Bearded Men

As I just wrote my last post, I had to google some Bearded men and I got a bit inspired as I saw all the images of these good looking men. I am currently listening to Mumford and Sons, to set the beard mood, naturally. So I thought id share some of my finds. Enjoy.

you're welcome

Barley and Swine

So I found another little piece of pork heaven a little closer to home. Downtown Dadeland area is still very up and coming, and with this little southern style craft beer selling gastropub, it is about to get much more popular.

The night before Valentines Day we decided to do our dinner night with my parents instead of trying to find a table on the friday night anywhere decent. So we stumbled upon Barley and Swine. Now, I love anything involving swine hehe. So naturally I knew I would love this place. From when you walk in you can feel the coziness and family owned vibe. To the left there is a whole wall of Craft beers on tap (which seems to be the craze these days). We were pleasantly greeted, and got a table almost immediately. The restaurant is small so I would recommend reservations. The kitchen is almost arms reach from the tables which is quite exciting. I love the hustle and bustle of people cooking. Also there are "sushi bar" style seats running along the whole front of the kitchen for a quicker 'in and out' lunch time experience. All of the staff (men) have full on beards which comforts me. Bearded men just seem to know a lot more about cooking meat than anyone else. Hahaha.

A bit of a random fact, but I noticed the music they play is rather awesome. So take a listen when you are there!

Now to the food!!!

So for drinks, they have wine, beer and champagne...I love that they incorporate bubbly. 

We started off with Croquettes:

Serrano Ham, Manchego cheese, and a guava sauce $9

Good, but I think would be better if they maybe made four smaller balls then two big ones. The flavors were delicious, just the texture is too soft (since its so big) if you like the crunch of the outside of a croquette like I do.

Pork Cheek 'Vaca Frita':

Delicious!!! we could have devoured another one for sure. But one was a good amount for the four of us.

The boys got their beers and exchanged a few comments about them. The beers are served a few degrees warmer than usual because it changes the flavor. Ask your waiter about the science behind it, they are very good at explaining it.

They kindly sent us over their take on brussel sprouts. They were a hit. Topped with an egg and mixed with many other things I can't really tell you because I do not know! However the flavors were fabulous. I personally dislike the actual Brussel Sprout taste so I didnt really eat much but altogether it was great.

Sooooo, I am an American girl (for the most part) and Mac 'n Cheese is one of those staples that never gets old.....These people have a different mac special for every day of the week!!! Today is Wednesday and it happens to be Truffle Mac 'n Cheese, so naturally I will be headed there for lunch to indulge in some heavenly truffley cheesy awesomeness.

just.admire.that

I am still chasing an amazing Braised Short Rib like the one I had in Turks and Caicos. I found a pretty close one at Chef Adrienne's, but at $40 a pop thats not doable on the reg. So I think I found one that will do as the filler. It is one of B&S's small plates. At only $13.....worth every penny. It is small enough to satisfy ones hunger ::especially after stuffing your face with the previous food:: It rests on a bed of mashed potato and topped with gooey gravy. I am not very American when it comes to gravy....so next time I would ask for it without the gravy topping.

 It is soft and melty, like braised anything should be. Really great.

Devoured....

Doug got a man burger....called The Hangover Burger:

HANGOVER - FRIED EGG + PORK BELLY + CHEDDAR + CRAZY CHIP CRUNCH + PRETZEL ROLL $14 He very much enjoyed it.

My dad got a meat dish, that I can't really remember what it was...

I can't speak for this dish, my poor father had eaten two hotdogs prior to going to dinner so he was so stuffed by the time it came out that he can't genuinely make an opinion! Silly man.

My mother opted out of having a main, she just nibbled on our stuff. I would actually recommend sharing everything. There is too much to miss out on if not!

I had to hear what the desserts were. Even though I was beyond stuffed. We went with one serving of the mini churros for the table.

Yummy Yummy Yummy. However churros is not what i would call them. They can only be described as french toast bites? Topped with cinnamon and sugar with a delicious dipping sauce. Awesome sauce.

QUE RICO!

This was really cute because whenever we go out and Doug asks for the bill he says "what's the damage?"

Your bill is brought in a little envelope with the damage on it hehe.

I hope you enjoy this place!!!

As the folks at B&S say, Praise the Lard!

Miami...Behind the Wheel

I have been meaning to write about this for a while now. With the holidays it was at an all time high. So now that it has calmed back to its prior less shittier version I can write about it without rage....


