Friday Favorites | Life Lately

I've missed a couple of weekend recaps {surprise, surprise} so I thought doing a "Life Lately" post for my Friday Favorites would be fun since "Life Lately" posts are some of my favorites to read. 

So let's get to what is essentially a large photo dump ;)

// a few weekends ago, Sammy and I had a day date downtown. 

I had to attend an event for one of my classes so I dragged Sammy to that ;) I loved having him experience a little bit of the world I've been so immersed in for the last several years. It was cool to walk around campus with him and show him where my buildings are and stuff. 

Afterward, we went to DMK Burger for burgers and beer. 

      

Sammy got a burger with gauc, chipotle mayo, and all that on it. I got a salmon burger with Asian relish and a red curry sauce. It was really great. The fries were prettay awesome too. 

I wasn't crazy about my beer only because I'm a snob and don't like hops and only like German and Mexican beer, so don't go by opinion ;) 

After we ate, we headed over to the United Center to see our last Bulls game of the season. 

I had gotten Sammy tickets for his birthday and as you can see I can clearly afford the best of the best since we're so incredibly close. 

We also wore the matching Michael Jordan jerseys I got us which Sammy was mildly embarrassed by. #23IsKing

// on Sunday of that weekend, my best friend Chelsie had all us girls over for brunch which was so lovely. 

      

She, and her fiance Dan, served pancakes with a homemade strawberry sauce, fruit kebabs, roasted potatoes, egg cups with onions and red & green peppers, and I brought an angel food cake like a schmuck. I did, however, bring Bellini mix {$5.99 at Trader Joe's, people!} and champagne for mimosas which is very anti-schmuck behavior so I think I may have redeemed myself there. 

Before we sat down to eat, we found these cute little boxes at each of our seats that Chelsie had put together.

There was a tiny little message in a bottle inside the box and when we opened it we all had little messages to read! 

Here was mine:

Ask me if I ugly cried. Now ask me if there are photographs to prove it. 'Cause there is. There are several. Several. And they are as ugly as it gets. But it's fine because I am honored beyond words and measure to stand next to my sister on such an important day. I seriously can't believe it. 

Obviously, I have become even more obsessed with their wedding {if that was even possible} and am in full swing planning mode for the engagement party I'm hosting for them in June! I can't wait! 

This means I've been on Etsy like every night this week picking out invitations and 47 other printables. 

She's worth it. 

{I'm sure I'll be doing a post on my inspiration soon. Anyone have engagement party throwing experience/advice?!}

// last week it was my Dad's birthday and we celebrated twice because he's worth a million celebrations and because we love food. 

He's the cutest, no?

      

During the middle of the week, we tried Demera in Uptown which is an Ethiopian restaurant. 

I ended up really enjoying it. It was fun to try a different cuisine from what I'm typically used to. 

My favorites were the spicy lentils, yellow peas, and a white fish mixture. 

Also, the beer was excellent. Guess I like Ethiopian beer now too. ;)

      

On his actual birthday, we tried Osteria Trulli a new Italian place that opened up near our houses and it didn't disappoint. I got the margherita pizza and I loved how fresh it was. 

// I got surprise anniversary flowers delivered to the office last week

They were white lilies {my fav} and pink cabbage roses which I'm loving so much more than regular roses now. 

It was such a lovely surprise and everyone who passed by my office said how amazing they smelled. WHICH they still do since they have lasted over a week now without wilting, losing one leaf or petal, or fading in color. I can't believe how amazing they look. 

Also, the card Sammy wrote made me cry at work 'cause I know how to be professional. 

 // Sammy and I spent our anniversary last weekend doing "us" things. Eating, randomly shopping, and lounging. 

      

We stopped over at Scudiero's in Melrose Park which is one of my favorite Italian places ever. It's an old-school deli and I couldn't love it more. 

I always get the eggplant parm sandwich because it's to die for and I don't have time to mess around with anything else {although I'm sure everything is amazing}. 

The deli is family owned for over sixty years which makes my heart disgustingly happy and they're all policemen and firemen so ya gotta love that too. 

The owner was awesome and talked to Sammy about his experience in the academy and told us if we need anything to give him a call. After meeting him once. Ah, I can't get enough of it. 

Also, this sign is everything to me. 

After lunch, we did some random shopping because Sammy is a 72 year old man who has to use his Kohl's cash before it expires. But I'm no better because while we were there, I bought two nightgowns by the same brand my 83-year-old grandmother wears............

Anyway. 

We had the best of intentions to stay out like human beings and actually do things, so we were going to go to Pinstripes until we found out we needed reservations, and there were no openings for bowling that day and no openings for bocce until 10pm. 

Like really, I gotta make a reservation for bowling...

I don't think so. 

So we went back to his house to lay on the couch for 8 hours. Very reflective of who we are ;)

//  I got my certificate from the English Honors Society this week 

And also my pin which I will wear every day since I've never gotten honors in my entire life and I'm milking this shit for all it's worth.

I also had a really good week at school this week which I definitely needed. I've been struggling this quarter since I picked heavy loaded classes to finish out my graduate career {only I would do this...} and I've been feeling inadequate during these first few weeks because there are so many intelligent people in my classes that I'm easily intimidated. 

I struggle with social anxiety to a degree so speaking in class is difficult for me {even though no one would know since one-on-one I won't shut the hell up}. I had to read a piece I wrote for class and I was shaking I was so nervous. You'd think that stuff would start to get easier but it doesn't for me for some reason. 

I didn't feel nervous as I read but my body still acted as if I was nervous which was annoying. 

But afterward, I got the best feedback I've ever gotten in a workshop before. Classmates came up to me after class to tell me how well I read and how solid the piece was. My professor even told me he sees it being an essay if I keep working on it which was the highest compliment to hear from him especially.

I was in need of a positive experience like this before I got really discouraged. I have the above photo as my wallpaper on my phone right now as I've been trying to remind myself of the message every day. My comments are intelligent enough to be heard, and my story is worthy of being told so I need to stop comparing myself to other people and just be. 

I gotta do a little more blooming. 

// and to close, some Benny pictures because I hoard them on my phone like a nut case

      

because we just 

can't deal

can we?

xo

Lookbook | Spring

As the weather has started to warm up more, I've begun to get more excited about putting together lighter, more Spring-y looks!

Aka less leggings and more skirts. Always sticking with the elastic waists though. ;)

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I thought I would put my pinning expertise to productive use and compile a list of some of my favorite Spring looks I've recently saved from there.

{here//here//here}

By the time Spring rolls around, I'm looking to put together outfits that feel light and fresh. I think mixing materials and different textures is a great way to add freshness to an outfit especially if two materials are seemingly contradictory like chambray and chiffon.

I'm looking edit the cotton maxi skirts out of my closet and replace them with a floral chiffon one. I think it will have so many outfit possibilities.

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Whenever I shop for new pieces I'm almost always trying to see if I can wear it casually, but also the office. Luckily, I work in a creative office where attire is on the casual side anyway but it's nice to look a little more put together when I'm in the office.

{here//here//here}

I recently picked up these black trousers, linen shorts {in black} and d'orsay flats from Old Navy. Where else? That store is my entire life. I'm going to get so much use out of the pants and the flats at work and outside of work and while I most likely won't wear shorts to work I think they're of solid construction that they could be dressed up if need be. 

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Even though I say every morning I'm going to look through my pinterest boards for outfit inspirations when it seems like nothing in my closet will work, but my laziness always wins out and I end up half-assing an outfit and wind up late to wherever I'm going.

I've heard of people taking ootd shots when they've put together an outfit they like and want to recreate again later and even hanging them on a hanger next to the item of clothing or next to their closet. I was introduced to Social Print Studio and thought their mini digital photo books would be a great place to display outfit ideas visually in a way that doesn't take up a lot of space. They're also a great way to organize photographs since the albums are so small, you could create an individual one for different categories {outfits, travel, family photos per holiday, occasion, etc.,}.

Some of my favorite Spring trends are pretty obvious in the photos above: sweaters with chiffon skirts, chambray, light trench coats, and d'orsay flats.

What are some elements you're excited to add into your wardrobe or utilize this Spring?!

Ten on Tuesday | Facts of Us

With our anniversary this Saturday, I've got "us" on my mind. I can't resist doing another relationship centered Ten on Tuesday post. This week I wanted to do ten facts about us! I asked Sammy to answer some questions with me over the weekend while we were on a date and it made for such a nice conversation.

So sorry ladies. It's about to get mushy and silly, and honestly, kind of great. At least to us. 

1 // How We Met 

Sammy and I met in elementary school. In second grade to be exact. I've told this story about 100 times but it never gets old. I remember seeing him come in during our "meet your teacher" day before school actually started. He was this little boy carrying a grocery bag full of school supplies. He had on a sweater vest and little wire framed glasses. Let's take a moment to repeat. He wore a SWEATER VEST to a not even real day of school. I was done right there. 

{Sammy's birthday party probably in 4th grade-sorry for the terrible quality but it's an old scanned photo} 

Our desks were next to each other on that first day of school and on every first day of school after that. Thanks, teachers ;) 

2 // How Long?

We've known each other for seventeen years and have been dating for ten. 

{one of our homecoming pictures}

3 // How Did He Ask?

Here's a classic tale for any of you 90's kids out there. Sammy asked me to be his girlfriend over AIM. AIM PEOPLE. I remember I was over at my girlfriend's house working on a Spanish project and I kept sneaking over to their family computer so I could answer his IMs. He asked me if I'd be his girlfriend using red bold comic-sans. Can't believe I've been with a guy this long who, at some point, preferred comic-sans. 

4 // Our Favorite Things About the Other

His: "I come home every weekend from a stressful place and with a stressed mind and just being around you makes me calm down. Sometimes we talk about work and sometimes we don't and that's okay {I think he's referring to good balance here}." He also insisted on mentioning one of his favorite things is "your attempt to be funny. The joke isn't usually that funny but you're attempt at being funny is what's funny." THANKS.

Mine: One of my very favorite things about Sammy is how passionate and dedicated he is to the things he loves. Loyalty is extremely important to me and Sammy proves his loyalty through his passion and dedication for what he values. He grows more dedicated to our relationship every day and throughout all adversity his passion for his career, family, and friends, etc., only strengthens. His dedication inspires me to be better every day and to prove my passions through action. 

5 // Our Favorite Dates

His: "The Signature Room was pretty nice." 

Mine: There's a little restaurant in Cicero called Freddy's Pizza. It's old school Italian and I like to think of it as our place. 

6 // Our Favorite Trips

His: "One of the Florida trips." I then made him pick a specific one and to my delight he chose our most recent trip which was to Disney. God bless him.

Mine: Excluding Disney, I'd probably have to choose one of our downtown trips. We did one of our Christmas trips down there and a trip after we graduated. We always pack so much into our Chicago trips, they end up being so fun. We love playing tourists in our own city. 

{rivals forever...Go CUBS!}

7 // Our Favorite Year of Dating

His: "I think the first year because we had reconnected after not talking {he's referring to middle school here...} and also this year because I feel like we've gotten back to acting just like we did when we were younger just..with more...adult things." 

Mine: I have to agree with him entirely. While I've loved every year for specific reasons, there were some in the middle there that were tough as we were dealing with all the shit that comes with growin up, but the first year was so much fun and light hearted and this year I think we really found our groove more than any year before {although we needed those previous years to teach us and get us here}.

