How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Patrick Ta
"[But] right now, I'm obsessed with Los Angeles," says the San Diego native. "I feel like I am experiencing new friendship groups. For me, what makes a place magical are the people that you surround yourself with, and this entire beginning of almost summer has been the best networking and relationship building that I've ever had in Los Angeles. I feel like L.A. is exciting me again."
While Ta has lived in Southern California for most of his life, he got his start in the makeup industry in Arizona. After convincing his parents to help him open a tanning and nail salon (which he eventually had to file bankruptcy for), his roommate helped him get a job at MAC, where he honed his skills and became a freelance makeup artist. He eventually relocated to L.A., and with the help of social media — where he posted his work — his career took off, and celebrities like Shay Mitchell, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Gigi Hadid and Camila Cabello began seeking him out to do their makeup. In 2019, he launched his eponymous beauty brand, which is known for its glowy products.
As a first generation Vietnamese American, Ta spent his Sundays at one of his mom's nail salons in San Diego.
"Weekends were their busiest [day], so we didn't have the weekends off to just chill, but after work I remember going to Red Lobster," says Ta. "That was such a big treat for me and my [older] sister because seafood was so expensive, and my mom would make us share. But if we were good with her at work, she would treat us to eating out."
These days whenever he's not traveling, Ta tries to reserve his Sundays for spending time with friends. On the agenda is hitting up his favorite flea market, enjoying a seafood brunch at Catch and sober bar hopping in West Hollywood.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
8 a.m.: Morning workout
I wake up anywhere from 8 to 9 a.m. I have a home gym, so I'll usually work out with my friend. He will come over and we'll do our own circuit. I'm trying to be better and more consistent with it. Then we will either go and get a green juice from Whole Foods because it's walking distance from my house, and we always go for a little sprint.
Read more: 12 unique L.A. flea markets to check out during your next treasure hunt
12 p.m.: Stop by the flea market
I will go home afterward to chill for a little bit, and then I'll see what my friends are doing so I can start planning my day. I love going to the Grove and the Melrose flea market, especially if a friend is in town. There's a perfume stand there that I always buy a mango sticky rice perfume [from], and it also comes in a candle. I also love wearing hats, so I like seeing what hats they have. I like the Melrose flea market because I always run into people I know, too. I also love H. Lorenzo. I always shop at the shop on Sunset Boulevard.
3 p.m.: Seafood for brunch
It's so cheesy, but I love Catch. I love sushi. I love seafood, and it's nice because it's on a rooftop. I love a sugar-free Red Bull. My favorite dishes are the truffle sashimi, the mushroom pasta with shrimp added and their baked crab hand rolls.
Read more: 32 of the best weekend brunch spots in L.A.
4 p.m.: Sober bar hopping in West Hollywood
Sometimes I want to go to West Hollywood to see my gay friends and be out and about and bar hop. What's so great about West Hollywood is you can walk around and see where everyone is. I don't go to a specific bar, because I actually don't drink. It's more of a thing to do with my friends.
7 p.m.: Netflix and steak
I'll finish off my day or any sort of socializing around 7 p.m., then I'll go home and make myself some food. I have been obsessed with just eating a steak with avocado and A.1. Sauce, and watching whatever TV shows I like on Hulu or Netflix. Right now, I'm obsessed with the show "Sirens" [on Netflix].
10 p.m.: Do my rigorous skincare routine
I am super crazy about my skincare, and on Sundays I really try to condition my hair, my scalp, and I will always do a face mask. Then I'll do my skincare routine. I love exfoliating my body. I have this silicone exfoliant pad that I will use to fully exfoliate my body. I'll call it a night usually by 11 p.m. I always go into the office on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I don't really like to stay up that late on Sunday.
