Friends, Fashion, and Favorites

Last night I got together my best friends for our annual holiday dinner.  We met up at a  new restaurant in the Backbay called Deuxave.  It was so nice to see everyone and catch up. We had so much to talk about that we actually had to go around the table and take turns providing our "life" updates. 

Nicole, Jen, and Monica

Alli, Naina, and Nicole
 

 I asked each of my friends to come prepared to share their favorite item in their wardrobe at the moment.  Here are our favorites.

Nicole is on trend with this stripe wool and cashmere poncho by Michael Stars

Jen loves outerwear right now and she was wearing a similar Patagonia down jacket last night.  This jacket is perfect for the extremely cold weather we are having in the Northeast right now! 

 Monica is pregnant so her go to outfit for comfort and style are black leggings and long cardigans.  Her beauty secret is this amazing Bio-Ionic Ibrush.  Doesn't she have gorgeous hair?

 
Nicole loves these Apepazza over the knee boots she scored at Rue La La. They look great on her long legs!

Alli loves this ring she found at a Holiday Market and she has been wearing it all the time.  Also, I could not help but notice her beautiful nails. She told me she just got a gel manicure.  Have you tried a gel manicure yet? I think I am going to give it a try over the holidays.

I love my black lace scallop dress from Loft and the styling options are endless. I have already worn it twice this past week.

What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now?

Cheers to good friends and good times!

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Friends, Fashion, and Favorites

La Bete Noire

My good friend Nicole and I recently made this flourless chocolate cake called La Bete Noire (the black beast).   I tried this cake about 5 years ago when Nicole brought it over to our place for a Wine and Cheese Tasting Party and I loved it.   I remember serving the cake at the end of the night with Port and the combination was such a huge hit with my guests.   I am not a huge fan of chocolate cakes but this cake is definitely an exception.  Whenever my husband and I think about that night 5 years ago we always think of Nicole and the amazing cake she made.   So if you feel like taking a break from making apple crisp and apple pie this fall then definitely try making this black beast.

The key to this recipe is using high quality chocolate. We used Callebaut chocolate from Whole Foods.

The foil kind of ruins the picture but it is crucial in this recipe to wrap the foil all the way around the pan so that water does not seep into the pan when the cake is baking.

Here is the finished product right out of the oven.

Here is the cake with the ganache and some whip cream (oh and after I had a couple of bites). The cake is rich and creamy like fudge but it is not too sweet or heavy.

Oh and a very Happy Birthday to my husband today! Chocolate cake is definitely his favorite dessert so I might have make the cake again this weekend.   I think pairing the cake with some fresh raspberries might be a nice combination. 

Do you enjoy baking with your friends and family? What types of desserts do you enjoying making?

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La Bete Noire

So you think you can dance?

Over the weekend we met up with some friends and attended the grand opening of Dance World on Broadway, a new dance studio located in Boston.  It was so much fun dancing and enjoying performances by some of the dance instructors.  I cannot remember the last time Aneesh and I enjoyed an evening of  so much laughter, dancing, and fun!   After the celebration we headed for drinks with our friends to Sam's at Louis Boston.   If you have not been yet  definitely check it out. The views of the city are amazing from Sam's. 

Gautam and Aneesh with our good friend Sylvia. She is the Creative Director at Dance World.

First performance was the Salsa

Next up was the Waltz

And lastly a nice combination of the Jive and Cha Cha

Sylvia and me

What's a dance party without the Disco Ball right?

Aneesh and I attempting to dance

My favorite picture of the night

What is your favorite type of dance?  And have you ever taken dance lessons? I think Aneesh and I are going to start off with Salsa lessons. What a great way to spend time together right?

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So you think you can dance?

Happy Friday

I hope all of you had a wonderful week!
I am so excited to head  to Cape Cod tomorrow

for my friend Nicole's Bachelorette weekend.

{ Me, Nicole,  Alli, and Monica}

{Nicole and me -picture taken a couple of years ago at Monica's rehearsal dinner }

Meanwhile,  Aneesh and Ariyana will be enjoying some quality father-daughter time together.

 Will you spending some quality time with good friends and family this weekend?

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Happy Friday