Sarah

It's been about a week since I have last posted and much has happened. I was preparing to do a post reviewing the town and eateries of St. Joseph, Michigan due to my recent vacationing there. I was also preparing to post about the various cuts, styles, and modern wearability of an all black outfit with splashes of color. I was preparing to post a scone recipe. This week was going to be laden with some good posts, until yesterday morning.

Whenever you get a phone call, email or text starting with, "Did you hear about..." it's almost guaranteed to never be good news. That's exactly how I found out about Sarah.

A mere 25 years old with a heart of gold, brilliant mathematical mind, and laughter that could be heard for miles, Sarah certainly left an imprint on whomever she met. She was always bubbling over with contagious energy that you couldn't help but get a smile when she was around. Even if you had only crossed paths once, you remembered her.

It was certainly a pleasure living on the same floor as Sarah, especially when I was absolutely miserable everyday due to my pregnancy. She would always check in on me, make sure I was doing okay or if I needed anything. When the university so lovingly kicked me off campus because I was a "liability", Sarah ensured my presence was more than welcome on the floor as I carefully walked the line between life and death every day. She was always there to help and support those around her.

Despite her medical condition, Sarah never let it get in her way. She was athletic. She was active. She was, most importantly, infectiously joyous. She was comfortable with herself - her uber-energy, her nerdiness, her love for running, her compassion for others - it all totaled up to a fantastic person.

All she wanted to do was teach Math. I'm so very glad she got the opportunity to do so before she was taken so early. We've all had those teachers who had a spark, who loved their subject matter with an undying passion that once you stepped in to their classroom somehow, in someway, you ended up loving it too. Although I've never been in her classroom, I can guarantee she was one of those teachers that turned students' fear in to appreciation. There are so many students that are going to miss out on that opportunity. There are so many parents that will miss out on knowing a teacher that will truly influence their children. There are so many people that are going to miss out on her laughter. She will be missed. Tremendously.

Impressions

by Ryan Jennings

A lifetime can be likened to a lonely beach of sand.

a stranger makes a mark one day, an imprint of a hand.

As time goes by the beach once clear is now a cluttered field

of memories and keep-sakes of the ones that we hold dear.

Time does its best to wash away remembrances of those -

the ones we never meant to meet - the ones we never chose.

But as through some odd twist of fate these are the ones we cherish.

The time we spend with these such friends, will never, ever perish.

Sarah Renee Walker, March 9, 1986- July 25, 2011

Marinated Tomatoes

Living in Chicago's South Side Suburbia, we lack one essential piece to the white picket dream: a yard. Instead, we have a section of blacktop that used to be a dog run and car storage.

 Now, through a process of cleaning and planning we have a decent patio with herb garden.

It's a great place to sit, eat, relax, grill, play - you name it. The most exciting part for me has been the various aromas coming from our plants as you walk the fence perimeter. The smell of basil, thyme, cilantro, and oregano permeate their own sections of the air. What has surprised me the most is the acute smeller my five year old has. I can break open a mint or cilantro leaf and he can tell me exactly what it is. It's amazing.

With having an array of fresh herbs at my disposal, I've been taking full advantage of it. We're huge tomato fans in my family so I decided to marinate some cherry tomatoes and MAN were they delicious. Throw 'em on a salad, a Boboli, some crackers - whatever you'd like. These will be full of flavor and add depth to whatever you're eating.

Whatcha need:

12 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
few tablespoons evoo
tablespoon or so red wine vinegar (can you tell I eyeball things alot?)
salt
pepper
and let's not forget... the herrrrbbsss

6 large leaves sweet basil

1.5 inch bunch spicy globe basil

3 three inch sprigs oregano

2 three inch sprigs thyme

Dice up all the herbs and toss everything in a bowl. Let it sit for about half an hour and ba da bing!  Throw in some mozzarella if you want a pseudo-caprese salad, pair with spinach and feta, or the always great Boboli. And don't ditch that marinade! It makes a great salad dressing.

Happy eating! ; D

Me, Being Wrong.

Relax my children and let me tell you a tale of a conversation that took place while I was at work yesterday.

Key points to know:

I have two awesomely retarded kids. My daughter, the infamous Doods, is 3.5 years old and autistic. My son, the king of spazz himself, is 5 years old and going through the evaluation process for ADHD. They are great kids - full of energy and humor with personalities that couldn't be more different than oil and water.

I've worked tremendously hard to ensure that my kids are in school, participating in therapies, and getting the benefits they deserve in order to reach their fullest potential.

I work in retail, so I am constantly interacting with a wide variety of clientele. More often than not, I have tremendously positive and helpful interactions with both my co-workers and customers and I pride myself on that. My goal is to help others. It's what I do.

Now.

A lady came in, I'd say late 50s with an aire of Neiman Marcus about her with a long sleeve Lauren top and full length black skirt on. Her hair was over quaffed and she had not one, but TWO briefcases hanging from her side. Wandering along behind her was a boy, about 16, carrying Mardi Gras beads and a few other choices items, singing to himself and exploring the area. He was clearly Autistic. As I walked over to her, I noticed the terror on my associates faces. Good thing I was there, otherwise this woman would've been wandering for who knows how long.

She asked for a few specific items that we didn't carry in the store. She kept after her son, giving me the apologetic look and I said, "hey, don't worry about it. I've got an Autistic daughter and son who's almost classic ADHD." She introduces herself as a Pediatric Psychiatrist who specializes in this particular area in that it is near and dear to heart. We talked for a few seconds and she asks, "Is your son on medication?"
Me: No, he's only five and...
Her: (vehemently interrupts) You're doing it wrong.
Me: (very calmly) Well, he's come a long way simply by being in school and through therapies so I'd rather...
Her: (interrupts again) No no no. You're doing it wrong. (puts hand up to stop me from talking) You're doing him a great disservice by not medicating. Now listen, there's a real chemical imbalance there and he will not succeed. In school, the others with go right past him and he will learn nothing. You're doing it wrong. Here's my card, feel free to call me whenever you're ready.
Me: (calmly) Well, what you're looking for could be found either at, possibly, Talbot's in the Mall, Nordstrom's located in Oakbrook, or Neiman Marcus downtown. Sorry I couldn't help you further today, good luck!

aannnd scene.

The sheer audacity of a professional to straight out tell someone "You are doing it wrong" over a controversial issue such as medicating young children was abhorrent. You know, if I ignored the fact that my children had special needs I'd be doing it wrong. If I fed them nothing but fast food and soda, I'd be doing it wrong. If I smoke or drank while I was pregnant, took them with me to see R-rated movies at eleven o'clock at night, or grocery shopping at midnight - THEN you could tell me I'm doing it wrong. If getting them in school, getting them evaluated, getting them in to therapy, providing them with the tools for success and deciding to wait until most of the hormonal changes are done to think about medication is wrong? Then, baby, I don't want to be right.

Sadly, her business card went through the wash so I don't have her name any more. However, thankfully for the interwebs I was able to track her down. Interestingly, Dr. Faranza Khan is the President (and as far as I can find only employee) of Illiana Psychiatric Associates, Inc. located 9128 Columbia Ave # A, Munster, IN 46321-2547 has only a 1.5 out of 5 star rating on HealthGrades.com. I scowered and couldn't locate any credentials. Also, on MerchantCircle she advertises:

Hello! Illiana Psychiatric Assoc Inc is in business in East Chicago, IN, and is interested in doing business with you. Contact Illiana Psychiatric Assoc Inc to request a deal, get a coupon or to do business. 


Surprise? Not to me. The focus on "doing business" versus helping speaks volumes. Who's heard of Counseling Coupons? I wonder if you're schizophrenic if she'll give you a two for one deal.


If you want people who are serious about what they do, go to where people matter. Comer's Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago is a fantastic place. They really take care of your kids and encourage you every step of the way. They've got a great team of doctors in every department that will educate you and provide you with tools for your children to grow and succeed. In a few weeks we will be headed to the Alexian Brothers campus for my son's evaluation so I can let you know how that goes.

Morals of the Story: Be aware of who you are and who you are talking to. Always do your research. Be nice. And sometimes, it's okay to be wrong.

Oh, golly gee damn!

"Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot." - Holly, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Recognize that lady? Of course you do. That's Hollywood's own Audrey Hepburn. Recognize that dress? Of course you. That infamous little black dress. Know who made it? Of course you don't. But guess what? I'm going to tell you.

Imagine being ten years old, wandering wide-eyed at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris surrounded by a 28-foot sculpture of a buffalo, Picasso's "Guernica", a 500 ft high pavillion adorning an eagle and swastiska, and narrowly focusing on the outfits of the passersby. Paris was the place this young boy was destined to be. At the age of 17, he packed up and traveled back to the bustling fashion hub to learn the couturier business from Chanel's biggest rival, Elsa Shiaparelli. As modernist as Chanel was, Shiaparelli was surrealist. 

In 1952, the one and only Hubert de Givenchy launched his first luxury ready to wear line full of separates that were initially reserved for fittings only. After becoming the talk of Paris fashion, he called for Ms. Hepburn. Only not Audrey. She was a pleasant mistake which resulted in a long, profitable partnership that gave way to signature sixties style. 

After traveling the world and back, Givenchy decided to retire. In 1995, he handed the company to John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Julien Macdonald. A decade later, Riccardo Tisci took over Givenchy Femme haute couture and ready to wear collections. I must say, after reviewing the Fall 2011 and Resort 2012 collections, he is doing a damned fine job. 

So what does Givenchy have for us? Let me give your eyes a little sampling. Don't get your hopes up 'cause I'm not posting the entire Resort 2012 collection here, just a few select items that I'm hanging up in my dream closet. Try not to ogle too much.

 

I love this dress. That pseudo-military pocket on the front with it being fitted and flared in the right spots makes this a must-have in my dream closet. I would wear the fuck out of this dress with or without the shrug on top.

LOVE THIS DRESS. The print, the colors, the play on a mirrored image, the belt - to die. I want it. Then, they add THIS to it:

And I'm sold. The shrug? The bag? They will be mine. Oh yes, they will be mine. 

As the Fall 2011 Couture Collection clearly represents the multitude of upcoming celebrity weddings, I came across one that I would absolutely give my newborn child for:

And let's not neglect the back:

 It's stunning simplicity with the most intricate detailing that grabs your attention without being drawn out or gaudy is a tremendous testament to Mr. Tisci. It's easy to see past the sheerness of the material in this transient, angelic piece. It's absolutely beautiful.

AVOIDING PANDAS LIKE THE PLAGUE

And by PANDAS, I'm not referring to the autoimmune disease found in children after a bout with strep. No sir. I'm referring to this culinary catastrophe found nationwide:

Why people flock to this egregious eatery which is nothing more than a giant slap in the face to Chinese cuisine is beyond me. Now, while a wide variety of our Chinese food establishments don't make more traditional dishes such as Mapo Doufu, zongzi, or mooncakes (which, in all fairness, are a special occasion item), almost anything you order will blow Panda Express out of the water. I feel Panda Express would better served if they chose a different direction for their business:

Perhaps the idea of Express Pandas is why my five year old so enthusiastically wanted to go there. Honestly, I prefer my Pandas doing Kung Fu and being voiced by Jack Black rather than hustling gummy chicken covered in fried goo. Pandas everywhere shake their heads at the sight of Eddie and Tom-Tom as they discuss "Experiencing Pandamonium." They couldn't have been more accurate than likening eating at Panda Express to the capitol of Hell.

My husband, son and I shared a plate of chow mein, orange chicken, "wok smart" black pepper chicken, honey walnut shrimp and spring rolls. Rather I should say we shared a plate of over-starched noodles, chewy tangy fried lumps, peppered gummy pieces, sweet thawed shrimp, and over-fried flavorless Chinese taquitos. Every bite was filled with an odd texture-flavor combination. The "wok smart" Black Pepper Chicken was coated in oil and grease, so I'm curious as to how that is a healthy option. In theory, it's only 250 calories per serving. However, things always look better on paper than in actual practice. It was tremendously unsatisfying and disappointing. Their saving grace? Dr. Pepper. You can never go wrong with Dr. Pepper. After all, it's fresh and good FOR LIFE.

So where do I get my Chinese fix? Glad you asked. If you want the best Sweet and Sour anything you've ever had in your life, check out Hong Kong House Chop Suey right here in Lansing, Illinois. Hong Kong House follows a more traditional Cantonese menu and, oddly enough, their Chop Suey is pretty tasty. If you prefer a more Szechuan style, opt for the China Chef (also located right here in Lansing). China Chef does a fantastic job of blending flavors and spice in a way that won't kill all your taste buds and actually leave you full. With over a hundred Chinese restaurants in the Chicagoland area and six in our meager village alone, why would anyone bother patronizing Panda Express?

feelin' blue

I'm a giant Muppet fan. Their technicolor approach to life is one that I have always admired. It has made me aware of other people's skin tones and fully accepted my own... until now. I'd like to send a big thank you to Harpers Bazaar for making me jealous of Smurfette's radiant blue skin providing her the opportunity to model such designers as Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, and Louis Vuitton.

 Dressed in dots by Marc Jacobs. Believe it or not, these aren't just gorgeous CGI items - they are actual pieces you can purchase: Beret, $685, gloves, $400, fur bag, $4,695, socks, and shoes, $895.

Here Ms. Smurfette is all dolled up and ready to play in an outfit accessorized by D&G. This outfit is absolutely adorable! Bust out your billfold: Bag, $995, hat, $425, earrings, $225, cuff, $225, and pumps, $575. I love that hat.

The title picture where she's decked out in Lanvin will only set you back a little: Hat, $1,720, gloves, $790, cuff, $1,495, necklace, $1,485, and shoes, $1,345.

 

 Lastly we've got our blue beauty in none other than Louis Vuitton. Is it any surprise that the bag is by special order only? The hat is $1,230 and boots are $940. Love that color.  

Smurfette's one lucky girl. I'm super jealous. Then I saw these in the sidebar: 

These Chloe wedges are to die for and only cost $322. Chump change, right? I'll just place these in my dream closet alongside all my Miu Miu, Balenciaga, and numerous other designers I crave.

July Ms. Lumberlicious

 

 When I first saw the title "Ms. Lumberlicious" pop up in my news feed, I have to admit - I laughed my ass off at the pure absurdity of the title. Granted, it was for a lumberyard, but still - Lumberlicious? Upon further inspection, I found albums of Lumberlicious girls going back to October 2010. A creative advertising and marketing tool, I have to give major props to this St. Louis Lumberyard and Hardware store, they truly Do It Best. With photos advertising batteries, caulk guns, and garden lights, those Lumberlicious girls could sell me just about anything.

 

So what's so special about Ms. July? First of all, LOOK AT THOSE SHOES!

In the first picture, she's got these adorable blue sailor themed heels and here she's got some killer red heels (something every girl should have in her closet). Besides my uber shoe lust for Ms. July, how adorable is this 40s retro beauty? Dressed to kill and facial expressions that draw you in, I'd buy her hose and go for a dip in the pool she's sellin'.

Too cute. Another fantastic thing about Ms. July? She's a blogger! Combining two of my favorite worlds, burlesque and baking, Bonnie Von Voyage engages readers in The Hot and Bothered Kitchen. Not only is she eye candy, but she can make some mean sweets too. Be sure to check her out and get your wood, courtesy of Beyers Lumber and Hardware.

**Photos Courtesy of Beyers Lumber and Hardware 2010, 2011**

A TOUCH OF SWEETNESS

Cupcakes by Oh Sweetness

It's no secret: I love weddings. My absolute favorite part is seeing the groom's initial reaction upon seeing his bride walk down the aisle. To see their eyes glisten and beam with happiness always warms my heart with a feeling that is nearly unmatched.

When couples take the initiative to be creative and make their wedding experience as unique as they are truly makes wedding-going a pleasurable activity. This past weekend, I had the joy of making some 250 cupcakes for a fantastic couples' nuptials. They certainly took the initiative to have individual touches of their love and relationship throughout the evening.

The wedding was held at The Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, a beautiful venue built in 1926 which set the stage for the entire evening. With an esplanade modeled after the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles and arch leading to the rotunda emulating the Arc de Triomphe, guests are easily transported away from modern day Illinois to 19th century Paris. Decorated very simply, the bride and groom did a fantastic job of adding to the atmosphere rather than deter from it's natural surroundings. They let the beauty do it's job.

After making your way from the rotunda through the promenade (which had a stand with handkerchiefs for your "Tears of Joy") you walk in to a theater surrounded by Greek gods such as Apollo and Jupiter. The stage was set and the colorful couple literally took centerstage to exchange their vows. Although they were surrounded by gorgeous, ornate decorations of an easier time period, they leapt forward a few centuries when the groom pulled out his phone to read his vows next to his dazzling bride. 

The reception was set in the esplanade and rotunda, with a few tall tables for drinks adorned with pictures of the couple throughout their relationship. The wedding also contained a special appearance by former American Idol cast member Chris Medina, singing "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds Five. With their relationship being filled with color, joy and laughter, their wedding followed suit. I'm so very glad that I got to be a part of and witness their special day. ; )

There's only one option.

(Photo Courtesy of Keith Dunn 2010)

Some days I wake up and have no desire to get out of bed. The thought of approaching my day and all that I have to accomplish is overwhelming and unappealing. I wonder how I'll get it all done and if it is even worth doing. Some times, I feel like throwing my hands up and walking away - never looking back. As I was driving to work the other day "Leaving Chicago" by Knockout shuffled on. The lyrics are simple:


"Sometimes I feel like leaving, forgetting all these feelings. Let me start over in a better place. It's raining, I'm staying, wish I could stop complaining, but now I'm stuck and I just can't move on. I don't think that this will work out on it's own. Times are hard when you just sit there all alone. Now that I'm getting older, no chance of starting over. I think too much about the times I've lost. Maybe I should realize that there is more to this life. Until then it's just me and apathy. I gotta get out, gotta get away from this. Something's keeping me from leaving. There's nothing left for me here."

But then I sit back, contemplate everything on my to do list, remember why it's all there and how many people are counting on me. What I do is not just for myself but for my kids, for my friends, for random people that I will never meet. I work so I can feed my family. I share my talents to help someone have a fantastic wedding day. I do my job well so that I can make someone's day without ever having met them. I can't afford to look back. I can't afford to regret any aspect of my life. The only option: Keep moving forward. Try new things. Put yourself out there. Take risks. Be curious. In the words of Walt Disney:

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

You never know what will work out in the end. But if you're doing what makes you happy, it makes life so much easier to manage. I've been forcing myself to fit my star peg in to a circle hole and it just doesn't work. And you know? I'm okay with that. There's a fit for me somewhere and I think I've just about found it. 

I decided to revamp this blog and really just post whatever I feel like (which was the original intention). Whether it's fashion, current events, introspection, art, baking, dancing, you name it - it could show up. This past year and some change has been rather tumultuous but I plan on keeping up shop with a little more regularity this go-round. ; ) 

Nothing like a half-year hiatus

And I'm back!

After much prodding from my followers, I am rekindling the life of "And the winner is". While there has been much action occurring in the realm of education (too much to recount at present), the topic I would like to discuss is that of extending the school day. During a discussion with a friend of mine who is a Cross-Categorical teacher, she had brought up devastatingly valid points including the fact that some parents send their children to school merely because the government requires them to. She states, "These are the parents that you can't get ahold of, don't come to parent meetings, don't show up to IEP meetings. When the school calls them they have no time to talk to any of the staff." As a mother of two special needs children is simply baffling. Over the years I have fought with the system for my childrens' needs to be acknowledged and cared for. I have had to chase after those in charge of treating my children and encouraging their growth. In this case, it is the exact opposite: the system chasing down the parents. However no matter who's chasing who in this obscene game of tag it is the same group that suffers - the kids. Either children go unsupported or unaided in their developmental growth due to the ignorance and complacency of those listed with the charge to help them. 


So what do we do about that? According to my cross-cat teacher friend, extend the school day. Giving children a better alternative to home will aid their growth. While I haven't had the opportunity to research this, she stated that most of the best schools in the country have school days going from 8am to 5 or 6 pm.This alternative would, indeed, keep the kids out of (what could very possibly be) a hostile home environment. On the flip side, it keeps healthy, mostly functioning families apart. 

What are your thoughts? Is extending the school day worthwhile? Are there any other potential possibilities to provide a safe environment or healthy growth?