Food Porn Friday- The Crosby

We'd be a bunch of lushes save for the fact that along with those bottomless cocktails comes scrumptious eats and if we're lucky (or loud enough) personal Chef meet-and-greets.  Last weekend's festivities seen HERE brought us down to Old Town Santa Ana, part burgeoning mini-metropolis, part alternative answer to every suburbanite's protest to the lack of a true artists' district.  Feels like a dive, looks like a lounge, and best of all?  No snooty staff members screaming at you to keep it down.  Whooooohooooo Santana comin' up y'all!  Love this joint!

The Crosby

400 N. Broadway

Santa Ana, CA 92701

(714) 543-3543

Hope everyone enjoys a spectacularly sunny weekend!  TGIF!!!

Peace. Love. LOL

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I Spy DIY- Gilded Drum Lamps

I have never met a glossy black and gold gilded anything that I didn't immediately go goo-goo-ga-ga for. Be it furniture, accents, accessories, or handbags, hell, I'll probably keel over if I spotted an 80's style black velvet prom dress with dangling gold extras at my local thrift store. At this point I'd probably describe my own personal interior style as Shanghai Regency. If it's lacquered up and completely covered in something shiny and metallic, chances are I've got a piece just like it sitting in my studio.

So every occasion that I get to personalize something store bought and mass-produced, my immediate inclination is to gold leaf the *ish outta it. A little flamboyant, yes, I know...uh, have we met?? I don't call it Living Out LOUD for nothin' ya dig.

Here's what we started with: IKEA Kulla Pendant Lamp $69.99

What you'll need:

• (2) packets Gold Leaf Sheets (I recommend "Ready Leaf Gold" sheets with pre-backed wax paper for easy application)

• (1) can Spray Adhesive

• (1) can Spray Sealer

• (1) can 18 kt. Gold Plate Metallic Spray Paint

• Foam Brushes
(all of the above purchased from Michael's Arts and Crafts)

Step 1: Wipe the interior surface of the drum lamp with a clean, dry cloth. Holding the spray adhesive approximately 6-8" away from the surface, spot spray a small area and wait 20 seconds to dry, but still remaining tacky. 

Place a square of gold leaf sheet (gold face down, wax side up) directly onto the surface making sure to press down with your fingers as you go. When you reach the rim, use your fingers to crease the sheet along the edge to minimize gaps.

Step 2: Repeat step one and rotate until the entire interior is gold leafed. Tip: Place squares at random and overlapping on a angle for a truly haphazard effect. Spot spray and stick, spot spray and stick. Your fingers may get a bit sticky from the application, so use the dry foam brush to help flatten gold leaf sheets. You may also use the dry foam brush to wipe gold leaf from the edges of the lamp and to smooth over the entire interior when you're finished with the application.

Step 3: Once all the gold leaves cover the interior shade, you may notice that there are gaps and bubbles where the sheets have been applied. No worries, that's where the gold plated spray paint comes in. Lay your drum lamp on a flat surface and only spray the affected areas. You don't want to completely cover your gold leaves with paint, even if it's 18kt. Let dry for approximately 10 minutes and seal the entire interior with spray sealer (2 coats) and let dry overnight.

{Note:  I gilded 2 lamps for my project.  Double the amount of materials if you're doing the same}

Hang and enjoy! Now your interior space can be bathed in a glowing gold light making food look much tastier and your guests looking totally glitzier. (Is that a word...who cares?!) You just got served hunnies!

Time:  40 minutes prep and application.  24 hours dry time.

Cost:  $69.99 (per lamp) + approx. $50 materials= $120 gilded drum pendant lamp...

Sure beats paying thousands for the designer variety seen HERE and HERE

Hope this helps, Happy DIY'ing Peeps!

Peace. Love. LOL

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When Nature Calls

Beautiful, clear, sunny SoCal day with temperatures reaching the mid 80's and light southern winds breezing in at 5mph.  In a past life I imagine myself a meteorologist for the singular advantage of prefiguring daily ensembles where every morning I'd wake up with perfect compilations to fit every condition.  Never mind that weather forecasting seems to be the most mercurial of applications and that at any given moment science and technology can throw you for a loop.  I know, you're right, who am I kidding?...Best if I just stick to my day job and simply make stuff look pretty, non?

Thrifted NY&Co Tunic, Thrifted Liz Claiborne messenger, American Rag Sweater Vest, David Bitton shorts, F21 Belt and rings, Juicy Couture Sunnies, Macy's Red/Jeweled Bracelets, Hype Plats

Hope you're enjoying gorgeous weather wherever you are...Happy Hump Day!!!

Peace. Love. LOL

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Optimus Prime

I'm seriously considering tacking up a color wheel in my closet to help dictate my ensembles each morning.  Sure beats waking up forcing inspiration after a harrowing weekend of intoxicating festivities and wayyyyy too much drunken fun.  I swear I can hear my little brain cells beckoning me to keep it low key so that on days like this, I can simply take my wardrobe for a little spin and come out looking like pre-schoolers spit up all over me.  Who says you don't learn anything in daycare.  ROYGBIV to the rescue!!!

