My Latest Obsessions

LOVE these 3 (photo credit - Alma Veliky Photography)

Happy Friday! I cannot believe it is already December. Tis the season! We have a pretty low key weekend ahead = hooray! Tonight the girls have their piano recital and this weekend we are going to finish up decorating the house for Christmas. 

Cheers to a fabulous weekend! 

XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

• Love these lace up ballet flats. Super cute! This pair is pretty cute too. 
• Totally obsessed w/ Adele's song, Hello. LOVE it. I especially love the little ditty she did w/ Jimmy Fallon and the Roots. The kids laugh at me as I've watched it a million times! 
• These chicken parmesan meatballs were a hit the other day w/ the kids. Score! 
• Wow, Home Alone movie = 25 years old. No way! 
• MMC picked out this cute velvet jacquard dress for her upcoming holiday events. She is going to wear it w/ these adorable patent leather ankle boots. I love this floral dress but she said no way! 
• Great dinner time hacks for people to tired to cook. 
• Awesome rustic moonrise kingdom-inspired wedding invitations. 
• I love shopping at Trader Joe's. Here are some of the best items at TJ's. 
• No way = My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is coming out. LOVED the first one! 
• This denim shirt w/ a bow is super cute! 
• I LOVE Homeland! PFC and I hunker down every Sunday evening to watch a new episode of Homeland and The Affair. I too have something for Sal = so does Joanna. 
• Two of my favorite winter items that would make great holiday gifts = down loopner scarf (so warm and cozy!) and these floral crochet gloves. 
• PFC and I saw the movie Spotlight last weekend. Great movie! 
• We're thinking of these DIY Mason Jar Snow Globes for MMC's class for their holiday party. Fun! 
• Today I'm getting all of the ingredients to make our Carr Christmas Cookie Jars. We've been making these for several years now and giving them to neighbors and friends. They are so cute and yummy! 
• Holiday Movie Schedule is out! My favorite holiday movie = Love Actually. Favorite scene = the prime minister dancing! LOVE IT! 
• Check out this really cool new hotel in San Antonio! Kind of reminds me of our Milwaukee fave = Iron Horse Hotel.
• Pretty velvet dress! Cute party collection from Zara kids. 
• We had a great Thanksgiving! I swear these mashed potatoes from Pioneer Woman are AH-MAZING. Always a hit! And the best part = you can make them the day before. 
• I'm making these oatmeal carmelitas for a cookie exchange. They are always a hit! So good! 
• I read The Good Girl by Mary Kubica in one weekend. LOVED it. Definitely held my attention. 
• This modern farmhouse is gorgeous. So pretty. 
• We're hanging out as a family this Saturday PM and I'm going to make these = slow cooker French Dip Sandwiches w/ Caramelized Onions = YUMMY! 
• Pretty nail polish color = Essie's Shearling Darling. 

My Latest Obsessions

Hanging out w/ the goat at Kinnikinnick Farm in Caledonia, IL

Making pizzas = yummy!

CMC hanging w/ the chickens!

Getting ready for chores w/ Farmer Dave

Pistol Pete whipping up some yummy pancakes!

A little apple picking at Edwards Orchard

A dad + his oldest daughter

LOVE honey crisp apples! 

Happy Friday!  I cannot believe that we're more than halfway through October. How did this happen?! And I heard on the radio that there are 60 something days until Christmas = yikes! We're in Halloween mode around here. George is going to be Darth Vader (however, we seem to have lost the mask already). That is what happens when you buy a costume at the end of August! And MMC wants to be cheese (yes, stinky cheese!). And CMC is still undecided! Here is a halloween post from 2 years ago - they are getting so BIG! 

This weekend we have a few family parties to attend and hopefully CMC will finalize her halloween costume. And we'll be on a hunt for the Darth Vader mask. G$ casually mentioned he also would like to be a robot - love this classic homemade robot costume! 

The pics above are from our trip to Kinnikinnick Farm a few weekends ago. We had a blast! We love heading up to the farm - always a great time and the kids look forward to it every year. Here are some posts from years past at the farm (2012 visit, 2013 visit, and last year's visit). 

