Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Monday, December 7, 2015

Holiday Party Recap!

I wish hosting parties was my full-time job, as I sit here drafting a fourth version of a trial brief and sipping on raw ginger tea bc my throat is on fire. My seasonal get together went off almost perfectly (except that we listened to the same three Fetty Wap songs on repeat for over an hour).  I am so happy to have had many of the people I love and treasure in the same room and to ply them with food and drink.

Joanna and Me 

The MENU:

Appetizers: dill shrimp spread, babaganoush, olive hummus, caprese bites, cheese plate (feat. brie, syrah soaked toscana, aged English cheddar, honey lavender goat cheese), kielbasa bites, Mexican 7-layer dip, plus chips, pita bread and baguettes.

Dessert: chocolate bourbon pecan bites, ginger molasses cookies, cranberry pecan chocolate chip cookies

Beverages: mulled wine, whiskey cider, egg nog and assorted beer and wine.

Special thanks to my mom, aunt, Jaimie, Cassi and Sam for helping me set up and prepare :)

And all my love and gratitude for all my friends who were able to come out on Saturday. I am #blessed #AF to have you all in my life and I am so glad I had Saturday to give you something of myself to show that.

Dessert bar

Some of the apps



Henan and Aline




my dapper G$





Friday, December 5, 2014

Grey Day Comforts + a Bacon Recipe

The last few days have been an emotional roller coaster. Between making hard choices about what I want to do with my life, discovering new things about people in my life and what to do with that information, and trying to get Sophie to pee in the rain, it has been a long week. Margs with Christina, a delicious dinner at Tar and Roses with Alene, and finally being sworn in as a licensed attorney have certainly been cushioning the dreariness however along with truffle goat cheese pizza making and hiking with Jacy and Evan.

[I would like to add that I have been feeling disillusioned and disappointed with both the Ferguson and Garner cases as well as with UVA revelations. However, this blog has never been my venue to discus my political and social beliefs. It is important, however, for me to acknowledge that these events have affected me deeply.]

But on to other things. I want to practice a bit more gratitude in looking at the things in my life that are good and sharing them with you :)

1. My Bacon Sandwich Brunch

I've been enjoying my mornings with my mom, over good coffee and discussions about politics, which sometimes get a bit heated. It's also my opportunity to cook, since Jas doesn't invade the kitchen until later in the day. Today, I made the following breakfast sandwich, which was delicious - it has rosemary, chili bacon, with sriracha mayo, lettuce, a fried egg, grilled onions and melted aged English cheddar cheese.



Recipe (if you can call it that):
- Sriracha mayo: 1 tbsp of mayo mixed with sriracha to taste
- Bacon (fried in fresh rosemary and chili flakes until crispy)
- Fried egg (obviously over-easy)
- French bread, toasted with your favorite cheese
- Onions, fried in the bacon fat
- Some organic, washed lettuce (arugula would be great too)

Assemble. Inhale.

2. Reading Longread's Best of 2014.
Great long-form narratives. I've especially liked "The Murders at the Lake" by Michael Hall. It's totally like Serial except in magazine form. Also, Like Malone's "You’re 16. You’re a Pedophile. You Don’t Wantto Hurt Anyone. What Do You Do Now?" It's a sympathetic look at individuals who are often reviled. It is sensitively done and interesting. Definitely a must-read.

3. Being inspired by ClosetVisit at the recommendation of my friend Machiko. 
It's become my addiction and style inspiration. The blog documents the style, closets, homes and inspiration of interesting and trendsetting women, including film directors, travel bloggers, designers and photographers.




4. Beverages of all kinds.


This sounds dumb, but omg, this week has been winning. I've had a host of high quality and comforting drinks this week. You must try the:

- Lavender-whiskey cocktail at The Edison
- The mocha at Modern Eats (a new brunch place, which also has amazing fennel sausage)
- The coffee at Woodcat Coffee in Echo Park. I thought this cafe was silly for opening up down the street from Stories, but the quality is superb and the vibe super chill.
- The Breathe Easy tea from Traditional Medicinals to ward off any winter blues.

5. The coming weeks.

Despite my uncertain future, the next few weeks are looking fun and relaxing, with the IPA Fest tomorrow at Mohawk Bend, birthday celebrations in DTLA tonight for my friend Kayla, holiday parties, brunch plans with my former co-clerks, baking days and girls' nights. I'm trying to take the advice of my mom and family friend Katherine, that I should soak up this low-key time and enjoy myself. Which is exactly what I plan on doing.

xx

Monday, December 2, 2013

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




Monday, February 14, 2011

Friday, January 7, 2011

MIA in Santa Cruz

Whoops, I got distracted and kind of, sort of, totally forgot about my New Year's Resolutions. Now I'm back in the game despite some stressors, i.e. I forgot my camera in Rob's car so he is overnighting it. However, it looks like I won't have it when I go back to England which is a bummer. But my mom is being sweet enough to let me take her point and shoot to tide me over.

Anywho, after that little bump in the road, I want to talk about Santa Cruz and the amazing time I had there. Highlights:

1. Our Indian Feast: Tash and I decided to do little Indian cooking lesson and we cooked Aloo Gobi and Tandoori Chicken for a few of our friends and also enlisted the help of Scott and Grant to do the sous chef work. I'll post the family recipes later. The meal was a success, especially because I have never cooked for that many people. The best part was seeing all the people that make Santa Cruz such a special place to me sitting around the table and talking. It made me feel all mushy inside.







2. First Day of Class: Days like this make me question why I didn't think about Santa Cruz as a place to do my Masters. Beautiful weather, ocean, baby deer and a latte. Plus, I got to work on my paper.



3. Seeing Rob, Max, Sara and Carrie: Everyday was like another day of Christmas. Sara, Amanda, Matt and I had lunch at Walnut Cafe - yummy and amazing to see my best friends. Carrie came for the day on Sunday - we did Cafe Brazil, the beach, vintage shopping and then did The Poet and The Patriot with Max, his great amigos, Grant, Tash, Scott and Jas. And then I got to celebrate Rob's birthday a couple of days early - being able to see him made my week. I love these people so much it hurts.



4. Being with my brother: despite our ups and downs, he is my best friend and I love spending time with him.

5. NYE at the Cypress Lounge: Good music, great company, hazy memories - an amazing time was had for sure, although it will never cease to perplex me as to why I ask for Jack and Coke. Ew.

6. Taking time off: Santa Cruz is a sanctuary for me. It has always allowed me time and a place to think about where I am in my life and what I need and want to do. Spending this week in Santa Cruz made me feel better about going back to London and what I need to do. In addition, it also helped me find the strength to address the issues in my life that I have putting off. Now it's time to get to work on the New Year's Resolutions!


xoxo

Monday, December 27, 2010

Beach Day with the BFFL

Lauren and I inevitably end up at the beach whenever we spend the day together. This particular day started with post-party In & Out, 2 hours on the freeway, a landslide on PCH, then peppermint white mochas and the beach!

Reasons why I will settle in CA:










Wednesday, December 8, 2010

NYE Dress?


I don't know what I'm doing yet, but I want a dress like this.

Calypso via Simply Seductive

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Holiday Recipes...

that I will enlist my mom to make when I get home. (I call these holiday recipes because I don't want it to seem like I would indulge in these everyday... but I would if I could and I'm glad I don't cook as often as I should.)

Apple Brie Walnut Tart via Darjeeling Dreams


S'More Pie from The Noshery via The Pioneer Woman



French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms via The Pioneer Woman



Friday, December 3, 2010

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