March 14, 2013

Death to Dishonesty

Tullamore Dew

When Vice UK reached out to introduce Tullamore Dew’s new campaign, Death to Dishonesty, I couldn’t think of a better phrase that encapsulated my attitude these days. It has always been my mission to be honest with myself and others, despite the fact that I have been accused of being brash at times, and as I get older (+ wiser) I have been shown that living without lies has allowed me to obtain the things I want in life.

Tullamore Dew, which is an Irish whiskey if you didn’t already know, embodies the authentic Irish spirit, making way for the genuine things in life. Finding positives to cancel out society’s fakery is a key element in this brand’s identity. I have been asked to share what I think is fake and how it could be resolved to get to the truth. You too can participate for a chance to win a unique trip to Ireland! Here are my qualms, social media edition!

(-) LAGGING ON TEXT MESSAGES
I know you just read my text message, so why did it take you 20 mins to respond? Surely you’re not that busy. If someone who is on a national rap tour can message me back in 30 seconds, surely someone with a part time job can get back to me in a reasonable amout of time.

(+) GETTING TO THE TRUTH
This one is on me. It is obvious when someone wants you in their life vs. wanting you right that second. Ladies, listen up. Put those phones away and live your life without wondering if he is going to text, it really isn’t worth it. You could be out there building an empire with all that time you sit sulking over your iphone. Get focused!

(-) NOT LIKING MY INSTAGRAM PHOTOS
Traveling to NYC, eating delish food and hanging out with beautiful men. Quality Instagram photos if you ask me, yet you didn’t like a single one. That’s what you call a stage 5 hater. I see hilarious graphics on the daily that talk about people who follow you on Instagram but rarely “like” – they’re called lurkers. But your friends shouldn’t be one of them.

(+) GETTING TO THE TRUTH
If your friend has been taking mad gulps of the haterade, it is better you found out now than later, right? The resolve is simple and is going to work to your benefit in the long run. Scale back. Not with your Insta, but with that “friend.” Don’t let their passive aggression get you down. If they cannot roll with your new positive successful life, then you don’t want that kind of shade in your atmosphere anyways.

(-) BEING SAD ON TWITTER
We’re all entitled to a weepy social media moment here and there, with Twitter being the best outlet to unravel at a second to second basis. But if most your tweets are hashtagged with #FML or a claim about being bi-polar, then there is a much more serious problem at hand.

(+) GETTING TO THE TRUTH
Don’t get sucked into sad Twitter accounts, I promise they’re only going to pull your energy down. The people sending out these messages need to get it together and as soon as possible. To the tweeters: If you hate your life so much, why not take at least one step in a positive direction to try and change it? Or at least don’t complain about it on Twitter.

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March 11, 2013

The Standard High Line, NYC

The Standard High Line NYC

The Standard High Line NYC

The Standard High Line NYC

The Standard High Line Lobbt

The Standard High Line NYC

The Standard High Line View

The Standard High Line NYC

The Standard High Line Restaurant

Jasiri Anderson aka DOOKIEGOD

The Standard High Line NYC

Last week I returned from what was one of the best vacays I ever did take and boy did I need it! I decided to hit NYC solo dolo with an itinerary packed with delicious food, beautiful men, an interview with a rapper for an upcoming project and my pockets lined to spend however I wanted. I knew even before I booked my ticket that I wanted to stay at The Standard High Line in the Meatpacking District because duh, it’s one of the coolest hotels in NYC and I’m about that.

I must admit the customer service leading up to my stay was incredibly poor. Like, sure you’re gonna spend this money but we’re going to treat you like dirt because everyone wants to stay here. Much to my surprise, the attitudes on my arrival and during my entire stay (aside from the Boom Boom Room) were warm, friendly and positive. When I arrived after a red-eye flight it was such a relief to be welcomed with a smile and an easy early check-in. My room was just a few floors from the top and I had a stunning view of not only The Empire State Building but the water as well. I felt at home during my stay – getting cozy under the covers, taking bubble baths and streaming my music via bluetooth through the room’s stereo. Kid Cudi got a lot of play if you’re curious.

The hotel is crucial to my travel vibes and The Standard High Line did not disappoint. From the killer lobby, to unique light fixtures, and modern design, this sleek space elevated my experience to whole new heights. I’d definitely stay again and would recommend you do the same.

