The Bodhi Tree Bookstore

"All you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sane, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation.  Listen to your heart.  It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there."

-The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I went exploring (on foot) in my new neighborhood yesterday (Imagine that!  Exploring on foot in L.A.!) and I came across my new favorite place on earth... And no, it's not a clothing store.  Another huge shock!  It's called the Bodhi Tree bookstore, and it's absolutely marvelous.  The second I stepped foot into this bookstore I felt a sudden sense of calm; like I had entered some sort of parallel universe governed by the world's great eastern philosophers, where cats are free to roam amongst stacks of books and where the yummiest herbal teas are complimentary all day long.  

As you can imagine, I didn't make it far on my quest to explore my new neighborhood because this bookstore managed to consume almost my entire day.  I sat and read for hours, feeding my soul and absorbing some ancient wisdom.  It's on corner of Melrose and Westbourne, so if you're ever in L.A. I highly recommend giving yourself a few hours to spend in this beautiful little store.  According to one of the women who works there, it isn't going to be around much longer, so I plan to spend as much time there as I possibly can.  Big Hugs to the Bodhi Tree Bookstore! 

This is one of the books that inspired me to sit and read for hours.  I'm inevitably going to have to go back and buy it, but I couldn't seem to make a decision about which book to take home when I was actually at the store.  This one has been lingering in my mind all day, so I hope it's there when I go back.

I love when bookstores have lots of other things to look at.  I like feeling like I'm in a museum when I shop for books.  Such beautiful art work everywhere!

Behind the Bodhi Tree bookstore is the Used Book Branch, and what it lacks in literature, it makes up for in herbal teas and spices!

Thanks for reading!  I'm so excited to start sharing all my L.A. ventures with you.  I have so much exploring to do!

Black Friday at the Grove

"Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles."

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Yesterday I went to the Grove with a friend to take in all the madness that is Black Friday.  I wasn't so much interested in the sales, or what people were buying as much as I was in what they were wearing while they shopped.  It made me wonder how many people simply flock to the shopping malls just to feel as though they are part of something big, because after all, it is the biggest shopping day of the year.  I managed to make my way through the crowd without stepping foot into a single department store, which I might add, is a big deal for me because I am such a shopaholic.  Unfortunately, I always feel as though the things I want to buy are never on sale, so to me Black Friday was all about people watching... and that I did!

Since I am so new to L.A., I am still in the process of taking it all in; the city, the people, the traffic, and yes of course the shopping.  The one thing I can tell you is that everyone stands out in their own unique way.  If you really take the time to watch people closely, especially in a bustling crowd like the one I found at The Grove, you will find that despite the chaos spurred by department store sales, everyone is very much in their own world.

Here are a few pictures of some of the people that inspire me to explore L.A. fashion.

The thing about L.A. is that it's sunny all year, so even though it's not cold enough to need a fur hat, a great sense of fashion will always want one.

Eating lunch across from Morel's.  I love her laid-back body language amidst the bustling crowd.  Totally in her own world.

This girl has a sort of updated rasta look about her.

I know I'm always talking about how much I love fringe, but in this case I'm not so sure it works.  I do, however, appreciate her confidence to rock a fringe leather jacket with daisy dukes in the middle of "winter".

Totally caught taking a picture!

Love the red sunglasses and hat.

This man is way too cute with his elongated beanie and dog/shopping partner.

One of the coolest looking groups of people I saw at the mall.  They look like musicians, but that's the greatest part about fashion;  It allows you to be whoever you want to be!

The Farmer's Market Travel Angel.  I love him!

We had to check out the Farmer's Market while we were at The Grove, and I'm so glad we did because I finally found the Trapp grapefruit scented candles that I've been looking for.  They smell sooooo good!

I don't eat meat, but if I did, I'd probably buy it at the Farmer's Market.  Everything looked so fresh.

I couldn't help but notice this woman and her bakelite earrings when I was candle shopping.  Isn't she fabulous?!

And this man, in his blue suit! I love it!  He looked so studious amongst the hustle and bustle of the Farmer's Market.  It's nice to see people reading real books in this day and age!

"When you think things are bad,

when you feel sour and blue,

when you start to get mad...

you should do what I do!

Just tell yourself, Duckie,

you're really quite lucky!

Some people are much more...

oh, ever so much more...

oh, muchly much-much more 

unlucky than you!"

-Dr. Seuss, (Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?)

My poor blog has been neglected for weeks, and if you really want to know the truth I don't have it in me to delve into my 'new to L.A.' escapades right now.  I love my new place, and everyone I've met in my building has been extremely convivial, but I'm exhausted and can't wait to go into further detail about my new job in the near future.  Let's just say that I feel like I've been transplanted to an entirely different universe, where everything stays open past 9 o'clock, and people run up and down the streets of West Hollywood like they're in perpetual state of training for the New York City Marathon.  I have been extremely busy, working on and off set with different stylists and I still find myself trying to adjust to life in the city.  I promise to update more frequently now that I'm settled, but for now here are a few pictures of our new humble abode.  

Welcome...

This is the front of our building.  I like it because it's really inconspicuous.

 

A view of the Hollywood Hills from our street.

The fireplace is a major addition in my book.  There's nothing like a fake fire place to create the perfect ambiance.  But seriously, it really is nice, and it does give off heat.

We even have counter space to eat at! Yeeeahhhh, no more dining on the couch!

You have no idea what it means to me to have dishwasher!!!  I've been living without one for years, and it might just be my favorite thing about our new apartment.  Hooray to no more hand washing!

Our bedroom.  Looks pretty much exactly the same, except I don't have to turn to the side to walk between the dresser and the bed!