Friday, August 8, 2014

My Latest Obsessions



This past July is on record for being one of the
coolest ever (temp wise) in Illinois. Wowser!

Lunch Date w/ CMC where we happened to stumble upon
Downtown Oak Park's french style art market = Super cute and fun.


Fun afternoon at the Robie House in Hyde Park where we went on
Blue Balliet's tween mystery novel, TheWright Mystery 3 Tour

A little RFTC Young Member Show action



A little stop at Bang Bang Pie shop = YUMMY!
Even G$'s transformer Optimus Prime tagged along! 

Dinner at Twin Anchors for Georgie's 4th Birthday =
TA's newest member of the fan club!  




Happy Friday! Summer is officially starting to come to an end as the start of school for the kiddos is on the horizon. Bittersweet in many ways. I actually don't mind and appreciate the quietness (since so many folks are on vacation) that you feel around town right now as we gear up for the hustle and bustle of the first days of school. It's the quiet before the storm, right?!

We have a cousin's birthday party later this afternoon - a little bowling action and then we're hoping to make it back to the hood to try some limited edition ice cream that a local friend created at the Ben and Jerry's headquarters this past spring. How fun (um, and yummy) is that?! And then tomorrow morning we're heading up to the Evanston Farmers Market so the kids can connect the dots once again to our upcoming farm stay at Kinnikinnick Farm. This will be our 3rd time back to the farm and it continues to be one of our kids favorite weekend stays/trips. The kiddos and I were just looking back at pics from our first visit there and last year's weekend stay.

We're doing a cousin swap Saturday evening. Georgie and the gals are excited for their respective "boys" and "girls" sleepovers. We're hosting "boys" night at our place with G and a cousin and the gals are staying downtown with an Aunt and our niece. And then Sunday evening PFC/I are heading downtown for a little date night action = catching "The Qualms" at Steppenwolf (and I'm kind of thinking about one of Balena's yummy pizzas for dinner). I was bummed that I missed the opportunity to catch local fave Tavi Gevinson in This is Our Youth (and now it's made it's way to a theater in NYC). Super exciting for all of those folks.

Have a fabulous weekend. Enjoy. XO - d2

Some of my latest faves (lots of them as it has been awhile since my last post!)...
  • I made this yummy Chopped Greek Salad earlier this week for one of our favorite guests. Super good. I chopped most of the ingredients the evening before as I knew the next day would get away from me. So, it is a great one that you can prep ahead of time and just throw together when it's time to be served (always a plus in my book!). 
  • CMC and a few of her cousins read Blue Balliet's tween mystery novel, The Wright 3. We then went on The Wright 3 Mystery Tour at the Robie House in Hyde Park. The tour (and book) was a super fun way to learn about and see a home built by Frank Lloyd Wright. A few years ago when my Mom was in town we went and toured The Robie House. I learned even more about it this time around. At some point I would love for the girls to read Marianne Sloane's Sixty-Eight Rooms and then head to the The Art Institute of Chicago collection of Thorne Miniature Rooms. This might be a field trip I'll save for a time when my mom, JuJu, visits! She is someone who would totally appreciate all of the little rooms with the different periods and styles. 
  • These new Lookout High-Rise Jeans look pretty awesome. Legs for miles = sign me up! 
  • A friend mentioned she was making a super yummy chocolate cake for her son's birthday. I had her send me the recipe = Collette's Chocolate Cake. I'll be honest, making a cake from scratch seemed rather daunting and time consuming. The gals and I had been talking about what kind of cake (um, boxed!) we wanted to make for George's 4th birthday. After hearing more about Collette's Chocolate Cake we decided to try it. We called it an adventure in baking (if you will). It ended up being a blast and a perfect opportunity for the girls to carefully read directions and follow measurements via a recipe. We even made our own homemade buttercream frosting (which I've gotta say totally beats store bought frosting!!!). And of course we created a transformer symbol stencil for our transformer loving G$. I definitely now feel more confident in my/our baking ability and who knows, maybe we started a new tradition of baking homemade cakes for birthdays within our family. We shall see. PFC's bday is next and his fave = german chocolate cake. And this makes me want to reach out to my aunts and get my grandmother's cheesecake recipe. When I think about her I dream about her insanely good homemade cheesecake. 
  • Interesting article = Are you raising nice kids? I really appreciated the following tip = Instead of saying to your kids: "The most important thing is that you're happy," say "The most important thing is that you're kind." Another interesting article on kids = Your Kid and my Kid Are Not Playing in the Pros.  
  • Gardening season is coming to an end but wouldn't these pretty (and practical) potting gloves make a great gift for the Gardener in your life?! Orla Kiely's flower stem design is one of my faves. 
  • Our friend's son made the New York Times Fashion pages for his Lollapalooza Festival Fashion = so fun and exciting! Gotta love someone who can pull off a fabulous hawaiian shirt! 
  • I'm looking forward to getting my Braverman on soon! I miss my Braverman family! Sounds like Hank's ex-wife will be around in the final season. Should be interesting! 
  • These slow cooker pork carnitas look awesome! 
  • Fruit ice cubes = gorgeous! Pretty water = more ounces downed per day! My favorite fruit this summer has been watermelon. We've all been eating tons of it. These Watermelon Feta Mint Skewers look awesome. I've always loved the salty/sweet combo of watermelon and feta. So good! Oh, and I've been making this Bruschetta and Lentil Dip a ton this summer. I have been eating it as a salad = super yummy! This is honestly one of the easiest things ever to make = dump and pour (and just cut up the feta and basil). I'm a big fan of Trader Joe's block of reduced fat Feta (vs the already crumbled feta). 
  • Fab and fun list = 10 best small cities in America. Speaking of Newport, RI, I was just chatting w/ a friend who was heading there for vacation. I told him he must check out Castle Hill Inn = amazing food, fabulous views and great vibe. I planned a business dinner there years ago that was fabulous. I definitely want to head back to Newport again some day. #2 on the small city list = Sedona = reminded me of my recent(ish) escape w/ PFC. And soon enough (Thanksgiving) we'll be hitting up another great small city, Santa Barbara, to meet up w/ my side of the family! 
  • Okay, and if I happened to be in Portland, OR, this weekend I would attend the Portland Mini Market / Renegade Craft Fair. I would check out the following vendors: Collisionware (and these adorable oven mitts), POPbyTS, Sun Nation, Dea Dia (love this Geo Deco Necklace). 
  • Okay, local folks, if you love biscuits (OR even if you don't even think about biscuits much) you MUST head to Bang Bang Pie at some point. I've never been a big fan of biscuits (as they always seem dry to me) but I must say that I LOVE Bang Bang's biscuits = AH-mazing. GMC and I stopped by there the other day to grab a gift card for a friend and hung out on their awesome backyard space for a bit. 
  • And lastly, I marked my calendar (Valentine's Day 2015) for the release of the movie, Fifty Shades of Grey. The book seems so yesterday but hey, it will be fun to watch the movie, right?! The casting of Christian Grey is not exactly who I truly envisioned. But I guess Jamie Dornan will do. 




Friday, July 11, 2014

My Latest Obsessions



GMC + his cousin Graham = TROUBLE!

Lunch Date w/ MMC

MMC hanging out w/ 2 local Olympians - inspirational for sure!
(L) Kendall Coyne (2014 U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist in Women's Ice Hockey)
and (R) Emery Lehman (2014 U.S. Olympic Speedskater)

Aftermath of another nutty summer storm = "you're only a kid once." 

Yummy donuts from the Oak Park Farmers Market


GMC + CMC enjoying some homemade ice cream from Tate's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop

Gorgeous Michiana Shores, IN Sunset

4th of July Weekend
Chilling in Michiana Shores

Another Gorgeous View - Michiana Shores, IN



GMC and his cousin, Ned. Fabulous Buds.

GMC learning the AV ropes
(and helping w/ the Young Member Show at the Tennis Club)

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend.  We were in Michiana Shores hanging out with lots of family and friends. It was nice to get away for a few days and be by the water. There is something relaxing about being so close to the water. Super fun. AWESOME weather! And last week we were able to catch up w/ some dear friends of ours that now live out east. It was so interesting to hear more about their new neighborhood outside of Boston. I find those conversations so fascinating = neighborhood norms, etc. 

We've got a lot on tap this weekend. Lots of birthday parties scattered throughout the weekend for the kids and us alike. And I'm even sneaking downtown for a bit for a sister in law's bday lunch tomorrow. FUN! Saturday evening PFC and I will be heading to a pool party themed dinner and dining al fresco. Fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. The kiddos have their variety show on Sunday that they have been working on for the last several weeks. Should be super cute! 

Cheers to a fabulous weekend ahead! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves: 

Friday, June 6, 2014

My Latest Obsessions


Vegas, baby!
Cinco de Mayo Vegas Style w/ some of my fave DU gals
CMC, GMC + MMC
Mother's Day 2014

1st Communion for MMC
5.18.14

Rough life
Memorial Day Weekend 2014

FUNNIEST guy EVER = Patton Oswalt

Happy Friday! I honestly cannot believe we are now in June as I'm still playing catch up from May. I remember this feeling every spring (= the nuttiness of transitioning from the end of the school year for the kids to our summer schedule and all that goes along with all of those moving parts) and it can take you by surprise. May in review = above in pics. What the pics don't show are the daily ups and downs of just plugging through one day at a time!

Cheers to a fabulous weekend ahead! MMC + CMC have some playoff softball games lined up this weekend and weather permitting we'll be kicking off summer Block Party style on Sunday! Wahoo!

XO - D2

I'm signing off w/ a few latest faves/reads:





Friday, April 25, 2014

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! 

Friday, April 11, 2014

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:


Friday, March 28, 2014

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...



Friday, March 21, 2014

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: