Lord Huron at the cemetery? Yes, please 🖤

Silently cheering so my neighbors don’t murder me.

My sister’s husband armed me with pepper spray when I first moved to LA. I used to keep it on my key ring, but it was confiscated years ago at some seedy show downtown. I honestly never thought to replace it until now…

Given the rise in anti-asian hate crimes, I’ve amazon primed myself some pepper spray plus a stun gun for good measure. COME AT ME, BRO.

It’s been tough working from home this past year, but I don’t miss my windowless office. The view from my studio is pretty uninteresting (though today I captured some rare LA rain!). When I get bored of the view, I just visit WindowSwap and pretend I’m working from somewhere else in the world… I’ve been in Georgetown watching this dog fetch a frisbee for hours now!

Back in the day when we were allowed to dine inside restaurants, I had an amazing meal at Jon and Vinny’s. I loved everything we ordered, from the marinara braised meatballs to the LA woman pizza, but the real star of the show was their spicy fusilli alla vodka (what’s not to love about carbs and alcohol?). I’ve been dreaming about it ever since, so when I came across Jon and Vinny’s recipe on Bon Appétit, I knew I had to make it for dinner.

This dish was surprisingly simple to make. I mean, did I have to ask the guy at Trader Joe’s what a shallot was? Yes. And did I see my life flash before my eyes for a split second when I flambéd that vodka? Also yes. But it turned out just as delicious as I remembered it being. And what was already an amazing dish was made even better by the fact that I didn’t have to schlep over to Fairfax in LA traffic or make a reservation a month in advance to eat it!

39 is staying in, binging Schitt’s Creek for the fourth time, eating your favorite pastrami sandwich and cookies from NYC, and finding joy in vacuuming all of your crumbs with the dream dyson you just got for your birthday (I’m clearly going hard this last year in my thirties).

Luckily, my neighbors drive maseratis and porsches, so my mazda hatchback and glove compartment full of hi-chews went untouched.

I literally just got back to LA, stepped out of my car and dropped my cali burrito from SD on the floor. This pretty much sums up 2020 for me.

I think the real tragedy here is that the curfew starts hours after I’ve already taken off my bra and called it a night.

…or what I tell myself when I have to work on the weekend and they forget the organic goji berries on the $20 acai bowl I just postmated.

When I was in high school, my friend Jocelyn was nominated for homecoming queen. She was ASB president and one of the most popular girls in school, so all my friends thought she was a shoo-in and none of us bothered to vote. She ended up tying with another girl and having to share the crown! If just one of us had voted, Jocelyn would still be friends with us today LOL. Your vote absolutely matters, whether it’s for something as trivial as homecoming court or the next POTUS!

Please exercise your right to vote and be safe out there. A few places in my neighborhood have already boarded up their storefronts ahead of tonight’s election results…

Not only did the dodgers beat my padres and go on to win the world series, they also had to disrupt my beauty sleep with all these fireworks outside my apartment.

Welp, I def won’t be meeting the love of my life at a concert this year (or anywhere really if LA remains on this covid watch list), but I love this story ❤️

It looks like we’ll be quarantining well into summer, so I’ve officially stopped working on my bikini bod and started carbo-loading for winter.

This homemade pasta and alfredo sauce combo was *chef’s kiss*

I’ve been working from home for four months now with no distractions (besides my neighbor’s car alarm that goes off, without fail, at least twice a day every time a leaf falls on it). With news this week that California is rolling back reopenings and kids won’t be returning to classrooms in the fall, this quarantine seems far from over. Hang in there, mamas!

My neighbors are douchier than yours.

Stay safe, LA 🖤

This lockdown has only made my department busier than ever, and I’ve been losing my mind working 12-hour days and being cooped up in my studio for nearly two months now. I’ve been in such a mood lately, and yet, my sister postmated me coffee bean and breakfast to make my life easier, my dear friend sent me cookies from across the country, and on the drive home from grocery shopping in Long Beach today, I witnessed this pink ass sunset. I really needed these little reminders that I have a good life and this shit is just temporary. Sorry for everything I said while in quarantine! XOXO

Finally an office with a window! I could get used to working from home…

Now if I only had a bidet, a lifetime subscription to Freshly, and a peloton bike, I’d never have to leave my apartment! Just kidding (like I would ever use a peloton bike).

See you clowns on Zoom!

Literally me in the bread aisle at Ralphs today. All it took was a global pandemic for LA to start eating gluten again.

Welp, I guess I’ll be cooped up at home indefinitely now. It’s only day 4, and I’ve already eaten all my quarantine snacks!

Yeah, I probably should’ve gone grocery shopping before I left for vacation in the middle of a pandemic.

(@ Whole Foods, El Segundo)

(@ Target, Manhattan Beach)

(@ Ralphs, Manhattan Beach)

BRB crying in my car.

Title Track (@ The Hotel Cafe)

I try to catch Kevin Garrett whenever he’s in LA, and this was by far my favorite show of his. Love this intimate venue.

Happy holidays from the 405!

Let’s get some fuckin’ french toast (@ République)

Sylvan Esso – Coffee (@ Walt Disney Concert Hall)

Last show of the year at my new favorite venue ❤️

Sake on Sunset with Deane and Sarah (@ Night + Market Weho)

Maren Morris (@ The Greek Theater)

John Mayer – Edge of Desire (@ The Forum)

Don’t say a word, just come over and lie here with me
‘Cause I’m just about to set fire to everything I see
I want you so bad I’ll go back on the things I believe
There I just said it, I’m scared you’ll forget about me

The last time I saw John Mayer was at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007 before I moved to LA. Twelve years later, he still makes that same guitar face me feel all the feels.

