In this week’s whimsical cover photo from LA Life Photographer Lorraine Devon Wilke, there’s “No Ifs, Ands or Butts” about it…there is something eye-catching around every corner in LA. LA Life Tasting Tomato, Molly Cheek, is singing the praises of another restaurant in Tastes of LA.  Holy Moly!… was my first reaction to LA Life Fashion Stylist Felicia Arlin’s fab LA Style Stories. LA Life Poetess, Lady Penelope, is back with her special brand of wit in Sonnets from Suburbia. Women’s History and St Paddy’s Day are at the forefront of all the events being offered around LA, Tomatoes.

No Ifs, Ands or Butts Cover Photo & Story

Our LA Life Photographer Lorraine Devon Wilke doesn’t just have an amazing eye and skill for capturing a wonderful photograph but she has a great sense of humor as well. The accompanying story also reflects our city so perfectly and its sense of fun and humor. . Be sure to check out Lorraine Devon Wilke’s marvelous photos on her webpage and browse her entire website as it reveals the vast tapestry of Lorraine’s amazing talents.

One can’t live in a wild, eclectic city like Los Angeles and not have a sense of humor. Well, one could, but what fun would that be? There’s so much creativity here, so much imagination, diversity, and color you could point yourself in any direction, to any spot on the city’s map, and find something worth visiting, worth looking at; something whimsical and artistic, cleverly controversial, extraordinarily silly, or just plain interesting. For example, the merchants on countless commercial thoroughfares in Los Angeles, from Melrose Avenue in Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard in Silverlake, to any street in DTLA, or the clothes and curio shops on Western, go out of their way to attract eyes and draw customers in. Often standing outside carnival-barking their wares with smiles and sales coupons, they always, always, put their most appealing merchandise on full parade in the front patch… racks, tables, and mannequins. There was something about this collection of half-mannequins that caught my eye one sunny window-shopping day, and I was inspired to grab the shot. Maybe it was the bright colors; maybe the rather excellent price for a pair of tights, or maybe just the grin that hit my lips when the perfect title jumped out at me: “No Ifs Ands or Butts.”          

Tastes of LA: Osteria Mozza

Despite Molly Cheek, our LA Life Tasting Tomato, being greatly under the weather she still came through for us this week with an extremely yummy and enticing memory of her experience at Osteria Mozza. GET THE DETAILS.

LA Style Stories

I love LA Fashion Stylist Felicia Arlin’s versatile sportswear driven style in “Casual Cool”. Sheer is the name of the game in “Transparency” and there’s a way for everyone to make both ensembles look great on them. Remember I only highlight a snippet of Felicia’s amazing cur8edme posts so be sure to follow her on Instagram.  And she is the most amazingly insightful guide for helping you to find the right and most flattering style for you.  Just sayin’, Tomatoes. GET THE DETAILS.

Sonnets from Suburbia

Dost thou talk to yourself, Tomatoes? Well…you aren’t the only ones. So does moi and our LA Poetess, Lady Penelope. And guess who has a brand spanking new book out? Penny Peyser (Lady Penelope) and she has outdone herself with “Sonnets from Suburbia: Romance Dance”. It’s masterful, brilliant and an easy and deliciously entertaining ride that you will adore, Tomatoes.  Remember if you haven’t already, don’t forget to order a copy of Penny Peyser’s first brilliant book, “Sonnets from Suburbia: More Candles Than Cake” to add to your collection. And you can always find out more about Lady Penelope on her website Tomatoes. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Women’s History Month Celebrations at the Library

You need look no further than the Los Angeles Public Library for an array of Women’s History Celebrations across the city. There are plenty of choices to choose from and I’ve not doubt there is one in your neighborhood, Tomatoes.

These 4 celebrations stood out to me. The Central Library is celebrating with the presentations of 2 films. On March 16^th they will be presenting “Los Analfastas” and on March 20^th “Queen of Glory” is the headliner. For the kiddoes the Silver Lake Branch will be holding a crafting session for their Women’s History celebration.  The Studio City Public Library will be educatin Lee children 5 and up about water protectors.

March 16 & 17.  St. Paddy’s Day Weekend

On the day when every Tomato and bloke is Irish, you won’t be able to turn a corner where there isn’t a celebration, parade or a pub crawl. But 4 cool celebrations caught my eye that will be spreading green cheer.

Angel City Brewery  has got it going on in the DTLA Arts District and will be serving food and drink specials all weekend with live music for St. Paddy’s Day. The Original Farmers Market’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in the Fairfax District, has an all-day celebration on March 17^th where you can shop with your favorite vendors, enjoy green beer and authentic Irish food with traditional folk music. Though The Queen Mary in Long Beach has Scottish roots, she will be going green on March 16^th and 17^th with a St. Patrick’s Eve & Day Pub Stroll.  And the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back for its 28^th year on March 16^th.  All great ways to mark the Irish occasion, Ladies.

March 16.  Music in the Garden

The Peninsula Committee Los Angeles Philharmonic is back at The South Coast Botanic Garden with Music in the Garden. How luverly! And while you enjoy the music and the gorgeous ambience of nature, you’ll be supporting local youth musicians. Even more luverly, Tomatoes.

The event is free with general garden admission. The day will include performances by student orchestras and choral ensembles various local schools.  I’ll say it again…How luverly!

March 17. The Braid Theatre, Art and Food

Make a day of it at The Skirball with theatre, art and food. The amazing and beloved Braid will be at the helm with a Story Telling Theatre presentation of “Yearning to Breathe Free”. The related exhibition, The American Library, will be open to visit and Zeidler’s Café can provide you with delish food. It’s a perfect combo for a perfect day, Ladies.

In “Yearning to Breathe Free” actors perform true stories of today’s Jewish immigrants full of deep yearnings and bold dreams. From across the globe, they are one Jewish spirit. If you can’t make it to the premiere at The Skirball you can catch it at one of their upcoming Braid Salon Shows through April 3^rd or live on Zoom March 28 and April 7^th.  After the show visit The American Library Exhibition where artist Yinka Shonibare explores how ideas of citizenship, home and nationalism hold complex meanings.  And you can enjoy the innovative Mediterranean inspired meals at Zeidler’s Café.

March 21 & 22^. The Ebell Women’s History Celebrations

And, of course, The Ebell of Los Angeles, the nonprofit inspired by scholar Dr. Adrian Ebell and founded by women for women in 1894, is going to celebrate Women’s History Month big time.  They have two very special events, “A Woman’s Place” and “Women’s Heart Health”, coming up, Gals.

In honor of Women’s History Month, The Ebell of Los Angeles is sponsoring and hosting the Juried Art Exhibition, “A Woman’s Place” reception on March 21^st. The exhibition, “A Woman’s Place”, is meant to reflect on how women inspire and connect to the world internally, externally, narratively, abstractly, and figuratively. Nearly 900 works from 338 artists were submitted and reviewed by an esteemed panel of jurors and the selected works will be displayed and the artists will be celebrated at the reception.

And as a woman with heart disease, I tend to push women to take their heart health very seriously even if there heart is healthy since it is the number killer of women in the country.  So, I’m deeply thankful and impressed that The Ebell is presenting “Women’s Heart Health with Dr. Noel Bairey Merz” on March 22^nd. Cardiologist Dr. Noel Bairey Merz is a leader in research on women’s cardiovascular health and the Director of the Barbara Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai and she is dedicated to closing the 50-year knowledge gap between what we know about heart disease for women compared to men. It will be a vitally important and informative presentation on the single biggest health threat faced by women and solutions for prevention and treatment.

And a few tidbits about The Ebell of Los Angeles. The Ebell’s mission is to inspire women and build community through arts, culture, education, service and stewardship of their historic campus and collections. It was originally created to bring education and arts to women at a time when education was not accessible to most women.  The historic Ebell Campus and Theatre were built in 1927. Judy Garland was “discovered” at their Wilshire Ebell Theatre stage. Amelia Earhart made her last public appearance at the Ebell. It is a truly wonderful nonprofit that you should check out, Ladies.

March 23. Museum Free for All

The SoCal Annual Museum Free for All is back, Tomatoes. Over 30 museums from the desert to the sea participating and 24 of them are in Los Angeles.  Woo Hoo!   Museums presenting art, cultural heritage, film, natural history, and science—will open their doors and offer free general admission. A once-a-year opportunity awaits you.

There is so much to see and explore it boggles the mind.  Many of the museums require reservations so be sure to book those soon because it will to be super busy on a Saturday. Enjoy!

March 23. Art Deco Hollywood Tour

Iconic Hollywood Boulevard is the birthplace of the film industry and where Hollywood dreams were first made while also being an Art Deco lover’s dream with its post-World War I architecture. The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles’s Art Deco Hollywood Walking Tour is back with an amazing journey into the glamour and uniqueness of that Hollywood era.

The tour features the Mountain States Life Building/Yucca Tower, the Society’s latest Historical Cultural Monument nomination and attendees will visit famous Hollywood landmarks such as the Kress and Max Factor buildings, and other hidden gems that may have gone unnoticed. You’ll witness palaces of commerce as well as small business owners’ dreams come to life. The Art Deco Hollywood Walking Tour guarantee that you’ll be surprised by what they have to show you, Tomatoes.