Birthday fun and then some

I have to say... the big 2-6 wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought (of course, I am trying to ignore the fact that it is pushing me into my late twenties). It's been an absolutely great weekend so far. To begin, Daniel took me out to FIG located on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. It was absolutely amazing. FIG is known for using local ingredients, and their food is delicious. I started with the butternut squash soup and had the triggerfish with smashed red potatoes and topped with chopped for dinner tomatoes and olives. Daniel had a bibb lettuce salad for an appetizer and had the veggies (garlic broccoli, roasted baby red beets, smashed red potatoes, and sieve bean chutney) for his main course. We also had a side dish of sauteed spinach with golden raisins and pine nuts. So, as you might guess, we definitely left with full bellies.

Kelley and Matt, our friends from Savannah, were also in town, so Kelley and I were able to do some shopping in Mount Pleasant on Saturday (and we also had a delicious birthday lunch at Five Loaves Cafe). I found this great set of appetizer plates on sale at Celadon (and yes, I did go there last weekend, but I didn't manage to see nearly all they had). Daniel thinks I have a slight obsessions with dishes, and in all honesty, it's true. But I like being able to change up a table place setting to fit the mood or the type of meal. It keeps things interesting. This particular set is made by Tag and is their Prairie Flower collection. Simple and elegant-- not to mention it works very nicely with the light green table runner.


Here's an upclose shot of the color I got:

Our living room is also taking shape nicely (but perhaps that's because it is the room with furniture. We finally put up all of the artwork and additional lamps, and I also unpacked and put up family pictures all along the bookcase, so it's feeling like home now. Here are a couple of pictures (complete with birthday balloons).

I think this is also Darcy's favorite room.


And last, but certainly not least, Daniel surprised me with tickets to the '80s Monster Bash at the Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island. And yes, it consisted of reunited bands from the '80s (Flock of Seagulls, Tommy Tutone, Cutting Crew, The Romantics, Survivor, and a couple of others) and lots and lots of '80s fashion in the audience. It was an absolute blast (and definitely a trip down memory lane).

A Flock of Seagulls:

Cutting Crew:

Enjoying the show: