“Stars will blossom in the darkness, Violets bloom beneath the snow.”

Ever since I heard about Besame's violet face powder, I've had a mean craving for all things violet. I love--love!--violet candies. There's something so decadent about floral flavors and essences, and violet is by far my favorite. Rose is bitter. Lavender is sharp. But violet has a soft, powdery sweetness balanced by a woody freshness. It reminds me of mossy forest floors and the clean smell of rain-washed grass. Right now I want to burn violet candles, wear violet perfume, drink violet cocktails, and buy a bottle of violet extract to make delicately violet flavored sugar cookies. Here's my current wish list:

Violette Divine perfume by Berdoues, with violet, sandalwood and mandarin orange notes - Source

Sugared Violet Flowers for decadently decorated cakes, from Planet Bake

Urban Apothecary London Violet Cassis candle in a gorgeous vintage style jar

Leone Violet Pastille Candies from Italy

Bitter Truth Violet Liqueur for classic cocktails mixes perfectly with gin or absinthe - Source

John Galliano Perfume for Women with violet, iris, amber, and smoky incense notes - Source

I wish I had more to report (and photograph!), but it was a perfectly peaceful weekend. No wild parties or shows, just a romantic date followed by time spent with good friends. Can I tell you something kind of cheesy? Keith and I recently started having a weekly date night. We dress up, he reserves a table and opens all the doors, and we act like lovesick nerds. Yeah, we make goo-goo eyes at each other, but it's pretty likely that an eavesdropper would hear us talking about Nethack. We're both playing it on our iPads totally addicted to it right now.

So last Friday, we had date night at the Park Cafe. He had duck, I had salmon, and we finished with an unusual creme brulee. It didn't have a sugar crust--the custard was sandwiched between layers of almond flavored Phyllo pastry. If you live in Nashville, you've got to try it! Then Saturday evening was spent with good wine, Settlers of Catan, and my best girl friends. The most exciting news of the night? One of my friends was gifted a pair Chanel heels that day! Her very generous boss couldn't wear them and wanted them to be worn and loved. Ooh la la! She click-clacked in wearing her new shoes, and our jaws dropped. The shoes definitely deserved a toast!

Okay, I'm going to go find out if Holland House uses violet liqueur in their Aviation cocktail. Bye!