Gifts for your Foodie Friends

For the entertainer on your gift list, West Elm has some great options this year for under $50

Nature Entertaining Gift Set

Petite Four Tray

Bone Cheese Knife Set

Bone Cocktail Shaker Set

Platinum Rimmed Glassware


I found these vintage cocktail books at CocktailKingdom.com


Cocktail Kingdom Vintage Cocktail Books


From Anthropologie...

Boule Flute

Horned Beauty Bottle Opener

Ikat Mini Bowl

Pure & Good Hand Duo

Happy shopping!

Giving Thanks

For those who know me, I love Thanksgiving. Yes, I know that pretty much everyone loves Thanksgiving. But, I have to say that it is absolutely my favorite holiday. It's like Christmas with the excessive food and family time, with the reminder to take a minute to think about the things you have to be thankful for. Perfection. Tonight I will be making my famous pumpkin pie with some home made cinnamon whipped cream. Photos to come.

Holiday Gift Guide by Urban Cottage

Cara over at An Urban Cottage posted the best holiday gift guide under $25. As her friend, I would be thrilled to receive any of these lovely gifts! Nicely done, Cara!

Click through to An Urban Cottage for pricing.

Empire State of Mind

My trip to nyc is just around the corner. On my list while I'm there: find a holiday dress, ice skate in Central Park, eat incredibly delicious food, wander aimlessly around Tribeca and stumble into fabulous design shops. Any other suggestions??

Photos courtesy of IsPhotography on Etsy

The Kate Files

Well, it's official... Kate Middleton and Prince William are engaged! I wish the U.S. had fabulously gorgeous, well dressed royalty! I absolutely love Kate's classic equestrian style.

A Champagne Tasting to Remember

Last night Cara invited seven of us over for a private champagne tasting with Tom from Galleria Wines at North and Wells in Old Town.

The flowers, from A New Leaf {one of my Chicago happy places} were to die for. Absolute perfection in understated white and green.

Cara picked up fresh shrimp, crab claws, tuna tartar and an assortment of berries
for us to nibble on...

...while Tom kept the champagne coming!

And, finally, the reason for this soiree... these lovely ladies above make up Cara's Bridal Party!

Cheers to a fun night with lots to celebrate!

Book Club

This week the girls and I had our first book club meeting. Most importantly, on the menu: butternut squash ravioli with a toasted hazelnut, brown butter sage sauce, an artichoke salad with olives, rum spiked apple cider and ginger spice cookies. Cara hosted {this was her doing!}.

We read If Andy Warhol had a Girlfriend. Super cute, quick read that we all enjoyed.

Dear Genevieve, I Love You

Genevieve Gorder, of Design Star and Dear Genevieve is effortlessly fabulous. Her style (personal and design) is simple, yet elegant. Every room she designs is simply perfect. And she does it all barefoot. Here's a link to her blog: http://www.genevievegorderhome.com/blog/. Follow it. Love it.

Jayson Home & Garden

Last Sunday I was running some errands and just couldn't help but peak in the oh-so-gorgeous {and for the most part, out of my budget} Jayson Home & Garden. A girl can dream!

Holiday Entertaining

Along with the holidays comes entertaining! Here are a few things on my wish list...

Bone cocktail shaker from West ElmLa Creuset Enamel Steel Stockpot

Platinum rimmed ice bucket from West Elm