Date Night Fashion and Food

Does anyone else try to look their absolute worst during the day when a date night is planned for the evening? Just me? Ok, let me explain. I adore those makeover segments of talk shows. You know the ones, where they go from geek to chic? Frumpy to fabulous? I feel that if the contrast in my look is drastic, I will feel put together by comparison regardless of how my hair or makeup turns out.

As a mom, I don’t often have hours to get ready like I used to. Remember the days when you would turn up the Nelly or Tone Loc, mix up a killer cocktail and spend two hours JUST on your smoky eyes? Yeah, not anymore. I am usually cranking up the Frozen, mixing a bottle and spending a leisurely two minutes haphazardly stabbing my eyes with an eyeliner pencil while tucking a squirmy baby under my arm.

Here is my 20 minute date night look, and yes, I am wearing a sports bra underneath an incredibly unattractive dress. Hey, it was like a hundred degrees that day and I was running around chasing my 3 year old in the back yard! Just be appreciative that I am posting a makeup-less pic, it is a rarity for me:

Here is what I did and how long it took me:

• Makeup- foundation, concealer (I buy it by the truckload these days), dusting of powder, blush, eyeshadow primer, gold and black shadows, black liner, mascara, MAC Ruby Woo lipstick (12 minutes)
• Hair- dry shampoo, Elnett, and spin pins (5 minutes)
• Clothes- my classic LBD from The Limited (they have the BEST wrap dresses for a great price), gold statement necklace, gold earrings and leopard pumps (3 minutes)

 For our date night, we headed with our friends to Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Lincolnshire. They one of the only places that can cook a Filet to Medium Rare perfection. As I perused their extensive menu, I ordered their signature martini- The Knockout. They take Svedka Clementine Vodka and infuse it with Fresh Hawaiian Gold Pineapples; one of the best (and dangerous!) martinis I have ever had.

Our friends ordered a half bottle of our favorite Cabernet- the 2012 Alexander Valley. What a novel concept- the ability to order a half bottle in the event that you and your date prefer different wines! They have a complete wine list that would satisfy even the most savvy sommelier.

One of the things I like best about Sullivan’s is their Prix Fixe menu. For $42, you get to pick a starter:

• Cheesesteak Eggroll
• Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
• Roasted Garlic Meatballs
• Crispy Shanghai Calamari

A soup or salad:

• Shrimp & Lobster Bisque
• Iceberg Lettuce Wedge
• Market Fresh Greens
• Caesar Salad

And an entree:

• Filet Mignon with Garlic Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
• Sliced NY Strip with Garlic Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
• Simply Broiled Bay of Fundy Salmon with Grilled Asparagus

 I LOVE this because I always want to order starters and a salad, but know how much it can rack up the bill, AND I don’t have to split anything with my husband. I had the Cheesesteak Eggroll (which he took anyways because it was too good to leave alone), the Bisque (chunks of lobster!) and the Filet (grilled to Medium Rare EXACTLY).

We also ordered their Three Cheese Mac (added Bacon, of course) and Shaved Brussels Sprouts for the table to share. Their house made dessert menu included a S’mores Mousse Cake and a Warm Cast Iron Blondie served with Butter Pecan Ice Cream. I literally couldn’t eat another bite or else I would have ordered both!

Pssst: Volunteer to organize your holiday office party. Book here before September 30th and you get  $100 gift card for yourself. I swear I won’t tell.

What has your favorite date night fashion and food combos been? Tell me! I always want to know!!

A big thanks for Sullivan’s Lincolnshire for gifting a $100 gift certificate to me. As always my opinions are honest and my own.