i just couldn't resist...

supposedly the "big one" is coming! how many times have we heard this before? i think the last time the "big one" played a visit to chicago was back in '99 around new years. at that time, my husband and i were down in florida and missed it! although, i do recall our flight being delayed out of tampa but that was what 11 years ago!

seriously, i'll believe it when i see it! after all we live in chicago and we are used to this sort of stuff! if that's the case, why are so many people stocking up on food, salt and all the other essentials? it's kind of crazy! i understand if we lived around D.C. or something but chicago? it's chicago people, lol!

speaking of essentials, i did treat myself to a new pair of tory burch rain boots! see my UGGS just won't cut it if we get 18-24 inches of snow that is forecasted! so i figured, i'd venture out for something new.

in case you were curious i found them at nordstrom rack! yup, $59.90....beats the $150.00 retail price tag! i have to admit, i'm SHOCKED at how comfortable they feel! i also really like the navy blue lining up the back. the red is a little "loud" for me, but they'll come in handy over the next couple of days, LOL! i had a pair of ralph lauren "rain boots" about 10 years ago they were similar except they were navy blue with yellow lining. wish i still had them, think i threw them out when we sold our house in elmhurst, illinois and moved back to grosse pointe, michigan. of course this was long before the whole "wellie" fad!

speaking of the "wellie" popularity phase, would believe i don't own a pair of hunter wellies! the more these "rain boots" as i like to refer to them became popular them more i disliked them! shocking, i know! so why did i buy them if i am so against them? that's simple, i bought them so i don't ruin my UGGS. plus, when it rains they'll come in handy! no you won't be seeing me wearing them on a daily basis....although they are really comfortable! maybe they will grow on me? ha! ha!

oh well, hope i haven't offended anyone!

on that note, i'll bring up another topic....wordfeud! OMG, i am obsessed with this game! i don't play video games! okay, many years ago i played pac-man, miss pac-man, donkey kong, mario brothers and centipede....you know back in the day of atari! you know back in the 80's, ha! ha! ha!

well, wordfeud is SO much fun! it's free and i love it! i was so excited when i used the word JOUST and scored 90 points that i took said photo below:call me a dork, i really don't give a shit! i was so excited to score 90 points on one word, i had to take a photo to show the non-believers, lol!

wordfeud also reminds me of playing scrabble with my grandma when i was young! what i wouldn't give to play another game with her today!

oh well, i have something things to do around here before gossip girl! have a great night!

~ PLD

more fabulous finds....

greetings!

how was your weekend? yesterday, i spent the day in bed with a horrible head cold! NO FUN! thankfully my husband picked up some bangkok shrimp from noodles & co. for lunch/dinner. not sure what to call it when you combine lunch and dinner?

oh well, seeing that it's a slow night on television i am watching the SAG awards. well, sort of...i ventured over to rue la la to check out what sales they had going on and ended up buying the following items from the ARTHUR COURT sale event:

Arthur Court "Bunny" 21in Casserole Dish

Arthur Court "American Traditional" 3pc Server Set

not sure if i will keep the cheese and cracker server for myself or give it as a shower gift? ha! ha! ha! speaking of weddings, so far we've be have three weddings this year. let's see....april here in chicago, may in wisconsin and july up in harbor springs, michigan. fun! fun! fun!

seems kind of odd, seeing that 90% of my friends are married and 95% of them have children...some 4 or 5 children, LOL! mind you, last year my husband and i celebrated our 10 year anniversary. ha! ha! ha!

so if you aren't a member of rue la la, no problem! click here for your personal invite. sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE!

today i was on a mission to purchase 6 more place settings of the le chateau melamine rooster place settings below:

unfortunately, after visiting a few tuesday morning stores i came home empty handed! so bummed! now if i wanted to purchase the same set in red i would have lucked out! too bad i didn't feel the RED had the "wow factor" that the GREEN pattern has....so i passed! one day i'll probably end up regretting not purchasing these plates! for now my pocketbook is thankful...LOL!

finally, have you signed up for the Francesca Joy Palm Beach giveaway?!?!?! if not, you are missing out! i am giving away an anchor bracelet like the one in the photo below, but in PINK & GREEN!

click here details about the giveaway and for a chance to enter!

good luck!

take care,

PLD

photo credits ~
Arthur Court images: Rue La La website

ops, I did it again.... ha! ha! ha!

