Apparently a woman in Seattle found a black widow in her grapes from Costco! As a fellow Costco shopper and SPECIFICALLY a lover of Costco grapes I am disgusted!
Since farmers are moving away from the use of pesticides- it has become increasingly more common to use spiders to keep other insects away. So if you are going to buy your grapes from Costco--or anywhere for that matter (ESP if you buy organic) CHECK FOR SPIDERS before ingesting!! And don't forget to always wash your fruit.
Oh but the good news is Seattle lady trapped the black widow and is donating it to her local zoo! I know you were all worried.
Check out these links for more on the subject:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/19/ap/strange/mainD8KRVQPO0.shtml
http://www.scandalist.com/2008-11-19/citizen-scandal-black-widow-spider-found-in-grapes/
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Pesticides or Black Widows??
Attack of the AstroTurf
What in the WORLD is Madonna wearing?? I guess she's always been known to take fashion risks and change her image constantly...BUT what is she going for here? The grass monster look? Maybe she wants the world to know she is environmentally conscious?
Only Madonna knows....
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
My Flight to Yogurtland
I've been hearing the buzz about Yogurtland, now that they are popping up all around the city. So I knew it was time to try it myself! My preconceived notion of this place was that it was a self serve fantasy land of yogurt and toppings. And while it kind of is- it was different than I imagined. It is very similar to pink berry in decor and choices of toppings---but there are also MANY more flavors ranging from the fruits to the desserty flavors (Chocolate, peanut butter, cookies and cream). Plus they do have a wider range of toppings. The place is very much a mix of a typical frozen yogurt place (i.e. Penguins) and the new "pinkberry-esq" rage. So when you go in, you pick up your cup and fill it up to your hearts desire of flavors and toppings (keeping in mind you are charged by weight). It turned out to be much cheaper than Pinkberry so that was definitely a plus! It was a little tricky to get tastes--they keep the mini cups in the front. So make sure you do that first- since there are so many flavors it is hard to choose.
I went to the Yogurtland on Labrea and 3rd st. and it was a little small compared to the other places. So when a line starts to form it can be very awkward to do your thing and serve yourself.
Check out their website for all the menu items and nutrition facts ( you will be pleasantly suprised most yogurts are fat free and pretty low cal!)
http://www.yogurt-land.com/
Monday, November 17, 2008
Seventies sentiments
The 1970's inspired this post and this set of collages. I find it very interesting that there could be 2 very different types of styles that really juxtaposed each other during this decade. So there are the glamorous studio 54 club hoppers and the bohemian free loving hippies. Granted these are modern takes on the 70's ---and I enjoy the creative control to put the "bohemians" in a Louis Vuitton handbag and 18,000 ring which I know they would NEVER buy.
More inspiring/entertaining photographs:
Friday, November 14, 2008
Airport Style
Celebrity airport style has always fascinated me. I can understand that, as a celebrity, if you show up somewhere looking like crap you wont live it down in the tabloids. But whyyyyyy would someone who is going to spend 5+ hours on a plane wear THIS:
OR 
OR
Now Jessica Biel has cute airport style. While she is in a Philip Lim dress---ATLEAST she pairs it with some sensible flat boots and a cozy sweater.
Check out this article at people.com for more pics of celeb airport style!
Hand made treasures
I discovered Etsy.com from the lovely blogger Sophia of Chic and Charming. It is an amazing site where people sell hand made goods. I think I could shop and be inspired for hours there.
A couple fun things I've found so far:
A necklace made from a vintage brooch. by Jcjools
A gorgeous bolero jacket by Bonzie--who also does custom made orders.
Adorable Macbook laptop covers. by FernFiddleHead.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Style Profile: Emma Watson
Somehow Emma Watson (famous for her role as Hermione in the Harry Potter films) went from little girl to a fashion fenom at age 17. I am wowed by her style these days and her dress choices (mostly Chanel) to red carpet events. Now I am sure this is partially due to her impending contract with Chanel - but it seems like she has style and grace on her own as well. And therefore here are some inspiring photos for you all.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Foreign Film Club: Israel Film Festival- NY Edition
After seeing a few of the films at the Los Angeles based Israel Film Festival this summer, I have been anxiously awaiting for New York debut. Spanning over two weeks, nearly every film I tried to see sold out unbelievably fast. I ventured out last night to see "Strangers" with other members of the self-proclaimed Foreign Film Club (NY Chapter.)
Strangers was described in the synopsis as a modern day romance of an Israeli "Romeo" and Palestinian "Juliet" who meet while traveling in Berlin during the 2006 World Cup. With a strong interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, enthusiasm for European travel and FIFA soccer, and an obvious weakness for love, I was thrilled to see this film.
