Chic Chicago Chick

Hoppin to it!

2011-04-21T22:09:00.001-05:00

This is not a great picture, but we finally have a backsplash! Well the start of one!

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Well hello!

2011-04-20T21:34:00.000-05:00

Hello there, cabinet knobs and pulls!

Greetings, new doors!

Salutations, under-cabinet lighting!

Kind regards, entry-door floor tile!

A good friend is welcoming her baby boy tonight/tomorrow, and we welcomed some improvements to our kitchen! Great day all around!

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From Storms to Sprinkles

2011-02-22T16:23:00.000-06:00

We're moving from the dark streets to a less dim side of the road!

Events of the past few weeks found us enveloped in drama. While I'm usually all for a little funny business in my life, this was not fun stuff. However, all of the hospital-bound are home, work is settling down a bit {for now} allowing us a little breathing room, and our social calendar is pretty empty. Granted, there are bumps ahead - more treatments and the like - but life should be a little more manageable.

It's nice regaining some sense of control over our lives now; that is something my type-A other half needs. In fact, I knew he was doing better when I arrived home from La Jolla to find the kitchen walls painted. Very exciting. I'm happy with the outcome and think the blue/gray looks good. We have tile to install - a back splash and area near the door - and thankfully my pleas of hiring someone to do this worked! We have Another check mark on the list.

Nail on the Head

2011-02-13T12:45:00.001-06:00

I just opened my Sunday Tribune:

The headline in the bottom left is so true!

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It's Pouring

2011-02-13T12:23:00.002-06:00

When it rains it pours has been too common a metaphor for our renovation projects. We are three years into simple updating for a whole host of reasons.

I thought light was at the end oft tunnel. Two-thirds (ish) of the kitchen is painted. And this was the weekend - after several failed attempts - that the painting was to be completed finally.

I went to a friend's baby shower yesterday assuming I would come home to the smell of low VOC fumes. The room was taped and ready to go.

A bit of a back note: a lot of work was put on hold because of holidays and winter revelries. And I was very sick over Christmas and New Year's. Then my mother-in-law was diagnosed with colon cancer.

We thought illness, sickness and other considerations were behind us and we could move forward.

Yesterday, while driving home from the wonderful shower, I received another urgent call: my father-in-law was hospitalized this time. He underwent emergency surgery and is resting.

I offered to finish painting but was told not to bother. So we're on hold again. The next update will hopefully be positive.

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And then there was...

2010-12-20T21:50:00.000-06:00

RUNNING WATER!

In my kitchen. The sink empties into a drain. That actually goes somewhere. The dishwasher can wash dishes. A garbage disposal that disposes garbage. Minor, but major for me.

Taco Time!

2010-12-13T19:30:00.000-06:00

What to do when you're stressed and trying to find holiday gifts? Eat tacos!

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Mixing It Up

2010-12-01T20:32:00.000-06:00

Two weekends ago we busted out one of more random tools: the cement mixer!

Thankfully I didn't have to carry out any jobs. {don't cross me...I can cement shoe you no problem.} Rather, it was time for more brick work. We {um, I supervised?} had to remove old venting in anticipation of our new HVAC system. Very exciting stuff! While our furnace and central air are in semi-decent shape, we decided to be proactive and invest in a new system to avoid costly emergency repairs and take advantage of the tax write-off. When did we become so responsible?! And let's be honest, any excuse to use a cement mixer is fun.

In preparation for the new HVAC system, we've had to reconfigure the duct work in the basement, which has been a challenging project. We'll see how it turns out this weekend, and I'll be sure to post pictures of our handiwork.

Under Vancouver Skies

2010-11-30T19:57:00.001-06:00

Heeelllooo! So sorry for the gap in posting {I'm sure you're all missing me!} but work and life got the better of me. Frankly, it still has the better of me; right now my eyes feel like they are about to fall out. I need a break, so hot chocolate and a blog update are in order.

Lately Vancouver has been on my mind. Unfortunately, we are not planning a trip {at least not yet} to Vansterdam/Hollywood North/Rain City. Rather, we finally picked out a paint color for our kitchen -Vancouver Sky by C2.

Tangent: I want a job developing names for paint colors.

Anyway, it's a really nice grey. And C2 is ultra-low VOC, which is a feature I was looking for in paint.

Tangent: Is it grey or gray?

Back to the paint. It's a nice gre{a}y that has a blue undertone.

Tangent: Which cracks me up, because our back splash is tile that is gre{a}y with an almost green undertone. And my husband hates blue and green tones together. And he's the one who picked out the color. So maybe it's not at all funny, but if you lived though this renovation everything is pretty hilarious to me at this point.

I picked up a sample last week after my doctor's appointment and applied it in a couple of areas in the kitchen. My husband came home and went through his usual second-guessing routine, to which I gave the usual eye roll. He eventually came around; before he changed his mind again I ran out and bought all the paint needed for the kitchen.

So far, it looks nice with everything we have installed already. We're in the middle of painting and I'll try to update pictures next week when I have a few days off to finish the job.

With Friends Like These

2010-11-14T21:04:00.001-06:00

Friday the 13 (cue scary music!) marked 5 years since I last had surgery for melanoma. I feel - well every emotion in the book - amazing for meeting this milestone.

And my very thoughtful, generous, caring, all-around amazing friends Becky, Karyn, Kelly and Angie sent me a beautiful floral arrangement to celebrate. Yellow roses = friendship, and these ladies are the best friends you can ask for. Thank you!

And thank you to cancer for staying away! My appointment is the 23rd and I can't wait for a clean bill.

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"It Looks Really Great, Guys!"

2010-10-18T21:39:00.000-05:00

- Finbar, age 5.

That was my nephew's reaction upon walking into the "monster house" (his affectionate term for our home) and being asked what he thought of the new counter tops.

Kids say the darnedest things.

My initial reaction: eh, it looks okay. Maybe it was the fact that I worked 16 straight days, many for 12 + hours, and was not in the right frame of mind. Maybe it was the fact that I had a 3 by 3 sample for three years, which formed a different image in my mind. Maybe I am too stressed right now and have just felt blah in general for the past few weeks. Regardless, the counters grew on me this week. I'm not at "great!" but close.

Here are a few junky shots to hold you over.

We're not much further than this -- job prospects and offers as well as other issues have kept us otherwise engaged. I doubt we'll get much accomplished this weekend, either. Hey, what's another year?!

An Announcement...

2010-09-29T22:22:00.000-05:00

I know, Oprah! I'm just as surprised as you!

What's this really exciting news? We'll have countertops next Friday! Stay tuned for pictures.

Lame

2010-09-22T17:35:00.000-05:00

You know when a friend sends you an e-mail and you keep forgetting to reply because you're swamped. And that e-mail keeps getting pushed further and further down the list? You end up feeling like a really bad friend, right?

Well, I'm feeling like that bad friend.

I am so behind on e-mail, blog stuff, phone calls and life in general. Apologies, my handful of readers!

Ninety percent of my lameness is work related. Unfortunately momma needs a paycheck so I gotta keep strategerizing and the like. Five percent of my lameness is house related. I'm trying to schedule measurements and pick colors {more later!}. The other five percent of my lameness is medical related. My husband thinks he is dying and my mom was actually hospitalized. So I am scheduling appointments for everyone.

More tomorrow night...promise.

Double Take

2010-09-13T22:13:00.000-05:00

Look at the girl on the left.

Doesn't she remind you of someone you know?

Pehaps a friend named Kelly?

That's all.

Three Years + One Day

2010-09-08T16:42:00.000-05:00

Happy three years + one day since we put a contract on our little crap shack!

What better way to celebrate than order counter tops!

My husband is a researcher of epic ability, and we had an amazing quote for the Silestone counter we wanted for the kitchen. Well when nine months pass, prices change. {By the way, this totally blew the mind of said husband. And his reaction blew my mind. Hilarious.} By an average increase of 30 percent. Whoops.

