Me, lately.

I seem to have caught a summer cold. 

It is a zero on the fun-scale.

Weekend Recap: Illinois Edition Vol. 2

Trips back home are always a blast. This one was extra special, because we had LOTS to do for wedding planning purposes. We also got to celebrate my grandma's 86th birthday with some extended family. 

 Momma planted some pretty orange and blue pots!

 ...and is currently fostering THIS adorable little fluffball. His name is Kevin.

The sister and I were reunited... and did weird things.

I got some Illini supersweet. And was a very happy girl.

Judge away but it was 65 degrees outside. I was literally freezing in JULY. 

backyard.

corgi on the road

I know what you're thinking... "mmmm look at the delicious cake!"

But it isn't a cake at all. 

It's Sandwich Loaf. A family delicacy.

On the way home, we drove past Busch stadium. 

Tastes of Tulsa: Dilly Deli

Hello! 

I haven't done a restaurant review in a while because, well, I haven't really been around. It was time to get back into the [eating] game, so DWade met me for lunch downtown at a local Tulsa favorite, Dilly Deli.

It's pretty cutesies inside.

Yeah, I had to Google what a "trifle" was too. But seriously, these looked DELICIOUS.

Lovely little city view. 

The ambiance reminded me of a pre-school classroom. 

see: solar system diorama, shelves full of children's books and "Cereal Bar" which is an actual cereal bar.

guess what I f*ckin love fancy drinks.

 

I had the "Brown-Eyed Girl" which consisted of grilled chicken, arugula, melted brie and a lemon-basil mayo on a freshly baked ciabatta roll.

And of course a giant pickle which a scarfed down first. 

mmmmm MMMMMM!

Dan ordered the "Jillian" which was essentially a gourmet meatball sub. I asked him to describe the sandwich in three words, and he gave me: "smashed," "easy" and "melted cheese" as in, the meatballs were smashed down, making the sandwich easier to eat than your average meatball sub. And there was melted cheese on top. 

He also noted that it was delicious. 

Dilly Deli gets an A! Tulsa, your restaurants are pleasing to me.

*Only negative was that our food did take well over 30 minutes to come out. When you're on a lunch break at work, no es bueno. Perhaps they were short-staffed :)
 
Dilly Deli 

402 E 2nd St  Tulsa, OK 74120(918) 938-6382

Is it Friday already?!

bedtime butt.

Be sure to turn every day into la petite aventure.

I read this book over a rainy weekend. The author, Helena Frith Powell is a British expat and journalist who moved to France and went in search of the answer to exactly why French women possess that certain… "je ne sais quoi." 

via Amazon

While it is meant to be a light and fun read, I have to agree—given my assessments of the few French women that I've met—that many of her findings on French clichés are completely accurate. 

Things I learned from All You Need to be Impossibly French by Helena Frith Powell:

1. How to stay slim: Always opt to walk. French women are keen on incorporating movement into daily life rather than scheduling "exercise" as a separate part of life. Regular stretching and toning of the muscles (think yoga, ballet bar exercises) is key.
2. How to diet: Eat less, but eat good quality food. At home, have light dinners of salads and produce, at restaurants, order what you like, just be conscious of your portions. 
3. How to feel sexy and confident: "All you need are two lipsticks [one for day and one for night] and a lover."
4. How to look younger, as you grow older: A regulated skin-care regimen is the key to having beautiful skin. In France you will find the pharmacies with their glowing green crosses everywhere. They are packed with luxurious, high-quality make-up, cleansing lotions and anti-aging creams. And the best part? The price. 
5. How to find romance: Sexy lingerie. Every day. Preferably matching. Underwear is apparently just as important as outerwear. Even if you are the only one who knows what you've got on underneath.

And the most important thing that I learned, (well, was reminded of) is that beauty alone is never enough— you've gotta have the wit and the intellect to go with it. In general, French women are avid readers, who stay on top of current events and are capable of sharing their opinions. The ability to carry a conversation will never go out of style. 

via

And you say Chi city.

Dan and I have a mutual love for Chicago that surpasses words.

I honestly feel like I grew up there, because so much of my childhood was spent visiting that city. Many of my closest friends and family live there. I'm a Cubs fan, a Bears fan, and a Marshall Fields fan. Chicago is my happy place. When I am fortunate enough to go there, I am truly at home.

 

First stop: brunch with Rachel & Erin (my loves and bridesmaids) at Little Goat.

Then we ventured to Oak St. beach. The lake was perfection despite burning the crap out of our feet on the hot sand.

Dan, being adorable.

some favorite snaps. I take my hotdogs very seriously.

Birthday dinner for my dad at Sixteen in the Trump Tower. Got to see the sister!!

Eight courses + a cheese course + wine pairing for each = see ya never.

Sixteen with the Chicago River in the background. 

Saturday night: Mel's wedding. Palm trees, children in kilts, and tasty custom cocktails, including one titled, the "Rise and Grind"

DC ladies looking pretty and put-together

....for now.

First dance cuteness. 

then things took a weird turn...

Wolfpack. 

after the party, it's the after-party. Pump Room- wardrobe change, chicken McNuggets, champagne flowing.

Sunday- sobered up and grabbed brunch on the river with Sarah, another fab bridesmaid!

I'm ready to go back already.

This might be my favorite corgi butt to date.

Boom. 

Wednesday night pick-me-up: Lemon Risotto

I love to cook, though I'm more of a recipe follower than an experimenter. Some days, I come home from work, and all I want to do is spend an hour meandering around in the kitchen. 

My friend Roxana (a fellow Illini who I met in DC) works for a major food distributor and is also a fantastic chef. Her blog, Outside the Cereal Box, is full of exquisite looking, restaurant-quality items that she just casually throws together. 

Her blog is not only extremely appetizing (she also instagrams the shit out of everything she makes), but it's hilarious. 

Check out this post on her Lemon Risotto. Even if you don't make it (which you should) just read it. Highly entertaining. Actually you'll need to read the post to even get any of my jokes in this post....so...

Dan was out at some boring work function, so I got to spend the night with Ray. 

Walked out of Whole Foods with everything except fresh parsley. This was Plan B. 

 Just sitting back with my wine, tending to my risotto. 

Yes there are ice cubes in my glass-- I'm classy like that.

I love this view...

In case you were wondering, EB spent the entire time next to me in the kitchen. 

Cooked to perfection! I'm no loser. 

Next time I'm searing some scallops to go along with. Nom Nom Nom. 

Ingredients: 

6 cups chicken stock

1.5 tbs butter

1.5 tbs olive oil 

2 shallots, diced

2 cups Arborio rice

1/4 cup dry white wine

1-2 lemons

1/2-1 cup grated parmesan 

small handful of chopped flat leaf parsley

1.5 tbs butter

Weekend recap:

(probably shoulda done this Monday buuuuut I didn't.)

 Drove through Carrie Underwood's hometown. My dad told me to "tell Carrie I love her." 

ok. 

Proceeded to play this song.

Bought a new car! 

Saw John Mayer in concert! His new album drops 8/20.

Lawn seats, and the most GIGANTIC fresh squeezed lemonade ever. 

I love this man. 

My South African expat gal pal Natalia (of In My Green Boots) sends me this pic from time to time. 

And it makes me laugh out loud every time. 

looks like someone's been following me with a camera again.

via EastCoastLovely

Did anyone else watch Grease 2 religiously at 6th grade sleepovers?

The Pink Ladies pledge to act cool,

 to look cool, 

to be cool. 

Till death do us part, THINK PINK!

I haven't snapped any really great corgi butt shots as of late, so today, I give you Ernie Banks as the tiniest babiest little puppy. 

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

via 

i like my dresses with pockets.

yellow dress-jcrew

beaded necklace- Ann Taylor Loft

t-strap sandals- urban outfitters