Friday the 13th Improv Show

On Friday the 13th we had our first Aces of Improv Show of the year!  We finally had a Friday performance which meant I was able to be involved.  It was a small cast with a bunch of games and we ended up with a really great and supportive audience.  We did a bunch of short-form games and all of us had a blast! 

Before the Improv Show 'Album Cover'

Emily and I got to work together on the first scene where I became Abu from 'Aladdin.'  We were searching for treasure in Agrabah, and monkey poop (I know) became the theme of the game for all the groups in Three Couple Switch.  It was a really fun scene.  I'm always nervous about playing Opera but it usually ends up being a great time, and this was no different.  As Wayne and Nathan started the scene, they called for a bear, so I had to pull out another animal, and decided being Yogi Bear in the cave would be the best choice, while we all searched for picnic baskets.  Oh the places you will go!  Our audience member shared a very vague 'Day in the Life' which is actually helpful because we, as the performers, are able to add to the scene.  The male audience member chose Rachel to play him in the scene, and I ended up being a girlfriend he never talks about.  Everyone was able to jump in and keep the scene moving along in a fun and exciting way.  Next up was the Dating Game, with myself, Emily, and Katie as the Daters and Nathan figuring out who we were all assigned to play by the audience.  I got Beyonce and I became a bootylicious performer, who talked about my child, Blue Ivy, and when asked what I feared, I responded with "Nothing."  Nathan was able to figure all of us out and I think we all love playing games like this or Party Quirks because it really gets the audience involved.  I was also a part of Cue Word and New Choice, which is one of my favorite games.  We usually close the show with Park Bench and then sometimes a group Improv Song.  Our Park Bench was set in Uzbekistan and while Nathan's accent was spot on, I had no idea what to do as a character choice.  When Wayne went in with his falafel cart, I figured Rachel and I could be Sorority Cheerleaders from California who scored 1600 on our SATs.  While Rachel raided the falafel cart, Emily and I chatted up Nathan, and the other guys came in to scare off all of us tourists.  It was an awesome end to our show!

After the Improv Show for Cocktails at Bar Lubitsch!

I understand that this may not make much sense to those reading it but that just means find an Improv show in your town and go!  If you're in LA, you're in luck, because they are everywhere and on a night you're sure to be free.  We follow the format of 'Whose Line Is It Anyway,' and it's pure comedy for all ages.  Just make sure you're 'yes-anding' and not asking any questions and we'll see you at our next show :)

Bar Lubitsch Holiday Party!

The Lubitsch Holiday Party was the first Sunday in December and I knew exactly what I was going to wear.  I had a dream about my Mom the night before the party.  A year before on that night, it was the last time I spoke to my Mom.  I spent the day chatting with her, calling her and interrupting her work day at least three times, and not once was she ever annoyed or bothered by my phone calls.  I had found the perfect dress the year before, went to Angl to get it, and they said it was shipped to another store because they couldn't sell it.  Then one employee remembered she had packed it, but it hadn't yet gone out, went through the box, and pulled it out.  It was my size, the color I wanted, and when I walked out of the fitting room, she called me Beyonce.  Did I mention it was on sale with an additional 30% off?  I got for a steal (and since my Mom was the Queen of bargain-shopping, I had to call her a couple more times).  I knew since I had a dream about her the night before the party, it was a sign I had to wear the dress.

The dress <3

Giana and I got ready at my place and then we ubered over to Carolyn & Matt's and picked them up on our way to Jones for the party. Per usual, the food was incredible, salmon, chicken, two kinds of pasta, vegetables, desserts and more.  It's also open bar, yes, our Committed Inc. company certainly appreciates their employees and treats them well!  I'll take another Hendricks & Sprite please ;)

Giana, Carolyn, & I...and my amazing co-workers and friends! 
There's a whole lot of good-looking people in these photos :)

Most of my co-workers were there so we all caught up, had some shots together, enjoyed a wonderful meal, and our glasses were never empty.  It also gives all of us a chance to get dressed up for a special occasion!  I'm close friends with a few of my co-workers so we do see each other outside of work on occasion but it's always nice to get together and have everyone be fancy!  I may have missed the dance party but I did get pictures all night long!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all of us at Bar Lubitsch and more!

Photos from Dad's Visit to LA :)

My Dad came out to visit for nearly a week at the end of November for Thanksgiving!  We always pack so much into our trip and this one was no different.  From Karaoke, to Thanksgiving, the LA Auto Show, steak dinners, cocktails at Blind Barber, time with friends, and more, we had a great time.  I can't wait for Dad's next trip to LA!

Dad, Rutherford, and I ready to celebrate Thanksgiving after a fun morning
making our side dishes and having some Champagne :)

Rutherford & Kristina (the beautiful Hostess) on Thanksgiving!

Our Saint's & Sinner's reunion at Lubitsch...Dad's chilling in the back with his Maker's & Coke!

Dad loves his Grand-Dog Rutherford <3

I'm always looking for new ideas and fun things to do so I have something planned for Dad's next visit.  Feel free to comment below if you have any ideas you'd like to share :)

*And you may recognize some of these photos from my Instagram, but if not, feel free to give me a follow by clicking this link: Lyndsey on Instagram* Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

Thanksgiving in LA and Dad's Visit!

We're already into December but a little wrap-up about the week of Thanksgiving is always on time!  My Dad came to visit me and it was his first time flying solo.  He's always flown with my Mom, and the last time he came out here, he was with my brother and my brother's girlfriend.  I was very proud he was able to do it all on his own!

Dad got into town on Wednesday so I picked him up at the airport and we headed straight to Karaoke!  We had a fun night there and Thursday morning was all prep for our Thanksgiving Dinner at Kristina & Alex's.  I was making a Corn Succotash for the first time and my Orange Bourbon Cranberries.  Dad actually measured everything out for the Cranberries and stirred them while I prepped the Succotash.  I was very impressed with his ability to help me in the kitchen AND stay out of my way.  Oops ;)  My Succotash turned out great and Dad even ate it with all the random veggies I put in it, so I knew it was good.  We headed over to Kristina's that afternoon with Rutherford in tow (he got to spend the night playing with Ringo), we all and enjoyed a meat and cheese hour complete with cheese and summer sausage from Wisconsin that Dad had brought with him.  There was Butter Chardonnay among so many other beautiful wines, Champagne, and then Dessert Wine for later.  Our Dinner was a true feast with a Sunchoke Salad, Creamed Spinach, my Succotash, Mashed Potatoes and Stuffing, Turkey, Beef Wellington, Cranberries and more.  We all had to take a break before eating Pie for dessert!  Alex's friend, Jim, played some songs on the guitar for us, and we spent the rest of the night chatting about music, the old times and fun.  It was such a lovely Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Vibes

On Friday, Anthony had gotten us tickets to the LA Auto Show so we spent all afternoon walking around the show and checking out the cars.  We did some research for a new car for me.  Of course, now the Honda Accords are getting great gas mileage, I apparently got the lemon year of 2010.  In the running is the Mazda 6 Grand Touring, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.  I decided against the Lexus since the mileage is way too low, and while I like the BMW, I didn't necessarily feel like it was 'my' car when I sat in it.  I still need to go and test drive all of them but it was a great way to check them all out in a short time frame.  To top it all off, as we were walking to the other section of the show, I recognized an actor from my favorite Netflix show, 'Wentworth.'  I said his name out-loud, not thinking it could really be him, and he turned around so I had to think quick, and of course, started blurting out random information as Dad complimented his accent (he's Australian) and then we took a photo.  I was stoked; Luke McKenzie was so humble and friendly, and just an all-around nice guy.  That was really all I could talk about for the next hour, so Dad and I finished up at the show and came back home for Dinner.  I had specifically got a Blue Apron order for us that week.  It was a NY Strip Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Lemon Broccoli.  I also did a Carrot Souffle.  We went to Blind Barber for some after-dinner drinks and Dad found a new whiskey thanks to Daniel!  I may have to get him a bottle of Four Roses for Christmas!  We went and got Hawaiian Shave Ice and Dole Whip at this place on Sawtelle that Rachel had introduced me to and got settled in for the night to watch a movie.

My home-made steak dinner!

Saturday it was raining in LA, a rare thing for Dad to experience and we stopped at a couple Guitar Shops and also the Harley place in Marina Del Rey.  That night we went to Ruth's Chris for Dinner which was a nice treat.  We definitely ate well the week of Thanksgiving!  After Dinner, I had to head to work at Bar Lubitsch and it was a Saint's & Sinner's reunion with Mike, Carolyn (our new Bartender there) and I behind the bar.  Dad was kept company by some regulars and around midnight I went out and got him all settled in an Uber back to my apartment.  At the end of the night, a guy approached me and asked if that was my Dad I had gotten the Uber for.  I said yes, and he said, he has two daughters and he hopes that one day, they take care of and show that much concern for him, as I had done for my Dad.  Seriously started to tear up right there in the bar; such a sweet compliment!

