There are many free and low cost events this weekend for all ages — learn new dance moves with Billy Blanks, rock out with Dave Mason, enjoy a flick under the stars, bead and craft,  delight in movie magic, make jam and make new friends.

IT’S NATIONAL DANCE DAY! LEARN NEW MOVES WITH BILLY AND SHARON BLANKS

Billy Blanks and Sharon Blanks

Join Billy Blanks Jr & Sharon Catherine Blanks and more than 100 of their students  for a special family event on Saturday, July 31 from 12 to 4 pm at the Sherman Oaks Galleria for  the first National Dance Day which is part of a nationwide celebration. Join them as they celebrate the importance of movement, health and wellness.  All ages are invited to this free afternoon of fun —  learn styles like Hip Hop, Bollywood, Line Dancing, Disco, Ballroom, Broadway, Tap, 80′s, Latin, Hula, African, and so much more! No experience necessary.  There will be raffles, give-aways, face painting, magicians, performers, refreshments and more. www.meettheblanks.com/national-dance-day-free-event-saturday-july-31st-2010

Hall of Fame rocker Dave Mason

FREE WEEKEND FUN —CONCERT AND MOVIE SCREENING IN WOODLAND HILLS: It’s Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs at Warner Center Park’s Movies on the Green this Saturday from 7 to 10 pm.   Don’t miss classic rock icon Dave Mason on Sunday evening, August 1  for Concerts in the Park starting at 6 pm.  Bring a picnic, chairs and a blanket. It’s free!   Sun, Aug 1, 6 pm – Warner Center Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills www.valleycultural.org

Paramount Ranch

MOVIE MAGIC IN AGOURA: Learn about movie magic and the history of Paramount Ranch during a one hour walk revealing how a set can look like a real town.  Sun, Aug 1, 9:30 am – Paramount Ranch 30401 Agoura Road Agoura Hills.

Pasadena Bead Show

PASADENA BEAD AND DESIGN SHOW: Hop over to Pasadena for the Pasadena Bead and Design Show  through this Sunday, August 1. Three hundred exhibitors will display and sell original handwork and design products, including wearable art, handmade beads, art jewelry and more. There will be workshops in bead making, jewelry design, metalwork, weaving, art clay silver, found object jewelry, mixed-media, embroideries, polymer clay, and personal style development. Admission $10 www.pasadenabeadanddesignshow.com

Public Fruit Jam at LACMA

OVER THE HILL: EATLACMA PUBLIC FRUIT JAM: Participate in a collective jam making session on Sunday August 1 with artist collective Fallen Fruit. Bring homegrown or street-picked fruit  and work with other people without recipes to come up with unique flavors. Take home your own jar of jam. Free, space is limited. Tickets will be handed out the day of the event with a limit of 150 per hour from 12 noon to 3 pm. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations.  Meet a the grassy field behind the museum cloe to 6th Street.www.lacma.org

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find

Free concerts have been turning up all over this summer.  Check out the latest in a continuing series  in Sherman Oaks and Universal City, where household names may be born and familiar celeb names are popping up.  Who remembers Frankie Muniz from Malcom in the Middle?  From TV to race cars, he’s now rockin’ the drums in a band.

Universal CityWalk continues to turn up the volume with its “plugged-in” summer music series featuring a mix of non-stop live entertainment including popular celebrity bands and battle of the bands showcases every weekend through August 29.

Frank Muniz , the drummer in You Hang Up, will appear at CityWalk on Saturday, August 14.

On Friday evenings, CityWalk has partnered with the Sunset Strip Music Festival to showcase some L.A.’s hottest upcoming bands and established artists. A panel of top music executives from popular Sunset Strip venues, sponsoring record companies and the 98.7FM programming department will be on hand to judge a weekly contest in which the winners will compete in the 98.7FM Rockstar Finals, which take place at The Key Club as part of the legendary Sunset Strip Music Festival in August. The winning band will receive $10,000, a spot on the Warped Tour 2011, record company meetings, a professional photo shoot and more.

