Out And About | Firefly

Pizza Fest

Every other Wednesday we get a delivery of locally sourced, organic goods from our friends at the Venice Merchant. Be sure to check out their recipes on their site. Recently they teamed up with Pitfire Pizza and now you can get fresh pizza dough at home. We can be seen at Pitfire more often than we’d like to admit and get it delivered all the time. I could probably recite their entire menu if given the challenge. I am pretty obsessed with their Tuscan bean soup and kale salad (and pasta and pizza, naturally). Mia loves to be in the kitchen and we figured we saved about an hour having the dough already prepped. Mia, you are a champ! Dinner was delicious and Mom got to spend a little extra time at Firefly.

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posted 5/17/2013

labels: DIY, Home, Kitchen, Local, Out and about 0 comments

Have you been to Barnyard?

It’s delicious! Quaint atmosphere and friendly staff. I can’t wait to go again. Barnyard Venice.

posted 3/29/2013

labels: Local, Out and about 0 comments

Bead It. Just Bead It.

New York might be the city that never sleeps, but Los Angeles is the city that never stops playing. Due to traffic considerations, sometimes that means that we don’t get a chance to go home between morning dates and going out that evening…which means either making our cars into a second closet (downside: hampered rearview visibility), or choosing an outfit that easily makes the transition from morning to night.

An easy outfit to choose? One with details, so you can dress up when the sun goes down – like this beaded tank by Free People. It’ll take you from your morning coffee to your happy hour drinks, and goes with anything from jean shorts to work pants (think: beach day to office). And for only $118, it doesn’t break the bank!

Excuse me a minute, I think I have to run to the dressing room…

posted 10/01/2012

labels: Abbot Kinney, Clothing, Out and about 0 comments

Football You Bet

Whatever happened to Summer’s Sunday Funday?! Oh, that’s right – the NFL stole all my friends. Luckily, I have the perfect solution to still hang out with everyone, while not being forced to stare at big men in stretchy pants all afternoon: Color Me Drunk, a drinking activity book. My pals watch their game. I drink their beer, and everyone gets to have a little fun between the downs. Go Vikings, Redskins, Giants, Broncos!

posted 9/10/2012

labels: Accessories, Books, Local, Out and about 0 comments

Dog Days of Dogtown

It’s hard to beat this hot summer weather we’ve been having on the westside for the past weeks (this must be when the weathermen go on vacation!), but the heat is making everyone around town a little more lethargic. I see it everywhere: people slowly strolling to lunch down Abbot Kinney instead of a quick pace; happy hours are filling up an hour later; friends take ten minutes longer to bike over than in the cooler winter months. Even my coffee buzz is taking twenty minutes longer to hit me in the mornings! These are the dog days of summer, and here in Dogtown we only know one remedy to combat the sleepiness and take advantage of the heat: go to the beach! (Or Alaska. But the beach is much closer.)

Even in the 1920′s, the beach was the go-to place to beat the summer heat!

First thing’s first – you need to be prepared to spend a couple hours in the sand. You’ll need a good sunscreen, cute sunglasses, and…a comfortable (and cute) place to sit. We recommend these turkish towels – they’re easy to pack and easy to clean, plus they double as a warm wrap when the sun goes down! If a traditional towel is more up your alley, Pendleton makes fantastic patterns; try one in an easy-to-find color like orange or yellow. You’ll be able to spot it faster when you’re coming back from a wave surfing sesh. Every time I go to the beach, I like to have a notebook on hand just in case of random thoughts, making to-do lists, or getting some cute surfer’s number – this driftwood decomposition book by Michael Roger is the perfect size for purse or beach bag!

If you’ve got a little one with you, we’ve got them covered, too! Make sure they’re protected from the elements with a hat – we love the weight of this cotton sunhat! This little cotton onesie by Mixt Studio keeps your little beach bum’s bum covered, at the playa and at home. And who can resist a beach cruiser with a bell?

The best part of living in Venice? It’s easy to transition into evening mode straight from a day at the ocean – especially with these options! Try this mint tunic dress by Free People, with a pair of comfy yet classy flip flops; we love Tkees. It’s an outfit that looks at home at the boardwalk juice bar and at Gjelina! Make sure to pair it with a couple pieces of jewelry – my favorite is this sea urchin necklace by Alkemie. Nothing ruins a good time like a wet swimsuit, however, so make SURE you store your wet suit in this waterproof bag before you head off to dinner!

Need some beach tunes? We’ve been digging Pandora lately – try the Beach Boys, Vampire Weekend, or Beach House for some good stations. For bonus points, get some music by local favorites MK & the Gentlemen Enjoy!

posted 8/23/2012

labels: Abbot Kinney, Accessories, Clothing, Kid, Kid Clothes, Local, Out and about, Uncategorized 0 comments

Olympic Essentials

I doubt this is a newsflash for anyone out there, but the Summer Olympics are here! Most of you have probably caught at least a little of the coverage, from opening ceremonies to newsworthy victories. If you’re like me, you vow to watch as much as possible (even the unusual sports)…and then wind up only watching diving and gymnastics. After all, who can say no to speedos and sparkly costumes?

Whatever country you pledge allegiance to, there is much more excitement to come in the next week and a half – especially if you’re lucky enough to be on your way to London to see the games in person. To make the trip ahead easier, we’ve gathered some essential Olympic items at Firefly for you. Safe travels!

