Happy Weekend!
Audrey and Grace chattin’ it up backstage at the Oscars, like they do- circa 1956.
(Photo: Allan Grant)
A Happy Weekend to you all dear readers. What are you all up to? My mom is in town- hooray! I took her out on the town to Edible DC’s Drinks Invitational followed by a fancy little dinner just a hop, skip and jump (almost literally) at Rogue 24. I had yet to dine at R.J. Cooper’s DC flagship, and the kids there have still got it. We recently ate at Cooper’s new(ish) Gypsy Soul out here in the ‘burbs, and any menu that boasts the words “sweet Jesus” and “snake oil” and lives up to it, is alright by me. So, I had to see what the fuss was about in the big city. It was surprisingly sparse, we were among just a few diners to sample the 10 course tasting, but we didn’t mind having the place mostly to ourselves. The food was awesome and the kitchen theater dazzling. If you haven’t been, you are seated around the kitchen bistro style so that you have a front row seat to the makings of your meal. We had a blast.
It’s unbelievably cold here, like a frozen tundra. Another snow day over here and freezing temps mean we’ll be homebound most of the weekend. And of course on Sunday, we’ll be watching the Oscars. We are fiercely competitive with our Oscar ballots every year, and of course every year- I win. I have yet to lose in fact and have an over 10 year winning streak (humble, not so humble brag- I am such a dork about these things). I am a bit less prepared however, this year. I still have not seen Whiplash, American Sniper or Selma. Print out your official Oscar Ballot here (I like to go old school and print them out, but you can vote for your favorites and play digitally too.) The Glitter Guide has its own printable Oscar ballot too which is honestly no different but just a little prettier, nice if you’re having the gals over (I’m looking at you Amy Rutherford).
My picks to win the major categories:
Picture: Birdman- I have mixed feelings about this movie, but mostly it left me thinking about it lots, and interested. It’s not a perfect movie but it is so insanely interesting, I love the way Inarritu lets the camera tell story and the small intimate, quirky world that is peeled away. I really dug it.
Director: Alejandro Inarritu for Birdman- I fell in love with his Amores Perros when I first saw it, the guy is so good. Though I think Richard Linklater will be a close second.
Actor: Michael Keaton- I have to root for Michael Keaton in the Best Actor category, the ultimate badass. Always a Keaton fan, the guy is always good (Mr. Mom anyone? -one of my all-time favorites). He deserves his turn at the podium and that performance- fabulous. You know Eddie Redmayne’s gotta be like, (fist clenched and shaking in air) “Keaton!”. I mean really, the guy plays Stephen Hawking, you’d think that’s a shoo-in, but then… there’s Keaton (and all the others really), but everybody’s rooting for a Keaton comeback. Of course, I could be very wrong about all of this and Bradley Cooper will win.
Actress: Julianne Moore- done and done.
Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette’s got it in the bag
Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons- though I haven’t seen Whiplash, I know he kicks some ass and has some crazy chops.
Cinematography: Birdman
Original Screenplay: Grand Budapest Hotel
Adapted Screenplay: Whiplash
Can you tell I get really REALLY into this? Your picks? Do tell.
What I’m Drinking:
Mom’s in town and she likes a bright, crisp and clean Chard, just like her daughter. I recently discovered Hoopes Vineyards’ Chard at a Dinner Lab DC dinner and immediately ordered up a case. Made in the French style, this vino shows its California fruit beautifully with tropical notes of pineapple and mangos true to its warm climate, but also boasts bracing acidity and a great minerality and zesty lemon bite- not something you get from your typical Cali Chards. It’s lip-smacking and delicious. And what I love even more about it- its owners. Lindsay Hoopes now runs and manages the winery that her dear dad started up in the 80s, she grew up in Napa, fled to see what life was like on the other side of the Valley only to come back- really, who wouldn’t? Her dad, Spencer is a farmer by trade and has always made wine true to its earth. Anne Vawter now resides as Hoopes’ winemaker and they are churning out better stuff than ever. It’s small, it’s family owned and it’s true to its land and fruit. If you’re in Napa, give Lindsay a shout and make yourself an appointment to taste through their wines.
And
Bubbly, of course. It is the Oscars.
In Other News:
Get your Oscar Buzz cocktail on.
This Oscar-worthy cocktail is nice too if you have a thing for St. Germain.
“This Is What It’s Like to Survive 93 Days as a Hostage of Somali Terrorists“. My friend Jessica’s Buchanan story, “Impossible Odds” is serialized in the current Reader’s Digest. An unbelievable, harrowing and inspiring story of a woman’s strength and will to live, I am constantly in awe of her and so happy to know her.
Oliver Sacks’ beautiful and heartbreaking essay on discovering he has terminal cancer.
Gahhh! The final Mad Men trailer is released.
This kid is absolutely killing it. Give it a few seconds then sit back and enjoy the fierceness.
One of my favorite things I saw this week- a hungover Jimmy Fallon recounting the riduculous SNL afterparty. You have to watch this.
I love this bleached maple knife strip. Although, if you’re at all handy I’ll bet you could make this for next to nothing.
Red wine risotto from Venice blogger Skye McAlpine- this is right up my alley, thank you for posting Anna!
Tina Fey’s return to TV via Netflix. Woohoo.
How to host a dinner party with kids. What do you guys think about this? We usually just let our kids run around until they are tired and want to hit the bed, but they’re still really little.
Anna Watson Carl of The Yellow Table has recently returned from a long jaunt in Sicily where she learned how to cook this pistachio-encrusted tuna at this fabulous hotel. Both are on my list.
Happy Chinese New Year from my wild-hearted pal, Cristy Candler. She is a hoot and has graced the stages of Broadway, the covers of several Yoga magazines, the pages of Anthology, is a fierce animal activist and lover, and a crazy ass party girl. She’s a character and I don’t know anyone like her, not even remotely. Thanks for the nice reminder Cristy that this is the year to “develop a wild heart”.
“How Hypochondriacs Say I Love You”.
Hot Dudes Reading- one of my favorite new Instagram feeds- thanks Lindsay!
I love the looks of this: broiled citrus and ricotta crostini. Must make.
25 things to give up for Lent or just plain give up.
Always the Francophile and lover of type and letters, this glossy clutch kind of rocks my world.
Need some chic little black hair ties with a gold detail? Check these out at J.Crew- 3 for $3 with the code SHOPPINGTIME
While we wait out the deep freeze here in the Mid-Atlantic, we can dream of Caribbean getaways with private plunge pools.
And in that dream, we’re wearing these slip-ons.
Still wanderlusting? Need a destination? Domaine has a silly little quiz to figure out where you should go next.
These cut-out booties are pretty cute too. A good crossover boot into spring, I love the socks to keep your ankles warm.
The 100 Most Beautiful Words in the English Language. Says who? Some blogger. I don’t know, these are all a bit flowery for me, I guess that’s the point. I have always had a thing for the word Halcyon though. What’s your favorite word?
If you have a tiny baby girl or know of someone having one, this giant heart dress is pretty darn cute and on sale. I’m snatching it up for a pal of mine.
2 unknown Cézanne sketches found.
Have a fabulous weekend! Cin Cin ya’ll. Pop the bubbly and enjoy the Oscars.
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