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I just ordered these Frye Jane Cuff boots, as I haven't been able to find the Frye Dorado riding boots in my size. My only concern is that the Jane Cuff's may be a little too "western" but I'll soon find out. I love the chunky heal and the tall shaft, so my fingers are crossed they'll be keepers!!
Congrats to Dave and Annie on their new beautiful son, Luca, born Christmas Eve at a healthy 8lbs and 5oz. Check out proud Uncle Mike on Christmas day:
The falling Christmas tree is now far from my definition of holiday drama; I have experienced the real deal! Saturday afternoon, I was out and about completing my holiday shopping when I received a frantic call from my neighbor instructing me to get home... NOW. To make a long, and rather painful & dramatic story short, a sprinkler was ruptured by a contractor doing renovations to a unit upstairs from ours; the result was a massive flood of the forth and fifth floor units. Unfortunately, our unit suffered the most damage of all 10 or so affected (at least that's the consensus at this time).
I was not there during the better part of the flood (but trust me, I have seen enough). Apparently, my overly generous neighbors were in our place with buckets, pots, pans towels and mops busting their asses to get the water out the front door, awaiting the crew of firemen who arrived shortly thereafter; fish could swim comfortably in our entranceway and the ceiling became a series of shower-heads steadily gushing water, if that paints a picture. It's a complete disaster area.
Special thanks to Tim & Renee (and to Renee's brother & sister-in-law who b-lined for our Christmas gifts under the tree and saved them all!!!) as well as Patricia, Kevin, Peter and Amy and to everyone else who helped dry us out that day. Thanks to Jay and Zoe for putting a roof over our heads last night, and to Jane for offering-up her place to Mike tonight (I am comfy at home with the folks!!). Where we will be living post-holidays, who knows!!
I will never forget this Christmas, and those of you who went out of your way for us; in times of need, you always know who the good peeps really are.
Here are a couple post-drama photos that I think provide some real color to the amount of damage our unit suffered.
'Tis the season for tastings! BRIX, my favorite wine shop in Boston, is turning four tomorrow and celebrating with a (free!) Zyr vodka, caviar & champagne tasting. You know where I will be, so I'll see you there? Here's the det's:
Zyr Vodka, Caviar & Champagne
Thursday, December 20th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
BRIX
1284 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02118
617.542.BRIX (2749)
brixwineshop@verizon.net
Last night, Mike surprised me with this absolutely stunning pair of diamond and platinum earrings! They are from the Hearts on Fire collection, a Boston-based diamond company that I think has by far the most amazing cuts; the diamonds sparkle like no others. Thank you baby for making this b-day unforgettable, and for this overly generous gift! And thanks to all my girlfriends for helping Mike select the perfect pair; you guys are amazing. As a friend puts it, "you got a good guy (and friends with good taste don't hurt)". That's the truth.
A special thanks to my family, for the fabulous gifts I received last night:
Mom and Dad, thanks so much for the scarves, the adorable top, and the Hayden Harnett Hudson Hobo:
Jon and Megan, thanks to much for the William Sonoma Slate Cheese Board and Wine and Food book (perfect for my dinner party tomorrow night!!!!):
And last but definitely not least, thanks to Mike for my pre-birthday "teaser" presents... A bottle of CAIN 5 (YUM - a fav!!!) and some fabulous Thyme Eucalyptus salts and scrubs from Aunt Sadie's ...this is enough babe!
Thank you to you all, for making the last 32 22 years (ha!) of my life so amazing. I love you!
Tonight I dined at Hamersley's Bistro with my family for my birthday celebration (the real day is not 'til Wed, 12/12 but its a full week of holiday/birthday celebrations!). The meal was fantastic! I haven't been since the night I turned 21 (yes, 11 years ago, so do the calculation!) and had the first 
glass of "legal" wine with my Mom at a bow front window. This year, we shared a couple bottles of Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel and...
