Frickles.

I used to call lace "frickles" when I was a kid. My mom had no idea what I was talking about. Probably not the first time that happened. Also, it's obviously been a common thread to present day since I often make up alot of words that I think are real and are unfortunately not (i.e. the word "sheenful" etc).

Strange introduction, yep. I thought of it because of the word "lace" in necklace. I'm going to call the images in this post neck frickles.

Recently I've purchased two fantastic neck frickles. One is from Kate Spade (Lorelei Necklace) and the other is from J Crew (Crystal and Pearl Bib Necklace). I would basically urge everyone to search both these sites for special treasures. Another great place to find Kate Spade jewelry is the Zappos Couture website. Links are below.

Enjoy your shopping! I live for necklaces. They completely transform and outfit.

Cheers
Mish


Click for J Crew Necklaces
Go to Kate Spade Necklaces

Minted

Minted.com is a great site for holiday cards and all paper needs in general. It's the spot to be when it comes to finding that creative template you need for the holidays or for an announcement that isn't corny nor over embellished. I hate those tacky websites that just don't understand that there should be a way to get a trendy holiday card without necessarily needing to know Photo Shop or InDesign (although I'd love to learn those programs very badly). Above it our holiday card. Yes, I convinced Doug to take these photos on our roof, but I thought it was a cute idea that wasn't embarrassing. Originally my inkling was to wear my one piece snow suit on the roof and take some quality photos, but it was nice and warm outside, plaid shirts were a little more comfortable, and it just so happened that Doug proposed that day (only a few moments after the photo on our holiday card was taken) and I don't think that I would really want engagement photos from the moment while wearing an 80's tie die suit.

I spent a pretty good amount of time two nights ago finding a design that I liked on minted.com. It was worth the search. The one we landed on is clean, simple, and not too tacky. I used the special password that is good for a few more days in order to get free shipping. Plus, envelopes came with the order. I just wanted to cut costs as much as I could, so didn't choose to select any of the more elaborate items available for customers. I am a huge fan of what this ended up looking like! Plus, they emailed me a proof via email that I had to open in a PDF and approve before their printing the entire quantity. Excellent idea! I love that. Well done minted. Can't wait to send this little nugget of joy over to my friends.

Code: FREESHIP10

Happy early holidays,
Mish

I Said Yes!

On Sunday, October 31 (yes, Halloween), Doug proposed! I'm still taking a moment to be excited about it and will blog about it shortly! Yay!

Cheers,
Mish

Rock the Vote.

Well. This isn't easy to say. I am not registered to vote. I'll give you a moment of silence to judge me for it. It's alright, I deserve it.

Sigh.

Okay. Moment has passed. I'm happy to inform all that I have now gone ahead and filled out the initial questions online, printed out the form, and will send it in this week so I'm now registered to vote. I guess I was raised to really be indifferent as far as voting is concerned. My parents are wonderful, but I think I'll make sure I make it a point to emphasize the importance of leadership in our country and how we all have a part in it. In case you are one of those people who hasn't registered yet, I went to the lame yet helpful website that I heard about while watching Gossip Girl one night. This site is all about celebrities pushing people to learn about voting and to actually get involved. Yep, it was time for me to do so myself. Sometimes, I just need to be reached in a tangible way for me to understand something...unfortunately, this time it was a familiar celebrity face telling me where to go. So I followed their directions and went to Rock the Vote. I know, coolest name ever for a website (eye roll). It's really easy. Just follow the steps. Print out the PDF. Send the information in.

First comes cooking. Then comes knitting. Then comes voting. Hey, I never said I followed social norms for anything. I'm just at my own pace!

Cheers!
Mish

Find me a Find.

Not sure why the title is from the song Matchmaker Matchmaker make me a match...maybe because I am continuously looking for special "finds" that are inexpensive and unique to add character to my living room.

We have huge built in shelving that covers the right and left side of our fireplace. They are dark wood, almost black in stain. They are uniquely shaped rectangles. As you can imagine, when we moved in, expanding our items from and 850 square foot apartment to one nearly 3 times larger requires some intense shopping for trinkets. I hate that word but I can't think of anything better to describe that which will fill the shelving areas. We have purchased a few things to date that I particularly enjoy--especially because they are still somewhat streamline and simple and white and clean looking. Nothing like items on shelves that just look fussy and disorganized. Not very Mish type A style if I may say so. Above is a photo of a clock that I purchased from West Elm and stacked on top of a collection of my/Doug's books. Seems like it would also be a great gift for the holidays.
Link: Wood Mantle Clock

I found an excellent ceramic head sculpture at Urban Outfitters a couple of weeks ago. I felt like it would look interesting in our living room shelving as well. I was right (I think! I haven't heard any complaints from Doug). I'm actually cracking up right now because I realized, upon looking it up online that it's a jewelery stand. Well, no offense Urban Outfitters, but I think it much better this way than in a bedroom (or wherever you put a jewelery stand?). That makes me think, how would you actually put belongings (minus necklaces, that would probably work nicely) onto this piece? Neither here nor there. I think it's kick ass in my living room so booya Urban Outfitters (if anyone has seen the Chipmunks movie previews and heard them say it, that's how I just said it out loud to my computer. Doug makes me say it in chipmunk voice all the time).
Link: Head Reviews


I found, while shopping around at West Elm, these adorable lanterns in the sale section. I have no idea what you use them for (they are too pretty to go outdoors) but they looked like they could add some texture to the shelving, so they made the cut. I actually can't seem to find these online anymore, but I know that there are tons of inexpensive trinkets at West Elm. I love it.

I am going to Home Goods tomorrow with a co-worker of mine to search for more items to fill our home. I am hoping to score some vintage items that I can even paint myself if I think they are too busy for the room. I'm looking forward to it!

Just Like Mom.

My mom is a dietitian. She has been my whole life. Translation = Everything I ate as a child had wheat germ in it, I never had butter nor bacon until I started college, and most importantly in this day and age, I have an appreciation for eating healthy (minus my slight sweet tooth/ wine addiction--hey I'm only human!). I'm constantly trying to create things that I know are both healthy and tasty, which really does make me enjoy it that much more. I know it's kind of strange, but it's just the way I was raised. (Thanks Doug for warming up to the idea that the sound of a meat casing snapping under your teeth makes me flinch in disgust). Inspired by a hot beverage at Protein Bar (that I ordered and when I realized it wasn't a chilled beverage, I threw it out) with pumpkin flavoring. Introducing the Mish Pumpkin Protein Smoothie.

Pumpkin Protein Shake Ingredients:
1/2 cup Trader Joe's Fat Free Pumpkin Puree
1 cup Vanilla Almond Milk
1 pinch (more if you like the flavoring) Cinnamon
1 pinch (more if you like the flavoring) Nutmeg
1/2 Scoop Low Fat Soy Vanilla Protein Powder (I get mine from Trader Joe's)
1 pinch Splenda (because I put this in everything since I have a sweet tooth)
ice cubes

BLEND.
ENJOY.

Happy Halloween!

Got Pork Cheek?

In between warehouses in the West loop (mostly meat related slogans written on the exterior building walls) you'll find a heavy glass door leading to the land of meat and beer, otherwise known as Publican.

I treated Doug to brunch last Sunday. To sum up our experience, I'll just say "pork cheek sandwich" and leave it at that. In the words of Harry Caray, "HOLY COW." This Gouda cheese covered gem of a sandwich with roasted tomato remoulade & pork jus for dunking was quoted to be, by Doug (sandwich connoisseur), "one of the best sandwiches he'd ever had." If you know Doug at all, he means business when it comes to sandwiches. He doesn't mess.

Besides that sandwich of joy, I ordered a fantastic (chilled dish) of smoked arctic char apples, onions, celery root & fromage blanc. It was a heaping portion of arctic char with green apples that were cold and crispy. To add, their drink selection is quite interesting. I put the Bloody Mary that Doug ordered. I love how Publican seems to choose each item for a specific purpose. Each beverage and food choice is a perfected and perfectly portioned dish (as opposed to some restaurants with 25+ menu selections that only seem to overwhelm especially at brunch hour), and this is consistent throughout the beverages.


bloody mary Tito’s Vodka (Austin, Texas),
publican mix, house-made celery bitters
& one of the following beer accompaniments:
Metropolitan Brewing (Chicago, Illinois)
Krankshaft Kölsch—7
Goose Island, (Chicago, IL)
Green Line—7
New Holland Brewing Company (Holland, Michigan)
New Holland Night Tripper—7

Click here for their site, including their Menu selection.

I must remind, that we have been here a few times for other meals, dinners mostly. I actually think their brunch gives their dinner menu some competition...something to consider during your next visit.