Thursday: Song of the Week

Doubting Thomas, Nickel Creek



The video is a bit annoying with the lyrics, but this song is incredible.

All I Want for Christmas...

Okay, okay... so I know I'm a little old to be climbing up on Santa's lap to tell him what I'm wishing for this year (by the way, I find that to be such a bizarre tradition, now that I think about it). But, that doesn't mean I can't create a list of some items I am hoping for this year, if only in my dreams (more specifically, the dreams where I have a lot of wealthy and generous loved ones). Not that I expect to get any of this stuff, but it's still fun to think about.

Stocking Stuffers:

How freakin' cool is this? You're thinking it's a sweet looking key, right? Oh no... it's much more than that, it's a bottle opener! That's what I call drinkin' some brewskies in style my friends. Castle Key Bottle Opener, Anthroplogie ($12)


My favorite nail polish brand, Essie, creates the most understated and elegant polishes. They are famous for their array of pale pinks, but they've also got some great colored shades. Some I'm hoping for this year...

Tart Deco ($8)

Pillow Talk ($8)

Cute as a Button ($8)

Keeping Warm:

Mmmm.... cashmere lined leather gloves, or as call them, Big Girl Gloves. I want these sooo bad!

J Crew ($175)

Slightly more affordable numbers from Bloomingdales ($68.60)

In the Kitchen:

I've been so inspired to cook lately (or at least to think about cooking) and though I love the internet and blogs, etc., there is just nothing quite like a beautiful and interesting cookbook. Here are three books I'm longing for.

Phaidon ($39.95)

Joachim ($24.95)

Clark ($27.50)

For the office:

I love the novelty of this mousepad/notepad. There is one in every letter of the alphabet! Alphacritter Mousepad, Anthroplogie ($12)

My poor laptop always gets lugged around with me in anything but a protective case. This one would keep my laptop safe, and she'd probably feed pretty darn stylish at the same time. Vera Bradley Laptop Portfolio in Poppy Fields ($78)
Glam Girl Gifts:

I'm never quite sure what to do with my jewelry when I travel. This beauty would do the trick. J Crew Jewelry Pouch ($39.50)

It's my classic scent, and I've all but run out! Ralph Lauren Blue

On the Go:

How about this beauty? This is my idea of a workout, riding in style! The Abici Sveltina Donna Bicycle from anthropologie ($1998)

What are you wishing for this year?

Sunday: The Slogger Returns

I know what you all (and by all, I am referring to the three people out there who will actually read this) are thinking... I am such a slogger! "Slogger" being the word I created which means being a slacker on my blog (something about being a "blacker" seemed a little politically incorrect). I know I haven't posted in forever, but some lovely friends of mine reminded me of my blog today and I realized how much I have missed this creative outlet in my life.

Life has gotten so busy, blah, blah, blah.... who wants to hear about that really? Anyways, here I am!

Today, in the spirit of Halloween, I want to share some lovelies from good ol' Martha. Enjoy!

Monday: Question of the Week

Despite the 90 degrees days and the horrid humidity, I can feel you coming Fall... I just know you're there. I have even begun busting out some of my favorite Fall tunes from bands like Guster, Keane, Wilco, The Graham Colton Band, Rufus Wainwright, Nickel Creek... music that is intrinsically "Fall music" to me for some mysterious reason. Maybe I believe that if I play it, you (Fall) will hear it and think, "Hey, I guess it's time for me to come out of hiding now." A girl can dream, can't she? Your music is emotive, raw, and palpable, and often incredibly and heartbreakingly sad, and yet achingly beautiful. I just love, love, love Fall, and am SO done with summer right now.

Am I the only nerd out there with seasonal musical enjoyments? If you are like me and have music/artists/bands/albums/songs that are particularly representative of the Fall season to you, I would love to hear about them. I have been needing a new music fix lately.

Please do share!

I kid you not when I say that Keane's album Hopes and Fears is my go-to fall cd (yes, some people do still listen to cds, I know, crazy right?). As soon as I pop that baby in the ol' cd player in my car (which I did for the first time this year the other morning on my drive to work when it was raining and just cool enough that if you didn't know any better you might have been tricked into believing it was early October rather than early August), I instantly enter Fall mode. I think Fall music, for me, is music that causes me to feel something real, whether it is good or bad or confusing or hard, it's REAL. Oh, and if it causes me to feel, even for a second, that I am back in Wenham on a crisp fall afternoon, that right there, is pure magic.

Keane, Somewhere Only We Know

Friday: Song of the Week

One of my absolute favorite bands and an all time classic song.

The Format, Let's Make This Moment a Crime



Have a great weekend!

Tuesday: Discovery of the Week

Yayayayay!!! Finally, I have gotten out and about and have something to share. This past week my good friend Alex and I headed out to the McEachran Homestead in Caledonia, IL. The Homestead is an up & coming farm/winery/event spot in the area. They grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables which they sell at local farmers' markets.

They also make their own wine using their own grapes from their very own vineyard! How cool is that? And it is suuuuuuper yummy. And finally, their grounds include a beautifully restored home and barn. As of recently, the barn and the grounds can now be rented for small get-togethers like showers, parties, etc. It is truly an amazing space that is unrivaled in the area.

Our trip out to the farm began with a tour of the grounds (on a super fancy Gator) driven by one of my best and oldest friends, Kaylee, who works in the summer at the farm with her mom. First, we drove through the vineyard where all sorts of grape varieties are grown and later used to create wine in-house. The farm even does wine tastings, but we will get to that later…

After the vineyard we went past the pumpkins and squash…

… on our way back to the woods where they keep their bees! The farm keeps bees which they use to make their own honey.

The woods are located back among some of the fields. It is a surprising and beautiful spot.

Here is a view of the farm from the woods.


More gardens as our tour continued!

They also have an orchard with apple, pear, and peach trees among others. This place is unbelievable, right?

We even got to stop and chat with Dr. Greenlee, the owner and proprietor of the farm, who was helping Kaylee’s mom, Sue, pick some sweet corn.

MORE gardens!! Filled with all sorts of berries and veggies like peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, Indian corn, etc. I could go on and on… literally!

Our tour ended up back at the barn where we got a tour of the barn and had a wine tasting.

Dr. Greenlee’s house is quite charming.

Inside the barn, top floor.

View of the vineyards from the barn.

The part of the tour we were REALLY waiting for… the wine tasting!!

Needless to say, the wine was fantastic and we could have easily walked away with more bottles than we did. Kaylee even took us in the wine cellar area. Actually, I’m not really sure if that is the correct name for it, but all I do know is that it was air-conditioned, which was basically amazing. We got to take a look at wines that would be ready in the future. Sweet!!

All in all, it was an amazing afternoon. Alex and I REALLY appreciated our tour. I highly recommend you stop by some afternoon. They are always available for wine tastings or call ahead to reserve the spot for a party or get-together. You will not be disappointed.

McEachran Homestead, 1917 Wyman School Road, Caledonia, Illinois 61101.

http://www.mceachranhomestead.com/