Lucky ME!

Everyone drives in LA. We don't have much of a choice. Walking in LA is like walking in the suburbs, the blocks seems to go on forever, there's not a whole lot to look at, and barely a person walking beside you, it's cars just racing by. Cars with grouchy people in a hurry to get somewhere that barely have the patience to let a pedestrian pass without hollering *profanities, at least that was my experience today.

The surprising thing is people actually DO walk in LA. We walk through quaint neighborhoods with well landscaped yards to look at and we see other people walking too, walking home from school, to the Farmer's Market or their local coffee house, walking the dog. It's really quite pleasant when we get out of our cars and hit the pavement. But it's tough to accomplish much this way and so we're chained to our cars.


There is a great thing about driving in LA though. Driving in LA means when you pass by someone's "trash" and you see something you like, like say a really cool pair of retro metal lawn chairs you don't have to ooh and ahh over something you can't take home. Sorta like The Elegant Thrifter had to do just the other day on the streets of NYC! Instead you come inches away from causing a car accident, speed around the block and jump out of the car asking ever so kindly if you can take this person's trash home.


At least that's what happened to me today and it was glorious!

I had thought about refinishing the street finds but was convinced otherwise by my friends at the Antique Station where I was conveniently on my way to when luck came my way. Don't you just wish it had been you?! I know I would.

*slight exaggeration though profanities are easy to come by in LA

Waste Not.

Finally back in LA and just a little rested after, I'm not sure how or why I did it, being awake for nearly 24 hours after leaving NYC. LA is home and I love it here, but I can't help but be a little jealous of all those New Yorker's walking everywhere, drinking in sweet little pubs, eating so decadently if desired and well no matter where they may be. And... I'm really jealous they have MoMA.

I spent hours in here and would've been happy to go back another day and do it all over again!



In the main lobby is an art installation titled Waste Not created by Beijing artist Song Dong and his depression-esque era mother. The Chinese principle, wu jin qi yong, that equates to “Waste not” is the basis for the exhibit.



The mass of his mothers belongings, even a structure from her home layout a maze of a cityscape. At first thought I wished for the luck of walking into this as an Estate Sale vs. an art exhibit. However, the era resonated with me as I meandered this makeshift city of an old Chinese women, an era that called for a principle of thrift - it's fascinating, and sad.





The photos below and the first image above come to me courtesy of 16 miles of strings flickr photostream





Below photos courtesy of abfall111's flickr photo stream





Besides time spent with all my New York lovlies our visit to MoMA was the highlight.