Los Angeles has been chilly the last few weeks (well, for Southern Californians) and accompanying the cold temperatures have been what seems like endless clouds and rain. It was refreshing a few days ago to get a break from the rainfall and be able to spend the day exploring bits of the city. One of my French friends had just flown in from Mexico City so I was dubbed tour guide of the day.
We first took a stroll along the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. I took the opportunity to wear my new Isolá Coventry Cap Toe Loafers from Nordstrom. I am completely in love with the mix of contrasting textures in these shoes. The sparkling toes next to the soft black velvet keep my eyes fixed on these lovely loafers as often as possible. Though they have been a process to break in as they look significantly more comfortable than they are in reality.
If you’re visiting Los Angeles you must pay a visit to Downtown – a neighborhood I now know like the back of my hand after wandering its filthy but incredible streets daily for two and a half years. Be sure to make a stop to take a few snaps at one of the infamous wings located right next to an incredible Argentinan restaurant on 9th Street around the corner from Spring Street.
For the day of exploring I wore AllSaints’ white Stam Tank underneath this red plaid button up from H&M. Though I have been trying to stray away from H&M lately I could not pass up finding this steal on sale for $7.00 when I was visiting Seattle recently. To top it off I threw on my staple Zara leather jacket and simple black jeans.
If you are looking for a little bit of different vibe head over to The Santee Alley located in Downtown’s Fashion District. Street vendors selling mangos and warm buttered corn, clothing accessories being sold at dirt cheap prices, The Santee Alley is the equivalent of being transported to Mexico right in the middle of Los Angeles.
One of my favorite stops that I bring my visiting friends on my tour of Downtown is The Last Bookstore. Endless rows of books – both new and used – cover the two-story building.
What is so unique about this bookstore is the upstairs called “The Labyrinth.” Here you can explore room after room filled with unique art pieces and used books. One half of the upstairs also includes shops selling everything from vintage cameras to art prints. This area is packed with even more options during Downtown’s monthly Art Walk.
The most photographed area of The Labyrinth is the tunnel of books. A book lover’s dream, the tunnel allows you to walk under the unique art piece made up of hundreds of books. Right next to the tunnel is the Horror Vault made for any horror-loving book fans out there.
The Labyrinth has obscure art pieces everywhere you look. Everything from books organized in rainbow colors to lights made by computer hardware.
I also chose to accessories this outfit with my new favorite Guess purse which I received as a Christmas gift. It is the perfect size for wandering the city and has black snakeskin and tiny studs on the handle. Cannot get enough of it.
Out of the many times I had visited The Last Bookstore, this was the first time I noticed they have an entire section for old records. I had to take a few minutes to browse through the Rock section and debate whether or not to expand my tiny vinyl collection currently containing a classic Motley Crue record and a not-so-vintage Buckcherry record.
Have you ever explored Santee Alley or The Last Bookstore? What are your favorite Downtown LA staples?
