nic(ole) cari

easy easter.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:46:00 -0400

Easter dinner was supposed to be easy peasy, until I showed up at Honey Baked an hour after it closed at noon.

Panic and frustration hit hard. no doubt i went off on a rant about their poor business sense for closing early on the one day of the year people actually buy a ham.

After this got me nowhere, and no ham, i headed to Whole Foods for an organic pig with no glaze.

Who knew a glaze was so simple, and fatty (other than Julia Lake).

Just pour a bunch of syrup, honey, and brown sugar all over the ham and bake, then baste, then bake, etc.

It’s always nice to pair a late afternoon of cooking w/ some drinking and cheesing.

That morning i baked an almond creme tart w/ blueberries a la Valleybrink Road.

The table was thrown together by Zoe & Lauren. It kept evolving.

Thanks to Lauren Ross for being my drinking buddy, remembering to take photos, and bringing NOVA along.

Honey Baked, i still love you and always will.

Little Ina's.

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:16:00 -0500

My dear friend Anna Banana and I like to fancy ourselves, “Little Ina’s.”

We used to live together in LA, spending weekends paging through Barefoot Contessa cookbooks, discussing the “Jeffrey’s” in our lives, and preparing serious meals.

We always have tons of fun together and share a lot of love.

So when she came out for a visit in February, we couldn’t help ourselves but to prepare a Valentine’s Day dinner for friends (sorry Peen).

For apps we served caviar & smoked salmon on blinis w/ creme fraiche and a generous cheese board.

Glasses were filled w/ Rose Champagne and raspberries.

We went w/ Ina’s Spaghetti & Meatballs (extra fluffy!), which we served on a plate for two, Lady and the Tramp style.

Noodles get couples kissin!

The table was romantically set w/ silver candelabras and pink candle sticks.

For dessert Anna made Ina’s a m a z i n g Double Chocolate Layer Cake, and we purchased S’more kits for everyone from Clementine to roast by the fire.

Like every party of mine usually goes, the boys end up watching sports on TV and the girls DANCE.

Cheers to my Valentine(s) this year, Home Team.

an undie party.

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:37:00 -0500

my favorite underwear is designed by one of my favorite people, (daph)ne.

so when she was coming to town around the holidays, we dreamed up this girly afternoon of shopping undies, eating cookies, and drinking juice (all color coordinated of course).

I first met daphne on a photo shoot for Band of Outsiders a few years ago,

and now she’s a friend and a friend of the brand.

Her line TEN is a collection of 3 styles that I find to be perfect in every way.

simple and flattering shapes, beautiful quality fabric, and inspiring colors.

I also adore her packaging and totes, which became party favors for everyone to take home.

(be sure to check out her newest collaboration w/ A Détacher).

TEN girls are all smiles at this party.

special thanks to Lauren Ross for taking these pics, pressed juicery for the delicious juice, Cissy for making the undie cookies, Geronimo for the balloons, and Refinery 29 for the coverage.

chrismukkah

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:15:00 -0500

for our 2nd annual holiday dinner with Jacob’s family, I took a cue from this guy

and married the two food group traditions from christmas and hanukkah.

apps: Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts, cornichons, vegan spinach hazelnut dip w/ green & red peppers, cheese board w/ grapes.

drinks: Champagne (the good stuff).

mains: Matzo ball soup, Roasted Turkey Roulade w/ Hallah stuffing, Apple-Potato Latkes (or pancakes as i used to call them) w/ Cinnamon Sour Cream, Maple-Dijon Roasted Winter Vegetables, Bibb lettuce salad w/ Thomas Keller’s House Vinaigrette.

the table: kept it cozy w/ candlelight and eucalyptus branches in bottles. around the holidays I use everything I own that’s gold or silver.

For dessert (and party favors) I made my first batch of chocolate chip rugelachs.

Like last year, i made gifts, instead of buying them. Everyone went home w/ some roasted nuts, rugelachs, and a weck jar of persimmon butter.

we warmed our souls with Baijiu and bodies by the fire and in the hot tub.

cheers to the hosts, mr & mrs peen !

and our man of honor this year, Sammy.

thanks to hanners for taking the (iphone) pics. my phone was busy being the ipod playing mariah carey’s christmas pandora station (the best).

