Halloween Party Favors:
Ghost Peep s'mores
Easy Halloween decor
A must-see classic on TV tonight
Fun DIY
Spooktacular steals
PS
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tasty Tuesday: Square One
I recently made a trip to Square One located in Chicago's South Loop for an amazing Sunday Funday brunch. Since brunch is my favorite meal I knew I was going to love their all you can eat brunch that's served from 11AM-2PM for only $14.99 (yes, you read that correctly). The buffet includes made-to-order waffles and omelets (see mine below), fresh fruit, breakfast potatoes, and your choice of toast. To top if off they also offer a wide selection of Bloody Mary's ($6-$7) and Mimosas ($5) to complete your brunch experience. I would highly recommend the El Corazon Mimosa with passion fruit, blood orange and pomegranate.
I'll definitely be back for Sunday brunch or weekday happy hour to try their self-serve wine station (probably the best thing to happen since self-serve frozen yogurt).
Image found here
xoxo
PS
Monday, October 29, 2012
What I'm Reading Now: Chicago Home + Garden Magazine
I recently browsed the latest issue of Chicago Home + Garden Magazine to see the lovely apartments of two of my favorite bloggers Danielle from Breakfast at Toast and Alaina from Live Creating Yourself (or you may also know them from The Everygirl). I love their sense of style and tips for creating a budget friendly space with DIY projects and vintage pieces.
Images found here
xoxo
PS
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Event Recap: Fashion Follows Interiors a "Mad Men Event"
Last week Chicago celebrated Fashion Focus Chicago with some amazing fashion shows and events throughout the city. One of my favorite events was the Fashion Follows Interiors a "Mad Men Event" held at The Blackstone. Guests at the event were dressed in retro-chic cocktail attire and the ambiance of the ballroom channeled the 60's vibe of the evening.
Representing CBN in the Bloggers Lounge with Lisa from Stilettos and Diaper Bags and Kat from A Girl & Her Food
Having fun in the Glossed & Found photo booth
A Mad Men party wouldn't be complete without some cocktails.
PS
Weekly Pick: Join J.Crew & Vogue in Chicago
Join Tom Mora, Head of Women’s design and VOGUE for shopping and cocktails to celebrate the Fall/Holiday 2012 collection tonight from 6-8PM at the J.Crew located in the 900 North Michigan Shops.
It's the perfect excuse to start your holiday shopping and a portion of proceeds will go to The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum.
My Picks:
xoxo
PS
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tasty Tuesday: Pumpkin Banana Muffins
It was Sunday Funday while I was back home in Grand Rapids so my sister and I decided to bake some Pumpkin Banana Muffins while sipping a mimosa (or two). These muffins were the perfect addition to our Fall brunch and a fun twist on classic banana bread.
Pumpkin Banana Muffins (based on a recipe found here)
Yields 12 standard muffins
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cinnamon Sugar (for the top)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tins with baking spray or fill with paper liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the bananas, pumpkin, oil, eggs and vanilla, until well-blended.
- Add banana mixture to flour mixture, gently folding until combined.
- Divide mixture evenly among prepared muffin cups and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
xoxo
PS
Monday, October 22, 2012
What I'm Reading Now: Wild Geese
I'm a huge fan of the blog A Cup Of Jo so when Joanna started a new series of "Fall Challenges" I was totally in for the ride. The Fall Challenge #2 is memorizing a poem by Thursday which I thought was a perfect challenge to tackle. Wild Geese was a recommendation from Joanna and after reading it I knew this was it.
Image found here
Wild Geese
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting–
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
--Mary Oliver
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting–
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
--Mary Oliver
xoxo
PS
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Weekly Pick: Fashion Focus Chicago
Fashion Focus Chicago is in full force this week with a ton of fashionable events throughout the city. It's great seeing local designers and students show off their work and get inspired by their designs. Below are a few shows I'll be attending this week.
1.
2.
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3.
4.
4.
1. Dress Code
xoxo
PS
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tasty Tuesday: Quay
Quay recently launched a new Fall Menu that was totally worth checking out while enjoying breathtaking views of the river. I would highly recommend the spicy crab cakes with shaved coconut and Thai chili salad or the spicy tuna tartare with crispy lotus root and sweet miso. They also have a great selection of artisan pizzas and festive fall cocktails on the menu. Quay is the perfect spot for date night or happy hour with your friends so make a reservation now!
xoxo
PS
Monday, October 15, 2012
What I'm Reading Now: Unbroken
I just started reading Unbroken over the weekend and I can't put this book down. Unbroken traces the life of Louie Zamperini through his years as a magnificent Olympic athlete to his years as a bombardier in World War II. This book has been getting a lot of attention, and if you're into history I think you'll really enjoy this book about survival, resilience and redemption.
xoxo
PS
Friday, October 12, 2012
Happy Friday!
Image found here
Party Favors:
11 ways to live more mindfully
A spoon for your morning breakfast
Swooning over this top knot art
Iconic style moments from 5 years of Gossip Girl
xoxo
PS
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Weekly Pick: Zara Home
Zara Home has officially made its debut in the US! The pieces are chic and affordable, and for the month of October you can get free shipping. This could be dangerous.
My picks:
xoxo
PS
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Tasty Tuesday: Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
After posting this photo on my Facebook wall many of you were asking for the recipe. So as promised the recipe is below. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Adapted from Bakers Royle
Preparation: Heat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat liner.
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cup old fashion oats
- ½ cup quick oats
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, browned
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, white chocolate or butterscotch)
- ¾ cup almonds, pecans or walnuts
- Dried cherries or cranberries
- Cinnamon sugar - I sprinkled some of the cookies with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar when I took them out of the oven
- Add old fashion oats, quick oats and flour into a bowl and mix to combine; set aside.
- Place butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook until butter starts to turn brown and is nutty in aroma. (To minimize the foaming, whisk continuously). Set aside.
- Add sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and egg into a bowl and mix to combine. Add in cooled browned butter and mix to combine. Add in baking soda and salt and mix to combine. Then fold in flour and oat mixture until combined. Add any additional items you choose.
- Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
xoxo
PS
Monday, October 8, 2012
What I'm Reading Now: Sweet Living Magazine
I just came across Sweet Living Magazine the other day and I'm loving the mix of DIYs, recipes, and green living tips. The fresh ideas are great for trying something new, and they also offer some fun free printables on their site. Check it out!
xoxo
PS
