My Americana

My AmericanaSpecial Edition Issue

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My Americana Contents

2 My Americana | December 2011

Page 7: Inside Exclusive

Alcove Cafe & Bakery

Page 12: Co-Op 28 Designs

Craft & Chic

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Letter from the editor

Special Thanks

Los Feliz Resident A Hollywood Star

Lost & Found

Alcove Cafe & Bakery

December Calendar 2011

Think Smart and Shop

Craft & Chic

A Call to Mother Nature

Have You Heard?

December 2011 | My Americana 3

Page 12: Co-Op 28 Designs

Craft & Chic

This issue was very precious to me, as is all my other ones, but because I had

the opportunity to write about my hometown, it just made it a tad more special.

Growing up in Los Feliz Village, CA, I felt like I was growing up with another

family, besides my own. With trips to the local restaurants, cafes, and shops, I

had grown to be closer to these people much more. Growing up here I saw many

restaurants and clothing boutiques built with my own eyes. I thought to myself, I

pass these stores and restaurants all the time, but do not make the time to get in and

take a look around or have a bite to eat. So my friends and I decided that every time

we go out to lunch or dinner we were going to try one of these restaurants near our

blocks, and have a look and shop at the local boutiques. No more going to our usual

places, time to see what our own village had to offer. So one Saturday we grabbed

some lunch at a restaurant called “The Home” on Hillhurst Ave. It really did feel

like home, and the food was amazing. Their fries are a must. After lunch we treated

ourselves to some yogurt at a newly built yogurt shop called Froyo. Friendly service

and you can never say no to frozen yogurt. After that we went to a boutique called

“Half-off”, in which the clothes were from local designers of Los Angeles. This store

had everything from women’s and men’s clothing to shoes, belts, bags, and more.

In a city like Los Angeles it is easy to lose sight of the small towns and

villages around. So my mission in this issue was to introduce to people what Los

Feliz Village is all about. It is not just a typical residential area, but more.

Letter from the Editor

Editor and Chief of My Americana


A very special thanks to graphic designer and best friend Julia

Diarian for her amazing work she did on the December issue of My

Americana. I have worked with her in the past on my previous issues so I

knew she was the go to person for this issue. Also, I have grown up with her

in the same area of Los Feliz, so I knew she was the perfect person to work

with for this issue. Could not have done this without her.

Another thanks to Marci, owner of Co-op 28 for allowing me and

taking the time to answer questions about her store, in addition letting me

take some pictures.

Special Thanksto my contributors!


Los Feliz village was home to a Hollywood famous actor. I’ll give

you a hint: he’s blonde, last name ends in -rio and starred in a billion dollar

box office movie about a sinking ship. If you guessed Leonardo DiCaprio

you are absolutely right. During the filming of the Titanic he would reside

in the Los Feliz community.

When he hit it real hard in the industry, DiCaprio moved but did

not forget about Los Feliz. The Los Feliz Branch library is home of Leo’s

contributions he had made of $35,000 towards the library’s computer

software. He may have moved out of the community but a piece of

Leonardo DiCaprio still remains with the village today.

Los Feliz ResidentA Hollywood Star

Leonardo DiCaprio Los Feliz Branch Library

Culture


A small village located in Los Angeles, CA, Los Feliz is the home of

many unique and interesting boutiques and restaurants. For those who live

on their own or in an apartment with friends, and cannot find a good place

to catch up with one another this area has the perfect spots that will make

it your new hang out spot after work. Work related luncheons or a time to

spend on your own on a weekend, this small village will do just the trick.

Whether you are on Vermont, Hillhurst, or any other street you

will find yourself engaged in either a corner bookstore, indie jewelry shop

or munching on some grub at one of the local restaurants. Great service

provided wherever you go with a friendly environment. Los Feliz village is

a wonderful place to experience the new. It is a great start to try new flavors

from the restaurants, shop at the boutiques with lively, fun, and stylish

fashions, and discover the wonderful nature life that the famous Griffith

park has to offer.

Small Village

Spend your day in Los Feliz!

Lost & Found

But So Much To Do!


Alcove cafe and bakery is your home away from home...literally. Built in 1916, and

used as a home, private school, estate firm, and office, it has finally been built into a cafe with

a home like ambiance as well as delicious and comforting food with great prices. With rustic

furniture at the outdoor seating area, you would feel as if you are relaxing at your very own

backyard. Great place to go on a lunch date with your loved ones or a brunch date with your

pals to catch up on some gossip. Even if you just want to grab some coffee and dessert their

bakery section is just as good. Suggestion? Their coconut lemon cake...yumm! With food that

leaves a spot on your taste buds, you will come back to Alcove without having to think twice.