F21 Hat, Korean Fashion Tank/Blouse combo, Bisou Bisou Red Pants, Thrifted Scarf, Vintage Chanel Mini, Gucci Sunnies, Joey O Satin Sandals, Random bracelets, Natasha Stone ring

Peace. Love. LOL

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Party Hardy Bus

Celebration Season has officially begun.  Back to back events Friday-Saturday-Sunday leaves me beat but somehow always begging for more.  Really can't get enough of my favorite faces especially when there's bottomless booze, a big ol' party bus, and New Wave on blast to end the night right.  And that was just Friday y'all.  Fun, fun, fun means I always forget to take appropriate ensemble shots, but hopefully can make up for it with party pix galore.  Happy Happy Birthday Anaconda!  Hope your birthday was a blast babe! hahahah ;D

Barefoot Dreams Draped Cardigan, Lily White Blouse, My Beloved Skirt, Jessica Simpson Plats, Guess Belt, J.Crew Suede Clutch

As promised, the winners of Haute Khuuture's Anniversary Giveaway are:

Congratulations Taylor, Cassie Lee, Kris, Natalya, Rachel, Fae, Oomph, and April!!!

I will be contacting you ladies ASAP to claim your awesomo outfits...Can't wait to see y'all rock the goods!

Happy Monday y'all...Hope it's a bright and sunny day wherever you are!

Peace. Love. LOL

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Food Porn Friday- Dueling Brunches

Most mornings I want the works...Eggs, Bacon, Short Stack, 2 cups of coffee, and maybe some jellied toast for dessert.  Most mornings he'd like me to make all of the above and serve it to him straight up with some fresh squeezed OJ from the backyard...in bed...before the roosters start cock-a-doodling and wayyyyy before I'm even done canoodling.  Sure buddy, apparently the bf gets even more delusional than I before our a.m. feeding.  It's times like these that I thank the lord we live in the midst of OC's best eats with Little Saigon to the East and the rest of the city right to the West of us...Where on any given day I can get haute cakes and griddle goodies and subsequent mornings are all about phõ and the fixins'.  Sure beats waking up before the butt crack of dawn just to cook up a feast fit for two. 

Some of our faves currently on rotation:

Eat Chow:

French toast made from Le Guenn's French Baguette and Blackberry Compote:  Who doesn't wanna wake up to fresh berries and glazed sugar with a side of crispy burnt baguette?  I know I do...all day, every day.  Although this dish could use a lighter hand on the syrupy compote, it sure does make up for the sweetness with perfectly toasted, airy, and fluffy french bread leaving me satiated but surely far from full.  I'd suggest ordering this dish as a side to a heartier omelette or breakfast burrito.  A solid B, nothing too adventurous, but tasty nonetheless.

The "Fried" Egg with imported prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, grilled baguette, light tomato essence, truffle oil, and lemon tossed arugula.  You can't see much aside from the field of greens but trust that these two fried eggs are full of flavour and come to think of it, a bit heavy for my first meal of the day.  Very "italian" with the ham and mozza, same baguette as above, so if you're craving pizza for breakfast, this dish is definitely made for you. 

Overall, worth another visit for sure.  Located right by Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, the space feels like something you'd find in the city with picture windows facing the sidewalk so you can scope out the street brigade with corrugated metal and concrete walls lining the interior for a "too cool for school" urban industrial feel. 

Eat Chow

1802 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

(949) 650-CHOW

Cafe Picasso:

Number 9:  2 fried eggs sunny-side up, served with stir-fried beef (bo luc lac), french pate, a side of chinese sausages (lap xuong), and unlimited toasted french baguette.  A total classic.  You CANNOT eat here without having ordered this dish.  The Vietnamese version of eggs, bacon, and toast with a french twist.  Full of robust flavours all enhanced by the shots of original Maggi soy sauce and tabasco bits.  A++++++, I have yet to meet anyone who isn't a total fan.

I'm sure most could argue this case, but for myself (and the bf), HANDS DOWN the best Bún riêu in Bolsa.  Vermicelli Noodle Soup cooked in a tomato-based shrimp and crab broth, ground meat, fried tofu, topped with fresh Vietnamese herbs and veggies.  Although most joints include cha (pork patty) and escargots, Picasso's added extras like fried shallots and aromatic chitlins makes up for the missing protein and packs a perfect punch every time.  Super craveable, I could probably eat this once a week, it's that yummy.

When bunny bunny frou frou's too much for a simple breakfast, Picasso's Classic Omelette with ham, onions, and mushrooms can't be beat.  The fluffiest and most fantastically portioned Vietnamese eggs in town, served with unlimited french baguette and butter on the side.  Lovelovelove this dish...simple, totally classic, two thumbs wayyyyy up! 

*Insider's tip*  They don't call this place a cafe for nothing...Do Not Forget the Hot Cappuccino...OMG delish!!!*

Although the bf and I are regulars at Picasso, I can't stress how downhome hospitality and great food make for the most memorable dining experiences.  The owners are always on hand to hug you happy hellos and patrons are some of the hippest and most happenin' in Bolsa.  (Is there such a thing???...hahahah...Just come visit and see for yourself).  A Little Saigon Institution, you'd be hard pressed to find another jewel in the community.

Cafe Picasso

15619 Brookhurst Street, Westminster, CA 92683

(714) 531-0144

Hope everyone celebrates a fun and fabulous weekend! 

Haute Khuuture's first giveaway ends TONIGHT at midnight, PST.  Enter HERE before it's too late!

Good luck everyone, 8 winners will be announced Monday!

Peace. Love. LOL

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