Category Archives: Liz’s Life

Tug Of War

Posted in Daily Musings, Liz's Life by

Last weekend Luke and I went home to Toledo, Ohio, where I was raised, to spend a weekend with my parents and friends from home. Whenever I go home I feel an internal struggle that is hard to make sense of.

Let me explain.

My friends and family at home are married, own homes and are on the cusp of having children. My friends here in Chicago are independent, single and get totally freaked out by the idea of settling down….especially in the dreaded SUBURBS!

I feel somewhere in the middle.

My whole life I’ve always said I wanted to live a fast-paced, city life with no obligations except to travel, have fun and push myself to open as many doors as possible. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the past four years.

Since meeting Luke though, I can feel my priorities shifting. I no longer have a desire to be “go, go, go” all the time. Instead I’d love to have more of a settled lifestyle that involved family cookouts, dinner with other couples, and a home-base larger than 900 sq. ft.

In some ways I still feel really young & free and in others I am ready for a slower-paced, settled lifestyle.

When do you know when it’s the right time to “grow up” and tackle the next phase in life?

Totally Adorable House-Warming Gift Idea

Posted in Cohabitation, Party Ideas by

My bestie Julia recently moved into a new home with her husband Jake. They’ve been busy decorating, gardening and getting their place settled in.

Luke and I got to check out their new digs last weekend during a visit to Ohio, and all their hard work has paid off! Their home is super cute.

I wanted to give her a house-warming present that was both functional and personal to them as a couple. I took to Etsy to see what I could find and came across these customizable, travertine tile coasters!

I love the idea of coasters. They’re always necessary and are a great way to add a personal touch to entertaining.

Plus the price was unbeatable. I was able to personalize 10 different coasters with their last name for just $34!

The coasters are really high quality with felt stoppers underneath so they won’t scratch a glass table. The seller lets you pick colors, words and designs to really showcase the personalities of your recipient.

Julia is a total girlie-girl who dreams in pink, so this coaster was a natural fit.

In addition to coasters, this Etsy store creates save-the-date magnets that I so wish I had discovered before our wedding!

Definitely check out this Etsy store next time you’re attending a house-warming party!

You Look Just Like Batman!

Posted in Liz's Life by

When Luke and I first started dating, he had very short, almost-shaved hair. It was also around the time that the Batman movie starring Christian Bale came out.

During this time, when we’d be out, Luke would often get approached by strangers telling him he looked like Christian Bale (keep in mind these are strangers who don’t know his last name). The conversation would proceed as such:

“You look JUST LIKE Batman!”

“Thanks. I AM Batman.”

“Huh?”

*I’d fish his ID out of his pocket to show the confused stranger*

“NO WAY!!!! Dude, this guy’s name is BATMAN….and he LOOKS like Batman!”

LOL I loved it when that happened- and not just because someone compared my boyfriend to a movie star :)

Recently Luke started a new job and the company is playing some employee contests over the summer. One is to submit an image of yourself next to a celebrity you look like. The person who most resembles their celeb wins money.

Here’s what he submitted:

HAHA! Think he’s going to win?

Erin and Brian’s Chicago Wedding

Posted in Dating, Love, Wedding Planning by

This year’s wedding season came and went for us rather quickly. We had three weddings from March-June and now, sadly, they’re over! I really love going to weddings, but I will also enjoy not having to travel this summer.

The two most recent wedding I attended were here in Chicago for two of my girlfriends. First was Erin’s. Erin is a college friend of mine who also happens to work with Luke…she even introduced us at her birthday party three years ago!

Erin made a gorgeous, elegant and very classic bride. Her reception followed suit too! It was held at the Union League Social Club, which really embodies old-world Chicago with the dark wood, chandeliers and amazing artwork.

They had a live band that got everyone dancing…

Luke and I loved the slow songs…

My favorite part of Erin’s reception was when her father-in-law took the stage to play some traditional Irish music. Brian, Erin’s husband, and his family took center-stage to show off their Irish step dancing skills.

Everything about Erin’s wedding was gorgeous, classy and fun! – just like Erin herself :)

I must say, one special moment of the evening for me was when Erin’s mom stopped me (we’ve never met) to tell me she is a abattylife reader! That was pretty cool.

Mrs. Fitzgerald and Erin…you put on an amazing wedding! Thanks for inviting us.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a recap of the other wedding I attended recently- black tie and the Four Seasons, ooh lala!