D.C. in Bloom

I wrote about my recent travels in Washington, D.C. for "Just Back From," the interview series from the wanderlust-inducing travel website Fathom. Thought I would share my tips here, too. Hope you enjoy! 

Just back from: Washington, D.C.

Was it your first time? Yes.

How long were you there? Three full days.

Why did you go? Work. Frohawk Two Feathers, one of the artists we represent at Taylor De Cordoba, was having an opening at a gallery in Georgetown.

Who were you there with? My business partner, who also happens to be my husband. My best friend took a train from NY and spent 24 hours with us.

What's the #1 tip you'd give a friend who wanted to go? Bring the most comfortable shoes you own.

What did you do? We worked for the first day helping our artist get ready for his opening. Once our work obligations were done, we visited the National Museum of American History, where I shed my first DC tear in front of Michelle Obama's Inaugural Ball Dress, designed by Jason Wu. The rest of the trip was filled with sightseeing, including a visit to The White House, the Vietnam Memorial, and the U.S. Botanic Garden, just to name a few.

Were you there for the right amount of time? I think so. It's amazing how much culture and history (and food!) we packed into three days.

How did you get there? Alaska Air, LAX to Reagan Airport, followed by a beautiful fifteen-minute drive in a cab to our hotel.

This was especially great: We spent our first full day walking the mall from beginning to end, from Library of Congress to Lincoln Memorial. Along the way we stopped for incredible museums and spent time viewing each monument. After six hours on our feet, we landed at Jose Andres' Oyamel for margaritas and chips with guacamole, made tableside. Exactly what we needed at that moment.

But this wasn't: Losing steam by hour three, knowing that there was so much more to see. We stopped for water and snacks at the Smithsonian Institution Building, otherwise knows as the The Castle.

Speed round of favorites.

1. Meal: A romantic dinner of crabcakes and white wine on the patio of the charming Tabard Inn.

2. Neighborhood to explore: We spent our first morning stopping in and out of cafes, stores, and galleries in the Georgetown area. As native Angeleno, I couldn't get over how quaint this area is.

3. Site/place/thing you did: Spending two hours walking through the Holocaust Museum was the trip's highlight. One of the most powerful experiences I have ever had.

What's the local speciality? Homemade pop tarts? Not sure what the official local specialty is, but one of the trip's culinary highlights were homemade brown sugar and cinnamon pop tarts eaten for breakfast at Ted's Bulletin.



Site you didn't get to visit, but wanted to: The National Portrait Gallery. One of several good reasons to book another trip.

Let's talk about stuff.

1. Glad you packed: Sneakers and lots of energy.

 2. Wish you'd packed: More comfortable clothes for days spent seeing sites.

3. Didn't need: High-heeled Prada ankle boots are simply not required for a three-day sightseeing trip in DC.

4. Brought back: A desire to learn more about American history.

Would you go back? If so, what would you do differently? Yes. Nothing. The trip was perfection.

Any surprises? My friend Melissa said we had to visit the Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery, featuring 250 Asian ceramics elaborately displayed. It is on view though Spring 2013 and not to be missed. Another surprise was the Newseum, recommended to us by a DC resident. This multi-story space presents the history of news in an interactive, compelling, and moving way.

What was your Kodak moment?Arriving at the Lincoln Memorial was such a powerful experience. It felt straight out of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and we took lots of photos to prove it.

Webisode: Kale & Coconut Smoothie

My friend Joanna told me about a Kale and Coconut Smoothie she had been buying several mornings a week from a health food store in Silver Lake. She was becoming addicted to how good it made her feel and look (she reported glowing skin), but not so excited about the shake’s hefty price-tag. After tasting the verdant green drink for myself, I became hooked and decided to try my hand at recreating it at home. The result was pretty right on. Most of these ingredients should be available at your local grocery store (all are available at Whole Foods). If you can’t find coconut meat, either omit it or substitute with dried, unsweetened coconut flakes.

Full recipe after the jump.

Back from Mexico City!

Hola! Joanna and I are just back from Mexico City and we had an amazing trip. I'll be back next week with much more on this exciting city. Stay tuned!

Colorful Spring Dinner

Spring has been so busy for me this year that I have barely had time to cook! This past weekend I took some time out and went to the Farmers' Market to pick up some ingredients in the hopes of turning them into something delicious. I bought whatever looked great to me in the moment - oven baked potatoes sounded fun, especially sprinkled with some sea salt and freshly dried oregano. The narrow asparagus stalks were crying out to be roasted with some sweet purple onions. And when I saw a pile of blood oranges, I suddenly craved a margarita, especially since my friend Beatrice gave me the sweet idea of garnishing my favorite cocktail with chamomile flowers (picked some up at a stall specializing in fresh herbs). I got everything home, put on some music, began chopping and started to feel a wave of relaxation wash over me. Dinner was simple yet special.

First I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and chopped the potatoes lengthwise into thick wedges. I tossed them with some olive oil, salt and pepper and put them in the oven where they cooked for around thirty minutes (flipping them halfway thru). I topped them with more sea salt and dried oregano. No need for a deep fryer with these babies.

Sliced my onion and combined it with asparagus stalks on a sheet pan.

I drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper and placed it in the oven. Wait 25 minutes for the magic to happen.
Next, onto the Margarita zone. Bea texted me a picture of a kumquat chamomile version she recently put together and I knew I had to try my own version. Blood oranges seemed like a great place to start.
I quickly noticed I was out of my Patron Blanco so opted for Reposato. It worked just fine.
The margarita was pure magic. Some of you have asked for the recipe after seeing my joyful tweets and instagrams about this over the weekend, so here goes. Hope you like it.

