happy new year

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  There's no denying it now-the season is upon us. Christmas Trees are going up and people are out stampeding in the malls.  I'm going to save you the crowds and hassle with my list of super awesome sales going on right now for Black Friday.  Click the links below for all the shopping codes for incredible deals.  No need to go out with the crazy when you can click, click, click.  Happy Shopping!!!! Nordstrom :  My favorite place to shop for Christmas!  Save up to 40% off with this new sale!  Gap : 50% off Everything with the code BLKFRIDAY. I mean this is a super sale.  I love all of the cute jammies for Caroline  here . I have  this skirt -it's super cute with black tights and tall black boots. J Crew :  Save 30% off  full-price and 40% off sale styles . Tory Burch : New items added to the sale! Save up to 40% off. Vera Bradley : 50% off selected styles. Madewell :...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  Hoping you are having a wonderful, peaceful day.  We are stuffing ourselves silly while watching the parade and lots of football.  I'm so thankful for my beautiful family, our friends and all of you who read this little piece of me everyday.   I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Cheers! xo image source

Scallop T // Suede Heel // Essie Polish // J CREW Skirt // Wishbone Necklace // Confetti Phone Case // Bracelet // Wristlet Most years I'm not rushing Christmas.  I like to embrace fall in all it's glory.  We have two birthdays in the month of November as well as the Thanksgiving holiday and I like to to enjoy each one without the pressure of a Christmas rush.  Although, this year I'm feeling it-and in a good way!  The weather has been wintry and with the snowfall and cold I'm wanting to bring out the twinkly lights and go get the tree!  I admit I've turned up the Christmas tunes and burned my favorite  Christmas candle .  I'm excited for the preparations and nights out celebrating with family and friends.  This look is my fave for a night out during the holiday season .  Make sure you check out the skirt here  for 30%off. -Yippee!! Tis the season and this mom is ready! Don't Miss These Super Sales: Nordstrom :  My favorite pla...

Thanksgiving is this week and there is so much to be thankful for � wonderful husband, four amazing kids, snugly pup, loving family, caring friends, a cozy home.  We will be in town for the holiday.  Just over the river and through the woods to my brother's house we go.  My sister-in-law will be cooking the bird this year so there is no need to set the table at my house.  Although, if you need some inspiration I've found these beautiful tables, perfect for an amazing Thanksgiving feast. The Tomkat Studio This Is Happiness Apartment 34 A Thoughtful Place This is our simple Thanksgiving table-see the post  here. Ideas for a beautiful fall table.  I love them all!

Hi All!  Hope you had a great weekend!  We got a dusting of snow and it's getting me excited for the holidays.  This time of year is always my favorite.  I love the sparkle and sense of  excitement.  I love spending extra time with family and friends, which is one reason I try to shop in advance and leave nothing for last minute.  So here is a holiday gift preview-In the next several weeks I plan to share more favorite gifts for everyone on your list.  Also, there are so many sales-which I love.   Are you anxious to begin holiday preparations? Click below for all products details. Fun Sales J CREW : Save 25% off your purchase with code SHOPNOW & cardmembers get 30% off with code CARDTREAT.  NORDSTROM : Huge clearance sale happening at Nordstrom!  WILLIAMS-SONOMA : Save 20% off tabletop. BANANA REPUBLIC : 40% off your online only purchase with code CHEER.  J CREW FACTORY : Save an extra 40-60% off everything! GAP ...

We've officially started celebrating in our house.  The kickoff with our Jack turning 10 this week!   We started his day with  these birthday pancakes  and ended it with pizza out with 10 boys.  It was a great day! We have another birthday next week for our Finn and then the holidays are knockin' and I'm ready! Nothing says celebration like a festive holiday cocktail. These well-balanced cocktails are inspired by the best of the season�s ingredients, infused with fresh herbs and fruit.  What's not to love!  Try serving the drinks with  these appetizers  that I wrote about earlier this week. All the  recipes are courtesy of Williams-Sonoma, one of my favorite places to shop for kitchen essentials.  Check out this  shaker -I love it!   HARVESTED APPLE COCKTAIL � 1/4 fl. oz. St. Germain � 3/4 fl. oz. Calvados (apple brandy) � Sparkling wine � Apple slice for garnish Pour the St. Germain into a coupe glass and fill halfway wit...

