Foodie Friday: Yellow Dot Hot Sauce

Posted on January 24, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Sunshine in a bottle that makes every meal bright?!

Okay, I was seriously on the fence on this guy. Not because I didn’t like it but because I loved it SOOOOO much that I couldn’t decide if it should be a Foodie Friday post or a My Current Crush post.

Seriously, y’all. This stuff is liquid gold- or, as they call it – sunshine in a bottle.

I would argue that it’s Florida sunshine in a bottle but who am I to get caught up with semantics?

How could I not love Yellow Dot Small Batch Hot Sauce?

Foodie Friday: Yellow Dot Hot Sauce

I mean, you wanna know what the first ingredient listed is? Um, LOVE. Yep, love. And you know what I always say, “Cooking or baking without love is like sex without love.” Well, that’s my first time saying that but I’ve thought it before so there.

So I was introduced to this fierce, fiery sauce by a friend and, to be honest, my expectations were low. “Hot sauce, you say? Honey, I’m from Texas. I’ll be the judge of this alleged ‘hot’ sauce.”
Well, pardon me, honey because it is HOT as in HAWWWWWT. It is delicious. It is tangy. It is healthy. And I dare say that it changed my life.

Yep, it was love at first taste. I put some on my omelette and I was a goner. I’ve never tasted another sauce like it – and I mean NO sauce like it not just hot sauce. It could be because it’s made with love but I think the other unorthodox ingredients also play a part. Among them? Carrots (!!!!!!whaaaa???????!!!), onions, habanero peppers, lime juice (one reason I adore it), vinegar (another), shallots (how fancy!), and a dash of grapeseed oil (oh, what’s that? an antioxidant, you say? I look younger already).

Yep, it’s love. Know how I know? Because I’ve gone through a whole bottle in less than 2 weeks and have been eating a homemade omelette every day for lunch just so I can taste that tangy sauce. So not only is it tantalizing for my tastebuds but it’s encouraging me to eat more healthfully and saving me money on lunch to boot.
It’s the godsend of sauces, I tell you.
And, NO, I am not being dramatic.

The LA girl in me also loves that they support the environment and economy by using sustainable business practices by supporting local growers and farmers. And, um – did I mention that it’s organic and all natural? And for you uber-healthy folks out there – you’re gonna loooove this – they don’t use any frustrating fillers like salt, sugar, flour, corn syrup, fructose, xantham gum, pepper mash or any coloring or artificial flavors or preservatives.

All natural and addictively delicious? This is addiction I could live with.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What delicious product are you addicted to this week?

My Birthday Party 2013: Come As You Were…or WISH You Were In High School

Posted on December 10, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

The gang! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Oh, how I love me a theme party! I have one every year for my birthday and it always fills me with such joy. I mean what could be more fun than dressing up like someone – or something – else, being surrounded by friends, sipping champagne, eating delicious eats, polishing off some cake and dancing until the sun comes up? I’ll tell ya – not much. Previous birthday party themes of mine have included Dallas (the 80s show), 80s, 70s, Toddlers & Tiaras and more.

But this year’s had to have been my favorite thus far! I decided last year at my birthday that the theme would be “Come As You Were…or Wish You Were In High School.” So when I was home in Dallas in October, I broke out my Episcopal School of Dallas private school uniform (the skirt still fit! Yay!) and my cheerleading uniform (the top didn’t fit because I grabbed my JV uniform my mistake – oops!) and decided it was ON!

One of my best friends – and my former roomie and uber-talented BeautyFrosting graphic designer – Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe designed the adorable invite drawing on the colors of my home, varsity lettering and, of course, pom-poms.

The oh-so-cute invitation designed by Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe

Next, my dear hairstylist & friend, Robby LaRiviere, whipped my hair up into some pretty darned precious pigtails, I picked up some saddle shoes at Shelly’s Dance (my FAVE for costumes & alterations in LA!!!) and I donned Outfit #1. Oh, honey, you KNOW there was gonna be a wardrobe change!

THE FASHION

Outfit #1: My Episcopal School of Dallas uniform from 1996:

Donning my Episcopal School of Dallas original uniform! The fact that it still fit is cause alone for celebration! Photo by Guerrero Photography & Photobooth by Takahiro Watanabe Photography, Custom Tassel Garland by Studio Mucci

And with glasses, of course!

