Off to sew I go...

We had our second sewing club tonight! I decided not to go home and then back to the studio, so I had to stop and get some more fabric. So, I still haven't finished my apron, but I did start and complete a new project - a bag.

I thought it was soooo cute!

Claudia is amazing. She put this group together so we could work on our own or on a group project - not to teach... but she ended up helping all of us instead of working on her own. I think I need to just go in and take a basic class so I can figure out what to do to keep myself busy without having to ask her for so much help. I don't care if it's making something simple - it's been fun just to hang out with friends, have a little wine and be creative. I'm definitely gonna put more thought into next months project!

Busy Bee...

After my day of cooking, I was in a rush to get out of the house and go to my first sewing class. Well, it wasn't really a class - a few friends decided to get together for a sewing club. Since I don't really know anything about sewing, my dear friend Claudia gave me a quick lesson and extra attention during the evening.

For my first project, I am attempting to make an apron for my niece Sophia. I didn't use a pattern, so we'll see how well that turns out ;) but here's a picture of it in the works. I still have to add the straps and finish the edges.
The get together was a lot of fun. It was a few girls from high school and then another that Claudia knows from a class she's taught at Fancy Tiger. We each brought in some snacks to share and Claudia brought in a bottle of wine too! My kind of club! I'm looking forward to learning this new craft and already have plans for stocking stuffers!

BOS - Movie Date

My "Band of Sisters" got together this afternoon for a movie and lunch. We saw "He's Just Not That Into You", a movie based on the book by the same name. I thought it was cute. Way happier ending than the book though ;) Awe well, I like happy endings.

After the movie, we went over to Papadeaux's for lunch. Mmmm.... I had the Mixed Seafood Grill which is two skewers of assorted seafood chargrilled over dirty rice. Good stuff, even though the fish today was salmon.

Check out these tootsies!

You know what I love about Facebook? It's that I haven't just sent quick hello's to friends from high school, but I have actually got together with some!

Last month, my friend Claudia set up a Girls' Night Out for us. We attended a Spa Party at a place called MoonDance Botanicals in Denver where we were guided through a self-applied five step facial. Tonight we had a Foot Pampering Party. Again, only $15 per person (minimum 4 people) included self guided pedicure, wine, champagne, cheese and organic chocolate! Mikaela and Bianca joined us for a party of five.

I almost didn't go. I had a horrible headache this afternoon and knew I wouldn't be good company. I could hardly keep my eyes open from all the pressure. But I didn't want to cancel last minute, so I got ready and waited for Concetta to pick me up. I'm glad I did. Tonya put some Peppermint and Lavender essential oils in my soak and also gave me some to rub into my temples. I don't know if that's what did it, but my headache slowly started to go away.

The end result was amazing! Since about August or September, I hadn't been able to do much with my tootsies - the neuropathy from my chemotherapy made them extra sensitive and touching them hurt. Since it is finally subsiding, I was ready to soften them up. The shea butter cream was heavenly. Really nice. And I am definitely looking forward to our next party there!

If you are interested in setting something up, contact Tanya at MoonDance Botanicals. She is a real sweetheart. It's a great deal at $15/person - but in addition, she will give you 20% off any products you might want to purchase that day. And she does not pressure about sales at all!

MoonDance Botanicals
http://moondancebotanicals.com/about.html
601 Corona St
Denver, CO 80218
303-263-7275

Go NoRTH!

After our Pampering Feet Party, Claudia, Concetta and I decided to go out for dinner. Since this area is middle ground for us, we tried to think of somewhere close. Concetta mentioned a place called NoRTH, which was just a few minutes away in Cherry Creek.

We got there about 6:30pm which was good timing. It wasn't crowded at all (but it really got busy after we were seated). Concetta had been there before, but it was a first time for me and Claudia. I was excited because I love trying new places.

I don't think of myself as a snobby eater. I don't go places because they're known as a place to be seen at. NoRTH, I think - might be one of those kind of places. When I looked it up online, I saw it's part of the Bloom family, which is a restaurant I think of that way. BUT, I have to say - I really enjoyed the evening, the service was great and I LOVED the food!

At being seated, we were immediately served seasoned olives and sliced bread with a tomato seasoned butter. Yummy. I think I might try some of those olives for my wine tasting....

Appetizer: Claudia and Concetta each ordered the Tuscan Tomato Soup, Parmesan, Grilled Bread. I had a bite. It was a hearty, thick and well seasoned tomato soup. The portion wasn't tiny either - so if it sounds like something you might like to try, you might want to share. We also shared an order of Artichoke Hearts with Dijon & Balsamic which was so buttery and just melted in my mouth.

Dinner Plate: Claudia ordered Strozzapreti, Mushrooms, Spinach, Toasted Pine Nuts & Parmesan Cream. She offered me a bite and it was amazing! I loved my dish, but I am excited to go back and order this one. Concetta and I both ordered the Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Italian Potato & Asparagus, but I sub'd Wild Mushroom Orzo for the Italian Potatoes. Another melt-in-your-mouth offering.

Dessert: Nutella Cake: Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, Cabernet Caramel Chocolate Sauce, Fresh Berries, Toasted Hazelnuts. Like I need to tell you how good this was huh? But there was a funny story. We were all so stuffed, but really wanted to try the dessert, so we decided to share one. Concetta asked the server if she could cut us a little bit bigger piece since we were splitting three ways. She said that they were pre-cut, but she would work out something for us. So here come two desserts - one with a candle to celebrate my birthday! Haha, I rolled with it.

I will definitely be back!

NoRTH Cherry Creek
http://www.foxrestaurantconcepts.com/north.html
190 Clayton Ln
Denver, CO 80206
720-941-7700

That's Hot...

You've heard of Facebook right? Well, I'm on it. Have been for a while. The funny thing is, when I first got the account setup, it was to be in contact with friends that I know through my younger brother. So I have all these friends who are eight years younger than me and who all went to a college that I never attended - but they're people I know and hang out with.

As time passed, I started getting requests by people I went to high school with. People who I probably would never have talked to if it hadn't been for FB. But the cool thing is that I have actually had some meaningful conversations with some of them. And recently met up for dinner with a couple of girlfriends I hadn't seen in years - almost 20.

We left dinner promising to get together again - and guess what - we did! Claudia set up a Girls Night Out...

The Spa Party was at a place called MoonDance Botanicals in Denver. There were supposed to be 7 of us, but only three showed. Thank goodness the owner was a real sweetheart. She was very understanding. We just had a smaller gathering and really got to catch up on life while we gave ourselves an amazing facial.

$15 per person (minimum 4 people) includes facial, wine, cheese and organic chocolate! What a deal! And Tonja was not high pressure about her products at all! We're going back next month for the Spa Pedicure Party!

MoonDance Botanicals
http://moondancebotanicals.com/about.html
601 Corona St
Denver, CO 80218
303-263-7275