all that's past is prologue...

Went to Common Roots Cafe for dinner, where I had a grilled cheese and Patrick had a Rootsy Lucy. More importantly, Patrick had a Surly Coffee Bender, and I had a Surly Hell. Beatrix went BYOB. The only way that Common Roots could get any better is if they served fries. Seriously. Yum.

So, last night we had a late-night babysitter (thanks, Joanna!) and so got to go out to a trendy place for hip drinks for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long. I thought about hitting a cheap late night happy hour, but being able to go out at 9:30pm now is so rare that I chose instead to try one of the bars at the new downtown Minneapolis W Hotel, located in the renovated Foshay Tower. Excellent choice. We got there and the place was hopping, and wrapped in Deco-inspired opulence, with nary a glimpse of the stodgy old office building the Foshay had become. We were tempted by the lobby bar — the Living Room — but decided to go check out Prohibition, the 27th floor bar on the old observation deck and were glad we did. The bar is lovely. It fits a little over 100, but in intimate areas that wrap around the top of the tower, all with amazing views. We sat on shiny white chairs, had great mixed drinks, and an olive/blue cheese stuffed dates/almond tray that was amazing. Also, s

My decorating style, according to an online quiz: HOME QUEEN Bringing up baby hasn't in the least bit cramped your sense of style. You have an almost theatrical approach to interior design, dressing up rooms just as you yourself would for a glamorous night out (or in). The look is opulent and luxurious, but can be equally sexy and sophisticated - just like you! And you? http://mydeco.com/imagini/test/

We're participating in the Macalaster-Groveland Community Garage sale this Saturday, the 23rd. Stop by the Summit house (1358 Summit) to say hi, buy some treasures, bring us donuts, etc. There are almost 100 different sales in the neighborhood that day, and the City Pages 2008 "Best Of" issue named it the "Best Neighborhood for Garage Sales" so don't miss it! Plus you have to stop by the say goodbye to the "Reagan Memorial Bathroom." Tonight we met with the designer and producer for BATHTASTIC. Less than 2 weeks before they begin shooting out episode! The bathroom is going to look fantastic, and we are very excited.

Ok, this is my first try at selling off my personal items through my blog. Turns out I was a little overconfident in how long Beatrix should be nursing, so I have a raft of nursing shirts for sale. Most of them are by Motherwear and are size L -- they are all cotton except for the celadon-colored one, which is bamboo. The striped one is form Motherhood and is a size M (and for some reason the pic won't load). $7 each for most, but the maroon one is $3 (some staining and the arms run a little short), or $27 for the batch, plus shipping. UPDATE - SOLD!

Patrick got an iPhone.  It's way cool, and I am trying not to be jealous. The nanny that flaked on us has another ad up on CL.  I am trying not to be pissed off. I am tired and have a lot of work to do in the next 24 hours.  I am trying not to be snarky. Why are the unfavorable emotions so much more prevalent sometimes than the favorable ones? Need to work at being happy, thoughtful, understanding, witty, and charming. Tomorrow.

So normally we shop at the co-op, or Rainbow, or Costco or Trader Joe's if we are feeling up to it.  But tonight I had a $25 gift certificate and a $20 off $100 coupon for Byerley's, so we hit the store where the elite go to eat. We had so much fun!  We picked up tons of things we would not normally get — peach salsa, frozen gourmet soups, an artichoke sauce for pasta and dips, low-cal Izze soda.  We also got a lot of great fruit, and some especially delicious salads for Saturday Night TV Dinner.  Beatrix thought any grocery store where she could have her bottle while cruising down the aisles was a keeper.  Did you know Lunds/Byerley's will sharpen your knives for free (though not while-you-wait)?  And it sure was nice to have everything carried out to the car. On the way back we passed the new Sonic, which actually needed a police officer to direct traffic.  Uh, guys?  It's just fast food... We definitely got the better end of the deal!

It's Fringe here in Minnesota.  With our dearth of childcare we are not going to get to much, so everyone reading this blog should go to extra shows to make up for me! We are going to Patrick's brother's show, Trying Guilt  tomorrow.  And tonight we went to Bedlam Theater (Fringe Central) for a very quiet happy hour.  But we got to have Summit and see my brilliant and gorgeous friend Annie who is going to grad school for costume design in the fall, so well worth it. I have a comp and think I can get out on my own to see one other show.  What should I see?