Flex Watches

Flex watches has created 10 different colored watches. Each color represents 1 of 10 charities in which 10 percent of your purchase will go towards (the 10-10-10 standard).

While the money is being put to good use, the main reason for the watches is to promote awareness of each charity. 

By simply buying and wearing a watch, you too can contribute to the success of the 10 charities.

The black watch supports LHON- an organization that helps people who are affected by spontaneous blindness, which occurs to about 100 people each year in the US.

source: buy here

The blue watch supports Nika Water- a charity that helps bring clean water and sanitization to the world's poor. 100% of proceeds go to Nika.

source: buy here

The gray watch supports the Imerman Angels charity. This organization matches those who are fighting cancer, with someone who has already won the battle. 

source: buy here

The green watch supports the Be Perfect Foundation- a charity that provides funds to people who have endured spinal cord injuries and financially cannot afford a full recovery. 

source: buy here

The light blue watch supports The Living Memoir, which is a forum about suicide awareness, but was initially started so people could talk about the past, be present in the now, and talk about the future.

source: buy here

The orange watch supports the St. Bernard Project, which builds homes for Hurricane Katrina victims.

source: buy here

The pink watch supports the Keep-A-Breast foundation, which hopes to get rid of breast cancer altogether through methods of prevention. During the month of October, an extra $5 will be donated to the charity by Flex Watches.

source: buy here

The red watch supports Mariner's Outreach, which provides mostly food needs to the poor in Mexico.

source: buy here

The white watch supports Life Rolls On- a charity that encourages young people with spinal cord injuries to be active despite paralysis.

source: buy here

The yellow watch supports the APDA, which donates huge amounts of money for Parkinson's research every year.

source: buy here

The watches are sold in mini and a regular size, which are slightly different. 

The cost of each watch is $40.

The bands are interchangeable, so you can start by purchasing any watch and when you're sick of the color, pick up a different colored band for $15. 

You can also purchase rubber bracelets for $5 or a t-shirt for $25 to raise awareness of Flex Watches.

Please contribute to one of these excellent charities, or at least get the word out about them. I'm off to get the black one...

XX

Portillo's

In 1963 in Villa Park, Dick Portillo opened up a rinky dink hot dog stand called The Dog House.
He used a garden hose for running water and had no bathroom.
Fast forward nearly 50 years, he changed the name and now has a few dozen locations around the Windy City, California, and Indiana.
I travelled back to Chicago this week, so I stopped in to judge the food for myself.

I went with the jumbo chili cheese dog...

And the jumbo hot dog...

For the full menu go here.
The menu is full of chicken, salads, and sandwiches, but it's a hot dog stand, so I'll stay true.
I can already see myself gaining hot dog weight. I'd go for a million more of each of these in the future.
The service is excellent. They get you in and out without pushing or rushing.

If you're in the area, check out one of the Portillo's locations.

X

Carson

I've mentioned him before, but my favorite four-legged friend has been by my side for the past week.
While J and I have to be living in separate parts of the country for a while, I've been staying with my new bff, Carson.
He was a stray that came wandering into my brother's yard. He couldn't take care of him, so my Mom took him in.
He's been the sweetest, most lovable little guy since day 1.
He loves playing in leaves, eating all of my favorite non-edibles, and sneaking food off the counter.

Whenever I point my camera at him, he either runs around like a crazed, rabid animal, or he acts like I'm punishing him by putting his ears back and giving me the puppy dog eyes.
I'm pretty sure he's saying "why are you doing this to me???"

Because he's some sort of Beagle mix, he normally runs around with his nose to the ground, barking at all of his favorite smells (i.e. rabbits, birds, squirrels).

He's such a lover and the best 4-legged snuggler in the whole world. He curls up into the tiniest ball and pretends to be a lap dog.

I had a Beagle growing up that was a lover too. They really are the sweetest dogs... if you can get past that bark!

XX

Side note: he's a runner. For all of you thinking that's a shock collar, you're half right. It's for his invisible fence. I don't believe in using shock collars, but he would be long gone if the fence wasn't in place.

A Year Of Wishes

I haven't been avoiding you.
Life has been taking some crazy, unexpected turns, and I'm trying to keep up with it all.
J & I moved into our new (newer than the pictures I shared here) place.
We received a thoughtful housewarming gift from his side of the family that I thought was worth sharing.
They sent a "Year of Wishes" set from Red Envelope. It includes 12 candles, each with a charm inside.
We can burn a new candle each month, revealing adventure, joy, fun, wealth, etc.

Because I will be away from J for a while, I left this candle out and ready to burn.

The set even comes with little tweezers to remove the gem after the wax has burned away.
If you're interested in sending someone a little present, you can find the candles here.
Also, message me if you'd like an address to send additional gifts (I kid, I kid) ;-)

XX

Btw, I shot these photos with my new 35mm lens J got me for my birthday. I'm still learning and adjusting to it, but so far I'm in love!

