral
1603 N. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Toll Free: 800-893-6688

Stepping into the old school world of glamour that is the John Frieda Salon (now run by the infamous, talented and oh so charming Serge Normant) I felt a twinge of panic; was my hair good enough for this world-renowned salon? Were my shoes alright? Would I know how to dish with the best of them? Walking into the lobby I felt far too plain and feared I’d be out of place. Luckily, from the moment I was greeted I knew that was just all in my head.

Surprisingly relaxed, low-key and friendly, my super stylist to the stars, Jessica Tingley, put me to ease right away when she complimented my hair and said, “but I think we can do better.”

I agreed. My current hair left me looking 16 and although young is good, 16 when you’re 31 is not. A queen of the layers, Jessica is the Ferrari of hair stylists; taking my hair from drab to dreamy in under 8 seconds (Ok, it was a little more but I didn’t mind; she’s as personable as she is fantastic at hair). Taking off inches without sacrificing length, my hair, once blow dried, looked amazing. And for the first time I felt I had a personal style without being styled. Not only that, it was the first time in a salon I actually relaxed thanks to poolside drinks in a beautiful setting that can only be described as LA.

Beauty here doesn’t come cheap; stylists begin at $150 but if you need a major change and want a little pampering without having a poodle on your lap then this is the place to do it. Besides, your hair cuts grow out so wonderfully that you can stretch visits up to six months (an update: my layers grew out so amazing that I only have to get a cut twice a year with a couple of (complimentary) bang trims. And the best part? I was able to effortless re-create the style at home. Now that’s worth the money.).

TIP: At this salon, people stick to what they do best so don’t expect your colourist to cut your hair (she won’t) or vice versa. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no multi-tasking going on here. This salon will do almost anything for their clients including ordering you in lunch or giving you a mani-pedi outside.

Sally Hershberger at John Frieda
8440 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 653-4040

Part store, part spa, part pet community center, this store has it all - if it’s good for your pet, it’ll be here. From hard to find dog brands like Evo to beautiful beds (with removable slip covers that you can order separately to match your changing decor, of course), to vitamin supplements and over all pet health care, it’s all here. And if you’re overwhelmed by their selection of toys and treats, don’t worry - this highly trained and caring staff can answer any and all questions. Trust me, I think I asked them everything I could think of when I had to get supplies for my dog who was going to have surgery.

And speaking of surgery, after my pooch was healed enough, I brought him in for a one hour massage to help relax him and stretch out his healing leg. He. Loved. It. and came out wagging his tail and smelling like lavender. And only in LA would your dog be given affirmations after a massage!

The full service salon offers the basics plus a few things you probably don’t want to do at home (like teeth cleaning). When you walk in, you see a lot of happy dogs getting clean and you never, ever smell any dirty dog smell at all which is great considering there are always dogs here. They have training classes and big aisles so it’s easy to bring your dog. And with parking in the back, there’s no reason not to.

TIP: They also sell treats and supplements as well as frozen raw food.

HEALTHY SPOT
11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #106-582
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
Ph: 310-458-2004

More ambitious hikers can now try a 13-mile section of Backbone Trail by parking at the free lot near the trail head on Kanane-Dum Road, then returning to their car by boarding the shuttle at its stop on Malibu Canyon Road. And bicyclists can take advantage, too, by using the shuttles bike racks.

Since most people in LA are used to driving and not walking - this is a welcomed service (especially since the vans are air conditioned!)

Park Link Shuttle
Hourly stops 8-5:20 sat, Sun & Holidays.
1.888.734.2323

A friend of mine arrived in town recently to attend an award show. For the past few weeks she had been watching everything she ate but she still didn’t feel comfortable in her dress. “I need to detox… fast!” she cried, when I rang her to arrange a lunch date. Living in Los Angeles I hear about a wide variety of wonder diets and miracle solutions. I had heard of one treatment which I felt might suit her as it claims to help you lose inches off your body in only an hour. The place is called Suddenly Slimmer and the moment I told her about it, she was dying to try it out.

We went to the Westwood location on a sunny weekday afternoon. The premises is small in size and discreet looking from the outside. Although an advantage to clients wishing to sneak in, it may take you a few moments to actually find it! On arrival, my friend filled out a questionnaire and we then followed our therapist into a small room. Here, her measurements were taken and written down so that they could be compared to her final loss. This treatment can be taken up to three times a week and works well with a diet. Ellen DeGeneres featured Suddenly Slimmer on her show earlier in the year and actually had the Slim Wrap Mineral Treatment in her run up to hosting the Oscars!

