Weekly Quote

Happy Independence Day!

 

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.  ~Elmer Davis

Weekly Quote

Congratulations Graham

Last weekend my little brother graduated with honors from the Art Institute, making both my parents and me so proud! He is already on his way to greatness with his new company - stay tuned!

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Tuesday's Tune - A little late

So I may have been a little preoccupied turning another year older yesterday and missed Tuesday's Tune but as I've said, better late than never. This one is in excitement for a very special birthday present I received last night - tickets to see Tim McGraw this July! Break out the cowgirl gear - Mom, I'm borrowing that hat!

Tuesday's Tune

This song still get's me everytime...how I miss the South!

Weekly Quote

Memorial Day - St. Germain, WI

Jonas and I spent four relaxing days up at the cabin this past weekend for Memorial Day with mom and dad. We ate way too much, drank a lot of summer shandy, went on long boat rides, played bags, experienced the local flavor of the flea market and roasted andes mint smores by the campfire almost every night. Below are some pictures of the weekend.

Johnny Knocks overlooking one of the lakes on our chain.

Jonas and I out on the boat.

I miss it already.

Mom in her new purchase from the craft show - cowboy jokes ensued for the remainder of the weekend.

Our last night and sunset.

Tuesday's Tunes

In honor of this past weekend and a little road trip radio game I believe I won!

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Tuesday's Tune

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Death by Cookie

A cookie stuffed into another cookie. Why didn't I think of this?...I must learn how to make these!

Tuesday's Tune

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First Cubs Game of 2011...Fail!

Giants @ Cubs, May 14th, 2011

CUPCAKES

Both the good and bad of working at a large PR firm...

Tuesday's Tune

Time for a new installment - Tuesday's Tunes of new songs I am currently listening to or old favorites. Today's song is Ronnie Dunn's, "All Bleed Red."

Weekly Quote

Who knew a new job would be this time consuming...picking up where I left off.

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Better late than never...

An Ode to Peonies

As winter has decided to make a permanent residence in Chicago late into spring, I can't help but start to dream of sunny days and spring blooms. My favorite flower has always been peonies. Mainly for their bright fullness that for some reason take me back to springtime in the south. Hopefully this wishful thinking will somehow reach the gods of weather and bring us a beautiful easter weekend.

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Movin' on Up

I have officially decided to ditch my cushy office with a view job for a cube! All kidding aside, I am very excited about this move and for the new opportunities it will bring. One day I will end up back in a cushy office with a view and hopefully looking just as elegant as Madonna...

Shamrock Shuffle 2011

I ran my very first Shamrock Shuffle this past weekend in Chicago and apparently so did about 40,000 other folks - largest 8K in the world. After registering for it in years past and not being able to run due to blizzard like conditions, I expected it to be a bit chilly this past Sunday, which I have to say is more desirable running conditions. However, it ended up being the hottest day thus far this year and by the time I made my way to the start line it was a balmy 82 degrees! This was not my greatest moment running and not only did I finish with a horrible time but I was drenched in sweat. My goal for next year is to at least place in start corral C so I don't have to wait about 40 minutes before actually getting to the start line and watching the "elite" runners do a second race lap before I even finish my first. Lessons learned and I am now determined for next year - very happy to say I have completed a Shamrock Shuffle.

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All you need is love

Sometimes in life we lose people too soon. Today is a day engrained in my mind and heart, not for someone I personally lost but for someone close to me that lost a good friend way too early in life. It constantly reminds me how short life can be and to appreciate everything and everyone in every moment. I feel so lucky to have such incredible family and friends around me and I greatly cherish all the memories you have blessed me with. Each one of you enriches my life daily and I hope you know you mean the world to me!

Cake wishes and champagne dreams

If you know me well, then you are you have to be aware of my love for both cupcakes and champagne. Lucky for this girl Chicago is hosting an event this Friday evening that caters to both!

Join us for "One Cake, Please"

The Closing Reception for "One Art, Please" by Lauren Brescia

“One Art, Please” is transformed from a bakery-inspired art installation to an art-inspired patisserie event called, "One Cake, Please,"where guests will be invited to not only look at both faux and real cake sculptures, but to taste some of the delectable cakes and pastries created by local Chicago bakers and bakeries. Plus, you'll be able to make your own inspired art by frosting YOUR OWN cupcakes!

One lucky guest will WIN an Original Cake Sculpture by Lauren Brescia.

"One Cake, Please"

An Edible Art Showcase!

 Friday, April 8th, 5:30 - 9:00 P.M.

