Blue Plate Special

On a recent vacation to Mexico, I found myself snapping pictures at the all-inclusive's variety of restaurants. But unlike most Instagramable shots, this wasn't for #foodporn, but for the interesting menu choices. Check out some of my favorite selections.

"Yogurt" and "Egg" are two words that I never want to be combined with "Surprise".

 Shine on peas, shine on.

Hot vanilla foam - only served after midnight.

And the last item makes my brain explode.

Good, because I don't care for that new, modern take on beef juice.

Just when I get used to foam being on every description, they throw the xnipec air curveball.

This is the kind of test I'll study for.

This Onion Land is my land, This Onion Land is your land...

I mean, how could you ever decide between freeze lettuce, herbal chlorophyll, and fantasy!?

At least it still is in its natural habitat.

Who cut the edge cheese air?

And my top pick...

What does that combination even result in?

Perhaps these were a bit lost in translation, but reading the Spanish version is just as puzzling.

Does anyone have any guesses as to what these things actually are? I say we all take a vacation together and find out. Bon appétit!

Go, Go, Go 2015!

2015. This is how I feel about the future year:

Excited Puppy Spots Its Owner - YouTube

You see, finding comfort and success in 2014 was a bit of a stretch.

It dealt some stability, but along with that came the realization that it wasn't the right security for me. So big, scary changes were had that I'm hoping will blossom and pay off in the new year. The past year also was an immensely sad time for many close friends and acquaintances, and I'm anxious for them to be able to turn the page to happier days and memories.

If anything, I want to go forward being a little less of a self-critic when it comes to achieving goals and having all aspects of my life be perfect on a specific timeline. I have hope that 2015 will be a year I really immerse myself into my passions in life and expose that moxie below the Minnesota Nice.

What are your wishes, goals, and predications for 2015?

It's a brand new year, a brand new day, when anything is possible.

Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort, Mexico

Bubbly Buh-BYE, 2014!

It's time to say farewell to the past twelve months and welcome 2015 to the world. The best way to ring in a New Year is toasting with something bubbly.

OK, surprise, surprise, the above is NOT Minne-snow-ta. It's Mexico, where I recently (and happily) imbibed quite a few champagne con cerezas.

Back to reality...

This is the ONLY way to chill champagne in Minnesota during the months of November-March. Ask any decent Minnesotan. 

But there is more to champagne than chilling it in some snow.

Here is some Champagne 101:

Not Every 'Champagne' Is Champagne: What You Need to Know - Bon Appetît

And second semester:

Nothing But Bubbles - Tasting Table

And for the physical basics:

Brut Strength - Pure Wow

For those more adventurous/dramatic - have you ever sabered your bottle?

The Art of Sabrage - Food52

If any of you try the above, I want to see the video!

Champagne is always a class act by itself, but for an event such as a new year, why not play around with some creative cocktails?

Cocktails That Pop! - MiniBar

10 Champagne Cocktails Worth Celebrating - Real Simple

Champagne Cocktails - Spoon Fork Bacon

Champagne Cocktails for Midnight - Martha Stewart

See anything to your liking?

Those who aren't into Don P can opt for a champagne-like beer, such as Brooklyn Brewery's big bottles that utilize champagne yeast.

BAMBoozle - Brooklyn Brewery

And just because there is an absence of ABV, doesn't mean there needs to be a lack of fun. Try THESE nonalcoholic concoctions to add festivity to sober selections.

Non-Alchoholic (Yet Special!) Sips for the Holidays - the kitchn

A tale told every New Year's Eve in my household involves some champagne flutes that provided quite a laugh (and quite a mess) many holidays ago. After sipping, as you rotated the glass back down, a perfectly formed drop of champagne would BLOP! back out into your face. Usually your eye. They were not much for function, but a hoot, nonetheless. We could never bear to part with them.

While nothing will ever surpass my love for those tricky tumblers, I might have a vintage set of coupe glasses on my wish list for 2015. How Mad Men!

Vintage Coupe Glasses - HillsideHouse - Etsy

Of course, you can just eat your spirits, then no glass needed.

Champagne Macarons - Eats Well With Others

If all else fails, go Spring Break style - with champagne.

Champagne Jello Shots - Erica's Sweet Tooth

Champagne is not just for solo sipping anymore - in fact, champagne pairing has become another skill to add to your culinary and palette know-how.

Champagne Pairings - Food and Wine

Ah...food, fizziness, folly. The last day of the year is so wonderful in its frivolity, when any worry or stress can disappear with the changing digit. Happy Days Are Here Again in 5...4...3...2...1...

See ya next year, friends! HAPPY 2015!

NYC Dos and Don'ts

I think I can call myself a New Yorker now. I've been a resident for over a decade and I've moved 5 times. Yes? Is that how the equation goes?

If it is truly official, then I also am allowed to start complaining about people not being New York-y enough. There is a sixth sense that you acquire after some time residing in Gotham. It may sound a little obnoxious, but it is absolutely true. As a bona fide "New Yorker", you are able to avoid tripping on pot holes without ever glancing down, easily maneuver through thick crowds of white-tennis-shoe-clad families, and have sonar to locate all of the hidden, cleanest public bathrooms. It's like your reward for having to pay broker's fees and smell urine 24-7. Give and take, you see.

But when you live in a city filled with 8 million people, someone is going to rub someone the wrong way (literally). Recently, Nathan W. Pyle published 136 brilliantly illustrated tips on how to navigate NYC while being on your best behavior and blending in with the natives. Por ejemplo...

"The most important thing I learned was to stay out of everyone's way," the 31-year-old told Business Insider last year. "Assume everyone's trying to get somewhere important and have spatial awareness."  -Nathan W. Pyle

Check out some of the back story HERE and buy the book in various forms here:

NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette

A newbie or a tourist does not posess the above skills. Not that I have anything against this grouping. As long as you avoid Times Square pre/post showtimes, the 5th Avenue Apple store during the day, and Madison Square Park's Shake Shack anytime, NYC tourists aren't so bad. But to any of you looking to visit the Big Bad Apple in the near future, there is help and you should be open to receiving it. More specifically for tourists, one can turn to Johnny T, our very own Miss Manners of NYC. Here he is breaking down tourist behavior and subway Ps and Qs.

See more of Johnny T and friends HERE.

Being a classy visitor to a city really is a timeless art. You can turn back the clock almost a century, and the same rules apply. Just take a page from Valentine's City of New York: A Guide Book.

I'll leave you with one last tip from that vade mecum:

"New York is like your own hometown, only bigger and the vast majority of its people are decent, likeable citizens. But there are also others."

Yep, sounds about right. Some things never change. See you soon!

A Cozy Night In

I have to come clean - I'm loving this colder weather. Mostly because my pre-war apartment becomes a sweat lodge from late May through September, and is only somewhat less sticky during the spring and fall, leaving the winter season as the only time period where I can utilize baths, blankets, baking, and other b words that have to do with warmth.

So on particularly blustery days, I rush home, blinking snowflakes from my eyelashes, and ready myself for an evening home filled with relaxing coziness.

First order - bath.

"Calgon, take me away!"

Well, maybe not exactly like that. But there will definitely be bubbles. Luxurious bubbles. And sometimes, those bubbles will be made with a honey dipper.

Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée Honey Bath - Nordstrom

This little frosty will add extra nourishing oils and seasonal spice to your bath water as he melts away.

The Melting Snowman - LUSH

For the proper pampering ambience, light a comforting candle. I don't have a real live Christmas tree this year, but I do have a NEST Holiday candle which blends pine, cloves, and orange aromas. Plus, no need to vacuum up pine needles!

NEST Holiday Votive Candle

Post-bath your skin is ready to drink up this king of lotions:

Creme de Corps - Kiehl's

Next step: Loungewear. Time to dress like you have nowhere to be for a very, very long time.

These PJs are as soft as they are affordable.

Women's Fluid Knit Top and Short Pajama Set - Target

A high quality bath robe is basically like giving yourself a big hug.

Grand Velour Robe - Coyuchi

Don't forget your tootsies!

Printed Fur-lined Slippers - The Gap

Now that we are all wrapped up, let's unwind with a soothing hot beverage. Perhaps a cup of tea or chai?

This tea smells like sugar cookie dough and I can't think of anything wrong about that.

Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride - Celestial Seasonings

I've successfully made THIS chai tea recipe, but if you don't have the time (or star anise) to conjure up your own brew, I've heard good things about Trader Joe's Spicy Chai Tea Latte Mix.

Then pour it into your most cherished mug.

The bigger the better in this instance, since you aren't going to want to un-nestle yourself from your cozy cocoon on the couch to steep a refill.

Now sip.

Do you have the warm fuzzies yet? If so, now is the perfect time to peruse your Netflix queue. Gilmore Girls, anyone? Or check out the latest additions to see if a nostalgic favorite has made the list this month. Troop Beverly Hills, here I come.

Peter Pan Live!

It's Game Day.

No, not football. Theater. Musical Theater. (cue: jazz hands and fan kicks)

Tonight NBC will present it's second go at live musical theater - Peter Pan Live! - and it's basically like the Superbowl for us theater kids. My young self can't imagine having access to all of the musical theater film and television that we have today. When I was a little one, I remember being obsessed with the TV series Rags to Riches (anyone?) because they sang and danced and were orphans (a seemingly essential component to tween musical theater success). It only lasted one season. I am thrilled that musical theater has become more popular in the public arena and will be watching tonight's Peter Pan Live! with a full 8-year-old-LuRuSo heart.

One of the best/worst ways to enjoy tonight's show is viewing while simultaneously updating your Twitter feed.

Last year, even the official DiGiorno Pizza gave it's saucy commentary.

DiGiorno Pizza Live-Tweeted NBC’s “The Sound Of Music” In “Unplanned Event” And It Was Amazing

Yes, there will be snark and meanness and judging (even from pizza!), but whether cruel or adoring, all of last year's buzz added to the soaring ratings of 22 million viewers. Which means more product and jobs and exposure. So, let's all clap our hands in belief that PP will attract the same attention. Plus, if you have gone down the performance road, you've learned to have some moxie and thick skin when it comes to reactions to your art form and choices. I think this cast is going to handle it all with aplomb. They can tell you for themselves:

The Cast of ‘Peter Pan Live!’ Knows You Hatewatched ‘The Sound of Music’

The Sound of Music was my childhood. Nightly, I would doze off with the lights fully on and The Sound of Music soundtrack tape BLARING. Seriously, the only way I would go to sleep. Should explain a lot about me. But, I've Never (Never) seen the musical of Peter Pan. I love Peter Pan-themed things; One of my favorite memories living in London was running to the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens, the DisneyWorld ride is magical, and who doesn't love the idea of flying? So tonight will expose me to new music, which is always a good thing.

I certainly never (never) thought about being cast in a production - I don't think there is a single role for me in the Pan. Although if I had tried to audition, it might have gone something like this:

http://time.com/3616029/jane-krakowski-peter-pan-live-audition-tape/

Or this:

I was a little bummed that Laura Benanti was not included in this year's cast. She was a highlight as Baroness Elsa last year, making me sympathize with a character that I used to loathe. And no one gives shade like she does.

The 11 Best Laura Benanti Reaction GIFs from 'The Sound of Music Live'

If you are like me, and don't know much about the Peter Pan stage musical, HERE is some history 101. Read up and tune into NBC tonight at 8/7c.

Let the games and crowing begin. Break legs, all!

Hopefully it will be a smoother flight than this classic production:

Good Dog. Bad Dog.

Let's all do one collective sigh, shall we?

WHEW!

Not sure if that was a relief sigh for getting through another round of Thanksgiving leftovers or a deep breath in preparation for the crazy month to come, but I know we could all use it.

This is the time of year when each day goes by in a blink of an eye, while your To Do list grows just as fast. All the while, we have less daylight hours and more events.

During the next few weeks, I find myself becoming somewhat of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One day, I'll have all of the strength, moxie, and hope to accomplish the tasks at hand, and the next - well, since it is the 1st of the month, I'll let our furry friends demonstrate.

Yes! I can DO THIS! There is always a way! Never stop trying! All this natural energy! I'll sleep when I'm dead! Stiff Upper Lip! What a life! That goal is MINE!

Argus vs Tater Tot - YouTube

Or not.

Dogs Who Just Can't Handle Being Awake Today - Sad and Useless

Which hound are you?

Oh, and good luck to us all (have another sigh if you need it)!