TASTE: The Grape on Greenville's "Come As You Are" Dinner

Chef Brad Luscher's The Grape Restaurant on Greenville has been touted as one of the best hidden treasures in Dallas.  Once a month, they host a fab wine dinner.  Expect casual elegance and tasty treasures for the food lover in you.

To learn more about their easy-going, super delicious style, check them out here.

WATCH: A Night with Aurelio Zen, Giada and Wichita Red




Me in on the canal in Venice (credit: Talya Blackshear)

It should be said that without a doubt, I have a love affair with the Viva Italiano.  I love the food, the culture, the art, music and style.  There is a romance, decadence, exploratory curiousity with a fluid grace to the lifestyle and an emphasis on simple pleasure, beauty and enjoyment.  It is a love - love relationship that makes me somewhat giddy.



Detective Aurelio Zen played by Rufus Sewell (credit:PBS)



Over the last couple of weeks, I have been watching a fantastic series on PBS online, Masterpiece Mystery!: Zen: Vendetta, Cabal and the finale is tonight's Ratking.  The series is based on the cult noir italiano series of Michael Dibdin.




Giada De Laurentiis' Lemon Spaghetti (credit:GDL)

  The tales feature the subtly sexy, Dectective Aurelio Zen, played by the dreamy Rufus Sewell, through a series murder and intrigue laden adventures set in Rome and Venice.  The scenes are beautifully shot, acting is better than many movies that I have seen recently and the scripts are thought-provoking and fun.  Ironically, they made me want to pick up the Dibdin series from Amazon to add to my kindle.  I hope that they bring to life the other books in the series, just so I can get my fix. 

For the last episode I watched, Zen:Cabal (available online until July 17, 2012), I figured that I would make a night of it and create one of Giada de Laurentiis' pasta recipes.  Might I suggest, Lemon Spaghetti with a side of sauteed chicken (though shrimp would have been nice too) and garlic spinach.  Wish I had taken a picture. Here's Giada's.  Grab a glass of Wichita Red and settle in for a night.

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To watch the series, visit Masterpiece Mystery! on PBS, here.
To order the book series from Amazon, visit here.
To score the recipe from Giada de Laurentiis, visit here.
To order a bottle of Wichita Red, visit here.

WEAR: Turning Heads with Finds from Abi Ferrin



Credit: Dallas Designer Abi Ferrin  Courtesy:SSPR

 One of the really fun things about my job (at Miss A) is meeting really fun people that are making a difference in their community or in communities around the world.  Abi Ferrin is one of those folks, making changes happen with the super cool Freedom Project. 

For more details on the Freedom Project, how it provides opportunities to those whose who desperately need them, how you can contribute and to catch a glimpse into the AF world, see the article coming up soon on Miss A Dallas.

In case you are unfamiliar with her work, think bright, easy-dressing, multi-tasking designs made for a woman, by a woman.  Available online at her site or recently (yay!) at Nordstrom stores nationwide.

But here, I wanted to do something a little different and share the pieces that are have already been added to my wish list.



The Nikki 5 Way by Abi Ferrin


WHAT: The Nikki 5-Way Dress
WHY: It can be worn multiple ways, as a dress, converted to suit my mood or runched up or skinny jeans and leggings.  I can see it dressed up for date night or dinner with the girls, dressed down with flats and leggings for Mommy duty at the playground.
BUY: here

The Clover Dress by Abi Ferrin

WHAT: The Clover Dress
WHY: It is a dead-easy sheath- tank dress in a body grazing fabric, that has a low drop back, so if I wanna be sexy or not so sexy, I can do both.  Throw a leather jacket on top or a smashing cardi and some bling-tastic jewelry, I'd be ready to rock and turn some heads.
WHERE: here

The Daniella Pantset by Abi Ferrin

WHAT: The Daniella Pantset
WHY: Because its' cousin called me in the studio and said, "Teia... Teia" in a perfect rendition of a sassy Southern gentleman.  Not to mention, it has a nice waist band, 3", which equates to an instant tummy tuck, granting me the pleasure of a waist and will make me look like I did those crunches that I swore I would.  I'd rock it with some contrasting platforms and bold bangles or with skinny, sky-high stilettos and a great big smile.
BUY:  here

WATCH w/ KIDS: Doc McStuffins is Renewed for Season Two

Credit: Disney Jr.

Catchy tunes, educational messages, positive themes that relate to our world, the ability to engage my kids and the ability to make me not feel like I want to kick myself for watching are some of the hallmarks of great children's programming, and one of our new favorites, Doc McStuffins on Disney Junior has been renewed for a second season!!! Yay!!!

The thirty-minute program features the super-adorable Doc McStuffins that runs a injured stuffed animal pet clinic in her backyard. Each episode teaches a health and compassion related theme, in a fun kid-friendly (mom-friendly too) way.

According to my six year old, "She is like me." When I asked for more details, she elaborated with "She is nice, takes care of her friends when they are hurt. And she has a brother." High praise from my Z. From my end, I love seeing a multi-racial cast, positive themes, the way they take the sting out of the doctor's office and the warm fuzzies that I feel when I hear my kids singing her peppy theme song... "The Doc is In..."

To see a full episode, visit here

It's no wonder Doc McStuffins is the number one watched show in the 2-5 age range. Long live, the Doc!   Look for DVDs and matching fun goodies that the kids can play with in mid-August.