girl time

it’s been awhile since i have been able to meet up with kt and kar.  leading into the holidays, we get so wrapped up [no pun intended] in so many things that it’s hard for us to get together!  we were able to finally catch up and have plenty of girl time today, although it’s never enough talkee time, ever.

so away we went with our late lunch date, so typical of me and kt…we are such sleepers!  the later, the better {ya know, we gots to get in our beauty sleep!} for us.

i should know better, that if i leave a decision up to kt, she can’t make one!  i offered a plethora of choices for lunch establishments but should have realized she would choose the one i have taken her to already!  well, who can say no to the ever fabulous bongo room?  as usual, we all had an amazing meal.

:p

:p

kar + kt

kar + kt

the girls

the girls

my cute little gift from kt

my cute little gift from kt

banana hazelnut + bacon

banana hazelnut + bacon

fabulous

fabulous

lol

beanie top

vintage chapeaux's

vintage chapeaux

afterwards, we did a little shopping [woot!].  milwaukee is a gold mine of vintage shops.  we had a blast perusing all the racks and finding such unique items!  after that, we parted ways and i sashayed my way back to our place.  i can never not stop by my favorite little paper store, paper doll!  i had to visit rhoda, the cutest little pug in wicker park!  after playing, petting, prancing, and carrying the sweet little dog around the store, i headed back home {for reals this time!}

i heart rhoda

i heart rhoda

 

cupid’s day

happy valentine’s day!

image

ahhhh, the day of celebrating love.  i spent a wonderful day with the hubby doing much of nothing.  we relaxed and said a lot of i love you’s.  well, we really say that phrase a lot in general but it’s cupid’s day…it’s extra special!

we got all jazzed up {time to dress festive!} and skedaddled to one of our favorite restaurants, roy’s.  it’s always consistent in service, food, and flavor.  it’s also an extra perk to know the managers, sommelier, servers, and bartenders {loves them}.  we started with the confit pork belly & rock shrimp ceviche appetizer [whoa].  onto our delicious wild mushroom bisque soup.  my entree was the hawaiian sea salt crusted scallops, braised korobuta pork cheeks {amaze}, + okinawan potato puree.  hubby charming had the smoked pepper crusted bone in rib eye {medium rare} fromage blanc, braised escarole, + truffle mac + cheese.  redic.  seriously.  and finally…sensational sweet endings: pineapple upside-down cake + red velvet cake + cream cheese ice cream.  sounds freakin’ over the moon divine, right?!

my roses

my roses from cattails

hee

hee

i really had to dress the part...c'mon, it's v-day!  cupid shot me with his arrow!

i really had to dress the part…c’mon, it’s v-day! cupid shot me with his arrow!

image

imageimage

well, after imbibing + gorging like we haven’t eaten in days, we were ready to go home and put on our drawstring sweatpants!  it was a beautiful day.  happy love day!  xoxo

power lunch

i love lunches, brunches, eating, meeting, greeting with friends.  sometimes the world gets so crazy busy but you have to slow down to take some time to connect [that’s what makes life great, friends + family].  on my list, it’s paramount.

people tend to make up excuses on why they don’t have time to connect {too busy with work or blame others for lack of effort}, or just don’t make enough effort themselves.  some people just have different priorities than others.

life can get quite convoluted but i believe in finding the time if an opportunity arises.

ande <3

ande <3

i just love ande + matt.  they are such a fun bunch.  get us together and there is never a dull moment!  we are such a ‘type a’ group {our common thread of controlling, clean, organized antics}.  probably the most gregarious combo of peeps anyone would ever witness.   we tend to talk over one another a bit too much but find it so normal to do so.  between the three of us [never one to be succinct], there is never a moment of silence!

 

pumpkin pancakes + bacon

pumpkin pancakes + bacon

matt <3

matt <3

every so often, we are able to squeeze in a lunch or a dinner.  the latter is better for us [due to our long winded nature] but lunches will do. although they are just too short!  so, knowing we don’t have a lot of time, we race through our conversations!  we always say we should have the husbands join us [naturally all three of them are the more quiet, reserved types] but only say it because we feel like it’s nice to ‘try’ to include them.

 

well, there you go…two hours later {and that was our version of a ‘power lunch’}, many topics later, many tasty bites later, we wrapped up our delicious date at the fabulous bongo room {one of my two favorite brunch spots!!!!!!}.  until next time my lovelies!  xoxo