Best Of

My Favorite Posts of 2012

by Koko on December 31, 2012 · 1 comment

in Best Of, Me, Q

Yesterday was your favorite posts of 2012 and today I list my favorite posts this year. 2012 was a big one: the proposal, having Q come home safely from a year in Afghanistan, and moving to Alaska were some big ones! Since I recently did a 26 Things in Year 26 post that covered a lot of the bigs of the year, so I mainly loaded this post with favorites from the last 6 months of the year (because who likes repeats!). Here are my top 10  posts of 2012 on Koko Likes.

10. An Anchorage Weekend – One of my favorite weekends this year was when Q and I went down to Anchorage to visit our friends, The Bulls. The Army brings friends into your lives and then moves them away, we are just lucky that our friends only moved a one-hour flight away!

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9. Shrimp, Avocado and Brown Rice Bowls – YUM. This recipe was out of this world and combined a few of my favorite foods.

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8. Creamy Tomato Soup – Q and I created the perfect “it’s so cold outside, let’s sit by the fire and have grilled cheese and tomato soup” recipe. This meal will always remind me of cold nights in Alaska.

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7. Honey Whole Wheat Bread and Cheesy Beer Bread - I did it, I overcame my fear of making bread and baking with yeast! These were two of my first successful loaves (the Cheesy Beer Bread is impossible to screw up) and they got me started on my new love of baking bread!

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6. Q’s Holiday Ball - I loved getting to celebrate Q and his peers during his holiday ball. And Q looks SO handsome in his dress uniform. It was a blast to get dressed up for the first time since moving to Alaska that made me really happy.

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5. What I Wear in the Winter - Everyone asks “What does -40 feel like?” And the answer is “REALLY cold, but manageable.” In this post, I gave you a glimpse into the many layers I put on everyday just to go to the grocery store. It was a fun one to put together!

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4. Weekly Meal Planning - I started this weekly series about how Q and I plan out our meals each week in November. Q and I are BIG planners when it comes to food. There are so many pros: healthier, cheaper, and you actually look forward to what you are going to have for dinner! And I loved hearing that so many of you are going to start trying this in the new year.

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3. Q & K Go Camping - This adventure was so far outside of my comfort zone and yet I did it and really enjoyed myself. There’s something about being the only humans around for miles and seeing nature that close that is a once in a lifetime experience. I will never forget this trip.

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2. 10 Things I’ve Learned Living in Alaska and Winterizing – These two posts really gave you a glimpse into my life now. Sometimes it even surprises me that this ex-celebrity personal assistant born and raised in Los Angeles is now substitute teaching in Alaska, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. This year has been full of big changes and I have enjoyed living in the moment more than ever.

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1. Life Update – This was a fun post I wrote filling you in on what’s happening in K & Q world. There’s so much on the horizon for us: a possible move, a wedding, travel. It’s going to be quite a year!

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Your Favorite Posts of 2012

by Koko on December 30, 2012 · 1 comment

in Best Of, Me

Last year, I did a fun round up of your favorite posts of 2011 and thought I would do the same this year. It’s fun to look back at the year and say “Oh ya, I did make that in January” and remind myself of how much happened this year (a proposal and a move!). So what did you like? Some sweet treats, some savory, and a little Q & K romance! Here are the top 10 most popular posts from this year on Koko Likes.

10. The Proposal - I mean, this is obviously my favorite post of 2012 too! Q is quite the romantic and this was the best day of my life. Yay for a wedding in 2013!

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9. Lazy Girl’s Meyer Lemon Tart - This recipe for a not too sweet lemon tart is simple and delicious. It’s great for a last minute dessert.

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8. Frijoles Borrachos (Drunken Beans) – This dish is a Mexican New Years Day tradition and a delicious side dish (I mean who doesn’t like beans and bacon?).

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7. Baked Tofu & Quinoa with Chickpeas and Spinach – This was created in my “pre-living with Q the carnivore” days since it’s all vegetarian and I miss making it! This is my veggie/healthy/quick dinner fix and one of my favorite creations this year.

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6. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins - These are deadly. They are great looking, so delicious and great when you need a pumpkin fix.

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5. The “OMG You Are Moving to Alaska” Post - Yup, in March I let you know that I was moving to Alaska to live with Q. And in August, I did it! It’s been 5 months already and I still sort of feel I’m living in a dream, a very white and snowy dream.

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4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts - The easiest and best way to cook my favorite veggie.

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3. Skillet Lasagna – We found a new way to cook lasagna this year and this gorgeous dish is delicious too.

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2. 4-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies - All these old Hawaiian shortbread cookies need is 4 ingredients. Easy, buttery and delicious.

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1. The Deployment: The End - Well, we did it. Q left for Afghanistan in April 2011 and returned to Alaska in April 2012. It was the most challenging year of my life and I will never forget the feeling of hugging Q when he finally came home.

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Be sure to check in tomorrow for my favorite 10 posts from this year! Thanks for all the love and support, I am SO excited for what 2013 has to bring!

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The Best Of… LA

by Koko on August 14, 2012 · 4 comments

in Best Of, Restaurants, Review, Shopping

Since this is my last night as a Los Angeles resident (I guess that makes me an Angeleno, but I never liked the word), I thought I would share my favorite LA spots with you. Born and raised here, I have 27 years of knowledge on my side and like to think I’ve truly experienced Los Angeles.

1. Best Hiking - Runyan Canyon: I know it’s overly hyped and everyone tells you to go there, but for a hiker and dog walker I find this neighborhood hike the BEST. There are three different routes (easy (all concrete), medium (10 minutes of intense uphill) and hard (ridgetop) and it has the best people (and dog) watching around. This is a weekly go to of mine for an outdoor exercise.

2. Best Seafood - Son of A Gun: Last night my girlfriends and I went to Son of A Gun for my goodbye meal and I only wish I had gone here every week for a year before this. From the owners of Animal (they do crazy things with meat), this mainly fish restaurant serves some of the best food I’ve had. From lobster rolls to fried chicken sandwiches to oysters and linguini with clams, I didn’t taste a bad dish.

3. Best Produce Shopping - The Hollywood Farmers’ Market: For a foodie and cook, this is my favorite market ever. The variety of stalls and types of produce you can get is unmatched by anywhere I’ve ever been. We get our fresh fish from there every week as well as 90% of the produce we eat (the other 10 is normally offseason).  This is one of the things I will miss most about not being in LA.

4. Best Workout - Dove’s Bodies: During the week, I worked out at Equinox in West Hollywood (a dream gym), but on Saturdays I stepped out of my usual schedule (spinning, sculpt, swim) and took this boot camp. My mom has been going to Dove’s for 20 years…and Dove has only gotten better with time. 75 minutes of cardio/weights/lunges/jumping rope/abs and everything in between. It leaves you breathless and sweaty. An AMAZING workout (and worth the schlep to the valley).

5. Best Brunch Spot – Luna Park and Cheebo – Luna Park has the more funky brunch choices and is located on La Brea and Wilshire, which is more south than I usually travel for brunch (who wants to drive 20 minutes when you are hungover and in need of some grease?), but we make the trek for the bloody marys and greasy brunch options. My favorite are the chilequiles (tortilla chips, eggs, cheese, chorizo). Another favorite brunch spot (and convienetly located 10 minutes from my house) is Cheebo. Healthier options, good atmosphere, great Arnold Palmers. My go to here is the fried egg sandwich (ciabatta, fried eggs, lettuce, tomato, a little aioli).

6. Best Sandwiches – Mendocino Farms and Larchmont Wine and Cheese (tie): Mendocino Farms quickly rose to the top of my all time favorite sandwich restaurants in the best year when it opened a location on Fairfax and 3rd Street. Their sandwiches are pretty much perfect- the sandwich combinations are right on (turkey, avocado, salsa), the staff there is superb and the location is ideal. Larchmont Wine and Cheese has a list of 6 sandwiches (think turkey, caprese, tuna, or salami) and they recommend you get them loaded (garlic aioli and olive oil and balsamic). They are classic sandwiches served on fresh out of the oven baguette and are truly mouth watering. The line can get a little long on weekends (only two sandwich makers), but it is well worth the wait.

7. Best Cupcakes – Sprinkles: You just can’t beat this cupcake. There is a reason the line is always out the door, they are that good. I recommend going online to pre-order or to see what flavor cupcakes are baking that day (the salted carmel is a favorite).

8. Best Shopping- The Grove: If you can’t tell, I’m a J. Crew girl through and through, so for me The Grove is a one-stop-shop. I head over to J. Crew to gather my essentials, get some basics at Gap and if I’m feeling like spending money head to Nordstrom’s. There’s a Sur La Table for my baking/cooking needs and a TopShop is opening in the next few months (think Forever21 but a little cooler and pricier) for my trendier needs. And if you spend over $250 in one day, you get free valet (let’s not discuss how many times this has happened to me…).

9. Best Outdoorsy Store – REI: This is much more Q’s expertise than mine (can you tell I’m not outdoorsy just because I used the word outdoorsy?), but REI is the best place for camping/fishing/hiking/skiing gear, basically all things Alaska. Before my first trip up to Alaska (and before I knew what to expect), I headed into REI and bought Sorels (big 10 pound waterproof boots that have been worn once), Merril hiking boots (to my fashionistas, just turn your eyes away), a fleece (lifesaver) and some socks that cause my feet to be a size larger than usual in shoes. But I wouldn’t have been able to find this stuff anywhere else (and I am reassured that when it is -40 I am going to want those socks and ugly shoes). Also when Q was deployed and needed some goods (foldable coffee filter/coffee mug/small pillow), this was my first stop. The customer service is superb also.

10. Best Restaurant (General) – Mercato di Vetro: I have to give it to them, although the customer service can be iffy (especially on a Friday or Saturday night), the food makes up for it. If I haven’t been here in a while, I miss the food. Mercato serves fresh, but comforting food. Think kale pizza, burrata with grapes and balsamic, mussels and fresh bread. The cocktails are good too (and make the wait on a Friday night a little more bearable).

So that’s all folks. Tomorrow I’m hopping on a plane up to Alaska to start the next chapter! I can’t wait to tell you all about the adventures this LA girl has in the last frontier!

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