Recipe: Mel's Smoked Mac & Cheese with Peas, Bacon and Mushrooms

I came up with this belly-warming recipe after sampling the mac & cheese it at the Daily Grill in Boston...and found more inspiration from Chef Tyler Florence as well. Enjoy!


Mel's Smoked Mac & Cheese with Peas, Bacon and Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS:
1 box elbow macaroni (or any fun shape), whole wheat is good
1/2 bag of frozen peas
1/2 onion diced
1/2 box of pre-sliced fresh mushrooms (or add in any other vegetable you like)
1/2 jar of Real Bacon Pieces (or about 6 slices of crumbled, crispy bacon
Salt, pepper, garlic (to taste)

Make 1/2 portion of Mario Batali's Bechemel Sauce (see below)
Then add in:
1 1/2 cups of Smoked Gouda (almost a full wheel)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups of shredded white cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Boil the pasta to AL DENTE (don't over cook)
• Saute mushrooms and onions with butter, salt, pepper
  
• Thaw peas, keep aside
• Put 1/2 of cooked pasta in a greased Corningware or Pyrex pan
  
• Put peas, mushrooms and onions on top, stir
• Pour half of cheese sauce over top, stir
• Sprinkle half of the bacon
• Add remaining pasta until pan is full, stir
  
• Top with rest of sauce & bacon, stir
• Add layer of extra shredded cheese
• Bake uncovered for 30 mins or until top is browned.

Bon appetit! Mel :)

Mario Batali’s Béchamel Sauce:

This sauce is rated 5 stars on the Food Network website. I just love Mario...He’s the best!

Cook Time: 20 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 3 cups
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups milk (not Skim)
1 teaspoon of salt, depending on taste
¼ to ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (depending on taste)
Directions:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted.
• Add the flour and stir/whisk until smooth.
• Over medium heat, cook until the mixture turns a light, golden sandy color, about 6 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate pan until just about to boil.
• Add the hot milk to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth. (NOTE: Add milk slowly, may not need to use all. You want the sauce to be creamy, not runny.)
• Bring to a boil.
• Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
• Season with salt and nutmeg, and set aside until ready to use.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! I am very thankful for my loved ones and friends...I am truly blessed! Sending much love, peace and joy to all.

Bon Voyage, 2009...you were terrific! Hello, 2010...looking forward to some new adventures!

Did you know that...."In Spain, revelers mark the New Year by quickly eating a dozen grapes at midnight. Why not adopt the tradition by serving them with a glass of Champagne?"

Or, skip the champagne and use seltzer instead...very healthy! :) - mel

(Source: Visit Martha Stewart.com for all sorts of wonderful New Year's decorations, idea and recipes!)


GOOD LUCK TRADITIONS

Enjoy this list of international traditions believed to bring good luck for the new year! - mel

• In Spain when the clock strikes midnight the people eat 12 grapes. One grape for every stroke of the clock to represent each month in the year. Each grape is said to bring good luck in the new year.
• In Puerto Rico children enjoy throwing pails of water out the window at midnight. Some believe that this rids their home of any evil spirits!
• The people of Switzerland believe good luck comes from letting a drop of cream land on the floor New Years Day.
• In France, people eat a stack of pancakes for luck and good health.
• Belgian farmers wish their animals a Happy New Year for blessings.
• Armenian women cook a special bread for their family. The bread is kneaded with luck and good wishes pressed into the dough before it is cooked.
• In Northern Portugal, children go caroling from home to home and are given treats and coins. They sing old songs or "Janeiro's" which is said to bring good luck.
• Romanians had a tradition of listening to hear if the farm animals talked on New Years Day. If the animals talked it was considered bad luck so they are relived when they do not hear any talking animals.
• In Bolivia families make beautiful little wood or straw dolls to hang outside their homes to bring good luck.

