FROM LEFT: Brittny Gastineau at Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom’s wedding; Jason Binn with Christian and Ira Audigier at a Los Angeles Confidential party; Jason and his wife, Haley
'Tis the Season
This year was one of challenges and growth for us all. With the holidays upon us, we have a chance to reflect on how fortunate we are—especially living in Los Angeles. Support our community this season by exploring the great new restaurants popping up on our dining scene (page 106) and the latest crop of stores to open their doors for all your gift-giving needs (page 86). And if you want to add some glitz to your holiday, check out our accessories and fashion pages for everything from sequins to diamond watches.
Looking for some more charitable ways to give back? Get inspired by actor Topher Grace (page 66), who shines a light on The Art of Elysium’s incredible work connecting actors, artists and musicians to children fighting serious illnesses. There’s no lack of opportunity to get involved in our city, and The Art of Elysium is just one of the many phenomenal organizations helping Angelenos.
We’re excited to usher in 2010 with you and look forward to another year filled with coverage of this amazing city and the events, culture, trends, philanthropic efforts and, of course, fun that defines it.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
JASON BINN
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/jasonbinn.
From Snow to Sunshine
I moved to LA during the holiday season. Fresh from eight years in Aspen, Colorado—perhaps the most picturesque place in the country to spend the holidays—it was hard for me to believe LA could contain one smidge of spirit, considering all its endless sunshine and lack of, well, weather. I remember wandering through the Westfield Century City mall in flip-flops in December listening to Christmas carols being played over the sound system and thinking how odd it all seemed, how out of place. How could I be hot and singing along to “The weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful…?”
But as time and more holiday seasons passed, I’ve come to understand you don’t need subzero temperatures to have spirit, and maybe you don’t even need snow to create a winter wonderland.
In this issue we focus on all Los Angeles has to offer this month and highlight how some of our favorite Angelenos celebrate. From the endless spirited festivities at local malls and shopping centers to Holly Madison giving us her favorite activities of the season, we prove LA can rival any locale when it comes to enjoying the holidays. And once you see our decadent gift guide, I have no doubt you’ll be excited to start checking people off your shopping list. If you’re like me and need to get in your skiing or boarding fix, check out our travel story to find out everything you need to know to hit some great slopes without crossing the state line.
Ever since I discovered I can break my scarves, hats and gloves out of storage for the Ice at Santa Monica skating rink and get snowed on at The Grove—OK, it’s fake snow but it’s white and comes from above, so it works—I realized you don’t need to be freezing to have an authentic holiday (please don’t tell my Aspen friends).
Enjoy the season!
SARI ANNE TUSCHMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Want to know more about what we’re up to at Los Angeles Confidential? Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/ sarituschmanLA and check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/la.confidential.
ABOVE: Max Lugavere, Sari Tuschman and Jason Silva at a Los Angeles Confidential party
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEAN BAPTISTE LACROIX/WIREIMAGE.COM (GASTINEAU); BRIAN KILLIAN/WIREIMAGE.COM (BINN); VINCE GONZALES/WIREIMAGE.COM (AUDIGIER, TUSCHMAN)