On Saturday evenings, rock out to popular celebrity fronted bands. This week is The Thomas Nicholas Band featuring Thomas Nicholas (“American Pie”). Upcoming is Petree and Jared Lee, both of whom have songs featured in MTV’s “The Hills” (August 7); You Hang Up with “Malcom in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz on drums and Apache Stone featuring Michael Lombardi from “Rescue Me” (August 14); Norman Kelsey opening for Tim Russ of “Star Trek: Voyager” (August 21). continue every Saturday through August 28 from 7:30-10 p.m.

More information on CityWalk “Plugged-In” music series is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com or by calling 818-622-1111.

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Grammy nominated saxophonist Rick Rossi (far right) with his band, supplies many of the artists who appear at Sherman Oaks Galleria Live.

Sherman Oaks Galleria Live, a free concert and dance series,  continues through the end of August on Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings. Featuring a wide array of musical talents of all tastes,  it is outdoor entertainment that makes the city seem that much smaller.  Friday and Saturday evenings run 7 -10 pm and feature a variety of musical performances, while Monday is dance night from 6:30-9 :30 pm.  Whether you like salsa, jazz, folk, pop, swing, R&B or rock n’ roll, it’s all here.  Don’t miss three time Grammy nominated saxophonist  Rick Rossi on August 13 for a blend of some great jazz.

Up this Friday is Cuppa Jo which features music by The Beatles, Judy Collins, Emerson Lake and Palmer, The Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkel, Van Morrison and more. On Saturday, it’s Playback featuring and eclectic combination of 40’s Swing, 50’s Rock n’ Roll and 60’s R&B.  www.shermanoaksgalleria.com/live/

I’m starting to think that some the best food I’ve eaten in the San Fernando Valley lately is coming out of restaurants located in strip malls or off the beaten track. Rather than a dining experience, these kind of eateries are for the food experience only. I’m used to going to various “name” Thai restaurants, however, none have been more impressive than a recent lunch at Sri Siam Cafe in North Hollywood — for the quality of food and surprisingly low cost.

Pad Thai Photos: Karen Young

Pad Thai is always a must at Thai restaurants, but it can be hit or miss depending on the sweetness of the sauce and how much oil used. This Pad Thai is among the best of I’ve eaten, but presented a bit differently with the noodles separated from the bean sprouts and peanuts. The pan fried noodles were perfectly seasoned and soft without tasting fried. The mix of egg, shrimp and chicken was fairly proportioned and tender.

Kai Jiew: Pork omelet

Next up was Kai Jiew, which is a pork omelet. I questioned it as a choice when my dining partner suggested it (ok, and the name considering it was pork), but threw caution to the wind and went for it. Glad I did. It’s seriously good for something so simple. A Thai street food, it’s fried egg with chopped pork, fish sauce, soy sauce and minced onions mixed in.

Pineapple Curry

There’s eight different curry choices here, so we went for the Pineapple Curry, which on a hot summer day, sounded lighter than a traditional curry with potatoes and carrots. This is a sweet and spicy dish (we ordered mild but it still packed plenty of heat) that delicately combines curry, coconut milk, shrimp and chopped pineapple. I’m hooked.

Apple Salad

Apple salad accompanies many dishes on the menu, so we asked to order it as its own dish. Tart green apples cut like long match sticks are dressed with chili pepper for another unique, yet simple, sweet and spicy dish.  Perfect for a summer day.

Sri Siam Cafe has an extensive menu for such a small restaurant.  Prices range from $4.95 to $7.95 per dish with a couple seafood dishes at $10.95.  A whole Pompano fish is offered at market price.  All the portions are good size.  A lunch special is offered Monday through Friday that includes rice, soup, egg roll and fruit with a choice of one entree ($5.95 to $7.95).

Sri Siam Cafe is definitely a delight to tickle your taste buds. Order a Thai Iced Tea and go for it.

Sri Siam is located in a strip mall on Vanowen near Coldwater.

