Darling Notes

Currently Loving... Ampersand Design Studio Prints

2012-02-09T14:48:00.000-06:00

I'm head over heels for these neon pink and yellow ampersand prints by Ampersand Design Studio. The contrast that the screen printed characters have on the natural chipboard stock is SO lovely. I can't decide which color I like best!

If neon isn't your thing, the prints are also available in gold and silver, and are just as lovely! Be sure to check out the rest of the goodies in their Etsy shop!

Spring Color Crush: Round Two

2012-02-03T13:53:00.000-06:00

This week's warmer temps have me craving spring days. I'm looking forward to wearing flats, skirts and springtime accessories once again. A few weeks ago, I shared my first Spring Color Crush. Today I'm sharing another favorite color combination. This pink, navy and gold palette is perfect for transitioning from winter to spring. Who doesn't love a little pink + navy?

Pink tank, Navy skirt, Pink bracelet, Gold bracelet, Navy bracelet, Pink necklace

Navy polka dot top, Pink jeans, Gold flats, Navy tote, Gold clutch

Thoughts on a Wednesday

2012-02-01T09:55:00.000-06:00

"Paris is always a good idea."

2012-01-26T07:33:00.000-06:00

These Parisian prints from The Eye Poetry Print Shop make me daydream about another trip to the city of lights. In my senior year of high school, I explored Paris and the Loire Valley with my AP Art Studio class, a handful of French students, and my eccentric but amazing art teacher. I've been longing to go back, as I imagine experiencing Paris in my late 20's would be far different than my experience as a high school student. Until I pull out my passport again, these images will remind me of the beauty that the city really holds.

Images 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Spring Fling

2012-01-24T15:42:00.000-06:00

I'm crushing on these colorful spring bags. I'd tote any of them around town! 3, 5 and 2 are my current favorites. Do you have a go-to spring bag, or do you plan to choose a new one with the coming season?

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

Daydream

2012-01-20T11:30:00.000-06:00

source

It's VERY cold outside. It's snowing. I plan to lay in my bed and imagine the above.

Have a wonderful snowy weekend, friends!

Lovely

2012-01-19T09:59:00.002-06:00

I just love photos of jewelry collections. What could be prettier than a collection of lovely bling?

Clockwise, from top left: via Glitter Guide, via Breakfast at Toast, via Glitter Guide, via Glitter Guide

Currently Loving... Jack Vettriano

2012-01-18T12:11:00.000-06:00

I was flipping through a Jack Vettriano calendar that my friend received for Christmas, and found myself being drawn to these images in particular. I'm a huge fan of anything nautical, so I'm sure that's why I secretly wanted to tear the months with these images from her calendar and run away with them. Perhaps I should just purchase my own calendar... I'm sure that's what my friend would prefer. Until then, here are the images that I'm currently loving:

On a side note... who watches Glee? What did you all think of Will's proposal to Emma? The sailor outfit on the girl in the first image slightly reminded me of it. Artie floating around in the pool just killed me -- I love him.

Spring Color Crush

2012-01-17T11:06:00.000-06:00

We all know that navy and green pair perfectly. It's no surprise. This color combo is officially my favorite for spring. My closet is full of navy blue items, but I'd like to add more kelly green pieces for a pop. Here are a few things I'm coveting:

Green top, Striped top, Navy top

Dress, Clutch, Bangle

Green flats, Striped flats

Golden Globes 2012: Black, White and Bling

2012-01-16T10:01:00.000-06:00

What were you favorite looks from the Golden Globes 2012 red carpet? Sadly, I was a bit underwhelmed. There weren't too many looks that I went crazy for this year. I won't post a Worst Dressed list, as the gorgeous stars never look horrible -- it's just that their stylists don't always make great choices. I say that like I'm a fashion authority, but the truth is that I'd probably make a bad fashion decision if I was ever invited to attend a huge awards show. *Sigh*

There were two dresses that stood out to me -- not because they were bright or flashy, or glittering or overly sexy. I loved these looks because they were classic, chic and confident. Kate Winslet (in Jenny Packham) and Claire Danes (in J. Mendel) both looked phenomenal in black and white gowns that seemed to be made just for them.

When it comes to bling, the jewelry display was not disappointing at all. My favorite look was Charlize Theron's stunning Cartier headband. It was the perfect way to wear sparkle.

What were your favorite looks?

How to Watch an Awards Show

2012-01-13T14:13:00.000-06:00

The Golden Globes are this weekend -- will you be watching? I'm sure I'm not the only one who is mostly interested in what the stars are wearing. I love watching the red carpet specials and checking out the lovely gowns + dapper gentlemen. Here's my idea of how any award's show should be viewed:

Grab a big bowl of popcorn. Bonus points if you have candy on hand.

You'll want to be festive, so a can (or 3) of champagne will serve as your beverage of choice.

It's an awards show, so obviously you'll need to dress up. Comfy pants are always chic, along with

cozy slippers and a bit of bling.

Be sure to promptly tune in to the red carpet specials -- you won't want to miss any stars as they arrive.

Feel free to comment on dresses out loud, or via Twitter.

Try to stay awake until the end of the show. I haven't succeeded at doing this, but I always give it

a good try.

PS -- I'm loving these gowns from the 2012 Monique Lhuillier Pre-Fall Collection. I think they're totally red-carpet worthy.

Snow Day Necessities

2012-01-12T08:49:00.000-06:00

Danielle and I might be the only people in Chicago that are excited for a nice dose of SNOW. Bring on the white fluffy stuff! I've been itching to see a gorgeous snow storm all season, and it looks like Mother Nature is bringing one our way today. I'm lucky enough to work from home, so I'll be trying to position my computer so that I can watch the snow while I work. Today's necessities include giant cups of warm coffee + a good book on my Kindle Fire + my navy wellies for walking through flurries to my workout class later this afternoon + a cozy sweater to lounge in when my friend stops by tonight for some takeout and catch-up. Sounds like a great snow day to me!

Darling Decor #33

2012-01-10T09:03:00.000-06:00

It's been quite a while since I posted an image for Darling Decor. I came across this pretty room on Pinterest. It got me thinking... what would my apartment look like if it was just me living here? I know, I know, it's a weird thought -- I've lived with my guy for years now, and never had a place to decorate on my own (besides my dorm room, then room in the sorority house, and a school apartment). If I had a space all to myself, and could go nuts with the decor... where would I start? I'm really loving this coffee table and the wall treatment in the room below. Don't even get me started on the window treatments. While I am in no way saying I'd like my own space, sans husband, a girl can decorate in her dreams, right?

Original image source

I'm feeling...

2012-01-05T16:04:00.000-06:00

image

Along with some wonderful gifts, Santa also brought me the flu. I've been feeling under the weather since the day after Christmas. Today is the first day that I've started to feel a bit better, but I can't seem to shake this cough. My husband and pup have been taking good care of me, and I finally got some real meds yesterday. I'm hoping I can kick this sickness in the butt by the end of the weekend and get on with 2012!

On a happier note, I wanted to share something that I posted earlier in the week on my other blog... Cupcakes for two! I spotted this amazing recipe on How Sweet It Is earlier in 2011. Two cute little cupcakes - one for you and one for a friend, or two for you if you don't feel like sharing! I like baking cupcakes, but rarely do because I don't need a dozen of them sitting on the kitchen counter tempting me. Next time I have a sweet tooth, this recipe will be what I reach for!

2011, you've been great!

2011-12-31T11:46:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I spent some time jotting down each month of the year and the events and fun things that took place during 2011. I won't hide it -- Facebook helped a lot. Thanks, timeline.

2011 was a fantastic year, full of change for the Mr. and I. The biggest change being our move to Chicago. To wrap up the year, I thought it'd be fun to take a walk down memory lane and record the fun things we did during 2011, month by month. Some months were more exciting than others, but all in all, it was a wonderful year:

January

- We rang in the New Year with champagne and cannolis from Termini Bros.

- Lots of snow in Delaware!

February

- Monthly Wine Club "meetings" with friends began. Each month had a different theme!

March

- Bought our iMac and finally got CS5 - wahoo!

- Took a trip out west to Seattle and Portland. Visited my brother in Portland and went skiing at Mt. Hood.

April

- Woke up early with the rest of the world to watch the Royal Wedding. Wore my homemade fascinator to work and handed out royal treats to co-workers.

-Began to entertain the idea of Ron taking a new job and possibly moving.

May

- Attended Point to Point to watch the horse races, dressed in Lilly Pulitzer, pearls and a giant hat.

- Flew out to Chicago for Ron to take a final interview. We started falling in love with Chicago and the idea of moving!

June

- Celebrated my 27th birthday.

- Received the news that Ron got the job in Chicago -- we found out we were moving!

- Traveled to Petoskey, MI to meet my Goddaughter Lily for the first time and celebrate her Baptism.

Had a great time catching up with my bestie Meghann.

- Took a trip out to Chicago to hunt for apartments and celebrate our move with friends.

- Put our Delaware house up for sale. It was our first home together.

July

- Spent the 4th of July at the shore, soaking up the sun and enjoying the sand and sea.

- Began purging and packing up our house for the move.

- Spent time with family and friends, and had a great going-away party hosted by my Aunt and Uncle.

- Hit the road -- Chicago bound! On Aug. 13th we became Chicago's newest residents!

- I started working as a contractor for FineStationery.com, and began working from home.

August

- My parents visited us in Chicago and we enjoyed showing them our new home.

- Our friends took us sailing on Lake Michigan and I confirmed the fact that I'd like to be a sailor when I'm older. Also confirmed... my husband gets terribly seasick.

September

- Our friends Steve and Ali visited from Delaware to spend Labor Day weekend with us.

- We celebrated our two year wedding anniversary.

- I was published in the National Stationery Show's e-newsletter.

- My blog was featured in the Sigma Kappa Triangle.

- We took a trip to San Francisco and the Napa Valley with our friends, the Zaks. Drank lots of wine!

- I started to get back in to shape by taking classes at Barre Bee Fit.

October

- Met a few other Chicago bloggers at a Wine Tasting event.

- Ron's parents visited us in Chicago and were here over Halloween weekend.

- We hosted our first party in our apartment. Lots of great apps and wine!

November

- Watched the Tree Lighting and parade on Michigan Avenue with new Chicago friends.

- Ron's brother visited Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with us. I cooked a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner for the three of us!

December

- Went to a few holiday parties to celebrate the season.

- Took our first trip back east since moving to Chicago to spend Christmas with family.

Happy Holidays to You!

2011-12-23T14:27:00.000-06:00

Image source

After a surprisingly shorter car ride than we had anticipated (12 hrs.!), the Mr. and I arrived in Pennsylvania last night. We were greeted by family, smiles, hugs and holiday treats. It's so great to be home for the holidays. I'll keep my post short so that I can get back to the festivities, but I wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy the time spent with family and friends!

I also wanted to send out a huge holiday thank you to Kristin and Megan of the Bon Bon Rose Girls. They have selected me as their Freshly Picked Rosebud of the Week! I'm so excited, and wanted to share their post with you {here}. If you aren't aware of their blog, I encourage you to pop over and see all the fun posts they share daily. In addition to great blogging, they have put together an amazing network of bloggers called Rosebuds. How great, right? Thanks again, ladies!

A Feature & Holiday Cheer

2011-12-21T10:37:00.000-06:00

Today, Alison of Long Distance Loving is featuring yours truly and the Mr. as part of her ongoing series {Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder}! I am so thrilled to be a part of her series. You can read the whole post here. For those of you who don't know, my husband and I have known one another since kindergarten. It's true! The 4th grade class photo on Long Distance Loving today proves it. A huge thanks to Alison for including us in the series, and putting together such a lovely post! Be sure to check out her blog for more great posts!

Last night, Danielle had a small holiday gathering at her place (which is fabulously decorated!) Liz and Danielle made yummy cranberry margaritas and a very festive baked brie. Alaina, Taylor, Anne and Farrah were there to join in the Christmas cheer. We ate lots of other goodies, played Apples to Apples and, of course, swooned over Buddy in his Santa suit.

Today I'm finishing up some work and getting packed up for our trip back east for Christmas. The Mr., the pup and I will be in the car for a solid 12-13 hours tomorrow. How many times do you think I can get away with listening to the N*Sync and Glee Christmas albums? We haven't been back east since moving to Chicago in July, so we are really looking forward to seeing the family!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

An Adirondack Christmas

2011-12-20T08:41:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been clicking away on Pinterest, and then 10 minutes later find yourself on a new blog or tumblr and wonder how on earth you got there? That's how I stumbled across these photos of an amazingly gorgeous Adirondack cabin in its full Christmas glory. This place would make the perfect getaway for a warm and cozy Christmas with the family, don't you think? According to the post, that's exactly what Barney's fashion director Amanda Brooks and her family use the cabin for. What fun!

Ornament Traditions

2011-12-19T17:09:00.000-06:00

Our tree is full of special ornaments. My family has a few different ornament traditions -- some that started when I was just a baby.

My dad has given my brother and I the Hallmark daughter or son ornament each year. It's always exciting to see what the ornament looks like each Christmas. I'm hoping to continue this tradition when my husband and I have children.

My aunts and uncles have always given me ornaments. When I was younger, everyone called me Jenni, so there are many fun ornaments with "Jenni" written on them. To this day, they still give me a new ornament every year.

One of the more recent traditions is giving a reindeer ornament to my husband. His family typically had a themed tree, so when we had our first Christmas together, the tree was overflowing with just my ornaments. I felt bad about that, so I gave him a cute reindeer. Every year since then, he has received a new one, and is slowly building his collection!

Do you have any ornament traditions?

Presents for your Pup

2011-12-13T12:34:00.000-06:00

A question for all of the dog lovers... do you buy Christmas presents for your pup? This year, the Mr. and I purchased one toy for our Boston Terrier, Bean (the rope reindeer shown below!) One of our relatives was surprised that we didn't buy more for her. Do dogs really know it's Christmas, after all? Of course Bean will sport a decorative jingle bell collar on Christmas day, but I'm pretty sure she'll be oblivious to the holiday. She'll just be so happy to be around family and food.

If you do purchase presents for your pooch, here are a few great ideas from some of my favorite stores for pets:

Since we celebrated Christmas just a bit early before heading back to the east coast to be with family, we gave Bean her rope reindeer from Barker & Meowsky. She LOVES it!

1. Cotton rope tug toss toy from Mungo & Maud

2. Hemp striped bone toy from Mungo & Maud

3. Squeaky ornament toy from Pet Smart

4. Cotton rope reindeer from Barker & Meowsky

5. Rubber snowball toy from Barker & Meowsky

6. Reindeer soft toys from Harry Barker

Chicago's First Snow of the Season

2011-12-09T10:19:00.000-06:00

This morning when the Mr.'s alarm went off, I hopped out of bed to peek out the window. I usually roll over and fall back asleep for a few minutes, but knowing that it was supposed to snow through the night made me get up to check it out. A beautiful dusting of white snow was covering everything -- Chicago's first real snow of the season! This morning when I was heading to Barre Bee, I snapped the above photo on Armitage. The entire city is decorated, and it is so gorgeous & festive! I've been in the holiday spirit for a few weeks now, but this makes it even better.

