Dan wanted to put together a special way to ask his brothers and my brother to be his groomsmen. He’s always liked the idea of going to his barbershop with them the morning of the wedding, and everyone getting a shave or a cut, so he came up with this sweet idea to send them each a bottle of Bay Rum aftershave named “Groomsman”. 
I helped him design the labels, and then we stuck them on these matching bottles and filled them with the aftershave. I love the little detail of No. 1, No. 2, No. 3–Dan’s idea. He wrote them each a note, and sent them off to Florida, Colorado, and NYC. 
I think they turned out so well! Oh, and they said yes!
pumpkin carving
Our friends hosted the most adorable pumpkin carving party last week on their awesome patio. They made delicious turkey burgers and mulled wine, and everyone brought snacks, pumpkins, and carving tools–it was so fun and festive! And you guys, my fiance is a master pumpkin carver. Yes, he follows a pattern we purchased at Target, but he perfectly executes the five pumpkin level pattern because he’s soooo patient! That Scott family of his taught him well. My ghost pattern was a two pumpkin level in difficulty, and I almost gave up half way through scooping out the goop, but once that part was over I was on my way. We preserved them in our fridge to simulate east coast weather so they would last until the weekend for The Whaling Club. Smart, right? Thanks, Google. 
Also, I just did a little digging and found these impressive pumpkin carvings Dan and I did sophomore year of college. I think that may be the last pumpkin I carved until now! 
mr. & mrs. boots
Earlier this month we spent a weekend in Chicago for the wedding of our friends, Sally and Andrew. Andrew’s last name is Boots, and it’s pretty much what everyone calls him. I love that Sally’s full name will now be Sally Boots! Adorable! On the Friday before the wedding we went straight from the airport to an early dinner at the Publican. Definitely one of the best meals and service that I’ve had in a while. The menu is super meat focused, and the booths have doors on them like cattle corrals–which made the meal feel private and cozy even in such a busy restaurant. Both the Publican and the wedding reception were in the Fulton Market/West Loop neighborhood, which is apparently where lots of awesome restaurants are popping up. Here are some photos from the wedding! Sally is one of my oldest friends, and weddings with all my childhood and high school girlfriends always proves to be a little silly…especially when someone discovered there were fake mustaches…
^^Yep, even our bride, Sally, put on a mustache! She’s the best.
Congratulations, Sally and Boots! You two are the sweetest couple and we had the most amazing night celebrating with you!
the whaling club X
September may technically be the end of summer in other parts of the country, but it kinda feels like we’re still right in the middle of it here in Los Angeles! Dan’s cocktail menu featured seasonal ingredients, starting off with a simple and refreshing gin cocktail called the Pipe Dream with watermelon and mint. Next was the Sinker, which always tends to convert people who think they don’t like Scotch into loving Scotch. And lastly, the Grand Canal, a stirred drink with rye, cardamaro, cucumber, and an absinthe rinse. Cardamaro is an amaro flavored with cardoon, a thistle like plant in the same family as an artichoke. Chef Frank Anderson (and Rebecca Ambrosi!) joined us again and really pulled out all the stops. The beef tartare with quail egg was my favorite. Hello. Also, how pretty are those little quail egg shells? 
Next month will be our one year anniversary of The Whaling Club! We love hosting and sharing cocktails–it always feels celebratory! Dan and I were just talking about when we sent out the first invite–we were so worried no one would come! Thank you to all who have supported this adventure over the last year and attended TWC.
Logo and artwork by Sarah Mullin.
margot & marie
I’ve been working on this new comedy series, Margot & Marie, and today we launched one of my favorite episodes! I’d love hear what you think.
(p.s. get ready for an adorable baby)
be kind
Last week, A Cup of Jo shared a graduation speech by George Saunders at Syracuse University (my alma mater) in which he advises that, “as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.” As Saunders says in his speech, being kind isn’t a particularly revelatory piece of advice, but it’s a reminder we could all use sometimes. I think as we become adults, it’s very easy to become dismissive of strangers, and perhaps amusing to be judgmental of those we know. I’m particularly guilty of being the hardest on the ones I love.
p.s. Have you seen The Way Way Back? Sam Rockwell is a water park manager, who takes this lonely kid under his wing for a summer. It’s so sweet and funny. So many of my favs are in it: Allison Janney, Maya Rudolph, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, and Toni Collette. I loved it!
bon appetit
I was thrilled (like really really pumped!!) to have my photo on Bon Appetit last week! You may remember this shoot I did for Allumette a while back? Special thanks to my friend, Hannah, for referring me. And congrats to all the nominees!
p.s. You may remember another restaurant near and dear to my heart who made the top ten list a few years ago.
lately
^^A few of my best girlfriends and their boys celebrating at the wedding of our dear friends, Kristi and Henry!
^^Glamorous centerpieces in Cathedral Hall at The University Club of Chicago.
^^The table numbers were a nod to London, where Kristi and Henry are moving at the end of the summer.
^^While in Chicago for the wedding, I got to spend a day with this amazing girl. She’s studying at The School at Steppenwolf this summer and I’m so proud and excited for her!
^^And someone (hint: fiance) got a very special birthday present followed by a delicious celebration dinner at Sotto. We’ve been craving the Diavolina pizza every day since!
the whaling club, havana club
When Dan and I were in Mexico last month we picked up a few bottles of Havana Club rum for a very special Whaling Club. Havana Club is an awesome Cuban rum that you can’t buy in the United States. Chef Frank Anderson joined us again with adorable and delicious Cuban sandwiches (I had three, no big deal) and Dan’s cocktails were the perfect way to celebrate the last month of summer. He started everyone off with a classic shaken Pineapple Daiquiri followed by a gorgeous Queen’s Park Swizzle over crushed iced. He finished with an Old Havana, which I think was many guest’s first stirred rum cocktail. We had all new-to-whaling-club guests, and it was such a pleasure meeting everyone and enjoying cocktails together! I have a feeling they won’t be first timers for long.
tulum, mexico
Dan and I spent a week of July in the Riviera Maya (south of Cancun) celebrating his parents’ 30th wedding anniversary! We all stayed at a massive resort with multiple pools, beach access, and a ton of restaurants. His parents renewed their vows on the beach on their actual anniversary in a very intimate and touching ceremony. Dan wrote and played a song about his parents’ last 30 years, including memories of when he and his brothers were little. Needless to say I think we all shed a tear! 
One of my favorite days of the trip was spent in Tulum. We visited the Tulum Ruins, and then walked down to the most gorgeous beach–such rich blue water and soft white sand.
Dan and I stayed the rest of the day, and made our way down to Hartwood for dinner, which had been highly recommended by friends. It’s located on a beach road on what they call the “jungle side” (meaning not the beach side). Tulum definitely has an eclectic bohemian vibe going on, and we stopped for a cocktail at Casa Jaguar while we waited for Hartwood to open. 
We were blown away by the food and atmosphere at Hartwood! If you ever find yourself in Tulum, it’s a must. Their only source of cooking is a wood burning oven and open grill, and the dining is completely open air. We had a whole roasted snapper and pork ribs to die for. After dinner we sat in a couple of chairs on the perimeter and enjoyed a few more daiquiris while watching the restaurant fill up with people and the sun go down. 
I know I’ll always remember that evening with Dan, and it’s fun that we can look back and know it was during our engagement, which is its own special time in life. We were sweaty and salty from the day (we stealthily had changed out of our bathing suits on the side of the road just a few hours earlier), but we were full and very happy.
a cozy boat 