Fall Fashion

The last drops of Summer are quickly slipping away, and my favorite season is just about here.
There's nothing I love more than being in an over-sized sweater and chunky socks on a cold Autumn day.
I've put together a few necessities for the upcoming season for you to check out.

Mint was one of the hottest colors for Spring, but I'm going to continue it into Fall for 2 reasons:
I love mint & I love this blazer.

Everyone needs a good trench in their lives. This one screams feminine with the front bow that I'm obsessed with.

On to the weekend looks. I love extra long jeans, boots, and sweaters. This casual/dressy look is perfect for strolling around the city on a blustery day.

The ultra casual, "I'm running to the grocery store" look is always needed. I love the simplicity of this look. This is something I could easily wriggle into every day.

And then there's the Burberry jacket. The pleats in the back sets this jacket so far above any others I've seen lately. It's pure perfection.

For those of you who are over the Aztec prints, sorry, but I'm not (yet, anyways). Now, I don't absolutely love this exact sweater, but if I happen to come across an over-sized, deliciously snuggly Aztec print, I'm going to take it home with me.

 

Knit socks! A must have for every cold day. These are perfect for wearing with boots or hanging by a fireplace.

 

My favorite thing about Fall is the smell of apples and the feeling of cool air while being snug and cozy in my warm clothes.

 

What is your must-have for this season?

 

X

Early Birthday Present

My birthday is exactly a week away. I've been shopping around for ideas to give those who always ask for them, when I came across my new loves.
Every year for my birthday, my Dad and I go shopping and we always end up getting me a new pair of shoes. Because Winter seems to last forever in my neck of the woods, I usually pick out some sort of boot.
This year while pre-shopping for the big daddy/daughter day, I came across a clearanced out pair of leather Aldo booties that I knew wouldn't be on the shelf for long.
I couldn't wait a few more weeks and let someone else get the (slightly too large) boots of my dreams! I justified the size by saying I'd wear socks with them, and I will do just that.

 

 

They are my newest go-to shoe that I will be sporting all around Chi-Town this fall/winter.

I've been stuck inside studying and in class, so they haven't made their outside debut.

That doesn't mean I haven't been strutting my stuff down the catwalk *ahem* hallway in them.

 

Any new boots for you this year or are you sticking to your deliciously comfortable UGGS from last year?

 

X

Football Widow

I know there are a lot of women out there who can sympathize with me.
Every September, I'm left fending for myself on Saturdays.
Unless, of course, it's a bye week.

Here is a glimpse into what my family room looks like in the Fall.

It includes intense game watching by J and Brutus, beer, snacks, and of course, The Ohio State.
Wish me luck for yet another cold, windy Autumn all alone.
What are you a widow of? Video games, sports, work?

X

Veggies & Soup

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to put lunch or dinner on the table, look no further.
Tomatoes soaked in balsamic vinegar, a couple cans of soup, and grilled sugar snap peas & green beans.
Not only is it fast as lightning to prepare, it's full of vitamins and health benefits too!

 J opted for New England Clam Chowder, while I went for Wolfgang Puck's Tortilla soup.
We used a George Foreman grill to cook the beans and peas to perfection.
I sliced up some Roma tomatoes, placed them in a bowl, and saturated them with balsamic vinegar.

With all the fiber in the veggies, you'll be full before you know it.
Everything is prepared before you can say healthy food, and you'll enjoy it too.
Then you can brag about how healthy you were... for a meal ;-)

X

Zia's At The Docks

Zia's holds a special place in my heart.
Not only was it the place J and I had our first date, but it's also where we got engaged.
I'm always game when anyone suggests dining there.
The Docks is a strip of Toledo's nicest restaurants with waterfront property.
You don't need to dress fancy, but some people do. Casual-nice clothing is appropriate.
The inside is decorated with clothes lines, garlic cloves, and wine bottles.
Although it's very unique and quaint, my favorite place to eat is under an umbrella watching the boats sail by.

The fresh bread with olive butter is complimentary, endless, and addictive.
It never gets wasted when I'm at the table.

The appetizer of the week was Pera Ripiene con Ricotta e Pancetta.
It's a poached pear stuffed with applewood smoked bacon, ricotta cheese and fresh herbs, finished with sweet port wine reduction.
Need I say more?

For my dinner drink I went with the Zia's Red Sangria.
It's a perfect mixture of coconut rum, orange juice, cranberry juice and dry red wine with a cherry on top.

For our main course we ordered the Pizza Zia's.
Smothered with all fresh ingredients including tomato, olives, onion, sausage, and cheese, this thin crust pizza is to die for.
It comes with no sauce (apparently that's how Pizza is done in Italy), but we got half and half.
The pizza is supposed to feed 4-6 people. Yeah.... maybe 4 if we're lucky ;)

They serve pizza with an optional spicy oil.
I believe it's olive oil with crushed red pepper and rosemary.
It packs just the right amount of punch.

We finished our dinner and thought it was a good idea to walk some of it off.
We took to the docs to watch captains and their crew tie up to eat.

You can find more information about Zia's here.

X