How to Get the Perfect Brunch Beauty Look; Expert Tips from Beauty Guru Kimberly Arnold

If you’re an avid bruncher, you know that the act of going to brunch is more than just a special occasion – it’s a lifestyle, and it’s a time to make a statement with how you look from head to toe. Most weekend brunches are the necessary post-going out ritual that just somehow cures your hangover with magical brunch feels. But, that doesn’t mean that you can just roll out of bed with smudged makeup on from the night before and expect to look ready to take on the day!

Brunch beauty is just as important to keep in mind as it is with your outfit. However, don’t be fooled that you have to put on as much makeup as you did the night before. I personally love the fresh-faced, minimal makeup look because it’s simple, quick and pretty without looking overdone.

Kimberly Arnold, founder of the blog Bitches Who Blend is a beauty industry veteran of over seven years of experience, and a guru of all things makeup and skincare.  She’s worked with global brands like Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder, NARS and more. With over three years of experience as a beauty writer as well, she lives and breathes the beauty world.

I knew I needed to ask her about the ideal brunch beauty look, and just what products the rest of us brunchers definitely need to achieve a natural and effortless-looking appearance.

 “The key to a beautiful summer brunch beauty look is really about creating an effortless-looking, sun-kissed glow. It’s important that your makeup gives you the hydration and sun protection you need, especially if you’ll be brunching outdoors.  Don’t overthink it and get heavy-handed with your brunch beauty look, because you really want your natural beauty to shine through."

 SKIN

After a late night out the evening before brunch, it’s important to recharge your skin. I always say that you should take care of your skin, first and foremost, before thinking about makeup.

Drinking alcohol, especially in excess, can have many negative effects on your body and skin, such as lack of hydration, bloating, and depletion of nutrients. Therefore, it’s really important to drink water consistently after you get home the night before, and in the morning, when you wake up! Not only will this slowly bring your skin back to its natural state, but it will also hydrate you from within. 

Make sure to cleanse skin of any remnants of last night’s makeup thoroughly, and then follow with a hydrating serum, day cream with SPF, and eye cream. If you’re feeling super ambitious, I recommend using a sheet mask. Sheet masks, which are extremely popular in Korea, are typically utilized as a supplemental skincare treatment. Their purpose is to offer intense hydration, which is what the skin desperately needs after an evening of drinking.

Dr. Jart Water Replenishment Cotton Sheet Mask

 

COMPLEXION

Post morning skincare, it’s best to incorporate a hydrating base for makeup. BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers are all great options for giving you coverage, while replenishing your skin’s moisture levels. If you feel that you need additional coverage, incorporate a more full coverage concealer to conceal blemishes and imperfections, but I would still recommend using a hydrating base for overall coverage.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

If you had a late night out, it’s really important to fake the sleep you didn’t get! Incorporating a concealer that is one to two shades lighter than your undereye will not only create a highlighting effect on the face, but it will also make you appear well-rested. If you suffer from naturally dark circles, opt for a peach undertoned corrector before applying your concealer to give you an added brightness. The peach tones in the corrector will cancel out the deep blue undertones that give the look of dark circles.

With summer coming up, who doesn’t want a hint of sun kissed skin? Skip the contouring and use a bronzer simply to add color to your face. Using a matte bronzer, sweep the product with a buffing brush on the temples, cheeks, and under the jawline. This will create an overall warmth to the face and will look really beautiful and effortless.

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

Because you’re using bronzer, you can skin a blush, but I prefer a pop of color on the cheeks. I recommend a cream blush to give you that hydrated, sheer wash of color that will give off that flushed-from-within vibe.

My favorite part of any makeup look is creating a healthy, luminous glow. Apply your favorite highlighter to the peaks of your cheekbones, down the nose, on the forehead and chin. If you have oily skin, you can skip this step altogether, or just highlight your cheekbones. When the sun hits your face, you’ll have that J-Lo glow we all envy. Cream and liquid highlighters are best for normal to dry skin types, while powder highlighters are best suited for normal, combination, and oily skin types.

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed

As an optional step, you can set your makeup look with a sheer or translucent powder, but I prefer a more dewy look, so I, personally, skip this step.

