how did i forget?

I finally got a chance to go down to Virginia to visit Isabeau, those just tuning in, my beautiful niece. She's turning 2 on the 2nd of February. I'm not sure if anyone else has been around an almost-2-year-old lately, but they're a ton of fun.

She sings, she runs, she talks, she throws temper tantrums. The whole bit. And she's pretty great at all of it. Her newest song goes a little like this "la la la la, Elmo's world". Ten shades of fabulous.

Anyhow, while I was down there, Jakey tried to put her down for a much needed nap. Isabeau had different plans...

He took her back to try to convince her to lay down and sleep, only to have her (and him trailing behind her) reemerge from the back bedroom, tears streaming down her big rosy cheeks, bottom lip stuck out.

"You're not ready for bed?"
head shake, NO.
"Then come here little girl!"

She ran across the room, climbed up on my lap, and fell asleep for an hour and a half.
Then I fell asleep too. Cause why not. I miss nap time.

Beau, I love you. Jakey, I love you for so many things, but especially for giving us something so wonderful.

(sorry the resolution is so poor, but I think you get the idea)

Revolutionary Road

How do you break free without breaking apart?

I've been wanting to go see Revolutionary Road for months, mostly because of my obsession with Kate Winslet, and furthermore, my obsession with the Kate-Leo reunion tour. But holy hell, I did not expect to walk out of the movie feeling like I needed to throw up. The entire movie was uncomfortable and tense, just waiting for the next horrible twist of suburban relationship agony. Just when the pang of "oh god I can't believe she just said that" faded, it was replaced with "sweet jesus how could he??!!".

I cried a ton, not just because it was sad, but because it was down right depressing.

I don't discourage anyone from paying their $8.50 (+ $4.00 popcorn) to go see this flick. The cinamatography was on point, Sam Mendes did a terrific job directing, the acting was amazing. But be prepared.

The sweetie and I left the movie theater and didn't really want to look at each other for fear of....crying? breaking out into a Kate-Leo fight? spontaneously ruining each others dream of acting? All of that mixed into one.

Sam, Kate, and Leo, thank you for teaching us a valuable lesson. Don't move to the suburbs. Stay in the city where it's happy and safe.

Per Se

Everyone was standing around talking about the grandeur of a restaurant and rattling off names and places unfamiliar, and I braved the question "What is Per Se?". It's always hard to speak up in a circle of knowledgeable people and admit to ignorance.

"Per Se?" The sweetie stared at me like I was a sea urchin in drag. "Per Se?!?! Um, its Thomas Keller's hailed restaurant in New York, I've been wanting to go there for years, (inaudible shock noises to follow)....". He's obviously been into this guy for longer than he's been into me. However, due to scheduling, couldn't make it to dinner, so he sent me in his stead, APPALLED that I didn't know the legendary Mr. Keller.

Apparently we've already eaten at one of his restaurants in Las Vegas. Another fact I only learned through an awkward public question to my kitchen staff. "Hey guys, have you ever heard of Per Se?". Deadpan to follow. Yes Emily, of course we've heard of Per Se. So has half of the country you half wit. A trip to the cooking book cupboard later I was shown Mr. Keller's cookbook, "French Laundry" (the name of his flagship restaurant in Napa Valley). After reading the back cover "yada, yada, yada, french food, yada, Bouchon, yada....HEY, I'VE BEEN THERE!" "Bouchon? In Vegas?" "Yea, it was pretty amazing" "I hate you."

My kitchen wouldn't talk to me for the rest of the day. Or the week. Actaully they just barely started talking again.

Needless to say, there were very few people that were actually happy to see me go, who's voices weren't laced with sheer disdain that I was going instead of them. I guess it would be like the sweetie going to Fashion Week and not me, or for my whole kitchen staff to high tail out to Sorrento without the proper awe. But regardless, I was NOT willing to let poor attitudes stop me. I was putting on my best black pencil skirt, cutest black top, and sexiest black pumps paired with borrowed black Chanel bag, borrowed black BMW 328i, and borrowed black frock. Add some red lipstick and I'm the modern day Cinderella.

I barely made it up there in time, after battling with PhillyCarShare for my car, but Jesse and James to the rescue! They saved me and got me up to NYC in time. Made sure I didn't leave the house looking like a complete fool, double checked my directions, toll money, and made sure I had the confidence to walk into a four start restaurant like I owned the place. ("James, what am I looking like?" "Fabulous, get in the car") I love my friends. I really don't know how I find them all.

