Recap // Vail Film Festival

Two weeks ago we packed our bags and headed up i-70 to vail, colorado for the annual vail film festival. This was my 7th year in attendance and while the festival has been paired down quite a bit from its early years, there was no shortage of fun for ryan, my brother-in-law luke and I over the long weekend.

(left to right: my film festival pass  /  signage  /  the skating rink all lit up in lionshead)

There were quite a few great films on the schedule but a lot of the ones I was most excited about only played on friday during the day. Sadly we did not get up to vail until after work so, I missed out a bit. Luckily the weather was unseasonably warm which played to our benefit... however maybe not the festival's. Every year we are typically bundled up and hunkered down for film after film but the sunshine practically begged for us to get outside. We took a stroll along the creek and then found our way into vail village for lunch on the patio at pepi's. 

(enjoying the spring weather  /  stacked rocks on the creek bend  /  sunny skies  /  me on our walk by the creek)

(lunch at pepi's  /  fresh shucked oysters at kelly liken  /  my vibrant salad  /  a hand-crafted cocktail)

We also stumbled upon the sonnenalp hotel's ocktoberfest which turned into an afternoon of beer steins, live music, extra large pretzels and lots of laughs. The event was beautifully executed and both the locals and visitors were singing and dancing in the streets by the time we left.

(luke enjoying one of his many beers  /  oktoberfest  /  beautiful architecture  /  luke + ryan with the bear at four seasons  /  ryan + I enjoying the sun  /  beverages and stunning flowers at oktoberfest) 

The festival wrapped up with a closing night party that we sadly did not spend too much time at. After a hilarious and delicious meal at kelly liken, my food coma was setting in and I could not hang. However, before we headed back to our room for the night, we did make sure to pop into the photo booth to take a couple snaps. A nice ending to another successful vail film festival.

(photo booth fun with ridiculous accessories)

Academy Awards // Must See Films

February 22nd, as in this sunday, is the mecca of awards shows... the academy awards, also know as the oscars. This year will be the 87th annual oscars which will award top directors, actors, sound mixers, special effect artists and more for their outstanding work. Oh and my favorite category, the best films of the year.

As I do every year, I try to see as many nominated films as I can before the big show. I have seen quite a few... and let me tell you there is some incredible films that will blow you away... but I still have a few I really want to see before the big show on sunday. Below are the nominations for best picture, along with a * on the films I have already seen. (oh each film below has a hyperlink to its trailer)

american sniper *

the imitation game

birdman

selma

boyhood *

the theory of everything 

the grand budapest hotel *

whiplash

Other nominated films I have seen this year include foxcatcher, night crawler, gone girl, wild, the judge and interstellar.

What films have you seen? Are you getting excited for the oscars like I am?

Weekend Update

This weekend felt like july, not february here in denver. The weather was in the 60s and 70s... there was not a cloud in the sky and I think everyone dropped their plans to play in the sunshine. I had intentions of cleaning the house and getting a couple projects completed but when you are handed a summer day in the middle of winter, you drop everything... which is exactly what I did.

Friday night ryan and I headed up north to visit my seester peyton who has nearly completed her first year of college. We hung out in her dorm, went to dinner at rio and just enjoyed reliving the glory days of college. 

Saturday we dog-sat for my mother-in-law which made rocco a very happy boy. Cooper and rocco played like crazy in the backyard and then had a nice little walk around the neighborhood in the afternoon. Ryan and I ended up snagging a seat at the chef's counter at cholon for dinner that night and had the most entertaining and tasty meal. After dinner we made our way over to matt + lindy's house for late-night beverages and an attempt to watch the interview... but we all were dozing off which just shows that #gettingoldersucks.

Sunday was again gorg so we made our way over to the pioneer for snacks + drinks on the patio with our friends cole + brian. As we sat in the sun telling stories and laughing, I had to remind myself that it is still 'winter' in colorado as it truly felt like a summer afternoon. The day wrapped up with a visit to ella bliss beauty bar as I scheduled a desperately-needed facial. To end the day with such relaxation was like putting a cherry on top of a perfect sundae. 

Weekend Update

Hi there lovely readers. I am bouncing back from a horrible migraine that had me down and out  for a good part of yesterday; I feel like I am only functioning now because of my incredible husband. That man, he is a good one and if I didn't know it before (which I did for the record, that's why I scooped him up 14 years ago) I do now.

Saturday morning I got out for a few hours for a very special mom + daughter date. My mom and I went shopping and grabbed lunch just the two of us which I had not done in a very long time. Ryan and I then joined our friends and family to celebrate our close friend shannon's birthday. 

