A Little Ditty

Words for Wednesday

2012-01-18T07:30:00.001-06:00

Grateful...

Via Shannanigans and Pinterest.

In the Kitchen: Orzo Dill Pasta w/ olives, feta & sun dried tomatoes

2012-01-13T07:30:00.001-06:00

Hi guys! It's been AWHILE since I last really blogged, sorry for the absence. I was starting to miss you guys! I definitely took the Christmas break thing seriously. My office is closed between Christmas and New Year's so I was relaxing in Michigan for a nice, looong break just hanging out with family and friends. I brought my laptop home with me and literally never opened it. Kind of refreshing! Although, I was on my smartphone quite a bit :) Anyway, hope everyone is having a great start to 2012!

I made this pasta the other week and it turned out so delicious! I was inspired by a cold pasta salad sold at Treasure Island, a European style market in the Chicago area and one of my favorite places to grocery shop! I served this warm, but it was equally delicious the next day as a cold pasta salad.

Ingredients:
- Orzo pasta, about half of a 1lb package
- Fresh dill to taste, chopped
- 1/4-1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, cut into small pieces
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, I used domestic cow's milk feta
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, cut in halves or thirds
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- Note: All amounts can be done to your preference, I didn't measure exact amounts of anything, just threw in as many tomatoes, olives, etc. as tasted good and believe me, it does taste good!

I have the WORST kitchen lighting for pictures ever! It doesn't help that it's always pitch dark out when I'm cooking after work...sigh. Please excuse this picture quality.

Preparation:
Begin by bringing water to a boil for the pasta. While you wait for it to boil, cut and chop all the ingredients. Cook pasta until al dente. I just LOVE Orzo pasta! My family has always used it in our traditional Italian chicken soup recipe, but lately I've been using it for all sorts of pasta recipes.

Once the pasta is done things get pretty easy, just throw all the ingredients together and mix! The reason I liked serving this warm was because the feta cheese started melting and added a creaminess to the pasta that was delicious. The feta I used was domestic and made from cow's milk, whereas a lot of the fetas I normally buy are imported and have a slightly stronger taste. This type tasted milder and ended up working perfectly in the recipe.

Words for Wednesday

2012-01-11T17:05:00.000-06:00

Via Quotable Cards

Eleanor Roosevelt sure was full of good words! How true this one is.

Been busy, busy over here with work, gym time, birthday celebrations! and life in general, but hope to be back with more updates soon!

Made in America Christmas

2011-12-22T17:42:00.000-06:00

It's the last week of the Made in America Christmas gift list my sister and I have been doing. I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away! Luckily my shopping is done....the wrapping is another story! Some of the suggestions these week probably wouldn't make it to you by Christmas, but I think it's great to support American Made products all year long. Be sure to check out 33 Shades of Green for her list this week.

Personalized Pet Art, Grandin Road $69

We ordered one of these for my brother who has a pug that he adores. We thought they were cute, but couldn't believe that it was made in the USA! The art work came to us and right on the back it said "Hand laminated, 100% of the materials used in manufacturing are Eco friendly. Manufactured 100% in Vermont USA." They have a ton of dog breeds, and even a few cats to choose from and then you can get your pet's name printed. It is a great looking piece, really sturdy and ready to hang right from the box. What a great gift! And unexpected Made in the USA source!

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Kentucky Cutting Boards, Prices vary
I was doing some research on cutting boards while I did my Christmas shopping and was really happy to find many different brands all made right here in the USA! I love the designs from the Kentucky Cutting Board company. All their cutting boards are hand-crafted in their wood shop in Louisville, Kentucky.

Appalachian Maple Cutting Board with “Louisville style” Fleur de lis inlay, $78

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Pyrex Bakeware, prices vary

It's good to know a great, American classic is still made in the USA, Pyrex glassware! I love Pyrex glass products and bakeware and have come to think of it as the gold standard for those type of products. I love how you can cook, heat and bake all in one dish. Not to mention, Pyrex holds up over time! I have some old pieces from Grandma and they are in great shape and still looking good. It's easy to find Pyrex products at most kitchen stores, big and small.

Here's what Pyrex, owned by World Kitchen had to say on their website: "World Kitchen has always manufactured Pyrex glass bakeware in the U.S. and our packaging proudly displays the American flag and the “made in the USA” label." Gotta love that.

I have a lot of the Pyrex basics, but they have some great sets for kitchen "beginners"! What's a kitchen without a Pyrex pie plate after all? And what great prices too.

Pyrex Easy Grab 19 pc bake set, $48.99

I would love a simple casserole dish like this for casseroles or mac & cheese! 2-qt casserole, $12.99

Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you have a great Christmas, Hanukkah and Happy New Year!

Words for Wednesday

2011-12-14T14:31:00.000-06:00


Created by A Little Ditty

What a good mindset to have...

Blooms: Forcing Paperwhites

2011-12-12T08:30:00.004-06:00

It's the perfect time of year to plant your paperwhite bulbs! If you plant now you'll have some gorgeous, fragrant blooms in January. It's always so nice to have flowers blooming inside when it's the dead of Winter outside.

Via

If you've never done paperwhite bulbs before, it's really easy. Buy the bulbs at your local garden store, even Home Depot sells them. In Chicago you can also get good ones at Gethsemane Gardens. Find some waterproof containers with no drainage holes in them and add small pebbles (I like to use small, glass vases). Then stick the bulbs about halfway in and add water so that it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Now all you have to do is check the water level periodically and wait for the flowers. I love the way paperwhites smell. They make the whole room smell good!

Here's my bulbs in progress from last year

ELE, Everybody Love Everybody

2011-12-09T12:00:00.001-06:00

Saw this video floating around on Facebook. Wow. Made the mistake of watching it at my desk at work and definitely shed some tears/did the silent cry. It's long, but inspirational for sure. This 18 year old is wise beyond his years.

Made in America Christmas

2011-12-08T13:31:00.004-06:00

It's week two of the Made in America Christmas gift list! Thanks for coming by. Be sure to stop by 33 Shades of Green for her week two list! I've also discovered some great resources along the way, for more ideas be sure to check out USA Love List and This Land. I thought this fact from the ABC World News' "Made in America" series was really interesting: In the 1960s, nine out of every 10 products Americans bought for the holidays were made in America. Today easily more than half of what we buy is foreign-made.

Everything on the gift list today is under $50 and made with care right here in the states. It was hard to narrow it down, but here's the top list:

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag, starting at $19.95

These totes have been made in Maine for over 65 years. This is an American classic, a sturdy canvas tote you can use for anything. And what a perfect, personalized gift when you add monogramming. I have to admit, I am an owner of the Land's End tote and have had it for years. I just recently learned that theirs are imported, meanwhile L.L. Bean is employing people in Maine to make their totes! Not to mention the totes have a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on L.L. Bean's site. I definitely won't be buying one from Land's End again...


Hard at work making totes in Maine! Via llbean.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cherry Republic Gift Boxes, prices vary
The Cherry Republic is a shop in Northern Michigan that sells all cherry products, using of course Michigan cherries! The store is located in an area in Michigan that is the largest grower of cherries in the country! Their store is awesome if you ever get the chance to go, but you can get all of their products online too. The gift boxes range in price so you can find one for everyone on your list. I especially love the small ones for a hostess gift, boss, co-worker or just general cherry lover!

And these are not just a "gift box." The way they come packaged is so special and even if you only spent $15 it gives the gift a really nice touch. "Each gift box is carefully packed and includes our classic extras: a sprig of cedar greens, a fresh pinecone, a piece of Birch bark, and a handwritten gift card. Just our way of bringing a piece of Northern Michigan to every gift recipient." Also, ship any size gift box anywhere in the USA for a flat $5 shipping rate.

Little Six Gift Box (their most popular sampler), $43.70.
Contains salsa, dried cherries, choc covered cherries, cherry nut mix, cherry jam and dark chocolate covered cherry nut mix. Yum!

And for something cute and small, Jolly Gesture Gift Box, $13.90
Cherry bam jam and choc covered cherries, hard to go wrong there!

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Englady Jewelery on Etsy, prices start at $18
Etsy is always such a great place to find things made in the USA. Talk about supporting small businesses! I had a necklace very similar to the one below from Englady (it had gold instead of the copper) on my wish list last year and it is just gorgeous and really high quality. Such a unique gift too, they are made from real leaves.

Copper Aspen & Silver Birch Leaf Necklace, $42

Japanese Maple Leaf necklace, $36

Hope this inspires some Made in America buying! That's it for this week's list, see you back here for Week Three!

See Week 1, Made in America Christmas Gift Guide here. And 33 Shades of Green has some awesome kid's ideas this week, head on over!

Words for Wednesday

2011-12-07T11:11:00.000-06:00

Via

What a good reminder...

Made in America Christmas

2011-12-01T12:24:00.000-06:00

Happy December! Starting today my sister @ 33 Shades of Green and I are doing a Christmas gift guide with our favorite Made in America products! I can't wait to share my ideas with you guys -- and what could be better than supporting companies, big and small, that make everything right here in America. We'll post every Thursday from now until Christmas so keep checking back here and at 33 Shades of Green for some great ideas.

First up on the list, a mild obsession of mine, Tervis Tumblers! Why is it every time I get on that site I want to buy a full monogrammed set of every size tumbler?! A little background on Tervis -- they were started in 1946 when two engineers in Detroit (let's hear it for the D!) found a way to create a permanently sealed, double walled tumbler that insulated cold and hot drinks, with no condensation. Pretty genius if you ask me. Fast forward 65 years (!!) and Tervis tumblers are still kicking it. "To this day, all Tervis products are proudly made in North Venice, Florida, where over 600 people are employed through this family-owned-and-operated business."

