Monthly Archive: February 2016

A Girls Best Friend

They say diamonds are a girls best friend. Personally, I say flowers are. For starters they are much less expensive thus making them more attainable on a daily basis. Not to mention, are WAY more colorful!  I have rarely had flowers actually delivered to me. In fact, I can count on my right hand how many times. I’m not a shy person but getting flowers delivered is quite the attention grabber, and surprisingly not my favorite kind of attention!  My first memory of having flowers delivered was from my dad(my sweet dad??), he probably doesn’t even remember. I was in the third grade, Mrs. Loux’s class to be exact. It was Valentine’s Day and I will never forget those flowers being walked into the classroom and my name being called. They were beautiful. And RED. And so was my face!  Haha. My face to this day still turns a horribly bright shade of red when I get embarrassed. I definitely squished those flowers right into my book bag and went home and told my dad never to send me flowers again!  Well-he never did(tear). It’s funny because there was a time in my twenties and sadly single, I would have given anything for my dad to send me flowers. Funny how we change. For the record, my mom got flowers delivered that day too?. Where do you get your flower fix?!?!!  Trader Joe’s is my florist. $5.99 and they stay alive for a week!!!  No joke.  I did not get my grandmothers gene of the green thumb either!    Flowers change a room and a mood!  Yup-A Girls Best Friend???.  

 

To Gender Reveal or Not?!?!

So this wasn’t the topic I was going to write about today but that damn timehop app gets me all nostalgic. A year ago tomorrow was our big gender reveal party. The party I always said I would NEVER have. Ha! Never say never. I’m pretty sure my mom always told me that?. Why did we do it you ask??? Maybe the pregnancy hormones made me crazy? But really, we thought about waiting until the baby was born to find out the gender. Well we all knew that wasn’t going to happen!!! My husband is basically Inspector Gadget, spy camera and all, and I CANNOT handle surprises. So we thought why not have one of those gender reveal parties, but we will only invite our parents, siblings, and grandparents. After all, I do like to throw a good party???. Personally, I think there is a fine line on who actually cares if you are having a boy or a girl. At any rate, we went to our 20 week ultrasound, had the tech put the gender in a SEALED envelope, and brought it to Sweet Mandy B’s(one of the best bakeries in Chicago). It took everything in me to not look in that envelope. Besides the day I got engaged, I’m not sure I have ever really been surprised. I mean my parents got creative hiding Christmas presents but I always found them(sorry mom). Of course I couldn’t stop with just a gender reveal cake, so we had to pop a balloon with confetti in it. Which meant I had to order blue and pink confetti(the confetti bar www.confettibar.com has the CuTeSt confetti). We then brought the stupid envelope to party city and had them fill a black balloon with confetti. That balloon sat, well floated in our living room for TWO days until the party!!!! Lone and behold I had the shock of my life….it’s a BOY! What?!?!? I was 100% sure I was having a girl, I mean she already had a name!!! I’m still laughing at myself now. Good thing we had a party! I probably would have bought all pink just because my crazy pregnant a** thought it was a girl!! Really though, coming from the girl who said she would never do this-I’m so glad we did! Even my grandpa(who does not attend all events) and I’m pretty sure only came for the Portillos spread we were serving said how cool it was!

So, to gender reveal or not?!?! I’m not one to tell people what to do, all I’m saying is, it was pretty cool after all!

The Lucky Seven

For those of you that know me, you know my obsession with jewelry is no joke! These 7 pieces of jewelry have the absolute most meaning to me and ironically have all come into my life in the past 3 years. Crazy how when you turn 30 you think your life is over, yet mine was only just beginning!

1-My engagement ring, obviously!!! Not only did my husband do a great job picking it out, the story behind it and our proposal are what really get me?. Without boring you with too many details, he asked my dad(thank god), brought my mom and dad with to show them the ring he picked out(not that they would have swayed him otherwise), and surprised me on so many levels the day he proposed. I’ll save these details for a later post! Little did I know, this day was the first day of the rest of my life.

