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  Featured image credit: Omgivning Perhaps as a deeply inadequate escape from the stresses of the first World War, hot chocolate was all the rage in Los Angeles in 1914. Through this fad, new life was etched into the very walls of a formerly non-descript four-story building that remains standing today at 217 West 6th Street. While the fragrance of melted chocolate blew away decades ago, the elaborate tiles characterizing the chocolate shop Los Angeles insiders celebrate are still there. You just need to know the right person to catch a glimpse. Today, we look at the briefly sweet history of Downtown LA’s Dutch Chocolate Shoppe.  A Downtown LA Chocolate Shop with Character Photo credit: Omgivning The building that houses the remains of the Dutch Chocolate Shoppe was originally constructed in 1898 by one Gerhard Eshman based on designs by noted architecture firm Morgan and Walls. But it wouldn’t become the chocolate shop Los Angeles history buffs recognize until

  Photo Credit: Envato Elements Not that we need an excuse to celebrate, but in honor of National Margarita Day (February 22nd), we’ve created the ultimate list of 10 margarita recipes that you can make in the comfort of your own home! These insanely delicious and boozy recipes are simple yet customizable to fit your salty, sweet, or even spicy cravings. So whether you’re a classic lime on the rocks lover or find yourself delving into more exotic flavors and blended drinks, this list is for you! 1. Classic Margarita Photo Credit: Envato Elements Ingredients: 2 oz tequila 1 oz triple sec 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice Salt for rimming (optional) Recipe: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge. 2. Strawberry Basil Margarita Photo Credit: Envato Elements Ingredients: 2 oz tequila 1 oz triple sec 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice 2 strawberries, s

      It’s one thing to get facetime on The Grammys. But when you get a shoutout on Foos Gone Wild ? That’s when you know you’ve made it in LA. Such is the riches-to-rags-to-tags tale of Oceanwide Plaza, a stagnant development that has been unofficially reclaimed by LA’s art community. Once a trio of towers on their way to becoming a luxury mixed-use facility amidst Downtown LA’s thriving L.A. Live complex, Oceanwide Plaza has sat dormant since 2019. That all changed about a week ago when a veritable army of graffiti elite decided to lend it some of their vision. Of course, not everybody’s a fan. The Stagnant Promise of Oceanwide Plaza Photo credit: Benoît Prieur Back in the days when an imminent global pandemic seemed like science fiction, Oceanwide Plaza was yet another luxury development peppering Downtown Los Angeles. Developers promised a mix of retail space, hospitality, and even luxury apartments and condos. With its ambitious billion-dollar pricetag, the

  No matter what you do for a living, there’s a better than average chance you have some kind of protocol in place. Protocol sounds stuffy, overbearing, maybe even a bit on the militant side. Visions of dystopian futures grow pretty easily in the shadow of that towering word. But protocol is an integral part of a functioning workplace. Rather than considering protocol to be this tyrannical agent of law and order, consider it the language of the workplace. How so? Protocol is basically a promise from one department to the next. With protocol in place (and properly executed), we can trust in the machine moving forward. It’s that “properly executed” part that can get tricky. So, what can you do if the thought of completing tasks related to company protocol makes your eyes glaze over, body freeze up, and mind search for something ( anything) else? Walking Through Hell to Get to Heaven Photo credit: Envato As a child, I was often frustrated by a tradition my parents he

  Featured image credit: Ken Lund On a clear Los Angeles Day, you can see the Pacific Ocean glittering in the distance from the Griffith Observatory. And on the very clearest of days, you might even see a considerable landmass punctuating those gleaming waves. For a lot of Angelenos, this is their introduction to Catalina Island (formally known as Santa Catalina Island). In days gone by, it was a hidden gem reserved for Hollywood royalty who needed a break from the flashbulbs. These days, it’s a popular day trip option for Angelenos in search of some much needed R&R. The prime objective of Catalina Island is unwinding. So, what if you’re feeling restless? Fortunately, there are also plenty of things to do on Catalina Island. Here are a few of our favorites.  Know Before You Go Photo credit: Elena.laps You’ll find most of Catalina Island’s 4,000 permanent residents (as well as the majority of tourists) split between the port town of Avalon and the smaller