FASHION NIGHT OUT 9/10/09: CATHERINE MALANDRINO

Catherine Malandrino hosts a street fair themed, “Paris Meets New York Marché’” in celebration of Fashion Night Out 2009 at the Meatpacking district boutique. From 6:00 -11:00pm shoppers are be invited for an eventful night of music, informal modeling, cocktails by Cointreau and chocolates by Marie Belle. Les Nubians will do a special performance at 10:00 PM. Come join the fete for Fashion Night Out!

Trend Watch: Metallic Skirt and Cut Out Boots

Top: Alexander Wang, $70
Skirt: Dolce and Gabbana, $ 1,384,24
Shoes: Christian Louboutin, $1,295
Clutch: Alexander McQueen, $1,595
Bracelet: Roberto Cavalli, $735
Necklace: Roberto Cavalli, $665

Jump into Fall with a hot metallic skirt and cut-out boots ! Pair your outfit with black and gold accessories and a edgy clutch.

Look of the Week: Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto is oozing with some serious man style. He has received a lot of buzz for his recent role as Spock in Star Trek. Quinto is wearing torn jeans, a straw fedora, a rib-knit tank, and some urban kicks. Walking around with friends in LA, he looks effortlessly hip! The Culturistas love this!

Meal Planning of the week: Asian Influence Recipes

Looking for an entire meal for a small dinner party? Look no further with this delicious Asian Inspired feast!

Asian-Style Halibut
Serves 6, takes a few hours to prepare and cook.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lbs of Halibut
  
• 2 Tbs of ginger
• 12-15 cloves of garlic
• 2 Tbs cilantro
• 2 Tbs Green Onion
• 6 Tbs brown sugar
• 4 Tbs lemon juice
• 6 Tbs rice wine
• 3 green onions, sliced for garnish
• 1/2 cup soy-sauce
• 6 Tbs cooking rice wine
• 6 Tbs dark sesame oil
• 1 Tbs black pepper.

Directions

Blend ingredients together and marinade the Halibut in a zip-lock bag for a couple of hours.

Grill over high heat in fish basket or fish pan - approx about 6-8 minutes per side, baste with remaining sauce while grilling.

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes adapted from Sandra Lee's Food Network recipe
Serves 6, Takes around 30 mins to prepare

Ingredients

• 2 pounds white potatoes, peeled and quartered (do not use Russet Potatoes!)
  
• 4 ounces sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or to preferred consistency
  
• 3 teaspoons prepared wasabi
• Salt and white pepper
• 3 green onions, sliced for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Put peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until fork tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and put potatoes in a large mixing bowl. With a handheld mixer on low speed or potato masher, break up potatoes. Add sour cream, butter, 1/4 cup buttermilk, and wasabi paste and whip potatoes on medium speed. Add more buttermilk until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Garnish with the green onions.

Some people are a bit scared of the wasabi flavor- but it is pretty subtle. If you are worried, use half the wasabi and taste it before adding it all in! If you like spicy flavors, add even more!

Asian Fried Bananas adapted from Paula Deen's Food Network recipe Serves 6, takes around 10 minutes to cook.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 fresh, firm bananas, peeled and cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
• 1 lime, juiced
• Vanilla Ice Cream
  

Directions

Heat a wok or a large frying pan over high heat and add 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, toss in bananas and add the 1/2 cup of sugar. Cook down sugar and add the sesame seeds and the lime juice. Stir together and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Substitute with green tea ice cream for more of an Asian flare.

Labor Day Weekend: Electric Zoo Festival!

If you like beats and fests, you will not want to miss out on Electric Zoo Festival! Located On Randall's Island, which is situated on the East River close to Harlem and the Bronx, is accessible by subway or ferry. This unique event will feature a wide variety of electro-fabulous artists Saturday September 5th and Sunday September 6th from 11 AM to 11 PM. Aside from having an enormous grassy area where the festival will take place, Randall's Island also has a rich history and was once used as an asylum and refuge for war veterans and delinquents.

This Coachella style event will feature several artists loved by the Culturistas, most notably Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta, Steve Aoki, Busy P, the Junior Boys, Deadmaus and as you will see below a whole LOT more.


For more information on stage lineups, transportation, and ticket purchse please check the ELECTRIC ZOO FESTIVAL.

See you there RAIN or SHINE!

LA County Fair 2009- $1 Admission!

The LA County Fair starts this weekend, Saturday September 5th. And it runs until October 4th. But if you go this weekend before 1pm admission is only 1 dollar! If you decide to go after 1pm admission is $17. There are tons of fun things to do at the fair, something for everyone. There are concerts every night from groups like Lynard Skynard, Good Charlotte, Donna Summer, War, Ciara and the Beach Boys. General admission is free with entrance to the fair or you can buy reserved seating.

Concert this Saturday:

Al Green

Very Special Guest Star The Spinners
Saturday, Sept. 5
7:30 p.m.

There are over 70 thrilling rides, 40 games and all the delicious (albeit greasy) fair food you can eat. Apparently there will even be deep fried White Castle burgers....sounds pretty nasty, yet intriguing...

There are monster truck races, children's playhouses, a petting zoo, beer and wine tasting, and horse racing. Plus tons more... Get more information at the LA County Fair website.

Bohemian Style

Dress Bohemian luxe on the cheap with great finds from Forever 21, Miss Selfridge, ModCloth, and American Eagle. The keys to dressing bohemian luxe: great textures (leather, suede, denim), extra details (studs, gold, fringe, feathers) relaxed attitude (wavy hair, natural makeup).

Dress: Forever 21 24.80

Vest: Miss Selfridge 55 Euros
Boots: ModCloth 52.99
Handbag: American Eagle 39.99
Floral RingModCloth 11.99
City of Angels Ring: ModCloth 11.99