2-My grandmothers ring-let me just preface that I am one of 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 4 aunts. There was a lot of competition in getting this ring! I joke, I joke. My grandma always said she was going to give me this ring, and about 18 months ago she did. In perfect health she told ME she wanted ME to have it. I don’t think I have ever felt the love so much. My grandma wore this ring Every. Single. Day. If I tell the story correctly, my grandpa bought it for her off of QVC! Who knew?!?! Good job Gramps! I only wear it on special occasions, in fear of losing a stone. Eek!

3-Nana’s locket, Nana was my great grandmother. I was fortunate enough to have both sets of grandparents and 2 great grandmothers most of my life. She passed away a couple of years ago at 99. She had Alzheimer’s, if you aren’t familiar with this disease Pray that you never have to be. It is a horrible thing to endure. At any rate, Nana’s locket just so happens to be rose gold. Go Nana! She was trendy before her time! And the best part of this adorable locket is that it has the original pictures she put in it. Herself and my great grandfather-Walter(whom I never got to meet).

4-Wedding Bells??. My diamond necklace from the hubs the day of our wedding! It’s gorgeous and unique. I definitely need to be dressed up for this number. Again, he fooled me! He knows my love for designer handbags, so surely I thought he would go to LV! Nope-diamonds are a girls best friend.

5-My diamond studs??. My parents shocked me on my wedding day with these diamonds. They just so happen to be from every girls dream store-Tiffany & Co. Probably the only 2 diamonds I will ever own from Tiffanys! And I am just fine with that.

6-My Maxwell necklace. Maxwell is my now 8 month old son. Days after giving birth I knew I needed something to wear around my neck showing I was an extra proud mommy! In all my night time feeding Instagram searches I found this beautiful 14k gold necklace from Lola James Jewelry. www.lolajamesjewelry.com Such a great everyday piece.

7-My Stella & Dot Utopia necklace! Although this is the last of my 7 sentimental pieces of jewelry it is really just the beginning of something new. This was the piece of jewelry that I first bought when I decided to become a Stella & Dot stylist 7 months ago. This has allowed me to stay home with Maxwell and make additional income for our little family. Not to mention, keeps me sane from changing diapers and singing Old McDonald. Don’t get me wrong, there are days I thank god for Old McDonald. But a woman needs her space too! Shop it here: www.stelladot.com/atadic

What’s your most sentimental piece of jewelry?!?!

Worth the Visit?!?

The 3 Arts Club Cafe at Restoration Hardware exceeded my expectations. The overall experience was awesome, I mean look at this place?!?!? We got there about 15 mins before they opened on a Saturday and didn’t have to wait. Obviously a plus considering they don’t open until 10am. Our waitress was more than personable, they offer bellinis vs. the typical mimosa(I’m not really an orange juice girl), and my burger and fries were over the top delicious! I read somewhere that the creators of Au Cheval in the west loop assisted with the 3 Arts Club which only makes sense. Not to mention it’s basically a Restoration Hardware museum! For someone like myself that LOVES interior design, I was in fiber and metal heaven. Lol. Even if you aren’t into fabrics or lighting-get there like yesterday! You won’t regret it ????

www.3artsclubcafe.com

Favorite Soaps

Certain things in life are meant to be luxuries.  Some things are more worth the money than others, such as handbags but we will save that for a later topic!  I have always said I will pay way more for something I will use everyday whether consumable or not because my ROI is much larger.  Like my favorite hand soap for example:  Caldrea, check it out here: http://www.caldrea.com/mandarin-vetiver-glass-hand-soap/ it is normally $18.50 but just so happens to be on SALE!!!  It comes in a beautiful glass bottle with that pop of color I was looking for!  Our house is all grey and white so pops every now and then are key!  Not to mention, having a baby in the house, my husband and I wash our hands like 87 times more than the average adult!  #germs

 

Statement Jewelry

A girl’s best friend or intimidation 101???  Personally I love statement jewelry.  Scenario 1, You throw on a white t-shirt and a statement necklace, BOOM, you immediately look dressed up.  Scenario 2, perhaps you didn’t have time to wash your hair today?  Throw on a black t-shirt, medium pony tail, some statement earrings and you’re ready to dance in the CLUB, ha!  It has been brought to my attention a lot of women just don’t feel comfortable wearing statement jewelry.  My opinion, Get out there and try it ladies!!!!!!

All jewelry featured is Stella & Dot. www.stelladot.com/atadic