Last Weekend I Gave You My Heart

Last Valentine's Day was pretty different in lots of ways.  Not making pretty pink soap this year, but been busy spreading the love.  A wise blogger advised me to not make my posts too long, but, well, consider this warning now!  It all started last weekend.

[copyright Amy Mitten]

After I made Rachael early morning brownies for her birthday we went out to support Emergency Service for the release of their very 1st music video: Feel Your Love.

Then it was time to get cooking for my Aunt Liz's birthday.  I posted a prep shot here cause I was overwhelmed by all the ingredients, but I was getting help from Bon Appetit, Ina, Giada and Peggy Fallon.

First I ironed a heart onto my apron with double-sided fusible.

Then tackled Broccoli Rabe with Pignoli: Giada's recipe called for raisins, but I found a dried cranberry cherry mix instead.

And browned onions for Peggy Fallon's Caramelized Onion Dip.

Trying to slice carrots into a "medium dice" for The Barefoot Contessa's Chicken Stew with Parsley Biscuits wasn't as hard as finding frozen baby onions (had to go to 3 stores).

And I used to have a rolling pin or 2, but couldn't find either one, so used a bottle to roll out the biscuits, probably like my Italian grandmother used to do.

I tried to stay organized.

And Mila tried helping, but...

I had to frost the cake myself too.

Everything seemed to take forever, but at last it was all done, including Giada's Lemon Spaghetti, and my Mom brought Ina's Roasted Winter Vegetables.

And still there was more to do: valentines for Etsy's Share Your Love.

and for family and friends

all sealed with love.

Then today on to a Valentine's Eve Menu from Martha Stewart and James Villas.

Had to use the 5 major V-day Food Groups: bacon, butter, cheese, chocolate and cream!

And made Swiss Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Gruyere Cheese from The Bacon Cookbook.  Seriously, is there a title that can make you happier than that?

And Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes.

Good thing I got some movies to watch too.

I'm overdue for drawing the winner for my 100th Post Giveaway, thanks to everyone for entering and Happy Valentine's Day!

Post V-Day Window Shopping

Painted hearts lining Broadway in Soho, they went for blocks and blocks...

So, Valentine's Day is over, but I snapped some pretty pics while window shopping over the past few weeks: there were hearts all over the city...

Hello Kitty clutches at Judith Leiber

new bebe boutique on Broadway in Soho

Pilgrim, 70 Orchard Street

new Juicy Couture boutique on 5th Ave

"How to be Irresistible on Valentine's Day" at Bond No. 9

Papyrus on Lexington Avenue

fresh on Bleecker Street

Broadway Panhandler on 8th Street (not Broadway ;-)

Crumbs Bake Shop, also on 8th

Kim Kardashian's new fragrance at Sephora in Soho

the still fairly new Victoria's Secret in Soho

Guess by Marciano on Broadway in Soho

one of the two Mango locations in Soho

kidrobot Prince Street, no hearts, but lots of pink!

Jean Claude Restaurant on Sullivan Street

Once Upon a Tart, also on Sullivan Street: hard to see with the glare, but it's a little stuffed King Kong with his prisoner on the Eiffel tower

Valentine's Wrapup

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's.  Just a few pics of mine from a happy, pink day...

Making cards,

cutting out strawberry marshmallow hearts for Ghirardelli hazelnut hot chocolate,

eating pretty m&m's,

and receiving homemade gifts from the boyfriend: a card,

Korean food,

and a yummy pink cake from scratch,

and Stella McCartney perfume with notes of Moroccan Rose, Grapefruit, White Peony, Pink Pepper, Precious Vanilla, Grey Amber and Musk.