In addition to taking on a reorganization plan for my office, I also volunteered to call other distributors for quotes. Ten rounds of calls, faxes and e-mails later, we are back to the original distributor as their 30-percent increase quote is still lower than others.

So Happy Anniversary of Sorts to our little house! And more exciting counter top news as it unfolds - hang on to your seats, folks!

Vacation Getaway

2010-09-01T21:36:00.000-05:00

It's only ~~August~~ September, but I planned my spring vacation today!

The locale is not exotic by any stretch of the imagination. But it will be a fun-filled week, guaranteed.

I'm heading over one neighborhood to help my sister when she has her baby! My younger sister just announced she is expecting Baby McG 3 at the very end of March. Very exciting stuff!

This is 9 under 5 for my family! And I'll do as I have for all other deliveries from the stork - take off a week to help out mom around the house and help the other kiddos adjust to their new sibling.

It's not wild, romantic or relaxing, but it will be adventurous!

September!

2010-09-01T20:19:00.001-05:00

The breezes taste

Of apple peel.

The air is full

Of smells to feel-

Ripe fruit, old footballs,

Burning brush,

New books, erasers,

Chalk, and such.

The bee, his hive,

Well-honeyed hum,

And Mother cuts

Chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean

With suds, the days

Are polished with

A morning haze.

- John Updike, September

Full Circle

2010-08-23T23:17:00.000-05:00

I've been up late cramming for some new work projects. At least I'm learning? Right.

Anyway, here's a quick update on the house.

The plumber came to the house and we have pipes. Yay! We just need to install the garbage disposal and finish a few plumbing odds and ends.

I had the most delightfully hilarious conversation with a counter top salesman today. He's coming this week to measure and order the Silestone.

Paint colors are narrowed down to a few and samples will be put up this weekend.

The last point has me admitting to a secret obsession - one which I would have slapped myself over three years ago.

When we moved to the house, every square inch was covered in wall paper. Not just one layer of wall paper. No, these people just loved to cover up. And they were always kind enough to throw in a border or three for good measure. I spent too many days scraping off layers of blue stripes to find purple flowers and then uncover yellow diamonds under that layer. Oh and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the striking faux 1920s Sears catalogue wall paper on the stairway to the basement. I hated everything about wall paper. After a week, Diff ran through my veins instead of blood. I cursed wall paper and vowed to never adhere glue again to my walls.

Well three years is a long time and I'm obsessed with this wall paper.

Rather than torture myself trying to explain to the Mr. why I want to use wall paper after very vocally hating on it only a few years ago, I might take the easy route and use the wall paper for the back of a built-in bookcase. Everyone wins and it won't be too painful to remove. I think.

Round 4

2010-08-20T06:57:00.001-05:00

Us versus the plumbing gods, round 4.

Let's hope this one shows.

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Promises, Promises

2010-08-17T11:12:00.000-05:00

This is a good news/bad news post.

Usually the bad news comes first, but I'm starting with the good today!

We have a new light fixture for our kitchen entry way! It will be in a satin finish, but you get the idea.

Now that we're all excited about the light, I'll deliver the bad news. I have no additional kitchen progress to report.

See we need some plumbing work completed so we can start installing the back splash, counter top and other fun things. We really thought Plumber #3 {seriously} was The One. He promised to come Thursday and quickly take care of the work. No problem. It's all cool.

Thursday came and went. No plumber. No call. Ignored call.

What makes it weird/awkward is that he's my in-law's neighbor. Ugh.

But we are busy with some outdoor projects. We got all George Washington this weekend and cut down two small trees with a fun chain saw and removed the stumps with a giant axe. Fun times!

The Verdict Is In

2010-08-17T10:59:00.000-05:00

The jury has returned with an IN verdict on the all important question of the green shirt.

Actually, it was your positive comments, unsolicited compliments from two co-workers I trust and two blog posts from my feed this morning that tipped the scales.

First, I big thank you to my trusted friends for the help - I appreciate honest opinions. I'm a bad Internet shopper and always second-guess purchases once I hit submit.

I guess my main problem is how to style Internet purchases - there's no mannequin helping me visualize the overall look. Today I'm sporting the shirt with a pair of boyfriend jeans and wedges - light and summery - which was an early morning/fuzzy head safe choice.

However, I got some inspiration for other looks from two of my favorite bloggers:

The style board by Making It Lovely reminds me that I have dark jeans and a cute yellow purse somewhere in the recesses of my closet that will help transition the shirt to fall.

And this invitation suite by Jeremy & Kathleen inspires me to add an unexpected aqua accessory to brighten up the shirt during these last days of summer.

So yay for great feedback, Internet help and a new shirt!

Jury's Out

2010-08-12T13:27:00.000-05:00

The jury deciding Blago's case isn't the only one that's split.

Back story: I have been beyond stressed the past two weeks because of work and it has made me really unhappy. When I'm unhappy I turn to food for comfort. And I'm really good at it! It's not like I need to gain any more weight - trust me on that. So I decided yesterday to channel my unhappiness to shopping - just something for a pick-me-up. Then I realized I didn't have enough time to shop so I turned to the Internet. Next thing I know, this shirt is on its way to my house.

The jury is out on how I feel about the shirt today. Maybe I should just stick to the junk food!

Check!

2010-08-09T15:22:00.001-05:00

Tile for back entry - check!
Tile for backsplash - check!
Relaxing day off work - check!
More house-related work tomorrow!

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TGIF: High Five Edition

2010-08-06T08:40:00.000-05:00

Whoo!

It's Friday! And for surviving this week I give everyone a high-five.

This first week of August has been exceptionally long. Like time-stand-still long.

I think it's work "stuff" that has me busy and stressed out. {No one else eats their emotions away better than me!} And in two weeks I'm totally Charles In Charge at work for three weeks while my boss is on vacation. So scurrry. My goal is for the new office building to not burn down completely.

Americana

2010-08-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

I obviously have a major retro vibe this week, first with the American food posters and then the headline from 1851.

Today I came across these images, by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, which are some of the only color photographs taken in rural* areas immediately post-Great Depression.
*Not sure Chicago qualifies as rural, but no quibble from me.

These are two great shots of children from the era - the first at school and the second celebrating Independence Day.

Here is a great picture of Chicago circa 1943 {from the vantage point of South Michigan Ave. - right near present-day Millennium Park.}

I thought these two pictures were really cool:

Definitely check out the entire gallery.

I'm so 1851

2010-08-04T17:30:00.000-05:00

So happy I'm not the only one with nothing of the slightest public interest to share.

Vintage/Fresh

2010-08-02T16:31:00.002-05:00

The website for Smithsonian has some great American food posters from World Wars I and II. I love vintage posters - these are really fun and a couple made me think of friends:

Kelly and Karyn have amazing gardens and both have quite the green thumb. Their harvests are enviable and have made a garden high on my priority list for next year.

It's no secret that I am obsessed with potatoes. One of the first times I went to dinner with my now-husband I ate an embarrassing amount of potatoes; he never forgot that. To my delight, the government is also a fan of the spud and advocates for loyalty to Connecticut potatoes. Shot out to Becky!

Why I Should Never Watch Reality Television

2010-08-01T23:38:00.000-05:00

This weekend was fairly productive: not only did I eat a ton of delicious food, enjoy time with family and friends, and take in a muscial, we finally ordered our backsplash tiles and counter top!

That high of completion - giant checks off the list! - sustained me through the weekend.

My amazing high has now been replaced with a low of over-thinking bordering on worry.

OMG why is my husband not home so I can freak out to him and not the Internet? Anyway.

I am a sucker for reality televison {bogus judging and all} and especially a fan of design and fashion competitions as well as idiotic housewives.

So I hung around my brother's condo to watch tonight's Design Star. I should have went home and done laundry but I wanted to watch for two reasons. First, I developed a love for John Gidding after his AmexHome Twitter Chat and he was the guest judge. Second, the challenge was to design and style a kitchen for a photo shoot. Perfect! I can get some styling ideas and hopefully pick up a few tips now that we ordered the backsplash and countertop.

The designers selected elements for the respective kitchens. I broke a shelf in my brother's refrigerator and spilled condiments all over. One girl talked about being Mormon. And so it went swimmingly.

Until the Red Team was all, "we don't have enough contrast in our design and we need to style the shit out of this kitchen."

Contrast. That's a word that has followed us through this whole home rennovation like the cloud of dirt that ensconces Pigpen.  We are fairly neutral people. So is the massive {and expensive} order we just placed completely wrong? There's not a lot of contrast going on: white/cream cabinets, gray/green subway tile and a gray/brown countertop. And I feel that no amount of styling can help because Vern was all "um, you can't just put crap on the counter to make it all better."

Ugh.  Now I'm second guessing it all.  And I can't sleep.

I hate when I watch television!

Awful, Awful

2010-07-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

Let's face it, this heat and humidity are just awful. So awful that I can't think of any new adjectives to describe their awfulness. Satan's armpit - done.

It's so awful that I'm blaming the heat and humidity {and storms!} for the lack of anything that slightly resembles excitement going on in my life. No fun house updates. No crazy tales of flooded basements. The heat and humidity have only brought giant work headaches and general feelings of ennui. I struggled to come up with any news to share here and all I've got is dancing British boys.

I'm going to see Billy Elliot: The Musical on Saturday.

It's pathetic that this is all I have going on in my life right now but I'm really excited for this show. I hope something more exciting pops up this week so I don't bore you with a recap!

Killer Parties Almost Killed Me

2010-07-15T23:07:00.003-05:00

I was listening to some of my favorite songs tonight, catching up on the blogs of two of my favorite people, and preparing for a long weekend of presentations and politicking when a weird confluence of factors collied on the interwebs.

If she says we partied then I'm pretty sure we partied. I really don't remember.

Killer Parties by the Hold Steady was playing.

When I came across this very true and appropriate picture on KB's blog

It's 11:00 p.m. and I'm contemplating all the fun I've indulged in over the years. But reality is here and I'm off to send yet another presentation to the boss man. Dude, this adult thing really can suck it. So thanks for the reminder of great memories, including recent ones, and the need to create them more often.

Call of the Night

2010-07-15T22:24:00.001-05:00

PJM: Kiki
Me: Hi, honey!
PJM: Remember that time we went to the movie theatre? And we saw Toy Story 3. And it had Woody and Buzz. And you gave me candy and popcorn and fruit punch. And then we played video games. And then we went to Target.
Me: Of course! I had so much fun with you boys.
PJM: And then you didn't buy us toys at Target.

Ah! At three they are master manipulators! {and I love it!}

Finishing Touches {For Now}

2010-07-15T20:48:00.000-05:00

Despite the heat and humidity, we accomplished two outdoor home improvements tasks.

Last summer we built window boxes for the front of the house. What we didn't know is that the wood had to settle for a few weeks before exposure to elements. A few weeks in our world translated into a year.

And here's the long-anticipated result! Of course I have a board meeting this weekend, which means another year will pass before we plant flowers.

I think the window box will be a nice accent once it has flowers. This year's heat and humidity has really stunted the growth of our plants in the front of the house. Here the once lush purple ground flowers look lean. And the hydrangeas flowered a bit, but nothing like last year. I need to hit up a few gardening forums for tips.

Here is a wider shot of half of the house's front to show you the other accomplishment: light post, light, address plaque and mailbox. I can finally order pizza!

Here is what we did to the front exterior to date {and all on our own!}:

Remove shutters flanking the door. Discover random cinder-block windowns beneath the shutters. Track down matching brick. Clean approximately 100 bricks with a powerwasher. Re-brick the entire area around the door.
Remove all the old old people bushes and instal new landscaping.
Remove old light post and install a new {working} one.
Remove old rotting flower box; build, paint and install a new one.
Add new light, address plaque and mailbox.
Install new Craftsman style door and a new storm door.

With these little projects out of the way, we'll take a break from the front of the house for the summer. Trust me, there is still a ton to do!

Missed Connections

2010-07-08T22:35:00.000-05:00

In my original post I forgot to add two of my favorite pictures from Ireland:

The donkeys at my uncle's house

The waterfall at my cousin's house

And I forgot - well put off - to tell one of my favorite stories from the trip.

I like to give my husband a hard time about his insistence on timeliness. The concept does not exist in my family and it is worse in Ireland. So I tried to persuade him that we didn't need to be at the airport two-and-a-half hours in advance liked advised. We should have more tea with my aunties and enjoy the scenery more. I lost. And it's probably a good thing I did.

We arrived at Dublin airport to a massive line. Of course we couldn't check-in at a kiosk because we booked a package deal. So we waited in line. And waited. After an hour, what is considered charming in the way of lots of chat from the airline representative because slightly annoying because it means less time playing in duty free.

Remember the whole trip when someone (ahem...me) was all, "don't worry about buying something for {insert name here} now - just get it at duty free! Trust me, it's easier!" Well yeah that kind of sucked because we had about 15 minutes because the husband wanted to get to the gate so he didn't feel rushed. So off to to purchase whiskey and other libations for our kind neighbors collecting our mail. Oh and we can't forget the three boys because they are picking us up. Yes, that's right, your boss. And we may have forgotten people because we were recklessly buying booze, candy and toys and it was a blur of sorts.

Anyway, on to customs. Another l-o-n-g line. Like really long. So time's ticking and a half-hour passes. Surely Chicago is not that popular a destination. But there are three flights departing at the same time. And so many school groups. And so many new security measures for people entering the U.S. It's 10 minutes to take off and we finally get to the agent.

The agent's nice enough - chatting about Ireland and my cousin's wedding and all sorts of other fun stuff. He stamps our passports and wishes us well. On to the check-in. No problem. And we're in our seats. A little rushed, but ready to go.

As we fasten our seat belts and settle in for the safety video, a woman in green approaches and informs us that I need to grab my carry-on luggage and exit the plane. Now.

I grab my purse and get led down the aisle. Everyone is staring. I hate people looking at me; "who's the eejit getting deported?" I actually feel my face turning bright red.

They go through my purse contents: camera, iPhone, earphones, wallet, passport and five Crunchie bars. (I admitted to being an Irish candy junkie, which at least got a laugh.)

Cut to the plane.

My husband has no idea why I was led off or where I went. And apparently neither did the flight crew: they were preparing for departure and he had to tell them I was otherwise occupied by officials.

Cut to my candy bar interrogation.

I show the agents {I can't even tell you if they were official or not!} my stamped passport and revisit our trip through customs. They give it the once-over and lead me back to the customs line.

For once in my life I spoke up: there is no way I'm standing in an impossibly long line with a bunch of old people with fanny packs or snotty tweens again. Oh and while my plane is scheduled to leave for Chicago. With just my purse.

So we head back to the agent who stamped my passport. And whoops can you believe he never entered me into the system. And hey isn't that something?! Wow, that was just something, wasn't it. Andy why didn't you mention something? Well this stuff happens all the time!

Whatever. I was cleared and good to go.

I re-boarded the plane, passport and Crunchies in-hand.

This time, I had to do the walk of shame solo; no green-clad agent escorting me. And the stares. I just wanted to shout, "Fellow Aer Lingus passengers, I do not have a flip-flop bomb. It is not my fault my own country almost didn't let me re-enter because a chatty agent f-ed up my lovely customs experience." But I just walked as fast as possible down that narrow aisle with my head down.

And then we took off. I watched several episodes of Sex and the City and Frasier. Ate some questionable chicken. Landed, and went home.

So I guess thank you to our US Customs and Border Protection for that experience? You're on top of things?

And thank you to my husband for being so anal retentive about things! If we would have had another pot of tea, who knows how this story would have ended.

High Style in High Definition

2010-07-07T15:19:00.001-05:00

With all that has been going on this summer, I haven't been watching much television-via-my-laptop. Well except reruns of Gilmore Girls and my housewife friends on Bravo. However, these pictures from all over the Internet have me excited for the upcoming fourth season of Mad Men.