Good Morning!  This year we will be doing lots of entertaining for the holidays.  I've searched the ends of the internet for appetizer inspiration and I've found 5 favorites that are perfect for all types of holiday gatherings.  I will definitely be using these recipes.  Feel free to pin away and share with your friends who love to entertain.   Spicy Cheddar Straws Tortellini Caprese Bites Cheese Tray Shrimp Cocktail Crostini Check out this Holiday Wine Party. It looks so fun as well as festive. Holiday Wine Party To Help You Entertain Don't Forget The Great Sales J CREW : Last day to Save 25% off fall favorites with code GETWARM ends 11/11. NORDSTROM :  Clearance sale happening at Nordstrom! Save up to 40% off. WILLIAMS SONOMA : Save 20% off tabletop. BANANA REBUPLIC : 30% off full prices with code BREXCITED.  J CREW FACTORY : Save an extra 30% off everything with code EXTRA30. GAP  Save 30% off your purchase with code HAPPY. So m...

Happy Monday!   Hope you had a nice relaxing weekend.  I wanted to share some things that I've had my eye on lately as well as some great sales if you want to get a jump on your holiday gift getting.  I just ordered  these  boots and I can't wait to wear them this weekend with these .  The temps are supposed to drop later this week and we are headed to a football game on Saturday. They'll be perfect for a long day out in the cold.  So scroll through the slide show and check out everything I've been loving lately and hope you score big on the sales below. Happy Shopping! ---------------Gotta Love A Sale----------------- J CREW : Save 25% off fall favorites with code GETWARM until 11/11. NORDSTROM :  Clearance sale happening at Nordstrom! Save up to 40% off. WILLIAMS SONOMA : Save 20% off tabletop. BANANA REBUPLIC : 30% off full prices with code BREXCITED.  J CREW FACTORY : Save an extra 30% off everything with code EXTRA30. GAP ...

This weekend I am headed downtown for two fun runs.  On Saturday some friends and I are running ten miles at Navy Pier for Chicago's Perfect 10.  On Sunday we lace up our shoes again, this time with our daughters for the Chicago Hot Chocolate 5K.  It's a lot of running outside which I don't do too much of.  I know it's crazy but I enjoy the Lifetime Fitness treadmill.  I enjoy the people watching and multiple TVs-perfect distractions for a 5mile treadmill workout.  Although, this weekend I am heading outside and yikes it's going to be cold and windy! Which means I'll have to dress for the elements and layer up.  A great pair of running gloves, and an ear band are must haves for me when running in the cold.  I have  these  and I think I like them better than my gloves.  Check out the other finds that I won't be leaving home without: 1.    2.    3.    4.    5.    6.    7. Wha...

I've said it before  here � .I love my Hunters!  Living in a city when the weather goes from rainy to snowy overnight these are so practical, comfortable, easy,  functional, and super perfect for all seasons.   I have  these  and I wear them at least once a week.  There are a ton of new styles that you can find  here , And even some on sale  here .  The packable version that you see above can be found  here . I have  these  on my Christmas wish list.  I mean who wouldn't love to find these under the tree??? I love the rainbow of colors. And of course you can't forget the kids.   These  are super cute for the boys.  And my daughter loves  these  and  these . Hunters are perfect for the rain and snow.  I love my  fleece inserts  when the tempertures begin to drop. My feet stay both dry and warm even on the snowiest days.  I can wear my hunters with skinnies, leggings-jus...

Cooler temperatures and darker evenings  mean that I can make  one of my favorite fall recipes.  A bowl of warm chili any night of the week just feels cozy.  I like to make a pot on the stove over weekend but if it's a night during the week when we are running the kids around I like to have it on the counter in my crockpot on low.  It's so nice to walk in the door and have dinner ready to go.   I know there are lots of "favorite chili" recipes out there but the thing that I love about this recipe is that it can be served over rice and garnished with lotsa extras that just make it perfect on the pallet.   Favorite Chili Recipe 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef 1 large sweet onion chopped fine 2 cloves garlic minced 2 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. cumin 1 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. dried parsley 1 1/2 tsp. oregano 1 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. red pepper flakes-more if your family likes it spicy 1 tsp. ground pepper 1 tsp. kosher salt 1 1/2 tsp. su...

Happy Monday!  We had a very lazy weekend which doesn't happen very often.  It was really cold/windy around here so it was really nice to have that extra hour of cozy as well.  Now that  Halloween is ova it's time for me to pack up the decorations and get ready for the go, go, go of the next couple of months.  I start to freak out a little bit this time of year knowing that we have two birthdays in November, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and hubsy's birthday shortly after.  It's a whirlwind of crazy!  So I'm trying to get myself organized and w ith the holidays right around the corner it's important to have a few hostess gifts ready to give.  Parties are plentiful and it's so nice to have a gift in hand.  Here are some of my faves: 1.    2.    3.    4.    5.    6.    7.    8.    9.    10.    11. I hope this guide gives you some ideas for t...