My Latest Obsessions

The Kiddos

Happy Friday! I'm so excited. Peter and I are taking off tomorrow for our annual weekend getaway to Milwaukee. Every winter after the holidays we head to Milwaukee for a weekend in January or February. It's become our little tradition (a few posts from years past = 2014, 2013, 2010). It is the perfect drive from Chicago (under 2 hours) and we always feel as though we are "away." PFC went to Marquette so he has always appreciated Milwaukee and I now love the town. Our only itinerary all weekend includes reservations for dinner and brunch. We love just chilling at our favorite hotel = Iron Horse Hotel. We're adding two new restaurants to try this year = All Purpose (dinner) and Fire Engine No. 3 (brunch). We've also talked about hitting up the Oriental Theatre and catching the movie Birdman.

Happy Weekend! XO - d2

Some of my latest faves...

• I LOVE this = the dog that has been riding the bus in Seattle. Too cute! 
• Cool metallic textured pillow from Target's Nate Berkus line. 
• CMC turns 11 on Tuesday. Hard to believe. She has requested homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner. I've been searching around for a yummy and easy recipe. Pioneer Woman's recipe caught my eye. Barefoot Contessa's recipe looks good too. Anyone have one that is a winner? 
• I made this turkey meatball spinach tortellini soup last week for the crew. They gave it a thumbs up. 
• A college friend opened up an Etsy store selling hand painted signs on reclaimed wood. Some really cute stuff! 
• How cool would it be if Adam Levine crashed your wedding?! Check this out. Pretty awesome! C + M loved this video. 
• Oscar nominations = here. I have some catching up to do. I haven't seen any of the films listed for best picture. 
• Interesting = Gillian Flynn says there could be a sequel to Gone Girl. 
• Super fun = you can now follow Kate and William (and baby George) on Instagram! 
• This quinoa egg bake looks great! And this mushroom marsala pasta bake looks awesome! This spicy roasted broccolini quinoa salad is SUPER tasty. PFC loved it too. 
• I started reading Cheryl Strand's book, Tiny Beautiful Things. Really good so far and it is based on the Dear Sugar column. 
• Instead of wallpaper it would be fun to try this fabric wall treatment. 
• Okay, I cannot believe there are only 2 more episodes left of Parenthood. I've been watching this show from season 1. Each episode makes me cry and laugh. Here's Lauren Graham chatting about her experience on Parenthood. My favorite character = Zeek! Love him. 

My Latest Obsessions

The kiddos on Christmas

It's a Wonderful Life at the Music Box Theatre

A Holidate = Christmas Plaid explosion!

Happy Friday! And Happy New Year! The holidays are behind us and 2015 has been off to a COLD start. It's been freezing here all week in Chicago. The kids were off of school one day for the temps alone. It is tough not to be daydreaming of warmer temps, sunshine, and summer.

Tonight we are laying low and staying warm. Maybe some hot chocolate and a movie tonight. Tomorrow night PFC/I are heading to Topolobambo for dinner. Rick Bayless' restaurant has been on my list for a long time! I do want to see the movie Unbroken at some point. I've heard that it is pretty intense. And PFC and I are looking forward to our annual weekend trip to Milwaukee next weekend. It's always a perfect little getaway.

Stay warm. And enjoy the weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:

• AMAZING collaboration come spring = Lily Pulitzer and Target. SOOOO excited for this one. Can't wait until April 19th! 
• I made this 
• Okay, I've gotta say that I'm totally digging Australia's flat white coffee. Yum! Starbucks revealed it's latest drink at the beginning of this week. Even Serena Williams needs a coffee break! Love it. 
• Hilarious = Jimmy Fallon + Nicole Kidman. Love it! 
• Both C + M have birthdays this month. After we made GMC a homemade cake for his 4th birthday the girls said they wanted one for their upcoming birthdays. So, MMC has requested a white cake and CMC has requested a yellow cake w/ chocolate frosting. I found this Cook's Illustrated White Layer cake for M and I'm thinking of trying this Best Birthday Cake for C. Anyone have any tried and true favorites? 
• This New Year's Eve we had a quiet night at home w/ the kids. It was nice to chill after the holidays. I should have worn this cute sweatshirt w/ my yoga pants! 
• Entertaining slows down after the holidays. But it's always good to know what 5 items to keep on hand. 
• I adore my college friends. Need I say more = 19 reasons your college friends will be your friends for life. 
• Cute DIY valentine's day cards. 
• Our kids love orange juice in the mornings. From here on out I'm only picking up OJ from Trader Joe's = What's Really in the Orange Juice you Feed your Kids. 
• In January I start to put together a mental list of things I want to focus on throughout the year or little resolutions. A few of mine this year = drink warm lemon water every morning (been doing this so far = love it) and continue on my no more diet coke kick. I haven't missed it. However, I will say that I LOVE a diet coke from McDonald's every once in awhile! 
• Another great collaboration = West Elm and Kate Spade Saturday.   
• I finished Rachel Simon's The Story of Beautiful Girl. Loved it! I need a new book to start. Any recommendations? 
• So, PFC and I started Breaking Bad from season 1. Wowser - what a great show! The Wire is also on our list. 
• I LOVE Paperless Post. It was interesting to read about the sibling team behind it. 
• And we loved seeing It's a Wonderful Life at the Music Box Theatre before Christmas. I think we are going to make it our holiday tradition. 
• Love all of Emma Stone's dress choices. 
• Fun = Ball came out w/ a new limited edition hue for their jars = purple! 
• Here's an easy DIY framed art piece. I would use one of these cute wallpapers - here or here (and just order a sample). And check out these wallpapered stair risers. FUN!