Of course, we had believed that this was a no work way of losing inches. Wrong!! We soon learned my friend would be wrapped like a mummy from head to toe. For me, this was funny, for her, quite uncomfortable. Then, just when we thought the worst was over, she was led to the outside room where she was told to chose an exercise machine for the next hour. Neither of us saw that coming! I decided to leave for a coffee (as I was laughing too much) and left her watching TV on a tread-mill. Apparently, the idea is that you must keep moving once the wraps are on. I suppose no pain no gain!

I returned an hour later to find my friend looking relaxed and happy, drinking a glass of water. It turns out she lost seven inches all over, which is quite a lot. Not only did she feel much slimmer but her skin felt much tighter after the treatment. The following night she slipped into her dress with ease and her only regret is that she isn’t in Los Angeles to get more treatments on a regular basis!

Suddenly Slimmer
Address: 1313 Westwood Blvd. CA 90024.
Tel: 310 479 4922

One Summer evening when I first moved to Los Angeles, I came across this fabulous Victorian building on Main St. in Santa Monica. This traditional wooden house, was bejeweled with fairy lights and like a moth to a flame I was transfixed! Music drifted from inside and people gathered on the porch, eating and laughing, but when I tried to enter, I was informed that it was a private party! It looked like I would never get to see what this gorgeous venue had to offer!

Fast forward a few months and to my delight , I found out that the venue, named aptly The Victorian, had opened it’s doors to the general public from 8am to 2pm daily. Finally I could join this ‘members only club’. A couple of weeks ago, in dire need of good comfort food , I found myself in their exquisite dining room. The menu has a real southern flavor to it, in other words ditch the diet girls! There are so many delicious options, not to mention a signature frozen belini cocktail, that make The Victorian the perfect place for a long lazy lunch. I opted for the club sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. I ended up getting half of it to go as I couldn’t finish it all and leave room for their wonderful deserts! Yes, my eyes are bigger than my belly! The Victorian is famous for their omelette’s and pancakes. If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast when in LA, then this is the place to go.

A lot of restaurants and cafe’s in LA are so concerned with their food being fat-free, that their dishes have no taste. So hurray for The Victorian who proudly display real food with authentic flavor. The staff are wonderful and will happily explain everything on the menu, as well as the history of the house, which is really fascinating. They have seating for over a hundred people outside and with it being right in the heart of Santa Monica, it’s a perfect location for a late Saturday breakfast.

Speaking of which, on Sunday’s there is a farmers market on their grounds, and while the main cafe is closed, they provide a great take-out from their bakery. The bakery, which is on the premises,makes the best scones and carrot cake that I have tasted in Los Angeles which, in my book, is quite an achievement!

The Victorian specialize in weddings and private parties. The venue also plays host to a great Jazz club on a Wednesday and Thursday night. The club is like a speakeasy, you even get a pass-word that allows you to enter!

All in all this wonderful quaint restaurant is well worth checking out. It is so rare to find a place in Santa Monica that combines old world charm, real home cooking and a jazz club thrown in for a midweek nite out!

The Victorian
2640 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Tel: (310) 392 4956

There are certain restaurants that ooze charm and charisma and Campanile is certainly one of them.

It came highly recommended from a close friend of mine who truly knows the hot-spots. I knew it would be good, but from the moment I arrived, it exceeded even that expectation and was great! I arrived on a Thursday night which is their famous grilled cheese night. Yes, I said grilled cheese! Let me tell you if you love cheese and wine this is THE night to go. The menu is varied and has something for even the pickiest of palates. I love the Croque Monsieur, it is exactly like the one you get in a Parisian cafe. Campanile also have the tastiest fries in La and that’s a tall order to fill.

The building was once the home of Charlie Chaplan’s office and the design has maintained this “old Hollywood” feel. That’s what makes Campanile different, it has character and it has charm, something hard to find in a city which revolves around the latest trend. Despite the Charlie Chaplan connection, Campanile is not a tourist trap. It has a faithful following of industry insiders and Angelenos in the know, making it well worth a visit when in Los Angeles.

If you can’t make it on a Thursday , the menu every night is a blend of Cal-Med that boosts rustic-urban cuisine. I suggest that you arrive a little earlier than your reservation. That way you can check out the scene at the bar. It has a great buzzy atmosphere that will definitely get you in the mood for a great night ahead.

This is the type of place that works for every occasion, from a first date or a power lunch, to an awesome weekend brunch. It’s even worth taking the folks, especially if they love wine and want to boost that they ate at Charlie Chaplan’s office.

All in all, Campanile has a certain wow factor, combined with a menu that will appeal to even the most discerning foodie. No wonder I’m boosting that this is a one off ‘find’.

Tip : Make a reservation!

Campanile
Tel : (323) 938 1447

As we all know I love great shopping. Even better than that is a culinary experience that compliments the shopping! We all know how tiring it becomes carrying shopping bags, with aching feet and a hungry stomach. Its rare to find a fabulous place to have lunch that’s just a stones throw away from all the latest designer clothing.

