1/22/11

The Ivy


tuna tartare

Lobster Ravioli

Seafood Risotto
The Ivy, known to be swarmed with paparazzi and celebrities, is the best restaurant in LA if you are craving for some Lobster Ravioli. I guarantee you that their lobster ravioli is the best of the best. I usually just get the lobster ravioli along with their delicious refreshing mint tea, but they decreased the portion this time round and so I shared a seafood risotto and a lobster ravioli with my friend. Their seafood risotto was surprisingly good, everything were fresh, tasted a little like the spanish paella but I enjoyed it. I love the tuna tartare, it has the lemony lime taste to it. Avocado created a different texture to it which was pleasing. Overall, a great place to dine. Food is perfect. Haven't found anything bad about it yet. The ambience is perfect indoors or outdoors. It is romantic enough for couples, soothing enough for casual dinners with friends, dressy enough for celebratory occasions. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in LA.

The Ivy
113 N Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 274-8303



1/21/11

Hot Chocolate Art

by matchalove

Abbot Kinney #3

@Jin Patisserie

High tea + Macaroons
Finally, the last stop. After chilling at Intellegentsia Coffee Bar, shopping or walking along Abbot Kinney, stop by Jin Patisserie for some good tea and macaroons. They have a huge selection and variations of green tea and other kinds of tea. On my first visit, I was really full from gjelina so I only ordered some macaroons. They were pretty good, the filling was just right, not too sweet but flavorful. I still think Ladurée has better macaroons though. Jin Patisserie's finger size sandwiches were amazingly delicious too. I had it on my second visit there. Overall, I thought the high tea platter was decent. You get a pot of your choice of tea, and mixture of sweet and salty snacks. They're not too heavy but a perfect size for a party of 5 girls. I didn't take a picture of the interior but it is a perfect place to chill and have a nice chat with your friends. And this puts an end to my day at Abbot Kinney. What an awesome area don't you think? =) 

1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291

Black & Camel

(photo:thesartorialist)
my favorite color combination. Camel & Black.

1/19/11

Abbot Kinney #2

@Intellegentsia Entrance

Interior
After lunch, I would walk a block down to this modern-looking architecture style coffee bar called Intellegentsia Coffee Bar. I don't usually drink coffee just because I think I should stay away from it to stay healthy. I'm a green tea person as you can see from my blog title but the coffee here is so different and special that I couldn't help buying a cup just by walking into the store. It's not like your regular starbucks coffee aroma, it's something much more unique and actually tastes like real coffee. So, apart from the coffee, I love their interior. It's so unlike any coffee place, it's like an open concept where you can see what the baristas are doing, you could see how the coffee is being brewed. On the sides, they have shelves of tea or coffee equipments for sale and on the far back is where you can just relax with your cup of coffee. I didn't take a picture of the back but it's rather cool as in, apart from the bar far behind in the picture above, there is sort of an elevated concrete surface, about two levels. You would take a cushion from the side and sit wherever you want. Sort of like sitting on the MET steps. I love it.

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310.399.1233
1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd | Venice, CA 90291


walking along abbot kinney

cute area in a store
So this is sort of like something special about the stores in LA. I noticed they have a front store, then a middle resting area then another store at the back. I stumbled upon this cute store which sells cute, unique, modern everyday items imported from Japan. 

Abbot Kinney #1

Abbot Kinney

@Gjelina

Portobello Mushrooms, Truffle and Goat Cheese Pizza


gnocchi
Abbot Kinney, one of my bestfriend's favorite areas in LA has become one of my favorites too. Everything here is kinda artsy and has its own style. There are edgy fashion stores like Guild which carries brands like Alexander Wang, Maison Martin Margiela, Acne, Surface to Air etc. There are also stores selling vintage stuff and cute, unique and imported goods. I love this place. So I would basically begin my day here with lunch at Gjelina. They have one of the best pizzas. I'm not a fan of goat cheese, but the combination of portobello mushrooms, truffle oil, garlic butter and goat cheese hid the pungent cheesy taste so well that it was perfect! It's a nice chill restaurant, perfect for any kind of occasions.

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
CA 90291
(310) 450-1429

My Bestfriend Who Dresses Well All the Time

by matchalove
Bag: Alexander Wang
Shoes: Opening Ceremony
Clothes: Maison Martin Margiela Legging pants (Bottom), Top by Indonesian Designer

Proenza Schouler Pre-Fall 2011

photo:bagsnob
Proenza Schouler's PS1 in calfskin and pony hair. Nothing beats the classic all leather PS1 though.

1/18/11

Chloé Colorblock Platform Wedge

(photo:designersocial)
Must-have! love how simple it looks, so classic and gorgeous.

Spring 2011 Trends

(photos:whowhatwear)
I'm loving the relaxed minimalism style, definitely can't go wrong with that. Check out the flatforms too! I've been seeing them around in Barneys New York. I hope to find a pair for myself soon (:

1/15/11

CÉLINE Pre-Fall 2011 Collection





(photos:popbee)
Some of my favorite pieces of CÉLINE's 2011 pre-fall collection. Phoebe philo does it again, effortless minimalist designs.

1/13/11

Fresh seafood at Redondo Beach Pier

redondo beach pier





Grilled Shrimps 

photos by matchalove
If you're craving for seafood in LA, this is one of the best places to go. There are plenty of live seafood for you to choose ranging from crabs, lobsters, any kind of shellfish you can think of, sea urchins etc. Make sure you dress really casually when you get there, maybe a hoodie or something. You don't want crab juices splattering on your nice delicate clothes. Also, get ready to get your hands dirty because it takes some effort working through the crab but it's all worth it. Nothing beats fresh live seafood (:

Vintage Chanel

by matchalove

A dark and quiet night, Diamond Bar Blvd

by matchalove

1/12/11

CÉLINE Boston Bags


(photos:bagaholicboy)
They are absolutely gorgeous aren't they?

1/10/11

Alexander Wang Diego Bag
by matchalove

Lady Gaga X Polaroid Grey Label

GL 20 Camera Glasses
(photo:nitrolicious)
This is too cool. Click here for more details.

1/5/11

Proenza Schouler PS1 Keepall

(photo:bagaholicboy)
What do you think? I think it's a little weird. There is an all black leather version available on its website. Maybe it takes a little bit of time to get used to it.

1/4/11

Shin-sen-gumi Hakata Ramen

Gyoza, Agedashi Tofu, Tori Karaage

Hakata Ramen
新選組博多ラーメン(Shin-sen-gumi Hakata Ramen) one of my personal favorite ramen restaurants in LA. If you like tonkotsu broth, this is the ramen for you. What I like about this ramen place is that they offer combination menus. For example, I ordered Hakata ramen with a combination of 2 side orders, gyoza and agedashi tofu, and a drink for about $13. It's cheap and you get really full. definitely my kind of restaurant. Of course, you also get the wonderful kaedama (more noodles) for about $2 but I doubt you have space for that after having so much food.

Shin-sen-gumi Hakata Ramen
2015 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., #C
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 329-1335


1/3/11

Louis Vuitton

(photo:bagaholicboy)
Godfrey Gao, The new face of Louis Vuitton, the first asian male to model for Louis Vuitton.

1/1/11

kissable lips

EOS Lip balm that makes you smile
(photo:EOS)

so my housemate told me that this lip balm works amazingly well and after seeing her put it on everyday, i decided to try it on. It isn't too oily/wet but gives you the right amount of moisture you need. Its shape is so cute that it makes you wanna put on your lip balm every time you see it. i'm hooked onto it now. try it on. EOS for kissable lips (: