TOTES ORGANIC JUICES

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Here's a little ode to my favorite neighborhood haunt, Totes Juices. Totes is not only the best juice place in my Sherman Oaks neighborhood, but it's one of the best in LA altogether. Chelsea, the owner, knows what's up and she uses only 100% organic ingredients in her juices -- which some places do not! In addition to fresh pressed and seasonal juices, they offer smoothies, bowls and "Totessicles" - popsicles made of just fruit. 

Their cute exterior on Ventura Blvd. -- one block east of Woodman Ave.

Brixton patiently waiting for his daily fix.

My favorite juice is "Friends with Benefits" -- a seasonal cocktail with pineapple, greens, citrus, turmeric and jalepeño. I have to have it every day.

Customize your drink but adding fresh pressed ginger and lemon juice, olive oil or cayenne.

Blueberry "Totesicle" -- super fresh with no "junk."

Another treat we can't live without is the Almond Date Shake with Chai Protein. It is like the best ice cream you've ever had. 

De-lish!!! xx

TOTES JUICES is located at: 13569 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

IT'S ICE CREAM SEASON: THE EASIEST RAW VEGAN ICE CREAM

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National Ice Cream Day is this Sunday and if you want to celebrate the greatest holiday ever, without a sugar hangover, we've got the perfect (and simplest) recipe for you! I make this healthy dessert for my family a lot and it's always a surefire hit. 

Ingredients (per serving):

1 Large FROZEN Banana (I freeze several ripe bananas ahead of time so I have them ready. They must be frozen, minimally, overnight to work)

8-10 Frozen Strawberries 

2 Soft Dates

Approx. 1/8 Cup of Water

You will need either a VitaMix or blender. 

Put all of the fruit and 1/2 of the water in a VitaMix. Turn on low and use the tamper to push the ingredients down and blend. If it is very dry, slowly add more water. Be careful not to add too much water, or your ice cream will become a smoothie. A blender will work too but will take more effort. The tamper in the VitaMix makes this extremely easy. If you use a regular blender, you will have to start and stop and use a rubber spatula with the blender turned off to mix it. I have done it, but it takes more time!

Scoop out and serve immediately. You can top with fresh fruit, nuts or coconut shreds if you like a little added texture! Happy (and Healthy) National Ice Cream Day! xx

 

BRIXTON'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

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I can't believe it, but my baby boy just turned 2! And as Sis and I are gearing up for Brixie and Mila's rager this weekend, I'm reminiscing on his 1st birthday last year. It was one of the most fun and special days ever! 

All photos by One Eleven Photography.

I wanted to create an animal-themed party with whites, light blues, mint green and silver. I took inspiration from OH HAPPY DAY and created "party animals" by making fringed party hats for each of them. They were my favorite element of the party.

I purchased plastic animal figurines from Amazon and made mini party hats from card stock and tissue paper from Paper Source, and attached them with a glue gun. I love the way they turned out! To create some height, I placed the animals on kraft paper boxes of varying sizes, that I purchased from Etsy. I also purchased the fringe banners on the main table from Etsy. The blue striped cups, napkins and plates are from Shop Sweet Lulu. The extra large white balloons are also from Shop Sweet Lulu. I used twine as balloon string and cut my own tissue fringe in sea blue and green, white and silver.

I wanted to make B's first birthday a celebration for all of our friends and family. I had to think of a location that would comfortably hold over 100 friends and their kids. The Franklin Gardens of The Manor Hotel in Hollywood, was a perfect hidden gem, with expansive grass and waterfalls.

I purchased extra large white balloons and made my own fringe by cutting tissue paper from Paper Source. I had my local balloon shop blow up all of the balloons and brought in my own twine for them to tie the balloons to. 

I made my own organic, low-sugar lemonade and hibiscus iced tea and used my Pottery Barn drink dispensers for easy group serving.

I filled silver buckets from Pottery Barn with sparkling water and flat water.

It was important to me to have great food that both adults and kids would enjoy. We had ComidaLA there making their delicious South American food - arepas filled with organic meats and slaw, as well as rice, beans and quesadillas.

I like to have a lot of food and snack options! Especially with the large age range of the party. I made a huge fruit salad.

I filled treat bags from Paper Source with organic popcorn and chips and I put a variety of organic yogurts on ice for the little guys.

The birthday boy and Grampie.

Mila partying it up.

Not the prettiest ball pit ever, but I made a last minute purchase from Amazon and filled a blow-up kiddie pool with balls. I also purchased animal beach balls, from Oriental Trading Company, for the kids to throw around the large grassy area. It was a all a big hit.

The Giraffe Bouncy house, from Magic Jump, was also a hit.

The main attraction at the party was the awesome children’s music duo, The Beat Buds, who perform and engage the kids with songs and instruments that they can participate in. And their songs are really good!! Even the adults enjoyed them.

Gluten-free cupcakes and donuts were from Erin McKenna's Bakery (formerly Babycakes).

Small kraft bags, purchased from Etsy, were filled with animal sunglasses, stickers, bubbles and mini animal figurines. The sunglasses were a big hit.

Happy Birthday, Brixton!

Event Design: Twink + Sis
Photography: Jenna Elliott, One Eleven Photography
Venue: Manor Hotel, Franklin Gardens
Catering: ComidaLA
Cupcakes & Donuts: Erin McKenna's Bakery
Fruit & Yogurt: Whole Foods
Chips & Popcorn: Gelson’s
Balloons, Baker’s Twine, Cups, Plates & Napkins: Shop Sweet Lulu
Wooden Forks, Plastic Animals, Glue Gun: Amazon
DIY Tissue Fringe, Animal Hat Paper, Paper For Signs, Stencils for Sign: Paper Source
Favor Bags, Brown Twine, Fringe Banners, Kraft boxes: Etsy
Favor Bag Contents: Oriental Trading Company
Drink Bins & Dispensers: Pottery Barn
Vintage Glass Water Bottles: Sur La Table
Cupcake Stands,Large Silver Platters & Bowls: Town & Country Event Rentals
Pop-up tent rentals: AAA Rents & Events
Entertainment: The Beat Buds
Brixton’s Outfit: Muscle Tee - Nununu, Pants - Shampoodle Sweden, Moccs - Freshly Picked
Bouncy House: Magic Jump

WATERMELON BUNNIES

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Here's a super cute and easy idea for your Easter festivities. Turn watermelon into cute little bunny skewers that kids (and adults!) will love.

What you'll need:

Whole Seedless Watermelon

Bunny Cookie Cutter 

Sharp Serrated Knife

Skewers

Slice the end off of one side of the watermelon and discard. Slice watermelon in approximately 1/2 inch slices. This will vary depending on the depth of your cookie cutter, as you'll want the slice to be the same thickness as the cutter.

Press the cookie cutter firmly down the middle of the watermelon slice. Then pop out your bunny-shaped piece. Save remaining watermelon for snacking!

Place your bunnies on their skewers.

These bunnies are hopping on the table and ready to party!