Thursday, January 31, 2013

Fab 5: Valentine's Day Gifts (For Her)




Kate Spade Be Mine Pendant Necklace
Cherry Republic Double Dark Chocolate Heart Shaped Boomchunka Cookie (best cookie ever)
Bauble Bar Iced Gold XO Studs
Fresh Sake & Seaberry Spa Retreat Set
The Aestate Lips Watercolor Giclee Print
 
xoxo
 
PS


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Weekly Pick: Chicago Restaurant Week

 
Chicago Restaurant Week is a great culinary celebration featuring more than 250 restaurants in the Chicago area. The 10-day dining event runs February 1–10 and features prix fixe menus starting at $22 for lunch and $33/$44 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). This is an awesome opportunity to visit a restaurant you've been dying to check out for lunch or dinner.

Here are some restaurants I would recommend:

 
Located in Lincoln Park, Balena features Italian-inspired cuisine offering pizza (my pick), hand-made pasta, spit-roasted meats, fish & vegetables prepared in a wood-fired oven & grill. You can read about my visit here and check out the restaurant week menu here.


Table Fifty-Two is a charming restaurant located in the Gold Coast serving up southern inspired dishes from Chef Art Smith. You can read about my experience here and check out the restaurant week menu here.


Chicago q is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Located in the Gold Coast, Chicago q is serving up some of the best BBQ in town. Read up on my visit here and check out the restaurant week menu here.


Tavernita has been on my list of restaurants to check out for quite some time so restaurant week seemed like a great excuse to try some tasty dishes inspired by Spanish and Latin American flavors. You can read the restaurant week menu here.


xoxo

PS

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Tasty Tuesday: Favorite Happy Hour Spots in Chicago


I often get asked by friends and family visiting Chicago (or a tourist walking around with a map) where they can quick grab a drink and a small bite to eat. So here are my favorite happy hour spots in Chicago:


If you're shopping with your best friend or mom downtown head over to Pops for Champagne on State Street for some bubbles and small plates. Pops has nearly 200 types of champagne and sparkling wines and an awesome cheese plate or dessert to share. *If you're in Chicago this Sunday (February 3, 2013) stop by for a Prosecco Party where you can buy one glass, get one free on three different Prosecco selections.

Images found here

Frankie's Scaloppine & 5th Floor Pizzeria located in the 900 Shops on Michigan Ave. has been my go-to place for meeting friends after work. They recently brought back their 5 after 5 menu with a great selection of small plates and a wallet friendly wine list. I'm a huge fan of the fennel and rosemary pizza with Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil (I literally order this every time I'm there). *If you're in Chicago February 18-24 Frankie's is having a week long celebration for their 5th anniversary with $10 bottles of Frankie’s house Montepulciano & Pinot Grigio (can't beat that). Since their actually anniversary is Wednesday, February 20th you can also receive 50% off all food items all day long. See you there!?

Images found here
 

Fleming's Steakhouse is an ideal spot to take your family or meet some friends after work downtown. They have a great 5-6-7 happy hour special in the bar that includes 5 cocktails, 5 wines by the glass and 5 appetizers that are $6 each and served at the bar until 7PM. The cedar roasted mushroom & artichoke flatbread is perfect choice to share with a glass or two of wine.

Images found here
 

During the summer months the The Purple Pig is a great choice for sitting outside after work and enjoying a drink with friends. Located on Michigan Ave., the Purple Pig features some amazing housemade charcuterie, cheeses and classic Mediterranean fare plus an extensive wine list. If you want delicious food, a good glass of wine and a fun atmosphere the Purple Pig is the place to go.

