Category Archives: Food

Hollywood Farmers’ Market

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Location: Ivar & Selma Avenue, Between Hollywood and Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

Somehow just being at the farmers’ market makes me feel healthier. There’s something so grounding and earthy walking vendor to vendor around organic produce, exotic foods, strawberry lemonade, warm kettle corn, fresh flowers, plants, handmade jewelry, and even live lobsters (yikes!). And of course, because you’ve spent all this money on things that expire rather quickly – you’re forced to get creative and chow down on your healthy purchases all week long.

{P.S. they’re alive!}

The Hollywood Farmers’ Market is a great place to spend a Sunday morning stocking up on produce and fresh flowers for the week ahead. I’ve been there so many times that lately I haven’t been treating it as a savored experience, but more of a “get what you need and get out of there” errand run. This has become my go to place if I’m in the mood for real fresh hot-out-of-the-kettle kettle corn, and the Greek flat bread I use to make mini homemade pizzas.

{My favorite kettle corn.}

While this place can get pretty crowded, it’s not very big. Luckily, once you learn your way around it’s not so bad. Just mentally prepare (as you always should roaming the LA streets) for a little congestion, grab a latte, and relax. I personally like the vibe of fellow semi and full health conscious nuts around me in their Sunday casual best, filling their reusable shopping bags. The Hollywood farmers’ market has such a positive and unique energy strolling, taste testing, people watching, listening to the street performers, and discovering a type of fruit or veggie you’d never even heard of before. Happens EVERY time I’m here.

While the summer season is officially behind us, there’s still much to discover as the seasons change and fruits and vegetables rotate out with it. While I’m a Trader Joe’s gal at heart, and don’t make the farmers’ market a weekly outing as many do, nothing replaces the experience of being at one.

Highlights

Posted in Beauty, Film, Food, Fun by

I can say with confidence that Fall has officially made its way to Los Angeles. Damp, crisp mornings, chilly nights, scarves, and boots have been all the rage in my world lately. Other rages?

{Curling up with some fresh kettle corn from the farmers’ market and watching “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. All I can say is O.M.G! Find a copy of this and “make it a Blockbuster night” if you haven’t seen it. I loved it so much I actually watched all of the bonus materials (over 2 hours!) to learn more about our early divas, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.}

{Another highlight salad? Yes! This Greek Salad for lunch was heaven. Ingredients: lettuce, garbanzo beans, pepperoncini, tomatoes, black olives, feta cheese; drizzled in a red wine vinaigrette.}

{In LOVE with this new seasonal fragrance mist from Bath and Body Works – Honey Autumn Apple. Don’t be jealous, I smell like Fall and you don’t!}

Have an amazing weekend guys! I plan to! 🙂

Buttercelli Bakeshop, Sherman Oaks

Posted in Explore, Food, Fun, Treats by

Location: 13722 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks

The search for the best cupcakes around town continues. Buttercelli sits in a sweet little spot on the very busy Ventura Boulevard in “The Oaks” (yep, I came up with that myself!). My second time here puts this place in the “so-so” category. Let me explain…

It was a H.O.T. Sunday afternoon earlier this summer. After spending the morning at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, we made a quick and spontaneous decision to head over to Buttercelli to check out their selection. They have one of the largest gluten free baked goods sections that I’ve come across to date (for the boyfriend) and somehow I always feel better about eating sweet treats when they’re promoted to be of the finest organic ingredients. I went with a simple lemon cupcake and because it was over 100 degrees outside, I didn’t want the frosting to melt while sitting on my kitchen counter and put it in the fridge. A complete no-no, of course, but it was too H.O.T. not to. When I ate the tiny treat later that night, the cake portion was hard. Boo!

Take 2.

Since it was the “weather’s fault” that I didn’t get to experience all the hype from my first time at Buttercelli, I made it a point with the recent cooling temperatures not to make the same intentional mistake twice! I left with an apple pie cupcake and a lemon poppy-seed muffin.

{My treats.}

The apple pie cupcake was delicious, but unfortunately the cake portion was hard on the edges and not as moist as some other places I’ve been in general. I swear, no fridge was involved this time. The next morning, the lemon poppy-seed muffin went well with my coffee for breakfast. This treat was both moist and delicious.

As such, I can’t quite figure out what’s going on with their cupcakes. Their Yelp reviews are positive overall, the other customers I’ve met in-store rave about the place, and the staff have always been very friendly and confident in their goodies. Perhaps the point is to eat the treat right away. The store must have some magical tool in the air to keep their goods fresh and the minute you walk out the door their stock plummets.

Either way, it shouldn’t be this much work on my end to enjoy a cupcake (in decent weather no less). Kudos to them for the gluten free selection and the use of organic ingredients.

Bottom line? I’m not too convinced of this place’s awesomeness. The muffin was good and a bite of my guy’s chocolate thumbprint was yummy, but why is it that the cupcakes can’t seem to float my boat?  I rate Buttercelli “so-so.”

Sfixio, Beverly Hills

Posted in Dinner, Explore, Food, Fun by

Location: 9737 Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills

A night out with the girls for dinner. A new dress. An Italian restaurant. Beverly Hills. Free Parking. All the makings for a perfect Saturday night.

