Culturistas: October 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

WE LOVE FALL: Pumpkin Spiced Cider

Living in NY, a city that actually has seasons, I have learned to embrace and enjoy them. This year, we are really into Fall. Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pancakes, and pumpkin curry are all on the menu. This recipe comes just in time for Halloween. If you are getting together with friends tomorrow night try making a hot pot of
PUMPKIN SPICE CIDER.

INGREDIENTS (makes 1 cup)
4 oz apple cider
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz pumpkin puree
1 cinnamon stick
1 clove
2 oz Irish Whiskey
Dash fresh ground nutmeg
Cinnamon stick (garnish)

MIXING NOTES
Pour cider into pot and add all ingredients.
Bring to a simmer and steep for 30 minutes.
Pass through a china cap and chill (if served cold).
Add simple syrup to taste.
Finish with Powers Irish Whiskey.
Serve in a short old fashioned over rocks with cinnamon stick garnish.
Wonderful served hot but also great on ice.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Restaurant Profile: The Veggie Grill

The newest Veggie Grill location can be found at Crescent Heights and Sunset blvd. Although I am not a vegetarian, this place pique my interested as it boasted items like, a Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Carne Asada. I am weary of fake meat options just because I am a meat eater and they never taste the same- but I am happy to report the chefs here have worked wonders!

The food at Veggie Grill is fresh, tasty and unexpectedly delicious. I did not believe my chicken sandwich would taste just like a chicken sandwich- but it did. So for vegetarians and carnivores- this is a restaurant for both of you!

If you're looking for a healthy and tasty meal- Veggie Grill is a must try! We recommend the Santa Fe Crispy Chicken Sandwich or the Grillin' Chicken Sandwich with Sweetheart Fries. Their Fresh Squeezed Lemonade is also delicious!

8000 Sunset - Los Angeles

8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 | map

Phone 323.822.7575 | hours 11am to 11pm

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Rachel Bilson's Madewell look-for-less breakdown!

[FrugalFashionista.com]

The lovely blogger behind Frugal Fashionista delivered a breakdown of Rachel Bilson's look from the Madewell party (which was our Look of the Week this past week!!). We are still obsessing over it! Check out their finds on: FrugalFashionista.com

Style Profile: Justin Timberlake

In the past, The Culturistas have only profiled our favorite female star's fashion. But there are also tons of male celebs that have an awesome fashion sense as well. So for our first menswear style profile, it makes sense to choose singer/actor/and clothing designer: Justin Timberlake. Justin has come a long way since his N'Sync days. He now has such a strong sense of style and even has his own fashion line, William Rast.

Key pieces in Justin's wardrobe: A Leather Jacket, 3-piece suits, vests (sweater and woven), Fedoras, Sneakers, Cuffed Jeans, Scarves and ties.

Justin loves to accessorize! So add a fedora, scarf or tie to jazz up any outfit. Combine your dressy and casual outfits by throwing a pair of sneakers with your suit OR wear jeans with a three piece suit on top.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

BEST BRUNCH SPOTS OF NYC

If there is one thing New Yorkers love more than bagels, it is eating bagels at brunch. There is no shortage of great dining digs that thrive off the vibrant NY brunch scene. Whether you are in the mood for an ethnic hole in the wall or a scenester spot, this is one city in which you will never go hungry.

CAFETERIA
119 7 Ave
New York, NY 10011
(212) 414-1717

This trendy Chelsea restaurant is an eclectic mix of new American cuisine. They offer delicious salads, sandwiches and several breakfast options. The Mac Attack and Buffalo Chicken Sandwich are strongly recommended.

MIRIAM'S RESTAURANT
79 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 622-2250

Miriam's is a neighborhood cafe that is cozy and bustling. This Israeli themed eatery has a mix of authentic Middle Eastern dishes and brunch staple items. The Culturistas recommend Ordering the Mediteranean Crispy Dough and the Shakshuka, poached eggs with tomato and pepper sauce served with pita and hummus.

