patent leather shoes

tax free

2012-01-25T21:11:00.000-05:00

The greatest thing about being in New Jersey is the lack of tax on clothes. It really is such a welcomed change! This is probably why I never go shopping in DC. Also, knowing where you can go to get a GREAT deal on the little items you need means a lot! I haven't lived in DC long enough to find those go-to places yet, hopefully one day (soon) that will come. In the mean time, I'll wait until my trips up North to stock up on necessities.

What type of necessities?

Down comforter
Pastry cutter (this will come in handy next Christmas... why wait 12 months when I can get it now?!)
Meat thermometer that won't melt in the oven. The instant read just isn't cutting it, folks.
Pillow covers to keep the feathers in!
A wood cutting board because ours has a big 'ol crack in it!
A glass pitcher... that plastic one is great for pool side, but not so much for dinner parties!
Wine bags, because we like to gift wine and I had nothing to wrap 'em in.

So, where are my go-to places for these items? Home Goods and Amazing Savings.

I swear the Home Goods on Route 17 South in Paramus is the mothership. They were selling Missoni Home bed sheets for $255 the other day!! My reason for going there was to buy a new comforter, so when I parked I chose not to get a shopping cart because the more room you have to put things, the more things you usually buy! I promised myself I'd purchase only what I could carry (knowing in advance I'd be carrying a down comforter). Of course my first-stop was the kitchen section... how could I miss that?! The silicone cooking utensils were taunting me, but I resisted! I had a set of sheets (no, not Missoni) in my hands but decided against them because I really don't need them. Even though they were 550 thread count... ahh that sounds soft!

Amazing Savings, if you don't know about it, is like your updated five and dime. It has all of your essentials, for really cheap! I got a nice glass pitcher, a wood cutting board, and wine gift bags (only $0.79 each!). Their crafts aisle usually ends with a stockpile of markers in my cart but I wasn't as impressed on this trip. This is definitely the store where you can easily make excuses for why you need an item you didn't know you needed previously!

But, I'm not done yet... a few more days in New Jersey, I think it's time I stop by the clothing stores! But it's so hard, how do I say goodbye to this face, even if it for just an hour!

homemade roasted red pepper cream sauce

2012-01-24T17:03:00.001-05:00

Last night for dinner I made a homemade roasted red pepper cream sauce with cheese tortellini - a recipe I've been meaning to try out for quite some time! I haven't roasted a bell pepper since Home Economics class in high school - so that was like a blast from the past. This was an easy recipe to put together, simple skill-wise, but a little time consuming. To break it up I had a little snack and a glass of wine, pictured above!

Since I'm only cooking for one this week, this may have been a lot of food to prepare! (I also had a salad with mandarin oranges, avocado, and cucumber.) But I had a great time putting it together. The snack was delicious but perhaps a little too much that close to dinner.

Have you ever roasted a bell pepper before? There are so many things to do with them! You can make sauces, soups, top your salad or sandwich. I don't think I've ever had a yellow, orange or green one roasted though... maybe next time!

Watching the skin blacken under the broiler!

Prep bowls lined up at the stove top... diced, chopped, and measured!

Roasted red pepper, basil, and garlic in olive oil!

After blending the above, add half-and-half, butter, and romano cheese. (Really low cal!)

Cheese tortellini with roasted red pepper cream sauce. Delish!

This guy didn't leave my side while I prepared the whole thing!

winter weather

2012-01-23T11:24:00.000-05:00

Finally, some snow! Even though I had to leave DC to experience it. This has been a very mild winter so far. Which makes me a little nervous, because I'm now expecting Mother Nature to rear her cold, blizzarding head for an entire 4-6 weeks and then BOOM, Springtime! If my prediction is right, February is going to be rather unpleasant.

Oh well, in the meantime I'll enjoy this mild January and the fun snow from Saturday!! Lucky, my parents' Labrador Retriever, really enjoyed the snow - we went for a walk, ran around the backyard, played with toys... then relaxed inside with some fabulous wine! Okay, so Lucky had no wine - but my stepfather, mom, and I did. And boy was it delicious!!

I get to babysit this pooch for a whole week!! "Lucky" me :)

So handsome in the white snow!

Time for a walk in the snowy weather!

Cakebread Cellars = Favorite Wine!

Resting inside on a snowy day

flit, float, flutter

2012-01-19T15:24:00.002-05:00

I have run out of creative titles for my flying trapeze escapades, so I referenced thesaurus.com for some inspiration (aka "synonyms"). "Flit, float, flutter" reminds me of The Sound of Music and it's such a pretty alliteration.

Week 2 of my Intensive Flying Workshop (IFW) this winter and I'm still working out the kinks for my turn-around (not yet video ready) but I'm seeing a lot of little improvements each week - a good sign!!

I'm starting to fly off a rise (a bar above the platform to lift you higher) - the level of thrill, excitement, and sometimes fright, is reminiscent of my first class over a year ago! Last night I caught the back-end hocks-off, off a first rise with an unassisted take-off. [The formula for the previous sentence is "I caught the {trick}, {platform or above platform, and how high} {whether or not an instructor holds my belt}" -- if that helps!]

And in case you couldn't tell, last night's theme was SPARKLES!

Not sure why it sounds like there's a helicopter hovering over head, I promise there was not.

weekend in review

2012-01-17T13:48:00.000-05:00

The long holiday weekend was really nice and relaxing!! I started it out by painting a new mani, inspired by this post on the Cupcakes and Cashmere blog. And my surfing on Pinterest last week proved really helpful because I came across this fabulous time-saving tip for half-moon manis! The final product is a mixed mani; half-moons, glitter, and ombre.

These great earrings were a Christmas gift from my friend, homemade from lace!

In the car on the way to Friday's
dinner. New haircut all done up!

Ross and I celebrated Restaurant Week in DC with a Friday night dinner at The Prime Rib. I absolutely loved the atmosphere and service at the restaurant, though I'll admit I thought the food would be better. Typically I tell myself that during Restaurant Week restaurants are churning food out faster than usual and catering to an atypical audience so they're not trying as hard (though that sort of defeats the whole purpose of Restaurant Week). I don't expect the meal to be as good as usual, though there are those few times when you're pleasantly surprised, aka Firefly and Kinkeads, that make you think it has to be possible!

Saturday morning we had a great brunch with Ross' mom at Ardeo + Bardeo in Cleveland Park! I've been wanting to try this restaurant since I lived in the neighborhood -- note, I moved out of Cleveland Park more than seven months ago! They offer a bottomless mimosa two-course brunch for just $25 but none of us were that hungry, or thirsty. I chose the Croque Madame and thoroughly enjoyed EVERY bite... it was super delicious! Getting ready for a brunch and day of errands, I went for a casual chic look on Saturday. Ross told me I looked like a horseback rider, which was OK by me because I was on the equestrian team in college, and believe that an equine-inspired look is very polished!

My favorite over-the-knee boots, with Theory peggings (pant leggings, they have pockets & zipper!),
Theory blouse and blazer, Gucci purse, and no makeup!

Following brunch we treated ourselves to a food shopping trip at Whole Foods! Saturday I made pasta with sweet sausage and brocolette. Sunday was Denver Omelet Cups. Monday was an avocado citrus salad and turkey sandwiches -- I'm fairly certain these are the best turkey sandwiches I've ever made and ever tasted!! They were just simply delicious... made on authentic San Francisco sourdough with gouda cheese, baby arugula, sliced red onion, olive oil mayonnaise, and a cranberry orange chutney; yummmmo! -- Wednesday will be a steak and tomato stew in the slow cooker. To finish things off, Thursday will be shrimp and snow peas with rice. (I didn't include tonight, Tuesday, because I'm heading to Marcel's with some coworkers!!) Most of this week's recipes came from the most recent version of Everyday Food, a monthly digest from Martha Stewart - whenever this arrives I'm immediately inspired! I highly suggest a subscription to anybody interested in cooking.

Denver Omelet Cups - hashbrowns, ham steak, onions & red pepper, cheddar cheese, egg!

Citrus and Avocado salad!

Fresh turkey & gouda sandwich!

Back to the weekend... After Whole Foods we found our way to A Litteri, an Italian market in Northeast DC. It reminded me of the Italian markets at home (New Jersey). There were shelves and shelves of wine, tomato sauce, and canned goods (think pepperoncini, olives, etc.). I just picked up a little bit of Italian bread, hot soppresatta (salami-like meat), and fresh mozzarella. From this I created a quick snack before dinner that was so fresh and tasty, and even used the extra bread for homemade croutons at Saturday night's dinner.

Ross' friend Adriel joined us for that dinner, then we all went up to my friend's birthday party!! I brought her some homemade lemon bars for a sweet treat! Not entirely sure where the inspiration came from, but I had all of the ingredients and the lemon bars were fairly painless to bake up. To finish the night, I met up with Ross and Adriel at The Last Exit, a vintage-inspired bar inside Tonic in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. If you like handmade fancy cocktails, this is the place for you!

Bold pink lips for a night out!

Sunday was the day of rest, and I mean this in the literal sense, not the religious. Some friends came over to join Ross and I for breakfast where I made whole wheat buttermilk pancakes with fresh strawberries and bananas, baked right in!! We served up some orange juice, french press coffee, and hot tea to boot :) Other than that, most of my Sunday consisted of watching movies, napping on the couch, and making Denver Omelet Cups for dinner!!

Ross and I decided to spend Monday out and about in DC!! There are so many great things to do and see, and putting actual time aside makes it so much easier to find our way to these activities. We went to check out the Ice Rink in the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art. The line was bearable but we were 45 minutes away from the next round of skaters being let on. We decided to ditch due to the facts; Ross doesn't really care for skating and I'm not a fan of public skating on small rinks since I used to compete in figure skating as a child. But next year the ice skating path will be open at Canal Park, just two blocks from our front door, and I'm (im)patiently awaiting the first day!!! So instead we hopped across the street and visited the Gallery of Art - one of the Smithsonian's that I had not yet visited. We strolled through the galleries for a few hours then found our way to Teaism for a warm drink on a cold day. From there we meandered to Barnes & Noble where I darted for the Cookbook department (duh!) though later found a book that I am tempted to buy as a gift for someone. Don't know who, just someone, but mostly because I want a reason to read it cover to cover and pass it on. What book was it that caught my attention? The History of the World According to Facebook. Never heard of it? Check it out. You will laugh so hard, I promise!

All in all, it was a great weekend!! Saw lots of friends, cooked lots of food, drank lots of cocktails, and rested! Now I have an exciting week to look forward to; dinner at Marcel's, flying trapeze & live band karaoke, dinner with a friend moving to Seattle, and train up to New Jersey!!

birchbox

2012-01-13T11:22:00.000-05:00

For my birthday, my friends Steve and Genevieve got me a three-month subscription to Birchbox! A great high-end beauty product site offering top of line cosmetics and beauty products. Their subscriptions are fantastic - each month you'll receive a package with about six sample sized products. You definitely get more than one use out of each item and this gives you the opportunity to try them out before you decide to drop some major mula ($$) for the full-size!

December came with a number of great products;

"Ageless" perfume that has a sweet, fruity smell
Joeur lipglos in a bright pink!
Pore-fection, a pore minimizing serum
Shimmery dry oil, used to give sheen to your skin and/or hair! This was fun for the holidays :)
Show Stoppers, double-sided fashion tape
E Boost, high in B vitamins for energy during the day!

January's box, which just arrived this week, came with;

Granola from 'wichcraft (one of my favorite NYC sandwich places!)
Stila eye liner is a shimmery brown
Exfoliating body moisturizer which can also double as a face moisturizers
Juicy Couture perfume
Facial serum for extra moisture!

The subscription options are great gift ideas! I know I'll be getting this for some friends in the future :)

trend-spotting and trend-setting

2012-01-12T10:47:00.000-05:00

The tagline for my blog used to read "..trend-spotting and trend-setting" before I updated it to "...it's all about me!" But I'd like to take some time to go back in time, talk about the trend-setting part and focus on a new trend I'm on a mission to start; dark tights and light shoes.

Well, it was a new trend in my eyes... but a quick Google search shows it's actually a combination many fashion bloggers have been contemplating for quite some time. Some of these posts date back to 2010!

I have got to say, I'm with the Daily Diva's POV from a year ago "We love it, and it's a great way to add a pop of color to a dark wintery wardrobe." This is probably why I had no problem leaving the house with brown tights and light beige/taupe Gucci shoes. The tights complement the G's on my pumps so I think that it works.

What are your thoughts on this trend? Love it or leave it??

crockpotting

2012-01-10T09:58:00.003-05:00

One of my Christmas gifts was a Crock-Pot... thanks Mom!! I just made my second recipe in the slow cooker and ranked it a 7 on a scale of 1-10 where 5 is "Caitlin Normal" and 10 is "Caitlin Amazing, Can't Wait to Make It Again". Ross actually titled this scale because he says "Caitlin Normal" is a lot better than "Normal Normal". So a 5 on this scale is more like an 8 on a normal scale... thanks, hon! ;)

Chicken Tikka Masala from Meal Planning 101 - I don't recall exactly how I came across and decided on this recipe, likely through a Google search and then realizing I never made Indian food but really enjoy eating it!!

Ingredients for the chicken marinade!!

Broiling chicken... look at that flavor!

Some of the ingredients I did not have on hand and actually had to make a special trip to Whole Foods for them since Giant didn't have them in stock; curry paste and garam masala. Other than that, everything was easy to find and use!

This recipe does require some prep work; marinading and broiling the chicken thighs, sauteeing the onions, garlic and ginger. So I did that all the night before and laid out the additional ingredients on the counter along with my measuring spoons so that I could put it all together, hassle-free, at 7:30 a.m.

Yesterday morning I put everything into the crock-pot on low for 6 hours... it stayed on warm for about another 4. The chicken was so perfectly cooked it fell right off the bone when I stirred in the cream!!

It almost looks authentic!

manicure monday: ombre nails

2012-01-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

I'll start off by saying when I saw "Ombre hair OUT ::: Ombre mani IN" on the Betches Love This Over It/Not Over It 2012 post it was totally lost on me. I was very much in the dark on what they were referring to when they said "ombre"... a quick Google search and I found this nifty pic of Lauren Conrad;

Photo from Daily Makeover

Oooohhhh... I like that!! And since I had such a relaxing Sunday at home with my boyfriend I actually found some time to pamper my fingers and toes. After going through all of my polish I settled on purple shades for my first go at this. I am also going to do this in pink/magentas, blues, and grays in the future.

To avoid any mishaps and painting the wrong color on my fingers, I decided to paint my left pinkie then right pinkie, switch colors, paint my left ring finger then right ring finger, etc. My line-up of colors included;

Lincoln Park After Dark, OPI .. Carry On, Essie .. Angora Cardi, Essie ..

Lady Like, Essie .. St Lucia Lilac, Essie

I like the end result! Although, perhaps a light nude (I'm thinking Barefoot and Topless, Essie) rather than lilac would have worked on my thumb. Oh well... there's always next week!!

PS - I forgot to put on mascara today. Womp womp.

christmas cards

2012-01-03T13:52:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I forgot to put this up last month!! (Paris, NJ, preparing for Christmas... you know this by now!) But better late than never to share our Christmas card! This is my third year doing a semi-homemade card for friends and family. (BTW, my Mom still writes my name on the signature of her cards... something tells me that habit won't change anytime soon, especially since my brother who is 4.5 years older is on there as well!)

Ross and I didn't want to send out a photograph so I drew out a design I found via google. It was in black and white so I changed it to more accurately depict a tree with red ornaments and a gold star on top! We were really happy with the finished product from Shutterfly -- and so were the recipients! My aunt has told me on more than one occasion... you should get into the business and design cards!

Last year I put together "12 Days of Christmas, DC Style" complete with three branches of government, two political parties, one White House... you get the idea! And before that it was Merry Christmas y'all from my new home in Atlanta. I must go digging for pictures...

trapeze in 2012

2012-01-03T13:46:00.001-05:00

I've been learning a three-kick turn-around at trapeze over the past few weeks. This is when I jump off, kick three times (back, forward, back), and turn around -- all within the first swing. So that I am facing the board I jumped off of by the time I get to the height of my first swing. See hand-drawn diagram below!

It's been a long, frustrating process and I haven't had much success with it, so I am going to take a break from it for a while. To try something new this week, I threw the back-end hocks off! I only had three turns left, but it was definitely catchable! See the video below...

When I start my IFW (Intensive Flying Workshop) next week I'll catch this and also determine my flying goals for the coming weeks. I have some of the following in mind...

Fly off a riser
Continue work on three-kick turnaround
Continue progress towards flying out of lines within 12 months

december in review

2012-01-03T13:39:00.002-05:00

December was a slow month for me blogging wise... after Paris, trips to New Jersey, and getting ready for Christmas, then actually celebrating Christmas there was not a lot of time left over, so here I am in 2012 ready to rock and roll! First, a quick recap of late December...

Ross and I had a non-stop Christmas!! We started with my Dad's family on the afternoon of the 24th... celebrated Christmas morning with Ross' family... and finished off the festivities with my Mom's family for Christmas dinner. It was a lot of moving around, but we had a great holiday with lots of love, family, friends, and presents!!

I was really excited to give out gifts this year because I felt that all of the presents were really special and personal. Some of the best received included electric corkscrews (so fun and easy, plus a great conversation starter!), home-cooked meals frozen in individual portions, Michael Aram Christmas ornaments, and a Stuhrling skeleton watch with Roman numerals and alpha-numeric shown below!

I scored this on Gilt!

Also, here are a few things I got in December that I have on me today and I want to talk about...

Orange is my favorite color right now!! It's so bright and friendly ...a fantastic "pop" color. Which is why I was beyond ecstatic when I saw this Hermes Collier de Chien cuff in my stocking!! It's a great statement piece and I can't wait to wear it through all of the seasons. (Just thinking about it paired with white jeans, a white t-shirt, and gold sandals on my upcoming trip to Cabo makes me want to start packing!!)

I also got a Missoni knit scarf :) The instagram filter makes the colors pop a bit more, this scarf is more muted than shown above. It has a great palette with beige, heather gray, black, slate blue, rusty orange, and lavender so it will go with everything! I was glad to have this with me today... the wind whipping around on a 30 degree morning is not pleasant! And now that my hair is a good 4-inches shorter, my neck needed a little more coverage!

The hot pink lipgloss you see is something I'm really excited to talk about! This sample sized Jouer came from Birchbox, and is appropriately called "Birchbox Pink." For my birthday, my friends Steve and Genevieve got me a three-month subscription to this site! Each month I receive a box of samples of high-end beauty products. This let's me try out products before I decide to purchase them. But more to come on Birchbox later... (it deserves it's own post!).

And last but not least... here's an instagram of my new haircut! Truthfully, I'm not crazy about the two blunt layers. I'm more of a blended, long-layers kind of gal. But give this a month to six weeks and I know it'll grow in just right :)

christmas nails

2011-12-21T13:13:00.000-05:00

So I have been a slacking blog author - my apologies for the delays in posts!! December has been quite a hectic month. I have been busy every evening since I got back from Paris and spent last weekend out of town. There's been cooking, baking, wrapping, and oh yes, sleeping too!

Last night I updated my nails to get more in a festive mood. I knew what I would do for my accent nail - but I was befuddled about the other four nails per hand. Ross suggested a dark green. But then I thought maybe I'd add a green glitter on the edges... no, that would be too much. Maybe white nails? That would complement my accent. But, no... too dull.

{Photo editing courtesy of ColorSplash!}

I finally settled on going with a neutral Deborah Lippmann polish. My pinkies are done in Cherry Red by Maybelline (this polish is about 5 years old, but still in good condition because I rarely use it!). For the accent I used my thin french manicure brush/polish. It still wasn't right. Then I remembered a silver polish I purchased a few months ago. It really doesn't cover completely so I can't use it as a tip accent but for this it's totally perfect! Sparkly & Festive!

making it count

2011-12-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

I spent my last night in Paris with my friend Natalie. We met after my conference finished and headed to the Louvre! We saw exhibits of French painters, a long gallery of Italian masterpieces, and the Egyptian artifacts and quickly breezed past galleries of statues and the moat on our long, complicated venture out!

Rembrandt's works were quite amazing. They also had a collection of portraits of him, creations by other famous artists.
Natalie pointed out how white and bright the characters are in the Italian paintings. Afterwards, it's all I could notice! Because surely these people bathed every day and never went outside.
We accidentally walked past the Mona Lisa and had to trace back our steps. Of course there was a crowd around it, but I had to take a picture too! But you know what? It looks exactly the same as it does in books! It was behind a wall of tinted glass which I believe protects it from flash photography. In jest, I told Natalie "I bet it's not the real thing. The real Mona Lisa is probably stored in a safe in the basement." But then I realized that could very likely be true. Although, I am one for conspiracy theories (if you have the time, ask me my thoughts about going to the moon!)
We really enjoyed the Egyptian mummy and marveled at the figure's frame and resemblance it still had to a person, 4,000 years later! They also had an unwrapped crocodile mummy. We were simply astonished by the state of the reptile. The skin was in tact, it had scales - it really only looked a little deflated! Funny thing is, most of these items were stolen from the Egyptians back in the day.

Onto the Montmarte neighborhood and a fantastic fondue dinner!! We showed up a few minutes late for our reservation, which was really a loose list, so we chatted with an Italian couple outside (I guess those key phrases that popped up all week turned out to be useful). When we got called inside I stepped onto a chair and over the table, then landed in a bench seat! They brought us some snacks to nosh on...

While eating our appetizers we ordered red wine, sipped our aperitifs, and awaited our cheese fondue!

I believe the wine is served in baby bottles because of the open flames and necessary climbing over tables.

Warm, melty cheese - yummmmmm!!

After our dinner we walked up all the stairs to the Sacre Coeur. There is a funicular (trolley car that travels up a hill) but we opted for a workout. After all, we just ate an entire pot of cheese!! The views from up top were spectacular. The Eiffel Tower's spotlight hits you when it circles around (like a lighthouse). There was a cute Christmas Market (closed) set up that was adding to the festive feeling. Though, the neighborhood isn't very safe - it's known for pick pockets - so we didn't hang around very long.

My last night in Paris was perfect!! I got to check off the final items on my "tourist must-see" list and drink wine from a baby bottle to boot! You know what, I think I made it count! Though, back down to central Paris and it was time to pack... interesting since my suitcase was packed to the brim when I arrived in Paris and during the week I accumulated a number of gifts... oh dear...

LeWeb day two debrief

2011-12-09T07:34:00.002-05:00

The tone of the day was a lot less salesy than Day One, a welcomed change. Though, keynote speakers were less impressive today.

Jeremiah Owyang (@jowyang) from Altimeter Group gave a great presentation on "the state of social business." He provided a number of relevant examples including Dell's certification course, McKinsey research, and Chatter software.

I quite enjoyed learning that airbnb.com (@airbnb) started with a group of guys who couldn't make rent so they rented the air mattress on their living room floor to a traveler. Hence, "air bed" and breakfast became airbnb.

There was also a lot of exposure to Evernote (@plibin and @Evernote). This is an intuitive software that talks to your macs, PCs, iPhones, etc. and keeps track of your notes. You can create folders for topics, tag your notes, and take pictures. When you go back to reference your notes it will aggregate similar ones. Evernote also launched two new apps this week; food and hello. Food focuses on taking pictures, tagging the people your with, recording the date, and writing a note about your review. You can even set it up to remind you that there's a milkshake you like nearby when you happen to be in the vicinity of the restaurant! I really like the Hello app. It's a mosaic of people you meet with a photo that rotates between four pictures taken consecutively when you collect their info. I'm certainly excited about the opportunities Evernote will open up for me personally and professionally.

LinkedIn hosted a panel discussion but the moderator was so terrible I could barely concentrate. She was scripted, awkward, and really unprepared, I s embarrassed for her.

The esteemed Bill Gross (@bill_gross) shared his 20 lessons learned from being an entrepreneur. This was a really insightful presentation that a lot of folks have already covered on blogs. I'm sure you can find one if you Google it! Some of the stand-out lessons, for me, include 2. Master the Demo... Being as prepared as possible to sell your product and 3. Pursue Your Passion... Especially online, authenticity and passion are integral to success!

Day 3 has a focus on enterprise, something I'm quite looking forward to! More to come soon. Au revoir!

dinner, friends, & party at the Louvre

2011-12-09T06:13:00.001-05:00

I happened to get off the metro at a different stop to visit the ATM and pick up more Euros, this stop was "Madeleine." I got out and was immediately wowed by the neighborhood. It's clearly upscale, and the shops were quite impressive. There was more than one Fauchon, a French gourmet food company. I believe one was a chocolate shop, another the boulangerie (bread store), and also a cafe! I also spotted the Maille store! They make fantastic mustard which you can buy in the U.S. though their French products are apparently different and better. Unfortunately they had closed shop for the night so I didn't get to purchase anything :(

I had to hurry on my way as I had only 3 hours until my party at the Louvre! But if I find some extra time tonight I think I'll head back to the neighborhood for some more perusing.

My hotel recommended a local French restaurant nearby. I had a great salad with goat cheese and a filet of beef with potatoes for dinner. They also served a really nice glass of Bordeaux! The table next to me was a mother and daughter from New York! They just arrived in Paris for a weeklong trip so I shared recommendations based on my time here so far. They're going to take the Chunnel to London for a day trip next week... I'm quite jealous as this is something I have always wanted to do. ...next time!

While at dinner I also met an American woman that recently moved to Paris for her husband's job. She doesn't speak French yet and is having a hard time integrating into the culture here. So I reached out to my friend here and also the nice woman that invited me to eat dinner with her friends and family on Tuesday night. Hopefully something clicks ...I love connecting people!!

I quickly got prepped for the party. Thankfully I threw a Diane Von Furstenberg dress in my suitcase just in case! It takes up almost no space and it's so pretty, one of my favorites... aubergine, to the knee with a deep V in the front and back. I paired it with a pearl necklace (tripled up at the neck), black cut-out tights from We Love Colors, and my Prada black patent leather peep-toe pumps.

The party was at the Carrousel du Louvre. There was a live band, some really cool DJ's that wore cat masks, and an Absolute sponsored bar! They were making tasty cocktails and had a neat set-up. It was mostly networking, no dancing, but fun none-the-less! I was nervous I'd be more dressed up than everyone else... After all, most people are sporting jeans during the day. Turns out it worked, attire really spanned the entire spectrum and I wasn't the only female in a dress.

It was a late night and it will be an early morning, but I'm looking forward to the interviews and discussions at the final day of LeWeb. Followed by a fondue dinner with Natalie (where the wine is served in baby bottles), and possibly a trip to the Louvre!

au pied du cochon

2011-12-07T16:56:00.001-05:00

Au Pied du Cochon literally means "the foot of the pig". Almost everything on the menu consists of pig snout, knuckles, head, or tail - you name it, they serve it! While I'm open to new foods, like escargot, pig tail is a little much for my taste, which is likely why I did not hear one word of English at the restaurant. There was at least Italian and French, but with all the talking (the restaurant was full with a long line of waiting patrons) I could hardly pick out one language form the other.

They offer a complimentary aperitif which I declined for a small carafe of beaujolais (red wine) instead. The baguette is served with a pork fat butter. Seriously. I tried it, it was rich and flavorful, but I had no interest in eating another bite of it. (Side note - I just said "si" to my waiter instead of "oui" there's that Italian that keeps popping up!)

The famous onion soup was delicious. They use a lot more cheese than in the U.S. I actually used my butter knife to go after it. It was a nice big bowl and so tasty. I could go back for another one right now.

For my entree selection I went with a specialty; pork cutlet. It was served with a potato casserole on the side but given the calories (and cheese) I already consumed I only had a few bites. The pork was served with a brown sauce I'm convinced included some type of pork fat to add to the flavor. The cutlets were thin, pan-fried and served with soft onions. A very traditional French meal.

No dessert tonight, too much food already! But a tea sounds nice - ooh, they serve it with a chocolate! Don't mind if I do.

Tomorrow night I have a party in the Louvre. Yes, a party in the Louvre. Yes, that Louvre. I'm so glad I packed a dress!!

LeWeb day one

2011-12-07T16:48:00.001-05:00

I feel that the most precise way to describe my day is todirect you to my Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/#!/LadyXVII).

For those folks not on Twitter yet, the stream is in reversechronological order with my most recent post on top. If there’s an “at symbol”- @ - I am tagging a person’s name or talking to them. If you see a hashtag - #- I’m categorizing my conversation. Most will have #leweb or #leweb11.

The schedule of speakers, for the most part, was interestingand educational! Those that stick out include;

Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel

“Personally I promote nothing at all, exceptbeing me.”
“The easiest thing for me to sketch is myself.” –which he did! On one of his 30 or 40 iPads – he goes through them likesketchbooks - and carries them in a case with his 4 iPhones, a handful of iPods- labeled for date of music upload.
“Life will teach you.”
“I’m down to earth, just not this earth.”
“I know there are more important things in lifethan fashion, but since we don’t run around naked maybe we should care a littlebit about fashion.”
We got a preview of a movie he shot for Chanel.Tres chic!

Eric Schmidt from Google

"If you don’t like the image you see in themirror don’t break the mirror fix the image problem"
On the Egyptian crisis – “Facebook organized, Twittergot people out, and YouTube recorded results”
“If you care about security use Chrome. The factthat it’s faster shouldn't matter.”

Joanna from Facebook

“Sampling is a successful technique for brandsto reach out to fans on Facebook. Examples include Nespresso and Burberry.”

TaskRabbit – an app that lets you post an ad forbasically anything! (e.g., picking up dry cleaning) Apparently the most commontask across their network is assembling Ikea furniture!!

LinkedIn was also there. I don’t remember their interviewbeing all that engaging, but I do know that one of life’s greatest mysterieshas been solved!! I was always bothered that people type the company name witha capital I, “LinkedIn”. However, the logo has it with a lowercase i, “Linkedin”but the “in” sits within a blue box. For the longest time I thought everybody was writing it wrong – the logo has a lowercase i so that must be the wayto type it as well! However, I was wrong. There was a piece of marketingmaterial from LinkedIn in our LeWeb drawstring backpacks and they do indeedspell it out LinkedIn although it doesn’t agree with the logo.

Tomorrow I’m most looking forward to Evernote’spresentation. From those in the know, I hear they’ve got some hot news! Whichreminds me, Facebook is developing a new plug-in to follow updates from anyother site right in your news feed! Facebook, your one-stop shop. It’s whatMark Zuckerberg always dreamed of!

Paris and sun, again!

2011-12-06T17:16:00.001-05:00

Dinner ended early and I wasn’t ready to retire so I stoppedin the Irish pub next to my hotel for a glass of Bordeaux. I have now, Ibelieve, frequented Irish Pubs in Paris, Rome, and Siena. There’s a good chanceI was also at one in London. Ahh, the powers of Guinness.

I got up bright and early to climb the Eiffel Towers today.Since I twisted my ankle last night walking the Champs-Elysees I thought itprudent to metro over to the Left Bank. Arriving 15 minutes early was perfect,I was about 30th on line! Shortly thereafter I found myselfoverlooking the streets of a city I’ve come to know over the past two days.Morning in Paris, I’ve observed, is typically dark, gray, and gloomy, though that didn't take away from what I saw at the top!

From the Eiffel Tower I walked to Rue Cler; a traditionalmarket-based street where Parisians do their food shopping. I picked up acouple of clementines, some brie, foie gras, dry sausage/salami, a petitbaguette and I was set for lunch! I stopped at a bench on the gardens in frontof Hotel de Invalides to nosh a bit, then continued to the Musee d’Orsay.

Note to self: do not arrive at a museum at noon. The linewas so long!! Surprisingly, though, about 10 minutes after getting on line Isaw the only other co-worker attending the LeWeb conference this week!! Ichatted with Chris and his wife during our 30-minute queue. We parted ways whenwe got inside but it was a nice surprise to see a friendly face!

The Orsay was really interesting. It resides in an old trainstation so the architecture alone lends something to appreciate. The groundfloor was impressive in regards to layout but the fifth floor really caught myeye. I enjoyed seeing the neo-Impressionist galleries; pointillism is atechnique I’ll always admire! On the top floor you’ll find some of Degas’ballerinas, Monet’s water lilies, works from Sisley and Toulouse-Latrec.

The few times I sat down during my rounds in the Orsay Inearly fell asleep. So following my visit I headed back to my hotel room tofinish my lunch and take a nap. Apparently while I was asleep it actuallyhailed! So, weather wise I wasn’t missing much. On my way back to the hotel Istopped at Angelina and scored the last chocolate éclair… “you are lucky!” saidmy cashier… and three mini chocolate croissants because I couldn’t help myself.

Steak and frites for dinner!! Le Relais de l’Enterecote wasrecommended by a colleague and is conveniently located near the Champs Elysees. En route I strolled Rue deMontaigne, equivalent to Madison Avenue in New York. Great window shoppingincluded Harry Winston, Balenciaga, Dior, and Chanel. Speaking of Chanel, KarlLagerfeld is presenting at my conference tomorrow morning!! Ahh!

I got to the restaurant at 6:40 and had to wait until theyopened at 7 pm. While I waited I met an uber friendly American woman with herkids. After talking for a bit she welcomed me to join her group for dinner! Itwas such a nice treat not to eat a meal alone :)

The waitress asks what temperature you want your meat.Twenty minutes later plates with small stakes and frites (French fries) come out;followed by round two nearly 15 minutes later. It was so delicious, I ate everybite! The sauce is delectable, though no one knows exactly what is in it. People online have guessed garlic and anchovies. It’s quite a salty sauce, but not fishy at all.

Dinner was great, but now I think there’s a chocolate éclaircalling my name… And, precious beauty sleep. After all, Karl Lagerfeld ispresenting tomorrow, and I’m wearing heels with a strained ankle!

the day of closure

2011-12-05T17:15:00.001-05:00

Sunday is usually a difficult day to plan in Paris becauseso many businesses are closed. For me, Monday proved to be even more so;difficult, that is.

I decided to check out the breakfast option at my hotelbefore setting out for the day, just in case it was worth it. Turns out, it was!!Cereal, yogurt, chocolate croissants (yum!), regular croissants and pastries,baguettes, 3 cheeses, ham and salami, hot sausage, and scrambled eggs. Plusthey had American coffee and a selection of juice (yes, Ross, I took myvitamins). No, I didn’t eat all of that – those were just the options. But, Igrazed a bit :)

My first stop was Napoleon’s Tomb. This site wasn’toriginally on my list but a friend and colleague highly recommended it. On mywalk over I got some great pictures as it was bright and sunny – an unexpectedsurprise for December in Paris! Unfortunately, the Hotel de Invalides andNapoleon’s Tomb are closed the first Monday of the month. Not the end of theworld since I did get some great pictures of the outside and gardens. Note: Ibrought my big camera with the telescopic lens today. It weighs about 15pounds, and worth every ounce.

Next up was the Musee de l’Orangerie. This is a small museumfeaturing Monet’s Waterlilies in awhite gallery designed by Monet himself. I had a really nice time walking the galleriesin this smaller museum but was slightly frustrated by the large number of youngstudents attending class trips. The site is small so I finished it ratherquickly and strolled through the Jardin de Tuileries on my way to lunch.

I met my friend and trapeze confidant Natalie at Angelina; apatisserie and restaurant famous for their decadent, rich hot chocolate. Weboth ordered the carrot soup – such a fabulous recipe, I might be inspired forfuture soups! – and I polished mine off with a hot chocolate that met every bitof its reputation. One of the nice things about France, and Europe for thatmatter, is the lack of rushing at dining establishments. We had to try and makeeye contact with – eventually we nearly interrupted – our waiter to ask for thebill.

Natalie kindly walked me to Saint Chapelle which was closingat 4:30 pm. I was sad because the stained glass windows in the upper chapel ona sunny day like today would be breaktaking. Thankfully I have time in myitinerary tomorrow to squeeze that stop in! We assumed there was a concert atthe church this evening, hence the early closure.

After a quick jaunt through the Latin Quarter we stopped fortea at her apartment. Shortly thereafter we stepped out to stroll the Marche deNoel, “Christmas Market”, in her neighborhood and found, to our disappointment,they closed early! Why? For no good reason; likely because it was cold. OhEuropeans! So we headed off in search of a crepes. Favorite creperie nearby?Closed. Alright, onto the next good one a few blocks down. Closed. Seriously?!How does this happen. Why is nobody working? Did I miss a memo? We decided tograb some Lebanese food for dinner tonight – a really good choice, they evengave us free baklava for dessert!!

En route to the metro I was able to get some Christmas shoppingdone. That was quite a pleasant surprise. I’m glad that I stumbled across someauthentic Parisian “gifts” for friends and family. By the time I got back to my hotel it was7:30. For some reason, I thought the Marche de Noel on the Champs Elysees wasclosing at 8:30pm, so I hustled over to the start of the market!! The stallsare really cute and festive with lots of Vin Chaud (hot wine), fromage(cheese), and saucisse (sausage). There were also plenty of knick knacks. Itried some of the Vin Chaud – a mulled hot wine – and don’t think I’ll behaving another glass during my trip. I still had my camera with me so I gotsome nice photos of the market, locals shopping, and the sparkling Eiffel Towerin the background!! I continued up Champs Elysees – despite my aching back,legs, and muscles – all the way to the Arc de Triomphe. It really is beautifullit up at night! The walk back down was much easier. I picked up a Nutellacrepe, finally!, at a stall and continued through the rest of the Marche deNoel.

I had quite the busy day, despite sites being closed. Natalie and I are going to meet up again for a fondue dinner on Friday! Something I'm really looking forward to. And first site on my itinerary for tomorrow is the Eiffel Tower! I'm quite excited to ride up and see the view of the city :)

my first day in Paris... and what a day it was!

2011-12-04T16:43:00.001-05:00

When my flight landed I kept reminding myself it was 11:15am, despite the few hours of sleep I got on the plane. Luggage took a while tocome out – I forgot about that little nugget when flying internationally. Andthen the train was out of service because there was an accident. I was directedto the “350” metrobus and an hour and a half later I was actually inmetropolitan Paris. A short taxi ride from the bus stop to my hotel taught methat the Roissybus will be my method of transportation for my return flight.

I checked into my hotel and freshened up… after all, I didsleep in a cabin with approximately 200 other people breathing the same air for8 hours, eww! Unfortunately, since it’s Sunday, a lot of restaurants and sitesare closed. So I stopped into the closest bistro for a chicken sandwich. SinceI’ve heard rave reviews about the French mustard I added a bit. Let me tellyou, it cleared my sinuses like wasabi!

A quick hop across the street and I was in the TuileriesGardens. The afternoon was dark and grey so I decided not to take my big camerawith me. (In fact, I wasn’t even inspired to take a picture until the sun wentdown! That’s when Paris really lights up!!) As I was leaving the TuileriesGardens I happened to turn around and say something reminiscent of the “LondonEye” (unexpected and ugly) and behind that the Arc de Triomphe (unexpected andbeautiful). My line of sight quickly focused on the Arc and I was momentarilymesmerized.

My afternoon walk around the Left Bank left me quite happywith Paris. I arrived at the Luxembourg Gardens, my planned destination, tofind out they were closing. That was a shame but it’s hardly “garden weather”so I adjusted rather quickly. Down the street is the Pantheon and I continuedaround and up to Notre Dame. The façade and exterior of Notre Dame is quitebreathtaking – especially at sunset when all of the buttresses are lit up. Theinside is remarkable as well. There was a service going on, which added to theeffect, but this cathedral was breathtaking. The small chapels on each sidewere quite a site. It brought me back to my days in Italy…

Which reminds me… all day I have been thinking of vocabularyand phrases in Italian. That long lost language I haven’t spoken in three and ahalf years! I have said “Si” and “Grazie” more times that I wish to admittoday. No matter how hard I try, those key French phrases are not sticking inmy head. Although, apparently a numberof Europeans think that I do speak French. I was approached by two differentpeople today asking me questions, about 10-15 seconds long, in French. Onewoman didn’t speak English but the second did so I was able to direct her.However, I was shocked she didn’t try English first. The woman in the Tabacshop thought I was going to send my postcard within the EU when I politelycorrected her and said, “U.S., please” (Ellen, you’re welcome in advance!)After these experiences, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am geographicallygeneric. When I’m in the U.S. people can’t place me or my accent. When I’m inEurope people think I am European. Not that I’m complaining because I haveencountered numerous friendly, nice Frenchmen/people today and have yet to(despite the woman on the bus that was made my suitcase was taking up a seat)interact with the rude, anti-American French that everybody makes such a fussabout.

But I digress… I continued westward on the island towardsSaint Chapelle (a site to visit later this week) and crossed Pont Neuf - but not before photographing the heads andornate details on the side. By the time I got to the Louvre courtyard (wherethe famed pyramid resides) I was losing steam.

Most restaurants are closed on Sunday so finding a place todine tonight proved to be rather difficult despite how prepared I am for thistrip. Finally I hoped on the metro and made my way to dinner. They were bookedsolid for the night at their tables, though I got a one of the two seats at thebar facing the kitchen which happens to be right inside the front door! I wasmesmerized by what I saw… it was more action than a hockey game :)

The wait staff offered me a wine that I had not triedbefore; Cote de Rhone. My initial reaction was “undetermined” – it had lessbody than a Cabernet though it wasn’t lacking flavor. It had a lot of tanninsand the best way I can describe it was that it was almost sour, but not in abad way.

My appetizer involved snails in French mushrooms with abutter herb sauce and cooked in a bubbling garlic butter sauce. And yes, Isopped up the extra sauce with my freshly baked baguette after I ate all mymushrooms/snails. Note: that was my first snail experience but I promisedmyself that I would try to be open to new foods while on this trip!

The kitchen put out dish after dish of a [what looked like]a lamb shank. It must be the most popular dish at the restaurant, and after Isaw the umpteenth plate being prepared I became remiss that I did not orderthat. OH, but then my dinner arrived – a succulent, soft, flavorful filet ofwhite fish; served on top of vegetables with a mesculin green salad. I ate everylast morsel. Fish has never tasted so good; this entrée wasfan-freaking-tastic.

I trusted my waiter enough at that point to leave thedessert choice to him. Then he lays down a fork, a spoon, and a knife. For dessert?! Whaaat? He said, “it’s apie served warm, with English cream and caramel sauce!” Okay, I was sold andwhen it came I sure was glad that I let him choose it. The pie was a Bosc pear andit was fantastically delicious!

It’s been a long day and I’m ready to get some shut eye in abed. So, au revoir my blog readers!! Stay tuned for another day in Paris…

PS - folks, I have a really slow internet connection for now so I will upload pictures later this week! Thanks for your patience.

bonjour paris!

2011-12-01T12:02:00.001-05:00

Note: I am currently agitated with the Blogger software. During my commute home yesterday I wrote this post and it was great. My tone of voice was spot on... you know, one of those write-ups that has the perfect bit of sarcasm? And then my iPhone Blogger app lost it. It's not a draft. It's not on my iPhone. It's not in my web account. Needless to say, I'm very irritated. However, I still have the major issue of picking out shoes for Paris so I wrote it again and please please comment!

---

I leave for Paris in just two days. When I booked this trip back in September, I thought the day would never arrive, now it's almost here!! When I studied abroad in college I chose not to visit Paris because I was convinced the opportunity would arise later in life. Alas, said opportunity is here!!

I have been mentally scanning my closet to select the most appropriate attire for Paris. After all, I will have those fashionably acute, judgmental French eyes staring at me. My mental suitcase currently consists of blouses, sweaters, silk scarves, blazers, peggings (pant leggings - these are awesome!) and then I get to shoes... oh man, I am stumped!! I have rain boots, sneakers, Merrells, Sperry waterproof winter boots with a wedge, and Frye motorcycle boots...

What I really need (okay, "want") for a cold and wet December in Paris is riding boots! Particularly a pair in black and luggage. Then I went on an online mission to find a pair. I came across a "keeper" at DSW and put them in my cart when my common (better?) senses kicked in... did I want to spend that money on shoes or did I want to spend that money IN Paris?! I did not end up purchases the boots. But now I'm left with a conundrum... what do I wear for my three touring days?!

I'm favoring my motorcycle boots for the more muddy ventures (e.g., the Eiffel Tower) and my winter boots with a wedge for the more sophisticated atmospheres (e.g., Champs d'Elysses).

But, I ask you this blog readers... what shoes do I pack for Paris?

shirt coat

2011-11-29T09:54:00.001-05:00

I have a few pieces of clothing that confuse me. And it seems that this is the week I have decided to wear all of them. Yesterday, my ninja pants. Today, my shirt coat. This Elie Tahari top goes to the top half of my thigh, but it only has three snaps in the center so it does open up above the pelvis. Hence, it is not a dress. I wore it to my friend's bridal shower in September and decided to pop it on today because it's comfortable and suitable for the continued warm weather.

I've paired it with a Banana Republic black cami underneath (it does require a tank top of sorts) and Theory black cigarette pants. To complete the look I put on my black suede Jimmy Choos, my Ebel watch (a gift from my Dad on my 16th birthday), a set of 3 Pono bracelets, a charm necklace (complete with Tiffany heart charm, a small cameo I purchased next to the Vatican in Rome, and a St. Christopher charm to keep me safe, a gift from my friend's mom while I was studying abroad in Rome), and some RJ Graziano chandelier earrings (silver with a variety of stones).

The highlight of my ensemble is my hair! I didn't want to take the time to straighten or curl it - so up it went in a sweeping french braid, with a loose tail. What do you think?

ninja pants

2011-11-28T09:26:00.001-05:00

Okay, folks - updating the picture here. Too much background space... plus with this version you can just make out my manicure!! It's "Candy Apple Mint" by Essie and "Here Today... Aragon Tomorrow" by OPI with diagonal lines. I was inspired by Penny's nails on an episode of "The Big Bang Theory".

You might remember these pants from an old post in September. I mislabeled them, they're actually Elie Tahari and rather than being referred to as "genie pants" they have now been coined my "ninja pants"! What's funny is that my mom called me as I was getting ready for work this morning (she's headed to the RJ Graziano and Theory sample sales in NYC today!! Hopefully Santa finds me something good to put under the tree!!) and I told her I was wearing my "ninja pants" and she knew exactly what I was referring to!! So apparently the description is really spot on. They're pretty loose on the hips and thighs, and more tapered at the ankles. It has an attached belt which I had some issues tying but figured out something suitable.

Today's high is 66 degrees, unseasonably warm for the end of November so I decided to give these a try. They're cropped above the ankles and a nice light fabric. I've paired them with a tight-ish Elie Tahari tank top, Tory Burch cotton blazer, and Prada black patent pumps. It's a comfortable outfit which is key after returning to work from a nice, long 4-day weekend!!

being thankful

2011-11-27T20:57:00.001-05:00

This weekend I was lucky enough to sit back, relax, and really enjoy the holiday. My office was closed on Thursday and Friday. After a long month of late nights at the office and weekends traveling to friends' weddings I vowed that I would take this long weekend as a time to recharge at home. I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to enjoy some time off from a job I love, spend quality time with family, and indulge my creative side a bit. (The picture above is the output of my creative juices on Saturday night!)

Among other things, I am so grateful for the friends in my life. They have taught me not to take things for granted, slow down every once in a while, and enjoy the little moments. Thank you all for your friendship.

engagement chicken

2011-11-27T20:43:00.001-05:00

One of our favorite go-to dishes for dinner is "Engagement Chicken". This is a really popular recipe on Epicurious - which is a great website and app, if you haven't used it to search for recipes yet, I highly suggest it.

I first made it during a dinner party last month and it was a hit. Plus, it's so simple and requires so few ingredients;

Chicken (approx. 4 pounds)
1/2 cup lemon juice
Salt and Pepper
3 lemons (1 for garnish)
Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or sage)

Preheat the oven at 400 degrees. Wash and pat the chicken dry. Pour the lemon juice over the bird, both inside and out. Use sea or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper both inside and out. Prick two of the lemons with a fork a few times and put them in the bird's cavity. (You can also put some fresh herbs in the cavity!) Lower the temperature to 350 degrees, rest the bird breast down in a roasting rack and cook for 15 minutes. Flip the bird over, breast side up, and cook until the internal temperature is 180 degrees. It should take approximately 18 to 20 minutes per pound plus 15 minutes for the lemons inside. Let the bird stand for 10 minutes then carve. Place the sliced meat on a plate with a sliced lemon and fresh herbs, don't forget to pour the pan drippings on top!! And voila... so delish!

tasty noms

2011-11-22T11:55:00.001-05:00

I was really inspired by all things in the kitchen this past Sunday!! First I decided to make the spicy bolognese sauce we are having for dinner tonight. The idea was to cook the sausage when it was fresh and then store two containers in the freezer. The sauce is a bit time intensive, so cooking it on Sunday is better than a work night!

While Ross went to the gym I perused our new copy of Everyday Food by Martha Stewart. In here, I came across a recipe for homemade granola. I made it with oatmeal and almonds mixed with honey, oil, butter, and brown sugar. After it baked I added craisins and yellow raisins. So delicious :)

After browsing through our pantry and finding some ingredients I forgot we had I realized I was able to put together the "Buttermilk-Cornmeal Drop Biscuits" also from Everyday Food. They look more like scones since the batter is a little looser than typical biscuits and you don't need to use a cookie cutter. And ooooh these are so good! I made some honey-butter to put on these, but so far have just used raspberry jam.

Then it was time for dinner! We had pork tendeloin in a teriyaki sauce and a whole grain couscous. I thought a vegetable stir-fry was appropriate to add. Just look at all the colors here! We've got Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, onions, carrots and garlic. Nom nom nom.

ooh la la!

2011-11-22T11:21:00.001-05:00

I had a lot of fun dressing up for my trapeze show!! You can't see the costume very well in the video so I'm posting pictures from the dress rehearsal. Michelle and I had complimentary versions of each others outfit. Ooh la la!!

Matching Moulin Rouge Ladies

Long Limbs

the elevator is my runway

2011-11-21T16:19:00.001-05:00

Two shots for you today!! 1) Outfit 2) plus coat!!

When I got to work, I was second guessing my decision to wear a turtleneck, but as the day went out this outfit proved to be comfortable, functional, and fashionable!

Elie Tahari brown cashmere short-sleeve turtleneck sweater
Louis Vuitton belt
Theory brown pants (love these!! They are so long!)
Cole Haan brown leather ankle boots
Michael Kors gold watch
Various brown leather bracelets from street vendors in Florence, Italy

Burberry white quilted trench coat, mid-thigh length
Mulholland luggage collar shoppers tote purchased via Rue La La!
Copco orange travel mug :) (Most of my beverage containers are orange!)

trapeze show!!!

2011-11-21T09:44:00.001-05:00

Finally, after 10 weeks of practice up high the TSNY DC Fall Show arrived!!! We had so much fun preparing for our entrance, tricks, and exit. Our theme was Moulin Rouge and Michelle, aka "DJ Straddles", hooked us up with some awesome tracks to fly to!

Here's a picture of Rebecca, Shannon, and me before the show in our "dress blacks". Can you sense our excitement??

Here's the video of our entrance... we were so nervous it came out a little sloppy :-P

Doesn't everybody look so great in their trapeze gear?!?!

Here's my trick :) Honestly... I was so nervous that I blacked out before I went into my position. I just remember landing in the net knowing I had caught it!! Lots of adrenaline running through me. Also, I don't mind admitting that I have never before done a split with my left leg forward. Oh well, at least we caught it! (Look how happy I am afterwards!)

And, here is our exit! I just love how Will and Harold say goodbye at the end :)

wine club

2011-11-18T16:58:00.001-05:00

Our building just started a wine club!! Last night was our first event. We all met in the building's meeting room with our favorite "go-to" wine, information about it, and a snack!

Everybody shared why they liked the wine, where to buy, how much it costs, and any other interesting details. Ross and I brought Copppola Claret and Mondavi Meritage. The Coppola is my Dad's favorite wine and we can pick it up for less than $13 at the Costco in Arlington!! The Mondavi is a blend that I (thought I) remembered drinking in college. Sidenote: I was not a Franzia fan, I grew up drinking wine at dinner with my family so for me drinking wine in college was a lot different than my peers. At last night's wine club I found out Mondavi was sold to Constellation, the same company behind Manischewitz. Something tells me I won't be drinking any Mondavi for a while.

Of course I brought my very favorite snack to share with folks; apples, cheese, and pretzels. I even wrote a note so that they stacked all three items together :)

daily wardrobe

2011-11-18T12:33:00.001-05:00

Wednesday was so hectic - party planner central for me!! I organized a lunch tasting to select a caterer for my company's Winter/New Year party next month. And at night I put together a social for former government executives. I was all over the place so I needed an outfit that was smart and comfortable!! I switched between rain boots, heels, and flats throughout the day.

I did a big relaxed curl in my hair that morning to keep it out of my face and avoid that "falling" look at 5 pm since I would be busy until 9.

Black velvet beaded necklace - doubled up
Tory Burch white blouse with ruffles
Theory gray raw silk skirt
DKNY damask textured tights in black/gray
Tory Burch black velour flats with grossgrain ribbon beneath medallion

Here's a little snapshot of dessert at Wednesday's lunch. I quickly learned one bite of each was the best method...

elevator ride

2011-11-15T16:25:00.001-05:00

So I'm a stairs kind of girl, which is why my daily outfit posts have been slacking. I'll try harder... I promise.

Snapped this bad boy on a one floor ride and barely got it in before the doors opened up! That could have been awkward :-/

Today we've got:

Necklace, RJ Graziano -- sample sale in NYC, these are the BEST!!
Rebecca Beeson top, most likely purchased at Loehmann's ;-)
Banana Republic skirt - it's a fine black with beige herringbone
DKNY sheet black stockings
Oscar de la Renta leopard furry flats

charleston: in review

2011-11-15T09:34:00.001-05:00

This past weekend Ross and I celebrated our friend's Dave & Erin (check out her blog I Am Quirky) wedding in Charleston, SC. This is such a beautiful town to host a wedding! While not dancing the night away with my sexy groomsman ;-) I kept myself plenty busy...

A delicious lunch at Magnolia's when we arrived Friday afternoon. We tried Cru Cafe and Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) but the waits were too long and we were hungry!

Shopping at the Charleston City Market!! We were able to pick up a few Christmas gifts here :) (PS - I'm almost done Christmas shopping... I think I'll save the last few items and pick them up during my trip to Paris next month!!)

Manicure and mimosas with the other Groomsmen's dates!! We had so much fun :) The polish is "Sew Actually" by Essie, and I even got the manicurist to add a subtle glitter accent on my fourth finger!!!

have your cake...

2011-11-10T15:44:00.001-05:00

I was just browsing through the marvelous blog Hostess with the Mostess when I came across this wedding cake!! I'm obsessed, it looks just like my blog/Twitter/YouTube background. Too bad my birthday just passed, otherwise I might actually try to recreate this guy :)

how to post a comment

2011-11-10T09:17:00.001-05:00

Some friends have asked how to leave a comment with their name if they don't have an account from the drop-down list! You can choose the "Name/URL" option from the drop-down, type in your name, and leave the URL text box blank. Easy peasy :)

Please leave comments! I promise to answer :)

off center plaid nail art

2011-11-10T08:59:00.000-05:00

To achieve this look I used "topless & barefoot" and "wicked" from essie, and painstackingly cutting 40 little strips of scotch tape!

Prep your nails by cutting, filing, buffing, etc.
Cut out thin strips of scotch tape so they're ready when you are! (This is easier to do with dry nails!)
Use a clear base coat to protect your nail beds.
Choose a base color that will show through as the thin lines of plaid. I went with "topless & barefoot" by essie.
Use a quick-dry top coat to seal the base color. Wait a few minutes so that it is dry and you don't remove polish with the scotch tape.
Create a cross-hatch of tape on the nails of one hand.

Before you lay the tape on your nail, lightly press it on your palm to remove some of the adhesive, this will help to avoid removing polish.
First lay down the horizontal strips of tape, then lay down the vertical strips.
I chose to do an off-center pattern.
Using an orange stick, lightly press the tape so that the edges are adhering.

When the tapes are all ready on one hand, use your top color and paint across your nail. Don't paint too roughly because polish can seep under the tape ;-) I used "wicked" by essie for this.
Be patient! Wait about ten minutes for the top color to set.
Slowly peel back each piece of tape individually.
Cover your nail with a top coat.
Repeat steps 6 through 10 for your other hand.

Polish slipped under the tape :( This is still a work in progress, as you can see. When I finished I cleaned up the skin around my nails using a little brush and some acetone!

vanilla chai lattes

2011-11-09T15:59:00.000-05:00

Hot drinks are one of my interests. Sometimes I'll choose a menu option based on my outfit (I think to myself, "If I saw me walking down the street holding a Starbucks cup, what would be in it?"). It's weird, I know. But my outfit is usually related to my mood, which is usually related to my preference for hot drinks. What's that mathematical relationship called? If A=B and B=C, then B=C. Can't remember... thanks high school algebra!

Back to hot drinks... one of my guilty pleasures is the vanilla chai latte. This is not a drink you can order in any coffee shop. In fact, it's not on Starbucks' menu! So whenever I do stumble across it, it's like the most fabulous thing that has ever happened to me :) When I'm in State College I'll head to Saints Coffeshop. When I'm in DC I head to Open City, sort of a glorified diner/wine bar/coffee bar. Haven't found a place in NJ... yet.

Yesterday was really busy, I worked from our kitchen table for nearly 12 hours because I never found the time to get dressed and commute!! I got a chill around 5pm and whipped up a homemade vanilla chai latte. Big Train Chai is the best, and the directions are really easy - printed right on the back!

Got all my supplies, ready to go!

Measuring out the milk.

Adding some water to the mix.

After letting the milk/water get hot, I slowly add in the Vanilla Chai mix.

Whisk to combine.

Pour and enjoy!! :)

UV free gel manicure at home

2011-11-07T12:52:00.000-05:00

On October 27th I wrote about the gel manicure set that I purchased from Bed Bath & Beyond! Last week I planned to wear my half moons to Rebecca's wedding however, by Thursday afternoon my nails were chipped and beyond repair. So after going to Junior League, making dinner, finishing some work at home, and packing my weekend bag I took off the polish and decided to try the gel manicure! I was excited since it would dry really fast and I could then go to sleep at a somewhat reasonable hour.

A few short minutes later I couldn't see. Do you react badly to chopping onions? This was 100 times worse. I was squeezing my eyes shut because they were burning from the strong unpleasant odor of this product. When I did open them I had tears streaming down my face. Unfortunately it was nearly 11:30 PM and we were hitting the road at 8:00 AM, so I felt as if there was no other option for my nails at that point. I spent the next 30 minutes applying the Activator and Gel Polish without breathing.

The photo of my finished left hand actually looks pretty good; the nails look shiny. However, I was less than impressed in person. It wasn't a clean, solid, shiny finish... it kind of reminded me of working with old nail polish.

Also, my last note is around the level of skill required to apply this. I've been painting my own nails since high school so I have practice with a brush in both hands and I still found this rather difficult. I did use a little eyeshadow brush (shown in the picture above) with 100% pure acetone to clean up my skin around each nail, but I found that each nail had a different thickness of polish which slightly irritated me.

All in all, I do not recommend this product. It was not worth the pain in my eyes and nose, the frustrating application process, or dealing with chipped nails two days later!! Instead, I suggest you get a Shellac or Axxium gel manicure at a salon... and don't forget to apply sunscreen to your hands before you go ;-)

#slacker

2011-11-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Whew - Fall is really kicking my butt!! I've got to learn how to say no to some things. Being overwhelmed both at work and outside of work is taking its toll on me. I love being busy, but I think that I'm reaching my threshold. Promise to publish some nail related posts later this afternoon. We've got UV-free manicure and plaid nail art in the queue ;-)

...words to live by

new dessert to try

2011-11-03T10:55:00.001-04:00

Came across this photo on facebook and I'm totally intrigued. Definitely want to try this out, though I need to think of a good event where it works.

The buns are made from yellow cake, and the patties are made out of chocolate cupcake. The "lettuce", "mustard", and "ketchup" are all icing, as are the "sesame seeds". Since there's no icing on the top of it, I think using icing in the middle for the condiments, etc. was a great idea!

These could be fun at a kids party or a bar-b-q, if only summer weren't so far away!

christmas music

2011-11-03T08:51:00.000-04:00

This is a debate I hear every year around this time... is it okay to listen to Christmas music in November? Clearly this is a decision of personal choice. I tend to play some of my favorites ("Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by N'Sync, obviously!) when I see the first snowflake. Sometimes that's October, sometimes that's November. And I usually listen sporadically until Thanksgiving weekend - then it's nonstop, 24/7 Christmas music straight through to December 25th :)

I'm definitely one of those people that can still listen to Christmas music in January. I absolutely love the holiday season and am not overwhelmed by the hoopla of it all. This week, I'll admit, I did set up a Christmas playlist (including Michael Buble's album because his voice is so magical) and was listening to it all day long.

I believe that stores putting out Christmas paraphernalia in September or October is just outrageous - but it has become such a marketed, commercial, American holiday it doesn't surprise me all that much.

Have you begun listening to Christmas music? What songs are in your queue?

half moons

2011-11-01T15:11:00.001-04:00

I'm almost out of new nail design ideas! I've just got to grab some matte polish, complete one more design, and I'm all out :( Please share your ideas with me. (Tracy - I promise not to do the converse sneakers!)

Last night I got my nails ready for Rebecca's wedding this weekend! Hopefully it doesn't chip, because if it does I'm going to resort to a solid color which wouldn't be as exciting.

I have seen this design on Pinterest a lot lately. However, I also remember seeing it in some high-end fashion ads about eight years ago!! It was also super popular in the sixties. Plus, Phillip Lim's models were seen wearing it back in February! Seems like a design that's been around for a while and will ebb and flow with the trends.

Avon polish in "Empower"

Essie polish, don't remember the name :-/

This was pretty difficult to do because I didn't use tape or any type of guide to create the "half moons". If you're trying this out for the first time, expect to get better each time you try it, and make sure you have lots of time and patience!

1. Prep nails for polish, including cutting, filing, clipping, and buffing!
2. Use a base coat.
3. Use your highlight color (silver) and swirl the brush around the top of the bottle to remove the excess polish. Carefully create a half moon shape at the top of your nail... It's okay to get polish all over your cuticles and fingers!
4. Using your base color (navy), remove excess polish and slowly trace around the half moon shape, then in vertical strokes fill in the rest of your nail bed.
5. Do a second coat of color, coming as close to the highlight as possible.
6. Using 100% acetone (so much easier and faster than polish remover) dip a small eyeliner or eyeshadow brush (I have one just for nail polish) into the acetone and trace along the outside of your nails to clean up your finger tips!!
7. Finish it off with a top coat!

today's outfit

2011-11-01T12:38:00.001-04:00

The elevators at work are completely mirrored. I'm not sure why, exactly, but yesterday evening I was standing alone in the elevator when I thought "Hmm, maybe I should take a picture of my outfit and post it to my blog!" That thought wasn't executed because the doors opened up about 3 seconds later (no time to whip out my iPhone).

This morning, I found myself alone in the elevator with a quick enough reaction time to snap this one! So, on days where I'm sporting fun outfits and/or happen to ride the elevator alone with iPhone in hand I'm planning to post a picture and tell you what I'm wearing!

Theory black wool blend sweater, Theory black cotton and spandex blend pants, Jimmy Choo black suede pumps, Burberry black leather belt with gold hardware, Michael Kors gold watch, Pono gold ring, necklace unknown, Camelbak orange water bottle ;-)

I really like this necklace! My mom gave it to me, so I'm not sure where it's from. The beads look like little nuts, hence the small markings. And they're attached to a black suede string tying into a knot.

i still love snow

2011-10-31T15:50:00.001-04:00

Raise of hands -- who was affected by the nor'easter this weekend?! While I was out running errands (aka - picking up my new shoes!) Ross and I returned to a snow-laden road with icy conditions. We drove past a few cars that either turned over, slid into embankments, or got hit by downed trees. New Jersey was certainly hit harder than we had expected.

The snow set me back a little bit because I really wanted to get some work done this weekend. Instead, I found myself chilling in Starbucks stranded from my laptop, iPad, and my dying cell phones' power cords. Not fun. As a result, Monday morning catch-up took a lot longer than anticipated.

Finally a group decision was made to park at a neighbors and trek over the downed trees and power lines to return to a house full of family!! We snacked on cheese and crackers, fruit, cake & ice cream while sipping gin & tonics and wine. Oh, what a night!!

When the flakes began, as I walked down the sidewalk, I couldn't help but think "Oh, I have missed this. I love snow." Despite all the obstacles and changes the snow storm brought on my weekend plans, and after climbing over trees and sleeping with no heat on, I still love snow. Bring it on winter!

hello lovelies

2011-10-31T15:05:00.000-04:00

My shoes are here! They have finally arrived... aren't they beautiful?! Jimmy Choo, black suede, almond toe, with a 4" heel. Actually it might be 4.25" - I don't remember. There is no platform so I'm not completely towering over all of my coworkers.

When I sent this picture to my friend she replied "you can dress like that for work?" I responded... yes, with a pencil skirt, white blouse, and fur vest to boot!! Today's outfit is certainly a fun one. Since I'm not client-facing right now I'm not restricted by the "suit rule". Thankfully!

what's better than chocolates and shoes?

2011-10-27T16:26:00.002-04:00

A chocolate shoe!! My fellow trapeze artist and friend, Harold, brought me the sweetest (yes, that's a pun) birthday gift and it was a true homage to the Patent Leather Shoes blog. He used a purse for the gift big, which I thought was uber creative! Inside I found a white chocolate shoe stuffed with chocolate candies from Schakolad.

See how delicious this looks... Almost too pretty to eat. Almost ;-)

I've been super busy and not yet able to break into this puppy, but it's #1 on my list when I get home from Junior League tonight!!

gel manicures

2011-10-27T15:39:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you've heard about the new trend of gel manicures -- without all the buffing, sanding, and harmful processes on your nailbeds! There's OPI, Shellac, and Gelish (likely a few more, but I've seen these). They work great; perfect for a vacation, special event, or holiday - especially since you don't have to worry about chipping your polish while cooking.

On a recent trip to Bed Bath & Beyond I came across Nutra Nail's Gel Perfect. This is a UV-free, at home gel nailpolish! I couldn't resist so I bought a set, originally $12 but I had a 20% off coupon for BB&B. The box doesn't say how long you can expect the polish to last, however it does claim to set in five minutes (fabulous!), have a shiny patent leather finish (you know I love my patent leather!), and not require a UV light (perfect, because I don't have on)!!

I've read through the instructions and it seems simple enough. Now I just have to decide when to apply... below are some options, please leave a comment and let me know what choice you think will work best!

1. Tonight - This weekend I'll be traveling out of town for a family birthday party. My other alternative for the weekend is to keep my current polish on, you can see it here as the Sunday Night picture!

2. Next week* - I'll be a bridesmaid the first weekend of November, which means it will be on for the wedding!

3. Two weeks - I'll be attending a wedding the second weekend of November. Might wear my bridesmaid dress again, or I'm leaning towards a floor-length chiffon maxi in black & white animal print.

*Note, I'll be wearing a navy blue dress; sweetheart neckline, to the knee. My shoes will either be gold glitter peep toe pumps or beige suede lace-up sandals. The other option I'm considering for Rebecca's wedding is the marble nail art in navy blue, bright blue, and silver.

organizing clothes

2011-10-26T13:58:00.001-04:00

Inspired by the write-up on Apartment Therapy which I found via Emily Schuman's twitter feed (author for Cupcakes and Cashmere), I'm going to share with you a photo of my closet!! When I moved in with my boyfriend storage was a big issue. We quickly found ourselves at The Container Store exploring the elfa system. WOW - what a savior!! Not only was it affordable and easy to install, but it makes my clothes look super neat, all the time! (Which is important because this is on a wall of our bedroom, not behind a door or curtain!)

best dressed

2011-10-26T13:48:00.000-04:00

Bryan, you dapper gent, you. Thank you for wearing that fabulous three-piece suit to my party!! You certainly win best dressed :)

Me, Bryan, & Krista at Keep It Classy!

oh how i've missed the thrill

2011-10-26T11:44:00.001-04:00

Three weeks since my last trapeze class?! Well, my heart missed it a lot more than my hands (they're pretty cut up today). I'm still working on my back-end split - which was rather rusty after taking a three week hiatus, but that was to be expected. So, no videos to share!

Last night's theme was Halloween!! Will certainly out-did himself again. Not only did he show up in leather pants (with a purple velvet blazer) but he caught the flyers at the end of class wearing leather pants! Everybody was shocked that they didn't split right up the middle.

I had about 7 minutes to pick out an outfit and walk out the door (yesterday was a busy busy day) so I opted for cat, which happened to work out well... all black, red lipstick on the nose, some eyeliner on the cheeks for whiskers, and homemade ears made from index cards, attached with bobby pins!

Let's see, we've got: a pimp, a Musketeer, halloween fan (Tracey, your socks were awesome!!), cat, bunny, hula girl (yes, she flew in the grass skirt!), and a halloween-themed butterfly!! What a festive crowd :)

accent nails

2011-10-25T15:15:00.000-04:00

These are my new thing!! Within three days, I've had three different varieties of accent nails using my new glitter polishes. Sorry, but I only have two photos to share!!

Friday Night
I only had one hour to get ready for my birthday night out with Ross. We were going to a casual dinner and then off to The Columbia Room, a private, speak-easy-esque bar inside The Passenger, near the Convention Center in DC (check out the picture of cocktail number 3, Gin Daisy). About five minutes before walking out the door I swiped on a coat of "Wicked" (essie) and dapped silver glitter on the tips of my nails, pulling it back a bit towards my cuticle. I mentioned this technique last week, here.

We got in the elevator and my nails were so wet, I asked Ross to put my scarf on for me. Then I promptly apologized to the guy in the elevator, caveat-ing "I'm not normally this high maintenance, my nails are wet!" Which, now, sounds rather "high maintenance" to me. Oops!