I will start by saying that I had very high hopes for this movie, and aside from the smokin-hot lead, Liron Levo, I was somewhat disappointed. The story of impossible love was touching, however trying to use it as a representative tool for the greater Israeli-Palestinian conflict ended up as overkill and a made for a bit of a flat story line and loss of focus. The message and theme of the movie got lost in its attempt to incorporate too many stories into a one and a half hour time slot. However, I left the movie feeling hopeful and somewhat wooed.
There are only two more days of the festival, as it ends Thursday Novemeber 13 so hurry up and go see "Lost Islands" tomorrow night. According to the Foreign Film Club's West Village ambassador, Lady M, it is phenomenal!
Please find the trailer for Strangers below.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Malaysia Grill- An Upper West Side Haven
My first week in New York, I found a Malaysian restaurant tucked away on 104th Street and took a mental note of it in the hopes that I would return to eat there. Nearly four months later, I returned to the Malaysia Grill and sat down to an authentic meal.
After traveling in Southeast Asia two summers ago, I fell in love with Malaysian food. It incorporates spices and ingredients from Thai, Chinese, and Indian cooking. As a lifelong curry, peanut, and coconut lover, I find Malaysian food to truly be an intersection of food-gasmic flavors.
We ordered Roti Canai for an appetizer which has a naan-like bread which you top with a rich chicken curry. Mee Goreng is the Malaysian version of Pad thai, however has more of a curry infused flavor than the traditional Thai dish which has a strong sweet peanuty taste. Instead of traditional white rice found in most Asian cuisines, Malaysian rice has a subtle coconut flavor which is complemented very nicely by their rich stews and curries. My favorite dish was the Beef Rendang (pictured above), a coconut curry based dish that has paste of onions, chili, and lemongrass. This dish is also served with chicken.
Mee Goreng
Roti Canai
Aside from the wonderful array of flavors and the food coma I entered promply after finishing dinner, this meal was extremely reasonable! As an underpaid and overworked New Yorker, I am always looking for a good deal and this exceeded any of my expectations.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Hidden Gem: Colori Kitchen
I am almost tempted NOT to post this because I don't want this hidden gem of a restaurant discovered by the masses. BUT because of my duty as a Culturista, I can't stop myself from informing our lovely readers about this restaurant: Colori Kitchen. Discreetly nestled in the heart of downtown LA, Colori Kitchen is a quaint Italian restaurant whose food is just like your grandmother used to make!! (If you had an Italian grandmother that is...) Otherwise imagine eating dinner in the heart of southern Italy. The family run restaurant boasts its chef Luigi Barducci Contessi who was also the longtime executive chef at Ca Brea.
The setting is like a Manhattan "dive" restaurant- small with brick walls. Wonderfully interesting and alternative photographs line the walls--which could keep you occupied for hours. As I said- the restaurant is family run- which adds to its charming appeal. When you sit you are greeted with fresh warm bread and a curious garbanzo bean "butter". It was unexpected and delicious. The dishes include, chicken parmigiana, chicken marsala, spaghetti bolognese or pesto and the like. There are also interesting specials- one of which was a sea bass with a sweet and sour sauce. Very unexpect at an Italian restaurant, but it was surprisingly delicious, delicate and subtle! Make sure you save room for dessert! While Colori has many of the go to italian desserts (canoli, tiramasu) but they have a wonderful bread pudding. Which you can see below:
And I didn't mention the best part: Inexpensive AND free corkage---so bring as many bottles of wine as you can and ENJOY this hidden gem.
Colori Kitchen is at:
429 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-5950
429 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-5950
Raising the Bar- Above the knee boots
This season I've been noticing a rising trend of women wearing above the knee boots. As a Culturista with a self-proclaimed boot obsession, I am dying for a pair. I like them paired with tights/leggings and a tunic, or alternatively with a dress or mini-skirt. If you are feeling a bit edgy, pair the boots with high waisted shorts and black opaque tights.
Love it or Hate it?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Style Profile: Katy Perry
Here is a little further inspiration from my polyvore page. ENJOY :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Goth lips
Black lip gloss is on the rise! As you remember we slightly doubted it in this post. Apparently YSL's limited addition "PUR BLACK" ($28) is already sold out (and it sold out in 6 days)--so my questions are: who is buying this? Who is actually wearing this? And where are they wearing it? But I guess if I got my hands on this highly coveted item I'd be flaunting it :)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Cuff love
Ever since the attack of the boyfriend jean, I've been trying to figure out how cuffed jeans could look good. And then SJP showed me the way- with a straight leg/tighter fit jean! And it looks Oh So CUTE :)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Polyvore Heaven
Just discovered possibly THE coolest websites for fashion collage making. Uh oh...now I'm never going to get any work done! Enjoy
www.Polyvore.com
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