The Standard High Line
848 Washington St
New York, NY 10014
(212) 645-4646

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February 27, 2013

Packing for NYC

Packing for NYC

NJ in L.A. Nike Cortez

Tonight I will be on a plane to NYC for a much needed vacation. As with most everything I do, lots of thought went into packing, the itinerary and everything having to do with this romp. I live to plan. You knew this, yes? Though I will be seeing a couple friends while on the East Coast, in addition to interviewing a rapper for a new series of mine, this is officially the first (and not the last) solo vacation I have planned for myself. It is an amazing feeling having worked hard on numerous projects over the past six months that have allowed me the luxury of a beautiful hotel, culinary adventures with friends and the ability to do whatever I want with my money.

So what to pack? I have learned with enough trips over twenty something years that comfortable shoes are crucial. Had to cop a new pair of Nike Cortez before I hit the mean streets – so that I look extra fresh – but my Nike Flyknits were not to be forgotten. Lots of leather as usual and my drop crotch pants as always. Finally found the perfect pair of luxurious sweats which I look forward to wearing with some nice gold pieces. Collar necklaces, 2 pairs of Karen Walkers and my Jil Sander leather shopping bag. I’m set. OK, there were a few more items I packed, but I figured they weren’t blog appropriate.

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February 25, 2013

Beck at Sonos Studio

Beck at Sonos Studio

I had the pleasure of being invited to an intimate evening with Beck at Sonos Studio last week in celebration of his latest project, Song Reader, which is his an album in sheet music form. Though the forever cute Mr. Hansen did not perform (much to the crowd’s sadness) it was a delight to be in his presence while he spoke about his imaginative work and the music he’s created over the past 20+ years.

Song Reader’s songs were released exclusively as sheet music by McSweeney’s and are encased in a beautifully designed folder. As Beck discussed in his Q+A, he’s fallen in love with the many renditions his work has inspired, many of which he’s watched via Youtube. Sonos has created a space that is “specifically tailored to allow visitors to both engage with these audience interpretations and to create them.” Stop by the Sonos until March 24 to experience this beautifully curated show and even record your own jam from Song Reader!

Beck at Sonos Studio

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beck Sonos Studio

Beck Self Playing Piano

Beck Hansen Art Show

Sonos Studio
145 N. La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA. 90036

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February 19, 2013

The Prince, Koreatown

The Prince Kimchi Fried Rice

The Prince, located in one of my favorite neighborhoods in L.A., Koreatown, is a strange beauty that I quickly embraced. One night after facing a closed Corner Place (my fave KBBQ joint), my friend Joanne and I hightailed it to The Prince, knowing it closed at 2 a.m. We had been going on about how badly we wanted to try this place as we’re both lovers of fried chicken and rumor had it this spot was on point.

Upon entering this old-timey gem, I said to myself “I think they filmed an episode of Mad Men here” which turned out to be correct upon my research. Amazing red baroque decor aside, The Prince smelled like exactly the place where we needed to be. We took a seat in a cozy red vinyl booth and I attempted to eye what our unfriendly wannabe hipster table neighbors we’re eating. I liked the look of what they had and deduced that their order consisted of the Half & Half: fried chicken and spicy chicken.

I had heard about a Kimchi Fried Rice so that was obviously going to be our starter.  Duh, right? Little did I know that it was going to be served with a spectacular sunny side up egg which I couldn’t poke quick enough, thus drizzling runny yolk all over our vibrant rice. That is a MUST order for those of you already gearing up for romp at The Prince.

The Prince Koreatown

The Prince Koreatown

What is up with these chips and salsa, and why did we actually like them? When I had returned from the ladies room two bowls were awaiting my arrival, one of them filled with what was literally  8 chips. WEIRD! The chips weren’t particularly warm but upon first bite I was like “wtf?” being surprised that I liked them. Tortilla chips that tasted Korean. You tell me! One refill of chips is offered and yes, I harassed them for at least 10 more chips.

The Prince Koreatown

The Prince Koreatown MenuNow we’re onto this much talked about chicken.  $15.99 for the Half & Half? Alright, I’ll take it. The pricing was really strange to me but I was there for the experience and I was psyched about this chicken. When I say strange, I mean an order of fries was $8.99 and they looked like they were from Costco. No, we didn’t order them!

The chicken was bomb and there was a lot of it. It’s as if they took half a rotisserie chicken and deep fried it. Skin is what I live for … heard it’s good for the heart, yah? It was so crispy and delightful, I caught myself moaning and eating yet again. The actual meat was incredibly moist and oh so tasty. It’s plate companion was the Spicy Chicken which was tossed with tubes of rice cakes, which I couldn’t get enough of. I was also a sucker for the “salad” which was merely shredded cabbage with a plop or Korean Thousand Island dressing on top.