To celebrate a friend’s birthday, 9 of us met up at Sfixio located on little Santa Monica Boulevard just past Wilshire. I was elated that parking turned out to be a breeze. After 6:00pm the parking structure no longer uses the meters. Score!

Alternating neon lights over the outside restaurant signage draw you in as you walk into a 2 story dining room dressed completely in white. The ambiance: sexy low lighting, candles on the table, and music at an appropriate level (meaning I didn’t have to yell at my friends over dinner and end up sounding chain-smoking-hoarse the next day).

I went with the Salmone ai 3 pepi con Patate in Crosta. Translation: Grilled salmon topped with a mini potato hash brown looking thing, with a side of asparagus and spinach. Things always sound better in Italian.

While it took forever to get appetizers and then the main course, it allowed us gals plenty to time to catch up. I was slightly disappointed with the speed of service, but learned from my more well-traveled friends that this is likely intentional, attributed to a more European way of dining where it’s supposed to be more of a lengthy experience. I can appreciate that, but it seems to be pushing it to take almost an hour for 3 salads and a serving of calamari to come out – but you live and learn. I did think it was pretty cool that they make all of their pasta in-house from scratch.

You know me, I always L.O.V.E. checking out a new place so I’m glad we got to spend a night in “The Hills” supporting a small privately-owned restaurant run by a husband and wife duo. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be someplace I would likely ever go again. Since there are too many restaurants in the City of Angels to explore and a new one popping up every 5 minutes, I can’t say it left an impression on me in any special way. The positive experience came more from being with my girlfriends than in the dining itself. The food was delicious, but servings were small (not surprising); and the service (because we’re in L.A., not Italy) could be picked up some. Us L.A. gals have places to go, people to see, and things to do!

{Salmone ai 3 pepi con Patate in Crosta.}

Highlights: Mid-October

Posted in Beauty, Books, Dinner, DIY, Food, Fun, Lunch by

Half-way through October. Someone seems to be hitting the time accelerate button yet again. It’s been a bit stressful this week, but here are some highlights that managed to brighten it:

{The appreciation of a good solid meal. Much pleasure came from some penne pasta with mushrooms lightly sprinkled with parmesan cheese; and the simplicity of steamed broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower on the side.}

{The Halloween project is underway, Midnight by Dean Koontz is in hand.}

{Not to brag, but I have been having the best hair week EVER! There’s nothing you can’t handle when your tresses are acting right. I don’t typically use hairspray, but because of the humidity in the air and some major frizzing, I’ve been looking for a solution. Enter L’Oréal Elnett StrongHold Hairspray (unscented). Worth every dime.}

{A very thoughtful surprise from my boyfriend. This beautiful orchid.}

Food To Die For: El Coyote Mexican Cafe

Posted in Dinner, Explore, Food, Fun by

Location: 7312 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, Mid-City

Hands down my favorite Mexican restaurant sits on Beverly Boulevard, down the street from The Grove, 4 blocks before La Brea Avenue. Name: El Coyote. Mission: food to die for.

I first learned about this place years ago while watching all important, heavy-hitting television at the time, The Hills (don’t judge!). Heidi and Spencer’s psycho relationship and MTV’s penchant for filming all over town were good for something!

Fast forward a few years later and it’s my favorite place to indulge occasionally in greasy, highly caloric, but worth every fat cell I get Mexican food! I stick with the tried and true Guacamole Dinner. For $13.50, I have at least four different plates in front of me – a cheese enchilada, a beef taco, refried beans, Mexican style rice, a small bowl of guacamole, and the garden salad (because it’s the only healthy thing in the meal and makes me feel less guilty for downing my stomach in cheese, I had to end on the salad).

{Guacamole Dinner.}

Nothing but the best of things to say about this place. I’ve always had great experiences with the food, the wait staff are super friendly, and the over the top decor of the restaurant is the perfect touch. The point? Get in your car and don’t stop until you’re in front of El Coyote. If you hit La Brea – you clearly didn’t read my post and need to turn around! 🙂

{Interior of the restaurant – a salute to Halloween.}

Don’t, I repeat, DO NOT even waste your time dragging you and your bestie here if you’re on a diet – you gain weight just watching the large amounts of food walk past you. Oh! And expect to be in a total “mexi-coma” after you eat here. Don’t make any other plans, other than to head straight home and veg on your couch or sprawl in bed. It’ll take a full night to recover, but I promise you, your tongue with have enjoyed the experience even if your stomach is a wee bit upset with you.

Hope to see you there!

Beaches: The Sequel

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Location: 30000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Only in Los Angeles can you still enjoy a beach day…in October…two weeks into “Fall.” In celebration of what we thought was the last hurrah of the heat wave that just wouldn’t leave (and seems to be making a comeback even as I type this), the “wind beneath my wing” and I headed back to “Beaches” to enjoy the sequel to our first time gracing the Malibu shore. This time, Zuma Beach.

Armed with my latte from Cafecito Orgánico and this month’s book club selection – the next five hours were spent sipping, snacking, reading, catching up with my guy, listening to the sound of the waves, and breathing in fresh air (well, as fresh as you can get in L.A., I saw you roll your eyes).

With the temperatures hitting the 90’s again this week, maybe we can squeeze in one last visit and make these “Beaches” posts into a franchise like Hollywood execs would undoubtedly milk the hell out of do today. I can already see it. The film version would star Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey’s kids carrying on the dramatic legacy of female bonding, eventual friendship, and death; and then their kids, and then their kids, and so on and so on. If this story line goes into development anytime soon, I claim rights to the idea – you read it here first!

In the meantime, you just might get an All That Glitters franchise out these “Beaches” posts if this heat wave can’t take a hint that the party’s over, it’s being a total attention whore, and it’s time to let Autumn take center stage.

Cafecito Orgánico, Malibu

Posted in Explore, Food, Fun by

Location: 29169 Heathercliff Road, Malibu

Two exciting ways to start a weekend?
1). Trying out a new coffee spot for the first time.
2). Trying out a new coffee spot for the first time while on the way to hang out with your favorite person at the beach all day!

Cafecito Orgánico sits in a small shopping center in Malibu just off PCH. Of course, what drew little ol’ me towards the small cafe was the fancy schmansy name and the fact that I desperately wanted a latte next to me on the beach.

I have to say, I got a bit of the Graffiti Coffee Bar vibe from here. Again, a very simple (though not nearly as dramatic) interior are about all you get visually – but the awesome coffee art they draw in your latte makes up for the lack of punch in the store design. They’re proud to boast that they, too, use only the finest of beans (which reads awesome coffee, but expensive).

I had no huge issues in particular, just a few slight annoyances that came up that put this place in the blah category. Cafecito Orgánico is yet another establishment that doesn’t offer vanilla syrup (which is a sin in my book). The menu lists random drink names that I’ve never heard of and doesn’t offer a description which prompts you to have to bug the poor Barista about what the heck a “global warming” is?

In the end, I went with a “cafecito” at their suggestion. Boy, was it strong! This is in large part because I’m sure my 5 year association with Starbucks and their infamously so-so espresso has likely ruined me in truly appreciating the delicacies of fine Central American artisan coffee, and very much because I’m a girl that has to have some flavor in her latte (hence my annoyance with no vanilla syrup in-house).

A cool thing that makes this place stand out is in their use of modern technology. Upon ordering my super duper small beverage for a mere $4.00; an iPad screen was flipped my way that gave me the total, asked if I wanted to include a tip, and if I wanted the receipt emailed, texted, or printed out for me. Pretty neat.

In the end, I can’t say I’d make it a point to have to stop here on the way to the beach in the future. Nothing against Cafecito Orgánico, but I like my syrup in addition to saying I’m drinking high quality coffee beans. I’d rather head over to Graffiti Coffee Bar where at least I’m paying an arm and a leg for a latte, but I also get my vanilla flavoring AND an always much needed opportunity to enjoy the warmth and gaze longingly at the fireplace…in 90 degree weather.

Highlights: Fall Inspired

Posted in Breakfast, DIY, Fashion, Food, Fun, Inspiration, Treats by

Hey there Glitterati!

Took a short hiatus but I’m back with tons to catch you up on! First, some highlights. Much needed smiles came from these recent findings. Coincidentally, they were all a nod to the Fall season:

{Do yourself a favor and go out and get a tub of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese. I had my first bagel with this spread a few days ago and my tongue did the happy dance.}

{The Halloween decorations have begun! If you need an inexpensive way to salute the season, these pumpkin shaped lights from Target are perfect. Similar here.}

{While the heat is still ever-present in L.A. (and even I’m over it at this point), we did get our first Fall rain last week which promoted some candle burning at home and clean air (and mat) outside.}

{This t-shirt I saw in the storefront window at Wet Seal put a huge grin on my face – naughty, naughty!}

So much to talk about with you all, and I’ll get you up to speed. In the meantime, have a great week! 🙂

Highlights: October Beginnings

Posted in Explore, Fashion, Food, Fun, Lunch, Shoes by

The first week of October was kind to me – particularly in the simplicity of gratitude for:

{Subtle signs that while Fall is fashionably late, it’s coming. Hints of the leaves turning was an unexpected sight to finally see.}

{Perhaps my post yesterday is working! I wore my camel colored boots this week and didn’t sweat to death. I decided to start with my lighter boots and work my way to darker ones as the season slowly changes. Though this picture is making me wonder if it’s time for a new pair? These are looking pretty worn vintage. Might have to make a visit to Cathy Jean soon.}

{Pomegranate and Pear Salad + a Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing = To. Die. For.

Ingredients: Romaine Lettuce, saladini, frisee, cranberries, croutons, blue cheese, pears, and pomegranate seeds.}

{The clouds were being rather creative a few days ago. Turns out it was a little sky writing in the L.A. skyline.}

Looking forward to spending some time at the beach this weekend to enjoy a final hurrah before the heat wave officially says goodbye. Have a great weekend!