My Latest Obsessions

C + M with their AG dolls at American Girl for lunch 

A little candy cart action at the hotel. Nice little perk! 

Yummy = pot roast nachos at Ditka's w/ Daddy

My latest obsession = Legos! 

View from our hotel room includes the spot where we got engaged = the original Water Tower

Happy Friday! We've had a super nice week off. It's been quiet around town and we've relished in some much needed down time. We headed downtown for a night and had a blast! The change of scenery was just what we needed.

Tonight PFC and I are off to a fun dinner w/ some friends. And the rest of the weekend we are laying pretty low = PERFECT! And come Monday we are back to our usual schedules. Now we just need spring to officially show up!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! And safe travels to those of you who are heading back home!
XO - D2

Some of my latest faves...

• These heavenly hummus wraps look super yummy! 
• The other night I had this AMAZING salad. The salad included kale, quinoa, sliced almonds, dried cranberries and a lemon vinaigrette. I'm still dreaming about it. However, I did find this salad and I made it today for lunch. Very similar and super yummy! 
• Interesting article = The Overprotected Kid. 
• I'm definitely going to make this Coconut Banana Bread w/ Lime Glaze next time we have a few bananas that are too ripe to eat. 
• Spring is officially here but temperature wise we still have a ways to go. These DIY mint bottles would definitely bring some spring color into your home. FUN! 
• Cute sandals with a bit of sparkle! 
• I totally appreciate the power of a good nap. Here is an article that gives you the deets on planning the perfect nap. 
• Here are some awesome Easter craft ideas. My fave = the DIY party - confetti egg game! And I love this jumping jack Easter Bunny craft. Adorable. 
• Gwenyth and Chris Martin announced that they were "consciously uncoupling." I had never heard of that term before her announcement. Interesting. 
• I didn't get a chance to watch last evening's Parenthood episode. Excited to do so this weekend! Which Braverman are you? 
• Hello! Lucky and Egg Press have come together to encourage the art of writing (which coincides w/ National Letter Writing Month). I'm going to join them in their attempt to write 30 letters to 30 people in 30 days! Fun! Here's a pretty Easter card from Egg Press. 
• I LOVE these DIY streamer garlands. Fun and super easy. 
• Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Cup = sign me up! 
• PERFECT ballet flats for the 4th of July or summer! Cheap too! 

My Latest Obsessions

A little photobooth action w/ GMC, MMC, and their cousin Graham

Happy Friday! And Happy Spring. The first day of spring was yesterday and of course we had snow flurries in the morning. However, slowly but surely we are thawing out and luckily it has been really sunny lately. The sun makes all the difference!

The kids are officially on Spring Break starting today. We are having a staycation of sorts. I put together the calendar for the week and showed the kids last evening. Today we are going out to lunch and then The Lego Movie. Some items on our agenda next week = bowling at Pinstripes, lunch at American Girl, overnight stay downtown, and a museum. It will be quiet around town and it will be nice to just chill without the usual hustle bustle of homework, school and activities!

Have a fabulous weekend! And for those of you heading out of town for Spring Break have a blast. And PLEASE bring back some warm weather!

XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

• Singer Lorde was spotted in River Forest and Oak Park this past week! Fun! She had a concert at Aragon Ballroom this week. 
• Maybe I'll try this Orange Chicken (makeover) this week! 
• How cool do these dyed eggs look (volcano egg dyeing)?! We might have to try these for Easter. 
• Jonathan Adler did a collaboration w/ TOMS. Very fun! Favorite = these geometric sandals! 
• I ran into someone at a party that was carrying this adorable little pursecase. Perfect for someone looking to carry their ID, cash, credit cards and their cell in a little case. The duo behind the pursecase were on Shark Tank! 
• I didn't get a chance to watch last evening's episode of Parenthood. I'm excited to catch up! I heard it was a tearjerker. Here are 34 reasons why Amber and Drew are the best sibs ever. 
• Great article = Can we bring the Holidays down a notch?! I totally agree! 
• Loving these great spring/summer shoes = low wedges (love the metallic ones) and these Sawyer Sandals. And I love these silver D'Orsays. 
• I'm a big fan of washi tape. So many options of how to use it! 
• The hours of 4 - 8 pm are always nuts around our house. Here's how to get a rockin' dinner on the table in 20 minutes! 
• I LOVE this latticework skirt. I see this paired many different ways!
• I did check out the limited edition Oh Joy! Garden Party items at Target. Super cute and pretty color palette. 
• Check out this cool new home inside a 150 year old building in Brooklyn. Very cool!  
• Here's a video of Georgie, our joke telling fireman! We still don't know where he heard the joke! 

