go-out

Christian Siriano for Payless

I’m torn on these.  On the one hand, I think they could be super hot on…and they’re Payless?  Back in my day Payless shoes were all patent pleather crap you’d buy at the last minute for a cheap wedding or distant relative’s funeral, whereas these could definitely be rocked for a night out on the town.  On the other hand, they’re $80…and it’s Payless.  Back in my day, Payless shoes were $12.99.  Thoughts?

Website:  http://www.payless.com/

Free Baking Classes

If baking isn’t your thing, then classes might be just what you need.  Think of it this way: I’m helping you to become a more cultured, refined and talented broke girl without bankrupting you.  You’re welcome.

Every month Williams-Sonoma offers a series of “technique classes” to help teach the culinary-impaired how to use different ingredients, tools and techniques.  This month’s focus is on baking.  In more than one job in my life, the baked goods I’ve brought into work are what have given me job security.  Part of me wishes I were kidding, but I’m really not.

If you want to suck up, I mean earn financial security through sugar, attend one of the weekly classes at your local Williams-Sonoma, hosted on Sundays.  This upcoming Sunday, March 7, will focus on perfecting your soufflé.  They promise that you will be able to “impress family and friends,” which I think can also mean “coworkers” and “bosses.”

The following Sundays are March 14: “Cookies and Tarts,” March 21: “Cakes and Cupcakes,” and March 28: “Pies and Tarts.”

Every store has an RSVP list that you need to be on to attend, but I’ve been assured that walk-ins are welcome more often than not.  (I’d still call if I were you.)

Check out Williams-Sonoma’s homepage here (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/?cm_type=gnav ) where you can then locate your local store’s information.  Additional information about the technique classes can be found here (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/popup/customer-service/technique-classes.html )

Free Cooking Classes @ Whole Foods

This one actually has me really excited:  free cooking classes at Whole Foods!

The Whole Foods located at 11666 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064, is offering FOUR free classes in March.

The first class is called The Skinny on Citrus with Executive Chef Monique King from NINETHIRTY and The Backyard restaurants at W Hotel Los Angeles.  It’s going to be on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30p.m.  Learn how to “creatively” cook with citrus and demo roasted baby beet salad with arugula, grapefruit, blue cheese and horseradish dressing, and two other recipes from Monique’s kitchen.  (That sounds like free dinner to me.)

The second, Spring Sweep Vegan Cooking Class, will teach you how to make “delicious spring detox vegan dishes to help cleanse your body.”  It’s on Thursday, March 11 at 6pm and boasts of such dishes as lemony artichoke dip, spring veggie stir fry with ginger apricot sauce, raw kale salad with fennel in a miso vinaigrette and chocolaty rice squares.  Considering my idea of vegan cooking means opening a bag of salad mix, I can use all the help I can get.  Take a look at the personal chef, Melissa Costello’s website here.

The third class, Healthy Appetizers with Chef Eric, is on Wednesday, March 17 at 6:00p.m.  Since this class is on Saint Patrick’s Day, a beloved holiday in my family, I’m going to have to pass on this one.  However, if you want to spend a drinking day getting your wild mushroom and spinach fritters on for free, please be my guest.

The fourth class is Spring Produce Vegetarian Cooking Class on Wednesday, March 24 at 6:00p.m.  The chef, LiilaYerro, is a vegan and vegetarian personal chef and cooking instructor.  This is another one that sounds like it has free food potential, which makes for one happy broke girl.

You can check out this Whole Food’s website here or Facebook page here to view the events for yourself.  Go to one, go to them all, but be sure to get there early to reserve yourself a prime food tasting/gorging spot.

Location:  11666 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90064
Phone:  (310) 996 8840
Hours:  M-Su 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Photo from Girls Night Out @ The Geffen

Here’s a goofy pic of David Arquette from Girls Night Out last Thursday…I was going to post a couple of the ones I’m actually in but they didn’t turn out so cute.

Thanks to everyone who came out!!  I just got a little preview of our next show, and it’s going to be a good one.  Stay Tuned!

Varnish 1 Year Anniversary Party Tonight – Free Booze

Love, love, love this place. Enjoy!

Girls Night Out at The Geffen

Our event last Thursday was a big success!!!   Thanks as always to The Geffen for including us.  Pictures to come…

Reminder: Geffen Girls Night Out – Tonight

I just called the Geffen, and it appears they still have great seats available for Thursday’s Girls Night Out performance of The Female of the Species, starring Annette Bening and David Arquette (among other notables). Our $30 tickets get you a seat for the show and a wristband for the afterparty, which will have a kitschy 70’s feminist theme and will feature complimentary cocktails, appetizers, makeovers, and more. Check out the complete details here and BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW.

Box office: (310) 208-5454

Promotion code: FSBGG30

Website: http://www.geffenplayhouse.com/female

Wednesday’s Links

Got some exciting news last night so couldn’t sleep.  As a result, even more useless at my day job than usual…

Is it just me or does flying seem extra dangerous as of late?  I think I might actually be scared into saving money by taking the train.  We still have those, right?  [LAist and Daily News La]

Yeah, I’m over it.  [NYT]

Cheap pizza, late at night?  Just keep plugging along, LA, and one day maybe you’ll be NYC.  In the meantime, yum.  [Yo, Venice]

Mmmmmmm, Pancakes.  [HuffPo]

Finally, a way to keep track of all of the gourmet food trucks…if you still care.  I heard something about banana pudding and chicken wings today and I think that ended it for me.  [Lalawag]

Cheap osteoporosis prevention. [HuffPo]

Allegedly, there’s a lot of happiness in California.  Just not specifically in LA, it would seem.  But…the weather’s so nice here. [HuffPo]

Follow Your Heart

For about 3 years now, I have been trying to be vegan.  Actually, I have changed from vegan to pescatarian to vegetarian to now: vegan-pescatarian.  Shut up, it exists.  Before you go rolling your eyes, I’m not a tree-hugger, and you won’t see me naked in any PETA ads (maybe because they’ll never ask…).

But let’s move on to what really matters:  it devastates my bank account.  Whole Foods ain’t cheap.  Also, it’s one thing to be “that girl” on a date (“Could I get the BBQ salad, hold the meat and cheese, dressing on the side..?), but it’s another thing to try to pull that at a drive-thru window.

In other words, I’m in constant search of a menu that: 1. Allows me to order like a sane human being; and 2. Allows me to pay for my meal without running home to make sure BofA didn’t overdraft me.

Score: 1, with Follow Your Heart, which is a cute little market with a café in the back.  (Seriously, walk to the back.  I looked like an idiot trying to find the entrance.)  The menu is all vegetarian and vegan, and they have a variety of options ranging from burgers to waffles.  My roommate went with the Vegetarian Meatball Sub and I got the Wok Stir Fry.  First of all, the portions are HUGE, so you’re really getting two meals for one (Unless you’re a fatty, no judgment).  Secondly, it’s delish.  My only warning is that if you decide to sit on the patio, be prepared to get soaked by their “misters.”

I realize Follow Your Heart in the valley, so it’s a little out of the way, but I know a treasure when I see one.  $12 for two (if you include leftovers) awesome meals?  Sold.

Location:  21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park 91303
Website: http://www.followyourheart.com/marketandcafe.php

Links of the Day

You’d think there’d be more to go off of the first day back after a long weekend jam-packed with inane holidays, but alas I am somehow short on interesting links.  Here are the few:

I’m kind of interested in eating organic for the first time (slow to the boat, I know), though I can’t really say why.  I seem not to be the only one, however, based on this and this. [Blackboard Eats and Vital Juice]

Though not organic, this is healthy and $1 every Wednesday until the end of the month. [Eater LA]

Nothing to do with being broke, but how can Bill Clinton be #6?   I’ve had an inexplicable crush on the man since I was in 5th grade. [Nerve.com]

You should know by now how obsessed I am with all things Brazil, but in my defense you can get $10 off tickets to this particular Brazilian event through this link, so it’s almost Broke Girl’s Guide related.  [Flavorpill]

I think I found this on FabSugar earlier today but I can’t remember so I’m just going to link to them.  Cute dress, great price.  [FabSugar]

Seriously, LA?  [LA Weekly]

And finally, maybe the best link anyone has ever sent me in order to momentarily rescue me from the doldrums of cubicle life.