Hidden Secret Garens of L.A! Schhhh!

Happy Monday everybody, December 17th!

Four weeks to go before I steer my ship towards Hollywood, California!

A city as large, hectic, energetic as Los Angeles can easily overload your mind with impressions and eventful days.
That's when your secret hideaway spots become your saviour and sanctuary!

Although there are plenty of hikes, around Los Angeles, the beach path as well as lots of green forrest less than an hour with car away, sometimes you just want to seek out a quiet spot a little closer to home.

One of the most Zen places I found is the Japanese gardens in Van Nuys in the Valley.
This place is only known by word to mouth and not a tourist attraction. Admission is $3.00 but it is worth it when in need of peaceful surroundings and meditation gardens, waterfalls, streams and a garden that makes you feel like you woke up in a dream.

Whether you are a fan of Japanese Gardens, into the Ying-Yang belief system or a Zen advocate, doesn't matter, this place will still recharge your senses, you mind and bring your inner harmony in balance!

But remember, it is a secret hideaway so let's keep it on the downlow, if you want it to remain quiet and peaceful! ;)

 http://www.thejapanesegarden.com/

Namaste'!!

Saint Lucy-Santa Lucia!! DEC 13th!

December 13th, which was for a long time thought of as the shortest day of the year along with the meaning of Saint Lucy in Latin, Lux=Light, has brought Santa Lucia to the Scandinavian Countries. Saint Lucy was a wealthy young Christian martyr. She is a patron saint for the blind since here name means light.

The Santa Lucia celebration in Sweden, where young girls dress up in white in honor of the feast of Saint Lucy on December 13th, is a combination of both a celebration of light and a celebration of the Saint. We eat gingercookies, drink hot coco and homemade "lussebuns" with raisins.

                                                         Saint Lucy who lost her eyes!

                                           Swedish Santa Lucia celebration, December 13th

                                                 HAPPY SANTA LUCIA EVERONE!!

Did you know..? This day 12.12.back in 1915.....

..Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey ! He would have been 97 years old had he been alive today! 
The world started to sound a little different with Frank Sinatra in it!
Not only did he take the world by storm singing his way into every woman's heart but he also earned his Oscar for his comeback movie performance in the 1953 "From here to Eternity"for his role as Maggio.

Frank seem to have it all from that on! His career was back on track both in the music industry and in Hollwood movie circuit. He was rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous both East coast and West coast. When JFK announced he was running for President 1960, Frank jumped on the opportunity to showcase the campaign through his entertainment acts by supporting John F Kennedy. 
The house once owned by Frank Sinatra some 40 miles north of Los Angeles in Chatsworth was recently up for sale for $12 million dollars.
The remote steel and glass house is believed to have been the secret rendevouz spot for JFK and Marilyn Monroe back in 1961. Marilyn supposively stayed in one of the guesthouses on the 13.5 acres big land where she is rumored to have entertained the President while visiting California.

When to visit Los Angeles?

Dreaming of California while here in Sweden, the recent snowstorm has created complete chaos!
Somebody once asked me, probably a real viking, if I ever got tired of sunshine and palmtrees?
Guess what my answer was? How could I ever get tired of being able to powerwalk on the beach all year around, hike in the moutains wearing a t-shirt over Christmas, watch the beautiful Hummingbirds in November and best of all, feel energized from the sunshine all year around! Nothing beats feeling great, strong, energized and full of creativity!
If you are planning a trip to Hollywood, L.A it might be tricky to decide what is the right time of year to go!
Well, it all depends on YOU, what you want to experience and how hot you want it to be while doing it!
Here are the first two recommendations on my list of monthly attractions:

*MOVIEFANS: November is a great month with the AFI, (american film institute) events all through the first week of November with new movie releases, red carpet events, special screenings and parties.

                       Singer Shakira receiving her star on the Walk of Fame, Hollywood, Nov 2011


*FITNESSFANS: Then you have a few options to maximize your stay.
The month of May offers the California State Championship in Bodybuilding & Fitness followed by the
Muscle Beach bodybuilding show and festival on Memorial Day which is open to all International competitors.
The month of July gives you plenty of heat both outside and when it comes to fitness events. First out is the 4th of July Muscle Beach contest which draws visitors from all over the world. Then the Los Angeles State Championship in Bodybuilding takes place usually third weekend of July followed by the USA Championships in Las Vegas (3 hour drive) the last weekend of July. So, a four week trip in July gives you plenty of Fitness inspiration. Combine that with a few workouts both at the Mecca of all,Gold's gym Venice and an outdoor workout at the Pin Muscle Beach.

                                            Muscle Beach , Venice Beach, Los Angeles!!

City of Angels-City of stories!

Above, Marilyn Monroe's costume from the movie the Bus Stop at display in Beverly Hills at the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Memoribilia Exhibition I went to check out 2011!

The list is long of things still left to be discovered in Los Angeles and Hollywood. One might think almost 19 years in this City of Angels must have left no stones unturned however one couldn't be more mistaken! This is the charm of L.A! Just when you think you have explored every little corner of this giant city, sampled every neighbourhood bar, followed the crowd to the hip place to be right now then you stumble upon yet an extraordinary piece of information or accidently pass by a never seen before historic Hollywood building! Los Angeles holds a non-exhaustive dwell of mystery!

Hollywood Movie Magic is all around us!

Until arriving in Hollwood January 2013, I thought I share some stories with you, from what use to be one of my favorite sparetime hobbies, when I lived in L.A. This city never seize to amaze me with all its history, magic, energy and hidden treasures if you only stop, look close enough and take your time to understand.
For instance, when not busy working, I use to look up Golden Era Hollywood landmarks, specifically those not so well known to the public. Let me take you on a quick trip back to 1917!
Hollywood was not yet blooming but Charlie Chaplin saw its potential and decided to purchase the lot of land located on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue in Hollywood. The lot had at the time an orchard of lemon trees. Chaplin wanted to create his own Motion Picture Studios with a feeling of old English Citystreet vibe, hence the village of English style cottages highlighted in Los Angeles times in year 2000 as a English Cottage Fairytale.

The studio served as the recording studio for Chaplins early movies such as The Kid (1921) Gold Rush (1925) and City Lights (1931). Charlie sold he property in 1942 and it has since had numerous owners such as A&R studios, Red Skelton etc.

In 2000 it was up for sale once again. That's when the children of the Jim Henson family, the Muppets, grabbed it. To owner the memory of Charlie Chaplin, a 12 feet statue of Kermit the frog dressed as the Tramp was put up by the front gate to the property greeting visitors as they arrive. It is said Charlie Chaplin's footprints in cement are still somewhere to be found inside this whimsical architectural jungle.

Worth mentioning is that the hit single "We are the World" was recorded here while under ownership of A&R Studios.

Five weeks to go -My life feels like organized chaos!

No wonder people let their dreams remain just that-dreams!
It takes planning, energy, courage, focus and determination to make a lifechange as big as a move across the Atlantic Ocean! I know, I have done it twice already! Third time is a charm?

The moving boxes have entered my life, although still empty, just sitting there waiting for my next "move" LOL!
Hopefully I can steal a few hours this weekend to get started on the sorting stuff into What to bring-What no to! On that note, Goodnight Universe! xo MizzE'