tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60290410030227752462016-09-07T21:30:15.518-07:00a little blog about LauraLee and JoshLaura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-24865415564282243312012-11-01T10:10:00.003-07:002012-11-01T10:10:47.203-07:00

Happy Halloween from Jackson Dog.   He is proudly wearing his shark costume for the eigth year in a row, and still looking so handsome! ** My family shark significance.

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-59119437218933241852012-10-08T18:03:00.002-07:002012-10-09T09:20:19.642-07:00

Josh and I recently hosted a pop-up dinner party, inspired by Oh Happy Day. We chose an interesting outdoor location and tried to soak up the last of the summer/fall weather before the cold arrived in Chicago. I delivered invitations that gave minimal details and did not reveal the location of the party until a few hours ahead of time.  We bought a strand of solar lights, rented tables,

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-62922364458701121532012-08-30T17:07:00.001-07:002012-08-30T17:07:43.382-07:00

here I got a pair of Hunter rain boots for my birthday this year, and I've started to notice something funny. Typically on rainy days, I am bummed, but now when it rains I get really excited because I have a reason to wear my boots. I'm weird. Chicago isn't a very rainy city (so far), but I know that my boots will also double as snow boots with these awesome cold weather inserts. I also want

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-48111708299713403392012-08-29T21:26:00.000-07:002012-08-29T21:28:12.661-07:00

Andersonville is a really great neighborhood in north Chicago. We spent an afternoon exploring last weekend and found the cutest shops. Brimfield is my new love. I want my entire house to feel like the inside of their store. They re-upholster furniture and pillows in vintage plaid felt and wool blankets. It gives the furniture a masculine, cozy and casual feel. I am now in the market for more

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-3280179014539659382012-08-28T17:22:00.001-07:002012-08-28T17:22:32.091-07:00

Check out this awesome installation of a 'People-Spot.' Chicago is testing these temporary platforms throughout a few neighborhoods. The idea is that the sidewalk expands into two existing parking spots and becomes a green space for pedestrians to enjoy during the summer. During the winter, the space can be converted back to parking. I obviously love the idea! We ran across this People Spot in

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-21135125050008595932012-08-27T18:29:00.000-07:002012-08-27T18:31:56.411-07:00

I went to the Randolph Street Vintage Market this weekend. The market is a once-a-month pop-up market with tons of great vendors selling everything from lighting and furniture, to clothes and jewelry. It was pretty amazing, and I actually bought some pretty good stuff. I was so excited to attend because I haven't located many flea markets / thrift stores in my area yet, so I was in need of some

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-53372979301493919842012-08-22T20:16:00.001-07:002012-08-24T04:45:33.442-07:00

I am an avid watcher of Friends. A few years ago Josh bought me all ten seasons, and that year, we watched every episode in order. I also go through phases when I watch Friends episodes every night before bed. My favorite character is Phoebe, but I can't really name a favorite episode. I love these: The one where Monica gets the dollhouse, The one when Ross gets spray tanned, The one when Phoebe

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-86158166768517369432012-08-21T19:00:00.003-07:002012-08-22T19:37:42.392-07:00

Last weekend was the 2-day Chicago Air and Water Show. The weather was AMAZING - a high of 75 all weekend! We took advantage of the temps and watched the air show beside the lake with friends. We drank white wine spritzers, my favorite summer drink (white wine, club soda, with a spritz of fresh lemon and lime juice.) The Blue Angels were the star of the show - they are always so dramatic! I

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-13010531642554524702012-08-19T17:37:00.001-07:002012-08-20T05:56:52.089-07:00

Ayden Anderson starts kindergarten today! Ahhh! I can't believe it. He came to visit Josh and I in Chicago before he had to get serious about his first year of school. We're pretty sure he had a blast. According to Ayden, the most fun thing he did on his vacation was ride the bus and ride the train. I talked to him this morning, and he told me in a sad voice, "I haven't been able to ride on a

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-56420330155094917842012-08-15T06:36:00.001-07:002012-08-15T06:36:35.791-07:00

It's Shark Week on the Discovery Channel!! Who's excited? Do you know anyone who has been attacked by a shark? I do! My dad - 12 years ago! If you haven't already heard, here's the story. His story is usually on one of the shark attack survivor episodes, so keep your eye out. Yesterday, Josh ran across a house in our neighborhood that had a bed sheet hanging on the front porch that said "

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-26463158505309994362012-08-13T07:37:00.000-07:002012-08-13T07:37:24.037-07:00

Our favorite 5-year old came to visit us in Chicago last week! (Oh, and my brother came too.)  We had so much fun giving our nephew, Ayden, his first experience in a 'big city.' Ayden may have been more excited about his travel experience - his first plane ride (that he remembers), his first train ride, and his first bus ride - than visiting Josh and I. So, we thought it would be fitting to take

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-14601261314386169502012-08-07T09:13:00.000-07:002012-08-07T09:13:57.801-07:00

I got this watch for Christmas last year, and have loved it. The watch face is huge - my favorite part. The price is great too.  I'm telling you all of this because, I just saw that Timex has made an all gold version, and I love it too.

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-21327078856889361582012-08-05T19:18:00.001-07:002012-08-06T07:52:02.773-07:00

Josh and I have loved watching the Olympics. I feel like we are long overdue for a summer games, because during the 2008 Olympics, we got married and honeymooned, and totally missed them. (Our 4-year anniversary was last week.) Which sport is your favorite? Mine is synchronized diving. I have been so interested in how the diver's bathing suits and the gymnast's leotards stay perfectly in

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-15228460972832587322012-07-27T09:43:00.000-07:002012-07-27T09:43:36.443-07:00

I have been making lots of blueberry mint slushes this summer. They are so refreshing. Here is what I do: 3/4 pint blueberries 10 fresh mint leaves 1 tray of ice cubes club soda for spritz sugar to taste blend until slushy. add sugar to taste. garnish with mint leaves and whole blueberries. makes 2 slushes. enjoy!

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-12419306986173124672012-07-26T07:19:00.001-07:002012-07-26T07:19:52.267-07:00

Do you have a library card? I would bet that most people of my generation (without kids) don't because we have access to knowledge and entertainment in so many other fashions. I registered for a library card when we moved to Chicago, because the library offers so many great perks. Not only books, but audiobooks, music, movies and even FREE museum passes that you can check-out for a week. Now that

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-9633420576991131202012-07-25T05:02:00.000-07:002012-07-25T05:02:22.676-07:00

Have you seen Wes Anderson's latest, Moonrise Kingdom? Josh and I saw it this weekend and highly recommend that you put it on your must see list! I love Wes Anderson - always artful and perfectly humorous.

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-71283930528426636302012-07-24T05:03:00.002-07:002012-07-24T05:03:39.169-07:00

So in love with this wedding gown from J.Crew. I think that this might be my choice if I were getting married again (to the same guy, of course.) The J.Crew wedding line only had four wedding gowns when I was in the market (almost 4 years ago), and now they have so many choices at great prices. During my dress search, I ordered one, and loved receiving such a huge and special package, and then

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-25301513558988293582012-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:002012-07-23T05:00:21.657-07:00

Remember this dining table that Josh and I found beside our dumpster a few weeks ago? Well, we started our update last weekend. We decided to temporarily keep the base and paint it, until we find a more permanent solution. My trusty assistant, Josh, spray-primed and spray-painted the base. Check out that 'Caution Yellow' color - I love it! We also sanded the wood table top, and

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-81138198989522551612012-07-20T18:13:00.003-07:002012-07-20T18:13:53.073-07:00

Check out this graffiti mapping Beijing's hutongs. I love it. I like remembering Josh and I wondering down the hutongs of Beijing together. See our trip to China here and here.

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-40322251672424593302012-07-13T05:27:00.000-07:002012-07-13T05:27:27.754-07:00

I got this skirt for my birthday this year, and I LOVE it! I've worn it all summer. It just went on sale online at JCrew. I think you should get it too!

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-8370801754097726552012-07-12T11:47:00.002-07:002012-07-12T11:48:36.008-07:00

here When we moved to Chicago, we made a decision to become a one-car family. Sadly, that meant that I had to give up my beloved Mini. We decided to keep Josh's truck for a number of reasons - he is the one that drives to work (outside of the city), better in the snow, no payment, etc. etc. The question is... how are we adjusting to being a one car family? GREAT! I love not driving. I

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-15945160428012189582012-07-11T05:13:00.002-07:002012-07-11T05:13:59.588-07:00

Do you ever get in a routine of cooking the same things every week and get bored with your food? This definitely happens to Josh and I. Recently, I subscribed to daily recipes e-mails from Everyday Food with Sarah. I love her quick, easy, and interesting recipes that usually require ingredients that I already have. She has inspired us to switch things up a little bit, and try new recipes. I tried

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-18183133055427396862012-07-06T06:26:00.002-07:002012-07-06T06:26:56.777-07:00

Wouldn't a hat be the most fun gift to receive? It would be such an unexpected present, and so special wrapped in a beautiful hatbox. Goorin Brothers, a great shop in our neighborhood has the best hats, and fun descriptions of each hats significance. I can imagine buying one of their designs for each of my girlfriends or guyfriends, and especially a few for myself. P.S. During my wedding

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-90285189080914908262012-07-05T08:13:00.002-07:002012-07-05T08:13:44.640-07:00

I was walking our dogs a few nights ago, and found this table beside our dumpster. I ran inside to get a second opinion from Josh, and we both decided that we should make this dumpster gem ours. We have never owned a great dining table, only a college hand-me-down that we keep covered with a tablecloth because it is so ugly (seen here). Our find is a 48" diameter, 2" thick solid wood tabletop,

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6029041003022775246.post-65529260262892291732012-07-04T07:50:00.000-07:002012-07-04T08:49:52.452-07:00

here Happy Independence Day! We can't believe that we will actually be celebrating the 4th of July this year, even if it is a weird middle of the week holiday. I have always worked here, since I was old enough, and poor Josh has too, since we started dating. We don't quite know what to do with ourselves. Our plan is to swim at our new favorite lake spot, eat an all-American dinner, and

Laura Lee McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531725688852058025noreply@blogger.com0