A Compliment is Always Nice

...especially when you're a tired, haggard Beanmommy.





And yes, H compliments me regularly - not out of habit, even, but rather because he means it. But somehow, it just helps when it comes from out of the blue, from random strangers.





The lovely hostess at Palena (we didn't get a reservation, but we did manage a table in the cafe - to die for) noticed my bracelet. It was a last minute add, kind of the reverse of Coco's (look in the mirror and take off one piece before you go out the door). I can't usually wear bracelets and necklaces; the Bean thinks they're just marvelous. But since she was asleep (thank heavens), I pulled out a piece I'd been itching to wear: a lovely little bracelet from manu. Flirty, sweet, and a teensy bit cheeky, the cherries were what caught the hostess' eye.





The bracelet gushing pulled over our waitress - and then she started gushing over my dress. I'd gone with the sweater dress, and what has now become my go-to pair of pumps, my Chie Mihara buff pair. Effortless, comfortable, and well, when you got legs, and you know how to use them...





Thank you, ladies, for the confidence boost.


And as a quick summary for those of you who love Things Food, like me, I was hungry:

• White Asparagus from Provence with coddled hen's egg and shaved black truffle - I'll kill for anything asparagus - especially white - even endure Icky Egg (i.e. gooeyness like you'd find in the yolk of the coddled variety)
• Nettle Gnocchi with ramps and some other spring finds I can't remember at the moment - Palena's gnocchi are the most luscious thing ever, and the ramps and nettles...oh sigh...
• Beef Filet two ways - seared with some sort of mild crust, and braised, I think. I wasn't paying attention - just saw "RED MEAT" on the menu. Melty goodness that is beef, I adore you.
• Strawberry tart with lavendar cream. I Love Lavendar.

H took it easier than I...

• Rigatoni with Lamb Bolognese (usually I'm the one that MUST order the bolognese, as it's My Favorite Food)
• A roasted bass with calamaretti and lobster dumplings, and gorgeous spring vegetables like shallots, asparagus, and fennel

And washed it all down with a pinot noir...

Reuse, Recycle, and Rejoice!

We all have those items in our closet that, for whatever reason, just sit there.

And then we pull them out.

And get compliments up the wazoo.

My orange Nine West Gian flats, bought at the end of last winter, when I was starting to not be able to wear heels as much, normally sit in my closet. Members of the Infintessimal Readership know I'm a proponent of Shots of Color as Neutral, but the flats just haven't been as practical as I'd have liked. A leeeetle bit of something about the fit, too.

This morning I threw them on with my Friday trouser jeans and brown merino/silk shell (with preppy grosgrain ribbon belt for a bit of cheer).

In the office elevator, "Great shoes," says the woman next to me, and coming out of a regular Friday meeting, "Love your shoes," says a colleague. "I was looking at them under the table the whole meeting."

They're coming out more often, methinks. This girl's way of saving the planet.

Almost Out of the Rut

So part of the non-posting has been plain ol' busy. And part has been practically sheer embarassment. I'm incredibly non-stylish at the moment. Presentable? I'd say barely, but not even remotely "ooh, great [insert item of clothing here]"-inducing from colleagues or people on the street. I'd forgotten about all of my Thanksgiving-AC-purchases, and so desperately need to wash my tights and reheel my shoes that my wardrobe options are limited.

Then, last night, I remembered my boots.

Thank goodness.

They're enough to pull me up out of the rut - at least a little. A few compliments (so good when you get one before 8:30am) might just help me get there.

Next time I announce I'm in a rut, remind me that I should pull out the boots. They'll work like a charm.