Ballet Gods

When I was in high school, I was lucky enough to see Rudolf Nuryev perform during his final tour. This afternoon, I saw a performance by perhaps the other greatest dancer of the 20th century: Mikhail Baryshnikov. I have long been an admirer of his (okay, I may have had a giant poster of him in my room until I graduated from college...), but this was the first time I've ever seen him perform live.

All I can say about it is: wow.

To read a few more articulate reviews, click here or here.

Sweater Weather

I love this time of year, and not solely for the pumpkin spice latte (although it sure doesn't hurt).

I have a gift card from Talbots that is burning a hole in my pocket. I really need pants, but instead I can't stop looking at sweaters. Some of the top contenders:

But I am thinking of getting it in camel (or as they call it Palomino). I had a camel colored cardigan that I literally loved to death and need a replacement. Seen anything great out there??

Quickie

For the boy mamas....

Little English is offering 15% off all Boy Smocked Designs. No code needed. :)

I like this one for Christmas, green corduroy longalls with hand smocked candy canes.

Fabulous Customer Service!

A reader recently wrote in with a question...he is new to our fair city and was wondering where he could find Vineyard Vines retailers on the north side. I could only think of one (shame on me), so I dropped a line to the fabulous Elizabeth at VV. She got back to me right away with the following list, and I thought I'd share it with you:


Nordstrom Michigan Ave.
M 55 East Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611 1 miles
312-464-1515

Bloomingdales - North Michigan
M 900 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611 1 miles
312-440-4460

Saks 5th Ave. - Chicago
M 700 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611 1 miles
312-944-6500

Multiple Choices-Chicago
M W 840 W. Armitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614 3 miles
773-477-4520

ALL SHE WROTE
W 825 WEST ARMITAGE
CHICAGO, IL 60614 3 miles
773-529-0100

Nordstrom Old Orchard Center
M 77 Old Orchard Shopping Center
Skokie, IL 60077 12 miles
847-677-2121

Bloomingdales - Old Orchard
M 376 Old Orchard Center
Skokie, IL 60077 12 miles
847-675-5200

Huntley's
M 1515 Sheridan Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091 14 miles
(847) 853-0666

Giggles And Giraffes
Y 1515 Sheridan Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091 14 miles
(847) 251-6665

Multiple Choices-Winnetka
M W Y 841 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093 17 miles
847-441-5240



A caveat: I'm pretty sure that the Multiple Choices on Armitage has closed (moved to Lincoln Square) and the Winnetka location is now called Ellen's on Elm.

Aslo, if you can't make it to a bricks and mortar store, there's one day left for the blogger code online! See below for details:

Thumbs Up Thursday: Mom Agenda

One of the gifts I got for my birthday last month was a pink, monogrammed Mom Agenda. And I love, love, love it. Granted, I love just about everything that is pink and/or monogrammed, but this is actually useful too. I am probably the last person on earth to not have a blackberry...I'm all about the old school paper organizer. And this one has space for everything: a weekly to do list, my schedule, my kids schedule (and because it has room for four kids, I use one of the spaces for Mr TC), even a spot to plan dinner...if, you know, you are the type who plans dinner more than 20 minutes before you sit down.

Plus, right now you can get free shipping with the code WOWMOM. (Good through 9/20)

PSA

Pumpkin spice granola at Trader Joe's. Is there anything at TJ's that I will not love?? I doubt it.

And that will conclude the shortest blog post ever. Off to the zoo!

Madras Monday

A million or so years ago, the fab guys over at Nantucket Brands sent me one of their madras hoodies to try on for size and I promised to review it.





Here it is from their website:




Isn't it super cute??

I think it's a perfect wrap for this time of year. It's an extra layer, but it isn't a super heavy weight. The madras lining (in the navy version, anyway) has a little bit of almost every color...a little pink, a little red, a little green, etc. So it goes with absolutely everything. One caveat: it does run pretty small. I usually wear a small or a size two. I ordered a small and it is pretty fitted. Not too tight, but definitely not sloppy at all. Also, I have (to quote Mr. TC) "long monkey arms" and when I cuff the sleeves to reveal the madras lining, the sleeves are an inch or two above my wrist bone. So you may want to order a size up, depending upon what kind of fit you want. You can pick up one of your own here.

And in case that isn't enough madras for you, you can get 50% off all madras clothing at Three Chickadees.



Also, Cape Madras is having an end of summer sale, through September 20, with 50% off all merchandise.

Well, Hello Stranger

So, apparently I took the past month and a half off from blogging. Huh. I knew it had been awhile, but had no idea it has been that long!! Is anyone still out there? Now that I've somewhat emerged from my summertime daze?

What have I been up to? Well, I celebrated the anniversary of my 29th birthday once again, spent lots of time hanging with my boys, did a few little day trips around the Third Coast, went to few soirees, tried to learn how to cook like a grown up, started one boy on solid foods (can I get an AMEN for that one? I am so excited about it) and potty trained the other boy (can I get an even bigger AMEN for that? Seriously), so I've been a little busy. Oh, but did I mention that now my big guy is off to preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for two blissful short hours?

Couldn't you just die?

Now we're gearing up for the busy school schedule (busy for me anyway, because I am being indoctrinated in the tradition of Parental Involvement at Private School), M's birthday, and of course, Halloween. Certain people around here are pretty excited about it already and have spent hours poring over the costume catalog. Final verdict? Spiderman. Natch.

Now I must be off to continue my search for a Spidey bounce house, which I cannot find anywhere other than Craigslist postings in Spokane and Sacramento. (If you have one that you would like to unload, email me. No joke.) And to order some super rush last minute invites. And figure out exactly what I am doing for this party. Argh.