8 // His Favorite Thing on Our Bucket List

His: "Moving in together. Picking the place together and organizing it." He literally said organizing it. Have I mentioned how much I dig him? Also, I was not expecting this answer AT ALL and kind of died in the restaurant. I told him I was thinking more of an activity or place we want to visit that's on our bucket list and he said, "well, this is on my bucket list". Okay, man. ;)

{can we find a place like this? ;) any chance I can to bring it up, I will}

Mine: Something I'm really looking forward to doing on our bucket list is doing a cross-country road trip, going back to Paris with him, camping in Yosemite. I can't pick just one! 

9 //  Our Anniversary Plans

We recently decided we're going to skip celebrating over this weekend {since Sammy has limited weekend time while he's in the academy. He's also going to be in Vegas from Sat-Sun with his buddies anyway} and save our money to take a trip celebrating our 10 year and both of our graduations {my master's degree and his academy} once Sammy gets his solidified vacation time. I can't wait to start planning that. 

10 // Why Do We Do It?

This seems like an odd question but people ask us this all.the.time. It's kind of weird because to us it's kind of self explanatory. 

Him: "Because it was bound to happen." When I asked him this question he brought up being seated next to each other in elementary school and because of that "we were bound to be together". 

Me: For me, there is no other way to be. He's my guy. There's no one like him and our relationship is one of my greatest joys in life. We work hard on it every single day and I'm very proud of where we've come and all the places we can go together. Loving him is such a privilege. He's the greatest life partner I could have asked for.

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Anyway, thanks for reading all that if you made it to the end! It was really fun and nostalgic for me to put this post together so thanks for putting up with me. And for the obnoxious amount of photos of us. It was excessive. Sorry. They're just some of my favorites. But also, sorry. ;)

xo

Weekending | Easter Recap

Nothing like getting a weekend recap up on start of a new weekend. Wouldn't be me if I got a recap up on the proper day. #sorryboutit Normally I would forgo a weekend recap but since last weekend was a holiday I feel like I need to document it even though nothing crazy happened. I just can't miss an opportunity to talk about a holiday!
So let us get to the belated recapping, shall we?

I spent Friday night relaxing and making a World Market stop with my momma. She wanted to grab some Easter stuff {always getting everything right under the buzzer, that one ;) } and I picked up a few things to add to my Dad's birthday gift. I spent the rest of the night snacking, watching tv with my momma and brother, and I also started The Catch which I'm of course already totally into since Shonda Rhimes is a wizard of television.  

Sammy and I had a day date on Saturday which was so nice. We had lunch, walked around the outdoor mall aka I made him go to Crate & Barrel so I could "see all the new spring stuff for inspiration" {since I totally have my own home to use said inspiration...}, and saw Batman vs. Superman which was pretty awesome.

      

We went to Mod Pizza and we liked it a lot. Sammy especially loved that the toppings are endless and free {you only pay for the size of the pizza you get}. I did the "Lucy Sunshine" which was parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, and artichokes with dollops of marinara. I added black olives and jalapenos for a little kick.   

Sammy of course got something with 87 pieces of meat on it and added artichokes and roasted red peppers. For the record, he tasted mine and said he liked my meatless one better. A first time for everything, people.

Also, look at this face? Can we even discuss this face? We can not because it's too cute of a face. ;) 

Sammy wanted to see if J Crew had a pair of sunglasses he's been looking for and while we were there I snagged this top and a part cashmere striped infinity scarf for $8 each. Eight. Dollars. Died.

      

Again, the face. I could squeeze him like a weirdo forever. 

Sunday was a whirlwind of a day. Sammy and I don't normally split holidays but in the last year we've started to make a better effort about doing it. Since Sammy had to get back to the academy later that night, we spent the earlier part of the day with his family and then he dropped me off so he could make the drive back and I went to spend the evening with my family. 

Our first stop was by Sammy's mom's side. We ate a ton of antipasto stuff, per usual, like homemade bread, cheese, olives, soparsada, fried garduna, stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, pesto zucchini, eggplant, etc. She also made ravioli, carrots and finochio, mashed potatoes, veal parm, lamb, and salad.  

