Plan Check Sawtelle!

After all the rehearsals, shows, and more shows, Samantha and I were finally able to go out to Dinner for the first time since before 'Sleeping Beauty' had started in September!  I had introduced her to En Sushi, one of my favorite Sushi spots where there's an awesome Happy Hour but this time we decided on something new for both of us and that was Plan Check.

They have a couple different locations but the one on Sawtelle was just a few minutes from where we both live.  Every time I drive past, it's always packed, so I was really looking forward to it.  After perusing the menu I decided on the Plan Check Burger which was your typical Burger with grilled onions, smothered in cheese, pickles, and ketchup leather.  Samantha ordered the Chef's Favorite Burger which came with two different kinds of cheese, bacon, and an egg to top it all off.  We also ordered the Sweet Potato Waffle Fries that came with a Peach Ketchup.

Burgers & Fries at Plan Check!

When the manager, Thomas, dropped our food off, he asked if I liked bacon (who doesn't) and then brought me some Brown Sugar Bacon and also their version of ranch which was awesome.  I actually really liked the Peach Ketchup more than the ranch (and that was good too).  It was sweet like Barbeque sauce but more fruit forward.  The bacon complimented my Burger which was perfectly cooked to Medium Rare, and as full as I was, I tried to eat all of it because it was by far one of the best Burgers I've ever had.  I'm  not a huge fan of Sweet Potato Fries but I love Waffle Fries and they did not disappoint either.  Sam really enjoyed her burger too, albeit a little messy with the egg.  After we finished Dinner, Thomas sent us a Donut on the house, that came with bananas and cream.  It was a nice way to end the meal :)

That next day I had the little bit that was left of my Burger, and it was almost better than it was when it was fresh off the grill.  Now, that is rare!  I can't wait to go back and try more off their menu.  I hadn't noticed there were specials and the Bartender never mentioned that.  I'll be sure to check that out next time because when I had looked at their Instagram after making my post, I saw they had a Mushroom & Swiss Burger along with Wasabi Peas, both of which I would have loved to try.  I'm also looking forward to tasting some cocktails on their menu.  I was really impressed with Plan Check and can't wait to go back!

December Karaoke

It was a short month of Karaoke since I'm heading back to Wisconsin on Saturday and I won't be back in LA until January.  I'm sure I will find some Karaoke in Wisconsin while I'm back home but there's nothing like Karaoke at Gabe's!

Week 1:

Patsy Cline "Walkin' After Midnight"

Smashing Pumpkins "Disarm"

Britney Spears "Everytime"

Week 2:

Pat Benatar "Love Is A Battlefield"

Colbie Callait "I Never Told You"

Joan Osbourne "One Of Us"

Selena Gomez "The Heart Wants What It Wants"

Adele "Love Song"

Week 3:

Journey "Separate Ways"

Amy Grant "El Shaddai"

Whitney Houston "Do You Hear What I Hear"

Gene Autry "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Brenda Lee "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"

Helen Cornelius "Mary Did You Know"

A day of Christmas Shopping and night of Holiday
Karaoke with my un-planned matching Sister!

That first week of Karaoke I was battling a cold and heading to 29 Palms Military Base that weekend to perform for the troops in CAC's "Retro Holiday Show" so I wanted to protect my voice.  I really enjoyed my song choices that week, especially my new song by the incredible Patsy Cline.  It had been a long time since I sang 'Disarm' so it was nice to get back into that vibe.  The second week was a Woman's Week considering all my songs were female songs (not normal for me) and my new song being my current favorite guilty pleasure by Selena Gomez.  I'm in love with that song and the emotion she brings to it.  I also really enjoy the way that Adele does 'Love Song' and that Karaoke version is so jazzy and cool to sing.  While it was only suggested to sing Christmas or Holiday music this past week at Karaoke, a lot of people joined in on the fun and sang some of our Holiday favorites like 'Frosty The Snowman,' 'Oh Holy Night,' 'Joy To The World,' 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer' and 'Blue Christmas' to name a few.  The patrons of Gabe's actually sang along with the Singers as well so that was fun and got everyone into the Christmas spirit!  Since I've been singing all these Christmas songs for our "Retro Holiday Show" and because I played Rudolph in the show, I found it fitting to sing the title track, and also stuck with some of my Mom's favorite songs during this season.  Marty requested Journey to kick off the night and I certainly can't turn down 'Separate Ways!'  That was the only song that was a repeat from the past four months of Karaoke.

I'll certainly miss everyone at Gabe's while I'm back in Wisconsin but I'll be really excited to kick off a New Year of Karaoke in 2015.  Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and have a safe and wonderful New Year's :)

Tis the Season for Holiday Party's...

