I found the red kimono I was searching for inLittle Tokyoand the first place I wore it was to LA's Silverlake.
I really wanted to ground the kimonoand give it a modern mix.
What better way to do this than withwhite caprisa nautical stripe tunicBirks for great exploringmy bag that doubles as a backpackand turquoise accessories to finish off the ensemble!
This was my first time to Silverlakeand having heard it was a hip and creative communityI was not disappointed!
Looking for the Casbah storeI had read about in my hip little LA bookwe tracked it down to the Sunset Junctionwhich ended up to be a small plaza filled with the most interesting of shopsand a delightful bar and restaurant!
The people were as intriguing as any of the shops!I have never seen more individualswith such succinct and unique personal style in one area ofSouthern California!I felt like I had found my pond!
Even getting coffee was an artful experience!
My favorite find to be sureThe Stella Bar.
It felt like a sliver of Parisand the closet thing I have found in SoCalto my very favorite Parisian barL'Ecler.
We took the stairs downto the airy but moody bar.
Even though it's downstairsit still has a fresh feelingas the patio opens up to a private courtyardwhere you would forget you were actually sitting on Sunset Boulevard!
It's handcrafted cocktails all the way here too!It was in Paris a couple of years ago that I became aware of the new romance and trend of the hand crafted cocktail!
Even thoughI a still prefer my chardonnay I am always so intrigued with the crafting of cocktailsand all that goes into such beautiful creations!
Jeff ordered the burgerthat came plated on a wooden planklarge enough to act as a TV trayin the cozy bar.
Besides the hip romantic ambianceandcocktails my favorite part had to be the people watching!Again it reminded me of Parisin that such creative care was taken in assembling individual looksand all still with an easySouthern California vibe!Living theater with cocktailswas my Stella Bar experience!
Eclectic mixing all the way around!If you find yourself in SilverlakeThe Stella Barwould be my top pick for a Sunday afternoon lunch and cocktail!
Afterwards there are plenty of shops to explore.
One of the most interestingThe Bar Keeper.
In keeping with the hand crafted cocktail trendinside is everything to make your very own creations come to life!Presented in a beautifully organized mannerbut still completewith stylish kitsch!
The bar accessories were plentifulas were a large array of bitters and specialty brews!
We found the Casbahthat led our search.A lovely tittleshop complete with a cafe.
As is so often in exploring new areasmy favorite part of the Casbahwas the searchbecause it led us to one of the mostcreatively vital areas I have found in Southern California.
With each new fabulous discoveryI am left asking myself
What other grand thingsare waiting to be discovered in our own backyard!
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
