Lavender love

My earlier posts this week were scheduled.  I knew that I wouldn't have the time or focus to post due to my three yr old daughter having surgery on Monday.  It was fairly routine and she is doing great, but one night in the hospital and watching your love being put under anesthesia is enough worry. The surgical waiting room in a children's hospital is intense...a mix between worry, feeling lucky and putting things perspective is an emotional roller coaster.  

A few weeks ago, I received a sample of some Dr. Hauschka products and one just happened to be Lavender Bath.  And, although, I haven't had time for a bath, I stuck my little sample in my emergency makeup bag and pulled it out for a little sniff here and there, to get through our waiting period.  It's a supple oil that I can dab on a wrist or temple for a little instant comfort.  I also mixed it with my hand cream for extra moisture.  A little goes long way with this product.

I promise to catch up on some reading this weekend!

Last Call

Despite some of the already nasty weather we've had here, we've also had glimpses of sun and 60 degree temperatures.  These days have kept my outdoor furniture out and some of my impatiens still blooming.  On Sunday, I enjoyed my coffee on the porch...something that I treasure and truly appreciate!  I refuse to close down my extra 120 sq feet of living space until snow is on the ground.  It is also reminding me how important my flower box planting is since the flowers and plants can last well into November.  That's almost 6 months of green bliss and I'll take it before it's 3 months of white bliZZ.

Clap hands for the pumpkin muffins!

My son and I used to sing the phrase when we'd go to the local bakery together and devour gigantic pumpkin muffins...this was our thing, when he was two and when the the local bakery was still there.  So when I woke on Saturday morning with a strong urge to bake up something with a can of pumpkin I had in the cabinet, I was delighted that I picked the perfect recipe.  I knew that I had seen many pumpkin recipes on some of my favorite blogs, but I couldn't remember when and where so I did what every good (clueless) cook does, I googled it.  When one the fifth search result down was from Pioneer Woman, I knew I had a winner.

Recipe for PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS via Pioneer Woman!

A few things:

• DOUBLE the recipe; doubled it made 15 medium sized muffins
• Make coffee right before they are completely cooled - duh!
• Don't feel guilty about the butter!  Julia Child cooked with a lot of butter always and she lived a long, productive life.
• Do let your children do the sugar/cinnamon/nutmeg combination sprinkling onto the top of the muffin before baking, it gives it a crunchy, delicious top!  And the kids will sprinkle on more than you ever would.

ENJOY and HAPPY BAKING!

Snowmageddon

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Everyone here is talking about how the weather people (?) have predicted the worst Chicago winter in 20 years. Awesome, we just had what felt like a short two months of summer and here we go again.  How could we even top last winter?  My cynical side is wishing that's it a nasty rumor started by some genius marketing gurus from North Face, Patagonia and other winter gear retailers. Because, yes, it's making me shop and obsess about our winter gear.  Yesterday, I made the kids get into their snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, scarves, the whole works, just so that I could see what's missing, what we need back-ups of, etc.. I've washed my short down jacket, my long down jacket, and I'm matching up gloves and leg warmers.  Winters in the city are a bit tricky because it's not like I can warm up my car in the garage before leaving for the day.  We walk to school.  My car is parked outside.  And the thought of freezing hands scraping layers of ice off the car is making me totally 110% appreciate that I am sitting in my warm kitchen right now with a cup of steaming hot coffee sitting next to me.

Bottom line:  I'm gearing up for winter.  Here are some items I am eyeing.  Bring it Old Man Winter!

Wool blend tweed vest from Old Navy
a whopping $25.00
i tried it on yesterday and it's as great as it looks
i know, i'm obsessed with vests

LL Bean Shearling Lined Boots
Inspired by a post from LifeThroughPreppyGlasses
Going back to the classics

Leg Warmers with Brass Buttons
$15.00 Sock Dreams
LOVE these!

Furry Aviator in Grey Super-Nubby w/ White Fur$75.00
Squast by Les
One of my favorite local designers, especially love her hats!

Eddie Bauer Ice Scraper Mit
REALITY purchase.


With one of my Squast by Les cozy hats
What I'll look like in a month or so..

Linking up with the fabulous Kori for Fashion Fridays!

I packed my make-up bag for a getaway weekend recently and apparently, these are my must haves.  

I've already gushed about the healing powers of Egyptian Magic here, here and here, so I'll give a quick review of a couple of my other staples featured here.

