12 Days of Christmas: Day 5

Jack's family is predominately German and Dutch so we go every year to the Christkindlmarket here in Chicago to get our fill of Glühwein, a traditional German holiday market hot spiced wine and delicious Lebkuchen, a German variation on traditional gingerbread that is coated with sugar and almonds. We went last night and it was a bone chilling 5 degrees out with a -20 windchill. What can I say....we really like our German Christmas treats! I also got a chance to see the Christmas tree in Daley Plaza and huddle close to Jack under the mistletoe so the trip was definitely worthwhile.

We would love to travel to Germany and experience a real Bavarian Christmas one day. I've heard that Nuremburg and Munich pretty much turn into gigantic Christmas toy cities replete with twinkling lights, tasty treats, nutcrackers and all the wooden toys you could possibly desire. I'd probably eat myself silly! It's one trip out of many that we would love to take.

Vintage Typewriter

I have a thing for vintage typewriters. I love the idea of writing letters to friends and family using a typewriter; probably because my handwriting is getting worse every year and I still prefer to mail out correspondence-it's far more personable than emails. Back in the day, I was a poorly paid secretary who actually enjoyed using the office typewriter; I would actually make excuses to use it. They are just so much fun to use. Anyway, I would totally use one if I had one. This Royal Tiffany blue typewriter should do the trick. You can find it at Paris Hotel Boutique; one of my favorite online sites to peruse (check out their vintage books when you have time!).

Update: It already sold! These beauties go quick! You find them at My Typewriter and Three Potato Flour but I will probably go through ebay (they are much cheaper!)

12 Days of Christmas: Day 4

Besides holding your loved ones closer and giving thanks the holidays are also about giving back. I thought I would share my favorite ways to give back during the holiday season:

1. Dear Santa Program: The Chicago Sun Times runs this awesome Dear Santa program where you receive letters from low income school children in the Chicagoland area asking for small gifts. The letters are priceless! So cute and the kids put so much effort into making them special and sparkly. I still have mine from last year stuck on my fridge.

2. Purchase gifts for a needy family: We participate in the Catholic Charities Sponsor a Family Program every year and we love it. I especially love shopping for the kids.

3. Canned Goods: God knows we have way too much food in our kitchen. Jack stocks up like WWIII is around the corner. My work has a food drive each year where I drop everything off.

Woo-Hoo! I'm already planning my trip to Target this week to buy all my little goodies. Oh, and the plus side to donating canned goods is that I finally have some kitchen space-bonus!

Baked Ziti with Spinach, Tomatoes and Sausage

There are times I'm very grateful for my google reader and last night was one of them because it saved me from making a sub par dinner for Jack. I had a really strong craving for sausage but I drew a blank on how to make a meal out of it. So I type in pasta and sausage and I find a recipe for Baked Ziti with Spinach, Tomatoes and Sausage that Stephanie at StephModo made for her family. It was delicious! Simple to make, surprisingly light yet hearty in flavor... it has become a new family favorite. Honestly I would probably discuss food more often on this blog if I didn't suck at taking photos (one of my goals is to remedy that) so the photo above was taken by Stephanie. Mine came out the same way- yummy and delicious!

I also made some slight modifications to the recipe:

1. I used whole wheat pasta because I'm on a whole wheat kick

2. I used extra pasta like Stephanie recommends

3. I used regular sausage (not hot Italian)

4. I sprinkled in some fennel seeds to amplify the flavor

We actually had a nice bottle of Beaujolais on hand and it went perfectly with this dish. I'm already salivating at the thought of eating leftovers tonight. Happy Eating:)

12 Days of Christmas: Day 3

It's time to get out those ice skates! Ice skating with the one you love or with family is such a treat, especially outdoors. This weekend we plan on going ice skating in Millennium Park and warming up afterwards with a hot cup of cocoa. We are both abysmal ice skaters but that's not stopping us from having a little fun. Go outside and enjoy yourself!

12 Days of Christmas: Day 2

Going to a holiday production is a family tradition for us. Last year we saw the Vienna Boy's Choir (amazing by the way!) and this year we are going to Tchaikosky's The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker never gets old for me. I love the glitz, the costumes, the children's chorus and the amazing choreography put on display.