(friends)giving

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:07:00 -0500

we hosted our first Friendsgiving (or #peensgiving as we liked to hashtag it)

for 16 of our closest friends in Los Angeles, a week before the real holiday.

it required 2 tables…

… and 2 turkeys.

I couldn’t have asked for a cozier LA evening

as you walked in the door, it began with apple cider brandy/bourbon cocktails

and Sofia bubbly.

apps were kept simple with a round of Tete de Moine (a food memory I keep close from parties past at Esser Vineyards)

and crudite w/ spinach and artichoke dips (made by my friends La & Ty).

Since this was my first time preparing a Thanksgiving meal, I kept to the classics.

and recruited my friends to prepare a few sides like cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and biscuits.

I brined organic turkey(s) w/ herbs, made sourdough stuffing w/ sausage, apples, onions and black currants (soaked overnight in whisky), mashed potatoes (extra loads of butter & creme), and sauteed brussels sprouts with onions and bacon.

For dessert we didn’t F around. My best friend Charlie picked up apple and pumpkin pies from Trails Cafe.

Table setting is my favorite part (and my secret talent apparently).

I kind of love seat assignments, but you can only really get away with them for special occasions. Since Friendsgiving is all about friends, I wanted the name cards to reflect something about each person.

I used stamps.

The best part about being this age is your friends start having babies, and those babies join the party and do cute things to make us all laugh and feel happy.

The night ended as it always should, by jumping in the pool.

thanks to Sous Style for featuring, and miss Lauren Ross for snapping pics.

house(warm)ing

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:06:00 -0400

we’re going on a 2-month heat wave in LA and the only way to beat the heat is to swim.

luckily, we’ve recently moved into a house with a pool.

so we did what any good friends would do, invited people over.

and what do you want to eat when you’re half naked in a swimsuit?

a slab of BBQ Baby Back Ribs.

and Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp.

and other super skinny stuff.

photos by Lauren Ross. see more on Sous Style.

cotton candy, sweet and low, let me see that lobster roll

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:44:00 -0400

Sous Style recently featured me hosting a dinner party for friends at home.

Since it was the beginning of summer I thought it was time to boil a few lobsters, melt a ton of butter, and drink some rosé.

To start, I served Zucchini Cakes w/ Smoked Trout, paired w/ Champagne.

To keep the Lobster Rolls company, I served homemade coleslaw and store bought potato chips (the good kind).

For dessert I leaned on my friend Paul, who made baked peaches w/ an almond butter crumble served with vanilla and pistachio ice cream.

The table was all gingham and sunsets.

Photos by Nick Walker.

it's a...?

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:09:00 -0500

well now we know, it’s a boy !

but back on this day in january it was chicks only.

me and my two girlfriends (zoe & mariana) headed north to Ojai to throw a baby shower for our dear friend La.

their house is a dream

so the rest was a piece of (cup)cake.

the other baby-size food was made by ty’s mom julie.

we asked everyone to bring their favorite children’s book

and a special piece of fabric

little did we know that one of the guests had already made La a beautiful quilt.

the other gifts weren’t too bad either.

and it wouldn’t be a baby shower without tie-dyeing some onesies.

everyone left with a slice of Ojai, a bag of pixie tangerines.

all photos by Lauren Ross.

it's the most wonderful time of the year.

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:16:00 -0500

For the last few years Christmas has been spent in various cities (and climates), but the Holiday is where the heart is, so I hosted a dinner for my family-to-be (Jacob’s).

Since we’re getting married in Italy soon I thought the best menu would be

Italian Wedding Soup.

Also on the menu…

To start: My mom’s famous Spinach Balls & Crab Dip

No photos unfortunately. Both of these dishes taste way better than they look anyway. Filled with delicious Mid Western ingredients like butter, bread crumbs, and cream cheese.

Main: Along with the soup, I made garlic ciabatta bread, an onion tart, and a butter lettuce salad with pomegranates.

Desserts were made by Jacob’s mom Patti and sister Hannah. Only one photo remains because everything else was eaten either last night, in the middle of the night, or this morning (coffee cake and coffee really is a match made in heaven!)

What to give those who have everything?

