Guest Post: Big City Dating

Living as a single in a large city can be a lonely existence for someone who doesn't have a family or community support system. Many singles don't find it easy to meet other people in a big city, whether they're interested in friendship or dating. In addition, singles looking for a committed relationship may be reticent about expressing that sentiment. Yet if they can't make it clear that they're looking for a serious partner, they may attract people who don't share their goals.

Some singles appreciate their friends who try to "set them up" while others are offended, but in the best of circumstances, friends have their own lives and can quickly become weary of trying to find dates for their single friends. Singles can also weary of hearing their married friends tell them that they're being "too picky" or "not doing enough" to meet a partner.

Internet dating can also be frustrating. Dating sites are not always secure. Some online dating sites may include profiles of people who live across the country or even outside of the country. Profiles are often misleading, either intentionally or unintentionally so if a single wants to identify a person that will be a good match, the online profiles can create more problems than solutions.

The final option, meeting people at events, bars or parties often feels awkward and superficial. Singles often say that they feel pressured to make a connection at venues where the lights are low, the music is loud and the conversation feels shallow and phony.

The bright lights and excitement that big city living offers can bring new opportunities for singles of all ages but for those who are looking for a meaningful relationship, living in a large city can bring a certain level of loneliness that's not always easy to overcome.

Sarah is a professional matchmaker at Table for Six, a unique dating service based in Los Angeles. Table for Six has years of experience matching like-minded single professionals together. A policy of caring about their members above all, has produced many happy Table for Six reviews.

(Photo from Awesome People Hanging Out Together)

Guest Blogger: Laurie R. on the New Lowell Milken UCLA Law School

LA residents appreciate that our UCLA Law School, one of the nation's top law schools, continues to function as a leader in enhancing the ethics and values of law. This connection was recently augmented by a $10 million gift from Lowell Milken, an advocate of educational reform and a 1973 alumnus of the school.

Milken's gift created the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy which will develop innovative approaches to law and business. It is anticipated that the Institute will develop new strategies to improve law students' transactional and problem solving skills through hands-on training through its research into successful law and business models.

Milken sees this gift as one which will attract and retain top Law School faculty as it supports centers and institutes which inform law and public policy. An additional component of the gift provides the UCLA Law School with the capability to offer increased financial aid to students who demonstrate leadership potential in the fields of business law and policy. The Law School anticipates that the enhanced training in real-world transactional skills and the expanded curriculum will be of use to the broader legal and business communities in addition to the UCLS Law School students.

The UCLA Law School's reputation as a leader in business law along with its long tradition of interdisciplinary collaborations convinced Milken to open his Institute at UCLA. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block noted that "Through groundbreaking research, as well as symposia and conferences, the Lowell Milken Institute will facilitate the kind of sustained dialogue with policymakers and practitioners that is UCLA's hallmark as a public university."

The UCLA Law School sees this kind of private philanthropy as vital to allowing the school to attain its vision and values and serve the LA community.

(Photo here)

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard receives interior design award, and Absolutely Not Martha goes to the ceremony.

One of the perks of blogging and living in Los Angeles is having the opportunity to go to various parties and events. Last Monday night I was invited to a star-studded awards gala (at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood) honoring Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year Award.

A little background on Martyn: He was named one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest and will be featured on Bravo’s new program, “Million Dollar Decorator”, set to debut at the end of 2010. His client list includes Cher, Elton John, Christina Aguilera, Eva Mendes, Ellen Pompeo, Kid Rock, Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne and Tamara Mellon, founder and President of Jimmy Choo. Very impressive.

I love his work on Ellen Pompeo's classic 1920s Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills...
Back to the gala. Wolfgang Puck catered the affair, and I definitely enjoyed my share of miniature grilled cheese sandwiches, thin pizza mini slices, chocolate-covered Ho Hos and teeny tiny (maybe 2 inches tall) vanilla ice cream cones.

While the majority of the previously mentioned celebrities were not in attendance, with the exception of Sharon (and Kelly) Osbourne and Ellen Pompeo, I did see Shannen Doherty, Lance Bass, Cheryl Tiegs, Taylor Dane and Camille Grammer (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). The evening's highlights for me: telling Shannen that while we were dating, my husband and I never missed an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210; chatting with Camille and letting her know I can help with any real estate needs (I just passed the California real estate salesperson exam!); and watching Taylor Dane perform "Prove Your Love". Photos of celebrities at the red carpet event are here if you'd like to see.

(Camille, call me.)

(Photos via Elle Decor and Google Images)

Green = Good + Glamorous

Los Angeles-based interior designer Lori Dennis is author of the soon to be released Green Interior Design (November), a book which covers every aspect of residential interior design from a green perspective. It's filled with over 100 color photos of projects and furnishings and is a wonderful go-to resource for those looking to create eco-friendly interiors.

I couldn't resist posting a few photos of this Hollywood Hills home which Lori worked on...

Visit Lori's portfolio to see more examples of her amazing work.

Babs and Jen

For several years now, I've been telling my family how much I think Jennifer Aniston resembles Barbra Streisand. Well, apparently someone at Harper's Bazaar thinks so, too. (Fun fact: Jennifer's "Streisand-ification" took place in an old Los Angeles theater surrounded by iconic images of Barbra and with "People" on rotation.)

Did anybody ever tell you that you look like a certain celebrity?

Nobody ever told me about the big, beautiful rainbows in L.A.

