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

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

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

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

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

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

On arriving at Compartes I was really impressed with it’s decor. I had decided that I needed inspiration while I was writing and I was in deep need of a chocolate fix. So with lap-top in hand I curiously entered the store. Straight away I felt at home as it a has a very European ambiance to it. The owner Jonathan has gone for a lounge vibe to the interior. It feels very relaxing and straight away I knew I would be happy there for an hour or two.

With rows upon rows of chocolate, it’s hard to decide but thankfully with a bit of guidance I sampled quite a few before I made a choice! All the old favorites are here like milk chocolate truffles, caramel and coffee. However the store has gone above and beyond to push the boundaries of taste and flavor. I tried a chocolate caramel with sea salt! Apparently the sea salt brings out the true flavor of the caramel, it was divine. I also tasted a mango saffron, cactus blossom and a raspberry pink pepper! Not only are the combination artistic but they have the most amazing prints on the top layer. All these prints are designed and created at the store so they are completely original.

Compartes Chocolatier is a truly magical experience. There are glass window that allows you to view the chocolates been made and decorated. It also serves specialty teas, coffee and hot chocolate. While I was there, I noticed that a lot of the clientele are regulars which is always a good sign.

Lately the store has run specialty nights and on Valentines Day last year they ran a week of romantic dinners with a fanfare of desserts made from chocolate! It would be great for a gossipy girly night were all you do is chat while eating and drinking chocolate. The store is also getting a celebrity following with Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross enlisting them to make treats for her wedding. Birthday parties too are very popular, as you can have any type of chocolate made with names or favorite designs tailored just for you.

All in all I loved the chocolates and I will be back soon, as there were far too many to sample in one day. Compartes is a lovely way to spend an afternoon either with a friend or on your own for some quite time. I think the bigger coffee houses better watch out, as there is a new place on the block and the experience is sweet!

Compartes Chocolatier.
912 South Barrington Ave. Brentwood CA
Tel: 310 826 3380

Have you ever wondered how everyone in LA looks so healthy and tan yet they spend no time in the sun? Have you looked at Charlise Theron on the red carpet and thought “how does she get that bronzed glow?” Well ask no more! I have discovered the stars secret place for that perfect tan and there isn’t a beach insight! Set amongst the backdrop of glamorous Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills is Portofino Sun. This salon has been tanning the Hollywood elite for years and now us mere mortals can have a slice of the pie… tanning pie that is!

The salon is the ultimate in feel good tanning. It boost’s the “Safest Sun under the Sun”. The staff are so helpful and will guide you through all the different services available. I arrived feeling pale and needing a sunshine boost. The salon offers a smorgasbord of tanning options but for the celebrity experience it has to be the customized tan. My requirement for my tan was simple… make me look like I have spent tha past fortnight on a beach in Barbados!

Firstly I decided to get my body in good shape for the tan. The salon offers a fabulous waxing service that specializes in Brazilian waxing. The waxing expert is actually from Brazil and she only uses a honey wax which is softer on your skin. The service was really quick and practically painless. Then I had the body scrub which takes place in a customized room. For the best tanning results, it’s important that all the dead skin is gone. My skin was baby soft and I was starting to feel like a new woman.

However the piece de resistance was the tan. There are over 25 different shades to choose from and the color is blended based on your requirements, as well as your eye, skin and hair color. To achieve my bronzed look my solution was made up of darker shades with fab names such as Sugar Daddy, Sensual and Chocolate! On top of the color a shimmer can be added to give you that J-LO Glow. As everyone hates that fake tan smell , the salon offers over 25 different fragrances that range from a coconut to a fresh ocean scent! The fantastic thing about a customised tan is that the sprayer can contour parts of your body. For example, if you want to have killer cheekbones or a better cleavage, it’s all done with a wiggle of the spray gun. Think of it as a magic wand to a better body! If you have never had a spray tan I will warn you that you have to arrange you body into different poses that allow “all areas” to be reached. If your shy don’t worry! The salon staff are very accommodating and it’s all so quick that you won’t have time to be embarrassed.

When I was finished I looked in the mirror to be greeted by a bronzed goddess version of myself! Fantastic! Celebrities such as Brittany Murphy, Gisele Bunchen and Paris Hilton are all fans of this salon. In fact it was noted as a 1# salon for celebrity spotting. If that wasn’t enough the owner is currently on tour spray tanning Mariah Carey and we all know how fantastic her tan looks!

The joy of this salon is the feel good factor. I left feeling tanned and fabulous. The next morning, after I showered, my tan looked so natural and I got compliments all day on how great my skin looked! It’s amazing the ways you can inject a little sunshine into your life and this way you don’t even need a blue sky!

Portofino Sun Spa
9431 Little Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills
Tel: 310 276 8855

With the great weather in LA, it’s an added bonus to sit outside on a balmy summer night. Surprisingly, in LA, it can be hard to find a good restaurant with a decent patio. This restaurant has a colorful courtyard with a rustic Mediterranean feel. The Little Door has possibly one of the nicest out-door dinning areas in Los Angeles. When you walk through this “little door” it is like entering an oasis of tranquility. The restaurant is made up of four dinning areas. The Winter Garden, the Blue Room, the Piano Room and the Patio.

The food is French-Moroccan inspired and all the produce is organic. We had the Mezza Royale to start, which is an assortment of Mediterranean appetizers, with tuna tartar, goats cheese, merquez sausage and grilled salmon. It is a perfect dish to share as it combines a variety of tastes and flavors and is a substantial size. The staff are really helpful and as they are all French , you may start to feel you have left Los Angeles for Paris!

What I really love about this restaurant is the ambiance. The candle lit garden is both enchanting and romantic and is perfect for that special night out. It also has an intimate wine bar with a wide selection of wines.

It’s great to find a restaurant that evokes that “just right” feel and “The Little Door” pushes all the right buttons.

Tip: Try and get a table on the patio for a romantic night out. Valet parking available.

The Little Door Restaurant
8164 W. Third Street, Los Angeles.
Tel: 323 951 1210.