While in NY, I met someone who has had a similar experience in life. Lived in NY, came to LA. But he went back to NY. I’m still here, in LA. He misses LA. I have daydreams about moving back to NY. In our conversations (and even in my blog), I have been dismissing and overlooking LA. It’s true. I’m an urbanite. Rather walk everywhere, take the metro than drive. I like the spontaneity of the walk versus the calculated path of the drive.

But, as much as I NEED some of my life to include NYC (and Paris), I am here to admit that LA also offers an interesting life. Sometimes.

So, here’s my list of some of my favorite things in LA:

Shopping:

Des Kohan (woman’s clothing) -- Desiree has a keen and stylish eye. www.deskohan.com. And she is a lovely person.

Salt (woman’s clothing) -- Holly and I found ourselves in the same BAD class for upstart retailers. But she has opened a brilliant, carefully curated mix of hard-to-find brands. She’s on Abbott Kinney in Venice.

A + R (home decor/lifestyle) ---Andy and Rose have done a brilliant job of putting together unique, eclectic and clever accessories for the home and general lifestyle. In fact, I have been a devotee of Frederic Malle and his Carnal perfume but I discovered this amazing perfume line at A + R that someone in Brooklyn made. Now I’m swooning. My new favorite scent is “Beach 1966”. An intoxicating mix of salt, suntan oil w/a faint coconut essence and sweat. Sounds odd but think back to those glorious days when you spent all day at the beach and the sun was low in the sky, the sand was golden and you felt satisfied and sun-drenched. It’s seductive!

Eating:

Park -- In Angeleno Heights by Sunset and Douglas there is a charming new bistro. It’s so “downtown East Village”. And you can eat well for very little. Bring your own wine too.

Cafe Stella -- The food is good but the best deal and most fun is to sit at the bar and have a Stella Burger and sip on an array of French wines. Maybe even some Champagne to start. The owner has rock star and Paris roots. The Stella bar is pretty close, for me, to being back in Le Marais. It is the PERFECT date bar.

Bottle Rock -- Culver City has exploded. This is one of several wine bars. There are other good ones but Kathleen and I went to this one this past weekend. Interesting people. Outdoor seating. Brilliant wine list and if you order at least 2 glasses (not hard to do if you’re with someone else), they will open any bottle on the list (there are hundreds). Our elixir truth serum was the Melville Viogner. After we talked about the business of our business, Kathleen and I broke it down to what makes us us. Another good night of truths.

Doing:

Hiking in any Park. My sister and I have had some amazing hikes. We had a family Easter hike that ended in dinner at my house --  lamb stuffed with herbs, spices and currants, grilled outdoors with couscous and roasted cumin-spiced vegetables. Etude Pinot Noir and a dip in the hot tub as the sky darkened and the stars came out. See, I DO like LA sometimes!

Downtown LA/2nd Thursday of Every Month Artwalk -- Amazing. About 12 blocks from my loft is an emerging, avant-garde enclave of art galleries. And once a month there is an evening of art where the streets are filled and the bars and restaurants are teeming with people. It is truly an urban experience. Provocative art, great people watching and cool cafes and restaurants. Downtown has come alive.

Taking a jaunt to Palm Springs. Ok, it’s not LA but it’s so close. 2 hours later you are in the desert. It’s hot, dry and a shrine to the mid-century modern era. It’s a wonderful place to let go of all the noise in your head. 2 hours outside of LA and within 2 hours of being there you have already let go of the stress. I love all the old and new things about it. If you want to experience the Rat Pack era (which is now a bunch of B to C grade actors), go to Melvins. DO NOT eat there. Go to hang out at the bar and have a REAL Martini. Notice all the facelifts, white patent leather shoes and big beehive hairdos. It’s brilliant. Oh, there are so many places to enjoy there that I may have to do a separate blog on Palm Springs.

So, there you have it.  I guess it’s not SO bad here.

The best life for me? LA, NYC, Paris.