One of my favorite chefs and our hometown foodie hero, Cathal Armstrong just released his debut cookbook. So of course, I hightailed it to his high end food market/restaurant, Society Fair, to pick up my copy. Hot off the press, this cookbook delivers some hearty yet refined Irish cooking inspired by the sustainable farm-to-table cuisine he has perfected at his flagship Restaurant Eve. Armstrong is an Irish transplant to the DC area who has single handedly put Alexandria on the A-list foodie map. His local dynasty of destination eateries includes the top notch Eve, Society Fair, The Majestic, Eamonn’s Dublin[…]

  

This one is a duh, but I have to say, it’s new to me. As C said last night after I poured him a Black Velvet, “this is the way I always want my Guinness- with a little Champagne.” Blasphemy, you say? Especially for a man who is 1/4 Irish? Well, I say- why not? The Black Velvet still gives you a rich, mealy, manly stout with a bit of bubbly thrown in for that feminine balance. Hey, I’m all for a tall, dark glass of Guinness when the occasion calls for it, I’ve always been a big fan, but[…]

  

Happy Weekend dear readers. It has been such a tumultuous, sad and mysterious week in the world with so many tragedies and the Malaysian Air mystery. My heart and prayers go out to the families. I hope we can find some answers soon. Prayers to the victims of the Austin and East Harlem accidents as well. This weekend we’ll be bidding adieu to our beloved Old Town as we prepare for the big move out to Fairfax County. In reality, we’re only moving 15 minutes away, but in spirit it is another world entirely and the beginning of a new[…]

  

Well, it’s official folks. After 30 years on the Great White Way, my sister-in-law, Charlotte d’Amboise, is officially a Broadway legend. She’s got her illustrated mug on the walls of the legendary Sardi’s- that bastion of Broadway glory. If you ask me, it’s a little late in the coming, she’s only been nominated for a Tony twice over and starred in over 10 shows but I digress… I’m thrilled that her lovely and sparkly face is now hanging on those legendary walls alongside the likes of Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, just where she belongs. If you’ve never been to[…]

  

  Step up your Springtime Strappies. A great little update for a few bucks. Cute right? H&M Modernist Strappy Sandal, $33 Related posts:7 Things For SummerHappy MondayHappy Weekend!

  

I love a ritual. I sometimes feel like converting to Catholicism or Judaism just so that I can take part in all of those ceremonial rituals. But let’s sink to a less lofty practice- the one that involves coffee and chocolate. Yes folks, every early afternoon just after I put the bebes down for a little nap, I can’t wait to rush to my coffee pot and brew myself a dark-roasted pot of joe (Swing’s Coffee Roasters- my local brew of choice). I break up a few squares of sea salted dark chocolate (I buy this stuff by the case[…]

  

Lately I’ve been talking to some fellow winos about identifying wines by grape vs. terroir. For all my fellow winos out there, I know I’m preaching to the choir but indulge me. I’m a big proponent of focusing on the terroir that grapes hail from as opposed to the actual grapes themselves. Why? Because the characteristics of one said grape can change drastically depending on where they’re planted, how they’re grown, on what types of vines, in what type of soil, on what type of incline (or not), in what type of weather conditions (that can vary hugely from year[…]

  

Happy Weekend dear readers. I hope you are all off to some fun adventures this March weekend. We are busy renovating and beginning the big move. It’s still absolutely freezing here and we Virginians (I can’t believe I’m actually calling myself that!) are over it as I know much of the country is. I’m taking my little man to the barber today for his very first official haircut. Milestone alert- this will be one for the baby book (if I had one, I WILL get to that someday). If you’ve not had the chance to vote for moi in Saveur’s[…]

  

Not exactly thrifty if you’re going to deck out a ton of cabinetry, but definitely thrift-worthy for a quick dresser zhush, or something of the sort. If you’re super DIY-oriented, you could probably figure out how to make these little beauties for even cheaper but who has the time. At $14, I love these. Anthropologie Antler Melody Knobs, $14 P.S.: These are pretty great too for a simple skinny brass pull at $6. Related posts:Happy Weekend!Miss V: The KitchenTortoise Shell- My New Neutral

  

Here it is folks, my top 5 picks to clink your glasses of vino in Old Town Alexandria. This was a toughie as there are a slew of terrific bars in Old Town, but these 5 are the tops for this vinophile. Tried and true, each spot in this quintet boasts a homegrown feel, a bar you’ll really want to sit at, and most importantly- great juice. Grape + Bean The most perfect little family-run local wine shop/wine bar/restaurant/coffee bar, this is the place I want to open one day. I’ve always dreamed of opening a cozy little spot that[…]