It was quiet around these parts this week because I was I off on a girls only getaway in LA! Gala and I made the most of our time in our favorite West Coast city — we try to make it a point to plan a visit at least once a year to catch up with friends, rest up and shop. It’s no secret that LA has an amazing trove of vintage that we can’t get enough of.
We once again stayed at the Palihouse Holloway in West Hollywood and spent time with our friends including Mary Bee, Amy, Kevin, Jazzi, Shae, Emily, Chubby Bunny and Yume Ninja. Our days were spent eating healthy breakfasts, vintage shopping our hearts out, making pit-stops at In-N-Out (to cancel out those healthy breakfasts) and visiting bars that resembled magical log cabins complete with animatronic creatures and flaming marshmallow drinks. But more on that later.
Palihouse Holloway
Situated in West Hollywood, the Palihouse Holloway is the equivalent of a refined version of The Ace. Retro fantastic with a heavy dose of Parisian charm, it features patterned wallpaper and flooring, oversized rooms with a classy, modern aesthetic and a centrally located restaurant that creates a communal atmosphere.
In our room (featuring a massive framed Polaroid backdrop) wearing an H&M top, skirt from Shareen Vintage, F21 headband, ModCloth tights and Beau Coops wedges.
The Palihouse is great if you are young, hip and don’t mind some noise, especially on the weekends (from the restaurant below). The service is fair (but not overly warm), the rooms are large and there’s a kitchenette and washer / dryer which makes it ideal for longer stays. The internet, though sometimes slow is free and there are plenty of seating areas downstairs for meetings. The Palihouse is in a great location — a mere five minute cab ride from Melrose and less than three blocks from an array of healthy restaurants.
On my last day in LA, I wore a ModCloth jacket, F21 dress, H&M tights and Jeffrey Campbell boots.
The outdoor restaurant area.
On your way to the elevators, you pass a striped curtain.
Vintage Shopping
LA is a vintage shopping mecca (as is most of the west coast). We visited places all over town but our best finds were by far at Shareen Vintage. If you’re a small-to-medium-sized girl, this is your place. Shareen had an amazing array of options (in pristine shape, mind you) curated in its warehouse. Be aware that there are no changing rooms — layer a slip under your clothing for quick and easy try-ons! Also, there are no tags but don’t be alarmed; the girls will let you know what the prices are when you get to the register. Other vintage stores I enjoyed included Hidden Treasures in Topanga Canyon and Play Clothes in Burbank.
Shopping at Shareen Vintage, wearing 60s dress from Hidden Treasures.
Hidden Treasures: The equivalent of a haunted house on acid.
One of the more bizarre finds at Hidden Treasures.
Gala scored this insane skirt (and a trillion pink dresses) at Shareen.
When Jazzi’s feet got tired, she stored her wallet and keys in her Balenciaga loafers.
The Bigfoot Lodge
This place deserves a paragraph all its own…because it’s the epitome of my perfect bar. The Bigfoot Lodge is like an adult version of summer camp. You walk into the log cabin-esque bar and are greeted by animatronic creatures, bartenders in Cub Scout uniforms, tastefully placed taxidermy and lights placed in vintage Bell Jars. A chalkboard sign at the bar lists the drink specials but more importantly, a doodle of Smokey The Bear has “Drinky” emblazoned across his hat. Waste no time ordering the Toasted Marshmallow — it features not only vanilla vodka, butterscotch liquor, Frangelico and Bailey’s Irish Cream but also a flaming marshmallow, toasted to perfection. I can’t say enough good things about this bar — it made me feel like I was right at home in a very Portlandia sort of way right in the middle of LA. If we had a bar at Wolfgang Manor, this is what it would look like.
The Girl Scout Cookie drink supposedly contains real GIrl Scouts. Drink at your own risk!
Eating Out
No trip to LA is complete without a stop at In-N-Out and Carney’s (Jazzi and Gala love their hotdogs) but the real gem we discovered was Hugo’s. After a quick Yelp search netted glowing reviews, we made the three block jaunt from the Palihouse. I’m not kidding when I say that they had the best service I’ve ever received at a restaurant. And, a mind boggling menu with TONS of gluten-free, vegan and veggie friendly options.
Gala’s Portobello Mushroom Sandwich at Hugo’s in West Hollywood.
I had a great coffee and breakfast at Salades de Provence, also just down the road from the Palihouse. We also dined at a variety of other places across town including Gjelina, home of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten (order the Butterscotch Pot de Crème with Salted Caramel), Swingers Diner, an old school diner with many healthy menu options (I really enjoyed a tofu and broccoli dish) and Velvet Margarita, a total trip of a Mexican restaurant complete with cushioned velvet walls and glowing sombreros. We covered the bases from fast food to fancy and LA has some great food.
I can’t remember what was so funny! Enjoying a Vanilla Latte at Salades de Provence in a vintage Girl Scout uniform from Hidden Treasures.
Gala and I wore color-coordinated outfits to Swinger’s.
With Jazzi at Carney’s. Thankfully, they had veggie burgers.
Odds and Ends
The straight-up truth: in total LA style, we spent a third of our trip stuck in traffic jams. Luckily, we have entertaining friends so the time went by relatively fast.
It was quite fitting that I made a complete idiot of myself while dining at The Village Idiot on Melrose. It should be noted that they have killer wallpaper and delicious soup.
The street art has a sense of humor. I had to settle for this Mel Gibson portrait because I didn’t have time to make it to the Art In The Streets exhibition at MOCA.
Gala packed not one, not two but three different cameras for this trip. Talk about Virgo preparedness!
I love chandeliers and Velvet Margarita had some great ones.
The footwear I wore most frequently during my trip were my Frankly 07 wedges by Beau Coops.
Until Next Time!
I love LA — every time I’ve set foot in this town, I’ve had a fantastic time. Thanks, as always, to our friends for showing us around. I’m sure Gala and I (and hopefully Joey, too!) will be back to visit in no time…it’s impossible to stay away!
