Decadent Rice Crispy Treats Anyone??

OMG, I have to share with you my love of The Crispery.

If you are a fan of the forever kid-favorite rice krispy marshmellow treats, you MUST seek these out.

I originally found these over Thanksgiving break in Kansas City, at one of my favorite stops, Dean & Deluca. That store in inself is a whole other blog post, as it's a wonderful gourmet coffee shop, deli, and grocery stop in Overland Park KS. Anyway, about The Crispery...

This company makes everything you can think of that involves marshmellows! MMM! I picked up a couple of their individual treats and fell in love. You will too. They are delectable, and I can gobble one up too fast (thereby inducing a stomach ache).

If you live in the Chicago area, I found them at Foodstuffs, FYI!

Here are some of my favorites:

Chocolate Caramel Marshmellow

Drizzled Mini Marshmellows




Chocolate Buttons

Crispy S'mores

Chocolate Dipped

All I know is that I am going to have to keep myself away from Foodstuffs or I will become STUFFED into my jeans! AAAhh!

Fantasy Football Obsessed Husband?

Do any of you have husbands that are OBSESSED by Fantasy Football? Or Basketball? Baseball perhaps? I do!! All 3 in fact!

Joe just started watching this GREAT show on FX this year about some Chicago buddies who are in a Fantasy Football league together. They live and die by the league, much like someone I know?

So if you are up for some hilarity, political incorrectness, and debauchery watch The League. It will NOT disappoint. Here's something from their website to tell you a little bit more...

"Fantasy football is supposed to provide an outlet for good-natured competition and camaraderie between friends and colleagues, but that’s not always the case. In FX’s comedy series, The League, deception, one-upmanship and a win-at-all costs mentality rule the day on the virtual gridiron and then extend into personal relationships, marriages and the workplace.

The League was created by the husband-and-wife team of Jeff Schaffer (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) and Jackie Marcus Schaffer (Disturbia, Eurotrip) who serve as executive producers and directors. The series is produced by FX Productions."

Oh and PS - the season just ended, so you can watch episodes on their website.

Chic for Cheap...thanks Nate!

I have to tell you about a new favorite blog I heard about - Copy Cat Chic. It is FABULOUS! The blogger, Reichel Brossard, is a freelance web and print designer, but in her spare time, she writes this great blog about finding high style for a lower budget.

For example, Like this look?

She posts about many different things for the home, and can be something as simple as a rug she found at Pottery Barn that was $299, but then searched a little more and found one almost identical at Cost Plus for $179.99. Click HERE for that post.

Here's one of my FAVS so far....(and it's only been a week since I started reading her blog!)...

She found these side tables/nightlights at Design Within Reach - for $275. It's a little 'Design Without Reach for me,' but thankfully Reichel found something identical at, where else but Pottery Barn Kids for $89 (on sale from $149)! So awesome.

Also, if you read her blog, you'll find out she's expecting, which might be GREAT for all of you Moms or Moms-to-be out there who want tips on decorating a nursery. She thought she might use one of these cubes in the baby's room - perfect!

Finally, I have to tell you that I found out about her blog while watching the Nate Berkus show, and then went on Facebook to become a fan of the blog, and discovered that a fellow stay at home Mom and sorority sister of mine also loved the blog too. The reason I am telling you this - I know, windy - is because my friend writes an adorable blog, called Whine and Cheez. She lives in the Chicago burbs (recently relocated there from the city) and has a 1 yr old daughter. She writes about everything Mommy-related, as well as decorating, etc, but really she just says what's going on her her life that day! It's fun, witty, and I enjoy it immensely. And we both watch Nate, and love to cringe at his awkwardness. Ha! Check it out if you're able.

It's for real..... William Rast for Target!

I can't believe I didn't know about this sooner.......my man Justin Timberlake's clothing line (William Rast) is doing a capsule collection for Target.....and at Target prices! Ahhhh!

It debuts on December 19, and you better believe I will be there. I bought William Rast for bop, and let me tell you I know there will be some amazing pieces available. They do a killer leather jacket ladies, and I hear there's one for Target too. According to a few reviews i've read on the debut of the line in LA last night, standout items include stud-embellished silky tanks and tees, faux leather shorts, and chambray button-downs.

Specifically pricing is between $16.99 and $199.99, which is fabulous, knowing that regular WR pricing goes from $70 to $700......

I hope you are as excited as me! Anyone want to venture to Target with me this Sunday??

Bliss......for your skin

I don't know about you all, but if I've been using a moisturizer for a while, my skin starts to get used to it - i.e. break out. Annoying!

So I went to Sephora the other day in search of something new - and after a long talk with a very knowledgeable consultant there - decided to try out the Bliss Triple Oxygen+C Energizing Cream. And I LOVE IT! It's supposed to re-energize skin and give it that fresh out of the shower glow. Seriously it does just that! I am really liking it after just a few days......

Other good things? No parabens, sulfates, GMO's, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, or Triclosan, and it helps promote collagen synthesis while brightening and evening skintone.

My trip to Sephora also netted me some new eye cream - I will report back on that in a few days as well. Eye creams are about as hard to find for me as a great moisturizer!

MY Favorite Oprah Things.....

I know this season is all about giving, but when you see the Oprah's favorite things show.....sometimes that's hard to remember! Every year I LOVE watching the audience freak out. This year was no exception - there was some man down on his knees this year he was so excited! And I DON'T BLAME THEM! How fun is that show? Since this was her last 'Favorite Things' show, she went all out. A new car?! Diamond earrings? An I Pad?

Yes please!


I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites (within reach, i.e. the cruise is not on my list, ha!) from Oprah's favorites......so here they are - in no particular order:


1. The Sophia Satchel by Coach

A beautiful bag, in either color, yet I'm partial to the taupe. It would go with everything, it's patent leather so it's easy to clean, and it's just a very classy looking bag for everyday. Available on http://www.coach.com/

2. The Sophie Jewelry Box by Pottery Barn

Every year, I lust after Pottery Barn's jewelry boxes. They do such a great job! And I always forget that I need one of these, bad!!!! My jewelry is housed basically all over my dresser in many different gadgets collected over the years.....ugh. I feel like a really nice jewelry box is such an adult thing to have. Good thing I'm an adult! Hahahaha..........Find the jewelry boxes on http://www.potterybarn.com/

3. Bakers Edge Baking Pans!

Speaking of being an adult, the fact that I would like one of these to make brownies in is sooooo dorky. But I don't care. I like the edges of brownies too, and the edges of lasagne, etc etc. Yum. Smart idea, Bakers Edge. At $34.95 you can't go wrong. http://www.bakersedge.com/

4. Tory Burch Tote in Grey Flannel

Much like brownies from the Bakers Edge pans, this tote to me is YUMMY. What a perfect new diaper/carryall bag for moi!!! I love the grey with the silver (which is surprising, because usually I like gold!). While I'd usually go to my favorite http://www.shopbop.com/ for the tote, it's only available on http://www.toryburch.com/ since it's an exclusive for Oprah.

5. Of course, I couldn't go without mentioning the LuluLemon Relaxed Fit Pants.

I love almost everything made by LuluLemon, which is why I love these too! Dare I say, these might be great 'Mom' pants. You can run around town in them with the kids and still look cute! I also have to tell you that LuluLemon makes some rad leggings - I mean, they're nothing special in terms of looks - just black leggings - but the fit is amazing and I feel quite fabulous in them.......check out all things Lulu on http://www.lululemon.com/

Who knew it would be this hard to get a Christmas Card pic?

We attempted getting a shot of the kids in their Thanksgiving day outfits for the Christmas card 2010. I mean - ridiculous. A wily 2 year old and a very curious baby make for NO ONE looking at the camera at the same time, nor smiling at the same time.

Some humor for you......

Gemma appears to be saying "c'mon man!" to her crazy brother...

Now he's getting her back for her earlier look and smothering her with a kiss.....




Finally the whole family pic- REALLY not a good idea.

Fashionable IPhone Gloves??

So - struggling to compile a list of things you might want for Christmas? I am. However, gloves for the IPhone are something I definitely want.





However...hard to find. Let me tell you. I have just been scouring around the internet and have decided that the best options are these:





The Northface ETip, for $40.










They come in black, white, and grey (aka in any of these colors they'll match with anything!), and will no doubt do the job in terms of warmth and iphone use. However, the Northface website is already out of the XS and S - in all of the colors. And they're Unisex so if you're a girl you definitely want a XS or S. Try Nordstrom instead!

The others I like are by Echo - the Touchscreen Knit Glove. They come in a TON of colors - visit http://www.echodesign.com/, but my favorites are either black or fuschia, which are sold at http://www.saks.com/. They retail at $48.00 - and are maybe a more stylish alternative to the more utilitarian Northface glove.....check em:

So tell me - anyone have these already? Would love some commentary!!

Hey Chicago Mamas......Check out today's Mamaloot!

I was so excited a few minutes ago to open my email and find today's Mamaloot deal:

Get $100 at any Chicagoland Galt Toys & Galt Baby Store for only $50!

Wahoo! Hello......Christmas shopping anyone?

