Le Top Chef Series: Crockpot Beef Stew

Mmmmmm…stew. For those nights when you want something warm and hearty. It takes some preplanning but it’s a easy, healthy and your family will love it.

INGREDIENTS

   • 2-3 pounds beef stew meat
   • 3 cups water
   • 2 beef bouillon cubes
   • 4 cups diced potatoes
   • 2 cups chunked carrots
   • 2 cups diced celery
   • 2 cups diced onions
   • 2 – 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
   • 1 Tablespoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in crockpot (do not brown meat.) Cook in crockpot on high for 6-7 hours. Parsnips may be substitued for some of the potatoes.

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I’m Ready for My Close Up!

Here is a sneak peak of Paulo getting all made up by Peggy (le•top's hair and make-up stylist) while wearing a coverall from le•top's T-Rex Touchdown Collection for Fall 2010.

This was Paulo’s first modeling gig for le•top. He’s been photographed before, but I don’t think Mommy with a camera in his face counts as “modeling experience.” 🙂

Since this was the first time in a professional environment for both of us, I was all nerves making sure we made it on location ON TIME (despite traffic and rain), I didn’t introduce any new foods to him two weeks prior that might make him break out in a rash all over his face, and lastly, I hoped and prayed that he would be cooperative and smile easily in front of everyone at the shoot. Phew… We nailed all three! We got there early, no food allergy reactions, and it took only a few minutes to get him photographed. Thank goodness! (And thanks to a little rubber ball which we bounced a few times in front of him to get him to laugh.) What a rock star!

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le•top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

It was my nephew’s birthday party and it was time for gifts. I watched him as he happily opened each present, then frowned upon discovering it wasn’t what he was hoping for. So I asked him, “What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t get what I wanted.”

“What did you ask for?”

A time machine.”

– Noah, age 6

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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Ready for Take Off!

Paulo is wearing a faux leather jacket and matching hat from the le•top Air Show collection.

A couple of days after our son turned 9-months, he took his first “solo” steps and can almost be counted as a member of the 2-legged walking club. He’s still a bit hesitant to let go of the table (the couch, the exersaucer, etc.) and usually reverts to crawling, but he’s getting there. Meanwhile, I should take advantage of this time to child-proof the house since this little guy will get anywhere FAST!

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le•top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

My daughter was enjoying a lollipop this weekend and I asked her what it tasted like. She simply said,

Yellow.”

– Lilah, age 3

I guess if you don’t have years of experience eating lollipops (like I do) it can be hard to differentiate the flavors.

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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We topped our record….

Kids and their entourages everywhere!

Our “Calling All Cuties” casting call was a huge success!  Last season we had a fabulous turnout – we saw over 125 kids come in and try out to be a ‘le•top kid.’  Our Fall 2010 season casting call last week brought out

a whopping 146 kids!  Have you ever been in a small space with oodles of kids?  Let’s just say that it was organized chaos – what a spectacle! Here, there and everywhere – cute kids in our office, our foyer, and spilling over to our front lawn! Of course we had these little ‘stars’ entourages as well…their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and in many cases their siblings. Wow! We love it! 

Our entire Design department was fully committed to this endeavor – shuttling clothes to the next in line (overcoming little problems like twins who ONLY want to dress alike!) – getting all the pertinent information – and sending them in to the inner sanctum!  Our Front Office staff couldn’t help but to join in the ‘fun’ by getting everyone to sign in and helping everyone out in anyway possible.  Hmmm, I wonder if any customers called…I can’t believe a phone could even be heard over all the noise! Kristin, our ace inside salesperson, and Marilyn from our Production department collected kids’ measurements – a real feat when you have a squirmy 1 year old!  It took five and a half hours with minimal breaks for Chris, Karen and Charly to accomplish the impossible task of choosing which of these adorable kids would be our next photo shoot stars.  Very difficult to choose…how does Simon, Randy and Kara do it??? 

Thank you to everyone that came in and weathered the storm!  We wish we could use all of these darling children! 

Next up….the photo shoot.

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A Daddy and Daughter Date

Miranda (wearing Princess Rose from the 2009 Fall/Winter Collection) is too excited for her date with Daddy.

I’ve been waiting to see Disney’s The Princess and the Frog with Miranda. I mean… WAITING with ANTICIPATION!!! So when the movie came out, guess who decided to take her instead? Her Daddy!

“It’s not fair. I want to take her!!!!” (Of course, I have to whine.)

“You just took her to see A Christmas Carol.”

“Yeah, but that movie wasn’t really for girls, and it was the only movie playing in the theater that was rated PG.”

“I haven’t been to the movies in a long time and I want to take Miranda.”

“Fine. You go. But I’m warning you. It’s a girl movie.”

After my little tantrum, I’ve accepted that it was okay for them to go. I’ll just catch it on Netflix. It will be a nice treat for Miranda, AND it’s true… Daddy and Daughter haven’t done anything together (just the two of them) in a while. Besides, I needed to go Christmas shopping for Miranda anyway.

“Miranda, promise me that you won’t tell me the ending, okay?”

“Okay, Mommy. But, why can’t you take me to see it again?”

“Because the next time you’ll want to go the movies, you’ll probably want to see a different movie, like Alvin and the Chipmunks.”

“THE SQUEAKQUEL!!!! All the single ladies… all the single ladies…”

When they came home, Miranda was so happy and excited. “Mommy, Mommy! Guess what?”

“Remember… Don’t tell me the ending.”

“I’m not. I just want to tell you my favorite part!!!”

“Okay. What’s your favorite part?”

“Daddy fell asleep!”

“WHAT?!” glaring at Daddy. “I told you it was a chic-flick.”

“It was only for a short while during the boring part.”

“Hmmmmm…”

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Calling all Cuties! Le Top is doing a CASTING CALL!

Our Fall 2010 photo shoot is fast approaching and Le Top is looking for children to model our unique clothing!

We are searching for babies and toddlers between the ages of 7 months and 4 years that wear sizes between 9 months and 3T (unwashed).

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and your child loves to be on the lens side of a camera…read on!

Please provide the following information to skelly@letop-usa.com and we will send you all the pertinent information regarding the go-see and photo shoot:

* Child’s name
* Guardian’s name
* Boy or Girl
* A couple of recent photos of your cutie
  (snapshots are ok)
*Age
*Weight
*Clothing size
*Shoe size
*Email address
  (please send one email per child)
*Can your child walk or stand on their own?

IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION:

GO-SEE: January 6th at our Richmond, California headquarters
What is a go-see? It’s a day when children come in for an audition (to try on clothes!)

PHOTO SHOOT: Week of January 18th
If your child is chosen, they MUST be available for one or more of the photo shoot dates.

REQUIREMENTS: All children must secure a valid working permit – we will supply all the information necessary – and sign a usage agreement. Information regarding compensation will be included in our return email.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: January 4th, 2010

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