Blood Orange, Mint and Chamomile Margaritas
Serves 2
...........................................................
2 small blood oranges, peeled and cut into pieces
1 ounce agave
2 ounces lime juice (2 limes)
6 mint leaves
4 ounces good quality silver tequila
1 cup of ice
6 fresh chamomile flowers

Muddle the blood orange pieces, the agave, the juice of two limes and the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add tequila and ice and shake until mixed and icy cold. Strain into glasses and garnish with chamomile flowers.

In just a few hours I'm off to Mexico City with my girl Joanna. Hope to come back with lots of stories, tips, photos, recipes and stuff. Till next week!

Dressin' Up For Events

This past Friday night, I went to the opening night party for the Los Angeles Modernism Show, benefitting P.S. Arts, a local arts organization that I have been involved with for many years. Getting dressed for events quickly becomes an excuse to put together an outfit and for this latest soiree, I borrowed some insane estate jewelry from my friend, the Beverly Hills-based jeweler Claude Morady. I'm not used to wearing such show-stoppingly extravagant jewels (I borrowed a 1920s diamond ring, a 1960s diamond and amethyst bracelet with matching earrings, just to name a few) so I decided I needed to tone it down with a $40 vintage dress from deep in my closet. Finished off the look with bright pink Manolo Blahniks, a white Clare Vivier clutch, hair slicked back and Funny Face lipstick by Nars. And if you're dying to read more about my "night out look," the awesome fashion site Refinery 29 asked me for my tips on putting together my look. Click here!













Photos by Alex de Cordoba

Weekeend + Winner

I hope y'all are having a great weekend. It's already been a busy one for me. Last night I went to the P.S. Arts opening night party for the Los Angeles Modernism Show, for which I borrowed some gorgeous estate jewelry (above and more on that later). Now we go into work for a few hours before heading off to Santa Barbara, where I'm taking Alex to see one of his favorite bands perform at the Santa Barbara Bowl (I hear you can see the ocean from the seats!). I'm hoping to a fit in a bit of poolside action at our hotel before returning home to LA tomorrow. Can't wait to hit the road! But first, the winner of the Kathleen Whitaker Giveaway is J.P. Archie! Congrats and thanks to everyone who entered. xoHBT

Jasmine

The jasmine in my garden is so beautiful and probably my favorite scent ever. After a particularly exhausting day of work yesterday, I picked some blooms, arranged them in mason jars and instantly felt a little bit better. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Ten Ways to Live Artfully

Have you seen Bunglaux? It's part real estate listing site, full of dreamy pictures of amazing homes and part lifestyle site, featuring Guest Editors who contribute info-packed top ten lists.. My friend Simone LeBlanc introduced me to Bunglaux's founder Alex Brunkhorst who asked me to contribute a Top Ten list. I chose to write about "How To Live Artfully." Here's a preview...


Fill Your Home with Colorful Paintings, like this one by Hadley Holliday.


Textile As Art, via Kneeland Co.


Collect Prints and Photography, like this stunner by Danielle Nelson Mourning.


The Art of Scent, doesn't get better than Santa Maria Novella.


Living Art, by floral experts Hollyflora.

Click HERE for my complete list.

(portrait by Jeana Sohn) 

Kathleen Whitaker Giveaway!

Today's giveaway comes from LA-based jewelry designer Kathleen Whitaker, maker of the simple and chic "dash" and "dot" earrings that so many stylish ladies can be seen sporting these days. Kathleen has generously offered to give away a pair of her 14K gold staple earrings to to one L.A. in Bloom reader. For a chance to win, leave a comment telling us which piece on her website is your favorite AND "like" Kathleen Whitaker on Facebook. You can also increase your odds of winning and gain extra entries if you a) follow @heatherbethtay on Twitter, b) follow @kwardwhitaker on Twitter, c) follow Kathleen's Tumblr and d) spread the word by tweeting about this giveaway (please tag your tweet with @heatherbethtay).


This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents Only and will close on Thursday May 3. I will draw a winner at random and announce it here on Friday May 4th.

Summer Look from Mohawk General Store

Located in the heart of the Silver Lake neighborhood of LA, Mohawk General Store has long been one of my favorite places to discover clothes and accessories by up-and-coming designers. Owners Bo and Kevin Carney just launched a new feature on their website called "Friends," where they invite friends o' Mohawk to select their favorite pieces in the store and play dress-up for the camera. I was grateful to be included in the series and am kind of obsessed with the outfit I put together: Monitaly men's vacation shirt, Jasmin Shokrian high-wasted shorts, A.P.C. tote and handmade braided Italian leather sandals. Love!

photo by Lauren Alexandra Wang for Mohawk General Store

Webisode: Flower Arranging with Holly

In today's webisode, we move from the kitchen to the garden as my good friend Holly Vesecky, co-owner of Hollyflora, shows us how create four types of flower arrangements.

We used my favorite seasonal flowers - peonies, roses, ranunculus and lilac - and pulled the rest from my garden. The big lesson here is that you can work with what's around your house or apartment to create something truly gorgeous. I learned so much while filming with Holly and I hope you find this video inspiring.

And many thanks to my girl Holly for sharing the tricks of the trade with us.

Eddie Borgo Love

One of the highlights of the past week was discovering the work of NY-based jewelry designer Eddie Borgo. Eddie won the prestigious CFDA Swarovski award for innovation in accessory design in 2011 and I have seen him all over Vogue and various other fashion mags. But it wasn't until this week that I really saw the work in person and began to understand Eddie as a designer. China Chow hosted a cocktail hour private sale at the Chateau Marmont where pieces from Eddie's current collection were on view and available for purchase. I went gaga for his line, especially his white spiked heart cuff and matching earrings, both of which came home with me. I imagine I will be living in these pieces all summer long. Shop Eddie Borgo HERE.