Memphis BBQ - yes, please.

You know who knows everything? Hotel bartenders. Which wine should I drink? Where can I plug in my laptop? Where can I get a massive rack of dry rubbed, falling off the bone tender, finger lickin' ribs? These things and more, they know. That's how we found Central Barbecue. It's unassuming. It almost looks like a mistake and you'll pass it and have to do a weird illegal u-turn through another store's parking lot (they must hate that.) But when you walk in the door- you know you're in the right place. The sweet, saucy, vinegary deliciousness washes over you and before you know it you're ordering a dry rubbed rib rack for two with four sides and 1/2 dozen wings (1/2 wet, 1/2 dry). And a chicken sandwich for your non-meat eating coworker. Bless her heart. And then everyone stares at you while you consume in an unladlylike manner and slurp greedily from your souveneir cup of 1/2 lemonade 1/2 iced tea. No, I will never call that an Arnold Palmer. I just won't.

And you and your dirty orange hands will be happy, forever and ever and ever.

happy birthday to me.

I got this bag for my birthday. And to say I love it just isn't sufficient. It's the doesn't-touch-the-ground-would-throw-myself-in-front-of-a-cab-to-save-it kinda love. Here's what you need to know:

1. It's soft.
2. It has a pleasing amount of pockets and sections.
3. It's the prettiest blue I have ever seen.

4. Rebecca Minkoff is a Tampa local!

It's true the lady at Nordstrom told me.

Tampa rules. xoxoxoxo

They took me back! GLEE! :)

The Barefoot Bloggers have given me one more chance. If I blow it this time I will just die of food blog shame. So I am going to have to get busy since December is quickly whipping by! Luckily, I have made a few recipes from "How Easy is That" so I can save those up and try to stay ahead of the curve. For a party a few weeks ago I made the "Pink Grapefruit Margaritas." They were fantastic. Will share that when it's assigned, but suffice it to say - tequila is just a great ice breaker. If you don't know people that well, have a tray of these icy babies ready to serve as they walk in the door! :)

Anyway, thank you Tara and the BB's. I promise to be good this time. xoxo

Food Blog Friday: Everyday Chocolate Cake

Today's Food Blog Friday is from my favorite food blog - Smitten Kitchen. And the best part is - it's an adapted recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, "At Home with Magnolia." This cookbook is written by the owner of Magnolia Bakery, in New York City. Made famous by Sex and the City, Magnolia has people waiting around the block for their cupcakes. My favorite is, of course, the Red Velvet. But today's recipe is a totally different beast.

Everyday Chocolate Cake is a one-pot adaptation of the cake from the Magnolia cookbook. Deb also does a great job of explaining what you need to do if you're using Dutch-process cocoa or regular old Hershey's cocoa powder (That's me!).

It's a really delicious, moist cake and for a chocolate lover like me to say that I actually enjoyed a cake that wasn't smothered in chocolate frosting or erupting with molten chocolate ganache, that's saying something!

How excited am I?

To own this book!

I just love the Barefoot Contessa. I really hope that Barefoot Bloggers lets me back in, but even if they don't - I am still going to cook my way through this  book. It's fabulous! The recipes I am most excited about are the Caesar Swordfish, weeknight bolognese, red velvet cupcakes, spaghetti and meatballs and -most of all - Jeffrey's Chicken. The one Ina cooks for Jeffrey every. single. friday. night. Those two are just the cutest. Yay, Ina!

Pretty lunch!

I got invited out to lunch. And boy am I excited to have a reason not to  put on my beloved, but rapidly wearing out, Lulu Lemon yoga pants!

So in honor of the occasion, I made a polyvore set of my dream work lunch outfit. I don't actually have all these items, but it's the inspiration, ya know? Can't wait!

Work Lunch by CopleyCrew featuring a wool skirt

Women - novelty - Houndstooth bomber - J.Crew
$70 - jcrew.com
J Crew tops »

Wool Crepe Pencil Skirt - Bottoms - JCrew.com
jcrew.com
Wool skirt »

Simple 100 Patent Pumps
$595 - saksfifthavenue.com
Patent shoes »

Vintage Chanel Classic Bag
$3,724 - asos.com
Vintage handbags »

Baroque Freshwater Cultured Pearl Strand (100")
bluenile.com
Cultured pearl necklace »

aerie rosebud earrings
$7.50 - ae.com
Aerie earrings »

Women - merino - Infinity cardigan - J.Crew
$58 - jcrew.com
J Crew belts »

Dinner Tonight.

Tonight I am going out for my first Beginner Level 3 Salsa class. Yes, I'm very advanced. It only took me approximately 3 months to go from Level 1 to Level 3. And I still have to work on my "following." That basically means I do whatever I have memorized as the next step regardless of what my partner is up to. Yikes!

Anyway, since I am going to be out from 7 - 8, I thought I'd put together a healthy meal to eat at home when I get back. So I am making this fabulous fish dish from Bon Appetit!

Oven Roasted Sea Bass with Ginger Lime Soy Sauce

It is delicious. Buttery, with a great salty tang from the soy and lime and a delicious kick from the subtle heat of the raw ginger. It is also so. darn. easy. If you aren't a big fish eater, this is a great recipe to start with. Enjoy!