A Perfect Zen

We checked another place off of our summer-see list and took a stroll over to the Lincoln Park Alfred Caldwell Lilly Pool at the north end of the zoo. Wow...this place is amazingly beautiful. Waterfalls + wildflowers + spots to sit and dip your toes in the cool water = happiness. Even when you subtract chasing the kids around and making sure that they don't fall in the pond, it still equals little slice of summer heaven.

BB Dakota Goodie

Picked up this tee at Penelopes on way to check out. Of course it was BB Dakota. I am just drawn to this brand. Loving the zipper detail in the back.

Love at first sight

Apparently, I missed an amazing trunk show at our studio the other day, featuring jewelry by Stone Paper Scissors ( also known as hoovershank on esty). I wasn't lucky enough to attend but they are already planning a second show and you can be sure that I will be there.

I am making eyes with another version of this bold, yet feminine, necklace they have on their site.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/24321175/mumbo-jumbo

Until then, I will be coveting hers.

Stroller with a View!

The other day, I gave my camera to my son to keep him occupied in the stroller. When I downloaded photos that night, I was surprised by all the photos he took. It's nice to see things from his perspective.

Bouquets for mom

Does he know how much this melts my heart? Whenever the kids see Dutch Clover or Dandelions in the grass, they begin assembling a bouquet for mom.

Taste of Paris recipes from Apartment Therapy's the Kitchn

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/recipe-roundup/a-taste-of-paris-10-recipes-to-take-you-there-121443

Miles away...

Just recently, I have started reading the travel section in the Sunday Tribune again. I didn't realize that I had quit reading this section until a few months ago when I looked at it like a long forgotten friend. But for the past several years, the only traveling I've been doing is to the grocery store and back. And if I can do it alone, it feels like a vacation, a luxury.

But now that my babies are a preschooler and toddler, I find myself fantasizing about far away places, about exploring nooks and crannies of old neighborhoods and enjoying the tastes of new cuisine. Just simply getting lost in the love affair of traveling.

And for a few short moments, my coffee tastes like an italian espresso, my surface turns into a Parisian cafe table, my newspaper becomes my travel guide and I am miles away.

(I think I will dedicate Tuesday to posts about travel. Where I've been and where I dream about going. Until next Tuesday, let that wine, espresso, or travel section take you away...)

Now, if I could just get over my ridiculous fear of flying that I have seemed to develop since I've had children....

Summer Soiree

Our neighbors hosted a fabulous backyard (or back alley) party over the weekend in our courtyard. Beautiful pink, black and white lanterns hanging from the trees, chinese umbrellas hanging as chandeliers, white lights wrapped around the trees, and a Raspberry Mojito signature cocktail.




I had a difficult time capturing it all with my camera, but I tried.

B.B. Dakota

My obsession with B.B. Dakota began after I scored this amazing wool coat on the sale rack at http://grayboutique.com/ in 2007. I think it was something like $70.00 and the price per wear has been insane. I have made two really smart coat purchases.





The second: this Cynthia Steffe trench from a sample sale in NY in probably 2002. This trench just keeps on giving! I have my friend Suzanne to thank for making sure I pulled the trigger on this one.






Current B.B. Dakota pieces I am considering.




I really like this dress that The Bachelorette is wearing...but it is pretty much the ONLY thing that she has worn that I like. Bring back Jillian Harris' style palease!

B-A-N-A-N-A-S and blueberries

Banana Blueberry Smoothie!

Love dumping ingredients into a blender for a breakfast smoothie. Always a great treat and kids go BANANAS for them.

Ingredients in this one:

1 banana
Couple handfuls of blueberries
3-4 tablespoons of lowfat vanilla yogurt
Random amount of orange juice
Couple shakes of ground ginger

It's a Cruel Cruel Summer....

Elisabeth Shue. Ralph Macchio. Beach scene. Soccer knee dribbling lesson. Oh, how my 11yr old self dreamed of this type of beach date...pink bandana headband, photobooth and all.

Now, you can't remake that.

Rise and Shine

It's 6am at the lake house...everyone is sleeping EXCEPT for my two kiddos. Coffee is NOT brewing, paper is NOT here and kids are READY to go. After stalling with an hr of the Disney Channel, the natives are getting restless and the house is still sleeping. Down the back stairs and out of our sleeping quarters, which is the loft above the garage, we have made it out! Off to the farmer's market we go (sans coffee though, which is a little nerve racking).

We arrive at the Michigan City Mainstreet Assocation's Farmers Market to find that Lakeshore coffee has added a tent! Someone is looking out for me today. This is where we try our first pastry, a chocolate croissant.

http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M17553


Amish baked goods. Sampled a loaf of cheese/bacon bread...tastes as good as it sounds!


Tried our second pastry (apricot croissant) from this little gem of a tent from Truffles Bakery.
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=bakery+michigan+city&fb=1&gl=us&hq=bakery&hnear=Michigan+City,+IN&cid=1094366468920430968


The sunflowers were electric!






And after awhile, it was safe to return to the house and pack up for the beach!

Thank you, market!

Small Town America

"It's small-town America. There's a strong draw to go into these small communities for the nostalgia and to go into nature for the beauty."

~ Dody Laemmlen




4th of July in Long Beach, In symbolizes all things small town and summer.

Parade, Ice Cream Social, Fireworks, Farmer's Markets...







I wouldn't trade my life in the city, but I sure can appreciate small town summer celebrations.

Goodnight Beach.

And goodnight long summer weekend! Until Friday...

Take those blues away....

In our house blueberries are just "blues" and we can't wait to get back to Billy Boys Blueberry Barn this season. The kids put those cans around their necks and pick away! There's nothing better than getting your fruit right off the tree. Last year, we froze about 20lb and the only problem was that they were gone way to quickly.

http://www.billyboysblueberrybarn.com/

Happy picking!