Be Kind

Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
-Plato

Via

With all the recent news of bullying, especially cyber based bullying, I think it's more important than ever to be kind and understanding of each other.

What makes us different makes us interesting.

Six Weeks Out...

...from this:




I cannot wait. I live for vacation. Seriously. I always like to have one on the books...gives you something to look forward to!

Now on that note. I'm six weeks out from margaritas. seafood. SPF. and a swimsuit. Ugh. I need to get my act together and get serious about working out. Apparently Fall to me means lots of sweets and comfort food. This is not good for a bikini!

So I must kick-start my game and head to more Yoga classes. Hit the gym and actually do some cardio.

Via

And...I must try to step away from all the cupcakes and cookies in my way :( Not an easy feat for someone with my kind of sweet tooth!

Via
And on that note, if you're ever in Chicago and want a FABULOUS cupcake, go to Sugar Bliss. You will NOT be disappointed. They're heavenly.

Do you guys have any vacations coming up? How do you motivate yourself to go to the gym? I've got to get out of this lazy funk!

Excess Weekend

My weekend was just one of those that was over the top and busy from the get-go!

Friday my girl friends and I met up for our Friday Night Book Club. If you think book clubs are lame, you're sorely mistaken! It is always a riot. We normally pick a book, take anywhere from 4-6 weeks and then have the book club on a Friday night. The girl who hosts supplies the dinner and then we assign appetizers, desserts and wine to everyone else. We eat, drink, and laugh! I think talking about the book takes up about 10% of the night ;) Are any of you in a book club??

This Friday we read Never Let Me Go and I have to say...I didn't finish. It was not catching me and I just couldn't push myself through it. Only 7 of us made it on Friday and 3 read it. haha, whoops! But we did have delicious white chili, Sprinkles cupcakes and 9 bottles of wine. Yes 9 bottles for 7 people. And 2 stopped drinking very early in the night. Can you say lushes??

I love how everyone is crowding around the cupcakes, I couldn't even get there in time before they were getting snatched up!

Saturday K had about 20 people over for the Iowa/Michigan game. Iowa won :) and again there was more booze than food. We had Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches...o...m...g. So delicious. And I set up a Bloody Mary bar and I must say so myself, it was GOOD. I love a good Bloody Mary.




Wow, if you didn't think I was a drunk, you will after reading those two paragraphs hahaha.

Sunday was topped off with my cousin J & J's baby shower. Baby M is due on New Year's Eve and we're all anxiously awaiting his/her arrival! They got the cutest stuff and this gorgeous lamb bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. And I loved their super modern high chair. I think it's super cute.

So that was my non-stop, beverage-filled, stomach hurts from laughing weekend! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and here's to hoping this week flies by!

Breakfast for Dinner

When I was little my Grandma lived with us for about 2 years. She cooked most of our dinners and on special nights she'd say, it's breakfast time!! And we knew we were in for a treat.

Last night I decided it was time for a treat and breakfast was on the menu. We decided on the PERFECT french toast. I didn't name it, Food Network did. But I will agree with them. It was perfect. You can find the recipe HERE.

So I bought some Texas Toast bread (the bakery lady wasn't there to cut fresh bread...umm weird) got some eggs, milk, spices, and butter and made my perfect french toast.

It was easy...you NEED to try it.

Just dunk your bread.



Cook it in the skillet on each side for about 2-3 minutes and then here's what I've never done...put it in the oven at 350 for 8-10 minutes. It cooks it through and makes it puffy. Sorry I didn't get a final product picture...we grabbed them and ate them immediately!



It is perfection. Then before you clean the skillet, add 4 tablespoons of butter, melt it, and then drizzle it on top of the finished french toast. I didn't even need syrup on mine!




Who doesn't like to change it up and have breakfast for dinner?? We paired ours with some turkey bacon, corned beef hash (a guilty pleasure, I know a lot of people think it's gross...) and some Trop50 orange juice. Which I gotta give props...half the sugar/calories and just as tasty!

Busy weekend here in Chicago. Girls book club. Best friend's birthday. Cousin's baby shower. Busy, busy, busy!! But in a good way considering I'm looking forward to each event!

Happy Friday!! Have a relaxing, fun, productive, lazy, whatever-kind-of weekend you want!

What Constitutes Art?

I know art is a very personal thing. I have pieces I adore that I'm sure others would never own.

But when magazines try doing Art issues, you think hmm poses? art of fashion? art of photos? Do you ever think art of breasts painted silver?

I ask this because Kim Kardashian recently shot for W's Art issue. Sure, that's nice but is it art?? She posed naked with large, flowing hair and a silver painted body. I'll let you decide if it's art or not.

Via

Do you think this is an artistic photo? Or do you think it's just another scandalous spread driven for attention?!

Wedding Weekend

Thanks for all of your comments about what to wear for the wedding!! I went with the strappy heels, necklace & the dress strapless. The wedding was beautiful and we had such a blast!


I ended up putting my hair in a bun and wrapped one of my Anthropologie sparkly hair ties around the bun to add some sass to it. I pinned those crazy pieces down as you can see I snapped the pic while putting pins in.

My camera died in the middle of the reception (grreaaaat) so I have to wait for my friends to send me their pics so I'll have more.

Big Congratulations to the happy couple!!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I was busy with the wedding, an architectural tour of the best city, movie date Life As We Know It (very cute!) Bears game and lunch with the cutest 5 month old around. I loved having the holiday off and relaxing.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

Tomorrow is one of my oldest friend's wedding. We've come a long way since rollerblading and Ouija boards!!

I've got the dress and now I just need to decide what shoes to wear. Which is where I need your help. Wedding is Friday at 4. So leave me a comment and let me know :) And you know what's the funniest thing about this wedding? I've been thinking, I gotta work out this week and watch what I eat so I look good. Umm hamburgers, fries, no gym. Way to go!

Here are the shoes I'm deciding on. Except the back row top right...those are out.

Front and Side views. Thoughts?!?! You'll have to click on the picture to enlarge it and get a better look. Oh and I hate my legs, blah.

I'm getting my make-up done at MAC and can't quite figure out what "look" I'm going for. I plan on doing a loose, messy bun for my hair. I got my nails done tonight and although I don't like to be matchy matchy I did get OPI's Russian Navy on both my fingers and toes. I figured the mani won't last and I'll still want it on my toes ;) Who knew this much work went into prepping for weddings? I don't get this glammed up for every wedding, but I really wanted great make-up so my pictures would stand out!

Here's the necklace I think I'm going to wear....I can also make it into a belt but now I'm feeling it AS a necklace.


I hope the dress doesn't come off too booby...ugh, sometimes I hate these things!

Also...the dress comes with straps. What are your thoughts?? I don't know if it adds anything.

So please help me with any thoughts, comments, recommendations!! I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend and hopefully you have Monday off too!