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Vintage L.A.: Eats, Boutiques, Decor, Landmarks, Markets & More
L.A. native and style guru Jennifer Brandt Taylor grew up in a culture that fostered extreme creativity, a unique fashion sense, and an obsession with everything Hollywood, everything vintage, and everything glamorous. In Vintage L.A. , she takes readers on a true insider's tour of this glittery town, with gorgeous, original color photography as well as charming vintage photos and rare relics. She showcases the best of vintage locations, including such famous L.A. hotspots as the Beverly Hills Hotel, Musso and Frank's, Decades, and the Château Marmont, and reveals dozens of ways to live the vintage L.A. lifestyle, highlighting the best places to eat, shop, view classic films, and hang out. Complete with interviews with famous Los Angeles natives, prominent vintage collectors, and indie rock bands, Vintage L.A. is a heartfelt homage to the city's decadent past by a modern Hollywood dame.
- GenresTravel
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 4, 2016
This is such a fun book but I wish I had found it back in 2003 when I was a frequent visitor to downtown and West LA. However, this book would have been difficult to find then since it wasn't published till 2007. It focuses exclusively on LA County with a small nod to Palm Springs. It's too bad there isn't a corresponding book for the Inland Empire or San Bernardino & Riverside Counties.
But looking through this book makes me want to revisit the shops on Melrose Ave, drive by the old Ambassador Hotel with its long defunct Coconut Grove (which I always wanted to see but never did), stroll through H.D. Buttercup in Culver City, Trader Vic's in Beverly Hills, and of course my all time favorite: Pink's on La Brea. I remember my dad taking me to the Cinerama Dome on Sunset to see the original Muppets Movie back in the 80s. I remember the Muppets were sitting in the alcoves of the ceiling watching with the audience.
But looking through this book makes me want to revisit the shops on Melrose Ave, drive by the old Ambassador Hotel with its long defunct Coconut Grove (which I always wanted to see but never did), stroll through H.D. Buttercup in Culver City, Trader Vic's in Beverly Hills, and of course my all time favorite: Pink's on La Brea. I remember my dad taking me to the Cinerama Dome on Sunset to see the original Muppets Movie back in the 80s. I remember the Muppets were sitting in the alcoves of the ceiling watching with the audience.
August 2, 2008
When I was almost out of college, I loved to "wander" around LA and find interesting, unique, simple and fun places to duck into. This book brought my adventures back to life and I am grateful to know where some of my favorite places are actually located once again (having forgotten where I was at on some of my random journeys) and to have a whole list of new eclectic places to discover. I have a few friends that always say "we should get together and do something" and coming up with that "something" is usually the hardest decision or because of the lack of it stop the plans from going forward...I think this book is the answer to what "something" can be with a friend or just for a solo jaunt. Great book with just the kind of places I like to check out and enjoy.
July 23, 2018
Almost gave this 3-stars, so really 2.5. You'd think with this rating that I didn't enjoy the book. I actually found several gems that made this book worth reading. I did have a few challenges with it though. First, it's out of date. I got it at the library and it looked new so it didn't occur to me that it was a decade old. Thankfully, I'd made a list of what looked interesting and then proceeded to look them up online. About half of the interesting spots were closed. Then, too much shopping and clothes. I loved the ideas for restaurants and sites and I realize some people like vintage clothes and furniture but it wasn't appealing to me. I also found the Q&As slightly distracting and annoying.
July 10, 2009
I picked this book up during my last trip to LA, and have been a little obsessed with it since then. I've been visiting Southern California for work for seven years, but apparently my knowledge of the area doesn't even scratch the surface! Taylor takes you on a carefully planned out tour of the Greater LA area, highlighting famous celebrity haunts, important landmarks, and the best vintage shops a girl could ask for. I loved her pictures and promptly dog-eared 75% of the book to reference on my next trip. My only complaint would be about some of her commentary - she's a born and bred California girl, and her adoration of LA can sometimes be too cute by half. Edit out a few of her interviews and you've got the perfect guidebook to LA. Enjoy!
March 25, 2010
I want to live in this book.
While some places are no longer in business (R.I.P. Kowboyz) it's still a great guide to the shops, hotels and eats that remind one of the pre-Britney-fication of Los Angeles.
While some places are no longer in business (R.I.P. Kowboyz) it's still a great guide to the shops, hotels and eats that remind one of the pre-Britney-fication of Los Angeles.
February 11, 2009
This book showcased so many of the reasons why I adore this fantastic city. I really do love L.A.!
January 10, 2010
Jeff and I canNOT wait to check out the places listed in this book!!! We also feel pretty awesome for being able to already check some of those places off. *thumbs up!*
August 9, 2010
I changed my mind about L.A! My hometown!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews