This week's news that my beloved Anthropologie had finally been made privvy to this youthful secret of mine brought me such delight. Their clip from Facebook follows below, but all you really need to know is that this further cements my love for this brand. Enjoy.
Friday, October 23
My Beloved Anthropologie Meets Gwen
This week's news that my beloved Anthropologie had finally been made privvy to this youthful secret of mine brought me such delight. Their clip from Facebook follows below, but all you really need to know is that this further cements my love for this brand. Enjoy.
Things We Are Loving This Week
- Hunter's latest words: 'Ahn-nee-nah' (ambulance), awesome, JUMP (as in, off the bottom stair in the basement), po-kin (pumpkin), 'Donn-nah-nah DUCK' (Donald Duck), and 'care-co' (scarecrow)
- Hitting the pumpkin patch last week with my boys and watching H's delight in roaming hills and hills in search of the perfect 'po-kin'
- Still recovering from the other weekend's 1st Annual Bobenmoyer Chili Cook-Off: 6 contestants + incredible flavor = Bo Pennell's first official victory. He looks so proud for cooking up his 'Michigan Chili'.
- Tate Forcier's incredible strength and poise on the football field -- hey, someone needs to offer this kid his due props! Did I mention he's a f.r.e.s.h.m.a.n?
- The resurgence of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks.
- New Fall TV: Modern Family, FlashForward, Glee and Community are gracing our TiVo these days. Did anyone catch Wednesday's Glee rendition of Young MC's Busta Move?
- Digging out some oldie but goodie music: The Singles Soundtrack
- Hunter yelling GO BLUE at the TV whenever he sees football on... and the fact that his Daddy was actually the one who taught him that ;)
- The Jim and Pam wedding episode of The Office: That final takeaway of Jim glancing over at the camera in quiet contentment has stayed with me
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
For our Bubba -- we love you.
Tuesday, October 13
"Ha-pee Berfday DADDY"
My Wish List, By Jeanine
It's also the time of year when I unabashedly keep many, many wish lists. And here's a sneak peek at what's currently at the top of mine:
1. I'd love to show off this delicate Green and White Lattice Clutch on a night out with my hubby. Etsy seller Briana Edelman Designs has a number of fun fabric options, but all are lined with a beautiful contrast of pink lining.
2. I've unexpectedly fallen for this set of Daschund Bookends, designed by one of my favorites, Jonathan Adler.
3. This handmade 'rescued paper' Alphabet Guide Notebook by Etsy seller ohsogood would make the perfect place to keep my running Wish List. And her other journal and notepad designs are equally as adorable.
4. Finally, I've never been one for a bread box, but this option has drastically swayed my opinion. The Typhoon Buick Retro Bread Bin is so modernly designed and would add such a fun pop of color on our kitchen counter.
All right, now it's time for you to confess -- what's on your wish list?
Thursday, October 8
Bragging... Just A Little
I've scored some adorable finds lately and just had to brag, er, SHARE. The mod file folders and binder clips above have helped up the ante in my work supplies to the tune of only $1 apiece. I love the Dollar Bins at Michaels!
And how about the alphabet-inspired placemats below, found in the Clearance section at Pier 1? Can't wait to dress up my next dinner party with these little gems.
Monday, October 5
The Mighty Have Fallen
It's headlines like those that force me to ask: Am I the only remaining human to find paper publications (Read: newspaper, magazines, direct mail) an art worth saving? I realize the convenience and perhaps immediacy computers have provided our world -- and believe me, I couldn't live without my iPhone in my work or play life -- but will my grandchildren find themselves cozying up to their Kindles in lieu of a good paperback? Are we whittling our published titles down to one a month titled "FOR YOU OLD FARTS ONLY WHO JUST CAN'T BEAR TO LET IT GO?!"
Yes, I shed a tear for my mighty maize and blue on Saturday but this? This is worth turning on the faucet for. Au revoir Gourmet. I'll now file my famed Wild Mushroom Penne under the label of"Dead, But Not Forgotten."
