HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicolas soon would be there…” -Night Before Christmas

Hope this holiday season brought you a sleigh full of love and laughter, health and happiness!

Happy Holidays!
Chudney, Brody and Peanut

AN ARTICLE FROM TAILS MAGAZINE

ENDLESS LOVE

Chudney Ross opens up about her childhood, dreams, and what it's like when her mother, superstar Diana Ross, gets together with her dogs.
www.tailsinc.com/index.php?action=getArticle&aid=702&domain=citytails.org

By Dustin Fitzharris

Photo by Sharon Montrose - www.sharonmontrose.com

There are many ways to describe Chudney Ross. She’s a writer and a model. A teacher and an artist. She just proves you can almost have it all. But when your mom is the legendary Diana Ross, you learn early in life that if you want something badly enough, there ain’t no mountain high enough—to prevent you from achieving.

When Ross, 34, isn’t in front of the camera or at her computer writing in Los Angeles, she’s on the beach with Peanut, her 8-year-old Silky Terrier, and Brody, her 2-year-old Woodle. When talking about her little ones, Ross says Peanut likes watching television and taking long walks on the beach. Brody, on the other hand, is a bundle of energy and enjoys harassing Peanut and eating everything in sight, including Ross’ unmentionables.

Ross’ love for animals started at a young age and has only grown stronger. Her devotion has led her to work with various charities, including Much Love Animal Rescue (MuchLove.org), which is dedicated to reducing overpopulation, abuse, and neglect of domestic animals.

When Tails caught up with Ross, she was eager to talk about her doggies, but had her hands full, stuggling to keep Brody off of her computer!


How old was Peanut when you first got him?
He was five weeks old. I'm sad to say I got him at a pet store. I know it’s not the best way to get a dog, but he was just this tiny little thing who needed to go home with somebody, and in Colorado it’s very rare to find a small dog. Everywhere I went there were just big dogs, and I wanted a small one. Then when I looked at him, there was no way you couldn’t love this little thing. He fit in the palm of my hand.

What was it about Peanut that you fell in love with?
He was the runt of the litter, and he was the last one left. Everyone was like, “Oh, he’s a little off and strange,” but I fell in love with him instantly. He was 1.2 pounds, greasy, and looked like a rat, but we just fell in love instantly.

You got Brody in May. Tell me about him.
He came with lots of issues. The friend of mine who had him couldn’t control him. She was going to give him to the pound because she didn’t know what else to do with him. I’ve always wanted two dogs, but I took him with the thought that at least I could find him another [guardian] before dropping him off at the pound. He’s a bit aggressive with other dogs, and I knew this would be the first dog put down at the pound, and I couldn’t put that on my conscience.

What was the first thing you did with Brody?
Sign up for a training course!

His name was originally Rowdy. How did he become Brody?
My friend named him Rowdy. Maybe it’s just an L.A. thing, but one of the big things the trainer said was that [the name] Rowdy comes with a negative connotation. He suggested that we turn that around and give him a positive name. Before we started the training, I took a week and tried out different names to see what he responded to. It was between Brody and Billy, but my roommate at the time had negative thoughts about the name Billy—an ex-boyfriend thing.

Didn’t all those different names confuse him?
Probably. But he was young. He’s fine. He’s been a handful, but a good addition to our home.

Do Peanut and Brody get along?
You know, that was my hope with having two dogs, but I think it’s hard to have a dog for eight years and then bring another dog into the household who is a puppy and has a lot of energy. Plus, Brody is much bigger. He’s 25 pounds, and Peanut is about 10. No, they don’t get along that well. There was some fighting in the beginning, but we’ve settled in, and I think while I’m sleeping they snuggle up together. I think they like each other more than they let on. Brody wants to play all the time, and Peanut just wants to lie there and be fabulous.

Do you remember your first pet?
I named my first dog Popcorn. It’s strange, but I guess I name all my dogs after food! Anyway, he was a Maltese. My mom had a Maltese growing up, and she had all of these paintings of her with this white dog. So I always wanted one. For Christmas when maybe I was seven or eight I got Popcorn, and he was my dog. My sisters had dogs as well. My mom still has dogs who were my brothers, but now they’re in my mom’s care. So we’ve always had lots of animals in our lives, and we’ve traveled with them. Brody has been a little bit of a challenge to travel with, but it’s always been very important to our family to have animals.

How is your mom, who is known to the world as this glamorous diva, with dogs?
She loves them. She has two dogs, and she watches Peanut on occasion when I’m out of town. She has this strange thing where she’ll actually carry on a conversation with him. He makes these noises, and my mom really likes trying to figure out what he’s saying. She’ll sit there and have a full conversation with him. She’s great with animals.

What kind of dogs does your mom have?
Two Golden Retrievers. They were my brother’s dogs. They’re quite old now.

How did Peanut get to star on Ugly Betty?
We worked with the Le Paws Agency. I guess we’re still with the agency, but we don’t get sent out that much. You need to do a lot of training. At the time, I had a lot of time to keep up with the training, but it’s expensive. It was fun, and it was definitely a nice bonding experience. We booked Ugly Betty, so that’s Peanut’s big claim to fame. I love it because it’s there on YouTube, and it’s hysterical to me that that’s my dog sitting there with Betty White, who was a guest star. But no, we didn’t have a long, lucrative career with Peanut.

Were you a stage mom?
(Laughing) I wasn’t as bad as some people, but when we did go in for our interview we went wearing matching T-shirts. I thought I was wild, but there were some people in our classes who were way more out there than I could ever be.

Speaking of stage moms, what’s been the best thing about having Diana Ross as a mom?
It’s all I know. It just seems normal to me. She’s always been very supportive in anything my siblings and I do. She really pushes us to follow our dreams and tells us that anything is possible if you work hard. We definitely learned a good work ethic. We’re all lucky and enjoy our lives, but we do all work hard, and we learned that from our mother.

Your sister, Rhonda, just had a baby. What’s it like being an aunt?
I was lucky enough to be there when my sister gave birth. I got to hold him when he was just 10 minutes old. I’ve been around a lot of babies, but not babies like that. To continue to watch him grow will be just an amazing experience. I look forward to having my own children in the future.

