Lately

Finally getting this together around the house for fall! If you follow along on instagram you saw this picture last night!

I did have a thumbnail box on the right side of the screen for people to follow on instagram but it kept glitching! So if you would like to follow my username is Lifeonlyford!!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Chicago Day 4

This was the day of laziness! I spent most of the morning indulging in a rare commodity! 

SLEEP!! Yes I slept until 1:00pm in the afternoon!!! Hasn't happened in 4 years for me and it was simply divine!!!!!

I grabbed lunch at this swank eatery called Protein Bar. 

My quinoa wrap was divine!

Then scheduled an architectural tour! 

I am only short 6 credit hours of having a minor in art history and my favorite classes were on architecture so this was like a college refresher course! 

Loved every minute of it and learning the history of Chicago!!

From there I met Casey in the room and we got dolled up for the crown jewel dinner.

The "IT" restaurant in Chicago is apparently Frontera.

Rick Bayless is the chef and the food was some of the most divine I have EVER tasted in my life!!

We grabbed the first seating we could get which was at a bistro table at the bar!

We tried a summer concoction of a cumcumber cilantro margarita, ate taquitos, and traditional steak tacos. It was divine!!!

Chicago Day 3

Wednesday was my first day solo in the city! 

I slept in ... Enjoyed a long breakfast then perused Michigan avenue. 

I stopped in Macy's and spent way way too much time at the Lush counter.

I treated myself to a bath bomb and a chocolate face mask.

Source: via Lauren on Pinterest

Then headed to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch! Hello pumpkin cheesecake!!

 

from there I went to Saks and treated myself to a mini makeover at the Trish McEvoy counter.

My sweet husband even suprised me with this wonderful planner to replenish my makeup supply!

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Nicole on Pinterest

 

For dinner we met up with Casey's cousin, Cathy for some pub food then an evening at the Second City Comedy Club! People such as John Belushi, Steve Carrell, Tina Fey! Great night and lots of fun!!

(will include pictures from the camera once we get home)

I tried one of the infamous scarf fashions called the pretzel found on Pinterest! 

Love how easy it was. 

These were our seats in the comedy club minutes before the show began! We laughed so hard and had a great time!!

Custom Ruffle Drapes

Recently a friend approached me about making some custom drapes for her little girls nursery! I was so excited to make these! Check out the picture she shared on Instagram late last night!

Chicago Day 2

Yesterday was a jam packed day of window shopping and sightseeing. (I was saving my big shopping trips for today ;) )
We started out our morning with breakfast at the Wit.
We dined on cinnamon butter pancakes and banana french toast.

Then we headed over to the park to sightsee and checkout the bean.

From there we stopped in one of the museums to see the largest tiffany glass dome! It was stunning!

Perused several shops before eating the worst lunch ever (we actually threw it away it was so bad) and spent some time at the John Hancock observatory lounge.

From there we went back to the room to get ready for dinner.
Someone recommended Riccardo Trattoria. It was an incredible local italian spot with amazing food!

For dinner I dined on a bruschetta like salad and my entree was Gnoochi in a pink cream sauce. It was divine!

Sorry the pictures are out of order. I will tweak them when i can get to a computer

Chicago day 1

We had a great flight in! Rode the train to our hotel, dropped our bags and hit the ground running!

We were starving so we headed to Giordiano's pizza!
Several people recommended this lunch spot and the deep dish pizza and mozerella flatbread did not disappoint!

We left there to peruse the magnificent mile! We stopped in a few favorites and grabbed some goodies. I made sister super jealous while in American Girl!!

My favorite little goodie was some mittens for baby boy! I couldn't resist!!

We were soooo exhausted from not sleeping the night before that we retired for the evening sans dinner and curled up in our room and watched the voice!!

Btw, thank you thank you sweet readers for your recommendations! We hope to go to several of these spots while here!!!

Be back later with more adventures!

Chicago

In a few days we leave for Chicago. My husband has some training for work and I was looking for an excuse to get away for a few days. This will be our first "trip" together since our honeymoon!!
We are so excited!!

We escaped for a night in 09' to go to a friends wedding but nothing like this!! I will have 3 whole days by myself to sleep in, shop, and be a corny tourist!!

We had reservations at 3 hotels and finally on Monday night narrowed it down to the Wit Chicago.

Apparently they are known for their rooftop.

I am still trying to finalize our itinerary.
Do y'all have any suggestions??

Soo...

I have several things to share with yall but it seems I have lost the camera charger to my DSLR.... I am currently digging through every nook and cranny to find it.

Be back soon.

Etsy Favorites: A Crafty Shopping Post

Don't you just love etsy??

I love knowing I am supporting small business america when I shop on there.

Everything is unique, personalized, or the exact antique I have been searching for. 

Here are a few of my "favorites"these days:

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Favorite Toys: Alex

Do you have toys that you just LOVE to get for your kids? 

I sure do! 

These were some of my favorite things when I was little and I am so glad I can purchase them at a local toy store and continue the tradition with my children.

These are my favorites thus far.

We have been working on all the loopy friends for the past few weeks!

Aren't they adoreable??

What are your favorites??