Christmas Tree Skirt

Category : Fun Things To Do, Household

I just finished making my tree skirt and I LOVE it!  I got the pattern from Martha Stewart.    The fabric I used is eco-friendly felt made from recycled materials.  I wish it would have been bigger – this pattern is definitely for a small tree!  I followed the pattern and then bought 2 yards of green sequins and hot glued them on as a border.  I’m short sequins so I”ll have to run back sometime for about another 1/2 yard but I don’t even need to worry about it now as that part is in the back of the tree so it can’t be seen.

Wedding Bells

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Category : Fashion, Food & Beverages, Fun Things To Do

I’m sure you’ve picked up on the fact that Eric and I recently got married :)   We also just returned from our fabulous honeymoon in Greece and Switzerland.  So, I figured it would be fun to share some of the photos from the wedding and honeymoon with you.  We have yet to transfer the honeymoon photos to the computer so for now I’ll start with the wedding.  Kelly Sweet from Grand Rapids, MI was our photographer.  She and her assistant were absolutely amazing.  She’s given us a preview of the photos on her blog and now we anxiously awaiting the rest of them.

Since we’re both from Michigan, we had the wedding there, in my home town.  The ceremony was at my family church – both sides of my family have been members going back to my grandparents on one side and great grandparents on the other side!  It was a very special place to be.  I love this photo of the church…

My dress was made by Susan Yancer Hatcher in Spring Lake, MI.  The first layer of tule was blue!

Our little ring bearer Winston was absolutely adorable….his tux was from Barker & Meowsky (a supporter of PAWS Chicago!)

For table decorations, I made table runners and a family friend found these great vintage white vases as Goodwill and Salvation Army.  The flowers on the came from the local farmer’s market (with the exception of the spider mums) - my dad and a friend from church did the arrangements and bouquets.

Check out the rest of the photos on Kelly Sweet’s Blog -

you’ll see…my cute non-leather, pink shoes from Spring sitting on my favorite piece of family furniture – my Nana’s old green chairs, my Aunt Sara (along with help from Grandma & Grandpa) made the adorable dress for my God Daughter who came from England for the wedding, our absolutely delicious vegan cupcakes from Molly’s in Chicago, my Nana’s hanky served as my something old and something blue, the hand mirror was a very special shower gift from my cousin – handmade by a woman who took my Nana’s old jewelry and attached it to the back of the mirror – it’s beautiful and every so special, my pearl necklace and bracelet were from Bourdage Pearls in Chicago, on my right hand I wore a pearl ring which was a gift from Eric that morning (his Grandma gave it to me – it was a 1st wedding anniversary gift from Grandpa when she was pregnant with Eric’s dad – so special!), my pearl earrings were a Christmas gift from Eric this past Christmas, I made the programs and bound them on my sewing machine, we had two bands, the second (featured in the photos) is Ani from metro Detroit…

Bike Rentals in Chicago

Category : Fun Things To Do, Health, Travel

Chicago now has these cool bike rental stations!  I had heard about them on the news and was pleasantly surprised to run into a bank of them in Daley Plaza.  How very European of us to have this great system for locals and tourists alike to rent bikes for a ride around town.  I have yet to look into the cost but I’m definitely pretty excited about these new additions to the city!

 

Here’s all the info you’ll need:

Bike sharing has arrived in Chicago!  Chicago B-cycle, operated by Bike and Roll Chicago, offers residents and visitors an entirely new, and green, way of exploring of the city.  With B-cycle, Chicago joins Denver, Colorado; Montreal, Canada; and cities throughout Europe in offering bike-sharing to the public. 

Chicago B-cycle is designed to make all your short excursions fun and healthy. Simply check out a B-cycle when you need one, and return it to any open station when you arrive at your destination. It’s quick, easy, affordable, and kind to the environment!
With both monthly and day pass options available, riders can easily check out a bike at one of six convenient ’B-stations’ located in and around downtown:

  • John Hancock Center, Michigan Ave. & Delaware Pl.
  • Daley Plaza, Dearborn St. & Washington St.
  • Buckingham Fountain, Columbus Dr. & Congress Pkwy.
  • Shedd Aquarium, Museum Campus
  • McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
  • 541 Fairbanks Court at Grand Ave.

 

Bikes may be dropped off at any location above, or at Bike and Roll Chicago’s rental stations at Navy Pier, North Avenue Beach and Millennium Park.  Visit www.chicagobcycle.com to download a map of B-stations and a FREE iPhone app (coming soon…) showing bike locations and availability.

Dates:
Jul 30, 2010 – Oct 31, 2010
Hours:
Daily, 5 am – 10 pm
Location:
Daley Plaza (and other locations)
Dearborn St. & Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602
Admission:
Temporary Pass – purchase with credit card at any B-station and pay as you go.

