The first thing you notice about Red O is the décor—it practically demands your attention. As envisioned by designer Gulla Jonsdottir (a former associate of Dodd Mitchell), the dining and bar interiors juggle tradition and modernity, celebration and intrigue with a dance of textures and colors, and continually emerging surprises, such as the swinging chairs and daybed in the main bar, retracting ceiling and walls of the patio room, Moorish ottomans and one-carved-piece wood bar in the lounge past the Tequila tunnel.

It happens. One day, we look in the mirror and see someone we don’t quite recognize. Whether time, the sun, or just the way nature has made us has brought our imperfections, it might be time to do something about it. But for many of us, plastic surgery can seem like such a serious move—a big commitment, a permanent change, and potentially a lot of downtime and explaining to our friends, family and colleagues.

“It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” So declared out second President John Adams about American Independence Day…although he originally envisioned it as July 2. This end of the continent, to be sure, knows how to celebrate the Fourth of July in fine form. There are so many fireworks displays in and around Los Agneles that it’s difficult to list them all. But of course, there are other forms of celebration as well. Here’s our Haute 5:

Everyone across the country can watch the cheftestants on Bravo’s Top Chef challenge themselves with new creations every week, But we in Los Angeles have the advantage of enjoying the cooking of several of those Top Chef contenders, and even winners, in person. As Top Chef Michael Voltaggio announced his departure from the Huntington Langham hotel after July17 (to pursue his own restaurant), I decided it was time to get a jump on the next wave and visit the two Los Angeles-based cheftestants for this new season.

The weather of Los Angeles coupled with the dearness of real estate make this city perhaps one of the capitals of outdoor dining in the country (at least in square footage). And from seaside to mountains, there are also so many vistas to consider. Hear are some favorites:

The LA Zoo is always a fun, wholesome and educational way to spend an afternoon with the kids. But did you know there are some more exclusive and elegant ways to enjoy and support the animals?

It’s rare that I blog about private events that I attend but are not open to all. However, last week I was invited to an “Eco Salon” at the Residences at W Hollywood that was so full of nice discoveries, I thought they should be shared.

Josiah Citrin is on a mission. Not just to maintain and grow the finest modern French-inspired cuisine in Los Angeles at his restaurant Melisse (Two Michelin Stars). Something more.

“We have a great restaurant city,” he says, “and don’t get the credit for it.”

It’s a rare occasion for me to post two blogs in one day, but this weekend’s APLA event can’t go without notice. One of the biggest social and charity events of the year here is the Art Project Los Angeles Auction—a collaboration of AIDS Project Los Angeles and Bonham & Butterfield auction house.