Friday, November 21, 2014

Wedding Registry: DOs & DON'Ts

Congratulations, you're engaged! It's such a fun and exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming with so much to do in so little time.

Indulge in all of the cake tastings, have the caterer create mini samples for selection, and don't forget to register for your favorite things. After all, it only happens once in a lifetime.

When registering, it's always nice to have help with where to start. Check out Williams-Sonoma's registry guidelines for tips on creating the perfect registry.

Below are my own lived-and-learned registry DOs and DON'Ts:

DO - Have plenty of options

Some people like to buy that one original gift "so they always think of me when they use it" whereas others want to buy whats practical, like your everyday glassware. Different items and different price ranges will be pleasers.

DON'T - Be too practical

Quit saying to yourself, "Oh, I don't want someone to have to buy that for me." It's their decision to buy it for you, so have fun! Now's the time. It's a rare occasion that you get to shop with other people's money.

DO - Keep it in the family

I'm a big fan of passing things from generation to generation, whether it be traditions, everyday practices, or material things. So if grandma has a set of China, or Aunt Judy has a set of silver, and long lost 2nd cousin half removed so-and-so has a set of crystal to pass along to you, take it! And then build off of it.

DON'T - Over register

Granted, all of this being said, don't have so many outrageous options that you end up receiving impractical items that you will never even take out of the box (our juicer falls into this category).

DO - Copy cat

It's totally acceptable to look at registries of other friends and family and take note of their ideas. After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery.

DON'T - Forget your own style

Friday, November 14, 2014

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Hot Drink Season

Cold comes quickly in my beloved Washington, and just shy of a month ago Martin's came out with their Fall Cocktail menu, featuring the Autumn Delight. According to the menu, it's a warming blend of apple cider, galliano, and cinnamon vodka. Sounds delicious, Washingtonians rejoice.

Well, my new hometown of Austin is just now catching up to the 30/40 degree temperatures of the season and I am reaching for anything in arm's way to keep warm, inside and out. And what's better than warming up with a hot cup of tea? Well, if it's after 4 o'clock...

Hot Buttered Rum. Hot Cider and Rum. Hot Water, spices, and Rum. They're all a win, win. Serve it right up in a lovely latte mug. Now how's that for Grandma's cough medicine?



Thursday, November 6, 2014

Lunch at Walton's

Walton's Fancy and Staple, the sister restaurant to Bess, serves up breakfast, lunch, and a plethora of sweet treats. Today we stopped in for lunch.


Salads and sandwiches are always freshly made to order.


Some of my favorites being the Pastrami with whole grain mustard on rye...


... the roast Beef Bleu with just the right amount of complimentary ingredients finished with a perfect horseradish aioli...


.. and of course, the Reuben, served here as a healthier version than most.


Last but not least, my favorite of them all, where breakfast meets lunch, the Ham and Egg Sandwich, served open faced with that perfectly cooked fried egg.