Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  One of my dearest childhood friends got married this weekend on a gorgeous summer afternoon in Sonoma.  The portion of the wedding that inspired me the most were the self-written vows that the couple exchanged.  The honesty, love, and passion for one another was clear to everyone by the words and promises that they shared.  On the long drive home that evening, while perusing Instagram, I came across a company called BHLDN, specializing in all things wedding. These adorable Vow Journals reminded me of my friend and her beau.  I’m particularly smitten with the idea that the bride and groom can exchange the letterpress booklets post-ceremony.

II.  On the topic of weddings, an adorable way to fete a bride-to-be (or birthday/baby shower/book club/any other girlish occasion) is with a bouquet-making class at San Francisco's Studio Choo. The studio, started by best friends with a love for all things natural and wild, specializes in creating fresh seasonal arrangements from local bloom producers.  If you can’t pencil in a class, pick up their Flower Recipe Book, filled with genius how-to’s, flower care tips, and buying guides.

III.  When I first moved to the city, I was blown away by the range of speakers procured by the famed Commonwealth Club.  The San Francisco institution has allowed me to access discussions with authors, scientists, Presidents, and movie stars.  The latest guest pairing to catch my eye is restaurant du jour Flour + Water’s Chef Thomas McNaughton and Adam Savage of Mythbusters. There are only a handful of tickets left, so if you aren’t already a member, jump on this unique opportunity today!

IV.  In anticipation of the pasta guru’s Commonwealth Club appearance, I will be making a double batch of Five-Hour Bolognese for a dinner party this Thursday evening.  The sauce, inspired by my 2005 travels through Italy, is a combination of pork, beef, red and white wine, garlic, onion, celery, carrot, and tomato paste - tenderized by adding a cup of milk every twenty-minutes, which breaks down proteins and collagen in meat.  The mouthwatering result is well worth the effort, and particularly delicious when paired with homemade tagliatelle.

V.  To stave off boredom while prepping your bolognese, stock up on titles from the Guilty Pleasure Summer Movies catalog from Vogue.  Editors from the cultural barometer of all things stylish assembled a list of their favorite film indulgences, that you can’t help but watch over and over again.  How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Now and Then, and Wet Hot American Summer (of course!) are my personal favorites within the collection.

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt