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A Few Finds to Really Enjoy Your 4th of July

6/30/2014

Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses
These fun tequila shot glasses are affordable and will make a great addition to your bar. They are $30 and carved from high quality Himalayan pink salt. Since they are already salted, no need for extra baggage on your crazy 4th of July adventure.

Find them here

Moonshine Making Kit

Want to channel those crazy kids on the peninsula? Make some moonshine!
This kit includes easy to follow directions, 3 bottles of essences (cherry, peach, and apple pie), and your very own Moonshine jug!
For anywhere from $45-$75 you too can make your own booze!
Other booze kits are Rum for $75, Bourbon Beer for $45, and Gin for $50

Find the kit here

Wine Sack

This is the perfect way to tote around your wine without getting in trouble for an open container. The sleek bag features an airtight spout and room for a few icepacks if needed. You can even "slap the bag" and make those college kids proud (or uncomfortable).

Find this here

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Summer Essentials from k&m

6/30/2014

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1) Sun Bum Sunscreen

You know how bad it looks to have bright red blotches shown off from your crop top, plus you don't want to get in trouble with your mom for not putting on sunscreen. Sun Bum is the best because it has SPF 50 and smells like bananas.

Buy this product here

2) Floppy Beach Hat

Stand out on the beach with a super cute floppy felt hat. It has both a boho and classic feel to it, so you can pull it off with different styles. Both McCall and Kate approve.

Buy this product here

3) Turkish Towels

These Beach Candy towels are super cute, comfy, and a great alternative to the classic terry towel. They come in multiple colors and work great as a blanket, sarong, and can actually dry you off after bodysurfing with your friends.

Buy this product here

4) Gladiator Sandals

These Deena & Ozzy Double-Strap Sandals are great flat shoes to wear around town and show off your pedicure.

Buy this product here

5) Pastel Colored Nail Polish

Speaking of pedicures, Essie has a great selection of pastel shades that are perfect to rock in the summer months. Pastel is totally in right now and look great on your nails for an Instagram post.

Buy these products here

6) Waterproof Mascara

Benefit Bad Gal Waterproof Mascara is a long-lasting, smudge-proof, waterproof mascara that really does last. I remember once I put some on in the morning, before going to a friend's house. After going in both the ocean and the pool, the mascara didn't run at all!
Buy this product here

7) Sea Salt Spray

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray is the best product to get awesome wavy beach hair without having to go to the beach. The salt and kelp infused spray has the perfect mix to get that classic OC girl hair.

Buy this product here

8) Flash Tattoos

Flash Tattoos are temporary tattoos that aren't for kids. They are inspired by jewelry and are metallic. These tattoos are awesome to wear at the beach and summer festivals. They last 4-6 days, so don't worry about getting over them too quickly.
Buy this product here

9) Lip Balm

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 is THE best lip balm. It tastes like sugar, makes your lips super soft, and has sunscreen to prevent burned lips. It also comes in a bunch of other colors so you can get a nice tint that also moisturizes.

Buy this product here

10) Self Tanner

Brazilliance™ Skin Rejuvenating Face and Body Self Tanner is a great way to get tan without spending all day out in the sun. It doesn't make you look orange and the application mitt helps so you don't look streaky.

Buy this product here

11) Sunglasses

RayBan Classic Aviator Sunglasses are the most iconic sunglasses in the world and are an essential for every Orange County woman, young and old. Even though these are a bit pricey it totally worth it because they last forever!

Buy this product here

12) Body Lotion

When you get a sunburn its really a drag and Aloe Vera usually dries up your skin. But Vaseline Spray & Go Aloe Fresh both moisturizes and heals dry burned skin. It's also great for areas on your body that are difficult to reach with your hands and is super quick to use.

Buy this product here

Find more from k&m here!

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Adventure to DTLA

6/30/2014

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Ms. Pearl and I went off to Downtown, which to me is the new and upcoming spot to hit. They have more restaurants to try, more cool pop-up stores, and have truly cleaned up the street level. So don't be afraid to park your car and explore.

We started our adventure on the Westside of town, where we had a very nice pour of Far Niente Chardonnay at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel. We decided to use my favorite app Wayz to make our adventure Downtown as quick as possible.

Our first stop, one of Jonathan Gold's picks, was Guerrilla Tacos, owned by Wes Avila. I have to say, the taco truck scene has quieted down quite a bit. But this outrageous taco truck blew my socks off. We arrived at 12:30 and they were already sold out of the lambshank and lobster tacos. So we had a choice of a beer battered salt cod taco and a butternut squash taco with a sour grape relish that was to die for. We started with the amazing quesadilla that had an almond chile salsa and a fried egg on top. Truly these were some of the best tacos I've ever had in my life. And lo and behold, they cater. Don't even try it... I'm hiring them first.

Right nearby is an amazing store called Alchemy Works.

Nearby is also Matteo, a wonderful linen line I am sure you have all heard of. At this warehouse location, you can find some extremely beautiful linens for a discounted price.

After a little retail therapy, we thought we would drop in and visit our friend John Secretan, who opened his fourth location for Zinc Café and Market. It is located on Mateo Street, which is known as the new Arts District Downtown.
Wow, wow, wow...
It is a really sophisticated, cool, spacious location for Zinc. They have a full bar, pizza oven, a lovely outdoor patio space, and plenty of parking. Our friend was there, and when he saw Miss Pearl and I, a big smile crossed his face as he welcomed us with open arms.

We of course did a little shopping and had to hit the freeway home. We punched in Wayz and unfortunately headed back to the OC.

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Adventure at the Anaheim Packing District

6/27/2014

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Check out our day below!

Let Kevin lead the way to our food frenzy

Chippy Fish & Chips

Wheat & Sons Butcher and Rotisserie

A Variety of Great Foodie Finds

Beef Dip Sandwich with Au Jus

Tart Yogurt with Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Popbar

FMI: http://anaheimpackingdistrict.com
Anaheim Packing District is located at 440 S Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805

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A Simple Party with my Neighbors

6/25/2014

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Last Saturday, I invited the Kramers and the Smiths for dinner. There was going to be five of us and I needed to prepare in advance since I had an adventure planned all day Saturday afternoon. Friday was my day to get things done. I needed to get flowers, set the table, and prepare my menu.

I had decided earlier in the week that I would be too pressed for time to cook for this crowd. Joni Peterka, a well known in home chef in Orange County, prepared the most delicious chicken and mushroom goat cheese roasted asparagus lasagna and a delicious salad of greens, cranberries, pistachios, and sliced oranges with a kalamata olive vinaigrette.

"My" specialty lasagna

Nana Kramer started our meal off with delicious bruschetta. We drank Golden Eye Pinot, Rombauer Chardonnay, and started the evening off with delicious tequilas and scotch.

It went off without a hitch and somehow they believed I made it all. They asked me for the recipe and now I have no clue how to respond.
We finished the meal with a delicious lemon cake from Susie Cakes.

The table setting was simple but elegant, incorporating my grandmother's stemware and my mother's sterling silver.
Compliments to Joni and myself for pulling off a great dinner party!

If you want Joni to help you cater your next party, you can reach her at (949) 646-5069.

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Massive Pour at Sol Restaurant

6/24/2014

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Lunching with my friend Miss Pearl on manic Monday, we decided to drop into Sol in Newport Beach for a salad and a pour. They serve their pours in 3 oz (which is just a waste of time), 9 oz, and bottles. We opted for the 9 oz to accompany our tortilla soup and mixed greens salads. Eric was our waiter and brought us tastings of different wines.
Miss Pearl had a pinot, while I had the Lincourt Chardonnay. It was an amazingly hefty pour.

9 oz of Lincourt Chardonnay

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Rockin' out with The Sarcastics

6/24/2014

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One Thursday a month, it's so much fun to go to the Back Bay Tavern behind Whole Foods to see the band, The Sarcastics. Matt Marshall, Matt Magiera, Gary Grainger, and Brett Grainger keep the crowd rockin'. They have a following, both old and new, enjoying the music. It appeals to both my generation and those young millennials.

Brett, Gary, and Matt x 2

Back Bay Tavern offers a full menu of delicious food and great small plates. Check out their wine pour. This nice glass of Rombauer Chardonnay is $13. Can't beat the price with entertainment in tow. They usually play from 6:30-9. It is a great way to start off your Thursday night!

Look at this Rombauer hefty pour for $13!

