Get Into Plastica

3 Feb

Carla Denker opened Plastica in 1996 in Silverlake, moved shop to Los Feliz a year later, then opened an additional store on West 3rd Street in 2000. Eventually then expanding the West 3rd street location and streamlining the stores into one, at its current 8405 West 3rd Street location.

Carla comes from a family of artists. Her mom is a painter, her dad an interior designer, and her and her siblings were born and raised with eyes for aesthetics and design. She summed it up well with, “We just love STUFF.”

It was a post art school trip to Mexico, where she stumbled upon a slew of great colorful woven bags, that the idea for Plastica was born. There was so much great design out there, that instead of designing herself, she became a curator of design. And for 16 years Plastica has been her gallery.

Plastica is not ‘the plastic store.’ It is not a store filled with things that are all made of plastic. It is far more interesting than that. Plastic is the aesthetic Carla likes to bring to what she carries.  And yes, some of that happens to be made of plastic. And some it is not.  But, it all makes total sense.

It’s almost magical inside. The design, the color, the personality of Plastica, instantly makes you smile when you walk through the door. It’s full of unique, unusual, and innovative bath, kitchen, yard, and other housewares. Plus, a great selection of toys, and gifts you can’t and won’t find elsewhere, by international, independent, eco-friendly, and local designers/like-minded artists.

And with Valentine’s Day rapidly approaching, Plastica is the perfect place to find something for even the Valentine that has everything. It’s a great place for unlikely personality filled gifts that are guaranteed to make people smile.

From Ashkahn’s perfectly adorably charming Valentine’s Day cards

To local designer I. Ronni Cappos great vintage glass beaded jewelry

Everyw’air’s delicious scented natural home fragrances kill germs as they liven up your home

You can never go wrong with a Baggu or two

LOVE these, brand new in from Baggu

J Schatz’s amazing yard brightening hummingbird feeders

And if you haven’t heard, Plastica is the unofficial Los Angeles Rody headquarters, the unofficial greatest toy ever created. (Carla and one of Plastica’s many Rodys, whom often appear in hilarious seasonal scenarios in Plastica’s windows.)

On top of all the shopping fun to be had inside Plastica, they regularly collaborate with other artists and small businesses, hosting book signings, art shows, and other event collaborations. And this Saturday, Plastica has another great event in store for you, in store for you.

Plastica will be temporary home to Martiniano, as the new handmade Argentinean shoe line pop-ups shop for the launch of their first style this Saturday February 4th from 12-6pm. (Some of the shoes will be available for sale in store at sample sale prices and others available for pre-order.) Click here for an adorable video of Martiniano shoes in action.

So come Saturday. And come any other day. Plastica is open Monday through Saturday 11:00 am-6:00 pm and Sundays 12:00 pm-5:00 pm. You won’t leave with out a smile or a shopping bag or two.

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Love is in the Air @ Bedhead Pajamas

3 Feb

Love is in the air at Bedhead Pajamas. To show the love, Bedhead isn’t just having a sale but having a sale extravaganza from today through Valentine’s Day. Bedhead’s adorable hoodies are only 99 dollars. And all their great classic vintage print PJs are on sale for just 79 dollars.  Plus, they are giving away a FREE adorable Bedhead flavored gift with purchase. And believe me the gifts are good, I got a sneak peak at them.

And speaking of sneak peaks, sneak a peak at Bedhead‘s Spring 2012 collection. It makes its world debut in store today. And if all of that still isn’t enough to get you to drop everything and race over to Bedhead right now, wait there’s even more.

Spend 150 dollars or more and receive 25$ off your purchase (valid today through Sunday February 5th.)

Shop for your Valentine.

Shop for yourself.

Be Bedhead’s Valentine. The Bedhead Pajamas Valentine’s Day Pajama Party has officially begun at 8336 West 3rd Street.

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Peer Inside Pyrrha

1 Feb

Thousands of years ago in a pre-computer, pre-pen, yes even pre-ink world, wax seals were your personal signature. As time passed, the physical seals were passed on through generations. Evolving in detail, what, and how much family history they represented. In the 19th century, people began to add personal characteristics and symbols into the seals that represented themselves and their personalities. And they evolved from a nametag to more of a heart tag, of sorts.

