FYI

In case you didn't know, Baltimore is the greatest city in America. Or so the benches say. And this bag, which I couldn't resist buying.

Music therapy

Maybe you recognize these images? Maybe not. 

They're album covers from the latest releases from Ghostland Observatory, Iron & Wine and Foals.  I'm high as a kite because all three bands are coming to Baltimore, and we've got tickets! There's nothing in Seattle that I miss more that the music scene (other than coffee), so it always feels like a jackpot when great bands tour in B-more.  

Been to any great shows lately? 

New Years Eve Dinner

For New Years Eve, we went to dinner with our neighbor friends at Salt, a local restaurant that always makes us wonder why we don't go there more often.  Their New American approach to cuisine is fresh and innovative, perfectly prepared and executed, and from cocktail to appetizer, main to dessert, everything is absolutely delish. I would vouch to say that Salt is one of the very best restaurants in Baltimore.  We're lucky in that it's within walking distance of our house.

Here's a sample of what was on our table...

Appetizers:
Beet Salad: Goat cheese, candied pecans, Asian pears, pomegranate molasses, upland cress  

Spicy Tempura Crab Roll: Sriracha and ginger marshmallow

Fluke and Meyer Lemon Ceviche: Red onion, aji amarillo, jicama, red pepper, avocado, sweet potato, boniato chips

Mains:
Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Strudel: Root vegetable "risotto", toasted pine nuts, winter fruit salsa
Grilled Elk Chop: Vanilla balsamic glaze, brown butter whipped potatoes, braised carrots, Swiss chard ribs, cipollini onions
Hoisin Brushed Mahi Filet : Shrimp and shiitake gyoza, spicy fish broth, stir fry veggies

P.S. The duck fat french fries served with a trio of aioli = blow your mind amazing.   

Best coffee in Baltimore

This post is long over-due, so I'm going to just get it out there: Spro Coffee is the best coffee in Baltimore. 

Two months ago I would have said it's the only coffee worth drinking in Baltimore, but luckily Woodberry Kitchen proved me wrong with a beautiful cappuccino served alongside my eggs benedict, but that's another story.

For anyone googling that simple phrase like I did eight short months ago, may this post find them well, cut their sampling of scalding bubbly latte's short, and lead them to the finest espresso available in Charm City: Spro.

Clementimes' picks: Haupia cappuccino or honey macchiato.

These friendly barista's carefully and masterfully prepare each cup.  It's worth the wait. Trust me.

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I felt Artscape

Hello and Happy Monday.  The past weekend featured sweltering temperatures here in B-more, with 90+ degree heat for days on end.  Toss in a little humidity and an arts festival right smack in the thermal pocket that is downtown Baltimore and you've got yourself a reason to splurge on an overpriced bottle of cold water. 

Despite getting a strange sandal tan on my feet, I had a fabulous time at Baltimore's Artscape Festival, the countries largest free arts festival.  Artscape features artists, photographers, craftswomen/men, live music, art cars and even a socially minded ice cream vendor. 

The fest wouldn't have been complete without bumping into a few fabulous Etsy crafters.  And strangely enough, I noticed all my favorite shops were using felt as their medium.  I love how felt can be dressed up or down, how it can be worn as a lovely little brooch or used practically as a pot holder.  I've linked all the listings below to their Etsy shops, so if you see something you love, give them a holler and support these wonderful designers. 

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For fun housewares with a tinge of geekery, I loved Philadelphia artist Sara Selepouchin's shop Girls Can Tell.  This unicorn felt coaster set melted my heart.  (Ryan's too, he bought this one and a robot coaster set).  We can't wait to show visitors our new treasures.

I'm thrilled to have this red unicorn gracing our table.

These flour sack tea towels are quite nice.

At Jenny Jen 42's shop, I loved her use of felt applique in a variety of sweet, whimsical bird designs.  Hailing from right here in Baltimore, Jennifer McBrien is a proud member of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team.

A cute bluebird eyeglass cozy.

A small Red Cardinal make-up bag.

Jen Menkhaus is a Baltimore designer who runs the shop The Littlest Bean.  Her site features a variety of felt brooches, pins, clips and the like. I think felt brooches could be the DIY bride's answer to overpriced boutonnieres.  Just saying...

These clips are such a gorgeous use of color!

This felt bubble neckclace is rather fun.

Thanks to all the artists, crafters, musicians and organizers that withstood the blistering heat and made Artscape 2010 a bright, colorful, and successful event. 

I (heart) City Life.

City living is rough sometimes.  The traffic, the litter, the junkies...sometimes it can just get to a gal.  Recently, our car was broken into while parked right near our house. My next door neighbor and I both had potted plants stolen off of our stoops. The rats have even made a home outside of our kitchen.  A mouse just ran across my floor as I wrote this. 

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Here in Baltimore, there is an infamous bumper sticker that says (across a happy, yellow background) "I (heart) City Life". 

While I wholeheartedly agree that living in the city has advantages galore in terms of art, music, food, and culture, I'm almost sure it was the Baltimore Police that devised the bumper sticker as a means to propagate urban living in this, a widely depressed city.  But, I digress...

The one thing most cities are missing? The thing I miss most living in a city?  Clean, green, quiet, open space. 

Sometimes, when all the frustrations and annoyances of urban life begin to mount, open space is just what is needed. 

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Any chance Ryan and I can get to see a little more green and a few less people, we jump.

This weekend we hopped, skipped, and drove to Loch Raven Reservoir for a little nature hunting.  Not even 10 miles from the heart of the Baltimore lies this fantastic nature reserve.  Brimming with fresh spring foliage and the sounds of baby birds, it was a perfect way to start the weekend.   

There's a little speck of blue in the middle there, that's Ryan.

We saw a herd of baby deer on the trail , very sweet!

Green trees and fresh air!

Thank you nature for replenishing me with healthy oxygen levels and allowing me to re-enter the urban landscape feeling renewed.  Sometimes it's just what a gal needs.

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How did you spend your weekend? Was there any nature involved? I'd love to hear, so leave a comment below, if you like. 

xoxo