Ok. Ok. I know. I never posted the Xmas and New Year’s story. It’s just been CRAZY busy. Launching my spring line. Trying to make a living.

So, in the interest of staying in business, I’ll plug my own line.  The LA Times wanted to write a piece on me (David Keeps, the writer, is the best!) but they wanted my “Online Boutique” up and running. Ooops! So I had to actually make that place holder link “live”. Too much stuff going on at once. Had to let the blog languish.

But back to life. Xmas was amazing. Spontaneous. Included champagne. Of course. New Year’s Eve. Crazy. Alpine Oh-Nine was the theme. An amazing house on the edge of my hood and Silverlake. Which means, on the edge! Fabulous house, looking down into my hood. There was champagne flowing. Of course! Outdoor fireplaces to keep us warm because it was dipping into the mid-thirties in LA. Arctic weather for us.

So what is my point?

The year ended in a lovely way. And, even though the economy is tanking and we’re all wondering how to pay the rent/mortgage, it is also an amazing new year. 2009.

Obama is in the hood now. Bye-Bye Bush.

And, if you look at the glass half full, it’s a time of innovation and creativity. Because we can’t make it work the old way. If you want to survive in this economy and do what you love, you’ve got to think waaaaay out of the box. But that’s the beauty. This wacky world we’re living in right now allows you to abandon conventional thinking and try something different. Something that might lead you to more success. I know. That’s hard to imagine right now. You’re wondering how you’re going to pay March’s bills. That is if you had enough to get through February. Believe me. I’m right there with you.

But don’t give up. Think upside down. Sideways. On a diagonal.

So, where do you go when you have very limited funds but need to get out of the house/loft/apartment?

In LA (cause that’s my hood right now):

You can eat at one of the top rated restaurants but not break the bank. At all. Pizzeria Mozza. Share the arugula salad.....it’s huge. And share one of the pizzas. Oven roasted. INCREDIBLE. Sit at the bar, share salad, pizza and have a glass of wine. You can even order a bottle of one of the more reasonable Italian wines and still leave unscathed.

But, if you want even more recession proof ideas......

Become a member (free) of ArcLight Cinema (Hollywood or Sherman Oaks). After a few movies, you accrue enough points to see a movie free. Gather a few more points and you get a Buttered Popcorn free. And they validate parking.

Go to the Hollywood Farmers Market on Sunday. Besides the amazing fresh produce, cheese, meat and flowers, you can also sample the offerings and pretty much fill your belly for at least one meal, or two,  depending on your appetite size. And there is always a free movie screening being solicited.

Join L.A. Foodies and enjoy the fabulous K and L Wine Tasting events for 50% off which means you pay $5 for an amazing tasting and informative evening. And you also get to meet/network with new and interesting people.

VIET Noodle Bar on Glendale Blvd. in Atwater is delicious with a modern, zen interior and VERY reasonable prices. Many dishes are under $10. No credit cards. Cash only. You remember that stuff? Green, crispy paper?

City Sip in Echo Park on Sunset, just west of Alvarado Street. THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. A convivial gem of a wine bar with a little retail shop within the space. Belly up to the bar, have an AMAZING glass of wine for $7 and a plate of prosciutto, figs and baguette for another $7 and you’ve had a delicious meal for under $20.00. Share a cheese plate with a friend and just tack on $4 more to your tab. Or share both plates and it’s a steal. It’s a great place to sit, sip, talk and meet new people. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! And so close to my loft. Perfect.

The Must --  it’s a new wine/beer bar downtown that also has reasonable, American style comfort food and well-priced wine and beer. The carafes of wine are a great deal.

The Wooden Spoon, also downtown. This is such a wonderful little spot for lunch or dinner and now breakfast on Saturdays. A bit of a caribbean twist to homemade, savory food. All well priced.

More to come.......more stories to tell and photos to post. Lots of catching up to do.