EYES

There’s no need to go too crazy with heavy eye makeup, unless that’s your everyday go-to look. I recommend a simple, yet brightening wash of color on the eyelids to give the appearance of more awakened eyes. Cream shadows are great for long-wear and, typically, give an extra glow. Opt for champagnes and golds to give a brightened eye look. Fake lashes can also be used for that extra glam, otherwise your favorite mascara will do the job.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow

 LIPS

Since you’ll be eating at brunch, you can either go with a tinted balm or sheer lip color, or opt for a lip stain that will last while you’re sipping your Mimosas at brunch.

Tata Harper Volumizing Lip & Cheek Tint

FINISHING TOUCHES

After you’ve finished applying all your makeup, you can opt to set your makeup with a setting spray. Not absolutely necessary, but I definitely recommend it!

Urban Decay All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Follow @bitcheswhoblend on Instagram for the latest beauty tips, trends and tutorials from Kimberly and other experts & industry professionals.

Ringing in Rosé Season with La Nuit En Rosé: Event Recap

As rosé season emerges, one may ask how to appropriately ring in the precious few months we look forward to all year. The answer is: the annual La Nuit en Rosé Food and Rosé Wine Festival.

For the second year in a row, it was held at Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood and consisted of a three-day endless rosé celebration. My fab friends Kyle of From Hamptons to Hollywood, Mitch of Cavalier-Crew.com and I got the chance to attend, giving us the pleasure of accessing 6o different rosés from around the world along the gorgeous poolside overlooking all of LA.

Mitch and I attended the Rosé Sunset Soiree on Saturday night. It was a great turn out, with many people walking around sampling rosés, lounging by tables and mingling with others. Dim lighting with strung lights across the pool created a very sexy, refined ambiance. Although many attended, the charm of the intimate outdoor terrace created a very luxe, exclusive experience.

Of course one of the ultimate highlights of the event was this amazing video booth.

Rosé vendors were incredibly friendly and enjoyable to talk to. I loved learning about different rosés and discovering what makes them so different, whether they were more floral, fruity, dry, light, or sweet. It’s hard to believe that so many unique blends exist! It was super pretty and very fitting that many of the rosés on display were illuminated with pink lighting.

While nearly all of them were extremely pleasing to the palate, I hands down fell in love with Fantinel, a bubbly rosé from Italy. It was sweet, but not overpoweringly sweet because of its similar consistency and taste to champagne. And if you haven't figured it out by now, I'm totally champs obsessed. Fantinel was one of the select rosés at the event that was bubbly, but that made it really stand out from the others. It was so crisp, tantalizing and an absolutely gorgeous shade of pink. Mitch and I made friends with the Fantinel reps and couldn’t stop coming back over for another refreshing swig! 

The following day was the Rosé Pool Party where Mitch, Kyle and I got to come into the event as a triple threat – determined to discover more amazing rosé and take endless pictures for our future posts. The blog is always on the brain!

The vibe of the pool party was very Hamptons-esque, which was really cool to get a taste of on the West Coast. Lots of people were wearing white (like myself), some springy pops of color, and a handful were donning their best swim suits.

Lots more mingling went on and we connected with a bunch of cool people. It was such a nice day out with the sun shining and the music bumping. With a glass of rosé in hand, you couldn’t help but just genuinely have a great time!

The event (which I wish spanned longer than just a weekend!) was incredibly chic and enjoyable. It was so cool to be able to meet people with similar styles and tastes, and to have the opportunity to open my eyes to so many amazing rosé brands from around the globe. With each sip of a different blend, I truly did feel more cultured! The weekend had the perfect amount of sexiness, sophistication, trendiness and lightheartedness – it was evident after each guests’ (and our's) frequent trips back to their favorite rosé stations that the event was a total success.

I already cannot wait for next year’s event! Huge thank you to La Nuit en Rosé for a very fun and beautiful weekend with friends. Life is waaay more fun through rosè colored glasses. ;)

Interested in attending next year? Be sure to visit nuitrose.com and follow @nuitrose on Instagram for all the deets on future La Nuit en Rosé happenings.

Join the #ChampagneSociety with Kyle of From The Hamptons To Hollywood, Bicoastal Blogger & Witty Apparel Designer

Being bicoastal is the the lifestyle that many dream of. Being able to experience new things in unfamiliar places can often be intimidating, but extremely invigorating. Your life experience from where you started has the potential to help give you that extra push to accomplish big things on the opposite coast. 

Kyle Langan of the award-winning blog, From The Hamptons to Hollywood is someone that can totally relate. The former Hamptonite turned Angeleno originally created his site to showcase the luxe lifestyles of the Hamptons and Los Angeles, by specializing in fashion, food, events and witty editorial content. Now, a few years later, he has created a collective social media group called #ChampagneSociety and has launched a fun apparel line that has struck the attention of many... including the team at Bagatelle.

