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Blog: What Do People in Studio City Want (for Valentine's Day)?

Since we don't have a Tar jay or Sprinkle's Cupcake ATM machine we must make do with what Studio City has to offer its residents.

The rule is simple: always follow the parade of Lexii and Prii to find their favorite destinations when searching for a gift, any gift! 

We don't have a Tar-Jay or a Sprinkle's Cupcake ATM machine here in Studio City (ethnic breakdown 78% white), but we make the best of it.

It might take a little extra effort to score a parking space at TJ's (Trader Joe's to you non-cognoscenti) or Whole Foods, but it'll pay dividends in the end.  Once inside the emporium of your choice you can relax a bit knowing you've made the right choice for your gift-buying expedition.  TJ's has done away with 2-buck Chuck, sad to say.  Instead of $1.99 that bottle will now cost $2.49. 

People living in Studio City have a mental list of their favorite items.  You can't go
wrong with:
1.   Any and all items made by Tom in Maine (New Hampshire or Vermont  respectively).
2.   Sushi
3.   Hummus
4.   Sea Salt
5.   Wine
6.   Pretty Bottled waters
7.   Vegan cookies
8.   Kitchen gadgets from Bed, Bath and Beyond
9.   Doggie Hoodies for their dogs (naturally)
10. They also have a fondness for picking their own fruit, buying New Balance at Big Five, scarves, listening to NPR, recycling, bicycles, wearing jeans, Yoga, meatless Mondays, writers workshops, Netflix and Farmers Market, pancakes at Du Par's, specially-blended smoothies, wheat grass shots, listening to black music that black people don't listen to anymore and anything labeled "organic."

If you don't mind spending $15-plus for a hamburger - a Umami gift
certificate.

The big draw is always coffee whether it's Starbuck's, Peet's, Coffee Bean or Aroma Cafe (if you can score a table for your laptop, cell phone, messenger bag and other office  paraphenalia you have struck the motherlode!  You can work on your screenplay or produce the great American novel and hog a table for the entire day without paying rent.  Be sure to keep the used, nearly empty cup on display).

You can save yourself big bucks by wearing workout clothes and jogging down  Ventura Boulevard to give the impression that you own a current membership to LA Fitness.  With  the money you've just saved you can buy personalized license plates for your car (W8ER or PRDCR) as long as it's black.

Candy -- too caloric!  Flowers -- they die!  Better off with some tomato plants or veggie seed packets!

The final trending touch is to inquire in Italian restaurants, "Can I get that Gluten-free?"  No doubt you'll endear yourself to the wait staff and become their primary topic of conversation.

Use this post as your guide and you'll hit a homerun every time, I guarantee!

William Bauer February 7, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Keep sending these gems; they are appreciated.
Irene DeBlasio February 8, 2013 at 03:03 am
@WilliamBauer You can't beat the gifts of laughter and friendship. I think we've all grown so weary of political correctness. It's time to laugh at ourselves. Many thanks for your comment -- the check is in the mail.
G. Cruz February 8, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Ms. DeBlasio now we know where you stand on the Prii debate (Latin and Classical Studies professors beg to differ and insist it's Priora).Personally I don't care too much, I drive a gas guzzling, American built, I-think-I'm-a-he-man, non-pretensios, manual windows, alarm-free pick up.
Getting back to the subject at hand if I give my significant other sea salt and vegan cookies this Valentine's Day instead of the usual overpriced red velvet box of chocolate I don't think that certain someone will be a happy camper. I did enjoy your list though and appreciate your outside the box suggestions. Now isn't it time for the WSJ best of list?
BabyDaddy February 8, 2013 at 01:19 pm
Possibly the biggest train wreck of writing that I've encountered since reading the "Ishtar" script.
Irene DeBlasio February 8, 2013 at 01:31 pm
@G.Cruz Prii is the plural of Prius -- Lexii is plural for Lexus. I just know you must be driving a "guts and glory" Ram truck -- women are not permitted to even think about driving one. The voice-over commercials make that abundantly clear. As for the Priorat, here we go again in the wine department. As I recall you linked me with a Port, the fortified wine from Portugal. I have no link to any beverage, except water.
Why not give your significant other a personalized license plate since she's not allowed to use your truck. Or, how about an "organic" piece of jewelry to wear on her finger? Heck, if you want to just go ahead and give her the least imaginative gift of all go with the red satin or velvet box. Thank you for noticing -- yes I try hard to make the grade for Best of the Web on WSJ five days a week. I love it and hope my contribution makes the grade. I always enjoy your comments even though we get off on an Emily Litella tangent.
Ilona Saari February 8, 2013 at 02:20 pm
LOL - love it. Tho my hybrid of choice is the Hylander (silver, of course) and just discovered a TJ's cab for 4 bucks that won a blind tasting test I was at where the other cabs were $40 and more. Tho, this "I" want for V day would include aged, runny brie and a little tin of domestic caviar from Gelson's or Whole Foods... both on toast pointes, of course. ;o)
Ilona Saari February 8, 2013 at 02:23 pm
,,, oh, and there's always humboldt fog cheese to go into my Valentine gift basket -- and a La Brea bakery baguette and some pate...
Irene DeBlasio February 8, 2013 at 02:45 pm
@BabyDaddy Ishtar? I should be so talented as Elaine May. The finished product was a catastrophe, written and directed by Elain May with an assist from Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Charles Grodin, Carol Kane, Tess Harper and Paul Williams. If you read the original script and termed it a train wreck, you must be "of a certain age". Sounds like you're at least as talented as Harvey Weinstein too I do appreciate the comment.
G. Cruz February 8, 2013 at 03:28 pm
Baby Daddy? That means what, that you are very small?
Irene DeBlasio February 8, 2013 at 03:47 pm
@G.Cruz You may be right about BabyDaddy but to me it implies that the gentleman is well-known for his ability to have his way with women without taking the responsibility for the outcome. In any case, he doesn't have the testicular fortitude to reveal his name.
Irene DeBlasio February 8, 2013 at 03:53 pm
@IlonaSaari There you go -- making me hungry too early in the day. All I need to sit down with you are some deviled eggs -- for the caviar some lemon, minced onion and a tiny sour cream. If we're talking Iranian or Russian caviar, open the jar or tin and we'll dig in with small spoons.
Irene DeBlasio February 8, 2013 at 04:00 pm
@IlonaSaari OMG! What I wouldn't give for some Rougie Foie Gras. La Brea Bakery is a marvel -- Nancy Silverton deserves a medal for all her contributions to great food. I always appreciate your comments. xoxoxo
Ilona Saari February 8, 2013 at 05:02 pm
I only eat caviar the Finnish way -- on toast pointes w/ a bit of sweet butter... Everything else takes away from the caviar's wonderful flavor - whether it be Iranian, Russian or domestic. Got my horn spoon aready anytime you want to dig in... ;o)
Ilona Saari February 8, 2013 at 05:03 pm
... and, of course, ICAM about Nancy whom I've blog about here a few times <g>
Irene DeBlasio February 8, 2013 at 06:33 pm
@IlonaSaari IMHO you done good -- better than the mainstream media. There's nobody around like Craig Claiborne, Pierre Franney or Julia Child. We need Richard to cook up a storm for us online and in print media.
Ilona Saari February 8, 2013 at 07:12 pm
He certainly does 'online' ;o) - my food/wine/travel/musing blog has a lot of followers now.
Irene DeBlasio February 13, 2013 at 03:29 pm