My sister and I both have Michigan State Tervis tumblers and they are a staple on every road trip, beach day, cottage time, tailgate, etc. The Tervis Collegiete collection is great for gift giving, they carry designs for a ton of college and universities. Who wouldn't want to sport one of these at the next tailgate or *ahem* in the Spartans case, perhaps a Rose Bowl game....

Thanks for the beauty shot sis!


24 Ounce Tumbler with clear travel lid

The tumblers come in almost any kind of design or theme you could think of, NFL teams, patriotic, seasonal, etc. My personal favorite? The monogrammed... What a great Christmas gift! (Hint, hint Mom.) Since they come in a variety of sizes, there is a gift for almost any budget. I think a single monogrammed cup with matching lid would be a perfect small gift or for something bigger, a full set of 4 cups. My wish list design:

And just in case you're still thinking to yourself, what is so special about these tumblers? They don't "sweat", no condensation rings on tables, are dishwasher safe, virtually unbreakable, meltdown resistant, and keep cold drinks extra cold and hot drinks extra warm.

One more reason why Tervis rocks and makes a perfect gift? Lifetime Guarantee. Need I say more? It's like the gift that keeps giving should anything happen to your tumbler years down the road.

Size comparison: 16 ounce vs. 24 ounce

Keep checking the Tervis site this week and for the next 12 days, they just started a 12 days of Christmas promotion with a new deal each day. Happy Made in America Christmas!

*Company information and monogrammed image sourced from Tervis.com

Words for Wednesday

2011-11-30T14:07:00.000-06:00

Created by A Little Ditty

Love this quote. I think this is from the early days of Grey's because I remember it from college. I'm quite certain I had this in my AOL profile for a while... Do you guys remember that?? AOL instant messenger was all the rage back then :) I used to spend so much crafting the perfect "away message". Lol. Then Facebook took over...

This quote also reminds me of moving to Chicago. I didn't know a single person here when I moved! One girl from an advertising class in college was all I knew of, (funny enough we became good friends) but I still took the plunge and moved out here for a job anyway. Probably one of the biggest "chances" I've taken, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions too!

Words for Wednesday

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Via

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and plenty to be thankful for!

The Weekender

2011-11-22T12:50:00.000-06:00

Happy Tuesday! This 2 and a half day work week is doing wonders for my mood. I'm way more chipper than usual today :) Half day tomorrow and then I'm on the road to Michigan! Can't wait for a relaxing weekend away from the city and work. My sister was here this past weekend and we had so much fun together! It started off Thursday with the Mat Kearney concert at House of Blues. It was pretty cool, we had floor tickets and we were only one row back from the stage. Before the concert we had apps and drinks at Rockit -- one of my favorite places. Their food is so delicious.

Blurry pics, but you get the idea. I've mentioned Mat Kearney on here before, I love his music. If you need some new stuff to listen to, check him out. His whole new album is awesome, here are a few of my favs and one from his last album:

Hey Mama, from the "Young Love" album
Undeniable, from the "Nothing Left to Lose" album
Young Dumb and In Love, from the "Young Love" album

Speaking of music, do you guys use Spotify? I am obsessed. I was never a huge Pandora lover and what I like about Spotify is you pick the music. If you want to play "We found Love" by Rihanna, that's exactly what it plays. I always found that so annoying on Pandora, it never plays the exact song you want! It is set-up just like iTunes and I haven't found a song they don't have yet. You can add entire albums to your music or just make up your own playlists.

And it's free! You do have to listen to some ads, but it's still pretty great. Just don't sync to Facebook or it will randomly post whatever songs you are listening to on FB. Nobody needs to announce on FB that I've found the Stevie Wonder album and can't stop listening to some of the songs... Here's what it looks like on my computer:

Back to food, a favorite topic! Tried a couple of great new places this past weekend, I'm going to be blogging about them soon. Mexican and Italian, what other kind of food does one need?!

Words for Wednesday

2011-11-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

Via

Is it just me or is Pinterest a constant source of inspiration and motivation? It seems a little counterproductive to spend time surfing Pinterest to get workout motivation, but somehow it works! I added this to my "Work it Out" board. I've been on the working out bender for over 3 months now and am definitely seeing some changes and improvements -- and some lbs are gone too :)

Best of all, at this point I think working out 3-4 times a week has become a habit. Here's hoping I can keep up with it during the dark, cold winter when I really want to go into hibernation!!

Chicago Sidewalk Planters: Fall 2011

2011-11-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hard to believe we're well into Fall again, where did Summer go? Sometimes I don't exactly welcome Fall with open arms like everyone else -- it's too hard for me to let go of Summer! But I do love to check out the Fall colors and what people are putting in their Fall planters outside. I've gathered up a few of my favorites from around the city. There are lots of great ideas in the 2010 edition of Fall planters too!

This planter had eucalyptus in it and smelled so good!

The simple mums and cabbage were my favorite. Love that shade of mums and how it picks up the colors from the cabbage so perfectly.

Gorgeous colors!

So many mums along Michigan Ave --

I like the idea of tying corn stalks around the tree trunks from this planter downtown.

And if mums aren't your thing, a nice variety of plants in the pots outside the Omni Hotel. They've used a Jerusalem Cherry plant, which I've been seeing around a lot lately. It adds some great color!


Jerusalem Cherry Plant

Another favorite...

We may not have too many "yards" in Chicago, but we do put together some nice planters! Hope this inspires some Fall planting and decorating of your own!

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Chicago Sidewalk Planters

Fall Planters 2009, 2010

Holiday Planters 2009

Spring Planters 2010

Michigan Love: Sleeping Bear Dunes

2011-10-27T14:39:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I took a trip back to my home state Michigan, for a wine weekend up North. You probably know by now that I have lots of love for Michigan. Moving away tends to do that to you. Never thought I would have such a soft spot for my hometown and actually want to move back at some point. Living in the hustle and bustle of the city, I ALWAYS appreciate returning to the open spaces and slower pace. Not to mention, Wine Country! If you've never been wine tasting in the Traverse City, Leelanau County area you have to visit! Believe it or not there are many award winning wines up there, and it just keeps getting better. Plus the scenery is amazing. It's about a 5 and a half hour drive up there from Chicago -- not too bad. You wind up the coast for most of the way so there are a lot of great places to stop off.

On our way back down (when we were all wined-out), we stopped at the Most Beautiful Place in America (as voted by GMA), Sleeping Bear Dunes! What a beautiful Fall day, it looked like Summer and I wanted to jump in Lake Michigan.

The water is the most gorgeous shades of blues and stretches on forever. I think I see Chicago across the shore.... :)

How gorgeous is this? Hard to believe this is all in Michigan, isn't it?

My cutie Mom, Hi Nan!

Mom & Big Sis

There are a few different lookouts suspended over the Lake, they offer some pretty spectacular views.

One of my favorites, the clouds were so cool that day.

Anyone feeling me on Most Beautiful Place? It's quite the title, but it's not hard to see how Sleeping Bear Dunes got it. Sigh, another great weekend in Pure Michigan. What about you guys? Any places you'd vote most beautiful in your state? Or did I tempt anyone to plan a visit to Northern Michigan? (Yo, Pure Michigan Tourisim board, some commission wouldn't be out of the question....haha )

Words for Wednesday

2011-10-26T17:49:00.000-05:00

Source: sequins-stripes.tumblr.com via Kristen on Pinterest

That sounds like a good idea...

P.S. I've reached the "moderately obsessed" point on Pinterest. Come join me and waste away hours of your time looking at pretty things :)

Back to Reality. . .

2011-10-24T16:39:00.000-05:00

I've been on vacation in Arizona for the past 9 days and got a big dose of reality when I came back to cool temps and my job today. Oh right, that thing I report to 5 days a week that involves a desk and laptop... Kinda forgot about that last week.

But I missed the blogosphere while I was gone! I thought I would blog a few times from AZ but laying on a raft in the pool turned out to be more tempting! I've been catching up reading all my favorite blogs and getting a few new posts ready for you guys! I should be back with something a little more exciting tomorrow, but just wanted to say "Hi" today :)

Definitely not in Chicago anymore...love this view of the Four Peaks mountains.

Words for Wednesday

2011-10-12T16:32:00.000-05:00

As everyone posted quotes from Steve Jobs last week I was reminded how much I like this one -- for your career or love!

Lastly, one of my favorite short tweets I saw about him last week, "iPod, iPad, iBelieve you showed us how things could be different."

In the Kitchen: Whole Wheat Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

2011-10-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

I've got a perfect weekend recipe to share with you! And it's healthy too! I recently found a new blog with all healthy recipes, and everything looks delicious -- Skinnytaste. She had a great recipe for whole wheat pancakes posted the other week, I tried it a few weekends ago and they were so delicious, they definitely didn't taste "healthy." I had some Michigan blueberries on hand, so I made a super easy compote as well (Food Network Recipe here). Here are the details...

Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour or white whole wheat
- 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups + 2 tbsp fat free milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- cooking spray

Preparation:
Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl, next add in the wet ingredients (eggs, milk, vanilla) and hand mix until there are no dry spots. Be careful not to over-mix.