(Source: www.essortment.com)


TOP 10 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Do any of these sound familiar? I think we all have thought about what we'd like to do to improve our lives each year...take a look and see if any of these resolutions inspire you! Remember, baby steps...don't try to tackle all of these at once...and don't be afraid ask family and friends to help support each other in these positive efforts! -mel

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie at a favorite restaurant or host a casual dinner party. Enjoy your free time! Work shouldn't always come first.

2. Get Fit

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

3. Lose Weight

Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

4. Quit Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider one of Pittsburgh's holistic healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.

6. Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

8. Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, visit local museums or take art classes at a local community center.

9. Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Connect with local charitable organization in your town or through work. Or, if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.

10. Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life. You may even consider a professional organizer to get you started!

(Source: pittsburgh.about.com)

Review: POST 390 in Boston (Bar Scene Buzz)

My girlfriends have been raving about the bar scene at the newly opened POST 390 in Downtown Boston...so i had to give it a try. Rachel gathered us together for a wonderful holiday get-together and birthday celebration (for Giselle) on a Wednesday night in December. :)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
The scene was buzzing. It was 6:30 pm...Lots of energy, cool decor with lots of dark brown wood and orange themed decor. Downstairs is where the action is...Large fireplace and long-ish bar with solid wood divider and bar stools for more seating, located between the front entrance and the bar. It is a bit of tight squeeze to get to the bar area, and there is a lot of wasted space in the entry way, which could have been better utilized for guests...especially as friends have told me the line has been wrapped around the block to get in most nights. There is, however, a 2nd floor...which many people don't know about. Diners were seated at nearly every available table. Regardless, my girlfriends prefer to be on the bottom floor...where the action is. :) Besides, we got a truly "VIP" round table of 8 that night right in the corner window (thanks to Hania & Rachel). The entire facade is glass, offering great views of the city looking out onto Stuart and Clarendon Streets - across from Grill 23 and the former Jury's, now Doyle Hotel.

DEMOGRAPHIC:
I was surprised to find that the scene on Wednesday night was about 75% male (straight-laced, business-y, mid-30s to late 40s - married, divorced and/or looking) who were huddled together on business dinners or trying to chat up the few and far between attractive women (some married, some single) at the bar. I told my female colleagues in their mid-20s that the men were older than me (gasp! ha!) so it might be better to just stop by with some friends for drinks rather than plan a whole night there. It was a "school night" so perhaps on weekends the demo gets younger and more single...although as a happily married newlywed, I don't really care either way. :) Observation, there were mostly male servers and bartenders and predominantly male patrons... so, they might want to up the ante on sexy female bartenders or servers (as seen at Sonsie, FELT or Whiskey Park)? Or not!? However, towards the end of the night, as the dinner crowd began to clear, a few members of the younger set did roll in. So, I'm thinking this a great spot for 30s and 40s to mix & mingle.

BATHROOMS ('cuz the ladies need to know):
I like busy restaurants that have co-ed bathrooms. Some don't, but i do - as it speeds the process and you have your own private room for 'taking care of business.' All of the ones downstairs were filled, so I took a trip up the elevator to find another bathroom, and ended up on the 2nd floor of the restaurant, which is twice the size of the downstairs, and equally as packed. HINT: The bathrooms upstairs were huge and modern...same private "WC" stalls (water closet) which i like. So, sneak up the elevator to use them.

SERVICE:
The service was good considering it was a crowded and hectic snowy evening during holiday season. We had a nice, attentive waiter and the other servers were friendly too. He made a few suggestions, took our orders and delivered them with ease. Not sure why they have so many "Secret Service" guys with dark suits and earpieces on duty...I seriously thought Tom Cruise, The Mayor (or "Mumbles" as we call him) or Tom Brady & Gisele were about to unveil their new baby boy...but alas, they were parting the seas for an ambulance responding to a medical emergency upstairs. Hope everyone was OK.

DRINKS:
All Booze is Good Booze, in my book. So if a bartender can make a good cocktail for me and the ladies on a cold winter night, I'm in like Flynn. The specialty martinis we ordered were good, but there were only 2 vodka cocktails (my poison of choice) on the menu. The menu was heavy on gin and bourbon, so we'll have to give those a try next time. We had the Grape Excess martini, a really great Boston Ketel Martini (vodka, campari, lime juice, green tea syrup) and a straight-forward dirty vodka martini. (I prefer the cocktail menu at Mistral, Lucky's and Whiskey Park, to be honest). I really liked the bartender on duty, I'd just like to see a few more vodka-based cocktails for the list.

FOOD:
The menu is the typical "comfort food" of many Boston eateries - heavy on the seafood (which i love), a raw bar, calamari, steak frites, seared scallops, roasted chicken, and meatloaf. Dare I say, extremely similar to LTK (Legal Test Kitchen in South Boston, which is across the street from my office). Since I like LTK, steak and seafood, I liked this menu - but, since this restaurant is the "next big thing" I was slightly unimpressed by the selection, as nothing stood out as inventive or cutting edge. The concept is an “urban tavern" according to Chef Eric Brennan (Federalist, Excelsior, Harvest) who is aiming to do comfort classics in a hipster atmosphere. (A nit-picky thing: The physical menu is too big. The large scale paper format kept knocking into our drinks and covering up our table surface.)

When the food came, I really enjoyed my well-seasoned and tender Grilled 8 oz Skirt Steak with fries (gobbled it down, in fact) at $24 as did 3 other ladies at the table. My friend Hania seemed to enjoy her Native Sea Scallops with succotash ($22.50), although Dahlia said the Linguini and Shrimp pasta dish was "nothing special." To be fair, we didn't have many appetizers - just the deviled eggs at $2.50 were a steal, as were the Goat Cheese & Olive Flat Bread Pizza ($12.50), served on a rather long and protruding cutting board. Next time we will try the Meatloaf and House Smoked Ribs ...and order few more apps and sides. We didn't order dessert, just another cocktail for the birthday girl (and later a few lemon drop shots purchased for us by the the aforementioned "40-something divorcees" at the bar. haha!)

SUMMARY:
Go to Post 390 to check it out. It is worth the visit as it's new and on the map....similar to the buzz that The Liberty Hotel got when it first opened. I would go back for the bar scene on a week night with my husband, colleagues or friends, and would order some apps. I might even be inclined to try lunch for a business meeting or brunch after heavy window-shopping day. Parking is non-existent, so use the Valet, take the T or a taxi. Overall, the the decor attractive, location is ideal, and the bar scene is buzzing.

"CITY GIRL" RATING: 3.5 out of 5 stars (for buzzy bar scene)

INFO:
Post 390
406 Stuart Street (corner of Clarendon Street) Boston, MA
T Stop: Back Bay (orange line), Arlington or Copley (green line)
http://www.post390restaurant.com

(Photo: Gabe Davis)

KEY WEST is THE BEST! :)

After an amazing wedding... it's time to move on to the Honeymoon! My husband and I stayed at Andrew's Inn in Key West for our Honeymoon from Nov 16-24, 2009. The inn was beyond our expectations! Perfectly located off the quieter end of Duval Street, Andrew's Inn is a hidden gem, and the perfect place for a couple to go for a romantic getaway!

ANDREW'S INN, Key West:Tom & Nancy (the owners) and Jorge & Blanche (employees) are wonderful, amazing people who made our stay fantastic. The daily champagne breakfast and open bar happy hour each night are worth their weight in gold! It not only saves money, but time...as you have something to eat then head off to explore the island! By 4pm, we were ready to head back to inn for a cocktail, beer or glass of wine, and a dip in the warm pool. Also, these were great opportunities to chat with the other guests, mostly married couples who were visiting for their 2nd or 3rd+ time to Andrew's Inn! That is always a great sign when ppl come back year after year... We will definitely be back! The first and last nights of our stay, we were in the Main house (in the large Roma room off the side with our own private porch and the Venezia right by the pool). Roosters would wake us every morning, and kitty cats welcomed us throughout the day. (Key West is inhabited with roosters, chickens and cats...which definitely add to the kooky charm of the island). The majority of our stay was in the intimate Mango Hideaway in their other property just across the street in the Eyebrow House. As we were on our honeymoon, we loved the privacy of our own studio complete with huge private deck...and JACUZZI! Nearly every morning and night, we slipped into the hot tub for relaxation...AHHHHH. it was heaven!
Just so you know, we loved Key West and Andrew's Inn SO MUCH...we extended our stay by 3 nights! We were supposed to head up to Miami and West Palm Beach for a few nights and said, No way, we are staying here in the laid back, tropical paradise of Key West! We will see you soon! :)


HOT INSIDER TIPS:
1) Rent the bikes offered at the Inn! It's about $40-50 dollars for the week...and well worth it! We biked every day, all around the main downtown area of the island. We tended not to ride at night as it was more busy with crowds...and well, drinking and biking aren't our thing :)
2) Go to Fort Zachary Taylor Beach: It is the best beach on the island! You can swim, snorkel, eat lunch...full bathrooms and showers too. It is on the Naval base and cruise ship area...and you pay $2.50 pp at the gate. You can also drive or take a taxi...I won't walk it...the road is too long. It is popular with the cruise ship guests too. There is a great snack bar which we had lunch at 3 days...excellent sandwiches for a snack bar. And, best of all, you can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs... it's $30 to rent for the day, but it is totally worth it... you deserve it! You can also rent snorkels and fins. The sand is white, but there is a bit of rocky coral on the way to the water, so bring your swim shoes or tevas to swim. We snorkelled and swam at least 4-5 times each day... there are 2 little sections of rocks with lots of fish to see...and the pelicans happily watch over you to be sure you don't eat their fish!

3) Go out on a Catamaran! We did the sunset cruise with Sebago Water Sports...and got a great deal on the full day Snorkel & Kayak Trip from Tom the best damn salesman in Key West (he's like Jimmy Buffet meets The Dude). It was a total blast, met lots of awesome ppl (like Erin & Christian from Kansas City!), ate fresh food & drinks (sangria, beer, wine, margaritas), snorkelled and kayaked with a guide through the mangroves. Totally unique and cool experience. We even had a "dolphin show" on our way back...about 6 dolphins showed off for about 20 mins...it was great!

4) If you are daring, do the 2 hour KEY WEST JET SKI TOUR around the island! You ride 2 ppl per jet ski (my hubby and me) and go 28 miles around the whole island for 2 hours! It is exhilerating, exciting, wild, and the BEST thing we did on our honeymoon by far! We loved racing around at top speed and splashing through the waves! Our guide Gilbert was awesome...and they sent us over to the bar next door for 2 for one cocktails.

5) You must have Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner at BLUE HEAVEN: It is in Bahama Village on Petronia Street, right off Duval St...authentic carribean and local fare, rum cocktails, mimosas, laid back and the best place on the island by far. (we had "Breakfast with the Roosters" one morning - get there early, and dinner later that week...both were excellent.)

6) Have a romantic italian dinner at La Trattoria (Duval St): white table cloths, as elegant as any restaurant in Boston or NYC...delicious food, great service...and then catch the live blues & jazz in the back lounge called VERGILIO's... a great night out!

7) Get drinks, lunch and/or appetizers at SLOPPY JOE'S (Duval St): It's the quintessential Key West bar...an ode to Hemingway. We loved the vibrant atmosphere...great bar food... the Sloppy Joe smothered nachos or fries are to die for! Live music was great. Friendly bartenders too!

8) Eat at Conch Republic Seafood Company (on the marina) - great Spinach & Cheese Baked Oysters, Calamari, Steamed Shrimp, etc...and get drinks & cigars at Schooner Wharf. It's a fun tiki bar right on the marina with live music all day (not the best for food though).

9) Go to the Half Shell Raw Bar (old marina) for great Grouper and Shrimp Po Boys and Mojitos! Nice spot on the harbor looking at all the nice private yachts....and get drinks and go swimming in Dante's gigantic pool! A great mid-afternoon place to go.

10) Visit Hemingway House: It's beautiful, historical and fun. Nice to get away from the hot sun and Duval Street party scene. If you love architecture, history, Hemingway novels, kitty cats and lush gardens... it's a must see! It costs $12 to get in, includes wonderful tour with funny guides... We spent about 2 hours there, just walking around. They encourage ppl to relax, pet the cats and take photos. Nice gift shop too. We bought a watercolor print of the house and stuffed cat for our nephew. :)
SUMMARY:Key West is alive and kicking! If you want to relax by the ocean or a pool...take a romantic sunset cruise or an adventure catamaran trip...chill out... eat some amazing seafood and key lime pie... meet friendly people, tourists and staff... go wild (day or night!) ... and just be in a warm, tropical paradise away from it all... KEY WEST is for you!

I have many more places I can suggest and photos to post...feel free to contact me. But for now...have a blast and explore America's own little tropical paradise... We love Key West!
(NOTE: See my post also on TripAdvisor.com)

We tied the knot! ;)

Exciting news... I am a married woman! (this would explain my long absence from my beloved blog!)
Andrew and I were married on November 14th in Boston with our family and best friends all around us!
It was a dream come true... i found my prince and married him! Life is so much sweeter, and my heart beats a little faster now that we are husband and wife... i am a very blessed, happy and lucky girl.
I will take some time to post all of my tips to Future Brides & Grooms who are in the wedding planning process soon. As you well know, wedding planning is very involved and took a bulk of my time over the past few months, but let me tell you...it was well worth it! I am an events planner, so I am fortunate that I have the contacts and skills to have planned our wedding on my own... but let me tell you... i couldn't have done it without the wealth of advice, ideas and cool tips from visiting some of the best blogs on the web... and from talking with friends, family and colleagues about what they did or didn't like about their weddings... must do's, things to skip, and everything in between... and i will share those with you soon. And, I will share my thoughts on Honeymoon ideas too! I will post a review of our Honeymoon in America's very own tropical paradise, Key West!
Happy Holidays!
Peace & Joy!
mel :)

Rum and Tonic...a new way to enjoy a summer favorite!

The other night while enjoying happy hour at The Vault in downtown Boston with Hania and Dahlia... an older gentleman (a refined man in a seersucker suit with white hair - who trades bonds by day and chats up younger women by night) approached the bar to talk about business...and his sailing adventures in the Caribbean on his giant sailboat. Most importantly, he offered up this amazing summer drink... a Rum and Tonic. Served in a big pint glass with lemon (or lime) this is a delicious alternative to Rum & Coke or Gin & Tonic! He referred to it as a "Black & Tonic" and reminisced about his sailing trips through the Bermuda Triangle to the Bahamas and other exotic island adventures. All I can say is...thank you, kind sir. This is my new favorite drink! Be sure to use a dark rum like Myers or Goslings for the true cocktail.

Enjoy the recipe below:

-Fill a large pint glass with ice
-Add 2 ounces dark rum (Myers, Mount Gay or Goslings)
-Fill with tonic water
-Squeeze in a fresh lime wedge
Enjoy!

Also, enjoy this article I found on the history of Rum...good stuff!

HAPPY SPRING!

Hello friends! It's finally June and spring is upon us! Of course, if you live in Boston spring is often like a highschool tease...one day it's 85 and sunny, the next day 55 and raining! Oh, Summer...where are you? I plan to keep you updated on fun and FREE events going on around the Boston, Cape Cod and New England... and other cities as well! It's time to start enjoying those pina coladas and sangria, trips to the beach or up to the mountains! Get out there and enjoy it!

