What’s your historical connection to Los Angeles and New York?
In 2000, I was offered my first job right out of college at a boutique agency in NY. For a kid who grew up in South Florida, it was a no brainer to make the move. The city was great, but my wife hates apartment living and we were not about to move to Jersey, so we went a little further and landed in LA.

Describe your experience in NYC (or LA).
LA has afforded us space and the ability to discover new mediums. I built a wood shop and started creating furniture and objects. And Mimi, best known as the designer behind Brook&Lyn, has been creating large scale weavings. Her weavings and one of our object collaborations have been sold at Creatures of Comfort and Mohawk General, two of our favorite stores in LA.

What was the biggest challenge of moving from NYC to LA (or vice versa)?
Moving from NYC to LA:  Getting my “oversized dog” certified as a “therapy dog” for our flight.

How can NYC and LA engage with each other?
Instagram.

LA secret spot
Monterey Doughnuts in Highland Park. Don’t let the walls littered with lottery tickets fool you, the doughnuts are amazing.

We just finished creating an unorthodox, digital guide to LA with Su Wu from the blog I’m Revolting. The five LA spots we focused on are pretty unique and take some effort to find. But they’re all worth it, especially Time Tunnels in Topanga. Check out the guide here:http://brookandlyn.com/fieldtrip

NYC secret spot
Spicy hot dogs at Espositos butcher in Carroll Gardens, limited quantity only available between 9 and 12 on Saturdays.

If you were not at (current place of work), what would you be doing?
I spend the majority of my day—whether in our wood shop or behind the computer or camera—working with my wife and creative partner on self-initiated projects. After 12 years of working 80 hours a week in ad agency, I can finally say I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing.

From the 2462 Miles newsletter: connecting NEW YORK CITY + LOS ANGELES