GREETINGS!

hope you all had a fabulous week! so excited, it's friday and my weekend has finally begun! YEAH!!!

anyway, i have this weird love affair with tuesday morning! not sure why? it's always hit or miss, right! just like tj maxx and marshall's! well, tuesday morning did it again!

well, last night i stopped over at tuesday morning and found [bought] these fabulous [quite heavy] le cadeaux rooster melamine dinner and salad plates! SCORE!!!!

below is a view of the dinner plates. PERFECT FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING!!!

curious, anyone remember williams-sonoma or sur la table selling something like this last year or may be it was the year before? can't remember, all i know i didn't want to pay around $20 for an acrylic dinner plate! LOL!

so i did a search and ended up finding a set over at ORVIS. check out the prices and making a price comparison, i know i really scores on this one! click here to see plates that are shockingly similar!!!! so excited,considering i paid $4.99 for each salad plate and $5.99 for each dinner plate! YEAH!!!!!

anyway, the 1st first store i stopped at had 4 dinner plates and 3 salad plates. of course, i needed 1 more! ideally, i wanted at least 8 place settings! so the associate called around and found a couple of other pieces. so this afternoon i stopped by another tuesday morning and bought what they had in stock. so right now i have a 6 piece set! i am on a mission for 2 more place settings, LOL!!
can't wait to use them in the summer on our patio! oh wait, almost forgot our patio set is back at our house in grosse pointe! guess i'll have to wait a little longer to use them then, lol! at least our tenant makes good use of our brick patio and patio furniture! ha! ha!

once again i have BANNED myself from shopping at tuesday morning! that place is dangerous! love that store, which is why i have to ban myself again! LOL!

UPDATE: i found another site that sells le cadeaux rooster melamine dinnerware, plus some other fabulous patterns! sheesh, i want more! anyway check out the frenchy bee! this site is AWESOME! currently, i have a few items in my basket! including some matching serving pieces...SCORE!!!

i also picked up a couple of other things, of which include two of these tote bags!

perfect to totes for store whatever?!?! aren't they cute! best of all they are collapsible! i just love the PINK & GREEN! color combo!

speaking of PINK & GREEN! have you signed up for the Francesca Joy Palm Beach giveaway?!?!?! if not, you are missing out!

i am giving away an anchor bracelet like the one in the photo below, but in PINK & GREEN!

don't you love it! click here details about the giveaway and for a chance to enter! good luck!

have a fabulolus weekend! my husband and i just got home from having dinner over at the white chocolate grill! ....YUMMY!

take care,

PLD

giveaway time and sales galore, stop on over!!

greetings!

hope your week is going well! if only it was friday, right! LOL!

oh well, just wanted to remind everyone that if you haven't signed up for the Francesca Joy Palm Beach giveaway that i am hosting on my blog you should!

i am giving away an anchor bracelet like the one in the photo below, but in PINK & GREEN!

don't you love it! click here details about the giveaway and for a chance to enter! good luck!

also, be sure and check out someone of the upcoming sales over at rue la la. i highlighted a few that peaked my interest! hee! hee!

thursday, jan 27th
• Burberry - Accessories
• Sparkle! Diamonds We Love
• Peacock Alley
• For The Valentine
• Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts
• MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

friday, jan. 28th
• Saucony
• Saucony - Men's
• BRIC'S
• The Venetian & The Palazzo - Las Vegas
• Safavieh Home Furnishings
• Lenox

saturday, jan. 29th
• PUMA Golf
• PUMA Golf - Men's
• Juicy Couture - Beach
• Arthur Court Designs
• Kid Style

monday, jan. 30th
• Da-Nang
• CASS Luxury Shapewear
• Fratelli Rossetti
• Fratelli Rossetti - Men's
• Sunday Night Styleathon - Starts at 8PM ET

if you aren't a member of rue la la, no problem! click here for your personal invite. sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE! remember to mark your calendars!

oh well, i have to run for now! have a great day!

~ PLD

Francesca Joy Palm Beach GIVEAWAY, come on over...

thanks for stopping by, PLD's hosting another giveaway!

yup, last week elise over at Francesca Joy Palm Beach contacted me to see if i'd be interested in hosting a giveaway on my blog! sure, too bad i can't enter this wonderful giveaway! darn it!!! oh well, ha! ha!

anyway, elise doesn't have an exact photo of the anchor wristlet that will be given away, but the photo below will give you an idea of color options.

this giveaway is for an anchor wristlet in PINK & GREEN!

the anchor wristlet will be double sided with a starfish painted on the back. how cool is that, i want to win! ha! ha! ha! don't you!

below is a little more information found on their facebook page.

he Art of Elise Francesca:
Ready-to-wear art? join the art-fashion movement: Inspired by the fine art paintings of Elise Francesca, and design work of Palm Beach based interior designer, Carolyn Roy, the work embodies sophisticated pieces that remain timeless. Entirely hand-painted and made in America. Founded: March 2010

so if you are interested in a chance to win an adorable anchor wristlet in PINK & GREEN from Francesca Joy Palm Beach read on.

the WINNER will be announced thursday, february 10th! contest entries will be accepted until wednesday, february 9th at 11:59pm cst. GOOD LUCK!!

if you'd like to WIN, here's what you need to do:

1. the obvious --- you MUST leave a comment on this post and be sure to include your email address, if i can't click on your profile and email.

