Baby it's cold outside

Leggings: Express
Tops: H&M
Sweater: Express
Socks: Target
Necklace: Erin Gallagher Jewelry

No one thinks I actually get all dolled up everyday of the week right?! I realize that it may seem this way, however this is not the case! I would love to be superwoman, but I'm just me. I have 2 kids under the age of 3 and I'm far from perfect! This is me on most days! THIS is my uniform. Leggings and layered tops are the norm. In fact I own leggings in most dark colors (grey, black, brown, navy). I also wear my glasses a few days a week to give my eyes a break.
I do get dressed more then this or dressed up a few days a week to just feel like a woman! It's very easy in all the dirty diapers, laundry, and throw up to forget you are a girl, so I try and take me time as often as I can. Just an hour to shower and get pretty makes me feel refreshed and ready for another hard day or two! Just wanted to clear this up!! And yes, I'm a 31 year old woman who wears a braided side pony tail. OFTEN!

Since yesterday's post I had a nap and a better nights sleep. Life makes sense again! ;) Hope everyone has a fun and safe NYE!

The Heart of Melbourne Video

You may have noticed I have not posted for the last couple of weeks, and the reason is very simple. Pauline and I were away on our annual vacation in Melbourne.

And what a wonderful city it is! Filled with a metropolis of skyscrapers yet it retained a natural beauty of greenery and scenery that embodies the spirit of Australian people.

Australians are naturally friendly and warm, and this warmth is greatly reflected within the city of Melbourne.

We were there for an entire week, and the highlights of the city and around the city were unending. So unending, that we decided to let our video tell the story instead.

But just to mention a few, we would highly recommend Twelve Apostles, a truly majestic and breathtaking sight. And the Yarra wine country, where the landscape and the fresh air perfectly complemented the beautiful wine and cheese that was served there.

And of course, this is a food blog, and there were lots of great food in Melbourne. From the Asian flavors in their Chinatown area, to the rustic yet authentic (and delicious!) Italian fare along Lygon Street.

And our own personal fave, the Hopetoun Tea Room, situated in the Block Arcade along Collins Street. It is a throwback to the great English tradition, but yet it was the food and flavors that etched a long lasting memory for us.

And right at the end of our adventure, near the Nobbies, we were fortunate to discover the perfect rainbow that was beautifully captured on film.

Enough said. We give you, the Heart of Melbourne video.



Written, filmed, edited and directed by Silver Bed Productions.
Shot and edited entirely on Apple's Iphone 4 and 10,000m above the ground on SQ 228.
No koala was harmed in the shooting of this video.
"Flower Child" performed by Lee Dewyze.

What's happening in my world...

AHHHHHHHH! It's official I'm drowning!! It all hit me on Christmas. We had 2 more parties to attend that day and I was going on 2 hours of sleep from the night before. We were in the car with crying kids (day 2 of that fun) for 3 hours and I drank more coffee then any one person should. I didn't even take outfit pictures!! And we all know that's not like me! ;)
After both parties were over I got around 4 hours of sleep and felt a bit better. Since then every night is something. Spit up in the bassinet that turns into a 2 hour project because you have to strip down the bed and baby and redress both. Then re feed the baby and try to get her down and everytime my son then wakes up and wants to play. I finally get both kids down and by that time I get about an hour before my son wakes up for the day. And did I mention I have a 2 year old that no longer takes naps?!
This keeps happening! Every night is something. I sleep less now then ever before and I just can't catch up!
I probably just need one good nights sleep and I'd be a new woman, but since my hubby has no days off this week I have very little help.
The hubs has 2 Lucky Boys Confusion shows tonight and tomorrow at the Double Door in Chicago. Sadly this year (it's their 10th year playing SFAS) I am not going to either show. I have our babies. As much as I'll miss seeing my boy and my friends on NYE, to be honest, if I had a sitter for the night I would rather sleep! haaa Man, my life has changed a bit in the past few years! (In a great way of course!)
I will leave you now with a picture of all the loot we got from the 4 parties in 2 days. I realize it is out of control! Before I opened anything, I went through all the kids existing toys and bagged them all up! We had the Children's Cancer Society come and pick up all of those and then I opened a few of these for my kids. The rest are being stored in my laundry room and will be brought out one at a time over the next few months.

Christmas Eve- 2nd and 3rd family parties

Turtleneck: Victoria's secret
Jean leggings: Kohls
Boots: venus.com (2006)
Faux Fur coat: Asos
Earrings: Coach
Watch: Fossil (gift)

I was meeting up with my hubby at party #3 (gotta love working retail around the holidays huh?) so again, I wanted to wear something I could move around in a lot. I went with an all black look and added a brown boot to mix up my neutrals. I also used my accessories to help with subtle color hints. I went with my purple and gold Coach earrings and my new boyfriend style watch that the hubby got me for Christmas.
I was really happy with this outfit. And my new fur coat went with the look flawlessly! What do you guys think of the faux fur I choose? I LOVE IT!!!

1st Family Holiday Party

Dress: Express (2007)
Tights: Walgreens
Boots: Bakers (2008)
Earrings: Kate Spade (gift)

I had 6 holiday parties to attend this year on 4 different days! You already saw my friends holiday party, so here's what I wore to my first family one. We had a great time. My son ran around dancing and eating cookies, my daughter looked adorable in her Christmas dress, my hubby had to work, and I ran around trying to watch 2 kids in a non child proof place! ;) All and all, good times were had, but I slept really well this night!
I knew I'd be running around a lot so loose comfy clothing was key. I've had this dress for 3 years and it never lets me down. Dressy enough to wear to out, yet cozy enough to not feel like you can't be a mom.
I paired the dress with tights, boots, and my new earrings! How wonderful are these?! I just love them!! I probably could have warn a necklace or bracelet this day, but truth be told I forgot! I hate when I walk out the door and realize I have all the kids stuff but I forgot things like jewelry, perfume, my purse! ;) haa

Clam Dip

Every holiday my mother made her famous

CLAM DIP.

It was so tasty, it was the only thing we ate on

New Year's Day while playing family games.

Mom's Famous Clam Dip

1  8 oz. block of cream cheese

1 can minced clams & the clam juice

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

2 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce

Open the can of minced clams.

Leave the lid on and drain the

clam juice into a bowl

and set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl,

beat together the cream cheese, garlic powder

and Worcestershire Sauce.

Add clam juice until you get the dip thickness you prefer.

I usually add about half the clam juice.

Beat until smooth.

Stir in the minced clams with a spoon.

Best when refrigerated for

at least one hour to meld flavors.

Serve with wavy potato chips

People will plant themselves by this dip

and it will be GONE!

I have to make FOUR-times the recipe

at Christmas and New Year's.

This weeks "I want what she has!"

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Alison Orebaugh. This headband is great! On this day Ali was wearing it with leggings and layered tops, but you could also wear this on a night out on the town! I love when items are versatile!

Headband: $19.50 (buy one get one free) Express

Great find Ali. I think I may need to check out the accessories section over at Express now! ;)

Holiday party with my girls

We actually got together for a friend Christmas party this year! Our friend Jaclyn came later that night and Christine had to work, but somehow most of us were able to meet up! This is getting harder and harder, but we do what we can! ;)
Ali's house looked amazing and we enjoyed great food, wine, and music. We even had a secret santa and I got the gift from Kristin!! I am very excited about this fact because her gift was a pair of Kate Spade earrings! I LOVE THEM! I didn't take a picture of them, but you will see them in upcoming outfit posts for sure!
Since I didn't take a picture of the earrings please enjoy these funny out takes from the night:




Merry Christmas!

French Onion Soup

Years ago, I decided I hated cooking up a big

meal for extended family on Christmas Eve.

That's when I began our

French Onion Soup tradition.

I serve this every Christmas Eve and everyone

brings appetizers and sweets.

I make this several days ahead and serve

it again on New Year's.

I serve up to 30 people with this

whopper recipe, but you can

cut it in half or fourths for less people.

French Onion Soup for 30!

10 large yellow onions sliced.

1/4 cup sugar

2 Tbs. Dijon mustard

3-4 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce

5  32-oz. cartons beef broth

Provolone cheese discs

Garlic or onion flavored croutons

Start by peeling the onions.

Cut them into fourths...

And slice in a food processor.

For years, I sliced these by hand and

CRIED A LOT!!!

If you must slice them by hand,

place a cutting board in your sink

and slice onions under

cold running water to cut down on crying.

Do this in batches.

While you're slicing the onions,

have a stick of butter melting in

a large stock pot over medium heat.

As you slice,

add the onions to the melted butter.

The ten onions fill my large stock pot

3/4th full!!!  You will think you have

way too many onions...but you don't.

You'll see later.

Sprinkle with the sugar which will sweeten up the

onions and help them carmelize.

Stir this into the onions to distribute.

It takes about an hour to cook down the onions.

(Not as long for lesser amounts.)

Stir from the bottom every 10-15 minutes.

Tip: Run your exhaust fan to help eliminate the odor.

Cook until onions are golden and carmelized.

Look how much they shrunk down...now they

only fill the bottom fourth of the stock pot.

Add the mustard and worcestershire sauce.

Stir in the beef broth, raise heat to high

 and bring to a low simmer.

Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.

Sprinkle on the croutons.

Top with two discs of provolone cheese.

I like the taste of this cheese and the fact it

comes in ROUND slices that fit my bowls.

You can also use mozzarella slices.

Place under broiler until golden and bubbly like the picture above.

I only make it this one time a year

so it is special.

But you can make it any time.

Here's some of the family enjoying

our tradition on Christmas Eve!

I even bought special bowls and hot pad holders

so the family doesn't miss the big turkey dinner.

Meringue Cookies

I love these simple meringue cookies

you can make for any occasion.

I make them at Christmas,

but they would also look pretty with

pastel sprinkles at Easter.

Meringue Cookies

4 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar

pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

sprinkles

Preheat oven to 250-degrees.

Line cookie sheets with

non-stick foil.

In a large mixing bowl,

beat egg whites, cream of tartar,

salt and vanilla on medium.

Beat until mixture forms

soft peaks like this.

Turn mixer to high and

slowly add the sugar.

Beat until the mixture

forms stiff peaks like this:

Drop by heaping teaspoon onto the foiled cookie sheets.

Place about 2 inches apart,

and add sprinkles or colored sugar.

Bake for 40 minutes.

Cool for three minutes before

removing from cookie sheet

and allow to cool.

They will be hard to the touch,

but soft on the inside.

When cooled, these cookies are crispy on the outside

and deliciously chewy on the inside.

Warning: They are addicting!

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

My sister-in-law Mary Jo gifted

us with these delicious pretzels one

Christmas and we've been making them

ever since.

These are fast, easy, fun and

NO BAKING!

I buy melting chocolate at our

local cake decorating supply store,

but you can use regular chocolate chips.

Line a deep bowl with waxed paper

to save on clean-up later.

Fill with white or dark chocolate chips and

microwave on high for one minute.

Stir thoroughly and microwave for

another 15-seconds.

Stir again.

Continue this process at 15-second intervals

until chocolate is smooth like this.

(Do NOT microwave for longer than 15-second intervals!)

I have burned the entire batch by being impatient

and destroyed expensive chocolate.

Set out long strips of waxed paper on your kitchen table.

I buy these braided twists at Sam's club,

but you can use smaller, shaped pretzels, too.

Dip each pretzel halfway into the chocolate

then plop onto the waxed paper.

While still melty,

add your favorite holiday sprinkles.

Your kids will LOVE to help

dip and sprinkle...

even teenagers!

These easy dipped pretzels make

great teacher gifts...just package in

festive bags and tie with a ribbon.