How TIGHT are you?

I heart  fashion legwear. I was a legwear enthusiast while living in NYC and even before in California I use to and still wear them! Legwear is back in style and I am excited to report on the current and upcoming trends, to help people learn how to wear it, and where to buy it. I would like to share what kind of legwear girls are wearing around the globe, how designers are incorporating legwear with their fashions on models down the runway, and which legwear is being showcased in high fashion magazines. Here are a few that are coming our way this fall:

MEN ESSENTIALS: KICKS

The sneaker phenomenon has spawned a number of well-known brands and manufacturers. Each company has its own unique history and inspiration. In this course we will look at the the major brands best known today for their success as household names and a selection of lesser known brands. I have a "thing" about men and their sneakers and sometimes I wish I were a man only to be caught with these new intriguing and delicious kicks. Here are some of my new faves:

Takashi Murakami invades The Chateau de Versailles

World renowned Japanese pop phenomenon,Takashi Murakami will bring his talents to France for a special exhibition in September at the iconic Chateau de Versailles. The show looks to kick off on September 14th, running through December 12th, 2010. Takashi offers some words below of his excitement for the upcoming showcase.

“For a Japanese like me, the Château de Versailles is one of the greatest symbols of Western history. It is the emblem of an ambition for elegance, sophistication and art that most of us can only dream of.
Of course, we are aware that the spark that set fire to the powder of the Revolution came directly from the centre of the building. That is what I have tried to depict in this exhibition. I am the Cheshire cat that welcomes Alice in Wonderland with its diabolic smile, and chatters away as she wanders around the Château. With a broad smile I invite you all to discover the wonderland of Versailles.”

In tapping such cartoonish, sunny, and strange streams for his apparently endless flux of exuberant creations, Murakami blatantly challenges preconceived notions of is and isn’t “art.”

I have seen two of his previous exhibitions, I am hopeful that his new exhibit will come and conquer us all.  

RUSTICA - Fashion Island

Award-winning Chef Grant MacPherson opened Rustica in Fashion Island, he is well known to be Executive Chef for Steve Wynn opening five diamond resort Bellagio hotel, Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Macau. Focusing on creativity, refinement and elegance. Now he is in Newport Beach, at the well known Fashion Island his own baby, Rustica that features a blend of modern Italian and California cuisine. 
His menu offers Almond wood-fired flatbreads, hand-crated pastas and unique saladas, as well as entrees like Black Kobe Beef Carpaccio, Three Mushroom Risotto/Mascarpone and Mushroom Jus (to die for) and Roasted Pacific Salmon.  I loved is the Seared Day Boat Scallops with Creamed Spinach.
MacPherson has cooked alongside chef Joel Robuchon, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina, Thomas Keller and the late Jean Louis Palladin.
Rustica, is a must!

Rustica

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1133 Newport Center Dr. Newport Beach, CA 92660

(949) 706.8282    |    www.rusticafashionisland.com

Price Range: $$$ 

MALO Cantina Suavecita - Silverlake

Personally, I do not care for mexican restaurants. Since, I prefer to save my palate for my Mom's cooking or just going back to my hometown and have some real Mexican food.

But, Malo Cantina Suavecita in Silverlake is actually decent. Hippsters surroundings and hippsters inside. This place is trendy, simple, good food and friendly attitude.

Overall, the space is industrial-looking, with glossy black subway tiles, red velvet wallpaper, and funky sconces. I did not care for the food, since again, Im not a Mexican food fan.

I liked it for a gathering in a great Patio, specials such as Tuesday Margarita nights and Sunday brunch. And there's actually good trendiesh looking crowd to look at.

I really enjoyed one drink in particular, The Fruit Fresca, an icy-fruit cocktail, with addicting fruits and you can definitely sub in another liquor of your choice like vodka or gin, but  the special one is with Herradura Blanco Tequila!

Malo Cantina Suavecita

4326 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 664.1001    |    www.malorestaurant.com
Price: $$

Studio at Montage - Laguna Beach

This place cannot get more romantic, or even comfortable with good people surrounding your dinner table. When deciding where to dine this past spring, hotel restaurants don’t always come to mind – unless we are talking about Mosaic Bar and Grille at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, where high-level service is presented in a relaxed setting overlooking the Pacific Coast. Upon entry into the resort, you approach the hotel lounge and a sweeping view of the coast. This combination only improves after you order a few of the Montage’s featured cocktails. We enjoyed a cucumber cooler (made from the resorts signature, cucumber-infused vodka) and a cosmic flower (Grey Goose, Elderflower Liquor and a splash of pineapple). After your drinks are in hand, take the long way to Mosaic: a stroll down and around the pool, along the coast and into the restaurant.
We started with Seared Ahi Tuna with Lentils, Hamashi Sashimi with Caviar-lime dressing and Crab Leg Risotto with Mascarpone Cream (to die for). For the Main course, there was a lot of good choices to choose from, we ended up ordering Pan Seared Turbot with semolina gnocchi and market spring onions very very good,The Alaskan Halibut with sauteed asparagus and eggplant marmalade was different but very tasty, and last but not least the Sauteed Farms Duck Breast with maitake mushrooms with cummin scented sauce, it was superb.
We could not eat any more, but the waiter suggested the Chocolate Palette, a chocolate pate with pistachio cream and chocolate serbet, which by the sound of it you already know what it taste like: Heaven.
Mosaic is an outdoor restaurant, attire and clientele ranges from very casual (which I didn't stand for that supposedly they have a very strict in their dress code), to very trendy California Women, to families enjoying a meal after a day at the pool, or just friends having a good ol' dinner by the beach. If you have a date this Summer and wanna be impressed or want to impress, save up for this delightful cozy little place by the beach. It's worth it.

 Studio at Montage

30801 Coast Hwy. Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715.6000    |    www.studiolagunabeach.com
Price: $$$$

Gray Fall's into Summer with Chanel.

Today is the first day of Summer and yet, fall falls into our hands. And the neon and pastel nails we thought so chic last week suddenly seem passe, as we gasp over and grapple for the moody, muted shades that will bring our nails into a Fall-soft-effect.

Chanel has released their Fall 2010 makeup collection, rife with chocolate grays, deep plums and smoldering khakis. Headlining the Le Vernis Nail Colous collection (which I can't get to get enough of) in Paradoxal, a dark-violet that the company thinks will the "the new statement-maker of the season." My personal favorites are: Black Velvet and Particuliere.
Chanel's nail polish is one of the few that do last in your nails. Think O.P.I/Essie quality but better. What do you expect for $25 a bottle. Sometimes you can find equal colors but not quality, take it from me. Tried it. Didn't work. I Heart Chanel for eva!

Another term for BC. Beauty Call. MINX

If you haven’t heard of all the buzz around Hollywood about Minx Nails you’re probably hiding under a rock. Minx Nails is the hottest nail trend in tinsel town! All the hottest celebrities have been seen Minxed on red carpets, photo shoots and the biggest events in town. Look for yours on your local town. They do last about 5 days, if you basically don't use your hands for your usual everyday basis things like, open your trunk, wash dishes, try to get a tan ha! They will peel, you just use your blow-dryer or your nearest flash light to melt the MINX.
I found mine already, have you gotten yours? Get them before they get outdated or even worst..overrated.

Don’t Slump or Sit: Stand & Collaborate. FUERZA BRUTA. DF

Back in 2002 someone dearly recommended me an amazing off-broadway show called De La Guarda, creators from Argentina, showed in NY's Union Square at the Daryl Roth Theater. The water, music, yelling, singing, interacting with the performers, it was the most unique and exhilirating experience I have ever witness. FYI, I went back for the following 3 years in a row, even the Las Vegas one.

Well, I've had been waiting and mourned the absence of De La Guarda,and while walking by Union Square in 2006, I saw the ads for the international sensation where they could be lifted into the air at any moment, will happily greet the arrival of Fuerza Bruta, an often-astounding new theatrical experience co-created by four De La Guarda veterans at that show's former home, the Daryl Roth Theatre. I had to go! That isn't to say there isn't a certain level of audience interaction here. Once again, patrons stand for the entire show, are often forcibly moved around by the staff (mostly to prevent being pummeled by a piece of oversize equipment) and are periodically pelted by water, paper, and styrofoam, the show's most used element. At the very end, as well, the empty theater is briefly turned into a dance club, complete with an overenthusiastic DJ and music so loud, you might want to ask for earplugs, (The staff may be one step ahead of you, as they offered one of my friends a pair midway during the show.) I didn't mind at all! At no moment in Fuerza Bruta is more attention-getting than when a 45-foot-wide clear-bottom swimming pool descends from the ceiling, complete with four very athletic women swirling around. The piece de resistance arrives when the pool is lowered just enough so that audience members can touch it -- which, of course, they do. (The act kind of gives new meaning to the term copping a feel.)

One wishes the bag of tricks in Fuerzabruta was a little more full -- more than one sequence gets repeated -- and that the segues between acts were a little more seamless. But there are far worse ways to spend an hour in New York City. Now my fellow Mexicanos, go and get more excitment in your heart throbbing DF life because it's live until June 26th!

Carpa Santa Fe
Av. Vasco de Quiroga Nu. 200. Col. Santa Fe, Mexico DF 08400
http://fuerzabruta.com.mx/

The food trucks just keep rolling in La-La Land

Food Trucks have found themselves as part of L.A. culture, you see them everywhere from WeHo, DTLA, Santa Monica, the Valley and Orange County. My friend Chef Johnny and I while we were living in NY, saw it coming into a fueled sensation... it has. They're either on a corner of your work, where you live and now they're at every major event including this past Coachella. Here are some of the few:

Follow them on Twitter or: http://www.mobilecravings.com/foodtruckfinder/los-angeles/

East-Coast Pop-up eateries a hit with LA's hip.

When it comes to dining like a food aficionado like me, you probably know all about food trucks and the secret speakeasies in NY (where it all started). How about their hottest spots? Well, they're coming to town, that is El Lay.

To begin with CHi-Town's Rick Bayless is hitting us with his Nouvelle Mexican Empire with Red O will be located in Melrose Ave. This city where south-of-the-border fare, we will see how we (as latinos) will accept his magical taste, which to be honest I tried Chi-Town's Frontera Grill and it was very very close to what I can say home made mexican food made from an american chef with a mexican heart.

Secondly, One of my fave corners in NY, Nolita (between Elizabeth & Mott) stands Cafe Habana. With the best Mexican-style grilled corn slathered in a creamy concotion, dusted with cayenne pepper, rolled in cojita cheese and drizzled with lime juice. Well Ladies & Gent's it is opening up tomorrow in Malibu at the Malibu Lumber Yard. You guys have to try the Cuban Sryle Roast Pork Sandwich and their Sincronizadas!

Third but last, I literally yelled out of excitement when I found out that THE mother of all mother-MECCA cupcake NY joint was opening this fall in WeHo (by Beverly Center on West 3rd). My Goodness, I use to pass through Bleeker almost every day just to catch a smell of the buttery delicious frosting! Magnolia's was founded in Greenwich Village in 1996 by Jennifer Appel and Allysa Torey. The company was bought in 2006 by Steve and Tyra Abrams. Some people content that Magnolia's was ground zero for gourmet cupcake craze - it was Sex in The City who did it for most of us crazy gals if I might say.

SNEAKER CON - Let's Kick it NYC!

Sneaker CON went down again last Saturday, May 22nd in NYC, and it was yet another great success for what I heard. There was a family affair of sorts with heat on the feet of young and old, from vintage Baby Jordans to kids Zoom Flight 96's to Air Jordans. It is always nice to see the original models, next to crispy retros to get a feel for the changes in the models over the years. Sneaker CON it is time to hit El Lay, the look in this city when it comes to young/old hip guys are getting trendier and expensive by the second. Here are some of what the fans were wearing. Kick it!

San Diego's The Linkery: Farm-to-Table Restaurant

I'm here again on another day, another organic restaurant and it's important to note how great this place is and how easily that can be affected by who is running it. Today, there is the same great wine, cheese and flatbreads; but in contrast to my latest review, the atmosphere here was welcoming and comfortable thanks to the nice waiters. As usual San Diego great customer service.

The Linkery is a hip café that features made-from-scratch artisan cuisine just a tofu-cube short of organic. Costly certified-organic foods mean higher menu prices, so the chefs here use local, sustainably raised products whenever possible. According to what's fresh and seasonal from that day's market, you're likely to encounter variations in some dishes from the printed menu. Their menu changes on every day basis depeding on their farmers and artisans.

To be honest, I didn't like the smell or the food. The thought of this place is very Santa Barbara-ish when it came to concept. The food came and it was bland, average and very pricey for the people wearing birkenstocks, converse and jeans.

 A lot of the items looked interesting, but nothing really stood out as something I'd want to throw $19.50 on just to try - what if I don't like it!  Great concept, though. Don't recommend it.

The Linkery

3794 30th St (between Gunn St & North Park Way)
San Diego, CA 92104
Neighborhood: North Park

(619) 255.8778  |  www.thelinkery.com
Price: $$ 

All that Jazz......Anthology-San Diego

While living in NY I looooved going, specially after midnight, to underground jazz clubs. One of them was the very notorious Village Vanguard in the West Village. That venue for me is still one of the best places in the world to listen to jazz. My uncle that lived there for 15 years, fully recommend it to me. The quality of jazz and old-school atmosphere made it for me: The New York landmark. 
Now I know little ol' San Diego has his ups and downs, but lately I've been discovering little hidden places (outside typical Gaslamp). Someone took me to Anthology in Little Italy, I adored it! The venue is cute, colorful, comfortable, great sound system and very affordable. Didn't tried their food, it was very late, just went to listen to some jazz and drank lot's of Jack and Water! Anthology is not your typical jazz club at all, it looks to over priced or fancy as people next to me said, but overall I gave it a good review, It really does seem to be geared more towards the bands performing vs food.

Anthology

1337 India St (between A St & Ash St)
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 595.0300   |   www.anthologysd.com

Price: $$$

Tapenade - Best Kept French Secret in La Jolla

Let’s talk for a minute about one of the best French restaurants in the country. New York City’s Le Bernardin for me was exquisite, formal, and very high-end. Unless you’ve been to The French Laundry out in Napa Valley, Le Bernardin for me will likely be the best French meal you’ll have outside of France. This is one of the rare 3 Michelin star restaurants in the United States. More than just great lunch or dinner in an elegant, fancy setting, a meal here is a memorable event.

Last Saturday a group of four went to Tapenade in La Jolla, it's not even close to Le Bernadin but this did the ok deed. Well I enjoyed every minute of been there. The decor is very typical San Diego restaurant, it didn't do anything for me. Older crowds definitely, very good prices and amazing Customer Service. Their Lunch Menu is only $21.95 and it's very extense. We arrived late so we went directly a la cart...and a bottle of 2005 Chateau de Candale. For starters we ordered escargots with garlic and walnut butter  Ce' Magnifique!, Smoked Salmon with Creme fraiche and red onion, House made wild mushroom raviolis. We all had to taste each of our plates (tacky I know but I had to taste everything in sight). There was the Alaskan King Salmon with dry vermouth sauce...amazing, the aged sirloin steak...ehh so so, my roasted duck breast with shitake mushrooms and mandarin sauce O M G to die for, hands down the best!

Tapenade Restaurant
87612 Fay Avenue. La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551.7500    |     www.tapenaderestaurant.com
Price: $$$

JONES WeHo - THE DARK JOINT TO BE

First time I went to this little dark joint was last year with my dear friend Mia. We were driving around Santa Monica Blvd. and saw Jones' old school flashing sign it caight our attention, finally we parked and never went away. We went last week again for the gazillion time.
Jones not only knows how to serve up a stiff drink, but the restaurant is also recognized as the local hippster joint to fast food for those night munchies. Enjoyed my old wood oven pizza, their thick burgers, extensive selection of soups and a standout steamed artichoke app with two flavors of aioli dip. yummmm. The only thing, which I seem to love these kinda restaurants, the decor is dark dimly lighted. The bathroom are GOLD! you guys have to go for the bathrooms, pics of aloooooot of naked, parties, famous, non-famous clients. As for dessert, well they are known for the apple pie. Great Menu, Drinks to die for and the ambiance is rock n roll.The only con, get there early it can get very crowded. Ill ensure that you will have a great time.
 

 Jones West Hollywood

7205 Santa Monica Blvd.West Hollywood, CA 9004    |   (323) 850.1726

 

UMAMI BURGERS - La La Land

I knew this was going to be fame! Gourmet Trucks are in. As for Umami, ever since the Oscar's after parties everyone was saying Umami this Umami that. So, I explored. Their logo is simply UMAMI BURGERS. Simple, black and white. The burgers at the truck well let's just say fans will not be disappointed. The coarse grind of the Umami resists that much crusting, but, to be honest, I think it compares favorably with the originals. I tried the straight Smashburger (grilled onions, cheese, and pickles) and the Sherry Mushroom Smashburger. I’ve never had an Umami burger before even though I’ve heard it’s the best burger in L.A. etc. so I didn’t know what to expect but was so looking forward to it. It's good but is not that great of a deal. But you do need to try it. Everything about it is soft, very easy to swallow. The mushrooms were tender and flavourful. The meat is a lot rarer than I'm use to (I like them well well done). It has a delightful flavor. Nothing like Father's Office though he he.

 UMAMI BURGERS

850 S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036

4655 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 931.3000    |     www.umamiburger.com   |   twitter.com/umamiburger

Shoe Lover. Every Girl's Dream.

I can only say these are the following shoes of the Month (for me).  This upbeat Shoe Collection of the first week of May (again for me) has eye candy written allover, with hot-feather plushs, sneakers to run in fashion, and decorative high in the sky heels. Im in love again. Bravo to the designers who are going back to feminity and not to 80's looks like last year's shoe selection. Fierceness!

C'est magnifique At Bleu Bohème - San Diego

For some reason local San Diegan’s don’t like to explore areas other than Gaslamp or La Jolla. There are a few cute places around the city that every time I come down I’ll try different restaurants. I am a true fan of french cute places. Someone recommended ‘Bleu Bohème’at little neighborhood called Kensignton. What a cute little place to go have lunch/early/late dinner. The menu is somewhat french bistro. Selections have been down to the essential tourist-friendly franco-american favorites. We ordered of course my fave, Mousse de Foise de Canard aux Truffles (Duck Mousse w/Truffles), Pate de Campagne (Country style pate with black peppercorn), Assorted French Imported Cheeses. By this time I was somewhat full. But I couldn’t leave without my Moules Marinieres Mussels! Superb!!!! 

For dessert of course, the Dark Chocolate Mousse and Crepe Stuffed with Chocolaty Hazelnut spread (Nutella) they were ok.

Dear San Diegans, there are plenty of cute little restaurants around town, try to explore your city, you never know when you’ll fall in love-lust wth the nest IT restaurant.

Adieu, Bleu Bohème!

Bleu Boheme

4090 Adams Ave. San Diego, CA 92116

(619) 255.4167     |     www.bleuboheme.com