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.
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.
Not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’m ignoring this holiday. Not because I’m a jaded, bitter Angeleno who would rather gauge her eyeballs out then brave another douchebag LA date, but because I feel like the market for Valentine’s Day pandering is a little oversaturated.
I don’t have any recommendations for you for the weekend, other than to go see Dear John – and I only say that because my best friend made the movie (And it’s got to be better than Valentine’s Day, which I’m still hoping turns out to be a slasher flick). Or, you could always do what I’m doing, which is spending time with my 2010 valentines – KFC, Ben & Jerry’s, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Anyway, my intern Alexis, who is still young and fresh and hopeful, would like you to know that The Farm of Beverly Hills is offering a three course prix fixe menu for $35, which is kind of perfect because you and your really excited date can gorge yourselves at The Grove location before suffering through enjoying the obligatory sappy romantic dramedy.
My sweet intern also wants you to know that Voda Spa is currently offering an Economic Spa Stimulus package which includes a 20 minute massage, 20 minute facial, 10 minute Banya Platza, and 20 minute Wild Berry Scrub for $99. This is, I suppose, either a great Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other or an alternative to KFC for yourself.
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.
I know you’ve all been distracted lately by the planning of three day weekends and (for some of you) the anticipation of Valentine’s Day (vomit, cough, cough, vomit), but tickets are almost sold out to the Geffen’s Girls Night Out event on February 18th. In case you forgot, don’t read the site regularly, or are otherwise lame (I kid), the event centers around The Female of the Species, a “wicked farce” starring Annette Bening, David Arquette, Mireille Enos, Julian Sands, Josh Stamberg and Merritt Wever. The premise is quite hilarious and I have no doubt that the premiere tomorrow will be met with rave reviews, which I will be sure to pass along to you so you can amp up. After the show, the Geffen will host a “Power of the Flower: 70’s Feminism Then and Now” themed party for us, entry to which is free with purchase of a $30 Girls Night Out ticket and complete with complimentary Ooba Hibiscus cocktails, treats from Chef Jaydene of Delectable Creations, and makeovers from POP Beauty.
Curtain is 8pm, and tickets can be purchased using code FSBGG30 through the Box Office at (310) 208-5454.
We’re also about two weeks out from P.A.M.’s run, and I very strongly encourage you to sign up for the February 13th 5k /10k. The race is for a great cause, and it’s going to be a lot of fun (not to mention the fact that a little pre V-day exercise never hurt on the lingerie front). Join the Broke Girl’s Guide team by registering here (click ‘join a team,’ and then select Broke Girl’s Guide).
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
Warren G @ Busby’s East: Tonight, tickets are $20 but you can get them free through StubDog. I don’t know why, but this sounds really fun to me. Regulators?! Anyone?!?
Santa Monica Pub Crawl: Starts @ 5pm tomorrow (Sat) night. Sign up here. What’s more fun than a pub crawl?
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.
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…). 
Not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’m ignoring this holiday. Not because I’m a jaded, bitter Angeleno who would rather gauge her eyeballs out then brave another douchebag LA date, but because I feel like the market for Valentine’s Day pandering is a little oversaturated.
You can clearly tell which one applies to me…![Female_BGG[1]](http://www.brokegirlsguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Female_BGG1.JPG "Female_BGG[1]")
I know you’ve all been distracted lately by the planning of three day weekends and (for some of you) the anticipation of Valentine’s Day (vomit, cough, cough, vomit), but tickets are almost sold out to the Geffen’s Girls Night Out event on February 18th. In case you forgot, don’t read the site regularly, or are otherwise lame (I kid), the event centers around The Female of the Species, a “wicked farce” starring Annette Bening, David Arquette, Mireille Enos, Julian Sands, Josh Stamberg and Merritt Wever. The 
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 
Warren G @ Busby’s East: Tonight, tickets are $20 but you can get them 