Sprinkles.

Summer time is coming and that means its time for everyone's favorite treat...ice cream! But what's better than ice cream?..Mixing cupcakes and ice cream together. Sprinkles, a long time favorite cupcake spot of mine, added an ice cream parlor next door to a few locations last year and I have been addicted since. I've gotten my ice cream fix there twice this week already. With delicious flavors and even more delicious toppings, you can't go wrong here. For all you red velvet lovers, you can even enjoy a red velvet waffle cone or red velvet cupcake crumbles in your ice cream cup.

Cookie toppings.

Sprinkles sundae: cookie dough ice cream with a red velvet cupcake. 

Locations: Beverly Hills, CA and Newport Beach, CA

Summer Fashion.

Fashion is ever changing and although there are some staple items everyone should have, some pieces are in style during certain seasons. Since summer is coming up, I thought I'd share what I think are the most fashion forward colors, trends, and must haves for the season. These are my top 6 fashion picks for summer 2013...

1. Cynthia Rowley flask bangle; available at Cynthia Rowley or cynthiarowley.com

2. BCBG two tone floppy hat; available at BCBG

3. Thigh leg chain; available on www.ZHOVAK.com

4. Smoldt double handle satchel; available at Aldo shoes & accessories

5. Meteur cutout wooden wedge sandal; available at BCBG

6. YSL lipstick in Corail in Touch no. 14; available at Sephora and Nordstrom 

Gatsby!

The best thing about seeing movies on opening night these days (other than being able to reserve specific seats), are the fun movie themed parties the theater holds with movie themed drinks and party favors. The opening night of Gatsby was no different. The cinema had green screen photography that put us in the middle of a notorious Gatsby party! I so wish we would have dressed up for Gatsby's 20's vibe to fit in more, but these memories are great nonetheless.

Ain't no party like a Gatsby party, cause a Gatsby party don't stop!

The closest I'll get to this dream haha.

As far as the movie goes, it was great! The modern cinematography and wardrobe coupled with the movie's setting was done really well, in my opinion. 

Rounds.

A few days ago, my friend and I went to this new burger joint, Rounds, in Pasadena before seeing Gatsby. The two of us have been on a quest to find the best burgers in LA for a year now, so we thought we would add this to our list. It was delicious! It's like The Counter, where you can build your own burgers and they also have their own menu. My favorite part of Rounds was the many different dipping sauces they have. I tried a lot of them (and probably looked like the hungriest person there), but my favorites were the chipotle aioli, Tabasco ketchup, and pesto mayo.

I built my own burger with cheddar cheese, garlic aioli, onion strings, and tomatoes. 

Other burger spots I've tried on our quest and recommend:

• Prohibition Burgers, Encino
• Stout, Studio City
• 25 Degrees, Hollywood
• The Apple Pan, Los Angeles 
• In n' Out, I really couldn't leave this one out!

25

In my circle of friends, we celebrate our birthdays on the actual day and continue celebrating until a week or two after..what other way would you want to celebrate your birthday? Birthdays come once a year, celebrating yourself is only appropriate. These are the highlights of birthweek celebrations...

My week started with a romantic dinner with my boyfriend.

Houston's, Pasadena.
Recommended entrées: Thai steak noodle salad, French dip sandwich. 
Recommended wine: Belle Glos Pinot Noir.

Next I celebrated with my family.

Birthday balloons from my best friend.

Pink ombré cake with strawberries and Kit Kat made by my mom. 

                     

Me and my best friend, Natalie.

Finally, I celebrated with all my friends at one of my favorite bars, Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. 

Revolving whiskey bottles at the bar.

My girls.

Spin the wheel, for your drink price.

L'amour. 

Homemade cinnamon and chocolate chip cupcakes for all.

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so memorable this year. I love you all!

April 24

Today marks the 98th anniversary of the tragic genocide that occurred in Armenia in which 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks in an attempt to destroy the Armenian race. Our leaders and intellectuals were killed in front of their homes and their families were forced to walk for miles in the desert where women and young children died of thirst and starvation. Others were mercilessly killed.

This day also marks 98 years that the US government has failed to recognize these horrific events as a genocide. So many presidents have promised Armenian voters to solidify this recognition and year after year we continue to wait for them to keep their promises. On this day, I reflect on my experiences visiting Armenia and the emotions I felt seeing the Armenian genocide memorial there. Pain, sadness, anger. The plight these people have endured need to be recognized and accepted, not only by the US and Turkey, but also worldwide. Our struggle is not only on this day, but 365 days a year. We remember and commemorate April 24, 1915 and it will never be forgotten.

"I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing, and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia."
-William Saroyan

Genocide 1915 Petition for Recognition

Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Yerevan, Armenia.

Looking out of the memorial.

Flowers placed around the Eternal Flame on April 24th commemorating the genocide.  

Hurry Curry.

My boyfriend had raved about this place when we first met and when he finally took me here, my eyes were opened too. We now both trek all the way to Sawtelle Blvd. in Santa Monica whenever we can to get a taste of the Japanese curry that Hurry Curry is so notorious for. Most people may know of Curry House and go there for their Japanese curry cravings, but trust me...Curry House has NOTHING on Hurry Curry! This place is much more authentic and much more delicious.

chicken cutlet with steamed rice and curry.

beef and potato croquettes.

condiments for the curry: shallots, raisins, and pickled radishes.

his & hers sake.

and to finish, my favorite after dinner lychee candies.