Checking In

{afternoon snack}

Just checking in to say I have nothing to blog about, other than post this delicious cupcake I ate today. Which is my second cupcake this week. Hooray for Valentine's Day treats hitting the bakeries. When is this bridal diet supposed to begin, again?

Weekend Floral

Bells of Ireland from the farmer's market this weekend. And the first time using my frog! Wow, those things are magic. I don't think I will make another floral arrangement without one. It makes lesser stems go a long way because they can stand straight up and you don't have to cut off most of the stems to make them appear fuller.

This weekend was pretty low key, other than the fact that I bought my wedding dress! I almost cried while I was in it and then I felt sick after I bought it because I thought I made the wrong decision. Tell me this is somewhat normal?

Been in the kitchen

Fresh and clean kitchen for 2011. What to make? I wanted to add a few more things to my repertoire this year. We have a bunch we rotate all the time, but it's time to mix it up. I searched through all my January and February issues of Martha Stewart and Sunset magazine from years past to come up with a few.

Lemon chicken on a bed of spinach. Eh. Too lemon-y, but I will totally serve up more meats on spinach beds, which wilt just a tiny bit and its an easy way to get in greens.

Grown up grilled cheese with Brie, Turkey, Apple and Arugula. Home run.

Manicotti stuffed with spinach and ricotta. Great, but not amazing.

Will have to tweak this a bit.

That's all I got for now. Anyone have a great new dinner recipe to share?

Tiny Bubbles

Dear Jon, It's not too early to start thinking about Valentine's Day.

 From the looks of our pantry, we have about 3 or 4 bottles of champagne and this book would come in real handy.

P.S. I know this didn't work last year, but here's hoping.

Scenes from New Years Eve

Talk about bad timing. I haven't been sick all year, but a day before one of the biggest celebrations of the year, it hits me. Above is my "get healthy" arsenal. I took it all before our night out in San Francisco in hopes it would work miracles. It didn't. But I sucked it up and went out anyway.

Doing my best to pretend I don't feel like crap. Same dress as the other night and my new shoes that I took off after this photo because they hurt. At this point I am really contemplating not going out at all.

On BART heading to SF.

We all had dinner reservations at famous Tapas restaurant Cha Cha Cha in the mission.  Maybe it was because of NYE, but I thought it was just OK. And they make the worst bloody mary on earth. 

Now there's a BM. We went to The Phoenix after dinner for drinks and to hunker down until the countdown. And got the best booth in the bar. No standing around a crowded bar all night for us.

We left the city shortly after the countdown to get my sick butt home. But still didn't get in bed until 2am. Ouch, I haven't seen that time in awhile. I am paying for it today, but I had to ring in our 'wedding year' right!

2011, Here we go

via

I may be biased but I think 2011 is going to be the best year yet! I have so much to look forward to that I think I just might burst. Lots of massive fun and celebrations to come. But of course, whats the start of a new year without a few goals? I'm sharing them here, so I feel somewhat accountable.

-make more mindful decisions when it comes to exercise and food. you are going to be in some pictures that you will not get to re-do. make it count.
-find a new job. if that means going back to graduate school, do it.
-talk less and listen more. don't listen while waiting to give your reply, just simply listen.
-have dinner parties
-re-read 'the secret' and start practicing it once again.

That's it for now. It's a revolving door, really. Happy New Year to everyone! I hope whether you're staying home or going out on the town, its smashing.

xo,
Holly

T Rex...RAWR

I always get so excited when blogs I read recommend places to eat in the East Bay. T Rex BBQ has been on my list ever since Ruby Press blogged about it. It has some pretty bad Yelp reviews, but we decided to chance it anyways with some friends last night. California style BBQ and comfort food, here we come!

Located in a slightly industrial part of Berkeley.

I got the Ginger Press cocktail.

Mac and cheese with aged Parmesan. So rich, but so worth every bite. 

Fried chicken with gravy, kale and fries. Some of the best spicy fried chicken, ever!!

We washed it down with some Brussels sprouts..with bacon.

Even if the service sucks, good company is all that really matters 

when going out to dinner anyway. Perfect Monday night dinner .

Our Christmas

This is by far the first Christmas where I have the least amount of pictures. I guess that means I was enjoying myself, eh? Good food, good family, infinity and beyond. (Shout out to lil L)

My mom's stunning mantle. Mercury glass and real pine sprigs make for her classiest mantle yet. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh?

It's all about him. My sweet nephew, Landon.

The ham smoking away on wood chips in the smoker...in the rain!

Polka dots and Cheetah.

Lately

I made my first pomander! Sticking cloves into an orange creates such a distinct seasonal smell. I think you have to make a lot more to make it a natural "room freshener". I just like the way it looks.

Starting to think about plans for a spring garden. After our first full garden this year, I can say we learned a lot. There is nothing like doing something first hand. Excited to pick out flowers, that we hopefully will plant and harvest for our wedding.

And speaking of the wedding, the brown bottle collection is full steam ahead. I still am nowhere near finished, but I am loving collecting these things. I have a new favorite I coo over every time. 

Been indulging in warm heavy food like risotto. Nothing more comforting!

Merry Christmas Eve to all my blog friends.

Weekend Scenes + What I Wore

Dum dum dum!! Last weekend before Christmas. Everything is going well other than the super depressing weather forecast of rain for the next 10 days. Ugh, we don't live in the Pacific Northwest for a reason!

Headed out to SF early Saturday morning to meet with a potential florist for the wedding. Apparently the bouquet I want does not consist of high end florals-woo hoo!

Savory morning bun from an Oakland bakery. Ham + Gruyère + Croissant = I need Tracy Anderson Method DVDs for Christmas.

Helping friends celebrate their newly purchased home. Drinking champagne while laying on (new) carpet with friends =somuchfun.

All dressed and ready for Jon's work Christmas dinner party. Conservative dress plus mint green tights and hot pink lipstick was the recipe for the evening.