2010: A big year, like HUGE

Hi friends,

Welcome back and welcome to 2011.  On a personal note, I can say that I have never grown, learned or celebrated more than I did in 2010. 

With my best friends and bridal party after a surprise DC bachelorette party

When I went from a Miss to a Mrs.

Enjoying the sunshine in Mexico

One with nature in Jackson, Wyoming

The Graduate

Moving day

The Golden Triangle in India

Birthday Stone Crabs

New Years Eve 2010

I am so grateful for this journey and excited for what comes next. 

Only the best for all the best. 

Cheers to 11!

Holiday Shopping: Gifts for Your Best Friend

Shopping for your best girlfriends is often a reflection of yourself, just like your friends are.  They might be the best, but also the hardest people to shop for, because for them the gift really does have to be perfect.  All of the gifts I picked for a girlfriend are gifts that I would proudly own, and shh! some of these gifts actually match a friend in my life.

Let the gift giving begin:

Open publication - Free publishing - More holiday

When picking these gifts I thought of the ways my friends inspire me.  

• For the friend who loves to find her inner artist I love the idea of these colored pencils on display that are as much of a work of art as her creations.  If having these on display don't spur creativity, I don't know what will.
• Kate Spade handbags are always super cheeky, but how delightful is this little clutch inspired by classic American books?  Reading, after all, is always chic.
• For the friend who loves fashion?  There are few designers more consistent in their aesthetic and iconic than Anna Sui and this new book is like a fashion show on your bookshelf.
• For the friend on the brink of tech trends, the youtube video maker, the blogger, the Facebook Stalker, show your appreciation for her savvy ways with a fun frame for when she's away from the computer.  
• Only one kind of girl where NARS, the one that knows that there is none better.  And really, only one kind of girl wear's gold eye shadow - the girl that loves the finer things, and having a fine time.  Celebrate your friend that loves to celebrate life with something sparkly.
• Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but a trip to the spa has to come in a close second, right?
• To bring relaxation home, and suggest a little "me-time" for a friend that is always on the go a beautifully scented candle is just right.

Other great options for your best friend that don't fit on a gift guide?  Her favorite magazine, a trip for coffee, a long phone chat, a train ticket to visit each other.

Happy Gift Giving to the friends who brighten your days!

On Standing Up and Being an Ally

Ellen talks about it, Anderson Cooper talks about it, Fort Worth City Council Member Joel Burns talks about it, and it's only fair that we start listening: no one chooses to be different, no one wants to be an outsider, and no one under any circumstances should be made to feel like an other or unloved in any stage of their life, ever.  

In light of the teen bullying crisis across our country my dear friend Jaci, and a true GLBT Ally, has created an online community found here: http://weareallies.tumblr.com/ All members of the GLBT community and their supporters are invited to share their story and their support.  

Here is my story and my pledge of support. 

I grew up in the suburbs of South Florida; at the cross section of Cowboy Country and Rodeos and the designer boutiques and synagogues.  I fell into the latter camp.  Growing up I did not know GLBT teens, and the adults that I did know were all by association; the former rabbi at our synagogue, the Cantor, a hebrew school educator, a music teacher -- come to think of it our Temple was a pretty balanced experience.  

Not until college was I fully immersed in an environment of young adults who were actively engaged in finding and being themselves; gay, straight, still deciding, it didn't really matter at American University. 

At AU, I truly believe that students were able to answer the question "Who are you?" and not "What are you?"  We are all human beings and that will always be the answer to the second question, nothing more, nothing less.  

In my four years as an Eagle, I was very lucky to make friends with some of the most unique, spirited, passionate, creative, dedicated to whatever their cause, kinds people I could ever hope to exist.  That family of friends is all kinds of different; artists, actors, politicos, writers, friends, lovers, marrieds, singles, and we are all better for having each other in our lives. 

I don't see this as a political issue, this is a human issue.  We are better people when we love each other, and don't waste our time with the folly of hatred, bigotry, racism, sexism, and narrow mindedness.  I am better because of the people in my life who have broadened my horizons and shown me the very beautiful and colorful ways of living, and loving.

I will never forget the day that Mark and I got married; we were surrounded by all of our friends.  I was so lucky to be able to get married, and publicly make that commitment to the man I love.  Towards the end of that night, after a swing on the dance floor with my very talented friend I whispered in his ear, "I can't wait to dance at your wedding."  

And I'll hold onto that promise until we can all dance and celebrate each other.

If you are so inclined, please share your support at http://weareallies.tumblr.com/ and share with your friends and family.

Pizza Party

The weekend is usually a great time for a pizza party, this week in our house a Tuesday was also a great time for such an event.  Our friends were coming over and we wanted to have a dinner that was fun to put together, easy to prepare in advance and a favorite for everyone.  Pizza was the winner.

I have made pizza with my mother-in-law, but mainly the sauce and into the oven stage, never the dough stage.  She is currently in Italy, had she been in town I would have used her recipe, but I made to with what was called the "Best Pizza Dough Ever" Recipe by Peter Reinhardt.

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, chilled
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 cup olive oil
1 3/4 cups water, ice cold
Semolina flour OR cornmeal for dusting 

The ingredients are simple, and what is easy more simple is how to do it.

Mix all the dry ingredients (flour, salt, yeast) in one bowl and then add the olive oil and water, and get to mixing with a large chilled metal spoon.

I could have used my stand mixer for this recipe, and so can you, but I figured for the first time I wanted to know what it felt like.  After about 5-7 minutes of turning the bowl and working the dough it should be "tacky" not "sticky" and able to peeled from the sides of the bowl, but not so much the bottom.  If it's too dry, add a teaspoon of water, if it's too sticky add a little more flour - but this is something you can just judge by your eye.

Pour some flour out onto the counter top and just gently work the dough is a soft, smooth ball, and then divide into six just about even chunks.

Mist the dough balls with olive oil, or like me put oil on your hands and then drizzle onto the dough.  The original recipe calls for putting the dough on parchment paper, which I don't have, misting the parchment paper, and then wrapping it with a food safe bag. I put some semolina flour on the pan and covered it with a tea towel - I think our results were the same.

Two days later...

Time to get cooking on a Tuesday night!  The dough has grown and now the question is how to top it.

I have a pizza stone in the oven preheating to 450 degrees for 45 minutes.

Our toppings included:

Grilled peppers

Grilled chicken sausage

Sauteed mushrooms

Oven dried tomatoes

Homemade Tomato Sauce

Truffle Salt

Fresh Basil

Parmigiano Reggiano

Mozzarella

I rolled out the dough to about 1/4 of an inch in an uneven pattern - no need to strive for perfection here.

And then I kept the toppings simple, the thin dough doesn't really want to be weighted down with a lot of heavy toppings.  And then, we ate - and it was delicious!

Summertime Oasis in the City

It's no secret that summer has officially started, and the warmer weather is calling us outside for our meals and socializing.  Our new neighborhood brings us closer to friends and our new home brings us more outdoor space than we have ever had.

We'd like to eventually have our outdoor space be an extension of our indoor space - comfortable, inviting, and meant for drinking and dining.

This is my wish list:

Alfresco Dining Collection by Crate and Barrel

This outdoor collection is a bit more modern than the rest of our indoor furniture, but I think the clean lines and bright pop of orange serve our space really well, and would keep the space looking fresh, vibrant and fun.

The bizarre mix of high heat and bursts of rain and an abundance of humidity has introduced us to a little friend, the mosquito.  In our effort to thwart his reign of terror we've been stocking up on citronella candles left and right, they aren't typically as cute as these!

Citronella Candles in Pineapple, Cassis and Rain scents at Bloomingdale's

Now that there is a place to sit, and the bugs are being kept at bay, pull up a chair and have something to eat.  These bright plates by Jonathan Adler remind me of my favorite citrus fruits and seem so very sunny and happy!

Jonathan Adler "Kaleidoscope" Summer Dishware at Bloomingdale's

I recently read in Food & Wine (August 2010) the right beverages to drink in these high temperatures.  It turns out when it's 100+ degrees (which it has been, gross!) the only worthwhile thing to drink is a beer.  Drink it in these:

Portland Beer Glasses by Crate and Barrel

Hold the remaining bottles and cans in this - it just says party to me, and what's not to love about that?

Beverage Bucket at Bed, Bath & Beyond

True confession, I'm not a beer drinker.  I want lemonades, mojitos and sangria and other fruity fun drinks - and I want them to be beautifully displayed in this.  I love that its pretty and functional, and reminds me of a favorite Spa Hotel in my hometown.

Beverage Jar at Sur La Table

How will you make your summer space chic?

Come Sale Away

My friend Jaci, of EverydaySassypants.com fame, and I often talk shop in our gchats throughout the week. This week we stumbled across the Nordstrom Annual Sale, we played what I like to call "What would I like on this page?" and what she and her sisters called "that's me". The point of the game is that you shop with a friend/sister and know so clearly what matches their personal style that you could pick it out for them.

After many years of shopping at Loehmann's throughout college and then on Shopstyle together, Jaci and I know each other's style. I was inspired by her own virtual fall sale shopping spree and decided to share my own for the Nordstrom sale.

What I love about Jaci's style is her ability to play with a variety of textures and materials and unique hardware to create a look that is playful, colorful, but always really well put together and sophisticated. We've determined, my style is "classic", and there's no denying that here.Calvin Klein Split Neck Knit Sheath - I am liking this because the fit looks fantastic (the knit fabric is going to continue to hold it's shape) and because I feel like it could easily be dressed up for a day to night piece.

Halogen Draped Dolman Sweater - So, this is something I would wear anywhere. I'd wear it with leggings and boots, jeans, with a black pencil skirt for a playful twist on workwear. I think this might be a winner.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Quilted Knit Jacket I see this jacket and think I should find a way to wear this in the fall to pick apples, drink cider and sit by the fire... and probably should wear it with the Vince Ponte Knit Riding Pant.


Having a glamorous moment? These sunglasses might do the trick. Check out the
Burberry Oversized Sunglasses.
So I really don't wear a watch, but if I was this would be it, Michael Kors Runway Watch . It's a great play on the men's watch and fairly affordable for a watch (sale or not.)

Fall is all about the boot. As I have become a more practiced city commuter I have grown more aware of the need for practical, comfortable, flat boots and these are a favorite for fall, Stuart Weitzman Hammer Boot.


The Valentino 'Small' Nappa Leather Satchel is not on sale. But, Mr. Valentino if you want to become friends/family and do a special, I'm all for this number.

Happy Shopping! Fall will be here before you know it!

A belated 4th...

We moved on the weekend of July 4th.

No matter what anyone tells you, moving is exhausting.

The three day weekend proved to be a the perfect time to pack, haul and move across town.

So that Monday off was critical! And on Sunday we were able to finally sit back and enjoy our independence from moving trucks, packing tape, and boxes and celebrate our nation's independence too!
Our very good friends, and now new neighbors, invited us over for 4th of July BBQ. In full disclosure it is probably the first time I have ever gone to someone's house for a meal/party/celebration without bringing something, but with the exception of ice cubes, and some beerwe were saving for later, I had nothing to share. Not to worry - we were well fed and imbibed. Yum! Real coconut pina coladas. I'm not a fan of coconut, like at all, and these were pretty damn good!


BBQ'd sliders with a toppings bar? Uhm, hello Summer! I am officially in food heaven. These were delicious and we all enjoyed eating them, a lot!


That's me in the background - can you tell how happy I am over the bacon/swiss/sliders? Glee!


After dinner we managed to climb up, feeling very full, to our roof for the most spectacular fireworks show I can remember ever seeing. The neighborhood effort definitely rivaled the National show. It was like a welcome party just for us!

Our friends taking in the view!



We can't wait to celebrate more!

Wishing You All A Sassy Gay Friend

This was just great for a late night laugh. I love the tough love the "Sassy Gay Friend" gives the Giving Tree. Enjoy the laughs!

A Classic is Classic forever

Christy Turlington, Karen Elson and Natalia Vodianova for Louis Vuitton

Something becomes iconic when it stands the test of time, it's classic style overrides all trends, fads and fleeting whimsy. A classic is getting ready with girlfriends, posing in front on a mirror, a ponytail, a man's white shirt, American made blue jeans, summertime, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.

Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, Photo: Allan Grant/Time & Life Pictures - March 21, 1956

A classic really is forever.

Wishing you a classic and memorable weekend, no matter where your inspiration comes from!