Met Luke McKenzie at the LA Auto Show!

Sunday was more low-key.  I had been fighting a cold so I took a nap while we were watching a movie.  That night Dad and I met up with Giana and her parents at C&O in Venice for an Italian Dinner!  It was so nice to get our families together since they have so much in common, especially about their love for motorcycles.  On Monday, Rutherford went into surgery for his 'snip snip' and they also fixed his Umbilical Hernia.  It was nice to have Dad here to keep me calm since the second I dropped him off I started to cry.  Dad and I had Brunch at Overland Cafe and found out his flight was delayed so we'd be able to spend a couple more hours together.  We picked up Rutherford on the way home, and he was very out of it, so we just hung out with him and Dad got packed up so I could take him to the airport.

We had such a great few days together, just me and Dad.  It really was our first time hanging out together in LA since Mom was always with him when he'd visit.  Mom would come out on her own a couple times a year which I loved, so it'll be a new tradition that Dad and I will do now.  I may have to get him in the Kitchen more often too.  He's already excited about me coming home next week so we can have a Wine and catch-up night.  I'm really excited to be going home for Christmas the Holidays. Plus, Rutherford is going to have a new friend to meet, and me too, but that's a story for another day :)

Check out my new blog above with more pictures from Dad's visit!

Bake My Day!

Ashley and I work together at Bar Lubitsch.  I've known her for over three years and not only is she a wonderful Bartender and Friend she's an incredibly talented Host who is very well-known in the On-line Cooking Community as she's had multiple shows airing on YouTube, Snapchat, and also Verizon.  Ashley invited her other friend, Nicole (who also works at Lubitsch with us) and I to be a part of her 'Bake My Day' show presented on YouTube and sponsored by Nestle Tollhouse.

We filmed at the end of Summer for a Thanksgiving-themed episode where Ashley was baking White Chocolate Pumpkin Macadamia Nut Cookies.  We talked about 'Friendsgiving' which I've become quite familiar with out here in LA since I usually go home for Christmas, so getting back to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving was out of the question.  I certainly wish I would have gone home for it this past year...I'm sorry I couldn't surprise you like you wanted me to, Mom, but I'm really glad I was able to talk to you and tell you how thankful I was for you.  'Friendsgiving' is where your friends get together and celebrate the Holiday with some of the traditional fixings while bringing new treats into the mix as well.

It was such a fun day on-set, joking around with the girls, eating some tasty cookies, and celebrating Thanksgiving just a couple months early.  Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday because it's about being thankful, spending time with family and friends, and is one Holiday that is pretty much all about the food!  And you all know how much I love to eat :D

Check out our episode posted above and I hope that you decide to try some White Chocolate Pumpkin Macadamia Nut Cookies on your own...but don't eat all the chips like I do!

Bar Lubitsch Birthday

June 19th was my Birthday and since it was my Birthday at midnight on Thursday I decided to have my Power Hour Party at Bar Lubitsch.  We had a performance of 'Thenardier's Inn' at the Hollywood Fringe Festival that night too so since we were performing at 3 Clubs it was just a few minutes from the bar.  Cara, one of our fabulous Bartenders, is also an incredible cook, and makes food every Thursday for the patrons of Lubitsch, and Matt Wise, DJ's on Thursdays and plays a mix of awesome music!

We got to Lubitsch just minutes before midnight and thankfully I had a shot in my hand and friends to cheers with as soon as the clock turned, in addition to a Birthday announcement!  Lauren, another Bartender at Lubitsch, was helping Cara out that night, and they served Chicken Sliders with a home-made BBQ sauce, along with a Feta, Basil, and Watermelon salad, finishing off the meal with a Cara's special Jalapeno's!  Everything was so great!

My Birthday at Bar Lubitsch...my wonderful Bartenders (Lauren & Cara) and Chefs for the evening,
and my Bestie, Mike and I taking celebratory Birthday shots!

I had such a great time with friends, dancing, singing, and just hanging out together outside of our show and out somewhere different!  I'm so glad that everyone could come by if even for a little while, special thanks to Arky, Adam, Austin, Max, Todd, Emily, Kenni (and her Mama), Samantha, Mikey Weiss, my co-workers and managers, Aaron, Brian, Eric, Lauren, Ashley, Cara, and Mike, for stopping by, shots or drinks, hospitality, and celebrations.
 

