Anastasia Savvina

I love not knowing what I’m getting myself into and experiencing a place without expectations. The venues, spread out from one corner of the city to another, all have strong character and can be intimidating at times, especially when the owners are anti-publicity – but that’s when it feels the most like an adventure. It’s like having a travel writing job without having to leave home.

Inspired by my first visit to Palihouse in the daytime, I decided to go back at night. On a random Thursday, I arrive only to find the place blocked off by police, paparazzi, a red carpet, and models posing before making their grand entrance. It was –Elle’s 25th Anniversary Party and only the invited were allowed to enter. Uninvited, I tried my luck and asked for the contact I had interviewed earlier – and lucky for me, she let my friend and me in. The lobby and courtyard were full of people ranging from models and actors to producers and agents. Open bar, hors d’oeuvres, free gifts, and a live DJ spinning vinyl records – it was a great party to crash.

I’m a mix of Adriana and Emma, with a hint of Jonah. I love beautiful, cosmopolitan venues with class and style, but sometimes I think the best way to spend a weekend is just to do stuff that make me feel uninhibited – like riding bikes on the beach or going a little crazy at a Gogol Bordello concert.

I love how vast LA is and how different each neighborhood is, so I’d span the map. In the morning I’d have breakfast and mimosas on the patio at Duke’s Malibu, then stop by the rooftop of Palihouse in West Hollywood in the afternoon for a mini-reunion with the girls. Later on, I’d go to El Cid in Silver Lake with my boyfriend to watch the flamenco show over dinner and sangria, and end the adventure Downtown, dancing the night away at Bordello after the cabaret.