Yoga + Dining + Community.

Pals o'mine. I don't want you to get off your rocker excited and hurt yourself now. But this Friday, March 16 will launch Downward Dining, a new yoga and dining experience in LA. To tell you it's going to be amazing would not be enough. To tell you the yoga teacher for the launch can do things you only dreamt possible in Cirque shows--To tell you that your meal of M Cafe goodness and Bella Savour vegan cupcakes and Honest Tea awesomeness will knock your socks off--To tell you that the gift bag will be heavy. And it will be good. And it will excite you--None of this would be sufficient.

So, I guess you'll just have to come and see for yourself.

Tickets are available (but not for long) at www.downwarddiningeventbrite.com. Get yours.

And tell your friends.

Follow Downward Dining on Twitter.
Like Downward Dining on Facebook.
Join the Downward Dining mailing list!

Join VOGUE + Sam Edelman + Yours Truly...

You have good taste. And you like hot shoes. Do you need any other reason to join me this Saturday at this VOGUE special event celebrating Sam Edelman's sick new Spring 2011 collection?

I'll be hosting. You'll be shopping. It will be a guaranteed amazing time.

Saturday, April 2
12 - 3 p

Nordstrom at The Grove
LA, CA

See you there!

xo * Jessie B. R.

Furniture fit for a grand seat (pun completely intended).

While I spend most of my day sitting on a plastic Ikea stool, this is born out of my studio apartment's tight space and its owner (um, I mean renter)'s limited budget. If I could, I would park my rear end on finer stuff. Stuff that was equal parts art to functioning furniture. Stuff that was pleasing to the eyes and other senses rather than just to the sitter's itsy bitsy pocketbook (what, you didn't think I was going to say itsy bitsy butt, did you? That would just be a lie). I would park my seat on the likes of the gorgeous furniture designed by Azadeh Shladovsky.

In her first limited-edition furniture collection, Living with Art, Schladovsky explores nature to create powerful expressions that are as beautiful as they are functional. See for yourself how her pieces are superior to your Ikea bean bags at her upcoming show at the Ruth Bachofner Gallery.

Opening Reception
Saturday, March 19
5-7 p

Ruth Bachofner Gallery
Bergamot Station Art Center
2525 Michigan Avenue # G2
Santa Monica, CA

MEAT! and McNuggetinis tonight at Meltdown.

In the name of great irony, I [the vegetarian] would like to extend to you an invite to MEAT!, an art show inspired by, you guessed it...

Tonight at Meltdown Comics on Sunset Blvd.

There will be art, yes. But serving up cocktails will be my gorgeous, funny and talented friends, Alie and Georgia. They'll be offering McNuggetinis, the boozy, foodie, ice creamy treat that made the headlines and pleased gluttons everywhere last year.

Wanna know more about the BBQ sauce spiked cocktail you'll be enjoying tonight? Let's all take a trip down YouTubey memory lane...



Opening Reception of MEAT!
Thursday, March 3rd 2011
7-10 p

Meltdown Comics
7522 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Clare Rojas at the Prism Gallery.

Sometimes I work on events that I have the distinct pleasure to be able to invite you to. And so it is with the opening of the incredible Clare Rojas exhibit at the Prism Gallery next week. Please join me there. It's going to be a rock rolling, radical, amaze-balls good time.

PRISM invites you to the opening reception for Inside Bleak, the gallery’s first solo presentation of painter and filmmaker Clare Rojas.

As part of Inside Bleak’s opening, Rojas – under her stage name of Peggy Honeywell – will debut several new songs written over the past two years.

February 26, 2011
7 - 10 p
Peggy Honeywell Performance - 9 p

Prism Gallery
8746 W. Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA

RSVP Essential: prism@nadinejohnson.com

The Bird and the Bee. And you but not me.

