A Few of My Favorite Places in LA...

The Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens
http://www.huntington.org/

My perfect place for a Sunday stroll, the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens boasts twelve lush gardens, including the Rose, Japanese, and Subtropical, to name a few. An idyllic oasis, the grounds also feature an impressive collection of American and European art, and rare books such as one of the eleven remaining Gutenberg Bibles. 

Balboa Island

A stroll down memory lane and quainter times tucked into the OC Harbor... I love grabbing a balboa bar and exploring the blocks upon blocks of charming homes that dot the island. Cruising at sunset in a Duffy boat packed with friends, wine and charcuterie is one of my favorite ways to spend spring and summer nights.  

Serafina
http://www.shopserafina.com/ 

Nestled on San Marino’s most adorable street, Mission, Serafina has the absolute best selection of women's clothing in the Pasadena area. (Elisa B, I love you, too!) From Jennifer Meyer jewelry for everyday wear to the chicest unique brands we've never ever heard of, they have everything we need to wear, ever. And they give you mimosas or lattes while you shop, too. The best.

Images via @shopserafina

The Beverly Hills Hotel
http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/beverly-hills/the-beverly-hills-hotel

Also known as The Pink Palace, it's one of the world’s most iconic hotels. PS - the chocolate souffle at the Polo Lounge is something you won't soon forget!

via @townandcountrymag

via @townandcountrymag

Sushi Gen
http://www.sushigen-dtla.com/                                                                                                           

For the best sushi outside of Japan, go to Sushi Gen in Downtown's Little Tokyo enclave. If you're feeling indulgently adventurous, I recommend ordering omakase, a five-course meal of the chef’s choice... "Omakase" is Japanese for “I’ll leave it to you.” Whether you opt to sit at the sushi bar or at a table, leave it to Sushi Gen. You can’t go wrong.

Image via @ericafishman

Image via @ericafishman

Centre Fitness
http://centre.fitness/ 

A local favorite place to workout. Maybe it helps that the studio looks more like a NYC loft than the usual cold fitness studio/gym atmosphere. Centre Fitness has every kind of class, from spin to barre to Pilates to circuit training and buresque, with notable instructors that are all top-notch and really kick your butt into shape, fast.

The Hollywood Bowl
http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/ 

There is something so magical about an open air concert, in a place in the middle of Los Angeles... the acoustics here are simply unparalleled and the whole experience so purely iconic. Bringing a picnic dinner to enjoy in the box seats to the highly anticipated singalong series, where classic movies are accompanied by a live symphonic orhcestra, is one of the best nights out you can have living in this city. 

image via @picturemattersagency

image via @picturemattersagency

Le Muse  
http://lemusecoffeeandwine.com/

This darling cafe in Pasadena serves artisanal roast coffees, fresh pastries, and French sandwiches during the daytime but doubles as a wine bar in the evenings. Their sensational coffee will keep you focused all day long until you’re ready to unwind with a glass of your favorite wine. 

Cinespia  
http://cinespia.org/ 

This summertime haunt has certainly grown in popularity over the past few years and is packed now, but it's still just as fun of an event at its core. Just like being at the Bowl, anytime I can be outside is a win in my book. Plan to get there when the gates open and pay to park inside -- that way you can get a great spot to spread out your many bottles of wine on!

Sweet Lady Jane  
http://sweetladyjane.com/  

The best indulgent treat. A celebrity favorite, this bakery creates truly decadent confections with mouthwateringly decadent flavor in every bite.

The Sunset Tower Hotel  
http://sunsettowerhotel.com/  

The best staycation.  Lounge by the rooftop pool, rejuvenate in their renowned spa, and call their glamorous suites your home throughout your stay. This is the view you'll enjoy during your morning room service... Need we say more? 

The Ivy At The Shore  
http:///theivyrestaurants.com/ivy-at-the-shore/

The lobster ravioli, seafood risotto, and lemon bars are to die for. Similar to its predecessor, The Ivy, The Ivy at the Shore is a consistently delicious lunch and dinner spot, but sans the paparazzi and hordes of tourists.

@iactuallylickedthat

@iactuallylickedthat

The Malibu Country Mart  
http://malibucountrymart.com/

Distinct from the many cookie cutter shopping malls clustered around LA, the Country Mart is a truly unique shopping center filled with upscale boutiques, fine art galleries, and gourmet farm-to-table restaurants. It's the perfect place to visit and kick back in the heart of California's best beach city. 

Image via @kejschwartz

Image via @kejschwartz

Bluemercury  
http://bluemercury.com/ 

This is the store I trust to find the best natural beauty brands and products to look and feel radiant from the inside out. Everything from makeup, to skin and sun care, to indulgement yet completely worth it spa treatments like oxygen facials and glycolic peels.

