Currently Listening to... Ha Ha Tonka

So, Garrett and I are headed on a road trip to Austin soon.  I'm currently listening to Ha Ha Tonka, and I think this will make the perfect traveling music.  Check out 'Usual Suspects' from their album Death of Decade below...

I'm also excited to see these guys play at The Record Bar in November here in lovely KCMO! Who's coming with me?

Operation Ombre Hair: Accomplished.

So, remember when I told you I was going to try the Ombre hair trend?  Well, this past Saturday - I went for it!  And I'm very happy with the results. Jane, my wonderful stylist at Belle Epoque, ended up using 4 different shades of red throughout my hair to create this effect.  It took a few hours, but was totally worth it.  My guess is it will be pretty easy to upkeep too!  I mean, after all, the whole look is kinda like you're highlights are all grown out.... ;).

Here are the best photos I could get - I think it's a little more dramatic in-person.  But you get the idea...

Dance 'til you feel better!

This little vid is making the blog rounds... I will say, it definitely makes me smile today.  Amid all the life stresses we have going on right now, this montage and trivia tonight at Westport Flea Market are making my day a wonderful one.  So, get up off a that thing...


Dance Trailer from Chris Poole on Vimeo.

Norwegian Wood

Yesterday, I bought a great new necklace by Norwegian Wood to wear on my trip to New Orleans next weekend! It's made of leather and coconut pieces. I think it looks very voodoo-esque, don't you?

If you're in Kansas City, some Norwegian Wood pieces are available at Birdie's.  You can also find this necklace and other clothes and jewelry on NW's etsy shop.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Scouting KC : You Say Tomato

 
In the past week, Garrett and I have been to You Say Tomato THREE times.  That's right... we've gone to eat here three times in seven days. We visited YST for the first time, last weekend, as the result of a little internet research.  We quickly decided to become regulars after we discovered some delicious food and very welcoming, attentive service.

Now, on to what you really want to know about - what did we EAT?!  We both had the Breakfast Casserole, made with egg custard, sausage and mushrooms.  Oh, and guess what? It's topped with sausage gravy. I'll just let the photo do the talking....

With our casseroles, we ordered a side of Jalapeno Cheese Grits (only served on the weekends, fyi).  And yes, they were as amazing as they sound.  When we went back for breakfast during the week, we had a quiche that was absolutely divine and chock full of vegetables. I have a feeling you can't order a bad dish at this place.  Every item on the menu at this little unassuming cafe is homemade with local farm fresh ingredients.  And the pies!  Did I mention the pies?!  YST also carries a large assortment of homemade pies - we tasted the rhubarb and the peach-apricot.  Delish!  I can't get enough of this local joint....

Hair like T-Swizzle.

So, my new hairdresser at Belle Epoque introduced me to one of my new favorite things - the Curl Stick!

It's basically a cone-shaped curling iron without the clamp.  And if you hold it horizontally and wrap your hair around it, it gives you glorious waves similar to those of Miss Taylor Swift.

The curl stick I have is this one by Tigi Pro.  I am currently obsessed because this spectacular tool allows me to create tight fashionable waves or those loose beach-y ones.  And as my hairdresser said... "Say what you want about Taylor Swift's music; the girl has great hair."  Enjoy!

The Paris of the Plains.

We've been in Kansas City for a little over a month, and I'm starting to have a couple favorites.

I am completely smitten with a fantastic lunch spot called The Farmhouse.  This little joint in the River Market uses all local ingredients for a menu that changes with the seasons.  So far, every meal I've had here has been absolutely delish!  There's also an outdoor patio that will be perfect for the upcoming Fall days.  I would definitely recommend the pork sliders... like buttah!

And for dessert, we have Glace - artisan ice creams for the refined palate.  Last night, I had a combination of Salted Pretzel and Balsamic Strawberry Ice Cream.  Garrett chose the infamous Goat Cheese Ice Cream - he's so predictable ;).  I had issues deciding because there were so many mouth-watering options to choose from!  And a little story for my NYC friends... I totally tried to name drop "Balthazar" while we were at this adorable little ice cream post, and the woman behind the counter looked at me like I was crazy.  We're not in NYC anymore, Toto.

Moving on up... to the Midwest side.

Midwest here we come!  Garrett and I will be making the big move out of Brooklyn later this summer.  We'll be heading to... (drum roll, please)... KANSAS CITY! Garrett was accepted into the History PhD program at University of Kansas and will be starting full-time this Fall. So - Rock, Chalk, Jay... Nope, sorry. Can't do it.  The Texas Longhorn inside me runs far too deep. But I am very excited for our new adventure!  As sad as we are to leave Brooklyn, it also feels like time to move on.

I've visited Kansas City a few times, and the place definitely did surprise me!  Here are some lovely photos of our soon-to-be new home:

a view of downtown's skyline

the plaza lights

one of the city's famous landmarks - Union Station

Also, I'll just go ahead and clear this up for all of y'all who haven't brushed up on your Midwest geography lately. Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS are the same city spread across state lines.  I know a lot of you were wondering. We'll most likely be living on the Missouri side.

We'll also be having some sort of going-away shindig in July to make sure we see all our NYC friends before we leave - so, stay tuned!