I hate my feet

I absolutely, positively, most-of-the-time hate my feet! I was born with super narrow feet. A shoe salesman when I was just a toddler recognized my fate. He told my mom that I was going to have a hard time my whole life....boy was he right! ARGH! I want to be able to buy a super cool, trendy pair of booties (that are relatively cheap) from Urban to wear for a season...but they don't fit! I got a pair of Jimmy Choo patent d'Orsays that fit in the beginning, but now the heel is always slipping AND I have three layers of inserts for the ball of my foot. The shoes that fit me the best are my Ugg moccasins (I only wear around the house) and sneakers. Well, I take that back: my Pucci printed silk ballet flats fit perfectly (with an insert no doubt) but those are limited to warm months and particular outfits.

Shoes that come in narrow widths are usually made mostly out of elastic and are too ugly for Grandma, or cost super $$$. I've tried layers of socks, heavy wool socks, heel grips, arch supportive inserts...you name it, I've tried it. If anyone out there has a suggestion, a bit of knowledge from a stone unturned, please share. I'm feeling desperate.

A big hug from Judy

A couple of weeks ago I received a package from Judy, Michael's mom. I wasn't expecting anything but was thrilled with what she sent me: a pair of earrings that were Michael's Great Grandmother's. I was so overwhelmed by the gesture that I was immediately weepy-eyed and felt a kind of big hug from her. One of my favorite things about jewelry is how it can hold an important sentiment. In fact, I enjoy wearing jewelry that was once someone else's more than I enjoy pieces that I've gotten for myself. Thank you, Judy.

Road trip for Food

When our TV is on, it's most likely on TLC, HGTV or Food Network. When we had the opportunity to get our hands on a courtesy car (compliments of the BMW dealer) we decided to head south to Attleboro, MA (about a 45 minute drive) to check out a place we saw on Diners Drive Ins and Dives. A little New England town, it was easy to find Morin's Diner. I tried the French Meat Pie which was completely homemade, fresh, and very tasty. The girl who waited on us was super sweet and we were so glad we went. It's great to be able to be (relatively) close to fantastic food!

A great thing about Boston...

Are the restaurants! Since living in Bean Town I have been loving food more than ever before. There are so many amazing restaurants here that there are times when you feel conflicted. For example, you had a great experience at Picco and want to go back, but then does that mean you're going to miss out on a new, undiscovered experience? I'd say that's a guaranteed yes every time.

We did revisit B&G Oysters last night for the second time with friends. The oysters we started out with were great and for the second time, I'm found that I prefer the flavors of the local compared to the West Coast varieties. We shared a lovely fennel salad with arugula, blood orange, and pine nut vinaigrette along with a plate of fried calamari with a spicy aioli. I opted to repeat the entree I had my first time because it was amazing: Lobster Coussoulet prepared with spinach, black truffles, and chestnuts atop a small bed of beans that resemble the look of river stones. Again, it was amazing! We finished with a shared ginger cake with a bourbon sauce and then a puff pastry atop a marscapone custard with figs. You too can find the flavors of heaven on a table in the South End.

Escape from Boston Part 2

Day 2

On day two we started out with breakfast at the hotel and then an espresso at Zibetto. It's a hole in the wall steps away from Carnegie Hall and very nice. It's a long, small space with a white marble bar and a barista. No frills except the espresso and coffee drinks are quality. I think we stopped by there twice during our trip and once at another hole in the wall, Fika.

Arriving at the MoMA, we were overwhelmed by all of the people there, so we look through the bookshop and decided to return the next day. Walking up and down Fifth Avenue was okay because we were still fighting strong, cold winds. We hung out at the Apple store for a bit to warm up as we awaited Bergdorf Goodman to open. The windows at Bergdorf's were a fantasy with the most amazing pieces from amazing designers. Exploring the store was fun and the people working there were pleasant compared to other places we'd been.

That evening we went to Le Poisson Rouge in The Village to hear Don Byron. Afterwards we made a late supper at Casa Mono, a Mario Batali tapas restaurant near NYU. We squeezed into a tiny corner to enjoy fun, adventuresome flavors.

Day 3

Our final day in New York, we woke up wanting leave for home in the afternoon rather than the evening. We made our way through the MoMA and saw a very cool Tim Burton exhibit. The downside: way, way, way too many people! There was so many sketches, models, short films, props, and illustrations to see. Somehow we were able to enjoy a few things though we were all packed in there like sardines.

We visited Vandoren so Michael could get some reeds and then made our way to Gray's Papaya. Anthony Bourdain seems to frequent this hot dog and papaya drink joint often, so we wanted to try it too. Michael got the Recession Special: two dogs, a large drink for $4.45. The dogs come with sauerkraut, but as I'm not a fan and I still wanted to have an authentic experience, I went out of my comfort zone and got it with onions. Like the corned beef sandwich, I paid for my adventuresome spirit the rest of the day with a sour stomach.

New York is full of experiences unique to it, but I was really ready to get home....to Boston. I am curious to know what exactly people think about when they say, "I love New York" or "I'm so jealous that you get to go to New York, I love it!" With the overwhelming crowds of people, filthy subway stations that reek of urine, extreme prices as soon as you leave your door (which is already priced sky high)...I guess it's fine by me, but I have no desire to go back. Did I mention I'm going there twice in February?

I heart Kansas.

Escape from Boston

For Christmas Michael gave me an experience to remember: a day at the Mandarin Oriental Spa. Lunch, relaxation, and two hours of treatments. It was a fantastic way to spend New Years Eve Day followed by a homemade dinner of porcini encrusted filets with all the extras.

DAY 1

We spent three days in New York and we had experience after experience. We arrived in the city, dropped our bags and headed to Katz's Deli. Everyone had so much attitude, was yelling, and it seemed a little grungy and I opted to try the corned beef sandwich (with a Pepsi). Ever since Michael read Anthony Bourdain's book, No Reservations, I've made a mindful effort to try new things, even if it's a little outside of my comfort zone. The sandwich was good, but I paid for it the rest of the day with a gurgling and uncomfortable tummy ache.

We explored vintage shops and unique little stores from Katz's, Chinatown, to SoHo, to the West Village. I was warned how expensive vintage is in New York, but I was still a wee bit surprised that a no name sweater was $350. It was fun to look and it was free.

Boy, was it cold! The wind was blowing so hard my skin really got whipped and I had to use oil in addition to a cream moisturizer to heal my face when we got home. However, finally being able to experience the Prada store in SoHo on day 1 was great! I knew it was amazing, but it was even better than that! Everything else was pretty blah...nothing more than what I expected but glad I got to go around and poke my head in here and there.

We walked all the way to the West Village to stand in line at the Magnolia Bakery at 401 Bleecker Street. I am glad I had the experience of having a cupcake from their bakery and got to stand in line with everyone else, but really...did I miss something? During this cupcake craze that's been on peak trend, I've made the effort to try as many cupcakes as I can find...mostly in Kansas City. Baby Cakes in the River Market was good, Cupcake a la Mode in West Plaza does great things with their icing flavors, and Sweet (here in Boston) has a super duper butterscotch cupcake and a heck of a gingerbread cupcake.

Magnolia was fine (maybe I was there on a dud of a day) but I really think the best cupcake I've had came from the Roasterie Cafe in Brookside.

*Note to self: I still need to try Sprinkles in L.A.

We relaxed and eventually thawed out at our hotel, Hudson (which was pretty swanky) and then had dinner at Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay's restaurant. The flavors were quite interesting and mysterious. All the spice and kick was there, but somehow it was completely balanced, tolerable, and never became overwhelming.

We ended our first night with meeting friends at the bar at Hudson for drinks to do some catching up...miss them.