Very Vinyl

The boy and I have been braking out our records and listening to the ones we had been putting off listening too....We may, in an effort to downsize our "stuff," put a few up for sale, if vinyl is something that interests you...

But this one is a keeper-

We listened to this last night as the boy played x-box and I answered emails.  Totally.  Fabulous.  Pretty sure Bill Cosby would be pleased that I liked it! 

Burger Quest: Taste (by the boy)

This week's burger quest post is brought to you by the boy...

Thus continues the Melrose Burger fallacy. Comme Ca and Taste, both in the same block of Melrose Avenue, boast fancy burgers which fancy newspapers and magazines laud to the hilt.

source

 STINKS!

Taste is probably worse than Comme Ca. Stale, dense bread, a dry burger, bland taste, soggy tomatoes. In fact, everything's a little soggy. Damp. As though dropped in a puddle before serving.

The 'Kobe' burger is an odd shape - looks homemade, but not in a good way. But 'Kobe' is a nonsense in itself. Kobe beef is illegal to import, so anyone claiming to serve it is probably just serving beef that's been treated better than the average illegal immigrant.

source

There are definitely good things on the menu at Taste, but the burger ain't one of them. They should remove it from the menu this instant!

Meatiness - 2
Succulentiousness - 2
Bun - 2
Flavor - 2
Stay Togetherness - 3
Joint - 3

Royal Ballet and Darcey Bussell

The first copy of point magazine I ever bought had Darcey Bussell on the cover.  She was, at the time, the Royal Ballet's newest principle dancer and an international sensation.  She quickly became my favorite dancer and my mom even took me to see her perform Swan Lake when the Royal Ballet came to Los Angeles (something that doesn't happen often.)  I was smitten with her.  Her lines, those FEET and her artistry have always been an inspiration to me.  

source

I even got the chance to meet her a few years ago at a book signing at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.  I was over visiting the boy and while he was at work I went to see Darcey.  I don't think I have ever been so star struck in my life (and living in Beverly Hills, I see a lot of stars so that's saying something!)  And of course she was so sweet and so beautiful in person, just as I knew she'd be.  

Darcey Bussell was an idol to me as a dancer and I was thrilled to read last week that she is going to be the new president of the Royal Academy of Dance.  I just think she is the perfect person to take over the role after Dame Antoinette Sibley, another beautiful dancer I adore!  I know it seems like a sort of strange thing to get excited about, but I am!  I am excited for a new generation of young dancers who will be inspired by Darcey  as I was so many years ago!   

Here's a little clip of Darcey performing one of my favorite pieces (the variation and the coda are my favorite parts.)  Here she is dancing Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux.  Enjoy! 

Saturday Steaks - Jamie Oliver

This week's steak was inspired by Jamie Oliver's recipe for the "perfect steak."  And it was good but takes much longer. However, this technique did produce a more caramelized, sweet, crunchy top layer on the steak which I liked.  It's the pepper I think.  Burnt pepper.  Mmmm.  

I like Jamie Oliver's food, but his manner on television kind of gets under my skin.  Not exactly sure why, but it does.  I think he talks an awful lot with his hands and I guess I find that distracting and mildly annoying.  

Anyway, the steak was good.  Had a much more traditional flavor, and was a bit more cooked than the Heston one, and I liked that.  Though, it wasn't as memorable.  

Here's the video showing how it's done...

Happy Saturday!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day always signifies the start of summer for me.  It's the final marker out of spring and into the season of swimming pools, sundresses, Popsicles and barbeques... I kinda love that.  I love the summer.  I love the sunshine.  I love being out and about, playing games and going on adventures.

Perhaps one of my favorite summertime activities is spending an evening at a ball game.  In my opinion, baseball is the most fun sport to go and watch in person (though I generally don't like watching it on TV.)  I like being there at the stadium!  The smell of the grass, the hot dogs, the organ music - Oh I get a kick out of the whole thing!  And the boy and I were fortunate enough to attend a game just last Friday (thanks Dad!)  Dodgers vs Cardinals and the Dodgers won!  I think the whole team is looking so good this year, they really seem to be coming together as a team and I can't wait to continue supporting them all summer long!

What's your favorite sport to attend?

 

Also, just like to say thank you, on this memorial day weekend, to all the men and women who have served and are serving for our country.  You are incredible people.

Fashion Friday: The Annie Dress

Since joining the Jigsaw London team, I've been spending an awful lot of time thinking, writing and looking at clothes!  And I've even spent a little bit of time trying them on too.  Here's a few recent pictures of me modeling the Annie Dress from the Jigsaw Green Label line. 

