'Mazing Mondo

Mondo wowed everyone with his final collection for NY Fashion Week....everyone except Michael Khors and Nina Garcia that is. He was clearly the winner. Here is one of my favorite pieces from the runway.

Happy Friday!

Cinnamon Sugar Pumppkin Seeds

We usually love to experiment with cayenne pepper and making the seeds hot and spicy, but we decided to make a sweet change this year and go for cinnamon and sugar. The kids love to have their hand in cooking (literally) so this was tons of fun for them.

We just had a coupe tablespoons of melted butter to seeds that had been soaked and added the cinnamon sugar mix while they were int the oven.

Paul Robinett, I miss you

Don't you just hate when a company no longer makes an item that you cherish. Like fat oversized Bonnie Bell Lipsmackers and those Esprit shoes with the holes from the 80's that I just can't seem to find an image of via Google, Bing or any other search engine, I can add Paul Robinett candles to the list.

The baby powder scent made me wants babies before I knew anything about them. And the Columbus store that I managed one visit to was AMAZING!

Snow Romper Skirt: SOLD

love everything about this skirt..but i'd replace the skis with a cup of hot chocolate and a cozy leather chair by the fire.

Runners

We've had beautiful weather here in Chicago these past few days! I've actually been inspired to go on a few outdoor runs and am realizing that I could really use a new pair of runners (as we call them in our house)...oh, and maybe a new pair of legs, but let's blame it on the shoes, for now.. But tonight I went running in these:
And not even this exact pair. I had MBT's before they were really in...mine are solid gray, ugly, and I am pretty sure they aren't meant for running. It was a balancing act and I am quite sure that I received a lot of Jim Halpert stares (yep, just like in that commercial that's been airing lately, although, it's funny, I have no idea what that commercial is selling). I do know that a girl goes running by in some extra high soled shoes, like these, and some unathletic guys give her the once over and ends on her platform runners.

Think it may be time to go back to my standy-bys, the Saucony 3D Grid Hurricanes.
Guess they come in bubble gum pink now. Think these will keep me motivated?

WoodenShips

Has anyone ever heard of this label? I hadn't, but I picked up a Wooden Ships sweater at p+l and LOOVVEE it. Super cozy, fanastico cut, amazing sleeves. I can't seem to find it on their website, but check out their other great sweaters. Did I mention that each piece is custom made?

Goodie

I saw someone pull a tin of Rosebud Salve out of their purse the other day and it was like bumping into an old friend. Rosebud used to be a staple in my bag and somewhere over the years, I had stopped buying it, for no particular good reason. I guess it was just replaced with other new goodies, but Rosebud is tried and true. Funny how one little item can take you back to another time...I know, we are only talking about a 100 yr old salve here and I am only talking about a 30yr old single girl in new york, but something to (ahhhhhh) sigh about and bring back the Rosebud...for old time's sake.

p+l = TLA

p+l boutique on clark street in lakeview was a nice find on saturday afternoon. it was the yellow tretorn rain boots that caught my eye from the car and dragged me into a parking spot and in the door. with labels like alternative, dept, hazel and a few local jewery designers, it's hard to go wrong. they carry apparel for men, women and babies. picked up a super cute hat for my 2yr old and a supercozy hat for myself (both at 50% off, by the by). they have $6 baskets filled with soft leg warmers and over the knee socks and they even had a $12 basket with cute clutches. i was coveting a dress but couldn't quite seal the deal so marisa, at the counter, said, "if you are still thinking about it in the morning, call me." love her too.



i'll definitely be back.
photo via p+ website, thank you.

Comedian Joe

I have always found most of the Trader Joe's employees to be lovely and charming, and sometimes, funny. This conversation transpired at the checkout line on Sunday morning...this was the Sunday morning after my big Saturday night out...so, I may have found it funnier than usual.

Where: checkout line

Me: (fumbling with my credit card, I had just given the checkout guy (we'll call him TJ Comedian) my bags, which were all folded and flat, by the way

TJC: (with a straight face) "Oh, you left a pair of shoes in this bag...this must be your gym bag."

Me: (barey looking up) "Oh, sorry about that."

Me: (finally look up to see to him pull shoes out of the bag)



shoes are about 2" long and belong to baby Grace

Thanks for the laugh TJC!

my saturday night

i'm going to take a risk here and reveal one thing: i am a closet bachelor/bachelorette fan. but not to my close friends, of course. so, you can imagine our delight in bumping into the latest bachelors from ali's season. you see, the husband took the kids to my in-laws so i had the night off.. and i thought just going to dinner with a friend was going to be a treat! (oh, and sleeping in and having the house to myself and going to the bathroom by myself and not being woken up and sleeping in, well, you get the point). this was just the icing on the cake.


i have cropped out my friend (almost) to protect "half" of her identity
as i haven't quite received permission to post this. girl, am i revealing too much?

disclaimer: although it may appear that we were hanging out with them,
they were on their was downstairs to a private event (which we later
talked our way into) so we just snagged them for a brief photo op.