Friday, October 2
THIS. JUST. IN.
Now, my mom (Love you Mom!) sends me lots of links, so I typically savor them over my hot cup of morning chai when I'm not quite in work-til-you-drop-don't-you-dare-spend-10-minutes-online-I-need-that-conference-report-NOW mode. So imagine if you will, me checking my Hotmail account this morning and finding a little link from my loving mother that hints at one of the best things in my world since Anthropologie started mailing out surprise 15% off birthday coupons:
Eve Aronoff -- of evetherestaurant -- is opening a new restaurant.
Now, this little tidbit found on Facebook is just enough to literally whet my palette AND make me start cashing in all favors just to be one of the first to experience Frita Batido. Read on:
Eve has been brainstorming for years about opening a small Cuban and Latino inspired restaurant – inspired by the spirit and ingredients of cultures she has fallen in love with. As this project nears fruition, join us for a festive night unveiling the whimsical menu she has created for Frita Batido at a lively cocktail party – standing buffet with drinks – featuring DJ Raj Mahal and a one night art show of internationally celebrated graffiti artist, Antonio ‘Shades’ Agee.
Tuesday, September 29
I Love Anthro
Sunday, September 27
Things We Are Loving This Week
- Practically an entire week of bonding with my little bro who was visiting from California. My day off this past Tuesday consisted of breakfast with him at Cafe Muse, perusing Detroit's own Eastern Market, investigating an enormous warehouse of an antique store (and laughing at finding the world's oldest hand mixer that resembled the one mom had when we were kids), Slow's BBQ for lunch, stalking the cast and crew of the Red Dawn movie remake being made inches away from my house, exploring downtown Detroit, and hitting the Kings of Leon concert. As you can imagine, it was a blast.
- Hosting Ross and his girlfriend Ryann for the weekend, who instantly captured my heart upon entering our house and declaring "so I was reading your blog and saw..." Awesome lead-in. Seriously awesome gal (love ya Ryann!). Is it too forward to say I'm planning for her to be around for years and years to come?
- Spending time (although it flew by) with Butch and Susan who also came for a visit this weekend. And watching Butch's endless patience with a 2-year-old determined to outrun him.
- The former Washington Street Show Choir member in me is just smitten with Fox's Glee. If you spend your nights dreaming up choral renditions of Journey's Don't Stop Believin', this show is for you. I giggled my entire way through this week's scene of football players getting down to Beyonce's "Single Ladies."
- This. Adorable. Bow. Bag. Bequeathed to me by my lil bro's girlfriend Nicole (who is also the amazingly talented designer behind Omelle shoes. Have you visited the latest collection? If no, get thee here immediately. If the Fancy boots suddenly appeared on my feet, I wouldn't send them walking. I'm just sayin'.
- UofM football is 4-0. Enough said.
- This week's new dictionary of HWB words and phrases: hela-cop-ee (helicopter), 'it's fy-eehn' (in reference to seeing an airplane flying), bidge (bridge) and gas-hop-air (grasshopper) and of course, when searching for something [enter item here] ware ARRRRR you?
- The fact that when Hunter sees the moon in the daytime, he raises his finger to his lips and declares "shhh, the moon is sleeping!" :)
- My growing obsession with design blogs. Like this one, Design*Sponge.
- The new bedroom lamp, courtesy of a seriously fantastic Anthropologie Sale rack find:
- Our new church. There, I said it. We've been secretly going to church. And I think it's revolutionized a new type of spirituality between us. Check them out.
- The Black Keys. Specifically their song "I Got Mine". It makes for a great late-afternoon gotta-bang-out-this-final-report motivation.
