I want this!

Cole Haan Jayne Tote

I'm in need of a new bag for spring. I love this one! It's $378. Of course it is. Now I'm on the hunt for something similar. But it has to be real leather. I'm weird like that. No fake stuff. I can't stand how it feels. Do you think I'm crazy? Fabric bags are fine, but no fake-looking leather. I had a Big Buddha once. I constantly touched it because I hated the texture of trying to be leather but not really being leather. Yeah, you can say it. I'm one strange chickadee.

Cutest. Face. Ever.

How tired does he look? Bloodshot eyes. This was after the dog park. He was beat. But he was also determined to gnaw through his new tire toy. He was successful. I love him so much. I may be biased, but that face is to die for.

Luck of the Irish

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Could there be a more perfect way to celebrate St. Patty's Day than with Irish Car Bomb cupcakes? I suppose you could forgo the cupcake and just shoot an actual Irish Car Bomb. (My favorite. Really.) You can also make a corned beef and cabbage dinner, like my hubs will do this weekend. You can drink green beer. (Which I don't recommend.) Or you can just stick with the Jameson, folks. I think that sounds like a fabulous plan. Afterall, whiskey does a body good. Whatever you do, enjoy it!

Bark in the Park



I'm on a 5K roll lately. Must be the spring weather. This week I comitted to the Wrigley Start Early Run benefitting Prevent Child Abuse America, The Color Run for Children's Memorial Hosptial and the Anti-Cruelty Society's Bark in the Park.

I'm most excited about Bark in the Park because my hubs and big boy Finley will be joining me and it's going to be so much fun! Just check out the photos from last year. The event is on Saturday, May 5th at Montrose Harbor.

Click here if you would like to make a donation to my team. And, Chicago friends, why don't you come out and join us?! It will be a blast. Hello, cute doggies everywhere!

Tickets. Purchased.

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Yeah, that's right. Tickets purchased for opening weekend. A Saturday afternoon date. Because the hubs and I are old like that. Because then we can still have good dinner and snuggle with the pup at night since we have to get up early on Sundays for the next round of obedience training. Starting this week. (Get ready, Finley!) Thank you theaters with assigned seating and pre-sale tickets. You are the best.

Things vs. Experiences

Next's spherical olives

My friend has an extra ticket for Next - elBulli. She offered it to me. I turned it down. I *know* I am going to regret this. I *know* I'm going to be green with envy when she comes to work next Friday telling me about how wonderful it was. But I couldn't do it. As much as I love food, I could not bring myself to pay $477, regardless of how amazing the experience will be. I lost sleep over it last night. (I'm serious.) This was not an easy decision. I'm still wondering if I should change my mind. But I can't. There are a few other priorities I have right now and this is not one them. Being financially responsible sucks - in the short-term.

However, this is scenario begs the question - things or experiences?

I choose experiences over things each and every time. That's why I don't blink when I spend $100+ on dinner and drinks, but scoff at a $50 price tag for a freaking t-shirt. (Leave my recent shoe purchase out this people. There is one thing I never cheap out on and that's the quality of my shoes.) This is why my Pinterest boards are all about food and home, not fashion. Sigh.

So, elBulli, right now I am working toward a few other financial goals. (Like winning the lottery. Kidding.) Maybe next time. Oh wait, there won't  be a next time. Sad.