My favorite afternoon in Los Angeles
Skincare, fried chicken, and adorable stickers.
Considering it’s my hometown, I really don’t spend enough time talking about all the incredible beauty havens that are nestled around Los Angeles. To be honest, when I was growing up there, my focus was more on finding the cheapest gas stations for cigarettes rather than seeking out centella sheet masks and propolis moisturizers. Many of my current LA favorites are spots I’ve only discovered recently as an adult, once I started to explore the city more deeply. But interestingly, the place I’m discussing today perfectly blends nostalgia with new discovery—it's a somewhere I frequented as a kid, but rediscovered as an adult (more on that later!)
The last time I was in town, my sister and I had a truly glorious afternoon, hopping from one place to another. And the best news? It was mostly all in one location. So for today’s newsletter, I thought I’d take you along on our adventure, which was filled with adorable stationary, skincare, and delicious dumplings.
Maru Coffee
1936 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
As is the case every day, I started off with an oatmilk matcha latte. This is a somewhat obvious recommendation to those who live in Los Angeles, but if you’re visiting and you happen to love matcha lattes, you should try Maru, a small coffee and matcha spot in Los Feliz. It’s a scene and a half (the star-studded catwalk outside can be kind of cringe), and there’s usually a line out the door, but the matcha is just.. so good, it makes it worthwhile. Their iced matcha is incredibly rich and velvety, with the most vibrant green hue I’ve ever seen. My sister and I got matcha lattes and a banana bread and then headed over to the next destination.
Koreatown Galleria
3250 W Olympic Blvd., #400, Los Angeles, CA 90006
The Koreatown Galleria isn’t the kind of place you just happen to stumble upon—though, to be fair, that’s rare in Los Angeles since everyone’s always driving. It’s more of an IYKYK treasure trove, packed with hidden gems. One of the best perks—and this might sound trivial, but if you live in LA, you’ll understand—is the free parking lot. You won’t have to waste time driving around side streets searching for a spot. I originally learned about the K-Town Galleria from my childhood BFF (she gave me the thumbs up to cover it in Fun Little Treat) whose parents would always take us for these incredible lunches followed by stationary shopping at the Galleria. Years later, I had been eager to visit this skincare store, and when I finally arrived, insane nostalgia hit me as I realized it was the same spot we’d go to as children. But I had just as much fun here as an adult as I did when I was a child.
Build your skincare routine here
Palace Beauty 1st floor
The first stop—and arguably one of the best perks of the Koreatown Galleria—is Palace Beauty, a true treasure trove for skincare and makeup enthusiasts. Specializing in Korean and Japanese products, it’s packed from floor to ceiling with the latest and most innovative brands and formulas in skincare, makeup, and haircare. It has so much stuff, I could see how it might be intimidating if you’re new to skincare. But thankfully, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and can guide you through the nuances of each brand and formula to make sure you find the perfect match for your skin. Probably my favorite thing about this store is how it’s always stocked with exclusive, hard-to-find items that skincare enthusiasts rave about online but can rarely track down in person.
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Everything I got
Squeal-worthy stationary
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