2. if you are a "FOLLOWER" of this blog you will get 2 entries. if you are not a FOLLOWER, become one today. it's a really active fan page! fun their customers and fans to see how the paintings will soon evolve into fabric.

3. if you POST this giveaway on your you will get a total of 3 entries. [you MUST let me know if you blog about this giveaway, so i can give you credit! otherwise, no dice! sorry!]

4. become a fan of Francesca Joy Palm Beach on facebook [click here] and receive a BONUS entry. [once again, you MUST let me know if you are a follower of Francesca Joy Palm Beach, so i can give you credit!] please note that the link on facebook has been updated. thank you!

NOTE: U.S. residents only! i apologize, but i am only making this available to U.S. residents only. sorry!

if i have left out any detail about this giveaway i will update this post accordingly.

GOOD LUCK!!!

~ PLD

what a weekend...

greetings!

hope y'all had a fabulous weekend! i certainly did and unfortunately still paying the price today, LOL! it was so much fun to meet up with my sorority sisters, some i haven't seen in quite a few years! nothing like staying up all night, drinking, gossip and having fun! just like the good old days! too bad we just can't spring back into motion the next morning like we did when we were in our early 20's! ha! ha! ha!

oh well, while on my way over to michigan i stopped over at ethan allen and bought (2) two maison by ethan allen narrow accent tables: below is a side view...

the should be in within a couple of weeks! can't wait for tables to arrive!

well, i'd like to report that i WON 3rd place in the chili cook-off! pretty exciting huh! i have NEVER participated in a chili cook-off before! everyone had participated in prior cook-offs but me! not bad, considering i didn't know what to expect!

although, i want to know what is up with NOODLES in chili? SERIOUSLY, have you ever heard of that concept??!?!?!!? me neither! apparently, it's quite common i guess in wisconsin. growing up in michigan i NEVER heard of chili w/noodles before! curious to see if it common in other parts of the country!

oh well, this morning we drove back to chicago. it was fun riding along all sorts of green bay packers fans on their way down to solider field in chicago. wouldn't it be fun to arrive to arrive in this stretch hummer! love the name of the limo company...BIG ASS LIMOS, lol!

below is a shot of another party, we thought they were together but the micro bus stopped off just before the illinois border. maybe they needed another alcohol run before getting into illinois, LOL!

over all it was a fabulous weekend!

i wanted to give you a heads up, tomorrow i will be hosting a giveaway! yup, i'll be hosting a FRANCES JOY PALM BEACH giveaway. check back tomorrow for details, you won't be disappointed! if only i could win, darn it!

oh yeah, this "LOYAL" detroit lions fan is cheering for the green bay packers! go packers!!

later,

PLD

let the party begin...

so tonight i slaved over the stove for about an hour and made a big old pot of chili! want a bowl? i know you do, lol! doesn't it look delish, YUMMO!PLD is participating in a "family" chili cook-off later this weekend! first time for everything, right! ha! ha! perfect timing considering this weekend happens to be one of the biggest games in football the PACKERS/BEARS football game! wish me luck! i think my chili rocks!

before, i head up to milwuakee for the chili cook-off i am going to spend the night back in michigan with a number of my sorority sisters. pledging starts tomorrow and a bunch of us are going back to reminisce the good old days!

my bags are finally packed and ready to go!
so if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, you'll know why! not that you really care, right! LOL! let's just say lots of driving, joy! joy! joy! plus, a stop at ethan allen to use one of the groupons i bought last night!

i'll be honest i am dreading saturday morning already! NOTHING worse than waking up with a hangover! UGH, thoughts of THE HANGOVER come to mind! these girls are crazy, still drink they are 21...LOL!

oh well, the party starts in less than 24 hours!

later!

~PLD

you know YOU want too....

HOLY SMOKES! have you checked GROUPON today? if YOU haven't, YOU definitely are missing out on an awesome today! especially, if you live in the midwest!

$95 for a One-Night Stay in a Landview Room at The Geneva Inn in Lake Geneva, WI

i couldn't resist buying 2 nights and probably should have bought one more, ha! ha! the limit is three nights and you have up to 1 year to use the deal! what a treat it would be to get away from the hustle and the bustle of chicago, milwaukee, madison, etc.

click HERE to sign up for GROUPON, if you haven't signed up already!

