Hike #3: South Coast Botanic Garden

Yesterday, I was in the South Bay for a christening, so since I was down there anyway, I decided to visit the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes for an easy hike:

The photos I took focused on pattern and texture:





Reflected pattern:


The alien landscape-like White Floss Silk Tree:


Snowy cactus with berry-colored buds:

A little ladybug:


I tried not to take too many pictures of flowers since I think I did enough of that at Descanso, but I couldn't resist this one:

A lone calla lily amongst the deep green leaves.

On the way home, I took a detour to visit the Bluebird Cafe in Culver City, trying their chocolate and coconut cupcakes. They weren't bad, but they didn't crack my top 5. Someday, I'll get around to posting my cupcake rankings (along with the macaron ones.)

Hike #1: Debs Park

Last week, I went to Debs Park in Highland Park for the first of my 60 hikes. After parking at the Audubon Center and deciding on my route, I ascended up the hill on the City View Trail (obviously named for its views of Downtown L.A.):

...which eventually led to a nice little pond at the top:


I wandered around a bit (I can't resist taking pictures of dappled light):

...before finally descending and checking out the LEED Platinum-rated Audubon Center (which my company worked on):

Overall, it was a good hike with several decent climbs to work out your calves. To reward myself afterward, I hung out in South Pasadena, eating a fantastic caprese sandwich at the Heirloom Bakery (see my tweets) and trying out the cupcakes at My Sweet Cupcake. Then, I went to the Pasadena Museum of California Art:

I've been wanting to go here for awhile, and though it is a small museum space, it does have its own charm. My favorite exhibit was of 3D images of Mars, courtesy of JPL and Caltech. After putting on the requisite specs, the Martian topography really popped out with the perspectives changing as I walked along the large prints.

Anyway, from one type of landscape to another, it was quite a full day!

Happy Holidays!

Mini pumpkin bundt cakes, chocolate peppermint cupcake, carrot cake cupcake & mini snowman vanilla chocolate cupcake from Akasha. I'm so going to explode this holiday season!

I don't have any cash, but I have cupcakes

Last Tuesday, I was driving home from a class potluck for which I brought mini cupcakes along with brownies* from Big Sugar Bakeshop (see my initial review). While I was stopped at the exit ramp off the 10 freeway at Western Avenue, despite my protesting gestures, a homeless guy started to wash my windows. (They still do that? I thought I was reliving a bad joke from the 80s and 90s.) Anyway, when he was done, he obviously asked for some cash, and that was where I got a brainwave. I rolled down my windows a little and asked if he would like some of my leftover cupcakes instead. Resigned, he accepted them, and as I drove away, I saw him start to eat them. I wonder if he liked them.

*Big Sugar Bakeshop's brownies are amazing and I think they are definitely better than my former top brownie spot, The Farm of Beverly Hills. In contrast to The Farm's brownies, they are lighter but just as chocolately and have yummy flavors. I got four different kinds, each split into four: Girl Scout Thin Mint, Peanut Butter, Oreo, and Chocolate Chip. All hit the spot in a really good way. So, while Big Sugar isn't my number one cupcake spot (though their Mexican Chocolate cupcake is one of my favorites), I'd have to say that it is definitely my top brownie spot.

Pain au chocolat

I spend a lot of time talking about cupcakes (and eating them!) So, it's pretty obvious how much I love them. However, last Friday, I picked up 18 cupcakes at Joan's on Third for my boss' birthday celebration, but I didn't eat any. You see, I also went to Boule to pick up chocolates and noticed that they had my all-time favorite pastry: the chocolate croissant. Anytime I am eating a perfectly executed one (meaning buttery flakiness paired with Callebaut or Valhrona dark chocolate) while sipping a lovely tea or espresso, I am perfectly happy. When I eventually get to Paris, I will have nothing else for breakfast.

In any event, Boule's version was good, though slightly crispy for my taste, but the tea (Le Palais de Thes' Rooibos with Camomile) was amazing. I'm always on the lookout for good non-caffeinated tea and I'll have to make a special trip to Beverly Hills for this one.

Back

No, I didn't go anywhere (unless you count going on a mental vacation.) I just had a crazy week and was so exhausted it hurt to think about anything, even about what to eat (and I love to think about food!) Anyway, I'm back on track (read: functionally sane) and speaking of food, last week, I saw this little item on Eater LA:

"Crumbs Bake Shop, the New York cupcakery with sugar bombs like caramel apple, Oreo, and Fluffernutter flavors will open at 216 N. Larchmont in April. The good thing about Crumbs is that it's not a monolithic chain (there are only seven locations so far), whose owners still actively oversee daily operations. The first west coast Crumbs opened in Beverly Hills in September---and they gave away free cupcakes on day one. Yes, they're willing to buy your love."

I reviewed Crumbs on Yelp after visiting with the Cupcake Meetup Group and so far, they are my favorite over-the-top cupcakery in Los Angeles. That they are opening a location within 10 minutes of my home means I have to hurry up on sorting out my fitness plan. Still, despite the possibility of rear expansion, I'm happy that they are opening a location in my area. If you take a look at the L.A. Times' cupcake map, we are currently underserved.

Big Sugar Bakeshop

Yesterday, I went to the Big Sugar Bakeshop in Studio City to eat cupcakes with other members of the L.A. Cupcake Meetup group. The organizer of the group, Tara, also has her own blog and posted the details.

I agree with Tara... the best was the Icebox cupcake. These weren't my favorite cupcakes, but they were still good and the store is absolutely adorable. I had to fight myself not to buy some of the cool merchandise they have in the front. Plus, they had complimentary samples, coffee and water and were very accommodating for our large group. They also have cookies and other baked goods and I'll have to try those the next time I'm on Ventura Blvd.

Overall, I enjoyed myself. I am seldom in situations where I get to talk to new people, and there were many interesting people whom I would have never met otherwise. If you want to meet people, I definitely suggest finding a group on Meetup.com.

Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes...

Click here to check out
The Los Angeles Cupcake Meetup Group!

I just signed up for this and I can't wait for the next meetup. I've been a cupcake devotee since Sprinkles first opened their doors several years ago and try to try all the latest cupcakeries around. (I even read the cupcake blog, Cupcakes Take the Cake, at least every other day.)

I love cupcakes for their precious smallness, their yumminess & endless possibilities for cute design. I have this beautiful cake plate at home and the thought of placing perfect cupcakes on it makes me perfectly happy.

As for what cupcakes are my favorite, I'll save that for another time (hopefully accompanied with a pic of them on my cake plate.)