if i were to dress up like a princess for halloween...

I think this dress would do the trick. Marchesa Fall 2011, from here and here. Maybe Kate would lend me her fab tiara. If not, it looks like I can get one at Sears!

For cool Halloween decor and tables, check out this Sweet Paul shoot (pgs 116-123).

well branded- cowshed

I was in Miami last week and managed to snag a decent rate at the Miami Beach Soho House through Jetsetter. Loved the bath and body products by their Cowshed Spa. Named after the original occupants of the first outpost of the spa in Somerset, England, the products are plant based, contain no "nasties" and are also quite attractively packaged. Really cute. Their online "mood indicator" says I am a knackered cow and I do not disagree!

apples and falling leaves

Its suddenly brisk outside and the trees are getting ready for another Chicago winter. Have been so inspired by the pretty, swirling red and gold leaves and the bushels and bushels of apples at the farmers market that I combined the two. Old-Fashioned Apple Pie recipe from this month's Food & Wine. Really simple, just dough and apples with cinnamon and nutmeg. I used leftover crust dough and a fun cutter to make the decorative leaves.
*Photos by my personal photographer/husband.

liking alot

I am in to how organically textural these plates and serving pieces are. From West Elm.

cultivate chicago

Cultivate Chicago held its first ever festival of food stars, artisanal eats, local beers, and music in Lincoln Park. Chefs like Richard Blais, winner of Top Chef All Stars, and local food hero Paul Virant, of Perennial Virant, did cooking demos with local food producers. The festival was free to enter and you could purchase tastes of everything from artisanal coffee to blueberry upside down cake to pork tostadas to Great Lakes Brewery beers. The festival had 16,000 people in attendance throughout the day and raised $50,000 for FamilyFarmed.org, a non-profit that works with farmers to build local food systems. It was run by Chipotle's Cultivate Foundation, who's mission is to help create a more sustainable and healthful food supply. Really fun!