Opening today, mag mile nordstrom rack

Oh happy days. Bargain lovers can rejoice, instead of trekking all the way down to State street and the Loop, you can now shop at Nordstrom Rack right off Michigan Avenue. Today was opening day and I hunted down the sales with a friend over lunch. I restrained myself on quite a few things (namely a Kate Spade bag...) and came out with one cute sweater that will be great for work and the weekends.

And you know what they say about the Rack, they're always better in cities with a real Nordstrom close by! So this one is pretty darn good. If you're in the area, here's what you can expect:

Always good deals on jeans. Lots of Sevens!

Rock & Republic, over 60% off!

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Nordstrom Rack

101 East Chicago Avenue (at Rush)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 254-3660

Words for Wednesday

In light of the upcoming weekend trip back to Michigan State to relive some memories... Part of our Alma Mater song and a picture from coachdantonio.com

It's in the sheets

I've been searching for patterned sheets to spice up my bedroom and I finally found some! I'm usually a fresh, clean white linens kind of girl, but I think these are perfect to throw in the rotation for more color. It seems like an easy way to change up the look of your room. Instead of making a big commitment with curtains or a duvet cover, you can start small and make a change in the sheets.

I got an awesome deal on the sheets through ideeli.com (sign up here). Love that site! I couldn't believe the full price tags on the sheets, the single flat sheet was $80!! I think I got the whole set for around $45. Never pay full price for sheets! Between the designer discount sites like Ideeli and Rue La La and places like TJ Maxx and Marshall's, you can always find a good deal.

Rue La La has a sale on a linen brand called Cuddledown, that started today. Sometimes their things tend to be expensive, but its worth checking out. Sign up for Rue La La here.

Here's how the sheets look in my room. I'm definitely liking the change.

A few other options I'm digging: In love with the lattice pattern from Nate. And $39.95?! Great price.

You can't go wrong with Marimekko...

One more to lust after from Serena and Lily

 

What about you guys, what's your take on sheets? Plain or patterned? Any favorite spots to score deals?

on wrigley field with dave matthews!

All I can say is, Best. Weekend. Ever.

Saturday night my friend and I had tickets to see Dave Matthews play at Wrigley Field. It was the very last show of his summer tour and wasn't even announced until July. We got tickets right on the field because we knew those would be the best seats for being close to Dave, and really, what else matters?! Without waiting in much of a line, we walked in right when doors opened to find ourselves on the field, about 20 ft from the stage. It was incredible! I can honestly say it was the best concert I have ever been to. And to be outside right on the baseball field was awesome. I took a few pictures...

Me and LB getting ready to head inside.

The set-up...

So excited for our spot on the field. I also completely forgot that being in a baseball field meant beer and wine sales during the concert. We had a few drinks to pass the time waiting for Dave! And made friends with everyone around us. Some of us made better friends than others. The friends may or may not have been cute 22 year olds. Hey, we're all friends at DMB concerts :)

DAVE!

"You all look so...delicious tonight" Love the stuff Dave says during concerts.

Love this one via flickr.

Hey, my love, you came to me like wine comes to this mouth
Grown tired of water all the time
You quench my heart and you quench my mind

{DMB, Two Step}

Sorry for the photo quality, I'm just pretending these are clear! Dave played until a little after 11 PM and we were loving it! It was supposed to rain all night and we didn't get a drop. Perfect night out. Here's a shot of the sold out crowd from the Tribune.

Definitely a night I will remember forever. And so happy I got to go with one of my best friends, Lauren.

Words for Wednesday

Man, I love this. Thanks for sending this to me, Di! Inspirational and empowering all at once. Would love to find this in a print and hang it at home. Anyone know where I could find one?

Via here.

In remembrance

Nine years ago today most of our lives changed forever. Maybe not in significant ways, but the tragedy that happened on September 11, 2001, left us all a little different.

What I remember most about those days was the way everyone united following the attack. I have never seen such strong patriotism and care for one another other. I'm dedicating this post to the brave men and women who lost their lives. The firemen and police officers who rushed into the buildings to offer help, the unsuspecting office workers going about their day and the heros who brought a plane down in a remote field. We will never forget.

Picture via here.

For some reason the speech that stands out the most to me from that time was the impromptu speech given at Ground Zero by President Bush. I still get teary eyed. For me it embodies the way everyone was feeling during that time.

Good reads

I will be the first to admit I have been addicted to reading this summer. In the worst way. I have been devouring books in only a few days each and staying up late to finish them. Kind of reminds me of when I was little and would stay awake way past my bedtime reading with the light of my flashlight. I guess somethings never change.

My blog friend Kendall recently shared a few of her favorite summer reads and I thought I would do the same. I always love to get reading recommendations.

Oh my. I still have the dialect in this book running through my head. I LOVED reading this. It makes you think about how things were in the South in the 60s and it is just such a great story. "You is kind, you is important, you is smart." I could just cry thinking about one of my favorite lines of the book.

Next up, I've been on a major Kristin Hannah kick. She's definitely become a new favorite. I've read a ton of hers this summer, but these two are hands down my favorites. I laughed and cried with both. Do you ever have that where you finish the book and it feels like the characters where somehow a part of your life? Like you can't get them out of your head? I felt that way with "True Colors" and would love a sequel!

Another book I just couldn't put down. This is a fictional view of Frank Lloyd Wright's love affair and it is such a great story. A lot of the actual events in the story are real. Thanks to my sister I have always been somewhat interested in Frank Lloyd Wright's (well, OK, maybe not always. I was a little young to be super pumped about seeing Falling Water!) and this book makes me want to visit Oak Park again and go to Wisconsin to see his home there.

And this, something I have been reading on the side for over a year! I finally finished it this Summer. What an incredible American. It is a collection of his letters and journal entries, all the way from when he was in World War II until he was out of office in the late 90s. I'm kind of a Bush Family buff, I know this isn't for everyone, but I really enjoyed it.

One last good read, the newest from Jodi Piccoult. I got into her books quite sometime ago. I think maybe by randomly stumbling upon them at the library. Her latest is really good. Not my all time favorite from her, but definitely a good beach read.

Well, that pretty much sums up my Summer! Nothing I like more than reading a good book on the beach or curling up on a sun porch (preferably sister's) and getting lost in a book. If you are looking for more books to check out, head over to Sogni e Sorrisi. Connie always does book reviews and has a lot of great suggestions! And coincidentally she has a book giveaway going on right now!

Words for Wednesday

Love this and how true it is. Sometimes I need a nice reminder to reflect on how I am treating people. I used Amy Butler fabric as the background.

Chicago Eats: Stella's Diner

It's breakfast time and my mouth is watering just thinking about Stella's. Hands down, favorite breakfast place in my neighborhood. Nice low-key diner with extra delicious food. Besides the food, this is also a favorite because it's less than a 5 minute walk from my house, it's located right on Broadway and Barry. Always nice going in because everything is consistent every time, even the waiters! And I recently discovered my favorite guy lives right on my street. Kinda funny, I see him all over now. My sister got some pictures last time we were in (she loves Stella's as much as me!)

Dad, contemplating the menu...

On to the good stuff. My sister's usual order, the "West Coaster" Skillet. Loaded with cheese and tons of avocado!

And my usual, Eggs Salsa. Covered in Munster cheese, could this get any better? YUM!

I've been here for lunch and it was really good as well, huge portions. I guess that's not really an upside, that should be more of a downside, oh well :) They're also known for their shakes, I always want to walk down here in the evening and order one! Maybe tonight...

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Stella's Diner

3042 N Broadway

Chicago, IL 60657

Hours, Mon-Sun 7am-10pm

Words for Wednesday

Steal of the Week: 5 dollar Tees

Shopping at Target on Sunday I came across an awesome deal. Super soft, V-neck Tees for $5 bucks! I couldn't resist. Perfect for layering or even just hanging around the house because they are so darn soft and comfy. The sale price on these goes until Saturday.

I would also like to add that when I laid eyes on these tees, that was about the last time I felt good until today. I got the flu pretty bad and it started at Target, of all places! I do not know how I made it home from there, I was so dizzy and nauseous. So happy to be hydrated and feeling much better today. And back to exploring the blogosphere!

On the subject of Target, have any Chi-town readers been to the new Super Target on Broadway?! It is awesome. The mothership of all Targets in my mind. Before these lovely Target came along I always had to head pretty far west, which wasn't very quick since I live by the lake. Now, just head north on Broadway and enter Target Heaven.

Even the carts are nicer...