Where Foodies Meet Fundraising: No Kid Hungry Taste Of The Nation LA in Culver City

Posted on June 8, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

This tree could just have easily have read, “DM hearts NKH”

Today, I’m feeling miiiiiiiighty grateful, because yesterday, I got to eat so that kids can be fed.

I know. This sounds like a dichotomy. How can eating actually feed others?

Well, if I know anything from my collaborations with No Kid Hungry, it’s that with these guys, anything is possible.

Linds & I at Taste Of The Nation LA, benefitting my beloved No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation events do just that. Food-loving patrons pay for a ticket to get the opportunity to try bites from a bevy of the best chefs in their city, and 100% of the profits earned go to No Kid Hungry programs. That certainly fills me up more than any pizza could.

So, yesterday, I headed to Media Park in Culver City for Taste of The Nation LA, with my friend, Lindsey, and we ate and drank to our hearts’ content.

Gearing ourselves up to be stuffed silly!

Among the hundreds of options, there were…

Delicious scallops…

Scallops and ravioli goodness from Maru in the VIP lounge

and peach tarts from Maru in the VIP lounge.

Peach tarts, served with ice cream from Maru. This is what you get when bread pudding and peach cobbler have a baby.

Deconstructed Philly cheese rolls with the melted cheese INSIDE from The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS.

All I can say is…YUMMMMMM.

One of my favorite lunch spots, Mainland Poke, served up some fresh goodness to balance out the decadence.

Mainland Poke is one of my favorite lunch spots!

Chile Con Corny from Dog Haus: Masa-Battered Smoked Queso Sausage, Haus-Made Pepper Jack Sauce & Crushed Corn Chips. Holy heck.

Chile Con Corny, from Dog Haus

Plan Check burgers with cheese crostini, sunnyside up egg, bacon two ways (why yes, there WAS bacon jam), melted cheddar and dehydrated ketchup (think fruit leather). Amazeballs, y’all.

These divine little Plan Check burgers had the longest line by far: too much, and just enough all at the same time. Just decadent.

As for dessert? Oh, a little Moët Chandon bubbly certainly never hurt anything.

Champagne, anyone?

And did I mention SNOW CONE cocktails from Davey Wayne’s? Oh, I didn’t. Well, I did now. Summer in a basket, my friends.

Nothin’ says summer like snow cone cocktails!

So, whatever city you’re in, do your darndest to get yourself to a Taste Of The Nation this year. I’ve been to two now, and it’s just one of the best – and most rewarding – culinary experiences you’ll ever have.

Upcoming No Kid Hungry events: The No Kid Hungry Chef’s Cycle is coming up THIS WEEKEND! (http://chefscycle.org/) Nearly 50 chefs and restaurant industry professionals are riding bikes 300 miles to raise funds and awareness for No Kid Hungry. The East Coast ride takes place June 7-9 and the West Coast ride happens June 14-16.

Roll me away…

xoxo,
Dawn

I’M LOVING…Sand Cloud Beach Towels

Posted on August 19, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

I'M LOVING…Sand Could Beach Towels

People email and ask if they can send me stuff to try every day. Literally, every day. And if I accepted everything that people wanted to send, my house would look like a very “special” Neiman Marcus-sponsored episode of Hoarders. So I’m pretty picky about what I decide to receive.

So I ask myself, “Does it appeal to my aesthetic? Do I think my readers, listeners and followers would love it? Is it something I haven’t featured before?”

Well, this experience was a first. The fine folks at Sand Cloud wrote me in the middle of last week and told me they wanted to share their product. Cynical me was, well, a little cynical. The world’s most COMFORTABLE beach towel? That’s cute. We’ll see how this goes.

Well, um, being cynical never works for me and it certainly didn’t in this case. I fell utterly in love with Sand Cloud. I was sent an orange and a blue and realized that it couldn’t be more perfect timing! My friend, Lindsey, and I had received passes to Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for an all-night movie marathon slumber party. These would be perfect! Why so perfect? Because they feel like Turkish blankets, look like Morocco, have a flair of Los Feliz and have a removable pillow for total comfort. (No location for that last one – that’s just pure comfort)

They ended up inspiring our whole spread. I laid down the towels, used my Crate & Barrel picnic basket as a table, brought along some sunflowers to liven up the joint (get it? it’s a CEMETARY) and carved out a sunny, little piece of home to spend the next 10 hours.

Sand Cloud & BeautyFrosting - brightening that cemetery right up! Breathing some LIFE into it, if you will. Tee-hee.

Y’all, I am not exaggerating when I say that every single one of our neighbors asked who made these towels. People kept walking by and complimenting our spread. They said it was so romantic – to which I replied, “Thank you. I’ll try to replicate it when I’m on a date,” and then offered them some cheese. It turned a casual evening into a bit of an exotic affair, actually. And the cheese and wine didn’t hurt, either.

Sand Cloud (35″ x 60″) is a unique, high quality Turkish beach towel that is much lighter (and better looking) than their average, bulky terry cloth ancestor. It’s easy to stick in your purse or carry in one hand, incorporates a lightweight and comfortable PILLOW (to avoid using a shirt or purse under your head) and doubles as a sarong, thank you very much. A good part? It’s machine washable – getting softer with each wash. And that’s true!! I already washed mine once. Best yet? I love that 10% of proceeds are donated to charity to preserve our ocean and beaches.

Right now, Sand Cloud has launched a Kickstarter campaign so please head over to Sand Cloud and contribute to the campaign and get some towels for yourself. I have 2 already and I’m doing just that simply because these need to be in the world! p.s. That’s a first! I’ve never told people to contribute to a Kickstarter campaign before on the blog.

It speaks volumes that in the 4 days in which I’ve had these said beach towels, I have used them twice…and I HAVEN’T EVEN BEEN TO THE BEACH WITH THEM, YET!

Whether it be an all-night cemetery slumber party screening of The NeverEnding Story, Legend and Labyrinth (yes, we are nerds) …

At Cinespia with Linds - 2 cozy coquettes…in a cemetery

a day to soak up the sun in Malibu, a rooftop pool meeting (yep, they happen) or just sipping champagne in the front yard with friends (which is what I found myself doing yesterday afternoon),

Just a summer day with my believed Sand Cloud beach towels and some Moët.

I am finding these guys to be invaluable.

And, may I say, quite inspirational.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which Sand Cloud color will you choose? I want one of every color…even the Kickstarter pink. There, I said it.

Which Sand Cloud color will you choose?

Weekend Wanderlust: Kelly Golightly & L*Space Swimwear’s Flamingo Fiesta

Posted on May 13, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

L Space straw & paper pineapple decor *Photo by Fred Baby

What’s better than lounging poolside in Palm Springs on a Saturday afternoon? If you ask me, not much.

Can you say Swan Lake? In my L*Space The Ruched One Piece in Black ($158) on Swannie. *Photo by Nikkia Phoenix

That’s why I was delighted to be invited to my friend and fellow blogger, Kelly GoLightly’s & L*Space’s Slim Aarons-inspired Flamingo Fiesta poolside glam event a few Saturdays ago.

A pretty poolside Flamingo Fiesta that would make Slim Aarons proud *Photo by me

Upon entering Kelly’s oh-so-chic and darling desert abode, I was greeted with a Lette flamingo macaron cake…

Flamingo Macaron Cake by Lette

flamingo-shaped watermelon delights…

Watermelon Flamingos! *Photo by me

and a bevy of fellow blogger babes.

Not much brighter than a bevy of blogger babes poolside! *Photo by Fred Baby

Venturing a little deeper into the deep end of the party, there were custom Skinny Girl & Nekter Juice Bar cocktails, towels by Tide and Pool, cute custom signs by Our Heiday and festive tablecloths by Elephant Landing.

The Festive Flamingo Fiesta tablescape *Photo by me

The BEST part? I was tickled pink to get to wear 2 pieces from L*Space:

The Ruched One Piece (pictured here with my buddy, Swannie, again ($158) – a 70s-reminiscent one piece on just this edge of sexy:

Donning the L*Space Ruched One Piece ($158) with my friend, Swannie, again. We got pretty close.