I barely made it because I took the wrong tunnel (damn you Holland!). I showed up 20 minutes late, BEGGED the valet at the Trump Tower to take my car, and sprinted across 8th Avenue in heels, but I made it. Met up with my dinner partners, who were gracious enough to wait for me, and took it all in.

The space is beautiful with sweeping views of New York. Quiet and above the bustle. The linens, flatware, and plates were flawless with beautiful lines. The servers are gentle, calming, and accommodating. It all felt so surreal, and not because it was Per Se. Because it was an experience.

I think we all have moments where we look around and think, this is it. I think I'm an adult. I think I made it, or at least, I think I'm MAKING it. I'm not so bad, I can carry myself. I can walk across a room with confidence. I can experience wonderful things. I can wear read lipstick and be okay with it.

I took a few minutes to revel in my adulthood. Even if I wasn't supposed to be there. Even if I wasn't the ideal candidate for a Thomas Keller dinner. Even if I was 20 minutes late. I took a minute to look around and just REVEL. Do a dance in my head, celebrate with class, then turn to the main event. Eating. Once we started eating, all reveling went to the wayside to make room for an enormous amount of delectable French cuisine.

We ordered 9 courses. But got 16. Holy foie gras.

I tasted everything, but I can't boast that I finished everything. My dinner companions were sweet enough to finish my plate for me because they "didn't love the dishwasher enough" to watch a Nova Scotia lobster tail in a butter sauce go back to the dish pit. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't remember all 16 courses, something that I've been scolded for since my return, but it was all delicious. A few examples being:

"OYSTERS AND PEARLS"
"Sabayon" of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters
and Sterling White Sturgeon Caviar

TERRINE OF HUDSON VALLEY MOULARD DUCK FOIE GRAS
Black Winter Truffles, Frisée Lettuce and Balsamic Glaze
with Toasted Brioche

"BOMBE AU PAMPLEMOUSSE"
Chocolate "Roulade," Manjari Chocolate Mousse
and Grapefruit Curd with Pink Grapefruit Ice Cream

We ate from 9:30-2:00am. Undoubtably the longest meal of my life. I could go on to gush about the plating, and the flavors, but I'm affraid if I repeat it too many times it'll be like chewing on a peice of Kobe Beef for too long, it'll lose the flavor, and I'll lose the feeling that only I could really remember.

I got home at 4 am. Jesse slept on my couch, and came to pick me up just in time for me to turn back into a pumpkin. The BMW got traded for my '91 red civic, the heels for dansko clogs, the red lipstick for chapstick. And no, I'm sorry, I don't have any pictures (sorry Mom), but I think you get the idea.

I truly hope everyone gets the chance to feel that way, whether it's during a swanky dinner, or through a professional moment, or within a relationship, or hidden in a daily activity. It's important to feel that wonderful, that loved, that important, and that full. You don't need to go to Per Se, but if you do, say hi to Mr. Keller for me.

made me laugh :)

It might be wrong that I laughed but...I mean come on, what's so wrong with being enticed by pancakes?

For more secrets, check out PostSecret updated on Sundays!

Holiday Fun!

23rd: Isabeau is the next Motzart!

 I got a wonderful phone call on Tuesday to let me know that the infamous, the darling, the lovely Isabeau would be ALL OURS for a few days. Surprise half day at work and a scramble to Roxborough later, I was hanging out with the coolest 1.75 year old I know. She's talking a ton now, and I couldn't be happier, because she has some pretty great things to say. She's into mimicking a ton, which is wonderful in a lot of ways. I taught her how to play the piano, how to be "gentle" with the dogs, how to wash her hands, but I'm also thinking she may have picked up some vocab during her trip that my mom wasn't too happy about. I forget that you can't say fuck, shit, damn, and bitch around kids that act like a sponge. 

24th: Christmas Eve at the Smith house

Jakey made an AWESOME Christmas eve seven fish dinner for all ten of us. Fish is really hard to keep warm, so prepping and cooking 7 fish courses is always tricky, and he pulled it off beautifully. Then we had a fabulous time watching Isabeau rip everyone's presents open. Nice work babe! Thanks for dinner Jake! 

 

25th: Merry Christmas!

Sweet lord I hate airplanes, and I really hate cabs that smell of stale cigarettes and vanilla popourie, and the site of airports at 5 in the morning, but it was ALL worth it to fly into Salt Lake for a white Christmas. We were welcomed with stockings that I could rent out in rittenhouse, chock full of socks, candy, tea, and self help books. Not to mention fresh eggs benny and cut fruit. Delish!  

26th: Exercise is Bad

I gotta say, my first snowshoeing experience was alot of fun. For everyone that doesn't know what a snowshoe IS: it's those tennis racket looking things that you strap to your feet to walk over deep snow. During my ride up the canyon I was told that "Yes Emily, it's kinda like Jesus on water but on snow", but that was a HUGE LIE. Snowshoeing, while not as extreme as skiing, is not for the light hearted. It takes some serious stamina. Stamina that the sweetie and I have lost in the past few months...months largely consumed by wine and food consumption. We blamed the altitude for our "slow"shoeing, but I think we both knew that we needed to get back in shape! Pics to come! 

We also got the chance to go on a double date at Colton's restaurant where I fell in love with a beet salad. Oh. So. Good. Thanks!

27th: Ski lodge adventure 

The sweetie was hell bent on meeting up with his best friend in Salt Lake (ALTA and all things mountain), to strap on the fiberboard and throw himself off a cliff. While I was hell bent on sitting in the ski lodge, consuming mass amounts of alcohol, and reading the trashiest magazines that Salt Lake city had to offer (ironically the trashiest I found was O magazine: The color edition). He had a great time, but managed to pick up a flu like virus while in the mountains: further proof that skiing is BAD FOR YOU. Later that night we met up with some of his old friends for dinner. Wonderful day! 

 

28th: Delicious!!

We were lucky enough to have people cook for us all week, this night was no exception! My requests were met with delicious lasagna and garlic bread, followed by this amazing peppermint ice cream pie. Then I managed to convince my other half to go see The amazing adventures of Benjamin Button (something or another) and it was a good time. Brad Pitt is still hot. Even better on the big screen. And the movie was surprisingly funny. Not to mention it was the first time in years that the sweetie didn't fall asleep during a movie. Niiiice.

  

29th: Red Iguana & dinner with the old crew

One of THE best restaurants in Salt Lake is this little shack of a Mexican Joint called the Red Iguana, if you ever make it out west, make a stop, it'll be worth your time. However there is concern that they changed their chips. Could be a tragedy, however, in R.I. defense, the day that we stopped in a car barreled through the side wall of the restaurant, taking out a quarter of their dining room. Chips may have been at the end of their list.

Later that night we got to catch up with Cate and Kris, along with other old friends from Salt Lake. We had a great time drinking too much wine, eating too much mac and cheese, and telling stories that we should have taken to the grave. Cate I love you.  

30th: Brunch and pedicures with the girls

Continue amazing girl time with Cate. Add Kelly, add pedicures, equals fabulous morning with the girls. We grabbed buttery pastries, people magazine, an unnatural shade of pink, and went at it. Woooonderful time unwinding and shit talking.  

31st: movies with the Soelbergs, fly back to Philly!

Spent the greater part of the day saying goodbye to Shelby, Jon and baby Owen. Thanks for letting us stay, and putting up with us! After a few flicks on the couch, headed to the airport and back to Philly.

We were in an exit row on our way back, and we got an all too serious speech from our flight attendant about the responsibility we had in an exit row. I still don't think he was confident in my ability to pull the lever up, but I did my best not to yell back at him that if we did in fact crash we were ALL FUCKED. When he made his way back with the drink cart we ordered a Bacardi and coke and a double whiskey. That'll show him we're responsible!! 

 

1st: Happy 2009!

We barely made it in town to watch the ball drop, and I only wore my party dress for a hot second, and yes we ran in the new year while watching some ESPN special in Las Vegas, but we still shared fabulous champagne, and I still got a kiss, so I say it's a success! Happy new year darlings! 

2nd: Philly Fun

Fabulous surprise of the week? I drove past Nicki Tonor running in PHILA! Seriously? She lives in Boston. Very random, very wonderful. Headed to North Bowl to celebrate Regina's birthday (and Nicki being in town) only to find out that no,not only is Regina turning 25, but she's ENGAGED! Congrats!  

Phew! What a week, and updated so late!

And so long, oh so many details, I'm sorry, really..

Won't happen....ever....again...