Home sweet home

I was almost glad to get home from the heat of Chicago.

Our garden had mostly withstood our abandonment. The lawn was looking a bit worse for wear but hopefully the rain today will help it. Tomorrow is our garden opening, so hubby has been busy weeding and generally tidying up.

It took me ages to unpack and find homes for all the new things I have bought. Tasmin was super pleased with the new snuggly for the sofa that I bought her. (  I got myself one as well )

We all fight over the blankets we have for the sofas, so know we have our own ones. I used them all the time in Chicago. One made my journeys in the back of the car super comfy.

here’s a selection of some of my purchases from Chicago.

some low fat yummy pastries for my imminent diet.  A pasta sauce we can’t get here in the UK. A book stand from Anthropologie. Some super moist shredded coconut for cupcakes. (Does anyone know where I can buy this in the UK) A watering can! A Pottery Barn photo frame saying “I do” to add to my collection and a wooden plank ????

Some cherry blossom

 

 

 

and of course my Uggs

Please take note that I didn’t buy one piece of scrapbooking materials. I never even visited my two favourite stores. I figured it was a good idea to use up the stash I bought last June first……..

Homewards bound

or so I thought.

After we left our lunch date, hubby got a message from the jewellers where we had bought his watch that his watch winder had arrived.

I was hoping it wouldn’t arrive until after we had left. But we had to drive to downtown Chicago to pick up the box.

Now our cases were full to bursting with all the things I had bought. But hubby had assured me the “watch winder” shouldn’t be too big.

He was a bit taken back when he was greeted by a humongous box that needed a suitcase all of it’s own. They removed all the packaging and it didn’t seem so bad. I still had to remove all my essentials from my carry on suitcase to accommodate it though.

I mean who needs a bloody watch winder?? It would seem someone who can afford a Breitling needs to have something/someone to move his watch for him!!!  Hubbys watch movement self winds. As you move around in a day it winds itself up. Our son has the same mechanism, and in the 6 years he’s had it, it’s never needed to be wound up. But hubby negotiated for the bloody watch winder to be included as apart of his watch deal. He likes to get as much as he can for his money , whether we need it or not !!!

I nearly pissed myself laughing when I saw the machine in action. It has to be plugged in and turns the watch in different directions. Now my Hubby monitors our energy consumption in our house. Searching out that extra light that is unnecessarily turned on. Quite why we need a watch winder plugged in whilst he’s asleep is beyond me.

Hubby would like to point out that I got the name of his watch wrong. Apparently I bought him a Aeromarine Chrono Superocean .

It’s safe to dive down to 1,650ft, which I am sure hubby will find useful in the bath and in our Spanish apartments swimming pool !!!!

He likes to point out these useless facts to me. He even asked me to stroke it the other day.. He was admiring how smooth the strap is ?

I had to keep telling him the lights had turned green,  for go, when we were driving in Chicago.  He was always polishing and staring lovingly at it!!!!

Chicago friends

Part of the reason why we love visiting Chicago so much is the wonderful people we have met through Hubbys job.

After 13 years with the Company we still look forward to meeting up with everyone. Most of them have visited us here in the UK over the years and we look forward to showing them around again in the future.

The evening of my hair cut, hubby was starting to panic as I was so late back to the hotel. But I had hit rush hour so it took me a while to get back, at least I never got lost this time.

We headed out for an evening with Gino, Joanne and their new daughter Gianna.

Joanne had made fresh pizzas and a perfect green salad.

Gino was his usual funny, entertaining self.

Gianna was so cute.

and I got to get my hands on my photo book I ordered from My Publisher. I can’t sing the praises of this company enough. The quality and price is always amazing. Ginos Dad allows us to have packages sent to his home, so it’s great to always fly to the States to pick up something I have previously ordered.

Here’s a snapshot of the new Anniversary Tea Party album. Its huge by the way.

and on the last page the happy couple.

The last day the temperature was up to a hot and humid 87*. I was almost glad to get home to some cool air.

Our last stop  (or so I thought ) was a lunch at our favourite restaurant L Woods. There waiting for us, were three of Hubbys other women in his life. Patti, Mirela and Bernie.

Beautiful food with beautiful people. What more could we ask for.

Sandra do not read……

Stop now Sandra, you will suffer from serious product envy if you read on. I warned you…….

Well I headed down town with a drawn map, for a trip that should take 45minutes. On my map I had marked a spot as the point I could go wrong. Yep I was right.