And I had to wear glasses for a few, of course! Glasses by Ivory Mason, Photo by Guerrero Photography & Photobooth by Takahiro Watanabe Photography, Tassel Garland by Studio Mucci

Outfit #2:
My Episcopal School of Dallas Cheerleading Uniform from 1993 (GO EAGLES!!!) – I grabbed by JV – and not my Varsity uniform – by mistake so Shelly’s had to let out the chest a bit. I was 15 when I last wore this one!

Donning my ESD Junior Varsity Cheerleading Uniform, American Apparel knee socks & saddle shoes from Shelly's; Photography by Guerrero Photography and Photobooth by Takahiro Watanabe Photography; Custom Tassel Garland by Studio Mucci

THE DECOR

I love that my birthday is so close to Christmas because I can decorate my house for Christmas and let it serve as deco for my birthday party. With my Studio Mucci custom tassel garlands, Shabby Chic decorations, pastel lights and vintage finds from Uptown Country Home that I’ve bought over the years, I love creating a Whimsical Winter Wonderland. Add some wintry pink & blue balloons and my high school yearbooks and you’ve got a party!

The living room...

Kids love those balloons...

More deco...

THE LIBATIONS

I remember that Queer Eye For The Straight Guy said it best once. “The right cocktails keep your guests socially lubricated.” When you’re mixing together over 50 of your closest friends – some who know one another but many who don’t – you want to keep the cocktails flowing. I decided to keep it simple by supplying a wine bar. Lucky for me, One Hope Wine and Hope at Home were eager to help.

One Hope Wine tantalized my guests' tastebuds with 4 of their wine varietals and a signature cocktail that we'll be debuting on Thursday on Thirsty Thursday this week!

With a signature cocktail, BeautyFrosting’s Spiced Rum Apple Cider Mimosa (catch the recipe this Thursday on BF on Thirsty Thursday), Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Pinot Noir 2011, Chardonnay 2012, Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and their new California Brut Sparkling Wine (All wines are $18.99), my guests were totally socially lubricated. Everyone raved about my wine selection from One Hope – and my bartender & party hostess, Kristin – but the California Brut Sparkling Wine was the first to go! People were literally asking me how they could get some One Hope of their own!

A bucket full of hope on ice! Photo by Guerrero Photography

But my favorite thing about One Hope – besides the way it tastes – is the charity component that makes them who they are. With every bottle of One Hope wine sold, an impact is made as 50% of the proceeds goes to a variety of good causes including: AIDS, Alzheimers, Autism, Breast Cancer, Childhood Hunger, Veterans and more. I’ll be featuring One Hope every Thursday for the next 6 Thirsty Thursdays so you’ll see lots more of them – and the love I have for everything that they’re about!

THE NIBBLES

Well, we know I’m a foodie and I love to bake but, um, sometimes I can go overkill when it comes to my parties. For this one, I relied on a few of my party faves – such as Southern Shrimp Ball, Bandito Black Bean dip, L’il Smokies, Texas Ranch House Queso, Red Velvet Dip and Pistachio Thumbprint and Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies that are always a hit. And then I hit up Whole Foods for a veggie tray and Trader Joe’s for cheese, charcuterie and crackers.

The spread…a foodie's dream!

And then there was the cake…Oh my…

The cake by Hansen's Cakes

Hansen’s Cakes was responsible for this deliciousness. Marble cake with butterchip filling and buttercream frosting. I’m still dreaming of it but had to give all leftovers away!

THE PHOTOS

As a photographer’s daughter – and a blogger, of course – photos are super important to me. So I asked my friends, Takahiro Watanabe Photography and Guerrero Photography to help me out for the evening.
The DIY Photobooth with Takahiro that I literally just put outside against a stucco wall was a hit. That’s gonna have to be a whole other post because EVERYONE can do this and it was sooooo much fun!

Here are just a few of the 267 photos from the Photobooth. For more, check out the entire album of fun (complete with my house pics, food pics and more) at: Dawn’s Birthday 2013: Come As You Were…or Wish You Were in High School on Facebook (yep, I made it public for your perusal & enjoyment).

Photobooth fun! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

hotobooth fun! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Another group shot by Guerrero Photography:

The gang! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Thank you to all of my friends who came, drank, ate, danced til 4 am, showered me with gifts & love and took pics with me all night long! It was a magical night I will always remember!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: How did you celebrate your birthday this year?

