Just a couple snaps on a winter day. Stay warm out there!!
10 on 10 { Nov 2013 }
Super Sunday!!! Seriously a fabulous day!! So glad It was the 10th so I had some fun things to share for the November's 10 on 10 challenge! Started the day with some tea - because no day can begin without my tea! Then a selfie to show off my fabulous Target find - chevron infinity scarf { love } Then off to brunch at Beatrix - where they have super cool light fixtures and even better food! { that's caramel pie, oh yes it is! } Met my cousin and his boyfriend - haven't seen them in forever it seems - so great to catch up with them! Then I was off to Bucktown for pizza and beer at my favorite Piece before the show! With quick little pitstop on my friend's rooftop for a peek at the view - I think I would sleep up there if this was what I'd wake up to!! Oh and then my love, John Legend, sang to me (and a few other people) for a couple of hours! The perfect end to a Sunday! Here's hoping for a great week!!
Sorry I failed to check again for a theme ... must pay better attention! Happy Fall Harvest to my fellow bloggers!
cupcake
While downtown last weekend I happened upon More Cupcake shop and decided to pop in. I have seen their vans around, but hand't heard much about them. It's a very small little shop - just shelves of cupcakes and a little spot to pay, nicely designed - clean and modern. We were in line when a large group arrived - the two girls working the counter had them wait outside till most everyone had cleared. Once they were in, one girl proceeded to give her 'spiel' ... it was very fast and not very informative about the shop at all. The only thing I took away from it was that they were out of their most popular cupcake - salted caramel - and that the cupcakes cost $3.50. My friend and I asked a few questions about the cakes and the two girls behind the counter could not have been more annoyed by them. But, um, this is our first time here and you have no menu describing your product... Anyway, we each picked up a couple and went on our way.
I got lemon meringue and chocolate caramel. Of the two, I liked the lemon meringue the best - both had fillings inside the cake and that might have been the best part. They do fall prey to my biggest cupcake peeve - imbalance. Too much frosting for the amount of cake.
Bottom line ... they were good, but nowhere near the best I've had and certainly not worth the attitude. Wasn't crazy about their packaging either - I got home with two cupcakes and had to open both boxes to see which cake was in which box ... the designer in me is screaming 'why?'
sunday in the orchard
Selika, Alex, Ricky and I set out for some apple picking fun in Hobart, Indiana! Thanks to my Indiana friends for recommending the County Line Orchard! We loved it! Still plenty of apples to pick (although Honeycrisp was gone) lots of pumpkins and some really amazing corn mazes! It's a big farm and the barn is chalked full of yummy goodness! It was the most beautiful Fall day - couldn't have ordered up anything better - really!
saturday stroll
My plans for the day got postponed due to rain this afternoon, so instead I got up and walked over to Hewn for a new loaf of aged cheddar bread and a brioche french toast! I love morning walks around in my neighborhood, it's so peaceful, and I should really do it more. After my treats, a cuppa tea and reading up on some legendary college basketball from my beloved KU, while sitting on the balcony watching the clouds roll in. 
bulb fest
I drove up to the Botanic Garden today with my friend Marcey to check out blub fest. It was the most beautiful Fall day for wandering the gardens. They have loads of mums in yellows and oranges and strategically placed gourds here and there, a hay bale maze and gourd tower. It was lovely.
First tip - if you want bulbs (which I didn't - no yard to put them in) go on Friday or early Saturday or pre-order. They were very picked over today. Second tip - don't expect very many vendors for fun fall goodies. I picked up a couple of mini loaves of peanut butter cookie bread (yep, yum!) and some homemade marshmallows. Marcey picked up some veggies and that was about it ... But it was the most perfect day to be out and about. Perfectly Fall! 
staycation : days one two
The last couple of years have been very busy at work and I squeaked in a little vacay here and there, but didn't come close to taking all of my vacation days. So ... this year I said I was going to take as many of my vacation days as I could! Why let them go unused, right?!? This week will be my first ever "staycation!" It's odd for me to take time off from work and not be going somewhere. Kind of funny to hear everyone's response. "Where are you going again?" I finally started answering "Chicago" and then they kind of got it. I feel like I do a pretty good job of getting out and about around town, but Chicago has so many amazing things to offer - why not be a tourist in my own city?
So let the stacay begin!
stay : one
brunch @ Farmhouse Evanston
shop local - ventured into a few shops that I had never been in before and found a couple of great items
end of summer party on rooftop in Bucktown with a pretty spectacular view - my pitiful iPhone photo just does not do it justice
stay : two
brunch @ Little Market Brasserie
Kind of got rained out today, so we spent a huge chunk of the day sitting and chatting over some fabulous food and drink. I topped it off with a black bottom sundae that had the most delicious homemade salted caramel - I literally ate it by the spoonful - oy!
And they had live music - every Sunday for brunch! I have never seen this before and think it's a fabulous idea! The lead singer was dishing up acoustic versions of his band's music (Mighty Fox) mixed in with covers. He had a great voice too! We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/78936477" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
Frost!!
Finally made it to Highland Park to get some gelato from Frost. I had heard many good things, so my expectations were high. Let me tell you, it lived up to the hype. Wish I lived closer!! You are looking at cookies n cream, dark chocolate and sea salt caramel mix - sooooo good! Also sampled their lemon - perfectly tart, perfectly refreshing.
brunch @ beatrix
One thing I love about Chicago - there's always a new restaurant to try! Met Selika for brunch today at a new space called Beatrix. I really like the vibe of the space. It's this kind of hybrid bar/restaurant/coffee/pastry spot. They have a great brunch menu and the pastry bar .. oh my, so good. I wanted one of everything, of course! I picked up a house-made graham cracker that was delicious, but had to grab one of these peanut butter sandwich cookies to go! I mean look at this thing! How can you pass it up?
Give it a try if you are in town! 
Waffles & Jam
I heart waffles! I recently purchased what I thought was to be the best of the best of waffle makers - the All-Clad Belgian Waffle Maker. I have to say I have yet to make a successful belgian waffle in this thing. I have tried numerous recipes, cooking spray/not, butter on the iron, more batter, less batter, I mean everything to get that perfect crispy on the outside fluffy on the inside waffle .... but nothing works. I even called my local Williams Sonoma store to see if maybe I got a faulty one - they said they would replace it, but I keep trying thinking it's got to be me ... right?! Read the reviews of these babies online - fabulous, everyone loves 'em. What on earth could I be doing wrong?