Cari White's Christmas Bunco

What a fun-filled event! The always classy Cari hosted the holiday bunco AGAIN, and we couldn't have been happier! The Kahlua didn't hurt, either! Yes, Cari, I noticed...thank you ever so much! The formal dining table overflowed with delicious appetizers contributed by the guests, with yummy desserts, coffee, tea and "beverages" offered by the hostess.

The gift exchange was the highlight of the night, with Nora scoring a great cocktail ring. Corene chose a lovely grey ruffled wrap, and Dina made off with a collection of sparkly chocolate colored Christmas ornaments! The gifts were varied and fabulous, and too numerous to mention! I got the best one, though...a leopard print snuggie! I am stoked! Have used it every night since! (No joke, Lauren!)


A love affair was born between Melissa and her "blinged" flask...a gift apparently intended for her birthday by Dina, so all's well that ends well. I am jealous of the gift, but am hopeful that one will show up at my birthday party!

Thanks again to all who participated, and to our dear Cari! Enjoy the vid!

Lisa :)

Firenze' Frenzy! - November 17th, 2009

Or should I say "Friends-y"? Yeah, it was pretty much the core group as we hit the town in Encinitas for our most recent Crosby Ladies Night Out. After some rescheduling and a change in venue, we settled on the always delicious Firenze' Trattoria. Last year, we had our biggest turnout of the year at this place. Turns out the food is still as yummy as ever, and no matter our group size, there is always fun to be had!

So glad we went outside to pose by the fountain...LOL!

Insalata Caprese, I think...



Which "DISH" is more delish?!

Annette and Melissa

Nariman and Dina

Melissa with Kat who had tea and cranberry juice with her dinner. Yeah.

Note to Melissa's husband: Dave, quit shackeling our buzz!

Lauren and Erika

Our waiter, "Antonio Banderas" (Cliff). In this "amazing Iphone photo" from Melissa, actually kind of reminds me of Sassan, Dina's hubby. Very nice!

We'll be back next year, Firenze'!

Ladies Night Out at "Iris"

Sorry for the tardiness of this post...I am sure you all know how crazed I am with the holiday photography. It has been so long since I posted, that I don't even remember what month it was that we went to Iris. I am going to guess that it was September, because I missed October's outing, and will miss the last Ladies Night Out of 2009 at C-Level as well. So bummed.

Anyway, back to Iris. Most of us met at my house, and proceeded to carpool over to the Del Mar area restaurant just in time to see the golden sunset. The food was delicious, and the menu offered many variations of traditional dishes that delighted the palate! We all had a great time, as usual!

My recently engaged and soon-to-be neighbor Jacquie Cervantes joined us for the first time!

Nariman and Dina

Dina and Melissa

Kat and Lauren

Lauren and Teresa

Erika and Tama

Teresa and "friend"

The crew ready for action!

Kat, Dina, and Melissa in front of Iris before dinner.

Gorgeous chunks of sea glass adorned an outdoor bench.

Yeah, we're at the right restaurant.

Should we have a glass of wine before we go?!

The group version #1...OK Teresa, switch!

Yeah! Lisa behind the lens again! All is well with the world!

Love you all!

Dina's September Bunco!

Know that once I get the names of all the dishes from Dina, I will update this post...I just wanted to get it posted before I go to Maui for Cathi's son's wedding! OK, that noted, here we go...

Though there was a slight cooling of the outdoor temperatures, they were rising in the kitchen of Dina's exquisitely decorated home! I am not just talking about the two hottie chefs (Dina and Melissa), but the divine cuisine they conjured up from the Persian and Indian cultures!

Along with some "Newbies" (welcome!), most of the core group of the "Crosbyotches" were there, along with self-proclaimed "crasher", and honorary Crosbyotch, Michelle! Were always happy to have your beauty and energy in our midst, Michelle! You can "crash" with us anytime!

We were treated to many exotic dishes, that I am most certain were NOT low in calories! Did someone say "heavy cream?!!!" Being "spice-a-phobic", and eyeing the Basmati rice (surrounded by Dina's home grown tomatoes!) as a nice dinner, I was reluctant to even taste some of the beautifully displayed entrees, but the peer pressure was on, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised! The food was "off the hook"!

For an appetizer, Cathi brought over Goat cheese spread, fig preserves, and toasted french bread slices. So yummy!!! Dina also served up a lovely assortment of four dips with flatbread triangles. Melissa followed a recipe for "spinach brownies" that produced one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted in my life. EVER! E.V.E.R., people! Get the recipe (and others) from her blog, http://www.melissalikestoeat.blogspot.com/. (I ate 9, and could have eaten 900!) Make them. Then call me over!

