AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO SLANG: VOLUME 6

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I’m a little late this year, but I’m here. Back with the annual slang glossary to help all the old folks stay fresh and cool with the latest hip lingo.

Special thanks, as always, goes out to my Facebook homies for their assistance in my very important research. If you need to review any of the previous volumes, you’ll find links to volumes 1 – 5 at the bottom.

Buckle up, kids. Here we go….

/remember: “I don’t remember.” For those of you who do not “speak” HTML, that forward slash indicates the end of something, essentially. As in “No, stop.” Isn’t it nice that HTML is creeping into our real-life everyday vocab?

Ate That: Surprisingly, it’s an indication of success. As in, “100% on that test?! You ate that, man.”

Bants: A short version of “banter.”

Based: Well, the easiest definition for me to understand was as shorthand for “based on facts,” but there’s a bunch of definitions out there. Y’all can go figure this one out.

BEC: This one totally cracked me up. It stands for “Bitch eating crackers” and almost seems like another way to cite a “Karen.” As in, “you’re just mad cause she’s a BEC.”

Bones/No Bones: We can all thank Noodles the Pug for this one. I ain’t mad about it. There’s even an adorable book about it now.

slang glossary

Booed Up: You are taken! Paired up with a significant other. (Congrats!) ❤️

Bozo: I am happy to say I knew this word. It’s been in my own vernacular for ages. Nice to see it making a comeback.

Cake: Has someone recently complemented your cake? Woo hoo! That means you have a great ass.

Caught in 4K: Let’s put it this way, stupid criminals are typically “caught in 4K.”

Cheugy: I think the word “cheugy” is already cheugy (out of style). I haven’t heard it in a while, but I’ve never included it before so there it is. Here is a creepy dude teaching us how to pronounce it.

Coin: I discovered a few definitions for this term however as it was originally referred to me was as a “shiny” replacement.

Cope, Cope Harder: Something to say when you want to aggravate someone who’s flailing. The example on Urban Dictionary cracked me up:

Person 1: Bro why did you cook the dog? I loved him.
Person 2: Cope harder, Bozo.

Creps: A synonym for “sneakers.”

Doing the Grown-up: Look at you two, getting it on…. “doing the grown up!” (Hopefully not in public.)

Drip/Drip So Hard: Adjective to describe your outfit- similar to swag. And if it’s real special, you drip so hard.

Dub: As in the “W” — the win. Get the dub, team.

Fit Check: This is a way of saying “check out my outfit.” It’s commonly used on social media paired with a photo of one’s outfit and used as a hashtag, #FitCheck.

Slang Glossary

Ghosting: A lot of us know this one, right? Please not that if you do this to someone while you’re dating or in a job interview process, you’re a dick.

Good Fit: A term for exclusivity. “Only good fits allowed.”

Guap: Totally thought this was gonna be short for “guapo,” which is Spanish for “handsome.” But it’s a euphemism for a lot of cash.

Hit Different: When positive expectations are exceeded. “This pizza is great, but that spaghetti hits different.” (Points for the spaghetti!)

Hot Girl Summer: How have I not included this yet? And how are we still saying this? Are we still saying this?

IWTF: “I want to fuck.” (You do?)

Key Smash: Wow. This was more information about a slang term than I ever imagined I’d find. But a “key smash” is literally that — a random smashing of the keyboard that conveys intense or overwhelming emotion. However, there is apparently an art to this skill. For the perfect key smash, you must use the “Home Keys” on your keyboard; a,s,d,f,j,k,l, as well as g and h. The typical start letters are “a” and “j” but any of them can really be used. AND, once you have perfected your key smash, you can begin throwing in letters from the other rows for a personal touch. Isn’t that exciting? Further research indicates this a staple of the LGBTQ+ community.

Living Rent Free: Admittedly, this is one of my personal faves. There’s always a lot of shit living rent free in my brain. And there is also a very needy and costly dog living rent free in my home.

Looking For the Askers: Well, obviously, I found out “askers” is people who ask questions, and I guess sometimes you gotta look for ’em.

Maskfish: Covid gave way to some new slang (i.e., “maskne”). This is when you meet someone during the Pandemic only to discover that who they truly are in subsequent interactions, sucks. Or, more literally (and perhaps more cruelly), when someone who is/was attractive with a mask on, takes it off to reveal they are… not.

No Cap: A cleaner alternative to “no shit.”

Opp: Thought this was obviously an abbreviation for “opportunity” but it is, in fact, short for “opposition.”

Pog: Does anyone remember when POGS were all the rage for about eight minutes in the 90s?! This is actually derived from that. It’s an expression of excitement. (Because I guess Pogs were…. exciting?)

QTNA: Questions that need answers.

Ratio: When a reply or comment on social media gets more likes than the original post it replied to (See also: You Fell Off).

Red Flag Emoji: STOPPIT! RUN! GO BACK! RED ALERT! Is this the internet’s “flag on the play?” I think it is. 🚩

Say Less: When you understand something so fully and clearly, you don’t need any further explanation. You might comment “I’m on it. Say less.”

Secure(d) the Bag: You did it! You got your money! (I agree that “secured the bag” sounds way cooler.)

Seethe: My research indicates this is a bit of a “Karen” response. When an annoying or self-righteous nerd rages on internet about something arbitrary, you might tell them, “Seethe more, asshole.”

Sending me: “Sending me” is the new “I’m screaming” or “I literally cant.” (See: Volume 1)

Skrrt: The act of screeching, be it in your car or when you pass a hottie on the street.

Stonks: A retort when one has made a financial faux pas. “You traded your car for a bike? Stonks.”

Studious Foo: What a compliment! You’re a responsible, studier, kid. A studious fool. (I guess the ‘L’ is extraneous.)

That’s Gas: Used as a synonym for with “fire,” “rad,” “dope,” etc.to indicate something is great. (Have we brought back “rad” yet? Let’s keep on that.)

The Blueprint: Other than being a pretty great album from Jay-Z in 2001, it refers to someone who’s so amazing and perfect, they are THE BLUEPRINT. You know who you are. 😜

Understood the Assignment: Ya nailed it. Good job.

You Fell Off: A phrase typically used on Twitter to mock someone for a bad take. Sometimes it’s used as a way to ratio (see also: ratio) the unaware victim. And this was an odd aside from Urban Dictionary that made me laugh but also cringe : “Most people using this phrase lack a strong male role model in their life and don’t know what grass feels like.”

Zaddy: I won’t even tell you what Urban Dictionary had on this. Let me just say “hot, older guy.” Personally, still creeps me out. The only Daddy I ever wanted is my father and I certainly ain’t calling anyone “Zaddy.”

OKAY, KIDS AND GROWN UPS, WHAT DID I GET WRONG? WHAT DID I MISS?

TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS SO I CAN ADD IT TO VOLUME VII. 

For previous editions, click: VOLUME I  //  VOLUME II  //  VOLUME III  //  VOLUME IV // VOLUME V

THE 2021 BRUNCHIES

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The Brunchies 2021

Yes! The Brunchies are BACK! Not quite on the grand scale of years past but The 2021 Brunchies will take a new form to go along with these new times. I decided I did not want to go another year without my most beloved honorarium so rather than individual categories — since I was not able to try as many new brunch spots as I would in “normal” times — I’m going to share with you some of the brunches that simply stood out to me this year, as well as restaurants I’m hopeful to try in 2022. And then, additionally, a link to a few articles with solid “best of” recommendations worthy of checking out.

I also want to add how sad I’ve been in these last two years to see so many restaurants close down. Any small business that has fallen victim to Covid-19 is heartbreaking. So please, support small businesses as best you can. Order delivery and take-out from your favorite local eateries. Go dine out on their new patios and try their special take-home kits. Let’s not let so many of these place fall by the wayside.

AND PLEASE! If you have a brunch recommendation of your own, I would LOVE to hear it. Drop it in the comments or send it my way on social media.

The 2021 Brunchies

STELLAR ATLAS was one of my favorite Quarantine-time discoveries. They produce fresh coffee and fresh bagels – all homemade in Burbank for pick-up or delivery. My personal favorite are the sesame seed bagels but definitely try his nugz and pretzel nugz.

The Brunchies Stellar Atlas

When I ventured back out into the world, as it was in the Spring, one of the first restaurants I visited was WOOD AND WATER in Sherman Oaks. I had the gravalax benedict which comes on potato pancakes, topped with caviar. I’d perviously only been there for dinner, which was delicious. Glad to know they’re well-rounded.

The Brunchies Wood and Water

In truth CONSERVATORY in WeHo was one of the only restaurants I repeat-visited this year, due in large part to their wonderful patio – and my friend Claire’s addiction to it. (I don’t even know if the restaurant even has indoor seating, actually.) The service rocks, the food is great and the cocktail program is top notch.

The Brunchies Conservatory

PIZZANA (locations in Brentwood and Beverly Hills) is not exactly a brunch spot but I was into it the moment I saw their Chef, Daniele Uditi beat Bobby Flay with his signature white pizza — the Cacio e Pepe pizza. On the off chance you don’t know what Cacio e Pepe is, the pizza is topped with provoloncino di agerola, fior di latte, parmigiano crema and cracked black pepper. (If you have to google any of that, I will not judge you.) 

The Brunchies Pizzana

The breakfast sandwich at HIGHLY LIKELY is really tasty with its squishy soft bun, soft scrambled eggs and Wisconsin cheddar cheese sauce. It’s a gem of a coffee shop in Culver City.

The Brunchies Highly Likely

Another Culver City gem in MARGOT with its rooftop patio. I had poached eggs and polenta with a roasted red pepper sugo and feta. I went back for dinner not long after and though it was a pricey evening, it was just as good as the brunch. And let me give you this tip: Use the valet parking. Finding street parking in that neighborhood is a nightmare.

The Brunchies Margot

So! There you have it. Thus concludes The Brunchies 2021. Perhaps because of the way and weight of our world, every meal out of the house felt so much more special this year and it’s my sincere hope that this feeling carries over into every meal with friends and family in the future. Many of us realize now that these are not moments to take for granted.

If you’re thirsty for more, here are some great articles to refer to:

And lastly, a short list of restaurants I am eager to try in 2022:

Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy new year. May the coming year be kind to us all. 

Friday Favorites – It’s Been a Minute!

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Is “Quarantine Life” over yet? While it seems on the outside like a lot is returning to “normal,” Los Angeles just reinstated the indoor mask mandate and in my head, we are still very far away from the light at the end of the tunnel. And admittedly, I’m in a bit of a funk as a result and without a specific target for my rage at those who refuse to get vaccinated and follow some very simple rules. Sigh. But here I am with my “Friday Favorites” because I do know that writing in any form always makes me feel good. Quarantine Life WHAT I READ AND WATCHED
  • I recently read Andrew McCarthy’s memoir, Brat, and it was really well done. If you’re an 80s kid, I highly recommend it. I also read Oprah’s collab with Bruce Perry, What Happened to You? and it really got me thinking about trauma in a new way. If you can handle some triggering, I recommend that one, too.
  • Just this morning I read about these remarkable young women who found out they were all dating the same man. Instead of stewing on it, they turned it into something uniquely positive.
  • This small restaurant also spun a negative into a positive. But sheesh, humanity. We’ve got to do better.
  • I’m very into this list of amazing ice cream shops in Los Angeles.
  • I binged the crap out of “Hacks” and “Mare of Easttown” and therefore am having a wonderful Jeannaissance (Jean Smart is in both series). The Hollywood Reporter is hip to it. The Daily Beast is, too.

Jean Smart / Friday Favorites

EARLIER THIS MONTH
  • I have been working with a documentary called All Things Bakelite for several weeks and they were live on WGN America today!
  • Earlier in the month, a documentary I have been working with off and on for a couple years, was showcased on the TODAY show. I am so dug in with these guys since we’ve all been together so long (and beyond, since I worked on a previous film for them as well) and am so proud.
  • I have been out to brunch again! And I’ve also been on a plane more than once. There have been a lot of tasty meals and I’ve been posting more frequently on Hollywood Brunch.
BLOGGERS & SMALL BUSINESSES

Friday Favorites

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
  • I found a puppycam. You’re welcome.
  • I, like most of the world, enjoyed the hell out of “Loki” on Disney+ and think everyone needs to pay more attention to the composer, Natalie Holt.
  • And this nice lady will ruin nursery rhymes for you…
 

10 Things About Me – Business Bits

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If you enjoy this, I challenge you to do your own “10 Things About Me,” too! What are your “10 Things” — the bits and pieces that connect the dots for your contacts?

