What I wore Wednesday

Chicago was (seriously!!) 98 degrees today, with a heat index of 105. When I woke up this morning, all I could think of was...what is the least amount of clothes I can wear that is work appropriate? So I decided to wear a summer dress that may, or may not be too formal for work. Shucks, I got lots of compliments so I may have to wear more dresses, more often. 

I found this gem at Banana Republic a few years ago and only wore it once before today. I'm so happy I wore it again!!!!

I'm also psyched because I just took my first ballet class in 4 years! I took a novice class and stayed the intermediate class afterwards.  It's a little intense wearing a leotard for 3 hours, but I got used to it, again. It felt phenomenal to stretch and dance and to feel the burn.

Barre work was fun. I hope I looked like this....

Source: maryruffle.tumblr.com via Sally on Pinterest

I did a little bit of this... probably didn't look this flexible...

Source:

href='http://curiositykillingkitties.tumblr.com/post/3198842502'>curiositykillingkitties.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

After all that sweating, I'd love to go swimming but I think I'll wait for it to cool down!

Source: pencarlsonblog.com via Maggie on Pinterest

By the way, here's a little more summer inspriration for the Seattlites who don't have any sun...

My parents before kids

Sailing the Goshawk 1976 in Puget Sound, Washington

Yukon Summer 1976

Summer 1976 -Alaska Ferry From Seattle to Skagway -Chilkoot Trail to Yukon

My amazing husband's amazing cooking!

I gave my husband a fun cookbook called, Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking, for Christmas and I'm so happy that I did. 

Source: amazon.com via Emily on Pinterest

 Tonight, Mr. F made mussels in fennel pernod broth. It was delicious and we ate almost two pounds of mussels! I also love the smell of licorice from the pernod!

A few weeks ago, Mr. F made scallops with cilantro oil. Until this year, I had no idea that I love scallops. Thank you Emeril and Mr. F for introducing me to more seafood! It is so awesome and healthy!! 

Since we are on a healthy kick, we're trying not to eat simple carbs, except on Saturday. For breakfast, Mr. F made fried eggs with cilantro, tomatoes, and sweet peppers on a pita. Yum!

We've been eating more shrimp recently too. I used to think that I hated it but it's actually quite tasty when prepared well. My husband likes to use Emeril's Essence Creole seasoning on nearly everything and it's sooo tasty, especially with shrimp, fresh avocado, black beans and Mexican queso blanco.

My favorite recipe is fried okra (with olive oil, salt and pepper), creole pork chops and creole white beans. 

If you like cooking, or are lucky to have a chef in the house, check out this wonderful cookbook!

Harry Potter facts

I've decided I'm watching all 7 Harry Potter movies before seeing the last one. It's also fun looking up trivia from IMDB.com! Here are some of my favorite facts.


Richard Harris only agreed to take the part of Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) after his then 11-year-old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he didn't.

Source: imdb.com via Emily on Pinterest

The last name Dumbledore means "Bumblebee" in Old English.


The Hogwarts motto, "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus" means "never tickle a sleeping dragon".


Two Persian red cats were used for the role of Crookshanks: Crackerjack and Pumpkin. 

Source: harrypotter.wikia.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: thestylistsite.com via Katie on Pinterest

The design of the large clock which functions as a visual motif in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban appears to be based on the Old Town Clock (also called the "Orloj" - pronounced "OR-LOY") in Prague, Czech Republic. The Orloj tells not only the time, but shows the month, the sign of the Zodiac, and shows the relative positions of the moon and sun.

In one of the first takes of Hermione's "Cinderella moment", Emma Watson actually tripped in that fancy dress and fell down the stairs.

The radish earrings worn by Luna Lovegood were actually made by Evanna Lynch (the actress portraying her).

Source: imdb.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: imdb.com via Emily on Pinterest

Wow...I've watched all of the movies more than once... Check out more facts on zimbio.

Pretty Pinning Post with Polka Dots

I'm feeling a little under the weather, I think I ate a bad breakfast sandwich at Dunkin Donuts, so I'm lounging today on the couch. Here's what I'm looking at on Pinterest!

Source: etsy.com via Kim - on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Anne-Julie on Pinterest

Source: beautyineverything.com via Victoria on Pinterest

Source: tokketok.com via Kyra on Pinterest

Source: french-knot.tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

For the love of a cupcake...

I will run 3 miles! 

 On Sunday afternoon, Mr. F and I ran intervals before indulging in delicious reuben sandwiches and cupcakes at a cute deli down the street. If that wasn't enough exercise already, we ended up walking another 4 miles (roundtrip) to a wine tasting at Lush.

Tonight, we ran from our house to the Sheffield neighbor to go to DMK burger bar. The parmesan and truffle creme fries were worth the 3 miles! They have an amazing menu! 

Check the awesome review and menu pictures on Jeff Eats Chicago blog.

We love running to lunch and/or dinner. We call it "negative calories". What's your favorite summer exercise?

I'm dreaming of a farm wedding (for someone else)

We sadly do not have any summer wedding to attend, so I'm dreaming of a farm wedding. I think it would be fun to help one of my sisters with planning. :) Here are some ideas I have so far:

Cute farm wedding invitations:

Source: minted.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Haybale seats:

Source: loveloansandlinen.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

A cool pre-wedding walk picture:

Source: oncewed.com via Emily on Pinterest

A neat idea for a farm table:

Source: bloom-magazine.eu via Leah on Pinterest

Do you have any ideas for a farm wedding?

Pink Pinterest posting fun!

Ballet pink is my favorite color today! Here are some of my favorite Pinterest posts of today too.

Source: apileofstyle.com via Emily on Pinterest

I wish I knew where to find a dress similar to Rachel Bilson's pretty pink gown. I love the color, the sleeves, and her gorgeous hair. My hair dreams of looking like hers.

Source: whisk-kid.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I think this secret garden is the perfect place to eat pink grapefruit cupcakes and wear a pink princess gown.

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: wishflowers.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: delicate-eternity.tumblr.com via Golden on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Christi on Pinterest

All this pink reminds me of the last scene from Sleeping Beauty!

Source: tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest