chicago

francis and i are heading to chicago this weekend.

we are going to celebrate an early Christmas with family in the area and celebrate him being done with dreaded law school finals. 

we plan to giggle the weekend away with family, sip lattes, devour our favorite cupcakes, splurge on fancy cocktails (beers for mr. francis), and savor the city, hand-in-hand. 

needless to say, i absolutely positively cannot wait.

a lovely weekend to one and all,

h

giving thanks and growing up

i wasn't able to go home for Thanksgiving this year because i had to work the saturday after the holiday, but it gave opportunity to start new traditions. francis and i decided to have a low key celebration with his parents. we offered to cook the entire meal and they offered to pay for all the groceries and supplies we needed. perfect.

we were brainstorming and meal planning for a couple of weeks thinking what fun things we should try, how we should plate things, and what unexpected flavors we could include. in the end, however, we decided to just stick with a traditional meal and that we had the rest of our lives to do things unconventionally when we hosted at our own house.

francis took over on operation:turkey and a fancy shmancy, homemade green bean casserole recipe and i planned to tackle everything else. we opted for family style versus courses and ended up with a delectable table hosting the following options:

turkey: twelve pounder soaked overnight in a brine, lathered in butter and seasonings, stuffed with garlic, onion, fresh rosemary, lemon, lime, and orange wedges

mashed potatoes: russets mixed with heavy cream, garlic, salt, and fresh, minced rosemary

corn: butter sauce

cranberries: fresh simmered in orange juice, sugar, and cinnamon

rolls: brushed with butter

mushrooms: (a tradition of my family) simmered with bacon, onion and butter

green beans: cooked with homemade onion strings, fresh mushrooms, a homemade cream sauce, onion, and garlic

stuffing: boxed kind (i know, i know, but i love it.)

pie: homemade with fresh, roasted pumpkin, spices, cream, eggs, brown sugar, salt and whipping cream

his mom even let us eat at their fancy dining room table (the room with the white carpet that never gets used), with my choice of fancy china from the (usually just for display) china cabinet, and fancy, fragile, crystal wine glasses. a smashing success.

we spent the rest of the weekend decorating their house for Christmas---including a TWELVE foot tree that took about six hours to put up and decorate---and watching modern family season two on dvd (our black friday splurge---and by splurge, i mean twelve dollars. and yes, we were up at midnight for this twelve dollar purchase, because we are ridiculous like that.)

when i got back home, my roommate and i decorated our house with a fresh tree---we sawed off branches and the bottom foot so it'd be fresh to go in the water. we stood on two ladders and hung lights from the shingles and gutters and decorated the house inside, outside, and just about every single crevice that could be Christmasized, while drinking wine and blasting festive music.

making full Thanksgiving dinners, standing on ladders to hang Christmas lights, decorating houses --- so many grown up things in one weekend, when did i get old enough to manage these things by myself?

{images: darling print at the top from HEN&CO. etsy store, food images from hilaryclair} 

something borrowed, something blue

anyone who knows me well knows i love weddings. who am i kidding? heck, anyone who knows me not well, maybe seen me once or twice, sat at the bus with me, or brushed arms with me probably has some idea about how much i love....well, love. i adore fancy occasions, reasons to celebrate and happily ever afters.

this weekend, francis and i went to the wedding of two of our dear friends. we've been to a handful of weddings recently. i've danced my heart out while francis watched (probably embarrassed) from our table. we've made new friends, caught up with acquaintances, and taken notes for our someday nuptials. the one thing i've noticed is we tend to know only a handful of people well at weddings, since our friends come from so many different groups. i was never the girl that had the close knit group of twenty friends who did everything together, but instead the twenty friends from twenty different groups. though half the world would bet money that i'm never shy, i found myself taking on the role of wallflower at some of this season's weddings, because i knew something like two people at the wedding ---the bride and groom.

this weekend's wedding hosted about thirty of my nearest and dearest. we took up three tables and it was so nice to have familiar faces everywhere i looked. they had dance instruction at the beginning of the wedding, where we had a crash course on learning the waltz, swing, disco, and line dancing. i thought this was a genius idea, because it built confidence and gave the guests something to do while the wedding party took photos. it was a blast to dance with a group of girls, cheer loudly as francis partook in the men's disco competition, nuzzle into francis' shoulder as we danced slowly to "moonriver", and have a chance to catch up with so many friends at once.

i was excited to try my hand at the bouquet toss and hoped that fate was somehow intertwined with my catching skills. sure enough, a little of beyonce's "single ladies" and a small crowd of unwed women later and the bouquet was mine. (i have to be honest and say though i didn't trample anybody, i definitely reached for it. it wasn't one of those "i didn't even try and it fell right into my hands" kind of things.)

basking in the promise of a soon engagement only flowers can provide, i was sitting at our table when the two flower girls came up to me. here's the conversation:

fg (flower girl): "pretty flowers." (in a sad voice)
me: "thank you."
fg: "we were trying to catch them but we got hit in the head." (sounded like eeyore)
me: "oh no! am i the one who hit you in the head?"
fg: "no, not you. it's okay, we are okay now." (sounded heartbroken)
...long pause...
me: "here, you can have the bouquet."

and then, they ran away giddy. i got played by two six year olds.

then, francis comes up to me and says, "sweetheart, don't you know that if you catch a bouquet and give it away, it delays engagement by ten years."

moral of the story: i was practically engaged this weekend and i threw it all away on two puppy dog faces.
disclaimer: this is heavily dosed in sarcasm.

the end.

