The City With Charm

Only in Baltimore would it be completely normal to have a race this ridiculous. For 13 years, the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill has put on a Kinetic Sculpture Race. Dozens of teams design and create "floats" that must be able to travel via manpower across town through water, sand, and mud. Since my mom and I had seen sculptures from years passed, we decided it would be fun this year to see the race in action! No roads were shut down, no police barricades were constructed. This was just another day on the streets of Baltimore, save the hordes of people in elaborately designed contraptions weaving in and out of Saturday traffic. 

Here are just a few of my favorites from the day. I didn't get a good shot of the Amish wagon floating through the Harbor or the float that fell apart as soon as it hit the water. And mad props need to go out to the people powering the single-rider floats! I can't imagine peddling throughout the city in a float all day long, let alone by myself! Ay Ay Ay!

The Platypus that looked like a lobster :)

Fluffy and the kayaking officials.

Bling Dynasty and the geishas.

Loose Cannon.

Yes Oui Cancan!

We made friends on the lawn, had a lovely seafood lunch, and happened upon the obstacle course. It was such a fun day in the Charm City!

 

Love,

Stephanie Marie

A Non-Grouchy Oscar

I'm on a mission this year to watch some of the movies that will be up for Oscars this year. Usually, I do the opposite and use the Oscar winners as a to-watch list. But after my Oscar party in San Diego, I decided I wanted to have a better understanding of who was up for the Oscars. I think it'll be more fun if I can actually participate in who I think should win.

So, last night, while crafting, Michelle and I watched "Midnight in Paris." It was super cute, but I agree with Michelle's comment that we could have used a Cliff's Notes for who's who in the characters. There are so many references in this movie to artists from the 1890s and 1920s that I want to take my art history class again just to keep up! Here's the trailer:

If you're interested in gearing up for the Oscars this year (L.A.'s version of the Superbowl), here is the list of this year's nominees. And if you want to have an Oscar party, here's their party kit. It includes drink recipes, bingo, and ballots. I used it last year, and my friends loved it :) They air February 26th at 7p.m.

Care to share any of your Oscar party traditions?

Love,

Stephanie Marie

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pizza

I had friends over last night! I made Phad Thai pizza last night! Yay! Amy and Michelle came over last night so I could make them a thank you dinner for taking me to and from the airport. It was a super fun night with red wine, good friends, and fun times :) Thanks for coming over ladies! We're thinking of taking this dinner on the road to each of our houses. Imagine the possibilities: fig and pate pizza, goat cheese and pork belly pizza. It could be a traveling pizza show! Hope your weeknight was full of fun, friend, and food too!

Love,

Stephanie Marie

PS. I want to buy this!

Weekend Wrap-Up: Dec 10-11

1. Helping my mom and dad redo the guest bathroom. It started out with yellow and aqua paint and is now halfway to white walls! This is the before shot :) After will be up soon.

2. Michelle, Ray, and I went to the Ravens tailgate yesterday. This was the table next to ours...the guys is shucking oysters. I swear. Only in Maryland ;)

3. Michelley in a strip of sun. It was COLD in the shade!

I also went to see the Lion King Friday with a few friends and to watch the Annapolis Boat Parade with my good friend Teresa...although my phone died so no pictures. Boo. Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was as busy as ever, but I must say I choose busy over bored any day :)

Love,

Stephanie Marie

Whatever Wednesdays: Impromptu Parties

The roommates and I threw a successful Memorial day weekend party this past Sunday. Yay! We had about 20 friends stop by throughout the afternoon. It was the perfect weather for a quick dip in the pool and a delicious BBQ, which means most of the afternoon was spent sipping a few beers and enjoying salmon tacos and bratwurst. The consensus: Best BBQ food ever!

I can't explain how happy I am that everything went so well. I was really worried about the turnout considering how new I am to the area...this time around at least. But my friends--from VA to Baltimore--definitely showed their support in full force! Which means (of course) that I'm already starting to think about holding another party. Of course I am. From one event to the next, that's how I work. I am trying to learn how to linger a bit longer in the positive experience instead of just getting ready for the next one, BUT...here are a few thoughts to mull about in the meantime ;)

Cheese tasting party? Oh hell yes!

Amazing pesto and cheese bread for my next BBQ.

Naptown pub crawl 2011 needs a good breakfast option for the next day. Shown here: blueberry french toast.

Strawberry shortcake kebabs for the next BBQ.

Planning any summer parties this year?

Love,

PS. Photos courtesy of cheese party, pesto bread, french toast, and kebab.

Travel Tuesdays: Backyard Barbecue

My "roommates" (aka parents) and I decided last night to throw a low-key backyard BBQ for Memorial Day weekend. I'm hoping the turnout goes well, and, just like my comfort food house warming, I'm trying really hard not to overwhelm myself with minute details that ONLY I WILL NOTICE. (That was for my benefit, not yours.) So, I thought we'd travel to the backyard--it really can become quite a different place if you put a tiny bit of effort into it--for a few pictures of some of the summer entertaining things that I'm loving right now. Can't hurt to get some inspiration, right?

