So, it’s the 2nd night of Chanukkah and I had my VERY FIRST Chanukkah dinner!

Feeling pretty impressed with myself…mostly since usually it’s the 4th or 5th night of Chanukkah when I finally realize the holiday is even underway.

Not this year, my friends. I am officially a Cohen and I figure, no time like the present to start having traditions! We had SUCH a lovely night and it so easy to put together – so I thought I’d post a little how-to so that you could do it, too! Jewish or not, this was an awesome dinner and I would re-create it anytime.

Here are the top 5 things that made it a success:

1. Brisket. I felt like we had to have brisket to make it a “real” Jewish holiday. So, at 10am I woke Greg up and told him he had to go get me a 6lb slab of brisket and some veggies so I could construct the Barefoot Contessa’s brisket recipe. You can view it HERE. I followed the instructions to a T – and it was not only so incredibly easy – but DELICIOUS. I recommend it to any new housewife who wants to impress her husband.

2. All-Clad Roasting Pan. You guys, we got EIGHT of these from our registry. EIGHT. Every time one would come through the door, I’d act excited… but inside I was scared that someone might ask me to use it one day. Today was that day and I ended up being SO grateful for this magnificent piece of kitchenware. It is not only functional, but pretty enough to use as a serving piece. 

To all 8 lovely people who bestowed one of these upon us: thank you. Thank you thank you. (and I’m sorry that might have cursed your names previously.)

3. MacKenzie-Childs Chargers. My mom gave us a set of these as a shower gift to my absolute delight – my mom is the ultimate hostess and her Mac-C chargers play a huge role in many of her elaborate tablescapes. I had planned on using them as chargers, but tonight I used them as dinner plates, as my mom often does, they add the perfect amount of whimsy to the dinner table. The best part? They go right in the dishwasher. Perfection.

with the monogrammed napkins from our wedding!

4. Easy side dishes. Ina’s never done me wrong, so I also made her SUPER easy recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts (check it out HERE) and frozen latkes that I found at Kroger. (I didn’t feel guilty for one second that I didn’t make homemade latkes with potatoes I grated myself… I am THRILLED that my knuckles weren’t shredded along with those potatoes and that my house does NOT smell like burnt oil. And I still had enough time left over today to clear out my DVR and go shopping. Huzzah!)

5. Marshall’s. Greg went to 3 grocery stores who all informed him that their Chanukkah candles “weren’t in yet.” (hello – it’s night #2!) But Marshall’s to the rescue. They had super cool tie-dye looking Chanukkah candles that didn’t drip ONCE! Win.

We’re also grateful for good friends. Even though we don’t live in the same state as our families, we are SO grateful for friends that feel like family. It was so fun to make memories and start new traditions with our friend-family here in the ATL. Extra bonus: They’ll drink plenty of wine with you and nobody’s judging.

Here’s to 8 Crazy Nights!

xx, L

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So, I’m a smoothie person now?  I don’t know when this happened.

But I’m seriously considering cashing in a hunk of our Bed Bath and Beyond registry chips (sorry Greg) and getting one of these bad boys:

For now though, my cheapie, previously-only-used-for-margaritas blender will have to do.  (Please don’t blow up, please don’t blow up, please don’t blow up…)

Anyway, I think it all started when I discovered the Weight Watchers French Vanilla Smoothie mix sort of as a dessert and sometimes as a light dinner. (you can get it on Amazon HERE).  I learned a few recipes from my girl Brawner including this one:

Orange Creamcicle Smoothie:

1 row of diet orange soda ice cubes
1 frozen banana (peel and slice before you freeze.  Trust me)
a splash of Almond Breeze Unsweetend Almond milk
1 packet Weight Watchers French Vanilla Smoothie mix

Um, it is delicious and totally filling. Another one that’s super popular in my house is the exact same smoothie, except you ditch the orange soda ice cubes, add about a cup of the Almond Breeze, and throw in some nutmeg and cinnamon. (I think it tastes like a delightful ginormous frozen egg nog. Minus the booze, but also minus all the calories. So, whatever.)

Lately, I’ve been making smoothies for breakfast, too!

Here’s my new fave:

2 cups spinach
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
6oz fat free greek yogurt
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze

I’m super into the “green smoothie” situation (although the one above comes out kinda green-grey.  It doesn’t LOOK super appetizing, but trust me, it is delicious).

I also found this great blog with different variations of the green smoothie.  Check it: HERE.

My mom also alerted me to Dr. Oz’s “Green Drink” which I’ll be trying next.  I’ll keep you posted. 

Is it bad that I still think a lot of this stuff would be greatly improved by some rum or vodka?

xx, L

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Now, THIS sounds like my kind of museum experience…

xx, L

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Need an idea for a fun date or girls night out??

On Monday, January 23, Double Zero Napoletana is hosting a pizza making class!  The Sandy Springs restaurant is offering two separate seatings – one at 6:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m.

During the classes, Double Zero Napoletana staff will offer guests an exclusive opportunity to learn the art of making Neapolitan pizza in the restaurant’s beautiful, hand-crafted Stefano Ferrara ovens.  Each class is limited to 15 attendees, and the cost is $39 per person. 

Participants will learn about the unique and nuanced process of making dough at the highest level of quality.  This interactive event also includes a glass of wine and a personal pizza creation.

So much fun! 

And, don’t fret that Double Zero is all the way in Sandy Springs.  It’s totally worth the schlep, as it’s one of the few restaurants that the Q+DD will travel OTP for!  Read about our recent visit to Double Zero HERE!

Can’t make the 1/23 class?  No worries!  Double Zero is hosting another on February 27. 

Make sure you register ASAP! 

xx, L

Double Zero Napoletana
5825 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA  30328
404.991.3666
http://www.doublezeroatl.com/home/

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It’s been an amazing week.

I was off Monday and Tuesday and got to play house(almost)wife, I started a new j-o-b on Wednesday, and on Friday, my 3 best friends from HIGH SCHOOL traveled from near and far to visit the ATL for a little girls’ getaway.   (more…)

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