Warby Parker

After scratching my eye a few weeks ago and having to wear glasses with a prescription that was about 4 years old (and frames dating back to high school), I knew it was the perfect time to get some new specs.  Several months back I had tried out 5 different pairs for free from Warby Parker and after getting many different opinions, settled on the Langston in Whiskey Tortoise.  The deal is great - get a pair of glasses, including prescription lenses, for only $95, and shipping and returns are free.  And every time you purchase a pair, they donate a pair to someone in need.  It's a win/win situation!  I love my new glasses, and am taking my time switching back to contacts.  What do you think? :)


xoxo,
stephanie marie

Benihana {a Black Friday Tradition}

For more than 30 years, my parents and their friends the Mattern's have made it a Black Friday tradition to go shopping downtown Seattle, have lunch in the city, then head over to Bellevue Square for more shopping and a nice dinner.  For the past several years, since I've been working downtown on Black Friday, I've joined them for lunch at Benihana.  It's always a fun experience to dine there with the chefs cooking right at your table, and I always know I'll get a yummy meal out of the deal.  I also get to stop into a few shops on my walk there :)  Thanks for letting me join in the fun again this year!

salad and green tea {they have the best dressing}

rice and mustard & ginger sauces

steak, shrimp, and veggies

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Thanksgiving Day

This year's Thanksgiving celebration was like many that came before it.  We spent the afternoon at my Aunt's house with 31 friends and family, ate platefuls of the classics, sang happy birthday to my cousin DJ, and laid around on the couches watching football and talking about how full we were.  After dinner, the thought of driving all the way to Seattle in the rain and in my tryptophan-induced state sounded so unappealing that I opted to stay at my parents for the evening and hang out with them and my brother, before having to get up at the crack of dawn for work the next day.  However, it was definitely worth it to be with some of the people I'm most thankful for :)

table 1

tables 2, 3, & 4

sam drawing numbers to see which table eats first

great grandma and shaun

yum!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Giving Thanks

This year, I am thankful for the amazing friends and family surrounding me.  I honestly don't know what I would do without them.  Though sometimes I take them for granted, it's times like these where I reflect and realize how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life.  Give your loved ones an extra big hug this weekend, and have a very Happy Thanksgiving :)


xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roasted Turkey Breast & Brussels Sprouts

As the host of Grub Club this past weekend, I was in charge of the main dish of the evening.  Since it was only 5 of us, I opted to make a turkey breast instead of a full turkey.  It was also my first attempt at cooking this bird, and I thought it best to start small.  After scouring the web for an easy yet creative recipe, I settled on this Roasted Turkey Breast with Peach Rosemary Glaze from The Food Network.  Though I was anxious throughout the entire process that I'd have either an underdone or completely dried out turkey, it ended up being perfectly cooked and was much easier than I had anticipated.  Paired with these yummy Bacon Brussels Sprouts from Emeril Lagasse and all of the other wonderful dishes the girls brought, it was the perfect pre-Thanksgiving meal :)

bacon brussels sprouts

braising the turkey

peach glaze

peach glaze over the turkey

carving my first turkey

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Grub Club {Thanksgiving Edition}

While it's still a working-title for the group, our Thanksgiving edition of cooking/supper/grub club was a complete success.  I hosted this round, and with the holiday just 3 days away we did our own interpretations of the classics.  With my turkey and brussels sprouts, Erika's twice baked potatoes, Maddie's stuffing, Lizzie's cranberries, and Erin's mini pumpkin cheesecakes, it was just like a real Thanksgiving - with everyone lying around on the couch way too full but not wanting to stop :)  Up tomorrow - my recipes!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Ocho

Last night Stefanie volunteered to help use up my Groupon to the Majestic Bay Theater (2 movie tickets and popcorn).  Since we were in the area early, we decided to stop at one of our favorite spots for happy hour, Ocho.  It serves the best and most authentic Spanish tapas I've found in Seattle, and we made it our mission to try as many as we could.  While it's usually packed with customers, last night it was virtually empty, making it easy to find a table and order plate after plate of delicious food.  After dinner, we stopped by Hazlewood for a quick cocktail before heading to the theater to see J. Edgar.  As Stefanie said, it was the perfect way to spend a cold and rainy Thursday night.

spicy garlic prawns

tortilla espanola

croquetas {fried goat cheese}

broccoli

sherried mushrooms on toast with arugula

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Congrats {Lizzie & Nick}

Last night the girls got together to toast the engagement of Lizzie and Nick.  After 5 years of dating, it's about time :)  I'm so excited for them and can't wait to help celebrate in the coming months.  Congrats you two!!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

pic from Maddie in Chelan 2011

Roasted Potato Leek Soup

When I tried a bite of Ina Garten's Roasted Potato Leek Soup that Stefanie had made last week, I knew that I had to make it for myself.  With the weather getting colder and a week's worth of lunches to plan, I picked up the ingredients and whipped it up on Monday night.  With just a few slight variations from the original recipe (Russet potatoes, a little less wine, and no time to make crispy shallots), I was enjoying the meal in no time at all.  Though the roasting of the veggies can be a little slow going, the rest of the assembly was super quick and easy.  I'll be eating this all week long, and I couldn't be happier :)

roasted potatoes and leeks

wilted arugula

combining the veggies with stock and wine

adding the cream and creme fraiche

blended together and topped with parmesan 

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Round the County

Roche Harbor

With everyone else soaking wet and freezing while sailing 'Round the County' this weekend, Liz and I explored San Juan Island while trying to stay warm (and awake).  Here is our weekend in pictures.  

beers while waiting for the Mukilteo ferry

we spotted the sailors from the warmth of the ferry - but couldn't quite pick out Voodoo Child

walking around Roche Harbor, waiting to get massages :)

Roche Harbor

walking back from the boat

the main lodge at Lakedale Resort

the main room in the Lake House {which we lucked out in getting}

view from the Lake House

one of our smaller cabins

trying to find the boat from Lime Kiln Point State Park {which apparently had sailed past hours earlier}

it definitely felt like fall/winter

a well deserved nap on the ferry ride home

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Out on the Island

There are lots of pretty pictures to go through from this great weekend, but for now I'll leave you with this shot from a cliff on San Juan Island.  If you look closely, you might even be able to see a sailboat in the background (Liz assured me they were there).  More tomorrow!

xoxo,
stephanie marie