Erin O'Brien

In a city that’s known for good-looking people, it can be tough to keep up with the latest trends. To clue us all in to the season’s hottest looks, ShoeDazzle hosted a Summer Soiree where E! celebrity stylist Lindsay Albanese gave the scoop on the must-have shoes for summer and how to wear the shoe look that just won’t go away. Gladiator Sandals Lace up sandals (Gladiators) are a must-have that really elevate any outfit and make a great summer style that looks even better when paired with bronzed legs. Albanese suggests styling them with streamlined minimalist basics for a look that's polished bohemian. Brown and tan hues Brown and tan hues are an important palette for summer, and a big contrast to the bright trend that is also having a big moment this season. Albanese explains, “A crisp white summer dress or white on white outfit will always pair perfectly with brown sandals while giving a bit of contrast.” Slides Slides are the new flip-flop. They’re the perfect casual sandal all summer long and a chic alternative (Hear that, LA? Let’s class it up). “The best part of the slide is its easy on, easy off functionality," says Albanese. "The simplistic design also makes it effortlessly compliment a variety of summer outfits.” 1970s platforms 1970s platforms are back, but translated to more sleek and modern silhouettes. Advice from the Albanese: “It's all about subtle '70s touches to avoid looking costumey. Add one '70s style piece to a look and you've aced this season’s m

The best coffee brewer in America lives in Los Angeles. Her name is Sarah Anderson, and she’s about to compete in the World Brewer’s Cup this week in Gothenburg, Sweden. It's put on by the same organization that stages the World Barista Championship and the World Latte Art Championship, but this event is all about brewing a quality cup of coffee. A senior barista at Intelligentsia’s Pasadena store, Anderson placed first in the Southwestern Regional Brewer’s Cup. Months later, she won the U.S. Brewer’s Cup, which qualified her for the world championship. Each competition entails a presentation for a panel of judges, who taste the brew while hot, warm and cold. The preparation leading up to the main event is about perfecting every step of the process—from the selection of coffee, to roasting, to picking a manual brew method and then being able to precisely describe this process to the panel. Though it may seem nerve-wracking, Anderson puts it in perspective. “The competition is a platform for innovation. You take something simple like combining ground coffee and water and make it even better,” she says. “During the competition, it’s me and three judges, and I get to talk about something I love to people who are really interested.” For World, Sarah took a slight risk by selecting a coffee that no one has ever had before. She describes it as the “Mother of Arabica,” which is what you’d find at a specialty shop. What appeals to her is the coffee’s unique flavor and overall scarcit

Danny Zuko sums it up best in the beginning of Grease: "Summer loving had me a blast, summer loving happened so fast." That's exactly how a summer fling should be... short, exciting and well, here are some more lyrics from "Summer Nights" to guide you through your fling this season. "Summer heat, boy and girl meet." With our fine summer weather here in LA, there tend to be even more social events to meet new people, friends of friends and potential flings. When you're at all your barbecues, weddings, bonfires and outdoor movies this summer, keep an eye out for a potential Danny to your Sandy. "Summer fling, don’t mean a thing." Okay, that's a little harsh, but really flings aren't supposed to be super serious. If your Mr./Ms. Right Now starts getting weird on you, put out the flames. It's supposed to be casual. (To be fair, you should also make sure that's clear from the beginning.) "Summer sun, something's begun." There's so many things to do in LA this summer, and you have a standing date to everything now! Plus everyone's wearing a little bit less clothing and all hot and bothered from the high temps, you should probably make a bucket list of places to um, kiss and stuff. "Summer dreams, ripped at the seams." As we head into fall and the weather starts to cool a bit, so will your relationship. That's okay, you knew this was coming! And you'll still be able to look back and be like, "oh, those summer nights." Need to entertain that guy or girl you met on Tinder? Here are so

Have you ever gone on a few dates with someone and thought it was going well, only for them to totally disappear? Of course you have—you live in Los Angeles and it’s 2015. It leaves you wondering why you're still single, doesn’t it? That’s exactly what Lea Thau wanted to know in the four-episode series called “Love Hurts” on her KCRW show, Strangers. Looking for answers, she interviewed guys who turned her down, two dating experts and even a guy she rejected. Each episode was poignant and thought-provoking and shed light not only on Thau’s experiences, but the “state of the date” overall. As follow-up to this “Love Hurts” series, KCRW and Strangers are hosting Strangers-No-More Party: Singles Edition tonight at The Wellesbourne. A chance to become strangers-no-more with fellow singles, the event is free and open to those 21 and older. According to the event page, you can bring single friends and meet other single strangers because “producer Lea Thau will make sure you do!” If you plan to check it out, you can RSVP on the Strangers Facebook page. And if you can’t make it out, tune into Strangers the next time you’re sitting in traffic and pondering the state of your love life. Want to commiserate a little more about being in single in LA? So do we. 

A new dating app that takes the question “what’s your sign?” to the next level launched this week in Los Angeles. More than just a cheesy pickup line, Align is based on astrology and will spare your thumbs the hot-or-not side effect of swiping left and right. Co-founders of the app, Aliza Faragher and Helen Grossman (both Leos, as am I), began building Align ten months ago after some underwhelming experiences on a variety of dating platforms. So, using an “astrogorithm” (astrology + algorithm), the app bestows users with “Astrology 2.0” to connect you with matches suited for your sign. This isn’t your kooky aunt’s mystical magic, and the idea is to get a sense of your match’s energy and what a date with them might be like. Align helps you understand yourself and how you can relate to all signs rather than limiting your matches to certain signs. For example, when I asked Faragher and Grossman which sign I should date they explained Leos can match with anyone, as long as they give us enough attention. (Hear that boys? Look at me!) Here’s how it works... 1. Once you log in through Facebook, you input your birthday and the app logs your sign based on the date. It generates a list of traits and emojis and you get to select six that act as your bio. That’s right, you can identify with an emoji. 2. Next you set your preferences, before being presented with the constellation screen. Here, you’ll see yourself in the center, surrounded by potential matches whose astrological compatibil

If you've ever dreamed of being in one of those relationships where you go on morning runs with your significant other and end the day by clinking glasses of wine while staring longingly into each other's eyes, but you're still single, I've got just the place for you to meet someone. The Chardonnay Run is this Sunday at the Santa Monica Pier. And I don’t mean a “chardonnay run” like, “Hey guys, I’m going on a Chardonnay run, need anything from the store?” This is a 5K with wine at the finish line. The run begins at 9am, 9:30am and 10am at Ocean View Park and ends at the Santa Monica Pier, where participants can enjoy wine and cheese, food trucks and live music. Plus, you’ll be helping out a good cause, since the run benefits the Surfrider Foundation. You can sign up day-of ($70—probably not the cheapest glass of wine, but you earned it), and if you’re just interested in the wine, you can purchase a spectator pass ($40) for access to the post-race party. Cheers to finding your perfect running mate! You may also see these 6 folks on your Santa Monica jaunt.

There are nights you go out, and there are nights you go all in. On Friday, my friends and I went all in to celebrate a pal’s birthday, and we did it at Jumbo’s Clown Room. Just a group of friends having a girls' night. This is a condensed version of the main events of the night, including some helpful tips for your next trip there. 1. I’m too cold to stand in line. Thanks to my Southern California roots, I really can't tolerate temperatures below 72 and sunny. So, when the line wasn’t moving, I decided to see if there was a way around it. As it turns out, you can skip the line if you buy a Jumbo’s Clown Room hat or T-shirt! My friends and I were more than willing to hand over 20 bucks a piece to get inside, and I’m actually quite thrilled about my tee from this LA landmark. 2. Um, now what? Once we were in we went straight to the bar. I like to act like I’m really cool and confident, but I was strangely nervous inside, even though I’d been there before. A little drink to take the edge off was the answer, and the space is tiny so we still had a great view as we waited (and waited) for our drinks. 3. Who are you, kind sir? And why are you handing me a wad of cash? After my friends and I got our drinks, the man next to us at the bar started slipping us ones to tip the dancers. Eventually, he handed me a stack of bills and simply said, "enjoy." Though I second-guessed his intentions at first, he really just wanted us to have a good time (while he watched, of course) and at risk

My wildest childhood dreams are coming true, Full House is coming back! Next summer on Netflix, we’ll all get to reunite with DJ, Stephanie and Kimmy during 13 episodes of the spin-off, Fuller House. Check out John Stamos' announcement on Jimmy Kimmel Live!     To honor this heartwarming news, here are eight lessons about love from the Tanner crew. 1. Some guys are jerks, but it will be okay. DJ’s first boyfriend dumped her for the “prettier” Kathy Santoni (who ended up pregnant her senior year). If a guy’s that shallow, you’re better off anyway. 2. Sisters before misters. DJ totally forgot about Kimmy’s 16th birthday because she got so wrapped up in her date with Steve. She had to scramble at the last minute to get it together. Love is love, but a girl's sweet 16 isn't to be neglected. 3. Hug it out. No heart-to-heart was complete without a hug in the Tanner family. 4. You don’t have to get married to grow up. Stephanie wanted to move out of the house because she was feeling ignored and left out as the middle child. So of course, her solution was to get her friend Harry to marry her. As it turns out, her family did care abut her (shocker!) and they hugged it out. Moral of the story? Marriage isn't always the answer.  5. Don’t Go Skydiving Before Your Wedding. Duh, Uncle Jesse! 6. Breakups can be civil. DJ decided she needed some time on her own to figure out who she was, without Steve. Mature move, girl—although I wouldn't advise breaking up with someone while you’re standi

Happy fifth birthday, Brokechella! For those not at Coachella this weekend, we got to experience that same hippy-dippy festival vibe with an urban twist in industrial Downtown for just twenty bucks. What started as a monthly art party in 2011 by cARTel: Collaborative Arts LA, Brokechella has turned into a festival and celebration of local talent with a mix of LA's diverse music scene, artists, creators and brands. Here's Brokechella by the numbers: 4 stages. Downtown LA served as the backdrop for the main stage outdoors—with the 6th street bridge towering behind while trains came and went in the background. Warehouses housed three additional stages, and the layout made it easy to go from a singer-songwriter's sweet tunes one minute to intense EDM dance parties the next. 8 artists. "Art Alley" was made up of collaborative, interactive installations, paintings and photography. The main room featured head to toe art, quite literally, with some of artist Frank Rozasy's 800 pieces lining the ground under your feet. This room was also home to the Ladies Arm Wrestling League tournament, which raised money for charity. 50+ acts. From garage rockers to folksy singer-songwriters, underground EDM to rising rappers, the eclectic lineup had something for everyone. Local acts like Oyls, Battle Tapes and Smoke Season (personal fave) were among the headliners on the main stage, with a variety of electronic sounds and beats inside. There were even comedians! Though, it was a tough crowd for t

Los Angeles, home of the transplant! But as a native myself, I love the gross overgeneralizations about the fine folk in Tinseltown. Everyone’s beautiful, no one eats gluten. With a bit of truth behind each stereotype, it makes the City of Angels an interesting place to date. These are the seven types of guys you're likely to come across on your LA dating journey. 1. The Comedian. This guy usually has a day job and spends his nights and weekends working the comedy circuit. He's great if you have a good sense of humor, unless he's threatened by it because you're funnier than he is. Depending on his genre of comedy he'll likely turn everything into a sketch scene, a bit or a "yes, and" moment. 2. The Actor. Los Angeles—where dreams come true, where every server is an aspiring actor! Actor types are usually really passionate and hardworking, which brings a lot of positives to the table, but can also make it hard to date. For example, trying to make plans with this guy can be tricky, between his day job, auditions, call backs, workouts, dietary restrictions and being on set. You can tell how much work an actor gets by how much he talks about it. In my experience, working actors hate to talk about it, whereas those hoping for work love to talk about it to no end. 3. The Musician. Ever-inspired, musicians are dreamy. It's hot when someone is super passionate about something. Add a guitar or drums to the mix and you've got yourself a babe magnet. They tend to be creative and emotion

It's officially spring and wedding season is well underway. Weddings are the best. You get to celebrate people you (hopefully) like, while wearing fancy attire, while drinking booze and dancing with friends and strangers alike. However, when you're single, weddings may also shine a really freaking bright light on just how alone you are. 1. The engagement. These days it begins with social media before you even get a text or—goodness forbid—a phone call from your friend about the recent engagement. You innocently open up Instagram and BAM! There's a huge diamond ring in your face. You double tap with one hand while pouring a glass of wine with the other, leave a congratulatory comment and mass text your friends to comment on the ring/manicure/future life-mate of your friend. 2. The invitation. Will you get a plus one? If you don't, how rude! Sure, you're single now but what if you meet the love of your life a month before the wedding?! If you do, who the heck will you take? Asking someone in advance is risky if you're not in a serious relationship. Basically, it's a lose-lose situation. 3. The bachelorette party. This is an element of wedding season you get to really enjoy. While your engaged friend sports a sash and veil in public in the name of marriage, loyalty and commitment, you get to flirt with hot guys. Amen, sister. 4. The dress. Whatever will you wear? If you're not in the wedding, you have to find something that's appropriate for wedding season and won't outshine the

I don’t know about you, but I tend to hibernate from dating in the Winter and then right around the first week of Spring I’m ready to flirt again—almost like clockwork. It must be something about the sunny weather and longer days, and it turns out I’m not alone. By analyzing 9.6 million conversations, over 850,000 signups and more than 66 million member sessions, Zoosk has found that 'Spring Dating Fever' does indeed exist. According to the dating site, there were 34-percent more first messages sent daily and 28-percent more “deep conversations” started in Spring. So, if you're one of the many who belong to this group, here are a few first date ideas for when you take your conversation from online to real life. 1. Farmers' Market + Picnic. LA is lucky to have some great farmers' markets, and they’re a great date setting for a nice stroll while perusing some produce and snacks to take to the park or beach for a breezy picnic. 2. The Grove. A lot of locals tend to hate on The Grove because of the big box stores and tourists with video cameras, but there’s so much to do there! You can start on the Farmer’s Market side with a snack and a beer, browsing the shops, and then head to the other side for some of the best people watching in the park by the fountains. 3. Playa Provisions. If you’re in the Playa Del Rey area, this spot has something for everyone including casual dining, a market counter for breakfast and lunch, small batch ice cream and a back-room whiskey bar. Plus, you