Girl Friday

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is next week.  Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.  I love spending time with my friends and family but I don't have the stress of gifts, and decorating, and baking 12 different varieties of cookies, and getting out a photo card and the list goes on....

Next week we are heading to Detroit to spend the holiday at my sister's house

I am in charge of the veggie on Thursday.  I think my sister wants me to make the canned green beans with the soup and french onions but I just can't.  I think I am going to make this instead

Brussels Sprouts Gratin

It is going to be freezing in the big D town so I picked up a cute little number so at least my neck will stay warm

The day after Thanksgiving we plan on doing a little shopping

then off to see The Nutcracker

and this weekend, we are having our Friendsgiving here in STL

Thanksgiving feast in a barn about an hour outside of the city.

It's going to be a chilly night, the barn is open air, at least I got my new favorite pinot to keep me warm, and my new scarf!!

Have a beautiful weekend!!

November Gift Guide

I should be starting on Christmas gifts but I have 6 friends with birthdays during the month of November so instead I am hunting high and low for birthday gifts.  

The problem is once you start to give good gifts you raise the bar then you ABSOLUTELY have to give good gifts.  At this point a Starbucks gift card, though very much appreciate by most, is completely unacceptable.

I want my gifts to be like those Russian dolls, you think that's it; but then one more inside...



1.

Kate Spade Umbrella

with a little pair of studs tucked inside for my prim and proper friend.








2.
For my hippie chick friend, a funky clutch

with some statement earrings inside

3.
For my friend who is obsessed with lotions, perfumes, sprays, and anything beauty

a little amazing grace shower gel

and then body oil

and a little perfume roller






4.
For my sister Jules who travels 2 weeks out of every month, a very cute carry on

and inside the bag a gift certificate for a cooking class that we will take together.  This year she wants to do a Christmas appetizer class.

5.
This gift is an easy one, every time I wear my lululemon scarf my friend keeps saying how cute it is and how much she loves it, so bam she is getting a scarf...

and I am going to wrap one of these blessing bracelets around it.

Our sons go to the same school and I am buying it from the school bookstore.  The Benedictine Monks that run the school have personally blessed each bracelet they sell for all the moms.

6.

The bestie

My BFF has a birthday in November and she is by far the hardest.  She has been some through major life changes lately so I want something special.  She is going to be the recipient of my latest obsession....

Mantra Bands

I love that you can pick a bracelet that means something, and I think mixing the metals is so on point.  I picked my favorite 3 for her

I love birthday gifts, but this is why I have no money!!

Life Lately

These past 2 weeks have hands down been pretty awesome!!

I spent 5 days in Miami on a girls tennis trip, but we managed to eat and drink like queens as well.

There were 40 girls from across the US and Canada (8 from my team in STL) to play some tennis, and yes did we play some tennis, 7-8 hours every day!!

my doubles partner in STL



The 40 of us were split into 4 teams and in addition to lessons we had a championship match,  my team snagged the title

it was not all work

I like to consider myself a foodie, I am constantly on the hunt for the latest and greatest wherever I am in term of restaurants.  Well, if you are ever in South Beach you MUST go to Tom Colicchio's (remember him from top chef) restaurant Beachcraft.  This will go down in my book as one of my best meals of all time!!

We also had to check out the scene at Fountainebleau

Everyone there was either a Miami Heat player, a Kardashian wannabe or a tennis player from STL


It was such a fabulous extra long weekend,  I spent most of the time laughing which is exactly why we go on girls weekends!!

2 days after I got back my oldest child turned 16, yikes!!

have to admit I kind of am loving having a driver



then we had Halloween

and now we are just enjoying the beautiful fall weather

This weekend we have an auction

I love waking up the morning after and realizing I paid 2 times the value of something I never wanted in the first place.



I blame the champagne towers

Have a beautiful weekend!!