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