tuesday things Archives - Page 3 of 3

:: tuesday things ::

April 26, 2016

:: TUESDAY THINGS ::

the first trailer for The Bachelorette with JoJo is OUT.

see it here

I viewed it while I should have been watching the Blackhawks game or out at the bar watching it with all of my friends and husband, but instead I was sitting happily alone on the couch in my robe watching Dancing With The Stars.

Hashtag I’m not even mad.

this beyonce/rachel roy stuff is INSANE.

there’s a great timeline explaining all the silly nonsense HERE

and people are morons for thinking rachel ray was the person involved in all of this.

seriously.

some serious striped tee love, for 25% off

:: ombre striped tee ::

some of you asked about my outfit from my instagram.

blank denim leggings // theory top {super affordable summer strap version}// zara heels (old, similar)

for dinner Friday night at Sunday, I broke out my leather leggings that I love.

I promise that if leather leggings could be subtle, these are. They are one of my favorite fall and winter (and spring in Chicago of course) pieces.

PLUS they have no zipper so they are comfy comfy comfy.

AND they are under $100.

winner winner.

:: blank denim leather leggings :: under $100

I just wrote this whole post thinking “ugh I have nothing to post about today”

and realized I could have simply posted that today is my ~~thirtieth~~ 2nd Annual 29th Birthday.

I’m a moron.

And clearly aging is not boding well for me already. My brain is MUSH PEOPLE.

So its probably for the best that I didn’t do “things my twenties taught me” or something as a post….. but wait I really should do that because I have A LOT of BS I could really help “educate” people with.

…. and my rambling just continues with age…..

I wonder if I’ll get any love filled text message and calls today from my nearest and dearest.

fingers crossed!

Lifestyle, tuesday things

:: tuesday things ::

April 19, 2016

random things for the day……..

sorry for being MIA yesterday.

it was another long weekend with lots of work on the basement renovation.

right when I think I’m done with the physical labor, kip surprises me with more.

remember when I said to you, and more importantly to my husband, that after the kitchen cabinets I was never painting again?

so, like, um, someone explain how I ended up filling in 9 million nail holes, painting trim, and painting all of the walls down there. all of ’em! oh, and painting french doors with glass panels and then getting the little sheets off is a hell of a job.

BUT, as you read this, the carpet is being installed which is the final big step and then it’s just tiny little things (I hope I don’t regret saying that…..) and we are home free!

it looks so, so great though so I’m really happy. all of our hard work (mostly kips, but a lot of mental hard work stressing the eff out counts too) will have paid off!

I’ll share pics this week 🙂

Over the weekend we had fun lunch at one of my favorite Chicago spots, RL.

for those of you that email for Chicago recommendations I feel like I always forget this, but I love it for lunch especially and then you can shop and walk all over downtown after.

the burger as always did not disappoint.

it is so, so, so good.

also not disappointing lately is Old Navy.

I got this open back top and I am in luhrve.

:: OPEN BACK TEE :: also available in black

:: FAVORITE WHITE JEANS ::

it’s been hit after hit with their stuff for me lately.

this side slit tee shirt is still in heavy rotation too.

and I can never get enough stripes…..

:: STRIPED HI LO TEE ::

I’ve been meaning to write about Kristin Cavallari’s book Balancing in Heels that came out last month.

Overall I really like it.

There are sections that don’t apply to me, like the new mom stuff – but I still didn’t mind reading it and I suppose some of it could come in handy in the future.

OH WAIT – no. This part won’t. Because I do not think I’ll ever be making my children pitchers of homemade goats milk to drink every day.

because that is insane to me.

But a lot of it I really like and I am looking forward to making some of her recipes.

I mean, anyone that has her body days after giving birth can tell me what to do whenever she wants.

It’s my birthday next week, and I was already feeling old as sin,

and then I saw this “Suri Turns 10!” and wanted to hurl myself off the balcony,

she is TEN?!? wasn’t I just reading Suri’s Burn Book with my girlfriend talking about how she was 4 or something? wasn’t I also just watched Tom jump around on Oprah’s couch like a deranged lunatic?

annnd I literally just fell asleep with my laptop open.

so that’s all I’ve got.

Lifestyle, tuesday things

:: tuesday things ::

March 22, 2016

image

:: tuesday things ::

all over the place today….. like most days…..

