Birthday Dinner

Steamed Clams
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

Joe made me the best birthday dinner ever! My husband's so much better than yours neener neener neener! For our first course we had steamed clams with a lemon clam sauce. Our entree was chilean sea bass with bok choy and radishes with a lemony rosemary sauce yum! Finally, he got me a chocolate cake with real buttercream frosting. It was amazing!

Joe made me a delicious bass.

BONUS KITTY PICS!

We must unite to eat the sheets!! Before...

They eat us...

It could happen to you! or you!

OR YOU.

New Tote

better focus
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

This bag was based on the tutorial at Mizutamago. I changed some things, like made the straps thicker. I also changed the size of the lining so it fit better into the tote bag. I think she also just top-stitched all pieces together, and I sewed the handles to the lining, then the lining to the outer part, turned it right side out and then top-stitched. I like doing it this way because I don't have to worry about things shifting around. I wasn't going to add the buttons but the front looked lonely! If I do this pattern again, I'd make the top panel a little narrower, it looks a bit wide, I also want to try this guy with interfacing and make the pleats a little more defined.

I used Amy Butler lotus fabric for the exterior and white linen for the interior.

Currently listening to - Daft Punk - Discovery

Currently watching (TV) - Confessions of a Matchmaker, oh my gosh hilarious, my new favorite trash TV show

Currently watching (movies) - The Birdcage, I love me some Hank Azaria

Currently reading - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I am so pumped for the next book!

I heart Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain was a guest blogger on Tom Colicchio's Bravo blog, which I am addicted to. I love hearing his opinion on whether or not he would actually work with these chefs. Also, other than repeating my exact opinion of using tuna and filet mignon in a tasting menu (boooooooooooooooooring), he references Heat, the book I gave Joe for his birthday.

Conclusion: I am the best wife ever for a chef to have.

Sometimes I feel like we were made for each other or something... weird...

Work in Progress

Work in Progress
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't finished anything yet! This lovely work in progress will be a 'Short n' Sweet' shrug (pattern from Happy Hooker). I'm a little worried it'll be too big. I made a size large because I have a ::ahem:: larger upper body. But now I'm not so sure. Right now it looks like a tangle of knots. Gotta love my artsy Anthropologie bowl, I know I do!

Currently Listening to - Paul McCartney Ever Present Past

Currently Watching (TV) - Top Chef (Dale you better be careful, I love you you risk-taking hunk a foodie, but tone it down!) side note: I wonder how Joe would look with that spikey mohawk hmm...

Currently Watching (movies) - Pan's Labyrinth, I loved David Bowie in his labyrinth and now one in Spain?? My obsession with the Spanish culture builds.

Currently Reading - Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix. Totally forgot Dumbledore had a brother. Gotta finish this one and The Half-Blood Prince before I get my pre-ordered book on the 21st. (I just started last night and am currently on page 313 of the paperback.)

Current Obsessions - Chicken Tikka Masala, Ratatouille (movie and the food), Crochet (obvs), Elliptical machine now that I've figured out how to read my Harry Potter at the same time (I love multi-tasking!)

BONUS KITTY PIC!
Oh hi, we were keeping your seat warm.

UPDATE: Forgot to say how Lauren loved her new apron that I made for her! I knew I had struck gold when I walked into her house-warming party and saw a three-tier muffin display and Funny Face playing on the TV. Oh yes, and how can I forget the choice of tap water, lemon water or cucumber water? She's such a little home-maker.