THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS // BE HERE NOW Brooklyn, NY // Home WAITING // THE RIGHT MOMENT // TYPE A TENDENCIES

A theme that is often persistent in my life is waiting.  Waiting for the right time, feeling, day, song or for permission- and this almost always guarantees malcontent.   Malcontent for whatever I am currently doing. Generally, it is waiting for my life to be something different than it is at that moment.

I fall into the trap of killing time. Waiting to be thinner, have more money, to be in New York or in Los Angeles, away from family, near family, or just plain happier.  What has become apparent is that it all of this waiting and killing time has been the main culprit to a pair of another all too familiar themes in my life, unhappiness and lack of connectedness.

All of this time spent waiting has left me with the understanding that waiting is death.  It is the death of good ideas, spontaneity and creativity.  It is the thing that keeps me from moving forward and keeps me from going through with the best of ideas.

What does that have to do with Pilgrim?  Well, for a minute now, I have wanted to expand on the format. However, articulating on what the expansion would be seemed to elude me, until this week. I'm intrigued by the idea and manifestation of "The Pursuit of Happiness" and how living with intention may actually be easier, and even more fulfilling, than it sounds.  I am inclined to explore this further with an audience.  In the hopes that out of inherent unhappiness, malcontent and lack of connectedness, something more full and real could grow and bring about a real and genuine happiness.

In the past, the "Type A" Tendencies I have would have kept me waiting on this change until the New Year, because it is so very close and it would be so very perfect, in the way of timing.  However, in keeping with the now, "waiting is death" theme, I am compelled to act now, in the present, rather than in the future.

Pilgrim, traveler and wayfarer, anything is a possibility and here right now.

Enjoy,
LMB

WHAT'S GOOD // SHOPS Los Angeles, CA // Silverlake BUCKS & DOES

Bucks & Does // Sunset + Hyperion

 

+ This husband and wife owned and operated new addition to the Sunset Junction, is perfect for the California born and bred or those who can't help but dabble in ikat, American flags and macrame.  The couple has had a presence in the apparel world for quite some time as the owners and designers of the Anthropologie carried clothing line, Porridge.
+ Bucks & Does is a very well curated boutique, I dare you to leave without finding something you need; well worth a stop while rambling east down Sunset.  

+ Hours:
      Monday-Saturday 10a-7p
      Sunday 11a-6p
+ Both men's and women's apparel represented
+ A few lines carried // Persol, Cleobella, Cynthia Vincent, Mara Hoffman, Mother Denim and Jen's Pirates Booty to start...
+ In addition to apparel they carry, delicious candles, apothecaries, tooled leather clutches, enviable jewelry and every color Hanky Panky you could want

+ Plenty of metered parking available

Bucks and Does
3906 N Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Telephone // 323.515.7385

Enjoy,
LMB

I SCREAM // THURSDAY New York, NY // East Village MOMOFUKU MILK BAR

Momofuku Milk Bar // 13th St + 2nd Ave

+ First, let me just say, you do not need me to tell you to go to Momofuku Milk Bar- since opening it's doors in 2006, it has grown quite the reputation for itself with locations popping up throughout New York city and now Canada.  However- I will still tell you to, please, go to Milk Bar!!
+ Milk Bar falls into the fleet of wildly as successful, as they are delicious restaurants headed up by Chef David Chang (though Milk Bar is run by chef and owner in Christina Tosi).  Milk Bar's short history is- it was opened in the laundry mat next to the instant hit and immediate neighborhood staple, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, and quickly made a name for itself, for extremely good reason.  While the Momofuku brand has many many things worth giving a try- start with Milk Bar.

+ Hours:
      Sunday-Saturday 9a-12a
+ $4.50 for demi Cereal Milk soft serve
+ Though the menu is incredibly fun to explore- starts with soft serve and ends with pork buns, Milk Bar fans have the treats they swear by and go out of their way for.
+ Some of the greatest hits include // Compost Cookie, a brown sugar cookie filled with pretzel, graham cracker crust, chocolate chips, potato chips and butterscotch- to start // Cereal Milk and soft serve, exactly as it sounds, soft serve made from cereal milk... almost nothing better // Crack Pie- an oaty crust with a sweet and gooey filling, it tastes very much like a pecan pie sans pecans
+ I'm straight up torn between Cereal Milk soft serve with crunch topping (pictured above) and the Birthday Cake Truffles, "every day is someone's birthday" the perfect excuse to celebrate (or justify)
+ While there are a couple locations- I suggest for total effect, head to the original

