Sleep Well

I know I promised that chowder recipe and I'll get to it soon, but before that, a little about today. Today was a mini escape through the streets of Los Angeles' Arts District past industrial chic hideaways like R23 and the exposed brick of Church & State, a stop at Urth Caffé's headquarters for fresh-baked croissants, a Bellini at Cafe Metropol and finally, a trip into the covert showroom of Matteo. There, piled high, were rows of gorgeous earth-tone bed linens, robes, blankets and sheets in Egyptian cotton, Baltic flax, Nepalese cashmere and Peruvian alpaca all made right here in Los Angeles. (And yes, they feel and look just as lovely as they sound). But the best part? For this little adventure we paid $10 (TEN DOLLARS!) for a soft quilted charcoal pillow sham that we could otherwise find on Beverly Boulevard or in New York's ABC Carpet & Home for. . . $225.

Last minute gifts? Hello?!

Monkey Find: The Green Life

While carting my parents about town this weekend, we stopped at Urth Caffe in Santa Monica for Spanish Lattes (just like in Spain..delicioso!) and then came upon a year-old gem up the street: The Green Life. While there are many shops that carry organic items, none that I have found have such a range of products. This little shop, started by Scott O'Brien, carries everything from eco-friendly light bulbs to recycled wine and beer bottle glasses, aviary cage cleaner to great pieces by Amenity bedding. Much of their offerings can be found online, but certainly visit at least to tell them congrats on their birthday or to check out their monthly events. Also, if you ask nicely, they may let you peek at the interesting loft in the back.

Here's a bit of the green life: