Market On Your Calendar!

Photo credit: RE LA Farm Web site

You MUST put Yamashiro Farmers Market on your calendar for Thursday evenings!  The Market is set high on a peak in the Hollywood Hills with the most beautiful views of the city!  You can grab a glass of vino or a beer, sit and listen to live jazz, grab some grub at one of the many vendors (the most popular was the Yamashiro Grill Stand),  and purchase fruits and veggies for home!  The atmosphere is relaxed and family friendly.  It's run by the non-profit L.A. City Farm - if you go to their web site, they will give you a run down of which vendors will be at the market each week!  It is a Gourmond's dream!  Bulgarini Gelato, Gourmet on Wheels, Long Shot Coffee and Espresso, Roeckenwagner Breads and Pastries, and my new FAVORITE CHOCOLATE:  CHOCOVIVO!!!  If you've never tried Chocovivo, you MUST check them out - the flavors literally explode in your mouth!  We bought Mayan Tradition, Orange & Cloves, Coffee & Vanilla and Shangri-LA - I couldn't even pick a favorite because they are all AMAZING!

This place makes the perfect date night - Big Daddy and I certainly had one!

Now this is a Paige Turner!

This woman is genius!!  Absolute GENIUS!  Is there anyone out there that doesn't LOVE the feel of a vintage, worn out T-shirt?  Well, Paige Mycoskie, creator of Aviator Nation has soared to new heights with her rendition of the Vintage Tee.  She went so far as to study how they were made in the past:  inks, sewing, screen printing, etc and reproduced it all in her LA manufacturing plant.  You can find her products all over the world in different department stores and boutiques but my favorite place to shop for them is in Venice, CA at the one and only Aviator Nation Boutique.  There's 70's music spinning, vintage video games, ping pong and an AMAZING staff to help you.  Check it out - I did and couldn't resist this super cool Hawaii T-shirt!  

Cheese Please

After beach camp yesterday, the kids were begging for Menchies on Montana.  But wait... WHAT IS THAT SMELL???  After getting my husband and kids settled in their cups of yogurt, I went to investigate.  A door or two down from Menchies is Andrew's Cheese Shop!  My cleanse went out the window, as I walked in the door!  Cheese Heaven.  Period.  So, I left with some Beer for Big Daddy, Truffled almonds for me, and cheese for all!  Yummmmm!!

The beer was delicious and creamy (Andrew says it's the best beer he's ever tasted) and I couldn't get enough of the Camembert de Normandie and Grevenbroeker cheese.  Andrew gives you cards with your cheeses - I collect them so I can remember what I love.  He also has classes at the shop and a grilled cheese and beer night - his web site isn't updated but you can call to get on their email blast - I did!

More Cheese Please!!

Not Out Standing in the Field

I have been following Outstanding In The Field for MANY years.  Each time tickets go on sale I get REALLY excited.  This morning they released some new dates for California!!  One of the dates is at Wattles Farm in Los Angeles and Chefs Chris Phelps and Zak Walters of the new Salt's Cure (a place I've been dying to go to!!!) will be the guest Chefs!!  But of course, I find myself hovering over the "purchase" key............$220 a ticket.............ugh.  That is $440 (not even including tax) for my husband and I AND you have to bring your own plate.  I know the experience will be OUTSTANDING but I still can never close the deal......

photo credit: Elaine Skinner
Looks beautiful right?  Still hovering.... should I, shouldn't I....AAAAAARRRRRGH!  Can't do it.  Maybe I'll just get the cookbook for now - have my own Outstanding In The Field dinner party.

Photo Credit: Andrea Wyner
There, I'm happy with my purchase.  It even comes with a guide to supporting farms in your region!
Next:  Outstanding In My Backyard!

Not Ordinary, Extraordinary!

Rawesome is Awesome!!  Rawesome is my newly discovered bohemian co-op in Venice Beach thats all raw, all organic, all the time.  Originally it was for raw foodists looking for raw dairy products but it's turned into so much more:  loads of flavored honey, fresh cold pressed oils, Peruvian olives, ceviche, fresh fruit and veggie juices, nuts, dried fruit, sushi grade cuts of fish, amish, free range, grass fed beef, creams, milks, yogurts,  cacao-infused coconut cream, desserts.... ALL RAW, ALL ORGANIC, ALL THE TIME!  The downside?.... and you knew there would be one... its insane expensive.  Crazy expensive.  But aren't you worth it?

Rawesome is a co-op, so you have to pay for membership.  It's only open on Wednesday 12-8 and Saturday 9-3:30 and located it 665 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA 90291

Board? Shred On Over!

Tony Hawk: SHRED Presents Stand Up For Skateparks!  Tony Hawks foundation's focus is to create free, quality, public skateparks in low income communities for at-risk youth across the U.S.  My husband took 'lil man to this event last year and it was a BLAST!  He was able to skate, play video games (tested out the brand new, not even released Tony Hawk for X-Box game), saw Blink 182, etc...  This year, there will be interactive games, Vert Skateboarding and BMX demo with Tony Hawk AND THE HEADLINER IS JANES ADDICTION!  Get your tickets here and I'll See you there!

One To Grow On

I want to start composting.... I want to start an organic garden.... I want to build my own garden boxes .... I just need more time to figure out how to do it all!!