Then in the late 20th century, Canadian jewelry designers Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore came across a box of 19th century wax seals and in 1999 Pyrrha Jewelry was born. The pair has been handcrafting, the wax seal talismans that Pyrrha has become famous for, in their Vancouver studio since.

Each piece is not only hand crafted, but unique. The imperfections and cracks come straight from the original seals themselves. Some have very simple meanings and messages and others are far more in depth detailed prolific meanings. While equally beautiful to look at, the love and courage talismans have far simpler messages than the deeper more spiritual Tibetan Auspicious talismans Pyrrha produces.  Each talisman comes with a card explaining its history and meaning.

While the basic bronze and silver talismans are the most popular, their newer 18 karat gold collection includes some talismans, but more stone based pieces with beautiful Tahitian Black Pearls and Quartz. Pyrrha also sells initialed pieces and engraves for an even more personal touch. Spend time really looking and reading about Pyrrha’s talisman and you will find your heart tag too.

I’ve decided this one is mine.

Find yours at Pyrrha, 8315 West 3rd Street.

Superbowl Sunday @ The Churchill

31 Jan

If there is one place that can harmoniously unite New York and Boston fans on Sunday, it’s going to be the Churchill.  There are 5, yes 5, big screens to watch the game on throughout the restaurant. And for specials? Well, there are Churchill style nachos, tacos, and sliders at party friendly prices. Plus, $4 for Modelos and selected well drinks, wines, and drafts. Plus plus, $6 Chili Cucumber infused 7-Up Sveda cocktails. So grab all of your friends, whatever their sports fandom may be, and head to the Churchill Sunday. Superbowl party!

Where: The Churchill, 8384 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048

When: Sunday, February 5, 2012 (3:30 PM Kickoff)

Super Bowl Sunday Menu:

NACHOS
Chili cheese sauce, House chips, black beans, pico de gillo, crema $10

Add shrimp $4
Add Carne asada $4
Add Grilled Chicken $3

TACOS

ROCK SHRIMP TACOS
Sautéed rock shrimp, spicy greens, spicy crema
$8

CARNE ASADA TACOS
Cotija, cilantro and onions, pico de gillo
$8

SLIDERS (2 for $10 with fries)

BEEF SLIDERS
Special sauce, caramelized onions

FIRED CHICKEN SLIDERS
Pisilla and sweet onion rajas, ricotta, Jalapeño aioli,

PULLED PORK SLIDERS
Spicy slaw, mojito aioli

Super Bowl Sunday Drink Specials (Available the duration of the game):

$4 Modelo Especial
$4 wells, $4 select wines and drafts
$6 Svedka Infusion (Chili Cucumber) with 7up.

And: Late Night Happy Hour begins at 10pm and include $6 bites, $4 well and select wines and drafts. So plan to stay for the afterparty

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Go Go Gogosha

27 Jan

Julia Gogosha-Clark started wearing glasses at age 5. And by 15, her increasing affinity for glasses led her parents to make the decision that if she wanted them, she would have to buy them. And buy them she did. Julia began working as an optician at age 18. She loved it right away. It perfectly suited her skillset and interests. “It mixed fashion, design, medicine, math…and a healthy dose of nerd.” Her travels in the optical world landed her on Sunset Blvd in March 2008, where she opened Gogosha Optique’s Silverlake flagship store. And Gogosha’s second retail location opened on West 3rd Street in May 2011.

Glasses aren’t just for your face, they are for the center of your face. Something we need to remember, when frame shopping. Solids or more basic colors make sense with busier outfits, patterns and brighter colors with more basic outfits and color schemes. Julia admits to loving shoes and clothes. But she loves glasses more. “If you have a great pair of glasses and a great pair of shoes, you can cheat a little.”

Julia makes you want to want glasses. And she has a lot of them to make you want. Her oldest pair stems back to 1997 and she has given many a frame away, along the way. With that, she currently owns roughly 130 pairs, 114 of which are currently accounted for. And all of which, she fashionably and cleverly keeps in a cool vintage dental cabinet. And, how have glasses kept her interest all these years? “They are always changing. Technology is always changing. Style is always changing.”

From basic shapes and colors to unlikely colors and patterns, Julia and Gogosha have it all. Gogosha is stocked full of modern reinterpreted vintage style frames, perfect for a perfectly modern vintage look, and modern frames, perfect for a perfectly modern look. Gogosha carries frames from designer favorites like Theo, Theiry Lasry, Orgreen, Cutler and Gross, Oliver Goldsmith, Barton Parreira, Salt, Mykita, Kirk Originals, and Anne et Valentin.

“Get a vintage couch, not vintage glasses,” Julia suggests when it comes to vintage thrift store frame finds. Acetate doesn’t age well. And vintage frames can’t be fitted. And when it comes down to it, a nice set of lenses should be put into a nice set of frames. That, and taking care of your glasses are the best recipes for long lasting glasses.

“You can love a frame, but it can not love you back.” That’s where the Gogogha team comes in. You can pick a few frames you like, list a few styles and colors that appeal to you. And with that, face shape, features, prescription, and a little feel for your personality and style, Julia and her team will pull a variety of frames for you to try.

“Over 50 perfect of customers leave with frames they weren’t looking for, but they love….That’s how we built our reputation, by giving people exactly what they never knew they wanted.”

And on top of all that, Gogosha’s lenses and frames come with a 2 year warranty.

Come get exactly what you never knew you wanted at Gogosha Optique (8238 West 3rd Street.)

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Prepare to Be Blown Away: It’s the Hillary Rush Winter Blow-Out Sale!

20 Jan

Everything, yes EVERYTHING in Hillary Rush is 50% off for the Winter Blow-Out Sale. That means the most swoon worthy pieces from Zimmerman, Coven, J Brand, Corey Lynn Calter, Nicholas K, Tori Praver, Tila March, Jeffrey Campbell, and much much more are ALL 50% off. And, that includes the impeccably hand picked Hillary Rush vintage collection.

If the racks and racks of half-priced amazingness aren’t enough to get you down to the store, there are also 10, 20, and 30 dollar sale bins to dig through full of fashionable super sale must-own treasures. And while the sale has been going on for a few weeks, it is still in full effect and new items are being added as it goes.

So walk, run, bike, bus, drive, or cab it to Hillary Rush. Just get there soon.

You have some serious sale shopping to do. 8222 West 3rd Street.

And for the SUPER sale section.

West 3rd Street’s Newest Neighbor: Matcha Source

9 Jan

Alissa White fell in love with Matcha tea years ago. In 2006, she launched her online store Matcha Source. And in late 2011, she opened Matcha Source‘s first retail location at 8036 West 3rd Street.  And West 3rd Street is falling in love with Matcha.

If you aren’t familiar with Matcha Tea, here’s a little bit about it. The powered green tea is very popular in Japan. And now is gaining a similar cult following in the West.  Here is why. One glass of Matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea, when it comes to nutritional value and antioxidant content.  It contains powerful cancer fighters, as well. It has detoxifying and cleansing agents, for those tired of those cayenne pepper and lemon juice cleanses. Its caffeine content gives you an energy boost, without the jitters of coffee, since it includes L-Theanine, which has calming effects. Plus its antioxidant rich properties can help keep colds at bay and speed up recovery from colds you got before you fell madly in love with Matcha Tea. Because, if you haven’t already, you will.

I thought Alissa was making Matcha tea preparation look simple. But it truly is. You simply sift the powder into a bowl, add hot (not boiling water), then use a bamboo whisk to make the tea frothy and get those Matcha bubbles. And voila, a delicious cup of Matcha tea is yours to enjoy.

And enjoyed it I did. Its rich taste is not only delicious on its own, but when paired with chocolate (dark chocolate for the ultimate taste bud thrill) becomes the perfect mid morning, mid day, or midnight pick me up.

Sift

Whisk

Bubbles

Enjoy

Enjoy even more with a Phlip n Nik brownie, available at Matcha Source.

And enjoy we did.

If you haven’t tried Matcha, now is the time to stop into Matcha Source for a demonstration and taste. And if you are already a Matcha tea fan, your one stop shop for all things Matcha is now here at 8036 West 3rd Street. So stop in!

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If Pockets Talked @ Milk Boutique Pop-Up Shop/Party!

