Renegade Craft Favorites

This post is soooo late . . . to the tune of six months.  I absolutely LOVE the Renegade Craft Fair.  If you haven't ever attended a Renegade Craft Fair, you are really missing out on some amazing artists (and fun).

Six months ago I attended the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair and I wanted to share my favorite items.  I picked up business cards for all of the items that peaked my interest, promptly lost them, and then found them again - six months later.

Without further delay, here are my 2012 Renegade Craft Favorites:

Kit Paulson Glass amazed me.  Everything is made using a method not changed since the medieval days.  I wanted so badly to purchase beautiful ornaments for all of my friends and family.  Check out the Etsy shop:  KITPAULSON.ETSY.COM


HAPPY HAND MADE THINGS.  That is what The Wind & The Sail focuses on each and every day.  You can find tutorials, recipes, and shop at thewindandthesail.com.

I love cards.  I love making cards.  I love shopping for cards.  I love sending cards.  I love receiving cards.  That is probably why I love Tiselle letterpress + design.  Bonus:  This is a local business right here in Chicago, Illinois.  http://www.tiselle.com

Anyone who appreciates a comfy yet stylish hoodie or tee will want to check out umsteigen.

I have seen so many tutorials on Pinterest for hollow book housewares.  If you want to avoid avoid a pinstrosity, check out the beautiful work of Conduit Press (sometimes it is best to leave it to the professionals).

Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Your mother wants a Piebox (pie boxes handcrafted in Chicago).  Purchase these gorgeous reusable pine boxes at piebox.com.

Looking for stationary or prints so sweet they will melt your heart?  Check out Lisa Chow, the artist behind Lisa Chow Art.

I purchased Boucle Earrings in bamboo by Isette.  It was a good choice.

I nearly purchased everything I laid my eyes on at freshie & zero.  Everything is made love and a hammer in Nashville, TN.

Lilian Asterfield . . . oh, Lilian, your products are so pretty and well made, but they are so expensive it hurts my heart.  If you have the money, spend it on one of Lilian Asterfield's beautiful designs.  

Have a furry friend in your life?  Take a look at Perpetually Yours Pets.

For the fun people in your life who have everything:  Mehoi.  I am in love with the Sleep Walker Cuff Links.

My sister purchased a pair of Mohop sandals and some fun ribbons.  I am a little jealous.

What I Love: August 2012

1.  Visits from Friends
Summer time = Visits From Friends.  We have had a spectacular time with friends and I can only hope that we have just as many fun times with friends this fall.

2.  Penny Talk by Essie
Metallic colors are back, ladies.  Essie has some fabulous colors to choose from this season.  This girl is hooked on "Penny Talk" ($8).  My only complaint is that the nail polish chips very easily (within 3-4 days).

3.  High Tea at The Lobby (Peninsula Hotel)
There is nothing better than catching up with friends over high tea.  No one does it better than The Lobby. The service, the food, the string quartet . . . is there anything not to like about the experience?  I think not.

4.  Antique Taco
My new favorite taco joint.  Here is a pic of my favorite menu item (the crispy fish tacos):

5.  Fresh Baked Bread
I purchased a bread machine in late July.  I love it so much.  I make fresh bread every Sunday evening. I use All Recipes to find most of my bread machine bread recipes and have only been disappointed once.

6.  Pretty Little Liars
OMG.  Did you see the summer finale???  My brain is still spinning out of control over the Betr-A-yal!

7.  The Art Institute of Chicago
I find it so relaxing to spend the day or even just a couple of hours at ARTIC.  The collections are incredible and the exhibits are always well done.

8.  Travelzoo
I find the BEST deals and ideas for trips on this website.  Most recently, I found (and booked!!!) an outstanding vacation package for Peru.

9.  An Organized Closet
This is really an on-going project (it is not nearly completed), but I am loving going through the things in my closet in an effort to simplify my life. 

10.  Trendy Earrings
I know I just said that I am trying to simplify my life and purchasing more earrings doesn't really seem to be in line with that goal, however, I LOVE taking "old" outfits and making them new again with a new pair of earrings!  My new favorite pair have hot pink feathers and cost a whopping $2.50 from Old Navy (I am channeling the character Aria from PLL . . . ).

What I Love: June 2012

First, can I just say:  WHERE THE HECK DID JUNE GO????  The entire month was here and gone before I could even adjust to dating my forms June.  Well, even though it feels like it didn't happen, I have many things that I enjoyed throughout the month to prove that, in fact, it DID happen.

1.  Pret's Spicy Shrimp and Cilantro Wrap
290 calories, 7 grams of fat, and 3 grams of fiber.  It keeps me full and I love the sweet chilli dressing.  YUM.  $6.  You can find Pret at Washington and LaSalle or on Madison between Clark and Dearborn.

2.  My NEW new Bike
The tale of my NEW new bike is told HERE.  I am happy to report it is amazing and I had two weekends in a row (in June) of amazing rides.

3.  Pretty Little Liars
Netflix recently added Pretty Little Liars to its instant queue.  I cannot stop watching this program.  The clothes, the hair, the plot . . . it is all so addictive.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed/enjoys Veronica Mars (I am NOT saying that it is better or as good as VM, but lends itself well to the same audience).

4.  Summer Cocktails on Rooftops/Patios
Chicago's best patios have brought out their new summer cocktail lists.  They are pricey and delicious.  My favorite remains to be the French 27 at ROOF (the Wit).  First and second runner up are Rasberry Caipirinha at ZED451 and Sangria at Smoke Daddy's.

5.  Trish McEvoy "High Volume" Mascara
This mascara is AMAZING.  It stays on ALL DAY LONG and slides off (YES, SLIDES OFF) with warm water.  Trish, you are an exceptional woman.

6.  C9 Racerback Compression Sports Bra
I am definitely an activewear snob and this one makes the cut.  At $14.99 (regular price), you can't go wrong.

7.  My Sister
She is obviously always on my "What I love" list.  In June she graduated from college and I could not be more proud of her.

8.  Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee
I could not get enough of the coverage of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.  So wish I could have attended any one of the splendid festivities.

9.  Brunch at Francesca's Forno
On Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 3PM, you can enjoy delicious dishes like Arancini Benedict or  Tomato Braised Pork Hash.  BONUS:  You can order Glazed and Infused donuts from your table.

10.  Recipes on the Jello Pudding Boxes
Lately I have been pressed for time in a very serious way.  After getting some days confused (in terms of after work commitments), I found myself in a pickle - dessert expected and not a thing in the cupboard EXCEPT for some chocolate pudding mixes.  On the side of the box was a great and, more importantly, simple recipe for double chocolate mousse.  EXCELLENT.  Because that recipe turned out so well, I have tried a few more of those jello pudding box recipes and each one was pretty darn good (for a pudding mix recipe that takes less than 10 minutes and fewer than 3 ingredients).

What I Love: May 2012

1.  Holly Suzanne Fine Art.
At this very moment, I am in love with Holly Suzanne's "Glamour Girls."  Ms. Holly Suzanne describes the series as "flirtatious fun" and it is exactly that.  I keep wondering over to her website to dream about a purchasing one of these super fun mixed media pieces to put in my home.

2.  Chobani Pineapple Greek Yogurt
I cannot stop eating this stuff.  On a recommendation from my mama, I purchased one.  Immediately after I finished the 6 ounce container of goodness, I knew this item would be a "regular" on the old grocery list.  The yogurt is gluten free and comes in at 2.5 grams of fat and 160 calories for the entire container and, most importantly, it is FILLING.  The sugars are a little high for my taste, but it is so tasty I can justify it!


3.  Chicago Magazine
The subscription was an impulse purchase, but it turned out that I really enjoy reading about the new restaurants and about the people behind all the Chicago action.  No, I don't expect any of the articles to win a Pulitzer Prize, but it is a few steps up from the "glossy magazines" that I crave while in line at Target.


4.  La Yunta Torrontés
It was described to me as the "white sister to Malbec."  Well, this sister has some style.  Made from the Torrontés grape, this wine has a very balanced citrus flavor that can be enjoyed on a hot summer's day.  And this refreshing beverage won't break your piggy bank.  You can expect to pay $10 - $15 per bottle.

5.  Starbucks Natural Fusions Ground Coffee, Cinnamon Flavor
I feel like every month I am all about the coffee . . . yeah, it is true.  This month I have been all about Starbucks cinnamon flavored coffee.  It is a medium blend coffee with just the right amount of cinnamon flavor - definitely not an overpowering taste.  The best part is that to get the cinnamon taste, Starbucks uses natural ingredients, including real cinnamon.  With recent studies coming out about the great benefits of cinnamon, you can toast to your health each morning!


