Seattle, What Are You Up To Today?

You were a blast, Seattle.

From the usual suspects like Pike Place Market to more "of the now" spots like the cool Capitol Hill neighborhood and the Gauguin exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, I got a nice pulse on the city beyond its grey skies and flannel (it's not cliche, folks).

One of my favorite things about Seattle was also the simplest -- mornings began at the nearby Caffe Fiore, and it was pretty much perfect. Latte, a breakfast sweet, good reading material and awesome music by the likes of Feist and Pink Floyd. A drizzle would come and fade through the picture window that fronted the street. It was cozy.

When it was my turn to order on one of my first mornings, the laid-back guy behind the counter began with, "Sooo, what are you up to, today?" It was pretty chill, just like that, as if we had been friends since college and he genuinely wanted to know where my day would take me after Fiore.

Living in L.A. where strangers don't always ask personal questions AND seem to mean it, I was taken off guard. Some say people in Seattle can be standoffish in a way that's called "The Seattle Chill," but I didn't feel so.

By my fourth morning at Fiore, I had nestled quite well into the "So, What are you up to today?" mentality. Now, how to import to L.A?

* Keeping it chill at Caffe Fiore

Sweet Jane

I was winding down Benedict Canon in L.A. just before the New Year when I heard the best folksy jam on the radio, one that I had never heard before -- and I turned up the dial.

The sun was sneaking through canopied trees as I grabbed my BlackBerry so I could Shazam it.

It was "Sweet Jane" by the Velvet Underground, with Lou Reed.

I just loved it then, even more now. I'm not quite sure why -- I mean, it's a simple, mellow yellow song, but Lou's voice is so cool and imperfect, and his delivery has heart. I also like how the song sounds natural, not over-produced, as if childhood pals were hammering out a song over beers on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It also very much reminds me of a slower, more spacey version of one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs: Beast of Burden.

Do you think they resemble each other, too?

* The Velvet Underground with Edie Sedgwick and Andy Warhol, who was their manager

Vegas!

I went to Vegas! this weekend -- as part of a merry band of four girls, three of us friends since 14 or 15, from sophomore year of high school.

It was the kind of Saturday night that unites friends through only the most hilarious and interesting circumstances. Where inside jokes are on instant replay and dancing until 4 AM is no biggie.

We stayed at Aria, a sleek, modern hotel that opened a few years ago as part of the CityCenter development, and laughed and danced at the new Cosmopolitan hotel that's next door. The Chandelier bar, it was stunning. The secret cocktail on Level Two has an edible flower that numbs your mouth and then makes the gross drink actually taste good. It was like magic. Thumbs up.

The hotel's nightclub, Marquee, considered the best in Vegas right now, was fun, but I also had moments where I caught myself thinking, "Am I too old for dancing at 4 AM?"

On second thought? Absolutely not!

* Divine desserts at Aria

* High schoool reunion with Molly and Danielle

Beach Run

Few things make me feel more alive and inspired than a really good run -- whether I need a pick-me-up or want to top an already great day, running is something I can always count on.

All this to say I had an awesome beach run today, starting in Venice at the kooky boardwalk, heading north past the Santa Monica Pier and through packs of determined bicyclists, turning around closer to the lush mountainscape of the Palisades.

The sun was brilliant as the afternoon unfolded like a breezy summer day, with sailboats, bikinis, sand volleyball, kids on scooters and tourists (in socks!) setting the beach scene.

Not only was I happy with my pace, but I fit in some quality day-dreaming.

* Photo taken last year along the same beach path