The weirdest fog settled over the city today. One of the things it blanketed was Wanderlust Yoga in the City.
Foggy one minute, sunny the next but a lovely practice the entire time.
Mad love for summer in the city.
Massive Marilyn on Michigan Ave
Why, may I ask, is there a massive Marilyn in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue?
Apparently, there’s great controversy about the piece but my 2 cents are thrown in the “Um, why???” pot. It’s huge and creepy and huge. Why Marilyn? Why so damn big?
She’s there until Spring 2012, you say? That’s going to look awesome from November through May–Marilyn practically in her skivvies covered in snow.
Whyyyyy?
(image via fuckyeahchicago)
Women’s World Cup Flashback
Fresh off of today’s heartbreaking USA loss in the Women’s World Cup, I can’t help but think of the game back in 1999.
I was 14 years old and obsessed with the US’s Women’s World Cup team. Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers were the deal- their posters were on my bedroom walls and their incredible skill was the inspiration for the coaching my dear ol’ Dad tried to impart on me in my youth league soccer games.
That year, my parents took me to see part of the World Cup that was at Soldier Field in Chicago (I know- soccer AND Chicago. I was pretty much beside myself my brace-faced self). Aside from how cool it was to be at Soldier Field banging those stick-noise maker thingys together cheering on my freakin’ country, there was something so valuable about that team as an adolescent…like, wow- I can do anything if I make a choice and work hard enough at it. I could play pro soccer! I could be president! I could live in this city! I just have to pick and work my tail off!
Playing pro-soccer is not in the cards today but watching the 2011 Women’s World Cup team reminded me of my childhood dream team and how much possibility they represented both then and now. I am so grateful for women rocking it out on the international stage and I am willing to bet that there were a few more 14 year old girls who dreamed some big dreams while watching that game today.
A Lesson in Limits
I signed up to run Fleet Feet’s Women’s 10k this morning.
I ended up running a 5k.
It was 80 degrees at the 7:30am start. I was sore from bootcamp yesterday. By mile 2, I started to overheat and could feel my arms getting cold. Even though 6 miles is something I could have done on any other day with no problem, I knew today was not the day to push it, not with this kind of heat index.
So, I listened to my body and veered to the left with the 5k runners when the course split.
I schlumped to the bus feeling pretty defeated. In my head, I rattled off the reasons why listening to my body is important but there was still a lingering feeling that I “should” have been able to push myself, I “should” have run what I signed up for no matter what.
I have spent the rest of the day with a massive headache, drinking tons of water, sleeping and generally feeling like crap. Thank goodness I didn’t listen to those “shoulds”, aka my ego. Thank goodness I recognized my limits today. Being active and being an athlete and pushing ourselves to greatness is amazing but there is a limit to be recognized on any given day otherwise the cost could be health or safety.
Sure, there will be other days where I will push myself when I’ve hit a wall, be it 6 miles or 26 miles. But today my lesson in limits, in my limits, hammered home that listening to your gut can really keep you safe.
40 Worst Dressed Cities in America: #4 Chicago
Let’s have this conversation:
“The 40 Worst Dressed Cities in America: #4 Chicago”
Wha the wha?!?
“Chicagoans like to hedge descriptions of their style with, “It’s not New York, and it’s not LA…” It’s self-conscious Midwestern. Lucky for them, harsh 11 ½-month winters serve to excuse a look that screams third-coast-insecurity: The Parka Pierogi. Ingredients: Blown-out Nikes; torn cargoes; favorite novelty T-shirt; Bears/Bulls/Blackhawks hoodie—all wrapped up in a totally nondescript parka. Are those things municipal-issue?”
The fact that Manhattan and LA are also on the list to leads me to believe that GQ doesn’t think any American cities are well dressed (and to be fair, if we’re pitting the US against Paris or Rome, it’s game-over) but if you mess with Chicago, you mess with me.
First of all, it’s really hard to look cute while wearing the 1,000 count down parka that is necessary to survive a nearly omni-present threat of frost bite. You try dressing for a day that may include a snowstorm, flash flooding and 90 degree heat with 100% humidity, all within the same 24 hour time span. If you still wind up on best dressed lists then we’ll talk.
Second, due to the above mentioned standard issue parka, street style is tough but you better believe we do style when it counts. Stop by any Gold Coast restaurant or River North watering hole and you will find some fabulously styled Chicagoans. The ones who do the “self-conscious Midwestern” look are tourists (I love sequins but head-to-toe mid-day Mich Ave is not the time or place).
Third, Chicago is home to so many amazing neighborhoods that each have their own style and vibe. Well-dressed is totally relative to where in the city you are. Downtown style might include a Louis V and Jacki O’esque sunnies but head to Bucktown for some hipster chic, Lincoln Park for yuppie chic and Wrigleyville for…drunken Cubs chic.
In conclusion, this list is wrong-o.
And that’s why I think about that. GQ, suck it.
Happy Friday
I’m a huge fan of my morning commute.
Sunny, beautiful and hot…and it’s not even 9am.
Oh and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today (!!!).
Happy Friday!
Potatoes Beyonce
I want a new cat.
We’ve been having some behavioral issues with Luna Bell (ahem, biting hard- wha?!), probably because she likes Ryan more than she likes me (traitor) and since he’s out of town for work, I’m the one stuck with devil cat. I got mad the other day and threatened to send Luna Bell to my mom’s house to live out her kitty days and get a new cat.
I would name the new cat Potatoes Beyonce.
Potatoes because it’s hilarious/random and Beyonce after big metal chickens.
Ryan’s response was that he hates Potatoes Beyonce and would refuse to feed Potatoes Beyonce and would never forgive me for replacing Luna Bell with Potatoes Beyonce. Hearing him say Potatoes Beyonce so many times made me giggle and I wanted a new kitty even more.
In reality, we will probably get a dog in the next few years and if I were actually to get Potatoes Beyonce, we would then have 3 pets. Which is way too many considering we are urban dwellers and a yard and/or big house isn’t exactly in the cards.
So for now I’ll carry on with Luna Bell. Perhaps I’ll do some research into kitty therapy…
(image via fuckyeahkitties)
Top of the Morning Beach Yoga
7am. Oak Street Beach. 1 hour of yoga.
This was the view to the right of my mat.
This was the view to the left.
It was my first time practising directly on the beach. I may never get the sand out of my mat (or hair) but how I felt after spending an hour doing yoga steps from Lake Michigan and seeing the city every time I stepped back into downdog was well worth it.
I am in love with Chicago every day but I just can’t get over how gorgeous our fair city was this morning!
(yoga courtesy of Michelle Cushing– yoga and boot camp instructor extraordinaire!)
A Few Things I’m Loving Lately
Peonies and lattes…a perfect combination of fluff.
(via romanceandrevolution)
I am obsessorated with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap. Earth-friendly, cruelty-free and leaves my hands smelling so great that I want to wash them pretty much every 5 minutes. Lavender is my fav but the brand new Rosemary scent that’s in my kitchen is giving it a run for its money.
Nutrition Now Adult Gummy Vitamins– my mom always tells me to take vitamins and I always want to eat gummy bears so I think this is a good compromise. Yes, I am a child.
This woman can do no wrong. Elegant, natural, classic. News coverage of the royal couple’s North American visit was the highlight of every day last week, fashion home run after fashion home run. This McQueen was my fav- who can make short sleeves look stunning? Princess Kate, that’s who.