Pix: Lo & I Take on Downtown L.A

Last weekend, Lo and I took a little trip Downtown to do some goofing off! Here are some of my favorite places to go when I make the trek to Downtown L.A:

1. The Alley: - Entrance on 12th & Santee

This place is not for the faint of hearts. I'm going to be honest here; it can get hot, stuffy, crowded, and just plain icky. But if you can get passed all of that, you can snag really killer deals. Granted nothing down here is name-brand; however if you are used to shopping at places like Forever 21, H&M, and the likes; they offer the same selections, at a fraction of the cost.- You can find t-shirts and tunics from $2-10, shorts from $5-10, and dresses from $2-10. You can also get good deals on shoes that range from $5-20.

Tip: 

-Never settle on the first price you are quoted, this type of environment is conducive to haggling. If you don't feel comfortable naming your own price, ask them if that is the best they can do. Normally they will change their tune.
-Pay with cash to avoid being charged sales-tax!
-If you are shopping with a friend, "combine" your purchases to receive more of a discount.

2. Bottega Louie

This is hands down one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat when I am downtown. Bottega Louie is a swanky restaurant with a New York ambiance that boasts a modern aesthetic, floor to ceiling windows, a fresh deli, and a yummy selection of vittles. The venue is beautiful, the staff is beautiful, and the people that eat there are beautiful. Nuff said, it's a perfect place to eat, and people watch if you are in to that kind of thing.

3. The Modern Museum of Contemporary Art - MOCA

This is one of my favorite places to get inspiration, most of the installments there are conceptual, and therefore spark some sort of conversation, and thought. Regular admission is $10, however if you are a student, they do offer admission for $5

Tip:

Admission is FREE every Thursday after 5PM

4. Olvera Street - 845 N Alameda

Which is where these photos were taken. I love to take in the culture, and of course SHOP! Ethnic pieces are really in right now, however they can be a tad expensive. I love Olvera St. because you can get the trendy pieces like Moccasin's, Tooled Leather Purses, Poncho's, Jewelry, and Hats for little of nothing. Seriously, I spotted an amazing leather satchel for about $15 bucks [yup, it was leather].

5. Grand Central Market

This is another one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat when I am Downtown! I love the hustle & bustle of this place, they have everything from fresh produce, to dried goods and spices, fresh meat & poultry, and the usual selection of multi-cultural eats.

Tip:

They are only open between 9-6pm MON-SUN, so stop by early to get the freshest selection!

 Where are some of your favorite places to visit when you go Downtown?

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