Food Porn Friday- Café Hiro

The number one question I ALWAYS get asked about Food Porn Friday is:  “Do you eat everything you post?”  Uh-duh!  I would never post anything I don’t try myself, otherwise how can I tell if it’s good enough to feature on the bloggy?  You should see some of the stuff that DOESN’T make it on here…aww, man you’d seriously feel sorry for me and all that upchucking.  I had a convo on set the other day where we exchanged nutrition tips.  Both chicks, both in total accordance, as it went a little something like this:  "When in doubt, spit it out!"  I swear I nosh on all you see here…Sometimes it’s a lick, other times a few spoonfuls, it’s a rare occasion that I down an entire plate of food ‘cuz let’s be honest, is ANYTHING really worth ALL those dang calories?  Everything in moderation, right?  I’d much rather get a teeny tiny portion of a bunch of stuff than a big old’ honkin’ plate of one.  Good thing I group date at least once a week.  Its posts like these that even make it worthy of food porn…Dig in y’all!

Sea Urchin "Uni" Spaghetti with toasted seaweed...A DEF must!  Nutty and robust...a total ORALGASM!

 Peking Pork with steamed buns, asian herb mix and hoisin sauce.

 Ahi Tuna salad with jicama, wasabi cream, tamari soy sauce and an over easy egg.

 Butternut Squash Soup

 Seasoned and Spiced "Fire" Fries

 Sea Urchin "Uni" Risotto

 Arrabiata penne pasta in a spicy tomato sauce

 Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with sauteed asparagus, tomato, and garlic-lemon soy sauce

 Scallops with sea urchin risotto

 Seafood Curry with shrimps, scallops, mussels, manila clams, calamari and mix mushrooms

 Grilled Swordfish with risotto

 Café Hiro10509 Valley View St.Cypress, CA 90630(714) 527-6090 *Insider's tip:  A blend of Japanese and French ingredients prepared with Italian nuances make for quite the international meal.  Always get the Uni spaghetti/risotto, plus a protein (my fave's the Osso Bucco- not pictured), plus some apps for a full-flavored, well-balanced dinner.  Their portions are perfect for sharing so grab a bunch of peeps and grub away!* Hope y'all enjoy a super awesome weekend!Thanks for reading!

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Trendspotting: Watercolor

I was literally DYING to use these watercolor prints from Black Crow studios to paper this project that I was working on (below); Alas, TV time does not quite convene with “real” time so we had to nix the look altogether and come up with an appropriate substitute for the 24 hours we were allotted to makeover the entire home.  Can you imagine though?  

A light-filled space complete with a floor to ceiling installation in the most sumptuous shades of sunset, sky, and jewel tones? 

I could get lost in these organic movements of pattern...on my walls, in the home, hell I’d love to DIY dip-dye a vintage kimono and rock the garb all season long.  Nothing like a lot of rainbow-hued ink blots to get ya dreaming of long spring days and even longer summer nights. 

 (via)

So many selections!  So many shades!  Shop the look below!

1.  Matthew Williamson draped dress $452 - bluefly.com

2. Blue shawl $128 - anthropologie.com

3. Jeffrey campbell boots $155 - urbanoutfitters.com

4.  Printed dress $28 target.com

5.  Orange wallet $15 - dsw.com

6. Nixon watch $150 - nordstrom.com

7.  Alice Olivia print dress $495 - net-a-porter.com

8. Platform pumps urbanog.com

What's your take on watercolors, yay or nay?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading!

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Design for Life

Whew!  What a crazy whirlwind of a week!  After commuting over 150 miles for 5 days to this little side gig in the Valley, I can now say that that was one helluva project and I’m sooooo glad it’s over!  The daily grind was pure torture save for the fact that it was all done in good faith.  I’d like to think I’m really on the cusp of my “next big break” y’all!  Hahahahha kidding peeps.  I don’t mean to be so elusive about what I’ve been up to lately, I’m just not too sure how much information I’m allowed to divulge about impending projects on the board, especially when I’m under contract.  But what I can tell ya is that it might have something to do with a new makeover show and that it might just end up getting pitched to studio execs as a result!  Just really crossing my fingers that a) this project gets picked up=Success!  and b) they’ll hire me exclusively to design my little heart out on TV!

{What I wore to my 3rd day on set:  Haute Hippie Marabou feather vest, thrifted blouse similar HERE and HERE, Tory Burch denim leggings, Vintage knit and leather boots}

Oh, TV.  I sure do have this love/hate relationship with you.  Why, it wasn’t too long ago (2 years to be exact) that this HGTV project stumbled upon my lap and I was whisked away to New York to participate in a little show called “Design Star”.  Or what I’d also like to refer to as “a TOTAL mindf*ck!” …hahahahah…melodramatic much, Julie?  Seriously though, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to participate in a reality TV competition, I can honestly tell you, THAT ISH CRAY!  I don’t think I ever quite got back to “normal” and that was just a mere 3 weeks out of my life.  Looking back, I truly believe that that was one of the best moves I ever made for my career.  Shaken, but not stirred, I’ve now redirected my senses to reflect a lifestyle choice, not merely one made for professional motives.  I’m focused, I’m driven, and I’ve never felt more fortunate to have found my calling at this phase in my life.  And we’re just barely at the beginning y’all!

Thank you to all my readers for continuing on this design journey with me!  I don’t know where we’ll end up, but what I can tell ya is that we’ll be rocking it all the way to the big-time y’all!  From feathered floors to feathered frocks, some things will NEVER change ;D

*p.s. Haute Khuuture’s 2-year anniversary is coming up this April!  Can you believe it?!!  Got some surprises in store, you won’t wanna miss it!*

Hope it's the start to YOUR best week ever!

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Food Porn Friday- Tagine

Tagine is one of those Beverly Hills institutions where everyone wants a table but it usually takes weeks to even confirm a reservation.  I’ve been DYING to try this spot out since it’s literally right around the corner from where the bf works and super convenient to drop right in for an impromptu date night.  We were finally able to check it out last week with some awesome company (thx for making it out MK!) and couldn’t have been more pleased with this refined Moroccan feast.  Here’s what’s on the menu:

 Complimentary veggie soup with Moroccan cigar:  Pureed perfection!  Creamy and light with a crunch of texture...the rosemary is heavenly especially when you get a whiff right before diving in.

 Marinated spicy olives, berbere bread, and homemade hummus.

 Bastilla:  A light of phyllo with cornish hen and scrambled eggs, sprinkled with saffron and powdered sugar...sweet and savory, a surprise element of saffron hits just the right notes to balance this otherwise sweet appetizer.  One of their most popular dishes, a DEF must try!

 Black tiger shrimp marinated in preserved lemon, served with turnips, finished with lemon sauce.  I'm not a fan of shrimp (unless they're raw) but this was charred to a nice crisp.  Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside.  I give it a solid A.

 Roasted pan stripe Sea Bass marinated in a Charmoula sauce, served with mushrooms and lentils.  Sorry for the blurry pic y'all, it was super dark in the space so this is the best I could come up with.  The sea bass was light and crisp, except that the heavy handed lentils weighed the dish down exponentially.  I'd like to see this with maybe a lentil salad for a bit of heft, instead of the king-sized bed it was served on. 

 Colonial couscous served with lamp chops, quefta, lamb and chicken, on top of mixed veggies.  My dish for the night and my FAVE by far.  What I imagine local Moroccan peeps would eat for dinnertime.  Love how authentic the entire plate feels with curried bits and jam-packed mediterranean spices.  Totally craveable, a MUST order if you're in the hood.

(Not pictured but another MUST:  Lamb honey sauce tagine:  the boy's dish but it was super dark in there so I couldn't get a clear shot.  Sweet and savory, super tender, falls off the bone kind of lamb...order this and pair it with the couscous above= PERFECTION!)

 Finishing off with a bit of dessert:  Molten Chocolate soup with vanilla bean ice cream and berried baklava:  So scrumptious!  Like a light chocolate syrup served atop a nutty milkshake...DEF hits the spot after a super savory meal.  I'd replicate this at home for Girl's Night In!

{TH by Thrive leopard blouse c/o Nordstrom's, Tasha necklace, Max Studio faux fur short jacket} 

 Tagine132 North Robertson Blvd.Beverly Hills, CA 90211(310) 360-7535 *Insider's tip:  Located on the famed Robertson Blvd, aka paparazzi central, on any given day (especially midweek) you can run into celebrities shopping down the street.  Spend an afternoon at Kitson and hop into the parade of design shops and end your night at Tagine.  Sounds like a pretty awesome plan to me!* Thanks for reading!  Wishing y'all a splendid weekend!Bon Appétit! 

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African Sun

The subtle draping, the blinged-out deets, that gorgeous color!...This jacket is a true testament to how modern and updated velour can truly be.  Gone are the track suits of days gone by (so 90’s!), Juicy Couture has finally upped their game guys!  And in my FAVE color of the year!  I couldn’t be happier :D

If you’ve been following me on twitter or Facebook, I unveiled this look for my second day on set.  Currently shooting for a little side gig that’s kinda under wraps right now but I seriously cannot hold it in any longer!  Although my contract would prove otherwise so it’s HUSH HUSH for now ;D 

{Gifted Juicy Couture African Sun Dolman Blazer (on SALE! Thanks Mare!), Leifsdottir b/w blouse, Rich & Skinny Jeans, Schutz boots}

Hope y'all are enjoying a fabulous week so far! 

It's sunny and seriously so dang GORGE in SoCal right now...

Spring's in full effect!

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Food Porn Friday- Capital Seafood Dim Sum

Loving the cold front that’s slowly moving into SoCal this week…Chilly mornings often call for one of my favorite meals:  Piping hot plates of crispy football pork chews, bbq buns, some chicken feet, and xiao long bao all washed down with blistering pots of fresh Chrysanthemum tea.  There’s just something about dishing and dining over dim sum that reminds me of my childhood and really starts the day off just right.  A little nostalgia goes a long way in my book.  It's all about sense memory, right?!

 

Capital Seafood

2700 Alton Pkwy. #127

Irvine, CA 92606

(949) 252-8188

 *Insider's tip:  Located at the famed Diamond Plaza on Jamboree in the heart of Irvine, this mecca for all meals Asian also feature some of the boldest and brightest establishments to come out of OC since Bolsa hit the scene in the early 80's.  Make sure to leave plenty of room for pastries and treats from 85deg bakery and trendy brick toast from the neighboring Guppy House.  Come hungry, leave happy!  Diamond Plaza needs to update their motto foreals!*

 {RD Style Draped faux shearling jacket, thrifted flannel shirt similar HERE, Joe's Jeans, Fendi sunnies (old) similar HERE, Schutz knee high boots (old) similar HERE and HERE}

Hope y'all celebrate a Happy St. Patty's day weekend! 

Thanks for reading!

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