Katie's Chocolate Club: February

Due to the distraction of Mardi Gras I did not opt for a Valentine's themed chocolate club this month. I just wasn't on the ball enough to make it happen. Instead, I scoped out FIKA of New York City. According to their website, 

"The word FIKA [fee:kah] translates into taking a coffee break to indulge in the ritual of conversation, often accompanied by something sweet or savory. Having a daily FIKA is a way of life in Sweden and an important part of the culture. It offers a way of both relaxing and staying connected."

Their packaging is unlike others I have seen. The black sleeve is attached to the white section to the left of the box and slides off, revealing a complete white box inside. That box's lid hinges on the left-hand side, as opposed to the lid coming off entirely like most other chocolate boxes. Inside, each chocolate was nestled in its own cavity, though some had danced around a bit during transit. A lot of the truffles have garnish on them that can rub off so there were lots of crumbs dusting everything. There was one casualty, a caramel that was cracked and broken: but no worries, I still ate it!

I did not see a place to add a gift note during checkout on their website. I may have just missed it, but none-the-less, no cheeky message this month. Darn! 

ROW #1

Pistachio Gianduja

Key Lime Pie

Peppermint Lime

Mackmyra Swedish Whiskey

Gingerbread

Staranise Hazelnut

ROW #2

Macadamia

Water (Salted Caramel)

Seawater Caramel (arrived broken)

71% Signature Dark

Goat Cheese (my "surprise" truffle)

Almond Gianduja

ROW #3

Quinoa Hazelnut

Wind (Four Liquors)

Almond Gianduja

Cardamom

Vanilla Xante

Caribbean Rum

ROW #4

Lingonberry

Cactus Lychee

Strawberry Lime

Hazelnut Gianduja

Laphroaig Whiskey

Almond

Hmmm... This collection confused me more than any others I have tried. Between the photo guide that came with the box and the page on the website I used to select my truffles, I did my best to identify each truffle, but I am not certain I got them all correct. Most of the flavors were very subtle, with the exception of the alcohol based ones: they were strong! Too strong in my opinion. The goat cheese, which I was fearful of because I am not a fan, didn't taste like the dairy product I detest. The salt on top of that truffle really overtook the taste.

Overall I was bummed that some of the more unique flavors didn't shine through. I was initially very excited to try so many new things (lingonberry, cactus lychee, cardamom, quinoa hazelnut, etc.), but was disappointed that I didn't get a strong sense of these ingredients in the ganaches.

From their website I see that they have multiple locations in New York City and their main focus appears to be coffee and providing a Swedish experience.

*all names/descriptions were copied directly from the guides provided with the collection.

Wedding Bells

Last weekend an old co-worker of mine got married! Meghan & James had a 1920s themed celebration at venue by the lake: Messina's at the Terminal. The bridesmaids wore gold sequenced dresses while the gentlemen sported white jackets with black pants. Meghan's dress was covered in lace and so beautiful! It was a lot of fun to catch up with a bunch of the gals from Sucre in between drinks, snacks, dancing, and runs to the photo booth! 

The groom + ladies

The bride with Sara & me

 Lots of head bands and flapper dresses going on!

I attended Meghan & James' "I Do BBQ" back in the fall! They are currently honeymooning in Vancouver!

NOLA Bucket List

Post Mardi Gras I was able to check a few things off of my New Orleans Bucket List! 

I have ridden the street car from Joseph Street to downtown, but never anything further uptown from my house. So I wanted to ride the entire Carrolton/St. Charles line both ways. It was a gorgeous day to entertain this task! And with most of the Mardi Gras crowd departed, it wasn't too packed.

Cori & I waiting to roll!

Sara got off work early and with a little bit of effort was able to join us on the street car. At one point she was driving beside us trying to get far enough in front that she could park and be at a stop by the time we got there!

The infamous bead tree in front of The Delachaise. It gets so weighted down during parades!

Cori took an awesome time-lapse video of the ride down the entire line! 

After riding down to the end of the line we meandered through the French Quarter, peaking in art galleries and shops along the way. We stopped for happy hour drinks and snacks at Tableau right outside of Jackson Square. Pimms Cup, Dark & Stormy, French 75: all delicious!

