I’m more or less obsessed with Your Neighborhood Studio in Culver City. It’s a completely unintimidating place to relive your dancing days, improve your skills, or just play around with new techniques. So far I’ve only taken Hip-Hop (Wil is da bomb!) and Street Jazz (Gisella is probably one of the cutest people I’ve ever seen in person, and she’s Brazilian which gives her, as you know, major points in my book), but I’ve peeked in on several of the other classes and I’m dying to try them all.
In keeping with the neighborhoody vibe of the place, the studio’s kind owners have offered Broke Girl’s Guide readers 50% off their first class. Just mention Broke Girl’s Guide at the front desk when you check-in and receive this stellar discount on the spot.
*The video is of a Zumba class offered at Your Neighborhood Studio, complete with live drums. Don’t know what Zumba is? Neither do I, but it looks fun and is supposed to be a really good workout.
Location: 3625 Hayden Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: http://www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com/
In my ongoing quest to find healthy, cheap, tasty vegan food, I recently ventured to Santa Monica because we all know you’re bound to find some organic, green, earthy something-or-other on every corner there. And I did.
My roommate and I decided on Euphoria loves Rawvolution, an all raw food eatery with an atmosphere that suits its namesake. (We’re talking hippie diners, mood music and little boutique-y finds.)
The menu there is intriguing to say the least. You can order everything from cheese-stuffed jalapeños to California rolls, all made with raw, plant ingredients.
I actually really liked my meal (Big Matt with Cheese), but I want to stress that this is NOT date food. I think I walked away wearing 10% of my meal and picking another 5% out of my teeth. And don’t get me started on the aftertaste…
Aside from that, it’s pretty guilt-free eating, whether you’re watching your figure or you care about the environment. As for the price? Definitely broke girl-friendly considering the type of food and portion sizes.
Got some exciting news last night so couldn’t sleep. As a result, even more useless at my day job than usual…
Is it just me or does flying seem extra dangerous as of late? I think I might actually be scared into saving money by taking the train. We still have those, right? [LAist and Daily News La]
Finally, a way to keep track of all of the gourmet food trucks…if you still care. I heard something about banana pudding and chicken wings today and I think that ended it for me. [Lalawag]
For about 3 years now, I have been trying to be vegan. Actually, I have changed from vegan to pescatarian to vegetarian to now: vegan-pescatarian. Shut up, it exists. Before you go rolling your eyes, I’m not a tree-hugger, and you won’t see me naked in any PETA ads (maybe because they’ll never ask…).
But let’s move on to what really matters: it devastates my bank account. Whole Foods ain’t cheap. Also, it’s one thing to be “that girl” on a date (“Could I get the BBQ salad, hold the meat and cheese, dressing on the side..?), but it’s another thing to try to pull that at a drive-thru window.
In other words, I’m in constant search of a menu that: 1. Allows me to order like a sane human being; and 2. Allows me to pay for my meal without running home to make sure BofA didn’t overdraft me.
Score: 1, with Follow Your Heart, which is a cute little market with a café in the back. (Seriously, walk to the back. I looked like an idiot trying to find the entrance.) The menu is all vegetarian and vegan, and they have a variety of options ranging from burgers to waffles. My roommate went with the Vegetarian Meatball Sub and I got the Wok Stir Fry. First of all, the portions are HUGE, so you’re really getting two meals for one (Unless you’re a fatty, no judgment). Secondly, it’s delish. My only warning is that if you decide to sit on the patio, be prepared to get soaked by their “misters.”
I realize Follow Your Heart in the valley, so it’s a little out of the way, but I know a treasure when I see one. $12 for two (if you include leftovers) awesome meals? Sold.
I’m in agreement with Refinery29 on this, and am 1 of 3 people excited to see overalls come back. [Refinery29]
No need to blow your wad on Pizzeria Mozza when Domino’s is allegedly delicious. And on this note, have you guys tried D’Amores on 3rd (and in Malibu)? It’s “healthy” pizza, but it tastes good AND (as I discovered this weekend) still works to cure hangovers.
I feel like this could be a super cute addition to a ‘hang with the boys’/sports bar type outfit. Plus, it’s (potentially) free. [Stylelist]
More gratis ways for me to carry on long distance affairs with foreign lovers? Yes, please. [TweetMeme]
Couture for the masses (that would be us) here and here.