Image via @bluemercury

Gant  
http://gant.com/ 

I discovered Gant in Le Marais in Paris and then again in Cannes, the whole time thinking it was a wonderful French secret... but after a little digging, found that they have a location in Venice Beach. For the man in your life, look to Gant for super high quality everyday duds that are classic with just a bit of on-trend edge. 

Image via @aalchemikaapparelco

Image via @aalchemikaapparelco

Where are some of your go-tos? Maybe someday I’ll write a more lengthy list, but for now, I highly recommend these spots. 

The Montreux Jazz Festival

The Montreux Jazz Festival, held in Montreux, Switzerland, is an annual jazz festival that dates back to 1967. The festival is a world-class destination for those who love music, and is traditionally held in early to mid July. It is the second largest jazz festival in the world, behind Canada’s Montreal International Jazz Festival. While this annual tradition was rooted in solely jazz music, with some of the first performers being Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald, the festival has since grown and now boasts a diverse range of genres performed. However, jazz has remained central to the festival. Several famous performers that have played at the Montreux Jazz Festival have included: Eric Clapton, Prince, Ringo Starr and George Clinton, who showcase the colorful variety of music played at the festival.

        This beloved festival originated at the Montreux Casino, which was burned down during a performance at the festival. This was later referenced in a famous Deep Purple song, “Smoke on the Water.” Venues have changed many times since, and today the festival is held at the Montreux Musique & Convention Centre, Montreux Jazz Café, Montreux Jazz Young Planet, Montreux Jazz Club, MDH Club, Studio 41 and Montreux Jaxx Lab. There is also a Music in the Park element to the festival and several of the venues even offer free admission.

        Major musicians and artists at the festival include John Legend, Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga, Die Antwoord, Sam Smith, Mary J. Blige, Alabama Shakes, Lionel Richie, Lenny Kravitz, Aloe Blacc, A$AP Rocky and Santana. The festival also has local performers and high school bands play at some of the free venues. The 2015 festival begins on July 3rd and continues until July 18th.

        Tickets are sold in several ways; they can be bought online at montreuxjazzfestival.com, or can be ordered by phone. There are also numerous points of sale for the festival in Austria, Belgium, Germany and France as well as same day purchase available at 4 pm each festival day for that evening’s performances. These tickets can be purchased at the Box Office of the festival, near the Music and Convention Center entrance.

        The municipality of Montreux is on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, and as a luxury travel destination, it is home to several fine hotels that make attending the concert an even greater affair. The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is a five star hotel on the banks of Lake Geneva and is over one hundred years old. The Montreux Jazz Café, one of the venues for the jazz festival is in this hotel, making it a prime hotel for attending the festival. The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace also offers guests a spa, numerous fine dining options and is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Suisse Deluxe Hotels. A few additional hotels that provide not only a sumptuous atmosphere perfect for dining and lounging but also pristine accommodations in Montreux include the Hotel Royal Plaza Montreux, Eurotel Riviera Montreux, and the Eden Palace au Lac. Wherever you choose to stay between these 4 top choices won’t fail to not only satisfy you, but make your experience visiting the festival all the more special. 

        There are many transportation methods in which to get to the Montreux Jazz Festival. The SBB train line runs a total of forty special trains solely for the festival, and the station is a few minutes walk from the site. It is recommended to buy train tickets that cover a round trip to and from the festival, as trying to sort out transportation after 11 pm can be tricky. If you plan to travel to the Montreux Jazz Festival from France, the TGV Lyria train runs special trains to take people from Paris, to Geneva and Laussane, which are Swiss cities close to Montreux. For those who choose to drive or be driven to the festival, there are parking lots on the outskirts of the site and shuttles run frequently to and from the festival grounds and the lots.

        For families attending the Montreux Jazz Festival, there are numerous accommodations for small children and teenagers under the age of eighteen. For no charge, children aged three to teen are allowed to stay at the daycare center near the festival for a maximum of four hours, and the centers are open until one to two in the morning. Teenagers and older children are welcome at Young Planet in Montreux, which offers a smoke and alcohol free space for activities daily until midnight. Bars or other venues that serve alcohol are off limits to festival goers under eighteen.

        No photography or videoing is allowed at the festival. Other prohibited items are skating toys, glass objects, weapons, umbrellas, or cameras. Children under the age of six are not permitted to attend concerts or jazz boats and trains, and those younger than sixteen must be with an adult at all times during the festival.

        The Montreux Jazz Festival is a wonderful complement to a European summer vacation, as it’s uniqueness cannot be found in many other locales and the performers are a treat to see live. It allows for there to be a portion of your vacation dedicated to entertainment at its best, other than exploring or relaxing. Visiting the festival can also be a unique experience located in a lovely lakeside city in its own right. For any further information, or to purchase tickets to the festival, please visit montreuxjazzfestival.com.

