Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

It's an exciting week in the food world (and for anyone with a sweet tooth!), Christina Tosi's Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook is now available. On Tuesday November 8th she'll be doing two Los Angeles signings--one at 2:00 p.m. at the Beverly Hills Williams-Sonoma, and another at 5:30 p.m. at Roy Choi's Chego.

Another sugary item--between now and November 20th, any large drink from participating Carl's Jr.s comes in one of four Immortals collector's cups. I sure wouldn't mind looking at Henry Cavill (or Mickey Rourke for that matter) while enjoying an ice cold fountain Coke.

I love these boots for fall.

A sweet and under-appreciated movie starring Owen Wilson, Jack Black, and Steve Martin.

It's officially cold season, double up on Emergen-C packets--Raspberry and Tangerine flavors combined in water for one powerful and refreshing dose of Vitamin C.

There's still time to buy Magic Pink Ice from Arcona during October for 25% of the sale to be donated to Cancer and Careers. You really can't go wrong with any Arcona product, and this hydrating gel is one of their best.

Happy Halloween (I'll be drinking pumpkin ale and watching scary movies)!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Clarkson Potter Publishing

Do It. TOMS party at the Viceroy.

We're big fans of TOMS, and of fun parties, here at the BEAT.

Tonight, there's a TOMS party at Santa Monica's very cool Viceroy hotel. Check it out!

Buy a pair of the super comfortable slip-ons and have them decorated by one of the talented Los Angeles artists in attendance.

1819 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Tonight - September 15, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: TOMS

Do It. TwentyWonder: A Carnival of the Mind.

If there's one "L.A." thing I'm still dying to do, it's to see the L.A. Derby Dolls in action. The rollerskating badasses play about twice a month, but tickets usually sell out pretty quickly, and can sometimes be pricey.

This month, though, they'll be playing for an extra special cause, as part of Twentywonder, a one-night-only benefit raising money for the Down Syndrome Association Of Los Angeles. Also on deck for the night: live performances by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Exene Cervenka (of X), Axis of Awesome, Funny or Die and more. Expect cirque performers and even the original Batmobile, as well as chances to a Fender guitar signed by Trent Reznor and a lunch for four hosted by Sam Simon (co-creator of The Simpsons).

Tickets go for $40 for general admission -- the usual top price for a Derby Dolls match. So not only can you see them play, you'll get to enjoy all these other amazing acts -- and all for charity. Get your tickets now.

TwentyWonder: A Carnival of the Mind takes place this Saturday, July 9 at 8pm at the Doll Factory, located at 1910 W. Temple St. in Filipinotown.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. TOMS Eyewear.

Back in November, we told you about the eyeglass company Warby Parker, who do the TOMS thing in giving a pair of glasses to a person in need for each pair purchased. Well, now TOMS themselves are in the eyewear business, and the styles are worth a look.

TOMS doesn't just give a pair of sunglasses to someone squinting in the sun--in partnership with the Seva Foundation, they do full-on eye exams (and then medical treatment, prescription eyeglasses, or surgery) and give sight to people in need in Nepal, Tibet, and Cambodia.

The sunglasses line is super appealing. They are made in Italy, feature hand-painted striped design on the arms, and come in many styles including Wayfarer-like shades, big round Nicole Richie/Olsen twin style ones, and my favorite, the classic aviators.

Check out the new TOMS store that opened this past weekend on Larchmont (143 N Larchmont Boulevard).

TOMS sunglasses range in price from $135 to $145. More info: toms.com

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: toms.com

Check It. Radiohead's Haiti concert.

It's almost been a year since the tragic earthquake in Haiti, and here in Los Angeles, many will remember the outpouring of many celebrities and musicians who came forward to try and help. One of those was none other than Radiohead, who offered their services in the form of a fundraising exclusive concert at the Henry Fonda Music Box in January.

Some local filmmakers were able to capture some footage at the small show, and is now releasing it as a charitable effort. Those who download or buy the DVD will be donating to the Haiti cause, and to Oxfam, the non-profit organization which helps out all over the world. From what I can tell, the footage isn't exactly your normal expensive, stadium concert film stuff, but still offers the ambiance of the night, and it's not like we haven't lowered our standards for YouTube anyway. So give and get! Just because the earthquake happened a while ago doesn't mean Haiti still doesn't need help, and this is a great way to offer it (and don't forget about the tax write-off!). Check out more info here.

-- Chau Tu

Drink Out. The Edison's Midnight Mission Toy Drive [Thirsty Thursdays!].

As we come upon this holiday season, it's definitely a great time to get together with friends for a good drink. But we also can't forget those who are in need, especially in this season.

