Things to do in Chicago- Christmas edition

Things to do during the holiday season in Chicago:

1) Chriskindlemarket- Since we moved to Chicago, Tim and I have gone to Chriskindlemarket at least twice during December. It is always packed, cold, and lines for drinks or to see the ornaments. But it is worth it! My two favorites include: the mulled wine with the keepsake mug/boot AND the cheese vendor. The cheese corner is always packed with people sampling as well as smells/tastes delicious!! I could stand and smell the roasted nuts forever too!

2) Zoo Lights- Beautiful Christmas lights strung all around Lincoln Park Zoo... walk around with a hot cocoa (spiked or not) or beer or spiced wine or what you desire and look at the lights, see live ice carving, special exhibits, and people watch. All with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. The zoo is free admission as always and parking on-site is $20.

3) Magnificent Mile Lights Festival- We went for the first time this year and it was so much fun! There is a tree lighting by Water Tower Place, parade, and it ends with fireworks over Chicago River! I went with my brother-in-law and husband and we have declared it as a tradition! Keep an eye out for the date just before Thanksgiving! (Looks like it says Nov 21, 2015 for next year!)

4) If you like ice skating... Millennium Park has "free" ice skating with $10 skate rental... or the new Maggie Daley Park with the 'ribbon' skating park has a $12 skate rental. Haven't done this yet BUT it is on my list to do!

5) Check out bars with holiday decorations! It's great to find a cozy holiday place to warm up with a drink! Places I have been to/are on my list to visit include: Butch McGuire's (Gold Coast),  The Walnut Room (The Loop),  Miller's Pub (The Loop), Augie's (Lincoln Park).

So far, have only hit up Miller's Pub. Get the TOM & JERRY beverage!! (not pictured above)

6) Winter/Holiday markets such as Renegade and Randolph Street Market provide a cozy shopping environment to get custom made, antique, vintage, and local gifts to check off the holiday gift list or snag something for yourself! Definitely has waves of traffic... Worth a peek!

xo jess xo

Christmas for Couples

Christmas is coming!

last year's Christmas tree

It's time to shop around and find that gift for your special someones. 

Starting with my sister and her husband and my brother and his wife. Technically, we do not "exchange" presents anymore. But I have not let this stop me from getting them a little couple gift. Nothing too expensive, but just a lil something because it's Christmas and a token of appreciation for my family. I like it. 

I have found many lists that say "for the ______ (enter specific adjective/adverb) couple" or many personalized presents; while these lists are great, I would rather something more general but still awesome. 

Here are some ideas for (what I think) are generic-ish awesome couple presents:

1. Board Games- I have gotten couples in my life board games for the past couple years. Who doesn't want to build up their collection? And we tend to end up playing them on the holiday itself! Board/card games that I am a fan of are: Apples to Apples, Buzzwords, Cards against Humanity, Scene It, Hedbanz, Taboo, and Balderdash. 
2. Ask family members for recipes or just put together a good collection of your own to share and make a " ______ Family Recipes". You can use a website like blurb.com (my favorite) to make a professional looking book or use zazzle.com to create a personalized binder that you can put recipes in.
3. Custom drawn home portrait. Not a huge fan of getting people picture frames or art since people's tastes are generally different or they may not really have a place for what you get them BUT I can not get over this idea of sending in a picture of your home and getting a custom drawn portrait back to hang in your home with pride. Some artists also let you customize it more, for an additional fee, to add your family/pets into the picture. There are a wide variety of options on etsy.com in multiple price ranges like here, here, and here.
4. Another personalized gift that I think is cute and functional is a customized address stamp. Someone wouldn't have to worry about what to do with this personalized present, it has a use besides being pretty. These can also be somewhat pricey.. but if remember, up to a point with a couple gift- you are basically getting two presents for one! (So $70 is like $35 pp which isn't terrible)
5. Something I am warming up to the idea of is matching pajamas. This is still a generic idea, but I understand it can get into a very specific type of couple and can be odd gifting with if you aren't parents giving your children christmas jammies. Definitely not for everyone. I will say, I was excited when I asked my husband if he would wear matching pajamas and he said "yea.. i like pajamas". Simple answer but a go! But when I then asked if he would think it was weird if my sister and her husband bought us matching pajamas for a Christmas present and his answer was "yea..."  So... maybe yes, maybe no?
6. Gift cards. Duh. Who doesn't like a gift card? Obviously generic, but of course I would tailor it to the person. My sister and her husband like Buffalo Wild Wings, done. They are working on home projects? Lowes or Menards gift card done. We like coffee- BAM- they got us a Starbucks gift card. 
7. Do they have a keurig? Maybe a cute little basket of K-cups. Such a simple gift- you already know they like it because they have one/buy k-cups- prices of said k-cups can add up, so sometimes people don't buy them as often. Easy and it becomes a nice, thoughtful gift.
8. .... a doormat. There are so many random doormats that range from funny to welcoming to personalized; it can fit a lot of different people! And who doesn't need a doormat? 
9.  a "cuddle kit" for two- cheesy for sure, but can be personalized to the couple and includes things that separately aren't necessarily great gifts but together make a genuinely nice gift.  Especially since last year, I bought this faux-fur blanket and it is my all time favorite blanket to grab and snuggle into.
10.  Sometimes when taking a trip, the husband and I would try and watch a movie together on his tab or something and would end up sharing headphones with one earphone a piece. I just found this- where you can each have headphones and link it up to one! Awesome sauce!

Now I am just deciding which of these I will use this year!
xo Jess xo

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I have decided what my next project is... Can you guess?

Every day I see our cheap $5 full-length mirror leaning up against the wall, sitting on an upside down hamper for height. True story. This comes after not having a full length mirror in our apartment for the first two years we lived in Chicago.  IT IS TIME! Obviously all the tall, wood, leaning floor mirrors I love and of course would work perfectly in our home :) are WAY out of the price range. 

This West Elm Parson's mirror is gorgeous and $499.

Now originally I had planned to DIY that little cheap-o mirror. Not anymore. I figure, the mirror really isn't that great and wouldn't make me as happy with the end result, especially as a longer term item I am hoping it could be.  I would spend money on the wood supplies and such, all that work putting it together, and use a crummy mirror. Doesn't make sense right? So I am looking to possibly buy the IKEA STAVE mirror, not necessarily cheap at $50, that would upgrade the entire product without breaking the bank.  As for the process, I am looking to mix a bit of Swoon Style and Home with Bower Power Blog. I like the idea of using pine wood that has the grooves for the glass to fit but for a more substantial heft and support I also like the idea of having a thin plywood backing.

Bad note: we live in an apartment in Chicago and don't tend to do many woodworking projects- we have no power tools! I was thinking I might try to have them cut it where I decide to buy the wood, but I would rather be able to do it at home while putting it together so I could make appropriate adjustments as I go. 

What is a girl to do? I just might ask my father-in-law how realistic it is for him to bring it with them when they come up for Thanksgiving... 

So in the meantime... time to gather supplies! Looking forward to this weekend- little material shopping and relaxation coming up! Oh- and some Hunger Games!! SO EXCITED!

xo Jess xo

Baby It's Cold Outside..

If this winter, is anything like last winter... we are looking at another polar vortex here in Chicago. This year I am finally investing in winter essentials. (I bet my mother is saying "I told you so".. I have always hated to coat up or anything in the winter.)

So far in my winter essential stock up:

I splurged on a Northface stocking cap with built in ear-warmer (I bought it in the light grey version! so cute!)

I have asked for some good all-weather winter boots by Sorel for Christmas. It was between these and L.L. Beans or J.Crew's... but these Sorel boots just had such good reviews for holding up and comfort that I decided to go that route.  I keep flip flopping though. Such a tough choice...


And Macy's is having a large 3-day sale right now, including coats, in addition to already marked down prices. Definitely worth a look!!!! I had been looking at black, long, puffer coats for a year now and this coat checks off the boxes.  It will be on it's way to me soon! :)
 

Gloves... I tend to just find a pair I like and stick with them until I lose them... nothing too fancy on that end.
Boot Socks... I have bad luck with my socks getting holes in the toes. So far, I haven't found my favorites. J. Crew's Boot socks are good, but I could still go for thicker. I'll be on the hunt this year.
Scarves.. again, nothing fancy. I likes it, I gets it. haha



While in searching for coats, I came across something I didn't know. Forever 21 has some cute and affordable coats (around $50-$60)!  I can't verify the quality as I haven't bought one or anything, but I am loving some of these coats and wouldn't mind adding them to my closet once I have my essentials.... for instance:
      


Anyone else trying to get winterized? And maybe trying to jazz up the look in order to be ok with already having to bundle up?

xo Jess xo