Saturday Night
At my birthday party I had to actually paint my nails while guests were there!! I'm more mortified of bare nails than I am excusing myself to the bathroom for three 5-minute increments to finish off the base coat, color coat #1, and color coat #2!! But they were all my friends and found it rather amusing.

Most nails were "Over the Top" (essie) and each ring finger was a silver essie topped with a thick silver glitter.

Sunday Night (and currently)
Sunday night I sat myself down for a proper manicure! Not one of the five minute, let's get polish on my nails kind of thing!! My cuticles really thanked me ;-) I went with "Power Clutch" (essie) and finished off my two ring fingers with a little gold glitter. I pulled it back like I had on Friday night. It's just enough sparkle to make a girl smile... :)

signature cocktail recipes

2011-10-25T14:12:00.000-04:00

Below are the instructions for the signature cocktails served at my Keep It Classy party! My shot glasses happened to be 2 ounces and the cups were 10 ounces. In the instructions below, refer to the measurements as a ratio! Also, if you use simple syrup, agave, or sugar in the French 75 the measurement will adjust slightly.

French 75

Combine in the shaker:

Scoop of ice

1-1/2 shots gin

1-1/2 shots lemon juice

2 teaspoons liquid Sugar in the Raw

Shake vigorously.

Strain into glass.

Top with sparkling wine.

Blueberry Vodka

Fill glass with ice.

With lemonade:

1 shot blueberry vodka

2 shots lemonade

Garnish with blueberries on a skewer

With cranberry juice:

1 shot blueberry vodka

2 shots cranberry juice

Garnish with lime wedge

This delicious looking libation is a Gin Daisy - the third drink from my tasting at

The Columbia Room, where Ross took me to celebrate my birthday!

channel your inner bartender

2011-10-24T14:22:00.000-04:00

I put my guests to work at my birthday party and that does not make me a bad hostess!! It was a great idea that led to mingling between various groups of friends.

Most guests actually tried both drink variations available... which is what I was hoping for! One mistake on my part... I did not previously QC (quality check) my instructions... so we had to remind folks to halve the Blueberry Lemonade recipe :) Also - I didn't anticipate the amount of lemon juice needed in a French 75 so Ross made a quick run to the supermarket at 7:30 for a couple extra bottles!!

For the instructions I created the designs in PowerPoint, printed it out, and put into a 4x6 picture frame!! Such an easy DIY :)

a quarter-century affair

2011-10-24T13:08:00.000-04:00

Keep It Classy, Part Deux was so much fun and a "very Caitlin affair".

Ross (my favorite sous chef) and I spent all day Saturday shopping for last minute supplies, cooking the tasty treats, and preparing our place for the party!! I was so busy that I did not pick out my dress until 7:45... Guests were invited to show up at 8:00... Eek!! I also painted my nails between 8:15 and 8:30. I went with Over the Top by essie, a frosted charcoal, and my ring fingers were silver with silver glitter... accent nails!

Here are some photos taken during prep and the final set-up!

DIY Candle Votives!

The candles came in small plastic cups, I took them out and drew on the rim with a Sharpie. Then I pressed the rim of the cup down onto the top of the apple. I was able to easily trace this with my pumpkin carving knife then scoop out some apple with a spoon. Pop in the tealight candles and, voila!!

Melting caramels on the stove for some caramel apples!!

Puff pastry with raspberry jam and brie cheese. Use egg wash to seal the edges of the triangle shape, don't forget to top with an egg wash to ensure a nice brown crust when they come out of the oven!!

My favorite sous chef cutting up the Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese for my favorite snack ever... Cheese, Apples, and Pretzels. More specifically; extra sharp cheddar cheese, granny smith apples, and everything pretzel crisps. This combination is sweet and savory, smooth and crunchy. Everybody that tries it is immediately addicted and I am on a mission to share this snack with all of my friends!

Mini pizzas and bite-sized caramel apples with peanuts in the background!

All four snacks shown on the table with the candle apple votives and hurricane lamps with tall candles and dried beans!!

I was actually taking these pictures when guests were arriving so they're kind of rushed and I didn't get as many as I was hoping to... but it's still a good visual of what the food looked like. Up next I'll post about the bar with signature drinks and everybody's outfits per the invite's dress code!!

new nail art inspiration

2011-10-21T12:51:00.000-04:00

Have you heard of nail stamping? I had not either... but now I am intrigued and want to try it immediately!!

Check out this great tutorial on the blog "A Painted World"

Below are some pictures from the directions:

nail strips -- an easy diy

2011-10-21T12:27:00.001-04:00

Have you seen the Sally Hansen nail strips at your local drug store? Maybe a demo in a mall kiosk? Nail strips are all over!! I've been somewhat skeptical to try them, thinking they would be hard to apply myself or not stay on for a long enough duration.

My friend Alexis got me a Sally Hansen set for my birthday. She chose the houndstooth design, inspired a la Gaga!

I was pleasantly surprised! There are about 7 or 8 strips available in varying sizes per hand. They were really easy to apply. After prepping your nails (file, cuticles, etc.) you simply peel off the top and bottom protective layers. Then center the strip on your nail and press it down, close to the cuticle line. Stretch the strip long-ways and a bit sideways, pressing it down on your nail to avoid any bubbles. When the sticker is on, use the provided nail file to remove the extra (don't rip). I finished it off with a clear coat to seal!! Look how cute...

I have received so many comments on my nails... from people on the metro, friends, Junior Leaguers. Everybody loves these and I can't wait to get another set to try on more designs!!

new nail art and must read blogs

2011-10-20T09:51:00.000-04:00

As I fall I asleep at night I typically think about the outfit I'm going to wear the following day (this saves A LOT of time in the morning) but last night, I focused my attention on nail art instead. Mostly because I can't decide on a design for my birthday party this Saturday. Thankfully, a number of friends have been sharing ideas with me, and they come across some great ones!

Yesterday, Amelia shared a link to "The Graduated Glitter Nail" from the Classic Bride blog. I really love the look of this design - and am fairly certain I now have a winning nail art design for my birthday party. Now, if I could only pick out a dress to wear, we'd be all set ;-)

This picture is courtesy of Classic Bride Blog.

I'm not sure if I'll go with the natural base color - I'm thinking more along the lines of "Power Clutch" by essie, "Here Today, Aragon Tomorrow" by OPI, or "Russian Navy" by OPI. And likely a bronzey glitter.

While reading the post on Classic Bride, I came across a link to their inspiration for this design on the Cupcakes and Cashmere blog. I have heard about this site before, and now I'm addicted! Cupcakes and Cashmere is definitely getting added to my must read list.

Here are Emily's (author of Cupcakes and Cashmere) glitter nail art photos. I'm loving the bold orange!!

halloween centerpiece

2011-10-19T21:11:00.000-04:00

For any of you that have not yet had the pleasure of reading McSweeney's "It's Decorative Gourd Season, Motherf***ers" I now direct you to the satirical, hilarious, and season-appropriate article. Click here.

When I came across the write-up last month it was like a welcome message to Fall! Oddly enough, ever since reading about "an insanely ornate assortment of shellacked vegetables" I have been bugging Ross to let me get some gourds for our island or kitchen table. I'm not sure why I had this desire but it's all I was able to think about.

After being inspired by a DIY pin on Pinterest, I made it a point to sneak one little gourd into our cart during a shopping trip ;-) A few days later my pumpkin carving kit and vampire teeth arrived from Amazon. With that, I share my new little DIY halloween centerpiece.

I made this little guy buy cutting out a piece using a pumpkin knife... stuffing it with plastic vampire teeth... and popping in some red thumbtacks with a drop of black nail polish (mean eyes). And, VOILA!!

To measure the size for the hole, trace the vampire teeth on a piece of paper. Using the thumbtacks, tack the paper onto the gourd and carve around it. Remember, it's always easier to start with a smaller hole and cut away more pumpkin to fit the teeth.

This guy will definitely be making an appearance at my birthday party this weekend.

shake your family tree and watch the nuts fall!

2011-10-18T16:57:00.000-04:00

Such a sweet boyfriend
taking care of the luggage!

The first of my recent travels away from DC was down to Vero Beach, Florida!! This is a town I've been frequenting since the ripe-old-age of four. (On my first plane ride down I asked my grandfather if the white stuff outside the window was snow!) My family lovingly nicknamed it "Zero" Beach because of the entertainment and action (or obvious lack-there-of) this beachfront town has to offer. In high school I even convinced my friend Elizabeth that the sidewalks were rolled up at 6PM. When she looked out the front door she was unaware that my grandparent's street never has sidewalks... though she caught on the next morning ;-)

Our three day trip was highlighted with a handful of fun-filled family activities; a celebration dinner for my grandparents 60th anniversary, and the real reason everybody made the visit; my Aunt's wedding!!

Unfortunately we were not greeted with warmth and sunshine, as I had expected, but rather gray skies and hurricane-like conditions. But, alas, the show must go on!!

Me and Ross ready to
party with the family!

We snuck in this picture before the rain started... though the sky was plenty gray at that point!

The cake at dinner featured Nannie and Pop-Pop's wedding portrait!! I actually have pictures of me and my cousin trying on my grandmother's wedding dress. It is a beautiful yellow silk, but boy is it heavy!! And, wow she was skinny. I've got about a six inch gap across my rib cage where I cannot close the darn gown.

For the plane ride down to Florida I downloaded the user manual for my camera. I have a Nikon D80 but was not well versed in all of its features (I hadn't read the manual in four years) so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to brush up on my photog skills ;-) The pictures turned out great, and I've included a handful below!

All the grandkids!! This is a fun crowd :)

Pop-Pop and Nannie with my mom, aunt, and uncles!

My aunt put together a great slideshow...
video from my mom as a baby. So cute, mama!

And now, on to the weekend's feature event!! My aunt got married to a great guy who works in DC... this means I get the pleasure of seeing my family more often :) With all the rain, thankfully they had a tent set up outside for their ceremony. However, the guests had lifted and shifted their chairs toward the center that when the ceremony finished there was no more aisle for the bride and groom to walk out!! It worked out well though, because the fastest and most efficient route to the inside was up by the "altar" area.

Here comes the bride -- and groom!

My cousin did a great job helping out Reverend Frisby

First kiss!

Delicious AND beautiful cupcakes served on a tiered tree.

Escort cards with names on front and table assignment inside.

Following the ceremony and a lunch the family had originally planned a boat ride and pool party... this quickly turned into bowling and a clubhouse barbecue. Fine by me! (Although my little rental car wasn't going to make it through the flooded streets and I had to skip on the bowling part.) We all finished the night off with family and friends, some delicious barbecue (I'm craving mac-and-cheese right now), and a fantastic game of charades!! (Thank you "Lava Lamp" for instigating that one!)

lots to catch up on

2011-10-18T14:57:00.001-04:00

For being in Atlanta for only three days I really got a whole lot done!! My dear, sweet friend Suzanne was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I wanted to be with her following surgery to lend a helping hand and show my love. During Friday night a group of us girls got together for dinner and manicures! Of course this was the perfect opportunity to share my love of nail art. That night I gave Suzanne the water marble nail art design, and finished Alexis' the following morning! Suzanne went with pink, white and gold, and Alexis chose black, white and gold. I think they both came out great :)

Being together was so much fun!! The girls got really creative and sang me Happy Birthday with a German Chocolate cake and "hovering" house candle. I say "hovering" because it was a vanilla candle in a glass jar that you'd have on your table, they held it up and I still got to blow out the candle and make a wish. (Remember how much I love my birthday?! My first celebration was last Thursday [Gigi's cupakes with Ali & Alexis], and the last planned activity is this coming Saturday [birthday party at home!]... a good week and a half of celebrations!)

On Saturday morning Suzanne's husband planned to participate in a breast cancer walk. He was out on Friday night when I arrived, but came home later with his toes painted pink!! It was so super cute, and I told him I couldn't help but put it on my blog. You are the cutest couple ever. He really loves his wife :)

Saturday afternoon was spent at the Decatur Craft Beer Festival. This was most exciting because I cannot find my favorite local beer in DC; Sweetwater. They even had my favorite flavor on tap... Blue! It does remind me of a blueberry, though that's surprisingly not a bad thing.

I'll refrain from adding the photo booth pictures up on here, although I am so tempted. Instead, I'll have to share with you the cute glasses we got to use the day of, and my nail art!!

The nails were done by painting all my nails with two coats of my base color (I did teal). Then cut scotch tape into really thin strips, and lay the strips in varying patterns across your nails. Paint a coat of a second color (hot pink here). Wait about 10 minutes for the polish to dry and slowly peel off the tape. (HINT: before you tape your nails, stick the tape onto your palm to remove some of the stickiness which might peel off your base color polish!) I finished it up with a clear fast-dry top coat and was off to the beer festival! Mind you... I got QUITE A LOT of comments from the crowd. My nails were a hit :)

I moved from Atlanta to DC about a year and a half ago. Since my move I have been craving a meal from Nuevo Laredo, the most delicious Mexican restaurant in all the land! Seriously, I have never had another meal that compares to their fare. On Saturday night I was able to go have some chips & queso, and split the steak fajitas and chicken chimichanga with Alexis. We didn't even come close to finishing our food (or margaritas) but it was so worth every single calorie!! Just look at how delicious this is...

PS - Alexis, thanks for playing bartender on Friday night and making some delicious French 75's!!

sincere apologies

2011-10-17T22:19:00.001-04:00

My faithful followers, you have all been so patient with me. Expecting new posts and not hearing from me for almost two weeks. My behavior as a blogger has been inexcusable, and for that I apologize. The past week and a half has been a doozie, though. Lots of exciting stories to share with you all; a family reunion and wedding, training at a world class facility for work in Texas, and then visiting old friends in Atlanta. For all of this I got to enjoy the pleasures of five flights in 10 days. That's a lot of travel, people.But alas, I am back. I'm here in the blogosphere ready to share my tales and stories, my experiences and perspectives. Oh yes, and we must not forget that today is my birthday!! I'm a quarter-century old, folks. Half-way to 50!! And what an exciting ride it has been so far...

she flies through the air with the greatest of ease

2011-10-05T14:10:00.003-04:00

Hahaha - wouldn't that be nice!! When I put up videos and pictures it's usually when I have finally completed or mastered a trick. At class there is a camera set up on the rig with a DVR so that when you get down you can get feedback from the instructors and watch your fly. This helps break down pieces of a trick, and personally, visualize what I need to work on.

Last night I moved on to another back end trick, the split! This is one of my favorites, because when I finally learned my set split (<--another video!) it felt so intuitive to me, like second nature. Plus it's a really graceful move. It looks easy, though I tell you it is not. That's why I've decided to grace you all with the first take of my back-end split. I do not get into my position fast enough and as I scramble to recover I look like I'm either a.) riding a bike really fast or b.) trying to tread water. It's hilarious to watch.

First of all - I had my first UNASSISTED TAKE-OFF!! This means that the instructor doesn't hold my belt as I jump off the board. This was one of my goals for my IFW and I'm so glad I reached it before half-way through the workshop. Secondly, I really like that you can hear the jams in the background, especially since I release the bar to come down as Tiffany sings "tumble to the ground". (And, yeah, you can bet that I just found "I Think We're Alone Now" on Spotify and I'm rocking out to it as I finish my post!) Thank you Michelle, aka "DJ Straddles", for supplying some fabulous tunes all night long!!

Now... here is what it is supposed to look like! When I landed I exclaimed, "Finally" because it felt like so much hard and frustrating work to get there. To which my instructor responded "I wonder what you're going to do when it takes more than one class to learn a trick." ...point taken, Mandy!

Look how poised I am up there, holding on without any help :)

And, how could I forget my weekly class photo?! Animal print... RAWR. Our poses just keep getting better.

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

2011-10-05T10:38:00.001-04:00

I dove back into my blog with a gusto, actively posting on a regular basis and sharing my thoughts with anyone that cares to listen (mostly friends and family, but hey they count!). One of the topics that receives the most response is DIY nail art. This is a recent venture for me to express my creative side - but it seems like a lot of other people are interested in trying it too!!

Yesterday I walked into trapeze and my classmates were excited to see my new nail design and listen to a quick "how-to" - but more than that... I got texts from two friends that live in different cities and have never met each other, sharing pictures of their new nail art with me!! I'm so excited to see that my friends are trying this out too.

Alexis used the scotch tape technique!! I love the balance of black and white in diagonal lines on her nails.

Also, Ellen sent me a picture. I thought she used a toothpick or a small brush to make the dots. Turns out, she used a pencil!! What an innovative idea.

Anyone else that tries new ideas please send them to me! Would love to post about them.

scrapbook scissor design nail art

2011-10-04T17:33:00.000-04:00

Last night I got to play with a bunch of new polish colors!! I picked up another Seche Vite fast dry top coat, a small brush white for french manicures, a bottle of Power Clutch (from Essie's Fall Collection). Also, Mom passed on a bottle of blue polish from Avon (Inspiration) and a purple from a new company. (Will provide pics and more details later.)

I have a family reunion and wedding this weekend and I couldn't decide whether I should paint my nails on Monday night (last night) for that trip or do something fun and repaint on Thursday. After being so inspired with nail art designs on Pinterest the last few weeks, I decided to go with something fun and change it up before my trip!

So I decided to try the method with cutting scotch tape with scrapbooking scissors. Unfortunately I didn't have a scissor cut I thought I did, but I got to chose between Scallop, Zig Zag, and Wave. I ended up going with Scallop which reminds me of the edges on stamps or old photos.

First, I painted a base coat, two coats of my color (Topless and Barefoot by Essie) and a top coat. I waited a few minutes for the top coat to dry. While I did this I started cutting pieces of scotch tape (one for each finger) - also, I highly suggest cutting all ten at this point! I did not and later found it rather difficult to cut new tape with wet fingers and long pieces of tape sticking off the edges of my fingers.

Stick tape onto your nails when they're dry. (Do just one hand at a time! Painting with tape on your fingers could prove to be tricky.) Be careful to press it down close to the edges! Nail polish can get under here and make your design look sloppy. This is also a good time to decide if you want all ten fingers to be set up exactly the same (highlight on the left) or if they should parallel each other (highlights on the outside of nail). I went with the outsides of my nails... this proved to be an interesting decision because if I tilt my hands a certain way I can't even see the detail.

Paint a coat of polish in a downward motion, covering all the exposed nail surface. Wait a few minutes for the paint to dry! Peel off the tape, slowly, and VOILA!

I've received a number of comments on these. I like the colors, I think the grey-green and pink-beige complement each other well. Also, I like the theory of this design, it certainly is fun. However, it will be removed before my trip this weekend... I'm leaning towards a classic french manicure! After all, I need to put that new white polish to use :)

it's my birthday and it should be about me, all about me

2011-10-03T16:36:00.000-04:00

You know what I love about fall and the month of October and the number 17?! It's my birthday and it's all about me!! Hence my Twitter handle, LadyXVII, you know XVII=17 in Roman Numerals. Two weeks from today is the big day, and I won't let anybody forget it's coming. I will probably have a countdown, daily (it's 14 to go in case you've forgotten already).

This past weekend I was in New Jersey and I picked up a handful of integral items for my birthday party. Thank you Century 21 for being so cheap and so convenient when I go to NJ. I wish I could find something like you in DC!! For example, I scored hurricane vases for only $3 each. THREE DOLLARS! That's unheard of. I thought I would have to shell out like $15 at Pier 1. The other items included shot glasses (to properly measure signature cocktails, after all, I don't want guests sloshing around!) and tea light candles for a special centerpiece (more to come!).

And for those of you who are interested I'm having a cocktail party to celebrate my quarter-century birthday! It's actually a part 2 from my 20th. In college (I don't know anyone else that would do this, but I did) I had a double-bday party with my friend Morgan, a "Keep It Classy" cocktail party. The dress code was dresses for the ladies, and slacks for the guys. No jeans or t-shirts allowed. It was such a hit! So, I'm now having "Keep It Classy, Part Deux" for the big 2-5. I sort of relaxed the jeans rule - as long a you're dressy enough, I'm fine with it. Come on guys, you get it - jeans, dress shirt, blazer. Thank you very much.

I'm planning to put out a bunch of tasting items to nosh on during the party. I'm most looking forward to making Caramel Apple Bites. A favorite snack of mine, during the Fall, is apple with caramel and peanuts. This is a cocktail version of said snack. I was inspired via Pinterest, with the picture show below - however when I saw the recipe I did not have any interest in creating what they had prepared. Instead I plan to cut apples into bite size pieces, stick them with a toothpick, submerge in melted caramel, dip into chopped peanuts, and rest on wax paper to set. I think it will be a hit, hit, hit!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Caramel-Apple-Bites

autumn is in the air

2011-10-03T16:21:00.000-04:00

High of 52 degrees today?! Brrr. But a great reason to break out my new Michael Simon sweater coat (no, not the black/white/gray animal print one -- but that reminds me, tomorrow night is animal print theme at trapeze!). Maybe I should call it a sweater trench instead... it is 3/4 long, hitting above my knee. It's not lined or a coat, it is still a sweater. Oh, this is reminding me of sweater jackets back in the day! Remember those? Yeah, I could never wear them... they looked funny. Guess I'm making up for lost time.

And because I don't want to embarrass my male coworkers (or myself) I decided to covertly snap a picture of my jacket hanging on my chair's back. Because really, what guy wants to take a picture of his female coworker standing in the middle of the office? That just sounds awkward. So, anyway... here's a picture of my sweater trench, isn't it beautiful?!

I just love the demure print and the brown leather trim/piping. I have paired it with a pair of brown Elie Tahari suit pants, a beige silk Theory blouse (buttoned to the neck with a bow-ish /tie detail covering the front buttons), and brown leather Cole Haan boots. Also - you can see my brown scarf on my chair back... this is a mustwear outside, my goodness Mother Nature changed it up so fast my body had no time to adjust!

diy frame mating

2011-09-30T16:53:00.002-04:00

I found such a great DIY project via the Michaels store Twitter account. They led me to Kimberly Crawford's "For the Love of Paper" blog with great step-by-step instructions for how to cover the matting with fabric and stamp around the photo (See Stamped Fabric Photo Mat). The only change I made was doing the paint stamp before adhering the fabric to the matting. Also, I used good old fashion Elmer's school glue.

When shopping for a frame be sure to look for one with a big enough mat to notice your stamp design!

I've made two... One for my grandparents and another for my friend. Here are some photos from the process and the finished product!!

Supplies you'll need.

Stamp your design! I used the paint brush to apply paint on the stamp, rather than dipping.

Mark the edges of your frame.

Cut on diagonals towards the corners.

Haha! This photo is me and my grandparents on my Communion day back in 1995!!

nail polish is the new lipstick

2011-09-29T14:26:00.001-04:00

My polish collection has recently exploded. My fascination with nail art has grown exponentially. And my searching for tutorials has brought me deeper and deeper into the blogsphere. I thought it was just me. Alas, I was wrong. On Morning Joe this morning TIME magazine presented their newest cover and issue. Inside is an article about how nail polish is the new lipstick. They are referring to the "Lipstick Index" a term used to describe increased sales of lipstick during recessions. The theory behind the madness is that women like to make small purchases, of an insignificant cost, to feel better about themselves when the economy is down. Lipstick is something that won't break your wallet... and neither is nail polish!

Listening to Joe and Mika mention the article it was in my head! And now I come across an article on Refinery 29 discussing the cult around nail art! Then I begin thinking about all the fabulous designs I've discovered (and pine to recreate) on pinterest this week.

Nail polish really has become the new lipstick. It's a small purchase that makes a lot of women happy!!

Here are the next two designs in my line up...

This looks so elegant... and I have four types of scrapbooking scissors I can use to cut the scotch tape!

I'm loving the tan, navy, and gold combo. I don't have a gold so I'm now on a mission. Also, I think the half-moon on the cuticle is such a great look. Remember seeing this on the runway a few years ago!

high flying death defying

2011-09-28T10:16:00.000-04:00

It's Wednesday, folks, you know what that means... trapeze class recap! Last night was a tie-dye theme. Everybody showed up in tie-dyed shirts, tights, spandex... you name it, it was dyed. Here's our class photo!

Peace, Mandy!

Shannon (not pictured) and I even sported the same tie-dye spandex from We Love Colors. A little about We Love Colors... they make affordable tights, footless tights, spandex, and then some. They have a great assortment of patterns and colors. Works great for the trapeze artist as well as the fashionista in me! Remember the post (<-- click) I wrote about my outfit I wore as soon as the weather turned cold; boots, tights, pencil skirt & sweater jacket? Those tights were from We Love Colors!

PS - you know what was so great about having Water Marble Nail Art this week?! My nails were tie-dye too :)

And last, but certainly not least... here's a video from catching my back-end straddle whip!! A BIG HUGE thank you to my amazing instructors; Mandy, Will, and Marissa for coaching me through my struggles last night and helping me get this trick "catchable"!!

happy birthday rachel

2011-09-27T11:18:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday, Rachel!! Wish I could have joined all y'all for some tacos last night.

Hope to see you soon - miss you. xoxo

water marble nail art

2011-09-26T23:22:00.001-04:00

I found this out via pinterest (my newest obsession) and knew I would try it at my very first opportunity! After some research I found and watched the YouTube video (here) for a tutorial and guidance. When I put it on facebook I got a lot of feedback... "it doesn't work", "looks cool", "old trick, oil and water"...

As soon as I got back into town on Sunday evening I hoped up at my kitchen island and got to work! Keep in mind as you read through this that being speedy is helpful, but not so quick that you accidentally knock a bottle of polish over! (No, I'm not talking from experience. Yes, I swear.)

This evening I stopped by a fabric store in Falls Church to collect some fabric on another DIY craft I have coming up and the man at the register asked about my nails. After briefly explaining the basics of the process he replied "Wow, you did that yourself? You should work at a nail salon." That just about made my day! He thought they looked professional :)

Now, on to the good stuff!

On top of normal grooming tools, other supplies you'll need!
Glass jar (the smaller the mouth the better... but large enough to fit your finger. A shot glass could work if you have one... I used a small mason jar. I'd suggest using something that you don't plan to ever put food in again.)
Nail polish (one for a base [e.g., white] and two or three colors for the marble.)
Orange stick (or toothpicks to swirl the polish and pick up excess polish on water.)
Scotch tape (to wrap around your finger and keep the polish from going everywhere!)

Step 1: Ready your nails... cut, file, buff, and apply base coat.

Step 2: Apply scotch tape around your nail, this will help keep polish off your entire finger.

Step 3: Paint your nail a base color, something opaque and simple. I used Marshmallow by essie as I felt the white would help the water polishes pop.

Step 4: Fill a small glass jar/cup/container with water. *The water must be room temperature... if it's too hot or cold the nailpolish won't set right.

Step 5: Ready your nailpolishes (shake them), open them and keep them right next to your water jar. (I may or may not have accidentally let a drop or two fall on the counter.)

Step 6: Drop one or two droplets (I did one) onto the water's surface (a select few dropped straight to the bottom) alternating colors. They will spread across the surface of the water. **Depending on the width of your container's mouth, the polish may or may not reach the edges of your cup/container. This is important to note because can cause error or frustration in Step 7.

Step 7: When you have all the colors on the water's surface, take an orange stick or toothpick and drag across the surface to create lines, blends, swirls, etc. Don't get too crazy, simple is good! ***Note, if the polish hasn't reached the edge of the container, start the toothpick within the confines of the polish. If you start the drag of the toothpick outside of the polish (between the polish and edge, as shown by water in the diagram below) you'll pick up all the polish sitting on the surface and it won't work.

Step 8: Bend your finger at the first knuckle to submerge into the water. The polish on the surface, exactly where your finger hits it, will adhere to your nail! Keep your finger submerged.

Step 9: Using the toothpick or an orange stick, swirl around the top of the water to collect the remaining polish floating on the top.

Step 10: When the water's surface is clear, lift up submerged finger. Repeat this for all ten fingers.

Step 11: Remove scotch tape.

Step 12: To remove the excess polish on the sides of your nail and cuticle I suggest using a brush with nail polish remover. 100% acetone works the fastest, but whichever you prefer will do the trick. You can use a Q-tip as well, but I much prefer using a small brush... I found mine in the cosmetics aisle of the supermarket!

And... VOILA! You have beautiful water marble nails. Here are a few of mine. Last night Ross and I were looking at them like clouds, "What do you see?"

how to unplug

2011-09-26T22:22:00.000-04:00

This past weekend Ross and I spent time with his family in the Charlottesville area! It was really great to unwind, without a cell signal, all weekend. We spent Saturday afternoon cider tasting... this was a great alternative to wine tasting and something I highly suggest if the opportunity arises.

We stopped first at the Albemarle Cidery. Their site is a beautiful, large white barn! They were setting up for a wedding, so I couldn't help but sneak a peek. The tasting room is off to the side with a side patio overlooking pastures and a still lake out back. We only saw a few sapling apple trees on the lot - but the plot is huge. See what I saw in the next three photographs, below.

Three of the four ciders at Albemarle were sparkling and quite tart as they were made with Pippin apples. The last was flat but lacked some flavor.

Such a beautiful patio to enjoy a bottle of cider together!

Next we were off to Albemarle Ciderworks. These were tasty ciders with quite a bit of flavor! Our favorite was the "Ragged Mountain" - their most traditional of flavors. Not as sweet as the commonly found Woodchuck, but you can really taste the apples in here.

All in all, glad we did cider tasting! And hope to do it again soon but maybe we'll hit up a brewery first!

community family life services

2011-09-23T17:05:00.003-04:00

My Junior League (of Washington) placement this year is with a great program called Community Family Life Services (CFLS). You can read all about their mission at their website, here, but I'll provide you with a brief synopsis! They help low income and homeless families, usually single parents, by providing transitional housing, life coaching, and a positive environment for the family.

The Junior League's involvement with CFLS started as a book club for the mom's... it has transitioned to so much more! The group of volunteers come once or twice a month to provide the mom's and kids with dinner, then we divide the moms and kids for separate activities. We hang out with the families for 90 minutes during each visit.

Last night the children decorated cookies for their moms! And I joined the conversation with the mother's... we played two truths and a lie. Mine was:

I am a twin.
I blog.
I do flying trapeze.

Can you guess which one is the lie?! :)

After introductions we read a page of quotes on happiness and talked about what makes everybody happy. I found out that one of the moms is a blogger too! So, I am going to have to get her site and post it here to share with you all. Another mom said that horseback riding makes her happy! Not sure if I've written about my horseback riding adventures here but I used to ride for the Penn State Equestrian Team (just one year) and rode as a kid for a couple of years. I'm a novice by most means, but I did get a ribbon during my one show with Penn State!

I had a great time during my first night at CFLS and look forward to going back in two weeks!!

make his, yours

2011-09-23T15:54:00.000-04:00

This morning as I got ready for work I threw on some staples; black pants, white dress shirt, and some jewelry. While putting on my make-up and pulling my wet hair up into a messy bun I looked in the mirror and noticed that I hadn't put on a belt. Since all my jewelry was gold I couldn't wear my small black belt because it has a silver buckle (there are times where I am willing to mix my hardware and there are times where I am not!). As I noticed this void in my outfit I expressed "I wish I had a skinny black belt with a gold buckle" at which point Ross, who I had no idea was listening, responded "you can wear mine." I thought this was so sweet, and it actually reminded me of the time I wore his cufflinks to work!

Almost one year ago I packed a french cuff shirt during a sleepover at Ross'. When I got dressed in the morning I noticed that I failed to pack the cufflinks to my shirt (you know, the Brooks Brother's standard white knots!) to which Ross replied, "Here, you can wear mine." At first I hesitated because his cufflinks are monogrammed, but who would really notice? Besides, my other alternative was folding up my french cuff sleeves pre-9AM and that didn't sound very enticing. So in went the cufflinks! At work that afternoon my coworker Cindy exclaimed, "Are those Ross' cufflinks?" The girls got a good laugh and thought it was very considerate of Ross to offer them for my use. When I saw Ross later that evening and shared this story along with "I've always wanted a pair of monogrammed cufflinks" he really listened because a few months later, on December 24th I opened a box which contained a beautiful pair of silver ovals engraved with CAV.

When Ross first offered his belt to share I responded, "No, thank you." I continued getting ready... pittering here... pattering there... and not ten minutes went by before I had Ross' monogrammed belt with the gold buckle on! Ross noticed a few minutes later... and my coworkers noticed a few hours later... but you know what? I don't care! I'm happy to wear Ross' brand (whether it be belt or cufflinks!) and proud to call him my boyfriend :)

rss feed

2011-09-22T16:58:00.000-04:00

Thanks for all the love and support, readers! It's so exciting to see my pageviews go up each day (don't worry I disabled my computer from counting!).

If you are nervous about reading my blog in a place you shouldn't be... perhaps between the hours of 9 and 5 I've got some options for you!

1. Subscribe to my blog through Google Reader. You can simply type in my web address http://www.patentleathershoes.blogspot.com and Google Reader will notify you when there's a new post.

2. Here is a link to a more bland, I mean plain, feed of my posts (RSS): http://patentleathershoes.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

3. I may create a black and white version for more friendly day reading.

Thanks again for following! Please leave comments... I will read and respond :)

tis the season

2011-09-22T16:03:00.000-04:00

I know it's typical for summer's to be slow and for things to pick up after Labor Day but this is almost out of control!! Okay, so I know I have a problem saying no which is likely why my plate is overflowing at the moment but I was a born multitasker, people, I can handle this! Based on the trailers I've seen I feel like my rant on life is going to sound a lot like that movie trailer with Sarah Jessica Parker and Greg Kinnear - "I Don't Know How She Does It."

The next three weekends I'll be out of town, followed by a four day trip to Texas for work training, then a bachelor/ette party, followed by a weekend celebrating my birthday (yay!), another weekend out of town, then two out of town weddings back to back in the beginning of November (which Ross and I are both participating in!)... then comes my trapeze show... Thanksgiving... and possibly a trip to France for a social media conference. That's just my weekends! (Except for Texas.) During the week I've also got 2 hour trapeze class on Tuesdays, Junior League volunteering every other Thursday night for two hours, as well as night-time work events and other Junior League signups. OHMIGOD I am not going to rest until Christmas.

Shoot - rereading that paragraph reminds me that I have to go to Michaels and buy the supplies for a DIY craft that will serve as a number of gifts in the coming weeks (anniversary, birthday, maybe plan ahead for Christmas)!! I'm making "Stamped Fabric Photo Mats" (via For the Love of Paper - Designs by Kimberly Crawford) to go back in the frames and accompany personal pictures.

Oh, did I mention I'm also event planning on the side? Yeah, helping two friends plan their weddings! (Which is really, really fun by the way.)

I'm crazy. And exhausted. But I will get it done.

french seventy-five

2011-09-22T15:08:00.002-04:00

Last night I joined a group of colleagues for a happy hour at the 701 Restaurant in DC. Nice swanky place with fun cocktails! I was really excited to try a new drink (for me!) so I wasn't even tempted to scan the drink menu.

This little baby is what's called a, "French 75". My friend and co-worker, Laurie, introduced me to them. She's a fan because "it's the only way I can drink champagne!" (Something tells me this will be occupying her flute on her wedding day!)