Have a great weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves: 

• We've had some winners lately in our house dinner wise = Hooray! We're adding the following dinners into the rotation = Baked Chicken Parmesan, Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup, Macaroni Casserole and Turkey Sausage and Tomato. Some recipes I want to try = Winter Squash Medley, Pumpkin Brownies, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Squash with dried Cranberries and Dijon Vinaigrette and these Lemon Blueberry muffins. 
• Very interesting topic = The Lost Art of Conversation. 
• Wahoo = #25 on this list of best suburbs to live in = where I grew up! Go Wyoming, OH! This reminds me of our weekend trip a few summers ago to show the kids where I grew up. 
• Awesome partnership = Paperless Post + Rifle Paper Co. In love! How cute is this e-invitation for a halloween party? Or this Save the Date? 
• How to pose better in photos = great advice! 
• Check out this awesome cabinet hardware. LOVING the brass hardware. 
• 12 habits of people with homes that are always clean. 
• I definitely want to see Sarah Silverman's new movie, I Smile Back. Appreciate Sarah Silverman's openness on her own struggles w/ depression in this interview. 
• Something to keep in mind when putting together holiday cards = how to make your last name plural. 
• This weekend I hope to put together our summer photo album = 40% off shuttlerfly through Sunday. 
• MMC and I are on a hunt for a halloween craft for her Indian Princess meeting this upcoming week. We are thinking of these easy paper straw halloween necklaces. Cute! And the girls who are older can come up w/ more complicated patterns/designs and the younger girls can go w/ simpler ones like these. And how cute are these halloween straws?! However, MMC is more excited o make these Halloween Witch Hat cookies for the group! 
• How cute is this shirtdress?! Love it. What a great little swing coat. These black slanted zip sneakers are a fun take on all the sneakers out there. 
• One of my favorite homes of ours growing up was an old english tudor. Check out this gorgeous renovated english tudor in Utah. 
• This is awesome = Friday Night Meatballs: How to Change your Life with Pasta! How fun would it be to start something like this on Friday evenings?! Great idea! 
• Okay, the first few episodes of Homeland and The Affair have been awesome! Speaking of The Affair, check out Dominic West's london home. 
• I started Malcolm Cadwell's book, The Outliers a few days ago = very interesting. 
• One of my favorite crackers from Trader Joe's = the raisin rosemary crisps. Here is a copycat version of them. 
• I've been following this OP native's blog on raising her daughter (while she herself has ALS) and have found her to be super inspirational = Mom with ALS: My Disease will my Daughter Stronger. 

My Latest Obsessions

1st stop on our roadtrip to Montana = Sioux Falls, SD

Drove through Sturgis (happened to be the 75th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally)

Getting ready to hit up Wall Drug

G$'s 1st pair of cowboy boots (now a tradition = the girls bought their
1st pair of cowgirls boots at the same place = Wall Drug!)

Chilling at Proud Cut Saloon in Cody, WY (waiting to hit the Rodeo!)

Dinner in Cody, WY. First time for everyone = Rocky Mountain Oysters! 

Rodeo in Cody, WY

Waiting patiently for Old Faithful

Our final destination for several nights = Ennis, MT

CMC sending up a note on her kite

View from the front porch of the cabin

Beautiful view from JuJu and Grandpa T's cabin in Ennis, MT

A little fishing in Ennis, MT

G$ posing w/ Grandpa T = G's 1st catch = a gorgeous rainbow trout

G$'s 1st catch EVER (and last catch of the afternoon) =
24 1/2 inch Rainbow Trout

Devil's Tower in WY (think it's time to watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind again!)

Norris Hot Springs (great little spot between Ennis and Bozeman, MT)

Awesome salad from Norris Hot Springs

A boy and his daddy hanging out on the Madison River

Something about that big sky...good for the soul

Goodbye Cabin...until next time

Happy Friday! It's been awhile since my last post (wow, since the middle of July!). Summer has officially come to an end and fall is definitely here. School has started and all 3 of the kiddos are settling in nicely at 3 different schools. We're all in our groove. Our roadtrip out to Montana in the middle of August was the perfect way to be together as a family before the hustle and bustle of another school year. The 5 of us rarely have opportunities to hang out together minus the usual distractions so it was really great to unwind and decompress in such a beautiful part of the country. And huge bonus = we also got to catch up w/ my mom JuJu and Grandpa T once we reached our final destination of Ennis, MT. We're already talking about another trip out there next summer!

We're heading out later today to Kinnikinnick Farm which is one of our favorite places to go as a family with friends. We fell in love with the Farm a few years ago and have been going back for a weekend in the summer/early fall ever since. Check out our first visit there. This will be our first time there when there is a chill in the air = bringing lots of layers! I've been dreaming of the pizzas on the outdoor wood burning oven. Can't wait!

And then Sunday after we return I get to see my youngest sister and JuJu who are in town. And JuJu will be here all next week = HOORAY!

XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

• Before I forget I want to be sure I jot down some notes from our trip this summer. Some highlights from our road trip to Montana include the following: Carr Valley Cheese stop (little stop on our way in Mauston, WI) - best aged cheddar EVER; Wall Drug in SD (for the free ice water of course!); dinner at Deadwood Social Club (cool little spot); took a pic in front of Saloon #10 (where Wild Bill was shot); great little breakfast at Deadwood Mountain Grand w/ relatives; awesome dinner at Proud Cut Saloon just before hitting the Cody Stampede Rodeo (this is where the kids learned about Rocky Mountain Oysters!). Our final destination for 5 nights was Ennis, MT. Our backdrop couldn't have been more perfect = beautiful open skies and gorgeous views. We took a quick trip to Norris Hot Springs to experience the "Water of the Gods" for a day and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Definitely a cool little Montana experience. 
• I'm tempted to head to the Lake Theatre in OP on 10/6 to check out the documentary Iris. Six Lessons in chic from the Iris Apfel documentary. 
• Some recipes I want to try: best chocolate cupcakes, slow cooker beef stroganoff, charred balsamic broccoli, eggs pizzaaiola and pasta with chicken sausage and broccoli. I made this   crockpot minestrone soup the other day and it was a winner. We added tennis racquet pasta = fun! And this baked ziti is now in our rotation. 
• Interesting articles: The Pros and Cons of Travel Sports and 3 Steps that Transform Sibling Conflict into Sibling Camaraderie. 
• I just started Broken Grace by E.C. Diskin. The 5 Big Fall Books. 
• Such a good question = What do you do for your 'me' time? Personally, I hit up a daily method class, play tennis or read. 
• A song for women addicted to inappropriate activewear = OMG, ummm, guilty! 
• My youngest sister is in town this weekend to kick off the Chicago Architecture Biennial. She and her business partner (of Norman Kelley) are one of the participants of the Biennial chosen from across the world. The two of them are mentioned in this New York times article on Experiencing Architecture Through 'Hippie Modernism' and Retrospectives - as it relates to the Chicago Biennial. So proud of her! 
• And I'm totally pumped = The Affair (season 2) starts this Sunday. They are adding in 2 more perspectives. Should be interesting! And I DVRed Chicago PD which started this Wednesday as I was an extra in a scene earlier this week. It was a blast! 
• Ralph Lauren is stepping down as CEO. 
• How I Decluttered my House = something I think about ALL the time. I like the idea of picking 1 day a week to devote (whether it be 30 minutes or several hours) to decluttering bit by bit. 

My Latest Obsessions

Father's Day = a much deserved "Dunk" donut

G$

Grater's Ice Cream + Old Friends = the Best
(and now a stand alone store in Northbrook = more roadtrips)

Way to go, Blackhawks!!!!!!

A little Young Member Show action (and rain = of course)

Sunset at Twin Lakes = gorgeous!

A friend sent me this pic that she captured of C + G = so cute! 

Sisters - MMC + CMC 

Beck + MMC's musical, Tut Tut via Actors Garden!

Go RFTC Sharks!

                                         

Big George + Little George

Free Slurpie Day = always a hit (7-11, baby)!

The "CUP"

CMC's last meal w/ the crew before heading off to sleep away camp

GMC + MMC = Drive In Movie time!
     

Happy Friday! Wowser - I can't believe we are almost halfway done w/ summer. How is that even possible?! Summertime thus far in a smattering of pics above!

MMC keeps saying, "wait, this is so weird w/ just two kids at home" as CMC left for sleep away camp yesterday for 2 weeks. We're pumped to hear about CMC's experience at camp = we'll hear from her via snail mail (maybe!) and when she gets back. While no communication is tough (and so not the world we live in these days) I totally agree w/ the philosophy of "letting them go" per se - to do their own thing, gain a new level of independence w/ some distance from the home front = great article on why Kids Need to Be Away from Home! I appreciate and respect anything written/said by Dr. Michael Thompson (first heard about him when I worked at an all girls day/boarding school - The Madeira School - in Northern VA back in my early days after college!).

Speaking of camp, we checked out Simms Taback's (LOVE him!) book entitled, Postcards from Camp, from the library. The correspondence between the dad/son is absolutely hilarious and so cute. My dad (Big G!) was just here for a visit and he was telling us about his great experience at sleep away camp. I'll have to ask my Aunts more about it because I vaguely recall us as a family pulling over to check out the campgrounds on one of our summer visits out east.