We have the world renowned Joffrey Ballet showcasing the Nutcracker here in Chicago. They are known for putting on the best Nutcracker production in the U.S so we are quite spoiled. Speaking of spoiled, Jack got us front row seats on opening night as an anniversary present (1st year!!) so we are in for a treat! It really is a great way to spend time with family and friends- I highly recommend it!

12 Days of Christmas: Day 1

It's the season for giving and merriment so I thought I would do a series of posts reflecting my favorite things to do during the Christmas holidays. Nothing over the top- just simple pleasures that I enjoy with my friends and family. First on my list is watching Christmas movies. I love, love, love watching Christmas movies (or ahem, cartoons!).

High on my list are:
-Love Actually: I love this movie-love it, love it, love it
-Home Alone: I remember watching this as a kid and I LOVED it. I still do.
-National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: This movie always made me realize how normal my family actually was:)
-It's a Wondeful Life: A heart warming classic.

And let's not forget the cartoons: Charlie Brown Christmas and my two favorite 60's animated movies: Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. I will NEVER be to old to watch these gems:) I know I left many out so I'm curious- what are your favorites?

Christmas Wish List

Here's my own little list:)

Chocolates: My biggest vice is chocolate. I'm trying to be good this holiday season but these holiday truffles from Vosges are calling my name. The eggnog and Jamaican rum sound delicious.

Books: Publishers Weidenfeld & Nicolson recently came out with special edition hardbacks that are pretty awesome. Oh and the Penguin Classics are out in stores guys! You can find them at most bookstores and at Anthropologie. Oh and maybe this thumb thing too. Yes... I'm totally serious.

Hot Water Bottle: Having a warm toasty hot water bottle close by would be great this winter. I'm always cold and these heart warmers from The Spoon Sisters are so cute!

Journal: I've been using Moleskine journals since college. I can't get enough of them. Moleskine just came out with these gorgeous jewel toned color a month daily planner in 12 notebooks. I'm drooling!

So what do you want in your stocking this year???

Christmas Shopping: For the Guys

I have a long set of goals I've been working on these past six months and one of them is to get my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. There is nothing I hate more than strolling through crowded malls frantically trying to find something last minute. But not this year! Shopping for Jack is a tricky thing because he rarely asks for anything. I think part of that is because the things he really wants are incredibly expensive (how about that sailboat hun?) and he usually takes good care of buying the inexpensive things he needs in advance. So while we save away for that sailboat I have to find a middle ground in gift giving. Here's a short list of cool things to get for that special man in my life:

1. Navigation Set: I'm thinking Jack will put this elegant navigation set from West Marine to good use next week during our Key West Thanksgiving vacation. Can't wait!

2. Briefcase: I have had a devil of a time trying to find a tough, durable yet ruggedly stylish briefcase for Jack. His is pretty worn down and he desperately needs a new one. This one from Filson looks promising.

3. Chocolates: Because nothing says I love you like a bottle of beer and bacon chocolate from Vosges Chocolates. Yes, bacon chocolate. It really is delicious- trust me.

4. Slippers: Jack hates wearing socks at home so his feet get super cold in the winter time. Ugg scuff romeo slippers should do the trick (I hope!)

P.S. Honey- one day that sailboat will come!

Bell'occhio

It's stores like Bell'occhio, and others, that make me want to move back to San Francisco oh so badly. Need a pretty box for presents? A place to store letters? A new hat box? Well here you go!

The Muppet Show - Mahna Mahna

I know Jack is in a good mood when he comes home from work singing Mahna Mahna- a classic, infectious Muppets Show tune. It features my favorite crazy, wild Muppets character Bippadotta. Warning- you might get this tune stuck in your head. Enjoy!

On My Radar

Shopping: My favorite budget friendly store is now in Chi-town! It's about time! I used to shop in Zara when I lived overseas (it's a Spanish brand) and now I can shop to my hearts content. Beautiful, chic clothing at a bargain price. The image below is from one of their advertising campaigns in Paris...yes I wish that was us!

Cheap Beauty Products that work: The beauty blogosphere has been raving about Best Bath Store products so I gave them a try. I ordered a sample of the acne facial bar and toner and my skin has never looked better. I am officially addicted.

Eye Candy: If you need home decor inspiration then stop by Desire to Inspire. I just discovered this wonderful site and I can't get enough.

Good Eats: Jack made Alice Waters beef stew recipe from her acclaimed The Art of Simple Food cookbook and boy was it a big hit. Simplicity at its best. I want her french market bag by the way. And her organic food lifestyle too. Le sigh:)

I hope you have a great weekend!

More Etsy: Cupcake Social

More Etsy goodness.... the cutest cupcake holders from Cupcake Social. This would go perfect with ceramic cupcake stands from Farmhouse. Michelle- this post is for you!

I Want

This:

Blue Bell Bazaar is a shop on Etsy that turns vintage frames into chalkboards. Beautiful huh? The one above is no longer available but the one below is. I think chalkboards are not only decorative but practical...especially in the kitchen. I can see myself scribbling out our shopping list for the week or favorite wines to buy.

Porter Chair

Isn't that a stately chair? I love the shape and drama these chairs invoke. Also the privacy. These chairs go by a variety of names; porter, balloon and canopy to name a few. The porter chair has a unique history to go with its unique shape. It was commonly used in medieval times by servants who were in charge of greeting guests at the front door of the estate. To protect the servant from the elements (cold wind etc), the chair was designed to envelope the servant to keep him ensconced at his station for long periods of time in relative comfort. It allows the person to sink back, out of the wind and cold. They were usually made out of leather or velvet but these days you see modern versions made out of cane. I would like one, in velvet please.




Photo 1 & 2 via Visual Vamp

Anne-Dublin

For some reason I found this photo on The Sartorialist striking. The looks seems effortless, breezy and totally chic. For now let's set aside that yes, she's beautiful, blonde and has a smashing tan for October. What's interesting about this look is that the sweater dress is not all that special- I probably would pass it by on a clothing rack. It's all about the accessories; delicate necklace, the cuff, a pretty pink and grey clutch and to top it off... peep toe heels. And let's not forget attitude. Note to self: always accessorize! It can make or break your look.

Free Theatre Tickets

Interested in going to the theatre for free?? If so then check out the Free Night of Theater program that just started for 2009. It's a nationwide program that offers free theater tickets for a limited time each year. Go to the following link, click "Find a Show" and you can select 2 tickets to any of the available shows. There is no charge, and new blocks of tickets are released every Tuesday until the program ends next month. Make it a date night!

Cozy in Chicago

Fall is bittersweet for me... it's my favorite season but it also signals the impending arrival of Winter. Native Chicagoans are surprisingly good natured about the cold so I decided I would be too (well- let's see what I have to say about that in February). Here are some of things that get me all excited about Fall.... what are your favorites?

The Holidays! Need I say more??

Warm Toasty Jackets & Sweaters: I love to layer myself in soft cashmere sweaters, cozy wool knits and stylish warm coats.... I literally pine for this season year round.

Apples: Apples to me epitomize the goodness of Fall. I can't get enough of them; whether it's apple butter on toast, homemade caramel apples or going to the apple orchards near Chicago for apple picking and jugs of apple cider. One of our favorite apple orchards to go to is Edwards Orchard out at Poplar Grove,IL; they have amazing cider donuts (heat them up in the microwave and they are to die for), horse drawn wagon rides and all the apples you could possibly desire. It will bring out the kid in you I promise. We are planning on going this weekend to stock up on our cider.

Foliage: I find the changing Fall foliage just as pretty as blooming Spring flowers. And there is nothing better than talking brisk walks in the Fall. I think what does it for me is the crisp, cool air-I guess I find it invigorating? Hmm. Combine that with a hot beverage and I'm good to go.

Soups: Warm soup on a cold blistery evening is bliss! I was already getting excited about making my soups/stews over the Summer! I find that soups or stews are really easy to make and you get lots of leftovers; perfect for the busy family. Our family favorites include tomato bisque with toasted cheese sandwiches and the family cure all: chicken soup. I'll be trying out a new butternut squash winter soup recipe this weekend. If its any good I'll post the recipe.

Comfy PJ's: I'm a little boring when it comes to my lounging pj's- I'm all about the boxer pajama set (brushed satin is the best). Warm flannel pj's are also great. I love to come home, change into my pj's and hunker down with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate (or cider!)

Eastern Boho?