It's a really simple drink that you can order at any bar; a combination of gin, champagne, lemon juice, and a bit of sugar (simple syrup). My drink last night was not too sweet, I could still taste the tartness of the lemon while the sweetness of the champagne left a lasting impression on my palette!

But what's more impressive than the drink is it's background story! Thank you, Bryan for sharing this wonderful history with me!

The combination of ingredients was sweet and delicious, but when

you finish you feel like you just got hit by a French 75. For all you

non-gun-slinging folks out there (a.k.a., ME!) a French 75 is a very

powerful gun also nicknamed a "75 Cocktail".

I didn't have quite this reaction to my glass, but I'll admit... it is a potent little one. Can't wait to have some more, though! This is definitely going to be joining my list of go-to cocktails. So, thanks again, Laurie ;-)

flying high

2011-09-21T11:40:00.001-04:00

Last night was the second week of my IFW at TSNY DC - the class decided to coordinate a sparkle theme which really turned out great. My favorite was our instructor Will who really took it to the next level...

Now on to the flying... as some of you are aware, I started learning my swings the last week of my mini-IFW in August. Last night was my third class doing swings. This is an integral stage of learning trapeze since the momentum from your swings add height and expand your arsenal of tricks! However some of the timing and movements are counter-intuitive so it takes a lot of concentration while at the same time trying not to over-think things. I'm not sure if my instructors added a trick on to the end of my swings because it would take my mind off the "back-forward-straight-hollow-sweep-seven" calls of the swings and give me something else to focus on... or if they really believed that my swings were solid enough to add a trick at the back end. But whatever the reason - I was so beyond excited!!

Here's a helpful guide to the swinging and what adding swings into a trick looks like. Okay, so I admit, I drew this for my own use, but hey - I like to help educate my readers in all things trapeze!

I learned the back-end straddle whip, which means I get to step on top of the lines before my take-off. My instructor dubbed it the "rope diaper" which I will now forever refer to it as! When you jump off the platform the first swing is backwards (which is very counterintuitive since you're moving forward!) - but after some helpful guidance I was able to get that down. So your first time out you go backward ("sweep"), forward ("hollow"), straight (I focus on pulling my toes down to the ground to help stretch me out!).

On the back it's forward (going against the grain again, which is why learning your swings is such hard work!), backward, trick!! So as soon as you get back near the platform you take off from you very quickly set-up in trick position. Since this was my first night adding a back-end trick, I was a little sloppy and my legs bent going into the straddle. You hold your trick position for the third swing out and whip open to catch the catcher!! I did not attempt to catch this trick, however I was told that I can next week.... CAN'T WAIT!!

Thanks, Tracey for capturing the video of my trick last night!!

Here's a photo of my class and fabulous instructors from sparkle night!!

If you ever have any questions in trapeze or interest in getting involved... there are a number of schools in a lot of cities, please don't hesitate to reach out! TSNY, where I fly in DC, has school in 5 cities... click here for some more information and stay tuned for next week's tie-dye theme along with a (hopefully) catch on my back-end straddle whip!

for the love of social media

2011-09-20T10:37:00.000-04:00

I've officially submitted a claim for my blog on Technorati!! This is really exciting, I feel like my social media universe keeps growing each moment of every day. It's quite exhilarating and thankfully, I am able to keep up with it... for now.

Some of my accounts are connected, while others are not, but I am equally friendly on all of theme, so please don't hesitate to reach out, comment, follow or friend me!

Twitter: LadyXVII
YouTube: Caitlin Viole's Channel <-- lots of flying trapeze videos on here!!
Linkedin: Caitlin Viole
Facebook: Caitlin Viole

I've also dabbled in enterprise based networks such as Yammer, Socialcast, and Chatter. Have you ever used these tools? What are the benefits you get from them?

faster

2011-09-19T12:35:00.000-04:00

During our four hour drive out to Penn State this weekend Ross and I got to enjoy the benefits of our new XM radio subscription! This was such an unexpected feature when we went car shopping. And we are still trying to figure out which stations we like best. For now I am partial to 20 on 20, The Blend, 80s on 8, and 90s on 9. I also am loving the fact that Z100 from New York City has a station since I grew up listening to The Z Morning Zoo!

One song that I heard a handful of times was "Faster" by Matt Nathansosn. It sounded vaguely familiar during the first play and I was surprised that I was casually singing along with a few of the lyrics. Then on it's second play I decided to shazam it and that's when it clicked... I have this song on my spotify playlists because the program recommended the song to me recently. It's really catchy and fun to listen to! The rest of his CD "Modern Love" is also worth a listen.

Check it out here and let me know what you think :)

host with the most

2011-09-19T10:13:00.001-04:00

Saturday was the wedding shower for my dear friend and college roommate, Rebecca and her fiance, Michael. We all went to Penn State together and they're incorporating the blue and white color scheme into their wedding!

To launch the activities of their wedding we had a Jack & Jill shower at Rebecca's parents home! This was hosted by the bridal party (myself and six other lovely ladies; college friends and the bride's sisters) and her parents. The day's events really represented the couple well. We had yummy snacks like cheese and crackers and fruit salad. As well as some beer and vino... and of course some apple cider to welcome in the fall weather!

As I mentioned earlier, the color scheme is blue and white which we incorporated into a number of different aspects such as tableware, favors, and gifts for the couple! For party favors the bridesmaids rounded up two dozen mason jars with the dry ingredients for chocolate chip cookies and chewy brownies!! Each jar was topped with a piece of fabric, either blue or white, and a recipe with the additional wet ingredients, time and temperature was tied to the necks. This was a really great favor that all the bridesmaids were able to partake in.

As a gift from the bridal party, I painted a wooden sign with the married couple's new last name and "established 2011". It came out really great!! The background is painted a navy blue (though it looks a bit lighter in this picture) and the font was an off-white. I also lightly brushed some off-white on the edges and sanded and wiped these parts for a distressed look.

I didn't use a stencil! This was done free-hand while
Hurricane Irene stormed right outside the window :)

For activities we printed out The Good Wife's Guide from Housekeeping Monthly in 1955! Michael read a number of these "expectations" out loud which was really funny for the whole party. If you have not seen or read this article, check it out here! After this we started the newlyweds game... who knows each other better?! The bridesmaids had previously collected the answers to a number of questions. When Rebecca and Michael were asked to guess their partner's response it was really rather comical! Rebecca won with 11 out of 18, but Michael wasn't far behind with 8. The prize options were a bag of baby carrots (because what bride isn't on a wedding diet!) and a bag of M&M's. Rebecca chose the baby carrots and then also got the Penn State koozie!!

We got back into town yesterday and I haven't had a chance to upload my pictures yet... so I'll share more photographs of the party later tonight or tomorrow!!

the creamery!

2011-09-18T14:27:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I took Ross on a quick driving tour of campus! I pointed out my freshman year dorm, lecture halls, the nittany lion statue, the church where Rebecca and Michael will get married in November. Then we parked and made our way to the Creamery!

I've been talking about Penn State ice cream for so long he was real eager to try it. We ordered a bowl of Bittersweet Mint (mint chocolate chip) and WPSU Coffee Break (coffee ice cream with chocolate pieces). We did some damage but didn't come close to finishing either one :)

One of the great things about the Creamery is that they have dry ice and will pack up ice cream for your long drive home!!

weekend fun!

2011-09-16T17:33:00.000-04:00

Boom - it's after 5PM on a Friday and I'm still working, but that's okay!! Because as soon as I'm done I get to pack my bags for Penn State this weekend. I have not been back to my alma mater since Senior year. I did graduate a semester early, but I went back to visit my roommates that Spring... two and a half years ago! I can't believe I haven't been back to Happy Valley since then. Also, I'm really looking forward to sharing my love of nittany lions, creamery ice cream, west halls, and the quads with Ross. Hopefully I can keep him somewhat entertained and pull out those random tidbits of information I could spatter out like a professional tour guide. If not, I'm sure he'll politely follow my hops, skips, and jumps down Pollock Road thinking to himself "I don't care, I didn't go here."

The catalyst for bringing me back to campus is my college roommate's wedding shower!! Tomorrow afternoon we'll all be gathering at her parent's house for a Jack & Jill style shower.

Here's a picture of the bride (top-right), myself (bottom-left), and two other bridesmaids at the Nittany Lion statue after graduation. We were all roommates throughout our time at Penn State... maybe we'll recreate this picture over the weekend?!

Do you go back to visit your college or university often? What do you miss most about your campus and what do you look forward to during a visit?

i have a theme after all

2011-09-16T11:12:00.001-04:00

As some of you may know, Patent Leather Shoes used to have a theme; fashion. My tag line was "trend spotting and trend setting" - I happen to still really love this tag line, but I found that it was no longer applicable as I relaunched my blog.

I stopped posting about two years ago because I felt constrained and forced to write on specific topics. Posting wasn't fun anymore, it was work and took effort. And while I will still post about fashion and trends now, I have more freedom to go outside that box. I'll talk about weekend plans, cooking, crafting, a random thought... anything that I might be doing and interested in sharing! This was much more appealing as I relaunched this past August. Hence my new tag line "...it's all about me!"

Unfortunately (or fortunately), my vision for a theme-less blog has been disrupted. It seems that I have a theme after all. It's one would call a "lifestyle blog" because as my friend Nev put it "well it's about your life and your style and your preferences... right?" Okay, Nev, I suppose your right. I'll through in the towel and admit defeat. I have a themed blog after all.

But this can be a good thing... now when I market my blog and my posts I'll have new hashtags to put into the mix!! So, if you're on twitter follow me at @LadyXVII (the XVII stands for seventeen... the date of my birthday which is next month!) and also keep track of my new hashtag #lifestyleblog!

days fly by

2011-09-14T16:04:00.002-04:00

Ay yay yay! Have you ever had a day where you look at the clock and are just shocked at how much time has passed by? Recently I have been so busy at work it seems this is the case more often than not.

It's a busy week for me - lots of meetings with lots of important people. Though tomorrow will be the "creme de la creme" with our CEO coming into town for a quarterly assembly! I have been busy busy getting all the details in order and logistics straightened out. Now the team is ready to roll.

However, if I have to wake up at 6:45 again to work on powerpoint slides while sitting on my couch forcing my eyes to stay open I will not be a happy camper!!

On a happier note - Ross and I got our first car together last night!! We leased a Hyundai Elantra and are soooo excited to use it during our trip up to State College, PA this weekend! I am also really looking forward to posting all about the DIY crafts I did for the wedding shower we're going to. Being a bridesmaid is so much fun and I did not want to spoil the surprises for the gifts and favors to the bride, so I have been very hush hush about the shower planning on her. I promise to include an elaborate post with a party recap when we get back into town on Sunday.

Also... last night was my first class in my Intensive Flying Workshop (IFW) for the fall! It's so nice to back on the trapeze after two weeks off, even if my palms are burning and tender from swinging for two hours. Next week the whole class will be in glitters and sparkles, so I'll be sure to include some videos and photos of all!

More pictures/posts of cars and crafts as soon as my life resumes a normal pace :)

essie colors for fall

2011-09-13T16:06:00.000-04:00

Correction, my lovely blog readers (and I do mean lovely - after all, I had 165 page views yesterday!! Thanks for the love, y'all!) - my essie nail polish color is called "Carry On" not "Catch Up". It's a new color in their Fall 2011 line - I feel so trendy having it on without knowing it was from their new line (thanks for the gift, Mom!).

Thank you, Krista, for sharing your love of essie nail polish with me because you helped me correct my previous post. You have also given me an itch to stop at Bed Bath & Beyond on my way home from work to pick up "Power Clutch" - that is one fab dark gray polish that I can't wait to get my fingers and toes on this fall.

What's your favorite color?

Shop Now Here!!

Also - apologies for a quiet blog today... it's been a busy day!

i can wear dark polish... yay fall!

2011-09-12T16:13:00.001-04:00

Let me preface this blog with, I know it is not technically fall, yet. However, it's no longer summer vacation and it's post-Labor day so I have decided this gives me free reign to start embracing the fall season early. Deal with it. Additionally, I much prefer living in places with four distinct seasons as this let's you really appreciate the differences in your wardrobe and accessories. Specifically shoes and nailpolish. Have I mentioned my affinity for boots lately?

Last Friday it was time for my self-mani/pedi (if I had the time, I would paint my fingers and toes every other day or to match my daily outfits!). While I do enjoy sitting in a nail salon getting professional services done, just like any other girl, I really like painting my own nails! Ross claims this is due to my "meticulous nature" (code for OCD). He's probably right, but I digress. To get ready for fall (or to pretend it's already here) I went with dark colors... yay fall! I believe that the polish on my nails is called "Catch Up" by essie, it's a very dark purple. You actually can't see the purple tint until the light hits it just right. But it is purple, I promise.

Secondly - now that the rain has stopped my suede shoes have come out to play! *Correction, my suede Manolos! So happy to wear these around the office today :)

Cheers, y'all!

i love wine!

2011-09-12T13:47:00.001-04:00

Lots of vino consumption this weekend... and there's nothing wrong with that!! On Saturday we were finally blessed with a day of sunshine and blue skies after 5 days of clouds and rain. Ross and I were ready to be outside so we headed off to Delaplane, VA to the Barrel Oak Winery. It's about an hour outside of DC on Route 66 - an easy drive and a fabulous winery. (I can't wait to go back!) The winery is very dog friendly - so if you have a pooch feel free to bring him or her along. They have an outdoor and an indoor tasting bar, the dogs can be at either, and the outside patio has tons of picnic tables! It's quite a beautiful view and relaxing atmosphere - be prepared to spend the afternoon here.

They had horseback riding tours of the vineyard, unfortunately
I did not know this beforehand and I was wearing a skirt :(

I had purchased us a Capitol Deal which included; wine tasting for two, a plate with brie & crackers, two wine glasses, and a $20 credit towards a bottle purchase! This was such a fantastic deal and I was really excited to finally be using it.

Also, what a great surprise it was running into our friends Dave and Erin while we were out there! We got to enjoy tasting and talking about the different wines together before we ventured outside to split a bottle and enjoy some cheese and crackers. Erin has a blog too, which I think y'all will love, check it out at I Am Quirky. She also talked about our wine adventures this weekend :)

My set-up with glasses, flowers, & snacks for guests.

Sunday brought forth our "Wine Sunday" tradition. Every couple of months Ross and I will host a Wine Sunday with groups of our friends. This whole shindig entails wine, snacks, music, and friends - what's not to love? Our friend, Ric Nelson, started this tradition long before Ross and I were together and I think he is a God-send for doing so. We love love love hosting Wine Sundays!

Each guest is asked to bring one bottle of wine and one snack. This way when everybody comes there is lots of food and drink to go around for all! Typically non-wine drinkers will come stocked in beer, so there's always something for everybody :)

Our friend and co-worker, Nicholas, really out-did himself and brought an Imperial (equivalent to four bottles of wine!). Needless to say, I cannot wait to open this bad boy. Potentially for the Fall Harvest Dinner Party that I'm planning in my head (think apples, pumpkin, and squash).

Hope everybody had great weekends and a great start to their week.

Happy Monday!

PS - don't forget to comment ;-)

midnight snack

2011-09-12T10:27:00.000-04:00

Funnel Cakes! What a perfect midnight snack :)

If you ever have a hankering for something sweet around midnight, might I suggest making funnel cakes?! I know, I know, it sounds kind of odd to whip up a batch in your kitchen on request and a few minutes later dust powdered sugar on top. But this is exactly what happened on Friday!

Ross and I had friends over and made some popcorn for munching when Sarah exclaims, "This makes me feel like I'm at a carnival. I wish I had funnel cake." Then Nev responds by searching for a recipe (which is only about 5 ingredients!) and I hop over to the kitchen and start measuring.

Ross helped sift together the dry ingredients; flour, baking powder, and salt. Then you add milk and an egg. Simple as that!

While you are prepping have a frying pan heating up with some oil on the stove... I used about a quarter inch of oil across the bottom of the pan. The funnel cake does not have to be completely submerged.

Once the batter was ready we used a 1/2 c. measuring cup to pour some batter into our funnel. We have a red silicon collapsible funnel that reminds me of the hats worn in the Whip It music video. Seriously! The funnel sort of blends into my sweater in the top picture, but if you look closely enough you'll notice.

Plug the bottom of the funnel with your finger when you fill it with batter. Then walk over to your hot oil and let your finger go, move the funnel around the oil making a swirly pattern. I think the picture to the left looks like an octopus!

The funnel cake will take about 4 minutes on the first side, then 2 on the other, and 30 seconds again on the first side. I used two plastic spatulas to flip them.

Remove from oil - plop onto a plate with a paper towel. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and ENJOY!!

This was such a great snack... thank you Ross for your help sifting, Sarah for suggesting to make these, Nev for researching the recipe, and Ali for enjoying!!

the hunger games

2011-09-09T16:52:00.001-04:00

Last September I volunteered at the National Book Festival with the Junior League of Washington. One of the authors joining the signings was Suzanne Collins, most recently known for writing The Hunger Games trilogy. I was clueless as to what this meant a year ago as I watched teenagers and their parents alike line up in eager anticipation.

A year later after I caught wind of friends and peers reading this series I was intrigued. A friend is now on book 3 and suggested I borrow the first two because she expected I would like it. Morgan - you were right!! I am utterly addicted to these books. Actually sitting here to write about them makes me twitch with excitement and look forward to that moment I can open the book again. Just this afternoon I was thankful for a 9-floor elevator ride so I could squeeze in a few sentences.

I won't provide a synopsis of the story here as you can easily find one online. I would like to say, though, this is one of the most illustrative books I have ever read. I would consider myself a "visual reader" as I can picture everything happen in motion picture while I read books (typically fiction). However, with The Hunger Games it's like I'm not even reading the words. I can vividly see two star-crossed teenage lovers in front of me acting this out.

