Woke up this morning and asked myself “What could make today awesome?”. Answer: coffee and the newspaper at the new(ish) 2-story Starbucks, yoga, French fries, wine and a walk down Oak Street.
Sidebar: I love Gibson’s on weekend afternoons. Always packed, loud and lively, great people watching.
Second sidebar: God, I love French fries.
Happy Saturday, friends!
Wanna talk about how hard this week was? Bring you to your knees, all sorts of not-awesome going on, hey my back is busted so I spent a lot of today lying flat on the ground, oh cool it’s snowing again, type of hard? Me either.
So instead…whoo!! It’s Friday! And great news, I (apparently) with a mixologist. Which is awesome. Gin, limoncello, Jamaican #2 bitters with a splash of OJ. I believe this martini is called “There are no fucks left to give”. Super catchy, right?
Happy Friday, folks. My wish for you (and me) this weekend? Do what you want to do and enjoy the heck out of it. Go forth.
Wine, mani/pedis and Sex and the City are among my favorite things in the world and there’s a place in Old Town that apparently lives in my head.
Tonight, my nails got did, someone brought me wine repeatedly from a full bar and I watched episodes 1-3 from season 1 of SATC. Oh and I made some new friends because frankly, who doesn’t want to be friends with other girls who are clearly awesome with their taste in personal upkeep, alcohol and the television series that defined our generationand are sitting next to you enjoying the shit out of their evenings. Tonight was just what the doctor ordered.
Abre Nails– how did I not know about you before???
Essie Chinchilly and some ridiculous blue that is amazing because it’s freezing out again and I don’t have any damns left to give and just wanted something interesting to look at on my feet in yoga.
It had been 2 months and 14 days since my last run on the lake. My limit for outdoor running is 25 degrees; I detest being cold but I have warm layers that can make anything above that tolerable. But with the winds that come off the lake, it has to be a pretty special day to get me on that lake front path. Today was that (50 degree) day.
Setting out for Navy Pier, then Ohio Street beach, north to Castaways. Taking off a layer. Deep breath. Stopping to stretch on the beach just because I needed to feel sand under my shoes. To remember that it’s not always so cold and that summer really will happen again. Marveling that its February and I am running in a long-sleeve. Realizing that the cold front is coming in rightnow and putting that layer back on. Knowing that the fresh air off the lake and my favorite view in the world was exactly what I needed on this Monday.
2 months and 14 days since my last run on the lake and while I have been aching to hit that path during these frigid months, it’s reassuring to know that it will always be there, waiting for me to turn my running shoes east and take big, deep breaths.
42. David’s Tea A walk up to the Lincoln Park location this afternoon procured me tins of Coco Chai Rooibos and Forever Nuts. I already cannot wait to wake up tomorrow morning.
43. Balloons. Festive, underrated, orbital vessels of cheer. Big fan.
44. Luna Bell. The best (furry) little friend in the world.
45. Twitter In 140 characters or less, I combined my love of history with politics and a ridiculous song and got a response from the historic Willard Hotel. The Internet is amazing.
46. Friends. There is not enough gratitude in the world for the remarkable women in my life who show me such love, grace and support.
47. Sunshine. Chicago winters get long; sunshine helps.
48. Baking. There’s something reassuring and calming about following directions and getting an (edible) end result.
You see that slightly very uneven cake? Ignore the fact that my cake baking and frosting skills are a bit rusty and believe me when I say that cake is borderline life-changing delicious. Smitten Kitchen’s Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Swoon.
Related: I heard for months that the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook would change my life; I even gifted a copy to my best friend for Christmas. After receiving countless texts and photos of the amazefest things happening in her kitchen, I finally ordered a copy and omg. you. guys. This woman can do no wrong- it is incredible. I have been pouring over it like a novel and I am so inspired to cook my way through this gorgeous book. Basically, I need to have a million dinner parties. Tonight, we’re each taking a recipe and going all Top Chef in our kitchen. Cannot wait.
“Remember: those who rejected disco missed out on the party.”
I love that I listen to the A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack all year long. I love being obsessed with my cat. And juicing. And cleaning. I really love that I love cleaning.
My Valentine’s Day wish for you? That wherever you are, you are loving what you love.
Isn’t today spectacular? Sunshine, above freezing temperatures…did I mention sunshine? Winters in the Midwest can get long and I feel like Mother Nature threw us a bone today.
I don’t have any strong feelings either way about Valentine’s Day specifically but I’ve never met a holiday I didn’t like (Christmas! Halloween! Arbor Day!) so that means this week feels a little extra special.
Just like this cookie.
Happy Monday (and Valentine’s Week), everyone!
