Tintypery

So it’s been forever since I wrote on here. I have no excuse other than life is busy and I need to prioritize better. My lovely sister though encouraged me to get back on it this week. So I figured I would start back with some family fun!

Right before Father’s Day my mom texted all of us to said she had found a Groupon for an old time photo place. I’m not going to lie, the whole thing sounded a bit cheesy to me. Obviously back when I was a kid and teenager it was a fun thing to do at Six Flags or on vacation. But I wasn’t sure how it would be as an adult. And how we would get all 9 of us in there, changing clothes, and taking pics. Buttt… Everyone else in my family seemed pumped so I was willing to just go with it. 

My mom purchased the Groupon for Tintypery (www.tintypery.com) which was on Main Street in St Charles. We had a late afternoon appointment for Father’s Day. The place was really easy to find, parking was easy for those of us who are pros at parallel parking (not me). When we got inside there was another family finishing up so they gave us an album to look through to decide what style of pics we wanted. You cold choose from the 1860’s-1920’s. They had costumes and props that ranged from Southern Belle, Victorian, Roaring 20’s, Wild West, etc. We decided on the Roaring 20’s because the guys wanted to be gangsters.

First stop was to the back of the store with the employees to help us girls pick out costumes. (It would be best have shorts and a tank top on or to put on under the costumes. They do provide shorts if you need them.) It doesn’t matter what color you pick because of the black and white or sepia toned photos so really you are just looking for a style you like. We had a blast picking out fun dresses and then headbands and hats to wear! I secretly wish those hair pieces and headbands would come back into style because I can rock a feather in my hair for sure!

 

 

Next the guys were up to pick out suit jackets, pants and hats! Rocky (my nephew) looked like a miniature Justin Timberlake that day with his suit, tie and hat on. Griff had a sweet smoking jacket on that was straight out of the 20’s. Joe looked straight tough guy. And Grandpa (my dad) was definitely the head honcho man in charge.

 

 
After that we started our photo shoot! We grouped up and then the employees added props around us and gave us guns, cigars, and cigarettes to add to the effect. It was a hoot! Lyla (my niece) won the day with best facial expressions! I’m shocked they got such serious faces out of us because we could not stop laughing and joking around about it all.

 

 

The process was seriously so easy and fun! We got to look at the pics right then and get prints immediately. The employees were friendly and fun to be around. All in all, I would highly suggest making an appointment for you family cause it’s one of the best family pictures we’ve ever taken!!

Pastaria

There are a handful of places on my "Dying to Eat At" list in the Lou! And the other night totally at random Griff and I got to try one of them and it didn't disappoint.

 

Thursday evening we were at the Emerson Young Artist's Showcase in Clayton. http://www.stlouisartistsguild.org/new/march-17-april-9-2016

Griff's super talented nephew had a piece in the show. So we went to support him and check out the art. Holy moly! I was blown away not only by him but by the fact that there are so many talented young artists in the St Louis area. If I hadn't known it was high school kids that had created the pieces at the gallery I would have never guessed that. If you have a chance to get over there and check it out you should.

 

When we were leaving we were both starving and had no desire to go home and cook. So we did something that is quite rare anymore for us and went out to eat on a week night. When the question came up, "Where do you want to go?" There was zero hesitation on my part, "Babe, I'm taking you on a date to Pastaria!!" 

 

Pastaria has been on my list since the day they opened! And always with the longest wait ever. My family tried to go for my birthday back in February and the wait was 3 hours! (Which definitely wasn't doable for a group of 10 with 2 kids in tow.) So last night was the perfect time to try again. 

 

When we got there they said there would be a 30 minute wait for 2 or we could sit at the chef's counter. We took the chef's counter!

 

As we sat down I was excited to see we had a front row seat at the wood fired oven to watch them make pizzas. We were brought water in mason jars (you all know for some reason everything tastes better in a mason jar). We perused the drink menu but we're old and it was a week night so we both stuck with water. But the drinks looked amazing so next time we're going on a weekend! While we were deciding on food they brought us super fresh (can you say still warm from the oven) baked bread. It was crusty on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle. They have set out different olive oils for dipping and fresh cheese. The oil, the bread, the cheese... That could have been my whole meal and I would have been happy.

 

Next up I ordered us the Crispy Risotto Balls! They were the first thing I eye balled on the menu the very first time I checked it out online. I was so excited to try them and they didn't disappoint. Let me preface this with: Risotto is my favorite food pretty much ever. One of my best cooking accomplishments was when I learned to make it myself (but more on that on another blog). There was a light fry on them and once you bit into them it was the cheesiest goodness ever. Seriously think of the best mozzarella stick you've ever had and then times that by a million. They came with two sauces. One was an amazingly delicious marinara and an herb ranch kind of sauce. I liked both but preferred the marinara.

Our food arrived not too long after that. When it comes to wood fired pizza I'm typically a traditionalist so I got the Margherita pizza. And it was everything I want in a pizza. It had a crunchy but doughy thin crust with the perfect char in spots. The perfect amount of fresh sauce that was salty but a tad bit sweet all at the same time. A light amount of cheese that was melted to perfection by the wood fire oven. And then huge basil leaves that were crispy in all the right places. It was cut into 4 perfect pieces so I was able to fold them over and have the perfect bite!

Griff got the pasta with clams which also happens to be his favorite dish that his mom makes for him. So I knew it would have to be perfect to even compete with a homemade dish. I had a bite of course and thought it was delicious! I snagged a clam and it was super fresh and cooked just perfect, chewy but not too chewy. The sauce was lemony and light. It had red pepper flakes that were a little over bearing in my opinion but the pasta was fresh and cooked to the perfect al dente. Griff liked it but wished it had more clams. And also thought they could have gone a little less on the red pepper flakes. 

At this point we were stuffed! Of course we glanced at the desert menu but nothing felt like something we couldn't live without on a Thursday night. The gelato was tempting but we held back. 

All in all, Pastaria did not disappoint! It's definitely one of the best wood fired pizzas I've ever had. I'm anxious to go back again to try more menu items and end my meal with gelato! I highly suggest you check it out for yourself! http://pastariastl.com

In The Beginning

Welcome to Living in The Lou! I'm Jess and I recently moved from IL to downtown St Louis (something I said I would never do) and surprise, surprise... I love it! I've always had a place in my heart for things that make St Louis, well St. Louis. But now after living here for awhile there is a huge spot in my heart filled with all things Lou!

 

So why a blog? I used to write a blog about all my dating adventures but since I'm in a long term relationship now (hence the move to the Lou) my boyfriend probably wouldn't appreciate me going on dates just so I can keep a dating blog going. As I was driving to work this morning I was thinking about how much I miss writing and the idea of all this came to me. So I texted the two people I always bounce my creative ideas off of and texted my boyfriend to make sure he was ok with more pictures being taken while we're out doing stuff and his opinions on restaurants and things we do being quoted on the blog. I got nothing but encouragement from all three of them and then "Living in The Lou" was born. Also, I love to write. It's my not so secret dream to write a book one day and I've totally gotten out of the habit of writing regularly. So the blog will also help me get back in the habit again of writing all the time and using the creative side of my brain. And on top of that it will keep my boyfriend and I trying new places and experiences St Louis has to offer (on top of encouraging our family and friends to try new things too).

 

What makes me an expert on St Louis? Pretty much nothing. Hahaha I'm banking on the fact that I live there, I love to eat good food from local restaurants, I love to drink beer from local breweries and wine from local wineries. I love the Cardinals and the Blues (although I will admit to the fact that I follow baseball much more closely). I grew up in IL but only 30 minutes from downtown so I've been doing St Louis activities my whole life. My boyfriend and I aren't picky and love to try new things and especially try all kinds of restaurants. So maybe I'm not an "expert" but I am a girl who has not only fallen in love with a great man but also fallen in love with living in a great city! So thanks ahead of time for coming on this journey of love with me! 

Also, if you ever have any suggestions for new restaurants to try or places to go please comment and let me know! 

Much Love,

     -Jess

P.S. Thanks in advance to my "cast of characters" who will show up on here periodically. I promise to quote you exactly if you put up with all my picture taking.