You currently have a contract with Harper Collins and are writing a series of books for readers between the ages of 7 and 12. How did that come about?
I fell into it. I was an elementary school teacher when I first graduated from college. I did Teach for America [an organization that recruits recent college graduates and places them in urban and rural public schools]. After I finished my two-year commitment, I substituted. Then I worked on a children’s film as a production assistant. From there I just started working in television and learning all about that. In the process of pitching ideas, this book kind of came out of nowhere. Then all of a sudden I was a writer. So as much as I say I want to be in the entertainment business, I keep going back to children and education because that’s where my heart is. I think it’s my calling.

What advice would you give to people who are considering getting a dog?
Do a lot of research. Don’t just go with what’s cute. Put some thought into it. A lot of people just go and say “Oh, he’s so cute,” and then they get home and realize they aren’t ready to be a dog [guardian].

What are you the most proud of?
I’m the most proud of the woman I’ve become. I was extremely shy and introverted growing up, and I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life or where I wanted to be. It’s a hard place to be when you’re in a state of confusion, but I feel like I’m a good person. I have a good heart, and I’m doing the things I love.

A SNEEK PEEK AT MY TRIP TO MAUI

SHOOTING STAR

What to be for Halloween? I contemplate this question every year. I think I’m a pretty creative person, but every every year as October approaches, I come up with the same thing… anything that I can wear with one of my tutus. I love tutus! I’m not sure where my fascination comes from, but tutus are FABULOUS! Maybe it’s because I’m a girly girl or maybe it stems from my early days as a ballerina, I don’t know.

Anyways, this year is no different. After much thought, I decided to stick with what I know and go with something in my closet (a bee... with a black tutu or an angel… with a white one).

But last Sunday, I was sitting at the farmers market eating a corn on the cob and I over heard a girl talking about all of her ideas for costumes. My ears perked up. She was fantastic and had millions of ideas. Then I heard one that was perfect for me (and my tutu). Thanks to this girl at the farmers Market, I decided to be a SHOOTING STAR this year.

I rushed down the block to American Apparel and bought a silver leotard, silver legging and silver headband. Next stop was the costume store where I picked up two star wands (which I glued with crazy glue to my bee costume antennas) and tons of glitter makeup and hair spray. All I need now are two big, silver guns and a holster to carry them and I’m all set. Get it?? A SHOOTING (guns) star (shiny silver)!!

Whether you wear a tutu or not, it’s always fun to dress up because Halloween in FABULOUS!

Ooo... and in the end I opted for no tutu... Still fun! Still FABULOUS!

AUNTIE CHUDNEY

Thank you for all the congrats and well wishes. As you may have already heard, my sister Rhonda gave birth to a handsome, healthy baby boy this summer. My mother is so happy to finally be a grandma and the whole family is over the moon with the excitement of a new baby.

I was lucky enough to be in New York when my sister gave birth and to hold my brand new nephew when he was just a couple minutes old. He was so tiny and so miraculous. I swaddled him and burped him and gave him excessive kisses.

I have always loved babies, but there is something very different when you look into the newborn eyes of your nephew. My heart skipped a beat and I fell instantly in love. I can only imagine how one must feel overwhelmed by the love for a baby you created inside.

I look forward to being a mother myself (no pressure on the new boyfriend though… yet ☺) Haha! Till then... Being an AUNTIE is FABULOUS!

DOG PHOTO SHOOT

Peanut, Brody and I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot together recently. Famed Dog Photographer, Sharon Montrose caught our family love on film.


Sharon is a commercial photographer and author specializing in animals, kids and babies. Check her out at www.sharonmontrose.com and follow her blog at www.sharonmontrose.blogspot.com

MY NEW FAVORITE TV SHOWS

I am strangely mesmerized by reality TV. I find myself, at times, totally zoned out watching the cheesiest shows… yet I still love it. I may be getting dumber as I watch, but reality TV still entertains me to no end.

As silly as TOOL ACADEMY is, I am excited to tune in each week and see which tool will get kicked off next. This MTV reality game show follows a bunch of "unsuspecting bad boys" (the worst of the worst boy friends) through a boot camp where they compete in challenges to rebuild their relationships. Each week, one is kicked out (The host says, “You are just a tool”). Then the real drama unfolds as tears flow and the girlfriend decides whether to get in the limo with the cheating, liar boyfriend or kick him to the curb. Great television… need I say more? ☺

Also on MTV, REAL WORLD / ROAD RULES CHALLENGE pits cast members from past seasons of Real World and Road Rules (both shows that I also LOVE) against each other in grueling, frightening, physical and metal challenges to win a money prize at the end. What is so fascinating about this show is that we have been watching this same group of contestants for years. We know all about them… their past scandalous relationships (exes always appear back on the show together for the drama), who they hate, who is crazy, etc. To me it’s awesome to have this inside view into the dramatic tension. It’s amazing that this cast of “real people” have made life long careers of being on MTV realty shows.

I also love… Biggest loser, America’s Next Top Model, The Bachelor, American Idol and Dancing With The Stars!!

Good, smart TV is rare and hard to come by these days, but there are some awesome shows on cable as well as a couple on primetime that have hooked me in.

I love, love, love CALIFORNICATION. This edgy, smart and sexually charged Showtime series is filmed on my Cali stomping grounds and my heart skips a beat every time I see them filming on location. David Duchovny is awesome as Hank Moody, a writer from New York who has been transplanted to Los Angeles where he engages in excessive sexual misadventures in between trying to sell another book. This show goes all out with full nudity, bad words, and plenty of seriously graphic sex scenes. The dry wit dialogue is so well done and every episode has me cracking up.

GLEE is sooooooooo funny! I haven’t laughed so hard watching TV in a long time. The characters are extremely over the top, the musical numbers super cheesy, but Glee is the perfect feel good, primetime show and there has never been anything else like it on TV. The show follows the making of a high school glee club and features musical worthy song and dance numbers (God, I love musicals)! The writing is hysterical and smart with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Glee is a feel good laugh a minute!

I watched the whole first season on TRUE BLOOD in one week. I was instantly hooked to this sexy, smart and at times scary HBO show. Graphic and bloody, this series follows the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional small Louisiana town (where all sorts of creatures of the night seem to wreak havoc). The main character, Sookie Stackhouse (played by Anna Paquin) falls in love with vampire Bill Compton (played by her real life love Stephen Moyer) and the onscreen chemistry is juicy! I can’t wait for the third season to watch the blood and sex unfold.

