Comfort Food

The temperature in Chicago has progressed this week from really cold to fricking freezing to "oh-my-god, do I really have to leave the house?" When it gets really cold like this, all I want is to cuddle up on the couch under a quilt and eat something fattening and comforting. This week I've already indulged in some of my favorites: clam chowder, shepherd's pie, tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches...But now I'm jonesin' for a childhood dish. My dad used to make us chipped beef on toast; it was his "specialty" on the rare nights when my mother was gone and he cooked dinner. I probably haven't had it since I was 12, but man, does it sound yummy right now. I need a good recipe...can't ask my dad as he is no longer with us. I'll try my usual internet sources, but this seems a bit old school. Any one have any suggestions?

Kate Spade Sale

This sale must remain strictly in the "fake shopping" category for me, but you all can check out the deals at kate spade, up to 50% off in some cases. I really *heart* these rain shoes. Navy and kelly green is one of my favorite color combos, and the loafer style is a nice alternative to the tall rain boots that one usually sees, don't you think?

Crazy for the Monograms

A friend recently turned me on to this site, Wonderful Graffiti. While some of the longer, more involved quotes aren't really my style, I do love a good monogram. Why not put one on the wall? We bought a new (technically old--1907) house recently, and I'm thinking about doing a monogram in the master bedroom. I think it might be kind of sweet over our bed. But I was reading their instructions and saw this:

Traditionally, the man's first initial is first from the left, followed by the couple's last initial, followed by the woman's first initial. If you care about tradition.

Is this true? I always thought (and I could swear that Monogram Momma has stated) that the woman's first initial is first from the left, because you would say June and Ward Cleaver-- the man's first name never being separated from his last. Please tell me the Wonderful Graffiti people are wrong, otherwise I've got a cabinet full of improperly monogrammed towels...

Preppy Puppy?

I know many of you have pups at home from reading your blogs. We do too...Total Train wreck Dog (TTD) has been with my husband since he graduated from college, 11 years ago! She's a sweet girl, but is getting older (aren't we all) and hasn't quite mastered the art of aging gracefully. She took off after a squirrel, leaped off the back porch, and managed to dislocate her paw and tear every ligament in her leg when she landed. Three months, two casts, one surgery, countless vet visits, and thousands of dollars later, she's on the mend. But I can't stop calling her a train wreck as she gimps around.

Because she was given The Gift of Life for Christmas (aka her surgery), we didn't get her anything else. I'm feeling a little guilty now, so perhaps I'll get her something from Lindsay Designs. Tons of cute, preppy dog collars. (And some for cats, too, if that's your thing. We, however, are strictly and firmly Dog People.) Since people always call poor TTD "he" (perhaps due to her somewhat androgynous name?), I want to get her something with some pink. This should help her look a bit more feminine!

Must find pen pals...

...so that I can order more stationery! Actually, I had two pen pals when I was little, one in France and one in Ireland. The French one used to send me chocolates and Tin-Tin books. And the Irish one went to boarding school at a convent, which completely bewildered my eight year old brain--why was she at a convent unless she was going to be a nun like Maria in The Sound of Music??? Funny how kids think.


My pen pal talk was brought on by a fabulous sale: English Tea Paperie has a special offer: BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE on all ETP products. Offer ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, January 27th. I've been wanting to order some of Chloe's lovely cards for some time now, and I have a perfect excuse. I *must* buy my friend C a birthday present, so why not order something that will arrive with a little extra treat for me? I think I'll get the scripted cards for my friend, and these cuties for myself.

And then I saw that The Preppy Princess posted some adorable Boatman Geller notes. Plus there is another new source I'm looking into, Sassyfras Designs. A friend recently ordered from that ebay shop and has been raving. I especially love the Toile Memos.

With all these choices, you can see why I'm looking for more people to correspond with...

Welcome!

Thanks for visiting!

I must begin work on my 100 Things About Me list, but in a nutshell, I'll introduce myself by saying that I'm a thirty-something (ach, loved that show!) married mother of one, a recovering lawyer, a preppy girl who sometimes struggles to find the things she loves in a town more famous for Da Bears and italian beef sammiches than for grosgrain and bloodies.

I love to shop online, even if it's just faux shopping. (You know, where you put a ton of stuff you want into your "cart" but then close the window instead of really checking out?) I've got a shoe problem and I'm not afraid to admit it. I'm also working on a stationery addiction, more on that later.

So welcome and thanks for stopping in!