@IlonaSaari Now that the abridged verson of my post has been restored, I'm able to read the comment you left on February 8. I'll take a look and maybe even follow Richard. LOL
G. Cruz February 13, 2013 at 06:27 pm
Ms.DeBlasio I have looked high and low for your blog and, now that it's been resurrected, can you tell us why you were censored? I notice the title was changed and am indeed curious as to what happened.
Is Big Brother alive and well?
Ilona Saari February 13, 2013 at 06:33 pm
This happens to every writer from time-to-time,G. Cruz. As someone who has written for newspapers for years and now online, this isn't 'Big Brother' but the lot of a writer..you never know what an editor's going to change or delete or choose not to publish... The only time a writer isn't subjected to editing or censorship is if s/he owns the paper, blog or website...
Irene DeBlasio February 13, 2013 at 08:10 pm
@G.Cruz We call it a wardrobe malfunction. Oops... You see, I thought my original title was funny but like Henry's Tacos, my title was altered a bit so as not to be objectionable. (All is well on WSJ). Thanks so much for checking on me -- I appreciate it.
Irene DeBlasio February 13, 2013 at 08:16 pm
@IlonaSaari You're so right! I loved listening to a comment by Steven Spielberg who was being interviewed by one of the alphabet networks. He said something to the effect that "his Lincoln" (we always try for the auteur designation) was the best, most brilliant piece of writing he had ever read! He just neglected to tell us the author's name. And, the beat goes on...
Ilona Saari February 13, 2013 at 08:24 pm
Probably because he either thought everyone knew it was Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner or, like most directors, writers are to be rather seen and not heard - just ignored... most directors actually think they can make movies w/o writers - and consider writers just an annoyance... Drives me nuts.
Irene DeBlasio February 13, 2013 at 09:59 pm
@IlonaSaari My mother always thought the actors made up their dialogue on the spot. It wasn't until I gave her some scripts to read that she began to realize what actually goes on. It reminds me of a brilliant quote of PJ O'Rourke: "Politicians are wonderful people as long as they stay away from things they don't understand, such as working for a living."
Ilona Saari February 13, 2013 at 10:10 pm
LOL - I love PJ O'Rourke!
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Mike Szymanski (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 09:54 am
Hey Beth! You may want to consider posting photos in a gallery by using the START BLOGGING buttonRead More on the front page for more visibility on the site! thanks!
at the wheel
Mike Szymanski (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 09:57 am
My sister just did a first-time experience...stay tuned to her post of what she did with her friendsRead More going there a few weeks ago...she loved it! Post your thoughts here, or consider clicking the START BLOGGING button on the bottom left of the front page to tell us more and start a conversation!
mzjuniper June 19, 2013 at 07:27 am
I celebrated my husbands birthday here with a bunch of friends. The 6 of us sat around the wheelRead More learning to spin pottery. It was so much fun! And we got to all try something new together. The teacher is very patient and helpful. It was a truly delightful experience. I highly recommend it.
Stepping back into the light. Thanks Jaqueline Huang.
E.M. Fredric June 16, 2013 at 08:56 pm
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rumradio-org/2013/06/17/rumradio-interview-with-eva-marie-fredric-1
E.M. Fredric June 16, 2013 at 08:56 pm
Thanks Mike, you are always such a positive and supportive friend!
E.M. Fredric June 17, 2013 at 10:00 am
The re-airs tonight and Sunday on the radio but you can listen at the link above any time.
Rich Addams June 15, 2013 at 07:43 am
Who ARE you and what's the number? What kind of informational specialist are you, you leave noRead More number, no email, and you expect us to care? BLOG something lady! Tells us about it!!!!
Kalil Stimpson June 17, 2013 at 07:32 pm
Dear tbs, Deon Coles black box is the worst tv show ever. Though it is hosted by a black man, it'sRead More a show based on pointing fun and rude Racist jokes directed toward black people. If there was a white host it would be considered racist but because a black man was appointed to be host , you might have figured we wouldn't be offended but we are and I can't speak for all but I feel like resist jokes aren't ok regardless of who is telling them and I would like tbs to take down this show or atleast change the points in the show ! -signed, Kalil Stimpson
Miki Henderson June 12, 2013 at 11:29 am
How fun! I can't wait! What a great place to do it, too! Llove the cheeses!
Miki Henderson June 12, 2013 at 11:30 am
This is the last piece of open area along this river, if we're ever going to have it look like aRead More real river again, we MUST preserve this seciton, which is about a quarter way down! PLease help!! Thank you for your volunteerism, I know you ladies have done so much!