I wanted to finally share the cabinets yesterday so today I’ll share about the weekend. My weekend was one of the busiest I have had in a long, long time but all with great things!

Friday was an afternoon with one of my best friends kicking of her 30th birthday weekend with nails and things. Then Friday night was my brother in laws birthday dinner at Bar Cocina (I love it there – casual and always good) and then a night of stand-up at The Laugh Factory.

Saturday I was back to celebrating my friends 30th and we ended the night with dinner at STK.

It was even better than my first time there – incredible music and food and great ambiance and people watching. I am obsessed with this place.

We were going to go out to a bar afterwards but the bar was so fun at STK that we stayed. And thank goodness we did because it got NUTS in there. People were dancing on the tables and the waiters were nothing but encouraging of it. The best people watching was that 2 tables over from us was skinny ass JAMES KENNEDY with a blonde on either side of him.

this marks the second bravo sighting for me in 3 months….. I think 2016 is going to be my year people!!!

I am so mad at myself for not going over and taking a picture with him but I figured A. he’s just the WORST (aka the best to watch on TV) so why would I want to make his ego bigger B. sure, he may be like “of course darling” in his accent and take a picture but he could also very easily C. be a total jerk and reject me and then I would have been embarassed even though WHO CARES.

I had lots of liquid courage in me at this point….. and by the time I had build up mayyyyybe enough to go over, he was leaving.

Ugh. Next Bravo Celeb Sighting *please let there be one* I am DOING IT.

Sunday I had ~~a hangover~~ a baby shower for my girlfriend and then a family birthday dinner in the suburbs. it’s so fun and crazy to have your best friends having babies. It feels like two years ago we were in the dorms in college, not 10. (insert tear steaming down cheek). The shower – and the mom to be – were so beautiful.

thank you to dina for the pics 🙂

3 birthday dinners in 3 nights wore me out, and I am happily eating clean this week because I had some delicious food and booze ALL weekend long.

Yesterday was the 16th Birthday of *NSYNC’s No Strings Attached.

For those of you that didn’t know how in love with them I ~~was~~ AM,

this is the shirt I slept in the night before I got married, and then wore all morning before putting on the cute-monogrammed-shirt that most normal adults who are getting married wear.

I would camp out for days for a reunion tour. Dayssssss.

Thank you for the sweet words on our Kitchen Cabinet DIY.

I’m so glad its over….. and now on to the next projects.

Particularly thank you to reader Rayna for sending me this post about the best gray’s to use in your house. It is so helpful, and also so amazing that it is all Ryan Gosling related.

She, and Emily Henderson, swear by Benjamin Moore Gray Owl so I will definitely be getting a sample of that to throw up on the walls!

the grey we sampled up on the walls went Baby Blue RULLL QUICK when the white was next to it. #fail

Dancing With The Stars started last night and it was SO GOOD.

I love that year round I have either Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise or DWTS going on for Monday nights.

This should hold me over until Bachelor in Paradise, quickly followed by The Bachelorette 🙂

weekend outfits :

this zara dress has been a favorite winter go to

zara dress – it’s still in stores, but I couldn’t find online!

and this kate spade has been a great fall to winter to spring pick.

the fabric is lighter so it can work for a bunch of different seasons.

kate spade dress : same print, just slightly different cut

oh, and when you’re not feeling you’re best about your appearance, use that filter in snapchat and be like DAMN. I look better than I thought.

who needs botox and wrinkle creams when this erases all of it for you!?

why can’t my forehead always look like that?

where has this been and how did I not find this sooner?!

(slash why can’t the world see me in this filter, but ya know, whatever….)

Lifestyle, tuesday things

:: tuesday things ::

February 9, 2016

random thoughts for Tuesday……..

this quote describes me perfectly.

image via my pinterest board
the salad + gym earns you the right for a no pants cupcake party.
see this weeks crack of the week cupcake recipe below this post!

:: restaurant review : STK versus RPM Steak ::

two of my girlfriends and I meet up for dinner once a month and we always try to go somewhere new that we have all never been before.

before the holidays we went to STK that had just opened here in Chicago.

although we had to wait a full 45 minutes for our reservation on a Thursday (and it seems this is still the norm based on friends experiences) the wait was completely worth it. The atmosphere is wonderful, the music was amazing (live DJ), the service was great, and most importantly the food was BOMB. Everything we ate was so, so delicious.

