Pages

January 4, 2011

Eye on LA: Carly Patterson

{Please welcome Carly--darling friend and fellow sassy pants--my first 2011 Eye on LA subject!}

Stage Name: I just recently had a life-altering realization that I apparently pronounce my name wrong. No matter how hard I try, whether it's introducing myself or ordering a cup of coffee at Starbucks, the other party involved always repeats something else back to me. It never fails and I have given up. Kylie, Harley, Carlin, Fernando....I will respond to any of it.


Neighborhood: West Hollywood.


Day Job: Graphic Designer at Nestlé. Yes, I mean the chocolate factory. No, I don't personally know Willy Wonka. And yes, there is candy everywhere that I can consume for free (see my thighs for reference).


Moonlight as: Freelance Graphic Designer. Lame that it's my day and night job...but also awesome because my personal freelance projects are where I get to really let my hair down and get wild (in the design-sense). I also have a pop-star sensation alter ego named GoldDust. She only wears gold glitter and her hit singles include "That's My Booty" and "Have you ever seen a B like this." If you haven't heard of her, you will.


Los Angeles is a: place that I never knew I could fall in love with and someday call my home. There is something for everyone here and that means a little bit of everything.


One day in LA. Go: A perfect Saturday could include sleeping in, a bike ride to Toast with my darling boyfriend, a hike around Runyon, a motorcycle ride to Intelligentsia for some to-die-for-coffee, occupying our favorite sitting spot at the Grove (for the sole purpose of people-watching), a daytime picnic on the lawn at the Getty, acting like we belong at some fancy schmancy hotel to use the pool, a backyard movie/make your own pizza night with friends, and drinks at the fabulous Roger Room!


Food/drink that is LA: I have a small burger obsession and have been on an ongoing mission to find THE best in Los Angeles. Current winner: Golden State on Fairfax. Just drooled on the keyboard thinking about it. Also could eat Malo in Silverlake everynight of the week until I die. Chewy chips...need I say more?


Recipe please?:


Carly's Unbelievable Coffee Cake: (warning highly addictive)


Ingredients: 1/2 LB butter softened, 2 cups sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2tsp. vanilla, 1 cup sour cream, 1 3/4 cup sifted cake flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 2 TBS.dark brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.


Instructions: Preheat oven 350 degrees. Generously butter 10 inch tube pan. In large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition, then add vanilla and sour cream. Sift together cake flour,baking powder and salt. stir into sour cream mixture. Combine nuts,brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spoon half of the batter into prepared tube pan. Sprinkle with half of the nut mixture. cover with rest of batter and rest of nut mixture. Bake 1 hour. Cool completely on rack. Turn over onto plate with topping end up. Enjoy!


Getaway from LA: The best feeling getaway without going too far from LA is camping. There are so many beautiful campgrounds scattered in driving distances from us, it's so easy to take a weekend away from it all, actually see the stars and breathe some really fresh air! Big Sur, Joshua Tree, Santa Cruz Redwoods, and all throughout the central coast....full of little hideaways.


Cheap Eats LA: Plancha Tacos moved around the block from me and is the perfect quick stop. Fairly healthy, very fresh, super cheap, and especially yummy!


Hideout in LA: If you haven't spent one night at the Moonlight Rollerskating Rink, you haven't lived. Whether or not you want to admit it, everyone has some kind of childhood nostalgia from the skating rink (mine involves Friday nights, cut off shorts, desperately looking for a couple skate for probably 5 years, and instead settling for one of those giant pickles and showing off my best/worst moves to Motown Philly, alone). Moonlight is exactly how you remember the skating rink and probably hasn't changed a thing (including the pickles) since 1998. You can relive your best movies and not even be embarrassed about it cause there is ALWAYS someone that is doing worse moves than you (see my dad for reference). And if your boyfriend went through a phase where he thought rollerblading was cool (he may or not admit to this), he will secretly be really excited you dragged him there.


Clothing that is LA: I have seen the craziest outfits in my life in Los Angeles. The weirder the outfit, the more hip and trendy everyone thinks you are. The person who pulled out their hammer pants from 8th grade single handedly started a new women's trend (which I am hoping will end soon).


Scariest place LA: The DMV.


Officially from LA when: You know what lane to be in on any given route to avoid the 5 foot deep random pot holes. You don't leave the house if it's raining. You pay $5 for a (real small) cup of coffee. You go to a cemetery for a fun night and movie watching.


Green LA: Practically every neighborhood in LA has their own version of a farmer's market. You can't get any fresher, more delicious fruits and veggies...beautiful flowers....all at amazing prices and supporting local sellers!


K-Town or Thai Town? K-Town. If you want a crazy experience, spend an evening at Wi Spa. It's open 24 hours, you get to wear the most un-cute uniform you've ever seen, explore all their different rooms (ice room, salt room, saunas, clay room), and, if you dare, let someone scrub and rub your body til you've got a new layer of skin.


Beachside or Poolside? Nothing beats the beach, but nothing says LA more than hanging by the pool with girls in stilettos and bikinis!


Happy Hour or After Hour? Malo Margaritas are amazing. All fresh ingredients and they have happy hour Monday - Friday 5-7. Monday nights are Taco Nights...tacos for $1! And Tuesdays are Margaritas Nights for $4 a piece! Can't beat it!


Hancock Park or Hollywood Hills? If you are lucky enough to have a friend, or a friend of a friend, or a complete stranger than doesn't realize you snuck into his/her party....The hills have some of the most amazing houses and pools and views in all of LA!

2 comments: