eBay Mobile Boutique: 10 To-Dos in Los Angeles This Season

By Beth Whiffen
December 17, 2009

Though often referred to as Tinsel Town, Los Angeles isn’t the winter wonderland most of us associate with the holidays. But for what it lacks in snow dappled trees and frigid temperatures, it more than makes up for in festivity and imagination. Heck, Angelenos have even figured out a way to have a real outdoor ice skating rink just a few blocks from the ocean. Topping our to-do list, the eBay Holiday Mobile Boutique will be making its final stop at Hollywood and Highland Center (6801 Hollywood Boulevard) today and tomorrow. Stop by for last-minute gifting inspiration and expert tips, then check out these 10 options to get you into the holiday spirit in L.A.—no snow required.

Kooza Santa Monica Pier, 800-450-1480 cirquedusoleil.com: Catch Cirque du Soleil’s mix of acrobatics and clowning with Kooza, during its last week in town.

Green Tangerine Pop Up Shop 11973 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310-463-0599 greentangerinela.com: For those dreaming of a green Christmas, check out the eco-friendly jewel-box of a store Green Tangerine for hip repurposed and reimagined holiday gifts, without the granola. The 98-square foot store, which is open on weekends (and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during December), has almost a zero carbon footprint and features chic, sustainable home accents curated by interior designer Dianne Kraus, who worked alongside Kelly Wearstler to design the Hollywood Regency-style Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica.

Ice at Santa Monica 1324 5^th St., Santa Monica, 310-393-8355: This outdoor ice skating rink is, magically, just a snowball’s throw from the beach. Entry is just $10 and includes skate rental. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Elyse Walker 15300 Antioch St., Pacific Palisades, 310-230-8882 www.elysewalker.com : The much-loved women’s and men’s boutique that just celebrated its tenth anniversary is offering the kind of deals that set a hard-core shopper’s heart a-flutter. Receive a discount of 50 percent off the first item purchased, 60 percent off the second, and 70 percent off everything after that—just in time for last-minute holiday soirees and surprises. Scoop up clothes, shoes and accessories from Elizabeth and James, Giuseppe Zanotti, YSL, Alexander McQueen and more.

Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic 9975 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-553-7344, sonyadakarskinclinic.com: Skincare guru-to-the-stars Sonya Dakar is offering a holiday special that slashes the price of one of her most pampering spa packages in exchange for children's toys. Bring in an unwrapped toy through December 23rd, and get her luxe Holiday Hangover package, which will normally set you back a whopping $1250, for just $250. Yup, you read that right. The Holiday Hangover package includes Dakar's signature Fitness Facial, Green Tea Peel and a customized LED Light Treatment that will keep skin revitalized and glowing during the holiday rush. Toys will be donated to the Los Angeles Fire Fighters “Spark of Love” Toy Drive.

Holiday Sing-Along Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown, 323-850-2000 musiccenter.org: Sing along to classic holiday carols accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Performances start at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 19^th.

The Beverly Center and Hunky Santa 8500 Beverly Boulevard, www.hunkysanta.com: Swing by the Beverly Center to browse the new line-up of high-end of stores, including Henri Bendel and Michael Kors. Then stop to sit on Hunky Santa’s lap and get a paparazzi-style photo taken with him—it’s perfect for making a set of ironic holiday cards to send to friends. The sexed-up version of Santa will put on a dance and aerial arts show with his backup dancers, the Candy Cane Girls, every hour on the hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 19^th.

The Nutcracker UCLA, 340 Royce Dr., Los Angeles, 310-825-2101 uclalive.org or losangelesballet.org: In grand holiday tradition, the Los Angeles Ballet presents The Nutcracker at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Enjoy the classic orchestral music by Tchaikovsky set to modern choreography by Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary. Performances start at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19^th.

tokidoki 7965 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, tokidoki.it: Hit up tokidoki’s brand new L.A. digs. The Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand and store dreamed up by Italian artist Simone Legno recently collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld to create a “tokidoki for Karl L” limited-edition mini Karl figure. Only 1,000 were produced and 50 are available here in Tinsel Town.

Edgemar Shopping Cart Tree 2449 Main St., Santa Monica edgemar.com: Grab a glass of vino at Salute wine bar or a latte at Peet’s Coffee (they share a courtyard) and take in the Edgemar’s iconic Shopping Cart Tree designed by artist Anthony Schmitt. The unconventional holiday art installation is made up of 83 shopping carts stacked 33 feet high.