Melissa's Butter Chicken was fabulous (see above blog for recipe!), as was Dina's (insert name of foreign dish from Iran here) and potato stew(?), which had dried lemons in it! A big hit with her sweet husband Sassan and his family...me, not so much. I hear they are an acquired taste! ( The minute I acquire some taste, I will let you know! ) Dina says she adds the "French fries" on top of the stew for effect, but that they are not part of the original recipe. Loved it!

The abundant desserts included my chocolate frosted brownies (no shock there), some delish home-made angel food cake with fresh strawberries from our "angel", Lauren Gill, and some Baklava and an INSANE trifle from Dina! The trifle had layer upon layer of Kahlua soaked brownie crumbles, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and crunched up Heath Bar. Proof that God exists!

Melissa had two helpings (because she can!) However, she soon slipped into a food coma, as evidenced by the photo below!

It is always a wonderful thing when one can experience the joy and laughter of good friends. To also appreciate the diversity of our cultures and cuisines is priceless. OK, now I sound like a Mastercard commercial! In any case, thank you to Dina (and her partner in "thyme"...get it?!) Melissa, for a wonderful Drunko. I mean, Bunco. Yeah, right!


Love you all...

Sbicca

It was yet another fabulous "Ladies Night Out", organized (but, alas, not attended) by Nariman Lennick. We traveled to Del Mar this time, to taste the culinary samplings of a beachy bistro called "Sbicca". I am not sure I pronounce it correctly, so I am glad I only have to type it! I do know that I have some great shoes with the same name!



















Upon arrival at the predesignated 6:30 p.m., we were escorted to the upper patio, where the sun was still in full force. The day's high temperatures still prevailed, even though we were steps from the shore. I immediately cursed myself for forgetting my sunglasses, but was able to get a seat that was slightly angled away from the bright rays.




















In attendance were Lauren, Regina, Kat, Melissa, and yours truly. We expected two more of our "Crosbyotches" to attend, but last- minute glitches in their schedule prohibited Dina and Nariman from joining us. They were sorely missed!

















The main menu was varied, and we were also given permission to order from the bar/appetizer menu! I started my meal with their artichoke/hearts of palm dip which was accompanied by pita triangles. SOOOOO good! The sirloin burger I ordered afterward (sans the bun!) was topped with mushrooms and onions, and was a delight! Melissa let me try a bite of her blackened Halibut, which was equally delish! Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal and, of course, each other's company! I am pretty sure we would all have fun anywhere we went!


















That's all for now...until next time!

Smooth Operator...-Sade'

Last night, Lila and Jason Jarvis opened their beautiful home to the Crosbyotches (and friends!) for "An Evening of Beauty and Rejuvenation", an event organized by Nora and Dr. Phillip Balikian. Phillip's brother, Dr. Richard Balikian, is a top-notch facial plastic surgeon, as well as a skilled provider of non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Luckily, Dr. Richard recently opened a second office in nearby La Jolla! By the end of his residency, he had completed well over 2000 procedures as the primary surgeon! He is a "master injector", hired by several companies including Botox, to actually TEACH other doctors how to properly administer their product! Impressive!










We were treated to DIVINE appetizer cuisine with wine pairings created by Phillip and Nora (I SWEAR they should go into catering!!) One dish featured peppers marinated in Balsamic vingar and sugar for a few days, atop toasted french bread. Insanely delicious! We also feasted on beautifully presented appetizers of sliced sirloin, shrimp, stuffed olives, eel, tuna sashimi, and there was one made with crab, corn, cream cheese, and cumin, in a teeny-tiny corn tortilla bowl (how's that for alliteration!) that was just wonderful!







While explaining the various options available for facial rejuvenation, Dr. Richard showed us many "before and after" photos, demonstrating his remarkable skills. I watched in earnest, imagining my dwindling bank account! This was followed by a question and answer session. Surprisingly, many of the procedures had very little "downtime". I am excited! I am getting to a point in my life where I need to start some serious "maintenance".

Note to self: start "face fund" soon!




























We were then able to get Botox injections at a "very appealing Crosbyotch rate". I am pretty sure my hand went up first! Though some of the ladies were new to the process, Richard put us all at ease with his kind, confident manner. Those who opted out of having anything done at Lila's, were offered the same rate in his office. How nice! Without naming names, one of the ladies' transformations was so dramatic, I could not believe my eyes! She was beautiful already, but the "fillers" Dr. Balikian administered made a remarkable and immediate difference! She looked at LEAST 10 years younger!




It was a great event! I personally want to thank all those involved in setting it up, and especially Dr. Richard! Oh, and thanks for bringing your exceptionally sweet and gorgeous assistants!





















One of the best parts of the event for me, was that I got my "Baby Harlow" fix! Of course, the minute I started to hold her, she fell asleep. (Shocker, I know!) What a cutie!





To find out more about Dr. Richard, and see his work, check out his website: http://www.drbalikian.com/ . His photo does not do him justice, though. I am working on that! I wonder if he would trade photos for Botox?! Hmmmm....