Bigfiesta

I recently had the pleasure of co-hosting my psuedo father in law's [PFIL] 70th birthday party. By co-hosting I mean that I did just about all the planning, phone calls & money spending and then left all the hard work to boyfriend. I am pregnant after all so pointing at where I wanted tables moved and making to-do lists is about all I can manage. I couldn't of course had done any of this without a little help from my friends. Starr at La Starr & Company Bakery made the most wonderful birthday cake. I had gotten the idea off of Pinkcakebox.com to incorporate hobbies & likes around the cake. It turned out adorable! I think it was the talk of the night, and watching me cut the cake seemed to stir a lot of converstation too. I never knew cutting a 3-tier cake was so fascinating.

Lots of easy food and of course an amazing bartender to keep guests full of chardonnay, manhattans & margaritas. The party managed to last until after 11:00 - which, yes, is late when you start at 3:00.

PFIL has a great group of people from long time neighbors, golf buddies and yacht club friends and his family who traveled from all parts of the states to celebrate. And I am glad I had Anna Costa [half of Michael + Anna Costa photographers who ROCK] on hand to snap some photos.

I do vow though never, ever to host or co-host any party unless I can have a glass of wine in my hand. May sound silly [and a bit lucious] but seriously, try it. It ain't as easy as you might think.

OXOX

Bliss

Insomnia + a computer = catching up on and discovering new blogs. It also equals catching up on Mad Men reruns & the new season of Glee, but that's a story for another day.

Guest blogger on Apartment 34 has summed up one of my happiest dreams.

In the middle of nowhere, under a tree...

http://apartment34.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-bliss-everything-fabulous.html

because i wanted to share

I found this photo AGES ago on a blog or website [apologies for not the proper blog or photo credit] and I just stumbled across it again. I think it was an ad or editorial for bridesmaids dresses. I don't know why I love this picture, perhaps it is the pixie like, ethereal quality - it feels light & floaty to me. My dear friend and sometimes the other half of my brain, Claudia, hates this picture and used to shake her head when she saw it on my computer screen. Anyhow, here is the photo. And that's all I have to say today about that.

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Oh, and Happy Earth Day!

[Post] Baby-Vacation

With a middle roughly the size of a dwarf planet and still growing, it is a wonder that I am honestly thinking about where to go on our mini vacation in the fall, without B and future human. But I am thinking about it and starting to plan it and I think it is important for all people to think about post baby.

There are 40ish weeks of life being all about pregnancy and all the lovely things that go along with it; and then another however many months of it being all about baby and all the lovely things that go along with that, its nice to try and plan something for just the two of you - even if it is only over night.

We are fortunate enough to be blessed with both sets of parents within a stones throw of our house so we have the luxury of being able to escape for a few nights. And no, I am not one of those moms who couldn't dream being away from my baby for more than a minute, my genetic wiring I don't think allows for it. I am all about the little escape now and then and being an adult who isn't worried about bed time, bubble baths & Backyardigans. But now, where to go...

We could go here...

We'd stay in a yurt, read books, hike, drink wine, visit the sushi bar and take in the ocean breeze right on the coast of Big Sur. Sounds of crashing waves, no cell phone service and twinkly stars. Ahhh...

http://www.treebonesresort.com/

Or we could go here...

We'd spend a few days meandering about the Russian River Valley, wine tasting, driving out to Bodega Bay, unwinding at the spa, sleeping late, eating too much. Ahhh...

From top to bottom:

The AMAZING Two Michelin Star Restaurant Cyrus

http://www.cyrusrestaurant.com/

Sit at the bar before going in to dinner and try one of the delicious cocktail creations. They use the best local & seasonal ingredients and do the most magical things with gin...or vodka...or scotch....or tequila.

Truly drinkable art.

~

The cozy and wonderous boutique Hotel Healdsburg

http://www.hotelhealdsburg.com/

also MUST dine at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen at the hotel. Dinner @ the bar - yum.

Love it, love it!!!!!

~

My favorite breakfast in the world is at Willow Wood Cafe & Market

http://www.willowwoodgraton.com/

Seriously, no joke, my mostfavorite breakfast EVER. So simple and yet as much as I have tried I cannot replicate it. It is buttery thick toast, a perfectly poached egg, thinly sliced salty prosciutto & a bit of cheese [I think if memory serves correct it was Parmesan]. It could be the meal itself or it could be the meal enhanced with the Cafe's quirky, country charm.

Oh and their AWSOMENESS coffee.

~

The Bubble Room at J

http://www.jwine.com/

In the middle of the Pinot mecca that is Sonoma & the Russian River Valley are some pretty darn good domestic bubbles. I love going to J for some sparkling flights.

For those of you who know me, are you surprised?

Then there are always the closer & more practical trips like jaunts to Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina or Santa Monica. There is also the most practical idea of staying home with your family...

For those of you who know me...well, let's just leave it at that.

OXOX

Fancycakes Friday

Two blogs? I don't know what on earth I was thinking. I hardly have a moment for an eyebrow wax or to keep up on my Vanity Fair subscription, let alone post on two blogs.

Therefore, I introduce Fancycakes Friday.

Fancycakes is a little project sort of started as a side job that came out of a cupcake hobby & a desire to start a business - think, adorable little cupcakery right downtown serving amazing deliciousness with superfun flavors like Apricot Viognier, Maple Bacon & Chocolate Chile. Without a building or a bucket of money a menu was born for cupcake catering. No party is too big or too small [as long as you order a dozen per flavor] and custom ideas are always welcome.

Holidays always provide for great inspiration as well - Chinese New Year for example brought on the 5-spice Red Velvet with a Ginger Buttercream and St. Patricks Day the Guiness & Irish White Cheddar - a slightly savory fancycake.

I invite you to take a gander at the full list of fancycakes by clicking the link below & feel free to email fancycakesvta@gmail.com to place an order.

www.fancycakesvta.blogspot.com

I hope to make Fancycakes Friday a regular post with new inspirations and flavors, but who knows, I may actually find time to go to Yoga.

OXOX

Birthday party!

New post from Hostess with the Mostess has me ooohing and ahhhing! And already inspired for a future birthday party for the future human!

http://www.hostessblog.com/2010/03/real-parties-alice-in-wonderland-birthday

Or maybe even my own next birthday party...something fun, childish & fantastic for thirty....something-or-other.

Enjoy the photos.

OXOX

bloglove...

I adore finding new blogs, especially wedding + lifestyle blogs and I just love this one I found thanks to Google Alerts [my place of employment is listed under her Unique SoCal Venues so the site pops up on my alerts almost every day]

http://www.greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/

I am especially enjoying her posts of late with the inspiration boards of weddings from movies, being the film junkie that I am. The inspiration board from Up is so cute and whimsical!

Enjoy some Inspiration on this sunshiny Thursday.

OXOX