BEST halloween display ever!!! don't miss this post...

happy halloween from up in door county, wisconsin!

we have had a fabulous weekend up north, but today it's time to head back to reality, ha! ha! check out this awesome display i found along 42 up in ellison bay, wi.

enjoy....

isn't this the cutest halloween display ever!!! i love it!!

let's see, you might see some familiar faces like the tin man...

dorothy and her little dog toto...how about the cowardly lion? he's my favorite!!

let's not forget about the scarecrow...now the bigger question is where was glenda and the wicked witch?!?!!?!?!!? i totally forgot to check around...DARN IT!!

so yesterday i posted that we were going to go out for brunch at the white gull inn [fish creek, wi], which just this past may '10 won good morning america's "best breakfast in america challenge"....yes, i totally agree! check out their prized cherry stuffed frenchtoast....YUMMY!!! my husband had the prized cherry stuffed french toast, while i had the eggs benedict! hand down the BEST eggs benedict i have had in a long time and yes, i do consider myself an eggs benedict snob...ha! ha!

last night we had dinner over at the english inn [fish creek, wi]. another fabulous choice for dinner, if i don't say so myself...ha! ha! we both had beef wellington.... pure deliciousness!! well worth the $31.00 price tag, lol!!!

mind you we had prime rib also the night before....which is why i am so glad to be going home chicago this afternoon, LOL! ha! ha!

oh well, check back later for more photos from our trip. especially the photos from whistling straits...OMG, still my favorite stop on trip!!!

hope you all have a fabulous halloween!

later,

PLD

a place worth visiting [part two]...

good morning from door county, wi! we are having a great time up north. last night we went out for prime rib...delicious!!

this morning we are heading over to the white gull inn in fish creek. it was awarded the "best breakfast in america" from a breakfast challenge held on good morning america. click here for the story, if interested. can't wait to check it out, but we better go moving --- hoping the wait won't be too long!!

anyway, as promised below are a few photos from our stay at the american club in kohler, wisconsin, which is actually owned and operated by the kohler company.

you won't find cheap danky hotel towels here, frette turkish towels --nothing but the best, ha! ha! plus, i have seen this at other resorts, but the silverware is monogrammed with a "K" -- but it's engraved backwards ...thus, preventing people from stealing it! ha! ha!

okay, back to photos from inside...the american club is such a beautiful resort, i can't wait to go back for another visit! best of all, it's only a couple of hours north of chicago! so much for trying to find a good angle to get the whole resort. ha! ha!
this place is monstrous!

check out a view of the wisconsin room below, beautiful! so many great restaurants to choose! note: friday's the wisconsin room has an amazing seafood buffet! making note of that for our next visit!!

don't you just love the decor...BEAUTIFUL!!

how about these beautiful chandeliers ....check out all the crystals, love it!!

finally, check back later for photos from our stop over at whistling straits golf course! OMG....whistling straits is absolutely beautiful! you'd think you were in ireland or something, certainly not wisconsin! ha! ha!

i guarantee you won't be disappointed! this course is the real deal and if you are a golfer -- you'd be making your reservations now! ha! ha!

oh well, have a great day and for all you football fans out there --- GO MICHIGAN STATE! let's take down those hawkeyes!! ha! ha!

later folks!

~ PLD

if you missed my previous post, click here --- [shopping at the american club]

a place worth visiting....

greetings from kohler, wisconsin! yes, it's a tad bit on the chilly side but i didn't let it stop me from doing what i do best ---- shop!!!! ha! ha!above are a few items i picked up while shopping at the shops at woodlake. sadly, a few stores has closed just another sign of the times....BOO!

however, below are a few of my favorite shops:
kohler gardener
french heritage....loved this store! lots of beautiful furniture and accessories! if only i needed a couple of end tables and a coffee tables to coordinate with our new leather furniture...darn it! lots of great furniture!!

plus, there's even a baker furniture outlet store...aka "odds & ends" --- another great store full of beautiful furniture at some stellar deals!!finally, a sneak peak at the american club resort:
check back later, i post photos from inside this beautiful place!

later today we are heading up to door county, wisconsin! can't wait!!! luckily, we woke up to sunshine! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh...it's going to be a great day!

hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

~PLD

one of my favorites....

greetings!

hope everyone is having a great week! hopefully, you haven't had too much damage from these high winds and this so-called "storm of the century". not sure where you live, but it certainly wasn't as bad as they forecasted!

it's a good thing these winds are ending tonight! tomorrow we are heading up to the american club in kohler, wi. can't wait!!! ever heard of the american club? well, it's the only 5 star resort in the midwest! then friday afternoon we are heading up to door county, wi. for the weekend....just my and my hubby, can't wait!!!!

it's great to know that 20 of detroit area restaurants made it on the 2011 zagat guide! you can check out the other winners here. yeah, not sure if you saw my post from when i was in michigan last? anyway, i posted a photo of one of the restaurants that made the list! streetside seafood in downtown birmingham...YUMMY!!!

i couldn't agree more, streetside seafood is a great place for seafood!

plus, there some of detroit's finest dining establishment also made the list like the whitney and the rattlesnake club! YUM! YUM! YUM!

it's a good thing i had maggiano's for lunch, otherwise i'd be starving thinking about all these great restaurants! ha! ha! luckily, this time tomorrow we will be up in kohler, wi enjoying some fine food and wine ourselves! yeah!!!

oh well, it's time to pack my bags....will post photos from the american club tomorrow!!

later!

~ PLD

it's finally here!!!

greetings, sorry i haven't blogged in awhile! it's been a busy week around here! luckily, this week is almost over! let the weekend begin! ha! ha!

well, our new whittemore-sherrill leather furniture that i blogged about in my last post finally arrived! everything looks awesome! man, i really scored on that deal!!!!

here's a sneak peak at the furniture. i still have some decorating to do before i post a full photo, but for now.... what do you think?

.....so comfortable!

tonight my husband and i went over to our favorite seafood restaurant, braxtons' seafood --- love that place! of course, we had lobster...my favorite!!! i saved the heads to make lobster bisque this weekend....YUMMY!!! we also ordered [or shall i say, my husband] ordered duck flatbread as an appetizer ---it was actually quite delicious and i am not a huge fan of ordering duck!!!!

well, this time next week we will be up at the american club in kohler, wisconsin! afterwards we will be heading up to door county, wisconsin ---- CAN'T WAIT!!!!

oh well, hope you all have a wonderful weekend! i'll be cheering on michigan state! my husband wanted to go to the MSU/northwestern game --- but we have since decided not to go. BOOO!!!

later!

~ PLD

deals like this don't come around often!!!!

as usual, PLD always has something up her sleeve! ha! ha!

what do you think about this silk fabric with bumble bees? cute, huh! it retails for about $68.00/yd. at calico corners --- lucky for me it was on sale for 1/2 off! i even managed to find matching fringe -- $17.00/yd. --- i got 5/yd. on sale for ONLY $7.50...SCORE!!

what could i possibly make with this fabric & fringe that i picked up a calico corners over the weekend? a down pillow to go with my new leather chair shown below!!!!

i have never sewn with fringe, so please wish me luck!

now if only i remembered to purchase the thread, darn it!!

anyway, i bought a 14 x 14 pillow, fabric and fringe for about $40.00...love calico corners!!! i figure it would cost me cost me double, if not more if i had someone make the pillow for me! ha! ha!

i also bought this beauty too! i have to tell you, i was not in the market for another piece of furniture but when i see a good deal -- i have to act, otherwise i'll end up kicking myself -- RIGHT! ....seriously, isn't that always the case!!!

well, this beauty is a whittemore sherrill limited club chair. based on the grade of leather you are looking at about a$2,600 chair! yup....did i pay $2,600?!??!?

not even close!!!

as you can tell there is NOTHING wrong with this chair, no scratches, dings -- NOTHING!!!what would you say if i paid $99.99 for this chair?!?!?!

YUP...can you believe it! i can't!!! for those of you who are familiar with the sherrill furniture company then you know what i am talking about! whittemore sherrill limited is the leather division of the sherrill furniture company! ....not cheap!!

first off, even before knowing it was a whittemore sherill chair i was sold at the $99.99 price tag!! i am still pinching myself, i really scored on this beauty!!!

then if that wasn't enough i went back today and bought the matching sofa which retails for about $3,5000 ---- i bought it for ONLY $499.99, plus tax and $90 for shipping ---out the door for around $625.00 --- ANOTHER STEAL!!!!

can't wait...the sofa will be delivered on thursday! YEAH!!! strangest thing of all, i wasn't even in the market for anything! i just wanted to pop into macy's clearance center just to see what they had in stock! ha! ha!

