I love the holiday season! I bought red wrapping paper with white polka dots and I can’t wait to wrap gifts with it! The smell of pine, wreaths, bells, trees, lights, poinsettias, globe snowmens (LOVE)!
I just can’t wait to get home and start making my apartment look like Christmas on crack. 
These are some pretty decor ideas I found on pinterest. I am definitely making the felt tree. Any DIY Christmas ideas you’d like to share with me?
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays- my favorite part being able to cook for my family. For the past few years I’ve made quite a few things and these three are my top recipes:
Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Pie – so easy and beyond delicious. I made homemade pie crust compliments of Emeril, but shaping that into a pie dish is not an easy feat. It did turn out quite yummy and flaky! I will likely buy my own pie crust next year, sorry Emeril!
It turned out pretty good, I must say….
My second two favorites are Giada’s Butternut Squash Lasagna and Paula Deen’s Creamy Squash Soup. The butternut squash lasagna takes a good 2 and a half hours but is worth the wait AND the two sink-fuls of dishes. In this recipe Giada uses mozzarella and parmegiano reggiano instead of ricotta. It includes a divine beschamel along with squash puree. Nothing smells better than this cooking in the oven. If I had the time I’d definitely make this more often.
Last, but definitely not least would be Paula Deen’s Creamy Squash Soup. This has always been a hit with anyone and everyone in my family. It takes about an hour to make but I swear it is impossible to mess up this recipe! It is creamy and divine. I served it in my Mom’s pumpkin shaped tureen. It was enjoyed by all, and don’t forget to garnish with sour cream!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Abbott Kinney is a fun street to walk around, window shop, people watch, and so on on any day of the week. Intelligentsia Coffee, Wine Bars and boutiques could keep a girl busy for hours! Even more so, a leisurely brunch at Gjelina is probably one of my favorite things to do in LA. Except for the wait, of course. Believe me, it is worth it!
menu:
While my BFF was visiting I was able to snag a reservation at ink by michael voltaggio. We were completely blown away by EVERY dish.
My photos didn’t come out that great due to lack of lighting (ahem, i need an SLR for christmas…) but here is what I was able to manage! The bill came out to about $100 a person and we each had 2 glasses of wine, so overall not too bad. I definitely don’t have a food dehydrator or other device needed to make whipped fish sauce, aromatic broth, soy gel…so back to ink I will go.
from top to bottom:
spaghetti, giand squid, squash, hazelnut-ink pest, piment d’espelette
charred avocado, hen of the woods, whipped fish sauce, mushroom chicharron
berkshire pork, charcoal crust, macaroni and cheese, leeks
butternut squash risotto, chicken wings, egg yolk, toasted wild rice, aromatic broth
bigeye tuna, parsnip-sesame cream, grapefruit soy gel
grapefruit curd, avocado, cilantro sorbet, charred maple-lime
chocolate, coffee, spice