Check out what Kyle has to say about his journey from the Hamptons to Hollywood.

1. How did you come up with the concept for From The Hamptons to Hollywood, and why did you start blogging?

I started my blog when I moved from the Hamptons to LA; it was originally an online journal on my adventures in Los Angeles, and then since it’s grown, I’ve tackled highlighting the lifestyle of both locales.

2. What do you find similar about the fabulous lifestyle in The Hamptons vs. LA? What do you find different? 

The similarities are that they both offer a casually luxurious lifestyle. The Hamptons are an escape, so there’s definitely a “have fun and chill” atmosphere. LA isn’t as formal a city as other huge ones, like New York, so they both have a laid back and fun vibe. The people are the biggest differences; attitudes, culture, interests, etc.

3. Tell us a little bit about you and what you do when you aren't blogging. 

Blogging is my life. Duh. ;)

4. You and I both share an obsession with Bagatelle brunch. Why do you love it so much? 

It’s just abashed, no-holds-barred revelry at it’s best. Everyone is there with the same goal – have as much fun as possible – and that energy is infectious and so fun to be around.

5. What is your favorite spot in LA for brunch? In the Hamptons?

LA: The Ivy, just because. Hamptons? Navy Beach.

6. You've created a part of your blog that serves as a collective of loyal readers of Hamptons to Hollywood called Champagne Society. Tell us about why you created this fun concept, and how we can become members too!

I created the #ChampagneSociety for 2 reasons – I wanted my audience to have a name that made them feel included in what I was reporting on and that I could refer to them as, and I wanted a term that embodied the lifestyle of the Hamptons and LA…and it doesn’t really get much more luxurious than champagne. I encourage everyone living the life my blog represents to tag their photos with #ChampagneSociety, to create a collective group where readers can find other readers through the tag.  

7. You've started selling apparel on your site inspired by the casually luxurious lifestyle that your site represents. I love the shirt that says, "On Wednesdays We Fly Private." What made you want to start an apparel line? What are some of your favorite shirts you've designed? What's in store for future designs?

I’ve always been interested in fashion to a degree, but I’m no Tom Ford! I wanted something simple and comfy that had and witty phrases that are just are fun to read, just like my blog :) The first idea was the #ChampagneSociety tank so I like that one and I chuckle every time I see Your Stomach Flu Is My Goal Weight. I’m always thinking of new ones.

8. What's a really cool collaboration you've done with a brand or another influencer that is your favorite to date?

I’m really excited because I partnered with Bagatelle LA and I’ll be hosting the inaugural #ChampagneSociety brunch on May 22nd. Our brands complement each other perfectly and I’ll also be having a Pop-Up Shop for patrons and guests to buy my apparel for the first time in person.

9. There are so many cool parts of your site - from fashion to lifestyle to food and so much more. How do you manage your time? What's your process for creating new content for each section? Do you ever get overwhelmed? 

It can get pretty hectic sometimes, But I set hard deadlines for myself. Also, not sleeping and coffee helps! I am always trying to think outside the box and collaborate with brands and companies to create cool content we can both benefit from.

10. Name your favorite champagne cocktail, if you have one.

I don’t discriminate :)

11. Are you more of an upscale bruncher, local bruncher, party bruncher...?

The thing about brunch is you can check out a local spot this weekend and then do something completely different the next. I love a fancy brunch, but I like to rage too.

12. As another East Coast transplant like myself, what do you think you bring to the "scene" in LA?

A fresh perspective, a great sense of humor, and perpetual optimism.

13. What's your favorite rooftop spot in LA?

The London rooftop.

14. What's the coolest event that you've been to in LA since you've been here? There's posts on your site of you from LA Fashion Week and quite a few launch parties.

When I tried to sneak into the Golden Globes!

15. Tell us your mantra you live by.

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

16. What words of advice could you give someone who wants to become a successful entrepreneur or a blogger like yourself? 

Never stop dreaming and be persistent. I can’t tell you how many crazy ideas I’ve had that I thought would never pan out, but by being nice, fearless, and having a good pitch to get someone to want to work with you, you can totally make it happen. I’m kinda living proof!

Keep up with Kyle and all the happenings on From The Hamptons to Hollywood and on Instagram at  @hamptonstohollywood.

