Exploring LA's Silverlake

I found the red kimono I was searching for in

Little Tokyo

and 

the first place I wore it was to 

LA's Silverlake.

This was my first time to Silverlake

and 

having heard it was a hip and creative community

I was not disappointed!

Looking for the Casbah store

I had read about in my hip little LA book

we tracked it down to the 

Sunset Junction

which ended up to be a small plaza 

filled with the most interesting of shops

and 

a delightful bar and restaurant!

The people were as intriguing as any of the shops!

I have never seen more individuals

with such succinct and unique personal style in one area of

Southern California!

Even getting coffee was an artful experience!

My favorite find to be sure

The Stella Bar.

It felt like a sliver of Paris

and the closet thing I have found in SoCal

to my very favorite Parisian bar

L'Ecler.

We took the stairs down

to the airy but moody bar.

Even though it's downstairs

it still has a fresh feeling

as the patio opens up to a private courtyard

where 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 cocktails

and all that goes into 

such beautiful creations!

Jeff ordered the burger

that came plated on a wooden plank

large enough to act as a TV tray

in the cozy bar.

Besides the hip romantic ambiance

and

cocktails 

my favorite part had to be the people watching!

Again it reminded me of Paris

in that such creative care 

was taken in assembling individual looks

and 

all still with an easy

Southern California vibe!

Living theater with cocktails

was my Stella Bar experience!

Eclectic mixing all the way around!

If you find yourself in Silverlake

The Stella Bar

would be my top pick 

for a Sunday afternoon  lunch and cocktail!

Afterwards there are plenty of shops to explore.

One of the most interesting

The Bar Keeper.

In keeping with the hand crafted cocktail trend

inside is everything 

to make your very own creations come to  life!

Presented in a beautifully 

organized manner

but still complete

with stylish kitsch!

The bar accessories were plentiful

as were 

a large array of bitters 

and 

specialty brews!

We found the Casbah

that led our search.

A lovely tittle

shop complete with a cafe.

As is so often in exploring new areas

my favorite part of the Casbah

was the search

because it led us to one of the most

creatively vital areas I have found in 

Southern California.

With each new fabulous discovery

I am left asking myself

What other grand things

are waiting to be discovered 

in our own backyard!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life