Austin Restaruant Week

I love Austin Restaurant Week.  It's the best time to get together with friends, try out a new place, or indulge in one of your local favorites.  This year, the boys decided to have a 'man-date' and go to a Brazilian steak house to eat as much meat as they possibly could.  As appetizing as that sounds, the girls went for Mexican at Papi Tino's.  It's an adorable little Cantina right off of east 6th Street.  The restaurant is an old white house, with seating out front under the beautiful trees. 


We, of course, decided to sit outside.  Once it got a dark out, the string lights came on, which are always my favorite. 

For those that haven't participated in ARW, each restaurant puts together a menu for the 2 weeks where you get to try a trio of food for a discounted price. 

We had to start off with their classic margarita, which was quite tasty and had a hint of spice to it.    

I chose Ensalada Martina for my appetizer.  It was quite sweet with the balsamic strawberry nectar vinaigrette.  I think I could have actually eaten it after my meal for dessert, but I thought it was tasty.  The fresh fruit is always delicious.  

For the main course I had the Enchiladas Suiza.   You get three chicken enchiladas with creamy verde salsa, which is spicy!  I loved these, and must admit, I ate every last bite of mine. 

The best part of the evening, friends and dessert, I did not get pictures of.  We had such a good time chatting, as ladies do, and an even better time sharing dessert.  We got the Helado de Mazapan - Peanut ice cream with a puff cruller and strawberries, with the Churros - deep friend pastry filled with cejeta and ice cream!  They were practically gone before they hit the table.  The Churros were amazing.  D, Scott and I always talk about how we should do a Churro truck in Austin!  Anyone want to fund us???  :o)

I would definitely go back for the drinks and definitely the atmosphere!  

The last few days

This is a lot of random tidbits put together.  I apologize now, but sometimes you just need to dump all the things that have been going on recently...


We finally went out and purchased our yearly Christmas ornament!  Yep, every year since we started dating, we have gotten a snowman ornament for our tree.  I guess somehow this 15 year old knew that she'd still be with him and why not start on the memories.  I love pulling them out every year.  We make sure to get an ornament that has the date on it, so we will never forget. 

Friday was an all about me day.  I had the most AMAZING client (I now consider a friend) that gave me a spa day at Milk&Honey downtown.  I finally decided to take the day off and just enjoy it.  I got to sleep in and spend some time with the pups before heading out for a day of pampering.  I started off with a 60 minute massage, followed by a facial and then finished off with a manicure AND pedicure!  I can not tell you how great it was.  I feel like I should do that at least twice a year.  I have to share the amazing nail polish I got on both my nails and toes. 

I also got the most amazing buffet this last week!  I found the piece on Craigslist and added the legs!  The girl I got it from actually started doing the re-purposing for a living and you've got to check out her stuff on Facebook, Indie Home.  She is super sweet and her stuff is super affordable compared to others in Austin.  I love it.  It's a vintage grey finish and the original knobs.  I still need to fill it - that will be this weekend's project! 

Finally, to top off the amazing weekend, I had a girls night on Saturday.  A group of us met at The W downtown Saturday afternoon and then headed to blo to get our hair done.  Oh yeah, we got our hair did while sipping on some bubbly.

They have a menu of hair styles to choose from and I went the 'Hollywood' route, which basically means blown out with loose curls.   Here are a few images to share, but the good ones are going to stay hidden. 

After a little pregame in the hotel, we continued with dinner and lots of dancing.  We had an amazing time - enough said. 

Hope everyone's weekend was as great as mine!
Love B

Bored?

What do you lovelies do when you are bored?  Any favorite sites you have to look at every day?  I have a long list of blogs that I like to follow, but one of my favorites is foodgawker.  Are you really surprised? I feel like every other post I do lately involves food... What's not to love about gawking at pretty pictures of food. 

This amazing little site searches all the food blogs out there, posts images of ridiculously amazing food and links you back to the recipes.  You can do specific searches or just head over to start drooling over all the beautiful food.

You've got to check them out.  Oh, and there is also craftgawker, dwellinggawker and weddinggawker!
Try not to spend all afternoon on these sites!  Love B

Sweet. Sweet Girl.

This past weekend one of my best friends from Kansas came down to visit with her family, and we had a blast.  We did everything from going to the Children's Museum to spending an afternoon at Sea World in San Antonio.  One of my favorite things, that we seem to do every time they visit, is go to my FAVORITE cupcake place in Austin - Sugar Mama's. 

If you haven't tried their delicious cupcakes, you need to.  If I don't convince you, Emma will show you how good they are! 

 

 

 

 

She is adorable and hilarious.  How does that not make you want to run and devour one!!?!

Love B

Loves of Austin: ARW

Twice a year Austin Restaurant Week comes around, and my friends and I love the opportunity to try a new restaurant.

Every time there are new restaurants that partake, and the menus are always different.  This is the first session that they have offered brunch in their menu options.  All you have to do is pick where you want to eat and make a reservation.  Menu prices range from $10-35 per person.  I'm not sure where we should go this time, but if you are in Austin, you should definitely spoil yourself for ARW!!
Love B