My Latest Obsessions

GMC + MMC chilling w/ the Easter Bunny

GMC channeling his daddy = bowtie time + hairdo!

The Gals

Georgie + Daddy

Happy Friday! Spring time is in full effect = softball for the girls, MMC's upcoming 1st Communion, C + M's upcoming piano recital, Mother's Day weekend, and the end of the school year mad scramble of activities and events. And we are SUPER excited for JuJu and Grandpa T's visit in a few weeks over MMC's Communion weekend! As CMC's 4th grade year comes to an end, I cannot believe our oldest daughter is off to the Middle School next year! Exciting for sure. Next year we'll have kids at 3 different schools. Oh, and I'm heading to Vegas next weekend to spend some quality time w/ my best girlfriends from good ole DU. I cannot wait to see all of my best gal pals! Wahoo! The countdown is on!

We've got a fun and jam packed weekend ahead. Heading to Skrine Chops tonight for an event for CMC + MMC's school. I'm already craving Skrine's yummy food! We've got some softball games (not to be confused w/ baseball - per C + M) tomorrow and then in the evening we're heading out to meet up w/ some of our dear city friends (including my sister and her husband) for dinner at Bread & Wine Restaurant. None of us have been to this restaurant before so we're all looking forward to checking it out and most importantly catching up w/ one another!

Cheers to a fabulous weekend ahead. Hope we are graced with some amazing sunny and warm weather. If anything, I'll take sunny!

XO - D2

Some of my latest faves...

• Yes, it is indeed spring. But I'm still COLD. That is par for the course when one lives in Chicago, right?! So, I've been wearing this cute multi-color bora scarf and it has been perfect for this type of weather (when you don't want to dig out your true winter scarf). My youngest sister gave it to me for Christmas. Perfect little gift. I also like the dark gray colored one too! 
• Okay, so I'm off to Vegas (um, first time EVER mind you!) the weekend after next. I've honestly never had much of an interest in Vegas. We shall see! I love that I've taken a step back and have NOTHING to do w/ the planning. I'm leaving it to my friends who are more well seasoned when it comes to Vegas! Some items on our itinerary = dinner res at Society Cafe at the Wynn one evening and we'll check out David Guetta afterwards. We're hitting up the Venetian's Tao Pool Party w/ a cabana, etc. We have tix to see the Absinthe show late one evening. And then on Cinco de Mayo we'll be celebrating at El Segundo Sol. Fun agenda, right?! I'm expecting some amazing people watching throughout, while catching up w/ some of my best buds! Perfect combo! 
• GMC has added capes to his growing lists of faves. A few weeks ago we were w/ some friends and Georgie made a beeline for his buddy's personalized super hero cape. I thought it would make the PERFECT addition to GMC's easter basket. Now it comes everywhere w/ us (along with his transformers of course!). This awesome gal on Etsy makes and sells so many variations of personalized capes. Adorable! She is currently on vacation so you can't see her entire listing at the moment. Stay tuned! I highly recommend her Etsy store. 
• My sister in law made this amazing egg casserole for Easter Brunch = Lazy Chiles Rellenos. I'm making it soon! It was SO good. Everyone loved it. And it is from one of my fave gals = Pioneer Woman. The kids actually love watching her cooking shows on The Food Network. 
• Check out the fun Garance Dore collection for Rifle Paper Co. LOVE it! Check out a day in the life of Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. What a cool gal! This botanical coaster set makes the best little hostess gift. Cute and a perfect hostess gift price point.
• I've referred to this great list of books before = 14 books to help ease children through transitions. One of my favorites = The Kissing Hand. 
• I'm totally saving this awesome DIY tutorial for making a modern personalized stationery set. This would make an AWESOME gift. Personal, thoughtful, and useful = a fabulous gift!  
• PFC and I along w/ a few others are seeing Patton Oswalt in a few weeks at The Chicago Theatre = FUN! He is hilarious. 
• Around this time last year I visited my youngest sister and dear college friend in NYC/Brooklyn. We had a BLAST! I still dream about the Double Decker Broccoli Tacos we had down the street from Carrie's place. YUMMY! 

