Californivacation Part 4

The only thing that makes me happier than getting a good deal at a store or garage sale is finding free things. Los Angeles did not disappoint in the gratis department. Here’s a list of some of the freebies I found.

One of my favourite souvenirs from any trip is stationary. Mr. Andrew and I got quite a few goodies including this Jeff Koons Bunny bookmark from the Broad Museum (gift with purchase of done post cards and a Barbara Kruger pencil to add to our gallery of tiny art). I’d like to frame it with these photo strips

I also purloined a pen and a matchbook from our hotel, Petit Ermitage (but I couldn’t find the matchbook when I went to take a picture). We also visited our friends at Richard Mille and they gave us a box filled with little boxes of delicious Ragusa chocolates.

When we went to see They Might Be Giants and Sparks at the Hollywood Bowl, drinks were served in these reusable aluminum souvenir tumblers.

We went to Long Beach to frolic in the Ocean. During our sunset stroll on the sand, I stepped on a little buried plushie. I dug it up and discovered that it was a Steiff x National Geographic toy called Froggy Frog. I put it in my pocket and brought it back to the hotel.

I had also neglected to bring a towel to dry my feet with after I waded in the water. Someone left theirs on the strand, so I nabbed that too. Brought them both back and took them to the laundromat for a clean. Side note: I like to do normal things like seeing a movie or doing laundry on vacation. You can learn a lot about a city by doing non-touristy things.

I gathered my final finds on the morning before we left. I liked this piece of sycamore bark because it had a zebra pattern. I’m thinking of bonding it like a veneer to a box. And the bits of copper wire will be used to make jewelry of some sort.

Oh! I almost forgot the best souvenir of all! I found this amazing rock in a parking lot near the Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard. I think it’s chert. It fits nicely in the palm and I’ve been carrying it with me everywhere!