Art Basel Switzerland: The Olympics of the Art World

On June 18th through the 21st, Art Basel will be held in Switzerland! This is a premier international art show that exhibits both modern and contemporary works, bringing together leading galleries from all around the world and focusing them in the heart of Europe. The exhibition will hold a wide array of different works such as: high-quality paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, video and edition works.

Basel is a very unique destination. It is found bordered between the countries of Switzerland, France and Germany. Ranking high as one of Europe’s most enticing and cultural cities, Basel holds world-class museums, theaters, concert halls, a medieval old town and new architecture.

The show has been referred to as the ‘Olympics of the Art World,’ with about 300 galleries from countless different countries as well as work from over 4000 artists being displayed. The show has eight different sectors that present all types of artistic mediums and everyday has a different range of programs from symposiums to films and artist talks. Each sector shows off a diverse collection of arts that range from established artists to newly emerging artists. Curated projects are presented as well as site-specific experiential work and film.

Art Basel’s talks program allows the audience to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the artistic and artist’s practice. Along with the artistic practice, visitors also learn more about the international art world and the art market. With galleries from Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa, the 2015 exhibitors have produced a fine list of participants. Click here (https://www.artbasel.com/en/Basel/About-the-Show/2015-Exhibitors) for the full gallery list of the 2015 exhibitors.

The Unlimited, Parcours and Film sectors of the exhibition are selected from works that have been suggested by Art Basel’s galleries and have been selected by internationally renowned curators with high expertise in each of the sector’s realms.

Partners of Art Basel are a team of corporate partners who share the same goal as Art Basel. They both want to create international meeting places for the entire art world.

Over about 90,000 art lovers come to see the exhibit every year. It is recommended that you plan to attend early on, as it is quite a popular event that globe trotters flock to year after year! Art Basel has made it convenient to plan on travelling to Basel; whether it is by air, rail, or car, the event has provided useful tips and information for arranging your trip accordingly. This includes getting to Basel, the booking accommodations, and finding the venue once in town.

Not only does the show feature a myriad of divine art, but there are also extras on site that include fine dining, cafés & restaurants and bookstores, as well.

Visitors are offered accommodations of every kind. These include large, small and even boutique hotels. Bed-and-breakfast accommodations and holiday apartments are also offered. Basel Tourism makes it easy to reserve hotel rooms in Basel and it’s vicinity through its central accommodation-booking system. The concierge of Art Basel, Savoir Faire, offers guests exclusive, personal and tailored services.

If you’re looking for a wonderful wine bar within walking distance, Consum is the perfect spot. You can enjoy delectable, revered wines that aficionados appreciate (Zieresen, Kesselring, Cascina Fontana, Alvaro Palacios, Quinta do Crasto) and a number offered by the glass with bar snacks such as Swiss raw-milk cheeses (Willi Schmid’s Jersey Blue, Glarus alp cheese) along with salumi and pata negra. Another great option is Volkshaus. Known for their more edgy, on trend feel and great music, they even includes a jazz brunch the last Saturday of the month, the bar and brasseries is reborn courtesy of local heroic architects, Herzog & De Meuron. However, if you’re looking for more of a hip, brand-new establishment, Crystal is right across from the event and holds chandeliers and lots of mirrors.

To find a great dining spot near Basel is not too difficult. A highly sought after dinner spot in Basel, especially on Saturday nights, is the Gundeldingerhof. With its Shaker-style décor, it serves a Modern European cuisine with three course meals and half a bottle of wine. Restaurant Lowenzorn offers a similar delectable three course meal with a service of half-bottle wine as well. However, they are known for their snug, wood-paneled rooms and huge internal courtyard, which allows open-air dining. If you’re in the mood for Swiss specials such as fondue or diced calves’ liver with Rosti, this is the place to be. The Financial Time’s most top-of-the-range restaurant pick for a Saturday Night in Basel is the Cheval Blanc. Their Mediterranean cuisine with hints of Asian touches makes this restaurant a top notch dining experience. Their extensive wine list is perfect when a half-bottle of wine is included and paired with your three-course meal.

With all these bars and restaurants close by to Art Basel, you won’t need to go far for a great night of drinks and fine dining on the town. Take a stroll down to the famous bars or to one of the top class restaurants and let your taste buds indulge in the experience of a lifetime.

Art Basel was created in 1970 when a couple of Basel gallerists put their passions and determinations together with a vision. Ernst Beyeler, Trudi Bruckner and Balz Hilt were the founders of Art Basel, which was a hit from the first inaugural show that attracted 16,300 attendees. Now in 2015, Art Basel is known and recognized to be a premier international art show.