Da Birdz Wuz Here

We have this little breezeway between my kitchen door and the door that leads to the deck. We kept the storm door open all winter because our dog, Lily, is afraid to use the doggy door.  The breezeway is tiny, but big enough to fit our recycling bins and our mops and brooms.  It's also a total dumping ground for all things that don't belong in the house, but also don't belong in the yard.  However, it seems like a little family of birds didn't mind the clutter.

Not sure what the protocol is with bird nests.  How do I determine that it's abandoned?  We have a family of birds in the gutter and another one in the bird house.  I think I need to have a talk with the yard creatures and see if we can rearrange some of the housing options.

Maialino

Last night I went out for a very decadent dinner with Dennis and Abe at Maialino.  Dennis is shipping off to Nantucket for the summer so we wanted to hit up one more Danny Meyer dinner. 

We started off the night at The Raines Law Room, which is a speakeasy in the Flatiron.  You have to ring a bell to get inside and once you're inside it's like a dark and cozy living room.  I had the French Affair and the Old Cuban.  Both were super good.  I could drink the French Affair all sumer long.

The food was absolutely incredible and the service was fantastic.   I normally eat like a vegetarian - I don't even do fake meat, but I will eat (or at least try) almost anything when the dishes are worth it.  I think my favorites of the night were:  fresh pasta with rabbit ragù, salt baked sea bass, and the hazelnut chocolate bread pudding.

It's hard to pick though - we had 10 dishes in total and they were all incredible (we're feeling pretty sick today).

Girls Gone Wild

This weekend was my bachelorette party!  We rented a house in the Berkshires for 3 days of debauchary.  It was pretty much the best time ever. 

I hope everyone has friends you love as much as I love my friends and my sister, but I don't know if it's possible.  I am so lucky to have these people in my life, and I appreciate every laugh, every made-up game, every costume contest and every amazing meal we make together.

Below are just a few of the weekend highlights, but most of our memories will be taken to the grave.

Love Birds: My Bridal Shower!!

On Saturday, my wonderful sister/maid of honor, Jaime, and my wonderful BFF/matron of honor, Allyson, along with my mom and family friend Pam, threw me the most gorgeous bridal shower in the world!

In my head this photo was going to look like an Anthropologie catalog. Meredith and Piper arrive after a long drive from NYC! The bridal shower games begin! My strong little friend held this present for a good 10 minutes. Abe arrives with beautiful flowers from Danielson Flowers!

and the food!!! Cutting the beautiful and delicious cake Carolyn made for me!

So many people helped make this a special day besides Jaime, Allyson, Pam and my mom.  My NYC friends who traveled to Massachusetts and sent flowers and presents, Bonnie - who brought all the booze, and Carolyn - who helped Allyson and Jaime with everything - including making the gorgeous cake!  Not to mention my dad, Abe, Ezra, Richard and Allyson's husband, Mike, and her mom and dad!  I can't say thank you enough, or even find the words to express how appreciative I am and how loved I feel.

Poison Ring

I've been hunting for the perfect wedding band(s) for the past year and can't make up my mind.  I have a tiny budget, but I want something pretty simple so that isn't too much of a problem.  I love sparkly things so I tried on a diamond band last week just to make sure I didn't want to go in that direction, but my hands looked like a tomboy in a sequin dress.  Later that afternoon, as I built garden beds and did yard work, I realized precious gems do not belong on my fingers.  

Today I saw this ring and I'm so bummed that it is already sold.  I think this ring would be an exception to the "two simple plain bands" decision that I think I came to for my wedding rings. It has a secret chamber for poison!

1880's Poison Signet Ring, 10K gold from Erie Basin