Enjoy that drink without guilt by participating in the Edison's Midnight Mission Toy Drive. Ongoing until December 28 (and with no apparent limits, so go crazy!), bring in a new, unwrapped toy and receive a complimentary Edison cocktail. And considering their fancier drinks do go for about $13 or more, I'd say it's a pretty fair tradeoff money-wise. Plus, you'll be getting a fantastic hand-crafted drink -- one of the best found in L.A. for sure. I'd opt for the Absinthe '75 (a great speakeasy twist on the French '75) or the Brass Flower.

And speaking of the Edison, the underground lounge will also be celebrating Repeal Day -- this Sunday, Dec. 5th -- in full-on style, naturally. Think lots of absinthe and gin. Look out for other Repeal Day celebrations going on all over the city; definitely not a day to miss out for a great, cheap/free cocktail!

The Edison is located at 108 W. 2nd St. in downtown.

And please remember to drink safely, as always.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Citysearch

Check It. Warby Parker.

Eyeglasses shopping can be pretty stressful -- not only do you want a pair that looks good on you, but you want something you can actually afford too, and glasses aren't really something you can or want to go cheap on. You need something reliable, and you need something nice-looking, and it honestly feels like a victory when you can find one that works.

Which is why Warby Parker excites me. It's an eyeglass brand that I found out about through the L.A. Times, and they caught my eye simply for looking great and stylish. But then I found out that all the pairs are an affordable $95 -- such a steal -- with free shipping. And on top of that, they've got the TOMS-ideal in that if you buy a pair of glasses, they'll give a pair to someone in need.

Obviously, because Warby Parker is currently online only here in L.A., it might seem risky not to be able to try a pair on before buying. But they've got it all figured out. You can pick up to 5 pairs to try on at home, and shipping both ways (as well as returns) is free. And they've also got this nifty virtual try-on feature where you can take a picture using your webcam and 'try on' any pair (not fail-safe but pretty fun).

Can't go wrong -- who thought eyeglass shopping could be stress-free?

**Other notable notes: the company is named after Jack Kerouac characters, and oh, they also sell a monocle. Yes.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. The FYF LA Scavenger Hunt.

What could be more fun than the prospect of a scavenger hunt? Add in the fact that it'll take place in this wonderful city of Los Angeles and you'll be helping out some local charities, and you really can't go wrong.

This will be the third edition of FYFest's Scavenger Hunt, which launches teams into the jungle of L.A. for one whole day to accomplish crazy feats and find hidden treasures which will all help to support Union Rescue Mission and L.A. Food Bank. Round up a group of friends for a team, and on December 4th you could be parading around this city trying to get pictures of brides on your shoulders and getting cornrows in your hair. Awesome, right? And for the grand prize, it'll surely be worth it: a trip to Barcelona for next year's Primavera Sound music festival, flight and hotel paid for. Barcelona's one of my favorite cities ever, and this trip would truly be amazing.

And even if you don't win the grand prize, there are still a ton of mini-prizes to be won, like concert tickets or gift cards. Plus, it'll all be in good fun, and you'll be doing a mighty charitable act. Sign up your team now for $10 a person ($5 if you're super early!) and get ready to get huntin'!

The LA Scavenger Hunt takes place on Dec. 4th at 2pm beginning at Dodger Stadium. Sign up your team here for (currently) $5 a person, and stay tuned for more details on the FYF website.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Ryan Adams and Mandy Moore for 826LA.

Ryan Adams, who's probably my favorite musician, was a last minute addition to the recent 826LA charity event hosted by Judd Apatow and Dave Eggers. Adams and Mandy Moore (his wife) sang one of his best songs, Oh My Sweet Carolina, from his Heartbreaker album.

Here's an iPhone video someone took at rehearsal (and I found on Ryan Adams' facebook page). Enjoy!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Do It. Buy a raffle ticket to win Ron Artest's chamionship ring.

When the Lakers won the NBA Championship last season, it seemed like no one was more thrilled than Ron Artest. The quirky forward has become infamous for his strange but endearing acceptance speech, and that all makes his next move even cooler.

Artest has set up a "Win My Bling" raffle, where he will be giving away his actual championship ring, along with an all-expenses-paid trip to meet him and sit at premium seats at a Laker game. You read that right -- he's giving away his ring, you can meet him, and you'll be sitting at awesome seats at a Laker game. (And you'll also receive a cash prize of $13,000 to balance the tax liabilities that come with the prize. All the bases are covered!)

So what do you have to do to enter the raffle? Tickets are only $2 each. Two bucks. It's a minimum purchase of 5 tickets, but that only comes up to $10. You'll be entering this raffle for $10, and have 5 chances to win this amazing prize! And yep, the money in the raffle all goes to XCel University, which supports mental health awareness, so it'll all be charitable.

