As Seen On Instagram {Cinco}

Happy Friday, lovelies! I hope you all had a wonderful week and are ready for a fun weekend. Will you be tuning into the Super Bowl? I am having a few friends over for chatting and naps...I mean to eat wings and watch the game! Wait, how is it already the Super Bowl?!?!

The fifth installment of #AsSeenOnInstagram journals my adventures right after Thanksgiving through last weekend. This includes good eats, holiday celebrations and my birthday. With a trip to Montana, snuggling up a dear friend's brand new baby and enjoying a night out with ladies I've known for nearly a decade, the last two months have been full and wonderful. This series is quickly becoming my favorite on the blog. It is such a fun way to reflect on life and just how lucky I truly am. For more current play-by-plays follow along {@merecdavison} and be sure to say hello!

Rachel and I made Scotch Eggs!

Enjoyed Chef Gregory's December Duck at Departure

Portland before the sun rises.

Little Green Pickle's Blogger Bagel Nosh!

#HenryWilliam

Farewell, @PDXCarpet

Tip-Toes for the IG Shot

Cousins + Sister

At Erin's for NYE.  My Mom MADE MY SKIRT!!!

Gonzaga Game with my college roomies!

#AthenaGram

Eb+Bean

Hydrangeas for the win

Mary Ellen made my beautiful and delicious birthday cake!

Birthday Grilled Cheese Party

Woodsman Tavern is my new favorite brunch

Made Michelle's flourless chocolate and red-wine cake!

Recipe {Mississippi Mud Bombe}

I am so excited to share this Mississippi Mud Bomb recipe with you from my family's Christmas Eve celebration. As I previously mentioned, my sister Steph and I prepare the holiday meals in our household. After decades as head chef my Mom turned over the reigns to us a few years ago. This transition has been fun and challenging. You see, everyone in my family has some serious culinary chops. This can lead to a little competition, sisterly spats and unique visions. After a few years we have settled into our roles. I tend to focus on the theme and savory dishes while Steph is the pastry chef. For the Southern themed Christmas Eve Dinner we decided to have a trio of mini desserts. A key lime cheesecake parfait, a cranberry bread pudding and Mississippi Mud Bombs. None of these dishes followed an exact recipe but were more a mash-up of theories and ideas-often the key to great eats!

Life {Christmas Eve Dinner}

Oh my goodness! More than a month later and I am just now sharing our family Christmas Eve dinner! As you may know, I was back in Montana for the holiday, and had a wonderful time. We are a family rooted in tradition and love a great party. Growing up, my Mom would cook Christmas Eve dinner for both her side of the family and my Dad's. Some years this meant she was making dinner for almost 30-people. Did I mention that Christmas Eve is her birthday?? The woman is a saint.

As we have all gotten older and many cousins have started their own families and traditions, our Christmas celebration has changed. Now, dinner has become a group of 10-12 friends and families that is prepared by my sister Stephanie and myself. We will spend weeks-no, months- planning the menu and talking out scenarios. This year, we decided on a Southern theme. All inspired by Doug Adam's amazing fried chicken I had at Feast!!

Portland {PCS: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike}

In case you are new around here I am a very big fan of Portland Center Stage. The local theater group is located in the Pearl and produces really unique and well-curated seasons. Right now, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" is the featured show. The original production won the 2013 Tony for Best Play and the PCS production makes it clear why the play is so popular! I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the premiere event last week and had such a fun night out.

The Sets

While the acting was fantastic and the writing was on point, I want to highlight the wonderful set designs. At first, the set seemed simple but I quickly picked up on the intricate details. Lighting changes made the space look different-setting the mood for an icy beginning and ending on a warm and homey note. 

The Humor

This play is very funny. The writing is very witty with more than a handful of adult jokes. The costume design and acting bring the words to life. From nuanced hand gestures to properly timed head nods, the humor was multi-faceted. Oh, and did I mention Spike?? Spike has a hot bod and spends plenty of time showing that off. Instead of this being a gawk-worthy element it caused many laughs and plenty of wide eyes.

The Length + Venue

To lay out the story and develop all of the characters the play is quite long. As someone who suffers from serious bouts of 'hangry' this could be a very serious issue. Especially since we didn't have time to grab dinner beforehand. Luckily, the Armory Cafe serves fancy snacks, sandwiches and as well as beer, wine and spirits. If you do plan on making a night of it I would recommend getting dinner beforehand. As the show gets out rather late there aren't many neighborhood spots open that will be serving dinner at that point. We were very happy that Tilt was still open!

Fashion {Hello Yellow!}

HM Sweater// Asos Yellow Heels// Zella Racerback Tank//HM Skirt with Pleats// Asos Midi Dress// Kate Spade Saturday Collection Pillow//Marc Jacobs Flower Earrings

Now that the holiday months are over and a new year has begun, retailers have started to put out Spring clothing.  While floral prints and white pants seem to be popular< again, I keep noticing bright yellows adorning storefront windows and filling my inbox.  Yellow is such a divisive color.  Either you look amazing in yellow or you resemble a jaundice baby.  Luckily, I seem to pull off the sunny hue quite well.  I credit my dark hair and fair skin for the karmic balance.

Sweater

This seems like the perfect way to dress up a basic outfit or run errands on the weekends.

Shoes

While these are bold I think they could really work for those who are afraid of wearing too much of the bright color.  And that stacked heel?! Yes, please!

Workout Top

Great workout attire is always a motivator for me.  A peppy color and sleek design will get me into the gym stat!

Skirt

This seems like the kind of skirt that will turn even the yuckiest Monday into a great day.

Dress

I have a few weddings on my Summer calendar and this dress is really speaking to me.  I love the lines, high-neck and subtle cut-out.  The amount of color certainly isn't for the faint of heart.

Pillow

Love the trend but it just isn't your color?  This low commitment pillow is so fun.  I saw it in stores on a light turquoise sofa and flipped.

Earrings

I love statement studs and these are very high on my wish list.  The design is fun and has a vintage feel.

Entertaining {Cheese + Charcuterie Spreads}

Hello Lovelies!  I hope you had a restful weekend and are ready to conquer Monday.  I don't know about you but last week was a little rough.  After a fun and busy holiday season the first full week back was daunting to say the very least.  By Wednesday night I was in desperate need of some vino, girl talk and cozy clothing.  Doing the sensible thing, I reached out to a few girlfriends and coordinated a wine and cheese night at my house.  Cozy fire included!  

On Thursday I headed to City Market NW to pick up a few cured meats and cheeses.  It is one of my favorite gems in the city.  For the cheese I picked up a three options: Old Amsterdam gouda, Bleu d'Auvergne and Zamorano.  To balance the rich and flavorful cheeses they sliced the meats very thinly; a hot copa, mild genoa and a spicy finocchio.   A fig butter and Bee Local Honey were the perfect spreads to compliment all of these flavors.  The spread also included dates, apple, grapes and hazelnuts. Crispy baguette, water crackers and warmed olives to round out the meal.  Not to mention the wine.  And chocolate chip cookies. 

The night was filled with delicious bites, wonderful conversation and lounging by the fire.  Just what the doctor ordered!  

My Kitchen Wish List

Simplicity Cake Stand with Dome// Martha Stewart 16-Piece Food Storage Collection// Olivewood Cheese Board//Palisades Cheese Board// French Kitchen Pastry Slab// Small All-Purpose Scoop// GEFU Spirelli Spiral Slicer

Since I write a food blog it should come as no surprise that I spend a good amount of time perusing cooking blogs, wandering through specialty food stores and lusting after tools and gadgets.  So, in honor of Martha Chartreuse's One-Year Blogiversary I thought it was only fitting that I share my kitchen gadget wishlist.    

Simplicity Cake Stand with Dome

I really love the lip around the cake stand and rounded topper.  It is my dream to have a home that always has fresh pastries beautifully displayed!

Martha Stewart 15-Piece Food Storage Collection

This blog's namesake spin on the clicking food storage system is pretty and functional.  It always helps to jazz up clean-up tasks.

Olivewood Cheese Board

The beautiful grain and organic shape make this cheese board great for entertaining or an indulgent night in.

Palisades Cheese Board

Long, lean and bold.  Perfect for entertaining and displaying artisan cheeses, fresh fruit or baked goods.  Trust me, this one fills my dreams.

French Kitchen Pastry Slab

From pie crusts to pizza doughs this would provide the perfect surface that my vintage apartment does not provide.  Not to mention photo options!

Small All-Purpose Scoop

Currently, all of my sugars and flour are displayed in clear glass canisters.  While this is beautiful a proportionally sized scoop would make baking and measuring easier and cleaner.

GEFU Spirelli Spiral Slicer

I have been researching and looking at spiral cutters for some time now.  I love the idea of using zucchini and carrots as a pasta substitute.  The GEFU Spirelli Spiral Slicer seems like the most compact option   

Restaurant Review {Barclay's Supper Club}

Today, I am so excited to be sharing one of my all-time favorite restaurants with you!  If you have been reading along for awhile you probably know that I am from Montana.  I take great pride that I come from such a unique and historic pocket of the country.

Something I really love about the area, outside of the gorgeous scenery, is the deep connections and roots people have.  I grew up in the house my mother grew up in.  That house is right next door to the house my grandmother was raised in.  It is across the street from the family home of family friends we've had for generations.  Terri {the mom across the street} is an amazing hair stylist who works down the street.  Steph and I always get our hair cut when we are in town.  When we are there I always get to chat with my high school cheerleading coach.  Do you see where I am going with this?  It is a community filled with families and people who's lives and stories have intertwined for generations.  It is truly remarkable.