I love the shift to the '60s inspired fashion, hair and makeup. Sleeker silhouettes, bigger hair, dramatic cat eyes = yes, yes, yes! (and how do I get that last look...amazing!)

Dia dhuit: Erie Edition

2010-07-01T19:28:00.002-05:00

My amazement at the fact that it is already July has to due with the fact that I did more traveling than usual in June and I was a little busier than usual. There was that whole work trip to San Antonio. Then my office moved. And then we took off for Ireland!

I wasn't sure if the trip would actually happen because my mom was very sick. However, she has shown a ton of improvement and I felt comfortable going. It was a wonderful occasion - my cousin's wedding and my husband's first trip out of the country - for the trip and we loved every minute.

Overall highlights:

Starting to drink in the twilight and keeping it up until the dawn. Seriously. We left the wedding at half-five the next morning. I'm too old for this.
Seeing my aunts, uncles and cousins in Ireland. If nothing else I am all about family, and it was nice to spend quality time with those far away.
Taking in scenery that is second to none, especially from my mom's house.
Relaxing!

Without further ado, here are some pictures of our time in Ireland.

This is the view from my mom's house out to Carlingford Lough

And a view from the other side of the house of the Cooley Mountains

A view of my mom's village from the top of the turf road

The Irish Sea in Newcastle at low tide

Slieve Donard and the Mourn Mountains

A sight in Dublin

Good stuff! But not as good as the home brew that KB makes!

The husband graduating as an official Jameson taster. Summa cum laude, naturally.

The grave of Cauthleen, the Long Woman, up in the Cooley Mountains.

Beautiful bride and maids

Cousins!

The only time in my life I will be considered tall

Dancing with the centerpieces...thankfully the flames went out

Reception site at a former Manor...I wouldn't mind this as a home!

Westport

Croagh Patrick

The Atlantic Ocean and beach near Connemara

My favorite Irish cousins: Ciara and Micheal, Ciara again, and Ciara, Micheal, Fiona, Aine with Colleen

So there is a quick run down of our trip. There was more crammed in, but this gives you an idea. We shared a lot of laughs and it was just a perfect time.

Slan!

Umm....

2010-07-01T18:46:00.000-05:00

How is it July already?

Just sayin'.

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

2010-07-01T18:38:00.001-05:00

What are a few of my favorite things? Off the top of my head:
Receiving fun packages in the mail.
Spoiling kids rotten with chic baby wear.
Cute little babies, specifically ones named Annelise.

So today I went to the post office to mail a package of chic baby threads to Ms. Anneliese. Here's a sneak peek because I know mommy is reading.

This time next year, you'll be the most stylish tot in Old Town! Enjoy!

One Month Later

2010-06-16T20:45:00.001-05:00

It's been ages! Almost one month. I have no idea where the time has gone. Seriously.
Unfortunately I don't have much in the way of house updates. The past few weeks have been consumed with family functions, travel and other activities.

One exciting development - outdoor furniture!

I've always enjoyed soaking up the shade. Unfortunately we never bothered with outdoor furniture so those days and evenings spent lounging outside weren't happening. Now, we're the soon-to-be proud owners of the above two lounge chairs and a wooden bench. Yay!

I saved the most exciting development for last.

One of the people I adore most in the world, my good friend CCPH, had her baby! Aww! When we were hanging out together last in Baltimore, every random person predicted a boy. Well Ms. Anneliese proved them all wrong! She's adorable and I can't wait to see her...and spoil her with some new threads I picked up. Much love to my friends in D.C. I miss you!

There have been a few other developments.

My mom was hospitalized with a pretty scary scenario. Sigh. Thankfully, she's on the mend and doing much, much better. My Rx to her: listen to doctors!  I now know where I get my stubbornness: that woman doesn't listen or budge on anything.

I was traveling for work and headed to San Antonio for the first time.  Humid as Hades, but a nice enough town. I got an award and had to make an impromptu speech in front of 5,000 physicians. Overwhelming! But it's over and I have a nice plaque.

More updates later this week!

Where Have You Ben My Whole Life?

2010-05-19T14:04:00.000-05:00

Where have you been my whole life?!?!?

I realize most people express this sentiment about a loved one or something significant. Not me. Well, not always.

Whole Foods is one of my favorite lunch spots, especially when I want a light lunch. I get my usual: container of mixed berry and pineapple, croissant, La Croix and maybe some cheese. And I supplement that by snacking on samples while I waste my hour.

I made my sample round today: guac and chips = yum!; bread = stale but okay by my low standards; some dessert that tasted like foam. While walking past the salad bar, I noticed a dome-topped plate of brown mess. It looked disgusting - other samplers had ravished it - but I decided to give it a go. It couldn't be worse than the foam. It wasn't. It was Whole Foods taco dip. It was amazing.

Where have you been my whole life?!?!?

I used this expression when CA came into our lives, picked up a hammer and helped with some of our home improvement challenges. He was a $35-per-hour god-send. And then he was depressed. And then he was back! And now he is depressed and gone again. So the void is back in our home improvement world until he comes around again. That's the latest on the home front.

How Grows Your Garden

2010-05-17T17:47:00.000-05:00

Good news update: the veil of depression is lifting, and our pal is back working at the house with us!

Even better, the weekend finished with a strong day of yard work on my end.

I weeded the front landscaping...

and put down new mulch

so the yard looks cleaner.

I also cut down part of a tree that was starting to fall on the driveway.

And capped the day by painting flower boxes.

Not bad for a half day spent outside.

Thank Goodness This Isn't My Full-time Job

2010-05-10T16:15:00.000-05:00

I marvel at the many talented bloggers of the world who have made a living out of writing posts on their area or expertise or just pointless drivel. Because frankly I suck at it.

Sorry for the lack of posts. Last week brought a new nephew. And relatives visiting from another country. And a funeral. And a still-depressed carpenter. And a bout of anxiety for me. And a host of issues associated with the anxiety since I have never experienced it before. And, and, and.

The good news is that we have painted flower boxes! The boxes will fill this bare space under the window in the picture below and add to the landscaping job we tackled last summer.

The plan is to hang the boxes this week if the weather cooperates. Of course, pictures to come!

Art Imitating Life

2010-04-29T16:10:00.000-05:00

Unhappy Hipsters is genius and highly amusing.

I just hate that one of their existential captions is on-point with my current life. Curse you, work.

Holding Pattern

2010-04-28T16:10:00.001-05:00

It's been awhile, my {four} friends!

We were on a pretty decent roll with the kitchen - saw dust was flying! - and we accomplished a good amount of work, especially big projects.

Typical with everyday life, all good things must come to an end.

We've been on a hiatus since last week because our partner in kitchen renovation crime found out his girlfriend was cheating and he's not in the right frame of mind. I envision his next visit to involve whiskey.

So I have no news reports.

Oh wait, I do! Tile for the back entry area arrives Saturday! I'll post pictures then.

And that's about it on the home repair front. For now.

Almost Finishing Touches

2010-04-15T12:00:00.001-05:00

While the kitchen cabinets have been installed for a few weeks, we needed to add crown molding to finish the look. I thought it would be simple - just nail on some trim and be done - but it's more involved. {more involved...doesn't that go for everything?}

The past couple of nights have been spent building frames, which serve as support for the molding.

We have three down and...a lot more to go. But the process is down and should be easier from here out.

We've Gotta Private Dance It Outta Here

2010-04-12T22:10:00.001-05:00

I saw the Sassy Gay Friends videos recently and somehow {how?! NO! NO!} forgot about them until my dear CCPH remineded me of them today. Even funnier? I once dated a guy who looks a little too much like Sassy Gay Friend for my comfort.

And just a little extra bonus since CCPH is welcoming her little one {fingers crossed for Claire!} soon:

Work with a View

2010-04-09T09:29:00.001-05:00

It is nice to see the city from a different perspective...even if work is attached to it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

And Cut!

2010-04-08T11:32:00.000-05:00

Our miter saw is set up - ready to cut through some baseboards and trim.