CREDITS

Wine & Cocktails by: One Hope Wine & Hope At Home

Blowout & Pigtails by: Robby LaRiviere

Photos by: Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Tassel Garlands by: Studio Mucci

Party Set-up Assistant: Sarah of TaskRabbit

Bartender/Guest Hostess: Kristin of TaskRabbit

Cake: Hansen’s Cakes

Wardrobe Alterations & Shoes: Shelly’s Dance Supply

Magical Monday: The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Posted on July 1, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

If you have kids or just are a kid at heart like me, have I got a summer treat for you!

The London West Hollywood is celebrating the DVD release of The Great & Powerful Oz with an afternoon tea that’s sure to delight and excite even the grumpiest munchkin or most wicked of witches!

Feeling magical and fantastical at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Starting just over a week ago and running through every weekend over the next 6 weeks of summer, the tea is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm – 4pm at Gordon Ramsay at The London.

Tabletop fun! At The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

With staff dressed in Glinda-style tiaras and munchkin-style bowler hats, hot air balloon and magic star wand-centerpieces and the film’s soundtrack playing throughout the tea, you’ll feel less like you’re in Los Angeles and more like you’re in Oz for the entire afternoon.
Nerd that I am, I of course, dressed in Oz-theme with a blue and white polka dot dress and red patent leather heels. With all of the magic around me, I truly felt like Dorothy! And with my friend – and fellow blogger, Whitney Lader from hoopLA – there as my date, the afternoon was even more magical and memorable!

Teatime with my friend - and fellow blogger - Whitney Lader of hoopLA at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Whitney enjoys Bubbletime at The Great & Powerful Oz tea! I love the little girl at the table behind us looking like she either thinks we might be crazy or that we're good witches! I'm going with the second option, of course!

Whitney and I opted to share two pots of tea so we could fully appreciate all of the delicious Oz options. We chose the Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves and the Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean teas.

Selection of Teas

And adults can enjoy Glinda’s bubble champagne to feel a little “extra” magical.

Indulging in Glinda's Bubble Champagne

With courses including Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches and Canapes, Flying Monkey Bites and Evanora and Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats, you’re sure to leave feeling full and treated like the Wizard of Oz!

The tea tray at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

My favorite Oz bites? The mini peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich straight from Kansas and the Roast Beef with onion marmalade finger sandwiches.

Fantastical Finger Sandwiches

The scones were utterly decadent…

Sinfully delicious scones with jam, cream and butter

and the Ruby Red Apple Crumble was scrumptious!

Wickedly delicious desserts: Opera cake, apple crumble and lemon meringue bars!

Make your reservation now for a day your whole family is sure to remember for a lifetime!

The Great & Powerful Oz Tea Menu

$28 for adults

$14 for children

Selection of Teas

Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean

Mandarin, Brilliant Breakfast, Single Estate Oolong, Earl Grey ,

Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves

Wicked Witch Brew

100% Juice

Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches & Canapes

Mini Tuna Fish Sandwiches

Mini Turkey Sandwiches

Mini Peanut Butter, Banana & Honey Sandwiches Straight from Kansas

Hummus with Crisp Shallot

Curried Chicken-Golden Raisins

Roast Beef-Red Onion Marmalade

Flying Monkey Bites

Blackcurrant Scones with Devonshire Cream & Lemon Curd

Peanut Butter Scones with Strawberry jam

Evanora & Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats

The Dark Forest Chocolate Opera Cake

Ruby Red Apple Crumble

Yellow Brick Road Lemon Meringue Bar

Sides for Munchkins

Sliced Carrots & Celery with Hummus

Fresh Fruit Cups

*Glinda’s Bubble Champagne Available Upon Request (Not for Munchkins!)

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Are you a fan of teatime like I am?

FOODIE FRIDAY: TAR & ROSES, TASTES LIKE SUCCESS!

Posted on May 24, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Tar & Roses - exterior

Dear Tar & Roses Team:

You are the latest stamp in my culinary passport. Who knew Santa Monica was as far as I’d need to go for this amazing culinary adventure.

We were a mix of new acquaintances and old friends, so I initially thought it might be a challenge to find items on the menu that we would all agree on to share and enjoy. However, we quickly realized that THIS was going to be a no-brainer as whatever we ordered was going to be delicious. Still with our overflowing enthusiasm for your food, we were in need of our very knowledgeable server Joe’s confirmation that we had chosen wisely.