Our Home for the Holidays

2011-12-06T09:05:00.000-06:00

Aqua & Emerald Christmas Palette

2011-12-05T08:56:00.000-06:00

I'm loving this modern holiday palette. It's so fresh and cheerful! I typically stick to red, green and silver when it comes to decorating our place for Christmas, but aqua, blue and emerald look so dreamy (esp. with that white tree!)

Tiny tree, Wreath, Large tree

Behold, the Thanksgiving Menu!

2011-11-17T09:31:00.001-06:00

I mentioned earlier that I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the very first time this year (eek!) I've always wanted to host Thanksgiving, so I'm very excited about the preparations and actual event! It'll be a very small crowd, but I'm going all out. Why not, right? I just love Thanksgiving. With one week to go, the menu is set -- and I'm sharing it with you today!

Thanksgiving Menu

Turkey with Herbed Butter Rub

Our fresh turkey has been pre-ordered from Whole Foods. I made a "practice turkey" last week, and am so glad that I did. The practice turkey was dry brined and rubbed with an herbed butter. I'll definitely be using the herbed butter technique, but skipping the dry brining (the meat was a little too dry for us.)

Homemade Gravy

I made this gravy when I cooked the "practice turkey", and it was phenomenal -- hands down, the best gravy I've ever tasted (and the Mr. agreed!) After a few shudders as I had to handle the giblets, the process for making the gravy was very simple. In my opinion, one of the reasons why it tasted to good was that the homemade broth that was used was simmered for 2 hours. I also got to use my new fat separator in the process -- such a great tool!

Simple Stuffing

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without stuffing. I'm not a huge fan of stuffing that was cooked inside of the bird, so I'm opting for this simple recipe instead. I plan on drenching the stuffing with gravy!

Herbed Mashed Potatoes

With all the homemade gravy that I'll be making, we need one more thing to add it to. Mashed potatoes are easy and tasty, and in my book, a must on any holiday table.

Sweet Potato Casserole

My Mom and I made this last year for Thanksgiving, and it was so delicious. It's one of my favorite seasonal dishes -- so sweet and yummy! Who doesn't like marshmallows?

Green Bean Casserole

Since we need to add a veggie to the mix, Green Bean Casserole has been added to the menu. The crunchy onions on top are healthy, right? Ha!

Cranberry Sauce -- right out of the can! No shame here, folks.

Pecan Pie

The Mr. prefers Pecan over Pumpkin any day, so we'll be indulging for dessert.

Plumpjack Wine

We have a bottle of wine that has been aging for a few years, plus a bottle that we picked up on our recent trip to Napa. Both are from Plumpjack, which is one of our favorite wineries.

To add a little flair to the table, I invested in a few cloth napkins from Crate&Barrel, and plan to make a small centerpiece of gourds. If I have some time to be crafty during the next week, I might make these cute squirrel place holders -- I mean, how cute are they?

I'm absolutely full and exhausted after typing out this menu. I think I'll go take a nap.

What's on your menu?

City Love

2011-11-08T08:09:00.000-06:00

kate spade really knows city girls. bright lights, busy streets, amazing atmosphere.

umbrella, bangle, scarf, mittens

Simple & Sparkly Winter Deer

2011-11-07T21:17:00.003-06:00

How cute are these teeny tiny sparkly deer? I'm tempted to run out to a children's store to find some of these little guys and then glitter-ize them!

Saturday Morning

2011-11-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

My Saturday morning:

Slept in and cuddled with the pup, followed by a walk to Starbucks for a Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte. Chilly air + leaves on the ground -- love it. My first holiday cup of the year from Starbucks {smiles}.

November on my desk calendar from Paper Source has a Boston Terrier on it... could it be more perfect? I framed a piece of Paper Source wrapping paper with pictures of pups all over it, then propped it up on the desk -- it gives the workspace a little flair.

Putting together some blog posts for the week while sipping my latte. Feeling inspired this morning. I want to start posting about the holidays -- too early?

The kitchen counter top is covered with wine glasses and wine bottles. We threw a little wine party for some friends last night. I dread washing all the glasses by hand, but we had a ball last night!

What is your Saturday morning like?

November Necessities

2011-11-02T13:09:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe that it's already November. The air is cold, homes are cozy, and the holiday spirit is creeping in! Here are a few necessities to get you through the month of November:

1. A soft snood will keep you warm when the winds start to blow.

2. Wrap your hands around a Gingerbread Latte. It'll also bring you into the holiday spirit!

3. Lounge around in cozy faux fur slippers all day long.

4. Cold winds do not mean fashion sacrifices - simply pull on a pair of wool tights with a cute skirt.

5. Keep hands warm while you're on the go with a fun pair of gloves.

6. Give your home some extra warmth with knitted pillows.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T14:25:00.000-05:00

Halloween Link-Up with Breakfast At Toast

2011-10-27T05:58:00.001-05:00

Today I'm linking up with Danielle over at Breakfast at Toast for some Halloween fun! Perhaps one of my favorite parts of Halloween is the fact that candy is EVERYWHERE. That makes it alright to eat all.the.time, right? Hardly... but I do indulge in a few more sweets than usual in the days leading up to Halloween.

It's a bit of a bummer to be too old to trick-or treat (free candy!), but these candy bar inspired cupcakes might be the perfect alternative for grown-ups who still have a sweet tooth!

Cupcake images via Food Network

Almond Joy, Butterfinger, Peppermint Patty, Snickers via Wikipedia

Be sure to head over to Breakfast at Toast for Danielle's Halloween Week posts and link-up!

Blogger Meetup, October 2011

2011-10-24T08:44:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday, I met up with 9 other Chicago bloggers to attended my first Blogger meetup. I Wish put on a wine and cheese pairing class for us at a small, cozy Lakeview wine bar called Fion. Thank goodness it was cozy inside, because the wind was howling outside, and the rain was coming down at all angles! Shari of The Daily Dish organized the event, and did an amazing job getting everyone together. Thanks, Shari!

(L to R) Kelly of The Pink Apron, Maris of In Good Taste, me, Katy of The Gluten Free Girl's Guide to Chicago,

Lara of Simply Irresistible, Tess of Tea Time with Tess, Cara of City Girl Chicago, Cait of Cait Hates Cake,

Shari of The Daily Dish, Hannah of A Little Big Life

We tasted four wines -- two white and two red -- and four cheeses. The wines were interesting, with the Cabernet Sauvignon being my favorite. I'm not a big fan of cheeses (I stick to cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan... boring, I know), but the other girls tasted all of them. The sommelier instructed us to taste the wine first, then taste the cheese, and end the pairing by placing a small piece of the cheese in our mouth followed by a sip of wine. Since I just returned from a trip to the Napa Valley, I was able to pick up on a lot of the different notes in the wines as we tasted.

Once the tasting was finished, we stayed at the bar to enjoy another drink and talk about our blogs and who we are outside of blogging. Some girls enjoyed another glass of wine, but I went for the Pumpkin Pie Martini that was Fion's fall specialty. As with all pumpkin flavored treats, it was yummy.

It was so nice to meet the other bloggers in person. Being new to Chicago, it was especially nice for me to meet others that have recently moved to the city. We chatted about meeting up again before the holidays (and picking a day when the weather is looking a but nicer!) Thanks again to all of the girls that made it out to the event! If you haven't stopped by their blogs (listed under the group photo above), I encourage you to do so!

Currently Loving... Glittered Tableware

2011-10-21T15:28:00.000-05:00

This glittered tableware, including tart servers, a salad set and teaspoons, could not be more perfect for holiday entertaining. The sparkling and luxe look will definitely add glam and style to your table. I'd love a set of each different serving piece, in each color!

