We’re officially in fireplace season, folks. Thai takeout, a few pumpkin beers and blankets in front of the fireplace felt so cozy last night but I can’t help but feel like it’s a little early for it to be so cold.

The Sun-Times agrees– apparently, the last time it was as cold as it was on Friday, the Cubs had won 100 games. Aka 1935. Which speaks to how cold it was on Saturday and how bad the Cubs have been for a very long time.

Sort-of related: we watched The Chef last night on our cozy fire spree and absolutely loved it. So funny, awesome cast, Jon Favreau wrote, directed and started in it and it just the perfect ending to the weekend. It did, however, make me sort of want to quit my job and open a food truck…

I don’t know if it is the changing of seasons but it seems like every other conversation I have had these past few days has consisted of someone saying something to the extent of “What am I doing with my life?!?”. Not necessarily in a bad way but it feels like there’s a lot of introspection happening as leaves are starting to turn and begin their descent to the ground.

And real talk: I ponder, question, reflect or panic about something about my life on most days that end in y.

Should you be in a similar boat, I read two things this week that I loved.

“The Crossroads of Should and Must” literally stopped me in my tracks. I am not good with should, I don’t exist well or fully in obligation but must, must isn’t something I have thought much of.

Must is different—there aren’t options and we don’t have a choice. Must is who we are, what we believe, and what we do when we are alone with our truest, most authentic self. It’s our instincts, our cravings and longings, the things and places and ideas we burn for, the intuition that swells up from somewhere deep inside of us.

“7 Strange Questions That Help You Find Your Life Purpose” is a little more irreverent…and like most things worthwhile, will require some work. #2 made me feel pretty good because my 8 year old self would be really glad I still write (I was the journal and silly story queen as a kid) and she would also probably be happy I still sing along to West Side Story on a regular basis but #4 (How Can You Better Embarrass Yourself)…that is not even a work in progress. As a friend observed recently, I don’t get messy very often. Yes, I embarrass myself because I trip often or when my stories get awkwardly long but in terms of real vulnerability, not so much.

But I think it all comes down to #6:

6. GUN TO YOUR HEAD, IF YOU HAD TO LEAVE THE HOUSE ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Whoa.

So, read this and this if you are need a little push to get you thinking about life-related things. And let me know if you discover anything big.

It was a particularly great weekend in these parts and after some football watching and pizza eating at Homeslice yesterday, I started getting the Sunday sads. Then I looked up to see this sign: Be Awesome. Okay. Be awesome. Don’t be sad the great weekend is over, be awesome and count on the week to follow suit.

On it.

I am, however, wishing I had some leftover pizza…Homeslice is quickly becoming my new favorite spot and I am craving it something awful right now.

Happy Monday, friends.

I made this Fancy Bourbon Punch for a birthday party and it was such a hit because, well, bourbon and champagne. Thinking I will give it a seasonal twist with this tea next time.

It’s officially Fall as of yesterday so Pumpkin Spice Latte season…I am excited to make this healthier (and most certainly cheaper) version at home.

However, for those days when you aren’t watching your wallet, you can now get a $1000 ice cream sundae at The Langham. (I’ll stick with Jeni’s and the pineapple upside down cake ice cream!)

This Saturday, September 27th is Museum Day Live! at Smithsonian Museums which means free admission to a ton of museums, including the Adler Planetarium and the Chicago History Museum. I love museums and for living in a city with tons of great ones, I don’t go often enough. Register for free tickets here.

Speaking of museums, Friday night from 9-midnight is After Dark at the Art Institute- I have heard great things about the Magritte exhibit and exploring it with a glass of wine sounds amazing.

After reading this post about putting yourself on the Pride Board, I immediately emailed my best friend telling her what I put her on the pride board for and I have a list going on my office white board for me. It’s so important to acknowledge the good.

People that let themselves be seen inspire me and this post about forgiveness blew me away.

I think Fall is here to stay but with a gorgeous sunrise like this one, I can’t complain.

Good morning.

In the last 2 years or so, something weird has happened. Not in a bad way necessarily but I have noticed strong feelings where normally a no or a yes would have sufficed before. Chalk it up to getting older and knowing more of what/who I want in my life or less tolerance for what I don’t, my expressions of these feelings have gotten more…dramatic.

Example: “No, I don’t want to do that” is now “I would rather die than ______.” “Sure, yes.” is “OMG, I simply must do that thing immediately, it is the best thing in the history of all of the things!”.

This morning, that thing is Paris.

I literally woke up craving Paris.

The honeymoon stoked my wanderlust in a big way. Daydreaming of strolling along the Seine, the leaves turning in the little park behind Notre Dame, cold champagne, cheese, and reading under the Eiffel Tower while eating macarons (obviously) is making me so happy this morning. And making me itch to book a flight.

The good thing about wanderlust is I think it’s contagious. When I shared my overly dramatic need to get to Paris, that sweet guy I married was pretty amenable to the discussion. The man didn’t demand we board the next flight (best case scenario) but perhaps it’s an anniversary trip next June (I’ll live).

If I have a glass of champagne soon, I think my craving can wait until then.

Update: my best friend just emailed me and is wearing the shoes today that she wore when ascending the Eiffel Tower in the rain. She rarely wears them but was thinking of Paris this morning so she put them on. Travel memories and Paris for the win today!

(Image via)

Last Saturday we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo for a birthday party and there was SO much going on, what a cool place! It’s supposed to be nice tomorrow- go for the sea otter training at 10:30am!

This Billie Jean cover by The Civil Wars is killer and it was basically on repeat in my office this rainy Friday afternoon.

I don’t know if I trust this list of the 5 Hottest Bars in Chicago; we went to Gaslight last weekend and wanted to leave after half a beer it was so douchey. But I’ve been wanting to go to Celeste for awhile now so we’ll give it another go.

The After Dark events at the Art Institute are so neat. Cocktails and art pair quite nicely.

You are an answered prayer. Did you know that? Love this post from Jacki Carr.

The Maryland vs Michigan State game is on our fall agenda and we’re hosting a for-real, legit tailgate in College Park with friends. This list of tips and tricks is going to come in handy. #21 & #22, happening.