So, yes... this has a tone similar to Twilight, in that sense. But I promise, if you're looking for a guilty pleasure read, or your new page turner, then The Hunger Games trilogy should be next on your list! You won't be disappointed.

my first dinner party!

2011-09-08T15:17:00.002-04:00

I now feel like a real adult, I've officially hosted my first dinner party! We had two other couples come over.... Adriel & Katie, and Patrick & Anne. Ross was such a HUGE help - he left the office before I did and picked up the last few items at the store including flowers, lemons, gin & tonic. (All very crucial to the success of the evening!)

As I left the office I gave my mom a ring to check-in and remind her how excited I was (not that she needed a reminder, I was gabbing about the dinner party all weekend in NJ). It's just after 5PM and she asked what I was making (apple, fennel, and celery slaw; cacio & pepe; and engagement chicken), asked me where I was (Virginia), what time my guests were arriving (6:30), and how the heck I would get it all done in time?! This is why preparation is KEY! Get as much as possible done the night prior, ladies.

So as I walk in my door at 5:35 I see that Ross had cleaned and set the table (such a sweetheart!). I quickly jumped into jeans and a Trina Turk blouse (which I got at the Nordstrom anniversary sale and just love) and got chopping! Actually - the first thing I did was check how much time my chicken needed to cook... almost 2 hours! Yikes, better get that puppy in the oven. By 6 I had my "engagement chicken" in the oven, giblets removed, washed and patted dry, coated with lemon juice and s&p, then stuffed with two stabbed lemons (for the juice to leak out), fresh herbs, and four cloves of garlic. Cook it breast side down for 15 minutes, and then flip and cook for another 90 (or so). This is all at 350. And look how tasty and juicy the bird came out!! It was soooo fantastic. When plating... don't forget to pour the pan's drippings on top.

As the chicken was getting cozy in the oven I got to work on the "celery, fennel, and apple slaw" just as Katie and Adriel arrived! Ross was quick to make us some gin and tonics and pour the beers. Pandora was playing on our TV, and the night was off to a good start!!

The celery, fennel, and apple slaw was so delicious! It was really refreshing and quite tangy. I am not a fan of licorice flavors, though I do like fennel and it really spread throughout the dish. It was so tasty, here's a link to the recipe... I highly suggest trying this before the cold weather comes in because I see this as a warm weather dish.

Patrick and Anne arrived while I was still making my slaw and brought with them spinach & artichoke dip, homemade, by Patrick!! It was really delicious with just enough lemon to notice and later complement the chicken! We had a whole grain rosemary round loaf cut up to dip in it, along with some whole wheat crackers. Additionally, we served up some homemade popcorn! Ross and I don't like microwaved popcorn, so we always make it on the stove. (It's really simple... 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/3 cup of kernels, top with salt & pepper!)

People were munching and drinking, the chicken was roasting, and all was good!!

Lastly was the cacio e pepe. I stumbled upon this recipe while browsing my epicurious app. Immediately I knew it would have to be part of our night's menu. I have not had cacio e pepe since I was in Italy!! It's really easy to make, as there are only five ingredients!! Spaghetti, butter, pepper, parmesan cheese, and pecorino romano cheese. Here's a link to the recipe, though note it's only for six ounces of pasta. I multiplied everything by 2 2/3 to make a whole pound for all six of us.

Everybody enjoyed sitting down to such a delicious meal with great company. I'll cheers to that!!

And then came clean-up... those boys did such a good job ;-)

*All of these recipes are courtesy of epicurious.com

turkey sandwiches and other random thoughts

2011-09-07T10:10:00.002-04:00

So I have a thing with sandwiches. They must be made in a particular way. I'm not quite sure how or when this particularness formed, but over this years it has certainly become more defined. Last night as I was making my (and Ross') lunch for today it dawned on me as I asked Ross, "how do you like your turkey laid on your sandwich?" His look of confusion illustrated a thought passing through his mind... "is that a serious question?"

But yes, if I have the option and I have my way I like my sandwiches made in a particular fashion. As follows...

Mustard (or mayo, but usually mustard) smeared on the top half (Ross likes mayo smeared on both sides)
Turkey placed on the bottom half - it is very important NOT to simply lay it flat and fold the turkey, I don't like flat turkey on my sandwiches. Can you picture the Boars Head ads? (Which by the way, Board Head Oven Gold Roast Turkey is the only turkey to buy. No questions about that.) I prefer to have my turkey sort of dropped and draped onto the bread, just like in the ads.
Cheese goes on top of the turkey. Folded or placed so that not much hangs off the sides. (It's cheese, people, you can break it and fold it there's no reason for it to stick out an inch!)
If there are additional toppings; lettuce, onions, olives, pickles, etc. They get put on top of the cheese.

So there you have it: bread, meat, cheese, condiment, bread. Sometimes (yes, I know this makes me a brat) if my Mom makes me a sandwich and it's not in that order I'll take it apart and reconstruct it. Or turn the sandwich upside down if the mustard is on the bottom. However, I do recognize this is fairly rude so I don't take this action unless it's Mom's sandwich... afterall, she has to love me unconditionally ;-)

And to end my rant... here's a picture of my parent's dog, Lucky. He's eating a frosty paws shortly after getting some of our New York strip steaks on Sunday. He's spoiled and oh so loved!!

What a cutie!! :)

like mother like daughter

2011-09-06T14:40:00.002-04:00

One great thing about going home (to New Jersey) for the weekend is collecting A LOT of new goodies for my closet. My mom and I have worn the same size everything for the past six or seven years. We also have very, very similar styles. Combine that with the fact that my mom is an "expert shopper" (according to my boyfriend) and a girl's closet is bound to become fabulous in no time flat.

Thank's to Mom's "in" on the New York fashion scene - I was able to score a handful of Michael Simon tops on the cheap!! (Two for $35! ...I got more than two!) I now have some great sweater coats, crocheted tops, and a velvet tunic with gem details that I'm really excited to unveil at my birthday celebrations next month. These tops are certain to make debuts at work this week if the weather cooperates.

My first and favorite of these tops is a black/gray zip jacket in a leopard print. (Search Michael Simon on the Neiman Marcus website and you'll get a great taste at his style!) The high in DC today isn't going to reach over 70 degrees - a wonderful sign that fall is just a few short weeks ago. So, given the opportunity I hiked on a pair of cut-out tights (from www.welovecolors.com), a new theory skirt (black, high-wasted), a white Elie Tahari blouse with sleeves that have the option to roll up (there's a button and strap to keep them up!), and a Michael Simon sweater jacket in black and gray leopard print. This jacket is just beyond fabulous... it has a mock collar, and a thick zipper 2/3 up the front. Combined with great black trim - it is the definition of a statement piece. To top it all off, I put on one of my knee-high black leather boots (Cole Haan - got these for a GREAT deal on www.smartbargains.com my senior year in college - actually, now that I think about it this site used to sell clothing from Loehmann's, the tags were on and you could return in store, but I have not purchased anything from them recently. I must go searching, can't believe I've forgotten about them! But, I digress.)

I'll post a picture of my ensemble later this evening... once I've left the office. And I'll be sure to share more about the other pieces I scored this past weekend... especially my one token item. I'll give you some hints... it was waiting in a soft brown satchel, it has leather, and some gold hardware. All in all, thanks Mom! :)

Here is my outfit from yesterday, standing by my kitchen table after a long day of work.
The instragram makes my hand look a little mutated, but I think the colors pop!

Beautiful manolos - thanks, Mom :)
Can't wait to wear these as soon as the rain stops.

A pair of theory pants. Not too sure how I feel about these.
They're a little big in the hips, thus they are "genie"-ish.
But paired with a tight tank and heels... it could work!

i heart jersey

2011-09-02T11:07:00.000-04:00

For Labor Day weekend Ross and I are spending time with family in New Jersey. We had originally planned to spend the long weekend at his family's beach house along the Long Island Sound, but the aftermath of Hurricane Irene quickly took that option off the table.

This morning we went out to have Jersey bagels for breakfast! I was so engrossed in my food that I completely forgot to take a picture of my "taylor ham, egg, and cheese on a poppy bagel with salt, pepper, ketchup." It's pretty much the go-to breakfast sandwich in New Jersey. I love Jersey bagels, or NYC bagels, no other place can match them. I can't believe it is technique that makes them different, because if that were the case Jersey families long ago would have relocated and made a FORTUNE with our recipe. No, it's not the technique, I am convinced it's the water. Seriously-google it, it's the water.

Following breakfast we walked around downtown - the weather today is so BEAUTIFUL. And then we stumbled upon the flagship Century 21**. I completely forgot it was located in Morristown. I've been to the Manhattan site and the new store in Paramus, but I have never visited the flagship. So upon spotting this infamous fashion landmark I nearly ran up to the front doors... just to find out they were closed! :( Their power has not been fully restored from the hurricane. (Gosh - the effects of Irene are seriously affecting my weekend plans!)

But, fear not. Because now that we're ready for the day we're off to the Short Hills mall to go shopping for Louboutins!!! I love that New Jersey doesn't tax clothes and shoes. And with a purchase this big, that tax break really makes a difference.

(Oh dear, my BlackBerry camera's got nothing on my iPhone.)

**For those of you not from the NJ/NYC area and thus unfamiliar with "Century 21" I am referring to the department store, not the real estate company. Century 21 is like an enormous Loehmann's. They are a discount department store - they have designer and brand name clothes, shoes, accessories, and more all at fabulous prices. It's a go to stop anytime I am in New Jersey (after all, a girl can never have too many pairs of hanky panky's or tights!).

interesting & unique

2011-09-01T10:34:00.000-04:00

In October I'll be attending a week-long training for work. In preparation of these sessions I received an email asking for a photo, my hometown, and two unique or interesting facts about me. Quickly I added trapeze to that list, but then I had a hard time coming up with a second.

In my mind I began listing out the things I like to do: blog, tweet, paint, cook, craft, bake... but none of these are really unique OR interesting.

To my colleagues I went!

In a matter of moments, seconds, no it was more like nano-seconds they reminded me that I hiccup every time I eat. I kid you not - since I was in high school - after every meal, without fail, I'll hiccup a handful of times. Thankfully these aren't long bouts of diaphragm spasms... it's usually less than three in total. And sometimes it makes for an interesting conversation bender. Especially if there's alcohol involved, because my company usually puts blame on that. At dinner... "Caitlin, did you have too much wine?" "Nope, it was my entree, I promise." Usually followed by some rounds of laughter and interesting banter for a bit.

I've had people try to recommend remedies, but none work. Controlling my breathing is the only hope for control I have over them, and sometimes that doesn't work (but that's typically during a 5 minute spasming, not just two). But, it's who I am and who I will be and that's okay. Thankfully I have never hiccuped during an interview - I think that would be the most awkward of places to experience my little habit.

In closing, it's comforting that my coworkers are so nice... each afternoon, post-hiccup I hear soft chuckles of love. Thanks guys ;)

much better

2011-09-01T09:30:00.000-04:00

Finally had some time to repaint my fingers and toes last night. Now I've got one color on my fingers (Marshmallow by essie) and one on my toes (Capri by essie). Thank God for Seche Vite top coat or I would not have gone to bed as quickly as I did (that stuff dries sooooo quickly, I love it!)

Oh, I'll also add that I'm wearing one of my favorite shoes at work today. They are 4 inch heels by Rupert Sanderson. Black and python-gray leather. Uber cute.

tuesday night dinner

2011-08-31T10:49:00.001-04:00

Tuesday was the only night this week when Ross and I didn't have plans after work, so we planned to have a nice dinner together at home. I started off the night with spicy hummus (from CAVA) topped with a little extra virgin olive oil, diced grape tomatoes, scallions, and a dash of parmesan cheese. This is a great, healthy snack that's good for dipping grape tomatoes, baby carrots, and strips of bell peppers. Here's a photo of how it was served:

Along with the hummus, I put together a cheese platter. We love buying small pieces of cheese from the Whole Foods residual bin. If you don't know about this, Whole Foods wraps up the small pieces of cheese that are left over after chopping up a block and puts them in a bin in the refrigerated section close to the cheese counter. It's a great way to try new cheeses without committing to an entire block or spending $12.

We received, as a housewarming gift from my favorite cousin - shout-out to you, Krissy ;-) - a slate cheeseboard with two pieces of soapstone chalk. This is a FABULOUS gift idea for any wine & cheese lover... because it allows you to plate the cheese and write down what you are serving. I find this helpful as both a host (because I won't be asked a thousand times what cheeses these are) and as a guest (because I can easily remember a cheese I like/dislike). Here's a photo of the cheese plate I put together for our little appy party... we had "Vampire Slayer" (a cow's milk cheese with lots of garlic and some herbs) as well as a pepper cheese (I can't remember if this was cow or goat milk, however black pepper was throughout as well as coating the outside). The Bellavitano was so delicious and creamy - a quick favorite and definite repurchase for us.

For our entree, I baked halibut pieces with the skin on (though, feel free to have the store skin them). You simply rinse them off, pat 'em dry, and lay them in a greased Pyrex dish (I use PAM). Sprinkle the pieces with salt and pepper, then top them with some butter (you can melt it and brush it on, but I just cut up some pieces and plopped them on top to melt in the oven). When you're ready (aka- the sauce is done) put the Pyrex in the oven at 375 for about 15 minutes... check to make sure the inside of the fish is white when you take it out.

For the sauce... you'll need onion, garlic, butter, extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper, white wine, 28 oz. can San Marzano whole tomatoes (these are worth the price, I promise!), capers, and some spices of your choosing.

Circle a saute pan with olive oil twice around and heat on med-low. Add a tab of butter when the pan is hot.
Chop up some onion (I cut three rings from my Vidalia onion and chopped up that) and toss it in the pan to start cooking.
As the onion softens, roughly chop some garlic (I like big pieces) and add it to the pan when the onions have become translucent.
Sprinkle in salt and pepper, and mix this around so it all cooks evenly.
As the garlic begins to turn golden-brown add some white wine to the pan and allow the alcohol to evaporate.
Next, pour in the entire 28 oz. can of San Marzano whole tomatoes. Don't worry [yet] about breaking up the tomatoes, as they cook they will soften and naturally break up - or it can be easily done with a fork.
Add in about a tablespoon of drained capers.
At this point, I put in a bay leaf and some dried oregano. I let this cook and simmer for a while on med-low heat (a 3 on a 10-point knob).
Periodically mix the ingredients to ensure it's not sticking to the bottom of the pan, and press down on the tomatoes with a fork to help break them up.

When the halibut and sauce done - top each piece of fish with a plentiful serving of the sauce (mine became very thick as the liquid evaporated while is simmered). I served this with a side spinach salad. Delish!!

Must give credit, where credit is due... thank you, Mommy for this delicious recipe! You are the inspiration behind all of my cooking :)

my flying adventures

2011-08-30T10:36:00.000-04:00

Last night was the last class in my mini IFW (intensive flying workshop) at TSNY DC. Every Monday night in August I would meet up with fellow classmates and fly for two hours. Flying is such a great hobby that is really exhilarating and addictive. (Their tagline "forget fear... worry about the addiction" rings very true!)

My first time on a trapeze was on a trip to Club Med when I was about seven or eight years old. I had a lot of fun because it was like a swinging jungle gym to me :) Last fall I decided to give it a try again. The rig is located really close to the Department of Transportation in Washington, DC (where I used to work). While outside for lunch, I would always pause to watch the students flying and yearn to join them (seriously, I'm not being dramatic... I constantly talked about wanting to go!). Finally I signed up and joined a Saturday afternoon class outside - I was INSTANTLY addicted. After two classes last fall and one in the spring I decided to become more dedicated and really have a go at it. Thus, my enrollment in the mini-IFW this August.

When I started the mini-IFW I had just caught my heels-off trick (the second trick you learn). Quickly I learned (and caught!) the set straddle whip, set split, and the pullover shoot (not so quickly). You can watch a lot of these tricks on my videos on YouTube. One of my goals for the mini IFW was the one-handed take-off which I also tackled. To finish off the workshop, I started my "swings". Swings involve using your body weight to build momentum so you can do bigger/better tricks with more height! A lot of the movement is counter-intuitive so it takes a while to get the timing down. I did not tape my swings, but when I start my 10-week IFW next month I'll be sure to share, because hopefully I'll be pairing my swings with tricks in no time.

This video was from class last night... I wanted to do a catchable trick at the end so I tried my set straddle whip again. And as I say in the video, I was "dancing" on the net because I turned the wrong way and twisted my lines up. But then I got to learn how to take off my lines, which is something I've been looking forward to doing (because it's forward progress!).

the coveted red-sole

2011-08-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

I love Christian Louboutins. I have been swooning over them for years. And I desperately want to add a pair to my collection of fancy shoes. So, I promised myself that if I worked hard enough and got a promotion this year I'd make the splurge. Well, that happened - I got promoted last week and now I'm on the prowl for the pair of my dreams!!

Yesterday I made my first shopping trip to Neiman's, although without much success. I tried on the Simple Pump (shown below) in a 40 and a 41... unfortunately I need the 40.5. Also - it was black leather, which did not quite impress me. I want to be WOWED by these shoes... and not have them look like another pair of black pumps. So I've decided leather is out - just patent (or if I go really crazy I'll try on those glittery suckers ;-)

Next, I tried on the navy patent Proratas. These I loved, but unfortunately my heel was popping out of the back. Kind of a kill joy to shop for the most fabulous pair of shoes and come home empty handed. But I won't be deterred, my shoes are out there, somewhere, waiting for me. And I can't wait to put them on and strut my stuff!