DeziStyle

Tag: to do

  • Cinco de Mayo Freebies in L.A.

    Cinco de Mayo Freebies in L.A.

    Cinco de Mayo (translated into the ‘5th of May’), is a day commemorating the Mexican army’s dubious defeat over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.  Or, as American’s know it, the day in May dedicated to tacos, tequila and a strong possibility of sombreros and/or ridiculous adhesive mustaches.  Regardless of how you choose to recognize the day, one thing is for sure, there are some awesome perks around Los Angeles that won’t disappoint.  

     

     

     

    Shore Bar – Santa Monica

    Thirsty? In the mood for an ocean breeze?  Download the Roo app, show it at the door and receive a free frosty margarita!  Use the Roo app to discover other local bars, nightclubs and their current conditions in real-time, like the Waze of the social scene.

    shorebar

    Photo courtesy of Haute Living

    Revolutionario – (Just west of DTLA)

    You may not have heard of North African/Mexican inspired tacos but Revolutionario will offer up a free vegetarian taco to its first 500 guests on Cinco de Mayo.  I know what you’re thinking…”no meat?!”, but fear not, with flavorful spices and a salsa bar boasting unusual toppings like kimchi, they’re likely not going to disappoint.  Plus, owner and chef Farid Zadi, has promised to donate a portion of the sales on May 5th to assist undocumented workers with financial support. “We want to express solidarity with undocumented Hispanic immigrants, because 84% of agricultural workers in America are Hispanic and 75% were born in Mexico,” Zadi says.

    Photo courtesy of Farley Elliot

     

    El Chavo Restaurant – Silverlake

    This spot is going hard for Cinco de Mayo thanks to Mescal el Silencio!  They’ll be hosting a handful of parties but El Chavo will act as the main event.  Enjoy free entry here with live music, tacos and other yummy treats like frozen palomas, margaritas and street corn.

    Photo courtesy of Marc Gabor

     

    Gracias Madre – West Hollywood

    Stop by Gracias Madre for all day drink and vegan appetizer specials, organic seasonal margaritas, mariachi bands on their famous open air patio and booze filled sno-cones.  Sooth your sweet tooth with their complimentary cotton candy!  Get there as early as 11am to begin the debauchery.

    Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Daniels

    Block Party – Highland Park

    Complimentary tacos starting at 5pm, slushy margaritas and Mexican craft beers…They had me at free tacos but closed the deal with a giant shuffle board on their patio and their refreshing take on the michelada.

    Photo courtesy of Sue O.

     

    Fig at 7th – Downtown LA

    Free to the public from 3-9pm at Taste Hall Courtyard.  Celebrate at their pop-up margarita bar with live music and an adult piñata crafting station!

    Photo courtesy of The Odd Market

    LA Plaza Celebrates Cinco de Mayo – Downtown LA

    Learn more about California’s involvement in the Battle of Puebla with live performances and workshops in culinary, art and garden.  It won’t cost you a dime and goes from noon until 4pm.  There will also be a free screening of  “Texas Before the Alamo.” A film about the foundation of Texas & the Spanish who established missions, presidios and trails. 

    Photo courtesy of Jeanette  G.

    Casa Vega – Sherman Oaks

    Technically there are no freebies here asides from their homemade tortilla chips and salsa but, this happens to be my favorite mexican restaurant in L.A.    The ambiance is sultry and authentic and the food is out of this world delicious.  In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Casa Vega will be hosting a “Tacos & Tequila Throwback Thursday” party with a Photo Booth, specialty cocktails and $0.60 tacos with the purchase of their “Boss Margarita”.

    Photo courtesy of Casa Vega

     

    Cheers!

    Don’t forget to check us out on Instagram!  @Dezistyle

  • 9 Unique Halloween Events Happening in L.A. This Weekend

    9 Unique Halloween Events Happening in L.A. This Weekend

    If crowded clubs and obnoxious waiting lines have made you fear Halloween weekend in Los Angeles, I feel you.  After more than a decade in LA, I’m relieved to know that there are plenty of options out there to spice up the holiday in a whole new way.  Here are some fun ways to get in the spirit and enjoy All Hallows Eve.

     

     

    1.  Cemetery Tour –  The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, better known for its weekend screenings, will be hosting a 2 hour walking tour with legendary tombstone stops along the way including Cecil B. Demille, Rudolph Valentino, Vampira, Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer, Mickey Rooney and more.

     

    What was the witch’s favorite subject in school?   Spelling. 

     

     

    1.  Oktoberfest – There are quite a few Oktoberfest celebrations happening throughout the month so find the closest one to you and grab yourself a bratwurst and a cold beer!  Just beware, you might also happen to stumble across dachshund races, dancing and live music.

     

    What kind of streets do zombies like the best?   Dead ends.

