Friday, December 28, 2012

My Latest Obsessions

GMC Christmas Morning

M + C and a little ski lesson action

WOW! What a week. I'm ABSOLUTELY exhausted. So tired. I don't want to look at another cookie or anything that has sugar in it! We had a wonderful Christmas. We were up at the Lake Christmas Eve and the kids enjoyed running around w/ all of their cousins. Christmas morning the kids were up early and we headed downstairs to see if Santa had come. After opening presents we enjoyed some yummy amazing cinnamon bread from one of our neighbors (we look forward to it every year)! It is sinfully delicious. We then headed to mass and on to PFC's parents house for Christmas day dinner and more fun w/ cousins.

The last few days the girls have had ski lessons. It isn't Colorado but it is nice for them to get down the basics. The above pic is hilarious - green grass surrounds the ski hill.

We are having friends over Saturday evening for a casual evening in. I'm making my old standby = Green Chile Chicken Casserole (which is always a big hit). I might try to make this Kale Salad w/ Apples, Cranberries and Pecans as well. It looks YUMMY! Salads are calling my name these days after the all the food and goodies as of late.

PFC and I are heading out for sushi New Year's Eve and then ending up at a friend's house for party. Looking forward to ringing in the New Year w/ some good friends.

Happy New Year to all!

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, December 21, 2012

My Latest Obsessions


GMC's school picture

Firstly, my heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedy in CT. So very sad. I know that this has hit people very hard all over the world. I myself immediately thought about the tragedy close to home (being a mom to an 8, 6, and 2 year old) and have found myself quite emotional about it. I found this article entitled, "I am Adam Lanza's Mother" very interesting. And a HS friend of mine wrote this letter to her almost 6 year old son. Beautifully and eloquently written. I think we all (parents and non-parents alike) can relate to the raw emotions attached to what happened.

I woke up this morning super excited. C + M were up early and were excited to see the snow (the little there is) outside and they were excitedly running around getting ready for their holiday performances today. And of course they had laid out their festive dresses last PM before bed. The music teacher at their school is amazing so we cannot wait to see their shows!

Tomorrow we are heading to a family Christmas party. We are bringing jalapeno shrimp (amazingly good). Sunday I have tennis w/ my crew and then the rest of the afternoon will be spent baking some cookies and putting together our Carr Christmas Cookies that we give away to friends/neighbors!

Here's to wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Safe travels for those of you heading out of town.

XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, December 14, 2012

My Latest Obsessions

Georgie sporting his bow tie at Breakfast w/ Santa

Heading out to a Tea Party at the Art Institute

Happy Friday! It has been a festive week of holiday parties, baking and stuff w/ the kids. And next week is the kids last week of school before their break. I LOVE going to the holiday performances at school - so festive and fun. I'm really looking forward to them.

We had our book club's cookie exchange this week. I forgot how yummy the Oatmeal Carmelitas are - OMG, amazing! And the Cheez It bark turned out to be really yummy too. Perfect combo of salty + sweet. The girls were hovering over the 2 bins of yummy looking cookies that I brought back.

We had a really nice time at the Art Institute's Annual Treasure Hunt Tea Party last Sunday. The girls enjoyed being creative and making their own shadow boxes. And it was fun to be inside the Art Institute surrounded by such amazing art. We stopped to show them Grant Wood's famous piece - American Gothic.

I did not finish the book that was due for book club this week. I just couldn't get into it. However, we had a great discussion on it (Vaddey Ratner's book, In the Shadow of the Banyan). I did check out our next book = Steve Job's biography.

Tonight I'm heading to the Royal George Theatre w/ a few gals to see a parody on 50 Shades of Grey. It should be entertaining! And tomorrow evening we have nothing going on which we are so thrilled about as it will be nice to relax - especially since next week is going to be a whirlwind.

Some of my latest faves:
  • I'm happy to report that I have all of our Christmas shopping done. LOVED shopping online this year. That made it really simple and free shipping = FAB. Here are some great gifts for kids
  • Some New Girl fashion for you. My sister in law was sporting the Suzette Coat by Kate Spade. It is as cute as can be. Adorable! Prettiest shade of blue too. 
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this rustic elegant tabletop for the holidays. So pretty. Very well done. I love the monogrammed Linen Satin Stitch Dinner Napkins
  • I love Giuliana and Bill Rancic. Here is a peek at their little boy Duke's nursery. What a beautiful nursery. 
  • A good friend recommended this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. It is on my list of items to make SOON! It would be perfect for a cozy night in. 
  • A HS friend of mine (the Food Editor at Time Out Chicago) announced his Kickstarter (funding platform for creative endeavors) for his project Middlewest (a new food magazine in the form of modern recipe cards). This looks so amazing. I'm excited to see the first issue. 
  • Neiman Marcus + Target collaborated and came up w/ a list of 50 holiday items. Love the Marc Jacobs metallic clutches. And this sweet Marchesa dress would be perfect for a little flower girl.  
  • I always have to watch Love Actually at least once during the holidays. The other evening as a family we watched It's a Wonderful Life (and now the girls are quoting George Bailey, "Is this your bad ear? George Bailey...I will love you until the day I die!"). 
  • The girls were so in awe of each of their Portable North Pole videos from Santa. I too was pretty impressed. Uploading pics really personalized the videos. Highly recommend it. 
  • The New Year is upon us. Time to start thinking about New Year's resolutions. Here is a pretty 2013 calendar with inspiring messages. 
  • LOVE this striped Clare Vivier neon striped carryall. And it would be fun to have it monogrammed. 
  • Cute needlepoint iphone case - for that one person that you are struggling to find a gift for. 
  • I would never have paired a flannel shirt w/ a tulle skirt - but I LOVE the combo. I saw the skirt at Anthro and swooned over it a bit (that part of me that wants to be a ballerina). And here is the checked flannel shirt. I'm torn by the outfit. What do you think? Oh, and check out these DIY Glitter Heels. Cute. 
  • We've been talking about manners in our house a lot these days (especially close to the holidays). My dear friend sent me this link about 25 manners every kid should know by age 9. Perfect. My mom was a stickler for good manners and I know I'm not perfect but I really want to instill good manners w/ our kids. 
  • Aren't these dot skinny jeans so cute?! Adorable. 
  • These Mini Snow Globes would be really fun to make. Next year! 
  • I loved watching Jeremiah Brent on Rachel Zoe's show. What a cutie. He is dating Nate Berkus. What a great couple
  • And lastly, the Golden Globe nominations are out!! 

Friday, December 7, 2012

My Latest Obsessions

GMC enjoying a taco = what a big BOY! 
Cate at her piano recital

Happy Friday! Well it definitely feels like we are in full on holiday mode. Our Christmas tree is officially up and decorated and our lights have been put up outside. And most importantly all the holiday gatherings have begun! I truly love this time of year even though it can be quite exhausting.

This past Wednesday night I went out to dinner w/ some of my city girlfriends. We met at The Bedford (which I LOVE) and we had a secret gift exchange. And then last night I was back in the city for a friend's annual Girls Holiday Party - lots of great food and catching up! Tonight we are staying in (which I'm SO happy about). I really need to finish my book, In the Shadow of the Banyan for next week's book club.

Tomorrow morning we are having Breakfast w/ Santa. I'm anxious to see GMC's reaction to him this year. And then we are off to two holiday parties in the evening. Sunday I'm heading downtown to the Art Institute w/ C + M for a holiday tea party = FUN + FESTIVE + GIRLY!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Some of my latest faves:
  • LOVE this wrapping paper. I used some of my fave wrapping paper from Snow & Graham the other day for our gift exchange. And how cute is this Holiday Cupcake wrapping paper?! Love. And here's how to wrap presents in nothing but glitter. FUN. 
  • Over Thanksgiving one of my sister in law's brought over this beautiful cheese tray. It was perfect for serving up some yummy cheese and crackers. 
  • I came across this adorable deer mounted head hook. Wouldn't it look adorable in a little boys room?! So cute. 
  • So, I've been thinking about what cookies I'm going to make for next week's book club. Our December meeting is always a cookie exchange = tons of fun (and of course, YUMMY)! I'm for sure making these amazing Oatmeal Carmelitas (always a hit) and I'm debating on also making this Cheez it Bark. My sister sent it to me and said a colleague of hers from work has given it rave reviews. If I make it I would love to package them it as such w/ some parchment paper and twine. However, these Chocolate Chip Nutella Candy Cane Cookies look pretty good too. Decisions! 
  • LOVE this little dress from Zara. I totally wish they made one like this in my size. I would definitely buy it. 
  • At dinner on Wednesday some of the gals were discussing the book, What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love. I have added it to my list of books to read. 
  • I LOVE this DIY pom pom garland. Very clever. It would be so much fun to pick out some pretty colors of yarn. 
  • I LOVE chai lattes. I'm excited to pick up Trader Joe's Salted Caramel Tea Latte Mix. I mean, the liquid form of salted caramels = AMAZING. I'll take some of TJ's salted caramel latte in this beautiful mug and call it a night! 
  • I found this adorable coloring book for CMC at Marshall's (much cheaper!) = My Wonderful World of Fashion. Both girls love coloring and this book is super cute. 
  • How amazing are these wooden tiles? LOVE LOVE LOVE. 
  • Great hostess gift = Vosges Mini Chocolate Bar Library. Favorite bar = Barcelona Bar = Chocolate + Sea Salt + Roasted Almonds. So good! Another favorite gift of mine = Pig Cutting Board from Williams-Sonoma. I have it and use it to put cheese on. 
  • This LOVE print would look so cute in C + M's room. It matches their color scheme. Such a sweet print. 
  • Very pretty dress. It would be perfect for all those holiday parties! 
  • GMC's latest obsession = toting around MMC's Bitty Baby Doll. And he INSISTS that we must change his baby's diaper before we leave the house. So if I'm late in the near future it may be because I'm tending to the baby doll (per GMC's request!). Kind of funny! 
  • Some of you have asked me more information about PFC's cousin Julie's documentary entitled Miracle. Click here for more info. She is truly an inspiration young woman.