Being Wasteful is Unfashionable

I cringe when I see somebody break off a fresh paper towel, dry their hands, and proceed to toss the damp, clean cloth into the trash.

My husband recently told me of a family he read of that spends $1,000 a year on paper towels. You do the math.

I understand this isn’t a very fashionable post, but let’s all save some pennies and help the environment simultaneously. Reuse paper towels and napkins. If you use a paper product to dry your hands, hang it on a rack and let it dry for the next time; or even better, use a cotton hand towel.

Giddy Over the Getty

This past weekend I was definitely a tourist in my own town. A good friend and I dined at new restaurants, drove to the Griffith Observatory at sunset and finally visited the Getty Center.

My interest in the Getty was sparked after seeing it featured on Project Runway. Though I’ve lived in Los Angeles for two years, there are still plenty of sites to see and museums to explore.

At the Getty Center our favorite stop was the photography exhibition titled Engaged Observers: Documentary Photography since the Sixties; immediately upon my return I added Streetwise and Girl Culture to my library queue. After much time spent there, Alisa and I roamed the gardens. She held a borrowed umbrella to shade us from the sun and eventually we settled on a bench in the shade and observed, enjoyed and reminisced.

We saw kids rolling in the grass, couples dining on blankets, and people simply enjoying their Sunday. If you’re in Los Angeles and are looking to be inspired, head west. The $15 charge for parking is a steal (admission is free). After 5pm parking is free; I really imagine this place is gorgeous at sunset.

A Sweet Brunch at Tart

I had one of those marvelous weekends that you recall for days after the experiences, food, and fun times with an old friend have ended.

Sunday morning found my visiting best friend and me at Tart, a restaurant connected to the boutique hotel Farmer’s Daughter in LA. We arrived armed with a $25 Restaurant.com certificate, which I purchased over a year ago at 80% off for $2. If you’re familiar with Restaurant.com you’ll know that each certificate comes with restrictions. Most the $25 certificates require a minimum purchase of $35 and are valid on food only.

We dined like queens outdoors in the quintessential LA warmth. We began with the Seasonal Fruit Plate, $8.95, and a Buttery Croissant, $4.50 (neither pictured). Our main courses were the Brioche French Toast, $9.95, and the Meat Lover’s Skillet, $11.95, which we split.

For $10 a piece, tip included, we had a deliciously sweet and salty long brunch. If you’re in Los Angeles check out Tart after coffee and shopping at The Grove; it’s LA-fashion down-home cooking and décor complete with American fare, gingham napkins, cozy booths and strung patio lights. I will most definitely be returning.