Pop-ups, craft fairs, and discounts -- oh my! Traversing this month's landscape of holiday cheer (and shopping) is a full-time job. Not to mention your actual job, your social life, and oh yeah, the fact that you can't pay for any of it.
Never fear, dearest Broke Girl -- we weeded through this weekend's onslaught of merriment, fun, and paycheck-hemorrhaging to give you the best of the best.
Now, here's what we're up to this weekend...
Friday
Cleanse your palate after a week of giving-a-sh*t by starting your weekend at the Nihilist Film Festival (only on the East Side, people -- we can't make this stuff up!). If a bleak worldview writ large isn't your idea of a good time, stop by an entirely different variety of film screening at the Egyptian. They're showing West Side Story in 70mm so get ready for some neighborhood gang dance-offs in an extra-large format. Ah, the magic of the movies.
Once the credits have rolled on your film of choice, grab dinner at the new Cahuenga location of Berlin Currywurst before going to the Palladium where Bloc Party and Dum Dum Girls are sure to bring down the house.
Saturday
Get back in the holiday shopping swing today! Start at the Black Halo Warehouse Sale downtown, where you may just find your perfect holiday getup -- and some items for other people too, we're sure. After, head west on Sunset to the Silver Lake Art, Craft & Vintage Sale at Micheltorena Elementary School for handmade and one-of-a-kind items for any number of your more whimsical friends. Grab lunch at Food + Lab, then continue onto Mohawk General Store's special Holiday Pop-Up for a who's who of East Side indie designer wares.
Later, cross town to Santa Monica for a special "blowout" event featuring hair treatments, braids, and you guessed it -- blowouts! (Ha.) The first 100 people to arrive will receive a jam-packed gift bag (think Mrs. Meyers, Keihl's, Bellacures, and a lot more!). Talk about VIP. After, swing by Pico to check out the Pico Holiday Art Walk and dream of someday gifting your friends and family some incredible original artwork. Back to reality, load up on cheese slices and two-buck Chuck and keep dreaming...
Head back east for more nighttime action. Start with a sparkling wine-tasting at Wood & Vine. For a mere $25, you'll try bubbles from top producers Scharffengerger and Roederer -- and complimentary oysters. Then, stop in at Espionage on Beverly to fête their one-year anniversary. They're doing it up right with a bellini bar, hors d'oeuvres, and a chance to win the "Espionage Package." We're intrigued. Keep the celebratory and congratulatory good vibes going at the Echoplex later tonight -- YACHT is celebrating their 10-year anniversary as a band with Jacque Renault and a secret special guest. We're guessing this is going to be a party you really shouldn't miss. Get ready to dance all night!
Sunday
If you can, pry yourself out of bed Sunday morning to do it all again! Start in Westwood where Rad & Refined is hosting a holiday shopping event with a hot chocolate bar, complimentary nail design, 15 percent off, and (and!) a chance to win a $500 gift card.
Later, detox from all the chocolate and holiday spending for a moment at LACMA, where the Foodprint Project is hosting a conversation about the food landscape in LA -- the fourth in an international series of similar conversations. Make sure to take advantage of the museum's cute new café, C+M, and grab a hand pie and Intelligentsia coffee while you're there.
Then, head back downtown and into shopping mode at the Renegade Craft Fair, a "cozy outdoor craft village" at the L.A. State Historic Park. There, shop hundreds of indie artists' handmade goods, listen to music, sample some drinks, and eat from a bevy of food trucks that will be parking for the day.
Finally, wind down your weekend by catching local band Satellite Class play at the Viper Room. We hope their upbeat and classically fun variety of rock soothes your frazzled mind -- and effortlessly shuttles you into the week ahead.