16 Dec

Due to the West 3rd Street Holiday Party planning/West 3rd Street Holiday party, this post is a little late. Apologies. But Milk Boutique and If Pockets Talked had a great party to celebrate the launch of the If Pockets Talked Pop-Up Shop at Milk Boutique that ran this past month. Masha was there with her vintage super finds and Bari and Marni of Milk  were there with their usual hip and adorable array of Milk picked new designer favorites. People drank, shopped for vintage and new fashion gems, while enjoying the soundtrack provided by DJ Samantha Ronson. The party was a blast. And so was the shopping. Check out some photos below of the Milk Boutique x If Pockets Talked party shopping fun.

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West 3rd Street’s Annual Holiday Party

24 Nov

Holiday! Celebrate! West 3rd Street’s unique mix of hip boutiques, stores with flair, and restaurants you adore is having its seasonal sidewalk event Thursday December 8th from 6-9pm. And this time, we are celebrating the holiday season. The street will be full of outdoor fun with photobooths, food, live music, stilt walkers, fire eaters, an a cappella group, Santa and his helpers, and much much more!

Many of your favorite stores are staying open late for the occasion and having their own indoor celebrations with sales, giveaways, and more holiday shopping fun. If your favorite store isn’t listed, do not fear. Most neighborhood businesses will be celebrating. And as for your favorite West 3rd Street eateries, many of them will be passing out samples in the retail stores, as well as having their own in house celebrations. So make sure the kids take a nap and the grown ups too. Because this can’t be missed!

And don’t worry about parking. Just look for our colorful friendly West 3rd Street valet signs and their friendly valet attendants. They’ll do the parking for you!

Maps will be available with store locations and their holiday activities the night of the event. But to get you excited, here’s what many of your favorite West 3rd Street businesses have in store for you December 8th:

Alexis Bittar – Our newest neighborhood restaurant The Churchill will be providing appetizers. Plus champagne will be served, while you jewelry shop.

The Bar Method – Anyone who comes in the night of will be given a FREE first class card, which they can use at any time on a future visit.

Bead Boutique -  All pre-made jewelry will be 30% off. Plus they will be sharing the taco stand with their fashionable male neighbors Douglas Fir.

BedHead Pajamas – Pajama Party featuring Bedhead’s Holiday Collection. Raffle prizes ($50, $100, $150 giftcards) starting at 6:30pm and continuing every half hour throughout the evening. Plus 15% off purchases, a holiday gift with purchase, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and music. Come shop and party!

Benefit Cosmetics – Benefit will be open late for beautifying and holiday celebrating.

D’Amores Pizza - Will be open with free samples for partygoers.

Distant Boutique – Distant merchandise is going to be 20% off. Plus they will be serving cookies and refreshments.

D.L. Rhein - Wine, treats, and 20% off some of their great merchandise.

Douglas Fir – Male fashion headquarters Douglas Fir will be having their traditional holiday party taco stand outside and sharing the taco fun with their neighbor the Bead Boutique, a few doors down. Plus there will be sweet treats across the street at DF Feet. And accidental holiday rhyming.

Eggy - Come browse Eggy’s adorable selection of children’s clothing and celebrate the holidays with the Eggy team in store.

Elaine Kim – There will be in-store giveaways for the first 50 customers that sign up for their mailing list.

Ethel Boutique – Champagne, truffles, and 20% of Ethel’s merchandise from 6-9pm.

Flight 001 – An art show of the spectacular work of Ricky Sencion featuring Fisher Price’s Little People. Plus there will be snacks, beverages, and Flight 001’s special cake that people have come to love. Plus plus raffles throughout the evening and a discount on merchandise!

Freehand Gallery – A holiday party in store with refreshments from some of the West 3rd Street neighborhood restaurants. Plus caroling and live music!

Hands on 3rd – Will be open late, crafting, and celebrating the holidays.

Hillary Rush – Sale shopping, treats, surprises, and tons of in store fashion fun.

Joan’s on Third – Will be serving wine, cider and an abundant selection of their hors d’oeuvres and special sweets.

Knit Culture – Knit Culture Studio will be teaming up with their delicious neighbor Fonuts and serving Fonut minis and cider. Plus 10% off all yarns for the evening!

Lotta Stensson Boutique – Offering 20% off of Lotta’s popular Resort Collection for all your holiday vacation must-haves. Plus 20% off all jewelry and accessories. Festive holiday drinks & treats will be served as well.

