Cuz' Olive you!

Consider this an important public service post! 

 I will start by asking a question...Do you know GOOD olive oil?  You know how most recipes say "1/2 cup of good olive oil", I finally asked myself if I was using "good olive oil" and the answer was...I had no idea!  I was never loyal to one brand, I played the field hoping something "good" would jump out at me.  Guess what, it never did!  So, about two years ago I set out to get to the bottom of the "good olive oil" situation.  I started by tasting my trusty giant jug o' olive oil from Costco.  I was not impressed, it was not bad, just meh!
 In a fit of suddenly being disgusted by my poor choice in olive oil, I took to the internet!  I quickly found this place!  I called my Mom immediately and we made plans to go the next day, as it was quickly turning into an olive oil emergency in my mind!

http://www.oldtownoil.com

It is called Old Town Oil and it is on Wells Street in Chicago.  It is one big oil and vinegar party in this place.  And let me just tell you this, it is impossible to leave without trying and finding "GOOD Olive Oil".  Not good, but GOOD!!!

First of all, you will get to try the oils, you will be educated by the very kind and knowledgeable staff and you will leave wondering why you spent so much time with olive oil that is just "meh".

After they set you straight on the oil, you can get into the vinegar.  I personally think vinegar should be its own food group, so I actually left with way more vinegar than oil, but that's just me.  

They will also open your eyes to all of the awesome possibilities of oil and vinegar.  I am currently hooked on this amazing combo of Tuscan Herb Olive Oil along with the Pomegranate Balsamic.  On their own, they are both delicious, but mixed together on grilled veggies or a simple salad, it is out of this world. 

They also have these awesome spouts for your bottles, to make pouring easier.  And you can take your old bottles back and get a small discount on your next bottles.  

If you are near Wells and North, do yourself a favor and check this place out.  While you are at it, you should check out The Spice House since it is just a couple of doors down.  Then reward yourself at one of our favorite French Bakeries/Cafes, La Fournette.  It is just across the street and a couple of doors north.

You're Welcome!!!

Contain Your Stuff/Some of my Favorites!

Let's talk about reusing stuff, some of my favorite products and their pretty containers and how reusing stuff allows you to be a hoarder!!!  Perfect for a Monday, right?

I LOVE to reuse stuff and I REALLY LOVE pretty containers.   I am a total sucker for pretty packaging, if it is cute, I really try to find another use for it so that I can keep enjoying it, which might also be called hoarding in some circles!

My absolute favorite candles are Diptyque Candles.  The scents are fabulous, they burn really well and for a long time and I love the packaging.  I don't think I have ever thrown out a Diptyque candle jar of any size.  If I have them, I will find a use for them, and I usually don't have to hunt for a use for very long!

http://www.diptyqueparis.com/home-fragrances/candles/figuier-candle.html

 Now it is a make up brush holder!

Another one contains the lotions and potions in the medicine cabinet!

Diptyque also makes the most fabulous eau de toilette!  Olene is one of my all time favorites!

http://www.diptyqueparis.com/personal-fragrances/eau-de-toilettes/olene-edt.html

Now it is a cute little flower vase!  I bought this bottle about 12 years ago in France!!!  It has been holding blooms ever since.

And the good news is that we FINALLY have a Diptyque store in Chicago.  It's about time, no more having to order on-line and pay for shipping!  If you are in the Bucktown area, I highly recommend that you check this store out, but be prepared to become addicted!!!

Look at this lovely Rose wine that we have been drinking a lot of out on the patio this summer!  It is called Sofia, it is named after Sofia Coppola and is made by the Coppola Vineyards.

http://www.franciscoppolawinery.com/wine/sofia/rose

This may not be the worlds best Rose, but it is very nice and I just love the shape of the bottle.  To be honest, I first bought it for the shape of the bottle.  The fact that the wine tasted good was a total bonus.  After drinking the wine and saving the cork, I knew I could not throw the bottle away, but the last thing I needed was another vase (see Diptyque bottles above)!  

Now it is the bottle that holds our water at the table at dinner.  I keep it corked with a cork, duh!  And refill it and chill it in the fridge.  Perfect for dinner on the patio whether it holds wine or water!

Have you seen the Honey in the bear shaped bottle at the grocery store or farm stands?  I don't know why, but I just love those cute little bear bottles!!!

Now this guys holds my dish washing soap at the kitchen sink!

And speaking of the kitchen sink, look at the pretty oyster shell that holds my rings while I am washing the dishes.

Are you familiar with Laduree?  OMG, the best macaroons in the world!!!  We ate our weight in them last summer on vacation.  Not only do they taste awesome, but they come in the most beautiful containers!  

(This box might cost as much as a car) 

http://www.laduree.com

A dear friend just brought some back from Europe for me in the coolest tube shaped container.  The three of us ate the macaroons in about a day, but the container lives on in my purse.  It is currently holding lip gloss and is a place for my hair tie to rest when not in use!

Seriously, can you even get over that shiny gold lining?  It makes me happy every time I open it!

Do you ever save your pretty or fancy containers?  I would love to know what you do with yours!!!  Please don't tell me you toss them in the recycling container!

Perrier + Pop Art = Awesome!

I am a HUGE fan of Andy Warhol.  I love pop art in general, but his pieces send me over the edge.  I find him fascinating as a person, and I am so intrigued with his ideas, thoughts, how he lived his life and even his appearance.  Seriously, that silver wig he always wore!  He was such a character.

I am also a huge fan of Perrier, or as my son calls it, bubbly water.  We go thorough a ton of Perrier in our house.  Remember this drink?  I could drink Perrier all day, and I just love that initial bite from the carbonation!

Well imagine my excitement when I saw this...

Perrier is partnering with The Andy Warhol Foundation so that everyone can "take home a Warhol".  You might not know that you need one, but you do!  Your own Warhol, imagine how cute that empty Warhol bottle will be with some flowers from your garden in it!!!

And then I read this...

“The Andy Warhol Foundation is delighted to partner with Perrier to commemorate 150 years of inspiration and originality by celebrating Warhol’s bold portraits of Perrier from 1983,” said Michael Hermann, director of licensing for The Andy Warhol Foundation. “Warhol’s inventive, open-minded spirit lives on through this unique and authentic project, which will contribute generously to the foundation’s endowment from which it distributes grants in support of the visual arts.”

And I got that warm fuzzy feeling you get from getting something cool that you want (Warhol bottle) and knowing that something awesome (grants to support visual arts) is also coming from it!  Win Win as far as I am concerned!!!

And  then I saw this...

In addition to offering the limited-edition Warhol bottles, Perrier also is offering the chance to win an original Andy Warhol work of art as part of the Take Home a Warhol sweepstakes. From June 24-Sept. 30 consumers can enter to win “Space Fruit: Lemons,” an original screenprint work created by Andy Warhol in 1978.

Seriously, go try to win yourself that Warhol.  I did, and you better go make that lucky charm necklace from yesterday while you are at it because I was wearing mine WHILE I entered to win!!!  Hello unfair advantage!

If you need more of a Warhol fix, check my pinterest art board.  I have some cool stuff pinned.

Chill!

Have you ever heard of a wine chilling bag?  Well, before last summer, I did not know that I needed a wine chilling bag (apparently they are called ice bags here)!  But, after a trip to France, where almost every outdoor cafe served our wine bottle in one of these clever plastic bags, I knew I could NOT leave without one!  

Behold the Ice Bag!!! 

So it's pretty basic, you fill this cute little bag with ice and water, then you put your wine bottle inside to keep it chilled.

 It might not sound that special but:

1.  It looks like a shopping bag, with handles, it's totally cute!

2.  It keeps the bottle chilled and does not take up much room on the table.

3.  When you are not using it, you fold it up and it takes NO space to store.

4.  It is great for a picnic or outdoor use, it's plastic!

5.  Did I mention it is cute and it looks like a shopping bag...with handles, so you can carry your wine         

     around with you, in a tiny, clear wine purse!!! 

I brought mine back from France, but I found them for you too!  Order one here 

And at that price, don't even get me started!  You need it, trust me!!!

Do you already have an Ice Bag?  Honestly, I LOVE mine!!!

PS.  Are you seeing a connection to all of the wine corks???

You need it!

Are you familiar with Teisseire Syrup?  If not, trust me, you need to get accuainted with it!  I first had this a few years ago while visiting a friend in Vermont.  At the time, and I did not know what it was, much less that I needed it.  But once I tasted it, I quickly realized that I needed it!!!  And I am here to tell you that you NEED it too! We are completely hooked on it.

PLUS

EQUALS

The perfect summer drink.  You mix this magical potion with your Perrier or other sparkling water to make your own perfectly flavored "soda".  What I LOVE about this is that you mix as much or as little of the syrup as you want with your water, depending on how sweet you like things.   My son loves the Peach flavor, with lots of syrup, while my husband and I prefer, just a touch of the Cassis.   The peach flavor is also a great addition to white sangria!  

My friend had brought hers back from France, but the good news is, you can get it here.  It comes in a can with a plastic spout.  After you open it, you keep it in the refrigerator.  A little bit goes a long way, so you get lots of yummy drinks out of one can.

Do you think you will try it?