Summer 2015

There are so many places in LA that everyone should visit and so many events that come our way during the summer time! Emily takes her sunnnies on a journey through Melrose Avenue and then to HARD Summer Music Festival at the Pomona Fairplex right here in our own backyard.

Even though I’ve lived in Southern California all my life, I’ve never actually been to West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. My first experience on the crazy art filled street was nothing short of delicious-which is a weird way to describe a street, but the food… When in Los Angeles, brunch is the way to go. Blu Jam Café has a cool, laid back vibe with some seriously mouth-watering food.  From brunch carbonara to vanilla French toast, there is something here for everyone.  My personal favorite brunch food?  Eggs Benedict.  I cut into my perfectly poached egg to watch the golden yolk and dill hollandaise run down the spinach and mushrooms and soak into the English muffin on the bottom.The warm smell of freshly ground coffee surrounds you as soon as you walk in so of course - couple of Dirty Chai Double Espressos with Spiced Chai Tea. The portions are so large that you’re sure you can’t finish it but somehow… it happens. After a filling breakfast, what better way to walk it off than walking down Melrose? My friends and I popped into NastyGal , DASH, and Theory and drooled over Alexander McQueen and Hérve Léger. We stopped for murals, spray paint art, and stuff taped on light posts. Every street you cross and every corner you turn has something new, exciting, and different. Our time on Melrose was over; we had 50 miles to travel to be at HARD summer for the night… HARD summer is a 2 day music festival that happens annually in August. Top DJs and hip-hop artists show up for 1-2 hour sets for the 65,000 attendees at 5 different stages.  It definitely takes some experience to know how to get phone service where there is none and how not to lose your friends (or your car). People come to music festivals for all types of reasons: some for the music, some for the fashion, and some just for the party. Whatever your reason is, no one is judging. Under the blazing sun and on a dirt patch, the most memorable artists for me on Day 1 were The Weeknd, Porter Robinson, and Taiwanese American DJ Giraffage. With thumping bass and awesome pyrotechnics, the main stage was a black hole where time very quickly slipped away. Fast forward 12 hours and after washing off a pound of dirt… Day 2 began. Whereas day 1 music was kind of mellow, day 2 can only be described as “down and dirty.” GTA and RL Grime both threw down some hard hitting sets just as the day was becoming night. Surprise appearances by Justin Bieber and Korean pop star CL from 2NE1 during Jack Ü made the crowd go crazy. And with that, I had survived my 5th festival. Though music festivals aren’t for everyone and they can get expensive, they are a once in a life time experience. You’ll never know if you love it or hate it if you never try it! There are so many places to visit in LA and so many things that can be done in one day, boredom should never be an option.  Live your life on the edge and occasionally…jump!

This summer we want to live on the Edge and are sharing our summer experiences with you! Read about Leslie's fun time at the Orange County fair. This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending the entire day at the excitingly eventful Orange County Fair. It being my first time ever going, I found myself absolutely spellbound by the great energy from the crowd. From the elderly couples romantically strolling through the fairgrounds to the wide-eyed children begging their parents for more tickets in hopes to win their 'choice' prize, fair-goers are simply there to enjoy a good time. The OC Fair celebrates 125th year anniversary this summer and will continue taking place at the Costa Mesa fairgrounds until August 16th. With unimaginably delicious food and intriguing attractions for people of all ages, the One Big Party could not be better themed. I was racing from exhibit to exhibit carrying an enormous bacon-wrapped turkey leg in my right hand and a plateful of deep-fried red velvet cupcakes and Oreos in my left. Not to mention, the large sit-down dinner that I had with my friends later that consisted of smoky barbecue ribs, onion rings, cole slaw and a deluxe size Diet Coke that I quickly gulped down prior to being allowed into the petting zoo. The countless number of unique treats was beautifully complemented by the fun buzz surrounding the area, generating an environment that could not be found anywhere else. Every direction I looked, I saw friends and family laughing and having fun. The majestic circus show featuring acrobatics and aerial performances. The art gallery with live acoustic music weaving through the architecturally divided space. The towering Farris wheel taking heaps of people up into the sky to overlook the amazing view of the fair at night. The largest horse in the world attraction. The smallest horse in the world attraction. The options are endless; there is no possible way one could not enjoy a good time. Don’t miss out on the fun! Spend an evening of excitement at the Orange County Fair and bring all your loved ones with you. I promise you will not be disappointed. Remember, the fair runs until August 16 and at only $12 per entry, why not go see it for yourself!? Seize the moment and live life on the edge this summer.