So, for restaurant week we went to RPM Steak and all three of us decided we won’t feel the need to go again. We all liked RPM Italian much better, and every single thing we ate at STK was better than RPM. And STK was cheaper! We had twice the amount of drinks, and more sides at STK, and our bill was the same or less than RPM. The meal was still good – it’s not that it was bad, it was yummy but there are many other steak places that were far far superior and better priced. So, for you Chicago gals, just thought I would share. If you’re anything like me, your list of restaurants you want to go to in Chicago is literally never-ending…. it’s one of the best things about living here…. so don’t waste it on RPM Steak 🙂

:: vegas girls weekend for J lo and Celine ::

this was discussed at said steak dinner and IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

I mean. I love Vegas as is, but if I could see my favorite lady J LO and then add an extra side of Celine or something on top, how amazing would that be?

it’s been 10 months since my last trip to Vegas and the itch is real……

I need some hours at the craps table and some 5 am nights and some serious people watching and some seriously short sparkle ensemble and some serious hangover where I am so happy to leave.

OK I’m really ready…… anyone want to go?

:: restoration hardware ::
I finally made it to the restoration hardware on Friday for lunch.

if you aren’t familiar, take a gander – it is insanely gorgeous.
the building was even more beautiful in person, and OH MY GOODNESS the cheeseburger was one of the best. seriously. it was delicious. and the fries come in a mint julep and everything.
the story is just amazing, and all of it looking into the center atrium of the restaurant is so beautiful. I can’t wait to go back when its warm because the rooftop floor looks just as amazing.

:: grease live ::

I don’t know why I didn’t watch this live but I’m so glad I finally saw it — it was SO good and I couldn’t believe they were able to do all of that live – such talented people overall.

:: the people v OJ simpson ::
oh I am IN IT. it’s such a crazy thing learning all about this because I was too little when it was happening in real life. I remember getting taken out of class and all of us went to the library for the reading of the verdict so that all the adults could watch it and I had no idea what was going on.
it seems that the adults from that time have no interest because they “lived it” and can’t do it again. I just can’t believe how much I never knew about all of it.

:: rocksbox ::
I ended up buying the Kendra Scott earrings from my last rocksbox set because I loved them so much.

:: dee earrings ::
available in 15+ stones on kendra scotts website
I’m excited to see what’s in my next set arriving any day!
use code tayloroshayxoxo for your first month free!

:: SUPER BOWL GRUB ::

for the Super Bowl I made Buffalo Chicken Dip and some delicious cupcakes that I will be posting immediately following this post for crack of the week!

The Buffalo Chicken Dip is the Frank’s Red Hot recipe, and I love it because you can use no blue cheese ( I use ranch ) and it’s a super simple taste instead of 9,000 things coming at ya.

I make the chicken in the slow cooker and shred it and prepare it the night before for a make-ahead-dish.

and if you’re a chocolate lover, these cupcakes will be for you!

chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting,
posting next for today’s crack of the week!

Lifestyle, tuesday things

:: tuesday things ::

December 8, 2015

:: random things for tuesday ::

image

:: one ::

I want to do some serious holiday baking this weekend.

tis the season.

my friend told me about this cookie recipe from Giada and apparently it is amazing.

{lemon ricotta cookies with lemon glaze}

just don’t think about Giada well cooking them or you’ll constantly hear her “REE-COOOTAAA” voice in your head. she. drives. me. in. sane.

english english english IM ITALIAN MOOOZAAREEELLAAA.

but I digress…….

these chocolate peanut butter ritz “cookies” are constantly at work, and although I’ve never made them at home, I’ve devoured them when I see them 🙂 I think it’s finally time for me to make some – they couldn’t be easier ( or tastier )

{chocolate covered peanut butter ritz}

chocolate bark is always a christmas classic.

how sweet eats is always my go to for “trashing-up” some killer recipes.

{pretzel peanut butter stuffed chocolate bark}

to really get the christmas party going,

who wouldn’t want a holiday sangria with some ~~ramona~~ pinot grigio?

yes please!

{cranberry white christmas sangria}

the thing I really love about housewives gifs is I immediately hear the person saying it in my head. HASHTAG I know I’m mental.

:: two ::

is it time for the bachelor yet? ughhhhh please!

apparently becca from farmer chris’s season is back for ben.

she is so cute and so sweet, but I’m more excited to see the new crazies they have in store for us.

:: three ::

I’ve found some great 10-20 minute workouts on Popsugar. Quick but tough and effective.

This ab workout was a favorite.

and in honor of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (TONIGHT!)

this workout was a great one as well.

20 Minute VS Workout

:: four ::

a few items I saw in the JCrew catalogue that I want my hands on, the scarf especially

{pom pom scarf}

{fringe sweatshirt}

{bow back striped top}

:: five ::

I got my super late flu shot at THE JEWEL while picking up groceries I forgot to get yesterday (every. damn. time.) and while the shot felt like nothing, 2 hours later I am barely able to type with my left arm. I meeaannnnnn how is this happening.
and speaking of AMAZING arms,
did I mention the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is tonight?!

which is also the anniversary of my first mean blog comment !!! yay!!!!
that was a great day 🙂

cheers to Real Housewives at 9 and The fashion show at 10 🙂

Lifestyle, tuesday things

:: tuesday things ::

December 1, 2015

random thoughts for the day…….

Happy December!!!!

image

:: one ::

I came home from work yesterday and stared at the computer for at least two hours trying to get Christmas shopping for family members done, and accomplished zilch. I had finally narrowed gifts down and my husband was like “ummm wait I don’t know about that”. So Cyber Monday was a huge fail in this household.

I did pick up a Play All Day Elmo that says 150 phrases and responds to you and plays games ~~and is probably a government run robot with a camera how are toys capable of this stuff~~ for my nephew (mom, I hope you or someone else didn’t already buy him this because its on its way to your house :D) and Kip and I are very excited about seeing Elmo’s capabilities.

It’s come a long way since regular old ‘Tickle Me Elmo’.

:: two ::

Big night for my-boyfriend-andy-cohen and BRAVO! HUGE!

we begin with :

Below Deck Reunion Part II

where rocky says her and eddie slept together multiple times since wrapping the show!

and rocky accuses kate of drinking!

the madness!!! I can’t wait 🙂

and yes I use this gif every time but its my-boyfriend-andy-cohen and I love it!

followed by Real Housewives of BEVERLY HILLS!

arguably the BEST of all of the franchises.

it appears brandy and kim aren’t full housewives this season,

which is a start because I have had ENOUGH of them and their POINTING FINGERS.

are you enjoying my pointy fingers gifs as much as I am?

just one more….

ok sorry I’m not sorry; now I’m done…..

the two of them were seriously THE WORST and every time I saw their damn index finger coming at me I was like

but then again….. everyone loves a bravo train wreck …..

so hopefully we get enough of them but not too much,

because I really can’t handle Brandis sheeyite. at. all.

and I’m excited to see who the 2 new blonde additions are

I seriously will be thinking about this premiere the entire day at work, thinking

I just hope we get another look at Yolanda’s fridge.

and THEN Girlfriends Guide to Divorce

love it. but also makes me wish Odd Mom Out was already back on…..

:: three ::

and thennnnnn……..tomorrow…..

the premiere of TOP CHEF!!!

I love me some Tom Collichio.

:: four ::

Minted has possibly the most heartfelt, sweetest gift to give:

a custom house letterpress portrait.

This would be a perfect gift for newlyweds, first time homeowners,

or for parents you could do an image of their longtime family home or a beach or lake house.

LOVE.

:: five ::

I made the White Cheddar Cheese and Sage Ball for Thanksgiving, and while mine was not as perfect with the Pomegranate Seeds, it was deeeee-licious.

:: how sweet eats pomegranate cheddar, almond, crispy sage cheeseball ::

I had never used fresh sage leaves before, and I thought there was no way they would “crisp” up when I fried them in butter for two minutes, but they did and it made the whole house smell AMAZING.

and the fried sage butter gets added to the cheese ball too ….. it’s like a classier paula dean dream ball.

I highly recommend it for your Christmas and Holiday parties!

I also made my crack cake for dessert,

because nothing says Holidays like CRACK CAKE!