Friday, December 20, 2013

My Latest Obsession


GMC and Santa talking it out

Off to the Nutcracker 



Happy Friday! This morning the gals were getting ready for their last day of school before winter break. They have their holiday concerts (LOVE) and parties today. We leave SUPER early tomorrow morning for AZ. We are all so excited to spend Christmas in Arizona with JuJu and Grandpa T. We are looking forward to some quality down time w/ one another. I imagine we'll be watching lots of movies in our pajamas and playing board games.

Now it is back to packing!

Have a fabulous weekend and wonderful Christmas! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves...

Friday, December 13, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


CMC and MMC (photo by Alma Veliky Photography)

G$




Happy Friday! The countdown is OFFICIALLY on = 12 days until Christmas! And we leave the Saturday after next for AZ. Super excited. We haven't spent Christmas w/ my mom in a long time so we are very excited to spend some time w/ my mom JuJu and Grandpa T! And GMC is excited to go flying through the sky!!!

This weekend will be filled w/ more holiday parties. Tomorrow morning we are having breakfast w/ Santa. GMC is very excited to wear his new holiday bowtie that PFC splurged on yesterday. So cute. GMC loved that it had trucks all over it! GMC is following in PFC's footsteps = rocking the bowtie! I love it and the girls squeal w/ delight when they see GMC dressed up (especially when he is wearing a bowtie).

And Sunday I'm taking the girls to see The Nutcracker. I told them last evening that we were going. They are beyond excited. They have been talking about seeing The Nutcracker since last Christmas. AND Sunday pm = the season finale of Homeland. OMG, it has been a great season. Super intense. I also need to catch up on Thursday evening's Parenthood. So curious what happens w/ Ryan and Amber.

Have a fabulous weekend! Stay warm. XO - D2


  • This two bean soup with kale is super tasty (and great for chilly winter nights). I added 4 links of Trader Joe's Andouille Sausage (totally gave it a little kick). I also doubled the carrots, celery and onions to make it a heartier soup. I brought it over to a girl gathering Wednesday evening. It received a thumbs up! 
  • I adore my group of girlfriends from college. We have done a great job of staying in touch through the years. I cannot wait for our trip together in the spring! Wahoo! Here is a cute article about friends that have traveled together for 20 years
  • I'm sure a lot of you have seen the WestJet Christmas Surprise. I LOVED it. I even teared up a bit. Brilliant marketing! 
  • Wouldn't this soft serve ice cream maker be a great gift for a family? Or what about a popcorn maker
  • That thing called juggling. Great post on juggling work, kids, husband, life. Everyone has different things they are juggling and we all do it differently. 
  • What a cute flippy little skirt. Very versatile. 
  • Holiday parties call for a little sparkle or plaid. I saw a friend wearing these tartan wool pants at holiday party last weekend. Love them! PFC is excited to bust out his holiday blazer this weekend! I've gotta say that my green flannel shirt from Target has definitely gotten its cost per wear the last couple of weeks! 
  • I think I'll always be a coffee drinker. I start every morning w/ a cup of coffee. However, I would consider starting my morning w/ some lemon water too. 
  • I appreciate things that are personalized and monogrammed. Here are 35 personalized and monogrammed gifts for folks on your list. You can never go wrong w/ a golden monogrammed mug
  • We taught the girls early on that they needed to stay in their rooms until 7 am. They could wake up earlier than 7 but they need to hang in their rooms as to not wake the rest of the house. They have had a digital clock in their room forever (for that reason). Here is a great digital clock for a kids room. 
  • These are the most adorable owl mugs. Perfect for your hot chocolate! 
  • GMC had curriculum evening at his school last night. At one of the stations they had the kids stringing cheerios and fruit loops. So simple and easy yet GMC loved making his strand. What an easy activity to do at home
  • This Vanilla and Smoke Mast Brothers chocolate bar is the perfect little hostess gift. I love Mast Brothers for their beautiful wrapping alone (and the the chocolate itself is fabulous).  Love this Cocoa Nibs bar. Read about the brothers behind the chocolate bars
  • These peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies look AWESOME! We'll definitely be making these over winter break in AZ! And they are only made w/ 6 ingredients (no flour and butter)! 
  • I cannot wait to head over to West Elm after the holidays. I'm hoping to snag some of their holiday decor on sale! And I love their collaboration w/ Baggu on these great dipped totes.
  • A pretty throw to curl up under. Give me the throw, a book, and some hot chocolate and I'll call it a night! That totally plays in to my introverted side
  • This Claire Vivier clutch would definitely add a little punch to an outfit. 

Friday, December 6, 2013

My Latest Obsessions

Polar Express - Chilling w/ Santa. LOVE GMC's intense stare. 

Kiddos left out their slippers for St. Nick


Happy Friday! I cannot believe that it is the 6th of December! Wowser. That means 19 days until Christmas. Yikes! Thanksgiving was super late this year. Speaking of Thanksgiving we had a wonderful time last week. My mom (JuJu) and Grandpa T were in town along w/ my youngest sister and my two stepsisters and their families. We had not all been together in a VERY long time. It was super fun and especially great for all of the kiddos to get together. They had a ball! And this year PFC's birthday fell on Thanksgiving. We had a yummy german chocolate cake on hand to toast PFC. 

The countdown is on until Christmas. Lots of upcoming holiday parties and concerts. This weekend we have holiday gatherings Saturday PM and then Sunday I'm heading to The Drake for a holiday tea w/ some girlfriends. Tis the season!

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm. XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, November 22, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


I cannot believe it has been 4 years!
Happy Anniversary, PFC (my best friend, partner in crime and best dad ever). 

Happy Friday! I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is next week! We are super excited that JuJu and Grandpa T are spending the week w/ us. My youngest sister Carrie will be here too along w/ my stepsisters and their husbands and kids. We haven't all been together in years. Onion's article on siblings gathered around a powerpoint hashing out topics that cannot be discussed (during Thanksgiving) is pretty hilarious! Every family has its threshold on topics, right?!

Tonight we are off to C and M's piano recital. They have been diligently practicing their songs. And then PFC and I are off to Skrine Chops for a dinner w/ a bunch of folks. I love their 2nd floor and their food = awesome! The rest of the weekend will be spent organizing the house a bit for Thanksgiving week!

Have a fabulous weekend. XO - D2

Some of my latest obsessions:

Friday, November 15, 2013

My Latest Obsessions






Happy Friday! My mom (JuJu) and Grandpa T are in town this weekend along w/ Carrie. LOVE having them here. Carrie has a gallery opening tonight for some furniture she designed. Very excited to check it out tonight. We are then heading to The Dawnson for some dinner and celebrating. And how fun that all of them will be back again very soon for Thanksgiving! The rest of the weekend will be spent relaxing and hanging out with the family.

Have a fabulous weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, November 8, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


GMC's preschool pic - age 3

MMC's 2nd grade pic - age 7

CMC's 4th grade pic - age 9

Happy Friday! I'm leaving shortly for out of town. I'm visiting some friends in MN. PFC will be holding down the fort w/ the kiddos. The girls have a swim meet on Saturday and they'll be off to a family birthday party on Sunday. I'll be home in time on Sunday for Homeland! Hooray!

I cannot wait until next week! My youngest sister Carrie will be in town and my mom (JuJu) and Grandpa T are coming too for a visit. We'll all be heading to Volume Gallery to see Carrie's gallery opening on Windsor Chairs. And then we are heading to The Dawson for dinner. Excited to check out this new restaurant.

Have a fabulous weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, November 1, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


Pistol Pete and his biker chick

Fireman Georgie

Our Vampires

GMC's preschool pic (age 3)


Happy Friday! I hope everyone had an awesome Halloween yesterday. The kids were SO excited to wear their costumes to school and then go trick or treating. We spent yesterday morning w/ the girls at their school to see the Halloween Parade and then I went to GMC's school for his Halloween party. So cute. It was fun to see him w/ all of his buddies.

We need to catch up on last evening's Parenthood. And we're looking forward to Homeland on Sunday. It is getting good! Tomorrow PM we have a party and I think PFC and I are going to sneak in a little dinner date beforehand.

Have a fabulous weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, October 25, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


Pumpkin Ice Cream sandwiches = DIVINE! 

Happy Friday! We saw some snowflakes here and there this week. YIKES! We also pulled out the winter coats (boo!). Fingers crossed that the temps will rise a bit for Halloween next Thursday. Speaking of Halloween PFC and I have two Halloween parties this weekend! Fun. Tonight I'm going as a biker chick and PFC is going as a cowboy (his usual costume). And then on Saturday we are mixing it up a bit and going as Johnny and Baby from Dirty Dancing. PFC will be in all black and I'll sport some jean shorts and a white blouse. I did contemplate putting together this photobooth strip costume. Maybe next year!

Saturday I'm taking the girls horseback riding with some folks and PFC and GMC are going to have some daddy/son time! I'm assuming they'll hit up a local estate sale or they'll snuggle in for a little American Pickers action. I think PFC secretly wants to be Mike or Frank!

Have a fabulous weekend. XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, October 18, 2013

My Latest Obsessions



The kiddos (photo taken by Alma S. Veliky)

Happy Friday! The girls are off w/ PFC this weekend for an Indian Princess Campout so it is just me and Georgie. We'll have a chill weekend. I'm hosting 2 Dailey Method classes in Oak Park for their opening weekend. And I'm looking forward to catching up w/ PFC Sunday evening and then watching Homeland. It is getting intense!

This week I was able to see a dear college friend who is in town from London. A couple of us got together for dinner at Longman & Eagle and then one night at Lula Cafe. Such great FOOD! My favorite item at Longman & Eagle was the homemade burrata. Yummy! And we all LOVED the peanut butter pie at Lula Cafe (OMG, ah-mazing)! I think it would be fun to check out one of Longman & Eagle's overnight rooms. Perfect for a guest that doesn't want to head all the way downtown but wants to be in Chicago. Logan Square is hopping for sure.

Have a fabulous weekend. XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, October 11, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


MMC + CMC on picture day at school

Happy Friday! We had another gorgeous fall week. Love this weather. Fingers crossed that the gorgeous weather continues in to the weekend. This weekend we have PFC's 25th Fenwick High School reunion. Yes, 25th! FUN! He has been planning away and I'm excited to see it all come together. The kids are SUPER excited to head to the football game on Saturday. Saturday evening we are meeting up w/ everyone for dinner at Skrine Chops = YUMMY!

Good luck to all the Chicago Marathon runners! This weekend always brings me back to my days of marathon training w/ my sister and some good buddies. We had a blast. However, I have yet to run again! Yikes! It was awesome but my running days were short lived.

Have a fabulous weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, October 4, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


GMC

MMC + CMC

Happy Friday! Wow, how are we in October already?! Nuts. I'm looking forward to a chill evening tonight. The kids are excited to watch episode 2 of Master Chef Junior. My cousin's daughter Molly is on it! It has been so much fun watching her on TV! Here is a little clip. Tomorrow we'll be up bright and early for our first swim meet of the season. I'll be hanging w/ the girls while PFC is chilling w/ GMC. And then Saturday evening we have a friend's wedding celebration! Fun!

Totally looking forward to Sunday's Homeland. And it has been fun catching up w/ the Braverman family again. Love Parenthood. I've gotta say I'm not super excited for Amber and Ryan's engagement. 

Hope everyone has a FABULOUS weekend.
XO - D2

Some of my latest faves...

Friday, September 27, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


GMC chilling



Happy Friday! Fall has officially arrived. LOVE IT! Love all the changing leaves on the trees and I LOVE mums! They are so pretty. My mom JuJu and youngest sister Carrie arrived last night. The kiddos and I took a trip to the airport to pick them up. We LOVE having them in town. Last night we stayed up late talking.

Today we are going to check out the new fashion outlets in Rosemont and tonight we are just going to chill. We are excited to check out Junior Master Chef as my cousin's little girl Molly is in it! PFC is off this weekend on a guys fishing trip. And I think we'll head to my sister Stephie and Sean's new pad this weekend.

Oh, and Sunday I'll be excited to hunker down w/ PFC and watch the season premiere of Homeland!!! Wahoo. And I DVRed the season premiere of Parenthood that debuted last pm. Cannot wait to watch that one either!

Have a FABULOUS weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves: