The Everygirl...

I got to meet up with Danielle and Alaina last night - and some amazing Chicago bloggers, all for a quickie toast to celebrate their hard work on releasing The Everygirl to the world yesterday. It's an amazing site for career minded, dream chasing girls who need a little guidance now and then on how to plan weekly meals, budget for a big trip, shop for the latest fashions, decorate the home and more. Filled with great inspiration, I just know that it will be your new daily read;) 

Fly Me to the Moon...

Here's a pic of the bf and I at No Name Saloon in Park City this past weekend. I'm back in Chicago-land after a lovely long weekend. It was heaven to spend time with family and hit the slopes. We did 3 half-dayers. 


On the flight back I started mapping out our next destinations, weddings, more weddings, bachelorette parties, summer vacation. And let me tell you plane tickets are not cheap:( I miss the days when you could easily get a free voucher on Southwest or even an early bird special for $99 - I'd settle for $199 these days. At this rate I think it's cheaper to fly to the moon. Any tips on finding low fares?

Park City Trip...

Valentine's day is over, what's next? SKIING. We depart Saturday for Park City. One of my brothers rented a house and sister and I invited ourselves. Hooray. I have been faithfully seeing the Chiropractor and icing so I can hit the slopes. Here's my wish list while we are there...


Day 1: We land at 11am - and are going directly to ski'n see to pick up rentals for the weekend. Then Deer Valley to get in a half day on the mountain (absolutely love skiing this mountain, it's perfect for a first day out in the season - no snowboarders). Then apres ski by the firepit at the St. Regis. Day 2: Sleep in - it's Sunday, and the forecast is snow. I think this might be the perfect day to ski Park City Mt. - That is one spot I haven't tried yet. Maybe cook a big family dinner in and sit by the fire in the eve. Day 3: Alta - my FAVE ski day in 2011 was at this spot. It's a little bit of a drive, but worth it;) Monday night might be the perfect night for dinner out on the town at Reef's, since many weekenders will be leaving. Not us! Day 4: Tuesday, breakfast on Main Street and a little shopping before our afternoon flight back to CHI. What a treat. 


Any fun plans for President's day?

Happy New Year...

 Christmas in Barrington, RI. 

 Christmas Eve in Newport, RI. 

 Blue skies and poolside from my lounge chair in PV. 

 Mariachi band for wedding procession in PV. 

 Beautiful reception setting in PV. 

 New Year's Eve.

Happy New Year! It's a belated welcome to 2012...you'll have to forgive me for not appearing online sooner. I was lounging on a beach with my bf and friends in Mexico. NYE was spent ringing in newlyweds who got married seaside in Puerto Vallarta. While I enjoyed every minute of relaxation and pool-time I'm happy to be back and have shared a collection of pics above;)


I love the dawning of a new day, and a new year. I am so grateful looking back at all of the wonderful things that happened in 2011. I met and moved in with my bf, I met wonderful friends and bloggers in Chicago, while exploring all this city has to offer, and my work team grew here so I am surrounded by new coworkers and remain equally interested and challenged in my field. So excited to share great new themes with you this year!

Starry Lights...

I want these...I just love string lights. They make things warm and festive!

Perfect Little Christmas...

It's a wonderful start to the holiday;) A weekend filled with last minute shopping ended with the bf and I cooking up this yummy Pot Roast recipe for the first time (delish), exchanging gifts and having a cozy xmas celebration for two in our place! Hurrying through tons of work and getting packed up for our trip east to see the family. Literally can't wait. xx

Swept Away...

I'm am caught up in a bit of a wave lately...life has been a little busy to say the least;) I'm preparing holiday recipes and gift guides for all and will be sharing next week. Come stop by! In the meantime I'll be peppering some inspiration files for fashion and interiors that I've gathered lately. Hope you are having a lovely week. {image via aubrey road} 


x

Happy Halloween...

Boo! I'm back...I took a mini-hiatus from the blog and have been entertaining out of town guests for the last few weekends, with a quick jaunt to Kansas City for a wedding. I'm loving the crisp fall air and can't believe what a whirlwind October has been. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend...I didn't dress up this year, for any events or parties, but I plan on cooking up something delicious and festive tonight, watching a scary movie and indulging in a little candy. Have a great day. {images via pinterest, pink wallpaper}

Flowers for a Rainy Day...

These are for you! Pink peonies...couldn't they brighten up any room? I'm giving these to all my readers today...virtually that is;) It's a gray day here, but it's almost the weekend. My mom,  sister and two nieces are coming to Chicago and we get to run around the city together. So excited. {image via pinterest}

Fall Drinks & Fall Dates...

There is much to entertain around Chicago in fall. Mini road trips to wineries, cooking classes, haunted house tours. Not to mention a few favorite recipes when the chillier months come upon us. These two posts just got me so excited, and I had to share. 


5 Cozy Chicago Autumn Dates
8 Fall Drink Recipes

On the Go...

Did you all have a nice weekend? The bf and I stumbled upon a cool festival {Chipotle Cultivate} in Lincoln Park and caught a few live bands after hitting the farmer's market for fresh goodies and apple cider donuts;) Perfect fall day. I'll be on the go this week with my team in town for meetings, dinners and all. Lots of coffee and grabbing food for the road. Hope you all enjoy the first week of October. It's here...I can't believe it! {image via I Dream of}

Too Cute...

