Dressember Part 1

So every year, my lovely friend Jackie participates in Dressember, which essentially is 31 dresses in 31 days. Every year, I say I will participate because I have over 87 dresses I never wear and its a cute idea. But then finals roll around and temperatures fall to 68F, and the idea of wearing a dress is terrifying.

However, I have been feeling in a bit of a rut and I once read a study that the idea of "dress for success" is rooted in legit psychological studies. It is a bit of a placebo effect, but looking good means feeling good which means performing well. And lets be real, around finals time, I need all the help I can get. Plus, spending three months in yoga pants was doing nothing for my self esteem or social life.

In the midst of all this, I realized that women all over the world do Dressember for an amazing cause that I've actually spent a majority of my academic and professional life on - human trafficking. This organization both raises awareness and funds to combat trafficking. Although I didn't participate in the fundraising, I was glad for the coincidence and another reason to talk about the very relevant and important issues of human trafficking, both international and domestic, that deserve attention and support.

I plan on writing more on this issue after I finish some more work, but until then, here is a recap of my Dressember Style so far :)

Thanksgiving + Friendsgiving + Sleep/Food/Coffee

Places Featured:

Dirty Laundry - 725 N. Hudson, Los Angeles
Green Bliss - 305 N. Harbor, Fullerton
Donut Friend - 5107 York Blvd., Los Angeles
Purple Yoga - 120 W. Wilshire, Fullerton
Echo Park Lake

This year, Thanksgiving was phenomenal. My mom roasted duck with an orange sauce (our family is against turkey), sage stuffing, fried Brussels (my contribution), stuffed mushrooms, and roasted butternut squash. Then Jason made chocolate lava cakes with custard for dessert. I'm still recovering. It was just my mom, aunt, bro, Sophie and I. Usually, we have a lot of people in and out, but it was nice just to kick it with my bro (with limited squabbling over GMOs) and curl up on the couch and watch movies together. In between naps, I made it to yoga with Greg at Purple Yoga - I'm still sore. I also got to do the trails with Nathalie and Green Bliss on a rainy morning with Kels. I was so happy to have catch up time with my friends, especially before my neurotic finals self kicks in.

Every year in Santa Cruz, my friends and brother would have a "Friendsgiving" or "Fakesgiving" before they all headed home for the holiday. I never was able to make it, but this year on Saturday, our friend Molly hosted a SoCal version at her place in Westwood where we feasted on fresh baked breads, exotic salads, and more traditional meals, but an amazing dessert table. What made it even more special for me was getting to spend time with my brother and his friends, who I don't see frequently enough.



[UM ALSO WE WERE AT DINNER WHEN UCLA BEAT U$C!!!! GO BRUINSSSSS!!!!!!!! - BEST NEWS EVER]

After dinner, Paige and I headed to Dirty Laundry in Hollywood for our friend Karly's birthday. (Note: I always have the best time with Paige - I love her). This venue just opened up a few weeks ago and is hella legit. When you pull up, the building is just a random apartment building, neutral and quiet. Then there's the bouncer. You walk down and are totally transported to this brick basement, complete with flickering lights and hot bartenders in suspenders. Suspenders = hawt. Karly looked gorgeous and we had such a good time taking in the scene. If you are going, be sure to reserve a table, especially Friday and Saturday nights.

So Jas and I woke up early on Saturday and took Soph to Donut Friend - well, she waited impatiently in the car for her apple fritter. I got the Smores 34 - a chocolate cake donut with toasted marshmallows, chocolate glaze and graham crumbs. Bobes went all out with a chocolate cake donut, maple glaze, pastry cream, raspberry jam, mint and chocolate curls. Delicious, but Jesus. Then I drove him up to Ventura to meet his friend for his ride up to Santa Cruz. I miss him already but I'll see him in a couple of weeks.

Afterwards, I was feeling a bit meh. So Evan, Jacy and I took the dogs (Sherwyn, Tucker, and Soph) to Elysian and then to Echo Park Lake for an impromptu picnic (80 degrees in December - we have to take advantage).  Then I headed back to the Fig House and pumped out some work before heading to TJ's to pick up groceries for the week. I know - so exciting I had to blog about it.

Overall, I had such a relaxing weekend. I'd like to think that I am grateful and show that gratitude everyday. But sometimes I get a little lazy and forget how lucky I am. But I am. :)

Love love love

Jas Comes Home (at some point) Today!

