a little getaway...

// chicago here we come! photo's via //

i am too excited! the fireman and i are leaving for Chicago tomorrow!!! yippppy! our birthday{s} are two weeks apart, so we try and take a little trip (just the two of us) to celebrate! with Christmas right around the corner we attempt to not do birthday gifts... but it actually never seems to work. remember what i got him?! those a-ma-zing Red Wing boots! which {i'm hoping} will be perfect for the cold Chicago weather. AND he already gave me my gift (!)... a new point & shoot camera to always have on me... ya know, in case of an emergency photo-montage!! duh! both are great gifts for our chilly but adventurous trip to Chi-Town! whoop whoop! NOW... if i could only finish our packing!!! oh yeah that's right, i pack for the fireman too. lucky guy! so here is how to pack for a vacation... at least a little system that works for me!

collage via

i have all the items {checked in pink} packed... now i just need to help out with our restaurant eating & yummy beer drinking to-do list! the fireman already has the wishlist started (yay!). i know it may sound a tad bit glutinous, but those are the only two things on our Chicago to-do list! oh, and to relax! eat, drink, & relax! 

{i can't wait!}

a {vintage} treasure hunt...

VIN⋅TAGE  [vin-tij]  
adjective
representing the high quality of a past time; being the best of its kind.

i am so excited {first} because it's Friday and {second} because this sunday i'll be treasure hunting at fabulous Flea Market! VINTAGE BABY! my favorite flea market (in the whole-wide-world) takes places on the third Sunday of every month... and since i missed it last month, i am SO looking forward to going this Sunday! yay! do remember when i went the last time? i scored some pretty great little pieces (see photo's here), but this time i am going with a wonderful girlfriend who appreciates the vintage just as much as i do. so we'll grab our HUGE lattes, throw on our (most-under-the-radar) sun hats, and treasure hunt till our hearts are content! yippppy! here's my Flea Market Grocery List...

*what's on your calender?? decorating your home for Halloween? or maybe taking some time to catch up with a good book??

my Flea Market shopping {wish} list:

my fingers are crossed... hopefully they'll have eveything on my list... for a good price. eek!

1. milk glass cake stand- i've always wanted a funky cake stand... and i love anything made with milk glass.

2. silver horns- the fireman has real wall horns from a deer (he hunted) last year... he's been hinting to put them up in the house, so i'm taking baby steps. silver first... the real deal next!

3. painted pitcher- i love collecting different size & shape vases... a hand painted pitcher would be perfect!

4. storage cart- i would love to have this in my office for storage and a masculine touch. if i found a wood cart i would have no excuse but to paint my chunky desk white and have the WOOD + WHITE look we talked about here.

5. printed rug- i'd love to cover a rectangle ottoman with a vintage printed rug. i think it would add even more vintage flare into my living room.

6. silver trimmed horn- i need these! i can just imagine a bundle of light pink peonies sitting perfectly in these funky horns. and the silver trim is perfection.

7. vintage plates- the most important aspect of this (plate collection) is that they need to each be onesies. over the past year (or so) i've been collecting onesie vintage plates. i'd love to have close to 12 plates by Thanksgiving. it's just my thing... and i love it!

8. printed fabric- the fireman and i bought a white textured couch this year... so i've been playing around with different prints in the room. it's like wearing a white t-shirt with a few fabulous necklaces layered on top! love.

i hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

xo... the gal