High-Low 9

Happy last few weeks of summer, golden girls!

I had many memorable moments this week but my favorites came from my party this weekend that I hosted for my big brother, David.

Me with the guest of honor, my big brother - David

David, a.k.a. “Sueno”, has been in Los Angeles for the summer. He lives in Dallas normally, where he is a Government professor, but has had a lovely LA summer out here for the past 2 months.

I’ve been a little more like Julie McCoy – on The Love Boat – than Dawn McCoy, acting as a social coordinator and/or camp counselor for him during his stay here.

It has been a busy, busy summer but a magical and memorable one, as well!

So, of course, I had to give him a proper send-off!

I decided to host “A Fiesta for Sueno” replete with homemade margaritas, summer sangria, friends’ dishes, pie, cupcakes, a kiddie pool and more.

Here are the highlights from the fun fiesta!

HIGHS

The Invite:

 

My true calling: Party Hostess

 

The Social Lubrication? Our family’s favorite cocktail. Did somebody say Margarita? I tried to recreate Mi Cocina in Los Angeles. It was good but NOTHING compared to Mi Cocina in Dallas!

Kickin' Cucumber-Jalapeno Margaritas

 

An added bonus? Utilizing my Nanny’s antique relish tray for customizable margaritas. Love it!

Limes, Jalapeños & Sweet Pickles - oh my!

 

Pie time!!!

BF and my Avocado Pie with Toasted Coconut and Tequila Whipped Cream

 

And the food? The food was AMAAAAAAZING!! I made Big Mouth Black Bean Dip, Drunk Pico de Gallo, Zesty Citrus Guacamole, Texas Praline Cupcakes, Avocado Pie with Toasted Coconut & Tequila Whipped Cream and The Devil’s Cupcakes (Mexican Chili Chocolate with Nutella Mascarpone Frosting). And my sweet and culinarily-talented friends brought Bean & Cheese enchiladas, Chicken Enchiladas Suizas, Mexican Lasagna, Mexican Salad and Mexican rice casserole. YUM!!!

The Tex-Mex spread

 

Kickin' Cucumber-Jalapeno Margarita & Avocado Pie

 

Even the cupcakes were Tex-Mex themed!

My good friend, Amy, brought the biggest hit of all — A KIDDIE POOL!!! On this super-hot LA day, this saved the party! Adults, and kids alike, were in summer heaven! It never hurts to have a little slice of nostalgia served up with your margarita!

Around the campfire? Not on this scorching hot day!

 

A few of my favorite girls!!

 

It was one of my all-time favorite days! A beautiful summer day spent with my brother and good friends. Yet again, I am reminded how fortunate I am. To live in this beautiful, beachside city and to have the best friends that make throwing a party an effortless affair.

 

 

I know it’s gonna be hard to say goodbye to my big brother but, at least, we have this fun fiesta as a beautiful memory of his time here. Fiesta, indeed.

LOW

Ouch!!

Ouch!!!!!!! That’s what I said when I reached into the drawer of my vanity, to pull out my hairbrush, and was met with a searing pain instead. I’m applying neosporin, and crossing my fingers, praying it doesn’t scar. But it’s a bummer because it’s on my makeup swatting hand! Just thankful it wasn’t worse!

 

xoxo,

BF

 

BF Asks: What was your High-Low this week?

 

High-Low 7

If it seems like I’ve been a little off this week, you’ll have to forgive me!

My family has been in town (from Texas) for the past week, I had a show at Hotel Cafe to prepare for and it has just been a crazy few weeks.

Any of you lovely things feel like that too?

I will say I was thrilled to get 3 emails from readers saying that they now are playing their own versions of my Daily High-Low game with their families each night.

Love that! That’s a high for me, itself! Such a fun way to get the communication going – whether you’re 3 or 103. Try it for yourself with your loved ones!

Here is this week’s High-Low.

 HIGHS

1) I was on Cloud 9 with my mom, from Dallas, in town. She drove out with her friend, Ron, and Miss Ellie’s brother Reagan, along with 30 boxes from her garage! Can anyone say Yard Sale next weekend?

The smiles that make my world go 'round: My brother & mom in LA

And with my brother living out here for the summer, it has been a family-filled, lovely summer. I’m gonna hate to see it end.

Brother & me

2) Strawberry Cupcakes with my signature Buttercream Filling for my Hotel Cafe show

BeautyFrosting's Texas Strawberry Cupcakes

I’ll be including the recipe for these cuties on Friday!

3) Being blown away by Blow Angels.

The angels of Blow Angels: Ziggy and Libni

I’ll have the full write-up for this L.A. primping palace on Thursday. Seriously, I was sooooo impressed and left there singing “I Feel Pretty” to myself – which was just what I needed to feel in time for my show on Saturday night.

They gave me Charlie’s Angels winged hair, lashes and the most glamorous makeup application I’ve had in years. And it fits within my budget! My new favorite place!

