Mt. Waterman

I must confess: I am a slave to fashion, I adore shopping, I try to buy at least one or two on- trend fashion items each season and oh yeah, I’m on a budget! Although it might be easy to shop for the latest and greatest fashions at designer boutiques, most of us can’t afford it. So over the last several years, especially since the recession, I have made it my mission to scout fabulous and fashionable stores throughout LA that carry a plethora of swoon-worthy fashion trends for under $100. While many of the items in these stores are very affordable at under $100, you can also find many treasures for well under $50. When you step into these boutiques, you don’t feel like you are sacrificing anything at all because they have a wide variety of well-made on-trend clothing and accessories to choose from, the salesgirls are fashion forward and super nice (not snooty) and my favorite part about shopping in these budget friendly stores is that you can afford to buy a few trendy pieces, without killing your budget. So here are some of my favorite budget friendly boutiques to shop at in LA (most have multiple locations) and the noteworthy neighborhoods that you will find them in: 1.Blush Calabasas & Encino Blush has two convenient locations in pedestrian shopping centers in the San Fernando Valley. It has been my fav go-to on trend fashion store for years because the owner has a curvy body type just like mine, an amazing eye for figure flattering clothing and great prices. Frequent shoppers even earn points/dollars towards future purchases. 2. Veronica M Los Angeles, Santa Monica & Pasadena Veronica M stores are all located along some of the hippiest shopping streets in LA. Veronica M is an LA based designer best known for her figure flattering cuts, fabrics and gorgeous show stopping prints. I am beyond obsessed with her curve-loving maxi dresses that I buy in multiples every year at her end of the season sale (most items cost  $40 or less on sale!) and everyone always asks where I shop. 3. DNA  Venice & Hollywood DNA stores are located in two artsy areas of LA, which totally fits this hip, urban retail clothing outlet for men and women. I love the comfy edgy clothing that DNA carries and like it even better because I can shop for my hubby there too. They have a fabulous selection of hip shirts for men typically $50 or less. 4. Soto Woodland Hills, Westlake & Sherman Oaks You will find Soto (which stands for South of Topanga, home of the first location) in some of the most desirable suburban shopping locations in Los Angeles. Soto carries a fun variety of fashionable and comfortable clothing for women and teens. Recently, Soto opened a pair of fab Lifestyle accessory stores next door to a couple of their stores, making it also a great place to shop for affordable gifts!

I am proud to admit that I recently turned 45 and you would never know it by looking at me. People regularly compliment me on my skin and always ask what my secret is, so here goes: Regular Facials (supported by using great anti-aging products at home)! Simple right? Well, I have been getting regular facials for a long time and one of the best perks of being a beauty insider it that it allows me to try out some of the best facials in town and vet the most noteworthy to share with you. I am thrilled to share the following list of some of the best kept skincare secrets in LA, many of which are frequented by some of today’s top celebrities. These are definitely more indulgent and costly services, but isn’t more youthful radiant skin worth it? Nadia Thibault Institut d’Esthetique The Center at Coldwater 12930 Ventura Boulevard Suite 104 Studio City, CA 91604 Nadia Thibault is a seasoned professional and has more than 30 years experience in European skincare treatments. Nadia is my local go-to esthetician and I adore her because she is thorough, skilled and ‘no pore gets left clogged’ in her capable hands. She does a classic, in-depth European style facial that my skin craves and glows for weeks after treatment. Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts 8428 Melrose Place Suite C Los Angeles, CA 90069 Kate Somerville is probably one of the most well-known celebrity estheticians in Los Angeles because she is passionate about glowing skin and developing transformative skincare products. Her Clinic is a gorgeous vision of white, it feels like a well appointed boudoir and it offers clinical skincare treatments that are both pampering and results driven (I adore the DermalQuench Oxygen Treatment) A-List celebrities regularly frequent Kate’s Clinic for the FAB treatments and privacy, in fact the last time I was there I almost ran over the paparazzi who were in pursuit of scoring a photo of one of Hollywood’s top starlets. Spa at Four Seasons Beverly Hills 300 South Doheny Drive Los Angeles California 90048 This is another celeb fav hangout spot and it will come as no surprise that the Spa is top notch. I recently experienced the most divine treatment called the Effervescence Facial featuring the patented iS FiSZZ Facial System by Innovative Skincare. This sensory masterpiece is designed to smooth, brighten and transform your skin instantly using a variety of warm, cool and effervescent modalities. Imagine the luxurious sensation of champagne-like bubbles on your face! This was one of the most unique facials I have ever experienced, it made my skin radiant and the results last. Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie 701 Stone Canyon Road Los Angeles, CA 90077 The Hotel Bel-Air is a hidden gem tucked into the mountains of Beverly Hills where the wealthy and famous come to escape and unwind. La Prairie is the gorgeous Swiss beauty brand, known for results oriented, powerful, anti-aging products and I enjoy coming to this spa because it’s remote, serene and totally indulgent. I love getting the La Prairie Signature Facial which is customized to my skin’s needs and incorporates a wonderful assortment of La Prairie’s revitalizing products = Heaven!

The upcoming week will be easy on your pocketbook: there’s a food-truck lunch on Santa Monica Pier, a gallery exhibit with a celebrated British street artist, and a comedy show featuring some bona fide TV stars, all of which are free. (Bring some money to that last one, though—there’s a silent auction for a good cause.) And as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Los Angeles. Final Day of Food Truck Week Santa Monica | Saturday, October 11 The only thing better than a food-truck lunch? A free food-truck lunch. This year's finale feast is brought to you by Wicked Kitchen, who will be giving out spicy italian-sausage mac until they run out. Can't make it to the Pier? Share the FTW poster on social media and win a free lunch with 10 friends. (Santa Monica Pier; free) IndieCade Culver City | Through October 12 Open to both industry professionals and the general public, IndieCade gives gamers a chance to play more than 150 of the year's most celebrated independent video games. Attendees may play casually or enter tournaments, go to meet-and-greets with game creators, and network at industry events. (9300 Culver Blvd.; $20–$445; tickets sold onsite) The Harvey Show! Hollywood | Tuesday, October 14 Yes, this comedy show’s lineup includes Pete Holmes and Silicon Valley's Kumail Nanjiani. And yes, it's free. But bring some dough—NerdMelt will be taking donations and auctioning off items (including SNL tickets) to raise money for Chicago comedian Steve O. Harvey, who's battling cancer and whose infant daughter is hospitalized with a rare congenital disorder. (7522 Sunset Blvd.; free; RSVP required; buy tickets here) D*Face: Scars and Stripes West Hollywood | Through October 15 A pop-up exhibit from famed British street artist D*Face, this collection of portraits depicts Hollywood stars and musicians who died young (Cobain, Tupac, et al.). The multimedia artist has been celebrated for his ability to integrate graffiti, animation, punk-rock influence, and Lichtenstein-style pop art. (315 S. Robertson Blvd.; free; RSVP required) The Trip to Bountiful Downtown | Through November 2 Leading an all-star cast that includes Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood, Cicely Tyson reprises her Tony-winning role as an urbanite who wants to return to her small Texas hometown before dying. It’s Tyson’s first stage role in 30 years, and the New York Times is calling it the performance “of [her] lifetime.” (Ahmanson Theatre; $30–$110; buy tickets here) Photos courtesy of Wicked Kitchen, Pete Holmes and Kumail Nanjiani, and the Ahmanson Theatre