December means Holiday Party's and living in Los Angeles and enjoying year-round sunny weather, there are still Ugly Sweater Christmas Party's even when it was 70 degree's that afternoon!  We do Tree-Trimming, go and look at Christmas Lights, make Hot Toddies (on those 70 degree days) and all the same things we do in the Midwest just without the snow.  It still seems strange to me...

Michael and I at the Lubitsch
Holiday Party!

The first Holiday Party of the season was kicked off by my Committed Inc. Bar Lubitsch Family.  The food was catered from Jones Bar and drinks were endless all night long...  Yes, by the time Michael and I were done drinking Cucumber Gimlets for the night, I could say I wouldn't be drinking that cocktail for a very long time.  It's been one of my favorites since I started working there over two years ago, so that makes me very sad!  On top of the delicious food and open bar, it's a time to catch up with people from the other bars and restaurants in our company.  Since the party was held at Lubitsch this year, most of my co-workers were working the party and thankfully were able to partake in the festivities as long as they remained responsible.  And clearly they did, as my tipsy-self was jokingly pushing around my fellow co-workers asking why they weren't drinking more.  Oops!  Sorry Cara and Lauren!  Of course, spending time with fellow Bartenders means shots are going to happen throughout the night; and it's a Vodka bar (my favorite thing to drink) and we have all these amazing juices and fruits to make the Vodka taste even more delicious!  Needless to say, we all had a good time :)

The following weekend I had two Party's for Friday night.  Jamie & Spark were Hosting an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party with all sorts of yummy food and friends I hadn't seen in a while.  Samantha was having a Hunger Games-esque Party with a Gingerbread House competition, costume/festive clothing competition, Beer Pong, etc.  My friend, Robby and I went to Sam's first and I had a cup of Home-Made Hot Chocolate (there was a Hot Chocolate Bar, and how cool is that) with some Peppermint Schnapps and lots of marshmallows.  Well, you don't really think adding a shot or two will do anything, but it sure did, and I took a little break after that Hot Chocolate.  Although, when we all started to play King's Cup, I ended up being someone's Mate, who was then connected to someone else, and they were connected to someone else, so I ended up drinking any time one of those three people had to drink.  I had switched to the less-intoxicating Punch at that point and was happy about that!  Did I mention that Sam makes some of the best cookies I've ever had; no matter what she makes and how full I am, I always have room for her cookies, they're seriously amazing.  

Hostesses with the Most!

At 10 pm, it was time to head over to Jamie's so we could catch the Costume Contest since Robby had gone out to buy a sweater that evening, just for the party.  Plus, I knew Jamie had spent the afternoon shopping and making appetizers and I was so excited to try everything.  I had baked Brownies as well that were just waiting to be eaten and I completely forgot how much I love to bake; I cooked them to fudge-y perfection, as the pan was demolished in under an hour.  There were definitely some ugly sweaters and outfits at this party (on purpose), and some others that were really creative, or something that I could totally see myself or my husband wearing 40 years from now, and that's just kind of adorable so I couldn't vote 'Ugly' for those!  Jamie and Spark always hand-make their sweaters, which is so creative, and this year, Jamie had also made a Wrapping Bow Dress!  It was so colorful and cute; she was a hit!  She also made some delicious spiked Punch with Pomegranate, Ginger Ale, Lemon and it had Whipped Cream to go with it and when the party had started to wind down, Spark made a Chocolate Pizza that I wish I had gotten a piece of because the bite I tasted was awesome!

So for another Winter in LA, the Holiday Party season wasn't too shabby and everyone stepped it up this year!  My two beautiful Hostesses had super fun party's and Lubitsch never disappoints.  But alas, I'm so excited to go home and see snow, because there's just something about a White Christmas that really makes it feel like the Holiday season.  

Our CAC Family at Sam's Holiday Party!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night <3

Afterbuzz TV Guests!

Since our Afterbuzz TV Hosts attended Supernatural Con in Burbank we've been getting more guests to come in and chat on our Aftershow at the Afterbuzz TV Studios.  It's always great to get their insight of working on the set with the cast and crew, how they get into character, and other insider information. 

It was really fun talking to Ruth Connell & Travis Aaron Wade because they became friends on the set of 'Supernatural' since they appeared in an episode together, even though they were in different scenes.  Ruth is playing Rowena, Crowley's Mother, and Crowley is the King of Hell, so you can imagine how excited we were at the end of the episode to get any scoop we could on what's happening this season.  We've loved Travis' character, Cole, because he's been frustrated and troubled throughout this season in his search to avenge his father's death, and his most recent episode showed a softer side as well, including a terrific acting performance!

