National Nap Day: Get Your Sleep On

It’s #nationalnappingday today, but getting a good night’s sleep every day can do some amazing things for your life… so we put together 10 of the best tips to help you catch some much needed zzz’s on the reg. (Did you know a moderately sleep-deprived body can act the same as an intoxicated body??? *takes nap*)

1. #TeamNoScreen

   You already know this is what you should be doing… and trust us, we know it’s hard to put in practice. Whether you are trying to get just one more thing done before bed, or trying to relax by surfing social media… it isn’t helping your sleep. You really shouldn’t be looking at your phone for a full two hours before going to sleep. We know what you’re thinking… TWO HOURS?! Seems a little extra. But it’s not. You don’t have to go for it all at once, you can start with 30 minutes for one week, and gradually increase to the full two hours. Eventually, it’s going to feel second-nature and will do LOADS for your sleep.

   Bonus tip: Activating night-mode for the hour before you put your phone down for the night can really help your brain. (It reduces blue light, which inhibits melatonin production.)

2. Catch some rays to catch better zzz’s…

   “I wanna soak up the suuuun…” and you should! Getting outside during the daytime helps put your body’s circadian rhythm in check. Specifically, you should aim to expose yourself to direct sunlight within the first hour that you wake up. Going for a quick 30 minute walk is an easy way to do this! This will help jump-start your day and tells your body that it’s time to wake up, which will then make it easier to tell it to go to sleep later on!

3. Make sure your bedroom sparks joy

   Have you been looking for an excuse to redecorate your bedroom? Well here it is: having a bedroom that you love will actually help you sleep better. If your bedroom stimulates stress, it’s going to negatively affect your sleep. Combat that by putting some thought behind what your ideal bedroom would look like, and then create it! Hang some of your favorite photos, get some toxin-reducing plants, paint the walls a nice relaxing color, reduce clutter, or display some inspo to keep you motivated. There aren’t any super-strict rules here, just make sure that whatever you choose to do improves your space and makes you happy. Time to get your zen on.

   Bonus tip: In addition to ensuring you feel relaxed when you step into your bedroom, you should also make sure it’s dark, quiet, and cool when you are ready to sleep. Get some blackout curtains, make sure to regulate the temperature, and remove any excess noise before going to sleep.

4. If you’re going to get caffeinated, do it early

   We’ve got nothing against a nice cup of joe in the mornings, (enjoy your coffee outside to practice tip #2!) But after 2pm… consider yourself cut-off. Studies have shown that drinking caffeine within six hours of going to bed can make you lose a full hour of sleep… ouch. If you already have too much to do and too little time, losing that precious hour will really hurt the next day. Instead of reaching for more coffee in the afternoon, enjoy a cup of decaf instead, or just opt for water and improve your hydration! Win-win.

5. Make your morning more peaceful by preparing the night before

   In the words of Ben Franklin, failure to prepare is preparing to fail. Set yourself up for success by writing out your intensions the night before, and if your brain is really buzzing, you can even write your to-do list for the next day. This lets you empty out your brain and relax your mind before bed. Make things even easier for your morning-self by picking out your clothes for the next day, packing up your leftover dinner for lunch tomorrow, and preparing as much of your breakfast as possible.

6. Meditate

   Meditating is gaining momentum everywhere and we are here for it. There are countless studies that show the positive effects that meditation has on both your mind and body. One of them: getting a better night’s sleep! It helps you let go of the day’s stresses and prepares your mind to truly relax. If you already have a favorite meditation app or resource, see what they offer for bedtime. Or if you are a beginner, you can start off by simply counting backwards from 100 and restarting every time you lose track. Easy.

7. Consistency is key

   Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day will help keep your body-clock in check. This will naturally help you fall asleep quickly when it’s time to go to bed, and it will help you wake up with ease... eventually without an alarm. Talk about living your best life.

