Marvelous is…
Reuniting with a best friend.
My gal pal (and Target shopping partner in crime!) recently returned from a year in Russia! Jen is a friend with whom I can share everything. Everything. Crazy dating stories, heavy secrets, poopy problems…Nothing is off limits. I’ve missed her!
On Friday afternoon, we met at Dolcezza—my favorite gelato shops—for drip coffee and some serious girl gab time.
Dolcezza may be famous for the gelato, but its baristas make a mean cappuccino and a delicious cup of drip coffee.
Who am I kidding though?
The gelato is most delicious. 
straciatella and pineapple
Marvelous is…
Enjoying happy hour tapas at Jaleo.
After schmoozing at Dolcezza, Jen and I weaved in and out of a few shops, and made sure to stop in Georgetown Cupcake just for a peek.
At 6:00, we met Julien, Jen’s boyfriend, at my all-time favorite DC restaurant.
Jaleo is actually the first restaurant restaurant I dined at when I arrived in DC eight years ago (Subway on campus did not count!) . I’ve been in love chef Jose Andres’ out-of-this-world tapas ever since, and almost always choose to go there on my birthday.
I’ve tried nearly every vegetable and seafood tapa on the menu, and know what I love. No need to waste time ordering!
Jen and I shared the following dishes:
Trigueros con romesco: grilled asparagus with romesco sauce.
Gambas al ajillo: the very, very famous tapa of shrimp sautéed with garlic.
Espinacas a la catalana: sautéed spinach, pine nuts, raisins and apples.
And my favorite: a new to me scallop tapa…
Vieiras con piñones y Pedro Ximénez: seared scallops with pine nuts and Pedro Ximénez
Do you know what Pedro Ximénez is?
Yeah, I didn’t either. I was sold at “scallops,” so honestly it didn’t matter.
But curiosity got the best of me while writing this post and had to find out. According to Wikipedia, Pedro Ximénez is “…an intensely sweet, dark, dessert sherry.”
Oh yeeeah.
I don’t think I’d ever tried sherry, but I loved this tapa, so I guess it means I love sherry?
Julien also ordered the fried dates wrapped in bacon!
Come on. Don’t knock ‘em till you try ‘em. If you’re a fan of sweet + salty, you’d probably love these.
Marvelous is…
Friends who clown around with you at the table.
Jen and I have a history..
Circa 2010. My 25th birthday (at Jaleo, of course)
She didn’t catch the memo for this pic, but you get the idea.
Marvelous is…
Saving money on guacamole.
I’m trying to reel in my spending on groceries, so I’ve been eliminating the non-necessities like sauces, dips and dressings. I don’t need tzatziki. Nor do I need salsa.
But guacamole? It’s in a category of its own. I need guacamole. Guacamole is a necessity.
I realized Saturday that my Whole Foods keeps guacamole on the salad bar on a regular basis. My Whole Foods also offers free dressing/condiment containers.
That, my friends, is how you save $6.99 on guacamole.
Marvelous is…
A pop of color and a positive message.
I think we often forget the power behind a simple “hello” or a friendly smile. One act of compassion can truly brighten somebody’s day—and yours too.
(Full disclosure: I carry Yogi tea bags in my purse and steep them in free Starbucks water).
Speaking of bright, on Saturday I went for almost-neon orange nails. I figure it’s my last summer hurrah; one final pop of crazy color before fall hits!
Marvelous is…
Feeling like a goddess Monday morning.
A perfectly fizzy cocktail to kick start the day. I’ve been saving a bottle of Guava Goddess for a week and think Monday morning is a perfect time to pop it open.
Go make your day marvelous (and check out what’s making others’ Monday marvelous too)!
It’s our choice; every single day is a blessing filled with good.
xoxo
Questions for you:
Is there a restaurant you always go to, or meal you always request, on your birthday?
When I was little, I always requested macaroni and cheese “from the box” (aka not my mom’s homemade version!).
What condiments are “necessities” for you?
