It's My Party

This weekend, I get to spend quality time with some of my most favorite people.  With happy hour and who-knows-what-else scheduled for tonight with awesome coworkers and a ladies only Sunday brunch set with my bestest girls followed by dinner with the fam, this weekend is sure to be fabulous.  I'll try to take Andrew's advice (above) and keep calm, but I'm so excited to get the party started!  Here's to a weekend filled with yummy food, lovely friends, fancy cocktails, and a cupcake or two :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg



Need to make a potato salad?  How about some egg salad sandwiches (perhaps for a picnic dinner at an outdoor movie)?  Or just want to know how to make the perfect hard-boiled egg?  Look no further than my most used cookbook by Martha Stewart.  Here are the almost too easy to follow directions to get the perfect egg every time.  Enjoy!

Place eggs in saucepan and add enough water to cover them by 1 inch.  Bring the water to a simmer over high heat.

Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 12 minutes.  Drain and rinse under cold running water.  Unpeeled eggs can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week.

xoxo,

stephanie marie



Happy Birthday Shaun!

Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest brother in the world.  Don't tell him this, but he's pretty great.  I just can't believe my little brother is a quarter of a century old!  Here's to a birthday filled with Funfetti cake, golf, and lots of home town lovin' (thanks to a visit from the parents).  Don't worry little bro - I'll be over soon for a much needed visit.  I love you  :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Baguette Box

One of the most tasty sandwiches I've ever had (and I pride myself on being quite a sandwich connoisseur) is the Coconut Braised Tofu sandwich at Baguette Box.  My friend Andrew introduced me to this place years ago, and it never disappoints.  Even though their menu is so enticing (ranging from Drunken Chicken to Grilled Chorizo to Braised Pork Belly) I can never stray from this delicious tofu sandwich.  And I'm not even a fan of tofu!  It's that good.  Please - next time you're in Seattle, stop by and try it out.  I think I will have to do the same to kick off the birthday week.  Oh, and perhaps I'll throw in a side of truffle fries as well.

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Fleur De Lys

After more than a year of being in love with these plates from Anthropologie, I finally decided to give them a permanent home in my kitchen as an early birthday present to myself.  I love how delicate and "ladylike" (as the description says) they are, and I'll be able to accent them with any color in the future.  I can't wait to have a mini dinner party with them - or perhaps a birthday brunch?

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Members Only

Via Spiga Sheri bootie

As I've said, one of my most favorite days of the year is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  To my surprise and extreme excitement, I was invited (along with all other Nordstrom card holders) to preview the sale 2 weeks early with a personal shopper.  Not only was I able to view all of the sale items in special tents set up around the store, I also could bring my purchases home that day and receive double reward points.  Yay!  Since some of my favorite purchases aren't even available online anymore(including my awesome Rebecca Minkoff wallet that I picked up on a whim), I'm so glad I snatched these up before everyone else had a chance.  Here are a few of my favorite things that will be joining my closet for the fall.

Tahari sheath

 Frye 'Melissa Button Back Zip' Boot

Michael Kors 'Small Layton' Crystal Index Watch (that i've been coveting for years)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Linguine with Shrimp & Lemon Oil

After flipping through my Giada de Laurentiis cookbooks a few weeks ago with Erika and chatting about how everything looked delicious, I felt inspired to make a Giada recipe this week.  I chose the Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil for two reasons - it would be quick and simple to whip up on a weeknight and I would get to use my new best friend, the Microplane grater.  This thing is amazing.  If you are doing anything with the zest of a lemon or orange, or need to grate cheese over any dish, I demand you go out and buy one immediately.  This grater has changed my life, and it will change yours too.  Oh, and the pasta was delish :)

making the lemon oil with my grater

  

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Volterra {brunch}

Erika and I had a fun hike planned for Sunday (something to cross off of my list).  I had my clothes laid out, my camera battery charged, and was about to make us some turkey sandwiches for a picnic lunch when I peeked out the window.  Rain.  And not just a little sprinkle - it was pouring!  In the middle of July!!  Sad and defeated that our hike would have to wait until another day, we decided to cheer ourselves up with brunch at one of my most favorite restaurants, Volterra.  The food never disappoints, and the Ultimate Peach Thyme Bellinis didn't hurt either.  After we were sufficiently stuffed, we drove around our favorite neighborhoods in the city looking for open houses and dreaming about the day we can each have one to call our own. 

bellinis

Milano Milano

duck and yukon gold potato hash

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Wine & Cheese Night

Last Friday, Erika hosted a wine and cheese tasting night - something she's been wanting to do for a long time.  Each girl brought a Cabernet Sauvignon from $10 to $20 (and a $3 bottle thrown in for fun) and a different type of cheese.  We did blind tastings of the wine while gorging ourselves with yummy cheeses (the drunken goat was my fave) and other snacks, and through intense and very sophisticated judging, Autumn's wedding wine ended up on top.  It was such a fun night with the ladies, and I can't wait to try again (maybe next time with whites?).


                                     

blind tastings

in winning order

crackers and snacks

Erin, Erika, and me

yummy cheese plate

Erin's "almond roca"

fun pictures from Autumn's new Fujifilm instax

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Maddie!

Happy birthday to one of the sweetest, funniest, most generous and stylish ladies I know :)  Have the happiest birthday Maddie - you deserve it! (and I can't wait to celebrate!!)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

picture on the streets of Reykjavik

A Special Anniversary

No matter how sad, frustrated, or just plain ol' bored I feel, going into Nordstrom always makes me feel 100 times better (I don't know if this is a good thing, but we'll just go with it).  My grandma even jokes that when I was teeny tiny, I used to tell everyone that my shoes were from Nordstrom.  And the best part about Nordstrom?  The Anniversary Sale, starting today.  Ever since I can remember, I've gone on the very first day to brave the crowds and come home with great finds.  Since I've already been to the pre-sale this year (more on my fun purchases next week), the first day is going to be a little less chaotic, only targeting one or two departments I missed.  It's exactly what I need to put a smile on my face.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Couscous Salad with Chickpeas

If you're looking for a simple yet satisfying summer dish to whip up in minutes, look no further than this Couscous Salad with Chickpeas from the July 2010 issue of Cooking Light magazine.  I've made it several times in the past year and it never disappoints.  Make it as a side or a main dish on a night where you want something homemade but don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.  You can substitute different veggies and spices depending on what you have on hand - I think next time, I'll try adding cucumber and omitting the cinnamon.  Yum!


xoxo,
stephanie marie

Namaste

Last night, after a very long hiatus, I finally took a yoga class.  And it felt wonderful :)  There are very few places that I feel as calm and happy and anxiety-free as I do in Carey's yoga class, and I'm thrilled that she's back and teaching at my work again.  This is exactly what I needed, and I couldn't be happier :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Maximilien & Bridesmaids

Last week, with the weather turning deliciously sunny, Stefanie and I enjoyed happy hour on the outdoor deck at Maximilien.  We had refreshing cocktails and appetizers while watching the ferries sail across the sound.  I can't believe I'd never been to this spot - it's rare to find a place in Seattle with a huge deck and such a great view and yummy food.  Perfect for a summer Seattle day.  After happy hour we walked down to The Big Picture for a showing of Bridesmaids.  Ha!!  This is the funniest movie I've seen in a loooong time.  Please - if you haven't seen it, you must.  Like my mom said, my cheeks were sore from laughing so much.  And it doesn't hurt that at The Big Picture, you can enjoy the movie with a bottle of champagne :)

pulled pork baguettes

fougasse vegetarian

the view from our table

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {in pictures}

This weekend could be the perfect summer weekend.  It started Friday night with a BBQ at Greenlake, and Saturday I spent all day at Maddie's parent's pool with Maddie and Autumn, eating great food, lying on floaties, and getting sunburnt.  Sunday, my dad finally cashed in his bday present and we went to Spud Fish & Chips and the Greenlake Pitch & Putt.  It was all so much fun, and made me so happy that summer is finally here to stay.

BBQ

Zeke wanting to chase a squirrel

summer swimming

cheese and meat plate by the pool

steamed clams courtesy of Maddie's mama

fish and chips - so yummy

wasting time on the very slow course

happy late bday dad!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Chicago {Hancock Tower & The Purple Pig}

it started out as a warm sunny evening...

After our first (long) day in Chicago, Leslie and I met up with Josh for drinks, food, and lots of laughs.  We started out at The Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock Tower, where we sipped martinis and took in one of the craziest storms I've ever seen.  The tower was swaying and at one point, we couldn't even see out the window.  Though a bit scary, it was one of my favorite things I experienced on the trip.  After drinks, we headed to Chicago's newest hot spot, The Purple Pig, for wine and tapas.  We were drooling over each course and the atmosphere in the restaurant was cozy and familiar.  I would highly recommend it.  But the best part?  Spending the evening laughing and reminiscing with Josh, who I don't see nearly enough.  I love that guy :)

then it got darker...

and the clouds started rolling in....

and this is what we saw out the window!

afterwards, we watched the craziest lightning storm over the lake

The Purple Pig with Josh

milk braised pork shoulder w/mashed potatoes & roasted beets w/whipped goat cheese & pistachio vinaigrette

running home in the rain storm

miss you, Josh!

xoxo,

stephanie marie