4) My show at Hotel Cafe! All of my friends and family were there and it was a night to remember. Gosh, I love my band! And I got to invite my friends, Jeremy Little and Tournament of Hearts to play with me. A friend-filled night!

Yours truly at Hotel Cafe

5) Impromptu dance party

I looooove impromptu dance parties and after a stressful week, a post-show midnight dance party, with friends, at The Room was just what the doctor of fun ordered!

Impromptu midnight dance party at The Room
 6) Piggy cupcakes for Hope’s Baby-Q Shower! It was a pig theme and they turned out perfect! More on that fun day later.

Piggy Cupcakes for a pig-themed Baby-Q shower

*I’ll feature the recipe next Friday 8/3.

LOW

There’s only one low. But it’s not just mine to bear. That’s why it feels so trivial to even mention “the highs” this week. It doesn’t get lower than this.

It’s a low I, unfortunately, share with our grieving nation. Like most of you, I cannot stop grieving for the victims of the horrific massacre that happened in Aurora, Colorado on Friday during The Dark Night Rises midnight showing.

It breaks my heart. Not only did people needlessly die but the innocent enjoyment that movie theaters have always provided us has been tarnished forever. This hateful, terrifying incident will forever live in the darkest corner of our subconscious when we see a film in a dark theater with our backs to the door.

I refuse to utter the killer’s name because I don’t want to give him the pleasure of feeling “famous”. He’ll get enough of that thanks to the press.

But I think there’s a special place in hell for a person who murders and maims people and shatters a nation’s innocence forever.

My heart and prayers go out to all of the victims (living and those who passed) and their families and friends as they try to see past the pain and through their tears.

Contrary to what the press says, there is no making sense of this. None at all.

 

 

 

 

High-Low 5

Summer just isn’t stopping for me!

As much as I’d love to sit back and relax by the pool (or by the ocean) with a book, it just isn’t going to happen because I seem to keep getting busier and busier.

But that’s a good thing!!! No complaints here! I. AM. THANKFUL!!!

Here’s my High-Low this week for your enjoyment.

HIGHS

Well, I may not be reading poolside or oceanside. But there’s always bathside! My new bedtime book, Why You’re Not Married Yet  provides needed inspiration (& laughter) during my bedtime baths. I know how the title sounds. I do. But whatever you’re thinking, it’s not. I swear.  I looooooove Tracy McMillan! When I read her books, it’s like a wiser, enlightened, big sister-version-of-me is talking to myself. Sign of a brilliant, provocative and moving author. She always gives my pink highlighter quite a workout. And I’m proud to know, and read, her.

My Bedtime Read: Why You’re Not Married Yet

Farmers Market Brunch with friends. My first few years in L.A., a group of us would gather at the Farmers Market at the Grove every Sunday. They were so much fun I call these times lost days – just eating, drinking and catching up with friends. Such a luxury of youth!
With my brother in town, I decided to resurrect those luxurious, lost days and invited some of my favorite people. I think we just may have started a new, repurposed tradition!

A New Old Tradition: Farmers Market Sunday Brunch with Friends

Getting to have a Girls Night Out at “A Night of Beauty” at The Viceroy Santa Monica with my favorite photographer – and – one of my favorite people, Amy Opoka.

We were treated to mini massages from Burke Williams - aaaaaaahhhhh

Poolside Shoe-Shoppin' at The Viceroy "A Night of Beauty"

Coming up with a new recipe: Oreo Surprise Cupcakes

A new discovery for the Recipe Box: Oreo Surprise Cupcakes

Surprise! The surprise inside my Oreo Surprise Cupcakes

This new giftwrapping collection I spotted at Target.

Spotted: Giftbag Collection at Target

This reminds me of someone!!

This reminds me a little of someone - hmmm...

A fun summer ‘do: Cascading Half-Up

A Fun Summer 'Do: Cascading Half UpDo

Getting some poolside cocktails with precious friends from my years with Barbra. Sweet summer memories!

Poolside Cocktails with Friends from my days with Barbra

A friend’s Texas-themed party in beautiful Topanga Canyon. Between the band and the views, it was sheer bliss!

A fun band called The Wind & The Rain & an amazing view

And, lastly, I spotted this at Sephora last week. I can hardly wait to get it! It smells just like camp & summer romance. Coveting this right now.

Coveting: Clinique Happy Summer Spray at Sephora ($60)

 LOWS

There’s just one but it’s a big one.

Nora Ephron

I’m a big Nora Ephron fan. Have been ever since I saw Heartburn. Man, talk about a good, empowering breakup movie! And then, I read the book the movie was based on.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Wow. I fell in love with Nora – like so many did. Her honesty, humor and belief in the power of women was palpable. And her passing simply cannot be taken lightly. Heaven may have gained a sweet, sassy angel but we have lost a dear heart and a once-in-a-lifetime talent.

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What was your favorite Nora Ephron work? 

High-Low 3

I love summer in Los Angeles!
And this past week was a lovely example of that.

Here is my 3rd weekly installment of High-Low!

HIGHS

1) Spotting peonies in my niehgborhood Ralph’s Market. My floral fave!

Peony power!

2) My big brother, David, arrived in LA last Monday and he’ll be here for the next 6-8 weeks. Yeehaw!

BF's brother, David, a Texan in L.A.

3) My favorite show of all-time, Dallas, had its revamped premiere on TNT last Wednesday. Did I celebrate? You betcha!

Ready for Dallas on TNT!

Making my RanchHouse Beer Queso:

Making RanchHouse Beer Queso

RanchHouse Beer Queso and friends time:

RanchHouse Beer Queso

Jose & David post-Dallas

4) I had the pretty pleasure of being Kerastase’s guest at the Young Hollywood Awards last Wednesday at the Hollywood Athletic Club.

Getting to hang with the lovely Megan of Meg’s Makeup and Kirbie Johnson of BellaSugar made for a super-fun evening!

BF, Kirbie and Megan

And meeting these handsome young gents, Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez from ABC’s Modern Family was the cherry on top:

Nolan Gould, BeautyFrosting and Rico Rodriguez at the Young Hollywood Awards

5) A lovely dinner with friends at Vinoteque on Melrose

Dinner & wine with Brother & friends at Vinoteque

Dinner & wine with friends at Vinoteque

LOWS

Coming home after fun times and Vinoteque and becoming violently ill for the whole weekend. The culprit? A grocery store salad at lunch. Ugh.

But wanna know the worst part? David, our friend Jolie and I had been planning on seeing one of my fave musicians, Rhett Miller, in Hermosa Beach on Saturday night. I was so ill I couldn’t go. Boooo. Boooo even more that they said it was the best show he’d ever had. Tear.

Food poisoning and missing Rhett Miller. Yep, that’s about right to get a little bad with such a good week. Luckily, Jolie texted me this picture which did not make me feel better at all:

Rhett Miller in Hermosa Beach

I am on the mend now so no worries! So much so that Brother says he bought us tickets for Rhett’s Monday Troubadour show. Yeehaw, indeed!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What was your High-Low this week? 

Products that are sure to please your Pop this Father’s Day

Men are notoriously shy about buying themselves skincare products.

They don’t want to appear vain or too concerned about how they’re lookin’.

They like to appear like they don’t care.

Guess what?
They do.

So, BeautyFrosting is here to suggest the Perfect Products for your Pop this Father’s Day.

As I mentioned in this week’s In-My-Tub-Tuesday post, my brother, David, turned me onto Jack Black.

And who wouldn’t want skin like him at 41?

Bad little sister. I forced him to take this picture to show off his skin for this post!

If you want your guy to be happy in the skin he’s in, introduce him to his newest partner in anti-aging: Jack Black. No, not the actor. The skin-saving superhero!

Simple, straightforward skincare that even the manliest man can’t resist.

A few of my favorite products (yes, I’ve tried them myself):

DIY Power Peel Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads ($38 for 40 pads) 

DIY Power Peel Pads

A powerful-potency formula that gives Dad results similar to a professional strength peel with less irritation and down time. In one easy step, it instantly but gently exfoliates the skin, diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, increases firmness and lightens dark spots.

Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 with Natural Mint & Shea Butter ($7.50)

This emollient balm soothes and relieves dry, chapped, irritated lips. Unlike waxy sticks, it penetrates quickly to provide instant relief. Offers broad-spectrum sun protection with an SPF of 25; also guards against windburn and temperature extremes. Contains natural mint to help freshen breath.

Best Lip Balm with SPF in Natural Mint

Protein Booster Eye Rescue with Peptides, Antioxidants & Organic Omega-3 ($40)

Protein Booster Eye Rescue successfully combats fine lines, wrinkles, and helps minimize puffiness and dark circles. The magical ingredient here? Powerful Peptides.

Protein Booster Eye Serum

Want to get him started on a skincare regimen? Pick one of these powerful little sets. There’s one for your favorite guy no matter what your budget!

For $25, get Dad this PureScience Jet Set Traveler with 3 Jack Black skin essentials. Perfect for a dashing dad on the go!

Jack Black Jet Set Traveler $25

For the skincare newbie who needs to be eased into taking care of his skin, the Jack Black Core Collection is essential:

Jack Black Core Collection ($52) includes their best-selling cleanser, Beard Lube and spf 20 moisturizer

To gracefully and concisely ease your hero into an anti-aging regimen, The Defensive Line Anti-Aging Triple Play is the way!

The Defensive Line Anti-Aging Triple Play features the Protein Booster skin serum, the Protein Booster Eye Rescue and the DIY Power Peel pads ($100)

 

For the Daddy of all skincare saints, the Jack Black Super Set will have him commit to a lifetime commitment to healthy skin:

Jack Black Super Set includes 15 full-size products that will leave your hero armed with an arsenal of superhero skincare ($250)

For more gift ideas for your superhero, visit Jack Black at http://www.getjackblack.com/giftsfordad.aspx

Happy Father’s Day to all of you fabulous fathers (and superheroes) out there!

xoxo,

BF