Sri Siam 12843-12845 Vanowen Street (at Coldwater), North Hollywood, CA. 818.982.6161 www.srisiamcafe1.com Open seven days  11am-10pm.  Delivery minimum $15.

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find. Email: karen@mydailyfind.com

Hot? Thirsty? Looking for a way to make your next birthday party, anniversary, barbecue, bar or bat mitzvah, Halloween or holiday celebration or corporate event memorable and entertaining? Studio City’s Jason Dobrowner’s Thirsty Mixologist mobile mixology service will invent a cocktail in honor of a special someone or occasion, and will serve up the freshest and most creative, and fun cocktails around.

Dobrowner juices his mixers fresh at the bar and adds just-picked herbs and his own signature rims including a churro-inspired cinnamon-sugar, a rocking Pop Rocks rim, and a savory paprika.

Thirsty Mixologist’s recent gigs include a birthday tea party and a World Cup party. For the birthday, the lab-coat-wearing mad mixologist, Dobrowner ,crafted a variety of refreshing spiked iced teas (nonalcoholic versions of all the Thirsty Mixologist’s concoctions are always available as well). At the World Cup Party, Dobrowner mixed up gorgeous citrus flavored white sangria as well as patriotic red and blue fizzing shots served in beakers.

There is method to this mixologist’s madness: Dobrowner juices his mixers fresh at the bar and adds just-picked herbs and his own signature rims including a churro-inspired cinnamon-sugar, a rocking Pop Rocks rim, and a savory paprika and sea-salt rim that perfectly complements his jalapeno margarita. Signature cocktails include the luscious cucumber, mint, agave and lime infused-Cosmic Mojito; the pretty plum and lychee Plutonic Juice Fizz; the irresistible and sultry Bloody Vampire, and the drink-of-the-month for August, the lemon, apple, fresh ginger and basil-touched Atomic Apple Martini.

He does parties.

The Thirsty Mixologist provides bartenders, cocktail waitresses, a mobile bar with his custom menus and, of course, his signature fresh concoctions.

www.thirstyscientist.com. Email: ThirstyScientist@gmail.com; phone: 818 694 5897.

Jo Perry has a Ph.D. in English, taught literature and writing, and worked as a college administrator and as a television writer and producer. She is a reviewer for BookBrowse.com and is an ongoing contributor to kidsLA Magazine for which she writes about the city, childrens’ books, and conducts interviews. For two years she wrote the Kids’ Book Club column for the L.A. Times’ Kids’ Reading Room page.  She is also the co-creator of Silent Bodyguard.

Drinks.

John Walquist  took his love of travel, food and surfing and combined it into one small, but mighty surprise in Canoga Park in the form of Johnny Pacific Eats. Located in a run down strip mall on Winnetka and Saticoy,  the rather hip frontage  makes you want to stop in.  The banner declaring it as having the #1 Empanadas in Los Angeles doesn’t hurt either.

Chimmi-churri with grilled angus flat iron steak, salad and empanada with dipping sauces. Photos: Karen Young

A tiny eatery with a handful of tables and a couple booth areas with soft throw pillows,  it has that kind of groovy vibe you’d find in Silverlake, so discovering it on a mid-valley street was quite a pleasant surprise.  It’s   counter service only with the menu written on a large chalkboard.  Walquist calls his cuisine street food with his influences coming from street food found in such countries as South America, the Philippines, Central America, Mexico , the Carribean and the West Indies.

Banana and Chocolate dessert empanada with caramel sauce.

The menu is brief, but well thought out. Empanadas, the specialty of the house, are made from dough shaped like a half moon, stuffed with various fillings and lightly fried.  Both savory and sweet, there’s nearly 20  choices of meat, vegetable and dessert empanadas with specials made daily.  Signature sauces are prepared in house with such flavors as chimchurri,  chipolte, bbq and caramel.  Favorites include ham and cheese, kailua pig, ground beef and the chicken al pastor.

Signature salad is fresh and crisp with raspberries, candied pecans, mango and feta cheese with a homemade balsamic dressing.

