Wedding Week: The Reception.

After the ceremony, family and friends headed to The Faimont for the reception. Guests joined together in the Loggia sipping cocktails and tasty Hor d'Ourves prior to lunch served in the Pavilion room, set in the garden where Stephen proposed. 

The Pavilion room has the best natural light with 3 floor to ceiling glass walls that also provide stunning views of the city. My favorite part is the intricate light fixture, it's unlike anything I've ever scene before. Absolutely breathtaking.

The floral design was created by Orna of Ornamento, resident florist at The Fairmont. Orna is incredibly talented and understood exactly what I was looking for. Colorful arrangements and centerpieces of hydrangeas, dahlias and garden roses complimented the floral grounds surrounding the Pavilion, almost as though they had been plucked right from the garden. 

Each table setting had a glass heart in cobalt blue, amethyst, seafoam, emerald or crimson engraved with our initials and date. Stephen made each momento at Public Glass Works a few weeks leading up to the wedding. They were quite beautiful.

The Fairmont's head chef, JW Foster, served a delicious menu - a crab & avocado tower, baby iceberg salad and filet mignon with Parmesan & smoked bacon polenta and garden vegetables. My mouth waters just thinking about it. So. Delicious.

After lunch, the toasts began. Stephen's brother, Brian, and my best friend, David, told the story of how Stephen and I met at Brian's wedding just 2 years prior.

 Then my father and godfather shared touching words of wisdom and full of love. We laughed and cried, it was a special moment.

Kelly of Inticing Creations created a beautiful cake with alternating layers of salted caramel and strawberry dream. Stephen actually played a large role in the cake design, but truly the sweetest detail was a mini Ziggy peeking out on the first layer. We just love that little guy so much.

After everything was said and done, Stephen and I escaped to the garden for a few minutes for ourselves to reflect on the day. Although a bit chaotic, we still found time to take it all in and enjoy the celebration of our commitment to one another with our dear family and friends.

Venue: Pavilion Room at The Fairmont
Flowers: Ornamento
Catering: The Fairmont
Cake: Inticing Creations
Photography: Colson Griffith Photography

3 Things.

Dinner at Hopwater Distribution with my love

The weeks just seem to be getting busier and busier with no sign of letting up. Lucky for me, I have my best friend to share in all of the chaos with. From concerts to football games, I'm so incredibly grateful for the life we are building together. There's always sunshine through the rain with him by my side. 

An incredible evening spent with Jack White.

S and I at the 49ers game #BeattheChargers

3 Things.

Friday evening view at the office

The weather has been so-so and the days have felt particularly longer than usual it feels good to find solace in the little details like sweet smelling flowers or a quick trip across the Golden Gate. It's truly the simple things that make life all that much sweeter.

Fuchsia dahlias to brighten up our home

Delicious pit stop on the way to Napa

3 Things.

Incredible artwork by Serge Gay Jr. at the Gauntlet Gallery

 It's not often I find myself spending the weekend soley in San Francisco. Between family, birthdays, babies and all other life details most weekends we have a reason to escape the city noise. But not this weekend. Instead we completely embraced the city attending a late night gallery opening, tried dinner somewhere new, ventured around the city streets of SOMA and even met my mom for a special little brunch spot in San Francisco. 

Ziggy and his best friend, Aaron

Lovely little brunch with the Gilt Groupe team at The Cavalier.

Sunny Daze.

This weekend is going to be a hot one in the city and I couldn't be more ready for it! To escape the heat, we're heading to Half Moon Bay for Saturday brunch with family and then meeting my dear friend, Juvella, to explore the flower farms and indulge in a lobster roll at Sam's. As if that wasn't enough for the perfect weekend, Sunday we're heading to the Treasure Island flea in search of some treasures for our tiny apartment. We're determined to transform our tiny apartment into something more functional, while maintaining the comfortable, chic feel. Wish us luck and enjoy the weekend.

3 Things.

Sunset from the 280.

The last few weekends have been go, go, go. So after S partied (a little too) hardy on Friday night at a bachelor party our weekend plans changed just a hair. No more movie night at the Kabuki and trying out a new restaurant, rather he slept and I caught up on magazines. Later that afternoon, we decided to get out of the apartment and took a drive down the coast. The beauty of the ocean awes me, I can take it in for hours. 

That evening, when we returned home pulled together dinner with what we had on hand a and settled in watching some of our favorite 80s flicks. While not what I had initially planned for the weekend, it was exactly what I needed. In my everyday gig, I pour over the finest of details so it was a treat to escape the minutia of it all and surrender to the weekend. This is life, an it never goes exactly as planned, but that's truly the beauty of it all.

80's classics movie marathon

Dahlia's for days

3 Things.

Reminiscing our sweet day at City Hall

And just days after our wedding, I found myself right back at City Hall for the wedding of dear friends followed by a chic backyard reception at their home. It was all just so lovely. The remainder of the weekend was spent relaxing and recouping at home with Ziggy. And of course, indulging in my favorite hangover remedy - a hot capicola sandwich and fried pickles. #nom

Celebrating the happy couple

Indulging in my favorite meal with my favorite person at Giordano Bros.