Had a little laugh about this when I saw...let it be known that I may have a knack for doing an impression of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite now and then;) I'm not saying it's good, but it cracks me up every time. What a cute halloween costume. {image via bippity boppity boo} 

Special Day...

It's official, today is my bday;) Time to get up, and treat myself to a pumpkin latte, head to meetings, talk to friends and sit back for a post work mani/pedi. Always so fun to look back at where we were the year(s) before as you approach turning a year older. It goes by very very quickly...especially this past year, my adventure to Chicago, an unexpected landing spot that has become my home. Going for din din with the bf tonight (location unknown;). We'll be pretty low key so we can save up for our fun weekend ahead. I'm a lucky girl and I don't feel a day over 27! 

A special shout/out & thank you to one of my greatest friends from childhood, Sue, for always inspiring with great cooking recipes daily and posting this one for me today ~ Ginger Snaps, mmmm.

Sweet Pie...

So happy to kick off this great celebration week with some yummy recipes. I love seasonal pies and might have to rollout the dough, pick up some peaches and bake myself a sweet birthday treat. 


Apple Pie
Blackberry Pie
Cookie Cake Pie
Peach Pie
Raspberry Pie
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Go check out Danielle's Sweets post for cake, martini and fondue recipes!

Birthday Week...

Danielle and I have birthdays just 4 days apart (she is the 17th and I'm the 20th)! We are kicking off a blog inspiration week to celebrate! I will have a Tibi tomorrow and more surprises. 

On Thursday, we invite you to link up with a gift guide blog post. I hope you will join in and share a post with your favorite gifts! We plan on including your blog links in our blog posts. If you would like to participate, please leave a comment with your name and blog link or email by 8pm Central. Please be sure to publish your post on Thursday morning by 7:00 am Central time.

Go check out sweet treats at Breakfast at Toast this morning and come visit this afternoon for my favorites! 

Long Weekend...

I wish we could adopt 3-day weekends forever, I just love having an extra day;) I didn't feel like I had to squeeze anything in...Danielle and I got to dine at Hubbard Inn, Tavern on Rush, rent bikes, go shopping and hit the art store for a painting project we're working on. I met some girlfriends Saturday for dinner at Bluebird in Bucktown after hunting for cute outfits for a Vegas trip coming up, and Sunday and Monday eve watched beautiful sunsets from the balcony at my bf's while grilling up kabobs and burgers. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend a few days away from work. 

Back to Work + Intern...

Hark! The alarm rings in the morning on the Sunday of vacation, the blues start to set in, could it be the end of my wonderful long weekend away? Yes, and then once again, the tone of alarm bells sound on Monday. Had the loveliest time with east coast friends in the Hamptons, and packed in beach days, cookouts, sightseeing and nights on the town with the bf.  Back to work, coffee in hand, and a long list of to do's for making this a successful and productive week. What I need is an intern! A bright savvy Chicago lady in school who wants to help with my blog activities. Email me;) xx {image via xo-erica}

A little shout out too, to Danielle, for helping watch my bf's pup this weekend. Thank you mucho!! 

Come Visit ~ Breakfast at Toast Today...

A few weeks ago my friend Danielle asked me to be a part of this series on her lovely blog Breakfast at Toast, called Girls who Inspire. For those of you who know my blog, I don't divulge many personal details;) It was great to step outside of my daily posting and share style inspiration, why I love Chicago and dish on other little fun Q's. Thank you so much for having me D, honored to be a guest. xo

Busy Lives...

Blogging takes a back seat everyone once in awhile, especially in summer months when work is hectic and friends are visiting from out of town. Sorry I tuned out last week, I'm back from a little breakie;) Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. {image via tumblr}

Summer Guide: Chicago Long Weekend...

There are so many great things about Chicago in the summer. I have lived in New York City, San Francisco and now Chicago. Hands down - summers in this city are my all time favorite. Between festivals, baseball games, concerts, outdoor dining, and lakeside paths for running and biking, I'm in heaven. A friend reached out recently and I put together 'What to do' guide for their visit this week, here's a little agenda! 


Wednesday: 
Go to the Green Farmer's Market on North Clarke in Lincoln Park, pack a picnic and take a great walk along North Beach.
Wednesday Eve: 
Happy hour at Hubbard Inn, the Southside cocktail is YUM!
Early din din at the bar at GT Fish + Oyster, don't miss the lobster roll...
Ferris Bueller's Day off - Movies in the Park


Thursday: 
Stroll Michigan Ave shops and stop at RL Cafe for a late lunch on the patio. 
Thursday Eve: 
Hit Maude's Liquor bar or the Girl and the Goat in the West loop for dinner.


Friday:
Head to Wrigleyville for Cubs vs. Marlins day game! 
Friday eve:
Try one of these spots for dinner
Then hit up the Old St. Pat's Block Party and see great live band performances.


Saturday:
Taste of River North Festival
Saturday Eve:
Pitchfork Music Fest: Fleet Foxes on the Green Stage
Fireworks at Navy Pier - Either bring a blanket and a bottle of wine down to a grassy spot by the docks or get to the Trump early for a perfect view.


Sunday:
BBQ at Market Bar


Enjoy!! Stay tuned for the Chicago Bloggers favorite restaurants. {image via Breakfast at Toast}