--Stay tuned for my review of Andrew and my amazing vacation to Montreal and Quebec City back in April! It was an incredible culinary, cultural and historical journey to visit our neighbors up north!

--And... I'll post an update on our recent weekend getaway to the Catskills in New York state to visit our wonderful friends Julie & Adam...and all of their furry friends... in Saugerties just outside of Woodstock. Such a blissful weekend of fun and frolic! thanks guys! :)

cheers!

m :)

Fun things to do in Boston - When it's cold & snowing outside!

The weather outside is frightful...as we suffer through yet another snowstorm in New England. So, while we wait patiently for the first day of spring to arrive (April 21st), I have come up with some fun ideas to do every day of the week to keep you busy when it's cold outside. Enjoy!

SUNDAY: This is your well-deserved day of rest. But first, cook up a nice big batch of homemade chicken soup or turkey chili (see my recipe in an earlier posting) so that you’ll have enough for the next few meals. Snuggle up on the couch and catch up on your favorite TV shows on your DVR. My faves include: The Real Housewives of Orange County (and NYC), Nip/Tuck, The Mentalist and Spain...On the Road Again. Because I feel it’s good to channel both your trashy and your cultured side.

MONDAY: Back to work. Roll out of bed, grab leftovers, get in car or on subway. At night, consider going to the gym, but instead, make your workout useful as well as energizing! Put on your ipod and shovel your driveway and walkway out to the sounds of Kanye West, Lady Gaga, The Killers and Katy Perry. While you are at it, throw in a little Madonna, Linkin Park and James Brown into the mix. That should get your blood pumping!

TUESDAY: It’s only Tuesday, but with a long, cold week ahead, why not jump-start the weekend in Harvard Square?! Every Tuesday at 7:00 is FREE live jazz at Redline. The Joe McMahon Trio, a Boston-based jazz trio of rotating members will play their hearts out for you while you eat tasty food and drink some stiff cocktails.


If you are still out and about…then head over for some weekly Karaoke at Charlie’s Kitchen around the corner in Harvard Square. Charlie’s has long been a favorite destination for college students and indie rockers who enjoy this bargain burger institution with a cold beer, basket of waffle fries, and a dash of kitsch. It starts late (around 9:30), but get a good seat at the bar and get ready to rock! http://www.redlinecambridge.com/


WEDNESDAY: There are many reasons to go out midweek, but others would insist that staying in and watching American Idol (Fox) followed by Lost (ABC) is a priority if not an obsession. So, if you are an Idol or Lost fanatic, put on your pj’s, order a pizza, and turn your cell phone on silent because you just can’t be disturbed while trying to follow your favorites either get booted off for their bad singing - or killed on a fictitious island. (If you do get the urge to go out, I suggest hitting the gym for a good sweat, then heading over to CVS to buy some extra tissues and cough drops in case you catch that nasty cold that’s been going around.) http://www.americanidol.com/ http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost

"Mujer Fatal," 2006 image courtesty of Shepard Fairey.

THURSDAY: Every Thursday from 5:00-9:00 pm is FREE admission at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) Boston! So, grab your friends and head down to this funky museum dedicated to all things pop, edgy and modern. Have a glass of wine in the museum café and shopin the uber cool gift shop. Visit the brand new exhibit featuring the controversial and popular graffiti artist turned pop icon creator Shepard Fairey. You will know him from his iconic blue & red Obama portrait seen on stickers, subways and t-shirts throughout the presidential election. For those old skool skaters, you will know him as the creator of the ridiculous “Obey Andre” stickers that appeared on mailboxes, bumpers and notebooks across the country and the world in the early 90s. http://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/exhibit/fairey

