Hangin' with Jack Bauer

As if it's not distracting enough to work in an office, where nearby conversations, furies of keyboard clattering and different musical preferences are forced to meld together, add a Hollywood shoot to the environment and the level of perplexity becomes immediately intensified.

From Wednesday through Friday, the cast of the hit Fox show 24 took over the lobby, elevators and outdoor area of my office building, One Bunker Hill. Kiefer Sutherland and gang could be seen throughout the day acting in various different scenes, from some sort of bank heist, to action scenes in the elevators and on-foot chases overtaking the sidewalks.

Kiefer playing chess during a break on the set.

Freddie Prinze Jr. getting ready for shooting to begin.

Freddie and Kiefer in between takes. Photo taken from inside Coffee Bean, my coffee shop of choice.

It was clear from the hot dog stand, long line of yellow cabs, and extras dressed in buttoned-up black that the episode is meant to take place in NYC rather than LA. The only thing that remained true to the laid back style of the West coast was the relaxed nature of the crew, including Sutherland, who was nice enough to pose for a shot with me.

Kiefer and I before his next scene began.

BabyCakes: Open in Los Angeles

This past week in LA, the rain seemed to take over the city. It poured from morning to evening, and through the night for several days over. For whatever reason, the break from the sunshine made me want to slow down a little bit, and find new refuges to escape the divergent SoCal weather.

Via Style Section LA

After a long day in the office last Thursday, I decided to duck into BabyCakes, a new NYC-based bakery that just opened in downtown LA in Pacific Electric Lofts. The charmingly kitchy environment, casually cluttered with retro records, mismatched furniture and vintage artwork was a pleasant contrast from the seemingly endless rain that poured outside.

Via Style Section LA

Between the delicious carrot cupcakes with rich vanilla frosting, and the Alice-in-Wonderland reminiscent decor, BabyCakes definitely boasts an environment contrasting to that of your average cupcake shop. The antique-inspired plates and hidden-away location of this bakery make it feel quaint and almost mystical.

And, in a city where it's common to cross paths with filming locations and spot the occasional celeb, there's something to be said for that new, unique place that can make you forget make-believe is simply a state of mind.

Does Sprinkles Have Competition?

There are few things I love more than cupcakes, but competition is one of them. There's nothing like the freedom of options to either move your preferences from point A to point B, or to make you realize there's nothing better than that one bakery, shop, restaurant etc., you've been claiming as your favorite all along. That being said, I'm wondering if I should reexamine my love for Sprinkles Cupcakes after reading about a new baked goods manufacturer in The New York Times.

Photo via Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times

Melissa Bushell recently opened up Baked by Melissa, a bakery selling bite-sized, vibrantly-colored cupcakes in NYC. Because I have yet to taste these tiny treats, I'm blaming my curiosity primarily on the cupcake's cuteness-factor. My secondary enticement with these cupcakes is their value; prices start at $3 for three. I'm not sure if Sprinkles can beat that, but until I travel 2800 miles to NYC and find out, I'll just have to continue curbing my sweet-tooth with the original cupcake bakery.

Baked by Melissa is located 7 East 14th Street in NYC.