ViDi Camera In Oatman, AZ with Host Lisa Keating

Check out this easy to use budget friendly GoPro alternative!  Read the review on EncinoMom or watch the video for our pics, unboxing and thoughts.

Estérel Makeover At The Sofitel

Estérel Makeover 

By: Meilssa Lambarena

The Estérel restaurant unveiled its makeover including two unique and colorful new spaces, “Le Jardin” and “The Aviary”. It showcased the new design and decor at its opening in July where many Angelinos showed up to take in the view, enjoy drinks and sample the new French cuisine menu.

THE VIEW

Whatever mood you’re in, the Estérel has a room for it. If you’re an art connoisseur take in the view from their dining room, if you’re a private person you may enjoy a quiet evening in the Aviary and if you want to reflect after a long day you can do so in the mirrors of the beautiful mirror garden, Le Jardin.





THE SAMPLE MENU

The French menu showcases the savory elements of the Mediterranean and the Golden State. As part of the remodel, guests will now be able to have a view of the kitchen and catch a glimpse of the craft that goes into capturing the Mediterranean experience on their plate. The menu presented by Executive Chef Boroda is carefully selected to only include meats that have been compassionately raised and produce that has been farmed sustainably. Ingredients are gathered from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, The Hollywood Farmer’s Market, Petaluma Farms, K&M Grass-Fed Meats and others. Bon appetite!



Lamb ball yogurt and couscous



This little delight was served at the grand opening as one of the items that will be added to the new menu. The lamb and yogurt – both staples of Mediterranean cuisine - complement each other in tangy and savory celebration for the taste buds.

Heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella and chermoula



This zesty and sweet Mediterranean favorite will also be added to the menu.

THE BAR

Guests will now be able to cleanse their palates with new choices on the drink menu created by Ferrari Watts, resident mixologist at the Riviera 31 Lounge Bar.



Whether you are looking for a place to take an out-of-town guest or you’re seeking a unique setting to enjoy a fine dining experience, the Estérel offers a picture perfect experience with stunning walls that make for great backdrops for your social media memories.

A Small Rant That's Actually A Rave

Trouble keeping track of passwords? Here's a mini rant that invoked a big solution for me. Let me know if you can relate!

https://encinomom.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/last-pass-and-the-power-of-complaining-to-your-friends-about-stuff-that-you-wish-was-different/

Crazy Good Giveaway From Urban Accents on EncinoMom

Urban Accents Unboxed on EncinoMom
OMG. We received this amazing array of mixes, seasonings and toppings for brunch from our friends at Urban Accents. I’m thrilled to be able to share this with you, too! This Brunch Collection is perfect for gifting. For Mother’s Day, we recommend you order the box early and fete Mom with brunch in bed! The directions are easy to follow and would be fun for Dad and the kids to deliver foolproof dishes of scumptiousness and love to Mom on her big day. Read more . . . (scroll to the bottom of the page for the entry form).

Best Choice At Tam O'Shanter

Get the Toffee Sticky Pudding - it's worth the drive from - well just about ANYWHERE! Ask for Sharon for the best service.

Sneak A Peak At Our Bus Ad

Click the picture to view our 60 second highlight reel, playing on buses from Hollywood to Encino on Sunday, November 16th! So exciting!

Here's What We Unboxed At EncinoMom

Swag from Can-Am, a new book and home delivered meals from Freshology. Check it out!

In The Mail

We want to share some of the cool stuff that comes our way. What do you think? See what's inside the box as we unbox the contents of our P.O. Box.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie & Organic Cab

Want to indulge a little without going completely off the rails? How about a glass of organic Cabernet Sauvignon, on tap, with a vegan chocolate chip cookie? Oh yeah. Lyfe Kitchen delivers the goods. Tastes better than it sounds, in fact, if I didn't tell you, you would never know that you were consummming healthful versions of your guilty pleasures. You're welcome.

