london + cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for breast milk  - wait, what?! Yes, you heard right. A London ice cream shop, Icecreamists, created a new flavor 'Baby Gaga' which consists of madagascan vanilla pods, lemon zest, and human breast milk. Jeez, it sounded really tasty until the last ingredient.

Icecreamists founder, Matt O'Connor says "It's pure, it's natural, it's organic, and it's free range - and if it's good enough for our kids, it's good enough to use in our ice cream". Hmm, well there ya go folks.

As liberal as I am on many topics, I can't help but feel a bit queasy when thinking of sampling breast milk ice cream. Although, I believe cow's milk comes in almost as close to breast milk on the gross level. If you've ever read Skinny Bitch, you will start to think of milk in a whole new light. The thought of it having to be heavily pasteurized due to the blood and puss of the cow's teats is pretty nauseating, huh? As the Skinny Bitches say, "We are the only species on the planet that drinks the milk of another species. We are the only species on the planet that drinks milk as adults. Why? Because the multi-million dollar dairy industry has convinced us that we need milk for healthy bones." It's just weird that humans drink cow's milk and it's sad that those poor cow's are constantly getting impregnated to get milked by machines. It's unnatural all around. Now if only rice or almond milk ice cream became just as popular.

Okay, now back to those crazy Brits...

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_n1zoU8G_M&w=640&h=390]

melissa + details

Okayyy okayyy, so I said Melissa Leo had one of my favorite Oscar dress picks. And yes, I still do like it, regardless of what everyone is saying about it. Although, I don't like it quite as much as I thought I did when she got up for her acceptance speech. Now that I am looking at it closer up, there are definitely some aspects to it that could have been refined - perhaps the gold underlay not looking so heavy or a finer lace. How cute would it be as a short bolero jacket though? I just have a thing for stand up collars.

As I took a closer look at this Marc Bouwer dress, I noticed some cool details on Melissa Leo. Not to mention, she has quite the spunk about her that I really love. I like how she puts a stud in her first ear piercing and a dangle in the second. Subtle, but a little edgy. I also found her spider necklace to be so interesting and unpredictable. I've seen her wear it before, maybe it's a good luck charm? In an interview I found online, she mentions that the spider pendant is designed by her friend Katherine Wallach, who is doing a pop-up boutique on Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles for one month. You can check out Katherine Wallach's Jewelry here, she has a lot of interesting collections.

One thing is for certain, I would rather see someone take a chance at fashion and feel amazing with what they are wearing than being boring, plain, and oh so safe.

[caption id="attachment_696" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Photo: WireImage"][/caption]

 

mila + oscars

I don't particularly like lace. And I don't usually care for lavender. But hands down, the best Oscar's gown goes to Mila Kunis. This Elie Saab Couture is a serious stunner. There are so many tiny details to this dress that makes it so breathtaking ; the peak-a-boo lace at the bust, the belted sash, the billowing chiffon, the layers of lace. Unfortunately, I don't think there was much Red Carpet competition this year. It was quite lack luster to say the least. Did all the L.A. rain the past few weeks put a gray cloud over the stylist's inspirations bubbles? Either way, competition or not - this Elie Saab number would have reigned supreme.

[caption id="attachment_684" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Picture : Getty"][/caption]

Okay, so since the fashion wasn't all that at the Oscars, I decided to concentrate on the beauty aspect : Make-up and Hair. Boy was I disappointed again. It's not that there was anything hideous about the beauty, it just never seemed to fit. Having a cohesive look with the dress and face was a rare image. Eyes were smoky when they should have been clean and simple, hair was stick straight when it should have been voluminous, lips were red when they should have been nude. Honestly, it was really aggravating to watch. How many "beauty gurus" are helping these ladies get Oscar ready and they're still not totally spot on?!

Lets take Mila Kunis for example. Yes, she looked ahhmazing. But there was still something slightly off. The simplest make-up/wardrobe thought out there - wear cool colors with cool colors & warm colors with warm colors. Not so hard.

The rich, warm, brown eye could have easily been switched out with icy, silver, charcoal shades. Same goes for her lips, why such a warm nude - it would have looked so much better if she wore a blue under-toned soft pink pout. It's as though the heads and bodies were disconnected. Ho-hum.

[caption id="attachment_687" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Photo : WireImage"][/caption]

kashuk + polish

I usually go through usage phases of any of my beauty products - I get so hooked and then forget anything else it out there. This past fall/winter I fell head over heals for Sonia Kashuk's Tauped Nail Polish. Hands down, the perfect grey - brown. A milky, smooth, hot cocoa color. They should have named this polish color Swiss Miss. Anyway, this is a lacquer that is here to stay in my beauty world. Not only do I love the natural hue, it's fast drying, opaque, with a high shine. Hopefully somewhere online you can still find Tauped. If not, Essie makes a wide variety of natural earthy tones and I would recommend looking at Sonia Kashuk's other colors - there are tons of beautiful shades and they are only $4.99 at Target. Thankyoujesus.

[caption id="attachment_529" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="Sonia Kashuk Nail Polish"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_670" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="Tauped"][/caption]

wonder + woman

Bigger is not always better.

I love that MAC always has a new collection coming out - I mean, I would just kill to be on their marketing team! But at the same time, I am not into make-up gimmicks. And at times, this can be quite the fine line. Do products become more "innovative" or just more "catchy". At the end of the day, a girl just wants a pretty lipgloss not some goofy gadget.

Okay so the new Wonder Woman Collection - Well, I'm a MAC fan, so the product formulas are great as usual - buuuuut the size? - I dunnnnoooo. When a compact is giving me whiplash opening it or a lipglass is splashing on my face just by pulling out the applicator, I'm not so into it. For some reason the size of some of these bad boys girls don't show up on camera - but trust me, they are large and in charge. Unfortunately, Wonder Woman is only punching a pow with the size of these products - Gotta wait for another superhero to save my cosmetic fate.

[caption id="attachment_542" align="alignnone" width="435" caption="Welcome to the Wonder Woman Collection - MAC store on Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="435" caption=""M∙A∙C Spring Colour 2011 is the feminine force that saves the day! No nemesis can match her super-sized Mineralize Skinfinish, Eye Shadows, Lipsticks and Powder Blush for this transformation!" -  MAC"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_541" align="alignnone" width="435" caption="Jumbo-sized Lipglass. Color: Wonder Woman - Bright red with soft pearl."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_543" align="alignnone" width="435" caption="Jumbo-Sized Lipglass. Color: Emancipation - Pale neutral pink (even though it looks peachy orange in this pic)."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_544" align="alignnone" width="435" caption=""Our Artists work wonders every day - now with the help of one of the most exciting feminist figures… " - MAC"][/caption]

Shop the collection.

80's + dating

There were a lot of terrible things about the 80s. And when I say terrible, I mean terribly wonderful.

Mullets. Rolled sleeves. LA Gear. Neon. Jean on jean. Reebok. Aqua net. Overall cheesiness.

So, I have a guilty confession. Dun, dun, dun...I love listening to people talk about dating. Well, specifically, listening to people talk about "what they are looking for". I know that sounds strange, but I don't really know how else to put it. The 80s/90s were full of great matchmaker material - like, Love Connection and Change of Heart. And they were good and all but the all time best was STUDS. My friends would be watching Who's the Boss and The Cosby Show and there I was watching Studs! Yes, I was always a little nut night owl. My friend, Christian and I even used to read the 'Missed Connection' section of Craigslist like it was the New York Times. There is just something I find relaxing, kind of comforting, wistful, and downright comedic with what people write. It's like housebound people watching.

Thanks to my friend Lynnette - We've got a real gem (I think I use that word in almost every post) below.



"At night I operate a damsel and distress hotline - I guess you'd call me a knight."

church + state

Downtown Los Angeles is jam packed with hidden foodie gems. This past weekend I had a bunch of girlfriends visiting from NYC, which was the perfect excuse to try out all sorts of wonderful restaurants. French cuisine is always on the top of my favorite dining experiences and Church & State Bistro was no exception.

There were so many options on the menu, I just didn't even know where to begin. This industrial feel bistro is full of richness and decadence topped off with an overflow of many wonderful wines. (If you are at all a french onion soup fan, this is hands down the best I've ever had - a must try). We went pretty late in the evening which added to the cozy and romantic feel.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538" caption="Church & State Bistro"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_520" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="Soupe Gratinée à l’Oignon"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_518" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="Tarte aux Courges - caramelized onions, roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, arugula, balsamic reduction"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_522" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="Gratin de Macaronis et Fromage - macaroni, comte, bechemel"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_515" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="Pommes Frites au Lard"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_512" align="alignnone" width="544" caption="2007 Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot d’Alsace - Alsace Pinot Auxerrois"][/caption]

salon + los angeles

[caption id="attachment_504" align="alignnone" width="604" caption="Waiting Area - (Picture taken from www.neihule.com)"]

raw + chocolate

Happy Valentine’s Day all my little Sugar Drops! Valentine’s Day and chocolates go hand in hand. But what I’m thinking of isn’t your drugstore heart box of waxy chocolate pieces. Welcome to Gnosis Chocolate – a small, self-funded, handmade chocolate company that will change your world.

