Simple Risotto.

Last night, before sitting on the couch for two hours to watch the Season Premiere of Grey's Anatomy, I started thinking about what to make for dinner. I hadn't been to the grocery store in a while so I wasn't exactly sure what was in my fridge. This is what I found:

A Carton of Brown Eggs,

One Tomato, One Package of Mushrooms

A Stalk of Celery, A Bunch of Cilantro, A Bag of Green Beans

A Few Mini Sticks Butter, &

Parmesan Cheese

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Not sure what to do other than sautée some veggies and maybe add some eggs...(?) I opted to check the freezer. After pushing around some frozen pizzas, edamame, and frozen yogurt, I found some chicken! Yumm. Okay, things are looking up, I thought.

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I checked one last place, the pantry. The thing I had the most of was rice, and so many kinds at that. I kept eyeing the Arbrorio rice for Risotto but kept looking away because two years go I made some for the first time and Joseph confessed how much he detested risotto (or maybe just mine). Finally, I thought "I have everthing I need to make a delicious risotto, I know Joseph will love it, and if he doesn't, there will just be more for me!"

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I pulled out a Simple Risotto recipe by Giada DeLaurentis and went to work. I thawed the chicken first and then boiled it in water. Next, I sautéed the mushrooms, and then steamed the green beans. Once all the prep work was done (Joseph grated the parmesan cheese, and chopped up a couple of shallots), I was ready to make the risotto. After constantly adding chicken broth to the rice, it was just about done and I added all of the extra components, took it off the burner, and mixed in the parmesan. It looked perfect and was ready to serve!

I think it turned out beautiful and not to mention delicious. I can't forget to mention that Joseph had more than a few serving!

Green.

On Wednesday night, Joseph, Erica & I went to the opening of this new florist named Green. They used to be in the East Village, but have recently moved to Fourth Avenue, which is right behind us and a couple blocks north.

I met the owner one day when they first opened and he told me he'd send me an email letting me know when he would be having his Grand Opening. A couple of months passed, and I thought maybe it had already happened. But, earlier this week, I got the message and planned my week around it ;)

They had free appetizers, champagne, and wine from the Ivy Hotel. We got there around 6ish and starting getting our drink on. The crowd was kind of funny. I think I saw every type of person possible, so the best part was people watching.

The actual store was open, but also had setup with great little "Garden Party" in their outdoor back patio area, with cute little cube seats, cocktail tables, and even a small tent that housed beautiful & tasty little desserts from Babycakes.

Joseph, Erica, and I sipped on champagne for a while, but then switched to red wine. The appetizers were really creative and delicious. However, I was a little concerned for a while because the appetizers were the same ones that I had already had at the Ivy Hotel for the Ines Di Santo party! (I didn't get sick so I guess they were okay)

Once it got dark, all the glimmering lights could be seen and everything looked really pretty.

I wish I could have remembered to take pictures of the actual store because was super cute but they truly know what they are doing. Cute, creative, and modern stuff. My new florist of choice, although I still really love Che Bella in Little Italy too!

Dress Fitting #1.

Last week Saturday, Erica made an appointment at M Bride to try on a few of the Ines Di Santo dresses that she liked from the party a few days earlier. It didn't take long to pick out the dresses and get them on Erica. She tried on about four but really only liked a couple of them.

The picture doesn't do it justice, but this one was stunning. It was like a Cinderella moment when she came out of the dressing room. However, it wasn't the ONE that had fallen love with.

This is it! Erica felt the "This is the ONE" moment. She is completely in love with this one but feels like she still needs to try a few other places first, which is a great idea. The dress is slightly more than she is wanting to spend, but if nothing else, I am sure she will find a way.

Stay tuned for more... We have another fitting this weekend in Del Mar.

Ines Di Santo.

Last week, Thursday night, Erica and I went to the Ivy Hotel for an exclusive look at Ines Di Santo's wedding gown collection. If you're familiar with Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, or any high-end wedding magazines, you will definitely know who she is. Her gowns are stunning, both in magazines and in person. Erica had an invitation to this event because she has been working with M Bride in La Jolla trying to find the perfect wedding dress (more on that in the next post). She has her eye on a very specific Ines design.

On any given night, any event at the Ivy would be charging at least a $20 cover, but since we were on the Guest List, we got in for free, not to mention an open bar & free food. The party was being thrown by M Bride, with Kathy Wright doing the decor, all in honor of Ines.

As soon as we walked in, there was a photographer who took a picture of us in front of that "Red Carpet" background. I have to admit, I did feel a little glamorous, even though I am sure I turned out terrible in the actual photo. I loved what Kathy Wright did with the hanging cages on the arbor. Very creative.

The cocktail centerpiece were very nice, but nothing I haven't seen before.

Throughout the evening, they had an ongoing fashion show. The models would walk the catwalk and then mingle with all of the guests. It was a perfect way to see them up close and be able to touch the various fabrics.

I can't even remember how many dresses she was showing, but they were all so beautiful.

There is something about weddings in general that attracts me to everything about them.

The rooftop of the Ivy didn't become impressive to me until the city was dark. You could see all the beautiful buildings, lighting, and I couldn't help but feel kind of cool being up there.

The back of this one was one of my favorite. Ines' designs are one of a kind. She has her niche and just by looking at one of her gown's, you can tell definitely tell she designed it.

So, we waited and waited for Ines to show up, since she was scheduled to make an appearance. With everything going on and everyone wanting to meet her, we finally got our chance and all I got was this blurry picture of her. The photographer gave me her card so I am waiting to hear back to see if she got a good shot.

The venue, the food, the drinks, and of course the decor made this event amazing. Not to mention there was a lot of great contacts within the wedding industry present. I am definitely starting to throw myself back into the wedding industry, but this time on my own terms.

Hello's & Goodbye's.

Don't you love that feeling you get when you know people are coming to visit from out-of-town? I love thinking of all the great things we can do, the potential funny moments to have, and the great conversations to share over a nice glass of wine. I love having company over. I love spending time with close friends.

There is one part of the trip that I hate even more than cleaning up and facing reality though...

Good Byes.

Every time I go home and have to leave, I get choked up and emotional or just flat out ball. Anytime someone I love comes and visits and then has to leave, I feel the same way. Don't you? I feel like it's inevitable for me. I dread the day it comes. I even have to prepare myself for it.

Anyways...

Last week, Joseph and I had some great company. Our friends, Sarah, Jessica, & Amanda came to visit. We had so much planned but so little time. I'll give you a brief overview of our time together.

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The first night they got in, we went to this really cool wine bar called Syrah. The bar itself is really cool with the walls covered in "grass" and "tree roots" hanging from the ceiling, as if we were underground.

The theme is Alice in Wonderland. We had a couple of drinks, danced a bit, and then came home to sleep since they had spent all night traveling.



The next morning we went to Little Italy for the Farmer's Market. It was a beautiful day and just walked around and explored. After the market, we went to Coronado.

Everyone except Amanda and I got into the water and went wave surfing. I enjoyed sitting and watching and then eventually reading up on the latest US Weekly :)

We layed out on the beach, swam, and walked over to The Del.

Afterwards, we went back downtown and had a late afternoon snack and drink at The Glass Door (one of my favorite places to go) and enjoyed the sunset from the roof.



I had to work that night, but Joseph brough the girls in for an after-dinner treat :) Yummy. Sarah ordered teh Gianduia Torte. Chocolate cake soaked in Meyer's Rum, with a layer of Hazelnut Buttercream & Boysenberry Preserves, and Chocolate Mousee, all covered in Crushed Pralines. An Extraordinary Desserts must!

Sunday morning, I conviced everyone that we had to have brunch, because Sunday Brunch is a HUGE deal in San Diego. Every restaurant has their own version of Sunday Brunch. We settled on Dish at Universal because the menu looks awesome and they had $1 Mimosas! We got there and they even had a small live band playing. Perfect!

Afterwards, Joseph wanted to take the girl's surfing. Joseph was quite the instructor! Jessica was up first. After about 30 minutes, she was done.

Sarah was up next! She was a little nervous but really pulled through. She ended up going for about an hour!

That night, Joseph took the girl's to his work at Sushi Deli #1.



Who ever said it wasn't safe to go to Tijuana, Mexico is crazy :) But to be safe, we went during daylight. How could you come to San Diego and NOT go to Mexico, right?!



After walking for quite some time through a maze of a town, we must have found the center of the city!


There was this semi-shady place that also looked kind of inviting so we had lunch there! We got (2) Margaritas and (1) Shot of Tequila for $5. What a bargain! We spent most of the afternoon looking at the same junk over and over again. Finally in the late afternoon we got some tacos closer to the border and went home for the night :)


The next morning, Joseph took the girls to L.A. They did a lot of stuff like walking down Hollywood Boulevard and seeing the "Stars".


They even saw the Rachel Zoe Project building. I DIE :) I'm just happy they didn't see Rachel Zoe herself because then I would have seriously been super upset that I couldn't go.


After a long day, they finshed the night in Santa Monica and met up with some friends that they knew.

Wednesday morning, we made our way up to La Jolla (one of my favorite places on the entire planet) Everything is so beautiful up there. I wish I could live there. We had lunch at Cody's, and then walked down to the Cove.

The girl's were in luck, there were plenty of seals sun bathing. Joseph even took them into the caves and they explored for a bit.

Per my request, we made it over to La Valencia Hotel for an afternoon Mojito. The best that I have found thus far. I love sitting up there and enjoying the view of La Jolla. Britney Spears stays here when she is in town, so of course it's fabulous (which explains the $13 Mojitos price tag!)

Later on, they all went kayaking and had a nice bonfire, while I worked :(

The last thing we did was take a walk through Balboa Park. It was the best topping to the end of a great trip. The girls really enjoyed it and after walking through the park, we stopped at The Marketplace and ordered some sandwiches and had a nice little picnic in the park.

Sadly, I then I had to take them to the airport. Yes, I got a bit choked up and started to miss home but had to look back and see all the fun we had :)

First Shot.

I've been getting quite accustomed to riding my Vespa to Fashion Valley for work in the morning, and occasionally even taking it to Extraordinary Desserts too. However, I still have yet to schedule a date to take my driving test so that I can get my full license. I keep putting it off because I am so "busy". I know that I am just scared of not passing it. So, next week once all of the busy-ness has calmed down I plan on:

1.) Scheduling my Motorcycle Driving Test

2.) Schedule my Driving School Class (thanks to my traffic citation)

3) Schedule my Food Handler's Class

Doesn't it seem like I have a full semester?! In the mean time, Joseph took the first shot of me on my red little Vespa :)

Recessionista?

Can you believe this economy and the current job market? Seriously, how am I supposed to buy my next bag or "it" accessory. I feel like I am being tortured every week when I have to go to the mall knowing that I can't (shouldn't) buy anything. I do occasionally break down and buy something on sale... but those purchases don't count if they are less than $25! Right? It's hard trying to be a recessionista, but I've been so good.

Okay, Okay so I broke down and bought a beautiful Cashmere Sweater, but seriously could you resist not paying $40 for something that was originally $120?? Don't answer that question if your name is Joseph...

So for my own satisfaction I am posting some of my own favorite Must Have Fall Accessories as a therapeutic way of making me feel as though I have purchased them and no longer need to think about them. However, if I continue lusting over them through the month, I will have to buy them... Right??

Damier Sarah Wallet by Louis Vuitton

Red Helmet by Vespa

Timex Watch for J.Crew

Bow Ties by Alexander Olch

Tote Bag by Filson

Time.

Doesn't time just fly by?! I can't believe that I haven't posted something in almost a month. Seriously? What have I been up to? Let me think of at least 20 Things You Wouldn't Know...

1.) I've had lunch at Cafe Chloe about three or four times at Cafe Chloe since my last post

2.) Was promoted to a Supervisor at Extraordinary Dessert, which means I now have more hours + more responsibility = No Life

3.) Changed my ring tone from Beyonce's "Single Ladies" to The Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling"... but have a new found obsession with "I'm The Shit" by DJ Class

4.) Literally dropped my Vespa twice... within our apartment complex... Don't Ask (It's still beautiful though)

5.) Made it to the beach maybe twice

6.) Went to Chicago for my sister's wedding

7.) Have fallen in love with Wedding Planning all over again

8.) Finally subscribed to Martha Stewart Weddings, after saying I was going to for over a year

9.) Paid my traffic "Citation" (Yes, in California it will cost you $203 for not stopping fully at a stop sign)

10.) Have been trying to revive my Gardenia bush because it got semi-fried while I was in Chicago

11.) I've reconnected with a friend that I haven't seen or talked to in years!

12.) Watched Julie & Julia, and the New Harry Potter movie and loved both

13.) Have gotten back into the "I DIE" mood with the new season of The Rachel Zoe Project

14.) Have been trying to find someone who will teach me how to do Letter Pressing & Calligraphy in San Diego

15.) Have been trying to be a Recessionista (I didn't buy a thing for myself in Chicago)

16.) Was asked to be in my best friend's wedding next year

17.) Am planning one of my other good friend's weddings' the same month next year

18.) Have been preparing for the visit of a few good friends arrival this week

19.) Watched Chocolat more times than I care to say because I love, love, love it

20.) Have been & will continue feeling inspired by everyday things...