Melrose Trading Post

It's been two weeks since I last posted something worth reading and many apologies for that. I've been finishing up on my studies out here in California and I'm pleased to shout to the rooftops that I'm finished! Although I'm thrilled to be over with uni work for the next couple of months, I'm sad that it means I'm 3 weeks closer to leaving for England. But, have no fear, in my final weeks in California and New York (yes, you read right, New York, eeek) I plan to explore as much as I can and cram it all into my blog. So watch this space.

Moving on, this Sunday I finally visited Melrose Trading Post, which for those who don't know, it's Los Angeles' most renowned flea market. Literally, this place sells a bit of everything. From selections of typewriters, vintage clothes, cool jewellery, and arts and furniture, you name it, they'll have it. And, they'll throw in an abundance of vendors with so much charisma and personality which is enough in itself to persuade you to go! A sweet lady at the Desert Moo stand, where I bought my necklace from, even told me that Jaden Smith had been seen walking around when I was there. Can you believe it? Unfortunately, knowing my luck, I didn't see him, though I'm sort of glad I didn't as it saved me embarrassing myself from being a total fangirl. And only a few weeks ago, she saw Victoria Beckham there being followed around by 3 macho bodyguards.

Needless to say, the Melrose Trading Post is the place to be every Sunday. See below all of my photographs of my day for more details. Sorry, there aren't a lot of images, I was too busy shopping as you can imagine. I need to set an alarm in my phone or something to remind myself to snap away at all of the amazing things I'm lucky enough to experience in my travels. I promise, I'll be thinking of you all in my next venture.

I snapped up a pair of Levis distressed shorts and jeans for $12 each!!

This beautiful crux necklace is from Desert Moon

My favourite purchase of the day. A $10 tribal print rucksack. Success!

Admission fee: $3 and all proceeds go to Fairfax High School which is super sweet

Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High:
7850 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90046
Sunday 9am-5pm

P.S. Have you guys ever been to a flea market? If so, where has your favourite one been? I'd love to know and maybe get the chance to visit myself. Till next time, be safe!

Museum of Latin American Art

Earlier today I visited the Museum of Latin American Art. It kind of already implies that in the title though, right? Currently, the main exhibition is Mexico: Fantastic Identity 20th Century Masterpieces from the FEMSA collection and consisted of various art movements that were important in Mexico during the 20th Century. An artist that might instantly pop up in your mind is Frida Kahlo, and you'd be right. Her 1993 painting My Dress Hangs There was marked off in the finale of the exhibition and it was my first time having the opportunity to see it up close. The merge of collage and oil paints took me back to the days of my art lessons, and inspired me to continue in my creative pursuits in life. I'm sure everyone else who visits will feel a similar surge of enthusiasm run through them too.

 Of course, it wasn't Frida Kahlo day, and the artwork produced from the rest of the exhibition equally measured up. If not, was even more enflamed with brilliance. Among the experimentations of cubism, surrealism and photography, my favourite artwork came from Juan O'Gorman. A muralist and architect I'd never heard of before, I was mesmerised by O'Gorman's detail on such a large canvas of wood. You'll see the piece I'm referring to below, where he incorporates Adam and Eve, hellish symbolism in the bottom section of the painting, and also animals journeying towards the Arc. I wouldn't really think of myself as religious, but I could appreciate the sheer dedication and pure talent which came from his fingers to his brush, and created such an intricate painting.

I hope you enjoy the photos I sneakily took in there, and if you're ever in Long Beach, California, MOLAA is definitely worth a visit.

 Gabriel Fernández Ledesma

 Juan O'Gorman (My Favourite)

 Alejandro Colunga

 Both illustrations were carved in using a sharpened pen and shoe polish

 Can't believe this was carved in to leather by a self-taught convict! Such talen

 Peter von Artens

 Diego Linares

 Rodolfo Morales

SPRING BREAK

NastyGal store launch in Santa Monica

Over the weekend I visited NastyGal's store launch in Santa Monica. You can probably tell by now that I'm obsessed with the brand because I've mentioned it quite a few times in previous blogs. But can you blame me? Sophie Amorouso is a talented woman who has a keen eye for fashion and on top of that, interior design. Her store's layout, much like her first shop on Melrose Avenue, is gorgeous and the fitting rooms were so cool but a bit daunting because the glass door, from the inside, is transparent so you can see people walk by. Thankfully, they can't see inside your room. Weird. Not quite sure how I feel about it but I like that she breaks away from conventions of other retail stores. 

The Hollywood Hike

I didn't think I'd have to say this again but, yes, I hiked the Hollywood sign for the second time! My gorgeous friend Josie came to visit me from England and she constantly begged me about seeing the sign for herself. Of course I'm not that much of a terrible friend to let her go alone so I went along. When I tell you though this girl tried to kill me!! After my first hike up the hill, we decided to take a different route to jazz it up a bit for myself and to cut the route in half. The shortcut we found was probably the quickest path we could have found which was amazing but it scared the s*** out of me! The hills were super steep that I was practically crawling up and down the rocks, fearing for my life. And on top of that, a woman who passed us warned us of her seeing a rattle snake. I can't even tell you the thoughts that raised through my mind. I could have killed Josie but we were focused on reaching the end. Which we did, in one piece!! The sights from the top of the Hollywood sign is amazing and I'd definitely recommended anyone visiting Los Angeles to experience it for themselves. Although, maybe take the longer route.

Soulection Event

Last night was insane!! A big group of us girls headed over to the Regent Theater for Soulection's event, Sound of Tomorrow. It was so worth the ridiculous amount of money I spent, as you usually drunkenly do on nights out. This was my first time seeing some of the Soulection DJ's perform but I'd seen videos of how crazy their crowd can be and it didn't disappoint. The energy in the room was contagious and I was dancing away throughout the night and got to watch my first dance battle in an LA club, it was hilarious! Jay Prince performed too who was really good and sweating so much bless him because he put on an energetic performance. For those who are probably thinking, 'who the hell are Soulection,' it's a record label collecting musical artists/Dj's/producers who vary in their musical genre but basically all celebrate good music from across the globe. Honestly, you need to check them out if you haven't already. 

https://soundcloud.com/soulection

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, the highlight of my night was of course getting a cheeky selfie with Esta. I fan girled so hard! The shame.

Megan x