8. Your bed is for sleeping

   Cue science… If you only use your bed for sleeping, you will practice positive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Basically, it means that you’ll train your brain to understand that as soon as your head hits the pillow, it’s time to shut down and rest. Break the habit of eating or working from your bed… that will teach your brain that just because you’re in your bed, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to sleep. Thumbs down.

9. When in doubt, sweat it out

   Exercising regularly can dramatically improve not only your sleep quality, but your overall health. It reduces stress, helps you stay alert during the day, and releases endorphins to improve your mood. The magic number… 150. If you aim for 150 minutes of physical activity per week, (that breaks down to about 25 minutes/day,) you will see the benefits in your sleep.

10. R-E-L-A-X

    This one might be obvious… but if you’ve had a particularly rough day, you may want to take some extra steps to give yourself some TLC with a little R&R. Take a warm bath, light your favorite candle, read a book, drink some tea, listen to soothing music… we’re getting sleepy just thinking about all of these relaxation techniques. Pick the one that works for you, and unwind…

Feeling sleepy yet? Us too. Leave us a comment and let us know which tip you think is going to help you most!

---

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/evening-screen-time-can-sabotage-sleep

2. http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2015/05/light-therapy-better-sleep/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sunlight-and-sleep_us_59065bebe4b084f59b49fa5a

3. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-importance-of-your-sleep-environment-3014944

https://bettersleep.org/better-sleep/the-ideal-bedroom/

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24235903

5. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-47677-001

6. https://www.lifehack.org/397140/supercharge-your-sleep-by-meditating-before-bed

7. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/healthy-sleep-tips

8. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2018/may/14/only-use-your-bed-for-sex-and-sleep-and-other-tips-for-dealing-with-chronic-insomnia

9. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/study-physical-activity-impacts-overall-quality-sleep

10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10271532

Attend CAMP #changeyourlife

CAMP2014

It's hard to describe the magic that took place last year at our first-ever CAMP, a creative conference I started to fill the void of uninspiring, boring, old-fashioned business conferences. There is relatively little trace of it online and in social media, namely because we take the attendees' phones for the four days they spend at CAMP. Gasp! :) My goal is to make sure every Camper is truly present, connected and open to the experiences at CAMP. Which is part of the magic I mentioned before - only those of us who were there truly understand and know what went on. The deep, life-long friendships that were formed; the elation, fear and pure glee from jumping out of trees; the delicious cocktails that were enjoyed while watching the sunset in the mountains; the inspirational rush we got when we each had an "a-ha moment" about life, work, play, passion; even skinny-dipping.

Rediscover fresh air and the wilderness. Rediscover that childlike wonder you had when you were 12-years-old. Rediscover the dreams, wishes, hopes you've tucked away over the years. Rediscover yourself.

DANCE-PARTY

TESTIMONIALS

In just four days you can completely change your perspective, gain clarity, increase confidence, embrace your dreams! The conference combines hands-on workshops, business classes and panel discussions, with campy programming like outdoor activities (archery, horseback riding, yoga) and arts and crafts (indigo dying, leather crafts, calligraphy), and curated evening events to allow for community building, networking and pure fun. Registration is open now and even though we added 75 spots, CAMP will sell-out, as it did last year. So hurry! Whether you work for yourself or a large corporation, give yourself the gift of play. Of growth. Of innovation and imagination. No excuses, just do it!

RegisterForCAMP

UNIQUE LA at THE HAMMER

Arts ReSTORE LA is a new initiative by the Hammer Museum that aims to re-energize Westwood Village with the creative force of local Angeleno artisans and craftspeople. From November 1 to 24, the Hammer will fill several empty storefronts in Westwood, donated by the property owners to this project, with an array of artisan vendors - many are our good friends such as Tanya Aguiniga, Iron Curtain Press, For Your Art, and Clarke and Madison. How are we involved?

