feel the love

I'm feeling mushy today, which means you get to reap the benefits of the love flowin' through my veins... all finds via Etsy.com

Dancing for a Cure!

Chicago's own Arthur Murray Dance Studio is dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. For the fifth year in a row the studio is presenting Dancing with Chicago's Celebrities, a fundraising gala to benefit Komen Chicago! Similar to ABC’s, Dancing with the Stars, this dazzling event boasts six of Chicago’s hottest celebrities who show off their newly-learned talent of ballroom dancing in a celebrity dance-off by performing a choreographed routine with an Arthur Murray professional. Following the celebrity dance-off, alumni from past year’s events take the floor for a group routine, followed by the Arthur Murray professionals owning the room for a knockout finale show.

This very unique fundraising event is the only one of its kind in Chicago and brings together local celebrity dancers for a magical evening of ballroom dancing, wonderful food and general dancing for all guests. And again in 2010, Top Chef Winner & Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless will compete in the Alumni Show, just following the Celebrity Dance-off with the following Chicago celebrities scheduled to appear: Bears Hall-of-Famer Gale Sayers, Radio Host Mancow, Dina Bair of WGN, and many others.

The competition will be judged by Nick Kosovich, the U.S. national champion most recently seen as Vivica A. Fox’s partner on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and a panel of celebrity judges, including Rick Bayless.

When: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 6 PM

Where: Hyatt Regency Chicago Crystal Ballroom - 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601

Tickets: $175 per person / proceeds to fund raise for www.KomenChicago.org

The Beautiful Competitors of 2010 are:

• Mancow – “The Mancow Show”
• Valerie Warner – WGN
• Mai Martinez – CBS
• Erin O’Connor – Miss Illinois
• Matt Rodewald – NBC
• D.C. Crenshaw – Food Critic and Host of Game Time Dine

... and some event Alumni to be seen are:

• Rick Bayless
• Dana Kozlov
• Dina Bair
• Mike Adamle
• Ginger Zee
• Amy Jacobson
• Roz Varon
• Lisa Aproti
• Katie Lorenz
  

... with Celebrities...

• Gale Sayers
• Nick Kosovich - Dancing with the Stars
• Snow Urbin - So you think you can Dance?
  

Dancing With Chicago Celebrities hopes to reach a fundraising goal of more than $100K for Komen Chicago. The Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® raises funds that provide breast cancer education, screening and treatment grants for uninsured and underinsured men and women throughout the Chicagoland area. Up to 75% of the net revenue raised is distributed right back into the Chicagoland Area. The remaining 25% directly supports Komen’s National Research Grant Program. For more information about Dancing With Chicago Celebrities or The Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® please visit: www.komenchicago.org

Baked Penne with Farmhouse Cheddar, Leeks & Italian Sausage

I made this for dinner... but I added browned Italian Sausage and used campanelle noodles instead of penne. It is now covered and sitting on the stovetop waiting for Prince Charming to come home so I can pop it in the oven! Looking forward to it!

recipe & photo via epicurious

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 5 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 5 large)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 pound extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 4 cups packed)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 pound penne pasta

Preparation

Lightly butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; stir to coat. Cover saucepan and cook until leeks are tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes (do not brown). Uncover saucepan; add flour. Stir 2 minutes. Add milk; bring to simmer, stirring often. Add cheese, mustard, and pepper sauce. Stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Season cheese sauce to taste with salt.

Whisk eggs in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 1 cup cheese sauce. Stir egg mixture into cheese sauce in saucepan.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return to pot.

Stir cheese sauce into pasta in pot. Transfer to prepared baking dish. do ahead Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake pasta until cheese sauce is bubbling around edges and some ends of pasta are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Let stand 15 minutes. Serve hot.

how did you celebrate valentine's day?

Do you have a special valentine? Did you do something special? Or, is V-day over-rated, and did you just sit and watch a movie... knowing that the time you spend with your love is more important than any pressurized 'perfect' date? Let us know!

wrapped around my wrist

I've been thinking that my bracelet collection is minimal. Bare bones, in fact. I think I own two bracelets! Time to start thinking about adding to the jewelry box! How about these?

Spring where art thou?

Bringing Spring inside today with some fresh flowering branches.

my new favorite designer

all *surprisingly affordable* designs by
Maggy London

Right now, the only local store carrying this line is Nordstrom. Keep an eye on the Lovely store, however... we're in talks to carry the line too!