And the Storm Watch romper ($180) – a little class with sass:

Dawn McCoy, BeautyFrosting, L Space, L*Space, swimwear

My day in the sun. In my L*Space Storm Watch Romper ($180) *Photo by Fred Baby

L*Space swimsuits & covers were coveted, cocktails were shared, sun was soaked (with sunscreen, of course) and laughter was heard often, as it should be. It was, truly, the perfect poolside fete hosted by our hostess-with-the-mostest, Kelly Golightly.

Thanks, Kelly!

The side effect of too much fun in the sun? Laughter. *Photo by Fred Baby

xoxo,

BF Asks: What was your favorite poolside detail from the Flamingo Fiesta hosted by that whiz, Kelly Golightly?

Thirsty Thursday: La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012 – the official taste of Summer 2013

Posted on September 12, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Before I bid summertime adieu, I must share with you my summer love… La Vielle Ferme Rosé ($9.99).

Thirsty Thursday: My taste of summer 2013 - La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012

I have bought a bevy of bottles of this ravishing rosé this summer and have enjoyed every single, solitary one. Oh, don’t you judge – almost every bottle was shared with a friend, neighbor or passerby on the street. Kidding…well, about the passerby thing.

My brother-neighbor, Matty, & me enjoying a glass (or two) of La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012 last Saturday while frosting cupcakes

However, I’m not kidding when I tell you that this vino will symbolize Summer 2013 for me forever. With its pretty, whimsical watermelon hue, its floral scent with hints of baked brown sugar and aniseed and its taste of southern flowers, bing cherries and fruit pastille candies, this dry – yet juicy – rosé just represents the taste of summer 2013 for me. And, for me, summer 2013 was filled with fun, new beginnings, farm-to-table-fresh food, music, travel, romance and lessons learned.
One glass of La Vieille Ferme Rosé is never enough, two is not too much and the conversations and memories enjoyed over 3 glasses of this wine will live on forever.

Lucky for me, I know there will be another vintage next year. So here’s – and cheers – to Summer 2014 with La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2012!!!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Do you have a favorite rosé? Spill it.

Thirsty Thursday: The East End

Posted on September 5, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

As we segue from summer into fall, it can be a bit challenging to find just the right balance of tastes for a late summer/pre-autumn cocktail. Citrus cocktails alone seem too reminiscent of early summer while the pumpkin, apple and cinnamon cocktails of fall seem a little premature.

That’s why I’m loving this custom cocktail – The East End – from Hooray Henry’s (LA’s newest nightclub to see and be seen) and master mixologist, Curtis of Blacklab.

The East End - both sweet AND spicy!

With elements of both sweet and spice, it will leave you feeling ooooooohhhhh-sooooo-nice!

THE EAST END

2oz Corzo Silver Tequila

1oz lime juice

1oz pineapple juice

.75oz habanero syrup

house made chili salt rim

shake/strain into a rocks glass

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What cocktail are you loving this week?

FabFitFun Friday: FabFitFun Summer VIP Box

Posted on August 16, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

When it comes to summer, I always think of packing for camp with trial-size beauty products. It was an exciting time for me because I was allowed to try new products that usually wouldn’t be an option. And, oh how I loved their cute little packaging!

FabFitFun Summer VIP Box - Make sure to sign up so you can start getting a box full of happies every 3 months!

Well, with FabFitFun VIP box ($49.99/every 3 months), any season can remind me of new summer beauty products! But while the packaging is super cute, the products are neither small nor trial size.

This was my second VIP box to enjoy and I enjoyed it even more than the first!

In this Summer VIP box came:

*Evian Facial Spray (rehydrating & refreshing)

*it Haircare Surf Spray (for beautiful, beachy waves)

*Orly Nail Polish in a fab & fun neon orange

*Infinity Sun Glow On The Go self-tanner

*Catalina Su lip gloss (a shimmering, pink champagne shade)

*YES to Cucumbers Soothing Towlettes.

