CdMRestaurant Review: The Capital Grille

My favorite place to go in Washington D.C. is the Capital Grille. On my first trip to Washington D.C. trying to find a restaurant was a disaster. I made every mistake imaginable from eating in the hotel restaurant late at night to taking a never ending midday bus ride to the edge of town for a restaurant that didn't open until 5! The next time I visited Washington D.C. I decided to plan ahead. That's when I came across the Capital Grille. Appropriately named this restaurant makes you feel like you're on Capital hill. The dark wood and old fashioned paintings give a great ambiance. I'm pretty sure there was a post Congress session dinner going on in the private room the night I was there! I ordered the lobster and potatoes au gratin for a delicious meal. That is probably one of the bet Lobsters I have ever tasted. the friendly wait staff kept my obligatory Shirley temples filled all night. But that's not the end of my time at the Capital grille.

Next I visited the Capital Grille in Las Vegas, Nevada in the Fashion Show Mall. Where I was surprised to see another one of these delicious restaurants I thought were exclusive to Washington D.C., given the name and all. As I sat overlooking the great view from the 2nd story restaurant I enjoyed the delicious signature Capital Grille burger with ground Sirloin. This delicious gourmet burger is now my favorite thing to get from the lunch menu. I also decided to taste their dessert and ordered an impeccable Creme Brulee.

Imagine my surprise when, on my way out of town in Fort Lauderdale, Florida I came across yet another Capital Grille. This time I swore I would look up all the locations when I got home. I ordered my new lunch favorite and tried the calamari appetizer which turned out to be delicious. The waitress noticed that it was our last day in town and gave us each roses when we headed out. The Capital Grille certainly has customer service perfected.

When I got home and looked up the Capital Grille locations I realized there was one right here in California at the South coast Plaza. I couldn't believe it. After all that I thought. I was excited to learn I wouldn't have to travel far next time I wanted that burger though. I have eaten at the South Coast Plaza location several times and tried many delicious menu items. I even celebrated a birthday dinner there where in true Capital Grille style I was served a divine chocolate and cheesecake dessert with Happy Birthday written in chocolate across the plate. So that is the story of how I discovered the Capital Grille. I guess you never know what could be right around he corner. I continue to try and visit Capital Grille locations whenever I find a new one. Have you ever been to the Capital Grille? Or discovered something in your area you never knew was there before? let me know in the comments below! And don't forget to try the candies by the door on the way out next time you visit one, they are very yummy too!

Restaurant Review: Bice New York

If you read the Travel tip Tuesday article on visiting the theatre (if not catch up now and read it here!) you will definitely like this post. If you are planning a night at the theatre for your next outing in New York I have the perfect restaurant for you! Bice a chic Italian restaurant located in the theatre district of NYC is the perfect way to start your night.

Founded in 1926, this happening Zagat rated restaurant is a quintessential New York City experience.

 I headed over before seeing the Broadway production Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. The play was wonderful and I recommend it to anyone who loves Cinderella. You can get tickets through January 3 here. But back to the restaurant, Bice has delicious Italian food for all tastes. I recommend the Frutti de Mer if you're looking for Haute Cuisine and delicious seafood and Pasta. The perfect combination of shrimp, squid, and scallops completes this delicious risotto. But they also have amazing Italian classics that will make you feel right at home including spaghetti and meatballs and spinach ravioli.

 Designed by world renowned Adam Tihany and styled by Italian designer Frederico Delrosso, the quiet jazz music playing in the background and the crisp white tablecloths give this place an elegant urban vibe reminiscent of 1940's Milan. 

Of course I saved the best for last Dessert! I ordered Baked Alaska for the first time here and it was delicious! I couldn't stop thinking about after I ordered it. A great first introduction to Baked Alaska in my opinion. The best part about the whole experience is that along with great food and theatre district ambiance Bice offers a free bottle of wine when you purchase a Broadway ticket for the night of your reservation. So, if you are looking for a great pre-show dining experience I definitely recommend Bice. Find out more info and plan your visit here!

Photos courtesy of www.bicenewyork.com.

In case you were wondering about the blog title...

