Today...

I downloaded this little guy so I wouldn't forget!

The Lobsta Truck is around the corner from the store!! 2e is picking some up right now.

My sales team today.

I finally have the shelves at home under control. So satisfying.

Maui

One Sleep Left

One Girl, One Pot, And A Lot Of Issues

Goldsmith, tastemaker, jewelery designer and friend, Melissa McClure, is wearing a few new hats these days. The blogger behind soupapolooza.com, has been hosting regular Sunday suppers; cooking local farmers market fare for her 'urban family' and becoming quite the little hostess in the process.

What started out as a simple mission to learn how to cook is now a highly anticipated weekend ritual peaking the interests of hungry friends, foodies, and most recently, Bon Appetit. In the latest issue she walks us through a typical meal and divulges some recipes and lessons learned along the way.

Post Script: Last fall I posted some pix of Melissa's very unique live/work loft chock full of Empiric goodies...

See it in it's entirety here.

Cheese wedding cakes

Be still my heart!

via Cup of Jo

Massachusetts - Part I

We split our time last week between the city and the burbs, spending the first 3 nights downtown at the newly renovated Copley Square Hotel.

Strolling the streets of the South End, magically meeting fellow bloggers and indulging in some scrumptious summer fare.

An evening in the backyard of an old friend lasted into the wee hours of the morn.....

image via (sloane contributor) michelle mckenna

And a visit to the public gardens proving some things in this beautiful city never have to change.

click images 1, 2, and 4 for source.

This Sunday.....

Dinner at Jeanas

This weekend was all about food, friends, and conversation. Sad it has to be over so soon!

More pic's from Jeana here.

$5400 Worth of Sweet and Savory

The Cookies Without Borders bake sale was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who blogged about it or otherwise spread the word. We were thrilled with the attendance and over joyed by all the delicious donations people made. I mean.......





It was reminiscent of a spread at gourmet marketplace Joan's on Third ! A few people contacted me about how to go about hosting a similar fundraiser in their city which I think is amazing and inspiring! To them I say, find a location (we do ours outside of a very popular ice cream shop), some fellow worker bee's because this takes team work, pound the pavement for donations from local bakeries as well as individuals, and pick a charity to support! Then just spread the word and get to work!!! This year we had the local news, a New York Times journalist, and dozens of blogger's so dream big and raise lots!!!

The Power of Soup

Rainy days make me crave soup! This recipe looks yummy. I wish I could invite all of my girlfriends over to join me around my {imaginary} fireplace to eat hunks of broth soaked bread and talk. When I was growing up my mother owned a couple restaurants in Marblehead. She was also the head chef so you can imagine the impact growing up in her kitchens has had on me. I take for granted the ease I feel in a kitchen and how naturally creating recipes and menus comes. It is literally second nature.

I haven't spent a whole lot of nights at home these past few months but I think tonight I will dust off the pots and pans, pull out Tried and True Ambrosia and fill the house with delicious smells.

Apres' Thanksgiving

This year our holiday was perfect!

Drinks and sunbathing in Mar Vista {with babies and puppies!}..

Followed by gourmet dining in Brentwood...

My belly is still full.
More pictures of the feast here.

Dinner With The Girls

I shared Friday night with 3 of my lovelies at Heathers cozy pad. On the menu, her delicious fig tart, here.

Clare's perfect endive salad dressed to perfection. No doubt, with cue's taken from her time spent with the In Laws in France.


And my fall favorite, butternut squash soup. I had no time to prepare it on Friday so 2E made it for us. So cute!! He garnished it with the top of the squash and some rosemary sprigs a la Martha. I wish we had photographed it before the reheat.

Butternut Squash Soup

Cut squash into 1-inch chunks and steam. Transfer to the Cuisinart and puree, adding half a cup of peanuts as you go. Return the squash to a pan and add 6 cups of stock. Bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Our meal ended with a variety of delicious cupcakes Jeana (who also took these great pictures) picked up at Joan's on 3rd and, of course, libations. Dee-lish!

An Interuption From My Interuption

This week flew by with some great interviews under our belts and an impending job offer to extend. I'm really looking forward to having another creative person join our team! This weekend spells more work work work for me but I was able to squeeze a lil' bit of play into my week.

I made lots of yummy dinners. Tyler Florence's recipe for one of them here.

My cocktail du jour! It's pure bliss.

Some more shots of Empiric back in the day.

Featured Items of the Week on B&B.

My new Clare Vivier bag. I am officially a collector. Hahaha.

Oh! And a belated thank you to Apartment Therapy for their mention of this here blog!

Have a beautiful October weekend!

perfect bouquet via Jeana

A Dinner Party Weekend

Some of my friends, ahem HBT, get their food magazines, devour them, and then literally devour them. Making gorgeous meals based start to finish on the articles. But if you're anything like me you skim over the glossy pages, dog ear 1 or 2, tear an especially good one out and then file them away to never, ever make. long sigh.

This weekend if you are entertaining at home I urge you to break the cycle and whip up this culinary masterpiece. Taken from the pages of my Tyler Florence cookbook, Tyler's Ultimate Brilliant and Simple Food to Make Anytime. Some meals just say summer and this is one of them. We had it last night and I already want it again!


No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen at their own party which makes the salad, above, perfect as it can be done in advance. Paired with his Lemon Curry Chicken, below, it is beyond.



I'll set the table for as many as will come! You bring the wine.....
xox

n'ice cream

flickr

For the first time in years I have been craving ice cream. Last week it was chocolate, this week pistachio. When I was little going out for ice cream was always an event but back then my favorite flavor was gumball. Oh the horror!

Last Sunday

2E and I started our day brunching at Bottega Louies dowtown.


Followed by a long afternoon laying around with pup.

post bath time

Finished perfectly with a night at the Hollywood Bowl with friends.


Listening to Jenny Lewis and Ray Lamontagne under the stars........


and more Louies.

mmmmmmmm. Macaroons.

An Evening With Good Friends

A Jeana braid! I wish she could braid my hair every day..

Last night Jeana, Alex and HBT came over for BBQ and Bachelorette. Milo was very excited.


And dinner was delish.


Spaghetti Squash tossed with sauteed garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil. Eggplant, summer squash, zuccini, asparagus, and mushrooms from the grill. Easy but so good.

All images courtesy of Jeana

Beautiful Baked Goods

The Share Our Strength No Cookie Left Behind Bake Sake was a huge success. $3400+ and counting!! Thank you to everyone who donated, contributed, bought and baked. I am happy to be a part of such a fun annual event.


Photos 3,4,5 lifted from various Facebook albums from the weekend.