Happy Halloween

So far my Halloween hasn't been too scary or ghoulish, but you never know what will happen tonight! Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

Happy Birthday Robb

My uncle Robb is a pretty great guy and we wish we could help celebrate his wonderful day with the family. It must be fun to have your birthday so close to Halloween! We hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration! We miss you and love you! There's a card in the mail!

Happy Birthday Josh

We love Josh because he poses great for pictures.

Happy birthday big guy.

My kind of town....Chicago is!!!

About a month ago I went to Chicago with my dad and two brothers and we had an absolute blast. It was the first time I had seen James since he returned from his mission, and he is still James, but that is why we love him. Chicago, also known as the 2nd city, is a real treat. Many people think it is called the 2nd city because it is 2nd to New York, which it is. But interestingly enough, it is because they rebuilt the city after it burned down many years ago, thus the 2nd Chicago. But to ensure that there is not a 3rd city they installed these 75ft fire hydrants all over the city and disguised them as huge people spitting on little kids, Chicagoins are silly smart.
We posed in front of the Cloud Gate. Chicago has really cool architecture and art all over the city that gives it some real charm. I think more cities should put some thought into charm and architecture.

You would think that we took a guys trip to Chicago to check out the architecture and art, but the real reason we went to Chicago was for the sports. Here we are at the Cubs game at old Wrigley Field. I loved how small and intimate it was, unlike Yankee and Shea that are like big boring warehouses. You could say that NY stadiums are like Staples and Wrigley is like Dunder Mifflin.

Then we finally arrived at Solider Stadium for the big Bears-Cowboys game. Here we are standing outside Solider Field. (Unfortunately due to stupid ticket brokers we stood outside the stadium for 4 hrs compared to 3hrs inside)

But we did make it in for the big game. The game started out exciting, but then the bears started letting their offense have the ball and things just came apart for them. We which made the guy on the right happier than the guy on the left.

But the real reason we went was to celebrate this my dad's 60th bday!!!!

Mr Sinatra said it right when he said "My kind of town, Chicago is!!!"

I'm not sure if you've heard about this new store but it just so happens their first location is opening up right around the corner from my current residence. I've been anxiously awaiting some sign that they were getting ready to open and when I walked past this morning a peek inside showed me they were getting close. Then this little invite popped up in my inbox today!!!Do you think they will have special giveaways for the first customers? I can't wait to see what the folks at Pottery Barn Kids have come up with. Hopefully there will be a website soon! Maybe I will see you at the grand opening!

fa la la la la la

Remember earlier when I mentioned I was on the hunt for some great christmas card ideas? Well ever since I have spotted the options at tiny prints I have been much less inclined to make my own, and more in the mood to say, point and click and upload a photo! The price is great and the options are adorable! When I calculate in the time this would save me, and probably the money too, I am very tempted!

Going through more old pictures and I had to share a great one of my darling Abby! Boy do we miss this girl!

Loving this perfect purple new york sky!

I am loving this mirror from Ballard designs! This would add so much personality and flair to any room. My friend Jill recently did a project for a design class where she had to design a room for Dr. Seuss. - I think this little mirror could have fit perfectly!

home baked goodness

I must confess that I come from a long line of force feeders, and no one represents us better than my Grandmother Gammy. Most of my childhood memories involve some type of delicious food that she would make and then force myself and all my cousins to eat way more than our little tummies could hold. whether it was tapioca pudding, macaroni and cheese or sour cream chocolate cake, my Gammy's recipes were flawless and full of love. She passed away years ago, and occasionally I find myself homesick for one of her delicious treats, mostly just because eating them reminds me of her.

This season, I have been craving one of my all time favorites, Baked Apples. If you've never had these babies then you are missing out. They are particularly delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice scream over the top, but don't take my word for it, try them yourself.

Get a recipe courtesy of Martha here, and may I recommend adding some raisins?

flashback

When I was going through i-photo this weekend and deleting old photos, I came across these shots from our trip to Telluride last summer. It was long drive through some the smallest most rural utah towns I have ever seen,, but the the scenery, especially once we hit colorado was so beautiful I wanted to take a pictures of everything I saw! Here are few of my favorites.

Domino Design Bazaar

Remember a few months back when I posted about how excited I was about this? Well I have to say after all the hype it was a little underwhelming. I guess I was expecting this big event and it ended up being a little less than I had hoped for. Still it was really fun to see the rooms they did and I ended up buying a really adorable new umbrella designed by these guys at the event, so it wasn't all that bad. Sorry about the pictures, the light was horrible in there!!!

Happy Birthday Harrison

In honor of our oldest and wisest little nephew on his 8th birthday I have decided to post 8 reasons why we love him. We are so excited for this sweet little boy to get baptized! We can hardly believe he is already so old!

1. Harrison is a great big brother. He sets a good example for Weston, Samuel and Amanda and he looks out for them and helps his Mom and Dad take care of the family.

2. Harrison gives the best hugs! He is such a little snuggler and we love how sweet and affectionate he is! He never says goodbye to anyone in our family without a hug and a kiss!

3. Harrison is a great athlete. We are convinced this boy is going to play professional sports someday-you name it he is great at it and loves to play everything. When I asked him what his favorite sport was, he couldn't decide between baseball, soccer, golf and football.

4. Harrison has a good heart. As tough as he is on the field, Harrison is a very sweet boy. He has a very tender heart and we love how sentimental he can be.