Getting The Perfect Brunch Bod & Having Your Mock-Mosa Too

As much as I Iove to brunch, drink champagne and treat myself to fluffy golden pancakes on the weekends, I also am really passionate about living a healthy lifestyle by balancing the indulgences with great work outs. When I'm in the mood for a bubbly mimosa mid-week, I hold out for the weekend, but have my own go-to mock-mosa that does the trick!

Working out truly keeps me sane, and I love to always shake up my usual work out routine with something different. I switch off between barre, pilates, boxing, TRX, yoga, and all the other good stuff at the gym 3-4 times per week.  All of them really help me clear my mind and allow me to take just one hour out of the day to not think about anything but my intense sweat sesh! Although I’m more of a less frequent yogi, I absolutely love how it detoxes my mind of any stress. Sometimes a great yoga class is much needed after a week of going, going, going.

 My favorite method to burn the cals? It’s really hard because all of them work the body so differently. I’d say I honestly don’t know how I even lived before I started TRX, barre, and pilates about 2 years ago. I swear by nothing else! 

Going out & working out. Which comes first?

Personally, I always feel best working out the morning that I know I am going to go out later that night. Going the day of also helps me just feel a little bit better in general about my guilty food and mixed drink splurges that will occur later on.

As much as I want to wake up early the next morning and head straight to a class, it doesn’t usually happen (even though I always tell myself the day before I would tooootally go the minute I wake up). Plus, when you have brunch plans, by the time you actually get yourself out of bed, you already have to leave! A morning after drinking is a morning in slow motion.

Okay, so I work out a few times a week. What happens when I just want a mimosa on a Wednesday morning?

In a perfect world of not gaining a tummy pooch from drinking, why wouldn’t anyone start every day without a mimosa?! But, since this is the real world, I have found another way to get my mimosa fix; with a mock-mosa!

I always head to Choice Juicery for my Hot Sunrise juice. It’s a gorgeous yellow/orange color (like a mimosa) made of coconut water, orange, strawberry, ginger, lime and cayenne. The cayenne is great for a metabolism boost and the orange-y taste mimics the traditional mimosa, just without bubbles. I even love drinking it post-going out or post-brunching if I have been treating myself to a couple cocktails. It’s a great detox, and could probably be made in a juicer at home! Don’t quote me on that, but it’s worth a try. Otherwise, most juiceries carry juices in the orange-flavored family that can work just as well. When I was living in NYC, the Spicy Citrus juice from Juice Press was my favorite and is very similar to the Hot Sunrise.

Drink it out of a champagne flute to add a little festivity to your weekday morning! It’s the little things.

How do you get your brunch bod? 

Photography by: Elijah Saldana

Find Your Future Boyfriend... At Brunch

If you’re a single woman, you’ve probably tried a ton of different methods to try to meet a decent guy. Bars and clubs? Been there, done that. Tinder, Hinge, and all those tacky dating apps… yes, check those off the list too. Being bicoastal, I have friends in both LA and NYC who continuously ask the same question. Is there even any hope anymore? My answer for you is: YES. But where might you ask? It's where you'd probably least expect to find love; BRUNCH.

You would never believe how many guys there are that love and embrace the brunching lifestyle every weekend, just like you do. Take Jeremy Jacobowitz of NYC, founder of Brunch Boys: a passionate brunch connessieur. Then, there’s a crew of bros who revel in taking over the brunch scene in the City of Angels, who call themselves the Bros Who Brunch.

I got the chance to get to know these guys a little better; which brunch spots they’re seen at most, their passions, their favorite brunch memories, and so much more. The Gilded Bellini is giving you the exclusive scoop on how to steal their hearts at brunch. You know, in case you just so happen to run into them, now that you'll know where they'll be every weekend. You could be one of these guys’ future brunch babes.

Introducing… Brunch’s most eligible bachelors. 

NYC's Favorite Brunch Guy: Jeremy Jacobowitz of Brunch Boys

Name: Jeremy Jacobowitz   

Age: 28

What He Does: Food TV Producer, but currently running Brunch Boys full time

Where He Lives: NYC

Instagram: @brunchboys

Website: thebrunchboys.com

1.     Tell us a little bit about your brunching lifestyle.

For me, brunching isn’t something reserved for just the weekends, its is pretty much everyday.  That’s whats so great about brunch, there are no restrictions!  It also probably means that you are going to drink too much, and over indulge on everything on the menu, and how could that be bad?

