4/15 celebration! by orange

The husband is a tax accountant by day - so he has been extremely busy for the last three months.  He said good bye to Saturdays about 2 months ago and said good bye to Sundays as well for the last couple weeks.  Needless to say, when 4/15 comes around it's an all-out celebration in our house. 

Last year, we headed to a Mariner's game the night of 4/15 with a bunch of friends. 

it started innocently

violet joined in the fun

then...we started to drink

and take some pictures

like this one

This year, we are headed out to dinner at Tutta Bella and then meeting up with friends at Barrio in Capitol Hill.  I think it'll be a tad classier than last year's events. 

Then to really celebrate that the husband has some free time we are headed to Leavenworth, WA for the weekend with our friends Jared, Katie and Signe.  Oh and 4 dogs.  Should be lots of fun.  Pictures to come soon!

Little Things. by violet

Isn’t it funny how sometimes life gives you just what you need? Little things to perk you up just when life gets tough.

After a long week at work I was looking forward to a fun but chill weekend. And Saturday Orange and I had a girl’s day out shopping. Not only was it Orange’s birthday but my stepmom who probably felt very sorry for me after my closet meltdown offered to fund part of my trip.

Orange had a gift card to spend for her birthday at Macy’s – she found the DKNY Odetta pumps which were pretty much the perfect shoe for her, not only were they grey and gold but they were studded too.

At Free People I found a dress that I’m sure will be making an appearance at least one of the weddings that I’m going to this year – and who knows, maybe just a night out on the town.

It has the hot spring trend of florals but the colors will translate beyond just May and June. And I absolutely love the tulle peaking out at the bottom, gives it just that hint of whimsy.

After tons of recommendation from Jordana and nearly a year of thinking about it, I finally pulled to trigger and ordered the Diane wrap dress from SPUN. Last week the lovely Sara, owner and designer of this amazing company, offered a twitter follower discount that was enough to put me over the top.

Imagine my excitement when after a tough, tough Monday it arrived at work. I could hardly wait to get it home and play.

It fits like a dream and it’s the most lovely and soft texture. I have visions of me wearing in out to dinner while I’m in New York with sky high pumps and funky jewelry but I’m also thinking that I’ll wear it tomorrow at work with tights and flat boots. I get the distinct impression that this will quickly become my go-to dress.

Thanks to Orange, Kerry and Sara who, whether they knew it or not, provided me with those little (or big) pick-me-ups.

Shoe Briefcase. by orange

Who knew that some shoes are delivered mission impossible style in a briefcase? I didn't know this until last Friday.

One of my co-workers was recently perusing thru some magazines, when she saw "5 inch heels; heel in the shape of the Empire State Building." There was a picture besides the bold statement, she liked what she saw so she ordered a pair. A week or so passes and a briefcase arrives.
 

Unfortunately, she wasn't expecting the glitz on the heel so she is returning them.  My first question was, can you keep the briefcase? 

Easter Weekend Cont.

Easter weekend with J.'s family continued on Sunday with mass, brunch at Smith and a unique Easter feast.

We went to Saint Joseph’s for mass where they knew the priest. They always seem to know the priest  but that’s another story. The church was full of families - I have never seen so many kids at mass before. It gave the whole service a lively and spring like energy, even if the weather wasn’t cooperating.

After mass, we debated about where to go for brunch. Liz suggested Smith, she had heard they were now serving brunch. It seemed like a good idea and it turned out to be great one. Though I suspected a crowd, we got seated right away. The menu, though it seemed small offered a unique variety of brunch fair. It made for some tough decisions.

I went with the grilled Gruyere and onion jam sandwich, I swapped the salad that came with it for potatoes.

Dan choose the brisket with creamed polenta and soft-cooked egg

J.’s sunrise hash with pork belly, asparagus and a poached egg

Dee Dee’s goat cheese scramble.