6.  The Art Institute of Chicago Lunch Hour Gallery Talks
It is impossible for me to express how much I love ARTIC.  I have been a member for nearly four years.  A couple of months ago I realized that I was not frequenting this beautiful building nearly as much as I should.  My work/life balance currently needs some work; no pun intended.  To help get me to a more balanced place, a friend and I started attending the gallery talks that ARTIC holds regularly over the lunch hour.  For a girl that NEVER takes a lunch (I told you I need to work on my work/life balance), this is a HUGE step.  Not surprisingly, I am completely addicted to these talks.  The talks make me feel like I am taking this incredible art history course with a brilliant professor, but there is no homework and no final - just pure enjoyment.  I highly recommend you attend at least one.  The calendar is on ARTIC's website.

7.  Now Sweet Almond Oil
My skin tends to be on the dry side.  I do a good job keeping my face moisturized, but a terrible time with the rest.  An esthetician recommended that I use a moisturizing oil at night after I get out of the shower.  One trip to Whole Foods (the people there are so knowledgeable about EVERYTHING) and I have the most moisturized skin and a new favorite product.

8.  Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate
Rainy days make me crave chai tea lattes.  It is a known fact.  If I am at work, it isn't a problem, because I can just trot over to the nearest Starbucks.  When I am at home, nothing can make me go out into the rain.  So, I keep a box of Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate on hand to satisfy my rainy day cravings.

9.  Lake Shore Bike Path
The northern part of the path is seriously busy, but if you start at the museum campus and go south you are in for a smooth ride.  There is nothing better than riding along the lake front.  NOTHING.

10.  West Elm Sales Associates
I can't make a decor decision to save my life.  The people at West Elm are always so so so patient and nice.  I cannot say enough good things about these people.  Go in and look at all the pretty things and tell them I said "hello."

What I Love - March 2012

The top ten things I loved in the month of March 2012:

1.  Bliss Lemon & Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash
The smell is perfect.  Not too strong and the citrus component wakes me up in the morning.


2.  Up & Up Gummy Multivitamins Berry, Peach & Orange Flavors.
Yes, I am 29 years old.  Yes, I like to take my vitamins.  Vitamins are good for you for so many reasons.  I NEVER forget to take my vitamins now because these are so yummy.


3.  You, Me & Anthropologie
I love reading this blog.  Sara is so energetic, cute, and fun!  I got the idea for a monthly post about "what I love" from her.  I hope you enjoy her reviews and thoughts as much as I do!


4.  Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon
I opened a bottle that I recently brought back from Sonoma Valley to celebrate my birthday.  No, I was not drinking it alone.  It was as good as I remembered.  Shout out to my husband - he was the one who picked it out and purchased.

5.  Facebook's "unsubscribe" button.


6.  William Sonoma's Tiki Pork Starter.
If you love your slow cooker (you know I do), and you eat pork, you must try this starter.  Grab the slider buns at your local Whole Foods, brown your boneless pork shoulder for 10 minutes (all sides), put the pork and the entire jar of tiki pork starter in the slow cooker for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.  A yummy meal when you walk through the door after a long day at work.


7. DEAN & DELUCA Napa Blend
As I previously mentioned HERE, I love coffee.  I picked this blend up on a recent trip to Napa Valley, California.  It is delicious (I am sipping it now).  You purchase a bag of your own HERE.


8.  True Blue Spa 60 Second Manicure Hand Scrub
I love this scrub.  It exfoliates well and my hand lotion just sinks into my skin after I use it.  For the girl who has no time (or money) for a weekly manicure, this product is for you.  At $12, you should definitely try it for yourself.  It feels good to do something for yourself, even if it is only for 60 seconds.


9.  N-Bone Pearly White Chew Bones.
I have a precious little doggie who I love very much.  The vet recently recommended that I start giving her a natural chew bone after meals for approximately five minutes to help with her dental hygiene.  Well, let me tell you it was NOT easy to find a natural chew bone that is made in the USA.  My dog LOVES these bones and I can already tell a difference with regard to her plaque and tartar build-up.  Two warning:  First, the bones are a little messy (I have my dog eat hers on a "special rug" that I can vacuum up easily).  Second, one bone lasts about 8 days (price is $10 - $15 per bone) - a little pricey, but worth it in the long run to keep your dog healthy.


10.  Birthday Cards.  
Yes, birthday cards.  Birthday Cards are THE BEST.  First, it is awesome to receive something in the post that is not (a) a bill or (b) a credit card offer.  Second, there is such a variety of cards out there.  This year I put all my birthday cards out on my kitchen island and this morning when I walked past I could not believe how different each card was.  It was a perfect representation of the different personalities in my life.  Birthday cards bring happiness to an otherwise ordinary day.