I have died and gone to cupcake heaven. Cupcakes in a tiny cupcake box heaven. Did I mention that the box is tied with a hot pink bow? And adorned with a little crystal? And the cupcake is moist and chocolatey with marshmallow frosting and sweetened hot pink coconut? Now that is something worth obsessing over. Oh, if you’re wondering… I ate every last bite. And licked the wrapper.
After one of the best nights… ever (1. Went on a double date with my man and my sister and her boyfriend, 2. Sat in the front row at the Kings’ game, 3. Stayed at the Standard in Downtown LA, and 4. Drank chardonnay spritzers at the Rooftop Bar at the Standard and fell in love with the city lights), I woke up the next morning utterly starving. I wandered down the street and, by a stroke of luck (or fate, call it what you will), I found myself in front of Bottega Louie.
This place is perfect. My boyfriend and I have very different dining styles (he likes the low-key, all-American type of place… I like the hoity-toity restaurant that attracts the wannabe gourmand). Somehow, Bottega Louie manages to fuse the two. Even with its Los Angeles location it feels distinctly like New York. An exposed stainless steel kitchen, a hostess dressed to the nines with a giant reservation book (no computers here), and tiny two person tables charmingly clutter the floor. The place is bustling and loud, but maintains it’s high-class feel. The energy is contagious. It appeared that everyone was a somebody, or felt like they were a somebody, during the lunch hour that I spent here. Gourmet food and top-notch service at a reasonable lunch price range. We had the Portobello Fries, Onion Gratinée, and Napoli Pizza (we added pepporoni)… all of it: delicious. Plus, the full bakery and candy bar at the entrance (and, conveniently, that entrance is also the exit) basically demands that you buy something simply by its very adorable, well-decorated, and divine smelling presence.
Bizarre. I know. But I am obsessed with taking pictures of food… And, don’t roll your eyes… I know I’m not the only one! Nearly everytime I’m about to consume something scrumptious, I snap a quick pic with the camera on my cell phone or my Nikon. And… this would all be for naught… If I didn’t share the pictures with you. So, enjoy! Drool, dream, and live vicariously through what I’ve eaten lately*
*I always clear my plate.
It’s official. I’ve fallen madly in love with everything offered by ban.do. They are a brand like no other… hair accessories. shoe clips (check it out… genius!). corsages (they totally change a shirt/jacket/purse into something new). in. love. and. proudly. obsessed.
check it out… if you have a crafty vixen/glamour girl/vintage fashionista within… you will flip ♥
Ah, Betsey Johnson, you little vixen… You’ve done it again. And just in time for your Black Friday 40% off of everything sale… I’ve been counting down the days. Meaning that these shoes… originally $235… marked down already to $117.50… Will only cost $70.50! I love a good deal as much as the next girl… These just might be the shoes on my feet when I lean in for my New Year’s kiss… Uh-maz-ing. Want em? Click and shop, baby.
Basically, my favorite Tuesday evening and Saturday morning activity… Outdoor stalls with local vendors pedaling fresh flowers, fresh produce, and fresh ideas. Nothing makes me happier than fresh flowers on my desk, by my bed, well…. everywhere… and a fresh, light meal to follow the workday.