And Liz went with the savory sausage bread pudding. But sorry Liz no picture (blame your dad). The sandwich and potatoes were delicious, qaulity bread is always a good place to start.  By the looks of the other clean plates at the table the feeling was mutal. 

Helping with dinner

For dinner, BIG plans on the menu for Easter dinner, goat. Yes. Goat. Despite my skeptical looks I was assured that it tasted a lot like lamb. But just to be sure we added, ham, asparagus and ravioli.

Carving the goat

We had a few more friends join us and bring a few treats to complete the meal. A lovely salad from Heather, cheese and crackers from Sam and turkey meatballs from Kenz and Eric.

The Easter bunny even stopped by.

And the verdict on the goat? It actually was pretty good. I’m not sure I’ll be making it on a Tuesday night but for an occasion it was kind of fun.

Fried Chicken Easter. by orange

This past weekend the husband and I celebrated Easter with some Fried Chicken with our friends, the Hokes, at St. Clouds in the Seattle neighborhood Madrona. 

It definitely was not your traditional ham feast and very delectable.  Every 1st Sunday of the month they offer this amazing Fried Chicken.  It's so popular, you need to call in advance and "reserve" your chicken.  If you are itching for some fancy chicken a la fried - I'd definitely recommend it.

On their menu they point out that the restaurant is named on behalf of a quote from Cider House Rules.  St. Clouds: a place where the orphans come to find a sense of home and family.  Cheesy...but I like it.

signe has arrived!

delicious!

even signe likes it

more please!

I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend!

orange in JCrew Reese Studded Ballet Flats in grey.

A Prairie Home Communion. by violet

Growing up, Sundays with my dad meant driving to church listening to Car Talk and driving home from church listening to A Prairie Home Companion. My brother and I would roll our eyes and beg dad to listen to something else. But those Sunday mornings the radio dial was firmly set on NPR and there was no changing his mind.

There were other rituals too – he always parked in the same place, in the very back, entering through the less-trafficked side entrance. Mike and I would walk into church balancing on the small curb that lined the pathway. At the end of mass, during, but not before the processional hymn, dad would hand one of us the keys and we would tear out of the church and race to the car. And for the few minutes it would take dad to follow after, Mike and I would sit the in the car warmed by the sun, listening to whatever we wanted but always, always, turning to NPR on by the time dad arrived.

So it was sort of fitting that I spent the Saturday before Easter this year watching A Prairie Home Companion live in Seattle. Since mostof the time in church, I find my mind inevitably wanders to those Sunday mornings growing up with NPR. Saturday with Garrison Keillor seemed like a good way to get ready for Easter Sunday, a ritual, a pilgrimage back to the Sundays of my youth.

So I found myself once again at the Paramount theatre with J. and his family, getting ready to watch a radio show live.

Along with the usual crew, was musical guest Brandi Carlile, who unbeknownst to me, J. had spent the last week enjoying her music at his office. She was absolutely amazing – I must download her latest album.

Having spent the last week in Seattle, Garrison hit on all the great Seattle jokes and even included a great little ditty called, “Seattle Woman, You Don’t Need No Umbrella.” Over all, a great experience for the day before Easter.

After the show we climbed up the hill to Machiavelli – an absolutely charming little Italian spot on Pine and Melrose. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. The venue while, tiny is warm and inviting. And above all the food was delicious.

The wine cellare which was just behind our table

A pre dinner drink

My spinach ravioli with tomato cream sauce with the Columbia City Bakery bread and Liz's lasagna bolognese in the background

J.'s chicken parmigiana

Tiramisu with chocolate mousse

There will be plenty more from our Easter weekend, including brunch at Smith and our Sunday dinner in the coming days.  But for now I leave you with this....

Violet in Born Norelle - flat, black, knee-high boots

you are a single lady! by orange

If this video has not reached you yet...please watch.  It will cure the Monday blues!




orange in Kate Spade dot noel flats