Chicago | little lessons in a BIG city

winter in chicago.

the husband + I are on our back ~~to “reality”~~ home today. after spending the holidays with family in chicago. it really is beautiful this time of year. amidst the holiday plans, we found a bit of time to sneak away + explore.

there was a lunch at howells & hood. wandering briefly down state street. hot cocoas around an outdoor, high-in-the-sky ice rink at the peninsula. appetizers + a brew at butch mcguire’s. martinis + live music at the drake hotel. and a dinner at lou malnatis. not to mention, the weather was far from typical chicago in december. it was nearly 50°. making the exploring that much more enjoyable. although a bit of snow would’ve really added some holiday cheer to these cityscape photos, you won’t hear me complain.

now it’s time to begin the preparation for 2015. it is only two days away. and I am one that really enjoys the hype of a new year. it may be ridiculous, but I love the idea of a fresh start. the chance to turn a new leaf. and besides your birthday, the only other time is a new year. so I clean, donate + organize my life. I reflect on the past year and write down what I want more of + less of in the new year. meaning now that we’re home from our holiday trip, I have a lot to do!

what are you doing to prepare for the new year? what do you want more of + less of in 2015?

I’ll share mine soon!

the eve of christmas.

the car has been loaded down, with our luggage + presents. we just need to make a quick stop at starbucks for our ~~road trip beverages~~ super large iced coffees. obviously. #addicted. #CantRoadTripWithoutCaffeine.

our road trip essentials ..

pretzels + holiday M&M’s, a cozy blanket, granola bars, coconut water, fruit vines bites, and napkins. better to be safe than sorry.

we’ll be spending the holidays in chicago.

there is no way to satisfy both family holidays when our parents live 6 hours apart. so this year, we will spending christmas with [J]’s family in the city. last year, we had a party for two on christmas.

on the menu for this evening is [J]’s mom’s most amazing seafood chowder. it is truly out of this world. don’t you just love holiday traditions? I do. especially since I married into a really good one.

need last-minute ideas for your gathering?

try these festive place cards made from gold ornaments purchased at the dollar store. to satisfy the beer drinks in your group, these picks are holiday appropriate. and do not forget the eggnog!! if you’re looking for a spiked version ..try these two scrumptious additions.

merry christmas eve!

don’t forget to bed early. santa won’t come if he knows you’re awake.

wedding // 6 reasons for bridal showers.

I wasn’t sold on the idea of bridal showers. I understood the purpose. but was never much for the games. or sitting in front of the crowd opening gifts for hours. after being a bride + having two thrown for me, I have a completely different perspective.

6 reasons you need to have a bridal shower.

1] you feel an overwhelming amount of love // both from the people who spent the time + money to plan your shower and those who took the time to be there with you.

2] all of your favorite people are in one place // you just want to take a time-out for a gigantic group hug. but don’t. or do, it’s up to you.

3] it’s a part of the wedding you just get to show up & enjoy // you don’t have to send out the invites, or stress about the planning + execution. you just arrive. it’s amazing!

4] you get to see your new last name up in lights // I don’t know about you, but I tend to get so caught up in the itty bitty details of the wedding, that sometimes I forget after all of this is said + done, I will be mrs. [J]. I love seeing it.

5] scrumptious food + cocktails // no explanation needed.

6] it’s ~~often times~~ the last hoorah before the wedding // as we hugged our friends + family goodbye at our last shower, we said “see you at the wedding”. we knew after that, we ~~were~~ ARE in the homestretch.

did I mention the overwhelming amount of love?

now it’s only ..

27 days til “I do”.

we are in full-blown crunch time now. this is when a procrastinator thrives.

happy monday all.