It's Thursday

2011-10-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon! I thought I'd just share a sweet little photo from Pinterest today. I feel like I resemble that pup today -- hunkered down at my computer, glasses on, wrapped up in a scarf and sweater. I returned home last night from a fantastic Chicago blogger event only to find that the power had gone out from the high winds here in the city. It was downright COLD in the apartment (could be the fact that the windows in the bedroom let air through, which we recently discovered... *ring, ring, landlord?*) Power was eventually restored around 11 a.m. this morning, just in time -- the dog was wearing her coat, and I knew I was missing precious hours of work time. Casualties of the outage included a few items from the fridge, including coffee creamer and yogurt. A trip to Starbucks made up for it. The place is now warming up nicely, and with the exception of the internet mysteriously going out a few times, I'm back up and running.

I promise to post about the Chicago blogger event once I download the few photos I took, and get caught up on work. It was such a lovely time, and some of my "internet friends" became "real friends".

Enjoy your afternoon!

Rainy Days

2011-10-19T15:13:00.000-05:00

It's been rainy and gloomy in Chicago since yesterday. I don't particularly mind, since it gives me the chance to wear my new wellies, and makes the apartment seem much cozier inside! Although, I am headed out this evening to meet up with a group of fantastic Chicago bloggers (more to come tomorrow!), and I'd like to stay dry until then! Inspired by the wet, dreary forecast, I rounded up a few lovely wellies to brighten the day.

1, 2, 3 -- Plaid

1, 2, 3 -- Playful

1, 2, 3 -- Preppy

Cozy Accents for the Home

2011-10-18T10:22:00.000-05:00

The chill in the air this week has inspired me to make the apartment look and feel as cozy as possible. Warm blankets, knit details and candles will certainly do the trick. What are your favorite home accents for the winter? Here are a few of my fav accents for the cold months:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Pumpkin Meringue Pie

2011-10-17T15:57:00.000-05:00

Is this pie for real? Am I in Meringue Heaven? I don't even have any more words -- this pie speaks for itself! I'm adding it to my Thanksgiving menu for sure.

Hello, Autumn

2011-10-16T11:45:00.000-05:00

Image via Pinterest

Homemade Granola Bars

2011-10-12T10:19:00.001-05:00

I generally love any treat that involves oats -- cookies, crumbles, granola, etc. While going through my recipe box the other morning, I came across an older recipe (one that Annemarie of Brunch of Saks posted way back before she was gluten free) that I'd adapted and stashed away for homemade granola bars. With all the ingredients on hand, I made a batch of these yummy bars. They make a great snack or morning treat. The Mr. loved them, saying the recipe was one of his favorites when it comes to snacks I've made.

The best part about the recipe is that you can add various ingredients to it in order to customize your bars -- for example, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate (if you want a sweeter snack).

4.5 cups oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup softened unsalted butter

3/4 cups honey

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

3-5 tablespoons shredded coconut

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, baking soda, brown sugar and coconut. Add the honey and vanilla, mixing well. When the mix is well combined, add the softened butter in chunks. I find it best to mix with my hands in order to break everything up. Press the mix into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 in. baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 18-22 minutes. Cut in to chunks or strips and enjoy!

Currently Loving... Thanksgiving Tables

2011-10-11T09:31:00.001-05:00

Over the weekend, my friend and I stopped in West Elm to check out some goodies for her new place. Believe it or not, it was the first time I had ever been inside a West Elm store -- I was in Heaven! As soon as we walked in, before us stood a gorgeous table staged for a Thanksgiving feast. The dishes, the colors, the styling -- all perfect. I wanted to take the entire table home with me. While I could kick myself for not snapping a few pics of the table settings, these images from their site will suffice:

This Thanksgiving will be the first time that my husband and I will be away from the family. My brother-in-law will be in Chicago to visit, but we'll be without the rest of the fam. It will also be the first Thanksgiving dinner that I will be cooking, and I couldn't be more excited. It'll be a small feast for 4 people, but that's probably all I can handle for my first try. I might have to pick up some of those cute "gobble" plates with the little turkeys to accent the table. Have you ever cooked your own Thanksgiving or holiday feast?

The Weekend

2011-10-10T08:33:00.000-05:00

The weeks seem like they are just flying by, but for some reason (and I'm not at all complaining) the weekends seem to last long! On Friday night, the Mr. and I headed to Happy Hour at Wildfire. We sampled a few apps and drinks and then met our friend before settling down at Public House to watch the Phillies vs. Cardinals game. While the game was a MAJOR disappointment (really, Phillies?), we did enjoy the night out.

Saturday morning was spent at the Green City Market. We purchased Michigan apples and a whole corn cob that you stick in the microwave to make popcorn. The weather was sunny and really warm on Saturday, and we actually ended up flipping the AC back on. It feels so strange for October! After the market, we headed outside the city in search of a good winter coat for the Mr. and some wellies for me. Saturday fun continued with a concert at Lincoln Hall that night. We saw Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers and Jon McLaughlin. Both were amazing, and the small venue made it to much more fun! I picked up the new Jon McLaughlin album, and the new Stephen Kellogg album will be out in a few days.

On Sunday morning, I met my friend from high school for a morning Barre Bee Fit class in Lincoln Park. It's such a great workout, and my body is feeling much better since starting 2 weeks ago. We stopped by the Apple store at North/Clybourn in the afternoon to check out the iPhone 4, and ultimately decided to wait for the 4S in just a few days. We both have the 3GS now, and are due for an upgrade. We met up with my high school friend again for some food at Burger Bar afterwards.

We did so much this weekend, so perhaps that is why it felt so long! I'm swamped with work this week, but will be taking some time out on Tuesday afternoon to meet up with Danielle. I think the weather is supposed to stay unseasonably warm, but I'm wishing for those crisp autumn mornings to return!

What are you up to this week?

Autumnal Accessories

2011-10-06T08:33:00.000-05:00

Just a few pretty pieces that are perfectly fit for fall.

Headband, Bracelet, Tights, Necklace, Gloves

Darling Decor #32

2011-10-04T10:31:00.000-05:00

I'm loving the plum colored seating with the high back and the chandelier in this room.

Better Homes and Gardens

Weekend Sweets

2011-09-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

These two desserts look perfectly fit for fall. I think I might have to whip up a batch of one or the other (or both) this weekend.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles

Pretty Pumpkins

2011-09-27T09:54:00.000-05:00

I always like to decorate with pumpkins during the fall, but sometimes I find that they don't last quite as long as I'd like when placed indoors. As an alternative, I've had my eye on these pretty pumpkins for autumn decor:

Wood, Velvet, Vines, Marble, Stone, Mercury Glass, Wire

A Trip to Northern California

2011-09-26T09:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, we returned from an amazing trip to Northern California (including San Francisco, Sonoma, Napa and the surrounding wine country areas). We'd been anticipating this trip for so long, and had the best time with our friends Ashley and Bryan. Here are a few highlights from the trip:

We started the vacation in San Francisco, where we enjoyed a farmer's market, 24 hour brewed iced coffee, a visit with some friends, a cable car ride, sourdough bread, Alcatraz, China Town, Fisherman's Wharf, and so much more. During our stay in San Fran, the Mr. and I celebrated our two year anniversary with a fantastic dinner at Foreign Cinema, where we sat outside and dined while an old black and white film played on the outdoor wall (a great date night idea for anyone living in the area!)

After exploring the city, we headed up to wine country. On our way, we stopped in Muir Woods for a dose of gorgeous scenery. The trees were beautiful, and I snapped a lot of fun photos.

Wine country was better than we had even hoped. Stunning vineyards, fantastic tastings, lots of sites, delicious food, and time to relax. We rented a house with the other couple that we traveled with, which turned out to be the coolest little house on a vineyard with an outdoor space that was to die for. We cooked our own meals two of the nights, and had an absolute blast playing bocce and sipping wine.

Some of my favorite tastings were at the smaller wineries, including Frias Family Vineyards, and Chase Family Cellars. Sitting down for a tasting with the wine makers is so neat, and we learned a great deal from them. The larger, more developed wineries were also great, though -- Plumpjack, Ravenswood, Duckhorn and Caymus for example.

If you ever have the chance to visit wine country, I highly recommend the trip! There are so many vineyards to see, so many wines to taste, and the sites are just amazing. For now, I'm happy to be back in Chicago, though - even if it's a bit chillier than 90 degree Napa!

Bags are packed, ready to go...

2011-09-16T09:13:00.000-05:00

Images 1, 2, 3

Quite honestly, my bags are not yet packed, but I'm certainly ready to GO! The Mr. and I are headed west early tomorrow morning with two of our best friends for a California trip. We'll start in San Francisco and make our way up to Napa and Sonoma. We really lucked out in finding an amazing house to rent in Sonoma -- it sits on a vineyard! So today, as I finish up some last minute work projects, I'll daydream about real sourdough bread, wine tasting and relaxing!

On a funny note, we will be celebrating our two year anniversary during the trip, and get this -- it's the day we got tickets to tour Alcatraz. Of course we shared a little laugh over how it seems wildly inappropriate to visit a prison on your anniversary -- but hey, perhaps we can get a chuckle out of the tour guide.

I'll try to pop in with a few photos during the trip, and I'll surely be documenting the highlights on Twitter. Follow along if you'd like!

Gift Guide for Girlfriends

2011-09-15T06:58:00.001-05:00

You'd think that women are easy to shop for, with an abundance of pretty trinkets, jewelry, clothing and the like available in stores. Sometimes coming up with a well thought out gift is not so easy, though. I've put together a little gift guide for girlfriends -- your closest friends who each have their own amazing personality and style.

Why the gift guide? This week, Chicago bloggers Danielle of Breakfast at Toast and Sarah of Walking Around Where the Sidewalk Begins have been celebrating their birthdays in style with a series of fun, sparkly, and festive birthday themed posts. Today, a couple of other bloggers are also posting gift guides to add to the fun. Be sure to visit Danielle's blog and Sarah's blog to say Happy Birthday and to find links to other great gift guides. Enjoy the celebration!

1. For the girly-girl: a pretty bow-accented bracelet from Kate Spade

2. For the friend that likes to be pampered: lavender sea salt soak and milk & honey soap from Terrain

3. For the girl who likes to lounge: comfy striped lounge pants from J.Crew

4. For the foodie friend: a recipe journal to record favorite finds and tastings from Anthropologie

5. For the friend with the best wardrobe: a lovely bow belt from Zara

6. For the ever-friendly hostess: lacquered serving tray from West Elm

7. For the jet-setter: a pretty wrap to keep warm & chic while traveling from Anthropologie

Brights from Christian Siriano

2011-09-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

The bright ready-to-wear looks from Christian Siriano have really caught my eye today. I love the long length of some of the skirts -- especially the slender shapes of two in particular.

The citron yellow color really pops in this Ready to Wear collection. To check out the rest of the collection, click {here}. Which look is your favorite? I'm loving the yellow gown, shown below.

This is a Red Line Train

2011-09-13T07:47:00.001-05:00

Living in the city means public transportation. Yes, we brought a car with us to Chicago, but it remains parked on our street unless we go all out at Trader Joe's, or venture outside the city. At first, I was quite nervous about riding the train and figuring out the CTA system. Now, I can easily hop on a train knowing which line (in Chicago, there are different colored lines that will take you in different directions) I need to take in order to get where I'm going. I actually like taking the train -- is that strange? It's so easy, and let's face it... it's great for people-watching.

When I saw this print, I had to have it. At first glance, it looks like a simple line drawing of the CTA system. When you look closer, each line is made from the names of the stops along each line -- how neat!

As soon as it arrives, I'll be framing it and hanging it in our new home. Good news -- if you don't live in Chicago, there's no need to fret. Fadeout Design has created prints in the same fashion for Boston, NYC, London, DC, and San Fran.

Excited and Honored: A Feature in the Triangle

2011-09-12T10:03:00.000-05:00

Months ago, I was corresponding with a representative from Sigma Kappa Sorority (which I am an alumni member of) about my blog, and why I write. I've been waiting (not so) patiently for the Summer 2011 edition of the sorority's official quarterly magazine, the Sigma Kappa Triangle, to be published because... I'm one of the bloggers they chose to feature in an article on blogging! Darling Notes and I are discussed on pages 12-13 of the magazine, which you can check out {here}, if you'd like. If you want to get right to the part of the article that the blog is in, see the Entertainment section below! Two of my image board appear on page 13, too! I'm so excited about the mention, and honored to have contributed to the publication!

Happy Birthday, Love!

2011-09-09T17:06:00.000-05:00

Lots of happy wishes for my love's birthday!

Photo by Misty Dawn Photography

Octopus Art

2011-09-08T15:21:00.000-05:00

I'm really not that thrilled by a real, live octopus (I think they are kind of icky...), but these pieces of octopus art are really catching my eye. There is something strangely beautiful and mysterious about their swirling legs, no? I'm especially loving the navy blue silhouette in the bottom right photo.

Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

Darling Decor #31

2011-09-07T10:49:00.000-05:00

Orange, Navy, Green and Patterns via Pinterest

A Nice Holiday Weekend

2011-09-06T09:18:00.001-05:00

Image source

I hope that you all had a lovely long weekend! We had out of town guests arrive late on Thursday night and stay through Monday morning. Since it was their first time in Chicago, we braved Friday's heat and humidity and headed down to Millennium Park to snap a few photos at the Bean, see Michigan Avenue and walk State Street. We then ventured to the West Loop to check out the French Market and escape the sun for a little while. A few macaroons later, we were headed back home. We dined at Paris Club that night, and then went out for some late night fun. Saturday's beach plans were dampened by the rain, but we had a great time at Hop Leaf in Andersonville later that evening. On Sunday, we went sailing on another friend's boat, and then exposed our guests to Pequod's deep dish pizza. Yum. The insanely long line at the Hancock building prevented us from sipping a cocktail while checking out the views that night, but we made a stop for fro-yo on the way back to Lincoln Park, which perked all of us up. The guests left on Monday morning, and the Mr. and I headed out to Whole Foods in Lincoln Park. Since the weather was crisp and sunny and perfectly fall-like, we walked. It was our first time there, and we loved it -- we lunched and shopped, then headed home. An icky, congested cold has set in since then, so I sniffled while the Mr. made a huge pot of gravy (sauce for those of us who aren't Italian!) Today we're all back to work, even if that includes a side of tissues and tea. It was such a nice holiday weekend, and a great un-official end to the summer season.

Here's to 4 Fun Years

2011-09-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm a bit obsessed with my dog, and yes, this is a post all about her. Why? It's her birthday, and I think that's a good enough reason!

Bean turned four today! The Mr. and I can't believe it. Where has the time gone? It feels like I was just begging him for a dog -- a Boston Terrier to be exact. I begged for so long because I wanted a Boston Terrier so, so much. The Mr. was scheming, and wanted to surprise me with a puppy on Christmas day, but that just wasn't going to be ideal, considering we were traveling together up to his parents house to spend the holiday. How would he hide a puppy? After deciding in advance that a surprise puppy would not work out, he casually told me one night while we were watching t.v. He said, "do you want a dog?" I said, "Of course I want a dog. I want a Boston Terrier!". His reply: "Well, you're getting one." Lots of shrieking ensued, and a few days later (on Black Friday to be exact) we were driving home with a baby Boston Terrier named Bean. I knew what I'd name my Boston Terrier from the moment I wanted one. Bean is perfectly fitting for a Boston.