...as an app, my bro, Mom and I a each had:
Mixed Autumn Greens with Sherry Vinegar and Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil 11
… with Crispy Goat Cheese 14
My Dad's app:
Grilled Mushroom and Garlic Sandwich on Country Bread 15.50
And Mike had:
Rabbit Terrine with Prunes and Armagnac Compote
… Mustards and Toasts 12
And for dinner:
Me:
Fennel Dusted Seared Scallops with Braised Leeks, Pickled Pumpkin and Cider Vinaigrette 28
Mom:
Haddock and Clam Roast with Bacon Braised Greens, Big White Beans and Black Trumpet Mushrooms 26
Dad:
Rabbit Braised in Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms, Bacon and Pearl Onions 27
Mike:
Roast Chicken with Garlic, Lemon and Parsley 26
The service, the food, and the overall experience was fabulous; the ambiance is rather mellow with a classic French bistro flair; its definitely not a "scene" place, but the perfect spot, thats rich in history, to enjoy a dinner with friends and family. We will be back soon & thanks to my family for celebrating with me!
We are throwing a holiday cocktail party this Tuesday night and am expecting about 20-25 of my colleagues and a few significant others to attend. The menu consists of some staple apps like a cheese and sausage plate with fresh figs & grapes, seared flank steak with carmelized onion and horseradish cream on mini toasts, and smoked salmon, dill, caper, & cream cheese "lollipops". However, I am testing out some comfort food tidbits, to help coat the bellies as we sip champagne splashed with pomegranate. Here are the new additions:
Italian Cocktail Meatballs with Herbs and Ricotta (above pic)
Ridiculous Truffle Mac & Cheese
I love testing out new recipes; if they are a flop, there's always pizza delivery :)
I can't believe that this is our second Christmas together in our home; how time flies! This year, we picked out our tree from the same tree shop as last year, on the corner of Tremont Street and Berkley 
Street; and although the selection and delivery process was flawless, the set-up was definitely not! We decked the tree in all the Christmas glory: white lights, silver balls, and many beautiful glass ornaments. Well, the trunk was not centered, and as we stepped away after admiring the completed tree and patting our backs for a job well done, CRASH! The 8-foot tree fell over, the lights abruptly went out, glass shattered, and a pool of water ensued on the floor, surrounding the pitiful corpse-like tree; what a mess and a sure way to the drown holiday cheer (I so wish I took a photo of this!).
We managed to pull the tree upright, salvage most of the ornaments, and secure the tree in what I hope to be a more steady and balanced position. My fingers are crossed that it stays put, eek!
I have taken quite the liking to the Levi's commercials and the designer jean comeback this all-American brand has taken over the last couple years (my favorite pair of skinny jeans are Levi's and a lot cheaper than my Sevens, Paper Denims, etc!). Their Walk the Line spot has been my favorite until I just discovered this 90 sec spot, showing the evolution of the brand spanning decades (and probably not airing here in the States!):
This weekend a friend of mine encouraged me to check out O2 Yoga, the new yoga studio that opened this past October just a couple blocks from me on East Berkley St, in the South End. I have been eager to take yoga, as I am tired of the beating my knees and full-body has been suffering on the treadmill; plus, I am just sick of the gym and its monotony.
So, I managed to behave myself last night at a dinner party, and get motivated this morning to head over to the studio for my yoga ice breaker. I loved it! I took a "Basics" class, an introductory class geared towards the newbies, focusing on the basic poses and the proper execution of postures. My instructor, Katherine, was fabulous. She clearly explained each pose, corrected us gently as needed, and approached me after the class, knowing it was my first one, to see how I felt about the experience.
I have taken pilates before, and just couldn't quite get into it. My experience with yoga was different - I didn't want the class to end, despite my quivering body as I held the poses! I want to go back the next couple days, but I'll have to see how my body feels tomorrow!
If you are new to yoga, or if you are experienced in your practice, I highly recommend this studio (they also have studios in Sommerville and Portsmouth). For first time visits, they are running a special of $18 for 2 classes. Otherwise, it's $14 a class, and they are offering 10% off 10 and 20 class cards if you purchase online. I'd love to join them on the yearly retreat to Maya Tulum, but I should get a few more classes in ;)
See the South End schedule here.
O2 Yoga
121 East Berkeley Street
2nd floor (right over J.J. Foley's)
South End, Boston
http://www.o2yoga.com
617.532.0691
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