Valentine's Dinner

cutting board, Lobster tails, heart headband, My Life in France, Yours Mine glasses, mini cocotte

Instead of going out to eat, the husband and I are going to cook dinner at home. The hubs has gotten really into cooking over the past year (yessss!) so we're taking it up a notch (baAAM!) and making broiled lobster tails. Don't worry, he's done this before. I'm in charge of desserts. We keep to what we know. If you're in Milwaukee, the St. Paul Fish Co. in the Public Market is a good place to shop for fresh seafood. And if you want to buy desserts, the Milwaukee Cupcake Co. would be a perfect stop.

There's still a little over a week to plan (I hope my heart headband gets here in time). So here are some more ideas for a V-day dinner here and here.

10 Milwaukee Holiday Gifts

{My Christmas shopping is just about done, but this is truly a first. I was often the lady running in the background of the 5 o'clock news piece on last minute shoppers at the mall. Luckily, I figured out that shopping locally affords you an extra week of procrastination. Hurrah! And it supports Milwaukee, which I'm down for. So here is my 2012 list for great Milwaukee purchases (including where to buy them). For more ideas check out the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Guides.}

- Janelle Gramling Pillow, from the Milwaukee based designer is $58 (see her Facebook page for a 20% off discount code).

- Hugh Bob and the Hustle's latest album is on my top 10 list this year- pick it up at the Exclusive Company or on iTunes, $10.

- Milwaukee Beer Soap, $5. Purchase at Groom, Outpost, The Brass Rooster, or Glorioso's.

- Plushzilla are just too cute. Find them on Etsy, Sparrow Collective, or ReThreads for $15-$25

- City Tins, $25, (aka my favorite gift to give) are sold out online but are still available at Outpost and the Public Market. Madison City Tins now available, too!

- Bolzano Meats has salami and other meats available at these these places. Or give the gift of a charcuterie class.

- An annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum ranges from $25 to &75 will never disappoint.

- Amerique 1912 Absinthe Rogue from Great Lakes Distillery is $35 and great for a hostess gift or for the cocktail buff.

- Koss Headphones, $79, look sharp but don't cost a fortune. Shop their outlet on Port Washington Rd.

- Milwaukee Lakefront bandana from HANmade is so lovely, $18. Purchase online or at Broadway Paper.

Valentine's Day cards

It might be a little early, but I should plan way ahead if I expect to actually do it. Let's be real, embracing procrastination and saying "I do better under stress" has a success rate in the micro-digits. So, if you're planning on sending out Valentine's Day cards right now is the perfect time to start thinking about it (yes, self, i'm talkin' to you!). And who wouldn't love getting these adorable cards from Rifle Paper Co..

Let's start the New Year with hypothermia

photos: Mike Di Sisti


If you were one of the brave souls to do the annual Polar Plunge yesterday in Lake Michigan, I salute you. The weather in Milwaukee yesterday was milder than usual, 32 degrees with high winds and the lake has yet to freeze over. Still, I don't think I could ever do it......and it hasn't made it onto my bucket list, either. But, man, I do love seeing the photos. That is, while I am nestled beneath two wool blankets on my nice fluffy couch drinking hot cocoa.

I'm sure the polar plunge warrants you bragging rights for a lifetime, but the imminent risk of hypothermia seems a little extreme. But we all knew Milwaukeeans are crazy.

A New Year motto

The first few days of a new year are the best. There is a lot of hope, optimism, and inspiration swirling around. I am always up for New Years resolutions, even the crazy ones (like the year I gave up chocolate and actually did it!), but my resolutions of late are more holistic and philosophic. That's why I love the Holstee Manifesto - it's all about being honest with yourself.

One of my friends wrote on Facebook "Love yourself more this year". And that sums up everything quite beautifully.

Top 5: Things to do this 4th of July Weekend

1. Summerfest. Girl Talk is tonight. Jayhawks and Alejandro Escovedo on Sunday. The Invaders tomorrow. Wiz Khalifa on Tuesday. There's plenty to see. Here's JSonline Guide.


2. Lounging: We don't have any plans for 4th of July yet and I like that. I hope to just hang out in the backyard, make some blueberry muffins and enjoy the day.

Source: self.com via Alie on Pinterest

3. Reading: However, I will need to get in copious amounts of reading and preparing for a test on Tuesday and an assignment due as well. So, lounging will have a curfew. I hope you, however, get to read for pleasure and not for pain. I hear bossypants is good. I plan to add a floppy hat and pretend I'm reading bossypants instead of epidemiology.

Source: tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

3. Humboldt Park Fireworks: I love the small town feel of these fireworks. And plenty of food trucks turn out for the fun. Pizza and fireworks. awesome.

Source: None via Paige on Pinterest

4. Beach: I hope to take a couple longs walks this weekend. Hopefully, swinging by the beach and putting my feet in for a little. I hope Lulu the dog does OK with water. Never tried to get her in the water (even a little).

Source: lulus.com via Anna on Pinterest

5. Put up a flag: I'm going to make a quick stop to the hardware store to get some small little flags to put in our front yard this weekend. We'll see about a big flag, too.

Source: blog.lonnymag.com via Dunia on Pinterest

UPDATE: How could I forget the PBR Street Festival? Outside Burnheart's Bar on July 3rd (Potter and Logan) from noon-8pm. The Wildbirds, Faux Fir, Jon Burkes, The Etiquette, Fresh Cut Collective will be playing!

Vintage Decorating: St. Patrick's Day

botanical print, coffee mugs, sweater, book, cauldron, skirt, postcard



http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/85956502.html

It's Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, I'm sharing my friend CJ Foeckler's Vet photos he took in the Zablocki VA library in September. They were used to promote the Veterans Day parade that occurred last weekend. They've also been making a few high profile appearances. But, bottom line, I think they capture what this day is all about.

Happy 4th of July weekend

Laura Trevey painting,

I'll be doing some posting over the weekend and a LOT of chillaxin' in the backyard. Hope you have a good weekend, too!

Decorating: Fiestaware

Happy Cinco de Mayo, y'all. I have always wanted a small set of Fiesta dinnerware (or Harlquein because it's cheaper and I can't tell the difference), but I hestitated, saying "when would I ever use bright multi-color plates?". Then it hit me today: Cinco de Mayo! Real fiestaware can be kind of expensive because it's pretty sought after. I also didn't want to spend a lot of dishes that have an over 50% breaking at my house. So here's my back-up plan:
- Kohl's stores sell reproduction Fiesta. They even have my favorite turquoise color.
- Macy's has the largest selection of fiestaware, including silverware and glasses. And a bunch is on SALE online!
- For readers in Milwaukee, Clinton Street Antiques on S. 1st St. has a lot of bright multi-colored dinnerware in the window!

Woman magazine

The real Fiesta dinnerware, or fiestaware, was first introduced to Americans in 1936 by Frederick Hurten Rhead and sold by the Homer Laughlin Pottery company. The original designs were modified several times to include new colors and styles that were mass produced until 1972. The original 1930's fiestaware in the orginal 5 colors (red, green, blue, white and yellow) is the most coveted and collected meaning it's also the most expensive. An anniversary version of fiestaware was remade in 1986. You can tell because the ink stamp on the bottom is in all capital letters.



Foltzsa


perfectbound


tenacious snail


littlehonda 350

Happy May Day

Does any still celebrate May Day? I remember growing up and our neighbors would leave a small basket of flowers on our front door knob.


image: K is for calligraphy

Last week, Design*Sponge posted a DIY May Day basket project, check it out HERE

And Happy Derby, too!

Daily Fix: Hippity Hoppity Spring Things

Top to bottom: Rabbit Bookends from Modcloth, Rabbit picnic blanket from Pedlars, Rabbit Whisk from Modcloth, rabbit clock from decoylab, Bunny ears bag by the Doghouse

New stuff: Christmas shoes!

These red plaid point-toe flats are now $11.88 at Target!

More cute red plaid stuff......



Red plaid iPhone skin from istyles, Buffalo check jumper from forever21, plaid clutch from Red Clover on Etsy, Wool dress stewart plaid wool throw from Pendleton

Decorating for the holidays: Square One

We haven't started decorating for Christmas at all. We're sadly lacking in the holiday spirit department. I did set one of my radio presets to 99.1 so I can listen to Christmas music. That's about it. This weekend, I think I'm going to get the tree out of the basement (and by "me" I mean Matt). And I'm going to try to make this wreath from Country Living


Now, if I could only find some of these vintage bottlebrush trees to put in front of one of my many, many maps. Yes, I own a lot of MAPS. I'm basically a cartographer by now.


I have to find a nice little place for my brass reindeer, too