3 Things.

This face

Weekends were made for fun and this one fell nothing short of that. Between sleeping in on Saturday morning to devouring the most incredible paella I've ever had (and I lived in Spain) to spending some time in the glass studio with my love I couldn't ask for anything more. 

Enjoyed the best paella I've ever had (and I lived in Spain); one I'm determined to recreate.

Spent some time in a glass studio working on a special project.

3 Things.

Celebrating in the city with my best girls

On Saturday night, my favorite girls took me out for a night on the town for a bridal shower/bachelorette party. The night began with bubbles at The Battery followed by the most delicious dinner at Hakkasaan. There's nothing better in this world than true friends and that's exactly what these two are to me. Best friends are the best gift of all. Love them.

Sweet celebratory treats

Sunday city walk with my loves

3 Things.

 Flowers and cupcakes - my co-workers just get me.

My birthday week was full of flowers, delicious dinners and decadent cupcakes from family and friends. But one of the sweetest treats was the Season 2 release of Orange is the New Black, which quickly consumed my weekend plans. I did manage to breakaway for a dinner date with my darling friend, Laura, at 1300 on Fillmore where I tried fried okra for the first time. So. Amazing.

Spending the weekend with my favorite jailbirds

Rounding out the weekend with fresh oysters in good company

Cream Cheese Baked Mashed Potatoes.

Stephen made these potatoes for my birthday dinner last night and I can't get them out of my mind. So delicious.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 lbs small red potatoes

1/2 cup of whole milk

8oz plain cream cheese

2 scallions, chopped

salt and pepper

Directions: Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. When the potatoes are tender, drain them and let them dry out a bit. Mash potatoes with the whole mils using a potato masher. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes. Then add the scallions and season with salt and pepper. 

Enjoy!

Browned Butter Sage & Butternut Squash Ravioli.

By the silence at the table during dinner, I took this as a good sign. I made things super simple by purchasing the butternut squash ravioli from Trader Joe's. It was insanely delicious and my best meal to date. 

Ingredients:
4 tbsp butter
8 sage leaves
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano

Directions: While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a saute pan and continue cooking until golden brown color appears in the thinnest liquid of the butter. Add sage leaves and remove from heat. Add lemon juice and set aside. Drain pasta and pour into saute pan and return to heat. Add the cheese, toss to coat and serve immediately. 

Enjoy!

3 Things.

Glipse of the Golden Gate 

Long weekends are the best. Especially with how quick the pace of life has been lately (Am I alone here?). While things continue to move at lightening speed, I'm so happy we were able to slow things down over the weekend and take time to enjoy the little things. 

Late breakfasts at home

Love those California palms

3 Things.

Lunch at The Rotunda with my future brother-in-law

This past weekend was nice and quiet - exactly what was needed after the long week. Is it me or is everyone running at maximum speed in life right now? Anyway, we went to visit my mom and simply relax. It was fantastic and I can't wait to pick up right where I left off this coming holiday weekend.

Fun pit stop on the way to my mom's house

The best (& biggest) strawberries in town at the Almaden farmer's market

Black Bean & Corn Salsa.

This insanely hot California weather calls for lighter meals - there's nothing more uncomfortable than feeling overheated and stuffed full. I had tried this recipe before sans tomato, but opted to try with this time. Obviously the heat is getting to me because I can't stand tomatoes, but have to admit this time was so much better - the juice from the tomato makes everything come together; my previous attempt was more of a salad rather than a salsa. Either way, it's delicious!

Ingredients

1 cup black beans

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1 cup corn

2 cloves garlic

4 green onions

2 jalapeño peppers

1/2 red onion, chopped

1/2 cup tomato, chopped

2 tbsp lime juice

1/2 tsp red pepper

1 tsp salt

Directions: mix all the ingredients together and enjoy! (Even better, let marinate overnight)

Lentil & Ham Soup.

Nothing like a little comfort food.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried lentils

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups of diced cooked ham

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 cup dried thyme

1/2 cup dried oregano

1 bay leave

1/4 tsp black pepper

32 ounces of chicken broth

1 cup water

8 tsp tomato sauce

Directions: In a large slow cooker combine the lentils, celery, carrots, onion, garlic and ham. Season with basil, thyme, oregano, the bay leaf and pepper. Stir in the chicken broth, water and tomato sauce. Cover and cook on Low for 11 hours. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

Enjoy!

3 Things.

Volunteering at Project Open Hand

Some volunteer work, Happy Hour with friends, a potluck in Oakland and a walk to North Beach perfectly rounded out this busy weekend. 

Dinner at Tacolicious - I had no idea they opened one in North Beach

S & I enjoying grown up drinks at Comstock

3 Things.

{Incredible city view from my office}

This weekend weather was nothing short of spectacular. While I know it's early in Spring, it certainly feels like we are closer to Summer. I plan on soaking up the sun whatever chance I can this week before heading to the mid-West for some quality time with the future in-laws. 

{Daily start ritual of warm water and lemon to boost your immune system, aid digestion and restore pH balance}

{Decadent white chocolate bread pudding from Nordstrom Cafe}