Look of the Week: Lea Michele

Lea Michele attended the SAG Awards this weekend in Los Angeles.  She wore a stunning green Catherine Malandrino gown.  The ruffles on the shoulder and the ruching at the waist is so flattering.  She kept the accessories simple with bangles and her look is perfection. Keep up the award show glamour Lea!

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Dine LA Restaurant Week: Jan/Feb 2010

 DineLA Restaurant week is back! From January 24th-29th and then the 31st- February 5th.  For those of you that don't know: restaurant week is one of our favorite weeks in LA where we can have a set three course meal at our favorite restaurants for a fraction of the price.  Each restaurant has either one, two or three dollar signs.  The price list is below:

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

Some of the great restaurants on the list are: Asia de Cuba ($$$), Campanile ($$), Ciudad ($$), Ford's Filling Station ($$), Luna Park ($), Jiraffe ($$$),  Joe's ($$), Susan Fenigar's Street ($$), and The Bazaar ($$$).  Check out the rest of the list and more information about Restaurant Week: Here

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Style Profile: Ke$ha

The new Pop Star on the scene, Ke$ha (real name Kesha Sebert), has been rocking some edgy rock and roll looks!  She has a no-holds-bared, fearless attitude about clothes. “My favorite stuff that I’ve ever found has been from trash cans,” says the artist to WWD. “And I bought this incredible vest off a homeless guy recently.”

If you haven't heard any of her catchy tunes yet you might be living under a rock. Her song Tik-Tok is  number 1 on the Billboard chart, while her songs Love Drug and Blah Blah Blah are also in the top 100.

The Culturistas recommend downloading: Take It Off

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Afternoon Tea at Cha-An

Going to tea at Cha-An was a unique experience which was surprisingly similar to the traditionally English meal. Cha-An is a cozy and intimate restaurant specializing in Japnese-style tea and deserts. The restaurant is located in the Japanese enclave of NYC's East Village which I had yet to experience. It truly felt like I was a tourist in Japan for the afternoon. We ordered the afternoon tea set which came with tea smoked salmon sandwiches, scones, red bean pound cake, green tea macaroon, and a pot of tea. To sample some savory flavors, we also ordered the mushroom and scallion quiche, seafood gratin, and curry soup. With bite size portions at Cha-An, you can try a variety of different dishes without feeling overwhelmingly full. Keep this in mind and do not go ravenously hungry expecting a satiating meal. The selection of tea was enormous with a wide variety of green teas and herb teas. The Culturistas recommend the Honey Phoenix Oolong tea and a trip to the high tech Japanese style toilet. The remote-controlled bathroom visit is as much of a must as the tea.


This was an awesome experience and the next time you are contemplating a trip to Japan we suggest going to Cha-An first. Just remember to bring cash! Arigato!



CHA-AN TEA HOUSE
230 E. 9th Street
New York, NY

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Resolution Friendly Meal! Tuna Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries

It's the beginning of January, and like most we want to eat healthier this year!  If you cook your food at home instead of going out to eat you are guaranteed a healthier meal.  So try these delicious recipes that will satisfy you AND keep you guilt free!

Tuna Burgers with Carrot Ginger Sauce

From Tyler Florence on Foodnetwork.com

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:
1 small carrot, roughly chopped
1 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
Pinch of sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the Burgers:
1 pound sushi-grade tuna
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup spicy sprouts, for garnish
4 whole-grain hamburger buns
1/2 avocado, sliced

Directions:
Prepare the sauce: Pulse the carrot and ginger in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar and process until smooth. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons water and combine; season with salt and pepper. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and set aside.
Prepare the burgers: Chop the tuna into chunks. Wipe out the food processor and add the tuna; pulse a few times to break up the pieces. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, the soy sauce, lime juice, cilantro and ginger; season with salt and pepper. Pour over the tuna and process until well blended. Form into 4 patties; brush each lightly with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil.
Preheat a grill or grill pan. Once hot, add the burgers and cook for 2 minutes on each side for rare, or to desired doneness.
Toss the sprouts in the carrot-ginger sauce. Place the burgers on buns and top with avocado and sprouts.
Per serving: Calories 435; Fat 22 g (Sat. 3.8 g; Mono. 11 g; Poly. 6 g); Cholesterol 43 mg; Sodium 662 mg; Carbohydrate 28 g; Fiber 5 g; Protein 32 g

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes --> you will burn a lot of calories chopping these guys!
2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon parsley
fresh ground pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Line a sheet tray with parchment. In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat and then add rest of the ingredients. Spread sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd. Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Per serving: Calories 147; Fat 5 g; Fiber 4 g

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The Golden Globes Best Dressed 2010

The Golden Globes 2010 was an entertaining event.  While the awards show was saddened by the horrible events in Haiti, many actors showed their support by wearing ribbons in recognition and support.  But the hilarious host Ricky Gervais was able to put a funny spin on things while he joked about audience members including Mel Gibson, Kiefer Sutherland and Angelina Jolie. 

But the Culturistas were mostly watching for the gorgeous fashion!! Despite the rain in Los Angeles, these celebs showed up dressed to impress!

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino
Diane Kruger in Christian Lacroix
Heidi Klum in Roberto Cavalli
Cameron Diaz in Alexander McQueen
My personal favorite of the night!! *Emily Blunt in Dolce & Gabbana*

Sandra Bullock in Bottega Venetta
Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior

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Look of the Week: Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana most recently seen in Avatar caught our eye on the red carpet of the Critic's Choice Awards January 15, 2010. She accessorized this seemingly simple white mini dress beautifully with Jack Vartanian jewels and a funky black belt. She shows us that less really is more!

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Trend Watch: Stripes

Stripes are a big trend right now that is not going away any time soon! If you wore them this Summer or Fall- don't worry you can still wear them this Spring! Here some fashionable celebrities, Dita Von Teese, Shanae Grimes and Sienna Miller, show off their trendy striped numbers.

To shop the looks: (from the top left)
Michael Stars Tee, $56
Crumpet Sweater Dress, $400
Forever 21 Skirt, $6.80 
Chloé tank, $470
Forever 21 Sweater Tank, $17.80

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