So, you didn't quite get the number of days off for the holidays that you thought you would, and now you're here in town, wondering how in the world you are going to entertain yourself this week. It's true, your Instagram feed is about to be choked with cozy scenes: your friends donning scarves and frolicking with their little nieces, drinking hot cocoa or building gingerbread houses. Everyone seems to have a fireplace and a golden retriever at the ready. We've seen it all before.
But don't get internet-induced FOMO just yet, because we've done the near-impossible and figured out a way for you to stay in town and have more (or at least as much) fun as those who've checked out of town early. That's right. Here is a week that will rival anyone else's quaint time at home -- without any of those inevitable awkward family moments.
And now, here's what you should be up to this week...
Monday
Fight off wintery post-work drowsiness (it's tough when it starts getting dark around 4 p.m.!) with a horchatte (that's horchata + latte) at the newest coffee shop in Echo Park, Taza. Linger for a while with the hip kids, or take your beverage to-go so you can check out the shops dotting this part of Sunset Boulevard. We're partial to ladies' boutique Myrtle, eco-friendly design store Kelly Green, and purveyor of everything in our future "someday" home, deKor.
After, grab dinner at the way-lauded truck Taco Zone, where some clever locals have just made an inventive improvement: custom-fit tables to help you balance your street food. Then, walk over to The Echo, where The Dead Ships are hosting a Holiday Spectacular concert with near-legendary local favorites Dengue Fever.
Hit play: Dengue Fever - Tiger Phone Card
Tuesday
If you're around during the day, spend your afternoon with a young, handsome Brando by slipping over to LACMA for a 1 p.m. screening of On The Waterfront. We'll be really jealous of the next 108 minutes of your life.
Later, get in on a mega cookie swap in Los Feliz. Hosted by Yelp, the annual swap should be loaded with tons of different varieties, so make sure you come prepared with at least a dozen homemade sweets of your own. There will also be a contest, in case you need some awards to improve your self esteem.
If you're not totally stuffed at this point, grab dinner at The Black Cat in Silver Lake, which has recently undergone quite a transformation from gay bar to gastropub. Finally, finish your night at The Satellite, where they're hosting a tribute to the Rolling Stones, which might actually be better than the real (15-minute) appearance the Stones made at the 12-12-12 benefit concert.
Hit play: The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
Wednesday
Begin your evening at the Alice + Olivia store on Robertson, where we're throwing a White Winter Celebration with Money-Smart Women. There will be a complimentary braid bar from TheBroot, Svedka Vodka cocktails, and a raffle of A + O goodies for those who spend over $300. Also, the first 50 to bring in a new toy or baby item to donate to Baby Buggy will receive 15% off their purchase along with a VIP gift bag containing goodies from Tortilla Republic, Chaya, Aveda, & others. RSVP now!
Another option for those who are yearning for holiday cheer is to spend your evening indulging in wintery fun in Culver City. Grab a cup of cult coffee from Cognoscenti's just-opened shop, and then head to the Holiday Ice Rink to show off your ice-skating skills.
Finally, grab dinner and a beer at PS 310, which promises not only to feed you, but to give you an "education in the art of food and beer." Consider us enrolled. If there's time, traipse around the citywide Happy Holiday Hour before making your way to Hollywood for Space 15 Twenty's gem-and-geode-laden Crystal Chaos party.
Hit play: Nite Jewel - All I Want For Christmas Is You
Thursday
If you're still in a zen-like, crystal-loving frame of mind from last night's party, keep it going at the Hammer Museum's Mindful Awareness workshop this afternoon. At the very least, it's probably a good idea to bliss out before full-on family time gears up this weekend.
Later tonight, celebrate Christmas with a generous nod to all things kitschy and Polynesian at the Disney Concert Hall's Don Tiki Hot Lava Holiday Show. The first person to email us at bgg@brokegirlsguide.com will get themselves a free pair of tickets, but if you're not the lucky (or super proactive) one who wins, don't despair! The LA Phil has generously extended their friends and family discount to us. Just enter the code "TIKI" at checkout for 20 percent off the show.
Tiki Ti is closed for the holidays, so keep the party going by checking out transplanted classic Trader Vic's at L.A. Live. Or, hang on to your ticket stub for food and beverage discounts through the LA Phil's Encore program.
Hit play: Lord Douglas Byron - Surfin' Santa