hedonism

Last weekend I celebrated my birthday in Detroit. I didn't take a ton of photos--I usually like to forget about the camera when I'm having fun--but I took some.

This is me in front of Zingerman's Road House (in Ann Arbor, en route to Detroit), pointing at a bone on the ground. I think it was a rib bone. What I thought was funny about this is I'm standing in the parking lot near the barbeque smokers, and I was just picturing a hungry employee snatching a rib off the smoker to eat, and then tossing the bone into the parking lot. Who could blame them?

I think this ironic photo has probably been posted a billion times since the oil spill, but I still had to take my own.

Here is Stephani in front of Ferndale's Ringwald Theatre. She recently saw that production of Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy, and gave it two thumbs up.

All dressed up for cocktails and dinner at Michael Symon's Roast. I covet those boots Stephani is wearing. She is lucky her foot is two sizes smaller than mine.

I love this photo Stephani snapped as I hurried out of the cold back into her house.

Food and drink highlights of the weekend: The Subtle Smoke (Plymouth gin, Laphroaig, Sauternes, Lemon Twist) and Golden Gate (Bulleit bourbon, Benedictine, rhubarb and Angostura bitters, lemon twist) cocktails at Roast. (The Golden Gate reminded me--in a good way--of old furniture. I need to get some Benedictine so I can create one at home.) The rosemary fries at Roast (which my oh-so-refined palate correctly detected were fried in pork fat). The macarons that Nikki bought us from cup.cake in Royal Oak. Stephani's chicken piccata! The Balvenie served to me at the very cool, slightly dive-y, Deco-era Bronx Bar.

And of course, as always, Slow's BBQ.

xo

K

the livin' is easy

Those of you who follow my Twitterings may remember me posting about a dress I meant to sell, but decided to keep. I'd promised I would never do such a naughty thing again, but...I broke the promise. The dress is this green piqué Malia dress. I just could not resist the crazy-cute bird print.

Stephani visited us from Detroit this weekend (she helped convince me to keep the dress). This photo was taken in front of the future site of a Belgian style brewery (in a building that was once a funeral home). I'm excited for this place to open not so much because I like Belgian beer (because I don't, really), but because it's such a cool building--it looks like it should house a Belgian brewery. And I'm hoping they'll also have frites.

Since the brewery isn't open yet, we had drinks at Corez (one of the few places in town that knows how to make a decent cocktail). I had a Negroni, Andy a beer, and Steph a French 75. And we all shared these ridiculously good fries with aioli and a fried egg on top!

Speaking of neat old buildings--this one is a refurbished former orphanage, across the street from Corez.

We shared more food at the Winchester and probably too many drinks at the Viceroy before heading home to crash for most of Sunday. But by Sunday afternoon we were all ready--especially Lucy--to head out onto the lake and enjoy a little sunshine. Nothing better for a wee hangover than fresh air and sunshine. And a big hat and sunglasses.

xo

K

p.s.--As of this posting, the Etsy shop is at 999 sales. I am giving free US shipping/discounted international shipping to the 1000th purchase!

mullet post

Business in the front, party in the back.

Business: we are taking a kinda impromptu quick trip up north for thrifting and fun on Tuesday. I love being in northern Michigan this time of year. Cooler temps, country drives, beautiful views, good places to eat. Maybe even leaf-peeping!

The shop will be open, but any purchases will not be shipped until we come back on Thursday. I don't think we'll get to make it up to Legs Inn, sadly, but hopefully we can have dinner at this place, which is housed in a former mental hospital.

That's Trattoria Stella. I will have a Manhattan, and pork belly if it's still on the menu. Go to their site and take a look at the menu. If you're ever up Traverse City way, Trattoria Stella is one of the best places to get a meal.

Okay, here's a little more business. Well, business and pleasure, since it's vintage. This shop preview has some great autumnal colors: mustard, grays, cocoa brown, olive. And a really fab angora cardigan.


Charcoal polka-dot capri pants and motorcyle-inspired jacket with the cutest clothing label I've ever seen!

Vine print blouse in autumn colors.

Sage crosshatch fabric dress with Peter Pan collar and cute pockets.

Pine green wool plaid pleated skirt.

Mustard wiggle dress by Minx Modes with amazing triangular cut-out back.

Winter woods print angora cardigan.

Jonathan Logan turquoise check dress.

Suzy Perette white eyelet and satin ribbon dress.

Woodcut floral print dress by Cos Cob.

Mod cherry red knit dress.

1950s blue rose and stripes dress.

VERY Joan Holloway. But how much did you love that blood-spattered green number she wore tonight?

Okay, I promised party. Here it is.

Caramel apple rice pudding. In vintage highball glasses. They were really good. The caramel isn't the typical sweet, thick caramel. The cider in it makes it tangy and a really nice counterpoint to the milky rice pudding. I posted a link to the recipe the other day, but here it is again, via Bon Appetit.

See you in a few days, hopefully with some newfound treasures!

xo
k