I also love… Heroes, Dexter, Grey’s Anatomy and Melrose Place.

Watching TV is FABULOUS!

ITALIAN FOOD

I love ITALIAN FOOD. Well… really I love all food. I’m not a foodie by any means. I don’t seek out the fanciest, unique-est dishes. I just love to eat and ITALIAN may be my favorite cuisine right now.

My boyfriend (yes, I said it! The “new guy” is now the “bf”) doesn’t eat meat. He sticks to carbs and veggies and white fish. I, on the other hand, am a carnivore (Not exactly, but I do love meat)! We have found to make us both full to the brim and happy as clams (which I don’t eat BTW), ITALIAN FOOD is a FABULOUS choice.

We have eaten ITALIAN FOOD from Hollywood to Santa Monica and Santa Barbara to Catalina and I have enjoyed every pasta, pizza and caprese salad. Here are my favorite spots in LA right now…

LA VECCIA CUCINA (Santa Monica)
Northern Italian food at it’s best right in the heart of Santa Monica on Main Street. The tables are a bit close together, but the food is to die for. The chicken piccata was a delight and the caprese salad a must try.

LA SCALA (Beverly Hills)
I’ve mostly been to La Scala for lunch with my mom. Located on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, La Scala is old style Italian food in old style décor, comfortable with spacious booths (that fits my whole, big, happy family) and divine food. The Caesar salad makes my heart skip as does the chopped salad and I always steal some of Evan’s penne arrabiatta when he isn’t looking.

CAFÉ MED (West Hollywood)
You can’t beat Café Med’s outdoor patio right on Sunset Plaza. This is Evan’s favorite spot as well as my boyfriend’s. Great people watching, but even better food. The “bf” opts for the pizza with pineapples, Evan the penne arrabiata (again) and me… I can never decide between eggplant parmesan, penne arrabiatta, Caesar salad or the bruscetta. The list can go on and on….

TERRONI (West Hollywood)
Terroni is a very hip, traditional southern Italian pizza joint on Beverly in West Hollywood. They play old black & white movies projected on the wall, have a foosball table out front and the most delicious, thin crust pizzas around. They don’t take reservations so arrive early and bring your own pizza cutter because they don’t slice it for you (and definitely don’t ask for substitutions… the chef is a stickler). It is all worth it in the end, though… Delicious!

My advice when dining Italian…
- Be careful not to fill up on the bread and olive oil… even though it can be quite delicious. I always try to stick to one (or two pieces) pre-dinner. Hopefully, it’s warm! I always ask for parmesan cheese and vinegar to add to the olive oil. Ooo… what a treat! Ask them to take away the bread basket when you’ve had enough or you will keep picking till you are too full.

- I always like to start off by sharing a caprese salad (tomato and mozzarella) or Bruscetta. I keep the vinegar from the bread course and sprinkle a little on for the perfect appetizer.

- My favorite main courses right now are Penne Arrabiatta (tube pasta with spicy tomato sauce) or Chicken Piccatta (with angel hair pasta) or Chicken Parmesan (Yummers) or fussili alfredo with broccoli (and a squeeze of lemon). Also, you can also never go wrong with pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Mmm… Now I am hungry!

Italian food is FABULOUS! I have to watch out though or I will end up at Fat Camp (I have already gained too much weight, which I lovingly call… My love chub) I think all new couples put on a bit of weight during the courting period and I am no exception (but it is totally worth it ☺).

SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL

Hug O' War

I will not play at tug o' war

I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses
And everyone grins
And everyone cuddles
And everyone wins.

- a poem I love by Shel Silverstein

KIDS VENICE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

This summer, I helped out a couple of times at the Kids Venice Basketball League (www.kvbl.org). My friend Nico, one of the founders, asked if I could be a part of the Natural Leader’s Empowerment Camp, a free day camp for under-privileged kids. I am an advocate for all children’s causes and so of course I said yes.

I went down to Venice beach for the first and last event of the nine-week camp to help teach the kid’s about healthy eating, yoga, leadership, teamwork as well as basketball skills.

We ate raw, vegan food for breakfast and lunch while discussing the importance of eating healthy (and believe or not, it was quite delicious). We stretched our bodies with yoga, sang about “One Love, One World” on the beach, swam in the ocean and of course learned and practiced basketballs skills (my hoops skills are less than fantastic, but I had fun).

After the camp the kid’s got to watch and be a part of the Venice Basketball League tournaments, which are intense street-ball competitions. The world’s best street-ballers battle it out every Sunday at the beach leading up to the championship and the grand prize. Summer Sunday’s in Venice are awesome! These guys truly kick ass in some intense basketball games. Watching from the side lines, you get to be right up in the action.

You could tell from the smiles on the kid’s faces that this was not only a learning experience, but also it was a super fun, once in a lifetime experience and I was happy that I was able to be a part of it. Kid’s Venice Basketball League is FABULOUS!

MOVIE IN THE CEMETERY

Last Saturday, My friend Pearl, her fiancé and my boyfriend went to a Cinspia screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. What better place to watch a movie in LA than lounging on the grass near a tombstone. I know it sounds strange to watch a scary movie while hanging with the dead, but let me tell you… this was a FABULOUS experience.

The line was long to get in, but we scored a sweet plot on the grass not too far from the screen. We had packed up a cooler full of dinner and treats (wine and cheese, sandwiches and cookies), blankets and pillows and we ate and drank under the stars till the lights went out and the movie began.

I’m usually not a fan of horror flicks. I am a bit of a scaredy cat, you know! But, when Pearl (my oldest friend – We’ve been friends since we were 5 years old) invited me to check out the Cinespia screening of American Werewolf in London, I agreed. I had ever seen the film and I had heard lots of fun stories about watching movies in the cemetery. I thought what better time to check it out!

