Awkward

"This is Awkward"
"Some of the Best Things in the World Are Awkward"
-KS

DATE BY KATE #14: Winter WonderBra, A HoliDate

The Balian Mansion is owned by an Ice Cream Family in Pasadena,
they light it up so gaudy and good.
Great for watching tourists and kids wave to baby Jesuses.

This is a Classic Pasadena Date especially because it's starting to get cold, you won't look so doofy in your scarf, coat and ugg boots...which still look doofy with that mini skirt, but I digress. Here is your Winter Wonder Date, see directions at the bottom.

YOUR DATE

1. HOLIDAY NOSH AT PASEO
Start the evening with a little nosh. Something warm and cozy. Although a little pasadena odd, I would like to suggest perhaps Paseo. Tokyo Wako is great for some sushi and a sake while the Yard House is good for a beer and a skanky burger. Go with Tokyo Wako, it's usually pretty quiet, big glass window romantic while remaining not as trashy as the Yard House.

2. GOOFY CHRISTMAS MOVIE
Trust me on this one. Hop right over to the Paseo movie theater and see some totally inane Christmas movie. Giggle over some Rudolph the G-Rated Nonsense. Grab some snowcaps or a slushy to meet the frosty mood....frosty here is code for sexy and actually funny enough to get you to part three.

3. Sip STARBUCKS
Get over to Starbucks at North Allen. Treat your date to some Cider or a Hot Chocolate to go, open her door (even if she's driving) and hop over to....

4. THE BALIAN MANSION
And Behold! The most gaudily decorated Christmas Mecca in the World. That's right! This Christmas Mansion, owned by the Altadena Ice Cream Family is complete with Christmas Trees, Christmas Dinosaurs, Baby Jesuses and the cutest tourists Pasadena has to offer. So take a walk around or have a seat and listen to the kids jeer the Christmas Stegosaurus, scream and wave at the Christian Saviour like a celebrity or their best friend.

DIRECTIONS

TO NORTH ALLEN STARBUCKS
Directions: Leave Paseo and go east on Colorado. Take a left on Allen (heading towards the mountains). At the corner of Allen and Washington. 1390 N Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104 map

TO THE BALIAN MANSION
Directions: Go north on Allen (towards the mountains), take a right at Mendocino

LOS ANGELES NEW YEARS EVE: Free Rides Home!!!

New Year's Eve revelers in Los Angeles County can party late and take the bus or train home for free The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it will offer free rides on all its bus and light rail lines between 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday!

A fare normally costs $1.25.

Metro says the free rides provide an option for those who want to party without worrying about driving.

DATE BY KATE #13: Sparks at the Neon Museum

"I felt a spark between us"
"She was probably just warming up her tazer"

WHERE: Museum of Neon Art to the Biltmore's lobby.
YOUR DATE
Ok, I've never been to this museum...so far. I've heard really good things about it though and I think it's worth a shot...particularly because I believe most of the museum has to be in the dark. Dark Museum = Good Times. It's right near the Biltmore which has a gorgeous lobby and expensive drinks. Stick around and check out the ambassadors and movie stars. Don' t make sexy hotel jokes, a little trashy.

HOURS: Thurs-Sat 12-6, Sun 12-5
ADDRESS: Neon Museum: 136 W 4th St Los Angeles, CA 90013
PHONE: (213) 489-9918

DATE BY KATE #12: Saffron Ice Cream and Goofy Reliquaries

1. Start at Cafe Brasil
10831 Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90034-7109
You start your day with a lunch at Cafe Brasil. Have the beef plate with black beans. If you make sexy eyes at the cooks, they'll usually toss in some plaintains. Lovely atmosphere, like you're in an adorable futbal garden.












2. Next Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd Culver City, CA 90232-2621
Next head to the Museum of Jurassic Technology. It's all a major joke and if you have a good sense of humor, you'll understand just how ridiculous and fun the museum is. Hold her hand in the Russian Space Dog gallery. Kiss his cheek in the Needle Portrait Niche. Great, endless make out journey. Enjoy!












3. Mashti Malones
1525 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028-7072
Next, take a delightful northward jaunt (via car) to get some of the most epic, ethnic ice cream around. Have a seat at MM's with Orange Blossom, Saffron, Rose sorbet with Sour Cherry. I like the Lavender and the Ginger Rosewater is wicked.
Pick up an LA times and cruise some culture.
Park easily but warily because of the gross parking lot.





















4. Hollywood and Highland
6801 Hollywood Blvd # 433, Los Angeles, CA 90028-6128
Hop over to Hollywood and Highland. Park for $3 at the main garage and indulge in the options. Ladies can throw on some sparkles at Sephora, Fellows can cruise goofy sunglasses for a giggle. Walk down to the main road to see Marilyn Impersonators etc (take pictures for a price) and look for the goofiest tourist trinket as a sexy souvenir of your lovely day together. TIP: Can take the metro back home if you're over it. NEARBY: Hollywood Bowl if you planned you're evening even epic-er. Good luck and Good date!
Kate

DATE BY KATE #11: CarnAmore

Burger Bias
For a very long time I have been deliberating over what is the best burger in Los Angeles. I have had many, and there are many that rarely pass must...ard. But there are few that really hit the spot. These are my top three choices for a burger joint in Los Angeles.