UNIQUE LA is adding our perspective and hands-on touch by curating unique (and completely free) activities every weekend, which will be held at the Hammer Museum's outdoor LAB. Every Saturday at 11:30am we are presenting an intimate Speaker Series called Meet the Makers, which is a great opportunity to come hear from LA's top artists and designers such as the prolific Gary Baseman and the LA-based apron brand taking the country by-storm, Hedley & Bennett. We've kept space limited so the audience will be able to take part in the conversation,  ask them questions and meet them! And every Sunday at Noon we will be hosting a fab DIY workshop, so please come get your hands dirty and enjoy the art of crafting something handmade!

RSVP IS REQUIRED for both our workshops and speakers, RSVP now before spots fill up! We are excited to be sharing some of LA's talent and look forward to seeing you at the events...

Foodprint Walking Tour

I’ve been spending lots of time in the Arts District lately, and I’ve been spending lots of time eating my whole life, so I’m happy to announce the perfect combination of my two erstwhile pursuits: I’ll be co-hosting a food-focused walking tour of the area on Saturday, December 8 with the Foodprint Project.

The Foodprint Project is an ongoing exploration of food and urbanism founded by my good friends Sarah Rich and Nicola Twilley. As part of the weekend’s festivities they’re hosting a conference at LACMA on December 9 (which is free and open to the public) that will examine topics like culinary cartography and edible archaeology. And on Saturday, December 8, our walking tour will bring those themes to life as we examine the “foodscape” of one of the most food-centric areas of Los Angeles. The Arts District itself is home to a thriving creative community launching plenty of edible startups, but it also borders both the Warehouse District, where food products are still produced using traditional manufacturing methods, and the Produce District, a massive international trade center that distributes most of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the city.

Along the way we’ll visit the coffee-roasting infrastructure of LA’s celebrated Handsome Coffee, check out an artisanal distillery, explore the inside of West Central Produce’s state-of-the-art banana ripening facilities, preview a new local food market, and peek inside the exciting farm-to-table program of the restaurant Bestia. We’ll also be joined by several developers and city leaders, and, of course, there will be a few surprises along the way. And the tour will end with a punch-bowl-punctuated happy hour at Villains Tavern, one of my favorite bars in the city.

The tour is Saturday, December 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the happy hour kicking off at 5:00. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased right here. And be sure to head to LACMA the next day for more helpings of food, cities and technology. Hope to see you there!

Top image: Exterior view of the loading dock at West Coast Fruit Distributors, part of the Produce Market, 1900; USC Digital Libraries 

Ke$ha says Voting is Hot!

I want you to vote this November 6 I heart voters, I really do. I'm not sure how many of you know the background of how I started the first UNIQUE LA, but it was right after the 2008 Presidential Election. Against everyone's advice ("this is the worst economy", "no one has money to shop these days", "don't risk your 401k on a new business in this recession") I created the event and never looked back because my gut-feeling was that I was meant to do this, all my experience leading up to UNIQUE had led me to it. And quite frankly, I needed a job! You see, after being let go from my dream job as one of the designers on TLC's Trading Spaces, I had a lot of time on my hands. I was already excited and passionate about politics and voter engagement (as one of the board members for Young Progressive Majority, a non-profit voter education organization), and decided to spend most of 2008 volunteering full-time as the Director. Our goal was simple: to get more people in their 20s and 30s to vote on the local level because so few people do. So, uh, how does Ke$ha fit into all of this? Read on...

That year I did a lot in the community to get people to vote. We set-up booths at festivals and concerts to register voters; for each election we would 'hit the streets' on popular intersections around town to promote and encourage voting; we researched, wrote and published local-level voter guides that helped educate on all the ballot options; we threw rad parties. And that's how Ke$ha found me and became a volunteer. Along with all of our amazing volunteers and board members, she was passionate about getting people to vote. Telling people to use their voice at the polling station. Just four years later Ke$ha is a superstar, I am blessed to be surrounded with creativity and community as one of the leaders in America's buy local/maker movement, and it's time to vote for President again.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS. How this city, state and country develops is up to us. Socialized healthcare, support for small businesses, better public education, new transportation ideas, support for the arts, grants and loans for American manufacturing - these are all things I care about but unless I vote, my opinions are mute. I have no right to complain about things like being denied health coverage from insurers (I'm one of those unlucky folks to have a pre-existing condition) or how bad the traffic is if I haven't voted.

This November I hope you'll use your voice and vote for what you believe in, for the things that matter to you. If you aren't registered, do it now by clicking the button below. If you're not sure the status of your registration, visit this page. Oh, and stay tuned for details about our amazing get-out-the-vote party early next year for the March election (we're choosing our next Mayor LA)!

Stanley Kubrick at LACMA

Stanley Kubrick was known for transforming genres that he worked in by taking full control of his projects. The exhibition covers the span of Kubrick’s works, starting from his photographs for Look magazine in 40s, and continuing with his amazing directorial practices from the 1950s through the 1990s.

His films will be  portrayed through a selection of scripts, production photography, lenses and cameras, set models, costumes, and props. In addition, the exhibition features two projects that Kubrick never completed: Napoleon and The Aryan Papers.

Exhibit opens for public on November 1, 2012 at LACMA.

Oscar Night

Have you ever dreamed of going to the Oscars? Having your personal choice of outfits provided by all the top designers, getting your hair done by Ken Paves’ assistant, and walking that plush red carpet while photographers fight for your attention…calling your name? Welp, guess what. That idea may be a little far out, but we have something that just might hold you over until the next awards show.

Already a huge hit (June is SOLD OUT), the Oscar Academy in Hollywood is putting on the “Oscars Outdoors,” where they are featuring a movie every Friday and Saturday night until August. Pack some snacks and drinks (beer and wine are permitted), or feel free to bring some cash and peruse though the many food trucks that are located right on site.

The best part? It’s only $5 to get in.

If you’re serious about the Oscars like I am, you’ll mark your calendar for Monday, July 2^nd, when tickets open up online for the July showings.

For more information, go to:

http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/outdoors/index.html

Riding on the Expo

The Expo Line opened this past weekend, and while I didn’t get back in town in time for the opening celebrations (or free fares!) I did get to ride it as part of a press preview a few weeks back. Here are some of my favorite photos, as well as links to two articles I wrote about it. Over at the LA Weekly (the issue currently on newsstands), I preview the line from the rider’s perspective, rating everything from the station design to dining options. And at The Architect’s Newspaper, I review the line as part of what I think is LA’s new transit era. You guys, we’re finally on our way to becoming a world-class transit city. Again.

Lots more photos here, and for those of you who haven’t hopped on LA’s newest light rail line yet, here’s a timetable for regular service. See you on the train!

Something about this line just feels so… civilized. When I stood at the stations I would never have guessed it was in Los Angeles. And then I’d look up and see those signs: “to Downtown LA.”

The canopies are really nice, these pretty zig-zagging lines that float above you. The seemingly-random perforations in the metal are actually photos of the surrounding neighborhoods.

And the canopies create nice patterns on the ground as well, where pavers show illustrations and quotes about the last transit system to travel here.

I liked how they did the art at each station. These panels chronicle the history of the Ballona Creek, a few blocks away.

More Expo Line photos.

Pinks' New "Brando" Dog

I admit I have a little bit of OCD when it comes to checking the weather report. I check it every day in order to pick out my outfit. I’m positive it’s from years of sweating uncomfortably when the sun broke out during recess in elementary school because I was told to “look outside” in order to determine what to wear to school. I mean, everyone knows the weather is different in the morning versus the afternoon! Grrr.

Well, with that lovely short story comes some weekend to-dos…and let me tell you, the rain looks as it’s going to pass and the weather is going to be nice and sunny! Hooray!

This Friday on April 27^th, head over to Pinks Hot Dogs from 11am to 1pm to help celebrate the unveiling of the brand new “Brando” Hot Dog. The “Brando” Hot Dog will be a 10” quarter pound all-beef dog topped with mustard, onions and chili and is in honor of Hollywood legend Marlon Brando who would be turning 88 this April. The reason you should attend?? Anyone dressed as the actor will be given a FREE hot dog!!! Supplies are limited, so in order to ensure yourself a dog, RSVP’s are mandatory.

Email your RSVP to dsyatt@ssapr.com to confirm your attendance.

Check the Facebook event page for more details:

Los Angeles Walks!

This past weekend, a 24-year-old woman was fatally struck by a car as she crossed a street in my neighborhood. Although there are far too many accidents like this in LA, they always feel removed from my day-to-day life, like they’re on some foreign street in a distant neighborhood far across town. In this case, since it happened on a street where I regularly walk and ride, I really felt like this could have just as easily been me. While it shouldn’t take a tragic death to get Angelenos to care about pedestrian safety, it seems like this incident has particularly resonated with my neighbors. We all want to do something about it.

As more and more people choose to walk, bike or take transit, there will be more people on our sidewalks and crosswalks. Yet LA needs to undergo some drastic changes—both physically and behaviorally—to adjust to this new lifestyle. Our streets and sidewalks need to become our most prized spaces in the whole city: beautiful, clean, safe places that are designed for all Angelenos—and that includes Angelenos in strollers and wheelchairs, too. Even if we’re just walking to our cars, we’re still using those streets and sidewalks. We are all pedestrians.

That’s why the timing could not be better for the advocacy group Los Angeles Walks. Founded by the talented urban designer and tireless pedestrian advocate Deborah Murphy, Los Angeles Walks is a volunteer-driven organization that works to make walking safe, accessible and fun for all Angelenos. And a group that includes myself, Alexis Lantz, Jessica Meaney, Colleen Corcoran, Michelle Craven and Anthony Crump are now working with working with Deborah under a fiscal umbrella of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition to begin a local grassroots effort that supports everyone who walks in LA.

And how better to do that than with karaoke!?

On Saturday, April 21, we’re holding what I’m pretty sure is LA’s first-ever karaoke fundraiser for walking in LA. The event will be at the fantastic Atwater Crossing (ATX) and will feature karaoke hosted by KJ Paul. Food and drink will be available for purchase and some of LA’s most famous pedestrians (maybe even you?) will be belting out songs on the karaoke stage.

Please come out and sing your favorite songs about walking—yes, including that song—and support walking in LA. Tickets start at just $10, but there are also ticket levels that include cool LA Walks buttons (Stroller, $20) and an LA Walks poster (Flâneur, $50). And if you donate more than $100, you’ll get one of the coolest incentives I’ve ever seen: A portrait of you as an LA walker (just like the walkers you see illustrated above) by the awesome Colleen Corcoran! Makes a great Mother’s Day gift!

I’m really looking forward to working with this group to make some real changes to the pedestrian environment, so I hope you’ll join us for a night celebrating the future of walking in LA. And be sure to walk there if you can! Let us know where you’re walking from and we can publicize your route so others can join you.

‘Tis the Season

Each year around this time my attention turns to a certain colorful creature that starts sprouting up all around town. And from the first day of spring until Easter, my Tumblr, Peep This, comes to life with marshmallowy inspiration. Here’s a few updates from this week.

Stuffed fabric Peeps made by my mom. Or you could call these Taxidermy Peeps.

A Peeps-encrusted glazed ham.

And directions for how to make a Peeps necklace.

Enjoy! And if you see any Peepspiration (not to be confused with perspiration), Peep up!

Go on, Get Outside!

 Over here at UNIQUE LA we're pretty busy, which means we don't get out a whole lot. Like a lot of today's society we sit hunched over our computers, we're plugged into our Facebook profiles 24/7, and our cell phones sit just inches away beside us on our desks (and even on dining tables during lunch). Now and again we all need a break, we need the warmth of the sun to hit our faces. Quite simply, we need to get outside a bit more!At a recent meeting in Venice we decided to stop by the beach during 'working hours' to do just that - we took our shoes off and ran in the wet sand, we goofed-off and held an impromptu jumping contest... Which, as you can see below, Marat totally won! It felt wonderful.

