I Know You Miss The Smell of Orange Julius But….

Shopping with the person you’re dating isn’t most people’s idea of a great date. But if you add free drinks, great people watching, and some DIY craft projects all under the same roof, things start to look a bit more interesting. Whether you like it or not the holidays are here(Happy Hannukah), and more than likely you know someone who’s expecting a present. Finding that unique gift can be almost as challenging as finding that unique someone to date.  Unique LA is a fun way to handle your holiday shopping while supporting local artists and craftspeople. I’ve gone the last few years and always find great one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find at your local Made-In-China filled mall. With over 350 hand selected designers and artistsit’s, Unique LA is the largest Made-In-America shopping event in the country.

Go with that special someone and enjoy a drank, shop, do a craft together, and stop by The Oh Snap Photo booth for free photo booth portrait. Yes, you’ll miss your annual, dehydrated Sbarro’s pizza slice from the mall, but you’ll get over it.

Details: 

Website: http://stateofunique.com/unique-la/

When: December 7&8, 2013(Saturday&Sunday) 11am-6pm(both days)

Where: California Market Center, 110 East Ninth St., LA

Why: It’ll be the most interesting shopping environment ever and you might as well point out a few things YOU like to prevent Early Onset BGS(Bad Gift Syndrome)from the person you're dating.

Cost: $10 gets you entry for both days. There’s secure underground Parking for $6

(FLOWER) POWER TO THE PEOPLE

           Maybe you’ve heard the term, "Finding beauty in the hideous".  I can think of few better examples of this than the famous Los Angeles Flower Market. It’s located downtown on Wall St at 7^th.  If you know downtown well, you know that’s just a block or two from skid row.  Can you say juxtaposition? The Los Angeles Flower Market has been around since 1919 and is the largest wholesale floral district in the country.  Lucky for us, it’s open to the public 6 days a week. The heart of the market lives in 2 large warehouses with over 125 varieties of cut flowers. Surrounding the official Flower Market are several flower shops and floral supply stores. And considering the constant smog that tints our skyline, it’s definitely the best smelling place in LA.

            This date is going to call for some creativity and working together; a perfect date combo. Sounds like an ideal recipe for learning something new about the person you’re courting. Here’s my suggestion. Start off having a fantastic breakfast at The Nickel Diner around the corner on Main. They’re famous for they’re Maple-Glazed Bacon Donuts that Boss Hog dreams of freebasing, but they do plenty of other great breakfast items a rabbi would be proud of. After breakfast, head over to the LA Flower Market and pick a few different flowers you think go well together, 2 vases, and head home to try making an arrangement together. Now you’ll both have matching floral arrangements in each of your homes. Call Tiffany’s; you just discovered a new gem!! You’re welcome. 

                                !!CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL CONTENT!!!

Details:

When: Mon, Wed, Fri 8am-12noon

            Tue & Thur 6am-11am

            Sat 6am-2pm

Where: 754 Wall St.(between 7th & 8th)

             LA, CA 90014

             213-627-3696

             http://www.originallaflowermarket.com/

             Nickel Diner

             524 Main St.

             LA, CA 90012

             213-623-8301

             http://nickeldiner.com/index.htm

           

Why:     Women LOVE flowers and men should. Nuff said.  Cost:      Entry is $2 during the week and $1 on Saturday. Flowers vary in price.

Twilight On The Pier

I'm so sorry to inform you this has nothing to do with the next underwater Twilight sequel, where werewolves and vampires battle sharks. It has everything to do with great music and one of the best locations in LA to hear it from. Thursdays at 7pm through September 12th, you can enjoy FREE concerts from The Santa Monica Pier. Artists like Trombone Shorty and Jimmy Cliff are on the schedule this summer. Click here for the full summer series line up http://tcs.dola.com/

You can enjoy the concert from the pier or from the sand. I vote for sand. Bring a blanket, a few snacks, and something to sip(alcohol is not legally allowed, but you'll never catch me copper!). Who cares if you'll be finding sand in creases and crevices for the next few days. It's a small drawback for some good romance.

This is a popular event and parking is at a premium. Limited parking is available in the 1550 Pacific Coast Highway Lot, on a first-come, first-served basis. Free bike valet is available. More parking info is available at http://santamonicapier.org/visit/

Details:

When: Thursdays at 7pm through September 12th, 2013

Where: Santa Monica Pier,
200 Santa Monica Pier  Santa Monica, CA 90401

Why: Stars, Sand, & Good Sounds. Need I say more?! I think LL Cool J put it best when he said "You bring the blanket. I'll bring the boom". So bring your blanket and The Twilight Concert Series has the boom.

Cost: Free

Tip: Get there early. The municipal lots at 4th/Colorado helps you avoid traffic on the way out.

Platinum Tip:  Valet parking is available on 2nd Street, between Colorado and Broadway Avenue.
First Two Hours $10.00
$2.00 for every 30 minutes thereafter up to maximum of $20.00

Improvisational Summers

There comes a time when everybody needs to get their groove back. Unlike Stella, we can't all go to Jamaica to find it. Not to mention, her groove proved to be more of an uncomfortable indentation, considering she married an obviously flamboyant man; alas, I digress. Where was I? Oh yes, so Jazz and Groove go so well together; like Paula Deen and Michael Richards. So why not get a little of your summer groove back at LACMA's Outdoor Summer Jazz Concert Series. After over 20 years of acts like Wayne Shorter, Kenny Burrell, and Arturo Sandoval, its one the best and most unique concert series in the Southland. The groove happens every Friday at 6pm until August 30th, 2013 and its a lot cheaper than a trip to Jamaica too. Its FREE! On top of that, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum and Resnick Pavillion are open til 11pm, FREE for LA County residents after 3pm Monday-Friday. Sounds like a good combo of FREE Murals and Music. 

If you want to wet your palate or enjoy a bite or two, look no further than Ray and Stark Bar. It's at LACMA and adjacent to the concert stage. Drinks are $11-$14 and Food averages $8-$24. Hey, at Subway you can Eat Fresh for $5 but if you want to be Fly and Fanciful you gotta spend a little. Plus the art and jazz are free. Reminder-it's Dating on a Dime, not Dating to Be Cheap. 

Details

Why: Art Blakey said "Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life". You know you're slightly dusty, so get here and "Get That Dirt Off Ya Shoulders" ala Jay Z

Parking: Lot parking off of 6th St is $10. Valet on Wishire is $15

When: Every Friday at 6pm through August 30th

Where: LACMA(Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

Tip: Get there early to nab a seat and there's free parking on 6th St across from the museum. (Always check posted parking signs)