Reflecting.

The changing of the year is both a time of reflection and a time to look forward. Similar to how Thanksgiving reminds us to take some time to consider our fortune, our heath, and the simple things that we often take for granted, New Years forces us to reflect on the year as a whole and consider what changes we might make in the year ahead. 

2011 was an incredible year for me and I'm hopeful that 2012 will top it in more ways than one.

This year I...

started this blog, met so many wonderful people, and fell in love with the blog world

got engaged and planned (most) of our wedding

followed some of my passions by working with an event planner and teaching art classes

started a savings account (due to some unexpected dental work, theres not much in there - but it exists!)

I've also probably been to over 50 dentist appointments in 2011 - no joke, no exaggeration.

ran two races - a 10K and a 15K 

traveled to Las Vegas and Mexico - my first time in both!

cooked and baked a whole slew of things - favorites included: pumpkin pasta & gnocchi, prosciutto pizza (inspired by my favorite Chicago restaurant), soft pretzels, and oreo cake balls.

biked along the Chicago lakefront (an accomplishment... I have bad track record when it comes to bikes)

This year I...

Tried to soak it all in.

 Tried not to over analyze the little things. 

 Tried to roll with the punches, embrace change, and deal with the unexpected. 

Cheers to the future. 

Thank You Santa.

I'm stopping in {to say hello!} & to share some of my gift goodies from this holiday season. This week has been filled with cuddles with the pup on the couch, lots of cooking and eating, and lots of time with family and friends. It's so very relaxing to have this time to rest and recharge.

On top of a sunny vacation and a week with my family (seriously the best gifts EVER right there) I got a few other items on my wish list. I am so excited to sport some sparkles on New Years Eve with this clutch, dive into my new design book & protect my toes from the Chicago chill with my new amazing Hunter socks. I'm also in love with my new necklace. Seriously one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I hope everyone else made it onto the "nice" list this year. 

I'm going to soak up the rest of my time in New York before I head back to Chicago to bring in 2012. Getting back to the real world after three weeks away is going to be ROUGH. 

Good thing it's still 5 days away...

P.S. 

This weekend I wandered into C.Wonder, a new NYC store that screams preppy & chic and had me thinking "I want" & "I need". The new retail endeavor, which launched in October, is the brainchild of J. Christopher Burch - no other than Ms. Tory Burch's ex husband. The similarities in design are apparent and the prices are so reasonable (even better!) While you can acquire some of this amazingness online here, the site is still a work in progress. The store will be branching out with over 30 locations nationwide throughout 2012. I'll definitely be looking out (and saving up) for the Chicago location to open it's doors! Cue the wish lists...

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning with my sisters + brother. 

We tried to include Reese in the family picture, but she was a bit excited about her Christmas gift. 

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday with family + friends! I'm spending the day relaxing in comfy clothes, watching movies + later cooking dinner for the family. I'm making my first attempt at empanadas to go with a delicious paella ( a bit less traditional of a Christmas dinner but I'm excited!) 

xoxo

Holly + Jolly.

Here are a few pictures to get you in the spirit of this weekend... just in case you're not quite there yet. 

My family was nice enough to leave their tree bare in our living room for 2 weeks so that I could help decorate it when I came home - or in my mother's words "we knew you would just rearrange all the ornaments anyway so we waited" - I'm a tad OCD. 

We still observe many of the same traditions we did as children.

At the age of 24 (soon to be 25 + married) my mom insists that we write letters to Santa. 

I'll be sharing some of my old ones on the blog this weekend - they are pretty funny.

And as a result, we still receive gifts from Santa under our tree and in our stockings.

We always start with our stockings, which may be my favorite part.

And we always read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve. 

Do you have any special traditions?

I hope that everyone celebrating Christmas has a wonderful weekend +

for those not celebrating, I hope that you get to enjoy a few relaxing days off from work!

xxoo

Home From Mexico!

Last night we flew back from Mexico & today I'm flying to NY. 

I'm a busy girl - who could not be more excited for Christmas with her family!

Here are a few more pictures from our beach vacation.

unpacking, repacking and then off this afternoon! 

Hope everyone is gearing up for time with their loved ones this holiday season.

xoxo

Cheese + Vino

December is filled with all kinds of parties. 

Christmas Parties, Chanukah Gatherings, New Years Celebrations & Cocktail Hours Galore.

As a host - serve one of the below combinations. 

As a guest - bring one of the below combinations as a gift for the host. 

Either way, your tummy will be happy. 

Especially if you're a wine and cheese lover like me!

And if you plan on hosting a wine & cheese party here are a few awesome serving items:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

What are YOUR favorite wines and cheese!? I don't think I can choose. It's just too hard.

a wedding detail.

I haven't shared any wedding details in a while (likely because all the big things have been decided so I'm out of fun things to share). It's crazy that our wedding is only five months away. I know that after New Years, things are going to fly by (which frightens me a little... cue the anxiety/stress). 

Anyway... I stumbled across this dress last week and thought it would make the perfect rehearsal dinner dress. Our rehearsal dinner is going to be at yt's parent's house (picture: tent in the yard, lots of flowers, lots of candles, intimate), but I'm having trouble deciding on shoes. 

1, 2 (sale!), 3, 4

Which is your favorite? I need help deciding. 

I love the simple nude.. but wow are those pink ones fun!

Cookies for Santa

When it comes to cookies, sometimes less is more. While I like to attempt recipes that seems a bit more complicated (like these Rainbow cookies), I appreciate the simplicity of a flavor combination like cinnamon and sugar. They are undeniably a match made in heaven. 

this cookie is

crispy on the inside

chewy in the center

and coated in

cinnamon sugar.

pair it with hot cocoa

your favorite tea

or a glass of milk.

good luck

trying to stop.

Here's what you'll need...

2 3/4 cups flour

1 cup butter, softened 

2 teaspoons cream of tarter

1 1/2 cups sugar + 3 tablespoons

1 tsp baking powder

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 tablespoon sugar

Here's what to do...

Sift together flour, cream of tarter, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, or standup mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and almond extract until mixed. Slowly add flour mixture until well combined. Chill dough for at least two hours, or overnight. 

Once dough is chilled, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough into small balls and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture until coated. Place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly (I used the back of a measuring cup). Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to baking rack. 

I think Santa would totally love these. Don't you?

Hello From Mexico.

So far Cancun has been wonderful. Lots of sunshine, relaxing, and fun. The food and drinks have been unreal and the ocean and pools are absolutely gorgeous. A spa session and a swim with dolphins have just been icing on the cake. 

Here are a few pictures of this paradise. 

Coming back to the cold is going to be difficult!

P.S.

I was the only one with a carry on that was too large and had to be checked (of course)

I've been taking extra good care of my skin and wearing SPF 50 daily (trying hard to remember to reapply)

I am now a dolphin training pro - and have mastered the "kissing", "handshake" and "foot push" tricks (those are the technical terms) 

There is a bar here with swings instead of bar stools - I'm thinking this is a concept I need to bring to Chicago - so relaxing!!

xoxo

Gift Guide - Under $40

A list of

little somethings

for someone special on your list

that won't cost a fortune

I love getting a little gift for special friends and co-workers but a lot of little gifts can add up quickly. It's the thought that counts in these instances, but that doesn't mean the gift has to be lame. 

Here are my favorite "little somethings" for any gal on your list.

1. Kate Spade Ring - $38, 2. Kate Spade Bag - $39, 3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Bangle - $38, 4. J.Crew Holiday Socks - $25, 5. J.Crew Earmuffs - $39, 6. Julia Knight Bowl - $38 (originally $50!), 7. West Elm Mug - $8 (pick up a few!), 8. Tiffany Playing Cards - $30, 9. Z. Gallerie Votives $18 (set of three), 10. Anthropologie Coasters - $32, 11. Herb Kit - $16, 12. Le Creuset Utensil Crock - $35

Christmas is just around the corner!!

Two Obsessions

Sometimes it's just the little things that make me really, really happy. 

This week, it's two little things that are making me really, really happy. 

(one)
a new lipstick
NARS Heat Wave is the perfect orange-red lipstick
I'll surely be wearing it all winter long.
Do you have a favorite red?

(two)
a new nail polish combination
essie licorice or essie red label + sephora for opi spark-tacular
I love the varying sizes of the sparkle in this fun topcoat
Which combination do you like best?

what are the little things making you happy this week?

I Love My City - Adelaide, Australia

When I think of Australia a few things come to mind: kangaroos, koala bears, and sexy accents. Maybe it's just me? Not that I wouldn't travel across the world for those three things (again, maybe just me?) but Gabrielle is here to show us that Australia is home to so much more! 

Hello Simply Irresistible readers, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here, thrilled to be sharing the best of Adelaide with you all!

I've lived in Adelaide for 2.5 years.

Adelaide has so many amazing restaurants, but my favorite spots to dine are:
Bistro Dom for a date night & you're likely to find a duck two-ways on my plate, a glass of rosé in my hand and a salty chocolate egg on my dessert plate.

Mesa Lunga  or Grace the Establishment for a night with the girls. The Grace has a beautiful courtyard and live bands most nights.
Queen St Cafe or Jones the Grocer for Sunday brunch & you're likely to find a smoked salmon potato rosti with avocado and Hollandaise sauce on my plate. Mmmm.



My favorite shopping spot is Magill Road for all the gorgeous Antique shops. It's truly the best place to go to furnish your house. Not too far away, One Rundle Trading Co. is also an amazing furniture and homewares shop.

One hidden gem in Adelaide is The Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit trail (ok it’s not really a secret). It's the most beautiful 8km hiking trail surrounded by waterfalls, amazing scenery and often populated by a few Australian friends like koalas and echidnas.




When I have visitors, three places I insist on taking them are McLaren Vale, The Barossa & the
Adelaide Hills. Is there anything better in life than touring wine regions filled with rolling hills, quaint antique shops, farmers markets and the most delightful gourmet restaurants? I think not! 

If I have a free day in the city, you'll likely find me running down the beach in Semaphore or Henley Beach, shopping at the above-mentioned locations or having lunch with my girlfriends.



One neighborhood I'd love to live in is North Adelaide because it's a stone's throw away from all the best restaurants and shops, the tall trees arch over the streets and the houses look like this: 



My favorite season in the city is Spring because it’s not yet 40 degrees celsius, yet you can still wear shorts and t-shirts, it means summer is on its way and everything is in bloom! 

If I could describe Adelaide in three words they would be sunny, delicious & beautiful.



My favorite thing about Adelaide is the fact that we have the wine regions, the hills and the beach all a short drive away and the weather is beautiful year-round!

Although I love Adelaide, if I could move to one other city tomorrow it would be back home in Montreal.

Thank you so much for having me Lara! Hopefully I'll see some of you in Adelaide soon! X

If you missed any of the past posts in this series of cities... now's your chance to check it out! 

Chicago, IL

Dallas, TX

Providence, RI

New York, NY

San Francisco, CA

Boston, MA

Louisville, KY

San Diego, CA (1) (& 2)

Boulder, CO

Washington, D.C.

Toronto, Canada

Barletta, Italy

Glasgow, Scotland

And a question... Where is the best place you have EVER traveled?

Just curious...