Why Every One Is Going To The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl Festival

Hi lovelies,

If there's one thing I love to do, it's eating! Especially during the Los Angeles Times FOOD BOWL where I can experience new cuisines and dine at the coolest restaurants in L.A.

I'm particularly looking forward to trying out P.Y.T that's located in the downtown LA and features a vegetable-centered menu.

My other must-do during the Los Angeles Times FOOD BOWL is partaking in the Fried Chicken Party.  My friends and I are also looking forward to enjoying the cocktails created by the talented mixologists during L.A. Cocktail week. 

Check out the full details below and don't forget to share your Food Bowl experiences on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @LAfoodbowl (#LAfoodbowl #31DAYSOFFOOD).

Los Angeles Times FOOD BOWL returns with a diverse program this May

A NEW KIND OF FOOD FESTIVAL
The city’s adventurous new food festival will feature hundreds of events all over Los Angeles with a mix of local favorites and world-renowned chefs

LOS ANGELES (2018) – The Los Angeles Times is proud to announce the return of FOOD BOWL, 31 days of events celebrating L.A.’s amazing food and drink scene. The festival will continue to raise awareness and funds to fight food waste, hunger, food insecurity and promote sustainability and waste reduction through charity partners and participating events. Spanning the entire month of May, FOOD BOWL will feature over 250 events with many of the chefs and restaurants that have put Los Angeles on the map as one of the world’s great food cities alongside internationally renowned chefs in rare local appearances. The extensive lineup of dining events, panel discussions, chef collaborations, volunteer projects, and other food and drink-inspired happenings will be announced March 31 at lafoodbowl.com.

Food Bowl highlights include:

• Things in a Bowl: the official launch party taking place at Rossoblu will feature an all-star lineup of L.A. chefs creating “Things in a bowl” and the announcements of Restaurant of the Year and the Gold Award. Last year’s Restaurant of the Year award went to Locol (Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson) and the Gold Award was presented to Wolfgang Puck. This event will be open to the public for the first time.
• Changing the World Through the Power of Food: a conversation and more with José Andrés (The Bazaar by José Andrés), and special guests supporting L.A. Kitchen. Chef Andrés has been on the ground assisting disaster relief efforts, feeding the workers and victims of the recent California wildfires and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.         
• Night Market: a bustling street market featuring 50 food vendors, outdoor dining areas and entertainment in Grand Park, May 16-20. Over 45,000 attended last year’s Night Market events.
• A Tribute to the late Chef Tui Sungkamee (Jitlada): a night celebrating the life of the much loved and respected chef with Jazz Singsanong (Jitlada).
• Outstanding in the Field: a series of long-table feasts in spectacular locations. Sustainable seafood on an iconic pier, Grand Park in downtown L.A., Malibu and a dinner in the desert with Virgilio Martinez (Peru), Weiser Family Farms, and Jim Denevan.
• Scienceandfood: a discussion about food in space at UCLA.
• Charity Bake Sale: a showcase of L.A.’s leading pastry chefs and the return of our beloved Beast Feast and Fried Chicken Party.
• New Kids on the Block Party featuring L.A.’s rising chefs and mixologists.
• Chef Showcase: a one-day event featuring leading chefs. Moderated panels, demonstrations, tastings, and more.
• A Sichuan Summit: acclaimed food writer Fuchsia Dunlop (Sichuan Cookery) and Chinese Chef Yu Bo will be featured, along with L.A.’s favorite Sichuan restaurants and special guests.
• Food Tours of L.A.’s tastiest neighborhoods.
• L.A. Cocktail Week: bartenders from across the city will be invited to create a cocktail that represents Los Angeles. The L.A.-inspired cocktails will be featured throughout the week.
• Gold Film Festival: a mini film festival curated by Jonathan Gold with screenings hosted in various neighborhoods around the city.
• Satoyama Exhibition in association with Japan House Los Angeles: Japanese chef Yoshihiro Narisawa (Narisawa in Tokyo is the Number 18 Restaurant in the World’s 50 Best list) is internationally known for his dedication to sustainability and representing the natural environment in his dishes by using indigenous Japanese ingredients.
• A conversation with Diana Kennedy (UK / Mexico), the godmother of Mexican cuisine: a panel discussion about Kennedy’s career and a sneak peek at the documentary currently in production, “Nothing Fancy: Diana Kennedy.”
• Chef Ben Shewry (NZ / Australia) from acclaimed Melbourne restaurant, Attica (Number 32 Restaurant in the World’s 50 Best list) will collaborate on a series of unique events with Everson Royce Bar and Hollyhock House.

