My friend from home, Molli, came to visit a few weeks ago during her Spring break from School of the MFA/ Tufts.

Tim bought tickets in advance for us to go to Roller Derby to see the Varsity Brawlers as his co-worker is on the team. We saw them at the LA Derby Dolls’ Doll Factory on Temple, within walking distance of our place. It should go without saying that we’ll be going back. They’re sponsored by Stila Cosmetics so Molli and I got free (full size) mascaras upon entry. Drinks there weren’t too expensive but it was limited to Tecate and Jack & Cokes (the kind that come in a bottle– they were better than I expected though). I think they had wine, too, but I’m not that kind of girl. The match itself was awesome, even though LA’s Varsity Brawlers didn’t win.

We went to El Cid afterward to see a Ramones’ cover band. My dad was really into the Ramones when he was in college and got me listening to them pretty early on. It was really fun to sing and dance to the cover band even though usually I’d think that covering the Ramones is sacreligious… It just made me think about how awesome it must have been to see the Ramones in the late 70s/ 80s. Anyway, we had driven by El Cid so many times but never expected what we found (the sign says “Flamenco”). It was fun and pretty cheap although cash only (they have an ATM– with fees and all).

The next day was spent eating. And shopping. We woke up just slightly hungover and brought Molli to Fred’s on Vermont. She had said she hadn’t eaten anywhere good in LA so far so I had to take her to my favorite, and it was a hit. We walked around Skylight books and a farmer’s market before bringing Tim home to sleep while we shopped. We went to Reform School, Dean, and a few other shops. Dean’s website does not do their products justice, you need to go in and see and touch the soft, recycled leather accessories. I love Reform School, I could easily spend an entire paycheck there in an hour’s time. And it’s not even all that expensive, just so well-curated. I bought this print, but I can’t make out the artist’s name. I feel like I’ve seen it before. Does anyone know?

We stopped at the Steven Alan Outpost on Hillhurst before heading to Melrose. It was what I expected– beautiful clothes, cheaper than full price but still certainly not cheap.

On Melrose, we walked in an out of a handful of shops unimpressed and decided to stop into the trading post. I think Molli bought 40 necklaces there. My loot was significantly smaller but I’m pleased. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with these old photographs.

I love the scissor necklace I found. Most jewelry that screams, “Look at me! I make stuff!” seems to be pretty tacky in my opinion. I love statement jewelry on other people, but I’m much pickier about it when it comes to myself. I prefer delicate pieces like this. Plus it was five dollars.

I scored this faux leather bracelet for around three to five dollars. I found instructions online on how to make them and it still seems like magic to me. I may make some though, I’d love some other in colors and in dark, chestnut browns.

A few weeks before, Tim and I had gone to the trading post. It wasn’t a big loot kind of day but I did find a seller with a whole lot of bleached coral and other oceanic goods.