It’s a rainy, stormy day in these parts so I plan to be indoors, tackling some projects at home (reorganizing my disaster of a pantry/prop closet is number one of the list!). Wrapping up the week with a few updates and links (Oscars party ideas, travel news, and my reading list!) before I sign-off for the weekend! 
Oscars Weekend. Last year, in my 8th and 9th month of pregnancy, I was a movie addict and saw nearly all of the nominated films that were up for best picture. It was the most I’ve ever seen and I felt like such a hardcore movie critic watching the awards shows. Admittedly, I think I’ve only seen one or two of the movies nominated for this year’s Academy Awards, which are on Sunday night. I’ll be taking notes on which ones to watch when they come out On Demand, tweeting all of my red carpet reviews (while in my own haute couture yoga pants), and indulging in some awards show snacks and libations.
In honor of the Hollywood festivities, I shared some new recipes for a Ruby Red Carpet Cocktail, easy to make goat cheese, apricot and pistachio tartlets, and the simplest upgrade to pigs in a blanket with some Everything Bagel Seasoning (yum). And let’s not forget some of my favorites from past awards show viewing parties, like my movie theater candy bento boxes, caramel popcorn sundaes, and loaded movie theater candy cookies!
Travel News. Probably the most exciting thing that happened this week (I mean, besides Everything Bagel pigs in a blanket), is that we booked a trip to London to celebrate 5-year wedding anniversary this spring! We found an amazing flight deal that convinced it was time to check this one off of our travel bucket list. We’ll be there for four nights in May, and plan to also do a daytrip to Paris. It will be the first time for both of us visiting these cities, so if you have any recommendations about where to stay, what to do, and most importantly: what I should be eating, please let me know!
One of my favorite parts of traveling is the planning process. I always dig into the 36 Hours New York Times books, spend hours online scrolling through “best of” lists, and garner the best advice from Instagram comments and hashtags. PS: Read one of my past posts about my favorite resources for planning an Instagram-worthy vacation itinerary.
Reading List. The past few weeks I’ve been sharing the books on my nightstand, and I’ve loved chatting with readers about what they’re reading too. I figured I’d keep updating you on my reading list here since it’s helped me get even more great book recommendations. I’m on a winning streak with great books after finishing When Breath Becomes Air. My sister let me borrow Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere, and I loved her writing and how neatly the many plot lines wrapped up at the end – such a satisfying read. I’m halfway through The Last Mrs. Parrish after only two days of reading it (I stayed up way too late last night reading!); it’s a little chick-lit-ish but an enjoyable fast read. Next on my list: Wallis In Love – about the Duchess of Windsor, a perfect read to hold me over while I wait for the next season of The Crown.
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The Last Mrs. Parrish is such a chick lit read, but I couldn’t put it down! Thanks for the rec on Wallis in Love! I have to read that one! So excited to follow along on your trip!
xoxo, Jenna
Bostonchicparty.com
Finished it in two days! Sometimes you need a good chick-lit fix!
A day in Paris so romantic!!! Unless you have your heart set on it, I wouldn’t hit up museums – they’re a huge time commitment for only having a day there. One exception would be Musee d’Orsay, you can scoot in and out to see Monet’s water lilies and it’s only about 8 euro! Then you’re also right in the Tuileries. You have to see the Eiffel Tower, and if you’re still there at night, have a drink at Chez Francis on the right bank which gives you the perfect view of it lit up. My favorite neighborhood to stroll is Ile St. Louis, next to Notre Dame. YAYAYAY let me know if you have any q’s you know I love talking about that place!
Such good advice! We’ll only be there for a day, so I hear you on the museums!
That’s so exciting! I have a few recs!
Paris Eats:
Loulou Restaurant Paris | 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Café Kitsuné | 51 Galerie de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
Hotel Costes | 239-241 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
London Eats:
Sketch | 9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG, UK
Elan Cafe | 48 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1PR, UK
Thank you so much! I had Sketch on my list and am going to add those other ones!