I'm Back In The Saddle Again
I mention this because it's essentially that exact jumpstart that happened to me this weekend. Here I've been devoting time/energy/effort into my work, that I set aside some of the things I really like to do. Blog. Incessantly watch HGTV. Laugh. Play trucks with HWB. Chase Becks around the backyard. Talk to my husband. I'd become that very person I dread and feel sorry for: Those who live to work vs. work to live. And believe me, I work with a lot of those women. So here's me setting that stake in the ground (sorry proverbial earth). I'm content being a professional go-getter with an agenda for my family and my life. And man, 2.5+ weeks away stores up a lot of good posts. So stay tuned. I'm back in the saddle again.
Sunday, September 13
Look Who's Two
Can't believe we're here... a 2-year-old officially lives in our house. An attitude-filled, tricycle-riding, 'bigtruckgoesBOOM'-shrieking 2-year-old. And it was only fitting that his birthday party be filled with the friends and family that have made the past 2 years with Hunter so worthwhile (save just a few). Thank you to all of you for your love and support in celebrating the good, the tough, and the life-changing moments. Hunter is 2!
Saturday, September 5
THE DAY HAS COME
The fam is decked out in my beloved maize and blue (except Becks who was promptly shipped off to doggie daycare), the Victors is ringing loud throughout the house and despite the little-to-no sleep I've had in the past 3 weeks there is a smile on my face this morning. A big one.
So do yourself the service: Click below and turn it up. Loud.
Let's Go Blue!
Thursday, August 27
The Parsley Pot
Monday, August 24
Things We Are Loving This Week
- Prepping for our Little Man's 2nd birthday... and wondering where on earth the time has gone.
- "ACHOO MAMA!": Hunter's way of 'sneezing' (i.e. loudly declaring the words aloud) just so he can hear Bless You Hunter! in return
- H's latest words: Bu-er-fly, woof (wolf), ruh-coon and fog (frog)
- Being in the 100th percentile for height -- and finding out that Munchkin is in fact a Little Giant of 36 1/2 inches... that's over 3 feet tall for those of you calculating. As a side note, I am a mere 5 feet. Clearly I had nothing to do with the growth of this child.
- The return of Mad Men. Enough said.
- 10 days and counting until kickoff for Michigan Wolverine football... And Bradley loses his wife for 12 straight Saturdays. Go Blue!
- Modest Mouse's EP single releases, starting with King Rat. And the fact that the video was a pet project by the visionary Heath Ledger.
- Surprise Saturday visits from one of Hunter's favorite baby-sitters, Miss Lyssa, followed by impromptu trips for two (Brad and I that is) to Eastern Market and La Gloria in Mexicantown for empanadas
- Freshly cut sunflowers wrapped in crisp newspaper and carried home from the farmers market
A New Discovery: 15th Avenue E Coffee and Tea
Behold the newest investment by Starbucks, dedicated to the recirculation of the original coffeehouse design among modern day folk. 15th Ave E Coffee and Tea -- from what I've read given my geography limits me from an in-person visit -- honors the sale of wine and beer, hosts live music and poetry readings, cultivates hand-made espressos and in my humble opinion, could not embody the look and feel of a neighborhood shop more in both decor and spirit. Here are only a few select shots that I could find. How unique and adorable is the condiments credenza? Yes, I think I'm in love.
Photos courtesy of www.psfk.com in the 7/29/09 article titled "Inside Starbucks New Stealth Store: 15th Avenue E Coffee and Tea"
Pandora Cam #3
Tuesday, August 18
A Packer, A Jet, A Viking
And with a signature, the long-awaited rumors have finally come true -- Brett Favre is an official Minnesota Viking. What does this bring to the sport aside from a number of fantasy football players vying for his presence on their team? An offer of reinvention. An acknowledgment that all of us have the ability to pursue, achieve and accomplish whatever dreams we set in front of ourselves (regardless of where age may take us). Or perhaps an inside glimpse into knowing Brett Favre just isn't ready to let go of the opportunity for another Super Bowl win.
I for one will stand by for that honored moment.
So for the sake of instilling in us the same passion this man has for his sport, enjoy one of my favorite broadcast spots of all time (and not just because of what appears in frame 0:52). This is Nike's I Can:
It's Been A While...
