top ten things i love about march
{pinterest}
what do you love about march?! think about what makes you smile!
happy march!
xoxo
{pinterest}
as i walking home late tonight, i was passing a girl in the alley. the ground was very, very icy & slick. she slipped just a bit in front of me and then i heard her scream behind me. i turned around and saw that she had fallen on the ground. she groaned in pain. i ran over to help her but she rebuffed my assistance. i could tell that she was hurt and could not get up. she said she felt that she had twisted her knee.
hubby charming always meets me when i come home at night. i saw him at the end of the alley, right before the girl fell. he saw something was going on and was walking our way. i insisted on helping her. i said, “don’t worry, you need help! my husband will help us, too.” she kept saying no but i was steadfast on aiding her. hubby charming walked up to us as i was pulling her up onto her feet. the poor girl was so upset; we both held onto her as we walked down to the end of the alley to her apartment.
unfortunately, we were all slipping down the alley but better all of us than her alone and hurt! we got her safely to a clear sidewalk in the back of her home. i asked if she had roommates to help her, she said yes. we wanted to walk her to her door but she reassured us she was fine. she sobbed, “there are good people in this world. thank you, thank you so much!”. she was so deeply moved that strangers would help her the way we did [honestly, i felt like we didn’t do much of anything! although, city peeps tend to not be the nicest.] she gave us both big hugs and we walked our separate ways.
we never exchanged names. i’m not sure if we will ever see each other again, our paths might cross but will we even recognize each other? we were so bundled up, we could hardly see each other’s face in this cold, cold weather. the one thing i did walk away with is that i was so happy to have helped her. i was so happy that she was touched by strangers who were just doing the right thing.
i just can’t imagine a world where kindness or selfless acts don’t exist; to uphold and live the extensions of God’s teachings as best we can in our daily lives. challenge ourselves everyday to do something good, do something better. that something so small and simple as helping a girl, who fell, to her home was so incredibly appreciated by her; she was so overwhelmed that strangers would take the time to help someone they didn’t know {i do believe that is just the city dweller’s mentality: mind your own business & be cautious of everyone}.
the world can be a dark place to some and some might call me naive but i believe there is always good, and innately good people and actions. don’t get me wrong, i know evil and bad tendencies do exist. i choose to believe in hope & the good in folks.
the new anthropologie in lincoln park just opened up!
i was very excited to attend the grand opening ce soir [i mean, who doesn’t just love that store?!]. drinks, appetizers, music, and shopping…a perfect combination! we sipped cocktails {signature drink – moscow mule: vodka, ginger beer, + lime juice!}, ooh’d and ahh’d over the merchandise, did a lot of people watching, and some folks in our group spent some moolah {not me! *wink* to hubby charming}.
my favorites? rifle paper goods, the best candle ever: volcano, every necklace, every set of earrings, ag denim, and pretty much every dress they sell 🙂
soeurs
cheers!
planters
dana, thuy, + leyla
paper flowers
i heart green glass
ombre fringe bag
i see you
love!
art installation (spoons!)
all shopped out!
seriously, i could buy every ceramic piece in that store! all the textiles, paper goods, and accessories {love the accessories!!} are to die for!
such a dreamy place, right? until next time my lovies.
hubby charming is out of town. no, i don’t like it. not one bit. but i must make do with it, so typically i keep myself busy. i’m usually productive but i tend to be in overdrive without the hubs around. my mind races with possible projects, like what could i craft, who can i see, what can i do, where can i go. relentless thinking. relentless doing.
i was super excited to be able to have dinner with the lovely dana. we’ve been friends for a good five years but honestly, it feels like forever in such a good, cozy way. we are like ying and yang. like cookies and cream. bread and butter. salt and pepper. ya know? those friendships that just balance each other out [ditto for my awesome hubby charming…a perfect balance]. i just adore her.
we had lots of chit chat. yummy food. wine + beer. low key and relaxing. i had to send her home with cookie favors as well. it was my parting gift…who would refuse free cookies?! that’s like the best free gift ever. besides hugs. and kitten + puppies. ok, i could list a lot of fabulous free gifts. um, anything free is good!
ahh, goodnight lovies. it’s been fun!
i want to take you back down memory lane.
we are going to visit our first new year’s together {hold on to your horses!}. i’m taking you back to 2008…whoa! well, really the end of 2008 because this was new year’s eve. i can’t believe that was many a years ago, time sure flies by! it’s amusing to think that we were only together for, barely, a few months in these photos {wow}!
we started out the evening imbibing and noshing at leyla’s {old} condo in river north. a little kookiness, a little goofiness, and a lot of fun. when you’re with this bunch, it gets cray!
the girls…meow!
appetizers
the boys
after some jovial moments with our friends + famille, we went on our merry way to broadway cellars {it’s been ages since we’ve been back and seeing this makes me want to go again!}. we had reservations for two! after many courses, after many wine pairings, and desserts, we were dunzo {i mean, how much can one consume without bursting? i really don’t want to find out!}. we gladly rang in the new year with all the wonderful folks in the restaurant, it was so jubilant! we were happily stuffed, happily in love, and happy it was 2009!
celebrate!
should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne!
for auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne.
we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
hello there again.
so, today i want to show you some of my favorite [i die] hairstyles, make up, and accessories from the oscars! i love glamour, make-up, sparkles, and i love fashion…the oscars encompasses all those wonderful loves, so watching the red carpet pre-show is so splendid! hang on lovies, here comes the eye catching fun details!
natalie portman // emerald drop earrings by anna hu haute joaillerie
jennifer garner // mirrored clutch + neil lane bracelet
jenna dewan // dark liner + romantic updo
naomie harris // citrine + diamond h. stern bracelet
kristin chenoweth // smoky eyes + elegant bun
reese witherspoon // side swept beautiful, shiny waves
jennifer aniston // fred leighton bracelets and ferragamo clutch
catherine zeta jones // bronze metallic eyeshadow
jessica chastain // gorgeous cascading waves
naomi watts // nude chanel nail polish
rashida jones // slick hair and red lips
there you go! aren’t they just lovely?! what a glamourous evening it was! it never disappoints. until next year my darlings! muwah!
[photos popsugar.com]
the oscars have come and gone. the speeches, the awkward moments, and the tears are only but a faint memory but the fashion remains here for us to revisit over and over again! there were some scary moments, which dress did you think was the most egregious??! what were your favorites?! here are some of my instant love at first sights…
stacy keibler in naeem khan
jessica chastain in armani prive
naomi watts in armani prive
charlize theron in christian dior
reese witherspoon in louis vuitton
kristen stewart in reem acra
cutest pregger style, jenna dewan in rachel roy
catherine zeta jones in zuhair murad
fabulous dresses and the women who rocked them! so elegant, so ethereal, so fancy!
and didn’t you just love the passion and emotion behind ben affleck’s speech?! that was just precious!!
more to come tomorrow on hair and make up! see you tomorrow lovies
[photos popsugar.com]
a special thanks to my dear friend, andrea, for hosting us at your oscar party tonight!! fabulous food, drinks, and plenty of stout opinions! :p
it was mr. richard heintz sr.’s birthday!!! yay!
we kicked off our day with a lovely start at church. for some reason, mass today just flew by…it was weird. it felt very ephemeral. like i was in fast forward. maybe it was because we didn’t sit in our usual ‘spot’?? it was quite packed by the time we got there {um, maybe it was because i was totally running late…causing us to be late, therefore causing hc a very difficult time in the parking lot because it was filled to the gills…oops!!}, most of the pews were full, so i was ushered all the way up to the front side rows. hubby charming almost didn’t find me! so, therefore {phew! am i longwinded??? nah!} mass was over before i felt it began!
anyhoo, after that, we did our usual run to starbucks & off we went, over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go [literally]! brunch, presents, cake, oh my!
hb dick, we love you lots!! xoxo
my outfit for the day
pretty colors
hello, bad angle
family
mimosas
purty wrapped
for his railroad
the unsigned card, hee
gift from misse, john, + daniel
grace + daniel
hb dad!
decadent
make a wish!
my ice cream stacking abilities!
delicious!
we met up with the famille for a lovely dinner at dolce! a cozy, delicious restaurant tucked away in a downtown ‘burb. i love my famille. i really do. we grew up together in such crazy ways {five kids! but who wouldn’t say life is always crazy?}, but i wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world. my dad has always taught me, family first. they will always, always be there for you. we are lucky that we are and always will be. having that many siblings is something i cherish and feel so blessed to have 2 brothers and 2 sisters that are amazing {we are missing our eldest brother, the hipster who lives in l.a.}. to top that all off, we all turned out to be damn good kids. shout out to our p’s!!! xoxo
my other major loves, my darling nephews. i just adore them [seriously love them]!! they are the sweetest, cutest, most lovable little people ever. i love being around them, i love playing with them, i love listening to them, i love being a good aunt to them. they are so stinkin’ precious {i could just squeeze them and pinch them all the time…although i don’t think they would really enjoy that}. they make the world brighter with their laughter, smiles, and innocent charm. j’adore beaucoup, les petits enfants.
tonight’s meal: chicken pot pie! oh em geeeeeee, it was so good!! seriously, freakin’ delish! i love hubby charming for his culinary skills. at least his desire to do so, ’cause me, not so much in that department. i like cooking {just the basics for me} but would rather have someone else do it. am i right or am i right? although, i’m a great cleaner upper…spic and span is my best friend 😉
chicken pot pie
1-1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup sliced fresh carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 cups milk
4 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 cup frozen peas
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
1 teaspoon salt
biscuit topping
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
2/3 cup milk
[via tasteofhome.com]
*In a large saucepan, saute the mushrooms, carrots and onion in butter until tender; sprinkle with flour. Gradually stir in broth and milk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the chicken, peas, pimientos and salt ; heat through. Pour into a greased shallow 2-1/2-qt. baking dish; set aside.
*In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cream of tartar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; stir in milk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times. Pat or roll out to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter.
*Place biscuits over chicken mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown
oven roasted asparagus
1 bunch thin asparagus spears, trimmed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
*Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
*Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet in a single layer
*Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness.
*Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving.
[via allrecipes.com]
i hope your evening was just as good + full of love, laughter, and silliness.
bon appétit!
