Bites of My Life

Coming off an extended weekend back in Oklahoma City full of work, lots of family time, lots of food and two, 2nd birthdays. I headed north on I-35 last Wednesday. I was greeted by my two favorite little nieces and my long lost New York sis. The main reason bringing me home was for my monthly visit back to headquarters for work and to help with our Jones Assembly 2nd anniversary party needs. It worked out perfectly with Claire’s visit home, Elle’s 2nd birthday, a wedding shower, a new restaurant opening, and a great summer weekend. I didn’t get back to Dallas until Monday around lunch and I’m still trying to get back in the swing of things.

-I met Molly and Paige through the same outlet but at separate times. They have both been in Dallas much longer than I, but now that we are all in the same city together a meet up was necessary. And by meetup I mean getting our butt’s in shape at Paige’s cycle class. If you are in Dallas and haven’t made it to Class Studios yet you are missing out.
-My favorite clean-out-the-fridge meal. Working on putting this into a recipe post, so look forward to that!
-Two people I miss the most in the same photo! Loved loved having Claire home and getting to see Elle Belle!
-Sister blow-outs because why not?
-New amazing OKC restaurant alert! Run don’t walk to Frida. Was so glad we got a reservation in during their first week open.
-Oh I just really love time when we are all together! Not pictured John our photographer, and dad out chauffeur parking the car ;)
-The real reason I was home was to help finalizing planning and set up for our 2nd Anniversary party at The Jones Assembly. It’s crazy how two years can seem like 10- ha! Labor.of.love.
-Original crew all together for the weekend and it was a great one!
-When in OKC, brandy ice’s are a must. We stopped by my #3 spot (Michael’s Grill) Saturday night. You can see my brandy ice run down here.
-Staying at mom and dad’s now is legit like being at a hotel. My bathroom had a robe, slippers, cotton squares and lotion all waiting for my arrival!
-Two years old and cuter than ever!
-Not my funfetti cake recipe, but sis nailed it with this three-layer for Elle’s birthday!

Annie

Bites of My Life

A concert, a few new restaurant visits, an all day frosé party, some downtime and lots of work. A great mix to make the week go by fast. Hoping this week speeds by too! The whole Tucker clan will be in town this weekend to celebrate the youngest of the group's 1st birthday! 

-Fangirls in our fan wear. Oh Wonder live lived up to the hype!
-The Kitchen at Commonplace Books is open and I can't rave about it enough. The food is spot on but the aesthetic also levels up!
-Nature's candy for dinner! First time buying a papaya at the store. I cleaned the seeds out of the middle and filled it up with frozen grapes and frozen blueberries. Granola, almond butter, chia seeds and banana.
-Fancy eggs for Friday!
-Welcome to OKC Hopdoddy! Ahi Tuna burger and buffalo shareable fries for this first-timer.
-TJA turns 1!!
-When you've been frosé-ing (working not drinking) all day and get hangry, And Sonic is across the street. Popcorn chicken and tots por favor.
-Looking back at Saturday through rose colored glasses. What a day celebrating one year for The Jones Assembly!
-Back for seconds and to try the brunch features at The Kitchen at Commonplace.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Only five days left in my home of the past two years. The place that helped me grow from a post-grad to real world adult. The place that hosted multiple Bachelor watch parties, two friendgivings, handfuls of pre parties and post parties. The place that I lived with two of my dearest friends, where we cried, laughed, cooked, cleaned, worked out in, played games, binged Netflix documentaries etc. I've been spending the past week working overboard, attempting to hold on to my social life, and pack up two years of memories little by little.

This has been a bittersweet summer for multiple reasons, but I really can't complain. Growing up is weird thing, I think I'll stop now ;) 

-Cleaning out the panty before I move this Friday, means finding a can of TJs veggie chili and embracing it despite it being 90 degrees outside.
-Bets on if I can go a week without the avocado omelette at En Croute...odds not in my favor.
-Post yoga smoothie bowl on the back porch. 
-From pencil skirt to mini skirt. Gave this 3 year old skirt a face lift. 
-Solid colors, solid night. #blairhitchproject
-A gorgeous Saturday and my day off required lunch to be on a patio and include cocktails.
-An Okie luau.
-Sunday Funday soft opening at The Jones Assembly. 
-Tucker Time Sunday night eats. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

This past weekend is one of my favorite weekends in Oklahoma City. The Festival of the Arts comes to town and the Memorial Marathon is run on Sunday. It's always the last weekend in April, and it's always full of fun activities. You would think the last weekend in April would mean sunny spring weather, but we had buckets of rain and fridged temperatures. I'm ready for some May sunshine!

-My friend Malory posted this salad on her instagram and I enjoyed it all week. My version was spring greens, shredded chicken, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, bosc pears, green onions and a dijon vinaigrette.
-Turkey burger Monday with mom, dad and sis. So ready for summer food!
-I have a sensitivity to caffeine, so when we had a coffee tasting at work you can imagine the jitters I felt all day. Pictured here: our dirty chai. 
-Breakfast pizza coming to the brunch menu at The Jones Assembly.
-Felt like an oxymoron drinking my green smoothie out of a beer glass.
-The Malory Salad was on repeat all week!
-So many tastings for The Jones Assembly last week to get ready for our June opening, but nothing can beat our Steak Frites. 
-The Festival of the Arts is just as much about the culinary arts as it is the artists. The Beef & Blue Sandwich won best in show in my opinion!
-Made my M&M Cookie Pizza for Kathleen and John's housewarming party. What you can't see here is that I accidentally doubled the butter...it ended up being just fine and gave it that "melt in your mouth" taste!
-25,000+ people ran in the OKC Memorial Marathon, but we all woke up at 6am to see Maddie run the half in less than 2 hours! 
-After walking up abnormally early for a Sunday to watch the marathon, I had a long nap back in bed then a slow day reading some of my book and snacking on my faves. 
-Made a batch of What's Gaby Cooking's Basil Vinaigrette. I have lot's of plans for this stuff, stay tuned! 

Annie

Bites of My Life

I was scrolling back through my Instagram the other day and noticed how my feed changes with the seasons. My images felt warm and comforting in the winter months, but have become brighter and more vibrant as spring has arrived. It's a visual reminder of how life has been more colorful recently. Figuratively and literally. 

I have a yummy recipe post coming tomorrow and a very special birthday to celebrate on Saturday! But for now, let's take a bite of a very colorful week. 

-Loving my new Blogging For Books cookbook. Pictured here: Salt and Pepper Pork with Cucumber Salad from "Dinner, Changing the Game."
-Now that it's warm out, I've been guzzling Le Croix like it's my job.
-The J Burger, coming soon to The Jones Assembly. 
-My review for the revamped Iguana went live last week!
-This coffee speaks to me.
-We are testing out the lunch menu at work for our new concept The Jones Assembly, mentioned above. And let me just tell you it is the hardest part of my job ;)
-Celebrated one year of my favorite foodie podcast, OKC Over Easy. I love the fun people and experiences I've had because of my friend Mal starting OOE. You can hear my 5 minutes of fame in the birthday episode here. 
-In a sea of all things diamonds and glittery in prep for the 10th annual Cleats & Cocktails. 
-Loved getting to work with old friends and new friends to make Cleats & Cocktails a success!
-The only nutritious thing I ate on Saturday.
-Really getting good at this whole homemade matcha thing.
-Avocado sweet potato toast is all kinds of amazing.

Annie