Another Target Rave!

This is the first fall in what seems like forever where I have worn boots. I have a hard time finding any that fit correctly, especially in the calf area. Once again, Target comes to the rescue with this seasons Kady Boots. I love them so much that I actually purchased them in two colors.

First, in grey:

And in Cognac:

What are your favorite boots?

An open letter for my sanity...

Dear ESPN,

If there is a KU basketball game on and we're unable to watch it because another game is running late, please at least change it in our area. I can't take much more of my husband and his friend yelling at the TV because they're missing over five minutes of our game. My sanity and ear drums would appreciate it.

Thank you very much,
Me

Restaurant Review: The Westside Local

One of the perks of my job is that we have sales reps who come into town to visit and look to us for suggestions of fun after-work activities. Oftentimes, we visit some of the new up-and-coming places and about a month ago, we found ourselves visiting The Westside Local.

Westside describes itself as a "gathering place that combines the lively social setting of a tavern with flavors and service of upscale dining." With its long picnic tables in the outside beer garden and closely situated tables inside the restaurant, it's a perfect place to connect with friends, new and old alike.

During our visit, we of course started with drinks. Being a beer garden, they have pretty extensive beer list but also had a nice offering of wines. The only downside to drinks is that they were out of not only some of the more adventurous, but also of the local favorites such as Boulevard Pale Ale.

After drinks, we moved on and ordered a few of the small plates and sampled the Deviled Eggs, the Charcuterie Plate, the Cheese Plate and the Arugula Beet salad. With affordable prices ranging in the $2-10 range, these are great options for sharing between a small group or ordering a few of each for sampling with a larger crowd. Everything was a hit that night, with the exception of the beets. But who really likes beets anyway?

As we had been partaking in beverages for quite some time, the majority of us also decided to try some of the large plates on the menu. These range from Steak Frites to Sheep's Cheese Raveloni to an assortment of sandwiches. Everything looked so good and it was hard to pick, but I finally decided on the Mussels while Dave chose the Grilled Cheese.

These mussels were to.die.for. While you'll have to excuse the picture (I was like four glasses of wine in by this time) it just shows how complex this dish was. They weren't just served in boring white wine, but with herbs and croutons and yummy, steamy broth. They were seriously so yummy. It was a perfect combination of buttery goodness combined with the crisp flavors of the wine sauce. If you can't already tell, I just couldn't get over how good these were.

The grilled cheese was served on an aged crusty bread, with a side of garlic pomme frites. It was everything you could ask for in an upscale version of this childhood favorite. Dave even texted one of his good friends, who is obsessed with cheese, and told him to get down there ASAP to enjoy the melty goodness.

Overall, our experience at The Westside Local was a great one. The only suggestion I have is that they should add a happy hour, as I think it would draw in a larger crowd that would probably stay through the night.

24 Hours of Basketball

The ESPN Network launched its second annual College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon today-- featuring 12 consecutive live college basketball games in 24 hours. I wonder if anyone can guess what Dave will be doing all night.

Don't forget to cheer on our 'Hawks as they take on Memphis tonight at 9pm CST on ESPN in the Hall of Fame Showcase. Rock chalk!

Over the Top Award!

So even though I've been a bad blogger as of late, my lovely friend Megan of Chasing Davies bestowed the Over the Top Award to Feasting on Life! I think she gave me this award partly because she loves the blog and also so that I would start at it again!

To accept this award, I have to answer a few questions. Here it goes!

1. Where is your cell phone:
Always with me! I keep it in my clutch wherever I go.

2. Your hair:
Bobbed, with low and hi-lights for the fall/winter seasons. I’m contemplating going darker next month.


3. Your mother:
I’m a reflection of her. She’s taught me to be the strong woman that I am.

4. Your father:
My rock. My friend. I couldn’t ask for a better daddy.

5. Your favorite food:
Anything Dave cooks. Seriously—I am spoiled. He is the best.cook.ever.

6. Your dream from last night:
I slept sound last night, so nothing

7. Your favorite drink:
Wine, vodka tonics and coffee

8. Your dream/goal:
I want to advance my career, travel more, grow closer to my wonderful husband and eventually, have a family.

9. What room are you in:
Living

9. What are your hobbies:
Reading blogs, Facebooking, tennis, shopping, cooking, entertaining

10. What is your fear:
Not achieving my goals in life

11. Where do you want to be in 6 years:
Living in a new/old house, returning from a trip with the hubs, hanging out with our kids

12. Where were you last night:
At the house of some good friends—Tony and Lorna. Tony and Dave were deployed to Iraq together and Lorna is his lovely fiancé. We’ve just recently started spending more time with them and always have a blast!

13. Something you are not:
Patient

14. Muffins:
Eh

15. Wish list items:
For Dave to find a job, our master bedroom wallpaper to be gone, to spend more time with family and friends, for KU to actually win another football game

16. Where did you grow up:
The ‘Ta, Ta-town, Wichita

17. Last thing you did:
Fixed our wireless internet—I’m kinda tech-y sometimes

18. What are you wearing:
Grey Target Boots, black tights, purple sweater dress from Old Navy

20. Your pets:
Bella the Basset Hound and Sophie the Kitten

21. Your friends:
Wonderful, caring, loyal, lovely

22. Your life:
Hectic, fun, fulfilling

23. Your mood:
Tranquil, relaxed

24. Missing someone:
Always—especially my sisters

25. Vehicle:
Honda Accord

26. Something you’re not wearing:
I think I have everything on tonight

27. Your favorite store:
Too many to pick from, but if I had to choose, probably Banana Republic

28. Your favorite color:
I can’t pick!

29. When’s the last time you laughed:
This afternoon

30. When’s the last time you cried:
Oh, last night. That’s what happens when your husband loses his job and you find out that your grandpa has a brain tumor all in one day.

31. Your best friend:
Ms. Taylor-Orr. Even though she is miles away!

32. One place you go over and over:
Target. I wish I could say a travel destination, but we haven't been on a trip in what seems like forever.

33. One person who emails me regularly:
All of those pesky sales reps

34. Favorite place to eat:
Anything local here in Kansas City—Café Trio, Carmen’s, Waldo Pizza, Kokoro Maki House, 1924 Main, La Bodega, Lew’s, Oklahoma Joe’s to name a few

Now, it's my turn to nominate some other bloggers:

Leslie at The DIY Diaries
Julia at Pugs Not Drugs
Jennifer at My Gnome Life
Rachel at Sillyness Abounds
Dawn at Water into Wine

Happy Veterans Day!

Note: I know this is a day late, but important nonetheless. I thought I had posted it last night, but apparently the internet thought otherwise.

Today we honor all of those that have served and continue to serve our great country. The men and women of our armed services deserve our respect and appreciation not only today, but each and every day.

I'm lucky enough to have my own personal hero, that I have the utmost love and respect for.

Dave being honored as a student veteran at the

University of Kansas vs. Louisiana-Monroe football game in September 2006.