does this mean i have to get a subscription to The Knot?

Last weekend, on a regular Sunday afternoon, Pete and I went hiking at one of our favorite spots in LA and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I always thought I would catch on that something was up, that I would sense a nervousness about him, but I was taken completely by surprise and true to form, cried like a baby. We’re very, very happy and thrilled by the fact that our friends and family are as excited as we are. Thanks for all the good wishes, it really makes us smile.

saturdays are for adventure

On Saturday, in an effort to be more varied in our breakfast choices, we decided to try out a new (for us) spot on 3rd Street called Little Next Door. It was a bit of a hike from where we live but it was totally worth it. It is the cutest little French bistro that serves the best latte I’ve had so far in LA. I had the omelet fumé (roasted chicken, sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese- oh. so. good.) and Pete had his first Croque Madame, which, as he said “is everything I love to eat at breakfast rolled into one”.

After we ate, we decided to go on a little adventure and take a drive down the coast. I love driving along the Pacific Coast Highway through all the little beach towns, especially with sights like this:

Ugh. So cute in his little goggles. And such a good little model too.

By the time we hit Laguna Beach, we were starting to get hungry. Since I was craving Mexican, we decided to go to where we knew it would be good: San Diego! I’ve been using Yelp a lot recently for restaurant recommendations, and I turned to it once again to guide us in the direction of some totally delish Mexican. It led us to La Playa Taco Shop, a little shack on the side of the road servin’ up the tastiest and cheapest fish tacos. For good measure, we also grabbed us some meat tacos, which were scrumptious, but quickly realized that when it comes to tacos, fish is where it's at.

Sadly, they don’t serve booze, so my thirst for a margarita was not quenched. Alas, I had to settle for ice cream on the boardwalk. Woe is me.

20x200

Today while browsing my massively long list of blogs (I'm serious, I might need a blog intervention), I found a link to the site 20x200. This site is perfect for someone like me who loves to decorate my space(s) with art that inspires me, or makes me laugh, or that just makes me happy, but doesn’t really have the pocketbook to support a full blown habit.

found here

Every week, they introduce one new photo and one new work on paper. They then offer them in three standard sizes at three different prices, each with a limited quantity. The smallest size is offered at $20 in a batch of 200 and every single print comes with a certificate of authenticity numbered by the artist. As they say, it’s a great way for people who want to sell their art and people who want to buy their art to meet.

a little bit of this and a little bit of that

*Ab and Jed came to visit us over MLK day weekend and we partook in all sorts of awesomeness.  They really couldn't have picked a better weekend to come, the weather was top notch, and the conditions were prime for a dance off:

*On Friday night, Pete took me out on a surprise date to Craft LA. I have wanted to eat at Craft since before we moved here (if you remember, it was on my list, an update on the progress of the list coming soon) so to say I was excited when we pulled up is a bit of an understatement. It was, hands down, the best meal of my life. The service was great, the food was prepared perfectly, and they pretty much had to roll me out of there they gave us so much food on top of what we ordered. They even send you home with a freshly homemade chocolate chip muffin. That Tom Colicchio, always looking out for you. I want to go back every weekend for the rest of the time I live in LA. Best date ever.

*The soup phase continues, as can be seen over at A Bit Better, with some Spicy Artichoke Tomato Soup. Totally delish and perfect for that cold weather everyone else except us is experiencing (did I tell you it was 80 degrees here a few weekends ago?). Don't hate me. 

*One last thing: I bought 10lbs of oranges for 5 bucks last week at the farmers market and I've been eating one or two a day for the past week but I still have six left to use up before they go bad. Any suggestions???

Why my hip-hop posse would include Ina Garten

Ina Garten
because no one messes with Ina. Plus, we could all chill at her crib in the Hamptons.

sunday morning

I love me some Sundays, especially Sunday mornings. There is little better in this world than sleeping in, making a big breakfast, brewing some coffee or tea and lounging around, enjoying not having to do anything but meander over to the farmers market and see what looks good. This morning, inspired by my new cast iron skillet (seriously, I love you, but it's going to take a while for me to get used to you being so. damn. heavy.) I decided to make a recipe from Orangette that I've had bookmarked for oh, about 3 years. 

Oh lordy, dutch babies are now my new favorite breakfast food. You whir a few ingredients in a blender or food processor. Melt some butter in a cast iron skillet, pour the batter in, throw it in a hot oven for a spell and when it comes out it looks like this:

How can that not be good?? The traditional topping for this is lemon juice and powdered sugar and I also made a blueberry sauce to go along with it, but I think I am a dutch baby purist, because seriously? the tang of the lemon and the sweetness of the sugar with the richness of the dutch baby? Swoon.

Recipe found here. A few notes: If you don't have a cast iron, I read that you can also do this in a glass pie pan, but you would want to have the batter be at room temperature or your pie pan will shatter. Not fun. Also, I used half 2% and half heavy cream and I am pretty sure you can use whatever kind of milk you have in the fridge. I also added a pinch of salt and a few teaspoons of sugar, just because I felt like it.

soup, it's what's for dinner

While it isn't necessarily as cold as what I am used to, it is definitely winter around here. The air is cooler, the famed orange scarf has reappeared, and I am snuggling under the heavy blanket at night to keep warm. I am also craving soup. Lots and lots of soup. Last Sunday I picked up some kale at the farmers market not really having anything in mind for it, I just thought it was so pretty, with it's ruffly, girly edges. Tuesday night I made this soup, just throwing in what looked good (I'm looking at you red pepper) and what looked not so good (hello, shriveled up, almost ready for the garbage carrots) until it smelled totally delish.

Kale and White Bean Soup

2 carrots, chopped

1 red pepper chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large clove of garlic, minced

1/4 cup white wine

1 can of white beans (I didn't even bother rinsing the beans off, as I wanted that weird bean goo to thicken the soup)

4 cups stock (veggie, chicken, whatever you've got)

1/2 bunch kale, chopped

fresh herbs, minced (I had rosemary, sage and thyme)

red pepper flakes (next time I might do a little siracha as well)

salt and pepper

zest of 1 lemon, juice of half

parmesan

saute carrot, red pepper and onion in olive oil until soft. add garlic, white wine, beans and stock and bring to a boil. add kale, herbs, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. simmer until kale is tender. add lemon juice and zest. when serving sprinkle parmesan over the top.