Let's start from the beginning, I have always loved cherries. Cherry pie, cherry cheesecake, cherry lipstick, you name it I have it with cherries on it. My favorite drink is a Shirley Temple. I even won an award at the county fair for entering my cherry collection when I was younger. I was an avid collector as a child. Anyways when I decided to make blog I wanted something original that sounded fun and juicy. Of course I immediately thought of cherries.But I couldn't come up with an original title that still sounded chic. Which brings me to my next point. I have also been studying French for the past four years and I hope to become fluent. After all isn't French the language of Fashion? So what does one do when they can't find a chic saying in English? Well she translates it into French of course! And that's how I came up with CerisesduMatin, which means cherries in the morning. Sort of a spin off on the daily dose or something like that. To me cherries make everything more fun so, I hope you enjoy reading your cherries in the morning and that it brightens up your day!

A cherry quilt I sewed.                                                         My acrylic painting of cherries.

Fashionable Friday: Paris Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Week is in full swing this fall. The major trends on the runways in the city of lights this fashion season include: 60s silhouettes and details, bright colors, flowing gowns, and sparkly details.

60s style took many different forms showing up in all the major collections. From the plunging v-necks and flowing dresses in Elie Saab to the Mod metallic party dresses in Saint Laurent, 60s is definitely the next big trend for SS15. 

Another exciting development that came out of Paris Fashion week was the launch of Karl Lagerfeld x BarbieStyle that came out on net a porter.com this week. Apparently, Barbie Style is on the rise. According to @Barbiestyle (Barbie's personal Insta account) the new collection includes black and white separates as well as fashionable shades. 

Another surprise from Paris Fashion week came from French bad boy Jean Paul Gaultier who announced that this would be his last RTW show. He is going to be focusing more on his Haute Courure line. I can't wait to see what Gaultier will bring us next! However his last show was certainly unforgettable. The finale included elaborate backdrops and a choreographed dance routine! There is always something exciting to see at PFW! 

The city of Paris offers endless venues for Fashion shows for designers to choose from, but I think these designers chose some of the best ones. Here are two of my favorite creative takes on Parisian classics from this seasons designers.
Stella McCartney at Palais Garnier

The perfect backdrop for the Stella McCartney show the Kings hall at the Palais Garnier offers beautiful baroque architecture and decadent finishings including crystal chandeliers, gold details, and beautiful cieling paintings. You can't go wrong with this historic Parisian monument (also the inspiration for The Phantom of the Opera and Degas the Star Dancer) it has always been a home to Parisian artists. For more info on visiting the Palais Garnier see my post Spotlight: Palais Garnier.
Dior at The Louvre

This modern take on the beautiful classic style of the Louvre made the Dior show even better. Mirrored cubes surrounded the runway in the courtyard of the museum reflecting the Louvre palace created a surreal experience.
Photos courtesy of @nytimesfashion instagram account, @womensweardaily instagram account, @barbiestyle instagram account, and @dior instagram account. 

Camping in Malibu

Camping in Malibu is one of my favorite fall activities. Fall is the best time to enjoy a quiet campground and warm weather.  In summer it is too hot and in winter it is cold and foggy. My favorite beach camping spot is Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu. You can reserve a spot at www.reserveamerica.com. I love this spot situated among the canyons of Malibu and right next to the water. The campground beach is a beautiful cove with sand caves and sparkling blue waters. The tide pools are fun to explore as well. Sometimes you might see a colorful starfish or exotic sea anemone. Watch out for the little crabs though! The water is beautiful, if a little chilly, but it is worth a swim!
Swimming makes you hungry, so after a few hours playing in the waves, its time to head back to the campground for hot dogs roasted over the campfire and of course the obligatory smores.

The last night before I have to leave, I enjoy eating at nearby Neptune's Net, a short drive up the coast on PCH.  It looks a little like a beach shack, but don't let the appearance deceive you.  They serve delicious seafood and it is a favorite of many Hollywood stars.  I love sitting on the patio overlooking the Malibu sunset and surfers.  I recommend the fried scallops.

This camping spot is also conveniently located near one of the best premium outlets in Southern California (did you really think I could stay away from shopping for a whole week?). Just thirty minutes north in Camarillo, the outlets have all the best stores including DKNY, Off Fifth, Tory Birch, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and many more. Don't forget to stop at Aroyo Mexican Restaurant for a delicious lunch. I order fresh taquitos and chips and salsa.

If its too cold to go to the  beach, there are hiking trails throughout the area where you can learn about the indigenous plants of the Santa Monica mountains and enjoy great hilltop views of the ocean.