I was inspired to do this by my long-time friends and colleagues, Chris and Tara, who noted their contacts were fragmented and had known of them in only bits and pieces. I learned quite a bit about them when they posted their lists and hope you’ll learn something new about me.

And, as Chris says, if we don’t toot our own horns, no one will! Go one and BE YOUR OWN BEST PUBLICIST (something I always say).

10 Things About Me

  1. I got my first job at 15, personalizing gifts with puffy paints and markers. I also worked at a dry cleaners not long after.
  2. I attended the Univeristy of Arizona but transferred to NYU to attend Film School and major in Screenwriting.
  3. My M.A. Thesis at USC in 2008 was entitled “How Social Media Will Revolutionize Entertainment.”
  4. I started working with social media in 2006 when I convinced my first entertainment industry employer to get on MySpace.
  5. I was among the first 1000 users to join TWTTR in 2006.
  6. I was an Events Coordinator for my Congressional District in 2008 to help elect a Senator named Barack Obama President.
  7. I speak Hebrew, a little Spanish and really want to learn ASL someday.
  8. I have handled PR for a lot of non-entertainment clients, including a pilot, a vegan chef, and start-ups in tech and fashion.
  9. I love to volunteer and spent eight years on the Board of Social Media Club LA and five with B’nai B’rith Youth.
  10. I started my own agency in January 2018 and have since worked with press in more than 40 countries.

 

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO SLANG: VOLUME 5

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We’re back — here with the annual slang glossary to help all the old folks stay cool with the latest, hip lingo! As always, special thanks to Facebook and my friends’ teenaged kids for their assistance in my very important research.

I should add that I did consider adding terminology like “Latinx” and “Womxn” or a number of terms having to do with Gender Identity, but decided finitely that I am still in a place of learning myself and am not the person to educate anyone in those spaces. However I am happy to encourage and direct you over to Well + Good, PFLAG and Planned Parenthood for further information there.

Moving on….

Slang Glossary

And that’s on: To add further emphasis. (More on this later.)

Bet: Many uses here. It can be used in lieu of the word “okay” or “yes,” but can also be used as a response when someone challenges you, instead of saying “watch” or “we’ll see.” i.e., “Got your text. See you at the club later.” / “Bet.”

Big Mad: This feels a little self-explanatory. It means you’re pretty pissed off. The way it’s stated if a little unique, though. i.e., “I’m big mad that we got that pop quiz in class today.”

Big Yikes: A more intense version of the word “yikes” because something is so very embarrassing that another, much larger “yikes” is needed.

Bruh: This is obviously used like “bro,” but is also often used as an acknowledgement. i.e., “Mac and cheese for dinner tonight.” / “Bruh.” (Don’t ask me to explain it. I’m just here to inform.)

Bussin: Really good. Usually associated with food. Not unlike smacking, I guess?

Cap/No cap: To lie about something – but, confusingly, “no cap” means to tell the truth. i.e.,
“What you said is the biggest cap I’ve heard in a minute.”

CD9: Breaker, breaker. This one may take you back to the walkie-talkie days of your youth. If you lived that kind of youth. CD9 stands for Code 9 as in, “Can’t talk! My parents are here!”

CEO of…: Typically seen in the comments section. If you see someone nailing something? Well, they’re the CEO of THAT.

Curve: This is slang for rejecting someone romantically or sidestepping their advances. You might see it on social media or in a text as a hastag, referencing ignoring a text or come on with “#curve.”

Drop the addy: A command to give your location or address.

Drop your Snap: A command to give out your Snapchat ID.

Floof: Perhaps my favorite and most often used slang term, meaning SUPER DUPER FLUFFY! You know it when you see it. A floofy puppy is the bestest. (P.S. My scientific research, AKA my friend Ky, tells me “Floof” is also used for floofy kitties.)

Slang Glossary: Floof

Glow up: I don’t know how I’ve not included this in previous entries as it’s one I actually use, but anyway, it means when someone’s gone from ugly duckling to gorgeousness. They’ve had a glow-up.

LMIRL: Let’s meet in real life. Use with caution, kids.

