Weekend Update: Pasadena Wine Festival October 3-4

The Pasadena Wine festival is this weekend: Sat and Sun at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (310 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007, (626) 821-4623). The event consists of many of the Culturistas favorite things: Wine, food, live music and gorgeous scenery! There are tons of participating wineries this year (check out the list below) as well as the areas most renowned musical artists—playing jazz, funk, blues and salsa. Sounds like an awesome, Culturista-worthy, event!

Tickets: $55, $85 and $125. Get a one-day pass for $55- good for general wine tasting and food exhibit sampling. For $85, you get a two-day pass that includes all of the above, as well as an invitation to the Pasadena Wine Festival Kick-Off Party. Or the Preferred Pass for $125 per person that gets you admission both days, access to the VIP hospitality tent, and an invitation to all pre-festival wine-tasting events. You can purchase tickets to the event: Buy Tickets

Some Participating Wineries:

• Oyster Bay, NZ
• Carmel Road, CA
• Chateau St Jean, Sonoma
• Cambria, CA
• Burgans Albarino, Spain
• Banfi, Italy & South America
• Gloria Ferrer, Still & Sparkling
• Frank Family Red Truck Wines
• Transat Trade French Imports
• Robert Mondavi Winery
• Prestige, Italy

October 3 & 4, 2009

4:30 pm -10 pm at the Los Angeles County Arboretum

http://pasadenawinefestival.com/

Hot Trends for Fall 2009 PART 1

Leather is a big trend this fall- from jackets, pants, and shorts, to gloves, and other accessories- it's all about leather. Designers such as Rodarte, Pucci and Jenni Kane showed tons of different leather options. So keep the jacket you bought last season- and stock up on some other leather goods to complete this look!



The ethnic look and the bohemian look have come together in this hot trend. Designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Matthew Williamson, Etro and Missoni exemplified this with their eclectic looks. Key pieces: a floppy knit cap, ethnic print clothing, long dresses, and funky jewelry. You can have a lot of fun with this look by mixing different prints and fabrics.



Fur is also popping up all over the runways and in stores for Fall 2009. From Forever 21 to Dolce and Gabanna you can stock up on real or faux fur. Other designers such as Christian Lacroix and Lanvin showed gorgeous pieces of fur that functioned like scarves or shawls.

Check out Part 2 of our Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion trends:HERE!

Look of the week: Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow attends a private viewing of Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec's statement furniture this week in London. She is wearing all Burberry. But she's the Culturistas look of the week because she looks styled but not all decked out in matching designer gear. We love that each piece works together but doesn't necessarily go together. Very inspirational dressing Gwyneth!

Grown up Mac n' Cheese

This delicious Mac n' Cheese is a grown up twist on our childhood favorite. With three different cheeses and white truffle oil, this makes for a decadent meal! Double or quadruple the recipe to feed a party. This should serve around 2 people for dinner (with leftovers).

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Kosher salt
• 2 cups of cavatappi pasta
  
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) Gruyere cheese, grated
• 3 ounces (1/3 cup) extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
• 2 ounces (1/4 cup) gorgonzola, crumbled
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white truffle oil
• 1/2 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
• 1 tablespoon chopped or dried basil
  

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Lower the heat and add the Gruyere, Cheddar, blue cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, nutmeg and truffle oil. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into baking dish.

Sprinkle panko and chopped basil over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

THE 2009 NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL

The 47th annual New York Film Festival is about to begin and the Culturistas could not be more excited! September 25-October 11 the Film Society of Lincoln center will be presenting a superb variety of films from the American and International cinema. The festival will include revivals of classics such as The Wizard of Oz and international features from China, Japan, Portugal, Israel, Denmark, Germany, and several other countries. October 2-4 will be screenings of noteworthy Avant-Garde films.


WILD GRASS

GENRES OF FILMS:
AMERICAN INDEPENDENTS
DOCUMENTARIES
POLITICAL/HUMAN RIGHTS/ENVIRONMENTAL INTEREST
RELIGIOUS INTEREST
FEMALE DIRECTORS/WOMEN'S INTEREST
JEWISH INTEREST
FRANCE
MIDDLE EASTERN INTEREST
EASTERN EUROPE
ASIA


BROKEN EMBRACES
Screenings will be in the Walter Reade Theatre and Alice Tully Hall which are both part of Lincoln Center. This outstanding and diverse film festival only comes around one time per year so check out the NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL CALENDAR. There are special student and member prices and they can either be purchased online or at the box offices.

Cheap and Chic finds of the week: Stirrup Belts

Forever 21

Aimee Woven Trim Belt
$10.80

Forever 21

Double Braid Wide Belt
$8.80


Belts are still a huge part of Fall 2009 fashion. Wear these cute woven stirrup belts at the waist, over a jacket or a dress! Check out more Fall 2009 fashion trends here: Fashion Trends for Fall 2009

Emmy 2009 Fashion!

From the top left: Hayden Pannetiere, Anna Torv, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lindsay Price, and Blake Lively.

Some starlette's rocked the red, others rocked the purple and blue. But all look gorgeous in their bright colors! We love love love Julia and Lindsays gowns. GORGEOUS draping and black contrast pieces.



From the top left: Leighton Meester, Olivia Wilde, January Jones, Sandra Lee, Kate Walsh, and Kristen Chenowith.

White and shimmery dresses were also a huge trend on the 2009 Emmy red carpet. Kristen Chenowith rocked a mini version, while Olivia Wilde rocked a long fluttery version. And the silhouette on January Jones' dress is breathtaking!