Is there a downside to this? Buy your raffle tickets now! The drawing will take place on Dec. 25, 2010, so you still have a lot of time to enter (as often as you want!). Good luck!

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade.

After an impromptu yet long and decadent meal (cheese plate with honeycomb, soft-shell crab with grits and fried green tomatoes, chocolate bread pudding, a sidecar, and a greyhound) at the Hungry Cat the weekend before last, with the bill arrived with a postcard invitation to a cool-sounding charity event benefitting childhood cancer research.

L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade is taking place Sunday November 7 at noon at the Culver Studios in Los Angeles. Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne (Lucques, AOC, Tavern), and David Lentz (the Hungry Cat) are bringing together top chefs for an afternoon of great food for a great cause.

While you can enjoy dishes by Giada De Laurentiis and Nancy Silverton, there will also be drinks by bartenders from the Varnish, Comme Ça, and of course, the Hungry Cat, among others. These are three L.A. institutions with seriously fresh, delicious cocktails.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, founded by Alexandra Scott (1996-2004) raises money for childhood cancer research. She started with a lemonade stand, and stands are still part of how the foundation operates today.

Tickets aren't cheap ($150 and up) but it's all in the name of charity--and epicurean delights.

Info: alexslemonade.org, (610) 649-3034

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: desicuisine4u

Advance Notice. 826LA's Spelling Bee.

Admit it: every June, whenever you're flipping the channels around and see the Scripps Spelling Bee is on (or if you don't even try to pretend and just immediately switch to it), you get excited. You get pulled in. You suddenly get overwhelmed by every single awkward and passionate emotion that you remember feeling as an adolescent child and put all that energy into that one kid with the glasses, nervously asking for any alternate pronunciations. And no matter who wins, you're happy. Everyone loves the spelling bee.

So why not take that love and put some money behind it? And maybe take your own spelling skills to task? The (always cool) education-based non-profit 826LA has got the event for you. In its latest creative fundraiser, A Spelling Bee for Cheaters, you have the chance to show off your spelling moxie...but also save some face if you're not exactly keeping up with word origins and all that. That's because if you and your team raise enough money, you can buy cheats such as "get a dictionary" ($750) or "i before e" (ask a letter hint, $100) to get you through to the next round.

The bee is on August 14, so it's time to start raising your money! Glee's Dianna Argon is already past her goal of $5,000. Oh yeah, there'll be celebrities there too, like Argon and Spike Jonze and John Krasinski. So even if you're spelling-shy, you can still sponsor another participant, or buy general admission tickets to the show (will be available on Aug.6 for $25). Educational, charitable fun? It's spelling 8-2-6-L-A (that's sort of cheating, I know, but that's the spirit of it all, right?).

A Spelling Bee for Cheaters is taking place Aug. 14 at 2pm at Lincoln Middle School at 1501 California Avenue in Santa Monica.

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Perfect Pairings.

With such a plethora of wonderful food options here in L.A., it can be easy to splurge. But now, with this trend of food + charity, you might not feel so bad about it in the end--and you get a great meal!

The latest foodie do-gooder out there is Perfect Pairings, a campaign that invited chefs and restaurants all over the city to pair up a few food and beverage items, and then sell those meals with a portion of the proceeds to go to Meals on Wheels. The beverages don't have to be alcoholic, and sometimes the dishes they're paired with are part of a pre-fixe menu or the chef's signature specialty.

So far, more than 50 restaurants are participating, including some of L.A.'s bests and favorites. Chef Neal Fraser at Grace, for instance, is pairing his 7 Year Itch pre-fixe menu, and that includes the infamous and absolutely delectable doughnuts for dessert. Chef Suzanne Tracht is pairing up Jar's signature pot roast with Dashe Cellars' Zinfandel 2007. And Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has his Whitefish Tiradito for two paired with Matsuhisa vodka martinis, among other dishes.

The possibilities are endless! So go out and enjoy some great food and wine (or whatever cleanses your palate) during this month-long campaign, and feel great about it too. Look for the fork and bottle logo (above) on the menu, and you're set to go.

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Cart For a Cause.

You can't travel down a street in L.A. these days without hitting a food truck, and while we'll be doing our best to give you the dish on what's worth chasing (briefly: Grilled Cheese, yes; Nom Nom, no; Dim Sum, you're next!), here's a new one that should definitely go on your radar, for its simple purpose alone.

Cart For a Cause calls itself 'the nation's first philanthropic meal truck that helps feed homebound seniors and those who are unable to prepare their own meals.' Indeed, all of the net proceeds from the truck will benefit the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels program in a one-for-one concept--each meal bought provides a meal for a homebound person. But its philanthropy isn't the only thing setting Cart For a Cause apart.