It's imposing and impressive - it even has this cool light/laser thing. I just wish I wasn't afraid to use it.

Monday, Monday

2010-04-05T08:28:00.000-05:00

The weekend went too fast!

Thursday Inspiration

2010-04-01T12:01:00.002-05:00

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” - Dr. Seuss

Thank You, Lover of Outback Steakhouse

2010-03-31T16:40:00.000-05:00

Someone's going to Outback tonight!

We received a gift card to Outback for Christmas, which was a lovely gesture. However, we're not frequenters of Outback and thought it would be cool to get some cash instead. Enter Ebay. We sold the gift card there for the full price and added to our PayPal account.

We found our Kohler faucet for sale on Ebay and won that bid - coming in $50 less than the suggested price. Add the Outback windfall, and we snagged the faucet for half price. Nice!

So enjoy your giant fried onion appetizer and steak, Ebay winner! I'll think of you with each spray of my new faucet.

War and Peace

2010-03-30T16:47:00.000-05:00

Being raised by Irish parents, some traits are inherent: pale skin, a hearty laugh, a gift of the gab, and stubbornness. At least these are traits I inherited from M & S. Most are very admirable, few less than desirable.

I would look ridiculous with a shade to my skin, and I know too many funny people to not enjoy a chuckle. However, I have made a conscious effort to work on my stubbornness: there are times when my mind is set and I arrive at a point where nothing can deter me. If you will, a little CCC self-improvement project that has been underway for a few months.

This self-improvement project nearly fell off the rails last week, and I owe a debt of gratitude to our tile salesman for bringing me back from the brink.

You see, one has a lot of time to pick out design elements when a remodel extends into the two year territory. In that time, I wasted more hours than I am willing to admit assembling ideas gleaned from books, Web sites, conversations, trips to various stores and just daily inspiration.

We were set with our plan. And I loved this plan.

Last week my other half started to question the tile for the backsplash. He wanted a mosaic. Yes, he went there. {A mosaic was the one type of tile I ruled out from the get-go...I just can't do it for many ridiculous reasons I am too embarrassed to admit here.} Ugh. I listed my reasons for sticking with THE PLAN. He listed his reasons for moving in a new direction. I reiterated my points...again....and again...and again for good measure because I refuse to move off the plan because I am Irish Stubborn.

So we spent Saturday looking for new tile. Tile Guy, God bless this man a million times over, listened to both sides: me being a proponent of keeping it simple and streamlined, him thinking we need to add punch and pizazz for resale purposes. He let us look at every option again. He humored silly questions. He played diplomat. He was no short of a miracle worker.

The result? Back where we started: subway tiles. Added alteration that takes care of the "pizazz" issue: a border.

This picture doesn't really do it justice -- the subway tile is the wrong size and the border is the wrong color. But I swear it looks good. Here's a break down of the elements in the picture.

Border

Subway Tile

Counter Top

GGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

2010-03-25T16:31:00.000-05:00

I am really, really, really frustrated. Seriously. Frustrated.

Frustrated. Like, seriously.

Internet Intervention

2010-03-24T21:10:00.005-05:00

For the past two years we have invested almost all of our free time into the renovation of the house. And during this time I have spent more time than healthy reading shelter magazines, checking out home improvement Web sites and drooling over before-and-after pictures on blogs. From all of that research I solidified my aesthetic and defined my vision for the house.

But two years allows a little too much time to think. And too much time listening to the opinion of others.

My parents stopped by the house on Sunday to see the cabinets. I showed my mom the samples of the countertop and backsplash. Just making conversation, I asked what she thought.

{I should preface that my mom and I have very different tastes. And I have always known this.}

"Well, you know {okay, that's never a good start} I'd have to see it on a larger scale because you just can't tell from samples."

Vague and not very encouraging, especially after her enthusiastic reaction to the cabinets.

"I was watching some celebrity show. Or was it in a magazine? Anyway, this celebrity has this kitchen with granny apple smith tile and it just was beautiful. You know so bright and pretty, and there was this really nice feeling to it. It reminded me so much of Ireland."

My mom is reminded of her homeland because of apples, and thinks the appropriate place to manifest this correlation is in tile. So why did I suddenly decide maybe my mom's design sense was the same as mine? And why did I spend the next two days researching kitchens with granny smith apple green themes? Because I am officially "house insane." {This disorder seriously needs to be in DSM-V.} Hence the need to have an intervention with myself over the Internet.

Self: You are not allowed to take one person's opinion and lose two nights of sleep tossing, turning, thinking if what Kristie Allen's designer did in her kitchen is what you should like because your mom mentioned it. You know what you like. Stop it.

Push and Pull

2010-03-23T15:30:00.000-05:00

{Disclaimer: sorry if the formatting is off or a little goofy...changes to Blogger.}
In addition to hunting for sinks, faucets and tile, I'm scouring local stores and the Internet for cabinet hardware.

I have changed my mind from my initial plan {thin, long, modern handles} to a less trendy option. You'd do the same if you had more than two years to mull over decisions.

Here are three knob/pull combos that are in the lead.

Option one: half-moon pulls for drawers and detailed knobs for cabinets

Option two: basic pulls for the drawers and basic knobs for the cabinets

Option three: slightly more embellished pulls for the drawers and basic knobs for the cabinets

I still have to more store to visit stores tonight and Thursday so my plan may change again. At least this is a starting point and I'm more focused with my ideas.

Cast your vote! I love feedback and opinions.

Not Just Children by the Million

2010-03-18T13:12:00.002-05:00

Even members of the U.S. House of Representatives recognize the brilliance of Alex Chilton:

No Luck o' the Irish

2010-03-17T16:58:00.001-05:00

I lost the faucet. Another day, another Ebay fail for me. On to the stainless option!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit

2010-03-17T08:26:00.006-05:00

Let's celebrate St. Patrick's Day by watching Conan in Ireland!

And now we go to Mobile for this hard-hitting investigative piece on leprechauns:

And finally to Denver, where random drunk commentator shouts during the city's parade:

Details, Details

2010-03-16T13:30:00.005-05:00

With the walls, floor and cabinets installed in the kitchen, we're now in the business of details. Surprisingly, or maybe not, the little things like faucets, hardware and the like often are most difficult decisions. Well, at least for me because I spend way too much time reading shelter magazines and scouring design blogs.

Anyway, I spent an entire week of my life researching pull-out and pull-down faucets for the kitchen, and debating the merits of my options. I will not get that week back, but I did decide on a faucet and now have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of faucets: brands, types, styles. After over-analyzing {a word almost never associated with me} the height of the arch, width of the sink base, placement of the window, and utility and function of the faucet, I decided on the Forte model by Kohler. It meets my requirements: transitional design, higher than the average pull-out but not as tall as a pull-down, single lever, mid-range price.

I have a bid pending on Ebay {glued to my computer waiting for that magical e-mail...what have I become?!} for the faucet in a satin nickel finish...fingers crossed! If I don't win that one, I'll go for one in stainless steel, which is a cheaper option but looks just as good.

Tomorrow I'm back to the tile shop to get a revised quote for the backsplash. I'll hopefully be able to share the pattern with you then!

CHECK!

2010-03-12T09:02:00.006-06:00

Drumroll please!

After two years and three months, we finally have cabinets installed in our kitchen.

{Drumming stops. Que the heavens opening up, chubby little angels singing and trumpets blaring.}

Here's a picture of what we started with so long ago. At this point we had already removed a lot of cabinets, paneling and other stuff.And here we are now:
I apologize for the early morning iPhone pictures. I'll snap a few real pictures this weekend.

We've still got miles to go, but this is a giant check off the list.

TGIF: Sunshine Edition!

2010-03-12T08:07:00.003-06:00

Today is awesome: sun, relative warmth, Friday, holiday, Diet Coke, babysitting, canceled doctor appointment, comfy clothes, unexpected compliment, Girl Scout cookies, cabinets. In fact this day is off to such a great start that I can look past daylight savings time.

So here's a pretty look to start out the weekend - enjoy!

Chi-town Carry-all

2010-03-11T13:32:00.003-06:00

I am a sucker for giant purses. For reasons that are unexplainable to me, I need to carry around my life in leather, canvas, or any material that holds a stitch. {In fact, during our infamous trip to Lucky Nails I was asked if I carried Visine with me because I looked "like that type of girl."}

I am also that person. You know, that annoying friend/relative who buys obnoxious souvenirs from every single kiosk in sight. Right here!

And I am a major luvah of Chicago.

For all of the above reasons, I need this tote: This wouldn't be everyday wear, but it could be fun for a travel bag or stashing gym stuff.

So Long, Newish Friend

2010-03-10T09:23:00.002-06:00

In the past year, Martin + OSA has become a go-to for great basics, especially their boyfriend cardigans and cute shoes. Just as I started to spread the gospel about this cross between GAP and J. Crew, I read its parent company is shuttering all stores. Definitely sad news. On the upswing, good discounts are to come! And now I don't have to worry about figuring out the pronunciation {is it oosa? O.S.A.? osaa?} of the second-half of the name.

C-Day, Part 2

2010-03-10T08:45:00.003-06:00

So long empty space! Tonight we are installing the remaining upper and lower cabinets. Whoo! The crown molding still needs to be hung, but that's a minor task compared to the cabinet installation. I definitely feel like we are turning a corner.

However, there is still do much to be done: counter top, back splash, sink, faucet, trim, paint, under cabinet lighting, hardware. And the little things, like an outlet for the stove, that were overlooked despite careful planning. However, I am closer to the prospect of a home-cooked meal. Yay!

A Spring In Your Step

2010-03-09T10:26:00.005-06:00

Though it is foggy, I am loving this Spring-like weather. It has put a big smile on my face that won't go away. If you haven't felt that pick-me-up yet, watch this new She & Him video - I dare you not to smile.

Heard and Seen This Weekend

2010-03-08T16:20:00.005-06:00

I went to Baltimore for a weekend with some friends. I had an amazing time with {three-and-a-half} dear, dear friends and enjoyed the break.

No weekend trip would be complete without reflective musings.

I arrived in Baltimore with eyebrows. I left looking like this:Pencil-thin brows. The opposite of what I wanted and what suits my face. Not cool waxer lady.

Kevin* the stylish Vietnamese gentleman who gave me a pedicure and manicure informed me: "You have such legs like an old white man." Good things my black socks and brown sandals are ready for this Spring weather! He also mistook my Vietnamese friend for Spanish. Good times at Luck Nails.

*Kevin was the name inscribed on tools, and I can't even attempt to pronounce his real name.

A simple question about Mr. Boh, the mascot of National Bohemian beer, having only one eye and looking sort-of creepy as result turned in a very long-winded lecture about Capitalism.
Thanks to that man for shedding 10 minuted of my life and 200 brain cells with his ramblings.

So the lessons from the weekend:
*"Full" faces + estheticians at random salons = no eyebrows.
*Embrace your old man features!
*Don't ask questions.
*I have awesome friends.

Good Day, Sunshine!

2010-03-03T09:20:00.002-06:00

Hello there, sun. It's been a long time.

I usually don't mind winter and actually enjoy the snow. {okay, I know that's nuts.} However, today's bountiful sunshine gave me a case of spring fever.

I can't wait to wear a cute coat that doesn't make me look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow. I long for no more boot-to-shoe changes a la Mr. Rogers.

Just as the mercury starts to inch up, I leave town. However, I am heading to warmer pastures. A whole five degrees. Baltimore, baby! I'm loving it already. Maybe my love affair with winter has run its course.

C-Day

2010-03-02T11:41:00.006-06:00

Today is a great day: the replacement cabinets are in!

Here's a quick recap:This is one side of the galley. The upper and lower cabinets are installed perfectly. The microwave is bolted to the wall and vented outside. One-third of the battle.

Here's an early snapshot of the other side of the galley. The refrigerator casing you see has been moved to the area slated for the lamented pantry. The old space for the refrigerator will be filled with the cabinets arriving tonight. I swear this plan looked good on paper. Unfortunately, 2-D doesn't account fully for how the cabinets will look installed completely, how the design will affect natural and artificial light, and the really limited footprint afforded by a galley kitchen. Another lesson learned.

I forgot to snap an update picture, but the other cabinets and sink base are installed already and the refrigerator casing is in its new home.

Tonight we will hopefully mark the walls for the cabinets so installation can start later this week.

Starting the Week {And Month} Out Right

2010-03-01T12:26:00.003-06:00

TGIF: Internet Chic Edition

2010-02-26T13:24:00.003-06:00

Lots of chicness circulating on the Internet this week...enjoy!

OMG LOL ROTFL WTF !!! 511 AITR FML

2010-02-25T11:10:00.005-06:00

Yesterday I followed the millennial conference moderated by Judy Woodruff {um, okay} on Twitter. The conference was based on a new report from Pew Research, which basically says more those youngsters running around your neighborhood in skirts up to there and with their pants falling down are confident, connected and open to change.

And you too can test your "millennialism" {yes, I made up that word and yes you can use it because it is that millennial.}

My score? 75!

I am not one of The Olds. Which is odd because I definitely feel that way. Or maybe I should get a tattoo to be more millennial?

Canvas Chic

2010-02-23T21:12:00.002-06:00

I just adore this bag from Land's End's new Canvas Collection. I would never consider myself a Land's End kind of shopper, but there are a few cute pieces in this collection.

Just Ignore the Girl Hoarding the Samples...Nothing to See!

2010-02-23T13:12:00.004-06:00

Dear Internet,

I am full of pointless drivel today. I blame it on stress. And being hungry.

The past few weeks have been bonkers, absolute bonkers, at work. Stress makes me hungry* and crave bad things. In an attempt to curb the immediate. need. for. salt. that consumed me all morning, I went to Whole Foods for lunch. I should have learned this lesson by now: never go there on an empty stomach.

Sample of guacamole and chips. Check.

Sample of salsa and chips. Check.

Sample of other salsa and chips. Check.

Sample of bread. Check.

Sample of a weird potato chip. Check.

So before I even looked at my lunch options I already consumed an entire meal. And my sushi was really disappointing {and overpriced!} so I'm already hungry for dinner. I hate when this happens.

There was a silver lining to my unsatisfying trip: witnessing an all-out fight in the parking lot. Between two suburban moms in giant SUVs. Complete with cussing, screaming and pushing. Resulting in the Hinsdale police coming to intervene before...well who knows where this was going.

I suddenly felt better about eating those chips.

*{I wish I had the same problem as everyone else where they drop major poundage when stressed. What's up with that, genes?}

TGIF: Up And At 'Em Edition

2010-02-19T11:27:00.003-06:00

It's {almost} the weekend!

This week has been a long one, mostly on account of brutish bambinos and petulant peers at work.

However, next week is a new one! I love feeling refreshed and fresh, ready to take on everything.

I do my best to always be optimistic and engaged in all aspects of my life, though I occasionally need an injection of motivation. A friend's dad has a great mantra that I have adopted as a motivational call: take the wheel, control how you feel!

Today's ideacast from Harvard Business Review offers a neat perspective and some intriguing ideas {love Fed-Ex idea days}.

Twinsies!

2010-02-18T21:40:00.004-06:00

Two reasons for "twinsies" as the title of this post.

One: twin nieces arrived today! Welcome to the insanity, Claire and Megan.

Two: discovery of my "twin."

How can anyone forget that week-long celebrity picture challenge on Facebook? It is memorable not because of any strong resemblance, but because of delusion. {Okay, two friends have legitimate claim to looking like a celebrity...and I'm not talking about you, Karyn/Cookie Monster!} However, tonight I think I may have found my celebrity twin!

We are still sans television. The last time I had cable in the home where I am residing {first my stint with the parental unit, and now my stint with the husband} was April 2007. Getting back to the point, we are oblivious to the Winter Olympics. Which seems unpatriotic to me and I feel mildly {and weirdly} guilty about that. As a result, we missed the amazing gold medal feats from last night.

