A Beekman Obsession

So it's no secret that I am obsessed with the Beekman Boys. In fact, on our East Coast trip not only did I drive out to the Beekman 1802 store in Sharon Springs...







...but I also tracked Brent and Josh down at a local fair and had my picture taken with them.



So when I found out they were going to be doing a book tour for their new "Beekman 1802 Heirloom Recipie Cookbook," there was no doubt that I was going to show up. The husband was a trooper, and he accompanied me once again to meet them at the Williams and Sonoma shop in Beverly Hills.





And though the guys didn't recognize the opera shawl I had purchased at their store, I still love them to death. They are so incredibly nice and sweet whenever they meet their fans. And I cannot say enough about the cookbook. Please, do yourself a favor and go out and purchase one for your family. Not only is it the most exquisitely photographed cookbook I have ever seen (and the typography is to die for), but it is so personal. They've actually included cards that you can write your own family's recipes in the book. It is truly something I will be able to pass on to my children.

And the recipes are scrumptious...you couldn't expect anything else from them.

Boston- Day 1

As I start to prepare for this new school year, I'm longing for the gorgeous east coast scenery I was spoiled with on our New England road trip vacation. I miss the seafood and creative cocktails. And I also miss getting to sleep in (getting up at 5:30 sucks). Here's to the first of my vacation re-cap posts.














We stayed in Cambridge for most of the first day, dining at the Russel House Tavern where I got my bacon fill. In fact, I probably had the best bloody mary ever there: they make theirs with bourbon. If the option is available try it. I then talked the husband into walking part of the Freedom Trail with me before we had dinner at Hungry Mother, one of Boston's best restaurants (literally EVERYONE we talked to recommended this place). They make southern food with a French twist. It was the perfect first day of vacation with the hubs.

OC Mart Mix

So did you know it takes awhile to download over 700 photos? I'm sure you do. After running around yesterday and then rushing to meet my husband at an Angels game, blogging fell through. And today was one of those days that just escaped me. I am feeling very lazy (hello sweatpants!), so here's some info about my new favorite local spot: the OC Mart Mix.

I can't remember if I read about this place in Sunset magazine or the Automobile magazine, but I was super excited to hear about it. And I totally felt out of the loop since it actually opened last year. This outdoor shopping venue is near a huge orange county shopping destination, South Coast Plaza. It is somewhat similar to The Lab (dubbed the anti-mall), but I think it has the potential to be better once they get some more stores in. The OC Mart Mix has a wide array of stores ranging from a bicycle store to a bakery. They also have stalls inside a huge building for small vendors (I bought the dress I wore on our anniversary from one of them).

And the best thing is that food trucks come here.









Ridiculously good tacos and spicy sweet potato fries.







People were literally standing memorized at this coffee place similar to Blue Bottle in San Francisco.

They're getting started with happy hours on Fridays with certain food trucks coming out (there's a wine bar in the huge building). I will definitely be organizing some at this place.

Happy Birthday, Sissy!!

Tap, tap...is this thing on? To those of you who still read this little old blog, I'm back from my east coast adventure. I left my John and Abigail Adams seminar with Joseph Ellis feeling more inspired and re-invigorated than I have in years about the subject I teach. I am so excited to start back in a few weeks and share the stories I have learned.

And then my anniversary trip up the coast of New England with the hubs was just incredible. I cannot wait to share my pictures with you.

For now though, I would like to share the birthday card I picked up for my sis in Salem, MA. If you are as big a fan of Target as I am, you will love this card.




You can purchase this gem at http://www.fomato.com

My little sis, Kyle, turns 27 today. Happy birthday, girl! Vacation pictures start tomorrow. =)

A Little Less Conversation...

As I am sitting here, wasting away another day of summer vacation, I'm thinking about somewhat longingly to the little trip I got to take to Vegas back in June for a conference.

I know what you're thinking. How the heck did a school teacher get sent to Vegas for a conference? A group from my school site actually went to learn about professional learning communities. It was such an invigorating experience that gave many of us the opportunity to bond. And bond we did, over drinks and food.



We arrived a day early, so I started off with a dragonberry mojito at Caesar's Palace.





That night, some colleagues and I decided to check out Bobby Flay's Mesa Grille. It did not disappoint. In fact, I devoured the best chile relleno I have ever had in my life.



The next day, knowing how much I love burgers, my friend Greg led our group to what he deemed the best burger place in Vegas: Le Burger Brasserie. And though my blue cheese burger was not the best (Hello? Slater's 50/50...), it was definitely the best burger I've had in Vegas.





The last night we were there our group dined at P.J. Clarke's in the Forum Shops. We had a back room all to ourselves and control of a jukebox. We had an absolute blast. I ventured out of my comfort zone and had Guinness braised short ribs that were so tender and flavorful I'm getting hunger pangs just thinking about them. They were accompanied by horseradish mashed potatoes which had just the kind of kick I love.

And the picture of our waiter? I die!! One of our older teachers flirted with him the whole time. He danced, sang, and even helped us surprise a colleague who showed up later that evening. They have amazing food and service there. I highly recommend it!



Our last morning in Vegas, I made everyone in my little group meet up at Serendipity when I learned that they are now serving breakfast. I ordered the Saints and Sinners meal, which in my opinion, is the absolute perfect breakfast. Centered by a french toast log, it had berries and whipped cream on one side, and scrambled eggs with bacon on the other. I was in heaven.

Oh Vegas...maybe you are growing on me.

What We Did- The Fourth

This was definitely one of those lazy summer weekends for the hubs and I. I don't think I accomplished much of anything, but it was kinda lovely considering the pace I usually move at.

We started the weekend off by meeting up with friends and checking out a bar/venue I have wanted to go to for over a year: Villain's Tavern. This little gem is located in the industrial section of Los Angeles near the L.A. river. From the Gothic/Hendrix decor to the drinks to the food, everything about this place charmed me. The photos I have do not do it justice, and I cannot wait to come back.









My lovely Belladonna drink. Did I mention Maker's Mark is my new toxic of choice?





My insanely good bacon cheeseburger that had a sour cherry marmalade on it. I'm getting hungry just looking at the picture again.

From there we went onto the Hotel Cafe to see one of my favorite singer/songwriters, someone I've mentioned before: David Ryan Harris.



Amy and I



A little "Sweetest Berry" for your listening pleasure.

Saturday was a bust, and then on Sunday we drove out to the new Five Guys location near us. After all the hype I'd read, I was so excited to try this place. Yet, once again, it was a major burger fail. In fact, the hubs and I both got sick from our burgers.







And I didn't particularly care for the "help yourself to peanuts" mess that was all over the floor and tables. It was kinda gross.

On the Fourth, we loped around and then checked out our local street fair for the first time. I'd post the cheesy picture I took of myself by an Uncle Sam figurine, except for the fact that my computer is way messed up and iphoto says I don't have enough room to upload. Oh well, imagine me grinning cheesy, giving the thumbs up.

Hope you had an awesome Fourth!

Opah!

I am caught in that end of the school year whirlwind, trying to knock out all of the assemblies, dances, and end of the year activities I am in charge of while still presenting engaging U.S. history content to my history classes.

Yep, I am exhausted.

A week ago, we took a much needed night off and went in search of a great martini. Unfortunately, there aren't that many great martini bars here in Orange County. In fact, when I told the hubs I was in dire need of one, I could only think of three places to go. Luckily, Opah was just as good as I remembered.



This was the best martini I've actually ever had. They had a few new ones listed on their menu, and when I saw jalapeno as one of the ingredients, my first thought was, "Huh?" But it actually turned out to add just the right amount of heat to this cocktail.



I re-discovered my love of the Wedge salad; theirs was incredible. The balsamic vinegar drizzled over the top of this caused me to pretty much devour it, which was quite embarrassing for the husband.







We hadn't been to this restaurant in about two years. After having the meals we did we will definitely not be waiting that long again.

Oh, and my little stomach flu episode last week has jump-started my weight loss. I'm down five pounds.

Sorry this post is so random, btw. I'm feeling pretty random.