My Latest Obsessions

Momma Bear (JuJu) and her 3 cubs

Happy Birthday, Carrie (my youngest sister)

Happy Friday! Wow, just when things were starting to warm up here in Chicago we were dumped with some more snow earlier in the week. This has been the never ending WINTER! However, we were all thrilled with the forecast today. Today we reached the 50s = HOORAY!

Last weekend my youngest sister Carrie and JuJu (mom) came into town. We celebrated Carrie's birthday. It is rare that all four of us are together so it was quite a treat to hang out. We had an awesome dinner at Nightwood Restaurant. I had not been there in awhile and realized how much I LOVE it. I highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you are looking for a place for a crew of 8-10. We requested their downstairs space where they put larger parties. It was quaint and quite perfect for our group. LOVE the decor there. And good food too! I highly recommend their cheeseburger (2 patties w/ 8 year aged cheddar = yummy!).

We've got a few parties here and there this weekend and then a big St. P's Day party Saturday evening. I'll be pulling out some of my green! The kiddos are heading downtown Saturday for a little sleepover w/ some of their favorite cousins. They are over the moon!

Have a fabulous weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

• What a cute little canvas/leather cosmetic bag! And I love that you can personalize it w/ your monogram. This would make an adorable gift. 
• A few weeks ago the kids were w/ their cousins and both C & M came home w/ scarves (different from their full on winter scarves). They have been wearing them to school and think they are oh so grown up! I will have to share these scarf tricks w/ them. And here's a different way to wrap a floral arrangement = a scarf! 
• Interesting article = People Can Draw Energy from Other People the Same Way Plants Do. 
• So a reader of my blog approached me the other day and said that she LOVES the veggie burgers from Gwenyth Paltrow. She read that I had one a few weeks ago at a friend's house. She was raving about Paltrow's Kale Fried Rice. I think this is next on my list! 
• Everyone LOVES Target! I'm sure many of you out there can relate to this hilarious article, Inside A Woman's Mind at Target. And speaking of Target I'm SUPER pumped for Oh Joy's Garden Party debut (this Sunday!). Maybe I'll use some of her great decorations for MMC's First Communion party in May! 
• So, I'm heading to Vegas w/ some of my dear college gals at the beginning of May. I've NEVER been. I think I'm the last one to go. We are heading to the show, Absinthe. It is supposed to be awesome! We are trying to confirm a club for one evening and then a pool party day. I would love to hear some suggestions! 
• Wow, Easter is soon upon us. Check out these cute Easter decorations and paper goods! 
• My new fave card company = Hartland Brooklyn. Someone sent me this birthday card awhile back and I keep buying it for various friends. Love it! I love that it is hand painted in bright neons. Super cute. Here's a little interview w/ the designer. Check out her full collection here. She also has some super fun tattoos too! And when I think of Brooklyn I'm brought back to my NYC/Brooklyn visit last spring when I was able to catch up w/ my youngest sister and dear college friend. 
• I have 2 Parenthood episodes that I NEED to catch up on! I miss my Braverman FAM! 
• All of us gave up sweets for Lent. It's been a bit tough but that is the point, right?! The kids always look forward to a Shamrock Shake from McD's every year. I heard that Portillo's has them too. Doesn't this homemade shamrock shake look FAB? 
• I think I might test this Broccoli, Cheddar and Wild Rice Casserole on the kids next week! 
• Adorable tea bag bridal invitations. Love these! 
• Lemon yellow = such a great pop of color! 
• These earrings would definitely dress up any outfit! Fun!