Friday, January 25, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


Happy (SOON to be) Birthday, Margaret! You are almost 7 years old! 

One of PFC's FAB finds

Happy Friday! Whoa...WINTER is here. Am I happy about it? Truthfully, NO. But one thing I do love is the level of appreciation we (being one w/ the Chicagoans) have when spring officially hits. Once the temps rise folks start to come out of the woodwork (by dining al fresca, dusting off our flip flops, and leaving our windows open). We commiserate together in the dead of winter sipping hot chocolate by a roaring fire while wearing our UGGs and cozy sweaters and we then celebrate the spring + summer with much enthusiasm. This article on why Chicago is actually a great place to visit in the winter is great (and made me think outside of the "freezing" box).

January is our month of birthdays galore. I feel as though I've been eating cake on a daily basis. We kicked off the year w/ my birthday on the 8th and then Miss Cate's birthday was last Sunday and Margaret turns 7 (wow!) next Thursday. Time to detox on all sugar starting February 1st! Last year the gals had a combined birthday tea party bash with the lovely Mrs. Newberry at our house. She transformed our first floor in to a tea party wonderland w/ racks of dresses to dress up in. It was quite a party! The gals still talk about Mrs. Newberry and her british accent and amazing outfit. I still laugh because the gal would NOT step out of character and refused to call me by my first name. She was very good - I'll give her that for sure. So, this year we told the girls we were going to have a more chill and low key birthday. On Sunday the girls along with a friend each are heading to Moss Modern Flowers for an afternoon of garden making. Each of the gals will leave the place with their own little garden. They are SUPER excited. It will be fun to see how creative they get as the owner herself is quite an artist in her own right.

Our book club discussed the Steve Jobs' biography last evening. It was interesting to hear peoples thoughts on such a brilliant yet complex guy. We all laughed as pretty much all of us had our iPhones perched next to us throughout the evening (which is a normalcy these days, right?!). And yes, I did use the word "perched" as if my phone is a person or bird. Fortunately or unfortunately I'm attached (physically and yes, emotionally speaking) to my iPhone. Always. I have Steve Jobs to thank for that! You had me at hello for sure.

Saturday night PFC/I are excited to CHILL. It feels like we have not done so in awhile. We'll be watching the season finale of Parenthood that we DVRed and getting through some more Season 1 episodes of Homeland. OMG, I'm addicted. TRULY. FULLY. GAME ON. I GET IT. I GET THE HYPE. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Homeland is why I didn't even watch the finale of Parenthood when it aired on Tuesday (as all of a sudden it was midnight and we had watched 3 more episodes of Homeland after the kids had gone to bed). I cannot believe I cheated on my beloved Braverman family. Please forgive me. Brody has taken over my world.

Oh, and last thing. I FINALLY saw PFC in his "American Pickers" element this morning. If any of you watch the show you know what I'm talking about! OMG. Hilarious. My Mom JuJu would love to see him in action as the two of them chat about antiques and finds all the time. We cut out for a bit earlier today and headed to an estate sale in town. PFC found several old vintage pictures that will be perfect above my vanity (see example of one above). Ode to the proper dressing room!

Have a wonderful weekend. Stay warm.
XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, January 18, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


Happy Birthday, Catherine! Our Cate turns 9 on Sunday! 

Happy Friday! I'm thrilled it is Friday. I've already had a marathon day of errands and running around and I was even able to volunteer at C + M's school during Fun Lunch. It is always fun to see them in their school environment (as I know there will come a day when they don't want me to be there!).

Tonight we are relaxing. I still need to finish up Steve Jobs' biography for book club next week and I REALLY want to start Season 1 of Homeland. I want to see what all the talk is about! Tomorrow the gals are off to their ice skating lessons in the morning and then they are heading downtown (along w/ GMC) for their cousin's birthday party. They are super excited because they get to wear their costumes. PFC will be w/ the kiddos while I stay home to get the house ready as we are having some folks over for a casual dinner. I'm making Cincinnati Style Turkey Chili and some Honey Cornbread Muffins - a perfect cozy meal for this COLD weather. And I'm making Oreo Cookie Balls for a sweet treat.

I cannot believe that CMC is turning 9 on Sunday. Wow. PFC and I were just looking through some old pictures. She has grown up so much since I met her (when she was 4). We are heading to their swim meet on Sunday and then having a family dinner at home that evening. CMC gave me specifics on the cake she wants and I'm waiting to hear what she would like for her birthday dinner.

Have a FABULOUS weekend.
XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, January 11, 2013

My Latest Obsessions

The Carr version of the Partridge Family
PFC + GMC serenading me the morning of my Birthday

My 35th Birthday Dinner at La Sirena Clandestina

CMC + MMC at American Girl Doll Cafe (loving life)

Happy Friday! I had an awesome birthday on Tuesday. It started with PFC + GMC playing their guitars and the girls singing Happy Birthday. The pic above of GMC + PFC is priceless. I then met PFC downtown and we saw the movie Silver Linings Playbook and had dinner at La Sirena Clandestina. LOVED our dinner. Their menu is awesome. We had the empanadas, shaved brussels sprouts, hangar steak, whole red snapper and some amazing desserts. We'll definitely be back. We then walked across the street to The Aviary. I had a fruit swizzle and I can honestly say that it was the best fruit juice I've ever had. Like EVER.

A good friend of mine called me for my birthday and mentioned how much has changed for me in just 5 years (since my 30th birthday). And that is indeed true. Our group of college friends all went to Cabo San Lucas to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Not long after that trip I met PFC and the rest is history. And now I'm in the burbs and a stay at home with our soon to be 9 and 7 year old daughters (both have January birthdays) and 2 year old son. Crazy how things change. It is nice sometimes to take a moment and reflect on your last year or 5 years for that matter. Here's to another 5 years (and many more)!

I'm meeting PFC downtown tonight and we are going to see the movie Argo. I'm very excited to see it especially after seeing all the Oscar nominations it is up for. Tomorrow the gals have their ice skating lessons in the morning and some of us will be heading downtown to a dear high school friend's son's 2nd birthday in the afternoon. And then PFC and I are off to another party that evening.

And Sunday I cannot wait to get cozy and watch the Golden Globes! I think Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be amazing hosts!

ENJOY! And have an awesome weekend.
XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

Friday, January 4, 2013

My Latest Obsessions

GMC = COOKIE MONSTER

YUMMY cookies!


Happy Friday and Happy New Year! Well, the girls go back to school on Monday. It has been a nice 2 week break but it will be nice to get back to our normal routine/schedule. C + M and I are heading downtown soon for a lunch at American Girl. The girls are super EXCITED! That place is a GOLD MINE. Seriously.

Yesterday I was able to catch up w/ a dear friend of mine. She brought over her adorable little guy who is the same age as GMC. C + M kept the two boys busy which gave us some time to catch up. And then we headed to The Junction Diner for some lunch. Perfect place for little ones (especially those obsessed w/ trains!).

We have a dinner party Saturday evening and are then hoping to swing by a friend's 40th birthday party on the way home. We are hoping to catch up w/ my sister this weekend as she was in AZ visiting our Mom over Christmas. And I'm looking forward to quietly celebrating my birthday this upcoming Tuesday w/ PFC over dinner at La Sirena Clandestina. The restaurant has been on my list for awhile. It has been getting great reviews. PFC went to college w/ the chef/owner so we are hoping to say hello to him!

Here's to a FABULOUS 2013!

Some of my latest faves: