Fix Coffee in Echo Park

I love this bathroom, and  have been meaning to post on it for a while. I finally got in there for some pics on Friday. First of all, it's always clean. I used to frequent Chango, another Echo Park coffee shop, but I've moved on to Fix because it's just far superior. Coffee is better, the people are nicer, and the outdoor seating is just quaint and fab. Good people watching, too. 

They have a few things in this bathroom that really set it apart. Look above, and notice what's on the paper towel dispensor? Yeah, that's lotion. That's really nice for those of us that wash our hands several times a day, because we get dried out. And for those of you who don't wash your hands several times a day- you're disgusting. Lotion. Sweet perk. 

Now, you might be thinking to yourself that this bathroom doesn't look like much, but it's actually glorious. These photographs don't really do it justice. But check out this floor, it's so lovely: 

It does kinda' make your eyes feel funny, so don't stare at it to long, but it's one of those bumpy cool floors that makes you want to take your shoes off and walk on it barefoot. Of course, please don't, this is a bathroom after all. 

Now, before you get too dizzy, distract yourself with this: 

That's right, Cottonelle wipes. Oh, my, god. You really raised the bar, Fix. You know what's up. Sometimes first thing in the morning, after you've checked your email and had that first cup of strong coffee- you just need to take a giant shit. And sure, sometimes it's a little messy. What's the best way to clean yourself up and get that freah-and-so-clean-clean feeling again? Cottonelle wipes. Wow, I've never seen these in a public bathroom of any kind before, so I am seriously impressed (and clean). 

Lastly, the toilet comes out of the wall, and I dig it. Yeah, it's bizzare, but design wise it's really fab.  This bathroom gets a straight up A+ from me. Thank you, Fix. Thank you very much. 

Back by Po(o)pular Demand!

The LA Bathroom Blog has been on a "brief" hiatus, but... we're back! Proverbial we... 

To start off, I take issue with the picture above. Yes, I took it, but mostly to spark this conversation: not ALL air freshener should be sprayed. Some are just disgusting. Lysol, for instance, you're not where it's at. Not even remotely. On the other hand, Febreze, you are the homie. If you're a business owner looking to stock your bathroom with a subtle way that your patrons can cover their stench, please buy Febreze. Jesus. 

The picture above was taken in the same bathroom as this one: 

That's a damn good question to ask yourself while taking a shit. It also might send you into a panic-- what AM I going to do with this life??? But, please, calm yourself. 

More importantly, WHERE were these pictures taken??? I remember being with friends, going to the bathroom to take pics (this is normal, though, so wait for it...), and that's pretty much it. I remember showing the pics to my friends... but I got nuthin' else. 

I'd like to say that I remember this bathroom being lovely. But, I don't. I remember only that I enjoyed the sign and reading the graffiti. Though a very cleanly Jew, I do really enjoy some bathroom wall graffiti. Blame it on high school. 

Anyone recognize this bathroom? You might get a special prize... 

Tucked Away in San Diego

I have mentioned before that I am not a fan of the urinal in the onesy bathroom- it just seems unnecessary.  If only one person is using the loo at a time, then way can't the gentlemen just use the toilet?  Us ladies don't love to look at those things- you never know, they might tempt us to try to pee in them, and that's gotta' be messy.  On the other hand, I was thinking about it when using the bathroom at Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites in San Diego, and realized, hey! This is a great thing for us ladies!  And do you know why?  Because I suspect that it translates to just about half the chance of pee on that seat. 

My hypothesis: When men use onesies, they don't always lift the seat before they pee.  Behind closed doors in public bathrooms, people do all kinds of gross and inconsiderate things- and men surely aren't above it (and peeing without lifting the seat is probably just the tip of some horrific iceberg).  So, maybe I have changed my mind... 

It also helped that this bathroom was lovely.  

That's lazy- I didn't get off the toilet to take a pic of the sink... what choo gonna' do... :) 

And look, that's the view of the urinal (also from seated the toilet), and I think that's classy. Way to tuck it away a little bit, Humprey's, that's how you do it. 

Another nice little touch that I enjoyed,

That's a nice little way to display some paper towels, and I appreciate it. 

Do you know why I was so impressed with this bathroom?  It wasn't like this was a private bathroom in one of the hotel rooms, oh no.  This is the lobby bathroom- the one that they send all the conference-goers to, etc.  It's not even really for guests.  So, that makes double the impression on me, and might I say, even enticed to go back and stay there overnight?  Yeah, I think I will!

Humprey's, you get an A-.

PS-- The minus is because even though I'm happy they tucked that urinal away a bit, I'm still on the fence about the decision to go with one at all...

The Floor

I was at the Coffee Table in Eagle Rock last week, a cute little lunch place (with some really nice but slow staff)- and discovered something that I didn't even discovered a strange dichotomy. 

Check this amazing shit out: 

I mean, what?! That's fucking pretty. It looks like straight-up turquoise under your feet. That's how you do it up V.I.P. style, yo! 

Too bad the rest of this bathroom (and establishment, sorry, CT), is not at all V.I.P..... 

Pretty dingy, huh? 

And yeah, that's an out-of-order stall held shut by some ghetto ass tape and a "Please Do Not Use" sign. Ugh. 

I think consistency is key. I actually have more respect for a place that just doesn't give a shit about their bathroom, and let's it go to hell- than a place that has a fancy ass floor, and nothing to show for it above ground. Fair? 

C. 

Not So Classy...

I went to a party a few weeks ago, and I took pics of the bathroom.  I have been going back and forth with myself (morally) about whether or not I should post them here.  The guy who hosted is a friend of a friend, and I feel kinda' bad. So... I came to the conclusion not to post them (all), and therefor not to pick apart his shit-hole. 

However, I have to share one thing, because I'm pretty sure that this is one of the least classy things to have in a bathroom... 

Yeah, dog food and water bowls.  Naw.  Just don't do it.  It's gross on a whole lot of levels.  Poor dog... 

However, I do have to admit that I feel very differently about a litter box.  To me, it's totally legit to have a litter box in a bathroom.  I mean, it's way better than those crazies who have them in their kitchen (GROSS).  And, I am defending myself here, because I have my cats litters boxes in our bathrooms (one in each bathroom, yes).  But the dog food?!  Again, let me say a resounding: Naw. 

(Oh, and that's my husband's shoe in the pic, not a random.  The couple that pees at a party together, stays together.)

Poop Brings Us Together

I already shared the story about my co-worker divulging her 'yes' and 'no' criteria when it comes to bathroom (and shitting) etiquette; that was amazing. But yesterday I had a meeting with my writing partner, and we were (somewhat) working and (mostly) chatting. At different points during our meeting (which lasted a little over three hours), we each had the urge to crap. She went first. 

When she came out of the bathroom (which was mediocre, by the way), naturally I asked her how she it went. It was alright, maybe a little hot, but the bummer part was that it pinched off a little too soon, and left (what I like to call) the "nub" still inside- refusing to come out. That really sucks, and I truly did feel for her- I hate that kind of shit. 

Less than an hour later, I had to drop one, and something quite similar happened to me- except that though I got the nub out, there was a sneaky second nub still left in there, not budging. FOILED! Of course I told her all about it, we laughed and bonded over our shared frustration, and I might have farted at the table just to punctuate. 

Thing is: everyone likes to talk about poop (except three people that I know). Ok, so almost everyone loves to talk about poop. I talked about poop again last night, and this morning... it's just so liberating to talk about what's really on my mind. And I'll chat about it with anyone... Although, not so much my boss, because she is grossed out by it. Always my family, though, especially my siblings, they love to talk about it... 

But I'm curious, does everyone talk about poop as much as me? Do you talk about poop, and with whom? 

Least Exciting Bathroom Ever

Blossom is a quaint Vietnamese restaurant on Main in downtown LA, and I do love them (in general). A few friends and I had some wonderful veggie spring rolls and tofu curry there on Saturday night- but just about everything was off (except the food, which was good). 

The service was weird, the food came in spurts (meaning some people waited a lot longer than others for their dishes), and it was freezing cold in the place. 

I went to the bathroom early in the evening, so I was not tainted by the events that followed. All I can really say is that this bathroom is the single most boring bathroom ever. This one really is. Really. 

The one cute detail: 

I really like this little woman sign. It's fresh, simple, surprising. The rest... blah. 

The flooring is okay... I kinda' like it... but not that much, really. 

Yeah, there was soap, the place was clean, it wasn't bad. It just wasn't good, either. 

Here's the thing: I want just a little flare in a bathroom. It doesn't have to be showy or amazing (like Harroin Salon), but does it have to be this much of a snoozer?! Throw a picture up, paint an accent wall, something! The bathroom says a lot about your establishment, and while first and foremost you want it to say CLEAN, you also want everything about your place to say REMEMBER US and COME BACK. 

Luckily, the curry is really good, so I will be going back. Too bad I might fall asleep in the bathroom when I do. 

C.