2.     Where are you seen at most for brunch?

I’m rarely at the same spot for brunch, as I'm always exploring new places! But some of my fav which Ill be back at all the time are Black Tap, Speedy Romeos, and Flex Mussels.

3.     When you’re not brunching, we can find you….?

Running all over NYC!  Literally and Figuratively.  I start my mornings either being at the gym or running in central park, and then I'm running between my office and different restaurants where I either have meetings or photo shoots. 

4.     What are you passionate about?

Brunch, duh!  Food really is a big passion of mine, and that’s why I found my way into Food TV and then Brunch Boys.  I grew up cooking and watching the Food Network, but my passionate didn’t really click until I had the opportunity to be Bobby Flay’s assistant on set for all of his shows.  It all came together for me from that point on. Oh and puppies!  I’m actually throwing a puppy brunch so I can combine my two passions in life! 

5.     Mimosas, Bloodys, Bellinis, or Screwdrivers. What’s your poison?

I’m a tequila guy, so can my answer be a Bloody Maria?  Also love love love Micheladas!

6.     You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

Brunch should almost always be casual, so I think that should come across in your outfit.  That doesn’t mean sweatpants and a Yankees hat, but sneakers, nice jeans, fun shirt. 

7.     What was the best brunch you’ve ever had and what made it different than all the others?

Hardest question ever!  I love brunching at Black Tap because of their Croissant Burger!  It’s an all beef patty that is put onto a toasted croissant with truffle mayo, bacon, swiss cheese, and a fried egg! Another fav is Speedy Romeos!  I mean, they make a pizza pie with ricotta and lox on it!  How could I not fall in love with that dish??

8.     Brunch date turn on:

Being into ordering and tasting as much as possible!

9.     Brunch date turn off:

Dietary restrictions.  I love all food and want to share that passion with them!  So while I can’t blame someone for having some sort of dietary restriction, it still breaks my heart a little bit.

10. Your guilty indulgence is?

#TooMuchTequila

11. Share your craziest brunch memory.

I threw a Drake Party Brunch at Libation.  Yes it is exactly what it sounds like.  We had only Drake music, Drake cutouts, Drake balloons, and then all the drinks and food you could want.  I started drinking that day at 1pm, and the brunch party turned into me being out until 4am, still in my Drake ugly sweater t-shirt.

12. Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

I’m really good at creating content that people love.  Too braggy? But I love being a producer, whether that’s producing shows for the Food Network, or producing content for the @brunchboys Instagram.  I want to make people happy with my content.  I’m very lucky to have a job that allows me to do that. 

13. Your brunch date orders her food. What does she order that makes you know that she’s the one?

When she orders the cocktail with tequila!  Or better yet, knows to ask for a Bloody Maria instead of a Mary! 

The West Coast's Finest: Bros Who Brunch

These Angelenos, OC'ers, and even one NorCal'er are so ready to brunch with you. Here's all you need to know about these brunch hunks.

Name: Logan 

Age: 25

What He Does: Real Estate Agent

Where He Lives: Huntington Beach, CA

Instagram: @LoganEmery / @bros.who.brunch

1. Where are you seen at most for brunch?

You can find me brunching mainly in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach or Santa Monica. Anywhere with a nice ocean view & a great atmosphere.

2. When you’re not brunching, we can find you….?

When I’m not brunching you can find me at the beach surfing, working out or at the golf course. I like to stay active.

3. Mimosas, Bloodys, Bellinis, or Screwdrivers. What’s your poison?

Bromosas, all the way.

4. You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

Short sleeve button up Polo, nice pair of jeans, a nice watch & my favorite pair of Versace sunglasses.

5. Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

Something I have to say I’m good at is always remaining positive no matter how bad a situation is. Life is too short to be upset if you ask me.

6. Your brunch date orders her food. What does she order that makes you know that she’s the one?

When she doesn’t order anything vegan or vegetarian, I know that she’s already on the right path. Simple scrambled eggs, bacon, & hashbrowns would be ideal to keep room for the mimosas. 

Name: Ryker

Age: 24

What He Does: Business Development in Entertainment

Where He Lives: Los Angeles, CA

Instagram: @rykerco / @bros.who.brunch

1.     What are you passionate about?

Music and friends. I listen to a wide variety of genres and I love finding new music. It’s even better when I get to share it and experience it with my best friends. Coachella anyone?

