Birthday Blisses

Who says Friday the 13th is an unlucky day? For me, last Friday was a day filled with bliss. I took the day off. I slept in. When I did leave the house it was for an early lunch at Le Diplomate Cafe in the Brea Mall. I started with the complimentary bread and bruschetta. This was so damn good. Had I known how good it was going to be I would have ordered a side salad or a cup of soup instead of my entree, just so I could eat this entire basket of bread.

But alas, I had already order a brie, avocado and apple panini. It was good, although I think I could have managed with a bit less avocado and a little more apple.

After lunch I walked over to the Glen Ivy Day Spa for my 80-minute massage, using a gift card I received for last year's birthday. Better late than never I suppose. It was more crowded than I expected for a Friday, so I didn't hang out too long in the whirlpool/sauna area. All that chatter doesn't relax me. It turned out I didn't need that stuff; the massage was heavenly and got rid of any tension I had.

I left Brea on the early side, so that I could beat traffic on my way home. I needed to get dolled up for dinner! I used the occasion to debut some recent purchases.

Cole Haan Aurora Slingbacks in black patent:

Louis Vuitton Sunset Boulevard bag in Amarante:

Then Eddie picked me up for a return trip to OC, to one of our favorite restaurants: The Hobbit.

The Hobbit is tucked away on a busy street lined with strip malls. The restaurant has been in operation since 1972, but the home was built in the 1930s. After last month's dining debacle, I wanted to go somewhere familiar and reliable for my birthday. The restaurant may not be modern or trendy, but it consistently turns out good food and excellent service. Eddie and I first ate here three years ago and have returned 3 or 4 times since. We have never had a bad experience. A dinner at The Hobbit really is an experience. There is only one seating per evening and seating is somewhat limited.

From their website:

ACT I: All our guests are invited into our wine cellar to begin the evening. You are handed the evening’s menu and a flute of Hobbit Champagne. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres are placed throughout the cellar for you to enjoy while selecting your wine for dinner. Executive chef/owner Mike Philippi, his wife Debra, and sommelier Greg Cole are available in the cellar to help select wines-a fun task with over 1000 labels from which to choose.

*What I appreciate about their cellar is the fact that they have something for nearly every price point. I saw full size bottles available from as low as $38 to into the thousands of dollars. They also have a wine pairing available for $40 that is tailored to the menu. Three of the pairing are 4 oz. pours, while the dessert pairing is a 2 oz. pour. The sommelier is very easy to talk to and not at all snooty.*

ACT II: Our guests are invited upstairs to their own table. Act II includes an appetizer, followed by a fish, fowl or light meat, and then a salad course. You are then invited to enjoy “intermission” – take a walk, relax on the patios or visit the kitchen to speak with the chefs.

ACT III: Ten to fifteen minutes later you are invited to return to your reset table for Act III. A flavorful sorbet is next as a palate-cleanser. The main entrée is served complete with accompanying vegetables. Dessert arrives next, always available with an after dinner list of coffee drinks, liqueurs and fine cognacs.

If it is a special occasion, you will also receive handmade truffles along with your dessert.

It was quite dim at our table, so my pictures didn't turn out, but here is a look at our menu:

The birthday blisses continued into the weekend, which was filled was sheer laziness and relaxation. It really doesn't take much to make me happy.

Bark If It's Your Birthday

Jack's little girlfriend Mimi turned three yesterday. Mimi's parents threw her a party on the lawn to celebrate the occasion. Mimi's other boyfriend Bailey also attended. Since there were three dogs total it made total sense to have a peanut butter cake from Three Dog Bakery.
Mimi couldn't keep her eyes off of the cake.

We all sang "Happy Birthday".

Since Mimi is a proper young lady, all of the dogs were served on paper plates. Jack forgot his manners and ran off into the grass with his slice of cake.

He really wanted to make sure the others didn't come near his crumbs.

He ran off into the grass again to chow down on his second slice of cake. Then he came back looking for thirds, which he didn't get. He's such a piggy little puggle.

The Week in Pictures

Disclaimer: Bad photos ahead. I was too tired or too buzzed while taking most of them. Or in a moving car while tired and buzzed. Don't worry, I wasn't driving. Well, except for the last 2 pictures. But I wasn't tired or buzzed then I swear!



Last Friday we gathered with our neighbors at Fleming's Steakhouse to celebrate some very important birthdays. While we were waiting for our table we amused ourselves by taking pictures while wacthing the antics of a man who claimed to be Mr. Jack Ass at the hostess desk. Poor hostess. Jackass even asked her how far along she was. Um, she wasn't pregnant. :-/
Black napkins for the ladies in LBDs. White napkins for everyone else.

Eddie received a hilarious and appropriate gift.

Pretty ladies and ...... their pretty martinis.

This is SC Fabulous recreating her shunning of our waitress, who seemed to have issues with SC Fabulous.

Lobster tempura appetizer. Worth the $25.

Fleming's has a massive wine list. I always try to choose something I've never had before. On this trip I had Educated Guess cabernet sauvignon. On the left you can see the chocolate dipped peppermint sticks KB Squared made for us.

I had the chef's special for the evening: two 4 oz. filet mignons with seared scallops, seafood risotto and fried goat cheese. In the background you can see the famous Fleming's potatoes: a gratin baked with cream, jalapenos and cheddar cheese. Yum.

Birthday girl B with the creme brulee.

Birthday boy Eddie with the Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich: chocolate cookie crust, peanut butter mousse and a touch of raspberry jam. To.die.for.

Group shot ... we closed the place down!

The next night we got dolled up for a holiday party thrown by a local defense firm. Clearly we need to work on our Facebook-style self portraits. There weren't any wild shenanigans at the party despite the free flowing alcohol and mock casino tables. A good time was had by all.

The birthday bash for Eddie continued on Sunday. We woke up bright and early (for a weekend at least) to get a walk-in table for brunch at the Mission Inn. The Sunday brunch here is fantastic. Definitely make reservations in advance if you're inclined to check it out.

The grounds are all decked out for the holidays.

I loved the look of this mantel. I am totally copying this look sometime in the future.

Me with the oppressed snowman. He was bound down with wire around his neck and feet. Poor Frosty.

Busy elves.

We sweated off all those calories at brunch by hitting the steam room at Kelly's Spa, followed by an 80 minute massage in one of the spa villas, followed by more time in the steam room and lots of herbal tea in the relaxation lounge.

Thursday night we drove out to a neighborhood in our city renowned for its holiday light displays. Despite it being somewhat late and a weekenight, there was still a lengthy wait to enter the main street. Jack's face sums it up.

We tried to pass a little time by making Jack drive. He wasn't going for it.

Finally. Lights!

This one reminded me of a gingerbread house.

Even Jack perked up when he saw the lights.

Ice skaters!

Peanutspalooza.

Disney was well represented too.

The newbies explained themselves.

I hate driving in the rain, but I appreciate the drive after storm clears out. I love the juxtaposition of palm trees, snow capped mountains and a bright blue sky.

Fierce at Fifty

Two Fridays ago (I'm so behind on blogging!) my co-workers and I took MissFab out to celebrate her birthday. MissFab truly is fabulous: outspoken, stylish, an expert in her field and possesses a heart of gold. Much like Samantha on SATC without all the freakiness.

We started our evening at Las Campanas at the Mission Inn.

We all had massive margaritas. There were also several yummy quesadillas and flautas (and a not-so-yummy ceviche), but we were a hungry bunch. I couldn't take a picture fast enough.

We had tequila shots too.

There was a purpose behind loading up on alcohol. We needed the liquid courage for what lay ahead in the evening. MissFab thought we were just having a happy hour. Little did she know that we were also going to be doing a little bit of dancing. Lap dancing and pole dancing to be specific!
We were all signed up for a private dance class through From Mind to Body. It was the most hysterical 90 minutes that I can recall ever spending with co-workers. First we had to pair off. Then we each took turns being the dancer and the recipient as we learned the choreography. Start with grinding up against the wall, then drop it like it's hot and start crawling towards your partner. Massage your partner's legs with your arms as you snake your chest back and forth, then rise and repeat the grinding while you are essentially straddling your partner's lap. Then do a seductive walk around your partner, massage their back and chest while standing behind them, thrust your boobs into the curve of their neck, walk back to the front and do some more grinding. Oh and caress yourself sexily whenever you have the opportunity to do so. Now, that all seems pretty silly in writing. It is even sillier when done with people you know! Everyone was a great sport about it though and got into the routine in their own way. Fraggle & SoccerMom took the prize for most interpretive when they started making their best "RAWR" faces while crawling. MsClass showed us her wild side my literally letting her hair down and flipping it all around. Other folks, MissFab included, worked diligently on committing the routine to memory. As for myself, I couldn't look my class partner in the eye without completely cracking up and had to disengage while dancing, gazing at the wall instead. I guess that's what jaded strippers actually do? Not that I would really know or anything ..... just going off what I've heard.

After learning a lap dance we moved on to learning basic pole dancing maneuvers such as the Walk, the Half-Swing, Basic Spin, Spin w/ Leg Extension, the Leg Stroke and what I truly excelled at: the Pirouette into Slow Sliding Squat. That would totally be my signature move.

In addition to doing private lessons for parties, the studio also markets a weekly series of these classes for fitness purposes. I have to admit, we had all worked up a pretty good sweat by the end of class and almost all of us had muscle soreness to a degree the next day.

And because I'm sure you're all dying to know, Eddie has not yet reaped the benefits of my dance lesson. I really don't know when he will. I imagine it would be on a day when a lot of alcohol is consumed. But I can't imagine actually doing the dance without one or both of us laughing our asses off. :-)