If you haven’t heard of it yet, The Hype Machine is one of the most efficient and enjoyable music sites on the web. According to their site here’s what they do, “To put it simply, the Hype Machine keeps track of what music bloggers write about. We handpick a set of kickass music blogs and then present what they discuss for easy analysis, consumption and discovery. This way, your odds of stumbling into awesome music or awesome blogs are high.” My favorite part about the site is that they stream all of the mp3s making your online music experience that much more diverse and user-friendly. I’ve been able to discover wonderful new music through this site before deciding which albums to actually purchase with my hard-earned dollar. Last week, The Hype Machine posted their Top 50 Albums of 2009. The top ten of this list of 50 are as follows:
10. Girls - Album
9. Fever Ray - Fever Ray
8. Antlers - Hospice
7. Passion Pit - Manners
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz! (My personal favorite.)
5. The XX - XX
4. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
3. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
2. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
Earlier this year a friend of mine in the music industry forwarded me a link to download Doctor Rosen Rosen’s remix of the entire Lily Allen album “It’s Not Me It’s You,” which the doctor appropriately renamed, “It’s Not Me, It’s Doctor Rosen Rosen.” Lily’s snappy lyrics to poppy beats fill me with all sorts of euphoria. Her lyrics are those of your alter-ego, or your outspoken BFF. Y’know, the BFF you met at a party, had a good laugh with over beer pong, started spotting at Starbucks and became legitimate friends, gossiped over ex-boyfriends and their stupid new girlfriends with, took a couple Yoga classes with, then caught her in a compromising position in the bathroom of a bar one night, started to feel awkward around, then stopped returning her text messages, then started completely distancing yourself from and changing the way she can view your Facebook profile page, but still have a really good place in your heart for. Yeah…that kind of BFF.
When I heard Doctor Rosen Rosen’s remix of her entire album I was blown away. The beats are as haunting as the lyrics forcing the songs to metamorphosize into a completely new and complex being. So needless to say I was filled with glee when I opened my inbox today to find an email from camp Doctor Rosen Rosen offering more of his remixes FREE to download on his site. Jump here to his site to stream, download and enjoy all of the doctor’s glory.
On January 2nd I kicked off the new year exploring one of LA’s greatest experiences, The Rose Bowl Parade. The day after the parade the public can view the floats up close in Pasadena. As a lover of design, color, flowers, etc this was the perfect place to find inspiration. I hope you enjoy my photos of these beautiful works of art.
I know I’m a little late to join the Food Inc. bandwagon since I’ve heard rave reviews about this documentary for the past year. Driving around LA I’ve seen food trucks with stickers of the film in their windows and even restaurants with full blown posters. It seemed like this film was the new Obama campaign and all the hype made me want to see what it was all about. I got around to watching it over my break and wow…just wow. I’ve spent the past few years being mindful of what I put into my body trying to buy Organic as much as possible and limiting the amount of red meat I eat, partly from reading Skinny Bitch as well as the information I got from my partner who read The Omnivore’s Dilemma. But Food Inc sealed the deal. Like the film’s website reads, I will never look at dinner the same way again. And I’ll also never look at food at the supermarket the same way either. The key things I am going to try and change after seeing Food Inc. are to buy local, seasonal and organic from local farmer’s markets; eat grass-fed meat; and read the labels of what I’m eating!!! I can preach this from the high mountains all day long but seeing this film will truly open your eyes. I will warn you that there are scenes that are not for the faint of heart. I shuddered like a small child under a blanket unable to bear the brutality of some of the images. But the overall film is extremely well done and packs a plethora of information into a great presentation. On my new year and Food Inc. kick I am now on Day One of life without Diet Coke…so don’t blame me if my posts come off crankier in the next few weeks
As I teetered on the idea of flying to San Francisco to celebrate New Years Eve I was taken to a lunch escape, which turned out to be just what I needed. Royal-T Cafe in Culver City (as described on their own website), “is a playful collision of spaces—café/shop/art space—presented in stunning fusion. An eclectic mix of retail and contemporary art reimagined in the surrounds of LA’s first Japanese-style cosplay café.” I will say that the food was simple yet delicious and the environment reminded me that “FUN IS NECESSARY!” It was simply delightful from the Murakami prints on the wall to the waitresses decked out in Anime French Maid outfits and of course the yummy food. I dined on an appetizer of spicy tuna on crispy rice, an entree of kobe beef sliders served three ways with sweet potato fries and finished with a chocolate peanut butter cupcake for dessert! (Let’s see just how many times I post pictures of cupcakes on this site). That was my first but definitely not my last time to Royal-T. Hopefully one day I can host a fabulous event in their amazing space!
It is Christmas Eve and I am filled with memories of the Christmas celebrations of my childhood. In our house Christmas Eve was always special since we would dress up to attend Midnight Mass then come home late at night and open the presents Santa had left for us while we were at church. On Christmas Day itself we would sit around in our holiday pajamas and share stories of the past year. In the afternoon we would go out and see a movie since movie theaters are normally some of the only businesses open on this day. Being with family and doing absolutely nothing but enjoying eachother’s company was and is so lovely. During my upcoming break I hope to explore “Il bel far niente”, the Italian saying for THE BEAUTY OF DOING NOTHING. (I had a wonderful time exploring this idea from Elizabeth Gilbert in the book Eat, Pray, Love.) I hope you will do the same. And if you’re going to go about doing that you might as well do it with style. Here are two films that I just absolutely adored. Both layered with stories of love, growth, inner-strength and of course oozing with style. Go out and see them both, you won’t regret it.
AN EDUCATION: Hands down one of my favorite films of the year. I won’t allow my stumbling words to describe this beautiful, beautiful film. Here is the trailer:
NINE: I got to see this film during its limited release. Along with the amazing talent, music, and sequins, the film takes place in Italy during the 60′s so you can imagine that the scenes are gorgeous! To be honest, I don’t think American critics fully understood this film. It is definitely a throwback to the old musical days when the music told the story. THIS IS NOT MOULIN ROUGE. It is not a 2.5 hour music video. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Moulin Rouge. But they are two entirely different films. Here is the trailer:
Here are the extra pictures from my birthday festivities at The Bazaar. I can’t reiterate how truly memorable this dining experience was, not just because of the food but also the amazing company.
My BFF Chelsea and Me.
The box that puts a smile on everyone's face.
Sprinkles cupcakes = love. My trainer does NOT need to know about these.
My culinary masterpiece....and yes, I did cut a slice for myself but it was an act of duty to show you the double layers.
There’s something about the holidays that makes me want to bake. Maybe its the inner fear of being the strange city girl coming to the Thanksgiving harvest table and only having Trader Joe’s steamed gyozas as an offering. Years ago I ripped out an easy pumpkin pie recipe out of a magazine and attempted my version of “baking” (aka fake baking) with my dad. Baking seemed so simple! We didn’t even have to turn on the oven with this one. So I’ve learned that instant vanilla pudding is the key to fake baking along with 4 hours in a fridge but it doesn’t exactly qualify you as a bonafide baker. The recipe is below but in my due diligence to make this post “official” I wanted to find a link to the actual recipe. In my research I found that all these years I have been carrying around a veeeeeeeeery exclusive recipe. Is it from Le Cordon Bleu, you may ask? Thought up by famed pastry chef Jacques Torres? Or could it be an exclusive straight out of the back rooms of famous NY bakeries such as Magnolia or Billy’s Bakery? Well, my friends, the recipe comes from the good people that make your 3,098,564,898,759 calorie bagel even more delightful: Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Gotta love it. Here ya go, have fun fake baking and even more fun eating!
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. milk, divided
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
BEAT cream cheese, 1 Tbsp. milk and sugar in large bowl with whisk until blended. Stir in 1/2 of whipped topping. Spread into crust.
WHISK remaining milk, pumpkin, pudding mixes and spices 2 min. (Mixture will be thick.) Spread over cream cheese layer.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until set. Top with remaining whipped topping just before serving.
Here is thelink to their posting of this recipe as well as their fancy schmancy picture of what it can look like if you have more patience than me. But don’t you dare click on the link to the Nutritional Information. Save that for after Thanksgiving when you’re making Turkey leftover salad.
Escape the chains of Student Center Food!! Seen here is a delicious offering from Andrei's Conscious Cuisine and Cocktails, one of the many restaurants in Irvine participating in Orange County Restaurant Week.
Someone once said to me, “LA is annoying because it’s a bunch of people desperately trying to be individuals and Orange County is annoying because it’s a bunch of people desperately trying to be the same.” Well as a native Angelino I can fight the good fight for my city all day long. As far as Orange County goes, I’ll let Orange County Restaurant Week do the fighting…because one look at the participating restaurants and you’ll see there is nothing desperate or the same at all. The menus are prixe fixe for the restaurants and a lot of them offer $10 lunch items. Let’s face it, after a steady diet of Top Ramen you can spend a little bit more and bring some culture to your life and flavor to your taste buds by heading to one of the restaurants. You can learn more about Orange County Restaurant Week at their site here and check out the restaurants in the listing here.
The iconic bob…dark sunglasses…and she proved at the premiere that yes, indeed, the devil does wear Prada. But with all the criticism, we can’t help but recognize Anna Wintour as one of the ultimate kick-ass career chicks. When Vera Wang turns the green eye of envy at you, you know you’ve really done something…
“I mean, I was there for seventeen years. I didn’t get the job that Anna got. I guess that was my most memorable experience.”- Vera Wang to New York Magazine on her time at Vogue
I have been anticipating the release of the new documentary The September Issuewhich tracks Anna Wintour as she prepares to release the biggest issue in the fashion mag world. It has already been released in New York and it will finally, finally, fiiiiinally make its crawl into Los Angeles today! I love this review from one of my favorite blogs, Fashionista.com, and got even more excited when they said the only movie that made them laugh harder this year was The Hangover. Check out the film’s official site to watch clips here.
Big: people don’t dress up anymore
Carrie: like with waistcoats
Big: and watch fobs I’m gonna bring back the watch fob
I wish we could go back to a time of waistcoats and watch fobs. A time where full petticoat-ed skirts and driving gloves were the norm. But I want it all…I want a broken glass ceiling for women in the work place and pin curls! Valentino The Last Emporer, documents the retirement of the famed designer but also the end of an era. The end of a time where a man like Valentino and the women that he dressed (Aubrey Hepburn and Jackie O) brought glamour and sophistication to the world. The documentary, directed by Matt Tyrnauer, follows Valentino in the last days of his retirement. I never got the chance to see this in theaters so I’m thrilled that the DVD was released this past Tuesday. I suggest picking it up and watching while you pack your things for this weekend’s move-in. Because let’s be honest, you’ve already watched all your recorded episodes of the Rachel Zoe Project. Order your copy of Valentino The Last Emporerhere.
Tomorrow I’ll be heading over to the Sunset Junction Street Festival with one of my super-cool-music-industry friends. Well, she was my friend before she was a super-cool-music-industry person….Not she is my friend BECAUSE she is a super-cool-music-industry person. Okay, I’ll admit it. She’s my friend because she’s good looking. UCLA or USC Campus Confidants should make their way over to the East Side with us since apparently there is soooo much more than all the great music. I’m looking forward to seeing the Submarines(more than just my obsession with Apple computers) as well as a few of my super-cool-music- industry friend’s suggestions:
PS ….How many more times do you want me to say super-cool-music-industry friend?
PPS…I encourage all of you to be even more super-cool by going green and heading to the festivities via Metro like we are! Below are the Metro instructions according to the site. It will be quite the adventure but we’re willing to forge ahead into the unknown for Mother Earth.
Take the Metro to the Santa Monica-Vermont or the Sunset-Vermont Stops.
Either walk (5 blocks, going east on Santa Monica or Sunset Blvds.) or take the bus (routes 2, 3 or 4) going towards downtown (east), and get off at Hoover Street (route 4) or at Fountain Avenue (route 2 or 3).
I remember a time in LA where the taco truck was a shameful crime. Despite being ever-so-tasty, did you really know what kind of meat was in your super speedy burrito? Please believe this girl has had her fair share of hot dogs from a cart vendor in Santee Alley in Downtown LA. Those discount prom dresses always came with a $1.50 hot dog!!!
This is a re-post of a great great great article from Daily Candy showcasing the revival and gentrification of the LA Taco Truck. But I have to add to their post because they forgot the best taco truck of them all, KOGI KOREAN BBQ! This Taco truck serves up Korean tacos. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. But one bite of a Korean Short Rib Taco and you will claim yourself converted. And if you don’t believe me than you can ask every studio executive in LA who this truck serves up weekly. If it’s good enough for the people who green-light George Clooney’s projects its good enough for your 12 am “fourth meal”. To top off all their glorious food, the guy behind their Twitter tweetsis really funny and a little bit gangsta. Come on, you gotta be creative when you’re serving up Korean tacos on a truck.
Below is Daily Candy’s list and to read the full details of their favorite LA trucks check out their article here.
Frysmith
Follow at twitter.com/southphillyexp. Nom Nom Truck
Follow at twitter.com/nomnomtruck. Marked5
follow at twitter.com/marked5. Fishlips Sushi
Follow at twitter.com/fishlips_sushi. Baby’s Badass Burgers
Follow at twitter.com/babysbbs.
Tomorrow I’ll be heading over to the 
I remember a time in LA where the taco truck was a shameful crime. Despite being ever-so-tasty, did you really know what kind of meat was in your super speedy burrito? Please believe this girl has had her fair share of hot dogs from a cart vendor in Santee Alley in Downtown LA. Those discount prom dresses always came with a $1.50 hot dog!!! 
