Chicago Institute of Art Modern Wing and No to Terzo Piano

Photo by Stephen Johnson

Photo by Stephen Johnson

Well, we made a quick trip to Chicago. It was a fairly major shopping adventure with a few moments of viewing Venetian Nights (fireworks and lighted boat parade) from my sister and brother-in-laws place across from Millennium Park. We also made sure that we made it to the Modern Wing of the Chicago Institute of Arts. It was incredible! Great architecture and wonderful art. There were enough famous pieces sprinkled amongst some innovate works produced for the museum. All the artworks is presented in a simply designed, innovated piece of architecture.

We had one disappointment--it was Terzo Piano. This is a stunning restaurant made of mostly windows that overlook Millennium Park. There are several pieces of stone art inside this restaurant that can be touched, sat on ,etc. The food was 6/10 ; staff was a 0/10; view and atmosphere: 10/10

I am not sure what exactly happened, but my daughter (who is 12) ordered a flat bread pizza and ended up with an antipasti plate. This could have been simply resolved, but my husband said something and the waitress left saying "what a jerk". More importantly, the waitress made my daughter feel just horribly--accusing her of not remembering what she ordered. Maybe she was confused because the menu was partly in Italian--am I in Italy?--I am sorry, I am not and believe me, we are far from it in this restaurant. At least when you are insulted in Italy, it is in Italian and we do not understand what they are saying.

My husband traded his lunch with my daughter, but neither were still happy with the food. My husband even said something to the manager. We received 10% off our bill and my daughter's meal was free. Actually, it is not the money at all. Rarely am I this unhappy that I would write about it--but, this restaurant is trying to play in the "big leagues" and having people leave who are unhappy believing that you ruined their meal, is not good for your reputation. We could not get out of there fast enough! Do not expect perfection here!

Preppy Tattoo

Every summer when I receive my lovely tax bill, I become instantly, and temporarily dedicated to using our public library, public parks, etc.

One such public park is called Rolling Hills Water Park. Actually, it is a really nice water park in a beautiful setting. It is clean, simple, and reasonably priced. I said, "hey kids, we are going to the water park for your brother's birthday". I packed up my group and we hit the wave pool, lazy river, fancy sprinkler area, etc. all for $8.00 for the day.

Since we mostly hang out at our private clubs in the summer, I had forgotten what public really means --the rules of modesty are gone.

Here are a few questions for you readers, and these are not meant to be mean sound, just statements from a sheltered mother of three:

Tattoos--I did not realize they were so popular. When was it acceptable for 70+ year old women have them and wear them proudly? Secondly, when did it become acceptable for severely overweight people to wear bikinis? There was not just one or two violators of this rule either. Is flaunting obesity in style? You know the saying, "love your body, and be proud of it"...well, it was in full form, and I mean full form today.

I was listening to the radio (tattoo discussion) and this woman stated that even though she has several easily visible tattoos, people should not judge her and we all need look inside of her. Well, I am sorry....if you choose this path, you will be judged and categorized the rest of your life. You rarely see tattoos on successful business leaders, politicians, etc.(unless they are a little off).

Remember girls, when you are pledging that sorority and in weak moment a group thinks it would be fun to put those Greek letters on your ankle, think again. Of course, Kappas would never do this.

Preppy Madras Yoga Ball

Cape Madras Yoga Ball-$240

Princess Camp & Cinderella Cakes

All pictures are from Flickr

PRINCESS CAMP

About 5 years ago, my 10 year old daughter started a Princess Camp. Twenty-four girls come every year (mostly neighborhood girls without really marketing the camp). There are crafts, a camp song, a show, dress-up day, games, Ariel's beach day, etc. It is a precious week for my daughters, their friends, and these little girls.

SUMMER BUSINESS

This camp also helps my daughters and their friends run a business. They set schedules, manage receivables, expenses, manage employees, etc. One day this year, we are going to a gardens where there is a fairy hollow and the children will make fairy houses and play games around the beautiful flowers in the Arboretum.

CAKES!

Being a cake perfectionist, meaning, I always strive to find the perfect cake for each special occasion. With this in mind, I think every little girl should have at least one Barbie Cake in her life time--I remember a friend of my mom's made me one in honor of my dance recital. My girls have had a Snow White, Cinderella, etc. as well as many fabulous, designer cakes too. Here are some examples of Cinderella theme cakes and the coveted Barbie Cake.

A Sunny Room! Have a great weekend

FUNERALS

Andy Warhol

Sad,sad news. A friend of my 15 year old daughter lost her father to cancer last week. About three days later, her brother tragically committed suicide. What a sad situation and I wish I knew how to help them.

One of the lessons I have learned in my life is...I always try to go to funerals and if I cannot make the funeral, I really try to go to the visitation. It is never fun, but I always try to go. I usually send flowers and try to send over food to the home too.

