Brain Food/Ab Work: I Love Being A Girl

Found these two videos that have me tickled pink this morning & I felt like sharing. Have a great week everyone xoxo

Field Trippin': Purple Reign

OH MAN! Yesterday I drove an hour to the Le Creuset Signature Store in Chino Hills.... good googly moogly aside from the Christian Louboutin store in NYC, Royal/T Cafe that is hosting Hello Kitty's 35th birthday & Jumbo's Clown Room this is thee HAPPIEST place on earth. Yeah I know you're thinking Jumbo's?!?!? But C'MON how brilliant is a spot where strippers come to die?!?!? That has it's own scent, a combination of dreams gone awry mixed with the smell of over the hill glamrock stars from the 80's tears, cigarettes & failure. A place where 1/4 of the population is praying the valtrex won't wear off & you could swear you heard the raucous, raunchy laughter of Bukowski sitting in the corner with Tom Waits downing well whiskey. I love, love, LOVE that place. Anywho... while I was waiting for my Lilac Mist sexpot word on the streets is that Sur La Table is replacing the Dijon line to showcase a purple one.

Aww... The Color Purple one of my favourite movies (yes I spelled favorite like they do in England & Oz... that's how much I LOVE it) "you told Harpo to beat me?!?!?" "That razor look dull ta me, Miss Celie!" "all mah life i haid ta fight..." Man, Oprah KILLED it as Miss Sophia! Someone posted that the signature store (which there are only SIX flippin' stores in the entire Country) carries a color called Fig.... here starts the obsession.

Here is the glamorous line they are touting as Fig here in the US, it's actually called Cassis & it's exclusive to a store in the UK called Fenwick
I called the store a couple of days ago & spoke to this really awesome salesperson named Chris... ok I didn't just call... I damn near accosted him several times that day.. & the next & the next so 3 days later, yesterday, he told me to come in for their 20% off event & if I came in yesterday I could get an additional 40% off a second item or I can come in on the 2nd & get 30% off of everything.... DUDE what's a girl to do? 20% off 1 & 40% off another or just take the damn 30% for the one thing I frickin' needed... a braiser in Fig!!!! Ugh this is why I haven't had a credit card in over 12 years I would be SO screwed!!!! He was only working until 3:30 & he wasn't working again until next week. I figured he deserved the commission since I bothered the crap out of him.

After a couple more phone calls to the store (I'm sick I tell ya but I'm also a realist) I started calling all of my friends & posting on Facebook for someone to accompany me so I won't go nuts, nobody could so I decided to be a big girl, armed with my headphones & head there myself. I chanted the entire hour there to prepare myself. I always wanted a piece from the Caribbean line to call Harry Belafonte but I was quickly realizing that naming my sexpots were starting to overshadow my focus on things I actually NEED-ed. I parked my car & put an hour in the meter... because I knew I would be battling myself the ENTIRE time & I walked into this...

SWEET CHEEZUS!!! I SWEAR from what I saw then heard that must be what the gates of heaven must sound like
The deliciously sexy Caribbean line, reminded me of my Breakfast at Tiffany's homage
New Pearl & Onyx cocottes... so SASSY!
I couldn't WAIT to get my braiser home & set up the table!!! Ladies & Germs in honor of both the radiant Miss Sophia Loren AND Oprah's stunning performance from The Color Purple please welcome my new baby Sophia.
When I was in college & when I first moved to LA I had my shoe guys that gave me the sickest discounts... now I'm in my thirties & have shifted my priorities, Chris has replaced in my heart those shoe guys *swoon*. As I contemplated what to do & REALLY wanted to make the drive out there worth it I couldn't bring myself to buy another piece... no matter how BADLY I wanted to make my Harry Belafonte sexpot dream come true. I also came to the realization after over a year of aggressively searching to amass this awesome collection that I was 1 pot away from being done. I'm done, what else will I do with my free time?!?!?

It was so scary to realize that but I am also super proud of what I accomplished. I got some pretty cool & super rare pieces in such a short amount of time. Trust me for that extra 40% I REALLY tried to find something else & Chris saw how badly I wanted to get something else. So I just bought the mini cocotte recipe book & I asked Chris if it were possible to give me 30% he surprised me & said no I'll give you 40!!!! I bursted out into tears, hugged him & professed my love. His Mom is also a huge collector & I told him to tell her I love her too... hahaha we had this running joke the entire time of how she must be SO proud of him that he works there. Some peeps want their kids to be Doctors or lawyers but her son working there blows those tightwads out of the water!!!! Damn I should date him... *snort* HA! FORTY frickin' PERCENT!!!! The list price was $270, they sell it for $200 & I walked out with that puppy for $120+ tax
So not to be one to pass on a dream I have decided to switch the name of my turquoise blue paella pan from Luke to Harry Belafonte. It's smooth & the color reminds me of the Islands & they're mine so SUE me for deciding to change a name!!! Now only to find that elusive pink 5 qt Loewy Coquelle I have my heart set on to name Princess Grace my 30+ LC collection is officially done, WELL unless I may want to name one Julia Child, somebody SLAP me. This was an awesome experience. Oh Le Creuset how I adore thee xoxo. OH FYI the Chef that did the demonstrations there quit so I offered to come in over the Holidays & hold demonstrations myself, fingers crossed that I get the gig... MAN to cook in an LC store, Lord HELP ME!!!
The cute berry mini cocottes

OBSESSED to try my new babies I ran to the store & bought short ribs to braise in my braiser


Mascarpone & Garlic Mashed Potato Bake

Our signed bottle of Sangiovese we busted out to celebrate!
My dames... Elizabeth Taylor & Sophia

Who's Your Mama?: A very special delivery

My best friend Gigo of 20 years came to LA to see U2 perform for his & his wife's birthday. I BEGGED him to bring his daughter Alicia & I'll babysit while he's at the show since I don't get down to Miami very often I was afraid I was going to miss seeing her as an infant... too flippin' cute! Because I slept at David's & was preparing for the party for 3 days I missed another special delivery but waiting for me downstairs Sunday morning I found my new baby Dame Elizabeth Taylor... *swooooooooooon*.

These were only sold exclusively in Japan & South Africa, luckily but not luckily my girlfriend Dana just moved to South Africa.. that was the luckily part, the unluckily one was when she came to stay with me before she moved I loaned her my $400 VINTAGE leather Chanel Camellia Brooch... she lost it (bummer) I knew replacing it would take YEARS!!! SO I asked her if she could send me a Le Creuset pot in either the coveted Antique Rose (pink) or Lilac Mist (Lavender). I already have 2 pink pieces so I was salivating over this one.

On my weekly ebay search under the keyword Le Creuset Rare I found this!!! Granted it's not $400 & it won't ever replace my stun-NING brooch but nonetheless I am super stoked & tickled pink by my new baby & I can't thank Dana enough for keeping her word & doing everything possible to make it up to me. I MISS you Dana Dane, I am SO proud of you & you are forever my sister... believe that girly! You have been such an invaluable addition to my life. I love you!

She's captivated by both the pots & herself in the mirror... I LOVE her!
A love story begins, gotta start them young!
How delicious is she?
How delicious are my new babies? HA! I'm ridiculous!

Who's Your Mama?: To Serve With Love

Being an Island girl from Miami it is an impossibility to not have the utmost respect & admiration for one of the greatest talents of all time, the incomparable Mr. Sidney Poitier. I owe everything to this Man. He is the reason I fell in love with film & acting in the first place.

When I first started my catering company it was originally called To Serve With Love, a play on one of my favorite films & after his most memorable performance from "To Sir With Love". Every now & then I get a little bummed this is no longer the name of my company how else can I show my appreciation for what this Man has done & the road he paved for me? Imagine my amazement when I walked into Tuesday Morning on 10/01/09 & found this gorgeous, gorgeous cocoa GOD for $44.99.... please join me in welcoming the newest addition to my family my Espresso Le Creuset covered baker Mr. Sidney Poitier. Now I get to continue to SERVE with LOVE!

This is going to look so lovely next to my Pink LC's

AAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN-D! my pink & chocolate brown polka dot teapot & coffee cups.... I smell a Brunch coming!

Stay tuned because any day now I will introduce you to a VERY rare sexpot I have named Dame Elizabeth Taylor.... *swoooooooooooon*

I PROMISE as soon as I get my elusive 1958 Raymond Loewy 5 qt Coquelle in pink I'm naming Princess Grace... I'm DONE *she crosses fingers behind her back*

♥

Brain Food/Ab Work: Truly Outrageous

Man... I MISS this show, so glad this was on when I was growing up. This had a HUGE influence on me... Girls ROCK!!!

Brain Food/Ab Work: Single Babies

Why do I LOVE these "Single Ladies" youtube renditions?!?!? This one you will NOT watch just once I promise! I'm super excited for the Pom Wonderful event I am catering tonight & all the cool things I'm doing with Pom Wonderful & pomegranate seeds full report to come soon. Please enjoy this smile til then

How I Roll: "She's So Rock Steady BAM A LAM & She's ALWAYS Ready Bam A LAm"

So yesterday was the big Next Food Network Star Season 6 audition, I started filling out the 11 page application & was mortified at the last 3 pages loaded with all this legal jargon. Something along the line of using my likeness & owning whatever I submit... I was MORTIFIED! When I started Single Serving I originally just wanted to film my audition for NFNS Season 5 & submit that, but a director/friend of mine really encouraged me & said there was no need to go the reality show route I could create a show & film it ourselves.

Well we did. Single Serving pilot number 1 was no bueno. It was shot wide the entire time, the lighting & sound was off & I was not coming across confident AT ALL & really the animated intro my bestie Shannon made in Australia kicked our attempt at a pilot's arse! My editor at the time Mike didn't want to put his name on it & said either we shoot it again or he can shoot it. Mike is an incredible director check out some of his work on youtube here uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum YEAH this was a no brainer. I reshot it with Mike. He understood the vision & was so incredibly involved with the process. He got 3 cameras, lights, makeup & Martha Stewart's sound guy... mind you I only paid for tape & the food.

I couldn't be luckier to have Mike in my life I am SO proud of this project, my baby has a daddy all I ever want to do is show Single Serving to the world! Unfortunately Padma Lakshmi, whom I have known for years, she was in my acting class. I called her when I was in NYC after Obama's Inauguration to talk to her about Single Serving, well... NBC announced on July 21st that they have signed a development deal with Padma to star in her own sitcom about a single girl trying to make it in the culinary world aptly titled "Single Serving" I could FRIGGIN' DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!! Coincidence? Man Hollywood is so damn unoriginal & desperate sometimes, I can't further comment on this but you get the gist I'll keep you posted at a further date.

With that being said there was no way I was going to go to this NFNS audition, this is my baby, beside my dog Divi this is ALL that I've got. I posted my apprehension on Facebook, check out thee most incredible friends the good Lord can ever bless a girl with, I swear shoes & Jesus have NEVER failed me:

Manouschka Guerrier still hasn't figured out whether I'll go to the Next Food Network Star auditions today, thank God I bought my tix to Atlanta based on the audition date over there... UGH! I don't like not knowing what to do.

Yesterday at 8:22am · Comment · Like

Donna Hurrle

DO IT!!! You would be perfect for that show. Please promise that you'll go?

Yesterday at 8:30am · Delete

Brooke Bacon Deninno

you said you'd go??? You Gotta ♥

Yesterday at 8:31am · Delete

Mike Greaves

go get it innnnnnn dear

Yesterday at 8:33am · Delete

Manouschka Guerrier

I know but after looking at the 11 page application (3 of those loaded with all this legal jargon) they can use my likeness, my ideas, own the rights to whatever I submit & even my blog whether they pick me or not, it's very much like the American Idol application. I'm not the kind of contestant that just wants to be on FN & figures out their culinary point of view along the way, I have an entire season planned already, a title & a clear cut vision to propose... I'm so confused.

Yesterday at 8:37am · Delete

Manouschka Guerrier

check out the application here, I'd REALLY appreciate your input:http://www.foodnetwork.com/nfns-6-casting-call-upload/package/index.html

Yesterday at 8:40am · Delete

Norma Maldonado-Buha

go for it. Keep the good stuff for when you are on the show. Don't give them everything upfront.

Yesterday at 8:41am · Delete

William Rhoten

Protect your ideas--- don't commit to something that sounds more like ownership than opportunity

Yesterday at 8:46am · Delete

Mieke Fleure Ritorto

WTF! Do the paperwork on the plane! Do it girl! Do it! You are good enough. YOU deserve this!

Yesterday at 8:46am · Delete

Mike Greaves

ya I say ur confused n SCARED HAHA. They r going to have the same Legal Jargon waiting for u in the ATL.
go check out see what its all about. Get one of ur Lawyer friends to look it over.

Yesterday at 8:47am · Delete

Sheryl Myrick-Hinton

Go for it!! You'll look back & regret it if you don't give it a shot......

Yesterday at 8:48am · Delete

Jenna White Spiegelman

OMG DOOOOOO IITTTTTTTT!!! Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide to do. :0)

Yesterday at 8:50am · Delete

Erik Schneider

This is a no brainer. As the others said, don't give them anything up front to protect yourself and just be your awesome self and let your personality fast track you to single serving on FN. Seriously, that douche Guy Fieri is a big star now, and he can't even cook! You are a shoe in!

Yesterday at 8:51am · Delete

Norma Maldonado-Buha

Hey, when you book it and are on the show can I come in as a guest and cook Puerto Rican food?? I have a good feeling about this. I thunk you're fear is more success based than not.

Yesterday at 8:53am · Delete

Brooke Bacon Deninno

I didnt read all the above but, my take is they wont use your stuff unless they use? Dont be scared....u r awsome! & you can do it! If you dont try u may regret it? I went way way out on a limb years ago when MS teamed up w/ DT & went to step one of audition's. Never got past first group interview, but even that was fun! So, have a friend help with the BS paper work & jump on that plane sista!!!!! ♥

Yesterday at 9:00am · Delete

Brooke Bacon Deninno

ps. okay, just read other comments & I have to say I also think everything Erik S. says should be your new Mantra~! ;)

Yesterday at 9:02am · Delete

Marlu A Soria

i get your hesitation, but right now, you're attached to a "what if" in the future that may or may not occur. get off it!
BE COMMITTED to what you *CREATE* your future to be & not attached to some probable/ probable not outcome. does this mean that you won't have to compromise? not at all. you think anyone who plays big in life gets it exactly the way they envision it? and who's to say that you share your life & what you're up to w/ someone, they see a missing that you were blind to before & that further propels you to an expanded greatness?!!
YOU get to say what your life looks like.
YOU get to say what holds you back.
and YOU get to say that, yes, these are the things that have me scared, apprehensive, worried & great! it is what it is. ... Read More

Yesterday at 9:05am · Delete

Lillian Johnson

Do it...you'll do great!!!!!

Yesterday at 9:05am · Delete

Nkenge Berry-Owens

I understand why you have pause I say do want feels soild and best in you spirit.

Yesterday at 9:05am · Delete

Michelle Baker

DO IT DO IT...i dare you!!! Plus the last two people who have won, have been awful.. We need someone good to root for.

Yesterday at 10:13am · Delete

Dana Kroll West

OMG you TOTALLY need to do it!!! EVERY Time I see the show I think of you and I think you will bring something amazing to the table!!!!!!

Yesterday at 10:18am · Delete

J'aime Arcaini Settle

DO IT!

Yesterday at 10:32am · Delete

Dawn Johnson

Do it ! Then call me when you get to Atl

Yesterday at 10:50am · Delete

Stephanie Zorn

Do it!

Yesterday at 12:07pm · Delete

Danielle Thompson-Leandre

Chick you are to multi-talented not share to share it with the world. You were blessed with so many gifts. I have faith that you can do it! I will say a pray for you! Now go and rock their world it's time for some Haitian talent and some special seasonings. Good luck!!!!

Yesterday at 12:13pm · Delete

Zak Zwerin

GIT YER ASS THERE

Yesterday at 2:01pm · Delete

I went for a hike with Mimi, who happened to have just graduated from Law School, & I seriously drove her up a wall she was kind enough to set my mind at ease she looked over the paperwork & even contacted her Entertainment Lawyer friend over at MTV & since we watched Julie & Julia (review to come later) MAN the Culinary Goddesses were smiling on me, Mimi made me Julia's salade nicoise


AND... waiting for me at the front door was my new baby, Bettie Page aka Black Bettie. I've been looking for a pink or blue LC fondue, I found a light blue one for SUPER cheap & matched my blue line but then saw this:

The fact it has a lid & is multi functional & I can use as a cocotte as well was the major selling point. Yes I know this is a Staub, so it's going to stand out in my star studded cupboard of LC's but that's what I love about it the most, like Bettie Page a true stand out. It's SO damn sexy like her & I LOVE the spikes under the lid, like all of her stilettos she's named perfectly.

She got a little dinged on the shipping, the woman I bought it from kindly refunded me a portion of the price & it has imperfections like both Bettie & I do & my favorite perfectly flawed pink LC "Mimi"

I saved $150 on this purchase, brand new $54, never used, I could not be any happier!

After hours of deliberating & really feeling the love from the day, literally 45 minutes before the audition ended, I decided to go. I threw on a fantastic Helmet Lang dress & threw my DVD into my purse & headed off to the Saddle Ranch. I waited for 3 hours, over 250 people showed up & guess who was sitting directly from me across the room? My director/friend that shot the original Single Serving pilot... FAR OUT!

He too is an incredible cook, a brilliant writer & Haitian. We haven't spoken since but remained Facebook friends. I love to keep up with his writing & he's tagged me on a couple of his entries. I waved hello to him & he came over. We hugged & wished each other luck. He was 2 people ahead of me & the CRAZIEST part is we both interviewed with Amy Donegan (sp?)

She is so pretty & bubbly & had this super easy way about her I settled right into the interview . She's adorable. We chatted like a couple of girlfriend's who hadn't seen each other in a while but with the greatest of ease picked up right where we left off & the next thing you know my hand was down my purse & without hesitation I handed over my baby. She squealed with excitement... the sound snapped me out of my happy haze just laughing it up with Amy & I panicked... "CRAP! I am taking a huge risk here" I told her. She replied "are you kidding me, I am SO glad you brought this, I will watch it tonight!" Long story short.... she just called me 20 minutes ago

stay tuned....