Emphasis Added!

Do yourself a favor…go see “The Blind...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:39:00 -0600

Do yourself a favor…go see “The Blind Side.”

It was everything I could have asked for from a feel-good movie. The movie inspired:

Tears of empathy
Tears of tenderness
Tears of joy

Bonus points: My husband loved it too!

(and can I just say, Sandra Bullock’s feistiness may have reminded me a little bit of my own sassy streak!)

Last night Chicago lit the Christmas lights along Michigan...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:53:51 -0600

Last night Chicago lit the Christmas lights along Michigan Avenue.

Oh, there is no place like (sweet) home (chicago) for the holidays!

Serious sibling love! (…and by serious, I mean “not...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:22:14 -0600

Serious sibling love!

(…and by serious, I mean “not serious.”)

Sis, Bro and Sis: Em, Hen and El.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:18:00 -0600

Sis, Bro and Sis: Em, Hen and El.

Saturday FTW

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:04:00 -0600

A few reasons today was awesome:

Venti coffee with a steamed soy topper
A very productive choir rehearsal
Intern/Brother is home from college for Thanksgiving break
Sister, Brother-to-be and Intern/Brother came over for some college football and a sibling dinner
Turkey sausages on the grill cooked by my husb
Beers
The Festival of Light Parade where Chicago rings in the season and ceremoniously turns on the Christmas lights along Michigan Avenue (The parade staging area was just below our balcony, so we had the best seats in the city…watching from 22 stories in the sky)
Impromptu Husb/Wife adventure

One reason it was not

Notre Dame sucks ass.

I'm gonna rearrange your face(book)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:29:00 -0600

Em: Did you guys know the Oxford Dictionary word of the year is UNFRIEND.
Bro-In-Law (to be): That is UN-fortunate.

Head to Toe: KVPC supermodel edition! Today, choir had a...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:40:00 -0600

Head to Toe: KVPC supermodel edition!

Today, choir had a remarkable 4 hour rehearsal for our upcoming Christmas show. The kids showed up looking as cute as could be- ready to sing, dance and mock the directors (um, me).

And then my girl Ms. Milana walked in sporting such a fierce little outfit. I insisted on a head-to-toe snapshot…because let’s be honest, it is the best way I know to reward cute clothes!

Also, as a dramatic exercise, I encouraged the kids to develop a character and pose with Milana. I spot admiration, jealousy, sycophancy and even a few creepers!

Here is what she wore:

Tank: Rue 21
Shrug: TJ Maxx
Skirt: Marshals
Tights: Target
Shoes: Macy’s
Necklace: vintage

Did I mention, I am obsessed with these kids?!

fuckkyeahchicago: bibliotheque:

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:15:39 -0600

fuckkyeahchicago: bibliotheque:

Christmas Cards...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:07:43 -0600

It should come as a surprise to exactly no one that I take my Christmas Cards very…very seriously.

I think I finally nailed our photo, but now I need to find the perfect card.

Please help! Where can I find unique, quirky or just darn cute cards to send out? And recomended brands? Etsy stores? Paper websites?

"I think one belongs to Chicago, more than many other cities, because you have to put up with our..."

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:07 -0600

“I think one belongs to Chicago, more than many other cities, because you have to put up with our winters and some of our urban ugliness to call it home; its a commitment.”

- Scott Turow (in response to the “Nelson Algren Challenge”)

(via shynessisnice)

(via fuckkyeahchicago)

Vacay Highlight: Georgina! I adore Georgina (then again, who...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:39:00 -0600

Vacay Highlight: Georgina!

I adore Georgina (then again, who doesn’t), and I knew it would be a riot spending the week together…but I can’t even begin to express how much fun I had with this girl!

She is just cool.

It was great having a partner in crime who fully understood the importance of photographing everything, of a high speed dingy chase for the sole open mooring ball, of online-shopping withdrawal and of wearing a dress to dinner …even if we were just eating on picnic tables at a seaside shack.

(Oh, and in case you were wondering, we totally talked about how much we adore and missed all of you!)

The hardest parts about leaving a job:

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:19:00 -0600

Telling people
Telling people in the right order (this is a form of political acrobatics…let’s just say I may have broken a sweat speed walking from office to office trying to get to everyone before they heard it through the grapevine)
Telling people in an appropriate way (choosing a tone that expresses genuine gratitude for your experiences while still communicates how freaking excited you are about your new opportunities)
Getting all the personal stuff off your computer (so. many. photos)
Trying to get people to throw you going away parties…without making it look like you are trying to get people to throw you going away parties.

