Spending time at home...

Being in the Restaurant and Catering business we work a TON during this time of year. I am so grateful that we have been so busy! I love this time of year!  This year has been a tough one though - last week my 7 day, 81 hour work week did not allow me Christmas shopping time This year I have done a lot of local shopping which I am proud to support as opposed to heading to U Village as a tradition in years past. I was finally able to do some shopping after work today and begin wrapping for the deliveries I need to do to friends and co-workers tomorrow. Every year I choose a theme for my wrapping.  This year I selected Paper Source's Moss Flourish Paper with a Cranberry Red & Green Ribbon. I love the way they tuned out and LOVED the the dogs were relaxing tonight after a huge run today. 

 Chloe 

Big Brother Olen 

Our Christmas Tree

~ Merry Christmas ~ 

Hosting Our First Christmas Dinner Party Together

Braised Short Ribs, Grilled Asparagus topped with parmesan & Polenta with White Cheddar 

 

Lyla joined us at the very end 

Last Sunday Adam & I hosted our first Christmas dinner party together. It was a fabulous night with some of our favorite couples. My menu was inspired by the Williams Sonoma's Dinner Parties book. I used many of the recipes in the Midwinter Dinner feature and added a few other elements. I did the table decor in an understated holiday look. I used little live christmas trees potted in cute silver containers instead of flowers. I used silver sparkly garland, ornaments and mercury glass candles on the table to add natural light and sparkle! We had each guest bring a wrapped ornament for the ornament exchange - which was so fun!

 We have decided that we LOVE dinner parties and cannot wait to host our next one! 

The Menu 

~Appetizer: Marinated Mushrooms & Homemade Cinnamon Holiday Nuts (made my my mother in law)

: Paired with LaMarca Prosecco - garnished with raspberries :

~ Mandarin Orange, Avocado, Fennel & Olive Salad served over mixed greens (I added this, I thought it needed a little more). Served with a fresh mandarin orange white balsamic & champagne vinegar dressing made from scratch 

: Paired with Starborough  Sauvignon Blanc (my favorite wine right now) :

~Braised Short Ribs 

~Polenta with White Cheddar

~Roasted Asparagus topped with Fresh Parmesan 

 : Paired with Cline Syrah :

~Chocolate Cupcakes topped with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting & Peppermint candies was served with a scoop of peppermint ice cream 

Dame Lola Holiday Show

Last Wednesday December 1st, Dame Lola, hosted her Dame Lola Holiday Show at our venue. Rebecca Dashow Baldwin is one of my dearest friends and also the owner of Dame Lola - this was one of her BEST shows (Dame Lola hosts quarterly trunk shows). Below are some of the beautiful finds from the day. Congrats on on another Fabulous event and show Rebecca! Check out her new blog too - The Dame Dish .

 Jessica Alexander feather hair pieces 

Jessica Alexander feather hair detail 

Jessica Alexander 

 Jessica Alexander 

 Jessica Alexander 

 Maya Moon 

Cozy Scarves 

Jessica Alexander Designs 

Great dress that I am loving! Thanks Emily for modeling this dress! 

Getting our Christmas Tree

Adam and I took our annual trip to Snowshoe Tree Farm in Orting last Sunday for out third annual Christmas tree cutting! This year as we were walking the farm & the many rows of tress his parents (my mother and father in-law) were talking about the last 15 years that they have been visiting this tree farm and how they love selecting the perfect tree each year. I hope that Adam and I can continue this tradition every year with his parents and we cannot wait until we have our own family to introduce to this tradition! Happy Holidays.

My husband on the search for "the" tree 

 Gary and Vicki have found "the" tree! 

 Cutting down our tree 

The Moll's

Midwinter Dinner Party

I am working on my to-do list tonight and getting very excited for our upcoming dinner party!

Married!

November 14th Adam and I got married in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Our civil ceremony took place at 10:00am with our families & wedding party present. The civil ceremony was presented in Spanish and translated for us. Our wedding celebration with 65 friends, family & spiritual ceremony took place on Las Caletas at 6:00pm. 

I cannot wait to share our photos! 

top photo by J. Hobson Photography 

bottom photo by Heather Stajgr 

¡ Te quiero! y ¡ Te adoro! / I love you & I adore you.....

 ¡ Te quiero! y ¡ Te adoro!

In  less then six hours Adam and I depart for our wedding - we are both so anxious and excited for our wedding! 

Time to Pack!

It is time to start packing for our upcoming wedding adventure! I have my checklists started (for those of you who know me, know I love a good checklist). I have piles all around the house and wish I could wave a wand and have all my clothes neatly organized and packed or wish Martha Stewart could come give me a good packing for your Destination Wedding and Honeymoon lesson. I will just have to see how good I can get it. Adam and I cannot wait to board the plane and get to Mexico! 

image from Martha Stewart.com

Wedding Flowers for our Destination Wedding

My dear friend, bridesmaid, & florist  Jennifer gave me the gift of my wedding floral design & bouquet mach ups to sent to my wedding planner at Las Caletas. I love her design and the texture and colors of the beautiful combinations she put together! I hope that these can be recreated by my floral designer in Puerto Vallarta. 

The Boutonniere 

The bridesmaid bouquets 

My bridal bouquet 

Love - A great find

I am so lucky to have found the love of my life and with only 15 days till out wedding, I am just giddy! 

I wanted to share this great pillow I found on Alexandra Ferguson's - A Sassy Little Pillow Company's Etsy site today. This LOVE pillow is made from recycled felt and comes in this delicious oatmeal color.

Get Cozy

One of my favorite stores - Bloom  just got in these cozy scarves! I cannot wait to visit the store - located in Uptown Gig Harbor to get one for the plane ride next week! The best part is that they are $34. 

Savi Day Spa - My escape from restaurant chaos

I have always loved Savi Day Spa - located one block from the restaurant,  this is an easy commute to my spa sanctuary. Leading up to the wedding (we leave 1 week from Friday) I  have been doing a series of slimming wraps & facials. I had the best spa experience tonight! I had Jen as my Savi massage therapist & Esthetician - it was SO relaxing and I feel great. I finished my amazing 2 hour appointment with a 20 minute hydrotherapy tub.  This gave me such a good chance to reflect on the upcoming weeks and spent my time focusing on my to-do's and the fact that I have such a great life with so many amazing friends and the best family. I am so grateful! 

Bridal Shower - Amazing!

This last weekend three of my amazing & talented bridesmaids hosted a bridal shower for me. What a perfect day! It all began with beautiful invites. I am such a paper and invite person that this set the stage for the day. The shower included a Delicious Menu, Blushing Bride Brew (champagne cocktail), and a fabulous time with friends and our moms!

Bridesmaid, Jennifer Robbins of J. Robbins florist did all the flowers 

Blushing Bride Brew Recipe 

The bridesmaids! (4 of the 7 of them were there)