I'm in New York for the week. But you--you're most likely in LA. So go to this for me, would you? I adore the sweet sounds of The Bird and the Bee and am rueful that I'll be missing this free (yes, you heard me--FREE) performance they're doing as part of the Mondrian Sessions--the hotel's cool new monthly musical night cohosted by KCRW and other cool LA kats, like style bible Refinery 29.

Mondrian Hotel
8440 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA

FREE
RSVP to skybarla@morganshotelgroup.com

VOGUE (and I) invite you to the Lacoste store.

Vogue invites you to brighten the season with Lacoste in San Francisco. Vogue's Market Stylist (that's me!) will be on hand to shop with you from 5:30 - 7:30 pm tonight--Thursday, December 2nd--while enjoying cocktails, passed apps, and a live DJ.

See you there San Francisco!

xx * Jessie

Give peace a chance.

As someone brighter and wittier than me once said, if you don't like something, do something about it.

Well, some folks in town didn't like the recent news about hate crimes and the awful consequences to those who are victim to discrimination.

So, they're doing this:

Starting Location
6356 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA

November 21, 2010
3:00 p

We are walking for everyone who has ever been an innocent victim of a hate crime(s), for everyone who has ever been discriminated against, we are walking for everyone who has ever lived in fear because they were "different," and we are walking against intolerance so that perhaps we can impact those fearful and angry. So that we may send a message to those who strike against beautiful, innocent human beings. Beings who deserve nothing more than to be swimming gracefully and confidently in the same pool we swim in. No one here in this world is different lest they choose to be and even then, "the sun rises in the morning on ALL of us." Let's come together, create a buzz, and show Los Angeles and anyone who hears about or reads about our rally what we stand for and what we all deserve!

There's a special on mindfulness at Fred Segal in Aisle 4.

I generally don't step into Fred Segal unless I am experiencing urges to torture my inner shopper and punish my wallet.

But as it turns out, Fred Segal's just reopened one space in its Santa Monica location which I can enter with peace of mind and only the lightest of grips on my billfold--the Fred Segal Yoga studio.

And while classes won't be free, the studio is hosting a complimentary workshop this weekend--An Insight with Matthew of One World Academy.

Enjoy your breakthrough experience sans the breaking of the bank, courtesy of Fred Segal Yoga tomorrow. Nama-freaking-ste.

[via Vital Juice]

The Reformation opens tonight. You should be there, shopping.

You'd be remiss to miss this tonight. So don't. RSVP now and see you at LA's newest boutique on West 3rd!

OPENING NIGHT PARTY
with StyleSectionLA
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2010, 6pm - 9pm
WITH 25 % OFF ALL CLOTHING

RSVP TO: RSVP@DKLPR.COM

The Reformation
8117 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

........................................

The Reformation's Summer Shopping Event | Thru the WeekendThursday, June 10, 2010 - Sunday, June 13, 2010
11:00am - 7:00pm (Regular Store Hours)
15% Off All Apparel

Support at-risk teens & the better coordinated at Stoked Sessions.

On Saturday, June 5th, during Culver City ArtWalk (which you should be at anyway if you've got any taste for culture and/or awesome neighborhoods)--Stoked, a non-profit dedicated to helping at-risk teens through action sports and mentoring (at least these teens are one up on me in the coordination category), presents Stoked Sessions 2010. Stop by to find out more about the organization and to view (and yes, purchase) work of some incredible participating artists. I hope to see many of you there!

Fighting & Art Converge at Artillery Art Debates

I have no more information than what's below. And am too tired for commentary. But this looks like a fantastic event coming up this Sunday at the Standard Downtown. Too good not to share though I'm more tired than a narcoleptic on high doses of ambien. I hope to see you there!

Artillery Art Debates

The Artillery live art debates are back by popular demand...the program was so successful last year that their debaters are ready to put the gloves back on! This year, the issues that really matter are Lowbrow and Highbrow Art with Robert Williams vs Ezrha Jean Black, Ecomony and Creativity with Robert Berman vs Shana Nys Dambrot, Pornography in Art with Zak Smith vs Betty Ann Brown and Project Deitch with Mat Gleason vs Margaret Lazzari.