Los Angeles Times Food Bowl 2018 charitable partners are L.A. Kitchen, Food Forward and Midnight Mission. Festival sponsors include Citi®, Nissan Leaf, OpenTable, Peru Tourism. For additional information and event updates, visit lafoodbowl.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @LAfoodbowl (#LAfoodbowl #31DAYSOFFOOD)

Why Every Cool Girl Is Going To The Museum Of Illusions

Hi lovelies,

I had one of the most magical experiences in L.A. thanks to Average Socialite during the opening party of The Museum of Illusions in Hollywood. 

After hitting the red carpet, I perused the museum which consisted of multiple interactive installations created by famed artists that we were life-sized illusions that I could jump in and take photos with. We sipped on Buzzbox premium cocktails and nibbled on Cakes by Anna. 

I was obsessed with the treats by Eat Print Me that featured customized macaroons and I loved seeing mine that featured a photo of me. The gift was also equally impressive and was filled with top of the line skincare by Le Mieux and My Skincare Box plus NCLA nail polish and nail grooming sets.

I can't wait to create my own mini-illusions on the tiny canvases, paint brushes and paint given to us by Artist and Craftsman Supply LA and Express Document Solutions printed the flyers and the brand wall that were also super creative.

I also loved catching up with my fellow actors and influencers that included Jeremy Maguire (actor; Modern Family), Jesse McCartney (singer/songwriter), Jonathan Sadowski (actor; Young & Hungry), Ashlyn Pearce (actress; The Bold and the Beautiful), Lex Lu (singer; The Four on FOX), Ash Minor (singer; The Four on FOX), Brandon Stewart (singer and producer), Edward Walson (broadway and film producer), Cooper Phillip (singer), Christopher "CJ" Wallace Jr. (actor and rapper), Tyra Myricks (fashion designer), Isaac J. Sullivan (actor and model), and Christine Lakin (actress).

You too can explore the Museum of Illusions by grabbing your tickets here.

a.o.c. x Los Angeles

Hi lovelies,

I've decided to go out less and spend more quality and one-on-one time with my friends and loved ones. So I was super excited to catch up with my lovely little blonde, Heather Hahn, over brunch at a.o.c. in Los Angeles, CA. 

We immediately noticed the greenery out front that would make for the perfect backdrop for a few photos and then we went inside and got seated in the outside patio. I ordered a tea and the pork belly sandwich and decided to skip the salad and add a side of fries.

Heather opted for the fried chicken and I definitely stole a few pieces to try myself. We chatted about our blogs, boys, bags, and being on top of our career game.  The waiters were super friendly and the ambiance was very hushed yet inviting, making it the perfect place to share secrets, split dessert, and laugh into the afternoon. 

Battle of the Sexes x L.A. Premiere

Hi lovelies,

Last night I got to attend the star-studded L.A. premiere of Battle of the Sexes. Emma Stone looked flawless in platinum blonde hair and a sparkling silver outfit, while Steve Carrell looked distinguished in his dark suit.

Emma's performance as tennis legend, equal rights pioneer, and LGBQT advocate, Billie Jean King, was uncanny and you forget that you're watching Emma and you really feel as though you're watching Billie Jean in the 1970's.

Beyond the way she speaks and looks, Emma nails Billie Jean's signature walk and it was impressive how precise her tennis move were to mimic the legend's expertise.

Steve's portrayal of Bobby Riggs showed the troubled gambler's life in a compassionate way. Revealing that he was more of a lost soul looking for meaning than a rambling bigot. Elizabeth Shue also gave a riveting performance as his patient yet fed-up wife.

Sarah Silverman gave a compelling performance and she made us laugh throughout the entire film with her endearing portrayal of Gladys Heldman.

But what really stole the show was the powerful speech that the real Billie Jean King gave prior to the movie. She told us about her journey and how she paved the way for women's professional tennis to exist today.

Billie Jean King is also inspiring us through her partnership with Citizen Watches. Both represent excellence, innovation, and ingenuity. You can get the full details on their perfect partnership below.

"CITIZEN, a pioneer in watchmaking and innovative technology since 1918, promotes excellence and creativity with a deep-rooted respect for craftsmanship. CITIZEN advocates “Better Starts Now,” searching for and accomplishing goals that better our lives. In this respect, CITIZEN aligns with organizations and personalities that reflect the values of the brand including the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, Citizen Naismith College Basketball Awards and National Merit Scholarship.

As a “citizen of the world” we bear the responsibility to help cultivate positive change and on-going evolution to our craft. For over 40 years, CITIZEN’s Eco-Drive technology has served as the prime example of how the brand is dedicated to making the world and its environment a better place.

A simple yet revolutionary concept, Eco-Drive harnesses the power of light from any natural or artificial light source and converts it into energy. Using a renewable natural resource instead of filling our landfills with discarded watch batteries.

Our name speaks to our belief of inclusion with a multi-cultural mindset to create timepiece that can be enjoyed by citizens all over the world."

Our fight for equal rights and equal pay continues to this day, but Battle of the Sexes is a must-see to inspire us to keep fighting the good fight, with love.

New York State of Mind on the streets of LA

Hi lovelies,

I've officially been in LA for 4 months and much to my surprise, it's starting to feel like home. I never thought that I would ever get over missing the intoxicating energy of New York City, but LA has been able to hold its own. 

I've met some really cool fashion bloggers to hit up the parties with and other writers and actors to bond with over the highs and lows of the Hollywood grind. West Hollywood has been my haven, much like the streets of Chelsea and Williamsburg were. 

The pace in LA is much slower than NYC, but somehow I find that the stakes are much higher here. The consequences are substantial and the opportunities are endless, with a constant sense of urgency. Am I going to run into Spielberg at Starbucks? Better put on my Sunday's best to pick up my mocha peppermint latte.

I still wear black and eyeliner. Although I'm wearing less eyeliner these days and opting for a bold brow with sun-kissed cheeks. It was surprisingly cool enough these past few days to make hot chocolate and actually even its warmth. That was the best of both worlds. There's nothing like a crisp Fall night in New York City, when you're wrapped-up in an oversized sweater, leggings, and leg warmers, laughing over a glass of Merlot with your best friend.

Designers & Agents: LA's coolest fashion tradeshow

Hi lovelies,

Taking place in Downtown LA's coveted fashion district from October 13th-15th, the Designers & Agents fashion tradeshow was one of the top events to kick-off LA Fashion Week in style. But not to be outdone, we also covered this year's D&A show in New York and you can check out our recap of the event here. The design aesthetic held true to form and there were pretty floral arraignments throughout the show and the design of the show had a pink and purple floral print. 

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Porridge

Once I was in the tradeshow, a different kind of print caught my eye, it was the pretty prints of an emerging brand called Porridge.  The name of the brand was inspired by a childhood nickname of the designer, who was affectionately called, 'Laura Porridge,' as a child. That playful spirit still translates to the pretty prints on her collection of dresses, tops, and bottoms. All prints are done in-house and the designer takes inspiration from everything from a 1910 tile that she modifies and converts into a print. Her dresses range from $68-88 wholesale and the tops range from $52-68 wholesale, and the entire collection retails for under $200. 

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CalaXini

I then luckily stumbled across a seas of shoes at the CalaXini booth. Made in Spain, the shoe collection  originated out of workers in the field creating shoes out of recycled tires, which is still a part of the mold of the soles of the shoes today. Since fashion follows function, the durability of the shoes quickly became a fashion statement in Spain and the Mediterranean, and are now starting to make waves here in the States. The shoes now come in metallics, glitter, and matte colors, along with a customizable line. The shoes range around $52 wholesale and retails for around $115-125 per pair. 

