cheap date: cinespia

one of my absolute favorite things about living in LA, hands down, is cinespia. I've always loved outdoor movies (growing up with a drive-in movie theatre around the corner totally spoiled me), but cinespia takes it to a whole different level. combine a city with a deep love for films, amazing weather 360 days a year, the combination cool/creepy of an old hollywood cemetery and you have cinespia. I remember reading about it when I was still living in boston, and living vicariously through my favorite LA bloggers who were lucky enough to have it be a typical summer event.

during the summer, every saturday night the hollywood forever cemetery is transformed into a unique party environment complete with a DJ spinning themed music before the movie, an insane photo booth that's basically a scene straight from the set (and more than worth the wait in line), and blanket picnics surrounded by fun people. don't worry- you won't be pissing off any ghosts by partying on their graves- the area is a big open lawn in front of the scene. no bodies buried beneath ya. make sure you're prepared with blankets & pillows (to sit on and cuddle up with), drinks (the boozier the better & try for twist offs incase you forget the bottle opener), and a quality spread (you can go gourmet with a full meal, the lazy route with takeout, or a little bit of this and that with some yummy snacks). if you happen to totally spazz the day of the event, and have no time to stop at trader joes (a favorite of cinespia goers!), order a pizza and have it delivered to the gate- trust me, it works. it get's chilly as the sun goes down so dress accordingly, or if you're feeling extra fun, you can dress as a character from the movie and look even cooler in the photo booth. don't worry about being the only person dressed, you won't be. tickets are a bit more expensive than a traditional movie (around $16), but for the experience, it's totally worth it!

they release the line-up in two parts, the first half of the summer, and then (around the middle/end of august) the second half. tickets definitely sell out for movies, so if you see something you like buy it quick! I've had more than a few movies sell out before I got around to ordering a ticket and while there's always the craigslist route, you'll end up paying more & I'm always weary of it. it's a fun idea for a summer birthday, cute date night, or just a fun thing to do that different from the typical bar scene. if you stop by the photo booth (which trust me, do!) the pictures are available for purchase, and they're posted online after the event so you can grab the digital copy.

the past two summers I've gone the hollywood route, but if you happen to be in LA during the winter or can't wait until next summer, they do offer events at various theaters throughout the city. I can't speak to the level of coolness for these events, but if it's cinespia- I'd bet my bottom dollar that it's going to be pretty damn cool. check here for info on the downtown events and keep your eyes & ears peeled by joining their mailing list. sometimes they even add pop up shows after the summer season is over! fingers crossed there's one more before "LA winter" sets in.

have you ever made it to cinespia?

xx, marissa

ps. a whole SLEW of "secret" shows were added between now and halloween! if you missed to on the regular season, make sure and check out the new additions. my personal favorite? "death becomes her" on october 15th - get your tickets here

cheap date: screening of Good Will Hunting

as a full blooded Bostonian, I love movies that are centered around the amazing city I call home. with so many amazing options to choose from (the Departed, the Town, the Boondock Saints, Mystic River, Fever Pitch), it's tough to pick a favorite, but Good Will Hunting definitely tops the list. it's refreshing to have a movie where crime and the mob aren't the focal point of the story, and it's also the movie that launched the amazing bromance that is Matt & Ben. with the unfortunate death of Robin Williams, this screening is a perfect opportunity to relive not only this amazing movie, but the role that won him an Academy Award.

catch the free screening at the Park at Channel Center in Fort Point (South Boston), starting at 8pm. for more info (including rain date info) check here.

xx, marissa

cheap date: outdoor movie night

here in boston, it seems like winter lasts FOREVER. while other places deal with just as much, if not more, snow/ice/cold as we do, being a walking city forces the majority of us to brave the elements on a daily basis. it's no wonder that as soon as the first signs of spring (i.e. sun or temps above 55) show, bostonians have no issue breaking out the sandals and shorts, and start looking for patios. the way I see it, a nice day spent inside it a day wasted! one of my favorite ways to enjoy beautiful summer nights is with an outdoor movie. I was pretty spoiled growing up; one of the only drive-in movie theaters in the area was around the corner from my house. but the city of boston has stepped up their game the past few years to bring the outdoor movie experience to the city. a great date night option, but also a great (and FREE!) option if you have kids, or with a group of friends.

Music & Movie Friday Nights at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Movies start at sundown and feature a mix of classics that change every week.

Free Movie Nights from Friends of Christopher Columbus Park

Hang out in Christopher Columbus Park, grab a seat on the grass, and watch great movies projected on the big screen. Great Sunday Funday activity.

Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell

For more kid friendly options, try the Hatch Shell. Pack a picnic and relax by the Charles.

what are some of your favorite outdoor summer activities?

xx, marissa