I had a super crap-tastic week last week.  We spent all week battling the stomach flu and all of the glory and loads of laundry that went with it.  On Friday, when I was pretty sure I was on my death bed I texted

Amy Christie

with "I'm dying.  Hopefully I'll talk to you Monday."  She advised me not to die because she was having a rough enough month as it was.

That's why it meant so much to me when I received an email on Friday afternoon letting me know that I - ME - was chosen as one of

Better Homes & Gardens Top Ten Entertaining Blogs

.  I was astounded.  Humbled.  And revived from the dead.

This meant so much to me because of the amazing company that I was in.  Please visit their sites as well because they are an amazing group of ladies who inspire me, make me a better person, and make me a better blogger.

**  Yes, I'm aware my name is spelled wrong - we're working on it  **

Our favorite waiter at our favorite summer time restaurant left Seattle for the sunny skies {and acting jobs} of Los Angeles last fall.  We were sad to see him go, but I was more sad to see his signature cocktail go with him.  So I stole him away during his going away party to steal the recipe.

I've been looking for the right time to share it, and no time seemed better than OSCAR WEEKEND!  I know JJ will be downing these this weekend - and so will I.

Sur la Table Boston Shaker

 ::  

Tiffany Double Old Fashioned Highball Glass

::  Did you see Jamie's guide to

where to eat in NYC?

  Pinned it, printing it, following it.  I've been to most of them - but not all!

::  Have you been following

Oscars Week at Meyers Styles

?  Check out the decor!  FABBY

::  My office is getting more organized this week and

these filing ideas from Lauren are amazing

.  And so simple!

::  Have you met

Amber

?

::  Popcorn + cocktails =

Oscar fun over at the Glitter Guide

See you Monday!

Follow Alexandra Hedin's board I love a cocktail on Pinterest.

What a week.  My children had the week off from school which meant I was the full time entertainment committee.  We went to Whidbey, we hosted playdates, we did art projects and now we are ready for them to go back to school.  Soon.  

Until then, let's sip cocktails and catch up on the fun things some of my friends did this week 

:: Are you sending invitations out for a Oscar Party?  

Kelly at Studio DIY has a printable Oscar Ballot for you.

::  Sharon put together an amazing playlist for our party at Alt Summit.  

Find out how here.

::  

S'mores cupcakes

!!  My brilliant friend Melissa {otherwise known as Lulu the Baker} made these.  

::  Did you see

Amy's red tulle skirt

?  I loved it when I saw it in person and I have been pinning tulle skirts like a maniac.  I think it's time for my own.  

See you Monday!

I'm not sure why it struck me as so surprising that Shirley Temple passed away this week.  But it did. I felt profoundly affected by her passing.  Maybe it's because she has always been such an iconic figure, or maybe it's because Pearl has recently discovered Shirley Temple movies.  

In honor of this day, that is all about love and caring, and beauty - nothing seems more appropriate than the drink named for the darling little girl who brought joy in a dark time and continues to inspire little girls.  

I haven't told Pearl that Shirley Temple has died.  It seems unnecessary.  Pearl believes that fairies live in the woods, that princesses live in castles and fly on carpets, and that Shirley Temple is a tiny little girl who tap dances.  I believe that Shirley Temple deserves to live amongst the fairies and the princesses because that's the kind of magic she carries.  

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Martha Stewart Home Collection Cocktail Shaker

 ::  

Script Monogram Highball Glasses

Follow Alexandra Hedin's board I love a cocktail on Pinterest.

I love making valentine's with my kids.  I love not buying the store-bought Valentines that are lumped up on the shelves and look entirely un-thoughtful.  Sometimes it's hard to come up with exactly what that fabulously fabulous Valentine is going to be.  Which is why I was so thankful for my friend

Chelsea's

post last month featuring her

cement Valentines

!  Finally I knew what to do with that giant tub of Plaster of Paris I bought before Christmas!  Finally, an adorable Valentine that both boys and girls will dig!  Finally, something my children can EASILY help with!  Hooray!  

Pearl and I made tiny hearts using Plaster of Paris and heart ice molds from Ikea.  After the hearts dried, I set them loose with red and white paint and a lot of red glitter.  

I may or may not have purchased an entire case of playing cards a few years ago because - well, you never know.  So we mounted all of the little hearts on "hearts."  That's right, I picked through all of the playing cards to find only the hearts for this project.  After my children wrote their names on the back, I loaded them into clear bags and closed them with a sticker.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

How are you spending Valentine's Day?  Check out the video to see how my family celebrates how much we love each other.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ikea Primitiv Beer Glass

 ::  

Gold Washi Tape

Totally perfect for Super Bowl!  And if you are also allergic to shrimp, try steak bites instead!

So technically, not a Weeknight Party, but the Super Bowl is one of the ultimate 'simple' party times of the year.  We gather, we toast, we cheer, we eat.  But we must eat in front of the television because even the ads can't be missed.  And so, by the nature of the event, we must eat and entertain as if it were a weeknight.  The great thing is that you have more time to prepare for the weekend which makes my Slow Cooked Street Tacos the absolute perfect snack.  The meat cooks for three hours {start when you get up} and then it's done.  Guests help themselves, you watch the game.

1 (7.75) ounce can El Pato Salsa de Chile Fresco

1/2 cup ketchup

8 whole cloves garlic

1 tablespoon oregano

2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

:: to serve ::

corn tortillas

fresh chopped cilantro

sour cream

salsa

shredded cheese

guacamole

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Fill a heavy cast iron pot with ketchup, El Pato, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.  Stir to combine all ingredients.  Chop meat into 8 even sized pieces and place in the pot.  Bring to a boil over medium heat rotating pieces of meat to coat completely in sauce.

Cover pot and place in preheated oven.  Bake 3 hours.

Remove from oven and shred beef with two forks.  Serve along side toppings and warmed tortillas. 

Serves 4

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