Xs & Os: A downtown LA adventure in cheap nuptial bliss.

In the last couple of months, everything has suddenly become too expensive. People are cutting back on everything, and rightfully so.

I've even heard of couples cancelling weddings because of budgetary restraints. Well, happy couples--money shouldn't be an obstacle when it comes to publicly announcing your love. Instead of taking out payday loans in order to pay for the 7 layer wedding cake, consider a cheaper and  more, um, colorful option...

 In a lunchtime walk yesterday around my building in Downtown LA, I came across a strip of Broadway (between 2nd and 4th), in which you can literally complete your entire wedding day extravanza, from shopping, to grooming, to the reception.

Brides: within just a couple of blocks, you'll be sure to find the dress that's right for you...

And for your bridal party...

Grooms: The block has got a resident barber shop...conveniently housed within a knife store...
The Guadalupe Wedding Chapel provides a unique and cultural backdrop for your romantic ceremony. They also offer income tax services, perfect for early spring nuptials...

Nothing will please your guests' fine-tuned palates like a banquet of chicken and the fixings. This particular El Pollo Loco has got a touch of regality in its exterior detailing--a perfect choice for your reception hall...

For these budget wedding tips, what do I ask? Just an invite to the happy couple's big day!

xx * Jessie B. R.

And another one bites the dust. Bye bye Indie 103.1.

Since I've moved to Los Angeles, Indie 103.1 has served as the only station to play good music, support amazing shows, and break new local artists. Well, no more. Another great thing has folded under the pressure of a crumbling economy and new rules of business.

Read Indie's statement to its readers here on its homepage.

Farewell Indie, we hardly knew you.

Even the porn industry takes a hit.

Apparently, even sex and porn are not immune from the economy's recent nosedive. BizBash reports today that Playboy will be suspending its annual Super Bowl party this year. The article quotes a Playboy representative as saying "we didn’t want to compromise the integrity of our event." Integrity. Hmmmm. Really makes you think.

This news closely follows the plea by Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis and Hustler's Larry Flynt for a porn bailout. For, as Flynt put it, "it's time for Congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America."

Well, folks--there you've got it. The people have spoken. The sex addicts and porn junkies are hurting. They are hurt and they are outraged! Can we, as a people, sit by and watch this happen? Well...yes, yes--I think so.

[BB: Playboy nixes Super Bowl Party]
[Huffington Post: Porn Bailout]

Photo Credit: BizBash

Xs & Os: Marriages rally as economy falls to pieces.

My cousin--we'll call him Joe--is married to a woman with no job, lots of problems, and a generally unpleasant disposition. The kind of woman, when love's worn thin and senses have been come to, that a man might think to divorce. But the economy's tough right now, Joe's business is suffering, and his adjustable mortgage has increased. To quote Joe, he "can't afford to divorce her."

It seems the economy has reached a new low--one that is forcing people not only to be miserable, but to remain in relationships with individuals even more miserable than themselves in order to save bank.

It's times like these that remind me how lucky I am that I've never had the money to buy property, nor a suitor interested in marrying me. That's right, all you married folks in your million dollar homes that are now only in the upper hundred thousands--boy, oh boy, do I have the upper hand now.

For more information on the economy's impact on divorce, check out today's NY Times article on the housing fall.

For those thinking about getting married this year and buying a little love nest together--it's not, I repeat not--the time to do it. Just say no.

Photo Credit: InsideDivorce.com

How the recession is affecting Lindsay, Sam and miscellaneous other celebrities. Not at all.

What better way to face hard economic times than to visit gifting suites, travel internationally, and buy bottles in Vegas? None, according to the activities of many celebrities this past weekend who corralled at parties, award shows and in Florence, apparently. [Vanity Fair]

Normally, it's nice to see how the better half live. Call it aspirational, if you will. But right about now--as I am forced to return sport bras at Target to get a measly $9.99 back and pass over even the biggest bargain sales--ya know, just in case I get laid off--I'd prefer to see Lindsay and Sam and Cameron Diaz and Nicolas Cage taking it easy for once. Maybe sticking to the pools at their own 5 acre estates, instead of in Dubai. Perhaps asking those corporate sponsors to donate money to relief funds instead of giving them the 30th iPhone they'll receive this year. Or maybe, if all else really fails, just inviting me along so I can let the rest of America know that you really do care about the little people.

Food find (budget edition): Osteria Mozza, Nobu West Hollywood, Rice + Beans

Here are things that people do during a recession: save their money, eat at home, NOT go out to expensive dinners. Here are things people like me do: ignore the recession, buy new boots, eat dinner at Osteria Mozza, the famed Batali restaurant (an offshoot of the next door Mozza Pizzeria).

My friend and I visited there last week, despite their reputation for a month long wait for reservations. Apparently the recession has hit Batali's business as well, as we waited only 20 minutes for a table. Each of us ordered the Pomodoro Gnocchi. Let me translate this for those of you who might visit as well: child's size portion. Now, I understand that nicer restaurants focus on the quality and presentation of their food over heaping portions. But in economic times like these, I prefer the increased portion sizes of chain outlets like Pizza Hut--currently touting their Panormous pie, the 'BIGGEST pan pizza ever' to servings that should come with a microscope. Lesson learned, I'll take processed cheese over fresh burrata until my 401 k comes back to life.

Speaking of eating on a budget, I recently read about Nobu West Hollywood's 'Recovery Menu.' Though I'm not a seafood eater, I thought I'd share what sounds like a decent deal with you.

Score Nobu staples inlcuding rock shrimp tempura and the miso cod at a [relatively] decent price (most items are under 10 bucks), along with [relatively] reduced-price cocktails.

As for me, I'll be sticking with rice and beans for the next month or so. May I recommend my favorite: Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice. It may not be 5 star, but it's less than 5 dollars.