Heat up a skillet over medium heat and spray lightly with cooking spray. Spoon the pancakes on using a 1/4 cup. When the bubbles on the pancakes set, flip over. Repeat with the remainder of the batter.

Blueberry Compote

Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Love me some Michigan blueberries!!

Preparation:
Combine 1 cup of the blueberries and water, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the rest of the blueberries and cook for 8 more minutes, making sure to stir frequently. I ended up having some compote leftover and used it on the oatmeal the next day, equally delicious. And I had no idea how easy it is to make! Since it calls for frozen blueberries, you could be making this all winter long!

When both are done, pour some of the compote over a stack of pancakes. Yum!

Happy Weekend :) Linking up to Tasty Tuesdays at Big Sister's blog today and the Cast Party over at Lady Behind the Curtain! Head over for tons of great recipes!

Words for Wednesday

2011-10-05T16:18:00.000-05:00

Just in case you need a little mid-week encouragement :) How cute is this? Available as a print via Etsy.

Happy Friday!

2011-09-30T11:46:00.000-05:00

Oh, Friday, I'm so happy you're here. I'm headed back to Michigan after work today for a wine tasting weekend in Traverse City with my Mom and sister. So excited! I haven't been in awhile and I definitely want to stock up on some Michigan made vino, cherries and good food! And of course we'll be stopping at The Most Beautiful Place in America, Sleeping Bear Dunes :)

From a 2006 trip up North...I forgot how long it's been since I was up there!

Mama D and Al @ Sleeping Bear Dunes

I'll be back with lots of wine reviews and pictures for you next week. And if you're in Chi this weekend, don't forget to stop by for the launch of the new Nike Chicago shoes!

For the Chi Town Runners

2011-09-29T16:59:00.002-05:00

What are you guys doing Saturday? There's a really cool event going on that anyone who's into running, fitness or Chicago will like. Nike is going to unveil an awesome new Chicago designed pair of shoes and give great tips for running during our crap Winters :) There will also be a little fashion show with looks that are perfect for Fall running. It's free and all you need to do is show-up. Check out the invite below and stop by!

See those cool shoes on the invite? They are designed by Chicago artist, Tara D. for Chicago runners! So cool. How many cities actually get their own pair of shoes made for them? Are we special in Chicago or what? The designer is going to be on hand at the event to talk about her design and answer questions.

I have really been wanting to try out the new Lunar fit. Of course I'm in love with my Nike ID's too, but this is like a custom ID pair for our city! From what I've been reading the Lunar gives you a lot of stability and extra soft cushioning for hitting the Lakeshore path. I got the hook-up on some pics of the shoes, consider this a sneak-peek to Saturday!

What do you guys think? I love how they say "CHI" right on them. Too cool. I can't wait to get my hands on a pair. And I do have to let you guys in on a little secret, Nike is going to be hooking me up with a pair of these sweet shoes! So excited. Thanks Nike :) I'll have to review them after I run in them a few times.

Definitely try to check out the event on Saturday afternoon. I am really bummed, I am taking a trip to Wine Country in Michigan this weekend so I can't be there, but I'm dying to hear how it goes. Email me with any questions and let me know how it is if you go!

Words for Wednesday

2011-09-28T15:05:00.000-05:00

Love this fabric, via Amy Butler.

Steal of the Week: Kate Spade

2011-09-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

Four words for you: Kate Spade Flash Sale. Oh boy, when things like this show up in my inbox I know I'm in trouble. I simply can't resist a sale on one of my favorite brands. This one only lasts for one day -- but there are some seriously good bargains. As much as I LOVE Kate Spade, I'm on a budget too, so I make it a point to only buy when things are on sale. And now is the time...

A few of the best deals, we're talking way more than 50% off!

Stratford Lori, Regularly $295, on sale for $129

I love this deep coral/orange color for Fall.

Metallic Macdougla Alley Stevie, Regularly $425, on sale for $169.
Seriously?! That is a good deal and I love the classic Stevie style.

Cheltenham Neda Wallet, Regularly $195, on sale for $59

New leather wallet for $59 bucks? Yes, please!

Lucille Shift Dress, Regularly $425, on sale for $159

This is screaming Holiday parties to me...Love it.

Happy Bargain Hunting!

Words for Wednesday

2011-09-14T16:29:00.000-05:00

Quote added to original sketch by E. H. Shepard. Courtesy of Bonhams and Butterfield

Reflections on 9/11, the 10th Anniversary

2011-09-09T12:30:00.001-05:00

As we approach the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on the day that forever changed America. It's one of those events where you will always remember exactly what you were doing when you heard. I remember how my Mom always tells me she will never forget what she was doing when she heard that JFK was assassinated. I think 9/11 is that kind of event for a whole generation of Americans. I was a junior in high school at the time and I think we were on our 10 minute break between classes that happened in the morning. I remember walking into my math teacher's classroom and seeing the Twin Towers on the TV. I don't think I even grasped what was going on. Who could?

Via

Besides the obvious sense of shock and horror at what was going on, what really sticks with me the most is how in the coming hours, days and months the country pulled together like I have never witnessed before. It seemed like sense of community, helping one another and pride in America was at an all time high. That was such an amazing outcome to the acts of destruction and one I'm sure the terrorists never expected. I remember the chants of "USA, USA" and people lining streets to cheer on and encourage fire fighters and first responders.

2,997 flags, one for each person who died in the attacks, via

I've been watching a lot of 9/11 specials on TV, my favorite has been the series produced by Steven Spielberg, Rising: Rebuilding America. Have you guys heard of this one? It's a 6-part series, each episode talks about a different aspect of the memorial from building the museum and the new towers to how the people working on this project are connected to 9/11, it's fascinating and brings me to tears each time. A few of the things I've learned from the show...

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The Survivor Tree

Have you heard about the survivor tree? I love this story. They say that the survivor tree was the last living thing pulled from the rubble of Ground Zero. It was not even found until weeks after the attacks. When they did find it, most of it's branches had been crushed by the towers and it's trunk scarred, but someone decided they should try to save it.

It was moved to a nursery in the outskirts of NYC and amazingly nursed back to health. One of the project managers at the memorial, Ron Vega, made it his personal mission to make sure the tree had a special place on the site. He was a first responder to the scene on 9/11 and must have felt a special connection to the tree. He is profiled in Rising and it is such a moving story. The survivor tree was brought back to the 9/11 Memorial site in December of 2010 and is now thriving in a prominent spot at the site. I watched the tree being brought back in on the special, it was such a triumph to see it return to the site.

Arriving at the site, almost 10 years later. Via

On the show everyone talked about how the survivor tree symbolizes the resiliency of the human spirit and rebirth. How fitting for the 9/11 memorial site.

The survivor tree blooms at the site, photo by Amy Dreher, via

I can't think of a better sign of hope...

Gorgeous pictures taken by the 9/11 memorial photographer, Amy Dreher

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Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero will air in it's entirety on Sunday, September 11th beginning at 5PM EST on Science. You can learn more about the series here.

To learn more about the 9/11 Memorial site where the survivor tree is housed visit here.

Work it Out

2011-09-08T15:31:00.000-05:00

I have been on a major working out bender lately...and it feels great! I've worked out about 3-5 times a week for the past 5 weeks. And I started Week 6 Sunday with running and spin class the other night. I always feel so good about myself after a workout. There is nothing like running or lifting weights to make you feel super confident and de-stressed! Of course with all this working out I've been getting really into my "gear." Here are a few of my favorites, because let's face it, looking cute during your workout makes you run that much faster :)

I know everyone is into the super thin and sleek workout shoes lately, well not me. My first pair of Nike shox got me through about 3 years of workouts, so I wasn't about to turn on them when it was time for a replacement. I finally ordered these last week and I custom designed them with Nike iD. So cool!

One other thing from Nike.com, I ordered these pants on clearance and am in love with them!! So comfy and cute. I love the wide waistband and they definitely stayed put during my whole workout.

Low-Rise Running Capris

Have you guys seen the active line by Old Navy? They've got some great pieces and all at really good prices. I just got a pair of their active leggings. For only $27 they have all the good stuff; moisture wicking fabric, zip pocket for keys. Anything with the name compression in the title works for me...

Compression Capris

I just found a great top from Gap Body that I feel like is so cute I want to wear it for normal activities (I'll try to restrain myself). This little top made me want to run over to yoga class. Literally, I was so excited to sport this at Yoga! I don't know why this top isn't up on their website?! Here are a few pics from the store... It is super comfortable, not to mention ultra flattering with the empire waist. I'd say it has enough support for lower impact activities, I have worn it for yoga and lifting.

A few things I'm eying from Nordstrom...you can never have too many workout tops, right?!

Under Armour Raceback Tank, $19.99

Similar to the Gap tank, but I love this color and the racerback, you can find this online here.

Happy working out :)

Words for Wednesday

2011-09-07T08:30:00.003-05:00

Today's Words for Wednesday are a little different than the typical quotes I post. This is just a little something I liked and wanted to share as we approach the 10th anniversary of September 11th. I found it here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As you might know, the head of a major company survived the tragedy of “9/11” in New York because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn’t go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One’s car wouldn’t start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn’t get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn’t get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic…
miss an elevator…
turn back to answer a ringing telephone…
all the little things that annoy me…
I think to myself…
this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

The next time your morning seems to be going wrong,
the children are slow getting dressed,
you can’t seem to find the car keys,
you hit every traffic light…
don’t get mad or frustrated;
God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things – and may you remember and appreciate their possible purpose.

(Author Unknown)

The Weekender

2011-09-06T13:25:00.000-05:00

Did everyone have a good long weekend? I feel refreshed after 3 days off! And only a 4 day work week, whoo hoo!

I had two very special visitors this weekend, my best friend (and cousin) and her little baby, Eden. It was so much fun to spend time with the two of them. I snapped a few pictures of Baby Eden on my phone. If you need another dose of cuteness, my cousin is a super talented photographer and just had Eden up on her blog, check it out here.

Eden and I hanging out while her Mama shopped in Gap...

I love her to pieces, cute isn't even the word. She's beyond adorable, isn't she?? Also, happiest baby in the world. I don't know how my cousin does it! Eden literally only cries when she is hungry. Too bad they live in Grand Rapids and I'm in Chicago, I wish I could see them more! Anyway, it was a great weekend with them and I only wish we had gotten some pics of me and my cousin!

Over the weekend I cooked up a delicious breakfast with Michigan blueberries! I'll post about it later this week.

Went out for dinner Sunday with a friend to our favorite spot, Rocks and had one of their delish Bloodies! Yum. We sat outside, gotta get all the alfresco dining in before it's too cold.

And I got in one last Caprese before Fall officially sets in...

What about you? Anything fun from over the weekend?

Words for Wednesday

2011-08-31T08:30:00.000-05:00

fabric via a new blog find!

I love, love, love this quote. It's been a favorite of mine since college. It's just so true.

Steal of the Week: Mat Kearney album on Amazon

2011-08-29T14:51:00.001-05:00

I am in LOVE with the new Mat Kearney album, Young Love! I rarely buy a full album of just one artist and actually like all the songs, but this whole album rocks! I especially love "Ships in the Night" & "Count on Me." Good stuff. Liked this new stuff so much me and sis got tickets to see him at the House of Blues in November!

But, back to the steal -- right now you can get MP3's of the whole album for only $4.99 on Amazon. Such a good deal! I have been buying more and more of my music on Amazon because of the good prices. You can download the files and then easily import them to your iTunes. Go check out this deal here! I'm not sure how long this will last, so you better get on it :)

Here's one of my favs...

This is my happy place

2011-08-25T09:30:00.003-05:00

I don't know about you but this image just takes me to my happy place. I was sipping this bloody last month, hanging out in Saugatuck after a perfect beach day. ::Sigh:: I don't want Summer to end. I need just one more perfect weekend in Pure Michigan.

Words for Wednesday

2011-08-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

Background, Amy Butler fabric

In the Kitchen: Shrimp tacos with Chipotle

2011-08-23T11:21:00.004-05:00

I've been loving Chipotle Peppers lately! I've made everything from pulled pork to pasta salad using chipotle peppers, seems like P Dubs is in a chipotle mood lately too, two of my recipes came from her! I found this awesome recipe for Shrimp tacos and the real kicker to them is the chipotle and sour cream sauce. It takes the tacos to a whole other level! These are very simple to make, here's the lowdown:

Ingredients

- Frozen Raw Shrimp, amount can be variable, figure 4-5 shrimp per taco

- 2 limes
- Old Bay seasoning, Pepper, Jane's Krazy Salt, Chili Powder
- One small chipotle from can, minced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Corn tortillas
- Cabbage shredded or prepackaged coleslaw mix
- Avocado and guacamole seasoning, optional

Seasoning for the shrimp

Preparation
Begin by thawing the shrimp, this can easily be done by soaking in cold water for 5-8 minutes. When the shrimp are defrosted, pat dry and sprinkle the seasoning on them, you can be generous with your seasoning! I like them spicy personally, so I load on the spices.

Set the shrimp aside for a moment so you can put the sauce together. Mix the sour cream, chipotle pepper and juice from half a lime in a bowl. (At this point I whip up the guacamole as well, that is completely optional though, I am just a guacamole freak and eat it with every meal possible!) Now set this aside and heat a skillet for cooking the shrimp.

Chipotle sauce

The shrimp will cook fast (about 3-4 minutes each side or less), when they are almost done sprinkle more fresh lime juice over them.

Now, time to assemble the tacos. I put a little of the special chipotle sauce and guac in the bottom, then throw in the shrimp and cabbage or coleslaw mix. Squeeze lime juice over the top and it's all done. Delicious and easy!

I'm linking up to Tasty Tuesdays, Delectable Tuesdays & Remodelaholic today! Head over to check out some other great recipes and link up your own.

Chicago by Sea . . .

2011-08-19T13:55:00.001-05:00

TGIF. I'm so happy it's Friday! It's been a looong week. Last week I went on a really fun Boat Cruise on Lake Michigan. My friend and I sipped summer cocktails and took in the views of the city. Being on the water as the sun was setting and watching the gorgeous skyline was amazing! If you live in the city or are visiting I would definitely recommend one of the many sunset cruises offered on the river or lake, the one we went on was the Mystic Blue. I took a view pics last week to share.

How gorgeous is that sunset over the skyline? Those colors! Love it.

Such a fun night. Reminds me how much I love this city!

P.S. All photos taken by me with my HTC EVO.

Steal of the Week: The Patagonia half off sale!

2011-08-18T16:33:00.000-05:00

My friend alerted me to a great sale going on for the next week, the Patagonia 50% off Sale!! There are so many great deals on their site right now. I don't even think I'm in the market for a coat and I still want to buy everything. The sale goes to August 25th, but I did notice a few colors and sizes I liked were already sold out. Head on over and check it out!

Here are a few of my favorites for Fall:


Snap-T Pullover


Down Jacket

My favorite color! The R2 Jacket

Blooms: Yellow Gladiolus

2011-08-13T08:30:00.001-05:00

I haven't done a Blooms post in ages! I got some great Glads at Trader Joe's last week and thought I'd share a few pictures. I know, I should have gotten them at a local farmer's market, but you can't beat the TJ's prices -- only $3.99 for a huge bunch! Whenever I get something really tall like Glads, I like to put them on my mantle, they make the living room a happy place :)

Words for Wednesday

2011-08-10T14:52:00.000-05:00

from my favorite, quotable cards.

What's Growing in the Front Planters

2011-08-05T12:53:00.002-05:00

It's a little late to just be showcasing the summer planters at my place, but better late than never, right? Last year was the first year we had new pots out front of my condo building, you can take a look at what I did then. The planters are from Ballard Designs and I have been really pleased with their quality so far. The only thing messing them up is all the lovely dogs that live in the neighborhood who have found a favorite thing to go to the bathroom on. Not cool.

This year I decided to mix it up and opted for a lush, tropical feel. The big standouts this year are the giant elephant ears. I am in love with them! They add so much height to the pot and I can't get over their huge, gorgeous green leaves.

Do you see those holes in the leaves? I was so heart broken when I came outside after a freak hail-storm and saw they had ripped through the elephant ears, ugh. I've had a few challenges with the pots in July, that's for sure. We had record breaking rains all month, including a crazy 7 inches in one day. Needless to say the pots were flooded and the downpours knocked the elephant ears over. That's my only complaint about the EE's, it's been hard keeping them upright during the storms.

I'm really liking the tropical feel of the mix this year. The Kong Coleus are always beautiful and have grown really well. The pots are in a part shade/part sun area so it can be a challenge finding plants, although even the geraniums last year thrived with not that much sun. It's mostly lush greenery this year and then I added regular impatients and wave petunias.

Totally absent from the pictures are the New Guinea Impatients in each pot in a great coral color. They failed me. Big time. No blooms! What's up with that? I think I've discovered that they like more sun than your typical plant that's billed as a shade lover. Major bummer because I think the coral would have looked great.

Here's the breakdown of what I used in the planters:

I can't decide what I like better, I'm thinking this years...

Words for Wednesday

2011-08-03T08:30:00.003-05:00

I love, love this quote from Mother Teresa. Especially the last two lines. I hope you guys like this one too. I found the print above on Etsy. I swear my walls could easily be filled with prints of quotes!

My Summer Sun must-haves

2011-07-29T08:30:00.004-05:00

I'm a little bit of a product freak...you should see my linen closet and bathroom drawers, too many products!! But, I have a lot of favorites for summer sun time that I thought you might like too. Here's my list of must-haves for beach time.

Clinique SPF Face Cream

My face can easily break out so I like to use an SPF formulated just for faces that is oil-free. I also like that this has a few added benefits that you don't always get with the drug store brands. Here's what Sephora says about this cream: Clinique's innovative SolarSmart™ complex triggers an anti-aging repair process while at once providing skin with a high level of defense from the aging and burning effects of UVA and UVB rays. The formulation also includes a boost of antioxidants to shield skin from environmental aggressors.

My sister and I both have sensitive skin and this never irritates us. I also have a cream I use by Lancome but it doesn't seem to be available online anymore, bummer.

Floppy Hats
These are an obvious must-have! I have a big floppy hat from Gap, but here are a few others that I think are cute and definitely shield you from the sun. I used to have a straw cowboy hat in high school that I wore to the beach, so I added one to the mix. So cute.

Top left via, top right via, bottom left via, bottom right via.

SPF Spray Lotion
I don't know why this wasn't invented when I was a kid, so easy. I always bring a Target one with me to the beach or pool. Cheap and it works great.

Now, for after the sun I have a few things that never fail me...

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads
These just came out this year and I LOVE them. One little pad exfoliates your skin, gives it some antioxidants and leaves you with a great, natural looking glow. My face never seems to get that tan, especially with all the lotion I put on. This is a great way to give yourself a glow, minus the sun damage. Sephora and Nordstrom both sell these for around $32, but the best deal is really from Amazon, you can get a pack of 20 for only $26! And free shipping too.

Tree Hut Shea Body Butter
After a day at the beach I always slather on a really thick cream. This has been a favorite of mine since I got it for a birthday gift in January. It has the best beachy scent and really moisturizes great. Another bonus? The products are made right here in America and are all natural. Everything they make also uses certified organic shea. My favorite scent is Hawaiian Kukui.

Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub with Essential Oils
I've been using this scrub from the Bath&Body Works Aromatherapy line since high school, it's good stuff. Right when I see the first signs of any peeling starting I use this. Not only does it exfoliate like nothing else, but it also has an oil base so your are super smooth and moisturized when you step out of the shower. They have a lot of good scents too, strong, but not quite as over powering as some of the other B&B Works products.

Vasoline Cocoa Butter Body Oil
More moisturizers! To me, Summer is all about keeping your skin nice and soft and of course the moisture helps to keep your tan around a little longer too. I like to put this on my legs right after showering or before a night out! The oil contains:

Brazilian nut oil - rich in essential nutrients known to boost skin's moisture barrier
Almond oil - naturally high in minerals and known antioxidants

It smells great too!

That's the list! What about you guys, are there any products you swear by for summer time that I should try?

Words for Wednesday

2011-07-27T08:30:00.001-05:00

I love this quote and the adorable custom made print by Uplifting Prints. I am dying to have this cute little print to hang in my bathroom. There are tons of prints for sale in UP's etsy shop. And guess what? There is also a giveaway going on right now at bouffe e bambini. Head on over there and enter to win a print of your own!

Steal of the Week: Free Lettuce Wraps from PF Changs

2011-07-25T12:31:00.000-05:00

This is a seriously good deal. My sister found this at Money Saving Mom's site. . All you need to do is "Like" P.F. Changs on Facebook and you get a coupon for one FREE Lettuce wraps appetizer with the purchase of a drink or food. This offer ends July 31st so go print your coupon today! Sign up HERE.

Favorite roofdecks in Chicago

2011-07-21T09:00:00.001-05:00

Everything's better when you do it outside, isn't it? There's nothing I like more than sitting on a roof deck, overlooking the gorgeous skyline on a summer evening. Sipping a drink high above the streets always reminds me why I love this city. I put together my list of favorite alfresco roof decks to try in Chicago.

Let's start with The Terrace at Conrad. What I love the most about the Terrace is that it's unassuming. Very laid back and chill. Which is why it's great for drinks after work, any day of the week. They also show movies on Sunday nights, go here for the dates of showings. It's located on the fifth floor perched above Nordstrom and Rush Street. My cocktail of choice here is the Mango Bubbles because frankly, I can't resist a good cocktail with bubbly on top!

Via Conrad website

Above 4 pictures from big sister's camera

Next let's head up to the 26th floor at Vertigo Sky Lounge. This is another great spot for cocktails, a lot higher up than the Terrace and more happening for nights out, as opposed to just happy hour. Vertigo is a part of the Dana Hotel. Interesting to note, Vertigo is actually open year round! Yes, in the middle of December they have a fire going outside and you can put on one of the Dana hotel's bathrobes to stay warm and sip drinks! My drink of choice here is bubbly, but they have great specialty cocktails as well!

Via the Dana Hotel

And last but not least, C-View. I saved the highest for last, C-View is located on the 29th floor in the Affinia hotel. This is so high above the city streets you can forget about all the hustle and bustle going on below and just enjoy a drink and relax with awesome views of the skyline. They have a great drink list and serve food from the C-View restaurant. I haven't been here as often as the others, so no drink of choice, but whatever I had when I went was delicious!


Both via

My beautiful Mom!

If you live here or are just visiting, I hope you get a chance to check out one of the many roofdecks in the city! And more to come -- I'll be back later in the summer with Part II. We haven't even talked about one of my favorites, Trump yet!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Terrace @ Conrad

521 North Rush Street

Vertigo @ the Dana Hotel

Two West Erie Street

C-View @ Affinia Hotel

166 E Superior Street

Words for Wednesday

2011-07-20T08:30:00.001-05:00

We have a winner!

2011-07-19T10:32:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway is Ruri! The random number generator came up with number 1. Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Ruri, I'll email you so we can talk details and you can pick which piece of jewelry you'd like!

Chicago Eats: 5411 food truck

2011-07-18T08:30:00.027-05:00

I finally had my first experience with a food truck. I am loving this trend, such a novel idea and great way to try something different for lunch. Last week the 5411 empanada truck was right by my work and I was so excited to try it out! You can get 5411's lunchtime locations by following them on Twitter. 5411 creates gourmet Argentine empandas, and guess what? They are baked, not fried. No need to feel guilty if you happen to try oh, you know, 3 or 4...

Are these not the most gorgeous empanadas you've ever seen?? Each flavor of empie is baked in a different shape dough.

Via the 5411 website.

The menu for the day.

The truck did not let me down. I had the Beef empanada and the Spinach and cheese one, delicious! I also got a side of chimichurri sauce. The homemade baked dough was perfectly cooked and flaky. And you've got to love the prices, all empanadas are only $1.99 each and a selection drinks are only $.99 cents.

My one regret? Not trying the Nutella & banana one. Huge fail on my part. I must get that for dessert next time. Do you guys have any favorite food trucks where you live? Any I should scope out in the Chicago area?

Steal of the Week: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

2011-07-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Some things are so good, they only happen once a year. It's that time again -- The Nordstrom Anniversary sale!! New Fall lines will be on sale starting tomorrow morning at 8 AM. I obviously couldn't wait until then, I've been hitting up the preview sale all week and wanted to share my favorite finds with you.

Let's start with accessories. There are awesome deals on Michael Kors watches. The three pictured below are featured, but there are also 4 or 5 other styles on sale. This is probably the only time you will find these watches marked down. There is a light and dark tortoise shell on sale and there are also a few DKNY watches that are more reasonably priced than the MK ones.

In this same department, my absolute favorite tights on our sale -- Spanx Tight End Tights, get it :) These are a wardrobe staple for me in the winter. Perfect opaque color and lots of slimming action happening up top. This year they added a new style, reversible! Hey, why not? I got a black/brown pair. Regularly $42 and something like $28 for the sale. Also, upstairs in the initmates department, the best Spanx basics are on sale -- the girl short shaper and the longer, high-waist shapers. Again -- wordrobe staples in my opinion. See food posts here and here if you're wondering why....

On to the shoes!! This is hands down the best time to buy Fall boots. We all know how expensive a good pair of leather boots can be, so I think it's best to scout out the sales. I purchased my first pair of Fryes at the anniversary sale a few years back, definitely a worthwhile investment! Here's a few boots I'm liking from this year's sale:

Tory Burch, even I can't rationalize myself into shelling out the money for these. But they are gorgeous aren't they?

Both of the below boots are a good deal. On the left is Steve Madden for around $130 and on the right is Nordstrom's brand BP, a great "steal" for tall leather boots at $109.90.

Last but not least, the jeans department has some decent sales. There are a couple of different Hudson's on sale, the Baby Boot and a skinny pair. They are both normally $170+ but on sale for around $115 I believe.

Let me know if you guys find any good deals -- Happy Shopping!

Words for Wednesday

2011-07-13T13:56:00.000-05:00

Image via

Does anyone else remember the "Wear Sunscreen" speech and song? It came out in 1998 and I loved it (an early indicator of my quotes fascination)! I stumbled across it in my iTunes the other day, and it's still good. Above is an excerpt I thought was worth remembering. You can read the full text of the speech here.

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-07-11T15:51:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday, I've got a treat for you! The first ever Little Ditty giveaway! Shabby Apple has graciously given me the opportunity to give one lucky reader their choice of a piece of jewelry from their online collection.

Shabby Apple has so many cute things! I am loving their dresses and skirts. They even have maternity dresses and little girls sizes. And now is the perfect time to shop, their summer sale is going on and you can get 20% off a lot of things on the site! Here are some of my favorites below...

Now, on to the jewelry. There are so many things I'd like to order! I found a few of my favorites for summer below. You know that coral bracelet would look awesome with a sundress and a little tan :)

The Giveaway

One Little Ditty reader will win one piece of Shabby Apple Jewelry of their choice. Here's how you can enter:
- Mandatory entry, go to Shabby Apple and then leave a comment here with your favorite thing from the site. It can be anything dresses, skirts, jewelry, etc.

- Bonus Entries, you can get additional entries if you (1) become a fan of Shabby Apple on Facebook, (2) are a follower of my blog, (3) tweet about this giveaway, (4) post the giveaway to Facebook or (5) blog about it. Each of those items earns you one bonus entry, just leave me another comment!

I'll pick one winner using random.org sometime on Monday, July 18th. Good Luck!

If you don't win or just can't wait to get your hands on something from the site, here is a special discount code for 10% off. Use ALittleDitty10off at checkout. This code will work for 30 days.

Details: The winner must live in the Continental United States. Please leave your email in your comment if it is not linked to your Google account so I will have a way to contact you.

Words for Wednesday

2011-07-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a great 4th! I had a few days off and it was so nice to have a little break from the daily grind. I've got an exciting giveaway to announce later this week, a Little Ditty first!! Stay tuned for more details. And without further adieu, this week's Words for Wednesday...

Lake Michigan as taken from my HTC EVO

Happy Birthday, America

2011-07-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

Steal of the Week: Kate Spade

2011-06-30T09:54:00.000-05:00

OK, so I wouldn't call this a "steal," it is Kate Spade afterall, but there are two good deals going today. I have a real soft spot for Kate Spade, the colors, the prep, it's the stuff my fashion dreams are made of.

Today, Rue La La has a Kate Spade sale starting at 10 AM CST. There's sure to be some good deals in there. And the thing I like about Rue La La is that they are one of the only online deal sites that lets you make returns for cash back. Most other sites will only give you store credit. Use this link to sign up, ruelala.com/invite/alittleditty

Next, Kate Spade is offering an extra 25% off sale items!! And to top it off, free shipping. Use the code SALE25 at checkout. Happy shopping!

Chicago Eats: Grahamwich

2011-06-30T08:30:00.000-05:00

I finally got a chance to try famed Graham Elliot's sandwich place, Grahamwich. It did not disappoint. I loved the decor and the food was delicious. Great place to grab lunch and it's really close to my office (ut-oh!). It's about 3 blocks off the Mag Mile in the River North area.

I had the pork belly sandwich. So good! I've got a major BBQ pork obsession lately, it's like I must try them at every place I go to! Anyway, this one had a perfect coleslaw on it and thin pickle slices. Yum. I also tried a Root Beer -- all of their sodas are homemade. My friend had the roast beef sandwich with spinach and shoestring fries, not sure what else, but she did really like it! And last but not least, my friend ordered the Truffle Popcorn. This was some good popcorn! It was seasoned to perfection and had Parmesan sprinkled on it. They also have homemade chips seasoned this same way, those will be a must for next time!

Lunch is a little on the expensive side $8 for a sandwich and the sodas and chips are extra. But hey, it's good stuff!

So all in all, we had a great experience. If you're visiting town, this would be a great place to take a break from shopping and you definitely won't find many tourists here! And who knew, behind bustling State street there is a quiet little landscaped courtyard where we ate our lunch.

One other thing -- the menu changes seasonally, so you never know what new creations they'll come up with. Always something different!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Grahamwich

- Website -

615 N. State Street

Chicago, IL 60656

Words for Wednesday

2011-06-29T17:25:00.001-05:00

Fabric via Serena & Lily

A perfect place to sit

2011-06-28T15:57:00.001-05:00

I found this little spot near the river while walking around the city one day. What a perfect place to take a break on a gorgeous summer afternoon. Given the choice I think I'd rather sit here and read then go back to work...

Summer arrived - pure michigan style

2011-06-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

I know the official start of summer was Tuesday, but summer started June 11th for me when I spent a week on Lake Michigan with the family. Spending sunny days down at the beach with a book and drink in hand was pretty much pure bliss. We had a few cloudy/rainy days, but for the most part the weather cooperated. I found the cottage for us from VRBO, you might remember me talking about them here. I've had really good experiences every time I've used the site.

The cottage was right on Lake Michigan in Holland, MI. It's not too far from my hometown in GR, but we really liked the location because Downtown Holland is a cute area with shops and restaurants and you're only a short drive from Sagutack - an equally cute lake front city with more shops and places to eat. Here are a few pictures of the week...

Our perch on the beach, right in front of the cottage.

Sometimes I can't believe how gorgeous Lake Michigan is. If people aren't familiar with it, they often write it off as a typical small lake. Not the case, as we say over here, kinda like the ocean, but unsalted! I'm so lucky to live in Chicago right on the Lake and to have grown up 30 minutes away from the beach.

The beach the cottage was on was private and stretched on for miles. It made for some good walks. We headed up to the lighthouse, "Big Red" one day.

Me and the little bro.

For information on visiting Holland, MI go here.

Words for Wednesday

2011-06-22T16:13:00.001-05:00

Made by me using image via flickr.

Hometown love. Grand Rapids lip dub

2011-06-09T17:11:00.000-05:00

Have you guys seen this? My hometown created this awesome lip dub video in response to a Newsweek article that called Grand Rapids a "dying city." Dying my ass....

The video got almost 3 million hits on You Tube, in just two weeks. It's been covered on all major U.S. news networks and a slew of international newspaper mentions. Roger Ebert called it "The Greatest Music Video Ever Made." Oh and Ashton Kutcher tweeted about it. Go Grand Rapids!! When this many people are talking about your beloved hometown, I think it's only natural to feel pride! Check it out:

And for more on Grand Rapids go here.

Steal of the Week: tunic tees

2011-06-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

I'm always looking for cute tops to throw over leggings or skinny jeans. Found these at Forever 21 last week -- such a great deal! They are super soft and I love the slub cotton look. You can't beat the $10.50 price, that's for sure! I think this top would be so cute dressed up with some jewelry, skinny jeans and cute flats. I could also see the white as a beach cover-up. If all else fails, these are so soft they would make the perfect sleep shirt so you can look cute even when you're just around the house.

Words for Wednesday

2011-06-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Image Via

Must have these

2011-06-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

I've fallen in love with a pair of Kate Spade wedges. Someone please help!

Having a really difficult time trying to stay away from these online. They're on sale and it's so tempting. Aren't they the cutest espadrilles ever?!

One last look at Spring in the city

2011-06-02T15:41:00.000-05:00

Before it's over I wanted to post a few pictures I took of Spring in bloom all around the city. We've quickly and suddenly moved on to Summer, it was 90 over the weekend -- but here is one last look at the first gorgeous blooms of Spring. Which after a long Winter, are always so welcome.


I love the bright yellow of Forsythia bushes!

And a few that aren't quite from the city -- Grape Hyacinths my sister cut. Isn't the purple stunning? The variations on each bloom look like a paint chip card.

In the Kitchen: Easy chicken fajitas

2011-06-02T15:13:00.003-05:00

Since I haven't been blogging in awhile, I have tons of recipes stockpiled that I want to share with you guys! First up is a really simple chicken fajitas meal that's become a favorite of mine. The directions for this are probably a no brainer for most cooks, but it's so delicious I still thought I would share!

Ingredients:
- Chicken breast tenders (your choice on the amount)
- Bell peppers cut into thin slices
- Onion sliced
- Spices; ground pepper, chili powder, Jane's Crazy Salt, cajun spice mix
- One chipotle pepper in it's own juice
- One lime
- Whole wheat flour tortillas
- Shredded cheese
- Tomatoes (optional)
- Guacamole and sour cream (optional)
- Olive oil

Preparation:
First get the peppers cooking with a little bit of olive oil. Next you can make the guacamole to set aside, I just use a seasoning packet and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Next, take the chicken out and season it with all the spices mentioned above. This isn't an exact science, so feel free to add other spices that you love. For me, the key to the chicken is using the already cut up chicken breast tenders. The small size makes them so juicy and delicious! Heat up a pan to cook the chicken and throw in some olive oil, fresh squeezed lime juice and one chipotle pepper cut up and a little of the juice from the can.

Now throw the chicken in the pan. Once it's in the pan, squeeze more lime juice onto each piece. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, turning a few times.

When the peppers & onion and chicken are close to being done, warm up your tortillas. I've recently made the switch to a true whole wheat variety, and I haven't even missed the white flour much! You can also get out all your toppings, I used shredded cheese, cherry tomatoes and a little sour cream and of course lots of guac!

Shred the chicken into small pieces and assemble the fajitas. YUM! These are so easy and so good! Let me know if you guys like them :)

This week I'm linking up to:
Tasty Tuesdays at my sister's blog!!

Words for Wednesday

2011-06-01T16:36:00.000-05:00

Image via

I've always been a fan of Mary Engelbreit. I used to get her desk calendars every year when I was younger and the illustrations and quotes were so cute. On this first day of June I thought this picture was very appropriate. This reminds me of one of my oldest friends, whenever I think of lazy summers as a kid, I think of her. We were together almost every day laying out or hitting the pool in the long, slow summers off from school. Or, who am I kidding? Sometimes we just sweated it out in one of our backyards if we couldn't bike to a pool that day. Good memories!

Happy June 1st! We're beginning my favorite season of the year :)

Downtown City Target? It's true!

2011-02-15T11:59:00.000-06:00

Hi blog world. It's been awhile, but I had to come back to share this life changing news with you - Target is coming to State Street in Chicago!! Be still my heart. This has long been speculated, but was officially announced today; Target is moving to the landmark Sullivan Center building at State and Madison Street. They are calling this a "City Target." That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? It will be an urban store on multiple levels offering fresh food (!!) and other Target essentials. And please, let's be honest, everything Target offers is "essential" to me!

Target is trying to have the store open by the end of the year! Possibly as early as November. You can get excited and read the full article in the Tribune here!


Target's new home on State Street!

I am very anxious to see how Target fits into their new home and how they design the store. The old Carson's building is a historic landmark on State Street. Here's a quote from the Trib article: “We look forward to preserving this Chicago treasure and blending in with the building’s aesthetic, said John Griffith, executive vice president, property development at Target. “A hallmark of Target is our flexibility in store design.”

How cool that Target will be a State Street icon now! I'll be sure to keep everyone informed on the store's progress and post pictures of the remodeling! I plan to basically stalk this building until the day I am welcomed inside :)

Winter Wardrobe, the best boots

2010-12-14T15:26:00.000-06:00

Boots can be found at Zappos, Ugg Australia, L.L. Bean and Sorel.

The first snow . . .

2010-12-10T16:36:00.000-06:00

Isn't the first snow always beautiful? Especially when you wake up and overnight everything has magically been blanketed by white. This happened last week in Chicago and I took a few pictures.

