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We still don't have a closing date for our condo or a new home,

but I am still collecting ideas.

Hot Mama

My friend/co-worker has been working very hard to live a healthier lifestyle and she looks amazing. (Amy - I think you always have been a hot mama) Last week she told me that all of her clothing is too big. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to help with this dilemma. On Monday, we are going to check out Anthropologie. Does anyone else want to join us? hint, hint Semi-Hipster Homeowner?

Leather

Leather (specifically black) seems to big for fall 2009 - I think it is funny that the latest trends have not really ever gone out of style. My super fashionable 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Clark, used to sport a knee length black leather skirt over 20 years ago. I used to look forward to seeing what she would wear each day.

Other "trends" for this fall include:

all black

over the knee boots (remember "Pretty Woman?")

animal prints

red

vests

tights (black, patterns, polka dots)

30

The Best Present Ever:

My husband put together a scrapbook (along with the help of his sister) for my birthday. He spent about 12 hours working on it yesterday (in Bloomingdale at his parent's house) and woke me up at 3am to give it to me. (with a Tiffany necklace too) My friends and family sent pictures and information and George put it all together in this book. The pages even include my Grandpa and great Grandma who passed away when I was in college. As soon as I saw these pictures, I started to cry. (and the one of me holding my nephew when he was a few hours old, and my honeymoon pictures, and the I almost dies while hiking picture...)

Here a just a few of the pages:

I am in the purple bathing suit - and holding a purse. I always brought a purse with me.

NYC

I finally got to see van Gogh's Starry Night - after 5 attempts. It was always traveling.

Running with my sister

Cubs games!

summer salad

Tonight I made this easy salad for dinner:

Mix wedges of tomatoes and peaches, add slivers of red onion, a few red-pepper flakes and cilantro. Dress with olive oil and lime or lemon juice.

by Mark Bittman

For more ideas (or 101) check out this article in the NYT.

fall at Anthro

Anthropologie is having the best summer sale right now (for example, a pair of black Joe's jeans for under $50.00), but what I am loving is below:

This dress is from Anna Sui and I am interested in how her Target line is going to be in a few weeks

I saw a woman on the Today show wearing this dress/tunic (the cook during the cooking segment)

30th Birthday

Crumbs cupcakes will be arriving next week in honor of my 30th birthday.

(and for my sister too - she is turning 32) I hope the cupcakes arrive in time to bring them to the Cubs game. Jumbo hot dogs, beer, and cupcakes. Yummy.

Black

I think I moving on from my normal Wicked color.

It will now be Black Satin.

Stamp

The first thing I want to buy (after we move) is a stamp with our new address.

I like this one.

Future Entryway

Now I can go back to blogging about ideas for a new home!

Here are some for an entryway:

(which is nearly impossible to find downtown)

I like the idea of painting the inside of the front door a fun color, like blue, yellow, or red.

American Cabinet Co.

My husband's Grandpa was a dentist in the city and had a dental cabinet made by American Cabinet Co. from the 1920's similar to the one shown below. I plan on putting this in an entryway or hallway. While I was searching online, I also found this adorable antique dollhouse dental cabinet and this one. Apparently these dollhouse cabinets were made to help kids be less scared of going to the dentist. (see pics above)

corn on the cob

I have a love/hate relationship with these buildings.

P-touch and moving

I wanted a label maker for a few years, but didn't really have a reason to get one. That is until we sold our condo (after 10 months on the market, we agreed on an offer a few weeks ago) and now are in the process of packing. Being newly married, it was our first experience making a huge decision together. The odd part was my husband was very liberal about selling our place and I turned into the conservative one!?

We have not officially closed, but our closing date is probably going to be in September. Since we have a few weeks off before returning to work, (and we canceled vacation plans to Seattle and Maine) we are starting to pack up most of our stuff and moving it to my in-law's basement.

Air and Water Show

White

I love wearing white in the summer. Maybe it is because I actually look less pale in white.

Summer

Tonic at the Taste of Lincoln

Cubs game with George

I worn my "W" shirt to four games and this is the first time the Cubs won.

I spent a week in Michigan:

my brother docking the boat in the Bear Lake channel

Lunch with Grandma at a dairy farm in New Era.

my Grandma's amazing patio tomato plant - she definitely has a green thumb



Grand Haven, MI

Pronto Pups (corn dogs) for dinner

Lake Harbor Park - I grew up riding my bike or walking to this beach

I started my collection of driftwood to make this mirror.

snuggie for dogs

I wonder if Henry would like this? Probably not.

(pic from the Chicago Tribune)