After work we gathered 'round the laptop to watch the highlights video on NBC's Olympic site. And that's when it happened. During the snowboarding competition. Shaun White removed his helmet, and it was just like looking into a mirror: Okay, I am not saying we look alike. BUT, you can't deny the hair. Further proof:
What up, bro?!

On Religion, God, Science and the Universe

2010-02-18T13:05:00.003-06:00

I am not one to engage in serious debates about the existence of {a} God{s} or organized religion. It's just not my thing. However, I do enjoy the perspectives of others and appreciate a well-thought viewpoint. With that preface out of the way, two thumbs up to Roger Ebert for an interesting and provoking point-of-view.

Color of My Rainbow

2010-02-17T16:25:00.002-06:00

I just took the Color Career Counselor test, a fun analysis of your personality based on colors preferences. My result:

You're a DOER

Keywords:

Emotionally Stable, Reliable, High Energy, Practical, Thrifty, and Persistent

These adventurous types prefer action-oriented, concrete problems rather than dealing with thought-provoking, ambiguous, abstract dilemmas. Fields of interest include mechanical, construction, and outdoor careers. They might also enjoy working with machines, tools, and equipment to repair or build something.

Section I: You and Your Team
This personality overview section highlights your natural workplace talents—the tasks you pursue with passion. You'll learn how your natural strengths complement those of your coworkers and how, joining forces, you can resolve on-the-job dilemmas.
Section II: Your Key To Success
Here you discover your capacity for dispelling disruption and maximizing profitability. Use this proven, beyond-self-perception advice to create a more positive career path free of detours.
Section III: Managing Strengths and Weaknesses
Your evaluation's highest and lowest scores result in this section's recommendations for staying on-track in your career and reversing wrong turns. In focusing on your talents and missteps, you'll re-stoke your energy and enthusiasm for managing costly mistakes.
Section IV: Leadership Power Moves
This final section identifies your "street sense," those power moves that turn obstacles into insignificant details. Here suggestions based on your color-ranked evaluations will guide you towards making the most of an interview or harnessing your fast-paced workday.

My Pathetic Ode to Deep Dish Pizza

2010-02-17T15:38:00.003-06:00

When I moved back to Chicago in 2003, I instituted a weekly ritual that was so sacred almost nothing could cancel it: Friday Night Pizza from Lou Malnati's.

Driving home on the in-bound Eisenhower, always at the Austin exit, I would hit speed dial 1 on my cell phone and place the usual order: Medium, deep-dish, cheese pizza to go.

Exiting the Kennedy at Ashland, I would stop at the Lou's on Wrightwood, where they knew my name and face. "You're cheese will be up in a minute!" was the usual greeting. Ten-minute drive home north on Lincoln, and then sweet, cheesy goodness.

I can't adequately describe my love of this pizza or this ritual. It's completely ridiculous but so real.

So you can imagine the shock/sadness/horror I experienced reading about the waning popularity of deep-dish pizza in Chicago. Alas, I can't expect my East Coast peeps to understand. In fact, this is just one more bullet point in the "our pizza is better than yours" debate. But trends are cyclical, and I know my beloved deep dish will make a comeback!

Retail Therapy + Palm Springs Chic = {you decide}

2010-02-16T19:31:00.006-06:00

I have been engaged in an epic technology/innovation battle with the IT department at work. It's fairly comical, but also mind-numbingly frustrating. {However, I secretly love that people file into my office whispering "we totally support you on this."}

This weeks-long war reached a bloody, bloody conclusion at 4:30 p.m. today with me emerging -- battered and bruised from the experience -- as the victor.

Suck it, computer geeks.

In celebration of my "win" and Fat Tuesday, which is all about indulgence, I hit up Nordstrom Rack after work. While I normally gravitate to gray, black and blue, this citrus concoction caught my eye.

Clearly the iPhone shot is not the best, so here's a picture of basically the same shirt in a different cut. It has been a long week and I can't decide: can I pull off Palm Springs Chic? I'm not chic {misleading blog title alert!} and afraid of color -- two factors not helping me.

It's not possible to tell from this picture, but there is a lot of gray in the shirt, so I can easily tie-in a cardigan of the same color. And it would look cute with some boyfriend jeans. I think? And it was only $40.

So let me know if I have let power create delusion in my head or if this is a reasonable fashion choice.

Do Kids Really Say the Darndest Things?

2010-02-16T09:24:00.004-06:00

I love kids. I really do. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to think of one that didn't completely win me over.

Until I met two of Satan's spawn this weekend.

Enter the 7-year-old blond tween with bright blue eyes. She looks cute and innocent enough. Until we had this exchange:

{scene: a funeral lunch for Girl Spawn's grandfather, one of the nicest men to walk Earth. I am running after my two-year-old nephew}
Girl Spawn: {in a sweet sing-song voice} Hey, do you have children?
Me: {smiling} No, I don't.
Girl Spawn: {eyes turning red as Satan comes through} Well, you certainly look like you have.

Bitch. I feel awful saying that because she's just a tween and all, but seriously, it was so rude.

Enter her 3-year-old brother who the family refers to as "Damien" because of his behavior. This exchange takes place about 15 minutes later.

{scene: same funeral lunch, I have moved to the bar area to get lemonade for the nephews and I am talking with someone. The 3-year-old is tugging at my dress}

Boy Spawn: I HOPE YOU KNOW YOU'RE REALLY UGLY.

Absolutely gobsmacked, I had no response. Is it wrong to give the death stare to a toddler? Because I did. For pretty much the rest of the afternoon.

I have no idea why I am even writing this. More than anything it shows my lameness: who gets upset at toddler trash talk?! I needed to get it out and not burden my husband or friends with this nonsense. And I realize that I need to commit to feeling better about myself. So thanks, Satan's children, for this nudge.

GRRRReat!

2010-02-09T16:23:00.004-06:00

Photographic evidence of the tiger-stained stairs. Awesome, no?

Yes, it's slightly annoying that we were told our stairs were oak when the reality they are probably cardboard or something similar. However, I am confident that the result will be fine: I just need an afternoon and some white paint.

Tiger-stained stairs are the least of our worries. We had a minor snafu with our kitchen design. I was bizarrely excited about the pantry: dreams of assorted canned goodness in one place with cute roll-out shelves to make life easy.

My other half is entirely obsessive type-a. As the installation began -- literally about 30 minutes into it -- other half decided he was unhappy with the configuration since the refrigerator would block....

Honestly, I stopped listening to his rationale. How could you listen to a logical explanation when you dream of a pantry was fading?

While initially despondent over the loss of my pantry, I somehow managed to bounce back.

So we were back to the Orange Palace, hoping, hoping, hoping they accept returns on kitchen cabinets. And they do! For a restocking fee! Whoo! So we returned the pantry {sad eyes} and a few other cabinets on Saturday and ordered replacement cabinets.

Fingers crossed...this should be it. And we should have full cabinets in two weeks.

Here's a peek:

Quick Update

2010-01-29T17:15:00.003-06:00

This week I received some questions...

Where have you been? Everything is done, right? Where are the big reveal pictures?

Let's start with the first question.
I was in New Orleans last week. Sun, cajun food and hurricanes. I loved every minute of my trip. Even though a majority of my days were spent in a conference room listening to physicians obsess over the word "the."

On to the important stuff.

When life gives you lemons, add vodka.

This is becoming my new mantra.
Well, things in the house are coming along. {God, I will vomit if I have to use that phrase one more time.}

The floors are installed for the most part in the kitchen {still waiting for application of a final coat of vanish after the cabinets and appliances are installed}.

Great! Not really. Well it is great.

But we decided to sand and stain the stairs. And that just turned out like crap. I will give you photographic evidence next week. Basically it looks like a tiger rolled all over wet stain and somehow imprinted its stripes all over. I kid you not.

So we have our first lemon!

Options:
1. Keep the funky stairs as is.
2. Add a runner.
3. Replace the stairs.