After almost 2 hours I finally arrived at the salon.

At the spot I had marked I did indeed take the wrong road. Not to worry I thought as American roads run in parallel lines so it would be easy to just turn down an adjacent road.I must have picked one of the only diagonal roads to have to get to.

So I had to turn around and retrace my steps. Luckily I had allowed 2 hours for just this sort of dilemma. Even though I took the wrong road I am pretty proud of myself,as I realise not many women would set out on such a journey in a foreign Country. In a car they have never driven, on the wrong side of the road.

I arrived very hot as it was over 80*. But the salon was lovely and Kati was super nice. I explained to her that she shouldn’t be deceived by how straight my hair seemed. That straightness was hiding, strong rebellious, fuzzy hair. But of course I heard the usual “ I pride myself on my blow drying skills.”

Well I did warn her.

She said my current hairstyle suits my hair type, even though I get told I am too old for long hair. That it would be a definite mistake to cut it any shorter. So I decided to stay with my current style and have some long layers cut into it. She then proceeded to try and dry my hair into a bouncy style I love from watching Real housewives of Orange County. After an hour I think she was beginning to believe my previous warnings about my hair.  She struggled, as everyone does to make my hair look smooth and polished. So I left with bouncy curls with an air of frizz. Hubby was surprised how different I looked. But I must admit I couldn’t wait to get my GHDs at it. I HATE frizz, even with bounce…..

The only problem  I noticed the next day,  is that she had cut my fringe, as everyone always does. Straight across.  I HATE a straight fringe on my hair. It is hell to maintain, and my hair had such a natural kink that it never stays looking straight.  I always cut the front myself in to an angle on both sides, so I am counting the weeks to it getting back to normal.

Of course no one (hubby ) thought to take a picture of me that evening.So the only picture I have is of me in the car visor on the way back to the hotel. Shot on my point and shoot, so it’s a bad quality picture.

I just realised as I posted the original blog I hadn’t included the post in relation to Sandra's envy.

I popped back into Sephora to buy some hair products ,when I heard the sale lady telling the person in front of a promotion in the store for that day only. Now it was 87* outside, but I run as fast as I could to a shop outside the mall to buy the cheapest bottle of shampoo I could and then proceeded to empty it !!!!!!

Only to return to Sephora to be given these.

 

$50 worth of free Ojon hair products.

I only had minutes to return running back to the hotel to met Hubby.

I then made him return to the store with another 99c bottle of empty shampoo for yet another bag of Ojon goodies.

See, I warned you Sandra not to read this post.

More shopping

 

Somehow I filled an entire day at the mall “over the road.”

I spent hours through out the day/night browsing through magazines and books at Barnes & Noble.

Along with a little nourishment from a cinnamon scone from the Starbucks in store.

 

 

I spent about an hour looking through a beautiful book by Barbara Streisand.It was amazing. It is full of pictures of her beautiful homes. She has a flair for interior design and gardening. One of her homes has an entire street built into the basement. With doll shops, a sweet shop and even an antique shop. The attention to detail in everything was amazing. Well worth a look if you ever find it in a book store.

 

I relaxed over an Alfresco lunch at California Pizza. It was so hot I sat outside on the terrace looking through Pottery Barn catalogues.

I ordered a SALAD. The only place in the entire World where I have ever done this.

 

 

 

God knows how, but I managed even more shopping !!!!

And I still have a third of the shops to go?

 

 

 

 

 

I returned to our room, just as Hubby was going out for dinner with his clients. He had left me a pile of brownies and cookies.

He’s a feeder for sure.

I was very good I resisted.

 

I have done something major today. I have booked myself a hair appointment in a hair salon downtown in Chicago. I saw it highly recommended in In Styles hair magazine. That's was major enough for me. But I am going to have to drive myself there in an automatic car !! with no Never Lost in the car, no phone credit and just pieces of paper as a map !!!!

Wish me luck I need it.

Hilary I need you as the navigator……

and Sandra you can be the back seat driver again…….

Not again ?

What shall I have for lunch I thought?

Should it be a coconut chocolate humongous ice cream or a slice of sausage pizza. Mmmmm decisions……..

I walked to the malls food court with these questions going around my brain. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it has been knocked down!!!

A new one being built in its place. So new decisions had to be made. I plumped for

Noodles & Co. A spicy Penne pasta with parmesan chicken .

