I recently moved closer into the city - closer to all the places and things I love. So this week I thought I should share some of my favorite places to eat, shop, and hang out in L.A.:

Tiara Cafe is my place to have brunch on the weekends. It’s a pretty pink palace of a restaurant in the middle of the Fashion District - very fun and frivolous in the most stylish and well-executed way. And very opposite the celebrity-infested Hollywood ultra-lounge that’s so common around here. They serve up lots of organic and locally grown fare that’s unbelievably tasty. And if you’ve ever wondered what the inside of a jewelry box looked like if we could all fit in it - well, this would be it. They even play jewelry box music during lunch.

Sarah Sloboda has an intriguing style of photography, particularly with children. Her photos are neither precious nor precocious, the two categories that such portraits usually fall into. I am also a fan of her blog, the University of Sarah, where she documents her artistic experiments behind - and even in front of - the camera.

I’ve been a fan of Vena Cava’s for quite awhile. I love that you can’t quite put a profile on the kind of girl who wears their clothes. They hit on every element of style - sophistication, bohemian, lady-like, whimsical - and approach their designs in an almost philosophical, worldly way to still end up with something fun and approachable. I truly love them for that. And that they are originally from Los Angeles too.

I haven’t been keeping up with all the fashion shows lately, (or are they over already? I don’t really know) but up & coming Vicente Villarin caught my eye. I love the floaty, layered prettiness weighed down and balanced out with more structural elements. The designs are something familiar and different at the same time.

While doing research on the brand, I found out a bit of a fun tidbit: designer Joanne Cordero Reyes’ mother designed my prom dress! Mother, like daughter, also creates beautiful dresses for weddings and other special events at a local dress shop in the suburb that I grew up in. That is quite the hometown connection.

I found photographer Ramona Rosales flipping through the newest issue of Flaunt Magazine that I picked up at the Flaunt Hennessy party last week. Her work is so up my alley! I love the ironic, almost dark, sense of humor that lies underneath her photos’ glossy surface.

I just got an email from Jin Patisserie in Venice, my favorite place to get macaroons, and I am alerted to two things: 1.) that they are making dark chocolate Easter eggs filled with sea salt caramels, and 2.) that it’s been a long time since I’ve been there. Must go soon. It’s been quite a crazy month, but what’s one more item on the long list of to do’s, right?

You guys! Rachel Bilson is on the cover of this month’s Nylon Magazine! Yes, the unapologetically pseudo-hipster-with-mommy’s-credit-card magazine that I love to hate, but.. anyway, back to Rachel. I love her. Love her, love her, love her. I can’t vouch for her acting ability as I’ve never seen anything she’s been in, but her choice in clothing is always on the money. She always manages to look stylish yet appropriate for anything she’s doing, be it making her rounds at the fashion shows or going to Petco with her dog.  Here she is rocking a familiar Miu Miu dress.

The creator behind one of my favorite graphic design blogs, Graphic Exchange, has some photo prints and stickers for your walls on the site Harmonie Intérieure. I love these images and find myself constantly gravitating towards this derelict yet beautiful and emotive style of design - it’s an especially welcome contrast to the IKEA-esque modern and kitschy styles that are very popular.

I was really inspired by Modern Dog’s approach and outlook on design when they spoke at TypeCon last year. For a design studio so well-known and experienced, they are refreshingly down-to-earth, open, and funny. Not a single self-serving design aphorism for me to quote. 

You might recognize their packaging work for funny products like Dirty Girl and Miso Pretty, and lots of posters from the Northwest music scene. They spoke about their offbeat process behind this particular poster for the Seattle Repertory at the conference - the sweet and serene butterfly image is an imprint of someone’s butt. 

If you like their stuff too, they are commemorating their 20th birthday next month with a brand-new book.

It totally looks like I went out of my way to find today’s very Valentine-y images, but so not the case! Nevertheless I think they are very appropriate for the holiday in very unique ways. This poster by Mia&Jem, another San Francisco design team, is so clever!