Ain't Nothin but a Halloween Party

 

This Friday marks the start of the weekend's Halloween festivities! With ghouls, goblins and raves galore, there's more then enough places to get into trouble. I will be attending the two day event, Hard Halloween this weekend. With headliners like Fatboy Slim (the Original Gangsta) and Soulwax, this year's lineup appeals to those looking for a little different and a little more old school sound. Held at the Shrine Auditorium in downtown LA, Hard Halloween is one of the best events of the year. Because it's held at a smaller venue with only an indoor and outdoor stage, it's easy to move around, meet up with people and there's more then enough room to dance. That's not to say that Insomniac Events' Escape from Wonderland featuring Afrojack and Benny Benassi won't be bangin' either. Whatever you end up doing, make sure you stay safe and dance hard.

Download and Enjoy

Fatboy Slim-Greatest Hits  

Krack-Soulwax 

Alexander McQueen S/S 2012

Alexander McQueen's new creative director Sarah Burton has seamlessly carried on the McQueen legacy, balancing her original perspective with the traditional McQueen attitude and showmanship. The collection, with its ornate, futuristic, space age goddess style featured a cap/face piece with every look. This was definitely one of the coolest collections to walk down the runway this season.

Monday Dance Party: Little Dragon

Sweden's Little Dragon is one of the coolest bands in existence right now. Electronic, inventive and super groovy, Little Dragon's Ritual Union album will take you on a hour long funkadelic journey. Roll a doobie and turn this ish up. The album is a cohesive story from start to finish, with no two tracks that sounds remotely similar. I've been listening to this album for a week straight now and I'm still not over it. Personal favorite tracks are 'Shuffle A Dream' and 'Precious,' which features a radical jam sesh that is one of the highlights of the entire album. You can't help but shake your booty.

Not only is lead singer Yukimi Nagano one hot Azn, but girl can sing. 

Ritual Union-Little Dragon (full album)

See, now Monday isn't so bad...

Sunday Night Dinner: Umami Earth Burger

The Umami Earth Burger is a treasure among veggie burgers. I am not a vegetarian but I do enjoy a good veggie burger once in awhile and this particular one happens to fall in the category of 'food perfection'. Umami discontinued making this burger at their restaurants for reasons other then just plain stupidity, that I am not sure of. Big mistake in my opinion, but now the recipe is yours so you can make the amazing burgers whenever your little heart desires. My friends and I made these last week and I feel confident in saying that they were the best f*cking veggie burger I've ever had. (Even better then the restaurant...I swear) Don't be intimidated by the amount of ingredients and don't skimp on any either. Each part is equally important to the overall greatness.

Makes 4 + patties
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small onion, sliced
1 pound assorted mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup white wine or champagne
1/4 cup miso paste (I couldn't find any at the grocery store so I went to my local sushi place and bought some from them)
1/2 teaspoon mushroom base
1 tablespoon beet juice (from a can of beets), optional
1 cup shelled edamame beans
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup Japanese style Panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
4 whole-grain or sprouted-wheat buns
Garlic Aioli or good-quality mayonnaise
Boursin
4 large butter lettuce leaves

1. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan until very hot but not smoking. Cook the onions and mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine, miso paste, mushroom base and beet juice. Pour over the mushrooms to deglaze, stirring up the browned bits at the bottom of the pan. Continue to cook until the liquid has almost evaporated.

3. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the bowl of a food processor. Add the edamame and bread crumbs and pulse until chopped well but not pulverized. Transfer the burger mixture to a bowl to refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

4. Form the mixture into six 1/2-cup patties. Brush the burgers on both sides with the hoisin sauce.

5. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add a thin film of oil. Cook the patties until they are well charred on each side, 3-4 minutes per side, being careful when flipping them so they won’t fall apart. Transfer the burgers to serving plates.

6. Brown the buns briefly in the skillet. Place them on the serving plates with the burgers, spread with Garlic Aioli on one side of the bun and Boursin on the other. Arrange the lettuce and patties on top.

Dear Coachella,

I just wanted to let you know I've been thinking about you. And I miss you. My heart aches for April.

All my love,

Sarah

P.S. Music trade publication Hits Daily Double, has recently announced that,

"…And though rock record revenues have diminished, the concert business, led by acts with multi-decade careers playing arenas and stadiums, has held steady and in some cases has actually increased. The same is true with high-profile festivals like Coachella, which has locked in No Doubt and Radiohead as two of next year’s headliners…

I am beyond thrilled to hear these two bitchin' bands will be headlining. (Disclaimer: I refuse to acknowledge that Coachella might not be happening due to the evil assholes living in Indio. My faith in Goldenvoice is strong, they will pull through because they HAVE to. And that is all I am going to say about that.) I couldn't be happier with the announcement of both these bands. I am especially stoked on seeing No Doubt, their Tragic Kingdom album was one of the first CDs (remember those) that I ever owned. They're currently working on a new album that they say is they're best ever, including songs with producers Diplo and Switch of Major Lazor! Both No Doubt and Major Lazor do Reggae Dancehall better then everyone in the game right now.  Just the thought of them collaborating makes me giddy. 

Here's No Doubt's 'The Singles' album, which includes their singles from 1992-2003

The Singles- No Doubt

Oh yeah, and happy Friday! :)

Averting a Purse Crisis

I have always found the task of finding and purchasing a new purse to be quite stressful. Each year I look at the shell of my once beautiful bag and sigh in weary because the hunt must begin again. Purses are an essential piece of your wardrobe, by your side daily, storing all your secrets. They are an extension of yourself and therefore it is important to pick a good one. In dreamland, I would own one of these, and life would be wonderful....

But it isn't Dreamland so I must kiss my Birkin dreams goodbye for now. Reality is, my once fabulous navy blue Steve Madden bag is now no longer so fabulous. And if you're like me and well, poor, buying a purse from a store like Urban Outfitters seems like a good idea, at first. The purses are cute and reasonably affordable. Only problem is, you're now a member of the "I have the same purse!" club with 5,000 other girls and it is likely to fall apart right before your eyes. And who the hell wants that, especially after paying $100 bucks!

So what's to be done? You might ask. The answer to my purse prayers are solved with the beloved www.riverisland.com
Since my first visit to Ireland, then going to study abroad in London, the UK clothing staple, River Island has become my end all, be all (with my current budget) for purses. Well made and sturdy, these purses not only hold up, but are unique and can't be found in the states! Prices range from 20.00-140.00 pounds, (so don't forget to take the conversion rate into account.) Regardless, the purses are worth the dough and super cute. Here are a few of my favs this season.

 

Check it out for yourself.

Good Eats: The Local Peasant

The mere mention of "the Valley" is enough to make a person cringe. It is too hot, too congested and not exactly the geographic location where LA hot spots are found. But for every rule, there is an exception, and in the case of the Valley, The Local Peasant restaurant is just that. Located on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, this bar/restaurant not only has an extensive beer list but the food itself is reason enough to brave those horrible Valley demons.

Tempura Onion Rings, The Peasant Sliders, Peach Salad, Mac n' Cheese

Ordering at the restaurant was difficult because everything sounded so damn good. After consulting with our waiter, we decided on the items pictured above along with the Bacon Deviled Eggs appetizer (the star dish of the evening and a must-get). Everything we ordered was fantastic. The onion rings were light, airy and not greasy at all. The peach salad was sweet and refreshing. The mac n' cheese was creamy, but not heavy, and infused with bacon. The sliders were made of pulled pork, cole slaw and the restaurant's special sauce. The flavors combined beautifully, creating the  perfect balance of sweet, savory and crunchy. Lastly, we ordered the berry cobbler for dessert. I highly recommend every dish we ordered but also can't wait to try every other item on the menu. The Local Peasant is a perfect spot for your Thursday night. The vibe is cool, the food is good and the beer is smooth. 

www.thelocalpeasant.com/ 

Holy Marchesa!

 

To me, Marchesa is the holy grail of fashion that can just do no wrong. Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig take all things lovely and beautiful and implement them into their flawless collections. Time after time, Marchesa produces the most exquisite and coveted designs in the industry. Their most recent runway show for S/S 12 is quintessentially Marchesa, featuring intricate draping, sequins and all-out glamor. Sticking with this season's trend, the collection comprised of a minimal color palate. Letting their clothes do the talking, the designers opted for minimal makeup and hair with the exception of one look, showing pink hair a la Katy Perry. This collection reinforces that Marchesa epitomizes everything that women want to be and want to wear.

Monday Dance Party

 Monday's are always tough. But the sun is shining and you now have this tune on your computer, so hey, it's really not that bad. This gem of a song will make you want to get groovy in your cubicle. Cut Copy has taken Death Cab for Cuties' 'Door Unlocked and Open' and turned it into an electronic, housey 7 min jam that is sure to make you feel all sorts of frisky on the inside.

Enjoy, my friends

Door Unlocked and Open (Cut Copy Remix)

Sunday Night Dinner: Fig, Carmelized Onion, Prosciutto & Goat Cheese Pizza

Photo by Kimberley Hasselbrink

Here we are again. Another weekend passed, another hangover conquered (kinda) and tomorrow, is still unfortunately, Monday. But fret not my friends, there is joy in these last precious weekend hours. And more importantly, this pizza recipe I bestow upon you, is fucking awesome!

Ingredients

• 1 lb prepared pizza dough, room temperature (Trader Joe's pre-made dough is great)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small sweet onion, sliced
• 4 -6 fresh figs, cut in half
• 5 ounces goat cheese
• Prosciutto, torn 
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary  
• Fresh Basil 
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded  
• flour  

Directions

1. In a pan saute onions in oil till a caramel color, set aside to cool completely.
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
3. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1 inch thick crust.
4. Place on a pan that is dusted with a little flour.
   
5. Spread a thin coat of olive oil on dough.
6. Arrange goat cheese, figs cut side up, Prosciutto and cooled, carmelized onions on dough.
7. Top with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with rosemary.
8. Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
9. Top cooked pizza with fresh basil.

Love of my Life: Prabal Gurung

Seeing Mr. Gurung's Spring 2012 runway collection, sadly just on a computer (I haven't quite reached 'personal invite' to the show status, yet,) left me giddy and short of breath. Purple and green are my favorite colors. I love to wear purple and I love to surround myself in all things green. Prabal's collection is themed around shades of turquoise and lavender that are clearly to die for. Looking closer, you can see the way he manipulated the intricate fabric design to comprise a sort of high-fashion butterfly/Rorschach paint blot on the clothes. With the sheer cutouts, raspberry lips, exquisite fabrics and unbelievable silhouettes, Prabal Gurung has officially manifested my dream collection. I think I actually drooled a little when I first saw the looks. Unlike The Man Repeller, whom I love (and who got styled by Prabal himself....lucky betch), I prefer to always add a touch, or a slap in the face, of sexy to my outfits. I like to feel like a girl and no one can make a girl feel as effing amazing as Prabal Gurung.