Since Lawrence of Arabia is one of my favorite films, I thought I had seen it. It wasn’t until it played fully restored, in 70mm, and complete with intermission at the Aero Theatre that I really saw it. This was how movies were meant to be seen.

Built in 1939 as a round-the-clock movie house for aircraft workers during war years, The Aero was a favorite theater for both locals and celebrities alike (Robert Redford visited often when he was young which lead him to purchasing it years later with hopes of using it for Sundance movies). When the war ended and bigger movie houses went up, The Aero fell out of use for many years . It wasn’t until American Cinematheque bought it, restored it to its old glory and re-opened the doors the theatre once again began to thrive.

Where else can you see classic films such as Gone With the Wind, Wizard of Oz, The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Redux, and West Side Story (complete with a few of the original dancers on hand to meet) as well as today’s independents, art-house movies and new screenings?

Seeing these movies here gives one a new appreciation for both film and Hollywood. And with comfy seats for only $9, coming often won’t hurt your behind or your pocketbook.

The Aero
1328 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Tel: 323.466.FILM

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When I arrived at the hotel and was dealing with valet, a man bumped into me as he hurried by but stopped to pardon himself. It was Tom Hanks. I realized at that moment that this hotel was going to be something special.

Sitting right on the beach in Santa Monica, Hotel Casa Del Mar screams Old Hollywood but in that chic, polished, attention-to-detail way (we don’t stay in old musty places, dear, trust us). With dark woods and rich colours, the entrance alone is nothing short of spectacular. Then, there are the rooms.

Light, sunny, and oh so breezy; windows with sheers that sway from the ocean wind, glass walls enclose the deep jet tubs so you can view the ocean while you relax and light yellow fabulously deluxe linens make everything feel fresh and cosy. The stereo system and DVD player are nice touches – especially if you have an ipod to plug in and like to boogie a little before drinks in the lounge or if you need to just strike a pose on the chaise a la Marlene Dietrich.

There’s no way you could not feel just a little glamorous and Hollywood when laying out on the pool terrace which overlooks the ocean. Even if you’re not swimming you can sunbathe and have poolside drinks (after all, you’ll need something refreshing when you’re out in the sun). We love the poolside massages and the fact you can get a beautifying facial in the morning so that you’re pretty enough to listen to classic jazz in the lounge come evening. And trust us, you’ll want to look your best when drinking wine downstairs, after all, you never know who you’ll run into. It’s not just old Hollywood that comes here anymore.

TIP: Splurge on the Ocean View room; there’s nothing like it. If staying here isn’t an option at least come for drinks and appy’s in the lounge - especially on Wednesday when amazing jazz is playing and the lounge is packed with people and conversation.

Hotel Casa Del Mar
1910 Ocean Way
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 800-898-6999 or 310-581-5533

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L.A. is known as a city of shopping, fashion, eating and schmoozing; it’s all people seem to do. However, that can tire even the best of shopping girls. Luckily, there’s the Getty Museum that takes us up and away from the city to give us a little culture.

Created in trust by John Paul Getty with the goal of having a meaningful and attractive collection to as broad an audience as possible, this museum is something everyone should see - and see more than once. It’s affordable enough, having only to pay $7 for parking, that you can come and see the rotating exhibits (we can’t wait to go back in mid-June for Rembrandt).

A small tram takes you from the parking lot 3/4 of a mile up a hill to the museum which consists of several buildings and massive gardens. Spectacular views of the city are to be had from almost everywhere; the beaches of Santa Monica and the towers of downtown can be seen by just moving your head side to side. Simply walking the grounds outside can be a day but there’s so much more which you can discover either on your own or by free guided tours.

If you’re a fan of architecture, you’ll appreciate the thousand year old stones (some with fossils) that make up the buildings or trying to count the 3,200 doors. Garden lovers will appreciate the water maze, the zig-zag pathways, beautiful flowers and the lush grass on which you can nap (which you’ll need after all the hours it’ll take you to see everything). Art lovers will no doubt love the collections here, which range from illuminated manuscripts from the 12th century right up to modern photography. The Decorative Arts exhibit showcased furniture, clocks, tables and more from around the world - including the chair Marie Antoinette sat in to have her hair done. Rooms upon rooms of beautiful furniture dating as far back as the 14th century gave us more than enough ideas on how to decorate our own homes (must get ginormous bed with canopy and gilded towering clock).

Whether you’re with a group or need an afternoon break on your own, this is definitely a place to come and get away from it all, and even get a little inspired.

The Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049–1679
(310) 440-7300

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Hold those plane tickets to Paris ladies – Vintageweave on Fairfax can save you the trip. Owner Kathy Delgado has taken her passion for French antiques, design, and arranging custom baskets and opened up shop - and Hollywood is taking note. It’s where A-list celebs such as Debra Messing, David Duchovny and Anne Heche and Hollywood Insiders from the studios to PR come for gifts (Cameron Diaz received a custom gift basket from here!) and unique furnishings and goods for the home. After one visit, I can see why.

Being someone who adores the Shabby Chic look but not the rummaging for a find, I appreciate Kathy taking the time to find all the goods for me and arranging it artfully in her store so that I can better see pieces I might have over looked if I had to scour isles at flea markets in Provence. She makes each nook and cranny a vignette; telling stories by combining 200-year-old one of a kind lamps with modern glassware. From hand stitched high quality linens to pretty little soaps, Vintageweave is a treasure hunt of beautiful things. It’s also terribly inspiring; her elegant display of cake plates alone gave me ideas!

Her specialty, however, is putting together gift baskets – but not your average, boring, pre-packaged kind. How about a hundred year old hand carved bowl from the South Pacific to hold beautiful hand made sachets filled with true French lavender, some bath salts and something else that just says “thank you?” No? Then all you have to do is let Kathy know your budget, the person and let her go to work – she’ll put something together that will make you think she knows your friend better than you.

From $5 to $5,000 every penny spent here is spent well for it’s where you’ll find unique, beautiful and oh so charming things either for yourself or someone else. And best of all, you’ll come out feeling a little chic as though you’d just flown home from France.

TIP: Pick up a beautiful (and inexpensive) small dress shaped Lavender sachet to keep your clothes smelling wonderful. I use mine for traveling, just tossing it into my clothes cube. Also a portion of certain item’s proceeds also go to foundations for Breast Cancer Awareness and Peonies from Heaven for Diabetes Research so check with Kathy to see how you can benefit yourself and someone else with a purchase.

Vintageweave
169 Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles
323.932.0451

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