Last but not least, an entire bowl of pickled daikon was bestowed upon me. I live for Korean pickles so I at this point I felt like I was eating like a king. Not only did I eat every bite of my daikon but I took home Jo’s neglected order with me.

The Prince Fried Chicken

The Prince Koreatown

The Prince Koreatown

The Prince Koreatown

One pitcher of Hite, a table full of fried chicken, and listening to 2 Chainz over the restaurant speakers – this is my idea of paradise, my friends.  The decor obviously kills it! Piano? Check! This is a great spot to get drunk with friends or take a date who is actually interesting. I hope you go and have as much fun & confusion as I did.

The Prince Koreatown

The Prince
3198 W 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 389-1586

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February 14, 2013

Inn of the Seventh Ray, Topanga Canyon

Inn of the Seventh Ray Creme Brulee

“…it’s L.A.’s most romantic restaurant … and you may become engaged, even married here and celebrate your 50th.” These were the words my friend Robert so elegantly read, found on the back of the menu, and I knew Inn of the Seventh Ray was about to bring it. How could they not with a promise like that? We were about to jump into plate after plate of total deliciousness with no cares in the world, sitting on the edge of a patio over looking a creek, nestled away in the mountains of Topanga Canyon.

We started our culinary adventure with two champagne flutes of JUN elixirs, which were majorly channeling kombacha, and we weren’t complaining. Brunch was on our mind and after talking with our friendly waiter, it was obvious which direction we were going in. It was time to order and I was honestly tickled with the selection.

Inn of the Seventh Ray

Inn of the Seventh Ray Jun

Inn of the Seventh Ray Menu

Inn of the Seventh Ray

Despite the fact that I’m always tweeting about red meat, I have an affinity for all things healthy, so we went ahead and ordered the Warm Brown Rice, made with avocado, dried sea vegetables, dried garlic chips, sesame seeds, and Braggs amino acid. There was a lot of flavor packed onto this plate of beautiful colors; it had Robert reminiscing about a dish he’d eaten at Cafe Gratitude, but I’m pretty sure Inn’s version predates their’s. This is the kind of thing I could eat every day for lunch. Good for the body, tasty and leaving you feeling light.

For those not of the sea vegetable persuasion, no worries, this creek-side hideaway has you covered with Belgian Waffles, paired with fresh yogurt berry sauce and maple syrup. That’s not enough for you? A scoop of fresh fruit and a bowl of homemade lavender ice cream will elevate your entire experience. The ice cream was so magical, I was almost certain a forest nymph had worked on it all day and dropped it off as a special delivery just for us.

Inn of the Seventh Ray Brunch

Inn of the Seventh Ray

I am about to make a huge claim so listen closely! The above Pan Seared Salmon with truffle atop asparagus was one of the most incredibly fresh pieces of fish I have ever eaten. At the end of our meal, we were both in agreement that this was the dish that blew us away. I’m sure we could’ve had two more servings it was that delish. I am really still thinking about it. Now if only other spots could get their salmon to this level. A must.

At times it is difficult to follow a dish that is practically perfection, but the Lamb Sliders with Chipotle Mayo were up for the task. I am about that lamb life and these tiny juicy burgers truly hit my savory spot. The feta and roasted peppers in between the buns were complimentary and I’m pretty sure I was caught closing my eyes and moaning while eating the sliders, I was in heaven.

Inn of the Seventh Ray

Inn of the Seventh Ray Patio

The meal wasn’t finished but goodness knows if it had been, we’d be sitting pretty. Our taste buds had been re-energized, our vibes were at an all time high in the forest, and time seemed to stand still. DESSERT! We’ll take one of each … just kidding. The lead photo which truly looked like a work of art is known in the woods as Almond Milk Crème Brûlée. This was the only dish I wasn’t truly feeling and it was probably because the whole time I was eating it I kept wish it was the o.g. brulee. Ya feel me? Some things just shouldn’t be vegan, at least not in my reality. I’m sure it is loved by many but this here girl was just ok on it.

In super positive dessert news, the Blueberry Financier Cake made with ginger ice cream, caramel and cinnamon blueberry creme fraiche deserved a blue ribbon in taste. Robert tried it first and created what he thought was the perfect bite, which consisted of the cake dipped in the syrup found in the jar, with a sprinkle of ginger, one blueberry and a glimmer of ice cream. I attempted this recipe and it turns out he was correct, but I’m a ginger fanatic so I upped the ante. We were both shocked with how tasty this sweet treat was, as it didn’t necessarily bring the beauty of the Crème brûlée, but then again, looks can be deceiving. Do your table a favor and order this flavor packed creation.

Whether you’re trying to seduce a lover, impress a date or just get your grub on, Inn of the Seventh Ray has got you covered. Our time there was truly one of the most tranquil Saturdays I have had in a long time, so much, I didn’t want to leave. Added bonus was that the food was farm fresh, made with love and served with a smile.

Inn of the Seventh Ray Desert

Inn of the Seventh Ray Ice Cream

Inn of the Seventh Ray
128 Old Topanga Canyon Rd
Topanga, CA 90290
(310) 455-1311

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February 11, 2013

Post and Beam, Baldwin Hills

Post and Beam Grits

Post and Beam, located in beautiful Baldwin Hills, recently came on to my radar when my friend Joanne suggest we check it out. We hopped in my car and drove down Crenshaw Boulevard one brisk Saturday evening and upon our arrival were greeted with a friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere. Tucked away behind Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, this hidden gem proved to be such a culinary delight that I am already plotting a return for brunch.

Since traveling to Atlanta not that long ago, I developed a love for many things Southern, one of them being the cuisine, which I realized I had many misconceptions about. Much to my joy the menu boasted two of my favorite dishes: shrimp & grits (with bacon) and deviled eggs (with house-cured catfish). Both of these plates really set it off and when all were eaten and done, remained my two favorite dishes for the evening, though there were many hits at our table.

One of the reasons I love Joanne as a dining partner is that she is comfortable trying as many dishes as possible, so we decided to go all out. Believe it or not, we could still function after eating plate after plate of savory treats and were even privy to a tour (post-meal) of the restaurant’s garden, which is essential to their farm-to-table menu.

Post and Beam Menu

Post and Beam Deviled Eggs

Did I mention how much I loved deviled eggs? I must admit I’d never tried smoked catfish but let me tell you, it was a dream in my mouth. This intro plate is not to be overlooked under any circumstances! Jo, being a corn bread fan ordered up a plate of this piping hot yellow creation, which was paired with whipped honey butter. I’m probably one of the least enthusiastic people about corn bread so I couldn’t tell you either way if you should order it. I don’t even eat my mother’s corn bread and I’ve heard it’s delicious.

Post and Beam Baldwin Hills

Post and Beam Brussel Sprouts

Brussel sprouts and bacon, now you’re talking! Ordered as a side to one of our entrees but also offered as a small plate, this cast iron pot served up some incredibly flavorful greens that truly stole the show as the must order vegetable.

For my main course, I chose the Smoked Baby Back Ribs with Spicy White Sauce. The sauce wasn’t spicy but the ribs were moist and tasty. I love when ribs are so flavorful that I feel inspired to suck the bone dry and boy, did I. Paired with two sides: Mac & Cheese and Long Cooked Greens with Smoked Ham Hock, I was sitting pretty with what felt like a platter of food, all individually bursting with flavor.

Post and Beam Ribs

Post and Beam Macaroni Cheese

Dessert, not usually in my game plan, was all too intriguing this time around. I spotted a Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with guava and kumquat glaze and didn’t even have to look at the other options because I just knew. Never have I said no to panna cotta of any sort as it is my favorite sweet treat. Much to my excitement, this perfectly chilled bowl brought the flavor and smooth texture I so fantasize about and ended what was already an enjoyable meal. Since Jo was oohing over her Nutella Bundino, made with hazelnut, caramel and crème fraîche. I had a tiny bite out of of her beautiful glass and though it was incredibly tasty, it was far too rich for my blood. Serious sweet tooths need apply.

Post and Beam Panna Cottax

Post and Beam desserts

Looking forward to spending some time on this patio once the weather warms up! Nothing beats good food, great conversation and I love supporting an African-American owned business that also boasts an African-American head chef. Major props go out to Brad Johnson for holding it down and chef Govind Armstrong for getting the menu right. The restaurant recently celebrated its year anniversary and I wish them nothing but success.

Post and Beam PatioPost and Beam
3767 Santa Rosalia Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(323) 299-5599

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February 6, 2013

L.A. Art Book Fair at MOCA

James Franco x Brad Renfro Knife↑ James Franco made a Brad Renfro Forever knife ↑

Over the weekend I was super psyched to spend a part of my afternoon at the L.A. Art Book Fair at MOCA (The Geffen Contemporary). I ran into a lot of faces, both from the past and present, and it was great to be submerged in a world I was once so active in. I wrote a riot grrrl zine for many years in case you were wondering, not to mention my short but prolific years of making art via stone lithography.

Here are my favorite things that I couldn’t take my eyes off. S/O to Marco Braunschweiler’s terracotta butt cheeks and the Larry Clark wall I stood in front of for at least 10 minutes.

Death Row Records Blanket

L.A. Art Book Fair

L.A. Art Book Fair at MOCA

L.A. Art Book Fair

L.A. Art Book Fair

 

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February 5, 2013

Tortilla Republic, West Hollywood

Tortilla Republic Churros

My meal ended with desert but this blog post begins with it, because when churros shine bright like a diamond, they obviously have to be the jump off on this culinary excursion. Last weekend I was invited to enjoy brunch at Tortilla Republic, located on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood. My previous self would have given major side-eye when I read “modern Mexican” but I’ve been given a few reasons to change my ways and I’m definitely open to giving things a chance. You don’t know if you like something until you try it, right?

Now back to those bomb churros! I am putting these hot crispy pieces of dough of my list of favorites in L.A., added bonus was the cajeta (caramel) and chocolate dipping sauces served along side it. If you venture to WeHo for any reason, please put these sweet treats on your list of things to eat.

Tortilla Republic Menu

Tortilla Republic

Tortilla Republic Cocktails

The older I get, the more I seem to be eating brunch. Do you find this is happening to you as well? Does this mean that any day now, I’ll be shopping at J.Crew? (#help) Aging aside, one of the elements I seek in a successful brunch is my proximity to fresh air and the sun; this girl needs some vitamin D if you know what I mean. An added bonus to brunch, which these days seems crucial, is access to a strong cocktail. Tortilla Republic most definitely met my above requirements in spades. My brunch friend Robert and I took a seat outside, with a view of everything that was popping on Robertson and let me tell you, there were many sites to see.

I took one look at the Margarita Bar Cocktail Menu and without hesitation chose a Mezcal creation made with Passion Fruit Purée, Triple Sec, and Agave Fresh Lime Sweet. To say I got crunk off this one drink would be an understatement. Just ask Robert, he’ll tell you I couldn’t stop laughing and going on about whatever came to mind.

The perfect accompaniment to any stiff drink is a basket full of warm tortilla chips and salsa. It’s almost a match made in heaven, am I right? We were both feeling the chips and 2 out of the 3 salsas. The green (tomatillo) was lacking in proper salsa flavor, but the habnero (orange) made up for the other’s flaw. Now queue a bowl of guacamole with two giant chips, which you might think were totally unnecessary, but sometimes goofy food decorations can go a long way in the conversation.

Tortilla Republic West Hollywood

Tortilla Republic

Did someone say Eggs Benedict? If you’ve been following me for sometime, it should come as no surprise that I ordered the Hollandaise lathered dish. But this time, this brunch favorite was made with  poached eggs atop a manchego scone with chopped bacon, arugula, and classic hollandaise, served with a side of cheddar breakfast potatoes. The scone was stellar and my eggs tasty, but there was something missing in the sauce that I’m still trying to put my finger on. I wasn’t totally in love but I enjoyed myself enough that I wasn’t mad – the added bacon definitely made things better, but that’s a no brainer.

If you find yourself near Robertson and need some delish churros and to get a little tipsy, I say this West Hollywood establishment has you covered.

Tortilla Republic Eggs Benedict

Tortilla Republic

Tortilla Republic
616 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-9888

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February 4, 2013

HTC Colors

HTC Phone

HTC Phone

New HTC Phone

I was recently gifted the sleek new Windows Phone 8X by HTC and I’ve been having a blast playing with it. Despite the fact that I wasn’t given a phone number to accompany my device, I have been using it to download various apps and to take photos galore.

As someone who went from being addicted to her Blackberry to finally embracing the iPhone, I must admit there have been countless times that I have pondered about what other telephonic contraptions could be making my life easier. Being given the chance to experiment with another kind of device has been quite the eye-opening experience. The first thing I appreciated about my new toy was the size of the screen as I prefer viewing my media on a larger scale. The interface of the Windows phone is simple to use and it really turns me on how quickly I can swipe everything. I find that on my iPhone the navigation always lags so this was a pleasant change. The only thing that has been bumming me out are the colors on the main screen but maybe I can change them and I haven’t even realized how to yet? That’s what I’m hoping, because purple and orange are not the cutest looks.

In addition to offering a Beats by Dre audio system (hell yeah dude), the HTC phone is offering a killer camera in which I used to take the above photos of my workout steeze. These images are unedited and exude the kind of color quality I need in my life. I’m looking forward to seeing what else I can do with the Windows Phone 8X by HTC. #Troop8X #HTC8

P.S. I now have purple hair!

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