The truck will be headed each month by a different top L.A. chef, the first of which is Chef Alex from Nobu in West Hollywood, to be followed next month by the well-revered Chef Susan Feniger of Street. That means that your $10 ('healthy beverage' included) is not only helping out a good cause, but getting you a world-class meal too.

Good eating, indeed.

Cart For a Cause will be rolling out Tuesdays, with its official launch happening today at 9650 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills (United Talent Agency building) from 12:30pm-2:30pm.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Bid in the Crafts For a Cause auction.

In just pure devotion and stamina alone, the relief efforts for Haiti have been truly awe-inspiring. The country still needs help in rebuilding, though, so here's another creative fundraiser coming your way, which--even if you've already donated--should easily convince you to continue.

For Crafts For a Cause, Binki Shapiro--member of Little Joy, an indie-rock band headed by her boyfriend and Strokes drummer Fab Moretti--rounded up a few of her famous and artsy friends to create one-of-a-kind creations for an unbeatable kind of auction, with all proceeds going to filmmaker Paul Haggis' charity Artists for Peace and Justice.

The line-up of contributors range from the famous to the more-famous, and the items being auctioned are quite, well, priceless. Natalie Portman is offering a signed pair of ballet slippers she wore in the to-be-released film Black Swan, Spike Jonze has an original drawing to sell, Daft Punk (!) is giving away limited-edition and autographed “Daft Punk 1000% Kubricks” toy robots, Mark Ronson is offering his personal production services on an original song (!!). And that's just naming a few items, with more coming in, it seems.

Surely once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are at hand, and it all goes to a good cause! So get out your wallets and get bidding: the auction officially begins today and ends on Mar. 27 at 3pm PST. And if you win that Mark Ronson-produced song, we'd love to hear it! (and join you in the studio?? Ronson's a stud!)

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Drew Barrymore decorating a camera for auction, courtesy of Crafts for a Cause

Do It. Pledge to 826LA's 'Chickens in Love.'

Always coming up with new and creative ways to help raise money and awareness for the importance of tutoring and writing education, the time-traveling experts at 826LA have yet another cool fundraiser on hand.

Chickens in Love pairs some well-known musicians with the 826LA students who come to the centers in Venice and Echo Park for tutoring. As part of one particular student workshop called Songwriting with The Submarines, students were split up into bands to write their own original songs with original lyrics, with a little musical guidance from (that iPhone-commercial band) The Submarines. The results range from cute and funny to inventive, but all have a lot of heart.

Which is why you should take some time, listen to the songs, pick your favorite and send a little money their way. The proceeds go to help 826LA and their awesome cause, and the student winners get an ice cream party!

If that's not enough of an incentive for you, you can always pre-order the album version of Chickens in Love, which features the student-written songs as covered by bands like She & Him, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Cold War Kids and Fiona Apple. Or you could also check out the Chickens in Love mini music fest this Saturday with The Submarines themselves, plus The Pity Party, Summer Darling and special guests Dianna Argon from Glee and Thao Nguyen. Act quick; last I saw, the $15 show was close to being sold out.

Cool bands and philanthropy, all easily rolled into one--do the right thing and donate!

-- Chau Tu

Check It. TOMS Shoes [Gift Guide].

You've all heard the story: that cute surfer-looking dude who went on The Amazing Race with his sister started up this shoe company that gives to a child in need one pair of shoes for every pair bought. "One for One" says TOMS' motto.

Who could resist, right? Getting to be charitable without having to do much at all, except buy yourself something. Too good to be true. And it was, for a while. Because what their motto didn't say was, 'Wow, these shoes are pretty freaking ugly.'

I mean, look at this shoe. I'll just wrap my foot in a bandage, thanks.

I get it. Some people don't care about what their shoes look like, they're comfortable (go choke on a Croc), and it's supposed to be for charity, blah blah blah.

Okay, they're not that bad. But if I'm going to spend a hard-earned $50+ on charity/myself, I may as well look really good doing it. Plus, I’d want them to be more than just wrapped canvas.

TOMS heard my calling (it was like those “Windows 7 was my idea” commercials). It seems now that not only have they made that front foldover part a bit less awkward looking (and probably better fitting), but they added things like stitching. And grommets!

These "Cordones" pictured on the right are in the good ole trustworthy canvas, but TOMS is also offering them in wool and some flashy silver material.

It's all in the details, TOMS, and finally, you've got it. Now we can all join in on the charitable giving--perfect for the holidays--and not feel so darn unfashionable about it. Oh, and these come for $69/pair, but hey, it's the holidays, and it's for charity. Blah blah blah.

Now please, don't get me started on these:
-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: TOMS