Another item on my list was to get my palm read in Jackson Square. Readers are always out, set up and ready to trap tourists so it was only a matter of picking one! 

I was told that I will have two children, whether they are mine, step-kids or adopted, but she made it clear that pets did not count (bummer). I will own my own business at some point in life and will likely experience reproductive issues (I did not let on or help out in any way and did not tell her that I have had an ovary removed, so I am not sure if that is what she is referring to, or if there will be complications should I ever try to have kids). My life line indicates that I will be "nursing home" old. So I guess I have plenty of time to figure out what business I will run! She hit the nail on the head when she said that I tend to decide quickly whether I like someone or not. Haha! The one thing that didn't jive was a comment about me being lucky to be alive, that I experienced something that should have taken my life. I do not know of anything that has happened to me that has put me at serious risk of dying: mom, do I not know something? I mean, everything could be considered a risk. Walking out of the house I could get struck by lightening, staying in my house, someone could crash their car through the house. Who knows. Otherwise, the reading was kind of fun. I don't put much stock into these types of things, but it was an experience :)

She drew some random things on my hands as she explained what they meant. I should have recorded her because of course I don't remember half of it!

Cori did a Tarot card reading with the same lady.

Set up beside the palm/card reader was a lady doing henna. Going with the spirit of playing tourist in my own town, I figured "why not?" and had a geometric print done on my hand! While it wasn't on my bucket list, it was a first.

Cori did a more elaborate floral design. I really liked hers!

The next day we were both sporting ombre burnt orange designs :)

I am typing this a day short of a week later and mine is still holding strong. The part closest to my fingernail is starting to come off. We were advised that it will last a week or two depending on how much scrubbing you do at it.  

So there are a few things ticked off my list. There are a few more to go...

Mardi Gras #6

My first Mardi Gras without having to balance work and fun!!! Woo hoo! It was a constant rallying of energy as usual, but this year I was not dependent on Redbull to pull me through! Cori, Sara and I wore and rotated multiple wigs, we had festive tights, glittery tulle skirts, head bands, and lots of carnival shirts! I felt the most prepared this year: from outfits to footwear to beverages, we had our shit together!

Moonshine in all its flavored glory! Margarita & Blackberry mix very well, and the soaked peaches complimented our champagne wonderfully!

Purple & green wigs for the win!

Sara, Me, Tyler, Brie, and Cori at Thoth

Thoth rolled on Sunday with perfect weather. | Confetti & lights at a night parade

Ribbon fun & lots of costumes on Mardi Gras day downtown

Solange Knowles was the honorary Muse this year. Unfortunately she threw her wedding ring off with beads along the route. I doubt it will ever be recovered. 

Rows & rows of ladders for the kiddies. | A float poking fun at the super slow construction progress occurring all across town!

King Cake daiquiri! | The three amigas ready for Muses!

A group of dominos being knocked down by a car!

Me, Tyler (ready to root for his Panthers in the Super Bowl) & Brie at Thoth

A float in Morpheus. | Clean up post parade. Still amazes me how quickly things return to "clean" after the fun! 

A time-lapse of clean up after Thoth.

More wigged shenanigans :)

AV with his tambourine

Me & Brie on Canal Street catching the tail of Rex

Sara, Jen & Jackie at Morpheus. | Purple suits Sara!

610 Stompers doing their thing!

Anthony Mackie chucked cups at us during Bacchus! 

The annual ground photos of the wreckage.

Another Carnival Season in the books :)

LaPlace

While Cori was here, she, Sara and I took a break from the carnival celebrations and escaped north to LaPlace for pounds and pounds of crawfish! We majorly lucked out with the scenery upon arriving at The Crab Trap. Located a few miles off the interstate and down a country road that ends on the western shores of Lake Pontchartrain, we wandered around outside for a bit as the sun was setting.

Some photos are mine, some are Cori's. We did a massive photo-sharing moment before she left, so they are all mixed up, but they are all beautiful!

The Crab Trap & 3 lbs. of the finest crawfish I've ever had!!

I am really glad that we opted out of parades and crowds that evening. Very much worth it!