farewell week recap

Hello from Kansas City! We're not in Dallas just yet - we don't have access to our place until the 29th so we stopped off to hang with our families for a few days before we drive down to Dallas. We made it here Sunday night and missed all Juno-related snow issues, thankfully. But I'll admit, I did have a little bit of Juno FOMO yesterday.  

We had one spectacular last week in New York City. We started to call it our Farewell Tour since we had something just about every single night. It was a great way to see tons of our friends (and eat some great meals). Here are (quite a lot of) photos of our last week in the city...

Two Saturdays ago we had a fun morning doing a little goodbye surprise (you'll see photos of it soon, I promise).  After several hours in the freezing cold we stopped for brunch in the meatpacking district.

That night we had a big group dinner with some friends at Fedora. It came together last minute, but ended up working out perfectly. I called Fedora meekly on a Thursday asking if they had a private space available for ten people that coming Saturday (a notion that completely absurd). Thankfully, it worked out and it turned out better than I expected. Highly recommend their private dining room in the basement. We had great service, great food, and the private space made for a much more intimate experience.

The following Sunday we met my boss, her husband and darling daughter for brunch at Marta - a new place that I'm so sad we just discovered! It's so close to our apartment. I mean our old apartment. Yikes. Anyway, carbonara pizza for the win!

After brunch, we decided to tackle some of the drawers and spaces in our place that have been collecting the most random of our possessions over the past five years. Since we didn't have to pack (Al's new company paid for packers and movers), this was the extent of our physical work for the move (so lucky). We found some seriously great things - a first generation i-pod, 6,000 lip sticks, tons of old Lily toys, FLOPPY DISKS, my stash of Taco Bell sauce, and way too many expired foods. I'm thinking we should have been doing this exercise once a year...

^^ Not pictured: a first generation i-pod. I had to persuade Al to throw it out. He claimed we might want it as a "back up".

^^ "Guys, this bag better not be the trash bag. I need all these toys."

^^ The winner of the expired food awards. Food coloring from October 2011. 

^^ Threw out all but the essentials in our fridge.

^^ The great lipstick sort. Moses parted The Red Sea. I parted the lipstick pile. Can you guess which side was keep and which side as trash?

Sunday night we met our friends Matt and Megan for a delicious dinner at Dell'anima. I forgot how much I love that place. We ended the night with an after dinner liqueur they introduced me to and now I'm hooked - Amaro Nonino. Oh it's so yummy. Can't wait to sip an Amaro Nonino in Mexico in October at Matt and Megan's wedding! 

We had Monday off for MLK day and finished the clean-out process and called around and did the ol' cancel cable/power and change address routine. So many different people you have to notify about a new address. You'd think there'd be a site that you could enter the information once and it would change it on your bank, credit cards, post office, catalogs, voter registration, etc. 

Monday night we had dinner with our friends Ryan, Laura, and Patrick at The Smile. It was good to get the group together. Ryan and I work together and also went to KU together, and he's engaged to Laura who went to law school with Al and Patrick. How's that for a circle of friends? Another great goodbye meal. The Smile is darling, btw!

Tuesday my team at work threw me a little goodbye celebration. It was so nice to have all my friends from work from different groups stop by for a going away drink. And Al made an appearance too! We miiiiight have over-ordered on the appetizers a bit. So typical for my team (we are known for our eating habits...and our excellent work product, of course). 

Lily was so over us and our weeknight plans. She's used to us coming home after work to be with her. Not a fan of the farewell tour. 

And after some seriously intense work days (writing down a training manual for your future replacement is so daunting), it was Friday and the packers and movers were at our place and it all started to feel real. 

^^ Going to miss this view, for sure. 

We sort of forgot that we didn't have overhead lights in our apartment except for the kitchen. And with the lamps all packed up it made for some early dark evenings sitting around in our place. The future tenants wanted a few pieces of our furniture which worked out well so that we could seep on our couch for a few nights before we left. So we pushed the couch as close to the kitchen as possible for some light and hunkered down for the night (and watched The Wire). 

And then it was time - our last night in the city. We asked our friends to meet us at Anfora for a going away celebration. So many people turned out. It was really perfect and a very bittersweet night recalling old times and saying so long. 

^^ Hardest part was saying goodbye to my dearest and closest friend, Jolie. There were some tears for sure. Love you Jo Jo!

^^ Couldn't imagine doing any of this life stuff without Al. I feel like with him we could do anything and live anywhere. Love you, Al.

Sunday was our last day in the city. We spent it walking around to some of our favorite places and having one last meal at Friedmans with Jolie and Sean (we just couldn't say goodbye for real on Saturday night).

