Sunny Day in The Louis

For some reason I think that St. Louis should have a nick name.

And Louis is an obvious choice. And I chose it.

So, yesterday I met up with some gals from my church small group for lunch.

We headed down to The Blues City Deli for a delicious meal in a sweet atmosphere. As the owner says "When you walk in, you're gonna hear the Blues and taste the Blues."

Located down in Soulard (An awesome area to check out if you're coming into town...lots of restaurants, shops, and an incredible farmer's market)... The Blues City Deli is rockin'.

I had an incredibly unhealthy and delicious chili dog topped with cheese and onions, some Zapps "Voodoo" potato chips (right outta Louisiana and straight to your heart...they are incredible...try them.) and an awesome Black Cherry Soda.

Don't be jealous.

After lunch, we decided to head down Cherokee Street and check out a store that Kelli recommended: Retro 101.

This place is incredible. Filled with Vintage clothing, furniture, and other household goods, it is worth taking an hour...at least...to plunder it's troves.

The clothing here seemed to be in extraordinarily good condition. Usually I find some moth holes or a few open seams. I didn't find anything of the sort.

We spent our time there talking about where we would have worn these dresses back in their hay-day...and then talked about having a party where we would rock these frocks.

My vote is for a garden party with a table scape like this one I posted before....and with dresses that make us feel like we could be Lucille Ball's other best friend (Move over Ethel).

I look forward to returning to Cherokee Street--where Antique Row is located.


The parents come into town next week...I think we might be hitting that up.


Get to know Louis real intimate-like.


Bring it.


Also, bring me your vote...garden party in party dresses? Or just garden party? You tell me.

Indulgence is a virtue too, right?

Last night, after church, Red and I met up with some new friends to show us more of St. Louis.

Locals by birth (not re-location)...they are an un-ending source of things to do...places to go...things to eat...everything right up our alley.

We started the night at Vin de Set a rooftop bar and bistro. It is an incredible location around the corner from LaFayette Square and overlooks the city including the Arch and the Brewery.

Specializing in French food, Vin de Set does an incredible job of presenting you French fare in a relaxed and "un-stuffy" way.

We spent 3 hours at dinner enjoying drinks, food, and conversation. It is such a pleasure to experience a new place and for the feeling to be just right. Vin de Set offers up the perfect ambiance for a good time.

Word on the street is that as the weather gets warmer they set up live music on the rooftop---you know just in case the atmosphere wasn't already perfect.

After an awesome dinner ( Both Red and I had the Duck Confit...but the stand-outs were the savory crepes and cheese plate we started the meal with)...we headed to Lafayette Square to the Chocolate Bar.

And, Yes. It was exactly what you think it is. A blend of drinks with dessert...and a side offering of small plates (if dinner wasn't enough)..but really the desserts are the point here.

After scarfing down the complimentary chocolate chip cookies, we had a Bailey's ice-cream Martini...man oh man...

Then for "dessert" (because the drink was not enough my friends..let's remember that we are at the Chocolate Bar)...


I had the Caramel Latte Cheesecake...and it was delectable..

We sat there happily, groggily, and fully indulged.

It was a wonderful night. Both restaurants are worth the trip into the city...and trust me you will be satisfied.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Soothing Nature

Last night we experienced one of those crazy intense Mid-Western thunder-storms.

And as I laid in bed trying to fall back to sleep, I was reminded of one of my favorite possessions as a kid...

A CD of a gurgling brook. Yes. It's true.

My family and I were vacationing in Gatlinburg, TN and I had discovered the cd at some outlet store while my parents' debated over a purchase.

After pleading for it with that "I've got to have it look" on my face...I got it...and

Came home and slept with it playing every night. And then I lost it.

Sad story, I know.

All of this to say...the sound of nature is soothing... a thunderstorm...a gurgling brooke...crashing waves...perhaps monkeys swinging through the forest? (I just threw that one in there...but who knows? That might be someone's idea of soothing...)

So I'm here to tell you: sound making machines...CDs...or  killer real locations where you can sleep with your windows open and let real nature in (sans mosquitos)...are all awesome.

What is your favorite relaxing sound? And how did you discover it?

Happy Saturday!

Magical Dining Experience

Do you ever imagine yourself eating a delicious meal in a place sort of like these places?

Or maybe somewhere like this...

I do. All the time. 

When I was studying in France my sophomore year in college, some of my fondest memories were created with my French family down in Nice, FR.

My French parents had a home down on the coast and we met there to spend a week together. It was incredible...we went hiking...exploring through the local markets...ate Moroccan food in a Medieval village...and laid around.

It was wonderful. 

One afternoon I had been attempting to read a French novel they had laying around while wallowing in bed...and well, in reality I just got lost staring out the open window.

When I returned to reality, I could smell the fish cooking that we had bought earlier that morning at the market...I sauntered to the kitchen, my eyes gazing around the room and taking in everything. Ma mere was cooking at the stove and ma pere had just moved the kitchen table outside.

I remember thinking--huh..why not just buy an outdoors table? But what's the point...they aren't there year round and the kitchen table works just fine...so French.

So I wandered outside and sat down with him. He continued to eat his cheese and fruit, and I sat there gazing over the foothills to the glimmer of the sea. It was a dream; truly. I feel blessed to have memories of such an experience...

Years later, eating outside has a magical feel for me. Perhaps not the normal bbq setting, but some others I imagine. 

I hope to one day have a wonderful garden that would readily embrace all al fresco diners or picnickers...I want some magic in my life all the time...

So, imagine my delight when I discovered Outstanding in the Field. 

In turns out dreams can come true...in places like this:

These photos are from outstandinginthefield

.

Outstanding in the Field basically travels all over the world (including, probably driving distance from where you live); sets up tables in beautiful places; brings in world-renowned chefs; feeds you divinely; and satisfies your soul.

To me, this is an experience of a lifetime. Too expensive to do regularly (for most of us), I think that this would be an exceptional gift for celebration.

Dining al fresco is a way to induce freshness into your eating experience...Perhaps you should consider it for this weekend...

Ooo! And perhaps you would like to share with me one of your dreamy al fresco experiences? Please leave it under comments.

Enjoy my dear friends!

Cleanliness is a Virtue..and a great Gift

Yesterday was one of those glorious days that was warmer than it was supposed to be and invited you to skip over any responsibility you might have had and just be outside...

...and maybe eat a delicious lunch with a friend...

...and maybe mosey around some shops that make you giddy from the inside out.


Provenance Soapworks is one such shop.

You walk in and immediately feel like you should gather up every bar of soap in sight. Seriously.

The owner and creator of the shop, Carolyn (CJ) Holden, blends together country-French style with an effortless clean aesthetic in a way that deeply satisfies as well as entrances the shopper to stop and smell every product (from soaps to hand scrubs to bath oils and bombs).

The products CJ offers are natural, beautiful, aromatic, and creative.

I remember the first time I visited the shop, she explained to me that if it is in the title of the soap, then it is in the soap...

So that bar of peaches and creme?.. Yeah, it actually has peaches and cream in it.

Now, don't be put off by the thought of rubbing peaches all over yourself...it could be a good thing...and besides..

CJ is very well-versed in how these particular ingredients in each product are beneficial for the skin and will happily explain their benefits to you.

A piece of France in Historic St. Charles, Provenance Soapworks is a shop for the senses. Walk in curious and leave satisfied...for yourself or for whomever you decide to buy gifts for.

Be sure to check out the soap-making process in the back of the shop while you try one of their hand scrubs (the results are delightful)...

Be clean and indulge your senses,

Contact Information

Provenance Soapworks
Carolyn Holder

523 South Main Street

Saint Charles, MO 63301

636.577.1972

ProvenanceSoaps@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/ProvenanceSoaps

www.twitter.com/ProvenanceSoaps