Do It. Renegade Craft Fair.

Don't let Carmeggedon threaten all your fun this weekend! Instead, indulge in some cool crafts, courtesy of the Renegade Craft Fair this Saturday and Sunday. Taking place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park in downtown near Chinatown -- meaning you'll be far and away from the closed 405 and close to easy access to public transportation -- the event is one of the largest outdoor marketplaces for handmade goods, a spinoff from the Chicago original. Now in it's third year, the fair will feature more than 200 artists, interactive workshops and even a swap-o-rama. Look for a photo booth, the Amoeba booth, a bar and food trucks galore. And the whole event is free, so you're welcome to explore and enjoy freely.

No better way to escape the madness than with some great homemade goods!

Renegade Craft Fair takes place this weekend from 11am to 7pm each day at the L.A. State Historic Park in downtown.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. 826LA's Everything You Know is Pong.

826LA is known for their fantastic charity events. An evening of summer fun is coming up, featuring Spike Jonze, Miranda July, and Ping Pong! What's not to love?

Everything You Know is Pong: Tournament of Champions will take place next Tuesday night at the Echoplex. There are options to join an existing team, create a team, or sign up as an individual player.

The Echoplex is located at 1154 Glendale Boulevard in Echo Park. Spectator tickets $10, donations also welcome. Info: attheecho.com & 826la.org, to register: 826la.org/pingpong

Related post--Check out this beautiful rehearsal video of my all-time favorite singer Ryan Adams (and his wife, the multitalented Mandy Moore), for an 826LA event last fall.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: 826LA

Eat Out. Canter's 80th anniversary.

Canter's is undoubtedly one of L.A.'s most classic restaurants. And today, you can celebrate their 80th (!!!) anniversary with them by enjoying their infamous corned beef sandwich, potato salad, pickle and chocolate rugelach-- all for just 80 cents! Really! Just stop by their Fairfax spot between 4pm and 12am today and get your grub on.

If you can't make it to the restaurant today -- or if you want another chance at an amazing 80-cent meal -- get to following the Canter's food truck this week. They'll be giving away special VIP Anniversary Vouchers that can be used anytime after today. Only 80 are given out each day, so good luck! Here are the locations.

Canter's is located at 419 North Fairfax Ave. in Mid-City.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Canter's

Check It. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter.

You know when a product smells so good you just want to eat it? That is definitely the case with Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter. I got a teeny sample jar of it earlier this year, and have been majorly enjoying it occasionally on freshly shaven legs (and some on my arms (not shaven) too).

This is a fluffier and more delicious (not literally) version of the Kiehl's Creme de Corps longtime cult classic body moisturizer, which has gained even more fame recently thanks to Equinox.

An 8 oz. tub of Kiehl's whipped body butter is $35

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Kiehl's

the monthly BEAT: Abbot Kinney. Gjelina Take Away.

Gjelina got a lot of press recently for its "changes and modifications politely declined" policy when Victoria Beckham tried to make such a request and was stubbornly refused. Right or wrong, the scenario was just an example of how Gjelina is a place that takes its food and ingredients very seriously, and for good reason.

Because the food there is absolutely mouthwatering, and that happens to apply for its new take out sector, Gjelina Take Away, too. Mostly because it's not much different from its mother restaurant, besides not forcing you into reservations weeks in advance. And though the prices can be almost as high (pizzas and sandwiches are about $12-$14), the quality is right up to par with chef Travis Lett's admirable reputation. He's been called a food artist and a produce obsessive, and it's all true. The food is fresh and intricately assembled. You may not get to enjoy the lovely patio of the full restaurant if you order from GTA, but you'll be too distracted by your delicious food anyway. A great chance to grab a bite and keep on with your day on Abbot Kinney.

Gjelina Take Away is located at 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice. It is only open 7am-4pm.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Eater LA

Eat In. Pasta with green vegetables.

I had a delicious pasta dish (Tagliatelle alla Primavera) on Saturday at Gemma in NYC. By Tuesday night, I was trying (and pretty successfully at that) to recreate it in my own kitchen.

