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Christening the Le Creuset with Pork Ragu

April 9, 2013

For last year’s birthday, I received a Le Creuset 5 1/2-quart French Oven. Except that it wasn’t an actual French oven, but an image of said oven printed on a small piece of paper and hand-delivered by my kids. I very much appreciated this gesture because we were knee deep in the kitchen renovation at the time, and D knew that I would need to weigh the pros and cons of every. single. color. available. to. me. (So many colors! Go Go Gadget Decision-Maker!)

With the renovation and the move, I honestly forgot about my present-to-be until a few weeks ago when we were traveling to Palm Springs for Easter. We noticed a Le Creuset outlet in Cabazon while driving home, so on the windiest day ever, we armed the kids with Auntie Anne’s pretzels (all little hands need to be preoccupied so they do NOT touch the merchandise), and dropped in for a bit. Well, that Caribbean blue shade was speaking my language, so we pulled the trigger.

Best part? The store was having a Easter holiday promotion, giving you the chance to choose a plastic egg from a bowl containing an additional discount. Since I don’t consider myself the luckiest, I had Wita choose for me, and man, did she deliver. An extra 30% off! I think we ended up paying $160.

She’s a beauty, right?

I decided to christen her with the Braised Pork Ragu with Pappardelle recipe from Dinner: A Love Story.

Um, yeah, it was good. (Even Wito ate it. I’m still blinking my eyes in amazement.)

So, tell me, what else should I be making in this gorgeous piece of cookware?

COMMENTS (16)

The Draper Report – Mad Men Season Premiere

April 8, 2013

I must admit, Kristen and I have felt a teensy weensy void in our hearts since commencing our Dishing on Downton hiatus. (I’m still pissed about Dan Stevens. Jerkwad.)

Luckily, Downton Abbey isn’t our only television obsession. Yes, you guessed it, we love all things Mad Men, and will be filming our weekly episode recaps directly after the show in my living room every Sunday night while our children slumber. That, my friends, is some serious dedication.

Without further ado, I give you The Draper Report.

p.s. – My camera cut off hence the abrupt end. Even the camera knew we shouldn’t be talking about this episode for 11 minutes.

COMMENTS (9)

Odds and Ends

April 5, 2013

1. I recently sipped (guzzled) my first Paloma cocktail, and it was just about the most delicious drink in the whole entire world. So happy I found this recipe (and beautiful photos!) on Drizzle and Dip. It’s going to be my summer drink. (Yes, I’m already planning things like that.)

2. Sorry I’ve been a bit MIA, but I’m at Lucky Fabb right now and in a constant state of swoon. A keynote with Drew Barrymore? Yes, please. Kelly Osbourne and her amazing lavender hair? Don’t mind if I do! Yesterday, I listened to Cathy Choi, the Director of Social Media at Sephora, Jamie Gersch, the Senior Director at Gap North America Marketing, Theresa Zest from Kate Spade Saturday, and, well, a lot of very stylish ladies and gents. I’ve died and gone to heaven. Oh, and don’t forget Mandana from Rachel Zoe, Inc. SHE IS SO MAJ, PEOPLE. I want her bangs. Right now. Just trying to take it all in.

3. Did you see Bleubird’s collaboration with BonLook Kids? I couldn’t help myself – I got the Birdie in Marigold for Wita, and the Sailor in Tortoise for Wito. Can’t wait to see them in person!

4. I’ve been cyber-stalking the website of the stylist who cuts Ginnifer Goodwin’s pixie. (He actually works alongside Johnny Ramirez, the colorist that I’ve featured on the blog. Quite a team, those two.) If you are looking for inspiration, check out Anh Co Tran’s blog.

5. Speaking of hair, ever wondered what all those different sized curling irons do? This post is the best Curling Irons 101 post evahhhh.

6. Our family hung out at the Shake Shack last weekend, and I can’t believe it took us 10 years to get there. (Especially when we drive by on a daily basis. Say whaaat?)

Happy weekend!

photo credit: Drizzle and Dip

COMMENTS (5)

Our Easter Tradition

April 1, 2013

We’re spending our last day lounging in Palm Springs, but popping in to wish you a smooth post-holiday weekend reentry. I loved seeing everyone all gussied up on Instagram yesterday.

Since our families live halfway across the country, we are creating our own holiday traditions, and spending Easter in Palm Springs has become a given. (Barring our little diversion to Mammoth last year.)

What a difference two years makes, right? Wita was just a wee baby and now she’s a little girl. And what about Wito? He’s up to my chest! Well, at least we know there is one constant in the equation. I will always wear stripes.