- Sunday's Pineapple-Jerk Chicken was delish. If you opt to try it, go easy on the spice rub -- I thought even 1/2 this mixture was enough.
- Last night was Pasta With Zucchini And Goat Cheese and it's always a hit.
- Tonight's Stovetop Lasagna Toss is a quickie for a weeknight.
- Wednesday: Sausage Sliders With Peppers and Spinach
- Thursday: Leftovers (Brad's company outing day)
- Friday: Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp
Sunday, August 16
Tuesday, August 11
Things We Are Loving This Week
- "It'sSTUCKinthere!": Hunter's latest phrase, which incidentally applies to more situations/things than you'd think
- H's latest 4-syllable words: mowercycle, hela-coper, and ahl-a-gayter
- Early morning runs with Becks
- An early write in from Brad: King-sized Reese's
- Grizzly Bear's Yellow House
- This wonderfully touching tribute to a masterful director, John Hughes
- Re-discovering HBO's Entourage and falling in love with Thomas Jane's Hung (based in Detroit no less!)... in our opinion, they're totally worth the $15 increase to our cable bill
- Planning Hunter's 2nd birthday bash (where has the time gone?)
- These beautiful earrings from Anthropologie
- Starting my re-collection of the now defunct Domino magazine (I say 're-collection' because at one time, before The Great Recycle Effort, I owned all of the 2005-2007 issues)
- Sleeping 8 hours a night. Every night. (Thanks HWB!)
- The countdown: 23 days until Michigan football season
- Celebrating Papa's birthday, rain be damned and all
- My new favorite blog: Dooce. Her Daily Chuck feature is worth the glance and is slightly inspirational for a Daily Becks knock-off on our own blog. :)
- Fresh, homegrown basil
- Rounding out the summer in style with lazy days spent at home in the backyard, long walks in the neighborhood and weekly stops for ice cream
Tuesday, August 4
Happy Birthday Papa!
Sunday, August 2
Enjoy A Lick Of Something Sweet
Saturday, August 1
Home Sweet Home
Did I mention he WILLING ELECTED to perform all of these tasks on his day off?!
And to think my days off are spent scouring sale racks at Anthropologie, watching "House Hunters" marathons and indulging in Thai food. Man alive I suck.
Footnote: A special thanks to Neighbor Dave, Matt and 'Uncle' E for their sweat and support of said ideals. You guys are -per usual- wonderful.
Wednesday, July 29
Etsy Me
Until then, allow us to revel in the genius that is Etsy. What's Etsy you ask? Etsy is a conglomerate of far more skillful and accomplished crafters than I. Shall we try a few SAT-like comparisons to explain? I am the McDonald's commercial TV actor to their Sean Connery. The slice of generic American cheese to their 4-Cheese double souffle. The John Navarre to their Tom Brady. In other words, Etsy = WOW.
Here's a quick hit list of my faves from today's perusal:
1. GreedyDolly's Blue Honey Necklace Never mind that the seller is a friend of 10 years, Helen. On, it exudes a bit of this modern Wilma Flintstone vibe, with the blue stone breaking up the heaviness of the dark wooden beads.
2. I think I'm in love with these clever herb garden markers by MonkeysAlwaysLook which are fashioned from old spoons. I'm inspired enough to try this myself but don't think I could get the look just so.
3. Looking up and up, take a peek at this outstanding side table by MichaelArras. Someone commented to me once on the number of circle-related designs we have in our home, so I suppose this fits right in. That and there are no sharp corners for little ones to catch a forehead on.
4. IF we were in the market for a new entertainment center and IF the Hubs would allow me to spend say, $1400 on said new furnishings and IF this was even still available, I'd snag this FABULOUS walnut lucite design from Modology in a heartbeat. Price? A bit steep. Completing the overall mod ambiance of our home in one purchase? Priceless.