An American Werewolf in London is a 1981 comedy/horror film, written and directed by John Landis. The movie won an Academy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup. Over the years, the film has become a cult favorite and I can see why. It was awesome. We howled at the moon, screamed to warn the actors that there was a werewolf behind them and laughed at the transformations and effects (Boy, have we come far since the 80’s). I wasn’t scared at all. It was actually hysterical

Watching a movie chilling on a blanked with glass of wine, yummy food and friends is FABULOUS!

There are only a couple shows left this summer, so head to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in the Hollywood) for a movie in this historic (and spooky) location. You never know, you may see a ghost of pop up next to you to watch the show.

A few tips …
1. Bring a picnic of dinner and drinks (alcohol is allowed)
2. Ticket Price $10
3. Park on the grounds for only $5
4. A DJ spins tunes before and after the show
5. Bring pillows and blankets (but no tall chairs or dogs allowed)

For more info visit: www.cinespia.org

Beach Doggie Bloggie

Enjoying the sun, surf and sand with the dogs!

UPTOWN MAGAZINE

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark burn out in a brilliant blaze than be stifled by dry-hot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.”
-Jack London

6-MAN MANHATTAN BEACH

Last weekend, I went down to Manhattan Beach with my friend Zoe to check out the 6-MAN Volleyball tournament. Each year, thousands of drunken fans cluster onto the beach by the pier to watch over 100 teams dressed in silly costumes compete. Among the teams are world-class volleyball players, AVP pros and local beach players dressed as Mexican wrestlers, Girl Scouts, Strippers and anything else you can imagine.

I’ve had tons of fun partying on the beach packed with people in years past. Sadly though, last year, I didn’t make it. As I was leaving a party in Malibu to head south, my car was sideswiped on the PCH and I ended up in the hospital (check out August 13, 2008 blog). This year, I was excited to hit the beach to party again.

Zoe and I decided to take a cab since parking is always ridiculous and sure enough traffic stopped short as we got close to the pier. Instead of watching the meter tick to an exorbitant amount, we hopped out and walked the rest of the way.

As we turned the corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd, we spotted the crowds down below. OMG! It is shocking how many people filled the beach surrounding the 28 volleyball courts.

We headed down to the sand in search of our friend Kim, which seemed like a lost cause. Costume clad athletes filled the courts and party people spilled out of the tents that lined them. After multiple text messages and missed calls (what did we ever so with out cell phones!?!), we finally spotted Kim chatting up a tall, handsome volleyball player by court 14, which had Santa Clauses playing a heated match against clowns.

Next, we hit to the Smurf tent where we found our friend Julian and I snagged a Smurf baseball cap to shield me from the scolding sun (also a couple jell-o shots)! We bumped into my friend Todd and his girlfriend and cruised the courts to watch the volleyball matches while baking in the sun.

After 5 hours on the beach, I was ready to head home. The ladies where still raring to go and hit the bars, but I chose instead to head out in search of a cab. To my dismay, I walked and walked and walked (thinking I may have to walk all the way home) and found a whole lot of nothing.

It took almost an hour to find a cab. By the time I got home, I was exhausted from the fun filled day in the Manhattan Beach sun... and I did have a FABULOUS tan!

iPhone Video Blog

PHENOMENAL WOMEN

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
- MAYA ANGELOU

MICHAEL JACKSON

I am deeply saddened by the death of MICHAEL JACKSON. I was shocked when I heard the news on the radio. I immediately called my brother, sister and then my mom to confirm the news. No one knew for sure, but we hoped it wasn’t true. As more and more news sources confirmed the report, my heart sank. How could MICHAEL JACKSON be gone so soon and so suddenly?


I was a fan, like all of you. MICHAEL JACKSON’S music was like a backdrop to my life. I remember excitedly sitting in front of the TV with my sisters to watch the THRILLER video air for the first time. I was frightened by the scary make up, but also in awe of the dance moves and the fact that it was more of a movie than any music video I had ever seen. I remember when PYT was my favorite, watching The Wiz for the first time, when my mom participated in WE ARE THE WORLD and when I SCREAMED along with Janet and Michael.


I’m lucky enough to also have wonderful memories of meeting MICHAEL JACKSON, which I will cherish in my heart forever. I remember gorging on candy in his “candy room” at the ranch. I remember Michael dancing with my mom on stage and even better dancing in my living room with my little brother. My favorite memory is singing to him on the phone. I was so proud that I knew the words. “Mama say, mama sa, mama kusa,” I sang as he giggled on the other end.


In my eyes, Michael was a kind, sweet, youthful man. I never believed any negative allegations and I will continue to defend him when people make jokes. I was shocked and saddened beyond belief that even in his death, people can continue to say negative, mean things. My heart goes out to the family and to the kids. This is so very sad ☹


Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

“Gone Too Soon”
Lyrics by MICHAEL JACKSON

MICHAEL JACKSON was FABULOUS and he will be remembered forever.

“PLEASE MR. PRESIDENT”

Last Saturday, I participated in an amazing charity event. CHILDREN MENDING HEARTS is a global arts exchange between at-risk children in America and children living in African conflict zones. CHILDREN MENDING HEARTS educates, empowers and encourages children to have a voice. It also inspires them to a sense of empathy and a desire for world peace.

Check it out at: www.childrenmendinghearts.org

We started the first of many "PLEASE MR. PRESIDENT” workshops early Saturday morning in a large gym at the Union Rescue Mission downtown. URM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving poor and homeless people in downtown LA with services including: food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training to men, women, children, and families.

The plan for the "PLEASE MR. PRESIDENT” workshop was to work with at-risk children all over America writing letters and drawing pictures to be included in a children’s book in the future, as well making jewelry making and painting T-shirts to be brought to kids in the Congo later this year. Since this was the first event, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect (how many kids, age range, reading and writing levels), but we were prepared and excited.

I ran the letter-writing workshop. I created a simple and fun lesson plan to guide the children in sharing their stories, their lives and their hopes and dreams for the future.

As the families started to fill the gym, an 8 year-old African American girl approached my table. She openly talked to me about how she lived in the Mission because, “her dad hated her mom and left them with nothing.” She told me and wrote in her letter about how he would hit her and that she knows the world would be better if there was no violence and no guns like the one that shot her brother. I was beyond touched by her honesty and her sweet nature. Kids are FABULOUS!

I wrote letters with many kids (little ones to teens) and adults throughout the day. Some wrote touching, deep letters about their lives that brought tears to my eyes, while others stayed light. One sweet Mexican American 6 year-old girl wrote that she thinks the president should give toys to all the poor people because then everyone would be happy.

As the day progressed, we danced, made jewelry and painted t-shirts to be brought to the kids in the Congo.

Next, the program will move to New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington, DC and finally to the Congo. I’m not sure I will travel and continue to participate, but I am so very glad I was able to be a part of the very first event here in LA. I was touched by the kid’s stories, their openness and love. Working with organizations such as this reminds me how fortunate I am and how extremely important it is to give back.

Children Mending Hearts is FABULOUS.

CATALINA

Guess what? I’ve met a guy… a sweet, funny and extremely handsome man who treats me like a princess. It’s still new, but this weekend we went to CATALINA. He whisked me off for a romantic weekend and the trip was FABULOUS!

CATALINA is just an hour and half from Marina Del Rey by ferry. Saturday morning, we took the 9:15am and arrived in the town of Avalon with a whole, fun filled day ahead of us. We couldn’t check into the hotel till 3:00pm, so we rented a golf cart and toured the island. We took a scenic drive through the mountains and snapped pictures at every turn. The view of the ocean was spectacular. Who knew this treasure was so close to LA? I instantly felt like I was on vacation.

We ate lunch over looking the harbor at a spot called Busy Bee (just like me), then checked into the Hotel Metropole. It’s still off-season, so we got a great deal on a garden view room with a fireplace. Once we were all settled, we made our way down to Descanso Beach where we sipped beers while laying in the sand. The weather was less then perfect, but we made the most of it. We finished the afternoon with a dip in the hotel’s rooftop Jacuzzi.

That evening, I got all dolled up and we hit the town. We ate the most delicious dinner at Steve’s Steak House (I ordered a juicy steak and he got fish), then we hit El Galleon bar for karaoke. I sang two songs (I Will Survive and Let’s Hear It For The Boy), while he cheered me on. We finished the fun filled night by getting our groove on at the very cheesy Chi Chi Club.

We were supposed to leave Sunday afternoon, but there was so much more we wanted to do. We made a deal that if we woke to clear blue skies, we would stay another day (and deal with the consequences at work). Sure enough, when we opened the shades, the sun was shining and the skies where clear! The hotel had to move us to a different room, which was even better with a Jacuzzi tub, fireplace and king size bed.

As soon as we were settle in our new room, we ate breakfast, then rented jet skis. Jet skis are SO FUN! We speed across the ocean, jumping wakes of boats and looking for dolphins. Sadly, we didn’t spot any, but we did see two seals (not Seal and Heidi Klum, but the cute aquatic mammals). We spent the afternoon basking in the sun at the beach in full relaxation mode.

That afternoon, I bought a new dress at a cute little surf shop (I had only packed for one night) and got dressed for another fun filled evening on the town. Sunday was mellower than our first night out. We ate a delicious Italian dinner at Villa Portafino (I had the yummy chicken piccatta and he had the halibut piccatta. DELICIOUS!) We watched the end of the Lakers game, played pool (which I won two out of three, but only by default because he scratched the 8 Ball), challenged each other to an air hockey tournament (which he won) then hit the hay at a decent hour.

Monday the weather was cloudy and cool again. We wanted to go paddle boarding, but the water was too cold. We opted instead for a relaxed day, cruising the shops, hot tubbing and golf carting.

We hopped the ferry home at 5:00pm with smiles on our faces. He was the perfect travel companion. We laughed till our stomachs ached and really enjoyed each other’s company while getting to know each other better. I couldn’t have asked for a better two-day mini-vacation. CATALINA was FABULOUS! Now, back to work!

BUSY BEE

I’m so sorry for the delay in blogs and late posts. I truly appreciate all of you that tune in each week to check out my adventures.

Recently, I have been a bit of a BUSY BEE and sadly this blog is the one thing that keeps getting neglected. I’m working on another re-write of my book (boy, is this publishing process WAY longer than I would’ve ever imagined)! I’m starting a business with a friend from college (more info coming soon). I’m working with an amazing charity called Children Mending Hearts on an awesome project happening June 20th (which I will write a blog about for sure) and I continue to do random odd jobs to pay the bills (I teach music to toddlers, write for an online magazine, host events and help with marketing for a beverage company). I’m a BUSY GIRL!!

Don’t worry! I will continue to post weekly, however I am giving myself a little leeway and making things a little easier on me by devoting one post a month to sharing something I love without commentary. I will share my favorite quotes, youtube video links, poems and more that I think you will enjoy. One post a month will still be a video blog showing a quick glimpse into my world, which leaves two posts to my writing.

I thank you for continuing to check me out each week. I think YOU are FABULOUS!

A quote for this month:
We ask ourselves who am I to be BRILLIANT, GORGEOUS, TALENTED and FABULOUS? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small DOESN’T serve the world. THERE IS NOTHING ENLIGHTENED ABOUT SHRINKING SO OTHER PEOPLE WONT FEEL INSECURE AROUND YOU.
- Nelson Madela ‘94

ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS

My friend Val was invited to a wedding in ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS and she asked if I wanted to tag along. I didn’t know the bride and groom, but who turns down a trip to the Caribbean. I mean, tickets are super cheap right now (mine was under $300 round trip) and the wedding rate at the hotel was beyond reasonable. I love the sun. I love the sand and I love to travel, so I booked my trip and I was off.

I’m usually opposed to red eye flights because you never get enough sleep to function like a normal human being the next day. Val, however, thought it was the best idea to make the most of the short trip, so off we flew from LA at 10:30pm on Spirit Airlines. We landed at the crack of dawn in Ft. Lauderdale for a hellish 5-hour layover (so much for making the most of the day). I had made a plan to take a cab to a nearby hotel pool and bask in the sun for a couple hours before my connecting flight. But, I only made it as far as the floor outside the gate we were going to depart out of (No shnazzy lounge when your traveling economy). I slept for a good couple hours on the nasty airport carpet till I was woken by a pigeon hopping by (No joke! There was a bird stuck in the terminal). I did some writing, ate some breakfast and read trashy magazines till it was time to board. OFF TO ST. THOMAS! YAY!

