Scenes from a Saturday:
Al fresco lunch at Greek spot Barba Yianni
Greek salad, broiled octopus, & dolmades with tzatziki
An extended stop at Gene's Sausage's for dinner ingredients
It's the encased meat lovers dreamworld!
July 10, 2011
July 06, 2011
Low(er) Key
Let's take things down a notch, shall we?
After a lot of weekend excitement, it's nice to just have a simple summer meal on the back deck. Nothing but the sound of ice clinking in your glass, some sizzling on the grill, and a soft breeze.
I'm currently obsessed with Bone Suckin' Sauce!
Followed by a walk over to the Tastee Freez:
On the right, my order of choice: swirl cone with Reese's Pieces
Eaten at a picnic table in the parking lot, natch!
July 05, 2011
Surprise!
We didn't just celebrate the good, ol' U S of A this weekend...
We also feted my little sister Laura and her new fiance Steve!
I'm getting my matron-of-honor planning spreadsheets prepped and ready to be of assistance in any way I can!
Until then, I'll be happy to knock back some champagne in honor of the happy couple.
Best wishes to the handsome couple!
July 04, 2011
Happy 4th
We celebrated last night (on the 3rd) with our 2nd annual Rooftop Fireworks Extravaganza!
Last year, we discovered that the view from our roof deck was the perfect panoramic venue for prime firework viewing.
So, naturally, we deemed it a new tradition that we intend to keep up as long as every neighborhood (and most neighbors) keeps blasting off patriotic explosives in honor of our nation's birthday!
Classy plastic bunting courtesy of a last minute trip to Party City
The food was potluck-style, with all the traditional fixings: cold salads, slaws, dips, chips, and grilled meats (courtesy of my grill-master husband!)
Flag dip!
Plus, red-white-and-blue sweet treats:
White balsamic custard tart with berries
Happy Bday, USA!
June 30, 2011
June 28, 2011
Shopbop Baubles
My sister-in-law celebrated a birthday last week. I spent some time trolling around my usual online haunts looking for a present before finally hitting the goldmine at Shopbop. This probably is nothing new, but what a well-curated / reasonably priced / unique jewelry collection they have!
Some favorites I found:
Giles & Brother Millegrain Rope Necklace - $225
House of Harlow 1960 Long Arrow Earrings - $40
Love these!
June 26, 2011
Garden Gnome
We took a trip up north to Gethsemane last weekend to continue working on fleshing out our deck space with various greenery and flora. Container gardening is definitely a process that I'm still learning about / trying to master. I've only killed a few plants so far this year, and for me, that's a success.
Here's what's growing out there so far:
Boxwood in a fun new bright blue planter
Fuschia pentunias
Herbs! Dill, oregano, and some sprouting basil
Lobelia
Deck off the kitchen
Tomatoes are coming along...
and the Roof!
We'll be holding our 2nd annual July 3rd fireworks party up on the roof next weekend... Now that the weather is finally cooperating, we're looking forward to kicking back up there more often!
June 21, 2011
Wood
For five years running, we've kept up with the "traditional" anniversary gifts.
First year is paper, second is cotton, third is leather, fourth is fruit & flowers, and fifth?
Wood.
As usual, creativity was encouraged. I had to do some brainstorming to come up with my gift for Josh. Someone suggested to me that I get him a "wooden tea box... to keep tea in". Hmm - yea. That's not gonna fly with the Mr., I'm afraid.
How about this?
Get it?
A 5 Wood! J. has been planning to purchase some new clubs, so I kicked things off with this baby.
And for me?
A beautiful and fun boho statement necklace by Robert Rodriguez, which I wore later that evening to our dinner at the fantastic Green Zebra.
Next year? "Candy and Iron". Which Josh can of course easily complete by driving over to Blommer's with a large sack and filling it up with six pounds of chocolate for me.
At least, that's what I'd do if I were him...
June 19, 2011
Dad
This is my Dad:
His name is Greg. He's a business man, a wine lover, an early adapter of technological gadgets, and a world traveler who has checked off "eating a balut egg in Indonesia" from his bucket list.
In honor of Father's Day, here are a few things this most interesting man enjoys:
Hats:
Especially custom-made Panama hats like this one from Optimo Hats in Chicago.
Old Time Movies:
Such as anything with Bogie in it. Or Steve McQueen.
and
Fast Cars:
Like this 1963 Aston Martin DB5, perhaps. (Someday, Dad... someday...)
Happy Father's Day!
June 17, 2011
Year 5
It's pretty hard to believe, but our wedding was FIVE years ago today:
Happy Anniversary Mr. Wagner!
(from the Mrs.)
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