Slice of Advice: Cleaning

A good vacuum goes a long way. Meet the SHARK.

Vacuuming has always scratched a cleaning itch for me--an instant face lift on a room that takes 2 minutes and leaves you feeling accomplished and on top of things (this illusion usually lasts about as long as the carpet stays clean and between two baby boys and a VERY hairy dog is also about two minutes. :)) 

The SHARK multiplies those good feelings and will change your understanding of  a clean rug/carpet. I seriously could not believe my eyes the first time we used it on our shag rug--the rug looked new and the amount of nastiness that came out of the rug was disgusting in the best way. We have had it now for 8 months and it has been worth every penny.

Pro's of this vacuum include:

Guaranteed No Loss of Suction Technology, so you never lose cleaning power.

Swivel Steering means it is easy to maneuver

Anti-Allergen Complete Seal® technology traps 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum

Unique Detachable Canister for Portable Cleaning Convenience

So if you have one of these:

 Or one of these:

Or are just looking for a good vacuum, the shark comes highly recommended.

In reverse

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book in anticipation for a play that you are going to see? Just to be in tune with the story and to contain some of your excitement?

Reverse that...Have you every bought tickets to a play in anticipation of a movie that is coming out? Never, right? I mean who does that?

Well, I just bought tickets Les Miserables the play in anticipation for Les Miserables the movie (coming this Christmas). That is how good the movie looks!

Take a peek.

Dan and I will be going to the play for his birthday in November and I am so excited about that as well!

Cute studs...

coming out my ears. And I am on the market for an everyday pair....

      

    

  

        

       

I will take one of each. 

Okay, maybe just one pair (there is quite a range in prices and that always helps make my decision :))

If price weren't a factor, which would you choose? 

the taste of fall...

This recipe is a must try: fun to make and delicious. There is something precisely fall about the amber, gooey, sweet and salty goodness of this homemade caramel. Perfect on its own, drizzled over 

icecream or apples...or anything, really.

Dan and I have been enjoying it drizzled over kettle cooked popcorn.  

And as he would say, "It's too good."

I think it has made the roster for our home date tonight too. I am thinking fire in the back, boggle (yes boggle...trust me, it is more fun then you remember) and salted caramel popcorn.

ESSENCIA

Recently my sister-in-law asked me to design a logo for her yoga school.  Here is what we came up with:

She is a phenomenal yoga instructor! Check her out: essenciayoga.com

 Go Jeannine! Love you!

What is a good way to get rid of roots?

Grow them out!

I am loving all of these "ombre" colors for fall. Roots have never looked so good.

Something tells me growing mine out might not look as graceful as those pictures.  

Maybe I'll have to cut bangs to distract.  

I know, I know--curly hair and bangs don't always mix well. Wiser and more normal ideas have entered my mind but I am not looking for wiser and normal right now.  I need a change!

Should I go ombre....or bangs...or both? :)

loc.al.ert / Train Restaurant

Two Toots Train Whistle Grill

As you may have already figured, this is a good one if you have kids (between 1 and 10) and live in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn Area.  I mean really good. The first time we went here was the first (and only) time we have seen Levi (2) cry for joy. Literally (He LOVES all things train).  We were sitting on the stools that are strategically placed in front of a train that circles a track to bring your food as its freight.  As he was watching the small train carry baskets of fries and burgers to the customers, a real train stopped on the tracks just outside the restaurant window--too good to be true and the excitement levels were rising. Suddenly, Levi realized that Thomas the Tank Engine was playing on TV in the restaurant, and well, it was too much. He started to screech and shake a little, and tears welled up in his eyes. Dan and I were rolling and could not hold our excitement in either :)

The food is just right for kids too; burgers, hotdogs, fries, etc.  Not the healthiest menu options but at least they are trying: 100% grass fed, 100% prairie raised beef even for their hot dogs.

Try it!

Rainy Day Hues

This outfit is just the right amount of cozy and cute for this rainy friday in Chicago. 

You had me at hello...

Not surprising, really. Who wouldn't be had by this cake?

I found the recipe on pintrest a while back and knew I had to try it. Not only does is look scrumptious, but my mom made a similar cake growing up and I can't seem to get her recipe right. My family calls it hot milk cake.

This recipe is not for the faint-of-baking-heart though--there are a few steps the require TLC. Every once and a while I get the urge for a finicky recipe--one that calls for things like sifting cake flour, or a candy thermometer, or lots of steps...or all three, like this one (though I am sure you could make it without using a sifter or thermometer) :) Maybe it taps into my slight "type A-ness" which occasionally emerges from layers and layers of "type b-ness." The preciseness of measuring, the smells, watching chemistry unfold...I am beginning to sound like Alton Brown.

If none of that draws you in, the glaze alone makes this cake it worth it! We all had a few spoonfuls before it made its way onto the cake.

Carlson Commission

Recently, the Carlson family commissioned a large scale (36" x 48") painting to document their recent trip to Ethiopia:

for Samuel / oil, wax, collage on board / 36" x 48"

close-up / for Samuel

The Carlson's traveled to Ethiopia this winter to adopt their son Samuel. Mary saved paper trails from the trip; a map of Ethiopia, family boarding passes, receipts and newspapers, etc. These became layers in the painting; the base layer was the map. A tree was sketched in to recall a place the family had worshipped while they were there. It was amazing to hear their story an honor to make them a "time capsule" to remember it.

Their son Samuel is enjoying life here with his family and transitioning well. The story is not complete without mentioning that Samuel's best friend in Ethiopia, Joseph, was adopted by my sister around the same time. The best friends now live just a few miles apart!

Needless to say, this was very special piece to create. Thank you Carlson's!

Levi show casing the piece.