Schooled

I'm in mega-learning mode right now, and I am so thankful for my teachers along the way: Lindsey on where to eat in Paris; Kasia on where to shop; Nichole on how to survive it all. And then there are the classes on the REALLY good stuff--French wine and macarons--taught in, le sigh, English. Since I've been here, I've sipped Champagne and Bourdeaux during a wine-tasting class from Wine Tasting in Paris and have learned to make macarons (!) at La Cuisine Paris.

And ooooh lordy. How I rejoiced in being able to understand every.single.word.

For the record, the wine-tasting class was on a boat on the Seine, and the macaron instructor sent us all home with at least a dozen holy-cow-did-we-actually-MAKE-these? treats. I know.

I keep pinching myself. And also the extra inch that may be slowly appearing around my belly. Rules number 5 and 6 in The Paris Plan: IN EFFECT.

Will you be having the Chardon-Amy or the Cabern-Amy?

Here's what I love at a party: Me. Also, good friends. Fattening food. Fancy-pants wine. Great conversation. And a theme. A wonderful, wonderful blows-your-mind theme created specifically for you.

This week, my friend Leah hosted a small wine-and-cheese birthday party for me in her home. She's is an art director at a high-end magazine, and is one of those people who eats, breathes, and lives design. She's really, really creative, and sometimes, those of us who are lucky enough to know Leah get to benefit from her tremendous talent.

And--lucky me--I got some Leah-love this week! Take a look at these pics; not only did she create pairing menus and labels for all of the cheese, she also made wine charms (complete with proofreader's marks, a nod to my writing profession) and topped the night off with party favors: bottles of red and white wine remade with labels for "Cabern-Amy" and "Chardon-Amy" from "Red Pen Vineyards" and "White Space Vineyards."

I was just floored at the thoughtfulness and the cleverness. And more than anything, I was so touched to be surrounded by so much love. And cheese. And wine. And very cute fonts.

Thank you so much, lovely Leah.

(And sidebar: don't ya'll think she should open an etsy site or something?  Leave a comment--I know she's reading!)