The Good Liver: A refined general store in Arts District, LA

Places

After swinging by the Black Milk Clothing warehouse for a sample sale, we decided to explore Arts District, a sub-neighborhood of DTLA.

The Good Liver may be the most charming boutique I’ve ever visited. This general shop contains a curated array of high-quality, exquisitely designed products. The goods imported from international brands and makers from many regions.

From beauty products to appliances, The Good Liver’s catalog touches upon every aspect of life at home.

A spread of wondrous products from The Good Liver

Sea foam green and white ceramics via Instagram

I want a set of these modern, unique copper mugs to make Moscow mules. Two shiny, two frosted.

This shop is inspiring me to plan the most whimsical picnic that I can imagine.

Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover – the exterior is as minimalist and unassumingly beautiful as the interior. This delightful shop is definitely worth a peak next time you’re in Arts District.

A Review of Murphy’s Ranch Trail

Places, Reviews

Murphy’s Ranch

I visited Murphy’s Ranch about a year ago on a Sunday with a friend. I was prompted to go after getting a little too absorbed in a listicle, 18 Beautiful Places You Probably Didn’t Know Were In Los Angeles. This article was fantastic despite being so quintessentially Buzzfeed style. It prompted a flurry of Pinterest activity, as I reminisced about the places I had seen (Descanso Gardens) or thought vaguely about future plans to visit those places that I had not yet seen (Bradbury Building).

I was struck my images of Murphy’s Ranch, a former WWII militarized bunker turned 60s artists colony, which is now abandoned and covered entirely by vibrant spray paint. This set of buildings is striking for its appearance but also for it’s strange history, as it’s essentially an abandoned Nazi camp. An article on the blog California Through My Lens does a great job of articulating the controversial history of Murphy’s Ranch.

This technicolor wonderland is an oddly dystopian juxtaposition to its environment in Rustic Canyon. There have been rumors about Murphy’s Ranch being demolished for years because it’s unsafe, this may have actually happened in February 2016! I’m glad that I made the trek while the estate was still standing. We used this trail guide for recent reviews and I loved this video tribute to Murphy’s Ranch.

Gate to the compound, designed by architect Paul Williams

Murphy’s Ranch water tower

Murphy’s Ranch inside bunker

Murphy’s Ranch outside bunker

Murphy’s Ranch path

Pretty pink peeps

Places

I spotted these seriously adorable pink cutout cookies at Sweet Lady Jane Bakery. The bright, neon shade of pink caught my eye. I went to investigate after I finished up herbed scrambled eggs at this charming bakery, located on Montoya Ave. in Santa Monica.

Although Sweet Lady Jane is famous for its decadent layered cakes, the bakery also offers brunch and a host of other goodies like scones, croissants, and French macarons. These pink chick sugar cookies inspired by Easter Peeps look almost too pretty to eat.

Sugar cookies shaped like Peeps

I was inspired enough to go on a Peep investigation to see what other creations that Peeps have inspired!

Pink peeps easter cotton fabric via Etsy

Pink peeps fabric, via Etsy

Pink peep earrings

Pink chick peeps

The Jelly Belly factory is relatively close to my hometown in Northern California – it was a fun field-trip growing up. I would LOVE to visit the Peeps headquarters and take a tour.

Peeps factory

I always love the time of year when Peeps (all species!), Cadbury creme eggs, and egg shaped Reese’s pop up in stores! What springtime candy do you love?

teamLab floating flower garden installation

Floating flower dreamscape installation

Places

Have you seen this enchanting live flower installation that teamLab dreamed up? This floating garden reacts to your movement in the space – each blossom moves to create a dome overhead as your explore.

Each flower is alive, growing and reacting to its environment. Thus, each visitor will experience the garden uniquely because it is always changing. The garden will be in bloom through Spring at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan.

Go Get ‘Em Tiger

Reviews

The first scorching weekend of summer was the perfect day for brunch at Go Get ‘Em Tiger, the tiny coffee shop nestled in Larchmont Village.

Soft scrambled egg biscuit and avocado toast

We shared two items off the menu, choosing from a list scrawled in pastel colored chalk on a blackboard. The soft scrambled eggs were piled on a cheddar biscuit, accompanied by blistered cherry tomatoes, chopped chives, and tomatillo salsa. The lightly toasted slab of brick toast was topped with avocado, sliced radishes, parsley, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime juice.

We sat outside and in the sun. I soaked in the beams on my face, loving the dazzling heat that defied the fact that it’s barely Spring.

What could make a double shot iced latte and cold brew coffee even better? Drinking these coffee confections from a mason jar and through a bent metal straw.

Infamous GGET iced latte

My deep adoration for GGET lies in the details – the stenciled floating astronaut motif, complimentary sparkling tea as an aperitif before an espresso shot, and the ever-unexpected soundtrack! This visit, GGET spun 2000 jams, the highlight being N SYNC’s “It Makes Me Ill.”

Astronaut stencil mural at Go Get ‘Em Tiger

GGET roasts G&B coffee (developed in part by US barista champion Charles Babinkski, who works there) and homemade almond macadamia nut milk. The coffee has a complex flavor and medium body, and was clearly crafted by true coffee aficionados.

If you’re charmed by whimsy and bold coffee, GGET will not disappoint!