Your Date
Say you and your date are in a meaty mood as noon rolls around and you are ready to rate the Kate Burger Choices. But you can't decide. Here is your guide.

WANT A BURGER ON A TRAIN: Carney's
This is really one of my favorite burger places ever. Carney's is ideal for (a) delicious burgers and (b) watching tourists or clubbers as they ramble on about whatever. Forget the chili, but go for the fries and a cheeseburger. Pretend to be famous on the porch of the restaurant as the posers walk by. Add a giant body guard for effect. Park for free in the back lot.

WANT A BURGER AND A MILKSHAKE: Wolfburger's
Wolfburgers. I have only been going to Wolfburgers my entire life so I am a little biased. The burgers are aight, but if you want a Milkshake in Pasadena before you hit up the Ice House I recommend it. Free Parking.

WANT A HUGE, MELTY AWESOME BURGER: Houstons
Houston's, I know it's a chain, has some of the skankiest, drippiest, deliciousest burgers in town. Grab the cheese burger it melts in your face. The place is really swanky most of the time, very mature. Right outside of pasadena. A little expensive, but go for broke if you want to go for stuffed. Free Parking.

DATE BY KATE #10: Licking Spatulas at Old Town Cooking School

BACKGROUND
Ok, now I know this is a little bit biased, and I'm sure it would be fun to cook with YOUR mom, but YOUR mom probably doesn't have a COOKING SCHOOL LIKE MY MOM. But the fact is, I am recommending it because I have experienced just how much fun and romantic these classes are. And so I present, Old Town Cooking School of Pasadena.

OLD TOWN COOKING SCHOOL
Based in Pasadena, the sign-up-one-class-whenever school is owned by Deb and Deanna, two epic home cooks who teach everything for any level cook from Thai Soups, Lobster Wrangling, French Gourmet to Bachelor Basics. TONS of young people have started coming to the class and it's a great way to meet people or learn how to flambee for that dreamboat in the next cubicle.

YOUR DATE
1. Show up to the class, throw on an apron, have a glass of wine, have a chit-chat with Debbie, rant about the awesomeness of her Daughter's Date Designs. Impress your girl with wine language (My this bouquet is fat and buttery) or make up your own wine language (My, what a skanky pinot grigio).

2. Sit back and watch the masters at work, ask questions, play footsie with your neighbor, hold his hand if his question didn't make any sense, write notes to eachother on the cookbooks you get. Giggle (but don't tell my mom I said so).


3. Chow down on all the stuff you can't believe you just learned to make together. Tickle him with a lobster claw, put a spoon up your nose, let your eyes twinkle girl, I know you know how. Lick some gelato off his lips.

4. After the class, walk off the wine around Old Town. During the Summer there's music at Levitt Pavillion, and the Pasadena City Hall is just two blocks East on Holly. Kiss her quietly as she's trying to decide. Have a coffee at Coffee Bean. Enjoy the evening! Good Date!

LOGISTICS
COST: Classes from $25-$70. Discounts are available on the internet if you look for them.
CLASS TYPES: Mini classes, Hands on, Demonstration Classes
CALENDAR: Bachelor & Bride Beginner Class, Holiday Cocktails, Grilling and MANY MORE
CONTACT: email: info@oldtowncookingschool.com

DATE BY KATE #9: Getty Center Double Dates (Dec 6 & 20)

WHEN: Sundays, December 6 and 20, 2009 Time: 3:30–5:30 p.m. Location: Getty Center, Museum galleries COST: Free; space is limited. TO DO: Relax and engage with art at Getty Drawing Hour, a free guided drawing session for aspiring artists of all skill levels. The informal two-hour classes focus on works of art in the Museum's galleries. In July and August, the course moves outdoors to the Central Garden. How to Participate The Getty Drawing Hour is free and open to 45 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up on the day of the session beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Information Desk in the Museum Entrance Hall. Materials Bring a drawing pad up to 24" x 36" and pencils. How to Get Here The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California, approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. See Hours, Directions, Parking for maps and driving directions. Event Information by E-Mail Be the first to know about upcoming lectures, concerts, and exhibitions by signing up for e-Getty, our free monthly e-newsletter. Learn more and sign up now.

DATE BY KATE #8: Free Museum Admissions From BOFA 12/5

FREE museum admissions on Bank of America

What/Why:

Any Bank of America card (one card = one admission) grants you free general admission to any of the listed museums nationwide during the **FIRST** weekend of each month! This promotion started last year and is continuing through this year all the way until January 2010. I will be editing the dates for every weekend; the next available dates to go are: DECEMBER 5-6, 2009.

Here are the museums participating in CA (for other states, please check the website):
- The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts
- Crocker Art Museum
- Explorit Science Center
- LEGION OF HONOR
- Museum of the African Diaspora
- de Young Museum
- CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM
- San Jose Museum of Art
- Tech Museum of Innovation
- THE FRESNO METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART & SCIENCE
- L.A.C.M.A.
- Autry National Center of the American West
- Museum of Latin American Art
- MUZEO
- Discovery Science Center (no Sundays)
- Laguna Art Museum
- Riverside Art Museum (closed Sundays)
- Palm Springs Art Museum
- THE LIVING DESERT
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- THE NEW CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Vanilla and Older Men...pay attention...sexy pie