Shed Building Plans

A Summer Day in beautiful Chicago

The Chicago River at the end of a beautiful summer day.

 I spent a lovely summer day in downtown Chicago.  I dont get downtown as much as I used to and to spend a day on a gorgeous summer day, it always renews my love affair with such a beautiful city.

The Chicago Farmers Market was at the Daley Center Plaza complete with the famous Picasso art sculpture.

We started the day at the Chicago Farmers Market. A lovely al fresco assortment of both flowers, fresh produce, and various other products.  

Such pretty sunflowers!

Gorgeous bouquets of wild flowers!  Only $4.00.

String beans, green beans galore!

Shopping on Michigan Avenue, this is the AMAZING Burberry remodel in which they are going to replicate the signature plaid on the building.  I cannot wait for this to be completed!

There is a a new TOMMY BAHAMA (LOVE) store opening on Michigan Avenue in Fall 2012.  This was the adorable advertisement in the windows of the new store.  We should all follow this sentiment, agree?


Then it was down to the piece de resistance - the Ralph Lauren Store - a true landmark on the famed Mag Mile.  I have been here before but I always take a deep breath upon entering - it is that gorgeous!


The other side of the store as it is on a corner.  The Summer Sale Event window was TOO adorable to not take a picture.



The foyer and grand staircase.  The first floor is completely dedicated to the London Olympic Games 2012.  It is awesome.  The Ralph Lauren Store Chicago is the largest Ralph Lauren store in the world.




The staircase is absolutely STUNNING and the rich woods and wainscoting are unbelievable.


The landing of the staircase on the way to the next floor is adorned with a gorgeous clock and amazing equestrian themed art.


Yes, this is the womens department upstairs.  Exquisite - would you expect anything less?


                                                      Womens shoes and jewelry.


A beautiful pair of saddles flank a doorway in the Womens clothing area.  Gorgeous!

The Womens London Olympic Collection room.

The entrance to the Home section.  Breathtaking.  The larger portion of this floor was closed as they prepare for the Home Collection for Fall 2012.  So exciting.

Beautiful etched caraffe and leather embossed tray.  Wow!

These huge and stunning hurricanes were on the floor and were GORGEOUS.  Love the sand and shells!

Another beautiful tray and liqueur set.  Love the glasses!

In the Water Tower Place shopping center, one of the windows was a Chicago Skyline done in LEGOS!  Does it get any better than this?  Even Buckingham Fountain and the water.  So amazing!

A Summer Day in beautiful Chicago

Summer Dress Shopping!

Yay!  Its Memorial Day!  To look outside you would never know it.  Here in Chicago, it is cloudy, gloomy and really cold!  I am literally in fleece and jeans but flip flops - it is after all the official start to summer!  I am thinking if I dress like it is summer, summer will notice and come for a nice LONG visit.

So, I have some weddings and events coming up and I really want a new summer dress.  I know we have bunches of them hanging in our closets but there is something about a new sun dress that just starts the summer off right!

This is my dream dress:


But I cannot afford the price tag on this one!  My new obsession is Mod Cloth!  Modcloth.com - I dare you to not sit on this website for hours just drooling over all their clothes!  I found this adorable navy and white broad stripe dress that is similar:

Whistler Dress in Resort White Gold Digger - I love the coastal colors on this dress - so pretty!

Ooops - gotta go - more later.  The rain stopped and I have to try and mow the lawn!


Summer Dress Shopping!

I Want To Live A Pottery Barn Summer

When I look at Glamour or Self Magazines, I feel inadequate about my body, skin, hair, wardrobe, etc.  But to a certain extent, I can make noticeable changes in my life with regards to healthy eating, exercise, attitude and thrift stores.  LOL  But when I look at a Pottery Barn catalog, I feel completely helpless!  The only way I could ever live the Pottery Barn life is if I win the lottery.


Perusing the latest summer catalog, I absolutely wanted to jump into the pages and live that life.  It never ceases to amaze me how, year after year, season after season, holiday after holiday, they can come up with so many items which just resonate in my soul.

I decided to share some of my favorite "swoon worthy" items from their latest collection.  Hello Summer!


SHARK!  Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the kitchen, I am in love with this shark drink holder.  He looks so ominous and spectacular!  You could use him to hold drinks, shots, bowls of chilled salads, fruit, etc.  OMG I need him to swim into my house NOW!  C*H*O*M*P!


Id like to be... under the sea... with an octopus drink dispenser ... in the shade.  How fantastic is this?  And this could also be used for Halloween too with some questionable purple drink inside.  Little Mermaid movie night.  Love it!


Doesnt this look heavenly?  I can just hear the splash of the water and feel the sun on my skin.  This raft is also pretty nifty and navy blue is my favorite color.  I just love this picture!


I LOVE whales and I love orange juice and lemonade.  Alas, this whale juicer is a must get!  How can I ever use a regular juicer again?  LOL


These barracuda snack plates are SWEET.   Why put olives and tid bits on a regular round plate when you can carry around this bad boy during your next summer soiree?  Unfortunately, I am not sure I could purchase these only because of the barracuda scene in Disneys Finding Nemo.  And we all know how that turned out - how could you Mr. Barracuda?

NOT NICE Mr. Barracuda.  You ate Nemos mother and all of his siblings.  No table setting for you!

Sailboat place card holders?  Really?  Like these couldnt be more adorable.  "Honey can you please run down to the beach and get some shells so I can use them for place cards?  Thank you.  Um... yeah that is never happening in my life.  At my house we just look at each other and say - "You sit there!"  LOL  But I could totally use these for food descriptors or little messages.

A sailboat fruit bowl - this is adorable!  I would even name the boat like SS Antioxidants or SS Fruitcase!  I am sure the fruit tastes so much better in a sailing vessel rather than a plain old round bow. And I am not even kidding.


I am not normally a melamine (aka plastic) plate person.  I understand the whole unbreakable thing and they just scream summer but I would really prefer ceramic.  BUT - that being said - I would totally make an exception for these little beauties.  Nothing screams AMERICA like, well.... AMERICA.   Although I am guessing these may not be huge sellers in Alaska & Hawaii - just a thought!  ;-)


And these recycled glass chandeliers?  SO pretty.  I cant even!   And the price.  Um... no.  Just no.

So those are just a few thoughts on the Pottery Barn Summer 2015 collection.  So many adorable things which inspire me to go thrifting and hacking.
 I did buy the whale serving tray last year and the boat salt and pepper cellar which I absolutely love.  I found them on clearance in September so that made me VERY happy.   And I am going to totally keep an eye open for anything and everything featured in this post.  I may not live the Pottery Barn life but I can most definitely enjoy a glass of lemonade made by a whale.  Happy Summer!


I Want To Live A Pottery Barn Summer