I'm ready, let's go!

In exactly one month from this very moment, Prince Charming and I will be arriving here.



I can not wait to arrive! In case you forgot, this is my first trip to Mexico. I'm excited!

back *splish* splash

Always in the mood for a revamp of my living quarters, I'm recently infatuated with the idea that the kitchen is in need of a fabulous tile or glass back-splash. Do you have a company that you would like to suggest?

Oh my, oh my - how do I choose?

Christian Louboutin Pique 140 sandals



Miu Miu Cork and leather wedge sandals



Fendi Raffia and suede pumps



Miu Miu Patent leather slingback sandals



Diane von Furstenberg Opal leather wedge sandals



Donna Karan Plaid fabric cork wedge sandals

(500) Days of Summer; how do you know when it's fate?

Last night I watched this flick, (500) Days of Summer, and was surprised. This film was not at all what I expected and I don't know if I was pleasantly surprised or not. I liked the film, don't get me wrong, but was looking for a feel-good love-story and this was not it. I guess if I would have read a review prior to watching, I would have known this... but I never read reviews.

The film made me think... how do you know when it's fate? Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in 'the one' or soulmates? It's an interesting topic and can be it's own blog post, no doubt.

In short, (500) Days of Summer is great, but made me sad.

i like to eat; what's for dinner? Sunda!

Tonight I'll be dining here. It's not my first time, and it won't be my last...

A funny story goes along with tonight's reservation. First and foremost, a friend of mine is in town from LA. The Design Girl and I are attending dinner at Sunda because she asked me to make reservations at the best restaurant with the most fun vibe. Of course I thought 'Sunda.' I love it there!

Alas, it's very difficult to get a reservation to the best restaurant in the city with the most fun vibe. Unless you're friends with Billy Dec. Truth be told, all I did was tweet at @billydec and ask for a reservation and he made it happen - even on the busiest of busy Saturday nights!

Word on the street is, if you follow @billydec and ever request a reservation, he'll make it happen. It's great having a fab restaurateur in Chicago that understands social media and how to work-it!

Thanks, Billy!

inspired

I think we all have that one place that is truly inspiring. We yearn to visit this special place when we're feeling happy, down, in need of inspiration or just need our comfy place. My special place travels. It can be anywhere where water flows, where I can float on a raft or a boat, and just stare off into space while I listen to the world around me.

Since it's winter in Chicago and there's no floatable water nearby... I yearn for photography that is inspiring. This photo makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. What about you?

i like to eat; what's for dinner? Taxim!

Heading here tonight...

Blissful Blogette Party

I'm excited for this! Will you be there?

CRAVE Chicago Blissful Blogette Party WHAT: We love blogs, and we love to mingle! Join us for the first ever CRAVE Chicago blissful blogette party! WHEN: Thursday, February 18th, 6-8pm WHERE: JBar at The James Hotel - 55 E Ontario, Chicago Meet and greet with fellow Chicagoland most-loved blogettes & discover why you're craved. We will be joined by many of our favorite entreprenesses, those ladies featured in the 1st edition CRAVE Chicago guide. The first 60 blogettes to arrive will receive a complimentary copy of the 1st edition CRAVE Chicago Guide and a specialty cocktail courtesy of JBar. RSVP here...
Sponsors:

first eco-efficient boutique

I think this may be the first eco-efficient boutique out there. Or, at least it's the first one I've hear about. Zara has opened a new store in Barcelona that consumes 30% less energy than any other boutique, on average. That is incredible! It's about time we all make the change to consume less energy... it's only been 20 years since the development of 'recycling' in my world. Seems that we are all a bit late in jumping on the band-wagon, eh?

Fashion from Spain reported on this development here.

sneak-peek into Chicago's own West Elm

This morning I had the absolute pleasure of attending the pre-Grand Opening event at Chicago's own West Elm store on North Avenue in Lincoln Park. I'll be writing about my experience soon, but here is a sneak-peek at what I saw...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

guess where I'm going tomorrow

I'm one lucky girl. Tomorrow morning I'll be attending the media/press day at the brand new Chicago West Elm!

I'll be seeing & touching this...

...and this...

...and this...

...and this...

...and certainly this!

I'm thrilled to be invited and hopeful we'll be offered a special discount for the day!

North Avenue's West Elm Chicago opens Wednesday, February 3rd

For now, shop here