Yesterday I saw this exact rainbow pictured above, but here are some others for your viewing pleasure...
(Photos via here, here, here, here and here)

Los Angeles on The Selby

(Photography via The Selby)

Celebrity encounter

I know you must be thinking...Oh, no. Here she goes, with yet another celebrity-themed post. But I just HAD to share with you that last night whilst picking up a few groceries at Whole Foods...I saw, and spoke with, actress Marion Cotillard. She only happens to be the star of one of my most favorite films EVER, La Vie En Rose. Not to mention she's currently in new fave Nine. LOVE her. (That's all I'm telling.)

(Photo via weheartit)

Babycakes opens in Los Angeles!

I just found out that New York-based Babycakes opened this weekend in the Pacific Electric Lofts at 6th and Main in downtown Los Angeles. Though we never made it to their East Coast headquarters, Babycakes L.A., here we come!

I love seeing "gluten free" written all over the display window...

No writing. Just yum.
(Photos via Style Section L.A. and Quarry Girl)

Get{ty} inspired.

We kicked off the New Year with a visit on Saturday to the Getty Villa in Malibu. The weather was beautiful, as was everything we saw. Here's a peek at the grounds of the Villa.

(First two photos via here, third here and last one here)

Fantastic freeways

Believe it or not, I've somehow managed to avoid driving on the crazy Los Angeles freeways since moving here.
(Via SeeSaw Designs)

A kiss is still a kiss and a house is just a house.

If living in an architect designed Hollywood Hills home that features a 65-ft infinity pool and outdoor cinema is your thing, you may want to take a peek at this one. The house also comes with a name-Skyline Residence-and a price tag of $5,995,000.

The Sartorialist and the Flea [Market]

Living in a metropolis like Los Angeles definitely has its perks. Today street style photographer Scott Schuman from The Sartorialist (no surprise here that it's one of my fave blogs...Map That Outfit!...) will be signing his self-titled book at The Beverly Center in West Hollywood.Needless to say, I want to go. However, there appears to be another book signing today--one which unfortunately trumps yours, Scott. And that would be by Jeff Kinney (New York Times bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series). Two of my kids will be attending this highly anticipated event and I, of course, will be accompanying my children. Perhaps I'll get lucky and be able to juggle both signings...break away for a work thing...pick up Big Sis...do homework. Maybe dinner.It is becoming routine on Sunday to pay a visit to the famed flea market at Fairfax and Melrose which the LA Times notes "is great for browsing the bazaar or hunting the bizarre." My daughter and I bought dresses we absolutely adore. AND, the whole family is benefiting from my additional purchase of two gorgeous, slightly mismatched wood benches.

(Top photo via here; third and fourth photos here)

Lisa from Dandy Sugar: "Things I Love About LA"

As a regular reader of Absolutely Not Martha, I was more than thrilled when Jackie asked me if I would be interested in guest blogging. I get a kick out of reading her posts-it’s always fun to see the latest and greatest design and fashion finds. For a little creative inspiration, dreamy photos and maybe a bite of something yummy and gluten free, I eagerly await her collection of Weekly Links.

Jackie asked me to write about “Things I Love Best About Living in LA.” A very fitting and perfect topic for her since she recently made a huge move from the east coast to LA herself. I actually moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles about six months ago, so I’m a newbie to this huge melting pot of a city as well. There is so much to see and do in LA, it’s difficult to narrow down just a few favorites. So, here is just a very small slice of my life and experience here thus far.

Enjoy!

The sun and warmth.
Living close to Venice Beach.
Palm tree-lined streets.
The gorgeous Getty Villa, Museum and Gardens.

The Sensitive Baker – A delicious gluten free bakery in downtown Culver City.

A BIG thank you to Lisa (Dandy Sugar) for a fabulous post!

(All photos by Lisa except for Palm Trees which is via Flickr.)

Rachel from Heart of Light: "Things I Love About LA"

Driving on Mulholland at sunset - I generally avoid driving in LA, but I have to admit that there is something enchanting about driving along the winding hillsides and looking out over the city. There are lots of places to stop and take in the view (or go hiking!).

Decadent breakfasts - This city sleeps in and then goes wild for breakfast. If you can make it out the door by 9 am, you can have french toast and french press coffee at The Griddle, or organic eggs and bacon at Swingers, or honey nut pancakes at Snug Harbor, without any wait at all. If you're late, be prepared to wait for at least an hour for a table anywhere.

Santa Monica Farmer's Market - An institution in the city, the SM Farmer's Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can buy your veggies from the same farms that supply the best restaurants in the city, and you can eat some delicious croissants while you shop.

Outdoor shopping - Malls make me feel claustrophobic and itchy, but luckily we have lots of outdoor shopping here. My favorite place to stroll and shop is the Santa Monica Promenade, because if I get retail overload I can just walk two blocks down and be on the beach, but there is also Century City, or even the crazy Disneyland atmosphere of The Grove (but beware of the crowds - I never come here if I can avoid it).

Fabulous dinners - LA is a foodie town, packed with delicious places to eat. The amazing diversity of Southern California means we have just about everything you could possibly want. There are star studded restaurants and little hole in the wall places, and the thrill of discovering a new place is something most Angelenos share. I can't even begin to share a list of the best places, but I will point you toward Jonathan Gold, who is the last word in the Los Angeles food scene.
Concerts at the Hollywood Bowl - The Hollywood Bowl is a summer tradition here. If you check the summer schedule, you'll find there is truly something for everyone. Don't miss the chance to see one of the annual concerts where the Philharmonic plays with a band. It is always the best concert of the summer, hands down. Imagine Zero 7 or the Decemberists with a full orchestra in the background. Amazing.

A huge thank you to Rachel (Heart of Light) for guest blogging while I continue to settle into my new home called LA.

(Photography by Rachel)