HIP TIP - OLIVE OIL

Olive Oil.

While it's great in just about any dish and has miracle-like health benefits, did you know it works wonders externally for your skin and hair?

Warm olive oil is a great hair conditioner and dabbing a bit of oil around you eyes and hands helps decrease wrinkles!

Just make sure you use pure olive oil and no vinaigrette, please.




(photo courtesy of igourmet.com)

DAILY HEEL WATCH - CAGE ME IN

1. YSL's Cage Bootie $1290.00 (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

2. Valentino's Cage Sandal $895.00 (courtesy of Saks Fifth Ave)
3. Baker's Ashton Bootie $79.95 (courtesy of Bakersshoes.com)

DAILY HEEL WATCH - SHOE MAIL

I've opened up the forum for readers to shoot me questions about what to wear or what to cook for a night out / in.

Here's my first letter!

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From: XXXXaol.com

To: cookinginheels@gmail.com

Subject: Brunch Help!

I'm having my future in-laws come over for a Spring buffet brunch at our new place.
What should I make? More importantly, what SHOES should I wear?

- K.L., Los Angeles

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My Reply:

Don't make a thing! Buy, buy, buy... and make it look nice. What's more important, make time for YOU to look nice.

Go to an upscale LA grocery store (like Gelsons or Whole Foods) or deli (Barney Greengrass or Nate N Als) and get pre-made tuna salad, egg salad, fresh nova and cream cheese from their counter. Pick up some fresh bagels.

How to arrange like a Pro: Slice up and plate a platter of tomatoes, onion, celery, and lettuce. In a wicker basket, line with napkins and place the bagels in there. Have forks and knives next to the plates. Looks are everything on a buffet table.

And looks are everything on you (especially in front of your in-laws.)

Spend time getting ready. Wear the above Powder Pink Valentino Wrap Sandals (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

DAILY HEEL WATCH - SPRING SAFARI

Christian Louboutin's Leopard Wedge Sandal (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

Christian Louboutin's Tigresse (courtesy of Barneys New York)

In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle,
the Lion ain't sleeping when he gets a peek at these!

THE SECRET RECIPE REVEALED (KINDA-SORTA)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY VEY/ OY VEZ MEAR

*

There is a well-known restaurant in Beverly Hills called CRUSTACEAN.

There, the biggest celebrities go to eat their most popular dish, the Garlic Noodles.

These noodles have received countless press, and their recipe has become an urban myth. Supposedly, the hundred year-old recipe is prepared in a small room with no windows.

Just try Google-ing for the recipe. I dare you.

I have been to Crustacean countless times, and after much online research and testing in my kitchen, I believe that I have come close.

Let's just put it this way-- my feet are killing me, but I did it for YOU.

My version doesn't take long to make and, more importantly, it's quick enough for your heels to still be worn. I promise.

So, here it is, my whole wheat (of course) version of this much gossiped about dish!

**

• 3/4 of a pound of whole wheat spaghetti (I buy organic)
• 6 tablespoons butter (lightly salted is fine)
  
• 6 tablespoons crushed garlic (from a jar)

• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of milk (yes, milk-- I used fat free)
  
• 1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
  

• Handful of grated Parmesan cheese

In a large pot, boil water with a dash of salt. Once boiling, add all the pasta. Let it cook until super-soft. No "al dente" for this dish.

In a pan, cook all the garlic with all the butter. Let it brown slightly. Stir constantly. Do not take your eyes off of it!

In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, and milk. Add the butter and garlic to the bowl and mix it thoroughly. Let it sit until the pasta is done.

When the pasta is very soft, let it drain and sit until dry.

It's okay to make the pasta AND sauce a few hours before serving.

Once you are ready to eat: In small batches in your pan, add sauce on medium heat and slowly add pasta as you mix. Sprinkle just a dash of Parmesan cheese as you mix in the pan. This recipe serves about 4-6.

Let me know what you think!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

PRADA Sequin Sandal (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

The signature Prada "Fade" gets the royal sequin treatment for a Black Tie affair...