LAKE GENEVA, WI is a short drive from chicago makes for the perfect weekend getaway! check you some of my previous posts from my visits to lake geneva, wi! you'll see why acted on this one....love LAKE GENEVA!!

click HERE to read some of my previous posts about prior visits to LAKE GENEVA.

if you aren't in the midwest, no problem check out GROUPON for deals near you!

have a great afternoon!

~ PLD

[photo credit: GROUPON website]

what do you think? oh, and you have to try these...

greetings!

tonight i had my nails done and of course to match my new gucci hobo! what do you think? not bad, right! i know, i need some color -- right! please don't remind me, lol! now if only i could remember the name of the nail polish? it's from OPI and starts with a "c" and it was a really long name. darn it! next time, ha! ha!

oh well, i forgot to post a photo of the brookside dark chocolates with acai with blueberry...YUMMO!!! the chocolates just happened to be one of the samples at costco! i swear that's how i buy most of my stuff, no sense buying something at the grocer only to get home and be disappointed! if only trader joe's had more samples! whole foods, weekends are the best time for samples there! yea, i am up on my "sampling" - LOL!!

...did i tell you i love costco!!!!

sometimes i find myself going there just for the samples! have you ever done that? come on, i can't be the only one! ha! ha!

it's sort of like walking into target -- you can't get out w/out spending at least $75.00. for some of you it might be more like $100.00 or better yet $150.00, ha! ha!

anyway, i decided to allow myself 1/4 c. of these chocolates a day! best of all, i get my daily chocolate fix while taking in the health benefits as well! it's a WIN - WIN for everyone, LOL!

if you haven't tried these chocolates, you should! 2 lb. bag retails for just under $10.00! just hope my husband doesn't find my stash!

have a great night!

~ PLD

UPDATE 1/19/11:

sun of a gun, just my luck...as i was leaving the bathroom my index finger nail caught on the frickin' latch...S.O.B!!!

oh, i am SO mad!!! which one of you out there jinxed me?!?!? LOL!

my nails were the perfect length [no fake nails for PLD...NEVER!!!!!] and now my index nail is as short as it can get! so pissed!!

i don't you know about you, but if one of my nails breaks/cracks they all get cut down! drives me nuts, but i am making an exception this time! normally, i would cut all the others down but since i am going away this weekend i'll let it slide this time!

oh well, anyone else anal about their nails? i know i'm not the only one out there!!! ;)

i WANT this...

greetings!

i rec'd an email from elizabeth mckay that they are having a winter SALE up to 70% off select items! i came across this stunning whitney cotton coat in NAVY BLUE!

OMG, i am SO tempted to buy this beauty! not sure if it's the color that i am attracted to or the ruffles on the coat? oh, maybe it's b/c it would look fabulous with my new GUCCI vintage web hobo.
as much as i want the jacket...do i really need it, that is the question?!?!! ha! ha! unfortunately, the answer is NO! drats!

oh well, it is a beauty and if you are one of the fortunate ladies to own this coat....i am SOOOOOOO jealous!

well, hope you are having a fabulous day! i ran a bunch of errands, got my car wash and went shopping -- of course! unfortunately i couldn't find a car wash that was open so i had to resort to washing it myself, UGH! it was freezing cold but i needed to get the sold off my SUV.

while out, i bought the cutiest ralph lauren oxford and vest for my nephew who is turing "1" next week. ...so cute! best of all, would you believe each piece was on sale for $17.99, less 50%! such a steal, out the door for $19.05! YEAH!!! best of all, they don't have to know i paid less than $20.00 for his present, LOL!!

i also had to return a pair of riding loafers i bought a off5th avenue outlet while on vacation in florida. not sure why i didn't bring the shoes with my last week when i bought two other pairs, not the smartest cat sometimes, LOL!!! anyway, i returned the shoes and bought a MASON PEARSON look-alike! yup, i sure did!

the pocket brush i bought is from creative classic, must be a brand normally sold at saks5th ave. i bought it for $17.99, pretty good deal considering i still can't find my pocket sized MASON PEARSON brush that's been missing for forever! as you can tell from the photo above, i am still holding on to the box, ha! ha!

i have to tell you it looks, feels and brushes like my MASON PEARSON brush! just a hell of a lot cheaper, LOL! ha! ha!

below is a close up of the two brands:

oh, speaking of the elizabeth mckay whitney ruffle coat from the first photo i also picked up this adorable navy blue ruffled sweatshirt over at the brooks brothers outlet. normally retails for $68.00, less 60% made for a pretty cool deal too! it's so cute, the photo above doesn't do it justice...sorry!

i also bought some other stuff at talbot's but don't feel like boring you with all my purchases, lol!

oh well, sounds sick but i am pretty excited to get back to work tomorrow! lucky for me, i only have a 31/2 day work week! heading back to my college this weekend, pledging starts and a bunch of my sorority sisters are heading back! it's going to be so much fun, can't wait!

later, i'm off to read the latest copy of the The Food Network magazine. i picked it up at costco. remember, you can save something like 30% off the list price or something like that anyway! check it out!!

