Chi-Town

Hello, my little blogettes! Yes, that is my new name for you lovely gals - don't you love it? Me too. Continuing with the beloved subject of food (since it seems to be such a popular one!), Mr. T and I just booked a weekend getaway to one of my favorite locations in the land - in the spring/summer that is - (once the frigid winter passes, this southern gal doesn't do temps under 30 degrees, thank you very much). Wait for it...


CHICAGO!!!

The sights...the shopping...the restaurants!!! Mr. T is in charge of the hotel accommodations (in progress) and the Cubs tickets (just got them in the mail), and I have appointed myself in charge of the overwhelming but absolutely divine restaurant scene. Yes honey, I know you are perfectly capable of seeking out the perfect place for us to dine, but I'm kindof a control freak in this category so don't worry your handsome little head about it and you just leave it to me, umkay?

So thanks to some good friends' suggestions and a little Facebook poll, here are just five of several potential pit stops we could be making in the Windy City. More research (and your input, if you have any to share) will determine who makes the cut!


The Publican
Claim to Fame: "Best New Restaurant in 2009" -- TimeOut Chicago


Perennial
Claim to Fame: "Top 50 Best New Restaurants in America" - Travel & Leisure



Signature Room
Claim to Fame: Um, hel-LO? That incredible view of the city, of coure!



Ginos East
Claim to Fame: The Best Deep Dish Pizza in Town, in a highly contested ongoing competition!



Rockit Bar & Grill
Claim to Fame: Best Sports Bar AND Best Burger in Town - Chicago Scene Magazine

Oh and lest I forget, Rockit just so happens to have opened a new location in Wrigleyville, just sniffing distance from this little place...

I'm already humming "Take Me Out To The BallGame" in my head...

Any other suggestions on some can't miss out cuisine?

Self-Confessed Foodie, Party of One

Hello, my name is Lillian and I am a self-confessed foodie. Deal with it. There are few things that excite me more than discovering a new take on a favorite dish or an under the radar restaurant moments before it becomes the next big thing, and then taking complete and total satisfaction when I get to tell just the right person about just the right occasion to try it out. It's like matchmaking on a whole new food-loving level. Don't believe me? Just watch me go...

A romantic night with your sweetheart in an intimate setting but without the agonizing wait? Cafe Nonna, without a doubt. Best brunch in town for the budget conscious? Germantown Cafe or Marche, with Le Peep also in the running (I do love a good brunch). Celebrating a recent success and want a fancy meal without the pretentious servers? Eastland Cafe or The Red Pony are two of my current faves. Okay wow, I just realized three of those six have "Cafe" in the name. Perhaps I'm French at heart? Hmmm... Oh and speaking of French cuisine, I just discovered the cutest little place off Charlotte called Miel (located behind Bobbie's Dairy Dip, to be exact, which by the way has the best ice cream dip cones you've ever tasted) that I can't wait to try. Some good BBQ before hitting Broadway? Jack's BBQ, all the way. Just want cocktails and a delicious dessert? Mad Platter. Bananas Foster. Thank me later.

OK, so now that you know of my love affair with the Nashville restaurant scene, it's time I turn your attention to the next best thing you need to know about - the Viking Cooking School. It is located in the Factory in Franklin, and it is one of my new favorite ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. Mr. T, being the thoughtful and wonderful husband that he is, treated me to a couples' class called "Date Night in Sicily." The boy knows me well, as what could be more fun and romantic to cook together than Italian? Um, have you SEEN Lady and The Tramp? Spaghetti is meant to be shared, people!

A cook's dream kitchen. Viking appliances out the wazoo. And check out the mirror so you can see a hands-on demo. I've never felt more like Giada in my life.

Doesn't Mr. T look cute in an apron?

Behold, our Sicilian feast! Buenissimo.

Grilled Endive and Radicchio - who knew you could grill lettuce? Try it. Trust me.


Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta with HOMEMADE fresh mozzarella. Yum-mo!


The Mother of All Spaghettis - Spaghetti Alla Norma.


With Carolyn, our wonderful teacher and chef!

Just a couple of happy (and very full) cooks in the kitchen. Cheers!

Oh and be sure and check out Nola Girl's blog today for an awesome food-inspired giveaway. But please know that I will fight you if one of you wins and I don't. I need this fabulous book in my life, people!

Bon Appetit, my sweets!

Those Summer Nights

(And yes, in my head, I sang this in my falsetto and I sounded JUST like Olivia Newton John.)

Well hellooooooooooo summer, I see we have decided to just bypass spring this year. With back to back days of over 80 degrees here in Nashville, methinks it is time to pull the swimsuits out of hibernation and deal with the fact that that it is about that time. Now I don't know about you, but I feel like I am entitled to buy a new swimsuit each summer, and I honestly and truly have the best luck at my beloved Target. Let us pause and pay our tribute to this wonderful jewel of a store...Maestro, cue the hallelujah chorus, please.




So imagine my delight when while browsing the store, I discovered this handy little dandy...(come on, you know the pink color is too cute - even for a non-pink wearer like myself).




Which got me thinking I should do some of this...




Because I'd love to have a garden full of these...





And definitely a few of these darlings...




That I can enjoy looking at while Mr. T does some of this on our fancy new grill (thanks, groomsmen! Not that any of you read my blog, ahem, Neil)...



While toasting my brilliant grillmaster of a husband with one of these after a long day's work...

Now that, my friends, is pure summertime perfection. Let the dog days begin.

How have you guys been enjoying this gawgeous weather?

Call Me! (aka my quest for the perfect calling card)

So I've decided the time has come for me to stop listening to the voice that tells me X amount is too much to pay for beautiful new calling cards and just bite the bullet and purchase some already. Besides, I love seeing things with my new married name on it. (Newlyweds, can I get an "amen" on that?) Every so often I'm finishing up after a work event or out and about around town and the subject comes up that I'm an event planner. And occasionally, folks mention their need (or a friend that has a need) for help in planning an upcoming party/shower/special occasion/etc. So now I'll have a fancy new card to whip out and share!

Here's the problem...hel-lo, there are so many beauties out there! I found some on Etsy that I fell head over heels in love with, and then, as luck would have it, discovered they were way more expensive than my most expensive pair of shoes! Worth it? Maybe. Gonna do it? Possibly. Will I get a headrush when I see how awesome they turn out? Totally.

Any suggestions on other places to look, my lovelies?

Easter in Virginia

Tomorrow, Mr. T and I will be taking the six hour drive to Virginia to visit his folks. Now that may not sound like a terribly long time in the car to you, but I get as fidgety as a five year old after the third hour. Why can't there be a direct flight into Blacksburg? I would totally splurge. Anyway, I must say, I have completely lucked out in the in-law department and absolutely love mine! My mother in law (MIL to keep it short) is an amazing cook, and goes all out when we come to town with made from scratch desserts, homemade mac and cheese (my favorite) and her famous lemonade slush. And yes, they are all as good as they sound. I had to behave on our last visit at Thanksgiving and try not to gorge myself for fear of not fitting in my dress, so this weekend, I'm planning to thoroughly enjoy every calorie-laden bite - there will be no "oh a small sliver of pie will be fine" from this mouth!

Not only is my MIL great in the kitchen, she's great to be around in general. I remember thinking the first time I met her that because Mr. T was her youngest baby boy, she would probably be a bit, um, territorial. But she couldn't have been more welcoming and more wonderful to me, and after I told Mr. T what my fears had been on the way back from our first trip, I'll never forget him saying "what did you think she would do, give me a sponge bath every night before bedtime?" Not exactly, but I did kind of envision catching the stinkeye from her whenever he went to hold my hand or something. Totally didn't happen. And I totally love her. And just check out how much Mr. T favors her - aren't they a good looking mother and son? She looks so proud of him in this picture. Makes my heart smile. :)



My goal is to return with several of her recipes, so I can make a feeble attempt at some of the same heavenly creations she has perfected. Now that we've got our patio furniture and the warm sunshine is beckoning us outside, I'm thinking there are many alfresco dinners in our future!

Happy Easter!!

Hooray for "The Help"

Congratulations, you have just been introduced to the best book ever. It's true! I just finished "The Help" and am very tempted to pick it up and start it all over again, just to see what little morsels I may have missed. I have no shame in admitting I stayed up until one in the morning almost every night last week, just because I was absolutely riveted reading it that I couldn't stop myself, even with my sweet husband soundly snoring beside me. You know you've got a good book on your hands when you you sit there and think about it for a long while after putting it down. I could totally relate to my friend who said she found herself sneaking out to her car on her lunch break just to read it. We're talking new favorite, to replace "To Kill A Mockingbird" in the old #1 position. It is, in a word, incredible, and if you're a southern gal like me, I guarantee it will definitely make you think about what it means to be southern, and how much times have changed since the Civil Rights Movemement of the 60's. And a big fat thank goodness for that. I truly can't say enough about how much I loved this book. And apparently, others did too. Such as these guys:

Associated Press
"At turns hilarious and heart-wrenching...[A] pitch-perfect rendering. Readers are hooked."

USA Today
"Thought-provoking...[Stockett's] pitch-perfect depiction of a country's gradual path toward integration will pull readers into a compelling story that doubles as a portrait of a country struggling with racial issues...This is already one of the best debut novels of the year."

The New York Times
"In 'The Help,' Kathryn Stockett's button-pushing, soon to be wildly popular novel...The two principal maid characters...leap off the page in all their warm, three dimensional glory. Book groups armed with hankies will talk and talk...[A] winning novel."

I felt such a kindred connection with Kathryn Stockett, the author of this wonderful novel. Like me, she's a southern girl, born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. Like me, she attended the University of Alabama (I went for my Master's) and was an English Major. And perhaps the neatest find of all? Like me, she had a close relationship with her nanny growing up, who affected her in a very meaningful way. Growing up, I was lucky enough to have the most wonderful, sweet-spirited woman that helped to raise me, and her name is Mattie Jackson.

Mattie was way more than a housekeeper for us - she actually helped to take care of my Dad, who is now 69 years old, when he was a little boy. (So yes, that puts Mattie in her 80's now). Our family cherishes her just like she is one of our own. Because in a way, she is. Ah, I could just cry thinking about her. She used to leave handwritten notes in my room telling me that I was beautiful, that I was smart, and that I had an amazing life ahead of me. And I promise you, I kept every single one of those notes I ever found. I actually found one in my bible the other day, and it had me smiling for a straight hour all the way through church. She means that much to me. I have distinct memories of her spending the day with me, and a special place in my heart for her famous chocolate milk (extra-chocalately, please). Whenever I call her, she always tells me she is remembering me in her prayers, and whenever I go by to visit her at Christmas, she beams at me and shows me how she still has my picture framed.

All this to say, the book absolutely touched me in a way that words can't really express. If you are lucky enough, as I was, to have someone like Mattie in your life, it has a profound affect on you that lasts well into your adult years. And to read a book that touches on that very feeling, and to relive what "The Help" used to go through to get to the point where we are today - it just changes you in a way that makes you so appreciative and so grateful to have had a far more positive experience than the book describes. They say in the book that good help is like true love - you only get one in your life. Mattie was so much more than "help" to us - she was an example of all that is good in this world, a prayer warrior, a smiling face, and more than anything, a friend. So here's to you, Miss Mattie Jackson - you'll never know how much I love you!


Mattie and Me, in Christmas 2004.

Goin' to the Chapel: A Recap (Finally!)

Since it's a yucky, dreary day outside, I needed a little something to brighten my spirits this morning. And what could be better for that than a few photos from January 2, 2010 - also known as The Wedding Day! Yes, I realize it's almost April and the wedding was about three months ago, but it's just so hard to narrow down my favorites, because they all bring back such distinct memories of that day. Nevertheless, I shall try. I tried to keep them chronological so you could see how the day unfolded. It's so weird, as I was posting these pictures, it took me right back to that day, and the nervousness/excitement/anxiety/happiness I felt. It was like the weirdest but best combination of feelings you could ever have. But anyway, you don't want to hear about that - you want to see pictures, right? Well then, away we go!


One of my favorite photos from the hotel while we were getting ready - two of my lovely bridesmaids reading the note from my groom...


