HESTER GOES HOLLYWOOD // L.E.S. LOVE

One of the things I miss most about living in New York is the weekend street fairs and markets, specifically the Hester Street Fair in the Lower East Side. On a very rare occasion when I had a Sunday off, I'd take the train downtown to mosey around the block to snack and shop for vintage finds and handmade goods.
Imagine my delight when I read Hester was going Hollywood! Right below the W Hotel on Hollywood was a lot full of food trucks, arts and craft stands, and handmade clothing, among others.
We ate our heart away andddd I fell in love with a hand-made wooden necklace by Fleet that I shall photo and post soon.

I'll be back for Indie market Night on August 18 to of course eat more and shop!

p.s. I really wanted to meet Suchin Pak, (ex MTV VJ and co-creator of hester), and I DID! She is so beautiful and sweet.

COOLHAUS ice cream sandwiches! mmm..

TOGETHER WE SO ROCK.

what i wore:
t by alexander wang tank
zara silk floral pajammies
target sandals!
chanel purse

CHEESCAKE STUFFED STRAWBERRIES: a patriotic dessert

Must admit, these were so easy to make, and so delicious to eat. The first time I had this dessert was at a girlfriend's pool party a couple weeks ago and I knew I had to recreate it for 4th of July (they were a hit!).
I found a simple recipe online to work off of, but as usual I just eyeballed everything and adjusted to taste. All the ingredients I bought from my local Trader Joe's.

Recipe and instructions, and photos as follows:

INGREDIENTS:
- strawberries
- blueberries (optional)
- cream cheese (the one you use on your bagel. either regular or non fat. i went for non fat)
- powdered/confectioners sugar
- vanilla extract
- honey graham crackers

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
- core taker outer (sorry, not sure what the technical name for this is!)
- food processor
- hand mixer
- piping tip (not necessary, but makes filling easier)
- ziploc bag

1. wash strawberries

2. remove core

 

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FILLING:

In a mixing bowl, dump in your cream cheese (I used two 12-oz cartons), and with your mixer, whip until soft. One spoonful at a time, mix in your powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Add a small cap-full of vanilla extract. Taste a little after each spoon until you get to desired flavor. Some like it tart, some like it sweet. 

Scoop into your piping bag. Squeeze.

 

3. fill to brim

4. grind crackers and pour onto a flat surface for dipping

5. pipe and dip

6. top with a blueberry

For red, white and blue purposes, I topped each strawberry with a fresh organic blueberry. Adds color and an extra berry flavor. But omit if preferred!

eat & enjoy

The Bazaar by José Andrés @ SLS Hotel (x2)

Last week I had the pleasure of experiencing two separate occasions at The Bazaar during dineLA. The first was a post-birthday celebration with my girlfriends, the second an intimate date with my person (because everyone needs to eat here at least once in their lives, and it was an excuse to try more things on the tapas menu).

Here's a little photo diary of a few of my courses. Just looking at these again makes me wish I had a round 3. Just kidding, that'd be a tad too over-indulgent. Just a tad.


ROUND 1 //

the famous philly cheesesteak and potato foam soup

avocado-wrapped ceviche

boneless chicken wings

my favorite of the night: the cotton candy foie gras

seared scallops

buttered shrimp

flank steak

christine & i in our animal pants (me in 3.1 phillip lim trousers and valentino leather jacket and h&m necklace)

...and ROUND 2

i came back for the philly

organized ceasar salad

salted potatoes with green chili sauce

from the bottom up: theyskens theory wedges, 3.1 phillip lim trousers, zara blouse, balenciaga clutch

re F R E S H E D

a beautiful engagement celebration, scorching hot weather, gluttonous feasting, a small shopping indulgence, and much needed quality time with family & friends. best six days ever!
now back to work!

JFK --> LAX

first meal: pork belly & mango appetizer @ marche moderne, south coast plaza - costa mesa

my welcome back gift -- YSL arty ovale ring in coral <3

fresh crawfish @ the kickin' crab, costa mesa

our mom, arranging her flowers for the party

the backyard

meet Boyd, our 16 year old grandpa-dog

me with the bride-to-be in her custom-made Vietnamese ao dai

his LVs, her CLs

3.1 phillip lim resort '11 dress, h&m maxi chiffon dress

with our dear friend Linh

the calmest bridezilla ever known!

a visit to the LAB, costa mesa

on me: 3.1 phillip lim knit top, f21 isabal marant-inspired pink shorts, my little brother's flannel, dolce vita boots, chanel bag, ysl, cartier & noir rings, 80spurple sunnies

brunch @ break of dawn, laguna hills (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!)

mochi ice cream balls @ mochilatto, irvine

the sparkling driveway into SOUTH COAST PLAZA, costa mesa

ramen & stuff @ kohryu, costa mesa

can't have a complete trip without my macaron fix! one dozen delivered to my door from my special someone <3

courtesy of layer cake bakery, irvine (the best macarons in orange county in my opinion)

a large box of goodies from 85degrees, irvine to bring back to NYC

LONG BEACH -- > JFK

i wish i took more pictures, but i think i was too busy catching up and eating with everyone that i simply forgot to snap some photos. i also wish i had more time to see more of my friends that i didn't get to meet up with...i'll see you in a couple months!

til next time...

xoxo,

a.