Auld Lang Syne

Happy 2014 FRIENDS!

WOW, a fresh new year, isn't it amazing?!?!

As sad as I was to say goodbye to 2013,

I'm so blessed to have welcomed a new year,

with a new husband and am looking forward

to our new life together :)

Through the years I've been a PARTY PARTY NEW YEARS girl

and a stay at home in sweats and enjoy the 'holiday' at home

with close friends and family girl too.

This year, I wanted NO PART in the crazy crowds, people

and shenanigans. But, I didn't want to completely stay at home.

Cuuuuuuuuuue, best IDEA EVER!

I made dinner reservations at the Blue Duck Tavern, 

which is a very delicious and swanky restaurant in DC.

They were running a special three course meal menu and I thought

it would be a perfect, get out and celebrate our year venue.

I was 100000% correct.

OUR dinner was OUT OF THIS world and the atmosphere was so fun.

We arrived early and shared a quick drink at the bar together. 

C even got the bartender to bring out his favorite whiskey, woohoo.

While we were wasting time, we saw the Dallas Maverick's basketball team

in the hotel lobby that adjourned the restaurant. 

I had NO idea who anyone was, but thought they were very tall.

I was a tad taken back at how unput together they looked as a team,

my college coach would have run the BEEP out of us if we looked

that scruffy on an away trip. 

 I was super stoked when we were lead to our table, because we were seated

RIGHT in front of the open kitchen.

Since I'm such a foodie and love watching cooking shows it was SUCH a blast

being able to watch the chefs and sous-chefs work.

The kitchen was a bustling the whole night, we basically had dinner and a show.

So let's talk about the good stuff, the divine dinner. 

Pink = my dishes, Blue = C's.

Appetizers:

Crispy Veal Sweetbreads Mac and Cheese, with Trumpet Mushrooms

Scallops

Main Course:

Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast, Cripsy Leg Confit, Squash Relish

Baised Beef Rib Housemade Steak Sauce

Sides:

Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, Onion Croutons, Garlic, Parsley

Hand-cut BDT Triple Fries

Dessert:

Milk Chocolate Smores - Chocolate Custard, Smoked Pecan Graham Streusel, Vanilla Fluff, Caramelized Banana

"Bowl of Cereal" Toasted Barley Panna Cotta, Compressed Apples, Malted Cheerios, Candied Almonds, Cider Caramel, Cinnamon Foam

Doesn't that sound amazing?

I'm hungry just typing it back out. SO GOOD!

We also bought a fantastic bottle of wine, recommend by the sommelier

and it added that extra sparkle to an already amazing meal.

After dinner, we easily caught a cab and were home

well before the witching hour.

We took a few pictures to commemorate our evening

and then it was back into sweats, football and waiting

napping for the ball to drop.

Sorry for the blurry quality, self timer was a PIECE!

SO happy to be rocking my rehearsal dinner dress again :)

HAPPY HAPPY LOVELOVE!

 We busted out our crystal wedding flutes for the special occasion

and cheers the New Year at midnight.

I can't think of a more perfect NYE for us and it's one I'll remember forever.

I hope that everyone had a great evening, what did y'all do?!!?

***********************

Lil fashion quickie for you too.

If y'all are anywhere near a New York and Company, do yourselves a favor
and get your booty there.

They are running mega sales and I snapped up some swag earlier this week.

Scored a beautiful pink coat,

and this awesome cream cardigan, from the Eva Mendes collection.

SHOP it out ladies! xoxo