We were intrigued by the “X-Large” section of the menu so we started by ordering the whole fried snapper with cold soba noodles. WOO-HOO! Next in the “Large” section, the Kurobuta pork loin with creamed corn and black kale was the winner. From the “small” section, we chose the beet salad and the ricotta gnocchi with asparagus. Finally, the wood roasted cauliflower from the “veggies” section and the bone marrow with onion marmalade from “snacks.” The presentation of the food was fun and adventurous. We were so excited to watch the different dishes being delivered to each table and the anticipation built until it was finally our turn.

Tar & Roses temptresses...

Bone marrow($11) onion marmalade, sea salt, and sourdough. This was sooo rich and delicious with a light smoky taste.

Beet salad($11) avocado, blood orange, fennel, frisee, and walnuts. Incredibly fresh!

Wood roasted cauliflower($8) anchovy pesto, pinenut, lemon.

Ricotta gnocchi($11) asparagus and fava bean tendrils.

Kurobuta pork loin($24) creamed corn, black kale parmesan. The pork was so tender, juicy and perfectly cooked. Perfectly placed on a bed of creamed corn and black kale seasoned with tarragon, so sweet and creamy, PERFECTION!

***Whole fried snapper($52) cold soba noodles, and dipping sauce. Adult finger food, MY FAVORITE! This was definitely enough for the whole table. An amazing presentation and so much fun to eat and share. We were pulling it apart with our fingers!

Strawberry Ricotta Crostata($9) with honeycomb ice cream. The buttery crust with the creamy Ricotta was over the top good!

Described as modern American rustic, the menu had a variety of influences, such as Italian, Mediterranean and Asian, that seemed to be at play. Chef Kirschner seems to know exactly what we like to eat and is extraordinary at executing it perfectly! There was an enviable simplicity to the food. I’ve had Snapper before but never like this. I’ve had creamed corn before but not this creamy and flavorful, and the strawberry Crostata? Off-the-charts good!

It’s as if I’ve been hypnotized! Every time someone says the word FOOD you will talk endlessly about the delicious whole fried snapper at Tar & Roses, and I DO!!

Listed at the top of the menu is your offering of Peace and Love to all the local farmers who believe in sustainable, organic agriculture and your menu reads like your thank you letter to them. You’ve created the perfect combinations of flavors to enhance but never hide, the quality ingredients that have been cultivated for your use and our consumption. To Chef Andrew Kirschner, locally grown yourself, you’ve beautifully guided each ingredient to its potential, let them shine and shared it with us. Thank you for your generosity and creativity.

Interior of Tar & Roses...

With love and respect,

Rebecca Meyer, www.BeautyFrosting.com Foodie Friday reviewer and food lover

TAR & ROSES

602 Santa Monica Boulevard

Santa Monica,CA

310-587-0700

www.tarandroses.com

$$$

BF Asks: What restaurant or bar should we review next? If you own – or work at – a restaurant or have a suggestion on where we should get our Foodie Friday on next, reply below or send us a message!

New Column Alert: Foodie Friday

Posted on March 15, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

While I know we have had “Foodie Fridays” before here on BeautyFrosting, we are starting a new chapter today. I hope you will join us for the ride!

A beautiful benefit of BeautyFrosting is that I get to experience so many excellent restaurants, try out new tastes and sample some of the best chefs in the world. It has always seemed like such a loss that I had no place to share this praise. Then it hit me. I have the perfect place to do just this! BeautyFrosting, of course. And, thus, Foodie Friday was reborn!

On Foodie Fridays, BeautyFrosting is going to bring you some of our favorite foodie finds, eats and drinks. While a lot of the fare will be based in L.A. and its surrounding areas, you might find us covering food from our travels, hometowns and more. So you can expect some tex-mex in there for sure from this girl! (I’m talking to you, Mi Cocina, in Dallas)

And I am so excited to have my foodie friend, Rebecca Meyer, along for the ride! Like me, she is a true foodie – a lover of food, libations and delicacies. Rebecca also had the oh-so-clever idea of using our mutual love of gratitude to serve as our template for reviews. As she said, “We get to go in, experience these delicious tastes and fall in love. It seems the least we could do is write a thank you note.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, Rebecca. Together, we can’t wait to bring you our old favorites and new-to-us delights!

If you have a place or product you would like for us to try for Foodie Friday, just comment below or shoot us an email.

Keep your hearts full and your taste buda happy, people!

xoxo,
BF