the funny thing, my husband was the one who was pushing me to purchase the sofa! i was happy with the chair! ha! ha! ...so unlike my husband! happy sweetest day, LOL!

now i might have to go back to calico corners to make two more larger pillows! LOL! otherwise, i have to keep my eyes open for some fabulous needlepoint pillows!!

hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

~ PLD

too cute!!!

in need of a baby shower gift? christmas gift?

look no further, check out the following gift ideas:

crabby baby mealtime gift set

or how about this little chef outfit. my nephew was really into cooking when he was young, too bad he's grown out of that phase. too cute!

baby chef three piece layette in culinary themed gift box

or how about this adorable octopus that comes with 4 pairs of socks....so cute!!!

mrs. sock t. pus" plush octopus with 4 pairs of socks

and who can't resist a little monkey!

plush "monkey magoo and blankie too!" in keepsake banana gift box

all of these items can be found over at the baby gifts sale event over at gilt groupe. not a member of gilt groupe? no problem, consider yourself personally invited. sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE! sign up today!

happy shopping!

~ PLD

[photo credits: gilt groupe ]

you know you want one!

...YUMMY!!!

i haven't had these in years, in fact i don't keep treats around the house period! however, for some reason i couldn't resist picking up a package. thanks very little target for having these on sale for $2.79...LOL! thanks a lot! HA! HA!

~ PLD

lookie what i bought....

yesterday, i had some time to kill before the MICHIGAN STATE/MICHIGAN football game. so i decided to head over to bloomingdales, williams-sonoma and tory burch.

unfortunately, $2.50 in the meter doesn't buy you much time in chicago! i think i had like 53 mins. in the metter, so i must have only put in $2.25? such a joke! it's even worse in the loop, i think it's $5.00/hour and i think it's suppose to go up to something like $8.00 in 3 years?!?! don't quote me, something like that anyeay! at least up in lincoln park $1.25 buys you 60 mins., LOL!!

anyway, i bought these adorable sunglasses at tory burch.

i originally wanted to see if they had the tory burch breast cancer umbrella in stock, but turns out they have not shipped out to the stores yet! oh well.... at least i bought a cute pair of sunglasses! like i needed another pair...just like i need another pair of jack rogers or stephen bonanno's, LOL!!

below is a photo of a few pairs of sunglasses. i have another 2 or 3 floating around somewhere?
let's see, i have (1) pair of marc jacobs, (1) pair of gucci [i have another pair that i could not locate], (2) pairs of fendi sunglasses, (1) pair of ralph sunglasses and my ray ban reading/computer glasses. fun! fun! fun!

i also had enough time to treat myself to a pedicure. what do you think of the color? it's "you're a pisa work" by OPI. i think that's the color? don't you love the preppy color combo below. sporting my new pomme/white stephen bonanno's....okay, it's the closet green i could get for MICHIGAN STATE!
we'll we all know the outcome, MICHIGAN STATE kicked some MICHIGAN a$$! oh yeah, bragging rights my friends! you'd have to be a MICHIGAN fan to understand, LOL!!

plus, the RED WINGS beat the chicago BLACKHAWKS --- same night they received their rings from winning the 2010 stanley cup. yeah, glad to see the RED WINGS put a damper on the BLACKHAWKS banner night!

then if that's not enough...the LIONS, yes we are talking about the DETROIT LIONS actually WON! actually they really kicked some st. louis RAMS a$$ today! winning 44 - 6...unbelievable, personally i was ecstatic! yeah! GO DETROIT!!!

needless to say, it was a fabulous weekend to be a MICHIGAN sports fan...okay, that is unless you are a fan of MICHIGAN....hee! hee!

oh well, hope you all have a wonderful week! just a couple more weekends until we head up to kohler, wi and door county, wi...can't wait to check out the fall colors!

later folks!

~ PLD

ops! almost forgot, yesterday i bought this comfy pair of KEEN women's "verona" leather slip-ons over at rue la la!

...i hope they fit, LOL!

not a member to rue la la? no problem! consider yourself personally invited, click here for your personal invite! sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE!

happy shopping!

okay, what's it going to be?!?!?!?!?!

okay, what's it going to be?

MICHIGAN STATE or university of michigan?
wouldn't these jack rogers be perfect for the game! too bad they didn't have my size, DARN IT!!!!

so far both teams are undefeated, but only one team can win!

my $$$ is on:

...go GREEN!

how about you? who will you be cheering on this weekend?

have a great weekend folks!!

~ PLD

UPDATE: guess who WON?!?!?!

yup, the mighty, mighty SPARTANS! those UofM wolverines really got their a$$ kicked today! YEAH BABY!!!! best of all the SPARTANS are still undefeated --- 6 - 0...YEAH!

it's a proud day to be a SPARTAN fan!

how did your team do??????

and the WINNER is....

for those of you who entered my HOUSE BEAUTIFUL giveaway, i am happy to announce the winner of my giveaway, but before i do i have to share with you my latest obsession...umrellas!

yes, call me crazy! after all. it's october not april my friends...LOL!

check out this limited edition umbrella you can find over at tory burch:

according to their website, tory burch is donating 15% of the purchase of the limited edition umbrella, up to $10,000, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. AWESOME!! i want to buy one, maybe this weekend if they still have them in stock!

speaking of breast cancer...i have mentioned this before, but i am happy to mention this again....my mom is a 20 year breast cancer survivor!

i was away at boarding school when i first learned of my mother's cancer. you know...back when the only "phone option" was something called a pay phone! ha! ha! it was tough being so far away during everything, luckily it's just a memory now.

don't you just LOVE this pattern!!!! speaking of breast cancer, check out the umbrella i bought last weekend for only $12.00 over at bloomingdales: don't you just love the inside of this umbrella! i do!!
plus, when i was in grosse pointe a couple of weeks ago i pick up this adorable lilly pulitzer umbrella:

all to replace my burberry check umbrella that i have had over for 6 years that well....needs to be retired! my husband says it's broken...i refuse to admit that it's broken! takes a little TLC but it will works---- for now anyway!

oh well, the WINNER of my HOUSE BEAUTIFUL (1 year subscription) giveaway is.....

suburban prep

...congratulations! email me your address and i will send in the subscription!

thanks again to everyone who entered! check back as i will be hosting another giveaway soon!

later!

~ PLD

[Tory Burch photo credits: www.toryburch.com ]

bloomingdales, giveaway mentioned and more!

not sure where you are but it's a chilly one here in chicago! BRRRR!!!! as much as i love cooler weather, i'll admit it's much harder to get out of bed when it's chilly outside. we actually had to turn our heat on for the 2nd morning in a row --- nuts it tell ya!! luckily, we will be back in the upper 60's/low 70's this week!

speaking of "chilly" temps, yesterday i stopped over at patagonia in search of a new winter jacket! just my luck, the one i wanted retails for $499.00! needless to say, my search continues...HA! HA! anyone have a friends & family discount to share, LOL!!

so i just found out that my husband heads back down to new orleans for work tomorrow! lucky dog! why don't i get to go anywhere fun?!!?!?

oh well, he actually asked me this morning if we could go to Nordstrom for shoes?!?! seriously, this coming from a man who HATES to shop PERIOD! HA! HA! HA! i was sort of taken back, but will be happy to go! might even pick up a pair or two for myself, LOL!

friday we went out for lobster and then stopped over at bloomingdales. i bought this awesome umbrella in honor of breast cancer research for only $12.00! still can't believe it retailed for only $12.00! i would easily have paid $25 for this umbrella considering half the proceeds go to breast cancer research.

check out the inside of the umbrella...LOVE IT!!

speaking of breast cancer, i am happy to announce that my mom is a 20 year breast cancer survivor! love you mom!!!

and i also bought the following Tracy Porter "Amourette" serving pieces at bloomies:

what do you think? cute, huh! too cute to pass up! i thought it would be a nice change from using my wilton armetale and nambe pieces!
oh well, if you haven't heard ...it's giveaway time!!!

if you haven't entered, it's not too late! i am giving away a 1-year subscription to HOUSE BEAUTIFUL [$78.00 value!] ...pretty cool giveaway if you ask me!

to enter click here . GOOD LUCK!!!

so did anyone buy anything at the SPODE sale over at rue la la?

i did! YIPPEEE!! i purchased the following items:

Spode "Blue Italian" Square Serving Bowl

Spode "Blue Room" Set of 6 Georgian Plates

this one is my favorite: oh well, have a great day!

~ PLD

SPODE items photo credit [rue la la website]