Something Pretty

It's been a weekend of farewells and hugs, flowers and love.  We're excited and exhausted and can't believe we leave in only two days!  There is still much to do and many people to squeeze.  I hope I can fit in all in over the next two days!  So off I go to my next adventure (a birthday dinner for a wonderful friend) but in the meantime I will leave you to stare at these stunning flowers my friend brought to a party (a going away party... sad) yesterday.  They make my heart sing! 

xox

Pasta Party

Last Saturday, our dear friends Skye and Scott invited us to a Pasta Party to recreate the otherworldly delights that we learned how to prepare last September on a trip we took to Italy together.  It was so special to again gather with our amazing friends, reminisce about the trip, and relive the flavors of freshly prepared pasta and Cupano Brunello.  It was a wonderful evening and a great way to say hello and, sadly, goodbye to our friends who we love so much.  I can't thank Skye and Scott enough for hosting and I can't communicate how much I want to bear hug everyone who came!

xox

@ Toki Underground

It's been a chilly and grey day in New England and I just can't seem to get warm.  I spent the majority of my afternoon in an empty ballroom at the Taj taking photos for a project I'm working on, and all day long my mind has been returning to a magical little ramen restaurant called Toki Underground.  Brent took David and I to this itty-bitty little place over the weekend and you guys, it was so good!  Oh what I would do for a steaming cup of hot ramen and a Toki Monster right now!  And yes, that badass little cocktail up top, that is the Toki Monster, and yes, it has a porkbelly garnish.  In case you're curious (of course you're curious!) it's made with Bulleit Bourbon, pepper honey liqueur, and a misting of scotch.  As you can imagine, they go down real real nice. 

If you're in the D.C. area, I highly recommend a trip to Toki Underground.  I wish I'd taken more photos while I was there because the space itself is super cool, but it really is a tiny place and you kind of have to see it to believe it.  Also, go early!  This place gets super busy which is testament to the fact that it truly is super delicious.

If you're a bartender, please start serving more porkbelly drinks.  And maybe some with fried chicken livers or something, too?  I mean it, meat garnishes are the way to the future... think about it!  Please?

I Get Excited About the Darnedest Things

You guys, I got new socks!  This makes me very excited because I love socks.  I mean, honestly, is there anything better than a bright and beautiful pair of socks to put an extra bounce in your step?

Last week, I was snooping on Jeana Sohn and my heart flip-flopped for joy when she posted about her friend's sock company, Hansel from Basel.  Purchasing new socks has been on my to-do list since autumn but I was having trouble finding a company that makes high quality socks but also maintains that charm and unique perspective that makes special socks really special.  I wanted to find a designer that loves socks with a wide variety of colors and styles.  Hansel from Basel is just what I was looking for.  I love that they're based in L.A. and employ creative marketing tactics, like a sock of the month club, to connect with customers and reinforce loyalty.

When packing yesterday I took my bin of socks and threw almost all of them away and it felt so good!  I then replaced them with my lovely new socks, void of holes or yucky threadbare patches.  I am very very excited to wear my new socks and show them off- especially those polka-dot beauties! 

Have a great weekend, dear reader!  I'm going to DC to visit my bff Brent and will be back on Tuesday.  See you then!

Cards & Bars

It's been a long day of sorting through things, wondering why I still have them, throwing most of them away, and packing what little remains into boxes.  It's amazing how much stuff we accumulate in our lives, and how much of it is left unused and unloved.  It's also amazing how much totally useless stuff we hold onto- buttons, ripped hosiery, dried-up pens and cocktail napkins full of notes that long ago lost their meaning.  I'm doing my best to put aside my nostalgia and throw as much stuff as possible away, and so far I think I'm doing a mighty fine job. 

Moving forward, I'm dedicated to the idea of buying from artisans.  Whether it be a table or a t-shirt, I want to focus on buying goods that are made with love by someone who is passionate about their craft.  I also want to focus on buying local, which is something I try to always do already.  I like supporting local boutiques, restaurants, vendors at farmers markets, and artisans.  I'm passionate about helping unique small businesses succeed, and part of that is by using my purchasing power to make sure they do just that- succeed.  

After a long day of packing, my back is aching (I'm pathetic) and I'd like to settle into a comfortable pub for a couple rounds of drinks and cards.  In fact, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do.  Cheers! 

Birthday Bundt Cake

Many happy returns to our dear friend Tobi who celebrated his thirty-whatever birthday last night.  And many thanks to Hungry Mother for the carrot bundt cake.  We were all like who eats bundt cake anymore? and then it came out and we were like, ohhhh, we eat bundt cake.  Yum yum yum!