  • $10 for the first hour, $5 for every additional half hour;
  • Maximum charge per day is $40;
  • Temporary Pass begins at time of checkout and expires once bike is returned

 

Monthly Memberships – First hour is FREE; $2.50 per additional 30 minutes; maximum charge per day is $40. Membership fees are as follows:

  • 30 days: adults $35; students/seniors $25;
  • 60 days: adults $45; students/seniors $35;
  • 90 days: adults $55; students/seniors $45;
  • Subscribe online at www.chicagobcycle.com.  
Website:
For additional information please visit, http://www.chicagobcycle.com

Flat Top Grill – Chicago

Category : Food & Beverages, Fun Things To Do

The other night Eric and I met a friend for dinner at Flat Top Grill with to start celebrating our wedding a little early.  I absolutely love Flat Top Grill.  They’re so accommodating for vegetarians and vegans.  They clearly label everything so you know what is safe and then you can have your stuff prepared on a separate, clean grill so it doesn’t mingle with the meat and dairy!  So awesome!

PAWS & Mutt Lynch Winery

Category : Animals, Food & Beverages, Fun Things To Do

Please join us for a pet-friendly wine tasting at Rockit Bar & Grill – Wrigleyville next Monday, June 21 rain or shine! Please RSVP to info@rockitwrigley.com

Home Made Shipping Envelope

Category : Fun Things To Do, Household

I LOVE this idea from Eco Etsy!  What a great way to use up things you have around the house!   I rarely have paper or plastic bags as if I don’t have my reusable bags then I opt not to shop, but I do live with someone else who isn’t quite as disciplined as I :)

Laptop Case From Plastic Bags

Category : Fashion, Fun Things To Do

ok, so this really isn’t my style but I think the idea is fantastic.  if I stew on this for long enough I may come up with a clever way to adjust it to be a little more my style or even to take the general idea and use it for something completely different.  I personally don’t have any plastic bags in my house other than a few from Home Depot.  We are very good about using reusable bags for shopping at the market and most all other stores, with exception of Home Depot.  Eric can never seem to remember to take a reusable bag in that store – or maybe he just doesn’t want to :)

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Category : Animals, Beauty, Food & Beverages, Fun Things To Do

I thought it would be fun to highlight a few ideas for Mother’s Day…

     

Rescue Chocolate not only tastes amazing but all proceeds go to animal rescue groups!  Not to mention the chocolate is vegan – dairy free!  These chocolate hearts are adorable and are filled raspberry ganache!  YUM!    

   
 
 
 
 
 

2 Hearts $5.95

Don’t forget about the Peanut Butter Pit Bull…that’s a delicious one to add on as well!  It’s my all time fav!    

$4.95 a bar

     

100% Pure Luxury Body Cream or Body Butter…   

You could pair Rescue Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Mocha Body Cream (there is also a matching shower gel and body scrub!) or get mom ready to party with the Pink Champagne Nourishing Body Cream (and again, add in the matching shower gel and body scrub!).  Actually, chocolate and champagne go well together!    

 

$17

  

Gift certificates for experiences are both pampering and eco-friendly in the sense that they’re not just knick-knacky bits of junk that she’ll soon tire of.  Consider things like…a massage, facial, mani-pedi, hair cut or even just a blow out along with a dinner out – she’ll look fabulous and feel great for her night out! 

 

Consider going out together to buy plants and sprucing up her yard for spring.  It would be a fun activity to do together and something she’ll enjoy that will make her think of you all summer long!

 

How about donating money in her honor to a cause that is dear to her heart?  MS, cancer, animal shelters, women’s shelter, etc…

Go Cubs!

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages, Fun Things To Do

This is great to hear!  I’m not at all a baseball fan but have been to Wrigley once to say I’ve done it.  This summer I’ll be going again when my cousin comes for a visit from England.  I’m glad to hear I’ll have some good food options when I go!  Thanks to Vegetarian Star for sharing this with me!

 

Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field Makes Vegetarian Friendly Ballpark List

Written by Vegetarian Star on April 13th, 2010 in Food & Drink, Games and Sports.

Wrigley Field made PETA’s top vegetarian friendly ballparks for the first time ever.

The animal rights group’s annual list is out, and the Chicago Cubs were a tie with Prince Fielder’s home turf and home of the Milwaukee Brewers, Miller Field.

Several vegetarian options at Wrigley’s include black bean burgers and vegetable wraps.

With Aramark, a major food supply company to many sports arenas, expanding their vegetarian menu at places like Boston’s Fenway Park, more first time nominees are sure to land on the list next year.

Some winners from last year are taking another victory, like AT&T Park.

San Francisco Giants fans may feel as if they’ve stepped into a fine dining restaurant instead of a ballpark, where vegetable pot stickers, portabello mushroom sandwiches, veggie sushi and edamame can be devoured.

Who was number one?

The Philadelphia Phillies were a repeat winner with Citizens Bank Park offering an eclectic selection of faux crab cakes, faux steak and faux chicken sandwiches as well as faux dogs, wraps and salads.

Veggie Supper Club – Chicago

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Category : Dining Out, Fun Things To Do

Cooked Sloppy Jo.JPG

Yummy Sloppy Jo At Karyn's Cooked on Wells

One of my girlfriends and I are starting a Veggie Supper Club to try out all the great vegetarian/vegan restaurants around the city.  You don’t have to be vegetarian or vegan to join us – everyone is welcome!  Dinner will be the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7pm – beginning on May 25.  If you’re interested in joining us please email me at cups@ecocupscious.com

 

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