—Jenn Garbee
BEST GROWLER FILLER-UPPER
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Until recently, finding a brewery that would fill up your growler (beer-speak for a 64-ounce jug) with a bold, full-bodied Belgium-style craft beer required a road trip to San Diego. Enter The Bruery in Placentia, where owner and brewer Patrick Rue will gladly pump up Orchard White (an unfiltered witbier scented with coriander and citrus peel), Black Orchard (black wheat beer), or whatever special brews he happens to have on tap into your awaiting super-sized growler To-Go. It’s a neat trick for saving money on beer you plan to drink in the next day or two, but the beer won’t stay fresh very long. If you don’t have a growler, you can buy one at The Bruery, or stick with the 750 ml bottles for $8 to $11. That may sounds steep for beer, but these are higher-alcohol, almost wine-like brews that favor sipping rather than slugging. Or swing by the tasting room for a $6 tasting flight or pint of your favorite pick. 715 Dunn Way, Placentia. (714) 996-6258, thebruery.com.
—Jenn Garbee
BEST ONE-STOP SORCERER’S SHOP
Conveniently located in the rock & roll heart of Hollywood, Objets d’Art & Spirit is an affordable way to get your inner witch on. They’ve got bath salts and candles infused with all the magick you need to manifest millions, or Mr. Right, plus shelves overflowing with talismans and books and crystals and jewelry. Still, as awesome as all the pretty, shiny things may be, it’s their superwonderful witchy oils that are worthy of all the fuss. The tiny boutique carries more than 600 blends of magickal oils — tiny bottles filled with potent, brightly colored potions infused with herbs and twigs and sesame seeds and dragon spit. The selection covers every imagining under the sun, including: Otter Spirit, Abundance, Win a Court Case, Avert Evil Eye, Come to Me, Grounding, House Blessing, Serenity, Nymph, Thoth, Yoni, Success in the Arts and Dove’s Blood. They’ve got oils for voudou spirits, archangels, Greek gods, Hindu deities, chakras, astrological signs, even one called Become Invisible and another, Bend Over, for. well, for becoming invisible and for bending over, right? The tiny bottles cost $7.50 a pop, so if you’re torn between Attract a Man, Attract a Lover, Attract a Soulmate, Attract a Husband, Get a Rich Husband and Bend Over, worry not, you can afford ’em all. 7529 Sunset Blvd., L.A. (323) 436-5238, objetsdartandspirit.com.
—Dani Katz
BEST $20 CLOTHING RACK
The cozy Native boutique is in Franklin Village right next to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and Birds, and directly across from the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center. You’ll like this funky store if you shop the fashions at Melrose Avenue’s Jigsaw or Planet Funk. For shoppers on a tight budget, though, there are some great finds on its outdoor rack — many really cute items for $20. Every week there’s a new sidewalk selection, often including flowery, Gypsy-style tops, summer halter dresses and formal, shiny, evening gowns. We saw one shopper pick up a sweet fuschia-colored gown for just $20. The location is handy to the Hollywood Freeway (Gower exit), although it can take a bit of patience to find parking. They’re open late so if you’re in a crisis, facing a last-minute date or party and need something great but quick, one of the friendly staffers can set you up. Our preferred tactic is to shop, then gorge nearby at one of the the French, Japanese or Italian restaurants. 5915 Franklin Ave., Hlywd. (323) 962-7710. Open daily.
—Christine Pelisek