208 South Wabash, Chicago, IL 60614

    *A Pop-Up Art Loop™ Gallery

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Happy Opening Day

Doesn't this look heavenly?! Although it may not be that warm in Chicago right now, it is still the beginning of another exciting baseball season and I am slightly jealous of those bundled up in their winter Cubs gear heading out to Wrigley today. Given the scrutiny Cubs fans endure every year, I feel it necessary to give my background of why I am a die-hard Cubs fan. It basically began at birth. My mom went into labor while her and my dad were watching a Cubs game on a sunny day in June. The way the story goes, I arrived just in time for the end of the ninth inning. Over the years my parents would bring my brother and I to Wrigley field every summer to watch our faithful Cubs. I've even been so lucky as to have witnessed some rare history making games including Sammy Sosa's tie and break of the home run record, and more recently Zambrano's no hitter at Miller Park. I believe being a Cubs fan isn't just about the team. It's about the traditions, memories and every year beginning this day with three simple words..."It's our year!"

Chrysler - Arrive In Style

Somtimes I feel as though I was born in the wrong decade. I wonder how exciting it must have been to live in a glamorous world where people dressed up for any and every occasion. I love how this commerical perfectly represents those days of glitz and glamour.

Happy Birthday Graham!

Happy 24th birthday to my little brother!

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In honor of the late great...

West Town Tavern

Last weekend I went to dinner with my parents and Kacie (roommate) at West Town Tavern. My Dad has been long-time friends with the owners ever since they opened their first restaurant in Indianapolis. The chef is amazing at serving up southern inspired and perfectly seasoned comfort food. Let me just say that it was by far one on the best meals I have ever had. I highly recommend this place, including their signature cookbook which I bought for my Dad for his birthday. This will definitely be added to my Chicago Hot Spots.

Graham's Senior Portfolio Show

My little brother is graduating this year from the Art Institute with a degree in graphic design and I couldn't be more proud. He has a talent I don't and has worked hard to get to this point in his academic career. Here are a few pictures from the show.

Mom, Dad and Kacie checking out Graham's display

Graham's display

Other students displays we loved...

FSU is Making a Run in the Tournament...

... and we would like to think we had something to do with it. Here are a couple pictures from our pep rally or as we are now calling it, "FSU invades Chicago." Enjoy and GO NOLES!

March Madness

March is one of my favorite months out of the year soley because of the NCAA basketball tournament. Not only have I been one of the lucky few who have actually won a bracket pool, but I also often get to cheer for FSU and this year is no different. Except for the fact that FSU happens to be playing the first round in Chicago. With the help of our boosters, our alumni club has set up both a pep rally and post-win party at Rebel this Thursday and Friday. Although I did not actually pick FSU to win this year - I have to play the smart odds - I do hope they make a better showing than the last couple years. Anyone who is in the area this week and would like to stop by, details are below. GO NOLES!

Florida State Pep Rally for the NCAA Tournament 
Thursday, March 17, 2011
5:30pm to 7:00pm

Join your FSU Athletic Director, Randy Spetman, Associate AD, Allison Rich, and Coach Leonard Hamilton as we welcome our Men's Basketball Team to Chicago. The party is open to all Seminole fans and will feature a special appearance from the FSU Golden Girls and the Seminole Sound at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. We encourage you to wear your Garnet and Gold, bring your cameras for this special event, get ready to make some noise, and shake the players' hands as they mingle through the lobby.

Chicago St. Patty's

St. Patrick's day is by far one of my favorite holidays (green is my favorite color), especially if you're lucky enough to live in Chicago. No other city in the world - aside from Dublin - celebrates this holiday in such style as Chicago. Sadly I am missing the dying of the river this morning but I will be catching up to the celebratory crowds later this evening and hopefully will have some great pictures to post. Happy St. Patrick's day weekend and a special happy birthday to my aunt Patty!

Weekly Quote

I have always been inspired by insightful quotes, stories, pictures, etc. and I thought I would share some of my favorites with you each week. My brother said I need to spice things up a bit here so this weeks quote is dedicated to the one and only Graham.

Welcome Home

First and foremost, thank you to anyone who deems what I have to write worthwhile for reading. I have thought about writing a blog for sometime now but it wasn't until a very close friend of mine announced she was pregnant through her blog that I realized what a great tool it has become in communicating and staying in touch with those you love. So here I am.

This past year was a whirlwind for me to say the least. Growing up I always had these big dreams of going off to college in a new and different region of the country, graduating and moving back to the city I grew up near, and living on my own in Lincoln Park with a fun and exciting career that challenges me everyday. To much of my surprise I am at a unique stage in life, in that I have accomplished all those things. So what does a girl do when all her dreams have come true? Make new ones of course! As I begin to be more comfortable in who I am becoming and set my sights on new dreams, I am determined to not only explore the opportunities ahead but remember to stop...breathe...and enjoy the scenery.

Stay tuned...

A little about the title...I have always had this dream of living on a quiet tree lined street in Lincoln Park with a lot of character and history. It took a couple years but I have finally found my oasis on Hudson Ave. - a street so secluded, that even cab drivers need directions.