sweet {almost} home chicago

The husband and I went to Chicago over Labor Day weekend. We live close enough that we're lucky to visit a few times a year. The husband was just there in late July. It's nice to know where things are and to have a routine when we're there!

We went go a wonderful wedding (on a boat, nonetheless!) and got to spend some time together without the normal responsibilities at home. On Saturday evening, we boarded the boat and took off, and the ceremony took place on the river. The city served as a lovely backdrop.

Going under Michigan Ave. - the boat was dangerously close to the bridge! The husband couldn't even stand up on the top level when we'd go under. Aw, the husband and I Buildings at sunsetThe happy couple's first dancePeople dancing - unfortunately most of my photos look like this because of the low light! But I was able to snap a few shots of the skyline! We were with other boats on the way backThe next day, we slept in and then walked around the city. We visited the Bean and I snapped a quick photo with the husband. We did some shopping and later on, had a nice dinner. It was nice to get away! While we were in Chicago, my parents watched our dogs and took them to the family farm a few hours away. They had a wonderful time and were on their best behavior. Now they're completely worn out from all the fresh air and new smells!

accessory this and that

Aside from some new jeans from the Gap, two random cardigans from Old Navy, and a sweater from Anthro, I haven't really purchased new clothes lately. But I have been on a bit of an accessory binge! Here are some favorites I'm into lately:

Stella Mini White Glitz Watch from Fossil

I have pined for a white watch for almost a year, and though the husband bought me a lovely ceramic one for Christmas, it was just too big! I scoured the internets and local retailers for a suitable replacement before finally settling on one from Fossil. Yeah, I said settling - I initially wanted a fancy brand. I really would have liked this number from Michele but I can't just spend $2k on a trendy white watch I'm not sure I'll be wearing next year. But you know what? I love the Fossil version. It's the perfect size for my wrist and though I wasn't initially sold on the mother-of-pearl face, I really like it now. The compliments I've gotten on it probably cemented my choice, I'll be honest! At $85, I can easily replace it next year. Or buy this fun Michael Kors tortoise one too.

14mm Bead Earrings from Tiffany

Okay, these aren't new, but I've been wearing them a lot. The husband got them for me for my birthday, and though I didn't wear them much initially, they've been an almost-daily staple these days, replacing diamond studs or pearl earrings.
Red Stripe Calypso Canvas Wedges from Toms

I saw these in either a magazine or on the internet and was smitten. I love the purpose behind Toms Shoes but the flats are not my style. But the wedges?! Hello lovelies! After looking on the Toms website, they were sold out. So the husband, the sweet man that he is, called retailer after retailer looking for them, and finally found a shoe store in Alabama that sold him a pair. A few days later, they were on my doorstep, and the husband got a big smoocheroo. I have gotten more compliments on these than anything - except for my white watch!
Windstorm Necklace from Anthropologie
I picked this necklace up on sale at my local store. It's fun and sparkly, and the colors are good into fall. the photo is deceiving though, on my neck it's layered and doesn't look like a collar the way it does in the photo.

I had more things I wanted to show, but Blogger is being a booger with photos tonight. So enough about me - what fun accessories have you gotten lately?!

quarterlife crisis

If you would have asked me in a college what a "quarterlife crisis" was, I probably would have told you it's some crap that John Mayer made up to sell CDs. Yet, as I approach my 30s, I feel the anxiety and pull of getting older. Yes, I realize that 30 is not old - but as each year passes, the stranger it all is. I don't feel old. But a recent photo shoot for work turned up - gasp! - the beginnings of crow's feet! And bags under my eyes! Luckily, a kind retoucher made me look halfway decent, but still... I get carded less and less.

And aside from my vanity, there are days when my inner monologue is deafening.

There are career decisions. Do I truly like the field I'm in? Do I see my future in it? Will I know when is the right time to look elsewhere? How will I know? Should I try something else just to see what it's like? Should we move to a bigger city? Smaller city? Should we move to the west coast to try it out? Am I happy living life in the midwest? Will I be forever?

There are life decisions. Should we be closer to family? How long will we stay in our house? Should we replace the windows? When should I start looking for a new car? Mortgage rates are lower now - should we refinance the house? What color should the master bedroom be?

And there are family decisions. These are the hardest of all. Do we want to have children? If so, when? I only have so much time... do I have time as it is with my schedule to have a family? What would I have to give up? Am I willing to do that? Will I have to work less to be happy with a family? Will I want to give up my job? Will I be okay with that? What does the husband think? Will our lives be full without being defined as "a family?"

So is it a quarterlife crisis? No, not really. I would use the word "crisis" to describe anything. But it's hard, not because these are issues that no one else has to deal with, but because for a girl that craves black and white, the answers are in shades of gray.

sharpie lovers, unite

I have a confession - I love back-to-school time. I'm not in school anymore, and the husband and I don't have any little ones. So why do I love this time of year? Two words -

Office.

Supplies.

My obession with seemingly petty products is well known in my office because I'm so vocal about them. Generic sticky note pads? No way, sister. They have to be Post It brand Super Sticky notes. Sharpie pens? Yes please, but I prefer the capped ones, not the retractable variety. Though I have both - in mass quantities!

Today at Target I moseyed through the office supply section, maneuvering through the parents and kiddos with their school supply lists. I found an exciting item - Sharpie pens in new colors!

If only they made a nice dark pink... that would be great. I have a Bic dark pink pen but it's no Sharpie!

After looking at the Sharpie website, I noticed I've never seen the Sharpie Pen Grip - does anyone use them? Do tell...

i heart pickles

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I love pickles. If you like pickles as much as I do, you're certainly my friend!

Some time ago, I stumbled upon a recipe for dill pickle spears on the blog Annie's Eats. I've made them many times since then, but a few weeks ago I read a pickle post on Fly Through Our Window. I got some fresh dill and bought some ingredients, and one night I made the pickles.

Oh. My. Word. They are so good! They're slightly sweet, but not overly so, and the onion and mustard seed adds great flavor. I followed the Bon Appetit recipe pretty closely except for white pepper - my grocery store didn't have any so I just used a smaller amount of black peppercorns. I agree with Darby that I didn't have enough liquid, so I added some water to fill the dishes (I didn't use jars and went for rectangular glass storage containers with plastic lids instead).

I am almost done with my second batch of pickles and will be making some more. I wish my cucumber vines were cooperating but no veggies yet! If you're a pickle person, make some and tell me what you think!

you need to buy this

I love this cardigan. Ordered it from Old Navy, of all places, along with its two other colors and four pointelle-trim cardigans. They're all cute, fit well, but best of all, they're CHEAP. I wore the yellow one on Friday and got lots of compliments. Definitely looks like more than $26.50!

it's been awhile

Hello, world. It's been awhile. I took a little break from blogging. I was burnt out and tired, not from blogging, but from life's little annoyances and stressors that get in the way. Instead of filling each post with my complaints and diatribes, I took a step back. It was nice.

The husband and I have been busy around the house, whether it's yardwork, cooking, or vacuuming the endless amount of dog hair that shows up. Sometimes I really wonder if the dogs have friends over when we're at work - where does all the hair come from?! This weekend I have big plans of being lazy and catching up on my magazines.

But I do have things to tell you, including a recipe for the best refrigerator pickles EVER and my new cardigan wardrobe. Yes. Wardrobe. There are that many. It would be embarassing if I wasn't so giddy about them. So until next time - have a wonderful weekend!