Tom, Katie, Ruth, Travis, Mikaela and I after Hosting for Episode 7 of 'Supernatural'

When we had Brit Sheridan in the studio, it ended up being a mini Slumber Party since it was an all girls show (Tom was out sick that night).  She filled us in on some pranks on-set and also talked about her singing career; she's got an Album & DVD coming out in January.  Try as we might, we couldn't get her to spill any details on the return of her character, Kate.  We're looking forward to Werewolf Pups and hopefully soon!

Katie, Brit, Mikaela, and I after Hosting our Slumber Party Episode 8 of 'Supernatural'

We've got some more guests coming in after the New Year once the season starts up again on January 20th.  And hopefully we'll get some major cast mates!  Until then, Happy Holidays 'Supernatural' Fans!

You can catch all of our 'Supernatural' Aftershows right here on YouTube: Supernatural Playlist

CAC's 'Retro Holiday Show'

We are two weeks into our 'Retro Holiday Show' for Creating Arts Company and we also just got back from a mini-tour to Twenty Nine Palms Military Base to perform for the troops and their families this past weekend!

My Rudolph Deer Make-Up

I'm playing Rudolph in the show and it's basically a bunch of your favorite Holiday characters including, Frosty, Heat Miser, the Winter Warlock, Kris Kringle, The Grinch, and of course, Elsa!  We sing your favorite Christmas songs and it's really a sing-a-long for the kids and their parents.  In fact, I think the parents get more out of this show because all these stories are classics that even some of the kids haven't seen yet.  There's a line from "The Christmas Story" that always gets a laugh from the adults, 'You'll shoot your eye out, Kid!'

Last weekend we made our way to the military base on Friday afternoon and then we performed two shows in a 1500 person capacity theater!  It was huge!  The kids really loved the show and enjoyed meeting us after and it's really nice to have kids not be afraid of me for once ;)  They're actually excited to meet me and all the other characters and we took tons of photos.  Plus, the kids were so polite and well-behaved.  I know we'd love to go back to perform more shows for them in the future!

When we had our show this past Sunday all of us had so much energy because I think we were all still high off of the Saturday shows.  It literally felt easy to entertain in the smaller more intimate space at the Miles after the huge theater.  There are perks to both of the venues but it's easier to get the kids involved when they're sitting floor level than having to run up and down a giant auditorium (and the altitude change definitely wears you out easier) but we all had such a blast.  

Some of our 'Retro Holiday Show' Cast before Show-Time!

I have my last show next Sunday since I'll be leaving for Wisconsin the following weekend so make sure to get your tickets to any of our Holiday shows at http://www.creatingarts.org/

November Karaoke

It was a fun month of November Karaoke with lots of friends hanging out and visiting me at Gabe's, and of course, singing!  With the weather changing from 80 degrees to the 60's it was typical November here in LA.  Even though Christmas music started playing on the radio right after Halloween, we've reserved the Christmas Karaoke for December!

Week 1:

Nancy Sinatra "These Boots Are Made For Walking"

Eminem "Superman"

Roxette "Listen To Your Heart"

Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know"

Bon Jovi "You Give Love A Bad Name"

Richard Marx "Should've Known Better"

Week 2:

Fleetwood Mac "Rhiannon"

Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive"

Shania Twain "That Don't Impress Me Much"

Jewel "Who Will Save Your Soul"

The Fugee's "Killing Me Softly"

Journey "Separate Ways"

Aladdin "A Whole New World"

Week 3:

Pat Benatar "Heartbreaker"

Duffy "Mercy"

Amy Winehouse "Back To Black"

Toni Braxton "Unbreak My Heart"

Cher "Turn Back Time"

Week 4:

Fleetwood Mac "The Chain"

10,000 Maniac's "Because The Night"

Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine"

Jewel "Foolish Games"

I added a lot of new music to my History at Gabe's and actually only did one repeat in the past few months, and that's one of my favorite's to sing, Jewel's "Foolish Games."  Although, there's always time for 'Aladdin's' "A Whole New World" which Ben had asked me to sing, and Disney music brings a smile to our Karaoke regulars faces!  I noticed my songs were more female based this month and an even mix of male and female new songs with my favorite new song probably being "Unbreak My Heart." I love that it's so low and right in my range and my other favorite would be "Killing Me Softly" (which I can't believe I've never sang before) because it was so much fun I was able to hit my sweet spot on it.  I've helped people sing "I Will Survive" but it might have been my first time singing it on my own and I really enjoyed singing "The Chain" as well since I love Fleetwood Mac.  The last week of Karaoke was right before Thanksgiving so we sang songs or bands we were thankful for and that was a fun night!

Thanksgiving Karaoke with Mark, Shawn, Andrea, Ben, Jamie and I :)

There will only be three weeks of December Karaoke for me this month since I'll be heading back to Wisconsin in a couple weeks and the 17th will be our Christmas/Holiday Karaoke Night at Gabe's.  Better start picking out your favorite songs now :)