Ingredients: Barilla fettuccine, one small squash, half a bunch of asparagus, one clove of fresh garlic, Colavita extra virgin olive oil, butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

Cook pasta according to package instructions (usually about 11 minutes in boiling water). I put a few chunks of butter in the bottom of a large bowl, to toss the pasta with when it finished cooking and was drained.

I cut off the bottoms of the asparagus, then chopped the stalks into about 2-inch sections. With the squash, I cut the ends off, but waited until it was parboiled to slice it into disks.

After the vegetables had cooked (in a saucepan of boiling water) for just a few minutes to slightly tenderize, I drained them and put them in a pan to sauté with the olive oil and chopped garlic. I didn't really time it, but probably something like 5-10 minutes, until they looked cooked, added a little Parmesan, salt, and pepper while the veggies were still in the pan, then added that whole mix atop the lightly buttered pasta, and tossed.

A great thing about this dish is you can use whatever green vegetables you like--peas, broccoli, artichoke, etc.

This version served two, but could easily be altered for any number of people.

If you like the sound of this dish, check out my (also vegetarian) version of Pane e Vino's Fusilli con Melanzane e Scamorza here.

Buon Appetito!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credits: the BEAT

Do It. TwentyWonder: A Carnival of the Mind.

If there's one "L.A." thing I'm still dying to do, it's to see the L.A. Derby Dolls in action. The rollerskating badasses play about twice a month, but tickets usually sell out pretty quickly, and can sometimes be pricey.

This month, though, they'll be playing for an extra special cause, as part of Twentywonder, a one-night-only benefit raising money for the Down Syndrome Association Of Los Angeles. Also on deck for the night: live performances by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Exene Cervenka (of X), Axis of Awesome, Funny or Die and more. Expect cirque performers and even the original Batmobile, as well as chances to a Fender guitar signed by Trent Reznor and a lunch for four hosted by Sam Simon (co-creator of The Simpsons).

Tickets go for $40 for general admission -- the usual top price for a Derby Dolls match. So not only can you see them play, you'll get to enjoy all these other amazing acts -- and all for charity. Get your tickets now.

TwentyWonder: A Carnival of the Mind takes place this Saturday, July 9 at 8pm at the Doll Factory, located at 1910 W. Temple St. in Filipinotown.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Gladiator sandals.

This summer, everyone and their mother are wearing gladiator-style sandals. I've been a big fan since a classic H by Tommy Hilfiger brown leather pair I got in college. Today there are countless variations, but I still gravitate toward the simple ones.

A few favorites:

Bernardo (Mistral Sandal shown above, their Mojo Sandal is great too.)

J. Crew (lots of options here. I'm loving my Salinas in black.)

Steve Madden (if you're not looking to spend big on this trend.)

Happy trails, and don't forget a pre-sandal pedicure!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Bernardo

Happy Fourth!

Happy 4th of July!

Celebration suggestions:

Drink cold beer

Grill something

Watch fireworks (from the beach, if possible)

Thank you, as always, reading.

-- the BEAT

Photo credit: cartoongraphics.blogspsot.com

The Monthly BEAT: Venice. Wabi-Sabi.

This month's weekend focus city is Venice, California!

Abbot Kinney is one of Venice's (in fact all of L.A.'s) trendiest, most pleasant, cute, pedestrian-friendly streets. It has tons of great restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.

Wabi-Sabi has been a favorite sushi restaurant of mine for years. The space is cool, modern, and clean, while being comfortable (cozy even) at the same time. The servers are always pleasant and attractive--and the food is spot-on. The crunchy shrimp roll is the one dish I am crazy for. It's a spicy platter of a cut shrimp tempura roll that is one of my favorite very favorite meals. It is made with soy paper (which I usually request for any roll) and all kinds of delicious sauces (one of which I think is Sriracha) on the plate for dipping.

The miso soup is really flavorful and always hot, the cocktails are interesting, well-made, and strong, and the fish is fresh. There are also plenty of hot dishes (small and large), for the non-sushi lover in your life, and some great dessert options too.

There is a very good Happy Hour for select food and drinks from 5:30 p.m. (when they open) to 6:30 p.m. daily.

Wabi-Sabi is located at 1637 Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, Calif. Info: (310) 314-2229, wabisabisushi.com

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Open Table