*A maple glazed pecan & sea salt KIND bar

And, then there were my 2 FAVE products –

*Purlisse Pur-Delicate Gentle Soy Milk cleanser and

*Ivory+Mason hip-meets-retro sunglasses!

I love both these brands and the fact that they were in my VIP box this month definitely made me feel a little summer lovin’!

If you wanna get a little seasonal lovin’ from FabFitFun VIP, just use this code to get $10 off your first VIP box: If you want to sign up use code 652254 for $10 off your first box!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which of these goodies would be your favorite?

Friday Funday: Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood

Posted on August 9, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

To me, Summer 2013 will always be about rooftop Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood.

On the rooftop of The London West Hollywood reflecting on all of the friends, fun and fine tunes Summer 2013 has brought into my world

I imagine I will forever think of that rooftop – set to the sounds of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” – as the frozen video of Summer 2013. And what a magical memory to have!

I have spent a few “Wednesdays at Sunset” at The London West Hollywood and each one has been better than the last. But I have to say the best one I’ve had yet was when I hosted a Rooftop Cabana Cocktail Party for my favorite blogger-friends a few weeks ago.

Hosting a cabana party for a few of my blogger friends at Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood

Between the delightful conversation with my fellow bloggers, new friends meeting each other and delicious bites and cocktails, it was my favorite event of the year thus far!

The attendees at my Blogger Cabana Cocktail Party on the rooftop of The London West Hollywood

I get by with a little help from my friends...and with the help of the beautiful setting of The London West Hollywood

We snacked on seafood cocktail, BBQ chicken flat breads, the LA Street Dog and delicious marshmallow cupcakes and sipped Strongbow Mimosas which were DIVINE!

The delicious details at The London West Hollywood "Wednesdays at Sunset"

And with our soundtrack set to the spins of Infamous DJs, we were in summer heaven!

My guests included the Beauty Professor, Spoiled Little LA Girls, Skinny Fat Girl Diary, Jennifer Chan of E!, Rose Curiel of E!, Whitney Lader of hoopLA, Hostess Handbook, Elle contributor Ashley Terrill, Jessica Yudin of The Fetch Betch LA & FabFitFun and more!

And everyone was delighted to receive L’Oreal Paris giftbags courtesy of L’Oreal Paris USA and Corbis Entertainment!

Jess Garvey of Hostess Handbook (on left) with her luxe L'Oreal Paris USA gift bag!

I want to extend a special THANK YOU to our gracious hosts, The London West Hollywood (of course!) and my fairy godmother, Gina Wade Creative. This wouldn’t have been possible without your imagination, generosity and amazing service – not to mention – the most fab hotel, and rooftop, in town!

I'm always smiling at The London West Hollywood!

‘Til next time, my beloved London…

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What defines Summer 2013 to you?

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Bath & Body Works Pure Paradise Collection

Posted on July 30, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

With Flossie about to hit Hawaii and summer’s end in sight, I’m wanting any indication possible that summer can last just a little bit longer.

So what bathtime delights am I turning to in this tropical storm time?
Why, the Pure Paradise Bath & Body Works collection, of course!

Bath & Body Works Pure Paradise Collection ($11 -$16.50) - Pictured here: Pure Paradise Body Lotion ($11), Pure Paradise Shower Gel ($11), and Pure Paradise Fragrance Mist ($14)

Last night, I took a long, hot bath soaking in the Pure Paradise shower gel ($11). It foamed up a bit and made my bathroom smell like a tropical vacation meets my old days at camp. I closed my eyes and was able to smell both the memories of my yesterday and the future memories of my tomorrow.

What do I mean by that? Simple. It reminds me of a tropical vacation due to its summer seduction quality that it seems to have all bottled up while reminding me of my times at summer camp – filled with innocence, first love and the warm night breeze.

Of course, that might all be from the sumptuous star fruit, juicy guava or dewy cassis. Or it could be from the luscious gardenia, frangipani or water lily. But the white musk, blond woods and sunkissed coconut certainly don’t harsh my tropical bathtime buzz!

