This weekend Jeff and I once again made our way to downtown LAthis time on another buying trip for some needed jewelry supplies.
In an attempt to see new thingsJeff drove into the city a new wayand that simple decisionled us to discoverLA's Art District!
I didn't even know there was one in LA!We quickly finished our businessin the downtown jewelry marketand drove right back to explore the Art District!
There is so much new building going on
in DTLA's Art Districtincluding this mixed use apartment complex with
a staggering 493 unitsOne Santa FeAs well as a world class art galleries going in!But it is the old train warehousesthat have this areaso infused with character.
Much of the Art District is made up of redeveloped train warehousesthat used to be the LA work horsesduring an era when train transportation moved the city's goods.
This area was wine vines back in the 1890's
then citrus groves
that needed trains to take the crops across the United States.
The buildings in the backgroundshow just how close the old epicenter of transportis to LA's newest epicenter of commerce.
First on our exploration agenda …Finding lunchat the Americano.Located in another redeveloped train warehouse buildingit was a pure lunching delight!
Speaking of delightfulwe found the Pie Holewhich served so many versionsfrom savory to sweetincluding their very own version of pop tarts!
I was ever so happy I brought my colorful pieces for my change from the basics I wear when sourcing supplies in downtown.
I simply change jacket and shoes from my base of white jeans
nautical stripes, Panama hat and walking flats
this time to my
red silk embroidered jacket from Chinatown my Kate Spade silk stripe shoespaired perfectly with my fabulous basket from Madagascara most charming gift fromAndrea of
The French Basketeer.If you haven't found Andrea yetgo check out her blogshe is currently writing of her time in Beaune France!
My sun parasolanother gift from a dear friend( Laurie I told you I would find the most perfect use for this beauty!)
fit in this colorful area!
I have never seen as many permits for upcoming filming dates!This site had three separate permits for the upcoming weekof national commercials being shot on this site alone!
This is one of the most filmed locations in the world
and I can see why!The whole neighborhood felt like a film lotwith artful back drops aboundingas well as chic and inventive shops!
We discovered the very chic Guerrilla Atelierlocated in anther old warehouse spacewith a sales staff with such fabulous personal stylethey made my heart giddy!
As stylish as the area isthere are reminders everywherethat this is still a very urban areaunder redevelopment.
Wurstkuche another new conceptwhere they serve a bounty of hand crafted German sausagesand craft beers,You wait in line to place your orderthen have an opportunity to sit at large community tablesladen with mustard assortments,
We were invited into Lili Lakich's gallery and working studiofor one of the rare times she opens up for the public.Lilli is a world renowned artistwhose specialty is working in neon.Lilli is a forerunner in the neighborhoodshe told us she has been in the building for over 30 yearsand
has seen the neighborhood evolveover the years into what is becoming a world class destination for artwith the coming openings of even more galleries.
We found the Bourbon restaurantwhere we had the utmost delight in meeting Kurtwho has actually been the chef for not just one president, but two.He was a presidential chef for bothNixon and Regan.
We had such an amazing day of new discoveriesall becausewe were willing to take the road less traveled (for us)and meet the opportunitywith an open heart!
And we even got to bring home pie!
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
linking up with
Monday Mingle
