Friday's Fancies - A Royal Edition

TGIF!!!  And, what a special Friday indeed!  I am totally royal wedding obsessed.  I think Kate is beautiful, I love London, and I love weddings!  What a great combo!

I'm linking up with {long distance loving} for a Royal Wedding Friday's Fancies.  I can't wait to check out what everyone dreams up as their royal wedding get-up!

I couldn't decide which outfit I'd wear to the wedding if I were invited...so I made three!  :)  They go from most conservative to least.  I just can't imagine wearing a suit or jacket to a wedding, but, let's be honest, I would if that meant I had gotten a royal invitation to the wedding.  I also included hats in two of my options.  I LOVE them...they are so fun!  Some of the items are from British designers.  Warehouse, for example, is the maker of the last option's earrings and bracelet.  I know Kate shops there and it's surprisingly affordable.  

1. Jacket  2. Dress  3. Shoes  4. Clutch  5. Earrings  6. Necklace

1. Dress  2. Shoes  3. Clutch  4. Necklace  5. Shawl  6. Hat

1. Dress  2. Shoes  3. Clutch  4. Bangle  5. Earrings  6. Nail Polish  7. Hat

I did have intentions of getting up at 3am to watch the wedding, but I was awake from 1:30am-3:00am thinking about Kate getting ready and reminiscing about my wedding day.  I decided I should get some sleep and seeing as I had DVR'd The Today Show, The Early Show, and Good Morning America I knew I'd be able to catch up on the wedding when I woke up this morning.

Time for some tea (straight from Harrods when I was in London last), breakfast, and tuning into the wedding!  Have a fabulous weekend!

An Easter Basket for a 28 Year Old

We still get Easter baskets from my parents the Easter Bunny.  Yup, I'm 28 years old and proud to say I love opening my Easter basket each year!  Of course the contents of the basket has changed over the years.  No more sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, bubbles, or coloring books.  Instead, it's more adult appropriate.

This year my mom picked out all of my stuff on her own and she hit a home run!  I was both surprised and very excited when I opened mine up.  I got...drum roll please....

- A little Easter spreader for appetizers.  I can't wait to see what I make next year so I can use it!
- Onion goggles!  I have wanted these for a long time and can't wait to put them to use.
- Eight ramekins.  Yahoo!  There are many recipes I have shied away from because I didn't have these little puppies.  Not anymore!  
- A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel.  I love my girl Bethenny and can't wait to dive into her latest book.  I have high hopes it will help me in my quest to become all that I can be!

Thanks mom and dad Easter Bunny!

Rain, Rain Go Away

I can't handle this weather.  The rain never seems to stop.  The sun doesn't shine.  The temperatures feel more like mid to late March.

Where is our spring?

I'm tired of Wilma not wanting to go out in the rain (she is a diva like that).  I'm tired of the bottom of my pants always being wet.  I'm tired of carrying an umbrella.  I'm tired of having to wear a jacket.

Photo via here

I have a feeling we will just skip over spring this year and go right to summer.  And that bothers me.  Yes, I want warmer temperatures, but I'd like them to come in a gradual manner.  After all, we do live in Chicago and should have four distinct seasons.

  

Easter Weekend Recap

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend!  We headed back to my parent's house for the weekend.  

Saturday I had a little stationery work meeting.  We were chatting about plans for the upcoming National Stationery Show in NYC in May.  I can't wait to go!!!!  It's going to be a great learning experience and an overall great time!

In the evening my best friend and her husband came over to visit.  They just got back from a trip to Italy and we had hundreds of fantastic pictures to look through!  

Lauren and my mom colored Easter eggs.  We all have plenty of hard boiled eggs for the week!

We also had a little Easter egg hunt in my parent's backyard for Lauren (Annie is still too little to participate, but maybe next year).

 Lots of eggs to count!

Sunday my grandma and Bruce came over and we all went to church.  Afterwards we had a fantastic brunch (everything from lobster & crab mac & cheese to omelettes to prime rib) and ate way too much!

The girls had adorable matching dresses.  We couldn't get both of them to look at the camera and smile at the same time so we'll settle for this picture.  :)  Maybe next weekend for Annie's baptism we'll be able to improve it!

How did you celebrate Easter?  Do you eat your hard boiled eggs plain or make egg salad with them?

Friday's Fancies

Today is my very first time linking up with {long distance loving}'s Friday's Fancies.  {av} created this to help her spend much less money on clothing yet still be connected to fashion.  It's a pretty neat concept!  The idea is to create an outfit you'd love to sport for your Friday evening activities (or something else).  Sounds fun, huh?!

We are headed to my parent's for the weekend to celebrate Easter (Happy Easter to those of you that celebrate it!).  Today we'll be traveling in the car (hopefully we'll make it in time for dinner) so I want to be comfy yet cute.  Although the temperatures may not feel like it in the Midwest, I still want to look bright and springy.