...pictured here. It was accompanied by the Zac Brown Band cd, so we could listen to some of my kind of music while we prepped in the hotel room. He knows me so well. :)


Miss Amy Lynn Larwig doing some final touches


I know this is going to sound crazy, but I love how my eye makeup turned out here. I'm super picky about other people doing my makeup, but this was exactly what I wanted. Does that make me a narcissist?



Checking to be sure my "something borrowed" diamond earrings that were loaned by our friends at Lindell Jewelers were in fact still attached to my earlobes. I was a nervous wreck that I might lose them - or the diamond necklace they were kind enough to throw in!


This photo of the chapel is pure perfection to me. I am SO glad we picked Scarritt Bennett, even if it was freezing inside! (We had to keep the temp inside below 70 degrees so the organ would play properly - it is a dinosaur but so worth it when you hear how beautiful the sound carries.)


Right before our "first look." I was oddly calm in this moment. And so ready to see my groom.


Our first of many kisses that day. :)


Probably one of the best decisions I made was to let the chapel's beauty speak for itself - this candlescape at the altar table were the only decorations I had, and I loved the simplicity of it.


Have you ever seen a more handsome groom? I think he looks pretty happy to be getting married in a couple of hours, don't you?


One of my best memories. At the last minute (and as a surprise), I lined up this men's a capella group to sing "Oh Happy Day" for our recessional. I'll never forget hearing them rehearse in the back of the chapel in the minutes before we walked down the aisle.


All the ladies looking proper in the parlor


Can you say mischievous? Our twin ringbearers, Logan and Lucas. They were a hoot.


Almost too much cuteness for one picture!


Walking to the chapel, right after someone said "it's time!"


The first of one of my most favorite photos. I was so proud to be on the arm of my dad.



The first time I zeroed in on my groom at the end of the aisle.


This photo gives me goosebumps - I'm right back in that moment, seeing all those people I love smile at me and my dad.



Right before he "gives me away" - words can't say how that tears on your heartstrings!


Love this lighting...


"You may kiss the bride" - right before Mr. T's fistpump to the crowd!


Hearing "Oh Happy Day" up in the balcony!


And being blissfully happy to be Mrs. T!

Oh yes, I cried like a baby. Love my man's expression here. And really love that the lace handkerchief was my great-grandmother's - my something old.

Rocking a wedding band for first time and kissing my new husband! Yippee!!!

Next up - the Reception Recap. Oh, I'm on a roll now!

Oh Sunshiney Day

Now that spring is timidly beginning to tiptoe around Nashville, I've got one subject on the brain. Patio Furniture. When we moved in our house back in September, we (and by we I mean Mr. T) decided to hold off on purchasing any outdoor furniture, to give us plenty of time to do our research and not make an impulsive decision. Now I for one am just fine with impusliveness, be it the new sundress I must purchase on the spot at Blush because summer is on its way and they have my size and if I don't get it right now I may miss out on this wonderful opportunity to have all my girlfriends say "where did you GET that darling dress?", but out of respect for my then-fiance and now-husband, I decided it was one of those battles I would choose not to pick. So as soon as March got here, I had the eye of an eagle out at every store in a 60 mile radius that sells patio furniture. And P.S. if you're thinking Mr. T's Patio is the place to go, don't waste your time. We were lured there by the promise of a "clearance sale" banner and were quite disappointed to find upon arrival that there was nary a bench, chair, or table under a grand. Now I'm all for quality furniture, but the stuff will get rained, sleeted, snowed and hailed on, so let's not be silly.

Anyway.

So after I finished up a work event yesterday and walked in the door to kiss my husband on the cheek, I asked him to pretty please run a little errand called "let's see what Target has to offer" in the way of patio furniture. And I must say, they have a cute little conversation set that caught my eye. However, I did some online research and found trusty ole Wal-Mart has a VERY similar set for $100 less. And I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger. But first, cast your vote. Would you want to sit down with me and have a glass of sweet tea on my front porch in this cute little set? I mean, the ottomoans store themselves. That makes my foot-propping self very happy. :)

Happy Spring!