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

I.  With friends partaking in both Passover and Easter celebrations this week, I’ve been inundated with tablescape inquiries.  Stepping away from a traditional pastel palette, I’m recommending a bold mix of turquoise, pink, and orange with gilded accents.  Recreate the look with tonal pink florals, ikat fabric from your local crafts store, vintage candle-holders (Salvation Army and Good Will have shockingly fabulous options) and these tapers.  For added effect, use matzo or gold-dipped eggs in lieu of place cards.

II.  Here’s the best part of dating:  .  Just kidding.  Sort of…  New to the single scene (I spent the entirety of my teens and 20’s in a series of monogamous relationships) a year ago I signed up for OkCupid, Tinder, JDate, Coffee Meets Bagel, and Hinge.  While I’ve floated in and out of these apps - one particularly entertaining experience is chronicled here - I recently decided to delete them all together.  I’m fairly certain that my Prince Charming isn’t spending hours crafting the perfect profile and perusing uncurated websites to meet random women.  Furthermore, all of my favorite couples were introduced by friends.  While lamenting on this over the weekend, someone mentioned that neither of my excuses worked for a new app called My Cute Friend.  The dating site works on reviews by friends (as a man you have to be recommended to join, and your recommender is attached to your profile).  I played with the app for twenty minutes and already matched with several (surprisingly) eligible bachelors.  Get it, girls!!

III.  Bikini season is swiftly approaching, which means that my winter indulgences of gnocchi and truffle frites will be replaced with healthier choices.  Like Salmon.  While there are many ways to prepare the ubiquitous fish, I keep returning to my variation on Barefoot Contessa's Herb Roasted version.  Topped with fresh dill, scallions, and parsley then simmered in dry white wine, this dish is as healthy as it is delectable.

IV.  Flipping through the pages of C Magazine this morning, I paused on a story featuring Mia Rubie, a San Francisco native who ditched her corporate position at Levi’s to open her own nail art boutique.  Proud (and understanding) of anyone who leaves a lucrative career to pursue passion, I loved learning about Mia’s adventure creating her company Sparkle.  I’ll be stopping by to prep my nails for the SF MOMA Nail Art Competition pre-Modern Ball on April 30th. 

V.  Tonight we will be treated to a total eclipse of the heart.  Er, moon…  The lunar eclipse will turn the moon from pearly white to a magnificent blood red.  Though the transformation starts this evening with the faint Penumbral Eclipse at 10:20PM, the best visual display over the Bay Area will occur at 12:46AM.  Easily viewed by the naked eye, the celestial performance occurs when the sun, moon, and earth align so that light from the sun filters around earth’s atmosphere before striking the moon.  In more romantic terms, this means that all of the light from the sunrises and sunsets all over the world will band together to illuminate the moon.  Grab a blanket and some vino because you don’t want to miss this!

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt