Teddy's Favorite

September 30, 2009
Teddy didn't want to end her Getty posts before showing you her favorite work of art, this unusual 18th century French ceramic painting. Notice how the frame and painting are both on the same piece of ceramic. Teddy has never seen anything like this before! Why aren't there more of these?

The Getty's Wild Maze

September 30, 2009
The Getty Center doesn't just house paintings and sculptures; it also includes a spectacular garden filled with loads of flora and fauna (mums, lavender, mint, tulips, basil and roses, to name a few) and a maze. That's right, a real maze made from hedges. (One of the most impressive mazes can be found at Leeds Castle in Kent England, fyi. Visit if you can!) The Getty's maze has water running through it (how original!). At the end of their visit Teddy and Nibs stopped at the outdoor snack shop and feasted of a menagerie of desserts: a peanut butter cookie, a chocolate chip cookie and a rice crispie treat. Teddy thinks nibbling on museum goodies is hands-down the best part of visiting a museum.

Paintings & More Paintings!

September 30, 2009
Teddy and Nibs really enjoyed all the paintings at The Getty Center, taking in works by Renoir, Gainsborough and Winterhalter. The Getty's permanent collection is really something worth exploring. If Monet's your thing, they have plenty of his pieces too!

Getty Art

September 29, 2009
The first floor of the Getty's main building is full of French watercolor paintings. Teddy's favorite was a large piece by Louis de Carmontelle that depicted 18th century aristocrats lounging in a perfectly landscaped park. Teddy also appreciated the 17th century frou-frou fancy ceramics on the second floor. To think that these fragile works of art have stayed around for hundreds of years without getting a single chip or scratch is amazing, right? Nibs was more into the sculptures...

Getty Center Arrival

September 29, 2009
The courtyard of The Getty Center is full of beautiful fountains and sculptures. There are also several restaurants and cafes to choose from, both indoor and outdoor. The best part? The Getty Center has a breathtaking view of Los Angeles; you can see from the Santa Monica beach to downtown. It kind of feels like you're on Mount Olympus!

Teddy & Nibs at The Getty Center!

September 29, 2009
The Getty Center is one of Los Angeles' most impressive museums. It sits on top of a hill behind Brentwood and is reachable by a nifty electric tram that Teddy and Nibs really enjoy riding! The center is composed of several buildings designed by architect Richard Meier who used Italian fossilized travertine squares as his main decorative element. The Getty Center opened in 1997 and is free to the public. Teddy and Nibs visit the Center once a year because it makes them feel like they're entering another world--it really takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Follow T&N today as they show you around the incredible museum.

Nibs Gets His Vitamins

September 28, 2009
Nibs has not been getting enough vitamins lately. When a friend told him about Robeks Juice, which makes smoothies from nonfat yogurt and fresh fruit, he thought that would be a fun way to get healthy. When Nibs got to the Robeks in Culver City he was bombarded with questions by the staff after ordering a simple Berry smoothie. Did he want protein powder? Sure. A wheat grass shot? Yup. Some herbal extracts? OK. Nibs walked out feeling like Mr. Healthy. Teddy would be so proud!

Teddy Gets Whole

September 28, 2009
Usually Teddy shops at Trader Joe's because there is one close to her house, but yesterday she decided to give Whole Foods a try because she heard they have excellent sushi (and we know Teddy likes her sushi!). Teddy was very impressed. Of course she first hit the cookie aisle because she can never get enough cookies in her life. She was happy to see their cookie ingredients were fairly healthy so when she indulges she won't feel too bad about it. Teddy also picked up several pasta sauces, fresh pasta and olive oil (Nibs is into Italian). And then there was the sushi. What a selection! Teddy grabbed a spicy salmon and avocado roll for lunch. In the checkout line she got her paws on some organic chocolate bars with hazelnuts. All in all, Teddy had a great Whole Foods experience!

Nibs Does The Informant!

September 27, 2009
Yesterday Teddy had such a bad tummy ache from eating 6 slices of Nibs' pizza that she stayed home while Nibs went to see The Informant! Nibs liked the movie because it was an unusual story and (relief!) wasn't another color-by-numbers action film. Plus Matt Damon is a terrific actor and is convincing in any role, even as a compulsively lying dimwit corporate executive with a bad rug (and even worse ties). After the movie Nibs treated himself to a cheeseburger with carmalized onions on an egg bun at the Westside Tavern, a new restaurant at the Westside Pavilion that is impressive (though rather crowded).

Teddy Pizza Thief

September 26, 2009
Last night Nibs was not in the mood to cook or to go out to dinner so he picked up a sausage and onion pizza from his friend Fabrizzio's restaurant, House of Pasta on Jefferson Boulevard in Culver City. Teddy always says she doesn't want pizza for dinner, turning her nose up at the thought of such a simple meal. But when Nibs brings that pizza home, who's the first bear to stick her paw in the box and grab a slice? Teddy! See above how Teddy is caught red-pawed sneaking the first piece. That Teddy! To order your own Fabrizzio-made pizza, call 310-313-6078 or log onto www.thehouseofpasta.com.

Lunch at Joan's

September 25, 2009
Lunch at Joan's on 3rd was delicious! Teddy and Nibs shared the poached salmon with dill sauce, macaroni and cheese, and beet salad with walnuts and goat cheese. Afterwards, Teddy picked out a slice of chocolate and whipped cream cake while Nibs shopped for some gourmet honey (yes, the cliche is true: bears like honey).

Trip To Joan's

September 25, 2009
Teddy and Nibs always like to go somewhere special on Friday to kick off the weekend. Today they stopped by Joan's on Third, which has a terrific mini market inside the bustling French-accented restaurant. Teddy checked out the fine, imported cheeses while Nibs looked for produce. This is also where Teddy buys her coffee, Cafe Du Monde, which comes already ground in a can. It's from New Orleans and is splendidly rich, far better than Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Nibs Was At...

September 25, 2009
Congratulations to Kristy who got it right! Nibs was in Pasadena at the Robinson memorial which is just a hop-skip away from City Hall. The sculptures are of Mack and Jackie Robinson, brothers who excelled at athletics and lived in the area at some point. Mack was an Olympic runner and Jackie was a baseball player for the Dodgers when they were in Brooklyn. Thanks for all your guesses!

Where in the World Is Nibs?

September 24, 2009
Does anyone have any idea where Nibs is? And who the statue is of behind him? If so, please leave your guess in the comment box. Hint: he's in California!

Bears on the Lot!

September 24, 2009
Last night Teddy and Nibs had a big Hollywood adventure! They were invited onto the 20th Century Fox movie lot in L.A. to get a sneak peek of Drew Barrymore's directorial effort Whip It! which hits theaters October 2. Teddy just loves movie lots because she gets to check out the film sets and snoop around. They didn't see any actors but they did glimpse a set where a car was overturned (must be for an action movie). Nibs enjoyed checking out the building where The Simpsons is made (Nibs likes Homer). Teddy and Nibs watched Whip It! in the Little Theater (sadly they did not serve popcorn). The movie, about a Texas beauty pageant contestant (played by Ellen Page from Juno) who finds friends and freedom when she joins an all-girl roller derby team, had its sweet moments. Teddy liked the roller derby scenes the best! Interesting note: Owen and Luke Wilson's brother Andrew has a part in the film as the roller derby coach and he's really good!