1. Love everything about this photo. It looks so fresh and easy.

2. Hilarious 1950s photo of a croquet BBQ. Love the nostalgia.

3. Sometimes it's not WHAT you serve but HOW you serve it.

4. Red, white, and blue for the Memorial Day weekend.

5. Wouldn't you just swoon over these cupcakes?!

6. Watermelon dispenser. I wonder how hard this one is, but I'm sure it'd be a show stopper.

7. Easy rosemary potato kebabs.

Also, stumbled upon this fab-u-lous Web site and wanted to share: http://www.hostessblog.com.

Love,

Photos courtesy of pinterest.com: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Oscar Recap

Here's a photo recap of my Classy Oscar Party:

Making chocolate chip pancakes. One oober large pancake + peanut butter = delicious!

Red carpet table-scape! Salmon toasts and some "movie" tickets for decoration.

Presentation of the pancakes with a side of syrup.

Thanks to the usual suspects for making an appearance and for bringing the yum. Carissa's Andie's brownies were to die for, Suzie's healthier nachos were delicious, and Bonnie's bling was perfect!

What did you think of the Oscar's? My main take-away: Watch more movies!!!

Love,

Classy (Not Trashy) Oscar Party

I decided Wednesday to throw an Oscar party this weekend. I'm super excited because I haven't really thrown many last-minute parties, and I think this may be my favorite way to have guests. There's less time to be stressed about what to eat (we're doing a potluck style), how to decorate (I'm borrowing a red table cloth and using what I already have), and what to do (I printed out pre-made Oscar bingo and ballots).

Like most of my decorating, cooking, fashion, and traveling trends, I get more excitement and pleasure out of "making it work." Give me a few ingredients a la Top Chef style and my creative juiced flow. Side note: Once my mom gave my sister and I a $100 to do something nice while Jen was visiting me in Pittsburgh where I was studying for my MFA. We ended up taking it as a challenge to make that $100 last as long as possible. We ended up going to dinner, watching a movie, having drinks, generally enjoying the entire weekend on one $100 bill. Rachel Ray's vacation on a dime, eat your heart out!

Anyway, so for this last-minute party challenge, I've decided to make a few "classy" bites, print out the afore-mentioned Oscar-related games, and decorate with what I already have.
I'll take pics of the event, but here's what I'm planning for food:

Salmon toasts. I already have the smoked salmon and bread, but I will have to buy the cream cheese.

Mini pancake dessert. I'm going to make silver-dollar-sized pancakes, stuff them with peanut butter, and drizzle with syrup. All of which I already have here. No stress.

I think I'm really going to enjoy this relaxed party atmosphere ;) The red carpet starts at 4pm Pacific. Enjoy!

Love,

Photos courtesy of Kimba's Kitchen and A Side of Peanut Butter.

Housewarming Recap

I had such a great time at my housewarming party this past Saturday! Thanks to all of my friends who came out to celebrate with me, and I hope everyone who couldn't make it will stop by sometime soon.

I have to say the best thing that I put together for the party was the food...shocker! No one really cares about how much stuff is on the walls, what I'm wearing, or how clean my tub is :) But the FOOD...oh the food ;)

Here's a photo recap: Suzie and Carissa arrive first to help me finish getting ready. Thanks, ladies!

Bacon and spinach mashed potatoes (I have a bone to pick with you, Rachel Ray, and your bland food!)

Meatloaf Muffins. The clear blue ribbon winner of the afternoon.

Cheddar grilled cheese and Trader Joe's creamy tomato bisque.

Suzie's delicious s'mores pie.

Here's to your happy housewarming parties!

Love,

No-Stress Housewarming

My official housewarming party is tomorrow, and of course Aloha (our weather woman) has informed me that it's supposed to rain...like Biblical style. Since San Diego is usually 70 and sunny, rain, wind, and fire are really our only "seasons." (Sounds like a James Taylor song.)

In San Diego terms, rain means accidents, flooding, and leaks. Yay. So, it's perfect timing for me to stay inside my HOUSE where it's WARM and enjoy the comforts of a warm meal. I guess I couldn't have picked a better theme for my housewarming--Comfort Foods--for the anticipated blustery day. Who wants comfort food when it's a 75 degree day anyway?

The person who first created these is clearly a genius.

I'm trying oh so hard not to stress about this party. I wanted to have it to kick off my dinner parties and socializing NOT to show everyone my ready-to-wear apartment. God knows it takes decades to get anything show-stop ready on a dime budget. I did manage to start (key word: start) a few crafts/projects and hang up some decorations for the party. But that's where I stop! This is supposed to be a no-stress event. It's taking everything in my will power not to run around like a chicken with my head cut off. So, now that everything I have is hung, I'm just going to focus on cleaning and cooking.

I thought you might like to know what I have planned for the meal, since that's what really counts, right? ;) This is another attempt to be low stress, but I'll have to let you know after the fact how that works out for me.

It's All About Comfort Menu:

Meatloaf Muffins

Bacon, Spinach, and Cream Mashed Potatoes

Mini Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup Shots (like these)

Kraft's new Homestyle Mac & Cheese

And my friend Suzie is going to make dessert: S'mores Pie (I'll have to get the exact recipe, but I think it's going to be sort of like this. Um...HELLO!)

I can hear the leafs rustling outside and the wind chimes a-chimin'. That storm is on it's way, and oh how I'm going to love it!

Love,

Photo courtesy of Creative Inspiration via pinterest.com (I can't find the original photo source, sorry.)