While the holidays are undoubtedly a little different this year, we are finding ways to bring the magic of the season to you. The much-needed patio cocktail, twinkling lights and shopping rewards are keeping us happy all season long. Here are a few of our musts: sips, bites, twinkling lights, festive music, and all of the holiday giveaways + deals you could ask for.
Lighting Up the Holiday Night Sky
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Sparkle DTLA is the ultimate interactive holiday light show in downtown Los Angeles, with five shows nightly you’ll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the holiday festivities. New this year are more songs and longer shows at the top of the hour between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. This 10 -15 minute immersive visual and audio experience will give you all the joy this season needs. Insider tip: the show plays different music each hour, so grab a bite or do some holiday shopping to catch more than one show!
Festive Fireside Cocktails
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A luxurious patio with amazing views is the ultimate find in LA. The Deck in downtown Los Angeles, with food and festive cocktails by District DTLA, offers just that. Open nightly from 5 pm. to 10 p.m., you can reserve a lounge by the fire or a more private cabana with skyline views. We recommend the Ballerine Pasta and the Berry Pavlova with a Smoky Manhattan on the rocks.
Holiday Gifts Wrapped for FREE
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If you want to impress this holiday season, this professional wrapping is a show stopper. Nordstrom Local in DTLA is offering free gift wrapping with any purchases made online and sent to the location at The Bloc for pickup. You can pick-up in store or curbside, quick, easy, and carefree… something we could all use right about now. Happy shopping! @nordstrom
Unique, Affordable and Oh So Trendy
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If you are like us and love to get cozy with any sign of cool weather, the new loungewear for the holidays at UNIQLO is perfect for the whole family. Cuddle up to your iPad for online shopping with curbside pickup, so you never have to get out of your loungewear! No judgment here, 2020 has been a year. We highly recommend the Peanuts Holiday Collection Fleece Slippers.
Dinner with a View
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Dining al fresco next to the largest holiday light show in L.A. is only one of the perks at JOEY DTLA. They are serving up the most delicious menu this season and their ambient upscale patio decor will have you wanting to sip holiday cocktails all night long. Our mouths are watering over the Lobster Ravioli, decadent and worth every calorie. The Molten Chocolate Cake paired with Calera Pinot Noir could be your dinner in itself. No judgement here, we too love dessert first!
Yakitori with Perks
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This speakeasy-esque yakitori phenomenon is no secret to the DTLA loyalist. With celebrity chef Daniel Shemtob at the helm, this traditional cuisine pushes the limit in the tastiest of ways. We love it all, but our faves are the Chicken Meatball and Skirt Steak & Wasabi Skewers, Avo Tuna Toast, Bone Marrow, Corn Tempura and Black Fried Rice. On November 28th, 2020 dine at Hatch Yakitori + Bar’s open-air patio, spend $100 (which is all too easy with a couple adult beverages) and receive a complimentary five piece Sake Set (alcohol sold separately).
Shopping Made Easy with Giveaways!
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Whether you are looking to spruce up your wardrobe, buy something fetch for your pooch or spend your hard earned money on those you love, winning gift cards makes shopping that much more fun. Thank You Thursday and 12 Days of Sparkle Giveaways include gift cards to Macy’s, UNIQLO, Nordstrom, JOEY DTLA, Marugame Udon, Paper Source, Starbucks, Lululemon and Drybar to name a few. We are already picking our faves! Click here for giveaway details. #goodluck
Holiday Pick Me Up
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Treat yourself to a Mai Tai! No not the cocktail, the heavenly experience of getting your hair blown out and looking this fabulous. Drybar is well known, but if you have not experienced this ultimate self-care routine, we think holiday 2020 is your year (one great thing you can control)! Others treatments we have tried and recommend are the Old Fashion and Dirty Martini.
Staycation with a Holiday View
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Traveling out of LA seems overwhelming, we are all about the staycation this year. Sheraton Grand Los Angeles is offering a special package for those that want to cozy up in luxury. Watch the holiday lights from your room with room service (we can already hear the champagne popping!) or venture out to the many restaurants hosting outdoor cuisine. That pick me up we talked about, well, there is a Drybar just feet from this amazing hotel. We are starting to see the perks of downtown’s accessibility!
New Year New You
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Listen, 2020 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but we have just the thing to turn your frown upside down. Macy’s in DTLA will give you a glam look to ring in 2021 and an elevated skincare routine the month leading up to the big day. Get smooth, glowing skin with serums from Estee Lauder and Kiehl’s. The fiercest of glam from MAC, Stila, Tarte and Smashbox will be necessary to say “sayonara” to 2020 and hello beautiful to 2021. We are raising our hands for all the sparkles! #NYE2021
Viennoiseries to Ring in the New Year
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Los Angeles is full of baked goods, but Café Balzac in downtown LA reminds us of Paris. Newly opened, one bite of their fresh crepes transport your senses to the carefree ways of the European city. We recommend the Nutella and banana or the prosciutto, spinach and cheese. The toasted cheese that melts over the flaky crepe is visually mouthwatering and does not disappoint….so maybe we won’t wait till NYE to have another one. #oursecret
