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BFFs + Littles in the Windy City

April 24, 2015 by dailygnome Leave a Comment

Our first ever trip with my college girlfriends and our mini mes. We stayed in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and were treated to spring temps during our long weekend in Chicago.

wc

Hads and I arrived a day early to spend the morning at American Girl Doll’s flagship store on Michigan Avenue.  She’d been anticipating meeting Julie since around Christmas and the day did not disappoint. We arrived just after opening so we practically had the store to ourselves. Overwhelmed, she didn’t know which direction to go first. She’s been diligently saving her pennies the past few months and had her list in hand.

AG
And of course, as with all our trips, we made it a point to hit some good restaurants.

Hadley experienced her first taste of Chicago-style pizza at Lou Manati’s.
Mandatory brunch at Nookies. Chicago has hundreds of B.Y.O.B. restaurants which I think is such a novel idea. Cheers to two rounds of mimosas for under $10. Would love for the trend to catch on in Portland.

chicago_restaurantsabb

We spent a long sunny afternoon at Maggie Daley Park in the heart of downtown. Hadley’s fav?  Sliding down a slide with her back airborne the entire ride. Must return in the winter months to experience the Ice Ribbon.

magie_daley_park

It was so sweet to see our daughters bond and play together…

bff  chi

Rooftop dance party on the last night…

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Our Disneyland Reveal

May 4, 2014 by dailygnome Leave a Comment

We recently took a trip to LA to visit our new nephew. After spending a few days in Santa Monica we packed up, said our goodbyes and started heading to the airport. But we had a secret. We were headed to The Happiest Place On Earth. They never saw it coming:

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Introducing the New Addition

April 17, 2014 by dailygnome 2 Comments

HEEEEEERE’S BOSLEY!!! I’m typically not a fan of ALL CAPS AND MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION POINTS!! in posts but that’s the only appropriate way to introduce our new bundle of energy.

BOZER. BOZER BOO. BOZERDOODLE. He plopped into our lives unexpectedly about a month back and BOY OH BOY OH BOY! He’s awesome. Loveable. So snugglishous. And oh! so! happy!

bosley

Keeps us on our toes. He likes to carry things around. And chew. We’ve had a few casualties. RIP Polly Pocket heads, Lego pieces, orphaned flip flops, and a gazillion stolen snacks. Our new mantra: Defend your food.

But he’s sweet as can be. My new coworker. The one that’s always interrupting and wanting you to join them on breaks.

And Madi’s new BFF. Up until the old girl tells him she NEEDS HER SPACE NOW. STOP FOLLOWING ME! (Boz doesn’t pick up on subtle hints).

Welcome to the fam, Bosley.

Drop it:
bosley2Who’s a good boy!
IMG_7495Naptime:
IMG_7671

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New Life for our Family Victrola

February 27, 2014 by dailygnome 3 Comments

Before I was born my parents purchased this old Victrola at an estate sale dirt cheap. Small town. Midwest. Growing up it housed a turntable on top, stereo in the middle and an impressive collection of viynls in the bottom cabinet. Oh the countless times I lifted the needle to replay I Feel Pretty, pretending to be starring on Broadway. And listening to the first pop album I purchased as a preteen for hours on end. A stark contrast to this childhood gem years earlier.  Irony. Throw in Van Halen, John Denver and Buddy Holly and it housed an eclectic collection to say the least.

Victor-Victrola

For the past couple of decades while my parents moved around the Victrola has resided in multiple storage units and garages. A few months ago I spotted it in my parents’ garage and had an idea to convert it into a bar. I asked. They didn’t resist.  At first I was going to strip and paint it, but in the end the “antique” treatment it had in the 60s started to grow on me, chips and all.

Victor-Victrola_before

A little craft paper, a splash of color on the interior and knobs for pop…

Victor-Victrola_bar

The top is perfect for serving drinks during small gatherings and parties

Victor-Victrola_bar2

Wine glasses, bar ware…there’s a place for everything:

vitrola_bar

And for the finishing touch, I found this over sized D on etsy:

d

I’d love to meet the craftsman who made it 100 years ago. I’d mix him/her a cocktail and give a proper toast.  CHEERS!

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