I haven't seen my brother since he hightailed it off to Santa Cruz in the spring. Although we talk on the phone almost every day, I can't wait to see him in person, have him make me his delicious food, bombard him with hugs and make him go with me to all the movies I've been meaning to see.

I know we will probably get into at least 3-4 squabbles over the state of feminism, what beer we should buy, and my poor taste in men, but those will probably be my favorite moments of the weekend.

Also Bobes, I'm apologizing now, but I borrowed your Bukowski reader and may or may not have earmarked the hell out of it.

LOVE YOUUUUU and CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUUUUU

Gjelina

I have a final tomorrow, so clearly I'm blogging. #duh.

Last week, I traipsed over to Venice to say goodbye to some of the attorneys I worked for over the summer. But turned out they were in trial and I missed them, so I met up with Christina at Gjelina for lunch.

I've heard rave reviews about this place, but hadn't had a chance to check it out because dinner reservations are a pain to get with my schedule and during lunch I was always working. So this was the perfect day.

We ordered cappuccinos to start, then spent time parsing through the delicious menu. We settled on the king mushrooms (delicious and smoky and weirdly meaty), the smoked trout salad with avo and grapefruit (reminded me of something I'd get in the UK), the pear burrata (literally killed me it was so amazing), and the gruyere and caramelized onion flatbread.

It was sort of a "ladies who brunch" kind of thing, which was a nice break from eating a salad at my desk while drafting motions in limine. It sort of makes me want to be a yoga instructor/blogger who spends most of the day at the beach, only retreating indoors for a cucumber-mint virgin cocktail.

Then this weekend, I finally hung out with Lauren and Becky and Freddy (who has now entered the fold of the girls' club - welcome my friend.) We met up for beers and pool and I have to say I have improved tremendously. This isn't saying much because there was a time I couldn't move a ball on a pool table. But we had such a good time, although I have to say I am not quite as tolerant of IPAs as I used to be.

Between seeing my bffls and cuddling with my mom and various pups, it was a lovely weekend to start the holiday season off.

xx

My Two Minute Acting Gig + A Grapefruit Cocktail

So my friend Christina gets really irritated with my hair situations. She hates that I meet her with my hair down and within minutes of arriving at our destination, its up in my messy, not-quite-a-top-knot, wonky-ass bun. So do most of my other friends.

My annoyance with my hair is quite cyclical. I generally keep it long, then hack it off every two years for locks of love. In the meantime, I can't stand my growing hair until it hits right at my bra line. At which point, I may start wearing it down, but only for minutes at a time.

Anyway, Christina messaged me on Friday asking if I wanted to take part in a Patene marketing campaign to go with the new branding they are launching next year. A free haircut and products? Sold. So I dragged Jacy along thinking I might do a before and after photo thing after my trim.

Um no. This was a full blown makeover. I got my makeup done (totally buying all of the Smashbox products), and then met Jamie, the lovely Brambila hairstylist who made my hair so much more tolerable and pretty and wonderful. I got blunt bangs, layers and color - "sunkissed highlights," which I am pretty much in love with. I am totally going back to Jamie since she was so detail oriented and took her time, despite the filming schedule we were on.

Also I was interviewed before, after and during the whole "transformation."

Anyway, the video will be online in a a couple of weeks, but until then some before, during and after shots :)

Also, Jacy (who is the most amazing and patient person ever) and I managed to sneak away to Misfit for a Happy Hour grapefruit sparkling wine cocktail (Bijou) and a lavender honey cocktail (Bee's Knees- my fave).

All in all, a pretty wonderful day. I have to say though that the whole pampering thing is not as glamorous as it seems. I had to be cheerful and engaging and cute all day long. I slept for nine hours last night straight.

Now for some normalcy,  I am currently in the kitchen baking a mixed berry pie. Recipe to follow!

xx

Adventures in Baked Eggs

So I'm on this new kick. Hiking every morning with the pup and/or housemates/friends. Then I try to fit on a run or yoga 2-3x a week. (Today, I did a leg workout and now I can't move so that's great :) ).

In addition, I'm doing a clean eating thing. (Also, "doing" is a strong word - attempting, trying, aspiring, etc. would probably be better.) The rules are pretty simple. Monday through Friday, I don't eat meat, lactose, or gluten. I pack all my lunches and don't buy anything processed. I still have a weakness for two things though: 1) lattes (but with almond milk) and 2) wine but I'm allowed one glass if I go out during the week.

