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

I SCREAM // THURSDAY Los Angeles, CA SCOOPS

Scoops // Melrose + Heliotrope

+ Open from 12a-10p Monday-Saturday, Closed Sunday
+ $3.00 for a single scoop in a cone (a single is actually a double !) // Cash Only
+ Flavors change daily // Brown Bread, Cheesecake Oreo, Strawberry Basil, Dirty Chai and Black Sesame  to get you started.
+ Salty Honey Avocado + Thai Iced Coffee (above)
+ Daily flavors include a handful of vegan options // Apple Burnt Sugar + Peanut Butter Oreo... to name a few.
+ All flavors can be hand packed in a pint upon request

+ Ample metered spaces available

Scoops
712 N Heliotrope Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Telephone // 323.906.2649

Enjoy,
LMB

FARMSHOP Santa Monica, CA BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART

Exploring the Brentwood Country Mart, starting with FARMSHOP
Inside the Market and Bakery

 

FARMSHOP at the Brentwood Country Mart // 26th + San Vicente

 

+ FARMSHOP is an exemplary execution of Restaurant + Marketplace // comprised of a bakery, market and restaurant.

+ FARMSHOP specializes in artisan, local and seasonal products

+ Hours vary // Bakery is open daily from 7a-6p // Restaurant is open from 7.30a for breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at varied times  // Brunch is served from 8.30a-2.30p on Saturdays & Sundays

+ Accepts credit cards

Market

+ Impressive selection of wine, cheese and charcuterie

+ A wide and varied selection of sides and salads along with perfectly prepared main dishes // excellent for entertaining or lazy evenings in

+ Specialty jams, butters, composts and honeys

+ All of the chocolate you could want

+ Everything you would need to host or attend a party

Bakery

+ Serves LAMILL coffee + tea

+ Full assortment of house made cookies, bars, and pastries- including the Cinnamon Roll with Orange Icing pictured above

+ 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

FARMSHOP
225 26th Street, No. 25
Santa Monica California 90402
Telephone // 310.566.2400 (ext. 2416 for private parties)
Reservations //  www.urbanspoon.com
www.farmshopla.com

Enjoy,
LMB

I SCREAM // THURSDAY Los Angeles, CA MASHTI MALONE

Ice Cream is the favorite and to say thank you, Thursday's are officially Ice Cream dedicated.

Mashti Malone // LaBrea + Sunset

+ Open from 11a-11.30p // $3.00 for a single scoop in a cone // Accepts credit cards
+ Equipped with the typical fanfare, Rocky Road, Bubble Gum and Vanilla on the counter to the right, but the reason to come to this little gem located in a burnt out strip mall is for whats on the counter to the left // Saffron Rosewater with Pistachios (above), Orange Blossom, Green Tea, Pomegranate Sorbet- and that only where it begins...
+ Available in packed pints and half gallons to go

+ Free parking available // spaces are clearly delineated and thoroughly patrolled

Mashti Malone
1525 N. LaBrea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Telephone // 323.874.6168
www.mashtimalone.com


Enjoy,
LMB

ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN Los Angeles, CA RUNYON CANYON // GRIFFITH PARK

You will never get anywhere if you don't start somewhere.  Here is to putting one foot in front of the other.  

Hikes in Los Angeles that will get your mind and your body on the same path- and they are for beginners.

Runyon Canyon // Franklin + Fuller

+ Located in the Santa Monica Mountains // open from 6a-9p

+ Extremely dog friendly, most of the trail is an off leash area // plus water and bag stations

+ Parking can be an issue, especially during peak hours (9a-11a & 4p-6p) plan for a few minutes to hunt down a spot

+ Park also includes // free yoga 3-5 times daily // an "advanced"trail that is a bit of a steeper climb // some of the best views of downtown LA, the Hollywood sign and on a clear day, the ocean

www.runyoncanyon-losangeles.com

Griffith Park // Los Feliz Blvd + Hillhurst

+ Located in the Santa Monica Mountains // open from 6a-10p

+ Dog friendly // most of the trails are on-leash areas with plenty of trash cans

+ Parking is not a problem, ample parking throughout the park

+ Not only is the park home to the Hollywood sign & The Observatory but a few more // Merry-Go-Round, golf course, The Greek Theater, a zoo, guided tours by The Sierra Club and horseback riding
+Incredible views of downtown LA and surrounding areas

www.lamountains.com

Enjoy the climb,
LMB