^^ One last carry home. Can't wait for the stares we'll get doing this in Dallas.

^^ One last play in the dog park for Miss Mayo

All packed up and ready to go. We definitely both had tears in our eyes (and mine streaming down my cheeks) when we walked out of our building for the last time. So much life was lived inside those walls.

And then we took our one-way tickets (!) and headed for Kansas City. What a great last week in the greatest city in the world. We love you New York and all of our friends.  See you very soon, I'm sure!

We're hitting the road for Dallas tomorrow (we hope - we were just informed that our moving truck didn't make it out before the snow storm - ughhhh).  See you soon new home!

weekend recap

Well hello! Hope everyone survived the first day back to work. A quick New Year's Eve & Weekend Recap here for you.  We had a low key NYE and generally a friend-filled weekend.  Here are a few photos...

For New Year's we kept it simple and in my opinion, it was perfect. Our friends Elle and Greyson (and their ten week old baby!) hosted a beautiful dinner for us in their apartment. Reflecting on the year with close friends, resolving to commit to silly things (there may have been a bet about a man bun), and toasting the new year. Wouldn't have done it any other way.

^^ Elle's beautiful table setting.

^^ We had our own (much prettier) ball for the midnight countdown. Thankfully ours didn't drop at midnight.

^^ Love this crew.

New Years Day for most is a day of lounging and napping, but for me January 1 means one thing - my darling friend, Jolie's birthday! Going on six years together celebrating her birth.

Friday was super lazy. Perfectly lazy. Starting with the two sleepiest Rose family members staying in bed until the late morning hours while I worked from home. Al works very hard and very late hours during the week so I don't mind him catching up on his sleep during the weekends. Especially when I go in the bedroom and see this...

A full day's work (from the couch) followed by a soak in the tub, face mask, and pizza. A homebody's dream. 

^^ This was my second time trying a paper face mask. They're a little hard to put on (see half my cheek that I missed), but they leave my skin so soft! I've tried this brand before and this time used one Jolie got me for my birthday (unsure on the brand).

^^ New Year. Same Friday positions. 

In an effort to actually leave the house for the first time in two days, we met our friend Carrie Saturday night for dinner at a new-ish place we've been wanting to try - County. Both the decor and the food were fantastic. Definitely get the salmon tartare for an appetizer. We also tried the charcuterie board and I had the grilled lobster. I'm thinking of resolving to eat a grilled lobster every Saturday in the New Year it was that good. Highly recommend County. Go check it out!

^^ You know how much I love those lights. I heart big bulbs.

Sunday was all about gearing up to be working, productive human beings come Monday. From thank you notes, to budget planning for the year (for both our household and for my sister - Al is helping her with her budget and savings plan this year so sweet), to soup in a crock pot. It was a real-deal, get stuff done type of Sunday. Just the kind I like. 

^^ It only takes a few minutes to write a thank you note. JUST DO IT! I also like the notion that you should try to write a thank you note without including the word "thank you" more than once. Try it - it's difficult, but makes your note much more powerful and thoughtful.

^^ Loving my new planner from May Desings. Remember, I had them on my holiday gift guide?  And after searching for 26 years for the perfect pen, I've been using Pilot G2s for the past three years and love them. Especially a fresh 20 pack. 

^^ Don't worry. There was still time for naps for one of us. #SundaysAreForNaps

^^ Sunday supper was chicken and wild rice soup in the crock pot. Trying out a new recipe. It still needs a little work, but I'll share soon!

^^ My sweet husband (excel master and budget enthusiast) on multiple hour long calls with my sister (master shopper and budget novice). It was so fun to listen to them. Love you both. And Al, you're totally nuts if you think she's going to reconcile her bank account with her spreadsheet EVERY DAY. :) 

And then it was Monday morning. And we could barely keep our eyes open while sitting up. 

Hope you had a fantastic New Years Eve and weekend!  Here's to crushing it this week! 

friday finds

Hi there!  We're off to Kansas for a week of laughing with our families, eating lots and lots of food, and lounging around. To say I'm excited would be an understatement. I'm ready to s-l-o-w down, unplug, and spend time doing things I love with the people I love - mostly cooking, eating, and reading (I think mom's planned a spin class in there for good measure, as well).  

I'll be taking a break next week from posting, but you can always catch up and see what we're up to (or cute photos of Lily) on my instagram. 

Some links to browse while I'm away...

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Did you see the 60 Minutes piece on mindfulness? We found it fascinating. I've tried to meditate before and can never stop thinking of my to do list. Maybe I'll try again next week!

Made me laugh. Pretty much the best way to sum up Santacon.

Whoa.  Kansas City in the New York Times.  When (my) worlds collide. (Also that's our friend Kevin in the photo. Hey Kev!)

Things we learned from the Sony hack. Add to that list that North Korea was serious about not letting that movie get released.

So THIS is why I mess up so many song lyrics.

How the Nutcracker became a Christmastime tradition. LOVED this!

Currently reading. I really can't quit you, Liane Moriarty.

Tips for surviving the holiday entertaining.  Related - how to navigate a party.

A new strategy for finding the best places to eat in New York. Can I join the "research" team?!

Lily's friend Oliver Lim in his dad's holiday card. Work it Oli!

And if all that ↑ wasn't enough to keep you occupied for a week - you can always go back and see what we did last winter break. (Here and here).

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Wishing you and your family blessed, cheerful, and delightful holidays. Merry merry!

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weekend recap

We did our have ourselves one festive little NYC weekend.  Here's what we were up to...

First of all, thanks for all the birthday wishes from everyone! I'm thinking that 29 will be good to me. Birthdays are always good for Miss Mayo, though. She gets a Sprinkles doggie cupcake for her birthday, Al's birthday, and my birthday.

Al was away Wednesday and Thursday so we celebrated my birthday Friday night. Usually I opt for a fancy dinner somewhere, but this year I wanted something low key and "cool". We settled on the duck dinner at Decoy - the small space tucked underneath Red Farm in the West Village. The place only seats 25 or so and serves mostly one thing - a peking duck dinner served with pancakes and fixings + fried rice and your choice of two small plates. We were STUFFED. And had a great time chatting with the bartender and eating lots and lots of duck. 

^^ Made us stop in front of this festive little street corner for a photo on the way to dinner.

Saturday I was up early running errands and wrapping gifts in anticipation of my holiday gift exchange with my girlfriends (aka "The Rubies"). It's not a party without my homemade cinnamon rolls. 

After what might have been the worst attempt at getting across town ever - I ran into the million man march AND drunk Santas for Stantacon while walking six avenues because all the streets were shut down, I made it to the party! Our secret santa gift exchange theme this year was "odd, but useful" which proved to be a challenging yet very very good theme! I got a tangle teaser and a cute journal. I gifted a strawberry corer and this fun mug. I think the best though was these grilled cheese toaster bags (!!!!).

The girls were so sweet and got me Momofuku Milk Bar cake truffles for my birthday! I forgot how fun it is to blow out candles!

A painful cab ride home (more protestors, even drunker Santas) and a quick outfit change and Al and I were off to Lincoln Center for The Nutcracker. We've gone the past five years with the same group of friends - it's such a fun tradition and even the guys don't seem to mind spending two hours at the ballet (we promise them copious amounts of food and drink post-show). There really is nothing like witnessing George Balanchine's beautiful version in the gorgeous setting that is Lincoln Center. Goosebumps.

Sunday was full of holiday fun at home.  I baked a TON of pfeffernusse cookies (little German anise flavored cookies) to give out to our neighbors and my team at work. I joked on instagram that no one knows what pfeffernusse are except for my family. Turns out there are a few others out there who know of them. I have such fond memories of my mom making them every holiday season and I took such delight in having that familiar smell fill our apartment. Although, I'm pretty sure my mom is the master, mine never turn out as well as hers. 

^^ All wrapped up and ready for gifting. Cellophane bags and butchers twine are a MUST for holiday baking.

Meanwhile (and because I made quite a mess while baking), we decided to open my Christmas gift from Al a few days early. Yes, that's correct - Al got me a vacuum for Christmas. So romantic! In his defense, I really really really wanted this and it does make me love him more - no more dog hair on my floors! Lily had to scope out her new frenemy, the Roomba. We had to let it charge overnight so they haven't had their first encounter yet, but I'm sure it will be momentous. She hates our stand-up vacuum, I can't imagine this one won't freak her out any less.

And to end things on a truly random note, I lost my new Armani lip stain on Friday night (the one I mentioned here). In a jam, I grabbed something from Duane Reade on Saturday and I'm in love! And it was $10 and not $30! Boots No. 7 Stay Perfect Lip Stain in color "Seduce". Stayed on my lips all day long and didn't dry them out. I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!

And that's it! Ending this post with a lip gloss rant. My high school English teacher would dock me points for having no conclusion. Hope your weekend was filled with holiday fun and ruby red lips! ;) 

T-minus five days until we're back home in Kansas with a week off of work! Woop!