Ina knows the answer (TO EVERYTHING).

Home made gift baskets!

I was really in the mood to have a domestic weekend so I made the Barefoot Contessa’s

Cherry, Almond and Cinnamon Granola

Cranberry Harvest Muffins

Hazelnut Truffles

I also threw in a Mast Brothers chocolate bar.

Setting a table is probably my favorite part.

Clean-up is not.

meatballs.

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:18:00 -0400

Band of Outsiders hosted a summer movie night

at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

we played the movie Meatballs

and served meatballs.

first came drinks + passed apps at sunset.

pork rillettes/pickled vegetable aioli, heirloom tomato/feta/beets/puslane/olive crostini, buratta crostini/new olive oil/flake salt, fried zucchini/parmesan/marinara.

cocktails by Dewar’s, food by Animal.

paper straws purchased on etsy.

blankets, rugs, and pillows purchased at ikea, wood crate tables on ebay.

buckets of beer, water, and RC cola on ice, just a reach away from your blanket.

come movie time everyone grabbed a box.

in the box: classic meatball sub, provolone, tomato sauce, homeade pasta salad in deli cups, bag of chips.

guests grouped together, got comfy, and enjoyed the movie and meal.

added bonus- bags of caramel corn from Wild Flower Patisserie were passed around for dessert.

all photos taken by John Shearer.

better together.

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:02:00 -0400

i first met Hilary 5 years ago at Band of Outsiders’ first Boy. shoot for Vogue.

after throwing this dinner last November, Hil asked me to plan her and Emmett’s wedding.

i said yes, and then on June 11th they said yes.

not too bad having this guy perform a song during the ceremony.

branch balls purchased here.

after the ceremony (and an extended cocktail hour) it was time to sit down

and eat.

flowers by Holly Flora.

menu:

(passed apps)

smoked fish dip, celery, radish, club crackers
lamb meatballs, cucumber cream fresh, pickled red onion, mint
whipped ricotta, honey, sesame seeds, toast
eggplant caviar, crispy pita, roasted piquillo peppers
lentil fritters, apricot chutney

(dinner served family style)

braised chicken thighs, white wine, herbs
market fish, vodka, tomato, crushed red chile
roasted beets, yogurt, pistachio, chervil
carrot, mint, cilantro, lemon, beet tops
ceci beans, arugula, oregano, black olive, parmesan
market lettuces, creamy tarragon, dried red onion, breadcrumbs
early girl tomatoes, opal basil, flake salt, saba

(dessert)

fresh baked cookies + glass bottles of milk
wedding cake from Sweet Lady Jane bakery

food provided by the two dudes at Animal.

the wedding party.

Em + his groomsmen in some Band.

the best (little) man, their son Henry.

Hil rocking a dress by Juan Carlos Obando.

very lucky for her, lawren is both her close friend + an amazing stylist.

hil + em were clear about one thing, they wanted a FUN night.

this included renting 300 shot glasses.

looks like it worked.

the drink menu:

whisky & mexican coke

house-made margarita

classic vodka soda

tequila shot

Esser wines

cans of PBR + keg of Negro Modelo

* dj: Garrett Colton

school bus shuttle to + from the hotel.

rented from here.

save the date email + printed invitation designed by Carly Margolis.

* b+w photos taken by Jimmy Fontaine.

* color photos taken by Simone Montemurno.

dirty thirty

Wed, 18 May 2011 15:00:00 -0400

a prosecco party to celebrate Zoe’s 30th birthday!

a table for 16.

we made a kraft runner to unify the two tables.

the lavender was picked from our garden + the other flowers came from the downtown flower mart.

the most delicious (and fatty) menu!

apps: oysters on the half shell, yellow beet dip, boursin cheese w/ blackberries.

mains: Ad Hoc buttermilk fried chicken + biscuits.

mac n cheese w/ bacon + walnut pieces.

butter lettuce salad w/ radishes and fresh flowers.

corn on the cobb.

desserts: cherry pie from Susina Bakery + giant (cup)cake from Magnolia Bakery.

my lovely co-hosts: La(uren) + Lemor.

but we couldn’t have done it without zoe’s bitches: Jake + Ty.

sadly, paul (zoe’s bf) couldn’t be there so we made a cut out of his face.

he made it into almost all of the photos.

as party favors we painted pots the night before.

la + ty planted the succulents, which they picked up in Ojai.

photos taken by Lauren Ross.

it's a love story baby just say yes!

