Posts Tagged ‘live local’

where do you want to go?

Thursday, March 3, 2022
Debbi DiMaggio

Today, WeHo, LA

When I’m asked for recommendations — in any city — it turns into a full 3 day itinerary and a blog post. Flashback… Years ago when apps were new — imagine that, pre app life. I partnered with a company who provided an app platform. My app was Live Local – I broke down multiple vacation destinations and included places to eat, stay, cocktail, coffee including highlights and things to experience and do.

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Recently I was out to dinner with a childhood friend who asked for restaurant recommendations in West Hollywood. She actually lives in  Calabasas — which is actually in LA, but West Hollywood is about an hour away on a good day sans traffic — and wasn’t familiar about where to sip, stay and play as a guest in my home away from home.

Here are a few of my favorite West Hollywood and LA hot spots — Note: I don’t pay that much attention to the food (I know that’s odd); I’m all about design, energy and ambiance first.  However, I am sure the food is good too.

Thursday, or your first  night.  

Dinner @ Olivetta located down from the infamous celebrity hangout, Craigs LA – Olivetta is an elegant space, a designer’s paradise. It can’t be taken all in, in a single sitting. The patterns, the textures, the way they mix and match, and each room is something quite unique. Translation: you must go back multiple times and dine in various rooms even at different tables and booths each offering a new outlook.

After dinner head up to Santa Monica Blvd for dessert @ Bottega Louie – although an Italian caf, it is perfect for a late evening pastry or dessert. The colorful display of macaroons is certainly instagramable!

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Start your Friday in LA 

at one of the Korean Spas. WiSpa, Olympic Spa or my favorite SPA LA  in the heart of Koreatown. Before, or after your spa treatments, brunch at Openaire, amid the twinkling greenhouse of the Line Hotel patio, where seasonal California fare awaits.  Native Angeleno, surfer and two Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin serves a culinary vision built around California’s bounty from land and sea at Openaire. The menu embraces each season and reflects the melting-pot culture of LA.

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Take a break shopping N Robertson then get ready for dinner @

Laurel Hardware and if dancing is of interest there’s nothing like a gay bar — and that’s The Abbey. 

Saturday Night – Merois @ Pendry West Hollywood on Sunset. Enjoy the magnificent views of downtown LA. Begin your journey with a martini in the striped pattern bar with subway tiled wall, this lounge brings me back to Miami –bold, elegant and colorful, this art deco lounge is filled with beautiful bold colors of blues and greens appointed with palms. Then move from the open air  bar into the dining room and experience another extraordinary Wolfgang Puck menu.

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Sunday Brunch @ The Henry, from coffee to cocktails, the greatest neighborhood restaurant – definitely my favorite anytime of day. I meet friends for coffee, work at one of the high tables, dine for lunch, happy hour and dinner. Not many places can say they offer something for every time of day. My only complaint — they don’t open early enough.

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 or opt for old school and always popular, The Ivy across the street or the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Want more 

Shop Rodeo Drive, Sunset to Melrose, 3rd and Beverly Drive

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Hike Runyon or Wattles Canyon

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Beware Of

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Workout, Box, Cycle, Spin or …

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Meander through the Museum of Modern Art in Downtown LA

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walk down Melrose or just around town, the streets are filled with art and art galleries

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Need a hotel recommendation?

Stay Kimpton La Peer, in the heart of WeHo

Or on Sunset @ the Pendry WeHo

or the Mondrian next door.

Interested in touring homes, reach out and book an appointment. For a list of Open Homes, shoot me an email Debbi.DiMaggio@CorcoranIcon.com

Check out these unique and beautiful LA neighborhoods in and around town.

Whether I am working out, hiking, working at a cafe, hotel in or at home, visiting with friends, sitting in a cafe, people watching our touring and showing homes, LA is where I find and redefine what inspires me. I hope you enjoy this journey.

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An Accidentally Beautiful Afternoon with Myself

Friday, January 4, 2019
Debbi DiMaggio

Ghiradelli Sq

Accidentally with purpose. Law of attraction. Think it, will it. If you build it they will come.

I write as I think, so bare with me.

New Year’s Resolutions & Bucket List Things To Try and Do.  ( But you won’t see Skydiving or Scuba on the list! ) I tried Scuba… OMG! I thought I was going to suffocate. And Skydiving… definitely DO NOT want to try.  I did, however, when I was younger and had the guts.

Finding Your Purpose.

I think a lot. I don’t give myself much down time. Although, I am trying.

Mindfulness and Meditation is my focus this year. Seeking to tame the “Monkey Mind”. I will say, I have been trying for the last few years, however, unsuccessfully. I even read an entire book from one reporters  journey as he tried to sit in meditation and mindfulness. Not just using an app, but through first hand experience. He attended a retreat in Marin, CA. And he is from New York! You can only imagine how difficult it was for a New Yorker and a Reporter to slow his mind! I know. I read his book. And the very thought of sitting for a week in absolute silence seems virtually impossible, even a bit scary, even lonely. If you’re wondering, no, he did not stay quiet the entire time. But you’ll have to read the book if you’re intrigued, if only 10%.*

I stumbled upon his book at an airport. Or was it, really … by accident? My life seems to be a jumble of things that have happened to me, for me.. “Accidentally with Purpose”, created by the “Law of Attraction” and something I needed then, now and tomorrow? That thing or tool always seems to come at the exact time I needed it or was calling it. You know those times? They are always amazing, oftentimes inspiring but can even be a bit unnerving, like a horoscope reading that is dead on.

Well, a few of my goals & bucket list desires this year are …

  1. Write my Blog without feeling I need to write a novel. (Debbi DiMaggio A Grateful Life, www.DebbiDiMaggioBlog.com ) Keep it simple until the next one. I’ve missed so many opportunities to jot down my thoughts or teachings because I didn’t take the time to write out my experiences which would be as good for my growth as for some others who might relate.
  2. Bucket List: I have been overwhelmed with the fact that I don’t have traditional hobbies. I don’t golf or play tennis, knit or crochet. My hobby is working with my clients, meeting new people, learning new things, and of course traveling, but you can’t do that nonstop.  That was a long way of stating this year’s Fun & Inspiring Activity I have on my New Year’s List, which is to visit more museums and galleries. TJOxklxiT0CsFShiV9QD0w

I’m happy to report I started out the New Year with two of my favorite people who agreed to go with me on New Year’s Day… SFMOMA. And thanks to my friend Pam who has a membership got Bianca and I in with her passes. I used to have a  membership but like many things, I subscribe and don’t go. I am going to work on that too.

And today, after I was dropping off gratitude gifts to a few San Francisco Realtors who refer us business (note the Blog title, Debbi DiMaggio A Grateful Life, grateful for their referrals, and to the beautiful afternoon.) I noticed a few art galleries so I stopped in.

I am super inspired and excited to have found a new activity I can do in any city I visit including my own. Repeats are A OKAY! I have many more goals and items to add and check off my Bucket List but I’ll save that for another glass of Rose.

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(Written from The Cheese School of San Francisco while looking out to the San Francisco Aquatic Center from the top of Ghirardelli Square one a beautiful chilly but mesmerizing day.)

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I had no idea the simple errand would turn out to be such a wonderful afternoon enjoying some Me Time after the hectic holidays.

XOXO!

Gratefully Yours,

Debbi

PS It’s been years since I’ve been to Ghirardelli Square.

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As a native we tend not to revisit places we have been a million times, figuratively speaking. But I forgot how beautiful it is. And so much had changed as had stayed the same. I didn’t get a chance to take it all in as there was so much to see, but look forward to going back again to explore the rest. Including the cannery and the other nooks and crannies and of course, the galleries.

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The book I referred to above is called 10% Happier by Dan Harris

Summary: Dan Harris’ 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works: A True Story.

Two of my favorites of the day:

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and

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