Before the Alcove cafe and bakery was built, it was once a Spanish style duplex, a

private school, office, and real estate firm. This small building located across a donut shop was

torn down many times and then left alone for quite some time. Finally, after years later, it was

built into the Alcove cafe and bakery in 2004 and continues its business with great success.

a l c o v eLost & Found Restaurant Overview

cafe and bakery


12/1

12/3 12/3

12/2Downtown On Ice at Pershing Square

Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival Public Star Parties

All Space Considered

Across the Biltmore Hotel

$ 8 hour including skate rental

Library with tree lighting ceremony 6-10pm

John Hughes performing on Hillhurst, Hollywood

Blvd, and Vermont Ave

Griffith Park Observatory 2-9:45 PM

Admission is Free

Griffith Park Observatory 7:30-9 PM Admission is Free

December Calendar 2011


12/3

12/10 12/11

12/4 Holiday AFloat Parade

Fruit Cake Follies Important Modern Art and Design Auction

Eat My Blog Charity Event Bake Sale

Public Star Parties

LA Harbor 6-9pm

Admission is Free

Cavern Club Theater at Casitas del Campo

8pm - $25 Admission, Live Comedy Show

LAMA Showroom 4pm

Auction featuring work from modern artists

Tender Greens on Santa Monica Blvd. 10am-4pm

All bloggers coming together to give back. Proceeds

will go to LA regional food bank.

December Calendar 2011 Upcoming Events in the LA area!


Holiday Shopping

Think Smart & Shop We all know that when the holidays roll by, spending more than the usual just happens

naturally. We honestly cannot blame anyone, I mean, how can we resist those holiday steals?

They are just so tempting. On the other hand here we are buying stuff that we use once for the

holidays and it gets stuck in the back of our closets, waiting to see daylight again. So for those

on a budget, let us come up with a plan to save some bucks and buy the things that we can

wear anytime of the year.

Pair them up with a grandpa sweater for those chilly

winter nights or a t-shirt during the summer.

There is always a little sun in LA. A pair of sunnies is

always needed no matter what the weather is outside

because even though it is freezing cold, there is always a

little sunshine peeking at us behind the clouds.

LEGGINGS

CAT-EYE SUNGLASSES

$5.80 at Forever 21

$28.00 at Wasteland


Holiday ShoppingFashion guide for the season;

Make an investment with what you buy

Pair them with some black slacks for a 9-5 look or

with a pair of jeans for a daytime lunch look.

Your pick of short combat or knee high flat boots,

which are both great with shorts and jeans.

Use as warmth for the winter and to

accessorize your outfit any other day.

SATIN LAPEL TAILORED BLAZER

ST. JOHN BAY BOOTS

PRINTED SCARF

$49.95 at H&M

$49.95 at JCPenney

$22.80 at Forever 21

$156.54TOTAL:

5 Pieces Under $200!


Craft & Chic When it comes to dressing up, sometimes that extra bracelet,

necklace, or pair of earrings are just what we need to wrap up the entire

look. A store called Co-Op 28 located on Vermont, in Los Feliz is a

handmade and indie design boutique that provides great jewelry either for

casual or dressy looks. Reasonable prices for great quality jewelry.

Manager Marci knows every little thing about each piece of the

jewelry, like who made them, what their made of, and etc. All the creators

of these pieces of jewelry are local people of Los Angeles. The designs are

eclectic and have a unique twist to them that are not seen much in any other

jewelry, and will definitely make your friends and family want to borrow

them for their outfit.


Jewelry designed by Amanda Lockrow

Jewelry designed by Robyn Molino, made of coral dipped in gold.

Jewelry designed by Mouse & Mo, made of recycled plastic bags and sterling silver.

Jewelry designed by Ayanna

Indianapolis company based Moda Industria

Handmade Jewelry by Local Designers!


A Call to Mother Nature

Sometimes life can be stressful. Working practically every day of the

week, paying bills, squeezing in time for a social life, and other life factors

can make you physically and mentally exhausted. We need to relieve some

stress and what better way to do so than getting in tuned with Mother

Nature. A hike on the Griffith park trail to the observatory is all we need.

Put on your sports gear, grab bottled water, and do not forget to shut that

phone off when you jump on the trail.

The Griffith Park hiking trail is a great start to a weekend morning

for a breath of refreshment. It is a beautiful trail that you can walk or run all

the way to the Observatory, in which you will be able to see downtown LA

beneath you. Great stress reliever, fresh air, and nothing but the chirping of

birds to sooth those tense nerves. Start your weekend morning with a hike

on the trail for some relaxation to make you ready for some fun at night.

Stress Reliever with just a Hike!


When it comes to exposing your favorite looks of fashion, most of us use twitter, pose, Facebook,

and etc to share our finds. London based magazine Garage debuted their new cutting edge platform

called STOPS. This site is a place for blog devotees to share their favorite items or street style looks with

others. All you got to do is hover your favorite piece and then link it to Facebook and/or twitter. STOPS

is not only used to take pictures of high end designers. If you spot something without a brand or an item

of a past season there will be a place to share that picture too. Whoever sends in their pictures and gathers

enough “love” votes, they will be rewarded a designer prize! A great place to search new fashion ideas,

trends, and inspiration, while showing off some of your own.

Place your pictures on garagemag.com/stops.

Stress Reliever with just a Hike!

Social Media

Have You Heard?

a l c o v eC A F E & B A K E R Y

1929 hillhurst ave., los angeles, ca 90027 | t: 323.644.0100 | f: 323.644.0111

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