Entrees are three types of skewers — Island style with grilled Korean style flatiron beef,  Chimmi-churri with grilled angus flat iron steak and Chicken Satay with Asian peanut sauce.  The skewer dishes come with variations of rice or french fries, an empanada and a side salad with guava red wine vinagarette ($8.95).  The Signature Salad is composed of mixed baby greens tops with blackberries or raspberries, mango, honey roasted pecans and goat cheese with balsamic dressing on the side ($6.95).

A small, but mighty surprise in a worn down strip mall.

The lunch special at $6.95 is a great deal with the 1/2 salad, two empanadas and a can of soda.

Special drinks include refrescos, which are flavored water with the essence of various juices freshly prepared, as well as Coca-Cola from Mexico which is made from cane sugar instead of corn syrup.

The tag line at Johnny Pacific is Good Eats on Street.  Wish we could find it on more streets in the 818.

Johnny Pacific Eats 7574 Winnetka (at Saticoy), Canoga Park, CA  818.885.6927 www.johnnypacificeats.com

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find.  Email: Karen@mydailyfind.com

Where did the Luau come from and where does Hawaiian food get its influences? Hawaiian chefs are accustomed to mixing and matching a multitude of Polynesian, Eastern and Western flavors. Flawlessly and bravely creating a unique cuisine mixed with the amazing local fruits, nuts fish and vegetables and yes, the world’s finest coffee.

In ancient Hawaii, men and woman were not allowed to eat together. Commoners and women of all ranks were also forbidden by the ancient Hawaiian religion to eat certain delicacies. This all changed in 1819, when King Kamehameha abolished the traditional religious practices. A feast where the King ate with women was the symbolic act, which ended the law, and the luau was born. The favorite dish at these feasts is what gave the luau its name. Young and tender leaves of the taro plant were combined with chicken, baked in coconut milk and called luau. You may not want to roast a whole pig, but you can create a fun event using themed food and drinks and decorations.

Serve fresh fruit and decorate with pineapple, papaya, and bananas. You can have so much fun with big leaves, flowers and coconuts. Tiki torches and shells make great and fun presentations. You should always greet your guests with a flower or shell lei and you can easily find fun Hawaiian music. So grab your grass skirts and plan a summer luau.

Cold Ginger Chicken

6 boneless chicken breasts

2 cups chicken stock

1 Maui onion, peeled and coarsely chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 inch ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped

Place all ingredients in a soup pot. Add cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and then cover and remove from heat and let cool. Remove chicken and refrigerate to cool. Arrange on platter and cover with sauce.

Ginger Sauce

1/2-cup canola or macadamia nut oil

1/2 cup ginger, peeled and finely chopped

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

3 scallions, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Heat oil to a smoking point and add ginger (watch out for splattering) let cool and whish together remaining ingredients.

Curried Mahi-Mahi

1-pound Mahi-mahi

3 tablespoons curry powder

3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce.

Whisk together curry, rice wine vinegar and soy sauce. Marinate Mahi-mahi for 1 hour. Bake in a 350 oven until cooked through about 12 minutes. Or you can grill over med-low heat about 6 minutes per side. Serve at once.

Pistachio-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass

6 6-ounce pieces of Chilean Sea bass

1-cup ground pistachios

1 cup Panko (Japanese style bread crumbs)

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

2 shallots chopped

1 stalk lemon grass, chopped

3-garlic clove, chopped

1 stick butter, softened

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon whole white peppercorns

2 cups white wine

1-cup cream

Mix together Panko, cilantro and pistachios. Brush fish with Dijon mustard and coat with Pistachio mixture. Bake at 375*F. for 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile put shallots, garlic, wine, peppercorns, lemon stalk and bay leaf in a medium sauce pan. Reduce slowly to a syrupy consistency. Strain through a fine sieve.

Add cream and reduce a little more. Whisk in the butter a little at a time over low heat until all the butter is used. Sauce should be creamy. Pour over fish and serve.

