Chicago favorites

I may have only lived in Chicago for one short year, but I had some very specific traditions during that time. I ate at the same restaurants, got my nails done at the same place, had the same bus ride to church on the west side every Sunday, and got to experience a little bit of Greektown every Tuesday. I may have never made it to the beach on Lake Shore or shopping in Wicker Park, but I liked my little traditions. My favorite though, hands down, was when J came to town.

We would almost always spend some quality time at the Lincoln Park Zoo... I mean, a free zoo in the middle of the city (the most beautiful part of it nonetheless!), just amazing!

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one of the most beautiful days that we went to the zoo

Then we would have to stop by our all time favorite restaurant, R.J. Grunts to have some of their burgers and yummy salad/fruit bar. If you live in Chicago and haven't eaten here yet, you must go. The atmosphere is fun, the food is good and the soup cost is whatever the temperature of the lake is!

And I may have only gone a couple of times, but if I still lived in the city, I would visit the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier on a weekly basis during the winter...

perfect place for a cold day!

Have you been to the Windy city? What were some of your favorite places? Okay, and if you haven't been yet. Book your trip... now. Promise you wont regret it.

Chicago favorites

I may have only lived in Chicago for one short year, but I had some very specific traditions during that time. I ate at the same restaurants, got my nails done at the same place, had the same bus ride to church on the west side every Sunday, and got to experience a little bit of Greektown every Tuesday. I may have never made it to the beach on Lake Shore or shopping in Wicker Park, but I liked my little traditions. My favorite though, hands down, was when J came to town.

We would almost always spend some quality time at the Lincoln Park Zoo... I mean, a free zoo in the middle of the city (the most beautiful part of it nonetheless!), just amazing!

via

one of the most beautiful days that we went to the zoo

Then we would have to stop by our all time favorite restaurant, R.J. Grunts to have some of their burgers and yummy salad/fruit bar. If you live in Chicago and haven't eaten here yet, you must go. The atmosphere is fun, the food is good and the soup cost is whatever the temperature of the lake is!

And I may have only gone a couple of times, but if I still lived in the city, I would visit the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier on a weekly basis during the winter...

perfect place for a cold day!

Have you been to the Windy city? What were some of your favorite places? Okay, and if you haven't been yet. Book your trip... now. Promise you wont regret it.

Christmas List

I've had Christmas on my mind big time lately! This past weekend I picked up some holiday fabric from Jo-Ann's in order to start my project of making Christmas stockings... and since then, I can't stop thinking about what I want for Christmas! No, not what presents I want (though I could probably make a long list of that right now too!) but rather, what I want in order to celebrate! Here's what I'm thinking...

Some letterpress gift tags

Some kraft paper for wrapping presents 

(and the talent to do it like Martha!)

A chic personalized Christmas tree skirt 

(like this one from Pottery Barn)

And maybe some holiday dinnerware to entertain with

(I think my favorite is Spode Christmas Tree)

What's on your Christmas list this year? Come on, embrace it. It's less than two months away!

Christmas List

I've had Christmas on my mind big time lately! This past weekend I picked up some holiday fabric from Jo-Ann's in order to start my project of making Christmas stockings... and since then, I can't stop thinking about what I want for Christmas! No, not what presents I want (though I could probably make a long list of that right now too!) but rather, what I want in order to celebrate! Here's what I'm thinking...

Some letterpress gift tags

Some kraft paper for wrapping presents 

(and the talent to do it like Martha!)

A chic personalized Christmas tree skirt 

(like this one from Pottery Barn)

And maybe some holiday dinnerware to entertain with

(I think my favorite is Spode Christmas Tree)

What's on your Christmas list this year? Come on, embrace it. It's less than two months away!

vintage tuesday {nuns!}

This post is in honor of my wonderful, dear friend Ashley... she's becoming a sister! Now, I know you're probably thinking that is archaic and crazy, but trust me, these nuns are amazing. Anyway, when I saw these little figurines I couldn't help but think of the lovely sisters clad in white down in Nashville, TN!

I think these sweet singing sisters from Japan would look great with some Christmas decorations. No?

vintage tuesday {nuns!}

This post is in honor of my wonderful, dear friend Ashley... she's becoming a sister! Now, I know you're probably thinking that is archaic and crazy, but trust me, these nuns are amazing. Anyway, when I saw these little figurines I couldn't help but think of the lovely sisters clad in white down in Nashville, TN!

I think these sweet singing sisters from Japan would look great with some Christmas decorations. No?

monday motivation

Happy Monday! Can you believe that this is the last Monday in October? Where did the time go? I hope everyone has had ample time to bask in the delights of Fall...

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This morning I'm off to Chicago for a week long training for work. So, sadly, it's not that exciting, but I'll take the opportunity to go to my old favorite spots (as time allows!). I couldn't help but think of my beloved Chicago in this picture... so romantic, it reminds me of an idealized Navy Pier (I may have to hit up the arboretum... le sigh).

What's motivating you this week? Mine of course is being back in this beautiful city!

monday motivation

Happy Monday! Can you believe that this is the last Monday in October? Where did the time go? I hope everyone has had ample time to bask in the delights of Fall...

via

This morning I'm off to Chicago for a week long training for work. So, sadly, it's not that exciting, but I'll take the opportunity to go to my old favorite spots (as time allows!). I couldn't help but think of my beloved Chicago in this picture... so romantic, it reminds me of an idealized Navy Pier (I may have to hit up the arboretum... le sigh).

What's motivating you this week? Mine of course is being back in this beautiful city!

happy weekend!

Thank goodness its Friday!!! I can't even tell if the weeks are going by fast or slow these days, but I do know that it feels like just yesterday it was August! I put on gloves for the first time today and that's when it hit me - it's all cold from here! But, I do love gloves (to the point where J's friends had nicknamed me Gloves in college) so I'm welcoming the weather for now!

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 I don't think I've mentioned it much, but guess what friends?  I'm heading to Chicago on Monday! I would be more excited about it, but it is just for a training and I doubt I will really get to do too much there. There are a few restaurants I hope to hit up for dinner but I think I will be pretty confined to downtown most of the time.

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So this weekend, I'll be packing and planning! Do you have any big plans? Let me know! I love to hear! I hope its a wonderful one... until then, here are a few of my favorite things from this week!

These pics of Carey and Keira found over at The Neo-Trad.

A practice quilt that would probably be a masterpieces for me!

Calendars getting me pumped for 2011 that Brandi posted!

And finally, a sweater that would make me feel equally geeky as my hubs. Love patches.

happy weekend!

Thank goodness its Friday!!! I can't even tell if the weeks are going by fast or slow these days, but I do know that it feels like just yesterday it was August! I put on gloves for the first time today and that's when it hit me - it's all cold from here! But, I do love gloves (to the point where J's friends had nicknamed me Gloves in college) so I'm welcoming the weather for now!

via

 I don't think I've mentioned it much, but guess what friends?  I'm heading to Chicago on Monday! I would be more excited about it, but it is just for a training and I doubt I will really get to do too much there. There are a few restaurants I hope to hit up for dinner but I think I will be pretty confined to downtown most of the time.

via

So this weekend, I'll be packing and planning! Do you have any big plans? Let me know! I love to hear! I hope its a wonderful one... until then, here are a few of my favorite things from this week!

These pics of Carey and Keira found over at The Neo-Trad.

A practice quilt that would probably be a masterpieces for me!

Calendars getting me pumped for 2011 that Brandi posted!

And finally, a sweater that would make me feel equally geeky as my hubs. Love patches.

halloween traditions

Do any of you have any good Halloween traditions? You know, the kind that doesn't necessarily involve dressing up and eating too much candy? I'm definitely passed the age where I want to wear costumes but I'm not yet at the point when I can dress kids up in costumes, so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to celebrate All Hallow's Eve.

I'm thinking of making something pumpkin related... 

maybe some whoopie pies?

Lighting some candles, drinking some wine (or cider!)...

and reading some Edgar Allan Poe...

isn't this paper doll set of The Raven amazing?

Any other tips? Any good classic scary movies you love that I can add to my list of ideas (note, if you haven't seen Night of the Living Dead - filmed here in Pittsburgh, you must. Classic scary movie at its finest)? What are you doing for Halloween this year?

halloween traditions

Do any of you have any good Halloween traditions? You know, the kind that doesn't necessarily involve dressing up and eating too much candy? I'm definitely passed the age where I want to wear costumes but I'm not yet at the point when I can dress kids up in costumes, so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to celebrate All Hallow's Eve.

I'm thinking of making something pumpkin related... 

maybe some whoopie pies?

Lighting some candles, drinking some wine (or cider!)...

and reading some Edgar Allan Poe...

isn't this paper doll set of The Raven amazing?

Any other tips? Any good classic scary movies you love that I can add to my list of ideas (note, if you haven't seen Night of the Living Dead - filmed here in Pittsburgh, you must. Classic scary movie at its finest)? What are you doing for Halloween this year?

well thankee!

Our good friends know that J has a love for elephants... and it is slowly but surely rubbing off on me as well. We may have to get a stack of elephant thank you notes sometime soon. Aren't these ones just adorable?

I think so! You can find them over at Port Hope Press... also check out they're fun Christmas cards.