Driving....in Miami

That is the topic of today.

If you are from here then you completely understand where this is going and what it is like to experience it first hand. For you who don't live here, I will try my best to give you an accurate description of being on the roads here.

Driving along, minding your own business, cars lined up in front of you. With no warning you are forced to slam your breaks with hopes the guy behind you is paying attention as well...the kind person in front of you just decided to turn into  the street WITHOUT a hint of warning. Thank God for break lights because if they didn't exist, the amount of accidents that would happen would be way higher. I have come to find that Break lights are the new turn signal. The only thing that could make sense as to why a person would just ignore their turn signal would be: texting! Or in a worse case you are missing your left hand and cannot easily access your signal....in which case I hope you are not texting!!! Some of them even signal the wrong direction haha. How about when they put the turn signal but never turn? Love that one! 

Still on the turning topic....why do people turn at 3 miles per hour? I want to know its purpose. I used to think it was only really old people but it seems to be a super trend around here with most humans. It just aggravates other drivers and could easily make someone rear end you! So just turn in and don't be scared! you can always turn back around -__- or how about you get off your phone maybe and then you can access all of your senses and let your brain focus.

Breathe......

I have always known driving here is pretty crappy. But with how overpopulated we are getting it has gotten so much worse. Which is why people need to pay extra attention now. I am in no way a perfect driver but I try and put my attention to good use when I am on the road. Driving a car is extremely dangerous and cannot be taken lightly. Caution and awareness are your best friends when on the road. Also consideration for others, you are not always the only one in a rush or frustrated with the drivers. Road rage is not the answer. Practice patience and meditation when feeling worked up in your car. Especially those of you with commutes to and from work.

I count myself beyond lucky to get to live so close to work. My mornings are stress free, I don't hate the world when I get there, I don't need to check the traffic updates ever. I wake up happy with plenty of time if I want to eat or just chill. Or I can sleep in if I prefer....ok I will stop...

What I am trying to say is maybe people with full time permanent jobs should look into living close to where they work...It will make their life so much more peaceful and happy. Also it saves a lot of gas! This is easier said than done, but it is possible. You choose your happiness. 


Always remember: IT CAN WAIT

It's a New Year

Soooo…...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I just cannot believe we are in 2014. A whole week in as well! The last year has been one hell of a year. I don't need to go into all the detail of events but it truly was an amazing one. However, I do feel like this year is going to top it.

We Jennings love to throw a good NYE party most years, whether it be big or small it has always been one hell of party. Since this was our first year back home in a while Doug and I decided to partner with my parents and join brilliant forces for a party of the year.

Now, if you know me, you know my fav holiday of the year is new years eve. I can't properly express why. There is just such an intense passion in my soul for it. You dance all night and share drinks and laughter with friends, everyone always commenting a few times how they can't believe how quickly this year passed and how crazy it is that we are already in year ____. It is such a wonderful feeling and I have yet to experience a bad NYE. Once it gets to that half hour before count down, we all pass around champagne and my butterflies start fluttery around as I prance around the party filling glasses and getting giddy. Finally everyone gathers with their champagne and the count down begins. 10, 9, 8, 7........THREE, TWO, ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!! Kisses all around, hugs, well wishes, so much love passed from person to person. Even random people kiss each other!!! How could anyone not love this??? Anyway, I get massive chills through my whole body and Doug and I just hug so tightly that tears burst out of my eyes along with laughter as I toss my head back in joy while hugging my love, who will forever be my new years kiss.

Ok now that I gave you a brief insight to my internal NYE emotions, I will get back to the party hehe.

We decided to go with a Gatsby theme. Since the movie was such a hit last year it only seemed appropriate. I was amazed at how much effort everyone put into it. We worked so hard to make the party feel as close to 1920s as possible. I think everyone was as pleased as we were. I will let the pictures do the talking….

Just a few pictures from the night!!! Hope you guys had an incredible night like we did. I have already been thinking of our next theme! hehe. 

Christmas Preparations

If I learned anything about the holidays while living in England, it was preparation. I swear they start promoting Christmas by September. It was very strange at first but it slowly becomes part of your holiday prep. So as November came along, Doug and I started buying each others gifts. This way our expenses don't creep up on us out of no where. I can imagine when you have children starting in June isn't even enough time! So I am happy that we are practicing lol. 

