Rush Hour

When you think of L.A. many things come to mind, one in particular: traffic. Los Angeles has practically become synonymous with traffic. We’ve all been there: it’s 3pm, you’ve got places to go and people to see, but what is this?? You’re going a whole 7 mph down the 405?! Ugh! Traffic is such a pain. According to a study discussed by Daily News, Los Angeles, L.A. has the most congested streets and freeways in the nation. Not to mention, the negative impact it has on our earth/city is outrageous. To cope with the traffic and the deterioration of our air quality I have listed some information and suggestions below:

1) Instead of burning CDs invest in an iPod®/MP3 player/etc. and put all of your songs on there. If you don’t have an iPod connector, look into purchasing a Cassette adapter. In addition, you can prevent waste and help out our troops by donating your old CDs (and DVDs) to http://www.tunes4thetroops.org/ a website dedicated to providing some much needed entertainment to our soldiers!

2) You’ve heard it before, but I will say it again: CARPOOL! Say you have 500 people in your company and every person decided to carpool with at least one other person to and from work: that would be 250 less cars on the road! Another benefit: you’ll save gas money too! Less driving = less cash. Cha Ching!

3) Ride your bike to work or school: you can get a tan, tone up and save the environment all at one time!

4) Aim to drive 10 miles less per week. Whether that means walking down the street to your local grocery store instead of hopping in your car for a 2 minute drive, or eating in one night instead of driving out to the city for an overpriced meal at Katsuyah – just do it. In doing so, you’ll personally prevent 500 pounds of carbon dioxide from polluting the atmosphere (check out the “Green List” application on your iPhone®).

5) Get your car into the doctor STAT! For every 100,000 people that get a tune up this year, 60 tons of CO2 will be eliminated.

6) Finally, help reduce the greenhouse impact of your driving by joining Greenfleet. For a fee, they will plant enough trees to absorb the annual greenhouse emissions from the average car. For more information or to join, visit the Greenfleet website.

As you can see, it’s the small changes to everyday living that will have a HUGE impact on our environment.

Now, buckle up and drive safely :)

My Little Fashionista

Let’s be honest: living in L.A., it is hard not to shop. Fashion has not only become a pastime to many L.A. residents, but an essential part of everyday life. From Melrose to Rodeo and Robertson to 3rd Street, L.A. has it all, including my “Little Fashionista,” Rebecca Gutentag. An L.A. native, this up-and-coming designer has got it all: femme edge, a keen eye for detail and the ability to take scraps of this and that and turn them into fabulous new vintage pieces.

In these crazy economic times, it’s all about using what you have to get what you want. Rebecca has taken up the hobby of rummaging through her mother’s old – yet fabulous! – 80s outfits and reworking them into some of the most hip and modern fashion pieces around (see picture above). By re-using what she already has, she’s not only able to bring life back into what was once labeled “passé,” but she is also cutting back on her consumption (goodbye waste; helloooo reusable treasures)!

For all of you budding fashionistas out there, Rebecca recommends using leather scraps from local upholsterers, broken jewelry chains, old pins found at your local vintage store and a bit of needle and thread to create your own unique (and sustainable) jewelry!

Some of Rebecca’s favorite vintage stores include:

Resurrection LA, located at 8006 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 651-5516 ( http://www.resurrectionvintage.com/index.php?index )

Jet Rag, located at 825 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 939-0528

Nasty Gal ( http://www.shopnastygal.com/ )

To see more of what this little fashionista has to offer check out: http://alittlefashionista.tumblr.com/

Things will be great when you're Downtown

I have lived in L.A. my entire life (born and raised in the Valley, in fact), however, I can probably count the number of times I have been to Downtown Los Angeles on both hands. Afraid to venture out of my comfort zone, I stuck to my own daily activities: shopping on Ventura Blvd., drinks in Studio City, movies at the Sherman Oaks Galleria and lunch at little cafes along Ventura (favorites include: Il Trem in Studio City and Aroma Bakery & Café in Encino).

Feeling a bit suffocated by my immediate surroundings I jumped at the chance to take a “Walking Tour” of Downtown L.A. led by members of the Los Angeles Conservancy. A whole whopping $10, the tour gives you a look back at what used to be known as “The Wall Street of the West,” as well as a glimpse into the glitz and glamour of the Roaring 20s.

One of my favorite spots along the tour was the Alexandria Hotel. Currently a low-cost residential hotel, it used to be Los Angeles’ most elegant hotel frequented by Hollywood legends including Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Rudolph Valentino and Clark Gable. In a word: glamorous.

Tours are about two and a half hours long and begin around 10 a.m. Whether you are interested in exploring Downtowns’ Gallery Row, or experiencing original Los Angeles architecture at its finest, there is a tour for you.

Visit www.laconservancy.org/tours or call 213-623-2489 to reserve a spot for you and your friends, then carpool Downtown and take a walk through one of the most fascinating cities in all of L.A.

Pluots & Strawberries & Raspberries OH MY!

I feel like Dorothy walking down the yellow brick road, but instead of being surrounded by Munchkins I’m surrounded by creamy ripe avocados, sweet dried fruit, gorgeous bouquets of flowers, stalks of fresh basil, raw almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts…the list goes on!

Located right off Bundy and San Vicente, on S. Gretna Greenway the Brentwood Farmers Market takes place every Sunday from 9:00am-1:00pm.

What’s more there are little “boutiques” set up for your perusal. Looking for some handmade jewelry? You’re covered! Looking for photos from a local photographer? They’ve got that too. Thinking of adopting a pup? They’re there waiting for your love, affection and even a home! Pretty much whatever you need, the Brentwood Farmers Market has it!

Make sure to bring your appetite as there are many options for snacking (handmade pastry anyone?), lunching (a Chicken Gyro perhaps) and even sampling (a tasting of that delicious looking apricot – yes please!)

So, slip on your ruby red slippers, click your heels together three times and get yourself to the Brentwood Farmers Market.

Don’t forget to bring your reusable totes!

Creamsicle Goodness

By far one of my favorite body lotions EVER, Hugo Naturals Vanilla & Sweet Orange, All Over Lotion smells exactly like an orange creamsicle and is as rich as it is divine. Vegan and cruelty-free and blended with extracts such as: White Willow, Sage and Passionflower your skin will crave no more. Absolutely delish.

A Trove of Treasures

(Made from Organic Cotton)

http://www.troveclothing.com/

Just Breathe

According to the American Lung Association's 10th Annual State of the Air report, Los Angeles has been ranked #1 out of 25 other cities for "Worst Air Pollution: Ozone (Smog)". Not something we should be proud of.

In addition, Los Angeles ranked #3 for "Cities with the Worst Air Pollution: Long-Term Particulates" and #6 for "Counties with the Worst Air Pollution: Short-Term Particulates".

For a county so concerned about appearance, we really could use a make-over.

To get more information about the air quality in your city, please visit The American Lung Association, Fighting for Air at http://www.stateoftheair.org/ or TheDailyGreen.com to find out how you can help make-over L.A.