I am ecstatic because one of my favorite restaurants in NYC is FINALLY in LA - Serafina!
Serafina's new home on the Sunset Strip, (in the old Maia spot) is already gaining a ton of recognition not only for its hard to miss signature yellow and blue branding, but for its incredible, authentic Italian cuisine. As a gal who is part Italian and from the East Coast, I am ALWAYS keeping an eye out for great Italian restaurants - Serafina has never disappointed me!
Not to mention, word on the street is that Serafina Sunset is the new celeb hotspot. Lots of familiar faces have been dining at the restaurant ever since it opened, and a few of them made appearances at the Grand Opening Party a few weeks ago.
Photo by: Serafina Sunset
I was so excited when I got to experience Serafina Sunset first hand at its Media Luncheon and Grand Opening Party.
At the media luncheon, Serafina offered an incredible tasting menu, featuring many of its signature dishes. What I loved most about the dining experience was that the owners, Stephen Belafonte, Vittorio Assaf, and Fabio Granato made every effort to make sure all of us were satisfied with our food, and came to chat with each of us about the dishes' ingredients, how they were prepared and how we were enjoying everything.
One of the things I really admire about Serafina is that whether it's a party or a small group gathering, you're always treated like family here.
Photo by: Serafina Sunset
Here's a little run down of everything we ate. Try not to drool:
LA PIZZA ITALIANA
Pizza Tartufo
Pizza Bianca w/ Arugula
CARPACCIOS
Bresaola
Carpaccio di Filetto e Tartufo
Prosciutto & Burrata
PASTAS
Gnocchi
Farfalle Limoncello
Ravioli Burro e Salvia
DOLCI
Tiramisu
Panna Cotta
Crostatina w/ Red Berries
Two nights later was the restaurant's Grand Opening Party. What. A. Turn out! I brought my friend Candice along for the fun.
The place was packed - complimentary rosé and champagne was served around the restaurant for the guests who met, mingled and enjoyed the night. I loved how we really got to experience what its like to be at Serafina at night - the restaurant's airy indoor-outdoor space still proved to be intimate and inviting. Looking in from outside on the street, Serafina was the place passer-byers wished they could be at too.
Photo by: Serafina Sunset
One of my favorite parts of the Serafina Grand Opening Party? The celebs! Mel B, of The Spice Girls/X Factor/America's Got Talent is actually another co-owner of the restaurant so it was awesome to see her there!
Photo by: Serafina Sunset
Other celebs including Jonathan Cheban and Christina Milian hung out at the restaurant as well. It was so cool to see Jonathan's SnapChat story later that night and see how much he enjoyed all the food he ordered - although the space was packed with people, it still remained very intimate, so I was able to see what Jonathan munched on before it made it to social media!
Photo by: Serafina Sunset
Photo by: Serafina Sunset
I had such a great time at the Serafina Sunset Grand Opening and I can't wait for all the delicious meals there that lie ahead. I have an odd feeling that I'm going to be a regular! ;)
On Friday, September 16th & Saturday, September 17th, I had the pleasure of attending the Vanity Fair Social Club: Emmy's Edition 2 Day Event at Greenhouse at The Platform in Culver City!
I have always been a big award show junkie, so when the opportunity to attend came up, there were no words to contain my excitement - especially knowing it would be Vanity Fair (I still treasure to this day that one Young Hollywood issue from 2003 with Mary-Kate and Ashley, Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, etc. on the cover) I knew it was going to be an amazing experience!
The first night was a YouTube Stars and Influencer party hosted by Vanity Fair and YouTube. I dressed in my best black dress and couldn't wait to take on the night!
I was also super excited because Santa Margherita Wines was the exclusive wine of the night, and I absolutely love all that they offer. I stopped by the Santa Margherita Bar when I first got there upon meeting some new friends, Samira of StyleMeSamira.com and Karen of SustainableDaisy.com.
Santa Margherita was offering a selection of red and white wines, along with some signature cocktails of the night including Pomegranate Bubbly (Prosecco Superiore DOCG, pomegranate juice and orange juice), Sparkling Rosemary (Prosecco Superiore DOCG and rosemary simple syrup), and Sparkling Rosé (my personal favorite for the night!).
We got to walk around, mingle and meet new people which was so exciting. Everyone there was someone in the creative world. That's something I always admire about others, especially being a creative person myself!
Our first stop was to the illustration table to get our portraits drawn out by the extremely talented Jeanette Getrost. She sketched minimal portraits of everyone who wanted one, and I loved that she used a red lip on the photos to represent Shiseido, another brand that partnered with the event.
Samira, Karen and I made sure to take advantage of ALL photo opportunities! It was so funny because everyone there was just like us - all about photos, Snapchats, Insta-stories... you name it!
We made sure to hit up the Step & Repeat at the front of the venue, and then the Vanity Fair x Youtube photo lounge.
We had SO much fun getting into the booth and having confetti thrown on us while the camera spun around to capture the moment. When I tell you that after I posted this on my Instagram I was getting a SWARM of texts and comments... I knew I think I just made #photoboothgoals! LOL.
We also stopped by the HAPPINESS ROADMAPS Wall brought to us by #HAPPINESSROADMAPS and Venetian Vegas. We were able to pick a fortune off the wall and take it home with us. Mine said: "Start every day off with a smile and get it over with." Couldn't have said it better myself. ;)
The following day was more relaxed, but still very busy! Santa Margherita Wines was there again to quench our thirst all afternoon - I was so excited for more of my favorite Sparkling Rosé!
