What I'm Watching: Downton Abbey

For his birthday, Mark got a blue ray system that allows us to access Netflix and Hulu without having to go through the Wi.  I immediately went on a search for tv series that I had not yet seen, but that I had been meaning to catch up on.  Enter Downton Abbey.  I had heard wonderful things about this show, but I hadn't found the time to sit down and start watching it.  Until Sunday.  We had to pry ourselves off of the counch Sunday night in order to go to bed at a reasonable hour.  Once we started watching it, we couldn't stop. 

There is something so intriguing about the show.  From the manor itself to all of the characters who live in it, it seems that you never know what is coming next.  It is the perfect combination of mischief and mayhem and romance.  My favorite part is that the story told is not just of the priveleged class, but that they also look into the lives of the manor's staff.  Even further, they allow you to see the relationships that develop between the family that owns Downton and the staff. 

Here's some pictures that can't do justice to the beauty of this show.  But they might get you interested enough to watch...

Do you watch Downton?  What do you think??  Who's your favotire character?

I love Anna for being sweet and always seeing the best in people, but I love Lady Cybil the most for her spunk and her independence.  I love her most for her belief in making one's dreams come true.  When she told Gwen (her maid), "your dream is my dream now,"  she immediately became my favorite Crawley.

I believe...

I was catching up on blogs recently, and I saw a wonderful post by Erin from Fleur de Lis and Football where she wrote about some of the things she believes in.  It was such a fun way to get to know a little more about her, so I thought I'd play along.

I believe...

...that there is nothing lovelier than walking into my house and seeing fresh cut flowers...

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... that cooking is more fun when I buy my ingredients at a farmers' market...

...that wine and cheese make a perfectly acceptable meal...

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...that certain things are just better when they are coated in glitter...

...that laughing until your tummy hurts is the very best medicine...

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...that I know how we coined the term "wrapped around your finger"...

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...that being an "old married couple" should be considered a compliment..

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...that at the end of each day I get to go home to the two most amazing people...

What do you believe in...

Ten Things on Thursday

I have missed participating in Lisa's Ten Things, so I thought I'd play along to one she put a few weeks ago.  Here goes:

1. If you watch the Food Network, which chef/show host is your favorite?

Without a doubt it's Ina Garten.  I actually have this hope that one day soon Mark and I will take a trip to the Hamptons.  I will be at the market selecting perfectly unperfect heirloom tomatoes when I spot Ina.  She comes over and says "now that's a lovely batch.'  And I say, "yes, well I'm working on heirloom tomato pies for supper."  And she loves the idea so much that she asks me to come over and show her how to make them in her kitchen.  Then Mark and Jeffrey join us for a wonderful meal with the perfect tablescape.  A girl can dream!

2. Do most of the people in your life know you blog? Or are you partially or totally anonymous?

Most of the peple in my life know I blog.  It's been a great way to stay in touch with everyone we love who live in a million different places.

3. When you grocery shop, do you prefer to bag your own groceries or do you like it when the store bags them for you? Paper, plastic, or reusable bags?

I am a very particular shopper and would love if the check out person would let me bag my own things.  I like all of the frozen items bagged together, then the meats, then refrigerated items, then produce, then dry goods.  It sounds crazy, but it's so much easier to unload that way.  Unfortunately, even when I set them out in that order, they end up getting mixed in the bags.  Grrr....  I love reusable bags because they're not only better for the environment, but they also hold so much more and are easier to carry!

4. Do you prefer to dine outdoors or indoors?

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I prefer to dine outdoors.  It reminds me of all of the fabulous cafe where we had wine and cheese in Paris.  Of course, living in New Orleans, I prefer to dine whereever I am not 100 degrees...

5. How do you pronounce the word aunt? Does your pronunciation rhyme with ‘haunt’ or ‘can’t'?

I say aunt that rhymes with can't.  Mark says it the other way, and I think it sounds so funny.

6. Do you like to take baths? Do you take them very often?

I love to take a nice hot bath.  I find it so incredibly relaxing.  I might indulge in a good bath every month or so.  This makes me think I need to do this more often!

7. What color are the walls in your kitchen?

Every wall in our house is painted a very light neutral color with cream trim.  This would not be what I would have chosen, but right before we moved in the previous owners had the house professionally painted and their is not a spot out of place.  We have 13 foot ceiling downstairs, and I just can't bring myself to consider a color change now.  I think next summer we might have them done, but until now neutral it is.

8. Do you have a green thumb?

NO!  I wish I did.  My dad is a wonderful gardener.  Unfortunately, I am not very thoughtful when it comes to taking care of plants.  I once won this beautiful rose topiary at a fundraiser and it died before I got it home.  I'm not kidding.  When I got back to work from the event, I had about two hours left to my work day, and I assumed since it was hot outside at the nursery, and it was hot inside my car, those two things were equivalent.  Well, apparently, plants shouldn't be kept in a hot car... 

9. Describe your ideal weather.

My absolute favorite thing in the world is feeling the first cool breezes of fall.  I feel renewed.  I love when it is just cool enough where you need a light sweater and a scarf.  It's still sunny during the day so you can really enjoying sitting outside with a good book or a good friend. And I love when you start to see pumpkins on people's porches. It's like one day the fall fairy arrives and everything feels a little bit more festive.

10. If you could learn any foreign language, which would you choose to learn?

French!  It is not the most practical, but it sure is beautiful.

What's your ideal weather?  Or your favorite Food Network Star?

Six Years of Wedded Bliss

Six years ago, I became the luckiest girl in the world when Mark chose to spend his life with me.  We had no idea where our journey would take us, only that we wanted to take this journey together.  I treasure every moment we have spent together as husband and wife, and I look forward to a million memories yet to be made...

Our photographer, Jeff Pounds, was an absolute pleasure to work with.  I am so grateful that he captured this magical night!

Home Sweet Home

Finally, after weeks of waiting...   and as of 4:30 pm this evening, Mark and I are happy homeowners!!!!!  It has been a long process filled with its fair share of struggles and bumps in the road, but each and every one of those lows led us down this crazy journey to the most joyful evening!   Our little nest is a converted Victorian double that was renovated into a single with a camel back, so it has loads of modern amenities without foregoing its old New Orleans charm.  From its gas lantern and its gingerbread architecture to its original hardwood floors, stained glass windows, and its recessed ceiling, it is just the loveliest house a girl could ever ask for!

After getting the keys, we met my mom, dad, sister, and her bf at the house where we enjoyed some pizza from Slice Pizzeria and champagne that my sister and Milton brought to celebrate our happy beginning.

I have to thank Sarah Martzolf Grossman, our realtor, with Latter and Blum.  As we faced challenges along the way during this process, she was constantly there to guide us, to assure us, and to find solutions when we thought that none remained.

Thank you for your patience my dear blogging friends.  I know that I have not been very responsive these last few weeks, but with this big day officially behind us, I look forward to checking in with all of you.  And I look forward to sharing all of our new adventures as homeowners with you.

Much love and sweet dreams!

In Just One Week...

  

I will be turning the Big 3-0.  Holy cow!!!  I will honestly say that this milestone has me a bit nostalgic.  I just can't figure out where all of this time has gone.  Just yesterday, I was turning 21 and using my very own real ID to go to Pat O's for a hurricane and to Harrah's for my first try at black jack.  In fact, I still have a $2.50 coin that I won that night in my wallet.  It was a birthday full of celebrations surrounded by family and friends.  

And thoughts of celebration makes me very excited about what's in store a week from now!  It is going to be a week of making wonderful 30th birthday memories.  We'll have dinner with my family on the actual day, and then we're celebrating on Wednesday at the Chef's Table at Commander's Palace, on Thursday two of my best girls from SC are coming down, Friday we're having a huge dinner party at Luke, and on Saturday a birthday brunch at Commander's and a final friends dinner at Clancy's.  I'm full just thinking about it!!!  I can wait to turn 30, but I can't wait to start the party!!!

I think this fabulous wine glass would help 30 go down so much easier, don't you!!

PS - BIG NEWS POSTING TOMORROW EVENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I promise that blogging really is one of my favorite things.  I have had a bit of a harder time adjusting to being home than I thought I would.  Our housing situation has been a complete roller coaster ride, and I felt like blogging about it would bring you all down as my spirits have been pretty low.  But, I think we may have turned a corner in that department, and I'm hoping to share some exciting news with you very soon.  

I hope you forgive my lack of posts and that you stick with me for a week or two until we settle in a little more. 

A few weeks back, the lovely Sarah from Living Well tagged me in a fun question and answer game about some of my favorite things. 

1. What is your dream job?

I would absolutely L-O-V-E to own a little French bakery with my sister.  We'd call it Soeurs Patisserie for Sisters Bakery.  Our shop would be sweet and charming and have a lovely navy blue awning and flower boxes in the windows!  And we'd know all of our customers by name!

  

2. Favorite Halloween costume idea?

Seeing as I have decided that rather than turning thirty right after Halloween, I will instead be celebrating the 30th anniversary of 1980, I will vote for an all out perfect 80s costume similar to the ones my favorite NYC ladies once wore!

3. Favorite dish to bring to a party or potluck?

My friend Anna's uncle is a caterer, and he makes the most delicious baked brie I've ever tasted.  He scores a wheel of brie and wraps it in Pillsbury crescent rolls and bakes the cheese until the crust is golden.  Then he mixes a box of brown sugar, a stick of butter, 2 tsp of vanilla, a cup of chopped pecans, and a few dashes of bourbon and heats the mixture in the microwave until melted and blended.  The praline mixture is poured over the brie and served with sliced apples and buttery crackers.  DEEEELISH!

4. Favorite magazine?

It's a tie between In Style and Food and Wine.  Fashion and tasty recipes - how do you beat that!

5. Best restaurant you've ever been to?

Without a doubt it would be Hidden Kitchen, a private supper club, in Paris.  You can read all about our unique experience at this amazing spot HERE... 

6. Favorite thing about fall?

I would typically say football, but seeing as how poorly this season has started, I think I'll go with a different favorite thing about Fall... pumpkins!!!  Every year on the first weekend of October, my parents would take my sister and me to the French Market to pick out a pumpkin.  It was something I always looked forward to, and it always signified that Fall had arrived!

7. Most romantic love song in your opinion?

My roommate from college sang our first dance song at our wedding reception.  We chose Etta James' At Last, and each and every time I hear it, it makes me so very happy.  I will never forget that feeling of exhilaration as we danced for the first time as husband and wife!

8. Current item at the top of your shopping wishlist?

I am in loves with these abacuses from CB2.  I have a set of them on my birthday wishlist!!!

Lots of Little Things All About Me...

I was recently tagged by three lovely ladies!  Here are the questions they each asked...

Mrs. MFC asked...

1. What's your signature color?

It's not very original, but black is my signature, I suppose.  In fact Mark has issued a moratorium on black Banana Republic sweaters.  I can't get enough of them!  There's nothing quite like a LBD!

 

2. What's your most embarrassing moment?

I was the new member advisor for DG, and we were preparing for Initiation.  I was in a black pleated skirt cocktail dress, and filed nicely in a row, were the new members dressed in beautiful white dresses.  We were having Initiation at a home on St. Charles Ave very near the dorms, so it was a bustling area.  I went to reach for a girl's purse when, woops, I fell down the entire set of stairs.  I landed with my head on the ground and my legs on the stairs and my skirt around my waist!  Mortifying!!!

3. Would you ever get anything besides your ears pierced?

I wouldn't.  I don't think I could pull it off.

4. Are you a social butterfly or a homebody?
A social butterfly and a chatterbox, imagine that!

 

5. Do you remain loyal to your hairstylist or do you try every new one in town?

I am loyal!  Amy Smith at Orchid Salon, what will I do without you.  If only I could convince her to move to New Orleans with me next Friday!

6. Are you done having babies, or do you want more?
We haven't started, but we're looking forward to hearing the pitter patter of baby feet...

 

7. If you could plan a vacation with just you and your love, where would it be?

I would love to take the Napa Valley train through the wine country!

8. How many times have you moved in your life?
I'm interpreting this as out of town moves.  I lived in New Orleans my whole life, minus a three week relocation to Houma after Katrina, until we moved to Beaufort, SC four years ago.  We move home one week from today, and I am filled with more emotions than I knew existed.  

The Little Match Girl Asked...

1. What is the one place in the world you have never been but have always wanted to go?

Mark and I went to Paris this spring and we loved it.  That trip has made me want to explore the world.  I'd love to do Italy or Spain, but Mark is dying to get to Ireland, so that's where we're headed next!

2. What movie do you watch over and over that always makes you laugh/cry?

Troop Beverly Hills always makes me laugh and Dead Poets Society always makes me cry.

3. Where did you meet your best friend?

This is a tough one because I have had many best friends. I will use the cliche and say that my hubby is my best friend.  You can read all about how we met here, here, and here.  It was at Fat Harry's!

4. Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts?

While these are both fine alternatives, there's nothing like a cafe au lait from Cafe du Monde.  NOTHING!

5. Have you ever had a celebrity run in? If so...share!

I've had a few when I nannied in Aspen; however, my most recent was the star studded visit I had to the White house when the Saints met the President.  I still cannot believe I got to be there!!!

6. What is your favorite part of everyday?

I love waking up in the morning to Beignet excitedly jumping in the bed and Mark standing at the door smiling.

7. Are you a cook, baker, or none of the above..

I would like to consider myself a little of each!  I LOVE to bake, but I am not as patient or precise as I need to be.  And I LOVE to cook.  I find it so relaxing to read a new cookbook and then plan a week's menus.  I love grocery shopping, chopping, and sauteing.  Mmmm!!!

8. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall?

Fall for certain.  Crisp air, pumpkin patches, football!!!  It is my favorite time of year!

 

How I Met Your Father asked...

1. If you could have any superpower what would you have? Why?

Hmmm...  It would be to fly.  Think of all of the fascinating places you could get to without ever havign to go through a security line!  And no delays to put you  in a grumpy mood!

2. Who is your style icon?

Audrey Hepburn.  She was ladylike and classy with just the right touch of spunkiness.

3. What is your favorite quote?

I don't know if it's my favorite, but it's one I think is right on the money.  By Chris Rose, "Mardi Gras is the love of life. It is the harmonic convergence of our food, our music, our creativity, our eccentricity, our neighborhoods, and our joy of living. All at once."

4. What is the best compliment you've ever received?

On the night we got engaged, Mark asked me to share his life with him.  Is there any better compliment than that?

5. What playlist/cd is your CD player/iPod right now?

I actually use my Ipod more for watching tv.  Currently I am starting to watch The Wire again from the beginning.  It is amazing how truly groudbreaking this show is!

6. Are you a night owl or a morning person?

A night owl.  I love to stay up late and watch old movies or things I have set on the Tivo.  I've been that way since I was little.  My mom and I used to watch black and white movies together after my dad and sister went to bed.  I loved Breakfast at Tiffany's and Barefoot in the Park the best...

7. Do you prefer cats or dogs?

I prefer dogs.  And more specifically, I prefer our dogs Annie and Beignet!

8. What is the meaning behind your blog name?

I consider New Orleans more than where I am from.  New Orleans is who I am.  It's a spirit of resiliency, a joy of life, and an understanding that the important things in life come from the simple things found nowhere else but in the Big Easy. 

 



Play along!  Pick your favorite question and tell me your answer.  I'd love to know a little thing about you!