Sign up for The Wild newsletter to get weekly insider tips on the best of our beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
24 minutes ago
- CBS News
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea celebrates Fourth of July with parade, family fun and fireworks
Steeped in patriotism and small town charm, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea celebrates the nation's independence with its annual Fourth of July Parade and Family Fun Day. The day long celebration features a festive parade, family-friendly activities and a beachfront fireworks display. "It's all about independence, freedom and enjoying our community," resident Sharon Pidgeon said as she watched the parade. The Aufiero family were celebrating their child's first Fourth of July, hoping to impart patriotism at a young age. "To know America is the greatest country and celebrate America and just enjoy this day," Paige Aufiero said. Some showed up dressed in patriotic threads to celebrate America's birthday. "I'm a very big fan of the Fourth of July. We always have a big party. We have to dress the part. We're very proud to be from this country and we're psyched each year," Jill Paden said. The Padens said they've been going to the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea event for years. "We're very proud to be Americans. We're proud to be from this country and I'm proud of our ability to protest, and stand up for what we believe in," Brett Paden said. While Americans are divided on many issues, everyone at the event said the day was about celebrating. "Today is about the birth of America, it's not about politics. Let's just leave all that aside and just celebrate that we're free," resident Cheri Palmer said.


Washington Post
26 minutes ago
- Washington Post
LL Cool J says he won't perform at Philadelphia's July Fourth festival in support of workers strike
PHILADELPHIA — Rapper LL Cool J says he will not perform at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in support of a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia . The rapper and actor had been scheduled to appear at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on Friday, along with R&B singer and Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan and other performers.

Associated Press
34 minutes ago
- Associated Press
LL Cool J says he won't perform at Philadelphia's July Fourth festival in support of workers strike
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rapper LL Cool J says he will not perform at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in support of a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia. The rapper and actor had been scheduled to appear at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on Friday, along with R&B singer and Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan and other performers. LL Cool J said in a video posted on social media that 'there's absolutely no way that I can perform, cross a picket line and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage.' 'I hope, I hope, I hope that, you know, the mayor and the city can make a deal. I hope it works out,' he said. LL Cool J also said that he never wants to disappoint his fans and that he plans to be in Philadelphia in case an agreement is reached. The festival comes as the strike moved into a fourth day Friday. Trash has been piling up in some areas and more than 30 Medical Examiner's Office staffers have been ordered back to work because of a growing backlog of bodies in storage. The latest talks between the city and leaders of District Council 33 — the largest of four major unions representing city workers — ended late Wednesday. Both sides have said they were willing to continue negotiations. The union represents many of the city's blue-collar workers, from trash collectors to clerks to security guards. Police and firefighters are not on strike. The city has offered a three-year contract with annual raises of about 3%, which the union said amounts to little more than $1,000 after taxes for members making $46,000 a year on average. Mayor Cherelle Parker has said the city has 'put its best offer on the table.' She stressed that the effective 13% pay hike over her four-year term -- including last year's 5% bump – along with a fifth step on the pay scale would be the best contract the union has seen in decades. Parker responded to LL Cool J's statement, saying that she spoke with him on Thursday. 'I respect his decision, and understand his desire to see the city unified,' the mayor said. 'He is always welcome in Philadelphia.' The union also responded, saying LL Cool J's support for municipal workers 'highlights his commitment to social justice and community well-being.' 'His support not only brings attention to our efforts but also inspires others to recognize and advocate for the rights and respect of all workers,' the union said. 'It's heartening to see public figures using their influence to champion causes that matter to everyday people.' On Thursday, Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra Thomas-Street approved the city's request to have the medical examiner's office staffers return to work because bodies have been piling up there in storage, posing a health and safety risk. Those workers include death and forensic investigators, forensic technicians and clerks. The order came a day after the judge ordered some emergency service dispatchers and essential water department employees back to work. Mounting trash piles in some parts of the city were also still causing grief for residents and officials, who have strongly urged residents to follow the collection guidelines imposed when the strike began Tuesday. They also urged residents to report problems at the trash collection sites, and noted trash is being cleared as fast as possible and the city is working to open more sites.