fashion week + birthday weekend

Happy Saturday! Today we kicked off Taylor’s birthday weekend with our new favorite blueberry pancakes. He has burgers, a massage and Chipotle in his future for the rest of the day. I’m still thinking about the plans for his actual birthday tomorrow but I’m pretty sure it will involve cinnamon rolls, bacon and a cookie cake. Penelope is excited to give him the little gag gifts she picked up yesterday. We hope he doesn’t choose today to start reading my blog.

On a completely unrelated note, or maybe on a similarly festive and celebratory note, on this slow and lazy Saturday morning, I’m browsing the web, sipping my green tea and wishing I had a reason to need one (or all) of Monique Lhuillier’s evening gowns..

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Pending award shows or black tie gala invitations Carolina Hererra’s look is likely a bit more tangible. She’s my unfailinglysassy in classycrispclean white oxfords inspiration.
Carolina  Herrera and Monique Lhuillier.

beer + cheese | superbowl sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is always a great excuse to munch on saltycrunchy snacks and hang out with friends. If you’re still planning your menu or potluck contribution check out this article from NPR about beer and cheese pairings.

Super Bow aside, personally I’m keeping that article around for future get-togethers and happy hours.

Some of Bill Chappel’s recommendations include Fresh Goat Cheese + Saison. {a light, pale ale with fruit and spice flavors similar to a hefeweizen}

And Sheep’s Milk Cheese + Brown Ale.

I can certainly get into beer drinking when it looks like this!

birfday

I had a fantastic birthday week. Kicked it off on Sunday with banana whole wheat pancakes at Magnolia Cafe with my parents and had dinner at my in-laws, feasting on my father-in-law’s great smoked chicken. On my actual birthday, my cute students (11th graders can be cute) sang to me and Taylor treated me to lunch at Second where I enjoyed a really cool and very savory Black and Blue pizza –decked out with black truffle oil, blue cheese, dates and pork belly confit. It was all sorts of harmonious gloriousness.

My bible study met at my house that night and my dearestinthewholeworld friend Megan surprised me with an awesome fruit pizza. She had no idea I loved fruit pizza but I’d say knows me pretty well to have guessed accurately! We all talked, snacked and drank wine. A great evening.

For Christmas, Taylor had given me a gift certificate for a facial and I decided to capitalize on the spirit of the week’s festivities and book it for Friday afternoon. So I enjoyed a relaxing facial and a walk with Penelope in the glorious, sunny mid-70s January Friday afternoon.

And last night we went to Uchiko and I basked in tempura squid ink shag roll heaven. #blessed

Oh and here’s a little nugget of fun:

Curious?

via

Resolved.

Here’s to baking more bread, reading more old books and wishing I had some smoked salmon lying about to make this my breakfast atop my bagels.

“Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.” — C.S. Lewis

Happy 2012!

christmas eve

We enjoyed waffles this morning from John Besh’s My Family Table. (THANKS Granaghans!) And will probably be lounging around the fire today, staying clear of the cold, wet weather. Although Taylor did unexpectedly inform me over the waffles this morning that his plans for the day include color coordinating his closet. I’ve always admired his ambition.

I just enjoyed a girl’s trip to New York! Not only was it a fun time with family but I got to see some great shows and see two of my best friends while I was there!

Making some time for traditional Christmas treat decorating was a must.

Merry Christmas!