Holiday Inspiration Board

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Confession: I am the kind of person who will go shopping for a dress for a party or holiday decor and be faced with so many options that I get overwhelmed, flustered and either leave or end up buying something I don’t love.

(Attempted) Solution: This little inspiration board of images I have been collecting that capture the vibe of holiday style that I love- sparkly, classic and bright.

While frantic texts to my uber stylish friend Laura often solve my styling dilemmas, hopefully having these images in my head will help me out a bit during the hustle and bustle of holiday happenings.

Classic Cozy

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In lieu of “Black Wednesday”, Ryan and I did a little River North bar hop of our own last week. The usual at Theory (best chicken wings in Chicago, I swear), a few brews at Callahan’s, and finally found ourselves at Hubbard Inn.

One of my favorite words (in addition to “sparkly” and, according to Ryan, “feelings”) has got to be cozy. Hubbard Inn is the epitome of cozy. Big bookcases, deep leather chairs, roaring fire in the fireplace, and Sabrina playing on the flat screens. Bogart, Hepburn, an old fashioned in a vintage glass…so classic. Ryan and I wasted no time tucking into the big couch by the fireplace and soaking in the cozy. I pretty much want to move in to the Hubbard Inn now. Or at least go back very, very soon.

Also, a full fledged revival of black and white movies is soooo happening in my house now. Love.

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Tradition

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For as long as I have lived in Chicago, Thanksgiving morning means a trip to the Christkindlmarket. We wander around, drink mulled wine out of little boots, buy a new ornament for the tree and definitely, absolutely make a stop here:

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If there is a better pre-turkey breakfast than apple streudel, I don’t want to know. I LOVE going to the market and looking at the huge Christmas tree in Daley Plaza, all while munching on apple-y gooey goodness.

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Tradition means different things to different families and the Christkindlmarket is one of mine that I just adore. What is your favorite?

You can read about last year’s trip to the market here.

Happy Thanksgiving

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I am grateful for:

1) Ryan and Luna Bell
2) macarons
3) my lovely family
4) Chicago
5) the pumpkin spice latte I am going to have while Ryan and I go on our traditional Thanksgiving Day walk all around the city
6) YOU

I hope you have a day filled with gratitude, togetherness and full bellies.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xoxo

(image via)

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Good morning!

Safe travels for those on the road home for Thanksgiving. For those staying put, enjoy a little extra you-time today.

(image via)

Gratitude Tree

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Saturday was the annual Friend Thanksgiving, hosted by some friends from college (not the actual college I went to, come to think of it, but friends of friends blending into friends…Notre Dame, Michigan State, same difference). The girls who host do the cutest thing- they set up their tree and instead of Christmas ornaments, each guest writes what they’re thankful for on a paper turkey and hangs it on a branch. It’s so much fun seeing what everyone is grateful for, be it funny, serious, or seriously funny. These are ours from 2010.

Saturday’s taste of a Thanksgiving meal has me starving for the full out feast. I put together a preliminary menu last night (pumpkin apple pie, anyone?) but it’s still up in the air.

What are you’re favorite Thanksgiving dishes?