Hello and happy summer to you and yours!
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and making good progress on their base tans!
Coming to you with my Q2 Wrap Report below - Q1 Wrap HERE in case you missed it. April - June was a blast, filled with travels, new (to me) experiences but also lots of ~old~ repeated favorite experiences, and the beginnings of summer in LA. See below and I’ll look for your feedback by EOD PST!
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Bougie Basics vs Basic Basics - LA has a thing for making very basic foods bougie. I enjoy both bougie basics and basic basics for their respective reasons, here are my faves!
Burgers -
Bougie: The Window - my favorite smash
Basic: In-N-Out - there’s a time and a place where only In-N-Out can satisfy my burger craving. It’s specific
Bagels -
Bougie: Courage Bagels - I always go for the Cream Cheese Tomato
Basic: New York Bagel & Deli - specifically, The Bagel Boy - an everything bagel with plain cream cheese, avocado and lemon pepper seasoning
Ice Cream -
Bougie: Fluffy McCloud’s is new-ish, but feeds the ice cream parlor nostalgia. I really really like it here!
Basic: Handel’s Ice Cream - small hot fudge sundae pls
Sandwiches -
Bougie: Lady & Larder - Venice Cowgirl, add salami pls
Basic: Bay Cities - Godmother continues to be in the regular rotation
Just Bougie
Wraps - I am typically NOT a wrap girlie but I fully understand the hype around Ggiata’s Chicken Caesar Wrap. 100% worth the try. Hot take - stick with the classic over the new Buffalo Chicken option (I thought it was a little soggy/too much sawce)
Croissants - I love Petitgrain Boulangerie and it’s quickly becoming a weekly occurence for me. I always opt for the freshest option - what just came out of the oven??
Just Basic
Diners - Revisited Canter’s Deli and Swingers Diner in Q2 - 10/10!!!! The vibe inside a diner is unmatched. The food is always just okay but I do not expect anything more. That’s not what I’m here for. The soul, the people watching, the coziness of the plushy leather booths .. you just can’t beat it
New (To Me) Restaurants
Sí Mon - an absolute breath of fresh air when it comes to new restaurants in LA as of late. I’ve gone twice and thoroughly enjoyed! Must order dish: Tuna Carpaccio Yuca Tostada
Holbox - outstanding. Maybe my favorite meal of Q2. You cannot go wrong - and I cannot wait to go back and try more fishy dishes!
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar - everyone deserves to experience the joy of grabbing small plates from a revolving sushi bar. It’s just such a fun dining experience
Other notes/feedback on food & drink things:
Elephante for brunch, Elephante for drinks and a snack, Elephante for dinner
Great White for brunch, Great White for drinks and a snack, Great White for dinner
I love an icy cold Big Beer - especially at Big Dean’s, Wurstkuche, or at a concert
Always seeking patios etc that make me feel like I’m on vacation - Calabra, Belle’s, Coco Club, Chuchi’s Bottle Shop (behind Bar El Chucho), Gin Rummy
Also always seeking a good cocktail bar on the West side - but American Beauty’s bar does the trick in the meantime
I’m slowly succumbing to the pressures of Erewhon - the ridiculous smoothies, and also the hot bar - but heads up they price by weight and WILL stuff your box until it is overflowing. Have the courage to say things like “THAT’S ENOUGH!” or “I’ll have ONE purple yam, thanks” and save yourself a few bucks
The Great Outdoors
Loving ocean dunks morning, afternoon and evening - a free cold plunge!
The most unexpected hidden gem I discovered in Q2 - Big Tujunga Dam Overlook. I found myself out here for a shoot in May, and WOW! The Angeles Forest is so stunning - and it was so green when I visited, I hope it’s still just as lush. Worth the trek East (perhaps early AM or on a cooler day)
Sometimes a day trip can simply consist of walking around a new area and wandering aimlessly (vs stacking your itinerary) - Laguna Beach guide HERE
Top LA Happenings
More of That - morning meditation, yoga and journaling on the beach
Club Cowboy Carter - Club Renaissance coming up in late July!!
Dodgers Game
Hack: Park at Union Station for $8 and take the free shuttle to the stadium - it drops you right in front!
Concerts
Fred again .. at the LA Memorial Coliseum - I wouldn’t even consider myself a fan, but I knew this was going to be an insane show. Fred’s first stadium show was really special. If you love music, you will love a Fred show
Loony at El Rey
Dhruv at El Rey - featuring treats from Badmaash after the show, nice touch!
Zach Bryan at Crypto.com Arena - if you ever have the chance… SEE ZACH BRYAN! Plus we got John Mayer <3333
Coco Jones at Academy LA - her voice is NUUTS
TTS Travels in Q2
Hobbies??
Tennis - I’ve played tennis since I was a kid, and it’s been an absolute treat picking it back up. It’s a great summer activity and easy exercise for me, plus there are free courts just up the street in my neighborhood
Gardening - I planted some seeds in my first ever planter box and things are growing! It’s very exciting. I’m nervous but optimistic based on the results thus far.
Media Mix
Books & Podcasts
Matthew McConnaughey’s “Greenlights” - MUST listen to the audiobook for the full effect. I love him
The Daily - I feel so hot girl when I queue up an episode of The Daily on my walk to the gym. Stay informed, y’all!
Tiny Meat Gang - Cody Ko was my emotional support YouTuber during quarantine, so naturally that manifested into me listening to his pod. It’s an easy, fun listen that I always go back to when I’m sick of my music!
Music
Kaytranada’s whole album is perfect summer background music
Gracie Abrams taps into my teenage & early 20’s angst in the best way
TV/Movies
The Bear is all that matters rn
My Summer of Nothing New (1 month in)
ICYMI, I’ve vowed to try nothing new this summer and it’s been a fun ride so far! I’m really enjoying the challenge and how it’s forcing me to think differently about what I consume and where I spend my time + money. More to come on this in future newsletters, but so far so good!
What were your Q2 highlights? Comment on Substack or reply directly to this email with your faves!