The Fred Segal store on Melrose Avenue is one of the shopping stores in Los Angeles. What makes this store so unique is that it houses stores within a store. At the core of this shopping Mecca is a wonderful cafe that’s worth sampling, even if shopping is not on your agenda.

The Fred Segal Mauro cafe is a hot-spot of star gazing on any given afternoon. It has a few outside tables but on the afternoon I went it was too warm to dine alfresco, so we sat inside, which is hotter in other ways! The restaurant menu offers everything from light salads to delicious pasta. It has a superb wine list and as I have such a sweet tooth, I found a tempting array of desserts.

The cafe doubles as an art exhibition with all the pieces for sale. It adds to the buzzing atmosphere and the art changes seasonally. I found that I didn’t want to leave the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The cafe offers a late afternoon/early evening Aperitif, which is an Italian tradition of wine sampling and an alternative to a boisterous happy hour.

This is the kind of venue that quickly becomes a regular hang-out. I have already been back for Sunday Brunch and I never went near the clothes! A miracle for sure! However, I do have my eye on one or two paintings so I could technically shop as I lunch… what a Fab idea!!

Tip: Make a reservation.

8112 Melrose Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90046.
Tel: 323 653 2874

In Los Angeles and throughout the world the love for organic products has become a big business and a way of life. In fact it has filtered into so many areas of my life that I can’t believe there was any other way. Organic vegetables, organic bread, organic coffee and my favorite… Organic Sunless Tanning!!

Yes ladies, now you can look great with a tan and it’s all good for you ! I was told about a very discreet sunless tanning salon in Santa Monica called Chocolate Sun. Now we all know how much I love chocolate and having a healthy tan, so it just seemed the perfect place for me to check out!

Located on a quite street off Main St, Santa Monica Chocolate Sun is one of those in the know kind of places. It’s tucked away in a cute house and is a totally unique tanning experience. For starters the salon only takes appointments every half hour , unlike other conventional salons that make you feel like your on a conveyor belt. It also has no harsh bright lights and is a very welcoming space. I felt as though I had just popped around to a friends for a chat. Firstly I was talked through the product and the level of tanning I desired. The treatment only takes about twenty-minutes from start to finish.

In 2002 its founder wanted to create a product that was free of harsh chemicals and preservatives so she teamed with a botanical chemist and developed a product using organically grown herbs, flowers and a powerful blend of anti-oxidants. In fact the product doesn’t smell like a normal fake tan and it’s more like a treatment for your skin, with the added bonus of a natural tan… Fabulous!!

A lot of spray-tans on the market dehydrate your skin and make it feel tight and uncomfortable. After the spray my skin felt as though it had been exposed to a spa treatment. In fact the product is available in a number of high -end Spa’s around the globe. The staff really care about their product and that it is unique and safe. I found the whole experience really enjoyable and the staff made me feel very welcome.

The salon also have a great range of take home products. The tan-enhancer is a moisturizer that lengthens the life of the tan. Their line of organic skin care includes exfoliate and cleansers that are gentle and nourishing on the skin. Even better all the products are available on-line in case a visit to the store is out of the question.

After I showered the following day I had the healthiest color that had a lot of people asking when me where I went on vacation. It’s a gorgeous shade of brown that still looks great a week later . I suppose I’m not lying when I tell people that it’s a natural tan, after all it is 100% naturally organic!

Tip : Wear loose dark clothing

Chocolate Sun
204 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica,
Tel: 310 450 3075

It was with much trepidation that I agreed to an evening of Rock n Bowl at Pinz. Firstly it has been a long time since I set foot in a bowling alley. I’m sure the main reason I ever ventured inside one and risked wearing the most unflattering shoes in the universe, was because I was too young to frequent clubs and bars. However it seems that with age all my friends are reverting back to innocent fun and who am I not to join in?

I was pleasantly surprised with Pinz. Yes it’s a bowling alley and the world over, they are almost identical. However, on Friday and Saturday nite’s after 8pm the pins come alive in neon colors and the music is cranked up so the Rock n’ Bowl can begin! The atmosphere is great and with a group, there were ten of us, it was like being a teenager again. Nothing wrong with that!

The shoes are not half as bad as I remembered. They didn’t quite color co-ordinate with my clothes but I don’t usually wear fluorescent green and pink at the same time! On site there is a Jerry’s Deli which enabled us to order giant size pizza’s and fries, cupcakes and beer!

To make the evening even better it turns out I’m a great bowler! I won both games, much to the guys annoyance. For all the girly girls, they have pink bowling balls which I’m sure added to my luck. The alley works on a first come first served basis , but there are lots of things to do while you wait. The music was great and we stayed until almost 1am. Time flies when your having fun!

Pinz Bowling.
12655 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604
Tel: 818 769 7600