So this means a few things:

1. I save money - woooooo
2. I've had way more energy
3. I am eternally grateful for my housemate's Ninja blender thing (as is Sophie bc she usually gets a lick)
4. I've become more creative in my "cooking for one" meal plans.

So last week was full of quinoa salads, kale and tomato and homemade dressings.

This week, I've been on a autumn veg spree and have been making comfort food minus the butter. My new favorite thing for breakfast is a coffee and a baked egg dish that I've been mixing up. Then I'll have a smoothie for lunch and then soup or something for dinner. That may not sound like a lot but if you break it down, its way more.  Just in breakfast and lunch today, I've had a ton of protein, several servings of fruits, low sugar, no dairy (except the egg, but that's digestible), no meat and I feel great.

But back to the purpose of the post - easy baked eggs.

I've done two faves this week.

Brussels and Cauliflower Hash:

• handful of roasted brussels and cauliflower with olive oil, pepper, salt, cumin and some rosemary (I made this for dinner and had leftovers)
• Soy cheese
• egg
• balsamic glaze

preheat over to 375.
place a cup of roasted veg in a small bakeware thing (i.e. ramekin)
sprinkle a bit of balsamic vinegar or glaze (Thank you, Trader Joes!)
crack egg on top with a sprinkle of soy cheese
Bake for 12-15 mins
The egg will continue cooking as you take it out, so don't cook it for too long!

Sweet Potato, Basil Pesto and Kale Baked Egg:

• 1.5 tbsp chopped red onion
• 1 cup kale
• small roasted sweet potato (I do several at the beginning of the week to cook with/put salads/feed Sophie)
• egg
• soy cheese
• basil pesto (you can buy, though I've been trying to make as well)

preheat oven to 375.
sauté kale in a sprinkle of olive oil (this takes the longest to cook)
sprinkle in red onion and let cook
then add chopped roasted sweet potato to warm through and mix in
place in bakeware
crack egg, soy cheese on top. Place a small spoonful of pesto on top
Bake for 12-15 mins

Clearly, these are far too easy to make, but so delish. You could roast the veggies with pancetta or bacon, add other veggies (carrots, potatoes, peppers, etc). Great possibilities and super filling :)

Enjoy!

Grateful

Of course, I get caught up in the negligible mindless things and forget about everything amazing.

So last Friday, Rob's flight was cancelled from SFO to LAX after the shooting. 12 hours later and a possible reroute to Sacramento, he arrived at 11pm at LAX. As you clearly see, I am a neurotic mess. Rob and my bro are probably the only people who can get me to calm the eff down. It was a mellow and sweet weekend with lake-gazing, coffee-guzzling, impromptu dance parties, KBBQ-ing, and catching up with the crew/group/republic/party/team etc., including banana slugs Grant, Tawsh, Phil, Scott and Molly and LA-ers (Ladi, Veronica, and Aline.) These people make me happy and there isn't much more to say :)

I know I am a bit late on this, but a five things I am grateful for (Nov. 1-5):

1. Morning hikes (with Jacy, Tucker, Beebs and Annie) and evening runs (with Beebs). As finals approach and work picks up, exercise is keeping me sane. (Also just Beebs in general).

2. My knights in shining armor - Greg, Rob, Evan and my brother, who keep me from careening into romantic embarrassment.

3. My mom - She is my best friend and drives me crazy. She is positive and ridiculous and generous and strong and the inspiration for everything I do. (Except the pouty face, she hates the pouty face... which is probably why I do it... so I guess she's the inspiration for that too).

4. My work - Never before have I had this much professional responsibility and it feels good. Frightening, but really good.

5. Domesticity - LBR (lets be real), I''m generally weary of anything to Martha Stewart-y or crafty. However, autumn chills always inspire me to bake and cook more. It's therapeutic and it is certainly way to show the people around me that I care for them.

A few snaps from the weekend. Places pictured: Brite Spot, Echo Park Lake, the Fig House, Manna KBBQ, Elysian Park.

Mammoth

Sophs (aka Beebs), Paige (aka Paigey-Poo), Evan (aka EVANNNNN), my mom (aka Raji/Madge), my Aunt Tracy (aka Tray), and my dad (aka Fahv) went to Mammoth two weekends ago to see the Aspens, do some light hiking, lots of cuddling and comfort eating. (Also, do NOT see the remake of Nightmare on Elm Street, its painfully awful.)

We're a ridiculous family, but I love us.