Weekend Warmup

ninainthechiUncategorized%s Comments

20140406-213849.jpg

This weekend’s warmup was divine. I think Chicago is the best city in the world year ’round but the millionth polar vortex really started to break my spirit.

A single 55 degree day and my love is renewed.

Best. City. Ever.

Rain is not Snow

ninainthechiUncategorized%s Comments

We woke up this morning to rain. Rain with thunder and lightening, to be exact. At first, it was all “oh no, it’s raining, now we can’t go for that run outside we were planning on,
this weather sucks.”

And then we realized that rain is not snow.

Thank goodness.

So we rolled over and slept for another hour to the sound of rain hitting our porch. A little lullaby reminding us that this is actually Spring.

I will take rain over snow any day that isn’t a day in December.
>

Timing

ninainthechiUncategorized%s Comments

20140401-150907.jpg

It’s either a very good or very bad thing that I started a juice cleanse on the day a very stressful situation dropped into my lap.

In other news, I juiced a sweet potato. Hmm. Interesting.

An Un-Shower Shower

ninainthechiUncategorized%s Comments

20140331-125642.jpg

I was pretty against having a bridal shower.

Ryan and I aren’t 23 (spoiler alert) and have lived together for almost 3 years; the idea of a party designed to help us “set up house” didn’t feel quite right. And God help me with the shower games. The idea of being quizzed on how well I know Ryan gives me an anxiety attack just thinking about it and being stared at while opening gifts sort of does the same.

But my mom’s friends kept asking her how we were going to celebrate so my mom talked me into a luncheon with no mention of “bridal” on the invite. Celebration luncheon. A champagne celebration luncheon. I could do that. I wanted to do that.

Moral of the story: let the people who love you do nice things for you.

It was the most wonderful day. Women who have been influential in my life came together for bite sized food and mimosas and bellinis. It was so wonderful to see everyone, thank them for the mark they’ve made in my life and acknowledge that I am getting married and that is a really exciting thing.

Oh and guess what? I opened gifts and it was fine. It didn’t make me nervous, probably because I had known everyone in the room since I had a perm and I was so touched by the generosity and thoughtfulness of everyone who came.

Bubbly and dessert with people you love, all before 2pm? It was the best day.

Also- the Garrett’s Popcorn favors were a hit! It makes me happy to think that people enjoyed a bit of Chicago after they left.

Peace, love and desserts with tiny spoons,
Nina

20140331-154522.jpg

PSA: Garrett’s in the Merch Mart

ninainthechiUncategorized%s Comments

Go to the Garrett’s Popcorn in the Merchandise Mart.

I am giving the Chicago Mix as favors for a luncheon my mom is throwing me tomorrow and I had someone tell me earlier in the week to go to that location because they are so nice.

They were so, so right.

The 2 women that helped me were nice times 10 and it just made my entire day. Really- they were so awesome and I can’t wait to go back to see them again.

Sweet women who deal in sweets- that is something to shout from the rooftops!

20140328-105236.jpg

Throwback Thursday: Teddy Ruxpin

ninainthechiUncategorized%s Comments

20140327-074726.jpg

In the 80s, there were stuffed animals and then there was Teddy Ruxpin. When all you wanted was for your toys to talk back to you, he asked if you wanted to be his friend, read you endless bedtime stories, and instead of just staring at your toys, Teddy allowed you to interact.

I loved Teddy Ruxpin.

My parents tell me they would walk by my room as a toddler to find me sitting in bed staring at Teddy Ruxpin, bobbing my head, talking along with his stories. He was my favorite.

The creator of Teddy Ruxpin died yesterday and reminded me of those childhood staple of the 80s. I should probably track this down before I have a child- Teddy Ruxpin over an iPad all day.