We're off to cheer on MMC and the RFTC "Sharks" tomorrow morning at Swim Conference! Go SHARKS!

Cheers to a fantastic weekend!

XO - D2

Some of my latest faves...

• I have postcards and notecards on my mind as CMC headed out yesterday to sleep away camp for the 1st time. I started daydreaming about if I went to camp (adult style) what postcards I would be packing =  Johanna Basford's Secret Garden 20 postcards (doubles as art therapy!), More than a Critter Notecard Set, Canoe Write Me, and these fun and bright colorful postcards! 
• Caitlyn Jenner acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe award = Bravo! 
• Enjoyed checking out Parachute Home's Venice Beach Bungalow. Very cool! 
• 25 Funniest Movies of All Time = great list! Ordering take out + a funny movie = a perfect date night! Speaking of the movie, Dumb and Dumber, I referenced that exact title when CMC and I walked into REI to pick up some camp gear = realized how clueless the two of us were re: "real" camping gear (that CMC needed for her "trail" experience). Would love to watch some of the older ones on the list. Speaking of funny movies, I'm pumped for Amy Poehler and Tina Fey's movie, Sisters, due to come out Christmas 2015. Check out the trailer. Looks hilarious!
• What a great unexpected hostess gift = breakfast for the morning! Fantastic idea for all of your summer weekend parties. 
• Aren't these adorable sandals! My fave steal of the season = this jacquard shift dress (in black combo) = snagged it at 40% off. Shift dresses can be tough as they have no defined waist. I've always been more of a fit/flare dress gal but lots of cute swing, shift and tunic dresses = Antho, of course! I took some inspiration from one of my sisters who totally rocks shift dresses! 
• The difference between $20 and $200 jeans. I'm a big proponent of mixing less expensive items w/ more quality items and definitely appreciate the less is more philosophy when investing in more quality items. 
• Some tips for hanging art. Secrets of a Prop Stylist. Paint colors designers use in their own home. 
• Some mags that are catching my attention as of late = Vanity Fair (Channing Tatum on the cover, still haven't seen Magic Mike XXL yet!), Chicago Mag (August issue = best of Chicago 2015), Elle Decor's July/August 2015 (gardening in the city = interesting and discovered Yielddesign.co - love the Field Bags = water resistant duck canvas = awesome!). 
• I would love to make these chicken and kale salads to go - so cute and they look yummy! Some other yummy looking recipes = Italian dressing grilled chicken (zesty italian dressing = key!),  burrito bowls, and lightened up Grilled Chicken Cesar Salad (on MMC's list of dinners she wants to help make one night = her newfound love of cesar salad). I keep going back to Ina Garten's fresh corn salad when looking for a great side in the summer. It is always a hit and tastes so fresh (and best thing = you can make it the night before serving and keep in fridge - just add the basil before putting out). 
• 5 unexpected ways to beat fatigue. Interesting article on exercising. 
• We're years away from our oldest turning 18 but I know (and have been told by many) that it is going to continue to fly by. I cannot believe CMC is 11 (how is that even possible?!). How to Raise an Adult. 
• All of a sudden G$ seems to be asking 1 million questions (seems like a zillion to the girls) about everything. We can't keep up w/ his questions. The girls and I decided to make it a fun game for all of us and we started keeping track of the questions. They aren't yes or no questions and they require a little more thought (and time to thoughtfully explain answers). For instance, "how does the earth hold us up?" or "what do you mean when you say 'gentleman'?" or "what does my food do in my stomach" or "why are they called 'smarties?'" Immediately I think, wow, I can't imagine life w/o the ability to "google" anything. Well, our goal (whether or not it comes to fruition is up in the air!) is to put some of the questions in a jar and have all of us pull a few questions out (and do our research and circle back w/ our findings). I honestly had NO clue why smarties are called smarties. Saved by the ability to "google" = here you go (who knew that the verb "to smart" means to have one's face involuntary pucker which is exactly what happens when you eat a Smartie). But I totally love this approach too = the Key to Unlocking Your Child's Heart. 
• Another great collaboration = Hello! Lucky (one of my favorite stationery designers) + Recycled Paper Greetings for Target! 
• Sad to see one of the good ones close = Nightwood restaurant. Some great memories there (one of them being my youngest sister's birthday dinners w/ my mom + sisters + a few friends). 
• On my list = getting a burger from Chicago's Au Cheval = Food Network just listed it as the Best Burger in America! 

