MY LAST SHOW OF 2014

Hi Kittens... Just wanted to let you know that my band and I are playing a show at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood tonight at 7PM! Come on down and kick off your holiday break !! xM

Hotel Cafe 
1623 North Cahuenga Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
https://www.hotelcafe.com 

Music updates & Me at the Hotel Cafe on 6/28

Just checking in to tell you about my upcoming show and the premiere of the music video for "Scissors + Fire" this Saturday June 28th at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood. 9pm sharp! It is 21+ unfortunately but I am working on an all-ages show soon - I promise!

Tickets are $10 but I am donating my cut to Best Friends LA - a network of NO KILL animal shelters here in LA and across the country.  More info about the show here HERE!

Also, if you are interested in reading a lovely little write up about my new album and streaming my latest single then do head over to my pals at FreeBikeValet Music Blog

Back soon! x

Music update: Interview & Charade track guide

I was recently interviewed by the wonderful Sean Hannam of Say it With Garage Flowers about my new record, Kickstarter campaigns and basically all things music related.  If you so choose, you can read that interview and a track by track guide to the record here: “I’m a late night, melancholy kind of girl” / MEG OLSEN

Enjoy as I yammer on and attempt to sound like I know what I'm talking about! (that's a laugh).  I hope you are very well! Back with a more fashion related fare soon.  xM

it's 2013 montage time!!

As is tradition here on Don Juan's Reckless Daughter,  I thought it was high time that I did my 2013 year in review.  Going back over this year's posts only reminded me that it's been a fairly quiet year here on ye old blogge but it's been so far from that in my day to day life - let me tell you! Between music, music, music, travel and several other endeavors my free time has been next to nil.  As you may know, I started the year off by releasing my very first EP, Deal from the Bottom, making a video vignette for my first single and playing many shows.  By about April it was clear that I wanted to finish writing and recording a full-length album and that lead to my decision to launch a Kickstarter Campiagn back in June. Thank you to all of you lovely readers who contributed to making that a success.  You know who you are and you are my moon and stars! The album comes out in the next month and I could not be any more excited or nervous to share it with you! but... I will have to save that for another post. 

As I was compiling photos it dawned on me that 2013 was a great year for my vintage collection. The only issue being that nearly none of it got any DJRD screen-time and I should remedy that in 2014. Our little house in the hills (with no closet space) is now filled to the brim. Some day soon, I wager, "the Brit" and I shall be sleeping on piles vintage dresses, antique costumes and feathers. Though, lets be honest, there are fates far worse that that! 

2013 was a huge year for me and I am so excited to dive into 2014!!  I hope all of you had a splendid holiday and I wish you the very best in 2014!  It's crazy to think back to 2008 when I started this blog…so many people from the very beginning are still popping by but there are so many lovely new faces introducing themselves.  Thanks for sticking it out even when the blog got put on the back burner!

Much love,

Meg 

Music update: new merch!

I wanted you, lovely (patient) readers, to know that I have some brand new band merch available with a magical illustration by the one and only Miss Hannah Metz. At the moment, I've done a short run of 3x3inch stickers and some buttons but there will be a bit more to come! Pins and stickers (and EP bundles!) are now available at megolsen.bandcamp.com/merch 

Lastly, I am playing a very laid back set with some friends this Friday, November 1st at Sheddy's Wine bar! If you are around and fancy a glass of wine and some music please do swing by!

Back soon! xMeg

BHLDN LA event

I'm apparently still about a week behind myself with posts but with my Kickstarter kicking into full gear ( I still need your help, incidentally!) I've been quite slow to edit photos.  

Last week I was lucky enough to attend a BHLDN fashion event celebrating their new shop within the Beverly Hills Anthropologie.  BHLDN (aka: "beholden") is a wedding centric off-shoot of Anthro.  While I am not in the market for a wedding specific one, I do love a good party dress! and was excited to see them in person.  So I ventured over to Beverly Hills, an area of town that, in all honestly, I avoid for the most part! I also wrangled my pal Danielle as my date for the night!

pretty snacks + photogs + fashionable attendees?... check!

beautiful venue + dj? ...check!

appropriate footwear? ...check & check!

some bubbly with a fancy floral straw? indeed!

And here are a few of the dresses...

Unfortunately, this one was probably my favorite but I couldn't get a really good shot of it...

I tried again (post show) by stalking the models at the photo-booth. ha! (I'm sure she'd forgive me for this candid shot, right? her bum looks great in the dress!)

Speaking of the photo-booth, the only shot I have of us is an particularly blah pic but you get the idea! Not sure we were quite ready! ;)

One more dress lovely dress and a beautiful model who willingly posed for us upon request!

If you are looking for a dress for pending nuptials you should check out BHLDN. They aren't exactly cheap but in the realm of wedding frocks they are fairly reasonable and definitely quite lovely!

back soon! x

yellow & blue

*Hello! Just back from a mini-holiday and for some reason this scheduled post didn't auto-publish - so better late than never!*

 I don't know if spring fever has its hold on me but I'm so ready to wear some color! Our garden is in full bloom (as are my allergies) and as someone who grew up mostly in the desert, I am still blown away daily by the colors found in nature here in LA – particularly the trees currently blooming! Pinks, purples, yellows! Beautiful. I know I've posted some of this outfit before but I generally wear things way more than once so this is a remix of sorts!

outfit notes:
dress - xxi
shoes - vintage
necklace - gift 
bag - marc by marc jacobs 

 PS: I hope you had a nice holiday weekend!

teensy music update

                      *iphone photo by Brittany Erickson
                                       
Thanks to all who came out to my EP release show on Tuesday despite the rainy streets! I should have some proper photos to share soon but I just wanted to give you a peek and also let you know that I  took part in an interview over at UKbased music blog, Say it with Garage Flowers so... if me rambling on about all sorts of music related things is of interest you can find that HERE!

Back soon with our regularly scheduled programming... xo

Reckless Daughter's Guide to LA - Part 1: West Hollywood

I cannot tell you how many times I have gone to start this post in the past year and a half (probably longer)!  I've been getting email inquiries about doing a guide to Los Angeles for ages but it always seemed a bit daunting given the sheer size of this city and that fact that there are so many places to go.  After living here for over 5 years I feel like I've only begun to scratch the surface of what it has to offer.   Because LA is more of a jigsaw puzzle of disjointed neighborhoods than it is a proper city I have decided to split up Reckless Daughter's Guide to LA into a series of posts separated by neighborhood rather than one truly EPIC post.  So, let's just jump right in, shall we!?!  I figured I may as well start with the closest area to my own neighborhood which is West Hollywood and the surrounding Hills.  

West Hollywood/Hollywood Hills  

*I had to edit my lists down as much as possible and here is what we are left with...

Eat...

Jones (7205 Santa Monica Blvd - near La Brea)  Italian food: pastas, pizzas, salads.  a few different rooms with tables/booth plus a large bar area - sidenote: it is very dark inside (which I love)! A great place for dinner or drinks. I think that they also serve lunch on the weekdays.

El Compadre (7408 Sunset Blvd.) This is "the Brit" & my go-to Mexican restaurant.  It checks all the boxes a Mexican restaurant should: comfy booths, good fish tacos and cheese enchiladas, flaming frozen margaritas in cactus glasses and a resident mariachi band! Bear in mind, it can get quite crowded on the weekends so you may have to wait for a table.

Pace (pronounced Pa-che - 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd.) The only restaurant actually in the Canyon tucked away under the Country Store. A bit on the pricey side, otherwise I would go here every night, but has nice Italian based menu and large wine list. They recently expanded so it is not exactly as cozy and bohemian as it used to be but it's still well worth a visit. *make a reservation!

BLD (7450 Beverly Blvd.) BLD stands for Breakfast.Lunch.Dinner.  Modern decor and an eclectic menu.  Everything I have ever ordered here has been delicious. For dessert, try the yellow cake! They also have a good brunch menu.

Joan's on 3rd  (8350 West Third Street) a deli style restaurant but with fancier offerings. They have a gourmet cheese area and bakery so they basically rock.  Nice outside seating area, a few tables inside or you can order to-go. a perfect place to get lunch.

Quality Food & Beverage (8030 W 3rd Street) great little place for brunch or lunch (closes at 3:30pm)  also has a little seating area outside that is dog friendly.  Order a biscuit and I promise you will not be disappointed. My favorite thing is their Eggs Benedict - so good!

The Little Next Door (8164 West 3rd Street)  A small french cafe with a very large outdoor seating area and Parisian style tables and chairs. The food is very good but can be a little pricey considering the portions tend to be on the smaller side.

Honorable mention: Magnolia Bakery (8389 West 3rd Street) actually a New York City import which opened in LA last year. Much bigger than it's NY counterparts and there is almost never a line. Such amazing cupcakes and I'm not even a cupcake person!

Drink...

Bar Lubitsch (7702 Santa Monica Blvd.) Russian themed bar with old oil portraits, antique mirrors and crystal chandeliers. A nice place for a drink during the week but it can get very crowded on the weekends.  This is also where my pop cabaret project Dime Store Dollies usually performs, incidentally.  Lubitsch has a slew of signature cocktails - including their version of the Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger beer, and lime) which they serve in funky copper mugs.

El Carmen (8138 West 3rd Street) a Mexican themed tequila bar - same owners as Jones / Bar Lubitsch so it has a great atmosphere. Suffice to say, they have a variety of yummy margaritas (like Pomegranate and Blood Orange), homemade sangria and about a million and one varieties of tequila. 