Martha, Kane, and the OCWino share a great pour

FMI about Back Bay Tavern click here

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Happy Hour in Laguna Beach with the OCWino Team

6/19/2014

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This past Tuesday, I took my tech girl Shelby out on the town to check out some of the best spots for happy hour in Laguna Beach. We went to some great new places, judged some pours, and even bought a bottle of wine!

We started our late afternoon jaunt at Laguna Wine, Coffee, and Specialty Foods. We first got distracted with their amazing selection of wine glasses, olive oils, and gifts. This OCWino got excited over their collection of Riedel Wine Glasses, and overjoyed when I found a beer stein with a wine glass inside.

After checking out the shop, we moved over to their wine tasting section. The store has something that could only be described as a wine tasting vending machine. First you can purchase a $10, $20, or $50 card. You enter the card into either the white or red side of the machine, and make a selection of which wine within the case you would like to sample. Place a glass underneath a spout, press your chosen button, and have a perfect amount of wine to taste dispensed. Each wine varied in price slightly, but we were able to sample about 6 wines for $20. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, quick to offer suggestions based on our palette preferences and show us their estate wines.

Our favorites included Butter, a nice chardonnay, Meomi, a pinot noir, and Neyers, an aromatic merlot. I decided to purchase a bottle of the Neyers since the bouquet and taste were both incredible.

Next stop was the newly opened Tortilla Republic and Margarita Bar, located on South Coast Hwy. The restaurant has two other locations in West Hollywood and Hawaii. We first came to the bar with the expectation for Happy Hour pricing. However we learned their happy hour menu was still getting developed and would be released in the coming month. However we were content ordering their wonderful margaritas and appetizers despite the extra dinero.

The friendly bartenders made a whole range of margarita specialties for us ranging from our favorite Sweet Chile Margarita, a spicy Jalapeño, the "Perfect", Cucumber Lavender, Spicy Pomegranate, and Hydration, which blended in coconut water. We got all our margs made skinny to cut back on sugar and calories. These drinks were not strong, so we were able to try a lot and save room for the great food.

The Sweet Chile Margarita

Jalapeño Margarita

Cucumber Lavender Margarita

Hydration Margarita

Spicy Pomegranate Margarita

To counter the tequila, we ordered many reinforcements. First, we started with a salsa tasting, which included a salsa mesa, salsa de tomatillo fresca, and salsa de payaya habenero. Armed with a basket of freshly baked chips, we finished the colorful and flavor packed dips easily.

Next came the Flautas de Pollo. Our bartender recommended them and we were not disappointed. Initially, I remarked how they were too beautiful to eat. However after our first bite, we dove in and demolished the delicious and savory treat.

We ended our mexican feast with a Queso Fundito. We weren't exactly sure what the dish would be, but since it had the words cheese and fun in it, we assumed it would be awesome. The ramekin filled with hot spiced cheese and fresh tortillas did not disappoint.

It was hard for us to leave to catch the sunset since our bartenders were so fun, especially Mark who gave us free drinks!

My tech guru and our Tortilla Republic Bartenders

Disaster struck as we hit The Deck for sunset. Just as we sat down at the bar, an overhead seagull left a present on my freshly blown out do! People say it is a sign of good luck, but that unexpected surprise could have come a day earlier!

The Deck wasn't too crowded as it can be on the weekends, but it was a great place to watch the sunset, drink a final cocktail, and make new friends at the bar with Laguna locals. An OC musician, Kevin Miso, serenaded the patrons with the sounds of Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and some other beach-y classics. Overall, a great bar for a beach town.

A Custom Raspberry Lemon Cocktail

A Skinny Silver Surfer

As we finished our night, we headed back to Shelby's home in North Laguna, and enjoyed a slice of pizza, a final pour, and great conversation with her family.

FMI on Laguna Wine Coffee and Specialty Foods, click here
FMI on Tortilla Republic, click here
FMI on The Deck, click here

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Adventure to The OC Mix and SOCO

6/16/2014

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Some things are so close, yet they feel so far away. I love to venture out a little bit. Off the 405 freeway and Harbor Blvd, there is The OC Mix. My friend and I went up there on Friday to tool around up there and see what exciting things we could encounter. It's like a giant warehouse filled with stores consisting of spice stores, cheese stores, olive oil and wine stores.

My favorite is The Mixing Glass, a mixologist haven. It supplies curated cocktail ware and knowhow according to their business cards. Owner Gabrielle Dion has set up many bar and cocktail menus around the OC for many years. Her store is a little slice of heaven. She carries some very unique, old, and new bar accessories.