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:44:00 -0400

postcard invitations sent in the mail.

printed at paper chase.

mr. & mrs. to be arriving at the party!

first stop, a ladle of Pink Tequila punch.

hand-writing goddess Natalie Krinsky.

pre-party set up with rented bulb lights + heat lamps.

his + her piñatas from Vine American Party Store.

guests emailed their favorite photos of the couple and we printed and strung them around.

taco time! always a tasty delight enjoyed by all.

Call Jamie Razo 323-804-0498.

Megan is from Georgia and enjoys herself some artificial snacks (+ paper goods) that only a southern bell could appreciate.

custom styrofoam cups with Dolly Parton quote:

“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap”

most challenging guest book to handle when intoxicated, but best read the next day.

these two are actors so we got a hold of their headshots and had them printed onto sheet cakes.

champagne in a pink can is a little gift from heaven, especially to megan.

the seven hosts with most toasted the couple with sparklers + straws.

ring pops + flashing rings made for an excellent dance accesory.

high kick!

DJ Garrett Colton playing all the requested hits with no judgement.

the team of hosts!

charlie andrews, natalie krinsky, hud morgan, kristen peters, bettina adger, mary-john frank.

photos taken by my girl Lauren Ross.

more party pics here.

oscar mayer weiner

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:15:00 -0500

our 2nd annual academy awards viewing party.

popcorn cones made of newspaper movie sections.

nod to Jewels.

movie candy: m+m’s, peanut butter cups, red vines.

$10 in, winner takes all.

filling out ballots during red carpet coverage.

welcome wagon: bloody mary shots w/ bay shrimp scewers (stinky).

no one is trusted with a pencil or the option to grade their own ballot come show time.

finger foods: goat cheese fig jam mint crostini, salmon cream cheese dill melba toasts, stuffed mushrooms, caviar creme freche blinis, crudites, hummus + spicy olives, deviled “not popular” eggs.

turkey “oscar” mayer weiners provided by zoe, mostly eaten by paul.

not pictured, but worth mentioning: mac n cheese served in coffee mugs.

recipe shared by nico.

dranks: pomegranate juice peach nectar grande marnier champagne punch, old fashioneds, beer.

nasty but festive cookies purchased at Gelsons.

the winner: vasco (the little guy).

the actual winners, with 19/24 correct: jacob + zoe.

byo onesie.

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:39:00 -0500

the baby mama!

miss lauren coffield malloy.

the spread: empanadas, scones, muffins, croissants, quiches, apple pancake, tea sandwiches, + greens.

oh, and fresh squeezed oj for mimosas of course.

outdoor country table.

tie dye buckets.

onesies in all sizes.

this baby is going to be the hipp(i)est thing around town.

magnolia cupcakes from zoe.

strawberry jam party favor.

made with love by lauren’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, grace.

a few of these photos were taken by jules.

for more party pics click here.

100 ft dinner table.

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Band of Outsiders dinner celebrating our new los angeles studio.

I turned our raw industrial office into a warm dining room.

chandeliers created with fishing wire + glass globes.

Polaroid retrospective printed at Paper Chase.

table wine kindly provided by my friends at Esser Vineyards.

glass bottles, cotton branches, and a mix of billy bong and wheat grass.

borrowed from Holly Flora.

drink menu ironed onto fabric.

menu made into a stamp.

food from Animal.

party favor made by the jam man, Kevin West.

put a ring on it.

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:29:00 -0400

the couple now has these letters in their garden

and this banner hanging in their bathroom (minus “the future”).

a self-serve bar.

bottles individually tagged with this custom stamp.

tacos! less cooking, and more fun.

call jamie razo 323 804 0498.

bluegrass + folk jams provided by a trio from McCabes.

party favor: a mix of songs by artists that the couple likes.

the blissed-out engaged (now married) couple, Lauren & Keith Malloy.

sparklers lit up the night during the champagne toast.

photos + video by my friend Lauren Ross.

for more party pics click here.