Tuesday, July 28
It's Maddening I Tell You
For Brad, I'm sure the show's close-to-the-heart business ventures are what draws him. But for me? The fashion. I mean seriously: Anywhere that makes good on a tube of red lipstick and beautifully coifed blonde curls followed by a stylish trumpet skirt is A+ in my book. Oh, and the glimpse into 1950s advertising politics and ever-changing plotlines aren't half bad either.
Imagine my thrill in breaking for 10 minutes from my own Mad Men scenarios and indulging in: Mad Men Yourself, a fun viral site allowing people to create a Mad Men-inspired image of themselves...
Here's Brad wheeling and dealing with Don Draper. Naturally that's an Old Fashioned affixed to his left hand:
And here I am fashionably strutting into the Sterling Cooper office, having already imbibed half of my a.m. martini:
Go ahead and click on the photos for a better look at the full scene. OR, just try it yourself right here!
Monday, July 27
Things We Are Loving This Week
It's been a long week already. For that elaboration, please stay tuned. Let's just say it makes our Things We Are Loving This Week all the more sweet. Things like:
- Our Little Man and that sly, "I'm up to no good" smirk (see above). I think he inherited this from his daddy. :)
- HWB's pronunciation of 'Laht-neen Mah-keen' for his favorite Cars character, Lightening McQueen
- Beckham's one brown eye and one blue eye stare. We will dearly miss it.
- The way Hunter's face lights up when he spots a fire truck... or police car... or bus... or motorcycle
- Indulging in Fat Tire beer in Chicago
- A new band: Golden Birds and their disk The Smart War
- The Conclusion of a fabulous Tour de France -- cannot wait for the 2010 Team Radio Shack appearance
- Jack White's open-handed drumming
- Knowing when it's time to throw in the towel on a book. Then We Came To The End and I, well, came to an end. Great Web site... but my sanity could not keep up with the book.
- This month's volunteer effort collecting cans for Gleaners Food Bank. (Never mind the cruising around screeching 'Mississippi Queen' with Pat and Katie. Wink.)
- My mom for again devoting hours on end to us and HWB during a jam-packed week of my Chicago travel, Brad's client dinners, concert-going and early-a.m. volunteering
- Digging up old issues of the now defunct Domino magazine. RIP.
- The absolute killer, kick-ass DEAD WEATHER show Friday night at the Fillmore. Thanks again to LiveNation for treating us like true VIPs! Here's the view from our box seats:
Thursday, July 23
Good Morning From Chi-town
Tuesday, July 21
The Dog Days of Summer
We've suffered countless beds peed on, the destruction of window blinds -- both the cheap and the expensive, a late night ER visit, chain-link fence jumping, Hunter-room-trashing, toilet seat scratching, near drywall removal and finally, pill sedation at the mere sight of a thunderstorm. It's been extremely tasking for us to say the least.
And with our primary focus on a growing Little Man (and who knows, maybe another little one someday?), it's quickly becoming obvious we all -- Pooch included -- are in need of a change.
So here we find ourselves at a crossroad: Keep Becks and try to work through all these behavioral problems? Rebuild the back fence in hopes it will contain him? Start paying a dog-walker to entertain him because clearly the 1, sometimes 2 walks a day and incessant petting isn't cutting it?
We love Beckham. But we also love our house. And continued repair isn't in the cards for us. If you have thoughts/comments/support/advice -- we'd love it. Please share it in the comments section below and believe me, we're all ears... some of them furry.
Sunday, July 19
For Cousin Mike, The Police Officer
And so to cousin Mike... this one's for you. :)
I Think I'm In Love
Naturally I clicked right thru and hit 'purchase.' (Side note to my husband to whom this will be brand new information: Honey, I loved these and had to have them... and no I didn't buy them from our joint account. They are mine. ALL mine.)
If you too are in immediate need of adding these to your person for your next grocery trip, I included the link above but will gladly do so again here. Enjoy. (I KNOW I WILL)