Have a great Weekend!

Beauty Marks - My Favorite SkinCare Items

1. CO Bigelow Lemon & Pomegranate Lip Cream 2. Hourglass Mineral Primer 3. Purity Foaming Face Cleanser 4. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer 5. DermaSilk Flawless Serum 6. Neutrogena Light Night Cream

Burger Quest: Bowery

The Bowery is a dark little bar in Hollywood. Some would call it a dive. They would be idiots. It's a very clean little restaurant serving terrible Belgian beers and a thoroughly decent burger.

It's served on an English muffin, which is definitely my favorite attribute of this burger and it's quite large. It proudly proclaims, on the Bowery website and its menu, to be 'still' LA's best burger. You can imagine them saying 'still' the way Dr. Dre says it on Still D.R.E.

I've got a shock for you. Bowery is not the best burger in LA. It's very good. But it's predictable.  It's fine, but it's not amazing.  I actually think it would be tastier if it was smaller.  There was just a tad too much meat on that baby and, with the english muffin bun, I think it would go over better if it was more of a smaller bite of a burger.  But I did think it had a good flavor.  Simple, but good. 

Now, it's somewhat of a build your own joint, which made the process of ordering their "signature burger" (as stated in our Burger Quest rules) a little difficult.  Choose your cheese, choose your additions. It's like Fuddruckers, but more complicated. At over $10, I want the chef to make me the burger. I don't pay money to make decisions. I get paid to make decisions.  We ended up choosing no cheese and "the works" as our toppings. 

While this burger is not going to win the whole shebang, it's still a good burger.  Just not the most memorable or life-changing.  I'd say the joint, and the location (hollywood) helps this place along, and may make it worth a visit regardless of the burger.  But enough talk, let's leave it to the numbers!

Meatiness: 4
Succulentiousness: 3
Bun: 5
Flavor: 4
Stay-together-ness: 2
Joint: 3

Bridal Ballet

Ballet seems to be so popular right now.  On TV, in films and in fashion - Ballerinas seem to be taking center stage in a plethora of new mediums and I personally think that's terrific.  I mean, why not go with it?  If ballet is cool at the moment, then let it be cool.  I'm all for it.  Well, I'm cool with it for the most part.  

I'm cool with ballet being sort of an inspiration trend in fashion, but I'm not so cool with seeing models who maybe danced once, back in the day, but clearly aren't ballet dancers, prancing around in pointe shoes.  As if it's like slipping on a pair of wedges or something.  I can't help but be annoyed when I see advertisements of people "pretending" to be ballerinas and standing in pointe shoes that they can't even get fully up on.  As if it's so easy.  And did no one mention to the art director just how crappy that looks?  I find it insulting in a weird way.  

I'm also annoyed by ads with people just doing sort of half-ass attempts at ballet por de bras.  I feel like I can always tell if the model actually studied ballet or not, just by the curve of their arm and the placement of their fingers.  And there is a good reason for that.  Ballet is not just about pretty tutus and satin shoes.  Ballet dancers have worked their whole lives to craft the lines you see on the stage.  So I guess, I'm just sensitive to any display that cheapens that sacrifice.  This is about the time the boy would tell me I am taking this too seriously, so I'll stop now.  

But I will share some displays and adverts that have used the ballet-inspired trend mostly in a good way....I have a few complaints, but I'll let you make up your own mind on these!  They are all tied into to bridal wear, which I think is fitting.  Wedding gowns and tutus actually do have a lot of similarities.  (In fact, as much as I loved my wedding dress, I wasn't really all that blown away by the gowns I tried...I've worn quite a lot of stunning tutus in my day and it did seem remarkably similar, and therefore, not that out of the ordinary...I know, I'm very lucky!)

Monique Lhuillier corset dress worn by real Boston Ballet dancer Keenan Kampa {source}

All three images above are from the Monique Lhuillier West Hollywood window display {source}

Have yourself a Corps de Ballet Bridal Party! {source}

Made this Monday: Feather Headdress

Today's made this Monday comes to you in Vlog form...Enjoy!

Just Keep Swimming

I received a new swimsuit that I ordered from the Esther Williams Swimwear store the other day and I must say I am smitten with my new swim-dress!  It's vintage styled, super flattering and ever so cute.  Plus it was designed by bathing beauty and MGM film star Esther Williams, so that makes it extra special in my eyes!  

It even came with a signed pic of the legendary actress!

 This is actually my second Esther Williams swimsuit (the first I bought way back in 2007) and it occurred to me that I have quite a few "vintage style" one-piece swimsuits now.  And honestly I couldn't be more pleased.  I have loved vintage swimwear ever since I saw Gidget.  I've always wanted Gidget's wardrobe of swimsuits and now with the popularity of vintage styles on the rise, I feel like I'm well on my way.  

From left to right: Urban Outfitters, Esther Williams, Etsy, Esther Williams

I would highly recommend the Esther Williams online shop to anyone looking for a classic and comfortable bathing suit.  Both mine fit so well and are incredibly flattering! 

Have a great weekend! 

Through New Frames

I've been wearing glasses for nearly a decade now, but most people who know me can attest to the fact that I never actually wear my glasses.  You see, I'm near sighted and have astigmatism, so for the most part, I only ever need my glasses when I'm driving or watching a theater performance or something far away.  The rest of the time, I just go au natural!

But lately, my eyes seem to be getting worse.  (Maybe from spending hours upon hours looking at a computer screen?)  And I find myself wearing my glasses more and more.  I also have prescription sunglasses which are seriously a lifesaver, and I am wearing them a lot these days too.  Eyeglasses are starting to become a pretty vital accessory in my day to day ensembles.  And while I've thought about contacts, I don't really like the idea of putting something in my eye every day, so I'm not really considering them as a viable option, at least for the moment.  

I think it's swell that glasses seem to be making a fashion comeback, particularly big, nerdy glasses.  And I think I could be pretty comfortable with a pair of my own.  See, part of my issue with wearing my glasses is that I just don't think they suit my face.  I mean their ok, but I really want to buy glasses that I can feel both comfortable and cute in. 

So naturally, I've been looking online.  Online eyeglasses tend to be the best priced and obviously there is a huge selection!  I've posted before about how much I adore Lisa Loeb's line of eyewear.  But being as that a pair of prescription glasses can be pretty pricey, I've always been hesitant to take the plunge.

 Enter GlassesUSA.com .  This site has a huge selection of frames, even an entire category dedicated to "Vintage/Nerdy" frames, but they also have a virtual mirror tool that lets you take a picture of yourself and "try on" any of the frames on the site!  Pretty cool huh?  You can give it a go below, and see what pair you'd look best in.  



As for me, I'm leaning towards the isee Tortoise frames... You've got admit I look pretty snazzy in them!

Now as an extra special treat, Glasses USA is offering some special Spring Discounts for Lilac and Lace readers!  Hooray!

Take 50% off any pair of prescription eyeglasses/sunglasses frames, plus free shipping. Code:SPRING50FS

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

Happy Shopping!  

This post was sponsored by GlassesUSA.com

Burger Quest: Mexi-Kosher

The Mexikosher Burger is the first fried-egg-burger I've ever had. And apparently there are a lot of them out there.  I must admit that I'm pretty impressed by any burger that succeeds in incorporating a breakfast food other than bacon.  And this one did it quite well!

A little back story: Mexikosher wasn't originally on our Burger Quest list, but when my friend Melanie heard about the quest, she insisted I try her favorite Kosher burger.  This happens a lot.  Any time the boy and I start telling people about our quest we end up getting another 5 or 6 suggestions for "the best burgers in Los Angeles."  And to be honest, we kind of cringe!  Because of this, our list of burgers is ever expanding and this quest seems like it may never end!  We will be trying burgers into our early 40's at this rate!  If, of course, we haven't totally clogged our arteries before then.  But I digress...

I ended up meeting Melanie and her husband one evening to try her suggested burger for 2 reasons: Firstly, I just wanted to hang out with her and secondly I thought I should investigate the Kosher burger.  So I made the short trek down to Pico and Robertson Blvds, right in the heart of Beverlywood.

My friend Melanie and her hubby

Mexikosher is actually a kosher Mexican restaurant that makes a special "egg- burger" only on Mondays.  It is in the middle of a very Jewish neighborhood, so there is a definite sense of community in the joint (even despite it's corny decor of pinatas.)  And I liked that.  There was even a sign on the window in Hebrew that actually read "no gossiping."  I found this all to be really interesting.  

I kinda love having guests with me on the burger quest!

But on to the burger.  The meat was really too hot and I kind of burnt my tongue upon taking the first bite.  The flavor and quality of the meat was very distinctive.  It was actually a mix of different cuts of meat, all kosher, ground together, but not tightly packed or congealed, so it had a very tender quality to it, almost like a sloppy joe.  The onion marmalade dressing was extremely delicious and the bun was very good.  It clearly had been toasted with butter, and somewhat resembled Jewish Challach bread.  The best part about the bun was that it managed to maintain the huge burger and the runny-ness of the egg yoke within it.  So while I expected this to be an exceptionally messy burger, the whole thing actually stayed together remarkably well.  The most difficult part was finishing the darn thing.  It was huge!  And I didn't have the boy there to share it with me.   