2nd disclaimer: chris l is way hotter in person, if that's even possible.

3rd disclaimer: i had my hair done earlier that day; i never look like that :)

this is the same bar (hub 51) where i met elizabeth kitt (from jake's
season and the bach pad). that's a whole 'nother story bc this was after
jake's season before pb, so i almost didn't meet her bc my husband thought
that i had the wrong girl bc elizabeth was brunette (yes, i con my husband
into watching these shows too, although he will never admit) but at the sighting
she had already become blonde. i know my bach peeps.

Truths from a two year old

Me: Do you like mommy's new sweater?

Her: Black is not cute mommy.

Me: Well, what colors are cute.

Her: Princess colors: pink and purple.

Her: And Mommy, it looks like the sweater you are wearing.

Cue the eye roll from the husband.

Me: Thanks for call me out on that one.

Idol

Licia Ronulli, Italy's MEP, attends parliament with her newbie.
Already all over the blog world...just had to share in case you missed it.

photo via cup of joe...via Reuters/Vincent Kessler, via Capucha.

I love everything about this photo. You go girl.

Can this please be...

my office


and my office elevators


and my view

Seedling Mix & Match Smoothies

At the Green City Market, of course!

Old School

Friday! Friday! Friday! It's been a busy week. But sometimes, busy is good, and it seems that the busier I am, the more organized I am.

I am also going on the third week without a "smart" phone. I've been using my old razor (aka fossil) until my contract runs out (due to my Blackberry failing me). Actually my contract ran out last weekend but I haven't had a chance to upgrade yet. Not having the web and my email at my fingertips has been a little bit freeing...emphasis on a little. I do miss chats with my BBM besties, but all in all, it hasn't been that bad. And I do like that old school way of keeping organized via pencil and paper with the only thing being electronic is my pencil. The Moleskine planner and Rhodia notebook used to be staples in my bag. I may have to reonnect with old friends.

Check out the Rhodia site...it's so gorge that you'd think it was a designer fashion site. Here is an image from their homepage...thanks Rhodia. Looks like a Project Runway challenge to me.

Goodie!

Curriculum night at the preschool and I found myself talking about Renegade artists as opposed to abc's and 123's.  My sons teacher had on a design from one of my favorite Renegade artists Jo Design.  I told her about these fabulous arm warmers, which she already knew about, and sadly Jo had sold out of them by the time the teacher had arrived at her tent.  I can't wait for the perfect day to rock these warmers.  And now, I think that I have just the perfect teacher gift too.

Support by shopping

Sonia Kasuk

We Can Do It Pink

Shisheido 'The Makeup' Illuminizing Lip Gloss

See ya round campus

I love having sweet little moments with strangers. The kids and I were waiting for my husband to get his haircut (he's goes to my salon) and the kids were dancing to the music, playing on the benches and actually being pretty well behaved. This woman was sitting across from me waiting for her foils to dry when she commented on the kids' eyes. We started having a light conversation about children and she was saying how she had always wanted five kids but she is now 50 and never had them. "Just never found the right man" she said. She went on to say that when she was in her 30's and her friends were having kids that she started realizing how hard it can be. Her tone was very upbeat.

I asked her about the new stylist she was seeing at the salon and she said that she has been following him for years and that he does a fantastic job. "Don't judge me by my hair now...I am going the platinum crewcut route after just finishing up chemo...I had breast cancer." Of course I responded with sympathy but she didn't even let me go there. "I think I am going to be fine."

As we were headed out the door, she wrapped up our conversation with a delightful and energetic, "See ya round campus."

I am pretty sure that woman has a lot of besties.

SWEATER + BLANKET

It has been a truly frigid weekend! Howling winds and temperature lows in the 40s at night all make me want to snuggle up with my blankie, in front of the fire and stay home.

Fortunately, these sweater blankets (as they are labeled) may be just the things keep me warm enough so that I just may be able to go to work...or at least step out on my porch to get the paper.

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent
Oh and a Rachel Zoe pick



Dex


Another Twelfth Street
coincidence

Sweater Question Answered

A better photo (thanks to Dana at Possessionista) of my current obsession. I emailed her about my quest to find this sweater and (out of the kindness of her possessionista heart) she sent this photo back with the deets and even an affordable alternative! Dana rocks. She should charge for this stuff. Check out her site!















Maybe? Would have to see in person.
Forever 21
$17.99

Apple Cider Doughnuts at the mkt

FRESH Apple Cider Doughnuts from Zullo's at The Green City Market. A great way to start your Saturday morning.

Happy Friday!