Daily Fix: fancy wallets

I really need a new wallet: one for money, receipts, change, gift cards, ID, and credit cards. It would be really nice to tuck my iphone in there somewhere, but I can't have everything.

Here are some top wallet contenders so far:

Della Wallet from HOBO:


Continental Wallet from Tory Burch:



Continental Wallet from Kate Spade:


Tesca Wallet from Matt&Nat

Bon Iver pictures from the Riverside

Now that you've seen my iphone photos, look at MUCH BETTER PHOTOS HERE

Shout out to Solly's Butter Burger on the Martha Stewart Show

Martha Stewart featured hamburgers of all shapes and varieties on today's show. Author of the book and creator of the film, Hamburger America, George Motz, gave a shout out to the butter burger at Solly's in Glendale. I always thought Sobelman's had the epic Milwaukee burger, but the more I looked into it, Solly's has received some prestigious distinctions of its own. Solly's is in Glendale right by the Sprecher Brewery (tour then burgers, anyone?) During the brief chat with George Motz, they showed a photo of the infamous Solly's Butter Burger swimming in butter then shot back to George. I noticed the woman behind him briefly display a look of distaste/nausea after seeing all that butter and cheese. Hilarious. I haven't been to this place, yet, but it just moved up a couple notches on the "must see" list.


See Martha's Favorite Burgers here

See the whole video segment on marthastewart.com

Rainy day Style: Need Supply Co.

I regularly check the web blog OUTBLUSH and today I fell in love with a darn cute (and practical) rain trench. So, when I clicked on it, I was directed to Need Supply Co.. Think Urban Outfitters but better quality. Here's a great rainy day (like the one today in Milwaukee) outfit to go with that darn cute trench.





Note: I have these and love them....but the sole is all leather, so have a cobbler affix a water-proof sole to make them last longer

Let the workouts begin!

My new best friend for the next 10 months

Nordic Track AudioStrider 990 Elliptical

Web Browser: Favorite Wedding Websites

This has been by 2nd job for the past few months - browsing wedding blogs. I laughed at my friend Abby when she could, off the top of her head, identify the fashion designer, photographers, and name of the flowers in any picture I showed her. I fear that this, too, will be me soon. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to wedding blogs. But here are some of my favorites that consistently have new and unique material.

- greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com

- designspongeonline.com Grace's Wedding Part One-Five

- ohjoy.blogs.com Here Comes the Bride Series

- oncewed.com

- the brides guide blog from Martha Stewart

- inspiredbythis.com

- snippetandink.com


from: PartyPoms on Etsy


from: design*sponge wedding


from: Christie Pham photography

Weekend: AIDS Walk

On Sunday, I'll be taking part in AIDS Walk Wisconsin to support ARCW. I have many ties to the organization and to the cause. The walk is not only the largest fundraiser for ARCW, but one of the most easy events for everyone to support.


- See the Shepherd Express Article and interview with Maurice


- See the interview on 88.9RadioMilwaukee with Maurice



I'm walking with the WANAC: Wisconsin Association of Nurses in AIDS Care" group. Lulu is too.

Then, off to see Bon Iver at the Riverside

Cory Chisel Album Giveaway

Check out the Backstage Pass to Health and Happiness blog to win a copy of the new Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons album, "Death Won't Send A Letter".

Milwaukee Faves: Cider Season

One of my favorite parts of autumn, hot apple cider, has finally returned for its seasonal appearance. Alterra offers one of my favorite ciders in Milwaukee: a mulled apple cider. Sven's Cafe in Bay View serves their Hot caramel cider will a cinnamon stick. And again, just for the record: cider is NOT warmed apple juice.

Shopping List: Scary Halloween Decor

Our annual Halloween party is a few weeks away. Eeeeek! A large portion of our Halloween decorations from Walgreens was ruined when everyone's basement flooded last spring. So, now is the time to stock up. Here's what I have found online so far:

Museum-style spider specimen from BugsUnderGlass on Etsy


Totally creepy bat wing cicada from RealButterflyGifts on Etsy


We're gonna totally weird out our neighbors. Thanks, Martha Stewart


Cheap and easy outdoor display idea from better homes and gardens

I want to go to there: French Laundry

My #1 dream dining experience is to eat at French Laundry in Napa Valley or the other Thomas Keller restaurant, Per Se, in New York CIty. Elitist only begins to describe the 2 month waiting list for reservations and the $240 prix fixe dinners (wine and tip not included) . Reviews for the restaurant make it sound like nirvana. So, I was extremely giddy to learn that the man himself, Thomas Keller, was coming to Milwaukee!!! (pause for excitement). The Dec. 2 dinner at Bacchus is $150 per person plus tax and gratuity. Not cheap, but totally worth the bragging rights.

See yesterdays Journal Sentinel post for the write-up: click here

Home Market hosts Etsy seller: f2images from Milwaukee

My two favorite things: the Home Market and Etsy! I had seen these photos on Etsy last Christmas when shopping for gifts. Then I realized that I just wanted them not my boyfriend or co-workers. Emi Franzen is the photographer behind f2 Images and has a photos of a few recognizable Milwaukee sites featured in her Etsy shop:go to etsy shop here

The Hoan Bridge


Pretty sure this is the pond at Veteran's Park


Summerfest grounds



The details on the gallery night:

October 16th
5-9pm
@ the Home Market
222 East Erie Street
Milwaukee, WI

Backyard discovery: Front Room Photography

I stopped in to scope out Front Room Photography today. It's a really nice space, one of those old Bayview buildings with a tin ceiling and crown molding. They had large canvas photos over the exposed brick wall and nice leather lounge furniture off to the side. I had come to talk about wedding photography (I was a little apprehensive-I was afraid they would be too expensive). They were a little expensive, but not as bad as I thought. I think I can make out only spending $3000 for a wedding day. Thank God! I got a really good feeling about them; very down to earth, modern yet comfortable. It's so great to have wonderful and creative people in Milwaukee. I was worried I'd have to search Chicago.

Check out one of my favorite photos:

I really like that it's not just wedding photography.


The buzz on NPR and NY Times (see article here) is that I should really be disclosing stuff that "I Like". So, for the record, I'm not getting free photos from Front Room. I WISH!

I like: NY Times Article-ON THE TIP OF CREATIVE TONGUES

I subscribed to the weekend subscription of the NY Times a few weeks ago. I have been anxiously waiting for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday papers, but I never saw them last weekend. Then, I went outside to pick up those pesky little penny saver papers that always litter our walkway and front steps. OH! It was actually the NY Times. I missed the whole weekend just piling up outside our house. I guess I thought it would look bigger.

Anyways, here's an article from Friday's Style Section about the current use of the word "curator". It was a very interesting cultural piece about how people basically look to others with good taste to create their own taste. Basically, a curator is now seen as the "go-to-person" to find the "best of the best". A lot more than just museums organizing, I guess. So, read it here: NY Times Article-ON THE TIP OF CREATIVE TONGUE

Rocker Style: Cellist from Seawolf

I wanted to post an update after the Sea Wolf show I went to last week. The show was very good, not as packed as I thought it would be. BUT, what REALLY impressed me was the cellist's outfit. It was a tweed dress jacket with belt, jet black tights, a brownish/red beret, and silver shimmery mary janes. I felt like the Sartorialist for rock 'n roll because I cared more about her outfit than I did for the show.
Here's a photo of her (sorry for the iphone quality);


I think this was the jacket she was wearing:

Blustery Days Dress Jacket from Anthropologie


Russki Slouchy Hat from Knittles

The Sea Wolf album came out September 22nd and I'm enjoying it. One of the more better new albums out this month.