I Spy

Bird of Paradise keeping an eye out between Starbucks and CVS.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman: Interview with Executive Producer Tiffany Ward

Great family entertainment opens in theaters Friday, March 7th. You can take a peek at clips from the film, plus behind the scenes footage with Ty Burrell in the sound booth. Burrell (Phil Dunphy on Modern Family) voices Mr. Peabody with heart your can hear! I wasn't quite old enough to fully appreciate Mr. Peabody & Sherman the first time around. (The first episodes hit the airwaves in November of 1959), but this incarnation is spectacular, rife with all of the artistic possibilities available to 3D animation today and at the same time upholding the original brilliance of the classic characters.

Special note: Watch the video to the end, when Tiffany (daughter of the late Jay Ward, creator of Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends) offers a special giveaway to our YouTube subscribers! Thanks all around. We're aiming to reach 10,000 subscribers this year! We sure appreciate your help.

With gratitude from the bottom of my heart,
Lisa

Daphne Wayans Interview

Formerly married to Keenen Ivory Wayans this fabulous only child and amazing mother of five invites us in for an intimate talk in her lovely Encino area home. You can read more on her website: click here.

Organize It!

Here's a quick video tip for organizing your home in style with new mom Katrina Teeple of Operation Organization. 

New Video Reveals The 2014 Color Of The Year

With special guests, E.G. Daily (actress, singer) and Lori Ann Robinson (Emmy Nominated Costume Designer and Wardrobe Consultant). Join us at the Fresh Produce Clothing Boutique in Pasadena, California for a frank chat and fashion advice on how to incorporate the color of the year into your wardrobe!

Butterflies At Sunset

Photo from a ride up the escalator in Neiman Marcus at the Westfield Topanga Mall.

Floss Silk Trees In Bloom

Whether you call them Floss Silk Trees, Silk Floss Trees or Ceiba Speciosa - They are in bloom all over Southern California right now.

These trees are in bloom all around town. If you take a second look, you'll notice the trunk is covered with thorny protrusions giving the bright green sapling a prehistoric look. You can't tell from this photo, but the next time you notice a tree full of crazy pink blossoms, you'll remember to take a peak at the trunk. Like other fine things in life, the trunk mellows with age. The bright green yields to a tone of grey and the protrusions, once threatening and menacing looking melt into the mature surface of the trunk. I'm not sure what that says about aging, but I also read earlier today that certain jelly fish are actually biological immortal. I'm going with that.

Opening Night: Artist's Reception, September 6th

Currently on exhibit at Los Angeles Art Association's Gallery 825 in West Hollywood: Original works by Encino, Fine Artist, Warren Keating. The show entitled Every Step You Take reflects the artist's ongoing exploration of people in motion viewed from above. Many of the subjects were captured on film in Paris and transported through time and space, translated into Keating's vision of pixel-impressionism.

Other works on display at the gallery include the new body of work; Play Nice by artist Jodi Bonassi and Pop Uber Alles, an all-media exploration of Pop Art juried by Timothy Potts, Director of the J. Paul Getty Museum. The gallery is located on La Cienega in West Hollywood. More info: http://www.laaa.org/pop/index.html

New Restaurant Opening Next Month

Highly anticipated Farm to Table cuisine coming to Ventura Blvd. in October. Have you seen the store front going in near the Whole Foods in Tarzana? Let's meet up for some good eats and a glass of (eco-friendly, organic) wine. You'd never know it, if you didn't hear in advance.

Serving everything from grass fed beef to Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free, this offering from some former MacDonald's exec's comes just in the nick of time. Forks over knives and priced to please!

New Flagship CPK Offers Signature Cocktails

Stop by the new CPK at the Westfield Topanga Mall and check out the bar they've built in front of their restaurant - downstairs from the food court. They've come up with 8 new California cocktails with ingredients like avocado, smashed blueberries and cactus fruit. They are all delicious! Try the Route 1 or one of their Cracked Pepper Margaritas - especially tasty!

Read about their new menu:
CPK

New Salvation Army Donation Center

Across from the park - between the 76 station and The Stand - there's a new Salvation Army Donation Center where the old Christian Science Reading Room used to be.