We arrived at the Wyndham Resort at Sugar Bay, checked in and immediately hit the pool. A dip in the cool water with clear blue skies overhead made the hellish journey worthwhile. We showered and had a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant then hit the hay to prep for the weekend ahead.

Friday morning, we spent the whole day on the beach. I worked on my bronzed tan between dips in the ocean and pool. Poor Val got a serious sunburn and had to spend the afternoon hiding from the sun. That evening, we met up with the wedding party. I was introduced to the bride and groom, Katie and Andy, who are super fun, extremely nice and very generous. I expressed profusely that I didn’t want to be a wedding crasher and that I was more than fine doing my own thing, but they insisted. So for the rest of the weekend I tagged along and made some amazing new friends.

Friday night, we headed into Red Hook to Duffy’s Love Shack for some dinner and cocktails. Duffy’s is a rockin, wild bar. We ate and sipped novelty cocktails from big fancy glasses (my glass had a bikini clad lady laying across it and Val’s was shaped like a skull). We danced until the wee hours of the morning.

The next day, we hopped on a ferry to St. John, a neighboring island just 20 minutes away. We took an open air taxi over to the beautiful Trunk Bay beach. The sun wasn’t really out, but we played in the sand and swam in the ocean (watching out for the big sting ray that was lingering by the shore line). After a couple hours of serious relaxing on the beach, we headed into downtown St. John to check out the shops and grab some food before it was time to catch the ferry back to ST. THOMAS.

That night was the rehearsal dinner (which no matter how bad I felt crashing, everyone insisted I join). We dined on yummy food as friends and family made speeches about the bride and groom. God, I love weddings! There was so much love and happiness in that room. After dinner, we had a couple of cocktails at the pool bar before it was time for bed.

Sunday was the wedding. We spent the morning basking in the sun, then hit the showers for the 5:30pm nuptials on the beach. The sky was a mix of blues and pinks as the sun set and Katie and Andy said their “I do’s” (which both of then actually responded with a, “hell’s yes!”) The reception was by the pool. We ate, drank and danced under the stars (The groom even busted out the worm)! As the beautiful evening came to a close someone got the bright idea to throw the groom in the pool. He laughed and chased his new bride till she took a flying leap into the pool herself. The rest of the party (minus me and a handful of other girls who hid on the hotel stairs) either jumped in themselves, were thrown in or eventually coerced. I don’t know the bride and groom very well, but this does seem like the perfect end to the evening for this fun loving couple.

Monday, we were worn out from all the festivities. We spent a mellow day on the beach, then checked out downtown Charlotte Amalie and the high end shopping area by the cruise docks and yachting bay. We grabbed some dinner at sunset over looking the ocean, then watched TV in the room until we drifted off to sleep.

Tuesday was departure day, but luckily we had a bit of time to soak up some last rays of sun before boarding our 4:30pm plane home. The flight was long and arduous (and full of screaming babies) and I was more than excited to make it back to LA.

I had an amazing couple of days in ST. THOMAS and I am so happy that I was able to be a part of the wedding festivities for Andy and Katie, who are the sweetest, most loving couple. My trip was FABULOUS!!

DRESSES, DRESSES, DRESSES

As we verge on the threshold of summer, it’s time to pack up your sweaters and parkas and prep your closet for warm weather. This season dresses are HOT! Slipping into a great dress will put you on the pulse of summer fashion trends as well as make you feel absolutely FABULOUS.

Check out this summer’s hottest dress trends:

THE MAXI DRESS
Long, flowing dresses are a must-have this summer. A floor-sweeping dress is not only a spotlight stealer, it’s comfortable, fun and flattering to any shape or figure.

BOLD FLOWER PRINTS
Embrace your softer side with an ultra-feminine floral prints dress. The new floral is strong and modern. Bold prints and eye-catching designs are FABULOUS.

RUFFLES
Ruffles are everywhere! They are fun and flirty and add shape and femininity to any summer dress.

THE GRECIAN SINGLE SHOULDERED DRESS
Asymmetric shoulder-lines are all the rage right now. Showing off one-shoulder in a dress can be subtly sexy. Wear your dress with a pair of Gladiator sandals and you'll channel a goddess from the era inspiring this season's fashions.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE SUMMER DRESSES:



I LOVE DRESSES!!

REVLON WALK / RUN FOR WOMEN

Last Saturday, I walk in the 16th annual Entertainment Industry Foundation REVLON Run/Walk For Women, which took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in downtown LA. I shot tons of fun footage of my friends and I doing the 5k, but alas my new camera seems to not be compatible with my computer, so I was unable to edit it. Instead of not posting a video blog at all... I decided to compile all my photos into a video. ENJOY!



PS... I am also extremely sadden by the fact that the majority of past comments have been deleted. I did NOT do this and am actually very concerned that someone may have hacked into my account. I am not sure why someone would do that. I have taken the necessary precautions to stop this from happening again. Again, sorry for all whose comments were deleted.

DANCING WITH THE STARS

I love watching TV. Sitcoms, games shows, reality shows… I love them all. Recently, I was invited to go to a taping of DANCING WITH THE STARS and guess what? Watching T.V. shows live is even more FABULOUS than watching them on your couch!

I don’t really follow DANCING WITH THE STARS religiously, but I was excited when my friend Zoe asked me to join her to the taping. She’s friend with David Allen Greer (known for In Living Color, DAG and most recently Chocolate News on Comedy Central), who was one of the competing celebrity dancers, so we got VIP tickets.

We arrived at CBS studios and were ushered into our seats, FRONT ROW! The show began with a group dance. My feet started tapping and soon I was bopping in my seat. It’s so different to watch live. I was completely drawn into each of the contestant’s anxiety before they danced, anger when they messed up or excitement when they got it right.

My heart melted as Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough (real life boyfriend and girlfriend) stared into each other’s eyes as they swept across the floor with the Viennese Waltz (like a real life Barbie and Ken). I screamed with delight as Gilles Marini performed a passionate and flawless Paso Doble with no shirt covering his hot body (They should just give Gilles the trophy now! He is so good!). I crossed my fingers and hoped David Allen Greer and Steve-O (the nights bottom two) would do well, but alas they only did ok. The last dancer, Lil Kim sashayed across the floor looking more Disney princess than a rap artist and the hosts bid the audience farewell.