Images found here

xoxo

PS

Monday, January 28, 2013

Fashion Report: SAG Awards 2013


Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture

                     Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen                          Nina Dobrev Elie Saab

                      Marion Cotillard in Dior Haute Couture                         Naomi Watts in Marchesa
 
Images found here

xoxo

PS

What I'm Reading Now: Delirium


My book club picked Delirium as our book of the month, and I'm already having a hard time putting it down. This book is a young adult novel and the first of three books in the series (I can already tell I'm going to get sucked into the next two books...this always happens). Lena Haloway lives in a government controled society that requires teenagers to be cured of love in order to keep their society safe. Before Lena is cured she begins to doubt the intentions of the governement after falling for Alex. If you loved Twilight, the Hunger Games or Divergent you'll probably enjoy this book for the quick read and fantasy plot line. Also be on the look out for a movie later this year or possibly a TV pilot based on this book...


xoxo

PS

Friday, January 25, 2013

Words for the Weekend


Image found here

Party Favors:
I love this guest room where everyone pins where they are from
What your American Girl Doll says about the rest of your life
Music to cook to
Decor inspiration from your favorite TV shows
12 things happy people do differently

xoxo

PS

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Fab 5: Valentine's Day Cards



hellosmallworld Call Me Maybe card
Sugar Paper Lobster card
Paper Source Shades of Fun card
Rifle Paper Co. Sweethearts card
Greer I Love You More card

xoxo

PS

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Weekly Pick: Robert Mondavi Private Selection Valentine's Day Pinterest Contest


The Robert Mondavi Private Selection has launched a fun Pinterest contest in support of their new Coastal Crush Red blend and Valentine's Day. You have the opportunity to win some great prizes so good luck!


Entering is easy: Follow RMPS on Pinterest, repin the graphic to a board called “Will you be my Coastal Crush?” and start pinning images that represent a perfect day with your special someone. Share and email the board to Robert Mondavi Private Selection and you’ll be entered to win some fabulous prizes.

xoxo

PS

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Tasty Tuesday: The Boarding House


Alpana Singh, a Master Sommelier and host of Check, Please!, recently opened the much anticipated restaurant and wine bar The Boarding House in Chicago. After hearing such amazing reviews of the decor and food my friend and I decided to check it out. The Boarding House has a spectacular bar area on the main floor with wine glasses serving as a chandelier over the bar. Seating in the bar is available without a reservation and the menu consists of pizzas and small plates to share with friends. We chose to eat in the dining room located on the upper level where the menu is a little more diverse. Reservations for the dining room are recommended and can be made on Open Table.

We started off with the crispy cumin cauliflower served with pesto, mint yogurt and SP sauce. The cauliflower was perfectly crisp and the dipping sauces all had a unique flavor that paired well with the cauliflower. 

We shared the balsamic portobello tatin with a mushroom ragout, caramelized red onions and basil pesto as our entree (since we both had our eyes on dessert). The mushroom ragout and the basil pesto were a perfect complement to the portobello and the pastry shell underneath gave it a great texture. 

The best part of the night was this amazing s'mores bombe with chocolate hazelnut mousse, a marshmallow center, graham cracker crust served with a toasted marshmallow and drinking chocolate. It was probably one of the best desserts I've had in Chicago. 

xoxo

PS

Monday, January 21, 2013

Weekend Wrap Up


Wine tasting at 2 Lads Winery & Peninsula Cellars

A road trip with Leland and a trip to Spoonlickers for Turkish Coffee flavored frozen yogurt

Listening to "Bella Notte" while eating pasta at Mangiamo!

xoxo

PS

Friday, January 18, 2013

Happy Long Weekend


Image found here

Party Favors:
I would love to play beer pong on this
15 vows for dating a vegetarian
The 100 best bars in Chicago
How to style a coffee table
26 life lessons learned by age 26 

xoxo

PS

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Fab 5: But First, Coffee

 

Kate Spade Say the Word Mug
IMM Living Tail Me More Mug in Fox
Jonathan Adler Mr. & Mrs. Muse Mug
Target 2-Carat Cup
Pantone Mug

xoxo

PS

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Weekly Pick: 101 in 1001


With a rocky start to the new year I wanted to focus on making fun & attainable goals that will challenge me and encourage me to look ahead. I've been inspired by Mackenzie of Design Darling and Cait of pretty and fun to create a list of 101 things to complete in 1001 days. I'm really excited to take on this new challenge, and I'll keep you updated on my progress along the way.