Sunday was pretty slow-moving for me... lots of laziness on my part but we finally got out of the house for brunch at true food kitchen before running a couple errands. I came home afterward and took a nap with rocco and then dragged myself out of the house to meet sara + ashley to see interstellar. I am glad I did because those girls always have a way to lift me up and improve my mood. 

What did you do this weekend? Any big plans you are making for the week ahead? 

Weekend Update

If you saw my post on friday, I said I was going to try to stay home as much as possible this weekend. I can proudly say this was an accurate statement... I left the house minimally and that made me really happy. Now, I by no means had an uneventful weekend; somehow I found a way to fill up the days with things to do.

Ryan and I had a much-needed relaxing night at home on friday. We watched boyhood and played with rocco a lot. Saturday we got our new dining room table delivered... finally! It is honestly my new favorite piece of furniture and it sets the perfect tone for the dining room and conjoining living room. We decided to get out of the house saturday night to see american sniper which was amazing and then had burgers + fries at cherry cricket. 

Sunday was our laziest day of all; I made us my version of sausage egg mcmuffins, ryan did a little work and my parents came by for football and deep dish pizza in the afternoon. I ended up taking a nap after my parents headed home and then spent the rest of the evening watching dvr and playing with rocco.

Like I said, a lazy-ish weekend at home. 

I am in the middle of my attempting to make homemade pretzels right now and the dough is ready to be rolled out and twisted up so I gotta go. See you back here this week!

Weekend Update

The unusually warm weather in denver (we are calling it our indian summer) made for a weekend in the high 70s, low 80s. Between brunching on the patio to crunching through all the beautiful fall leaves on the streets, this weekend was full to the brim with things I love.

My sister-in-law peyton came down from college for the weekend which meant quality sister time. We had sushi at izakaya den on friday, followed by the perfect after-dinner coffee enjoyed under the stars while telling stories with her mom and ryan. Peyton then got her hair colored for the first time on saturday; she did bayalage just like I have my hair. It turned out beautiful, only adding to the good looks she already has.

Saturday night we got together with more family and close friends for an evening bbq. It was fun to have everyone together laughing and telling stories. It made me excited for the holidays to come and the festivities that are only a few weeks away.

Sunday morning ryan and I went to church with my grandma followed by a delicious brunch on the patio at bread winners. It was idyllic on every level and the best few hours of the entire weekend. The day wrapped up with an afternoon movie, gone girl, followed by a family dinner of ina garten's pasta alla vodka. 

Weekend Update

Happy monday! The weekend was gorgeous and filled with fun from friday to sunday. We had dinner with friends at work and class, celebrated my sister's recent engagement + new home, plus spent some quality time with ryan's sister who was home from college for the weekend.

I am so grateful for friends + family, they are the most important priority in my life. This weekend included a lot of time with them too... from snuggling lindy + matt's handsome son wade, to yatzee games late on saturday evening, scary movies to get me even more excited about halloween and then of course, meeting my sister's soon-to-be extended family. 

Oh and I must mention, the broncos kicked the pants of the 49ers last night AND peyton manning made nfl history by throwing the most touchdowns of all time, 509! It was such a fun game to watch and I was a bit envious of my brother-in-law luke who got to attend the game. #pfm

Foodie Movies for a Rainy Day

I love going to see movies in the theater, just as much as snuggling up on the couch to watch one in my pjs. I also am a food-addict who loves watching movies about cooking. #dontjudge Coincidentally, the weekend forecast is calling for rain here in denver which is (in my book) the best time to catch a great movie... in a theater or at home. 

Today's post is all about my favorite foodie movies. They not only make me hungry but inspire me on so many levels. Please enjoy.

Are you surprised this is first on my list? I hope not! French cooking at it's best by a girl who is down-to-earth, obsessed with food as much as I am and able to turn out amazing dishes in a tiny nyc apartment. I love julia child and how this book brought her to life. My obsession with food rocket-launched to a new level after this book and film.

Food brings people together and in this rom-com, it not only fixes relationships but creates new ones. Kathrine zeta-jones' character is strong and I love that she is the top-dog in a busy high-end restaurant. Throughout the movie she learns that approachable food has an important place in the cooking world, just as much as high-end upscale dining. 

Everyone can cook! It is a simple message but so many people find the kitchen such an intimidating place. I love the lessons in this movie along with how the rat, remy, explains how food tastes. It is exciting, electric and descriptive. Oh and finally, watching the stern food critic melt in his chair once he tastes the plate of ratatouille prepared for him. So fun to watch.

The shop/bakery in this movie would be my dream job/shop to own of my own some day. Meryl streep's character is an amazing pastry chef who's life seems to be surrounded by nurturing family and friends through food. Yes there is a crazy love affair that is hilarious to watch play-out but it all ties back to celebrating life with food + drink in hand. 

Keri russell's character is married to a horrible man who she dreams about leaving once she saves enough money from her waitressing job. To mentally escape from her life, she dreams up delicious pie recipes based upon the trials and tribulations she faces. I love the flavor combinations and seeing someone take their passion and use it to push them through adversity. 

While this movie is more about an extremely long wedding engagement, it also has a story about a chef who loves to cook. Going from a successful head-chef position in food-centric san francisco to working at a deli in michigan to finally opening a taco truck... life throws a lot at you and it is up to you on how you deal with it. Oh, and it's super funny.

Okay, I know this is the biggest stretch in the category of 'foodie movies' but there is a huge scene with dancing champagne, signing plates, tons of classic culinary terms and beautifully presented dishes. And, ultimately there is a great message... host your guests with care and effort to make them feel welcome and loved. Makes me want to throw a festive party!

If these were not enough to wet your palate and get you excited to snuggle into your couch then may I present you with one more foodie movie that is out in theaters right now. Chef, starring jon favreau is about a chef who looses his restaurant job and starts up a food truck to reclaim his passion and creativity in the kitchen. I know this is top on my list to go and see, I hope you do to!

Here is the trailer for chef...

Weekend Update

Hi there. I am having a serious 'case of the mondays', is anyone else feeling the same? Friday night ryan and I made dinner at home and spent the evening with luke, krista and my nieces. We stayed up late telling stories and watching the extremely scary movie, the conjuring. 

Saturday was sunny and after a quick trip to home depot, we got a crazy bug to do something spontaneous. So, we jumped in the car and drove up to blackhawk and spent the afternoon playing blackjack and roulette at the ameristar casino. Sadly we did not come home with a bag of loot but we did have a blast. Then, I spent the evening at my friend deb's house for a yummy italian dinner and lots of quality girl time.

Yesterday was yet again a beautiful spring day and I hosted beth, mary, lindy and gina for brunch. Mimosas, these awesome hash browns and baked egg boats were enjoyed between endless laughs and stories. Rocco got a lot of cuddle time in too between brunch and then dinner at ryan's family's that night. Maybe the reason today is a bit of a lull is because my sunday was full of friends, family and tons of happiness?!?! 

Weekend Update

What a fun weekend. Seriously, I cannot put it into any other word but fun. On friday I took rocco to the pet store to get some snacks and a new toy; we played all night with his new squeaky toy and chasing him around the house with it was a blast. 

Saturday morning we ran some errands after a yummy lunch at north. I found a fabulous jacket at banana republic and the fitting room attendant even got the spelling of my name correct, sold!  In the late afternoon we headed over to the dtc tavern for a surprise birthday party for ryan's step dad. A big group of close friends and family left john speechless with the surprise, followed by copious amounts of beverages in his honor.

And then last night... the academy awards. What a great show; ellen did a phenomenal job hosting, the fashions were beautiful and the speeches made me tear up on multiple occasions. We made one of our favorite recipes, ina garten's penne alla vecchia bettola and popped the cork on a bottle of champagne to enjoy during the show.

With the award season coming to an end, I cannot think of a better way to end all the fun. Hope you had a great weekend too.

And the Award Goes To...

This sunday is the 86th annual academy awards. I am going to be plopped on the couch watching in my pj's but sort of wish I was having an oscars party with a group of friends. It would be so fun to put together an oscar-themed feté where my guests could fill out ballots, sip champagne and nibble on tasty hors d'oeuvres. So in the spirit of the big event, here is my mock party and all the trimmings!

(clockwise from top left:  ballot invitation  /  garland  /  polaroid camera  /  print  /  confetti balloon  /  straws  /  popcorn bar  /  champagne)

Will you be watching? Who do you have picked to win best picture? To see my academy awards post from last week, click here.

Academy Awards // Films to See

We are only a couple weeks out from the super bowl of award shows... yep, that's right, the 86th annual academy awards. On march 2nd, the red carpet will heat up with actors, directors, producers and the hollywood elite to give honors to the best in film.

Every year a group of girlfriends and I try to see as many films as possible before the oscars, in attempts at making our picks on who will come out with a win. To see last year's oscar's post, click here. We have made a decent dent in the list of nominated films but we still have a ways to go. Below is the list of films nominated for best picture (the night's top award) along with a * on the films I have already seen.

• American Hustle *
• Captain Phillips  *
• Dallas Buyers Club
• Gravity
• Her  *
• Nebraska
• Philomena
• 12 Years a Slave
• The Wolf of Wall Street  *

Other academy award nominated films I have seen this year include prisoners, august: osage county, lone survivor and the great gatsby.

Are you getting excited for the oscars? What films are at the top of your list this year? 

Saturday

(via)

dear saturday,

I am going to take full advantage of you . The weather is forecasted at nearly 60-degrees, get ready for me to...

- take rocco for multiple walks around the park

- try out the new corvus coffee shop and sip a latte on the patio

- hit the gym and get in a cardio session

- possibly knock another movie off my academy awards list, i'm thinking the wolf of wall street

- eat a tasty meal with my husband


with love,
jaime


Have a great weekend everyone! See you on monday for a full weekend recap.

Weekend Update

Happy monday everyone. I have to start this post (and weekend recap) by saying what a proud denver broncos fan I am today. We are going to the super bowl after winning the afc west championship yesterday against the patriots! It was an awesome day... tailgating in the sunshine with our friends matt + lindy, cheering the broncos on to a victory and all in 60 degree weather!

The rest of the weekend had (nearly) equal highlights sprinkled throughout it. Friday night was spent with gina at the central after enjoying a nice walk around lower-downtown with rocco during sunset. Saturday I got to see the new lone survivor movie which was seriously such a well-portrayed war film on top of have a nice fish dinner at bone fish grill. Oh, and a tasty breakfast was had with ryan at denver biscuit company. I don't know if I will ever get sick of our lazy weekend routines of lingering over a delicious breakfast just my husband and I. Seriously... its is one of my most favorite things.

Weekend Update

I took a few days off after christmas to squeeze in as much time with my family as possible but I am back now and ready to update you on all the fun. I had a great day with gina running errands, eating lunch at harman's and then having a cozy italian dinner at lala's on saturday night. Ryan and I joined his family to go see american hustle and listen to live music at black crown which was decorated beautifully for the holiday.

On sunday I finally took down my christmas decorations (well mostly, I still have the tree to go) and then busted out my barefoot contessa cookbook and made her minestrone soup with garlic bruschetta. Oh, and I finally started my month of unlimited yoga at corepower. I cannot wait to get my shavasana on for the next 30 days.

I am still going through all of my christmas photos and videos so I hope to have a post for you on my christmas festivites later this week. Until then, check out the flipgram I made of little rocco yesterday. It is all of his instagram photos over 2013. If you were unsure, yes, I am obsessed with him!

Weekend Update

Merry christmas eve-eve! What a great (but busy) weekend. Between some last minute holiday shopping, my husband's company holiday party, celebrating a couple birthdays and getting together with family to watch the broncos, I am surprised I managed to squeeze in a few hours of relaxing. Luckily, I did a bit better managing my time this weekend than last.

Ryan's holiday party was a lot of fun and it is nice to get all dolled up for a night out. After the party was over we bundled up and ducked in to herb's to hear some live music with our friends jon and becca. It was a perfect ending to our friday night fun. 

Saturday morning kicked off at canvas and cocktails to paint a holiday themed piece in honor of my sister-in-law and mother-in-law's birthdays. We had a whole group of ladies join in on the fun and I cannot wait to sort through my photos and write a post on it. The rest of my saturday was spent at home relaxing with ryan and rocco. We made beef stew, watched 2 1/2 of the santa clause trilogy movies and worked on a 1,500 piece puzzle that is yet to be completed.

The broncos pulled out another win against the titans on sunday morning and I could not have been happier. What made it even better was getting together with my parents, sister and grandma to watch the game. We all had a wonderful time together and I am very grateful my mom was able to coordinate all of our schedules so we could come together. If that wasn't enough, ryan's brother was able to join us to watch some sunday night football here. Afterward I winded down my night working on my puzzle and then eventually made my way to bed. 

As I type this post it does seem like I had a lot going on in just 3 days but I think that is what this time of year is all about. I love being with my family and friends, making memories and celebrating together. If that means a few less hours of sleep then so be it because I would not take any of the cherished time with those I love away. 

Favorite Christmas Movies

There are few better things than getting cozy on the couch in the middle of the afternoon with the softest blanket to curl up in and a frothy cup of hot cocoa to watch a classic holiday movie. It is one of my favorite things about this time of year. I have a few holiday favorites that I look forward to watching every december, here are my favorites...