Mittens: Inspired by – you guess it! – all of the Bernie Sanders memes. “Mittens” now serves as a descriptive term for something that was not quite amazing, but, not bad either. This is my favorite. Because I was among the meme obsessed. And I’ve never done this before but I’d like to dedicate this glossary entry to my friend Tara, who had a Bernie Mittens coffee mug delivered to me. It’s delightful.

Slang Glossary: Mittens

Nah, fam: Simply a way to say “no, thank you.”

OP: “Open pad.” To ask if anyone have a house we can go hang out at.

Periodt: Used at the end of a sentence, it is meant to add emphasis to a point that has been made. It is often regarded as a more extreme or intense version of “period.” It is also often preceded by “and that’s on” to add further emphasis. i.e., “This is the best flick of all time, and that’s on periodt.”

Plots: The plans, the schedule, the desitantion. i.e., “What are the plots?” or “What’s the plot tonight?”

POS: Nope, this is not for “piece of shit” — if you’re around my age, your mind may have gone there. Nowadays, POS is a quick acronym for texting or messaging that means “parents over shoulder.” As in, “not the time to send that dick pic, bruh.”

Pretty sus: Pretty suspicious. You know who you are.

Protecc: The highest form of protection! Though per Urban Dictionay, it’s done “with just and gentle grace.” (Why TWO C’s, I wonder?)

Pull up: Step up and fight!

Scoop: You want me to scoop you? Pick you up in my car? HMU in the comments….

Simp: Basically, a new way to call someone a schmoozer, to describe people (typically those who identify as male) who are willing to do anything to get somebody to fall in love with them.

Sksksksk: This phrase is somewhat versatile, but is mostly a filler expression of excitement. Imagine smashing your keyboard at random because you’re so amped. It’s popular among VSCO girls (if they are still a thing?) who use it to express their joy. i.e., “Are you going to the party tonight?” / “SKSKSKSK YES!” (And insert my eye roll here.)

Smack: For us children of the 80s who attended many a D.A.R.E. lecture, Smack is a synonym for Heroin. But in this instance, it’s as “slaps” is to music – “This burger smacks.”

Tendies: Since Robin Hood recently rose in popularity, you may have spotted this term, which is gains earned from an investment. Collect your tendies, people!

Wig: Used to refer to something that is amazing, from the idea that what you saw was so amazing, your wig flew right off.

Your mom: I was not set on including this but many of the young people surveyed in my research suggested it, so there it is. We all know how this is used, right?

Emojis: This is not a slang term issue, but I am here to make you all cool and hip as older people so I must bring you this bit of tragic news as well. You see, it seems that emojis are not “it” anymore. My friend’s teenaged daughter and a recent CNN investigation found teens calling certain emojis “overused” and “bland.” Will you abide by this new vibe?

Personally, I’ve always thrived on breaking from convention. 😜👈🏻🖕🏻

OKAY, KIDS AND GROWN UPS, WHAT DID I MISS?

TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS SO I CAN ADD IT TO THE NEXT ROUND!

For previous editions, click: VOLUME I  //  VOLUME II  //  VOLUME III  //  VOLUME IV

 

Confessions of a Glasses Addict – SmartBuyGlasses Review

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Disclosure: The following is sponsored content. I was gifted product in exchange for this post. 

SmartBuyGlasses

I have endeavored to make the most of “Quarantine Life” and it’s involved a little (ok, a lot of) online shopping. In addition to my growing collection of leisure wear, I have amassed quite the collection of glasses and sunglasses during this time. I recently bought some glasses online from SmartBuyGlasses and had a great experience. (Tip: scroll to the bottom of the site to select your country.)

It has become increasingly convenient to get glasses online — now with the onset of Covid and big worries about germs. SmartBuyGlasses is a shopper’s paradise with a huge selection and a multitude of ways to narrow your search field. Additionally, they guarantee the best price — if you see the same frames on another site for less, they will absolutely refund the difference.

What really made the difference in shopping with them was the support from their optician. After I placed my order she emailed me, asking me some questions about my prescription. She was kind, helpful and prompt; she helped me understand what “lens index” means and why it matters. I appreciated that they went the extra mile for me. In all, it took much less time than going in for an appointment with my Optometrist.

The last thing that may have held me back from buying glasses online was the try-on experience, but who wants to go into a store right now and put a bunch of glasses on their face? I was very happy using SBG’s virtual try-on tool which helps you accurately see how new glasses would look on. It’s easy to take a selfie video on their website, which then tells you your face shape and suggests the kind of frames that would flatter the most.

One more product reco if you’re not on this train yet — get some Blue Light glasses. We’re all sitting in front of screens more than ever these days and I promise it will save you some literal headaches. It’s also been a strategic way to calm my eyes and brain down a couple hours before I need to go to sleep — did you know that too much blue light blocks melatonin production? That’s the hormone that helps us go to sleep. (Note: You don’t have to have a prescription to get a pair.)

Stay tuned for selfies of me in my new pair once they arrive!

SmartBuyGlasses

LA Quarantine Life Delivery Hacks

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Not quite the regular “Friday Favorites” here today; instead I’m offering up some Quarantine Life Delivery Hacks to my local peeps. One of the more fun aspects of sheltering in place is all the fun little side hustles local entrepreneurs have started up to remain productive and make our lives a little easier. I’ve amassed a nice list of some to share and I hope if I’ve missed one you love, you’ll share it in the comments!

Special thanks to friends who sent me a lot of great recommendations. I kept this list to Quarantine time start-ups that deliver, mostly individuals, not established restaurants or businesses that deliver via a third-party app. All of these link to the businesses’ instagrams and I encourage you to follow them to stay current on their offerings and make sure you know their delivery guidelines, boundaries and recommendations. 

BOOZE

Natty Pours: Natty is a bartender creating and delivering craft cocktails to you at home! Her Insta is super fun and her cocktail names are a treat. A group of girlfriends and I have taken to placing large group orders with Natty via one designee who then delivers to all of us.

Stir Crazy Cocktails: More craft cocktails! They come in charming mason jars and baggies with a note. I love this one a lot. She has a new menu each week!

Fancy Free Liquor: Imagine you were planning to open a new business this year… OOF. But these guys have made it work with a delivery service that is crushing it. So much so, they are currently shut down for delivery but keep an eye out. They not only deliver liquor, they also offer cocktail kits, mixers, select market items and more. I love their vibe.

Lost Cove Tiki: Aloha tiki lovers! This is calling your name. They offer tropical cocktails, wings and Hawaiian BBQ, and even adorable tiki mugs & glassware.

Rocks Paper Salt: I am dying to try this one. I know a lot of my friends have. It’s detailed craft cocktail kits delivered to your doorstep. Also a women-owned business. Isn’t it nice to see so many women dominating this space? I love it!

Bespoke Bar LA: A customizable specialty cocktail service that delivers locally – and they actually ship nationwide! Their deliveries arrive in super cute crates and I’m excited to try it soon.

Authentic Cocktails: A little farm-to-table with your craft cocktail deliver. Don’t be surprised if your delivery shows up with a cute little succulent plant. They also have a cute gifting option!!!

Quarantine Life Delivery Hacks

Left: Natty Pours’ “But First Let’s Take and Elfie!” / Right: Stir Crazy Cocktails ready to go out for deliveries!

GOOD EATS

Cuterie Girls: I can’t get enough cheese – and I know I am not alone because today alone I saw two friends post about this one.

WCPLA: Just a note that Wine and Cheese Please asks for deposit and charges for delivery but if you love charcuterie, it’s totally worth it. (You can also just pick it up and skip the delivery charge — they’re in East Los Angeles.)

Go Go Gyoza: This Los Angeles dumpling company uses the highest-quality ingredients from local and regional purveyors and “every dumpling is pinched with love.” I have yet to try it but I’ve heard it’s completely delicious.

Stone Soup Project: I just loved this when I tried it! They deliver homemade soups you can freeze or just refrigerate to eat up right away. Tons of choices! Very easy to heat up and very easy to love — for every quart you buy, one is donated to a person who needs a meal.

Rosie’s Bagels: I just found out about this and I MUST HAVE IT. They deliver each Saturday — homemade California Bungalow Bagels inspired by Montreal & NYC style recipes. They look amazing.

Kuma Beer: Do not be deceived. Not beer, also bagels. They are sourdough based bagels and OMG, they have a bacon and cheese bagel! (I assume they use a beer sourdough starter, hence the name.)

[OMG]arlic: This is so unique and I love that someone thought of it. It’s handcrafted garlic chili oil that’ll make you say “OMG!”