Big News! Big News!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:05:11 -0600

So, I can finally share the great news that sparked the purchase of my “Celebration Shoes!” Guess what:

I got a new job!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am leaving my current position at the Education Marketing Firm to join the affiliate marketing team at [Redacted]. It is a dream position with a company recognized as one of “the best companies to work for.” (And when I say recognized…I mean by someone other than just me!)

This decision was not easy…I love my coworkers…but ultimately, I believe moving on is what is best for me both professionally and personally. And to get to move on to such a remarkable opportunity is genuinely a dream come true.

Guys, I am really…really happy!

Vacay Highlights: Hammocks Activities that are more fun when...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:25:00 -0600

Vacay Highlights: Hammocks

Activities that are more fun when done in a hammock: reading, sipping pina coladas out of a straw, daydreaming, napping

Activities that are less fun when done in a hammock: Trying get some action from your husb. (Let’s just say in-net lovin’ has a prohibitively high degree of difficulty)

Vacay Highlight: Underwater photo shoots Snorkeling.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:14:00 -0600

Vacay Highlight: ~~Underwater photo shoots~~ Snorkeling.

Reasons I love this necklace: Proceeds go towards a worthy...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:27:39 -0600

Reasons I love this necklace:

Proceeds go towards a worthy cause.
It’s cute.
I would totally feel like Captain Von Trapp if sporting this bad boy around my neck!

hautelikecouture:

Please take a minute to consider purchasing one of these whistles for a fantastic campaign to help children who have been affected by the war in Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is home the world’s biggest and deadliest war; in just over 10 years nearly six million people have been killed. Sexual violence and abuse is far too common and children are exploited and used as means to kill.

100% of the proceeds from your whistle go to the cause. It’s a simple piece of jewelry that can make wonderful Christmas gifts! Prices range from $30 for a plain whistle to $40 for an engraved whistle.

Please please please consider purchasing one for yourself or as a gift.

http://www.fallingwhistles.com/home.php

A note on indulgences:

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0600

I do not make enough money to indulge on every high heel that strikes my fancy. Not even close.

But every paycheck, I put a little money aside (into my specifically designated “Stiletto Stash”) so that every now and then I CAN make a singular footwear dream become a reality. Some weeks, I only contribute $10…other weeks, a little more, but over time (over a loooong time), it does add up. And sometimes, it even adds up to beautiful fancy shoes!

Just wanted to share.

Whenever something really special happens in my life, I like to...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:47:00 -0600

Whenever something really special happens in my life, I like to celebrate by treating myself to a new pair of shoes. (Full disclosure: over the years, my purchases have run the gamut from bargain basement boots to designer indulgences.)

My past seven days have been filled with more great news than should be allowed in a single week….and so, as Mom, Sis and I stopped by the Barney’s shoe department in between our wedding gown appointments, and I spotted the YSL Trib Too pumps that I have been lusting after since forever, It was pretty much inevitable that they had to come home with me!

I slipped on these platform pumps in navy printed lizard leather and the giddiness that spread through my entire body perfectly captured the joys of my past week.

This, my friends, is truly a “celebration shoe!”

Bridesmaids dresses: check!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:40:00 -0600

I know this is secondary wedding wardrobe news, but I am thrilled to report that we also found Ellie’s bridesmaids dresses today! (dang, we were productive).

This might be hard to believe but the wedding party dresses are GORGEOUS (Gorgeous! Gorgeous, I say! Beautiful on their accord, and not just in an “Alright…for-a-bridesmaid dress, sort of way.) I slipped on the sample garment and felt like royalty.

The whole experience was highly reminiscent of our days playing dress-up as kids. Ellen paraded around the shop in her gown, while I chased behind her in my bridesmaid dress (which I refused to take off) making sure we tried on every sparkly bauble in the store. The only difference, I suppose, is that as children we used plastic beads to represent diamonds & rhinestones….now, we have the real thing.

I am not sure if I am allowed to share details on color/material/cut/length. Let me check with the bride on my blogging permissions and get back to you.

Today was an impossibly special day. One of my all time...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600

Today was an impossibly special day. One of my all time greatest days ever, actually.

My little sissy, my best friend, found her wedding dress!

Mom, Grandma and I spent the afternoon with my beautiful sister, Ellen, watching her model gowns that literally took our breath away. After trying on a handful of pretty dresses at two different bridal shops, the moment of indisputable magic happened- we found HER gown!

I ask: how do you describe the moment your favorite human on the planet puts on HER wedding dress…the gown that the universe intended for her?

I did not take any pictures of her dress because there is no way I could avoid posting it here…right now..for the world to see. It is that beautiful. SHE is that beautiful.

Without the temptation of photographic evidence, her dress will be added to the list of secrets kept between sisters.