Romance Layers

Five things on my mind these days.











/\/\ /\ Y /\ - M.I.A.

I don't wanna get lost on your screen except when its hit by a big sunbeam
I want you to know my thought stream, that's why I'm always trying to stay in my dream...

This is one of those things that for far too long I've admired more than actually listened to. I remember being overwhelmed by the whole thing the first time I heard it. A part of me felt like I just couldn't possibly understand it all. And I still feel that way. But the last few days I've been listening it to a lot, and its totally beyond me: peerless, third-world mysterious, difficult, beautiful, uncertain, exotic, demanding. The thing I love most about M.I.A. is the way that she can sound tribal and technological at the same time. There are layers and layers to these songs, but if you only hear them once they'll sound fragmented and incomplete. Tell Me Why, Space, and Caps Lock are my favorites. I can play any one of those on repeat for days.










THE ONLY PART OF THE WORLD I CARE ABOUT

I'm still ridiculously interested in the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Lower Asia. There is something about these far-off places that will always fascinate me. Worlds undiscovered, dreams not yet dreamed.














MIRA NAIR

There is something about her- a decisiveness, a precision, that completely demands your attention and overwhelms her work. I recently watched The Namesake for the second time and enjoyed it even more.



GLASS JAR - GANG GANG DANCE

This is the song that gave me the patience for epic music again. Seriously, this song makes me lose it. There are very few things more perfect in this world. (The rest of Eye Contact is equally bewildering. Every time they make a new album, I always want to live there.)












ICED DRINKS

90 degree weather calls for cold drinks. The best around are Coffee Commissary's Iced Cuban, the Cafe Luxxe Iced Vanilla Latte, Lamill's Hong Kong Milk Tea, and Joan's On Third's curiously strong iced coffee.

Get What You Give

Here's a list of 20 essential holiday gifts.
Any one of these would make a fantastic stocking stuffer or a most-welcome surprise to find under any Christmas tree.
























Postalco A7 Pressed Cotton Notebook
$12
Available at South Willard.



















Compagnie De Provence Black Jasmine Hand Balm
$28
Available at Compagnie De Provence and Caffe Luxxe.




















Manni Per Me & Per Mi Figlio Extra Virgin Olive Oil Set
$79.95
Available at Williams-Sonoma.





















LAMILL Organic Black Onyx Coffee
$16.50
Available at LAMILL.

















I Am Love Blu-Ray
$29.95
Available at Amazon.


















Suki Cheema Mumbai Apron
$65
Available at Barneys.










Aesop Three Acts Body Oils- Breathless, Contempt & All's Well
$69
Available at Aesop.

















Iittala Citterio Decanter
$60
Available at Fitzsu.

















Mariage Freres Darjeeling Candle
$72
Available at Aedes De Venustas.

















Racine Carré Pré Vert
€37
Available at Colette.
















Sofia Trio Wine Set
$57
Available at Francis Coppola Winery.














Pink Friday CD by Nicki Minaj
$13.99
Available at Amazon.

















Balanciaga Paris Purse Spray
$95
Available at Balenciaga.















Tembea Pouch
£38
Available at Monocle.






















Bookmarc Recycled Pencil Set
$9
Available at Bookmarc by Marc Jacobs LA & NYC.













Creme De Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Butter
$35
Available at Kiehl's.












Mario Batali Polenta Baker
$59.95
Available At Crate & Barrel.












Adidas by Stella McCartney Yoga Mat
$70
Available at Net-A-Porter.



















Missoni Home Lorenzo Beach Towel
$195
Available at Unica Home.






















Free City Loaded Sherpa Hat
$149
Available At Free City.

All Around

A few months ago, I published a list of eight of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles. Here's an update:




















PIZZERIA MOZZA
641 N Highland Ave

Seriously the best restaurant in the world. This place makes me feel so good and everything tastes like nothing you could ever imagine. It's always the same for me here: Nancy's Chopped Salad, Pane Bianco, and the Pizza Bianca. Eat your heart out.




















CHURCH AND STATE
1850 Industrial St

I finally made it to the elusive Church And State and it was well worth the wait. Everything was perfect. Downtown cool like nobody's business.



















LITTLE DOM'S
2128 Hillhurst Avenue

One of my very favorite places to go out in LA. Very cozy with a real modern old-school vibe. The food is great, the bar is great, and I will never forget the night I saw jj here.





















ALEGRIA
3510 West Sunset Boulevard

The best Mexican food in town, this place is insane and incredible addictive. Everything just tastes that much better here, from the lemon guac, yummy salsa, and homemade hot sauce. I always get the burrito because its just so perfect I can't imagine anything better.




















CAFE LUXXE
925 Montana Avenue

Forget the cool ocean breezes, this place is reason enough for a trek to the westside. Amazing lattes and the most delicious alfajores in the world.




















AMMO
1155 North Highland Avenue

Fresh, local, and atmospheric. A beautiful place to spend a night out. And since you're in the area, Free City is just around the corner.



















SPERANZA
2547 Hyperion Ave

Fresh pasta made daily, BYOW, and a candle-lit ambience just this side of dreamy.



















LAMILL
1636 Silver Lake Blvd

Super delicious coffee, good music, and a real chill place to escape to. The tins their coffee and tea come in are extra-lavish, too.