Check It. L.A. kitsch.

L.A.'s definitely got some funky parts, but amongst all the crazy places there's a lot of character. From Circus Liquor, Dear John's, some crazy topiary, and murals this video encompasses everything about the stranger side of Los Angeles.

Check it out as artist Allee Willis takes a tour around the more quirky places in our fair city.

-- Lauren Williams

Check It. J. Crew ballet flats.

How cute are these? I love J. Crew ballet flats, and the preppy retailer always seem to come out with new styles even though they are all so classic. They're made in Italy, and reasonably priced for the level of style and quality you're getting.

Ballet flats are great shoes for Los Angeles, where simple dainty shoes can be worn year-round.

J. Crew is located at 189 Grove Drive in Los Angeles. Basic styles are $98 - $118.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: jcrew.com

Do It. NaNoWriMo.

'NaNoWriMo' sounds like some weird anime character or computer virus or something, but in actuality it's short for "National Novel Writing Month." And that month just happens to be November.

During NaNoWriMo, writers get together to help encourage other writers to complete a 50,000-word novel within a month's time. It definitely seems like a lofty goal, but with the right sort of support and motivation, it has the potential to be done.

So log on onto the NaNoWriMo website and register to get writing. You'll get tips and access to forums filled with other writers, who'll be there struggling and hustling along next to you, and it's all free. It's a great way to get motivated to do something amazing like write a novel, and think about it -- in a month's time, you could be an author of your own novel! Now that's a feat.

Get to writing! And keep us updated on your efforts!

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. Alkaline Trio at Alex's.

The hardcore band Alkaline Trio will be making a stop at Long Beach's best dive bar next week, and those interested should get their tickets pronto.

Alex's Bar will be hosting Alkaline Trio Nov. 13 for $20. If you're not into hardcore at all, Alex's has other surprisingly big-name bands stop by. The Bronx and The Donnas have been known to play there.

Some highlights this month include Mr. Mister Miyagi, a karaoke back-up band, which is always fun. Mr. Mister Miyagi goes on stage Dec. 4. It's worth checking back in to Alex's calendar because they often have very good bands last minute or with little announcement.

Alex's Bar is located at 2913 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach.

-- Lauren Williams

Drink In. Grapefruit cocktails.

Cocktails made with fruit juices are so delicious. Hollywood's The Hungry Cat is known for theirs, but I've been wanting to try more at home lately after seeing Katie Lee's recipe for Pink Grapefruit Margaritas.

A vodka/grapefuit/fresh mint on the rocks in a highball glass is also a delightfully refreshing and easy at-home apéritif (I may have seen a chic-looking tray of these in a party picture in the September Vanity Fair).

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credits: realsimple.com and katieleehome.com

Eat Out. McRib.

... or don't. The McRib is making a comeback after a 5-year hiatus, only reappearing on some McDonald's menus a few times a year. The barbecue sandwich is coming back today, all 26 grams of fat and all.

McDonald's has advertised the pork sandwich as something that will stick to your ribs -- and that it'll probably do.

If however you were one of its devout followers, you can now go to any McDonald's location the sandwich.

-- Lauren Williams

Photo credit: McDonald's.

Do It. Vote.

Today's Election Day, BEATs! No matter your political affiliations, it's time to get out there and get voice counted. And be sure to where your 'I voted' sticker proudly -- many businesses have offered discounts and specials for voters on this day in the past.

If you need a primer, here's the L.A. Times' voter guide.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: The Guardian

Eat In. Caprese sandwich.

Ahh, Caprese. A Caprese salad is a great appetizer, especially during the summer. A Caprese sandwich is great light meal--lunch or dinner--year-round.

Key ingredients: good sourdough, buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, sea salt, cracked pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Pesto spread is optional, and I really don't think necessary.

Lightly toast the bread, place slices of mozzarella and tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper on the sourdough, drizzle some balsamic over it, close up the sandwich, and enjoy!

Kettle chips make a great side.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Check It. Conan O'Brien's Show Zero [The Monday Download].

The time is almost here -- Conan O'Brien is just a week away from returning to our lovely television screens. Are you excited?

Ever since the beginning of his hiatus, Conan's been sure to keep us updated, whether through his hilarious tweets or allowing everyone to spy in on his office for a full day. But we still don't know what his new show will be like -- until now.

Well, sort of. Conan is set to premiere "Show Zero," live tonight at 8pm PST (11pm EST) at TeamCoco.com, and though there hasn't been a lot said about what it will all entail, it'll probably be some sort of dress rehearsal/preview of what's to come for his TBS show. Either way, it's sure to be a fun time.

We've missed you Coco!

Conan premieres on TBS on Nov. 8 at 11pm. Also be sure to check out the TeamCoCo website for more fun events happening throughout this week, including free T-shirt giveaways.

In the meantime, if you're ready to relive the late-night TV fiasco earlier this year, check out this interesting excerpt from an upcoming book about it all, via Vanity Fair.

-- Chau Tu

Make It. Pan muerto.

Today is Dia de los Muertos -- a Mexican celebration of love ones who've died -- and for the first time I can't just go out to a panaderia and buy pan muerto (dead bread).

Pan muerto is a delicious traditional sweet bread made and sold for this holiday, and today I'll be making my first pan muerto since it's not a celebrated holiday where I live in Chile.

What you'll need:

1 1/4 teaspoon of dry-active yeast

1/4 cup margarine

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons orange zest

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup warm water

What you'll do:

1. First combine all the liquids, milk, melted margarine, then warm water. Set aside.

2. Mix all dry products: salt, 1/4 of the sugar, yeast, and 1 cup of the flour.

3. Beat in the warm milk mixture, eggs, and orange zest. Then gradually add flour.

4. Knead the mix, and let sit for 1-2 hours until it rises, doubling in size.

5. Shape the bread however you want it to look, usually with a design on top, then pop it into the oven at 350 F for 35-45.

6. To make the glaze, combine 1/4 sugar, orange, and orange zest in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, and glaze over the warm bread.

-- Lauren Williams

Photo credit: Pan Muerto being sold in the streets of Santiago, Mexico. WikiCommons.