hollywood housewife

garlic green beans and roasted broccoli (for people who hate to eat green)

I'm a picky eater and I'm a meat-and-potatoes eater. I live for pot roast and steak and pulled pork and my momma's prime rib. But I can't eat like that all the time, for every dinner for the rest of my life. Ask me how I know.

So a few years ago I decided to learn to cook. I was in my late twenties. I have a particular palate and an intimidating example to follow. I mastered some of my favorite comfort foods, but I really needed some weekday staples. I waded into fish (I have a killer salmon recipe for people who don't usually like it), I experimented with a few foreign foods.

But vegetables are my nemesis. And since I don't really like to eat them, I'm not gung ho to cook them. But one must eat vegetables, sayeth the world!

So, grudgingly, I've found a few that I not only like, I crave. They're simple.

super sliders

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I've been going through a heavy hamburger phase. I have no idea why. I like hamburgers, but for the last several months I just keep making them on the griddle over and over and over.

americana at brand santa & me

(Jess from I Rock So What, Heather from The Spohrs are Multiplying, Maggie from Gussy Sews, and Morgan from the818)

Last week I threw a Santa & Me party at Americana at Brand for moms and their little ones.  Despite the pouring rain and a brief power outage, we had a great morning.  Barnes & Noble graciously offered up a space for us to stay dry.

We had snacks provided by Deluca's and mingled and lamented LA traffic when it rains.

santa & me at americana at brand - YOU'RE invited!

I'm so excited to be hosting a little Santa & Me party for moms and their little ones at Americana at Brand. 

Please join me on Thursday, November 29 at 10am with your little one for a private Santa party.  Snacks and goodies will be in abundance.  I hope to see you there!

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If you're interested in attending my events, please fill out my Hollywood Housewife party form.  Not a mom?  Doesn't matter! Not a blogger?  Doesn't matter!  Not in LA?  Doesn't matter!

I throw fashion & beauty parties, brand events, and just plain meet ups.  In 2013, I'm hoping to host a few things in Oklahoma, Texas, and who knows where else!  I'd love to have you on my party list.  Spread the word!

 

 

red party

Last night I threw a little red party for a few friends to watch the election results.  I served my enchiladas with extra red sauce, Spanish red rice, and, for dessert, these red velvet sandwich cookies. 

We had chips and salsa as a starter and red wine and red candies throughout the evening.

The dinner, dessert, and company were wonderful.  For us, the same cannot be said for the election results.  

I went to bed deeply disappointed.  I hope to wake up with a new resolve.  

There's so much that needs to change in our country, on all sides of the aisle. 

Now to see if that's possible.

friday links - indoor s'mores edition

I hosted book club on Tuesday evening.  Normally we're a Saturday morning type of group, but one of our founding members Nora (remember when I threw her a book release party?) was in town visiting from New York, so we made an evening exception. 

I served spicy shrimp pasta that wasn't quite spicy enough, and I butchered The Pioneer Woman's rosemary rolls.  But then we made s'mores in the fireplace, so all was well.

easy sour cream and chicken enchiladas, modified from the pioneer woman

Imagine my surprise when I moved to LA and went to Mexican restaurant and it was authentic.  In Oklahoma, a primary food group is Tex Mex.  Texas Mexican.  Full of queso and chili sauces.  It is not, as I understand it, what they actually eat in Mexico. 

For a couple of years now, I’ve fed my homesick heart with The Pioneer Woman’s Sour Cream Enchiladas, usually adding chicken.  They are delicious!  But I am lazy in the kitchen, and all that frying made a huge mess.  My mom and I figured out a modified version that is easy enough for any weeknight:

semi-charmed life book release party

All pictures taken by the beautiful and talented JJ from The Blah Blah Blahger. Her specialty is boudoir photography (ooh la la).

Last week I threw a little soiree for my dear friend Nora Zelevansky, whose debut novel Semi-Charmed Life hit bookstores this month.

spirit-led parenting book release party

A few weeks ago I flew back to Oklahoma to help hostess a book release for my wonderful friend Megan Tietz, author of Spirit-Led Parenting. 

spirit-led parenting book release party

One of my very best friends Megan from SortaCrunchy co-wrote a book!  And it's a very important book.  It's a book aimed at Christian mommas who are uncomfortable with some of the pressures put upon them by certain faith-based literature that claim to know the right way to raise up a child. 

It's a book that, if you've ever squirmed when someone talked about "God's way" to parent, you probably want to read Spirit-Led Parenting: From Fear to Freedom in Baby's First Year.

In honor of this exciting release, I'm throwing her a little party in Oklahoma City in just a few weeks and I want YOU to come! 

Even if you're not a parent, or this isn't your particular style of parenting, come out to meet Megan and support an Oklahoma blogger and author.  We want this to be a celebration of the Oklahoma creative community. 

My fellow hostesses Emily Harris, Jaime Hammer, and Greer Inez Photography cordially invite you to Studio Midtown on April 21st from 5-7pm. 

You can buy Spirit-Led Parenting here, like them on facebook here, and RSVP to the party by emailing SLPbookparty@gmail.com.  Of course, no purchase is necessary to come to the party.  On the other hand, there will be signed books there if you're the last-minute type. 

I hope to see you in Oklahoma in April!

(If you're the sharing type, please feel free to share the invitation above.  We want the info to spread far and wide.)