Tasca (8108 West 3rd Street) perfect little place to get a glass of wine with your lady pals.  (*they also have a full dinner menu)

Chateau Marmont is an LA institution.  It has more Hollywood stories than almost any other place in LA stretching back from Bogart & Bacall all the way up to Scarlett Johansson who I hear called it home for a while.  It's right in the thick of it but feels very cozy and private. (*they also have a good restaurant but be sure to make a reservation and dress a little more fancy than normal)

The Village Idiot (7383 Melrose Ave.) in the heart of the Melrose shopping district but opened long after the shops close. Personally, I am not a fan of their food (many will disagree with me) but it is a nice place to grab a drink.

Shop...

Wasteland (7428 Melrose Avenue) a mixture of consignment, vintage and new clothing.  I have found some amazing things here from Marc Jacobs dresses to vintage rompers. For all my male readers this shop has "the Brit's" seal of approval.

JetRag (825 North La Brea Avenue) very large reasonably priced vintage store (most dresses range from $18 to $60). If you are willing to dig through crammed wracks brimming with polyester and 70s secretary dresses you can actually find some very lovely things here and have money to spare! they have $1 sales on Sundays in their parking lot - I have not had much $1 luck but I know others who swear by it.

Creatures of Comfort (7971 Melrose Ave) cute little boutique specializing in indie designers like Karen Walker, Isabel Marant, No. 6, Pamala Love & Repetto. They have great sales!

Melrose Trading Post (every Sunday) smallish vintage/flea market held every Sunday in the parking lot of Fairfax High School at the corner of Melrose Ave and Fairfax Ave. Sometimes I find nothing but then other times I find some amazing things like vintage jewelry, artwork and furniture. Entry is $2 and goes toward the high school,  I believe. It is also dog friendly!

Marc by Marc Jacobs / Marc Jacobs / Book Marc (Melrose Ave at Orlando Ave) it's the holy trinity of Marc Jacobs stores in one intersection. how could you go wrong!?

more on Melrose  - see above but here some other shops you will also find on this stretch of Melrose: Vivienne Westwood, Agent Provocateur, APC, Diane Von Furstenberg, Ten Over Six, Urban Outfitters, and American Apparel. Oh and I should mention the Beverly Center (shopping mall) is also not far from here either.

Opening Ceremony (451 North La Cienega Boulevard ) I very rarely buy anything because it is a little expensive but it's such a fun shop to wander around in.

Booksoup (8818 West Sunset Boulevard) I have no interest in going to the Sunset Strip area at all with the exception of this little gem of an independent bookstore. I think it is the only indie bookstore left in West Hollywood.

Explore...

The Troubadour  (9081 Santa Monica Boulevard) a world famous venue.  Elton John got his big US break here, artists like Joni Mitchell and Carol King used to play here constantly in the late 60s/70s and John Lennon and Harry Nilsson famously got kick out once for heckling the Smothers Brothers while they played! It is seriously seeping with history. I have seen many a great show here. The Brit has also played the Troub a few times which is always a treat.

Largo at the Coronet (366 North La Cienega Boulevard)  Another great venue in WeHo.  Largo used to be located on Fairfax Ave. but it has since been relocated to the old Coronet theater. I've seen so many great bands play including: John Brion, Jenny Lewis, Travis, Fiona Apple, She & Him ( ^ ps: there is a strict no photo rule...oopsie)

The Grove / the Farmers Market  I really don't go here that often because it gets pretty crowded but it is worth a visit. Lots of shops and places to eat. It also the location of my closest Anthropologie, Zara, Barney's Co-Op and Nordstroms. They are allegedly getting a Topshop this winter, in which case, I may be there more often.

LACMA (aka Los Angeles County Museum of Art) Technically not in West Hollywood but so close that I figured I'd include it. LACMA has very respectable permanent collections (from European paintings and sculpture to a room full of Picasso and Matisse all the way up to more current artists).  They also have a series of great exhibitions: last year I saw the Tim Burton Exhibit and most recently the Rodarte: Fra Angelico Collection, and In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists which sadly just wrapped up.

It is more than likely that once I post this I will realize an important something is missing and I'll have to update this but for now there you have it - Reckless Daughter's West Hollywood! If you have any questions about LA feel free to email me.  Meanwhile, I will try to pull together the next in the LA series as quickly as possible so stay tuned for that.

xdjrd

dia de los muertos

Since Halloween is basically upon us, I thought I would share some of the photos I snapped at the "Día de los Muertos" festival last weekend at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It's the LA version of the Mexican version of All Hallows Eve (did you follow that?) In essence, a holiday celebrating the dearly departed.  This particular version has an alter decorating contest, live music, indigenous dancers, costumes, food, spooky crafts, not to mention the graves of many a celebrity (two of the Ramones, Jane Mansfield, Toto from Wizard of OZ to name a few).

 

"The Brit" and I had tried to go earlier in the day but didn't end up getting there until dusk. In retrospect, I am sort of glad because its a bit more magical at nighttime with all the candles, lights strung around and alters that people painstakingly constructed. That said, I do wish my photos came out a little better.

I did not manage to take a photo of myself but I think you see my face on this blog enough to go one post with out seeing me staring back! but here's "the Brit"...

xdjrd