Tomorrow's To Dos

Fire and wine

Posted on February 20, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

Swedish chef update: I made what I thought was going to be a quick trip (is it ever?) to the grocery store after work last night to pick up the ingredients to make Swedish meatballs. This was one of the many recipes we received in our wedding guest book box, and they turned out super de-lish.

[Swedish Meatballs recipe card]

Tomorrow, Winter Storm Q will be at our doorsteps and I, for one, am not looking forward to more white fluffy stuff. I mean, we just got rid of the last round – do we really need more? I think not. My plan to beat the winter blues? Light a fire and drink some wine.

[Yep, something like this.]

Posted in Recipes | Tagged fire, Swedish Chef, Swedish meatballs, Wine | Leave a comment

Swedish chef

Posted on February 18, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

TGIF update: Three day weekends are ah-maze, but not so much when they go by so fast! My day off on Friday was spent with my sister and the Bean, and we had so much fun running around Des Moines.

Friday eve I met my main squeeze at The Cheese Shop for a little bubbly, vino and some seriously tasty cheese. This place gets packed, so we’ve found it is best to get there early. After we stuffed ourselves on cheese and bread, we ventured out to Bass Pro to do a little shopping. More so him than me…

After a workout on Saturday morning, we were off on a little northwestern drive to Panora, Iowa to check out a lake house and the scenery.

Sunday was pretty relaxing as I spent most of the day around the house catching up on laundry, watching The West Wing and working on a freelance project.

[Karl is such a great helper]

So much for keeping the ‘first Sunday of every month’ dinner resolution… looks like tomorrow is the day to take our wedding recipe card guest book out for another spin. The first recipe turned out so well that I just know I can pick another winner.

[Just a little hint as to what we’ll be making]

Posted in Family, Local Spots | Tagged Bass Pro, Central Library, Lake Panorama, The Cheese Shop | Leave a comment

TGIF

Posted on February 14, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

I heart you update: I had a splendid Valentine’s Day – did you? Mine started out with the perfect outfit and heart-shaped donuts, and it ended with fabulous gifts, homemade pizza, a puzzle and a pajama party with my Valentine for life, Marcus.

[Valentine sweater from H&M + Dunkin Donuts for my co-workers]

[Him: Thomas Dean & Williams-Sonoma soap, Her: J.Crew flats & Sara Happ lip scrub]

[delicious pepperoni & banana peppers pizza + a scenic wood duck puzzle]

[my furry Valentine complete with heart-shaped liver spot]

I am super pumped about tomorrow because I have decided to take the day off. Three day weekend alert! The only things on my agenda for the day are sleeping in (a.k.a. 7:30 a.m. if I’m lucky) followed by a morning workout, a trip to the downtown library with Sidney to meet Clifford and a date with my dearest at The Cheese Shop. Sounds like a perfect day to me! Do you have anything special planned for your Friday?

Posted in Gifts, Holidays | Tagged Dunkin Donuts, german shorthaired pointer, hearts, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Dinner | 3 Comments

I heart you

Posted on February 13, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

Lovely nails update: Tonight after Ash Wednesday Mass and a meatless dinner, I unwound with a cup of tea with a heart cookie on the side for good measure. So civilized over here! While sipping, I started in on my special V-day mani. I think it turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.

[Kate Spade Union Street china + OPI Kennebunk-port & Essie Cute as a Button]

Tomorrow Marcus and I will celebrate Valentine’s Day the only way we know how – at home in our pajamas. The plan is to have a homemade pizza picnic on the floor while watching movies and catching up with shows. Sounds romantic to me!

In honor of this lovey-dovey holiday, I have rounded up a little list of heart attack inducing items. Spread the love people and have a fabulous Valentine’s Day!

[cardigan, iPhone case, bracelet, ring, flats, key fob, tote]

Posted in Accessories, Fashion, Holidays | Tagged hearts, Kate Spade china, nails, tea, Valentine's Day | 2 Comments

Lovely nails

Posted on February 11, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

Dinner dearest update: The Big Night was a smashing success – just like every other year (one + two). The guys did an amazing job of preparing and presenting each course for us to devour. A special shout out to Peter for his out-of-this-world dessert, layered pistachio cake with chocolate fig glaze. Enjoy a few highlights from the evening below:

[Big Night III flowers + table setting]

[The dress + arm party (John Wind Maximal Art + Erica Weiner) + my handsome date]

[Everything is ready for our guests]

[Caviar dreams + pistachio cake + the fabulously dapper chefs]

Putting together an event like this leaves my feet sore and my vocal chords itchy from all the talking. The best way to ease the pain of post-party aches? Hot tea and a manicure. Oh and lots and lots of sleep.