+ Off the L train at 3rd Ave  // Off the 4, 5 & 6 at Union Square

Momofuku
Milk Bar
521 E. 12th St.
New York, NY 10003
Telephone // 347.577.9504
www.milkbarstore.com

Enjoy this NYC staple,
LMB

WHAT'S GOOD // JUICE Los Angeles, CA // West Hollywood BEVERLY HILLS JUICE BAR

Since 1975

Beverly Hills Juice // Beverly Blvd between Orlando + Kings

In my mind, Los Angeles is synonymous with two things- juices & smoothies and donuts, somehow it makes sense if you spend enough time in LA.  Beverly Hills Juice Club is a little, bright spot on a quieter part of Beverly Boulevard.  This family owned joint has been running the show for over 40 years- when I stopped in, the father son duo were both there and witnessing these two interact was, in itself, just about as enjoyable as what I imbibed. 

+ The Banana Manna shake (above) is the real deal // vegan banana & (cacao, sunflower or coconut) ice cream, with your choice of any juice combo (I got apple + strawberry) the price can range anywhere from $8-$10 but I promise, it is very, very worth it.

+ Hours:
      Monday-Friday  7a-7p
      Saturday  9a-7p 
      Sunday  closed
+ Raw pressed juices // perfectly concocted 
+ Juices freshly juiced on the spot and they are equipped with a cooler for grab and go convenience
+ Wheatgrass, ginger and E3 live brainon shots, straight up or added to your juice
+ Banana Manna Almond packed by the pint to take home- trust me, you will want to

+ Sources locally grown ingredients and buys organic when available // always pesticide and commercial fertilizer free
+ Cash only

+ Plenty of metered parking

Beverly Hills Juice
8382 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Telephone // 323.655.8300
www.beverlyhillsjuice.com

Enjoy,
LMB

THE FIX // COFFEE San Diego, CA // North Park COFFEE & TEA COLLECTIVE

Helping out Monday mornings since its inception. 

Coffee & Tea Collective //  El Cajon Blvd between 30th + Kansas

+ Continuing down the coffee rabbit hole- we end up at Coffee & Tea Collective in San Diego, California.  The Collective takes great pride in sourcing and roasting it's coffee sustainably, responsibly and in small batches.  It is a bright spot on El Cajon Blvd- not to be passed up.

+ Hours:
      Sunday-Wednesday 7a-5p
      Thursday-Saturday 7a-8p
+ Accepts all credit cards
+ Full assortment of house roasted coffees and specialty blended teas // available by the pound and for wholesale
+ Plenty of available seating // Wifi 
+ Does not do espresso drinks // only pour over and cold brews
+ Iced tea is not to be missed
+ Food selection is standard // Belgian Waffle is the stand out

+ Ample street parking available

Coffee & Tea Collective
2911 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
Telephone // 619.564.8066
www.coffeeandteacollective.com

Enjoy,
LMB

WHAT'S GOOD // SHOPS Los Angeles, CA // Silverlake CLEMENTINE

Florist

Clementine // Sunset + Sanborn

Dreamy selection of flowers to grab on the go or have made into a bouquet- in the heart of the Sunset Junction this is an easy place to work into your routine or a spot worth making a special trip to.  Shop dog Catfish also makes it worth stopping by.

+ Hours:
      Monday-Thursday 10a-6p
      Friday-Saturday 10a-7p 
      Sunday 11a-6p
+ Owned by an amazingly sweet couple who with their whimsical floral style and aesthetic make Clementine an easy choice for weddings and events // consultations available
+ Modest selection of airplants, terrariums, vases and cards // excellent for gifting
+ Always a perfect selection of succulents ready for planting

+ Right next to Intelligentsia on Sunset
+ Accepts credit cards

+ Plenty of metered parking available

Clementine Floral Works
3936 N Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Telephone // 323.622.2808
www.clementinefloralworks.com

Enjoy,
LMB

THE FIX // COFFEE Brooklyn, NY // Cobble Hill CAFE PEDLAR

Helping out Monday mornings since its inception. 

Cafe Pedlar // Court St + Warren

+ Coffee is the single most predictable and constant source of joy to my day- often the climax of my day, the rest is all bits of jumbled preamble, rising action and resolution.  I am a strange judge for coffee- in that I exclusively drink it iced and it is either a mocha or latte, however, based on hours put in consuming- I am fairly confident in my ability to tell when it gets right to the point.

