Category Archive

Have you guys been listening to “Serial“? It’s this weekly podcast that unfolds a nonfiction story over the course of a season and this season, the episodes explore a murder that happened in Maryland in 1999. The person investigating doesn’t know much more than the listener so you’re essentially discovering things together and I am fascinated. I don’t like SVU or other tv shows like that but this is just interesting and such a smart idea to bring the television episode format to podcasts.

I couldn’t wait for the latest Serial episode to come out this morning and to listen to it on my morning walk. I imagine the look on my face was super funny with all of the twists and turns happening in the story and I may have sworn out loud when it ended because it was really starting to ramp up.

You can download it for free in iTunes.

Spotted this truthbomb of a sign yesterday and couldn’t agree more. I love getting flowers, sending flowers, buying flowers, you name it.

In case you need to do any of the above, here are my favorite bloom spots:

A New Leaf: a splurge but truly exceptional arrangements.

Ashland Addison Floral: I received the most incredible rose arrangement from a friend the week of our wedding from this shop and the people who work here are beyond nice.

Mariano’s: the best deal out there and I am so in love with mix and matching from their huge pick your own section. Oh and a dozen roses are 10 bucks. This is my go-to for keeping fresh flowers in my house.

The Bouqs: when you need to get flowers to a non-local address, this online flower company your best bet. Lots of options and no hidden fees.

Some nights when it comes time to make dinner, I hit starvation city and dinner becomes a veggie burger and baked potato kind of situation. Tonight, however, I was poised and ready to go for lentil stew and was reminded that cooking during the week doesn’t have to be complicated or take forever. Tonight’s meal was satisfying, healthy and I have enough to get me through the rest of the week so if I do hit starvation city, I won’t have to dive for the freezer. Jackpot.

Lentil Stew
I bag of lentils
Vegetable broth
4 carrots
1 red pepper
I can cannellini beans
5 leaves of kale
Salt & pepper

Boil the lentils in the vegetable broth, then add the carrots. Cook for 20 minutes and then add everything else. Season to taste. Cook until lentils have softened and add water until you get the consistency you want- I like mine more stew like but you could definitely add more water or broth to get soup.

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.