Lots of things have changed since my last visit in 2010. The good thing is, it has taken me out of my comfort zone and I’ve tried tried new things.

I have the dilemma today of where to eat for breakfast/lunch and dinner. Hubby is working day and night today, so I will be on my own. I am sure I will manage. LOL

Well, I had another successful day of shopping ,and I only looked at a quarter of the shops.

More clothes from Anthropologie and a bargain from J Crew. I was debating whether I needed another grey top, but it was on 50% sale from $88. Imagine my surprise when I went to pay for it and it had been reduced further to $20. Result.

The weather forecast is really good for us here this week.

Ignore those rain showers, no rain in sight.

 

I returned to the hotel to get ready for our Anniversary meal at the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock Tower. Hubby returned earlier than expected, because the jewellers he has been dealing with had a watch waiting for him and they shut at 6pm. They kept the store open especially for us.

 

Can you see that little smile on his face.

He should be bloody grinning from ear to ear as I bought him a Breitling Navitimer watch (GULP) for our Anniversary and his upcoming 50th Birthday.

He’s wanted one ever since we bought our son one, for his 18th birthday.

 

 

 

A friend of Hubbys had rung ahead to the restaurant. He knew the manager and  made sure we got a prime seat,

right next to the windows looking down from the 95th floor of the Hancock Tower.

and then for pudding a little surprise.

All in all a perfect day.

Afternoon fun

 

After our little Sprinkles pit stop. The shop we had been waiting for had opened.

Yep, Tiffany's.

I was supposed to be getting the further two matching bangles to my Christmas present.

But I found something even better for our 25th Wedding Anniversary and my up coming Birthday.

 

I bought a large pair of Paloma Picasso collection hoop earrings and the matching bracelet. ( Linda you know how long I have been looking for some large hoop earring.)

If you think I have been thoroughly spoilt, you wait to you see what I am buying Hubby for our Anniversary and his birthday.

My final purchase was yet another pair of Uggs. I mean a girl can NEVER have too many pairs of Uggs.

 

 

I had seen these two pairs of pink/lilac coloured boots earlier in the day.

But by the time we returned there later, the ones on the right had all sold out. So I had to buy the left sided ones instead.

Shame.

 

 

 

After returning to load the car up with all our purchases, we took a leisurely walk up to Millennium Park.

to admire the Spring blossom and the “bean”

Then I returned  to me laying in the back of the car. We were off for a spot of Mothers Day dinner at our favourite restaurant, L Woods.

I am so sorry, Sandra and Hilary I know you are salivating at the mere mention of L Woods.

 

Anyway, I am off to lug my computer back to the hotel for a spot of shopping  “ over the road”.

 

 

OVER THE ROAD

I’m distraught

Sandra, Hilary you will understand my pain.

At the moment I am “over the road”. Yesterday I was “over the road” and I thought it was just a blip. But today it is official. Panera no longer make cinnamon scones. (insert devastated face.) Do they not realise I have flown across the World, endured pain on the flight, put up with Hubbys incessant snoring, just for a daily, cinnamon scone.

I have tried to not let it ruin my trip, I have had  to resort to other ways of getting my fix. SHOPPING.

As Sunday was the only day I will get to share with Hubby, we spent the day down town on Michigan Avenue. The weather is amazing and this week it’s going to get real hot. But it seems very weird to be surrounded by spring flowers. Their flowers are about a month behind ours in the UK.

(taken by a man with serious camera envy)

It was mothers Day, so I lucked out in getting to celebrate it again. Hubby, as many of you know,  likes to ask if there are any offers or deals to be had. So imagine my surprise when we stocked up on our Kiehls  products and the lady gave me a full sized product I love, FREE!!! Just for us asking and it was Mothers Day.

Then it was off to Anthropologies new up town store. I nearly hyper-ventilated when I saw this lampshade.

God knows how we will get it home. I will wear it as a hat if I have to.

I purchased some more clothes to load Hubby up a bit more.

Then it was off for a little watch shopping for Hubby, but more of that later.

She sure does, love cupcakes!!.

This store hadn’t opened on my last trip, so it was top of my list for this visit. There was a long queue out of the door, but it gave us time to make important decisions over which cupcakes to choose. Hubby choose a chocolate marshmallow, I went for chocolate coconut and I added a peanut butter one for us to share. Hubby thought they were no better than mine, but I must say they were very moist and delicious.

 

we were suitably stuffed for our next leg of shopping and just generally enjoying the beautiful weather.