And when it came time to hydrate, I wanted the scent – and nostalgic feeling – to continue. So to town I went with the Pure Paradise Fragrance Mist ($14) and Pure Paradise Body Lotion ($11).

I went to sleep in a seductive slumber dreaming of my old pre-teen boyfriends from camp and my future boyfriends on the beach.
Now, that’s what I call a good evening, ladies!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What scents remind you of the summers of your youth?

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday, Milissa S.? Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Betsey at Joie

Posted on July 10, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

A few weeks ago, I had a doozy of a day. Don’t get me wrong it was an amaaaaazing, unbelievably productive day – what with a shoot and 3 events to attend that evening.

The stage for the evening was set with the first event I attended at the oh-so-fashionable Joie on Melrose. The champagne was flowing, chocolate delicacies were being passed around and – lucky for me -there were Stila makeup touchups and Kristie Streicher feathered brow shapings going on!

Getting the "feathered brow" from the Kristie Streicher brow goddesses

Perfect to prep me pretty for a busy fun – yet working – evening out!

In the midst of all this, I spotted this gorgeous girl with perfectly shaped, feathered brows wearing the perfect summer raspberry lipcolor. A double Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday opportunity!!

Actress - and our WWW girl - Milissa S. sporting a sweet summer raspberry lip - the perfect pop for a Hollywood summer night

So you know what I had to ask!!

BF: I love your lipcolor! I love your brows! I’m Dawn by the way. What’s your name?

WWW: Milissa S.

BF: Well, Milissa S., I gotta ask ya – Whatcha’ Wearin’? And who did your brows?

WWW:Kristie Streicher and her team did my brows, of course! And the lipcolor is Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Betsey. I love it!

Our WWW girl, Milissa S., wearing Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Betsey

BF: Well, we do too! I can’t wait to try Stila Color Balm Lipstick for myself! And after hearing who shaped her gorgeous brows, I sat right down for a feathered brow shape-up with the Kristie Streicher brow goddesses! And I was pleased as punch with the results!

Milissa S. and I with our fabulously feathered brows from the brow goddessed - Kristie Streicher and team!

And – I have to add – I just barely avoided going home with this new friend.

Coveting: This Joie Kennedy Tote handbag in Daphne blue

I tried to be responsible, beauties. I really did. But I keep dreaming about this Joie Kennedy Tote handbag ($158). Oh, what to do!? Looks like it’s time to start a very important letter.

Dear Santa….

xoxo,

BF Asks: Have you tried Stila Color Balm Lipstick?

Thirsty Thursday: The Southern Beauty summer cocktail

Posted on June 27, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

What is more refreshing in summertime – watermelon, limeade or rum?

Well, thanks to this sweet summer recipe from Elizabeth Scokin of Haute Hostess, you don’t have to choose just one.

Her cocktail, The Southern Beauty contains all of these refreshing ingredients in one sensational summer cocktail – plus a surprising hint of mint.

The Southern Beauty - Haute Hostess's Elizabeth Scokin's sensational summer cocktail!

The Southern Beauty
My Haute Hostess cocktail recipe for summer parties al fresco

1 watermelon
1 large can of frozen limeade
handful of mint
crushed ice
light rum

Scoop out the inside of a watermelon and put pulp in lg ziplocs
Freeze overnight

In a blender put in one bag watermelon, 1/2 can of limeade,
handful of fresh mint, 1 cup of rum, 2 cups crushed ice.
Blend. Serve in martini glasses with sprig of mint.
Gorgeous cocktail. Great for a Non-alcoholic drink too without rum~

**
Try it out and check out her fab site, Haute Hostess, for some divine ideas for hostess gifts this summer!
I’m partial to the Missoni-style (light Missoni print lined with purple satin) Margherita apron. So if you’re visiting me, I’m not saying you should get it for me… I’m just saying I wouldn’t mind.

Haute Hostess Margherita Apron - a light Missoni knit with purple satin lining - perfect for summer entertaining

xoxo,
Dawn

BF Asks: What’s your sensational summer cocktail? Share it with me and you might have your summer cocktail recipe featured on BeautyFrosting’s Thirsty Thursday!