Last month my friend Alexis and I stopped by ReForm School in Silver Lake for the first time, and within minutes I spotted the Jill Bliss address book I’d been coveting. I also fell in love with a bright, beautiful papier mache bowl from Wola Nani, a collective of women artists in South Africa living with AIDS. I held steady at just two purchases, but it was tough. The owners, Billie and Tootie, have a great eye for all kinds of amazing, stylish handmade and recycled pieces, with an emphasis on the home — but there are also plenty of t-shirts, kids’ stuff, books, stationery, and accessories in the mix.

So hands down, it’s my favorite store in Los Angeles, and I’m so looking forward to their grand opening party this Saturday night! There will be door prizes, ukelele music from Uni, their fabulous Art-O-Mat dispensing art pieces, and 20% off everything in the store. Plus artist Lisa Congdon, who sells her striking quilted pillows in the shop, will be in attendance (and look for a solo show of her work there in February, too).

Hope to see you there — Andrew and I will be going on the early side, after dinner at my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood, the Kitchen.

p.s. I’ve also heard a rumor that ReForm School is going to start hosting MacGyver-style craft nights in the near future… stay tuned.