The line up of debaters are important and active members of the Los Angeles art community: critics, professors and artists. Come see these controversial topics discussed, dissected, sparred and skewered while enjoying an afternoon of good hearted deliberation. This event is open to the public and will feature DJ Patrick Icon and refreshments.

Join us in The Big Loft at 2 p.

Party outside the box. [The RSVP Line]

Drinking for drinking's sake is alright. I have nothing against it and occasionally, in fact, encourage it. But sometimes it's nice to drink next to someone who has more on his mind [both literally and figuratively] than cheap PBRs.

Mindshare LA, is a monthly forum for Angelenos who'd like a little learning with their liquor. And next week, the Mindshare folks will meet again and invite you to join them in an evening of talks, talking and, yes, drinking.

Next week's program will include...

David Orban / Founder, Chief Evangelist, WideTag, Inc. & Advisor, Singularity Univeristy
The Internet of Things

Matthew J. Smith / Harvard Law School
Negotiation & Mediation Afterhours

Wil Carson / Senior Project Designer, Michael Maltzan Architecture
New Questions for a New City

Emily Tyrant / Pervert Extraordinaire, Den of Iniquity
Acclimating Men to Pain

DJ'ing this month will be Joanna Gikas of IO Echo

Thursday, March 18
7 p - 1 a

Club 740
740 S. Broadway
(Enter through the alley at 8th Spring St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Purchase tickets online.

The RSVP Line: Mishka Echo Park Grand Opening.

Yeah, it's Fashion Week in New York right now, but a little bit of New York fashion is about to hit the streets of Los Angeles.

This Saturday, celebrate the opening of NYC based fashion brand Mishka in Echo Park. The line is a fresh, sophisticated take on streetwear--a mix of buttoned up and dressed down with a splash of awesome graphics. My buddy is opening the LA outpost which is sure to be a hotbed for all things and people fantastic on the East Side.

Stop by the Grand Opening this Saturday!

And while you're at it, check out Mishka's Spring 2010 Lookbook shot by photog Marley Kate.

Do Good: party for Haiti next week at the All-Star Jam

Just because you've stopped seeing the messages for Haiti relief flood your Facebook and Twitter feeds doesn't mean the crisis is over. Thousands are displaced, orphaned and in critical condition. The problems in the country are just beginning and your help is still needed. My good friend at Bright House Events is helping with this amazing event next week. Support!

ALL STAR JAM Benefit for Haiti
February 11th
9 p - 2a

BOULEVARD 3
6523 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Line up features DANIEL BEDINGFIELD, SHEILA E, LADY TIGRA, JUDITH HILL, BILLY MORRISON, KATIE VOGEL and A SURPRISE MUSICAL GUEST! Come out and support all those who have lost everything they had in Haiti. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Partners in Health www.pih.org. Tickets are $30 at the door and VIP Private table options are available.

art in LA: Culver City Gallery Tour (c/o Art Los Angeles Contemporary)

Tonight marks the start of the Art Los Angeles Contemporary Fair. The programming looks incredible with activities and exhibitions in every neighborhood of the city. As a semi-Westsider now, I'm excited for tomorrow night's Culver City happening...

Culver City Gallery Tour

6-10 pm, Friday

Galleries in the Culver City will be open for visits.

6pm: LAXART presents exhibitions by Artemio and Kamrooz Aram.

7pm: Peres Projects screens SSION’s first feature-length film, BOY.

8pm: Honor Fraser hosts an exhibition walkthrough with artist Gustavo Godoy.