7A CAFE
109 Ave A
New York, NY 10009
(212) 475-9001

Aside from having a wide variety of epicurean delights, the best part of 7A Cafe is the ambiance and outdoor seating. It makes for some of the best East Village people watching yet. Whatever you order, we strongly suggest the basket fries and a fountain soda. They are pro-refills!

SARABETH'S
23 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10024
Phone: 212-496-6280

Sarabeth's is one of the Upper West Side's most popular lunch and brunch spots. Expect a wait of 40 minutes to an hour when going on the weekends. It is a warm environment encouraging of hot chocolate in warm booths. The Culturistas suggest ordering the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and the Red Omelette.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Let us know if there are any other places that should be on our list! Bon appetit!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Look for Less: Zachary Quinto

We've already profiled Zachary Quinto as one of our Looks of the Week because we love his style. It's just so effortlessly cool. Last night he attended the U2/Black Eyed Peas concert wearing this laid back hip look- dark jeans, a plaid shirt, a cardigan, beanie and converse. You can find each piece for under 50 bucks if you know where to shop! Target, Heritage, H&M, American Eagle and American Apparel are all great places to go!

Cirque Du Soleil 's Kooza- PLAYING NOW!

For most, the name Cirque Du Soleil conjures up images of extraordinary performances, death defying stunts, and great entertainment. I am happy to report, KOOZA is no exception. This show goes back to its roots as a big top circus, returning to circus traditions of acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. But it is just as breathtaking and original as any Cirque Du Soleil show you have ever seen. From expert jugglers and tight rope walkers to frighteningly fabulous contortionists, the show is beautiful, engaging and exciting.

Cirque is at it's best with Kooza when transporting the audience into their imaginary world. From the moment you walk into the Big Top at the Santa Monica Pier, cast members talk amongst each other and interact with the audience, giving you a mini show to watch before the performance starts. The hysterical cast members, "The King" and his sidekick clowns deliver many laughs as they include the audience in their gags.

Two of my favorite acts were a two-man acrobatic act on the "Wheel of Death" (pictured left) and an incredible contortionist trio. The acts were flawlessly choreographed and executed. In the 'Wheel of Death' act, the two men power the wheels themselves while they jump, flip, fall weightlessly and hold on to each wheel from death-defying heights. The audience watches with baited breath as it looks like the men could fall to the ground at any moment. But of course, they don't. Similarly the contortionist trio has the most incredible act. The three seamlessly balance on each other to create incredible shapes with the human form. They contort their bodies in ways unimaginable to the viewer. (Pictured below)

Cirque Du Soliel is really in a category of its own. The performances are always incredible, from the sets and costumes to the music and acrobatics, Kooza really is a must see show! It is fun for the whole family OR would make a fabulous date night :) Go early and get dinner by the beach! For all you Angelinos, Kooza is playing at the Santa Monica Pier until November 29th when it will move to Irvine. Shows are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $60 to $135 for adults. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Buy your tickets: Here

Photo Credits: Cirquedusoleil.com

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Look of the Week: Rachel Bilson

Rachel Bilson attended the Madewell and Lucky Magazine Denim Event held at Chateau Marmont’s Bar Marmont this past week. She wore a Madewell polka dot tank with a Juicy Couture sweater, Myne skirt, Phillip Lim 3.1 bag, stockings and vintage boots. She kept her hair/makeup/accessories simple, deciding on an updo and no jewelry. Rachel mixed and matched different fabrics and patterns to create a super cool look. We love this look! Not to mention the fact that we love her style in general!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Zoolander Halloween Party and Derelict Fashion Show!

Every year, I try to find the wittiest costume and best place to show it off. The search is over! Zoolander is one of the most epic movies of all time and I can't think of a better way to celebrate Halloween than honoring the film. This party is free if you come dressed as your favorite character. Keep in mind, there will be a walk off, fashion show, and orange mocha frappacinos!

