Pumpkin, Sugar Skulls and Chile!

As the leaves fall and over night temperatures drop, I find myself spending more time in the kitchen. With pumpkin flavored everything available these days, you may enjoy this raw pumpkin salad recipe or my famous Halloween Black Bean Chili which pairs frighteningly well with Butternut Squash or Pumpkin Soup.

I am excited this month to bring you local coverage of the new menu at the Encino California Pizza Kitchen by contributor, Melissa Lambarena and a wonderful photo essay from the 2015 LA Beach Cities Modern Home Tour by Laura Jarrard. I know you'll enjoy the drool worthy photos whether your looking at the Lobster Flatbread or the wall sized map of the world customized with documentation of the family's globe trotting adventures.

We've got some fabulous recipe and gift ideas coming up for the holidays, so be sure to check back soon. You can sneak a peek at Mike Anderson's day at the chocolate factory with John (Kelson) and Kelly (Green) of John Kelly Chocolates in Hollywood and Santa Monica. I can't wait to try their limited edition Pumpkin Spice Truffle Fudge!

With the holiday gifting season right around the corner, we've got a couple of giveaways to help get you started, too. For the romance fan on your list try Paper Towns on Blu-ray and DVD, from the writer of The Fault In Our Stars. Or how about a movie marathon over the long Thanksgiving weekend including the 25th Anniversary Collection of the Home Alone movies, all 5 films packaged together in a collectible paint bucket!

Wishing you a wonder filled, wonderful Halloween.

xo,
Lisa