Of brides and baking

It's been a long, fun, busy week. The highlight - Melissa's visit.

Monday Pat and I had dinner at home - ribs from the Butcher's Block.

Tuesday I attempted to renew my license only to learn I need a different marriage certificate. After standing in line of course. But I did get some red decorations for M's shower at Pearl River including gorgeous silk for the table. Then I met Kristin & Nihad for shower gift shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Helpful staff but we needed them for EVERYTHING - not a very self-sufficient place. Spoons at the top of a 30 foot wall? We even got hassled for taking a photo of the roasting pan - luckily bridal registry helped us out.

Wednesday Pat and I went grocery shopping before he went to work to see what we could get at Stop & Shop cheaper and better than FreshDirect. Funny, even with the stuff we got there, my FD bill wound up the same since I added more food I'd remembered. Pat went to work and I made paper flowers/globes, cooked a pot of sauce and pork chop cacciatore. At night, we went to trivia with Pete & Breanne. We came in second and won $$$!

Thursday I cooked & cleaned for the party. Fresh Direct actually arrived early, so I had plenty of time to bake the red velvet cake and 2 quiches. Cleaned up the apartment and got it ready for M's visit. She got in early at Newark so P and I drove over there to pick her up. Even though I visited a couple of weeks ago, it was great to see her again. We all stayed up late talking.

Friday we did a whirlwind cleaning of the apartment (deeper than I'd done myself all week) then M and I went wedding shopping.

We started out at the Barney's Warehouse Sale. Craziness! She found her shoes at Otto Tootsie Plohound plus we found these adorable bride & groom picks for the cake.

We went up to Sue's for M to meet H. and I took the second round of photos. A little close to the first but those were late for the 1 month round anyway. After some fun baby time, we went out for Thai food then S. went home and M & I went downtown to a photo agency's 7th birthday party at Obivia. It was a bit awkward since I'd only spoken to the owner on the photo (albeit 84878 times), but after a couple of delicious cocktails I worked up the courage to ask who she was. Once we met, she was really sweet and I was happy we went. We left to meet Pat and Pate at Swift for beers. Very fun just chatting at a big table in the back.

Saturday was the shower and bachelorette party. All the last minute stuff (salad, flowers, putting up streamers) took longer than I'd thought but together with Kristin & Nihad, we got it done. We had lots of mimosas with fresh OJ, pom-bellinis and straight champagne before brunch. The mini bagels N brought were huge so that limited the appetites for the rest of the food, but a lot was still eaten. First gifts, then trivia, and finally red velvet cake. We had a lot of fun and I think M got some fab gifts.

In between the shower and bach. we walked over to N's apartment and M had a tarot card reading while the rest of us relaxed in the living room.

We went to Dashing Diva for pedicures and more cocktails. We brought champagne and Pauline bought Bartles & James wine coolers. Just like college - ha! The place was perfect, they even poured our drinks, except for this lame shoe raffle they kept trying to get us to join. Um, no. Sue B. even got her first pedicure ever and loved it.

Amazingly, we were early for our dinner reservation so we went to Dova for much-needed coffee then to Agave for dinner. The restaurant was fantastic. Great food & service. White sangria and fancy queso fundido to share, then I had fajitas for dinner. Everyone seemed happy with the food too - a rare thing with us.

After dinner some girls left and the rest of us walked north, losing a couple of people at every intersection. Five of us made it to Art Bar for a nightcap with M.

Sunday we slept in then M. & I met K. for shopping, starting at Bloomingdale's. Much lingerie shopping all over town after that. We stopped into Fresh so M could get some wedding day foundation, and spent an hour getting makeovers instead. Fun! I bought and eyeliner palette and got invited to a weekly Fresh event with lots of freebies and giveaways. We hadn't realized how late it was and hadn't eaten all day. So even though we were on the way to a BBQ, we stopped by 'Tisserie for espresso and treats first. We didn't want to be those guests sitting there jonesing for food, unable to focus on anything else.

An annoying subway trip to Brooklyn later, we got to Mark & Colleen's place for dinner. P and Pete were already there. Since it was raining, we ate the grilled steak and veggies inside. P. had brought out leftover salad from the shower and it all got eaten. I love it when leftovers are gone. We invited Colleen along for the Fresh nights and she was into it. Hopefully we'll go next week. We left pretty late and M & I stayed up talking even later. I think I went to bed at 2AM and she had to leave at 4AM for her flight home. So much fun having her visit. Plus, now that the shower is over, it feels like her wedding is right around the corner.

Monday I started the get-fit-for-M's-wedding gym binge. First I took my measurements and I'm up 1 inch at the waist from when I ordered the dress in May. Damn Italian pasta! Anyway, I did 35 minutes elliptical and 2 sets each of 3 arm free-weight exercises. It was actually nice to get back to the gym, especially during the day. Also worked on my website & set it around to friends to get opinions. Turns out everyone has different ideas - which I expected from my opinionated buddies - so I need to think through all their advice before making changes. When Pat got home, I made hamburgers and salad for dinner.

Tuesday gym again, this time adding abs. I was fighting a cold, so I made corn chowder for dinner. Also started sorting out some clothes for donation. Another rainy day. P and I watched "Hot Fuzz" after dinner - pretty funny.

Wednesday gym again, with abs and arms. I finished the clothing sort out and now everything fits in my drawers and closets better. I'll be a bit more ruthless once I'm working again and the depression-era attitude of saving I've lately adopted can be loosened a bit. Watched L'Eclisse while I sorted clothes - bleak alienation film by Antonioni from the 60's. Beautiful but a bit depressing on a gray afternoon.

When P. got home we went to the UN to meet Kristen (friend, former co-worker) for dinner. We all walked down to Saravanaas in Curry Hill for dosas. So good! I was so happy to see K. again and she regaled us with funny/crazy/sad stories from the months we were away. Very fun. On the way home, P and I stopped in to a new bodega and got some B&J's creme brulee ice cream. Yes, it's awesome.

Today so far has been a bit lazy. I should really start sorting out more of our stuff from the closets while I'm home, but it's another gray day and I might need to go take a walk instead. Tonight we're going to see The Rentals in Times Square. Should be interesting - it's been 10 years since "Friends of P" came out.