M.Cohen – There will be refreshments, music, and a FREE gift with purchase.

Magnolia Bakery – Magnolia will be serving samples of their famous/delicious banana pudding and hot chocolate.  They are also having a toy drive. Kids, who bring in a new unwrapped toy, get to decorate their own cupcake!

Matchasource – West 3rd Street’s newest neighbor will have a slight of hand magician mingling with guests. Also, matcha-tinis with soju and/or vodka. Plus a raffle give-away for one of the Matcha Focus Tea Sets (6 piece set!)

Milk Boutique – Celebrate the holidays with some sale shopping fun. Come check out their sale racks and super sale bins.

Nathalie Seaver Boutique – Will be offering their traditional French Rose Bubbly with some treats from a Hollywood private chef. And for sale lovers, there will be racks of clothes with some major deals and steals with newly added sale items.

Paint Shop – There will be a DJ and live percussionist outside on the Paint Shop deck. Plus come inside for their holiday hair extensions (tinsel or feather). They are also having 2 dance contests (at 6:30 and 8:00.) The first 10 people to sign up at 6:15 and 7:45 can participate. The prize for each contest is a gift certificate for their famous Utoepia Pedicure and Martini Manicure. Plus food and drinks will be served.

Plastica – Music and festive holiday fun with I HEART PIES mini individual sample pies for the noshing! Plus there will be some home brew too.

Polkadots and Moonbeams – Music, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and holiday shopping fun.

Portola Paints & Glazes – There will be  paint stations where YOU can paint and personalize your own holiday ornaments to take home, to celebrate Portola’s fabulous brand new paint colors AND the holidays!

Pyrrha Jewelry – Shop Pyrrha’s unique handmade jewelry, as they stay open late to celebrate.

Shampoo – Up to 30% off on salon services for the evening. Plus cocktails for customers!

Shopaholic Sample Sales – Will be offering 10% off storewide. Plus a free fashionable shopaholic gift with purchase.

Simplethings Sandwich + Pie Shop – Simplethings will be passing out bite-sized samplings of some of their most mouth-watering pie flavors.

Sushi Roku – Will hold an all night happy hour for the party-goers. Enjoy Sushi Roku’s happy hour menu and cocktails all night long. Happy 3 hours!

Swerve Studio – 15% OFF everything in Swerve’s amazing boutique: workout wear, street-wear, jewelry, DVD’s and more! Come upstairs and they’ll make you a hot toddy or pour you a free glass of delicious H20, if that’s more your thing.

Taboo Salon – Taboo is not only celebrating the holiday season, but also their 25th anniversary! So they will be partying like it’s 1986. DJ Ernie will be spinning and festive cocktails will be served. Come shop, come dance, and come say happy 25th birthday to Taboo!

Traveler’s Bookcase – Will be open extra late. So come holiday shop. And when the party is over, get some extra holiday shopping in.

Trina Turk- Trina Turk is having an exclusive sale: 25% off most merchandise for Friends & Family. Plus enjoy their festive Holiday Refreshments!

Vintageweave Interiors – French Champagne, French Wine, and French Cheese with 15% discounts on exclusive jewelry designs by Bittersweet Studios and select vintage French pillows. Plus FREE gift wrapping.

Zulu Tattoo – The shop will be open and celebrating the holidays, as the Zulu team does their thing. So stop by!

Follow West 3rd Street on Twitter and Like us on Facebook for Holiday Party updates + street happenings!

And RSVP on Facebook so we know you are coming!

Happy holidays from everyone on West 3rd Street. See you Thursday December 8th!

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Get Your Chick On With Benefit Cosmetics + Swerve Studio

10 Nov

Beauty, fitness, chick lit…oh ladies! Get Your Chick On Tuesday December 6th at Benefit Cosmetics (8387 West 3rd Street) with the help of their neighbors across the street Swerve Studios. Snack and sip on holiday food and drinks while you enjoy Benefit‘s complimentary brow waxing and lashing tinting services and Swerve Studio (Home of the Yoga Bootie Ballet) giveaways. Plus meet Anna Lefler and have your copy of her hilarious book CHICKtictionary signed. A portion of proceeds from the evening and 2 dollars from each book sale will be donated to Kiva to help give loans to female entrepreneurs.

The LOL trailer for CHICKionary below.

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