French Toast and Dream Homes

Last weekend, GK and I decided to celebrate the three-day weekend by having a celebratory brunch on Sunday.  Going out for brunch always make things feel more festive, doesn't it?  We decided to go Upstairs on the Square because we were in the mood for a unique and elegant atmosphere, but we also obviously wanted good food.  Sadly, its owners have decided to close Upstairs on the Square soon, so we wanted to make a point of having brunch there before it's gone.  We started with mimosas and the complimentary bread basket.  I love Upstairs' version of this carby offering, because they bring you a selection of sweet and savory mini options, including cheddar and onion scones, coffee cake, and sticky buns.

When we were ready to move on the the main event, I ordered the French Toast.

Two thick-cut, eggy pieces of bread cooked for just the right amount of time and then smothered with a rum raisin caramel sauce and topped with Grand Marnier Spiked Whipped Cream.  Need I say more?  I love a brunch where I can have alcohol in both my mimosa and my food.  GK ordered the Fine Herbs and Goat Cheese Omelet, which came with a side salad and homefries, and then we split our plates so we could each have both a sweet and a savory brunch.  I think this was the right call, since both dishes were excellent and I think that eating all of the French Toast myself would have sent me into diabetic shock.

It was a beautiful day, and after finishing our meals, we stayed for a while, sipping coffee and tea and enjoying the sunny view of Harvard Square and Upstairs' colorful and whimsical interior.

If you haven't been to Upstairs on the Square, I'd urge you to go before the end of the year when they will close their doors.  It's a great place for brunch with your girlfriends or family, and they do dinner and afternoon tea as well.
When GK and I decided that we had stayed for long enough and were thoroughly stuffed, we felt that we needed to walk off a bit of our meal and headed into Boston to hit up West Elm and Restoration Hardware.  We told ourselves that we were going to do some Christmas shopping and research (GK is writing a paper for her art history class on the building that houses Restoration Hardware, which used to be the Boston Museum of Natural History), but if we're honest, we just wanted to look at the pretty interiors and Christmas decorations.  We started with West Elm.  I love this store because their stuff is cool and contemporary, yet still cozy, and they had already gone full-on Christmas.

We took our time, moseying throughout the displays.  After we had mentally redesigned our bedrooms, created our imaginary wedding registries, and admired all the shiny things, we moved on to Restoration Hardware on Newbury Street.  This building is absolutely gorgeous with three floors full of luxe furnishings and decor....GK and I were in fantasy house heaven.

We dutifully tested out most of the furniture and picked out what we would buy to furnish our chalets and villas, which we will naturally have just as soon as we become rich and famous.

We left feeling refreshed and inspired by all the pretty things.  Grabbing some hot chocolate, we sipped and chatted as we slowly strolled down Commonwealth Avenue and through the Boston Public Garden, agreeing that three-day weekends should come around more often.

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