Naomi Lane

The first time I went to a Korean day spa, I had no idea what to expect. I knew the spas in Koreatown were cheaper and less fancy than the ones you find in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, but the differences certainly did not end there. It’s an experience every Angeleno must try at least once, but there are a few things you should know before taking the K-spa plunge. I took a jaunt to Olympic Spa, and this is what I learned. 1. Everyone walks around naked. You’ll find no plush robes and fuzzy slippers here. Your nude booty will be hanging out with a gamut of bare-naked ladies of all ages, shapes and pubic hair preferences. Swimsuits aren't allowed. It’s women only, but if you’re freaked out by nudity, this is your official warning: there will be bush. 2. Treatments are performed in the open. Naturally, the saunas and spa baths are communal, but you also receive your body scrubs, facials and massages in the same large, open room where the pools are. There is a partition that sets off your treatment area, but it’s not 100 percent private. It’s all part of the community atmosphere, and no one’s really watching anyway. 3. You’ll have to get past the massage table situation. Sporting a black sports bra and granny panties, my therapist led me to the table for my massage and scrub. The vinyl table glimmered with beads of water, and I realized I was expected to climb aboard, sans sheets. It’s all very clean though. 4. Treatments are vigorous. Korean spas are known for their body scrub

People love LA for a number of reasons: our perfect weather, outstanding restaurants, unparalleled nightlife and celebrity lifestyle to name a few. But one of the main reasons I adore Los Angeles is that it is home to a spectacular array of weirdos. Now, I use the term “weirdo” in the very fondest of connotations. I salute individuals who shun ideas of what mainstream society may expect of them and feel uninhibited enough to be their crazy, quixotic selves. In other parts of the country, these freaky peeps may elicit whispers and scowls, but here in the City of Angels we embrace them with fist bumps and cheers. We know these misfits are part of what make LA, well, LA, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 1. The Metro. The Metro is not only a convenient, affordable ride that frees you from worries about traffic, parking and drunk driving, it’s also a magical place to find citizens of the most peculiar kind. I recently encountered a buzz-cutted lady sporting a bonnet, cape and booty shorts; an impassioned woman shouting undying praise for Tupac Shakur; and this colorful compatriot, waiting for the red line: Photograph: Naomi Lane                 2. Bar Sinister. If you’re looking for some naughty fun after dark, Bar Sinister is LA’s celebrated goth and fetish club, where freak flags fly freely. Dance to goth and industrial tracks downstairs before heading up to Purgatory — a BDSM playground where you can get spanked by professional doms who likely chortle at 50 Shades of Gr

A few years ago, the words “vegan restaurant” were associated with corresponding words like “crunchy,” “granola” and “dirty hippie.” Not the case anymore. Now, many vegan and vegetarian-friendly establishments are described as “innovative,” “sumptuous” and sometimes even “swanky.” And LA boasts the cream of the crop—Vegetarian Times recently listed our city as one of the top destinations for vegan restaurants in the world. As a proud almost-vegan (oh, stop judging), I’ve been to pretty much every veggie joint in town—and I have my favorites. But for this list, I asked my meat-loving friends which meatless restaurants they’ve enjoyed. So if you’re dating a vegan, are friends with one or just want to take a walk on the wild side, give these places a go. We won’t tell anyone you liked it.  1. Veggie Grill My carnivorous friends actually get excited about a trip to Veggie Grill. The chefs do wondrous things with faux meat and create comfort food that leaves my pals exclaiming, “OMG, it tastes just like meat!” Seriously, no one feels deprived here. Try this: Buffalo Wings, Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ Sandwich, BLTA sandwich, Bombay Bowl. 2. Crossroads If you want to step it up a notch and really impress your date, Crossroads is the pinnacle of vegan fine dining. Celebrity chef Tal Ronnen (Oprah and Ellen are fans) whips up scrumptious tapas-style fare in a stylish environment with a full bar. Reservations are a must. Try this: Cauliflower Bisque, Crab Cakes, Risotto, Tortelloni. 3. G

Did you know January is the most popular month for online dating? It’s true -- in the aftermath of the lonely-for-the-holidays hell, online dating sites see a surge in sign-ups at this time of year. So how does a man stand out amid all this fresh, new competition? The first hint is choosing the right photos. Yes, women look at them. And sometimes even one ill-chosen photo can be a dealbreaker. Do yourself a favor and avoid these five photos like the 405 during rush hour.   1. The please-not-another-shirtless selfie The shirtless-selfie is the supreme ruling emperor of the online photo fails - particularly if it’s of the bathroom mirror variety. You may be thinking, “I’m just trying to show that I’m in shape.” However, she’s thinking, “Can I get some wine to go with all that CHEESE?” Either put your shirt on or take that shit to Grindr. 2. The guess-my-facial-features photo While you should clothe your nips, your face should be nude. That means lose the sunglasses, hats, helmets, ski mufflers and gimp masks. If you don’t, we’ll wonder, “What’s he hiding under there? A lazy eye? A unibrow? Verne Troyer?” (BTW, if you’re wearing a hat in every photo we automatically assume bald, so just put it out there.) 3. The speck-in-front-of-scenery shot If you look like a dot in front of the Grand Canyon, or Stonehenge, or a giant fir...the photo is useless to us. Your pics are there to show potential mates what you look like. We want to date a man, not a natural wonder of the world. 4. Th