First thing’s first – the plane trip to London! Make sure your passport is protected for the long trip to London town with Barbara Wiggins’ classic and durable passport protector. Then, why not relax on your long flight by getting into the spirit of the games? Try perusing the The Olympic Games Through a Lens. It contains 230 photos from Getty Images of both iconic and unusual athletes, moments, and sports. For the superstitious fan, we suggest using BlueQ’s “Knock on Wood” bag for small personal items – you can’t be too cautious when a gold medal’s in the balance!

Now you’ve landed in London Town, and are ready to go find your favorite events! You might be a tourist, but who says you need to look the part? The voyager compass necklace helps you get your bearings without resorting to a cumbersome map, so you’ll never miss a meet! Show off your American Olympic pride while spectating in a classy and discreet way with Kinetix’s USA tank top (looks even better on women!). When the night gets chilly, channeling your Usain Bolt has never been easier than when wearing La La Land’s printed cardigan – you’ll be cheering faster than a cheetah!

London gets hot in the summer, and nothing is worse than a cold beverage warming up. Stay hydrated (& keep your liquids cool) with a S’well bottle that’s functional as well as stylin’. Now, if you must sniffle during an equestrian event, you should use a cotton hanky – remember, our English cousins are quite proper! Try these three soft cotton handkerchiefs from Izola. Throughout your time at the Games, you’ll probably meet buckets of world travelers. Keep track of these interesting new friends from around the globe with this journal.

The games are over – time to celebrate. Don’t forget to congratulate your favorite athlete! Feeling a little jealous of their victory? Grab one of these gold medal bottle openers, and you’ll feel like a winner every time you help a friend out opening their bottle!

posted 8/02/2012

labels: Abbot Kinney, Accessories, Books, Out and about, People I've Seen, Places I've Been, Uncategorized 1 comment

Boy George, Neon is In

When I caught wind that neon was going to be all the rage, I didn’t expect the magnitude it was going to hit Abbot Kinney nor did I expect I would be drooling and fawning over so much of it. I figured it was just a phase…that the next generation had discovered the 80′s, and was trying it on for size, but Boy George, it is everywhere, and I really can’t get enough.

Two things about neon: it is fun, and it is ageless. It doesn’t matter if you’re eight or eighty. Everyone can add some neon flare to their outfit. Here are just a couple of suggestions from the store, ranging from a hint of neon on your wrist, to a glow-stick worthy ensemble. Take your pick!

If you are still a neon virgin, the easiest way to incorporate bright colors is to start slow. Don’t startle friends and family with a head-to-toe color palette swap. Add a bright bracelet for your beach outings from Gamine. Maybe try using a neon grocery bag – you can impress your grocer and your fellow Whole Fooders. Or be bold – pair a neon Tracey Tanner zip bag or elephant tote with your outfit to really up the ante.

Once you’ve mastered the art of subtle neon, you’re ready to make it an outfit. Free People has cornered the market on adorable, functional neon-wear – try either of these cute tops with a pair of jeans; they’re perfect for a westside evening. If you’d rather keep it to a pinch of neon, they also have this adorable maxi dress with just a hint of bright orange at the bottom. And if you’re really not ready to take neon to outfit level, try these boy shorts from Cosabella - even though no one else can see them, I promise they’ll still light up your day.

After you’ve incorporated neon into your outfit and accessories, it’s time to introduce the joy of neon to friends and family. Got a party coming up? Someone’s birthday? Wrap their present in bright yellow gift wrap; make sure to finish with a hot pink mason twine. (Bonus points if the present matches your party outfit.) Try using one of these festively colored cards to tell your friend or loved one how much you care! They’ll love the sentiment a lot, and the bright tones even more. Where to find all these goodies? Firefly, of course!

And just as a bit of added fun, why not add some neon to your soundtrack? Neon Trees has great summer jams – have a listen here –> http://www.fameisdead.com/pictureshow/

posted 7/19/2012

labels: Abbot Kinney, Accessories, Clothing, Home, Out and about, People I've Seen, Uncategorized 0 comments

Venice Garden Tour

Folks, the Venice Garden Tour is May 5th. I cannot wait! I have always opted to go on the Art Walk (May 19th and 20th) in lieu of the Garden Tour and last year, I cringed with envy over all the photos from friends on Facebook. Pretty much my favorite thing to do is spy on people’s houses. This is why I clock at least 2 hours per evening scouring design blogs. It’s a problem. Really. I bought my tour tickets the day the mailer arrived.

We went on a mini tour of our own last eve. You see, many nights after dinner, we take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. We’re not free loving meanderers by choice like I’d like you to believe. Really, we’re trying to kill that hour between dinner and bedtime with our darling Mia. The natives get restless and some nights the most peaceful path is a walk around the block. It’s much easier to put on a pair of shoes than draw sixteen kitties, build legos, handle iPad negotiations and dance a jig while singing a few rounds of Pippi Longstocking (all the while checking the time to see if MAYBE ten minutes has passed). Last night on our jaunt I took a glass of wine with me. I know. Girl gone wild! I could have been arrested, but that added bonus just made it all special. There is so much inspiration just on our block. I really appreciate the landscaping in our area. Below is pretty much my dream concrete fence. Swoon! And, as usual, Mia admired all the rocks.