through thick and thin

UPDATE: This contest is changing! The ceremony will now be held on a rooftop. Check out their Facebook page for more details.

Home Run Inn Pizza, the best pizza in Chicago, best frozen anywhere, is hosting a pretty cute promotion with another Chicago great, Lou Malnatis. One lucky couple will get married (or renew their vows) on the field at Wrigley during a Cubs v. Sox showdown. You also score 10 tickets to the game, a trolley ride afterwards and a tiered pizza wedding cake. I thought the through thick (Lou Malnatis is known for their deep dish) and thin (HRI makes thin) concept was pretty adorable.


Jake is as big a Sox fan as I am a Cubs fan. He would probably prefer this happened at Comisky- I mean, US Cellular Field- but I will definitely be entering! Visit their Facebook page for more details.

pretty planters

Spring is slowly sneaking up on Chicago. We had a gorgeous week last week- HELLO 60's! I missed you- and although this week isn't quite as lovely, its not snowing. My very first reaction to Spring is to buy flowers. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, ranunculus. I even bought a clover plant last year, which is still alive and well on my kitchen windowsill. I usually deal with cut stems as I have a tendency to drown my houseplants. That clover makes me proud!

I want to re-pot some of the succulents from our wedding, so I have been looking around for pretty pots. Anthro has their garden stuff back up on their site (what ever happened to them buying that garden shop in Philly? I thought that was going to be huge) and there are some pretty ones. Fruitfly Pie's Etsy shop was a pretty big score, too.

Fruitfly Pie

Fruitfly Pie

Fossilized Pot

Waveworn Pot

Island Orb

mmm... mustard!

Once upon a time, I dreamed about a chair. I drooled, I lusted, but my budget could just not make it work. Then I walked into Anthropologie and found it as a sample at 50% off. And it was mine. I use it to pose my baby.


That chair actually lives in my living room, with some lovely drapes. The fabric from these drapes was also out of my price range, but then I found a 20% off coupon AND my mother-in-law offered to make them for me as a house warming gift. Isn't she awesome? They mirror the chair perfectly. I use them to pose my baby, too.


Now I find this wallpaper. It is called paeonia... PEONIES! A perfect wallpaper to tie my living and dining rooms together, to match the chocolate drapes that I already have hanging, with a nice bold pattern to flatter all my white trim and cherry stain.

I have been wanting to wallpaper my dining room since we bought the place, but I keep falling in love with these pricey rolls. This is no exception at $148 a roll. With the repeat and everything, I would need about 20 rolls to cover my tiny dining room. Now I wait, impatiently, for it to go on rock bottom sale. Tick, tock.

fun, vintage, blumchen

Blumchen is fun to say. Try it.

Jake (aka Mr. Martha) ordered a few kraft paper eggs from this craft and decor supply shop last November. The eggs arrived in high quality with a gorgeous toile paper interior, so I spent some time on their site. I found some sweet little goodies to vintage up your wedding.

I love these little ladybugs. A little good luck for your invitations, placecards, favors and tablesettings. They also sell that gold tussie mussie (I DON'T like saying that one).


I thought these little raspberries would be sweet in a bouttoniere.


And these vintage paper florals and characters could make each of your invitations unique. I would love to recieve an invite with one of those paper wreaths on the envelope.

There is a little something for every holiday on their site, so head over there to check it out even if you are not planning a wedding.

gilt groupe + martha stewart weddings

Gilt Groupe- an addictive sample sale site- has teamed up with Martha Stewart Weddings for a wedding sample extravaganza. Darcy Miller made a few picks, which gives you a sneak peek at what's in store for the sale. Gowns, bridesmaid dresses, gifts for the groom, flower girl accessories... the goods. Here is the schedule:

Friday
Bridal Jewelry, Shoes, Bags and Intimates
BluePrintCleanse
Bridal Beauty Products
Prive Salons: New York and Los Angeles
Westin Bedding
Presents for the Bride and Groom
Wedding Invitations, Stationary and Books
Angel Sanchez and Morgane Le Fay Bridal
For the Groom

Saturday:
Freshology
Flower Girls and Ring Bearers
Gilt Wedding: Tutu Couture
Bridal Party Favors

It is definitely worth signing up for Gilt Groupe, even if you only do so for this sale. I have limited myself to a few purchases for little E (I heart Blabla dolls), but it has been difficult. Their Jetsetter deals are the WORST! There are pretty little photos of gorgeous far away places in my inbox everyday... and they are on sale! Anyway, go check it out and let me know what you think.

sarah and bendrix

I found these sarah and bendrix artworks in Max Wanger's home (via Design*Sponge) this morning. A little late for Valentine's Day, but I thought one of these lovelies would be a super gift. They do custom art, so perhaps in your wedding colors?




That last one is my favorite!

heart shaped pastas

First came love...


Valentine's Day is extra special to me, as it was Valentine's Day weekend, 2005, that Jake and I went on our first date after 18 months of flirting. The 14th often gets left by the wayside, and happily so. Today, the 12th, is the day we actually celebrate. Five years ago today, Jake took me to Mia Francesca on the north side of Chicago for a love themed meal. I had heart shaped raviolis, a yummy glass of Cabernet and the best first date on record. My face hurt from laughing before the entrees arrived; I knew I was going to marry him before our second date. I even told my mom.

Then came marriage...


This day is a tie with the day E was born as the best day of my life.

Then came baby.

The 14th will carry extra significance this year, as our little girl will be baptized Catholic. She will be wearing a beautiful lace gown, passed down through Jake's family, and a bonnet that my Grammy gave to me before I was baptized. Eloise was Grammy's middle name and I love that she will be with us on Sunday. I am pretty jazzed to be throwing my little love a party, and on Valentine's Day no less! Love will be all around.

All photos by our favorite photog, Dean Thorsen.

from wedding table to my living room ceiling

I like milk glass. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, my Grammy collected many pretty pieces. They were beautiful, sentimental and really helped set the mood at our wedding.

Flowers from Petal Play Design, photos from Thorsen Photography

The cake plates, vases and cups now decorate my home. When it came time to pick out my dining room, I decided to stick with the theme.

I purchased my chandelier from Macy's via Martha Stewart Lighting and it is no longer available :( I love, love, love the shape, the glass, and the warm glow in my dining room. Jake's mom made us new window treatments and I am getting ready to wallpaper, so more before and after photos of our home to come!

Do you have plans to/did you reuse pieces from your wedding in your home?

divine twine

Bakers twine has been popping up all over the place on favors, programs and invitations. Sweet twine adds a vintage twist, but is commonly only found in red. Hello, divine twine! 100% cotton and in cotton candy colors. I went on a search for bakers twine to complete our birth announcement/Christmas cards last December. Time and my nesting anxieties wouldn't allow me to buy online, but I have been thinking about this lovely twine in the meantime. I may be making a purchase for little E's first birthday party...

happy baby

A late post for today. Blog writing, meet your competition:


Can't you hear her cute little noises? Sigh...