Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bird Pick

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Location: 6000 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 1230, Westfield Culver City

I stumbled upon my now favorite tea shop while roaming around the then newly remodeled Westfield Mall in Culver City a few years ago. What drew me in was the dark, dramatic, calming decor; my growing love of tea, the side of me that loves to try anything new, and the unusual name: Bird Pick.

I used to go into this shop so much that I became friendly with the staff, often catching up with them on a first name basis! Shortly after, a new location in Santa Monica opened to my delight at Santa Monica Place so I could and many times did grab a tea while out and about shopping on the promenade.

Last week, after a 6 month or so hiatus from Bird Pick, I stopped by my old stomping ground for a familiar favorite – Black Almond Tea Latte; to find a new staff, and an all new shop in its new location in the mall.

{Prepackaged, loose, and tea accessories galore.}

{Seating area.}

What is so special about Bird Pick is the mass array of loose leaf tea selections artfully displayed around the store. One can buy the finest of teas in bulk, stick with prepackaged options, or head to the tea bar to have a warm or cool concoction made almost anyway you’d like, or play it safe and order from the menu. There isn’t a drink I’ve had here that I haven’t loved. The store is inviting, the staff still friendly, and any tea accessory you’d need, you can find here. A great and healthy option when you’re over Starbucks and need the soothing nature of a little tea to perk you up.

{Bulk teas.}

{Tea bar menu.}

{Store Collage.}

Unfortunately, I didn’t recognize any of the staff during my last visit. I suppose a business like this has a high turn around understandably, but I was still more than happy to be there, check out the new digs, and enjoy some tea on a lovely Friday afternoon.

{Black Almond Tea Latte with Soy Milk = yum!}

The Aftermath

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{Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images}

There was definitely something in the air all day yesterday. An excitement, an anticipation, and even some anxiousness as the sun set here in Los Angeles. Co-workers and I chatted about the expectation. Facebook was abuzz with “I Voted” pictures showing support for the fate of our nation. Election night 2012 had arrived and I was on the edge of my seat in a way that was better than any Hollywood movie. This was life.

What I’ve come to love about this election experience in particular, was how social media tied in so closely with it. Watching as the action unfolded with Brian Williams on MSNBC, while keeping an eye on my Facebook feed laughing along with friend’s commentary made the night an interactive and connecting experience.

It was just me and my boyfriend last night – hanging out, eating baked potatoes for dinner, and cheering as results came in state by state. I don’t know what it is about this last election, but something shifted in me that made me want to really take the time to be more politically aware of what’s going on in this country. Sure, I’ll pay attention when election season comes around, then I become rather uninterested because I have a strong dislike of how politics become more about “red” vs. “blue” and not what’s best for the American people. It becomes a fight for power disguised as a fight for citizens.

I didn’t come from a politically engaged family and for reasons I could understand when I asked my mom years ago. Perhaps it’s because I am older now, and coming into my own, with a more firm concept that what happens in Washington and with California state measures has more of an impact on me that it ever has because I am an educated, professional, working adult.

With that, I will say that I was very pleased with Barack Obama’s re-election. He’s the candidate that is much more in touch with my personal values and is more grounded in the understanding of what day-to-day life is like for the common American citizen. Most people cannot just ask their parents for money when needing to deal with college expenses. I couldn’t believe that came out of a presidential candidate’s mouth.

I look forward to following our government with a renewed enthusiasm for holding our leadership accountable and myself accountable by being a bit more personally informed and engaged politically…not just every 4 years.

Congratulations, Mr. President!

{Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images}

Rockin’ The Vote

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I was out the door at 9:15am this morning, sample ballot complete and in-hand, on the way to my polling location next door. No line! Who-hoo! Oh, and did I mention it was 80 degrees this morning? On election day? 2 months into “Fall?”

I won’t get into the specifics of how I think one should vote. It’s a very personal and subjective decision based on experiences in life, upbringing, and environment.

I will say, it felt good to walk out of the polling place this morning knowing that I’d contributed (and before I’ve even had my coffee!). While I have very strong opinions about our presidential race, I wanted to place extra careful thought into understanding our state propositions this year. Typically, these are the measures that seem to hit closer to home, that are oftentimes not given as much weight in favor of who is running for President.

Of course, much emphasis is absolutely necessary in selecting our Commander in Chief. However, I’d argue that we should be getting similar styles of debate material and more information pumped our way in understanding these measures; outside of poorly produced television commercials and banners all over town. I’d like the people who write these measures to get televised coverage of what they are proposing and then open it to a forum for discussion for its acceptance or rejection. One literally has to cram like a college final to educate yourself and become informed independently. I’m not at all suggesting that people shouldn’t work to follow politics, but I am suggesting that we give voters more clear and concise information on what’s being asked of us.

In the end, I figured things out and did feel like a college student again studying hard to learn what measures are politically sound in my opinion. I don’t want to brag (okay, I do) but I graduated cum laude – so we’ll see how those expensive study habits and interpretive skills pay off in just a few short hours.

As soon as I got my “I Voted” sticker, my next politically savvy move was to get some caffeine in me and no question it was iced. 🙂

Roseanne Barr for President! Totally kidding by the way.

Halloween

Posted in DIY, Film, Food, Fun, Treats, Uncategorized by

Happy Halloween my pretties! Halloween has finally arrived. While I didn’t get to everything on my project list exactly, I got plenty accomplished that put me in the right spirit for the festivities!

1. Bake a gluten-free pumpkin pie. – DONE!
Interestingly, this was one of the first things to be crossed off. A simple pre-made gluten-free crust from Whole Foods and Libby’s Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix was all it took. I added a dash more nutmeg and cinnamon to ensure true sweetness to the mix though it doesn’t call for it. Add a little Cool Whip and you’re ready to pumpkin pie it out!

2. Carve a pumpkin. – DONE!
This year we headed out to Los Rios Rancho in Glen Oak, CA to pick our pumpkins (and some apples). Blog post to come on what turned out to be a very memorable day trip, but here’s a quick collage to capture our pumpkin carving adventure:


3. Decorate my apartment. – DONE!
I decked out my place with simple pumpkin lights I got a few years ago at Target, so admittedly, it wasn’t anything too drastic. They offered the perfect ambiance while watching scary movies all month long, and using my orange pumpkin scented candle created a great final touch and smell for the Halloween season.

4. A scary night out with the girls. – SEMI-FAIL!
The girls and I had a change of plans, while we thought about a night out at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, this never seemed to come together (timing was a huge culprit). We did get together last night for an awesome scary movie girl’s night in complete with pizza, treats, and lots of laughs.

5. Scary movie night at least once a week with a big bowl of popcorn and all the lights turned out. – DONE!
This was the one goal that went without a hitch (though popcorn was only present during one flick, there was ALWAYS a sweet treat nearby). I managed to see a lot of scary/suspense films throughout the month. My top 3 likes and 2 hates to not even waste your time on:
Likes:
1) When a Stranger Calls (1979)
2) What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
3) Sinister (2012)
Hates:
1) The Hunger (1983)
2) The Last House on the Left (1972)

6. Read Midnight, by Dean Koontz. – FAIL!
Didn’t finish. I’ve been picking this book up and putting it down all month. Unfortunately, I never found the time to get into it before I moved on when my book club announced the November selection; which has been pretty creepy ironically so I been delving into “Room”, by Emma Donoghue.