My Latest Obsessions

Hanging out w/ dear friends at the fabulous Eden East in Austin, TX

Our menu from Eden East = OMG, Amazing!
Fave = the soft deep fried egg! 

Iconic 'I love you so much' mural next to Jo's Coffee in the
South Congress neighborhood of Austin =
had to take the pic! 

My latest favorite = Topo Chico (mineral water sold all over Austin, but PFC found some in Chi-town)

Hanging w/ my favorite peeps on Mother's Day

CMC's last lndian Princess Campout = IP Graduation Ceremony

G$ heading to one of his T-Ball games

Happy Friday! I haven't posted in several weeks = the joys of what I'm referring to as May Madness! PFC and I were away in Austin the first weekend in May visiting some dear friends of ours. We had a wonderful time. I hadn't been to Austin in about 10ish years (and wow, the city has changed so much = check out the skyline alone!). We then had a jam packed Mother's Day weekend and this past weekend the girls were w/ PFC at their Indian Princess camp out. Indian Princess is one of their all time favorite activities = love that!

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday weekend! I'm excited that I get to catch up briefly w/ my youngest sister who will be in town = fun! I'm always revisiting memories from my solo trip out to see her two years ago around this time = must do again! And I'm looking forward to catching our local Memorial Day parade (w/ my middle sister and her crew) and the BBQs, parties and gatherings that ensue.

Cheers to a wonderful long weekend! Happy Memorial Day! XO - d2

Some of my latest faves:

• PFC and I had a really great time visiting our friends in Austin. Such an awesome city. We hit up some really great spots = Tacodeli (awesome tacos made w/ fresh and local ingredients), dinner at Eden East (ah-mazing super unique farm to table spot in the city limits of Austin where we were able to tour the farm grounds = loved it and had the opportunity to experience celebrity guest chef Georgia Pellegrini's fabulous tasting menu), fabulous breakfast at Snack Bar (= super yummy), stopped by Guero's Taco Bar and chilled outside listening to music, pit stop at Jo's Coffee (and photo op = 'I love you so much' graffiti), popped into The Continental for a bit (so cool!), browsed around Uncommon Objects (PFC was in heaven!) and then our last night in town we had dinner at Lamberts (= OMG, yummy!). I instantly fell in love w/ Topo Chico mineral waters that were at every bar and restaurant (so much in fact that PFC and the kids took a field trip to a Jimenez grocery store and picked some up to surprise me for Mother's Day!). But most importantly, it was so good to catch up w/ someone who I have known for so long and was w/ me though various chapters in my life (= college and then as roommates after college - my DC days!).
• Speaking of dear friends, I recently read some of A Cup of Jo's posts on friendship = interesting and so true = The Secret to Female Friends, If Guys Vacationed Like Girls (made me laugh so hard = so true!), and Making Friends as an Adult. Some of these exact topics have come up recently w/ some girlfriends.  
• Austin, TX has been on my mind this month = check out this awesome 400 square foot house. Adorable! Totally intrigued by the perforated-copper panels from Parasoleil. 
• Movie on my list  = Love & Mercy. It's been awhile =  need a John Cusack fix! 
• Two favorites = Rifle Paper Co. + LeSportsac = a gorgeous collaboration of bags! LOVE! 
• Cute jumpsuit for spring/summer. Love the pattern! 
• Can't wait until summer is here. I love peaches and I cannot wait to try out this Skillet Basil-Peach Chicken breasts. Yum! 
• These kid's party cups are adorable! So cute. Who doesn't love googly eyes?! I'll have to remember this idea. 
• As a family we are trying to be more conscientious of the filler word "like."  I caught myself a few weeks ago sounding "like" Cher from Clueless. Such a tough habit to knock.  What does your filler word say about you? 
• Love this = 20 soul building words for the ones you love. 
• Spring always makes me think about purging and finding ways to simplify. The book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has been on my list for awhile. Right now it is sitting in a pile waiting to be read! Has anyone read it?! I understand that the author is a bit quirky but hey, who isn't?! And the other day someone mentioned that she enjoyed the book, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I'm adding it to my list! Looks charming and light yet offers up some thoughtful questions along the way. The running joke in The Rosie Project = "Humans often fail to see what is close to them and obvious to others" = we all fall victim to that exact sentiment at some point, right?!   
• Sunny days ahead = my go to guide for sunscreen (via the Environmental Working Group). I'm trying to stick to zinc based sunscreens these days.