My Latest Obsessions

GMC loving Eataly w/ 2 adorable little gals (my cousin's daughters)

Cheese bigger than GMC at Eataly

This was a little Happy Birthday shout out to my middle sister yesterday!
And who knew that it was National Siblings Day?! 

Happy Friday! And a gorgeous one to boot! OMG, might spring actually be here?! I think so. Last weekend was the first weekend in FOREVER that the kids played outside ALL day long. We found GMC passed out on the couch around 5 pm on Sunday. It was super refreshing to see them running around, riding their bikes and just enjoying the fresh air. It's been a REALLY long winter and I'm ready to say goodbye for good. I officially moved my big puffy winter coat to the basement (but note that I haven't packed it away in the attic - just in case). Good ole Chicago, you never know as it might be snowing on Easter.

My dad (Big George) and his friend B arrived in town yesterday afternoon. We haven't seen them in awhile and have been looking forward to their visit. Later today lil George and I are heading downtown with Big George and B to have lunch at the new 7th Inning Stretch (Harry Caray restaurant) and then we'll check out the Chicago Sports Museum. Both just opened up a week or so ago. Big George is a HUGE sports nut so he'll love it! Saturday evening we're getting together w/ my sister Stephie and her husband along w/ Big G and B and heading to Folklore for dinner. Fun! I haven't been to Folklore in ages!

Some of my latest faves:

• Over our staycation a few weeks ago I took the girls to American Girl for lunch. We had a blast! I picked up a copy of the book, The Care & Keeping of You, and gave it to our oldest daughter. It is an excellent book that discusses their changing bodies. Speaking of changing bodies, a friend in the same boat (10 year old daughters!) passed along this great new company, Yellowberry (wholesome and age appropriate bras for girls ages 11-15). Love this! And speaking of tweens I've been introduced to this great innovative friendship bracelet company which supports inclusion. Check out the Chummies Friendship Bracelet campaign. What a fabulous idea! 
• Some new dips I'm excited to try = Feta and Lemon Dip and Bruschetta and Lentil Dip. 
• I LOVE these metallic loafers! Comfy and cute! 
• Are you looking to book a flight soon? Check out these great tips! 
• Summer is upon us! 31 DIY Ways to Make your Backyard AWESOME this summer. 
• We were with some friends last Friday evening. GMC went absolutely NUTS over their son's super hero cape. George was pretty funny as he said that his birthday was a LONG LONG LONG way away. Hmmm, maybe the Easter bunny will bring him his own cape! I fully support Georgie coming up w/ his own adventures. Love it. This etsy seller has lots of great items to chose from. 
• Lately for lunch I've been making eggs (usually eggs over easy). And I'm a big fan of breakfast for dinner! Don't these white cheddar and dijon baked eggs look super yummy?! 
• Some cute bunny gifts = tshirt applique (think mini-boden-esque) and vanilla glazed sugar cookies. 
• GMC and I hit up Eataly last week for lunch. Great menu at La Pizza & La Pasta. We had a blast. I loved walking up and down the aisles of pasta. The place is simply awesome. Speaking of pasta, here are 10 pasta recipes you should know. 
• I'm totally digging this Tonnelle dress in black. Love the texture and the zipper down the front. LOVE!
• Spring flowers and lemony cake = what more could you ask for?! What gorgeous floral arrangements and I wish I could have been a guest just to try the cake! 
• How cute are these garden buzz dessert plates? 
• Okay, so I just received my beautiful letterpress card kit (for free!) from Egg Press for their Write On campaign. Do it! 
• And lastly, a little shout out to Grandpa T as he was nominated for Man of the Year in Prescott! Wahoo!