Bean is our baby. We love her so, so much. If you have a dog (or any pet for that matter), you know the feeling. Bean has changed our lives, made us laugh, warmed our hearts, and taught us a lot about caring, comfort and ourselves. Bean survived a cancerous tumor last November, which devastated us until we knew she'd be alright. She's bossy, silly, hyper, lazy and cuddly all in the same day. We can't imagine life without her now. She makes us happy every single day.

So, happy birthday, sweet Bean! You are one special pup.

Bean the Dog

2011-09-01T15:14:00.000-05:00

Someone is celebrating a birthday tomorrow.

What's that? Bean is turning 4!?

Look how excited she is!

Thoughts on a Wednesday

2011-08-31T08:56:00.000-05:00

Thank you all so very much for the nice comments on yesterday's post! Sad to say, but my skin is not nearly as nice in real life as it appears in the photos -- but hey, love the skin you're in, right? Once the article I'm writing is live, I'll be sure to link over to it.

Have you ever found yourself in a creative slump? That, my friends, is where I find myself right now. I do have a strong feeling that the change of seasons will revitalize my creativity, though. For now, the little image above will serve as a pep talk. As my job is driven by creative juices, I must press on.

On a (long-winded) side note, I was over the moon excited when I woke up yesterday and realized that it was the day Starbucks was bringing the coveted Pumpkin Spice Latte to the city of Chicago, one week before all other cities. Yes! I quickly walked, with pep in my step, to the closest Starbucks. Upon arriving at said Starbucks, I was immediately halted by the giant green sign that read, "License Suspended". WHAT. So as not to waste time, I turned around and speed walked to the mini Starbucks inside the grocery store nearby. The ladies behind the counter knew NOTHING of the early Pumpkin Spice Latte release. Settling on a Skinny Vanilla Latte, I immediately walked home and started tweeting to Starbucks. What on earth? The Mr. came home from work yesterday, asking if I remembered it was Pumpkin Spice Day (duh!), because he'd seen people going nuts for them in the Starbucks by his office downtown. I sulked the rest of the night. So, for those of you in Chicago -- which Starbucks' shops actually have the PSL? Please let me know before I spend my time making {this} again! Much appreciated!

A Photo Session

2011-08-30T10:05:00.000-05:00

I was recently asked to write an article (more to come once it's published!) and provide a headshot. A headshot? Besides wedding photos, I've never been professionally photographed before, so I was left thinking... should I have some photos taken? After thinking about it for a little while, I reached out to Danielle, a fabulous Chicago blogger that I recently starting following since moving (check out her blog, Breakfast at Toast, here). I admired Danielle's work for the Glitter Guide, and tweeted to her to ask if she takes headshots. She replied right away, and we set a date for a mini photo session. I instantly liked Danielle -- she is so sweet and bubbly, and we had a great time during the shoot. I'm usually a little shy, but she made me feel relaxed and we got a few really great shots! From meeting eachother to almost getting locked outside on a patio during the shoot and then becoming buddies with her a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e pup Buddy, we had a great time! Here are a few of the photos she took for me (which I feel a little silly posting on my blog, but what the hay!):

Thanks again, Danielle! I love them!

Currently Loving... EmersonMade London Coat

2011-08-29T14:30:00.000-05:00

I am head.over.heels for this London Coat. I love everything about it -- especially the dark cuffs! Well done, EmersonMade. Well done.

Visitors!

2011-08-19T13:41:00.000-05:00

Image via Pinterest

My parents arrive in Chicago tomorrow -- hooray! The Mr. and I are looking forward to showing them our new place and the city. Since we have not been here long ourselves, we'll be doing touristy things and then sticking around Lincoln Park, which is our neighborhood. We're looking forward to the Air & Water Show (loud!), seeing the Bean, the lake, Navy Pier, the architecture, the zoo, etc., etc. On top of some sightseeing, we have a nice downtown dinner planned, followed by a drink atop the Hancock building. It will be so nice to have them here in our new city. Once they've explored the Windy City, they're off to see my brother in Portland, OR! Jet-setters, if you ask me!

Have a fantastic weekend!

The Art of the Bar Cart

2011-08-17T08:24:00.002-05:00

Upon sitting at my computer screen this morning with a big cup of coffee, I was delighted to open my inbox and find an email announcing that Society Social has officially launched! This handcrafted line of stylish home accents and flowing hostess wear is sure to brighten your day with its colorful palette and perfectly styled pieces. I'm personally head over heels for the gorgeous bar carts. How beautifully styled are these photos? Here are a few of my favorite bar carts from their collection:

Well done, Society Social! The site is a delightful read, full of color and flair, and I promise you'll be daydreaming about adding these pretty items to your nest in no time.

Missoni for Target

2011-08-16T07:03:00.002-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, my friend emailed me a link to view the highly anticipated 400 piece Missoni collection for Target. As soon as I started flipping through the looks, I was in love. I'll admit that I'm not fashion-forward enough to pull off a head-to-toe Missoni ensemble, but I can definitely see some of the individual pieces making appearances in my autumn wardrobe. I'm head over heels for the patterned sweater skirts and the pretty head scarves. Check out the entire collection {here} before it hits stores in mid-September. What's your favorite piece?

Porch Party Cocktails

2011-08-15T09:26:00.002-05:00

Summer days are dwindling, but I'm still enjoying our outdoor porch space for dinner or a cocktail. It's nice to catch a cool breeze and do a little people-watching on the street below. Here's a roundup of summertime cocktails that are perfectly refreshing and definitely porch party worthy:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 -- recipes and images via Martha Stewart

Darling Decor #30

2011-08-10T16:03:00.002-05:00

Sophistikat -- Design*Sponge

Sailing and the City

2011-08-09T14:39:00.001-05:00

If you know me personally, you know that I adore anything and everything that is nautical. I especially love anything related to sailing. I really don't have any idea how to sail -- I know certain keywords and such, that's all. I am just obsessed with the idea of it. I've always wanted to be a sailor.

Last weekend, our (new to me, the Mr. already knew them) friends took us for a sailing trip out on the lake. Sailing alongside the city was so wonderful -- the best views! Although it wasn't the most windy of days, we had the sails up for a while before we motored around. We've been promised another trip once the Windy City is being true to its name. I can't wait! I've been seriously considering taking sailing lessons now that we live on the water. Can you think of anything more fun?

Personal photos

First Blogiversary!

2011-08-08T16:10:00.000-05:00

Darling Notes turned 1 yesterday -- hooray! This little blog was started as a way for me to keep little notes of things I adore, and things I want to share. It's really been a mish-mosh of posts, ranging from home decor to fashion, recipes and personal posts.

What types of posts would you like to see more of? I'd love to hear what you have to say!

A huge thank you to all of my readers, and all of your comments -- I love hearing from you, and being able to check out your blogs in return! You make blogging so much fun!

Currently Loving... Rain or Shine Flats

2011-08-05T14:27:00.000-05:00

Since moving to Chicago, I've learned that sandals aren't they best type of shoe to wear when you're walking everywhere you go, and getting on and off the trains. Sore and filthy feet aren't exactly great. I've had to adapt my footwear to fit city living -- and hey, I'm not complaining about needing new shoes! These flats, spotted on Anthropologie, would be the perfect pair for Autumn. They're not only made from a material that can get wet and be wiped clean -- they are SO adorable with their tortoise shell bow. I think I'm in love!

