heather & olive

cloudy day, windy city.

jackie at the art institute.

too many palomas.

short rib hash at sable.

eataly souvenir.

Last Thursday my sister and I headed to the Windy City--she had some things to do for work, so I decided to tag along and make a long weekend out of it. We used to go to Chicago annually but we haven't been since 2014--it was a long overdue sister trip.

When we landed Thursday night we checked into The James (a favorite hotel in a great location) and walked over to the Slurping Turtle for ramen. Every time we visit we always squeeze in a meal there, and it never disappoints (especially during cold weather).

On Friday my sister had to work all day so when I finally pulled myself together I went to the Art Institute. It was my first time there and they had so many amazing pieces, from Miró to Pollock--I especially loved seeing A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and channeling my inner Cameron Frye. After a few hours walking around I stopped at Remington's for a burger and read Pretty Girls (which is such a good thriller). When my sister was done we had a drink at the hotel bar, then headed out for dinner at GT Fish & Oyster and it was absolutely delicious--super fresh and good for sharing.

After my sister's meeting on Saturday morning, we went to Sable for brunch--they had a different chef from the previous times we ate there (no more Heather Terhune from Top Chef), but it was still very good (although I missed the small plates). We then trekked over to the Willis Tower to visit the Skydeck but by the time we got there the wait was over 45 minutes and I didn't feel up to it. We headed back towards the hotel and went to Eataly--this was my first time there and it totally lived up to the hype. We had wine and cheese at one of the restaurant bars and then did a little shopping--I'll definitely need to visit the one in Boston but I'm glad I don't live too close because it could be dangerous. I would be there every day. Saturday night we went to the original Morton's for steaks and chocolate mousse and then called it a night because our flight on Sunday was pretty early (and I was honestly so tired from all of the walking).

It was the perfect short getaway--I seriously love Chicago and I love sharing it with my sister...we're already planning the next trip.

Now comes the battle of working my first full week in 2017. Womp womp.

I know I'm part of the large majority of people who were not sad to see 2016 go, but I've also been stuck wondering what that means for 2017.

I was looking back through some of my previous resolutions and they covered the ever so popular aspirations like drinking more water and less alcohol, consistently working out and blah blah blah. While those goals were certainly respectable a) I never ended up achieving them and b) I ultimately didn't really care to.

I think at the dawn of each new year my unspoken, more overarching goal has been to strive to be a better version of myself, and while I'm sure I've made little improvements here and there, I have a tendency to fall into the same pattern of complacency. Despite making my fair share of major, life-changing decisions in the past 5 years, once I've made them I fall into the same old routines and the same old routines slowly morph into ruts. It's hard to grow in a rut.

And that's not to say that I'm knocking routines or stability in one's life: I think those are absolutely necessary and comforting things, but there's a time and a place for them. I know that for me, in this very moment, I need to branch out and get outside my comfort zone and have a little bit of healthy instability.

So I suppose this year I'm resolving to rock the boat a little bit.

We'll see how it goes.

Our local church, post-storm.

One of my favorite local houses.

Crappy weather calls for Olive snuggles.

A pre-Christmas celebration at my grandparents' house (c.1790).

After a very low-key sushi night on Friday, I woke up to around 8 inches of snow and I was loving it (the shoveling, not so much). I finished wrapping presents in the morning and then walked to town to meet my mom for lunch. Everything was so quiet and pretty with the snow and it made me so happy.

On Sunday I woke up early and did a PB class with my sister and ran a couple of errands (which included Iggy's bagels and Whole Foods' lox and scallion cream cheese--the best) and then we headed west to celebrate an early Christmas with my grandparents and my aunt (who I visited earlier this year in Mexico) and I had the best time. We ate and opened presents and it was absolute perfection spending that time with them.

I'm really hoping this week goes by fast, because I'm in full Christmas mode and punching a clock is cramping my holiday style.

As per usual, I got my cards from Minted. I love all of their options for designs, they ship super fast, and they're almost always offering a coupon code.

It also helps to have photogenic subject matter.

Happy Monday--we're waking up to 1/2 a foot of snow this morning, and I'm not that mad about it...especially because I'm working from home. I really don't mind the snow in December/January, but come March I'm ready to hop on a plane and not come back until June. Oh, the joys of living in New England.

On Friday I was super productive and got all of my Christmas cards in the mail--I'll post what I sent later this week.

On Saturday my mom, sister and I headed into Boston for the Nutcracker--I was looking forward to this for months. It's my absolute favorite holiday event.







We stopped at Bostonia Public House first for brunch--it was our first time there, and it was really good. I think downtown Boston can be tough in terms of finding a good breakfast/brunch spot, but this didn't disappoint--I would definitely go back. I kept things light and healthy with their short rib biscuits and gravy.


We then made our way to the Nutcracker, and it was amazing--my mom got great seats and it totally put me in the Christmas spirit. After a cocktail at the Four Seasons and some quick shopping, we made our way home and I went to bed super early.

On Sunday my sister and I did an early Pure Barre class (it was a struggle getting out of bed but I'm so glad we went). We then ran a bunch of errands and I was able to finish my Christmas shopping. For once I feel totally on top of gift giving and it's a huge relief. (Sidenote: I was super pumped to see that Target is carrying a ton of Hammond's candy for stocking stuffers--get the Pigs and Taters bar. Trust me).

I spent the rest of the day wrapping presents and watching movies, and made Ina's meatballs for dinner. Although the weekend was completely jam-packed, it was completely perfect.

Olive was ready for the weekend.

On Saturday I met my brother, sister-in-law and niece at Parker's for pancakes.

It was so festive and cozy and I stuffed my face.

Then we went to Pierce's, and I bought a tree.

I relaxed with some Elf...

...and did some decorating. It's not as fat as last year's, but respectably husky nonetheless.

michelle adams via one king's lane

via jackie greaney's instagram this house was for sale in kennebunkport two summers ago and I was obsessed with it

portsmouth houses

a very blurry drive by of a house in York

My house is currently yellow with green shutters and I believe it's been some version of this combination since it was built in the early 1900s. Right before I purchased it, it was "spruced up" with a hack paint job and the yellow is a little too yellow. It's not my favorite. I have dreams of taking off the shutters (they're original and are always falling off and driving me crazy), replacing all of the windows and painting the house a dark blueish grey. While there are a number of other projects I need to tackle first, I'm hoping eventually my grey house dreams will come true.