      

my fav "SIL" // my favorite part of the meal - the antipasto!

Nana Tina with all her grandchildren :)

Sammy's brother, SIL, parents, and us. 

After his grandma's, we stopped over by his aunt's for a short visit to see his cousins and grandparents. We couldn't eat because we didn't have the appetite after eating such a big meal an hour before {who am I kidding? I totally could have eaten again} or the time. Plus, I was eating another meal with my family later in the evening, but their spread looked lovely. 

      

His aunt and cousins served lamb, ham, asparagus, meatballs, noodle kugel {Sammy's cousin's husband is Jewish :) }, corn salad, frittata, and a green salad. They had fresh berries and other fruit for dessert and his cousin made tiramisu which I don't normally like but I had a taste of Sammy's before we left and loved it. Amazing. Promptly asked for my own piece. It was Giada's recipe so it makes complete sense that it would be delicious since she's perfection. 

Sammy had a hard time leaving this week and I think not being around for the entire holiday made him realize what he'll be missing as an officer. Just another part of the job we'll all have to adjust to but I know he'll feel it the most. 

I went by my grandmother's for Easter dinner later that evening. It was a bit more chaotic at my family's than by Sammy's {hence the wine} but it was nice to be with my family regardless. They're supposed to drive you nuts, right? ;)

      

We served ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, pasta, Italian Easter pie (which is cheese like parmesan and ricotta and Italian deli meats baked into dough), sweet potatoes, and salad. 

My dad brought pumpkin pie for me for dessert since its my favorite {I'm slowly realizing we basically had Thanksgiving dinner for Easter...} and my uncle made strawberry cheesecake that was out of this world. Sammy's grandma also packed me up a container of her cookies to take with me so we served those as well. 

      

We still get Easter baskets in my family which I love. I didn't take a pic of the basket from my mom but she always gives us little treats from World Market and a gift card {I got Trader Joe's which I've already used ;) }, but she also made little baskets out of candy for my grandma since she couldn't really do it this year. They looked really cute. I love the nerd rope as the handle. 

And my dad nailed his "basket" which came in paper shopping bags #classy. He included the above list and one item per category in each bag. So for classic drink we all got Mexican Coke in the bottle, but for all the other categories we each got different items that are "classic" to who we are. So I got Doritos for my "classic snack" since I would eat them for my last meal. That's how strong the love is. It was such a fun gift to get. I'm definitely doing it for my kids and I really want to do it for Sammy for Christmas or his birthday next year. 

So that was my Easter! It was a busy day and it felt like a lot of running around but it was worth it because we got to see so much family. Because the day felt so busy I felt like I didn't get to spend nearly enough time reflecting on the meaning of the holiday and that was disappointing but I know it doesn't have to be a holiday in order to do that. I gotta get better, that's all. 

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Also, some super nerdy things for this April {YASTHANKGODSPRINGFORREAL} Friday.

      

You may not be able to tell from my dorky, cocky ass screenshot {like seriously sorry for how obnoxious this is} but I ended up with straight A's this quarter. I don't mean that to be braggy but I am really proud of how hard I worked. It just makes all the stress of commuting and studying seem worth it. 

Also REALLY nerdy but I got my Honors Society sweatshirt yesterday. Yes, I bought myself a sweatshirt. Yes, this is also obnoxious. Yes, please bury me in this.

I've never graduated with honors and it's always bothered me. School was never overtly hard for me but it also didn't come easily either so I made it my mission to graduate with honors this year since it will likely be my last chance and it got me into the English Honors Society, so whats up. 

Also, Sammy was a Sig Tau in college so I jokingly told him I can be a Sig Tau too now ;) He told me I was incorrect about that real quick.

Anyway, enough boring, nerdy stuff. I hope everyone has a great Spring weekend with lots of fun plans! We've got a packed Saturday and I'm having brunch on Sunday with my girlfriends so I'm very excited.

Maybe I'll get the recap up on Monday this time. ;)

xo