I am definitely no raw foodie now, but was for quite some time, which led me to discovering this amazing chocolate. This organic, raw, kosher, vegan chocolate is free of refined sugar, cholesterol, gluten, dairy, and soy. Most importantly though – it’s taste absolutely amazing - hands down the best chocolate I have ever tasted!!!

[caption id="attachment_564" align="alignnone" width="466" caption="Valentine's Special - Gnosis Passion Truffles"][/caption]

The first time I tasted this melt in your mouth chocolate (literally melts - it's much softer than your standard hershey's bar) was when Vanessa Barg, founder of Gnosis Chocolate came to speak (as an alumni) at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Vanessa generously passed out a Super Counselor Bar for each of us to try. It was love at first sight taste.

[caption id="attachment_563" align="alignnone" width="483" caption="Super Counselor Gnosis Chocolate Bar - smaller than the standard Gnosis bar…so don't go looking for these in Whole Foods. "][/caption]

Chocolate is one of the most amazing super foods. Full of Antioxidants, Magnesium, Anandamide (also known as “the bliss chemical”), Serotonin, and Vitamin C. Unfortunately, most people think of chocolate as something they try to stay away from or a once in a while treat. Like most things, we are just so used to over-processed and chemical packed junk - it's time to get back to the raw state of life!

[caption id="attachment_569" align="alignnone" width="470" caption="Vanessa Barg - Founder of Gnosis Chocolate"][/caption]

One of the coolest human beings and favorite teachers ever:

[caption id="attachment_566" align="alignnone" width="483" caption="Joshua Rosenthal - Founder & Director of Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Gnosis Chocolate fan."][/caption]

I love all Gnosis Chocolate bars but the Fleur de Sel is one of my favorites. Especially since my taste buds have that never-ending sweet / salty battle ;)

[caption id="attachment_565" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="Fleur de Sel"][/caption]

I hope you give Gnosis Chocolate a try - check your local Whole Foods and if not there, (thank goodness for the internet), you can order and learn more about the cacao, company, and causes at www.gnosischocolate.com.

Happy Valentine's Day - And remember, nothing is more attractive than being healthy, happy, eco-conscious, and naturally radiant.

 

Note: All pictures were taken off of www.gnosischocolate.com. Thank You!

crepes + lattes

If you ever find yourself in Downtown L.A. - you must check out my favorite dessert shop: Syrup Desserts on Yelp

Here are just a few of my favorite things…

Crepe heaven: Mixed berries, Jasmine tea ice cream, & Sweet mascarpone cheese.

Blackberries, Lingonberries, & Brie on flaky cuban bread w/ Fresh fruit. Double delish. (Not everything is a dessert, just most.)

Strawberry Jasmine Iced Tea. So refreshing and perfectly sweet.

Nutella Latte. Doesn't nutella make everything better?

Where the magic happens.

eye + spy

For a while there, I was really loving adding a touch of turquoise eyeliner.

The summer seems to be where I experiment the most with playful colors, but if you stick to a few simple rules, you can have fun any time of the year.

1. Keep it subtle : Line the top OR bottom - Less IS more.

2. Pair with a nude lip : You don't want to look like a rainbow faced clown.

(or at least, I hope not).

3. Keep it clean : Tamed & groomed brows help frame any eye painting.

There are so many amazing variations of turquoise liners out there -

One of my favorites is Sephora's Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner. A price tag of $12 doesn't hurt either.

super bowl + commercials

What does the car industry have to do with the beauty industry?

Well apparently a lot, at FIDM, professors are often talking about the influence of the automotive industry. An industry that reflects our advertising, color, style, design, technology, and economy.

Being raised in "the mistake by the lake", clearly a title that doesn't shine the brightest light on good ol' Cleveland, I often find myself rooting for the underdog cities and take offense when people talk about the depressed cities of the U.S. How do you know it's depressed, are you from there, have you ever even been there?! Because the people that live there, probably feel differently. So, all I have to say is, You go girl Detroit!



On a lighter note, I think this commercial is so darn cute. I hope to have mini Darth Vader children one day. Don't you just love super bowl commercials?!

red + white

some people say that a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away. and i definitely like those people.

click here to see why.

afterall, aren't italians supposed to live longer than most europeans?! - dionysus, the god of wine, really  had it going on.

all i can say about vino is:

red...

…or white...

…i don't discriminate...

…one thing i know...

…the more the merrier!