So we say to you, as you sit reading this on your phone or computer, take a break! Go for a walk, eat lunch outside in a park, heck, take your laptop and work outside in the glorious sun. Just get outside and enjoy the fresh air!

Downtown on Ice

How fun would it be to ICE skate next to skyscrapers and historical landmarks in Downtown LA?

Downtown on Ice is fun, affordable, and the perfect activity for the entire family! Or use this time-sensitive outing as a great Date Night… When else do you get to ice skate in sunny California?! It's LA's biggest outdoor skating rink and they just celebrated their 14th season at Pershing Square, 532 South Olive. The facility is open everyday through January 16, 2012 (so hurry up before it gets too hot!).

Skating session costs $6 per hour, skate rentals are $2. If you ride Metro to the Pershing Square you get $1 OFF admission. Take the Red or Purple Line and exit Pershing Square Station to get your glide on.

Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday: 12:00pm to 10:00pm

Friday – Sunday: 10:00am to 10:00pm

Small Business Saturday

First there was Black Friday, a day of frenzied on-sale shopping that for me has turned into 'the day I stay away from most places'. Then came the whole world wide web thing, which many thought would never reach the masses (hehe), and Cyber Monday was born. Now there's something for us small folk: Small Business Saturday. While we here at UNIQUE think every day should be Small Business Day, we are excited to spread the word for the 2nd annual event (November 26th). This year after spending time with loved ones, enjoying great food and sneaking in a nice nap during Thanksgiving, how about you support a local small business? Visit a neighborhood shop, buy local produce, get a thank you card for the cook who made your great Thanksgiving feast. But while out and about, what's even more important to me is that you look for locally-made, Made in the USA goods. That will truly help our economy because it's not just the small business/retailer that you're helping but also the supplier (designers/artists/farmers/etc.). Gooooo team!

*Share your story! Please come back and comment/share your tale of Small Business Saturday with us... We'd love to hear from you!

Image by Thomas Hawk

To Do: Tour Downtown Lofts

Okay, okay, you've heard it a lot lately: Downtown LA is becoming a hot-bed for art, design, food, mixology and all-things-cool. People tell you "it feels like a real city" but you're skeptical.However, if you are intrigued with moving to Downtown or just curious to see what is going on, we've got the perfect opportunity to do so!

The Downtown Center Business Improvement District has organized a free housing tour to provide an introduction to the many neighborhoods of Downtown. The tour showcases 6-7 residences that are available for lease or sale, so you can judge what it's like to live downtown for yourself.

Being a Downtown LA resident for almost three years, I love the urban feeling that downtown boasts. People actually walk on the sidewalks here, so there are always people 'out and about', unlike in the rest of the city. You can turn in any direction and go for dinner or find a hot new spot for drinks. One thing that I like is that there are numerous farmers markets held throughout the week, so getting fresh produce is just a walk away. Downtown is truly in its revival state. Plus from what I've heard there are a few big retail destinations slated to open in the next couple of years, which will help complete the area.

If you've ever thought about moving downtown, this is definitely something you should do. The next tour is on November 19, it starts at 10am and takes about 4 hours. It's free, you just need to sign up here.

DTLA Movie Nights

UCLA Film & Television Archive partnered with The Million Dollar Theater on Broadway to bring back movie nights to Downtown LA every Wednesday night.

Most of the screenings will be double features, usually grouped either by same director, sci-fi flicks or film classics. This week features David Cronenberg's The Fly (1986) and Videodrome (1983). Other features include Lawrence of Arabia, Dennis Hopper's Easy Rider, Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein, and 1978 Superman. Last screening of the year will be a Rock Opera Double feature with Tommy (1975) and Jesus Christ Superstar (1973).

Tickets are available at The Million Dollar Theaters box office only, an hour before program start time on the day of the show. Tickets are $10.

The Million Dollar Theater: 307 South Broadway Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Click here for the Full Schedule of the Movies