Margarita Pizza

You know that scene in Castaway when Tom Hanks FINALLY lights a fire after months and weeks of trying in vain?

“I HAVE MADE FIRE! I. HAVE. MADE. FIRE!!!!” Forrest screams at no one in particular, so overcome with the idea that he created something so special and unique, something that would change his circumstances for the better, something that no other mere mortal could have done.

That is EXACTLY what I felt like last night when I ate my grilled pizza.

Prosciutto with fresh arugula

These grilled pizza’s have been in every food magazine on the stands, they’re de rigeuer for the summer party according to, well, everyone. Since I love to grill, I really wanted to try them out and since it was a Sunday, I decided to do it for REAL. No shortcuts, no canned products or premixed doughs, I made it all from scratch! It took a while (a couple hours all told) but I had wine and Django Reinhardt to pass the time. It was a long and drawn out process, but I’ve honestly NEVER been so pleased with a new recipe (especially on a first pass!) I can’t wait to invent other pizzas… like chicken Alfredo or Hawaiian. And this is definitely my new go-to for when guests come a knocking!

Pre Grilling Toppings

Grilled Red Onion

Grilled Vine Ripened Tomatoes

Homemade Pizza Sauce

Kneading my dough

Jackson helps role out the dough

Dough is ready for the grill!

Yummy!!

Ingredients – Rosemary Dough

2 Tsp of Sugar

1 Packet of dry Yeast

2 Tbls Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling

3 Cups of Flour, plus extra for dusting

1 Tsp of Salt

3 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary (remove leaves and finely chop)

Ingredients – Fire Roasted Pizza Sauce

4 Vine Ripened Tomatoes

2 Garlic Cloves – chopped

1 Tbls of Oregano – dried or fresh

2 Tbls of Olive Oil

Salt and Fresh Pepper to Taste

Ingredients – Toppings

The Sky is the Limit: grilled veggies, meats, chicken, cheeses, use your imagination!!

For the pizza’s featured the ingredients are

Margarita: Freshly sliced mozzarella, Fresh Basil Leaves, Pizza Sauce

Prosciutto: Pizza Sauce, Freshly sliced mozzarella, Grilled Red Onion, Prosciutto (add a handful of fresh arugula immediately after pulling it off the grill)

Directions:

1. Make the Dough: Mix 1 Cup of Warm Water and Sugar together in a bowl. Add yeast on top (per packet instructions) and let sit for about 10 minutes. Once yeast mixture is foamy add olive oil and whisk together. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt and fresh rosemary. Add yeast mixture to dry mixture and mix together… your dough will be flaky. Remove flaky dough from bowl and place on a hard surface that’s dusted with just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking. Start kneading! It’ll take 5 -10 minutes to get it all combined and you WILL get carpel tunnel in the process. Form dough into a large ball. Add a big dash of olive oil to a large bowl and place your dough ball inside. Spin ball in oil until all sides are coated. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for an hour and a half. It should double in size.

2. Pre Grill – While waiting for your dough to rise turn on your grill to medium high. This is your opportunity to pre grill any toppings that will go on your pizza. Basically anything that needs to be cooked: veggies, meats, etc. Also, this is when you need to grill up your tomatoes… place your four vine ripened tomatoes on the grill until charred (10-15 minutes). Remove all grilling items (set toppings aside). Place charred tomatoes in a bowl and mash together with sauce ingredients (garlic, salt, pepper, etc). This sauce is chunkier than what you’re used to, don’t be alarmed it’ll be de-lish! Set it aside to cool at room temperature.

3. Slow Your Role – Once your dough has risen remove from bowl and divide into two (you could also divide further to make smaller pizzas if you want). Roll out dough on a hard surface dusted with flour. Think long and lean not the typical round pie.

4. Grill Some Pizza – Lower your grill heat to LOW. Place each pizza dough on the grill and cook. When you can lift the dough with tongs and it’s stiff (with grill marks on the bottom) it’s ready to flip (about 5 min). Flip and cook the other side. As the other side begins to cook add sauce, cheese and all additional toppings. Close grill lid for a few minutes to allow cheese to melt. Serve immediately!

Jackson Loves Grilled Pizza!

So Does Sawyer!!

Bandeau Bra

Now those of you with beautiful, perky breasts un-touched by the spoils of breast-feeding or perhaps of gaining and losing, oh, say 35 pounds, have no clue what I’m talking about. When I say things like this about my chest, you, being the sweet friends that you are, will say, “you’re crazy, you have great boobs!” No really, you have no idea the amount of wire, padding and duct tape required to keep these puppies airborne. You also have no idea of the atrocities these two pull when they aren’t contained, or their disappearing act if I were to, say, lay on my back… I usually find them inside my armpit or thrown over my shoulder like a continental soldier. It’s sad, but true, and honestly, the more I’ve come to grips with the state of affairs, the less interested I am in wearing the contraptions necessary to fake my way back into my former glory.

So I set out on a mission to find a way to hold the girls in, without hoisting them up or causing me any unnecessary discomfort. After MONTHS or research, behold my favorite options for those who’d rather not wear a bra but don’t want to look like Drew Barrymore in that unfortunate Oscar moment from a few years back.

First of all, as odd as it sounds, my FAVORITE braless wonder is a tank top I got from Veronica M… I know, random, right? Veronica M has these tanks (not online, just laying around in their store) that are cotton blended with extra tight spandex. Not only does this thing hold in your girls, but it also holds in unsightly food babies from those tacos you had for lunch. At some point I need to go back in (God willing they haven’t discontinued these!) and buy 3 in every color. They’re that fantastic!

Seamless Tube

Now the mother load… Free People has a line of intimates that are going to blow your mind!! Not only do they come in every fabric from floral to neon yellow, but they have TWO different great options that I love. The Seamless Tube is both a shirt AND a bra and comes in a ton of great colors. I wear this all the time layered with a few other shirts or under an oversized sweater.

Then there’s the Bandeau Bra (see pic up above) that’s basically a rubber band for your breasts. Granted, neither of these options are going to be fantastic support if you actually have much to support. But, if like me, your boobs are the ghost of their former self, these are going to change your life!

Joan Jett and Kristen Stewart (swoon!)

Sorry I’ve been MIA for the last week or so… if you’re following me on Twitter than you’re well aware the mayhem surrounding the latest Chic Event. We’re smack in the middle of Utah and 4 days in to the Sundance Film Festival. This is our second year working the Entertainment Weekly Lounge which is both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing because, doing the EW Lounge at Sundance is the type of thing we dreamed about when we were wee baby event planners and to actually be doing such a thing (for the second time) is beyond cool… I mean, we’re hanging out in an ultra chic lounge in the beautiful snowy mountains watching Orlando Bloom get his picture taken. This does not suck.

A curse though too, because we’ve been doing this same thing for 4 long days of standing on our feet as really, glorified waitresses, wearing Mountain Men uniforms that we can’t seem to get the soup smell of out of.

Regardless here are some stats from the festival:

Number of celebrity sightings: 1.2 million

Number of Twilight Heroines I’ve personally served minestrone to: 1

Cast of Happy Thank You

Number of times the Paparazzi have mistaken Erika for Cameron Diaz – 3

Number of times we’ve been skiing or done anything vacation-like – ZERO

Number of HIP eyeshadows the L’Oreal Paris Makeup Girls have tried out on me – 2

Number of days til I go home – 2 (yippee!!)

So that’s what I’ve been up to for the last couple weeks. I promise to get back to all the blogging merriment upon my return. Until then, check out the photos of the shoots that have been going on in our space and be sure to follow my Twitter so you can get all the haps on Park City!!

EARTHA KITT

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! HAPPY HANUKKAH!!! HAPPY QUANZA!!!! I wish you and your loved ones the chicest of holidays. Stay safe and merry and watch the carbs!!!!

This week is a special holiday classic in its original form. I used to sing this song year round in my youth… now it’s my gift to the Chic readers!!!!  Although Eartha Kitt left us last year, she is still one of the Chicest and most sultry women to ever come out of Hollywood! Click Here for Eartha’s original 1953 television performance of Santa Baby… Then go have yourself a merry little Christmas and a happy holiday!!!!