Quarantine Life Delivery Hacks

All the carbs!!! Left: So many dumplings from Go Go Gyoza! / Right: Kuma Beer’s plump Sesame Seed Bagels.

BAKED GOODS

Sunday in June: Small batch, handcrafted, Filipinx flavors delivered in the OC and LA. The pies look HEAVENLY.

Pique-Nique LA: Handmade treats celebrating cali’s produce palette made in Eagle Rock. So you’ll see a lot of pies, fruit pastries and cookies, but also preserves that looks gorgeous.

Love Dreams Pie: Homemade fresh pies, cakes, and treats actually catered to your dietary needs. For orders you just have to call 48 hours in advance.

Maddy’s Mookies: Maddy + cookies = Mookies! And guys, I have a full on food-crush on Maddy. They. Are. DELICIOUS. A month back, my friend and I split a cookie PIE. Just us two. Because why not. She delivers in LA & OC (she also ships!), and 10% of the net proceeds go to the Equal Justice Initiative.

NoHo Pie Guy: From his home, NoHo Pie Guy is making pies and other treats — including cocoa bombs, which seem to be quite the trend this season. I’m told they’re worth taking a drive for.

Quarantine Life Delivery Hacks

Left: Sunday in June’s chocolate pie made with Philippine coffee beans / Right: Maddy’s Mookies are always packaged beautifully! 

Amanda Bakes LA: Amanda’s baked goods are amazing and she’ll even do some gluten free treats for ya if you need. In addition to delivery, curbside pickup in available in WeHo. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to meet her delivery helper, Lucy. (Pictured below.)

Better with Butta: His homemade scones are IT. Omigod. Chris Tucker (no, not that Chris Tucker) makes baked goods with vegan options and contributes some of his proceeds to great causes.

Sugar Farm Bakery: Cornflakes and cheesecakes, matcha, mochi and brownies – OH MY!

Batter Days Desserts: Based in Carson and Filipinx owned, a myriad of baked goods. New menus posted regularly.

Brown Baked: Transforming traditional Filipino dessert flavors into cookies and more. Who wants to try Ube cheesecake?! I do.

Beat Blend n’ Bake: Filipino Desserts with twist! Like ube cheesecake bars, pumpkin spice flan and pudo pandan. (Don’t worry, I gotchu if you don’t know — Puto is a steamed cake make in various fashions; Pandan is a particular flavor from a plant.)

Honey and the Hive: A bakery serving up delicious goodies inspired by old batter-splattered recipes cards with innovative and sometimes unexpected flavor profiles.

Andy: Yes, just Andy. Andy is very talented actor who occasionally bakes and delivers. Highly recommend stalking his Instagram profile to find out when he does. He brought me a pie early on in Quarantine and it was wonderful.

Left: Amanda’s Peppermint Bark Brownies and her adorable helper / Center: Pudo Pandan / Right: Brown Baked’s Ube cheesecakes. 

Enjoy!

Quarantine Has Made Me Greedy

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My first day of “Quarantine Life” was Friday, March 13 and so it struck me as rather “full circle” when November 13 also fell on a Friday. And that is eight months of this life wherein I have not been able to go to a bar with my friends, enjoy a leisurely Sunday Brunch, stroll through a bookstore, work on my laptop in my favorite coffee shop, order a breakfast-for-lunch at my favorite diner counter, travel to see friends and family. The list goes on.

I feel a bit like a whiny baby when I have these thoughts. Could you imagine doing this in the 80s? In the 70s? We are lucky this has happened to us with the comforts and conveniences we have. What if there were not internet, no Facetime, no Netflix? So there is that. Yes, we are lucky.

Presumedly we have all made sacrifices. (And frankly, if you have not — if you are one of THOSE people, click here.) And it seems now that I better understand gratitude. At minimum, I certainly appreciate small freedoms I took for granted previously. And I miss them.

At night, when I am dreading the following day, which will undoubtedly feel much like the day before, and the day before that, my mind wanders. Sometimes to trivialities wherein I find myself mindlessly adding things to my Amazon or Nordstrom wishlists. And sometimes my thoughts are broader and I think about all of the places around the world I want to go. There are so many more than I realized and it often becomes overwhelming. Where will I go first? Iceland? Helsinki? Back to Puerto Vallarta? Just up to Seattle or over to Austin? I would love to go on a cruise.

It’s funny because I’m not a “wanderlust” person. I have several friends whom have traveled the world and I love to see their photos and hear stories, but for me, I have always been quite happy to vacation domestically. I love New York and will go over and over. I don’t usually crave new and unfamiliar surroundings. Yet in this current life, I think of it often. I make lots of lists. I listen to travel podcasts and watch videos. I watch a lot of house tours from Architectural Digest and follow a bunch of Instagram accounts I’d not heard of months ago.

I often think about things I would like to do with my friends. (I should clarify here that I think of my family as well but my Shelter-in-place “pod” includes some of them, so I do see family members.) The last big activity pre-Quarantine was a visit to a wine bar and bookstore with girlfriends and it was a lovely day. I would like to do that again. I want to get a group together and drink at a bar for no reason. I would love to go with a couple friends to a spa and get massages followed by relaxing in a hot tub, whispering gossip between us. It would be nice to go shopping together or lay by someone’s pool. I would like to take a client to my club, go sit in their lounge and enjoy my favorite sandwich. I have many friends who live out of town – the list of who I want to go visit is long.

But let’s be honest, the things I miss the most are hugs and high fives. I miss leaving a place and casually hugging everyone on the way out. I miss entering a room and excitedly hugging a friend I haven’t seen in a while hello. When someone tells a funny joke, I want to laugh and throw up my hand for a high five without a care. I want to cuddle with someone. So while I feel like this Quarantine Life has made me greedy for many things, what it’s made me want the most is a huge, monstrous, loving group hug.

Don’t @ me. Hugs are AMAZING. GroupHug_Quarantine

Friday Favorites in Quarantine Life

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When this whole Quarantine Life began, I had a profound sensitivity to any statement akin to “2020 is the worst year ever.” My father passed away in 2019, and it is impossible to imagine anything being worse than that, so every time I’d hear a jab at 2020, I wanted to shout “IT IS NOT THE WORST THING EVER, I SWEAR.” But at this later point, while I’m not at all willing to concede anything is worse than my 2019, I have developed a better sense of humor about it. I mean, this really, really is a SHIT year. The Pandemic, the election, the unbelievable stress and agony of it all. No one could plan for this. Murder hornets? Dino-gators? Whatever. You’re not gonna scare me with mutated insects and amphibians now, 2020. Kiss off. And BTW, a warning, if you need: Lots of politics in this post. #SorryNotSorry. Quarantine Life WHAT I READ AND WATCHED

  • It’s time for everyone to get on the same page about Melania. I thought this piece was poignant. She does not deserve anyone’s pity or sympathy.
  • Found this through a friend and it’s a very cool website – check out Political Playlist which is bi-partisan and aggregates info/news for you taking the next generation of political leaders into consideration, which is SUPER important with our aged political system.
  • I, along with the rest of social media, fell in love with Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit.” I then went down a long, long rabbit hole of relevant content and loved this New York Times piece. Did you know they have a chess columnist?!
  • Another smart journalist, this time for Variety, broke down Trump’s breakdown. A very good read.
  • And P.S., I cannot wait for Trump to lose all his protections. His Twitter account will be on watch.
  • We all know about Four Seasons Total Landscaping by now, yes? I’ll be hanging onto that gem for a long, long time, kids.

Quarantine Life: The Four Seasons

EARLIER THIS MONTH

  • I bought this fleece-lined hoodie from Aerie and it is my new favorite thing. I got black because that was easy but now I want it in EVERY color. But how many hoodies is too many? I own a lot….
  • One of my favorite people in the upcoming administration is our new Second Gentleman.

  • Another successful beach day in the books. We really love it. It’s a perfect Quarantine Life activity. Except when Neville got a little too much feels for freedom and made me chase him way down the beach. Then I did not enjoy. My dog is adorable and smart AF but he can be a little devil.

Quarantine Life: Dog Beach VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • The giddiness apparent in this video of Kamala Harris calling Joe Biden is so endearing.
  • For all my fellow Hamil-stans, they original Broadway case made this really cool video pre-election, that I am still enjoying:

  • Sean Connery and Alex Trebec’s passings were so sad, of course, but it send me down a video spiral of SNL Jeopardy parodies. God, these were funny.

 

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