treats - pumpkin bread (30 before 30)

as much as i love a warm summer day, i truly enjoy a cozy fall evening. when i think of fall, i think of changing leaves, crisp breezes, spiced treats and college football!!

one of the items i was excited to cross of my list was "host a theme party." at the time, i didn't know what kind of theme party i would host, but as fall rolled it in only made sense to host a watch party for the red river shootout. if you're from the south and love the big 12, then you're well aware the biggest game of the season is the annual rivalry game between texas and oklahoma at the texas state fair in dallas.

the breakfast spread

i planned out a menu featuring red and orange treats on a fall tablescape. one of the more popular menu items included my pumpkin bread. this bread is dense, spicy and super soft. i hope it brings you back to some of your favorite fall memories.

the goods:
- 1 15oz can pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves

the equipment:
hand mixer or stand mixer, 9x9 glass baking dish

the how to:
- mix pumpkin, oil, sugar and eggs on medium low for 4 minutes

- mix in remaining ingredients on medium until incorporated and fluffy

- pour into greased baking dish
- bake at 350F for 45 minutes - 1 hour (depending on depth of pan)

the lunch spread with pumpkin bread

treats - carrot cake

i've never been a huge fan of carrot cake, but it just so happens to be my boyfriend's favorite dessert. with that in mind, i decided i needed to create a recipe that we could both enjoy. one of my favorite things about this recipe is how different the cakes turn out depending on the final product. the cupcakes come out light and fluffy, but the full sheet cake comes out much more dense. experiment with the recipe and see what works best for your palate.

enjoy!

the goods:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking spice
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 12 oz grated carrots (approx 5 carrots)

the equipment:
food processor, hand mixer or stand mixer, cupcake pan / 9x9 glass dish / cake pop pan, sifter

the how to:
- process carrots until finely grated
- sift flour and combine with sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and baking spice
- mix ingredients in large bowl
- add eggs, one at a time while mixing on medium low

for easy clean up, place egg shells on paper plate while mixing

- once eggs are incorporated, slowly pour in oil on low
- once incorporated, mix on medium for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth
- mix in carrots

batter will look runny, but will set in oven

for cupcakes - bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes
for cake - bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes
for cakepops - bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes

cool cake on rack and top with cinnamon cream cheese frosting

enjoy!

tunes - live picks (october)

the outdoor amphitheatres are wrapping up their seasons and closing with some amazing headliners. we're also getting an overflow of bands on their fall festival tour popping into local venues. it's a busy month for concerts. get ready!

october concert calendar:
10/2 - allah-lah's @ troubadour
10/2 - arctic monkeys @ jimmy kimmel live!
10/2 - depeche mode @ stapbles center
10/2 - moby @ fonda theatre
10/3 - moby @ fonda theatre
10/3 - noah & the whale @ avalon
10/4 - boyz to men @ club nokia
10/4 - moby @ fonda theatre
10/4 - modest mouse @ the glass house (pomona)
10/5 - john mayer @ hollywood bowl
10/5 - way over yonder @ santa monica pier
10/6 - way over yonder @ santa monica pier
10/6 - maroon 5 @ hollywood bowl
10/7 - 2cellos @ club nokia
10/7 - fiona apple @ walt disney concert hall
10/9 - bon jovi @ honda center (anaheim)
10/9 - the avett brothers @ shrine auditorium
10/9 - filter's cultures collide festival*
10/10 - filter's cultures collide festival
10/10 - edie brikell @ fox performing arts (riverside)
10/10 - john fogerty @ nokia theatre
10/11 - filter's cultures collide festival
10/11 - bon jovi @ staples center
10/11 - gogol bordello @ fox theatre (pomona)
10/12 - filter's cultures collide festival
10/12 - thirty seconds to mars @ hollywood bowl
10/14 - charli xcx @ el rey
10/14 - crystal antlers @ fingerprints (long beach)
10/14 - frank turner @ fonda theatre
10/15 - sleigh bells @ the observatory (santa ana)
10/15 - the dodos @ el rey
10/16 - atoms for peace @ hollywood bowl*
10/16 - city and colour @ club nokia
10/16 - haim @ the fonda
10/16 - jordie lane @ hotel cafe
10/16 - langhorne slim @ troubadour
10/17 - atoms for peace @ santa barbara bowl
10/17 - city and colour @ club nokia
10/17 - gary numan @ hollywood forever
10/17 - big top music festival @ la state historic park
10/18 - big top music festival @ la state historic park
10/18 - lionel richie @ hollywood bowl
10/18 - placebo @ the wiltern
10/18 - sleigh bells @ el rey
10/18 - walk the moon @ the wiltern
10/19 - big top music festival @ la state historic park
10/19 - festival supreme @ santa monica pier
10/19 - the boxer rebellion @ the observatory (santa ana)
10/20 - big top music festival @ la state historic park
10/20 - boy @ the fonda
10/20 - brian wilson @ the greek
10/20 - okkervil river @ the wiltern
10/21 - animal collective @ the wiltern
10/21 - best coast @ the fonda
10/21 - jenny lewis @ largo
10/21 - laura marling @ immanuel presbyterian
10/21 - phantogram @ the observatory (santa ana)
10/21 - surfer blood @ el rey
10/22 - afi @ the fonda
10/22 - blues traveler @ el rey
10/22 - james blake @ the wiltern
10/22 - STRFKR @ avalon
10/23 - james blake @ hollywood forever
10/23 - portugal. the man @ the majestic theatre (ventura)
10/23 - surfer blood @ the observatory (santa ana)
10/25 - hanni el khatib @ el rey
10/25 - passion pit @ greek theatre
10/26 - boy @ fonda theatre
10/26 - deer tick @ troubadour
10/26 - mark knopfler @ the wiltern
10/26 - passion pit @ santa barbara bowl
10/26 - the naked and famous @ fox theatre (pomona)
10/26 - they might be giants @ ucla's royce hall
10/27 - portugal. the man @ the observatory (santa ana)
10/28 - kanye west @ staples center
10/29 - flaming lips @ the greek*
10/31 - empire of the sun @ shrine auditorium
10/31 - iron & wine @ orpheum theatre

top picks:

10/9 - filter's cultures collide festival
filter magazine hosts it's fourth annual culture's collide festival in los angeles, bringing in many international bands to a variety of echo park venues. the festival is 3 days long, with a free outdoor concert on sunday. a wristband for the entire festival is only $30. some of the headliners include: moby, the raveonettes, rhye, liars, bleached.

photo by brian j

10/16 - atoms for peace @ hollywood bowl
the atoms for peace crew includes radiohead frontman, thom york, radiohead producer, nigel godrich, and red hot chili peppers bassist, flea. the band got together back in 2009 during a coachella post-fest performance and released their first full-length in january. they sound like radiohead with a heavier, more experimental bass track.

10/29 - flaming lips @ the greek
the flaming lips shows are always silly with their oversized props and random cast of of dancers. the real appeal of this show are the openers, tame impala and white denim. solid lineup. have at it.

tunes - live picks (september)

it seems like southern california gets an influx of concerts in the fall because we still have warm weather while places like denver are already getting snowed in.

a little late on the september shows, but i was fortunate to go to a few, so i'm posting. hope you were able to check some out yourself.

september concert calendar:

9/3 - blonde redhead @ el rey

9/4 - fun. + tegan & sara @ the greek

9/5 - charli xcx @ el rey

9/5 - mr little jeans @ santa monica pier

9/9 - austra @ echoplex

9/10 - minus the bear @ fonda theatre

9/12 - jimmy cliff @ santa monica pier

9/13 - local natives @ the greek*

9/14 - hem @ troubadour

9/14 - ra ra riot @ fonda theatre

9/18 - grouplove @ hollywood forever

9/19 - cold war kids @ the wiltern

9/20 - thievery corporation @ the greek

9/22 - m83 + phantogram @ hollywood bowl*

9/23 - little boots @ troubadour

9/24 - depeche mode @ santa barbara bowl

9/26 - beck @ union station

9/26 - deer tick @ ucla

9/26 - gary clark jr @ the wiltern

9/27 - dr dog + the lumineers @ the greek*

9/27 - the naked & famous @ the wiltern

9/28 - dr dog + the lumineers @ the greek

9/28 - vampire weekend + beruit @ hollywood bowl

9/29 - depeche mode @ staples center

9/29 - the xx + austra @ hollywood bowl

9/29 - arctic monkeys @ the wiltern

9/30 - acrtice monkeys @ the wiltern

9/30 - dr dog @ troubadour

*top live picks:

local natives perform to sold out audience at the greek

9/13 - local natives @ the greek

local natives are actually local to los angeles so this was a big show for them. these guys were so appreciative and humble. there were many friends and family in the audience so the energy from the crowd and the band combined was wildly amazing. 

m83 with the LA philharmonic

9/22 - m83 + phantogram @ hollywood bowl

this show is definitely one of my top picks of the year. the la philharmonic played with m83 for half of their set. what a pleasant surprise! morgan kibby, the female vocalist, was stupendous. truly.

the lumineers @ the greek

9/27 - dr dog + the lumineers @ the greek

just another reason to see dr dog. why in the world they were the opener for the lumineers is beyond me. they're definitely stronger performers and songwriters, but these la kids love that "ho hey!" song. having said that, i was actually surprised as to how much i liked the lumineers live show. they were great. but dr dog was better :)

trails - parker mesa @ topanga canyon (30 before 30)

parker mesa trail has a gain in both directions, so there's no steep hike one way and a fully downhill hike on the way back. the point overlooks santa monica bay and there are a few benches for your to enjoy your snacks and take a water break. we were lucky enough to get caught in a runaway cloud as we were leaving the point. it was an unreal experience!