5. Harrison loves to read and he is so smart. He is currently into chapter books and it is so fun see him learning so many new things. One of his current favorites is Sideways Stories from Wayside School.

6. Even though he is only 8, Harrison sometimes acts more like an adult than a kid. At family dinners he always likes to come sit and talk with all the grown-ups

7. Harrison loves his Grandma's and Grandpa's. HE especially loves when he gets to spend quality time with them without the other nieces and nephews!

8. Harrison we love you for lots of reasons and are so excited you are turning 8! Happy birthday buddy! x0x0

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I promise I have been a really really good girl this year. I am trying hard to be nice and kind and do what I am supposed to. Please please reward me with this coat from J. Crew for Christmas.

I have to have it!

love,

Caitlin

Little Eliza Jane

Last week we had the pleasure of having Eliza Jane come visit for 6 whole days! It was so fun to spend to time sharing the sights and sounds of New York with her and her best friend also named Eliza! Here are just a few snapshots of what we did!

Dan and I sipping our strawberry lemonade during dinner @ Cowgirl a favorite in the West Village

Grease is the word! It was fun to see one of our all all time faves on Broadway since EJ and I used to watch this movie practically every day when we were little!

Taking a break at Rockefeller Center after breakfast at Norma's (my new favorite!) and some shopping at H & M on 5th Avenue

These two think they they are twins!

Eliza and I strolling in the park

The view from across the bridge when we went to Grimaldis for pizza. When we got there the line was around the corner.

Sipping our frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity

A couple of other highlights included:

tacos at dos caminos

Shopping at the outlets at Woodbury Commons

And what was probably my favorite thing, going to see Legally Blonde the musical! The show was awesome, if you have the chance I definitely recommend you go see it, I would put it right up there with Wicked. We were laughing the whole time and I still have the songs stuck in my head.

green makes me happy

The color of this coat is one of my absolute favorites, somewhere between a forest and a grass green, let's call it apple. Of course the best thing about this is that it is from Old Navy which means it only costs $78 which is a steal for a darling little pea coat! I think I'd change the buttons just to add a little flair, but this might have to be the newest item on my must have list. Last year I got two awesome wool trenches for $38 a piece at Old Navy, one black, one off-white and I have loved them so much. Old Navy is out there to prove you don't have to spend a lot on adorable outerwear!

the view from up high

Probably one of the best parts about my job (aside from free lunch) is the views we have from my office. I especially love to glance out the windows on rainy days when you can see all the clouds and mist over Manhattan. On a clear day though, this is what I see. We sit right at the edge of the park with a perfect view, can't beat that can you?


p.s. Sorry about the glare, I took these without a flash but it was so sunny there was still a reflection

Ruby Kate

My heart is a little broken over the fact that I can't go visit Molly and Adam and their new little bundle of joy Ruby Kate! She looks seriously perfect! I can't wait to meet this little babe in December and share in the joy! Congratulations Molly and Adam! She is absolutely gorgeous!

Happy Birthday Susannah!

Dan has three AWESOME sisters and I love them all! It just so happens that today is his middle sister Susannah's birthday. Not only does she have two of the cutest kids on this earth with blindingly blond hair, but she is a great friend awesome neighbor and loves to talk more than anyone I know! I can still remember the first time I met Susannah at Dan's parent's house. It was my first Sunday dinner with the family and I was pretty nervous, but no worries, with her friendly ways Susannah made me feel right at home.

Happy Birthday Sweet heart! We hope the boys and Nate make it really special for you!

playing dress up

Remember these? Remember when you were 8 and all you wanted Santa to bring you for Christmas was Samantha or Molly, Or Addy or (insert name here) and all her accessories! Remember when the catalog would come and you would spend hours flipping through the catalog marking the pages with things you wanted to buy (which was basically everything). These girls were all the rage when I was in Elementary school and from what I hear from the little ladies that I know, I am pretty sure they still are! Since I have been brainstorming for costume ideas for this year, I was thinking of Halloween's past.

I am pretty sure my best Halloween ever was when I was seven and dressed up as this babe! I even had the little pouch with the hand embroidered initials! OH those were the days!Somewhere there is a picture to prove it, maybe if you are lucky I will dig it up and post it on the blog, then again, maybe not.

What was your best Halloween costume?

I dare you to leave a comment!

kick up your heels.

I am all about comfort and in terms of home, there is nothing more comfortable than a cozy chair or couch and a place to kick your heels up which makes ottomans the prefect piece of accent furniture. I've been seeing a lot of rooms lately that have large ottomans used as coffee tables and I love the concept. Ever since I saw the above image in Domino I can't get it out of my head. I saw that piece in person at ABC Carpet & Home and I was even more in love! The other day when I was browsing of the website for Ballard Designs I came across this little beauty. Did I mention she has storage? This fabric won for my favorite, but the french blue ticking was a close second. There are lots of fabric options on the site, or you can even send in your own and they will upholster it for which means the possibilities are endless!

so charming

I am loving these sweet little charm necklaces from Urban outfitters! When I saw the pine cone last night I was so tempted to jump in line and wear it out of the store! Since we got married in November, we had sort of a pine cone themed wedding and this sweet little necklace totally reminds of the pine cone graphic on our wedding invitations. I am sure Dan will never forgive me for making him come with me to collect pine cones and chestnuts for our wedding centerpieces! It literally took hours! He should have known then what he was getting into... Check out this sweet little acorn and smaller version of the pine cone as well! Oh and did I mention there are earrings?