Daniel and Me

When it was announced that Steven Spielberg's Lincoln would be filmed in Richmond I got a little giddy. Steven Spielberg, one of the greatest directors of all time, would be showcasing the beauty of our fair city and the surrounding area. Doris Kearns Goodwin's amazing book, Team of Rivals, would be brought to life on the big screen for generations to enjoy. Wonderful developments to be sure, but there was really only one thing that made me giddy.....I was going to be within a 50 mile radius of Mr. Daniel Day-Lewis.

Our love affair began many years ago when I first saw a poster for the movie Last of the Mohicans. You know the one....don't act like you don't. My Left Foot was a bit before my time so I had some catching up to do. The Age of Innocence.....The Crucible....we've spent many rainy afternoons together Daniel and I. Maybe I could be an extra? Maybe I could find out where filming was and bribe a key grip to let me on set and then pretend to be an apprentice in the make-up department?

Then.....God threw me a bone. I heard from a neighbor that he had taken a house in Church Hill literally blocks from mine. He apparently chose a house in the neighborhood to help him stay in character during filming. I started cataloguing all of the good things I'd done in my life and vowing to do more if it would produce results like this! I'll admit it I went into full stalker mode. Luckily my stalking paid off and I saw him a few times around the neighborhood. One time he even walked right past me and stopped to pet Miss Austen. I think all I could manage to say was hello. If you watched the Oscars you know he didn't leave his wife for me, but I did get to see him up close which will have to be enough.

Oh Daniel....till we meet again!

Hardywood

I FINALLY got the chance to visit Hardywood Brewery this weekend and it was definitely worth the wait. After a couple of missed opportunities, I was beginning to think that the much-buzzed about brewery and I were never destined to meet. Hardywood seems to be everywhere these days. You can't visit a restaurant in Richmond without seeing it on the draft list and the variety of available styles always impresses me. Be sure to check out the website for more information about their fabulous offerings and a schedule of upcoming events - I'll probably see you there with a frosty glass in hand.

Distracting Myself

summer by austenhillrichmond on Polyvore

I'm currently waiting on the outcome of something that I have no control over and I hate that! In vain, I am attempting to distract myself with thoughts of summer vacation and days spent reading on my favorite stretch of beach. It's not really working but I'm trying:).

Coq au Vin

{ Making my bouquet garni }

Sometimes I feel like making an intricate recipe that requires hours in the kitchen. I get lost in the ingredients and the steps until the only thing that matters is that perfect bite at the end. Other days I'll be frank......I'm tired. And although this lethargy means I don't feel like making puff pastry from scratch, it doesn't mean I don't want something wonderful to eat. I came across this recipe for Coq au Vin (a la crock-pot) a few months ago and I've made it several times since. Egg noodles and a frisee salad round out this easy meal which is perfect for a chilly evening. I hope you'll give it a try soon.

{ Winter vegetables }

{ After 8 hours on low the chicken is amazing and literally falling off the bone }

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love simple evenings at home with boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends, or neighbors. Here's to a fabulous Valentine's Day! I hope you're spending it with someone who makes you happy.

xoxo K

Design Crush - David Scott Interiors

I have to say it.......I have a crush. A design crush that is. My friend Alan works for David Scott Interiors in New York City and I have been a huge fan of the firm's work for quite a while. I love their use of color and texture and they have a flair for mixing pieces that make a space feel inviting, warm, but also terribly chic at the same time. With the release of David Scott's book Outside the Box, we can all have a little piece of fabulous inspiration at our fingertips. I hope you'll take a moment and stop by their website here and check out the firm's amazing portfolio.

Forward

This year, more than ever before in my life, I have felt like moving forward. Too often I dwell on the past and worry about the future. Too often I get caught up in what if? Despite all of this mental activity,  my feet stand still. So for me, moving forward actually means being more present and living in the moment. I will fail, I will fall, but I will also triumph. Think Hillary not Winston. As for the future, it is not a place of worry anymore. It is a haven for dreams that I only recently had the courage to start dreaming. I would love to hear about what moving forward means to you?

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Here's how mine is shaping up.

xoxo Kelly

{ Suiting it up for a conference }

{ Bon Voyage cocktails with a fabulous lady who is following her heart and taking a professional leap }

{ Celebrating Valentine's Day }

R & R

{ via }

Hi everyone! I'm taking a few days off this week from posting but I'll be back on Monday with all new posts and a couple surprises!

xoxo K

It's Friday, Love

{ Celebrating my birthday with friends }

It's the first day of February and I couldn't be more excited! I'm awaiting the arrival of my niece Olivia, who could decide to grace us with her presence literally any minute now. My sister is hoping, I'm quite certain, for sooner rather than later:). My birthday is on Monday and of course I'm secretly hoping that's the day! I'm finally feeling refreshed from the hectic pace of the holidays and ready to tackle a new month. I hope you're feeling excited about new possibilities as well. Here's how I'll be spending my weekend, hope yours is fabulous!

{ Looking for an over-size mirror for my bedroom }

{ Dreaming about spring neutrals }

{ Anxiously awaiting Phil's meteorological prediction about the next few weeks }

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