My snowy street!

Happy Friday! I'm off to grab drinks and dinner with my big sis who is in for the weekend. I'm excited, we've got some good things planned and even a project in my dining area that I'll share on here (if it goes well!). Hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

Winter Wardrobe, black patent belt

2010-12-09T14:49:00.001-06:00

I'm starting a new series to get through the blustery days of Winter. Why not talk clothes? I'm going to be posting several favorites in my winter wardrobe or items I'd like to have! Hopefully you guys will get some good ideas and share things with me too!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Wearing this belt again today reminded me that I need to share with the blog world! I used to think I could never wear belts in the trendy way that's so popular right now. Then, I found this belt at Nordstrom. Problem solved!

It's the perfect patent leather black belt that works on any body type. The front is patent and the rest is stretchy black elastic, which allows you to put it over anything. The belt is a nice larger size, but not so big that it looks gaudy or odd. Lately, I've been wearing it to work over a ruffled shirt and cardigan. It also works really well over dresses or blazers. It's very versatile. The belt is Lauren by Ralph Lauren.

I also just saw online that it comes in brown with a faux crocodile texture. What do you guys think? Would you wear this belt or do you already have something similar that you like?

Words for Wednesday

2010-12-01T18:10:00.000-06:00

image via

Right on cue, we got our first real snow in Chicago today. Mother Nature must have planned that to coincide with the first day of December! I always think the first snow is kind of magical. Something about seeing those big flakes float down from the sky. And my feet were pretty excited to cozy up in their Uggs today. I'll be singing a far different tune come February, but for now, I'll enjoy it. Here's to a white Christmas!

Chicago Eats: Rocks

2010-11-30T08:30:00.001-06:00

I have to let you in on a little neighborhood secret, Rocks. My favorite neighborhood spot for meeting up with friends and grabbing a drink and some food. I anxiously watched this place go up and was super excited to have a cute spot right by my house. I've since moved south a bit, but I still head to Rocks because it's definitely worth the walk! I think business is doing well because they've recently expanded and taken over some space next door. If you're in the Lakeview area, you definitely need to stop by. If for nothing else than the skewer that comes in the bloody mary's.

I was here last month with my usual Rocks buddy on an unseasonably warm day. Doesn't that bloody look delicious?


My friend ordered beer that came in a cute can.

And on another trip, we enjoyed $5 glasses of wine. Rocks has great specials every day and Tuesdays are $5 wine and cheap salads! I like pretty much all of their food, one thing they do really well is their chili. Delicious!


My lovely friend, LB!


Not the best shot, but they have a great patio for the warmer months!

.........................

Rocks Lakeview (also a Lincoln Park location)

3463 N. Broadway

Chicago, IL

773.472.0493

Words for Wednesday

2010-11-24T07:30:00.000-06:00

Headed home to Michigan this afternoon for a nice long weekend with the family. I am excited to relax and not think about work! I have to say, I'm not a big fan of Thanksgiving food (don't like stuffing or mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie or cranberries!) but I'm excited because we are doing traditional Thanksgiving fare along with some different things. I'll have to report back after with some recipes.

I got this print from Craftily Ever After. She created it and framed it for Thanksgiving. Wonderful idea!

Because everyone needs a good laugh on Monday . . .

2010-11-22T09:30:00.001-06:00

In case you aren't one of the 1,941, 645 people that have viewed Marcel online, I thought I'd share this video with you. I was introduced to this video by Peppermint Bliss and it has been life changing. I saw it right before I went on vacation in October and Marcel and Charlie pretty much became the theme for the week. My sister and little bro both found it as funny as me. I literally can't stop laughing when I watch these and now every time I talk with my sister on the phone we throw in lines from Marcel. Enjoy!

And this follow up is equally hilarious, if not more so! Please, someone make a sequel to these!

Steal of the Week: Groupon & Nordstrom Rack

2010-11-19T11:33:00.001-06:00

**Update: Apparently, I picked a popular time to talk about Groupon. Oprah mentioned it on her show this morning and as a result the site as been down all day due to the high volumes of traffic. Ugh. I am certain they will extend the offer time on this deal though.**

I know, I should really settle down and stop posting about Nordstrom. But, there's an awesome Groupon that came my way this morning and I just have to share! First, if you're not using Groupon yet, you've gotta start! Sure, it's encouraged some impulsive "good deal" buys, but it is definitely worth it. Every morning a "deal" is sent to your inbox and you usually have 24 hours to purchase it. You sign up for your city and the deals are tailored to things in your area. I've gotten Groupons for half off restaurants, super cheap facials and even a package for car washes.You also get a $10 credit for referring friends, so if you do sign up use this link.

Today's deal was a welcome surprise in my inbox, half off at Nordstrom Rack! With the new location that just opened up in downtown Chicago I was pretty pumped about this! For $25 you get a $50 Groupon to use at Nordstrom Rack. And here's the best part, it is valid at ANY Nordstrom Rack location in the states! Perfect for gift buying or maybe purchasing a holiday party outfit.

One more reason to love Nordstrom . . .

2010-11-19T09:30:00.000-06:00

I like the fact that Nordstrom celebrates one holiday at a time. I do kind of hate how the holiday season gets so commercialized and trees go up at stores right after Halloween is done. One thing at a time! Thank you, Nordstrom.

Chicago Sidewalk Planters: Fall 2010 edition

2010-11-18T16:53:00.000-06:00

I've been on the hunt for sidewalk planters that are all done up for Fall! I came up with quite a few pretty plantings. I always like to monitor the themes that seem to appear each season. For Fall, I've seen a lot of the classics (mums) but also really cool greenery like cabbage and Kale. Without further adieu, here are the Fall planters!

Some of my favorites, I really like the greenery and the birch sticks. And they added pansies, which you generally see in the very early Spring since they are so hardy, but Fall is perfect for them as well!

Cabbage close ups from Michigan Ave.

I love the coloring!

The yellow mums deserve their own section...

How did she get in this one? :) You can really tell how massive this cement planter is with a little perspective.

Lastly, you may remember these guys from Spring. The massive planters are along Erie and are always done up for the seasons. I think the scraecrow was a tad cheesy, but everything else about this display is great!

I hope you enjoyed the tour of sidewalk planters in the city! You can view the other season's collections here:

Spring 2010

Holidays 09-10

Fall 2009

I'm linking up to Outdoor Wednesday!

It's that time of year. . .fall planting

2010-11-10T17:55:00.000-06:00

We are definitely well into the Fall season (like it or not). And you know what that means around here - all new Fall planting! People in the city aren't joking around about their fall planters either...

That's a whole lotta Mums!

I'm sure this guy enjoyed me snapping a picture of him!

As you may know, I like to mark the seasons changing by checking out the new plantings throughout the city. And we go all out around here! I've been finding lots of great Fall displays. I'll be posting them all soon. In the meantime if you just can't get into Fall, you can always reminisce about the lovely Spring planters here.

Words for Wednesday

2010-11-10T15:13:00.000-06:00

Via

Not sure I'll quite be able to celebrate the mundane Wednesday I'm having, but sipping a glass of bubbly after work isn't a bad idea...

Mamma Agata, the Amalfi coast cooking school

2010-11-07T20:28:00.000-06:00

Once upon a fairytale, Sister and I headed to Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, for a cooking class with Mamma Agata! Needless to say it was an ah-mazing day. And made an already memorable trip, that much more unforgettable. Mamma has recently published a cookbook, so I thought this would be a good time to share a little about our day in Ravello. Who am I kidding? You know I will take any excuse possible to talk about Italy, my one true love.

At first glance...

Time to get cooking! Mamma and her daughter, Chiara lead you through a series of dishes. They do most of the heavy lifting, with you watching and learning (And eating).

Al and Chiara (Mamma's daughter)

Mamma!! If that's not an Italian Mom, then I don't know what is!

Mamma Agata's is situated on a clifftop, overlooking the gorgeous coastline. The family cooks with nearly all home grown produce. They have a farm built right into the side of the cliff. During the course of the day you head down to the farm area and check out all the fresh produce.

At the end of the day you sit down for a huge feast with all the food cooked during the day. And of course wine made from the grapes grown right on site and homemade limoncello are served!

If you find yourself on the Amalfi Coast, definitely book a day with Mamma Agata! I may be seeing Mamma in the U.S. soon, so I'll report back. And hopefully her cookbook will be sold in the states soon!

....................................
Piazza S. Cosma 9 - Ravello (SA)
Amalfi Coast - ITALY
Phone +39.(0)89.857019
e-mail: info@mammaagata.com

Words for Wednesday

2010-11-03T08:30:00.000-05:00

I used paper from Kate's Paperie as the background. And now I can see why I liked it so much, it blends right in with my blog background, oops.

Concord grapes, my favorite super fruit

2010-11-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

Behold the Concord Grape.

Via

Concord Grapes are currently in season in the Midwest and are one of my favorite fruits! The smell alone does it for me. They have the best scent in the world. Very, sweet and grape-y :) And besides being delicious, it happens to be an antioxidant powerhouse. Check out this info from the LiveStrong website. Concord grapes contain the same antioxidants found in red wine, polyphenols. My grandpa used to grow these in his backyard, so eating them always brings back good memories. If you happen to see these in your grocery store, check them out!

Of course, another reason I love concord grapes is many come from Michigan! I've noticed Whole Foods likes to sell the grapes as a specialty item and charge quite a bit, but Jewel has them by all the other grapes and they sell for only $2.99. You can also visit the Michigan grower's website here.

Saguaro Lake, Arizona

2010-11-01T11:19:00.000-05:00

A week and a half ago I was in the middle of a great vacation in Arizona! Hard to believe, considering I'm now back to the daily grind and woke up to 40 degrees outside this morning! My sister and I usually go out a few times a year to see our Dad and little brother who are out there for the Winter (and school year). We had a great trip and mostly wonderful weather. For all the times we have been out, we've never gone to Saguaro Lake, which is only a 15-20 minute drive from the Scottsdale area. If you're ever out there, it's definitely worth the trip.

Saguaro Lake is located in the Tonto National Forest, which covers almost 3 million acres! It is the fifth largest forest in the U.S. We had a great day for our boat tour and were in awe of the sights. It was beautiful! The mountains, the water, the cacti... I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

So odd seeing cactus and water!

Everybody had a good time on the boat! From 9-year old brother all the way up to 90-year old Grandpa!

Pops, taking in the scenes.

Big sis and world's cutest little brother

Grandpa, almost 90. Ethan, 9

Back to the gorgeous scenery...

Four Peaks Mountains in the background, the tops covered by clouds.

Heading home after a day on the water. I love the desert scenery. So different than my concrete jungle in Chicago :)

Words for Wednesday

2010-10-27T11:32:00.000-05:00

Back from vacation in Arizona with a little Fall related quote from my favorites over at quotablecards.com.

Words for Wednesday

2010-10-13T08:30:00.001-05:00

In the Kitchen: spicy chicken enchiladas

2010-10-12T09:30:00.001-05:00

I think it's pretty obvious I've got a real obsession with Mexican food. See here if you don't believe me! It might not be normal that I could easily eat something mexican-ish every day of the week! My quest for simply great Mexican food led me here. I've tried countless chicken enchilada recipes and haven't been able to quite achieve the taste I want. This one, is the best I've made. Really delicious. It's a Tyler Florence recipe from Food Network.com (and has a 5-star rating on their site).

Ingredients:
- Few tablespoons olive oil
- 1 & 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast
- Salt and Pepper
- 2 teaspoons cumin powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons Mexican spice blend
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 5 canned whole green chiles (I used jalapenos, hence the "spicy" in the title!)
- 4 canned chipotle chiles, seeded and minced
- 1/2 can stewed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon flour
- 16 corn tortillas
- 1 & 1/2 cups enchilada sauce (canned)
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar and Jack cheeses
- Garnishes, cilantro, scallions, sour cream and anything else that sounds good!

First things first, get those chicken breasts cookin'! Season them with salt and pepper. Before turning the chicken sprinkle with cumin, garlic powder and Mexican spices. When the chicken is done, remove to a plate and let cool.

Now it's time to get the filling together. Saute onion and garlic in chicken drippings until tender. Add the corn and chiles. Add the canned tomatoes. The original recipe calls for 1 can, but I don't care for really sauce-y, tomato-y sauce, so I used very few. Stir all this together well.

Pull chicken breasts apart and "shred." Add chicken to the saute pan with the vegetables. Sprinkle flour over the pan to set the filling. You can also preheat the oven to 350 now.

Now it's time to get the tortillas ready to be filled. Take a stack of tortillas and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Spread some of the enchilada sauce into two 13x9 inch pans. Also, fill a low shallow bowl with sauce for dipping the corn tortillas in. Spoon some of the chicken mixture into each tortilla, wrapping up and placing seam side down in the pans. Now pour sauce over the enchiladas in the pan. (I noticed a lot of people on foodnetwork.com were ticked Tyler used canned sauce, personally I like canned enchilada sauce! Hey, the rest is still homemade.)

I had way too much food for just me, but the tortillas fit perfect in little ziploc square containers. I covered in sauce and froze a few. I will add the cheese when I take out to cook.

OK, one more step before putting these guys in the oven. Generously sprinkle cheese over the top. Yum.

Bake in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes. While baking, whip up some guacamole. I just can't have homemade enchis without the guacamole! Don't these look good? Fresh out of the oven. Sadly, this picture is actually making me hungry!

I served with blue corn chips, guac and sprinkled the enchiladas with cilantro and scallions. Another delicious Mexican dinner!

Linking up to "Tasty Tuesdays"!

And Tasty Tuesday Parade at Beauty and Bedlam!

A girl, her bike and lake michigan

2010-10-11T19:29:00.000-05:00

We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend in the city! I think we even broke a few records with our highs of 80+ on both days. I was loving it! I'm such a Summer girl and am always sad to see it leave. Knowing these are the last warm days we'll get for a long while, I took full advantage. I hit the lakeshore path for a nice bike ride.

Dusk sets in...

The big matchup, michigan state vs. michigan

2010-10-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

If you've been around the blog for awhile, you know I bleed green. I LOVE football and basketball season and cheering for my Alma Mater, Michigan State. We've got a big game today, our once a season match-up with the hated University of Michigan. It's a tradition that's been going on for over a 100 years! And we're sitting pretty, having won the last two years in a row. I think today will mark the third consecutive win!

And just to give you an idea of how "big" this game is around here -- check out this super fan. He's putting off his pacemaker surgery, just to make sure he catches the game. That, my friends, is dedication.

Today I'll be cheering on the boys from one of the State bars in Chicago. Enjoy the Spartan pictures! All from coachdantonio.com

And this guy. I love me some Dantonio. I've been keeping him in my prayers because after our sweet win over Notre Dame, he landed in the hospital with a heart attack. He will be back for the first time since then this week and coaching from the coaches box.

Go get 'em Boys!!

In the Kitchen: the best meatloaf

2010-10-05T22:56:00.001-05:00

That's right, you read the title correctly. Let's bring meatloaf back. It's the perfect season for it. Just starting to get that chill in the air and the craving for good ol' comfort food. Enter meatloaf. This is a seriously delicious recipe from Pioneer Women. And you know she never disappoints. Here's the details:

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk
- 3 slices White Bread
- 1 pound Meat (I used half turkey and half beef)
- 1/2 cup (heaping) Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Few pinches of Seasoned Salt
- 1/4 teaspoons Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Ha;f of ⅓ cups Minced Flat-leaf Parsley
- 2 whole Eggs Beaten
- 6 slices Thin/regular Bacon

Sauce:
- 3/4 cup Ketchup
- Half of ⅓ cups Brown Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- Tabasco To Taste

Preparation:
As a side note, I halved P Dubs recipe and it is the perfect size for two. if you're cooking for more, go with her full recipe.

Soak the slices of bread in milk for a few minutes. Next get out a large bowl and add in the beef, soaked bread, Parmesan, seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and parsley. Separately beat up the eggs and then pour those in as well. In true PW fashion I used Parmesan Reggiano and shredded it myself.

Here's where it gets interesting. You have to get in there and mix together the meatloaf with your hands. I didn't think I could do it bare-handed, so this is when latex gloves come in very handy. After you mix it together, get out your broiler pan (very important, the slots in this type of pan help the grease drain!). Form the meat into a loaf and put on your broiler pan. Of course this step was when I discovered my oven didn't come with a broiler pan? I improvised...

OK and here is the good part, layer on the bacon now!

Next, put together the sauce. Mix the ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard and the best part, Tabasco sauce.

Reserve a little of the sauce for dipping, and spread the rest generously over the top of the meatloaf. Then put this little nugget in the oven at 350 for 45 minutes, then pour another 1/3 of the sauce over the top. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Make sure to let this get almost a little browned on the edges, that's the best! And again, you can see all of PW's pictures here.

I think this goes great with potatos and if you're going to make potato's try this way. It was honestly the most delicious red skins I've had in a long time - and so simple. Slice up a few red skins into wedges. Throw them into a baggie with olive oil and coat well. Then put them in a baking dish and season generously with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they look done. Sprinkle parsley over the potatos when they are done. YUM. These were seriously better than fries.

Linking up to "Tasty Tuesdays" over at A Beautiful Mess!

And linking to the Trendy Treehouse's "Creative Share Wednesday"

Steal of the Week: lands' end tote

2010-10-05T16:30:00.000-05:00

I've had a Lands' End tote for quite a few years and I love it! I think the quality on the bag is unbeatable. Something you can use for years to come and it's a classic design that will never go out of style. Pretty excited to see that the special this week on Lands' End is their medium sized tote bag for only $12! I believe it is regularly $20 or so. Lands' End describes the medium size tote as good for every day use, it fits the same amount as one paper grocery bag. I always bring my tote with me to the farmer's market.

Loving the yellow color. You can choose from basics like navy or black and a variety of other options. Of course the monogramming is key. What's a tote without your initials?

With this deal, I'm thinking it's never too early to start Christmas shopping! Cute hostess gift filled with goodies for Holiday parties too.

A few details on the bag from Lands' End:

Batter-proof, 24-oz. cotton canvas
Reinforced, rip-resistant bottom and handles
Sturdier seams help Tote stand upright
All sizes except Small have four pockets inside to help you organize
An antimicrobial finish helps keep fabric fresh

The deal goes until this Thursday, the 7th!

Opening today, mag mile nordstrom rack

2010-09-30T17:20:00.000-05:00

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!

........................

Nordstrom Rack

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

Words for Wednesday

2010-09-29T17:51:00.000-05:00

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

2010-09-29T17:17:00.000-05:00

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!

2010-09-20T16:27:00.001-05:00

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

2010-09-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

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

2010-09-11T09:30:00.002-05:00

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.