2.     Mimosas, Bloodys, Bellinis, or Screwdrivers. What’s your poison?

Mimosas, or what we like to call “Mibrosas” (OJ, Champagne and Ginger). Screwdrivers if I feel like reliving one of my Spring Breaks.

3.     You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

My Calvins.

4.     Brunch date turn on:

Down to earth and ambitious, but someone who can still have fun and enjoy a mimosa or two…or three…

5.     Brunch date turn off:

Arrogant and impolite. Nothing worse than sitting with someone who’s being rude to the people serving you at brunch. 

6.     Your guilty indulgence is?

Donuts. And the occasional episode of Gossip Girl.

7.     Share your craziest brunch memory.

My craziest brunch memory would probably be a brunch we did for a buddy’s birthday at Ariel in Santa Monica. Our party was legitimately about 50 people, it was out of control. Food was great and mimosas were refilled before you could set your glasses down. For the amount of people we had, they did a great job at taking care of us.

8.     Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

I rarely tell people about this, but I played the Sax for 14 years and went to school for it. I’ve had a lot of great experiences traveling and performing in amazing venues like Carnegie Hall and was even fortunate enough to earn a scholarship for it that paid for my college. I don’t play much anymore, but after doing it for 14 years; it’s almost like riding a bike, right?

9.     Your brunch date orders her food. What does she order that makes you know that she’s the one?

Nutella Stuffed French Toast. Are you a Single Lady? Cause I’m about to put a ring on it.

Name: Nathan 

Age: 24

What He Does: Sales - Sacramento Kings

Where He Lives: Grew up in SoCal, lives in Sacramento, CA. 

Instagram: @schlatte / @bros.who.brunch

1. Tell us a little bit about your brunching lifestyle.

Brunching is a lifestyle. Brunch is the sunrise to a weekend. Mimosas and brunch are the sure sign of living. Good people, good food, great locations are key. 

2. Where are you seen at most for brunch? 

Iron Horse Tavern in Sacramento. Bottomless Mimosas and the Spanish Frittata are unbelievable.

3. What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about making a difference in other people’s lives directly and/or indirectly through the work I do, or the people I surround myself with.

4. You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

Baseball henley, jeans, sperrys with no socks. Sometimes where the Nixon watch. Shaved the day before, but styled the hair.

5. What was the best brunch you’ve ever had and what made it different than all the others?

My buddy Ryker’s birthday brunch. The vibes were flowing, the weather was great with a morning breeze, and the food was unbelievable. I left Sacramento at 6am to attend a 11am brunch in LA.

6. Brunch date turn on: 

When she knows exactly what she wants to order, and she starts the toast.

7. Share your craziest brunch memory. 

Every crazy brunch memory always comes after a crazy night. The great memories from the night before, always continue to brunch the next morning. Thus, it’s a great brunch weekend. There are too many memories of these to count.

Name: Derek

Age: 23

What He Does: Technology Sales

Where He Lives: Santa Monica, CA

Instagram: @dlecot / @bros.who.brunch

1.     Tell us a little bit about your brunching lifestyle.

My brunching lifestyle first started in NYC when I moved out there for a job in buying. I ended up going almost every weekend because the brunch culture is so big out there. I moved back to LA after hating the cold and started to bring some of my friends to brunch. Eventually they caught the bug and we created our page!

2. What was the best brunch you’ve ever had and what made it different than all the others?

It depends on the vibe and what my end game is. The best food I have ever had was at a place in New York that had tapas style. I tried hard to remember the name, but couldn’t find it. If I’m going to more of a party brunch, I like Sonoma Wine Garden the best right now. They have tons of unique kinds of mimosas that they will make for you and the DJ there kills it!

3. What are you passionate about?

Traveling and trying new things! I love getting out of my comfort zone and exploring new cities.

4. Brunch date turn off:

Showing up to brunch in sweatpants and forgetting the first date because you had one too many mimosas.

5. Your guilty indulgence is?

Getting prosciutto pizza at brunch. (Brick and Mortar in Santa Monica has the best and it always sounds great in the morning!)

6. Share your craziest brunch memory.

My craziest brunch memory would probably be at Il Bastardo in NYC. They have 3 options on the menu for drinks, a pitcher of mimosa, Bloody Mary, or a whole bottle of champagne for yourself. Everyone ends up getting personal bottles and it gets pretty wild. There is even a club in the back to party at once your done eating.

7. Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

Planning events with my friends! I’m always the go to person to organize birthdays or holidays. 

Now I'm DEFINITELY going to brunch this weekend...