October 19th, 2012
{An unsettling Halloween decoration that keeps me company while I work}
This week really was about the little things that make me happiest: decorating for my favorite holiday, a leisurely meal with my best friend up north, a long walk to the beach, a sweet drawing from a reader, and picking tomatoes for that night’s meal. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
{Homemade limeade + excellent Puerto Rican cuisine at Sol Food}
{A beautiful walk that ended with dolphin-watching at the beach}
{A drawing from Lauren, a reader who came out to my San Francisco book signing}
{Tomato picking in my parents’ back yard in the rain}
October 9th, 2012
All bets are off when it comes to sweets during the month of October (there must be some rule that calories don’t count leading up to Halloween, right?). I find all of the temptations – mini candy bars, caramel apples, and baked goods nearly impossible to resist, and these red velvet swirl brownies pretty much top that list. I made a batch last week and have since decided that they’d make an excellent addition to our Halloween party menu, perhaps renamed “bloody brownies.”
September 19th, 2012
The beginning of fall is just days away, but in L.A. it doesn’t even feel remotely close. It’s my favorite season of the year, but when the weather is hot and sticky, it’s hard to get excited about cozy sweaters and home-cooked comfort food. In an attempt to see past the triple digit temperatures, here are a few of the things I’m determined to do this upcoming season.
1. Host a pumpkin carving party.
2. Go to a football game (mainly for the stadium food, since I’m not exactly a fan of the sport).
3. Visit a lighthouse – with a picnic in tow. It’s something I’ve never done and sounds fun and romantic.
4. Spend a day in my college town of Claremont – it’s so charming in the fall.
5. Redesign my site – quite a few areas could benefit from a little facelift.
6. Visit an apple orchard. A wonderful excuse to escape from L.A. for a day.
7. Have an early Thanksgiving celebration with friends. Once a year just isn’t enough.
8. Start a movie club (it would have that same feeling as a book club, but without the deadlines).
9. Check out open houses in L.A. An exciting/overwhelming new Sunday activity.
10. Can some of the last of summer’s produce – strawberry jam and homemade tomato sauce.
What are some of the things you’re most excited to do this fall?
October 31st, 2011
I’ve always been a fan of Hitchcock films, and after a recent trip to Northern California, I was inspired to recreate the character of Melanie Daniels from The Birds. I found a vintage skirt suit, wore a disheveled french twist, affixed crows all over my body and hair, and added some bloody scratches to my face. I’m really happy with how it came out and was equally impressed by all of the creative costumes from our party on Saturday night, including the Grand High Witch and mouse (from Roald Dahl’s “The Witches”), Mr. Clean, Sharon Stone from Casino, and a Beverly Hills housewife. Happy Halloween!
