Sushi and Sake

For Austin's birthday gift, I gave him a gift certificate for a Central Market cooking class.  Austin chose a Sushi class, which I was a little unsure of, not thinking we would use this "skill" that often.  However, once the time came, we were both very excited!

During the sushi class, we learned how to make about 5 different rolls, all of which were delicious.  We started off easy with a Cucumber Roll, and then a Healthy Roll, which includes different kinds of vegetables.  Once we started getting the hang of it, they allowed us to begin making the more complex rolls.  We made California Roll, Philadelphia Roll, and our favorite, Heart Attack Roll, which was spicy tuna and cucumbers in the middle and crab mixed with avocado and a jalapeno on top.

Pictures of the Heat Attack Roll

This class made for a great date night! Making sushi was definitely not as hard as we thought and we are planning on trying it on our own soon....Stay tuned!

The Cheese Shop

This past Monday night, we had a late Celebratory Mother's Day dinner, where I was in charge of the appetizer.  I went to a little Cheese and Wine shop in Highland Park Village called Molto Formaggio to get delicious cheese and crackers.  This place was amazing!  The people that work there are super helpful and ask multiple questions to get a "feel" for what type of cheese you would like.  They give you a million samples, so you can choose the perfect type of cheese. 

I chose two different types for our family dinner and they were both scrumptious!  The cheese shop not only carries many types of cheese, but wine, delicious chocolates, and multiple different other gifts as well!

If you haven't been, you must go!  Makes you feel like you are in Italy!

Lately...

Those of you that know me know that I have never been a huge reader, but times have changed.  After hearing my friend Brooke talk so highly of the Emily Giffin series, I had to starting reading it.  Right when I started reading Something Borrowed, I was hooked and finished it in a week!  I even stayed up extra late on a school night to finish it (doesn't seem like a big accomplishment to most, but you teachers out there understand).  I recently began book 2, Something Blue, and I am just as hooked!

Lucky for me, Something Borrowed was recently made into a movie and this past Thursday, my sister and I had a dinner and movie date to see it in theaters. I never thought I would say this, but I think I liked the book better than the movie!  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie, as it gave me more of a visual of all the characters in the book, but I definitely enjoyed reading better than watching.  

I would highly suggest reading this series.... you will not be disappointed!

The Gift Wrapping is Better than the Gift!

I officially found my new favorite place to buy gifts!  It is not because of the actual gift itself, but because of the adorable gift box. The boxes are complimentary and come in many sizes and colors.

The Kate Spade store is in Northpark Mall and I love it! They have an amazing variety of gifts, from shoes and clothes to jewelry and cosmetic bags.  The store is colorful and bright, and can make any gloomy day cheery.  Many of their options are mucho dinero, but  don't let that intimidate you. There are also many amazing buys that are very affordable and right in your price range. :)

Here is a little sneak peak of the gift wrapping!

Little Shout Out...

I wanted to give a little shout out to sweet Charlie. 

Happy 1st Birthday Charlie!

This past Saturday, we celebrated Austin's nephews first birthday at a his house.  

He had a Camping themed birthday party with the cutest invitations.  It was amazing to see how big he has gotten, as well as the night and day difference between he and his brother Andrew's 1st birthday.  Charlie was very chill, just relaxing and enjoying his birthday cake.  

Enjoy a few pictures from his party! :)

Me and the birthday boy!

The invitations!

Leah's Campfire Cupcakes

The Birthday Boy!

Flashmob

My sister is an Event Planner at DFW Events in Dallas.  She always has the most amazing experiences and is always filling me in on her favorite parts of the evening.  dfweventstheblog 

One of her most recent weddings was for a former Mavericks dancer, now Dallas Cowboy Choreographer. She called me immediately after, filling me in on the Flashmob that occured during the reception. One of the brides friends pretended to be a waiter and dropped his tray.  The Black Eyed Peas song "I Gotta Feeling" came on and he and a few others began doing their choreographed dance.  After a few seconds, the majority of the brides friends (most of whom are all Mavericks or Cowboys dancers) and the bride joined in!  It was the highlight of the wedding...too bad I am a horrible dancer and could never pull something like this off! :(

Jenny and Blake's Flash Mob
http://vimeo.com/22724339

First Monday of Every Month

The first Monday of every month, two of my oldest friends and I go out to for a fun dinner.  Alex and I have been friends since Kindergarten and Andrea since High school.  We started this tradition once we all moved back to Dallas, after college, and began life in the real world.  We all live on opposite ends of Dallas and have completely different schedules, so we decided that planning in advance would come in handy for us. We typically go to a new restaurant every time, whether it is our first time or a restaurant one of us is craving.  I always look forward to our get togethers because we are able to catch up on each others lives, while eating delicious foods and drinking wonderful wine. 

This Monday, we dined at Nick and Sam's Grill, which is near the Stoneleigh Hotel in Dallas.  I had been there a few times before, but it had been awhile, plus they had recently updated their menu....many new items to try! Nick and Sam's Grill has amazing menu options, at very reasonable prices.  Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas!

http://www.nick-samsgrill.com/home.htm


Where should we go next month....

It's Official

It's true...I've finally started a blog!  I have been contemplating what would be my first post for more than 3 weeks.  I have decided to jump right in and talk about my new favorite accessory...

As I shopped for a few new additions to my Spring/Summer wardrobe, I came across my new favorite sandals!  I wear almost everyday and I suggest everyone go buy a pair of their own!  Best purchase, so far, of 2011! :)