1. Inspire someone to write their own list
2. Complete a gallery wall in my apartment
3. Cook a 5 course dinner on my own
4. Read 30 books
5. Volunteer in art therapy
6. Start a 401k
7. Make a list of birthdays & addresses and send a birthday card
8. Start a recycling bin in my apartment
9. Make a new recipe each week
10. Make plans for my MBA and to take the GMAT
11. Learn the alphabet in sign language
12. Purchase coffee for a stranger
13. Have a picnic in the park
14. Do a personal style post on Project Soiree
15. Start a new tradition
16. Spend a weekend unplugged
17. Make a new friend
18. Scrutinize my closet and donate items
19. Ride on a Vespa
20. Do something with my Instagram photos
21. Make a dramatic hair change
22. Host a dinner party
23. Go skinny dipping
24. Be featured in InStyle
25. Sell 10 pieces of artwork
26. Read all 7 Harry Potter Books
27. Go to a drive-in movie
28. Organize files & important documents
29. Organize or purge magazines
30. Go parasailing
31. Attend a NYFW show
32. Celebrate something big or small each month
33. Try 5 new foods
34. See a horse race
35. Learn how to fold fitted sheets
36. Learn how to drive a manual transmission car
37. Memorize a poem
38. Make plans to celebrate my 30th birthday in Paris
39. Upgrade to the iPhone
40. Talk to my grandparents each week via phone or email
41. Keep track of all spending for a month & set a budget
42. Get a promotion or new job
43. Read a Jane Austin novel
44. Sing karaoke
45. Host a blogger event
46. Get a psychic reading
47. Send 25 hand written notes
48. Try a new fitness class
49. Save for a down payment on a condo or house
50. Visit a new museum
51. Fix a broken relationship
52. Do something special for each immediate family member
53. Take a Spanish language class
54. Go one month without buying coffee from Starbucks
55. Sell my paintings at an art fair
56. See a shooting star
57. Go to 5 concerts
58. Donate $25 to a different charity each month
59. Write in my One Line a Day journal daily
60. Spend a day in a new Chicago neighborhood
61. Take a cooking class
62. Fall in love
63. Throw away 20 things and do not replace them
64. Get a new tattoo
65. Run a marathon
66. Become a contributor for another blog or online magazine
67. Launch a new blog series
68. Attend a blogging conference or workshop
69. Go paddle boarding
70. Collaborate with a brand I love
71. Make 25 things off of Pinterest
72. Send someone flowers just because
73. Watch 10 classic films
74. Attend an NFL game
75. Have a "pinch me" moment
76. Write a letter to myself to be opened on my 30th birthday
77. Fly first class
78. Visit the Hamptons
79. Ride in a hot air balloon
80. Establish the Grand Rapids Guide
81. Take on an interior design project for someone
82. Swim with dolphins
83. Take a ballroom dance class
84. Learn to eat with chopsticks
85. See a Cirque du Soleil performance
86. Go camping
87. Take golf lessons
88. Learn how to french braid
89. See a Second City show
90. Put $10 in savings for every goal completed
91. Visit a new restaurant once a month
92. Find a church
93. Run a half marathon
94. Keep a potted plant alive for 3 months
95. Visit the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park
96. Go to the Pabst brewery
97. Learn how to ski
98. Wine taste in Napa
99. Learn calligraphy
100. Donate blood
101. Throw a surprise party

xoxo

PS

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Tasty Tuesday: Sweets in Old Town


Strolling through Old Town on a Saturday afternoon to pick up some stationary at Greer or check out some new arrivals at Sara Jane is one of my favorite things to do. But after all that walking a shopping I need a pick me up with some serious sugar. Luckily there are two amazing bakeries in Old Town that always have just what I'm looking for.
If you want to pretend you're in France then head on over to La Fournette Bakery & Cafe where you'll find an assortment of french breads, soups, sandwiches and my favorite the macarons. These macarons are the best in Chicago with flavors such as pistachio, chocolate, coffee and salted caramel. My mouth is watering just thinking about these right now.




The Twisted Baker is another great bakery in Old Town with a wide selection of bakery items such as cupcakes, pies, tarts, scones, giant pecan cinnamon rolls and classic chocolate chip cookies (and yes they take up the entire plate). The cookies are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside which is the perfect combination for a delicious chocolate chip cookie. The Twisted Baker also has a cafe menu with specialty sandwiches and Intelligentsia coffee.


xoxo

PS
 
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