The first week of November Doug started bragging that he already had some of my gifts so this instantly set me up to get on it. It is Thanksgiving this week and I am all done with his stuff!!! Hooray. Mind you, we like to spoil the hell out of each other. So trust me starting too early is never a bad thing because then in early December I can focus on buying for the rest of my peeps. 

Doug has established a Gift buying list that is pretty genius. We are one of those silly couples that has too many special days all between two weeks of each other so it is a crazy expensive time. We have Christmas, then a week later is our anniversary, and a week later is my birthday! Poor Doug =) and he knows better than to do a mass gift for all of them together hehe.


Categories for buying for your partner:

1. Clothes- shoes, handbags, dresses, gift cards to stores etc

2. Electronics- Easy one. Camera, iPod, ipad, phone, new video game etc

3. Tickets- to any form of show or sporting event or anything that involves a ticket 

4. Jewelry- pretty easy one...

5. Smellies- Fav perfume, new lotions, expensive anti aging creams (wishful thinking?), anything Jo Malone would be fantastic hehe...

Ok so if you were a little lost this year or haven't even started thinking about Christmas, maybe this will guide you a little! 

And boys, no woman likes getting just one gift of xmas....Its the one time of year that you can spoil her without feeling like its too much! Remember online shopping exists so there are no excuses these days for saying you were too busy. Have a wonderful shopping experience.

The great thing about getting the shopping done early is that you can enjoy December without the stresses of rushing to the stores with all those insane Christmas shoppers. I personally cannot stand being amongst headless shoppers, its like they have no clue whats happening around them, so save the stress for something that deserves it. Bring back the cool fun christmas spirit!!!

Goodluck!

Thea Pizzeria

It seems that dining out has been a big trend for us Vineys lately. Friday night we went to a lovely little place in the health district of Miami...Doug has really made it a point to meet a lot of British people in Miami. I'd say he has succeeded. One of them being Thea. The owner of this lush, little pizzeria. However, Pizzeria it was not.

Thea Pizzeria and Cafe

As you arrive there is complimentary valet parking. This small restaurant has floor to ceiling windows lining the front, with dim romantic lighting. A long bar lines the back wall with a gigantic mosaic of flowers behind it. If you really stop to look at it you see just how incredible it is. Thousand and thousands of tiny tiles covering a  very large wall. On this evening they had a live band playing some sexy brazilian beats. I couldn't help but sway in my seat.

This particular night that we went was Supper Club. It is an invite only dinner experience. Thea assigns your tables with your name hand written on it. She greets you at the entrance and tells you to find your table. It is a very intimate setting. Only about 40 people can dine at a time so you can imagine. 

Once we sat, Thea brought us over some prosecco with strawberries, followed by the bread with some spreads. So far so good i'd say.

After having a look at the menu I instantly got my regular "too many options" panic. My brain cannot process a decision when I am being offered Mozzarella, Butternut Squash soup, Four Cheese Ravioli with truffle, Prosciutto etc!!! As Thea came to take our order, my indecisiveness was very clear. Let me tell you, this woman is what every restaurant owner should aspire to be. She said "Oh I will just bring you three choices!" instantly content with this my entree choice was mush simpler. 

The portions are small, I assume because we were going to be eating three courses, so the Mozzarella and ravioli didn't really deserve a picture (also we finished it so quickly I almost forgot hehe). It was real italian Mozzarella. If you have never had the real deal then I am truly sorry for you!

I had her bring me whatever wine she wanted, and I can truly say it was one of my most enjoyed glasses of wine to date! I am not much into wine but this one was extremely smooth and went down a treat. (Cantele, Primitivo Red, 2011)

Now, as I wrote once I love cheese pizza. Because if someone can make a good simple Pizza then i know they've got it going on. However this time I went with a twist.

Mozzarella, tomato, basil, with truffle oil drizzled over....stop and imagine that for a second.....yes

I wish I could capture the essence of this glorious dish and pass it on through my blog. I guess you will just have to go try it for yourselves. Nothing smells better to me than truffle in my food mmmmm.

Doug went for the lamb chops. Boring compared to my amazing cheesy heavenly truffled pizza.

To finish off our tastebuds we ordered some strawberries and cream, and the chocolate cake. The cake doesnt normally come accompanied by ice cream but I have a dessert rule that all cakes or pastries must be blessed with a side of ice cream. So salted caramel won. What a combo! They truly complimented each other beautifully.

We will certainly be returning to try out a regular evening. Or maybe even lunch! Please grace this lovely little place with your presence and try my pizza!!!

CHEERS!