life (lahyf) | 12 favorite blogs of 2012

Since having my son I've been slacking on all blogging fronts and I'll be honest when I started my wee blog many moons ago (almost 6 years ago) I didn't think blogging would become what it is today.  Who knew that blogging would become such a HUGE phenomenon.  Think about it...EVERYONE (ok a large number people) have blogs and they cover a gamete of topics from fashion, food, travel, movies, fitness, etc.  You name your interest - it's out there.  There's a TON of great blogs out there and it's hard to discover them all, but I do have my faves of this year. 

Here's a list of my 12 favorite blogs of 2012.

1) The Little Things We Do 

This is one blog that I NEVER miss.  I'm a "virtual" acquaintance with Lauren, but she doesn't know that I secretly (not so much anymore) want to be BFF with her AND that I want her adorable daughter Fern to be Liam's future wife. :)  This Portland blogger covers everything from fashion, DIY and baby topics - everything that I love.  She not only has her own amazing blog, but she also blogs over at Babble and Disney Baby too which are equally as awesome.  If you don't check out her blog, at the very least follow her on Instagram...you'll thank me for it.

2) SLOOPIN

I live in the South Loop neighborhood in Chicago and I'm always wanting to know what's going on in the hood.  This blog is the best resource for new restaurants, retail or just overall new anything that's happening in our growing neighborhood.  Even though you don't live in this neighborhood, it's a great resource for new things that are happening in the downtown area of Chicago.

3) Love Taza (Formerly Rockstar Diaries)

Sometimes I read this blog and so desperately want to hate this family because they are picture perfect...but I can't.  Instead I read every blog entry and wish that I could be as put together as this family.  The photography is impeccable and the style is admirable for a family that has 2 toddlers.  I read Love Taza and am inspired daily by their lifestyle.

4)  Knocked Up & Fabulous

As a new mother I'm constantly inspired by moms that have great style and I try to keep good company (ie: hanging with blogger friends like Red Soles & Red Wine, 101 Things I Love and ChiTown Fashionista) to make sure I don't lose my edge, but it's tough when sometimes all I want to do is wear Lululemon yoga pants daily.  I discovered Knocked Up & Fabulous in midst of my pregnancy and truly admired her knack for thrifted style.  On top of it all...she's a mom which made her blog even more compelling.  She lives in Chicago and I hope that one day I get a chance to meet this fashionable lady.

5) I Can Cook That

The title of this blog says it all and the greatest thing about it is that all the recipes are simple.  Cooking can be a challenge for some people, but cooking good food doesn't have to be difficult.  This blog is perfect for anyone that loves good food, but isn't the most seasoned person in the kitchen.  I constantly find myself bookmarking tons of recipes from this blog that I still have yet to try.

6) Heart & Habit (Formerly Baby Blackbird)

Now that I'm a mom I've sacrificed my personal style for my son's.  I love dressing myself, but sometimes I love dressing my son more.  After all, this is the closest I'll get to putting together men's styles.  I read this blog as if I'm reading adult street style, but instead it's all kids and I'm obsessed.  Anyone who knows me knows that I'm selective about what I dress Liam in and this site proves that I'm not crazy for being that way.  These kids have the BEST style I've ever seen and I hope that one day Liam can grace his presence on this blog.

7) Lay Baby Lay

When I was putting together Liam's nursery I was constantly pinning, searching and discovering new things to inspire the concept of his room.  Lay Baby Lay was the MOST inspirational site when it came to decorating for baby and even if you're not prepping a baby room, this site has some of the best suggestions that kids of all ages could appreciate.  Color schemes, art, furniture, if you're looking for it - this site will point you in the right direction.

8) Urban Explorer

I love reading about things to do in Chicago. Whether it's the great Chicago Food Truck meet-up or the annual Baconfest, I'm always interested in what's going on.  Urban Explorer is a great resource when it comes to all that.  Whether it's one time events or new restaurants to try in Chicago, this blog has it all.  Bookmark it if you live in the city or if you are ever planning a trip.

9)  Skinny Taste

A couple of my co-workers introduced me to this site and I'm constantly referencing it when I want new recipes to try.  I try to find healthy recipes when I can and Skinny Taste delivers great tasting recipes that are healthy and easy to make.  Each recipe is easy to follow and will keep you coming back to try more.  One of  my favorite things I've made from this site is a Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad that is perfect for a summer's day.

10) Glitter and Pearls

I'm pretty selective about fashion blogs because let's be honest, there's A TON of them out there and it's hard to pin point just one that stands out of the crowd.  However, I love Glitter & Pearls because it's style in all aspects: home, clothing, design and much more.  Everything that Lexi posts I want and I'm always inspired by all of her posts.

11) Honestly WTF

I'm an aspiring DIYer.  Ask me if I love to DIY and I would tell you that I love the idea.  Do I do a ton if it?  No, but it doesn't mean that I don't love reading posts about DIYs and Honestly WTF is the home of fashion DIY.  This blog inspires me to do DIY projects and shows that each project doesn't have to be complex.   Someday, hopefully in the not so distant future, I'll re-create one of the fabulous projects posted on this blog, but for now I'll be a spectator.

12) The Points Guy

This isn't a blog that I personally follow, but this is one that Matt reads religiously.  If you aspire to travel and don't have the funds to do it as often as you like, this blog shares great secrets and teaches tricks of the trade to make sure you plan the trip of your dreams.  This blog, in addition to a few others, is the reason why we'll be traveling a great deal in 2013 and even though I give Matt crap for following blogs like these, I must say that I love benefiting from what he's learning.

|What are some of your favorite blogs of 2012?|

food (food) | 12 best things i ate in 2012

One of my favorite things about wrapping up a year is taking a look back at all the wonderful things that happened.  So leading up to January 1st, I'm going to share with you some of my favorite things from 2012. 

First, let's start with food.  After all I was pregnant for more than half of this year so I did do a fair share of eating.  Here are the 12 best things I ate (from around the world) in 2012!

1) Egg White Breakfast | Uncle Bill's Pancake House

This place is one of my favorite staples whenever I'm in Manhattan Beach, CA.  The breakfast is always good and portions are always huge, but icing on the cake?  Sitting along the beach strand and people watching - doesn't get any better than that does it?

2) Cookie Butter | Trader Joe's

Ok let's be honest if you didn't have a bite of Cookie Butter in 2012 you are seriously missing out.  Put it on bread, smear it on a brownie or eat it by the spoonful.  Whatever you do, just eat it!  

3) Grilled Bacon, Cheese & Tomato Sandwich | Cheese Dream
I know what you're thinking, "It's just a grilled cheese."  Yes it is, but it was a damn good one.  I tried this at the Dose Market, but if you're ever in Ann Arbor, MI definitely check out what they've got cooking that day.

4) Macarons | Laduree

Do these even need any rationale?  Laduree is the mecca of macarons and each one I ate was absolutely delicious. 

5) Belgium Waffle | Cafe - Brasserie Craenenburg

This was the highlight of our day trip to Bruges.  Aside from seeing the cute, quaint and medieval style town, this waffle truly was worth the trip.

6) Roasted Lamb | Season's Restaurant

I cannot say any bad things about this meal or restaurant.  Season's was the meal for our first night in Amsterdam.  I have been dreaming about this roasted lamb since I had it back in March.  It's ingredients were so fresh and simple - it was the perfect dish for a cold Winter day.

7) Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream | Kilwins

Throughout my third trimester I had an infatuation with mint chocolate chip ice cream.  I had eaten so much that I declared myself a connoisseur and no matter how hard I tried to find the best place to get mint chocolate chip ice cream, the only place that triumphed them all was Kilwins.

8) Crab Cakes | Acadia

I absolutely loved how the food at Acadia was a little avant garde, but not foreign.  I'm an adventurous eater so that wouldn't have stopped me, but Acadia is the perfect place to test the water with new American style food.  The service was impeccable and the food was memorable.  They definitely earned that Michelin star.

9) Sweet Corn Creme Brulee | Sable Kitchen & Bar

I'm obsessed with eating at restaurants where the head chefs or owners were once on Top Chef.  The expectations were high when I ate at Sable and Chef Heather sure delivered delicious dishes.  My favorite of the entire night was this side dish that was the perfect combination of savory and sweet.

10) Short Ribs | Ruxbin

 I recently wrote a post about this not too long ago so I won't say much besides the fact that this dish was truly one of the highlight meals of my year.

 

11) Meatball Sandwich | Panozzo's Italian Market

I'm a regular over at Panozzo's so if you ask me what I recommend, I'll say "anything - everything is good."  However, if I had to chose one thing to try, it's their meatball sandwich.  I don't know why it took almost 2 years to finally try it after going there so often, but I finally did and it's life changing.

12) Chocolate Cream Pie | Hoosier Mama Pie Company

I ate my fair share of pies this year and nothing has come close to the pies at Hoosier Mama's.  In fact, these days their pies are my dessert of choice.  This year instead of a birthday cake, I asked for their chocolate cream pie and it was worth every calorie.

|What are some of the best things you ate in 2012?|