Cafe Pedlar, in Cobble Hill is here today because they make the best mochas- hands down.  The secret is that they use homemade, milk chocolate ganache, done. I've been known to have two.

+ Hours:
      Daily 7a-7p
+ Accepts all credit cards with the exception of Amex
+ Full assortment of coffees and teas
+ Interesting assortment of food // pretzels and home made dingdongs to start.
+ Though Cafe Pedlar is a large // seating is fairly limited
+ Serves Stumptown Coffee // though Stumptown is based out of Portland, OR- the beans Pedlar serves are roasted locally in Red Hook
+ Beans available by the pound
+ Part of the Frankies Spuntino family // more on that later
 + Wifi // No outlets

+ Off the Bergen St F & G stop // Off the Smith and Bergen stop on the B65 bus headed downtown

Cafe Pedlar
210 Court St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Telephone // 718.855.7129
www.cafepedlar.com

Enjoy,
LMB

LETTERPRESS // SUGAR PAPER Santa Monica, CA BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART

Exploring the Brentwood Country Mart, continuing on with Sugar Paper

Sugar Paper at the Brentwood Country Mart // 26th + San Vicente

+ I absolutely adore letterpress and even more a well executed stationary shop and Sugar Paper is one of the best.  Sugar Paper's perfect use of color, metalics, stripes and confetti- partnered with excellent execution of design and concept is what makes them so appealing.  

A good amount of the letterpress is done on antique machinery which makes this product look and feel even more one of a kind.    It is an exceptionally well curated and very difficult shop to leave- I never feel as though I have gotten enough.

+ Hours:
      Monday-Friday 10p-6p
      Saturday 10a-5p
      Sunday 11a-5p
+ Fantastic assortment of cards for any occasion, gifts, wrapping and art prints // excellent place to find California and Los Angeles specific gifts or souvenirs
+ Difficult to resist selection of home office necessities- notebooks with metallic polka dots, yes please!
+ Impeccable selection of seasonal cards and stationary
+ Almost complete inventory available online- lucky us!!
+ Offers custom stationary including // wedding, party, holiday, personal and baby
+ Available for wholesale

+ Free parking available // The Mart has a parking lot that can be difficult to maneuver, but once you snag a spot you can stay all day

Sugar Paper
225 26th Street, No. 27
Santa Monica California 90402
Telephone // 310.451.7870
www.sugarpaper.com

Enjoy,
LMB

FLYING HIGH // AIRPORTS Long Beach, CA LONG BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT // L G B

Long Beach International Airport // Off the Lakewood Blvd exit on the 405

+ The Long Beach Airport's ease of navigation, modesty and simplicity of design are what make this airport worth coming to.  At times it can be less expensive than LAX and if you are lucky enough to have someone to drop you off or pick you up- the stress free check-in, pass through security and impeccable indoor/outdoor design are worth the extra minutes on the freeway.

NOTES

+ Incredibly informative website that offers real time flight status and trackers for arriving and departing flights!!

+ The planes are boarded and "deplaned" using a ramp and you walk across the runway and into your terminal, sort of the way air travel should be

+ Expansive views of the ocean and California coast on both your arrival and departure

+ Though recently renovated, this airport has maintained it's mid century charm

+ A jetBlue hub // #jetbluetriedandtrue

FOOD

+A major highlight of this airport  is that all restaurants are sister locations to some of Long Beach's most established and loved eateries- and yes, plenty of coffee.      

North Concourse // 4th Street Vine Wine & Beer Bar,  Taco Beach Cantina, McKenna's Burger Bar, George's Greek Cafe and Polly's Coffee & Sweet Jill's Bakery

South Concourse // McKenna's on the Fly and  Polly's Coffee & Sweet Jill's Bakery

Terminal // Legends Restaurant & Bar and  Daugherty's Cafe

AMENITIES

+ Bathrooms // standard with plenty of room for your body, however not too much extra for luggage

+ Outlets // ample outlets and plenty high top tables and stools equipped for working

+ Generous and comfortable seating

+ Wifi 

NECESSITIES AND SOUVENIRS

+ Long Beach News // 5.30– 10p Daily 

+ Pleanty of 'California Republic', LBC and sea life souvenirs to choose from- just in case

PARKING  & GROUND TRANSPORTATION
+ All major rental car proveyers on premesis
+ Taxis // reasonable metered taxis available // flat rates to major theme parks and surrounding cities
+ Additional transportation available // railroad, buses and shuttles
+ Parking is $19 a day for lot A // $17 a day for lot B