All day were editorial panels, discussions and activations celebrating TV's best! The line up include:d a YouTube Red Panel including Joey Graceffa, Lilly Singh, Kina Grannis, and Tim Shea, moderated by Jeffrey Tousey; an Emmy Predictions Panel with Vanity Fair Hollywood All-Stars including Krista Smith, Julie Miller and Joanna Robinson; Power and Influence, Style and Television; A Discussion with costume designer Lyn Paolo (Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder) presented by Movado, moderated by Emily Poenisch, about perfecting power-dressing in a television era defined by strong, powerful women; and a Young Stars Panel including Emily Robinson, Yara Shahidi and Rowan Blanchard, moderated by Krista Smith.
During break time in the middle of the day, I got my lips touched up by Shiseido, and even walked away with a brand new lipstick! I was one happy girl.
We took advantage of one final photo opportunity - a video booth where we got to create our own little video. Let's just say we probably should have done about 20 "do-overs" but we laughed a ton along the way!
During the final hour for Vanity Fair's Happy Hour, I was so excited to also have run into my other two blogger friends Beatrice and Candice!
There was so much talent in one room all at once on Day 2! It was so awesome to hear everyone's story and how they blossomed their now careers from just a hobby into a lifelong, passionate journey. It was so inspiring, and just to hear it coming straight from such influential people in Hollywood, I felt so honored to be there!
It was such an incredible weekend that I will surely never forget!
A few weeks ago I attended an amazing event hosted by Bloggers Who Brunch LA x Bumble at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills! The event featured a panel of girl bosses: Anastasia Ashley: Pro surfer & model, Alex Williamson: VP of Brand Content at Bumble, and Sazan Hendrix, big time lifestyle blogger & YouTuber!
I got the chance to meet a ton of talented bloggers and digital influencers during our cocktail hour and at brunch, which was a four course meal provided by SLS Hotel! The panel shared their journey to success and gave us really valuable advice. We got awesome swag bags too which had some Bumble branded goodies and (my personal favorite) KaePop: Karrueche x ColourPop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lipsticks!
One of the most fun parts of the event was the amazing fobo photo booth - a Kardashian favorite!
My ultimate fave part of the event? When I won the "Rosé All Day" custom denim jacket made by All My Relations! I cannot wait to rock this jacket at my future brunches. :)
I'm so excited #BWBLA event and honored to be a part of such a dedicated and talented community. Until then, here's some of my favorite photos!
On June 23rd, New Amsterdam Vodka held its "It's Your Town" party at LAB Art Los Angeles on La Brea and teamed up with local LA street artist, Moncho1929to showcase his art and celebrate with none other than New Amsterdam Vodka!
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
I was so excited to attend this event, and brought my brother Steven who is very into the art scene along with me. I have a huge respect for street artists and was so excited to learn more about Moncho1929. His work has actually appeared in the French Consulate, Soho House, Times Square and even on NBC'S "The Voice." New Amsterdam Vodka and Moncho1929 came together to celebrate the vibrant culture and people of Los Angeles.
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
First thing's first: the New Amsterdam Vodka featured cocktail: the Dam Good Mule. New Amsterdam Vodka's twist on the Moscow Mule! Warning: this drink is insanely good.. and hard to put down! It is so refreshing and really enjoyable to sip on. It is just the right amount of sweet (and a little bubbly, too), but still had that punch from the vodka to balance out the flavors. I am usually a tequila person, but I became so obsessed with the Dam Good Mule - which says a lot! What I love the most about it is that it's so simple to make and it can be made at home to enjoy whenever. Yay!
Here's how to make it:
Dam Good Mule Recipe:
5 liters New Amsterdam
3 liters Top Hat Mule Concentrate
10 liters of COLD/Purified Water
(ingredients above make one 5 gallon korney keg)
Garnish with a Lime Wheel & Fresh Mint
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
Moncho1929's work was placed throughout the entire space amongst other artists. I personally loved all of his pieces that actually featured New Amsterdam Vodka! He incorporated the bottle in his artwork in such creative ways. My favorite was a piece he did that was a very colorful portrait of a lifeguard stand with a surfboard leaning up against it. The surfboard design had an illustration of New Amsterdam Vodka on it which I thought was so cool and unexpected. Another one that really stood out to me was an image of a big gun that had microphones attached to the top of it, mimicking a camera. I would assume that it's referencing the power that the media has over people, and it's very clever how he depicted that.
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka
I also loved the awesome graffiti screen that allowed guests to actually create their own art for the entire party to see. Seriously, when each person had their own chance to get up there in front of the screen, everyone surrounded you and anxiously awaited the message or drawing you'd be putting up there! I wrote "The Gilded Bellini <3 New Amsterdam Vodka" (Of course). Then, my design was transferred on to a t-shirt so I could save it forever.
I really was blown away at how well New Amsterdam Vodka and Moncho1929 teamed up and created such a truly unique event. Since New Amsterdam Vodkawas actually incorporated into his work, it really set the event apart from traditional gallery and cocktail parties. I walked away with even more of an appreciation for street art, a newfound love for New Amsterdam Vodka, and an obsession with the Dam Good Mule. It was just too dam good to be true. ;)
