Birthday Recap Pt. 2

Over my birthday weekend, we decided to grab dinner in downtown Los Angeles at Bottega Louie...one of our favorite restaurants!  I know, I know..it's a zoo over the weekend, but it's worth the wait!  We wanted to have a couple drinks during our outing so we rented a towncar to take us into town.  OH so fancy. ;)

Cool cityscape shot from the 110!  Since we had a two hour wait, we got drinks at the bar and of course had a photoshoot!

 I spy Jeff double-fisting..hmm..

Dinner was of course marvelous..

panzanella salad

portobello mushroom fries..mmmm

After dinner we strolled across the street to Seven Grand.  Seven Grand is a whiskey bar adorned with wood paneling, flannel, and all things that represent the back-woods.  They have an extensive whiskey menu, but I decided to not live dangerously and go for the cider.  They do, however, make a mean hot tottie, perfect for a sore throat or when a good nasal cleanse is needed. :)

It was SUPER crowded, but I'm happy we were able to experience one of the most "happening" places in DTLA right now.  I'm just glad that we were able to get out of the house and try out new places! DTLA..I like you..I like you a lot.  Thank you everyone for such a fun birthday weekend! xo

Birthday Recap pt. 1

I felt so much love on my birthday.  Scott surprised me with a beautiful gift, my coworkers brought me breakfast in the morning and took to me out to lunch, and my friend of 16 years was in town to help celebrate! 

Firstly, I told Scott in advance that I did not want a birthday gift and to save his money for the birthday festivities we would be having over the week.  Soo on Thursday I came home to this:

Beautiful flowers, a card, and a cute owl dish to throw our keys/mail/etc in.  I've been recently collecting owls so I've got another thing to add to my collection!  After hugging Scott thank you, he asked if I could grab him a beer from the fridge..when I opened the door I found this!

I should have known...

Love it!

My good friend Laurie and her husband Matt were in town so we made plans to go to Fishbar for dinner.  While we waited for them we popped champagne and had an impromptu photoshoot.

Laurie and Matt arrived after experiencing the glory that is LA traffic, and we were off to Fishbar!  Fishbar never ceases to amaze me, I've posted about it before...everything was delish!  AND we even met the Chef!  Laurie and Matt tried their first oyster!  I don't think they're sold on them quite yet, but taking the oyster plunge is definitely tough so I will give them that! :)

Work the next morning was a bit tough, but we had a blast..and that's all that matters.  Pt 2 birthday recap will be posted soon!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Scott was sneaky and called me Monday night from work asking if we were doing anything for each other on Valentine's Day.  I said that we didn't have to, and he agreed.  HOWEVER, on Tuesday morning when I woke up, I found roses, a sweet Valentine's card, and a coffee mug adorned with hearts waiting for me on the credenza.  Swoon!  He always tries to trick me by saying he won't make a certain holiday a big deal, but then he does.  I should know his antics by now...

Scott had to work so we weren't able to celebrate Valentine's night together, so we celebrated the day after.  We drank wine and made homemade pizza, which gave me a chance to break in my new pizza stone Scott gave me for Christmas!

Chopping the burrata.

 Scott staged a photo to highlight the cork.  He said it's one of the best corks he has seen...and he knows his wine.

My attempt at throwing the dough up like you see in pizzerias.

Don't mess with me or you get the rolling pin ;)

 Voila! Burrata, prosciutto, and arugula pizza.  Our first attempt at pizza was a success!

Bon appetit!

Christmas 2011

 Well, it only comes once a year. We decorate a dead tree in our houses, hang up stockings, play strange festive music about figgy pudding, and spend tons of money on our loved ones.   At Such a curious holiday, but it's one of my favorites. It's the day after Christmas, and our tree looks absolutely treacherous.  It's dead, brown, and won't take anymore water. We got it a few days after Thanksgiving..serves us right for starting the Christmas season a little too prematurely. Here are the videos documenting our Christmas tree adventures. 

When Scott and I started dating, I decided that every year I am going to collect a new ornament that represents something that occurred during the present year.  Last year I got a beautiful sparkly shell ornament, which represented our move from Tucson to the South Bay area of Los Angeles.  This year, I got a cable car ornament that I bought in San Francisco which represents our engagement in the city by the bay.

2010 & 2011 Ornaments

Christmas day was fantastic. We slept in, opened presents, and made a delicious andouille and veggie frittata paired with mimosas. Scott and I each got each other iPod docking stations/alarm clocks for our respective side of the beds. Thank god because my old alarm clock was from 1995...not so cute nor functional. I also got Scott some clothes along with a hands free bluetooth car kit, since California has a wonderful law prohibiting cell phone chat whilst driving (I've already been dinged with a lovely fine for not following this law). Scott gave me some fabulous gifts, including a car stereo! Now I can listen to my iPod in the car! Yay!

Sophie, our lovely dog/daughter, benefited most from Christmas. She received enough toys/treats to last her a year. Spoiled? Yes.

Opening her present from Uncle Charles & Aunt Sue

So happy!

Mr. Monkey given by Grandma Marvis

Unfortunately Scott had to go into work around 6pm, boo....but at least we had the day together, I am thankful for that. :) Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas.

Cheers!

These are the awesome stemless wine glasses Scott gave me for Christmas

Peace & love,