Shrimp with Coconut

3 pounds Shrimp

3 cups shredded coconut (on a plate)

2 cups pancake mix

1 cup orange juice

1/2-cup coconut milk (more to thin the batter)

2 eggs

1-teaspoon cayenne pepper

Peanut oil for frying

Set deep fryer or wok for 375. In a bowl mix pancake mix, eggs O.J. coconut milk and cayenne pepper. Holding by the tail dip each shrimp into the batter, roll in the coconut and drop into bubbling oil. Do not over crowd the fryer; cooking several batches as necessary. Fry until shrimp are golden brown; about 3 minutes. (Don’t over cook, as the shrimp gets tough). Drain on a brown bag. Serve hot.

Sweet Potato Salad

1/4-cup canola oil or macadamia nut oil

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Juice of one lemon

2 inches ginger, peeled and minced

1/2-teaspoon cinnamon

1/4-teaspoon nutmeg

Whisk all ingredients to blend in small bowl. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

6 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams), peeled, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1 cup chopped green onions

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 cup Macadamia nuts

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup brown raisins

Steam sweet potatoes in batches until potatoes are just tender, about 10 minutes per batch. Transfer sweet potatoes to large bowl. Cool to room temperature. Add green onions, parsley, macadamia nuts, and all raisins. Pour dressing over; toss gently to blend. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.

Coconut Pound Cake

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

3 cups sugar

1/4-teaspoon salt

6 eggs

1-teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

1-cup coconut milk

1 cup flaked coconut

Pre-heat oven to 325. Cream butter, sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, flour and milk. Fold in coconut. Pour batter into a loaf pan sprayed with bakers joy. Bake until toothpick comes out clean about 1 1/2 hours. Sprinkle with powder sugar mixed with coconut flakes. (I also like to sprinkle with edible flowers for a pretty presentation.)

Haleakala Ice Tea

1-gallon water

12 black tea bags

1-cup sugar

4 sprigs mint

3 cups pineapple juice

2 cups lemon juice

In a large pot bring water to a boil. Steep teabags and mint until very dark. Remove mint and teabags. Add sugar and juices. Stir to dissolve sugar pour into containers and refrigerate. Serve with ice and fresh sprigs of mint and pineapple spears.

Check out more outdoor movie screenings, food, festivals, shopping and more for this weekend’s fun.

Over the Hill: Rooftop Cinema, Cocktails and Dinner

Remember when? "Paper Moon" is screening on Sunday as part of the Rooftop Cinema series at The Palihouse.

If you’re wondering what chef Gary Menes (late of the recently shuttered Marche in Sherman Oaks) is doing, you can find him at Palihouse Holloway — a boutique urban lodge in West Hollywood.  Menes is  manning The Hall, Courtyard Brasserie with French inspired meals. Special this summer is the Summer Sunday Rooftop Cinema. This Sunday, the film screening is Paper Moon starring Ryan O’Neal and Tatum O’Neal.  Enjoy cocktail hour and a picnic dinner at 7 pm on the rooftop followed by the screening at 8 pm. Choose from three different gourmet sandwich selections : L’Americaine — Smoked Chicken and Almond Salad Sandwich; L’Italiennne – Molunair salami, Burrata, Arugula and Tomato Aioli; L’Anglaise — Herb Shallot Cream Cheese Sandwich. All sandwiches come with a unique seasonal salad and a sweet treat ($19-21).  Cocktails, wine and beer run $5-$10.  Chill out on the Sweet Tea Vodka Lemonade $5.  Seating is limited so reservations are a must.  Email: cinema@palihouse.com

Trunk Show and Sales Event at Roni B

Diamond Dogtags

Actress/model Donna Guidry will show her jewelry line, bijoutiere on Saturday, July 24 from 1-5 at Roni B in Sherman Oaks. Guidry, who has designed jewelry for 15 years specializes in custom precious metals and gems. Her designs have appeared on celebrities in television shows, commercials and major motion pictures. bijoutiere’s current collections include: Lace & Grace, Diamond Dogs, Charmed…I’m Sure, Jammin’ Jewels, Shimmer and Shine, and Faith and Hope.    An added perk: Roni B is giving 30% off all  accessories on Saturday only —  this includes Lingerie, Belts, Hats, Handbags, Headbands, Scarves, Sleep-sets, Nighties, Slips, and Panties. 13626 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks (818) 501-5115

American Heroes Air Show

Be part of the action.