     

    3.  The Dark Harbor – Unlike Halloween Horror Nights, the Queen Mary lets you dress up in costume on Halloween.  Enjoy shows, rides, mazes, live music and much more.  If you happen to miss out on the fun during Halloween, they also host a Dia de los Muertos event on November 1st that even offers up a cash prize for the best costume of the night!  *Tip: Buy your ticket online (and at least 24 hours in advance) for a discount.

     

    How does a ghost say goodbye to a vampire?   So long, sucker!

     

    4.  Sinister Pointe Trust Challenge – This is not your typical maze of people being shuffled through a crowded haunted house.  This scenario is a little different.  You will enter a pitch black chamber by yourself as your partner watches from a control room via infrared cameras.  Once inside, your partner will instruct you on how to collect certain items and survival coins in order to successfully complete your mission.  Once achieved, it’s their turn to brave the dark in a totally different chamber with a whole new set of creepy characters.  *Tip: This works ideally for 2 people but they can accommodate groups of 4 as well.

     

    How do monsters tell their future?   They read their horrorscope.

     

    5.  The REAL Haunted Houses – If the internet says it’s true, it must be, right?  For those that dare, create your own customized tour around town and visit some of LA’s most notable haunted digs.

     

    Why did the ghost go into the bar?   For the Boos.

     

    6.  Halloween Harvest Festival – If you’re up for a haunted corn maze, this particular location stays open late (12am on weekends) for a different kind of experience.  Also offered up here: hayrides, gemstone mining, rock climbing, crafting and other spooktacular events.

     

    Where do mummies go for a swim?   The dead sea.

     

    7.  Escape Room L.A. – Grab a group of friends (up to 11 total) and use your smarts to escape one of four themed rooms using clues and solving puzzles.  You will have up to 1 hour to complete the task or be haunted for eternity!

     

    What is a vampire’s favorite ice cream flavor?   Veinilla.

     

    8.   Museum of Death – This is the real deal.  Located in the heart of Hollywood, the MOD is sure to get you into the Halloween spirit.  Spend as much time as you’d like during this self guided tour to see crime scenes photos from notorious murders, view a collection of body bags, coffins and full size replicas of execution devices, or watch endless hours of autopsies, deaths and the actual recruitment video for the Heaven’s Gate Cult.

     

    What do you call two spiders that just got married?   Newlywebbed.

     

    9.  Who Framed Roger Rabbit? – Grand Performances is screening Who Framed Roger Rabbit (AKA one of my all time fave movies) on this Thursday at the Marina Pavilion in DTLA for free!  Seats are first come, first serve though so come early and bring a blanket to snuggle up on.

     

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

  • 5 Things You Must Absolutely Do This Summer

    5 Things You Must Absolutely Do This Summer

    1.  Take a road trip.  Go anywhere!  Even if you’re not quite sure where you’re going, just get in the car and go!  Richie and I have had plenty of mornings where we’ve woken up and decided to skip town for a night or two.  It’s exhilarating to pack a quick bag and just get on the road with no set plans.  Its the adult version of being a kid and the adventures your bicycle could take you on.  Most of us are so accustomed to hoping a flight to vacay but a road trip is a great way to gain a broader perspective of the city or state you call home.  Roadtrippers is an awesome site I recently discovered and helps you find anything you’re looking for, be it strange attractions, the best places to eat or a way to tour all your favorite film locations along your route.

    2.  Go to a concert.  Better yet, make it an outdoor one!  Summer doesn’t seem complete without enjoying an afternoon or two of live music.  It just does something to the soul.  Summer brings on plenty of tour dates for popular performers but live bands at local digs or festivals are sometimes more fun and less expensive.  Let Fest 300 tell you what’s going on in your area.

    3.  Picnic.  It’s one of my favorite ways to get together with friends and family and there are so many fun places to do it.  Don’t limit yourself to parks or beaches, try rooftops or lakes, museums, vineyards and even some cemeteries have beautiful grounds that are open for such outings.  If you’re in LA, Discover Los Angeles.

    4.  Play a sport.  Maybe you aren’t inclined to join a team, although it has recently come to my knowledge that there are legitimate adult kickball leagues, but you should consider organizing a weekly or bi-weekly rally of friends for a physical activity.  I’m a beach girl so my rallies usually consist of what I call a ‘Beach Gang”.  We get together and cruise the boardwalk with bikes, skateboards and rollerblades.  Beach volleyball, tennis and hiking are also great exercise and fun to do with friends.

    5.  Spend more time with loved ones.  This goes without saying but sometimes we get caught up with our social lives and summer plans.  The aforementioned ‘must do’s’ are easy to incorporate family and friends into however, don’t disregard how rejuvenating an afternoon lounging at the house can be.  Good conversations and quality time with your favorite people is one of the most rewarding ways you could spend your time.    

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