FRIDAY: It’s date night! Grab your sweetie and head to dinner and movie. My new favorite thing to do is to go to the Patriot Place Showcase Cinema De Lux in Foxborough, MA. With so many great films out this year, it’s the perfect time to go see Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire (truly amazing), The Reader (intense) or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (uplifting). What better way to watch a movie then in a real restaurant high above the movie screen with your favorite cocktail and some buffalo wings? Good idea to reserve your tickets online during the weekends as they can sell out. http://www.patriot-place.com/Cinemadelux.aspx

SATURDAY: It’s party time! Make it a Girls Night Out and let loose! After such a long, cold week of slushy snow and freezing rain… why not put on some sexy heels, a new top, rocking pair of jeans and go dancing! There are plenty of free or inexpensive places to go in Boston to hear good live music. Visit http://www.going.com/ for their “Recession Busters” events for some great places with reduced admission guest lists or even FREE entry to spend your Saturday night!

Beacon Hill snow image courtesy of planetware.com

Boston's House of Blues to open in February!

Great news for music fans...The House of Blues Boston is set to open on February 20th on Lansdowne Street! (They tore down famed nightclubs Axis and Avalon to make way for the new HOB complex.) See below for more details and visit the new website for show dates! Enjoy! Meliss :)

From Boston.com: With excitement building a month ahead of its return to New England, the House of Blues offered details on its opening series of concerts earlier today. Located on Lansdowne Street in the spot formerly occupied by Avalon, Axis, and the Modern, the House of Blues officially opens Feb. 20 with the Gipsy Kings. The latest bookings suggest the venue will continue to target a young concert market with performances by Jesse McCartney (above, Feb. 27), Bloc Party (March 19), and Katy Perry (April 1). The Dropkick Murphys, who had become a staple at Avalon and performed one of the last shows there, will play six consecutive nights (March 12-17).

Tickets for the following shows go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. They're available through www.livenation.com, www.hob.com/boston, and www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Gipsy Kings -- Feb. 20, $55 -- Opening Night**
Thievery Corporation -- Feb. 24. $30, $32 advance.**
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic -- Feb. 25. $25.
Jesse McCartney -- Feb. 27. $25.
Saints & Sinners Tour ’09 -- March 6. $20.
Justin Nozuka -- March 7. $22, $20 advance.
George Thorogood & the Destroyers -- March 11. $32.50, $29.50 advance.
Dropkick Murphys -- March 12-17. $29.50.**
Ozomatli -- March 18. $25.Bloc Party -- March 19. $25.
The Pogues -- March 20-21. $51. **
The Oddity Faire, featuring Les Claypool -- March 26. $27, $25 advance.
Live -- March 27, $29.50 and $39.50.
Morrissey -- March 29, $45. (Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon.)**
Lady GaGa -- March 30. $22, $20 advance. **
Katy Perry -- April 1. $18. **

**My HOT picks!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!

Hello and Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a happy, safe and successful 2009! Please visit often to see the latest hot spots, budget finds, exciting adventures and all that 2009 has in store for us!

The Top 10 Things To Do in the NEW YEAR!

1) Live a positive, HAPPY and loving life!

2) Work out, get HEALTHY, get fit! Just Do It...your life is ready!

3) Take time out to just BREATHE...do yoga, chill or take a walk outside.

4) TRAVEL! Start making plans to visit a culturally fascinating city or country you have ALWAYS wanted to see!

5) Adopt a pet! Many cats & dogs out there need good homes. Besides, unconditional love is bliss!

6) Tackle those pesky bills...the sooner you get out of DEBT, the better!

7) Pamper yourself! Whether you get a new haircut, FACIAL or pedicure (men too!), you deserve a spa day!

8) Eat delicous, tasty and decadent FOOD! Good fats and sugar are okay when you eat them in moderation...especially in one of Boston's top restaurants (see my reviews)!

9) Go to the MOVIES! Enjoy seeing some of the year's GOLDEN GLOBE and OSCAR nominated films of 2008, such as: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler, The Reader, Revolution Road, and Rachel Getting Married to name a few.

10) Say THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU to your family, friends, and loved ones. This is your LIFE!

PEACE in 2009!