Be part of the action in the air and on the ground when real-life heroes who save lives and protect communities every day are honored at the nation’s premier, helicopter–only, admission-free aviation event designed to profile rotary-wing aviation’s dynamic role in law enforcement, public safety, communications, Search & Rescue as well as homeland security and national defense. Free Admission & Parking.  Sat, Jul 24, 9am – 4 pm – Hansen Dam Recreation Center, 11480 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace. www.heroes-airshow.com

Nanny McPhee at Movies on the Green

Free movies at Warner Center

This week Movies on the Green  presents “Nanny McPhee” starring Oscar winner, Emma Thompson,  in this adaptation of the “Nurse Mathilda” books.  It’s the tale of Nanny McPhee who comes to the house of Mr. Brown and his seven ill-behaved children. They have gone through seventeen nannies before her and see Nanny McPhee as no different. However, she seems to have mystical powers that start to control them and lead to startling consequences in this magical comedy. FREE. Sat, July 24, 7 – 10 pm – Warner Center Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills. www.valleycultural.org/concerts-movies/movie-schedule

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find. Got an event, sale, deal, idea? Email: Karen@mydailyfind.com

Shelly Beals is the Fry Girl.

This past Tuesday morning a pink van pulled up in front of Jennifer Evans Gardner’s Little Feet in the Kitchen cooking school in Studio City, bringing with it a very welcome “guest chef” to eight students ages 10 to 13 — The Fry Girl, Shelley Beals, was in the house.

Beals did a live demo of the doughnut-making process for the cooking camp students. Within 45 minutes, the scent of warm sugar doughnuts filled the air, rousing neighbors from their homes for samples of Beals’ famous mini-doughnuts. She had hands flailing as she passed out hundreds of insanely delicious warm mini-doughnuts in flavors such as Cinnamon, Vermont Maple, Vanilla, Raspberry and Oreo Cookie.

Beals’ donuts are a big deal in the Hollywood party circuit because they contain no trans fats and each donut only has 1 gram of fat, 26 calories and 3.5 grams of carbs. Sweet and not so bad for you!

Tween campers ages 10-13 enjoyed the doughnut making experience.

The Fry Girl will be at the  LA Street Food Fest at the Rose Bowl this Saturday. For more information on some of The Fry Girl Inc’s other goodies (think funnel cakes, gourmet french fries & more), or to book her for your next party, go to: www.thefrygirlinc.com. For more information about the Little Feet in the Kitchen Cooking School, based out of the home of cookbook author/food writer Jennifer Evans Gardner, go to:http://www.littlefeetinthekitchen.com

When I moved to Studio City in 1998, my very first find, years before My Daily Find was even germinating in my mind, was a home furnishings and design store called The Crimson Rooster that was housed in the Ventura Boulevard cottage now occupied by Canyon Beachwear. It was owned by Michael McHugh and his partner, Tom Connor, and had opened that same year with instant success. Sadly, the store closed four years later when Tom passed away.

Flash forward to 2010 when I spot a new store called Filigree on Ventura Blvd and Laurel Grove in Studio City that reminds me of The Crimson Rooster with windows filled with beautiful fabrics, pillows, ceramics, paintings and furniture evoking the same sense of a Hamptons, Connecticut  or New England lifestyle.

John Robshaw Bedding and textiles (above) will be shown at a sales event party on July 22 from 5-8 pm; One of a kind furniture like this bench can be designed by Michael McHigh at Filigree. Photos: Pavel Matsusik

I meandered in and started perusing around when I heard my name — “Karen?” I looked up and it was Michael McHugh — the man who spent hours with me and helped turn my house into a home.  I was thrilled.  Turns out Filigree is his store which he owns with his sister, Beth Matsusik, and her husband, Pavel Matsusik. Together they have re-created the spirit of The Crimson Rooster, only doubled in size with an even larger and more appointed inventory.

Once the location of a clothing store, Filigree feels like an east coast home anchored by a floor to ceiling stone fireplace designed by Michael. With a refined rustic theme permeating every corner, it is a sophisticated and classic full scale home furnishing shop complete with a collection that includes John Robshaw, Pamela Kline , Ralph Lauren (exclusive line for Filigree), Chelsea of London Textiles, Les Indiennes, Astier de Villate Ceramics and many more upscale designers.

Refined, sophisticated rustic defines the Filigree style. They even design for pets in mind too.

This Begere chaise is custom-made; Whimsical photo by Pavel Matsusik

There are also one-of-a-kind pieces such as various antiques, a  coffee table made from a Chinese window frame and arranged under glass, an antique shutter console, and filigree lampshades made by a Czechoslovakian artist. The art on the walls is by Susan Hovel who paints American Primitive works exclusively for Filigree. She can also be commissioned for original art work. Unique photographs are by Pavel Matustik and are available for sale. Especially delightful are his images of rooftops resembling a face. Unique to the shop is 3D  porcelain wallpaper in various shapes such as roses, birds,  crosses and airplanes designed by artist Daniel Birsc.

In addition to furniture and textiles, there are also wonderful independent pieces such as clocks, mirrors, candlesticks, vases, plates, rugs, throws and so much more.  If you don’t see what you want,  Michael can order  or design according to specifications.

All kinds of accessories, such as these clocks and 3-D wallpaper by artist Daniel Birsc are available.

Michael offers in home consultations for $250, but then deducts it from purchases. His personal service runs the gamut from scaled floor plans to working on renovations to finding or building furniture, and accessorizing the home.

And with the belief that a house is truly not a home without a pet, Filigree has many pet friendly design materials, such as Dash and Albert rugs, that enable people and animals to live together with décor that is practical and sophisticated. There’s even a selection of wonderful dog books.

Hey Michael, nice to have you home.

This Thursday, July 22, from 5-8 pm, Filigree will be hosting a special John Robshaw sales event with wine and light refreshments highlighting his bedding, pillow and textiles at 15 % off all in-stock items and 10% off special orders.

Filigree 12262 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 818-508-0560 www.filigreestore.com

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find.  Got suggestions? Questions? Email karen@mydailyfind.com

The Miche handbag  is  one of those “why didn’t I think of that” inventions.  It’s the  purse  with change, real change — meaning it’s convertible.  I nearly flipped when I walked into Two Tomatoes in Sherman Oaks’ Moorpark Village and saw the possibilities. Imagine traveling with only one purse that converts to multiple purses without taking up space?

These small handbags with a shell covers that convert the bag into a whole other look. Photos: Karen Young

The handbag is available in two sizes.  The small ($21.50-$25.50) comes in black, brown and cream.  The large ($36.50-$39) comes in black only.  The beauty of these bags is their versatility  because instead of having one handbag, you can change the look with a special outer shell wrap that magnetically attaches to the plain bag itself ($25.50-39). Choose from over 50 different styles for the small bag and 17 for the large bag.  Change the handles as well — long strap, short strap, chain strap ($15).  Dress to impress with a new bag a day!

Drop this plain handbag into one of the shells for a new look.

Two Tomatoes owner Diane Fonteboa says the handbags are so popular, she can’t keep all the designs in stock. The good news is that she can place an order for you without shipping cost.   Check out the purses as well as the other wonderful gift items in this very special store.

$5 of each purchase of the large LOVE handbag is donated to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Two Tomatoes 13251 Moorpark Street Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 788-7788 (in Moorpark Village in back of M Street Coffee, east of Fulton)

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find. Email: karen@mydailyfind.com