An English Rose

Friday, 6 May 2011

Hollywood's Quirky Cuisine

My boyfriend had a modelling shoot in Hollywood last week whilst I was out there visiting him, and afterwards visited a pretty quirky little bar/restaurant for dinner, as recommended by the photographer who lives locally. It's called 'Street' and sells small dishes from all over the world. We had: 

Here are a couple of the photos I took on my phone during the shoot, I'll upload some of the shots once we get them back. Cannot wait to see them! 

My J Crew purchases

As mentioned in a couple of my previous posts, I have just spent 2 weeks in the OC & LA, & I naturally made the most of the shops that we don't have here in the UK. This post will be the first of a few to show what I bought, and what other items/looks the retailer is inspiring me with at the moment.

I think of J Crew as being a more fashionable version of GAP. Their prices are fairly high for a highstreet brand, and the quality of the clothes is great. 

What I bought:

I bought these in what I would describe as a burnt mango colour! The colour is now unavailable on their website so you unfortunately can't decide whether that was a good description by me or not!! 

Essie nail varnish in 'Tangerine' $8 such a bargain over there considering they start at £10 here!

'Mucho Dinero'

I also bought a camel shift dress with lace cotton insert at the top - will try and locate an image or take one myself and update shortly.

Inspirations from their SS11 Lookbook:

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Well maybe miss out the 'fit' in my case, but the food lover part definitely suits me well & I enjoy eating healthily & looking after myself. My boyfriend and his training group have been given this amazing cook book (they're the 'fit' ones) and it looks amazing!

The author, Dr. John Berardi states: 'this book is for people who want to look spectacular. Not just lose a few pounds here or there, not just drop qn inch off the waist, or not just feel more "well" (whatever that means). Gourmet nutrition is for people who want their bodies to look like fewer and fewer bodies actually look like these days: stunning, healthy and strong.'

It frustrates me incredibly me that so many people think eating healthily consists of the most mundane salad, when this book and one's alike are filled with the most amazing, genuinly tasty meals that are SO easy to make! The book tells you how long each meal takes to prepare and cook, how many calories are in a large, and a small portion of the meal, a full nutritional ingredients table, and whether it is classed as a 'post-workout' or 'any-time' meal - making it ideal for professional athletes down to those who just watch what they eat.

I don't work out as much as I should, but I do try to go to the gym at least twice a week (although I've been lazy the past couple of weeks) and I do really watch what I eat (except for when on holiday like now when I like to let loose and enjoy the many calorific delights the country, in this case America, has to offer!) therefore I myself won't use this book to its full capacity as I'm not an athlete but I'll certainly take some inspiration to spice up what goes on in my kitchen!

Here a few of the many meals that took my fancy...

Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a big curry fan! But for some strange (lazy?) reason I'm yet to trial my own curry from scratch!

'Blueberry Madness Smoothie'
I'm slightly obsessed with blueberries at the moment. Loving the superfruit!

'Serloin Burger'

'8-Layer Dinner'

'Fruity Chicken Skewers'
We've been living on wholefoods chicken skewers out here & will most certainly attempt to replicate them once we're back home!

I'm sure the fish lovers will appreciate this 'Lemon-Poached Cod'
(I on the other hand don't class fish as food no matter how good it is for you, yuk!)