My grandfather's funeral had about 200 people and my grandmother's funeral had about 80 people. I know she was actually loved by many, but she survived them all. It was so important to my family and me to know that others valued her life too. This is why I go to funerals.

My rules are simple:

If you are a friend and have lost someone close, I am there. Even if you are not a close friend but are involved in my life or my child's life, I am there...period. It means so much to your friends and family that you were there supporting them.

What are your thoughts on attending funerals?

New Laws of Casual Style

Animals make the best logos. Match the logo with the brand. A. Polo; B. Penguin; C. Lacoste; D. Brooks Brothers; E. American Eagle; F. Vineyard Vines

ANSWERS: 1-C, 2-E, 3-D, 4-F, 5-A, 6-B

This is an article that was published in Esquire Magazine Feb. 2008 and I pulled a few highlights out (renumbered). It was written for men but many of the concepts apply to women too.

The (New) Laws of Casual Style

Put down the blue button-down, step away from the Crocs, and open your closet. We need to talk.

1. When in doubt: a white oxford shirt.

2. There is a name for men who can pull off wearing sports jerseys. They’re called professional athletes.

3. A rugby shirt is the most masculine thing a man can wear.

4. The 1950s and 60s were the high points of casual. Everything before and after was hit-or-miss.

5. Fitted is good. Snug is dicey. Tight is just wrong.

6. Hemp clothes are great. If you want to smoke them.

7. Khaki pants will look and feel their best approximately two weeks before disintegrating.

8. The man who imparts opinions via T-shirt has neither the intelligence to form a cogent opinion nor the good sense to keep it to himself.

9. Everything looks better with age. Except for white T-shirts. Those look best new.

10. The Professor was the best-dressed man on Gilligan’s Island, followed by Gilligan, Thurston Howell III, and the Skipper. Oh, and for what it’s worth, Ginger. By God, Ginger.

11. Articles of clothing that you can dress up: polo shirts, khaki shorts, blue jeans, white sneakers, and, for Texans, cowboy hats and boots.

12. Articles that you can never dress up: sports jerseys, track pants, wifebeaters, Birkenstocks, and flip-flops.

13. Cotton is the universal language of casual clothing. Wear it anywhere and you’ll fit right in.

14. Sweatpants are for sick days, couch surfing, and light exercise. For anything else, throw on a pair of jeans and get on with it.

15. Velour: no.

16. Never wear more than two denim items at a time. Scratch that: Never wear more than one denim item at a time, and make sure it’s not a vest.

17. To our knowledge, tank drivers never wore tank tops. If they did, we might like them better.

18. Khaki is a color. Chinos are a pair of pants. Know the difference but feel free to use the terms interchangeably.

19. The more expensive a restaurant’s entrées, the less comfortable you will feel in jeans. Unless, of course, you could buy the restaurant, in which case you can get away with anything you want.

20. No one you work with should ever see your toes or your nipples. Please dress accordingly.

21. Remove the brass buttons from your store-bought sport coat and replace them with buttons from a fancy golf club. It will annoy the hell out of the club’s (real) members.

22. The best jeans have five pockets. The best khakis have four. Anything more or less and you’re asking for trouble. Oh, and 1998 called: It wants its cargo pants back.

23. Unless he’s a chef, a gardener, or a jolly fat man from Holland, no one should ever wear clogs in his daily life. Same goes for Crocs.

24. Speaking of: We’re not sure what Americans did to deserve Crocs, but whatever it was, we’re sorry. We’re really, really sorry.

25. If you see the words “Barbecue,” “Come as you are,” “Bring the kids,”or “BYO” on an invitation, dress casually. When in doubt, bring a navy-blue blazer.

26. Berets: no. Not in Paris, France, and especially not in Paris, Texas.

27. The overlap between active sportswear and casual party attire should be kept to an absolute minimum. Leave the neon shirts and pants for the links, the white tennis shorts to the courts, and the swimsuit at the pool.

28. There’s no harm in letting yourself go, so long as you’re never more than an hour away from pulling yourself together.

29. A hood knocks ten years off your age and twenty points off your IQ.

30. Sunglasses don’t belong on top of your head, folded into the neck of your shirt, or hanging around your neck by some nylon cord. If you have to remove them, hold them or put them on a table. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE FOR ANOTHER 30 or so laws.

ESTY-Myrtle and LLoyd

by Esty: Myrtle and Lloyd

Preppy Plaid Notes-Great for Our Guys

Three Wheels Designs

Happy Independence Day!

One of my favorite memories is my son Trip's 1st birthday party. His birthday is July 6th so you can see where we found our theme. Here is my daughter Caroline in her smocked flag dress (my three children had smocked flag outfits). Happy Fourth of July!

JIMMY CHOO-HUNTER WELLIES

I am not sure what to think.....

Jimmy Choo

Fortnum and Mason

(cleaver and cute)

Kate Spade Reading Glasses