A girlfriend of mine recently started dating a guy she met at the gym. This would never happen to me, as I tend to look like Gollum when I workout – no makeup, messy hair, sweat – not a good look. For those of you who, like me, prefer to get in good shape for a man (I mean, for yourself) while not in the presence of men, I suggest you try this free 3 day pass to Fit Dimensions, an all female workout facility in Brentwood. Ready your dingiest sweats, remove that ridiculous makeup, and check out a full list of no boys allowed class descriptions here.
Because I haven’t liked Valentine’s Day since it ceased to involve placing Aladdin themed paper valentines into shoebox mail slots, I am more than happy to give over the silly holiday to a cause that actually has meaning. My very good friend started P.A.M.’s run last year with her sister to raise money for pancreatic cancer research in honor of their mother, Pam, who lost her life to the disease. I plan to run the 10k this year, and have started a Broke Girl’s Guide team for those of you who would like to join. The event will be held on February 13th (so you can technically spend all of the 14th in loversville with your lover, if you so prefer, blah blah blah) in Westlake Village. Register here (click ‘join a team,’ and then select Broke Girl’s Guide) to do something fun and worthwhile with your long, otherwise commercialized on so many levels (president’s day?) holiday weekend.
I’ve already posted about Christian Oviedo’s salsa lessons at Air Conditioned Supper Club in Venice every Tuesday, but he’s now adding lessons on Thursday nights at Dakota in Santa Monica as well. Having just returned from South America (Michelle – Buenos Aires and Me – Rio de Janeiro), I’m more determined than ever to take advantage of these uber cheap classes, which are either $10 or free with purchase of an entree. The lesson portion of the class begins at 8:30pm and is followed by a (sexy) performance at 10pm.
While you’re there, take advantage of Dakota’s Happy Hour (7pm – 9pm), during which well drinks are $5 and beers are $4. Nothing like a little liquid courage to get the hips shaking like Shakira.
Location: 1026 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 393-8200
Sadly, Bar Method classes are still outside of my Broke Girl budget. However, this special may bring them within reach for some of you, so check it out:
Series: Get one free class for every 5 you buy. 6 classes: $105.00 ($17.50 per class) 12 classes: $200.00 ($16.67 per class) 24 classes: $380.00 ($15.83 per class) 36 classes: $540.00 ($15.00 per class)
Monthlies: Buy one month of unlimited classes at $200.00 (No freezes for any reason)
Quarterlies: Buy 90 days of unlimited classes at $500.00 (No freezes for any reason)
Holiday sale is effective December 10 through December 25
In my ongoing quest to find healthy, cheap, tasty vegan food, I recently ventured to Santa Monica because we all know you’re bound to find some organic, green, earthy something-or-other on every corner there. And I did.
Got some exciting news last night so couldn’t sleep. As a result, even more useless at my day job than usual…
For about 3 years now, I have been trying to be vegan. Actually, I have changed from vegan to pescatarian to vegetarian to now: vegan-pescatarian. Shut up, it exists. Before you go rolling your eyes, I’m not a tree-hugger, and you won’t see me naked in any PETA ads (maybe because they’ll never ask…). 
You can clearly tell which one applies to me…
A girlfriend of mine recently started dating a guy she met at the gym. This would never happen to me, as I tend to look like Gollum when I workout – no makeup, messy hair, sweat – not a good look. For those of you who, like me, prefer to get in good shape for a man (I mean, for yourself) while not in the presence of men, I suggest you try 
Because I haven’t liked Valentine’s Day since it ceased to involve placing Aladdin themed paper valentines into shoebox mail slots, I am more than happy to give over the silly holiday to a cause that actually has meaning. My very good friend started P.A.M.’s run last year with her sister to raise money for pancreatic cancer research in honor of their mother, Pam, who lost her life to the disease. I plan to run the 10k this year, and have started a Broke Girl’s Guide team for those of you who would like to join. The event will be held on February 13th (so you can technically spend all of the 14th in loversville with your lover, if you so prefer, blah blah blah) in Westlake Village. Register 
I’ve already posted about Christian Oviedo’s salsa lessons at 
Sadly, Bar Method classes are still outside of my Broke Girl budget. However, this special may bring them within reach for some of you, so check it out: