San Francisco Weekend Guide

The Weekend Guide
San Francisco Events and Diversions
   

Dine Out for the Gulf Coast
What: Delfina’s three restos are serving special dishes made with Louisiana-sourced shrimp to support communities affected by the oil spill.
Why: A percentage of sales from the dishes benefits the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
When: Thru Sun.
Where: Delfina, 3621 18th St., b/t Guerrero & Dolores Sts. (415-552-4055); Pizzeria Delfina, 3611 18th St., b/t Guerrero & Dolores Sts. (415-437-6800); 2406 California St., b/t Fillmore & Steiner Sts. (415-440-1189).  

   

STROLL
Art in Storefronts: Chinatown
What: The SF Arts Commission transforms empty restaurant and store windows into multimedia works ranging from murals to a faux-Chinese resto.
Why: Art walk, a tea tasting, and snacks from the one-and-only Charles Phan.
When: Fri., 5-7 p.m.
Where: Meet at Wentworth St., b/t Washington & Jackson Sts. Info at sfartscommission.org.  

   

PARTY
The Splash Ball
What: Nosh on sustainable food and dance the night away at this gala for a good cause (benefiting the Natural Resources Defense Council).
Why: Enter the silent auction to win an iPad, a trip to Costa Rica, and more.
When: Fri., 7:30 p.m.-midnight.
Where: Julia Morgan Ballroom, 465 California St., at Montgomery St. Tickets ($95) online at paypal.com or at 415-875-6111. 

  

COLOR
Nordstrom’s Cosmetic Trend Show
What: Learn about the season’s freshest colors, skin care, and fragrances from industry experts.
Why: The $15 admission can go toward that gloss you’ve been lusting after.
When: Sat., 8:30-10 a.m.
Where: 865 Market St., b/t 4th & 5th Sts. (415-243-8500). R.S.V.P. online at nordstrom.com.

 

   

WATCH
She-Roes Triple Feature
What: Celebrate the 18-year anniversary of A League of Their Own with a girl-powered triple feature (Jennifer’s Body, The Legend of Billie Jean).
Why: Q & A’s with a handful of the Peaches and Jennifer’s Body screenwriter Diablo Cody.
When: Thurs., 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., at Market St. (415-621-5288).  

Check out DaliyCandy.com for more great ideas! 

Los Angeles Weekend Guide

The Weekend Guide
Los Angeles Events and Diversions
 

  

                    Use your noodle.  

COOK
Soba and Japanese Home Cooking Workshops
What: A comprehensive list of beginner to expert soba noodle classes with gluten-free offerings. Japanese-themed market tours, knife skills, vegan dining, and more expand your culinary prowess.
Why: See your frenemy’s overcooked beef patty and raise her stuffed and pickled plum rice balls, c/o the summer entertaining class.
When: Eleven dates in June.
Where: Locations and tickets online at mazumizu.com. 

 SCORE
Ten Thousand Things Trunk Show
What: The delicate NYC jewelry line’s handmade silver and gold samples featuring fine metalwork and raw stones at $100 and up.
Why: Get saucy with designers Ron Anderson and David Rees at the open bar reception.
When: Thurs., noon-6 p.m.; party, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Persimmon, 310 N. Flores St., b/t Kings Rd. & Sweetzer Ave., Beverly Hills (323-951-9540).  

 EXPLORE
Mootopia
What: The idyllic land imagines what it would be like to live in a world where milk flows like water and every inhabitant is healthy as a cow — er, horse.
Why: It has a Facebook game where you create and share your own Mootopian avatar.
When: Now.
Where: Online at visitmootopia.com.  

 SHOP
3.1 Phillip Lim Sale
What: Nab 40 percent off the entire store. We’re talking resort, pre-spring, spring, and accessories for ladies, plus clothes for dudes and munchkins, too.
Why: Embroidered lace crop tops, drawstring silk shorts, and pleated tank dresses show summer who’s boss.
When: Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 631 N. Robertson Blvd., b/t Santa Monica Blvd. & Melrose Ave., West Hollywood (310-358-1988).  

The Reformation Summer Sale
What: Fifteen percent off all clothing, including lightweight summer dresses in silk, chiffon, rayon, and cotton. Everything is handmade in the retail/studio space and can be perfectly tailored for an extra $10-$15.
Why: Make like Martin Luther and create a schism in your summer wardrobe.
When: Thurs.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 8117 W. Third St., at Kilkea Dr., Melrose (323-203-1102). SIP
Barnsdall Friday Wine Tasting
What: Sip Silverlake vino on the grounds of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House.
Why: Let’s Be Frank, Coolhaus, Dosa Truck, and more food vendors are worth the trip alone, but for DIY dining, BYO picnic.
When: Every Fri. this summer.
Where: 4800 Hollywood Blvd., at N. Berendo St., Hollywood. Schedule and tickets ($20; $35 with tour) online at barnsdall.org. 

For more ideas on what’s going on in LA, check out the daliycandy.com 

How To Make Chocolate Cake for Cupcake Pops

Ingredients

Makes one 9-by-13-inch cake

• Unsalted butter, for cake pan
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for dusting
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups hot water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and dust with cocoa powder; tap out any excess; set aside.
2. Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, beat in oil, buttermilk, vanilla, eggs, and hot water, one at a time, blending well after each addition. Beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
3. Pour batter into prepared baking dish, reserving any remaining batter for another use, such as cupcakes. Bake, rotating pan halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
4. Transfer cake to a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes before inverting to remove. Let cool completely on rack before using.

From the Martha Stewart Show, April 2008.

The Cutest Cupcakes Ever!

Hello,

May, someone please give me a box of chanel cupcakes, just like the one below for my birthday, October 29!!! lol Okay, I have to stop staring at this picture because I am getting hungry!

PS… I would love you forever! heehee

The Red Door Restaurant Is Amazing

My friend Liz and I went to The Red Door Restaurant, this Saturday and we had a wonderful experience.  The food was delicious and we got there just in time for their late Happy Hour, which is from 3 pm – 6pm every day.  We started off with the Chef’s Spinach & Artichoke Dip and the “Broken” Shrimp Creole, which were amazing.  If Heaven had a taste, I believe this is what it would taste like.  For our main course, we shared the Cornmeal-Crusted Cajun Catfish, which has this house-made BBQ sauce, that is just perfect! 

The interior is just gorgeous with a cozy home feeling, I felt like I was dining in San Francisco.  Justin, who I believe is the owner, was super nice and witty.  He told us that his sister was responsible for the interior and that he wanted her to put a dash of SF, in there.  She did a fabulous job!  Justin, also mention that the interior looked a bit like his parents house.  The Red Door Restaurant is a total cute date place.  I can’t wait to go back again for Happy Hour, this Thursday.

The Red Door Restaurant is located 741 W. Washington St., Mission Hills, CA 92103.  Check out their website @ http://thereddoorsd.com/.
 

 

Some Yummy Soup

            My best friend and I, went to grab some lunch before I dropped her off at the airport.  I gots to say this was a yummy meal!

Amy Atlas Is One Sweet Gal

You guys have to check out this web site http://amyatlas.com/index.php/main/, Amy Atlas page has tons of great party ideas.  I’m throwing my sister’s baby shower next year and she emailed me this web site to get some ideas and I absolutely adored it.  Amy is based in New York, so if you happen to live there you should check her out.  Anyhow, I thought I would share this with you all.  Now I’ hungry…lol.