Sunday Shopping & Brunch in SoHo!

This past Sunday was a very exciting day! Frank and I bought our first engagement present from some of the gift cards/money that we've been given after the announcement of our engagement! Our very own NESPRESSO MACHINE! Yay! It is the Inissia in cream. I'm seriously so happy with this purchase. While Frank and I were in Ireland, we had the great fortune of staying in a hotel that was equipped with our own personal nespresso machine, and we instantly fell in love.

Since coming home, we have researched incessantly on the perfect machine. Finally, we found one that will match our other cream colored appliances (Cream colored Kitchen Aid Mixer) and also, one that isn't as expensive. The machines that we've seen offered have been upwards of $250, and we think thats rather lofty for a coffee/espresso machine. The inissia comes in at a whopping $99! Again, I am so very excited to use this in our new home. :)

While in the area, we stumbled upon a Crate & Barrel store! Being that we've already registered online with them, we decided to take a peek inside to see if there's anything else we'd like to add/take off the list after seeing things in person. I'm happy to report that we have FINALLY chosen our flatware! I dont know about you, but quality flatware is really important in my eyes. Especially because Frank and I are not planning on registering for Silver, (although we are planning on registering for China) we knew we needed decent flatware that could both go with a fancier table setting as well as our every day wear. We've gone with the couture line at Crate & Barrel, and I'm super happy with our choice. Initially, we really liked a Kate Spade version found in the Macy Stores, but after the realization that for a table setting of eight, it would be about $700, we decided to nix them. I mean, $700 for forks and knives and spoons?? ..Thats nutty. The flatware we've chosen are much more affordable :)

We played for a while in Crate & Barrel, including testing out chairs and sofas. ;)

...after a little rest, we decided it was time to leave..

Afterwards, we decided to grab a bite in the area and landed upon a cuban indoor/outdoor restaurant in SoHo. We had mimosas, maduros, I had the eggs benedict w/spinach and asparagus, and Frank had the cuban sandwich. To be honest, we were very upset with the quality of food, service, and PRICE. But it was nice to share a date with my boy, since we've been tight on money we really haven't been going out on dates lately..So this was a treat. Love spending special time with him <3

All in all, it was a great day and we are now very proud owners of our very first Nespresso Machine!!

Stay tuned,

K & F

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Growing up in the boroughs of NYC comes with some fandom benefits. You see, the O'Rourke's are New York Yankee fans. For the sports illiterate, they are a professional baseball team in the MLB (Major League Baseball). My sister Nikole and I grew up watching the Yankees play through the 90's and onward (especially the glorious teams from 1996-2001). So this Saturday my parents took my sister, my brother in law, Kara and I to the Yankee game for my sister's birthday.

Nikole's birthday shout-out on one of the outfield screens

A big role model for myself, and many NY kiddos alike was this one player on the team, Derek Jeter. He played the game the right way, played his heart out every game, and acted in a respectable manner on and off the field. This year is his last, and Saturday the O'Rourke's got to see him play one last time all together. It was bitter sweet, but we'll always have the great memories of us cheering for and watching him play his entire career.

Jeter at-bat

Kara got her hands on some Cotton Candy!

The O'Rourke's: New and Old

Left to right: Frank, Andrea, Ray, Nikole, Kara, Me

The Yankees ended up winning 7-1, and Jeter got an RBI single as well as a stolen base. After the game, we went next to an old school ice cream shop near our apartment for some sundaes! Another great summer day with family.

Stay Tuned!

K&F

"I'll Drink to that." Vodka Stingers & Boozey Battleship

Thursday was a weird day for me. I went to work like any normal day, but towards mid-afternoon I heard news of Broadway Legend Elaine Stritch's passing. For those who dont know me, I am in love with theatre, and I obsess over "The Greats." I consider Elaine Stritch to be one of the all time greats of the theatre age. She was completely herself, and never tried to fit into the unfortunate "cookie cutter" image that all of the new actors on Broadway have created themselves to be. She didn't need auto tune, she didn't sound like a robot or try to mimick Kristen Chenoweth's 'Glinda' voice, she was 100% Elaine. She worked hard, and her strength never ever wavered over 50+ year career on the stage.


Off stage, she dealt with alcoholism and diabetes, among other things. The stage was her safe place. It terrified her, but that's what she loved about it. The excitement of fear. She drank, she smoked, she was crass, she didn't wear pants, and she was chock full of witt and sass. I adored her in every sense of the word. Hearing that we lost another "great" was really sad to me.


I see what Broadway is becoming, and yes, there IS talent on stage today, dont get me wrong -- but aside from maybe a handful of performers, there is NO ONE that stands out, anymore. There's no one that owns their "type," and works off of it. Ethel Merman was the ONLY person on stage who sounded like Ethel Merman. Patti LuPone is the ONLY person on stage that sounds like Patti LuPone. Angela Lansbury is the ONLY person that sounds like Angela Lansbury.. Bernadette Peters is the ONLY person that sounds like Bernadette. Elaine Stritch was the ONLY one who sounded like Elaine.. Get my drift? Now its a bunch of auto tuned people who all sound the same, all sing from the same place, etc. It hurts my theatre loving, golden age obsessed, soul.


(Please note, these are only my opinions/thoughts/fears in regards to Broadway..)

Elaine was in a show called Company, written by Steven Sondheim. She played the coveted role of Joanne,  a brassy, divorced, alcoholic, severely insecure on the inside and tough as stone on the outside, dame. One of her title songs in the show is "Ladies Who Lunch" where she famously sings, "Another vodka stinger! I'LL DRINK TO THAT." So, I went out on my quest to find a bar that made vodka stingers in honor of Ms. Stritch. I went to one bar that didn't make them, so I had a cosmo for her while I was there. Finally and ironically, the bar directly across from my apartment served them. Phew! God, it was so strong..and tasted like mouthwash, but I did it. Cheers to you, Elaine.

Afterwards, Frank and I decided to have a fun little "date" at home. We're kind of broke because we're saving up for the wedding, etc, so we stayed home and ordered chinese, bought a case of beer, and played battleship together. Except we dont just play ordinary battleship. You see, Frank and I are extremely competitive, so we made a drinking game out of it to up the stakes. How WE play Battleship: every time you hit the opposing players ship, they have to drink. Once you eventually sink their battleship, you have to take a shot of Fireball. It's really fun, and of course, I ended up getting drunk on a Thursday night. Also, I'd like to note that I won. And it was great..Ahhh... I love winning. :)

All in all, it was a booze soaked Thursday that ended with me beating Franks butt in Battleship. I'd say thats a pretty fantastic Thursday. :)

Here are some videos of the heated battleship games..

The Squirrel, the Screen and the Sanity

So as life gets a little crazy, (because that's what it does after you get engaged) the most important thing you can do for yourself is to get some quality sleep, mainly to even out your immense physical and mental fatigue. If you know me, you know I LOVES ME MY SLEEP. I look forward to it, especially when I'm not in one of those "let me think of everything in the universe at once" moods.

But, four days ago.... the scratching came.

It started when anything that's life alteringly AMAZING would start.


3:00am.


Monday morning.


It was raining pretty hard so I just figured it was just the pitter patter of  rain drops on my air conditioner making all the fuss. You see, my AC and I have a mutual understanding;  it cools me, and I don't bother it for all the noise it causes. Beautiful harmony. (I sometimes consider it my second favorite relationship come August)

I go back to sleep.

4:00 am.

The fiancé wakes up. Now we have a problem. "What's that noise?"
Distinctly tired, I mutter the only thing I could at 4:00am on Monday.
"Iiubdfiufbdjbfjdsb."
I look outside our window, and notice a tree branch with a few leaves sitting on the outside window sill. Huh. How'd that get there? From the storm? Must've been a mighty wind..

"Frank, what's that?"

I open my eyes from slits to a solid squint.

"Is that a squirrel?!"

"No honey, it's a brown paper-bag squirrel."

Confusion and anger envelope me at once. Does this squirrel, (let's call him Mr. Squirrel, 'Mr. S' for short..) think this tree branch has food on it?? Mr. S, you're drunk -- go home. I bang on the window, we have a moment, and he scurries up the fire escape to the wondrous forest that is Brooklyn.

Victory was mine.


5:00am
Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Mr. S, I'm gonna give you the count of 10, to get your ugly, yella, no good keister off my property..

Hold on, is he eating the window screen to get to food??? Mr. S, I don't have the time or money for you to go all Rolling Stones and tear up the place to get your nut on a Monday morning.

I smack the window and peace was restored.


When I finally wake up at a tolerable 7:30am, the branch and a few leaves cover the corner of the sill. He massacred the bottom of our screen, so much so that it wouldn't be remotely effective keeping ALL of the bugs out. Truthfully, I like all my bugs to be outside. Inside bugs are the worst.


Fast forward to Tuesday morning. 

4:00am.
Scratch, scratch... scratch.

Mr. S can't take a hint. I'm pissed. Kara's pissed. "Dude it's a leaf, go home. And by home I mean not my window sill." 

I find myself waking up in thirty minute intervals smacking the window until 7:30am.

Eventually, I look at the damage done by the #1 A-hole of the week. He completely rendered the window screen useless. Also, I was so tired that I didn't notice until the morning that there were a lot more leaves than before. In fact there was some dirt, a couple of branches, what looked like half of a washcloth, and a square of window screen..which looked oddly familiar. Hm. Clearly, Mr. Squirrel wasn't trying to eat, he was making a fort... in my window. My lovely, Gandalfian, "no bugs shall pass," window.

I clean up the mess, thinking if I ruffle the fort he won't come back... take off my once effective window screen and inform my landlord of my new hatred for the outdoor rodent. (Not to be confused with my hatred of the indoor rodent, but that's a whole other story)

The Aftermath

Day 3. Wednesday. 

7:30am.

If it's possible, I found even more crap. This time I find all of the previous building supplies, plus some sheet music, and a sock.

While playing Bob The Builders cousin, "Frank The Destroyer," a thought occurs to me. 

What if Mr. Squirrel is really a Mrs. Squirrel?? What if she's nesting to unleash the next generation of squirrel? On my window.. Unacceptable! This is no delivery sill, it's Frank's no bugs, no squirrels allowed sill. Mr. or Mrs. Squirrel, please take the hint of me destroying your shit as a push in a new nest direction. Have the other squirrels in the neighborhood introduced you to Mr. Tree? He's great. Lots of income property, lots of wood finishings, I've heard he's renting some space. 

Day 4. Thursday.

 8:00am

No words. Just squirrel. The battle rages on.

If you or a loved one has dealt with, or knows how to deal with this variety of squirrel, leave a comment and share your experience with this novice squirrelsman and squirrelswoman.

Stay tuned!

K&F

to be continued...

Birthdays, Fillings, Priests, Germany, and..Guns?

This weekend was filled with exciting "wedding stuff!" Frank and I left Friday afternoon from Brooklyn to head Upstate for my Aunts Birthday dinner. It was wonderful! The whole family was there, we drank, ate yummy food, and celebrated. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo with the birthday girl, but she looked wonderful. :)

Saturday was our busy day! We woke up and had our lazy coffee at my aunts house,and relaxed by the pool for a bit..I had to leave for a filling (wah) at our local dentists office, but before I left, I had to pose in my new 'Bride to Be' sash from my lovely cousin Bridgett!

 After my filling, lopsided mouth and all, Frank and I had our first meeting with the priest of the church we're getting married in! I have been baptized, had my first communion, and confirmation at St. Mary's Church in Coxsackie, NY. Its a beautiful church where I've witnessed many family members and friends have their weddings and funerals there. I think getting married in St. Mary's will be very special.

Except, here's the kicker -- We were just notified by our priest that he will be retiring Sept. 1st 2015! Thats literally two weeks before our wedding. Hahah :) Luckily, I do know another priest who has been a part of St. Mary's that I can hopefully ask to do our service if our current priest is unable to come back for ours. But, its official, folks! We're getting married on September 12th 2015!! I'm so excited. After meeting with Father Moyna, Frank and I had some homework to do. We had to discuss the things we would like to bring into our marriage and the things we would not like to bring into our marriage. It was really fun getting to talk about those special things with Frank. I think we're going to have a very strong and solid marriage..

After meeting with Father Moyna, we set off with the rest of the family to Macy's in Colonie Center. Mom was really excited to use the gun to shoot things for our registry. Haha! 

She really did have the magic touch though, because every time I tried to shoot something, I was told there was an 'error' or that the item was not in stock! Jeesh! Anyway, that was really REALLY fun.

 Frank and I had already been registering online, but it was great to finally be able to see some of these things in person and to touch them. I think thats really important, especially with bedding and towels :)  We played in Macy's for a while, and I found the most adorable apron! So cute!

Our final photo after our lengthy "play date/registry time" at Macy's!

Once we were finished Mom, Dad, Frank, Alex, Megan, Brooke, and I left for dinner at The Macaroni Grille in Albany. We had a great time, and in this particular restaurant you can draw on the tablecloth, so we all played Facts Five! That was so much fun.. I totally forgot about that game! Frank won, by the way.. :)

After dinner, we had a dance party in the car on the way home, my brother Alex sang a song for us in Spanish, and then Frank and I left to go over and have some wine with my Aunt Ali and Uncle Ty. We chatted and chilled for a while, and my cousin Brenna and I looked at some super old family photo books. Its hysterical and pretty mind blowing to see how much we've all really changed. <3

The next morning we woke up, went over to Ali's again for coffee, looked at more registry things online, and then went back to our house to set up for the World Cup party! My father is German so of course the Betke's had bratwurst, kielbasa, sauerkraut, beer, etc.. And my Uncle John is Argentinian, so he was rooting for Argentina. ( We had Taco Grande for you, John!) It was so funny to see us both cheering and competing for our respective teams. Last week, my Uncle drove through our town with their Argentina jerseys, while waving the Argentinian flags out of their car. They're hysterical.. I love them. So it was awesome when Germany won the World Cup! I sent a message to my uncle singing, "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," hahaha.

 

After that, Frank and I packed up our things and hit the road back towards Brooklyn. While driving home, my grandfather called to let us know that we are officially able to have our wedding reception on their property! They are building a barn on their land, and generously offered to let us have our reception there! We are so grateful and beyond ecstatic. It's going to be so beautiful..:)  Of course heading home we ALWAYS hit major traffic, which gives me and Frank an excuse to talk lengthy about things in private. We talked a whole lot about our future plans and wedding ideas...Gosh, we are so excited and can't wait for what's in store ahead.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for our next adventure!

XOXO

K&F

P.S. If you're interested in what we have listed so far in our registry, visit our "Knot" Wedding Site and click "Our Registeries." There you will see our current registries for Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Pottery Barn! :) 

Introduction

Hello ladies and gents!

My name is Frank..

..and I just proposed to my amazing fiancé Kara.

(It looked like this.)

We can't wait to start this New Adventure together, and want to share our experiences with you along the road!

Stay tuned,

K & F