For shits and giggles I went ahead and took a a design quiz I found on the Ada & Darcy blog and I ended up being pretty surprised by the results. Perhaps because I answered the quiz truthfully? I always thought my style veered towards "classic" instead of boho-but hey- maybe I am a little boho?!? The style description below pretty much fits me to a tee:

Eastern Boho:
-You love collecting pieces and displaying them in abstract ways in your home.
-Your home is a gallery-every wall tells a story.
-Not concerned with what your neighbors homes are like, you are true to your own style.
-Well rounded, you enjoy spending time at home as much as you enjoy going out.
-You are confident and authentic.
-Your home is rich with many details and textures.

Take the quiz and find out what your design style is!

The Industrious Tenant

Holy Schnikes! I'm still reeling from reading an article in the New York Times titled "The Industrious Tenant". It features the home of the very talented interior designer Grant K. Gibson and I think it's sheer genius. Why? Because he made his rental apartment look like a million bucks. It puts any of us to shame who think they can't make their own rental units look homey and beautiful just because you don't actually own it (that's me included). But what makes it even more special is that he did everything on a budget while making the apartment look luxurious, warm and inviting. Check the article out to find out how he did everything on a dime. Take a look!

Book Club

My sister and I decided to start our own little book club! We are both bibliophiles; if we are not busy doing something in particular you will usually see us with a book in our hands. Lately we have been stuck in a literary rut; we have both been too loyal to our favorite genres and it was time to spread our wings a little bit and see what's out there. That's how the idea for a book club started. We already had lists of books we wanted to read someday that we kept putting off. Well no longer! With that said it was pretty easy to put together a cohesive book club list. We wanted to incorporate various genres; from humor and travel writing to mathematics and philosophy. There's a good amount of classics on the list too that we had started but never finished. We are only on our second book but so far our little book club has started with a bang:)

I've never started or participated in one of these clubs before so its all very new to me but exciting nonetheless. I decided to look online for some guidance and I found a link to LitLovers, a site devoted to helping people create book clubs. It offers suggestions from creating book lists, how to run a book club and even recipes book club members can create for their meetings. From this site we were able to create some guidelines for the club because, well, every club needs rules for members to follow right? We alternate who picks the book for the group to read and the leader of the discussion group is the person that picked the book for discussion. Other guidelines we created were based on meeting times, how books are picked, and how both the leader and the group were supposed to prepare for the discussions. If you are interested in creating a book club then I suggest you check it out!

We just finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger which we found to be satisfactory but not great. I know it was popular enough to be made into a movie but we had our qualms with it. Great beginning and suspenseful ending but the characters were underdeveloped and the author tried to interlace too many sub-themes without also developing them properly. But it was a unique take on time travel- I have to give it that. To keep with the whole time travel theme we jumped right into reading A Brief History in Time by Stephen Hawking. My physics is a little rusty but the beauty of this book is that it is written for the layman- I can actually get through it without feeling overwhelmed. I do have many questions to ask the other book members and it helps that they are all engineers! Right now I'm in the middle of reading about quarks and black holes etc and I'm riveted. Who knew black holes could be so sexy?!?

Wish us luck and happy readings to all of you!

On My Radar

Last weekend we had Jack's dad pay us a surprise visit and he came with a bunch of farm goodies; a big jug of farm honey, fresh apple pie made by my mother in law (with the flakiest crust-I need to get the recipe!) and chokecherry juice that I plan on turning into syrup to drizzle over pancakes this Sunday. We have much to do but hopefully we can pack in the following:

1. Breakfast: I mentioned pancakes with chokecherry syrup but I'm going to try my hand at making creme brulee oatmeal- I might as well use up my torch! This past week though I've been eating Greek yogurt for breakfast like it's no tomorrow- it is highly addictive. Once you go Greek you never turn back... Greek yogurt is thicker, has more tang and it feels like you are eating dessert (yes it's higher in fat and calories compared to regular yogurt). It's worth it though. I like to drizzle honey and walnuts over my yogurt or you can drizzle a reduced berry syrup. I'm partial to the 2% Fage brand which you can buy at your local Whole Foods.

2. Chicago Antique Market: I've heard great things about this open air market and hopefully it will turn out well because I'm in desperate need of a new coffee table. Maybe I'll see you there!

Have a great weekend!