But all in all, the Mexikosher burger is really quite good.  It's certainly different than every other burger we've tried, but I liked it.  I think it earns a place in the burger quest as the most diverse: a kosher burger with a fried egg on top - very unique!  Thanks Melanie for the suggestion!

My thumb is outta control here, I mean what a crazy looking thumbs up, huh?

The Scores:

Meatiness: 3
Succulentiousness: 4
Bun: 3
Flavor: 3  
Stay-togetherness: 5
Joint: 3

Dance Decisions

I didn't know quite what to post today, so I figured I'd share a little something that's been on my mind lately...

So many of my old friends, the dancers I joined the bottom ranks of ballet companies with back in my glory days, are starting to dance principle and soloist roles for wonderful and renown companies.  I am incredibly proud of all of them and I am so glad that they stuck with it and are dancing some of the roles we all used to dream of performing.  But it's also made me think about my own roles.  

I made the decision to leave the ballet world early on and it was such a tough decision to make, but for me, it was the right one.  Company life didn't suit me.  Though it's hard not to wonder how my life may have turned out had I stuck with it - What roles would I be dancing now if I had the strength and tenacity to stick it out back when I was just a young adult? 

But then I think about all the roles I've taken on since then - student, girlfriend, archery instructor, teacher, marketer, production manager, editor, WIFE, writer - I know that I made the right choice.  I love all the roles I've played off-stage and I look forward to all the many more to come.  While I may sometimes miss the stage, I feel so fortunate for all the experiences I've gotten to have over the last decade that I probably wouldn't have been able to experience if I had stayed in a full time company. 

Now that's not to say I don't keep a hand in it (or foot in it.)  I have plans to do more dancing in the future and I like being a freelance dancer at the moment.  Just dancing when I want to, and I guess that's a pretty good role to have as well! 

*if anyone knows the original source of the above picture please let me know! 

Family Time

So I missed today's Made this Monday project because I got to spend a bit more time with my family this weekend and just didn't get a chance to make my planned craft.  But between crafts and family time, I choose family.  My younger brother and I were taking instagrams throughout the evening yesterday....I think a good time was had by all, there was Chex Mix after all...

Mothers Day!

Happy Mother's Day, to all the sweet mommies out there!  I'm not a mom, but I'm getting to an age where I am being asked about it...Do I want to have kids and when are we going to get on with it.  And honestly, I don't really have a strong desire to be a mom, just yet.  But I do have a strong desire to build a family (so I guess that makes me mom by default.)  So one day, yes, Mom-dom would be nice.  But for now, let me just salute all the lovely Mom's out there who do so much and make it all look so easy! 

Here's a list I helped compile for the Jigsaw blog, of my favorite bloggers who also happen to be mothers.  And here's Alycia's list of ways to tell if you're a "dog-mom," which I think is about the cutest thing ever!  And on that note, I am totally up for being a dog mom.  I want a dog so much it's sometimes painful.  But our place is so tiny, and we have no yard, or porch or patio to speak of, so it doesn't seem likely that we can pull that off.  Maybe one day soon. 

Lastly, I just want to salute my own lovely mother (that's her above) for being so wonderful, so kind, patient and generous.  She means the world to me.    

Happy Mother's Day! 

Saturday Steaks

The boy really enjoys cooking.  And it's a good thing too, because I do NOT.  You can read more about that here.    But I do enjoy eating good food and our food is becoming nicer and nicer the more he cooks.  But he's decided to set himself a little challenge (we do love our challenges in this house.)  He is going to try several different chef's recipes for cooking the "perfect steak."  We will then try one each weekend and decide which technique truly turns out the best steak.  

Now I know what you must be thinking.  We are already consuming more burgers than we should on a regular basis, how can we possibly add a weekly steak to the mix too?  Well to ease your mind, I think I should explain that we will be sharing one steak between us and we already share one burger when we go out on the quest...Except for on a few occasions when I was so ravenous I refused to share and made the boy get his own burger.  It's still quite a bit of red meat, but we're trying our best to keep it as healthy as possible.  And it's all in the name of blogging, so that makes it ok, right?  Right!

So, on to the first specimen.  For this gorgeous steak, the boy followed this incredibly straight-forward recipe by British kitchen wizard Heston Blumenthal.  If you haven't ever seen what this man can do with food, I highly recommend you watch a few of his shows from Britain.  There are tons of clips on youtube and I promise it's worth the search.  He creates magical feasts that bring in all the senses.  It's really interesting.  Here's the how-to the boy followed:

And the finished product?  I have to say it was delicious.  I would have preferred it to be a bit more cooked in the middle (still getting used to eating meat rare.)  But it really was so flavorful and juicy!  I loved the rocket salad as well.  Again it was so simple, but really was incredibly delicious!  A superb steak! 

Farmers Market Friday Fun!

One of my favorite weekend past times is visiting our local Farmer's Market.  I love all the foods, the colors and the flowers.  I honestly feel inspired by all the bright color combinations.  What can I say?  I like fruit and veggies!  And plastic honey jars shaped as bears.  I can never get enough of those!  

Hope you have a good weekend! 

Today

It seems the perfect, sunshiny weather we've been enjoying all week in LA has decided to take the day off.  Maybe it's just the morning gloom and it will burn off, but the lack of sunshine this morning has me feeling a bit gray.  You know the feeling?  My remedy is generally doing something crafty, so tonight I plan on doing a bit of art journaling.  That always makes me feel better! 

How do you beat the gray's? 

Burger Quest: Beeps

Beeps brings me back.  This little 1950's style burger trailer was a regular staple of my adolescence.  Just a mere few blocks from my dance studio, I have fond memories of many a Saturday trip over to the burger shack in between classes and rehearsals.  It always held a certain taboo charm for me.  We shouldn't be scarfing burgers between battements, but Beeps was just too good!

It's one of those wonderful places that is just so cheesy it's brilliant.  Located in the heart of the valley, the tiny restaurant is always blaring the 1950's tunes and the walls are covered with semi-lame paraphernalia (a'la the Elvis / James Dean display pictured above.)  The service is slow and the menu hasn't changed in ages, even though the joint has been there for over 50 years.  And while I remember the burger tasting better when I was a love-lorn teen, I actually thought it was still pretty good.

Failed photo taken in a moving vehicle...Sorry!

It's basic.  Meat, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo and ketchup.  It's a bit on the dry side, and the meat is mediocre, but for $3.75, I'd say it's a bargain.  I really enjoyed this burger.  It's simple, it's classic and it tastes like the burgers of my youth.  

And now, the scores:

Meatiness: 3
Succulentiousness: 4
Bun: 2
Flavor: 4   
Stay-togetherness: 5
Joint: 4

First Position

I love how saturated film and television seem to be with ballet these days!  Here's yet another ballet doc that is playing in Los Angeles this week.  The boy and I are going to see it on Wednesday in Santa Monica, and I seriously can't wait!  

I never auditioned for the Youth Grand Prix, but I did compete in the Los Angeles Spotlight Awards.  It was a much smaller competition, but it certainly gave me a taste of what that pressure is like...It can be intense.  Can't wait to see how they've put it all together.  

For listings go here...

Made this Monday: Catalog Journal

I guess it's no secret that I love journals (I feel like I post about them a LOT.)  But one of my favorite kinds of journals is an upcycled version made from the Urban Outfitters catalog. 

I always feel a bit guilty subscribing to catalogs because of my contribution to wasted paper.  But upcycling them into a fun journal takes away the twinge of guilt just a little bit.  And seriously, this craft takes about 10 minutes. 

I felt inspired to make this one the other night because I just love the southwestern styling of the photos and all the bright colors.  It seemed like it would make a perfect Summer Journal!  

Simply go through the catalog and tear out 4 to six pages you like.  Pick two pages that you want for the inside and outside cover of your journal.  You will tape them back to back so be aware that one side of each of the pages won't be seen. 

Now you can either just tape them back to back as they are or you can do what I did and add a bit of thin cardboard between them, giving your cover some sturdiness.  I simply went to kitchen and got a cereal box (took out the remaining cereal) and cut it to side.  Tape your catalog pages to either side of the box.  Then line the edges with pretty masking tape. 

Next, fold your cover and all the remaining catalog sheets in half and order them so you like the way they look when you flip through them as a book.  Once you have them the way you want, place them inside your cover.  Take a strand of embroidery thread, knot it and make a few stitches in the center of your journal, creating a sort of spine to your book.  Really just two stitches are needed.  Knot and cut the access thread.  And....You're done!  Hooray! 

Now the fun part comes in.  Fill your journal with scribbles, sketches, photos, whatever you want!  These journals are great for layering paper onto and displaying instax mini photos.  Happy journaling!