If you are looking to escape constant emails and texts, Leo Carrillo is a great place to relax and unwind; there is no cell service in the canyon.
Next time you are looking for relaxing fall getaway, try a camping trip to the beach.  You won't regret it!

Have you ever camped at the beach?  What was your experience?  Let me know in the comments below.

Fashionable Friday: Factory Tour JS apparel

Ever wanted to know how your clothes are made? Well, I had the opportunity to find out when I went on a factory tour of JS Apparel in LA. Turns out it's actually a very intricate process. JS Apparel works with exclusive clients such as American Eagle and Hurley.  Here is the typical life of a garment starting from incubation and ending up with the finished product you see in the stores.

                                                            image curtsey of www.jsapparel.net

The process starts out with a concept. A client comes in and meets with someone at the factory to discuss their idea. In the showroom we saw a new idea for a leather T-shirt still in the sample stage.
They also take measurements for a fit model in this room using a 3D scanner, the latest technology in manufacturing. The 3D scanner takes all body measurements from head to toe, streamlining the pattern making process.  Next we headed over to the pattern maker's office.

The pattern maker works with the clients to create a pattern for the design. The patterns are created using the measurements from the 3D scanner in a digital program and sent to the initial sewing team.
The first sewing team uses the pattern to create the initial sample made for the fit model using exact measurements obtained from the scanner. The garment is tried on the fit model in the next meeting with the client. A few tweaks are made and sent to the pattern maker and the garment is on its way to production.

First all the fabrics for the garment are selected from the giant fabric storage room in the factory. The client is responsible for sourcing the fabric themselves, a whole other process in itself (if you liked this article keep an eye out for my next one: Adventures in fabric sourcing in downtown LA).  Many clients find it is easier and faster to manufacture in the U.S. and they can be more involved in the process. The chosen fabrics are then sent to the cutting table where expert cutters use extremely sharp knives held in machines above the fabric table. Sometimes cutting four or five layers of fabric at a time. Watch your fingers!


Next the pieces are headed to the sewing floor where skilled seamstresses sew the pieces into an item of clothing in record time. Finally the clothes are sent to the quality control table where they are carefully checked over for irregularities. After passing the inspection the clothes are loaded up and shipped off to a store where we are impatiently waiting for the next order of our favorite graphic tee. So now you know what a journey your clothes take before they arrive in your closet. I know I certainly appreciate my clothes more now that I know how much work it takes to make a garment. Interested in learning more about the apparel manufacturing process? Visit www.fashionbizinc.org and www.jsapparel.net for more info!

Spotlight: A weekend at the Broadmoor Colorado Springs

                   If you are looking to get into the holiday mood with a weekend escape I've got the perfect place. The historic Broadmoor hotel provides a serene escape set against a naturally beautiful backdrop and it is kid friendly. Located in the beautiful town of Colorado Springs, the Broadmoor hotel is a great place to relax and recharge. I was so excited to spend a weekend enjoying all the wonderful amenities the hotel had to offer. After a long drive through the snow I arrived to find hot apple cider waiting for me. The welcoming hotel staff also informed me that they would be happy to open the gift shop at any time of the day or night (can you really tell I'm a shopaholic that quickly?). The hotel was elegantly decorated for the holiday season and a giant Christmas tree stood in the lobby.  For anyone who likes gingerbread houses, there is a whole gingerbread village on display upstairs.

I enjoyed exploring the grounds and seeing all the Christmas decorations.

The next morning I found delicious chocolates under my pillow, my favorite thing about the hotel so far. I ordered a delicious breakfast from Lake Terrace dining room including fresh fruit and Belgian waffles with fresh orange juice. Next I headed downstairs to the indoor heated pool, another reason why this hotel is perfect in the winter and the summer.

After a nice swim I went upstairs to freshen up and enjoyed a cup of the Broadmoor's signature hot chocolate. Nearby there is a cute Christmas town called Santa's Village with rides, churros, and of course Santa Claus. If you are looking for a place to take the kids while you have a relaxing spa day in the hotel's 5-star spa, this is the place.

 For dinner there are several delicious options including La Taverne, the hotel's steakhouse, Del Lago, featuring Italian Cuisine, and the Natural Epicurean that uses local ingredients from the surrounding Colorado wilderness.

 If you are looking for drinks after dinner the Golden Bee offers a quintessential mountain tavern experience and fine ales. I enjoyed picking out Christmas gifts in the hotel gift shop and found embroidered towels and beautiful ornaments. The next day I got ready to leave early because I was heading to the garden of the gods on my way out of town. The Garden of the Gods is a National landmark in Colorado Springs full of the ancient and gigantic red rock formations. I definitely recommend stopping by because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the beautiful rock formations.

Visit www.broadmoor.com for more information on planning a visit. Has anyone been to the broadmoor? Did you enjoy your visit? Let me kn ow in the comments below!

Fashionable Friday: LA Fashion Week

L.A. Fashion Week kicked off with a great start.  This week fashion came to LA in a big way.  I was able to get the inside scoop on everything fashion related; so now I'm sharing it with you.  Events were happening all over the place,in true L.A. style.

The first event I attended was at Maker City L.A. in the heart of the fashion district in downtown, located in the twelve-story building called the Reef.  Maker City is a hub for creative events and there are many different occupied spaces inside; covering everything from home design to clothing and accessories. Its also a great place for brands to rent space for individual projects.

The Collections Fashion Show, held on October 9th, produced by L.A. Fashion Council was  great place to see new designers and trends.  Collections is a place for new designers to showcase their work and network with industry professionals.  The brands presented at the show included Ody Lyne, Stella P. Roseyn, William Bradley, Sauri, Rochelle Carino, Linden, Colton Dane, Eva Franko Design, That's Totally Fine, and Hanger Shortage.

 Each designer had their own style and there was a large variety.  Looks ranged from bridal to street chic to party dresses.  I was able to help out at the show behind the scene with StyleSmith, the company who planned the event.  As the fashionable crowd arrived, I directed the photographers, bloggers and other industry professionals to the refreshments and deli lunch for attendees.  The room buzzed with excitement as people filled their seats.  With three shows in one afternoon, we worked at a fast pace to keep on schedule.  I stepped in during the second show to dress models for Colton Dane and got an up-close look at the preppy collection. After the show, everyone headed over to the atelier to view the designs up close and it was a great opportunity to network.


On Tuesday, October 14th I attended the All Aboard Fashion Show, put on by Fashion Business Incorporated (FBI).  

FBI is a non profit that supports emerging designers and the fashion industry through various means.  You can follow FBI on Facebook at Fashionbizinc or instagram at @fashionbizinc! This event included several red carpet celebrities.  Frances Harder, the owner of FBI and author of Fashion For Profit, was interviewed on the red carpet along with Marcus from Moss Adams. Another celebrity included Carlos Boozer, former L.A. Laker.  FBI presented him with the emerging designer award for 2014.  

This upscale event was held at the historic Union Station, and the swing music playing in the background was reminiscent of Hollywood glamour days. 

Everyone had a great time at the reception, sponsored by Martini and Rossi drinks, among others. 

Fashion bloggers, designers, photographers, and business partners mingled before the show with an air of anticipation.  Some expressed relief that the night was finally here, after all their preparation and hard work.  The show was also a milestone, representing the 15 year anniversary of FBI.  Over the years FBI has helped emerging designers such as American Apparel, Johnny Was, and Continuous Line.

The show opened with the emerging designer of the year award, presented by Francis Harder to former Laker Carlos Boozer with BK Apparel.  Loaded Dock showed a men and women's collection made from recycled military wear. 

Next, dancers livened things up with a performance to swing music then the show continued.

 Vintage inspired clothing line, Stop Staring, continued with a film noir look with pinup dresses and full skirts to Lana Del Rey's Summertime Sadness.

 

Exclusive Behind the scenes at Stop Staring! My view from backstage while I was helping out! It was crazy back there!

 

  CWST, pronounced "quest", showed a menswear line with California flare.

 Other designers included Becca Swimwear and Love on a Hanger, with a California hipster look.

Marisa Kenson was channeling a 70's vibe.

 Johnny Was showed beautiful flowing dresses with colorful prints and feathered fans for accessories.
 The MAFI innovator award was presented to Sam and Lavi for original prints and a day to night vibe.  According to CA Apparel News, Sam and Lavi was founded in 2010 by husband and wife team and fuses downtown New York chic to cool California vibes.  

Everyone had a great night partying LA style!

Was anybody at LA fashion week? Let me know in the comments! What did you think of the styles at LA fashion week?