Grand Park DTLA

A new park opened up in Downtown LA last week and on a hot Sunday afternoon, my husband and I walked over to check it out.

Prior to walking over, we walked to Little Tokyo and got a frozen treat with every intention of eating it near the fountain.  Alas, my treat was gone two blocks before we reached the open part of the park, but it was refreshing!!

Grand Park is mostly concrete (which is not totally what I want out of a park within a concrete jungle), however, it also very cool.  There is a huge fountain with an incredible light show at night and a wading pool underneath where tons of kids were frolicking and splashing around in their bathing suits.  It is definitely family friendly but also a great spot to hang out and catch up with friends.  I am hoping perhaps they will have summer movie nights on their performance lawn?! I am excited to go back in the evening so I can see the fountain at night!

Perch{ed above the city} with Kat

On Monday my dear friend Kat came to visit me and we had some much needed girl time just catching up with delicious drinks and bites.  She had not yet been to Perch downtown and although I had been there awhile back with another dear friend, it was a good reminder of what a great spot it is and how breathtaking the city can be.

The sun kept peeking out from behind the June gloom which covered Southern California that day and it was just perfect.  They have "Aperitif Hour" M-F 4-6 with a newly expanded bites menu with Charcuterie, Fromage, Truffle Fries, Truffle Mac and Cheese and Sliders (just to name a few items).  We had just eaten but we couldn't resist the Truffle Fries (we are suckers for anything with truffle oil, salt or cheese).  And yes, you guessed it: delicious! We also tried their cocktails, Jacques Collins (like a Tom Collins) and French 76, followed by their Royals (sparkling wine with flavored liqueurs).

Kat just moved up to LA to fully pursue her dream as a photo journalist and she is connecting her new blog to her developing career.  Follow her here (she is so talented)!

Invisible Children + Apolis

Last Thursday night, I had the privilege of attending an Invisible Children event hosted by Apolis in the Arts District of Downtown LA.  They showed the film Kony 2012, which went viral last month and has had millions of views and has stirred up some criticism as well.  I had seen the film before and found it moving, but what made it more real and personal was they had an escaped LRA survivor, Gabriel, who was there to tell his story.  He was a few days away from turning 20 and this was his first time in America (He said he loved it so far and especially loved eating Cheeseburgers).  Hearing his story and then talking to him after, was an incredible and touching experience.  It was just another reminder of how blessed I am and that I should not take it for granted.  

These bags were made by women who had been raped or forced into prostitution
by the LRA.  Each bag has the woman's name who made it and her thumb print.

Everyone sat to watch the Kony 2012 video.

After the video, Gabriel shared his experience.

If you still have not seen the video (I don't know if that's even possible), then click here.  Also, sign the pledge if you are moved to help bring justice to Joseph Kony.

A Week in Instagram

Best tacos and tamales! 

Loving green.

We put lights above our bed to match our neighborhood.

DTLA<3

Sunday brunch and Bloody Mary's

Late night tea and conversation with friends.

Walking tours of the neighborhood

Our Valentine's Day night.

The Roaster at Handsome Coffee.

Happy hour drinks, food and so many laughs in DTSD with my bestie, Yanessa

Follow me on Instagram to stay posted: alisialynn

Marc Koska at Apolis

On Monday night, I attended an event at the Apolis Common Gallery featuring a photo exhibit, talk, and Q&A with Marc Koska, the inventor of the K1 Auto-Disable syringe.  Apolis hosted the talk while Handsome Coffee Roasters and The Pie Hole provided the espresso drinks the delicious dessert (respectively)!  There was a good turnout of about 40 people who were interested in learning more about Marc, what inspired him, how his invention works and why we should care.  The reuse of syringes is a huge problem and is the main contributor to the spread of HIV, Hepatitis and other blood born diseases, particularly in third world countries where there are fewer resources and little education.  To watch his Ted talk and find out more about his invention, click here.  He also started Safepoint Trust, a charity which aims at spreading awareness of this issue and how it can be resolved-click on the link to find out more.

Handsome + Apolis

For all of you Angelenos, particularly if you live downtown:
A few weeks ago I did a post on Handsome Coffee Roasters (seen here) and a post on shopping locally featuring Apolis (seen here).  Well, the two have merged while Handsome goes through its final stages of construction.  Stop into Apolis this week for some Christmas shopping and the best cappuccino in town!

Delicious!

Common table-ecourages community

A Bittersweet December

So much has happened within this last month!  Due to crazy hurricane winds and a fallen tree (see post here), we had to leave our place with all of our stuff still in it and sleep on couches in between our parents houses.  It has been an incredibly stressful and difficult time with commuting to LA, working two jobs and the holidays, but I have realized with all the bitter, I needed to taste the sweet.  So here it is...

Living back at home, I have been able to play
my favorite games with my sister and brothers. 

While the commute is hellish (2 hours there and nearly
2 hours back), there are some pretty moments

We were able to housesit for friends in Highland Park
and made the most of it..and made Old Fashioned's

While looking for a new place to live is super stressful,
we are just starting a new adventure sooner
than planned. DOWNTOWN

Handsome Coffee Roasters

There is a new coffee shop in LA and now one of my favorite stops on weekday mornings.  Handsome Coffee is opening later this month in the Arts District in Downtown LA.  While it is not officially open yet, they brew espresso drinks     M-F 7:30-12 as a preview of what is to come.  You enter through the back way in the alley and they have an old car bench seat (couch) and other fun decor.  Their barista Jesse pulled me a shot of their espresso blend (which is not at all bitter), made me a great cappuccino, and the best macchiato I have had.  Handsome was founded last year by World Barista Champion Michael Phillips, Tyler Wells and Chris Owens--all of whom left Intelligentsia to pursue their own ideal of roasting and brewing.  Stop in, say hello and enjoy a great coffee experience.

Pattern Bar

Last night some friends and I had a long overdue girls night.  We had dinner and then went to the new bar downtown, Pattern Bar.  It was super cute with a very simple theme of fashion (quite fitting since it's in the fashion district).  All of their specialty cocktails are named after famous fashion designers. I ordered "The McQueen" which was Gin, Elderflower Liquor and Passion Fruit garnish, but I added some bubbles to mine (Champagne cocktail style).  It was delicious!

I loved the ambiance and decor.