High Cotton

Lash and I are going on a date tonight to one of my favorite restaurants in town, High Cotton, and I am so excited!!  He received a gift certificate to the restaurant for coaching a little league football team this fall (adorable, I know), and we have been meaning to go use it up ever since!

The only drawback was that we aren't going to be able to go until 9:15pm.  And, I am such an old maid, I'm all about the early bird special.  I eat dinner around 6:30- 7:00 every night. . . Waiting until 9:15 is going to be a stretch!  I've been trying to plan my day around a late dinner by eating breakfast and lunch later than usual and after work, I've tried to busy myself by going on a walk, painting my toe nails, doing laundry, vaccuuming etc (all typical Friday evening activities, right?). . . trying to keep out of the kitchen so I won't snack! hehe I'm kind of a loser :)

You may remember this post here when Lash and I went to High Cotton for his birthday.   Aside from their many, many delicious entrees, I am obsessed with HC's brussel sprouts.  Weird,  I know to be planning my meal around a veggie, more specifically brussel sprouts, but I can't wait.  I am going to harass the waiter until he gives me the recipe.  My attempts to duplicate them royally failed. . . and they are SO good.

Anyways, my hot date just arrived so we're off for our midnight snack dinner :)  Hope everyone has a great evening!!

In search of the perfect sandal

Calling all fashionistas!

I am in search a new sandal, and need some help!  What is your sandal of the season?  Any favorite brands, shops, or advice?  I am officially laying my Jack Rodgers to rest, and though I have loved them, I think it is time to move on to a new shoe.  I'm looking for a versatile shoe that can be dressed up, down, around, etc. . .  I thinking something along the lines of this one from J Crew. . . but I also really like the Gladiator/ Jesus sandal look too!  So much to choose from!

Help a sista out!

New Orleans Recap

Now that I have had time to catch up on sleep and recover from traveling, it's time to recap the weekend in NOLA!

Friday's travels were thankfully a breeze!  I met two girls in Columbia, and together we drove to Charlotte to catch our flights.  The bride met us there in the Charlotte airport, and it was SO fun to all be on the same flight together sitting next to each other. . . though I'm not sure how much the other passengers around us enjoyed our incessant laughter and jokes :)

The MOH picked us up from the airport, and we went straight to our gorgeous hotel (executive suite!!) to get ready.  Once the entire group was ready- by the way, 7 girls in one bathroom- we headed to Port O' Call for delicious hamburgers and even more delicious monsoons, their signature drink.  Here is a picture of us waiting for our table with our monsoons in hand.  Thankfully, we had fabulous weather and were able to sport our springy clothes!

After dinner, we were all eagerly anticipating a fun night in the French Quarter.  Per the bride's request, we headed to the Cat's Meow for some karaoke!  Don't let the below picture deceive you- I am a very stage shy and hate being the center of attention. . . but I tried to be a good sport!  So, I made it on stage for maybe 30 seconds, but the other girls love the spotlight and lasted the entire song.

This is my crazy friend Concetta who sure knows how to entertain a crowd.  She is hysterical!! :)

After we had sung our hearts out, it was time to go dancing!  We headed to NOLA girl's favorite club and recommendation for us, The Gold Mine.  And it was awesome!! My favorite favorite too!!

Thanks to our body guards (another post in itself!), we all made it back to the hotel in one piece. . . which with seven girls, a big city with a festival going on, and alcohol is no small feat in itself!

On Saturday, we took it easy in the morning and once everyone was up and at 'em, we set off to explore New Orleans and all that the French Quarter Festival had to offer.  It was so neat to walk around, look at all the vendors, eat po'boys, and listen to the live bands that randomly popped up on each block.

That night, we had a lovely evening at the MOH's house.  Our gracious host kicked off the evening an awesome cocktail that I cannot wait to get the recipe for- cucumber, mint, melon, vodka something something.  It was so freshing!  When I get the recipe, I will definitely post it because it will be perfect for those sweltering hot summer days ahead of us.  

Here are all the bridesmaids at the shower.  I discovered, to no surprise of anyone, that since I am the shortest, I will be walking down the aisle first at the wedding.  No pressure, right?  I hope I don't trip! haha

After our meal, we all gave Tippins' her lingerie (she got some beautiful, very classy pieces!), and then headed out for our limo ride around the city!  None of us were really down with going out that night as we had to be up early for our flights the next day, and we headed in around one.  

Sunday, it was hard to say goodbye, but after such a fabulous trip, we left with smiles on our faces and great memories.  Now I just can't wait to go back in June for the wedding. . . I love New Orleans!

New Orleans

We had the BEST weekend in New Orleans.

Between the wonderful friends, city, food, drinks, and wedding shower- it was a complete 10!  I do not have the energy to recap the weekend tonight (and need to wait for the photo's to hit FB so I can steal them for a post :) ), so be on the look out for a recap in the following days.

Hope everyone has a great start to their week tomorrow!

N'awlins Here I Come!!

Whew get me to Friday!!!  I have been looking forward to this coming up weekend for months as my best friends and I are headed to New Orleans for a bachelorette party for our wonderful friend Tippins.

Tippins hosted all of us last year for Mardi Gras, and we had such a blast!!  So basically, ever since Wilson put that beautiful diamond on Tippins' finger and she asked all of us in the below pictures to be in the wedding, we have been eagerly anticipating our return trip!!

We fly in Friday night around 6 and have such a fun weekend planned.  Once we get settled at the hotel, Friday night we are headed to a local favorite Port O'Call's for supposedly fabulous hamburgers and great drinks.

Saturday, the bride and maid of honor are busy with wedding details, dress fittings, etc so the other girls and I are on our own.  I'm excited about our day to explore the city again!  Luckily, NOLA girl has graciously offered her suggestions for things to do and also it is the French Quarter Fest so we will not be lacking in activities!

Saturday night we have a limo picking us up from our hotel and are headed uptown for a shower and dinner party. . . then out for a fun night in the French Quarter!  The MOH is hoping for the night to end at 6 am with beignets at Cafe Du Monde while watching the sun rise over the river, but Lord, I hope not because I will not make it on the plane home.  Regardless, I'm sure it will be a blast!

Also, listen to this- Tippins' parents have hired two body guards to supervise us while we stumble around Saturday night.  Can you believe that?!?  AND, these two body guards are not just every day body guards- apparently, they are the bouncers who look after Brad and Angelina when they are in town!  On one hand, I know we would be totally fine without them, BUT on the other hand, I am really excited (and somewhat relieved) that we will have guys watching out for us.

As you can imagine, email chain has ridiculous and hysterical this week leading up to the trip. . . making me even more and more excited.  Only 2 more days!!!!!

Let me tell you about my dinner tonight.

YUM!!

Part 1:  Risotto Cakes
I hate leftovers.  Yuck.  Why would I want to eat something again when I just had it yesterday!?!

What I don't mind, however, is if I can take leftovers and turn them into a new dish.  Enter Ina Garten's Risotto Cakes from her "Back to Basics" cookbook.

Risotto is one of my all-time favorites!  And the great thing is, you can make these with leftover risotto OR Ina's attached recipe is a way of making them from scratch (without having to make the risotto first).  I've made them both ways, and let me tell you, neither disappointed!

Essentially, you assemble it similar to a crab cake, cover in panko, and saute in olive oil.  The finished product- these heavenly cakes are crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.  As Rachel Ray says, "Yummo!"

Look how beautiful these are!  They would be great to serve for a small dinner party. 

Part 2:  Salmon
I have finally found my long searched after salmon recipe.  On the cover of this month's Bon Appetite magazine, tonight I cooked Salmon with a Sweet Chili Glaze and it made me a believer in this fish.

First, I marinated the fish in a sauce of sweet thai chili sauce, soy sauce, and ginger for 30 mins while I was 30 day shredding it with Jillian.

By the way, if you are looking for an incredible thai chili sauce, please refer to my post here.  I put this stuff on everything.

Then, you broil it for 6-10 mins depending on the thickness of your salmon.

Be careful about burning the sauce that falls to the side!  That is one think Bon Appetite neglects to mention. I pulled it out halfway through cooking and put it on another sheet on foil.  When I make this again, I will definitely put the fish on a new piece of aluminum foil before it goes in the oven.

And finally, the finished product.  SO delicious and super, super easy for a Monday night!!

Wake Up Call

No need for coffee this morning, a burglary did the trick for me!

Today, I got to work and discovered my computer had been stolen last night from the office!

Yes, some fool broke into our office and stole my computer and docking station.  And, I've been on the telephone all morning with our corporate office, IT department, Charleston police department, and bosses.  WHEW.  I feel like it should at least by 5:00 right now, and it is before noon. Indeed, life is never boring around the office. . . that's for sure!!

So, I hope everyone's Good Friday is off to a little bit better start than mine!  And if the Easter Bunny delivers you a used Dell Lattitude E6400, let me know.