My Latest Obsessions

Georgie's latest faves = his backpack and straw fedora

Happy Friday! It has been such a GORGEOUS week - beautiful blue skies and perfect temps (low 70s but cool in the AM). Love FALL! The flip flops have officially been put away but that is okay.We are hoping to go apple picking this weekend but due to the drought the pickings are slim. We shall see!

Last night we hosted a little painting class/gathering. It was SO much fun! It made me miss creating art and being creative. Very therapeutic. So, Saturday night we have a toga party. Kind of hilarious, right?! I need to practice putting on a toga (haven't done so since my college days).

Hope everyone has a great weekend. The weather looks FAB.

Some of my latest faves:

• I took advantage of J.Crew's 25% off + free shipping (thru Sunday) and bought the schoolboy navy blazer I have been eyeing. Excited to get it in the mail! 
• Pretty table linens. And that cayenne color is PERFECT for fall. Speaking of table linens I'm thinking of our menu for an upcoming dinner party next weekend. We are hosting some of PFC's college buddies. We already bought the meat (XX) and I'm thinking of the following sides/items to go w/ the main entree: mashed potatoes (from my fave = Pioneer Woman), roasted brussels sprouts and pistachio beets (similar to the ones from the Purple Pig = LOVE LOVE LOVE). And I'm debating on what to do for dessert = apple pie (using the apples from our apple picking excursion) or Almond Florentine and Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream sandwiches (w/ my fave = Graeter's ice cream). Thoughts? I'm leaning towards the apple pie but OMG those ice cream sandwiches are heavenly. Honestly. 
• Scarves 25 ways = awesome. I learned some new ones I want to try! 
• I've always been a fan of gold (vs silver). I'm more into warm tones. Some gold inspiration. My favorite pair of flats are gold. 
• Totally digging this hair tutorial. Speaking of hair I need to get a new braidband. Aubrey's braidbands were featured in Daily Candy. How fun! 
• Ever feel a bit overwhelmed? Loved this post from A Cup of Jo. 
• I watched Alex Guarnaschelli make these Raspberry Beignets with Vanilla Dipping Sauce on the Food Network the other day. OMG - they look AMAZING.  
• So fun = Kate Spade partnered up w/ Paperless Post. Cannot wait to use one of their invitations. LOVE. 
• Another great Etsy store = Burlap Art. A friend of mine sent me her shop. Love her stuff. 
• I'm a Mom - interesting article. And yes, I get it. 
• My sister and I have been chatting about her little guy Graham's first birthday party. I'm digging these owl cupcakes for the party. 
• Another great episode of Parenthood this week. Some Parenthood fashion. Curious what is going to happen between Heather Graham and Ray Romano - looks like it could get interesting! 

My Latest Obsessions

GMC sporting a PFC inspired bow tie

Happy Friday! We had a great visit w/ my Dad last weekend. The weather was AMAZING. Peter even got in some tennis w/ my Dad. There was lots of football watching on Saturday. The oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that I made were indeed very good - so good that I had to give away half the batch (or I would have eaten them ALL).

C + M started swimming this week and they seem to be in full swing w/ school. Even Georgie is enjoying his little Mom/Tot class that we go to twice a week. Last PM I went and saw Tavi Gevinson speak in Oak Park. She is fashion blogger that rose to fame at 13 (yes, 13!). I've been following her for a few years and was curious to see her in person (note that she is only 16). She was just on Jimmy Fallon the other night. Honestly, she is the cutest and most poised 16 year old I have seen. I expect great things from her. Stay tuned.

Some of my latest faves:

• Parenthood is going to pull at our heart strings this season. For sure. Some fashion from the show! 
• Love the pic of Georgie above. He has rocked his bow tie quite a bit. And he recently got a super great haircut at our friend's place = Lemonmade. The place is adorable. 
• What a cute gift bag stamp. Love it. And how cute is this acorn stamp?! Adorable. 
• We have a similar throw like this on our couch. Love it. 
• Pretty heart sweater from Crewcuts. Very cute. 
• Snow & Graham has a new pattern = Meadow. 
• Fun back to school party. 
• A simple french cake - looks so YUMMY! 
• Check out this simple gold and black porcelain ring. Pretty. 
• A little candy corn hat for your little one. Bring on fall! 
• I was just recommending the restaurant avec to a friend of mine and I started dreaming about their chorizo-stuffed, bacon wrapped dates. They are AMAZING. So good. I honestly dream about them. Whenever I mention avec someone always mentions the dates. They go hand in hand. SO AMAZING. Dreaming...
• Time to bring out the fall decorations. How about a vintage paper leaf wreath?! 
• I'm all about investment pieces. I'm willing to pay more when you get a lot for your money = good cost per wear. Ones I would like to add to my wardrobe = schoolboy blazer in navy and some frye boots (maybe these paige tall riding boots or the melissa button boot). 
• The gals are leaving Saturday w/ PFC for an Indian Princess camp out. I think I might make this Black Bean Quinoa Salad to have on hand for the weekend. 
• GMC seems to LOVE guitars. When he sees one on TV he starts jumping up and down and he has been playing w/ PFC's guitar. PFC found this guitar and I've made a note for Christmas. Sounds like someone might be taking after his Daddy! 
• Indian Summer tabletop inspiration - love these colors! 
• Ummm, chocolate hazelnut banana bread - can we say YUMMY! 

My Latest Obsessions

First Day of School (C = 3rd grade and M = 1st Grade) 

The gals are away so GMC is chilling w/ Daddy's guitar 

The party ain't over until someone gets naked in the bouncy house.
Oh, Prince Georgie!
Love this PIC! Cracks me up.

Our official first week of school went off without a hitch! We are slowly but surely getting back on schedule. I cannot believe Miss Cate is in 3rd grade and Margaret is in 1st grade. GMC's usual morning buddy is now in school full day. Luckily GMC and I head to a Mom/Tot class twice a week so he doesn't feel left out. He loves telling the girls he goes to "school" too! And the weather this past week has been amazing - blue skies and sunshine. Love it. Great way to start off the school year and fall.

My Dad is coming in to town for the weekend. We are excited to be hanging w/ Big George! He has even offered to give PFC some tennis lessons. Tonight I'm making one of my favorite meals = green chile chicken casserole. I LOVE it. It is always a crowd pleaser. And the best part is that you can make it the night before or the morning of and then just pop it into the oven when need be. AND I also want to make these yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies as a surprise little treat for my Dad (as he LOVES LOVES LOVES oatmeal chocolate chip cookies). I also bought a bunch of raspberries and blackberries to make this yummy looking Raspberry + Blackberry Crostata.

Some of my latest faves:

• Love this french hen sweater. Adorable. 
• These No Sew favor bags are so cute. They would be fun for a little party for C +  M. Love them! 
• Pretty scoopback maxi dress for fall. Looks comfy and CUTE! 
• We cannot wait to check out the Blurb book we made w/ all of our instagram pics from summer. 
• Aren't these TOMS Mary Janes adorable?! Love them. Might have to get M a pair. 
• I LOVE calligraphy. I even took some classes awhile back. Some calligraphy inspiration.
• Cute owl frame. 
• Gretchen Rubin's new book Happier at Home has hit shelves. Some tips from Gretchen via Anthropologie. 
• And I thought I was a strict mom! Some of Michelle Obama's parenting rules. 
• I have been trying to drink more water. Maybe I need one of these = a reusable water bottle. 
• LOVE LOVE LOVE these MacAlister boots from crewcuts. ADORABLE. LOVE them. 
• Odin did one of those Shops for Target. What a great looking coat for the guy in your life. And the Curiosity Shoppe has a few items for Target too. Cute serving bowl. And look - here is a DIY for a tote using one of the Curiosity Shoppe's tea towels. Fun. 
• This week I had the pleasure of seeing Barbara Rinella do a program on Jackie Kennedy. She inspired me to pick up some books about the topic. One I would like to read is Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill. She also has a great list of reads on her website too. I picked up one of her recommendations - Where We Belong by Emily Giffin - and finished it in one evening (was up until 1 am reading). It was a really good book.
• So, we'll see how the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies turn out but yesterday I saw these AMAZING looking cookies = Nutella-stuffed sea-salt chocolate-chip cookies. OMG. They look HEAVENLY. 
• A friend passed along this good looking pork tenderloin recipe (and a slow cooker one at that). 
• I so heart the show Parenthood. LOVE it. I was VERY excited to watch the season 4 opener this week. Not only are the story lines FAB but the ladies on the show have an envy worthy wardrobe. And PS - Crosby totally needed a haircut. Bravo. 

My Latest Obsessions

Our tent at Kinnikinnick Farm

MMC - hanging w/ the pigs

Sunset and view from our Tent

Farmer Dave showing the kids how to milk a goat

Happy Friday! It was the first day of school for both C + M (about time)! We had an extended summer break this year due to some construction at our middle school. It made for a long (and very fun) summer (BUT one that needed to come to an end)! I'm am SO happy that we strategically planned our trip to Kinnikinnick Farm for when we did. It was the PERFECT end to summer. We had the BEST time ever!

We arrived at the farm (just 90 miles from Chicago) on a Sunday evening. (Even Martha approves). We were greeted by the lovely owners of the farmer - David and Susan. Susan showed us to our tent and later she stopped by with our arrival dinner (roasted chicken, vegetables, homemade sourdough bread, and some yummy mini pies). The kids LOVED the tent. And C + M were SUPER excited about where they were sleeping (the little cupboard - a little hideaway bed area). We put GMC in the bottom bunk of the bunk beds.

The next morning Farmer Dave stopped by to pick up the girls for morning chores on the farm (= collecting chicken eggs, watering the pigs, and milking the goat). The girls LOVED it all. Before the girls left that morning Peter woke up early (and left me to sleep in = heavenly) and started the dutch oven outside (made some coffee, fried up some eggs and bacon). There is really nothing like fresh eggs. And the girls anxiously waited until early evening for round 2 of chores. Our day was SUPER relaxing. We were outdoors most of the day - relaxing, walking around the farm, biking, and just enjoying being outside. I breezed through one of Gillian Flynn's books (Sharp Objects) during our stay. Great book, btw. That evening we decided to grill out some burgers (fresh ground beef from down the street), ears of corn, and I made a caprese salad (w/ fresh tomatoes and basil that I picked from the farm). Everything was SUPER yummy.

On Day 2 the girls started w/ their usual chores in the morning with other kids that were staying on the farm. That evening we all gathered around the wood fired oven for a communal make your own pizza party. The pizzas were super yummy. LOVED using fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. So good! And then all the kids gathered around the fire pit for s'mores (always a crowd pleaser). All in all we had a wonderful time and are already making plans to head there again next summer (this time filling the 4 other tents w/ friends of ours). FUN. Highly recommend the place. Here are some reviews (have yet to do one myself).

We are having a chill night tonight and then we have lots going on this weekend. Crazy September has hit and our calendar is fully booked.

Some of my latest faves:

• We've been watching the DNC speeches the last couple of nights. Michelle Obama was great. And she looked FAB too = her gray nail polish and a gorgeous Tracy Reese frock and J.Crew pumps. She looked quite lovely. 
• I love corn and raspberries in the summer. I would love to try this ice cream from Jeni's. Looks yummy. 
• Fall weather will soon be upon us. Layered tees and jeans are coming our way. LOVING this cuffed coat by LA Made. LOVE it. Fabulous color too. 
• Next time I make a cake and need a little sign I want to try these DIY Cake Toppers = CUTE! 
• I'm thrilled for Giuliana and Bill Rancic (one of my couple crushes!) about their latest news = baby boy Edward Duke. They will make great parents. So happy for them! 
• Our farm visit has inspired me. Check out this awesome farm. Wouldn't you love to be a guest for one of their communal greenhouse farm dinners? Sign me up! Speaking of farms - here are some tips for shopping a farmers market (we still have a few good weeks left for shopping local goods). 
• I've been taking lots of pics via instragram and I was thrilled to learn that I can make an instagram book via Blurb. Hooray! I'm going to make one from all of our summer pics! 
• We had the BEST burgers on the farm. They were AWESOME (great job PFC at the grill)! How amazing do these burgers w/ brie and figs look?! Yummy! 
• We made some lemon cake for our neighbors yesterday. YUM YUM YUMMY! This recipe is a keeper (and very easy at that). 
• I LOVE kilim rugs. Aren't these kilim rug pouches fun?!
• Sad = Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are separating. Bummer. Love them. 
• Gotta love this = a grandmother who dances like usher. 
• I use Moleskin notebooks all the time. LOVE THEM. How fun are these gilded ones?! 
• Halloween is upon us. Cute Halloween-esque bakers twine. 
• Brilliant and quite clever = Parents give passengers candy to apologize in advance for their crying twins. Nice move. 

Have a FABULOUS weekend!