OR

I can order pre-planted, ultra-low-maintenance (music to my ears) farming boxes from Home Grown Micro Farms!  Seriously..... that easy!!!  The company was started by an amazing couple right here in Los Angeles who wanted to share their passion for fresh, organic, and local food with the masses.   I just ordered my Jack O Lantern Box today!  The kids are CRAZY excited to grow their own pumpkins this year and I'm thrilled that all it takes is a phone call to get it started!

Rebel Yell

Have to give a shout out the the fine folks at Art Rebel .  We checked out the new Santa Monica Mall today and perched on the 2nd level was Art Rebel.  They were spraying their ink on hats and T-shirts for anyone who was willing to wait in line (which, actually, wasn't too bad).  Best part??  It was FREE!!  Now that is PRO-motion!  Next Sunday they'll be back at the Mall doing spin art and sand art!  Be sure to check them out - Their location for classes is Sherman Oaks but word has it they also have a mobile art studio for parties - I may have to use them for Lil' Man's Birthday party!!

Da Club

Hard to believe we have such an AMAZING beach house!!  This is my kind of place - ANYONE CAN GET IN!!  Don't get me wrong, Private Clubs are beautiful, there is no arguing that but I want to be able to see ALL my friends at Da Club.  Want to know the best part about this Santa Monica gem?  The Annenberg Beach House is so green it's been awarded a LEED Gold rating by the US Green Building Council.  See.... it's win win, you get MORE green for LESS green!  Ahhhhh - ain't it grand?

The Central Coast

From September 30 to October 3, 2010, more than 100 Central Coast wineries and 35 celebrity chefs will transform a historic ranch into a food and wine lover's paradise. And the best part? If you order tickets by August 31, you'll get 20% off!
I sooooo wish I could attend this event - I just don't think the kids would dig it!

Crawl on Over

The Venice Art Crawl just started August 19th.  If you missed it, don't worry you can crawl on over the 3rd Thursday of every month!
www.veniceartcrawl.com/

Fivestar

Fivestar

I miss my baby.  She sits in storage, waiting for our next trip... 

I need to start planning!

Found the sweetest park in Malibu today... Las Flores Creek Park.

The kids LOVED it.  It doesn't have your typical play structures.... kids are more inclined to use their imagination in this whimsical playground.  Mine played for 3 hours here today.  Such fun!

Try and Try Again

Finally, summer has arrived!  We are on our second day of sun and warm weather from early morning to sunset - yay!!!  It was a late start to say the least!  The first day of my "diet" was GREAT!  I began my day with a smoothie made with: Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk, RAW Protein powder, organic blueberries and organic strawberries.  Yum.  Mid morning snack was fresh juiced prepared by yours truly:  Parsley, cucumber, kale, lemon and apple.  So clean and delicious tasting!  Lunch was a simple salad with avocado dressing (avocado, honey, wasabi, freshly grated ginger and rice wine vinegar), and some purple figs (sauteed in coconut oil and topped with unsweetened coconut).  Lastly, dinner was a piece of pizza.  ugh.  I know.  I know.  Nobody said I was perfect.  Tomorrow I will try again.

Todays soundtrack:  Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

The Last Supper (before the Cleanse!)

Musha is our favorite neighborhood Izakaya.  My daughter (she is 5) BEGS to go.  After an evening at the Santa Monica Pier we ended up here - always a good time!

The California Diet

"Ugh - really?  A Vegetarian???!!!"  That is what I USED TO say when I was hosting a dinner party in Michigan.  Vegetarians were not welcome in my life.  No way.  I hated the idea of catering to someone else's dietary needs - but NOW, in California, get ready because there is a whole list of diet demands to contend with:  Gluten free, sugar free, vegan, raw, salt free, wheat, dairy, soy free.... the list goes on and on and guess what.....I'm now one of my dreaded dinner guests.  After my recent trip to Detroit (gain of 9lbs in 10 days - yes, it's possible) I have to get things back on track - so, for as long as I can take it, it's going to be:  Wheat, Dairy, Soy and Sugar free ........... WISH ME LUCK!!!  (side note:  I did NOT say alcohol free - a girl has to indulge somewhere!)

Case Study #8

Rustic Canyon is filled with secret stairs - I love exploring my neighborhood! These "secret" stairs led me to the beautiful Eames House - Case Study #8.  It is exceptional.  It has been perfectly preserved by the Eames foundation.  Anyone can visit the house, but you need to schedule an appointment at least 48 hours in advance (I didn't do this and was chastised by Bernadine, guard on duty!).  An interior guided tour is given once a year on June 20th and is restricted exclusively for Eames Foundation Members only (note to self: BECOME A MEMBER!!)  

Today's Soundtrack:  Arcade Fire: The Suburbs

Oh Fudge!

Found the cutest little store on Montana - it's called Cheryl Fudge and it's AMAZING!!  You can purchase OR design beautiful one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories - a Girls Dream!!  You make all the design choices and they sew it all together.  Above is a pic of Stella Bella's design choice!!  You can also check them out at The Malibu Country Mart right beside the playground on summer weekends.  Pure fun!

Life's Simple Pleasures

Running through the sprinklers in the morning before beach camp..... life is grand for the little ones...... Can you see the rainbow?  ahhhhhhh........