When I did my radio show on Cinco de Mayo, I decided it would be really fun to do a tequila tasting. So I went to the professional. She introduced me to my favorite tequila, Siembra Azul, which is made in small batches. Everything she carries is very specialized and from small unique distilleries. I dropped in to buy a bottle and say hello from the OC Wino. I can't wait to take one of her monthly cocktail classes.

From there, we went and caffeined out at Portola Coffee, which is known for their decorative latte art.

We then decided to go across the street and explore Surfas, which is an industrial kitchen/gourmet store. They carry everything to decorate cakes, delicious organic meats, pastas, olive oils, and vinegars. Much to our surprise, they had a cheese bar. We enjoyed a sample of La Tour, a creamy goat cheese, Truffle Hard Cheese, and an aged Gouda. We washed it all down with a nice Sauvignon Blanc. It's one of those stores that inspires you to throw a party, cook, and stock your kitchen. A must to check out.

Our bellies were semi-full, but going to ARC restaurant across from The OC Mix was next on my agenda. What's unique about ARC is almost everything is cooked in a wood burning oven.

We sat down to two delicious cocktails. One called Cigarettes and Coffee and the other was called Ethel, a tequila-grapefruit compari and champagne mix.

Here it goes... the OC Wino's top menu picks at this meat lover's paradise:

Start with the Sautéed Calamari with shishito peppers and new potatoes and the Whiskey and Garlic Meatballs in a delicious marinara sauce served with toast points.

Unfortunately, you can't skip the Wedge salad with the bacon slab. It really is a palette cleanser before you order your burger.
The Duck, Beef, Bacon Burger is cooked in duck fat. Good luck getting your mouth around it for your first bite. It is sinful and must be split between 2-4 people. But it is worth it to sample.

At this stage of the game, dessert is not in my sights. Since tequila is a stomach settler, I decided to have one more Ethel to silence my digestive system.

Diego was our waiter, a Costa Rican who is as nice as can be. All the staff is friendly, encouraging, and gives you a big smile as you sit down at the counter. Eating at the counter is a MUST.

Try it for dinner sometime. They actually serve large pieces of meat to groups of six or more. And do they know how to prepare it.

Beware, they do not take reservations, so going at an off-time is suggested. If there is a wait and you have to put your name in, go have an oyster or two at his sister restaurant, Shuck. The hostess will call you on your cell when your table is ready. Just an added bonus.

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Restaurant Review: 370 Common

6/16/2014

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Do we all miss Sorento Grill in Laguna Beach? Well I can honestly say that its usurper 370 Common is one of my favorite restaurants in Laguna. They have an extensive menu of small starter dishes that are really all full of flavor and provide many different selections that are fun to share with a group of people.

Their burger is outstanding and of course you have to get the egg on top. The pasta is excellent, and the brussel sprouts and cauliflower will blow your socks off.

It is so much fun to sit at the counter and watch the chefs do their thing while you sip on a healthy pour. My favorite thing on the menu, which is not offered all the time, is called Sending the Chef To Cooking School. When it's on the menu, trust me. You have to try it out.

The owner, Ryan Adams, did me a huge favor two years ago. As we all know, fois gras is illegal in California. I decided the day before it became a law, I was going to give a send off fois gras party. So I contacted Ryan, and he ordered three fois gras lobes. He was so amazing, had me back in the kitchen when I picked them up, and put me through a mini-cooking class on how to braise and sear the fois gras. It turned out delicious, my guests were amazed, and I have remained a fan of Adams and his staff ever since.

An added bonus... They are open on Mondays! Try to sit downstairs. As I said, the counter is my favorite. It's loud, the acoustics are a little noisy, but it is fun and delicious.

FMI: http://www.370common.com/
370 Common is located at 370 Glenneyre Street in Laguna Beach, CA

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<<Previous

A Few Finds to Really Enjoy Your 4th of July

Summer Essentials from k&m

Adventure to DTLA

Adventure at the Anaheim Packing District

A Simple Party with my Neighbors

Massive Pour at Sol Restaurant

Rockin' out with The Sarcastics

Happy Hour in Laguna Beach with the OCWino Team

Adventure to The OC Mix and SOCO

Restaurant Review: 370 Common

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