Participating spaces: Blum & Poe Cherry and Martin Honor Fraser Kim Light/LightBox David Kordansky LAXART Maloney Fine Art Nicodim Gallery Peres Projects Susanne Vielmetter

[Image Credit: Sharon Lockhart at Blum & Poe]

The RSVP Line: CITY LABS Community Service Fair

You want to do good. You intend to do good. But most of the time, you end up sitting on your ass, catching up on Snooki's adventures on The Jersey Shore. So, for once, get your butt in gear and find out how to do better. This Saturday, head on over to Downtown's California Market Center for City Labs.

Come to this fun one-day fair to browse, discover and connect with 50 local non-profits -- organizations doing great things who need your support to maintain sustainability.

$5 suggested entrance donation = free drink ticket + raffle ticket!

Aside from roaming the 50 non-profits, check out cool offerings:

* Free Workshops :: including 'Going green without breaking the budget' w/YourDailyThread.com, and Create Your Own Story Book w/826LA

* 'Craft for a Cause' area presented by Causecast :: pack and assemble food boxes for the city's hungry

* Pop-Up Tiara Café

Find out more at www.city-labs.org.

The RSVP Line: baked goods for charity? We're in!

For one day only--tomorrow--LA's foodiest food bloggers will come together in the name of charity. Eat My Blog promises to be a bake sale to rival all other bake sales (yeah, even your elementary school bakeoff). The event will feature baked goods from the kitchens of better known blogs (i.e. LA Times, LA Weekly) as well  as the lesser recognized-but still tasty-ones (i.e. www.foodismynish.blogspot.com).

Menu items are slated to include such eccentric treats as 'olive oil buttermilk coffee cake' and a frightening number of bacon treats like the 'bacon apple pie,' and will be balanced out by the standards like [boring ole] cupcakes.

I'm most excited for the gluten free and vegan desserts. Thank you, bloggers, for kindly remembering those of us with strange dietary restrictions. And for giving me an excuse to stuff my face tomorrow--ya know...for charity.

Eat My Blog
Saturday, December 5
10 a - 4 p

Zeke's Smokehouse
7100 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

The RSVP Line: Vintage Swap Party at WGACA

What's new...and old...and boozy all over? What Goes Around Comes Around's Vintage Swap Party happening tonight at the vintage giant's Hollywood location.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND’s LA Vintage Swap Party

Monday, November 16th
7pm to 9pm

Join co-hosts:

Alexi Wasser of I'm Boy Crazy
Monica Rose, Stylist
Geri Hirsch, Founder of Because I'm Addicted

Swap vintage with LA’s most stylish tastemakers and take home fresh designs from the best closets in the city*

Music by DJ Magdalena

Complimentary drinks by Tito’s Vodka and KARMA California Brut

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Suite 4
Hollywood, CA

RSVP to: ghwang@thinkpublicrelations.com

*Bring 1 to 4 quality vintage items

The RSVP Line (Weekend Edition): An artsy kind of Saturday.

You spent the week in a cubicle (those few of you who aren't actors who spend mornings on Runyon Canyon, anyway). So, get yourself out of the box this weekend with some artsy, fartsy activities around town. It'll make you feel better. Promise.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

* SILVERLAKE ART CRAWL brings art, parties and beer to the East side. How does this differ from a normal weekend in Silverlake, you ask? Ummm...I'll get back to you on that? I can tell you that participating galleries and venues include the very beautiful Barnsdall Art Park, Black Maria Gallery, Le Luz de Jesus (which is just plain fun to say), and Thinkspace. The crawl extends from Saturday thru Sunday, with opening parties, music, hipsters and Dos Equis scattered throughout the weekend. I imagine enough beer and wine will be served to indeed have you crawling, if moving at all, by the end. Click here for the full schedule of events.

* Also on Saturday and part of the aforementioned Art Crawl is friend, Mitra Khayyam's BLOOD IS THE NEW BLACK 5th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION at Junc Gallery. The exhibition will feature original works from the diverse artists who have designed images for the company; celebrating past, present and future T-shirt collaborations. Happy Anniversary Blood is the New Black!