Can I get a Clearly Canadian to wash down these tofu balls? (@ Button Mash)

Andy Grammer – I Am Yours (@ The Wiltern)

I’ve been lost, I’ve been found
But I know who I am now
I am yours

This LA humidity is prepping me for Hawaii, you guys.

3 more days!!!

I should really start wearing pants to bed in preparation for the big one.

Rooney – Stay Away

Make a move on me, baby
I cant be the one who’s always taking chances

Another day, another 20th anniversary tour (@ Lodge Room)

The first time I saw Rooney was nearly two decades ago with an ex-boyfriend at a venue that doesn’t exist anymore. So much has changed since then, but I still go to shows as much as I can, and I still love the bands I loved twenty years ago (still waiting for that Hoobastank comeback tour!).

BRB crying at the cemetery (@ Hollywood Forever)

Hozier – Shrike

I couldn’t utter my love when it counted
Ah, but I’m singing like a bird ’bout it now

Kevin Garrett – Control

Father, son, and holy ghost
I would never let you go

h o a x 💔 (@ Troubadour)

Conference season at work is so draining. I wish I was back at the beach with these clowns! I promise we did more than just lay in bed last weekend (we also ate pizza).

Muse – Stockholm Syndrome (@ The Forum)

This is the last time I’ll forget you
I wish I could

I’ve seen Muse a few times in my life, but I haven’t been to a show of theirs in a decade! It was like seeing them for the first time all over again. Loved, loved, loved. Thanks Nori and Desi for the invite!

After my ceiling sprung several leaks, my landlord had our roof fixed and offered to remove that god awful popcorn ceiling. I even got him to remodel my bathroom and repaint my entire apartment while he was at it!

S/O to all those LA storms for making this home reno possible…

I’ve been off the grid for a few weeks while my place was getting renovated, but it was def worth the wait! Lots to catch up on (Shi’s wedding, Jessie’s birthday, and all the BBQ I ate in between), but first I gotta shower in my new tub and make my bracket picks…

What, you don’t have a fireplace in your office??? (@ SKX Advertising)

I need one of these in my apartment! It snowed in LA today, and I’m in bed under a korean blanket wearing two pairs of pants (that’s two more than I usually wear!).

Fuck, can I get pregnant from this??? (@ Slab BBQ)

Slab has been on my BBQ bucket list, but they usually sell out by the time I get off work. I’ve been sick at home for the past couple of days, so I finally went for lunch today. They usually don’t serve beef ribs on weekdays, but today was my lucky day! I’ve been following them on instagram since they sold BBQ out of their backyard, and their ribs and brisket were some of the best I’ve ever had! Def my new LA fave.

Just when I thought I couldn’t get any luckier, we were sitting outside Milk having dessert afterwards when WEEZER and Fred Armisen roll past us down Beverly Blvd on a flatbed performing Say It Ain’t So (my favoritest Weezer song EVER) like it’s no bigs! Only in LA…

Thanks to whoever gave me this nasty cough at work! If it weren’t for you, I would’ve never been in Fairfax in the middle of a Tuesday living my best life.

You guys, I have mattresses in every corner of my studio right now.

The memory foam mattress I bought last month is too firm, my old spring mattress is too soft, and the new hybrid mattress that got delivered today is just right!

I’m selling my memory foam mattress and giving away my old spring mattress. If anyone is interested, you should know that I live in a third floor walk-up. If you’re still interested, please hit me up on Let Go, Offer Up, or if you’re local, the Buy Nothing Redondo Beach (North) FB group. Get a mattress and earn a fitbit stair badge while you’re at it!

Staring contest going down on the 405 rn.

Me on day 1 of this LA storm:

Me on day 4 after my ceiling sprung a massive leak:

Fortunately, it’s leaking above an area free of furniture, electronics, and my hand-tufted moroccan rug.

Unfortunately, it’s in the shape of a vagina and a literal stain on my apartment.

If anyone without a hole in their ceiling would like me to stay over tonight, you’ll be rewarded with good karma, leftover pizza from Valentino’s, and me without pants on.

Share the Love Benefit Show (@ The Wiltern)

NOTE TO SELF: 16-year-old artists have 16-year-old fans. 

I’ll spare you the video and instead post this studio recording of my favorite Billie Eilish song (devoid of screaming teens in the background). You’re welcome.

When you call my name, do you think I’ll come running?
You never did the same, so good at giving me nothing

There is a hell and it’s the 405 during the holidays (and pretty much any other time of year).

BRB crying (@ Ahmanson Theatre)

Jay and Pammie came up to LA for the day to see this beautiful broadway show. I don’t know if it’s the holidays, or my period, or the $300 I spent on my ticket… but Jesus, I got emotional.

Thanks to Jay for surprising us with souvenir mugs! And for refraining from singing along during the show (even though he proved on the drive there that he knew all the lyrics). I know how hard it was for him to confine that urge! Ha.

Pics or it didn’t happen.

You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch (@ Redondo Beach)

Should I head back to work or across the street to Hotel Hermosa with these guys??? 😜

And it’s worth it, it’s divine
I have this some of the time

Hozier took us to church last night (@ The Wiltern)

Views (@ Griffith Observatory)

If you thought I was gonna celebrate National Cheeseburger Day, you weren’t wrong (@ Shake Shack)

You guys, my glasses just fogged up in the Whole Foods parking lot.

Could it be any more humid???

Actual footage of me trying to sleep during this heat wave.

HALP!

I vote for lobster trucks outside every polling place! (@ Aviation Park)

Sunday funday with Shi! (@ Smorgasburg LA)

I love when she comes up to visit (even if she eats all of my candy).

Prohibition is over and so is conference season!!! 🎉🎉🎉 (@ Manhattan Beach Studios)

When asked if I want my tagliatelle topped with a big ass ball of burrata, the answer is always yes (@ Pasta Sisters)