I voted 2. The other half voted 3. I gave up and voted 3.

Get me some vodka!

The next lemon is funny because we had a conversation about the ACT exam last week, and my husband was amazed I scored so well given my admitted deficiency in all things related to math. I was never a mathlete, but I knew our stairs were just off. No one believed me. And during this whole consideration of what to do with the tiger-stained stairs, it was confirmed something was off. Nice that it took this long. Anyway, the previous owners obviously disregarded basic algebra {or didn't care} because we are missing a stair.

Get me some vodka!

So now we're back to option 2 because of the missing stair. Should I celebrate a small victory in home renovation or cry?

Honestly, that's enough vodka for today, so I'll get into the kitchen fiasco next week.

Take a Peek...

2010-01-14T14:33:00.002-06:00

...at the newly finished kitchen floor!

{taken with my iPhone while I was rushing out the door this morning.}

The finish is a little darker than represented in the picture.

Overall, the floors look great!

A Favorite Revisited

2010-01-14T14:29:00.003-06:00

The original {and irreplaceable}:

The new {and decent}:

Curious About What Your Neighbors are Watching?

2010-01-11T16:21:00.002-06:00

Wanna mock the taste of your neighbors? Peek at what 2009 movies were top in Netflex queues according to zip code. Apparently my neighbors were most curious about Benjamin Button.

Want Answers?

2010-01-11T12:25:00.004-06:00

explainthis.org

The brain child of Jay Rosen {journalism professor at NYU}, ExplainThis intends to make journalism better by allowing the public to become part of the process. An interesting idea in concept, and I am intersted to see where this site goes. {Of course I can't think of a suitable question to submit.}

It's Not Just Chicago...

2010-01-08T15:50:00.002-06:00

My cousin in Ireland sent me this awesome satellite shot that shows the snowfall in the land of green and England. They are loving this snow as it is a rare occurrence. {I wish I could say the same.}

Climb to the Top of the UES

2010-01-07T17:45:00.002-06:00

You can now refer to me as Plum Casiraghi a la the Socialite Name Chart.

Let's Move!

2010-01-07T16:47:00.001-06:00

My neighbor designed and built this home on Chicago's North Shore. It's amazing!

Double Oh Nine

2009-12-31T13:59:00.004-06:00

See you 2009.
Hello 2010!

Next year has a lot of good things in store not only for me but also for many family and friends. I wish the best -- health, happiness, love, joy and peace -- for everyone. I am rooting hard for three people in particular and hope the universe has wonderful things in store for these girls.

I am bad with resolutions. I'm still working on my 31 things in year 31 list, and need to revisit it starting tomorrow. If you are a person with resolve, good luck!

Happy New Year!

Dust

2009-12-30T14:01:00.000-06:00

I forgot how much construction dust has accumulated and settled in the house! Off to buy more white vinegar; this is quite the task.

Ruh-oh

2009-12-30T12:55:00.000-06:00

My plan to devote today to paint selection was thwarted by a discovery we made last night.

See, there was a thought by a male member of the household that kraft paper should he taped to the floor while we installed walls, pacthed and primed. And that maybe we should leave the paper down so the finished floors are not damaged.

Well it was a good idea in concept {um not really but my opinions will be omitted from this post} until we took up the kraft paper last night and discovered the painter's tape took up a layer of polyeurathane {or however it is spelled!}. And above is the result: Random tape marks all over the house.

Today I am trying to find a solution. I'm trying white vineger right now. Updates to follow!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Yes ... Damn!

2009-12-29T16:38:00.002-06:00

Procrastination.

I've been staring at this window for five minutes and can't think of a witty follow-up. So I stared longer at the monitor instead of just getting on with my point.

My point: Science Tuesday has an interesting piece about the psychology behind procrastination.

The lesson: use those gift cards and airline miles immediately! And to all my Chicago peep - we need to get to the zoo soon!

Extreme House Hunting

2009-12-29T15:14:00.003-06:00

In today's Wall Street Journal, Julie Chung chronicles Lidia Pringle's search for the "perfect" house. After looking at 298 properties, the Pringle's finally found their dream house: private road, marble and limestone clad double-height entryway, 18-foot-tall windows that look out on the San Francisco skyline, pool, home theater, and two offices. And it only set them back $5.9 million.

We looked at a lot of houses, but I don't think I could ensure three years of searching for something that may be elusive. I'll leave that for the more stong-willed.

The Best of 2009: Day 29

2009-12-29T13:46:00.002-06:00

{day 29 in The Best of 2009 challenge}

What was your biggest belly laugh of 2009?

Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I love to laugh. Laugh hard. Laugh hard and a lot. Laugh hard, a lot, and at almost anything. I can't think of one instance that was funnier than another, but I did laugh a lot in 2009. Here's to hoping the events of 2010 continue to bring giggles.

Brr!!

2009-12-28T17:14:00.002-06:00

Baby, it's cold outside.

And tonight I am sitting in a cold waiting room at the car dealership while my trusty Honda gets an oil change.

3,000 miles ago, I zonked out while I waited for my car to be serviced and awoke with drool dribbling down my mouth. Thankfully the clientele is not that classy.

I hope to avoid a repeat of that embarrassing incident, but it might be hard -- I'll be dreaming about this awesome fireplace I saw recently in an Anthropologie catalog.

The Best of 2009: Day 28

2009-12-28T16:27:00.010-06:00

{day 28 in The Best of 2009 challenge}

What was your favorite stationery find of the year?

I love paper products and have an extensive collection of monogrammed note cards: Letterpress, engraved, printed, flat card, folded note, traditional and modern. I am always amazed by the abundant, beautiful options and the creativity of designers.

Smock Letterpress consistently has inspired designs printed on sustainable paper. I use their gift tags, and the I always look like a star gift giver because of the specialness it adds to the package.

I used Bernadette Elenteny to design note cards as a favor for my sister's bridal shower, and heard nothing but praise for her work. I have the zinnia note cards {second item}, and love the modern feel.

It has been a few months since I purchased a set of note cards, and this neat penmnship stationery from Pink Loves Brown is tops on my shopping list.

Lastly, Snow & Graham is the reason for this obsession of mine. I am always scouring their site for neat ideas and my latest paper obession.

The Best of 2009: Day 27

2009-12-28T16:13:00.002-06:00

{day 27 in The Best of 2009 challenge}

What was your social web moment of the year?

I can't brag about meeting any of the bloggers that I follow/adore, and I've already professed my love for Twitter. However, this year, I discovered so many design and home blogs that really inspire me and help me realize my evolving vision for our house.

In fact, I discovered two more amazing blogs today: Little Green Notebook and Aubrey + Lindsay. I am in awe of Jenny's creativity {and that amazing birth story!}, and I definitely relate to the work {all loving} that Aubrey and Lindsay have put into their Toronto home. Definitely check out these blogs.

The Best of 2009: Day 26

2009-12-28T16:12:00.001-06:00

{day 26 in The Best of 2009 challenge}

What was your epiphany of the year?

Every year I realize a little more that there is a lot of crazy out there. And it's unavoidable. So I resolve to just deal with it and keep moving forward.

The Best of 2009: Day 25

2009-12-28T16:07:00.003-06:00

{day 25 in The Best of 2009 challenge}

What's a gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving?

I am in love with my iPhone.

The convenience, the apps, the fun.

Now if the battery life was better, my life would truly be complete.

The Best of 2009: Day 24

2009-12-28T15:38:00.002-06:00

{day 24 in The Best of 2009 challenge}

What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you?

"It never hurts to ask."

I learned this lesson at an early age. However, because of my weird insecurities and overall pained attempts to be as accommodating as possible, I rarely followed this sage piece of advice.

It's a mantra that my husband follows, and he has really challenged me to employ it. Everything from asking for upgrades when shopping for kitchen cabinets to figuring out the best places to go for a certain item, I gave it a shot. And it worked! Sometimes. It is still incredibly hard for me to ask people for, well, anything, but I am getting better.