Costume Ideas and key pieces:

1. Mugatu- wear anything furry
2. Katinka- red lipstick, bob, pleather
3. Hansel- fringe vest
3. Derelict- black trash bag
4. Blue Steel- zebra headband
5. Matlida- suit and a kmart shopping bag

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. See you at the WALK OFF Thursday October 29th at The Arsenal in Williamsburg!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Chic and Cheap Finds: One shouldered dress

The one shouldered dress is still very hot right now. Try it in a mini-dress length for this season. Here are two great finds from Asos under 100 dollars!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Halloween Parties in LA

Like always, Halloween in Los Angeles is exciting, rowdy, and always full of fun events. And this year it falls on a Saturday- making it much more enjoyable to party the night away. If you aren't sure what to do for Halloween this year here are some of the Culturista's notable events!

Vibiana Cathedral
10/27-10/31 -Pandora
Only open for Halloween week- the 'club' will feature the newest in nightclub technology- innovative lighting design, streamlined operation to limit line waiting, cutting edge entertainment, and different performances each night. Saturday's performance is Asher Roth. Buy Tickets ($75 open bar) (pictured left)

L.A. Sports Arena
10/31 -Monster Massive
w/ Armin Van Buuren, Sasha and Hernan Cattaneo. This is going to be a huge dance party full of house/trance music. Buy Tickets ($50-150)

The Shrine
10/30-10/31 - Hard Haunted Mansion
w/ Justice on Saturday
The biggest names in Electro will help you party the night away! Saturday's line up includes Justice, Basement Jaxx, Crookers, Major Lazer and Steve Aoki. Buy Tickets ($75-135 All ages) (pictured left)

Ecco
10/30 & 10/31- Heaven & Hell
Hosted by Mehcad Brooks and the cast of HBO's True Blood! It's going to be a huge event, 8 Bars, sexy performances by Cirque Du Soleil, 4 rooms, 2 patios, and an outdoor tent. Buy Tickets ($40-100 open bar for $100 ticket)

Kress
10/31 - Cirque Kress
Open bar from 8-11- BUT you have the option to buy a general ticket without open bar for half the price! Hip hop in the basement, mash-ups on the roof, disco on the 1st floor and electro in the lounge. This is one of the cheaper parties if money is an issue. Buy Tickets ($20-100 open bar for 49.95 ) (pictured left)

West Hollywood Halloween Parade
10/31 6-11pm - Between La Cienega-Doheny on Santa Monica Blvd.
The Weho Halloween parade is a MUST see. It also happens to be free of charge which is always nice. Take a walk between La Cienega and Doheny on Santa Monica Blvd and see some of the craziest costumes you've ever seen.

More Parties:
The Black Pearl Party @ Boulevard3: Buy Tickets
The Playboy Mansion Party: Buy Tickets
HWood's Halloween Party: Buy Tickets
King Tut's Tomb Party @ The Egyptian Theater: Buy Tickets
Monster Halloween Bash @ MyHouse: Buy Tickets

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Style Profile: Kate Bosworth

The Culturistas love Kate Bosworth's style! She has this very laid back and cool approach to fashion. She loves drapey loose silhouettes and to mix patterns. She often accessorizes with scarves, hats and cool sunglasses. Key pieces in Kates wardrobe: PRINTS- including plaid, paisley, and ethnic. Skinny or wide leg jeans, ballet flats, casual dresses, retro or aviator raybans.

Top 4 photos from left to right:

Kate in Phillip Lim
Kate in Chloe
Kate in Chloe
Kate in Dolce and Gabbana

The Most Interesting Show in the World, Dos Equis Party! LA

Wednesday (October 21st) at the Avalon in LA, Dos Equis is hosting their, "Most Interesting Show in the World" Party. The party is hosted by Angelo Moore of Fishbone! Tickets are free AND their is an open bar from 8-11! Hard to beat that. RSVP HERE

The show is featuring a collection of incredible, mind-bending acts from around the globe including:

Burlesque Singer, Melody Sweets
The Dangerous Mr. and Mrs. G
World Famous Contortionist, Mei Ling
The Human Slinky
The World's Most Dangerous Comic, Mark Faje
The Human Beat-Box, Butterscotch

After San Francisco tonight and Los Angeles tomorrow, the tour will continue through Dallas, Chicago, Miami and New York before concluding Nov. 14 at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, N.J.

The Avalon
1735 North Vine
Hollywood, CA 90028

Monday, October 19, 2009

Recipe of the week: Chicken with Mustard Mascarpone Marsala Sauce

This delicious twist on the traditional Chicken Marsala will have your dinner guests very happy. The additions of mascarpone cheese and dijon mustard add rich flavor to this dish. The recipe was created by Giada De Laurentiis for the Food Network- ENJOY!

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, each breast cut crosswise into 3 pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 tablespoons butter, divided
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 cup dry Marsala wine
1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves, plus whole sprigs, for garnish
12 ounces dried fettuccine

Directions

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook just until brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cool slightly.

While the chicken cools, melt 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet over medium-high heat, then add the onion and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and saute until the mushrooms are tender and the juices evaporate, about 12 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Stir in the mascarpone and mustard. Cut the chicken breasts crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped parsley. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain. Toss the fettuccine with 3 tablespoons of butter and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Swirl the fettuccine onto serving plates. Spoon the chicken mixture over top. Garnish with parsley sprigs and serve.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Look of the week: Maggie Q

Maggie Q looks gorgeous in the London based label Bodyamr. Maggie was attending the NYC premiere of 'New York I Love You.' The drapey fabric, combined with the sexy cutouts and contrasting black pieces looks so good on her! She accessorizes with a small black clutch and the only jewelry she wore were a pair of earrings. Looks like the white dress isn't going away yet! So don't store your white dresses- wear them this season!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Chic and Cheap Finds: Rompers

The romper is still very big for Fall/Winter 2009- and it's one of the Culturista's favs! Urban Outfitters takes a twist on the romper with cute studs on the shoulders. If it's getting chilly where you live- add a pair of sheer black hose.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

SALES AT SAKS!

From now through October 18th enjoy an additional 25% of at Saks Fifth Avenue with the special promotional code FRIENDS2. This offer is available online and in stores. ENJOY!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Look of the week: Shenae Grimes

Shenae Grimes attended the Whip It premiere in LA last week wearing Sass and Bide. LOVE this look. The stripes are rocker chic and she adds double ankle strap shoes to kick it up a notch. She keeps her neckline naked but accessorizes with bracelets and rings! Great look Shenae!

Friday, October 9, 2009

LA Opera Costume Shop Sale!

For the first time- the LA Opera is opening its Costume shop to customers TOMORROW (Saturday October 10th from 10am-6pm)!!! For those still looking for the perfect Halloween costume, this could be the place to find it. There will be over 2500 items- many under 10 dollars! Should be some great finds at this sale- so be sure to check it out! Grab lunch or dinner in the area- the Culturistas highly
recommend Spitz and Colori Kitchen.

LA Opera House
330 South Alameda St
Downtown LA, 90013

PARKING ACROSS THE STREET @ Little Toyko Shopping Center Garage

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Celeb Style at Paris Fahion Week 2009

Many celebrities have attended fashion week in Paris this year. And here are some of the sartorial standouts. Rihanna attends the Chanel show while Katy Perry, Leighton Meester and Camilla Belle attend the Louis Vuitton show. Each outfit is so chic and still playful. Love love love Rihanna's layered chain necklace!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

MANHATTAN VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOW

If you love infusing your closet with unique and timeless vintage pieces, you should check out the 2009 Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show this coming Friday and Saturday. With over 80 participants, you will have a diverse pool from which to choose vintage and antique gems at unbelievable prices.

Friday, October 9th - 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 10th - 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th St

$5.00 off if you click
HERE!

For more information on the participants click the link for the
MANHATTAN VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOW!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

GOTHAM MAGAZINE'S 2009 NYC FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

This Thursday October 8th from 7-9 PM is a unique NYC event for all you foodies and winos out there!

675 BAR
675 Hudson street
Hors d’oeuvres by 675 Bar
Featured beverages from Southern Wine & Spirits
Please RSVP to nycwineandfood@nichemediallc.com

Hot Trends for Fall 2009 PART 2

These next three trends are ALL about the decades. From Futuristic to the 1940's to the 1980's.