Long Beach International Airport
4100 E Donald Douglas Dr.
Long Beach, CA 90808
Telephone // 562.570.2600
www.lgb.org

Bon Voyage,
LMB

WHAT'S GOOD // SHOPS Brooklyn, NY // Cobble Hill HOLLER & SQUALL

Antiques // Furniture // Jewelry // Custom Shelving // Things Unlimited

Holler & Squall // Henry +Atlantic

 

 

 

 

+ I have had the extreme great fortune of having stumbled across this place in its infancy- three weeks old to be exact.  I saw it through the bus window on my way to Red Hook, I hopped off the bus went inside and the love affair started.  I believe that day, I purchased a tiny wooden swan with a broken neck that was given as a gift.  Since this initial trip I have purchased more tiny animals, jewelry and lighting.   As for Holler & Squall they have greatly expanded their inventory, moved to a larger corner location and have been able to lengthen their hours from just a weekend spot- all without compromising vision or service. 

I love a lot of places and a lot of things but H&S has made a tightly edited and deeply coveted list of top 5 shops in the country.  Hands down. 

+ Hours:
      Wednesday-Friday 12p-6p
      Saturday-Sunday 11a-7p
+ Owned by Zac and Gilette Wing- who are often there and are collectively some of the nicest, kindest and most willing to help and chat shop proprietors I have come across.
+ The selection of goods changes seasonally and based on new finds // you can always expect an impressive assortment of leather furniture, excellent lighting, a range of taxidermy and curiosities as well as some jewelry and trinkets
+ Holler & Squall also provides custom shelving and tables upon request
+ Also available for private appointments

+ A short walk from Court St. F & G stop // Off the Atlantic and Henry stop on the B61 bus

Holler & Squall
119 Atlantic Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Telephone // 347.223.4685
www.hollerandsquall.com

Enjoy,
LMB

I SCREAM // THURSDAY Brooklyn, NY // Boerum Hill VAN LEEUWEN

Van Leeuwn // Bergen St. + Smith

 

+ One of my favorite store fronts, Van Leeuwen provides the ideal place to grab a coffee on a lazy rainy morning, a midday cone for instant heat relief or a late night shared scoop.

+ Hours:
      Monday-Thursday 7a-11p
      Friday 7a-12a,
      Saturday 9a-12a
      Sunday 9a-11p
+ $4.50 for a single scoop in a cone
+ Daily flavors include // Hazelnut, Ginger, Currants & Cream, Earl Gray Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon, Pistachio (above) & Palm Sugar to start.   Van Leeuwen also recently introduced a Vegan Vanilla and Chocolate options.
+ Specialty flavors rotated in small batched include // Sweet Sticky Black Rice & Passionfruit
+ Also a great coffee spot, serving Toby's Estate Espresso, roasted in Brooklyn- which explains the 7a weekday opening // coffee post to be continued...
+ Other locations // Greenpoint, BK & East Village NY // Roaming ice cream truck since '08
+ Also served in a handful of restaurants and grocery stores in NYC // Pints also available in Whole Foods throughout NY, NJ & CT

+ Off the Bergen St F & G stop // Off the Smith and Bergen stop on the B65 bus headed downtown

Van Leeuwen
81 Bergen St.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone // 347.763.2979
www.vanleeuwenicecream.com

Enjoy,
LMB

WHAT'S GOOD // SHOPS Brooklyn, NY // Prospect Heights PARK DELICATESSEN

Skate Shop // Gift Shop // Men & Women's Apparel // Florist

Park Delicatessen // Park Pl + Classon

+ Open from 12p-7p Monday-Saturday,  12p-5p Sunday
+ Well curated assortment of men & women's apparel, gifts, skate paraphernalia and fresh flowers
+ Gifts include // letterpress, jewelry, smalls and one of a kind antiques
+ High quality florist // Flowers for weddings & occasions, provides business to business services, will make bomb arrangements upon walk-in and offers delivery every day.
+ Park Deli is about two blocks from my spot in Brooklyn and it was my weekly go to for around the house flowers // The staff is insanely knowledgeable and wildly friendly.  Such a good place to make part of your routine
+ Accepts credit cards

+ Off of the Washington // Brooklyn Museum stop on the 2/3 train // North of Eastern Parkway

Park Delicatessen
533 N Park Pl
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Telephone // 718.789.8889
www.parkdelibk.com

Enjoy,
LMB