This is my top christmas movie ever. A bustling house full of love, humor and a bit of chaos... exactly what I hope to have one day. The ending always makes me cry but in the best of ways. Oh and claire danes hair is s.t.u.n.n.i.n.g the entire movie, so jealous.

Something about renting a quaint cottage in the middle of the english countryside is so enticing to me. I also love how happenstance the romantic relationships start out between both couples but then turn into something so much more. Side note, cameron diaz' house is so well decorated and her style throughout the movie is amazing as well.

All home alone movies, 1 2 and 3 are so great. My husband and I quote these movies year round (I hope we are not the only ones). They are the quintessential holiday movies that children and adults have fun watching.

The santa clause movies show tim allen at his best. The movies are lighthearted and they always put me in a great mood. When I was a kid I was in awe of the movie's magical snow globe and always wanted one too.

 

Rudolph brings me back to my childhood; being at my grandparents or aunt & uncle's house watching a family movie after christmas dinner. All of my cousins would cuddle up on the couch in the basement together and the adults would eventually make their way in too. I miss that time together.

Alright, die hard might not be your go-to holiday movie but it does take place at a christmas party and bruce willis is pretty bad-ass. I love the die hard trilogy because I always watched them with my dad. Also, argyle, the limo driver looks so cool jammin out to music in the garage basement.

The best way to spread christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Elf might be the funniest holiday movie to date and it never gets old to watch... even in the middle of summer. Will ferrell killed it playing this role! 

What are your favorite christmas movies? I know at least a few of you will say love actually, right?!?!

Weekend Update

Oh such a fun fall weekend here in denver. The unseasonably warm temperatures allowed for playing catch with rocco in the park, some relaxing on our patio and a great broncos tailgate last night. Oh, and I must mention the broncos beat the undefeated chiefs with a hell of a game last night. #awesome 

A couple other highlights from the weekend... I picked up fresh baked croissants for breakfast from trompeau bakery on saturday morning, had a great family dinner with ryan's extended family the same evening, rented the heat on-demand during some down time and then went to our favorite, jelly cafe for brunch on sunday morning.

Weekend Update

Ugh, I have to start off this post with the deepest of apologies to all of my readers. I have just had a string of crazy-busy days, both personally and professionally that have left me drained, uninspired and without time to post much more than things that I had been previously working on. I have had the best of intentions to post about the start of spring, some amazing recipes that my parents found on a new blog and another my love for food series but just haven't. 

Here is the worst part, I had an awesome weekend; one that I was so excited to share. So, while it is technically hump day (wednesday), I am bringing you my weekend update. Again, I am sorry for being that girl.

On friday we had one of the most fun nights at matt and lindy's for dinner. Their baby boy rory was a dancing machine who did not want to leave all the fun when it was time for bed. Luckily, rocco was able to sneak in some crib time with him (well, lucky for rory... maybe not rocco).

Saturday morning I met my sister-in-law krista for a west elm diy workshop that was seriously so much fun. I cannot wait share more about it. Oh, and our friend brian joined ryan and I to go see prisoners at the alamo draft house saturday night. This place was awesome; a movie and dinner service in one. What is better than watching a suspenseful movie than sipping some drinks and eating chicken wings and pizza at the same time (the answer would be nothing!).

Sunday the fun continued at root down for brunch with chuck and jaime who were visiting from chicago. Oh I just love when they come to town. In the late afternoon ryan and I headed over to luke and krista's house for some football and a nice family dinner. Krista made a seriously amazing summer salad that took the essence of summer and tossed it into a tasty dish. After dinner, my nieces makenzie and kamryn opened up the hair salon for krista and I to get our 'hair did'. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend too. Oh, I would definitely re-live this one again as it was a goodie. 

Weekend Update

It's tuesday and I am just getting to my weekend update, oops!  

Highlights from this past weekend included clam pizza at proto's on friday with my sister, ryan and our friend brian.  Saturday I attended colorado urban winefest for the first time.  We sampled some tasty varietals from colorado wineries along with dishes from local restaurants.  Sunday was spent with my husband's family, lounging at the pool, seeing this scary movie and then wrapping up the night with a bbq in the backyard.  

We also managed to squeeze in some yard work, a crepe breakfast on bean tree's quiet patio and even a work out.  I am hoping that this next weekend will be a little less busy but with father's day and a birthday party coming up, I am not sure there will be a lot of down time.