In honor of the upcoming love-filled holiday, I think I may pay homage to cupid with a festive manicure tomorrow. Here are a few darling ideas I found on Pinterest for inspiration:

[Valentine manicure ideas via Pinterest]

Posted in Beauty, Family, Friends, Parties | Tagged Dinner With Friends, nails, The Big Night, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Dinner | 2 Comments

Dinner dearest

Posted on February 9, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

Fancy frocks update: I think I have narrowed down my dress dilemma to three options: black with lace, white with polka dots or red patterned. “Decisions are the worst.” (If you can name the movie this quote is from – you are my cinema soul mate!)

[Three choices: which will it be?]

Big Night III is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited to dig into the seafood feast that awaits me tomorrow night. I spent most of my evening setting up for the festive event and I have to say, things are lookin’ good! Here is a quick sneak peek:

Can’t wait to share the rest of the details with you and give a full recap of what is sure to be another memorable Big Night!

Posted in Fashion, Parties | Tagged fancy dress, Flowers, Tablescapes, The Big Night, twine | 2 Comments

Fancy frocks

Posted on February 6, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

What’s for dinner update: There was a last-minute menu change from the chefs – go figure. Something about not wanting to send us all to the hospital because they screwed up the sashimi course. Even with the revamp, I managed to finalize, design and print these babies all tonight along with the name cards. It’s looking like quite the feast once again this year!

Now that most of the little details have been taken care of, I must raid my closet to figure out what I am going to wear for the Big Night. These fancy frocks would be perfect for an upcoming dinner party or festive soiree on your social calendar.

top to bottom, left to right:
[Tadashi Shoji, Ruche, Top Shop, J.Crew, ModCloth, Kate Spade]

Posted in Fashion, Parties | Tagged fancy dress, menu card, menus, name cards, party dresses | Leave a comment

What’s for dinner

Posted on February 4, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

Baking love update: Weekends spent with family are the best! Our ladies baking day was a blast and I have the cookie, candy and sweets hangover to prove it.

[crepes to start things off right]

[Sid in action]

[finished product]

[my faves]

Even Karl was in need of some snooze and snuggle time before the big Super Bowl game on Sunday.

[Sundays are for snuggles]

Did you watch the big event? What did you think of the commercials? Beyonce? Blackout? This was my fave of the evening:

With the Big Night a few days away, I am working on pulling together a few last-minute items. One of which is designing the menu cards for each place setting. I love this little personalized touch when I am at a special dinner or wedding. Take a peek at these ah-maze menu cards:

[black round menu card via Style Me Pretty]

[COULD YOU EVEN IMAGINE a chocolate menu card via Jolie Jolie]

[Sweet Pea Sunday menu card via Etsy]

Posted in Family, Parties | Tagged candy, commercials, cookies, crepes, german shorthaired pointer, hearts, menu card, menus, Super Bowl, Valentine's Day | Leave a comment

Baking love

Posted on February 1, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

Seeing red update: This week flew by for me – how about you? It was nice seeing how many people were wearing red around campus today in support of National Wear Red Day.

[red cardi + a pic from Sid]

On the docket for tomorrow is a little baking session with my mom, sisters and the little Bean. Ever since I purchased a mini-sized apron for Sid at IKEA last year, I’ve been wanting to have a ladies baking day. The holiday season came and went so fast my head is still spinning, so we decided to do move the get together until now. The plan is to make, bake and decorate all sorts of heart-shaped goodies just in time for Valentine’s Day.

[hearts galore via Pinterest]

It just so happens that two of my favorite candies are stocked on the shelves during this holiday: conversation hearts and cinnamon jelly hearts. Do you remember taking valentines to school when you were little? I loved picking out which ones I wanted to hand out and spent hours decorating my box to receive them in. Ah, the good ol’ days!

Posted in Family, Holidays | Tagged baking, Brach's, candy, cookies, hearts, Valentine's Day | 1 Comment

Seeing red

Posted on January 31, 2013 by tomorrowstodos

Date night in DSM update: I love nights like this. Delicious and unique food at the always amazing Luna Bistro, great company in the form of my husband, Marcus, and a stellar performance by the cast of Book of Mormon. Des Moines, you are amazing and I love you!

Tomorrow I will don my favorite red apparel in support of the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day. Last year I had the chance to attend the Go Red for Women Luncheon where I learned that heart disease is the number one killer of women each year. I encourage you to bust out a scarlet sweater or dust off those patent red pumps and join me in supporting heart health tomorrow.

[cardigan, earrings, bag, lipstick, flats, scarf]

Posted in Accessories, Fashion, Local Spots | Tagged American Heart Association, Go Red for Women, Luna Bistro, red, The Book of Mormon | 1 Comment