{images: j.crew, BHLDN}

dear francis,

i love you. it isn't only because you are a rockstar or the most patient man to ever grace this mighty earth. it isn't because you are genuinely kind. its not just because you call me randomly to fill me in on the sweetest things. it isn't because you explain rocket science concepts to me in ways that i not only understand, but could teach them to others. it's not just because you catch me off guard with kindness or challenge me with constructive words. it isn't because you ask big questions that you think i hold the answers to. it isn't because you exceed my expectations. it's not because you keep my secrets and protect my heart, fears, dreams, and plans. it's not because you love Jesus more than you love me. it's not because you are practical and think logically in all the ways i don't. it isn't because you never leave the house without cologne and always smell dreamy. it isn't because you have class, manners and say please, thank you, and God bless you when i sneeze. it isn't because you notice the small things--the way i bite my bottom lip when i'm near tears, or the new polish on my fingers. it isn't because you drive me, pick me up, and drop me off just about every place in this big, beautiful city of ours and only mention how bad traffic was every one in three thousand times. it isn't because you still remember minute details from rambling stories i've told two years after the fact. it isn't because many of my happiest memories cast you in the starring role. it isn't because you trust me with life's biggest things or because you put effort into knowing each one of my family and friends like a note card with bullet points (all gazillion of them). it isn't because of your deep voice or the way you use it to console my sensitive little heart or affirm my life plans, not to mention make me laugh uncontrollably with the things you say. it isn't only because you make me feel capable and qualified of anything my heart desires. it isn't because you've let me plan our someday wedding since before we even knew there'd be one and didn't run for the hills long ago. it isn't because you argue with me to fix things and grow stronger, not just to argue. it isn't because you let me choose the radio station in the car. it isn't because you are the most devastatingly handsome man i've ever laid eyes on or the way i know you'll shy away from the screen when you read that part. it also isn't because you seek adventure with me, even when you'd rather stay home. it isn't because i could continue to write until this was a novel that took a lifetime.

it's because you are, because you do, because of all of these things and more.

thank you for being you. thank you for being.

hilary

{image: Domino magazine}

pillows

i'm on a mission to find fun, classy throw pillows for my bed.

it's currently a fluff of all white. i love white. that being said, it could use a healthy dose of color, something to pop or at least add some texture. i struggle with narrowing down and deciding on the statement pieces. {it took me about three months to pick out a lamp for goodness sakes.}

 any favorite pillow places? 

i've looked online at etsy, williams-sonoma home, target, anthropologie, and urban outfitters, but so far nothing that tickles my fancy and my budget.

{images: Domino magazine}

high tea...swoon

i love high tea. it feels so girly, so fancy, so fabulous.

when in NYC after graduation, francis, my mom and i had tea at the plaza (in true eloise fashion).

the grandeur of the city, the iconic splendor of the Plaza, it was almost too much for my heart to take.

the afternoon tea is served in the historical Palm Court (setting in F. Scott Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby).

on the menu:

sandwiches and savories:

truffled quail egg salad

maine lobster, sturgeon caviar

cucumber, radish, basil

smoked salmon, endive

scones:

freshly baked, warm seasonal scones

double devonshire cream, lemon curd, preserves

pastries and sweets:

pate de fruit

sacher torte

lemon tea cake

hazlenut napoleon

french macaroons

and, of course, the staple of the occasion, tea.

if you've never embraced your fancy side at a high tea, i highly recommend it.

i so wish it was a regular occurrence. 

like tea parties every sunday. {maybe with the someday bambinos?} 

for the love of all things fanciful,

HC

{images: hilaryclair, the plaza}

wishlist

the best part about birthdays is blowing out candles and giggling the day away with those closest to me. finding pretty little things to dream of adds to the delight. here are some of the prettiest.

the perfect amount of sparkle and class for Christmas and parties.

this j.crew beaut with the juxtaposition of sparkle and casual would pair

well with just about anything from sweats to swank.

i've had a crush on this purse for over two years; i love it's simplicity.

{i have such a hard time finding purses that i love and tend to default to large bags.

i think it's about time to don a big girl purse.}

 

a personalized stationary from minted. 

{there is such nostalgia in letter writing, even better with darling paper and envelopes.}

boatloads of headbands (think Blair Waldorf). i love them in such a big way.

  

a glitter polish. i like the glitter ring finger trend. 

{ten sparkly nails makes me feel 13. one sparkly nail makes me feel fancy.} 

xo,

HC

{images: j.crew, marc jacobs, minted, anthropologie, essie}

i love fall

i am absolutely heels over head, in obsession with fall. the rustling, the sunshine, the brisk breeze, the corduroy, the layers, caramel apples, my approaching birthday, playing in the leaves, jackets, rosy cheeks, cider, apple picking, pumpkin goodness, the last kiss of summer, and all things in between.

ooooh i absolutely love fall.

{images: j.crew, starbucks, sprinkles}

oh my missoni

i came a little late to the missoni for target party. 

i heard the hype, i saw masses of people carrying the free promotional bags they gave away, but somehow only set foot into target for nail polish and milk. 

today, i explored and man oh man, did i miss out. now, they are sold out of nearly everything. i even tried to stuff my foot into a child size ballet flat. (not happening).

 

i did score two throw pillows. i walked passed them a few times and resisted the urge to make them mine. just as i was feeling proud of myself for being strong, another woman came buy and began to examine them. my heart sank. the second she set them down, i nearly ran to the display and grabbed them.
self control: zero. giddiness: one.

i couldn't find a photo of the actual one i bought, but it's identical to this, with brighter colored stitching. divine.

also, on my wishlist, but apparently on half of america's too, this blanket. (sold out everywhere, except online sites where it has quadrupled in price.)

so sweet and comfy. i must admit i wasn't gaga about the entire line. i'm a plain jane who adores white, solid fabrics and simple, but these missoni must haves are such statement pieces. i love their retro flare and their stand out design.

well done, target, but then again, what's new.

{all images from missoni for target lookbook.}

playing house

i remember playing house at wee ages, pretending that i was old enough to use the oven and have a family of my own. it boggles my mind how quickly time goes and how turning on the oven and using the stove without having my mom next to me seems so passe now.

fast forward 20 years and playing house now consists of perusing kitchen stores, like Williams-Sonoma. i like pretending that anyone has a need for 300 different types of plates and fancy gadgets. i do anything the displays invite customers to-slice, dice, juice, sip, or admire.

these are some of my current favorites:

 a pb&j knife with two color-coded sides...pure genius.

 

  ceramic appetizer plates that look like napkins.

a kitchen aid attachment that scrapes as it mixes.
{why didn't i think of this?}

nespresso espresso maker and heating, milk frother. 

{one of the things i sipped at Williams-Sonoma and it was absolutely divine}

 

an oldie but goodie--apple peeler. 

{if i owned one of these, i think i'd go on an apple only diet, so fun.}


absolutely innovative ice cream scoop.
{perfect for cones, dishes, ice cream sandwiches & oohs and ahhs.}


ridiculously silly and darling.
{as someone who talks a lot with my hands, it could be problematic.}

what unnecessary, kitchen must-haves are you crushing on lately? please indulge me.

xo, H

{purchase these goodies through Cuisipro, Fred, Beater Blade, Nespresso, Williams-Sonoma, Cuisipro, and Fred accordingly.}

paris, je t'aime

two of our dear friends are headed to france today for mission work at a children's camp. they will be gone for a total of eight weeks, a tradition that has become a near annual one for them as they take on more responsibility and fall more in love with what God is doing in these kids' lives. their third year wedding anniversary falls during the trip and they are jaunting to paris to celebrate with macaroons and hand holding on the streets of paris.

that, combined with the fact that francis and i saw midnight in paris on our last date night, has made my heart ache for the romance that only paris has to offer. (ps. the movie was not at all what i was expecting, but wonderful; it was an escape to another city and another era -- highly recommend it.)

i have dreamed of the city-the fashion, the sights, the smells of boulangeries in the morning, the cobblestone streets, the tantalizing windows of patisseries and being swept up in it all since i was a just a bambino. while living in london two years ago, i globe trotted to my little heart's delight, chunneling to paris for a long weekend with my mom when she came to visit. 

i was in awe of the eiffel tower. as much as it is overplayed as a staple of all things parisian, the real thing absolutely took my breath away. it was massive and so exquisitely constructed. we took an elevator to the very top (i don't think i took a breath the entire time we were INSIDE the tower, so surreal) and climbed the stairs down (all 180,000 of them, approximate, but that's sure what it felt like).

i took this photo from inside the louvre museum, when i was hanging out with miss mona (lisa, that is). 

i need to preface this with the fact that its really awful of me to highlight this next place on account of the fact that it's an ocean away. it may be my most favorite place in all of paris. if your wander lust hasn't already set it, you will almost positively dream of sipping a cup of this cocoa. a favorite hangout of audrey hepburn and voted as the best hot chocolate in the universe (source: me).

with it's dollhouse interior, they could serve cardboard and it'd be charming, but au contraire monsieur, they serve hot chocolate nirvana. served in a demitasse cup with mascarpone meets whipped cream on the side for dollop upon dollop of happiness. the thick chocolate, delectable as it may be, is as rich as bill gates so sharing is encouraged.

oh, paris, my heart aches for you. 

and, here i sit, daydreaming, in a st. paul coffee shop -- applying for jobs, like it's my job (oh, the irony), with francis as my job coach and personal secretary (he rocks my socks).

what far away places make your heart beat faster or pleasures of home keep you content right where you are? please do tell.

cheers, lovelies. xo

{all photographs my own}