CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

I am Returning to Masters of Taste!

If your memory is as good as mine (that's kind of a joke, my memory is terrible), you'll totally recall the time I went to the MASTERS OF TASTE event in Pasadena. It's essentially a luxury Super Bowl of amazing, local Chefs and restaurants. It is also where I ate these delicious sushi rolls from Ayaea Thai:

While I'm at it, it's also where I immensely enjoyed this "tri-belly" of pork, lamb and beef from Claud & Co:

And.... IT IS BACK! This year’s 2^ndAnnual Masters of Taste will be held on Sunday, May 7^th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl (1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103). It will bring all the food porn you could ever need with it -- more than 2500 food and beverage enthusiasts from all over Greater Los Angeles for one afternoon to celebrate more than 40 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, signature handcrafted cocktails and tastings from more than 30 Beverage Masters, including L.A’s top bartenders and cocktail bars, local California wineries, local craft breweries, pressed juices, hand roasted coffee, live entertainment and much more.

Like last year,100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a nonprofit committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. 

Are you ready for just a sampling of whose food I will be tasting at this illustrious event???

• 118 Degrees Chef Jenny Ross (Tarzana)
• Alexander’s Steakhouse Chef Matt Bata (Pasadena)
• Bacchus Kitchen & Eatery and Claude & Co. Chef Claud Beltran (Pasadena)
• Bone Kettle and Komodo Chef Erwin Tjahyadi (Pasadena and Los Angeles)
• CAST at the Viceroy Santa Monica Chef Larry Monaco (Santa Monica)
• Celestino Chef Calogero Drago (Pasadena)
• Church & State and Spring Chef Tony Esnault (Downtown Los Angeles)
• Crossings Chef Lalo Sanchez (South Pasadena)
• HACHÉ LA Chef Michael “Mick” Schepers (Silver Lake)
• HokePoke Chef Lauren Haas (Downtown Los Angeles)
• Hamasaku Chef Yoya Takahashi (Los Angeles)
• Hyperion Public Chef Paddy Aubrey (Silver Lake and Studio City)
• INTRO Art Gallery & Chef’s Table Chef Paul Shoemaker (North Hollywood)
• Little Beast Chef Jose Perez (Eagle Rock)
• Magnolia House Chef Evan Colter (Pasadena)
• Mama Lion Chef Michael Hung (Koreatown)
• Mexikosher Chef Katsuji Tanabi (Los Angeles)
• Milk & Honey Chef Lulu Cai (Hollywood)
• Miro Chef Gavin Mills (Downtown Los Angeles)
• Momed Chef Alex Sarkissian (Beverly Hills and Atwater Village)
• Nerano Chef Michele Lisi (Beverly Hills)
• Prince of Venice
• Ramen Tatsunoya (Pasadena)
• SpireWorks Chef Kuniko Yagi (Westwood Village and Eagle Rock)
• Redbird Chef Neal Fraser (Downtown Los Angeles)
• The Raymond 1886 Chef Tim Guiltinan (Pasadena)
• True Food Kitchen Chef Phil Noresetter (Pasadena)
• Venice Whaler Chef Nick Liberato (Venice)

So who's coming with me on May 7th? Tickets are already on sale. Just head to www.MastersofTasteLA.com/Tickets. A VIP "Power Hour" will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Please note that tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over.  

Also, always important in our city of dreams, some transportation and parking info: Masters of Taste guests are encouraged to utilize car services – Lyft, Uber, Taxi, etc. – since this event does serve alcoholic beverages, but complimentary parking will also be available at the event.

ARE YOU HUNGRY? ARE YOU READY? Grab your stretchy pants and MEET ME IN PASADENA! 

A beautiful ceviche from 118 Degrees

That Time I Threw Away My Makeup

It was time to do something drastic about my skin. Toward the end of last year, I started to notice flakiness on my cheeks and forehead. It was alarming. I must confess I've not always been super diligent about skincare. I learned the value of it a little later than most. But I've improved in the last few years and implemented good washing habits, moisturizing and even added toner into the mix (though I'm still not convinced it does anything).

Anyway, when someone made an off-handed comment to me about my skin (nice, right?) I flipped out and decided the exact right thing to do was throw out everything I was using on my skin and start over. Into the nearest Sephora went I to ask the nicest salesperson ever if she could fix me. 

I sampled a ton of products with her and found some new items I'm now having a colossal love affair with. My skin is noticeable different and I'm so thrilled with the improvement. So I wanted to share some of my new favorite must-have products:

Sephora brand express cleansing and exfoliating wipes

Everyone should have some great wipes in their top drawer. These are genius because they feature two sides, one for easy makeup removal and one for exfoliation. So after I wash my face, when I feel like I need a little more cleaning up (I don't use these every night), the exfoliating side eliminates impurities and dead cells leaving skin soft and radiant. The smooth side cleanses gently and efficiently to remove all types of makeup for fresh and crystal-clear skin, without tightness. 

The BeautyBlender sponge

Accept no imitations. Why does one need a $20 makeup sponge? I know, I was skeptical, too. But it's miraculous, I tell you. The sponge features an open cell structure that fills with small amounts of water when wet (you wet it when you use it). This allows the sponge to be “full” so that the makeup product sits on top of the sponge rather than being absorbed, allowing you to use less product every time. So my foundation lasts longer and goes on smoother. I dare say that my skin glows. I'm obsessed with it.  

Two Faced's Born This Way Foundation

This foundation is oil-free (a requirement for me) that offers medium-to-full coverage. I know a lot of people like to look like they're not wearing make up. I am not really one of those people. I don't care if anyone knows I'm wearing it but I will say, with this foundation, it really does go on beautifully with my new spnge applicator and looks as close to natural as I've ever gotten. It's also vegan if that's your thing. Fun fact?  The product was inspired by the opening scene in Bridesmaids when Kristen Wiig wakes up, rushes to the bathroom to put on makeup, and sneaks back into bed to imply she "woke up like this."

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

I wanted my moisturizer, toner and face mask to all match for some reason -- they should all work in harmony, right? It's a time-release hydration cream that is so light and creamy. I apply it every morning after I dry off from my shower and put a little on every night before bed.  

Fresh Rose Floral Toner

Okay, again, still not convinced one needs a toner but I'm now operating under the "if it ain't broke" rule and once I got talked into buying it and using it, I became attached. I do a little spritz after I've washed my face, before I go to bed and in the morning, after I put all my makeup on. It's refreshing either way and feels more like an indulgence than necessity. Whatever. I like it, it's working, I'm keeping it.  

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

I started using this twice a week. First of all, it smells delicious. It doesn't get hard and gross on my face and it's super easy to wash off. It is an advanced hydrating treatment with antioxidants that immediately makes my skin feel softer, firmer and look healthier. It's a really lovely pre-bedtime ritual that I find relaxing, too.

 

P.S. And I love to take photos now.

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on one of the links here and then buy something, I make a couple pennies. That doesn't mean my opinions and choices are biased, though, so, ya know, thanks! 

Quote of the Day

I heard this on TV last night and it resonated with me....