by Leelee 

A couple weeks ago I was wandering the LA Arts District and discovered a hidden gem, this stunning garden surrounded by muralled walls with a cocktail bar in the middle. It was the perfect Leelee’s Garden spot that mixed creativity, nature and planty, boozy concoctions. 2017 has been my year of travel. And in all my adventuring I’ve been lucky to stumble upon areas and sweet spots like this one that seem to fit just right with the Leelee’s Garden vibe. So, I’ve decided to write city guides that highlight a handful of my favorite finds! If you’re at all into art, cocktails, gardens, nature and adventures, these guides are for you!
 
First up is Los Angeles!  Though this year has been a hard one for me personally (I share more about this  in the summer tour story), there have been many gifts born out of big life changes. One was getting to spend more time with my family in California, especially visiting my sister often and rediscovering Los Angeles as an adult. Over several trips, I’ve collected a few favorite spots I’ll return to over and over again in this massive city of known and lesser known gems.
 
Here are my top picks in LA-LA Land:

Lately I can’t get enough of this hip and happening area. Luckily every creative entrepreneur event in the city seems to be here! Between conferences and workshops lately, I’ve been wandering and finding huge walls of color on every corner.

My favorite garden stop is the cocktail garden of Manuela (top photo and below).   With a backdrop of moody murals, this kitchen garden is just right for an afternoon cocktail.

This summer I spent a few afternoons in Venice and am officially hooked. Yes, there’s beautiful people watching, but you can also take yourself on a Venice Canals garden walk. The homes that line the Venice waterways offer a ton of SoCal garden design inspiration.  And you can’t leave Venice without hitting the beach. Maybe you’ll spy group hula-hoop practice like I did!

​If you need a nature break in the heart of LA, nothing beats Griffith Park. Golden hour amidst the trees is magical!

​I still dream of one day starting my Leelee’s Garden café and nursery with a restaurant in a greenhouse. The closest thing to this in Los Angeles is surely Commissary at the Line Hotel.  Dine in an indoor jungle right in the heart of Koreatown. Great for brunch!

​While Commissary has the greenhouse restaurant look I love, there are tons of other spots to try in the city. Some of my other favorites are Firefly for a nice night out, Gracias Madre for upscale vegan, and Republique (below) for a bite with a friend. All of these have a courtyard feel and exquisite food.

What's next on my list?

​I haven’t been yet, but I really want to go to one of these wine tasting nights on my next trip to LA. You can bring a picnic, sip wine, watch the sunset, and try tasty treats from food trucks and pop-ups like Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream.  There’s only one day left this season, October 6, but I’ll surely be there next year!

by Amy Landers

This morning a monarch butterfly emerged from the chrysalis on my office ceiling. As a caterpillar, it had inched its way up the wall seeking a high, protected place to pupate. The boys and I tightened security on our homemade critter keeper where a dozen other caterpillars eat and pupate safe from predators. We’ve been watching the monarchs’ transformations with awe.

Compost is the do-it-all amendment in the garden. It can fertilize plants and provide food for beneficial soil microbes. Compost helps sandy soils retain water and clay soils drain. It acts as a soil probiotic and can even help suppress disease.

Even after years of composting, I still feel a thrill of excitement when I dig into a finished compost pile and see the dark organic matter that was once apple cores and oak leaves. 

Want to set the stage for a happy spring garden and get the thrill and satisfaction of making your own compost? Amy is hosting a free online class, a Quick Start to Composting, starting on Monday, Oct. 2. Read more and sign-up!