After a majority of my friends left and with everyone else working, it was Max, Adam, Samantha and I.  We all got out on the dance floor and closed down the bar with dance moves and laughs.  The party continued at my apartment with McDonald's, 'Tommy Boy,' and Powerpuff Girl T-shirts.  Thanks to you guys for making my night so memorable and to Samantha for taking such amazing care of me!

Adam, Max, Samantha and I taking a dance break!

In typical Birthday fashion (at least the last couple years) I've been a little bummed before my Birthday.  Then as soon as my Birthday hits, I'm totally fine and excited to celebrate.  Lucky for me, I have fabulous friends and family who always brighten my week with wishes and love.

It was the perfect way to kick off my Birthday, with an excellent performance and crowd at 'Thenardier's Inn' and then rocking out with my friends at midnight!  My Birthday came and was an absolute blast so I knew I was in for a run of fun the following night and weekend :)

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

Bar Lubitsch Holiday Party

I covered a shift at Bar Lubitsch over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend which was nice since I had my Thursday off at Irish Times because of Thanksgiving.  It was a slower night at the bar due to the Holiday but it was nice to be back in a busy bar with all the right ingredients for craft cocktails and other good stuff.  And I got to work with my old Saint's & Sinner's buddy, Mike!

It was the Comitted Inc. Holiday party that Sunday night.  This year it was held at The Pikey on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood, once again, fully catered meal thanks to The Pikey and an open bar with all sorts of goodies.  Thi and I went to The Pikey for Dinner a few months ago and it was absolutely delicious so I was super excited but this was more bar food (at least when we got there) which was good too; I had an awesome burger and salad.  I was definitely bummed to miss the dessert because they ran out though.

Lubitsch Ladies, Ashley & I with Jake & Neil

A few of my co-workers from Bar Lubitsch were there so it was nice to catch up with them outside of work and get some fun pictures together.  Plus, they had a Photo Booth which is always great :)  I drank 'The Stanley' which was a Rum & Pimm's cocktail served up in a martini glass and didn't really notice the alcohol in them but my tummy ache the next day reminded me not to drink so much rum.  Thankfully, I had switched to Hendrick's Gin later on but the damage was done thanks to Stanley!

Saint's & Sinner's Love

This was my first Christmas Party of the Holiday season and hopefully there will be some more coming up before I head back home to Wisconsin for Christmas with my family!

The last day of my 20's...

It has been almost a week since I turned 30 and as scared as I was for the past couple of months leading up to it, when I woke up on Wednesday morning and walked into the living room, my roommate was awaiting me with a Cupcake and Mimosa's as I proclaimed 'I'm 30, woo hoo!'  It's only just begun, but as far as I can tell, the next 30 years are going to be great, but the cupcake and candle were a nice start!

I'm 30!! (Well, almost...last Photo Shoot of my 20's in Venice!)

Can't believe I fit in there!

The previous night (just hours of being 29 were left) included a wonderful Birthday Dinner at La Piazza complete wtih Pesto Farfalle & Shrimp Risotto, Wine, Chocolate Lava Cake, and later on drinks at Bar Lubitsch because Marisa was covering my Friday shift that weekend since I was scheduled at The Garage as well.  No rest for the Birthday girl, I worked my normal schedule all week long in addition to party planning!  The night ended with me hiding in my pantry because that's what 30 year-olds do...having fun and always a kid at heart ;)

Mom had made sure to call me at 10 pm in LA, because it was midnight in Wisconsin, then midnight in LA, and once again at 3:44 am because that was when I was actually born.  She's so thoughtful and I always love hearing the story of her going to the hospital and having me!  Thanks for sharing it every year with me, Mom!

Since Tuesday was the last day of my 20's, Kristina and I met up at her place in Venice and headed towards the beach for my final photo shoot of my 20's.  She had a bright purple/fuchsia wall that we planned on shooting at as well as the graffiti walls by the beach.  It was a great day for a photo shoot aside from the wind down by the ocean; my hair was blowing every which way, covering my face, in my lip gloss, and I was worried the pictures were just going to be complete chaos but I was so happy when I saw that it worked for the photos and they ended up turning out beautifully!  I couldn't have been happier with the photos; Kristina was a great photographer and we had a blast.  I can't wait to shoot with her again soon! 

Venice Beach Photo Shoot with Kristina!

All in all I ended my 20's with a bang, hanging out with friends, doing something creative, and enjoying those last moments before my fabulous 30's begin.  I'm certainly a lucky girl!