FILTHY DUKES

Happy Tuesday chic readers! Its almost Christmas; here’s a great last minute gift idea!!! ….MUSIC!!! This week I will recommend a band I would love to have play at my holiday festivities… Filthy Dukes!!! Lost in the earlier shadows of  djs like Hot Chip and LCD Sound System, this English electro band was bound to be recognized…. They have been deejaying and supporting like artists for years, and finally in March 2009 they released a seriously chic and sophisticated debut album, Nonsense in the Dark! It is indeed dark, refreshing, and best of all oozes sex appeal…. Turn out the light, pump up the volume, start grinding those hips and CLICK HERE for one of my favorites, Light Heart Skip Cross!….. Then go stuff it in someone’s stocking!!!!

VV BROWN

Happy Tuesday! I’m excited to be in LA this week… (Chic office pics to come)! I am also excited about this week’s pick. Vanessa, or VV brown, is a 26 year old out of Northampton in England. She hit the scene running with her distinct sound and style. Inspired by 1950 couture and Northern Soul sound, this musically trained artist is something I am expecting big things of. She is truly one of my new faves and worth the unknown release date of her single Shark in the Water. Click Here for the video!!!!

However, just because a place isn’t crawling with celebs and wannabes doesn’t mean it isn’t super cool and just as fun. Dear Chic readers, let me introduce you to Bordello.

The current downtown renaissance has brought an influx of young professionals, businesses, and an entirely new vibe to what was once a scary barren wasteland. Bordello is a favorite of many for its carefree vibe, cheap (but yummy) drinks, and lack of doorman attitude.

I have been to Bordello several times and each time has been amazing. The decor itself is worth the trip. Staying true to its namesake, Bordello boasts deep reds, elaborate moldings that look like a frosted cake, and a sexy interior. One of my best friends had her birthday party here recently and it was amazing. The space really lends itself to being a great birthday spot. But don’t take my word for it, check out some photos!

Sexy lounge area

From the outside, however, Bordello can give you the wrong impression. The rumor goes that Bordello was once a fully functioning..well, bordello, so it’s way on the outskirts of downtown LA.  It’s in an area that is largely abandoned after 5pm, so it can be a little unnerving if you’ve never been, but never fear, the area is totally fine.

The only down side to Bordello is that there is a cover. BUT at least you avoid the snooty Hollywood bouncer who can make any night into a disaster.

Check out the website for nights and all the 411.

The dancefloor

Drinks please!

As usual, the staff at Chic Events has differing opinions on what to wear to Thanksgiving dinner… hopefully our holiday outfits will inspire what you wear to grandma’s house tomorrow!!

Sleek and Casual

Erika Says: “I’m all about comfort and stretch for Thanksgiving Day. Leggings are a must! I definitely don’t want a constricting waistband while I’m shoveling stuffing. Boots and a big ole sweater will keep me looking pulled together and cute without trying too hard. The best part… if I go in to a food coma from turkey overload, I can just kick off my boots and crawl into bed. zzZZzZZZZZzzz…

Preppy and Perfect

Ivan says: “I love nothing more than to get dressed up for an event! Here’s how I plan on getting spiffed up for the holiday… understated yet fashionable Levi 511′s, a great pair of boots or some pointy oxfords, and a colorful luxurious sweater (a necessary splurge!)

Damsel in Denim

Rachel says: “I tend to be a little more casual when I’m spending the holiday with my own family… after all, my mom is happy to see me regardless of what I’ve got on… but that’s not to say I don’t still want to wear something pretty. I’m a denim fiend, so I start with a base of jeans and pumps (to dress it up a bit) and then I pair it with a great blouse like this one from Tucker. It’s so flowy and pretty (so it’s feminine AND it hides the post-turkey tummy) and if I top it off with a scarf I’ll be just warm enough for the “frigid” LA weather.

You aren’t able to choose who gets the card, but you can write a personal message and choose the design for the outside of the card. I think this is a great and easy way to show our troops some love. Go check out their website and send one today!

Thank you!