~ PLD

[photo credit: whitney coat - elizabeth mckay website]

bundle up, we're going shopping...

greetings!

yesterday, we went up to lake geneva, wisconsin for a few hours before heading back downtown for the packers/ravens game.

i love going up to lake geneva, even in the winter! there are so many great shops and boutiques to visit! don't forget about the wonderful hotels and restaurants to check out as well. best of all, it's about an hour and a half from chicago! makes for a nice getaway from the hustle & bustle of the city.

first off, i am not sure if the CORNERSTONE SHOPPE is under new ownership but the buyers finally get it! finally, the store is filled with items the peak my interest. note the photos i took from inside the store.

store is broken down in to a number of themed sections. for example, the photo above and the photos below are located in what i would call the "cottage" section. in the midwest, most people have cottages, while in other parts of the country people refer to their 2nd home as lake house, beach house, cabin, etc. as if you didn't already know that, sheesh PLD! ha! ha!

i really like the boat prints below, too bad there is just no place to hang them at the moment! however, they would look cute in a nautical theme bathroom, bedroom or hallway!

here are some other photos from inside the store: how about these adorable monogrammed cups and saucers! too cute!! check out all the ROOT candles below!
a trip to lake geneva, isn't complete with out stopping at the GLOBAL GOURMET for a few samples!! the artichoke dip below is AMAZING!!!!!
how about banana bread beer? really, hmmmm! oh, almost forgot they also have wine tastings in the back room!i also stopped over at THE BOOTERY and they had a few pairs of HUNTER boots [plus, lots of other winter boots] on sale B1G1 1/2 off! almost bought a pair, but didn't!

oh well, let's not forget about another on of my favorite shops BRICK & MORTAR HOME! i know christmas is over, but isn't the rug below adorable ...love it!

check out these needlepoint "pet" pillows, too cute!!

not sure if you read my tweet asking about where to find a good quality navy blue wool cable neck sweater.

well, i thought i would definitely have luck over at FLEMMINGS. nope! so bummer, every color but navy blue! bummed!!! however, they did have some cool BARBOUR and VINEYARD VINES pieces on SALE!!!

luckily, i found what i wanted over at BROOKS BROTHERS. yes, we also stopped at the outlets in kenosha. you can't go to lake geneva without stopping at the outlets, LOL!!

i knew i would have luck over at brooks brothers, but was hoping for some other options!

before i forget, i also stopped over at ABBELLIMENTO [fine tabletop and gifts]. love this store, they always have such a great selection of fine table linens. plus, they carry SIMON PEARCE which brings back fond childhood memories of summers vacations in VERMONT!

of course, i checked out their *snowflake and savings* SALE!

i bought this envelope card holder to store all my christmas cards! isn't it adorable! it retailed for $69.00, i got it 1/2 off! can't wait to bring it out every christmas! you know, hoping people continue the tradition of sending out christmas cards, HINT HINT!!! of course, i dug up a few christmas cards to put inside so you could see what it looks like! below is a side profile of the envelope: made in ITALY she told me the brand, but i forgot? initials AT and they call it natale envelope. LOVE IT!!

finally, below is a photo of geneva lake, along the shores of lake geneva. actually, in front of my favorite breakfast restaurant SCUTTLEBUTTS! love this palce, they have the BEST eggs benedict in lake geneva, HANDS DOWN!!!!as you can tell, i didn't buy very much! ha! ha! why? well, maybe b/c of the gucci vintage web hobo i bought on friday over at neiman marcus, LOL!
i think i have finally found my IT bag! so happy i bought this hobo! guess i can get rid of my other gucci and louis vuitton purses, yeah right! however, i do believe my purse collection is COMPLETE now! ha! ha!
oh well, hope you all have a wonderful day! not sure what i am going to do yet? it's freezing in chicago and it's only going to get cooler, BRRRRRRRRRRR!

later,

PLD

almost forgot to post a photo of these adorable british needlepoint coasters are available over at NOTICE!i probably should have bought these! oh well, maybe they will still be around when i go back! maybe it was the price? can't remember why i didn't buy them, but they lovely!