1.  Perfect Boot Cut Jeans
2.  Cashmere Cardigan
3.  Ruffle Trim Tank
4.  Purple Rose Ring
5.  TOMS- bling style

To Make You Smile

If this doesn't make you smile, then I don't know what will!  Happy Thursday!

Thanks to my friend Emily for sharing this on facebook!

A Little Bunny Love

Here are some cute Easter decorating ideas!  They are great if you are hosting Easter and some of them would be nice to bring as hostess gifts if you are going elsewhere.  I love that each one has a touch of  spring!  Come on warm weather and sunshine!

Do you have any Easter decorating tips?

Photos via
Brownie Bunnies
Bunny Candy Dish
Bucket of Chocolate Nests
Egg Baskets
Easter Candy Parade
Eggshell Vase
Bunny Cupcakes
Peep Houses
Colorful Eggs
Peep Centerpiece

Weekend Update

Hey guys!  How was your weekend?  We had a really nice weekend.  Here's a recap!

Friday night we stayed in and watched Empire of the Sun and I made butternut squash lasagna for dinner.  This recipe is really easy and is always so good! I had never seen Empire of the Sun before, but it was one of Jon's favorite movies as a child.  It was a pretty good movie and I'm glad Jon encouraged me to watch it with him.

Saturday morning I met my friend Cayla for breakfast.  It was so nice to catch up and she brought her daughter Natalie who was so well behaved.  We had some really good French toast at Marion Street Cheese Market (mine even had a rhubarb chutney on it...YUM).

Wilma had her annual vet appointment.  She did really well, but had to get some shots and blood taken.  Of course we gave her extra treats all day to try and make it up to her.  Here is her wound.

Saturday evening we went to church.  Although Palm Sunday's mass is always longer, I really do like it and it's a great way to start off Holy Week.  After mass we tried a very "mom & pop" Polish restaurant within walking distance from the apartment.  It was 100% homemade and really tasty!  I had sauerkraut and pierogies.  Mmmmm!  This place was so "mom & pop" that they pulled the gate closed at 7:38pm because they were running out of food.  We asked our waiter about this and he said sometimes they are open until 10pm and other times it's 7pm; it just depends on how many customers they get each day.

I was so happy we found this place.  I had just mentioned to Jon last week that one of the restaurants I miss most about Detroit is the Polish place we used to go to in Hamtramck.  It had such charm.  There was also a little band playing and it was in the basement of a building.  This one doesn't have quite the same atmosphere, but it will do!

Do you have any restaurants you miss because you moved?  I also really miss Alibi.  We used to go there for lunch (a birthday, department lunch, baby shower, etc) when I worked at Chrysler.  I want to go right now...who's with me?    

A Friday Tutorial For You

One of my favorite things about blogging is reading all of your awesome comments.  They are little surprises in my email inbox and I enjoy each and every one of them.  Lately, I've been wanting to respond to some comments and questions you have posted, but when I hit reply on your comments (that get emailed to me) instead of being able to email you back I get this: noreply-comment{at}blogger{dot}com.  When I see that it means I can't reply.  :(

So, with the help of Megan from In this wonderful life...  and Lindsey from Sweet Simplicity (thanks ladies!), I have this tutorial for you guys.  It's really easy...I promise!

***Oh!  Don't forget to vote!  It closes today!!***

A Day With The Girls

Yesterday I spent the day with Kate, Lauren, and Annie.  I had a fantastic day!  We went to the park- twice, danced, played grocery store, and made mini pizzas for dinner.

Annie is growing so fast!  She's already eating cereal.  She smiles and laughs all of the time.  Her legs kick like crazy.  She is really growing into her personality.  And, we have her baptism coming up in a few weeks!

I continue to be surprised by Lauren's eagerness to learn.  She is full of questions and always takes that extra second to really process what's going on.  It just amazes me how smart she is.  She picks up on the smallest things.  For example, Lauren hears my sister use the phrase "hey, hun" to her husband and now Lauren says "hey, hun" to get my sister's attention sometimes.  It's so cute!  She also says "excuse me" to get Kate's attention when she is in the middle of a conversation.  I just don't understand this.  She is 2 1/2 years old and I feel like she is 5!  I know I hadn't really been around toddlers this much until now, but I'm still floored.  

I don't mean to toot my horn on how awesome my nieces are, but, yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing right now!  :)  What can I say?  I just love them that much!  

The Little Things In Life

Wilma and I had a wonderful, brisk walk this morning.  The sunrise was gorgeous!  Absolutely stunning...

What do you like better- a sunrise or sunset?  Have a fantastic Wednesday!

No more Dexter or Hank?

I am so sad.  I just found out Showtime is going pull shows like Dexter and Californication from Netflix when their current deal expires this summer.  I am so bummed.  We LOVE LOVE LOVE Dexter and really like Californication, too.  This makes me so mad at Showtime.

Dex & Hank, please don't go!!  You make our evenings so much more enjoyable!

 

Photos via Showtime.com


Ok, so I just re-read the article and it talks about Netflix streaming loosing Dexter and Californication.  Great lesson, Steph...you need to slow down when you read!  Does that ever happen to you guys?  You get reading so fast that you possibly miss a major point?  Well, at least I feel better about just loosing the streaming capability.  I'm sure we can suffer and wait for the DVDs to come in the mail.

Do you use Netflix?  What are some of your favorite tv series to get on Netflix?

My Spring Look!

Happy Monday!  What a fabulous weekend...great temperatures (my car read 86 degrees on Sunday...crazy!) and plenty of sunshine!

Voting opens up today for the Design Your Look challenge via Makeunder My Life.  It's open from Monday, April 11th to Friday, April 15th.  I'd love for you to vote for my "look".  It's very much my style and perfect for spring in the city.  It is listed as "Stephanie M - The Rest is Still Unwritten".  You just need to comment on this link and put my name in the comment section if you want to vote for me.  There are 113 entries...lots of awesome outfit ideas if you want to do a little virtual shopping!  Thanks!  

Puttana Update

Happy rainy Friday!  I'm ok with the rain and cooler temperatures today because this weekend is supposed to be warm (they are even calling for thunderstorms at night)!  Like, we are talking in the 70's and 80's!  Love it!  I'm already planning to grill kabobs for dinner on Sunday!

Just wanted to keep you guys in the loop about the latest and greatest at Pasta Puttana.  Darlings, we are now in Whole Foods!  Yes, you read that correctly...WHOLE FOODS!  We are starting in the Whole Foods located at Halsted & Waveland in Chicago (WFs starts you in one store and then you grow into other locations).  I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty exciting for us!

Tonight we going out with Kate & Geoff for drinks and sushi.  Lauren & Annie have a babysitter...it's been a while since just the four of us have been out so I'm really looking forward to it.

via Pinterest

What are you doing this weekend?  Have you used your grill yet?  Any recipes you'd like to share?  You know how I love trying new ones!  

Some Randoms & Nutella Shakes!

• Jon and I used the grill for the first time this year Tuesday night.  We had delicious turkey burgers with avocado, goat cheese, tomatoes, and spinach (mine was sans a bun) and grilled asparagus.

• I should have cleaned the apartment yesterday, but I really didn't feel like it.  I knew if I did it I wouldn't do as good of a job because I wasn't in the mood...so I just didn't.  Is that bad?  Does that ever happen to you?
• I ordered a bondi band at the recommendation of Kari.  I can't wait to get it and put it to use.
• Wilma and I went on our first outdoor run Wednesday and it was tough.  We both petered out.  Getting back into running is a chore each spring.  I usually stick to the elliptical in the winter...I just can't do treadmills.
• It's supposed to be 80 here on Sunday...80!!  That's crazy, but I can't wait!
• Sometimes I feel like I snack a lot, well, that's because I do.  I need to just drink water the next time I "think" I'm hungry. 
• Jon has been working A TON.  I'm so proud of him and his work ethic, but I do hope things slow down for his sake.
• My hands are really dry.  I can't even tell you how many times I wash my hands at work (making pasta) and it's really taking a toll.
• Tori & Dean: sTORIbook Weddings & The Real Housewives of NYC start this week!  I'm pretty excited!  
• I think my favorite feature of my iPhone is the Chase app and being able to deposit checks from my couch!  It rocks!  
• I really have the travel bug...badly.  There are so many places I want to visit!  I worry if I don't keep checking them off my list I'll never make it to all of them.
• I started reading American Wife, but I have to admit it's been a slow start for me.  I really hope it picks up because I have high hopes for it.
• I can't wait to try M Burger's Nutella shake.  

How do you conquer self control with snacking?  How do you keep running when you just want to stop and walk?    

Blogger Book Club - Black Heels to Tractor Wheels Part Three

Well, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels is history!  It was a light and easy read.  I really liked it for the most part.  There were some things that annoyed me, but I guess that normally happens with most books.  Maybe I just got annoyed because I felt like Ree's life was perfect (even though I know it wasn't).  It really wasn't, but there were some parts that seemed picture perfect and I just got jealous.  :)

I'd definitely recommend the book.  As we approach the summer reading season, I'd say it would be a great beach read!  For those of you who don't know what Ree and Marlboro Man look like, I thought I'd show you!  Here is a picture of the back cover of Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.

via Amazon

Erin asked...Ree faced many changes and challenges in her first year of marriage with the separation and divorce of her parents, marriage, life on the ranch, and pregnancy. How would you have coped with so many changes at once?  I think it would have been very difficult.  The first year of marriage has enough going on with adjusting to each other's quirks and becoming husband and wife.  I couldn't imagine my parents getting a divorce ever, but if they did so close to when I got married it would probably make me second guess the whole marriage thing.  I had no desire to get pregnant right after getting married so that would have been difficult for me.  I have "plans" and things I want to do before/if we start a family.

Jessica asked...Did you feel the third part of the book was rushed compared to Part I and Part II?  There was quite a bit in Part Three.  I felt like one minute Ree found out she was pregnant and the next thing I knew she was in labor.  The ending was sort of abrupt to me; I wasn't expecting it.

I asked...So many "bad things" happened on Ree and Marlboro Man's honeymoon. Did you have anything like that happen to you? How did you handle it?  The only seriously bad thing that happened on our honeymoon was a mix up of our return home flights.  Long story short, I messed up and didn't catch that our flight time had been changed..oops!  :)  Yes, I cried and apologized profusely to Jon in the airport, but we eventually made it home a-ok.

Rocky Mountain Wife asked...One of my biggest wondering is how Ree's parents feel about how much of the book she spends talking about their impending break-up, and eventual divorce. She then is very blatant about how frustrated and sad she was with her mom. How do you think her parents feel at their portrayal in her book?  I don't have a lot of experience with divorce, but I couldn't imagine that happening in my family.  I feel like Ree left out (probably rightfully so) a lot of the details regarding the divorce.  Maybe if we had more insight to it  we'd better understand why Ree feels the way she does about her mom.  

Another question: If you are married, did your first year of marriage contain many ups and downs as Ree's had? We're just about to finish our first year of marriage, and we've certainly had ups and downs-and I wonder if this is typical for everyone?  We definitely had some ups and downs.  One of us loosing a job, the other one quitting, a potential move to CT, etc.  Just when I think life is going to settle down, something else happens...I guess that's what keeps it moving and will hopefully keep us young!  :)

MC asked...Did you like the ending to the book? What more would you have liked to know about Ree and Marlboro Man's relationship? I hope Ree writes a second book and continues on with their life.  Because I read her blog and sort of know about her current life, I feel like there is a big hole in between now and the beginning.  I'd also like to learn more about running a ranch and the finances of it (they seem to be pretty well off).  It would also be fun to read about when she first starting blogging and her thoughts on that.   

Natalie asked...If you read The Pioneer Woman's blog before reading this book, what have you learned about her? How did the book compare to her typical blog posts? If you didn't read her blog, will you now?  I read The Pioneer Woman and I can see writing style similarities.  The funny little comments and thoughts.  I had no clue where she grew up...for all I knew her family could have owned a ranch, too.  I can't remember when I first started reading her blog...probably about 2 years ago, but she has always seemed like such a happy person.  I really enjoy reading what she writes and would love to meet her...but, wouldn't everyone?  

Miss My Roomies

This weekend I went to Michigan for Jenny's (one of my college roommates) baby shower.  It was a beautiful shower.  The petits fours were delicious!  So moist and vanilla-y!  I loved the little booties on them!

After the shower I spent the afternoon chatting and catching up with Jenny and Laura (my best friend & the three of us lived together in college).  It was one of the best Saturday afternoons I've had in a while.  I don't get to see these girls often enough and I'm so thankful for the time we had together.  The next time I see Jenny she'll most likely be a mama!

Chicken Tortellini Bake

Happy April Fool's Day!  No jokes here...I'm horrible with pranks (those you that know me definitely know this).

I had some Monterey Jack cheese to use up this week so I decided to use it to make a warm, delicious dinner...Chicken Tortellini Bake.  My sister got this recipe from one of her friends (hi Lisa!) back in college and it's become a standby meal for us.

Chicken Tortellini Bake
compliments of Lisa

Ingredients

1- 20oz package of fresh tortellini (found near shredded cheese or the dairy products)
4 chicken breasts
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sour cream
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1- 15oz can chicken broth
1 tsp sugar
8oz Monterey Jack cheese (bar style; cut in half)
1/2 stick butter
Flour for coating chicken

Cut up your chicken & coat with the flour.  Brown on all sides.  Remove from pan.  To the same pan, add bouillon, broth, onions, & sugar.  Cook to boiling.  Boil for 5 minutes and then add half of the cheese (which you can have cut into cubes so it cooks down faster).  Add sour cream and blend well.

Grease a 9x13 pan.  Pour tortellini in pan.  Slice the other 1/2 of the bar of Monterey Jack cheese and place over the tortellini.  Next, place browned chicken on top of cheese.  Finally, pour the warm mixture on top.

Cover with foil.  Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!