Many designers used the 1940's for inspiration this fall. From Lanvin's show recreating Dior's 1947 "New Look," to Hermes' showing women in menswear (women wore trousers for the first time in this decade). Grab a military- style coat (early 1940s) or a soft shouldered coat, nipped in the waist and back out at the hip (late 1940s) or buy a fur neckloops to wear over any jacket. Don't forget to accessorize with art-deco inspired jewelery.

The 1980's were all about neon colors, skin tight clothing, leather, embellishments and loud prints. The runway shows this season took 80's and made it updated for 2009. Rock an off the shoulder dress this season in a bright color. And don't forget to stock up on some leopard print items! This look is all about fun!

The futuristic trend has been seen on the runways for the past few years. But this year we see the cut-out trend being very popular as well as geometric shapes and zipper detailing. Try buying pieces that mix different fabrics or have great zipper work. And don't forget your cut-out boots!

Check out Part 1 of our Fall 2009 trends: HERE!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Travel to Korea without leaving NYC!

One of the greatest perks of living in Manhattan is the vast array of ethnic communities. You can sample a different cuisine every day of the week and find hole in the wall restaurants and markets on just about every street corner. I ventured over to Korea town located on 32nd street between Broadway and 5th Avenue. While it is a fraction of the size of Korea town in Los Angeles, it is bustling! We enjoyed a hearty meal at Choong Moo Ro located at 10 w. 32nd street. We ordered Chicken Bimbimbop, Tofu Seafood Stew, and the Pa Jeon (Korean scallion pancake.) While the restaurant is a bit pricey, the savory flavors and the excellent service were well worth it.

Assorted kimchis

Pa Jeon

We topped off the meal at Choong Moo Ro with a trip to Han Ah Reum, the main Korean supermarket. We found some amazing sweet treats, the best being the corn ice cream bar. It had real kernels of corn and was delish!

Corn ice cream bar

All in all, it was quite the experience, and a great alternative to buying a plane ticket and dashing off to Seoul.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Dine LA Restaurant week FALL 2009

The first ever DineLA restaurant week taking place in the Fall coincides with one of the toughest economic climates the US has had in decades. Is this coincidence? I think not. While I still participated in last years dineLA week- I was sorely dissapointed in the number of restaurants there were to choose from. But this year, Los Angelinos will be happy to know, that number has grown exponentially. Not only are their more restaurants on the list this year, the quality of those restaurants has me very excited. New notables to the list: Craft, Crustacean, The Bazaar by Jose Andres, Spago, and Jiraffe. So the Culturistas would love to do their part to stimulate the restaurant industry by just dining out and taking advantage of these great deals :)

Some restaurants such as Ford's Filling Station, Luna Park and Taste on Melrose participate year after year with much success. Ben Ford, Chef Owner of Ford's Filling Station (and also Harrison Ford's son) says, "dineLA Restaurant Week was a huge success and brought many new customers to us this year. The event really showcases the variety, creativity and quality of the LA restaurant scene, and we look forward to being involved again."

The Pricing is as follows:

Lunch/Dinner
Deluxe Dining ($): $16 $26
Premier Dining ($$): $22 $34
Fine Dining ($$$): $28 $44

Dine LA week starts tomorrow (Oct 4th- 9th) and then continues Oct (11th-16th). See participating restaurants and their menus here

Thursday, October 1, 2009

LOOK OF THE WEEK: KRISTIN BELL

Kristin Bell looked radiant at the Sydney premiere of Couples Retreat. Bell kept it simple and chose not to accessorize. With her great little black dress as the focal point, she didn't even need any bling. The simple black dress paired with zippered Jimmy Choo heels and a simple red lip is a chic and glamorous look!

Chic and Cheap Finds: Headbands

We've been fans of headbands ever since we saw Blair Waldorf wearing her first one on Gossip Girl! We also just love Blair's style in general! So grab a luxe headband at Forever 21 for LESS-than-luxe prices!!

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