A girl dressed in a German style dirndl holds a camera on the left. A girl in hula attire holding a camera stands on the right. In the middle text reads "YOUR SOUVENIR PHOTO FROM Clifton's Los Angeles, California." Below a ribbon reads "The Brookdale The Pacific Seas" Images of a deer, church, water wheel, thatch hut, ukulele, and pineapple.

The Lost Art of Nite Club Souvenir Photos

April 29, 2020, 9 Comments

It’s no secret I’m a fan of collecting vintage California souvenirs, and awhile back Patrick and I stumbled upon a souvenir photo from the Hollywood Palladium, which was tucked inside a delightful folder. It combined my love of California souvenirs and his love of photography, so we decided to start collecting vintage nite club souvenir…

Vilma the Unconquerable

January 15, 2018, 3 Comments

Last December I had the pleasure of meeting sisters Miriam and Victoria, who I found out had quite the amazing treasure in their family. Their mother, Vilma, had been a camera girl at the legendary Clifton’s Cafeteria, as well as at other hot spots in old LA, including Chinatown and The Pike. Not only was…

The Hidden Tiki Bar Inspired by a Long Lost Tropical Paradise

November 13, 2016, 2 Comments

April 2026 Update: After years of ups and downs and intermittent closures, Clifton’s has new owners. I hope that the change will result in more regular hours. After much anticipation, Clifton’s (which I have blogged about on several previous occasions, including its grand re-opening, Thanksgiving, and the first Fur & Feathers in LA) finally opened…

Fur & Feathers Comes to LA!

January 19, 2016, 9 Comments

Just a little preface: This post will show a lot of vintage fur. To read my views on fur please read this post. Please also note that unkind comments will be deleted from the comments section. Long time readers of my blog will remember an annual event that Julie of FabGabs Vintage would put on,…

Thanksgiving at Clifton’s

November 27, 2015, 19 Comments

April 2026 Update: After years of ups and downs and intermittent closures, Clifton’s has new owners. I hope that the change will result in more regular hours. When Patrick and I heard that Clifton’s was doing a special Thanksgiving meal we instantly decided that is what we were going to do for the holiday. I’m…

Clifton’s Cafeteria At Last

September 22, 2015, 11 Comments

April 2026 Update: After years of ups and downs and intermittent closures, Clifton’s has new owners. I hope that the change will result in more regular hours. When I think about iconic old Los Angeles, a few places immediately spring to mind. The Bradbury Building, LA City Hall, Angels Flight, Griffith Observatory, and Clifton’s Cafeteria.…

Atomic Redhead

Clifton’s Brookdale

The Lost Art of Nite Club Souvenir Photos

Vilma the Unconquerable

The Hidden Tiki Bar Inspired by a Long Lost Tropical Paradise

Fur & Feathers Comes to LA!

Thanksgiving at Clifton’s

Clifton’s Cafeteria At Last