Duo Cream Shadow in Madagascar

I've been using this for several years now.  The shade on the right has a subtle sparkle and overall neutral hue; can be mixed with very neutral base on the left.  If I don't want it to look like i am wearing any eyeshadow, but i just want some coverage (c'mon, we all love coverage) I just put a small coat of the left shade.

The Multiple in LUXOR


I'm a sucker for anything marketed for multiple purposes!  This is a subtle highlighting stick that I use under the brow, on the cheeks and mostly importantly to create the "C".  The Nars specialist pointed out this technique of creating a "C" starting on TOP (above) of the brow, moving around the outer eye and finishing at the inner lower eye corner.  This gives your eye cream an extra boost.  Hey, I cannot even put a price on anything that helps me create illusion that I am well rested, together, and am not up with children at odd hours of the night!

ROSEBUD SALVE IN A TUBE

My favorite lip balm, cuticle cream, everything salve.
Also mentioned here and here!


I'll finish up my go to reviews next week.
 In the meantime, care to share any products you are currently LOVING?

All Saints Spitalfields

About a month ago, I was having a leisurely stroll up Michigan Ave.  I was in the middle of my two hour rejuvenation session, when I walked past this huge store called All Saints Spitalfields.  Intrigued that I could be entering an 11,000 foot store that I had never heard of...I entered.  Have you heard of this brand?  Apparently, it was started in 1994 in London and they have recently started a push to open brick and mortar stores in major US cities.  The store design was pure eye candy, the intriguing decor transports you to an old loft factory with lines of vintage singer sewing machines stacked from floor to ceiling...there are huge cast iron looms and other visually interesting artifacts that fill the store.  And the clothes are gorgeous, handbags amazing, and accessories definitely something you won't find anywhere nearby.  Have a look....

their lookbook is projected across the wall

Flapper Fashion!

although i was trying to take in the character and be dramatic, this looks says, "why can't you ever figure out my camera?"
and, why can't he?

Last week, I wore my late grandmother's dress to a costume party.  I went as a flapper.  My grandmother's dress was her performance dress from a little barber shop style singing group that she was in called Sweet Adelines.  It is/was a national group and she was a member of one of the regional chapters.  If only I had a photo of her in it

What I do have is a page from my other grandmother's photobook.  I was going to cut out the photos and paste them but I love my grandmother's handwriting and stickers.  My grandmother is in the middle two and right photos.  Her friend, Grace (as listed) is on the left.  Don't you just love old photos that capture moments of your loved ones before you knew them.  Makes me want to turn back time and be a fly on the wall.  Like who are these boys she was hanging out with in Albany?  And what color what that dress on the right?  I do know that my great-grandmother made all of my grandmother's clothes...even her wedding dress, which will be featured in a future post.

Strands of mini white lights make me happy!

 

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And from a Summer Soiree I posted about last year....

Perfect illumination for any time of year!

Design Harvest

A few weeks ago, we attended Design Harvest, a fall festival celebrating design.  It's the type of festival that makes you want to go home and throw away EVERYTHING and paint all the walls white.  Unfortunately, that did not happen as I sit here staring at a sea of toys and craft supplies.  Snapped a few shots of some of my favorite ideas...

Design and paint your own rug...the best is that you can vacuum up your mistakes before sealing it 

Beautiful hanging foliage containers; great design, perfect for adding privacy to a city deck or porch

fun painted soup cans used as napkin holders; would be fun for an outdoor party

Are you down?

No longer for the North Faced enthused outdoorsy type, the down vest has become more of a standard piece in my wardrobe.  I wear it indoors and out. Throw a cozy faux fur collar or hood on it, and I'm sold.  I purchased this particular one at an Eddie Bauer outlet, like three years ago and I swear I live in it all winter.   I even slept in it a few nights in September - ok - our heat was out but it sure did keep my toasty.  The beauty of it is that my fashion staple for the winter is from Eddie Bauer peeps and the outlet for that matter. And, yes, as these photos reveal, I may have found myself in another single white female situation at work the other....but I just may have had my vest first...maybe. Btw, price per wear = negatives, for sure.  Husband, are you reading?

Believe it or not, my favorite vests I found upon searching for a new one are from Old Navy...$39.95 a pop.  

Love the collars on these!

and of course i'm swooning over this $270.00 beauty from Madewell!

look at the super cozy hood on this one from Patagonia

$149 at backcountry

Linking up with KORI for Fashion Fridays!

Head on over and link up with us!

Wishing you all a warm and cozy weekend!

I'm off to Chicago's Fashion Focus runway show tonight...I'll report back next week.

xoxo