Click HERE to get the deal. Amazing!! You have to use the loot by December 18, but hey that's no problem for a shopper like me!

Oh and they have 3 locations in Chicago: Northbrook, Mag Mile (Michigan Ave), and Lincoln Park.

Here are more details:

-It's like getting $50 for FREE!
-Shop local this holiday season! Galt Toys has been locally owned and operated for over 30 years, serving Chicago families with a wide selection of quality products and top notch customer service

-Need to use this Loot by December 18, so hurry on up over to any of Galt's 3 Chicagoland locations
-Limit 1 per person
-Minimum purchase of $200 required to redeem this Loot

Oh So Excited!

There's something to be said about waiting till something goes on sale....

Before Gemma was born, I obsessed over this drum table from Serena & Lily. It was WAY too expensive, at $395 to purchase, especially since I didn't know if I was having a boy or a girl.

But today, I went to their site to see if it was still available since they're having a friends and family 20% off sale........sadly it was gone. By chance, I decided to call and see if they would be getting any back in. The answer was no....but they DID have 2 left in stock! And they'd marked them down to wholesale cost - $225. Hurrah!!!

And with my $100 gift certificate from my dear friends for my bday..........

it's mine!

Oh lucky day.

PS: if you want to shop the Serena & Lily Friends and Family sale....it goes until 11/22, and you just enter code FRIENDS20 at checkout.

I'm a Barbie girl...are you?

One very exciting thing for me about having a little girl is that I get to share my LOVE of Barbies with her! I saved a few of my favorites from my childhood and I literally can't wait until Gemma is ready to play with them. I used to spend hours dressing and re-dressing my Barbies in the basement play room, and I remember my sister Amy would spend equal amounts of time playing with her My Little Ponies. It worked out well - my Barbies often took 'horsie rides' on Amy's ponies. Ha! Thinking back we had a great time....


Anyway, over the past few years I have rekindled my Barbie love, thanks in part to the Vintage Barbie Calendars that are now put out each year. They are sketched drawings of Barbies in various fabulous outfits, and I just LOVE THEM! They are SO fabulous that you can easily frame the drawings and hang them as wall art - in perhaps a little girls room, or any room that you deem 'shabby chic' I think. Last year my friend Melanie (of the ever popular Style Scout blog) and I were talking about these calendars - I think it was around Christmas time - and they were tough to find by that point - so if you like them, get on it!


They usually do 2 calendars - there is a more typical 16 month Vintage Barbie Calendar, in which you can actually write in birthdays and keep track of things, and then there is the Vintage Barbie Poster Wall Calendar, which to me is more for decoration in itself than actually being useful.....

16 Month Vintage Barbie 2011 Calendar

Here's a shot of the inside....

The 2011 Vintage Barbie Poster Wall Calendar

And this is what each individual page looks like on the Poster Wall Calendar - like I said - more for decoration.

Since it's holiday time, I must mention that these make GREAT girlfriend gifts - and at $13.99 & $21.99 respectively - they are a great price. Try www.calendars.com as well as www.amazon.com.

Happy Birthday Joe!

33 already!!!!!!

I know I have heard this before, from countless adults who have gone before me.....but I can't believe that we (my husband and I, our friends, etc) are 33. I mean, I feel 23! Which is the age that Joe and I met.....

So instead of putting up a hideous picture of us at age 23, I thought this was much cuter.

Joe at age 1. Looking good sweetie, hope today is great!

4 Months Already!

I just have to say......my baby girl is 4 months old today! I can't believe it....time has flown.

She's smiling, almost rolling over, babbling, and just overall the sweetest baby. I can't believe how much I forgot about how sweet they are at this age! And chunky - look at those scrumptious legs!



Happy 4 months, Gemma!

Pillow Time

Nope, not talking about sleep. I love a good decorative pillow. Since we're renting a house right now (bad time to sell ours up in Madison) in the Chicago area, I am trying to find ways to spice up our house without doing too much irreparable damage to the walls (i.e. painting!). One of the best ways I have found to do that is with....pillows!

I have a couple of adorable pillows I found at a cute home boutique up in Madison that I must share with you:

Cute right? They add a little color to our tan-colored couch and people always comment on them. You can find these two pillows and other cute ones HERE; the company (Chandler 4 Corners) is all about hand-hooked wool items (Christmas stockings, furniture, you name it!).


Browsing around their website, I also think these two would be SUPER cute in a little boys room...

Also cute in a little boys room - better yet a nursery? These ADORABLE letter pillows from Serena and Lily:

They'd also make a great baby gift - at only $58!

I'm sure you all will agree - Target always has a great deal on cute pillows..........here's a fab one:

Garden Party - $19.99

And the old standby, Pottery Barn. Except - save a little dough and check out Pottery Barn Teen! (http://www.pbteen.com/) For Gemma's future room, perhaps? Adorable.....

XOXO, $29

and I love this pillow - for it's message, and because it works in any kids' room!

Save the Whales, $29

Hope I've inspired you.......I think watching cute (but dorky, right?!) Nate Berkus' show has inspired me...

Double Delicious? I think so!

Did anyone see yesterday's Oprah? I did - because I have been DVR-ing (is that a word? probably not) every episode of Miss Oprah since this is her last season. Anyway, I am very glad I did because she had Jessica Seinfeld (who is so cute by the way, right?) on there promoting her new cookbook, Double Delicious.

I am a huge fan of Jessica's last cookbook, Deceptively Delicious, which is a compilation of yummy recipes that are deceptively healthy - and your kid will never know! She is all about pureeing veggies and 'hiding' them in foods that her kids already love, for example pureed cauliflower in mac and cheese, and pureed kale in spaghetti and meatballs. I have tried a number of these recipes and Griffin (and Joe!) love them.

Back to her newest book, Double Delicious, Jessica again took on the challenge of making 'delicious' things that all 3 of her kids would eat (two of whom are picky, like most kids!) that were also healthy, and even more importantly, quick and easy to make. I love how in the beginning of the book she details her 'kitchen cabinet,' meaning the people she's feeding and getting feedback from. You learn a little about each of her kids habits, and of course her husband Jerry's, as well as the Today show nutritionist, Joy Behar. Basically, through her introduction, the 'kitchen cabinet,' and then in the recipes you can really tell the time and thought processes were well done when it comes to feeding your family healthfully.

One recipe she featured yesterday on the show that I thought was a GREAT idea, is crock pot lasagna! For real! You literally just layer your lasagna into the crock pot and cook. So easy.....here's a link to the recipe:
http://www.oprah.com/food/Crock-Pot-Lasagna-Recipe

Finally, if you click here, all of Jessica's recipes are on Oprah.com. How nice is that? So you could try a few recipes out before you buy the book (which you should, OR, ask for it as a gift??)

And, on the Barnes and Noble website (http://www.bn.com/), the book is 45%off the cover price right now! So it's $15.94 ! Good deal. I think I'm off to make this purchase.........I know I could use a few fresh recipes - it's easy to get complacent in the kitchen when you're busy.

Jammie time

For those of you with kids, I am sure you will agree with me - nothing is better than finding great jammies (pajamas would be the proper term) for your kids. It's something they always need, and something they spend a lot of time in!


I am so excited to show you my newest find in pajama world - Petit Lem Signature. My Mom bought Gemma a pair of these when she was born, and they fit like a glove. My biggest pet peeve with baby jammies is when the feet don't really fit in the 'foot spot' indicated by the jammies. I know, pretty anal. But I feel like with some pairs I'm constantly fishing around to put Gemma's foot back in the right spot. As you might imagine, Petit Lem jammies don't have this problem!! They fit perfect and have a little elastic sewn around the back of the ankle so that your babies' foot stays put. Yep that rhymed. Look at me, I'm such a dork!


Those of you not familiar with the brand should DEFINITELY visit their website to look at their Fall/Winter collection. It's adorable. They carry pajamas from newborn all the way up to 14 yrs!! The other thing I like is that the boys collection is thoughtful and very boyish but not obnoxious. I find it SO HARD to find 'cute' boy things from some brands.........it all tends to look so grown up you know? They aren't boys for too long so I figure we may as well cash in on the cute while we can, right?


Here are some of my favorite jammies for babies:

And I can't get enough of these robes:

They have a great store-finder on their website as well, and online they are kind of everywhere.....just google petit lem and see what you come up with! I even found a few things on Amazon.com! Finally, I must say I wish I had better pics to show you of this adorable line - but their website doesn't allow you to use their pics......I got these off of their Facebook page.

Finally - as I'm always on the hunt for great jammies - anyone else have favorite brands they recommend??

Need a great ballet flat for fall? Look no further...

Sam Edelman's got you covered.

The Calypso - the perfect quilted ballet flat.

I discovered these over the summer from an InStyle ad - and have now found that they are made in tons of fabulous variations. And at $99, what a great deal! They are a little Chanel, a little Ferragamo, and a lot cute. Here are my favorites:

Nude Leather

Black Suede

Smoke Stack (Suede)

And Cheetah.....for those of you who love a good animal print! Just make sure not to wear anything else that's animal print while donning......K?