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Kohzo

Next up was entering denim heaven at the Kohzo booth. Celebrities like Lenny Kravitz, Clive Owen, and Justin Bieber have all rocked the denim brand. Best-sellers include the Oniyanma, Akatombo, and Shinkai colorways and silhouettes, they are all wholesale for $196. Another best-seller is the Riding Horse that goes wholesale for $247. My personal favorite pair was the leather Samurai that wholesales for $770-1,000 and retails for $3,000 and up. 

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Breakout fashion installation: French Rebellion

Parisian showroom, French Rebellion, held some of the top emerging brands at the tradeshow. The innovative concept behind the showroom is to bring international designers together and break them into the US fashion market through cultivating their design vision, marketing, press, sales, and branding. There is even an incubator program for select designers to showcase their designs for an extended period of time in their New York showroom. 

At Designers & Agents, French Rebellion displayed a curated collection of 19 breakthrough designers, some of which included, Albertine, AZADA By Tara, DO-Paris, Inouitoosh, Margaux Lonnberg, N/TICE, Nicolas Messina, Paradis Perdus, and Shazaz Jewels. The French Rebellion team is consists of five partners between New York and Paris, Courtney Daniels, Julia Simon, Stephane Dago, Murielle Bourdette-Menaut and Gilberto Bonelli. 

Nicolas Messina: Beyonce is a huge fan of this designer and rocks his customized looks. 

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AZADA by Tara Haggiag: My favorite piece was the peacock maxi dress.

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Vanessa Tugendhaft: This designer makes some of the most delicate pieces of jewelry around.

Paradis Perdus: The attention-to-detail on every piece in this collection is remarkable. 

Look New York chic for fall in LA

Hi lovelies,

Even though it's the new fall season, the temperature seems to only be rising here in the land of dreams, Los Angeles. When I was back in New York, I couldn't wait to break out the fur vests, leather pants, chunky sweaters, and sip on hot toddies with my girls.

So here's my take on a classic New York fall look, done the LA way.

Shop the look:

Fur vest:

Sheer long-sleeved top:

Casual tank top:

Denim cut-offs:

Booties: 

LA Fashion Market: Breakout Fashion Brands

Hi lovelies,

Enjoy my recap of LA Fashion Market for Fashion Edits! Happy shopping and styling. 

It's that time of the year, fashion trade shows and market season leading up to the big runway shows and fashion weeks. LA Fashion Market was ready to get into the fashion game even though the general vibe of the trade shows this year was a bit lackluster. Designers and boutiques are still struggling to stay afloat during the aftermath of the economy's downturn and competing with the attention of buyers and press since New York's FFANY trade shows just so happens to coincide with this year's LA Fashion Market, competition was fierce.

But don't count out LA Fashion Market just yet, Fashion Edits was able to discover the break-out brands this season, both emerging and established, so check out our picks below for what to stock your stores and closet with during the hottest fashion season of the year.

Emblex Imports: For the customer looking for the perfect glam, night-time, and dressier look

Emblex Imports is unique because its line is actually composed of three to four different emerging designers that contribute to the overall look of the collection. Our picks are the matching sequined skirts and jackets that come in both white and black and gold, price points for the skirts are $39 and for the jackets $59. For a dressy yet casual look, opt for the long tulle skirts in champagne, at a $29 price point, and in its holiday look in black with gold and silver additions, at a $39 price point. For a night out on the town, we love the silver sequined jacket, a $55 price point, and the black sequined jacket with detailed boxes, at a $89 price point. The collection also includes silk bias-cut dresses with intricate beading starting at a $39 price point.

Mary J: For the casually chic customer

If your target customer loves to look chic and stylish yet comfortable and sophisticated then stock your shelves with Mary J. Mary J. has been a private label designer for stores like Neiman Marcus and brings a simple elegance to her pieces by using a novelty knit and merrow edge design. We love the grey halter top that works for both day and night and starts at a $31 price point. Add a jacket for $42, a skirt for $38, a V-neck top for $29, and additional tops for $21. All pieces are locally designed and manufactured in Los Angeles.

Sho Sho Fashions: For the hipster customer

Tribal looks, animals prints, and funky designs are all the rage this season. If your customer is trendy, youthful, and likes to rock the hipster look, then pick up some printed leggings from Sho Sho Fashions. Some of the leggings have fleece lining for added comfort and other are poly lined for added breathability. We love the owl prints, tribal prints, black with gold zippers, and plaid prints. The leggings retail for $8-20.

Blowfish Malibu: For the customer that loves shoes

We fell in love with Blowfish Malibu's top-seller that is appropriately called, “Granola.” It's a comfy sandal that is designed with faux-leather straps and comes in dark brown with a price point of $30. Our other pick is a strappy high-ankle sandal that comes in what is called “delicious PU” and is super comfy with padding. It comes in black, chocolate, and crème and starts at a $39 price point. It's printed lace-up sneaker was also a stand-out look for this season.

Nina Field: For the special and social occasion customer

Nina Field's iconic wedding dresses are perfect for destination weddings when you need something extra special and if you prefer a more glamorous, vintage look. Our pick for her stand-out piece is a Mother-of-the-Bride white dress with tulle shoulders and embellishments. The look also comes in bronze which is our preferred color of choice. The two-piece look with a lace bustier and skirt is also our editor's pick and comes in black as well.

MimiGi: For the comfy and cool customer

If your customer loves yoga, running around town while looking effortless cool and stylish, then MimiGi has the looks you need to satisfy your customer's needs. All of the pieces are locally made in Los Angeles and our picks are the gaucho pants and comfy tops with chiffon back embellishments that come in green, black, blue, red, and taupe colorways starting at $24 price points. She also designs a tie-dye top that also comes in array of colors with a back embellishment starting at a $26 price point.

If you're heading to the WWIN trade shows at the Rio, we suggest you stop by Doris Johnson at booth #433, showing from August 18-21st, and can also be found at suite #A380 in the California Market Center, Monday-Friday. Be sure to check out the Dora John silk skullies starting at $20 price points without the flower additions and $29 price points for the flower embellishments. 

Tea with Candy: NYC vs. LA: Dating, fashion, street meat cravings, and more!

I'm officially a Cali girl now, but I'm still a New Yorker at heart. Watch me riff on dating, fashion, street meat cravings, and more!

Celebrity Street Style: L.A. Edition

Hi lovelies,

Summer style is in full swing on the streets of sunny California. Stylish celebs are rocking the latest looks both on-and-off screen and below are some of the hottest celeb looks that you can make your own.

Kate Bosworth: Cool and collected

Kate looks effortlessly chic in a cotton black tee, oversized jeans, and tan leather sandals. She makes the look her own by adding a multicolored striped wide belt. Don't forget to add a pair of aviator shades to make it L.A. cool.

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Alessandra Ambrosio: Short shorts

The leggy model Alessandra Ambrosio shows some skin on the streets of L.A. with short printed shorts. She classes up the look while still looking casually cool by pairing the short shorts with a chambray button-down top and flat flip-flops. She pulls the look together by adding a wide, light brown leather belt.

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Rose McGowan: New York chic in LA

Rose McGowan rocks black better than any New Yorker and brings a level of chic and sophistication to her all-black look of leather boxy shorts, fitted tank top, oversized leather purse, shades, and hi-tops with a pretty in pink lipstick that adds the perfect amount of color to her look.

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Solange: Easy and breezy

Solange keeps cool on the streets of Hollywood by wearing a long, shear white button-down paired with 70's inspired high-waisted light jeans. The songstress adds an element of glamour by sporting a metallic gold purse with the outfit, dark shades, and a slicked back hairdo with a red lip.

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Jessica Alba: Layered lady

Jessica Alba layers up for her Starbucks run in Los Angeles, CA. She wears a navy blue blazer over a navy top, with a blue leather purse to the side, skinny jeans and red booties. What we love best about this look is the red accent prints on her jeans that tie-in perfectly to her red booties.

celeb