The RSVP Line: baked goods for charity? We're in!

For one day only--tomorrow--LA's foodiest food bloggers will come together in the name of charity. Eat My Blog promises to be a bake sale to rival all other bake sales (yeah, even your elementary school bakeoff). The event will feature baked goods from the kitchens of better known blogs (i.e. LA Times, LA Weekly) as well  as the lesser recognized-but still tasty-ones (i.e. www.foodismynish.blogspot.com).

Menu items are slated to include such eccentric treats as 'olive oil buttermilk coffee cake' and a frightening number of bacon treats like the 'bacon apple pie,' and will be balanced out by the standards like [boring ole] cupcakes.

I'm most excited for the gluten free and vegan desserts. Thank you, bloggers, for kindly remembering those of us with strange dietary restrictions. And for giving me an excuse to stuff my face tomorrow--ya know...for charity.

Eat My Blog
Saturday, December 5
10 a - 4 p

Zeke's Smokehouse
7100 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

Food Find: Big Man Bakes [cupcakes].

Call me a hormone-crazed female blogger, but it's clearly a dessert kind of day over here in overcast Los Angeles. Though I had Aussie treats on the mind this morning, my focus has shifted to sweets that are a little closer to home. Just down the street in fact. Just a few blocks away from my Downtown office has recently opened Big Man Bakes, a cupcake eatery which I'm confident will rival the bigger boutique cupcake chainlets which have sprouted over the last year or 2 (ala Crumbs). The bakery's proprietor, William 'Chip' Brown, is indeed a big man. But for those of us who are trying to stay a bit...well...not so big, he kindly makes a smaller version of his sugary goodness. And he'll sell you 6 of 'em for just $5.

Those of you who are observant and/or quick with math will notice that the picture above shows only 5 cupcakes. Well, there may or may not be even less remaining in the box now. Don't judge.

Big Man Bakes
413 S Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Giving thanks for: a frosting frenzy.

How thankful was I to have a day-old Crumbs cupcake in my fridge tonight? Very.

Not much beats skimming the frosting off a cupcake with a fork. No cake, no carbs, I tell myself. And telling yourself is half the battle [toward denial, ignorance and pretty happy bliss]. Because everyone knows the frosting alone is, like, totally not bad for you.

Thing I give thanks for No. 3: Sugary, buttery, awesome desserts.

If you happen to be near any of the locations of this growing sugar empire this week, I'd like to try the 'White Hot Chocolate' cupcake next. Scoop that up for me by Thursday and I may even throw you onto the list of things I give thanks for.

Sweet thangs. Oh, and cookies too.

At a networking event last night, I was introduced to Bittersweet Treats--a new online sweets company--and its owner and chef, Danielle Keene. While I didn't get to try all the cookie flavors Miss Keene brought, I did swipe a dessert bar to go. Couldn't tell ya what was in it. And not so sure it fits into my new trainer-mandated calorie regimen. But it was rich, and chewy and 100% awesome.

Bittersweet does cookies...


They do ice cream...

And they do beautiful cupcakes and cakes...

So, I'll leave you with a quick reminder that my birthday's coming up next month. That's all I'm sayin...

[Images via Bittersweet Treats]

art in LA: Public Art Party in Beverly Hills

If you're not yet familiar with ForYourArt, I suggest you get familiar. From the organization's Map of public art, to its involvement with amazing art events aroud town, FYA is making art happenings and art news accessible to the community.

This Saturday, FYA is hosting its first Public Art Party, celebrating the renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and I'm super excited. Find the details below and find me in Beverly Hills on Saturday! (I'll be the one shoving Crumbs cupcakes down my piehole while others are actually making note of the art.)

Public Art Party invites Angelenos to celebrate public art in Beverly Hills and the renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama whose public sculpture, Hymn of Life: Tulips, is located on Santa Monica Boulevard and Rodeo Drive by participating in a one-day, self-guided cultural experience.

A special MAP ForYourArt: Public Art Party will be available at participating locations as well as online at www.publicartparty.com.

Public Art Party: Beverly Hills Locations

1. Yayoi Kusama's Hymn of Life: Tulips (Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard)

The 10-foot-tall, brightly colored, floral sculpture is a beautiful example of Kusama's practice and the centerpiece of Public Art Party. Visitors can have their digital portrait taken in front of the sculpture as a keepsake that will be featured on publicartparty.com. Reading, knitting, hoola-hooping and yoga are encouraged in the park around the sculpture.

2. Videos by Yayoi Kusama at The Paley Center for Media (465 N. Beverly Drive)

The Paley Center for Media screens three short films by Kusama in the Bell Family Gallery: Flower Orgy (1968), Flower Obsession Gerbera (1999) and Flower Obsession Sunflower (2000) that highlight the trajectory and development of the artist’s use of the flower motif as an artistic model. As a special treat, the rooftop gardens will be open all day for picnicking.

3. Yayoi Kusama: Flowers That Bloom at Midnight at Gagosian Gallery (456 N. Camden Drive)

The Japanese artist's first solo show in Los Angeles since 1998 transforms the gallery space into a magnified and playful garden. Gagosian is open today for the festivities, and the exhibition is on view until July 17.

4. Picnic lunch from Porta Via (424 N. Canon Drive)

Pick up a box lunch at the neighborhood favorite to enjoy a picnic at Kusama’s Hymn of Life: Tulips or on the rooftop garden at the Paley Center for Media. Boxes include a panini, salad and a cookie. Call to order 310.274.6534.

5. Kusama-inspired cupcake from CRUMBS Bake Shop (9465 Little Santa Monica Boulevard)

CRUMBS Bake Shop is offering a special Kusama-inspired cupcake for Public Art Party.

When sweet things happen to endangered media folk.

Working at the LA Times is like reading a really engaging thriller novel. You never know who's going down next. And you never really can tell who's yielding the weapon. But sometimes, something happens--you have a really great day, or you feel like you're making a significant contribution, or somebody does something extra nice--and you're like--oh, cool, that's why you like working here. Well, in this case, the somebody is Sprinkles Cupcakes and the extra nice thing is this invite, received today, inviting LAT employees down next Thursday to try some grub from its brand new Sprinklesmobile.

While LA needs another eatery on wheels like Florida needs another retired senior, I'm still stoked that LA's finest [bakers, that is] know we're here, we need a morale boost, and we're hungry goddamnit.

Follow the Sprinklesmobile on Twitter to find out when a sugar high is coming to a corner near you.

If pigs could fly and cupcakes could get any awesomer...

...they'd look a little something like this. Thanks Daily Candy for bringing my attention to Cupcake Envy, the folks who are making already awesome desserts, even awesomer.

I'd personally like an order of cupcakes in my likeness for my next birthday. Thank you friends for taking note.

xx * Jessie B. R.