DANCING WITH THE STARS is FABULOUS and watching it live was even more of a delight than I would have imagined. Now I have to figure out a way to become a big enough star to be a contestant (OOOooo… That would be so fun!!)

PS. Sorry for the delay in blog posts. I seemed to have gotten behind in my real work (and a girls gotta pay the bills). New video blog coming next week!!

FRUIT

Lately, I’ve been really loving FRUIT! It’s a bit strange because I’m not usually drawn to sweet stuff. I would prefer a bag of Doritos to a cookie any day and for sure I would choose veggies over FRUIT, but that’s all changed recently!

I was shopping on Melrose with my friend Jill and we came upon a Mexican-fruit stand. Though I’ve seen them everywhere, I’ve never tried it. I was starving, so I thought I would give it a go! The nice lady chopped up mangos, oranges, pineapples, watermelon and cucumber and slid it into a bag. Then, she squeezed fresh lime over it, added a dab of salt and a sprinkle of chile pepper. I gave her $5 (a bargain for a huge bag of fresh fruit) and she handed me a fork and a napkin. I dove right in and my taste buds were tickled by the mix of sweet fruit with salty and spicy flavors. I was hooked! (A bit of advice: Don’t eat the whole bag at once… like I did! I had the worst stomachache that night). Those stands are all over LA and now whenever I need a snack I know where to stop (I only eat half now and save the rest in Tupper-ware for a healthy snack later). Mexican-fruit stands are FABULOUS!

FRUIT is great for you and recently I decided to do a 3-day FRUIT fast. A FRUIT fast is a great way to cleanse and detoxify the body. A while back I tried the Master Cleanse (see June 25th, 2008 blog). It was traumatic and I didn’t last long enough to get the full effects. A FRUIT fast is much gentler and so I thought I’d give it a shot.

Sunday, I went to the Farmer’s Market to stock up on all sorts of fruits. I bought oranges, apples, nectarines, pineapples, watermelon and berries. Fruits are filled with enzymes that do almost all the work of digestion, allowing the pancreas a much-needed rest. Fruit sugars as well as the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, are carried by the bloodstream and delivered to the cells in the body. The fibers that are left behind in the colon are moist and cleansing, softening and removing years of impacted bad stuff (which I have a lot of with all the Big Macs and Cheesy Gordita Crunches I consume).

Monday morning, I started my fast. I ate throughout the day a variety of the FRUIT. I ate 2 apples, 1 orange, 2 nectarines and a whole bunch of berries, pineapple and watermelon. I also drank herbal tea in the morning and Senna Leaf laxative tea at night.

A FRUIT fast is easier than other fasts because you are constantly chewing. I never felt hungry because I was fooling my body into thinking I was eating, plus the Fruit tastes great (at first). At the end of day one, I felt good and not hungry at all and I slept well, though I had to get up a couple times to pee (FRUIT has a lot of water in it).

Day two, I woke with a grumbling in my belly, but I was still energetic and vibrant (On the master cleanse I was tired and totally out of it). I ate again an apple, oranges, a nectarine, pineapple and tons of berries. In the late afternoon is when my head and emotions started to kick in. It wasn’t that I was hungry, but I couldn’t stop thinking about bagels, bacon, coffee and wine and cheese. My body has become accustomed to diet of shitty foods, so the FRUIT was way less satisfying.

I realized that I was definitely cravings cheese far more from emotional attachments than hunger, but this is were it started to get hard. Supposedly fat, sugar and salt cravings will subside in a few days, but by late morning of day 3, my emotional cravings got the best of me and I chowed down on a salad.

The next morning, I brought coffee, regular food and wine back into my diet. I did leave out cheese and red meat (which I miss drastically) … at least for now.

I think I did ok on the FRUIT Fast and my body definitely ended in a healthy state. Even though I ended my FRUIT fast cursing all FRUIT… I remember that Mexican-fruit stand and I am reminded that FRUIT is FABULOUS!

TV SHOW SERIES

I love to watch TV! I could spend hours and hours sitting mesmerized by sitcoms, reality shows and dramas, but lately I have been feeling like there’s more important things I should be doing with my time. So instead of tuning in every evening, I have found other ways to keep up with my favorite shows.

Instead of locking myself on the couch every night at primetime, I watch full seasons at a time on DIRECT TV, HULU.COM and on occasion ITUNES. Watching full seasons at a time with no commercial interruptions is FABULOUS!

DIRECT TV is the easiest option to catch up on shows. I just plug in 001 on my cable box and I’m taken directly to some of the best shows on TV (HBO and Showtime are FABULOUS)! One of my favorites is Showtime’s CALIFORNICATION. Not only is this dark comedy set right in my neighborhood, it is witty and smart. The cast is excellent, especially David Duchovny as Hank Moody, a writer in the midst of a mid-life crisis.

I’ve also gotten hooked on HBO’s BIG LOVE, a drama about a family in Utah who practice polygamy under a fictional fundamentalist Mormon sect. BIG LOVE stars Bill Paxton, Chloë Sevigny (who is awesome), Jeanne Tripplehorn (who’s such a great actress that she makes polygamy some how seem relatable), Ginnifer Goodwin (who is my favorite) and many more extremely talented actors. BIG LOVE is an edge of the seat drama that leaves you unsettled and uncomfortable at every turn, yet it is still totally addictive.

New to HBO and also on my list of shows is UNITED STATES OF TARA, created by Diablo Cody (writer of the movie JUNO). Starring Toni Collette as Tara, a wife and mother with dissociative identity disorder (DID) who decides to take a break from her medication to discover the cause of her disorder. Her alternate personalities (wild and flirty 16-year-old T, fifties housewife Alice, male, loud, beer-drinking Vietnam vet Buck) emerge through out the show creating an entertaining and touching, dark comedy.

Another FABULOUS way to catch up on shows is HULU.COM. HULU.COM is a website where you have access to clips and full-length episodes from more than 1,000 current primetime TV shows as well as movies. Watching is totally free and you don’t have to download any new software (and it’s legal)! With limited commercial interruptions, you can catch up on your computer (or if you have a lap top… on the go).

I watched the whole first season of THE STARTER WIFE on the plane to New York (you can NOW get the internet on some flights)! THE STARTER WIFE is a comedy about life after divorce. Debra Messing plays Molly Kagan, the ex-wife of a Hollywood entertainment mogul who finds a fabulous independent life after divorce. The mini-series was laugh out loud funny and though I didn’t love season 2 as much, it is still worth tuning in.

I also always catch up on HEROES (one of my favorite shows ever)! I am not usually a fan of science fiction, but HEROES hooked me in from the first season. HEROES intertwines stories of ordinary people who inexplicably develop superhuman abilities and then try to save the world. It reminds me somewhat of a comic book come to life.

Sometimes if I miss an episode of a show that I love and I can’t find it on DIRECT TV or HULU, I download it on ITUNES. I try not to do it too often because it can get expensive (each episode is between $1.99 and $2.99).

Recently, I was looking for SAMANTHA WHO? but I couldn’t find it anywhere so I downloaded the whole first season on ITUNES. I had heard good things about the show, which won an Emmy Award. The show centers around Samantha Newly (Christina Applegate), a vice president of a real estate firm who develops retrograde amnesia after a hit and run accident. When she wakes from her coma, she realizes that she had been selfish and unlikable before her accident, and then she sets out to become a better person. It’s a light and funny show and I have a huge crush on the actor Barry Watson!

Catching up on TV shows by the full season without commercial interruptions is FABULOUS! Which show should I watch next?

SKIING IN ASPEN

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

TWILIGHT

I admit it! I’m hooked! TWILIGHT is FABULOUS!

I was initially hesitant to read TWILIGHT. Though I do love a good book, I’m not really a huge fan of vampire stories. Recently though, I was seeking a nice long book on tape for my drive to Aspen (I road trip with the dogs in tow). A book on tape can really make the time fly by and with 13 hours (each way) ahead of me, I needed something light, entertaining and loooooooooong.

After much contemplation, I decided on TWILIGHT. I downloaded it from itunes (Book two as well called New Moon) and burned the 20 some odd CDs (Boy, is that book long). I stuck them in the CD changer to check that they worked and I was instantly swept up into this dark romance.

The series is about a teenage girl, Bella Swan who falls in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen, when she moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father. TWILIGHT puts a twist on standard vampire stories by focusing on love (and who doesn’t love a good love story).

Aimed at young adults (who are most likely female), the writing is light and bit cheesy but definitely captivating and a fun read. I was drawn in and instantly a fan. I have already started book two and I watched the movie the minute I got home.

I was excited to see the movie adaptation. I knew what the actors that played Bella and Edward looked like, but it’s always cool to see how the other characters are represented in film and how they differ from the picture you created in your head while reading. I thought the movie remained very true to the novel, even though it seemed a bit squished and rushed at times and a little bit campy. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and look forward to the next installment.

I think it is best to read TWILIGHT before watching the film though because so much more goes on in the book and watching the story unfold in your head is much more thrilling.

I realize that I am a bit late to jump on the band wagon, but boy am I glad I decided to take the leap because TWILIGHT is FABULOUS!

WINE AND CHEESE

Thank heavens I’m not lactose intolerant because I love cheese! Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyere and even a stinky cheese paired with a great wine is FABULOUS!

Often, my friends and I will get together for a WINE AND CHEESE night. It’s easy to make a FABULOUS WINE AND CHEESE platter at home! Get a variety of cheese from your local grocery store or cheese shop and pick up a sampling of wines. I like to go to Trader Joes and get a couple inexpensive bottles of both white (my favorite is Pinot Grigio) and red (my favorite is Pinot Noir). I like to get my cheeses from Whole Foods because they are fresh and the nice man behind the cheese counter can help you choose a good variety.

Here is some cheese choosing advice from my brother Evan (who loves cheese just as much as I do): Get at least one hard cheese, one mild soft cheese and one stinky cheese. Some of my favorites: Gruyere (a hard cheese from Switzerland), Gorgonzola (a stinky blue), aged Gouda (tastes like cheddar kinda but fancier) and cracked pepper Boursin (a box soft cheese that is always a good addition to a cheese plate). Don’t forget a baguette and some light, thin crackers. I have also recently been making bacon wrapped dates with pecans inside (bake at 350* till browned).

WINE AND CHEESE is fun at home, but it’s also fun to get a group of friends together and make a night of it. Here are some of my favorite places for WINE AND CHEESE in LA:

BOTTLE ROCK in Culver City
BOTTLE ROCK was voted “Best Wine Bar” in Los Angeles by Cityguide AOL and I understand why! BOTTLE ROCK is FABULOUS! Part wine bar / part retail shop, they have over 800 wine labels from around the world ranging from $5-$600. There is a great cheese and meat selection to pair with your wines as well. There are 14 cheeses to choose from (Choose any 3 for $12, 5 for $15, 7 for $20 or 10 for $25). Don’t miss the Epoisses, a cows milk cheese from Burgundy!
Check it out at: www.bottlerock.net

AOC in Los Angeles
One of the schnazziest WINE AND CHEESE bars in the world is AOC on 3rd street in Los Angeles. A sleek and sexy spot with a list of 50 wines by the glass or carafe and many more by the bottle. The wine list is complimented by a delicious cheese menu, meats by a special French charcuterie chef and many other small dishes and salads. I have only been here a couple times and each time was more FABULOUS than the last. Be warned though… this place ain’t cheap.
Check it out at: www.aocwinebar.com

BLD in Los Angeles
BLD (which stands for breakfast, lunch and dinner) is one of my favorite and most frequented spots for WINE AND CHEESE. It may be best known for it’s breakfast specialties like the blueberry ricotta pancakes and French toast, but the cheese plate is not to be missed! The epoisses, manchego, truffled goat, chorizo and salami served with toasted raisin walnut bread, baguette, quince paste, fresh fruit and spicy almonds, paired with a delicious white wine is my idea of a perfect evening!
Check it out at: www.bldrestaurant.com

I would like to give an honorable mention to one of my other FAVORITE alcohol and cheese combos! Queso, chips and a margarita are FABULOUS! Just the thought of it makes me want to run to the border (or maybe just Cabo Cantina)!

OOoooooooo…. I love Wine and Cheese!!