Autumn Color Crush

2011-08-02T08:18:00.002-05:00

I know that I will regret this statement in mid-January, but I can't help myself... I'm ready for cool weather! Autumn! Chilly nights! In my excitement over Autumn (my absolute favorite season) I've been ohhing and ahhing over a few gorgeous color combos, perfectly fit for Fall days. At the top of my list is the combination of cool aquamarine and burnt red-orange. Isn't it lovely?

Images via Pinterest -- {1}, {2}, {3}

Settling In

2011-08-01T18:39:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that we've been in Chicago for just about three weeks now. Our moving van finally arrived, and we've unpacked and started to settle in. We're still waiting on a new desk and need to find a great bookcase, but things are shaping up around here! Now that the furniture is in place, it's time to start decorating. That's where I hope you will all help me...

There's a large untouched wall between both bedrooms, and we're just not sure what to do with it. I love the look of a great gallery wall, but don't have the slightest clue what arrangement to use, or what objects to display. Photos, frames, art, mirrors? Help! I'd love your suggestions on an arrangement, or great stores to find items at. Thanks, friends!

Darling Decor #29

2011-07-28T12:55:00.000-05:00

Apartment Therapy -- Green Rooms

Something Blue

2011-07-25T16:22:00.000-05:00

I've always loved the wedding day tradition of "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue". The timeless practice of finding the perfect piece to fit each part of the saying is so special. My "something blue" was an embroidered swatch of fabric sewn into my wedding gown that featured the married monogram of my husband and I, along with our wedding date. The most special part about the fabric used, is that the swatch came from my mother's wedding gown. One day, I hope to carefully remove the swatch, and sew it into my daughter's gown, along with a swatch from my dress.

Photo by Misty Dawn Photography

Do any of you have a special story about your something old, new borrowed or blue? I'd love to hear them! If you're searching for something blue, you might consider this lovely pin with a blue charm from BHLDN. I can just see it becoming a family keepsake, can't you?

J.Crew's Bold Fall Palette

2011-07-21T12:18:00.000-05:00

I simply adore J.Crew. If I could choose just one store to shop in for the rest of my life, you know what I'd choose. With this in mind, I was very excited to see an email from them in my inbox today, showing off their new fall looks. As I was browsing, I started to notice bold color trends. In particular, bright saffron, hot fuchsia and flame red stood out to me. These colors are perfect for fall, breathing life into the typical warm, brown palettes we see. While I don't know if I'm brave enough to sport bright red matchstick pants, I know I'd love to choose accessories and tops in these colors. What do you think?

All images via J.Crew New Arrivals

Currently Loving... A Yellow Suitcase

2011-07-19T08:19:00.000-05:00

While scrolling through the virtual pages of J.Crew, I spotted this amazingly bright and gorgeous yellow suitcase. I love the vintage styling, and the color is to die for. Don't you think?

Peachy Perfection on the Grill

2011-07-18T17:08:00.000-05:00

I've been skimming the recipes on MarthaStewart.com today, mostly because I miss cooking and I'm getting a little tired of eating in restaurants (our pots & pans, along with everything else in our home, has not arrived in Chicago yet!) While checking out some fantastic summertime dessert recipes, I came across a few recipes that involved grilled peaches. I've never thought to grill a peach, but these four recipes sure have me wishing for a basket of ripe fruit and a grill on my patio!

Grilled Peach Melba, Grilled Peaches with Chilled Sabayon,

Grilled Vanilla Peaches, Grilled Peaches with Sweetened Sour Cream

It's Moving Week!

2011-07-11T06:19:00.000-05:00

At the end of the day today, everything in our home will be boxed up and ready to be moved to the Windy City! The last couple weeks have been a complete whirlwind -- the Mr. and I feel like we haven't stopped moving about and preparing. We have barely had time to sit down and rest! However, this past weekend we escaped the insanity and spent our last few days with family and friends. There was a lovely send-off party, brunch, and then dinner with friends. Moving is very bittersweet, as we're so sad to leave our family and friends in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York, but excited for our new chapter of life in Illinois. We know we'll be welcomed to Chicago by our friends that already live there in the city, and we can't wait to get settled in our new place. I do promise to get back to blogging once we're all moved in! I wish you all a wonderful week, and will catch up with all of you once I'm in Chi-Town!

Image via Pinterest

BIG News

2011-06-29T07:04:00.000-05:00

Image via Lovely Nest

I have some news for you -- BIG news! Fun news.

The Mr. and I are MOVING to CHICAGO! We are so excited.

This move is the reason that I’ve been so absent on the blog lately. My posts might be sporadic between now and the end of July, but I promise to keep you all updated and post some photos of our new place, new city, new life.

Upward and onward to the Windy City!

Adding Artichokes

2011-06-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

Do you like artichokes? I don’t particularly care for their taste, but I absolutely love the way they look. Check out this bouquet and wedding cake that both feature artichokes – aren’t they unique? I like seeing multiple artichokes used in a centerpiece, but I would never think to add one to a bridal bouquet or cake!

Raise your glass to Summer!

2011-06-21T16:23:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry that I've not been keeping up with regular blog posts lately -- life has been super busy lately! Today is the first official day of summer, so I raise my mojito glass (my favorite summertime cocktail) to the long hot days, sandy beaches, friends and family get-togethers and sunshine that will make for a wonderful summer! Cheers!

Candy Coated Bridal Shower

2011-06-10T07:19:00.000-05:00

I love candy. Of all kinds. That is why this bridal shower, featured on Martha Stewart, has me head over heels. How fun is the color palette and theme? The candy display is so colorful and fun, along with the heart-shaped candy collage. The unique invitation with a strawberry chocolate bar is too cute, don’t you think?

All images via Martha Stewart

27

2011-06-09T06:35:00.000-05:00

Image via Pinterest

Taking a little break from blogging today -- Happy Birthday to me!

Darling Decor #28

2011-06-08T06:49:00.000-05:00

Coastal Inspired Dining Room -- House Beautiful

From the color of the chairs, to the wallpaper and carpet pattern, I love this chic dining room. Don't even get me started on the chandelier!

Testing Your Tastebuds by Oh Happy Day

2011-06-07T06:46:00.000-05:00

Being a super picky eater, I'm not sure if I could easily make it through a "Test Your Tastebuds" dinner party. However, the idea behind the party (featured over at Oh Happy Day) is perfectly fun and unique! I know my foodie friends and husband would absolutely love to test their tastebuds by sampling different foods and guessing the ingredients! Do you think you'd be brave enough to try lots of new foods and then guess how they were made? Head on over to Oh Happy Day to check out the rest of the photos and read about the event!

Catching Up

2011-06-06T06:23:00.001-05:00

Image via Village

I apologize for my lack of posting last week! The Mr. and I were out of town for part of the week, followed by a busy schedule the rest of the week! Sometimes we can't seem to catch up with ourselves. This past weekend was spent with family, and included painting a greenhouse, a dip in my in-laws pool, and an early birthday celebration. I hope you all had a lovely weekend and enjoy the week!

60 Years Ago

2011-05-31T11:45:00.000-05:00

60 years ago, my grandparents celebrated their marriage. This past weekend, our family joined to celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary. We flipped through their wedding photo album, and I took a few snapshots to share with you. Here are a few of my favorites:

I love their cake-topper and teeny tiny champagne glasses.

I can almost hear her friends saying, "Oh, Claire! You're so lucky!"

Making their getaway after the reception -- isn't my grandma's suit lovely?

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-27T07:02:00.000-05:00

Image sources, clockwise from top left:

Beach umbrella, Beach, Bangle, Ferris Wheel

Wherever you’re spending your Memorial Day weekend, I hope the sun is shining and there’s lots of laughter! This is the first Memorial Day weekend in many years that I will not be at the shore with my toes in the sand, so this is what I’ll be daydreaming about. I’ll be spending the time alongside family and friends celebrating the 60th Wedding Anniversary of my grandparents. Congrats to them on 60 wonderful years, two great children, and five lovely grandkids!

15 Desserts in Jars

2011-05-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

I love the look of, and the cute idea of, desserts in a jar. What a clever and fun way to serve dessert at a party! I stumbled across 15 recipes for delicious desserts in a jar, and had to share them with you. Check them all out {here}, and see two of my favorites below:

Neopolitan Cake

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling

Currently Loving... Boston Terrier Art

2011-05-25T06:45:00.001-05:00

I adore this Boston Terrier print. Did you know that one of the old nic-names for a Boston Terrier is "The American Gentleman"? This art is totally fitting.

Guest Post at PAWSH Magazine Blog

2011-05-24T18:45:00.001-05:00

The other day, I mentioned that I write another blog {check it out, here}. Through that blog, I was given the opportunity to write a guest post for PAWSH Magazine's blog. In case you haven't checked it out yet, PAWSH is a new online mag for pet owners, full of great articles and stylish details. As a paper lover and dog owner, I was super excited and honored to write about -- what else? -- pet themed stationery and invitations! I invite you to pop on over to PAWSH and read the guest post, then click through the digital pages of this pretty pet magazine!

Darling Decor #27

2011-05-24T06:42:00.000-05:00

Red and white kitchen, House Beautiful -- Slide 13

Pretty and Patriotic

2011-05-23T06:36:00.002-05:00

Memorial Day is just around the corner. Can you believe it snuck up on us so quickly? I feel like it was just the holiday season -- wow. I typically spend my Memorial Day weekend at the shore, but this year, the family will be celebrating my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary with a party, and otherwise just keeping it low-key. Obviously, I'll be sporting red, white and blue on Monday, though! How about you? Do you dress for the holiday? Inspired by a patriotic palette, here are some ultra casual ideas for looks that would be perfect for a BBQ, the beach, or small get-togethers with family and friends:

Red tank + blue and white striped shorts + neutral wedges

White tunic + worn-in jeans + red wedges

Red sun hat + sunglasses + white tank + blue cropped pants

More About Me

2011-05-20T17:19:00.000-05:00

**Deep breath** It's Friday! It's been quite a dreary week, but right this moment there is a lovely sun shower taking place -- a nice early evening treat. I feel like the week rushed by -- there's so much going on! The Mr. is working late, so the pup and I are hanging around tonight and getting a few things accomplished so we can relax all weekend. What are you plans? I hope you have something nice in store!

I don't usually get too personal on this blog -- sticking with posts about things I simply adore or spot on other blogs or the web. I don't keep my personal thoughts or stories a secret -- I've actually not even thought about my lack of personal stories on Darling Notes until now. While I'm reading other blogs, I do like to get to know the writer behind the posts, so I figured I'd let you get to know me a little better today.

image via Pinterest

Let's start with my job. I work for an online stationery shop as a blogger and graphics designer. I'm a paper person. I love nice papers, writing notes, the etiquette behind letter writing, and stationery design. I get excited about pretty invitations and announcements. I love a great font. Planning the details of life's celebrations in my head is something else that I love. I don't really throw a lot of parties -- but I plan them all out in my head and put them into inspiration boards for the blog I write professionally. If you'd like, you can catch up with me over at The Finer Things. As far as graphic design goes, I design weekly customer emails centering around the shop's stationery and graphics for the website. It's a fun job, and I love being creative every day. I can't get enough of designing -- I come home and design some more on my new iMac (happy early birthday to me, thanks to the Mr.).

I have a background in fine arts (painting, specifically). It's been a while since I've painted. I blame it on my post-college interest in graphic design. I'm always looking for new crafts to get wrapped up in. In a nutshell, I have a deep desire to create, and am always looking for new ways to do it.

Other loves of mine include, but are not limited to (and in no particular order): my husband that I've known since kindergarten, a three year old feisty Boston Terrier named Bean, my family & friends, coffee, Pinterest, writing, good books, wine, new magazines, Trader Joe's hummus and vanilla meringues, J.Crew, ballet flats, the beach (the shore), my iPhone and blogs. I'm sure I've left out a lot, but I just threw a couple of things out there that should give you a little glimpse at the girl behind Darling Notes.

Pup Patterns and a Party

2011-05-19T08:59:00.000-05:00

I am so in love with this pup patterned paper by Paper Source – how cute! I’m thinking of all the possibilities for crafts, now…

The paper was spotted in this Hot Diggity Dog party feature on Amy Atlas, which is equally cute. I adore the party hat and the rest of the styling.

Words for Wednesday

2011-05-18T06:36:00.000-05:00

via Pinterest

Wine Cork Initials

2011-05-17T06:42:00.002-05:00

My husband and I love drinking wine, and have been saving corks for quite some time now. They are about to overflow out of the jug I've been storing them in, so I think I'd like to try my hand at one of these wine cork initials -- aren't they so neat? I think it'd be fun to hang one over a bar, in the kitchen, or prop one up on a shelf over the bar.

Image source

Pinterest + Pantry

2011-05-16T17:06:00.000-05:00

Photos of yummy food and accompanying recipes are easy to find on Pinterest -- but, have you ever made a recipe you've pinned? I finally turned a recipe pin into a meal over the weekend! {This} amazing Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad was a re-pin on Pinterest weeks ago, and was absolutely delicious in real life. The recipe was simple, and I had most of the ingredients in my home already. I chose to roast an entire chicken (to use the rest as leftovers), but you could use leftover chicken pieces from cooked breasts or a store bought cooked chicken. Next time, I'd use less rosemary than the recipe calls for -- other than that, I wouldn't change a thing!

I'd love to hear if any of you are using Pinterest as a virtual recipe box!

Concealed Closet Offices

2011-05-12T07:25:00.000-05:00

I love the idea of a hidden office space – one that you can conceal when you want to entertain and forget about your work for a little bit! These mini workspaces are hidden behind closet doors – don’t you love them?

Photo via Pinterest

DIY Beach Totes

2011-05-11T06:58:00.000-05:00

Every summer I look for a new beach bag to toss my towel, sunscreen and book in. This year, I’m thinking about making my own. These DIY tote bag ideas are perfect for a custom summer satchel, don’t you think?

Point to Point

2011-05-09T20:48:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend, we attended a derby-style event called Point to Point. This local tradition involves horse races, old-fashioned cars, pretty hats and dresses and mingling in the sun on a spring afternoon. We were lucky to have amazing weather -- although, the sun was a little strong in the afternoon, leaving many of us with sunburnt skin (oops!) It was the first time that my hubby and I had been to the event, and loved every minute of it - from the upscale "tailgating" to the horses and people-watching. Here are a few highlights from Point to Point 2011:

My dress was Lilly Pulitzer and I decorated the hat myself!

This group of gentlemen wore matching white suits and had the cutest trio of dachshunds!

An exhibition ride -- the kids were adorable!

An old-fashioned Rolls Royce -- it matched my dress!

Did any of you attend any fun derby events? One of my favorite parts was being able to wear a fancy floppy hat!

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

2011-05-05T07:20:00.000-05:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo! How will you be celebrating? I’m planning on a yummy Mexican lunch and perhaps a margarita to end the night – on the rocks, with salt, of course. The best Mexican food I’ve had to date is from Rosa Mexicano in NYC. The pomegranate margaritas are divine and the guacamole is made fresh at your table in an authentic molcajete. For your cooking & eating pleasure, {here} are a few of their very own recipes!

Fiesta décor and flowers via Style Me Pretty, Margaritas via Martha Stewart

Darling Decor #26

2011-05-04T07:57:00.000-05:00

I love everything about this stenciled floor -- isn't it great?

From London With Love -- The Homestead