parker mesa trail

the trek:
- drive up entrada road for 1 mile to get the park entrance
- walk through the park and stay straight after the guard shack, going towards the large parking lot
- stay to the left and head towards the fire road
- head up the fire road and turn right onto parker mesa trail (about .5 miles)

santa monica bay, view from overlook

total distance: 7 milestravel time: 2h30m
gain: 560 ft
difficulty: moderate

stuck in the clouds

the tips:
- park on entrada road outside of the entrance (be sure to be FULLY off of the pavement to avoid a ticket)
- hit the bathrooms inside the park at the bottom of the fire road before you begin
- pack a snack to enjoy once you get to the overlook

tunes - live picks (august)

it's festival season! there were a slew of local LA festivals the first weekend of august and even more at the end of this month. i have had my tickets to first city music festival for 3 months and i'm anxiously counting down the days until my arrival in monterey. hope to see you at a show!

august concert calendar:

8/1 - zz top @ pacific amphitheatre (costa mesa)

8/2 - chicago @ the greek

8/2 - scott weiland @ viper room

8/3 - americanarama tour @ verizon wireless amphitheater (irvine)

8/3 - scott weiland @ viper room

8/4 - edward sharpe & the magnetic zero's @ hollywood bowl*

8/5 - phish @ hollywood bowl

8/6 - hall and oats @ ventura county fair

8/7 - preservation hall jazz band @ hollywood bowl

8/8 - hall and oats @ pacific amphitheatre (costa mesa)

8/8 - hanni el khatib @ santa monica pier

8/8 - lorde @ echoplex

8/9 - grizzly bear @ hollywood forever*

8/9 - willie nelson @ hollywood bowl

8/10 - smith westerns @ el rey

8/10 - the national @ the greek

8/10 - willie nelson @ hollywood bowl

8/11 - phoenix @ club nokia

8/11 - the national  @ hollywood forever

8/11 - yeasayer @ el rey

8/14 - kopecky family band @ the echo

8/16 - james murphy (of lcd sound system) @ 333live

8/17 - best coast @ el rey

8/17 - h20 music festival @ la state park

8/17 - queens of the stone age @ bison amphitheatre

8/18 - best coast @ el rey

8/19 - best coast @ el rey

8/21 - lucy schwartz @ no vacancy

8/22 - the polyphonic spree @ el rey

8/23 - toad the wet sprocket @ troubadour

8/24 - first city festival @ monterey*

8/24 - fyf festival @ la state park

8/24 - peter frampton + bb king @ the greek

8/25 - first city festival @ monterey

8/25 - fyf festival @ la state park

8/29 - icona pop @ fonda theatre

*top live picks:

edward sharpe @ hollywood bowl

8/4 - edward sharpe & the magnetic zero's @ hollywood bowl

i recommend going to see at least one show every summer at the bowl. it's an amazing experience, regardless where you sit. i was fortunate enough to get invited to my friend's box so we had a great spot for the show. edward sharpe invited 17 of his magnetic zero friends on stage with him for a full orchestral sound. his sidekick, jade, is still one of my favorite current female vocalist. she's amazing! edward sharpe & the magnetic zero's dropped their new self-titled album this summer and they're already busy promoting their big top festival at LA historic park this october.

grizzly bear @ hollywood forever
*photo by brad roberts

8/9 - grizzly bear @ hollywood forever

hollywood forever is a historic cemetery right behind the paramount lot in the heart of hollywood. an interesting venue that not only hosts live burials, but also live concerts and outdoor movie viewings. to get a complete list of their upcoming events check out their website: www.hollywoodforever.com/culture. tickets sell out quickly, so sign up on their mailing list and twitter if you are interested in going to see a show here.

8/24 & 8/25 - first city festival @ monterey

monterey, california is my favorite city on the west coast, hands down! so how could i refuse checking out some of favorite indie bands like dr. dog, beach house, delta spirit, black angels, mgmt and more. there are 3 stages as well as a fair with carnival rides. check out all 36 bands playing at the festival on their website.

tunes - live picks (july)

7/3 - fleetwood mac @ staples
7/5 - new kids on the block @ staples
7/5 - phish @ hollywood bowl
7/6 - jethro tull @ greek theatre
7/6 - rx bandits @ fonda theatre
7/10 - crash kings @ troubadour
7/11 - surfer blood @ santa monica pier
7/12 - portugal. the man @ the wiltern
7/12 - sorne @ the mint*
7/13 - grease sing-along @ hollywood bowl
7/14 - devotchka @ hollywood bowl
7/17 - mayor hawthorne @ troubadour
7/20 - rogue wave + hey marseilles @ el rey
7/21 - counting crows + the wallflowers @ pacific amphitheatre (costa mesa)
7/23 - the postal service @ the greek
7/24 - the postal service @ the greek
7/26 - hockey @ el rey
7/27 - ellie goulding + bruno mars @ staples*
7/29 - system of a down @ hollywood bowl*