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Los Angeles friendship fun on a budget

For the sake of fun

Many of my columns focus on our innate need to spend quality time with friends—how it’s the best way to beat stress, and about its mood...
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Inexpensive entertaining; feeding your guests for less (plus a Bruschetta recipe)

Would you like to feed you guests without taking a bite out of your budget? One of the most important elements of entertaining is making your...
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How to host a wine tasting party, part two

What's with all the pretentiousness that goes along with drinking wine? I don't get it. This is the stuff peasants have been making in their farm...
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How to host a wine tasting party, part one

A totally hilarious, entertaining, and inexpensive way to socialize budget-consciously is to have a “blind” wine tasting party. It...
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When check splitting is an issue

Tip one: If you don't want to be bothered with dividing checks, a great place to dine out with your friends is a “fast casual”...
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Socializing in a recession; friendship and food

"Food is not about impressing people. It's about making them feel comfortable." Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa CookbookThere are...
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Friendship fun on a budget: flea market tips

Living in southern California, we are lucky to have the wonderful Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena. It’s not only a great place to hunt for...
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Friendship fun on a budget: remember recess?

Remember recess? Recess always brightened up an otherwise dreary day at school. What did you do at recess? You played with your friends, snacked,...
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Always sign the guest book! But don't be a schnorrer

Since posting my column on attending art gallery openings (for totally free entertainment), I have received two invitations to attend the chic, and...
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3 ways to find going out of business sales

It's always sad to see a store close due to economic hardship. However, try to see these types of sales in a positive light. You're able to buy...
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